The light was diffuse, emanating from the three moons hanging in the sky, bathing everything in a constant, ethereal glow. Even during what should have been the night, the luminosity was enough to distinguish the passage of time, as if this world rejected absolute darkness. It was a light that both comforted and unsettled, a reminder that this place was not entirely welcoming.
Brana woke slowly, the soft light filtering through the cracks in the broken window. He blinked, his eyes heavy and his body stiff from the accumulated exhaustion of the past days. Every muscle protested, a stark reminder of the relentless effort it took to survive in this unknown world.
It took a few moments for him to gather his bearings, fragments of the previous night returning like scattered memories. The discomfort of the uneven ground mingled with the strangeness of the surroundings. He looked around, taking in the partially collapsed walls and shattered ceiling of the ruined house they had turned into a makeshift shelter. His gaze rested on the improvised bed where Luma still slept, curled up under the thin blanket. Despite her fragile appearance, her breathing was steady, and Brana felt a small wave of relief.
The forest outside was eerily silent, as if it were holding its breath. Brana knew silence was not a good omen—it meant something could be lurking. He rose carefully, trying not to disturb Luma, and went to the partially intact window. Outside, the gigantic trees formed a natural wall, their luminous leaves swaying gently in the wind in a mesmerizing rhythm.
As he watched, a thought crossed his mind: "This world isn't for us. Not as we are now." The weight of that realization pressed down on him. Their survival depended not only on resources but on understanding how to adapt to Enkaryon, a place where the rules of existence seemed different.
The sudden appearance of a translucent window snapped him back to reality. The glowing letters shone in a soft blue:
[Congratulations on establishing a minor connection to the world.]
Brana felt a mix of pride and unease. He reread the message, trying to decipher every detail, but another window appeared before he could process it fully. Its message carried far greater weight:
[Side Mission – Enkaryon's Fragment]
A small fragment of Enkaryon resides within you, but it is not yet yours. Fill the crystal with your essence and make it your own before the connection is severed.
Time Remaining: 38 days.
Reward: Access to Enkaryon's natural power.
Penalty for Failure: Loss of connection to Enkaryon.
The words pulsed before his eyes, as though they were part of the very air. Brana read them again, trying to absorb the meaning. Fill the crystal with your essence? What does that even mean? He recalled the warmth he had felt while trying to connect with the crystal. Could that have been the start of the process? Perhaps it was related to the green-blue stain he had seen within the crystal.
Brana exhaled deeply, the weight of his responsibilities pressing on him. He was exhausted, both physically and mentally, but he couldn't stop. Every moment counted. "If I fail… what happens? I'll lose the connection, but what does that mean? Will I lose my strength? My chance to survive?"
He closed his eyes, trying to push away the exhaustion gnawing at his body and mind. Sitting cross-legged with his hands on his knees, he focused on the faint warmth in his chest. It was a distant sensation, like a spark lost in the dark, but it was his only clue.
He breathed deeply, the soft sound of the wind passing through the cracks of the ruined house filling the silence around him. For a few minutes, everything felt empty. He tried to recreate what he had done before, seeking that connection, that warmth he had felt the previous night. Time passed slowly, and frustration began to build.
Nothing happened.
Brana gritted his teeth, the fatigue starting to erode his determination. But, just as he was about to give up, he felt it—a faint spark, a weak pulse in the center of his chest. He held his focus, his eyes still closed, trying to amplify the sensation.
"This is it..." he murmured, his voice almost inaudible.
The warmth began to grow, like a flame gaining strength. He could feel it spreading slowly, a rhythmic flow of energy coursing through his body. The sensation was intense yet invigorating, as though he were on the brink of something new.
Suddenly, the image of the crystal appeared in his mind. It floated in a dark void, glowing faintly with a vibrant red hue. But this time, something was different: a small green-blue stain pulsed at its center, like a living core beginning to take shape.
Brana focused on the crystal, trying to intensify the warmth and direct it toward the stain. The effort felt like climbing a steep mountain without knowing where the peak lay. Each second seemed to drain part of his energy, as though he were pulling from a limited source that could dry up at any moment.
He pushed forward despite the sweat dripping down his forehead and his increasingly labored breathing. Finally, the warmth began to subside, and exhaustion overwhelmed his body. Brana opened his eyes abruptly, gasping for air. The world around him seemed to spin, and he needed a few moments to steady himself.
"This is going to take time..." he murmured, frustrated, wiping the sweat from his face with the back of his hand. He knew it wouldn't be simple, but the 38-day deadline weighed on him like a sword hanging by a thread.
Despite his fatigue, Brana looked around, trying to regain his composure. He had started something—something important. And, despite the difficulties, he knew he couldn't stop now.
Before he could reflect further, he heard light footsteps. When he looked, he found Luma standing just a few inches away, her half-closed eyes heavy with sleep. Her curly hair was completely disheveled, with flattened and matted curls pointing in all directions. The sight was both funny and oddly comforting.
"Brana, you're being weird again," she said, her voice still rough from sleep. "Is everything okay?"
Brana couldn't help but laugh. "Luma, you look like a hedgehog."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "My hair is perfect. You're the one acting like an old man thinking too much."
He reached out and pulled her down to sit beside him. "Alright, come here. Let me fix this before you scare someone."
As Brana tried to tame her curls with his fingers, Luma grumbled but let him continue. "You're terrible at this," she complained.
"It's all we've got, princess," he said with a laugh. When he finished, the two of them laughed together, the weight of their situation momentarily lifted.
After a makeshift breakfast, Brana began to ponder something that had been bothering him since he woke up: Luma also had a crystal inside her. Could she connect with it too? He wasn't sure if that would be a good thing or something dangerous.
"Luma," he started hesitantly.
"Yeah?" she replied distractedly.
"The crystal… Do you remember when it entered you?"
"Yeah, it was weird," she said, frowning. "Why?"
"I think it's still with you. And maybe you can do something with it. Connect with it."
She looked at him, confused but curious. "You think I can?"
Brana nodded. "I think so. But you don't have to try now. Only if you want to."
Luma was thoughtful for a moment before replying. "I want to try. I want to help too."
Brana explained what he had done to connect with his crystal. Luma tried to mimic his actions, sitting down and closing her eyes, but nothing happened. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes, frustrated.
"I can't do it," she said, lowering her head.
"It's okay," Brana reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "These things take time. You're amazing, Luma. You'll get there."
After organizing the useful items they had found in the house, the two decided to explore more of the forest. The day was beginning, and the peculiar light of Enkaryon's sun—a pale orb that seemed like a fusion of golden and silvery light—mingled with the colors of the three moons still visible in the sky. The clarity had an ethereal quality, as if each beam carried fragments of the world's magical essence.
Under this light, the forest seemed more alive, with the leaves of the trees reflecting iridescent hues. Yet there was something unsettling about its beauty; the vibrancy of the place was accompanied by a constant mystery that kept them on edge.
They encountered fascinating creatures along the way. A golden squirrel darted past them, quickly climbing a tree. Further ahead, they spotted a deer with glowing antlers that looked like crystal. Luma pointed excitedly, calling it a "branch unicorn."
Other creatures appeared as well—birds with feathers resembling colored glass and small glowing animals that moved like living fireflies. The beauty of the place was undeniable, but Brana knew it also concealed dangers.
This feeling was confirmed when he suddenly felt a chill. It was as if something was watching him. His senses seemed sharper, warning him that something wasn't right.
"Luma, stop," he said, gripping her hand.
"What is it?" she asked, concerned.
"I don't know… Something's wrong."
Before he could explain, the ground began to tremble lightly. It was subtle but enough to put Brana on high alert. He grabbed Luma's hand tightly.
"Run!" he ordered.
They started running through the forest, the sound of crushed leaves and snapping branches growing louder behind them. Brana knew they were being chased. Looking around, he spotted a fallen tree with an opening large enough to hide in.
"Get in there!" he said, pushing Luma inside before squeezing in after her.
Then the creature appeared. It was massive, over three meters tall. Its body was covered in black fur, matted with both fresh and dried blood. Its glowing coal-like eyes radiated danger and predatory intent. Sharp claws scraped against the ground with every heavy step, and its elongated snout sniffed the air.
"Brana..." Luma whispered, clutching his arm, her voice trembling.
"Shhh…" he replied, pulling her closer. His heart pounded, and sweat dripped down his face. He knew they didn't have much time.
The creature sniffed the air, moving closer. Its nostrils flared with every breath, inching nearer to their hiding spot. Brana held his breath, his eyes fixed on the monster's movements. He glanced at Luma, who stared back with wide, tear-filled eyes. His chest tightened.
"Stay here. I'll distract it," he said decisively.
"Brana, no!" Luma cried, but he was already stepping out of the hiding spot.
"Hey! Over here! Come get me!" Brana shouted, waving his arms.
The monster's head snapped toward him, its glowing eyes locking on. With a roar that seemed to shake the air itself, the creature charged. The ground trembled under the weight of its steps as Brana sprinted into the forest.
He knew he couldn't outmatch it in strength, but he could use the environment to his advantage. Running between trees, he zigzagged to confuse the creature. When he glanced back, he saw it following with surprising speed but struggling to turn sharply. Using this, he guided it toward thicker trees, forcing it to crash into them during the chase.
With each impact, the creature roared in frustration but didn't relent. Brana felt his body tiring, his lungs burning with each breath. His legs grew heavy, but he couldn't stop.
"Just a little more… just a little more…" he thought, pushing himself to keep going.
The forest opened into a clearing, and Brana realized too late that there were no more trees to use as barriers. He stopped abruptly, panting, and looked around for an escape route. But the creature was already there.
It lunged, and Brana dodged at the last second. The beast's claws gouged deep into the ground, sending dirt and leaves flying. Taking advantage of the moment, Brana grabbed a large rock and hurled it at the creature's head. The impact made it hesitate for a second, but it only seemed to enrage it further.
Brana ran again, but this time, the creature gave him no room to maneuver. With a brutal leap, it blocked his path. Brana stumbled and fell backward, staring into the monster's glowing eyes. He tried to crawl away, but the beast advanced, slamming its claws into the ground.
Desperately, Brana grabbed a broken branch and used it as an improvised spear, driving it into the creature's shoulder. The monster roared in pain, retreating briefly, but it wasn't enough to stop it. It lunged again, and Brana barely managed to evade, losing his balance and falling to his knees.
Brana struggled to stand, his vision blurred from exhaustion. "I won't give up… not now…" he murmured, grabbing another piece of wood. His mind felt sharper than before, as if the crystal inside him was heightening his reflexes and senses.
He used this clarity to anticipate the creature's movements. When it charged again, Brana dodged, causing it to crash into a thick tree. Taking advantage of the moment, he picked up a sharp stone and hurled it at the beast's eyes. The strike landed, and the creature roared, briefly retreating.
For a moment, Brana thought he had the upper hand. He grabbed another branch and prepared to strike again, but the creature was faster. With a violent swipe, it struck the ground, sending Brana tumbling backward. His head hit a rock, and pain shot through his skull like lightning.
Brana's vision darkened momentarily. He tried to stand, but his strength was fading. He saw the creature approaching, blood dripping from the wounds he had inflicted. Even injured, it was still a deadly threat.
He knew he had no energy left to fight or flee. As the beast drew closer, he closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable.
Then, a sharp sound cut through the air—a piercing whistle followed by a deafening impact. Brana opened his eyes just in time to see a spear pierce the creature's head, embedding itself deep. The monster let out a final roar before collapsing heavily to the ground, lifeless.
"Finally caught it," a deep voice echoed across the clearing.
Brana turned his head with difficulty, his vision still blurred from the pain. He saw the figure of a tall man emerging from the forest's shadows. His skin was gray, almost silver under the light of the three moons. His black hair was tied in tight braids, and one of his eyes was covered by a dark cloth. He held a long spear made of black wood and metal, his posture imposing and threatening.
Brana tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. His vision darkened again, and he collapsed to the ground, the last thing he saw being the man approaching, the bloodied spear still in his hand.