The forest was quiet.
Too quiet.
Even with the Cyclops sobbing in front of me, the air felt unnaturally still, like something unseen was watching. Its massive body trembled as it hunched over itself, thick fingers digging into the dirt. It rocked slightly, its shoulders rising and falling with each ragged breath.
But there was no anger in its movements.
It wasn't fighting anymore.
It was begging.
"Please—please forgive me."
Its voice was thick with desperation. The way it curled inward, shielding itself from something that wasn't even there, made my stomach twist.
It wasn't speaking to me.
It wasn't even looking at me.
"I'll bring him. I'll bring him. Just give me one more chance."
There was a weight behind those words, something that made my skin crawl.
Who was it talking to?
I swallowed the lump in my throat and took a slow step forward. Every movement made my ribs ache, but I ignored the pain.
My voice was softer this time, more careful.
"You're hurt."
The Cyclops flinched slightly, as if the words confused it.
Like no one had ever said them before.
"Hurt?" it repeated, rubbing at its massive eye with a shaking hand.
I nodded. "Let me help."
It hesitated for a long moment, staring down at me with its watery, golden eye.
Then, it said nothing.
But it didn't stop me either.
I placed my hand on its thick arm and let out a slow breath. The warmth of my healing ability spread from my fingertips, flowing into the Cyclops's body. I could feel the tension in its muscles begin to ease, the shaking in its shoulders starting to settle.
For a moment, it seemed to work.
Then—
The Cyclops let out a horrible scream.
The sound was deafening. A deep, gut-wrenching cry that sent a sharp pain straight through my skull.
I staggered back, my vision swimming as the Cyclops clutched its head and let out another agonized wail.
"MAKE IT STOP!"
Its fingers dug into its skull as if it were trying to rip something out.
The ground trembled beneath us. Trees swayed from the force of its cries.
Then—its breathing hitched.
And it laughed.
Not a real laugh.
Something broken. Twisted. Like the sound was being forced out of its throat.
Then—its voice changed.
Flat. Emotionless.
"I disobeyed. I disobeyed. I disobeyed."
The words were empty. Repetitive.
Not like a thought.
Like a command.
Like something was forcing it to speak.
My hands clenched at my sides. My heart was beating too fast.
Something was inside its head.
Something was controlling it.
And I didn't know who.
The Moment Everything Went Wrong
Then—everything stopped.
The forest. The wind. Even the sound of my own heartbeat.
A sharp ringing filled my ears, loud and suffocating.
I tried to breathe, but my chest wouldn't move.
The air was still.
The only sound was the Cyclops's heavy breathing as it wiped its tears with shaky hands. Its huge body curled over itself, shoulders shaking.
I just stood there, watching.
It didn't feel like a monster anymore.
Not in this moment.
It felt… lost.
I took a slow step forward. "Hey… are you okay?"
The Cyclops sniffled, rubbing at its eye with a massive fist. Then, slowly, it nodded.
"You healed me," it said, voice small, almost confused.
I gave a tired smile. "Yeah. You were hurt, big guy."
The Cyclops blinked, tilting its head. "No one helps me. They only hit me."
Something about the way it said that made my chest feel tight.
"Well… I'm not like them," I said.
The Cyclops stared at me for a long time. Then, slowly, it smiled.
"Friend," it muttered.
I let out a small laugh. "Yeah… I guess so."
For a moment, everything felt calm.
I was about to ask more—who had hurt it, who had controlled it, what it remembered—when suddenly, the Cyclops's whole body stiffened.
Its golden eye widened in fear.
"They're coming."
I followed its gaze.
And my stomach dropped.
The Chase Begins
Dark shapes moved in the sky. More than thirty. Maybe more.
Their feathered wings stretched wide. Their talons looked like knives.
The Cyclops's hands clenched. "They want to take you."
Something about the way it said that made my hands go cold.
"Who? Who wants me?" My voice came out hoarse, but the Cyclops didn't answer.
Then—it grabbed me out of the blue.
Before I could react, I was lifted into the air as the
Cyclops turned and ran.
No Other Choice
The Cyclops skidded to a stop. The ground shook from the sudden force, sending loose dirt and leaves
into the air.
It set me down in front of the cave. My legs wobbled.
I was too weak from healing. My body still ached all over.
The Cyclops looked at me. Its golden eye was filled
with something new.
Fear.
But not for itself.
For me.
"You will be safe here," it said. "I will keep them busy."
I froze. "No—wait! I can fight!"
It shook its head. "They want you. If you stay, they
take you."
I clenched my fists. "Then let's run together—"
The sound of wings beating the air cut me off.
They were close.
The Last Words
The Cyclops held me tight, but not like before.
This time, its grip was careful.
Gentle.
Like it didn't want to let go.
"Good human," it murmured. "Good friend."
Then, its grip tightened.
"Be safe."
I shook my head. "No, wait—"
The Cyclops swallowed hard
.
"Go now."
Fade to Darkness
The Cyclops hurled me toward the cave.
I hit the ground hard. My body tumbled inside.
I saw the Cyclops turning back.
Facing them alone
.
It let out a roar.
Then—darkness.