I ran through the forest in my Wolf form. My ears were pricked forward as I watched the trees fly past, my path clear.

I flicked my ears to the left when I heard a noise and glanced at way. I scowled when I saw a black lion beside me, knowing that it was a part of Miza.

The lion glanced at me before looking back at the path we were taking. He didn't say a word and ignored the scowl that I sent his way.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes before looking back at the path. I didn't say a word to him, knowing that it would be futile. He wouldn't change his mind.

The path grew less dense as the both of us started to climb up a steep slope. The path grew rocky, causing us to slow down a bit and watch our step.

After some time, Miza's name animal started to slow down until finally, he wasn't able to go any further. He made a noise causing me to turn around and look at him. He tried to go further but something pushed him back.

I walked towards him, my whole body wanting to turn back around and continue my journey. I ignored it and went to my teacher, my protector. I nuzzled him and licked his ear, causing him to flick it.

Miza nuzzled me and nodded his head. He backed up a bit, telling me that he understood that he couldn't go any further. He gave me a pointed look, causing me to smirk and nod my head.

I turned back around and looked up the mountain. I took a deep breath and let it out before starting to run the rest of the way.

Goddess, keep me safe.

***

I scrambled the rest of the way up the mountain. My whole body ached from the journey, but I knew that I wasn't there yet. The rocks were slippery, and there had been many times that I had almost fallen down the mountain.

Still, I trudged on, knowing that I had to get there as soon as I could before it was time for the Orthenal. I knew that it was close, I could feel it.

I growled and shook my head before climbing the last rock formation to see a cave in front of me. My whole body grew tense as I walked forward, feeling the magic that came off of it.

Slowly, I walked forward, my ears pricked as I listened for any sounds of someone, or something, else.

My body started to shift into my Human form without my consent. It didn't hurt like it should, causing me to become slightly more cautious than I had been.

After I had fully shifted back into my human form, I looked down to see that I wasn't wearing the clothes that I had been wearing. "What the?" I asked, staring at my hands to see different arm protectors. Gold and silver lined them, crisscrossing a strand of blue. They glowed with power and lit the way.

Instead of the brown pants and the green tunic I had on before I left, I was wearing tan pants and a blue tunic that fit my figure and was light and moved with my skin. A vest was covering the blue tunic, adding an extra length of protection to my midsection. A belt with a long sheath was on my body, but there was no sword. Black boots were on my feet, the black leather reaching my knees before stopping.

I shook my head and let out a sharp breath, confused about what I had on. However, I knew that I didn't have time to question it because I had to get a move on.

I started to walk again, keeping near the shadows. My whole body was tense, and I had the urge to call my swords to me. But, I knew that calling them wouldn't work. I could feel this... ancient magic around me, so different yet so similar to what I had felt before.

A large, ominous door stood between me and the way that I needed to go, causing me to pause. A feeling of dread and despair washed over me, but I pushed it away as I took in a deep breath.

I placed my hands on the door and pushed, but nothing happened. A soft growl escaped my lips, echoing through the dense hall. "Alora," I growled, flicking my wrist and causing the door to swing open. A dark room stood before me, causing my whole body to tense. I had no idea what was in there, but I knew that whatever it was, was powerful and old just like this cave.

I took a deep breath in and walked in, praying that I would be fine without a sword. I did wish I had one, but the stars weren't written in my favor.