'How did things get to this point?'
With a knife in each hand, Joseph spun slowly in place, his eyes tracking the three beasts that surrounded him, their teeth bared, growling softly as they moved in circles, ready to strike.
***
[Afewminutes earlier]
"So, we're heading south because you think we're in the Black Forest? How do you know this is the right direction? And why that name? It doesn't seem all that... gloomy," Joseph asked, glancing over his shoulder as they rode.
"I don't think, I know," Aelith replied, resting her head against his back. "Grandpa said the Black Forest is the only place the three species avoid. And it's pretty obvious there's no one else here but us."
She then pointed to the sky. "See Aurion? It always rises in the west. Just stretch your left arm toward it, and whatever is ahead of you is south."
"I see..." Joseph murmured, processing her explanation. 'If no one comes here, why was this child's body in the middle of the woods? And where were they taking Aelith?'
"As for the name," she continued, "since there are no people around, mana beasts have multiplied and taken over this region. Hence the nickname 'Black Forest'"
"Mana beasts?"
"Oh, right! Mana beasts are animals that, for some reason, have a mana core inside them. Because of that, they're stronger, faster, and—"
Something massive blotted out Aurion above them, blocking the light and making them both look up, eyes wide in astonishment.
"—bigger..."
Right above, a black bird, resembling a hawk but many times larger, hovered in the sky, its wide wings beating the air as it fixed its predatory gaze directly on them.
Joseph felt a chill run through every inch of his body, the hairs standing on end as his hand instinctively flew to the dagger at his waist. "Aelith—"
Before he could do anything, the bird folded its wings against its body and dove at high speed, a dark blur slicing through the sky. The wind howled with its descent, and at the last moment, the creature flared its wings in a sharp movement, hovering just above them. Its claws extended, fast and precise, grabbing Aelith by the shoulder.
The horse, startled by the beast's proximity, reared up violently, throwing Joseph to the ground. 'Damn it!'
"JOOOOEEE!" Aelith's desperate scream tore through the air as she was lifted by the bird's claws.
Joseph rolled across the ground, but his body reacted as if time had slowed. In one fluid motion, he rose, Ki exploding within him like a wild flame, coursing through his veins and igniting every fiber of his being. His muscles tensed, charged with energy, and he flexed his legs before launching himself into the sky.
The jump was monumental — the ground seemed to quake beneath the force of his takeoff, a small cloud of dust rising where his feet had been. He sliced through the air like an arrow, the wind roaring in his ears, hair whipping wildly as he stretched out his hand. His fingers brushed Aelith's, so close he felt the warmth of her skin for a fraction of a second.
The bird then beat its wings forcefully, unleashing a thunderous boom. The air around them turned into a raging storm, and a powerful gust struck Joseph, hurling him downward. His body spun uncontrollably through the air before crashing into the ground, the impact reverberating through his bones and knocking the air from his lungs.
"Son of a bitch," Joseph growled through clenched teeth, emerging from the small crater his body had carved upon impact. Ignoring the pain pulsing in his back that the Ki hadn't fully managed to shield, he launched into a frenzied sprint, eyes locked on the black silhouette of the bird in the sky.
His feet pounded against the forest floor, Ki coating his body like armor, sparking with subtle hues of light as he moved swiftly into the dense vegetation.
"JOOOOEEE!" Aelith's desperate scream echoed again through the treetops.
'Damn it.' He ran, dodging trunks and leaping over exposed roots. The Ki pulsed in sync with his strides, amplifying each movement, each breath, as he followed the shadow the bird cast through the canopy.
After several meters, something gleamed on the ground ahead. Joseph slowed for a moment, eyes narrowing as he recognized the object — Aelith's knife, its blade embedded in the earth. 'She must've tried to fight free,' he thought, chest tightening with a mix of pride and urgency.
In one swift motion, he snatched the knife, fingers closing firmly around the hilt. Without losing another second, he resumed the chase and lifted his eyes to track the bird through the gaps between the leaves.
After advancing a few more meters, a new sound tore through the air—a rapid, rhythmic drumming rising behind him. Joseph turned his head, casting a glance over his shoulder, his heart pounding as he saw three muscular forms closing in. They were giant wolves, their teeth bared in deep, menacing growls as they chased him.
'What the hell!' Joseph cursed in his mind, eyes widening for a split second before narrowing with focus. 'I've barely entered this forest and already have three mana beasts hunting me.' The Ki in his body responded to the danger, ready to explode into action.
He picked up speed, dodging a fallen trunk without losing balance, his mind torn between the bird carrying Aelith and the predators now hunting him.
The wolves were gaining ground, their growls blending with the sound of the wind.
Joseph tightened his grip around the hilt of Aelith's knife, 'If I stop to deal with them, I'll lose time and she might die, but if I keep going, they'll catch me and attack from behind,' he thought, sweat dripping down his forehead as he weighed his options. 'Fuck it!'
Joseph dug his heels into the ground, the momentum making him slide a few inches through the dirt, kicking up a small cloud of dust and leaves. With a swift spin, he turned to face the three beasts. In one hand, he held his dagger; in the other, Aelith's knife.
The wolves stopped just a few meters from him, their eyes locked onto him. They growled in unison, fangs bared, the air between them thick with menace. Joseph took a deep breath, Ki pulsing through his veins like a river of fire, spreading through his arms and legs, amplifying every sense.
"Come on," he murmured, a small arrogant smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. "I'll finish you in a minute."