Raven walked through the thick forest with long, determined strides, his cloak brushing against damp leaves and twisted roots. The air was heavy with ancient magic,His mind was fixed on only one thing,"the Wizard of Gwi.
He had never imagined—never allowed himself to imagine—that Siwoo, his younger sister, might still be alive. For years, he had buried that thought beneath rage, duty, and silence. But now the truth had cracked something open inside him, and it refused to be ignored.
If anyone had answers, it would be the wizard.
Raven increased his pace, his boots barely touching the ground as he moved deeper into the forest. Shadows shifted unnaturally around him, trees bending inward as though listening. He was so focused that he didn't sense the danger until it stood directly in front of him.
Two dragons emerged from the mist.
They were not the giant beasts of legend, but they were dragons nonetheless—sleek, terrifying creatures with scaled bodies the color of burned copper. Their eyes glowed a molten gold as they fixed their gaze on Raven. Smoke curled from their nostrils, and the ground beneath their claws hissed and cracked.
Raven stopped instantly.
"Well," he said calmly, tilting his head slightly, "I never knew dragons still existed. At least not in a forest this small."
The dragons did not respond. One of them snarled, wings spreading wide, claws digging into the earth. In the next second, it leapt.
Its massive claws came crashing down toward Raven—but before they could reach him, a sudden force sliced through the air.
A wave of blinding light burst from above.
The dragon screamed as its body ignited mid-air, flames swallowing it whole before it hit the ground. The forest echoed with the sound of its fall, the body crumbling into ash.
Raven's eyes widened slightly as he turned, searching for the source of the attack.
Before he could speak, the second dragon lunged. But again, it never reached him.
Another figure moved faster than sight itself, leaping from branch to branch. A sharp spark flashed from her eyes, and a second wave struck the dragon. It burned instantly, collapsing into nothing but scorched earth and smoke.
Silence fell.
Raven slowly turned.
"Hi, friend."
The voice was light. Familiar.
"Soah," Raven said, staring at her as she landed lightly on the ground, brushing dirt from her hands as if she hadn't just destroyed two dragons.
Soah smiled brightly, as she always did, her eyes sparkling with mischief and something far deeper. They stood face to face for a moment, the forest holding its breath.
"What are you doing here?" Raven asked. "And how did you know I was here?"
Soah tilted her head. "Maybe because I followed you," she said casually,
"You followed me?" Raven repeated, disbelief creeping into his voice. "Are you this jobless? Don't you care about your life?"
He stepped closer, his expression hardening. "Having overwhelming power doesn't mean you should use it carelessly. This isn't a child's play "
Soah only smiled wider. "You're welcome," she said cheerfully. "At least that's enough of a thank-you for saving your life for the third time… I think."
Raven scoffed. "And where exactly do you think you're going?"
"So," she continued, ignoring his tone, "what are you up to? I'd like to join."
Raven looked her up and down slowly, his gaze sharp and assessing. Without saying another word, he turned and continued walking.
Soah hurried after him.
He suddenly stopped and turned his head. Soah froze instantly, pretending to examine a leaf on the ground.
Raven stared at her for a second, then turned back and continued on.
She followed again.
They walked in silence until the forest began to change. The air grew thicker, darker. Shadows pooled unnaturally, forming a barrier that blocked the path ahead. Raven stopped.
The shadow ban.
He frowned slightly. Only one person he knew could undo this.
Before he could react, Soah stepped forward. She raised her hands and moved them in a slow, circular motion. Energy rippled outward, waves bending the shadows like water. The darkness peeled back, revealing a hidden clearing—and at its center, a small ancient hut.
Raven turned to her, studying her closely now.
"You're welcome," Soah said, clasping her hands together. "I love adventures. Please let me come with you."
Raven didn't respond. He walked forward toward the hut.
The wizard saw him and instantly dropped to his knees, bowing deeply.
"Master—"
"Please stop," Raven said sharply. "Just talk to me like a normal human."
Soah's mouth fell open.
"Master?" she whispered, staring at Raven in shock.
Raven ignored her and entered the hut. The wizard followed, still visibly shaken.
"So," the wizard said carefully, "why have you come?"
"Please," Raven replied, "let's talk inside."
The wizard nodded but glanced once more at Soah before entering. Outside, Soah wandered the clearing, touching plants, smiling to herself, chasing insects like a child at play.
Inside, Raven sat across from the wizard, his expression dark and serious.
"You never told me my sister was still alive," Raven said.
The wizard froze.
"You knew," Raven continued. "And you said nothing."
"I—" the wizard began, then stopped. "I have not seen her since the day your mother disappeared."
"I want to know where she is," Raven said firmly. "Or how to find her. Whether she's with my mother or anywhere else. Any clue at all."
The wizard sighed heavily. "You forget who your mother is," he said quietly. "Your sister is highly guarded. No one can trace her. Anyone who tries will fail."
Raven said nothing, his gaze unblinking.
Suddenly—
"Oh no! Oh no!"
Soah burst into the hut, screaming. She tripped and fell straight into Raven, knocking into him.
"I'm sorry!" she said quickly, standing up. "I have a thing about lizards. I saw one and—"
She rushed back outside before anyone could respond.
The wizard stared after her. "Who is she?"
Raven stood. "A crazy fellow who won't let me be."
He turned to leave. "Thank you for your time."
Outside, Soah was still running around the clearing, laughing and chasing insects. Raven glanced at her once, then turned away.
"Shouldn't you tell her you're leaving?" the wizard called.
"I never told her to come," Raven replied coldly. "She knows her way."
In the next second, he vanished, moving faster than the eye could follow.
Soah returned moments later and found only the wizard standing there.
"He's gone," the wizard said.
"Oh," Soah replied softly. She bowed slightly, preparing to leave.
"Wait," the wizard said suddenly. "Can I see your hands?"
She hesitated, then slowly extended them.
The wizard examined them closely. His face darkened.
"Is everything fine?" Soah asked, smiling.
"Yes… yes," he said quickly. "Everything is fine."
"Okay. Bye, grandfather," Soah said cheerfully.
She vanished into the trees.
The wizard watched her go, his hands trembling slightly as he shook his head.