Chapter 5: A wicked forest
Once I was sure that the greatest beast had fallen, a glimmer of hope crept into my heart. But I had no time to celebrate; the remaining monsters still surrounded me, their eyes gleaming in the darkness as if trying to regain their courage. In that moment, I realized I needed a strategy.
I turned quickly, attempting to use the trees as barriers. Before I could think of a plan, another monster lunged at me, its claws slicing through the air. I dodged the strike at the last moment, my sword back in hand, ready for a counterattack. I advanced toward the beast, launching a quick strike, but it was fast too, managing to evade my blow.
The attacks continued, our blows exchanged, but I felt fatigue creeping into my body. I realized I needed to regain my strength. So, I gathered all my energy for a vertical leap, descending upon the beast from above, creating a loud thud. I managed to strike its shoulder, forcing it to stagger back, but I couldn't rest.
Suddenly, I spotted another monster advancing from the side, as if I were trapped in a web of terror. With each step, I felt myself nearing the edge of despair, but deep within me was a strong feeling of not giving up. "It can't end here!" I whispered to myself. In an instant, I saw an opportunity.
I dashed towards one of the large trees, leaning against it as the monsters closed in. I wounded one of them with my sword, causing it to scream in the darkness. But soon a group of the remaining monsters pounced on me. I began to use everything I had learned, dodging their attacks, gathering my strength with every move. I closed in on one of the beasts and struck its head, sending it crashing to the ground.
But the others didn't retreat; instead, they became more aggressive. I felt as if I was moving in slow motion, time slowing around me. When I saw one approaching, I twisted my sword around, striking with force. I managed to hit one of the monsters in its belly, causing it to groan and retreat. But more were advancing, fiercer than before.
I took a deep breath and decided to be more strategic. As the monsters approached, I began using the ground to my advantage. I ran toward one of the trees, then jumped high, leaping over the nearby monsters. I landed behind them and turned to face them. In that moment, I saw a chance to deliver a powerful blow to one of the monsters.
I struck the side of its head, causing it to fall motionless. But at the same time, I felt pressure from behind; another beast was charging at me. Suddenly, the monster lunged, attempting to seize me, but I swiftly dodged and turned to confront it. We exchanged blows, and with each clash, I felt my strength returning. "Enough!" I shouted, delivering a strong strike toward its heart.
I succeeded in wounding it, and it collapsed to the ground, but the fight was not over yet. I stepped back for a moment, trying to catch my breath, but the monsters continued to gather around me. A massive beast approached, sharp claws and fiery eyes fixated on me. It advanced as if it wanted to annihilate me. I felt cornered, but I refused to yield.
I attempted to strike at it, but it was quick and evaded my attack. At that moment, exhaustion weighed heavily upon me, but I was determined to continue. I extended my hand, focusing my energy into the sword, shouting, "I won't end here!" I tried to be more vigilant, using all my combat skills. In a crucial moment, I delivered a powerful blow toward the massive beast's heart.
I succeeded in striking it, and it fell to the ground, but it wasn't the end. The remaining monsters pounced on me. I charged at them with all my strength, striking and dodging blows. Each strike reminded me that I was in a fight for my life. I wounded another beast, but I felt myself nearing the brink of exhaustion. Still, I was determined to survive.
Suddenly, I found myself surrounded by multiple monsters, each trying to pounce on me. In that moment, I realized I needed a new plan. I began moving swiftly, using the trees as shields, striking at the monsters from different angles. I made quick jumps, evading their attacks, and each time I struck a beast, I felt victory drawing closer.
Gradually, the monsters began to withdraw, as if they realized I wouldn't give in easily. But I had no time to celebrate; the battle was still ongoing. With every strike, I regained my courage, knowing I wouldn't let darkness consume me. In the end, with all the remaining monsters, I fought bravely, shouting loudly, "I will not back down!"
Each blow represented hope, and every moment carried strength within it. I fought until the end, believing that I would emerge victorious from this battle. In that moment, I felt I had achieved something greater than myself, fighting for survival, for all those I loved, and I knew I wouldn't give up, not until my last breath.
Finally, after immense effort, I managed to escape from the remaining monsters that no longer pursued me. "Damn this cursed forest."
After the fierce battle, I felt an overwhelming fatigue seeping into every bone in my body. My body was heavy with pain, blood covering my clothes, threatening to bring me to collapse. I headed toward a massive tree, with a thick trunk and branches stretching towards the sky, as if guarding this place from darkness. I stumbled in my steps, the forest seeming to spin around me, everything fading into a fog of exhaustion.
I leaned against the tree trunk, resting my head upon it, trying to catch my breath. The air was cold but refreshing, and I felt I needed some time to relax. Gradually, my eyes began to close, as if fatigue embraced me in its warm hold. I sensed the stillness of the forest around me, as if it were quietly watching over me.
The sounds of the monsters faded, and I began to hear only the whispers of the wind passing through the branches. With every breath, I felt I was leaving behind all the struggles of the fight.
A sense of comfort crept into my depths, as if my body needed this moment of calm. I began to see intertwined images in my mind, distant memories of life before all this darkness.
I saw the faces of my loved ones, their laughter, as if they surrounded me in peace. But those images soon faded, replaced by the gruesome memory of my beloved brother's lifeless body.
"Wait! How... how did I acquire all those skills? How did I fight the monsters when I had never held a real sword in my life, yet now I wield it and fight with it? How could this happen? Is there someone giving me strength?"
Damn, I don't understand anything that's happening. I no longer had the strength to ponder further questions, so I surrendered to sleep. I felt fatigue enveloping me, as if I were drowning in a sea of stillness. With each moment, my body grew heavier, until I completely sank into the embrace of slumber. I knew I was in a safe place, beneath the protection of that tree, as if it were a shield against all evils.
Gradually, sleep took me far away, away from all the conflicts and pain, to a realm of tranquility and peace. As I surrendered to slumber, I sensed that I would awaken soon, ready to face whatever came next. But for now, it was my time to rest, to gather my strength anew beneath the shadows of that ancient tree.