Chapter 3: Steps

Kael lay low in the tall grass, his naked body chilled by the morning dew. He ignored the discomfort, his sharp eyes fixed on the girl. Every action she took was deliberate, rhythmic, as though she moved to the beat of an unseen clock.

She knelt among the wildflowers, her small hands reaching out with a precision that spoke of repetition. Pick. Pluck. Place. The motions were exact, like the ticks of a pendulum.

"Eighteen," Kael murmured, counting each flower she plucked. His voice was barely audible, drowned out by the rustle of the breeze. After the eighteenth flower, she paused, her lips moving as if whispering to herself. Then she resumed, the pattern starting anew.

Kael narrowed his eyes. Why eighteen? He replayed her movements in his mind, analyzing every detail. The way she chose only certain flowers, leaving others untouched. The way she tilted her head after each cycle, as if listening for something.

It's not random, he thought.

The girl's dress fluttered as she shifted, her hands brushing against the grass. Kael noted the faint glow around her fingertips, a soft shimmer like sunlight on water. Magic. It was subtle, almost invisible, but it was there.

Kael's stomach churned as he recalled the power she had unleashed before. That invisible force had sent him sprawling, his ribs aching from the impact. She hadn't even hesitated, her fear fueling her reaction.

Fear is a weapon, Kael mused, his lips curling into a faint smirk. But it can also be a weakness.

The Creature Returns

The familiar growl echoed across the field, low and guttural, like a rumble of distant thunder.

Kael's body tensed, but he forced himself to stay still. His heart hammered in his chest, but his mind remained sharp, calculating. It's starting again.

The girl froze, her head snapping up. The basket slipped from her hands, petals scattering across the grass. Her small frame trembled as she turned toward the sound, her wide eyes scanning the treeline.

Kael followed her gaze, his breath catching as the creature emerged.

It was larger than he remembered, its grotesque body twisting unnaturally as it moved. Thick cords of muscle rippled beneath its mottled skin, and its glowing eyes burned like embers.

Kael's stomach clenched, but he didn't look away. He forced himself to study the creature, taking in every detail—the jagged ridges along its spine, the way its claws gouged the earth with each step.

It moved with purpose, its head swiveling as it sniffed the air.

The girl began to chant, her voice trembling as she traced glowing symbols in the air. Her hands shook, the movements clumsy, desperate. Kael watched closely, memorizing the pattern of her spell.

But she wasn't fast enough.

The creature lunged, its massive jaws snapping shut around her. Her scream pierced the air, sharp and short-lived, before fading into silence.

Kael swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the beast as it lifted its head, the girl's limp body hanging from its maw. Blood dripped onto the grass, staining the flowers red.

He forced himself to stay calm, to suppress the wave of nausea threatening to rise. Focus on the details.

The creature lowered the girl's body, its glowing eyes scanning the field. It sniffed the air again, its massive chest heaving as it turned toward him.

Kael's muscles coiled. Now it's my turn.

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Kael moved with precision, staying low as he slipped through the grass. The creature followed, its heavy footfalls growing louder with each passing second.

He darted toward the treeline, his bare feet skimming over the uneven ground. His sharp mind cataloged every step, every sound. The creature's movements were fast but predictable, its bulk making it slower to turn.

It's big, but not invincible, Kael thought, his eyes flicking to the roots and rocks scattered ahead.

He reached the stream, the cold water biting into his skin as he waded across. The creature hesitated at the edge, its claws digging into the mud. It snarled, pacing back and forth as if calculating its next move.

Kael smirked. It doesn't like water.

But the victory was short-lived. The creature leapt, clearing the stream with a single bound.

Kael cursed under his breath, throwing himself to the ground as the beast's claws raked through the air above him. He rolled to the side, grabbing a jagged rock from the streambed.

The creature lunged again, its glowing eyes locking onto him. Kael swung the rock with all his strength, aiming for its head. The impact sent a sharp jolt through his arm, but the creature barely flinched.

Not enough, Kael realized, his mind racing.

The beast roared, its jaws snapping shut around his arm. Pain exploded through him, blinding and all-consuming. Kael screamed, his vision blurring as the creature lifted him off the ground.

Blood dripped from his torn flesh, pooling on the grass below. Kael's grip on the rock faltered, his strength fading.

The creature's teeth sank deeper, and Kael's scream turned into a choked gasp. Darkness crept in at the edges of his vision, and he knew it was over.

The Awakening

Kael's eyes snapped open, his chest heaving as he gasped for air.

The sunlight was warm against his skin, the soft rustle of the grass familiar. He sat up slowly, his hands trembling as he ran them over his body. No wounds. No blood.

But the memory of the pain lingered, vivid and raw.

Kael's gaze shifted to the girl. She was there again, kneeling among the flowers, humming softly. Her basket was half-full, the petals arranged in neat layers.

Kael let out a shaky laugh, his lips curling into a bitter smile.

"Back to the start," he muttered.

This wasn't just a curse—it was a challenge. A test.

He stood, brushing the dirt from his knees as his sharp eyes scanned the field.

"This world thinks it can break me," he said, his voice low and cold. "But I'll break it first."

Kael turned his attention to the girl, his mind already racing with possibilities. She was the key—her magic, her routine, her fear. Everything about her was a piece of the puzzle.

His lips curled into a calculating smile.

"Let's see how far you can push me," he said, his voice laced with quiet confidence.

This time, he wouldn't run. He wouldn't fight blindly.

This time, he would win.