The night was thick with mist.
Moonlight draped Mystic Academy's northern edge, silvering the grass, but the line where campus met the Stygian Forest remained pitch black. Alive, almost breathing.
Darenn adjusted his gloves as he and Irving moved past the barrier stones. "Feels off tonight."
Irving's hammer rested across his shoulder, faint sparks tracing its runes. "Irving says that's an understatement. Mana pressure's heavier than before."
Darenn crouched, brushing the ground with his fingers. The soil trembled faintly. "Something's pushing against the barrier from the other side."
Irving exhaled sharply. "So, not a quiet night patrol after all."
Before Darenn could answer, a sound, soft, deliberate, rustled from the trees. Both men turned at once.
The bushes parted. A cloaked figure stepped out, black fabric rippling with the breeze. His hood shadowed most of his face, but a sliver of moonlight revealed a scar running from cheek to jaw, pale against his skin.
