Sebastian trudged through the dense forest, his legs aching with exhaustion. The weight of his sword, his pack, and the small child cradled in his arms felt heavier with each step. He glanced at Isiah, who was fast asleep, his tiny face peaceful despite the dark and foreboding wilderness around them.
Setting his pack down, Sebastian eased himself against a tree, careful not to wake the child. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'd love to be as relaxed as you," he muttered, glancing at Isiah's serene expression.
His stomach growled, but there was no time to think about food. The fire he'd started crackled softly, casting fleeting light onto the twisting trees. The forest seemed alive, the shadows shifting with every flicker of the flames.
Sebastian leaned back against the tree and let his eyes close. "Just a moment," he whispered, his voice barely audible. His exhaustion pulled him under, and sleep came swiftly.
In his dream, Sebastian stood in a place that felt like heaven itself—a vast expanse of golden light, warm and tranquil. In the distance, a woman with flowing blonde hair and outstretched arms awaited him. Her presence was comforting, familiar, as though she were a fragment of a long-lost memory.
He took a tentative step toward her, then another, the ground beneath him soft and radiant. "Who are you?" he called, though his voice sounded distant, as if it were someone else speaking.
As he drew closer, the brilliance of the dream began to dim. The golden light receded, replaced by a suffocating darkness. The ground beneath him grew cold and slick. Chains erupted from the shadows, binding his wrists and ankles.
"No!" he shouted, straining against the chains as the woman began to fade. The light she carried grew dimmer with every passing moment, until it was gone, swallowed by the void.
Beneath him, the shadows churned. Faces appeared—his fallen comrades, their eyes hollow, their mouths twisted in silent screams. They reached for him, pulling him down into the abyss.
Sebastian thrashed, his breath ragged. A deafening voice echoed in the void:
"Awaken now, Sebastian."
His eyes snapped open. The tree he'd been leaning against was no longer just a tree—it was alive, its gnarled branches wrapped around him, trying to pull him into its bark.
With a shout, Sebastian yanked himself free, his sword flashing as he severed the writhing limbs. Holding Isiah close, he stumbled backward, his heart pounding.
The forest was no longer still. The air buzzed with a low, guttural growl. From the shadows, a creature emerged—a beast of sin. Its massive form slouched forward, its body twisted and malformed. Eyes glowing crimson locked onto Sebastian, and its jagged teeth gleamed in the dim light of the fire.
"What the hell is this?" Sebastian muttered, gripping his sword tightly.
The beast roared, its voice echoing through the forest. Sebastian shifted Isiah in his arm, holding him protectively as he raised his blade. His hand trembled. He bit his lip, the pain sharpening his focus.
The beast lunged. Sebastian sidestepped, his sword slicing into its flank. Black ichor sprayed from the wound, but the creature barely faltered. Its claws raked the air, narrowly missing Sebastian's shoulder.
Sebastian stumbled back, panting. "I can't keep this up," he muttered.
The beast circled, growling, readying for another attack. Then, a soft glow began to emanate from Isiah. It started as a faint shimmer, but quickly grew brighter, a golden light that seemed to push back the darkness.
The beast hesitated, its movements faltering as the light touched it. Sebastian felt a warmth coursing through him, his fear melting away.
The voice from his dream echoed in his mind once more: "Protect this child, for he will be a light in the World of Ruin."
Summoning his courage, Sebastian raised his glowing sword, stepping between the beast and the child. "You're not taking him!" he roared.
The creature charged, and Sebastian met it head-on. His blade clashed with its claws, the impact sending shockwaves through the forest. The golden light exploded outward, engulfing them both.
When the light faded, the beast was gone, its form dissolved into ash. The oppressive darkness of the forest lifted, and the air felt lighter.
Sebastian stood motionless, his sword lowered, the faint glow still lingering around him. He looked down at Isiah, who was now awake, his wide eyes staring up at Sebastian with an almost knowing expression.
"You really are something, aren't you?" Sebastian whispered, a weak smile tugging at his lips.
A faint rustling in the distance snapped him out of his thoughts. The sound of footsteps—heavy and deliberate—echoed through the trees.
"There's more of them," Sebastian muttered.
He sheathed his sword and adjusted his cloak, securing Isiah against his chest. Without another word, he turned and ran, following the trail of golden light that seemed to guide his way.
The forest stretched endlessly before him, but Sebastian's resolve burned brighter than ever. This child was more than a burden—he was the world's last hope. And Sebastian would protect him, no matter the cost.