Chapter 84: Trial 1(2)
Axelius stayed at the very back of the second group, letting everyone rush ahead. Cyruz, who walked near the front, glanced back at him with a sharp look, full of silent hate. But Axelius just yawned, pretending not to care.
Once most of the others disappeared deeper into the forest, Axelius stepped in calmly. The forest felt different now. The air was heavier. Even the light barely touched the ground. The paths twisted strangely like they were alive. He paused and narrowed his eyes.
"...It’s happening again," he muttered, glancing around with more focus.
Owen, on his shoulder, looked side to side too. "Yeah. This isn’t the same as earlier. It’s reacting... getting more dangerous after each group."
Axelius didn’t answer, but his steps became sharper, more alert. He stayed quiet, watching the ground carefully. The first trap was almost too easy to see—a thin wire hidden in leaves. He stepped over it easily. As he walked further, he noticed the forest itself looked larger, deeper than it should be.
"It’s shifting," Owen said. "The forest is changing its shape again. Two hours won’t be enough if you keep walking."
Axelius rolled his eyes. "So I’ll run."
He started jogging lightly, still keeping his eyes sharp. Then he paused behind a tree, watching as three younger kids got caught in a net trap. It snapped them up into the air. One of them cried out in panic.
Before Axelius could help or say anything, a loud scream echoed to his left. He turned his head just in time to see a boy running full speed, chased by a bee-like beast with glowing eyes and long wings.
"Better run, Axel," Owen said.
"Tch."