—Gather and hold hands! —Mr. Dion ordered firmly, sensing that something was about to happen.
The group, still shocked by the sudden darkness, obeyed without hesitation. Some tried to turn on their flashlights, but none worked. Only the eclipsed moon shone faintly above them, creating an unreal and suffocating atmosphere.
The solar eclipse was reaching its peak, and Mr. Dion couldn't help but feel awestruck. If this was happening at this precise moment, it meant their group was truly blessed by the ancestors… or marked by something else.
Within seconds, the darkness became absolute. And then, without warning, each person began to experience different visions, as if they were trapped in a world of illusions.
Caleb, an omega with a pure soul and gentle heart, saw a luminous bird soaring across the night sky with a golden glow. Its wings shimmered as if made of stars, and its beauty took his breath away. Without realizing it, the fear that had gripped him vanished, replaced by a sense of wonder. Without thinking, he let go of Noah's hand—his only refuge.
Meanwhile, Noah, an omega of captivating essence and deep blue eyes, found himself face to face with a majestic creature: a unicorn with snow-white fur and a radiant horn. Its silver mane floated as if brushed by a breeze from another world, and its tail swayed with supernatural grace.
Noah's heart pounded.
—It's beautiful… —he whispered, and before he could stop himself, his body began to move on its own.
His feet slid forward without resistance. It didn't matter that the darkness surrounded him, because each step he took lit the ground beneath him.
—Wait! Wait for me! —he shouted, reaching out toward the creature that moved farther and farther away.
The unicorn trotted gracefully, drawing him toward an uncertain destiny. Noah followed it without question, his mind trapped in a haze of fascination.
And then…
The eclipse ended.
The world regained its light.
And Noah fell into the abyss—ravine.
CRACK!
—Agh!
The sound of breaking branches pierced the forest's stillness.
CRACK!
—Help! Agh!
His body plummeted down the steep slope, striking rocks and roots along the way. The fall seemed endless, as if the forest itself was swallowing him.
CRACKKK!
And then… the final impact.
Noah felt as if his soul had left his body for a moment. Pain seared through every inch of him.
.
.
Above, panic exploded.
—Noah! Noah, where are you?! —Caleb cried, his voice breaking with fear.
Sunlight once again bathed the forest, but Noah had vanished.
—Stop messing around, Caleb! Noah's been with you this whole time! —Michael shouted, a mix of confusion and anger in his voice.
Caleb shook his head frantically, eyes clouded with tears. He searched for Noah in every corner, every shadow… but his best friend was gone.
Mr. Dion frowned, scanning the area carefully. There was no trace of the young omega, no clue as to where he might have gone.
—NOAH!
—NOAH!
—NOAH!
—NOAH!
Their voices called out his name, but the forest remained silent.
—Enough! —Mr. Dion ordered, and the pleas ceased. Some of the omegas began to sob, overcome by anguish.
The guide took a deep breath and made a decision.
—We'll return to the village. Once there, the villagers will help us search for him.
—But that'll take too long, sir! What if Noah's in danger?! I'll go look for him myself! —Caleb shouted, eyes full of tears.
—Caleb! Listen to Mr. Dion. We don't know this forest. He knows what's best —Michael tried to reason with him, but the omega refused to accept it.
His chest ached as if it were being torn apart.
—I can't… I can't leave him here…
But before he could do something reckless, he felt a sharp blow to the back of his neck.
Thump!
The impact knocked him unconscious.
Mr. Dion sighed with regret.
—His desperation would only cause everyone to lose control.
The group descended from the forest with heavy steps and hearts burdened with worry. They carried Caleb on an improvised stretcher, unable to ease his pain.
Upon reaching the village, Michael contacted the rescuers and informed the Everhart family of what had happened. No one planned to leave until Noah was found.
.
.
Elsewhere...
Noah opened his eyes slowly.
His vision took time to adjust to the darkness. All he could see were shifting shadows, as if the very darkness was breathing around him.
Pain spread through every part of his body. His skin burned, his wounds throbbed with each heartbeat.
Then, a sound chilled him to the bone.
—Ssshhh…
A low, menacing hiss.
Noah swallowed hard.
A snake.
The crunch of dry leaves confirmed his worst fears. Something cold and scaly brushed against his leg.
—No… please, don't bite me —he murmured in a faint voice, hugging himself.
The hissing grew louder. Something heavy slithered near his face.
And then…
The snake moved away.
Noah exhaled shakily, his heart pounding in his chest.
But the nightmare wasn't over.
A roar echoed through the cave he had fallen into.
—GRRR!
Noah froze.
His eyes widened as a massive silhouette emerged from the shadows.
A lion.
Its dark mane bristled with the electricity of danger. Its fangs gleamed in the moonlight filtering through the leaves.
Noah felt like his life had been reduced to mere seconds.
—No… don't come closer… —he whispered, tears sliding down his face.
This was the end.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry, Dad… Daiki… I love you."
"Caleb… I'm sorry…"
The lion advanced, and Noah closed his eyes.
But then…
A blinding light exploded in the darkness.
GRACK!
"AGRRRGFH"
The lion roared in pain.
Noah slightly opened his eyes and saw something impossible.
A radiant figure, with nine tails waving in the air, expelled the lion with overwhelming power.
"A… a demon fox." Noah held his breath and shut his eyes even tighter.
He was doomed.
God was punishing him. If he didn't die at the hands of an animal, then he'd be devoured by a supernatural creature.
But before he could surrender to panic, a low, deep voice enveloped him like a forbidden whisper.
—Are you all right?
Noah was paralyzed.
....