Chapter 4: Chapter 4, Crestbore division 🚨

🌫️ Scene 1 — Mistbank Forest, Lunareth Outskirts

The fog clung to the ground like a living thing.

It wound around boots, whispered through trees, and blurred the lanternlight into pale halos.

Three figures moved slowly along the bank of the Moonpetal Stream, their uniforms trimmed in silver — not for show, but for rank.

> “Here,” one of them said, crouching beside the roots of a moss-covered tree. She lifted a torn satchel, half-buried in wet leaves. Its clasp was broken. The leather carried a faint shimmer.

The lead officer stepped closer. Commander Sirevan — tall, stone-voiced, sharp-eyed.

He didn’t need to speak. The insignia on his collar already said Crestbore Division.

The woman turned the satchel over. A faint shimmer bled through her gloves.

> “Initials. L.V.,” she muttered.

“Same trace as the others. Residual arcane bloom — water-aligned.”

“But it’s fading fast.”

> “Third one this season,” a younger officer whispered behind her. “Third student to vanish near a leyline convergence.”

Commander Sirevan finally spoke.

His voice cut through the fog like a blade.

> “We leave. Now.”

“This time, we go to Valethir.”

A sharp gust scattered the mist. The woods fell silent again.

---

🏛️ Scene 2 — Principal’s Office, Valethir Academy

The Crestbore officers stood before the principal _ tall, composed, clad in deep navy uniforms laced with faint glowing blue lines.

Their posture was formal. Their eyes... not so much.

There was another story flickering quietly behind them.

Commander Sirevan placed a folded parchment on the desk — without a word.

Principal Olawan glanced at it, then looked directly at them.

> “What exactly are you trying to say?”

The female officer to the right replied in a low, almost frosted voice:

> “Some things... are searching for a way back.”

“And some... we never truly lost, did we?”

A silence as light as a held breath filled the room.

Olawan’s brow tensed slightly, but her voice remained calm.

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> “Are you implying this is all... the shadow of some old fear?”

Sirevan’s voice was heavy — but held no accusation.

> “We only bring warnings, Madam. Some doors... we never noticed when they opened.”

“And now we’re certain — something is watching. And something... is waking.”

Olawan exhaled slowly.

> “Valethir has seen worse, Commander. Do what you must — but don’t stir panic.”

Her gaze drifted to the window, somewhere far beyond the hills.

Sirevan turned his eyes back to her.

> “I hope this truly is just my paranoia.”

“Because if it’s not… you know as well as I do — we won’t be able to stop it.”

__

📍 Scene changes : Training Grounds, Valethir Academy (Morning)

.

The open field shimmered under a pale sun. A few trees swayed at the edges, but most of the space was cleared — a military-style ground where students usually practiced their elemental formations.

Today, a class had gathered.

Notebooks were missing. Whispers weren’t.

Darek leaned toward the academy building, eyeing the Principal’s office window.

> “Something’s definitely brewing inside. They’re not sipping tea for thirty minutes straight.”

Kaelric, arms crossed beside him, smirked.

> “They’re probably here because of the missing students. All of them were from Valethir.”

Dunira, standing near, frowned.

> “How can you be so sure?”

Kaelric raised a brow.

> “Because… my instinct says so.” (he winked)

Dunira narrowed her eyes.

> “Or maybe… you’re the one behind all this.”

Kaelric tilted his head, a sarcastic grin creeping in.

> “Then I would've taken you first, wouldn't I?”

Dunira fell silent.

Minsa, not far off, caught the exchange — her gaze sharp, jaw slightly clenched.

---

📍 Vespara Arrives

The murmurs died as Vespara stepped onto the field, her cloak catching the wind like a banner. She looked around at the gathered students, her presence commanding instant silence.

> “Amazing… It’s my first day, and Crestbore Division themselves came to welcome me. What a moment.”

Darek forced a nervous smile.

Vespara’s expression dropped instantly.

Darek looked confused.

> “Huh?”

She clapped her hands once.

> let’s begin. I want introductions. But not names and clans.”

“I want power.”

Sansa stepped forward confidently.

> “I’m from Solyndor and—”

> “No, no,” Vespara cut in.

“That’s not what I mean.”

She turned to the rest of the class, voice rising:

> “I want a sparring showcase. Pair up, compete, show me what you can do. I’ll grade based on performance.”

“That way I’ll know who you are — and so will you.”

Dunira raised her hand, cautious.

> “You want Valethir students to fight each other?”

Vespara’s eyes sharpened.

> “Miss Dunira — daughter of Thelen and Navalyn.

Earth and Water... rare mix.”

Dunira froze.

> “How do you know about me?”

Vespara gave a slow, sly smile.

> “I said it would be a match — not a war.

This is Valethir. In the military, we follow rules.”

She turned to address the crowd:

> “Rules:

1. Stay within the circle I draw.

2. No direct physical contact.

3. The first one to fall backward — loses.”

---

📍 The Challenge

Dunira’s eyes scanned the circle Vespara marked with her foot.

> Unity? This will just create more rivalry, she thought.

> “Dunira…” Vespara called.

“You’ll go first.”

Dunira hesitated — but stepped in.

Vespara raised her hand.

> “From Durakar… Moron. Step forward.”

A tall, sturdy boy stepped in. Confident. Focused. Clearly trained.

Kaelric, shocked, took a step forward.

> “Miss Vespara— I’m sorry. But I’ve always wanted to spar with Moron.

If you allow me… may I take her place?

Anyway, Dunira’s from Lunareth… she won’t last two minutes.”

Gasps. Even Sansa and Minsa looked unsettled.

Vespara didn’t blink.

> “Opponents are decided. No interruptions.”

Kaelric’s jaw tightened. He looked at Dunira, regret flickering behind his eyes.

> Sorry, he mouthed.

📍 The Circle Tightens

Both took their positions.

The crowd watched.

Vespara’s voice rang clear:

> “Now— begin.”

---

💥 To be continued…