The first thing I felt was an all-encompassing numbness, a dull ache radiating through every nerve in my body. It took an effort just to pry my eyes open. Blinking against the blur, I glanced around—or tried to.

My cheek was pressed against cold, damp earth, and the faint scent of moss and decay filled my nose. Shadows danced above me; trees swayed in the dim light filtering through their leaves.

I was cold—so cold.

I tried to shift, groaning softly as I pushed against the ground with my right arm. Slowly, painfully, I rolled onto my back. The movement sent a sharp, searing pain through my body, radiating from my side.

I looked down, my breath catching.

There, embedded deep in my side, was a jagged, broken branch, its bark rough and stained with blood. The sight was almost surreal—something out of a nightmare.

The pain came in waves now, intense and unrelenting, but I forced myself to think. My thoughts were scattered, but one thing was clear: The only reason I haven’t bled out yet is because the branch is acting as a plug. Leaving it in won’t do me any good long-term, but removing it means I’ll have to stop the bleeding immediately.

I grimaced, steeling myself against the agony that was sure to come. My left hand trembled as I reached toward the wound, fingers brushing against the slick bark. Focus, Tokei, I thought. This is just another obstacle.

I tore a strip of cloth from my tattered sleeve, my fingers trembling as I worked to prepare it as a makeshift bandage. My breath came in shallow gasps, each one a battle against the sharp pain radiating from my side.

Next came the hardest part.

Taking out the branch.

I gritted my teeth, steeling myself for what was about to come. My hand hovered over the branch, hesitating for a moment. My mind raced, weighing the risks. If I don’t do this, I’ll never make it out of here. But if I mess up…

Shaking away the doubt, I grasped the branch firmly with both hands. The rough bark bit into my palms. A fresh wave of pain surged through me as I braced my legs against the ground, readying myself.

“Alright,” I whispered hoarsely, the sound barely audible. “One… two… three!”

With a sharp tug, I pulled the branch free. A guttural scream ripped from my throat, the searing pain threatening to black out my vision. Hot blood gushed from the wound, pooling around me.

I pressed the cloth against the gash immediately, applying as much pressure as I could muster. My body shook from the effort, and black spots danced in my vision, but I couldn’t afford to stop.

Focus.

I tied the cloth tightly around my torso, knotting it just above the wound to slow the bleeding. The fabric quickly darkened, but it held. For now, it would have to do.

Each shallow breath I took sent sharp stabs of pain radiating through my chest, making me wince. Broken ribs, I thought grimly. Probably from the car, the fall, or both. The pain was relentless, a constant reminder of just how precarious my situation was.

I leaned my head back, staring up at the faint slivers of light breaking through the canopy above. My mind raced despite the throbbing in my side and chest. Okay, now that I’m out of immediate danger, I need to figure out what to do next.

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I had no idea how long I’d been unconscious, and my surroundings were an enigma. The forest loomed around me—quiet, except for the distant chirping of birds and rustling leaves. It was unsettlingly serene, a stark contrast to the chaos that had brought me here.

First things first: priorities.

I listed them off in my head, forcing myself to focus. Food and water. A fire. Shelter. Once I’ve taken care of those, I can think about how to get out of here and back home.

The thought of home sent a pang through my chest, but I quickly shoved it aside. There was no room for sentiment right now. Survival came first.

Gritting my teeth, I sat up slowly, bracing myself with my good arm. My ribs protested violently, but I managed to steady myself. One step at a time, I reminded myself. If I stay still, I’ll likely die out here. Keep moving, no matter how much it hurts.

I scanned my surroundings, noting the tall trees, dense underbrush, and uneven ground. The area was rich with vegetation, which meant there might be water nearby. If I can find water, I’ll have a better chance.

Biting down on the pain, I struggled to my feet. My legs wobbled beneath me, and I leaned heavily against a nearby tree for support. With a deep, unsteady breath, I steadied myself.

I moved cautiously, each step deliberate and slow as I made my way through the forest. The chirping of birds in the canopy above added an oddly tranquil soundtrack to my otherwise dire situation. Every now and then, I’d catch a glimpse of squirrels darting across the ground, clutching small objects in their tiny hands—likely nuts or seeds, though I couldn’t be sure.

As I pressed forward, a low rumble began to fill my ears, faint at first but growing steadily louder. The vegetation around me became denser and more vibrant, a sure sign that water was nearby. Relief coursed through me as I stumbled onto the edge of a river.

The water flowed swiftly over smooth stones, creating a series of rapids that shimmered in the dappled sunlight breaking through the trees. I took a moment to observe the area, my gaze sweeping across the banks. Movement on the opposite side caught my attention.

An animal—if it could even be called that—was drinking from the river. Its sheer size immediately set it apart from anything I’d ever seen before. Its burly, fur-covered body was supported by six thick, trunk-like legs. Twisted horns spiraled from its massive head, and its three eyes gleamed with an eerie intelligence as they scanned the surroundings.

I froze, my muscles tensing as I watched it. The creature didn’t seem alarmed by my presence—it glanced in my direction but made no move to approach or attack. Still, I kept it firmly in my peripheral vision as I turned my attention back to the river.

Water. I need water. My throat was parched, dry as sandpaper. Despite my injuries, I bent down slowly, wincing as the pain in my ribs flared up.

‘I’m not a doctor, so I don’t know what I can and can’t risk, but drinking water should be fine… right?’ I hesitated, glancing at the flowing rapids. The water looked clean, clear enough to see the rocks beneath the surface.

Using my ability, I formed a small, shallow cup in my hands. The smooth surface glimmered faintly, a subtle manifestation of my mana. I dipped it into the current, letting the cool liquid fill it. Carefully, I brought it to my lips and took a tentative sip. The water was icy and refreshing, its chill spreading through me.

My eyes darted back to the creature across the river. It was still there, seemingly uninterested in me. Its calm demeanor offered a strange sense of reassurance, though I wasn’t naive enough to drop my guard.

Suddenly, its head jerked in another direction—toward my side of the bank. Its posture shifted, tense and alert. For a moment, it just stood there, as if considering something I couldn’t see. Then, without warning, it backed away from the river. Its lumbering frame moved with surprising urgency as it turned and disappeared into the trees on the opposite side.

At that exact moment, a flock of birds erupted from the canopy, their wings slicing through the air as they fled in unison. The rhythmic chirping that had been my constant companion moments ago abruptly ceased, leaving behind a suffocating silence.

Only the faint rustling of vegetation remained, carried by a light breeze. The stillness felt unnatural, like the forest itself was holding its breath.

My body tensed instinctively, a prickling sensation creeping up my spine. Something’s not right…

Before I could make sense of what was happening, a piercing screech tore through the forest, reverberating like a wail. The sound was sharp, grating, and filled with a primal intensity that sent a jolt of adrenaline surging through me.

It was close—too close. Worse still, it came from behind me.

I whirled around, my heart hammering in my chest, scanning the dense trees for the source. The forest loomed ominously, shadows shifting in the flickering sunlight, but I couldn’t see anything. My breathing quickened, each inhale sharp and shallow.

'I need to move. Now.'