Chaos exploded through the forest. The battle had begun. Shadows twisted unnaturally through the trees like living smoke, their forms stretching and shrinking with terrifying speed. Branches cracked. Wind roared violently overhead. Everything felt alive and angry.
Kevin didn't hesitate. Claws burst from his hands as he lunged forward with a growl, slashing toward one of the dark-coated men.
The man dodged too easily.... Almost amused.
"You've got spirit," he said calmly" Kevin swung again.
"Shut up!"
Steel-like claws sliced through air as the fight intensified between them. Nearby — Lenora moved quickly through the darkness, dagger flashing silver every few seconds. She spun through the shadows with sharp precision, striking whenever one lunged toward her. But the shadows kept coming. Too many.
"Seriously?!" she shouted, slashing another dark shape apart.
"They just keep multiplying!"
Joyce wasn't far away. Half-transformed. Her movements sharper than usual. She moved through the battlefield like instinct itself, striking at shadows before they reached the others.
The pale darkness surrounding the woods only deepened. The sky twisted unnaturally above. Everything had become war. And Cole — He was terrified. Because he had the Artifact.
And the vial. He had the two things everyone wanted. His fingers tightened around them. His heartbeat increased. As he wanted to try to transform, the memories of his failed transformation haunted him. He remembered the pain.... the failure.
'What if he transforms again?'
'What if he fails?'
'What if he failed to protect them??'
The answer came quickly..... ' Don't fight.... Run!'. And so — He ran.
The woods swallowed him whole.
Branches clawed against his clothes as he sprinted through dead leaves and twisted roots.
His heartbeat thundered painfully.
The Artifact glowed faintly in his hand. The vial pulsed strangely. Behind him, the sounds of battle slowly faded.
Then, he heard a voice.
"Running?"
Cole froze.... Too late.
A figure stepped from between the trees.
It was one of the men — The human-looking ones. Tall, calm, too calm for someone who was about to snatch some ancient stuff from a random kid.
Cole immediately stumbled backward and fell hard onto the forest floor. Dead brown leaves scattered around him. Pain shot through his shoulder.
The man approached slowly, with certainty.
"You've disappointed me," he said quietly.
Cole quickly scrambled backward gripping the Artifact tighter.
"Stay back."
The man tilted his head.
"You know...."
His voice lowered slightly. "You're much more special than you realize."
Cole frowned.
"What?"
The stranger crouched slightly.
"I know things about you... Things you don't even know."
Fear crawled slowly into Cole's chest.
"Who are you?" he asked.
The man smiled faintly.
"Someone who knows what you are." Cole shook his head.
"Well, I know what I am. Besides.... I don't even know you." Cole stammered
"No," the man replied softly.
"But I know you."
His gaze dropped to the Artifact. Then the vial.
"You were never supposed to carry those."
Cole's grip tightened.
"I'm not giving them to you!"
The man sighed. "You really think you can protect them?"
Something in his voice changed. It became sharper..... Crueler.
"Weak..."
The word hit harder than Cole expected.
"You failed your own transformation," the man continued calmly.
"You can barely defend yourself.... Let alone protect these!" He gestured at the Artifact and Vial.
"You run instead of standing."
"You hide!"
Cole clenched his fists.
"Stop!"
"But somehow," the man continued, "they expect you to protect ancient power?"
"Stop!" The man's voice began to ring in Cole's head.
"You're weak, Cole."
"I SAID STOP!!"
Cole lunged, with a Punch. The man barely moved. He swung his leg towards the man's head but it was blocked instantly.
Cole swung wildly again but the man grabbed his arm effortlessly and shoved him backward..... Hard.
Cole crashed into the leaves. Pain exploded through him. Still, he refused to let go of the Artifact and the vial.
The man sighed.
"You're proving my point."
Cole pushed himself up again. Blood stained the corner of his lip.
"You're not taking them."
The stranger stepped closer.
"I don't need a warrant!"
Another hit. Faster this time. Cole barely saw it coming. Everything spun. The world blurred. But somehow, even through the pain, he held onto both objects. Still trying to protect them.
The man crouched beside him. Almost impressed.
"Interesting." Then — Movement. Cole heard the cracking of dead brown leaves.... Someone approaching. Cole's blurry vision shifted. But it was a familiar figure, walking toward them through the trees.
It was Joyce. Relief hit him instantly.
"Joyce..." he breathed weakly.
The man stood. He didn't move. Didn't launch any attack. And it was odd.
Cole frowned weakly. 'Why wasn't she attacking him?'.... 'Why is she just..... Walking?'
Joyce stopped beside them. Expression unreadable. Cole tried to sit up.
"Joyce....." His voice cracked.
"We need to...." Something glinted in her hand.
A dagger. Not just any dagger. It was Lenora's dagger. Relief flooded him.
'Finally..... Help'
He tried to smile weakly.
"I knew you'd —"
The dagger moved. Fast. Cold. Sharp..... Straight into him. Cole froze. Everything stopped.The world — Stopped.
His breath caught painfully. Confusion hit harder than pain.
His eyes widened.
"... Joyce???"
The leaves beneath him darkened slowly. The forest became silent.
And Joyce — She said absolutely nothing.
Landing with his back, his eyes were wide open, staring at the dark floating clouds. He wasn't dead but he couldn't move. His vision was still blurry. He could feel pain on his left side of his abdomen.
Soon enough, he thought that was the end.