As Code stepped off the train, the crisp Lodz air enveloped him, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant hint of industrial smoke. He gazed around, taking in the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the city. The station's architecture, a mix of old and new, seemed to whisper stories of a rich history.

People bustled around him, hurrying to their destinations, while others waited patiently on the platform.

Code's attention turned back to the city. Despite its peaceful appearance, he sensed an undercurrent of tension. The demonic presence Ran had mentioned lingered, a subtle but unmistakable threat. Code's hand instinctively went to the dagger sheathed at his waist, a habitual gesture born from years of living on the streets.

With a deep breath, Code set off towards the station's exit, his eyes scanning the surroundings, taking in every detail. He had a mission to complete, and he wasn't going to let his guard down, not even in a seemingly peaceful town like Lodz.

According to Ran's instructions, Code was to meet him and the other fourteen sorcerers in front of the forest. Code had memorized the directions and made his way to the exit. As he walked out of the station, he hailed a taxi and gave the driver the directions.

The taxi wound its way through the city streets, passing by rows of old buildings and quaint shops. As they left the city behind, the scenery shifted to rolling hills and dense forests. Code watched the trees go by, his mind focused on the mission ahead.

After a 30-minute ride, the taxi dropped Code off in front of the forest. Code looked around, taking in the sight of the dense trees and the group of sorcerers already gathered. There were fifteen of them in total, each with their unique abilities and strengths.

Code's eyes scanned the group, searching for Ran. He spotted him standing off to the side, his eyes fixed intently on Code. Ran nodded curtly as Code approached.

"Right on time," Ran said, his voice low and serious. "Let's get started. We've got a lot of ground to cover."

As Code approached the group, Ran nodded at him to join the circle. The other sorcerers turned to face him, their eyes sizing him up.

"Alright, let's get started," Ran said, his voice commanding attention. "We've got a diverse group here, each with their unique skills and strengths. Let's introduce ourselves and discuss our plan of action."

The sorcerers nodded in agreement, and Ran began the introductions.

"I'm Ran Cowell, mission leader," he said, his eyes scanning the group. "I've got expertise in demonology and combat sorcery."

Next to him stood a tall, imposing figure with piercing blue eyes.

"I'm Kael Jensen," he rumbled, his deep voice commanding respect. "I specialize in elemental tenzen and tactical strategy."

As the introductions continued around the circle, Code's anxiety grew. He had no experience, no specialized skills, and no tenzen abilities to speak of. All he had was his trusty dagger, which he'd used to survive on the streets.

When it was his turn, Code hesitated, feeling a surge of embarrassment.

"I'm Code Weber," he muttered, trying to sound confident. "I... uh... I'm good with a dagger."

The group's reaction was polite but skeptical. Kael raised an eyebrow, while Ran's expression remained neutral.

"Alright, Code," Ran said, his voice firm but not unkind. "You'll stick with me and follow my instructions. We'll work together to get this done."

Code nodded, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. He knew he was in over his head, but he was determined to prove himself, even if it meant just being a useful sidekick.

With the plan settled, the group began to prepare for their mission. The four sword users, including Kael, took their positions at the front, their blades at the ready.

The sorcery users, meanwhile, gathered at the rear, their eyes gleaming with tenzen energy.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

The healers took their positions at the center, their hands glowing with gentle, soothing light. Code stood awkwardly among the healers, feeling like an outcast. The other sorcerers and sword users cast him sideways glances, their expressions ranging from disdain to pity.

"You're just a liability," one of the sword users muttered, loud enough for Code to hear. "What are you even doing here?"

Code's face burned with shame and anger. He'd expected as much from the others, but it still stung.

Elara, the healer, placed a gentle hand on Code's arm, her eyes flashing with kindness.

" Ignore them, Code," she whispered. "We're a team, and we need everyone's unique skills. You have a role to play here, even if it's not on the front lines."

Code nodded, feeling a small sense of gratitude towards Elara. But the sting of the others' words lingered, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't belong.

As they stood at the edge of the forest, the group took a deep breath, mentally preparing themselves for what lay ahead. With a nod from Ran, they stepped into the forest, their formation unwavering.

The trees seemed to close in around them, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. The group's footsteps were the only sound that broke the silence, the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs underfoot filling the air.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the canopy overhead grew thicker, casting the group in a emerald green gloom. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. The rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs underfoot were the only sounds that broke the silence.

The group's formation remained tight, with the sword users leading the way, their blades at the ready. The sorcerers followed closely, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. The healers, including Elara, stayed at the center, their hands glowing with soft, white light.

Code walked alongside Elara, his eyes darting nervously between the trees. He felt a growing sense of unease, as if they were being watched by unseen eyes. He glanced up at the canopy above, but the leaves seemed to absorb the sunlight, casting the forest floor in an eerie, emerald gloom.

As they walked, the trees seemed to grow taller and closer, blocking out the sky. The group's sense of unease grew, their senses on high alert.

The group walked deeper and deeper into the forest, the trees growing taller and the underbrush thicker with every step. But despite their expectations, they saw no signs of demonic activity - no twisted vegetation, no eerie glowing eyes, no faint scent of brimstone. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs underfoot.

The sorcerers exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting their growing concern. Ran's eyes scanned the surroundings, his mind racing with possibilities. He checked the map and the coordinates the WAS had provided, wondering if they had misinterpreted the data. But no, they were definitely in the right location.

Elara frowned, her eyes darting between the trees.

"This doesn't feel right," she whispered. "We should have seen some sign of demonic activity by now."

Kael, one of the sword users, nodded in agreement.

"Maybe the WAS made a mistake?" he suggested.

Ran shook his head.

"The WAS doesn't make mistakes," he said firmly. "If they detected demonic signals here, then there's something demonic here."

Code, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.

"Maybe it's hiding?" he suggested.

Ran turned to him, his expression thoughtful.

"That's possible," he said. "But we need to be careful. If it's hiding, it could be waiting for us to let our guard down."

The group nodded, their faces set with determination. They knew they had to be vigilant, no matter what.

The group trudged on, their footsteps quiet on the forest floor. The sun's rays filtered through the trees, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted in the fading light. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the earthy smell of decaying leaves.

As the group walked, their faces grew increasingly tired. The 6th grade sorcerer, Lyra, spoke up again, her voice laced with concern.

"Are you sure this is the place?" she asked, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Ran's expression was grim.

"I am sure it is," he replied. "WAS doesn't make mistakes."

Lyra sighed, her brow furrowed with worry.

"But how come we haven't encountered anything yet?" she pressed.

Ran's jaw clenched.

"It might be hiding," he said, his voice firm. "Let's keep going."

Code's gut twisted with unease. He had a bad feeling, one that he couldn't shake. It was like the feeling he got when he was about to be robbed, but this was worse. His intuition was screaming at him to turn back, but he didn't want to appear cowardly in front of the others.

So he kept quiet, his eyes scanning the surroundings with growing unease. The forest seemed to be growing darker, the shadows deepening into ominous pools. Code's heart pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert.

Something was off. He just knew it.

The group's murmurs and complaints grew louder, their frustration and fatigue boiling over. Dane, a 7th grade sorcerer, shouted from the back, his anger and desperation evident.

"I don't think I can go further!" he exclaimed.

Elara quickly turned to face him, her expression worried.

"Why don't we go a little further?" she suggested. "We might just find it there."

But the sorcerer next to Dane retorted, his voice laced with fear and frustration.

"What?! I'm not going further! It's already sunset!" he screamed.

Code felt torn, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. A part of him wanted to turn back, to abandon the mission and return to the safety of their base. But another part of him urged him to press on, to see the mission through to its end.

As the group's argument escalated, Ran raised his hand, his voice cutting through the chaos.

"I sense it," he said, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "It's close."

The group's bickering ceased, their attention snapping back to Ran. His words were like a spark of electricity, sending a jolt of excitement and anticipation through the group.

"It's close," Ran repeated, his voice low and urgent.

The group's faces set with determination, their fatigue and frustration forgotten in the face of their mission. All except Code, whose sense of unease only deepened. He knew something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

As they crept closer, the air grew thick with an eerie, unsettling energy. The group's hearts pounded in unison, their senses on high alert. Ran's hand shot up, signaling for them to halt. He turned to face them, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"Beyond this point, it's there," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The group exchanged tense glances, their faces set with determination. Code's eyes darted wildly, his mind racing with fear. He took a series of deep gulps, trying to calm his racing heart.

Ran's voice cut through the silence, his tone low and commanding.

"Let's move."

The group sprang into action, falling into their pre-assigned positions. They moved forward with caution, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

But as they emerged from the trees, they were met with a sight that left them all breathless. The forest gave way to a vast, open plain. And in the center of that plain stood a colossal castle, its towers reaching toward the sky like giant's fists.

A collective gasp echoed through the group, their minds reeling with shock and fear. What was a castle doing here, deep in the heart of the forest? The question hung in the air, unanswered.

Code's eyes were fixed on the castle, his heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity. Something didn't feel right. This wasn't what they had expected. Where was the demon? And what was the significance of this mysterious castle?