I tried to understand from my mentor the nature of the danger surrounding us, but Rafel wasn't convinced. With a stern tone, he said:
— "We cannot return to the tribe until you've defeated at least ten beasts."
A shiver ran through me, but I had no choice but to move forward.
Not long after, the first monster emerged from the shadows of the trees. I tightened my grip on the sword and rushed forward. With a swift strike, I cut it down. I turned to Rafel, expecting some sign of approval, but his face remained unmoved, expressionless.
We pressed on, until three more beasts appeared from the darkness of the forest. His voice came sharp and cold:
— "Go on… finish them."
I drew a deep breath and charged. The first fell to a precise slash, the second collapsed under a flurry of blows, and the third—stronger and fiercer than the others—forced me to fight harder. But in the end, I struck it down as well.
I stood there, chest heaving, a sense of victory swelling inside me. Yet Rafel stayed silent, unreadable. My unease grew heavier.
Then suddenly, the ground trembled beneath our feet. Out from the trees stepped a monstrous creature, larger than anything I had ever seen. Its glowing eyes burned with malice, and its roar shook the very forest.
Rafel's voice thundered:
— "Run! This one is mine."
I watched in shock as he unleashed his own power, an eruption of dark energy mixed with blinding blue light bursting from his body. I had never seen him like this. His hair whipped in the surge, his eyes blazing like a storm—he looked less like a man, and more like a beast himself.
"But… I won't leave you!" I cried.
He gave me a faint smile, one filled with burden and resolve.
— "Go. If you want to help me… bring back reinforcements."
I clenched my teeth, and finally answered:
— "Fine… I'll bring help!"
I turned and sprinted through the twisting shadows of the forest, the echoes of battle roaring behind me. But as I pushed forward, something stepped into my path.
A beast unlike any I had faced before. Dark, immense, its form felt like the night itself had taken shape. Before I could raise my sword, it lunged.
Its roar pierced my ears—then its claws tore through my stomach.
Time froze. Heat spilled across my body as blood poured from the wound. My sword slipped from my grasp. My knees buckled.
I looked down… the beast's claws were buried deep in me.
In that instant, my whole life rushed before my eyes—my mother, my father, my grandfather's wish I had failed to fulfill. All the promises I had left undone.
And yet, I didn't feel defeated. Only bitter… that I hadn't been given more time.
With blood filling my mouth, I whispered brokenly:
— "Rafel… forgive me… I tried…"
My body collapsed, and darkness swallowed me whole.
… And everyone thought it was the end.
But the truth? This was not the end.
It was only the beginning of another chapter.