The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long, twisted shadows across the darkened landscape. The sound of the sect's gates closing behind him reverberated in Lei Chen's ears, and with it, a weight heavier than any physical burden. Expelled from the Skyward Sword Sect, his life dream of becoming an inner disciple is now a distant memory, he found himself standing at the precipice of the Abyssal Forest, the wilderness that separated the known world from the realm of beasts and legends.
The Abyssal Forest had a reputation. Few had returned from its depths, and those who did came back with their last breath, speaking of the horrors beyond imagination giant creatures, venomous plants, and a suffocating darkness that preyed on the mind as much as the body. But Lei Chen had no fear. He had been abandoned by the very sect that had raised him, betrayed by those he trusted. In this forest, amidst its dangers and horrors, he would find his strength again, and he would return to take back what was rightfully his.
The air grew colder as he stepped forward, the trees towering like sentinels, their branches clawing at the sky. The ground beneath his feet was uneven, covered with roots that twisted like veins beneath the earth. The deeper he walked, the darker the forest became, the canopy above blotting out the last remnants of sunlight. But even as the light faded, Lei Chen's mind remained sharp. His instincts, honed through years of swordsmanship, kept him alert to every sound the wind rustling through the leaves, the faintest crack of a twig underfoot, the distant call of an unseen beast.
He didn't know how long he had been walking,hours, perhaps. His hunger gnawed at him, and his body, unused to the harshness of the wilderness, began to protest. His wounds, still fresh from his expulsion, burned with each movement, but he ignored them. He had no choice but to press on. The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly, the darkness becoming thicker with each step, suffocating him in a sea of shadows.
Suddenly, a sound faint at first, but growing louder reached his ears. A low growl. It came from somewhere deep within the trees, but the forest was so dense, it was impossible to pinpoint the source. Lei Chen's hand instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword, though he knew it was useless. His cultivation was gone, his once-fluid movements reduced to nothing but a shadow of their former grace. His sword, too, felt heavier than it should, a dead weight in his hand.
The growl grew louder, followed by the unmistakable sound of heavy paws thundering through the underbrush. Lei Chen's heart quickened. The predator was closing in. A shape darted through the shadows, a flash of movement that appeared and disappeared in the blink of an eye. It was fast, too fast for him to track.
A blur of motion erupted from the darkness. A massive wolf, its fur matted with blood and dirt, lunged at Lei Chen with terrifying speed. Its glowing eyes locked onto him, and its jaws snapped shut, inches away from his face. He barely managed to twist to the side in time, the wolf's teeth grazing his cheek. His blood mixed with the dirt as he stumbled backward, barely regaining his footing. The beast was relentless, its snarls cutting through the thick silence of the forest.
Lei Chen's breath came in ragged gasps as he drew his sword, lifting it in a trembling hand. The weight of his weapon felt like a burden, but he had no choice but to fight. The wolf lunged again, its claws raking across the earth, tearing through the soil with vicious strength. This time, Lei Chen was ready. He sidestepped, his sword flashing in a blur of motion. The wolf howled in pain as the blade cut deep into its flank, but it did not retreat. It was enraged, its eyes burning with fury as it turned to face him again.
Lei Chen's chest heaved as he struggled to maintain his composure. His body was weak, his sword sluggish in his hand, but his will was unyielding. He couldn't afford to lose. Not here. Not now. The forest was a vast, unforgiving expanse, and he had no allies here—only his wits and his will to survive.
The wolf growled again, its body coiled, ready to strike. Lei Chen's eyes narrowed as he focused all of his remaining strength into his legs. With a powerful push, he launched himself forward, his sword aimed directly at the wolf's throat. The beast barely managed to twist away, but Lei Chen's blade grazed its neck, leaving a shallow wound. The wolf's momentum carried it forward, and with a mighty roar, it crashed into Lei Chen, knocking him to the ground.
Pain shot through his chest as the weight of the creature pressed down on him, but he didn't hesitate. His sword was still in his hand, and he drove it upward with all the strength he had left, piercing the beast's underbelly. The wolf yelped, its body convulsing in pain as blood poured from the wound. With a final, guttural snarl, it collapsed on top of Lei Chen, its lifeless form pressing down on him.
Lei Chen lay beneath the corpse, gasping for air, his body trembling from exhaustion. His heart still raced, his pulse hammering in his ears. He had won. The wolf, a creature of unimaginable strength, had been defeated. But the victory felt hollow. He had been pushed to the brink of death, and the forest showed no mercy.
With great effort, he shoved the beast off of him, his limbs heavy and weak. His chest burned from the exertion, and the gash on his side throbbed painfully. He staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from his face, his eyes scanning the dark forest once more. The dangers of the Abyssal Forest were far from over. He knew that this was just the beginning. But the fire within him had not been extinguished. No, it had only been stoked.
"I will survive," Lei Chen whispered, his voice hoarse but filled with resolve. "This forest cannot break me."
He turned away from the slain wolf, his body aching with every movement, but his determination pushing him forward. His journey had just begun, and the path ahead would be fraught with peril. But no matter what awaited him, Lei Chen would not yield. He had been cast aside, betrayed by those who had once called him a prodigy. But now, in the depths of the Abyssal Forest, he would forge his own destiny.
He would become something greater than he had ever been before. The sect had made a mistake. They would learn that Lei Chen was not someone to be discarded. He would return. And when he did, he would make them regret ever crossing him.