"Kurogami, wake up," a familiar yet distant voice echoed through the void.
Kurogami's eyes snapped open to the sight of a dense, twisted forest, the trees' limbs groaning under an unseen weight. The ground beneath him was cold and hard, and his body felt foreign—weak and exposed. His senses were heightened, and he could feel a persistent throb emanating from his chest. He looked down to see a crimson symbol etched into his flesh, a stark contrast against his pale skin.
He struggled to his feet, his muscles screaming in protest, and took in his surroundings.
"Where am I?" he muttered, the throbbing in his skull a ferocious beast, silencing any attempt at coherent speech.
Kurogami's thoughts raced as he stumbled through the underbrush. How had he come to be here? Why was he naked? And what was the meaning of the symbol burning into his chest?
The trees were tall, with leaves that blocked out most of the light, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. A damp mist clung to the air, carrying with it the scent of decay and something...other. The voice from the abyss still lingered in his mind, whispering of a chance at vengeance. Then he remembered. His family, his friends—all gone! "It was all because of these heartless demons," he snarled, fists clenched, pure hatred surging through him like a venomous tide. The symbol on his chest throbbed in unison with his raging pulse, a fiery brand of vengeance. Then, with a jolt, reason reasserted itself.
His hand reflexively reached for the pocketknife that was always by his side, but found only empty air. Wait, what even was a pocketknife? He cant remember. Panic began to set in, his heart pounding like a drum in his ears.
A twig snapped underfoot, and a cold, wet nose nuzzled his hand. He jumped back, only to find a pair of glowing red eyes peering out from the gloom.
It was a small creature, akin to a fox, but with fur as black as the void and teeth that gleamed with a sinister hunger. It growled lowly, and the symbol on his chest pulsed in response.
The creature took a step back, allowing him to make out the shape of a human-like, shadowy hand around its neck, holding a leash of shadows.
The voice from the void spoke again, clearer this time, "You have been granted a second chance, Kurogami. This forest is your proving ground. Survive, grow strong, and claim your vengeance."
But Kurogami had no time to ponder the words' meaning.
The creature lunged, and instinct took over.
Kurogami threw his frail body to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's snapping jaws.
The creature, now revealed to be a shadow-leashed fox, yanked at its invisible tether, the leash tightening around its neck as it lunged again. Each time the symbol on his chest pulsed, he felt a strange energy surge through his body, giving him just enough strength to evade.
"Come on, anything would help!" he thought with desperation.
His mind raced as he searched for anything he could use to defend himself. Spotting a broken branch on the ground, he grabbed it and swung it with all the force he could muster. The branch connected with the fox's side, and the creature yelped in pain before retreating into the shadows.
Breathing heavily, Kurogami took stock of his situation. He was in a place he didn't recognize, with no clothes, no weapon, and no idea how to survive in the wilds.
The voice from the void remained his only companion, a constant whisper guiding him through the dense foliage. It told him the creature he had just encountered was one that posed little threat to most humans. Yet, his heart hammered in his chest as if he had just fought a monstrous beast. The pain from the fox's bite lingered, a grim reminder of his vulnerability.
As the sun began to sink below the horizon, the forest grew darker, and the temperature dropped sharply. The chilling cold bit into his skin, and he knew he needed to find shelter.
"Damn it!" he muttered angrily, "I'm freezing and starving. Could things possibly get any worse?"
The voice spoke again, advising him to seek cover before the true predators of the night emerged. Kurogami stumbled through the forest, his eyes searching for a suitable place to spend the night. He came across a hollowed-out tree trunk, the opening just large enough for him to crawl into. It smelled faintly of decay, but it was dry and out of the reach of most predators.
With a sigh of relief, he ducked inside, his body shivering uncontrollably. The voice in his head grew clearer as the light faded, whispering the secrets of the forest.
It spoke of the nocturnal creatures that prowled the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent, and the importance of fire for warmth and protection. His stomach rumbled, a painful reminder of his hunger. He knew he had to hunt, but his lack of skills and knowledge was a formidable obstacle.
As the last vestiges of light disappeared, the forest transformed into a symphony of haunting sounds. The cries of the night creatures sent shivers down his spine, but he forced himself to focus on the task at hand.
He stumbled upon a small clearing, where the moonlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating the ground. There, he spotted a rabbit, its soft fur a beacon in the stark landscape.
His heart pounded as he approached it, his makeshift branch held tightly. The creature remained still, seemingly unaware of his presence. He took a deep breath and swung, the branch connecting with a sickening crunch. The rabbit lay lifeless at his feet, and the symbol on his chest flared.
"Ahh!" he whimpered in agony.
The pain was instant and searing, as if he had been plunged into a pool of molten metal. Memories that were not his own flooded his mind: the fear of being hunted, the desperation of survival, the taste of grass and berries.
His eyes watered as the visions of a simple life played out before him. The agony was unbearable, but as quickly as it came, it subsided, leaving him gasping for air. The voice in his head, now clearer than ever, spoke to him, "You've absorbed a soul, Kurogami. A part of the strength of the creature you've slain now flows through you."
The creature's memories remained, a tumultuous storm in the back of his mind. He saw the world through the rabbit's eyes: the joy of a quiet meal, the terror of a shadow falling over it, the pain of a sudden death. It was all too much, too real. The voice explained, "With each soul you absorb, you'll grow stronger, but you'll also bear their pain and fear. It's the price of your newfound power."