The forest near the academy was usually quiet this time of night. But tonight, the wind carried a strange chill. Kael stood on top of the old training tower, looking out toward the misty hills.
"I saw something move," he whispered.
Mikaho stood beside him, eyes sharp. "You're not imagining it. The mist is thicker than usual."
From below, Zehr shouted, "You two going to stare at clouds all night, or are you joining the mission?"
Kael and Mikaho climbed down, boots hitting the ground softly. This was not a training exercise. Their instructor, Master Ilren, had sent them on a real recon task—something unusual for first-years.
As they walked through the tall grass, a soft ping echoed from Mikaho's pocket. She pulled out a small silver stone. It glowed red.
Kael's expression changed. "That's a distress signal."
"But from who?" Mikaho asked. "There's no squad deployed tonight except—"
Zehr's voice interrupted. "Only the Veilbreakers use those stones. If one of them triggered it, we're in real danger."
Suddenly, the trees around them trembled. A figure stepped out, wrapped in a long dark cloak. He was tall, with wild gray hair, and he walked with a limp.
Kael reached for his short blade. "Who are you?"
The man didn't answer. Instead, he looked directly at Mikaho and smiled faintly. "You've grown."
Kael stepped forward, eyes blazing. "You know her?"
The man lowered his hood. It was Ashen.
Zehr froze. "The strongest fighter in the whole island... Ashen?"
Ashen nodded slowly. "The mist isn't natural tonight. Something is coming. I've been tracking it from the west."
Mikaho asked, "Why are you here, Ashen?"
Ashen looked at her—just for a second, something deep and hidden passed in his eyes. But he didn't answer that. Instead, he threw something into Kael's hands.
It was a strange weapon—half-spear, half-blade, humming with energy.
"This is called a Pulsefang," Ashen said. "It's what you'll need if the demons have truly awakened again."
Zehr's jaw dropped. "We're not ready!"
"You were never meant to be ready," Ashen said. "But you'll have to be."
Behind them, the red stone glowed brighter.
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A mission that wasn't meant for kids. A weapon from the old war. And a shadow that watches from the fog.The next chapter leads deeper into the hidden side of the island…