The air around Ethan seemed to shift. A voice, deep, ancient, and eerily hollow, echoed in his ears. The words were unintelligible, yet they carried a weight that made his very bones tremble. It was as though the voice was not just speaking to him but through him, reverberating in every corner of his mind. He clutched his head, trying to block out the sound, but it only grew louder, more insistent.

Then, another voice joined in. It was similar to the first, but softer, less eerie. Still, it carried the same incomprehensible tone, as though it spoke a language that had been forgotten by time itself. Ethan’s ears throbbed with pain, and his heart raced as the two voices intertwined, their overlapping tones creating an unbearable cacophony.

Just as he felt the pressure might crush him, Ethan’s body jerked violently, and his eyes snapped open. He was staring up at the ceiling of the tent, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his hands trembled slightly as he pushed himself up. The world around him felt disjointed, as if it had been torn apart and hastily stitched back together.

“Ethan?”

Yin Xue’s voice cut through the haze, steady but laced with concern. He turned to see her sitting nearby, her sharp, observant eyes fixed on him. In the dim light of the tent, her usually composed demeanor was softened by a hint of worry.

“Are you alright?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Ethan blinked, his pale face giving away his discomfort. He tried to steady his breathing, forcing a weak smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a… bad dream, I guess.”

Yin Xue didn’t look convinced. Before she could press further, the flap of the tent opened, and Zane poked his head inside. “Hey, what’s going on in here? You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Ethan.”

The others were close behind. Yara, Iris, Elara, and Herbie gathered around, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

“You’ve been acting weird since the hunt,” Yara said bluntly, crossing her arms. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re pale as a sheet.”

Ethan waved them off with a forced laugh. “I’m fine, really. Probably just the exhaustion catching up to me. That rabbit put up more of a fight than I expected.”

“Exhaustion doesn’t make you look like you’ve seen the void,” Iris murmured, her gaze sharp. “Are you sure you don’t want to… talk about it?”

“I’m fine,” Ethan repeated firmly, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. He grabbed his plate from where it rested beside his bedroll and stood. “I’m just going to eat and turn in early. Probably shouldn’t take night watch tonight, though. Sorry.”

The group exchanged glances, but no one argued. Ethan had always been dependable, and if he said he needed rest, they were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Alright,” Elara said finally. “But if you feel worse, let us know. We’re a team. Got it?”

Ethan nodded, offering her a small, grateful smile before stepping out of the tent. The cool night air greeted him, carrying with it the faint smell of burning wood from the campfire. He settled down near the fire, eating his meal quietly as the others stayed in the tent.

Inside, the remaining members of the team sat in a loose circle, their voices hushed.

“What do you think’s wrong with him?” Zane asked, glancing toward the tent flap as though expecting Ethan to walk back in.

“Could just be stress,” Herbie suggested, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced. “This is our first real mission outside the simulations. Maybe it’s hitting him harder than he thought it would.”

Yara shook her head. “Ethan’s not the type to crack under pressure. He’s hiding something.”

“Hiding something or not,” Yin Xue interjected, her voice calm but firm, “he needs space. Pushing him won’t help. Let him rest.”

The group fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. After a moment, Elara sighed. “Alright. Let’s just keep an eye on him. If he’s not better by morning, we’ll figure something out.”

Back outside, Ethan sat on his bedroll, staring at the faint glow of the fire. His plate was empty, but he barely remembered eating. His mind was elsewhere, still caught in the crimson haze of his dreams. Slowly, he reached into his pack and pulled out a small, leather-bound journal. The letter ‘D’ was embossed on the cover in gold, the edges worn from frequent use.

He opened it to a blank page, picking up a pencil and hesitating for a moment before writing.

The voices were louder this time. I couldn’t make out the words, but they felt… old. Powerful. And that pull… it’s like something is calling to me. I don’t know what it wants, but it feels important. Dangerous, but important.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

He paused, tapping the pencil against the page before continuing.

The others are worried. I can see it in their eyes. I don’t want to burden them with this, but… how much longer can I keep pretending everything is fine?

Ethan’s hand stilled as he reread his words. A faint smile tugged at his lips, though it was tinged with sadness. He closed the journal and tucked it back into his pack, letting out a slow breath. For now, he would keep his secrets. But the weight of them was growing heavier by the day.

He lay back on his bedroll, staring up at the tent’s fabric ceiling. The fire outside crackled softly, its warmth a faint comfort against the chill creeping into his bones. With a final, weary sigh, Ethan closed his eyes, the echoes of the ancient voices still lingering in his mind.

The sun rose lazily over the horizon, its golden rays casting a warm glow over the vast expanse of the prairie. The team was already awake, their movements efficient as they packed up the camp. The barrier—an invisible dome of prana energy—had kept their camp safe through the night, but now it shimmered faintly as Herbie deactivated it with a swipe of his hand.

Ethan knelt by the remains of the fire, carefully packing his spices into a small pouch. His face was still pale, and there was a tiredness in his movements, but he carried on without complaint. Nearby, Yin Xue rolled up her bedroll with methodical precision, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon every few moments. Zane and Elara worked together to dismantle the tent, their practiced hands folding the fabric neatly before storing it in a compact satchel. Thanks to the space-prana engravings, the tent could hold their belongings, making it easier to transport.

“All set?” Yara asked, adjusting the strap of her holster. Her pistol gleamed in the morning light, the blade of her sword peeking out from its scabbard.

“Almost,” Iris replied, securing her quiver over her shoulder. Her bow was already strung, ready for use at a moment’s notice.

Yin Xue gave a curt nod. “We’re clear. Let’s move.”

The group set off, their steps light but purposeful. The prairie stretched endlessly before them, tall golden grass swaying gently in the breeze. Though the scenery was serene, there was an underlying tension in the air. Each member of the team was alert, their eyes and ears attuned to their surroundings.

After an hour of walking, Zane raised a hand, signaling for the group to stop. “There,” he said, pointing ahead.

In the distance, a small herd of mutated bison grazed near a cluster of withered trees. These were no ordinary bison. Their massive frames were covered in thick, matted fur, and their horns were jagged and twisted, almost like jagged blades. Their eyes glowed faintly red, a sign of the corruption that had stripped them of reason and left them as dangerous, primal beasts.

“Four of them,” Yara murmured, her voice low. “They’re massive.”

“And dangerous,” Iris added, gripping her bow tightly. “We’ll need to be careful.”

“We’ve handled worse,” Zane said, though his hand rested on the hilt of his dagger. His tone was confident, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes.

“Let’s not get cocky,” Yin Xue interjected. “We take them down systematically. No unnecessary risks.”

Ethan nodded, his bow already in hand. He reached into his quiver, his fingers brushing against the prana-crafted arrows he had conjured earlier. They shimmered faintly, the energy within them pulsing in sync with his heartbeat.

The team spread out, moving into positions that gave them the best vantage points. Ethan crouched behind a cluster of tall grass, his bow drawn and ready. Yin Xue and Yara flanked the herd from opposite sides, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight. Zane and Elara moved silently through the grass, their footsteps barely audible as they closed in on the nearest bison. Iris stayed behind with Ethan, her arrow nocked and her eyes sharp.

The first bison let out a low, guttural snort, its ears twitching as if sensing the danger. Ethan took a slow, steady breath, his gaze fixed on the beast. He released his arrow, the prana-crafted projectile slicing through the air with a faint hum. It struck the bison’s flank with precision, the energy exploding on impact and staggering the creature.

The bison let out a roar, its massive body swaying before it regained its balance. The other three bison snapped their heads up, their glowing red eyes locking onto the team. With a thunderous bellow, they charged.

“Here they come!” Yara shouted, firing her pistol. The sharp crack of the gunshot echoed across the prairie, and one of the charging bison stumbled as the bullet struck its shoulder.

Yin Xue stepped forward, her spear a blur as she drove it into the nearest bison’s side. The beast let out an enraged bellow, its horns swinging wildly as it tried to gore her. She sidestepped with fluid grace, her movements precise and controlled.

Zane darted in, his dagger flashing as he struck at another bison. His movements were quick and calculated, each strike aimed at vulnerable spots. Elara was right behind him, her dual daggers slicing through the beast’s thick hide with deadly efficiency.

Ethan nocked another arrow, his hands steady despite the chaos. He aimed for the bison Yin Xue was battling, releasing the arrow just as the creature reared back. The prana-crafted projectile struck its chest, and the beast let out a strangled roar before collapsing to the ground.

“One down!” Iris called out, her own arrow finding its mark in the leg of another bison. The beast stumbled but didn’t fall, its rage propelling it forward.

The remaining three bison regrouped, their red eyes glowing brighter as they prepared to charge again. Their massive hooves pounded the ground, the sound like distant thunder. The team tightened their formation, their weapons at the ready.

Ethan’s heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to stay calm. He could feel the faint pull of his prana, the energy coursing through him as he prepared another arrow. The sun glinted off the tip as he drew the bowstring back, his gaze locked on the charging beasts.

And then, with a roar, the bison surged forward, their immense bodies bearing down on the team like a tidal wave of muscle and fury.

The first bison fell, its massive form crashing to the ground with a resounding thud as Ethan’s arrow struck true. But there was no time to celebrate. The remaining three bison let out deafening bellows, their movements synchronized as they launched their attack.

The fight was far from over.