The seven warriors stepped through the portal – and found themselves in a world covered in a dense, primeval jungle. Giant trees, as tall as skyscrapers, towered into the sky. Their massive roots and vines crisscrossed the ground like a living network. Some leaves were as big as people – and everywhere was cast in a green twilight.
"Have you ever read about a world like this in your books?" Kiro asked curiously.
Nerion shook his head. "No, this world is completely unknown to me."
Keal looked around carefully. "How long will it take you to prepare the next portal?"
"I have a magic crystal with me," Nerion replied. "I'll begin charging it. Once we locate the enemy, we can open a new portal immediately and call for reinforcements. I'll need about two days to fully charge the crystal."
"Then we have two days to explore this world," Keal said. "If we find nothing, we move on."
"Mika, fly up and look for a suitable hilltop for the camp. Check whether the area is inhabited or shows signs of hostile presence. Nerion, begin charging the crystal. Kiro, Torgul – head west. Elandra and I will scout the east. Unutay stays with the equipment and helps Nerion. We regroup here in one hour."
The group quickly tested their communication.
"Kiro: Connection stable."
"Keal: All clear."
"Mika: Signal perfect."
Keal nodded. "If you encounter intelligent lifeforms, keep your distance. We don't know if they're peaceful or hostile."
Torgul and Kiro disappeared into the undergrowth. Mika transformed into a small bird and soared into the sky. Elandra and Keal pushed their way through the foliage in the opposite direction. Unutay, unsure of what to do, turned to Nerion.
"Can I help you?"
"Sure. Help me collect some plants. I want to examine them later."
As they gathered samples, Unutay asked, "Do you think you can help me get my memories back?"
"I'll try," Nerion replied.
"You all seemed pretty shaken when you heard about Meridion's death. Who was he?"
"Meridion was my mentor," Nerion said. "A great mage from my homeland, Azura. I'm a mage, too – but not from Earth."
Unutay stared at him. "So you're not human?"
Nerion chuckled. "No. Mages are a different race. Some humans can use magic, but they don't come from Azura. And yes – we live far longer than normal humans."
"That explains a lot," Unutay murmured. "The soldiers in the camp... some had pointed ears, others were tiny, or huge. I was starting to wonder."
"There are many beings from many worlds," Nerion explained. "And not all are friendly. Some fight against us – others, like us, form the Alliance. Ours is an alliance of 13 worlds that stand united against Sereth and what he calls the Dark Alliance."
Unutay tilted his head. "That's a lot to take in. I think I need to let that sink in first."
Nerion smiled. "It's alright. Come on – that's enough for now. Let's bring the plants back."
Shortly afterward, Mika reported in over the comms.
"This is Mika. I found an open ridge – about two kilometers east. Perfect for setting up camp."
"Torgul, Kiro – any findings?" asked Keal.
"Nothing. Just a few giant insects," Kiro responded.
"Alright. Everyone, regroup at the meeting point," Keal ordered.
Unutay and Nerion packed their gear.
"You've been with the group a long time, haven't you?" Unutay asked.
"Yes," Nerion replied. "It's good to be part of this team. But we mages from Azura carry a curse."
"What kind of curse?"
Nerion looked pensively at the plants in his hands. "We live for a very long time. Too long. Eventually, we watch everyone we care about die – one by one. That's why many of us avoid forming deep bonds."
Unutay looked at him with concern. "How old are you?"
"Over five hundred," Nerion replied with a faint smile.
Unutay took a step back. "Five hundred years? That's... a lot."
"Yes," Nerion sighed. "Take Keal for example – if everything goes well, he might live to be sixty or seventy. I'll outlive him, just like I've outlived many before."
Unutay looked him in the eye. "Then let's make the most of the time we do have. And when we're all long gone, you'll sit by a fire and tell the young mages our story. The story of Keal, Mika, Kiro, Elandra, Torgul... and Unutay."
Nerion stared at him, surprised. In that moment, he recognized something in Unutay that couldn't be measured – a warmth from deep within.
Shortly thereafter, they arrived at the campsite. Keal and Elandra were already there; Kiro and Torgul followed shortly. Mika landed on a large branch above them.
"Over there, by the edge of the forest, there's plenty of space," she explained. "That's where we should set up."
Everyone began setting up camp. They pitched their tents and unpacked the gear. Using magic, Nerion formed an invisible cloaking barrier around the site – a shield from curious eyes or hostile scouts.
The sun slowly set, bathing the dense jungle in hues of orange. Keal stood at the edge of the camp, gazing skyward. He spoke calmly, "I'll take first watch. Get some rest. Tomorrow we begin the true search for the enemy's base. If he's not on this world, we move on."
But sleep was elusive. The tension, the unfamiliar world, the uncertainty – all kept them awake. Hours passed. In the darkness, the forest seemed to shift. Kiro, who had taken over watch, suddenly rushed to Keal, who had dozed off. "Wake up! Something's wrong!"
Everyone jumped up. The trees around them – once swaying gently – now moved slowly, as if alive. The camp, once near an open ridge, was now enclosed by thick canopies.
"Are they growing... or moving?" Elandra asked quietly.
"I don't know if this is natural... or an attack," Keal said, scanning the area.
Suddenly – a hiss in the air. A massive spider lunged from the tree above, aiming straight at Mika and Elandra. They barely rolled aside. Kiro reacted instantly, drawing his bow and firing multiple arrows. Torgul roared, swung his axe, and cleaved the spider with a mighty strike.
"Nerion!" Keal shouted. "Is your cloaking spell still active?!"
"Yes! It's still up!" Nerion answered. "Maybe it was luck... or maybe she sensed us."
A slimy projectile shot through the air, hitting Kiro and knocking him down. The sticky goo clung to him, slowing his movements. More shots followed from the thicket. Torgul hacked at them with his glowing axe, Keal blocked with his blade, while Nerion raised a magical shield to deflect the barrage. Unutay dodged, trying to locate the attackers.
Mika rose into the air, morphing into a small dragon to get a better view. Below, Elandra tried to free Kiro while Nerion protected them.
"Keal! Right side!" Mika yelled from above. Keal turned – and saw a dark figure with eight eyes and four arms, launching projectiles from a staff. He charged in, but another enemy jumped in between. Just as Keal braced to counter, Unutay appeared out of nowhere and kicked the attacker into the trees. Keal struck down the caster.
Another wave of slime was coming. Nerion instantly raised a barrier. Mika, in dragon form, unleashed a fiery blast toward the source. The thicket ignited. From the opposite side, four more creatures with six eyes and spears charged at Torgul. He met them head-on, smashing them to the ground.
Elandra, now at Kiro's side, sliced him free. Nerion cast a shockwave of force toward the advancing enemies. Elandra fired multiple light arrows into the sky – they exploded and illuminated the jungle. Then they saw it: dozens of creatures hidden in the shadows had surrounded them.
"Defensive formation!" Keal shouted. "Back to back!"
They formed a tight circle, facing every direction. Kiro whispered, "Why are they attacking us?"
"Maybe... you taste really good!" Torgul grunted.
"Kiro definitely doesn't!" Mika called. "But if they eat me, they'll never crave anything else again!"
Keal raised his hand. "Mika, next wave – go high, find an exit! Elandra, Kiro – cut us a path. Nerion, support them. Unutay, Torgul – you're with me. We're breaking out!"
More enemies charged. Nerion blocked their shots with a barrier. Elandra and Kiro unleashed elemental arrows, carving a path. Keal, Torgul, and Unutay went into melee.
Mika ascended, roaring, "Two o'clock! I'm burning us a trail!"
She breathed two blazing fire beams, clearing a burning corridor.
"Now!" Keal shouted. Elandra and Kiro guarded the sides. The team sprinted through the burning path, covering each other. Unutay watched in awe – they moved like a single unit, no orders needed, each one anticipating the other.
They burst out of the woods, tearing through the last brush – and then: silence.
No one followed. No sounds behind. Just heavy breathing.
"Why aren't they coming?" Kiro panted.
"Maybe... we lost them?" Keal murmured.
Kiro fired a flare into the dark forest – but nothing stirred.
"Our gear is still at camp..." Nerion said quietly.
"And the crystals?" Keal asked urgently.
"I've got them," Nerion replied. "I never leave them behind."
Keal looked back at the now still forest. "We wait for sunrise."
The first rays of sunlight pierced the jungle canopy, casting a pale glow over the trees. Elandra gently awoke Kiro and Mika—the only ones who'd managed some sleep that restless night.
Nerion quietly said to Keal, "The forest hasn't moved since dawn."
Keal nodded. "True—but we must stay on guard. Mika, fly above and scout ahead. We'll move slowly back to camp. Ready?"
Everyone nodded. Mika soared into the sky as Keal took point with Nerion on his right, Unutay to his left, Kiro and Elandra flanking the center, and Torgul bringing up the rear. Mika circled above, checking in.
"Nothing moving," she reported.
"Good. Stay alert," Keal said.
When they returned to camp, it was obvious something strange had happened. Their area was wrecked—equipment scattered and gear trampled—but there were no signs of the giant spiders or invaders: no carcasses, no slime—it was just chaos.
"Unutay, Torgul—search the perimeter. Report any movement."
"Mika—hold position in the air. The rest of us will check if anything's missing."
They gathered their belongings, but nothing—no food, no supplies—had been taken. Just destruction, for no clear reason.
"Why attack us if they took nothing?" Keal asked softly.
"I don't know," mused Nerion. "Maybe they saw us as trespassers."
Suddenly Unutay called out, "Look!" He pointed to the clearing Mika had set ablaze. But now—it was normal again. No ash, no burned ground—green vegetation had already returned.
Keal stared.
"That was completely scorched yesterday…"
"So fast," Nerion whispered.
Torgul shook his head. "Let's get out of here—been here too long."
They exited the clearing, minds buzzing: Were they dealing with locals from the Dark Alliance? Or just native guardians attacking uninvited intruders?
Mika circled overhead while the others kept watch below. When she landed on Torgul's shoulder, she was visibly tired.
They trekked all day. No signs of life—no villages, no ruins. It was as though this planet had never been inhabited.
Keal finally said, "Once the crystal's charged, let's leave."
Everyone agreed.
For the night, they chose a rocky plateau at the foot of a mountain—safe terrain. Keal assigned night watches:
"Kiro and Mika, first watch—you didn't sleep last night."
"I'm exhausted," Mika yawned.
Unutay offered, "No worries—I'll take first watch so you can rest."
Keal nodded. "Okay, then Kiro and Unutay first, Torgul and Elandra next, Nerion and I last. Mika—you're on breakfast duty tomorrow."
Night fell in complete silence. Kiro and Unutay watched the few visible trees.
"Did that branch move?" Kiro whispered.
"No, just wind," Unutay replied, peaceful.
Later, Unutay asked, "How did you end up in this group?"
Kiro laughed. "It's not how I found the group—it's more how the group found me."
Unutay cocked his head. "What do you mean?"
"I'm from Elundor—my father was a warrior," Kiro explained. "Meridion came to recruit fighters for Earth. My mother insisted Elandra come too—said I wouldn't manage alone."
Unutay joked, "I thought Elandra watched over you because you were clumsy."
Kiro blushed, feigning offense, "Clumsy? Never!"
Suddenly Unutay froze. "Wait—did you hear that?"
Kiro froze. "Where?"
"I…don't know. I sense something."
They crouched in silence, eyes fixed on the sound's origin. A figure appeared—like the creature from last night—with a giant spider trailing behind.
Kiro readied his bow, but Unutay held him back. "We don't know if he's alone."
They watched as the creature walked on, spider following quietly.
"We need the others," Unutay whispered. "Kiro, alert them. I'll keep an eye on him."
Kiro crept back—but stepped on a tripwire Nerion had set. A trap triggered with a snap—the spark echoed back at Nerion's tent.
Startled, the spider leaped at the camp—but Unutay intercepted, swatting it away. Torgul, Nerion, Mika, and Elandra sprang forward. They found Kiro caught in the pit.
"Stay back, I'm okay," he called as they rescued him.
"Mika, cover us!" Keal ordered.
Up ahead, Unutay emerged carrying the unconscious scout on his shoulders.
"What happened?" Keal rushed.
"He tried to flee," Unutay explained. "I wanted to keep him alive for answers."
Back at camp, they bound the scout. When he awoke, he hissed in his unknown tongue. Nerion chanted a translational rune—his voice grew clear:
"Release me or die! My people are coming—they will find and kill you!"
Kiro muttered, "Figures."
Keal stepped forward. "Why attack us?"
"You desecrated our forest. You stole its spore—foul strangers of Windéis."
Nerion burst in: "He's talking about the spores we took!"
Unutay remembered. "The plants we collected."
Nerion removed the satchel. "I didn't know… I thought they were harmless specimens. I'm sorry."
The scout eyed him, silent for a moment, then spoke softly: "My king will decide."
Nerion bowed. "Here—these are yours. We leave at sunrise."
The scout nodded and vanished into the woods.
By first light, Nerion had the crystal charged. Torgul released the scout.
"You may go," he said.
"Don't expect us to return," the scout replied.
Keal responded, "You won't be harmed by us—but tell your king, others coming after us are peaceable."
With that, the scout retreated.
Nerion drew the rune and activated the portal—its blue shimmer widening. One by one, the seven stepped through. Seconds later, it closed.
Behind them, barely visible at the portal's edge, the scout stared in awe. He had seen the impossible.
They had entered a new world—and the search would continue.