First Mission

Popping up from the hole we had entered, me, Eliza, and Jonas quietly moved the tapestry back to its original place. The dank, musty smell of the sewers clung to our clothes, a reminder of our secret nighttime adventure.

It was as if we'd never left, and yet everything had changed. We now had a way out.

Soon, we had snuck back into our respective dormitories. Surrounded by familiar sights and sounds, I crept through the dimly lit dining room. Nearby, the soft glow of the enchanted lanterns cast long shadows on the wooden beams that crisscrossed the ceiling.

Returning to my room, I sighed with relief as I saw that Caspian and Rowan were still asleep. On my bed, my belongings were scattered about, a testament to how hastily I had left my room tonight in order to find the grate.

My reunion with Tobias and the tantalizing glimpse of the Black Market had been exhilarating.

Taking a moment to myself, I let out a sigh - I would have never had any of these experiences on Earth. With a small smile to myself, I leaned back on my bed and stretched out my arms towards the ceiling.

Somehow, it felt in reach.

Closing my eyes, I began to drift off.

As my consciousness slipped away, a shadow briefly darkened my thoughts. Tomorrow would mark my first official mission as a cadet of the Adventurer's Academy.

I was not prepared.

....

The morning sun filtered through the small, arched window near my head, slowly rousing me from slumber. Stretching, I abruptly sat up.

Today was the mission!

Wait.... I wasn't ready.

Soon, all the excitement left me as the gravity of the impending mission bore down on me like a leaden cloak.

Then, a gentle knock resonated through my room, piercing the morning stillness and drawing our collective attention. I scrambled from my bed, hastening to open the door.

No one was there.

Beyond my door, however, the dormitory was a whirlwind of activity. Fellow cadets bustled about, the atmosphere charged with anticipation and a hint of nervous excitement.

Clusters of cadets huddled together engrossed in conversations as they guessed what the mission would be and made plans.

The nervous energy was contagious, and I rushed to get ready, in a whirlwind.

I rushed in a frenzied scramble. Darting like a monkey on a caffeine binge every-which-way, but in no particular, productive direction, I nearly tripped over my own boots. Finally, I pulled myself together; I was ready.

Emerging from the door, my hair resembled a botched science experiment, sticking out in all directions like a particularly unruly forest of dandelions.

As I walked out into the crisp morning air, the green expanse of the Academy grounds greeted us. Well-kept gardens sprawled amidst training arenas and imposing spires, the heart of our training and preparation.

It was there, beneath the shade of an ancient oak tree, that Orion, one of our mentors for the mission, awaited us. He stood with an air of composed authority, his demeanor cold and precise, like the chill of an early morning frost.

"Cadets," he began, his voice carrying a crisp formality that demanded attention.

The chatter instantly disappeared.

"Today marks the initiation of your practical training as adventurers. Our objective is to journey to the perilous mountains east of Dawnhaven."

Orion continued, his words measured and devoid of any unnecessary flourish. "These mountains are renowned for their treacherous terrain and the presence of rare, invaluable medicinal herbs. Your mission is simple. Collect as many of these herbs as you can while prioritizing your safety. The mountains house formidable creatures, and you are to exercise vigilance at all times."

Our mentor's words hung in the air, a sobering reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.

As I contemplated the gravity of the task ahead, a notion danced at the edge of my thoughts. Collecting herbs? How challenging could it truly be?

Just then, a colossal figure, roughly the size of a small mountain, lumbered into view.

"Is the briefing over?" bellowed Thorne, his voice a rumbling force of nature.

Orion, his demeanor as composed as ever, turned to face the approaching Thorne. His demeanor darkened, the air around him becoming measurably colder.

His response was measured, a stark contrast to Thorne's exclamation.

"Yes, Thorne, the briefing is concluded. Thanks for arriving," Orion replied, his tone cool and collected.

Thorne, with a voice that could shatter glass, snorted dismissively. "Good. Let's not waste any more time with this prattle, then. These kids need to learn by doing, not listening to your droning speeches."

Orion's piercing gaze remained unwavering as he responded, "We had to explain the mission Thorne. Ignorance can lead to unnecessary risks."

With a scoff, a deep rumble of irritation resounded. "Risk is part of the adventurer's life, Orion. You can't wrap them in cotton wool forever."

A tension crackled in the air, a stark contrast between Orion's calculated approach and Thorne's brashness. It was clear to anyone observing that these two mentors were like fire and ice, their differing philosophies on training cadets clashing at every turn.

Turning around, Orion quickly gestured his hands, "Please find yourselves groups of 4. Thorne will assign you to a group if you can't find one."

Then, he walked off.

Behind him, all the cadets scrambled to find a group - no one wanted to deal with Thorne.

Eliza, Jonas, Caspian, and I quickly agreed to work together, our shared experiences and camaraderie serving as a foundation for trust.

With our mission firmly underway, we proceeded to the awaiting carts that would transport us to the base of the daunting mountains. The carts were robust and well-equipped, drawn by teams of sturdy horses that had been specially trained for such endeavors.

Seated within our designated cart, we readied ourselves for the journey that lay ahead. The path to the mountains would span several hours, a stretch during which we needed to rest and conserve our energy, as the mountains themselves would demand every ounce of our strength and resolve.

As the carts began to roll forward, the familiar scenery of the Academy grounds faded into the distance for the second time the day.

....

Soon, we found ourselves enveloped by the breathtaking countryside of Dawnhaven. Lush fields transformed into dense woodlands that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Slowly, the landscape shifted, becoming wilder and untamed.

The mountains, formidable and unyielding, came into view on the horizon, their towering peaks capped with a layer of snow that faded into the white clouds.

Among the cadets, emotions varied. Some carts were filled with a spirited buzz of conversation, with laughter resounding. Others were, quiet and solemn, filled with a nervous energy.

Ours was the latter. Within our own group a realization prevailed - we needed to do well on this test. It would determine if we stayed in Class C. Our futures. We needed to show our mettle.

Jonas broke the silence, his voice laced with determination. "We need to be united, focused, and vigilant. The mountains won't offer us any leniency."

Caspian added with a grin, "Let's not forget about our primary objective: to collect those medicinal herbs. The more we gather, the better. We should split up."

I paused - splitting up was a recipe for disaster, "Let's stay together initially, and then we can see how it's going."

In the backdrop, the journey continued, bringing us inexorably closer to the looming mountains. Despite the rugged terrain and perilous creatures ahead, we were excited for the future.

Orion's cold and composed demeanor had set the tone for the mission, and we were ready to face any challenges that appeared.