The massive bear was closing in, its snout sweeping the air, each heavy breath a reminder of the primal power it possessed. Every inhale carried the weight of the earth beneath it, the ground trembling with each step, shaking Adlet to his core. His instincts screamed at him to run—his body already tensing for flight—but his mind snapped back. No, it would see him. The slightest movement would give him away, and it was faster than anything he'd ever faced. Faster than him.
Adlet's thoughts raced in a blur of panic, each heartbeat matching the bear's thunderous steps. Every muscle in his body urged him to escape, but his rational mind clung to the one fact he'd learned so far: there was no winning this fight. Not head-on. This beast was an Apex, a force of nature. It wasn't just another predator—it was something beyond his strength.
But he had a chance.
The blood—the blood of the first bear. He could still smell it, thick on his hands, soaked into his clothes. A trail. The beast could follow it. He could use that. His hands trembled as he tore at the sleeve of his tunic, fabric fraying beneath his fingertips. The ground shook beneath him, the bear's presence pressing closer, each of its breaths a thunderclap in the air. Adlet's pulse thudded louder, but he didn't falter.
With shaky hands, he tore a piece of cloth from his sleeve, wiping away the blood. He didn't have time to think. The plan was forming too quickly—too urgently. He wrapped the cloth tightly around a stone, feeling the sticky warmth of the blood, the scent already beginning to spread through the air. The bear would follow that. But would it be enough to throw it off?
The bear was almost on him now. Its paws rumbled against the earth with each step, and the ground beneath Adlet's feet seemed to crack under the weight. Adlet's heart surged into his throat. It was too close.
Grabbing a handful of dirt, Adlet hurled it at the beast's eyes, praying the dirt would hit its mark. The roar that followed shook the trees, the beast's confusion cutting through the air like a dagger. Adlet didn't hesitate. He was running before he could hear the full sound of the roar, pushing himself into motion. His legs surged forward, the cold of the forest floor striking up through his boots, but his mind was already on the river. The water. He had to make it there.
The water's cold fingers grabbed at him as he plunged into the river, the current strong against him. The stone—his last hope—flew from his hand, landing far beyond the trees, leaving a trail that could lead the bear in the wrong direction.
Time felt like it froze. Adlet's lungs burned, his body tense, his mind focused solely on the ripples of the river and the sound of the bear crashing through the underbrush. He held his breath, clinging to the cold, muffling the panic in his chest. Every part of him screamed to escape, to move, but he stayed still, watching the massive bear storm past him, its rancid breath filling the air with each passing second. The tension in Adlet's body was so tight it felt like he might snap in two.
When the bear was finally out of earshot, its growls fading into the distance, Adlet's chest heaved as he broke the surface, gasping in desperate, ragged breaths. The air felt like fire in his lungs, burning away the last traces of fear. He floated in the water for a moment, still trembling from the aftermath, but he dared not move. The danger wasn't over—not yet.
He swam for the shore, his limbs heavy, his muscles sore. When his feet finally touched the ground, he stumbled, his legs unsteady beneath him. But he moved forward, each step a victory of its own.
The adrenaline had faded, leaving only the crushing weight of his thoughts. The fear. The uncertainty. He had been close—too close. The boar had been a warm-up. The wolves had pushed him, but this—this was something entirely different. He had faced the raw power of an Apex, and he had been powerless to stop it. No amount of strategy or strength could have matched that brute force.
As he walked, his thoughts swirled. Is this what true danger feels like? His mind kept returning to the fear he felt when facing the Horned Bear—the overwhelming terror, the helplessness. His Aura hadn't been enough. His strength had been nothing compared to that creature's power.
Adlet's pace slowed as he drew closer to the village. The adrenaline still clung to him, but the raw fear was starting to ebb away. He had survived. That was something.
The dimming light of the Stars stretched out above him, their faint glow now softer as night settled in. But it wasn't the flickering of those eternal lights that occupied his thoughts. It was the weight of what he had just faced. The true lesson wasn't in survival; it was in the stark realization of how small he still was in this vast, dangerous world.
As he approached the wooden wall marking the boundary of the village, he paused before the large gate. Beside it, a bell hung, its clapper swaying gently in the evening breeze. With a deep breath, Adlet rang it, the sound cutting through the stillness of the night.
Moments later, the gate creaked open, revealing Lathandre's tall silhouette framed by the fading light. His expression softened with concern when he saw Adlet standing there, alive but clearly exhausted.
At his side stood the village's Protector — rigid, silent, his presence far less imposing than Lathandre's but still unmistakable. He observed Adlet with a curt, appraising look, offering no warmth, only acknowledgement.
"It seems it wasn't an easy journey," Lathandre remarked, his eyes scanning over Adlet's disheveled state.
Adlet wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice tired but defiant. "It wouldn't have been much of a test if it had been too easy."
Lathandre's lips curled into a small, approving smile. "Well done on returning safely."
Adlet grinned, despite the weariness pulling at his limbs. "Not just safely—victorious."
The village's Protector gave a brisk nod, seizing the brief moment of silence. "Congratulations, then. My task here is done. I'll leave you to your master's guidance."
Adlet raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to verify my success?"
"That's not my role," he replied, his voice calm. "To be officially recognized as a Protector, you must go to Darwin Academy. I simply provide the opportunity."
Adlet nodded, realization dawning on him. "I see. Thank you for everything, sir."
The man turned and left without another word, his footsteps fading quickly into the night.
Only once he was gone did Lathandre look back at Adlet, his eyes meeting the boy's with a sharp, unreadable glint.
"Tell me what happened," the old man said, his tone quieter now.
Adlet recounted the events—the Dark Boar, the wolves, the Horned Bear—leaving nothing out. His voice was steady, but the weight of it all still lingered in his chest.
When he finished, Lathandre remained silent, watching him carefully.
"How would you rate your opponents?"
Adlet thought about it. "The first three fights, they were weaker than me. But that giant bear…" He shook his head, still struggling to understand. "It was beyond anything I've faced. I felt like nothing against it."
Lathandre's gaze deepened. "Apexes are ranked by their Aura and species. The boar and wolves were Rank 1 species. You were on their level. How do you explain feeling they were weaker?"
Adlet paused. "It wasn't just strength. It was strategy—terrain, avoiding attacks. My power was enough to end it with one blow."
Lathandre's lips curved into a knowing smile. "It's your mind that gives you the advantage. Not just raw power. Your instincts, your ability to analyze the situation—it's what makes a Protector. But when facing higher-ranked species, that advantage becomes harder to maintain."
Adlet nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of his mentor's words. "That bear… it terrified me. I froze. I ran without thinking."
Lathandre's eyes softened. "That's instinct. Your body knew what you couldn't yet accept—running was the safest choice. But your instincts weren't honed enough to fully recognize the threat. That's why it felt insurmountable."
Adlet's expression hardened. "How do I sharpen my instincts?"
"Experience," Lathandre replied. "You'll face more dangers. You'll grow your Aura. That's how instincts are forged. Through trial and error."
Adlet straightened, fire returning to his chest. "Can I go back to the Dark Woods?"
"No," his master said firmly. "That's for Protectors or aspirants during their tests. If you want to return, you must first go to Darwin Academy. It will take three months."
Adlet stood tall. "And until then?"
Lathandre's hand landed firmly on his shoulder. "We go to your village, say goodbye to your family, and then head to Darwin Academy. Your strength has grown, but you're not finished. You'll train on the way."
Adlet's eyes sparked with excitement. "I can't wait, Master."
With that, they set off toward the village of Eos. The night had fallen, but Adlet's heart was alight with anticipation. His journey was just beginning.