Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The air buzzed with anticipation, a collective breath held as the radiant cocoon at the center of the clearing began to fully unfold. The glowing green light intensified, casting long shadows across the faces of the gathered crowd.

Reverence painted the expressions of the young elvins, their wide eyes reflecting awe and wonder. Even the hunters and trainees, though feigning indifference, couldn't entirely mask their curiosity.

All waited for the same moment—the Queen of Nature, the legendary Mother who would grace them with her presence.

But as the cocoon opened, its luminous petals peeling back one by one, the clearing was met with… emptiness.

Nothing.

The crowd froze. Confusion rippled through the air like an unspoken question.

"Huh?" a voice whispered from the first group, breaking the silence.

"Where's the Queen?" another murmured, the words trembling with unease.

"What's happening?" someone else asked aloud, their voice carrying a note of panic.

Even the hunters exchanged wary glances, their carefully constructed masks of calm starting to slip.

Something was wrong—terribly wrong.

And then, breaking the tense silence, the envoy threw his arms wide with a sudden flourish.

"Surprise!"

His voice boomed across the clearing, dripping with mockery.

Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them trembled, and shimmering barriers of magic erupted around each group, towering high into the air. The barriers shimmered faintly, pulsating with energy, cutting off any path of escape.

Gasps filled the air as realization dawned.

A hunter from the third group snarled and leapt toward the barrier, his blade igniting with dark energy. The strike landed with a resounding clang, but the barrier held firm, rippling like water under the force.

"They trapped us!" one of the hunters hissed, his voice laced with fury.

"No point in hiding anymore!" another growled.

One by one, the hunters dropped their pretense, their disguises melting away as they revealed themselves. Weapons drawn, their eyes gleamed with malice.

Amid the chaos, a sharp twang pierced the air.

An archer from the hunter's group raised a sleek black bow, his expression grim. A dark arrow, imbued with malevolent energy, shot forth, streaking toward the sky.

But as it reached the top of the barrier, the arrow struck with a flash of light and ricocheted backward, embedding itself into the ground.

"Damn it!" the archer cursed, already nocking another arrow. He fired again and again, each shot more desperate than the last. The barrier shuddered under the relentless assault, and cracks began to spiderweb across its surface.

Finally, with a thunderous crack, one of the arrows pierced through.

The moment the barrier shattered, the world seemed to hold its breath. The arrow soared higher, reaching the heavens, where it struck an invisible point.

The sky trembled. Find more to read at empire

A low, resonating hum spread across the clearing as the point of impact began to fracture. Like a mirror struck by a hammer, cracks spread outward, distorting the serene blue expanse.

The hunters grinned wickedly as the air grew heavy, charged with an ominous energy. Slowly, a dimensional crack began to form, dark and pulsating, like a gaping wound in the fabric of reality.

Meanwhile, unnoticed by most, the young elvins began to vanish. One by one, they disappeared from their spots, their figures dissolving into faint motes of light.

Whatever force was at work, it was clear: the young elvins were being whisked away to safety—or perhaps somewhere worse.

Above it all, the envoy stood with a triumphant grin, his floral crown gleaming in the unnatural light.

It looked like he was beginning to enjoy this.

And so the trap had been sprung.

The envoy turned to the crowd of hunters with a flourishing bow, his mockery cutting through the gasps of disbelief.

"Did you really think you could do as you wish, you damn puppets?"

Before he could say more, a thunderous roar shook the clearing. The ground trembled under the force of dozens of elvin warriors landing in perfect formation at the edge of the grove.

Draped in flowing emerald robes and wielding weapons that shimmered with enchanted runes, the elders of the elvin council had arrived.

At the forefront, an elder with piercing golden eyes stepped forward, her staff glowing with an otherworldly light. She raised it high, and the clearing seemed to respond—a burst of pure, verdant energy rippled outward, causing the barriers around the groups to waver.

"Intruders!" her voice rang out, firm and unyielding. "You dare desecrate our sacred lands? You will answer for this treachery!"

The hunters, unbothered by the arrival of reinforcements, exchanged knowing smirks. Their leader, a broad-shouldered man with jagged scars across his arms, raised a hand.

"Let them come," he barked. "We've been waiting for a real fight."

With a guttural yell, the hunters surged forward, their weapons igniting with dark energy. The first clash echoed through the grove as steel met enchanted wood, and the tranquil clearing descended into chaos.

_____ ___ __

The clearing quaked under the weight of the battle erupting around them. Adrian stood frozen for a moment, his sharp gaze sweeping over the chaotic scene. Sparks flew as the hunters clashed with the elvin warriors, their strikes powerful enough to shake the very ground. The magical barriers enclosing the trainees trembled under the impact of stray spells and attacks, glowing faintly with each strike.

Adrian's attention shifted to Aurelius, who was standing a short distance away with his group, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. Their eyes met briefly, and in that fleeting moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them. Both knew this was no ordinary fight—it was the perfect opportunity.

The barrier around them shuddered again, rippling as a stray elvin arrow pierced the air and exploded against its surface. Gasps and cries erupted from the hunter trainees trapped inside, their confusion and fear mounting.

"What's going on?" one of the younger trainees stammered, clutching their black weapon tightly as their wide eyes darted between the shimmering barrier and the raging battle outside.

"Why are they fighting the elvins?" another muttered, their voice shaking. "I thought we were taking an exam."

A loud explosion from the outside jolted the group. Adrian turned his head, his sharp eyes catching a glimpse of an elvin elder unleashing a torrent of nature-bound magic, roots tearing through the ground to ensnare a group of hunters. The response came swiftly—one of the hunters sent a blast of dark energy that ripped through the roots and scorched the ground.

"Are they insane?!"