CRIMSON COVENENT

The air hummed with life on Rainmere College's campus, where the chatter of students blended seamlessly with the rustling leaves of the forest beyond. For Nelsy Jay, a freshman with an unassuming demeanor and a secret he fought to bury, the bustling atmosphere felt both inviting and oppressive. He tightened his grip on his satchel as he made his way toward the library, avoiding eye contact with clusters of students lounging on the lawn. The ancient forest bordering the campus stood as a silent guardian, its towering trees casting long shadows over the Gothic buildings. Whispers about its mysteries were common among students, ranging from tales of glowing lights to legends of disappearing hikers. But for Nelsy, the forest was more than folklore. It was a sanctuary and a reminder of the powers he desperately wished to ignore. “Hey, Jay!” The voice startled him, and he turned to see Lizzy Greene jogging toward him. Her auburn curls bounced as she caught up, a bright smile lighting her freckled face. Lizzy had been his closest friend since childhood, the only person who made the overwhelming world of college feel manageable. “Lost in thought again?” she teased, falling into step beside him. “Just tired,” Nelsy replied, his voice soft. Lizzy tilted her head, her hazel eyes scanning his face. “Tired, or avoiding something?” Nelsy chuckled nervously. Lizzy had a knack for cutting through his defenses, but before he could respond, another voice joined them. “Skipping the campus tour, are we?” Jace Lee leaned casually against the library's stone archway, his leather satchel slung over one shoulder. A senior known for his sharp intellect and even sharper tongue, Jace was an enigma to most students. His dark hair was tousled as if he’d just woken up, and his piercing blue eyes carried a mix of curiosity and amusement. “We weren’t skipping,” Lizzy retorted. “Nelsy’s just too cool for campus tours.” Jace raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering to Nelsy. “Is that so? Or are you just looking for an excuse to explore the forest?” Nelsy froze. The comment was innocent enough, but something in Jace’s tone made his chest tighten. Did Jace suspect something? “Don’t be ridiculous,” Nelsy mumbled, brushing past him and entering the library. Later that evening, as the campus settled into a quiet lull, Nelsy found himself drawn to the edge of the forest. The pull was irresistible, like a silent melody only he could hear. He hesitated at the tree line, his heart pounding. Suddenly, the ground beneath him trembled, and a soft, otherworldly glow emanated from the depths of the forest. Nelsy staggered back, his hands tingling with warmth. “Nelsy?” He spun around to see Lizzy and Jace standing behind him, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. “What’s going on?” Lizzy asked. Before Nelsy could answer, the glow intensified, and a gust of wind surged from the forest, enveloping the trio. Nelsy felt the magic surge within him, wild and untamed. He tried to suppress it, but it was too late. The wind died as quickly as it had begun, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Jace stared at Nelsy, his skeptical expression replaced by something far more unsettling: understanding.