“Fucking hell, where are they?” Karebal growled.

The group had reached the hidden alcove an hour ago, but both Jaire and Ghost had gone missing. What’s worse, he hadn’t even realized it until they reached camp, a full four hours after they entered the forest. Shit, what the hell happened back there?

“Maybe he had to take a leak?” Maverick absentmindedly answered. He sat on an uplifted root accompanied by Jackal, who was currently laying down. In front of them, Alpha sat on the ground doodling as per usual.

Karebal scoffed, “Who in their right mind would whip their dick out way out here?”

“...maybe he had to take a shit?” Maverick replied with a shrug.

“Shut up Mav.” Karebal spoke as a familiar dull throb formed in his head. He’s spending way too much time with Styx these days...god dammit where are they??

“They’re probably dead.” Jackal remarked with a yawn as she stretched upon the root.

“You really think so?” Maverick questioned, “I mean, yeah I can see that happening with Jaire, but Ghost? Nah.”

“Well,” Jackal began in her usual sour tone as she sat up, “Maybe that ‘righteous crusade’ of hers finally got the best off her and she died in a stupid attempt at saving his ass. About time too.”

“Watch it.” Karebal snarled.

Jackal just rolled her eyes and laid back down, either completely oblivious to the anger seething from Karebal, or unthreatened by it.

There’s no way she’s dead, but still, she’s never been this late before. “Fucking Jaire, just another worthless kid causing problems.” He grumbled. Dammit Ghost, why do you still insist on babysitting them? It never helps and all it does is cause you pain in the end. Ugh, whatever, it’s not my problem...but god dammit where the hell are they?

“Well,” Maverick spoke out, “I think it’s been enough time now right? I mean, if she was alive then surely-”

“Didn’t I tell you to shut up?” Karebal snapped.

“Sorry captain.” Maverick mockingly grumbled.

Anger flowed through Karebal as he clenched his jaw. He hated that nickname more than anything, and now they were using it to spite him. He turned away, unwilling to let them get the best of him.

“Fine.” Karebal finally spoke, “We wait for another hour and then we leave.” If she isn’t back by then...well she can find her way back. As for Jaire, he better hope he’s fucking dead...

“Aye aye cap-,” Maverick began but paused as he saw the look on Karebal’s face, “Yes sir.”

As for these two, I think it’s high time I reminded them why exactly I’m the one in charge around here.

——————————————————

Time crept by as they slowly made their way through the forest. They were no longer strolling through at a typical pace, but instead hid or crawled with each tremble or shuffling bush. At one point, they passed by a plant with longer thick vines and Ghost cut one off. They then wrapped it around Jaire as a makeshift leash, keeping him from running off again. Throughout their journey, Ghost would use said leash to pull Jaire into the shadows or drop him to the floor by their side. At first he was confused and annoyed, but he quickly understood their intention when they pressed their dagger against his throat and their other hand to his mouth. Without fail, each and every time they hid, an unknown Zvyr could be heard lurking somewhere above.

I seriously screwed up... he thought as he laid still under a bush, waiting for the growls of their latest predator to vanish. I screwed up big time. How stupid can I be? This isn’t a game dammit I have to be-

The vine tugged and he crawled out from under the bush. How long has it been now? An hour? Three? Are we even going the right way?

Soon afterwards, Ghost let the leash go and walked towards one of the trunks. What are you doing? He wondered, but stayed his tongue as he looked around fearfully.

*Clunk*

A portion of the trunk swung open, and Ghost walked inside, leaving Jaire all alone.

Alarmed, he scurried after Ghost and entered the hole. Inside, he found a candle-lit room filled with barrels and boxes. Curious and amazed, he stepped forward and looked within them. Some were full of arrows and ammunition, others had sharpened weapons, and even others had extra clothing.

“Is this a storage room?” He asked, astonished. Ghost nodded in response. As he looked around, he saw five familiar boxes lined up by the door. Wait, aren’t those are the traders boxes? So that means we made it! Great! But…

“Where is everyone?” He questioned.

Fear rose in his heart as Ghost simply shrugged. What do you mean by that!? Are they dead!? Did we get left behind!?

“What do we do!?” he cried out, panic clear in his voice. Rather than respond, Ghost approached a barrel and pulled out a scimitar and a shortbow. Then, they presented it to him.

He looked to the weapons and back to Ghost as realization sunk in.

“No! We can’t! Let’s just stay here until the Seekers or someone returns! I mean they must know that we are missing right? They won’t just leave us here!”

Ghost just shook their head him while they presented each weapon for him to choose.

Okay okay, calm down. He thought as he tried to ease his beating heart. Let’s look at the facts. We made it this far right? He obviously knows what he’s doing so maybe this won’t be so bad. But then why would he want me to use a weapon now? Well, maybe it’s just a precaution? He doesn’t know that I have the dagger. Besides, it’s a tiny dagger against these massive beasts...yeah okay. So then, bow or sword? Bow is safer, but it needs ammo. Sword doesn’t, but it requires me to be up close and personal. Hmmm, well, he’s melee right? So I should be ranged right? But what if I get ambushed? Is the dagger enough? Ugh, I should just take both. No that’s stupid, I’d be weighed down. Argg!

Finally, he presented his palm to Ghost, right in the middle of both weapons. “Fine. Give it to me.”

Ghost’s head cocked sideways in apparent confusion, but they finally shrugged and handed him the bow. From there, they turned back to the barrels and pulled out a quiver. From a quick count, he realized he would only have 30 arrows, but hopefully it was enough.

——————————————————

I didn’t think it was possible...Back outside, the shadows seemed more menacing than before, and the constant chirps that he had gotten accustomed to had died away, replaced by an eerie silence. I can still see, but it’s much, much darker. It’s probably around evening by now? Or maybe even later? Damn, how long have we been out here for?

When the light began to fade their speed had drastically decreased. Every ten or so steps, Ghost would stop to check their surroundings, or listen for some unseen threat. At every second or third pause, Ghost would quickly pull him to any kind of hiding spot available. At first, Jaire had been terrified and prayed for safety, but by the 50th time they hid, he had begun to grow numb. So far, nothing had emerged from the darkness, and try as he might, he could neither see or hear anything that Ghost supposedly did. Ugh, here we go again. Alright I get it, 'be quiet', you don't have to threaten me with the knife anymore. Ugh, it's been at least another hour and we are no closer to home than we are to the den. Why couldn't we just stay there...hm? What was that?

He listened intently.

Silence.

...was it just my imagination?

Silence.

I guess so...I could have sworn I heard-

A soft noise clicked somewhere above them.

There! What is that?? He strained his ears to make out the sound. It sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place-

"Hellooo?" A child's voice quivered.

Huh??? Bewildered, he responded, "H-"

*SQUEEZE*

"!?!?" His mouth and nose were clamped shut with a sudden pressure. His body instantly reacted against the assault but halted as a familiar cold metal pressed firmly against his throat. Ghost's gloved hand muffled him as blood slowly oozed out of his wound. What's going on!? What was that?! That couldn't-

"HelllLLLooOOOoo?" The child called out again. There was a disturbing resonance within its call, as though the voice echoed inside its mouth before it was released. Jaire's skin crawled, the overwhelming fear returning once more.

Please please please please....

"Heeelllooooo?" It called out, far clearer and closer than before.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

He clenched his eyes. His lungs burned for air but he dared not move. Seconds stretched on yet still he kept his eyes closed.

"Hello." A childish voice whispered into his ear.

He screamed just as Ghost released their grip.

Or at least, he tried to, but his burning lungs wanted nothing more than to take in new air, thus he began to cough and gasp as the two requests collided. He looked around in fear, but the Zvyr was nowhere to be seen, only he and Ghost lay beneath the fallen branch. The whispering voice had apparently moved on.

After a minute, Ghost stood up, and walked on ahead as per usual, and Jaire reluctantly followed.

Just then, Ghost stopped once more, and quickly returned to their prior spot to hide from an unseen predator. Jaire scrambled after him, panic swelling up yet again.

FUCK! THIS! PLACE!

——————————————————

Another hour or so passed, and Jaire found himself in almost complete darkness. For some reason, he could still see about three or so meters around himself, but beyond that the forest was covered in a pitch dark shroud.

Ths is it...I can't go on anymore...I have to...

"...Ghost?"

Ghost paused to stare at him.

"I...I have to pee..." He sheepishly stated. He had been holding it in since they left the base and the need for relief was beginning to hurt. In a small way, he was actually proud for not pissing himself despite their near encounters, but he could not deny it was probably because his body was too clenched up to do so. Even so, after what he experienced, his bladder had finally reached its critical point.

Ghost stared at him, and then shook their head once before turning away.

"W-wait! I'm serious I have to go!" He loudly whispered, unsure of what could be listening in. "It'll only be a second!"

Despite his pleas, Ghost ignored him and continued on. Desperate, Jaire looked around, and saw a large bush off to the side.

Ahhh! Screw him! I'll just pee real quick and be right back! 10 seconds tops!

He waited until Ghost stopped to check the ground for tracks and then took off. He quickly scurried behind the bush and began relieving himself.

Ahhhh...that's much bett-

*Hsssssss*

He froze as the bush slightly shook.

He slowly backed away as a head emerged from the bush. Despite the darkness, he instantly recognized it from his studies. The gouytan was an armored snakelike Zvyr that was commonly found around the forest. It was incredibly fast, moving at blinding speeds which only increased as it got older and longer. Its scales were tough and had pointed tips on them, which allowed larger gouytans a unique hunting technique, the circle of death. Using its high mobility, it would encircle smaller prey and shred them with its scales until it was weak enough execute with a bite (Smaller gouytans relied on hit and run tactics to slowly wear down their prey). It is noted that the best tactic for hunting these relied on group coordination to keep it from picking off Hunters one by one.

...oh shit...

He took another step back, and it hissed once more with a head larger than his entire torso. It recoiled a bit, which was the only warning he received of its imminent attack.

Dodge! His mind screamed and he flung himself to the left. Unfornuately, the gouytan seemed to have predicted his movement, and it masterfully veered towards him, jaws open to reveal its sharp teeth.

*BOOM*

The gouytan's head crashed into the floor in front as Ghost slammed it down with a heavy kick. Without stopping, Ghost grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into a run. He took three steps, and stumbled with his unbelted pants.

Shit!!

He desperately tried to pull them up as the gouytan angrily hissed from behind. A painful blow at his side sent him tumbling just as the gouytan zoomed by. He looked up in a panic but saw it chase after Ghost into the darkness ahead. He quickly redid his belt and tried to follow after the Zvyr, but hesitated.

*CLANG* *CRASH* CLANG* *BOOM*

The sounds of fighting echoed around him, confusing him as to where exactly they were. Soon after, sounds of life returned to the forest as the Zvyrs awoke and began to screech.

This is bad! This is really bad!!

He looked in all directions, but each looked exactly the same.

I have to help! If we team up then-

He paused and looked at his bow. Even if he managed to land a hit against the speedy Zvyr, unless it was a crystal clean shot the arrow would uselessly bounce off the toughend scales.

I'm useless...what can I do!?

-------------------------------------

Stupid boy, what are you doing?! Run!

She jumped from one stalk or vine to another as the gouytan incessantly chased her. She was in no condition to fight it, age having taken its toll on her stamina, but she allowed herself to be just out of the gouytan’s range without it losing her. She had hoped to give Jaire time to hide, but unfortunately when she spotted him down below, she saw that he just cowered in place, looking around without a single survival instinct within him.

She wanted to scream to him, but no noise that she was capable of producing would ever convey the idea to “hide” to an idiot like Jaire. Perhaps if he hadn’t stupidly signed up for an expedition so quickly she would have had time to train him in proper survival techniques. But no, the boy had made his choice.

Damn you Styx, why do you insist on making my life hell? And how could Kaj allow him to-

*CRUNCH*

The gouytan closed its jaws around the plant she had just leapt off of, destroying it in one go. It hissed in response and lunged at her again. Once more she timed her jump perfectly, and landed upon the bark of a nearby tree, clinging to it with her one free hand.

Damn you Jaire, just hide already!

*Creak*

A small sound below was all she needed to launch away from the bark just as the jaws (or talons) of a hidden Zvyr slapped shut right behind her.

Unfornuately, that had been a mistake. Her momentary distraction and instincitve reaction had put her in the path of the gouytan, which did not miss the opportunity to clam its mouth shut around her torso. In mere moments the immense pressure of its powerful jaws threatened to end her, but she had reacted fast enough to jam Hope straight into its exposed eye. The gouytan shrieked and spat her out, hurling he straight to the ground, which she crashed into with sickening cracks.

Damn that boy...

---------------------------

*SHRIEK* *CLANG* *CRASH*

Something had forcibly fallen upon the floor somewhere to his left. Was that the Zvyr or Ghost?? Shit shit shit!

For several seconds, silence befell the immediate area as Jaire froze from indecision.

Finally, he heard something from above. The gouytan hissed in the darkness, its noise echoing around him. ALthough he could not tell where it was, it made one thing perfectly clear. The gouytan was definitely alive.

Ghost! He screamed internally as he ran towards the crash. As he moved forward, a mushroom patch materialized from the darkness, and he eagerly dashed through it. Each mushroom grew tall and thick, their buds big enough to hide him from view as he stumbled through their stalks.

Please be okay, please be okay! When he finally exited the other side, he saw nothing. Fuck! It's too dark! This is why we should have waited!! Where are you?!

He wanted to call out, but without knowing where the gouytan was, he would just be painting a target upon himself.

I have to help him...I have to...but how!? The seconds passed as indecision ate at him. Another hiss echoed around him, and he sulked backwards.

I can't. I can't do anything...I'm sorry Ghost...I’m so sorry!

A part of him screamed at himself for being a coward, but still he retreated into the safety of the mushroom patch. Several seconds passed as the fury rose higher, and he grit his teeth as he punched a stalk.

FUCK!! THIS IS ALL MY FAULT! I'M SO FUCKING USELESS! IF ONLY I WASN'T SO PATHETIC! GOD DAMMIT!! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO-

He paused as his eyes widened. The dagger’s scabbard pressed cooly against his leg. Without hesitation, he quickly reached down and held the handle.

——————————————————

She watched as Jaire slunk back into the mushroom patch.

You stupid boy, it's too late now. It saw you already...

She wanted to sigh, but the pain stung sharp everytime she exhaled. Although she had reacted instantly, the gouytan had still managed to crack her bones, and the subsequent crash had nearly finished the job. As it was, now she lay dying upon the ground, watching Jaire punch a mushroom stalk. She rolled her eyes, and mentally went over the events of the day that had led her down this path.

When the fighting began and the ground trembled, Jaire ran away. He had taken off at full speed, taking no precaution to stay hidden, which made him an easy target for the various of Zvyrs laying in wait. She had to fight off around two dozen or so before she finally caught up, and only did so because the boy had stopped running as he came face to face with a baby trebleren.

Although the baby shouldn't have been an issue for even a 5th year student, to her horror Jaire stayed frozen solid even as it charged straight at him. Thus, still too far away to drag him out of its charge, she was forced to committ a serious taboo in order to save him. She flung her stiletto forward and slayed it. Unfornutately, its blood had splattered all over Jaire, which meant that their time was limited. Its thick and rich blood was a delicacy to the Vornkop, the local Apex.

As far she knew, the Vornkop either could not tell a dead trebleren from its predator, or it just simply did not care and chased after the killer as well, wanting only to drink as much of the blood as possible. From there, she led them to the Hunter's base in hopes of finding a second set of clothing as the freezing night would have meant death, but there was nothing. Unable to stay at the Hunter's ill-defended base, they were forced to run or be eaten.

Before they left, she took some traps with her, another taboo that would have to be dealt with later, in hopes of warding off the Vornkop. She soaked the traps with the bloody stiletto and the blood upon her glove, and set them up whenever she could to buy them some more time. If all went well, the Vornkop would be too busy finding all the traps to catch them before they escaped into the safety of the Hunter's zone of control.

But, as if it couldn't get anyworse, of all the places, he takes a piss on the bush that an adult gouytan lay sleeping! She wheezed a short laugh, cut short as the pain becomes unbearable. What did I do to deserve such a fate? If just one of those things had gone differently, we would not be in this situation. The paths we take, right Markus?

She sighed, wincing from the pain which was slowly dulling out as her senses faded.

I'm tired...have I done enough yet?

She silently watched as the gouytan crept around Jaire's location, seemingly with caution after its loss of an eye. She wanted to yell out, to distract the beast one last time, but only a short and painful wheeze came out of her. At least kill me first damn you, I don’t want my last memory to be of another child dying before my eyes.

The gouytan hissed once more,

Frozen in fear yet again...stupid boy, She closed her eyes and sighed once more. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you…

——————————————————

“What do you seek?” It spoke to him from within the cage, both amethyst eyes glowing a deep purple. “I want to save him...” He spoke, crouched in a fetal position as the dark tendrils swirled around him. “You cannot, for you are weak” It responded as it looked down on him tall from within the cage. “I know...but...” He fell depressed, allowing the tendrils to wrap around him without any resistance. “You are weak.” It state again, eyes shining brighter “But I am not. Release me, and I shall show you the path to strength.”