Chapter 4: The First Thread

Kael stood at the edge of the field, his gaze fixed on the girl. The soft hum of her melody carried on the breeze, an unchanging rhythm that grated on his nerves. The cycle had repeated twice now, and he knew it would again if he failed.

But this time, he wasn't going to let it end with him as prey.

Every loop has a weakness, he thought, his sharp mind replaying the events. The girl's magic, the creature's behavior, the forest's layout—these weren't random. Patterns were emerging, and Kael was a master at finding and exploiting them.

He crouched low in the grass, his gaze darting between the girl and the treeline. The creature would arrive soon, but he had a plan.

The girl is the trigger, Kael surmised. The beast only emerged after she noticed it. If he could control her reaction, he could control the situation.

Kael moved closer, his steps slow and deliberate. The tall grass rustled faintly, but the girl remained focused on her task, plucking flowers and placing them into her basket.

When he was within a few feet of her, he stopped, his voice low and calm.

"Don't scream," he said, his words sharp and commanding.

The girl froze, her hands hovering above the flowers. She turned slowly, her wide eyes locking onto him. For a moment, there was only silence, her lips parted in shock.

Kael raised his hands in a placating gesture, his expression carefully neutral. "I'm not here to hurt you. But if you run or shout, that thing will come back."

Her gaze flicked to the treeline, and Kael saw the fear bloom in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came.

"Quiet," Kael snapped, his tone harsh enough to make her flinch. "Listen to me. If you want to live, you'll do exactly as I say."

The girl's breathing was shallow, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She clutched the basket to her chest as though it could protect her, her knuckles white against the woven reeds.

Kael took a step closer, his sharp eyes studying her every move.

"What's your name?" he asked, his voice softer now.

Her lips trembled as she spoke. "S-Sylna."

Kael nodded, filing the name away. "Sylna, I need you to answer me honestly. What is that thing in the forest?"

Sylna shook her head, her gaze darting back to the trees. "I… I don't know. It's always there, always waiting. It comes when…"

"When you're scared," Kael finished for her.

She hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."

Kael's mind raced. Fear calls it. That's why it comes for her first. And me? I'm just… convenient.

He crouched down so they were eye level, his tone measured. "If fear calls it, we need to stay calm. Do you understand?"

Sylna swallowed hard, her small hands trembling. "But… but it always comes."

Kael's expression hardened. "Not this time."

Kael turned his attention to the treeline, his body coiled like a spring. He could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the unseen predator stalking them.

The growl came, low and menacing.

Sylna gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Kael's hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly.

"Stay still," he hissed. "Don't run."

Tears welled in Sylna's eyes, but she nodded, her entire body trembling.

The creature emerged from the shadows, its glowing eyes locking onto them. It moved slowly, deliberately, its massive claws sinking into the earth with each step.

Kael's mind raced. Fear draws it closer, but what else? Why doesn't it attack immediately?

He stepped forward, placing himself between Sylna and the beast. The creature's eyes followed him, its head tilting slightly as though curious.

Kael's lips curled into a smirk. "You're not mindless, are you?" he said, his voice low. "You're hunting. Calculating."

The beast growled, its muscles coiling as it prepared to lunge.

Kael raised his hands, palms out. "Not yet," he murmured.

The creature hesitated, its glowing eyes narrowing.

It's waiting for the right moment, Kael realized. It's not just a guard—it's a predator. It wants us to run. To panic.

He turned his head slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sylna, stay calm. No sudden moves."

But Sylna's fear betrayed her.

The moment her foot shifted, the creature lunged.

Kael barely had time to react, his body moving instinctively as he shoved Sylna to the ground. The beast's massive claws raked through the air, missing him by inches.

Kael rolled to his feet, grabbing a sharp stick from the ground. He held it like a dagger, his eyes locked on the creature.

The beast growled, its glowing eyes burning with hunger. Kael could see the intelligence behind them, the cruel calculation of a predator playing with its prey.

It's testing me, just like I'm testing it.

Kael lunged, the makeshift weapon aimed at the creature's glowing eye.

The beast roared, swiping its massive claw and knocking Kael aside like a doll. Pain exploded in his chest as he hit the ground, the wind knocked from his lungs.

Through the haze of pain, Kael saw the beast turn its attention to Sylna.

"No," he gasped, forcing himself to his feet.

He stumbled forward, his vision blurring as he grabbed another rock. But it was too late. The creature's jaws snapped shut around Sylna, her scream echoing in his ears.

Kael's grip faltered, the rock slipping from his fingers.

The beast turned toward him, its glowing eyes narrowing as it lunged.

Pain, sharp and unbearable, consumed him as the darkness closed in once more.

Kael woke to the warmth of the sun on his face, the soft rustle of grass in his ears.

He sat up slowly, his breathing uneven. His hands flew to his chest, his ribs, his arms. No wounds. No blood.

But the pain lingered in his memory, sharp and vivid.

The girl's voice reached him, soft and melodic. He turned his head, his sharp eyes locking onto her as she knelt among the flowers.

Kael exhaled slowly, his mind already racing.

This isn't just survival anymore, he thought, his gaze hardening. It's war.

He stood, brushing the dirt from his knees as his lips curled into a cold smile.

"This time," he muttered, "I'll win."