Aelric awoke with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. For a moment, he couldn’t remember where he was—the darkness of the cave disoriented him. His eyes darted around, taking in the jagged walls and the faint light filtering in from the entrance. The storm had passed. Silence filled the cave, except for the faint drip of water seeping through the cracks in the stone.

He sat up slowly, wincing as his muscles protested the movement. The pain that had once been sharp and constant was now a dull ache, much less severe than it had been before. His hand instinctively went to his side, where the deepest wound had cut through him. The flesh was still tender, but to his surprise, the gash was far shallower than before. His bruises, which had covered his arms and legs, were almost entirely gone.

Aelric touched the Emberstone Amulet hanging from his neck. He could feel the faint warmth radiating from it, and though his magic was weak—almost nonexistent—he knew the amulet had played a part in his recovery. It had used the last of his mana to heal his body while he slept.

The hunger hit him then, sharp and gnawing, a reminder that while his wounds had healed, his body was still weak. He hadn’t eaten in days, and the toll of his escape and recovery was catching up to him.

With effort, Aelric stood and moved toward the mouth of the cave. The forest stretched out before him, the air cool and crisp in the aftermath of the storm. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting soft, dappled shadows on the ground. The earth smelled fresh, the rain having washed away the grime of his journey. But the peace of the moment was overshadowed by the gnawing emptiness in his stomach.

He needed food.

Aelric stepped out of the cave, his body still stiff from his wounds, though the sharp pain had lessened. His clothes were still damp from the rain, but he barely noticed. All he could think about was finding something to eat.

The forest was dense and wild, but there had to be game nearby. He moved carefully, his eyes scanning the underbrush for any sign of movement. The birds had returned, their calls filling the air, but he needed something more substantial. His mana was too low to rely on for hunting, so he would have to do it the old-fashioned way.

As he moved deeper into the forest, Aelric’s mind wandered. The events of the past few days were still fresh, still raw. Calder’s death, Elda’s loss, the fight with the guards… it all felt like a blur now, a distant nightmare that haunted his every thought. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was lost, not just in the forest, but in his own life.

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But survival came first. He had no time to dwell on the past, not while his stomach growled and his body ached for sustenance.

After some time, Aelric spotted movement in the distance. A small rabbit darted between the trees, its ears twitching as it foraged for food. Aelric’s heart raced. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough to sustain him for now.

He crouched low, careful not to make any sudden movements. His hands were shaky from hunger, and his legs wobbled beneath him as he crept closer to the rabbit. His thoughts were a blur of desperation—he needed this.

Aelric grabbed a nearby rock, small and jagged, weighing it in his hand. His breath hitched as he neared the rabbit, trying to stay silent. He lined up his throw, but his hands were unsteady from exhaustion. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. His survival depended on this.

With a swift motion, he hurled the rock toward the rabbit. It missed by a hair, clattering into the bushes beside the creature. The rabbit froze for a moment, its ears twitching in alarm, before bolting into the underbrush.

“No!” Aelric cursed under his breath, his voice hoarse. He stood up, frustration coursing through him. His hands shook with anger—not just at the rabbit’s escape, but at his own weakness.

He stumbled through the brush, his hunger driving him forward, searching for another target. But the forest had grown still again, as if mocking his desperation.

Aelric leaned against a tree, panting heavily. His vision blurred with exhaustion. The amulet around his neck felt warm against his chest, but it wasn’t enough to sustain him. He needed food. He needed strength. But the forest seemed determined to deny him both.

He let out a ragged breath, forcing himself to think. Panicking wouldn’t help. He had lived off the land before, back in Delsworth, though never under such dire circumstances. He just had to find something—anything—that could keep him going until his mana and body had time to recover.

His eyes scanned the underbrush again, searching for anything edible. His mind raced through the knowledge he had picked up from older villagers about foraging. Berries, mushrooms—he would take anything at this point.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Aelric found a small cluster of wild berries. They were unfamiliar, but hunger clouded his judgment. He reached for them, his stomach growling loudly as he plucked a handful and shoved them into his mouth. The taste was bitter, but he didn’t care. It was something.

As he ate, he felt a faint flicker of relief, but it was temporary. The berries weren’t enough to stave off the hunger for long, and they left a sour taste in his mouth. Still, it was better than nothing.

Aelric leaned back against the tree, staring up at the sky. The sun had risen higher now, but the overcast clouds still lingered, blocking out most of the light. His thoughts wandered as he weighed his options. Should he stay in the forest, risking starvation, or should he push onward toward the next town? He had no clear direction, but waiting for something to happen wouldn’t save him.

“I need to move,” he muttered. “I can’t stay here.”

The decision was made. He would press on, even in his weakened state. The amulet had helped him heal, but it wasn’t enough. Aelric needed more than survival—he needed to find his path forward.