Nearing the Exit

With luck on their side, the night passed. Fenix felt a small wave of relief as the others awoke, but the memories of what he'd seen still weighed heavy on his mind. He didn't understand the why or the how.

'How could a creature from a Soul Trial be here? What sense does that make?'

For now, he kept the full truth to himself. He told Lena and Vix only that he had seen a shadow in a tree, watching them. The warning was enough to put them on alert, though nothing happened after that.

'And that's the problem,' Fenix thought. 'Nothing happened. Last time, that thing attacked us, and we barely escaped. What am I supposed to do if it comes back? I just hope it doesn't.'

As the group began to gather their supplies, Fenix worked harder than anyone else, clearly eager to leave the jungle behind.

"You're strangely motivated today, Fenix," Aldric observed with a raised eyebrow.

Fenix shrugged. "I can't do much against Tier III monsters. Best to get out of here as quickly as possible."

Aldric chuckled lightly. "Fair point."

The journey was slow but steady. The group kept their eyes sharp, weapons at the ready. Though no beasts challenged them, the silence felt unnatural, as though the jungle itself was holding its breath, waiting for them to leave.

Fenix stayed close to the center of the group, his gaze darting to every shadow. His mind replayed the sight of the hooded figure, but he forced himself to stay focused. He would speak to Aldric once they were clear of this place.

Lena and Vix exchanged quiet words, their voices low and cautious. The rest of the cohort moved in practiced formation, maintaining their pace, their expressions grim but determined.

The first day dragged on. Sweat clung to their skin as they navigated through dense thickets and tangled roots. Every hour felt like two, every step an effort. The jungle seemed reluctant to let them go, roots tangling underfoot, shadowy shapes dancing in the corner of their eyes.

By midday, Aldric called for a brief stop. They gathered in a small clearing, eating quickly and speaking little. Fenix chewed his rations in silence, his eyes never leaving the treeline.

Lena sat nearby, leaning against a thick root. She watched Fenix carefully. "You're quiet."

He forced a shrug. "Just want to get out of here."

Vix chuckled lightly. "We all do."

But there was something in Lena's eyes that told him she wasn't entirely convinced. She studied him a moment longer before turning away, respecting his silence.

They moved again, pressing forward. The afternoon light faded into a golden glow, and the shadows grew longer. The silence stretched. Fenix's heartbeat never slowed. Every rustle felt like a threat, every shadow a looming figure.

But nothing came.

When night fell, they stopped to camp. The fire was small, weak, barely enough to fend off the jungle's oppressive chill. Fenix woke as his turn for watch approached, paired once again with Lena and Vix.

Lena broke the silence first. "You alright, Fenix? You've been off all day. Usually, you're the first to ask for advice or stories."

Fenix hesitated, his voice low. "I haven't felt right since last night."

The night was long, every sound pushing him to the edge of his sanity. The snapping of twigs, the hoot of an owl, the soft rustle of leaves. He felt as if the figure was still there, lingering just beyond his vision. Watching. Waiting.

Sleep was a distant thought. He sat near the fire, summoning Ashfang to keep it close, his eyes darting into the darkness. His back remained rigid, tension coiled in his muscles like a spring ready to snap.

Vix finally spoke, her concern clear. "What's going on? Since you told us about that shadow, you haven't been yourself. It's normal to see monsters watching from a distance. Some are smart, curious. They can tell we're strong, so they don't attack."

Fenix's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm scared."

Lena nodded in understanding. "Jungle's a cursed place. Plays tricks on you."

'Not tricks,' Fenix thought. 'Not this time.'

But he said nothing. He wasn't ready. Not yet.

The night dragged on, slow and suffocating. Fenix's hands trembled, his gaze fixed on the treeline. Shapes shifted in his peripheral vision, but when he turned to face them, nothing was there. Shadows playing tricks, or something worse? He couldn't be sure. And that uncertainty ate at him.

When Lena took over fully, Fenix still didn't sleep. He lay on his side, eyes open, staring into the dark. His body ached with exhaustion, but his mind refused to let him rest.

Every shadow held a threat. Every whisper of wind a warning.

When dawn finally broke, it felt like a mercy.

They set off early. The air was damp, heavy with morning mist. The light broke through in thin shafts, illuminating the path ahead. The jungle was still, almost peaceful. But Fenix knew better.

He walked in silence, trailing slightly behind the group. The fear lingered, gnawing at him, but he kept his head down and pushed forward.

Aldric slowed his pace, falling into step beside him. "You look like you didn't sleep."

Fenix hesitated. "Not much."

Aldric gave him a long, calculating look but didn't press the matter. "We're almost through. One more day, maybe two."

'One or two more days,' Fenix thought. 'Just hold on.'

The day passed in a haze of cautious steps and quiet conversations. They crossed streams, stepping carefully over slick stones. Roots twisted across the path, rising like traps from the earth. The group worked together, helping each other through the rougher patches.

But Fenix felt disconnected. His thoughts wandered constantly, eyes flicking toward every shadow. Searching for the shape that haunted him.

It wasn't there. But it also wasn't gone.

By nightfall, they set up camp again. The fire felt smaller, weaker than the night before. The shadows pressed closer, thicker, as though the jungle itself sought to swallow them whole.

Fenix didn't offer to take first watch, but he didn't sleep either. He lay on his side, pretending, eyes open and locked on the treeline. Listening. Waiting.

His thoughts spiraled.

'What if it's still watching? What if it's waiting for me to be alone?'

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fight the fear. Trying to reason with himself. But no comfort came. Only the memory of that shadow, still and silent, watching him from the darkness.

The night passed in restless waiting. And when morning came, he was already awake, rising with the sun as though the dawn alone could banish the terror.

The final day began like the last. Cold, heavy, and silent. They pushed forward, each step dragging them closer to the jungle's edge. The air began to change. The oppressive humidity started to fade. The trees thinned. The shadows grew less heavy.

And then, they saw it. Light beyond the trees. Open sky. Freedom.

They pressed on, quickening their pace. Relief spread through the group, soft laughter breaking the tension. Even Aldric allowed a small smile.

But Fenix felt none of it. Not yet. Not until he was out.

And then they were.

The jungle ended. They stepped into open ground, the sun warm on their skin, the sky vast and open above them. They stood in silence, breathing in the fresh air, the freedom.

Aldric looked back at the shadowed forest. "We made it."

Fenix turned too, his gaze locked on the dark interior. He waited, half-expecting the figure to be there, watching from the edge.

But there was nothing.

No shadow. No figure. Just the jungle, silent and still.

Lena clapped him on the shoulder. "We're out. You can breathe now."

Fenix nodded slowly. But still, he was wary.

In the last few days, they had encountered few monsters, which only deepened Fenix's worry. Yet he had fought some and emerged stronger, his soul core resonating with newfound power.

[ Soul Core Progress: 194/800. ]