In the dense forest, Markus crouched low under a tree, his crimson eyes scanning the shadows. Demi ears twitched, picking up every faint rustle of leaves and distant growl. The air felt heavy, alive, as though the forest itself was watching him. His tail swayed slightly as he flipped open his battered journal, pausing to listen for danger.
Within his journal he wrote down his progress
Day 1: As soon as I landed on the forest floor, I realized I couldn't find my way back up the mountain. Hell, I couldn't even find the mountain I was shoved off of. Damn, did that fall hurt like hell. That must be why they call it the Death Forest... or whatever this nightmare is officially named.
Markus sighed, closing the journal briefly. His clawed fingers tapped the cover. He glanced around, his ears swiveling toward the faint creaks and groans of the forest. Nothing yet. He reopened the journal.
Day 2: I found supplies… finally. Not that it made me any less aggravated. At least there was some decent stuff—a hunting knife, some dried rations, and a book. Crowne's "10,000 Tips to Survive in the Most Dangerous Forest Known to Man." Yeah, because that's super helpful when everything here wants to kill you.
He shook his head, running his thumb along the blade of the knife. The thought of Crowne's smug grin when he shoved Markus into this place made him growl under his breath.
Day 10: This place messes with my head. Nothing here makes sense. Every time I climb to get a better view, all I see is forest—endless trees stretching forever. It's like this place is alive, like it's trapping me.
His pen pressed harder against the page as his frustration built. He paused to steady his breathing, his tail flicking irritably.
Day 14: Ran into some beasts today. They almost had me for lunch. Damn things didn't care that all I had was this dull hunting knife. I'm out of water now too. This forest is trying to kill me.
He winced, remembering the claw marks that still stung on his arm. Markus brushed the memory aside and kept writing.
Day 16: Finally found a water source. It tastes like garbage, but it's better than dying of thirst. Barely.
Day 40: Still no way out. My clothes are in pieces, and I'm beginning to think there isn't an exit. Is this even training? Or did Crowne just toss me in here to rot?
Markus leaned back against the trunk of a tree, staring into the endless stretch of forest. He flipped to the last page he'd written.
Day 80: I'm losing hope, but I'll keep pushing. Whatever it takes, I'll make it out of here alive.
Snapping the journal shut, Markus shoved it into his bag. He stood, brushing dirt off his tattered pants, when a deep growl rumbled through the trees. He froze, his crimson eyes narrowing as his ears picked up the sound of something massive moving nearby. From the shadows, a hulking beast emerged.
It was enormous, It was Lizard-like frame was covered in jagged, dark green scales. Glowing green eyes locked onto Markus, and jagged horns curved back from its head like a crown of spikes. Its claws dug deep into the ground, leaving scars in the dirt with every step.
"Damn it," Markus muttered, his tail stiffening behind him. The beast lunged with shocking speed, its massive paw smashing into the spot where Markus had been standing. Dirt and debris exploded outward as he dodged, his hunting knife slipping into his hand.
This thing's been trailing me for weeks. If I don't kill it, I'm not making it out of here.
The beast roared, shaking the ground beneath them. It charged again, snapping trees in its path. Markus sprinted into the forest, weaving between trunks as the monster pursued him. Each step from the creature sent shockwaves through the ground.
"I've been waiting for this, you nasty bastard," Markus growled, darting toward a cluster of trees where he'd stashed makeshift spears. He snatched one, spun, and hurled it with all his strength.
Shhh-thunk!
The spear buried itself in the creature's side, earning a deafening roar of pain. It thrashed wildly, tearing through nearby trees, but Markus was already on the move, grabbing another spear.
"Take this!" he yelled, hurling the second spear. This one struck its glowing eye, the impact sending the beast reeling backward.
The monster screeched, blood pouring from its wounded eye. It crashed into the trees, splintering trunks and scattering debris. Markus stayed low, watching it thrash in pain.
This is my chance.
He darted forward, knife in hand, and slashed at its flank. The blade cut deep, and Markus rolled away before it could retaliate. He struck again and again, moving in quick bursts. The beast roared louder with each hit, but its movements grew more frantic.
One more hit, Markus thought, his crimson eyes locked onto the creature. This ends now.
He charged, leaping into the air to deliver a final blow. "DIIEEE!" he roared.
But the beast was ready. With a swipe of its massive paw, it struck Markus mid-air, slamming him into the ground. Pain exploded through his body as the monster pinned him down.
"Bleh—" Markus coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. The weight of the creature's paw crushed him, leaving him gasping for air. His knife slipped from his hand, and for a moment, everything blurred.
No... not like this.
The beast roared above him, its jaws opening wide as it prepared to finish him off. Markus's mind raced, flashes of his family burning in his thoughts—his sister's laughter, his father's warm smile, and the shadow of the man who took it all away.
Something inside him snapped.
With a guttural growl, Markus sank his sharp teeth into the beast's claw. The monster howled in pain, jerking back slightly. Markus used the moment to free one arm and grab his knife.
"RAHHH!" he roared, stabbing into its foot repeatedly. Blood gushed over him as the creature screamed, shaking its massive head in agony. It flung him aside, but Markus rolled to his feet, his body trembling with exhaustion.
He crouched low, his crimson eyes blazing as his tail lashed behind him. Blood dripped from his face, his clothes soaked in red. His breaths came ragged, but his focus burned hotter than ever.
"Round two, you bastard," Markus growled, licking the blood from his lips.
The beast snarled, lowering its body as it prepared to charge again. Markus tightened his grip on the knife, his wolf ears pinned back.
"I'm not dying here."