Fists of the Forgotten

The day began with chaos. Kade was jolted awake not by the morning bell but by a sound so deafening it could've been mistaken for an explosion. As he shot upright, his roommate, Taro, sat cross-legged on the floor, staring intently at a glowing scroll.

"Taro, what the hell was that?" Kade barked, rubbing his ringing ears.

Taro glanced up nonchalantly. "Sound amplification spell. Needed to hear the lecturer's voice better during review. Accidentally reversed it."

"Accidentally?" Kade repeated, incredulous. His irritation grew as the dormitory erupted into chaos—students shouting, doors slamming, and one very irate instructor bursting into their room, only to slip on Kade's discarded boots and fall with a resounding thud.

By the time order was restored, Kade had resigned himself to another less-than-stellar day at Ironclad Academy.

The announcement of the day's group trial did little to improve his mood. "Today," Instructor Varen declared, "you'll be retrieving a Phoenix Gem from the depths of the enchanted forest. Teamwork will be paramount."

Kade winced as the teams were announced. His name was called alongside:

Lina, a bubbly healer whose clumsiness was the stuff of legend. She once healed a sparring partner's sprained ankle but gave them uncontrollable hiccups for an hour.

Rik, the self-proclaimed "Wind Emperor," whose ego was matched only by his lack of self-awareness.

Taro, his sarcastic roommate who seemed more amused than annoyed by life's absurdities.

"This," Kade muttered, "is going to be a disaster."

The forest was as enchanting as it was dangerous. Trees with leaves of gold loomed overhead, and strange, glowing flora pulsed with light. Lina, ever curious, reached out to touch a shimmering flower, only to yelp as it snapped shut on her finger.

"Maybe don't touch the man-eating plants," Taro said dryly.

Rik, striding ahead, declared, "Fear not! I, the Wind Emperor, shall lead us to victory!"

"Does he always refer to himself in the third person?" Kade asked, to no one in particular.

"Only when he's about to do something stupid," Taro replied.

Their trek took an unexpected turn when they encountered a small, fluffy creature. It chirped innocently, its round eyes sparkling.

"Adorable," Lina cooed, stepping forward. Rik, however, puffed out his chest.

"Step aside! I'll show you how a true warrior handles wild beasts!" he proclaimed. He stomped his foot, and the creature tilted its head. Then, it grew. And grew. And grew.

Within seconds, the once-adorable critter towered over Rik, its fangs bared. With a scream that shattered any illusions of bravery, Rik scrambled up a tree. The creature lunged, but Lina's hasty spell left it drowsy, collapsing at the base of Rik's perch.

"Brilliant leadership, oh Wind Emperor," Kade said, stifling a laugh as Rik shakily climbed down.

Their next challenge was no laughing matter. Deep in the forest, a towering golem of wood and stone barred their path. Its eyes glowed ominously as it roared, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Rik, undeterred, stepped forward. "Leave this to me!" He unleashed a gale-force wind that stripped the golem's surface of leaves, revealing its stone core.

"Impressive," Kade said, clapping slowly. "You gave it a makeover."

Lina attempted to assist, casting what she thought was a weakening spell. Instead, the golem's damaged arm regenerated with fresh vines and bark. She winced. "Oops?"

Kade sighed. "We're doomed."

As the golem advanced, Kade felt something stir deep within him. Shadows at his feet began to writhe, responding to his desperation. He closed his eyes, willing the darkness to move. Tendrils of shadow rose, weaving illusions that confused the golem, giving the team an opening to grab the Phoenix Gem and retreat.

Back at the academy, Rik loudly recounted their "victory," embellishing his role with each retelling. Lina eagerly chimed in, blissfully unaware of the absurdity. Taro, leaning against a wall, muttered, "Sure, let's give him a medal for not being squashed."

Kade remained silent, his thoughts elsewhere. The shadows had felt alive, responding to his will in a way that both fascinated and terrified him. As the others laughed and celebrated, he couldn't shake the memory of how the darkness had surged at his command.

From the shadows of a distant corridor, a hooded figure watched the team's return. Their gaze lingered on Kade before they melted into the darkness, leaving no trace of their presence.

That night, Kade sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the shifting shadows in his room. A faint whisper echoed in his mind, chilling him to the core: "You are not ready yet…"