The frostbound oath

Iris wandered through the academy grounds with her friends, laughter and chatter filling the air. Yet, all at once, her attention was captured by a red butterfly fluttering past her. Its delicate wings glowed with an otherworldly light, like tiny embers dancing on the breeze. It was mesmerizing, and Iris, unable to resist its allure, stepped away from her friends.

She followed the butterfly, her pace quickening as it floated ahead of her, always just out of reach. Its playful flight drew her down a path she had never noticed before. The vibrant laughter of her friends faded behind her, replaced by the sound of her own soft footsteps on the narrow trail. Unbeknownst to her, she had ventured far from the academy, crossing into the mysterious Spirit Forest.

The forest seemed alive. Trees with silver bark stretched high into the heavens, their glowing leaves whispering secrets as the wind passed through. The ground was carpeted with willowy grass, shimmering mushrooms, and strange flowers that seemed to pulse with a faint light. The air carried a strange hum, as though the forest itself was breathing. Each step Iris took felt heavier, as though the energy of the place was pressing down on her.

Her heart swelled with wonder as she looked around. "This place is… magical," she murmured, her voice barely louder than a whisper. She felt like a child discovering a secret world, her wide eyes drinking in every detail. The butterfly led her deeper into the forest, its wings glowing brighter against the dim light. Iris didn't notice how the shadows around her grew darker, or how the forest seemed to close in.

Then, suddenly, the butterfly vanished.

Iris stopped, her chest rising and falling as she scanned the area. Her smile faltered. "Where… where did you go?" she asked softly, her voice trembling. She spun in circles, searching for the vibrant wings that had entranced her, but there was nothing.

It was only then that the realization hit her: she was alone. Her heart sank as fear crept in. "Rowan? Kaieren?" she called, her voice breaking the heavy silence. She waited, straining to hear any sign of her friends, but all she heard was the eerie rustle of leaves. "Where are you?" she cried, panic lacing her tone.

The forest, which had felt so enchanting moments ago, now seemed foreboding. The trees loomed over her, their silver bark casting ghostly reflections in the dim light. She heard a faint hiss, like a serpent slithering through the underbrush. Her breath hitched as she turned sharply, her imagination conjuring unseen dangers. "It's fine," she whispered to herself, though her trembling hands betrayed her. "I'll just… find my way back."

She walked quickly, her steps uneven, her eyes darting around. The hum of the forest seemed to grow louder, and her panic rose with it. Just as she felt she could no longer take it, she stumbled upon a massive cave. Its entrance was jagged, the rocks around it glistening with an unearthly sheen. There was something about it that felt… alive.

A voice—soft, faint, and otherworldly—seemed to call her name. It wasn't loud, but it was unmistakable. Her curiosity, despite her fear, pulled her forward. "Hello?" she called, her voice echoing as she stepped inside. The cave was enormous, its walls glowing faintly with veins of blue and gold light that pulsed like a heartbeat. At its center stood a tree unlike any Iris had ever seen.

The tree's bark was dark and cracked, with black veins running across its surface like open wounds. The air around it felt thick, heavy, and wrong. Every instinct told her to turn back, but her feet refused to move. "Is anyone here?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The answer came not in words but in motion. The tree shuddered, and its twisted branches came to life. One lashed out with terrifying speed, striking her across the side and sending her tumbling to the ground. Pain exploded in her ribs as she gasped, trying to crawl away. The malevolent energy around her seemed to grow stronger, suffocating her as the branches coiled and twisted, preparing to strike again. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, "Help! Someone, please!"

The tree lunged, its vines sharp like blades, when suddenly a radiant golden light filled the cave. The oppressive darkness recoiled, hissing like a wounded beast. Iris shielded her eyes as the light grew brighter, a fierce wind sweeping through the cave and dispersing the suffocating energy.

When she opened her eyes, she saw two figures standing at the cave's entrance. The first was a boy about her age, clad in flowing green robes that shimmered like emeralds under the golden light. His eyes, sharp and calculating, burned with determination. In his hand, he held a crystal sword, its edge glowing with a fierce green light. Beside him stood a man, older and commanding, with silver hair and a calm, imposing presence. He wore simple yet elegant robes, and his eyes seemed to see everything.

The boy, without hesitation, stepped forward. He raised his sword, the blade humming with energy, and slashed at the tree's attacking branches. The green light from his sword left trails in the air as he moved with precision and speed. Each strike cut through the dark vines, forcing the tree to recoil. But the battle was far from over. The tree roared—a sound that came from deep within its core—and its branches surged forward like a tidal wave.

The boy didn't falter. He moved like a seasoned warrior, his blade a blur as he deflected the onslaught. "Teacher," he called, his voice steady despite the chaos, "this is the source of the devilish energy we sensed."

The older man nodded, his expression grave. "I see it. Be cautious, Rey. It is more corrupted than I anticipated."

Rey pressed forward, his blade carving through the branches with unrelenting force. The tree retaliated, dark energy bursting from its wounds, but Rey stood his ground. His movements were deliberate, almost graceful, as though he were performing a deadly dance. With one final, powerful strike, he drove his sword into the tree's core. A wave of light erupted from the impact, consuming the tree's darkness and leaving it lifeless.

Iris watched in stunned silence, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Rey, who now turned his attention to her. He approached, his expression softening slightly. "And you," he said, his voice tinged with curiosity, "what are you doing here?"

Iris scrambled to her feet, brushing dirt from her robes with shaky hands. "I... I was following a butterfly," she stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment.

The older man stepped forward, his expression kind but serious. "Little girl, wandering into a place like this is dangerous. Are you a student of the academy?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, I'm from Phoenix Palace. Thank you both for saving me."

Rey smirked, his tone cutting. "With power as weak as yours, you won't last a day in a place like this."

Iris bristled, her pride flaring. "I didn't ask for your opinion, thank you very much! I can handle myself just fine!" Her voice wavered at the end, and she swayed unsteadily.

Before she could fall, Rey caught her, his expression briefly softening. The older man observed silently before speaking. "Rey, take her back to Phoenix Palace. I'll remain here to deal with the remnants of this corruption."

Rey nodded curtly. "Understood, teacher." Without another word, he lifted Iris effortlessly and carried her out of the cave, leaving the older man behind to face the lingering shadows.