The forest seemed to close in around Kael as he trudged forward, each step feeling heavier than the last. The wanderer walked beside him, silent, their presence a constant reminder of the cryptic words that had been uttered beneath the fissure's blinding light. The wilds, the beasts, the voice—it all lingered in his mind, swirling like an ever-present storm. Every now and then, his fingers would twitch toward the hidden pouch at his belt, where the strange herb lay—an herb that, just days ago, had given him a glimpse of the wilds' power. The craving had not abated, though he fought to suppress it.
He could feel the pull still, gnawing at his thoughts, tugging at the edges of his willpower. It was as if something inside him had been unlocked, a dormant hunger that now demanded to be fed.
The wanderer glanced sideways at him, their eyes narrowing. "You're not okay," they said, their tone blunt but not unkind. "I can see it. The strain. You're still fighting it, aren't you?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. He wanted to deny it, to assure them he was fine, but that would be a lie. Instead, he focused on putting one foot in front of the other, willing himself to keep moving. The wanderer's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before they sighed, a sound heavy with unspoken understanding.
"We need to talk," the wanderer said, stopping in their tracks and turning to face him. The forest seemed to fall still around them, the rustle of leaves and distant calls of beasts fading into a strange silence. "This path you're on... it's not something you can walk alone. Not anymore."
Kael met their gaze, his jaw tight. He hadn't asked for any of this. The power that had begun to take root in him, the darkness that threatened to overwhelm him—it was too much. And yet, he couldn't help but feel that there was no turning back now. The choices he had made had led him here, to this moment, and he was going to see it through, no matter what.
"I didn't ask for this," Kael said finally, his voice hoarse. "But I'm not backing down."
The wanderer nodded, though there was no hint of approval in their eyes. "You never did, did you? But this isn't about being stubborn, Kael. This is about survival. And survival comes at a cost."
Kael gritted his teeth, his hand instinctively brushing against the pouch at his side. The herb, the very thing he had once used to stave off pain, now seemed to be a dangerous temptation, its presence like a shadow in his mind. He knew that if he gave in, if he allowed himself to use it again, it would be another step toward losing control.
But was control even possible anymore?
"You don't understand," Kael muttered, more to himself than to the wanderer. "The wilds, the beasts—they're a part of me now. I can feel it. It's like something inside me has awakened, something that was always there but never realized."
The wanderer's expression softened, but there was still an air of caution in their gaze. "I understand more than you think. But there's a difference between embracing the wilds and being consumed by them. The power you've tapped into—it's dangerous. It doesn't care about you. It's a force of nature, one that will twist you until there's nothing left of who you are."
Kael shook his head, his mind a whirlpool of conflicting thoughts. He didn't need to hear about the dangers of power; he already knew them. What he needed was a way to survive, to understand what had happened to him, and why the wilds seemed to have claimed him as their own.
"I can handle it," Kael said, though even he wasn't sure if he believed it. "I'm stronger now. I'll find a way."
The wanderer's lips curled into a bitter smile. "You might be stronger, but you're not invincible. And sooner or later, the wilds will make you pay for what you've done."
Kael stiffened, but before he could retort, the ground beneath them trembled. The trees swayed as though caught in an invisible wind, and the air grew thick with tension. Kael's hand flew to the hilt of his spear, his senses sharpening. Something was coming—something that wasn't the usual menace of the wilds.
From the depths of the forest, a low growl rumbled, echoing through the trees like the sound of thunder before a storm. Kael's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't the sound of a beast he recognized. This was something else—something new.
"What is that?" Kael asked, his voice tight with alarm.
The wanderer didn't answer immediately. They were already moving, their hand gripping the handle of a dagger, their eyes scanning the forest. "Stay alert," they said, their voice low and steady. "Whatever it is, we're not ready for it."
Kael's grip on his spear tightened as he followed the wanderer, his senses on high alert. The growl grew louder, closer, and Kael could feel the ground vibrating beneath his feet. It wasn't just a single beast; it was a whole pack, moving in perfect synchrony.
Then, through the trees, they appeared—twisted, monstrous creatures unlike anything Kael had ever seen before. Their bodies were misshapen, their limbs elongated and gnarled, their eyes glowing with a strange, unnatural light. The beasts' movements were jerky and erratic, as though they were not fully in control of their own bodies.
Kael's breath caught in his throat. These were no ordinary beasts. These were something... different.
The wanderer motioned for him to move quietly, and they ducked behind a thick trunk. Kael followed, his mind racing. What were these creatures? Where had they come from?
The beasts seemed to be drawn toward something, their movements slow but deliberate. Kael watched as they circled a large clearing, their eyes scanning the surroundings, their growls growing more intense. Whatever they were hunting, they had found their target.
Kael's heart hammered in his chest. He had no idea what was going on, but he knew one thing for sure—they couldn't let these creatures find them.
"We need to move," the wanderer whispered. "We can't stay here."
Kael nodded, though he wasn't sure where they would go. The forest had always been a place of uncertainty, but now it felt even more alien, more dangerous. Every step forward felt like a step deeper into the unknown.
The beasts continued to circle the clearing, their growls growing louder, their eyes fixed on something just beyond Kael's line of sight. He could feel their gaze, the weight of their attention pressing down on him like an invisible hand.
He had to make a choice. Stand and fight, or retreat and risk being caught.
"On my count," the wanderer whispered, their voice barely audible. "Three... two..."
Before they could finish, a sharp, high-pitched scream pierced the air, and the beasts lunged forward, their claws tearing through the underbrush.
"Run!" the wanderer shouted.
Kael didn't hesitate. He turned and bolted, his legs pumping furiously as the wilds seemed to explode into chaos around him. The growls of the beasts echoed in his ears, their pursuit relentless.
The path ahead was clear—until it wasn't.