The forest had become my sanctuary. The rustling of leaves, the calls of unseen creatures, and the soft murmur of life beneath the earth—these had become the soundtrack of my new life. The quiet, the solitude, it all brought me peace in a world that had once been so chaotic. But as much as I had learned to survive here, a lingering sense of loneliness gnawed at me. The magic I had mastered, the ability to create and protect, gave me power, but with it came a burden—a responsibility I wasn't sure I was ready to carry.
That night, as I sat beside my hollowed-out tree, the stillness of the forest was shattered by a low growl, followed by a desperate whimper. I froze, instantly alert, heart racing as the sound of distress echoed through the trees. I followed it—slowly, quietly—until I saw it: a wolfcat, caught in a metal trap.
Its sleek, midnight-black fur shimmered in the moonlight, but its eyes were wide with fear and pain. The trap had latched onto its leg, and it was struggling violently, trying to escape. It wasn't a creature that could be easily tamed—it was wild, fierce, and not one I would dare approach recklessly. Yet, something in its eyes stopped me. Despite its ferocity, it was suffering.
I hesitated, a flicker of doubt seeping into my thoughts. This creature could be dangerous, but I couldn't leave it in pain. I had learned to survive in isolation, to hide from the world, but in that moment, I knew I had to do something.
"I'm going to help you," I whispered softly, hoping the creature could understand me. "Stay with me. I'm not going to hurt you."
I kneeled down carefully, examining the trap's mechanism. The jaws of the metal contraption were thick, rusted, and held the wolfcat's leg tightly. It would take more than strength to pry it open. I focused, knowing my magic would be my only option.
I activated Appraisal to get a better understanding of the situation. The screen appeared before my eyes, showing the condition of the wolfcat and providing a clearer picture of what I was dealing with:
Appraisal: Wolfcat
Species: Wolfcat
Status: Trapped (Severe injury to left hind leg)
Health: 42%
Attributes:
Agility: High
Strength: Moderate
Intelligence: High (capable of strategic thinking)
Notes:
A nocturnal, wild predator.
Currently injured due to metal trap.
In distress but not inherently hostile unless provoked.
The status screen confirmed what I already knew—the wolfcat was hurt badly, and its condition was worsening by the second. I needed to act quickly.
"I'm going to free you," I murmured softly. "Stay still, please."
I grasped the cold, rusted metal of the trap, my fingers digging into its rough edges. The wolfcat thrashed beneath it, its growls echoing in the air, but I kept my eyes fixed on the mechanism. The trap's jaws were thick and tightly shut, designed to hold powerful creatures. It was a challenge—one that demanded more than just magic. I pushed with all my might, pulling, straining against the trap's unyielding grip.
The trap groaned under my pressure, the metal creaking as I dug my heels into the ground. Sweat trickled down my face, my muscles straining with the effort. It didn't budge. Come on, just a little more, I thought, gritting my teeth.
I pushed harder, my whole body tensing with the effort. The air around me seemed to hum with the strain, the trap fighting me every step of the way. My hands shook from the effort, but finally, with a final crack, the jaws of the trap released. The metal groaned, bending under my force, and the wolfcat's leg was free.
It staggered back, its leg trembling beneath it, but it didn't lash out. Instead, it stood still, watching me with those glowing eyes, still wary but no longer hostile. The trap had been a challenge, but I had freed it.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, feeling the exhaustion beginning to settle in my bones. The wolfcat's leg was free, and I could finally let my guard down—at least for a moment.
It staggered backward, its injured leg trembling beneath it, but it didn't lash out. Instead, it stood still, watching me with those glowing eyes, still wary but no longer hostile.
"You're free," I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest.
The wolfcat's gaze remained fixed on me for a long moment. It took a few tentative steps, testing its weight, but it didn't flee. Instead, it moved toward me cautiously, and I felt a flicker of hope. I reached into my inventory and pulled out a small portion of dried meat and bread, offering it to the creature.
"Here. You've been through enough. You need to eat."
The wolfcat sniffed at the food, its eyes scanning me, but this time it didn't show aggression. Slowly, it nibbled at the dried meat, its movements slow, almost cautious. I took it as a sign of trust—small, but real.
Then, I felt the familiar pull of my magic once again. The wolfcat's injury wasn't just a matter of freedom. It was hurt, and I couldn't leave it to suffer.
"I'm going to heal you," I said softly, almost as though I were talking to myself. "Just... stay with me a little longer."
I activated Healing Magic, good thing I hadn't used it today and focused on the wolfcat's leg. The warm pulse of the magic surged within me, and I placed my hands on the creature's leg. The wound began to close as I channeled my energy into it, but I immediately felt the drain.
The magic was taking more than I expected. Healing wasn't easy, especially for someone like me. As a dark being, using holy magic always came at a cost. My vision blurred slightly, but I pushed through, focusing on the wolfcat's leg.
"You're going to be alright," I murmured. "I'm almost done."
But the cost of healing was higher than I anticipated. The more I focused, the more the exhaustion crept in, and with it, the bloodlust. The hunger clawed at the edges of my thoughts, but I shoved it back. I couldn't afford to give in. Not now.
The wolfcat's leg healed gradually, the flesh knitting together as I poured every ounce of energy I had into the magic. Its leg was no longer bleeding, and the creature seemed to relax, though its muscles still tensed in response to the unfamiliar magic.
When the healing was complete, I let out a shaky breath, my body trembling with fatigue. The wolfcat's leg was whole again, but I could feel myself growing weaker with each passing second. I tried to push the exhaustion aside, but it was overwhelming.
The wolfcat stood and took a few hesitant steps, testing its newly healed leg. It seemed fine—more than fine, actually. It didn't seem to be in pain anymore.
I smiled faintly, relieved that it was better. But as I rose to my feet, I could feel my body giving out. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the ground, the world spinning around me. The hunger was almost unbearable now, and I realized just how much my healing magic had drained me.
Dark beings like me couldn't use healing magic without it taking a toll—without draining us. I had known this, but experiencing it firsthand was different.
The wolfcat, sensing my weakness, stood by me, its eyes watching me closely. It didn't move away. It didn't attack. Instead, it simply stayed.
I woke to the soft, comforting sensation of fur beneath my fingertips. My eyes fluttered open slowly, the world around me spinning slightly as I tried to shake off the grogginess. The familiar scent of the forest filled my senses, but there was something else—something warm and alive.
At first, I thought I had fallen asleep against a tree, but as my vision cleared, I realized something else. The wolfcat was sitting by my side. Its soft, midnight-black fur brushed against my fingers, and I could feel its body pressed against mine, as if it had decided to stay.
I could feel the rise and fall of its chest, the slow, steady breath that reassured me that it was alright. Despite the heavy exhaustion that clung to my limbs, a part of me felt a deep sense of peace. The wolfcat had stayed with me, its warmth a comfort as I recovered from the strain of using my magic.
Slowly, I sat up, my muscles protesting with each movement. My body felt like lead—exhausted from the effort of freeing the wolfcat and healing its injury. But the warmth of its presence reminded me that I wasn't alone. I wasn't just a solitary survivor anymore.
I smiled weakly, reaching out to touch its fur once more. "Thank you for staying," I whispered, my voice rough from the strain. It felt like a simple gesture, but in that moment, it meant everything.
The wolfcat didn't move, its eyes still soft as it watched me, the glowing light of its gaze no longer filled with suspicion. It seemed content.
"You need a name," I murmured softly to myself, the exhaustion starting to take hold again. "Nyx—you are the night, and you've found your way into my world."
The wolfcat let out a soft growl—almost like a purr—as it nuzzled against my side. Then, with a final glance, it turned toward the forest and disappeared into the shadows, leaving me with a sense of quiet fulfillment and a bond that I hadn't known I needed.