The eastern forest loomed ahead, its towering trees casting long shadows over the path. A heavy silence filled the air—no birds, no rustling leaves. Just stillness. Something lurked here.
I stepped forward, feeling the lingering trace of my power. It was weak, but even a fading ember could still burn. I closed my eyes, focusing. There. A faint presence ahead, barely noticeable to ordinary humans, but to me, it was unmistakable.
A beast.
Moving swiftly, I followed the aura deeper into the forest. The scent of blood soon filled my nostrils. A torn carcass—livestock from the village, its body shredded beyond recognition.
A low growl rumbled from the shadows.
I turned.
Glowing red eyes peered at me from the darkness. A massive wolf, twice the size of a normal beast, stepped forward. Its black fur rippled with unnatural energy, its breath misting in the cold air.
A mana beast.
It snarled, baring fangs that could tear through steel. Most would tremble before such a sight. I merely smirked.
"You are nothing compared to the creatures I once faced."
The wolf lunged, moving unnaturally fast. Its claws aimed for my throat.
I moved.
To an observer, I had merely sidestepped. But to the beast, I had vanished.
Reappearing behind it, I struck. My fist connected with its ribs, and a shockwave rippled through the air. The wolf crashed into a tree, splintering wood upon impact.
It yelped, staggering to its feet. Confusion flickered in its eyes.
"Disappointing," I muttered.
Snarling, it lunged again—faster, wilder. This time, I let it come. As its claws slashed toward me, I raised my arm. Energy crackled through my veins, and a faint golden aura flickered around me.
Boom.
The impact shattered the ground beneath us. The wolf howled in agony, its body shaking from the force of my power.
It stumbled back, wounded.
I sighed. "You are outmatched."
Raising my hand, I focused. The ember of my godhood flickered. For the first time since my rebirth, I uttered a command.
"Be still."
The air trembled.
The wolf froze, its body betraying it as divine authority forced it into submission. It whimpered, its rage replaced by terror.
I stepped closer, placing a hand on its head. "Sleep."
A pulse of power surged from my palm. The beast collapsed, unconscious.
I exhaled slowly. My strength was still a shadow of its former self, but this was progress.
The world had forgotten me.
But soon, it would remember.
Turning away, I left the beast as proof of my victory and headed back toward the village