Thornton

  The walk back to the cabin is eerily quiet. Tension hangs in the air, thick and oppressive, as each of us keeps a wary eye on the surroundings. The thought of Oz lying in wait gnaws at the back of my mind. My pulse quickens at the possibility of an ambush.

  Since I am the only one uninjured, I lead the group, my hand clenched tightly around my weapon. Emberes takes up the rear, his presence steady and commanding, while Hue and Aszhuak, battered and limping, remain in the middle of our formation. The strategy is simple: protect the injured at all costs. Yet, as I walk, a nagging sense of inadequacy churns in my chest.

  This mission has laid bare the gulf in strength between Emberes, our enemies, and myself. Can I ever reach their level? Is strength something you can achieve, or is it something you're born with? My fists clench involuntarily at the thought of being forever outclassed.

  "You did well today, everyone," Emberes calls out from the back. His voice is steady but carries an undertone of reassurance.

  The words, meant to encourage, don't ease my mind.

  "Let this be a lesson," Emberes continues, his tone firm. "The enemy is strong. This isn't a training exercise. They'll kill you if given the chance. What you lack in strength, you must make up for with intelligence and teamwork. Jade and Gashiaz made the right choice to retreat. If they hadn't, we'd have lost at least three of us." He pauses, scanning each of us with an intense gaze. "This mission was successful, despite Oz's interference. The Elders and the King wouldn't have assigned this group if they'd known someone that dangerous was out here. Learn from this, and grow stronger."

  As Emberes's words settle over us, the silhouette of the cabin comes into view. Its small, unassuming frame stands undisturbed amidst the dense forest. Relief wars with anxiety in my chest. What if something happened to Jade and Gashiaz? What if Oz circled back here or summoned reinforcements?

  Suddenly, the front door bursts open.

  "Thornton!" Jade runs out, her face a mixture of relief and fear. She throws her arms around me, her hug tight enough to crush bones.

  The raw emotion in her embrace says more than words ever could. I return the hug just as fiercely.

  "I'm glad you made it back," she whispers.

  Behind her, Gashiaz emerges, her left arm wrapped in hastily applied bandages. The fabric is stained red, her injury a silent testament to the chaos we narrowly escaped.

  "Gashiaz," I say gently, "let me rewrap that for you. I'll make sure it's done properly."

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  "Thank you, Thornton, but these guys need attention first." Gashiaz moves toward Hue and Aszhuak, who barely manage to stay upright. She struggles to help support them.

  "I've got this," I say, stepping in to help carry the two injured warriors inside.

  The interior of the cabin is a strange mix of tension and ingenuity. Furniture is piled against the doors and windows, makeshift barricades to deter intruders. At the windows, ragdolls with drawn-on faces and makeshift bows stand watch.

  "You like them?" Gashiaz asks with a smile. She motions to one of the ragdolls. "This one even has a mean face!"

  The crude figure has a childlike scowl drawn on with charcoal, its frown exaggerated to look intimidating.

  "It's... cute," I say hesitantly, unable to keep the corners of my mouth from twitching upward.

  "Cute?" Gashiaz raises an eyebrow, mock-offended.

  "Oh, never mind," I mumble, my face flushing.

  Emberes takes charge of tending to the boys' injuries. His efficiency is striking, his hands deft as he cleans and rewraps their wounds with precision.

  "If you need help, I'm happy to lend a hand," Jade offers.

  The entire room pauses, and everyone politely declines in unison. Her reputation with first aid precedes her.

  "Fine," Jade huffs. "I'll go start dinner." She disappears into the kitchen, her steps lighter than before.

  Gashiaz and I settle into a quiet conversation. "Thornton, you're a fine warrior," she says softly. "I hope we meet again, but this will be my last mission with the Canu. My clan has been tasked to resolve an ongoing dispute in Belfour City."

  "I'll find a way to visit," I reply earnestly.

  "Well," she says with a smile, "if you want a guaranteed way to see us, you should enroll in the PURE."

  "The PURE?"

  "It's a festival that starts next month. Vendors, magic contests, inkvoy games, music, and an arena-style battle royale."

  "Jade and I will be there," I promise.

  The smell of food wafts through the cabin, pulling me from the conversation. Emberes gathers everyone in the living area, his expression serious.

  "Jade, thank you for cooking, but we need to leave immediately," Emberes says. "It's too dangerous to stay here any longer."

  Jade nods. "I figured as much. I've packed the food into portable containers for the journey back."

  Her foresight is comforting, though I can see the tension still etched into her features. She hands out the food, and we tuck the containers into our bags.

  Hue approaches me, pulling out three coins from his bag. The copper glints in the light, each one engraved with a crown.

  "These are VIP tokens," he explains. "They'll get you into the PURE and give you access to everything before the general public arrives. If you're serious about coming, use these."

  I examine the coin, feeling its ridges under my thumb, before passing one each to Emberes and Jade.

  "I'll see you in the arena," Aszhuak declares, his voice brimming with determination.

  Emberes smirks. "It'll take more than a month for you to catch up to me."

  Their mana flares in the air like opposing storms—Emberes's calm and commanding, Aszhuak's wild and untamed. The tension builds until Hue interjects, breaking the moment.

  "Let's head out," he says.

  Gashiaz smiles warmly as she and the others prepare to leave. "See you in a month," she says.

  We watch them disappear down the road until the forest swallows them completely.

  The PURE. A chance to prove myself, not just to my comrades but to the Guar Knights. My fists clench with resolve. I'll make sure I'm ready.