My eyes go wide and I freeze, unable to believe what I am seeing. That damned rabbit, again! My heart pounds in my chest, and I clench my fists, ready to pounce and strangle the little furball. But it just sits there, staring at me with those big, innocent eyes, as if it has no idea what it has done, how it has ruined my life and destroyed my dreams.
“YOU! It’s all YOUR fault!” I scream at the furry little pest, my rage boiling over, “Why did you have to interfere? Why couldn’t you leave me alone? Why, why, WHY!!!” Tears stream down my face as I grab a fistful of mud and hurl it at the animal, “Go away! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!”
The rabbit watches me with those unblinking eyes as if it doesn’t have a care in the world. It tilts its head to the side, a questioning look on its furry face, as if it can’t understand why I am upset. It turns away from me and starts to walk off, its fluffy tail bouncing in the air, completely unconcerned by my presence.
“No, come back, come back and FACE ME YOU COWARD!” I cry out, my voice hoarse and ragged, “COME BACK AND PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME!!!” The rabbit stops for a moment, its ears twitching, as if it is considering my words. But then it just turns its nose up and saunters away, the sheer arrogance of it making my blood boil.
I scream in frustration, picking up another clump of mud and throwing it at the retreating form of the infuriating little critter, “HOW DARE YOU JUST WALTZ AWAY AFTER RUINING MY LIFE!!!” The missile misses the rabbit by a wide margin, falling short and splattering uselessly on the ground. The stupid thing is out of my reach and it knows it.
I want to let it go, disappear into the darkness, to pretend it never existed. That none of this ever happened. I want to go home, to seek the comfort of my family, to forget about the twisted maze of half-truths, lies, and mysteries that have become my existence. But the blinking of the quest screens in my vision is impossible to ignore, tugging at the edge of my consciousness, demanding my attention.
An oppressive feeling of impending doom threatens to overwhelm me, weighing heavy on my chest like a millstone, a sinking dread that threatens to drown me in its icy waters. And with every step the little critter takes away from me, it only seems to grow in intensity. The letters on the screens shift and turn, wriggling about as if alive, the text warping and distorting like molten metal, coalescing into something new, something different. There is but one thing I am certain of at this moment. It is that I do not want to see what that new screen will say.
And so I do the only thing I can think of in my desperation ─ I give a chase. My body screams in protest as I leave the cover of my impromptu shelter. The rain pounds against my skin like hail. The wind whips at my face, tearing at my hair, sending shivers down my spine. My feet sink into the soft earth with every step, slowing me down, as the thick mud makes it almost impossible to gain any traction. I stumble and slip, the treacherous ground betraying me at every turn, but I push on, using what little reserves of strength I have left to give chase to that despicable rodent.
The rabbit takes off, sprinting through the undergrowth with alarming speed, its lithe form darting nimbly between the trees, bounding over fallen logs and ducking under low branches. I follow it, abandoning all semblance of caution in favor of reckless pursuit, careless of where I am headed, heedless of the consequences of my actions. My surroundings blur as I run, the sound of my panting echoing in my ears, the air burning in my lungs as I fight to keep up with the little creature.
Lightning flashes and thunder rolls across the darkened sky, but I pay it no heed, focused solely on catching my quarry. It twists and weaves through the forest, seemingly able to read the path ahead of it like it is an open road. I, on the other hand, am reduced to fumbling in the dark, the unfamiliar terrain unyielding, each branch or root intent on tripping me up and sending me tumbling to the ground in an undignified heap. I curse and swear, cursing the rabbit to hell and back. But I persevere, clawing at the mud and gravel to regain my footing, unwilling to let that wretched beast escape.
My muscles burn and my bones ache. Despite that, I force myself onwards, determined to see this hunt through to the bitter end. The rain pours down in sheets, obscuring my vision, making it even more difficult to keep track of the rabbit, but I press on, my anger and hatred keeping me going when all else fails. I run until I can no longer hear the thunder over the beating of my heart, until the branches no longer scratch at my face and my feet no longer catch on the protruding roots of the ancient trees, until it all bleeds together in a mindless haze of relentless pursuit.
I don’t know how long I run or how far. My entire existence narrowed down to the single-minded pursuit of the damned rabbit, everything else forgotten in the heat of the moment. The fatigue builds within my limbs, like lead weights tied to my wrists and ankles, dragging me down with every step I take, slowing me further. I feel as if I am drowning in a sea of exhaustion, every muscle quivering with the strain, my lungs gasping for oxygen that won’t come.
And then it’s over. Just like that. Without warning, the rabbit comes to a stop atop a small hill, its ears twitching and nose quivering, as it turns its attention on me for the first time since the chase began. I take in the sight of it before me, its white fur still immaculate despite the downpour, its eyes reflecting the pale moonlight like polished rubies. It doesn’t react at all as I approach it, sitting idly on its hind legs as it awaits my arrival, almost as if it wants me to catch it, inviting me to try.
I don’t hesitate, seizing the opportunity and lunging forward with all my remaining strength, my hand outstretched to grasp it before it can run away. My fingers wrap around the little creature’s neck, the gauntlet of my armor digging into its fur as I lift it into the air, a triumphant grin spreading across my face.
Finally! I caught it! After everything that happened today, after all the hardships I endured and the humiliations I suffered, I caught that insufferable menace. Hurriedly removing my gauntlet, I pull the creature to my chest, cradling it in my arms as I marvel at my prize. It feels surprisingly docile in my grasp, offering no resistance or objection as I stroke its fluffy fur, running my fingers through its coat of purest white. Something blinks in my peripheral vision, but I don’t care about whatever the system wants from me now. Nothing can ruin this moment for me. I have won!
Now, what should I do with you? How should I exact my revenge on you, oh annoying vermin? A little bit of humiliation? No, not enough. Death, perhaps? A much more satisfying prospect, but somehow lacking in retribution. I could skin it and turn its soft fur into a pair of fluffy slippers or a comfortable scarf for myself, a token of my victory, a memento of my revenge. Or maybe keep it locked in a cage as a pet, forcing it to act as my companion, never allowed to taste freedom again. I giggle to myself as I imagine the many possibilities, reveling in the sweet sensation of anticipation as I bask in the glory of my conquest.
That’s when I notice it again, that flicker of light in the corner of my eye. Oh, right, the screens... What do you want from me this time, system? To congratulate me on a successful hunt? To shower me with rewards for achieving such a monumental task? I suppress my irritation, the pride of my accomplishment briefly superseding the lingering sting of resentment, and glance over to see what new information it has to reveal.
SHIT! I drop to the ground, as my brain finally registers the source of the flashing in my field of view. Not a screen! A sea of torches, like hundreds of tiny, orange stars, illuminate the night sky as they approach from the other side of the hill, their soft, flickering light casting long shadows among the trees.
Hundreds of figures, their faces covered by the masks of wooden animals, march toward us, their steps synchronized, their weapons held at the ready. Their formation is impeccable, their movements graceful and precise, as they sweep through the forest with practiced ease, cutting a path toward the summit where I lie, the small rabbit clutched tightly to my chest.
Who are they? Where did they come from? What do they want? Did a nearby tribe declare war on us? There are too many questions racing through my head, but I have no time to ponder them, as I watch in growing horror as the figures advance relentlessly towards my position. I need to get out! I need to hide! No, I must find my tribe and warn them!
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Adrenaline surges through my veins and my heartbeat pounds in my ears as I force myself to move, scrambling to my feet and taking off in the direction I came from, hoping that I can evade these intruders and make my way back to safety. The little rabbit kicks and struggles against my hold, but I don’t let up, my grip on its body unshakeable, my nails digging into its soft, plushy fur as I try desperately to put as much distance as possible between us and the approaching warriors.
Shouts and cries of alarm echo behind me, signaling that I have been spotted, but I keep going, weaving my way through the dense undergrowth, my body driven purely by instinct and reflex. My muscles ache, begging for rest, but I grit my teeth and push on, the panic driving me onward, compelling me to continue running, to flee this nightmare.
The rain has slowed to a steady drizzle, but the forest floor remains treacherous, the slick moss and wet mud making it hard to get good purchase as I scramble through the trees and over the fallen logs. The rabbit thrashes violently, its claws raking against my bare skin as it fights to escape, but I refuse to loosen my grasp on it, clinging to it with grim determination, a crazed glint in my eyes as I refuse to be deprived of my prize, even in the face of mortal danger.
I risk a glance back over my shoulder, only to see a group of masked warriors splitting off from the main force to pursue me, their shouts and bellows spurring me on to greater speeds. They move with an unnerving swiftness, their movements fluid and graceful as they close the distance between us, like a pack of hungry predators tracking their wounded prey.
Hide! I need to hide! There is no way I can outrun them in my current state, and there’s nowhere to take refuge in this unfamiliar section of the forest. I scan my surroundings, desperately seeking an escape route, a place to conceal myself and hide from my pursuers. My gaze darts from tree to tree, boulder to boulder, but each option proves equally inadequate. The rocky outcrops are too small, the fallen trunks too obvious, and the vegetation is too thin to provide any effective coverage.
I almost cry out in joy as I spot a clearing in the forest overgrown by large ferns and snake grass. A perfect place to lose my tail, I think to myself as I divert my path towards the break in the trees. The vegetation is dense; the underbrush making it easy to duck out of sight, and the uneven terrain provides ample opportunities to evade my hunters. I dive into the foliage, throwing myself to the ground and rolling out of sight just in time to avoid being spotted.
I lie still, my breath coming in quick, shallow gasps, straining my ears for any signs of pursuit. Within moments, I hear the muffled crunch of boots on dead leaves as the pursuing party draws near. My heart races, and I hold my breath as the sounds of footsteps slow to a halt, mere paces away from where I am hidden. I bite my lip as I resist the urge to peek through the foliage, forcing myself to remain motionless.
“Dammit, they must’ve gone this way,” a gruff male voice says, his tone laced with annoyance. “Do you smell anything?”
Another voice, this one distinctly female, answers him. “No. Not in this rain, anyway.” She pauses, and I hear a faint rustle of movement as she shifts position. “Maybe we should split up and search the area?”
A third voice speaks up, this one strangely accented and lilting, giving it a musical quality. “Yes, let us separate and hunt down the barbarian. Our mission, our sacred duty, demands that the despoiler be hunted and slain. If they do not suffer for their sins, then so shall we. They must die, so that we may live again in purity.”
“We don’t have the time for chasing a single stray,” the first man answers. “Search the area for tracks, but if you can’t find any trace of the coward, we move on! The hunt must be completed, at any cost!“
“Yes, sir!” the female responds, and I hear the shuffle of feet as the party splits off, each taking a different path through the undergrowth.
My heart pounds in my chest like a war drum as I listen to the sounds of the intruders dispersing, the thumps of their feet fading as they move further and further away. I clench my teeth to prevent them from chattering, suppressing a shudder that threatens to shake my entire body. The seconds stretch on like hours as I wait for the footsteps to recede until all I can hear is the pitter-patter of the rain falling through the canopy.
The chill of the rainwater soaks through my clothes and armor, making my body tremble, the tremors rattling my bones and setting my teeth chattering once again. My skin prickles with gooseflesh, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Pangs of hunger gnaw at my stomach, reminding me I have eaten nothing but a single jerky since the start of my hunt.
Hunt, hah... The only one being hunted here was me! First a roc, then a howler, and finally those mysterious intruders! Well, too bad for you all, because the winner of the hunt is the hunger and cold! Who knew that I would die at the end of my inaugural hunt, devoured by my frailty?
I look down at the rabbit, still struggling feebly in my grasp, its warm fur brushing against my bare skin. “Do you think you are tasty?” I whisper to it, the absurdity of the question making me chuckle. “What a miserable end to a miserable hunt, eh? How pitiful...“
“Indeed. Miserable and pitiful indeed. A fitting end for dirty savage scum like yourself,” a voice cuts in, making me jump and startling a gasp out of me. “One that is long overdue.”
A masked warrior emerges from the gloom, his body concealed by a flowing, black robe and his head and face hidden by a wooden mask, crafted in the likeness of a viper‘s maw, its jaws parted to reveal gleaming fangs. I recognize him as the third member of the group that was conversing outside my hiding place, his strange accent instantly betraying his identity. I shrink away, clutching the rabbit tighter as he advances, raising the mace in his right hand in an obvious threat.
“Why?” I ask, my voice barely audible above the pitter-patter of rain.
He cocks his head to the side, as if regarding me with interest, although I cannot see his expression behind the mask. “Why what, little barbarian? Why do you have to die?“ He raises the mace over his head, preparing to bring it down and crush my skull, and continues in that melodic, singsong manner of speech, “You can call it a divine retribution.“
I swallow back a whimper, my body trembling with fear. I don’t want to die, to be killed by a faceless stranger, by some unknown entity wearing the mask of an animal. It’s not fair. None of this is fair. I wanted to prove my worth, to show the world that I can achieve great things, and instead, I am reduced to cowering in mud, my death looming ever closer with each passing moment. It’s not fair...
My thoughts run wild as I frantically search for a solution, for a way to escape this fate. Desperate, I cling to the last vestige of hope that I have, and I cast my eyes down at the little creature squirming in my grasp, its red orbs blinking innocently as it looks back at me. It feels as if it is judging me, condemning me for my weakness, my cowardice. “I don’t want to die... Please, help me... I’ll do anything, I promise!“
The rabbit only struggles more against my grasp, its furry body twisting and turning in my hands, desperate to free itself from my clutches. It bites down at the exposed flesh of my fingers, causing me to yelp and recoil in pain, instinctively releasing the beast. It lands on its feet, but before it can flee, the masked warrior swings downwards with the mace, crushing the fragile bones of the little creature, the sickening crunch echoing in my ears, leaving it a pulped mass of blood and gore.
“NO!!! You killed it!!! I-I...” Words fail me, and I collapse to my knees, a feeling of utter helplessness washing over me, as I watch the mangled remains of the rabbit leak crimson lifeblood onto the muddy ground, mixing with the rainwater. My vision grows blurry as tears well up in my eyes, and I sob uncontrollably, my chest heaving with great, wracking spasms that tear through my entire body.
What was the point of everything I went through if this is how it ends? Did nothing matter? Was I born just to be a toy of the gods, a puppet dancing to their whims? To be played with, used, and discarded, to be crushed and trampled like a piece of trash? The rain pours down, and I fall face-first into the dirt, surrendering to despair. A cold, hollow feeling fills me from head to toe, numbing my senses, as I sink deeper into hopelessness.
“Please... Just kill me and get it over with... I can’t... I don’t want to feel anymore,” I croak out, my voice cracking as the sobs continue to rack my body. Tired, so very tired, exhausted in body, mind, and soul, weary unto death itself. All I want is an end to this torment. Is that too much to ask for?
An impact on my side sends me tumbling over, landing painfully on my back, and I look up to see the warrior towering above me. His eyes peer out from the shadows behind the mask, glinting with cruel amusement as he grins at my pathetic display of emotion. Another kick hits my stomach, knocking the wind out of me, and I curl up into a fetal position, trying to protect myself from the onslaught of blows that rain down upon my defenseless body.
As the blackness begins to envelop me, I wonder if anyone will even miss me, or if I will simply fade away into memory, nothing more than a footnote in the history of my tribe. I pray silently that those I love will survive, that they will find peace, happiness, and prosperity. I pray for the best for the tribe, as they continue on without me, moving past this tragedy, forgetting me as my bones decay, erased from the pages of history, an unfortunate accident that was never meant to happen. With my consciousness slipping away, I take a last look at the gored carcass of the little rabbit, the cause of my demise.
It opens its eyes, its red orbs shining with life once again. Its white fur immaculate, not even a drop of blood sullies its purity. It looks at me, tilting its head as if watching a spectacle, the hint of a smile on its fuzzy face, its pink, twitching nose taunting me, as the light of life leaves my eyes. And then, just as I slip into oblivion, it hops away, disappearing into the shadows.