The bed felt softer than it should have, almost too soft, like it was swaying beneath me. I closed my eyes and let the feeling carry me, slow and steady, the way the sea rocks a small boat. Each breath rose and fell with that rhythm until I couldn't tell where the motion ended and my thoughts began.
The room was quiet. My body was still. Yet beneath me, it felt as if waves moved through the mattress, gentle and endless, lulling me deeper into rest. I didn't fight it. I just let myself drift.
Soon the darkness came.
I was floating again, only this time there was no bed, no sound, just that same slow rhythm rolling under me. Shapes flickered in the dark-brief flashes of places I'd already been. The glow of the cavern walls. The ring gleaming in my palm. The echo of a voice I couldn't name. They came like ripples on still water, then faded, leaving me alone in the quiet.
Something else appeared in front of me, drifting closer. It pulsed faintly, a soft heartbeat of light breaking through the dark. I reached for it, my fingers brushing its surface. The instant I touched it, it blazed to life, bursting into fire that burned without heat. I flinched, but there was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. The light spread fast, splitting the object apart until it shattered into three glowing fragments.
Two of them drifted away, their light dimming as they vanished into the black. The third hovered in front of me, trembling. Its edges began to melt and curve inward, metal folding and reshaping until it became a ring. Silver and black, its surface laced with delicate, curling lines that wrapped around a single red stone.
Then everything stilled.
The scene shifted. A door loomed in front of me, massive and ancient, standing alone in the emptiness. Symbols I couldn't understand pulsed faintly along its surface, their glow flickering like dying embers. Something about it felt wrong. My hand reached for it on instinct, but just as my fingers brushed against the cold wood, a chill shot through me so sharply that it tore me out of sleep.
I woke with a violent start, chest heaving as my surroundings came into focus. The dim light filtering through the cabin shutters made the air feel thick. My heart hammered against my ribs, the echo of that dream still ringing in my head. I sat up slowly, trying to steady my breath, my eyes drawn to my hand.
The ring gleamed faintly in the half-light. The same one from the dream.
Before I could think, the cabin door swung open. Mr. Johnson stumbled inside, his shirt clinging with sweat and dirt smudged across his face. His eyes widened when he saw me sitting up.
"Jeremiah," he said, breathing hard. "You're here... they found you." He took a few steps forward, his voice softening. "I was starting to think..." He stopped himself and shook his head. "Never mind. You're safe now."
I blinked, still dazed. "Sir?"
He crouched beside the bed, scanning my face like he was checking for injuries. "How do you feel? Any pain? You hit your head or chest when you fell?"
"I don't think so," I murmured, rubbing my temples. "Just... tired."
He nodded, but the look in his eyes was searching, deep. "Do you remember where you were before they found you? Did you wander far from the trail?"
"I don't know," I said. "Everything's kind of a blur."
Mr. Johnson exhaled slowly. "You must have gotten disoriented in the fog. These mountains can play tricks on you if you stray too far. You didn't see anyone, did you? Any strange people or animals?"
I frowned slightly. "No, sir. Just fog and rocks."
He gave a small nod, though his gaze stayed on me a moment longer. "Good. That's good." He reached out and rested a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You scared the whole class, Jeremiah. We thought we lost you up there. Try to rest now, alright? I'll bring you something warm to eat soon."
He stood and took a step back, glancing briefly at my hand. The light caught on the ring, and for a fleeting moment, something unreadable crossed his face, quickly masked by a weary smile.
"I'm glad you made it back," he said quietly. "Not everyone who gets lost up there does."
Silence hung between us for a long moment before Mr. Johnson finally sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "But you're staying close by for the rest of the trip. No more wandering off. Understood?"
I nodded, feeling the weight lift just slightly from my chest. "Yeah, I understand."
I barely saw as he left the room before fatigue dragged me under once again.
I sank back against the pillow, the weight of exhaustion pulling at me. His words lingered in my head, though I couldn't figure out why. All I knew was that something about that mountain still felt close, too close.
Above me, the wooden ceiling came into focus as I stared up at it. The quiet in the cabin crept around me, thick and still. My body ached, but it wasn't pain that kept me awake. It was memory, the fight replaying behind my eyes, sharp and unyielding.
Ankantu's roar echoed faintly in my mind, deep and furious, shaking through me as if it hadn't ended. The flashes came one after another: his claws gouging the ground, the weight of each strike, the panic that clawed its way up my throat. It had been savage, desperate, the kind of struggle that left nothing untouched. Yet somehow, I had survived. Ankantu hadn't.
The last thing he said before falling still whispered through my head.
"Destroyer."
The word lingered like a bruise that wouldn't fade. I told myself it wasn't my fault. I hadn't wanted to fight him. I only took the fruit because I was starving, barely able to move, my body giving out. The tree had been the only thing left that could save me, and when I ate its fruit, I felt it at once. The rush of strength, the warmth flooding my limbs, the way it pulled me back from the edge. It had saved my life.
But Ankantu hadn't seen it that way. He had only seen a thief.
I turned onto my side, my fingers brushing against the smooth seeds in my pocket. Their cool surface steadied me for a moment, though my thoughts kept turning. Was what I did truly right? Survival was the word I clung to, but it sounded hollow now.
Was I really meant to carry a name like that, Destroyer?
The thought refused to leave. Maybe Ankantu had seen something I didn't. Maybe he wasn't just cursing me.
I closed my hand around the seeds, feeling their shape press into my skin. They were all I had left from that place. Maybe they could still mean something. If I could plant one somewhere safe, let it grow under my watch, maybe that would be enough to set things right.
The mountain crossed my mind first, but I pushed the idea away. Too exposed. Too many lives nearby. Back home would be safer. If it ever became a threat, I could stop it before it harmed anyone.
I breathed out slowly, slipping one of the seeds into my bag and resting my hand there. The air in the room felt colder, but my thoughts kept moving, restless and uncertain. Maybe this wasn't redemption, not really. Maybe it was just my way of trying to live with what I'd done. Still, it was a start.
Stepping outside, I blinked against the bright midday sun. The air was crisp, the kind that hinted at the coming evening but still carried the warmth of the afternoon. I glanced down at the ground, noting the sharp angle of my shadow. It was already after twelve. I hadn't realized how long I had been out.
The camp was buzzing with activity. Sasha's group sat at a long wooden table, huddled close over their notebooks. Sasha barked orders, her tone sharp and commanding as she directed the others. Amanda was off to the side, carefully comparing bits of plant life spread out across a cloth. Every few seconds, she called out observations for one of the writers to record. Around them, others moved quickly between stations, passing along samples and notes. It was controlled chaos, everyone moving with purpose, making the most of what little time they had left.
I needed to move too.
I headed across the campgrounds, scanning the area for anything that could work as a container for the seed. The faint smell of food from lunch still hung in the air, mixed with damp grass and soil. Starting near the picnic benches, I lifted trays and checked beneath them.
One of the ants froze mid-step.
I blinked, and the line of them was suddenly a few inches over, moving like it had never stopped. My stomach tightened. I told myself I'd imagined it, that my head was still scrambled from sleep and stress, and I kept searching.
Next, I moved toward the storage area behind the main cabin. Old boxes, scraps of paper, and bits of rope littered the ground. I kicked aside a few pieces, hoping to spot a bottle or jar, but all I found were crushed cups and broken plastic. Frustration built as I crouched to peer under a stack of wooden crates. My fingers brushed against dirt, splinters, and an empty soda can that was too dented to hold anything.
I kept searching, walking along the edges of the camp where the bins stood. The metal lids clanged as I lifted them one by one, only to be met by the sour smell of discarded food and plastic wrappers. Still nothing useful. I sighed and wiped my hands on my pants, glancing around the open field.
Sasha's group was still hard at work, voices rising and falling as they discussed their findings. Watching them stirred something in my chest. It wasn't annoyance or envy, but guilt. When I had finally managed to get out of bed, my first thought should have been to check on my teammates, not to distract myself with this search just to ease my guilt. It's worth twenty percent of our grade. I should contribute. I still had plenty of time to collect what I needed later. Right now, I needed to stop and help them.
With that thought firm in my mind, I turned away from where Sasha's group was gathered and started across the camp, scanning the different clusters of students for any sign of him.
A girl in a yellow shirt passed me, laughing with her friends. Two steps later, the same laugh hit my ears again, same pitch, same rhythm, and the same girl crossed the path in front of me like she'd rewound and walked it twice.
I stopped and rubbed my head, my pulse quickening. Something weird was happening.
The camp kept moving like nothing happened. I swallowed the weirdness and forced my legs to keep going.
The mountain air bit at my exposed skin, slipping through the fabric of my shirt and crawling down my spine. It wasn't the kind of cold that made your breath visible, but the kind that sank deep, making your muscles tense and your bones ache. I shivered and rubbed my arms, silently cursing myself for leaving my jacket back in the cabin.
Then I spotted him. Adrian was seated in a small clearing with Javone beside him, both of them leaning over the project materials spread out between them. Their focus was intense, neither of them noticing me as I drew closer. The chill swept through the camp, sharp and relentless, but they worked steadily, their movements deliberate and controlled.
Adrian sat upright, his posture easy but alert, wrapped in a blue-and-white insulated jacket zipped high against the cold. His dark hair was neatly kept, his features calm in a way that always made him seem older than the rest of us. He wasn't bulky or imposing, just solid in the way someone who moved a lot tended to be, steady on his feet, grounded. Even sitting still, there was a quiet confidence in how he carried himself, like he didn't need to prove anything to anyone.
"This wind is biting out here," I said, rubbing my arms again.
Adrian looked up briefly. "It is. Where's your jacket?"
"I left it in the cabin," I replied. "When you first step outside it's not so bad."
Javone chuckled lightly, not looking up from his work. "Yeah, but the longer you stay out here, the harder it bites at your skin."
The three of us laughed quietly, the sound carrying softly through the thin air before fading into the rustle of the trees.
Beside him, Javone sat slightly hunched, bundled into a green pullover pulled tight against the cold. His red hair peeked out beneath the hood, and his glasses caught the light whenever he tilted his head down toward the notes. He had a slim-thick build, not large, not fragile either, the kind that held its shape without trying. He rubbed his hands together for warmth, quiet and observant, taking everything in while saying very little, like he always was.
I stepped closer, my boots crunching softly against the earth. "We were starting to get worried that you'd never wake up," Adrian said.
Javone smirked. "Well, at least you're back in one piece. We were starting to think there might have been some truth to the rumors going around."
I frowned. "What rumors?"
Adrian waved it off with a grin. "We'll get to that in a second. For now, we're just putting the final touches on the project. Everything's basically done. We just need to glue in the sketches we made of the rocks, the Blue Mountain, and the different plant life and landscape."
I glanced at the project laid out in front of them, the pages neatly filled with notes, diagrams, and pressed leaves. Seeing how much effort they had put in made guilt twist a little deeper in my chest. "Let me do that part," I said quickly. "I wanna at least feel like I did something."
They exchanged a short look before Adrian shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Knock yourself out."
Javone handed me the glue and the stack of sketches. "We're just glad you're back, man. You seem to be looking better."
"Yeah," I said quietly. "Guess some rest actually helped."
I got to work, carefully pressing each image into its spot, making sure the edges lined up cleanly. As I leaned over the project, a small group of students passed by, whispering to each other. The moment I looked up, they scattered, rushing back to their stations like I'd caught them doing something wrong.
I raised an eyebrow. "Okay, what was that about?"
Javone sighed, shaking his head. "Oh, you mean the rumors?"
"Rumors?" I repeated, glancing between them.
Adrian chuckled. "Yeah, so apparently, while you were gone, someone started saying you got abducted by aliens. Then that turned into you fighting a bear. And now, the latest version is that a space bear tried to kidnap you, you fought it off, and now you're secretly planning an alien invasion."
I blinked at him. "That's... impressively stupid."
Javone laughed, tapping his forehead. "Right? I swear, our classmates have too much time on their hands."
I smirked, pressing another sketch down. "At least it means they'll keep their distance."
Adrian snorted. "Unless curiosity gets the better of them. You know how people are. They ignore you until they think you're interesting."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well, that's not the kind of attention I'm hoping for."
Adrian chuckled and leaned back slightly. "Still, you fighting off a space bear? I gotta admit, that's a better story than half the stuff that happens around here."
Javone grinned. "Yeah, man. If that rumor gets any wilder, they'll have you leading an alien army next."
Adrian chuckled, nudging Javone. "Man, imagine Jeremiah, intergalactic Traitor, leading an alien invasion. We're all doomed."
Javone smirked. "Better start prepping our defenses now." I just shook my head and went back to gluing.
I flipped through the pages of the journal. I hadn't contributed much, but seeing the final product still filled me with a quiet sense of pride.
"This actually looks really good," I said, nodding in approval. "You guys did a great job."
Adrian grinned. "Of course we did. You thought we were gonna hand in some half-finished mess?"
I chuckled and handed the journal back to Javone. That's when I noticed the empty bottle sitting beside him.
"Hey, can I use that bottle?" I asked, nodding toward it.
Javone picked it up and gave it a small toss in his hand before glancing at me. "What for?"
"I wanna collect some Blue Mountain soil," I said casually.
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly are you planning to get the soil from?"
Javone smirked. "You might wanna be careful, man. If our classmates see you digging around, they'll probably think you're planting a transmission device for Space Bear."
I groaned, though a laugh slipped out anyway. "I hope that joke dies soon."
"Never," Adrian said with a grin.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Alright, maybe I'll just get some soil from somewhere else."
Javone and Adrian exchanged a quick look before turning to me almost in sync.
"We'll go with you," Adrian said.
I raised a brow. "You guys aren't afraid of Space Bear?"
Javone waited a beat, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "We're not afraid of Space Bear," he said. "But if he shows up, you're doing the fighting."
Shaking my head, I stood up, and the three of us made our way into the forest. The air grew colder beneath the canopy, clinging to us as we moved between the trees. The sunlight that filtered through was faint, pale, and scattered. Our breaths came out heavier now, mixing with the soft crunch of leaves and twigs beneath our boots.
Eventually, we found a spot where bright moss spread across the ground like patches of paint against the damp earth. The colors were vivid, almost glowing in the shadowed light.
"This looks good," I said, kneeling down. I scooped up a handful of moss-covered soil and carefully pressed it into the bottle before sealing it tight. Then I paused, reaching into my pocket and pulling out the small seed I had been keeping. I dropped it into the bottle, shook it gently until the dirt settled over it, and looked at the surface thoughtfully.
Adrian crossed his arms, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You sure it's not a secret ingredient for your invasion plan?"
I gave him a look. "Keep talking, and I'll leave you as an offering to Space Bear."
Javone laughed as Adrian raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Let's head back before people actually start believing this nonsense."
Before standing, I tapped the bottle lightly against a cluster of sharp rocks, boring a few small holes into the plastic to let air in. Satisfied, I gave it one more look, then tucked it safely under my arm.
With the bottle secured, we turned back toward camp, our footsteps steady against the forest floor. The light breeze stirred the trees above us, rustling leaves in a steady rhythm. We talked as we walked, voices low and easy, the kind of idle chatter that filled the silence without thought.
But the further we went, the quieter it got. The forest sounds dulled, and that easy feeling from before began to fade.
A few yards ahead, standing in the middle of the trail, was Kofi. His arms were crossed, and that familiar smug expression curved his mouth into something sharp. The way he stood made the air feel heavier.
Adrian slowed his steps first. Javone stopped right after. I felt it too, that pull in my stomach, that shift in the air that always came before trouble.
Kofi's eyes met mine, steady and unblinking. The warmth of the moment we'd just shared was gone, replaced by something colder and uneasy.
"Took you long enough," he sneered, stepping closer. His voice carried that same rough, taunting edge. "We've got unfinished business, Jeremiah."
I didn't flinch. Didn't stiffen. I just stared at him, my expression unreadable.
That made him hesitate. His eyes flicked over me, taking in my stance, the way I didn't shrink back like I used to. Something about it clearly bothered him.
"What?" Kofi scoffed. "You feeling bold now 'cause you made a couple of friends?"
Before I could respond, Adrian stepped forward, his voice calm but steady. "So what if he has friends now?"
Javone folded his arms, his tone cutting through the quiet. "Does that make you angry, Kofi? Makes it harder for you to bully him, right? Things are easier when you target the kid by himself."
Kofi's smirk faltered for a second before he laughed, low and mocking. "You think you're the only one with friends?"
As if on cue, figures emerged from the trees behind him - Malik, Rashawn, Desmond, and Devon. They moved in sync, spreading out slightly, a clear show of force.
Kofi's expression shifted the moment the words left my mouth. His smirk faded, replaced by a look caught somewhere between disbelief and irritation. He blinked once, then twice, as if trying to process something. His jaw tightened, the muscle in his cheek twitching.
"Jeremiah's lying," he said finally, his tone low but edged with anger. "And I wanna hear what really happened."
Frustration burned in my chest. My hands curled into fists before I even realized it. "Seriously?" My voice came out sharper than I intended. "Why the hell would I make up something like that?"
Kofi tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. "A monster, Jeremiah? You expect me to believe you saw a monster?"
Adrian and Javone went still beside me. They exchanged a quick glance, the confusion in their faces shifting into disbelief.
Kofi caught it and smiled, a cold, knowing grin spreading across his face. He took a step forward, his tone turning mocking. "Oh? You didn't tell them everything, huh? Maybe because you know how crazy it sounds."
I met his stare, my jaw tightening. The air felt heavy, every second stretching thinner, sharper. My pulse thudded in my ears, but I refused to look away.
Kofi's grin faded, replaced by a hard scowl. The shift was sudden, his temper snapping like a rope pulled too tight. His eyes darkened, and before I could react, he lunged forward, grabbing me by the collar with both hands. His grip was solid and rough, yanking me close enough that I could smell the faint mix of sweat and dirt on his jacket. My feet scraped against the ground, and my heart kicked into overdrive.
Anger surged through me, and I acted on impulse. My hands shot forward, pushing at him with every bit of strength I had. Fueled by frustration and raw adrenaline, I tore free from his grip and stumbled back, my chest heaving.
"What is your problem?" I shouted, my voice cracking under the weight of everything boiling inside me.
Adrian and Javone rushed forward, but before they could reach me, Kofi's friends closed in fast. Malik caught Adrian by the arm, his grip like iron, while Desmond locked both arms around Javone's shoulders, holding him back. Adrian twisted and pulled, teeth clenched, trying to break free, but Malik was broader, heavier, and rooted in place. Javone struggled too, jerking against Desmond's hold, his boots scraping against the dirt, but he couldn't shake loose.
"Let go of me!" Adrian shouted, voice raw with anger.
Javone grunted, fighting against the pressure on his arms. "Get off!"
Something in Kofi snapped. His face twisted with fury as he shoved me hard, slamming me into a tree. The bark tore at my back, biting into my skin. Before I could catch my breath, his fists came at me fast, one after another.
The first blow crashed into my ribs, knocking the air clean out of me. The next exploded against my side, sending pain flaring through every nerve. I tried to block, my arms flailing weakly, but it wasn't enough. Each punch drove me further into the tree, each hit louder than the last.
Was this how it ended? After everything I had been through, after magic, monsters, and everything in between, was Kofi really going to be the one to break me? The thought burned hot in my chest. My eyes stung, not from pain but from frustration. I hated that feeling of helplessness creeping back in.
"I told you to remember your place," he grunted, his breath ragged between punches.
The next hit slammed into my stomach, folding me over in pain. He didn't stop. His fists hammered into me, my arms, my face, my chest, until I could barely tell where one strike ended and the next began.
"Stop it, Kofi!" Adrian shouted, panic breaking through his voice. "You're going too far!"
"Yeah, man, stop!" Javone yelled, still fighting against Desmond's grip, his voice straining.
But they couldn't reach me. The boys holding them were too strong, their grips too tight. All Adrian and Javone could do was watch, helpless and furious, as Kofi kept swinging.
The world around me blurred, the forest fading into a haze of noise and motion.
But Kofi didn't stop. His fists kept coming, the anger in his eyes blazing as he poured everything he had into each strike. My legs gave out, and I dropped to the ground, pain shooting through me like electricity. Every hit burned. My ribs screamed with every shallow breath, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.
Kofi dropped on top of me, pinning me down with his knees. His fists became a blur, hammering into my face, my arms, my chest. The world narrowed to the sound of his breathing, the thud of each impact, and the dirt grinding beneath me. My body felt like it was breaking apart, my mind flickering between pain and disbelief.
"Please..." I whispered, the word barely more than a breath. "Stop..."
For a moment, it was like he didn't hear me. Then, finally, his punches slowed. He pushed off me, his chest heaving. I lay still, my body trembling, the ache radiating through every muscle. Every inhale felt like knives pressing against my ribs. My vision swam, the world shifting in and out of focus.
What had I done to deserve this? The thought repeated over and over in my head, tangled with anger and confusion. I had fought so hard in that cave, faced things no one would believe, but here I was again, broken by someone who only saw weakness.
Kofi stood above me, breathing heavily. He spat on the ground beside me, the sound sharp in the silence. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away. Malik and Desmond let go of Adrian and Javone, both of them looking shaken. They hesitated for a moment before following after Kofi, their faces a mix of guilt and uncertainty.
Adrian and Javone rushed to my side.
"Jeremiah!" Adrian dropped to his knees beside me, his face pale with worry. "Are you okay? Can you stand?"
Javone knelt on my other side, his hands trembling as he reached to help. I winced, forcing myself upright. Every part of me ached, my ribs and arms screaming in protest. The world felt distant, muffled, like sound itself was struggling to reach me.
"I'm fine," I managed to say, though my voice came out rough and thin.
Adrian's eyes searched mine, doubt written across his face. Javone looked at me quietly, jaw tight, as if he didn't believe it either.
Adrian frowned, his eyes sharp with worry. "You don't look fine."
I waved him off, trying to brush the dirt from my clothes even though every movement sent pain shooting through my ribs. "Really, I'm okay. Just... give me a minute alone."
Adrian took a step toward me, but Javone stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. I could still feel their eyes on me as I walked away, my footsteps heavy on the uneven ground. Each breath came shallow and tight, a sharp jolt shooting through my ribs every time my foot hit the dirt, but I kept moving until their voices faded.
I leaned against a tree, breathing hard, every inhale a reminder of Kofi's fists. Monsters had tried to break me before, and I had survived. Fear, darkness, things no one would ever believe-I had fought through all of it. But standing there now, beaten and bruised, I wasn't sure any of it mattered. Was I really stronger than before, or had I just been pretending? The thought twisted in my gut, leaving me hollow.
My hand drifted to the ring. I twisted it once, then tried to pull it off. It didn't move. I tried again, harder, until the skin on my finger pulled tight and sore. Still nothing. I stared at it, breath caught in my throat, then forced myself to stop. Maybe my finger was swollen. Either way, the ring stayed.
"I wish I could just disappear," I whispered, the words slipping out before I realized I had said them.
The forest was quiet. The wind rustled the leaves above me, a faint whisper that filled the silence. Then something shifted. The air around me thinned, pulled tight like the world was holding its breath. My ears popped, and a chill ran down my spine.
The ring on my finger started to glow. Faint at first, then brighter, until the light burned against my skin. A pulse rippled through the air, and everything around me fell silent. The sound of the wind vanished. The trees, the ground, the forest itself-all of it blurred, then broke apart.
I stumbled as the world gave way beneath me. My feet hit solid ground again, but it wasn't the same. The scent of earth was gone, replaced by the dry sting of dust and heat. I blinked against the glare, my heart pounding as I looked around.
The forest was gone. In its place stretched an endless desert, cracked and colorless, the ground shifting beneath my boots. The air shimmered with heat, and the horizon stretched forever, empty and lifeless beneath a dull gray sky.
I swallowed hard, my throat already dry. Panic crept up the back of my neck. One moment, I had been standing in the forest. Now, I was here, surrounded by nothing but sand and silence.
"What the hell is going on?" I shouted, the words tearing out of me before I could think. My voice echoed across the barren landscape, carried by the dry wind, fading into nothing.
But no answer came. The silence swallowed my voice whole.