ep:2 The First Trial

“Commander, can you tell me where Moonveil Forest is?” she asked.

The villager looked at her carefully. “You’re not from here, are you? Why would you want to go there? It’s not safe. No one who enters that forest returns unchanged.”

Elara’s expression didn’t change. She gave a calm smile.

“I am Elara Solene Lunaris,” she said softly, her voice steady and filled with quiet confidence.

Silence fell.

The villager’s eyes widened slightly. After a moment, he pointed toward a narrow path.

“Follow that road. It will lead you there… but no further.”

Elara nodded and walked ahead. Her bodyguard stayed close behind her.

Soon, the path narrowed. The trees grew taller, their shadows stretching across the ground. The forest became darker, heavier… almost alive.

She walked alone now, leaving the safety of the village behind. With every step, the silence deepened. Even the wind seemed to fade away.

A strange feeling crept in.

At first, it was just a small unease… like someone watching her.

Then it grew stronger.

Closer.

Suddenly—a shadow moved.

Then another.

From the darkness, figures began to form.

Twisted. Unnatural.

Shape-shifters.

Their forms flickered between human and beast, their glowing eyes locked onto her as they slowly surrounded her.Without warning—they attacked.

Elara fought back.

She pushed forward with all her strength, striking, dodging, trying to keep up—but they were too many.

Too fast.

Her breathing became heavy. Her movements slowed. Her strength began to fade.

One of the creatures stepped closer, its form shifting into something terrifying as it reached toward her—

Then—

A voice.

Calm. Unbothered.

“Hello, young girl… why did you come here?”

Everything froze.

The creatures stopped.From the shadows behind them, someone stepped forward.

A boy.

Aven.

His presence alone felt different… heavy, powerful—like the air itself had changed.

The creatures turned toward him—but before they could react—

He moved.

In a blink, he was in front of them.

Dark energy surged.

The ground trembled.

One strike— The shadows shattered like they were never real.

Another step—

And the rest vanished into nothingness.

Silence returned.

Aven looked at her… as if none of it mattered.

“This place isn’t for you.” A cold wind moved through the trees. The forest was too quiet... Like it was watching. Under the tree, Aven pulled her slightly closer. She immediately reacted, saying how dare he pull her like that. Aven replied calmly, “See, beautiful lady, I’m not in love with you to kiss you or do something. I just saved you two times—once from those shapeshifters and another from a snake just now. That snake was about to bite you, so I saved you. At least you could thank me.”

She answered, “Alright, thanks for saving me. Now go from here, take your way, and I’ll take mine.”

He smirked and said, “What if those shapeshifters or skinwalkers come to you?”

She asked, “What? Skinwalkers are here?” He replied, “Yes, of course. This forest is forbidden and not safe at all.”

She said, “But I have to find the Lunaris Blade.”

He looked at her and said, “Okay. If I help you find the Lunaris Blade, you have to do what I say. Are you agreeing?”.

... To be continue...

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