Her Scar wasn't Blood

Chapter 16 - The Beast of the Hollow Woods.

Our objective was still clear in our minds—we needed to get out of here. While we were resting, Frye wasted no time and asked Eliot what our task would be in this strange place. Apparently, a creature had been terrorizing the town, stealing resources and causing chaos. Our job was simple: drive it away to unlock the portal that would lead us out.

With Frye's question answered, the brief moment of rest felt like a distant memory, replaced by an overwhelming sense of urgency. Eliot gave us gear- rudimentary but enough to defend ourselves. I could feel the weight of it all as we prepared for the inevitable confrontation. This creature wasn't just a nuisance; it was a force that loomed over the entire town, like a dark presence casting its shadow over everything. If we wanted to move forward, we'd have to face it head-on.

As we moved deeper into the forest, the air grew colder, and an unsettling silence surrounded us. The usual sounds of the swampy woods vanished, replaced by a tense stillness. Then, from the fog, a massive silhouette appeared, towering over us like a dark colossus. The sheer size of it was enough to send chills down my spine.

Now face-to-face with the creature, the small weapon I had seemed like a joke compared to the beast's towering form. Frye, as always, seemed ready for the fight. She moved with a confidence that I could only envy. Athea, too, looked unfazed, ready to leap into action. I hesitated, unsure of how to even approach something like this. But Frye didn't wait. She charged at the creature with precision, her movements fluid and fast. Athea followed her lead, attacking from the side, their movements synchronized like they'd done this before.

The creature was slow but powerful. Frye and Athea danced around it, dodging its heavy, lumbering strikes. I stood frozen, watching them fight with such skill. I didn't want to get in their way, and besides, they seemed to have everything under control. But just as I thought I could stay on the sidelines, the creature's attention shifted. Its eyes locked onto me, and before I could react, it struck.The blow sent me flying through the air, my body crashing into the log at the center of town.