Cold air blew in quick. It carried the smell of damp soil and weird flowers.
The ground was mushy and rough.
Moss and roots were all over it. They snagged on their boots.
Up above, two moons sat in the sky. One silver. One green. Their light pushed through the high trees. It created long shadows on the dirt.
The forest seemed real now. It was alive. It was watching.
Behind them, the other students were falling to pieces.
People called out for the Goddess. Some sobbed. Others just froze in place. They were confused.
It was total disorder.
Dante kept his eyes forward.
"Move," he said. His voice was steady but solid. It cut past the racket.
His team went after him without delay. Nobody complained.
As they headed further into the woods, Dante sensed eyes on him. Fear. Jealousy. Rage.
They were so silent and so on task. That set them apart.
They hiked for close to an hour.
Jin showed the way with the glowing map.
The woods were hushed except for the snap of their footsteps and the quiet drip of water close by.
In the end, Dante halted at a spot between a low rock face and a brook.
"This works," he said. "We stop here. It gives shelter and is simple to guard."
The group dropped their packs and scanned the area.
It was the safest spot around but worry was still in their expressions.
Dante faced them. "First thing, we figure out our abilities. Nobody wanders off solo. Mess up now, and we mess up down the line."
Masha came up first. "I will give it a shot."
She positioned herself by the brook and held up her hand. "Cryomancy."
The air chilled. Her breath fogged up. Frost edged slowly onto a close rock. It thawed out fast.
She gave it another go. "Cryomancy."
The water stirred some but stayed liquid.
"It is in me," Masha said softly. "I sense it, but I cannot keep it going."
"That is okay," Dante said. "Get the basics down first."
Jin took his turn. He drew his sword and set his feet. "Swordsmanship."
The weapon sat easy in his grip. His cuts sliced the air smooth, but when he smacked a tree, the bark just got a small dent.
He scowled. "I shift quicker, but the force lacks. My arms feel tougher, but the blows do not land hard."
"Then work on aim," Dante said. "Power comes after."
Edgar moved up. He seemed doubtful but eager.
He muttered, "Appraisal," and stared at Jin. His eyes twitched briefly.
He winked his eyes shut and open and touched his head. "I caught a glimpse," he said. "Some vague terms, besides the skill labels. It faded quick before I got it all. The other parts were fuzzy. I cannot pick out sharp info yet."
"That works," Dante said. "Even a bit like that helps in time. Stick with it."
Edgar agreed with a nod and backed off.
Then Erica was practicing alone.
She breathed deep and fixed on her palms. "Fire. Burn. Pyrokinesis."
Her fingers jerked. A weak spark popped up. Same as last time, but it died before she could grab hold.
She went at it once more. "Pyrokinesis."
Zero.
Her expression hardened. She repeated the term time after time, but nothing happened. The air warmed up short and cooled right back.
Dante observed her silent. "Erica, quit. Rest a minute."
She refused with a head shake. "Just a single fire. I got this."
"Erica." His voice held steady. "Stop now."
Her frame quivered. Her eyes fogged. Her legs folded. She dropped ahead before they reached her.
[Erica's POV]
Cold seeped from the dirt into her skin.
She heard the brook next to her, but it came from far off.
I need to get tougher, she thought. I will not be no good once more.
Her view darkened. The woods slipped away.
Then she stood in the rain.
Thick and chilly.
It happened years back. Outside a little store by her school.
She was drenched. Shaking. Clutching her bag tight.
Then he showed.
Dante.
He came close. Rain ran off his hair. He eyed her a second and said, "You are wet through."
It came out direct and clumsy, but he meant it.
Then he made a face. "Want to head to my spot? Dry up there."
She stopped cold.
He scratched his neck back. "Sorry. Bad wording. Hang on."
He dashed away and returned soon with two umbrellas and a towel. "Take these," he said. He offered them. "You will catch cold like that."
He shed his coat and passed it over. "Storeroom is out back at my place. Change in there. I will stand by."
His words were not gentle or timid. They were straight. Basic. Honest.
She switched into his coat. It hung big and cozy. It had a light rain scent.
When she returned, he waited under his umbrella.
"It's Getting dark," he said. "If you head home, I walk you. And if you say no, I tail you anyway. So you are not alone either way."
His face was stern but nice. She smiled without meaning to.
They strolled side by side quiet. Umbrellas touched.
At her place, she said thanks and climbed up. From her window, she peeked down.
He lingered. Stood in the downpour.
He stayed till her room lit up.
That day hit her. He was not only silent. He gave a damn, even if he struggled to let it out.
Her eyes cracked open slow. The woods returned.
The air chilled once more.
Dante knelt by her side. His voice stayed even but firm. "Erica, are you alright?"
She gave a weak nod. "Yes."
"You went too far," he said. "Take it easy now."
She tried to speak, but her lids shut.