Morning comes, and as I wake up, Lysara is already materialized next to me. She is looking outside, but at the same time her eyes are unfocused, a sign she is thinking of something else.
"What's on your mind?" I'm curious about what could put a century's old soul on her toughs.
"Good morning, Cain. I was just thinking about why the shadows favor you. But I think we're going to find out during our journey."
"Well, I think it is a good thing that I am favored by the spirits of this forest. My stay here will be less dangerous this way.
After that, I get my black leather suit on and make my way outside, ready to explore the surroundings of the cave. "Any tip?" I ask.
"The trees are tall and have strong branches. Try to stay on them."
"Mhm, I got it." I jump from branch to branch more up till I reach like 10 meters above the ground.
"Let's go west for now."
Traversing the forest from branch to branch was funnier than expected, giving me a sense of freedom and adrenaline. As I make my way west, I can see that the animals are once again following me and looking at me with keen interest, but still, they are not approaching, leaving me space. Still no monster for now, but I should not let my guard down, except that I did, and almost fell over when I did see a shadow bear sleeping in the distance.
"Stop Cain; keep your distance. If you wake it up, you will be in big trouble. A shadow bear is a soldier-class beast but is stronger than other monsters, like the wolf or the Grendelwolf that you killed before. Stay in the shadows and observe for now."
"Yes Lysara"
The shadow bear was a large soldier-class monster. It seems like this one was alone, sleeping in his territory. Also, he's large, like as big as two brown bears. His paws are dark as night, and his fur is purple-black, with a kind of black steam coming out of it.
"It looks very dangerous. Is he just a soldier-class monster?"
"Don't be deceived by his class. Not all monsters are equal, and not all humans are equal. They may be strong, but they are solitary. They are not reproducing as fast as the wolf. One on one, the bear will win, but most of the wolves stay in packs. Additionally, race plays a role in power. A soldier-class wolf will be weaker than a soldier-class bear. At the same time, a bear will be weaker than a dragon or hydra of the same class. This one, for example, can take 3 to 5 soldier-level humans by himself or can die to only one who is prepared enough.
As she finishes her words, I hear some other human voices in the distance.
"Look guys, we didn't find the wolf yet with her puppy, but a shadow bear loot should also be valuable. And he is sleeping. Let's take it down fast.
Making their way outside the shadows of the forest, I see a group of seven adult humans with different weapons looking pretty dangerous. I identify them as bandits or mercenaris.
*What are bandits doing in the Shadows Forest? They said wolf and puppy. Damn, they are after the same wolf I am. This is going to be troublesome *
And Lysara's voice resounds in my mind. *Stay calm, Cain. Take this as an opportunity; they are going to fight the bear, watch the fight, learn from it, and maybe they will also leave the loot behind. This is a good lesson: every time bad situations appear, try to look for the opportunity in them. This is a life lesson, Cain; remember it and use it. Also, the shadows favor you; if you want, they will keep you hidden from the mercenaries.
As I attentively listened to Lysara's guidance, a sudden, deep guttural roar shattered the tranquility of the forest. Startled, I turned towards the source of the sound, only to see the massive bear awakening. Its powerful bellow, resonating through the trees, carried a primal force that echoed its might and presence. The bear, realizing that humans had invaded its territory, prepared to defend its domain. Its roar served as a stirring reminder of the untamed spirit of the wilderness, a vivid testament to the raw and unbridled force of nature that surrounded us.
"You woke him up, Nistor, with your big mouth; now tank it," says a woman in her thirties who is holding a chestnut longbow in her hand, ready to shoot arrows to bring the massive beast down.
*Seems like these humans are all rank 2; you are no match for them* says Lysara through our mental connection.
Nistor, the one who had inadvertently awoken the bear, was a hulking figure wielding a large, double-edged axe. His face, etched with lines from prior battles, displayed a mix of fear and determination. He positioned himself in front, ready to absorb the brunt of the bear's fury.The woman with the chestnut longbow, whom I overheard being called Marina, directed her companions with a leader's confidence. Her eyes, sharp and focused, surveyed the bear as she notched an arrow, ready to provide support from a distance.
Among the group were five others: a wiry man with twin daggers, moving with agile grace; a sturdy figure armed with a mace and shield, his stance solid and unwavering; a younger man, barely out of his teens, clutching a spear with nervous hands; a roguish character with a crossbow, his expression one of sly anticipation; and a woman with a staff, her hands glowing with the onset of a magical incantation.
The bear, a behemoth of muscle and dark fur, seemed to size up its opponents with animalistic cunning. Its massive paws dug into the earth, ready to launch itself at the intruders.
As the conflict erupted, Nistor charged forward, his axe raised. The bear met him with a swipe of its enormous paw, sending him reeling back. Marina loosed her arrow, the projectile whistling through the air and striking the bear's shoulder, eliciting a roar of pain and anger.
The twin-dagger wielder darted in, aiming for the bear's hind legs, while the spearman, overcoming his initial hesitation, thrust his weapon at the creature's flank. The bear, however, was not an easy target. It moved with surprising agility for its size, turning to swat away the attackers with terrifying power.
The shield-bearing warrior stepped in, trying to draw the bear's attention, as the crossbowman fired bolt after bolt, aiming for the beast's eyes. The magic-wielding woman chanted, her hands weaving through the air, as she unleashed a torrent of arcane energy toward the bear.
The fight was a brutal ballet of violence and survival. The mercenaries worked in unison; their attacks were coordinated, yet the bear's ferocious might was overwhelming. Each blow it landed was bone-crushingly powerful, and each roar was a deafening testament to its primal rage.
From my vantage point, I watched, mesmerized by the ferocity of the battle. Lysara's voice echoed in my mind, reminding me to stay alert and learn from this encounter. The mercenaries, despite their numbers and skills, were struggling against the solitary might of the shadow bear.As the fight raged on, I noted their tactics, their movements, and the bear's responses. This was not just a battle; it was a lesson in the harsh realities of the wilderness and the brutal struggle for survival that it entailed.
The clash continued, with the outcome uncertain. The bear, despite sustaining injuries, fought with relentless fury, refusing to yield. The mercenaries, for their part, showed no sign of backing down; their resolve was hardened by the prospect of victory and the valuable loot the bear represented.In this dance of shadows and steel, I realized the true nature of the world I had stepped into—a world where every creature, human or beast, fought for their place under the sun, where every moment was a battle for existence.
As I observed, hidden within the shadows, I felt a deeper connection to this untamed land, a sense of belonging that transcended my past and hinted at the path I was destined to follow.