[Salah's POV – The Elven Forest]
The forest was eerily quiet, the usual symphony of birdsong and rustling leaves replaced by an oppressive silence. The air was thick with the stench of blood and decay, and the ground beneath my feet was trampled and scarred. My mount, the magnificent unicorn, tensed beneath me as we descended into the clearing, its wings beating softly as it touched down.
I dismounted, my senses on high alert. The scene before me was one of carnage—bodies of orcs and elves lay scattered, their wounds fresh and their expressions frozen in pain and fear. My heart ached at the sight, and I felt a surge of anger. These people had been slaughtered, their lives cut short by senseless violence.
A soft groan drew my attention, and I turned to see an elf lying against a tree, his hand clutching a wound in his side. His eyes were glazed with pain, but they brightened as he saw me.
Elf: weakly "Help… please…"
I knelt beside him, my hands glowing with a soft, golden light as I cast a healing spell. The wound closed, and the color returned to his face, but his eyes remained filled with fear.
Elf: gasping "Thank you… but you must go. The orcs… they're still here."
I nodded, my resolve hardening.
Salah: "Stay here. I'll handle this."
I summoned my battle pet, Rex, a massive tiger with tusks like daggers and claws that could cut through iron. It appeared in a flash of light, its eyes glowing with intelligence as it regarded me.
Salah: firmly "Rex, we have work to do."
The tiger nodded, its muscles coiling as it prepared for battle. I climbed onto my mount, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. This was my first test in this new world, and I wasn't about to fail.
[The Orc Camp]
We moved cautiously through the forest, following the trail of destruction left by the orcs. The closer we got, the stronger the foul stench became, and the more my unease grew. Finally, we reached the edge of the orc camp, hidden deep within the trees.
The camp was a chaotic mess of crude tents and makeshift barriers, the ground littered with bones and discarded weapons. Orcs moved about, their voices rough and guttural as they argued and laughed. In the center of the camp, a group of elves was tied to a post, their faces bruised and bloodied but their spirits unbroken.
[Salah's POV]
I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. This was it—my first real test in this new world. I couldn't afford to fail.
Salah: softly "Rex, take out the guards quietly. We need to free the elves before the orcs realize what's happening."
The tiger nodded, its form blending into the shadows as it moved with silent grace. I watched as it approached the first guard, its movements fluid and precise. In a flash, the guard was down, his throat torn out before he could make a sound.
One by one, Rex took out the guards, his presence unnoticed by the rest of the camp. When the last guard fell, I moved in, my hands glowing with healing magic as I approached the bound elves.
Salah: softly "It's okay. I'm here to help."
The elves looked up at me, their eyes wide with hope and disbelief. I quickly untied them, my hands moving with practiced efficiency as I cast healing spells to mend their wounds.
Elf Leader: gasping "Thank you… but we must hurry. The orcs will return soon."
I nodded, helping the elves to their feet.
Salah: "Follow me. We'll get you out of here."
We moved quickly and quietly, the elves following close behind as I led them away from the camp. But before we could get far, a loud roar echoed through the trees, and the ground shook beneath our feet.
[Orc Leader's POV]
The orc leader, a massive brute with a scarred face and a cruel smile, stepped into the clearing, his eyes narrowing as he saw the freed elves.
Orc Leader: snarling "What is this? Who dares interfere with my hunt?"
I stepped forward, my hands glowing with golden light as I faced the orc leader.
Salah: firmly "I am Salah, a healer. And I won't let you harm these people."
The orc leader laughed, a deep, guttural sound that sent shivers down my spine.
Orc Leader: "A healer? You think your magic can stop me?"
He raised his axe, the blade gleaming in the dim light, and charged at me with a roar. I braced myself, my mind racing as I prepared to defend myself and the elves.
[The Battle]
The orc leader's axe came down with terrifying force, but I dodged to the side, my movements fueled by adrenaline and instinct. I summoned a barrier of light, the golden energy forming a shield that deflected the next blow.
Salah: gritting my teeth "Rex, now!"
The tiger lunged at the orc leader, its claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. The orc leader roared in pain, swinging his axe wildly as he tried to fend off the beast.
I took the opportunity to cast a healing spell on the elves, my hands glowing as I mended their wounds and restored their strength.
Salah: urgently "Run! Get out of here!"
The elves hesitated, their eyes filled with gratitude and fear.
Elf Leader: "But what about you?"
Salah: firmly "I'll handle this. Go!"
The elves nodded, their expressions resolute as they turned and fled into the forest. I turned back to the battle, my heart pounding as I watched Rex and the orc leader clash.
The orc leader was strong, his blows powerful enough to shake the ground, but Rex was faster and more agile. The tiger darted in and out, its claws leaving deep gashes in the orc leader's flesh.
But the orc leader wasn't going down without a fight. With a roar, he swung his axe in a wide arc, catching Rex in the side and sending the tiger sprawling.
Orc Leader: laughing "Is that all you've got?"
I stepped forward, my hands glowing with golden light as I faced the orc leader.
Salah: firmly "You're not going to hurt anyone else."
The orc leader sneered, raising his axe for another strike.
Orc Leader: "We'll see about that."
I braced myself, my mind racing as I prepared to defend myself. But before the orc leader could attack, a loud roar echoed through the forest, and the ground shook beneath our feet.