The morning mist rose among the trees of the Forest of Virtue, like a spectral cloak enveloping the terrain. I watched as Yeroy advanced with firm but somewhat hurried steps, adjusting his combat gloves. I, for my part, kept by his side with calm and serenity. "Everything seems quieter than usual, but I know this forest holds its secrets," I thought, slightly accelerating to keep up with the group's pace. Flumir, as always, was trying to ease the tension with an absurd comment.
—Yeroy, when you trip from going so fast, I'll laugh in your face—joked Flumir, with that mocking expression that only he knows how to wear.
I couldn't help but analyze how Flumir always resorted to humor, even in situations that overwhelmed him. "It's an interesting mechanism," I reflected. "A way to combat nervousness. But how effective will it be if things really get complicated?"
Kalesh led the group a few steps ahead. Each of his movements was calculated, each order precise. His ability to keep us united, even under pressure, had made him someone worthy of admiration—and, at the same time, vulnerable. "The trust we all place in Kalesh is his greatest strength, but also his greatest weakness. What will happen if he fails? If his decisions lead us to disaster?" I thought as I watched him analyze the environment with that sharp gaze that only he possessed.
In contrast, Dorim and Yeroy seemed anxious, as if they were looking for any excuse to confront an enemy. I could feel the energy they both radiated, a mixture of impatience and excessive enthusiasm. "Dorim relies too much on his brute strength, while Yeroy... Yeroy has potential, but his impulsiveness could be dangerous," I evaluated, adjusting my pace to stay in the center of the group.
As we traversed the forest, I couldn't help but feel that it was all a kind of game for some of them. "Flumir wants to laugh, Yeroy and Dorim seek to fight, and Kalesh tries to maintain control. But I... I'm here to observe. To understand. And, if necessary, to act when they cannot."
As we advanced in formation, an overwhelming silence suddenly settled throughout the forest. Each step broke a stillness that, until then, had seemed natural, but now revealed an imminent threat. The atmosphere became dense, and the group tensed, feeling that every shadow could hide a danger.
From among the bushes, a figure emerged completely different from what we had experienced before. It wasn't the typical silhouette of an imposing bear, but something that seemed half man, half beast. The creature exhibited savage features: a hardened face, with eyes that shone with ferocity and a disheveled mane that accentuated its untamed character. Each of its movements was a fusion of instinct and brutality, making it clear that its impulses were not under any control.
I then remembered the manuscripts, books, and scrolls that spoke of the semi-humans in this world, divided into two currents: those who dominated their instincts and built small cities apart from the human realm, and those who had surrendered to nature, becoming pure beasts, their uncontrolled lysae making their instinct only one—to survive. This creature, without a doubt, belonged to the second group. Its wild gaze and aggressive posture made it clear that, instead of reasoning, its only mission was to live to hunt.
While the others adopted positions of caution, my mind couldn't help but silently formulate: "I knew such tranquility wasn't normal; a stupid magical beast maintains control of this area." That idea reverberated in my head, reminding me that something enormously out of place had generated that unusual calm. Every detail of this being spoke of an inherent chaos, of a pure fury unleashed by instincts.
But suddenly I thought, "Wait a moment, if there's a savage semi-human prowling around here, it must mean there are more, and not only that, the clan should be informed, but the scroll didn't say anything about this."
—Well, we're 8 against one, but don't let your guard down. Yeroy, Darel, take position. Flumir, cover them from the rear. Keia, Aethen, you provide support. If you see an opportunity, finish it quickly—said Kalesh without wasting time.
—Dorim, you take height in the trees, we need to see if there are more of them around here—he continued while his face grew more ominous. —Semi-humans are very fast and powerful. If it uses an element, it will force us to react. Don't give it the advantage—.
In an instant, Darel and Yeroy took the initiative, with smiles loaded with enthusiasm, as if they had been waiting for this moment. Suddenly, Darel's body shone. The flow of his Lysae increased and, upon closing his fists, an intense fire enveloped them, distorting the air around him with the heat. Without hesitation, he launched the first blow with demolishing force, but the semi-human didn't stay behind. With inhuman ability, it jumped backward in an almost imperceptible movement. If not for years of arduous training, my perception would never have captured the magnitude of its speed. It was a creature made for combat, each of its movements optimized for pure survival.
As if everything had been planned from the beginning, Yeroy moved with overwhelming speed. In an instant, he appeared behind the semi-human and launched a devastating kick, wrapped in burning flames. His eyes shone intensely, reflecting the fire that consumed his attack, like hungry embers devouring the darkness. The impact was brutal. The semi-human was thrown, its body tracing an arc in the air before crashing against the ground. The explosion of the blow opened a crater, the echo of the collision resonating in the surroundings. If not for years of training, I would never have captured the magnitude of its speed. Every movement of the semi-human was precise, refined by survival.
—I think we've done some damage!—mentioned Yeroy with a defiant smile, shaking his leg as if the blow had barely been a warm-up.
—Kid, you've improved since our last warm-up fight!—mentioned Darel with a mischievous smile.
Suddenly, a black silhouette shot out from the smoke curtain, dispersing it in the process. It moved with brutal speed toward Yeroy, impacting him with tremendous force and sending him against a tree, which creaked before splitting in two. There was no time to react. Anticipating that the confrontation was not yet over, I ran with all my might toward the semi-human. I clenched my fist and delivered a fierce blow, feeling the impact shake my bones. Without giving it respite, I spun, concentrating my weight in the center before launching a high kick with devastating speed, sending it into the air.
But just when I thought I had gained an advantage, I felt its iron grip on my leg. Too fast. Before I could react, it spun with relentless brutality and threw me against the ground with a power that left me breathless. The world became blurry for an instant, but before impact, a firm hand caught me at the last second.
—Are you alright, Aethen?—asked Keia, her eyes reflecting concern.
—Yes, thanks!—I replied, trying to catch my breath.
—For a moment, I thought I wasn't going to make it.
Darel ran toward the semi-human again, which, with speed, lunged to deliver a blow with its claws. Darel, seeming to have become somewhat accustomed to the monster's speed, blocked the blow with his left hand and jumped, positioning himself behind the semi-human. I noticed how he brutally charged energy and began to fire a series of punches like bursts that couldn't be avoided, hitting the monster's back multiple times and breaking its iron defense.
Flumir, who hadn't moved, analyzing the situation, unsheathed his short sword, filling it with energy. He moved quickly toward his target, launching a vertical attack that evoked a powerful gust of winds that, due to the power it carried, became visible to the eyes.
Darel, who has been with Flumir watching his movements since they were small, with agility pushed the monster while removing himself from the way, jumping to the height of a nearby tree. From there, he saw how Flumir delivered cuts to the monster, making it bleed profusely.
The beast fell to the ground bleeding, and when Flumir went to deliver the final blow, a sinister air began to envelop the area. I started to feel a murderous intention that made me tremble for a moment. Flumir stopped, with an expression on his face that clearly said: "If I get closer, I could lose an arm or a leg."
The monster rose, letting out a powerful scream, beginning to be impregnated with an extremely evil aura while accumulating a great amount of energy. I saw how its wounds closed, stopping the bleeding, and how its eyes grew increasingly red and bright.
At the precise moment it finished rising, we heard howls beginning to resound from the surroundings, alerting each member.
—Everyone, retreat position!—shouted Kalesh with desperation.
With this order, everyone quickly regained the composure that they had subtly begun to lose. Yeroy, who was more distant from everyone, ran forcefully until he positioned himself next to Darel and Flumir, who with a jump placed himself beside him. Keia and I positioned ourselves in a defensive posture, while Kalesh's team kept Darlon and the others away, attentive to the surroundings.
—Yeroy, you and I will attack together. Flumir, you and the others start positioning yourselves to retreat. We'll make an attack using the Fulminosis stance; we practiced it several times. You can't fail now—said Darel in a low tone, as if he was careful that the monster wouldn't hear the plans.
Fulminosis wasn't just any attack. To execute it, both users had to concentrate large amounts of Lysae in their bodies, accelerating breathing and forcing blood flow to dangerous levels. The result was an overwhelming burst of elemental energy—in their case, fire—capable of breaking defenses, even destabilizing the enemy's Lysae flow. But if they failed... the subsequent weakness could be fatal.
Yeroy, who had set aside the laughter, turned with a complicated face, as if he was worried about failing now.
He wasn't used to this... Inside the palace, everything was theory, training, and controlled combat. Outside, the pressure was different. Real. The slightest error didn't mean a reprimand, but death.
In his chest, adrenaline burned, but not like in training. This time there was no one who could stop the fight with a pat or a shout. This time, he had to decide... and get it right.
—I'm ready—said Yeroy, as he began to accumulate energy.
It became evident: his body acquired a reddish tone, enveloped by a green essence that ran through him like lit veins. A vibrant aura seemed to flow around him like water in movement.
—Then I have nothing more to add...—murmured Darel, who also began to concentrate his energy.
When I saw the semi-human lunge with brutal force toward both, I knew we couldn't stay still.
Flumir, who apparently was also attentive, launched himself instantly.
Keia didn't stay behind; as soon as she noticed his intention, she joined him without hesitation.
I didn't stay behind either. I quickly slid my staff from my back, the one I use to channel my Lysae.
I can't launch abilities like the others, but I've made sure my blows are hard enough to make even the most confident tremble.
People believe that without techniques, you're out of the game.
Poor fools.
I channeled Lysae into the staff, which began to give off an aura of colors, as if a rainbow was about to be born and envelop the sky. Keia and Flumir increased their agility, launching agile blows, almost as if they were dancing on a dance floor. But the monster, far from being overcome, seemed to have elevated its perception: it dodged each attack with disturbing speed and connected a direct kick to Flumir's abdomen, who stepped back holding his stomach with a grimace of pain.
Keia, however, didn't hesitate. She took advantage of the minimal opening and launched two accurate punches. The semi-human barely flinched, and tried to grab her by the head. I didn't allow it. I launched four quick blows with a technique I had developed myself, forcing it to move away from Keia. In the same movement, I spun around myself and charged a new attack with the staff, direct and powerful.
—Haaaa!— Yeroy shouted in unison with Darel.
It seemed they had finished charging their energy. Suddenly, both moved with impressive speed: as they propelled themselves, they buried their feet in the ground to gain power, and the brightness of their auras left trails in the air, like silhouettes of their spirits moving with force.
They separated, arching their trajectories toward both flanks of the enemy, and then launched themselves in its direction from opposite angles. Yeroy lit his legs as if the fire was going to consume him completely, while Darel's arms shone with an intensity comparable to the sun at its highest point.
The speed was superhuman. The semi-human reacted instantly: it spun violently and, on all fours, began to run, giving off a malevolent and repulsive aura. Even so, neither of them hesitated. They pursued it without slowing down, throwing themselves fully at it.
The monster received them with a powerful rear kick, which exploded in sound as it tore through the tension of the air.
But the impact wasn't enough.
Both deflected the kick with millimetric precision—Yeroy spun on his axis, deflecting the blow with a lateral sweep that almost grazed the ground, while Darel blocked with his forearm, driving his feet like anchors. The aura of both exploded in unison.
Darel advanced first. He chained a series of direct, solid, and fast punches, each accompanied by a slight cracking in the air. He impacted and stepped back barely half a step, only to finish with another more powerful blow. An ascending hook, a charge with both fists as if hitting a door with fury, and then a quick twist of shoulders to deliver a blow to the torso that doubled the monster for a second.
Yeroy didn't stay behind. He jumped in a spiral, launching a spinning kick that traced a burning half-moon in the air. Upon landing, he didn't stop: another lateral kick, followed by a double jump kick, both with the precision of a blade. His legs seemed to dance between fire and wind, hitting from impossible angles with a speed that could barely be followed with the eyes.
The semi-human retreated, covering itself, growling. But neither of them let it breathe.
I shouted an alert while propelling myself toward them, charging a powerful attack that I had practiced hundreds of times. A slash with my staff, directed with the firm intention of breaking the creature's skull with a single blow.
Both gave me way. I launched the blow with all my strength. The monster managed to block it, but the impact sank it into the ground, making its body shake violently.
Without wasting even a second, Yeroy and Darel took advantage of the opening. They charged an attack with a fire energy so intense that the air around seemed to curve.
—Die, stupid animal!— shouted Yeroy with fury.
—Haaaaaaa!— roared Darel at the same time.
Their blows impacted at the same time from opposite sides, and the semi-human's body was enveloped in an explosion that resounded as if a bomb had been detonated, throwing everything that was nearby into the air.
—Haa . haa .— both breathed with difficulty, their chests rising and falling to the rhythm of effort. The crater at their feet was a silent witness to the brutal collision they had just unleashed.
—I think . we . did it .— said Yeroy, exhaling with difficulty.
—Idiot! Don't lower your guard— I exclaimed, approaching them.
I took them by the arms and carried them on my shoulders for support while walking, just as the others began to approach to help.
—Good job! Now we have to .— Kalesh began to say, but was abruptly interrupted by a shout from Dorim.
—Three more are coming! We need to get out of here soon!—
—Quick! Dorim, Flumir, help Aethen for the retreat. We must move now!— exclaimed Kalesh with urgency.
At that moment, a fierce scream was heard in the distance, approaching at great speed. Dorim and Flumir ran toward us and took us by the remaining arms, supporting us all to be able to run with more haste.
—Hahaha! I think you got stuck carrying two useless sacks— said Yeroy with his typical mocking smile.
Sometimes, this guy tends to smile when you least expect it . I thought, making a small grimace.
Kalesh jumped with impressive speed in our direction, passed us by, and suddenly, the metallic sound of an impact against stone reverberated in the air! Turning around, I saw him with his sword drawn, strenuously stopping the claws of one of the creatures that had managed to reach us.
—Kalesh!— we all shouted upon seeing the sudden action.
—Don't worry!— he responded with a furrowed brow.
—Continue running. I think Yeroy and Darel already have enough energy to move on their own. Take height and concentrate Lysae for a jump that.
brings us closer to the allies. Don't launch the signal! We could attract more beasts, and we need to regroup first.
As he said, we separated. Yeroy and Darel, although still somewhat unstable from the previous impact, managed to concentrate and recover their pace. We all made the jump, propelled by the power of Lysae, while Kalesh stayed behind, facing the semi-human that had reached us alone.
In a single movement, Kalesh spun his body with force, channeling Lysae into his leg. An intense light traversed his silhouette while his leg rose in a perfect arc. The kick impacted directly on the semi-human's torso with a dry roar, launching it backward like a projectile.
The creature was thrown, breaking branches and rocks in its path until it was lost among the trees. —Move!— he ordered while spinning the sword and beginning to run behind us.
Taking advantage of the opening, we all concentrated Lysae in our feet and made a propelled jump, moving away from the combat field and approaching the meeting point. Kalesh, without wasting time, followed us, as if the battle had been just one more step within his strategy.
Further ahead, we distinguished the silhouette of someone familiar. —Ylwen!— shouted Flumir, accelerating his pace. —What happened to you out there? Is everyone okay?— asked Maro, clearly surprised to see us.
—We ran into a semi-human inside the forest. Apparently, it's the reason why three of the explorers haven't returned.— responded Kalesh, his expression becoming increasingly somber.
—What?!— exclaimed Ylwen, stepping forward. —What is that type of creature doing in this area? This forest is not their settlement.— added Maro, visibly worried.
—Yes. That's what I thought.— I said, lowering my gaze, still with the buzz of the fight resonating in my ears.
—We need you to send someone from your team, Ylwen. We need to inform the elders about this as soon as possible. I think this could escape our hands.— said Kalesh with a more relaxed tone.
—I understand what you're saying, but... now that we know what we're up against, we can fight with a better strategy.— responded Yeroy, with that typical spark of enthusiasm on his face.
I think he didn't learn anything from the last combat with that semi-human... I thought, raising an eyebrow while watching him.
—It's precisely because we already know what we're up against that we should wait for the elders' orders. You shouldn't lose sight of the objective of our excursion.— said Kalesh, looking at him with that typical poker face that we were already beginning to know too well.
—I think Yeroy is right— I intervened, stepping into the conversation—. Informing the elders is important, yes, but staying waiting without fully understanding what we're facing can be more dangerous. If we go a little deeper and evaluate the options, we could trace a more solid plan.
Kalesh looked at me, arching an eyebrow slightly, as if he was saying: "Don't add fuel to the fire, I'm trying to calm down this idiot anxious for fights."
I held his gaze with a half-smile. "I know... but you know I'm right."
—Hey...— Yeroy whispers to me, covering his mouth with one hand as if we were spying on a state secret—, don't you think you're adding fuel to the fire? That idiot addicted to fights is listening!—
Pointing with the other hand at Darel.
—You're right!— I respond, narrowing my eyes while staring at Darel.
He, noticing that we're looking at him, slightly furrows his brow and simply lets out: —Uhm?
Yeroy barely manages to contain a laugh as he shrugs, as if he had no idea what was happening.
—We're going to wait for the elders' response. At least we should know their opinion before acting.— says Ylwen, crossing his arms and looking at us with that expression that made it clear he knew perfectly well what was happening.
Silence took over the clearing after one of the members of Ylwen's team quickly departed among the trees, heading to the settlement. The sound of leaves stirred by the wind and distant footsteps was the last thing we heard before being left again among whispers and tired breaths.
During the following minutes, we remained in a kind of tense calm. Some sat down to recover strength, others simply observed the horizon with a lost gaze, attentive to any signal. The forest seemed to have quieted, but that quietness only made more evident the weight of the recent encounter.
—That was brutal, Kalesh!— exclaimed Flumir, almost breathless. His face showed a mixture of astonishment and admiration—. You launched yourself against that semi-human as if it were nothing! I had never seen anything like it!
We all turned toward him, and Kalesh, as if he didn't want to make too much noise about it, raised a hand in a sign of modesty, but his face couldn't hide a flash of satisfaction.
—Did you know how fast it was coming?— said Dorim, who normally remained more serious, but now showed a spark of respect in his eyes—. You launched yourself with a kick that almost destroyed it. It was as if... I don't know, as if the air itself obeyed you.
—That was another level, Kalesh!— said Yeroy, letting out a laugh, still impressed—. I saw you in the air and thought: "Is he crazy or what?", but then the semi-human flew as if you had hit it with a Lysae hammer. Incredible!
Kalesh let out a slight sigh, almost as if he were removing the burden of adrenaline that still enveloped him.
—It wasn't a big deal... just a timely movement.— he responded, although his soft tone couldn't hide the satisfaction he felt.
I observed him in silence, thinking about what he had just done. It wasn't just skill. It was a precise movement, a sacrifice of his own risk to protect us. That wasn't something that could go unnoticed. And we all knew it.
—You're right— I said in the end, letting out a smile—. It was something more than a movement. It was what gave us the opportunity to stay alive. Not everyone would be willing to do what you did there.
Not much time passed before the informant made his appearance in front of everyone, his face still flushed from the race.
—I'm here, guys!— he said, breathing with difficulty and raising his hand in greeting.
—Do you have news?— asked Kalesh, looking at the informant with attention.
—Yes, for now...— he responded, taking a deep breath—, according to what has been reported, the test is suspended for you, or at least, it ends here. You have shown enough courage by facing two semi-humans, defeating one, and retreating upon the arrival of the second.— He finished, looking at everyone with a serious air.
—So, what should we do now?— I asked, looking at Kalesh and then at the informant.
—Master Kerl says he's preparing to come support you... Meanwhile, your task is now clear: dig for more information. This is your first key mission as a team.— The informant paused for a moment, looking at each of us—. It's your opportunity to prove yourselves, and demonstrate that you can handle the situation.
The air took on overflowing feelings, some of impatience, others of insecurity, but above all, of satisfaction at having successfully completed the test. We had faced something much bigger than what we expected, and although tension continued to float in the environment, we knew we had taken an important step. The team was united, our determination stronger than ever, and the future, although uncertain, looked full of new opportunities.