Soren woke up before dawn.
Not because he was disciplined.
Not because he was prepared.
Not because he was excited.
But because he was terrified.
He sat up in bed, clutching the fox like a life raft. "We can't go. We can't do this. We're going to die. I'm too young. You're too small. Aldric is too violent. Kael is too calm. Lira is too nice. This is a disaster."
The fox chirped.
Soren nodded. "Exactly. You understand."
He stood.
He tip‑toed.
He crept toward the door.
He reached for the handle.
A voice behind him said, "Don't."
Soren screamed.
Kael sat on his bunk, fully dressed, fully awake, staring at him like this was the most predictable thing in the world.
Soren clutched his chest. "WHY ARE YOU AWAKE."
Kael replied, "Why are you trying to run."
"I'M NOT RUNNING. I'M… WALKING. RAPIDLY. AWAY."
Aldric sat up. "Pathetic."
Lira yawned. "Expected."
The fox chirped.
Soren groaned. "I hate this place."
The Walk to Doom
The sky was still dark as they crossed the academy grounds. Mist curled around the stone paths. The air was cold enough to bite.
Soren shivered. "This is a bad omen. This is a terrible omen. This is the worst omen."
Kael said, "It's just morning."
"It's ominous morning."
Aldric smirked. "You're dramatic."
Lira smiled. "We'll be fine."
Soren pointed at her. "STOP SAYING THAT. EVERY TIME YOU SAY THAT, SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENS."
The fox nuzzled him.
Soren sighed. "Okay. Maybe it won't be horrible. Maybe it'll just be awful."
The Mission Gate (Soren Panics Again)
They reached the outer gate — a towering archway carved with ancient runes. Instructors waited there, along with a small group of academy guards.
Soren froze. "No. No no no. This is too official. This is too serious. I'm not serious. I'm a joke. A disaster. A walking hazard."
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be fine."
"I WON'T."
"You will."
"I WON'T."
"You will."
Aldric muttered, "Both of you stop."
Lira adjusted her cloak. "We're ready."
Soren whispered, "I'm not."
The fox chirped.
Soren sighed. "Okay. I'm slightly ready."
Arcturus Gives Final Instructions (Soren Suffers)
Commander Arcturus stepped forward, cloak billowing dramatically in the morning wind.
Soren whispered, "Why does he always look like that."
Kael replied, "He's the commander."
"I want to be that cool."
"You're not."
"I KNOW."
Arcturus looked at them. "Your objective remains the same. Enter the corrupted zone. Locate the source. Report back."
Soren raised his hand. "Hypothetically, what if we don't find it."
Arcturus said, "You will."
"What if we get lost."
"You won't."
"What if we die."
"You won't."
"What if—"
Arcturus cut him off. "Vale."
Soren squeaked. "Yes?"
"You are capable."
Soren blinked. "I am?"
Arcturus nodded once. "Your fox chose you for a reason."
Soren stared at the fox. "You did?!"
The fox chirped proudly.
Soren melted. "Okay. Fine. I'll try. I hate this place."
The Moment of Departure
The guards opened the gate.
The forest beyond was dark.
Silent.
Wrong.
Soren whispered, "I REALLY hate this place."
Kael stepped forward. "Let's go."
Lira followed. "Stay close."
Aldric cracked his knuckles. "Finally."
Soren took one step.
Then another.
Then another.
The fox perched on his shoulder, tails glowing faintly.
Soren whispered, "Okay. Okay. I'm doing it. I'm walking. I'm going. I'm—"
A branch snapped in the forest.
Soren screamed.
Kael sighed. "We haven't even entered yet."
"I KNOW."
The fox chirped.
Soren inhaled.
Exhaled.
"Okay," he whispered. "Let's go die."
Kael corrected him. "Let's go succeed."
Soren groaned. "Same thing."
And the four of them stepped into the corrupted forest.
Together.