Chapter 8: A Flicker of Humanity
The fire crackled softly as dawn crept over the horizon. Alex stirred, his sleep restless but enough to stave off exhaustion. Today, he had one primary task: refill his pot with water from the stream and explore the surrounding area for more supplies. The previous day's victory had bolstered his confidence, but the harsh reality of this world remained—danger lurked in every shadow, and he was still only one mistake away from disaster.
The Bloodfang Alpha, his newest summon, stood vigil at the shrine's edge. Its glowing green eyes cut through the morning haze, a silent reminder of the brutal fight that had earned Alex this guardian.
"Stay here," Alex instructed, patting the massive beast on its flank. While it could be useful on the trip, Alex wanted to conserve mana. He didn't need to risk running out if another fight broke out far from the shrine.
With his spear in hand and the empty pot tucked into his satchel, Alex set off toward the stream.
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The Forest's Uneasy Calm
The forest was eerily quiet as Alex walked, his senses tuned to every sound. The fog clung to the trees, muffling even the faintest rustle of leaves. He marked his path as usual, scratching symbols into the bark with his dagger to ensure he could find his way back.
As he neared the stream, the familiar babble of water broke through the silence, a small comfort in the unsettling wilderness. He quickened his pace, eager to refill the pot and return to the safety of the shrine.
Then he heard it—a faint, ragged gasp.
Alex froze, his hand tightening around the spear. The sound came again, softer this time but unmistakable. Someone—or something—was nearby.
He moved cautiously, scanning the trees. The sound led him to a figure slumped against the base of a Blackbark Tree, partially hidden by the undergrowth.
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A Stranger in Need
It was a person—a young woman, pale and trembling. Her clothing was torn and bloodied, and her left leg was twisted at an unnatural angle. She clutched a crude dagger in one hand, though her grip was weak, and her breaths came in shallow, uneven bursts.
Alex approached slowly, spear held at the ready. The memory of the Corrupted Watchers and other undead creatures made him wary. He activated Inspect, hoping for some answers.
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Name: Unknown (Human)
Condition: Critical (Fractured Leg, Blood Loss, Exhaustion)
Threat Level: Low
Notes: No signs of corruption detected.
---
Relief flooded through Alex. She wasn't a threat—or at least, not an immediate one.
The woman's eyes fluttered open, and she recoiled weakly at the sight of him. "Stay back," she rasped, her voice hoarse and barely audible.
Alex held up his hands, lowering the spear slightly. "I'm not going to hurt you. I heard you and came to check."
She didn't respond, her gaze shifting between him and the spear.
"You're injured," Alex continued, crouching a few feet away. "I have water. Let me help."
Her grip on the dagger loosened slightly, but she still looked wary.
Alex set his spear aside and carefully reached into his satchel, pulling out the tin cup filled with water. He placed it on the ground and slid it toward her. "Here."
The woman hesitated before snatching the cup with trembling hands. She drank greedily, some of the water spilling down her chin.
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A Difficult Decision
As she drank, Alex studied her injuries. The leg was bad—broken, possibly infected if left untreated. Without proper care, she wouldn't last long in this forest. He didn't know much about medicine, but leaving her here felt like a death sentence.
"Can you walk?" he asked.
She shook her head, her expression pained. "Leg... too bad. Can't..."
Alex frowned. If she couldn't move, he had two options: leave her here and continue on, or bring her back to the shrine. The latter was risky. He didn't know who she was or if she could be trusted, but his gut told him abandoning her wasn't an option.
"Okay," he said, more to himself than her. "I'll take you to a safer place."
Her eyes widened slightly, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Alex cut her off. "You'll die out here if you stay. Let me help."
Before she could argue, he set his spear aside and began crafting a makeshift stretcher using Blackbark branches and vines. It wasn't sturdy, but it would do for the short trip back to the shrine.
He worked quickly, mindful of the forest's ever-present dangers. When the stretcher was ready, he carefully lifted her onto it, wincing at her sharp intake of breath as her leg shifted.
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The Journey Back
The trek back to the shrine was slow and grueling. The stretcher dragged against the uneven ground, and Alex's muscles burned with effort. The woman drifted in and out of consciousness, her weak murmurs barely audible over the forest sounds.
Alex's nerves were on edge. Every rustle in the underbrush felt like a potential threat, but the path remained clear. When the shrine finally came into view, relief washed over him.
The Bloodfang Alpha stood at the perimeter, its massive frame imposing against the mist. The woman stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she caught sight of the undead beast.
"What... is that?" she whispered, her voice laced with fear.
"A guardian," Alex said shortly, dragging the stretcher past the barricades.
Her gaze lingered on the Bloodfang as Alex set her down near the fire pit. He grabbed the remaining Moonberries from his supply pile, crushing them into a paste and spreading it on her wounds. It wasn't ideal, but the berries' minor restorative properties might buy her some time.
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Questions and Answers
As Alex tended to her injuries, the woman finally spoke. "Who... are you?"
"Alex," he said simply. "I woke up in this forest a few days ago. Same as you, I guess."
She nodded weakly. "I... don't remember. Just running. Something... chasing me."
"Undead?" Alex asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Too many... couldn't fight them all."
Alex leaned back, staring into the fire. Her presence raised more questions than answers. Who was she? Where had she come from? And why had they both been thrown into this hostile world?
For now, those questions could wait. The immediate task was survival.
"You're safe here," Alex said, though he wasn't entirely sure it was true. "Rest. We'll figure out what to do next."
The woman nodded faintly, her eyes slipping closed. Alex sat nearby, his spear resting across his lap. As the forest darkened once more, he couldn't shake the feeling that their meeting wasn't a coincidence.
Something bigger was at play—and he was determined to uncover the truth.