The morning air was crisp as Aelion approached the path leading northwest from Moonglade, his cloak draped lightly over his shoulders and his bow strapped securely to his back. The sun was just cresting the horizon, casting a golden glow over the silverwood trees that bordered the city. He spotted Nev waiting ahead, standing casually with his pack slung over one shoulder and his eyes scanning the trail as though memorizing every detail.

Nev waved as Aelion drew closer, his relaxed demeanor a stark contrast to the sense of anticipation humming through Aelion’s veins. “Good morning friend, you ready to take on a bear?”

Aelion nodded in return, his steps steady as he reached his companion. “Yes I am, though I will admit that I’m kind of nervous, bears can be extremely dangerous. I will make due however.”

The trail before them was wide but unmarked, weaving gently through the dense forest that stretched northwest toward the mountains. The air was cool, carrying the earthy scent of damp leaves and moss, and the forest around them thrummed with subtle life—the rustle of birds, the faint scurry of small creatures, and the distant whisper of wind through the treetops.

As they walked, their steps falling into an easy rhythm, the silence between them was punctuated by bursts of small talk. Nev, ever the optimist, seemed determined to keep their spirits light despite the arduous journey ahead.

“Ya know, I’ve seen the biggest idiots come back with a bear’s head, so if they can manage to pull it off, I’m certain that you can. At least you have a proper head on your shoulders.”

Aelion chuckled, appreciating the distraction as they moved deeper into the woods. “I appreciate that man, it makes me wonder where the other recruits are at, the ones I came to Moonglade with from Aethercrest.”

Their conversation drifted to the border scouts they occasionally spotted along the way—figures dressed in green and silver, their movements silent and precise as they blended seamlessly with the forest. The scouts watched from the shadows, their eyes sharp and alert, a reminder that Moonglade’s vigilance extended far beyond its city walls.

“These scouts are so good at their jobs, our city hasn’t been attacked in ages by any bandits or really anybody at that. I hear that most of them are from the archery guild, and they are ten year veterans or older.”

Aelion glanced up at the trees, catching a fleeting glimpse of a scout moving gracefully through the canopy. “It must be their training throughout the forest that have made them much better at protecting your city, with the militarized methods of Aethercrest, there’s no mistaking that our scouts lacked the same abilities that your scouts have. I hope that I can be as great as these scouts, if not better.”

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the forest began to shift subtly around them. The trees grew taller and thicker, their trunks gnarled and ancient, and the underbrush became denser, brushing against their legs as they navigated the winding trail. The terrain sloped gently upward, the first signs of the mountains that loomed in the distance.

Aelion felt the weight of his pack pressing against his shoulders, a constant reminder of the supplies they carried for the days ahead. His mind wandered to the task before him, the bear hunt that would test not only his skill but his courage and resilience.

“Do you think I can become one of them someday? I guess I have some doubt in my mind, I remember training with Renar, I was always in third place behind Selara. So it makes me feel like my dream of becoming the absolute best isn’t actually achievable.”

Nev glanced at him, his expression calm but thoughtful. “I remember growing up, my mother always told me that sometimes the people you see that are great, are only that. They’re great, but not perfect. You also need to understand that a lot of people plateau and are stuck at a stand still, unable to progress any further. However, that doesn’t mean that you will. Just because those few people that happen to be roughly the same age as you are better at this moment, that may not hold up in the coming days.”

The conversation helped to ease the weight of the journey, their voices blending with the sounds of the forest as they pressed on. They paused only briefly to drink from a clear stream or to snack on the dried provisions they had brought, their focus on conserving energy for the long walk ahead.

As dusk began to settle over the forest, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, the sound of rushing water reached their ears. Nev slowed, glancing back at Aelion with a faint smile. “Look around now, we’re almost there!”

The trail opened onto a wide, flat surface nestled against the cliffside. Before them, a waterfall cascaded gracefully from a rocky outcrop, its waters tumbling forty feet into the river below. The air was cool and damp, carrying a faint mist from the falls that glimmered in the fading light. Aelion took a moment to take it all in, the beauty of the scene mingling with the sense of accomplishment that came with reaching their destination.

“This… is perfect,” Aelion murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of the falls. “Time and time again, this place leaves me in awe.”

Nev nodded, his eyes scanning the area with practiced precision. “And again like with the elk, I brought us to the water. The bears here love to catch fish and prey on other wildlife that come by for a drink”

The two set to work setting up their camp, their movements efficient and coordinated despite the fatigue that had settled into their muscles. Nev unfolded the camouflage tent, securing it against the rock face where it would be sheltered from the wind. He gathered dry wood from the surrounding area, careful to keep the fire small and unobtrusive.

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Aelion arranged their supplies near the tent, his hands steady despite the ache in his arms. He couldn’t help but glance toward the waterfall every so often, its steady rhythm a soothing backdrop to their preparations.

“Like last time too, I got you on cooking and the upkeep, I’ll make us a stew.”

As darkness fell, they lit the fire, its warm glow casting flickering shadows against the cliffside. Nev placed a small cooking pot over the flames, adding a handful of dried herbs and roots he had brought along. The scent of the simmering broth mingled with the fresh, cool air, creating a sense of comfort that contrasted with the wildness of their surroundings.

The stars emerged one by one, their light reflecting off the river below and casting a soft glow over the camp. Aelion sat near the fire, his cloak wrapped around his shoulders as he watched the flames dance. The journey had been long, but the sense of peace that came with reaching their destination was undeniable.

“I’ve come to terms with it, I will complete my challenge and continue to move forward, I refuse to remain stagnant.”

Nev stirred the pot, his gaze thoughtful as he glanced at Aelion. “See now that’s what I’m talking about. I hate seeing people all down and out with themselves, head up and aim for the stars my friend.”

The conversation drifted into silence, the crackle of the fire and the steady rush of the waterfall filling the quiet. Aelion felt a sense of calm settle over him, a moment of stillness before the intensity of the trial that lay ahead. He glanced toward Nev, appreciating the steadiness of his companion, the quiet strength that had guided them through the journey.

Later, as the fire burned lower and the forest grew quiet, Aelion stood at the edge of the cliff, his gaze drifting over the river below. The moon cast a silvery light over the water, its reflection shimmering like a thousand tiny stars. The steady roar of the waterfall filled his ears, a reminder of the power and beauty of the natural world.

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As the night deepened, they returned to the fire, settling in for the evening. Aelion felt the weight of the day in his limbs, but his spirit was light, bolstered by the knowledge that they had made it this far. The waterfall’s rhythm lulled him toward sleep, its steady pulse a reminder of the strength and resilience that defined the wild.

With a final glance at the fire, Aelion allowed his eyes to close, his thoughts drifting to the trial ahead and the quiet determination that carried him forward. The warmth of the fire and the steady rhythm of the waterfall soon lulled Aelion into a deep sleep. His body relaxed, his breathing steady, but his mind seemed to drift elsewhere, carried by unseen currents.

Suddenly, he found himself standing in a vast, dark expanse. There was no ground beneath his feet, yet he stood as if balanced on the surface of water so still it reflected the starry void above. Each step he took sent faint ripples spreading outward, shimmering faintly like liquid starlight. He looked down and saw no reflection of himself, only an endless depth that mirrored the infinite sky above.

The air—or what he perceived as air—was heavy, laden with a sense of something unseen, ancient, and watchful. A faint blue light shimmered all around, glowing wisps floating lazily like fireflies in the night. They moved with an almost sentient purpose, circling him in slow, deliberate arcs.

“Hello?” Aelion called out, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

The word echoed, each syllable reverberating outward in waves that seemed to go on forever. The sound filled the space, overlapping itself in haunting harmony until it faded into silence.

“Where am I?” he tried again, his voice carried farther than it should, the echoes wrapping around him like whispers from the void.

The glowing wisps seemed to react to his voice, swirling closer to him, their movement like a gentle breeze coaxing them into motion. Aelion’s heart pounded in his chest as the stars above began to shift, their positions aligning with a strange, deliberate symmetry. The air grew heavier still, as if the space itself were holding its breath.

Then, without warning, a bright light pierced the darkness. A full moon, massive and radiant, materialized above him. Its silvery glow bathed the void in light, illuminating the shimmering surface below and casting faint shadows from the glowing wisps. The sight of it filled Aelion with both awe and unease, the beauty of the moment tempered by the strange pull he felt in its presence.

The moon seemed alive, its light shifting and pulsing as if breathing. Aelion felt a powerful tug from it—not physical, but something deeper, a pull that resonated in his very core. He stumbled, his footing unsteady as the sensation grew stronger, his body beginning to rise against his will.

“What is happening?” he gasped, the words echoing wildly around him.

The glowing wisps swirled faster, converging around his body and forming a vortex of blue light. Their motion grew more intense with each passing second, their ethereal glow enveloping him in a cocoon of energy. He tried to resist the pull, but his body betrayed him, lifting higher into the air as the moon’s gravity seemed to claim him.

His arms spread wide, and his heart pounded like a drum as the vortex of light tightened around him. The wisps' glow became blinding, their spiraling motion so fast it seemed like a single beam of light stretching toward the moon.

He cried out, his voice lost in the roar of the energy surrounding him. The light consumed his vision entirely, leaving him weightless in a void of pure brilliance. Then, everything went still—silent, blinding, and infinite.

Aelion awoke with a jolt, his body trembling and his breath coming in shallow gasps. The pale light of dawn filtered through the trees, and the steady rush of the waterfall filled the quiet camp. He pressed a hand to his chest, his heart racing as though he had just run for miles.

For a moment, he sat frozen, the vivid memory of the dream lingering in his mind like a shadow. He could still feel the pull of the moon, the weightlessness of the light, the echo of his own voice. It had felt so real, so intense, as though it had been more than a dream.

A rustling sound drew his attention, and he turned to see Nev stirring from his bedroll, his expression calm and unhurried. Aelion ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady himself as he glanced toward the rising sun. Whatever the dream had been, it left him with an unsettling sense of purpose—as though it had been a message, though its meaning eluded him.

He took a deep breath, the cool morning air grounding him. The trial awaited, and though the dream lingered at the edges of his mind, he pushed it aside, focusing on the task ahead.

For now, the mysteries of the dream would have to wait.