Alexander limped behind Kaelith, the sharp ache in his ankle a constant reminder of how fragile his situation was. Her strides were long and purposeful, her spear glinting faintly with residual energy as it rested across her shoulder. The glowing veins in the ground pulsed faintly with every step, almost as if guiding them, though Alexander wasn't sure if that was a good thing.
Kaelith didn't speak, her golden eyes scanning the terrain with a predator's awareness. She moved like someone who knew the world intimately—a sharp contrast to Alexander's sluggish, awkward gait.
"Hey," Alexander called out, trying to ignore the throbbing in his ribs. "Can we slow down? My ankle—"
"No," Kaelith said curtly, not even looking back. "Keep moving."
Alexander clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath his fear. He was used to people explaining things, to discussions and understanding. This woman, however, seemed to operate by an entirely different set of rules.
"Where are we going?" he asked, trying to keep pace.
"To safety," Kaelith replied, her tone clipped. "For now."
"What was that thing that attacked me?"
Kaelith glanced over her shoulder, her sharp golden eyes appraising him briefly before she looked ahead again. "A prowler. One of the weaker predators around here. If I hadn't shown up, you'd be dead by now."
"Weaker?" Alexander repeated, his voice rising slightly. "That thing nearly tore me apart!"
Kaelith didn't respond. Instead, she quickened her pace, leaving Alexander to stumble after her.
---
As they moved, the terrain began to shift. The jagged metallic landscape gave way to smoother ground, and the glowing veins dimmed, their pulsating rhythm growing slower and more subdued. The air grew heavier, carrying an almost tangible tension that made Alexander's skin crawl.
Kaelith stopped suddenly, raising a hand.
"Quiet," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alexander froze, his breath catching in his throat. He followed her gaze and saw a massive figure in the distance, partially obscured by a cluster of crystalline spires. It moved slowly, its hulking form towering over the terrain, each step shaking the ground faintly.
"What… what is that?" Alexander whispered.
"A Ravager," Kaelith replied, her voice laced with tension. "Far out of our league."
The creature turned slightly, its body glinting in the pale light of the twin suns. Its skin was a blend of metallic and organic textures, with jagged protrusions that gleamed like polished obsidian.
Kaelith grabbed Alexander's arm, her grip surprisingly strong. "Move. Slowly. Don't make a sound."
Alexander swallowed hard, nodding as they began to inch away from the Ravager. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears. The tension was unbearable, but he forced himself to follow Kaelith's lead, mimicking her deliberate, measured movements.
The Ravager let out a low, guttural sound, its massive head swiveling in their direction. Alexander's breath hitched, and he felt Kaelith's grip on his arm tighten.
"Don't run," she hissed.
The creature took a few heavy steps toward them, its glowing eyes scanning the area. Then, after what felt like an eternity, it turned away, lumbering off into the distance.
Kaelith released Alexander's arm, exhaling slowly. "You're lucky it wasn't hungry."
Alexander stared after the creature, his legs trembling. "What the hell kind of world is this?"
"The kind that doesn't care if you live or die," Kaelith said bluntly. "Now come on. We're almost there."
---
They continued in silence, the encounter with the Ravager hanging heavily in the air. Alexander wanted to ask more questions, but the exhaustion weighing on his body and the raw tension in Kaelith's posture kept him quiet.
After what felt like hours, they reached a narrow ravine hidden between two massive rock formations. Kaelith led him through a jagged opening, her spear at the ready.
Inside, the air was cooler, and the walls of the ravine were lined with faintly glowing crystals. The ground was uneven, but at least it wasn't metallic.
"This is it," Kaelith said, stopping near a small alcove.
"This?" Alexander asked, looking around. "This is safety?"
"For now," Kaelith replied, setting her spear down. "It's sheltered and hidden. The predators won't bother us here."
Alexander sank to the ground with a groan, finally letting himself rest. His ankle throbbed painfully, and the gashes on his ribs burned.
Kaelith knelt beside him, pulling out a small vial filled with a glowing blue liquid. "Drink this."
"What is it?"
"Do you want me to explain, or do you want to stop bleeding?"
Alexander scowled but took the vial, uncorking it and downing the contents in one gulp. The liquid was surprisingly warm, and a tingling sensation spread through his body almost immediately. The pain in his ribs began to fade, and the swelling in his ankle lessened.
"Thanks," he muttered, surprised by how much better he felt.
Kaelith leaned back, her golden eyes studying him intently. "You're not from here."
Alexander stiffened. "What makes you say that?"
Kaelith gestured vaguely at him. "Your clothes. The way you move. The way you panicked earlier. You don't belong in this world."
He hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "What if I told you I don't know how I got here?"
Kaelith's gaze didn't waver. "Then I'd say you're either lying or incredibly unlucky. But it doesn't matter. If you want to survive, you'll need to adapt."
Alexander leaned back against the wall, running a hand through his hair. "And how do I do that?"
Kaelith stood, picking up her spear. "By learning quickly. This world doesn't forgive weakness."
She turned and began walking toward the entrance of the alcove.
"Wait," Alexander called after her. "Where are you going?"
"To scout," Kaelith said without looking back. "Stay here. Don't wander off."
---
Left alone, Alexander let out a long breath, his gaze drifting to the glowing crystals embedded in the walls. Their light was faint but steady, casting a soft blue glow across the alcove.
He pulled his phone from his pocket, staring at the cracked screen. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a way back home.
But as he looked around at the alien landscape, the weight of his situation sank in. This wasn't a dream. This was his reality now.
And if Kaelith was right, surviving here would be the greatest challenge of his life.