The forest stretched endlessly around Reyn, its towering trees and thick underbrush muffling all sounds except for the occasional rustling of leaves.
The air was dense with the earthy scent of damp wood and moss, and the light of the high afternoon sun struggled to penetrate the canopy above. The rays that did manage to seep through illuminated patches of the forest floor, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow.
Reyn moved slowly, careful not to make any noise, each step deliberate as he navigated the uneven terrain. It was his first time venturing so far from the village, and although his heart raced with a mixture of fear and excitement, he was determined to press on.
For hours, Reyn wandered deeper into the forest, the path ahead narrowing until it was little more than a game trail that twisted and turned among the trees. His breath was steady, but his senses were alert to every sound—the chirp of birds, the scuttling of small creatures, the distant crack of a branch.
He knew enough about the forest to understand that there were far more dangerous things lurking out of sight, and the last thing he wanted was to attract their attention.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the trees began to thin out. The forest gradually gave way to an open area, a vast clearing that spanned nearly a mile in diameter. Sunlight poured freely into the space, bathing it in a warm glow.
Reyn shielded his eyes as they adjusted to the brightness, taking in the unexpected sight before him: a cluster of makeshift wooden houses, rough and haphazard in their construction. Thin plumes of smoke rose lazily from a few of the chimneys, curling upward into the sky.
Reyn's pulse quickened. 'People live here?' The realization took him by surprise. He hadn't expected to find anyone in the depths of the forest, let alone a settlement, however small it might be.
His curiosity piqued, and for the first time since he'd left the village, a hopeful smile tugged at his lips. Eager to meet new people, Reyn made his way toward the settlement, his steps hurried but cautious.
As he approached, he noticed the rough state of the houses—walls patched with mismatched boards, roofs sagging from years of neglect.
Still, the sight of a settlement brought with it the promise of conversation, and possibly even food. His stomach tightened at the thought, reminding him that he had yet to eat since setting out.
But as Reyn reached the edge of the clearing, a cold unease settled over him. The closer he got, the clearer the signs became. Chains, ropes, bloodied whips lay scattered on the ground, several broken or rusted, and there was an air of disarray that seemed to cling to everything.
This was not a village like his own—it was something darker. His steps slowed, and he glanced around, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling.
Before Reyn could turn back, a sudden commotion erupted from one of the houses.
Bang!
A door crashed open, and a figure darted out—a woman, her clothes torn and stained with blood. Her desperate eyes locked onto Reyn as she stumbled in his direction, clutching her side where a deep wound oozed crimson.
"You bitch! Get back here!"
"Get here this instant!"
Behind her, shouts and curses rang out, and Reyn saw several rough-looking men charging out of the house in pursuit.
"Kill her if you have to!"
The sight of the daggers in their hands left no doubt in his mind: these were bandits.
Run!
A voice screamed in his head, and without a second thought, Reyn turned and bolted.
The forest seemed to blur around him as he sprinted away, the fear pumping through his veins with every rapid heartbeat.
Reyn didn't dare look back, but the shouts drew nearer, their harsh voices cutting through the air. The woman's footsteps, though uneven, grew closer as well. Reyn glanced over his shoulder and was startled to see her gaining on him despite her injuries. She was quick—far quicker than he would have expected.
"Help me!" she gasped, her voice hoarse and desperate. But before Reyn could react, she reached him, her hand outstretched.
With a sudden lunge, she collided with him, pushing him off balance. Reyn stumbled and fell to the ground, the impact knocking the wind out of him. "Gah!"
"Ugh!" The woman tumbled on top of him, her weight pinning him down. For a moment, he was too dazed to understand what was happening. Then, he saw her up close.
She was beautiful, even in her wounded state—her skin pale, her features delicate, framed by tangled brown hair. But it was the mark on her forehead that drew his attention. It shimmered faintly, an intricate oval design that almost seemed to pulse with a life of its own. And then his eyes widened as he noticed the slit on her throat, where a thin line of blood trailed down her neck.
Before he could scream, her hand clamped over his mouth. "Be silent," she hissed, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and urgency.
She leaned in closer, and before Reyn could register what was happening, her lips pressed against his in a deep, desperate kiss.
The sensation was overwhelming—his mind reeled, and a sudden warmth spread through his body, unlike anything he had felt before. He tried to push her away, but his limbs felt heavy, his strength sapped.
There was a strange tingling on his tongue, as if something was being drawn on it. In that moment, the shimmering mark on her forehead faded away, and Reyn felt a sharp, burning sensation in his mouth.
She pulled back, her eyes locking with his as she whispered, "Forgive me, but you'll have to carry on from now on." The words were barely audible, her voice cracking as she collapsed beside him, her breathing shallow.
Reyn touched his lips, his mind struggling to make sense of what had just happened. He felt different—there was a sensation of energy coursing through him, raw and unfamiliar. As he opened his mouth to speak, he noticed the mark was gone from her forehead, but when he ran his tongue over his teeth, a sudden realization hit him. The strange mark had somehow transferred to him. "What in the world?"
Tap!
Tap!!
The sound of approaching footsteps shook him from his thoughts. The bandits had caught up, their faces twisted with malice as they closed in on the pair.
"Well, well," one of them sneered, pointing his blade at Reyn. "Looks like we've got another one."
Reyn scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. Whatever had just happened, it was clear that the woman was in serious danger—and now, so was he.