Prince Kieth stood motionless in the dense shadows of the forest. He could feel Specter's cold gaze locked on him, waiting for the assassin's deadly strike. The forest was thick with fog, and the eerie stillness that surrounded them was broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves. Kieth's heartbeat thudded in his ears, but his face remained impassive. He couldn't afford to show fear, even if Specter's blade was seconds away from slicing through him.
As Specter prepared to move in, his trained assassin's senses told him something was off. His sharp eyes scanned the spot where Kieth had just been standing, only to find empty space. The prince had vanished into the fog.
"Impossible," Specter muttered to himself. He was known for being able to sense even the faintest traces of magic, but Kieth's presence had slipped away like a shadow.
Kieth had always struggled with his magic. His mana reserves were vast but unfocused, making him appear weak to others. However, that very weakness was now his strength. His low magical output meant that even a trained assassin like Specter couldn't track him easily. With quiet, calculated movements, Kieth slipped deeper into the underbrush, his mind racing as he formulated a plan.
"This is my chance," Kieth thought. "I can't take him head-on, but I don't have to."
As Specter cursed himself for losing sight of the prince, Kieth moved swiftly through the forest, scanning his surroundings. He needed a distraction—something big enough to throw Specter off his trail. He knew the forest, The Darkwood, was home to all kinds of dangerous creatures. His only option was to find one of those beasts and lure it back toward the assassin.
Kieth's eyes darted around, searching for signs of movement. He moved silently, slipping past trees and bushes, listening for any indication of nearby monsters. After a few tense minutes, he heard a low, guttural growl that sent shivers down his spine. It was coming from deeper within the forest.
Perfect.
The growl belonged to a Minotaur, a massive beast known for its short temper and relentless rage. Kieth crouched low, moving in the direction of the sound, his heart pounding as he crept closer to the creature. His plan was simple: anger the Minotaur enough to make it chase him. He just needed to survive long enough to lead it back to Specter.
The creature came into view, its hulking form towering above the underbrush. It was alone, standing amidst broken branches, its large axe dragging along the ground. Kieth hesitated for a moment, his breath catching in his throat. He had no weapons strong enough to take on the Minotaur head-on, but he wasn't planning to fight. His strategy was survival.
Kieth stepped on a branch intentionally, snapping it loud enough for the Minotaur to hear. Its head whipped around, its red eyes locking onto the prince.
"Here we go," Kieth muttered under his breath.
The Minotaur let out a deafening roar, lifting its massive axe and charging toward him. Kieth bolted, his feet pounding against the forest floor as he sprinted through the trees. He could hear the heavy footfalls of the Minotaur behind him, crashing through the underbrush with terrifying speed.
Kieth zigzagged through the forest, narrowly dodging trees as he led the Minotaur back toward Specter's location. As he ran, he grabbed small stones from the ground, throwing them at the creature to keep its attention on him. The enraged beast roared louder, its fury building with every step.
Kieth's lungs burned as he pushed himself harder, his mind focused on his plan. Specter would be waiting for him, unaware of the danger charging straight toward him. As Kieth neared the spot where Specter had been, he slowed his pace just enough to ensure the Minotaur was still chasing him.
Specter, who had been scanning the forest for signs of the prince, suddenly heard the crashing of trees and the unmistakable roar of a monster. His eyes widened as he turned to see the enormous Minotaur barreling toward him, its eyes glowing with rage.
"What the—" Specter cursed under his breath, drawing his daggers in preparation to defend himself.
Kieth watched from a safe distance, hidden behind the thick trunk of a tree. He had positioned himself high up in the branches, knowing that the Minotaur would pass by him without noticing. As the Minotaur charged toward Specter, Kieth felt a grim satisfaction. His plan was working.
Specter, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the beast, had no choice but to fight. He leaped into action, his daggers flashing as he tried to fend off the Minotaur's powerful strikes. The assassin was fast, but the Minotaur's sheer strength made it a formidable opponent. Every swing of its axe sent shockwaves through the ground, forcing Specter to dodge and weave to avoid being crushed.
Kieth remained hidden, watching as the two battled. He could see Specter growing more fatigued with each passing minute. The assassin was skilled, but the Minotaur's relentless attacks were wearing him down.
Kieth's lips curled into a smile. He had no intention of engaging in this fight. His plan was simple: let the monster do the work for him. The longer Specter fought, the more tired he would become. And once Specter was weakened, Kieth would make his move.
After several intense minutes, the Minotaur let out a final roar and collapsed to the ground, defeated by Specter's swift strikes. The assassin stood over the fallen beast, panting heavily, his body drenched in sweat. He had won, but the battle had taken its toll. Specter's movements were slow and labored as he bent down to catch his breath.
Kieth saw his opportunity.
Silently, he climbed down from the tree, moving like a shadow through the fog. Specter, exhausted and unaware, had dropped his guard. His daggers lay on the ground beside him, forgotten in the chaos of the battle. Kieth's eyes narrowed as he approached the assassin, his mind clear and focused.
With one swift movement, Kieth grabbed a fallen branch and swung it hard against the back of Specter's head. The assassin crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Kieth stood over him, breathing heavily as he looked down at the man who had been sent to kill him. It was over. Specter had been defeated, and Kieth had survived.
But Kieth wasn't done yet. He knew he couldn't leave Specter's weapons behind. The assassin's daggers were finely crafted, enchanted with deadly precision, and they would be useful to him in the future. He hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should take them, but he knew he had no choice. He needed every advantage he could get if he was going to survive in the wild.
Kieth crouched down and picked up the daggers, examining them closely. They were lightweight but incredibly sharp, perfect for close combat. He strapped them to his belt, feeling the weight of his decision settle over him.
As he searched Specter's body, he found more items that could be useful—a small pouch filled with coins, a belt of throwing knives, and a cloak that would help him blend into the shadows. Kieth took everything, leaving nothing behind.
Finally, after gathering everything of value, Kieth stood over Specter's still body. The assassin was dead, but Kieth couldn't bring himself to leave the corpse to rot in the forest. Despite everything, he knew that Specter had only been following orders.
Kieth dug a small grave beneath a tree, using his hands to scoop away the dirt. It wasn't much, but it was all he could manage. He buried Specter, covering the assassin's body with earth before standing up and looking down at the grave.
"Rest in peace," Kieth muttered, his voice barely a whisper.
With Specter gone and the daggers at his side, Kieth felt a strange sense of relief. He had survived another day, but he knew that more challenges lay ahead. The wild was unforgiving, and he was still alone. But for the first time since his exile, Kieth felt a glimmer of hope. He had outwitted his enemies, and now he was ready to face whatever came next.