I sat on the ground, holding the last person in my arms; blood poured from his cut stomach. I straightened, crouching only to set my friend down gently.
"Damn you, necrophiliacs! I'll slash you and your friends like you did my sister long ago!" I cried, gripping my blade tighter.
They charged. I closed my eyes. I could sense their movements. Closer… closer… bloodlust in every step. I slashed the air. Whimpering. One beast split in half, its blood soaking the ground crimson.
Another beast charged. I could tell this was the boss. Human.
"Who the hell are you?!" I screamed.
"I didn't expect you to take on my puppet single-handedly," he said. "But first… I must confirm something. Are you Joel?"
"Who the hell are you?! Answer me!" I demanded, disbelief twisting my face.
"Don't misunderstand, dear. Can't you recall your own dad? No matter. I will show you your maker," he smiled.
He charged. I thrust my blade through his chest. He fell with a thud.
"I'm sorry, Dad, but I have to survive. I've shown you mercy—you may or may not live," I said, a small, bitter smile on my lips. He was unworthy, but I gave it anyway.
"Dammit! Why do I itch so suddenly?!" I cried as the sun rose. "Damn… how many hours have I been at it? Shit! I gotta go."
I rose to my feet, blood soaking my white attire.
---
"Dammit! This map is shit. Where do I go? Villages are crawling with goblins and terrifyers—I'd be dead in seconds. Even a fool like me can figure that out. If I go through the forest, I'll lose strength… fuck it. Forest it is," I muttered.
Something tugged at my sleeve. I jolted. A tiny humanoid figure appeared in front of me. Sturdy, strange. I felt my strength drain. It spoke softly, but I couldn't understand a word.
"What the hell?!" I fell to my knees, tumbling endlessly, stomach twisting. I landed in a bush, scraping my scab.
"Goddammit! What did I do to you? Know what… fuck you too! I've always hated the silent treatment," it said, walking ahead through the forest.