Back at the Academy Walls
Winter, Ynah, and Khierra
We were just outside the academy gates, slipping through a hidden path behind the old greenhouse when it happened.
A thunderous boom split the night sky—followed by a flash of red light exploding deep within the forest.
We froze in place.
"Did you see that?" Khierra whispered, eyes wide.
"Yeah," winter breathed, heart pounding. "It came from the northwest side."
Ynah was already moving. "Let's go. Something's not right."
Without waiting, we took off into the woods, ducking under branches, our footsteps quick and careful on the leaf-strewn ground. The forest, once eerily quiet, now buzzed with an unsettling energy.
As we got closer to the explosion site, we noticed something even worse magic residue lingering in the air. Glowing traces danced like fireflies around shattered bark and scorched leaves.
Khierra reached out, brushing her fingers through the fading glow. "Someone used advanced magic here… powerful too."
"It's recent," winter added. "Minutes ago, maybe less."
Ynah narrowed her eyes, scanning the darkness. "I swear I heard someone scream right after the blast."
We exchanged tense glances.
"They're here," winter said. "Some of the missing students. Something's happening."
"And it's not just nature that's hunting them," Khierra muttered grimly.
With renewed urgency, we followed the magical trail into the forest, unaware that every step forward pulled us deeper into something none of us were prepared for.
Keisha's Point of View
Somewhere deep in the forest
I ran branches slapping against my arms, breath ragged as I chased the shadow that had taken Ella. But the deeper I went, the more the forest blurred into a maze of twisted trees and creeping fog.
I stopped.
Silence.
No more footsteps. No more voices. No Ella.
I was lost.
"Ella?" I called out, spinning in place. Nothing answered only the whisper of wind in the trees. Until...
A voice slithered from the shadows.
"Are you lost…? Should I help you…?"
I froze, my heart climbing to my throat.
Then the whisper turned into a low, menacing laugh.
"HAHAHAHAH… I'm going to kill every person in that academy. And I'll start with you Alphas."
Fear rooted me to the ground. My lips parted. "What do you want?!" I shouted.
The voice responded with mocking glee.
"What do I want? Easy. To destroy every life on this continent."
"You're out of your mind!" I yelled, fists clenched.
"Ohh… such attitude, for a weak girl like you," it hissed. "Mind your words… or I might just kill you right now."
"Where's Ella?!" I demanded, voice breaking. "Give her back!"
"Ella?" the whisper cooed. "Your friend? Hmm… she might be dead… or alive. Guess it."
"Stop messing with me! GIVE ELLA BACK!" I screamed.
A sudden gust of wind cut through the trees and across my cheek. Blood trickled down my skin. I gasped.
"I can do much more than that," the whisper said coldly. "But I'll let you off the hook… for now. Thanks for the entertainment."
And just like that, the voice vanished. No trace. No presence. Just silence.
Until another scream echoed through the woods.
Familiar.
I bolted toward it.
Through the clearing ahead, I saw a figure in a dark cloak standing at the edge of a cliff, arms outstretched. He was trying to push someone off.
Then I saw her.
"Celsy!!" I cried.
She turned, eyes locking with mine terrified.
The cloaked figure moved to shove her.
I reacted on instinct, thrusting out my hand. "Light Arrows!" I chanted.
A flurry of glowing arrows shot from my palm and struck the figure in the shoulder. He staggered but still managed to push Celsy over the edge before retreating into the woods, wounded.
"Celsy!" I yelled, rushing forward.
I dropped to my knees at the cliff's edge and looked down. She was clinging to a tangle of vines, her body dangling dangerously.
"I'm here!" she called back, trembling.
I reached down, grabbing for her arm, but I wasn't strong enough. "Hold on I'll pull you up!" I tried, gritting my teeth. My muscles ached.
Suddenly, strong hands grabbed my shoulders.
"I've got you," a voice said.
I looked up shocked.
Theodore Janssen.
Together, we hauled her up, inch by inch. After a long moment of struggling, we managed to pull Celsy to safety. The three of us collapsed onto the forest floor, breathing heavily.
"Are you okay, Celsy?" I asked, brushing hair from her face.
She nodded weakly. "Thank you…"
I turned to Theodore. "You're lost too?"
He gave a small nod. "Not just me. My whole group is scattered."
"Our group too," Celsy added quietly.
Then we heard it rustling in the trees. Footsteps. Fast and many.
Within seconds, the other Alphas emerged from the forest tired, bruised, but together again.
They'd found each other. Finally.
But we all knew… this wasn't over.