The forest beyond Sereneth felt heavier.
Not darker, just quieter, as though the trees themselves were listening.
Even the wind seemed cautious here, whispering softly through the leaves rather than rushing freely. Sunlight filtered through thick branches, scattering across moss-covered roots and winding vines as the three youngsters moved forward.
Rem walked confidently in the lead, his steps steady and deliberate. Vyvian trailed behind him, humming to himself, occasionally kicking pebbles off the path while Faye kept watch from the side, alert but relaxed.
After a while, Vyvian stopped.
He pulled out the map Elder Seraiyah had given him and stared at it intensely, brows knitting together in concentration.
"…This thing hates me."
Faye glanced back. "What are you doing now?"
"I'm trying to understand it," Vyvian said, rotating the map slowly. "But it keeps changing."
"That's because you're holding it upside down."
Vyvian froze.
He stared at the map again, then slowly folded it with great care and handed it to her.
"I don't do boring stuff like navigation. You or Rem take over."
Faye burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. "You're unbelievable."
Rem accepted the map carefully, smoothing its creases with practiced hands. His eyes moved over the markings with surprising familiarity, tracing routes and landmarks as if he had walked them before.
"We have two possible routes," he said. "One leads to Envael. The other to Luxen."
Vyvian blinked. "You know those places?"
Faye tilted her head. "Yeah. How do you even know that much?"
Rem smiled faintly. "I traveled a lot with my parents. We visited many villages."
Vyvian leaned toward Faye and whispered, far too casually,
"Didn't his parents die in an accident?"
Rem stopped walking.
He didn't turn around.
"…You could say that," he replied quietly. "They were caught in an incident. I couldn't save them."
The forest seemed to hold its breath.
Even the birds fell silent.
Vyvian's face drained of color. "I… I didn't mean…"
Faye lowered her gaze. "We're sorry, Rem."
Rem exhaled slowly, shoulders rising and falling once. Then he forced a small smile, as if locking something away deep inside.
"It's alright. Worrying about it won't change anything."
Then, almost immediately, his tone shifted, brighter and lighter.
"So… where should we head next?"
Faye exchanged a look with Vyvian.
"You decide," she said. "You've traveled more than either of us."
Rem's eyes lit up, a spark of excitement breaking through his calm exterior.
"Then Luxen," he said with confidence.
"Luxen hosts a Seasonal Tournament. People test their techniques, strength, and Qi there. Even if we don't win, we'll gain experience. Vyvian, you'll understand your Qi and Soul Creature better."
Vyvian's eyes sparkled. "A tournament?"
Faye grinned. "Sounds dangerous."
"Sounds perfect," Vyvian corrected.
Rem folded the map and tucked it away. "Then follow me. I'll lead."
They hadn't gone far when Vyvian felt it.
A cold prickle slid down his spine, sharp and sudden.
He slowed, his humming dying off as his eyes flicked upward through the trees.
Perched high on a branch was a black raven, unmoving. Its feathers swallowed the light completely, and its eyes glowed a faint, unsettling red.
"…Don't make any sudden moves," Vyvian murmured. "Just keep walking."
Faye's expression sharpened instantly. "I sense it too."
Rem nodded slowly. "Yeah… that thing isn't normal."
The raven followed them.
Branch to branch.
Silent. Patient. Watching.
Then it descended.
Mid-air, its body twisted unnaturally. Feathers stretched and reshaped as bones cracked softly, reforming with disturbing precision.
A girl landed on the path before them.
She stood calmly, long black hair flowing down to her hips. Her attire was entirely black, the sleeves lined with dark feathers that shifted faintly with her movement. A shining choker circled her neck, and an ornate brooch rested over her chest, catching the light.
Her crimson eyes studied them like prey, or perhaps like experiments waiting to begin.
"Where are you three headed?" she asked coolly.
Vyvian stepped forward, jaw tight, placing himself slightly ahead of the others.
"Luxen City. For the tournament. And why are you stopping us?"
She smiled faintly. "Stopping you? No. I'm just asking questions."
Rem narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The girl tilted her head, as if amused. "I'm Cherri."
Her gaze flicked between them, lingering briefly on Vyvian.
"I'm looking for a man. Large eyes. Passed through this forest recently."
She paused, then added casually,
"And I need a warm-up before Luxen."
Faye folded her arms. "Warm-up?"
"A fight," Cherri said. "Friendly."
Vyvian hesitated, tension creeping into his shoulders. "Do we owe you something if we lose?"
Cherri laughed softly, the sound light and confident. "No. I don't take payment. Just effort."
Vyvian exhaled slowly. "I'll fight."
Faye blinked. "You sure?"
"I'm the least experienced," he said. "This is good practice."
After a moment, they nodded.
Qi surged.
Cherri transformed first. Black feathers engulfed her body as massive wings burst from her back. Her eyes burned crimson, hands sharpening into talons, legs becoming powerful avian limbs. A beak replaced her lips, her presence suddenly overwhelming.
Vyvian followed. His pupils slit, bluish scales spreading across his skin. Fangs extended, tongue flicking as a short tail emerged from his lower back.
The battle began instantly.
Cherri struck first, her punch landing before Vyvian could react, sending him skidding across the ground.
He countered with all his strength, but she barely moved.
Her beak slammed toward his face. Vyvian crossed his arms, scales hardening, but the impact crushed him into the dirt.
"…Is that all?" Cherri asked calmly.
"Giving up already?"
"I haven't even learned my Qi element yet!" Vyvian shouted, forcing himself upright.
She paused, then attacked again.
"Then listen. Feel your Qi. Control its flow through your soul."
"I don't get it!" Vyvian yelled.
Cherri leapt back. "Then watch."
Black feathers formed from her Qi and shot forward, embedding into his body.
Pain surged instantly.
His Qi drained rapidly, his limbs growing heavy.
"These feathers drain Qi," she said. "Endure it. Learn the sensation."
Vyvian clenched his fists, teeth grinding as he forced himself to remain standing.
Finally, Cherri stepped back.
"I expect to see you in Luxen," she said.
"Promise me you'll figure out your element."
"I promise," Vyvian gasped.
She snapped her fingers. The feathers dissolved, returning his Qi, warmer and stronger, flowing back into him like a second wind.
Faye and Rem rushed to him.
"You alive?" Faye asked.
"Barely," he muttered.
Cherri smiled. "Names?"
Rem straightened slightly.
"I'm Rem… from Sereneth."
Faye crossed her arms confidently.
"Faye. From Rivera Village."
Vyvian wiped dirt from his face, standing tall despite the pain.
"…Vyvian. Also from Rivera."
Cherri nodded slowly. "Good."
Rem asked, "And you? Where are you from?"
She smirked. "That's a story for another meeting."
Then she transformed back into a raven and vanished into the sky, wings beating once before disappearing above the trees.
Vyvian stared upward.
"…We're definitely not normal travelers anymore."
Faye smirked. "You noticed?"
Rem adjusted his pack. "Then let's keep moving."
Ahead, Luxen awaited.
And somewhere above them, black feathers drifted silently on the wind.