The Weight of Survival
Eryndor forced his way through the inn's entrance, his hand clutching his wounded side. The warm light inside felt surreal after the cold darkness of the streets. A few patrons still lingered, but no one paid him any mind.
His steps were unsteady as he reached the stairs. Every breath sent a sharp pain through his ribs. His tunic was damp with blood, but he didn't care.
Right now, he needed to think.
Who sent that assassin?
Was it connected to his strange awakening? Or was there something else—a past he didn't remember?
His mind burned with questions, but his body had other priorities.
---
Memories in the Dark
The moment he shut the door to his room, exhaustion hit him like a wave. He collapsed onto the bed, letting out a slow, shaky breath.
His body ached. His side throbbed. But even worse was the unease creeping into his soul.
Then—a whisper.
Not from outside. Inside.
"…You should be dead."
His vision blurred. The flickering candlelight in the room twisted and warped. A rush of images flooded his mind—flashes of something distant, something forgotten.
A cold room. Chains clinking. Blood staining the floor.
And then—a voice.
Deep, unyielding.
"Kill him."
Eryndor gasped, jerking upright. His breath came in ragged bursts, sweat dripping down his brow. His heart pounded like a drum.
What was that?
A dream? A memory?
Or something far worse?
---
The Hunt Begins
Unbeknownst to Eryndor, far from the quiet of his dimly lit room, whispers spread through the underworld of the kingdom.
A lone figure kneeled before a hooded man, their voice laced with frustration.
"He survived."
The hooded man's fingers tapped against the armrest of his chair. A moment of silence passed before he spoke.
"Interesting."
The kneeling assassin hesitated before asking, "Shall I go again?"
The hooded man smiled—a slow, knowing grin.
"No need." His voice was calm, but there was something sinister beneath it. "The real game begins now."**
Outside, the night stretched on, silent and merciless.
And somewhere within its depths—more eyes turned toward Eryndor.
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