The next day arrived, and it was 7:15 a.m. The morning was draped in a soft golden hue as the sun began to rise.
They had walked throughout the night in the bamboo forest while carrying Emrys.
"Just a bit further before we reach Creek Sable. We'll stop there to drink and rest for a bit, then we'll leave for Gaia's Hall," Aeron said with watery eyes as he struggled to walk with Emrys on his back. He and Hector took turns carrying him.
"Why should we head for Gaia's Hall instead of Athena's?" Corsair asked.
"Because Corsair and the others are more than likely to stop there to rest and wait for us, considering how far Athena's Hall is," Aeron responded.
The Bamboo Forest was just as the name suggested—a forest of bamboo. It was a mesmerizing work of nature, where slender, emerald-green shoots stretched toward the sky, forming a dense and intricate canopy overhead. The forest floor, carpeted with fallen bamboo leaves, created a soft rustling underfoot as one navigated through the labyrinth of slender trunks.
The morning light filtered through the bamboo trees, casting long shadows and creating a serene atmosphere.
Passing by two clustered bamboo trees, they finally reached Creek Sable—an iconic small stream filled with colorful, shining stones underneath the shimmering, flowing water.
It divided the bamboo forest into two parts, running from the outside of the boarding school to River Eldathren, the river between Olympus Hall and the small woods.
River Eldathren was so vast and clear that it looked like an ocean, even having a beach.
Amidst the shimmering waters of Creek Sable, different species of small fish swam against the current, performing fluid and graceful movements.
Aside from the water, the fish were a source of food for residents of Gaia's and Hestia's Hall.
They gently laid Emrys on the grassy ground before rushing to the stream's edge. Kneeling, they scooped water into their palms, drinking and washing their faces. They continued for two minutes.
"Should we catch some fish?" Hector asked while peering into the water.
"There's not enough time," Aeron replied as he got up and walked toward Emrys.
Seeing Emrys' face, he grimaced. "We need to cover his face."
Hector tore the right sleeve from his black long-sleeved silk shirt.
"Here," he said, handing it to Aeron.
"Thanks." Aeron took it and wrapped it around Emrys' face.
Lifting him once more, they resumed their journey to Gaia's Hall. The rustling of leaves surrounded them as birds foraged for food in preparation for the Glacious season.
They continued north through the bamboo forest.
…
When Wolf-bat left Dionysus' Hall, he went north while Luna's group went west. The nearest hall to Dionysus' in the northern direction was Apollo's Hall, and that was where Wolf-bat was heading.
When he arrived at 12:45 a.m., he was greeted by an eerie and desolate atmosphere just outside the hostel's entrance. He had been away for the past five days, battling members of different factions and earning bountiful cash from his victories.
The absence of human activity heightened the haunting ambiance, along with the cold, stiff air.
After scanning the semi-separated settlements for ten seconds, he walked in confidently.
As he moved forward, someone stepped out from around the corner of one of the settlements, facing him while holding a knife.
Wolf-bat stopped, assessing the person. He quickly deduced that the figure was male, over 5'9", and visibly nervous.
"D-Don't move," the person stammered.
Wolf-bat noticed another figure peeking from behind a wall out of the corner of his eye.
"Are you here to raid this hall? Sorry, but there's nothing here that would be useful to you," the knife wielder added.
Wolf-bat closed his eyes and let out a slight sigh.
The knife wielder flinched and gasped, gripping the knife tighter. Shortly after, the peeper stepped cautiously from behind the building, walking toward the knife wielder. The others followed, emerging from their hiding spots.
Wolf-bat's eye twitched as he saw the peeper had an obese stature, the memory of Bhung flashing through his mind. But this one wasn't as tall—only about 5'7".
"No need to be afraid. I'm just here to sleep in my hostel," Wolf-bat said as he continued walking.
"W-Wait! How can you sleep? The news says Dionysus' Hall is still weeping from Bhung the Glutton's rampage. When he's done there, he'll likely come here," the knife wielder exclaimed.
"The Glu—no, Bhung is no more. I took care of him. His blood is what's all over me," Wolf-bat replied calmly.
The knife wielder pulled a torch from his pocket and shone it on Wolf-bat. His eyes widened in shock before he collapsed backward onto the ground.
"But that doesn't mean it's Bhung's blood that's on y—" the knife wielder started.
"Do all of you here not belong to any faction?!" Wolf-bat interrupted.
Silence.
"I'll take that as a no. Listen, all of you here! I don't have much time left to talk. I need to rest for tomorrow… I suggest we create our faction right here! Right now!" Wolf-bat proclaimed at the top of his voice.
At first, murmurs spread through the group before growing into shouts of motivation. They slowly came together, their voices rising.
As they chanted, the chubby boy behind the knife wielder walked up to Wolf-bat, looking up at his face.
"I'm Xavier. What's your name?" he asked.
Wolf-bat stared at him for three seconds before answering.
"Kim-Raven."
"Cool!" Xavier exclaimed.
"And you?" Kim-Raven asked the knife wielder.
"M-Marsyas," he stammered.
"Very well then. The boss of this faction will be Xavier! Hate him if you want—he'll still have my backing. But remember this: if you turn against him out of envy, pride, or whatever, I will take your head," Kim-Raven declared firmly.
The group stood frozen, dumbfounded.
"My time is up. Let's all rest. Tomorrow, we shall name our faction," he continued as he walked into the central hall.
Once he closed the door behind him, the others dispersed into their various settlements to sleep—or do whatever they pleased.
…
Meanwhile, Aeron and Hector finally reached Gaia's Hall. It was 8:23 a.m., and they had long surpassed their limits.
Reaching the entrance, decorated with astonishing vegetation and various species of flowers, they collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion. Hector immediately fell asleep.
As Aeron's eyes grew heavy, his blurry vision caught sight of two people running toward them from inside Gaia's Hall.
But he could no longer hold on to consciousness. He gave up and fell asleep as well.
…
At that same time, as the morning sun rose, Kim-Raven called all the students present in Apollo's Hall together in the central building where he had slept.
He was the only one with the key.
In the wide living room downstairs, Raven sat elegantly on the rug with a cocktail. He had cleaned his face, removed his blood-soaked clothes, and now wore a black yukata that matched his black hair.
He faced all the students, who sat on the rug before him.
He called Xavier to sit beside him, also facing the others, and said, "It's time to name your faction."
Xavier looked at him with watery eyes before turning to the group. If someone had told him he'd be a leader one day, he would have laughed.
"Shadowmere Groove," he finally said. "S-Sorry, it's the name of a place in the book I was writing. I just thought it would be a good idea to use it." He covered his face with his palms.
"Shadowmere Groove it is," Raven declared, sipping from his red, cold cocktail.
One student started clapping, and soon the rest joined in.
Raven glanced down, noticing Xavier pressing his face to the ground, clearly overwhelmed.
"No. Brace yourself and hold your head high. You mustn't look weak in front of your members," Raven said, pulling Xavier up by the shoulder.
Xavier looked at Raven with tears in his eyes. "But why me?"
"Must there be a reason?" Raven replied, gazing at his drink.
"Thank you," Xavier wiped his tears but was unable to steady his shaky voice.
"Don't worry. I'll make you into the best version of yourself—one that is both elegant and kind."
And that was how the Shadowmere Groove faction was formed.