The sun was just beginning to rise as I headed out from the castle, the air cool and crisp. I had picked up a mission to hunt some monsters that had been causing trouble in the nearby villages. Even without my magic, I knew I was more than capable of handling it. I just needed to get my mind off things, and this was the perfect distraction.
As I moved through the dense forest, I felt a familiar sense of focus settle over me. The sounds of the waking woods surrounded me—the rustle of leaves, the distant call of birds. I felt at home here, away from the suffocating walls of the castle and the unbearable tension with Aeliana. Fuck, I needed this.
The first signs of the monsters' presence were obvious: claw marks on trees, the stench of death lingering in the air. I tightened my grip on my weapons, senses on high alert. My magic might have been suppressed, but my skills were honed from years of experience. I didn't need magic to take down these beasts.
I moved swiftly through the trees, my eyes scanning for any signs of movement. Suddenly, I spotted a group of smaller monsters—gnarled, twisted creatures with sharp teeth and glowing eyes. They were feasting on the remains of some poor animal.
I didn't waste any time. With a fierce battle cry, I charged at them, my sword cutting through the air. The first monster barely had time to react before its head was separated from its body. The others turned towards me, snarling and snapping, but I was already in motion. I moved like a whirlwind, my blade a blur as I cut them down one by one.
The thrill of the fight coursed through me, the familiar rush of adrenaline pushing all other thoughts from my mind. This was what I lived for—the raw, primal satisfaction of battle. The monsters were relentless, but so was I. Without my magic, I relied on my agility and strength, using every ounce of my training to stay ahead of their attacks.
One of the creatures lunged at me, its claws aiming for my throat. I ducked and spun, my sword slicing through its midsection.
Blood sprayed across the forest floor as the beast fell, its body twitching in its death throes. Another monster came at me from the side, but I was ready. I sidestepped its attack and drove my blade into its heart, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone and flesh.
As the last of the monsters fell, I stood amidst the carnage, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I wiped the sweat from my brow, a grim smile tugging at my lips. This was what I needed—no Aeliana, no perfect match bullshit, just me and the fight.
I took a moment to catch my breath, surveying the area for any more threats. The forest was quiet now, the only sounds the distant chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. I sheathed my sword and began to move on, my senses still on high alert.
As I continued my hunt, I couldn't help but think about how fucked up my life had become. Being paired with Aeliana as my perfect match was a joke. Sure, she was hot, and last night had proven that the chemistry between us was undeniable. But she was also infuriating, and the thought of being tied to her made my blood boil.
I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. I moved through the forest with practiced ease, my eyes scanning for any signs of the monsters I was hunting. The morning light filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. I kept my senses sharp, listening for any hint of danger.
After a while, I came across a clearing. In the center, a massive beast was feasting on the carcass of a deer. This one was different from the others—larger, more powerful. Its muscles rippled under its thick fur, and its eyes glowed with an eerie red light.
"Well, fuck me," I muttered under my breath. This was going to be a challenge.
I crept closer, trying to stay downwind so the beast wouldn't catch my scent. I needed to be smart about this, considering I didn't have my magic to rely on. I picked up a fallen branch and threw it to the side, drawing the beast's attention away from me. As it turned, I sprang into action.
I moved quickly, my sword slashing at the beast's flank. It roared in pain and anger, swinging a massive paw in my direction. I ducked and rolled, coming up on its other side and delivering another strike. The beast was fast, though, and it spun around, its claws grazing my arm. Pain flared, but I ignored it, focusing on the fight.
The beast lunged at me, its jaws snapping shut inches from my face. I drove my sword into its side, feeling the blade sink deep into its flesh. The beast howled, thrashing wildly. I held on, using my weight to drive the sword deeper.
With a final, desperate effort, I yanked the sword free and brought it down on the beast's neck. The blade sliced through muscle and bone, and the beast collapsed to the ground, its body twitching as it died.
I stood over the carcass, breathing heavily. My arm throbbed where the beast had clawed me, but I felt a grim sense of satisfaction. This was what I was meant to do—fight, survive, and come out on top.
I took a moment to catch my breath, then wiped my blade clean and sheathed it. I needed to keep moving, to finish this mission and get the hell out of here. As I continued my hunt, I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. Out here, it was just me and the fight, no Aeliana to complicate things.
As I moved deeper into the forest, I encountered more of the monsters. They came at me in waves, snarling and snapping, but I took them down one by one. My body moved on instinct, my mind focused on the battle. Each kill brought a sense of satisfaction, a reminder that I was still in control.
Hours passed, and I finally found myself at the edge of the forest. I had taken down every last one of the monsters, their bodies littering the ground behind me. I was covered in blood and sweat, my muscles aching, but I felt more alive than I had in days.
I took a moment to rest, leaning against a tree and catching my breath. The forest was quiet now, the only sounds the distant call of birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. I felt a sense of peace, knowing I had done what needed to be done.
But as I stood there, I couldn't shake the thoughts of Aeliana. No matter how hard I tried, she was always there, lurking in the back of my mind. It pissed me off, the way she got under my skin. I didn't want to think about her, didn't want to feel anything for her. But I couldn't help it.
With a frustrated sigh, I pushed myself away from the tree and began to make my way back to the castle. I needed to report back to Leora and get my next mission. Anything to keep me busy, to keep me from thinking about Aeliana.
As I walked, I felt a sense of determination. I would get through this, would find a way to deal with the situation. I wouldn't let Aeliana or the perfect match bullshit control my life. I was stronger than that, and I would prove it.
But just as I was starting to feel a sense of control, a shadow passed over me. I looked up, my heart sinking as I saw a massive, rogue demon towering over me. This one was different from the others—larger, more powerful, and with an aura of darkness that made my skin crawl.
"Fuck," I muttered, gripping my sword tightly. This was going to be a fight for my life.