Aldred, Seraphyne and the others scattered holding onto the tree branches as the Gaiadrake was solely focused on us probably because we were trapped with it. While the others were trapped on the other side.
It was deliberately separating us.
The ground was still glowing green.
Roots writhed like living chains. Stone cracked and screamed beneath pressure that didn't belong to this world. Aldred's last shout echoed in my ears—
MOVE—NOW!
But I was already moving.
I lunged.
My boots tore through dead grass as I drove forward, sword raised, white crackles snapping along the blade. The Gaiadrake loomed ahead—stone armor fractured, veins of corrupted earth pulsing beneath wood and flesh. Its sickly green eyes locked onto me.
On me.
I felt it then—its intent. Not mindless rage. Not random violence.
Hunger.
Something inside my chest responded, thrumming painfully, like a bell struck too hard.
"RAIN—WAIT!" Seraphyne screamed from behind me.
Too late.
The Gaiadrake twisted with terrifying speed.
Its tail came around like a siege weapon.
I barely had time to register the shadow—
WHAM.
The world detonated.
Pain erased thought as I was ripped off my feet, air exploding from my lungs. I flew—actually flew—through shattered roots and splintered bark before my back slammed into a stone wall at the edge of the forest basin.
CRACK.
My vision went white.
I slid down the rock, strength leaving me all at once. Something warm spilled from my mouth.
Blood.
A lot of it.
I tried to breathe.
Couldn't.
My chest burned like it was collapsing inward. I coughed, choking—and more blood splattered onto the ground in front of me.
"RAIN!!"
Seraphyne's voice broke.
Someone screamed my name again—Liam, maybe. Or Theon. I couldn't tell. Sound felt distant, warped, like I was underwater already.
My fingers twitched around my sword.
I tried to stand.
My body refused.
Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision, heavy and cold.
No—
Not now.
I can't—
The last thing I saw was Varein skidding to a stop in front of me, eyes wide with terror, spear raised as vines crashed down around him.
Then everything went black.
I was floating.
No—standing.
On water.
Perfectly still, stretching endlessly in every direction, reflecting a pale sky with no sun. The surface didn't ripple beneath my feet. It was calm in a way that felt wrong—too quiet, too empty.
I looked down at myself.
No blood. No pain.
"…Where am I?" My voice echoed softly.
I turned.
At the center of the endless water stood a figure.
White.
Not glowing—existing, like it was carved from light itself. Tall. Broad-shouldered. A sword rested at its side, simple and ancient. Its face was smooth and blank, without eyes, nose, or mouth.
Yet I could feel it looking at me.
My heart pounded.
I took a cautious step forward. The water didn't move.
Another step.
The figure turned fully toward me.
And then it spoke.
"You've finally reached the power to talk to me."
My breath caught.
"What…?" I whispered. "Where is this? Where am I?"
No answer. The figure turned away, beginning to walk across the water as if waves meant nothing.
"We don't have much time," it said calmly.
"What do you mean we don't have time?!" I snapped, panic flooding back all at once. "Who are you?!"
I clenched my fists. Images slammed into my mind—Varein bleeding. Aelira forced back. Kai burning himself out. The Gaiadrake towering over them.
"My friends need me!" I shouted. "Let me out! If they die it'll be my fault—I have to protect them!"
My eyes burned, aura flaring instinctively—blue light bleeding into white crackles around my body.
The figure stopped.
It turned its faceless head slightly.
"…You're not like him at all," it said.
My chest tightened. "Like who?"
It didn't answer.
"Yes," It continued quietly. "We truly don't have enough time."
It faced me again and stepped closer.
"I will help you truly unlock your core."
Before I could react, it reached out and pressed two fingers against my chest.
The moment it touched me—
CRACK.
Something inside me shattered.
Pain exploded outward, not sharp, but overwhelming—like my entire body was splitting open from the inside. Light poured from invisible fractures across my skin, leaking out in streams of blue-white energy.
But instead of tearing me apart—
It flowed.
My life force spilled outward, then curved back in on itself, gently reshaping, condensing, turning into something purer.
Aura.
Real aura.
Not scattered. Not wild.
Centered.
Balanced.
I gasped, dropping to one knee.
"Why…?" I managed, forcing myself to breathe. "Why are you helping me?"
The pain eased.
I steadied myself and bowed my head slightly.
"…I'm sorry. I just— I have to protect those who are dear to me."
For the first time, I felt it clearly.
The figure smiled.
A warmth brushed my mind—approval, faint but unmistakable.
"Our time is up," it said softly.
The water around us began to move.
Waves rolled in from the horizon, massive and silent, towering higher with every second.
I looked up sharply. "What—?!"
"They're coming," the figure said. "Come find me when you get stronger."
It stepped closer and rested a hand on my head.
The touch felt… familiar.
Comforting.
Like something I'd lost without ever knowing it.
I swallowed hard.
"…Who are you?" I asked one last time.
The figure didn't answer.
The waves crashed down.
I inhaled sharply.
Pain slammed back into me all at once—but I didn't collapse.
I stood.
Aura exploded outward from my body in a controlled surge, flooding the battlefield with light-blue brilliance threaded with white lightning. It rolled across the ground like a tide, forcing vines to recoil, corrupted roots hissing as they burned away.
Varein staggered back mid-guard, eyes wide.
"…Rain?" he breathed.
Kai, flames roaring around his arms, turned sharply. "No way…"
Aelira froze mid-thrust, frost mist curling around her rapier. Her eyes trembled.
I could hear them now—hear everything.
The Gaiadrake roared again, but this time… it hesitated.
My aura pressed against it, resonating—not violently, but firmly. Like a presence it couldn't ignore.
Behind us, the rest of Class 1-S stared in disbelief.
Seraphyne's hands trembled, daggers lowering as tears streaked down her face. "He's… standing…"
Theon whispered, awed, "That aura… it's stable…"
Liraeth clenched her shield, plasma crackling erratically. "He shouldn't be able to do that…"
Kazen lowered his bow slightly, mist swirling uncertainly. "…He feels different."
Varein and Kai stood closest to me.
I felt it then—their auras.
Wind and fire spiraled together unintentionally, locking into resonance as desperation pushed them beyond limits. The gusts fed the flames. The flames sharpened the wind. A violent, beautiful storm sealed the space around us.
Varein gritted his teeth, blood at the corner of his mouth. "Guess… we weren't waiting anymore."
Kai laughed hoarsely, eyes burning. "About time you woke up, idiot."
I looked at them.
At everyone.
My grip tightened around my sword as white thunder crackled softly along the blade—not wild anymore. Not unstable.
Mine.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly.
Then I lifted my head and met the Gaiadrake's gaze.
Calm.
Focused.
Resolved.
"I'm here now."
My aura surged once more—resonating with me completely.
And for the first time since this battle began—
The guardian took a step back.