Rain fell on Manako as if the forest were crying. But they were not tears… it was a green curse pouring from the sky, dripping with the scent of iron, carrying whispers that spoke the names of all who entered without permission.
On the first day of the mission, the trainees were divided into three groups.
With his arrogance, Karlas forced himself to lead Rain's group, which included:
Neva: the small sharpshooter with sharp air magic.
Rendar: the silent analyst.
Tars: wielder of unstable fire magic.
And Rain, who never asked to be followed — but didn't oppose it either.
They moved among the breathing trees of the forest. The trees were covered in skin like scales and gave off a faint groan with every step.
⸻
On the second night, they set up a small camp beside a foggy river.
Rendar said quietly:
"The river's flowing against the wind… that's not natural."
No one had time to explain — a scream tore through the air.
Tars's scream… before something massive swallowed him between the trees.
⸻
Chaos erupted.
Amphibious creatures emerged from the mud — with knife-like interlocking teeth and vine-like arms.
Neva unleashed a blade of wind that stopped one for a second — before her shoulder was torn open.
Karlas activated his metallic skin and stood like a living shield, covering the others.
Rendar tossed a blue powder that blinded two of the creatures.
Rain tried to enter their minds… and failed. There were no minds — only instincts.
Karlas shouted:
"Run! To the eastern hill!"
They grabbed injured Neva and sprinted through the muddy paths… Rain did not run.
He was staring at one of the creatures that hadn't attacked him. It was watching him.
Then darkness fell — suddenly.
⸻
Rain awoke in a cave covered in pulsing roots, a single eye watching him. He wasn't bound.
The creature stood before him, unmoving — but its thoughts reached him.
"Why are you… different?"
Rain answered:
"I don't belong."
In a moment of clarity, he understood — these creatures weren't attacking everyone… they were testing. Sorting. Sensing scent, memories, intentions.
He extended his hand toward the creature and entered its awareness… and there, in its depths, he found nothing. Only a grey field of silence. But the silence was familiar. As if these creatures… knew the shadow.
He whispered in his mind:
"Let me pass."
And the roots around him heard an unspoken command.
⸻
A path opened within the cave, and he walked out without resistance. The creatures watched, but he was no target.
When he returned to the camp, he found the others had arrived a day before him.
Rendar had carried Neva and filed a report with command.
Karlas said:
"We survived because we fought. Some of us were hurt, some died. But him—" (he pointed at Rain)"He came back as if nothing happened. No blood, no wound, no explanation."
Neva asked:
"How did you survive on your own?"
Rain replied:
"Because I wasn't a target."
⸻
That night, Karlas approached Rain:
"If you had anything to do with what happened… I'll make you pay."
Rain gave a faint smile:
"You're just a memory waiting to be erased."
Then he touched Karlas's forehead — and wiped away all meaning. Karlas collapsed, trembling, stripped of identity.
⸻
That evening, Rain sat on a cliff overlooking the forest. The shadows moved around him like tongues of inverted flame.
A voice from within said:
"You're getting close… so close to knowing what you are."
Rain answered calmly:
"I'm not looking for answers… only control."