Stepping out into the open, I was greeted by the vast expanse of the desert biome. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the sands. There was no army, no ambush—just the quiet rustling of the wind.

Relief washed over me. The journey was far from over, but for now, I had a moment of peace. Adjusting the axe on my back, I set off toward the blinking marker on the map, one step closer to whatever awaited me on the third floor.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. "You're not real," I whispered, trying to steady my breathing. But the line between reality and paranoia was blurring.

"Oh, but I am as real as your fears," he taunted. "You can't escape me."

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. "I can, and I will," I insisted, forcing one foot in front of the other.

Finally, I emerged into the frozen wilderness just as the sun had fully set. My eyes adjusted to having barely more light from the stars above than in the dim caves, but the starry night sky was dazzling compared to the oppressive darkness below. The crisp, cold air filled my lungs, each breath a reminder of freedom.

Above me, the heavens stretched infinitely, stars glittering like scattered jewels on a canvas of deepest indigo. The vastness of the sky made the claustrophobic tunnels feel like a distant memory. The gentle glow of the moon bathed the snow-covered landscape in a silvery light, casting long shadows that danced with the wind.

I stood there, absorbing the serenity. The silence was different here—not the eerie quiet of the caves but a peaceful stillness. The weight on my shoulders lightened, and even Malice’s grumbling faded into the background.

"Don't get too comfortable," he mumbled, but his words lacked their usual bite.

I took a deep breath, the cold air invigorating. "Maybe it's time you took a back seat," I whispered.

I moved on finally, each step carrying me further from the darkness, both outside and within. Under the expanse of the starlit sky, I felt a renewed strength—a sense of hope. The journey ahead was long, but for the first time in a while, I felt truly free.

I rushed forward, running as fast as I could toward the desert. With the keyhole revealed, there was no reason to dally. Energy surged through me, my drive returning with every step. There was nothing that could stop me now—or so I thought, just before an arrow struck my knee.

A sharp pain exploded in my leg, and I stumbled, crashing onto the frozen forest floor. The icy ground scraped against my skin, cold seeping through my clothes. But I wasn't going to let myself get caught unaware twice. Using my momentum, I rolled off the path, diving into the underbrush. Twigs snapped and leaves rustled as I sought cover among the twisted roots and shadows.

More arrows thudded into the spot where I'd just been, one embedding itself into a tree trunk at eye level. "That was too close," I thought, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest.

"Joke's on you, pal—you can't get my key even if you take me down," I muttered under my breath, a grim smirk forming despite the pain. Curling up, I glanced at my knee. Blood seeped through the torn fabric, the arrow protruding grotesquely. The sight made my stomach churn, but there was no time for weakness.

I gritted my teeth, gripping the arrow shaft with trembling hands. "This is going to hurt," I whispered. With a swift yank, I pulled it free. A searing pain shot through me, and I bit down hard to stifle a scream. Warm blood flowed freely, staining the snow beneath me a stark crimson.

Fumbling through my pack, I retrieved the potion I'd gotten from the chest—a small vial filled with a luminescent liquid that shimmered even in the dim light. Uncorking it, I poured the contents over the wound. A burning sensation coursed through my leg as the potion did its work, the flesh knitting itself back together before my eyes. Fascination and relief mingled as the gash closed, leaving only a faint scar.

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But the danger was far from over. I could almost feel the archer's gaze searching for me. I had to think fast. "Malice, drop the light, now," I commanded in a hushed tone.

Instantly, I was plunged into total darkness. My eyes struggled to adjust, the sudden absence of light leaving me momentarily blind. The stars above were mere pinpricks, offering no solace as they were swallowed by the dense canopy. The forest transformed into a labyrinth of shadows; trees loomed like silent sentinels, their branches intertwining overhead to block out the sky.

The darkness wasn't just around me—it was pressing in, clinging to me like a second skin. It seemed almost alive, a tangible force fighting back against any hint of brightness. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. Every sound was amplified—the crunch of snow underfoot, the whisper of the wind through the bare branches, the distant hoot of an owl.

I moved cautiously, darting between trees, each footstep carefully placed to avoid making noise. My senses were on high alert, every rustle sending a jolt of adrenaline through my veins. "Stay calm," I told myself. "Use the darkness. Become part of it."

But doubt gnawed at me. "Who is out there? Why are they after me?" The questions circled in my mind, unanswered and unsettling. I pressed myself against a massive oak, the rough bark digging into my back, grounding me in the present.

A sudden snap of a twig echoed somewhere behind me. I froze, holding my breath. "Are they closing in?" My pulse thundered in my ears, each second stretching into an eternity.

"I can't keep running blindly," I realized. "I need a plan." Scanning my surroundings—or at least trying to—I felt the contours of the forest with my hands. The moss-covered trees, the tangled underbrush, the cold, unyielding stones—all could be tools or obstacles.

An idea sparked. "If I can't see them, maybe they can't see me either." I crouched low, gathering a handful of small stones. "Perhaps I can create a distraction."

I tossed a stone to my right, the clatter echoing through the silent woods. Almost immediately, an arrow whizzed past, embedding itself in the direction of the sound. "Got you," I thought, a grim satisfaction settling in.

Using the momentary diversion, I slipped away, moving as silently as possible. The darkness seemed to both aid and hinder me—hiding me from sight but also masking potential dangers. The forest floor was treacherous, roots threatening to trip me, unseen branches snagging at my clothes.

The cold air burned in my lungs, each breath a visible puff in the frigid night. My fingers were numb, but I couldn't afford to stop. "Just a little further," I urged myself. "I have to reach the clearing."

The darkness was relentless, an oppressive weight that threatened to smother any hope. But I refused to let it conquer me. "I've come too far to be stopped now."

As I pushed onward, the faintest glow appeared ahead—a break in the trees. Relief washed over me like a cool wave. The edge of the forest, I thought. Almost there.

But then, the silence shattered. A rustling behind me—closer this time. Panic surged through my veins. They've caught up.

Summoning the last of my strength, I broke into a sprint, the throbbing pain in my knee forgotten. The damp earth blurred beneath my feet as I burst into the open. The cold light of the moon illuminated the vast expanse of the desert before me. A gust of dry air hit my face, carrying the scent of sand and freedom.

The darkness of the forest recoiled, unable to follow me into the open. I glanced back at the shadowy treeline, a mix of victory and lingering dread settling in my chest. Those archers are still back there. I need to stay ahead.

Pulling out the map with trembling hands, I realized I was on the opposite end of the desert from where the key needed to be used. The desert stretched out as a vast, empty expanse. But beyond it lay hilly plains dotted with plants and scattered trees. Not as treacherous as a forest full of soldiers, but challenging enough to evade an entire army. If I can make it there, I might stand a chance.

I dashed toward the plains, my heart pounding in my ears. Falling to my knees, I looked up and whispered, "Thank you, Malikap," as a cloud of deep, dark fog descended upon me. It wrapped around the hills like a protective cloak. There's no chance they'll catch me now.

I rushed into the fog, the cool mist enveloping me. The world turned into a haze of shadows and whispers. But as I climbed the first hill, my foot caught on a hidden root. I tumbled backward, rolling down into the desert sands. The fog seemed to push me away, almost rejecting me.