The Forgotten

Chapter 5

It had taken a while, but thank the cosmos, it wasn't too late when Phenex found him. He was severely injured, both of his eye sockets empty, blood dripping from them, yet somehow, the blue-skinned troll sensed that Phenex had no ill intentions.

"Monkey tings! Everywhere, dere be dese monkey tings!" he breathed out in frustration.

Phenex gulped. She didn't know what to do, so she simply made a noise—something akin to an okay—hoping he'd understand that she was listening.

The troll began to recount what had happened. He could have taken them all down. His tactic had been to play dead, as many hunters did. But one of them had figured it out and called him out, leading to them taking his eyes—along with other things.

Phenex hummed in understanding. Another nod to confirm she would retrieve his stolen belongings.

Keeping an eye on him while holding his hand to make sure he wouldn't get lost, she crouched behind a thick bush. Her golden hair barely peeking out, she spotted one of the monkey-like creatures—playing with the troll's eyes as if they were marbles.

A wave of nausea rolled over her, but she swallowed it down out of politeness. She had to focus.

Her gaze flickered to the ground beside her, where a small but solid stone lay. Good enough for a distraction. She picked it up and threw it at a tree diagonally opposite her position. The stone bounced off and struck the creature's head, making it look toward the sound.

In a blink, she appeared behind it. One swift motion, a clean kill, and she caught the eye mid-air—her stomach twisting at the sensation.

"Well, lookie dere!" Zin'jun grinned slightly. "Dat be my bad eye, but it be a good start."

She watched in stunned silence as he simply popped the eye back into its socket as if it were nothing. She didn't know what to think—so she didn't. Instead, she glanced around, noticing the scattered remnants of an unfamiliar statue, its design far different from that of the pandaren.

Spotting the other eye nearby, she retrieved it and handed it over. Zin'jun's grin widened as he placed it back. "Dere it be, mon. My huntin' eye! I'll be able ta rest in peace wit' my ancestors..."

For a moment, he seemed genuinely happy. But then, his expression sobered.

"But let's find Snuff first."

Snuff. His companion, his hunting partner.

Phenex nodded immediately. Cute pets deserved to be saved and treated well at all costs. At least, that's what she thought.

Yet when they finally found him, the sight made her breath hitch.

A lifeless white tiger lay before them. Snuff.

Zin'jun's realization came in waves—first a sharp inhale, then tears welling in his eyes before he let out a cry to the sky.

Phenex hesitated. She wasn't sure how to react, wasn't sure what the best course of action was. So she did what little she could, kneeling beside him and placing a gentle hand on his back. A silent offering of comfort.

"Dey done killed Snuff... What'd 'ol Snuff ever do ta dem?" he sobbed.

Minutes passed in mourning. Then, Zin'jun wiped his eyes and stood, determination steeling his features.

"I was just about ta curl up an' die, mon. But now—dis? Snuff an' me go way back. Oh, da memories..." His voice trailed off for a second before hardening. "No way I can face Snuff in da afterlife without avengin' his death first, mon!"

Phenex tilted her head slightly, waiting for his direction.

"Dese hooligans be led by one named Konk. We gotta sniff him out an' den snuff him out—for Snuff!"

Another nod. A hum of acknowledgment.

"Dere be a tiny cave, mon! Dat be where he be, me tink."

Phenex's ears perked at the mention of a cave. She recalled spotting one northwest of their position. That had to be it.

Without hesitation, she took his hand again and led him toward it, moving swiftly yet cautiously.

Upon arrival, she spotted several of the monkey-things guarding the entrance. A silent pat on Zin'jun's shoulder signaled him to stay put.

She vanished into the shadows.

One by one, she picked them off. A silent strike to the first. A swift execution of the second. Her presence remained unseen, a ghost haunting the creatures before they even realized they were prey.

When the last one left to warn Konk, she intercepted him mid-run, ending his life in an instant.

Inside, only Konk remained.

He was taller than the others, his orange fur standing out, a spear clutched in his right hand. As she approached, he slammed the blunt end of the spear against the ground.

"No wicked off-landers allowed!" he growled before lunging at her.

Phenex's mind was already racing, analyzing his movements, reading his body language.

She dodged the first strike, retaliating with a quick slash across his side. Konk grunted, stepping back but quickly recovering. He was fast.

Too fast.

Impressive.

But injured.

His wounds were slowing him, opening gaps in his defenses.

She feinted left, forcing him to shift his stance—exposing his throat.

In a flash, she struck.

His final scream echoed through the cave before silence settled once more.

Phenex exhaled, wiping the blood from her face.

Zin'jun stepped inside, staring at the corpse.

"Dere we go, mon. Now I be goin' off ta be wit Snuff..."

A faint smile played at his lips. A look of peace, of relief.

Phenex felt something stir within her. Something heavy.

"You have our thanks, mon. We'll be watchin' over ya," he whispered.

Then, he laid down beside Konk's lifeless body and, with a final breath, passed on.

For the first time, Phenex truly felt the weight of death.

She had killed before. Many times. But never had she thought about it. Never had it made her feel.

Why now?

Why, the moment she set foot on this continent, did these emotions suddenly surface?

But did it even matter?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the heavy stomp of boots.

Nazgrim entered the cave, his gaze sweeping over the scene.

Frowning, he turned to her.

"What did you do?" he asked, a silent growl beneath his words.

Phenex met his gaze, her expression unreadable.

I killed the monkey-thing, as Zin'jun asked me to. To avenge his dead.

Phenex wrote in silence. She knew how it must have looked—standing in a cave with two corpses, no true member of the Horde. Suspicion was inevitable. They likely believed she hated them as much as they despised her. But they were wrong. Phenex had never truly hated anyone—not even the Warchief.

"So, Zin'jun is lost?" the General sighed, his voice heavy with disappointment. "This is a dark day indeed."

His expression hardened as his grief turned to rage. "These vermin will pay," he spat, turning sharply on his heel just as the others stepped inside.