The sounds of foot steps echoed through the forest.
"Run!"
No one needed to say that twice .
They were already running .
Kai forced his leg to move , his breath coming out fast in sharp , uneven gasps.Branches scatched against his arms as he pushed forward , trying _failing_to keep up.
"it's getting closer!" Someone shouted.
A low growl followed.
Deep.Hungry.
His heart pounded harder .
"Wait!" Kai called out." Just slow down a bit _!"
No one slowed.
They didn't even look back.
Panic crept into his chest
"please!"
They suddenly stopped
Relief washed over him as he stumbled towards them.
"I thought you guys were just going to _"
"we were "
The words hit harder than anything
Kai froze
"... What ?"
Their face had changed.
No fear.
No panic.
Just cold indifference.
You're too sl
"you're too slow", one of them said.
Kai shook his head quickly. "I'll, catch up , I just need a second _„
"You don't get it "
Silence.
"if you stay with us ..." his best friend said quietly ,"we will all die ...,"
Kai's fingers clenched.
"So you're just going to leave me ?"
No one answered.
That was answer enough.
A shaky smile escaped his lips.
"Right. No choice."
The growl behind him grew lounder.
Closer.
His chest tightened .
He looked at them one last time
"After everything... This is how it ends ?"
Still nothing.
Then _
They turned around .
And ran.
Gone
Just like that.
Kai stood there, alone.
For a moment,he said nothing.
Then_
"Heh..."
A low laugh escaped him.
Soft.
Broken.
"Figures..."
The forest went silent.
Even the creature behind him stopped.
Something felt... wrong .
Then_
"Pathetic".
Kai's eyes widened.
He slowly turned his head.
"... Who said that?"
A low chuckle echoed in his mind.
Cold.
Ancient.
Your blood... is finally waking up .
Kai froze.
His heart skipped.
"What... are you?"
The voice smiled.
He could feel it.
"Something you should have become... long ago ".
A sharp pain shot through his chest.
He dropped to his knees.
His veins burned.
His blood felt like it was boiling.
He gritted his teeth, clutching his chest.
"W-what is happening to me...?!"
The voice laughed again.
"Relax..."
The pain grew worse.
Darker.
Deeper.
"... this is your awakening."