Leaving II

The air was frigid and crisp, a stark contrast to the warmth of Havenwood. With each step, I felt the weight of my decision grow heavier, my heart torn between the excitement of the unknown and the ache of what I had left behind.

As I walked deeper into the forest, my steps were resolute, driven by the knowledge that I couldn't turn back now. It was too late.

In that moment, beneath the moonlit canopy, I made a silent promise. A promise to honor the friendships I had left behind, to carry their memories with me as I ventured into the unknown. To return one day to my village after my adventures. To give my parents a warm hug. To spar with Kael one final time - as a fully accomplished adventurer. To tell Lily what she meant to me.

And with that heavy promise, my journey had finally begun.

....

It wasn't long before I encountered my first challenge. Low growls echoed through the trees and pairs of hungry glowing eyes emerged from the shadows. Before me stood a pack of thin wolves, their fur bristling and fangs bared in menacing snarls. My heart raced, but I settled into my practiced stance, my years of training kicking in.

Calm settled over me. Around me, the world slowed down to match the rhythm of my beating heart. I locked eyes with the leader of the pack, a massive wolf with a dappled muzzle. Its eyes were intelligent, filled with life.

With a swift motion, I unsheathed my sword. The wolves hesitated for a fraction of a second, almost as if they were gauging my determination.

Then, as if an unspoken signal passed between them, they lunged.

Moving as one, claws tore through the dirt. 

Move.

Instinct kicked in. My body reacted before my mind could catch up. Duck. The leader's claws swiped through the air where my head had been a heartbeat before. Pivot. A snarl erupted to my right. I twisted, my sword meeting fangs in a violent crack.

The impact rattled my arm. The wolf's teeth scraped against the wood, gouging deep scratches from tip to hilt. It reared back, shaking its head, but before it could recover, I drove my foot into its ribs, feeling its muscle buckle beneath my strike.

A blur of motion; another wolf lunged.

Its jaws snapped shut inches from my arm. I could feel its breath, hot and foul, as I shoved my blade forward. The wolf twisted mid-air, my thrust grazing its shoulder instead of piercing through.

Not enough.

Before I could readjust, the leader recovered. It snarled, lunging low. Fast. Too fast. I threw myself backward, barely escaping the arc of its claws. My feet hit uneven ground, slipping on leaves and blood.

No time to think.

Another wolf came from the side, jaws wide. I sidestepped, feeling the rush of wind as it missed me by inches. My body twisted, blade up, strike down. The sword connected with a sickening crunch, sliding deep into the side of the wolf's neck.

The creature let out a choked yelp before collapsing, its body twitching once before falling still.

No time to breathe.

The pack regrouped. They circled, their hungry eyes calculating, weighing me, gauging my exhaustion. My chest rose and fell in sharp, uneven gasps. Four left.

They were wary now. The first, reckless assault had cost them two of their own. But their desperation was greater than their fear.

One darted forward. A feint. I stepped toward it, but the real attack came from behind.

Claws raked across my back.

I staggered forward, biting down a cry, but my footing never wavered. I twisted with the movement instead of against it, using the momentum to drive my sword upward. The blade met flesh.

A howl split the night.

The wolf tumbled away, rolling onto its side, blood seeping into the dirt.

Three left.

They attacked together now; one from the front, another from the side, the last angling for my back.

I had no choice. I had to act first.

I threw myself forward, toward the leader. It hadn't expected me to close the distance. A mistake.

I swung.

The sword collided with its skull. A sharp crack echoed through the clearing as the wolf's head snapped to the side. It crumpled instantly, its legs twitching before going limp.

Something barreled into me from behind.

The air exploded from my lungs as I hit the ground, my face slamming into the cold dirt. A crushing weight pressed against my ribs. A wolf was on top of me, snarling, teeth seeking my throat.

I struggled, forcing my arms between us, pushing against its snapping maw. Its hot saliva dripped onto my cheek as its breath came in ragged gasps.

I couldn't overpower it. Not like this.

So I stopped fighting it.

I let my body go limp for just a second—enough to make the wolf lower its guard.

Then, with every ounce of strength left, I slammed my forehead into its snout.

The wolf yelped, momentarily stunned.

That was all I needed.

I shoved my knee into its stomach, twisting out from under it, grabbing my fallen sword, and plunging it straight into its chest.

It spasmed once.

Then it fell still.

One left.

The last wolf hesitated.

It looked at me. Looked at its fallen pack. Its ears flattened, tail tucking slightly.

And then, without another sound, it turned and ran.

I stayed standing for a long moment, my breath coming in sharp, uneven bursts.

The forest had gone silent.

The only sound left was my heartbeat, pounding in my ears.

I swallowed, my throat raw. The adrenaline had begun to fade, leaving behind nothing but exhaustion and the dull, throbbing pain in my back where claws had torn through skin.

I wiped sweat from my brow, glancing around at the fallen wolves.

I had won.

.....

I could finally eat meat; dinner had served itself. There was no time to dwell on the battle that had just taken place, I was hungry. I had barely been managing to survive off of berries and herbs.

I knelt beside the largest fallen wolf, my hands steady despite the lingering tremors of the fight. The forest around me had fallen into an eerie hush, as if nature itself was holding its breath in the aftermath of the struggle.

Drawing the dagger from my belt, I began the process of cleaning the wolf's carcass. With precise movements honed from countless hours of practice, I worked swiftly to skin the animal, my blade gliding smoothly through its fur and flesh. The moonlight provided just enough illumination for my task.

Once the skin had been removed, I carefully separated the meat from the bones, my fingers deftly navigating the sinews and joints. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest. My stomach grumbled in hunger.

With the meat prepared, I gathered a few fallen branches and twigs, creating a makeshift fire pit. A spark from the flint ignited the dry tinder, and soon, a small fire flickered to life.

I skewered portions of meat on a thin branch, suspending it over the fire. The sizzle and hiss of cooking flesh filled the air, making my mouth water as the rich, fragrant aroma of freshly cooked meat wafted up.

As I rotated the meat over the flames, my thoughts once more drifted to Lily and the village I had left behind. 

The crackling of the fire seemed to echo the turmoil in my mind, its unpredictable dance reflecting the uncertainty of my choices. But just as the flames held a mesmerizing power, they also symbolized the transformative potential of this journey. It was a chance to forge a new identity, to face challenges head-on, and to find the answers that had eluded me for so long. I slapped my cheeks, waking myself from my stupor.

As the meat cooked, the aroma grew more pronounced and I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the opportunities this world had presented me, even if they came hand in hand with hardships and sacrifices.

With a final sizzle, the meat was ready. I removed it from the fire, the juices sizzling and popping as they dripped onto the embers. Sitting cross-legged by the fire, I savored the first bite, the flavors exploding on my taste buds. The meat was tender and flavorful, a perfect texture.

As I ate, I felt a mixture of emotions swirling within me – the excitement of the journey ahead, the ache of leaving everyone behind, and my determination to live. 

With these thoughts, I fell into sleep's gentle embrace.