One night in the dense forest, Ria had set up camp and managed to start a small fire. The flames crackled softly as she fried the fish she had caught earlier that day. Her kunai lay within arm's reach, a constant companion and protector.
She knew she only had a few more days of travel to reach the next sect. The thought gave her a sense of determination, though she remained ever cautious.
After finishing her meal, Ria carefully put out the fire and climbed a nearby tree, finding a secure branch to rest on. The forest was alive with nocturnal sounds, yet she felt a strange sense of calm as she drifted off to sleep.
Hours later, Ria was jolted awake by an inexplicable sensation. She felt a strange presence nearby, as though a voice was calling out to her from the depths of the forest. The urge to investigate was overwhelming, almost as if it were a compulsion.
Unable to resist, Ria climbed down from her perch and lit a fire torch. The flickering light cast long shadows as she made her way deeper into the woods, curiosity driving her forward. The voice grew stronger, resonating in her mind and guiding her steps like a trance.
Focused entirely on following the mysterious call, Ria was oblivious to her surroundings. She didn't notice the nearby cliff edge, its dark silhouette blending into the forest floor. The voice seemed to pull her closer and closer to the brink, her steps unsteady on the uneven ground.
Just as she neared the edge, a sudden, sharp sense of awareness jolted her back to reality. She stopped abruptly, the cliff's sheer drop inches from her feet. The torchlight revealed the vast expanse below, its depth obscured by darkness.
Ria's heart pounded in her chest as she realized how close she had come to disaster. She took a cautious step back, her mind racing to comprehend what had just happened. The voice had vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving her standing at the edge of the cliff, shaken but unharmed.
Being as clumsy as she was, Ria accidentally slipped, her foot catching on a loose rock. She found herself hanging by one hand from the cliff edge, her torch extinguished as it fell into the abyss below. The cold night air bit into her fingers as she struggled to maintain her grip.
Not being as strong as she once was, Ria soon felt her strength waning. Her grip loosened, and she plummeted from the cliff. The wind rushed past her ears, her heart pounding in her chest.
Luck was on her side. A river flowed at the base of the cliff, breaking her fall. The cold water enveloped her, and she resurfaced, gasping for air. The shock of the fall and the chill of the water momentarily disoriented her, but survival instincts kicked in.
Ria swam to the shore, her movements labored as she fought the current. She dragged herself out of the water, collapsing on the riverbank and struggling to catch her breath. She had survived the fall, and the mysterious voice that had led her here had now completely vanished.
Lying on the damp ground, Ria took a moment to gather her thoughts. The near-death experience had shaken her, but she was grateful to be alive. She knew she needed to rest and regain her strength before continuing her journey to the next sect.
Shivering from the cold, Ria found a sheltered spot under a large tree and huddled there for warmth. The events of the night replayed in her mind, and she wondered about the origin of the voice that had led her to the cliff. Was it a figment of her imagination, a side effect of her fatigue, or something more sinister?
As dawn broke, the forest slowly came to life around her. Birds began to sing, and the first rays of sunlight pierced through the canopy. Ria felt a renewed sense of determination. She had survived another challenge, and she would continue her journey, no matter what obstacles lay ahead.
She stood up, her clothes still damp. Ria was now pretty far off from the trail and climbing back up the cliff wasn't really an option.
As the darkness grew, Ria knew she needed to find a way back up the cliff. Her supplies and map were still at her campsite, and she couldn't afford to lose any more time. She decided to walk along the riverbank, hoping to find a path or a slope that would lead her back up.
The forest was dense and the terrain rugged, but Ria pressed on. After some time, she found a narrow trail that seemed to wind its way up the side of the cliff. She followed it cautiously, her senses alert for any signs of danger.
The path led her deeper into the woods, and soon she came upon a small clearing. She stopped to catch her breath, the cool morning air filling her lungs. As she stood there, she heard a rustling sound from the other side of the clearing.
Her heart raced as she turned to see what had made the noise. Emerging from the shadows of the trees was the creature she had hoped to avoid at all costs—a hydra. The monstrous beast towered over her, its multiple heads swaying menacingly. Each head had sharp, gleaming fangs and eyes that glowed with a sinister light.
Ria's mind raced. She knew she didn't stand a chance against such a formidable foe. The hydra was a creature of legend, known for its regenerative abilities and deadly venom. Fighting it was out of the question. Her only hope was to escape and find another way back to safety.
The hydra hissed, its heads darting forward as if testing her resolve. Ria took a step back, her kunai gripped tightly in her hand, though she knew it would be of little use. She needed a plan, and she needed it fast.
Her eyes darted around the clearing, looking for any means of escape. She noticed a thick cluster of trees to her left, their branches intertwined and dense enough to provide cover. Without hesitation, Ria bolted towards the trees, hoping to lose the hydra in the undergrowth.
The hydra roared, its heads snapping at the air as it lunged after her. Ria ducked and weaved through the trees, the adrenaline pumping through her veins giving her speed and agility. She could hear the beast crashing through the forest behind her, its massive body tearing through the foliage.
She reached the cluster of trees and squeezed through the narrow gaps between the trunks, her heart pounding. The hydra's heads tried to follow, but the dense branches and undergrowth slowed it down. Ria didn't stop running, pushing herself harder than she ever had before.
🤩
👘🍜Manesta.