Castian moved with light and precise steps, his boots barely touching the ground covered with leaves and dry twigs. The sound of the wind between the trees was his only ally, masking the occasional noise of his controlled breathing. He knew that any slip-up could give him away. Feng's army was near, their voices and footsteps echoing through the forest like a constant warning that danger was always lurking.
"Make sure no one escapes!" shouted a harsh, authoritative male voice, cutting through the silence.
Castian's heart raced. He quickly crouched down, hiding behind a fallen trunk covered in moss. Through the gap between the branches, he could see three soldiers walking in formation. They wore light reinforced leather armor, perfect for movement in the forest, and carried spears and short swords.
"They're searching every corner..." Castian whispered to himself, his eyes scanning the surroundings for an escape route.
He couldn’t fight them, not alone. Not just because of the numerical disadvantage, but because every second spent standing still was one less second to advance toward his objective.He looked up at the trees. The canopy was dense, but here and there, there were sturdy branches that could hold his weight. It was a risky idea, but perhaps the only way to escape.
As the soldiers got closer, Castian held his breath and climbed up the nearby trunk, his hands firm despite the sweat. The sound of the rustling leaves seemed deafening to his own ears, but he kept moving, his actions as precise as a hunter’s.From above, he had a better view of the terrain. The patrol wasn’t large, but Feng had spread his men out strategically. Groups of three or four soldiers moved in parallel lines, searching every inch of the forest with discipline. Castian realized that he would need more than just silence to go unnoticed.He waited, crouched on a thick branch, while the three soldiers below stopped near his former position.
"Looks like someone passed through here," one of them said, pointing to marks on the ground.Castian held his breath. He hadn’t realized he had left traces.
"Recent tracks," another added.
"Let’s head north."
The soldiers moved away, but Castian knew it was only a matter of time before other patrols found his traces. He needed to act quickly. Silently descending from the tree, he began to move in the opposite direction of the group, but with heightened caution.As he advanced through the forest, Castian began to formulate a plan. He knew that if he just kept fleeing, it would only be a matter of time before he was cornered. He needed to distract the soldiers, confuse them, and maybe even slow down their search.Soon, he found what he needed: a small clearing with a pile of dry twigs and accumulated leaves.
Castian took two stones and began to strike them together, creating sparks. He worked quickly, watching the smoke rise as the fire spread through the twigs. When the flames were high enough, he pulled back, hiding once again in the forest.It didn’t take long for the soldiers to notice the smoke.
"Fire!" shouted a voice in the distance.Castian watched intently as several groups began to move toward the clearing. He felt a twinge of relief seeing that his plan had worked, but he knew this would only buy him time. He had to keep moving.As he ran through the forest, his mind returned to the survival lessons his father had taught him. Cheng had always said, "The forest is alive, son. It can be your ally or your enemy, depending on how you treat it."
Castian began to use everything the forest had to offer. He passed by a shallow stream and crouched down to wet his boots and hands, erasing any trace of scent that might be followed by scent-hounds. He climbed steep hills, avoiding easy paths that soldiers might use. With each step, he became more aware that the forest wasn’t just a refuge; it was also a silent battleground where every decision mattered.After what felt like hours, he found a cave partially hidden by vines. The interior was dark and damp, but deep enough to hide while he rested. He entered slowly, making sure there were no animals or other dangers lurking inside.At the back of the cave, he sat down, leaning against the stone wall. His body ached, and exhaustion threatened to overtake him, but he knew he couldn’t afford to relax completely.He took the Pearl from his bag, holding it in the palm of his hand. Its soft, pulsing glow seemed brighter in there, as if the darkness amplified its light.
"You are the reason for all of this," he whispered, not sure if he was speaking to the Pearl or to himself.The familiar voice of the entity echoed in his mind.
"And you will also be your salvation."Castian sighed, putting the Pearl back in his bag. He knew the entity was right, but the idea that his life now revolved around that artifact was still hard to accept.As he prepared to leave the cave and continue his journey, he heard footsteps in the distance. His heart raced. He crawled to the entrance of the cave, peering through the vines. A group of soldiers was passing nearby, their armor reflecting the last rays of sunlight filtering through the forest.
"Split up! He can't be far!" ordered the leader.Castian clenched his fists, retreating back into the darkness of the cave. He knew he couldn’t stay there for long. He needed to keep moving, but before that, he needed a better plan.He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
The forest could be a trap, but it could also be a shield if he used it to his advantage.And then, an idea came to him. He opened his eyes, determined. He would not be captured. Not while he still had the strength to fight.With silent steps, Castian left the cave, disappearing once again into the shadows of the forest.
The hunt continued, but he was ready. He was no longer just prey; he was a shadow in motion, a survivor determined to fulfill his promise, no matter the cost.