The morning mist still clung to the trees as Clara stepped through the narrow path, her feet brushing against the damp earth covered in fallen leaves. Her steps were cautious, yet they clearly reflected the long journey she had taken—perhaps the third day since leaving the place she once called home.
The small birds whistled softly in the tall branches, their melodies the only sound that filled the air. The rustling breeze that whispered through the dry leaves became her sole companion. There were no human voices, no cries or sobs—only the rhythmic beat of her heart and the sound of her boots meeting the forest floor.
Clara drew in a deep breath. Her face was weary, her hair disheveled by the wind. In her hand, she gripped a branch—a walking aid, or perhaps her last weapon should danger arise.
She sighed deeply, feeling the weariness seep into her bones, sweat trickling down her forehead, falling to the ground below.
She paused beneath a maple tree, panting for breath, wiping her brow with one hand, the other resting on her side.
"Aah, I'm so tired," she murmured, glancing around, her left hand still clutching the branch that supported her weary body.
The cool breeze brushed against her skin, offering a brief respite from the warmth of the rising sun.
Regaining her composure, Clara stood tall once more, taking another steadying breath as she resumed her journey. With each step, the sound of running water became clearer—she hoped it would lead her to fresh water to continue her path.
Though alone, she did not feel the emptiness of solitude. Wild animals played freely in the area, and not a single sound was absent, filling the forest with a lively presence. The beauty of it all felt like a gift to her, one that might change the fate of the world.
The sun climbed higher in the sky as she found a small stream. Its waters were clear, flowing gently over moss-covered rocks. Clara knelt, cupping the water in her hands and drinking slowly. It was cold and refreshing.
Looking around, she noticed the land across the stream seemed flatter—perhaps a good place to rest. She crossed a fallen tree bridging the stream and paused beneath a dense canopy.
Using the small knife tucked in her boot, Clara cut some large leaves to sit on. She also gathered thin branches and small stones to form a simple shelter to protect her when nightfall came.
Before long, her stomach growled, hunger taking hold. She opened her small bag and checked her supplies—just a few berries and a single green apple she had picked the day before. Certainly not enough to last a week.
She rose again and ventured further. Soon, she spotted a patch of white mushrooms near an old tree. Clara hesitated, inspecting their shape and scent.
"Teacher once said these are safe to eat... I hope that's true."
As evening approached, Clara encountered the unexpected.
A small creature—a fox-like being with tiny wings on its back—stood in the underbrush, staring at her. Its fur was a dull grey-green, and its eyes glowed a soft red like agate. Clara approached slowly, no intent to attack.
But suddenly, a harsh noise shattered the quiet.
From behind a tree, a large creature—resembling a wild boar, its skin pitch-black—emerged. Curved horns scraped the ground as it breathed heavily.
The winged fox darted behind Clara, seeking shelter.
Clara gripped her branch. "One-on-one. I can handle this," her voice trembled slightly.
The creature charged. Clara dodged to the right, driving the tip of her branch into the beast's side. It howled, knocking her aside with its heavy body. Clara was thrown to the ground, tumbling several times. A new wound opened on her arm.
The beast wasted no time, attacking again and striking Clara forcefully, sending her tumbling once more. This time, her left hand was pierced by a branch. She groaned in pain, blood flowing from her hand. Her eyes welled with tears, and a cry escaped her throat.
The creature loomed over her, eyes sharp, preparing to strike once more.
But just as it moved to attack again, the winged fox let out a harsh cry. A faint green light enveloped it, and in an instant, the surrounding plants began to crawl rapidly, ensnaring the beast's legs, holding it in place.
In its pain, Clara seized the opportunity. She hurled a large rock at the creature's head—strong enough to halt its progress. The beast retreated, disappearing into the forest.
Clara slumped to the ground, gasping for breath. Her right hand pulled the branch from her left hand. The pain was excruciating.
The winged fox approached her, licking the wound on her hand.
Clara smiled faintly, despite the pain.
"You saved me today," she whispered.
But without her realizing, the wound began to close in a matter of moments, leaving Clara bewildered.
"What…?" Clara looked at the fox in confusion.
The fox only made a soft sound and moved closer, curling beside her, sending warmth into her body.
"Thank you," Clara said, a smile breaking through the pain.
Though it couldn't understand human language, the fox seemed to understand Clara's words.
"I guess I can't rest here," Clara looked at her healing hand. Her concern for the danger was palpable. She couldn't take risks so soon, not when she still wasn't fully able to defend herself.
As she began to walk again, the fox followed her.
At first, Clara tried to leave the fox behind, but soon she gave up on that notion. The fox seemed fond of her.
"Alright then, I'll take you with me," Clara allowed the fox to follow.
"It'd be better if you had a name… Lux, maybe?" She looked at the fox, which seemed to approve of the name.
"You like it!" she laughed.
Thus, Clara continued her journey with her new companion.
She walked cautiously, keeping an eye out for any dangerous creatures. Her gaze darted from side to side, always vigilant for potential threats.
"It's quiet here," Clara whispered to herself. Yet, despite the tranquility, she remained alert.
Her pace quickened, eager to leave the forest behind.
She couldn't help but feel déjà vu, as though she had seen the fox's eyes before.
"What does this fox eat, I wonder?" Clara glanced at Lux, curious about her new companion.
When they reached the pine forest, they came upon a group of rabbits playing joyously. There were so many, and they were so adorable. Clara was tempted to approach them.
She crept closer, but Lux seemed to dissuade her, making a noise to stop her. Clara didn't understand the signal.
When she reached the rabbits, Clara froze in shock. There was blood everywhere. The blood pooled around the decaying body of a human.
"!?!" Clara gasped.
She glanced at the rabbits, some of them with traces of blood on their mouths.
"Huh?" Clara muttered, stunned.
As she stared, one of the rabbits approached her, its eyes sharp and intense. It was soon followed by more rabbits.
Clara stepped back, fear creeping up her spine. Step by step, she moved, only to feel something soft brush against her legs—another rabbit, the same as the others.
Clara gasped, trembling. Sweat beaded on her brow.
Without warning, the rabbit bit into her leg, its sharp teeth sinking deep.
Clara screamed in pain, kicking the rabbit off. She tried to flee, but another rabbit leapt at her, sinking its teeth into her skin.
Clara groaned in agony, her legs flailing wildly, sending the rabbit flying.
In the stillness that followed, the rest of the rabbits drew near, their eyes hungry with a vicious hunger.
Clara, terrified, scrambled to her feet, grabbing her small knife in defense.
The rabbits continued to chase her, their leaps fast and savage. One managed to get close. As it pounced, Clara plunged her knife into it.
Blood splattered, staining Clara's clothes with red.
For a moment, Clara felt a strange rush from the sight of the blood. Her hand trembled as she gripped the knife.
In her moment of shock, several other rabbits closed in, attacking her relentlessly.
Clara summoned fire magic to scare them off, but it was ineffective.
Suddenly, thorned roots appeared, ensnaring the rabbits. The magic came from Lux.
Lux moved closer to Clara, offering her support so she could escape.
With renewed strength, Clara ran, desperately fleeing the rabbits.
She ran without direction, hoping she was putting enough distance between herself and the rabid creatures.
Unbeknownst to her, night had fallen, and Lux was no longer by her side.
Clara sat down in the brush, her breath still heavy. The pain in her leg and the fatigue weighed her down, threatening to pull her into the darkness. Every step felt heavier, every breath more difficult.
The world around her felt eerily quiet. Only the night winds touched her skin. The hoots of owls, the rustling of leaves, and the thumping of her own heart filled the silence.
She wondered—had she left Lux behind for her own sake? Was her safety the price of abandoning Lux? Her mind was a tangled mess.
She wondered—had she abandoned Lux for her own selfish gain? Was she safe because she sacrificed Lux? Her mind was in disarray.
Yet, the chill grew stronger. The night deepened, and the darkness seemed to press in closer, as if something were lurking in the shadows—something that only existed within the realm of fear itself.
What was it that was truly chasing her?
Clara shivered. So tired. Her head grew heavier with each passing moment. Her eyes were nearly closing, but she held herself back—afraid, afraid to sleep, afraid to drift into an uncertain silence.
She glanced around, her hopes hollow. Only bushes and the darkened silhouettes of the night. She felt trapped in a world she couldn't comprehend.
Perhaps just for a moment—a brief moment to close her eyes, just to rest a little. Not real sleep, only for a second… before she moved on again.
Unknowingly, her body drew in a deep breath, and those ever-heavy eyelids finally fell. Her heart, once racing, began to still.
But within that peace, something was amiss.
Clara's eyes cracked open just slightly. Maybe only for a second, but it was enough to sense something shifting in the darkness.
A sound.
But it wasn't the sound of the rabbit that had attacked her. Not from Lux.
This sound—the sound of heavy footsteps—came from far, far away. From the darkness that never ended. Something was drawing nearer, with a power so immense, it seemed capable of shattering the balance of this world.
Clara tried to rise.
Her body felt weak. Her back felt heavy. Why was she so tired? Why did her eyes feel so trapped in an overwhelming sense of lethargy? She attempted to move, but her arms refused to lift her.
The footsteps grew louder, closer.
Clara screamed inwardly. But her mouth stayed sealed.
The dark world seemed to consume everything around her.
And in that fleeting moment, she remembered something—Lux, just before she finally succumbed to sleep.
But in that sleep, it wasn't peace that came. Instead, the shadows of the night grew deeper, thicker. Something unseen waited beyond her awareness, waiting for the moment she was most vulnerable.
And in the silence of that night, Clara didn't know—the world around her was already starting to shift, and perhaps… those waiting in the darkness had been there all along.