The grand hall of the Holy Inquisition stood silent, save for the flickering torches casting long shadows on the marble walls. Banners of the One True Faith draped from the ceiling, their embroidered gold trim gleaming under the dim candlelight. At the center of the chamber sat High Inquisitor Albrecht, his expression carved from stone. A man of age but unyielding discipline, his presence alone commanded obedience.
Before him knelt a younger inquisitor, clad in the white and crimson robes of the faith, his brow glistening with sweat. Despite his attempts at composure, the urgency in his voice betrayed him.
"High Inquisitor, reports from the outer territories indicate an… unusual disturbance. An anomaly."
Albrecht drummed his fingers against the armrest of his gilded chair. "An anomaly?"
The younger inquisitor swallowed. "A village was found in ruins, but not by the hands of beasts or common raiders. Survivors speak of a boy—a hybrid—who fought off an entire Inquisitorial squad. They claim he—" He hesitated, choosing his next words carefully. "They claim he was… inhumanly fast. Strong. As if he wielded something beyond mere magic."
Albrecht exhaled sharply through his nose. "Superstition and fear breed exaggeration. Our men were likely careless."
"Perhaps," the inquisitor conceded, "but the reports are consistent. The boy was seen escaping into the wildlands, and now, more hunters are disappearing. The local commanders request reinforcement."
Albrecht leaned forward, his sharp eyes narrowing. "And you believe a single abomination is worth diverting resources from the war effort?"
The young inquisitor hesitated but did not waver. "If the reports hold any truth, he may become a threat. It is said he survived an encounter with an Executioner."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the other inquisitors seated along the chamber's perimeter. The Executioners were not mere soldiers—they were the Church's elite hunters, trained to exterminate all that defied the holy order. If one had been bested…
Albrecht raised a hand, silencing the chamber. He let the moment stretch before speaking. "Then let someone competent clean it up."
A figure stepped forward from the shadows, his presence chilling the air itself. Clad in reinforced black inquisitorial armor, a long sword resting at his hip, the man's very aura spoke of death.
"Grand Inquisitor Sylas," Albrecht addressed him. "Purge the heresy before it festers."
Sylas bowed, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "As you command."
______________
The Forest – The Hunt Begins
The night stretched long and unforgiving.
The forest was alive with the whispers of danger—leaves rustling under unseen steps, the distant howls of predators, and the crackling remnants of fire still smoldering far behind Alexis. But none of that slowed him. He moved through the underbrush like a shadow, each step measured and silent, his senses heightened beyond anything he'd ever known.
> Status: Stable
Power Level: 12 (Stabilized)
Physical Stats: Fully restored
New Ability Detected: Analysis in progress…
The system's voice echoed in his mind, distant but steady. It felt… different now. Less like an external force and more like an extension of his own instincts. His body thrummed with energy, every muscle coiled with purpose.
The scarred man—his unexpected ally—followed several paces behind, keeping his distance. Smart. Alexis hadn't missed the cautious glances the man kept shooting his way. Fear still lingered in his eyes.
"How much farther?" the man asked, his voice low.
"Twenty miles," Alexis replied without slowing.
"You're sure about that?"
Alexis didn't answer. He didn't need to. The system's guidance felt absolute—like an unerring compass pointing him toward his friends. Toward Elara.
The thought of her face—fierce and determined, even in the face of death—sent a fresh surge of urgency through him. He pushed harder, his steps quickening.
Suddenly, the system's voice cut through his thoughts.
> Warning: Multiple hostile signatures detected ahead.
Power Levels: 10-13 (Elite Units)
Estimated Numbers: 15+
Threat Level: High
Alexis stopped dead, raising a hand. The scarred man froze immediately, his hand drifting toward the hilt of his short sword.
"You hear that?" Alexis murmured.
The man shook his head. "Hear what—"
Snap.
The sound was faint—a twig breaking somewhere up ahead—but Alexis heard it as clearly as if it had been next to his ear. The system flared again.
> Ambush imminent.
"Get ready," Alexis said softly.
The forest erupted.
WHOOSH! An arrow hissed through the air. Alexis twisted aside, feeling the wind of its passage graze his cheek. Another followed—THWIP!—and he spun, snatching it out of the air just before it could reach the scarred man's throat.
"Move!" Alexis barked.
The underbrush exploded with movement. Raiders poured from the trees, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight. Swords and axes glinted; the dull sheen of crossbows leveled from the shadows.
> Enemy assessment: Hostiles engaging.
The first attacker lunged.
Shing! The sword's edge flashed—but Alexis was already moving. He ducked low, the blade singing over his head, and drove his palm into the raider's gut.
BOOM!
The impact sent the man flying backward, crashing through the underbrush with a violent CRACK! of splintering wood.
Another closed in from the side. Alexis heard the subtle shift in the air, the telltale hiss of steel—and turned just in time.
CLANG! Their weapons met. Sparks danced in the darkness. The raider's face twisted with effort, his muscles straining—but Alexis held him fast, the strength in his arms absolute.
Then he struck.
THWACK!
A single knee to the ribs shattered bone. The raider dropped like a stone.
But there were too many.
The scarred man fought beside him, his short sword flickering in the dark—SHING! CLANG!—but the tide was overwhelming.
"Behind you!" the man called.
Alexis spun—too late.
WHUMP!
The impact hit his side like a battering ram. He stumbled, breath driven from his lungs, as a massive shape barreled into him. They crashed to the ground, the raider's weight pinning him.
"Got you now, freak—"
Alexis's fist drove upward.
CRUNCH!
The raider's head snapped back, blood spraying from his shattered nose. Alexis rolled free, his body moving with a speed and fluidity that felt almost unnatural. He rose to his feet in one smooth motion—just in time to meet the next wave.
> Power surge detected.
The fire inside him rose. His vision tinged red. His breath came faster, his heart pounding like a war drum.
"Show us."
The whisper came again. Dark and hungry.
Alexis didn't fight it.
He moved faster—too fast for human eyes. One moment he stood still, the next he was among them.
BOOM! CRACK! THWACK!
They fell like leaves in a storm. Bones broke. Weapons shattered. The air filled with screams.
When it was over, the clearing was silent.
Bodies lay scattered, broken and bleeding. The scarred man stared at Alexis, chest heaving, his eyes wide with shock.
"What… what are you?" he whispered.
Alexis didn't answer. He wiped the blood from his face, crimson eyes still glowing faintly.
> Hostiles eliminated.
Remaining distance to target: 18 miles.
He turned north. The fire still burned. The hunt had only just begun.