Prologue ┈➤ You were running as fast as you could, your heart racing and your mouth dry. The dense forestry was almost claustrophobic, and the sun's light barely managed to filter through the thick branches and vines. You didn't dare look behind you, as the only sound that reached your ears was your own frantic breath and footsteps. "You're going to die," the words rang out clear as day in your mind. With more strength than you knew you possessed, you pressed on, each step faster than the last, desperate to escape whatever it was that was closing in on you.

Start

You didn't see the stump until it was too late, tripping and falling hard right into the forest floor. As you caught your breath, you heard the loud crunching of underbrush and the thunderous footsteps of the beast growing closer. You tried to get up, but your feet were tangled in roots and debris. You scrambled to untangle yourself, desperation fueling your movements. But it was no use. Before you could untangle yourself, the beast was upon you.

The saliva dripped from its gaping mouth, a thick drool that sizzled as it hit the damp underbrush. Its eyes narrowed in anticipation, locked solely on you. One more wrong move would make you vulnerable, one more movement and it would have its prize.

The beast's eyes locked onto yours, unblinking and unmoving. Its slobber dripped onto the damp ground, the drool sizzling as it made contact with it. However, before it could move to act on its intentions, its head suddenly and unexpectedly rolled away from the neck. Its warm, sticky blood leaked out of the wound, staining the dirt a bright crimson color.

Childe stood just a few steps away from the now-slain beast, his hands and weapons still clean from the ordeal. In the span of what would have seemed like a blink, he had managed to slay the creature.