The forest, once a familiar expanse of shadows and light, had become a labyrinth of chaos. Kael's breath came in ragged gasps, the pounding of his heart mingling with the growls of the beasts in pursuit. Every footfall seemed to echo through the underbrush, and his every instinct screamed at him to run faster, to escape the monstrous creatures that chased him.
But escape was not so simple.
Ahead, the wanderer moved with fluidity and purpose, their feet barely disturbing the forest floor. They were a shadow among shadows, their movements calculated, deliberate. Kael, on the other hand, stumbled through the underbrush, his legs already beginning to burn from the exertion. The speed he had once prided himself on had been dulled by the weight of the wilds' curse—the strange, powerful force that was slowly consuming him.
The beasts behind them were relentless, their snarls growing louder as they closed in. Kael could feel the heat of their breath, their eyes glinting with a hunger that went beyond mere survival. These were not creatures of the wild; they were something more—something darker, more twisted. They moved with purpose, as if they were guided by a will that was not their own.
"Keep moving!" the wanderer shouted, their voice cutting through the panic that threatened to overtake Kael. "Don't stop! Not for anything!"
Kael nodded, though he could feel the tension in his body, the weight of his mutation pressing down on him like a vice. The craving for the wilds' power gnawed at him, tempting him to tap into the strength that the beasts seemed to embody so effortlessly. But he knew, deep down, that to give in would be to lose himself forever. The wilds were powerful, yes, but they were also insidious. They promised power at a price, and Kael had already paid too much.
The beasts behind them were closing in faster now, their growls growing more pronounced. Kael's eyes darted to the sides, searching for any kind of refuge, any place to hide. But there was nothing. The forest stretched on, an unbroken sea of trees and shadows. And then, in the distance, he saw it.
A cliff.
Kael's heart leapt in his chest as he realized that it was their only chance. The cliff wasn't far, but they would have to get there before the beasts caught up to them. His legs screamed in protest as he pushed himself harder, urging his body to go faster, even as the craving inside him continued to claw at his mind. His hand reached instinctively for the pouch at his side, where the herb lay, promising relief from the burning hunger that threatened to consume him.
"No," Kael muttered to himself, shaking his head. He couldn't give in. Not now. Not ever.
But the wilds whispered to him, their voice soft and insistent. Take it. You can outrun them. You can be stronger.
Kael clenched his fists, the muscles in his arms straining with the effort to resist. He could feel the herb's presence, a siren call that grew louder with every step. But he couldn't. He wouldn't.
"We're almost there!" the wanderer called out, their voice coming from ahead. Kael looked up to see them already nearing the edge of the cliff. But the beasts were closer now—too close.
The first of the creatures burst through the trees, its twisted form a blur of motion as it leaped toward the wanderer. Kael's heart slammed into his ribcage as the beast's claws raked through the air, missing the wanderer by mere inches. The wanderer spun, their dagger flashing in the dim light as they cut through the beast's flank. The creature howled in pain, but it didn't retreat. It was only enraged.
Kael's body reacted before his mind could catch up. He lunged forward, his spear raised high as he thrust it into the creature's side. The beast staggered back, its glowing eyes narrowing in fury. But Kael didn't wait for it to recover. He twisted the spear free and lunged again, this time plunging the weapon deep into the beast's chest. The creature's body went limp, and it collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud.
But there was no time to celebrate. Another beast was already charging, its jaws snapping at the air.
"Go!" the wanderer shouted, their voice sharp with urgency.
Kael didn't hesitate. He turned and sprinted toward the cliff's edge, his legs burning with each stride. The earth beneath him seemed to tremble as the pack of beasts closed in, their growls echoing in the dense air. He could feel them—hear them—getting closer.
He reached the edge of the cliff, his heart pounding in his chest. The drop below was steep, the ground far too distant for comfort. But it was the only option. Without a second thought, Kael leaped.
For a moment, everything was still. Time seemed to slow as Kael sailed through the air, the wind whipping around him. Then, with a bone-jarring impact, he hit the rocky surface below.
Pain shot through his body, but he didn't have time to focus on it. The beasts were above him now, their silhouettes appearing against the sky as they leered down at him. Kael pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the scream of protest from his body as he staggered forward, his spear gripped tightly in his hands.
The wanderer was already on the ground, having made the jump seconds before him. Their eyes were scanning the area, looking for a way forward. But Kael knew that the danger wasn't over yet. The beasts would follow, and there was nowhere left to run.
"We have to fight," Kael said, his voice low and determined.
The wanderer nodded grimly, their expression set in stone. "We'll have to make a stand. There's no other choice."
Kael glanced around, searching for anything that could give them an advantage. The ground beneath him was uneven, littered with jagged rocks and thorny brush. It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do.
One of the beasts landed on the ground in front of them with a bone-crushing thud. Its massive claws scraped against the rock, sending sparks flying into the air. Kael could see the fury in its eyes, the raw, unfiltered hatred that seemed to fuel its every move. It was like nothing he had ever faced before.
The wanderer was already moving, darting to the side with fluid precision. They swung their dagger at the beast, but it was faster than they had anticipated. The creature's claws raked across the wanderer's arm, drawing blood.
Kael didn't hesitate. He charged forward, his spear aimed straight for the beast's heart. It was a risky move, but he had no choice. The wilds had made him a creature of instinct, and in that moment, instinct was all that mattered.
With a powerful thrust, Kael drove the spear into the beast's side. It howled in pain, but Kael didn't stop. He twisted the spear, driving it deeper until the creature went still, its body collapsing to the ground.
The fight wasn't over, though. There were still more of them—more beasts, each one a twisted reflection of the wilds' dark influence.
Kael turned to face the others, his spear raised high. There was no turning back now. The wilds had claimed him, and he would fight until his last breath to ensure that they did not control him.