Tyr ran as fast as his legs could carry him, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The forest around him seemed endless, an oppressive expanse of towering trees and shadowy undergrowth. He glanced behind him now and then, half-expecting to see the Hydra reinforcements bursting out from the tree line, but there was nothing.
Still, he didn't stop. He couldn't stop.
The forest stretched on and on, and no matter how far he went, there was no sign of civilization. His thoughts churned as the hours passed, exhaustion creeping into his muscles. "Damn," he muttered under his breath. "Was this place really so far from everything?"
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the forest floor. Darkness crept in from all sides, and the chill in the air made Tyr shiver. He slowed to a stop, leaning against a tree to catch his breath.
"This is pointless," he muttered, scanning his surroundings. "If I keep going like this, I'll collapse before I find anything."
Reluctantly, he decided to make camp. He began gathering what he could: sturdy branches to lean against a tree for shelter, dry leaves for insulation, and rocks to circle a campfire. The lighter he'd taken from the Hydra soldiers was his saving grace. He struck the flame and held it to the small pile of kindling he'd assembled, watching as it caught and grew into a small but steady fire.
Sitting by the flickering flames, Tyr leaned back against a tree, his body aching and his mind weary. The hard ground beneath him was unforgiving, every knot and pebble digging into his back.
"Damn," he grumbled, shifting to find a more comfortable position. "Sleeping on the ground is an experience I'd rather not have again."
Despite the discomfort, exhaustion eventually won out, and Tyr's eyes drifted closed. His sleep was restless, filled with fragmented dreams of fire, blood, and the faces of the children he had failed to save.
---
When morning came, Tyr woke with a groan, his muscles stiff from the night spent on the cold, hard ground. The fire had long since burned out, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke curling into the air. He rose slowly, stretching to ease the tension in his limbs.
After scavenging a quick meal from the box of snacks he had taken before fleeing the orphanage, Tyr resumed his journey, heading in a direction chosen purely at random. He had no map, no landmarks to guide him—only the faint hope that walking would eventually lead him somewhere.
The day passed in silence, the forest an unchanging maze of trees and underbrush. Tyr's stomach growled loudly as he nibbled on the last of the snacks, his spirits sinking lower with every step.
That was when he felt it.
A prickling sensation ran down his spine, a cold, instinctual awareness that he was being watched. He froze mid-step, his heart pounding in his chest. Slowly, he turned around.
His breath caught in his throat.
A massive black bear stood just a few feet away, its dark eyes fixed on him. Its fur was sleek and glossy, its massive paws tipped with claws that looked sharp enough to carve through steel. Saliva dripped from its jaws as it regarded him with predatory intent.
"Shit," Tyr whispered, his voice barely audible.
'Did my food attract it here?' he thought, his mind racing. 'Fuck, it's huge!'
The bear snorted, its breath visible in the cool morning air. Tyr's eyes darted around, searching for anything that could help him. There was nothing—just trees, dirt, and a few scattered stones.
He cautiously stepped back, keeping his movements slow and deliberate. He knew better than to make any sudden moves. Unfortunately, the bear's hunting instincts didn't care for subtlety.
With a deafening roar, the bear lunged forward, swiping its massive claws at him. Tyr ducked and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. His heart hammered in his chest as he scrambled to his feet.
'I can't outrun it,' he realized, panic clawing at his mind. 'I have to find a way to fight back.'
Using telekinesis was immediately out of the question. The area was littered with small stones, but they wouldn't even scratch the creature. Besides, his powers were unreliable at best, and he didn't have time to gamble on them now.
The bear charged again, and Tyr sprinted toward the nearest cluster of trees, weaving between them to slow the animal's advance. The beast snarled in frustration, its massive frame crashing through the underbrush as it pursued him.
Tyr's mind raced, searching for a plan. He needed something—anything—to tip the odds in his favor.
And then it hit him.
'He said it has immense potential,' Tyr thought, remembering TOAA's cryptic words about his powers. 'I'm risking my life here, but if it doesn't work, I'll complain to Him later.'
He skidded to a halt, spinning to face the bear as it bore down on him. His pulse thundered in his ears as he extended a trembling hand, focusing all his will on the massive creature before him.
'I can feel it... the flow...'
The bear roared, closing the distance between them in seconds. Tyr's heart felt like it might burst, but he didn't waver. With a sweeping motion of his hand, he unleashed everything he had.
The bear froze mid-charge, its snarls silenced as its body went rigid. Its dark eyes glazed over, and for a moment, the forest was eerily quiet.
Tyr stared, his chest heaving. The bear remained still, as if caught in some invisible grip. Relief washed over him, and he lowered his hand, his knees threatening to give out beneath him.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice trembling. "My bet paid off. I guess th—"
His sentence was cut short as the world spun around him. The surge of power had drained every ounce of strength from his body, and darkness crept into the edges of his vision.
Exhaustion claimed him, and he collapsed to the ground.
---
When Tyr woke, his face was pressed against something rough and solid. He blinked groggily, his vision blurry as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings.
Gray. Hard. Rough.
He pushed himself up, realizing with a start that he was lying on asphalt.
'Asphalt? How...?'
He looked around, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. A road stretched out before him, winding its way through the forest. Nearby, a weathered sign stood by the side of the road, its faded letters spelling out a familiar name.
New York – 20 km(12,4 miles).
Tyr blinked, his mind reeling. "Eh? There's no way the bear brought me here. Can animals even read?"
The idea was absurd, but the more he thought about it, the less absurd it seemed. If the bear had been influenced by his powers, perhaps it had been compelled to carry him here. It was the only explanation that made any sense, even if it raised more questions than answers.
He shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Well, whatever the reason, thanks, big guy."
He clasped his hands together, bowing his head in mock prayer. "TOAA, please bless that bear. If it weren't for him, I'd still be stuck in the middle of nowhere."
A loud growl from his stomach interrupted his thoughts, and Tyr sighed. "Okay, enough talking to myself. I need to get moving."
New York was only 20 kilometers away. With any luck, he could make it there before nightfall. He set off down the road, his footsteps steady despite the weariness in his body.