Alexander's legs moved on sheer willpower as he tore through the forest, the satchel bouncing against his side with every step. The howls of Essence beasts and the shouts of hunters were no longer distant. They were closing in.
The map had been clear: the river was his best chance to escape. If he could reach it, he could follow the current downstream, putting more distance between himself and his pursuers. But the growing noises behind him made it clear—he might not make it that far.
The trees thinned ahead, revealing the faint glint of water in the moonlight. Relief washed over him, but it was fleeting. He stumbled to the riverbank, his breath coming in gasps. The current was faster than he'd anticipated, the water rushing with a deafening roar.
"Think, Alexander. Think," he muttered, looking up and down the bank. The forest on the other side looked just as dense, but it offered a semblance of cover.
Behind him, a guttural growl echoed through the trees. His blood ran cold.
He turned to see two hunters emerge from the shadows, their faces twisted into cruel grins. One held a curved blade, the other a long spear glowing faintly with Essence.
"Well, well," the one with the blade sneered. "Thought you could outrun us, kid?"
Alexander tightened his grip on the jagged knife from Kaelith's satchel. The fiery Essence within him flickered to life, but it was faint, a mere ember compared to the raging storm he had felt earlier.
"Stay back!" he shouted, his voice trembling but firm.
The spear-wielding hunter chuckled. "Or what? You'll poke us with that little toothpick?"
Alexander's heart pounded. He knew he couldn't fight them head-on, not with his limited strength. His eyes darted to the rushing river.
The blade-wielding hunter took a step forward. "Nowhere to run, kid. Hand over that satchel, and maybe we'll make it quick."
"Like hell I will," Alexander spat, surprising even himself with the venom in his voice.
The hunters exchanged a glance, their amusement giving way to irritation.
"Your choice," the spear-wielder growled, lowering his weapon.
As they advanced, Alexander made his move. He sprinted toward the river, leaping off the edge without hesitation.
The icy water enveloped him instantly, stealing the breath from his lungs. The current was even stronger than it looked, dragging him downstream with terrifying speed. He fought to keep his head above water, the satchel clutched tightly to his chest.
The hunters cursed from the bank, but Alexander didn't dare look back. He focused on staying afloat, the roaring current threatening to pull him under at every turn.
Kaelith's spear flashed in the firelight as it met Dren's twin axes. Sparks flew as the weapons clashed, the force of the impact sending tremors through the ground.
"You're getting sloppy," she taunted, sidestepping his wild swing. Her spear struck out, slicing a deep gash across his arm.
Dren snarled, his Essence flaring. The glow of his axes intensified, and he lunged at her with renewed fury.
Kaelith danced around his attacks, her movements fluid and precise. But even she couldn't deny the fatigue creeping into her limbs. The skirmish had dragged on too long, and the remaining hunters were circling her like vultures.
One of them charged from behind, his blade aimed at her back. Without turning, Kaelith spun her spear in an arc, the weapon's tip finding its mark. The hunter crumpled to the ground, clutching his throat.
Dren growled, his frustration evident. "You can't protect him forever, Kaelith. He's just a boy, and you've made him a target for people far worse than us."
Kaelith smirked, blood dripping from a shallow cut on her cheek. "Then it's a good thing he's faster than you lot. If you were smart, you'd start running now."
Her words were met with silence, save for the crackling of the burning outpost in the distance.
"You're stalling," Dren said, narrowing his eyes. "The longer you fight, the less chance you have of getting out alive."
Kaelith's golden eyes gleamed with defiance. "Who said I was planning to leave?"
With a feral cry, she surged forward, her spear a blur of motion.
The river slammed Alexander against a jagged rock, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He clung to the stone, gasping for air. The hunters' voices had faded, but he knew they wouldn't give up so easily.
He glanced downstream. The river narrowed ahead, the current becoming even more treacherous. Beyond it, the forest rose like a dark wall, ominous and unyielding.
Gritting his teeth, Alexander pushed off the rock, letting the current carry him. His limbs ached, his lungs burned, but he refused to give in.
The sound of rushing water grew louder, and his heart sank as he realized why. A waterfall loomed ahead, its mist rising like a ghostly veil in the moonlight.
"No, no, no," he muttered, paddling frantically toward the bank.
The current was relentless, dragging him closer to the edge. He dug his fingers into the muddy riverbed, his desperation giving him strength. Slowly, painfully, he
managed to claw his way toward the bank. The roar of the waterfall thundered in his ears, drowning out his own panicked breaths. Just as his strength began to falter, his hand found purchase on a tree root jutting out from the embankment.
With a desperate cry, Alexander hauled himself onto the muddy shore, collapsing onto his back. His chest heaved as he gulped in air, the satchel still clutched protectively against him.
For a moment, he lay there, staring up at the canopy of stars above. The cold of the water seeped into his bones, but he didn't care. He was alive.
But the moment of reprieve didn't last long. A branch snapped nearby, followed by the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps.
Alexander scrambled to his feet, his knife in hand. His wet clothes clung to his skin, and his muscles protested every movement, but he forced himself to stand tall.
The bushes rustled, and a figure stepped into view. It wasn't a hunter.
It was an Essence beast.
The creature was massive, its shoulders broad and fur covered in streaks of black and gray. Its eyes glowed with a deep orange light, and its snarling jaws revealed rows of sharp teeth. Orange Essence crackled around its body like a living flame.
Alexander's heart sank. He had barely managed to fend off the wolf earlier, and this creature was far more powerful.
The beast growled, stepping closer, its movements slow and deliberate. It was stalking him, savoring the hunt.
Alexander gripped the knife tighter, the fiery Essence in his core flickering weakly. He couldn't outrun this thing. He couldn't fight it head-on.
But he had to try.
The beast lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Alexander rolled to the side, the knife slashing out in a desperate attempt to keep it at bay. The blade barely grazed the creature's thick hide, leaving a shallow cut that only seemed to enrage it further.
"Come on," he muttered, his voice shaking. "Just... just a little more."
The fiery Essence within him stirred, responding to his desperation. He focused on it, trying to draw it out, to ignite the same power he had felt before.
The beast roared, charging at him again. This time, Alexander didn't dodge. Instead, he planted his feet firmly, his knife raised high.
The Essence flared, and the blade erupted in a burst of orange light. As the beast closed the distance, Alexander thrust the knife forward with all his strength.
The blade sank deep into the creature's chest, the Essence surging from the weapon into its body. The beast howled in pain, its movements growing sluggish as the fiery energy consumed it.
With a final, shuddering gasp, the creature collapsed at Alexander's feet.
Alexander stumbled back, his legs threatening to give out. The knife clattered to the ground, its glow fading.
For a moment, all was silent except for the distant roar of the waterfall.
Then, from the shadows of the forest, a new sound emerged: the faint, mocking clap of hands.
"Well done, boy," a voice drawled.
Alexander turned, his exhaustion forgotten as fear gripped him once more.
A man stepped into the moonlight, his face obscured by a hood. Orange Essence flickered around him like embers, and the air seemed to hum with power.
"I must admit," the man said, his tone light but laced with menace, "you've proven far more resourceful than I expected."
Alexander's hand darted to the satchel, clutching it tightly. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled, his hood tilting slightly as if in amusement. "Let's just say I'm someone very interested in what you're carrying. Now, be a good boy and hand it over."
Alexander's grip tightened. "Not a chance."
The man sighed, shaking his head. "Pity. I was hoping you'd cooperate. But I suppose this will be more fun."
With a wave of his hand, the Essence around him flared to life, and the ground beneath Alexander's feet began to crackle with heat.
Alexander took a step back, his mind racing. He was outmatched, out of strength, and running out of options.
But one thing was clear: he couldn't give up. Not now.
"Bring it on," he whispered, his fiery Essence flickering weakly but defiantly.
The man smiled, and the forest exploded into chaos.