Dark was still stunned by the black panther that had appeared. It stared at him with intent curiosity.
"How… where did you come from?" he murmured. "Wait — you remind me of—"A blurred flash of the long black-haired girl he sometimes saw in his dreams flickered through his mind. "What is happening…?"
Laiver slapped him hard on the shoulder. "You're incredible — a mythical, predatory spirit. I didn't expect this from you."
Dark said nothing; he had no words.
Seeing the confusion on his face, Laiver pressed on, "Be glad. You can join the Dream Chasers now. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Dark admitted quietly, "You're right… but something is odd. Never mind."
Whispers rippled through the hall. "What is going on?" "Is this normal?" Jason cleared his throat.
"Ahem, ahem — shall we continue?" The murmurs fell away as all eyes returned to him.
"Thank you. Now, where were we? Ah yes. Once you have all discovered your spirit animals, comes the question: are you willing to risk your lives to learn the secrets of the realms and seize the chance to become Lords of the Realms? Or do you wish to remain as guardians — protect your home and defend it?"
He scanned the room. "Those who wish to stay as realm defenders, follow Albert to the southern wing. Those who wish to join the Dream Chasers, follow Serato to the north — he's in charge of this year's expedition."
A pause. As expected, the majority drifted south. Dark watched in puzzlement — why were so many choosing to stay?
Laiver answered quietly beside him, "Of course most will choose to stay. Nobody wants to risk their life for answers that may not come for five thousand years. And an Element Guard will live comfortably with family, remain by their side. Most will pick that over risk."
With those words, Laiver stepped toward the north, toward the Dream Chasers.
Dark stood for a moment stunned. I made it here. I'm actually here. But what now? Jason was watching him. He descended from the balcony and approached Dark.
"Lift your head," Jason told him. "You kept your promise. You came and joined the Dream Chasers. Well done. As for your question from years ago — it's tied to you. If you truly devote yourself and give everything, you could become greater than I am." Jason put his hand over Dark's head. "Continue on your path."
Everyone was watching in silence. Without hesitation Dark moved forward and joined the Dream Chasers.
Moments later, everyone had chosen. The defense forces numbered roughly ninety. This year's Dream Chaser squad comprised twelve members.
Serato stepped forward and addressed them. He stood before the new recruits and said, "Alright. Welcome. I'm Serato, your commander. As you heard from Jason, you will be under my supervision for the next year. You will be trained to use your elements efficiently so you can qualify for the Path of Trials. It will not be easy. I suggest anyone hesitant return now — eighty percent will end up in pieces. Do you agree?"
Silence met him — stillness across the group.
"Very well. I'll take that as consent. Here's what will happen: one year from now we will travel to the starting point of the Path — the first planet, located in our First Realm. Don't worry; each realm starts from the same planetary pattern. On that planet you will find creatures composed of the element dominant on that world. The first planet is dominated by Darkness; its creatures are formed of the dark element. What you will do there is split into three teams and head in different directions. I will take one route alone. Our goal is to retrieve the four stones that will carry us to the second planet on the Path. After that we will take a brief rest in the second realm, then use the stones to travel to the second planet. It sounds simple, but it is extremely dangerous; you will understand when you see the creatures. Now, we begin training — which will last a year. You will train in combat and in mastering your elemental production."
After he finished explaining, Serato added, "Now let us begin the first training." A cruel smile crossed his face; everyone understood that the training would be a trial itself.
From the training center they moved to the royal palace, where Saher and Jason had just arrived at the office, followed by Samir. Jason took his seat; Saher stood at his side. Jason exhaled. "What is happening exactly…?" he asked, his face unsettled.
Samir, standing opposite him, said, "As I told you, my lord, four Element Guards were killed near the portal. We found one guard murdered near the City of Light. The body was stripped — clothes removed. A civilian captured a photo of something dark flying in the sky over the City of Light about a week ago — a day before the bodies were found."
Saher added, "Should we declare a state of emergency and search? The killer could still be hiding among our forces."
Jason studied the image of the figure — a person wearing an intriguing mask. "No. Don't make a scene. He is gone. He's not in this realm anymore." Samir pressed, "This is serious. What did that thing do? How did it leave? Can you sense who enters and leaves the realm?"
Jason considered. "Yes — I can sense intrusions into the realm. But I didn't sense anything, which means one of two possibilities: either it entered by another method, not through the portal — unlikely, since we found dead knights near the portal — or it is a native of this realm. Still, something inside me says it is not from here. In any case, if it was foreign, many complications will follow in the future. Enough of that. Focus on yourself, brother — are you truly serious about this matter?" Jason flashed a mocking smile. Samir tried to smile back despite his discomfort. "You are insufferable," Samir muttered.
Saher interrupted, "By the way, my lord, the gathering of the Four — the meeting — will be in about a year, two days after the expedition departs."
Jason grimaced. "I'd rather not go. All the Realm Lords will be there. I can't stand them." Saher nodded. "Also, regarding today's expedition…" Samir's curiosity was obvious.
Jason laughed and recounted what had happened earlier — how a mythical creature had manifested from Dark. Samir listened, astonished. "I've never heard this before. There are rumors, but they never seemed real."
Jason continued, "It is said that every so often a person is born with a mythical spirit animal — a changer, a terrifying being. I read some myths claiming even SPX, the Lord of the All Realms, once bore a mythical spirit. Honestly, I want to see that. I want to measure its danger." Jason's eyes began to glimmer; the plasma sigils on him flared with excitement.