Chapter 5: The Shape of the Snare

The sun was barely above the horizon when Kael woke again, his body shivering from the cold dew clinging to his skin. The cycle was merciless, but its predictability was a gift. In a world where chaos reigned, patterns were power.

Kael stretched his limbs, his sharp mind already retracing the previous loop. He had pushed further, learned more—but it hadn't been enough.

Sylna's magic was raw but potent. The creature's intelligence was sharper than he had anticipated. Both were tools he needed to understand if he wanted to break free of this loop.

Kael glanced at the girl, her soft humming blending with the sound of the breeze. He had memorized her every movement, her every reaction. But memorization wasn't mastery. He needed to manipulate the loop, to twist it to his advantage.

His lips curved into a faint smirk. "Time to lay the bait."

Approaching Sylna

Kael moved with purpose, his steps silent as he approached the girl. Her delicate hands moved rhythmically, plucking flowers and placing them into her basket. She didn't notice him until he was only a few feet away.

"Sylna," Kael said softly, his voice calm yet firm.

She jumped, her head whipping around to face him. Her eyes widened, and Kael saw the fear flicker to life.

"Don't scream," he said quickly, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not here to hurt you."

Sylna hesitated, her gaze darting to the treeline.

"I know about the creature," Kael continued, his tone steady. "I know it comes when you're scared. But if you stay calm, we can stop it."

Sylna's lips trembled. "Stop it? You… you don't understand. It's unstoppable. It always comes."

Kael crouched down so they were eye level, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "Everything can be stopped. You just have to know how."

Kael reached out, his hand brushing against her basket. He picked up one of the flowers, turning it over in his fingers.

"These flowers," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Why are you picking them? What are they for?"

Sylna blinked, her fear momentarily replaced by confusion. "They're… for the ritual," she said quietly. "The elders say they keep the monster at bay."

Kael arched a brow. "Do they work?"

Sylna shook her head, her expression bleak. "Not really. It still comes. But if we don't gather them, it gets worse."

Interesting, Kael thought, his mind racing. A ritual to keep the creature at bay. A half-truth at best. Either the elders don't understand it, or they're hiding something.

He placed the flower back into the basket, his sharp gaze studying Sylna's face. "Listen to me. This loop, this cycle—it doesn't have to end the same way every time. But I need you to trust me."

Sylna hesitated, her small frame trembling. "Why… why should I trust you?"

Kael's lips curled into a faint smile. "Because I'm the only one who remembers."

The growl came, low and rumbling, like a storm brewing on the horizon.

Sylna stiffened, her hands clenching the basket. Kael saw the panic in her eyes, the instinct to run taking hold.

"Stay still," he commanded, his voice sharp.

Sylna froze, her breaths shallow and rapid.

The creature emerged from the treeline, its massive body casting a long shadow across the field. Kael noted every detail—the way its glowing eyes scanned the area, the way its claws sank into the earth.

It's hunting us, but it's not mindless, Kael thought, his mind racing. It reacts to fear, but what else?

The creature's gaze locked onto them, its growl deepening.

Kael stepped forward, placing himself between Sylna and the beast. He raised his hands, his sharp mind analyzing every movement, every sound.

"Fear is its weapon," he murmured, his voice steady. "But fear can be turned."

The beast lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Kael sidestepped, his movements fluid and precise. He grabbed a branch from the ground, wielding it like a spear.

"Move when I say," he told Sylna, his tone calm but firm. "Not a moment before."

Kael feinted to the left, drawing the creature's attention. It followed, its glowing eyes narrowing as it calculated his movements.

It's intelligent, Kael thought. But intelligence can be outwitted.

He led the creature in a wide arc, using the uneven terrain to his advantage. The beast stumbled over a hidden root, its massive body crashing to the ground.

"Now, Sylna!" Kael shouted.

Sylna hesitated, her fear paralyzing her. But Kael's commanding voice snapped her out of it. She darted toward the treeline, her small frame disappearing into the shadows.

The creature roared, its glowing eyes burning with rage. It turned toward Sylna, its massive claws tearing through the earth.

Kael acted without hesitation. He lunged forward, driving the branch into the beast's side. The impact was shallow, barely scratching its thick hide, but it was enough to distract it.

The beast roared again, its jaws snapping shut around the branch. Kael released it, rolling to the side as the creature lunged for him.

Pain shot through his body as its claws raked his shoulder, but he didn't stop. He grabbed another rock, his mind calculating his next move.

Distract, misdirect, survive.

-----------------

The fight ended as it always did—with Kael's death.

The beast's jaws closed around him, its massive teeth piercing his flesh. Pain exploded through him, sharp and all-consuming.

Darkness closed in, and Kael's last thought was of Sylna.

Did she make it?

He awoke to the warmth of the sun, the soft rustle of grass.

Kael sat up slowly, his breathing uneven. He ran his hands over his body, searching for wounds. There were none, but the memory of the pain lingered.

He turned his gaze to Sylna, kneeling among the flowers, her soft humming unchanged.

Kael exhaled slowly, his mind already analyzing the loop. He had learned more this time. The creature's movements, Sylna's hesitation, the false promise of the flowers—all pieces of the puzzle.

"This loop won't break itself," Kael muttered, his lips curling into a smirk.

He stood, his sharp eyes scanning the field.

"Let's see how far I can push it."