Chapter 2: A world Unveiled

Elliot blinked as the world around him came into focus. The transition was seamless yet overwhelming, the environment stretching endlessly in every direction. Vibrant hues of green and gold painted the landscape, with distant hills and dense forests shimmering under the light of an oversized sun. The air was rich with unfamiliar scents—wildflowers, pine, and the faint metallic tang of something magical in the atmosphere.

He still couldn’t see his body, but the interface hovered in front of him, translucent and alive. A small notification pulsed in the corner of his vision: Welcome, Vyre. Your journey begins in the Shattered Peaks.

Elliot had read about the Shattered Peaks during his frantic research. It was a lightning-themed starting zone for players who chose stealth or intelligence-based characters. Rugged cliffs, unpredictable weather, and dangerous wildlife made it less desirable than the more beginner-friendly zones like Ember Vale or Serene Plains. But he’d chosen it for a reason: fewer players meant fewer chances of being killed before he could figure things out.

The interface shimmered again, offering a single message:

System Calibration Complete. Your abilities are now accessible. Good luck, Adventurer.

At that moment, a faint glow surrounded him, and his body materialized. He looked down at his hands—long fingers with faintly glowing veins of violet light running beneath obsidian skin. His shadowborne form was every bit as intimidating as he had designed it. He flexed his hands, marveling at how real it felt. The connection was immediate and immersive; every movement felt fluid, like his body had truly been transported to this new world.

Elliot hesitated. The air around him hummed with life, but he had no clear path forward. The environment was gorgeous, but its raw, untamed quality gave it a dangerous edge. The wind whistled through the jagged cliffs in the distance, and faint crackles of lightning split the sky, illuminating the peaks with a ghostly glow.

"Alright, let’s get moving," Elliot muttered. His voice sounded deeper, distorted slightly by his shadowborne form. It caught him off guard, but he pushed forward, scanning the interface for guidance. A small quest marker appeared, hovering faintly over a distant outcrop.

Quest: Gather Essential Resources. Objective: Collect 10 Lightning Shards. Reward: 50 XP, Basic Equipment Crate.

"Lightning Shards?" Elliot mumbled. He vaguely remembered reading about them on the forums. They were the most basic crafting material in the Shattered Peaks, used for starter gear and potions. It made sense that the first quest would involve gathering them.

He followed the marker cautiously, eyes darting to every shadow and movement. The grass beneath his feet crunched softly as he walked, and the distant rumble of thunder kept him on edge.

As he approached the outcrop, he noticed faint glimmers of light embedded in the stone. These had to be the shards. Elliot crouched down, his instincts kicking in as he reached out to collect one. A small vibration ran through his hands as the shard dissolved into light, disappearing into his inventory.

Lightning Shard x1 collected.

Before he could reach for another shard, a low growl rumbled from behind him. Elliot froze, his pulse quickening. Slowly, he turned, catching sight of a creature stalking toward him from the tall grass. It was wolf-like in shape, its body sleek and muscular, but with glowing cracks running through its fur like molten lava. Electric sparks danced along its spine, and its eyes burned with an unnatural light that made Elliot’s skin crawl.

"Of course," Elliot muttered, backing up slightly. "Can’t have a starter zone without hostile mobs."

The creature lowered itself, its glowing claws digging into the dirt as it prepared to lunge. Elliot scrambled to open his interface, his mind racing for options. His inventory was pitiful—completely bare except for a starter dagger. He equipped it in a panic, the faintly glowing blade appearing in his hand. It felt light, almost too light, and entirely unimpressive.

"Alright," he said under his breath, trying to steady his shaking hands. "Let’s do this."

The beast pounced with a snarl, its maw snapping inches from his face. Elliot threw himself to the side, barely dodging in time. He hit the ground hard, his shoulder scraping against the rough terrain, but he managed to roll to his feet. The creature wasted no time, spinning with predatory grace and swiping at him with its claws.

The impact landed squarely on his chest, sending him sprawling backward. His health bar flashed in the corner of his vision, dropping sharply by nearly a third. Elliot gasped as the force of the blow rattled through his entire body.

"Not good," he muttered, staggering to his feet. His hands gripped the dagger tightly, though he could already tell it wasn’t going to be enough. The beast’s glowing eyes locked onto him, its body crouched low and ready to strike again. He didn’t have time to think—just react.

It lunged again, and this time Elliot sidestepped, swinging wildly with the dagger. The blade caught the beast’s side, sending a small pulse of violet light across its body. The creature yelped, but the wound didn’t slow it down. If anything, it seemed angrier. It turned on him faster than he expected, slashing with one glowing paw. Elliot ducked, narrowly avoiding the swipe, but the creature's tail lashed out, knocking him off balance.

He hit the ground hard, his breath knocked out of him. His health bar flashed again, now sitting just above half.

"Come on, think," Elliot growled, pushing himself up. He recalled something he’d read on the forums: Combat in Aelorith Online is all about rhythm. Wait for the openings. Don’t panic.

The beast circled him, its movements slow and calculated. It was testing him, looking for weakness. Elliot took a shaky breath, adjusting his grip on the dagger. He wasn’t going to win this by trading blows. He needed to outthink it.

The creature lunged again, jaws wide, and Elliot waited until the last possible second before rolling to the side. The move was clumsy, but it worked. The beast landed where he’d been standing, momentarily off balance. Elliot seized the opportunity, slashing at its flank with all his strength. This time, the blade sunk deeper, and the creature let out a pained howl. A small notification appeared in his vision: Critical Hit!

"Yes!" Elliot shouted, but his triumph was short-lived. The beast recovered quickly, whirling around and snapping at him. He jumped back, narrowly avoiding the glowing teeth, but stumbled over uneven ground. The beast took advantage of the moment, swiping at him again. Pain shot through his side as his health bar dropped to a dangerous level—just over a quarter remaining.

His breathing was ragged, his body trembling. "One more hit like that, and I’m done," he muttered, forcing himself to stay calm. He couldn’t let fear take over. The creature stalked toward him, its eyes glowing brighter as it prepared for another attack.

Elliot steadied himself. He watched the beast’s movements carefully, waiting for the right moment. As it pounced again, he sidestepped with more precision this time, twisting his body to avoid the claws. In the same motion, he drove his dagger into its side, aiming for the glowing cracks in its fur. The blade pulsed with light as it connected, and the beast let out a final, piercing shriek before collapsing in a burst of energy.

The silence that followed was deafening. Elliot stood there, chest heaving, as the glowing remains of the creature dissolved into particles of light. A notification appeared in his vision:

Victory! Lightning Wolf defeated +10 XP. Loot: Lightning Shard x2, Beast Hide x1.

He dropped to his knees, adrenaline still coursing through him. His health bar flickered, reminding him just how close he’d come to dying.

"That... was way harder than it should’ve been," he muttered, shaking his head. The dagger in his hand shimmered faintly before disappearing back into his inventory. His hands felt empty without it, and for the first time, he truly understood how vulnerable he was in this world.

The fight had taken its toll, but Elliot couldn’t stop now. He forced himself to his feet, glancing around warily to make sure no other creatures were stalking him. The glowing shards embedded in the rock reminded him of his original goal. He crouched down, collecting another couple Lightning Shards, his fingers trembling slightly.

Lightning Shard x2 collected.

Elliot brushed himself off, his heart still racing from the fight. He opened his menu, grateful for the small comfort of gaining something from the ordeal. A notification blinked in the corner of his vision:

Skill Point Available. Select Your First Ability.

"Finally," he muttered, selecting the icon with a hesitant swipe. The menu shimmered to life, and a glowing skill tree appeared before him.

His breath caught in his throat.

The interface wasn’t what he expected. From everything he’d read on the forums, when a player earned their first skill point, the system displayed a small selection of abilities tied to their chosen class. For a Shadewalker, for instance, the options would be limited to stealth-based abilities like poisons, shadow strikes, or evasive maneuvers. Straightforward. Controlled. But this? This was something entirely different.

The skill tree displayed everything.

Rows upon rows of abilities stretched before him, categorized under headings like Shadewalker, Deathbinder, Tracker, and Magi. Each skill glowed faintly, indicating it was available for selection. Descriptions hovered alongside them, explaining their effects. It was overwhelming.

It was impossible.

Elliot stared, his stomach twisting in confusion. "What the hell is this?" he muttered under his breath.

He scrolled cautiously through the options, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. The first column showcased Shadewalker abilities, as he’d expected. There was Shadow Veil, a stealth-based skill that cloaked the user in near-invisibility for a short time. Poison Fang, which infused a dagger with venom for added damage. And Phase Step, a short-range teleport ideal for ambushes. All of them made sense for the type of character he had imagined—a silent, deadly figure lurking in the shadows.

But as he moved further down the list, things got stranger.

The next column was marked Deathbinder, a class focused on necromantic magic. These abilities included Bone Shard, which launched spectral spikes at enemies, and Plague Rot, a skill designed to debilitate foes with poison and disease. Skills no Shadewalker would—or should—have access to.

And it didn’t stop there.

The Tracker tree was filled with survivalist and ranged abilities. Hawk’s Eye improved accuracy for bows or rifles, while Snare Trap immobilized enemies caught in its radius. Moving further, Elliot spotted Flame Surge and Arcane Shield under the Magi column, fire-based spells and protective wards typically reserved for arcane casters.

He scrolled faster, his anxiety mounting. The skill tree kept going, with abilities from every class he’d read about: Sentinel, Devout Protector, Elementalist, and more. Each set of skills was distinct, tailored to its specific class, but they all glowed faintly, waiting for him to make a choice.

This isn’t right, Elliot thought. This isn’t normal.

His mind raced as he stared at the glowing tree of possibilities. He scrolled back to the top, searching for any indication of why this was happening. There was no explanation. Just skills. Too many skills.

From everything he knew about Aelorith Online, players were locked into their chosen class from the moment they began. Their skill trees were tailored to that class alone, restricting them to abilities that fit their role. This wasn’t just a design choice—it was a core mechanic of the game, ensuring balance and progression.

And yet, here he was, staring at an impossible interface that laid every class’s abilities at his feet.

Elliot rubbed his temples, trying to steady his thoughts. Could this be related to the glitch during character creation? He thought back to the error message, the one that had prevented him from selecting a class. At the time, he’d dismissed it as a harmless bug, but now... now he wasn’t so sure.

Elliot’s eyes scanned the glowing options again. His first instinct was to stick with the Shadewalker skills he’d planned on. They were familiar, safe. But his curiosity tugged him toward the other trees. The necromantic powers of the Deathbinder intrigued him, their raw destructive potential balanced by utility. The Tracker abilities promised versatility and survival, while the Magi spells offered devastating ranged attacks.

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Each column represented a different playstyle, a different path his character could take. And none of them seemed locked to him.

"Is this a bug?" he whispered to himself. "Or... is it something else?"

His gaze settled back on Shadow Veil, the stealth skill he’d planned to choose. It was the logical choice, aligning with the persona he’d crafted for his shadowborne avatar. But his hand hovered uncertainly over the selection. What if this glitch was something more than just an error? What if it was an opportunity?

Elliot clenched his jaw, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He scrolled through the trees one last time, considering his options. Every skill glowed faintly, waiting for him to choose.

Finally, he exhaled and made his choice.

Elliot took a deep breath, his heart finally starting to settle. The skill he had chosen—a stealth-based ability that cloaked him in shadows—was now slotted into his interface. Its name, Shadow Veil, shimmered faintly in the corner of his vision, alongside its cooldown timer. He flexed his hands experimentally, trying to grasp the weight of what had just happened.

The skill tree still loomed large in his thoughts. Seeing abilities from every class had shaken him, but there wasn’t time to dwell on it. Not now. He had to focus on survival.

He crouched low, scanning his surroundings. The jagged cliffs and rolling hills of the Shattered Peaks stretched endlessly around him, bathed in golden light from the massive sun overhead. The distant rumble of thunder served as a constant reminder of the zone’s dangerous, unpredictable nature.

"Alright," Elliot muttered to himself, glancing at his quest marker. The objective remained the same: collect ten Lightning Shards. He already had five, thanks to the earlier fight. Five more to go.

He tightened his grip on the starter dagger in his hand. It felt flimsy and inadequate, but it was all he had for now. The key was to avoid unnecessary fights. He couldn’t risk another close call like the last one.

Elliot moved cautiously through the tall grass, keeping his ears tuned for any sign of movement. The skill’s description replayed in his mind: Cloak yourself in shadows, rendering you nearly invisible for a short duration. It sounded straightforward enough, but he had no idea how it would feel in practice.

Spotting another glowing shard embedded in a rock a few feet away, Elliot decided to test his new ability. He crouched lower, activating Shadow Veil with a thought. Instantly, a faint shimmer of darkness enveloped him, and the world seemed to shift. The air grew cooler, and the sounds of the environment dulled, as though he’d stepped into a bubble where the outside world was muted.

He moved forward slowly, his body blending seamlessly into the surroundings. The effect was surreal. Even when he looked down, his form was barely visible, like a wisp of smoke trailing through the grass.

"This is... incredible," Elliot whispered, his voice barely audible even to himself. He reached for the shards without incident and deactivated the skill just as the cooldown timer began to tick down. The world snapped back into sharp focus, and the ambient noise returned in full force.

Lightning Shard x4 collected.

Before he could celebrate, the familiar growl of a predator reached his ears. Elliot spun, catching sight of another wolf-like beast emerging from the underbrush. Its molten fur crackled with energy, and its glowing eyes locked onto him.

"Alright," Elliot said, tightening his grip on the dagger. "Let’s see what this skill can really do."

The beast lunged, faster than the last one, but this time Elliot was ready. He activated Shadow Veil again, vanishing from sight just as the creature’s claws swiped through the air where he had been standing. The beast snarled in confusion, sniffing the air as it searched for him.

Elliot circled around it, his movements careful and deliberate. The skill’s effect felt almost instinctive, as though his body knew how to stay hidden. He positioned himself behind the creature and lunged, driving the dagger into its side. A critical hit notification flashed in his vision as the beast howled in pain.

The fight wasn’t over. The beast spun wildly, swiping at the air in a frenzy. Elliot ducked under its claws, his stamina bar dipping slightly with each evasive maneuver. The cooldown for Shadow Veil ticked down agonizingly slowly in the corner of his vision.

"Come on, come on," he muttered, dodging another attack. He knew he couldn’t take many more hits if the beast managed to connect. His health bar was still in decent shape, but one wrong move could change that.

As the cooldown finally reset, Elliot activated Shadow Veil again, disappearing from view. This time, he didn’t hesitate. He darted behind the creature and struck again, targeting the glowing cracks in its molten fur. Another critical hit.

The beast let out a final, pained snarl before collapsing in a burst of light. A notification appeared:

Victory! Lightning Wolf defeated +10 XP. Loot: Beast Hide x1.

Elliot exhaled heavily, wiping his brow even though there was no actual sweat. The fight had been easier with the skill, but it still wasn’t effortless. He needed better gear and a more reliable way to deal damage if he wanted to survive in this world.

After collecting the shard from the creature’s remains, Elliot continued his trek through the Shattered Peaks. The landscape grew rougher as he ventured deeper, the rolling hills giving way to jagged rocks and narrow pathways that wound through the cliffs. The air crackled faintly with electricity, and flashes of lightning lit up the distant peaks.

Elliot kept his movements cautious, using Shadow Veil sparingly to avoid unnecessary fights. The skill had proven invaluable, but its cooldown forced him to be strategic. He couldn’t afford to rely on it too heavily.

As he gathered more shards, he began to notice subtle details about the world. The grass beneath his feet felt almost real, bending slightly with each step. Small creatures darted through the underbrush, their fur shimmering with faint bioluminescence. The sky above was a swirling mix of gold and gray, and the clouds moved in unnatural patterns, as though the weather itself was alive.

"This place is... incredible," Elliot said under his breath. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale and detail of the world. For a moment, he forgot about his debts, his struggles, and the glitch that had turned his character into an anomaly. Here, in this world, he could be someone else. Someone better.

Elliot pressed forward, the weight of the real world slipping further behind with every step. The Shattered Peaks stretched endlessly before him, a jagged expanse of cliffs and narrow paths that seemed to defy logic. Above, clouds crackled with static energy, sending bolts of lightning that illuminated the terrain in fleeting flashes. The landscape was alive, dangerous, and utterly captivating.

The air was thick with tension. Each gust of wind carried the faint scent of ozone, mingled with the earthy aroma of the Peaks’ rocky terrain. Elliot’s senses were on high alert, his ears tuned to every distant growl and faint rustle. He had no intention of letting another beast ambush him like before.

Rounding a bend, he froze.

Ahead, crouched near a glowing vein of Lightning Shards, was another player. They were humanoid but distinctly alien, their skin pale and faintly luminescent, as if moonlight coursed through their veins. Intricate, arcane patterns adorned their exposed forearms, glowing softly with magical energy. Their angular features were unmistakably Bloodborn, members of the Arcane Dominion and renowned for their mastery of mystical arts. This one carried a staff strapped across their back, its ornate headpiece crackling faintly with energy.

Elliot hesitated, recalling what he’d read on the forums about player interactions. The Shattered Peaks were notorious for contested resources and opportunistic PvP. For all he knew, this player could turn hostile at any moment. Still, they hadn’t noticed him yet. He could activate Shadow Veil and slip away unseen—or take a risk.

Before he could decide, the player glanced up, their glowing eyes locking onto him. Too late for stealth.

The Bloodborn straightened to their full height, their elegant, angular features betraying nothing as they studied him. The nameplate above their head flickered into view: Arcanis.

"You’re either lost or reckless," Arcanis said, their voice smooth and faintly accented. "shadowborne, right? What brings you this deep into the Peaks without backup?"

Elliot raised a hand cautiously in greeting. "Not lost, just figuring things out. Name’s Vyre."

Arcanis tilted their head slightly, the faint glow of their veins pulsing as they seemed to consider him. "Vyre, huh? Well, you’ve either got guts or you’re insane. Either way, these parts aren’t forgiving." They gestured to the vein of shards behind them. "Looking to farm these?"

"Yeah," Elliot admitted. He wasn’t sure how much to reveal, but he didn’t want to lie outright. "Trying to get a feel for the place."

A faint smile crossed Arcanis’s lips. "The Peaks aren’t exactly the best place to learn. But you’ve survived this far, so you might not be completely hopeless."

Elliot let out a short laugh. "Thanks... I think."

Arcanis stepped aside slightly, gesturing to the glowing vein. "Go ahead. Plenty to go around, and I’ve already got what I need from this spot."

Elliot blinked, caught off guard by the gesture. He hadn’t expected generosity, especially not from a player so clearly geared for combat. Still, he wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity. He crouched beside the vein, quickly extracting the shard while keeping one eye on Arcanis.

Lightning Shard x1 collected.

Quest Complete: Gather Essential Resources. Reward: +50 XP, Basic Equipment Crate.

"Finally," he muttered, pulling up his quest log. A notification blinked in the corner of his vision, glowing faintly. The shimmer of items materializing in his inventory followed. Elliot exhaled in relief. Completing the quest had been harder than expected, but the reward felt earned. He tapped the crate’s icon in his inventory, and a new menu appeared, asking if he wanted to open it. Without hesitation, he confirmed.

The crate dissolved into light, leaving behind a set of items:

Reinforced Leather Gloves (Starter Grade)

Minor Health Potion x3

Lightning Infused Dagger (Starter Grade, Bonus: +2 Lightning Damage)

Elliot grinned as he equipped the gloves and swapped his basic dagger for the new one. The blade hummed faintly with a crackling energy, its edges glowing softly with blue light. A quick glance at his stats showed a modest boost to his attack power—a small but meaningful improvement.

"Looking sharp," Arcanis said, appearing beside him with a faint smirk. Their glowing eyes flicked toward the dagger. "Lightning Infused? Not bad for a first upgrade."

"Thanks," Elliot said, standing and slipping the shards into his inventory. "So, are you farming here alone?"

"For now," Arcanis replied, their tone measured. "I’m scouting the area for resources and mobs, but the Peaks are better tackled with a group. Even veterans don’t last long here without allies."

Elliot nodded, his mind racing. The idea of working with someone like Arcanis was tempting, but he couldn’t ignore the gnawing unease about his own situation. He still didn’t understand why he had access to every class’s skill tree, or what it might mean if someone discovered it.

"Mind if I tag along for a bit?" he asked cautiously. "Could use someone to watch my back while I get my bearings."

Arcanis studied him for a moment, their glowing eyes narrowing slightly. Then they shrugged. "Why not? The Peaks have enough danger for both of us. Just try not to die—it’s a pain to drag newbies out of here."

Elliot smirked faintly. "Deal."

They moved together through the Peaks, the air between them filled with the quiet hum of distant storms. Arcanis proved to be as skilled as Elliot expected, their staff releasing bursts of frost that ripped through enemies with precision. They fought with a practiced grace, their movements calculated and efficient.

Elliot, on the other hand, struggled to keep up. While Shadow Veil gave him an edge in positioning and stealth, his attacks were still limited by his starter dagger and lack of combat experience. Each encounter was a test of his reflexes and creativity.

During a particularly chaotic fight with two lightning wolves, Elliot activated Shadow Veil to slip behind one of the creatures, landing a critical hit. The wolf yelped and turned on him, but before it could strike, a blast of frost from Arcanis’s staff finished it off.

Victory! Lightning Wolf defeated +10 XP. Loot: Lightning Shard x2, Beast Hide x1.

The second wolf lunged at Arcanis, who sidestepped gracefully, spinning their staff in a wide arc that sent bolts of frost slamming into the creature. Elliot seized the moment, darting in to strike with his dagger. The wolf howled, collapsing in a burst of light.

Victory! Lightning Wolf defeated +10 XP. Loot: Lightning Shard x3, Beast Hide x1.

Elliot’s experience bar crept forward, a faint glow signaling his progress. The incremental gains were small, but they felt earned, each step pushing him closer to understanding this world.

"Not bad," Arcanis said, brushing a strand of silvery hair from their face. "You’re quick on your feet. That’s something, at least."

"Thanks," Elliot replied, panting slightly. His stamina bar was running dangerously low, and his health wasn’t much better. "I’m still figuring out the combat mechanics."

Arcanis nodded, their expression softening slightly. "Everyone starts somewhere. But if you’re going to survive here, you’ll need better gear—and more skills. Have you leveled yet?"

Elliot hesitated, the mention of skills sending a chill down his spine. "Not yet," he said quickly, hoping to steer the conversation away from his abilities. "I’m working on it."

Arcanis didn’t press further, instead gesturing toward a narrow path leading deeper into the Peaks. "Come on. There’s a camp not far from here where we can rest and craft. You’ve earned it."

As they walked, Elliot couldn’t shake the questions building in his mind. Arcanis seemed experienced, and if anyone could provide insights into the game’s mechanics, it was them. He decided to take a chance.

"Hey," Elliot began, breaking the silence. "The shards and hides we’ve been collecting—what are they for? I mean, I know they’re resources, but how do they work?"

Arcanis glanced at him, their glowing eyes narrowing slightly as if assessing the sincerity of the question. "You really are new, aren’t you?"

Elliot shrugged, keeping his tone casual. "Yeah, kind of thrown myself into the deep end."

The Bloodborn smirked faintly. "Fair enough. Let me simplify it for you. Resources in Aelorith Online serve three main purposes: crafting, upgrading gear, and trading. Lightning Shards, specifically, are used for elemental infusions—adding lightning-based effects to weapons or armor. They’re also a hot commodity on the auction house, especially for players who specialize in elemental classes like Elementalists or Stormcallers."

Elliot nodded, absorbing the information. He glanced at his inventory, where the shards he’d collected were neatly stored. "And the hides?"

"Basic crafting material," Arcanis replied. "Beast Hides can be turned into leather armor or used as components for higher-tier items. Early-game stuff, but valuable in bulk."

"Got it," Elliot said, mentally filing the information away. The thought of crafting intrigued him—it could be a way to bridge the gap between his limited combat skills and the better-equipped players around him. But for now, he’d stick to gathering resources and learning the ropes.

Together, they reached the edge of a clearing, where a small player-made camp sat nestled between the rocks. A fire crackled in the center, surrounded by crafting benches and a few other players working on their gear. Arcanis gestured toward an empty spot near the fire.

"Welcome to your first real checkpoint," they said, their tone light but tinged with expectation. "Rest up, craft if you need to, and prepare for what’s ahead. The Peaks only get harder from here."

Elliot nodded, stepping into the camp. The flames cast flickering shadows across the stone walls, and for the first time since logging in, he felt a faint sense of security. But as he glanced at his inventory and the skills menu, a knot of unease twisted in his gut. The world around him was still new, full of mysteries and dangers. And the secret of his character—the glitch that made him an anomaly—loomed like a shadow over every decision he made.

For now, though, he would focus on surviving. One step at a time.