A yawn escaped me as I adjusted my cloak against the morning chill.
Behind me, Henry trudged along at a snail's pace, dragging his boots through the wet cobblestone like a man already defeated.
"Whyyy did we have to get up so earlyyyy…" he groaned, head tilted back dramatically.
I smirked and glanced over my shoulder. "What happened to that 'let's get an early start and enjoy the spoils of our work' speech you gave last night?"
"I was a fool for believing in morning optimism…" he muttered, eyes half-closed.
Ella, by contrast, was practically glowing. She bounced ahead of us on the balls of her feet, practically humming with energy. "This is perfect! Early morning, fresh air, new powers. Today's going to be amazing!"
"Someone's had too much sunshine," Henry grumbled.
Or moonlight, I added internally.
As the guild came into view, the city around us began to stir. Merchants rolled carts into place, and a few adventurers passed us on their way out.
At the front desk, Benjamin stepped forward and carefully handed over his finished star map. The receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with tidy braids, gave it a quick glance before nodding approvingly.
"This will be reviewed by the client shortly," she said. "You should expect payment within the week."
"I appreciate it," Benjamin nodded.
Then, before anyone could say another word, Ella bolted across the hall.
"Quest board!" she shouted, skidding to a stop in front of the wall of postings, eyes darting rapidly between flyers, her fingers practically twitching with excitement. "Okay, okay–we have to do this one. And this one! Oooh, and this one too!"
Amelia raised a brow. "How many are you planning to drag us into?"
Ella turned around, arms full of quest slips, beaming like a kid who'd just looted a candy shop. "Just a few! Promise! Look, they're all extermination missions. Quick and easy!"
Henry groaned and rubbed his head. "Sure, Ella, quick and easy…" he deadpanned. "The best words to describe extermination requests."
Still, we all found ourselves drawn in as she spread the flyers across a nearby table. One in particular caught my eye, StriderWolf activity near the forest outskirts.
"We've dealt with those before," I said, scanning the details. "Shouldn't be too bad with how much stronger we've gotten."
Ella practically vibrated. "Let's go!"
The sun's had fully risen by the time we reached the edge of the forest.
Up ahead, the StriderWolves came into view, exactly where the farmer we had spoken to said they would be.
Honestly, it wasn't hard to see why he wanted them gone, as Several of which were already feasting on the remains of some fatty reptilian beast they must have dragged from his barn.
"Careful," Amelia whispered. "There are two on the ridge, and three more circling from the sides."
"They look nastier than last time," Henry muttered.
I focused on the nearest one. "Highest one's only level 18," I said, cracking my knuckles. "Shouldn't be too bad."
And as long as we could take out at least one before the rest of them reacted, it wouldn't be that bad. That was if Ella could hit it from this distance.
Leaning forward, I pointed out the strongest. "See the one with the scar on its snout?"
"The one on the left?" she asked.
"Yep," I nodded, "Start with that one, and we'll go from there."
Nodding, she drew back her arm for some reason, summoning a glowing Moonlight Blade and focused, taking her time to line up the shot. But as she released it, the blade veered slightly off as it flowed through the air clipping the haunch of one of the larger wolves perched on a rock.
"Oh crap, I missed–"
The beast let out a piercing howl that alerted the others to our position.
Well, it was worth a shot, I sighed as Amelia barked, "Get ready!"
With the first of them charging forward, I shot out to meet them halfway, my hand already encased in a gauntlet. With a solid punch, I slammed my fist into its snout, knocking it off course and into a nearby tree. It hit hard, staggered, and snarled as it shook off the daze.
Behind me, Henry launched into action, darting past to intercept a second wolf lunging toward Benjamin. With a bit of help from Emily, he dove in right after a rock slammed into the creature's head and brushed his hand across its neck.
A second later, it was like the creature couldn't breathe.
It staggered, hacking up something wet before quickly switching to choking, as if its airway were closing shut.
"Three more incoming!" Amelia called, summoning a stone wall that burst from the earth, forcing two of the wolves to divert their paths.
"Ella, behind you!" I shouted, catching sight of one flanking from the rear.
She spun on instinct, a second Moonlight Blade forming with fluid grace. The crescent shot out like a comet, slicing clean through the lunging wolf's chest–cleaving it in two.
"Well done, Ella!" Benjamin called out as he let his saint's blessing envelope all of us.
Amelia, emboldened by the power, formed a massive stone hammer and swung it sideways, slamming one of the wolves into a nearby boulder with a satisfying crack.
At the same time, I closed in on the last one. A quick step in, then an uppercut straight to its jaw. I felt the bone give way under the impact, and before it could recover, I followed up with a sharp kick to the side of its head, launching it across the ground.
It bounced a couple of times, skidding across dirt and stone before finally coming to a stop, where it lay completely unmoving.
However, for some reason, I almost expected it to get back to its feet. Yet the longer I stared at its motionless form, the more disappointment crept over me, and I couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Nothing here had really put up a fight, and to be honest, it was a little disappointing.
Still, a completed job was a completed job.
We quickly gathered proof of the kill, made sure nothing else was lurking nearby, and moved on to the next location. The rest of the day followed much the same rhythm, with each job adding more experience and pushing Ella further along until, by the end of it all, she had gained an astonishing six levels.
But that wasn't the only surprise. Apparently, her celestial race has the unique advantage of five stat points per level, plus an additional three bonus points until level twenty-five, giving her an insane eight points per level.
Henry scoffed, leaning back slightly with a smirk. "Who even needs that much power?" he teased, his tone light but carrying a hint of Jealousy. "I mean, what are you planning to do, take over the world or something?"
Ella rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Henry," she shot back with a grin.
Henry chuckled, shrugging as if to play it cool. "I'm just saying, leave some of the spotlight for the rest of us." But despite his teasing, there was a flicker of determination in his eyes.
I doubted he was going to let himself be outdone.
As we continued our extermination quest, the days blurred together as we grew more accustomed to our surroundings.
Sitting on a ledge overlooking the vast farmland, I marveled at my progress and thought back on the week. Ella, fueled by her insatiable energy, reached level 16. Henry had even learned a new skill called "Venomous Vines," which was able to summon clusters of spike-covered vines that would try to grab onto anything in the vicinity, which allowed him to administer poison, which only helped him get to level 23. Both diligent in their training, Emily and Benjamin reached level 19. Amelia and I found ourselves in friendly competition, both standing at level 22.
With our jobs wrapped up, we headed back to the city, craving a break and maybe a little fun after the grind.
The guild hall was buzzing when we stepped inside, with adventurers of all kinds swapping stories, the usual patchwork of voices echoing off the stone walls. At the front desk, Samantha, who was bent over paperwork, quill scratching furiously, looked up as we approached, her face brightening with a smile.
"Well, if it isn't my hard-working adventurers," she said, setting the quill aside. "I've got something special for you."
We traded quick looks. "Oh?" Amelia asked, eyebrow arched. "And what kind of surprise would that be?"
Samantha chuckled, sliding a small pouch across the desk. "The rewards from the star map job just came in."
Amelia picked it up, surprised by the weight. She loosened the drawstring, peeked inside, and blinked. "Three gold coins?" She tilted the pouch so the rest of us could see the glint. "That's… more than I expected."
"Are you sure this is right?" she asked, turning the pouch in her hands.
"Triple-checked it myself," Samantha said with a grin. "And judging by the client's reaction, you probably could've asked for more."
Benjamin opened his mouth to respond, then fumbled for words. "I… I just—"
Emily nudged him with her shoulder, smiling widely. "Take the win, Ben. Not every day someone pays extra for a job well done."
He nodded sheepishly, still at a loss.
I slipped my hands into my pockets. "So… how are we celebrating? With this and everything else we've been pulling in, we've got what—four gold in total?"
Emily's eyes lit up. "Oh, I know exactly what we should do."
Which is how we ended up weaving through the city streets, following her lead. She practically bounced with each step, rattling off everything she'd heard about the aerial races–how whole crowds gathered to bet on them, how creatures from across the continent competed.
Her words tumbled one over the next, a stream of excitement I half-listened to. Usually, her enthusiasm would've been contagious.
However, a strange, disorienting feeling sent shivers through my body, and I found myself lagging just slightly behind.
Something felt off.
I scanned the street absently, letting their voices fade into background noise. A low hum had started up in the back of my head, not quite a sound… but more like pressure.
Then I felt it.
A faint vibration at the base of my neck. It pulsed once. Then again.
I froze.
Across the cityscape, just beyond a cluster of rooftops, a thick column of dark smoke curled into the sky, swirling lazily in the breeze before flickering out of existence like something in a game.
Then it flickered back.
I opened my mouth to say something, but when it vanished again, I closed it, not wanting to sound insane.
Still curious, I laid a hand on Amelia's shoulder. "Hey, I'll catch up with you all in a bit. I've got something to take care of."
A little confused, she looked at me. "What's wrong?"
I forced a smile and waved it off. "It's nothing. Just need to check something real quick."
"You're sure?" she asked.
"I'll meet you all at the trial race," I said, already stepping back from the group. "It won't take long."
Amelia watched me for a moment longer, then finally nodded. "Alright… but you better not miss it, okay?"
"I won't," I said, already slipping away from the group. Their confused questions fading into the distance, swallowed by the rustle of wind and the distant clatter of foot traffic around me. My own footsteps echoed softly as I followed the strange shimmer I thought I'd seen.
Smoke or something hung just above the rooftops, twisting lazily. One moment, it was there, curling like a lazy signal. The next, it vanished, blinking in and out of view like a mirage caught between worlds.
Am I seeing things?
Still, I kept going. Curiosity or something deeper urged me forward as I rounded a narrow corner, where the smoke originated from
But the alley was empty. Just old crates, damp cobblestones, and the faint sour smell of rotting water from a busted gutter. Besides that, everything looked normal.
And then, it didn't.
The shift was instant, as if a shroud were torn from my eyes. The clean walls around me crumbled into scorched ruins. Windows shattered inward. Signs splintered and swung on rusted chains. And somewhere nearby, a low metallic ringing buzzed in my ears along with the sound of screaming. Not one voice. But Dozens. Maybe more.
My mind reeled at what I was seeing, Unable to wrap my head around it.
What was happening to me?
Then, just as I thought this, a wet crunch reached my ears, only to be met by another, like the sound of something fleshy being torn apart.
My body turned cold. The alley stretched ahead, warped by smoke and ruin. I staggered back a step, bracing against a wall that felt too warm. When I blinked, everything returned to normal.
The alley was whole again, like nothing had happened.
I stood there, breathing shallowly, as I took in the everyday surroundings all around me. It was over. It was just—
Then my mark activated again, and just like that, the vision flickered back.
The ruin returned. A crack split the stone beneath me. The sky overhead shifted, painted in deep reds and purples.
And down the alley, something moved.
A shape hunched in the shadows, curled over something limp. Its limbs were too long. Skin stretched taut over bone, glistening gray like oiled stone. It wore no clothing, just jagged edges and sharp joints. Malnourished and wrong in so many ways.
It twitched.
Then came the sound of a wet crunch.
The creature had been eating something, but it paused mid-bite as if it had heard me. Then it turned, and I instinctively took a step back.
It had no eyes.
Just a face stretched wide with far too many bloody teeth. Grinning as it gnawed through meat and sinew. And underneath it, bloodied and broken… a person.
My mind went blank as I took in the sight of it, and just as I coalesced a bolt of lightning and launched it twords the monstrosity, my vision flickered along with my mark.
A bolt of energy ripped from my fingers, lighting the alley in a flash of searing blue, where it slammed into a stack of crates. Cloth and splinters exploded everywhere.
And just like that, the vision was gone as the world snapped back to normal.
There was no monster. No corpse being consumed. Just a broken box of clothing, smoking quietly in the aftermath.
I stared at my hand, chest heaving. The echo of the scream still rang in my ears.
What the hell was that…?
I leaned back against the wall, slid down until I was sitting, and wiped the sweat from my brow. I could still feel the ghost of that place, like it had left a mark on my soul.
The laughter from the streets returned like a memory out of place.
Rubbing my eyes, I struggled to focus. Was I losing my mind, or was this something my mark wanted to show me? I combed through memories of every other time it had flared up. Was it some kind of warning? No, it had never felt like this before. The only times it flared up were when the shadows appeared, but this... this was different.
Forcing myself upright, I drew in a shaky breath, trying to steady the hammering in my chest. My head spun with questions, none of them with answers, but one thing was certain: I needed to get the hell out of this alley.
I turned back toward the street, letting the noise of the crowd wash over me, but the vision still clung to me, tangled in my thoughts. Yet just before moving on, I cast one last glance over my shoulder. There was no smoke.
I exhaled sharply and forced myself to walk away.
Navigating through the bustling streets felt surreal, almost dreamlike. The cheerful sounds around me felt distant, as if filtered through thick glass. My mind kept replaying the vision: the ruined alley, the screams, that... thing, hunched over and feeding on someone.
Was that the past? Or a hallucination. There's no way I was seeing the past, was I?
I shook my head, desperate to clear it. Get yourself together, Atlas. It wasn't real. It couldn't have been real.
Eventually, the Coliseum, where the event was being held, came into view. It loomed ahead, a majestic structure that seemed both ancient and impossibly grand. Towering wooden columns reached skyward, and polished stone walls gleamed under the setting suns.
Near the entrance, I finally saw them. Amelia turned first, concern clear in her eyes as she looked me over. "Atlas, are you alright? You look—"
"I'm fine," I interrupted gently, forcing a reassuring smile. "Just got a bit turned around."
She hesitated, obviously unconvinced, but nodded slowly. "Alright. If you're sure."
Inside, we secured seats among the eager crowd. Emily and the others chatted animatedly, but I remained quiet, my gaze drifting absently around the arena.
As I stared, the vibrant colors and bustling audience seemed to waver, briefly replaced by visions of crumbling stone columns and ash-streaked skies. I closed my eyes tightly, breathing deeply to steady myself.
"Look at this place," Emily whispered beside me. "It's like something out of a storybook."
"Yeah, it's quite the sight," I muttered, only to be interrupted by the announcer's thunderous voice as it resounded through the vast space.
"Welcome, one and all, to the spectacular Arial Races!"
Listening to his booming voice, I forced myself to focus on it, letting it wash over everything else as the teams emerged onto the field, riders astride extraordinary creatures.
The Skyward Serpentines, vibrant in blue and green, mounted massive winged serpents whose scales glistened in the fading sunlight. Opposite them stood the Winged Wraiths, clad in sleek black-and-gold uniforms and riding Eldershade Drakes—translucent beings with shadowy wisps trailing eerily behind them.
Amelia leaned closer, her voice a hushed whisper. "Those Eldershade Drakes are something else," she murmured. "I've never seen anything like them."
I nodded slowly, feeling the initial anxiety begin to loosen its grip. The energy of the crowd gradually seeped into me, pulling me into the present.
At the arena's edge, a group of mages began preparations, raising their hands in unison to lift rings composed of rock, water, and fire. These elements floated upward, intertwining to create a dazzling obstacle course suspended high above the colosseum floor.
Henry muttered something beside me, but I missed it entirely as I was momentarily awed by the sight before me. High above the course, subtly swayed as if caught in a distant current, was a floating river. The twin suns cast light through the pulsing tides, creating shifting blue patterns across the coliseum.
The announcer's voice rang out again, pulling me back to the moment. "Riders, ready your mounts!"
Both teams took their positions at the starting line as a collective hush settled over the crowd, awaiting the countdown.
"Three… two… one," and with that, a horn blared to life.
With explosive speed, both teams shot forward. The Eldershade Drakes took the lead as it leaped into the air first, their powerful hind legs propelling them upward with shadowy elegance. Right behind them, the Serpentines' mounts took flight, their tri-winged serpents gliding fluidly, swiftly closing the gap.
The first obstacle they met was a fiery hoop. Without a second thought, the rider of The Serpent shifted and flattened themselves to the scales of their companion, and with a twist, the serpent twisted upside down and dove through the ring and then down around another obstacle, making it seem effortless, much to the delight of the crowd as the whole stadium erupted with cheers and applause.
The Eldershade Drakes countered with their own unique strategy, using their momentum to leap off floating stone platforms, each graceful jump bringing gasps from the crowd.
Emily leaned forward, gripping the railing, eyes wide with excitement as she gave off a couple of whistles of encouragement, finding herself rooting for the SkywardSerpentines.
I had to admit it, the crowd's behavior was infectious. I found myself drawn into the spectacle, cheering along with the others. As the hours passed, the air grew colder, and the darkness thickened, adding an ethereal quality to the spectacle. The arena lights flickered on, illuminating the magnificent course and heightening the electric excitement in the crowd. The racers pushed their creatures to new heights as the night deepened, each team showcasing skill, agility, and trust.
When the final race concluded, we reluctantly turned back toward the hotel, the thrill of the event still humming in our veins. Conversations flowed easily among us, filled with laughter and excitement. We each had our favorite moments, but Emily was particularly animated, her eyes shining as she recounted her favorite teams and their stunts.
"It was amazing, wasn't it?" she exclaimed, still basking in the energy of the races. "I've never seen anything like it."
"You know, Emily," I chimed in, "with your abilities, you'd be a natural at this. All you need is the right creature."
Emily's eyes widened in surprise. "Do you really think so?"
Without hesitation, I nodded. "Absolutely. You've got the skills and the spirit for it. You'd be unstoppable out there."
A warm blush crept onto her cheeks at the unexpected praise.
As we strolled back to the hotel, laughter filled the air, and our conversation bubbled with excitement about the races we'd witnessed. Once settled for dinner, we continued recounting the exhilarating moments from the Colosseum, savoring each memory.
"Did you see the way that water creature transformed mid-air?" Henry exclaimed. "That was something else."
"It was incredible," Amelia agreed. "I can't believe how smoothly they executed those maneuvers."
"I wish I could capture the beauty of those races in a painting. The colors, the motion, it was all so breathtaking." Benjamin chimed in as if already picturing it.
"I think my favorite part was when the Thundercloud Drifters took the lead with that daring move where the rider jumped off his mount to run across the stone, only to jump back on as his creature. It was like watching a well-choreographed performance." Ella said while filling her plate with multiple rolls.
"Hey, pass the rolls, you don't have to hog them all," Henry teased.
Ella shot him a glare but complied, handing over the rolls. "I'm not hogging them. They just happened to be closer to me."
Henry chuckled. "Sure, sure. But having three on your plate says otherwise, don't you think?"
Ella rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "Well, you're not much better. You practically have half of the steak, which was supposed to be shared among four of us."
Henry's grin widened, unabashed. "Hey, the waitress said she'd bring another one after I started on this one," he retorted.
Ella huffed playfully. "After you took half," she countered
"Did anyone else notice how the Skyward Serpentines handled the wind tunnels?" Amelia asked, steering the conversation back to the races. "They made it look so easy."
"I was too busy watching the Winged Wraiths. Those Eldershade Drakes are mesmerizing," I added, reaching for another piece of bread. "Their movements are so fluid, it's like they're part of the shadows."
Emily nodded enthusiastically. "And how about that finish? The way they dove through the last ring of fire–it was breathtaking."
As the banter continued, the waitress brought another platter of food, and Henry wasted no time in claiming a generous portion. "This steak is even better than the first one," he declared.
"Oh no you don't," I reached over and plucked the steak off his plate with my fork and put it on mine. "You already had your portion."
He stared at me, as if I had just committed the most grievous sin, and turned to the already empty steak platter.
"Speaking of which," Benjamin interjected, "We'll have to see when the next event is."
"Absolutely," I said with a grin. "We'll make it a priority."
As dinner wound down, our conversation drifted naturally toward our future plans and adventures, still fueled by the excitement of the day's events. The aerial races lingered vividly in my mind, a reminder of the remarkable and often surreal world we inhabited.
Yet, beneath that excitement, an unsettling memory stirred quietly. brief flashes of crumbling walls and shadowy figures flickering at the edge of my consciousness. I shook my head slightly, pushing those thoughts aside for now.
"Anyway," I finally interjected, stretching as I stood up from the table, "I'm heading up to bed. I'm exhausted."
Benjamin smiled warmly, nodding. "Alright, sleep well."
Settling into bed, I felt the day's exhaustion finally catching up to me. The mattress felt comforting, like sinking into a warm embrace. I let out a slow breath, the gentle hum of the city lulling me toward sleep.
But even as my eyes closed, faint echoes of the vision whispered from the edges of my mind. They grew louder, expanding until I was trapped in a twisted image of the city being overrun.
Screams bombarded my thoughts, piling over one another as I watched helplessly from the stands. Below, groups of people huddled together for safety, only to be overrun by shadows pouring in from every entrance.
Then the vision shifted to the gates beyond, where farmers desperately tried to reach the safety of the city, only to be devoured before they could make it inside. I watched from above, unable to move or look away, as vision after vision battered my mind until the weight of it all began to suffocate me.
At last, I bolted upright as a sharp gasp tore from my throat, my chest heaving as if I had just been drowning.
My body was drenched in sweat, the fabric of my shirt clinging uncomfortably to my skin.
The battlefield was gone.
Replaced by the dim stillness of my room.
The moonlight bled through the window, casting pale streaks across the walls. Around me, the others slept soundly, their breathing steady, untouched by the storm raging in my mind.
I swallowed hard, pressing my hands against my face.
"It was just a nightmare," I whispered aloud.
Just a nightmare.
My breathing slowed, but the echo of those screams wouldn't leave me.
I pushed myself out of bed, needing something… anything to ground me.
Making my way to the small wash basin in the corner, I stood there for a moment before turning on the small light off to the side and splashing my face with a handful of cool water.
I stared at the reflection in the dim light, remembering those blood-stained teeth within a grinning maw. I exhaled slowly, forcing the thoughts aside. My hair had grown too long again. A distraction. A reason to focus on something tangible.
Summoning a pair of scissors, I set to work.
By the time I finished, a messy undercut stared back at me, the sides cropped short, the top styled slightly to the side. It wasn't perfect. But it was real.
Unlike that dream. Unlike that thing.