Chapter 1: Left to Die
The sound of footsteps echoed through the forest.
"Run!"
No one needed to say it twice.
They were already running.
Kai forced his legs to move, his breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. Branches scratched against his arms as he pushed forward—failing to keep up.
"It's getting closer!" someone shouted.
A low growl followed.
Deep. Hungry.
His heart pounded harder.
"Wait!" Kai called out. "Just slow down a bit—!"
No one slowed.
They didn't even look back.
Panic crept into his chest.
"Please!"
They suddenly stopped.
Relief washed over him as he stumbled toward them.
"I thought you guys were just going to—"
"We were."
The words hit harder than anything.
Kai froze.
"…What?"
Their expressions had changed.
No fear.
No panic.
Only cold indifference.
"You're too slow," one of them said.
Kai shook his head quickly. "I'll catch up—I just need a second—"
"You don't get it."
Silence.
"If you stay with us…" his best friend said quietly, "…we'll all die."
Kai's fingers clenched.
"So you're just going to leave me?"
No one answered.
That was answer enough.
A shaky smile escaped his lips.
"Right… no choice."
The growl behind him grew louder.
Closer.
His chest tightened.
He looked at them one last time.
"After everything… this is how it ends?"
Still nothing.
Then—
They turned.
And ran.
Gone.
Just like that.
Kai stood there, alone.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
"Heh…"
A low laugh escaped him.
Soft. Broken.
"Figures…"
The forest fell silent.
Even the creature behind him stopped.
Something felt… wrong.
Then—
"Pathetic."
Kai's eyes widened.
He slowly turned his head.
"…Who said that?"
A low chuckle echoed in his mind.
Cold. Ancient.
Your blood… is finally waking up.
Kai froze.
His heart skipped.
"What… are you?"
The voice smiled.
He could feel it.
Something you should have become… long ago.
A sharp pain shot through his chest.
He dropped to his knees.
His veins burned.
His blood felt like it was boiling.
He gritted his teeth, clutching his chest.
"W-what is happening to me…?!"
The voice laughed again.
"Relax…"
The pain deepened.
Darker.
Deeper.
"…this is your awakening."
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