The forest was alive with its usual symphony of sounds—the rustling of leaves in the wind, distant animal calls, and the occasional crack of a branch as a creature darted through the underbrush. Alexander was no longer fazed by the unfamiliar noises, but his senses remained sharp. After days of surviving in this alien world, he had learned to trust his instincts.
Armed with his spear, he ventured deeper into the forest. Today's goal was simple: map out more of the terrain, gather supplies, and locate any signs of water. The patch of glowing berries he had discovered the previous day had proven edible, but they wouldn't last forever.
The further he went, the thicker the vegetation became, forcing him to push aside low-hanging branches and step over twisted roots. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above in streaks of purple and gold, creating a surreal, almost ethereal atmosphere.
---
Alexander paused when he reached a clearing, his eyes narrowing as he spotted something unusual. A large, jagged rock stood in the center of the open space, its surface covered in strange, glowing symbols. The markings pulsed faintly, as though they were alive.
Curiosity tugged at him, but he hesitated. The last thing he needed was to trigger something he didn't understand. Instead, he crouched low and scanned the area, his senses on high alert.
The forest felt… different here. Quieter. The usual sounds of birds and insects were conspicuously absent, replaced by an eerie stillness.
Something's wrong, he thought, gripping his spear tighter.
Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a low growl.
Alexander spun around, his heart racing as a beast emerged from the shadows. It was larger than the one he had fought before, its sleek black fur rippling as it stalked toward him. Its eyes glowed an unnatural green, and its claws gleamed like polished obsidian.
"Not again," Alexander muttered, stepping back.
The beast lunged without warning, its powerful legs propelling it forward. Alexander barely had time to react, raising his spear and bracing for impact.
The creature's weight slammed into him, knocking him off balance. He grunted as he hit the ground, rolling to the side just as the beast's claws slashed the spot where he had been.
Scrambling to his feet, Alexander thrust his spear at the creature, aiming for its neck. The beast dodged with unnerving agility, circling him like a predator toying with its prey.
---
The fight dragged on, each exchange leaving Alexander more exhausted. His spear strikes became slower, his breathing heavier. The beast, on the other hand, showed no signs of tiring.
I can't keep this up, Alexander realized, his mind racing for a solution.
Just as the creature pounced again, a streak of silver flashed through the air. The beast yelped, its leap cut short as a dagger embedded itself in its side.
Alexander's eyes widened in shock as a figure stepped into the clearing.
She was tall and poised, her long silver hair cascading down her back like a river of moonlight. Her piercing violet eyes locked onto the beast with a mix of annoyance and boredom. She wore a sleek, dark outfit that seemed to blend seamlessly with the shadows, and in her hand, she held another dagger, its blade shimmering faintly.
"Pathetic," she muttered, her voice cold and detached.
Before Alexander could process what was happening, the woman moved. She was fast—faster than anything he had ever seen. In a blur, she closed the distance between herself and the beast, her second dagger slicing through the air with deadly precision.
The beast let out a final, pitiful growl before collapsing to the ground.
---
For a moment, the clearing was silent again, save for Alexander's ragged breathing. He stared at the woman, unsure whether to thank her or prepare for another fight.
She turned to him, her expression unreadable. "You're lucky I was in the area," she said coolly. "That thing would have torn you apart."
Alexander straightened, gripping his spear tightly. "Who are you?"
The woman raised an eyebrow, as if amused by his attempt at bravado. "The one who just saved your life," she replied.
"Thanks," Alexander said, though his tone was cautious. "But that doesn't answer my question."
She studied him for a moment, then sighed as if dealing with him was a chore. "Kaelith," she said finally. "And you are?"
"Alexander."
Kaelith's gaze flicked to his spear, then back to him. "That weapon won't do you much good if you don't know how to use it properly."
"I'm learning," he shot back defensively.
Her lips curled into a faint smirk. "Clearly."
---
Alexander's frustration grew, but he held his tongue. He couldn't afford to antagonize her—not when she had just saved him so effortlessly.
Kaelith turned her attention to the strange rock in the center of the clearing. She approached it cautiously, her daggers at the ready.
"Do you know what that is?" Alexander asked, stepping closer.
"It's a marker," she said, her voice low. "Old, but still active. It means there's something nearby… or someone."
Alexander frowned. "Someone?"
Kaelith didn't answer immediately. Instead, she ran her fingers over the glowing symbols, her expression thoughtful.
"This world is dangerous," she said finally, turning back to him. "You won't survive long on your own."
Alexander bristled at her words, but deep down, he knew she was right. "And what do you suggest?"
Her smirk returned. "Stick with me for now. If you don't slow me down, I might teach you a thing or two."
---
Alexander hesitated. Trusting her felt risky, but he couldn't deny that she was skilled—far more skilled than he was. If she could help him survive, wasn't it worth the risk?
"Fine," he said, lowering his spear. "But I'm not just going to follow you blindly."
Kaelith chuckled softly. "Smart. You might last longer than I thought."
With that, she turned and began walking away, her movements graceful and confident. Alexander took one last look at the dead beast and the mysterious rock before following her.
The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in days, he didn't feel entirely alone.