Chapter 39 – Mission with Zara

The morning sun had barely risen when the camp began to stir. The smell of dew and faint smoke from last night’s fire lingered in the air. After a warm night spent talking under the stars, Zareen and his team prepared to depart—this time with the Academy students joining them.

Their objective was clear: eliminate the nest of **Horned Basilisks**, giant horned lizards notorious for their poisonous bite and cunning ambush tactics.

At first, the Academy instructor had been hesitant. Trusting an outsider party was no small thing, especially when students’ lives were at risk. But after witnessing the coordination of Zareen’s team the day before—the impenetrable barriers, Yuna’s ferocious swordplay, Sari’s agility, Doni’s relentless firepower—they finally agreed to combine forces.

“Very well,” the instructor said.

Yuna stepped forward, calm and composed, her armor still darkened by yesterday’s battle dust. “We’ll take the front line,” she said firmly. “Match our pace and don’t break formation.”

The students nodded nervously, some whispering among themselves. Zareen caught Zara’s eyes for a brief moment, and she gave him a small, encouraging smile.

---

### Into the Basilisk’s Lair

The nest was located deep within a cave system at the edge of the northern woods. The entrance was narrow and lined with jagged crystal formations that glowed faintly green, casting eerie reflections on the damp walls.

As soon as they entered, the air grew heavier. A low hiss echoed through the tunnels, followed by the scraping of claws on stone.

“Stay sharp,” Yuna warned.

Then they appeared—dozens of basilisk lizards, their scales glistening like metal, their glowing red eyes cutting through the dim light.

Zara’s breath caught. “There are so many…”

“Don’t panic.” Zareen stepped forward, planting his staff into the ground. Lavender light pulsed outward in a wave—**defense buffs** spread to the students, **speed buffs** wrapped around Sari like a ribbon of wind, and a sturdy **barrier wall** shimmered into existence at the mouth of the cave.

The battle began.

* **Yuna** charged headfirst, her black-bladed sword slicing through basilisk scales with surgical precision. Each swing left a trail of dark energy in the air.

* **Sari** darted along the cavern walls, her chains whipping out to snag a basilisk’s throat before pulling it off-balance.

* **Doni** knelt in the back, loosing arrow after arrow in rapid succession, each shot striking unerringly at the creatures’ glowing eyes.

* The Academy students, normally scattered and disorganized, now fought in unison thanks to Zareen’s perfectly timed heals and buffs.

“Zareen, we need more healing on the left flank!” Zara shouted over the roar of combat.

“I’m on it!” Zareen raised his staff high. “**Regen Field!**”

A dome of lavender light spread across the battlefield, sealing cuts and bruises, reinvigorating the exhausted students. The tide began to turn—their fear replaced by determination.

One by one, the basilisks fell, hissing and thrashing before going still.

---

### The Basilisk King

Just when they thought the fight was over, the cavern shook. From the deepest part of the lair emerged a creature twice the size of the others. Its black-green scales shimmered like polished armor, and three massive horns crowned its head.

Poison dripped from its fangs, sizzling as it hit the ground.

“The boss!” Sari shouted.

The basilisk king lunged forward, covering the distance in a terrifying burst of speed—straight toward Zara.

Zareen didn’t think. “**Grand Barrier!**”

The cave lit up as a massive wall of light appeared in front of Zara, absorbing the monster’s impact with a deafening *CRASH*. The force sent a shockwave through the cave, scattering loose stones.

“Now!” Yuna called.

She leapt forward, her sword glowing with a dark aura, and brought it down with both hands. The blade bit deep into the basilisk’s side.

“Don’t hold back!” Doni roared from the backline. “**Meteor Rain Shot!**”

The ceiling above them flashed as dozens of blazing arrows materialized in midair, raining down on the monster like fiery meteors. The smell of scorched scales filled the cavern.

With the combined effort of Yuna’s relentless strikes, Sari’s chains pinning its movements, Doni’s raining arrows, and the students’ follow-up spells, the basilisk king finally collapsed with a final, guttural hiss.

Silence fell.

For a moment, all anyone could hear was their own breathing. Then the cavern erupted in cheers.

---

### After the Battle

When they emerged from the cave, the sun was already high in the sky, shining down on them as if celebrating their victory. The students cheered and clapped each other on the back, some laughing, some collapsing onto the grass in relief.

The Academy instructor approached Zareen and bowed slightly. “You saved this mission. We owe you.”

Zareen shook his head. “We just did what we could.”

Zara walked up to him, her face soft with gratitude. “I didn’t realize… you’ve become the backbone of everyone here, Zareen. You’re not the same boy from the Academy anymore.”

Zareen scratched his cheek awkwardly. “I’m just the support. Without you all, none of this would have worked.”

Sari grinned and nudged his arm. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re the glue that holds this team together.”

After a short rest, it was time to part ways. The students began their march back to the Academy, while Zareen’s party turned toward East City.

Zara lingered at the crossroads, waving until they were nearly out of sight. “I know we’ll meet again,” she called.

Zareen smiled faintly over his shoulder. “Yeah… we will.”

---

### An Unexpected Invitation

Several days later, the guild hall of East City buzzed with excitement. Word spread quickly: a veteran party from the capital had arrived—**Crimson Fang**.

They were famous, their name whispered with respect among adventurers. All five members entered the hall clad in shining, rare equipment. Their presence alone commanded silence.

At the front was their leader, a tall man with crimson-trimmed robes and piercing golden eyes. He scanned the hall, then stopped when his gaze fell on Zareen.

“You,” he said, his voice carrying easily across the room. “The Lavender Mage, yes? We’ve heard of your achievements. Join us. We’re preparing for a major mission—one worthy of your skill.”

The guild hall went completely silent. All eyes turned toward Zareen.

“Eh… me?” Zareen blinked, caught off guard. His heart thudded in his chest.

Before he could answer, Yuna stepped forward, her presence as sharp as her blade.

“No,” she said flatly.

The words cut through the hall like a blade.

The Crimson Fang leader’s eyes narrowed. “And what exactly do you mean by that? We’re offering him a place in one of the most renowned parties on the continent.”

Yuna met his gaze without flinching. “He’s a member of *my* party. We’re not giving him up.”

A tense silence spread through the hall, thick enough to choke on.

Zareen could feel his heartbeat in his ears. *Why… why does this feel like more than just refusing an invitation?*

He glanced at Yuna, whose expression remained unreadable—but something in her eyes, something fierce and unyielding, told him she wasn’t just protecting a teammate.