The forest was quiet, but Takuma, Emi, and Sota could still feel it. Something was watching them. The sunlight came through the trees in thin lines, and every sound made them look around.
Sota hit his metal rods together, tiny blue sparks jumping between them. "That guy, Ren… he was too calm," he said. "Like he didn't even care that we stopped his monsters."
Emi walked beside him. "He's testing us. Those monsters weren't his strongest. I could tell."
Takuma nodded, holding his sword by the handle. "Then we'll have to get stronger too."
They walked for a while until they found a small river. The water was clear, and fish swam under the surface. It looked peaceful, but Takuma couldn't relax. He kept thinking about Ren's calm smile.
Sota crouched by the river and splashed water on his face. "Man, we need to train more. If he sends more monsters, we can't just barely win against them."
"Yeah. You're right." Emi said with a determined look on her face. Then, all of a sudden, something caught Takuma's eye. It was a small black feather floating in the water. He picked it up.
"This looks like the same color as that stone," he said, holding it out.
Emi touched it. "It's warm… again."
Sota stood up, looking around. "Do you think Ren's nearby?"
Takuma's eyes looked through the trees. "Maybe. We should move."
They crossed the river and walked deeper into the forest. The light started to fade as the trees grew thicker. Then they heard it—branches snapping.
Something moved in the shadows.
"Get ready," Takuma whispered.
It appeared to be a person lurking in the shadows. The person stepped forward, wearing a dark cloak. "You're the ones who stopped Ren's creatures?"
Takuma nodded slowly. "Who are you?"
The man lifted his hood. It was a black man with a short frohawk and a small scar on his cheek. His dark brown eyes looked calm but serious. "My name is Daichi. I used to know Ren… before he changed."
Emi blinked. "You knew him?"
Daichi nodded. "He was once like you. He was very kind and did good deeds. He was a really nice guy. But the star he touched… it twisted him."
Takuma tightened his grip on his sword. "Twisted him?"
"The stars don't just give power," Daichi said. "They test you. If your heart isn't strong, they change who you are."
Sota looked concerned. "So… that could happen to us too?"
Daichi looked at him seriously. "If you lose sight of why you fight, yes."
The forest was quiet again for a moment.
Takuma finally spoke. "Then we'll make sure that never happens."
Daichi smiled. "Good. I'll help you. Ren won't stop until he proves he's stronger than everyone. You'll need to be ready."
Takuma nodded. "Then let's train."
As the sun started to set, Daichi led them to an open field surrounded by trees. The air was cool, and the grass moved with the wind. Takuma looked at Emi and Sota, both ready and standing tall.
They didn't know how hard the road ahead would be. But for now, they had someone who could help them grow stronger—and a reason to keep going.
Under the orange sky, their training began.