The morning breeze rolled gently through the forest, crisp and cool, carrying the scents of cedar bark, crushed wildflowers, and damp earth. It lingered in the air like an intoxicating perfume, seeping into the lungs of every student who crossed the threshold. Golden flecks of sunlight scattered between the tall trees, filtering through the leaves and painting the clearing with a warm, shimmering glow. Birds perched on high branches, chirping in harmonious bursts as though heralding the day and welcoming the new Celestials gathering below.
High above, the professors watched silently. Their glowing robes shimmered faintly against the boughs, the fabric pulsing with a quiet magic that seemed alive. Balanced with effortless grace on the tree limbs, they observed their students assembling in the rendezvous point, each accompanied by their ever-busy elves.
Chast, Luke, and Ronnie stumbled into the clearing a moment later, panting like they'd just escaped death itself. Their hair was plastered to their foreheads with sweat, their robes sticking awkwardly to their backs.
"Are we late?" Ronnie wheezed, dragging his sleeve across his sweaty forehead.
Luke scanned the clearing, noting a few groups still arriving. "No," he said between breaths, "we just made it in time."
All three exhaled in relief.
"I need water," Chast croaked, coughing as he clutched at his throat. His sprint had left his chest dry and raw.
"Water... water!" Nottie chimed cheerfully. With a tiny clap of his hands, a crystal bottle shimmered into existence. He scurried to Chast's side, offering it with both hands as if it were the most precious treasure.
Chast didn't hesitate. He snatched it up and drank in one long pull, water spilling slightly down his chin as relief flooded his parched throat.
Ronnie and Luke gawked at the display, their mouths twitching into smiles. They turned to glance at their companions, Tottie and Wottie and then exchanged a single thought: It's like having a personal servant.
Luke smirked. "Wottie, give me water!" he commanded, puffing his chest as if expecting royal treatment.
But Wottie only blinked at him slowly, ears twitching, before returning to fiddling with a stray leaf. The silence was deafening.
Ignored. Again!? Luke fumed inwardly.
"You've got to ask nicely," Ronnie said smugly. "Be gentle."
He straightened his robes, cleared his throat dramatically, then turned to Tottie. "Tottie, could you please give me some water? I'm really thirsty," he pleaded with exaggerated puppy-dog eyes.
Tottie didn't even blink. He simply crossed his tiny arms and stared blankly ahead, as though Ronnie didn't exist at all.
Luke and Chast both doubled over laughing.
"What happened to your ask politely rule, Rockstar?" Luke wheezed, slapping Ronnie's back.
Ronnie's face turned red with embarrassment. He glared at the smug elf and muttered through gritted teeth, "Shut up." His eyes flicked back to Tottie—now standing happily beside Nottie and Chast—and his lip twitched. I can't believe this! Tottie was supposed to be my elf!
"They're not slaves," Chast corrected, wiping his mouth as he lowered the empty bottle. His voice carried more weight than usual. "They're aides. Learn the difference."
The three elves clapped their tiny hands and chimed together, "Chosen, you... best!" Their voices rose in perfect unison, echoing like a strange hymn.
Ronnie raised a brow and curled his lips in irritation. Luke only shrugged, smirking. "Doesn't look like they want to aid us. They only want you."
Chast spread his arms dramatically. "Because I'm the chosen one," he teased.
Ronnie and Luke barked out sarcastic laughter, shaking their heads.
But before the argument could continue, the forest itself stirred.
The birds' chirping grew louder—louder and sharper until it bordered on a shriek. They burst from the branches, circling above the students' heads in frantic loops. Their wings beat the air so furiously it felt like a warning.
The students laughed at first, reaching up to try and catch the darting creatures, mistaking it for play.
Then—crack!
A jagged streak of lightning tore across the horizon, searing the sky in white brilliance. The sun vanished behind thick, rolling clouds. Thunder growled in answer, rattling the earth with its fury. A cold wind howled between the trees, bending their trunks with a strength no ordinary storm carried.
"A storm is coming!" Chast shouted instinctively, heart hammering in his chest.
The clearing erupted into chaos.
"There are no storms in Labrynthia!" a panicked boy shrieked back at him.
"Is this an attack?" a girl cried, her elf tugging at her sleeve.
"This needs to stop—now!" another voice wailed.
"I didn't sign up for this!"
Their panicked shouts mingled with the violent thunder, creating a frenzy of sound that left ears ringing.
The professors descended at last, stepping from their tree perches. Their presence radiated calm and authority. The Starlight and Enigmatic professors raised their glowing hands and began chanting in harmony.
"Tumalna ka... Tumalna ka... Tumalna ka..."
Their voices thrummed through the forest, deep and resonant, weaving a protective barrier into the chaos.
Meanwhile, Professors Vale and Whumzy rushed among the panicked students, waving their glowing staffs to direct them toward safety. "This way!" Vale called. "Stay together—this way, quickly!"
But the storm wasn't done.
The earth itself began to groan, a low vibration that traveled up through their feet into their bones. With a deafening roar, the ground split and cracked, dirt flying into the air. It was as if the very world had been sleeping—and was now rudely awakened.
Students shrieked and stumbled, their robes tangling as they tried to flee. They hadn't expected this—none of them had. This was supposed to be training, not survival.
The Enigmatic professors stood their ground, their chants weaving against the sky. Their students hesitated, fear warring with pride, until finally, they too stayed—determined to help, though their magic flickered like candle flames in the storm.
"Shit," Chast muttered, frozen in place. His team wasn't running. They were staying. Should I stay? I don't even have magic. I'll just be a burden. His mind screamed at him to run, but his chest burned with something else—something that rooted him in place.
Luke saw him hesitate. "Chast!" he shouted.
"Ughhh," Chast groaned, clawing at his hair. He couldn't decide. His legs wanted to flee, but his heart refused to move.
"Chast!" Luke's voice was desperate now, but Chast ignored him.
He turned. His eyes landed on the professors, struggling as their chants fought against the storm's fury. His hands curled into fists.
Another sharp jab to his shoulder. "Let's go!" Luke barked. "What are you doing?!"
The elves tugged at his robes, their tiny voices chiming together. "Help... Chosen... help!" They pointed at the professors, then at the students caught in the storm.
Chast's eyes darted and landed on her.
The strange girl who always looked at him too long. She screamed as the ground cracked beneath her, jagged lines spreading like veins across the soil. The earth yawned open, threatening to swallow her whole. She clung desperately to the root of a tree, her fingers bleeding from the effort.
"Damn!" Chast swore, his body moving before his mind caught up. He sprinted, ignoring Luke's shouts behind him.
The ground bucked violently, but somehow his feet found balance. He darted between fissures, his heart pounding louder than the thunder.
The walking disaster playing hero? What a joke, he thought bitterly.
But still—he ran.
Dropping to his knees, he reached out. "Grab my hand!"
Her wide, tear-streaked eyes locked on him. She nodded frantically, clutching his hand with both of hers.
Chast groaned, his muscles straining. His veins bulged, face burning red as he pulled with everything he had. "Ughhh!" His roar tore from his throat, veins screaming as if they'd burst.
With one final heave, he yanked her free.
She collapsed against him, sobbing, trembling uncontrollably.
She's heavy, he thought, chest heaving. He wanted to shove her off, but her fear pinned her to him.
"I'd appreciate your thanks if you'd move," he muttered dryly.
"Oh!" She gasped, realizing their position, and scrambled to her feet.
"You hurt?" Chast asked, scanning her quickly.
She shook her head and managed a small, shy smile.
"Good." He turned back toward the professors. Their chanting faltered, their strength visibly waning. Professor Morrwynn lifted her hands, summoning a sphere of light that she hurled into the raging lightning.
They'll handle it... right? They can handle this.
"Twice will the storm be called," the girl whispered suddenly, her voice eerily steady despite the chaos. Her eyes were no longer brown then glowed with unnatural light. "Once by chance, once by fate. The world will tremble... for the Chosen has embraced his truth."
Chast stiffened. Not this creepy stuff again.
Her eyes dimmed slowly, returning to normal as she gasped for air.
What the hell is she? Chast asked in his thought.
"I'm a Seer," she said, her voice soft but certain.
He stepped back, alarm flaring. "You read minds?"
She shook her head. "No. You just wear your thoughts on your face." She smiled faintly. "I'm Zera."
"I'm—" Chast began, but Nottie appeared at his side, cutting him off.
"Chosen," Nottie said firmly.
"I know," Zera answered calmly, smiling at the elf. "The Chosen one."
Chast narrowed his eyes. Do these two think I'm their chosen babysitter?
Another thunderous rumble tore through the forest. The ground bucked so hard they both dropped to their knees.
Then like poison dripping into his ears, an eerie whisper slithered into Chast's mind.
"You're here... we've been waiting for you... come... come..."
Chast groaned, clenching his jaw, pressing his hands to his ears. The voices burned through his skull, splitting his head open with agony.
"Stop!" he choked, rocking against the ground.
The whispers swelled, clawing deeper. His vision blurred. Pain seared his temples.
"STOP!"
The storm halted. The earth stilled. Sunlight pierced through, burning away the dark clouds.And then darkness swallowed him whole.
The storm halted. The earth stilled. Sunlight pierced through, burning away the dark clouds.