Atreo’s breath formed small clouds in the cool air as he shouldered the buck towards the flickering campfire. The temperature drop seemed unusual, perhaps due to the changing dungeon environment, but he couldn’t be sure.
As he approached, the flames crackled. The quiet forest came to life anew with the flickering shadows of the fire. The smoldering embers cast a warm glow against the encroaching darkness, inviting him into their open embrace.
He hadn’t expected a fire. Kore never mentioned knowing how to make one, but then again, he realized there was much he still had to learn about her. He positioned the deer close to the fire, making sure not to accidentally burn it. Just as he prepared to skin and butcher it, he heard the rustling of leaves from the direction of the trail.
Kore emerged from the shadows, her face lighting up with relief and a hint of hunger as she spotted Atreo and the fallen buck. “You got one,” she said, her voice a mixture of awe and gratitude.
“Yeah, it’s a good one,” Atreo replied, wiping his brow. He gestured towards the buck. “We’ll have enough meat for a while.”
Kore approached, her feet crunching softly on the forest floor. She crouched beside the deer, inspecting it with an inexperienced eye. “You did well, Atreo. It looks like a clean shot,” she noted, her fingers brushing lightly over the area where the arrow had struck.
“Thanks,” he responded, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. “It’s the first time I’ve ever killed something that hadn’t tried to kill me first. It feels weird in a way, taking a life, but I knew it had to be done.”
A soft smile tugged at Kore’s lips, and her eyes rose to meet his. Atreo couldn’t help but notice that her eyes were filled with a mix of sadness, hope, and determination. Her gaze shifted back to the buck.
As the fire crackled, Atreo surveyed his tools, his eyes lingering on the spear. He’d had a dagger earlier but had opted to leave it behind due to a lack of space.
He mentally kicked himself. "Idiot," he thought.
He eyed the spear again, the only implement he had sharp enough to begin. With a steadying breath, he approached the task with a mixture of resolve and hesitation. Using the spear's tip, which was not ideal for slicing, made the initial incisions challenging and imprecise.
Kore watched, her brow furrowed with concern. "Be careful," she cautioned, her voice low. "I don’t think people normally use a spear for this."
Atreo nodded, focusing intently as he used the very tip to gently score the skin around the deer's legs. Each movement was deliberate, mindful of the spear’s limitations. As he worked the skin free, using his hands more than the spear, the process was slow and laborious, but bit by bit, the hide began to separate from the flesh beneath.
“Back on Earth,” Atreo grunted, pausing to wipe sweat from his brow, “I’d never even thought I’d need to do this. But out here, you learn fast or you don’t survive, I guess.”
Kore stepped closer, her hands ready to assist. “Let me help you,” she said and took a knee opposite him. They continued, Atreo guiding the spear, and Kore using her hands to pull the skin back gently. It was a dance of necessity, one that spoke of their burgeoning reliance on each other in this wild place.
Soon, the sound of sizzling filled the air as they placed the first cuts of venison on a makeshift grill over the fire. The aroma was tantalizing, and Atreo found himself relaxing for the first time since he’d entered the dungeon. The bath he’d had had been nice, but it wasn’t the same as this.
Kore sat back, her face illuminated by the firelight. “This is perfect,” she said, watching the flames dance. “Well, almost perfect.”
“What’s missing?” Atreo asked, a playful tone in his voice as he tended to the cooking meat.
“A good story,” Kore chuckled. “Tell me about the hunt while we wait for the feast.”
Atreo settled into his makeshift seat and began to recount his day, the challenges and the triumphs. He couldn’t help but feel that, in this moment, everything was exactly as it should be.
As the last embers of the fire glowed softly against the night, Atreo turned the meat over, letting the sizzle break the silence. Kore, settled across from him, her eyes reflecting the flickers of the flame, waited quietly.
"You know, back on Earth, my family lived near a huge park," Atreo began, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "It was nothing like these wilds, all manicured lawns and paved paths, but to me, it was a slice of wilderness in the middle of the city. Every Sunday, my dad would take me there just after dawn. He said it was the best time to see the park breathe."
Kore listened, her expression unreadable in the firelight, yet her attention never wavered.
"We'd watch the squirrels dart about and the early birds swoop down to snatch up breakfast. It was... peaceful. Simple." Atreo chuckled softly, turning the meat again. "I used to complain about waking up so early. If I'd known where I'd end up, maybe I would've appreciated those quiet mornings more."
He paused, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as memories flooded back. "Dad loved those walks. For him, it was about teaching me to appreciate the small things, the quiet moments. He'd say, 'Atreo, life’s not just about surviving, it’s about finding moments of peace among the chaos.'"
Kore shifted slightly, her gaze still locked on Atreo. "Do you miss it?" she asked, her voice low.
"Every day," Atreo admitted, his smile fading into a thoughtful frown. "But being here, with you, facing all this... it's like I'm living one of those lessons he was trying to teach me. We're finding peace in chaos, aren't we?"
Kore nodded slowly, her eyes softening. "We are, in our own way."
The fire crackled between them, a comfortable silence settling. Atreo’s story had woven a thread of Earth into the fabric of their alien night, reminding them both of what they'd left behind and what they were learning to build.
The venison was done, the edges crisply charred, and the center juicy and tender. Atreo lifted the meat from the fire, placing it carefully on a flat stone they'd scrubbed clean earlier. The aroma filled the air, rich and inviting, reminding them both of the tangible reward of their hard work.
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Kore had gathered small fruits from a nearby bush, a tangy counterpoint to the savory venison. They sat across from each other, the fire between them, each with a portion of the meal laid out on broad leaves serving as makeshift plates.
"Looks good," Kore said, breaking off a piece of the venison with careful fingers.
She took a bite, chewing thoughtfully, her usual reserve softening with each taste.
“It’s better than good; it’s a feast,” Atreo replied with a laugh. He was hungry, hungrier than he’d realized. The scraps of deer he’d gotten from the Kobolds had done little to satiate his hunger, and the food was indeed delicious.
Watching Kore, he noticed she was eating with an uncharacteristic relish, her usual distant demeanor tempered by the shared meal.
As they ate, the silence was comfortable, filled only with the crackling of the fire and the occasional night sounds from the forest around them.
“While I was out, I noticed signs of another powerful creature nearby,” Atreo said, his voice tinged with both excitement and caution. “I think its name is Orion the Mighty, some kind of beast boss. What do you think about taking him on?
“What do you think?”
“I don’t see a reason why not. I mean, it’s not like we’re on a time crunch or anything, right? Honestly, I don’t see why we don’t just stay here forever.”
“About that,” said Atreo. “I might’ve forgotten to mention that Urgon said he’d send his goons after us in five days.”
Kore’s eyes widened with surprise and concern. “Five days? Atreo, why didn’t you say anything earlier? We need to be prepared for them.”
Atreo sighed, his expression serious. “There’s been so much happening, I guess I didn’t prioritize it. We’ve been focused on surviving day-to-day.”
Kore sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I understand, but this changes everything. We need to plan our next moves carefully. If they find us unprepared, we won't stand a chance.”
Atreo nodded, his expression turning serious. “You’re right. We need to use our time wisely. First, we’ll deal with Orion, then we’ll gather as many resources as we can. We need to be ready for when Urgon’s men arrive.”
Kore’s face softened slightly as she met Atreo’s gaze. “We’ll get through this.”
----------------------------------------
The battered pair broke camp once the orb brought light again. They began their journey towards Orion’s domain. Although the trek wasn’t far, the air thickened with tension. Their last boss encounter had left them scarred, and their steps were cautious, laden with apprehension. Despite the relentless ticking of their invisible clock, they didn’t rush. As they neared Pride Rock, Atreo retrieved the extra spear he had buried when carrying the buck back to camp and handed it to Kore. Now, armed with two spears and a bow with a few arrows, they felt slightly more prepared. Kore had honed her powers, and Atreo was stronger and faster than before.
Reaching Orion's domain, Atreo accessed his HUD, noting Kore’s health was full, though her energy bar remained a mysterious gray. His own energy bar mirrored hers, likely due to his lack of spells. His stats screen showed progress towards Level 2. His Dexterity was 2, Strength 3, Intelligence 1, Luck 3, Will 1, Constitution 3, and Health 310.
"Kore, what are your stats?" he asked. She shook her head. "I prefer not to share; it gives others power over you.” Atreo nodded. "Fair enough."
As they moved forward, Atreo noticed the indentation in the grass where the buck had lain. The blood had turned bronze-like and soaked into the soil. They both received a notification: "Would you like to challenge the boss Orion the Mighty?" Exchanging nods, they stepped into Orion's domain, spears ready.
Immediately, the ground began to shake like an earthquake. Kore and Atreo swayed, struggling to maintain their footing, all the while keeping their eyes on Orion’s den.
A potent odor assaulted their senses. It smelled of the damp forest with a tang of sweat and a robust, gamey aroma that spoke of a wild nature. The den began to rustle, and the trampling sound of hooves impacting the earth resonated from within.
Orion the Mighty emerged from his den with primal ferocity, his massive form an imposing silhouette against the forest backdrop. The earth trembled under the weight of his massive hooves, each step sending vibrations through the ground. As he emerged, clumps of earth flew in all directions, a testament to his sheer power and size.
Atreo shielded his eyes against the assault of debris, only to be struck by the sight of the giant boar standing defiantly before him. Orion’s massive frame was covered in a bristly, matted coat that seemed to absorb the dim light, giving him an even more formidable appearance. His eyes glinted with a fierce intelligence, hinting at the cunning nature of a seasoned predator.
But it was Orion’s metal tusks that truly set him apart. Forged from the metals of the dungeon, they gleamed with a metallic sheen, razor-sharp and menacing. These tusks were not just weapons but symbols of his dominance and strength in the forest hierarchy. They curved menacingly, capable of rending both earth and flesh with equal ease.
Orion snorted, a sound that resonated like thunder, as he pawed at the ground, ready to charge. His sheer size and the metallic glint of his tusks made him appear less like a creature of flesh and blood and more like a behemoth forged from the ancient wilderness itself. This was no ordinary boar; this was Orion the Mighty, a creature as old as the legends told in whispered tones around campfires.
As Orion the Mighty charged, the ground beneath Atreo trembled with the beast's immense power. Atreo dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly swipe of Orion's metallic tusks. The giant boar turned, preparing for another charge, his eyes burning with a wild, unyielding fury.
From the edge of the clearing, Kore watched, her body tensed for action. She knew that despite Atreo's agility and courage, they would need every advantage they could muster to defeat such a formidable foe. She focused, drawing upon her unique abilities, feeling the essence around her coalesce into a visible aura around her hands.
"Orion!" she shouted, stepping into the open to draw his attention. The boar paused, his head swinging toward her voice. In that moment, Kore raised her hands, and the air crackled as if the wind itself had died in her palms. The air shimmered with a translucent glow as a chain of decay linked Kore and Orion together, intertwining them in a struggle for power.
Orion snorted, disoriented by the unexpected assault. His charge faltered, giving Atreo the chance to move in.
"Now, Atreo!" Kore yelled.
Atreo sprinted forward, his spear poised. He aimed for the joints in Orion's front legs—the only spots not armored by the boar's thick, bristly hide or his metal enhancements.
As Atreo thrust the spear forward, Kore struggled in a tug of war with Orion. Where other life had given in easily, Orion rebelled against Kore’s attempts to weaken him. Orion glowed with a thick green energy, having temporarily rebuffed Kore’s attempts. He stomped forward, sending cracks in Kore’s direction, which gave Atreo the time he needed to make his move.
The spear found its mark, sinking deep into the joint of Orion's left front leg. The boar bellowed in pain and rage, a sound that echoed ominously through the forest. He staggered but did not fall, turning his massive head toward Atreo with a look of sheer animosity.
Kore let loose an ear-splitting scream, doubling down as her face contorted with concentration. The small siphon she’d started with combusted into a surge as the life essence raced toward Kore’s open hands.
"It’s too much!" she screamed. "I can't hold this much longer!" she cried out, her powers reaching their limit.
Atreo nodded, understanding the stakes. He pulled back, preparing for a final, decisive blow.
With a primal yell, he charged, using every ounce of strength and speed he had left. Orion, weakened by Kore's mystical assault, was slow to react. The spear drove deep, piercing through hide, muscle, and bone. Despite Orion’s weakened state, he shrugged Atreo off, launching him headfirst into the nearby brush.
As Atreo flew through the air, he scrambled for his bow. Time seemed to pause as he knocked an arrow, aiming for Orion’s exposed eye. At the same moment, Kore collapsed, dropping her hands to the floor, exhausted. Atreo let loose the arrow with wild abandon. It sliced through the air, carrying Atreo’s hopes like a fourth feather attached to the shaft. His shot went wide, missing Orion by a mile.
Orion snorted in derision and began a slow but decisive charge in Atreo’s direction, lowering his head to point the menacing, metallic tusks directly at him. The ground trembled with each pound of Orion's massive hooves, sending small quakes through Atreo's body. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Atreo's heart raced as he quickly recalculated his next move. With no time to lament the missed shot, he scrambled to position himself behind a large, sturdy tree, using it as a barrier between himself and the charging beast.
Peering around the trunk, Atreo prepared for another attempt, drawing his bow with newfound focus, knowing that this might be his last chance to stop Orion before the devastating impact of those tusks could reach him.
The splitting sound of metal carving wood echoed throughout the clearing. Orion stood in front of a split tree that had exploded outward due to the tremendous force of his charge. Atreo was nowhere to be seen. An arrow protruded from his eye, and he staggered, taking a step back. He turned on Kore, looking to finish the job when the mighty boar's knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the forest floor with a ground-shaking thud. Orion tried to rise again, his muscles twitching with the effort, but the draining effects of Kore's powers and the injuries inflicted by Atreo had finally taken their toll.
Kore, having absorbed Orion’s essence, stumbled towards the shattered tree, praying Atreo was still alive. As she neared, she spotted him covered in splinters, lying down motionless in the remnants of upturned roots. "Atreo," she called, fear snaking up her spine. To her surprise, he lifted a hand in response but did not get up. "I'm alright," he said, his voice steady despite his unusual position. “I just need a minute to make sure I’m still alive.” Kore smiled and flopped down beside him. Atreo and Kore exchanged a look of relief and triumph.
“Fuckin A,” Atreo said, a mix of relief and triumph in his voice.
They had faced the mighty Orion together and emerged victorious, their bond strengthened by the ordeal. As the adrenaline faded, they approached the fallen beast, respect and a touch of sadness in their eyes for the majestic creature that lay defeated before them.