SHADOWS BEYOND THE MARSH

  The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the Virgo lecture hall, casting golden beams onto rows of attentive students. The room was filled with a low hum of conversation as students prepared for another day of intense study.

  Ethan sat at his usual spot, Orion slouched beside him, already trying to balance his chair on two legs, while Callan sat calmly, reviewing a book on elemental transmutation. Lysandra, ever focused, was seated a row ahead, reading through some notes, her brow furrowed in thought.

  The class was in full swing, with Professor Greybourne giving a lecture on advanced material fusion techniques, drawing intricate alchemic symbols in glowing runes above his desk.

  “…and by fusing two opposing elemental compositions, we can create materials that defy their natural properties. This is the essence of battlefield adaptation.”

  Ethan tried to focus, but a lingering feeling of unease stirred in his chest—like the world was holding its breath.

  Suddenly, the heavy wooden doors at the back of the hall creaked open, and the entire class turned as Headmaster Elric entered—flanked by two high-ranking instructors. His face was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw was impossible to miss.

  Professor Greybourne paused mid-sentence, turning with a sharp look. “Headmaster?”

  Elric gave a short nod and addressed the room, his voice steady but carrying an edge.

  “Attention. I won’t take much of your time, but this concerns you all—especially those who will soon take part in higher missions.”

  The class straightened in their seats, all conversations vanishing into silence.

  “There have been reports,” Elric continued, “of strange disturbances in the southern marshlands—near the trade town of Drakemire.”

  Ethan blinked. Drakemire? He had heard of it—a bustling hub for merchants and adventurers, vital to the kingdom’s economy.

  “Several caravans have gone missing, and the last few that arrived speak of shadows moving through the fog—attacking without warning. Creatures that… shouldn’t exist,” Elric said darkly. “Nothing has been confirmed. The kingdom guard is already investigating. But given recent… events,” his eyes flickered for a moment to Ethan’s row, “we must prepare for all possibilities.”

  A heavy silence settled over the room.

  “That is all. Classes will continue as normal,” Elric added before turning to leave. Yet, his final words hung heavy in the air. “Prepare yourselves.”

  When the door closed behind him, the room burst into hushed whispers.

  “What do you think is happening?” Orion murmured, leaning closer to Ethan.

  Ethan shook his head, his jaw tight. “I don’t know… but it’s not good.”

  Even Lysandra, who usually dismissed such talk, turned slightly, her sharp gaze meeting Ethan’s for a moment—her expression unreadable.

  Later that day, as students filed out for lunch, Ethan lingered near one of the archways, packing his bag slowly. As he turned to leave, he caught sight of two instructors—Master Orlan and Mistress Selene, from House Cancer—speaking in hushed tones by the window.

  “…too soon,” Selene whispered, her arms crossed. “If these rumors are true, the darkness is moving faster than we thought.”

  “We can’t keep them sheltered forever,” Orlan replied quietly. “They’ll have to face it one way or another.”

  That evening, as students gathered for announcements in the main hall, the Academy’s senior instructors stood at the head platform—Professor Greybourne, Master Orlan, and Headmaster Elric among them.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “As part of your ongoing training,” Greybourne began, “a reconnaissance mission will be organized tomorrow at dawn. This is both a practical field exercise and an opportunity to sharpen your skills.”

  Students exchanged glances, excitement and nervousness mingling in the air.

  “You will be tasked with investigating the edges of the southern marsh, near Drakemire, to gather information on recent disturbances and report anything of note. You are NOT to engage unless absolutely necessary. A healer unit will accompany you, and instructors will monitor from a distance.”

  Ethan’s heart sank—and yet, a part of him felt a strange resolve.

  Professor Greybourne’s sharp eyes scanned the crowd. “This mission will be entrusted to a select group of upper students. House Virgo will provide tactical and environmental support. House Aries, defensive front. House Cancer, healing and barriers.”

  Ethan knew what was coming before Greybourne said it.

  “Ethan, Orion, Callan, Lysandra—you will lead the Virgo contingent. Be prepared.”

  Callan exchanged a calm glance with Ethan, while Orion muttered, “Well… this just got serious.”

  Lysandra, standing tall beside her friends, gave a sharp nod.

  That night, back in his dorm, Ethan sat on his bed, staring at the window where the moonlight streamed in soft silver beams. His mind raced with the day’s events.

  “You heard?” he asked without turning.

  Solis was already perched on the windowsill, eyes glowing faintly.

  “Of course,” the twin-tailed cat said smoothly. “Trouble brews beyond the marsh. And you, Fireborn, are walking straight into it.”

  Ethan looked down at his hand, watching faint golden threads of Leo aura dance around his fingers. “I can’t avoid it, can I?”

  Solis’s eyes gleamed. “No. But perhaps, it’s time you stop running from what you are.”

  Ethan’s gaze hardened. “Then I’ll be ready.”

  The moon glowed brighter, casting shadows across the room.

  The next trial had begun—and this time, Ethan wouldn’t face it alone.

  The morning sun was just beginning to rise, casting pale rays of light over the Academy grounds as students gathered in the courtyard. The air was unusually cool for the season, as if even nature was uneasy about the coming mission.

  Ethan stood with his friends near the Academy gates, watching as healers from House Cancer and combat units from House Aries and Taurus finished organizing supplies. Virgo students carried crates of enchanted tools and alchemic gear—portable workstations for crafting and terrain adaptation.

  Orion adjusted the straps on his pack and grinned. “So, how long before we turn this ‘field lesson’ into a full-on fight?”

  Callan smirked but said nothing, checking his bow and running his fingers over the nearly invisible threads he had woven into it.

  Lysandra, arms crossed and sharp-eyed as ever, shot Orion a look. “If we’re lucky, we won’t need to. This is reconnaissance. Not war.”

  Orion grinned wider. “Sure, sure. And I’m a noble.”

  “Technically, you’re not,” Lysandra snapped back without missing a beat, but there was a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

  Ethan chuckled, adjusting his gloves and gear. Though their banter was light, he could feel the tension beneath. They all knew this wasn’t a normal field trip.

  Solis, perched on Ethan’s shoulder, yawned lazily but his silver eyes glinted as he whispered low, “Eyes sharp, Fireborn. The marsh isn’t as quiet as they think.”

  Ethan gave the faintest nod but said nothing aloud.

  Before long, Master Orlan and Mistress Selene gathered the selected students into formation.

  “You all know why you’re here,” Orlan said, his tone calm but serious. “We will move as one unit toward the marsh perimeter. Our first goal is to scout and return. You are not to engage unless absolutely necessary. If you see anything abnormal, report it. Understood?”

  “Yes, Master Orlan!” the students responded in unison.

  Selene stepped forward, her flowing silver robes catching the morning breeze. “House Cancer will remain in the rear, covering with barriers and healing. House Aries and Taurus at the flanks. House Virgo—” her gaze swept to Ethan, Callan, Orion, and Lysandra, “—you’ll provide environmental modification and tactical analysis. Stay sharp. You’re our eyes on the terrain.”

  Orlan gave one last nod. “Move out.”

  The caravan of students and instructors moved through winding forest paths that gradually darkened the farther they traveled. Trees grew more twisted, and vines thickened around their trunks. Birds fell silent as if watching from the shadows.

  Ethan walked near the front, glancing at the ground as he used his Lion Sight sparingly—observing how the terrain shifted, how moisture gathered unnaturally in places, as though something beneath the ground was stirring.

  Callan walked beside him, keen eyes scanning for any movement, while Orion trailed behind, casually spinning one of his now-invisible chain-daggers like a toy—though Ethan knew his friend was on alert beneath that relaxed exterior.

  Lysandra was ahead, speaking quietly to one of the other Virgo students—a sharp boy named Faelan, known for his precision in alchemic material forging. Two other Virgo adepts, Mira and Juno, walked nearby, each carrying kits filled with alchemic stones and tools ready to deploy if needed.

  Even from Aries, a tall student named Corwin, wielding a massive hammer infused with flame, paced along the right flank, his eyes sharp as he observed the darkening woods. A few paces ahead, Taurus warriors, known for their defensive magic, flanked the group, their shields already humming with protective runes.

  As they finally reached the edge of the marshlands, a thick, unnatural mist clung to the ground. The once-lush swamp was now cold and quiet, filled with dark pools reflecting a sky that seemed too gray for morning light.

  Orion stopped beside Ethan, glancing at the mist. “Cheerful place, huh?”

  Ethan didn’t answer. His Lion Sight flickered on, and through it, he could see threads of corrupted energy faintly woven into the fog—almost like veins of black running through the air. His heart tensed. Something had tainted this land.

  Lysandra approached, her eyes narrowing. “What do you see?”

  Ethan hesitated but gave a simple reply, “The fog isn’t natural. There’s something in it… like it’s alive.”

  Callan tightened his grip on his bow. “Then we need to be careful.”

  Orlan, who had come forward to observe the marsh himself, turned to the group. “We’ll make camp here and scout in pairs. No one goes far without backup.”

  Selene added, “If anything feels off—return immediately.”

  Tents and wards were quickly erected, and students split into scouting pairs.

  Ethan found himself paired with Callan. Orion ended up with Faelan, while Lysandra chose to walk with Mira. Aries and Taurus teams spread out to form outer patrols.

  As Ethan packed some alchemic tools into a small satchel, Callan gave him a side glance. “Think we’ll see anything?”

  Ethan shrugged, but his hand lingered on the hilt of his atom-forged chains. “I hope not. But if we do… we’ll be ready.”

  As the sun began to set beyond the mist, casting an eerie orange glow over the marsh, Solis sat beside Ethan on a rock, watching the fog shift unnaturally in the distance.

  “You feel it too, don’t you?” Ethan murmured, watching as the mist pulsed faintly.

  Solis’s silver eyes narrowed. “The darkness has been here long enough to root itself deep. Whatever we find in this place, Fireborn… it won’t be ordinary.”

  Ethan exhaled slowly, glancing at his friends—Callan sharpening his arrows, Orion casually flipping a knife between his fingers, and Lysandra speaking quietly to Mira.

  His heart hardened with resolve.

  No matter what they faced here—he wouldn’t let anything happen to them.