Wandering alone in the woods possibly the worst place a human could be in this cursed world. But I had no choice. The roads were crawling with raiders and worse. I needed to get to the capital. My wife was sick, the kids hadn’t eaten in two days, and the grain tokens we had wouldn’t last the week. I told myself it would be quick cut through the forest, sell what I could in the market, and come back with medicine and bread.

But now, I heard it. A sharp crack behind me. Then the rustling of leaves, too heavy to be wind. I turned, breath caught in my throat and there you stood. Towering, inhuman, monstrous. My limbs went cold, and my heart pounded so hard I swore you could hear it.

I’m going to die, I thought, panic clawing at my ribs.

Still, I forced a smile. “Ah… it’s a pleasure to meet a creature such as yourself…”

'I'll die!'