The forest loomed before them like a black ocean of trees; each branch tangled with mist. Moonlight barely reached the ground; it only caught the edges of the twisted trunks and made them gleam like bones.

  Sensei Hashiro stopped at the entrance, arms folded.

  “This,” he said dryly, “is the Forest of Fear.”

  Kaitara frowned. “That sounds welcoming.”

  Tiatsuri peered into the gloom. “Sensei… are we actually going in there?”

  Hashiro grinned, that sly, knowing grin of his. “You are. This is your final training.”

  “What?!” the siblings shouted together. “Didn’t you say the training after the Smoke Lord fight was the last one?”

  “Did I say training?” he said innocently. “I meant a test—a test of courage.”

  Before anyone could protest, he lifted his hand. “Storm Technique: Short Hurricane!”

  A sudden gust slammed into the three of them. Leaves burst into the air, and before they could even draw breath, the students were thrown straight into the forest’s mouth.

  The wind died, and silence devoured them.

  Hatashi landed lightly on one knee, shaking off dust. “That sensei is unbelievable.”

  Kaitara’s voice echoed through the darkness. “I’m going to kill him when we get out of here!”

  “Focus,” Hatashi said, adjusting his sword strap. “We need to find an exit.”

  Tiatsuri squinted into the black haze. “Easier said than done when we can’t see a thing.”

  A faint rustle answered him. The forest whispered in languages no human could understand. The air felt heavier the deeper they went.

  “I’ll make some light.” Hatashi formed a quick seal. “Dragon Technique: Orb of Flames.”

  A sphere of fire blossomed above his palm, casting flickering light over their faces. The trunks around them gleamed wetly, and shadows bent into strange shapes.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Tiatsuri copied him, conjuring his own orb. “Much better.”

  “Let’s split up,” Hatashi decided. “If this place tests courage, it’s probably tailored to each of us. We cover more ground that way.”

  Kaitara hesitated, crossing her arms. “Split up in a haunted forest. Brilliant.”

  Tiatsuri smirked. “Scared?”

  “Not at all,” she shot back. “In fact, let’s make it a contest. First one out wins.”

  “I’m in.”

  Hatashi sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Fine. But stay alert.”

  They nodded, and with that, the trio parted—Kaitara to the left, Tiatsuri to the right, and Hatashi straight through the middle.

  The deeper she went, the quieter everything became. Even the sound of her own breathing seemed to fade. Trees thinned until the world around her dissolved into endless darkness.

  “Where… am I?” she whispered.

  A voice slithered from the shadows.

  “Still in the forest, little warrior.”

  Her blood turned cold. “Who’s there?”

  “Look up.”

  Something massive moved above her—scales gleaming like wet obsidian. The creature descended, coiling around itself until its fanged head hovered inches from her face.

  A giant serpent, easily fifty feet long.

  Kaitara’s legs trembled before instinct took over. She leapt back just as the serpent’s jaws crashed into the earth, snapping trees like twigs.

  “Get away from me!” she shouted, drawing energy into her fists.

  The serpent hissed, eyes like molten gold. “Keep quiet so I can eat you.”

  It lunged again, but she dodged sideways, rolling through the dirt as its teeth sank deep into the ground.

  “You’re a fast one,” it sneered. “But speed won’t save you.”

  Kaitara gritted her teeth. “We’ll see about that!”

  Her Takuda marks flared, three glowing diamonds along her arms. Lightning crackled across her fists. She struck the serpent’s face with a blinding punch that echoed through the void—but when the dust cleared, the creature only smiled.

  “Nothing,” it said mockingly. “You can’t hurt what isn’t real.”

  Kaitara gasped as its tail whipped through the air, slamming into her side. Pain exploded through her ribs, and she hit a tree hard enough to crack the bark.

  “Why aren’t my attacks working?” she thought, stumbling to her feet. The serpent coiled tighter, laughter rumbling like thunder.

  Its body shot forward, wrapping around her until she could barely breathe. Pressure crushed her chest.

  “Prepare to be eaten, girl,” it hissed, opening its jaws.

  She screamed, struggling, mind racing. This isn’t physical… it’s fear.

  Her eyes widened. “That’s it…”

  Energy surged through her body. “My fear gives it power!”

  Her Takuda marks ignited brighter than ever, flooding her veins with light.

  With a furious cry, she ripped the coils apart. The serpent shrieked as cracks spread across its scales.

  Kaitara leapt high, fists blazing. “Storm Technique: Lightning Fist!”

  Electricity burst from her punch as it connected with the serpent’s heart. The creature convulsed, dissolving into black smoke.

  The forest brightened—trees returned, air cleared, birds began to sing.

  Panting, Kaitara looked around. “I did it…”

  She wiped blood from her cheek and smiled faintly. “Guess I’m not so scared after all.”

  She kept walking toward the faint light that had appeared in the distance.