Victor surveyed the remnants of the group. Out of thirty, only eighteen remained. Blood stained the forest floor, mingling with the ash and dirt. The air was thick with tension, the survivors too shocked to cry or mourn.
He chuckled softly to himself. Eighteen is still too many. Smaller groups are easier to control. I'll let them thin themselves out further.
Erin's voice cut through the silence as he began organizing the group, giving commands to secure the area. Rishitha stood beside him, her face pale but her eyes determined. Ragith glared at Victor with an intensity that promised future confrontation.
Victor met Ragith's gaze with a mocking smile, then turned his attention to the others.
"Listen up," he said, his voice dripping with mock concern. "This wasn't easy, I know. But you should all be proud of yourselves. You made it through."
"Barely," someone muttered.
Victor ignored the comment, his eyes scanning the crowd. He needed to figure out who was still useful and who was expendable.
Approaching a small cluster of survivors huddled near a tree, Victor knelt down to their level. "You did good," he said softly, his tone almost fatherly. "But this is just the beginning. If you don't want to end up like the others…" He glanced meaningfully at the mangled bodies nearby. "…you'll need to stick close to me. I can keep you alive."
One of them, a young man clutching a broken spear, looked up at him with hollow eyes. "How do we know you won't just use us like bait?"
Victor smiled, leaning in closer. "Because I need you alive. Dead weight doesn't help me. But if you're smart—if you listen to me—you'll survive this. Trust me, kid. You don't have a better option."
The man hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. Victor suppressed a grin. Another pawn secured.
As the group began to move again, Ragith stormed over to Erin. "We can't let him stay with us," he growled, his voice low but furious.
Erin raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"
"Because he's dangerous. Manipulative. You saw what he did back there—he used people as bait!"
Erin's expression hardened. "I did see that. But right now, we can't afford to fracture the group further. Like it or not, Victor's alive, and he's part of this. Until we're in a safer place, he stays."
Ragith clenched his fists, clearly unsatisfied. His sister, who stood quietly beside him, placed a hand on his arm. "He's not worth it, Ragith. Focus on keeping us alive."
Victor watched the exchange from a distance, his smirk widening. Good. Let the tension simmer. When it boils over, I'll be ready.
Later that night, as the group set up camp, Victor made his move toward Mo Tang. The healer sat apart from the others, tending to the wounded with quiet efficiency.
"Impressive," Victor said, sitting down across from him uninvited.
Mo Tang didn't look up. "What do you want, Victor?"
"Just a chat. You're smart, Mo. You know how people work. That makes you different from the rest of them."
"I'm nothing like you."
Victor laughed. "Maybe not. But you understand survival. You saw what happened back there. Desperation turns people into monsters. If you want to make it out of this alive, you'll need someone who can navigate that."
Mo Tang finally looked up, his expression cold. "And you think that's you?"
Victor leaned back, spreading his arms. "Of course. I don't have the brawn like Ragith or the moral high ground like Erin, but I know people. I can keep the rest of them from tearing each other apart. And in return, I'll need someone like you—someone who can patch me up when things get messy."
Mo Tang didn't respond immediately, his gaze thoughtful. "You think you're in control. But one day, Victor, you'll make a mistake. And when you do, I'll be there to remind you why humanity still matters."
Victor's grin faltered for a split second before he laughed. "We'll see, Mo. We'll see."
As the camp settled for the night, Victor lay back against a tree, his eyes on the canopy above. He wasn't here to play hero or follow the rules of some absurd system.
This world is a chessboard, he thought. And I'm going to make sure I'm the one holding the pieces.
The forest whispered around him, its eerie sounds a backdrop to the chaos brewing within the group. Victor closed his eyes, his mind already calculating his next move.
Let them fight. Let them struggle. In the end, they'll all fall in line—or fall apart. Either way, I'll come out on top.
Victor woke to the sound of muted whispers and the occasional crackle of the campfire. Most of the group was either asleep or pretending to be. Only a few stood watch, their weapons held awkwardly, fear evident in their every movement.
Good. Fear keeps them pliable, manageable.
He stretched lazily, his sharp eyes scanning the camp. Ragith sat a few feet from the fire, his posture tense, his sister leaning against him. Erin was off to the side, speaking softly with Mo Tang. Rishitha sat by herself, her gaze distant.
Victor frowned. She's an enigma. A nobody who suddenly knows too much. What's her game?
Seeing an opportunity, Victor approached Rishitha. She glanced at him as he sat down but said nothing.
"Quiet night," Victor began.
"It won't last," she replied flatly.
He smirked. "You always seem to know what's coming. That's quite the talent."
Rishitha's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Victor?"
"Just a conversation. You're an interesting one, Rishitha. You don't strike me as the type to lead, yet here you are, making calls that people follow. Even Erin listens to you."
"I don't lead," she said, her tone sharp. "I just want to survive."
"Survival," Victor mused, leaning back. "Funny thing, that. Everyone wants it, but not everyone's willing to do what it takes. You, though—you seem different. You've got secrets, don't you?"
Rishitha stiffened but said nothing.
Victor chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not here to expose you. In fact, I think we could help each other."
"How?"
"You have knowledge—about this place, the dangers, the rules. I have the ability to keep people in line. Together, we could ensure survival… or at least, our survival."
Rishitha studied him for a long moment before speaking. "I don't trust you."
Victor's grin widened. "Good. You shouldn't. But think about it. In a world like this, alliances are everything. Even temporary ones."
He stood, brushing off his hands. "Sleep on it. Who knows? Tomorrow, you might see things differently."
The next morning, the group awoke to the distant howls of wolves and the unsettling rustling of the forest. Erin immediately began organizing the camp, issuing tasks and assigning roles.
Victor watched from the sidelines, smirking as the group moved with a newfound sense of urgency. The previous day's chaos had left scars—both physical and mental—but it also brought clarity.
They'll fall apart soon enough. All it takes is a little push.
As the group prepared to move deeper into the forest, Victor approached a small cluster of survivors who had been particularly shaken by the events.
"You're scared," he said softly, his tone almost sympathetic. "I get it. I'd be scared too. But fear can be useful. It can keep you alive if you channel it the right way."
"What do you mean?" one of them asked, their voice trembling.
"Stick close to me," Victor said, his smile reassuring. "I'll make sure nothing happens to you. Just do exactly as I say, and you'll be fine."
As the group trudged through the forest, Victor's influence began to grow. He played the part of the concerned ally, offering advice, calming nerves, and subtly undermining Erin's authority at every opportunity.
When Erin ordered the group to take a break, Victor seized the moment to gather his new followers.
"Listen," he said, his voice low but commanding. "Erin means well, but he doesn't understand the stakes here. He's too idealistic. If you want to survive, you need someone who's willing to make the hard choices. Someone like me."
The group exchanged uncertain glances but didn't argue.
Victor smiled inwardly. Good. Doubt is the first step toward loyalty.
By midday, the group encountered another challenge: a series of traps hidden along the forest path. Rishitha's Eye of Knowledge had spotted them, and Erin coordinated the group to disarm or avoid them.
Victor watched as Erin and Rishitha worked together, their teamwork drawing the attention and respect of the group.
He frowned. This won't do. I need to break this dynamic before it solidifies.
Approaching Ragith, who was visibly frustrated, Victor leaned in. "Doesn't it bother you? Watching him play hero while we do all the dirty work?"
Ragith glared at him. "What are you talking about?"
"Think about it," Victor said, his tone conspiratorial. "He's making all the decisions, taking all the credit. And you? You're just another pawn in his game. Don't you want more than that?"
Ragith's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond.
Victor smiled. The seeds are planted. Now we wait.
As night fell, the group made camp once again. Victor sat by the fire, his eyes gleaming as he watched the survivors interact.
Rishitha and Erin were deep in conversation, their bond growing stronger. Mo Tang tended to the injured with quiet determination. Ragith sat apart, his frustration evident.
Victor's gaze lingered on each of them, his mind racing with possibilities.
This game is far from over. The Whispering Woods may claim more lives, but I'll make sure they're the right ones. One way or another, I'll come out on top.