Cursed By Fate

Into the Forest

Chapter 9: Into the Forest

The day had arrived for one of the most anticipated and dreaded parts of the Academy’s training—venturing into the Forest of Dusk. The forest was known not just for its eerie atmosphere but for the deadly creatures that roamed within. This wasn’t just another lesson; it was life-or-death combat training.

Master Silas stood before the group of students, his stern face showing no hint of the danger ahead. "Today, you face real combat. The beasts in this forest won't hesitate to kill. Stay sharp."

The students, tense with nerves, adjusted their weapons and prepared to enter the dark woods. Aria, as usual, remained distant from the others, her expression unreadable. Her cold, emotionless mask unsettled them, and the rumors of her cursed powers only deepened the divide. She followed the group silently, her sword hanging at her side, while the others whispered behind her back.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the thick canopy blotted out most of the light, casting everything in dark, flickering shadows. Each step felt heavy, the air thick with the unknown danger lurking ahead. Every sound—the snap of a twig, the rustling of leaves—set the students on edge.

Then, out of nowhere, a deep growl echoed through the trees. The group halted, eyes wide with fear as a pack of shadowy beasts emerged from the underbrush. They were monstrous wolves, much larger than any normal beast, their red eyes glowing with malice. Saliva dripped from their snarling jaws, their fur bristling as they prepared to attack.

“Form a line! Defend yourselves!” Master Silas barked.

Chaos erupted. Some students clumsily summoned their magic, while others fumbled with their swords, struggling to react to the sudden threat. The wolves were faster than expected, their massive forms moving with terrifying speed as they lunged at the students.

One wolf leaped at Aria, jaws wide, ready to tear her apart. In a single fluid motion, she sidestepped, drawing her sword and slashing through its flank in one swift move. The beast yelped and fell, but more rushed forward. Without hesitation, Aria raised her hand, and dark tendrils of cursed power crackled from her fingertips. The next wolf froze mid-lunge, convulsing violently before collapsing, dead, as her curse drained the life from it.

All around her, students struggled to fend off the relentless beasts. Magic crackled in the air—fireballs, blasts of water, and gusts of wind—but the wolves were vicious, overpowering many of them.

Aria moved through the chaos like a shadow, her face an emotionless mask, her sword slicing through wolf after wolf. The other students couldn’t help but stare at her, unnerved by her eerie calm amidst the bloodshed. Even as more beasts charged, she didn’t flinch. Her sword flashed in the dim light, cutting down anything that crossed her path.

Suddenly, the ground shook beneath their feet. A massive figure loomed from the darkness—a giant wolf, far larger and more menacing than the others. Its fur was pitch black, and its eyes glowed like molten embers. It let out a bone-rattling roar, shaking the trees and sending a wave of fear through the students.

The monstrous beast charged toward Aria, its enormous claws digging deep into the earth with every step. She didn’t move. Her blue-green eyes locked onto the creature as it barreled toward her, its jaws wide, ready to devour her whole.

In a swift movement, she dodged, her sword flashing as she struck at its legs. The beast let out a deafening roar but quickly turned, slashing at her with one of its massive claws. Aria jumped back, narrowly avoiding the deadly blow. Her eyes flickered with dark energy as she raised her hand once again.

With a flick of her wrist, dark tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping themselves around the beast. It howled in rage, struggling against the bonds of cursed energy, but it couldn’t escape. Aria watched, her face still devoid of emotion, as the curse tightened around the beast, choking the life from it.

The creature let out one final, pitiful whimper before collapsing into the dirt, its massive body twitching before it went still.

The other wolves, sensing their leader's death, retreated into the shadows, leaving the students standing in stunned silence. They were alive, but the cost had been high. Many were injured, and a few lay on the ground, unconscious.

Master Silas, impressed but cautious, approached Aria. His eyes lingered on her for a moment before he spoke to the group. “We’re done for today. Return to the Academy.”

As they made their way out of the forest, whispers about Aria grew louder. Her strength was undeniable, but it was her emotionless demeanor that unsettled them most. No one dared approach her, not even to congratulate her on her victory.

But Aria didn’t care. She walked silently ahead of the others, her mind already moving past the battle. Something about the beasts’ aggression didn’t sit right with her. There was a dark presence in the forest, and she could sense it watching her from the shadows.

This wasn’t just a training exercise. Something far more dangerous was at play, and Aria intended to find out what it was.

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