Ithara's Chosen

Fatigue pulling him into a restless slumber.He was just on the edge of sleep when a sharp instinct jolted him awake.Before he could fully orient himself, a massive form emerged from the shadows at the cave's entrance. *What is that?* Aiden thought, his mind racing as he took in the grotesque silhouette.

"That is a **Gargakoth**," the AI replied, its tone calm but urgent. "A hybrid predator known for its immense strength, speed, and durability. It's stronger than the Voraths. In fact, it might be one of the strongest creatures in this world. There are only a few of them left since they kill each other for fun. This could very well be your end."

Aiden felt a surge of panic, but the AI continued, cutting through his fear. "However, you can now move more easily. You still can't fly since just standing is already hard, but it's better than before. You couldn't even stand or move due to the gravity, but now you can at least move quickly, though not fast enough to escape this beast. You're getting stronger as well—much tougher than before. It seems the fight with the Voraths has made you more resilient."

The Gargakoth advanced, its claws scraping against the rocky ground as it loomed larger in Aiden's vision. The creature's breath came in deep, rumbling growls, a primal warning that made Aiden's heart race. Instinctively, he shifted into a defensive stance, feeling the power coursing through his veins.

"You have to act! Use your newfound strength and agility!" the AI urged. "This creature is formidable, but you're not the same Aiden you were before."

Taking a deep breath, Aiden focused. The adrenaline coursing through him sharpened his senses, and he realized he could leverage his enhanced speed to his advantage. He wasn't just a prey now—he was a survivor, and he needed to turn the tables.

As the Gargakoth lunged forward, Aiden darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's massive claws. The force of the attack sent debris flying, dust swirling in the air, but Aiden was already moving, his instincts guiding him.

---

Aiden burst out of the cave, his boots crunching on the frozen ground as the bitter wind cut into his skin. The freezing air burned his lungs with each breath, but he pressed on, the Gargakoth thundering after him. Its massive form was barely visible through the thick snowstorm swirling around them. The pale light of Ithara's distant sun cast an eerie glow across the glacier-covered landscape, with jagged ice formations rising like frozen mountains.

The AI's voice broke through the cold haze in his mind. "Keep moving! It's fast, but this terrain will slow it down. Use it to your advantage!"

Aiden's pulse raced, his muscles straining against the intense gravity of Ithara, but the freezing wind kept him sharp. As the Gargakoth's claws crashed into the ice behind him, sending shards flying, Aiden rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. He skidded across the slick surface, his body adjusting instinctively as he balanced himself on the frozen ground.

"You've gotten stronger," the AI said, its tone focused but encouraging. "But the cold is draining your stamina. You need to conserve your strength and end this quickly."

Aiden glanced back at the towering beast, its breath visible in the freezing air like steam rising from a furnace. The Gargakoth let out a guttural roar that reverberated across the icy plains, shaking the very ground beneath him. The creature's thick, frost-covered fur bristled as it advanced, its claws sinking into the ice with each step.

*I have to use the cold,* Aiden thought, scanning the environment for an edge. His enhanced senses picked up the subtle cracking of the ice beneath their feet. If he could lure the Gargakoth toward a weak spot, he might be able to trap it.

"Head toward the glacier!" the AI urged. "The ice is thinner there—you can use it to your advantage!"

Aiden sprinted toward a towering glacier in the distance, the icy wind biting into his face. The Gargakoth charged after him, its massive form gaining speed despite the slippery surface. As they neared the glacier, Aiden veered sharply to the left, leading the creature over a stretch of thin ice.

The Gargakoth lunged, its massive claws digging deep into the ice as it tried to pounce on him. But Aiden was ready. He slid to a stop just before the creature landed, slamming his fist into the frozen ground with all his strength. The ice cracked beneath him, spreading in a web-like pattern as the Gargakoth's weight pushed it to the breaking point.

With a thunderous crash, the ice gave way, and the Gargakoth plunged into the freezing waters below. It let out a deafening roar as it thrashed wildly, trying to claw its way back to solid ground. Aiden stood at the edge of the hole, his breath visible in the frigid air, watching as the beast struggled against the icy current.

"You've weakened it, but it won't stay down for long," the AI warned. "Strike now while it's vulnerable!"

Without hesitation, Aiden leaped onto the Gargakoth's back, his hands gripping its thick, icy fur. The creature roared in fury, but its movements were slower now, the cold sapping its strength. With a surge of power, Aiden drove his fist into the back of the Gargakoth's neck, right where the AI had told him the weak spot was.

The creature shuddered violently, its body going limp as it sank deeper into the icy water. Aiden scrambled back onto solid ice, his body trembling from the cold and exertion.

"You did it," the AI said, its voice calm but firm.

Aiden stood in the frozen silence for a moment, the freezing wind biting at his skin as he caught his breath. His legs ached from the fight, and the cold was beginning to seep into his bones, but he couldn't stay out here any longer. He turned back toward the hole where the Gargakoth had fallen, watching its limp body float beneath the surface of the ice. The creature was massive, and its meat would last him for weeks, maybe even months.

With effort, Aiden grabbed the Gargakoth's thick, frost-covered fur and began to pull. His muscles strained as the immense weight of the beast fought against him, but his enhanced strength was enough to drag it free from the icy pit. The creature's body slid across the slick surface, leaving a trail in the snow behind it.

The AI spoke in his mind, its tone calm but calculating. "You're smart to conserve resources. This creature will sustain you for a long time, but be cautious—its blood might attract other predators."

Aiden nodded, even though the AI couldn't see him. He kept pulling, the cold biting deeper as he trudged toward the cave entrance. His boots, already eroding from the harsh terrain, slipped slightly on the ice. The Gargakoth's claws scraped against the ground, the sound sharp and grating in the frozen silence.

By the time he reached the mouth of the cave, Aiden's limbs were heavy with exhaustion, his breath coming in short, freezing bursts. He took a moment to gather his strength before dragging the massive creature inside. The cave offered some shelter from the icy wind, but the cold still clung to every surface, seeping into his bones.

He propped the Gargakoth's body against the wall, letting it rest there as he knelt beside it. The AI's voice cut through the silence once again. "You'll need to preserve the meat before it freezes solid. But for now, rest. You've earned it."

Aiden glanced at the beast, its thick fur already collecting frost from the cave's air. He knew the AI was right—he'd need to act quickly before the cold made the meat impossible to work with. But for now, he was too tired to move. His boots, worn and eroded from the battle, barely provided any warmth against the frozen ground.

He slumped against the cave wall, exhaustion tugging at his limbs. Outside, the snowstorm raged on, the wind howling through the entrance like a distant wail. But inside the cave, there was only the sound of his own breathing and the faint hum of the AI in his mind.

Aiden closed his eyes, letting the darkness pull him into a deep, much-needed sleep.

---

Months passed, each day blending into the next as Aiden adapted to the unforgiving world of Ithara. The once-terrifying Gargakoths and Voraths had become familiar, almost routine challenges. The bitter cold and treacherous terrain no longer held the same fear for him. Instead, they served as constant reminders of how far he had come.

His body had transformed through relentless training and survival. No longer did he struggle to move under the planet's heavy gravity; he had mastered it. Now, Aiden could hover just above the ground, conserving energy as he traversed the frozen landscape. His agility had improved significantly, allowing him to evade predators and launch quick strikes with newfound confidence.

Aiden stood on a ridge, surveying the icy expanse below. The pale light of Ithara's distant sun illuminated the jagged ice formations that dotted the landscape, casting long shadows across the frozen ground. The wind whipped around him, but he felt a sense of control, an exhilarating rush of power surging through his veins.

"You've come a long way," the AI's voice echoed in his mind, steady and reassuring. "You can now take on creatures like the Gargakoth without breaking a sweat. Your strength has increased exponentially, and your speed rivals that of the fastest predators here."

Aiden flexed his muscles, feeling the difference. This planet has made me stronger, he thought, recalling the countless encounters he had faced. Every battle, every escape, had sharpened his skills and honed his instincts. The weight of the Gargakoth he had struggled to move months ago now felt light as he prepared to hunt.

"You can sense the creatures nearby," the AI urged. "Trust your instincts. The tide has changed—you are no longer the prey."

Aiden took a deep breath, focusing on the rhythm of his heart and the whispers of the wind. His senses heightened, he felt the subtle vibrations in the ice beneath him, the faintest rustle of fur and claws against the frozen ground. He was no longer just a boy trying to survive; he was a predator now, skilled and lethal.

Spotting a Gargakoth grazing in the distance, its frost-covered body a stark contrast against the ice, Aiden's pulse quickened. He felt an overwhelming sense of purpose. This would be a true test of his abilities.

"Remember, patience is key," the AI advised. "Use your speed and newfound strength to outmaneuver it. Take your time; make your move count."

Aiden nodded, keeping his breathing steady as he observed the beast. The Gargakoth was larger than the one he had fought months ago, its muscles rippling beneath a thick layer of fur. But he could feel the difference in himself; he was ready.

With a burst of speed, Aiden launched himself into the air, hovering effortlessly above the icy landscape. The Gargakoth's head snapped up, eyes narrowing as it sensed his presence. But Aiden was already moving, gliding through the air with precision and grace. He soared above the beast, watching as it swiped at the empty space where he had been.

"Now!" the AI urged. "Strike!"

Aiden descended, his body a blur as he launched himself toward the Gargakoth. He landed on its back, the beast's fur cold beneath him. With a quick motion, he drove his fist into the creature's neck, the power of his blow sending a shockwave through its massive frame.

The Gargakoth roared in fury, thrashing beneath him, but Aiden held firm. He could feel the creature's strength waning, the cold sapping its energy. This was his moment to end the fight decisively.

Drawing on his enhanced strength, Aiden slammed his fist down again, targeting the same weak spot he had learned to exploit. The Gargakoth shuddered violently, its roar turning into a pained grunt as it collapsed under him, its body going limp.

Aiden leaped off the creature as it fell, landing gracefully on the ground. The thrill of victory coursed through him, his heart pounding in his chest. He had faced his fears and emerged triumphant.

"You did it," the AI said, its tone filled with approval. "You've not only defeated the Gargakoth but also proven that you are the apex predator in this environment."

Or so he thought...

As Aiden knelt beside the massive Gargakoth, ready to harvest its meat for sustenance, an unsettling sensation pricked at his senses. Something was off. The air around him shifted, thickening with an electric tension.

Suddenly, he felt it—a presence materializing just a few feet away. He turned slowly, his heart racing as he took in the figure standing before him. The man—or whatever it was—stood a solid six feet tall, with an aesthetically sculpted physique that suggested both strength and agility. But what struck Aiden most was its skin: a pale, almost ethereal hue, Aiden's instincts screamed alertness; he hadn't noticed the being's approach at all, as if it had slipped through the shadows like a ghost. Its features were sharp and striking, with piercing eyes that glowed with an otherworldly intensity.

He instinctively shifted into a more defensive stance, ready for whatever confrontation lay ahead.

The being tilted its head slightly, an enigmatic smile creeping across its lips.