The pain from the claw marks across Kenzo's chest sent violent shivers through him with every movement. His skin burned, as if fiery needles had been driven into his flesh. The sensation was unbearable, and yet… despite the agony, his eyes remained fixed on the corpse of the Void Creature. That misshapen abomination he and William had just brought down after a desperate struggle.
Old William, crouched not far away, was breathing heavily. His left arm hung limply at his side. It hadn't been torn off, no,but the monstrous bite he had suffered had shredded muscles and tendons so deeply that he could no longer move it without wincing. His hoarse breathing echoed through the gloomy silence of the surrounding forest.
Fatigue, fear, shock… all of it weighed on their shoulders like a leaden cloak. They still couldn't believe it. Not only had they survived their first real confrontation with a Void Creature, but… they had killed it. An unexpected victory. Granted, the thing was probably among the weakest in terms of power and rank, but for two men like them—frail, starving, with no martial training… it was an almost inhuman feat.
We really managed to kill one… Kenzo thought, still trembling, hands clenched around his cracked spear. I panicked. If I'd pulled myself together faster, William might not have been hurt so badly…
– « Well, kid, you've got guts… but please… try not to scream like a possessed man when you charge. » William muttered, a tired smile stretching his cracked lips.
Kenzo lowered his eyes, ashamed.
– « Don't worry… I understand my mistake now. It won't happen again. » he replied quietly, feeling foolish.
Now that we've run into a Void Creature here… we need to leave, fast. Otherwise we might run into another… or worse.
– « William… can you move? We can't stay here. » he murmured, worry clear in his eyes.
He could see how badly the old fisherman was suffering, his bloodied arm hanging miserably at his side. But he knew it: if they stayed, they were finished.
Still, before leaving, Kenzo cast one last glance at the beast's corpse. A strange sensation crawled up his spine. It was like… a voice. A silent call that seemed to tug at his thoughts. Something was drawing him toward it.
He shook his head violently, forcing that unhealthy urge back down, suppressing the strange impulse rising from the depths of his soul.
The two men set off again, moving slowly through the gloomy forest. Finding safe shelter had become their top priority. But climbing into a tree for the night was no longer an option: William's mangled arm made any ascent impossible. And Kenzo himself would never have had the strength to haul William up onto a stable branch.
They walked for a long time, heavy-footed, muscles aching, until they discovered a hollow in the rock,a half-formed cave beneath a massive stone slab, partially concealed by a thick bush. A few meters away, a small pool of water shimmered faintly in the twilight.
– « We don't have a choice… » Kenzo murmured. « I avoided resting in places like this because of the Void Creatures… but right now, it's our only chance. »
William set down his spear, exhausted, and immediately began searching around the water source. Maybe he could find something to treat his wound… or at least slow the infection already gnawing at his arm.
Kenzo, meanwhile, took position at the cave entrance, gripping his chipped spear tightly. That weapon, precious as it was, had nearly given way under the rotten dog's fangs. A bitter thought crossed his mind: how much longer would this spear hold?
After a while, William returned. Against all odds, he had managed to stop the bleeding. Crushed leaves and knotted plant fibers formed a crude bandage. Better yet, he had prepared a strange mixture by grinding wild herbs together, which he handed to Kenzo to apply to his claw wounds.
Kenzo froze for a moment, surprised.
If I survive this cursed test… the first thing I'll do is learn how to survive in the wild. Without William's knowledge, I'd already be dead from thirst or hunger by now… he thought, grateful.
– « Hey, old man… you're worse off than I am. Get some rest. I'll take first watch. » he said, forcing a smile.
Night slowly fell over the silent forest of the prison island. Shadows stretched, swallowing twisted trunks and knotted roots. The wind whispered incomprehensible words through the leaves.
Kenzo stayed alert at the cave entrance. Darkness pressed down on his shoulders like a crushing weight. Then suddenly, faint cracking sounds caught his attention. Something was moving nearby. Silent as a shadow, he rose, spear in hand, and slipped discreetly through the undergrowth.
What he saw froze him in terror.
In a nearby clearing, under the pale light of the moon, two other prisoners stood. One wielded a chipped sword, the other a rusted axe. Facing them was a familiar… terrifying silhouette.
The Warden.
Kenzo felt his blood run cold. That man… that demon… had lied to them. He had played them. He had given them the illusion of a chance at survival, promising he would only hunt them between zenith and sunset. Yet here he was… present… ready to hunt and kill even beneath the stars.
Anger rose in Kenzo, dull and burning. But he had no time to act.
The two prisoners charged the Warden, their cries lost to distance. Too far away to hear the clash of steel, Kenzo witnessed a chilling scene.
As the two men rushed toward their executioner… they suddenly stopped. Frozen. Like puppets whose strings had been cut. Their weapons slipped from their hands. Slowly, obediently, they knelt before the Warden.
Then, in a swift, cruel, merciless motion, the Warden drew his dark blade. Two flashes of steel cut through the air… and two heads rolled across the mossy ground.
Kenzo felt his heart slam against his ribs. An icy shiver raced down his spine.
He retreated quickly, choking back a curse. No way they were staying here any longer.
He ran back to the cave, panting, face pale. As soon as he arrived, he shook William hard until the old man's eyes flew open.
– « Wake up, William! »
The old man groaned, grimacing in pain.
– « What… what's going on, kid? »
Kenzo crouched beside him, breathless, eyes wide.
– « That damn Warden… he hunts at night too. He's close… too close. We have to leave. Right now. I think I figured out how his power works… So we need to get away from him, really far away. »
William winced in pain but nodded. They had no choice.
The forest,their prison , wrapped around them once more in its threatening shadow.