In the heart of a dense, dark forest where sunlight barely penetrated, a heavy mist hung, swallowing every inch of the terrain. There was a profound darkness, almost tangible, that transformed the forest into a world of shadows and whispers. The silence was frequently interrupted by snaps and rustlings from the trees, enough to deceive the senses and make even the bravest question what lurked among the shadows.
For many, this was a place where courage dissipated like the fog, and where the few who dared enter soon abandoned all hope. However, that night, a black figure moved among the trees with frightening agility, its presence barely perceptible. Ahead of it, a quadrupedal creature fled swiftly, each step echoing a grotesque sound of flesh and bones. The beast, an abomination of exposed muscles devoid of skin, about two meters tall and three meters long, ran while holding what appeared to be a person between its macabre jaws.
Dinis, now a young adult, moved with deadly purpose, his eyes fixed on his prey. He closed in rapidly, each step calculated, the black blade hanging on his back. With a sudden burst, he overtook the creature and, in an agile move, launched himself downward, driving his sword deep into one of the beast's hind legs. A sharp growl echoed through the forest—a sound mixed with rage and pain. The creature lost its balance, toppling onto the damp grass as a torrent of blood gushed from its mangled leg.
Dinis pulled the blade back, watching the beast thrash frantically. The viscous, dark blood stained the ground around them, and each spasm of the creature sent splatters flying, smearing the leaves and trunks of nearby trees. The monster tried to rise, its jaws opening and closing with a horrendous snap, while dark liquid dripped from its sharp teeth.
"You won't terrorize anyone anymore," Dinis murmured, his eyes cold and relentless.
In a swift motion, he advanced, swinging the blade, and with a precise and brutal strike, he severed the beast's head. The sound of flesh being torn echoed through the forest, followed by the heavy thud of the head hitting the ground. The creature's body shuddered, spilling even more blood, until it finally lay still.
The body trapped in the beast's jaws fell to the ground with a dull thump. Ignoring the blood that dripped from his blade and stained his clothes, Dinis cautiously approached the victim. Pushing aside the fabric covering the person's face, he saw that it was a young girl. Her face was pale, with small abrasions on her hands and arms. Even unconscious, she clutched a heavy grimoire tightly, as if it were the last thing she had left.
Dinis observed her for a moment, noting the delicate features and the tranquil expression that contrasted with the violence of what had just occurred.
"Seems you weren't destined to be tonight's dinner," he murmured with slight irony as he bent down to pick her up in his arms.
The girl was light, but the weight of the grimoire increased the load. Dinis held her carefully and, without wasting more time, turned and began to walk through the forest, remaining alert for any other signs of danger.
The walk was long and silent. Dinis was not tired; his endurance had been molded by years of intense training. However, the forest seemed to resist every step, as if the very shadows were conspiring to make the path longer and more challenging. The whispers of the trees and the murmur of the mist followed him as he advanced, the girl still unconscious in his arms.
After several hours, Dinis reached a small clearing at the forest's edge. His camp was modest: an extinguished fire and a blanket spread over the ground, with a few provisions beside it. He carefully laid the girl on the blanket, adjusting her to make her comfortable. Then, he removed the grimoire from her hands, placing it beside her with care.
He lit the fire, allowing the gentle warmth of the flames to heat the area and dispel some of the moisture and cold that permeated the place. Sitting beside her, Dinis observed the young woman's face in the firelight, seeing the soft breathing that showed that, despite the brutal attack, she would survive.
"Who are you... and why was that creature so determined to take you?" he whispered, more to himself than expecting an answer.
For a moment, Dinis closed his eyes, letting his mind empty. He began to enter a meditative state—a practice his mysterious mentor had taught him to maintain focus and clarity amid chaos. However, before fully immersing himself in meditation, his attention was drawn to the appearance of the young woman lying before him.
She was beautiful, with blonde hair that fell in soft waves around her pale face. Her nose was delicate, almost sculpted, and her features conveyed a serenity that contrasted with the chaos that had surrounded her earlier. Her body was harmonious and well-proportioned, hinting at a hidden strength within her apparent fragility. Dinis couldn't help but notice her generous figure for her stature, which gave her a striking presence even in her vulnerable state.
Taking a deep breath, Dinis looked away and resumed his meditation practice, letting serenity fill his mind as the campfire's flame danced beside them.