The ship's rhythmic swaying and the soft slapping of waves against its hull nearly lulled Skylar to sleep—but sleep never came. The cabin was dark and cool, lit only by a single flickering candle on the desk, casting dim light across the wooden walls. The small room was sparsely furnished: a narrow bed, a rickety desk, and a wardrobe with a door that hung unevenly on its hinges. The salty air filled the space, and the coarse fabric of the mattress pressed uncomfortably against her skin as she lay on her back.
Skylar stared at the ceiling. Her thoughts darted endlessly through her mind, and every single one circled back to the same question: Why did they take me with them?
Her—someone no different from anyone else, someone not even special enough to receive the gods' gift.
If she was truly a nobody, why had Lady Marhya taken such interest in her?
The ship glided over the water with a gentle creak, and Skylar felt the pulse of the sea almost merge with the rhythm of her breath. She walked to the window, resting her forehead against the cold glass, and stared out at the endless, dark expanse stretching beyond. The moonlight shimmered on the waves, hypnotic, as if trying to whisper some deeper message to her. A strange sensation crept down her spine—a kind of call she couldn't explain.
Above deck, heavy boots passed now and then, but no one opened her door. It was as if she didn't exist.
For a while, she wondered what would happen once they arrived in Wargolion. Training? Interrogation? Punishment? None of it sounded good.
The only certainty was that her life would never be the same again.
Eventually, Skylar sat on the bed, crossed her arms, and took a deep breath.
Whatever awaited her, she couldn't allow herself to appear weak.
If she wanted to survive the cruelty of the Empire, she had to find out why she was really here—and perhaps even who she truly was.
—
The ship jolted sharply as it docked at the island of Wargolion. Skylar leaned against the cabin wall, feeling the final momentum sweep through the vessel before silence fell upon the deck. Her heart pounded wildly. The moment she had been dreading—and preparing for—had come: she would finally learn why she had been brought here.
Shouts and the pounding of boots echoed above as the crew readied for landfall. The ship's ropes tightened as sailors secured it to the massive posts of the port. Through the window, Skylar caught sight of the shore—towering stone walls loomed ahead, behind which rose great buildings and banners fluttering under the morning sky. She had arrived at one of the Empire's largest military training centers.
A soldier opened the door without a word and motioned for her to follow.
Skylar stood, gave the cabin one last glance, and stepped silently into the corridor. The interior of the ship was dim and cold, torchlight barely illuminating the narrow passageway as she made her way toward the deck.
As she emerged into the sunlight, a blast of fresh air struck her face—but the fleeting sense of freedom was quickly drowned by the tension in the air. Soldiers moved briskly about the dock, carrying weapons and equipment.
A line of youths waited near the pier—new recruits, likely brought here by the same ship. They all wore identical white tunics that marked them as initiates.
Skylar hesitated for a moment, but a guard grabbed her arm and shoved her to the end of the line.
The pier creaked under their feet as they began walking toward the academy. The sky was overcast, and a salty wind swept across the port from the sea. Low murmurs and suppressed laughter passed between some of the students, but Skylar remained silent, observing her surroundings.
At the front stood a woman with commanding posture. Her black uniform was stiff against her straight back, and her brown hair was tightly pinned in a bun. Her sharp gaze scanned the recruits, silencing any lingering chatter the moment she spoke.
"Welcome," she said. "I am Beatrice Morris, headmistress of this academy. We will take a secure path to the school, as dangers still lurk across the island. Over the years, we've implemented many precautions, but you are strictly forbidden to stray from the marked trails.
Nearby, you'll find a small hut—within it is the teleportation portal that leads directly to the academy courtyard. It can only be activated with my permission, so no unwelcome visitors may pass through its gate.
Follow me. You'll receive more details once we're inside the walls."
Her tone allowed no argument. No one dared resist.
Skylar bowed her head slightly and followed the group toward the hut. The soldiers' watchful eyes followed them as they moved along the narrow path. The landscape grew denser, trees casting deeper shadows over the trail.
As they neared the hut, a strange giggle caught Skylar's ear. She glanced to the side and saw a few students whispering behind her.
Two girls stepped in front of her—nearly identical, with aristocratic posture and mocking smiles.
"Is it true?" one of them asked, her voice high and sharp. "They let an orphan in?
I heard the gods didn't even give you a gift. So what are you doing here?"
The other one laughed. "Maybe it was a mistake. There's no place for a nobody among Willorion's warriors."
Skylar tensed but said nothing. She had long since learned that silence was often the best answer to such insults. She took a deep breath and turned to walk away.
But just as she moved, she heard a cold whisper behind her.
"Enjoy the fall."
A sharp shove struck her back.
Skylar lost her balance, toppling over the railing. She screamed as she tumbled down the steep cliffside, the world spinning around her. Branches and rocks tore at her as she rolled, her skin scraping, her clothes ripping.
After a brutal impact, her senses blurred, and finally she crashed hard to the ground.
Her body pulsed with pain. Gasping for breath, she turned onto her side, trying to gather her thoughts.
She looked around.
Towering trees surrounded her, their thick canopies letting in barely any light. The air was damp and cold, the silence broken only by distant animal sounds.
Then came the realization:
She was in the Danger Zone.
Old legends and warnings rushed to her mind. The Danger Zone was a wild, untamed area beyond the academy's boundaries—home to predators and unnatural beasts.
Here, there were no walls, no laws—only survival.
Skylar struggled to her feet. Her side ached, and her left ankle burned with what felt like a sprain.
She couldn't stay in one place for long. If a predator caught the scent of her blood, she would quickly become prey.
She had only one chance: find a way back to the academy.
Pushing forward through the trees, she tried to keep a sense of direction, but the forest was thick and disorienting. Strange sounds echoed now and then—growls, snapping branches.
Something was watching her.
She pushed herself faster, even as pain flared with every step.
Then a deep, guttural howl tore through the night.
Movement stirred among the trees.
A massive wolf emerged from the shadows, eyes glowing red like burning coals. Its coat shimmered darkly in the dim light, its teeth bared in a growl.
Skylar froze.
She knew she had to run, but her legs hesitated.
The beast waited for only a moment, then lunged.
Skylar spun around and ran, pouring every ounce of strength into her limbs.
The creature chased her, its heavy paws slamming into the ground behind her.
Branches slashed her face, thorns tore her skin—but she didn't stop.
Then she saw it—a massive wall, covered in vines.
The academy's boundary.
With a final burst of strength, she reached the wall, grabbed the nearest vine with trembling hands, and began to climb. Each movement sent waves of agony through her body, but she had no other choice.
Behind her, the wolf leapt.
Its teeth sank into her ankle, and a scream tore from her throat.
Instinctively, she kicked, dislodging the beast, which fell to the ground, howling in pain.
Panting, Skylar hauled herself to the top of the wall and jumped down the other side.
She couldn't stop the fall.
Though she tried to tuck her legs and shield herself, the force was too great, the ground too near.
The impact sent a sharp jolt through her body. Her knees and elbows slammed into the earth with dull thuds. Her bones groaned and cracked.
For a moment, darkness swallowed everything.
The pain was overwhelming. She couldn't even cry out.
Her forehead rested against the cold, rough ground. She gasped for air. Only then did she dare to look to the side.
The beast was still there—just a few steps away.
Its eyes blazed red in the half-light, its maroon saliva dripping from jagged fangs. Its body was coiled, muscles trembling in the moment before attack. Its claws dug into the soil as it crept closer.
Skylar's heart thundered in her chest.
She had nowhere to run.
Her body refused to move, legs numb with pain, fingers clinging weakly to the dirt.
The wolf leapt.
And then—something ancient, something unknown ignited within her.
She didn't think. She didn't plan.
She simply acted.
Her hand lifted, and as she reached toward the beast, her lips formed words—unfamiliar, yet known.
The sky darkened.
In the blink of an eye, wind tore through the trees. The air turned frigid.
Storm clouds spread overhead, and the first raindrops fell with whispering force.
The air crackled with electricity.
Skylar shivered.
With one desperate gesture, she locked eyes with the beast.
The rain exploded into a torrent. Whirling water spiraled down onto the creature.
A vortex of storm lifted it into the air.
The wolf howled, flailing helplessly.
The wind spun faster, wilder—until the dark beast was hurled far away, disappearing into the storm's roar.
Skylar's arms dropped to the earth.
The last sparks of magic faded.
Her body gave in to exhaustion. Her limbs were heavy, her breath ragged.
The pain was too much. The cold rain soaked her clothes, inch by inch.
The world dimmed.
She heard her own breathing. Distant thunder.
And then… footsteps. Quick, sure, slapping through the mud.
Someone was coming.
Then—a touch. Strong, steady arms lifted her.
Careful.
But firm.
A deep, unfamiliar voice said something—but the words no longer reached her.
Skylar's mind faded, and she let the darkness claim her.