Shae’s breath came in short, sharp bursts as she moved through the trees just outside the nature sanctuary. The soft glow of the moon filtered through the thick canopy overhead, casting eerie shadows that seemed to shift with every step. Her instincts were on high alert; something was wrong.

The message she had received—an urgent call for help—had been brief, almost cryptic. A disturbance. A threat. She had come expecting trouble, but there was a strange energy in the air that set her on edge. The closer she got to the sanctuary's borders, the heavier the feeling grew, like the entire forest was holding its breath.

Suddenly, the rustle of leaves ahead caught her attention. Shae crouched low, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her blade. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the area, listening for any signs of movement.

The first figure emerged from the shadows. A lean, wiry man with eyes that gleamed in the moonlight. He carried himself with an unsettling calm, but the tension in his muscles betrayed his readiness for a fight. More figures followed, surrounding her, their faces hidden by the darkness.

Shae’s grip tightened. "You’re friendly, right?" she called out, keeping her voice steady.

The man in front grinned, showing teeth that seemed unnaturally sharp. "Friendly? We're far from that state of mind tonight." His voice had a slithering quality to it, like a predator circling its prey. "We're here for something else. And you, my dear, are in the way."

Shae's heart raced as the group closed in. They were faster than she expected—too fast for humans. She barely had time to react before the first one lunged at her, claws slashing through the air. She ducked, rolling to the side, but another was already coming from the opposite direction.

Her blade flashed out, catching the second attacker across the arm, but the wound barely slowed them down. Their unnatural speed and strength confirmed her suspicions. These weren’t ordinary thugs—they were enhanced, possibly something more sinister.

As the fight intensified, Shae found herself on the defensive, her movements fluid but strained as she dodged and parried with precision. For every hit she landed, another attacker seemed to take their place. She was outnumbered, and their coordinated attacks were wearing her down.

Then, through the chaos, she heard it—a low growl that rumbled through the air, shaking the leaves above her. The group of attackers hesitated for the first time, glancing around in confusion.

Out of the shadows stepped a figure—tall, broad-shouldered, with a wild, untamed energy that seemed to radiate from him. His eyes, a striking shade of amber, locked onto the attackers with a predatory focus. It was Falin.

He had been watching, drawn by the same disturbance Shae had felt. But now, seeing her overwhelmed, he couldn’t stay on the sidelines any longer.

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"Back off," Falin’s voice was a deep, commanding growl. He didn’t wait for a response.

In an instant, he moved, faster than Shae could track. The first attacker went down hard, a swift blow sending them crashing into a nearby tree. Another charged at him, but Falin was ready, countering with a fluid motion that sent the attacker sprawling.

But something else was happening. As Falin fought, the energy around him began to shift, swirling like a tangible force. He felt it pulsing through his veins, raw and untapped. The more he fought, the more it built, until finally, with a burst of instinct, he released it.

The ground beneath him shook, a wave of energy radiating outward. The attackers stumbled, their movements faltering as if something unseen was holding them back.

Shae, wide-eyed, took advantage of the moment, cutting down the last of the attackers. But her focus was on Falin, whose hands still crackled with residual energy. He looked down at them, surprise flickering across his face. This was new.

Whatever power he had just unleashed, it had turned the tide of the fight.

The remaining attackers, now disoriented and unnerved, scrambled back into the shadows, retreating as quickly as they had appeared.

Shae stood up, wiping sweat from her brow as she surveyed the scene. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing at Falin.

Falin’s gaze met hers, his expression calm despite the turmoil. "Name's Falin," he said, his voice carrying a quiet strength. "I was in the sanctuary nearby, felt something strange. Looks like I was right."

Shae’s grip on her blade relaxed slightly, but her guard was still up. "You have no idea what you just did, do you?"

Falin glanced at his hands, the energy still tingling in his fingertips. "No," he admitted, "but I think it’s going to come in handy."

As they caught their breath, a glowing status screen materialized before Falin, displaying his newly acquired ability:

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Falin's Status Screen:

* Name: Falin

* Class: Druid

* Rank: Dirt

Skills:

Summon Roots (Common): Summon roots from the ground to bind and trap enemies.

Healing Bloom (Inferior): Release a burst of natural energy to heal minor injuries over time.

Wild Instinct (inferior): Heighten your senses, improving perception of danger and your surroundings which is crucial to a druid.

Nature’s Calamity (Newly Acquired): Unleashes raw energy from the environment, creating shockwaves that disrupt enemy movements.

Titles:

* Awakened: You are among the first to awaken to the system. A small bonus to experience gain.

* Nature’s Apprentice: You have chosen the path of the Druid. Nature’s forces are now at your disposal.