The echo of their footsteps reverberated through the cold stone corridors of the palace, carrying a weighty seriousness even in the early hours of the morning. Akira, Yui, and Raiga moved in silence, both excitement and tension lingering over them. When they finally reached Arisawa's office, Akira hesitated for a moment before raising his hand and knocking on the door.
A firm voice called out from inside:
— Come in.
The door slowly opened, revealing the scent of incense and a scattered stack of papers on the desk. Arisawa gave his students a brief but sharp glance as they lifted their heads.
Akira immediately stepped forward and bowed politely.
— We're ready for the mission, master.
Raiga, impatient, stepped forward, frowning.
— Just tell us the mission already so we can get going.
Arisawa smiled, a subtle, almost mocking smile.
— Since you're so eager, I won't keep you waiting.
There was a brief silence before his voice grew heavier.
— Have you ever heard of the Misty Forest?
A deep silence settled over the room. Akira and Raiga fell into thought, while Yui took a deep breath and answered:
— Yes… it's said that anyone who enters gets lost in the mists and never returns.
Akira's eyes widened, a cold shiver running down his spine.
— Then why are we going there?
Arisawa slowly set the pen down on the desk and met each of their eyes in turn.
— Because… it's the fastest way to reach the Kingdom's territory. Last week, two envoys we sent went into that forest on their way back and haven't returned. We're starting to get concerned.
Yui bit her lip, her voice trembling yet curious.
— Then why does the council want us to go?
Arisawa shook his head.
— This isn't about the council. I'll be frank: Initially, we didn't intend to send you. Right after the candidate selection, we sent Sorane's team. But… they still haven't returned either.
A heavy tension filled the room. Raiga clenched his teeth, frowning.
— So the number of people we need to rescue went from two… to five, right?
— Yes, Arisawa said in a short, sharp voice.
Akira nervously intertwined his fingers.
— How will we navigate inside the forest?
Arisawa gave a small, secretive smile, tinged with hidden sorrow.
— The forest isn't as dangerous as it used to be. There are now signposts to guide the way. But… stray even slightly from them, and finding your way becomes nearly impossible.
Yui squinted, thinking.
— They must have encountered something that forced them off course and got lost. Right, sensei?
— Most likely, yes, confirmed Arisawa.
Akira murmured anxiously:
— But to find them, we'll also have to leave the signposts behind…
Yui nodded.
— Yes… and there's no guarantee we won't get lost.
Arisawa closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
— Of course there isn't. But unlike the previous group, you will go prepared.
Yui raised her eyebrows, curious.
— Prepared?
Arisawa pointed to a small box on the desk. Inside were colorful cylinders that glowed faintly.
— Signal flares. When you separate or lose your way, one person stays put while the others use these flares to guide them back.
Raiga raised his eyebrows.
— What the hell are those?
Yui understood.
— I see… so with the flares, we can prevent getting lost.
Arisawa nodded.
— Correct. Red… potential danger. Yellow… need assistance. Purple… indicates the path.
Raiga scratched his head.
— Complicated. How are we supposed to remember all that?
Akira grinned, turning to Raiga with a mocking tone.
— I've already memorized it. If you're an idiot, what can we do, fool?
Raiga shouted.
— Huh!? Who are you calling an idiot?!
Yui quickly intervened.
— Calm down, both of you!
But Arisawa's sharp voice cut through the air like a blade:
— Enough! This isn't a playground. Also… you need a team captain.
Both Akira and Raiga raised their hands at the same time, shouting:
— I'll be captain!
Their struggle echoed through the room.
— Oh, so you want to be captain?
— I'll be better than you, for sure!
Yui couldn't help but giggle as she watched.
But Arisawa's decision was firm:
— Your team captain will be Yui Volt.
Akira, Raiga, and even Yui herself were shocked.
— M-me!? Yui exclaimed, eyes wide.
Raiga protested angrily:
— Hey! Why choose her when I'm here!
Akira gritted his teeth.
— Look at this guy!
But Arisawa ignored them, his voice softer this time:
— Yui… you will be the brain of the team. With your calm and cheerful nature, you can make the best decisions even in the toughest conditions.
After a brief hesitation, Yui regained her composure and stood tall.
— Understood!
Arisawa handed out the flares from the box.
— Three each, nine in total. Take them and go.
As Akira took his flare, he asked:
— Sensei, why aren't you coming with us?
Arisawa leaned back in his chair with a mocking smile.
— I have work to do. Should I babysit children like you too?
— Hey! What are you saying! shouted both Akira and Raiga.
Yui raised her voice to get the two troublemakers in line:
— Come on, everyone. Take the flares and let's go. No dawdling.
Akira took a deep breath and, for once, didn't argue.
— You're right.
The three strapped on their flares and made their way to the palace garden. When they mounted their horses, the sky was still a dull gray mist. The road ahead was only the beginning of their adventure.
As the horses galloped, clouds of dust rose from the dirt road. Akira, Raiga, and Yui rode side by side. The trees lining the path rustled with the wind, and the sky was slowly darkening. The trio moved in silence until Raiga, clearly losing patience, spoke first.
— Smart kid, where's this forest again?
Akira flinched for a moment, then scratched his head before replying.
— Well… we left casually, but we don't actually know the way…
Yui rolled her eyes, a sly smile forming at the corner of her lips.
— At the far east of Velmorya.
Akira's eyes went wide.
— What?! Isn't that really far?
Raiga exhaled deeply, mumbling.
— Ugh…
A mischievous smile appeared on Yui's face, followed by laughter.
— Didn't you guys have geography class in elementary school or something?
Akira and Raiga shouted simultaneously:
— I didn't go to elementary school!
Akira then burst into laughter.
— Who in their right mind skips elementary school!
Raiga frowned, shouting angrily.
— You're acting like you went, fool!
Suddenly, both of them fell silent, laughter replaced by quietness.
Yui's expression grew serious, though her tone remained gentle.
— I gather you didn't attend school due to family issues. So I'll tell you: The capital, Eldravon, is near Velmorya's eastern border. We should be there in a few hours.
Akira nodded.
— Got it.
Raiga was still grumbling.
— Even so, a few hours on horseback will tire us out.
Akira closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
— And we're only on our second day as palace soldiers. Giving us a task like this is ridiculous.
Yui responded in a serious tone.
— I'd love to stay in the palace and eat fancy meals too. But a mission is a mission.
Raiga couldn't hold back his laughter.
— At this rate, forget being a king—you won't even make a regular soldier! Hahaha!
Akira glared at Raiga, feeling his heart race as he clenched his fists. But after a moment, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and calmed himself.
— You're right… I need to try harder.
The road stretched on. For several hours, they chatted and occasionally stopped to rest. The horses' tired breaths mixed with the howling wind along the path. After roughly four hours, the dark silhouette of the forest appeared ahead.
The Misty Forest.
The massive tree trunks rose to the sky, branches intertwining to cover the canopy. Gray mist shrouded the forest's interior, leaving almost nothing visible. Akira's hair stood on end.
— So… this is the forest, huh? he murmured, shivering.
— Terrifying.
Yui nodded.
— Yep. You can't even see inside because of the mist.
Raiga stepped forward, gripping the hilt of his sword with a smirk.
— You cowards can stay behind me. I'm going in first!
"Stop!" Yui's voice rang out with authority.
— Don't stray from the path or the signposts.
Raiga waved a hand dismissively.
— Don't worry, smart kid. I can handle that much.
Akira shook his head with a contemptuous grin.
— I'm impressed you can even think, honestly.
"Shut your mouth!" Raiga snapped.
Akira thought to himself: Better not get lost here.
The trio entered the mist. For about thirty minutes, they moved along the path. The fog thickened, reducing visibility to only a few meters. Even the sound of the horses' hooves was muffled in the mist.
Suddenly, Yui's face turned pale. She realized the path beneath them had disappeared.
— H-hey… we're off the path!
Akira's chest tightened.
— Raiga!!!
Raiga frowned, biting his lip.
— Hm… don't think we're lost. Maybe the path just ended.
"Impossible!" Yui said sharply.
— This path leads all the way to the Earth Kingdom!
Akira looked back. The road behind them had vanished entirely. His eyes widened, and his breath caught. He felt frozen in place.
Yui called out, worry in her voice.
— Hey Akira, what—
Raiga cut her off urgently.
— Hey, I told you, the path ended!
Yui's voice trembled.
— B-but that's impossible…
Akira stepped forward, examining the ground. He dug his hand into the soil.
— Someone has covered the path with earth. We've walked into a trap.
Yui's eyes widened.
— But who would do this?
Raiga partially drew his sword, clenching his teeth.
— We'll have to find out who. But…
Akira looked at Yui.
— You're the team leader. Make the call, Yui.
Yui paused for a moment. Silence echoed through the misty forest. Finally, she raised her eyes with determination.
— The mission comes first.
Akira was taken aback.
— B-but—
Raiga nodded.
— Exactly.
Yui took a deep breath.
— I'll stay here, and you two start searching. The plan won't change.
Akira thought for a moment, then smiled faintly.
— Makes sense. You're seriously clever, Yui.
"Thank you," Yui said, bowing her head slightly.
Raiga slung his sword over his shoulder.
— Alright then, let's split up and search.
Akira reminded her.
— Remember the flares, right?
Raiga cleared his throat, exuding confidence.
— Ahem! Of course I remember.
"Good," Yui said.
— I'll stay put, but when you launch a directional flare, I'll use one too to mark my location.
They nodded. Akira and Raiga rode their horses in different directions, separating into the mist.
Akira tightened the reins, the cool mist brushing his face as he muttered to himself: Who could have set this trap? Why? Where are the people we need to rescue? Can we really find them?
He frowned, shaking his head, thinking hard… Damn it.
Suddenly, his attention wavered, and the horse bolted. Akira's eyes went wide as he realized.
— Whoa! Almost crashed into that tree!
His heart raced wildly. The enormity of the forest stirred an indescribable anxiety within him.
As he rode, his eyes caught something. On the trunk of a tree, dark red stains were visible through the mist. His eyes widened, and he sharply pulled the reins to stop.
— T-this… b-blood?!
He quickly tied his horse to a tree. Despite the growing unease, he didn't step back. He touched the fresh blood on the trunk; his fingers stuck. Drops of blood fell to the ground, forming a narrow trail along a path.
Holding his breath, Akira began to follow the trail.
— T-these marks… they're increasing.
With every step, the drops grew denser. His heartbeat quickened as time passed. The mist thickened, pressing against his chest like a heavy weight. He had walked for a long time; his legs felt heavy. Shoulders slumped, he muttered:
— These blood trails… never seem to end.
— Huh? Or maybe they do…?
He scanned the area anxiously. At the base of a massive tree ahead, no blood marks were visible. He slowly moved behind it. He froze.
On the ground lay a corpse, drenched in blood.
Akira's face went pale.
— W-what… happened here…
His voice turned into a hoarse whisper. Then, under another tree, he noticed a figure. Leaning against the trunk, eyes closed, a girl covered in blood sat there. Her long blonde hair was soaked in red.
Akira swallowed hard, approaching the girl with heavy steps. His knees felt weak. Hesitant, he reached out and touched her.
— C-could… this one be dead too…
Suddenly, the girl opened her eyes.
Both of them shouted simultaneously!
Startled, Akira stepped back as the girl quickly drew a small knife from her pocket, attempting to stab him. Akira dodged reflexively; the blade grazed his cheek. He retaliated with a gentle push, sending her back.
The girl staggered but didn't fall. Her hands trembled as she raised them in a defensive stance. Fear mingled with anger in her eyes.
— W-what's happening… Who are you?!
— You're the one—
— W-what did you do to me, tell me!
— I never—
— Leave me alone!
Akira exhaled, dropping his shoulders as if giving up.
— Okay.
He started walking slowly. But the girl's sharp voice followed him:
— Hey! Where are you going? Didn't you come here to… kill me?!
Akira stopped in surprise and turned to look at her.
— Why would I kill you? I came here for a mission.
— A-a mission? Y-you're a palace soldier?!
Akira nodded.
— Yes.
He paused, scrutinizing her face.
— I feel like I've seen you somewhere…
The girl looked surprised.
— I…I'm a palace soldier too.
— Ah! Really… Then why attack me despite my emblem?
Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she looked down.
— I-I'm sorry…
Seeing this, Akira softened his tone.
— It's okay. But next time, be careful. By the way… what's your name?
The girl answered shyly.
— Seraphina…
— I'm Akira Valen.
Her eyes widened, and she blurted out involuntarily:
— You… that monster… Ah!.. sorry!
Akira gave a wry smile.
— It's okay. Everyone calls me that, but I don't care. Now, tell me, what happened to you?
Seraphina's shoulders shook.
— W-we… were attacked.
— Attacked?
— Y-yes. By a spirit… it was… terrifyingly strong…
Akira noticed her trembling hands. He gently held one, speaking softly.
— Don't worry. I'm here now… it's okay.
Seraphina's face flushed. For a moment, her hands stayed together, but then, in anger, she pulled away and slapped Akira.
— You peeeerv! You're definitely a pervert!
Akira recoiled in shock.
— Hey! I'm not a pervert!
— You held my hand in the forest… and looked at me like that! Who knows what you were thinking!!
— Wha?! I was just trying to calm you because you were scared… is that perverted?!
— You're lying! You're definitely a pervert!
Akira threw his hands up.
— Ugh… now I have to deal with this too!
— Pervert!!
— Anyway… if you tell me who this corpse is, I can help.
Seraphina bowed her head.
— T-this man… he was one of the envoys.
— One of the envoys? So he's dead… what about the others?
Silence followed. Then Seraphina spoke in a low voice.
— They… were killed by the spirit…
Akira frowned.
— Then we'll take you to Yui and gather the rest of your team.
Seraphina's face fell.
— I don't know where they are. After the attack… we got separated.
Akira put his hands to his head.
— Ugh… then we'll have to search. This is going to be exhausting…
Her voice trembled.
— I…I don't want to search. I just want to go home.
— You're going to abandon your teammates?!
— They might already be dead!
— They might not be! We can't know without seeing!
Seraphina stepped back, shouting.
— I-if we go, we'll get killed!!
— Is the spirit strong?
— From what I've seen… it's the strongest!
Akira took a deep breath.
— Okay… then I'll take a horse, bring you to Yui, and return.
— Do you know the way?..
— Of course. My horse is at the end of the blood trail.
Seraphina's eyes lit up, her face brightened with joy.
— Really?
Together, they began following the blood trail back. About five minutes in, Akira suddenly stopped, his eyes widening in horror.
— T-this… is impossible!!
Seraphina panicked.
— Why did we stop?!
— Th-the blood… it's gone!