Morning light crept through the cracks in the ruins, painting lines of gold across the stone floor. Kael hadn't slept. He never really did.
Elara stirred beside the campfire, blinking away sleep. "You were awake all night, weren't you?"
Kael shrugged. "Didn't feel tired."
She sighed, brushing her hair back. "You're impossible."
He smirked faintly. "You said that yesterday."
"Well, it's still true."
They packed up their supplies and moved deeper into the ruins. The forest grew quieter the farther they went, as if the air itself held its breath. Mist rolled in, thick and pale, curling around the arches like living smoke.
"Fog magic," Elara said softly. "It's part of the illusion test."
"Maybe," Kael replied. "Or something else."
She frowned but followed him, keeping close. The air smelled faintly of ozone — lightning, old and lingering. Kael's hand brushed the dagger on his belt as his instincts prickled.
Illusions and Traps
They crossed a narrow bridge of broken stone, symbols glowing faintly beneath their boots. Kael tapped one with his toe, and the rune shimmered to life.
"Stop."
He crouched, tracing the sigil with a finger as small sparks of blue danced along the lines. "Pressure-triggered illusion. Designed to confuse direction."
"So… a maze spell?"
He nodded. "A bad one." With a single pulse of lightning through his fingertips, the rune cracked and fizzled out.
Elara watched, impressed. "You could teach a class on this."
Kael stood, brushing his hands off. "I'd rather survive them."
They continued forward, marking their progress on the map. Between the traps and illusions, the ruins felt endless — twisting corridors that led them in circles until Kael finally stopped and said, "Left wall's been charred. That means lightning hit here. I've already disarmed this one."
Elara blinked. "You've been keeping track of walls?"
"Walls don't lie," Kael said simply.
She gave a small laugh. "You really are strange."
By midday, they reached an open courtyard filled with broken statues. Kael paused, eyes scanning the treeline. Something was off.
Elara noticed his stillness. "What is it?"
He didn't answer right away. Then: "Someone's watching."
Elara's hand went to her staff, but Kael shook his head. "Don't draw attention. Keep moving like normal."
They circled the courtyard, pretending to examine the ruins. Kael's sharp eyes caught a flicker of motion — a shadow moving between pillars, quick and low. Two of them.
Not instructors.
He felt the hum of magic against his skin — faint, but wrong. Syndicate tracking marks.
So they found this place too, he thought grimly.
The path eventually led to a half-collapsed tower overlooking a misty gorge. The view stretched far into the valley, silver fog rippling over the trees.
"This must've been part of the old outpost," Elara said, walking closer to the edge.
Kael stayed a few paces back, scanning the area. "Don't get too close."
She turned to him, smiling faintly. "Worried I'll fall?"
"Worried something will push you."
Before she could respond, a faint sound broke through the wind — like a whisper, or a hiss. Both froze.
Kael moved instantly, stepping in front of her, dagger drawn. The whisper came again — soft, almost human. The mist shifted below, and Kael caught sight of a figure vanishing behind a crumbled wall.
"Someone's here," he muttered.
Elara nodded, tightening her grip on her staff. "Instructor?"
Kael shook his head. "No… they move too quietly."
He stared into the fog, eyes narrowing. "Syndicate."
Nightfall
They decided to make camp near the cliff, taking turns keeping watch. Elara tried to stay awake but drifted off near midnight.
Kael sat beside the dim fire, eyes never leaving the mist. Every so often, lightning flickered faintly around his hand, a silent warning to whatever lurked beyond.
He could feel them still — two presences, patient and waiting.
His jaw tightened. Let them come.
He looked back at Elara, sleeping soundly, her golden hair catching the moonlight. For some reason, that sight steadied him.
He leaned against the ruined wall, lightning crackling faintly in his palm.
"If they're coming," he murmured, "I'll be ready."
The mist shifted again — shadows moving. Watching.
And Kael smiled faintly into the darkness. "Let's see who blinks first."