Kurai moved swiftly through the thicket, leaving little room for chatter. The newly rescued group trailed close behind, still rattled from the brutal encounter, their eyes darting at every snap of a twig. Kurai carried the chitinous corpses by the ankles, dragging them like misbegotten shadows across the undergrowth. Though their lifeless bodies were bulky and awkward, he found himself pulling them with unexpected ease—an echo, he realized, of the strange energy he had absorbed earlier. That cold voice had called it "Aether."
In his old life, hefting so much dead weight for a distance would have taxed him sorely, even on flat terrain. Now, despite having to pick his way through grasping vines and tangled roots, the strain in his arms and back was far less than he anticipated. He sensed an undercurrent of strength coursing through his muscles, the Aether still crackled beneath his skin.
At length, the river he'd discovered earlier revealed itself in a clearing. The water gleamed with a dull clarity, reflecting the towering walls of green. Kurai paused at the edge of the trees, scanning for threats. Convinced nothing prowled nearby, he strode forward, depositing the creatures beside the water with a wet thump.
"Help me with these," he said, flicking a glance at the four survivors. He spoke calmly, but there was an undercurrent of impatience—he wasn't used to relying on others, least of all strangers. Yet he knew the stench of blood would cling if they weren't careful.
They obeyed with a mixture of reluctance and relief, each grabbing a limb of the twisted beasts. Dark fluid still leaked from the gashes, but Kurai had bound the worst of the wounds with vines, attempting to stave off a crimson trail that might lure more predators.
When the carcasses had been hauled to a patch of bare earth away from the shoreline, Kurai crouched beside them. Using broader leaves and more fibers, he stuffed any open wounds. It was a makeshift solution, but it would help prevent a steady drip of blood.
"Names," Kurai said at last, voice curt. He looked up, meeting each of their eyes in turn with a steady, almost clinical stare. He had saved them—some might call that mercy. But for him, it was purely practical. If they could prove their worth, they might stay alive.
The woman who'd wielded a broken branch in the fight spoke first. "I'm Mira," she said softly, fighting to steady her voice. She was slender, dirt smudged across her face and arms.
"Jace," said a wiry, sharp-featured man, still gripping that same ragged stone he had brandished earlier. His eyes darted at the shadows along the treeline.
A larger man with sweat-soaked curls took a step forward. "Theo," he mumbled, voice thick with residual terror. Blood spattered his shirt in a wide arc.
Last to speak was a lean, older man with tight-drawn features. "Elias," he said curtly. His gaze flicked across the water and back, as though anticipating danger at every angle.
Kurai studied them, unblinking. "I am Kurai," he said simply. "Tell me what you can do. Your strengths." His voice carried the quiet edge of a commander who expected swift, clear answers.
Mira swallowed. "I… was a medical student, studying to become a doctor. I can handle first aid." She paused, hesitant. "I'm not fully trained, but I know enough to treat wounds."
"A doctor," Kurai repeated, testing the unfamiliar word. To him, it sounded akin to a healer. " Very Good."
Jace stepped forward next, clearing his throat. "Security systems. Cameras, alarms. Electronics. I, uh… guess that's not too useful here." He managed a dry, uncertain smile. "But I can figure out how things work… maybe set up traps or something."
Kurai's brow furrowed slightly at the word "electronics," but he said nothing of it. "Traps could be useful."
Theo's expression turned sheepish, as though apologizing. "I was majoring in engineering, my last year." His gaze dropped. "I don't see how that helps, though i can probably help with traps or something..."
"Sure," Kurai replied evenly, betraying neither approval nor scorn.
Elias shifted his weight. "I was a guide. Navigation, scouting, some survival training. Military service, years back." That last part was spoken almost like a confession.
Kurai's attention sharpened. Military. That word, he at least recognized the meaning of: armed service. Soldiers. A system of war. He gave Elias a measured look, as if weighing him in that instant. "That might do," he allowed.
A hush settled over them, broken only by the gentle lap of water.
Mira's eyes flicked nervously to the lifeless beasts; Theo tried to clean off his blood-streaked hands in the grass. Jace kept glancing over his shoulder, evidently paranoid about another ambush. Elias simply watched Kurai, wariness in his gaze.
"You can rest here," Kurai said, gesturing to the riverside. "Drink the water but don't wander too far." He tapped the makeshift spear leaning against a rock. "I'll go hunt again. I'd advice you to make something similar to my own spear if you want some way of protecting yourselves."
He strode a few paces away, kneeling to wash the grime from his arms. Crimson swirled in the shallows before dispersing. He felt their collective gaze on him, but he didn't turn around.
"One last thing…" he said abruptly, water still dripping from his forearms, "deal with the bodies so they don't bleed further. Use more vines or anything you might find here. We don't want the whole jungle following the scent."
Mira paled at the thought, but nodded, steeling herself. The others exchanged uneasy looks before moving to comply.
Elias cleared his throat. "Shouldn't you let someone come with you? We could pair up—"
"I'll be fine," Kurai said, cutting him off. He rose in a fluid motion, rolling tension from his shoulders. His eyes swept once around the clearing, automatically checking every shadow.
The group bent to their grisly task, and Kurai slipped into the camouflage of the jungle, spear in hand. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves above, and behind him, he heard snippets of odd words he had never known: "bandwidth," "GPS," "smart device." Each turned his confusion a shade deeper.
But he left the puzzle behind for now, focusing on the hush of the wilderness. He felt the faint hum of Aether still coursing beneath his skin, lending vigor to every step. If this place demanded a savage hunt, then he would sharpen himself like the deadliest blade. Allies or no, he intended to endure.
And if the invisible hand that brought him here should test him further… well, he had survived worse.