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Chapter 4: The Punishment and the Wolf Attack
Scene 1 — In the Forest
The morning light broke through in gentle rays as Kiora slowly opened his eyes. He stepped out of the cave, rubbing his slightly tangled hair, then moved toward the trees in search of small prey. He spotted a bird among the branches and leaped at it swiftly, catching it in one quick motion. He returned to the cave, lit a small fire, and roasted it until it was done. Sitting down, he ate while letting out a tired sigh.
Afterward, he wandered among the trees, feeling the ground under his feet, scanning the area for anything to ease his boredom. In the distance, a small green worm crawled over a leaf.
Kiora approached quickly, as if something fascinating suddenly appeared.
Kiora (with a curious tone):
"It's… a worm. Amazing."
He stared at its slow movement with empty eyes.
Kiora, after a moment of silence:
"There's nothing to do in this forest… this boredom is killing me."
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Scene 2 — Afternoon, Inside the Cave
Kiora returned carrying some apples. He sat on the bed of leaves, held one in his hands, and ate without interest.
Kiora:
"I'm so bored… nothing ever changes."
He finished the apple and stretched a little—when suddenly, the familiar broken voice tore through the silence.
Voice:
"You… did not… complete… the mission… now… you will be… punished…"
Kiora, annoyed:
"That voice… it's really starting to get on my nerves."
But the moment the words left his mouth, pain exploded inside his body.
A wave of nausea surged instantly. He threw up violently as his body curled in agony, as if something inside him was twisting him apart. His chest shook, his head felt like it would burst, and a strange heat rushed through his limbs.
His heart pounded wildly—rapid, violent beats that threatened to tear his ribs open.
He screamed from the pain, writhing on the ground as every cell in his body cried out.
And after two long hours… the torment vanished suddenly, as if ripped out of him.
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Scene 3
Kiora lay almost motionless. His eyes trembled with fear, his breaths were uneven, and his heart was still hammering inside his chest.
Kiora (with a broken voice):
"Why… did that happen to me? What caused it? Was it… that voice?"
He forced himself to sit up, his limbs still shaking.
Kiora, trembling:
"If… it gives me another mission… I'll be in real trouble."
He rested for a long time until his body stabilized, then lifted his head with weak—but slowly rising—determination.
Kiora:
"I have to train… I have to do something… in case I face anything."
He began training nonstop.
Quick shots:
He runs a huge distance, over twenty kilometers.
He lifts rocks weighing around twenty-seven kilograms, repeating the movement two hundred times.
Two hundred squats.
Two hundred push-ups.
Training… and training… until he collapses exhausted, only to stand again.
A week passed.
The voice returned.
Voice:
"Kill… the wolf… leader… or you… will be… punished…"
Kiora, quickly and anxiously:
"And where do I find him?"
Voice:
"To the west… twelve… kilometers…"
Then it disappeared.
Kiora spun around the cave, running his hands through his hair anxiously, breathing fast.
Kiora:
"Will I die? Will I succeed? Will I actually be rewarded? Or is it… a lie? What even is the reward?"
He suddenly stopped, staring out of the cave's opening toward the dark forest.
Kiora:
"That roar I heard before… was it him? The wolf leader?
Alright… I have to go."
He stepped outside slowly, fear accompanying every step—fear he didn't try to hide.
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Scene 4 — Deep in the Forest
Birds chirped, the air carried the scent of nature, and everything was calm… unnaturally calm.
Kiora moved cautiously, breathing deeply, trying to listen for anything.
Then suddenly—
A crack of branches.
He turned.
There they were… the three wolves that attacked him before, emerging from the shadows, their fangs bared and their eyes glowing.
Kiora:
"An attack… at a time like this?"
The wolves leaped into the air.
The scene froze right as they lunged.
To Be Continued...
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