Elena hopped to her feet, clutching the second fish tightly before tucking her belongings back into her pouch. Sliding it across her chest, she took a deep breath. She couldn't stay here—not with the risk of that goblin still lurking nearby. Territorial creatures like that never strayed far from their base, and she had no intention of finding out just how close she was.
Pulling out her compass, she noted that north was downstream. That meant her path was clear—or as clear as it could be. Fear gnawed at the edges of her resolve. What if I run into something worse? she thought. But hesitation wasn't an option. If I can make it far enough downstream, I might find a safe crossing. By then, I'll be out of goblin territory.
Steeling herself, Elena began moving.
The forest on this side of the river was an unyielding tangle of foliage. Every step was a battle against thick undergrowth and vines that clawed at her clothes. Sweat slicked her brow as she hacked through the dense greenery with determination.
It wasn't long before she encountered her first real obstacle: a massive tree trunk, its surface scarred with jagged gashes. The deep cuts spoke of a violent end, and Elena's chest tightened with unease.
She let out a shaky sigh, brushing her fingers against the splintered bark. Another victim of this place, she thought. But the obstacle wouldn't move itself. It was too tall to climb without effort and stretched too far into the forest for her to walk around.
Elena stepped back, squaring her shoulders. She broke into a sprint, gathering speed before leaping as high as her legs would carry her. Her fingers just barely caught the edge of the trunk, and she dangled there for a heartbeat before mustering all her strength to pull herself up. Scraping her forearms against the rough bark, she hauled herself to the top and collapsed, her chest heaving.
Her arms stung. Thin scratches crisscrossed her skin, tiny beads of blood welling up along her forearms. Wincing, she pressed her right hand over her left, a warm green glow blooming beneath her palm. She watched as the cuts knitted themselves back together, the magic soothing the burning sting.
"Healed!" she exclaimed, waving her arm with a triumphant grin. She repeated the process on her other arm, the soft green light illuminating the scars until they faded entirely.
They may have called me weak back home, she thought, smirking, but healing magic has its perks.
Her pride was short-lived. In her excitement, she misstepped and toppled off the trunk with an unceremonious thud.
Groaning, Elena rubbed her head, her vision spinning. "Okay, I deserved that," she muttered, pushing herself to her feet. She dusted off her clothes and gave the fallen tree a mock salute. "Well, first obstacle conquered."
As she trudged onward, the forest seemed to close in around her. Insects scurried across the ground, making her shudder as they darted between her feet. She caught glimpses of the river through the trees, its surface shimmering like liquid glass. It was so clear she could see the crabs scuttling beneath the water, their movements precise and purposeful.
The trees along the riverbank were ancient giants, their gnarled trunks thick with moss. Among them sprouted younger saplings, their slender forms a stark contrast to their elders. The sight brought a strange calm to her chest, a feeling she couldn't quite put into words.
Maybe this isn't hell, she thought. Maybe it's just nature.
Her musings were cut short by a sudden, violent force. Something struck her, sending her tumbling across the water like a ragdoll. By the time she stopped, she lay crumpled on the far bank, her body screaming in pain.
Through blurred vision, she saw it: a massive, black-furred beast with bloodshot eyes and two thin, whip-like tails. It towered over her, exuding a menacing aura that sent a shiver down her spine.
Elena tried to move, but her legs refused to obey. Pain radiated from her side—was her leg broken? Her chest heaved as she struggled to breathe, her lungs refusing to fill properly.
The creature loomed closer, its crimson eyes gleaming with cruel intelligence.
Her heart pounded as she fumbled for her magic, her trembling hands glowing faintly as she placed them over her chest. But before she could finish casting, the beast swiped her body into the air again.
Time blurred. Pain blurred. Reality itself seemed to splinter as she hit the ground with a sickening crunch. The world around her faded to a swirl of colors and shadows.
This is it, she thought, a bitter laugh bubbling in her chest. I'm going to die here.
The last thing she saw before darkness consumed her was the beast, its form retreating into the forest. It hadn't killed her—it had left her there to suffer.
Tears streaked her face as she activated her magic one last time, her hand trembling over her heart. The glow was faint, her strength waning, but she clung to it like a lifeline.
Memories of her grandmother swirled in her mind as the darkness claimed her completely.