Chapter Five

Karen wielded her wand with a sharp intensity, directing bursts of magic toward the constructs’ masks, cracking their shimmering surfaces. And at the center of it all was Willa, her lunar energy pulsing with each movement, guiding and protecting the group.

As the last construct fell, the clearing grew still once more, the hum of magic fading into silence. Willa lowered her hand, her breath ragged but her resolve intact.

“This was a test,” Aldric said, his gaze sweeping over the group. “And it’s only the beginning.”

The clearing was eerily quiet now, the remains of the fallen constructs dissolving into shimmering particles that floated into the air. Willa exhaled, her pulse gradually settling as she looked around at her friends. Their hybrid forms still flickered with traces of the awakening magic, but there was something different in their eyes—a quiet determination.

Payton stretched her arms, rolling her shoulders with a sharp crack. “That was intense,” she said, her golden gaze scanning the clearing for any lingering threats. “Not gonna lie, though—felt kinda good to let the wolf out.”

“Speak for yourself,” Beans muttered, brushing a strand of hair away from her silver-tinged fox ears. “I’m still trying to figure out what to do with this tail.” Mango grinned, her sapphire eyes sparkling. “You’ll get used to it. Trust me—tails are versatile.” Karen’s wand glowed faintly in her hand as she stepped toward Willa. “That wasn’t just a test,” she said, her voice low. “It felt like a warning.”

Willa nodded, her antlers shimmering softly in the moonlight. “Whatever this awakening is, it’s bigger than us. But we’re in it together—and that’s what matters.” Ethan crouched near the remnants of the constructs, his crimson eyes narrowing as he examined their masks. “These weren’t ordinary magic-made,” he said, holding up a shard of shimmering material. “They were meant for something. They were designed to seek us out.” Aldric approached, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group. “You’re right,” he said, his tone flat but serious. “They were drawn to your awakening—your power. And now that it’s begun, more will come.”

“Come for what?” Liam growled, his stormy gray gaze locking onto Aldric with suspicion. “For you,” Aldric replied simply. “Your powers, your identities—they’re connected to something ancient, something the rival kingdom wants for itself. This awakening is just the first step.” Karen stiffened, her green gaze narrowing. “The rival kingdom—they’re behind this?” Aldric hesitated, his expression unreadable. “In part. But they’re not the only ones who’ll seek you out. That’s why we need to move—now.” Willa glanced around at her friends, their expressions a mix of worry and resolve. Payton and Tiffani stood side by side, their wolf instincts already heightening their senses. Mango and Beans exchanged a quiet look, their sisterly bond an unspoken strength. Liam crossed his arms, his protective instincts unwavering.

“Where do we go?” Willa asked, her purple gaze meeting Aldric’s. Aldric’s voice was steady but carried a weight that made the group shiver. “To the source of your awakening. To where it all began.” The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Aldric’s words settling heavily among them. Willa tightened her grip on her cloak, her purple eyes glowing faintly in the fading moonlight. She could feel the pull again, tugging at her very soul—a connection to the magic that had awakened within her. Karen stepped closer to Willa, her green gaze fierce. “We’ve come this far. Whatever’s waiting for us, we’ll face it together.” Payton smirked, her golden eyes glinting as she crossed her arms. “Let’s just hope ‘the source’ isn’t crawling with more of those constructs. I’m not in the mood for round two.”

Beans nudged Mango playfully, her emerald eyes dancing with humor. “Yeah, but admit it—you’d miss the chance to show off those tails.” Mango grinned, her sapphire gaze sparkling. “Every battle is an opportunity for style.” Liam stepped forward, his stormy gray eyes scanning the forest. “Enough banter. We need to stay focused. This isn’t over.” Ethan straightened, his crimson eyes glowing faintly as he tossed the shimmering shard of a mask to the ground. “Whatever the rival kingdom is after, it’s tied to us. To our powers. And they won’t stop until they get it.” Aldric turned, his cloak shifting with the movement. “Then we’ll make sure they don’t. The source isn’t just a destination—it’s a chance to understand your awakenings. To strengthen them. But you need to be prepared for what you’ll find.”

Willa looked to her friends, the bond between them stronger than ever. Together, they had faced the first test—and they would face whatever came next. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice steady.

The group moved as one, stepping into the shadows of the forest, the hum of magic guiding their steps. The moonlight stretched over them like a protective veil, its glow casting long shadows against the trees. As they walked, the air grew heavier, the pull of the source growing stronger with each step.

But none of them could shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. That the awakening had unlocked something far greater than any of them could imagine.

The journey through the forest was relentless, the terrain growing increasingly challenging as they pressed onward. The energy around them seemed to shift, the hum of magic deepening with each step.

Willa felt her antlers tingle, the sensation both comforting and unsettling. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the moons were watching her more closely now, their glow guiding her movements as though she were part of something far larger than herself.

Karen fell into step beside her, her wand held tightly in her hand. “This magic—it’s not like anything I’ve felt before,” she said quietly. “It’s alive.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Payton muttered, her golden gaze scanning the dense trees around them. “Feels more like it’s breathing down our necks.”

Ahead of them, Aldric moved with purpose, his sharp gaze fixed on the horizon. Though he didn’t speak, there was an air of urgency in his movements, as though he knew what awaited them but couldn’t bring himself to say it aloud. “Do you think it’s another trap?” Tiffani asked, her golden eyes narrowing.

“No,” Liam said firmly, his stormy gaze steady. “This feels different. Like the forest itself is shifting.”

Mango and Beans moved with quiet precision, their fox ears twitching as they listened for any sign of danger. Ethan walked close behind them, his crimson eyes glowing faintly as he remained alert.