Chapter 3: The Art of Survival

Aiden trailed behind Kael, struggling to keep pace. The fox moved with a predatory grace, his tail swishing as he navigated the dense forest. Every step Aiden took felt clumsy by comparison, and his small paws constantly snagged on roots and loose stones.

"Keep up, pup," Kael said without turning. "If you're this slow, you won't last a day."

"I'm trying," Aiden growled, stumbling over yet another root. "You're not exactly giving me a head start here."

Kael stopped abruptly, turning to glare at Aiden. His glowing yellow eyes narrowed. "Do you think this world is kind? That it'll wait for you to catch your breath? The weak don't survive here. If you want to live, you'd better adapt fast."

Aiden bristled. He wasn't used to being called weak—at least, not in his previous life. As a human, he had been at the top of his game, a prodigy in fields most people couldn't even comprehend. But here? He was just another small, unimpressive creature in a dangerous world.

"I'll adapt," Aiden said, his tone firm. "Just don't expect miracles overnight."

Kael smirked. "Good. Because miracles don't exist. Only strength and cunning do."

The two continued walking until they reached a small clearing. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the forest. Kael sniffed the air, his ears twitching.

"We'll rest here for now," he said. "But don't get too comfortable. Night is when the real predators come out."

Aiden collapsed onto the ground, his legs trembling from exhaustion. "You don't say. What, wolves and foxes aren't scary enough?"

Kael snorted. "Not even close. There are creatures here that would tear you apart without breaking a sweat. And if you're lucky, they'll eat you before they decide to play with their food."

Aiden shuddered. "Great. Just what I needed—nightmare fuel."

Kael ignored him, focusing instead on the glowing orb he had claimed earlier. He rolled it between his paws, studying it with an intensity that intrigued Aiden.

"What exactly is that?" Aiden asked, nodding toward the orb.

Kael glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "A magic core. When a creature dies, its magical essence condenses into one of these. It's a source of power—consume it, and you can grow stronger. But only if your body can handle it."

"Consume it?" Aiden tilted his head. "You mean… eat it?"

Kael chuckled darkly. "You make it sound disgusting, but yes. Eating a core absorbs its energy. It's how creatures like me climb the food chain. For you, though…" He trailed off, eyeing Aiden with skepticism.

"What?" Aiden asked, defensive.

"You're weak. Your body isn't ready for something like this. A core like this would probably kill you."

Aiden frowned, frustration bubbling up inside him. He hated being underestimated. "And how exactly do I get stronger if I can't use something like that?"

Kael set the core down and stared at Aiden. "Through experience. You fight, you survive, and you grow. Eventually, your body will be strong enough to handle cores without breaking apart. But until then…" He smirked. "Stay out of my way."

Aiden's jaw tightened. He didn't like being dependent on Kael, but he knew he didn't have much of a choice. For now, he had to play along and learn as much as he could.

"So, what's the plan?" Aiden asked, trying to shift the conversation. "Do we just wander around until something tries to kill us?"

Kael grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the fading light. "Something like that. But first, we need to see what you're capable of."

Before Aiden could respond, Kael's ears perked up, and his expression turned serious. "Quiet," he hissed.

Aiden froze, his heart pounding. He followed Kael's gaze to the treeline, where a low growl rumbled. From the shadows emerged a creature that looked like a cross between a boar and a lizard. Its scaly skin shimmered faintly, and its red eyes locked onto them.

"What is that?" Aiden whispered.

"A scale boar," Kael replied, his voice low. "Not the smartest predator, but strong enough to crush you if you're careless."

The scale boar let out a snort, pawing the ground as it prepared to charge.

Kael stepped forward, his stance confident. "Stay back, pup. Watch and learn."

The boar charged, its bulk barreling toward Kael like a runaway train. Kael darted to the side at the last second, his movements fluid and precise. The boar skidded to a halt, confused for a moment before turning to face him again.

Kael's speed was impressive, but Aiden couldn't help but analyze the fight through a scientific lens. The boar's weight made it powerful but slow to turn, and its aggression seemed to override its strategy.

"Use its momentum," Aiden muttered to himself.

Kael seemed to have the same thought. As the boar charged again, Kael leapt onto its back, digging his claws into its scales. The creature roared in anger, bucking wildly, but Kael held on, his sharp teeth sinking into the back of its neck.

A sickening crunch echoed through the clearing as the boar collapsed, its body twitching before going still.

Kael hopped off, panting slightly but otherwise unharmed. He turned to Aiden, a triumphant glint in his eyes.

"See? That's how it's done."

Aiden stared at the boar's lifeless body, a mix of awe and unease washing over him. "Impressive," he admitted. "But I doubt I could pull that off."

Kael smirked. "Not yet. But you will, if you survive long enough."

Kael leaned down, his jaws tearing into the boar's hide. Aiden winced at the sight but knew he couldn't afford to be squeamish. This was survival, plain and simple.

After a few minutes, Kael tossed something toward Aiden—a small, faintly glowing orb.

"Here," Kael said. "This one's weak enough for you to handle. It's the boar's secondary core."

Aiden hesitated, staring at the orb. "And… I just eat it?"

Kael rolled his eyes. "Yes, you just eat it. Don't overthink it, pup."

Aiden swallowed hard, then picked up the core with his teeth. It felt warm, almost alive. He hesitated for a moment before biting down, the orb cracking and releasing a rush of energy that surged through his body.

His vision blurred, and his muscles burned as the energy coursed through him. For a moment, he thought he might actually die.

But then, the pain subsided, and a strange sense of vitality filled him. He stood up, feeling… different. Stronger.

Kael watched him with interest. "Not bad. Looks like you're not completely useless after all."

Aiden smirked. "Told you I'd adapt."

Kael chuckled. "Don't get cocky. This is just the beginning."

As night fell, the two rested by the carcass of the boar. Aiden stared up at the stars, wondering what other challenges this world would throw at him.

One thing was clear: he wasn't going to let himself stay weak. Not in this world. Not ever.