*this chapter has been edited*

A map of the entire forest was laid before us.

Each section was highlighted showcasing areas where a creature resided. In the center of the map, highlighted by grey was where the Ocrians and Ocans, Redain's kind, were living.

Miss Gen was planning a full on ambush and she had highlighted every area that had a creature living in it. She wanted us to take them by surprise, going for an attack at night when they least expected it.

She was promising that we'd weaken their forces and stop the war once and for all. But I knew now that all that was just a cover-up for something entirely different.

"We already have in possession the elementals that belonged to the Bandid and Turap kind, but this is far from over." She stood up, leading us down a staircase from the training hall to what seemed like a library.

The lower class were still training, while the leaders were yet again following Miss Gen, Tom was already briefed about this as he still had to rest some more before tonight.

We entered the library which was stacked with high shelves and books all around.

Miss Gen walked quickly and with purpose, with everyone else trying to keep up with her long strides.

She stopped in the center of the room, where a large book which was on a pedestal, was opened.

"This a list of all the residents in the forest." She turned the page of the book, and in it were descriptions of all the creatures.

Entry 1:

Creature: Bandid

Description: Tall, mouthless being. Can render opponent numb with a touch of a glowing finger. Comes in three varieties: Attacker, Defender and Leader.
Greatest Strength: Monster strength
Greatest weakness: Their leader

Entry 2:

Creature: Turap
Description: Wolf and bear hybrid. Red eyes, black or brown fur. Height of more than 8 ft. Comes in one variety: Protector.
Greatest strength: Short range fighting.
Greatest weakness: Long range fighting

Entry 3:

Creature: Dés
Description: Snake hybrid. Can shapeshift from bare feet to dagger tail. Swift, cunning and natural deceiver. Silver skin with scales, yellow eyes and razor teeth. Comes in one form.
Greatest strength: Hypnosis and tail
Greatest weakness: Fire

Entry 4:

Creature: Dapión
Description: Grey, skeleton-like mutant. Soul water that feeds off the essence of opponents. Grey skin, black and white eyes, lifeless form. Comes in one variety.
Greatest strength: Lifeforce feeding
Greatest weakness: Superior beings

Entry 5:

Creature: Corat
Description: An enchantress that binds people to her will through whispering. Silver hair, brown eyes and dark skin. Comes in one form.
Greatest strength: Hypnosis
Greatest weakness: All four elements

Entry 6:

Creature: Colia
Description: A shapeshifter. Grey eyes, yellow hair and known for changing at will to whatever object or person it wants. Comes in one form.
Greatest strength: Ability to morph into anything
Greatest weakness: Long range fighting

Entry 7:

Creature: Tambi
Description: Plant people with light green eyes, forest green colored skin that resembles leaves and bark like hair. Can enchant and kill opponents at will.
Greatest strength: The forest
Greatest weakness: Fire

Entry 8:

Creature: Ocrian
Description: Black or brown hair and multicolored eyes. The rulers of everyone in the forest, and center of all the beginnings. Comes in two varieties: Ocrian and Ocan.
Greatest strength: Reading minds, shifting through memories, fast speed, immense strength and blending in with surroundings.
Greatest weakness: Unknown

Entry 9:

Creature: Toula
Description: A tribe that can blend in with the environment. Can become invisible at will. Has jet black hair and eyes that are almost black in color. Comes in one variety.
Greatest strength: Invisiblity
Greatest weakness: Dust or Mist

Entry 10:

Creature: Sauv
Decription: A tribe that can ignite at will and control fire in just a blink of an eye. Has red hair, red eyes. Comes only in one variety.
Greatest strength: Fire
Greatest weakness: Water

Entry 11:

Creature: Auso
Description: A tribe that can control all four elements: Fire, water, earth and air.
Greatest strength: Elements
Greatest weakness: Unknown

Entry 12:

Creature: Cruaz
Description: A tribe that uses their mind as their greatest ability. Variety-unknown. Uses mind control and the electrical waves in the brain can cause all sorts of phenomenals. The tribe has been diminishing over the years and finding them has become hard.
Greatest strength: Their mind, giving of powers, imitation of powers
Greatest weakness: Unknown

All the entries had a picture of the creature, yet the Cruaz was empty, and I wasn't the only one confused.

"Why is there no picture of the Cruaz kind?" Rachael voiced, and everyone else looked confused as well.

Miss Gen gave a sigh, "As you've read, the Cruaz has been scarce. No one really knows what they look like now, so finding them will be extremely tough. Unless, we can awaken the Gundra, which will tell us the location of the remaining members of the tribe." She gave a small smile.

"What's the Gundra?" Aria questioned.

I watched to see how Miss Gen would answer but I never got to hear what she had to say.

A loud rumble and the ground shaking interrupted the serenity and calmness that once surrounded the room.

Everyone was immediately on guard.

"Is this an attack?" Rachael questioned, her eyes on guard as she searched around the room.

"It was probably just a tremor," Jessica suggested, but no one was convinced.

Miss Gen raised her palm and everyone stood on guard, tremors are a rare occurrence in this land.

"Everyone be prepared to fight. It seems highly unlikely but we might be under attack." She commanded.

The door flew open and everyone aimed their weapons toward the perpetrator, but it was only my father, who stood there with his arms raised.

"You could've gotten shot," Miss Gen stated with no emotion.

He shrugged, lowering his hands, "I'm quick on my feet, chances of me getting hit were quite slim," the confidence he had in his abilities were evident in his tone.

I could see Miss Gen's jaw tick. I rarely saw them argue but I made sure to note the subtle iciness in the way they spoke.

It looked like they didn't get along quite well or my mind was just finding things that were not there.

We felt the ground shaking and a low murmur, "Are we under attack?" Miss Gen went straight to the main dilemma.

"No, it seems two of the students were sparring, but they were a bad match and it lead to the vibrations you all felt," he explained smoothly.

"What group was this?" I heard Miss Gen ask.

"They were both from the Stone Hearts."

"Why would you get two people from the same group to fight?" she asked in alarm.

"I didn't think it would be this destructive," he answered honestly.

Miss Gen took a deep breath, while all of us gradually relaxed.

There was no danger, we were safe to continue our training.

If only that were true.

We had let down our guard but unfortunately it came at a price.

×××××××××××××××××××××××
Hi, guys I'm back:)..some people most likely forgot about this book, but this was my first year in university and I have to say things were quite hectic and I apologize for my absence but I'm back now and I'll be writing through this holiday so expect more updates:) I'll be working hard to finish this book.

Thank you, if you are still reading, until next time.

Mercy💜