Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Shadows
"Nia, Nia, did you bring the ingredients?" I called out eagerly, hoping my forgetful sister hadn't left them behind again.
"Ohhh right, I think I left them at the store," she replied, realizing her mistake. It was frustrating how often she forgot things, especially when we were already running late.
Sighing, I said, "Well, let's go back then. We have a bunch of hungry students waiting at the academy."
As we made our way back through the marketplace, a seller named Edith approached us and handed us the forgotten ingredients. Nia apologized once more, feeling grateful that Edith wasn't angry about the mishap.
Night had fallen, and the full moon illuminated our path as we walked through the dark forest. Suddenly, shadows started to appear on the ground, casting an eerie atmosphere.
"Look, Nia, shadows!" I exclaimed a tinge of fear in my voice.
I instructed Nia to stay back while I confronted the shadows. She protested, but I insisted she follow my lead.
Nia stayed hidden behind the trees as I charged forward, wielding my trusty 2-Handed sword. With each swing, the shadows dispersed in a cloud of smoke, but more kept emerging. Exhaustion began to take its toll.
I attempted to catch my breath, but I felt a sudden surge of pain. The shadows had poisoned me.
"Charlotte, are you okay?" Nia rushed to my side, worry etched on her face. She blamed herself for what had happened.
"It's not your fault," I reassured her weakly, my hand resting on my aching stomach.
Nia cried out that we were trapped, with no means of escape. Despair began to settle in as the shadows closed in on us.
"Charlotte!" Nia's tears fell onto my hand as we held each other, preparing for the worst.
But then, a brilliant light pierced through the darkness, obliterating the shadows. Shielding our eyes, we watched as a mysterious figure emerged from the light, exhausted but victorious. The person clutched a unique sword, resembling a white spider lily.
"Um, who is that?" Nia asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern. The stranger appeared injured, with dirt on their clothes and marks on their face. They seemed, unlike anyone we had ever encountered before.
Determined to help, I decided that Nia and I should bring the stranger back to the academy. Maybe we could find answers there. With great effort, we carried the mysterious figure, fatigued and in need of rest, back to the academy. As we entered, curious onlookers bombarded us with questions, but I chose to keep their identity a secret for now. The worried gazes of others followed us, skeptical of our decision.
"He saved us, so maybe it's time we trust him too," I urged, trying to calm the anxious crowd. "He hasn't harmed anyone."
However, not everyone agreed. Voices rose, demanding we take the stranger back to where we found them. Despite the protests, I stood my ground, explaining how the shadows were multiplying and growing stronger. Still, they yelled and hurled objects at us, voicing their dissent. Ignoring their outcry, we carried the stranger to the medical center within the academy.
"Don't worry, you'll be safe here," I whispered, squeezing their hand as Nia and I settled down in chairs beside them. Throughout the night, we kept watch, our hands intertwined, ready to protect this enigmatic figure from whatever awaited them.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone