The forest grew darker as Mira pressed on, the golden-green trail still visible before her, a faint ribbon of light guiding her steps. The trees groaned in the night wind, their branches twisting ominously, casting eerie shadows that danced in her peripheral vision. The once-inviting scent of pine and damp earth now carried an unsettling sharpness. Despite the chill that seeped into her skin and the growing unease in her chest, she gritted her teeth and kept moving. Lia was out there somewhere, and Mira wouldn’t leave until she found her.

Her mana sense pulsed faintly, a steady rhythm like a heartbeat, scanning for any disturbances in the energy around her. She couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. The forest seemed alive—not just with the energy of nature but with something more primal, more threatening.

Ahead, the golden trail shimmered faintly through a thicket of twisted roots and dense underbrush. Just as Mira stepped forward, a sudden rustle in the bushes made her freeze. Her mana sense flared, warning her of movement. Two small figures emerged from the undergrowth, their glowing eyes catching the faint moonlight.

They were unlike anything Mira had ever encountered. Barely three feet tall, their green, leathery skin glistened as if coated in slime. Large, bulbous eyes sat atop faces filled with jagged, uneven teeth. They looked both comical and menacing, as though a child’s toy had been twisted into a nightmare. Each carried a crude weapon—one a rusted dagger, the other a short club wrapped in tattered leather strips.

A guttural snarl broke the silence as one of the creatures pointed its dagger at Mira. Without warning, they charged.

Panic surged through Mira, and instinct took over. She turned and bolted, her satchel bouncing against her side with each frantic step. The uneven ground snagged at her feet, and the low-hanging branches clawed at her hair. Her breath came in short, panicked gasps as the creatures’ snarls grew louder behind her.

They were fast. Too fast. Mira risked a glance over her shoulder and saw them gaining, their crude weapons glinting ominously in the dim light.

Her heart pounded, fear and desperation swirling in her mind. She reached out instinctively with her mana, but her abilities were too weak to stop them. Small objects, maybe. But creatures? She doubted she could even slow them down.

Just as one of the monsters lunged at her, a sharp whistle cut through the air. Out of the shadows, a figure darted forward, moving with the agility of a predator. Lia.

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In the faint moonlight, Mira saw the glint of Lia’s dagger as it sliced through the air, cutting deep into one of the creature’s arms. The goblin-like monster shrieked, stumbling back.

“Run!” Lia shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

“I’m not leaving you!” Mira yelled back, planting her feet firmly.

Lia’s movements were quick and precise, her dagger a blur as she parried the creature’s swings and retaliated. Yet even Mira could see the strain on her friend’s face. Lia couldn’t take on both monsters alone.

Mira took a shaky breath, reaching out with her mana once more. She focused on the small rocks scattered across the forest floor. Her fingers trembled as she strained to lift them, her mind screaming under the effort. Slowly, the rocks rose into the air.

With a flick of her wrist, she sent them hurtling toward the creatures. The first volley struck one of the monsters in the face, making it snarl and stagger.

“Keep them busy!” Lia barked, her tone urgent.

Mira nodded, her focus unwavering as she gathered more rocks and flung them with all the force she could muster. The impacts weren’t strong enough to injure the creatures, but they were enough to distract them, buying Lia precious seconds.

One of the monsters turned its glowing eyes on Mira, snarling as it raised its club. Mira’s pulse quickened, her mana flickering under the strain.

Lia seized the opportunity, driving her dagger deep into the distracted creature’s side. It screeched and collapsed to the ground, greenish blood pooling beneath it.

The remaining monster roared in rage, charging at Lia with its weapon raised. Mira, her body trembling from exhaustion, hurled another rock. It struck the creature’s arm, throwing off its aim.

Lia ducked beneath the swing and slashed her dagger across the creature’s throat. It let out a gurgling cry before crumpling to the forest floor.

For a moment, the forest was silent, save for the girls’ ragged breathing. Mira sank to her knees, her limbs trembling as the strain of her telekinesis subsided. Lia stood over the fallen creatures, her dagger dripping with green blood.

“You okay?” Lia asked, turning to Mira.

Mira nodded weakly. “I’ll be fine. Are you hurt?”

“No,” Lia said, though her voice was laced with fatigue. “Thanks for the help. I couldn’t have done it alone.”

As she spoke, a faint glow surrounded her. Mira watched in awe as Lia’s body pulsed with energy, her features sharpening. The light faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving Lia standing taller, her expression more confident.

“You leveled up,” Mira said, her voice tinged with wonder.

“Yeah,” Lia replied, a faint smile crossing her lips.

Mira couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy that stirred in her chest. Lia had a class, abilities that made her stronger. Mira, on the other hand, still felt like an outsider, her powers unacknowledged and incomplete. She pushed the thought aside. Now wasn’t the time for self-pity.

As they caught their breath, Mira retrieved the satchel she had dropped during the fight. She handed it to Lia.

“Take this,” Mira said softly. “Go to the city. Find a safer place. I’ll visit you someday.”

Lia hesitated, her fingers brushing the satchel. “But what about you?”

“I’ll be fine,” Mira assured her. “Promise me you’ll go to the city.”

Lia nodded reluctantly. “There’s a city near the river called Lazuli. I’ll head there.”

“Good,” Mira said, relief flooding her.

They walked back toward the village, the tension between them eased by their shared victory. The forest seemed less threatening now, the golden-green trail fading as they neared its edge.

As they approached the village, Lia stumbled.

“Lia?” Mira called, alarmed.

Lia swayed, then collapsed to the ground.

Before Mira could react, a voice echoed faintly through the forest, soft yet insistent.

“Mira...”

Her heart pounded as she looked around, the shadows deepening.

Who was calling her name?