Day one in the cabin marked the beginning of our collective survival efforts. Shael took charge of breakfast, displaying a culinary skill none of us possessed. Roger, willingly gathering firewood, returned with an armful of sticks. Klayden, lounging on the floor with his cohorts – Dagen, Caldor, and Akibrus – seemed indifferent to the situation. Realizing the need for leadership, I proposed a meeting to discuss our roles and responsibilities.

Roger, joining us, displayed curiosity. "What is it you're discussing?" he asked.

"I would happily tell you, but first, we need everyone to join," I responded.

Klayden, showing a hint of interest, lifted his head slightly. Dagen, eager for action, rose but was restrained by Akibrus. Caldor, however, decided to join Dagen, signaling their proactive stance. Akibrus, initially reluctant, eventually conceded, and the three sat before me and Roger.

Shael, having completed breakfast, served the food on a makeshift plate. We devoured it eagerly, except for Klayden, whose pride seemed to hinder his cooperation.

After the meal, I acknowledged Shael's cooking skills, and we initiated the meeting. Everyone gathered to hear my proposals.

Addressing the group, I outlined our immediate challenges. "The food will only last us for tonight, and we also need water. Any volunteers?" Roger offered to fetch water, having discovered a nearby river during his firewood gathering. I suggested Shael accompany him for safety.

"Now that we have a water source secured, we need food. I'll take care of that job," I declared. Surprisingly, Dagen volunteered to join me on the hunting expedition.

With water and food addressed, I turned to the matter of cabin protection. "Akibrus, Caldor, and Klayden can protect the cabin," I decided. This decision irked Klayden, who questioned my leadership. Dagen defended my choice, highlighting my proactive approach.

Unfazed by Klayden's skepticism, I continued, "If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility. But if we all do our part, we won't have any problems."

Klayden, with a smirk, stood up, seemingly content with the situation. "Well, I feel much better. Let's get started!" he declared, signaling a reluctant acceptance of the roles assigned. Despite his attitude, I was determined to ensure the group's cohesion and success during our eight-day ordeal.

Several hours had passed since Dagen and I left the cabin. Slowly, we traversed the dense forest, our senses alert for any sign of movement. Unexpectedly, Dagen seized my shoulder, guiding me into a crouch behind a fallen tree trunk. Ahead of us, concealed by a thicket of bushes, lurked our prey – a Fey wolverine. This creature, with its thick brown fur and razor-sharp claws, was deceptively small yet perilous if provoked. The wolverine, oblivious to our presence, feasted on a bloody, unrecognizable carcass it had dragged beneath the shadowy tree canopy.

Anticipating a lethal strike, I poised my sword like a spear, but Dagen restrained my arm. His hushed gesture urged silence, and my annoyance was palpable. "What's the issue?" I whispered.

In response, Dagen picked up a rock, prompting incredulous stares. Was he planning to dispatch the creature with that?

Raising his right hand, holding the enchanted rock over his shoulder, Dagen invoked runes as his muscles tensed. The air around him crackled with magical energy, and veins bulged in his neck and arms. With a powerful throw, the rock reverberated through the forest, causing branches to shake violently. A deafening thump and a screech echoed, the wolverine collapsing, lifeless, to the ground. Dagen had dispatched it with a single, magically enhanced shot.

"Why did you stop me?" I asked, perturbed by the stolen kill.

Dagen crouched, gently petting the fallen creature. "My father always told me never to let an animal suffer; it spoils the meat. Besides, I wasn't sure if you'd hit it."

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

In disbelief, my jaw dropped. "So, you don't trust in my skills?" I exclaimed.

"Sorry, but it's the truth," Dagen replied, and we shared a laugh.

"Alright, let's get this thing back to the cabin," I said, sheathing my sword. Dagen and I each took hold of a set of legs, silently traversing the woods. The only sounds were our footsteps and the ambient noises of the forest. Our destination was just minutes away, and the silent tranquility was broken by Dagen.

"Can I tell you something?" he asked.

"Sure, what is it?"

"I appreciate you taking charge of our group. I wasn't really about this whole...thing. Also, sorry about Klayden; he can be an ass sometimes."

I laughed at his last statement. "It's not a problem, and thank you for helping me with the hunt." It was a pleasant surprise to receive praise from someone I initially had a rough start with. Perhaps his companions could also see the potential for camaraderie.

Finally reaching the cabin, Akibrus and Caldor stood at the front door. They turned their attention to us, rushing forward to assist. "Let's take that off your hands," Caldor insisted, and they relieved us of the wolverine.

Before they entered the cabin, I inquired about Roger and Shael. Caldor, struggling with the beast, replied, "They have not returned as yet." I nodded, and they disappeared inside.

A couple of hours later, Shael and Roger returned, each carrying buckets of water. "Glad you guys made it back," I remarked. Taking Shael's buckets, I placed them next to the fireplace. Shael, with beads of sweat on her forehead, appeared exhausted compared to Roger, who seemed unfazed – perhaps outdoor work was not her forte.

Three days passed seamlessly, filled with laughter and camaraderie. Even Klayden showed a more sociable side during a shared shower by the river, revealing Caldor's embarrassing mud slip.

On the fourth day, with four days remaining until we could leave the forest, a jovial atmosphere enveloped the cabin. Under the starlit sky, the crescent moon cast a silvery glow, a stark contrast to the dark and eerie forest. Laughter emanated from inside, where everyone sat around the hearth – the glue binding our newfound companionship. Next to Shael, I exchanged friendly smiles.

This evening, Klayden was unusually talkative, boasting about confronting Zorion upon our return. Caldor responded, "Is that so?"

"Glad we got sent here; otherwise, I wouldn't be having this much fun!" Klayden exclaimed with enthusiasm. Taking a sip of water, his eyes widened in excitement, almost choking as he spoke. "Friends! I have an idea – we should have a feast the day before we leave the forest!"

We exchanged raised eyebrows, contemplating the feasibility of Klayden's suggestion. "It's not a bad idea," Akibrus conceded, and we all nodded in agreement.

While I acknowledged the idea, the reality was that we lacked time for a celebration. "If we want a party, we'll have to hunt for extra food."

"Come on, Zarek! We'll deal with all of that; don't worry yourself," Klayden assured, offering a reassuring pat on my back. Chuckling, I took a sip of water, unaware that our brief moment of merriment was about to be shattered.

Above the chatter, a sudden thump echoed through the room. Silence fell like a shroud, and all eyes turned to the origin – the roof. Shael dropped her cup, paralyzed in her spot, her wide eyes and twitching ears betraying horror.

Rushing to Shael, I asked urgently, "What's wrong?" She grabbed my arm, terror etched across her face. "Zarek... there is something on the roof." The room fell into an eerie silence as we all stared, awaiting the return of the strange sounds. A low clicking emerged, intensifying the ominous atmosphere.

A loud thump, and then another, emanated from the roof, causing Klayden to flinch. The sounds continued, leading us to the door where we discovered a more immediate threat. A creature, a Duskfang, crashed through the roof screeching, catching us off guard. We scrambled away from the debris, and in an instant, a fight for survival began.

Roger, unsheathing his sword, attacked the creature, but it evaded him. Swiftly, the Duskfang retaliated, using its hind legs to kick Roger into our supplies. Klayden charged at the creature and successfully cut off the creature's left arm. Despite its screeching, I stepped forward, stabbing the creature in the head. It twitched, prompting another stab to ensure its demise. Standing over the lifeless creature, my trembling arms gripped the hilt, and the room fell into shocked silence, before Klayden broke, repeatedly striking at the creature's lifeless body until blood was splattered on his face.

Slowly regaining composure, I urged, "We need to leave this cabin, now!" Equipping our armor and grabbing supplies, we were interrupted by Dagen's call.

"Everyone, look!" he shouted.

Anxious and annoyed, I inquired, "What is it?" As I reached the door, the sight rendered me almost speechless – three horsemen, one in the middle bearing a silver symbol with a skull and goat horns. Their ominous presence was accompanied by rustling in the trees, indicating a lurking danger.

"We've been looking for you, boy! Return with us, and your companions will be spared!" the central horseman declared.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice cracking with fear.

"We are the Apostles of Nekulla, and we have come to take you as a sacrifice. Surrender to us, and let your friends walk away with their lives!"