The field of Potentials buzzed with quiet murmurs as the masters arranged them into six orderly columns. Layla and Prime Dyzen stood at the front, their silence thick with unspoken tension. Dyzen’s eyes darted towards Layla repeatedly. Each glance tinged with annoyance.

  Layla determined not to be the first to break the silence, tried to focus on the murmurs of the other recruits. But her unease gnawed at her until curiosity finally won out. She turned to Dyzen, her voice hesitant. “Do you have any idea what we’re about to undertake?”

  Dyzen glanced at her, one eyebrow arching with a mix of disdain and superiority. “Of course I do,” he snorted dismissively.

  Layla pressed on, unwilling to let his attitude deter her. “Would you care to share?”

  He shrugged, the motion casual to the point of indifference. “Not particularly inclined to.”

  A frustrated sigh escaped Layla’s lips. “Don’t let our earlier encounter cloud your judgment. How was I supposed to react when you approached without identifying yourself or explaining your intentions?”

  Dyzen opened his mouth, a sharp retort ready, but something in Layla’s tone gave him pause. He exhaled deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly in reluctant concession.

  “Fair enough,” he admitted.

  “Today was supposed to be routine. Some physical exams to establish baseline stats. Everyone here at Nexus has potential, but it varies, so a traditional assessment is still necessary. That’s still on the agenda once Master Brent returns. However, today we have a different focus. Actually, it’s quite a brilliant concept.”

  Layla caught the subtle shift in his tone, a flicker of enthusiasm that piqued her concern.

  “How different?” she asked, her voice betraying a hint of unease.

  Dyzen’s eyes gleamed with renewed energy. “Master Atom calls it a ‘Fun Run.’ Essentially, it’s an endurance test, among other variables.”

  Layla’s stomach twisted at the word’ fun.’ Anything that bastard labeled as ‘fun’ was bound to be far from enjoyable. She reminded herself that the Academy wouldn’t intentionally cause serious harm. Still, the Hall of Healing’s reputation for fixing almost everything short of death made her wary. The line between challenge and danger seemed worryingly thin here.

  She glanced over her shoulder, her curiosity sharpening as she counted the Masters gathered around them. There were twenty in total. The sheer number of them set her on edge. Why so many for a mere run? Even if it lasted all day, this many Ascendant experts for a simple group exercise seemed excessive.

  “Why are there so many Masters here today? And where exactly are we going?” Layla inquired, her voice edged with suspicion.

  Dyzen nodded, acknowledging her concerns. “They’re here to ensure everything goes smoothly. The destination is what makes this assessment unique. It’s a test of both physical and mental endurance. You’re lucky to have Master Atom in your cohort. This is a rare chance to preview future challenges in a controlled, safe setting. The forest outside the campus is notoriously perilous.”

  Layla’s muscles tightened involuntarily as her mind conjured the image of a fearsome, elongated head shaped like an ellipse, bristling with needle-like fangs. The thought of encountering such a creature, one whose mere presence could overwhelm her, sent a shiver rippling down her spine.

  Dyzen, catching sight of her horrified expression, smirked with a mix of amusement and condescension. “You do realize your Agoge training will take place in the forest’s first layer, right? It should have been mentioned in your acceptance packet.”

  Layla’s heart skipped a beat. She shook her head, her throat constricting with unease. How had she missed such a crucial detail? This was the second time someone had referenced the acceptance packet, and a knot of suspicion began to form in her chest. Was she being kept in the dark on purpose? She was forgetting something but couldn’t dredge it up from her brain at the moment.

  Dyzen’s brows furrowed as confusion replaced his earlier smugness. “You did receive an acceptance packet, right? It’s mandatory. No one is allowed on campus without signing the contract.”

  For a moment, Layla considered bluffing or claiming she had simply overlooked the details in the packet. But something in Dyzen’s demeanor, his quiet authority, made her hesitate. Lying seemed pointless; as a Prime, he could easily verify her records.

  “I never received a contract or an acceptance packet. I was directly invited by... Dory, or maybe Doritha, I can’t quite recall,” she confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. The time with Dory felt strange, both abnormally clear at moments and blurry at others.

  Dyzen’s reaction was instantaneous. His eyes widened, a look of shock and disbelief crossing his face. Layla’s stomach dropped. Had she said too much? She knew Dory was important, Atom’s superior even, but the way Dyzen reacted made her realize just how significant a Companion truly was.

  “You were personally invited by one of the Companions?” Dyzen’s voice was barely above a whisper, as if he couldn’t trust his own ears. “Who are you?”

  Layla’s thoughts raced, panic bubbling beneath the surface. She wasn’t used to navigating such complex social waters and feared she had made a grave mistake. Desperately trying to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory, she forced a chuckle. However, it sounded hollow to her ears. “You must be joking. I’m just an orphan from a contested plane. The idea of a Companion inviting me is ludicrous.”

  No, wait, Dory, Dory had given her that black acceptance envelope. Did that have what she needed? She hadn’t even opened it after they returned from meeting with the woman.

  I’m such an idiot! I don’t even know where it is now. Maybe it’s in that box of things Tess dropped off. Yeah, I bet it’s there. Hopefully, he will just believe me and leave this little slip alone. Look good and confused, Layla.

  Dyzen stared at her momentarily, as if weighing her words, before his expression softened. He let out a chuckle, the tension easing from his posture. “Yeah, that would be ridiculous. Although, now that you mention it, wasn’t Master Ash’s substitute someone of significance…?”

  Before he could ponder further, one of the Masters approached, a subtle nod indicating it was time. Dyzen returned the nod, turning his attention back to Layla.

  “You ready?” he asked, his tone more measured now.

  Saved!

  Layla shrugged, though her unease hadn’t entirely dissipated. “Not really, but let’s get it over with.”

  Without any formal command, Dyzen and Layla began jogging towards the nearest field exit. The silence was soon filled with the steady, rhythmic thud of hundreds of Potentials’ footsteps echoing behind them, a reminder of the collective anticipation building around them.

  It all felt militaristic on some level. Moving in formation, at least. Layla figured it was simply the most efficient way to maneuver such a large group, and she couldn’t argue with the results. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the orderly line of Potentials snaking behind her, a well-organized worm of bodies moving through the darkened streets of the campus grounds. Masters stood at intervals along the path, their presence a silent but constant reminder of authority.

  Suddenly, a bright flash illuminated the path ahead, drawing Layla’s attention to one of the gates that kept the Potentials confined within their area. The gate shimmered in a riot of colors, an array of light that seemed almost out of place in the gloom. Layla had no idea what it was, but when Dyzen continued forward without hesitation, she assumed it was their portal to the forest. She’d heard of portals and knew they were used for quick travel, but seeing one in action was entirely different. She mentally shrugged, realizing once again that she was far from Golar now.

  As they moved closer to the portal, Layla felt a strange sensation building within her—a mix of fear and excitement that she couldn’t quite place. Was it the thrill of the unknown, or was it something deeper? The thought unsettled her. Danger wasn’t something to be excited about, yet she had spent the better part of an hour dreading this moment, and now, as she approached it, something within her sparked to life.

  She craved this. The realization hit her like a jolt. Had the Slice scrambled her senses? Layla wondered if it had altered her somehow, made her more reckless, but the thought didn’t bother her as much as it should have. Instead, she embraced it, deciding to live in the moment and savor the thrill of the challenge.

  With that thought, Layla quickened her pace. By the time Dyzen passed through the light and vanished, she was moving at a full sprint. The Academy’s banner snapped back and forth in her hands as she clutched it against her chest, symbolizing her determination.

  As she plunged into the shimmering light, she braced for some odd sensation, a twist in reality, but there was none. One moment, she was pounding across the hard stone streets of the Academy, and the next, her feet were sinking into soft earth, the ground yielding slightly with each stride.

  Everything froze for Layla as she took in her surroundings, her instincts kicking in for a threat assessment. The first thing she noticed was the wide path before her, lined with red, glowing crystals that bathed the area in a dim, eerie glow. Beyond that light lay an impenetrable void, a blackness so complete that not even the stars were visible through the thick forest canopy above. The atmosphere was oppressive, the kind that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror vid. But the stones provided just enough light to see the entire path clearly without shining too brightly. Layla guessed they were meant to block the forest’s denizens somehow, though she didn’t dwell on the thought for long.

  Layla caught sight of Dyzen just ahead, his form barely visible in the dim, eerie glow of the path. Without hesitation, she pushed herself to keep moving. After about thirty paces, she glanced back to see the twins Oliviana and Oliver, along with Tia, emerging from the portal, their figures materializing in the crimson-lit darkness.

  She looked over her shoulder, seeing her friends keeping pace. Calling back to them just loud enough to be heard, “You good? I’m about to turn it up a notch.”

  Oliviana’s teasing voice floated back to her, light and mocking. “You better, or else you’re going to get passed up, oh bearer of the standard!”

  Layla smirked, her eyes narrowing with determination. She realized she cared deeply for these new friends who had endured the same trials she had. Knowing they had undergone similar training, she was confident they could handle a bit more speed. The sooner they got through this, the better.

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  Rolling her eyes, she snorted softly. “Just try to keep up,” she shot back.

  With those words, Layla tightened her grip on the Nexus standard, the fabric rustling slightly in the breeze. She leaned forward, her body coiling like a spring ready to release. Then, like a hunting cat stalking its prey, she burst into motion, her strides lengthening as she tore across the soft, loamy soil of the forest. The ground gave way beneath her feet, but her muscles responded with precision, propelling her forward with effortless grace. Each step was a whisper, a silent testament to her speed and control as she surged ahead, the thrill of the run coursing through her veins.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~

  Atom moved through the forest like a silent wind, his form flickering in and out of sight as he disappeared and reappeared in different parts of the dense woodland. Each step was a seamless transition, his presence barely more than a whisper against the leaves. Despite his fluid movements, his face was a mask of irritation. The source of his frustration gnawed at him. He couldn’t find the elusive creatures that would provide his potentials with the “motivation” he sought.

  “Hells, where are those little football heads?” he muttered, the annoyance seeping into his voice.

  Finding what he wanted was usually trivial. Still, the Gravforax were a sneaky species, uniquely adapted to detect his presence. This evolutionary quirk made them nearly impossible to catch off-guard. If he dared to enforce his domain over the forest, they would vanish, slipping into hiding even from him without a little bullying. Which was not something he wanted to do. While they posed no real threat, their origin as a native species of Nexus gave them a special significance.

  This world had always been teeming with Ascendant beings, even before the multi-planar universe came into existence. Everything here had evolved or been bred to survive in such a harsh environment where anything less than exceptional would have long since perished. The Gravforax was a prime example of this selective adaptation.

  Some of the Gravforax were quite strong, though the stronger ones were naturally driven to the deeper, wilder parts of the forest. Their sustenance was carefully cultivated, pushing these creatures outward in a layered pattern that surrounded the Academy. Each layer represented a different level of anima density, drawing the more powerful creatures away from the main grounds. The first three layers existed within the Academy’s territory, but once a creature grew too strong, it was moved to the outer layers—miniature pocket realms controlled by the NA caretakers.

  Everything on this origin planet was extraordinarily resilient. The flora and fauna were so robust that even Atom would have to exert some effort if he wanted to cause mayhem here, a rarity for someone of his power. Battles among potentials who had advanced beyond the third layer were intense, their clashes too loud and destructive to be held near populated areas.

  Caught up in his thoughts, Atom suddenly stilled. He materialized high in the canopy of one of the colossal trees, peering down with sharp eyes.

  “Found you,” he hissed quietly to himself, a triumphant edge to his tone.

  A small, black, and green hairless creature with a football-shaped head crouched low, its obsidian claws delicately plucking apart the fleshy petals of a carnivorous plant. The Gravforax, for all its nightmarish appearance, chewed contentedly, oblivious to the world around it. Its ink-black and green skin shimmered faintly as it devoured the plant, each bite precise and methodical. Despite its terrifying look, the Gravforax wasn’t the predator most would assume. No, it was actually an omnivore of sorts, preferring the tang of invasive plants and overpopulated small prey supplied by the NA.

  High above, Atom watched, his gaze sharpening with intent. With a subtle gesture, unseen threads of will slithered through the air, coiling around the creature and locking it in place. The Gravforax froze mid-chew, its small, sharp teeth bared in an almost comically surprised expression. One that would haunt the dreams of both small children and adults alike.

  Atom materialized beside it, his presence rippling through the air like a stone dropped into still water. He effortlessly lifted the creature, peering into its golden, draconic eyes. The slits projected a predatory light while simultaneously seeming to draw in all illumination around them. Where the whites of its eyes should have been, there was only an inky blackness, swirling into a deep, unfathomable abyss.

  Though Atom had encountered far more terrifying beings in his time, this creature possessed a demonic charm that might have made his pre-Ascension self seriously reconsider his life choices at the mere sight of it.

  “You want to have some fun, my little demonic janitor?” Atom’s voice was a low murmur, laced with a playful edge.

  The Gravforax’s eyes widened, not with fear, but with recognition. A shudder ran through its tiny body, and the air around them seemed to hum, alive with energy. Atom felt a ripple in the ambient anima, like a sudden shift in the wind before a storm. The creature’s emotions cascaded through him: surprise, quickly turning to fear, and then settling into a deep, almost reverent awe. The anima pulsed outward, a signal sent into the depths of the forest.

  Too late, Atom realized what was happening. He let out a silent groan as the forest stirred in response. The underbrush rustled, trees whispered as leaves shivered, and shadows thickened, coalescing into forms. Creatures began to appear slowly. Some small as sprites, others massive as rhinos, their bodies a bizarre blend of the ethereal and the grotesque. Their eyes glowed with otherworldly light, fixed intently on Atom. Some had forms that shimmered like moonlight on water, delicate and beautiful, while others seemed to crawl out from the darkest corners of a forgotten nightmare.

  They moved in, surrounding Atom in a silent, reverent circle. Heads bowed, limbs lowered, they offered obeisance as if he were their king and god. The air was thick with the weight of their collective presence, and Atom could feel the way their anima intertwined with his, recognizing the truth of what he was.

  His Mantle stirred within him, eager to descend, to manifest. It was a call, deep and resonant, vibrating through his soul as if plucked by an unseen hand. The note it struck was pure, resonating with every fiber of his being, a perfect echo of his essence. Atom felt himself drawn to it for a fleeting moment, an urge to let his Mantle unfurl and embrace the recognition that rippled through the gathered beasts.

  But he resisted. With a sharp mental twist, he crushed the connection, silencing the surge of anima that threatened to spill over. The ripple ceased, and the creatures, though still present, stilled, their reverence unspoken but palpable. Atom let out a slow breath, his grip on his power tightening once more.

  Then he took a reciprocating deep breath, not out of necessity, but to ease the tension coiled tightly within him. The act felt oddly grounding, a brief moment of calm amidst the chaos swirling in his mind. Yet, as he exhaled, he couldn’t help but inwardly facepalm. His thoughts drifted back to the previous night’s escapades, the events still lingering like an unwanted shadow. His Mantle had stirred twice in just a few hours, trying to manifest without his conscious command, and he knew exactly why.

  The realization gnawed at him. He had been too complacent, too confident in his ability to stay under the radar. But Dory—she had been watching. He could almost feel her gaze even now, ever-patient, waiting for the moment he would slip. Atom had managed to avoid her for a long time, but now, it seemed, his luck had run out. She would rope him into some kind of work, just as she had always intended. Thus, his current situation.

  Frustration welled up within him, and he glanced down at the Gravforax, its draconic golden slit eyes still wide with reverence.

  With a weary sigh, he muttered, “Why did you have to go and do that?”

  Atom surveyed the small horde of creatures now surrounding him, their various forms emerging from the shadows of the forest like a bizarre assembly. The Gravforax had done its job a little too well, summoning not just its kin but a whole host of other forest denizens. Some hovered in the air with translucent wings, others lumbered on the ground, their hulking bodies causing the earth to tremble slightly beneath them.

  Atom’s lips quirked into a smirk. “Well, look at this motley crew. Guess the fun run’s about to get a bit more interesting.”

  He had initially come for just a Gravforax, hoping to use its sneaky nature to give his potentials a bit of a scare or maybe a tiny beating during their endurance test. Minor beatings were good for building character, in his opinion. But with this unexpected turnout, Atom’s mischievous side couldn’t resist the opportunity to escalate things. After all, a little chaos would keep the potentials on their toes.

  Walking among the gathered creatures, Atom’s eyes gleamed with a mischievous edge as he sized them up, his mind quickly devising a plan. The Gravforax was precisely what he needed. It’s creepy, slinking form perfect for sneaking up on the more skittish potentials. Its eerie presence was unsettling enough, but its horrifying vocals, a mix of human-like wails and monstrous growls, could drive fear straight into the hearts of even the bravest. Atom couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of the potentials’ faces when they heard that echoing through the dark forest.

  Then there were the shadow sprites, those elusive little nuisances. Their flickering forms, constantly shifting in and out of sight, were ideal for messing with the potentials’ heads. The sprites would keep them second-guessing their every move, making them question what was real and what was just their own paranoia. Atom could already hear their frantic whispers, see the darting eyes, and he relished the idea of pushing them to their psychological limits.

  Finally, the Grootslang was a beast of sheer overwhelming presence. Head like a walrus, black tusks and tentacle whiskers, and the body of dark moss-covered chiton armored plates. It’s body the size of a small bus back on his home planet. Atom approached it with a calculating look. Its massive bulk could block entire paths, and the potentials would have to decide: confront the hulking six-legged monster or turn tail and run. He knew most would be too cowardly to even consider facing it, and that suited him just fine. Let them waste time finding another way. Let them feel the pressure of the ticking clock as they struggled to keep up.

  A sharp grin cut across Atom’s face. This would be fun. He wasn’t just setting up an obstacle course; he was laying the groundwork for a memorable academy physical training experience full of the vicissitudes of life, one that would linger in the potentials minds long after the run was over. Sure, they’d curse him for it, but that was part of the plan. It let you know when effective training was being applied. It was for their own good and definitely not because a cheeky blue-haired follower of his mouthed off again. Certainly not. He wasn’t that way. He wasn’t a petty person.

  Atom chuckled to himself, the sound low and conspiratorial. “Alright, team,” he addressed the creatures, his tone dripping with mock seriousness. "We’ve got a job to do. Nothing too drastic—just a bit of chaos, maybe a few detours, some broken bones, but no permanent harm. You know what I mean, right?” A malicious glint sparkled in his eye as the forest creatures responded to his will.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Layla pushed herself harder, her strides lengthening as she tore through the forest, the Nexus banner held tightly against her chest. The soft earth beneath her feet muffled her steps, but the rush of air in her ears reminded her of the speed she was gathering. The eerie glow of the red crystals lining the path provided just enough light to guide her, but the forest remained an impenetrable wall of darkness beyond their reach.

  The rhythmic thud of her heartbeat synced with the pounding of her feet, driving her forward. She could hear the others behind her Tia, and the twins were all keeping pace, their breaths steady but strained. A part of Layla relished the challenge, the thrill of pushing herself to the limit, but there was an edge of unease she couldn’t shake. The forest felt alive, as if it was watching, waiting.

  The path seemed to waver up ahead, the air thickening as if the very space around them was bending. Layla squinted, unsure if it was a trick of the light or something more. The trees on either side of the path flickered in and out of focus, their outlines blurring as though being probed by unseen forces. A chill ran down her spine, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.

  She barely had time to react as a sudden, sharp movement caught her eye. One of the red crystals lining the path jumped out of sequence on the path like it was kicked loose, tumbling onto the ground with a dull thud. The flickering intensified, and before Layla could fully process what was happening, a creature leaped through the breach in the barrier.

  It hit the ground with a heavy thud, the earth shaking beneath its weight. The creature was horrifying—its black and green hairless skin stretched taut over muscular, humanoid limbs that ended in long, razor-sharp talons. Its wicked-looking tail lashed behind it, more akin to a mace than anything organic, swinging with lethal intent.

  Layla’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized the thing. It was the same nightmarish creature she had seen before when she was riding the Nexus transport. The memory of its face, with its maw filled with black teeth, flashed vividly in her mind, sending a shiver down her spine. She had hoped never to see it again, but here it was, glaring at her with those giant orbs of gold flaring haloed in blackness locked onto her.

  The creature let out a monstrous cackling laughter, the sound unnervingly human yet utterly alien. The laughter quickly shifted into a bone-chilling roar that vibrated through her bones. Layla’s heart pounded as the creature’s gaze locked onto her, and without warning, it charged, its muscular limbs propelling it forward with terrifying speed.

  Panic briefly surged through her veins as she realized the danger. She turned to shout a warning to the others, but the creature was already barreling towards them, its malicious intent clear in every movement.

  The only thought in her head at that second was that ‘fun’ part of the run had arrived.