Forged By Falcrest

Atlas woke to a ball of fluff sprawled across his face, making it difficult to breathe.

He reached up and pulled the lynx off. "What the hell? Are you trying to get revenge for your mother or what?"

The lynx tilted its head and gave him a funny look, as if mocking him. It didn't seem interested in replying—not that it could.

Atlas snorted. "Cute."

The sound of someone clearing their throat made him look up.

Both of his teammates were already up and dressed, standing stiffly beside someone Atlas hadn't expected to see. It was the Lightblade who had healed him months ago.

"Atlas, it's good to see you again," Ambro greeted with a small smile.

Atlas nodded groggily, wiping sleep from his eyes and pushing his messy hair back. While dropping the small lynx onto his lap. It glared at him before running over to Kara.

"Greetings, Curate Ambro."

"I see you've learned the correct terms, finally," Ambro said with a light laugh.

Atlas scratched his head, feeling a bit sheepish. It was amazing what a little bit of schooling could do. Before attending the academy, he hadn't known much of anything, let alone the ranks of Blades. But now, after a few months, he could rattle off the basics.

For Nightblades, the lowest rank was Aspirant—what you became after graduating from the academy. Then there were Strikers, who could lead teams and take missions on their own. Finally, there were the Reavers, the highest rank. Reavers were legends, known for surviving countless missions and proving themselves time and again. Every kid wanted to be one. Atlas was no exception.

Lightblades followed the same structure. They also started as Aspirants, then moved up to Curates like Ambro, who had the training and experience to work in the field without supervision. The highest rank for Lightblades was Keeper, someone who had mastered healing, warding, and strategy. Keepers were often advisors to the great clans and key leaders in war councils.

Atlas realized he'd been staring and shook himself out of his thoughts. "Right… sorry about that. When we met, I was a little out of sorts. Kind of thought I was being locked up for good, ya know."

Ambro's smile faded slightly, his expression growing more serious. "Yes, I do know." His tone softened. "I'm glad to see you in much better health."

"Anyway, what are you doing here, Ambro?" Atlas asked.

Ambro straightened, his expression turning more serious. "From today onward, it appears I'll be your group's teacher for the next month."

That made Atlas grin. "Awesome!"

Ambro chuckled lightly. "I've already informed Kara and Marcus here," he said, gesturing to the two standing beside him. "We're short on time, which is why I've had to come and collect you all myself. It's time to get up—we're heading out."

Atlas nodded, glancing between Kara and Marcus. He realized he was still lying in bed, half-dressed, while they were fully ready. His face heated with embarrassment.

"Right away," he said quickly, jumping up and dashing toward the washroom where his clothes from the previous night were hanging.

"Atlas!" Kara shrieked, her voice high-pitched with indignation. "You can't do that in front of a lady!"

Atlas heard Marcus burst into laughter as he shut the door behind him.

Oops. I'm not used to having girls around.

He didn't dwell on it. He grabbed his clothes and quickly got dressed, muttering under his breath about the morning starting too fast. After slipping on his boots, he splashed water on his face from the basin, the cold shocking him awake.

He caught sight of himself in the mirror. His golden eyes stared back, sharp and reflective, while his damp auburn hair clung to his forehead. His gaze dropped to the scar that stretched from his neck up to his jaw.

He sighed heavily, turning away, he headed back out to the others, while lifting his scarf up.

Ambro was still waiting by the door, his patient expression unchanged. Kara stood stiffly near Marcus, her arms crossed, while Marcus looked like he was still stifling laughter.

"Good. Time to go," Ambro said without preamble, turning on his heel and heading out the door.

Atlas exchanged a glance with Marcus, who just shrugged and followed after the Lightblade. Kara didn't meet Atlas's gaze as she trailed behind Marcus, her back unusually stiff.

Alright then. Guess that was all the rest I'd get,

***

Ambro must have really been in a rush because he didn't let them stop, not even for a quick bite to eat.

Atlas sighed as his stomach growled agreeably. He reached into the pouch strapped around his waist and pulled out an energy bar, tearing it open with practiced ease.

Still tastes like cardboard, he thought, chewing reluctantly. Better than some of the stuff in Midtown though… I guess.

Jogging to catch up, he fell into step beside Ambro, who was walking briskly through the small town. The early morning buzz was in full swing—the streets were alive with activity, shopkeepers setting up stalls, and the air carrying the faint scent of freshly baked bread. The sun peeked through the clouds, the rain from the previous night leaving everything fresh and damp.

"What's the rush? Where are we going?" Atlas asked, his voice cutting through the bustle.

Ambro didn't slow his pace but answered, "We're heading lower down the mountain. There's a cluster of mana beasts in that area. We need to gather a few cores."

Atlas nodded thoughtfully, a flicker of excitement bubbling in his chest. Heading further down the mountain felt like progress. It felt like he was finally stepping into the 'real world,' leaving the cold confines of Falcrest behind. His mind wandered back to the open plains he'd glimpsed from the mountain peak earlier that week.

Wouldn't it be awesome to explore it all?

"How do we get mana cores?" he asked, snapping back to the moment.

Ambro gave him a pointed look. "You should already know this. It's one of the first things they teach in class when discussing mana beasts."

Atlas wracked his brain, trying to recall the lesson. His memory was foggy, though, and he found himself drawing a blank. He glanced at Kara and saw her eyes widen with realization.

"Oh, damn it," she muttered under her breath.

"What?" Marcus asked, clearly confused.

"We didn't get the core from the lynx," Kara said, her tone laced with frustration.

It clicked for Atlas. He remembered that day in class now—the one where Aaron had spent the entire lesson shooting him dirty looks and whispering to his friends.

In his mind's eye, he saw Torren standing at the front of the classroom, his broad frame radiating authority. "Every awakened beast," Torren had explained, his deep voice carrying through the room, "has a core. These cores can be found in different locations depending on the type of mana beast."

Atlas felt a chill as he recalled Torren's mana suddenly flaring, oppressive and dark, silencing the class instantly. It had felt like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Aaron," Torren had said, his voice calm but sharp, "if I have to tell you to quiet down once more…" He sighed heavily, his mana receding. "Just listen. Please."

Aaron had slouched into his chair, muttering a quiet, "Yes, sir."

Torren had continued, "As I was saying, awakened beasts have mana cores. These cores fuel much of our world—from the mana lamps we use every day to cultivation chambers. They are, without a doubt, one of the most valuable resources we possess. Without them, our society would collapse."

Snapping back to the present, Atlas groaned. "Oh, damn. Marcus, why'd you have to punch the lynx over the cliff? I could've sold that for another spell."

Marcus shot him a flat look, his expression equal parts disbelief and irritation. "Sure thing, buddy. Next time, I'll just let it maul your face off instead."

Atlas held up his hands. "Fair."

Ambro chuckled, the faintest hint of amusement in his tone. "Indeed. But don't worry—you'll have plenty of chances to make up for it. We'll be collecting quite a few more today."

Marcus frowned, clearly not comforted. "Wait… you mean we need to fight more beasts like that lynx?"

"Of course," Ambro replied matter-of-factly. "But don't worry too much. You have a healer with you now. And by the end of this month, all of you should know the basic Mend spell."

Atlas's stomach flipped at that. On one hand, learning a spell—especially a healing spell—was massive. For Marcus or Kara, it might not seem like a big deal, but for him, it was everything.

But on the other hand, his mind drifted back to the fight with the lynx, and a knot of unease tightened in his chest. He could still feel the sharp edge of fear from that moment, the close call that could've easily killed him if Marcus hadn't intervened. He knew the lynx was only playing with him. Just like the woman with the daggers.

Atlas sighed inwardly, forcing the doubts down.

Ah, screw it. You already know you're going to do it anyway, Atlas. Stop being a wuss.

He pulled his scarf tighter around his neck and followed the group as they left the town behind.

***

Atlas and the others followed Ambro as he led them further down the mountain. His pace was relentless, forcing them to jog at times to keep up. The rocky trail began to soften, patches of snow thinning until they disappeared entirely. Trees started to emerge—tall, ancient trunks with branches that wove together to form a canopy overhead. The forest grew denser with each step, its air thick with the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves.

Atlas found himself slowing, his eyes darting around as he took in his surroundings. He had never been in a forest before. It felt alive in a way the mountains didn't, every rustling branch and distant chirp pulling at his senses.

The group finally came to a stop in a small clearing where sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden patches onto the forest floor. Ambro turned to face them, his gaze sweeping over the group.

"We're far enough now," he said, "Before we continue, I want you all to learn something crucial. It's a skill every Blade—Light or Night—should have: sensing mana."

Atlas tilted his head, curious, while Marcus and Kara exchanged a glance.

Ambro continued, "Sensing mana is the ability to extend your awareness beyond yourself, to feel the flow of energy in the environment around you. It's especially useful for locating mana beasts before they locate you." His gaze sharpened. "Some people have a natural talent for it. We call them sensors, and they're often used as scouts in the field."

Ambro gestured for them to sit, and they dropped to the forest floor in a loose circle. "Close your eyes," he instructed. "Focus on your breathing first. Let the noise of the forest fade into the background."

Atlas closed his eyes, trying to ignore the damp ground beneath him. The sounds of the forest felt overwhelming at first—the chirping of birds, the rustling leaves, even the faint hum of insects. But as he focused on his breathing, slowly and steadily, the noise seemed to dim, leaving only the sound of his heartbeat in his ears.

"Mana exists in all things," Ambro's voice came softly. "The trees, the air, the ground—even the beasts we hunt. You must quiet your mind and extend your senses outward. Feel for the subtle hum of energy in the world around you."

Atlas frowned, trying to do as instructed. He imagined reaching out, as though his awareness was a ripple in still water. But all he got was… nothing. Just the same forest sounds and the faint discomfort of sitting on damp leaves.

After an hour of trying and failing, Atlas was growing frustrated. He cracked one eye open and glanced at Marcus, who was clearly annoyed, his jaw tight as he muttered under his breath. Kara, on the other hand, had her arms crossed, her expression betraying both impatience and determination.

Ambro, however, was patient. He walked among them, offering guidance and corrections. "Don't force it," he told Marcus, his tone calm. "The more you push, the harder it becomes."

Another hour passed, and Atlas felt like giving up. His legs were stiff, his back ached, and his mind was blank. But just as he was about to let out a groan of frustration, something shifted.

It was faint—barely a whisper in the back of his mind—but it was there. A presence, distant and steady, like a flicker of light in the darkness. He stilled, focusing on it, and suddenly the world seemed to open up.

He could feel it—a concentration of mana, pulsing faintly in the distance. It wasn't close, but it wasn't far either. In his mind's eye, he saw the outline of a lake, the rippling water reflecting the light of an unseen sky. And there, at the water's edge, was something alive. He couldn't tell what kind of beast it was, but its mana felt vibrant, strong, and wild.

His eyes snapped open, and his breath hitched. The forest seemed sharper now, every detail more vivid, as though the mana he'd felt had left an imprint on the world around him.

"I… I think I found something," he said, his voice tinged with awe.

Ambro turned to him, intrigued. "Describe it."

Atlas hesitated, unsure how to put it into words. "It's… a mana presence, near a lake. I can't see it, but I know it's there. It feels… strong."

Ambro's lips curled into a faint smile. "Impressive. You've managed to sense something on your first attempt."

Kara and Marcus looked at him, surprised. Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You got it already?"

"I guess," Atlas said, scratching the back of his neck. "It just… clicked."

Ambro stepped closer, his gaze appraising. "You may have a talent for this, Atlas. Sensors are rare, but their value cannot be overstated. If you develop this skill further, it could make you an excellent scout, this is a good path and something you should take into consideration and try to improve."

Atlas blinked, taken aback. He hadn't expected that. "A sensor?" He thought about it for a moment, a small flicker of pride creeping in despite himself. "That sounds… kind of cool."

"Kind of cool?" Marcus muttered, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, sure. Rub it in, why don't you."

Kara huffed, her arms still crossed. "Some of us are still trying, you know."

Ambro chuckled softly. "Don't be discouraged. Sensing mana is a skill, one that requires practice and patience. It will come to you in time."

Atlas, however, couldn't stop thinking about what he'd felt. The mana beast at the lake wasn't just an abstract presence—it was real, tangible, like he could reach out and touch it. He glanced at Ambro. "So, do we go after it now?"

Ambro nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Yes. You can also lead the way."

Atlas grinned, standing a little taller. The fear of what lay ahead lingered at the edges of his mind, but for now, excitement overpowered it. He nodded for the others to follow and began leading the group.

Marcus gave him the finger, which made him smile more.