《Atheria's Eden》


 Chapter 1: Teeth in the Dark

    The darkness was endless. No sky. No ground. Just the sensation of floating in something that wasn¡¯t quite air. Sticky, Cold¡­ Wrong.


    Stars began to rise. One by one white light floated up from beneath Arbor¡¯s feet. The surface below was thick like syrup. Their legs didn¡¯t sink into it, but every shift of movement clung to them like tar. Ripples of white light followed every twitch.


    More stars rose, outlining their silhouette. The sharp curves of their fox-like ears ¡ª two on top, two on the sides ¡ª caught the glow. A golden chain earring with a crescent moon charm sat on their top right ear. And matching gold cylinder earrings on their lower left.


    Their figure was Androgynous. Their skin was dark and their face was soft, almost human, except for the subtle curve of a fox¡¯s nose. Their hair, a light, baby blue, was pulled into a loose ponytail, with bangs falling past the sides of their head. A stubborn bang hung dead center claiming that spot for life.


    Their body was in simple gray shorts and a gray cropped shirt, but over that was a ghostly transparent white, sheer poncho edged in gold trim. It flickered with a glow, almost like a spirit¡¯s veil, with matching glowing leg warmers. Their hands seemed to be normal, besides their nails being longer, thicker, and sharper than the average human. Lastly, a poofy blue tail that wiggled around as if it had a mind of its own.


    The ripples of light grew stronger making white pulses.


    Arbor frowned. ¡°Not this dream again,¡± they muttered. Their gaze scanned the endless void. Nothing but darkness and an infuriating glow. Their ears twitched in irritation.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting tired of this,¡± they yelled into the open void, voice echoing. ¡°You hear me?! I¡¯m over it! Give me something else!¡±


    But nothing replied.


    Arbor exhaled hard, running a hand through their ponytail. This dream had been coming back for weeks. Same sticky black water. Same rising stars. Same silence. But this time¡­ something shifted.


    At first, it was just the subtle rise of a shape in the distance. Ripples of white light burst from its base. Arbor squinted. It was... a mirror.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    The frame of it poked out of the black water. A gold border surrounded the oval-shaped mirror, and at its base sat two sturdy gray feet. Beneath it, grass began to grow from a tiny dirt mound.


    With nowhere else to go, Arbor turned back to the mirror. ¡°Yeah, alright,¡± they muttered. ¡°Let''s see what creepy nonsense you¡¯ve got for me this time.¡±


    They walked closer, sticky water thinning into the grass. The mound had grown into a full patch of it beneath the mirror.


    They crouched in front of the mirror, expecting to see their reflection. But the mirror showed nothing.


    Arbor''s eyes narrowed tilting their head to the side waiting for their reflection to catch up. The mirror stayed blank.


    ¡°Of course,¡± they grumbled. ¡°Of course it¡¯s weird.¡±


    They raised their hand toward it slowly. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything stupid,¡± they muttered. They tapped it with one finger. Then another. The surface gave way. Their hand sank in.


    White ripples exploded across the mirror''s surface.


    ¡°...Not good,¡± Arbor hissed, yanking back on their arm. It didn¡¯t budge.


    They pulled harder. ¡°No, no, no. Nope. Nope. Nope.¡± Their heart pounded in their ears. The mirror wouldn''t let go. It gripped them with the same tar feeling as the water below.


    Then the ground shook.


    The black water behind them rippled violently. Slowly a wall began to rise. It towered above them, thick stone. White liquid oozed from the cracks, glowing. The rumbling stopped.


    On the wall, a circle with runes began to glow. Inside the circle, one side held a small, earthly caramel flame flickering. On the other side, a huge, angry flame of dark red and yellow swirled. In the center of the circle was a round symbol Arbor didn¡¯t recognize. They squinted at it, trying to make sense of the markings.


    ¡°Really?¡± they muttered, yanking on their arm again. ¡°Let me go! Let me go!¡±


    Then something in the mirror moved, something orange. At first, Arbor thought it was another flame, like the ones on the wall. But then it moved again. It was too fluid and smooth.


    It wasn''t a fire. It was fur.


    A pair of glowing orange eyes opened in the mirror.


    The last thing Arbor saw was a huge mouth opening in front of them, with lines of teeth. It lunged forward, and before they could scream, the jaws snapped down on their head with a deafening CRUNCH.


    Everything went dark.


    Somewhere, in the back of their mind, Arbor¡¯s voice echoed.


    "Sometimes I wish¡­ I could have some peace."


    "But I guess, I haven¡¯t gotten lucky yet."


    "...Not yet."

 Chapter 2: A Visitor at the Den

    Deep within the heart of Atherias forest lay a den. It wasn''t a hole dug into the dirt, nor a tunnel carved out by instinct alone. This den had a master artisan. Every detail hinted at the careful touch of someone with patience.


    The entrance was just a narrow opening that was framed by roots. Within it, the floor was a smooth stone. Rugs were scattered about, each embroidered with pale moon-shaped symbols.


    The walls had sturdy wooden beams, and a bar stood at the corner of the room, surrounded by short, cushioned chairs. It wasn''t grand, but it had the air of something lived in.


    There were signs of magic here, too. A collection of unusual stones floated above dishes on the tables and shelves. On the floor lay piles of well-worn leather-bound books with hand-drawn symbols. Several other books lay stacked neatly nearby, their spines marked with simple sigils ¡ª a crescent moon. The faint glow came off every crest.


    Above, two glass windows were set into the ceiling, cleverly placed so the sun¡¯s early morning rays could pass through.


    But in the far corner of the den, craftsmanship gave way to something far simpler.


    A bed sat on a mound of soft grass, its frame crafted from rough tree bark, unevenly stacked and crudely held together with clay and leaves. It was as if the one who built it had given up halfway through, satisfied with "good enough."


    Curled on that bed, nestled snug in the tangled mess of grass and bark, was a little fox. But not an ordinary fox.


    Their fur was light and baby blue, with soft brown spots dotting their coat. The most striking feature was their ears. Two fox ears sat upright on top of their head, while two smaller ones rested on the sides like an afterthought of nature¡¯s design. A thin golden chain hung from their right upper ear, a tiny crescent moon dangling at its end, and a small golden cylinder from the lower left ear.


    Then a sound.


    Not from within the den, but outside. Soft crunches of grass and twigs. The fox''s ears twitched at the noise but didn¡¯t open their eyes.


    The crunches grew closer and louder.


    Their eyes opened lazily, staring at the door.


    Then, the figure emerged from the forest¡¯s edge. A feminine sheep-like figure. Not quite human. Not quite a beast.


    She had two horns that curled back, one of them broken. Her face was lined with the wrinkles of age. She had a sheep-like nose, with a long scar along the bridge. Her eye was green with yellow around the outer edges. A red eye patch covered her left eye with a symbol.


    She wore a metal chest-plate with gold trim. A crimson coat hung over their shoulders, not on entirely. Beneath the chest plate, she wore a long red sheath dress, split at both sides for simple movement. Her sleeves, long and wide like bells, were trimmed in wool cuffs. Grey wool covered her from the neck down. Other than her hands. Her legs ended in thick hooves that crushed the grass below her with every step.


    At her side, she carried a sword. It hung low on her hip and had the same symbol as her eye patch.


    The sheep-woman stopped just outside the den.


    "Arbor, wake up. You''ll sleep the whole day away if you linger any longer, and Goddess Atheria would not like that."


    The fox lying in the bed didn¡¯t move. They squeezed their eyes shut tighter, curling in on themselves like a ball of fur. Their nose wiggled, followed by a low growl. It wasn¡¯t an angry growl, more like a child''s playful grumble when asked to leave a warm bed on a chilly morning.


    "Arbor," the voice said again. "You know I can''t understand you when you''re like that." The fox huffed loudly.


    ¡°Fine. Fine. I¡¯m up.¡± Arbor thought.


    Their limbs stretched out slowly and a flicked of their tail. A sudden swirl of blue smoke burst from them. It spiraled upward, thick and twisting, until it cloaked the den in a soft blue fog.


    Where the fox had been, now lay a figure.


    Arbor, in their more humanoid form, lay sprawled on the floor, forgetting their tail. In another poof, their poofy tail reappeared. ¡°I don''t know how people go around without these. It feels wrong,¡± Arbor thought with a puzzled face.


    "I''m up, Freya," Arbor called, voice muffled by the stone floor. "No need to keep tapping on the glass."


    Outside the den, the familiar voice scoffed. Freya.


    "Every day I come here, you wake up later and later," she said. "One day, I swear I¡¯ll leave you in your little hole. And when Atheria sends someone less kind than me, maybe then you¡¯ll take mornings seriously.¡± Her hooves crunched softly against the grass as she moved just outside the entrance.


    ¡°Now get up, Arbor. And put some clothes on. I¡¯ll be out here.¡±


    Arbor groaned, pressing their face into the smooth stone floor. ¡°Yes, Freya,¡± they muttered into the icy surface.


    They stayed like that for a moment longer. But the moment passed. Reluctantly, they pushed themselves up, stretching with a loud yawn, jaws wide and sharp teeth on display.


    ¡°Fine. Clothes it is.¡± Arbor mumbled.


    It was the same routine every day. For as long as Arbor''s spotty memory stretched, Freya had always been there¡ªwalking through the forest to wake them up, then going on about the same things. It was predictable, even tiresome at times. Yet, Arbor couldn¡¯t deny that having this constant presence was... nice. Their protests were habitual, more bark than bite.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Anything before the last two years was a blank haze, an ungraspable fog in their mind. In that void, Freya had become their anchor, the only person they¡¯d been around since then. They often wondered if it should bother them, being so isolated. But for now, the status quo was fine¡ªenough, at least.


    The room was dark beyond the light coming through the ceiling glass. Their eyes drifted to the wooden shelf across the room. On the top shelf, were tiny flying light bugs in tinted glass jars. Arbor stepped closer, rising to their toes as they reached for one jar.


    Their hand brushed against the jar at the wrong angle, and it tipped over, clinking against the edge of another jar. That second jar tipped too. Then a third. A chain reaction of disaster.


    Clatter! Crash!


    Three jars hit the ground, their glass lids rattling loose. Light Bugs shot out in all directions. Little glowing orbs of yellow, green, and soft blue zipped through the den.


    "Ah, seriously?" Arbor said, hissing, swatting at one of them.


    This wasn¡¯t the first time the Light Bugs had escaped. Arbor had learned by now that chasing them only made things worse. So, they stayed where they were, sitting cross-legged and watching the glowing orbs drift lazily until they returned on their own.


    One by one, the lights slowly floated down. The bugs hovered near Arbor¡¯s lap, spiraling down in slow, lazy circles before finally settling on the fabric of their shorts. Their soft glow illuminated the floor like a lantern.


    "Finally," Arbor muttered. ¡°Now they could see.¡±


    They turned to face the far wall. A wooden closet. Its frame was dark, aged oak, but faint blue light seeped from the cracks around the door.


    The carvings on the wood told a story. Intricate images of warriors clashing under a storm-filled sky, a tree sprouting from the center of battle, roots reaching beneath the ground. The story wasn¡¯t one Arbor knew. They¡¯d asked the artisan about it once, but all they got in return was a shrug and a laugh.


    "Doesn¡¯t matter who it belonged to," the artisan had said. "It¡¯s yours now. Use it well."


    It was a magic closet. One that made clothes, new ones, every day. And each outfit it created carried a tiny reserve of magic, a buffer of energy that Arbor could call upon when their own magic ran dry.


    Arbor reached for the handle and pulled it open. The glow of blue light flooded the den like a wave of calm water. Their eyes squinted at the brightness for a moment before adjusting.


    Inside, folded neatly on a hook, hung the outfit of the day.


    A kimono. Slightly oversized. Its colors shifted from soft pinks blending into deep purples and embroidered along its hem was the image of a towering tree, its branches reaching toward the shoulders. Beneath it hung a sleek black bodysuit with a small metal moon symbol nestled just below the neckline.


    Arbor smiled, sharp teeth poking through their grin.


    ¡°Not bad,¡± they muttered.


    They dressed quickly, slipping into the bodysuit first. The kimono draped loosely off their shoulders, hanging just enough to not get in the way. The final touch was a pair of knee-high boots, each one adorned with the same metal moon symbol as the bodysuit.


    At the edge of the room sat a simple cylinder-shaped bag of light brown leather with small crescent moons stamped on both sides. They looped it around their waist, securing it behind them like a belt pouch. Next, they picked up their journal with a scrap of fabric tied around its binding and slipped it onto their hip. Lastly, they grabbed a few small, jagged stones from the dish on the table, the ones with faint streaks of shimmering color.


    With everything in place, Arbor stood before the small mirror near the entrance. They adjusted the tuft of hair at the center of their forehead, tugging it down just slightly so it sat in perfect defiance. Their reflection grinned back at them. Sharp teeth. Mischief in their eyes.


    ¡°Looks good,¡± they said.


    Turning on their heel, Arbor strode toward the entrance of the den.


    They stepped outside.


    Freya sat against a tree. ¡°Finally.¡± Her voice was dry. ¡°I was starting to think you¡¯d gone back to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me. I just might.", Arbor said.


    Outside the den, the world was in a misty fog. The trees above were not the usual shade of green, but deep blue. The tree''s bark had green oozing.


    Freya was already moving ahead.


    She glanced over her shoulder, her one green eye watching as Arbor trailed behind.


    "Alright," Freya called back. "We can get going now."


    Arbor followed with their hands folded behind their head, eyes half-open, still asleep.


    On occasion, Arbor would go off the path just long enough to snatch up a rock. Not just any rock ¡ª the good ones. The ones with odd shapes or weird colors. Rocks with ¡°personality,¡± as Arbor liked to think of them. With every few steps, they¡¯d find a new one, brush it off with their thumb, and slip it into their side pouch.


    The walk stretched on until Arbor finally let out an exaggerated groan. Their ears flattened slightly as they tilted their head back.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired of waking up sooooo early,¡± they whined. Their tail swished behind them, slow and dramatic.


    Freya didn''t stop walking.


    ¡°You know why we have to do this, Arbor." Her words were steady and practiced."The Goddess Atheria sees potential in you. More than most. She¡¯s giving you the chance to join the Elite Legion and protect this Eden.¡±


    She glanced over her shoulder again. ¡°A chance most people would beg for.¡±


    Arbor tilted their head to the side, staring at her with that dry, unimpressed look. Their fingers fiddled with a small stone they¡¯d just picked up, a habit, but not the worse. Their eyes flicked down to it, inspecting the surface like it was infinitely more interesting than Freya¡¯s "motivational speech."


    ¡°Don¡¯t see much worth protecting out here,¡± Arbor muttered. ¡°No strange outsiders. No other warring factions. No ¡®great enemies¡¯ to fight. Just fog, weird trees, and sap that sticks to everything.¡± They tossed a glance at one of the blue-leafed trees, watching the sap ooze down its trunk. ¡°Seems like a lot of work for nothing.¡±


    Freya stopped walking.


    Her ears twitched slightly as she turned, resting one hand on her hip.


    ¡°That¡¯s because the Legion does a good job protecting you all,¡± she said plainly. She didn¡¯t blink or flinch. Just stared them down, waiting.


    Arbor''s mouth opened like they had a retort ready, but nothing came out. Their teeth clicked shut with a soft tch. Their ears twitched in mild irritation.


    They hated it when Freya did that. It wasn¡¯t the words that got to them ¡ª it was the way she said it. Certain. Like it was a fact they couldn¡¯t argue with. They scratched the back of their neck, eyes flicking to the side.


    "Yeah, yeah," they muttered, kicking a small stone off the path. It tumbled into the fog with a soft thump.


    Then there was a long silence as the two walked.


    After a while, Arbor glanced at Freya again, eyeing the way her bell-sleeved dress shifted with every step. The way she walked in a way that felt¡­ stable.


    ¡°Why¡¯d she pick you anyway?¡± Arbor asked, ears tilting toward her. ¡°To train me, I mean.¡±


    Freya''s face stayed still, but her fingers tapped against the hilt of the sword at her side.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m one of the few willing to do it,¡± she said flatly. ¡°You¡¯re difficult. No sense of discipline. No control over your magic. No patience.¡± She let that sit for a moment. ¡°You see why nobody volunteered?¡±


    ¡°Ouch.¡± Arbor placed a hand over their heart. ¡°You wound me, Freya.¡±


    Freya rolled her eyes. "If you were wounded, you''d have to heal yourself, and we both know how that''d turn out."


    Arbor smirked. "Rude."


    ¡°True,¡± Freya countered. ¡°Now stop dragging your feet. The sooner we get to the training grounds, the sooner you can complain about something new.¡±

 Chapter 3: Prey and Predator

    Elsewhere in the forest, the fog was thicker. Shadows shifted unnaturally between the trees, blending with the mist until it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began.


    A figure darted through.


    Their green cloak moved behind them, snagging on a low branch, and each frantic step kicked up bits of dirt and leaves. Their breathing was shallow, panicked, each exhale a puff of fog in the cold air. The hood of their cloak had slipped slightly, revealing two pointed ears poking out from either side. Beneath the edge of the hood, blond hair caught the light as it swayed with each step. The bottom of their cloak was frayed, streaked with dirt, and dotted with the faint dark stains of blood.


    The symbol on their back ¡ª a blue moon crest ¡ª gleamed like fresh paint. If anyone had been close enough, they might have noticed that the crest¡¯s design gave a strong resemblance to one that another fox-like figure wore. But there was no one close enough. No one to help.


    No one, except the figure behind them.


    A second figure moved swiftly through the fog, their presence quiet but menacing. Their cloak was dark black, like the shaded trees around them. No face could be seen beneath the hood. Only the faint shape of a head tilted downward, following the trail with measured steps.


    Their left hand emerged from the folds of the cloak. Pale, cold fingers. Two of which had been replaced with thin, sharp metal prosthetics. Rings lined every knuckle inscribed with runes too small to read.


    But it was the right hand that carried the real threat.


    A crossbow. Its frame, made of metal, was marked with runic carvings. The glow of faint purple runes lit up along the length of the weapon, each one glowing bright as energy pulsed into it. The moment the glow reached the bolt resting on the string, the air itself seemed to buzz.


    Whip!


    The crossbow snapped with a sharp crack, and the bolt flew forward.


    The arrow sliced cleanly through the air, flickering purple aura. Sparks crackled along its edges, as it zipped just past the figure in green, grazing their hood. A spark ignited on impact, singeing the fabric at the edge. The elf stumbled, their heart lurching as they felt the tug of the hood, like a hand trying to pull them backward.


    They hissed in pain, clutching at their chest where a dark tear in the fabric revealed blood-stained cloth beneath. Their movements grew sloppy, every step more uneven than the last. The world spun slightly, fog swirling in streaks of green and blue, but they grit their teeth and pushed forward.


    They had to keep moving.


    "Run, run, little sprout," came a voice from behind. Low, sharp, and far too amused. The hunter didn''t shout. There was no need. The words carried easily through the fog. "Faster now. You''ve done so well so far. Don''t stop now."


    The elf didn¡¯t respond. They didn¡¯t need to. Their only answer was the frantic pounding of their footsteps. But they were slowing. The weight of the wound on their chest dragged them down like a chain, and every breath came shorter than the last.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    The fog began to thin.


    Ahead of them, the forest opened into a clearing, and they nearly tripped at the sudden shift in terrain. Their gaze darted to the space ahead, searching for an escape route. But there was no open path. No winding trail to follow. No endless stretch of woods to vanish into.


    Only a ruined structure.


    Old stone walls jutted up from the ground, crumbling with age. Vines wrapped around the cracks like veins. Moss clung to every surface, and whatever roof had once crowned the building had long since collapsed. The only way forward was straight into it, but they could see at a glance ¡ª it was a dead end.


    They skidded to a stop, their boots grinding against the dirt as they spun around, breath heaving. Their eyes flicked toward the edge of the clearing.


    The hunter was there.


    Standing just at the edge of the fog. Still cloaked in darkness, their body a silhouette against the misty backdrop. They did not chase. They didn¡¯t have to. Their posture was relaxed, almost lazy, like a predator watching a mouse scurry into a trap. Their hood tilted upward slightly, just enough to reveal the glow of two faint red runes pulsing where their eyes should have been.


    "That was fun," the hunter said, their voice dripping with mock delight. Their crossbow hung lazily at their side, still humming with faint purple energy. "But it seems we''ve reached the climax."


    The elf cursed under their breath. Her hand, still trembling, shot out from under their cloak. A green glow erupted in front of them as a tear split through the air. Runes circled its edges, leaves swirling as a hole in reality formed before them.


    A weapons gate.


    From within, a staff of smooth, rich wood tipped with a red gem. Golden vines curled around its length, forming two upward-facing spikes near the top, like horns. The elf snatched it with a desperate grip, her eyes sharp and wild. The glow of yellow-green light rippled down the length of the staff.


    Her hood fell.


    Long blond hair tumbled free, hanging in uneven strands around her face. Her features were sharp, but one half of her face had raw, angry marks from a burn scar. The skin was blistered and red, and her right eye remained closed from the damage. Her other eye ¡ª green, fierce, and filled with rage. Blood seeped from a wound on her chest, but she raised the staff high, her fingers gripping it with fury.


    Her lips moved and green runes appeared at her feet. Glowing shapes floated up around her in a spiral. More runes shimmered in the air, forming a layered, multi-tiered magic circle that hovered above her head. Its glow painted her face in pale green light, making her eyes burn brighter.


    The ground beneath her feet pulsed with power, and for a moment, it looked as though she would strike.


    But then, the hunter raised their hand.


    They didn¡¯t call upon an incantation. All they did was raise their hand, revealing a floating red gem hovering just above their palm. Its shape was sharp ¡ª a diamond marked with intricate runes glowing faintly red.


    ¡°We can¡¯t have that now, can we?¡± they said, tilting their head with false pity. Their fingers curled slowly. The red glow of the gem shifted to green.


    The elf¡¯s eyes went wide with realization.


    ¡°No!¡± she gasped. Her hands shot up, clawing at the air, as though she could stop what was about to happen. But it was too late.


    The layered green runes around her cracked like shattered glass. One by one, they broke. Symbols burst apart in flashes of light, vanishing like fireflies going dark. Her magic fizzled in her hands as the staff¡¯s glow faded into dull, lifeless wood.


    Her face contorted with rage. Desperation.


    Her gaze locked onto the hunter, her eyes blazing like fire. ¡°You will regret this,¡± she spat, breathing heavily and ragged. ¡°Atheria will see you.¡±


    The hunter chuckled softly, shaking their head.


    "That''s the thing about you mages, sooo much confidence. I love it.¡± They paused. ¡°But it seems the chase is over. Atheria''s gaze doesn''t reach here, little sprout." They stepped forward, slowly, their shadow stretching like a claw. The dark aura seeped out from their cloak like ink, rolling over the grass in thick, curling tendrils.


    The light of the clearing dimmed. The glow of magic vanished.


    All that remained was the shadow.

 Chapter 4: Rough Introduction

    The fog had lifted some. Two figures walked along a worn dirt path.


    Freya led with Arbor trailing behind.


    Arbor¡¯s attention wandered with every step. Their mind, however, stayed firmly on one singular thought.


    ¡°But does it have to be every day, though?¡± Arbor asked.


    Freya¡¯s eye twitched.


    ¡°Yes, Arbor,¡± she replied. ¡°The key to improvement is practice.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I¡¯ve heard that before.¡± Arbor glanced up at the canopy, squinting. ¡°But does it have to be, every, day? I rarely get any free ti¡ª¡±


    That was it. Freya stopped.


    Her hand slowly moved to the hilt of her sheathed blade. Her fingers curled around the handle, and as she gripped it, the runes on her hand flickered to life. Thunderclouds and lightning bolts appeared along her skin.


    Arbor''s ears shot straight up, twitching frantically. ¡°W-Wait, wait, Freya, c¡¯mon¡ª¡±


    The sky shifted.


    Above Arbor¡¯s head, dark clouds coiled out of nowhere, swirling together. Red sparks crackled. The air buzzed with static.


    ¡°FREYA, WAIT, I WAS JOKING!¡± Arbor shouted. They waved their hands in wild panic, hopping backward as fast as their fox-like feet could manage. ¡°CALM DO¡ª¡±


    CRACK-BOOM!


    A bolt of red lightning shot down from the sky. It struck the ground just between their legs.


    Their eyes went wide. Their limbs froze in place. Blue smoke curled up from the ground.


    Poof.


    Where Arbor had been standing, there was now a small, wide-eyed blue fox. Their ears were pinned flat, their fur puffed up twice its usual size. They blinked slowly.


    ¡°¡­Rude,¡± they thought, their small fox voice high-pitched and not at all words.


    Freya''s arms folded across her chest. Her eye looked down at Arbor with pure disappointment.


    ¡°Next time, you¡¯ll think before you open your mouth,¡± she said and she walked on, her hooves clacking softly on the bridge ahead.


    Arbor sat there staring after her. The bridge stretched over the river, and far in the distance, a floating stone stadium hovered in the sky. Above it, a huge false blue moon hung. It glowed faintly, almost laughing at Arbor''s misfortune. Arbor didn¡¯t at all like that moon, it always gave off a watching aura, unlike the normal rocks Arbor loved collecting.


    ¡°¡­She¡¯s the villain here,¡± Arbor thought.


    They padded after her before another swirl of blue smoke surrounded them.


    They caught up quickly, walking just a few paces behind Freya.


    ¡°...I¡¯m just saying,¡± Arbor began, arms folded behind their head again, ¡°if I get struck by lightning every day, it¡¯s technically counterproductive to my training.¡±


    Freya didn¡¯t respond, but the soft glow of a lightning rune flickered faintly on her knuckle.


    Arbor went silent.


    They hadn¡¯t walked much further before the sound of rustling bushes caught both of their attention. Freya and Arbor stopped and their ears both twitched, alert. The rustling came from just ahead, off the path to the right.


    ¡°...Wild animal?¡± Arbor guessed.


    ¡°Not wild,¡± Freya replied. ¡°Too steady.¡±


    The bushes shook again. Then, with a loud rustle, a young elf boy emerged, his posture arms open, like he owned every inch of ground he walked on. His short, messy, dark green hair had bits of leaves tangled in it, though he didn¡¯t seem to notice or care. His green jacket hung off his shoulders like a cloak, his arms not even in the sleeves. On his chest, a hawk-shaped crest marked his shirt, and two gold chains dangled from each long ear, each adorned with the same hawk insignia. His eyes were sharp.


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt whatever this is, teacher,¡± he called. He didn¡¯t even glance at Arbor. ¡°But don¡¯t we have somewhere to be?¡±


    Behind the elf was a sheep-like girl. Her shorter stature forced her to step quickly to keep up. Her dress was like Freya¡¯s, but the main color was deep garnet-purple instead of Freya''s crimson-red. Her horns barely poked up past her short, fluffy hair, her face round with youth. Her eyes darted between Freya and Arbor.


    Arbor glanced at her, then at Freya. Their eyes squinted.


    ¡°...family maybe?¡± Arbor thought, raising a brow.


    "Oh, thank Atheria, you two are here," Freya sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t think I could take another minute of this. Why are you two lurking around in the bushes¡±


    "We got sidetracked." the elf boy said. He jerked his thumb toward himself with a cocky grin. "I was trying to show her a shortcut.¡±


    The sheep-girl raised a pointed eyebrow at the elf.


    The elf just brushed it off, ¡°It worked out, didn¡¯t it?"


    The sheep-girl sighed, ¡°We got lost, Alek.¡±


    Alek shot her a glare, ¡°Details.¡±


    Freya¡¯s eye locked firmly on Alek. ¡°You decided to ''lead'' and got lost. I suppose I should be grateful you didn¡¯t wander into a drake¡¯s den.¡± She folded her arms unimpressed.


    Alek shrugged, ¡°But we made it, didn¡¯t we? Sorry though.¡±


    Just then Freya''s hand began to shine from the runes on her fingers and palm.


    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°That¡¯s not right.¡± Her gaze darted toward the treeline. Her fingers moved as if gripping invisible threads.


    Arbor blinked. "What¡¯s not right?"


    Freya didn¡¯t answer, her expression hardening.


    ¡°The rune ar-¡± Freya paused thinking of what to say.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back later. The Legion has called,¡± she said suddenly. Her eyes darted toward Eva, then Alek. ¡°I¡¯ll meet you at the training grounds. Don¡¯t wander. Don¡¯t slow down. And do not follow me.¡±


    Pressing her foot into the dirt below it began to glow. She drew a circle, her fingers glowing faint red as runes ignited.


    She stepped into the center of the circle.


    ¡°Bye.¡±


    Lightning flashed. The air cracked with a sudden, deafening boom, and Freya was gone.


    Silence.


    The only sound left was the soft buzz of static that lingered in the air where she¡¯d stood.


    Arbor blinked. "Oh wow."


    Now Arbor was stuck in the woods with two strangers, their usual predictable routine thrown completely off balance. Freya¡ªtheir anchor, their constant¡ªwas gone. Who even were these people?


    Alek turned, squinting at Arbor for a moment before his grin widened. ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re that fox, huh? The one that skipped all the exams?¡±


    Arbor tilted their head. Exams? Sure let''s just roll with that.


    Arbor let out a reply that seemed vague enough to hold. "Something like that, I guess?"


    Alek''s grin grew sharper, his eyes flicking up and down. ¡°Glad to see we¡¯ve got some talent on the team. Maybe even enough to rival my own.¡±


    Arbor just blinked slowly. Arbor already didn¡¯t like this guy. Then, without another word, they turned and started walking away.


    ¡°Okay, cool. I¡¯m going over here now.¡±


    The sheep-girl gave a soft laugh. She stepped past Alek and walked toward Arbor. Her eyes squinted slightly as if searching for something. Her eyes glowed faintly pink for a moment.


    Arbor¡¯s ears flicked. They felt it. A shift.


    It was faint, but their body reacted before their mind caught up. A subtle push of aura flicked outward from them. It wasn¡¯t enough to knock anything over, but it was enough to disrupt the unseen effect that had been focused on them. What was she trying to do?


    Eva blinked. Her eyes returned to soft green, and she tilted her head, curious.


    Her smile widened. ¡°Nice to meet you, I¡¯m Eva, Freya''s little sis if you couldn¡¯t tell. I¡¯ve been stuck with him for a while,¡± she said, her eyes flicking toward Alek.


    Eva now whispered so that Alek couldn¡¯t hear. ¡°That''s Alek, he¡¯s the elven prince of Nytherion, but 7th in line, I think. So don''t let his title bother you.¡± Eva backed up from Arbor, now acting like she hadn¡¯t just dropped some important information. ¡°Nice to see a new face.¡±


    Arbor hadn¡¯t met anyone besides Freya out here¡ªlet alone some prince. The only things they knew about people like him came from books, and those kinds of stories didn¡¯t usually happen in places like this.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too comfortable,¡± Alek called out, in an annoyed tone. ¡°You heard Freya. We¡¯re wasting daylight. If we want to make it to the training grounds, we should move.¡±


    Eva glanced at Arbor, then at Alek. ¡°Fine. Fine Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Arbor shrugged. "Sure, fearless leader."


    <h4>20 Minutes Later</h4>


    The air smelled faintly of moss and wildflowers, clean and sharp in Arbor''s nose. They sneezed.


    Arbor kicked a loose stone down the dirt path, hands behind their head. ¡°How long is this walk supposed to be? Feels like we¡¯ve been at it for hours,¡± they muttered.


    ¡°It¡¯s been ten minutes,¡± Alek said flatly, not even looking at them.


    ¡°Yeah, well, ten minutes too long,¡± Arbor shot back.


    Alek¡¯s steps slowed. ¡°You think this is a joke?¡± His voice was quiet. He faced Arbor. ¡°We¡¯re the lucky few with a future as legion members. The sooner you stop treating this like a stroll, the better.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s ears twitched. They didn¡¯t answer right away, hands fiddling with a small stone. ¡°What is this guy even going on about?¡± they thought.


    ¡°Not treating it like a stroll,¡± they said finally. ¡°Just not in a rush to prove something to the trees.¡±


    Alek¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°You think this place cares about your pace? You think I care?¡± He stepped forward. ¡°People are clawing for a chance to stand where you are, and you¡¯re wasting it.¡±


    Arbor tilted their head. ¡°Wasting it?¡± they repeated. ¡°I¡¯m here, aren¡¯t I? Walking the same dirt road as you. We both ended up here, so maybe save the ¡®I''m better than you¡¯ speech for someone who asked for it.¡±


    Alek took a slow breath. ¡°This isn¡¯t about me being better,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s about you dragging us down. The Legion doesn¡¯t need people who ¡®just show up.¡¯ They need people who act.¡±


    Arbor let out a breathy laugh, the stone tightening in their hand. ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s it.¡± They shook their head. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about me, Prince.¡±


    ¡°I know enough fox,¡± Alek said. ¡°And what I see is someone waiting for the world to move for them instead of moving themselves.¡±


    That did it. Arbor¡¯s ears flicked back, their tail twitching. The rock in their hand magic energy now flowing into it, forming it into a ball of spikes. ¡°I¡¯m not dragging anyone,¡± they said. ¡°You want me to sprint just to make you feel like we¡¯re doing something? Not my style.¡± They turned, eyes meeting Aleks. "I move forward, Alek. One step at a time. Just ''cause you¡¯re running doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re ahead.¡±


    For a second, Alek didn¡¯t respond. Slowly his hands hung at his sides, fingers curling into loose fists. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of thing you animals say when they don¡¯t want to admit they¡¯re slow.¡±


    Animals? ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s what, people, say,¡± Arbor replied, taking a single step forward, ¡°when they¡¯re smart enough to know you don¡¯t win by burning yourself out before you get there.¡±


    Alek stepped forward too. The space between them felt smaller than it was.


    ¡°Say that again fox,¡± Alek said.


    Arbor stayed still, eyes locked with Alek¡¯s.


    ¡°Alright, alright, that¡¯s enough,¡± Eva¡¯s voice cut through the tension. She stepped between them, one hand raised. ¡°Both of you, breathe before you say something real stupid.¡±


    Alek¡¯s jaw tightened. Arbor exhaled slowly through their nose, letting their shoulders drop.


    ¡°I¡¯m not about to listen to this all the way to the training grounds,¡± Eva said, eyes on both of them now. Her tone was calm, but firm in a way that didn¡¯t leave room for argument. ¡°So unless you both want to explain to Freya why you¡¯re late and bruised, I suggest you walk it off.¡± Her eyes flashed brown to pink for a second, and the shift in the air was impossible to miss.


    Arbor stepped back first, rolling their neck with a loose shrug. ¡°Fine. I¡¯m chill.¡± They shoved their hands into their pockets and turned back toward the trail. First people Arbor met in a while and already they couldn¡¯t stand one.


    ¡°Where is Freya? She just gets me.¡± Arbor sighed.


    Alek stayed still a moment longer.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± he muttered, walking ahead of both of them.


    They walked in silence. Eva kept herself between them as a barrier. Alek¡¯s posture stayed stiff. Arbor lagged behind a bit, hands back behind their head.


    After what had to be an hour¡¯s walk they finally arrived. ¡°There,¡± Eva said, pointing toward the wide expanse ahead. ¡°That¡¯s the training grounds.¡±


    The forest path had widened, and an arena floated 20 feet above them. An old colossal 300-foot square-stone platform, hovering. Vines somehow reached the arena like they were trying to pull it down to earth. Above the arena, the same huge moon glowed, its aura more present now.


    ¡°Out of all the stones I collect, this one feels weird,¡± Arbor muttered, their eyes scanning the floating stairs. ¡°Place like this? Definitely ghosts or something here.¡±


    ¡°You scared?¡± Alek said from ahead of them.


    ¡°Nah.¡± Arbor stuffed their hands into their pockets, gaze still on the floating stairs. ¡°Just saying, if a ghost jumps out, I¡¯m not dealing with it.¡±


    Alek rolled his eyes walking up the cracked floating stairs and headed toward the center of the arena. He tapped the ground with the heel of his boot, seeming to test its stability. Satisfied, he started doing some stretches, his eyes on the glowing moonstone hovering overhead. "This is perfect,¡± he said. ¡°The projections should still work."


    Eva walked up next, glancing at the crumbling benches before looking at the floating moonstone. Her eyes flicked pink for a moment, then back to green. "It¡¯s stable. Magic¡¯s still running through it, but it¡¯s faint. Won¡¯t be as strong as the one near the capital.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t need to be,¡± Alek said, putting on a leather chest plate with rune engraving on top of his shirt. ¡°It¡¯ll do for now.¡±


    Arbor finally stepped on the first step. ¡°I hate this place they muttered,¡± they muttered under their breath. ¡°The moon is looking at me funny.¡±


    ¡°Everything¡¯s looking at you funny,¡± Alek said. ¡°Get to the center of the platform, Arbor.¡±


    Arbor raised a brow. ¡°Why?¡±


    Alek tapped the ground twice. ¡°Because I want to see what you can do.¡±


    Arbor blinked. ¡°Right now?¡±


    ¡°Right now,¡± Alek said, rolling his shoulders. ¡°I¡¯m not waiting another hour just to find out you¡¯re all talk.¡±


    Eva let out a long sigh and sat on one of the cracked benches, resting her chin on her hand. ¡°Here we go,¡± she muttered, watching them both. ¡°This will probably be fine, the arena¡¯s magic should cancel any real damage,¡± she muttered.


    Arbor stood there for a second. "You wanna fight me now? We just got here."


    Alek lifted his arms, fingers flexing. ¡°You afraid I''m right about you not belonging here? Or are you just too scared I''m going to hurt you?¡±


    Arbor scratched at the side of their head, lips pressed into a flat line. They glanced at Eva like they were looking for backup, but Eva was already sitting looking to be in her own world. ¡°Fine,¡± Arbor muttered, stepping forward. ¡°But if I win, you owe me a meal.¡±


    Alek raised a brow. ¡°You think you¡¯ll win?¡±


    Arbor shrugged. ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Alek loosened his muscles. ¡°You don''t even have the drive to give me a confident answer,¡± he said. ¡°You being here is disrespectful.¡±


    Arbor looked a bit annoyed now. ¡°You know prince, not everyone here gets to choose what they do, some of us just have to stick with what we are given. But now I''ll gladly shut you up.¡±


    ¡°No more excuses,¡± Alek said quietly. ¡°Show me then.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s eyes lowered slightly, rolling their eyes. Their stance shifted just a little and lifted a hand lazily and with a whirl of glowing stone a crack in space opened. A weapon gate. From inside, Arbor pulled out a black staff, its surface smooth like obsidian. The blue glow from the floating rock danced along its surface.


    Alek¡¯s fingers twitched. ¡°Impressive you can open one of those. Let''s see if you can actually use it.¡±


    This was a staff given by Freya and something Arbor was not supposed to use, but Arbor thought, ¡°If it¡¯s meant for combat why not test it out here.¡±


    Alek darted forward. His steps were quick as he drew his daggers while running. Alek¡¯s first strike cut the air where Arbor¡¯s head had been a second earlier. His second strike came low, aimed for their legs, but Arbor hopped back, feet landing lightly.


    ¡°Fast,¡± Arbor said. ¡°This is good, although I''m, not the best fighter, dodging is something I''m decent at.¡± Arbor thought.


    ¡°Stop dodging,¡± Alek snapped, ¡°Or Is that staff just for show.¡±


    ¡°Stop swinging, and I¡¯ll show you,¡± Arbor shot back, ducking under a wild swipe. They took a couple of hops back. "You¡¯re faster than I thought, though."


    Alek didn¡¯t answer. His next swing was sharper, more precise, the tip of the dagger cutting through the sleeve of Arbor¡¯s kimono.


    Arbor glanced at the tear in their sleeve. ¡°You owe me for that,¡± they muttered.


    Alek¡¯s strikes were smaller now, tighter. Clean cuts aimed at Arbor¡¯s arms, legs, and torso. He was testing their reactions, watching for patterns.


    But Arbor didn¡¯t move predictably. Their dodges weren¡¯t clean or calculated ¡ª they were messy, almost careless. But every dodge worked seeming to rely on some animal instinct.


    Alek scowled, ¡°Dang fox. I can naturally notice weak spots and they¡¯re just a walking one. They probably don''t even know they are using some race-based magic skill. They''re so careless that rocks sometimes fall out of their bag.¡± They thought.


    Alek said, ¡°I guess, I''m going to have to step it up a bit.¡± With that alek daggers began to pulse and his body glowed. He sucked in some magic from the air, using his body as a medium like a spell circle would normally do. Then he forced that energy into the blades and unstable currents of wind magic flew around the blade''s edge.


    This method was a very novice way of doing magic. Spell circles and rune weapons were more effective. Alek had basically just forced Nature to use his body as a rune enhancement spell. But it worked nonetheless.


    Eva sat quietly on the bleachers, ¡°This fight is so silly. we were supposed to get a lesson on how to actually use runes today from the moon¡¯s projections, but instead, we have these two idiots fighting like kids on a playground. The only thing I''m surprised by here is the fact Alek actually is about to go all out.¡±


    Alek ran faster now, arbor was not able to keep up. Every slash grazed a different body part necking them. Until one slash was so fast it seemed like Arbor''s head was about to get knocked clean off.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit¡± Arbor thought as their body couldn''t move in time. But as soon as the blade was inches away from their neck. The moon''s aura flexed with magic energy, runes on the banners below glowed, and the blade was stopped instantly. All the magic in Aleks body and blade quickly disbursed. The moon''s ability to stop lethal blows was on display.


    Alek looked at pulling their blade back and powering up their body again. ¡°So are you ready to fight me for real and stop disrespecting me?¡±


    Arbor stood quietly and thought for a moment. ¡°I just lost. Any other time that would have killed me, dang. But I also can¡¯t lose to this guy.¡± Pride was one heck of a motivator.


    Arbor looked up. ¡°This might be worth my time. I guess.¡±


    With that Arbor¡¯s grip tightened on the staff. The glow on its surface pulsed brighter, and the hum grew louder, like something inside it was waking up.


    The fight went on this time arbor used the rocks they had dropped around the field to form mounds tripping up Alek. While Alek would slice and dodge rocks that would get his foot stuck or hit him in the face. Then slash down on Arbor who would block not having the speed to dodge anymore. Alek was starting to enjoy the back and forth. Seeming to be a battle of equals.


    ¡°Maybe this fox isn''t so bad.¡± Alek thought.


    Arbor on the other hand was having a there own realization. Holding the staff made Arbor''s limbs feel as though they were flowing. They could feel the natural soul magic they leaked out from everyday tasks begin to be focused on their movement. Their sense felt heightened every seeing more ways to use their power. It felt as though this fighting thing was a high, they loved it.


    Arbor dropped to a crouch, sliding under the swing that they were surprised they dodged quickly enough. They then grabbed the spiked rock from earlier and infused magic into their staff. Arbor then pressed the rock into the ground fusing it. The floor where the rock was placed went up in spikes rising towards Alek.


    The spikes seemed like they were going to hit Alek in the chestplate but the moon''s aura intensified. And with that, the spell stopped in its tracks.


    Alek looked for a second pausing. ¡°It seems like you do have some talent after all. But I''ve got one more thing I''ve been itching to try out. I¡¯ll say we are tied for now and I¡¯m not going to be satisfied till we actually finish this.¡±


    A glow flickered around his wrist. The air wooshed as green cracks formed in the space beside him.


    Arbor''s eyes flicked to the crack. Something deep within Arbor¡¯s chest thumped. Their heart maybe? No, it was something deeper.


    Their soul


    Something within it beat in anticipation. Wait not within, but foreign. Detached from Arbor''s own souls being. As if a bigger being had tried to force its way into Arbor''s den. As soon as they felt it, the moon¡¯s aura grew and the wrong feeling disappeared.


    ¡°What was that? Why did the moon do that? Was I about to do something?¡±, a flood of questions filled Arbor''s mind.


    Arbor decided to push it all to the back of their mind and focus. ¡°This is a fight I want to win, not really to prove Alek wrong, more for myself.¡± They thought.


    A flash of green light split the air. With a smooth, practiced motion, Alek reached in and pulled something long and heavy from the gate.


    The scythe hit the ground with a soft thud as he spun it with both hands, dragging it behind him like a second shadow. The glow of runes along the curved blade pulsed, like a heartbeat.


    Arbor¡¯s gaze followed the glow.

 Chapter 5: Trouble at the Gate

    Chapter 5: Trouble at the Gate


    A crackle of energy surged through the air. Blackthorn¡¯s ears twitched. His eyes flicked upward just in time to catch a streak of white-red light flashing through the canopy, faster than any bird or beast. The light zipped past, leaving a sparkling trail behind it like a comet dragging stars in its wake. The distant trees trembled at its passing, their leaves shuddering as though caught in a sudden gust.


    He stiffened. Lightning? No storm today¡­ His paw-like hand gripped his spear a little tighter. The glow of the hovering moonstones above the capital gates intensified.


    ¡°Anomaly detected... high magical energy source... scanning,¡± came faint, from tiny moonstones scattered around. No one else heard it ¡ª only him. Atheria¡¯s eyes see everything, he thought. His gaze tracked the light as it vanished beyond the treetops.


    "Trouble," Blackthorn muttered.


    The grand gates of the Atherian capital where ahead. They were of two enormous trees twisted together, their roots interlocking to form a natural archway. Gems the size of fists shimmered along the bark, each one nestled into the living wood. Above, several moonstones hovered. These stones served as the capital''s sentinels, ever scanning.


    Blackthorn stood in front of the gates, tall and still as stone. His armor of black and blue metal plates fit snugly over his broad panther-like frame. The glow of the nearby moonstones reflected off his polished shield, casting faint glints of light along its surface. He adjusted the grip on his spear and glanced to his right.


    Kaelen, the elf, was already scowling. Her silver eyes narrowed at the old elf sitting atop a small rock-drawn carriage. The elf''s clothes hung loose on her thin frame, her face weathered like cracked bark. The rock-beast pulling the carriage snorted, its glowing eyes watching Kaelen as if it knew something she didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Papers,¡± Kaelen said, her hand raised in a sharp, commanding gesture. Her voice was sharp as a snap twig. ¡°Now.¡±


    The old elf sighed deeply, bowing his head. ¡°Bandits took them,¡± he muttered. ¡°All I have left is this carriage and my companion.¡±


    Blackthorn¡¯s sharp eyes shifted to the rock golem, its stocky frame made of layered stone plates, as it stood on all fours like a horse. The creature wasn¡¯t large, but it had the weight of something that could knock a wall down if it charged. His eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Without papers, you¡¯ll be held in the refugee room until we can verify your identity,¡± Blackthorn said. He stepped forward, resting a paw on the hilt of his sword. "The rock creature will also be confiscated. It stays in the holding pens.¡±


    ¡°What?! No!¡± The old elf¡¯s voice cracked like brittle bark. He stumbled off the carriage, hands outstretched. ¡°Please, she¡¯s all I have left!¡±


    The rock golem¡¯s eyes flashed a bright yellow. It reared back on its hind legs with a rumbling roar. Dirt flew in all directions as it thrashed.


    ¡°Control it, now,¡± Kaelen barked, her spear raised. She approached with quick, her eyes fixed on the beast¡¯s legs. Her muscles were ready to dodge.


    "Hold still, old man!" Blackthorn shouted, raising his shield. Blue runes etched into the shield''s surface flickered to life. He dug his shield into the ground, locking himself in place. The weight of it pressed into him.


    The ground trembled again. Not from the beast.


    Blackthorn¡¯s ears twitched.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Blackthorn barked, turning his head to the east. ¡°Something¡¯s coming!¡±


    The bolt of light from before was back. This time, it wasn¡¯t just fast ¡ª it was blinding. It hurtled through the trees, leaves, and branches. Birds shot from the treetops, wings flapping in wild, panicked rhythms.


    "Shields up!" Blackthorn roared, slamming his shield into the ground.


    The light above him pulsed. The moonstones hanging above the gates brightened. Beams of light shot down into his shield. The smooth metal groaned as it shifted, reshaping itself, piece by piece, into a massive wall of stone and runes. The sheer weight of it pressed into the ground with a loud thoom.


    ¡°Atheria, bless this shield to hold strong,¡± Blackthorn whispered.


    Kaelen took a step back, her spear lowered in awe. ¡°What in the¡ª¡±


    CRACK.


    The bolt of light didn¡¯t collide. It stopped. Just before impact.


    The blinding glow faded.


    And in the center of it all, standing with one hand on her hip and the other raised like she¡¯d just tapped on a door... was her grinning.


    ¡°Boo,¡± Freya said.


    Blackthorn froze. His eyes went wide stumbling back, landing hard on his rear.


    ¡°C-Captain Freya?!¡± His voice cracked. He scrambled to his feet. ¡°It¡¯s you?!¡±


    Freya¡¯s grin widened.


    Blackthorn¡¯s hands snapped into a salute. "Captain Freya of the 3rd Division, Top Mage of the Elite Legion!" he barked. "An honor, Captain. I heard you were supposed to be training that fox kid with two others.¡± His eyes darted to Kaelen, silently pleading for her to say nothing stupid.


    Unfortunately, Kaelen had already stepped forward, her eyes locked on Freya.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Kaelen growled, pointing an accusing finger. "This big-horned sheep nearly killed us!"


    The grin dropped from Freya¡¯s face.


    Her eyes lowered shifting to the elf guard and a sharp aura of magic faired. Blackthorn could feel it; it was a heavy feeling like he needed to shut Kealen up. Even Kaelen, sharp as she was, took a small step back.


    ¡°Excuse you?¡± Freya said in a calm but menacing tone.


    Blackthorn shoved himself between them, bowing low. "Apologies, Captain! Kaelen is new ¡ª transferred from Nytherion, you know how that elf kingdom is! They¡¯ll be disciplined!"


    Kaelen¡¯s eyes darted to him.


    "Yes," Blackthorn said firmly, still bowing. "Disciplined.¡±


    The tension around the capital gates clung. Blackthorn¡¯s heart thudded in his chest from the pressure Freya was put on. He stood at attention, claws twitching against the hilt of his sword and shield as he eyed the captain.


    Freya¡¯s gaze shifted past Blackthorn and Kaelen releasing her pressure, locking onto the old elf sitting on the edge of his rock-drawn carriage.


    "Swiftfoot?" Freya said. She took a step forward, her sharp eyes softening. ¡°Mentor? Is that really you?¡±


    The old elf blinked and chuckled, his gaze shifting to the rock beast beside him. His companion let out a rumbling snort as if it recognized her too.


    ¡°Ah, Freya, quite a show you put on just now.¡± he said, lifting his hands. ¡°It¡¯s been years since anyone called me that. These days, they should call me Slowfoot.¡± He tapped his knees with both hands.


    Freya shook her head, stepping closer. ¡°Slowfoot? Never. You¡¯re probably still faster than most of these guards put together.¡±


    Her words earned a snobby snort from Kaelen, but the elf¡¯s gaze stayed sharp. She wasn¡¯t ready to drop her guard just yet.


    Freya¡¯s smile vanished. She turned to face Blackthorn and Kaelen, eyes narrowed.


    Her voice was cold now. ¡°You were giving him trouble?¡±


    Kaelen¡¯s mouth opened, but Blackthorn didn¡¯t give her the chance to speak. He moved quickly, dropping into a low bow.


    ¡°No trouble, Captain,¡± Blackthorn said, his voice steady ¡°We¡¯ll see him through immediately.¡± He glanced up briefly. ¡°What brings you here, Captain?¡±


    Freya¡¯s eyes lingered on him for a moment then her gaze flicked to the floating moonstones and the glowing runes etched into the trees.


    ¡°The runes,¡± she muttered, tilting her head toward them. ¡°They¡¯ve been whispering again. Something¡¯s off.¡± Her eyes darted to the old elf. ¡°And when runes call, I listen.¡±


    Blackthorn¡¯s ears twitched at that. Runes whispering? This was something he didn¡¯t get paid enough to question. He glanced at Kaelen, whose lips pressed. Her eyes were locked on Freya, gaze sharp with quiet skepticism.


    Blackthorn didn¡¯t say a word. He just bowed again.


    ¡°Understood, Captain.¡±


    Out from the shadowed corner of the wall, a figure stepped into the open. His wool-like coat was jet-black, his horns longer and thicker than Freya¡¯s. The faint glow of his eyes flickered like purple then green. He walked around with an elite legion cloak, no shirt, and some pants. That blended into his wooly legs.


    ¡°Heard it from the runes?¡± he said, his deep voice. ¡°Sure, Freya. We got a birdy with a note instead.¡± He tilted his head, arms folded across his chest. ¡°Long time no see, sis.¡±


    Freya¡¯s smile returned as she walked forward.


    ¡°Ah, Jorma,¡± she said. ¡°Too long indeed. What¡¯s it been ¡ª twenty years since those nasty Gracken?¡± Her eyes flicked to him. ¡°But you really, brother. The runes have been talking.¡± She glanced over her shoulder toward the floating moonstones. Now whispering, ¡°And when they call, it¡¯s never for something good.¡±


    Jorma¡¯s eyes narrowed. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. ¡°What kind of contracts have you been making, Freya?¡±


    His eyes flicked down to her arms, he caught sight of her exposed forearms. Runes. Dozens of them. Inked into her skin in intricate, curling designs. Some glowed faintly. Others were still.


    Her eyes slid to him. Her grin didn¡¯t fade. ¡°We can¡¯t talk here,¡± she muttered. She tilted her head toward the sky, eyes flicking to the floating moonstones. ¡°The moons are watching.¡±


    She clapped Jorma on the back, harder than necessary. ¡°Come on,¡± she said, nodding toward the gates. ¡°Swiftfoot, you too. We¡¯re heading to Atheria¡¯s tree.¡±


    Jorma sighed, rubbing the back of his head. His gaze lingered on her arms, his frown deepening.


    The capital gates swung open with a rumbling groan. Beyond the threshold, the vibrant world of Atheria¡¯s heart came to life.


    The walkway ahead was smooth gray stone, but on either side, the market thrived in color. Stalls and shops grown straight from the ground displayed enchanted garments, charms made from crystal insects, and fruits too large to be natural. Beasts with fur of silver and scales walked beside their elven owners. Antlered figures with bright fur wandered past cat-like humanoids with tails as bushy as clouds.


    Children darted through the crowd, laughing as they chased each other, weaving between the adults. A cat-eared child tripped, only to be scooped up by an elk-horned woman.


    Freyas eye darted to the people around them. She shifted her weight slightly, as if uncomfortable. Too many eyes. Her hand brushed over the runes on her arm, fingers tracing them without thinking.


    ¡°Dang eyes.¡± she thought.


    Jorma scanned her and being siblings he said, ¡°Tense as always I see. always found your crowd aniexty interesting despite how high up we are.¡±


    A small elf boy darted out from the crowd, stopping directly in front of Freya. His eyes, wide with awe. Before she could say a word, he shoved a small flower into her hands, grinning up at her.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said quickly before dashing off.


    Freya stared down at the flower. ¡°What was that about?¡± she asked, twirling the flower between her fingers.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Jorma snickered, hands in his coat pockets. ¡°You really haven¡¯t been back here for a while, huh? You, me, and the rest of the party we made are legends to some of these elves, sis.¡± He waved a hand toward the crowd. ¡°Ever since you stopped that Gracken invasion, they¡¯ve been telling stories about us.¡±


    ¡°...Great,¡± Freya muttered, stuffing the flower into her pocket.


    Swiftfoot glanced at her with curiosity. ¡°How¡¯d you get so fast, Freya?¡± he asked. ¡°Even in my prime, I don''t think I could keep up with you.¡±


    Freya pulled back her coat, revealing her arms and neck. The rune contracts gleamed in the light. ¡°I¡¯ve been making deals,¡± she said, voice low but firm. ¡°Contracts with wild aspects and magical creatures.¡±


    Jorma¡¯s eyes widened, his mouth opening, but she didn¡¯t stop.


    ¡°Tracked down the aspect of lightning. It took months, but I found him. Huge yellow tiger, ten times the size of any elf here.¡± Her grin returned, sharp and dangerous. ¡°The fight was long and he didn¡¯t kill me. That was enough.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re insane, its times like this i really wish we didn¡¯t share blood,¡± Jorma hissed. ¡°Atheria won¡¯t like this, Freya.¡±


    Freya leaned forward, grinning in that slow, dangerous way she always did.


    ¡°Wild thing to say about you own sis Jorma. Let her find out,¡± she said, eyes flicking to the great tree in the distance. "Until then, we keep it quiet."


    Jorma sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna learn the hard way, sis,¡± he muttered.


    Freya only grinned wider. "Maybe. But its the path I walk."

 Chapter 6: An Angry Farmer

    Alek spun the scythe once. The runes along its edge pulsed faintly, and the weapon seemed to vibrate with power, as if eager to strike. He planted the butt of the scythe on the ground, fixing his gaze on Arbor.


    Arbor tilted their head, lips pressing into a flat line. ¡°Really? A scythe?¡± They pointed lazily at the weapon. ¡°You just carry that thing around like a medieval farmer looking for hay? I was starting to get a bit hyped up.¡±


    Alek didn¡¯t respond immediately, his grip tightening on the weapon. The glowing runes flared briefly, as if they required his full focus. "This isn¡¯t for show," he said quietly. "And you¡¯re about to see why."


    Arbor let out a short laugh. "Alright, alright. Just try not to trip over it, okay? That thing¡¯s bigger than you."


    Alek¡¯s eyes narrowed with a frown, but not one of sadness or hurt, but a look of pity. ¡°It honestly sad how dense you are fox. I had a doubt that I was wrong, for only a moment, until you opened your mouth again.¡±


    Arbor tilted their head, but then Alek began to dash at them, their movement a bit sloppier than before they had the weapon. The slashes were much wider but less controlled. It looked like it took a huge amount of energy to swing the thing,


    Arbor''s staff didn¡¯t even flow because of the lack of danger. The dodging was simple. Arbor honestly had a harder time trying not to say anything.


    Until Alek did that boosting thing from before and a sudden rush of wind flew by. The gems and runes in the blade began to glow a subtle wind whirled around the blade.


    The scythe moved like an extension of his body, its arc wide and sweeping as it cut through the air. Arbor¡¯s instincts screamed at them to dodge, and they did, ducking just as the blade whooshed past their head.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s sharp,¡± Arbor muttered, hopping back as Alek spun the scythe in a follow-through motion.


    The blade came down again, aimed at their shoulder. Arbor raised their staff to block the clash of obsidian against enchanted steel ringing out across the arena. But Arbor quickly realized that the scythe was in fact heavy, as their arms began to shake. Like someone had dropped a kitchen table on them.


    To escape, they had to quickly push the weight to their side and away. From their bag, they drop two triangles of black stones on the ground.


    ¡°I wanted to save those for later.¡± They muttered, frowning.


    ¡°You always fight this dramatic? There was like a buildup for this, a bit much, don''t you think?¡± Arbor asked while they paced, circling eat other.


    Alek didn¡¯t answer. Arbor dodged as best they could, the staff spinning in their hands to parry where dodging wasn¡¯t an option.


    Arbor¡¯s ears twitched. Something about the air felt... wrong. The hum of the scythe grew deeper, resonating in their chest like a second heartbeat.


    ¡°You good over there?¡± Arbor asked, their grip tightening on the staff.


    With that someone laughed. But it wasn¡¯t Alek, it was the scythe, as if Arbor had made some sort of joke.


    It was a hollow sound. Like wind blowing through a cracked window. His eyes glowed faintly now, the same dark green as the scythe¡¯s runes. His body twitched with wind magic and an aura that was chilling.


    If Arbor had a bit more sense and slightly less pride, they would have poofed right there, running from just that sound alone. But the staff had given them a bit more confidence, filling their limbs with another stronger high of magic, seeming to adjust to the threat. They believe they could win.


    Alek charged.


    His feet hit the stone hard, faster than before. The scythe trailed behind him, but it didn¡¯t feel like he was carrying it anymore. It felt like it was dragging him forward.¡±


    He swung.


    The scythe didn¡¯t just slice. It howled. Arbor raised their staff to block, but the blade never connected. The staff flooded their mind with information again, seeming to scream. Arbor to listened and instead of using the staff, bit down on a rock. Suddenly the staff began to glow,  the rock turned to a wall of stone.


    Suddenly, a crescent-shaped wind slash shot from the scythe¡¯s edge, slicing toward them with terrifying speed. It cut straight through the stone wall.


    The moon¡¯s aura should have stopped it. It always stopped attacks that could cause real harm.


    But this time, it didn¡¯t.


    The wind slash tore through the air and slammed into Arbor¡¯s arm, leaving a shallow but bleeding cut with the stone wall collapsed. The force knocked them back, their feet skidding against the platform as they clutched their arm, eyes wide.


    ¡°Damn it, what the¡ª¡± Arbor started, their voice trailing off as they stared at the wound.


    Eva, throughout the fight, was barely paying attention until this. ¡°That¡¯s not supposed to happen,¡± she said. ¡°Alek,¡± Eva called, her tone firm. ¡°Put that thing down. Now.¡±


    Alek didn¡¯t answer immediately. His grip tightened on the scythe.


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Alek started, his voice strained, but before he could say more, the moon¡¯s aura rippled again. The floating stone overhead pulsed faintly, and cracks formed.


    ¡°Dang it, how did you guys mess this up so much.¡± Eva yelled. ¡°Arbor, give me a moment.¡±


    And like that, Eva seemed to meditate.


    ¡°Oh wow. This is great,¡± Arbor said while looking at the weird slightly floating Alek.


    Arbor tried to stall for whatever Eva was doing. With a swing of the scythe, a gust swept. Another weird set of magic commands and magic energy came from the staff, but their instinct told them to do another thing. They paused for just a moment, leading to the cutting of their right leg and another on their staff arm. Three thin lines in stones behind them hissed as a perfect slice was cut through them.


    Their confidence in beating Alek was crushed, no matter how much information the staff gave, their animal instincts would want them to do something else. Their mind could only take so much. Their body could only move so fast. Their soul could only take in so much energy. They felt like a pot with too much water, making a mess on the counter.


    ¡°Dang it!¡± Arbor dove to the side, a slight pain in their bleeding limbs, eyes darting to Alek. ¡°I can¡¯t keep up.¡±


    ¡°FIGHT ME!¡± Alek¡¯s voice was no longer his own. His words echoed in two tones. His head twitched, like something was rattling around in his skull.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Yeah, no,¡± Arbor muttered, backing away. They pressed their hands to the ground. Runes flared beneath Alek''s feet, tracing a glowing circle. "Containment time.¡±


    The stones arbor placed around the arena during their fight surged up to the two triangular stones where Alek stood, enclosing him in a dome of sharp, dense, jagged rock. The whispers of the wind dimmed.


    Arbor slumped to their knees, rubbing their face. ¡°There. Stay for a while so we can cool off.¡±


    The magic from Arbor was stable. The staff seemed to knit Arbor''s magic together, strengthening it and then adding another layer of its own doormat magic. A bit of a surprised. For once something seemed to go Arbor''s way.


    But a piece of the staff magic touched something within Arbor that it shouldn¡¯t have, it seemed. That same foreign feeling within their soul came back. Seeming to have absorbed all the magic the staff gave, destabilizing arbors output, and weakening the circle. But that wasn¡¯t the end of it. As if the foreign feeling hadn¡¯t done enough, it decided to spit all the energy back out, but stronger into the staff.


    Without so much as a moment of rest, the staff glowed, seeming to be unstable. The energy that flowed out of Arbor felt different from their magic, Arbors felt more solid, but this warm. No, Hot! Like a kettle about to screech.


    And all of a sudden it was gone and still. The moon glowed one last time before going completely dim. Its aura, gone.


    ¡°Oh, come on¡ª¡±


    BOOM.


    The dome and the staff''s gem exploded in a wild burst of wind and debris. Alek burst forward in a blur of black wind, his movements erratic but fast. He wasn¡¯t walking. He was gliding. The scythe left trails of black mist behind until he stopped.


    This fight was way beyond Arbor''s simple understanding of magic and at this point, they just looked in fear.


    ¡°All debts due. All sins weighed. All judgments, absolute.¡± The voices from Alek¡¯s throat howled like a pack of wolves.


    And everything around Arbor went blank. Three windy figures appeared surrounding Arbor, all holding Aleks scythe with Arbor in an hourglass on a scale next to a feather. The whole zipping around made Arbor almost vomit. What was this?


    Suddenly, two giant pink eyes appeared and Arbor was back in where they stood. Alek began to fly at them.


    Painfully, Arbor raised their shattered staff. They were too slow.


    Eva¡¯s eyes glowed bright pink. She stood slowly, one hand raised, her lips parting as she whispered.


    ¡°Sleep, Alek.¡±


    Her voice was soft, but it rippled through the air. The pink glow surged. Alek¡¯s body jolted mid-swing. His fingers slipped. The scythe¡¯s glow went out. His legs crumpled. He fell forward, landing face-first in a puddle of sticky sap.


    His body shifted ¡ª shoulders narrowing, hair lengthening slightly, his frame changing just enough for Arbor to notice that they became a bit more feminine.


    Silence.


    Eva lowered her hand, her glow fading. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    The scythe twitched. It rose, hovering in place, the runes still faintly glowing black. Then ¡ª click.


    A crack opened in the air, blue light flashing as the scythe zipped through it, vanishing in an instant.


    Eva¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Nope. Nope, that¡¯s bad.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s eyes darted to where it vanished. There was way too much going on for their mind to process. All that came out was, ¡°What? Was that?¡±


    Eva rubbed her face. ¡°In terms of the spell they cast on you, I''m not sure at all. But I did cancel it out, so whatever it was, it shouldn''t have done anything. I do know one thing: only people can open weapon gates.¡±


    She glanced at Alek, now snoring softly on the ground. "We¡¯re going to have to wait for Freya.¡±


    A couple of minutes had passed, and the arena was finally still.


    Arbor sat cross-legged on the cracked arena floor, eyes half-closed with exhaustion. They kept their hands busy, fingers working a small stone into a smooth, rounded shape. It wasn¡¯t much, just something to do while their mind reflected on what happened. Their arms felt heavy, and their body ached from the now-healing cuts from a potion they had in their bag. The sharp pain from before faded, leaving just exhaustion settling in like a weighted blanket. The blood from shallow cuts on their arms and legs dripped slowly into the dirt until they eventually disappeared..


    Eva sat on the edge of the bleachers. Alek lay sprawled across her lap, face half-buried in a sticky pool of tree sap. His hair was longer now ¡ª not by much, but enough for Arbor to notice. Arbor was a bit puzzled at the sudden transformation, but it seemed to be a very small thing. Eva''s fingers moved through Alek''s hair in slow, steady strokes, like she was lulling him into a deeper sleep while fighting something internal.


    ¡°Well,¡± Arbor muttered, eyes still on the stone in their hands. Their voice carried that familiar lazy drawl, but it had an edge of something heavier. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll stop making fun of weapon choices. Lesson learned... kinda.¡±


    Eva¡¯s eyes flicked to Arbor.


    ¡°What happened to the staff?¡± she asked.


    Arbor sighed, setting the half-shaped stone down on their knee. ¡°I can¡¯t control my magic output,¡± they admitted. ¡°So the staff exploded.¡±


    ¡°Exploded?¡± Eva tilted her head, her goat-like pupils narrowing. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not great. Do you think that magic barrier you made would¡¯ve actually held otherwise?¡±


    Arbor scratched the back of their head, avoiding her gaze. ¡°Yeah, probably. I read a lot about those types of barriers, plus those rocks were made to trap things. The issue wasn¡¯t that ¡ª it was me.¡± They flicked the broken edge of their kimono sleeve. ¡°Error in my system, y¡¯know?¡±


    ¡°It should have held. I don''t understand what that feeling was.¡± They muttered.


    Eva hummed softly. ¡°Happens to the best of us.¡± Her eyes stayed on Arbor for a moment longer, as if she was trying to see something Arbor couldn''t.


    Arbor didn¡¯t like that look.


    They shifted in their seat, leaning forward, elbows on their knees, fingers tapping absently against the stone. Their eyes darted to Eva, narrowing.


    ¡°But for real, thanks,¡± Arbor said. ¡°Even though you probably should¡¯ve stopped him earlier, y¡¯know? How did you do that, anyway?¡±


    Eva tilted her head back, her gaze lifting to the fractured patches of the moon. Her fingers didn¡¯t stop moving through Alek¡¯s hair. She hummed.


    ¡°Sleep, Alek,¡± she whispered softly. Her eyes flickered faintly pink for a second before dimming to green. Alek shifted in her lap, his face scrunching briefly before settling into stillness.


    ¡°I kinda just¡­ can,¡± she said, glancing back at Arbor. She sighed a bit, ¡°Since you are going to be here on the team, I might as well tell you how it works. Ever since I was young, I¡¯ve been able to see people¡¯s souls ¡ª like I get a sense of their emotions. How they¡¯re feeling, what¡¯s disturbing them.¡±


    Her eyes lowered to Alek as he twitched in his sleep. Her fingers moved slower.


    ¡°Lately, I can influence them a bit,¡± she added, still looking at Alek¡¯s face. ¡°Just a nudge. Usually, I make them feel tired. Not sure why that¡¯s the one thing I¡¯m good at, but here we are. Today was a bit stronger than usual.¡± See glanced down at the knocked-out elf.


    Her eyes shifted to Arbor. They didn¡¯t like that shift.


    ¡°But you?¡± Eva tilted her head, eyes narrowing. ¡°You¡¯re... different. I can¡¯t get a proper read on you. You block me. Like a wall.¡±


    Their fingers stopped moving for the first time since the fight ended. The smooth rock they¡¯d been shaping now had a hairline crack. Arbor frowned at it, thumb tracing the line slowly.


    ¡°Sounds about right,¡± they muttered, their voice quiet but seeming to have wanted to hear more than that. An explanation. ¡°I¡¯m great at being difficult. Call it a talent.¡±


    Eva didn¡¯t push.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just that,¡± she mumbled, her eyes never leaving Alek¡¯s face. ¡°You feel muffled. Like there¡¯s something heavy in the way. I can¡¯t tell if it¡¯s protecting you¡­ or keeping something in.¡±


    Arbor froze. They felt the familiar tension rise in their chest, that slow coil of pressure that told them it was time to leave or say something stupid. They pressed their thumb into the stone again, harder this time, turning the hairline crack into a split.


    ¡°Well, congrats, soul reader,¡± Arbor muttered, their tone laced with forced humor. They didn¡¯t look at her. Their eyes stayed locked on the split stone. ¡°You¡¯ve officially creeped me out. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re gonna start trying to ¡®fix¡¯ me or something. Pretty sure I¡¯m a lost cause.¡±


    Eva snorted.


    ¡°Fix you? No. You¡¯re not broken, Arbor,¡± she said simply. ¡°Just¡­ locked. Whatever¡¯s behind that wall, you¡¯ll open it when you¡¯re ready. Until then, I¡¯ll settle for you complaining less.¡±


    Her gaze shifted back to Arbor, a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.


    Arbor leaned back letting out an exaggerated groan as they stretched their arms behind them. Their grin returned.


    ¡°Fat chance,¡± Arbor muttered. ¡°Complaining is basically my brand, but will see, I guess.¡±


    Arbor saw how Eva and Freya were related. They both had that sense of comfort and responsibility about them. One out of the two people they met today seemed chill so I guess this wouldn''t be so bad.

 Chapter 7: A warm welcome

    The air shifted as they passed beneath the colossal roots of Atheria¡¯s tree. Each step brought them deeper into the heart of Eden''s capital, where the scent of fresh earth and sap hung in the air like incense. The chatter of the marketplace faded behind them, replaced by the soft hum of magic, a distant, rhythmic pulse that resonated in Freya¡¯s chest. It wasn¡¯t loud. It didn¡¯t need to be. This close to the goddess¡¯s domain, the air itself felt aware ¡ª like it was watching.


    The path ahead grew wider. The further they walked, the less crowded it became. Market stalls gave way to lush greenery, and soon, the towering figure of Atheria¡¯s Captial Tree came into view.


    Freya tilted her head back, her horns framing the view of the ancient tree as it loomed above them. Its bark was silver-blue, its surface lined with natural grooves that looked like runic etchings. Thousands of twisting branches reached for the sky like an endless web. Tiny, glowing motes of light flitted around it like fireflies, catching in her peripheral vision.


    She exhaled slowly, her breath misting the cool air. It¡¯s been a while. She¡¯d seen it before, but somehow, it always looked... bigger. More alive.


    Her eyes flicked to Jorma, who was walking beside her with his hands in his coat pockets, head tilted back at a similar angle. ¡°Big as ever,¡± he muttered, his black wool-like coat fluffing up slightly.


    ¡°Bigger, I think,¡± Freya replied, eyes scanning the great expanse of bark and roots. ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s just been that long.¡±


    Behind them, Swiftfoot wheeled his rock-drawn carriage along, one hand resting on the reins, the other leaning on his knee. His eyes, aged but sharp, were focused on the grand entrance ahead. A group of guards stood in formation, their armor made of woven bark and stone plates infused with glowing runes. As Freya, Jorma, and Swiftfoot approached, the guards raised their weapons in salute.


    ¡°Captain Freya. Captain Jorma. Master Swiftfoot.¡± The lead guard''s voice was steady but reverent. Their gazes flickered briefly toward the rock creature trailing behind them. One guard nudged another, muttering something under his breath. The other raised a brow but said nothing.


    Freya caught the glance. Her eyes darted toward the creature. It walked obediently behind Swiftfoot, its stone feet crunching softly against the ground, every step slow and steady. She smirked, but only a little. Old habits never die, huh, Swiftfoot?


    The guards lowered their weapons as the group passed through the threshold of the entrance. The shift in the air was immediate. It was warmer, thicker with magic, as if they¡¯d stepped into a living thing''s heartbeat. The walls inside the tree shimmered like polished amber, and strands of soft blue light ran through the bark-like veins.


    ¡°Hey! Get back here, you little thief!¡±


    A loud, raspy voice echoed through the corridor, followed by the frantic pitter-patter of small feet on wood. Freya''s eyes flicked to her right just in time to see a blur of brown and white fur leap from the ground and land squarely on her shoulder.


    THUMP.


    Her body shifted from the impact, but her balance didn¡¯t break. Her horns tilted toward the creature hanging off her coat. A ferret. Scruffy fur. Beady black eyes. Mouth stuffed with half-eaten bread.


    Freya¡¯s brows lifted slowly, eyes narrowing at the familiar sight. ¡°Olive.¡±


    The ferret glanced up at her, cheeks still puffed with bread. It let out a high-pitched chirp, eyes darting toward the end of the hall. A large man in a chef¡¯s uniform stomped toward them, his face a mask of pure frustration.


    ¡°You again?! I¡¯ll skin you, you furry menace!¡± The chef¡¯s face was flushed, his hands coated in flour. He waved a rolling pin like it was a warhammer. ¡°Why do you even need food, you Atherain?! You don¡¯t even need to EAT, but you keep stealing my bread, you little pest!¡±


    Olive leapt higher onto Freya''s horn, dangling from it with all four limbs. Their tiny claws latched on tightly.


    The chef froze, eyes narrowing as he realized who Olive was clinging to. His face fell. ¡°Oh.¡±


    Freya arched a brow.


    ¡°Captain Freya, apologies, I didn¡¯t realize¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± she waved him off, plucking Olive off her horn and holding them up by the scruff. ¡°Run back to your kitchen, chef. You¡¯ve got bread to make.¡±


    The man sighed deeply, throwing his hands up in defeat as he stormed back the way he came, rolling pin still in hand. ¡°I swear, Atheria save me from these feral spirits. Every day it¡¯s something new.¡±


    Freya watched him go, shaking her head slowly. "Humans," she muttered under her breath. Her eyes flicked to Olive, still hanging limply in her grip. ¡°You really have to stop doing that.¡±


    Olive grinned, their sharp little teeth on full display. Their body shimmered, and then with a poof Olive''s human form dropped lightly onto the ground.


    They were short, only reaching Freya''s chest. Messy, curly, brown hair framed their round face, and their eyes had the same beady sharpness they¡¯d had as a ferret. Their Legion mage uniform hung loosely on them, sleeves too long, and the pants dragged on the floor a bit. They looked like a mischievous child wearing someone else¡¯s clothes.


    ¡°What can I say?¡± Olive said with a shrug, brushing crumbs off their coat. ¡°The bread''s the best in the capital. Can''t resist perfection.¡±


    Swiftfoot squinted, leaning forward in his seat. His eyes widened slowly.


    ¡°Little Olive?¡± he said, his voice raspier than before. ¡°You¡¯re still causing trouble, huh? I used to carry you around on my cart when you were smaller than that.¡±


    Olive¡¯s grin widened, eyes crinkling with nostalgia. ¡°Yeah, yeah. I remember. You let me ride on top of the rock beast. Best seat in the house.¡±


    Freya sighed, hands on her hips. ¡°You¡¯re in the Elite Legion now, huh?¡±


    ¡°You bet!¡± Olive said, arms crossed with a look of pride. ¡°Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d make it?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Freya said flatly, eyes narrowing. ¡°I¡¯m still not sure I believe it.¡±


    Olive¡¯s laugh was short but loud. ¡°Same, honestly.¡±


    As they walked further in, Freya glanced at Olive, then at the distant walls of the Capital Tree. Humans in Eden. It wasn¡¯t unheard of, but it was still strange to see it so casually accepted. It hadn''t been this way before. Freya''s gaze flicked toward the corridor where the chef had disappeared. Humans and Atherians don¡¯t mix well. Their lives to short compared to the Elves and Atherians.


    Jorma glanced at her, eyes sharp as ever. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, Freya.¡±


    ¡°Not overthinking. Just noticing,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Well, stop noticing,¡± Jorma said bluntly, hands in his pockets. ¡°We¡¯re late for the meeting with Atheria.¡±


    At the far end of the grand hallway, a bunny humanoid maid in a crisp black uniform stood at attention. The insignia of a moon hovered over her chest plate, glowing faintly. She bowed slightly as the group approached.


    ¡°Please follow me,¡± she said with a polite, quiet voice. ¡°The goddess desires your presence. It''s a pleasure to see you still responding to the summons, even in your retired state, Swiftfoot. The entire legion is eagerly awaiting your arrival.¡±


    Freya glanced at Jorma, who raised a brow.


    ¡°Looks like everyone is waiting on us, the book can''t start without the main hero it seems,¡± Jorma muttered, cracking his knuckles with a bit of a grin.


    Freya tilted her head forward punching him, letting a little emotion show. ¡°Let¡¯s see what the goddess wants this time.¡±


    The hallway stretched long and quiet, each step echoing softly against smooth stone. Freya¡¯s and Jorma¡¯s hooves made little clicks as they walked down the hall. Freya¡¯s gaze shifted upward, following the changing texture of the walls.


    It had started with bark. Thick, strong, ancient bark, etched with faint, pulsing runes. But now, the bark gave way to smooth marble, veined with streaks of green like roots fossilized in stone. The air grew cooler, more refined, and with each step, the faint hum of ambient magic grew stronger. It wasn¡¯t a sound so much as a feeling ¡ª a low, thrumming pulse that buzzed against her bones.


    Freya glanced to her side. Jorma had his hands stuffed in his coat pockets, his gaze scanning the shifting walls with a quiet scowl. His jet-black wool coat puffed slightly, a small sign of unease only she would notice. Behind them, Swiftfoot walked at a steady pace. His face was unreadable, but his eyes darted toward the glowing marble veins more often than necessary. Olive seemed a bit excited to see the goddess with a grin on his face.


    ¡°They''ve been busy,¡± Jorma muttered, tilting his head toward the marble. "Last time I was here, it was all bark and roots. Now look at it. Fancy."


    ¡°Feels too clean,¡± Freya muttered, flicking her gaze up at the swirling streams of ambient magic above them. Strands of faint blue and green energy twirled in the air like drifting ribbons. She could feel it pressing against her skin like a faint static charge. ¡°Used to feel like a forest. Now it feels like a temple.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s both,¡± Swiftfoot said from behind them, his voice low and thoughtful. ¡°The closer you get to Atheria, the more it becomes a reflection of her will.¡±


    Freya snorted. ¡°Yeah, well, her will¡¯s looking a little pretentious these days.¡±


    Jorma chuckled under his breath, but it was short-lived. His eyes flicked ahead, toward the twin metal doors at the end of the hall. They were enormous, covered in swirling runes that moved like ink under water. As the maid reached them, she raised a hand.


    The runes flared, the metal groaned, and the doors swung open slowly, revealing the world beyond.


    Freya¡¯s eyes narrowed as a surge of warmth hit her face. Her heart gave a single, hard beat.


    Her first thought was that it felt too big. It always did. The space was vast but not hollow. It wasn¡¯t like walking into a grand hall or a castle. It was something alive.


    The marble walls were lined with creeping vines and softly glowing flowers. Where roots touched stone, sap ran in thin streams, gathering in shallow pools that shimmered with faint gold light. Delicate bridges, grown from branches and bark, crisscrossed over the streams, leading to small balconies where members of the Elite Legion stood in groups.


    Her eyes darted toward them. She spotted the colors first.


    The Nytherion elves stood together in tight formation. Their clothes were darker, adorned with blues and purples like twilight shadows. Their faces were hard, their eyes sharp with quiet disdain. She didn¡¯t need to hear them to know they were complaining.


    ¡°The weakened magical support is affecting our allies,¡± one of them said, loud enough to carry. His arms were crossed, his face locked in a permanent scowl. ¡°How long must we endure this?¡±


    On the opposite side, the Sylvaris elves spoke with quicker, more anxious movements. Their clothes were softer in color ¡ª greens, browns, the hues of fresh leaves and bark. One of them shook their head, arms gesturing wildly as if scolding the air.


    ¡°Without proper growth magic, our potion reserves are already running low,¡± a Sylvaris elf muttered. ¡°Food production is faltering too. We¡¯re one bad harvest away from rationing.¡±


    Freya clicked her tongue, eyes shifting toward the third group ¡ª Aetherion elves. They stood in isolation, gazes locked on the Nytherion elves with thinly veiled caution. Their silver and white robes practically glowed in the chamber¡¯s light. One of them, a woman with narrow eyes and sharp cheekbones, shot a glance at her companions.


    ¡°Their bad blood lingers,¡± she muttered. ¡°I¡¯d rather avoid unnecessary conflict.¡±


    Freya''s eyes flicked between them all, her lip curling in quiet frustration.  Same old politics. Same old people. Except one. Someone was missing. The threads of magic in the air pulsed faintly, like a slow, deep heartbeat. She glanced toward the tree at the center of the chamber ¡ª not the Capital Tree, but a smaller, colossal ancient tree whose roots wove into the larger one''s foundation. Her eyes narrowed at its bark. She could see them. The slow, twisting shapes of faces in the bark ¡ª old faces. Watching. Waiting. Runes began to scream as her head was spinning.


    ¡°You look tense, Captain.¡±


    The voice drew her attention like an arrow. Raven.


    The woman approached with a shadowy grace, her long black cloak dragging behind her like drifting smoke. Her eyes were a sharp, piercing amber, her hair long and loose like strands of shadow itself.


    ¡°Jorma, I presume?¡± Raven¡¯s smile was small but sharp. Her eyes never blinked. ¡°A fellow moon follower. I¡¯ve been curious about your capabilities.¡±


    Jorma turned his head slowly, one brow raised, his smile lazy but deliberate. His eyes flicked over her like someone examining a blade for cracks.


    ¡°I suppose we¡¯ll have time to find out,¡± Jorma replied coolly. His sharp-toothed grin widened just slightly. ¡°Hopefully, you¡¯re not disappointed.¡±


    The ground trembled.


    It wasn¡¯t sudden. It was slow, a steady vibration that started at the soles of their feet and crawled up their legs.


    Freya¡¯s eyes darted to the tree in the center of the chamber. Her heart kicked once.


    ¡°She¡¯s coming,¡± she muttered.


    The bark on the ancient tree began to shift. Lines in the wood curled outward like roots growing in fast motion. Pieces peeled away, revealing faint light seeping from within. The room dimmed. Everything dimmed.


    The threads of ambient magic stopped swirling.


    The bark split open, and Atheria stepped forward.


    She didn¡¯t walk. She glided. Her form was ethereal, a figure of smooth bark and flowing leaves, her hair like cascading vines moving in an unseen breeze. She radiated light, not harsh but soft, like sunlight filtered through autumn leaves. Her eyes, two pools of green and gold, locked onto Freya.


    Freya¡¯s breath hitched in her chest.


    Her body tensed, her heart thudding with sharp precision. Look steady. Look steady.


    She¡¯d seen this before. She¡¯d seen Atheria emerge from the tree before, but every time, it still struck her. Her gaze held power ¡ª ancient, patient, and so vast it felt like you were being seen through time itself. It wasn¡¯t just being looked at. It was being understood.


    Her eyes. Those eyes. Like the entire forest could see her all at once.


    No one spoke. No one dared.


    The ambient magic in the air changed. It was no longer wild and free. It obeyed her now. Every ribbon of light, every spark, every thread of energy in the air drifted slowly toward her. She didn¡¯t even have to command it. They just¡­ obeyed.


    Freya swallowed, her throat dry. Her eyes stayed on Atheria¡¯s face. The air was still. The whole chamber was still.


    The whispers of old faces hidden in the bark grew silent.


    ¡°She sees us,¡± Jorma muttered beside her, his tone quieter than it had been all day.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Freya breathed. She felt something pull at her chest, faint but familiar.


    She sees everything.


    The air in the chamber grew heavy. No ¡ª not heavy. Crushing.


    It came without warning. One moment, Freya was standing strong, her eyes locked on Atheria''s radiant form. The next, it felt as though the entire weight of the forest itself had settled on her shoulders. Her legs wobbled, her horns tilted forward as she leaned into the pressure.


    Her breath hitched, her teeth clenched as every muscle in her body screamed to kneel. Magic, ancient and unyielding, pressed down on her like a storm crushing the world beneath its clouds. Her eyes darted around the room.


    The others didn¡¯t last.


    The Elite Legion crumbled, one by one. She saw Raven fall to her knees first, her shadowy grace folding into a low bow. The Aetherion elves followed shortly after, their glowing robes dimming as they lowered themselves, hands planted firmly on the floor. The Sylvaris and Nytherion elves fell next, bowing under the same unbearable pressure. It wasn¡¯t submission. It was survival.


    But Freya remained on her feet. Her knees bent slightly, body trembling with the effort, but she didn¡¯t fall. She wouldn¡¯t fall. Her breath came in sharp, shallow bursts as her claws dug into her palms.


    ¡°Her magic...¡± Freya thought, her heart pounding like war drums. "It feels as though the forest itself is bearing down on me."


    Her eyes darted toward Jorma, and she barely caught him before he, too, lowered himself to one knee. His eyes locked with hers, his jaw tight, his pride and patience both straining against the weight.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Even Swiftfoot had lowered his head, to a low bow, his old frame barely holding that. But poor olive, the newest member of the Elite Legion, seemed to be taking the aura the worst. His head was touched the floor. Bowing to the figure he probably hadn¡¯t even met before.


    The air thrummed. It wasn¡¯t just sound ¡ª it was the pulse of Atheria¡¯s magic, like being caught at the center of a storm. Leaves drifted slowly in the air, but not a single one touched the ground.


    Her voice was unlike anything else. It wasn¡¯t loud. It didn¡¯t need to be. It filled the chamber like roots growing into every crack, every space, every inch of air. It wasn¡¯t a sound. It was a presence.


    ¡°Freya, my devoted one, you have returned,¡± Atheria said, her voice like the rustle of leaves caught in a midnight breeze. Her gaze bore down on Freya with the weight of ages. Her eyes, two endless pools of green and gold, reflected everything ¡ª roots, branches, flowers blooming and withering, life and decay all at once.


    Freya¡¯s chest tightened.


    ¡°But it seems you bring the thoughts of Aspects and fae creatures with you.¡±


    Those words cut sharper than any blade.


    Her horns tilted lower. Her arms tensed, muscles straining as she lowered her head slightly, not quite a bow but far from defiance. Any doubt that Atheria''s magic had grown weaker was shattered in an instant. No mortal, no Aspect, no force on the land could make Freya feel like this. Not like this.


    No wonder they all bowed so fast.


    The pressure didn¡¯t relent. Freya¡¯s heart pounded harder, blood rushing in her ears like distant waterfalls. Every instinct told her to drop, to lower herself like the others, to surrender and wait for it to end. But pride was a stubborn thing, and hers had been forged in battle.


    Her claws flexed at her side. She sucked in a sharp breath, her chest barely rising under the weight, and slowly, slowly, she lifted her head. Her eyes met Atheria¡¯s. The glow of those eyes pierced through her, stripping her bare.


    ¡°Careful, Freya,¡± she thought, heart still thudding hard. "Don¡¯t push too far."


    Her breath came shallow, but her voice, when it came, was clear. Steady. Reverent, but firm.


    ¡°My goddess, please hear me.¡± Her horns tilted forward and her eyes stayed locked on Atheria''s face. ¡°You are the only one I pray to. The only one whose strength surpasses my own.¡±


    Her knees trembled. Her fingers twitched, one hand gripping the hilt of her sword as though grounding herself with the feeling of it.


    The divine pressure still pressed down on her, unrelenting. Every second felt like an eternity, but she didn¡¯t stop. Her voice grew stronger slowly turning to plea.


    ¡°Your magic gives me form, flows through my very being. I made these contracts by defeating the Aspects that lurk and cause chaos.¡± Her eyes blazed now, her voice a blade sharpened to perfection. ¡°Using your power shows your strength.¡±


    The room grew colder. She felt it ¡ª the shift in the air. Aetherion elves tensed, glancing at each other with wide eyes. Even Raven tilted her head, her gaze flicking toward Freya as if she were crazy.


    The air stilled. Silence. Not even the sapstreams moved. No roots creaked. No leaves fell. Even the threads of ambient magic in the air froze in place.


    Atheria moved.


    Her head tilted slightly, her face smooth as untouched water. Her gaze swept over Freya slowly, like vines curling toward sunlight. No part of Freya was left unseen. Her contracts. Her flaws. Her victories. Her fears. All of it, laid bare.


    Then Atheria smiled.


    Not a wide smile. Barely a shift in her expression. But Freya felt it in her bones. The air shifted again. The weight didn¡¯t lessen, but it felt... different. Lighter, in a way only she could feel.


    ¡°You have always had a way with words, Freya,¡± Atheria said, her tone quieter now, but no less powerful. Her eyes softened, though not entirely. She lifted one hand, the motion slow, deliberate, like a tree branch bending toward sunlight.


    ¡°We shall discuss your actions and potential consequences later.¡±


    Her hand lowered.


    The weight lifted.


    All at once, the pressure vanished. It wasn¡¯t a slow fade. It was as if the world had snapped back into place, and Freya felt her chest rise fully for the first time in minutes. Her legs felt like jelly. Her muscles buzzed with the leftover strain of holding firm for too long. She exhaled sharply, her breath visible in the cool air.


    She could breathe again.


    Her arms hung at her sides, loose and tired, but she didn¡¯t fall. Not now. Not when so many eyes were on her.


    The members of the Elite Legion let out soft sighs of relief, some coughed regaining there breathe, quiet whispers of disbelief, and the slow, steady shuffle of bodies rising from their kneeling positions.


    Freya didn¡¯t move. Her eyes stayed locked on Atheria. Her gaze was steady, but her mind was loud.


    She¡¯s stronger than before, she thought, glancing at her own hands. The magic had been sharper this time. Heavier. More alive. The air had felt like it was actively trying to bury her under roots and stone. Did she grow stronger? Or did I just forget how small I am?


    Her heart beat faster than it should. She didn¡¯t like it.


    Aetherion elves whispered to one another. Raven adjusted her cloak, her eyes lingering on Freya for a moment longer than necessary. Swiftfoot gave Freya a small nod, a gesture of quiet approval.


    Jorma scratched the back of his head, his eyes half-closed as if tired. ¡°You love doing things the hard way, huh?¡± he muttered, his voice just loud enough for her to hear.


    Freya¡¯s lips curled into a small, sharp grin, her eyes still locked on Atheria.


    ¡°It¡¯s the only way I know how, Jorma.¡±


    The chamber¡¯s stillness broke as Atheria''s voice echoed once more.


    Her words weren¡¯t loud, but they reached every corner of the room.


    ¡°Now, my faithful ones, I have summoned you to inform you of my recovery from a weakened state.¡±


    The gentle, knowing warmth in her voice contrasted with the weight of her words. The shifting tendrils of ambient magic coiled tighter, their soft blue and green glow shifting into a deeper shade of gold. Atheria¡¯s eyes swept across the room, her gaze sharp as ever.


    ¡°Many have grown fearful, believing my godly essence is waning.¡±


    Her tone was steady, but there was something else beneath it. Bitterness? Frustration? Freya couldn''t quite place it, but she felt it settle in her chest.


    Her eyes darted to Jorma, whose gaze had sharpened, his jaw set tight. He exchanged a glance with Swiftfoot, who glanced back with a quiet nod. Freya¡¯s eyes shifted around the room, taking in the shifting faces of the Elite Legion. Their expressions were mixed ¡ª some looked hopeful, others unsure.


    Her own heart didn¡¯t share their hope. She felt it tightening in her ribs, that slow, steady pull of unease.


    Atheria¡¯s gaze shifted again, and her eyes grew sharper. Her radiant glow dimmed just slightly, but somehow, it felt even more intense. Like a calm sky before a storm.


    ¡°I regret to inform you that we have lost a member of the Elite Legion.¡±


    The air grew colder. The hum of magic dulled to a low thrum, steady and relentless like the thudding of a great heartbeat.


    ¡°The elf Elissa from Sylvaris was slain near the outer rim of Eden.¡±


    The words didn¡¯t hit all at once. They dropped slowly, like stones sinking into a deep lake, rippling outward with growing weight. Shock swept the room.


    The Sylvaris elves exchanged glances first. A few gasps slipped out. One of them, a younger elf with green leaves woven into their hair, covered their mouth. Their shoulders shook, and their eyes darted to their companions.


    The Nytherion elves stood a little straighter, lips pressed into thin lines, their eyes narrowed with calculation. Some whispered to each other, low murmurs that carried tension.


    Freya didn¡¯t move. Her eyes widened, but her body stayed still. Her gaze flicked toward the Sylvaris group, scanning for familiar faces. The realization struck her like a falling branch.


    Elissa isn¡¯t here.


    Her heart twisted in her chest, her throat tight. She wasn¡¯t close with Elissa, but she''d fought alongside her in more battles than she could count. They¡¯d clashed during missions, sniped at each other during briefings, but it had been the kind of rivalry born from mutual respect. She was supposed to be here.


    Her fingers twitched. Her thoughts snapped to the runes on her hand that had briefly glowed this morning. Was that it? she thought bitterly. The runes were trying to tell me this.


    Her jaw clenched, breath slow and controlled, eyes fixed on Atheria.


    ¡°The ''thing'' that took her life avoided my detection.¡±


    Freya¡¯s eyes darted back to Atheria, gaze sharp as a blade.


    ¡°For that, I am deeply sorry.¡± Her voice softened, but it wasn¡¯t weakness. It was something older. Anger hidden behind patience.


    ¡°I see you all as my children, and hearing this news angers me more than you may know.¡±


    The glow of the tree under her grew brighter. The threads of ambient magic that had been drifting lazily around the room stopped. No, they didn¡¯t just stop. They shifted. They turned toward her.


    Every ribbon, every spark, every thread of floating light began to spiral toward Atheria. Her glow intensified. Her body seemed to rise just slightly, feet no longer fully touching the ground. Her eyes glowed like the sun barely visible behind forest canopies.


    The air cracked. Light erupting from her body.


    Freya¡¯s eyes squeezed shut, her teeth gritting as the glow seared her vision. It wasn''t just light. It was power.


    ¡°I know a lot of your people are worried because of the wane in magic recently, but help for those in need will arrive shortly,¡± Atheria declared, her voice sharper, more focused. ¡°I will find whoever or whatever is behind this and make them wish they hadn''t.¡±


    The glow dimmed slightly, but the power in the air remained oppressive.


    Her eyes scanned the room looking at the Nytherion group. Then the glow of her gaze passed over Freya for just a moment, Freya held her breath, As it moved elsewhere.


    ¡°There are whispers of betrayers, liars, and deceivers among us.¡±


    Her gaze lingered longer this time.


    ¡°Despite my kindness, I have been betrayed too many times.¡±


    Her voice lowered, colder now, making the room a bit chilly.


    ¡°I have turned the other cheek for far too long.¡±


    Freya¡¯s fingers slowly curled into fists. Her gaze stayed locked on Atheria, her breathing steady but shallow.


    This isn¡¯t like her, she thought, her heart beating slow but strong. This isn¡¯t like her at all.


    Atheria had always been patient. She was gentle, slow to anger, thoughtful in her judgment. But now? This was something else. Something heavier. Her eyes scanned the room, watching as every member of the Elite Legion knelt before her.


    Atheria raised her hand slowly, and her aura dimmed just slightly, but her voice didn¡¯t soften.


    ¡°To all those here with ulterior motives, this will be your only warning.¡±


    Her eyes, sharp and unblinking, gazed down at them.


    ¡°I will unleash divine wrath on those who betray me.¡±


    The weight of her words lingered long after they¡¯d been spoken. No one moved. No one breathed too loudly. The glow around Atheria flickered for just a moment, her face still smooth, calm, and sharp.


    Her gaze became distant, as if she were recalling something far away.


    ¡°Silas, from days past, will have been a warning.¡±


    The room grew colder.


    Freya¡¯s heart sank. She remembered Silas.


    A flash of memory surged in her mind ¡ª the sight of Silas, an old elite legion member, his figure consumed in divine light, his scream echoing once before being snuffed out like a candle. No blood. No bones. Just gone.


    The moment the weight lifted, chaos followed.


    The tension that had built to a breaking point finally snapped. Elves from every faction began to speak over one another. Whispers turned into sharp demands, questions rising like sparks in a wildfire.


    ¡°What caused her weakness?¡± a Sylvaris elf hissed, eyes darting toward the Nytherion group.


    ¡°How will she enforce this wrath?¡± muttered an Aetherion elf, voice tight with concern.


    Freya didn¡¯t join in the shouting. She glanced at Jorma, his face still tense, his eyes narrowed in quiet thought.


    This is why she¡¯s putting on this front, Freya realized. Fear. Atheria wasn¡¯t like this before. This wasn¡¯t strength. This was defense. This is what it looks like when a god tries to hold on to power.


    Freya¡¯s eyes lowered toward her hands. The faint glow of the runes had long since faded, but she could still feel them.


    Something¡¯s wrong, she thought, her eyes flicking back to Atheria. And it¡¯s only going to get worse.


    ¡°No more questions! GO!¡±


    Atheria¡¯s hand shot upward, and the chamber flooded with light once again. It wasn¡¯t like before ¡ª this light was a harsh, overwhelming glow that poured in from every surface. It came from the bark, from the roots, from the very air itself. It drowned out color, sound, and thought. Everything became white.


    Freya''s instinct screamed to move, to leave.


    ¡°You have your commands, and I would hope you''d be wise to follow them.¡± Atheria¡¯s voice echoed through the chamber like thunder.


    Freya glanced around as the glow dimmed. The Legion moved. They rose slowly, some looking shaken, others moving with purpose. No one spoke up. Only silent mumbles could be heard.


    The large doors at the end of the chamber slowly opened, revealing the path back into the corridors of the entrance of her Tree. One by one, the members of the Elite Legion filed out. Their steps were slow, tense. Their eyes flicked toward one another, their ears tilted toward every whisper of movement, every shift in the glow of magic.


    Freya¡¯s eyes skimmed the crowd for olive but he seemed to have vanished probably terrified of the display shown today.


    Raven was one of the last to leave besides Jorma, Freya, and Swiftfoot. Her amber eyes lingered on Atheria for a moment too long before she glanced toward Freya. Their eyes met, and Raven¡¯s gaze was sharp. Calculating.


    Don¡¯t linger too long, Raven, Freya thought, watching her go. You¡¯re smart enough to know better.


    When the last of the Legion had left, only four people remained. Atheria. Freya. Jorma. Swiftfoot.


    Atheria¡¯s gaze fell on Jorma. Her eyes were softer now. Her glow dimmed slightly, becoming more like a gentle lantern than a blazing sun. She tilted her head toward him, her movements slow and graceful like a branch swaying in the breeze.


    ¡°Jorma, you may leave, but I need you to listen to Freya from here on.¡±


    Jorma raised a brow, his hands still in his coat pockets. His sharp-toothed grin tugged at the edge of his mouth, lazy grinning.


    ¡°I already do, most of the time,¡± Jorma muttered, turning to walk toward the exit. His eyes glanced back once, giving Freya a silent message she didn¡¯t need to decipher.


    "Don¡¯t do anything reckless sis."


    Atheria began to look around as if she had lost something, ¡±Hmm¡­ I could have sworn Olive had been in this meeting, I hope I didn¡¯t scare the young one to much.¡±


    Atheria¡¯s gaze shifted to Swiftfoot, her expression softening further. The glow of the sap pools beneath her feet shimmered brighter for just a moment.


    ¡°Nice to see you, Swiftfoot,¡± Atheria said, her voice lighter now, almost gentle. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to see me like this. Tell Olive the same. Although I¡¯m unsure why you are here.¡±She looked at him puzzled, ¡°All the same, you are always welcome as you know.¡±


    Swiftfoot bowed slowly, his movements deliberate but never weak.


    ¡°Thank you, goddess,¡± Swiftfoot replied, his tone firm and polite. ¡°But I must take my leave. I have a few loose ends to tie up.¡±


    His gaze shifted to Freya briefly before he walked after Jorma, his steps slow but sure.


    The great doors thudded shut behind them, leaving only Freya and Atheria.


    The change in Atheria was sudden. Her divine glow dimmed further, her form shifting. The smooth bark that covered her limbs softened. Her skin darkened, taking on the appearance of bark-like flesh. Her arms, once vine-like, shifted into two sets ¡ª one normal, the other slightly furred, ending in clawed fingers. Her hair, long, black, and braided into flowing locks, shimmered faintly as it swayed behind her like a living thing. Her face shifted into something... younger. Younger than Freya, even.


    She leaned back against the ancient roots of the colossal tree. Her eyes were half-lidded now, her presence calmer, more casual. She folded her hands neatly over her lap, and her flowing white dress seemed to merge with the glowing sap beneath her.


    ¡°Now, tell me, Freya, how goes the foxes'' training?¡± she asked, tilting her head to one side. Her eyes were locked on Freya, but this time it wasn¡¯t like before. This gaze wasn¡¯t sharp or judgmental. It was curious. Gentle.


    Freya blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion. Where did that shift come from?


    ¡°It¡¯s... going okay, I guess,¡± Freya said slowly, still watching Atheria carefully. Her eyes flicked toward Atheria¡¯s second set of arms but said nothing. ¡°They still need to control their magic output. The seal¡¯s holding up, though. Arbor is by far the most unwilling student I¡¯ve ever had.¡±


    Atheria hummed softly, gaze distant.


    ¡°Freya, I know you wouldn¡¯t betray me,¡± she said softly, her eyes flicking toward Freya¡¯s hands. ¡°But coming here like that, with so many contracts bound to you, it does raise concern.¡±


    Freya¡¯s eyes darted to her hands. The contracts. Freya''s fingers twitched.


    ¡°I think you can handle whatever mess you¡¯ve gotten yourself into,¡± Atheria continued, her eyes sharp but calm. ¡°So I will not pry any further.¡±


    The sap beneath Atheria stirred. Slowly, a glowing blue orb rose from its surface, hovering in the air between them. It cast a soft light on both of their faces.


    Freya¡¯s eyes narrowed. Of course.


    ¡°I assume you know what this is,¡± Atheria said, her tone light, almost playful. ¡°Since you went through the effort of hiding from it while talking to that brother of yours.¡±


    Freya eyed the orb carefully. She thought about lying. Her eyes flicked to Atheria, who sat perfectly still, calm as still water.


    ¡°Yeah, I know what it is,¡± Freya muttered, glancing back at it. ¡°Lets you see through the millions of moons you scattered across the forest.¡±


    Atheria smiled faintly. Her eyes flicked toward the orb, her expression calm but thoughtful. She lifted her hand, tapping the orb with her clawed finger.


    ¡°Look.¡±


    The glow from the orb shifted, projecting an image. Freya¡¯s eyes narrowed as the scene unfolded.


    She saw them. Alek and Arbor.


    Alek swung a scythe with wild, chaotic movements. His eyes burned with something dark, and his attacks came faster than she¡¯d ever seen. Arbor stumbled, barely keeping pace, using small bursts of earth magic to dodge his swings.


    Freya¡¯s breath hitched.


    ¡°What is he holding?¡± she asked, leaning forward. ¡°Why is he moving like that?¡±


    Atheria sighed, her gaze fixed on the image.


    ¡°That is an old scythe. Its name is Judgment, based on the magic it gives off. It once was used to kill demons.¡± Her gaze shifted to Freya. ¡°Its have been corrupted by someone.¡±


    Freya tensed, her heart pounding.


    ¡°I want to see Arbor tomorrow,¡± Atheria added changing the subject like she hadn¡¯t said anything important. ¡°We have much to discuss.¡±


    Freya¡¯s breath came slowly, her gaze flicking back to the image. Alek¡¯s scythe dragged through the air like it was cutting the world itself.


    Atheria looked down at the orb again reflecting on something, ¡°What you do with Alek is your choice. I suggest not hurting the boy though, I''ve made a lot of enemies today. I really don''t need the king of Nytherion''s son hurt."


    "Sorry Atheria, I wasn¡¯t expecting this to happen after leaving them alone for only a couple of hours. I¡¯ll be back with Arbor tomorrow.¡± Freya said, turning toward the door.


    Atheria¡¯s voice followed her.


    ¡°You best hurry. The fight doesn¡¯t seem to be in Arbor¡¯s favor.¡±


    The moment the chamber doors shut behind her, Freya broke into a sprint. Her heart pounded in time with her footsteps, her boots striking the marble with sharp, echoing taps. Her breath came short and steady, each inhales sharp as the cold air biting at her lungs.


    The air here still hummed with residual magic from Atheria¡¯s presence.


    That idiot elf boy. That scythe. The image of Alek¡¯s wild, frantic swings burned in her mind. She knew that look in his eyes. Rage. Unfocused. Sloppy. Dangerous.


    Her legs moved faster. Her horns tilted forward, cutting through the air, her body leaning into every step. Her cloak whipped behind her like a storm-tossed banner. Her breathing was sharp but controlled. An image of eva with them popped into her head.


    Jorma. She had to find him.


    She spotted him near the archway leading to the lower halls ¡ª leaning casually against the wall like he had all the time in the world. His coat was draped lazily over one shoulder, his two blades held loosely in his hands. In front of him stood Raven, the shadowy elf from earlier. Her eyes followed the slow twirl of Jorma¡¯s blades with a look of thinly veiled interest.


    Of course he¡¯s flirting, Freya thought bitterly, her scowl already forming.


    ¡°Jorma!¡± she barked, her voice cutting through the air like the snap of a whip. ¡°Stop flirting, we¡¯ve got trouble!¡±


    Her words echoed down the corridor, and she saw Raven¡¯s head snap toward her, her eyes going wide with surprise. Her dark cheeks flushed a faint violet.


    Jorma, ever the picture of nonchalance, tilted his head slowly, his sharp yellow eyes flicking to Freya with mild irritation.


    ¡°What? I¡¯m busy,¡± he muttered, dragging his gaze back toward his blades as if she hadn¡¯t just declared an emergency. His fingers rolled the hilt of one blade between his fingers, spinning it with an annoying amount of precision. Showoff.


    Freya didn¡¯t stop. Her eyes locked on him like. Her horns tilted just slightly, a sign he knew too well. Her voice lowered, cold and sharp like the edge of a whetstone.


    ¡°Your sister is in trouble.¡± Her eyes narrowed. Her hands sparked faintly with light, small arcs of electricity running down her knuckles. ¡°I need you to follow me. Now.¡±


    Jorma blinked, tilting his head. His lips quirked into a grin that immediately vanished as confusion set in.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he asked, gesturing lazily at her. ¡°You¡¯re right here.¡±


    It took Freya a second to process what he¡¯d just said. Her face went completely still. Her eyes didn¡¯t narrow. They didn¡¯t widen. They didn¡¯t move at all.


    Her hands twitched. The lightning grew brighter.


    ¡°Eva, you idiot.¡± Her voice was low, barely more than a whisper, but it carried the weight of a gathering storm.


    Raven''s eyes darted between them. She shifted back, her instincts sharper than Jorma''s, as she recognized the signs of a storm about to break.


    Jorma blinked, realization dawning on his face. His grin fell flat. ¡°Ah, crap,¡± he muttered, his hand covering his face as he let out a heavy, exasperated sigh. ¡°It''s always something when I¡¯m actually trying to do something fun.¡± He shook his head, pushing himself off the wall with a light shove.


    His eyes met Freya¡¯s. He wasn¡¯t grinning anymore.


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    They didn¡¯t walk. They didn¡¯t jog.


    They vanished.


    Freya took one step, her hand on the handle of her sword as the rune began to glow. Her body then burst into a streak of red lightning, a bolt of golden- red energy that crackled against the air. As she tore through the hall. The world blurred around her, streaks of blue, green, and white flashing in rapid succession.


    They were too far away. She knew it.


    Her mind flickered with images ¡ª Alek¡¯s wild swings, the sharp glint of the scythe, and Arbor¡¯s face twisted with effort as they barely held him back. Her jaw tightened.


    Behind her, the faint pull of shadows rippled against the marble floor. It wasn¡¯t as fast as light, but it was everywhere. Shadows curled at the edges of the walls, into puddles of deep black ink. The edges of the darkness quivered for a moment, and then Jorma¡¯s form slipped from the shadow¡¯s surface, his coat whipping around him like smoke caught in a draft.


    He emerged from one shadow, leapt into another, and disappeared again. Each shadow he left behind shimmered with a faint ripple, like water disturbed by a single drop.


    They reached the edge of the inner city, where the towering tree gate stood, its bark-laced doors always half-open. Two guards were stationed there, Blackthorn and Kaelen, both standing stiffly at attention.


    The first sign of Freya¡¯s arrival was the sudden blinding flash of light that tore through the gate¡¯s center. The glow hit the guards¡¯ faces, forcing them to squint.


    A moment later, a black ripple of shadows spilled across the ground, curling at their feet. It pooled, twisted, and Jorma stepped out, his coat flaring as he strode forward, one hand on his hip.


    Kaelen rubbed her eyes, blinking furiously. ¡°What¡­?¡± Her voice trailed off, her eyes darting between the last sparks of Freya''s trail and the fading puddle of darkness where Jorma had emerged. She glanced toward Blackthorn.


    Blackthorn didn¡¯t say anything. He just stared in salute. His eyes narrowed briefly, his sharp feline pupils darting toward Jorma, then toward the vanishing trails of light.


    They didn¡¯t ask questions.


    The moment they passed the gates, Freya shifted into full speed, her body a pure streak of energy that vanished into the open forest. Her path cut clean through the trees, leaves and twigs scattering in her wake.


    Jorma¡¯s shadows followed soon after, leaping from the dim spots between trees and flickering from shadow to shadow. A race to a fight that had already concluded

 Chapter 8: Masters Fury

    Far off the giant, floating, rock arena they called their training grounds, a deafening silence lingered before Arbor''s voice broke it sounding Flat. Dull. Vulnerable.


    ¡°He¡¯s kinda right, you know.¡±


    Eva, sitting on the edge of the same bleacher, tilted her head in his direction. She perched lightly, her goat-like pupils shifting toward Arbor with quiet curiosity.


    ¡°Who¡¯s right?¡± she asked, her tone careful but not probing.


    Arbor stayed quiet for a moment, eyes still locked on the sky above. Their jaw shifted like they were working up the words, like they were tasting them to see if they were safe to say.


    ¡°Alek,¡± they muttered finally, fingers tapping against their arm. ¡°He¡¯s right. I don¡¯t belong here.¡±


    Eva shifted her weight slightly, leaning forward, arms resting on her knees. Her eyes didn¡¯t leave Arbor.


    ¡°I¡¯m confused,¡± she said slowly, her tone light but steady. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Arbor sighed deeply, like the weight of the whole conversation they had just settled on their chest. They sat up halfway, propping themselves on their elbows as they scanned the arena around them. Their gaze swept across the cracks in the stone, the faint marks left by Alek''s scythe, and the space where their staff had shattered into useless splinters.


    ¡°People like him have... reasons to be here,¡± Arbor said, voice quiet but rough. They gestured vaguely at the trees, the stone, and everything around them. ¡°Training in these damn woods, pushing themselves like their lives depend on it. When he asked me why I was here, I didn¡¯t have an answer.¡±


    Their fingers twitched. They ran a hand down their face, brushing away stray hair before letting it hang limply at their side.


    Eva didn¡¯t interrupt. She just tilted her head, watching, waiting.


    ¡°I get why he¡¯s mad, I would be too, to be honest,¡± Arbor said, their voice growing sharper, frustration threading through it. They sat up straighter now, resting their arms on their knees, fingers clasped together looking for a stone they didn''t have. Their eyes narrowed, staring down at the ground like it had done something personal to them.


    ¡°Someone like me ¡ª reluctant, lazy ¡ª getting this far? It doesn¡¯t make sense. And really, I haven¡¯t done anything. For the past eight months, all I¡¯ve done is sleep, read, have weird dreams, wake up, and train. Freya keeps saying I¡¯ve got ¡®potential,¡¯ but it sure doesn¡¯t feel like it. I''m like some rat on a wheel chasing nothing.¡±


    Their words were a bit more true than they meant them to be. They swallowed thickly, their fingers, sharp blue nails, digging into the fabric of their kimono. Potential. The word felt hollow every time they heard it.


    Eva leaned forward, her posture softer now. She didn¡¯t say anything. Just let Arbor talk.


    ¡°You know what pisses me off the most?¡± Arbor muttered, their hands curling into loose fists.


    Eva raised a brow, voice low but curious. ¡°What?¡±


    Arbor sucked in a breath, staring forward as their face shifted into something tighter. Not anger. Not sadness. Just... something knotted too tightly to untangle.


    ¡°I can¡¯t remember anything past two years ago,¡± Arbor said, voice quieter now but raw. They didn¡¯t meet Eva¡¯s eyes. ¡°Nothing. Freya just showed up one day, saying ¡®the goddess Atheria has plans,¡¯ and now... here I am.¡±


    Their laugh was hollow, and breathy, like it was meant to sound dismissive but missed the mark. They leaned back against the bleachers, arms stretched out behind them.


    ¡°So when someone like Alek asks, ¡®Why are you here?¡¯ I can¡¯t tell you. If it were up to me? I wouldn¡¯t be. But I¡¯m here anyway, doing what Freya says, trying not to screw up.¡±


    Eva watched them for a long moment, her eyes thoughtful but quiet. Her goat-like pupils shifted slightly, flicking back and forth as if tracking something only she could see. Then she leaned back on her hands, glancing at the treetops.


    ¡°And... the dreams?¡± she asked, her voice gentle but steady.


    Arbor¡¯s face scrunched up, lips pressing into a line. Their eyes darted toward the ground as if it had something important to say.


    ¡°Every time I sleep, I see glimpses of something,¡± they muttered, rubbing the back of their neck. ¡°Memories I don¡¯t understand, things just out of reach. It¡¯s like... it¡¯s there, but it¡¯s not mine. And I can¡¯t figure out if I¡¯m supposed to remember, or if I¡¯m better off forgetting. Even recently I saw someone, maybe me or something else, but I just can''t understand.¡±


    Their voice was quieter now. Almost hollow.


    Eva leaned back, crossing her arms, her gaze still on Arbor. Her tone wasn¡¯t sharp. It wasn¡¯t soft, either. It was steady. A tether.


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why you¡¯re here,¡± she said simply. ¡°Because there¡¯s something in those glimpses. Something Freya sees, even if you don¡¯t. And maybe you¡¯re not supposed to have all the answers right now.¡±


    Her words hung in the air, lingering like dust caught in sunlight.


    Arbor snorted, their lips curling into a faint smirk. The sarcasm crept back in, slow and familiar like an old friend. They turned their head to look at her, eyes half-lidded, their grin sharp but tired.


    ¡°Sounds pretty convenient, huh? ¡®Just keep going, and it¡¯ll all make sense.¡¯ Real inspiring stuff,¡± Arbor said, their tone dry as sand.


    Eva let out a short, soft laugh, tilting her head toward. Her grin was small but steady.


    ¡°It¡¯s better than giving up,¡± she said, voice teasing but sincere. She turned her eyes toward the canopy, watching the shifting glow of light through the leaves. ¡°And hey, at least you¡¯re honest about it. That¡¯s something.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s grin widened just a bit as they let out a slow breath. They leaned back again, stretching their legs and arms in opposite directions like a cat in the sun.


    ¡°Yeah, well, being brutally honest is the only thing I¡¯m good at,¡± they muttered, fingers laced behind their head. They shut their eyes. ¡°That and complaining. Deadly combo. Gets me punched sometimes, but hey ¡ª consistency¡¯s important.¡±


    Eva stood, brushing off her coat as she stepped down from the bleachers. Her eyes flicked toward Arbor, her smirk tilting at an angle.


    ¡°Well, thats a pretty good trait to have,¡± she said, her tone playful but firm.


    Their grin stayed for a second, then slowly faded into something quieter. Their eyes drifted toward their broken staff lying nearby, the wood splintered and frayed at the edges. They stared at it for a long moment, fingers twitching once like they might reach for it.


    They didn¡¯t.


    Their gaze shifted back to the sky. Their eyes traced the patches of blue sky peeking through, watching them like they were waiting for something to change.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± they muttered under their breath. Their voice was quieter now, the weight of everything pressing down on their chest again.


    ¡°Real consistent.¡±


    Arbor crouched near the splintered pieces of their staff, brow furrowed, lips pressed into a thin, tight line. Their fingers traced one of the larger fragments, running along the jagged break. The faint glow of enchanted runes still pulsed weakly along the grain of the wood, like embers after a fire had gone out.


    Their eyes flickered with something between frustration and dread. Their fingers pressed into the fragment, and for a second, they felt it. The familiar hum of energy, like a heart trying to beat despite the break. It wasn¡¯t gone. Not yet.


    ¡°Dang it, I¡¯m not supposed to use this unless Freya is here,¡± Arbor muttered to themself, voice barely more than a breath. Their eyes darted to the other fragments scattered around them. Their heart thudded against their ribs, a slow, heavy beat. ¡°She¡¯s going to kill me.¡±


    Their shoulders tensed at the thought. Their fingers curled around the largest fragment.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± they muttered, glancing down at the pieces. ¡°She¡¯s definitely going to kill me.¡±


    Eva''s voice pulled them from their spiral.


    ¡°Knowing Freya, she¡¯s probably off handling something urgent,¡± Eva said calmly. Unbothered. She sat cross-legged on a mossy stone nearby, her head tilted slightly as she plucked leaves from her sleeve. She glanced at Arbor with that calm, knowing smile. ¡°You know how she is ¡ª always involved in something. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll understand once she¡¯s back.¡±


    Arbor snorted but didn¡¯t answer. Yeah, right. ¡°Understand¡± wasn¡¯t exactly a word that fit with Freya¡¯s way of handling mistakes. Correct? Yes. Forgive? Unlikely. They glanced back at the staff shard in their hands and sighed.


    Their fingers brushed the runes again, feeling them flicker under their touch.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    The air shifted.


    It was faint at first ¡ª like a distant breeze.


    A faint, watery hum began to rise from the treeline just beyond the arena¡¯s edge. The sound of something sparking, cracking. It wasn¡¯t thunder, but it had that same electric energy. The low rumble of a distant current of water weaving with the faint crackle of energy.


    CRRKKSSHH¡­ swooshhh¡­


    Arbor¡¯s ears twitched. Their fingers froze over the staff pieces, eyes darting toward the treeline.


    Eva tilted her head toward the noise, her eyes glowing faintly with that soft pinkish hue. Recognition flashed across her face.


    ¡°Oh, I think it¡¯s Freya,¡± she said casually, tilting her head toward the glow now rising from the forest. Her goat-like pupils shifted, tracking the glow like a lazy cat watching a mouse.


    Arbor¡¯s heart stopped.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Their eyes widened, chest tightening as panic surged through them. Their pulse went from calm to chaos in half a second.


    Freya. Here. Now.


    ¡°Oh no, no, no, nope!¡± Arbor hissed, eyes darting between the broken shards.


    They dropped the largest piece as if it had bitten them and immediately crouched low, grabbing each fragment in a frenzy. Their fingers moved too fast, barely gripping them before throwing them behind them with frantic, jerky movements.


    ¡°Clink¡ªclatter¡ªtwhip!¡±


    One shard skidded off a mossy stone, tumbling end over end until it sank into a bush. Another hit the arena''s edge, bouncing once before settling in a patch of leaves.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Eva asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. Her eyes followed the chaotic flurry of movement like she was watching an animal caught in a trap.


    ¡°Cleaning up evidence!¡± Arbor snapped, voice pitched high with panic. They chucked another shard over their shoulder without looking, eyes darting back and forth scanning for predators. Their breath was fast, shallow, sharp.


    Eva blinked slowly. She glanced at the scattered fragments, one hanging from a low branch like a poorly thrown dart.


    ¡°You look like you¡¯re about to explode.¡±


    ¡°I AM.¡±


    The glow from the forest grew brighter, shifting from a faint blue to a harsh gold-white.


    The wave of ambient magic hit them a second later, brushing over the arena like a gust of warm wind. It smelled faintly of ozone and the pulse of it made Arbor flinch. The ground hummed softly underfoot.


    She was here.


    Freya stepped into the clearing, her form still flickering faintly with golden afterglow, static arcs of electricity twitching off her cloak. Her horns tilted forward, and her eyes ¡ª sharp, red, glowing faintly with residual magic ¡ª locked on Arbor immediately.


    Her gaze shifted slowly from Arbor to the scattered bits of wood around them. Then looked at eva. A smile came onto her face for only a second and then she sighed. This confused Arbor.


    Freya now looked back at Arbor, on her face wasn¡¯t rage. It wasn¡¯t even disappointment. It was suspicion. A knowing suspicion that every master, mentor, or older sibling had when they knew something was wrong, but were waiting for you to confess it first.


    ¡°H-hi, master!¡± Arbor said, too quickly, too loudly. Their smile was too big, their eyes darting around. Their hands were suspiciously behind their back, fingers flexing nervously. ¡°Where have you been all day? Did you have fun? Was it fun? Must''ve been fun! Fun day, huh? Fun day for Freya!¡±


    Eva glanced sideways at Arbor, one brow raised so high it might have left her face.


    Freya¡¯s eyes narrowed. Slowly. Carefully. Deliberately. Her hands settled on her hips, fingers tapping against her coat. Her horns tilted forward like a bull sizing up a target.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± Freya''s voice was calm, but dangerous calm. Her eyes narrowed, her pupils sharp as dagger points. ¡°You¡¯re never this happy to see me. Ever.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s grin froze on their face. Their eyes darted from Freya to Eva to the bush where a shard of their staff was sticking out like a sore thumb. Their heart pounded against their ribs.


    Calm. Stay calm. Stay calm.


    ¡°Nothing!¡± Arbor said too quickly. They stepped to the side, subtly blocking Freya''s view of the bush. Their hands still twitched behind their back. ¡°Nothing at all. Just, y''know, training. Real intense training. Battle-hardened. Tough. Look how strong I am now!¡± They flexed their arms, grin so wide it hurt.


    Freya didn¡¯t blink. Her gaze stayed locked on them.


    Her horns tilted forward just a little more. Her eyes glanced once at the bush, the single shard of staff visible between the leaves, then slowly flicked back to Arbor.


    She took a slow step forward.


    Arbor¡¯s heart stopped.


    ¡°Arbor.¡± Her voice was quieter now. Her tone changed from suspicion to certainty.


    Her head tilted, her eyes half-lidded with that familiar, I¡¯m going to figure it out and you know I will look.


    ¡°Did you break something?¡±


    Arbor took a half step back, eyes darting toward the bush. Their brain screamed at them to think of something, anything, a lie, a joke, something clever¡ª


    ¡°...No?¡± they said, voice rising in pitch like a small, scared animal.


    Silence.


    Eva blinked slowly. ¡°You really need to work on your lying skills, Arbor.¡±


    ¡°No one asked you, goat girl!¡± Arbor snapped as if they hadn¡¯t been friends less than 10 minutes earlier.


    Freya took another step forward.


    Arbor backed away.


    Their heart beat faster. The weight of her gaze pressed against them harder than any magic ever could.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me repeat myself, fox,¡± Freya said, taking one more step forward.


    Arbor¡¯s luck had officially run out.


    Arbor barely had time to react.


    Freya¡¯s movement was too fast. One moment, they were scrambling to keep the last shard of the broken staff out of sight, and the next, she was right in front of them. Lightning trailed behind her like the tail of a comet.


    ¡°What are you hiding?¡± Her voice cracked the air sharper than any thunder.


    Her hand shot forward, fingers wrapping around the last shard of the staff. Arbor gripped it tighter out of sheer reflex, but her strength was impossible to resist. She yanked it free, and the sudden force sent Arbor stumbling back, barely keeping their balance.


    ¡°Nope, nope, nope!¡± their mind screamed as panic shot through their chest. Their eyes darted to the ground, where every single shard of their broken staff lay scattered. No amount of excuses could save them from this.


    They glanced back up at Freya¡¯s face. It had shifted from confusion to something far, far worse. Her eyes were sharp, hard as polished stone, her lips set in a tight line.


    Her gaze swept the arena slowly, noting every shard embedded in moss, bark, and dirt. Her breathing was steady, but each breath seemed more deliberate than the last.


    She wasn¡¯t just angry. She was calculating.


    ¡°Freya¡¯s expression shifted from suspicion to barely contained fury.¡±


    Arbor felt their throat tighten. Panic mode, engaged.


    ¡°WAIT!¡± they shouted, throwing up their hands like they were surrendering to an entire battalion. Their words poured out, desperate and loud. ¡°There was a fig¡ª!¡±


    CRACK-ZAP!


    The world spun.


    For a second, all they saw was light. Bright, searing light. Then came the impact. Their head jerked back as Freya¡¯s hoove slammed into their face with a force that felt like a lightning strike wrapped in steel.


    Their vision blurred. Their back hit the dirt hard. Air fled their lungs in a single sharp wheeze. The crackle of static buzzed faintly in their ears as if a swarm of angry bees surrounded them. Their cheek burned, hot and sharp.


    ¡°I¡¯m dead,¡± Arbor thought, lying on the ground, face half-pressed into the stone. ¡°I died. She killed me. I¡¯m a ghost now.¡±


    Freya loomed over them.


    She held one of the larger shards of the broken staff in her hand, the faint glow of its ruined runes pulsing weakly in the dim light. Her gaze was cold. She twirled the shard slowly between her fingers, not even looking at it. Her eyes were locked squarely on Arbor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care how close you are to death,¡± she said, voice sharp and steady. "Don¡¯t use my weapons to fight people. I gave you this staff for a week, and now it¡¯s broken."


    Her eyes narrowed sounding almost sad, almost. ¡°Do you have any idea who made this?¡±


    Arbor didn¡¯t answer. Their face was still pressed to the dirt.


    ¡°Because I do.¡± Her voice dropped lower. ¡°And I don¡¯t want them pissed at me. Do you?¡±


    The words hung in the air like a fresh storm on the horizon.


    ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am,¡± Arbor mumbled, face still firmly pressed into the stone. Their voice came out dull and muffled, half from exhaustion, half from being completely, utterly done.


    Their eyes squeezed shut, fingers curling into the soil beneath them.


    ¡°I hate everything,¡± they thought, their pride fully buried under the cracked stone with them.


    ¡°Hey, sis!¡± Jorma¡¯s voice cut through the arena. ¡°Freya said you were in tro-¡±


    He stopped.


    Arbor cracked open one eye, just enough to see a strange black sheep humanoid leaning casually against the edge of the bleachers, one hand on his hip, the other resting on the pommel of one of his blades. He had a smug grin he always wore, like he¡¯d walked in on a joke that only he understood.


    Eva turned quickly.


    Her head tilted, eyes wide, glowing pink, faint but unmistakable. Her goat-like pupils narrowed.


    Jorma blinked. ¡°Wait, hold on¡ª¡±


    THUD.


    Jorma¡¯s body crumpled to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. His head landed with a soft thump against the wood of the bleachers. He didn¡¯t move.


    Arbor blinked twice, tilting their head from their position on the ground. Did she just¡­?


    ¡°What¡­?¡± they eva muttered, staring at Jorma¡¯s limp body.


    ¡°...Did you just drop him?¡± Freya said questioningly.


    Eva glanced down at her own hands, as if mildly confused at what she¡¯d just done. Her eyes flicked to Jorma, then back to her hands. She shrugged.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she muttered.


    Arbor sat up slowly, in thought as they rubbed their cheek with one hand. ¡°Well, okay. At least I¡¯m not the only one unjustly knocked around today.¡±


    Freya sighed, crossing her arms, eyes shifting from Jorma to Eva. Her face softened ¡ª not much, but just enough for the storm to pass, for now.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re always on your toes, Eva,¡± Freya muttered, shaking her head. She glanced at Arbor once, gaze lingering for a beat too long for Arbor''s liking, then glanced at the clearing around them. Some signs of battle. Some sliced ground. Tattered clothing and a smell of blood. But despite this things seemed quiet.


    Her eyes flicked toward Alek. He was still unconscious, head resting on Eva¡¯s lap, his breathing steady.


    ¡°I assume you handled it?¡± she asked, her tone quieter this time. Her eyes lingered on Alek¡¯s face, her gaze sharpening slightly.


    Eva tilted her head back, her eyes half-lidded in that same calm, sleepy expression she always had.


    ¡°Yeah. It was getting wild, so I stepped in,¡± she replied, stroking a hand through Alek¡¯s hair like she was soothing a child. Her eyes flicked toward Freya, her tone even. ¡°He had some weird weapon.¡±


    Freya''s brows lifted slightly, her eyes narrowing with focus.


    ¡°About that,¡± she said, walking toward them. She crouched low, close enough that her presence felt heavier in the air. ¡°Can you wake him up? I need to talk to him.¡±


    Eva nodded once.


    Without hesitation, she grabbed Alek by the shoulders and shook him like a bottle of juice.


    SHAKE-SHAKE-SHAKE!


    Arbor winced. Their face scrunched in disbelief.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there a better way to do that?¡± they muttered, glancing from Eva to Freya.


    Eva didn¡¯t stop shaking. She glanced back, her calm smile never wavering.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t mastered that part yet,¡± she said simply, continuing to rattle Alek like he was a rusty box of nails.

 Chapter 9: Souls Tangled

    Alek stirred awake, groggy and confused.


    The world felt distant, like they were at the bottom of a deep well, sounds echoing far above. Their eyes blinked slowly, vision swimming with soft greens and browns. Their head throbbed. Their arms felt heavier than stone.


    ¡°What¡­ happened?¡± they muttered, their voice rough with sleep. They sat up slowly, rubbing the back of their head, feeling their long green unkept hair sticking in all directions.


    ¡°Oh, good afternoon, Alek,¡± Eva¡¯s calm, airy voice drifted toward them. She leaned forward slightly, her face serene, her eyes glowing faintly pink. Too calm.


    ¡°It seems like you tried to kill Arbor earlier, and I had to stop you by putting you to sleep.¡±


    Alek¡¯s entire body froze.


    ¡°I did what?!¡± Their eyes shot open, heart suddenly racing as flashes of blurred memory clawed at the edges of their mind. They rubbed their temples, eyebrows knitting together. Fighting. Yes, they remembered that much. But the rest¡­


    "I remember fighting, but¡­ I wasn¡¯t trying to kill them." Their brow furrowed deeper. Their head felt like it was wrapped in fog. "Why can¡¯t I remember?"


    The weight of someone else''s aura pressed down on them. They didn¡¯t need to look up to know who it was.


    ¡°It¡¯s the weapon,¡± Freya¡¯s voice came from above. Sharp. Direct. The kind of tone that didn¡¯t leave room for argument.


    Alek''s heart jumped. They quickly sat up straighter, eyes darting toward Freya as she stepped into view, arms crossed, horns tilted forward.


    ¡°Captain Freya!¡± Alek blurted, trying to sound more composed than they felt. They shot her a grin that felt far too forced. ¡°It¡¯s great to see you¡¯re done with your business.¡±


    They felt something shift ¡ª a tingle in their chest. Their eyes flicked downward and saw the subtle change in their hands. Their fingers were smaller. Softer. Their chest is bigger.


    Alek froze feeling sick.


    "Oh no."


    POOF!


    A burst of green smoke engulfed them for half a second, swirling with faint traces of purple. When it cleared, Alek sat exactly where he was, except now his jaw was clenched, his hair was shorter, and his build more square. His cheeks were flushed red as he avoided eye contact with everyone.


    Arbor, who¡¯d been nursing their cheek, glanced at Eva. Eva shook her head at arbor.


    ¡°Was that¡ª?¡± Arbor started.


    ¡°Moving on,¡± Freya said, eyes narrowed with laser focus. Her tone didn¡¯t leave room for follow-ups. She stepped forward, gaze locked on Alek.


    ¡°About that weapon. Where did you get it?¡± she asked, her voice sharp but measured. ¡°I need to see it.¡±


    Alek¡¯s heart skipped. This was not how he expected today to go.


    He glanced at his hands, still feeling that faint buzz of energy pulsing under his skin. The memory of the scythe flashed in his mind ¡ª the weight of it, the swing of it, the rush of power that followed. His fingers flexed like he was holding it again, and then a craving set in they needed to hold it again.


    ¡°I¡¯m a bit confused,¡± he muttered, rubbing the back of his head. A bit embarrassed to say the next part, ¡°Why do you need my weapon? I received it from a distant relative¡­ as a birthday gift.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s ears flicked. Their grin was immediate.


    ¡°So someone gave you a farming tool for your birthday, and you decided to beat me up with it?¡± they said, grinning wide despite their swollen cheek.


    Alek¡¯s face flushed with irritation. His hands curled into fists. His gaze snapped toward Arbor, eyes sharp as broken glass.


    ¡°No!¡± he snapped with more conference now. ¡°This weapon has a long history of battle. I was told it would give me the edge I needed in combat.¡±


    Eva glanced toward Arbor, her eyes narrowing just a bit.


    ¡°Arbor,¡± she said softly. "Remember what you said earlier?"


    Arbor raised their hands in mock surrender, rolling their eyes like an ill-mannered child caught mid-prank.


    ¡°Geez, my bad, Alek.¡±


    ¡°Regardless,¡± Freya said, cutting in before they could spiral into another argument. She stepped closer to Alek, hands on her hips. Her gaze was firm but not unkind. ¡°I need you to stop using that weapon and dispose of it. It¡¯s far too dangerous.¡±


    Alek frowned, glancing at his palm. ¡°Alright, fine. I¡¯ll just get it.¡±


    He raised his hand, palm upward, and focused. The air shimmered faintly, a ripple of magic. The gate should¡¯ve opened. The weapon should¡¯ve dropped in. But¡­ nothing.


    His heart skipped. He tried again. Still, nothing.


    His chest tightened, confusion flickering into fear.


    ¡°That¡¯s weird. My gate won¡¯t open.¡±


    Freya¡¯s face went still. Her eyes flicked toward his hand, her sharp gaze narrowing. Her lips pressed into a thin, grim line.


    ¡°Oh.¡± She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharper than before. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t have stored it like that.¡±


    Freya crouched and drew a quick sketch on the ground with a single spark of lightning from her finger. The simple outline looked like a portal gate, a few objects floating inside being held up by sparks, with one object glowing ominously black and red.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the short version,¡± Freya said, her voice low but deliberate. "Your gate is a portal to your soul. Normally, you store items in it ¡ª objects, not living things.¡±


    The sketch shifted. Freya tapped the glowing red object. It pulsed, flashing erratically.


    ¡°But you put a corrupted item in there.¡± Her eyes shifted to Alek. ¡°Now it¡¯s bonded to your soul.¡±


    ¡°Not being able to open it is a bad sign.¡± She glanced at Eva, her eyes scanning the girl carefully. ¡°For people like me, Arbor, or Eva ¡ª made of soul magic ¡ª this would be catastrophic. But you should be mostly fine since you¡¯re an elf, your life isn¡¯t fully tied to soul magic. You have all those squishy organs keeping you moving.¡±


    Alek looked a bit confused.


    Freya sighed talking as if you had an infant in front of her, ¡±Atherian¡¯s bodies are run completely by our souls, physical damage can hurt but can''t kill us. Meanwhile, humans and other nonmagical creatures can take damage to their souls and be relatively fine (with some, but most definitely will not survive a blow to the heart or something. You and the elfs on the other hand can take a lot of damage to both before dying not saying you are immorta-¡±


    Freya''s light-hearted tone shifts when thinking about the elf the legion lost. ¡±Yeah just don''t do something stupid¡±


    Eva tilted her head. Her eyes glowed pink. She gazed at Alek, scanning him like one might peer into a crystal ball. Her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Weird¡­¡± she muttered, gaze sharp.


    ¡°What?¡± Alek asked, his anxiety rising.


    ¡°Your soul¡¯s bigger than before,¡± she said, voice distant. ¡°But it¡¯s got this¡­ red tint. Not normal.¡± Her eyes flicked toward Jorma, Freya, and Arbor for comparison. Jorma¡¯s was pretty big deep purple. Arbor¡¯s was faint caramel, barely noticeable due to something blocking her scan.


    But Alek¡¯s?


    Bright green, with flickers of red twisting through it similar to Freya¡¯s soul, a huge mix of swirling colors.


    Freya stood, brushing her hands off. ¡°Basically, don¡¯t open your gate. Until we find someone able to unbind it. Plus you dont use magic that anyways.¡± She placed a firm hand on Arbor¡¯s shoulder. Arbor tensed instantly.


    Her grin was far too sharp.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, you have a meeting with Atheria tomorrow.¡±


    Arbor froze. Their eyes widened.


    ¡°A meeting with the goddess?!¡± they gasped. ¡°This is about the staff, isn¡¯t it?!¡± Their hands flew to their head. ¡°She¡¯s going to punish me, isn¡¯t she?!¡±


    Freya¡¯s grin turned wolfish. She patted Arbor''s head like one might a troublesome child.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s unrelated. But your next training session? That¡¯ll be painful.¡±


    ¡°I hate everything,¡± Arbor muttered, staring at the sky.


    Alek crossed his arms, scowling.


    ¡°They get to meet the goddess? They don¡¯t even deserve that.¡±


    Arbor sighed. ¡°Give it a rest.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    "Please don''t let her be mad," they thought, heart pounding. "Please."


    Eva¡¯s ears twitched, her eyes narrowing slightly.


    ¡°Wait.¡± Her gaze flicked to her feet.


    Her eyes turned faintly pink.


    A ripple. A shift. The air went from cool to just a little colder. Her pink eyes snapped to the edge of her shadow ¡ª and saw it move.


    Too late.


    SPLASH!


    Her face was hit with a cold spray of water. It dripped down her face in uneven trails, soaking her horns, her nose, and her entire mood.


    ¡°Grrr.¡± Eva wiped her face with her sleeve, blinking slowly, her eyes now dimmed green fixed on the source.


    Jorma.


    He stood there with that smug grin, arms folded, leaning lazily against one of the arena''s railings. His yellow eyes practically glowed with mischief.


    ¡°Eva, honestly, your powers are a real pain,¡± Jorma said, shaking his head with mock disappointment. His voice had that too-casual, too-relaxed tone that made Eva¡¯s teeth clench. ¡°You seriously need to learn control. I can¡¯t keep getting knocked out every time you get startled.¡±


    Her patience snapped.


    ¡°Maybe if you stopped appearing out of nowhere, I wouldn¡¯t be so jumpy around you!¡± she shot back, pointing a sharp clawed finger at him. ¡°You were only twenty feet away! You could¡¯ve walked! WALKED, Jorma! Like a normal person! You have legs, I know you do!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but why walk when you can teleport?¡± Jorma said with a grin, casually brushing an invisible speck of dust off his shoulder.


    Eva opened her mouth to retort, but her eyes flicked to the bleachers behind her.


    There was another Jorma.


    He was lying face-first on the bleacher, completely still. Her eyes squinted with confusion. Her pink glow intensified.


    ¡°What?¡± Her gaze darted between the two Jormas.


    The "sleeping Jorma" on the bleachers melted into a pool of shadow that rippled and flowed like water. The black tendrils slithered across the ground before sliding up into Jorma¡¯s body, melding back into him like it had never left. He didn¡¯t even look fazed.


    ¡°Shadow walk, Eva,¡± he said, tapping the side of his head like it was the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°It¡¯s literally my thing. Also, for reasons like this, I like to keep a couple of copies around.¡±


    Arbor whispered from Alek¡¯s side.


    ¡°Is this a family reunion or something?¡± they muttered, leaning closer to Alek with a look of tired confusion. Their cheek was still swollen from Freya¡¯s earlier "lesson," and they rubbed it idly.


    ¡°I have no idea,¡± Alek muttered back, his brows furrowed with mild exhaustion. His eyes flicked toward the faint outline of Jorma¡¯s remaining shadow behind the bleachers. ¡°Today¡¯s been... fuzzy.¡±


    Eva sighed, still wiping water from her horns as she walked toward Alek and Arbor. Her eyes stayed on Jorma, a pink glow slowly fading as her patience returned.


    ¡°This is my brother, Jorma,¡± she muttered, not looking at him as she spoke. Her tone was flat but not without warmth. ¡°He¡¯s part of the Elite Legion, like Freya.¡±


    Her gaze flicked toward Jorma, eyes half-lidded with quiet judgment.


    ¡°Unlike Freya, he has a knack for showing up at the worst times.¡± Her ears twitched. ¡°Then disappearing for years afterward.¡±


    Jorma smirked, his arms still folded as he straightened up like he was being introduced as a king at court.


    ¡°Well, the goddess sends me on important assignments. Can¡¯t help it if my work takes me away,¡± he said, brushing at his coat like he¡¯d just returned from a grand adventure.


    Eva snorted softly. ¡°Right. Like charming every woman in sight. Such critical work.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±


    The familiar weight of Freya¡¯s authority pressed down on them all like a shift in air pressure. She stepped forward, horns tilted forward, eyes steady. Everyone knew that tone.


    ¡°The time we were supposed to spend training has been wasted, so everyone can go back to what they were doing.¡± Her eyes flicked to Jorma, sharp and direct. ¡°Jorma, sorry for dragging you here, but I¡¯ll need your help tomorrow.¡±


    Jorma raised a brow, his grin never fading. ¡°Fine. You said it was urgent, so I came. Plus, I got to see my two favorite siblings.¡±


    Eva''s ears flicked back. ¡°We¡¯re your only siblings.¡±


    Jorma tilted his head, hands spread wide in mock revelation. ¡°Exactly! Which makes my statement even more true.¡±


    Freya let out a heavy sigh, one hand pressing against her temple.


    ¡°Anyway, I need you to watch over these two tomorrow while I take Arbor to Atheria.¡± Her eyes flicked toward Eva and Alek. ¡°It¡¯s not that they need a babysitter or anything, but I think you could teach them a thing or two.¡±


    Alek¡¯s eyes lit up like he¡¯d just been handed a sword of legend. Pure, unfiltered determination.


    ¡°It would be an honor to train under you, sir!¡± he said, his back straight, eyes full of that signature "I must prove myself" energy.


    Eva tilted her head slowly, side-eying Alek like he¡¯d just sprouted a second head.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a weirdo,¡± she muttered, her lips curling into a faint smirk.


    Jorma''s eyes flicked toward Eva, then back to Alek. He grinned wide, leaning his elbow on the railing.


    ¡°Weirdo? Says the one who puts people to sleep with her eyeballs.¡± He raised a hand lazily, like he was giving a half-hearted pledge. ¡°But fine. I¡¯ll see if I can scrounge up some replacement blades for you, Alek.¡±


    Alek¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Thank you, sir!¡± he said, his voice cracking with excitement.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, don¡¯t get all weepy on me.¡± Jorma waved it off, his body already shifting toward the shadows. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ve got things to do. Be ready tomorrow, you two. I¡¯ll know where to find you, so just meet up before sunrise.¡±


    His body shifted, shadows curling around his feet, stretching toward his hands like vines.


    ¡°FOOSH.¡±


    Jorma was gone. Just like that.


    Eva let out a breath she didn¡¯t know she¡¯d been holding. Her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes scanning the spot where Jorma had vanished. Her gaze lingered there for a moment too long.


    ¡°He¡¯s such a showoff,¡± she muttered, shaking her head.


    Her eyes flicked toward Freya, who was already turning away. Calm, steady, sharp as always.


    Arbor glanced at Eva. ¡°He does that often?¡± they asked, rubbing the bruise on their cheek.


    Eva let out a short laugh. No humor. All exhaustion.


    ¡°All the time.¡±


    The arena¡¯s quiet hum settled into a soft stillness.


    The earlier buzz of chaos had all faded into the gentle rustle of leaves and distant chirps of birds. The faint glow of magical runes lining the arena¡¯s edges flickered like fading fireflies, barely noticeable now.


    Eva walked at the front of the group, her pace slow but steady. Her hands were tucked into her sleeves, her horns tilted forward slightly like she was deep in thought. Jorma was already gone, his usual exit marked only by the faint, lingering chill of shadows in the air.


    Behind her, Alek followed quietly, his gaze fixed ahead but his mind clearly elsewhere. He was thinking. His eyes flicked toward Eva, then to Arbor, then down at his own hands. His fingers flexed absently, opening and closing as if feeling for something that wasn¡¯t there.


    Arbor trailed behind them. Their eyes were on the stairs, occasionally glancing at their bruised cheek with a small, annoyed frown. Their fingers pressed lightly against the swelling, wincing each time. They didn¡¯t complain out loud, but they didn¡¯t need to. The pout on their face said it all.


    ¡°Hold up, Alek,¡± Freya''s voice rang out from behind. Her tone was casual, but it had that edge of authority that made you stop without thinking. Everyone stopped.


    Eva glanced back over her shoulder, her goat-like pupils narrowing as she flicked her eyes between Freya and Alek. She tilted her head slightly, curious but not concerned.


    ¡°Alright. Don¡¯t take too long,¡± she said simply, turning away. Her eyes flicked briefly to Alek ¡ª the faint glow of pink lingering in her pupils ¡ª before she continued toward the edge of the forest.


    Arbor lifted a hand in a half-hearted wave, still walking backward. Their grin was tired but teasing.


    ¡°Good luck with whatever life-changing lesson she¡¯s about to hit you with,¡± Arbor called, turning back around with a lazy shrug. Their voice echoed faintly as they vanished into the treeline.


    Alek was alone.


    He glanced toward Freya. She was still standing at the arena''s center, arms at her sides, her gaze steady but not stern. There was no lightning this time, no storm brewing behind her eyes. Just calm.


    He stayed where he was for a moment longer, watching her like someone watching the sky after a storm, not sure if it¡¯s really over.


    Freya walked toward him slowly, her hoove clicking against the stone. The sound of each step echoed just a little in the wide, hollow arena. She didn¡¯t say anything at first, just approached with that steady, confident stride. Her horns tilted forward slightly, her eyes calm but sharp.


    She stopped in front of him. Arms relaxed. Shoulders loose. The tension she¡¯d carried all day seemed to have drained away.


    ¡°You know, Alek,¡± she started, her tone light, like she was about to share some forgotten piece of gossip. She placed a hand on her hip, glancing toward the edge of the forest where Eva and Arbor had disappeared. Her eyes softened.


    ¡°Most Atherians don¡¯t care much about appearances.¡±


    Her eyes flicked back to him. Steady. Focused. Direct.


    Alek blinked, tilting his head slightly. ¡°They don¡¯t?¡± His voice was quiet, cautious. Uncertain.


    Freya chuckled softly, a small breathy sound, like she was remembering something distant but warm. She waved a hand vaguely in front of her as she explained.


    ¡°We¡¯re literally formed from soul magic, kid.¡± She tapped a finger against her chest. ¡°Soul. Magic.¡± Her eyes flicked toward Alek''s hands. ¡°Changing forms? Shifting appearances? It¡¯s kind of normal for us. It¡¯s not some ''big deal'' like it is for the Nytherion kingdom.¡± She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sharp but not unkind. ¡°You know how they are. They want everything to be perfect. Unchanging. Always in control.¡±


    Alek¡¯s gaze dropped to the ground, his eyes locked on the split-hand-sized rock beneath his feet. Something Arbor was probably responsible for. His fingers twitched at his sides, clenching, then unclenching slowly. His shoulders sagged just a bit.


    He knew exactly what she meant.


    ¡°But here?¡± Freya said, crouching slightly so she could look at him properly. Her eyes met his head-on. No avoiding it. No dodging it.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be true to yourself.¡± Her voice dropped just slightly, lower, but not softer. Each word was sharp. Precise. It wasn¡¯t just advice. It was truth.


    ¡°You¡¯re the leader of your life, Alek.¡± Her gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Don¡¯t let anyone tell you how it should be. Not a kingdom. Not a family. Not a god. Not even me.¡±


    Alek didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t breathe for a moment.


    The words sat there, sinking in slowly. Not like stone sinking to the bottom of a pond. More like roots. Roots pressing into the soil, making space for themselves.


    His eyes stayed on the ground. He thought about it. Really thought about it.


    ¡°You¡¯re the leader of your life.¡±


    His fingers relaxed. Slowly, he raised his eyes to meet hers. His gaze was clearer now. Not sharp. Not blazing with resolve. Just clear.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered, a quiet breathy laugh sneaking into his voice. He rubbed the back of his neck, smiling softly like he¡¯d been handed something fragile but precious. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll remember that.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t much. But it was enough.


    They stood there for a moment, not speaking. Just¡­ standing. No pressure. No weight.


    Freya smiled, tilting her head back slightly, letting the light of the sun flicker against her horns. She watched Alek for a moment longer before turning away, gaze shifting toward the forest path.


    ¡°Good,¡± she said simply, turning on her heel. She didn¡¯t look back.


    Her horns caught the sunlight just right, faint flickers of blue and gold flashing like lightning in the distance. Her cloak swayed behind her like a storm trailing in her wake.


    Alek stayed where he was, his eyes still on her.


    He felt lighter.


    He glanced at his hands again, slowly turning them over, watching the way his fingers curled and uncurled.


    His hands didn¡¯t feel strange anymore.


    He glanced toward the treeline, where Eva and Arbor had vanished. His gaze lingered there for a moment, quiet, thoughtful. Then his eyes flicked toward the sky, watching the light shift between the leaves.


    "You¡¯re the leader of your life."


    He breathed in slowly, letting the air fill his chest. His eyes shut for a moment as he held that breath, letting the warmth of it spread through him.


    Then, softly, he exhaled.


    The weight that had been pressing on him all day lifted, just a little.


    He stepped forward, moving toward the treeline, back straight, gaze clear. This time, he didn¡¯t hesitate.

 Chapter 10: A well needed rest

    Arbors walk home was long. A boring, miserable slog through twisting paths and dirt trails lined with towering trees. The sounds of the forest were quiet this evening. Normally, that quiet was calming. But not this time, it only made everything louder in Arbor¡¯s head.


    Today had been too much.


    Too many new people. Too many questions. Too many eyes.


    Arbor let out a loud, exaggerated sigh, dragging their feet like every step required herculean effort. Their tail flicked irritably behind them, swishing in short, sharp twitches with every step. Their ears were low, half-pressed against their head, matching the deep frown settled on their face.


    The soft dirt beneath their feet gave way with each step, but the feeling of it wasn¡¯t grounding or comforting like it usually was. It just felt like walking through a swamp. Each step was heavier than the last.


    They didn¡¯t bother paying attention to the conversations behind them. At some point, Alek had been picked up by a couple of cloaked Nytherion guards. Arbor noticed the flash of a sleek black-and-silver carriage waiting on the road ahead. The kind with polished metal rims and a faint magical glow along the edges. Probably royal guards. Fancy. Too fancy.


    ¡°Of course, he gets a ride home,¡± Arbor muttered to themself, dragging their feet past the scene without so much as a glance. They didn¡¯t care. Not really.


    Alek had looked surprised, maybe even confused about the guards arrival. But Arbor didn¡¯t slow down to check. They didn¡¯t care about fancy carriages or Nytherion drama. Let Alek deal with that himself. They had their own problems to think about.


    They reached a fork in the road.


    The left path curved toward a distant village ¡ª where the more important folks lived, but didn¡¯t want to live in the big capital. Big homes made from twisted trees, stone, and enchanted wood. The path was smooth and clear, well-kept from frequent foot traffic.


    The right path, however, was rougher. Roots stuck out of the ground like ribs poking through skin. The air was cooler on that path, damp with the scent of fresh leaves and wildflowers. That path led to Arbors single den. The secluded place that Arbor enjoyed.


    Eva and Freya stopped at the fork.


    ¡°Alright, later, Arbor,¡± Eva said, waving with the laziest motion possible, as if her arm didn¡¯t feel like working. Her goat-like pupils glanced back once before she walked away, Freya close behind her. Siblings, of course they¡¯d head home together.


    Freya didn¡¯t say much, just glanced at Arbor briefly. Her eyes lingered for a second longer than usual. Arbor didn¡¯t know what she was thinking, but they felt it. That look that said, ¡°I¡¯m watching you, so behave.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, see ya,¡± Arbor muttered, lifting a hand just high enough to mimic a wave. Their eyes didn¡¯t even follow the two of them as they walked away. They just kept moving, taking the path to the right.


    Alone. Finally.


    The walk back to the den wasn¡¯t much better.


    The quiet of the forest was thicker now, the sun gone and the faint blue glow of the hovering moons casting pale light between the trees. Shadows stretched long and wide. They danced whenever the wind moved the leaves, shifting shapes that looked a little too close to people.


    But Arbor wasn¡¯t afraid.


    Their ears flicked every so often as the sounds of leaves crunching echoed from deeper in the woods. Small animals, probably. Squirrels or fey critters scurrying back to their nests. Nothing to worry about.


    They should¡¯ve walked straight home. But, of course, they didn¡¯t.


    Their eyes flicked toward a small glint on the side of the path.


    A rock.


    Not just any rock, though. This one had a faint orange tint, almost like fire-colored quartz. It sat perfectly half-buried in the dirt, smooth as river stones but with sharper edges. It practically screamed, ¡°Pick me up. I¡¯m cool.¡±


    And Arbor did.


    ¡°Huh. Neat.¡± They turned the stone over in their hand, eyes half-lidded with mild curiosity. The weight was nice. A little heavier than expected.


    They sat on a fallen log, inspecting it for just a bit longer than necessary. It wasn¡¯t that interesting, but it was interesting enough. They lost track of time just sitting there, rubbing the dirt off the surface, testing the weight, watching the faint glow of the last bit of sunlight bounce off its surface.


    It wasn¡¯t until their fingers started to cramp that they realized they¡¯d been there for too long.


    ¡°Ugh, fine, fine, I¡¯m going,¡± they muttered, slipping the stone into the pocket of their bag. They didn¡¯t need it, but they didn¡¯t want to leave it behind either.


    By the time Arbor reached their den, it was well into the night.


    ¡°Finally,¡± they muttered, stepping inside. Their body felt heavier the second they crossed the threshold. Exhaustion hit them.


    Without a second thought, they peeled off most of their outer layers, letting their kimono and outerwear fall into a crumpled pile on the floor. The air felt cool against their skin, but they didn¡¯t care. They kept on their bodysuit, the snug fabric clinging to them like a second skin.


    Too tired to fold clothes. Too tired to care.


    They flopped to the the cold marble floor with a long, slow thud, arms sprawled out.


    ¡°Mmmph.¡± Their cheek pressed against the floor, and for a moment, it felt good. Their muscles untensed, joints finally releasing the day''s weight. The ache in their face, however, remained despite all other wounds healing from the potion.


    Their cheek still throbbed from Freya''s kick. The dull ache pulsed in slow, steady beats. Not sharp, but not subtle either.


    They lifted their hand, slowly rubbing their face where the mark had been left.


    ¡°Stupid kick,¡± they muttered. The more they thought about it, the weirder it felt. The soreness wasn¡¯t like a normal bruise. It was deeper.


    Their fingers lingered on it. Their eyes narrowed in quiet thought.


    ¡°Was that a soul attack?¡±


    Their heart skipped. That would explain a lot. It would explain why it still hurt.


    They rolled onto their back, staring at the uneven ceiling of their den. Their eyes flicked back and forth, like they were tracing unseen cracks in the wood. A soul attack. Freya could do that, sure.


    ¡°What a brute.¡±


    They sighed heavily, letting out all the air in their lungs at once.


    The faint glow of the lightbugs danced softly on the walls of the den.


    Tiny, flickering specks of pale blue, green, and yellow light hovered near the corners, their glow pulsing in slow, gentle waves. They flitted from one spot to the next, trailing faint streaks of color like paintbrush strokes in the air. It was quiet magic. The kind that didn¡¯t shout but hummed just loud enough to make you feel something.


    Arbor lay flat on their back, eyes half-open, gazing at the soft glow on the rough, uneven ceiling of the den. Their limbs were sprawled in every direction, like they¡¯d melted into the floor. Their cheek still ached ¡ª not sharp, but steady, like a reminder of every mistake they¡¯d made that day.


    They could feel the weight of sleep tugging at them, but their mind wouldn¡¯t shut up.


    Their eyes followed one of the lightbugs as it lazily floated along the ceiling. Their gaze stayed locked on it for longer than necessary, letting its slow, sleepy path guide their thoughts.


    Alek.


    The first person that came to mind. It was hard not to think about them after everything that happened today. That fight. The heat of it. The wild, unpredictable energy of it. The surge of adrenaline. The way it had felt like something was rushing through their veins.


    Their lips curled into a slight frown.


    Alek was annoying. That much was still true. Stuck-up, loud, and too caught up in his ¡°I¡¯m going to save the world¡± mindset.


    They sighed deeply, arms folding behind their head as they stared at the ceiling.


    At first, they thought Alek was just another typical "hero-type" kid. Full of confidence. The kind of guy who thought he had it all figured out. And maybe he did. But confidence didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t annoying. Arbor hated that type of person. The ones who thought they were always right.


    But toward the end of the day...


    Arbor''s frown deepened, their tail flicking once against the floor.


    At some point I stopped caring.


    It didn¡¯t feel satisfying. It didn¡¯t feel like a win when they talked to alek. It just felt like nothing.


    They tried to piece it together. Why they felt like they needed a win.


    They chewed on that thought for a moment.


    "Whatever," they muttered, shifting their arms under their head to get comfortable. It didn¡¯t matter. He was probably halfway to his big fancy house with his guards and his carriage and his family who actually cared.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    But that fight?


    That fight was something else.


    Their fingers twitched, remembering the feeling of it. The weight of the staff in their hands. The burst of information. The feeling of control. Their eyes flicked toward the wall, staring at the glow of the lightbugs, but they weren¡¯t really seeing them. They were remembering.


    When they¡¯d first held that staff, it had felt like it was responding to them. Like it knew them. Their heart had been beating so fast, and it wasn¡¯t from fear. It was excitement. Pure, raw excitement. The kind that came from being completely in sync with something.


    For that brief moment, it felt like they could do anything.


    And then it ended. Something within them rejected the staff. They felt it slip away. The surge of energy being repelled outward, leaving only that hollow, empty feeling behind. Worse than tired. Worse than numb. The feeling of being disconnected from something that had fit so perfectly in their hands.


    Their eyes shifted to their hand, turning it over slowly as if searching for something hidden just beneath their skin.


    ¡°Stupid soul,¡± they muttered, curling their fingers into a loose fist. Their eyes lingered on it for a moment longer before sighing, letting their hand flop to the side.


    Thinking about souls was a bad idea.


    Eva.


    The second person to come to mind. She was different. Not loud like Alek. Not sharp like Freya. She was steady. Constant.


    But thinking about her made their ears press back flat against their head. They squeezed their eyes shut, letting out a slow groan as they turned on their side. Embarrassment hit them like a punch to the gut.


    "I really vented all that at her, huh?"


    Their tail curled around them like a shield.


    They could still hear the conversation clear as day. They¡¯d just spilled everything. Their past. Their confusion. Their doubts about why they were even here. Everything. All of it, just pouring out like water from a broken pot.


    No filter. No thought. Just words.


    Why did they do that?


    They pressed their hands against their face, groaning louder this time, their legs kicking softly at the ground like a kid having a silent tantrum.


    ¡°Why did I do that? Why, why, why?¡± they muttered, tapping their forehead against the wooden floor with a dull thud. It wasn¡¯t supposed to happen like that.


    But¡­


    They sat still for a moment, face still pressed into the floor, fingers drumming softly. Their ears twitched slightly as a quieter, calmer thought crept in.


    ¡°It was kind of nice though.¡±


    Her magic, or whatever it was, made it so easy to talk. Her voice, her calm tone, the way her eyes stayed so steady even when Arbor''s words got messy. It made it feel safe. It made them feel like¡­ like maybe talking about it was fine.


    Their eyes flicked to the ceiling. They hated that.


    ¡°Embarrassing.¡± They muttered, rolling onto their back. ¡°So, so embarrassing.¡± Their hands covered their face, fingers pressing into their temples as if they could push the memory out of their brain.


    But it stayed.


    They glanced at the ceiling again, this time following the slow pulse of one of the lightbugs. Back and forth. Back and forth.


    There was one thing that stuck with them from that conversation. Something that bothered them more than the embarrassment.


    Eva had seen it. She¡¯d seen their soul. At least a glimpse. And she¡¯d said something strange. ¡°It¡¯s like there¡¯s a wall.¡±


    Their eyes blinked slowly, staring at the glow.


    A wall.


    They knew what she was talking about. They¡¯d felt it too. It was that heavy feeling they got sometimes when they thought too hard about their past. The feeling like something was pressing against them, keeping them from looking too deep.


    Two years. Two whole years and nothing before it. Just blank. Freya had shown up, said, "You¡¯re coming with me," and that was it. No explanation. No clarity. Just this life now.


    Why did Eva have to say that?


    Why did it feel so true?


    She gave me no real answers, but the lack felt correct.


    Their tail flicked against the ground, faster this time, tapping at the dirt like a drumbeat. Their breathing was slower now, more controlled, but their eyes stayed open. Sleep wasn¡¯t coming.


    They rolled over again, pressing their face into their arm this time. They could still feel the lingering ache in their cheek from Freya¡¯s kick, the faint warmth of it still pulsing.


    Soul attack, they thought.


    They didn¡¯t know if that¡¯s what it was, but it felt like it.


    They squeezed their eyes shut, trying to block it out. Too many questions. No answers. Just static.


    Their breathing steadied, chest rising and falling slowly. Their fingers tapped the ground once. Twice. Three times. No rhythm. Just noise.


    ¡°I hate this,¡± they whispered softly,


    The faint glow of the lightbugs danced softly on the walls of the den.


    Tiny, flickering specks of pale blue, green, and yellow light hovered near the corners, their glow pulsing in slow, gentle waves. They flitted from one spot to the next, trailing faint streaks of color like paintbrush strokes in the air. It was quiet magic. The kind that didn¡¯t shout but hummed just loud enough to make you feel something.


    Arbor lay flat on their back, eyes half-open, gazing at the soft glow on the rough, uneven ceiling of the den. Their limbs were sprawled in every direction, like they¡¯d melted into the floor. Their cheek still ached ¡ª not sharp, but steady, like a reminder of every mistake they¡¯d made that day.


    The stillness was unbearable.


    They rolled onto their side, eyes darting around the room. Their gaze landed on the mess of books scattered across the floor like fallen leaves. Most were half-open, pages crumpled from being pressed flat against each other. Freya had scolded them plenty of times for not taking care of books, but, well... not every book deserved care.


    Their eyes landed on one with a bright red cover. It was titled:


    "How to Tame Your Own Dragon (and Survive the Attempt)"


    They snorted. They liked that one. It had been a wild read, full of ridiculous, satirical instructions. The "author" spent the first half of the book bragging about his adventures and his "unmatched wit" only to get eaten by the end. Served him right, honestly.


    Arbor''s gaze shifted to another book just beside it. The title was long and wordy, something like:


    "A Biography of Lord Zanthor, Master Gambler of the Verdant Isles."


    Their face scrunched with boredom just from looking at it. They¡¯d skimmed it once and promptly decided they didn¡¯t care about Lord Zanthor or his gambling house. He wasn¡¯t even good at gambling. He just cheated. What was the point?


    Arbor sighed and sat up. Their head was too full. Too loud. They wanted quiet, but quiet only brought more noise inside. It was the kind of noise that made it hard to sleep.


    Their gaze flicked to the shelf at the far end of the den. It wasn¡¯t much of a shelf ¡ª just some uneven slabs of wood nailed together and leaning awkwardly to one side ¡ª but it held more books than it probably should.


    Their eyes scanned each spine slowly, looking for something familiar. Something useful. Their gaze stopped on one in particular.


    "The Soul and Magic."


    It was one of Freya''s books. She''d handed it to them months ago with one of her classic lines: "If you''re gonna ask me questions, at least read this first." They¡¯d tossed it on the shelf and ignored it. Back then, it seemed like too much effort.


    But tonight? Tonight was different.


    They grabbed it, turning it over in their hands. The cover was plain brown, no fancy symbols or gold lettering. Just the title, etched with simple white ink. Arbor ran their thumb along the edge of the cover before cracking it open. The pages smelled like old paper and sap.


    With a sigh, they shuffled over to their bed.


    If you could call it a "bed." It was more of a nest, honestly. A tangled mess of clay, dirt, sticks, grass, and patches of moss they¡¯d gathered over time. It wasn''t fancy, but it was soft, and that¡¯s all that mattered. It smelled like rain. Like home.


    They flopped down onto it with a heavy "whump," flipping the book open as they laid on their stomach, propping it up with their arms.


    The first few pages weren¡¯t great. It was all introductions and disclaimers like:


    "The concepts discussed herein are based on current magical theory and may differ between scholars of Nytherion, Sylvaris, and Aetherion schools of thought."


    ¡°Blah, blah, blah,¡± Arbor muttered, turning the page. They hated introductions. Just get to the point.


    The next page had a title that caught their eye.


    "The Soul and its Composition: Human, Elf, and Atherian Variations."


    They blinked, eyes scanning the page. Finally, something that might actually be useful.


    The section went on about how humans, elves, and Atherians had different "soul structures." Humans had simpler souls ¡ª no magic naturally infused in them. Elves had more "woven threads" in theirs, which gave them the capacity for magic but required training. But Atherians?


    Arbor¡¯s eyes narrowed as they read the passage:


    "Atherian souls are unique in that they are naturally fused with ambient soul magic, from the moment of creation, by the goddess Atheria herself. Unlike humans or elves with natural birth, Atherians are born with ''open'' soul networks, there physical forms coming later. Making them more susceptible to magical influences ¡ª but also more adaptable to the environment around them."


    "More susceptible, huh?" Arbor muttered, chewing on the words. Their tail flicked once.


    The book went on to explain how Atherians could shift their appearances, change their forms, and sometimes gain "aspects" or "features" from other creatures that raised them. That part, Arbor already knew. Freya had explained it once, saying something like, "If your soul gets loose from your body, you pick up things like wet clay picks up dirt." A statement she refused to go into detail on.


    But something about that "open soul network" part stuck with them. Their fingers tapped against the page as their eyes darted from line to line.


    "External soul interference can have unpredictable effects on Atherian and other magical creature development, especially if exposed during early formation. Soul barriers are a known defense mechanism, but the purpose of these barriers has yet to be studied due to a lack of subjects with this condition."


    Soul barriers.


    Their heart beat just a little faster.


    Their eyes darted back to that word, scanning it twice, maybe three times. ¡°Barriers.¡± It was a simlar word Eva had used. The same one she said she¡¯d "seen" in them.


    "It''s like there''s a wall," Eva had said, her calm voice still echoing in Arbor¡¯s mind.


    Their grip on the book tightened, fingers pressing hard against the edge of the page.


    The longer they read, the slower their eyes moved. The words were swimming now. Their eyes felt heavier with each line.


    Barriers. Soul barriers.


    What did that mean for them? Did that mean something was locked away in their soul?


    Their thoughts were spiraling. It was too much. Too many ideas. Too many pieces with no clear picture.


    They flipped the page, but it didn¡¯t matter. They weren¡¯t reading anymore. They were just thinking. Their fingers stayed on the edge of the paper, but their eyes stayed locked on the wall where the lightbugs flickered.


    They felt it again. That wall. That sensation that something was behind it. Like standing next to a sealed door, hearing something faint on the other side but never being able to make out the sound.


    ¡°Tch. Stupid.¡± They rubbed their face with both hands, groaning as they flopped sideways onto their bed. The book slid off their lap and hit the ground with a soft thud. Their eyes didn¡¯t even move to follow it.


    They hated this. Hated feeling like something was just barely out of reach. Like something was being hidden from them, but they didn¡¯t know who to blame for it.


    Their breathing slowed. Their muscles untensed, one by one, sinking into the softness of the dirt-moss bed. The ache in their cheek was still there. Not sharp, just steady, like someone tapping on their head.


    They didn¡¯t know what kind of attack Freya had hit them with, but they could still feel it. Not the pain ¡ª something under it. Deeper. Like it was stitched into their soul.


    Their eyes drifted closed. They thought about the words on the page. Barriers. Walls.


    Their fingers twitched once. Twice.


    Their breathing slowed further. Their body went still, only the faint rise and fall of their chest marking the passage of time.


    The glow of the lightbugs pulsed softly.


    Blue. Yellow. Green.


    They flickered in sync with Arbor¡¯s breath.


    Slow. Steady. Fading.


    Arbor didn¡¯t dream that night.


    But as they slept, a single word lingered at the edge of their mind.


    "Barriers."


    And somewhere beyond that wall, something stirred.

 Chapter 11: Souls Weight

    A familiar tapping echoed against the wooden door.


    ¡°Arbor!¡± Freya''s commanding voice rang out."Honestly, I don''t know how you manage to sleep in, even when a goddess personally requests you."


    Inside, Arbor lay sprawled on their bed, their humanoid form curled in a heap. A leather-bound book sat firmly on their face. Their arms hung limply at their sides, fox-like ears twitching at the sound of Freya''s voice.


    "What goddess?" they muttered groggily. Then it hit them. Their eyes shot wide open, pupils dilating with sudden realization.


    "Atheria¡¯s meeting!" they gasped, flinging the book off their face. Out of all the things from yesterday to forget, of course it had to be that. Their ears pinned back in a mix of panic and embarrassment.


    "SORRY, FREYA! I''M GETTING UP!" they yelled, their voice cracking midway.


    Arbor shot to their feet, stumbling for balance as their legs caught up with their brain. Their eyes darted around the den. The clothes they''d worn yesterday¡ªgone. Just like always. The enchanted clothes from the wardrobe only lasted for a day before vanishing at midnight. Magic clothing rules were annoying.


    ¡°Where is it, where is it, where is it¡ª¡± Their voice became a frantic mumble as they rifled through the shelves, tossing aside odd knick-knacks and loose scrolls. Their eyes landed on a fresh bodysuit and a mage''s cloak hanging neatly on a hook. The cloak was sleek black with light blue trim and a small moon crest stitched into the back.


    "Perfect." They snatched them up. The bodysuit fit snugly as always, hugging their frame, while the cloak draped over their shoulders. The ends of the sleeves were just a little too long, but they¡¯d deal with it.


    Their eyes darted to the table. They grabbed their journal and cylinder bag hanging by the door.


    With everything in place, Arbor dashed out of the den, bare fox-like feet tapping lightly against the dirt. They forgot their boots, but they would live. Outside, the fog still hung in the air, curling around the roots of ancient trees. Freya stood nearby, arms crossed..


    ¡°At least today you had a bit of speed to you,¡± she remarked with a sly grin, her eyes narrowing with mock approval. "Improvement is improvement."


    Before Arbor could reply, Freya reached over and ruffled their hair. Her strong fingers pressed down on Arbor¡¯s wild baby-blue hair, messing up the stubborn bang that always sat dead center on their forehead. Arbor let out a low growl, swiping at her hand like an annoyed cat.


    ¡°Hey! Quit it!¡± they grumbled, flattening their hair back into place.


    Freya just laughed, already turning her attention to the ground in front of her. She crouched low, moving with precision and intent. Her fingers traced lines in the dirt, each movement steady and practiced. The lines began to glow faint blue as she carved out a complex set of runes and sigils in a perfect circle.


    Arbor tilted their head, watching with squinted eyes. ¡°What are you making?¡±


    Freya finished the last stroke of the rune, wiping her hands together with a satisfied grin.


    ¡°A transportation circle,¡± she replied, stepping back to admire her work.


    Arbor blinked slowly. ¡°Hold up. You mean we could¡¯ve used this instead of walking for an hour to get to the arena yesterday?¡± Their eyes narrowing.


    Freya shrugged, eyes still on the circle. ¡°Yeah, but walking wakes you up. Gotta get that morning cardio in.¡± She threw a quick glance at Arbor. ¡°Guess next time, don¡¯t complain so much.¡±


    Arbor tilted their head back with a dramatic groan. ¡°I hate you so much right now.¡±


    ¡°Nope, I doubt that,¡± Freya shot back, flashing a cocky grin. ¡°Besides, today you didn¡¯t complain, so I figured I¡¯d reward you. Positive reinforcement? Something Jorma was on about.¡± She stepped onto the circle, planting one hoof in the center. Her gaze lifted to Arbor, her voice firm. ¡°Step on.¡±


    Arbor stared at the circle like it might explode at any second. Their eyes flicked from Freya to the runes on the ground, suspicion clear on their face. ¡°Is this going to hu¡ª¡±


    ¡°ZZZZZAP!¡±


    A sudden bolt of lightning struck the circle, its blinding light erupting with a deafening CRACK. In an instant, both of them vanished.


    All Arbor could see were blurs of color until, all of a sudden, they saw an unfamiliar wall about to collide with them.


    ¡°AHHHHH!¡±


    Arbor¡¯s form burst into existence mid-air, spinning as they plummeted downward. Their eyes went wide. Their limbs flailed. The ground was coming fast.


    Instinct kicked in. Their body shrank, fur bursting from their skin as they shifted into their fox form. Tucking into a compact ball, they flipped mid-air, aiming to roll with the landing. The bark-covered floor hit with a loud thud, and they bounced twice like a tossed stone.


    Thud. Thud. SLAM.


    The third hit was less graceful. They ricocheted off the floor, spun awkwardly, and crashed head first into the wall. The impact left them sprawled in a heap, their legs tangled over their head.


    For a moment, all they could do was stare at the world upside down, ears ringing.


    A soft "Ughhhh..."


    Arbor groaned as they sat up, rubbing their head with one hand. Their ears twitched, still ringing from the rough landing. They blinked away the blur from their eyes, only to be greeted by the sight of many gathering figures.


    Slow footsteps echoed through the chamber as figures approached, their shadows growing longer against the faint glow of rune-light. Elven scholars and robed priests filled the edges of the room, their silken robes swaying. Their garments shimmered with faint sigils woven into the fabric, each more elaborate than the last. A few Elite Legion members stood along with them.


    Arbor¡¯s ears lowered instantly, pressed flat against their head. Too many eyes.


    ¡°Hmm... isn''t that fox Freya¡¯s student?¡± one of the robed onlookers muttered.


    Another tilted their head, eyes sharp with curiosity. "I heard Atheria has plans for them."


    The murmuring spread. The words bounced around Arbor¡¯s head like an echo chamber, getting louder and louder as each voice layered over the last. Their eyes flicked from one person to the next. Too many faces. Too many eyes.


    ¡°What do they want?¡± Arbor thought, shifting. They glanced at their hands, watching their fingers twitch involuntarily. The unease in their chest grew.


    It was that foreign feeling in their soul again. It pounded once again trying to get in again. They felt weak.


    ¡°Why now.¡± arbor thought.


    The whispers dug in deeper.


    ¡°How pathetic.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s head shot up. Their heart thudded in their chest.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re going to have to get rid of this one.¡±


    Their breath hitched. Their hands tensed, claws threatening to dig into their own palms.


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯ll do better on a platter.¡±


    No. No. No.


    The voices weren¡¯t right. They didn¡¯t sound like the people in the room anymore. The onlookers'' faces shifted, melting like wax. Their robes twisted into writhing tendrils of shadow. Their heads cracked and reshaped themselves into crude fox-like masks, jagged smiles filled with rows of crooked, glowing orange teeth. Their eyes¡ªorange slits, too wide, too sharp¡ªall locked onto Arbor.


    The whispering stopped.


    The fox-faced figures tilted their heads in unison, their eyes unblinking.


    Arbor¡¯s breathing became shallow, their chest rising and falling like a caged animal. Their legs felt heavy. Their hands darted to the floor. It wasn¡¯t bark anymore. It was... it was...


    Tar.


    Thick, oozing, black tar seeped up through the cracks in the bark. It clung to Arbor¡¯s fingers the moment they touched it. They jerked their hands back, but it wouldn¡¯t let go.


    ¡°No. No, no, no¡ª¡± They pulled harder. Their heart was a drum pounding against their ribs. Their muscles strained as they tried to lift their legs, but the tar coiled around their ankles, tugging them down inch by inch. The harder they pulled, the stronger it clung.


    From the tar, hands emerged. Dozens of them. Small, black, sticky hands reaching up like drowning souls clawing for air. They grabbed at Arbor¡¯s cloak, pulling with slow, steady force.


    The world around them flickered. The fox-faced figures leaned forward, their orange teeth curving into jagged grins.


    Their faces pressed closer, surrounding Arbor in a halo of grinning foxes. The orange glow of their eyes grew brighter. The whispers returned, but now it sounded like a hundred voices, all laughing and violently vibrating in unison, louder, louder, louder¡ª


    ¡°Arbor.¡±


    A hand touched their shoulder.


    Arbor flinched. Their eyes shot wide as the world blinked back into place.


    The tar was gone. No hands. No fox faces. No orange eyes.


    Just Freya, her brows furrowed in concern, her eyes locked on Arbor. Her hand gripped Arbor¡¯s shoulder firmly, holding them in place.


    ¡°Hey. What happened?¡± she asked, her voice low but firm. "I know you had a rough landing, but¡ª¡±


    Arbor didn¡¯t respond at first. Their ears were still pinned back, pressed so tightly against their head that they ached. Their hands covered their eyes as if doing so would erase what they¡¯d seen. Their breathing was shallow, short bursts of air slipping past their lips.


    Freya reached down with both hands and lifted Arbor off the ground by the back of their collar, hoisting them like a misbehaving cub. Arbor dangled limply, their arms hanging, face still hidden behind their hands.


    ¡°What happened, Arbor?¡± Freya¡¯s voice was steady.


    ¡°I... I kind of don¡¯t like this crowd,¡± Arbor muttered, still hiding behind their hands. Their voice was a whisper. ¡°The way they look at me¡­ there are too many eyes.¡±


    Freya blinked, her lips pressing into a line. She glanced over her shoulder at the crowd still gathered in the room, eyes flicking to each person. None of them spoke now. Some watched with curiosity, others with judgment.


    She turned back to Arbor, her arms loosening. She set them down gently, hands resting on their shoulders for a moment.


    Her voice was loud and clear, cutting through the room like thunder.


    ¡°Alright, everyone, calm down.¡± Her eye swept over the onlookers. Her voice grew sharper, her horns catching the faint glow of the tree¡¯s runes. ¡°I know you all have better things to do. Move. Now.¡±


    The shift was instant. The crowd hesitated at first, but eventually left.


    Satisfied, Freya turned back to Arbor.


    ¡°Atheria¡¯s through those doors and down the hall,¡± Freya said, jerking her thumb toward a pair of large double doors at the end of the room. The doors glowed faintly, their surface lined with smooth carvings of roots and runes. ¡°It¡¯ll just be you and her. I¡¯ll wait outside.¡±


    Arbor dashed down the hallway, the bark floor gradually shifting into smooth, cold marble beneath their feet. The air grew cooler with every step. Up ahead, the glow of two massive metal doors pulsed with a steady blue light, the carvings of roots and sigils weaving across their surface like veins.


    They pressed their hands against the cold metal and shoved. It didn¡¯t budge at first, but with a low groan, the doors swung open, releasing a cool breeze that carried the sweet scent of sap and fresh rain. White light flooded the space ahead, forcing Arbor to shield their eyes as they stepped inside.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The first thing they saw was the tree.


    A single, radiant tree stood in the center of the chamber, its bark smooth like glass, but still somehow alive. Golden sap dripped from its trunk, pooling into shallow glowing puddles on either side of the walkway. The glow from the sap reflected off the marble ceiling like scattered stars. The whole room pulsed faintly, like it was breathing.


    Arbor stared, eyes wide with awe as they slowly approached. Their heart thudded harder with each step. The tree gave off the same aura the moon above the stadium did. But this one felt more inviting.


    Then, from behind the tree, a figure popped up suddenly, grinning wide.


    ¡°Hello, Arbor,¡± she said, her voice softly.


    Arbor stopped in their tracks, eyes narrowing. ¡°You... you look like me!¡±


    The figure stepped into full view, her four fox-like ears flicking playfully. Her face mirrored Arbor¡¯s features, but older, sharper, and more feminine. Her dress flowed, their glow shifting between soft blue and white. Her gaze was calm.


    ¡°Actually, not many beings are like you,¡± she replied, tilting her head slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve assumed this form for your comfort.¡±


    Arbor rubbed the back of their neck, looking away. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve been seeing faces like mine everywhere lately, and it¡¯s... unsettling.¡±


    Atheria placed a finger to her lips, thinking for a moment. ¡°Oh. Hmm.¡±


    She floated upward, landing gracefully on one of the tree¡¯s thicker branches. Reclining there, she gazed at Arbor from above. Her form shifted, taking on a more human-like figure with dark skin. With another set of arms more animal-like with claws and fur. Her hair was in locs and from her head to horns curled almost like a crown.


    ¡°Arbor, I have a certain fondness for you,¡± she said, her tone calm but firm. ¡°You remind me of someone I knew long before you¡ªor even this place¡ªexisted. Tell me, how much of your past do you remember?¡±


    Arbor¡¯s ears twitched. ¡°Nothing beyond two years ago.¡± Their voice had an edge to it now. ¡°And how do you even know about that?¡±


    Atheria leaned forward, eyes locked on Arbor. Her gaze wasn¡¯t harsh.


    ¡°Because I was the one who did it,¡± she said plainly.


    Arbor blinked, their body going still. Slowly, their hands curled into fists at their sides. ¡°Why would you do that?!¡±


    Atheria raised a hand. ¡°Calm down, child.¡± Her voice remained level. ¡°Freya found you far to the north, broken in ways most cannot imagine.¡±


    The glow of the room dimmed, and for a moment, images flickered in Arbor¡¯s mind. They saw a big silhouette of a fox locked inside an iron cage. It trembled, surrounded by the shadows of tall, faceless figures. Chains rattled. An auction. Gold coins exchanged hands. The fox flinched at every sound.


    ¡°She found you at a human auction for rare creatures, on an unrelated mission.¡± Atheria continued. ¡°A spirit fox from a race long extinct. Freya brought you back here... with some force, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    The image vanished, and the glow of the chamber returned.


    ¡°She asked me to heal you, but your soul refused,¡± Atheria added, her gaze soft but steady. ¡°You were dying. I had no other options. So I tried something... experimental.¡±


    A flash of images hit Arbor like lightning.


    ¡°I sealed your original soul to let it heal,¡± Atheria said, her eyes meeting Arbor¡¯s firmly. ¡°Then I placed an Athernian soul inside you to keep the body alive. Looking back, it was a reckless choice.¡±


    Silence.


    Arbor¡¯s breathing grew heavy. Their eyes widened, disbelief and anger flickering across their face. Their fingers dug into the fabric of their sleeves.


    ¡°You... what?!¡± Their voice cracked, and their ears shot up in alarm. ¡°You put someone else¡¯s soul in me?!¡±


    Atheria¡¯s gaze remained calm.


    ¡°For anyone else, it would have destroyed the body completely.¡± Her eyes softened, but her words were firm. ¡°You survived.¡±


    Arbor stood there, heart pounding, trying to push past the storm of thoughts in their head. Their fists clenched and unclenched, breaths shallow but steady. There was too much to process.


    ¡°So what happened before Freya found me?¡± Arbor asked, their voice strained but steady. They needed more answers.


    Atheria¡¯s eyes lowered slightly, her shoulders dropping with a quiet sigh. She shook her head slowly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± she admitted, her voice quieter this time. ¡°Your memories were so tangled, I couldn¡¯t extract anything from them.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s ears twitched, their eyes narrowing as they stepped forward. Their voice cracked with desperation and frustration.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just... I don¡¯t know, lift the seal?¡± Their tail swayed sharply behind them growing in agitation.


    Atheria''s gaze shifted. Her voice remained calm, but there was a new seriousness in her tone.


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± She spoke plainly. ¡°That second soul? That¡¯s you, Arbor. If I remove it, the original soul will consume you. Your sense of self would be gone. Who knows what would happen then.¡±


    Gone.


    The word sat in Arbor¡¯s mind. They¡¯d be erased? Their fingers twitched at their sides, nails pressing faintly against their palm.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying... there¡¯s some giant soul locked behind a door in me that¡¯ll eat me if I want my memories back?¡± Their eyes were wide, pupils narrow with disbelief.


    Atheria chuckled softly, her lips curling into a faint smile as if trying to ease the tension.


    ¡°Not exactly ¡®your memories,¡¯ but something like that,¡± she replied, her grin growing just a bit too wide. Her eyes flickered with a hint of wildness, and she raised a hand to gesture toward Arbor. Her tone picked up with an almost manic excitement.


    ¡°But Arbor, your existence is something amazing, a magical enigma, a push toward a greater understanding of the soul!¡± She leaned forward on her branch, her eyes glowing with enthusiasm. ¡°The limits you can break are beyond anything we¡¯ve seen! You¡¯re not two souls¡ª¡± Her grin grew wider. ¡°¡ªyour something with far more magic. I see so much potential in you!¡±


    Her voice rose and magic aura flared, like someone just on the edge of discovering a great secret. Her hands gestured wildly, like she was explaining the most exciting idea in the world.


    Light began to glow of Atherias form, her aura was getting heavier.


    ¡°You¡¯re a walking miracle, Arbor! A symbol of boundless possibility¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s voice cut through her rambling. Their eyes were sharp now, cold and clear. They raised one hand signaling her to stop talking. Their tail swished once. Atherias uncontained magic faded.


    ¡°You can¡¯t just drop all this on me and expect me to be okay with it!¡± Their voice cracked with raw emotion. Their eyes glared up at Atheria with pure frustration.


    Silence.


    Their ears twitched, and their gaze dropped. Their teeth bit on their lip. They muttered quietly, their voice barely a whisper.


    ¡°So that¡¯s what these dreams are about...¡± Their ears folded back flat against their head. ¡°All these feelings... all this confusion. It¡¯s been this the whole time.¡±


    They sucked in air through clenched teeth before stomping their foot hard against the marble floor.


    ¡°I just wanted some peace!¡± they shouted, voice raw with anger and exhaustion. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for this!¡±


    ¡°I want this to end! I need closure! How do I get my memories back and stay me?!¡±


    Their eyes locked on Atheria, waiting for anything. An answer. A solution. Anything.


    Atheria remained calm, her eyes heavy. She gazed down from her perch on the tree branch.


    ¡°There is one way,¡± she said at last. ¡°It¡¯s more likely to keep you from being consumed, but you¡¯re probably going to hate it.¡±


    Arbor folded their arms, ears still pressed flat against their head. Their eyes squinted with suspicion, their tone sharp with sarcasm.


    ¡°Oh really? My whole existence is some sick magic experiment, but this part is the one I¡¯m gonna hate?¡±


    Atheria leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. The playfulness was gone.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to leave Atheria,¡± she said slowly, each word deliberate. ¡°My Eden. This includes the elf kingdoms.¡±


    Arbor flinched as if they¡¯d been slapped.


    ¡°What?¡± Their arms dropped to their sides. Their tail twitched low behind them, stiff and still. ¡°Leave the little I have? I¡ªwhy?!¡± Their voice cracked again. "That¡¯s all I have!"


    Atheria continued. ¡°The further you go from my domain, the weaker my influence becomes,¡± she explained. ¡°This weakens the seal instead of breaking it outright, causing a slower merge.¡±


    Her eyes remained locked on Arbor.


    ¡°It gives you a better chance to stabilize your soul. A slower merge means you¡¯ll have time to adapt.¡±


    Arbor¡¯s face paled. Their eyes darted to the glowing pools of sap beneath them, their reflection looking back at them.


    ¡°A slower merge?¡± Their fingers fidgeted at their sides, looking for a rock they didn''t have. ¡°You mean there¡¯s still a chance I won¡¯t survive this?¡±


    Atheria gave a small shrug, her expression gentle but brutally honest.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    She glanced away briefly.


    ¡°But it¡¯s far safer than breaking the seal outright.¡± Her eyes locked on Arbor once more. ¡°And, honestly, it¡¯s your best shot.¡±


    Silence hung in the air. Only the faint drip, drip, drip of sap echoed through the room.


    Arbor stared at the ground, their arms folded tight across their chest. Their ears twitched slightly, their breath slow and heavy. Their mind was spinning, racing through every possible path forward.


    No path felt safe.


    No path felt right.


    ¡°So... leave everything, huh?¡± they muttered, trying to sound sarcastic. Their voice was hollow. ¡°Leave the only people I have. The only home I know.¡±


    Atheria didn¡¯t answer right away. She leaned back against the tree, closing her eyes like she was remembering something.


    ¡°Growth requires risk, child,¡± she said at last. ¡°Roots only grow deeper when they seek out new soil.¡±


    ¡°What am I even supposed to do out there?¡± they asked. ¡°I¡¯ve never even been to the surrounding elven kingdoms. I can probably count on one hand how many places I¡¯ve been my whole life.¡±


    Atheria¡¯s gaze shifted. Her eyes grew distant. Her expression held a quiet sadness.


    ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not really sure,¡± she admitted, folding her hands in front of her. ¡°I haven¡¯t left Eden in a very long time. According to the Legion, it¡¯s not great out there¡ªlands ruled by sin, monsters, demons, wastelands torn by war...¡± Her voice trailed off as if she¡¯d seen it all herself.


    Her gaze shifted back to Arbor, her eyes softening.


    ¡°But there are still places of order,¡± she continued. ¡°Peaceful villages and towns. You¡¯ll find your way, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    Her words hung in the air like leaves caught in the wind.


    Arbor stayed quiet for a moment. Then, slowly, their fingers curled into fists.


    Determination.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired of these dreams,¡± Arbor said. ¡°I¡¯m tired of not knowing who I am. And I¡¯m really tired of hearing about my potential. I don¡¯t even have much.¡± They stopped, eyes darting to the side in thought, before breathing in deeply. Their gaze rose, firm and focused.


    ¡°I¡¯m going.¡±


    Atheria sighed softly, tilting her head as she gazed down at Arbor. Her eyes glowed faintly with something difficult to read ¡ª part sadness, part pride. She frowned, but there was a sense of approval in it.


    ¡°Hmm. If that is what you wish, then I can¡¯t deny it,¡± she said, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°Before you go, you still have to prove you¡¯re able to survive out there. This means you¡¯ll still need to finish training for the Legion.¡±


    Arbor rolled their eyes, letting out a long, exaggerated sigh.


    ¡°Yeah, I figured.¡± Their voice was flat. ¡°But it¡¯s always so boring and repetitive. Same drills, same lectures, over and over.¡±


    Atheria¡¯s lips curled into a grin that bordered on mischievous.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, Arbor,¡± she said. ¡°These tests will be much more... hands-on.¡±


    Her grin widened.


    ¡°Speaking of training, I heard you might need a new staff.¡± Her hand rose slowly, fingers curling upward. In a soft glow of blue and gold light, she opened a weapon gate. A staff began to materialize in front of her. Its surface gleamed with smooth, polished black metal streaked with faint golden veins. The grip was shaped perfectly to fit a hand, and faint runes were etched down its length, glowing faintly as the staff hovered in the air.


    Next to it, a small glowing gem appeared, floating just above her palm. Atheria held them both out toward Arbor as she floated down to her.


    ¡°This staff was forged with the intent to be given to you,¡± she explained. ¡°It was supposed to come later, but I doubt Freya will let you ¡®borrow¡¯ any more of hers.¡± Her smile remained. ¡°This staff can withstand your soul¡¯s magic fluctuations. A staff isn¡¯t just a tool for a mage ¡ª it¡¯s an extension of the body. It needs to resonate with your soul.¡± Her eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Normally, if it didn¡¯t resonate, the staff simply wouldn¡¯t work. But in your case... your first soul is much more... violent.¡±


    She tapped the gem lightly, sending it spinning slowly in the air.


    ¡°And this gem¡ªjust hold onto it. You¡¯ll need it later.¡±


    Arbor stepped forward, eyes wide as they reached out. Their fingers hovered just above the staff, hesitant at first, before finally wrapping around the smooth black metal. They pulled it closer, eyes scanning every detail. The glow from the runes reflected in their eyes.


    ¡°Wow, thanks,¡± they muttered, eyes still glued to the staff. They turned it over, testing the grip. It felt... right. Like it was made just for them.


    ¡°By the way,¡± Atheria added, her eyes sharp but still kind. ¡°There¡¯s a lot going on out there. Be careful. If you see people filled with gems, avoid them. Freya has already been informed of your choice. You¡¯re free to leave.¡±


    Arbor stood still for a moment, gripping the staff tightly with both hands. Their gaze stayed on it, but their thoughts were elsewhere. They took in a breath and exhaled slowly, grounding themselves.


    ¡°For a goddess, you seem very... down to earth,¡± Arbor said, glancing up at her with a crooked grin.


    Atheria chuckled, her eyes half-open with calm amusement.


    ¡°When you¡¯ve lived among your creations, it rubs off,¡± she said, her voice carrying a light warmth. ¡°Good luck, Arbor.¡±


    They stood there for a moment, staring at each other in silence. No more lectures. No more speeches. Just quiet understanding.


    Arbor turned, staff gripped firmly in their hand, and began walking toward the large metal doors. Their steps were brisk but steady. Their ears twitched, and their tail flicked behind them as there cloak shifted with the movement.


    As they passed through the doorway, they muttered under their breath.


    ¡°Well... there goes my peace.¡±


    The chamber was quiet now. Atheria stood alone, her gaze fixed on the door Arbor had just walked through. The soft hum of the glowing sap pools and the drip-drip of golden blue sap filling the silence. Her eyes stayed still, her expression unreadable.


    From the far edge of the room, a faint shift of movement. A figure stepped out of the shadows.


    It was the bunny maid. Her long ears drooped slightly, her arms folded neatly in front of her holding a broom, as she walked closer. Her eyes squinted at Atheria with mild annoyance.


    ¡°Did you have to do that whole ramble about their souls?¡± her tone was sharp but not unkind. Her eyes narrowed, ears flicking. ¡°I¡¯d feel like a lab rat too if I heard all that.¡±


    Atheria turned her head slightly, glancing at the maid with a faint look of amusement. Her gaze softened, and her lips curled into a small smile.


    ¡°I got lost in the moment for a second, Bella,¡± she admitted with a light shrug. ¡°It seemed to convince them to go, though.¡±


    Bella tilted her head, letting out a long, slow sigh. Her arms stayed folded, one of her feet tapping lightly against the floor. Her skeptical gaze stayed fixed on Atheria.


    ¡°Mmm-hmm.¡±


    Her sigh lingered.


    Atheria chuckled, her grin sly and playful. Her body lifted into the air as if weightless, floating backward until she reclined lazily on the branches of the tree again. Her head rested in one hand, her dress shifting merging with the sap below, and the soft glow of sap lit her form with a golden halo.


    Her gaze tilted toward the ceiling as if she could see something far beyond it.


    ¡°The best people for a job, Bella,¡± she said with a hint of mischief, eyes narrowing. ¡°Are the ones who think they¡¯re doing it for themselves.¡±


    Bella glanced away, ears twitching. She knew better than to argue with Atheria.


    Atheria¡¯s gaze drifted toward a small, smooth moonstone floating above her. It glowed faintly, its soft blue light flickering like a heartbeat.


    Her fingers reached for it slowly. It was just out of reach.


    Her eyes narrowed, her fingers stretching as far as they could. But she didn¡¯t move any closer.


    ¡°All the cards are in motion,¡± she said softly, her eyes locked on the moonstone as it pulsed in sync with the glow of the tree. ¡°I hope you will see this.¡±


    Her fingers hovered just a little closer¡ªjust an inch away, but never quite reaching it.


    The soft drip... drip... drip from the sap echoed louder.

 Chapter 12: A well-earned meal

    Arbor walked briskly through the corridors of Atheria¡¯s tree, their face set in a scowl. The glow from the sap-lined walls cast flickering shadows over their sharp features. They gripped the staff tighter, its carved sigils warm against their palm.


    ¡°Why did I agree to this?¡± they muttered under their breath.


    The memory of the meeting clung to them, heavy and suffocating. Atheria¡¯s aura had pressed down like a storm, making it impossible to think clearly.


    "Throughout half the meeting, her aura was pressing down on me. The room felt heavy." Arbor''s grip tightened on the staff. "Did she do that on purpose?"


    A sudden smell broke through their thoughts¡ªsavory and warm, curling through the air like a beckoning hand. Arbor¡¯s ears twitched, and their stomach growled. They turned toward the scent, their steps slowing.


    ¡°Guess I¡¯ll deal with this mess after I eat,¡± they muttered, following the trail.


    Arbor leaned against the doorway of the bustling kitchen, arms folded loosely as the savory scent of food wafted out toward them. The rhythmic clatter of chopping filled the room, and the faint steam curling from the pots made their stomach rumble. They watched the chef work, their movements quick and precise.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± the chef snapped, not looking up. ¡°Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m busy?¡±


    Arbor shifted, unsure if they should even respond. ¡°Just... seeing what¡¯s cooking,¡± they said, trying to sound casual. ¡°Smells good.¡±


    The chef didn¡¯t break stride, their knife slicing through a carrot. ¡°If you¡¯ve got time to stand there sniffing, you¡¯ve got time to help. Grab those carrots and start peeling.¡±


    Arbor blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness. Their eyes drifted to the pile of vegetables on the counter, then back to the chef. ¡°Peeling?¡± they muttered under their breath, barely audible. ¡°Not exactly my specialty.¡±


    The sharp sound of the knife hitting the cutting board made Arbor flinch slightly. The chef looked up, their expression hard. ¡°It¡¯s not difficult,¡± they said flatly. ¡°Just start. I¡¯m feeding everyone here, not handing out snacks to freeloaders.¡±


    Arbor stiffened, a flicker of irritation bubbling up. But as their gaze lingered on the chef¡¯s hunched shoulders and the bags under their eyes, the sharp retort they¡¯d considered died on their tongue. Instead, they sighed quietly, stepping into the kitchen. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± they muttered. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try.¡±


    They grabbed a carrot and a knife, hesitating for a moment before making their first attempt. The peel didn¡¯t come off cleanly, and Arbor frowned at the uneven strips curling away from the vegetable.


    ¡°Not bad for a first-timer,¡± the chef said, their tone softer now but still brisk. ¡°Keep going. You can do the potatoes next.¡±


    Arbor huffed quietly but kept at it. Their hands felt clumsy, and the knife didn¡¯t cooperate, but they tried to focus. The air in the kitchen was warm, the scent of herbs grounding them in the task.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never done this before, have you?¡± the chef asked without looking up, a faint smirk tugging at their lips.


    Arbor glanced at the pile of poorly peeled carrot in their hand, their ears flicking back in mild embarrassment. ¡°Not really,¡± they admitted, setting the knife down for a moment. ¡°Guess I¡¯m learning as I go.¡±


    The chef let out a soft chuckle, returning to their chopping. ¡°Good. You¡¯ve got time to get better.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Arbor nodded silently, picking up the next carrot.


    After several minutes, Arbor¡¯s arms ached, and sweat covered their forehead. Their fingers, clumsy at first, had found a rhythm, though their technique left much to be desired. The pile of peeled vegetables beside them wasn¡¯t much, but it was theirs, and that felt like something.


    The chef glanced at the pile. Without a word, they served a portion of stew into a wooden bowl and slid it across the counter toward Arbor. ¡°Alright,¡± they said, their tone gruff but not unkind. ¡°Hard work¡¯s over. Eat this and get out. You¡¯ve slowed me down enough for one day.¡±


    Arbor stared at the bowl, momentarily caught off guard. ¡°Wow. Thanks,¡± they said, sinking onto a nearby stool. They held the bowl carefully, as if it might disappear. ¡°And, uh... I guess if you ever need a terrible potato peeler, you know where to find me.¡±


    The chef¡¯s shoulders shook with a soft chuckle as they turned back to their chopping. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± they said, their tone lighter now.


    Arbor hesitated for a moment before taking a small bite. The stew was warm and rich, its flavor spreading through them. They blinked, staring down into the bowl as something in their chest loosened.


    Maybe, I can do it after all...


    Arbor stepped out of the kitchen, the bowl of steaming stew balanced carefully in their hands. Their muscles ached, and the faint sheen of sweat hadn¡¯t quite dried yet, but a small smile tugged at their lips as they looked down at the food.


    Alright. Maybe that chef wasn¡¯t so bad after all. This smells amazing.


    They didn¡¯t get far before something¡ªor someone¡ªbarreled into them. The impact jolted Arbor sideways, and the bowl tilted in their hands, a small splash of stew flying into the air.


    ¡°Whoa, hey!¡± Arbor snapped, stumbling a step back. ¡°Watch where you¡¯re going!¡±


    A blur of movement stopped abruptly, revealing a figure with messy hair and a cheeky grin. Their movements were quick and nimble, like they were constantly on the verge of darting off again.


    ¡°Oh, my bad!¡± the stranger said, their tone breezy and unapologetic. ¡°Didn¡¯t see you there.¡±


    Arbor scowled, glancing at the stew now dripping down the side of the bowl. ¡°Great. Just great. Half my hard-earned lunch is on the floor now.¡±


    The stranger leaned in, peering at the food with shameless curiosity. ¡°Hard-earned? What, did you wrestle the chef for it?¡±


    Arbor huffed, clutching the bowl closer. ¡°No,¡± they muttered. ¡°But it sure felt like it after peeling fifty potatoes.¡± Their eyes narrowed. ¡°Who even are you?¡±


    The stranger straightened, spreading their arms dramatically. ¡°Me? I¡¯m Olive. Elite Legion member, wild tamer extraordinaire, and all-around amazing person.¡±


    Arbor squinted, not buying it for a second. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re also a walking hazard,¡± they muttered under their breath.


    Olive grinned, unbothered, and pointed at the bowl. ¡°So, about that stew. Smells pretty good. Think I could snag a bite?¡±


    ¡°Not a chance,¡± Arbor said quickly, pulling the bowl closer like it was some precious treasure. ¡°I nearly died peeling vegetables for this.¡±


    Olive crossed their arms, pouting slightly. ¡°Wow, stingy much? You must be new. Sharing¡¯s kind of a thing around here, you know.¡±


    Arbor sighed heavily, the weight of their annoyance battling against some grudging sense of obligation. With a resigned groan, they held the bowl out slightly. ¡°Fine. One bite. But if you take more than that, I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    Before they could finish, Olive produced a spoon out of nowhere and scooped up a bite, grinning as they popped it into their mouth.


    ¡°Thanks!¡± Olive said cheerfully. ¡°You¡¯re alright, newbie.¡±


    Arbor stared, half-annoyed, half-bewildered. ¡°Where did you even¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mmm!¡± Olive interrupted. ¡°The chef¡¯s been holding out. This is amazing.¡±


    Arbor rolled their eyes, though a faint smirk tugged at their lips. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Just remember who earned it.¡±


    Olive handed back the bowl, leaning in slightly. ¡°So... peeling potatoes, huh? Let me guess¡ªyou pissed off Freya?¡±


    The smirk froze on Arbor¡¯s face, their ears flicking back slightly. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t piss her off,¡± they stammered. ¡°This was... voluntary. Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Sure it was,¡± Olive said with a shrug. ¡°Anyway, welcome to the chaos. See you around, Potato Peeler.¡±


    Arbor blinked, watching as Olive waved casually and strode off. Shaking their head, they muttered under their breath, ¡°What¡¯s with everyone here being so... weird?¡±


    They glanced down at the bowl of stew, now slightly lighter than it had been, and let out a sigh before taking another bite.