The Verdance Sanctuary

Renjiro, Kairro, and Liko moved steadily through the dense woods, their footsteps cushioned by layers of moss and fallen leaves. The journey had been long and silent until Liko suddenly stopped, a gleam of excitement sparking in his eyes.

“There!” Liko whispered, pointing to a faint light shining from beyond the towering trees and thick bushes as he laughed with excitement. Without waiting, he sprinted toward it, disappearing through the foliage.

“Liko!” Renjiro called, but the boy was already gone.

With a shared look of urgency, Renjiro and Kairro pushed past the undergrowth, following the light. Branches scraped against them, but as they emerged, they stopped in their tracks, astonished by the sight before them.

In a grand clearing surrounded by towering trees, a vibrant settlement blended seamlessly with the landscape. The Verdance Sanctuary was a hidden haven of treehouses crafted from vines, moss, and branches, rising gracefully into the canopy. Rope bridges and wooden walkways connected platforms, creating a layered network high above the forest floor. Green Lumina lights glowed softly in strategic spots, casting an ethereal glow over the sanctuary.

“Welcome to the Verdance Sanctuary,” Liko said, grinning as he turned back to them. “One of our homes.”

Renjiro and Kairro were speechless as they took in the peaceful scene below. Verdance Clan villagers worked in fields at the sanctuary's center, tending crops and harvesting vegetables. Children dashed along the dirt paths and wooden walkways, laughter ringing through the air, their small hands glowing faintly with green Lumina as they played.

“This is… incredible,” Renjiro breathed, watching children weave between the rows of crops.

“Yeah,” Kairro agreed, though his expression remained cautious. “Different from what I expected.”

Liko grinned as he led them forward, passing by small, intricately woven baskets filled with herbs and medicinal plants. “This is just one of our sanctuaries. We’ve got more hidden around these forests. Each one’s different, but we all work together, looking out for each other.” He lowered his voice. “Keeps us safe.”

Renjiro absorbed this information as they walked. “So you’re not all in one place?”

Liko nodded. “It’s safer that way. Each sanctuary has its focus. Some are big into healing, others grow crops, and a few keep their defenses.” He spoke with pride, clearly reassured by the strength of the Verdance network.

As they walked further, villagers paused to stare at Renjiro and Kairro, curiosity and caution in their eyes. Whispers followed them, and it was clear that outsiders—especially Blue Clan members—were a rare sight.

They soon arrived at a modest wooden house nestled among the branches, surrounded by flowering vines. Liko dashed inside, calling out, “Mom! Dad!”

Two Verdance Clan adults emerged, relief flooding their faces as they embraced Liko. His mother looked between Liko and the two strangers, her expression shifting from relief to worry.

“Liko, where have you been?” she scolded hands on his shoulders. “You ran off without telling us. Do you know how dangerous the woods are?”

Liko grinned sheepishly. “I was just… hunting a Screecher.”

His mother gasped. “A Screecher? You could’ve been hurt! And who are…” Her gaze settled on Renjiro and Kairro, eyes widening at the sight of their white phoenix insignias. “Blue Clan?”

Renjiro bowed slightly. “I’m Renjiro, and this is Kairro. We’re from Azeron Academy.”

Liko’s father exchanged a look with his wife, their expressions tense.

Renjiro continued, “Our academy was attacked by the Red Clan. Some of our friends were captured by hunters in black cloaks as we fled through the woods. We’re hoping to find help here.”

Liko’s parents looked uncertain, sympathy in their eyes as they processed the news. “We don’t have many warriors or soldiers,” his father said, a note of regret in his voice. “But… you might want to speak with our Chief.”

Liko nodded eagerly. “Come on! I’ll take you to him.”

The chief’s residence was a large, circular building made from smooth stone and ancient wood, standing at the heart of the sanctuary. Inside, the chief, an older man with silver-streaked hair, sat at a low table, flanked by a young man and woman—his son and daughter.

The chief’s gaze was steady as he took in Renjiro and Kairro, his face unreadable. “Welcome, Blue Clan members. Liko tells me you seek our aid.”

Renjiro nodded, stepping forward. “Yes, Chief. We’re asking for help to retrieve our friends. They were taken by hunters.

Kairro added, his tone urgent, “The Red Clan’s attacks are becoming more relentless. We should unite against them. They’re a danger to us all.”

The chief’s son, a tall young man with narrowed eyes, scoffed. “We have no stake in this war. We aren’t involved in the Blue Clan’s battles.”

Renjiro met his gaze firmly. “This isn’t just our battle anymore. The Red Clan is planning something that could threaten all the clans. If we unite now, we might stand a chance.”

The chief held up a hand, silencing the growing tension. “Enough,” he said calmly. “You are guests here, and tonight we welcome you to our table. We will discuss this matter further during the feast.”

That evening, they gathered around a long, low table laid with fruits, bread, and fresh vegetables. The Verdance chief sat at the head, his family around him, with Renjiro, Kairro, and Liko seated nearby. Soft lanterns filled the room with a warm glow as they began to eat.

Midway through the meal, the chief leaned forward, addressing Renjiro and Kairro. “It is not that we lack fighters,” he explained, his voice weary. “But to join this conflict would endanger our people. The Red Clan is unpredictable, and we value peace above all else.”

He coughed, a deep, hacking sound, and his daughter placed a concerned hand on his arm. “Father, are you alright?”

The chief waved her off gently. “I’m fine, Flora.”

Kairro glanced between them. “You have men who could fight,” he pressed. “But you’re right. The Red Clan is dangerous. We can’t defeat them alone.” He hesitated. “Have you considered seeking help from the Yellow Clan?”

The chief nodded thoughtfully. “The Yellow Clan has developed technology… devices capable of amplifying Lumina, perhaps even enough to overpower the Red Clan’s forces. Reports suggest they’ve been creating machinery far beyond anything we’ve seen.”

The chief’s son frowned, his eyes flashing with doubt. “But we do not deal with the Blue Clan. Or the Red Clan. This isn’t our fight.”

Suddenly, Liko, who had been listening quietly, interrupted. “You know what else is strange?” He gestured toward Renjiro with his fork. “Renjiro isn’t even a Luminarian. He’s human.”

The chief’s son raised an eyebrow, scoffing. “Human? That’s impossible. No human could wield Lumina.”

Renjiro took a breath, realizing he had to make his point clear. In one fluid motion, he pulled a small blade from his pocket, holding it so everyone at the table could see. Without a word, he pressed it lightly against his wrist, drawing a thin trickle of blood.

Liko, who had just taken a sip of water, choked, spraying a mouthful in surprise. “What… you’re serious?” he sputtered, droplets splashing onto Kairro’s arm.

The entire table fell silent, their faces frozen with shock as they stared at the red drops trickling down Renjiro’s wrist.

The chief’s eyes widened, his calm composure broken. “By the roots of the ancient trees… it’s true.” He exchanged an incredulous glance with his son. “A human wielding Lumina…”

Kairro watched the reaction around the table, allowing himself a small, knowing smile. “Believe him now?”

The chief studied Renjiro, his brow furrowing in thought. “This is… highly unusual. Humans have never wielded Lumina as we do. And yet, here you are.” He exchanged a significant look with his son, but he said nothing further, letting the mystery hang in the air.

“I don’t understand it either,” Renjiro admitted, feeling the weight of their gazes. “I found a crystal in a cave one day, and after that… everything changed.”

The chief nodded slowly, his expression guarded. “There have been rumors and myths of strange powers in the world, even objects capable of granting Lumina. But most of these tales have been lost to time.” He leaned back, a trace of intrigue in his gaze. “Perhaps, Renjiro, your journey to understand your power is only just beginning.”

The chief’s words stirred something in Renjiro—a faint sense of connection, as though a path lay hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered. For now, however, he pushed the thought aside, focusing on the immediate need to rescue his friends.

That night, Renjiro lay in a tent provided by the Verdance, his mind swirling with the chief’s words. As he stared at the ceiling, a soft rustling at the entrance caught his attention. Flora, the chief’s daughter, entered, offering a shy smile.

“Mind if I come in?”

Renjiro sat up, nodding. “Of course.”

She settled on the floor beside him, her gaze curious. “So it's true? You’re… human?”

Renjiro gave a small nod. “Yes. I grew up in a village far from here. All of this… the clans, the wars—it’s still new to me.”

Flora’s expression softened. “I’ve always wanted to leave the Verdance, to see the outside world.” She sighed. “But my father forbids it. Says it’s too dangerous.”

Renjiro offered a sympathetic smile. “I know what that’s like. Growing up, I felt trapped, too.” He paused. “If the Verdance Clan joined us, it would balance the war. We’d have a chance.”

Flora glanced away, a shadow of sadness crossing her face. “My brother would never agree. He’s always been… serious, loyal to the old ways.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, Renjiro’s thoughts drifting to his captured friends. He clenched his fists, determination sparking in his eyes. I’ll find a way to save them. I have to.

Just then, he caught a flicker of movement outside the tent. Dark figures moved silently across the hilltop, cloaked in shadow, their bows drawn and arrows nocked. Flames ignited at the tips of the arrows, illuminating the hunters’ cloaked forms.

“Hunters!” Renjiro whispered, alarmed. “They’re attacking!”

Chaos erupted as the hunters launched their assault on the Verdance Sanctuary. Panicked screams filled the air as villagers scattered, fleeing from the attackers wielding dark blades forged from the unknown steel.

Renjiro and Kairro burst from the tent, their hands glowing faintly as they readied their Lumina. One of the hunters lunged at Kairro, his blade slicing through the air. Kairro raised a Lumina barrier, but the black steel shattered it with ease, sending Kairro stumbling backward.

Nearby, Renjiro tried to disarm another hunter, grabbing his weapon. But as he summoned his Lumina, it faded from his palms, drained by the black metal. The hunter smirked, shoving him back with a powerful kick.

All around them, Verdance civilians were taken hostage, bound in black nets as the hunters dragged them toward waiting carriages. Liko, running amidst the chaos, spotted his parents being restrained. “No!” he screamed, desperation in his voice.

Renjiro saw Flora struggling as two hunters grabbed her, pulling her toward a carriage. He lunged forward, reaching out, but another hunter intercepted him, knocking him back. The hunters loaded their captives into the carriages, beasts snarling as they prepared to haul them away.

The chief and his son fought valiantly, but it was clear that the chief was weakened, his movements sluggish. “Father!” his son called out, but even he was unable to stop the onslaught.

Gritting his teeth, Renjiro summoned every last bit of his Lumina, charging a blue beam in his hands. He released it, the blast hitting one of the carriages and damaging the wheels, but it was too late. The hunters retreated, disappearing into the forest with their prisoners.

As the dust settled, Renjiro and Kairro stood amidst the devastated sanctuary, their breaths heavy. The hunters had taken too many—and the realization burned in their minds that this battle was far from over.