Jin moved with purpose, the map clutched tightly in his hand as he navigated the terrain ahead. He had left the safety of the cave behind hours ago, following the marks and spots Jon had carefully noted on the map.
Each step carried him deeper into the unknown, the path winding through desolate valleys and across rocky ridges, where the wind howled against his ears like a mournful song.
The tracks on the map led him toward a dense, sprawling forest. Its towering trees loomed in the distance, their canopy so thick it swallowed the sunlight. As Jin approached, the air grew humid, the earthy smell of moss and wet wood clinging to his senses. He paused at the forest's edge, his eyes scanning the endless expanse of trees ahead.
"This must be it," he muttered under his breath, the map confirming what he already suspected.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the forest.
The Mass Forest
The world inside the forest was nothing like the world outside. The air was heavier, damp with moisture that clung to Jin's skin. Shafts of light broke through the canopy in narrow beams, casting eerie patterns on the forest floor. Every sound was amplified-the rustle of leaves, the chirping of unseen creatures, the occasional snap of a twig beneath his boots.
Jin's hand rested on the hilt of his blade as he walked, his eyes sharp and his movements deliberate. The deeper he ventured, the more alive the forest seemed.
Thick vines coiled around ancient trees, their bark scarred by time. The underbrush was dense, forcing Jin to push branches and foliage aside as he followed the faint markings on the map.
But the forest wasn't just alive-it was hostile.
The Obstacles Begin
The first sign of danger came as a low, rhythmic clicking sound. Jin froze, his ears straining to pinpoint the source. The clicking grew louder, coming from above. Slowly, he tilted his head back, his breath catching as he spotted them: giant spiders, their grotesque bodies suspended from silken threads high in the canopy. Their many eyes glinted in the dim light, fixed directly on him.
One of the spiders dropped suddenly, landing on the forest floor with a thud that shook the ground. Its legs, long and spindly, stretched wide as it hissed, a sound like steam escaping a valve.
Jin didn't wait for it to attack. In a fluid motion, he unsheathed his blade, the metallic ring of steel cutting through the tense silence. The spider lunged, but Jin sidestepped, his movements precise. With a swift strike, he sliced through one of its legs, black ichor spraying from the wound. The creature shrieked, its remaining legs scrambling as it tried to retreat, but Jin didn't relent. He drove his blade downward, piercing the spider body with a sickening crunch.
Another spider descended, then another.
Jin's blade became a blur of motion, cutting through the creatures as they swarmed.
Their black blood stained the ground and splattered his clothes, but he pressed on, his focus unwavering. When the last spider fell, its body twitching in its death throes, Jin took a moment to catch his breath. His blade dripped with ichor, but his grip remained firm.
The Snake's Lair
Further into the forest, the terrain grew more treacherous. Roots jutted out of the ground like skeletal hands, and the air grew thicker, almost suffocating. The map's markings led him to a clearing where the sunlight barely reached, the ground covered in a thick layer of leaves.
It was here that Jin felt the shift in the air. A faint, almost imperceptible movement in the underbrush caught his attention. His grip on his blade tightened as the leaves began to rustle.
Suddenly, a massive snake erupted from the undergrowth, its scales shimmering like polished bronze. It was longer than any creature Jin had ever seen, its body coiling around the trees as it raised its head, hissing menacingly. Its eyes locked onto Jin, unblinking and cold.
The snake struck with lightning speed, its jaws wide open, fangs glinting like daggers.
Jin leaped to the side, the snake's head crashing into the ground where he had stood moments before. The impact sent leaves and dirt flying, but Jin didn't falter.
He darted forward, his blade slashing at the snake's side. The creature recoiled, its hiss turning into a roar of pain. It lashed out again, its tail whipping through the air and narrowly missing Jin's head. He rolled to the side, rising to his feet in one fluid motion.
With a calculated strike, Jin aimed for the snake's head. His blade connected, slicing cleanly through its thick scales. The snake let out one final, guttural hiss before collapsing, its body" rashing wildly as its life ebbed away. Jin stepped back, breathing heavily as he watched the massive creature go still.
Pressing Forward
Jin wiped his blade clean on the underbrush, his muscles aching but his resolve unshaken.
The forest seemed endless, each step feeling heavier than the last, but he refused to stop. The map's markings were his only guide, and he followed them with unwavering determination.
The sounds of the forest never ceased— clicks, hisses, and the rustling of unseen creatures-but Jin pushed on. Every obstacle only strengthened his resolve. He had survived the spiders. He had defeated the snake. And he would continue to survive, no matter what the forest threw at him.
"This isn't where I stop," he muttered to himself, his voice low but steady.
The forest stretched on, the path ahead shrouded in shadows and uncertainty. But Jin's grip on the man -and his purpose-never wavered.
Jin's sharp eyes caught the thin plume of smoke in the distance. As he navigated toward it, the dense forest gave way to a rough clearing, revealing a makeshift settlement surrounded by sharpened wooden stakes. The crude but functional structures suggested a place built for survival, not comfort. Jin slowed, scanning the area cautiously. He had seen enough traps to know better than to walk blindly toward anything that looked remotely secure.
As he took another step forward, a sharp whistle sliced through the air.
Thwack!
An arrow embedded itself into the ground inches from his foot, followed by a deafening BOOM. The explosion sent dirt and debris flying, forcing Jin to leap back, his hand instinctively reaching for his blade. As the dust cleared, a figure strolled out of the haze, each step exuding an air of cocky confidence.
The man was clad in leather armor, his messy, dark hair falling carelessly around his sharp eyes. A wide smirk played on his lips as he rested a sword lazily against his shoulder. His presence alone radiated arrogance.
"Well, well," the man drawled, his tone dripping with mockery. "What do we have here? Another lost little puppy wandering too close to our city?"
Jin's blade was in his hand in an instant, his stance firm. "I'm just passing through," he said evenly, his voice steady but cautious. "I don't want any trouble."
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "Trouble? You're already knee-deep in it. You don't just pass through around here. Name's Drake, and I'm the welcoming committee. You don't step an inch closer unless you prove you're worth breathing the same air as us."
Drake's smirk widened as he lowered his sword, pointing it lazily in Jin's direction. "So, what's it gonna be, stranger? You show me what you've got, or I send you running back to whatever hole you crawled out of?"
Drake didn't wait for a reply. He lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with the precision of someone who knew he was better than his opponent. Jin barely managed to parry the first strike, their swords clashing with a sharp clang. The force of the blow sent a jolt through Jin's arms, and Drake laughed as he pressed the attack.
"Come on," Drake taunted, his strikes relentless. "You're not gonna last five seconds at this rate. I've fought kids who put up more of a fight than this."
Jin gritted his teeth, blocking another strike and countering with a quick slash aimed at Drake's side. But Drake sidestepped with ease, his movements fluid and deliberate.
"Not bad," Drake said mockingly. "For someone who looks like they haven't held a sword in years."
Jin's eyes narrowed as he pressed forward, launching a series of rapid strikes. His blade moved like a blur, each attack calculated and precise. But Drake seemed to read his every move, parrying each blow effortlessly. He grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
"You're quick, I'll give you that," Drake said, his voice calm even as their blades locked. He leaned in slightly, his smirk turning into a grin. "But speed's useless when you've got no skill to back it up."
With a sudden twist, Drake broke the lock and drove the hilt of his sword into Jin's side. Jin staggered back, the impact sending a sharp pain through his ribs. Before he could recover, Drake followed up with a spinning kick, slamming his boot into Jin's chest and knocking him to the ground.
"See what I mean?" Drake said, laughing as he took a step back. "This is embarrassing. You're making me look bad."
Jin pushed himself to his feet, his breath labored but his resolve unbroken. He charged forward, his blade aimed directly at Drake's chest. For a moment, Drake's smirk faltered, but it returned just as quickly. At the last second, Drake ducked, dodging the attack with infuriating ease.
"Nice try," Drake said, disarming Jin in one smooth motion. Jin's blade flew out of his hand, landing several feet away. Before Jin could react, Drake's sword was at his throat.
"You're done," Drake said, his tone cold but smug. "Face it, kid. You don't belong here."
Jin's breathing was heavy, his eyes locked onto Drake's as he tried to gauge his next move. But Drake didn't strike. Instead, he sheathed his sword and stepped back, a mocking grin still plastered on his face.
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood," Drake said, turning his back to Jin. "Next time, I might not be so generous. Now get lost before I change my mind."
He began walking away, but paused to glance over his shoulder. "Oh, and one more thing," he added, his smirk widening. "If you're thinking about heading into that city, don't bother. They'll eat you alive before you even step through the gate."
With that, Drake disappeared into the shadows, leaving Jin standing alone in the clearing, his blade still lying in the dirt.