The dense foliage rustles, its movement inducing a hypnotic effect on my weary mind. Countless leaves shift in the wind, the mesmerizing motion inviting, beckoning for me to join them in their dance of joy and celebration, the vibrant shades of green painting a surreal picture of fantasy and mystery. The melodious chirping of the birds, the rhythmic buzz of the insects, and the murmur of the breeze all weave together into a symphony of nature, caressing the senses and soothing the soul.
I’m tempted to just curl up in this clearing, surrounded by the grassy carpet of a thousand tiny blooming flowers, and allow their alluring notes to carry me away on a journey of dreams. My body relaxes, all the tension draining out of my limbs, and I let out a content sigh, a pleasant warmth enveloping me. I bask in the tranquil ambiance, feeling all my worries and troubles melt away in the heat of the early afternoon sun.
The serene surroundings almost make me forget about all my problems, if only for a moment. Almost. Memories of the awakening ceremony resurface, flooding my mind with feelings of betrayal and violation. I grit my teeth, the peaceful haze that enveloped my thoughts dissipating instantly, the deep-rooted frustration, the anger, and the despair once again coming to the surface.
Today is supposed to be the happiest day of my life and it’s ruined. Not by my parents, although the situation with them is another sore point, but by that damned rabbit! How dare that little ball of fur ruin the event! That damned, adorable, fluffy, red-eyed bastard! I want nothing more than to catch it and hug it, to pet its soft, warm fur. Wait, no, that’s not right! I can’t let its cuteness sway me. I need to remember its crimes! Screw its fluffy ears and twitching button nose, screw its little whiskers and... Urgg, I want to snuggle it so badly... I bet its fur smells sooo nice. I’ll take such good care of it, feeding it nuts and berries, bathing it in warm spring water, brushing its fluffy fur... Aaand I am doing it again! Focus, Alice! Don’t let that vicious beast fool you! I WILL BE THE END OF YOU, RABBIT!!!
Okay, it’s official: I’m losing my mind. I cover my face with my palms, groaning in helplessness as I sit on the forest floor. So much for relaxing and taking my thoughts off all my troubles. Ugh, what was I doing before all this nonsense took over my brain? Right, training. I still need to test out my newly gained skills. I can’t rely on them when I am unaware of their capabilities and limits, especially the flameweaving and dreamspinning. How am I even supposed to incorporate them into my style? Argh, I don’t have that anymore to begin with. It’s not like I can just do what I always did and exploit vulnerabilities provided by other party members. No, it’s now my job to create those openings instead of using them to my advantage.
Now, if only I knew how to use magic in the first place, that would make everything much easier. Well, maybe I should try it? I have absolutely no idea how I am supposed to approach this. Should I imagine flames igniting? Say something like ignite or conjure fire? Maybe I just need to focus on wanting a flame and it will just happen? Only one way to find out.
I stand up and stretch my body, preparing myself for some experimentation. Conjuring the flame should be simple enough. I’ve seen others do it on the same day they awakened, so I’m pretty sure it’s not that complicated. Okay, now, where to start?
A deep breath fills my lungs as I steady myself, squaring my shoulders and focusing my entire being on the task before me. I extend my right hand before me, palm facing outwards, fingers pointing skyward as I imagine a flame sparking to life. My eyebrows knit in concentration as I pour all of my intent and willpower into a single point in space, demanding that the energy in the air react to my call. “Fireball!” A guttural cry erupts from my throat as I channel all my conviction and determination, visualizing the flickering blaze of a flame, picturing a sphere of raging fire emerging into existence in my extended hand.
Nothing. Big fat nothing. There is no explosion of fire, no plume of smoke, not even a flicker of an ember. I am left standing there awkwardly, my body tense and ready, waiting for something that never comes. The only effect of my effort is the deep sense of shame I feel as I realize how stupid I probably look right now.
What am I doing wrong? I try to recall the lessons I’ve gotten about the basics of spellcasting, but I slept through most of them, finding the topics incredibly boring, so there isn’t really much for me to go off of. All I remember is something about will, mana, and shaping the spell, but all those things are kind of abstract, and I really have no idea what to make of them. Think, Alice, think! What does it look like when dad uses his abilities? Well, he just moves his hand and the wind appears. Not really helpful, since he does it so effortlessly. I need someone with less experience or smaller mana reserves, preferably with a...
Wait, mana reserves! Why am I trying to summon a flame using ambient mana in the air? What an idiot I am, of course, I’ll fail at that. I need to be at least as powerful as my father before, hoping to accomplish the feat of manipulating the environment. Okay, let’s try it again with my internal reserves. I hope there is enough for at least one or two spells.
Taking another deep breath, I center myself, gathering my mental faculties and concentrating on the sensation of mana within me, the thrumming force that courses through my body, providing me with energy and life. I imagine a thread of mana forming from within me, emerging from an invisible font in the depths of my core, and traveling upward to my extended hand. It resists my will, like a lazy vine refusing to budge, unwilling to move at all, but I exert myself, forcing it to obey my demands, guiding it inch by inch until it reaches my outstretched palm. The invisible strand pulses faintly with a yellowish glow, thin and brittle, and I hold my breath, worried that I might damage the tenuous connection with a single wrong movement.
Images of flame flood my mind, burning embers, and roaring infernos, setting the world alight with an unquenchable blaze of destruction and fury, scorching all in its wake. I take that terrifying and exciting spectacle, distilling its essence to its core elements, the crackling, the heat, and the dancing of the flames, and embed them within the glowing thread, imbuing it with power and purpose. My entire being tingles in excitement as I direct all my will to manifest an existence where none existed moments ago, to bring the living manifestation of my personal desire into reality.
A tiny ember, barely bigger than the nail on my pinky, flickers into existence in my hand, and I stare in awe as it shimmers and wavers, struggling to maintain its form, casting shadows on my palm, before dissipating, carried away by a gentle breeze. The barest glimmer of warmth lingers on my skin for a split second, before fading away, leaving me empty and wanting, hungering for more. I did it! I actually succeeded. Yes!
The wave of exhaustion hits me a moment later, and I drop to one knee, wheezing. The fatigue from the experiment spreads throughout my body, like icy needles piercing my veins, spreading from my chest into my legs and arms, the prickling sensation seeping into my bones. I groan in discomfort, taking short, labored breaths as I wait for the pain to pass. It was a small flame, but apparently it was enough to drain most of my mana. This is gonna suck until I get the necessary skills. Speaking of which.
<< Congratulations! You have reached Flameweaving: Level 1! >>
Yes! One step closer to making proper magical effects! Now all I need are other related skills, and a whole bunch of them. Though with the fifty percent penalty, that will take longer than I’d like, but at least it’s a start.
After catching my breath and regaining my composure, I rise to my feet and repeat the process, repeating the experiment a few more times. The result is always the same - a single, minuscule flicker of light, but it serves its purpose and I steadily improve my affinity with the skill. And it just makes me so happy whenever I see that little ember dancing in my hand. I know it’s insignificant, that it has almost no combat application, but it’s mine. Good thing I didn’t know that magic could be so fun, or I might have picked that elementalist class. Or at least tried to... I wouldn’t have been able to pick it, anyway, even if I wanted to.
As I keep training, the process becomes more natural, and it’s getting easier. I need shorter and shorter breaks between attempts, until eventually, the initial wave of dizziness no longer takes over, only a lingering trace of weakness remains. Even the system recognizes my achievement and notifies me of a level up.
<< Congratulations! You have reached Mana Shaping: Level 1! >>
<< Congratulations! You have reached Mana Pool: Level 1! >>
<< Congratulations! You have reached Flameweaving: Level 2! >>
I admire the effect of my efforts, a small, berry-sized globule of fire rotating lazily in my palm, casting its light onto my skin as it floats inches above it, reflecting its color onto my pale flesh. It swirls in on itself, a miniature whirling vortex of flames, dancing to its own tune, spinning and pulsing in eerie harmony. I study the patterns of its movements, entranced by its beauty. My heart races as I look upon it, beating in time with the throbbing of the tiny inferno, each pulse sending a shiver of excitement coursing through me.
With a flick of my wrist, I toss the little guy at the nearest fir. A tiny splat sounds as it impacts the bark, not leaving even a smear of ash behind as it harmlessly dissipates, the tree untouched. I giggle in childish glee, clapping my hands and jumping in a place like a lunatic as I laugh maniacally, delighted at my success. So what if the effect is weak? I am nowhere near finished with it.
Okay, now onto the dreamspinning! Is what I would like to say, but as I raise my eyes, I notice the position of the sun, low in the sky, the blazing orb threatening to dip below the horizon at any moment, dark clouds creeping towards it from the west. What?! Just how much time have I spent here playing with that little ball of fire? It was only supposed to be a quick training session, an hour or two at most, but the sun has already begun to set. Dammit! I need to find some suitable prey fast!
I break into a sprint, moving deeper into the forest, my body bursting with adrenaline-filled energy as I dash madly in the direction opposite the village. Leaping over fallen logs, I slosh through streams and dodge past thorny bushes as I traverse the pathless expanse of the woods, looking for any signs of something I could be proud of taking down. The scarce remaining traces of daylight trickle through the dense foliage in haphazard, patchwork shapes, providing the barest illumination to help me navigate, the dense trees blocking most of the waning sunlight. I squint my eyes, focusing on the rapidly vanishing pools of light, desperate for a glimpse of an animal or a monster.
Nothing. Not a single critter in sight. No rabbits, no deer, no boars, not even a damn squirrel. Just endless stretches of dense woodland, interrupted only by the occasional boulder or dead tree, and the scattered patches of sunlight. Not even the typical low-level monsters that prowl around this area can be found. Something has driven all the wildlife away. Something dangerous.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
A shiver runs down my spine, and I slow my pace, turning in place, my head swiveling as I examine the surrounding forest, straining to hear any strange noises over the rustle of the wind blowing through the branches. Nothing seems out of place, and yet, my instincts scream at me that I am in danger. A loud screech pierces the evening calm, and a huge roc swoops down to grab me in its sharp claws. I only spot it in the last second as it approaches, diving with its massive wings folded behind it, a blur of brown feathers and bulging muscles as it strikes, its talons shooting out like lances to skewer me.
My heart skips a beat as I see death flying straight towards me, and I reflexively throw myself to the side, barely dodging the ravenous bird of prey. I hear a shriek as its claws sail through the air inches above me, missing their intended target. Its mighty wings snap open, catching the air and carrying it up as it passes overhead, its flight slowed only for a fraction of a second by the disruption in its dive.
I don’t have time to stop and marvel at my near-death experience, because it’s still coming back around for another attack, eager to make me its dinner. I dive under the trunk of a fallen tree, crawling through the mud and filth, and flattening my body against the moss-covered wood, as it makes another attempt to catch me, swooping low and grasping at the branches and leaves, trying to seize me in its beak. The loud clack of its open jaws snapping shut makes my blood freeze in my veins as it grabs nothing but a handful of dirt.
What was I thinking, rushing through the forest with no preparation or planning? What is it with me today and making dumb decisions? Did my awakening ceremony addle my brains? Ever since that damned rabbit appeared, I just can’t keep my thoughts straight. Am I that desperate to prove myself that I am willing to risk my life for some petty hunt? Arrrrghhhh! Stupid, stupid, stupid! I deserve to be eaten for such reckless actions.
I peek over the top of the rotted log, watching the enormous avian circling in the distance, looking for another opportunity to snatch me off the ground. It is majestic and graceful in the air, a master of the skies, as it hovers almost effortlessly above the canopy, making minute adjustments to its position as it scrutinizes the forest below, looking for a glimpse of me amid the dense undergrowth. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, it lets out an annoyed caw and flies off, giving up on me as I remain hidden.
I wait, tense and unmoving, my ears straining to detect any hints of movement for the next ten minutes. Just when I am about to exhale in relief and move out of my hiding place, the crunch of dried leaves and twigs echoes in the quiet forest. A faint, blue glow emanates from somewhere behind the tree as the sounds of steps draw ever closer. A deep, menacing growl rumbles as a set of yellow, razor-sharp teeth looms into view, the creature sniffing the air for any traces of its prey, the drool dripping from its maw sizzling as it touches the moss-covered wood of the decaying tree. An overwhelming stench of sulfur and rotten meat assaults my nostrils, and I desperately try to keep silent as I choke back a cough, covering my mouth and nose with my hand.
Dead! I am so dead! A cobalt howler has found me! My heart pounds in my chest as I stare in horror at the monstrous predator stalking just inches away from me, saliva dripping down its elongated muzzle, its beady, red eyes searching the forest floor for the source of the smell that enticed it. How did I manage to attract that beast? I thought those things lived in caves, not in the forest, and definitely not in this part of it, to begin with. A sickening, twisting feeling in my stomach reminds me of the fact that I am completely screwed, with no proper means of defending myself. I know how this is gonna end. With me, screaming and dying in the jaws of the ferocious monstrosity, ripped apart like a doll made of cloth.
My thoughts race as I try to think of anything that could get me out of this situation alive, and I can’t come up with anything that has even a slim chance of success. I can’t fight the damn thing, and I can’t outrun it in the forest either, so running away is not an option. I can’t hide here for too long, because it’s gonna sniff me out eventually, and I have no weapons that could hurt it in the slightest.
A sudden screech shatters the silence of the forest, followed by a loud whoosh and a series of howls and whimpers as the howler is lifted off the ground, its snarling, growling voice fading in the distance. I crawl out from my hiding spot, my eyes widening in astonishment as I gaze at the spectacle unfolding before me. The roc has returned! Or maybe it was never gone, still waiting for me to reappear.
It grips the struggling creature in its talons, holding it suspended in the air while pecking at its hindquarters with its razor-sharp beak, drawing blood as it sinks deep into the tough, leathery flesh. The canine wiggles and writhes, desperately trying to escape from the bird‘s clutches, but it’s futile, as the roc keeps it in place, feasting on its hindquarters and tearing at its underbelly. Blood and guts spill out, dropping to the ground below as the winged giant continues its meal, gorging itself on the still-living prey.
Run! I need to run! While the monster is still occupied with the howler, I can’t afford to waste this opportunity. I sprint in the opposite direction, pushing through the dense bushes and thorns, leaping over rocks and roots, the sounds of the battle receding in the background, as I put more and more distance between us. I stumble and trip, my feet slipping on the slick mud, but I keep going, gasping for air, my lungs burning and my heart pounding in my chest, urging me to go faster, to flee as far away as possible, to not look back, to not slow down, to just run. Away from danger, away from death.
After a few minutes, I collapse to the ground, leaning against the trunk of a large tree, my breaths coming in shallow, ragged gasps. I look around, trying to get my bearings, my vision blurring as tears well up in my eyes. The adrenaline rush fades, and I feel an overpowering wave of exhaustion and dread sweeps over me, my muscles aching and trembling as I struggle to stay upright. My skin prickles with goosebumps, and my teeth chatter in my mouth, as I hug my knees to my chest, trying to get warm, trying to calm down, trying to understand what happened, and what I should do next.
It shouldn’t be like that. The forest around the tribe is kept safe by the hunters and rangers, who make sure to clear out any monsters that stray too close to our borders. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember. We should be perfectly safe from creatures like the cobalt howler or the roc, who have never ventured this close before. My parents were right. Something is different now, something is happening in the forest. It’s dangerous, unpredictable, and I am totally unprepared to deal with it. I shouldn’t have come out here alone. I should have listened to them. But I didn't, and I am suffering the consequences of it.
I survey my surroundings, trying to figure out where I am. I must have wandered off the main trail some time ago, but there’s no way of telling where exactly I am, as everything looks the same this deep in the forest. The tall trees and dense foliage obscure my view of the horizon, preventing me from seeing any landmarks or recognizable features, and the encroaching darkness isn’t helping me in the slightest. I will have to wait for the morning before I can start heading in the right direction.
My stomach growls as I huddle in the tree's shade, gnawing on a strip of jerky, hoping that I attract no more unwanted attention. I need to stay alert and vigilant, because as long as I am here, I am in grave danger. The sounds of the forest echo in the stillness, and I see shadows and movement everywhere, as my imagination runs wild. I have spent countless nights in this forest before, but never alone, never in the middle of nowhere, and certainly never while fearing for my life.
As night falls, I realize how foolish I was to venture out on my own. I was so eager to prove myself, to show everyone that I am more than just a little girl playing with dolls. To show myself that I am still in control of my destiny, that my choices are my own, not dictated by the whims of the gods. But all I have accomplished is to almost get killed twice in one day. It’s like every action I take, every decision I make, seems to backfire, leading to disaster and regret. And now, as I lie in the darkness, listening to the rustling of the leaves and the hoot of the owls, I feel a sense of emptiness inside, an aching void that threatens to consume me entirely. I am alone, lost, and scared, and I have no one to blame but myself.
A lightning bolt strikes, splitting the sky, as thunder rumbles and rain begins to fall, the cold drops pelting me as I scramble to find shelter from the sudden storm. The wet earth squishes under my feet as I race through the forest, blinded by the deluge, seeking refuge in the hollow of a rotted tree or the crevice of a rock, anywhere that might offer me protection from the raging tempest.
But the rain doesn’t care about my misery, as it continues to pour from the heavens, washing away all traces of my passage. And as I huddle beneath a fallen log, shivering and soaked to the bone, I wonder if anyone will come to my rescue. If father will send out a search party or if they will write me off as dead, lost in the endless sea of green.
I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry for being so reckless, so stupid. My ego got the best of me and now I am paying the price for my folly. Father and mother must be worried sick, Nael too. Are they still preparing the celebratory feast, hoping that their daughter will return from her hunting adventure before the food turns cold? Or are they out there in the darkness, looking for me, calling out my name? I swear, if I make it out of this alive, I will listen to them, to everyone. I will train harder, study more, follow rules, and be the best version of myself that I can be.
An icy shiver travels down my spine, the cold penetrating my skin and seeping into my bones as I curl up in my pathetic excuse for shelter. My body grows numb and I can feel the warmth draining out of me, like a candle sputtering out in the darkness. No, it cannot end like this. I refuse to die here, alone and forgotten in the forest, my corpse preyed upon by scavengers until only a pile of bones remains. My body needs a source of warmth, a spark of flame to keep me from succumbing to the chill of the night. But how? I have no tinder, no flint, and the rainwater prevents me from generating any sparks by rubbing two sticks together.
And then, like a beacon of hope in the night's gloom, I remember that I have a skill that might just save my life. Flameweaving. I can generate fire and keep it burning for hours, all without the need for fuel or kindling. But will it be enough to keep me from freezing to death? I guess I have nothing to lose by trying.
With shaking, numb hands, I extend my right palm forward, focusing on the sensation of the mana within me, on the warmth and power that flows through my veins. I close my eyes and imagine a ball of fire forming in my hand, a sphere of glowing light that radiates heat and radiance, that banishes the darkness and drives away the cold. A pinprick of heat blooms in the center of my palm, and I gasp in delight as a tiny flame ignites, a fragile little thing that flickers and wavers in the breeze.
In the dark of the night, I hold the flame, the light and warmth of it bringing tears to my eyes as it grows stronger, steadier, and brighter. I cup it in my hands, feeling the heat seep into my weary body, soothing my aching muscles and joints. And as I watch it burn, I smile to myself, grateful that I survived, that I somehow found the strength to go on. I owe my life to the tiny spark that brought me back from the brink of despair. “Thank you, little one.” I whisper as the ember burns on, warming the air and driving away the chill of the night. “You saved me. You are my precious guardian angel.
I will survive till dawn! I will make it home and apologize to my parents for being such a fool! I will work hard, train hard, and become a great protector of our village! And someday, when I am older and stronger, I will return to the forest and face my fears once again, to conquer them and emerge victorious!
But when I raise my eyes from the flame, it is waiting there, just out of reach. Scarlet red eyes, shining like rubies, stare at me with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. Pure white fur, untainted by mud or rain, contrasts starkly with the pitch blackness of the night. And two blinking screens occupy the center of my vision, fighting for my attention.
<< Realize your destiny >>
<< Proceed with Quest: Follow the Rabbit >>
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<< Finish the Hunt: Kill the Rabbit >>