Booooooom!
The impact shattered the quiet.
Damien landed like a meteor among the trees, the shockwave throwing up leaves and dust in a circular burst. His blade flashed once, cutting through the early mist.
"Ahhh!" A scream followed, sharp and panicked. One of the figures nearest him raised an arm too slowly, trying to block—but Damien's strike met it head-on.
Bang!
L
\The man flew backward like a broken doll, crashing into the thick trunk of an oak.
The forest went still again.
The man slumped to the ground, blood flecking his lips as he coughed, his head rolling sideways before he went still. Damien froze mid-motion, his breath sharp and uneven. He hadn't hit that hard. He hadn't.
His hand trembled slightly as he lowered his blade. "What the hell…?"
The remaining six figures stared at him, wide-eyed and terrified. He could hear their breathing—ragged, desperate. None of them moved to attack.
