I finally wake up, my head still spinning. Everything seeming like a bad dream, the feeling worse than any hangover. I half expect to awaken in the CTP camp, wanting to look over and see those three stupid faces. But the reality was cruel, instead finding myself alone. In a forest.

I've seen alot in my life, but nothing quite like this. Serving in almost every known country and environment, I had seen jungles and forests around the globe and nothing even comes close. Everything here exudes an ancient majesty, definitely untouched by man. How did I get here? None of these trees are native to Lithuania, well as far as I know these trees aren't native to anywhere.

As I get up and examine my surroundings, images flash through my mind. This was not home, and by home I meant the world I grew up in. Had I truly died? was this some kind of afterlife? I was never the religious type, especially after experiencing the ruination of war. Seeing the evil that lay in peoples hearts, that was dredged to the surface during it. They way we could kill without thought, torture without emotion. No god would allow that, either that or they have long abandoned us; leaving us to our wretched ways.

The plants here all looked magical, I avoid investigating too closely for the lack of knowledge made everything here a possible threat. Anything here could be toxic or dangerous in someway or another. After poking around at the various flowers, ferns and mushrooms with a stick and seeing no discernable reactions I decide to move on.

I start to explore deeper into the forest, the canopy sealing the land below from the sun. luminous flora providing a subtle glow and faint light to my surroundings, enough that my step doesn't falter in the dark. This place was eerily quiet, seemingly devoid of everything. No animals, birds, insects, infact any movement...Movement. I swear I just saw fucking movement, and it wasn't small. Almost like an entire tree just moved in the shadows, and it was close. I scurrie up next to the nearest tree, for fear it was predatory. Cursing myself for manifesting whatever this thing was, why couldn't I just be content with the quiet. And then I saw it, the glow of the surroundings highlighting it's silhouette.

It wasn't human, whatever it was. As it stood up straight, its huge frame towered roughly 3 metres tall, making even me feel small. Its movements were ragged and unnatural, and the air was thick with the scent of blood. As if sensing that something was near, the creature staggered over to where I hid. Its ribs protruding from its sides and flesh that is a sickly grey, making it look more like a starving corpse than anything that should be alive. Its visage was a tangled mess of something not entirely unhuman. I begin to back away gradually, not wanting to agitate whatever this creepy ass eldritch abomination was.

A twig crunches beneath my foot, and the beast's head snaps unnervingly towards me. I try not to move as I stare into the dark hollows where its eyes should be. In my head, my breathing, while steady and controlled, sounds like hurricanes tearing and cutting at the air. My heart threatening to tear itself from my chest with its incessant pounding, my vision blurring as I stare unblinkingly at the beast refusing it even a moment from my sight. Watching as it gradually moves toward me, its slow lurching movements terrifying, each one drawing it far closer than the last. My head begs and screams at me to run, but my body is rooted in place with fear and terror.

Its twisted, inhuman features staring straight through me. Its eyes were totally hollow, dark and empty drawing me in as if they were a black hole. I couldn't look away from those eyes, they held me mesmerized, hypnotized as if inviting me to become one with it.

As it reached out with its long, thin fingers, I finally found the strength to move, to run for my life. I bolted back towards the edge of the forest, my heart racing as sweat poured down my face.

But the creature was too fast, too strong. It easily caught up to me, dragging me back into the shadowy undergrowth. I could feel its icy breath on my neck, could hear its ragged breathing and low growl. As I fell to the ground, I saw something flicker in the darkness, a small, white moth fluttering about its misshapen head.

With a sudden burst of strength, I kicked back at the beast, scrambling to my feet and running blindly back through the trees. I could hear the creature following me, its raspy breaths and thundering footfalls ringing in my ears.

I didn't know how much longer I could keep running, how much longer I could keep the fear and terror from consuming me. But I knew that I had to keep going, had to keep moving forward no matter what lay ahead. For in this dark and twisted forest, there was only one thing that was certain: death followed close behind and In this case it was quite literal.

The beast's screech echoed through the forest, causing my body to freeze in fear. My eyes widened as I watched it lunge towards me, closing the gap between us in a matter of seconds. Paralyzed, I couldn't move the fear binding my legs.

The commotion set off a cacophony of screeches across the forest...shit it's not the only one.

The first appeared a few moments later. The sound tearing its way into my ears, as it announces its arrival with a harsh inhuman wail. The beast bounds towards my hunter, it's claws arcing out in a vicious grab. "Thank fuck they didn't hunt in packs" The beasts clashing means I still have a chance; they started tearing each other apart with their claws, teeth, and whatever else they had. I eked my way backwards slowly, debating whether to observe out of a deep morbid curiosity or to simply run. But when more of these creatures joined the conflict, I chose the latter.

With a deep breath, I ventured out deeper into the forest, feeling exposed and vulnerable. I could hear the creatures tearing each other apart, the sickening sounds of flesh being ripped apart and bones being shattered ringing in my ears. I prayed that they wouldn't come after me, that they'd be too preoccupied with each other to notice my presence.

As the sounds drew closer, I knew that I had to speed up. My legs burned with exhaustion as I ran blindly through the underbrush, my body catching on every thorn and branch in my path.

My heart pounded in my chest, my breath ragged and shallow as I struggled to keep going. I could feel my strength failing, my body begging me to stop and rest. But I knew that I couldn't, that I had to keep moving no matter what.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the sounds began to fade away, and I stumbled into a clearing. There, in the center of the space, I saw a faint glow. It was barely visible, but it offered a glimmer of hope, a faint beacon in this dark and twisted place.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I picked myself up and moved towards the light, my mind racing with thoughts of what might be waiting for me ahead. The fear and tension was almost overwhelming, but I knew that I had no choice but to keep moving forward, to face whatever awaited me in this dark and foreboding forest.

I sprinted towards the patch of light, my lungs burning, and my heart pounding. But before I could reach it, the ground gave way, revealing rows of gaping maws chock-full of razor-sharp teeth. Each one oozed a luminescent saliva that dripped down, coating the roots and vines that jutted out of each hole like feeding tube. I tried to navigate the flesh-like tunnels, but my foot caught on a stray vine, and I stumbled forward, narrowly missing a gnashing fleshy maw. "Out of the frying pan, only to be bitchslapped by a fucking wok" or however that saying goes.

The air around me stank of decay, and I felt my heart racing as I kept trying to push forward. Despite my utmost effort, it felt like the mouths were shrinking in distance from each other, leaving me no space to pass through. The only reprieve from the gnawing unease was the sight of the tree line, just a few meters away.

Finally, I neared the tree line and hurled myself towards it, every muscle in my body strained with effort. I hit the ground hard, silently thankful for the rough terrain that kept me hidden from the horrors of the clearing.

As I crawled, my knees scraped against jagged rocks and thorny bushes, drawing blood that streaked along my legs. Behind me.

I tried to move faster, pushing through dense foliage almost free of this place, branches whipping violently against my exposed skin, vines cutting deep into my flesh as if trying to hold me back. And then, I saw them—clusters of those quivering maws, each six feet apart, waiting to claim their next victim.

Each row of teeth was as long as my arm, chattering with hunger as their gleaming luminescent saliva coated everything within their reach. I couldn't take my eyes off them, couldn't suppress the feeling of horror that bubbled up inside me.

Inch by inch, I move closer, navigating round the treacherous terrain and hoping against hope that I could evade their notice. There was so many that if they began to close in on me now I'd have no chance of escaping.

As I make it to the edge of the forest I keep crawling onwards for fear of what lay behind me, but as I look back the forest was unnaturally still and frankly looking alot less "murdery" I pull my body over to some thick overgrowth before hiding myself within, just hoping that it too wouldn't try to maim, kill and eat me.

I cowered in hiding for what seemed like forever, my body bruised and battered, my mind riddled with scars from the horrors I had witnessed. Was this Hell? If so I had gotten an all access pass to all the fucking rides.

As I sat there lost in self-reflection, I heard faint sounds emanating from a distance. But after my previous encounters, I couldn't bring myself to rush blindly towards the source of the noise. Every step forward filled me with dread; I couldn't shake the feeling that another danger was lurking around the corner.

Despite the fear gripping me, I slowly pressed forward, keeping to the shadows and avoiding any open space that could attract unwanted attention. My senses were on high alert, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs setting my heart racing.

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Finally, I reached a hill's peak, and that's when I heard the ferocious snarls of wolves, mixed with terrible screams of men in agony. A group of men dressed in finery was being attacked by the beasts, and it was clear that they were no match for their attackers. Several of the men had already fallen, their bloodied remains strewn across the ground.

It would have been so easy to turn a blind eye, to walk away and leave them to their fate. But after all that I had witnessed and endured, the thought of my dead brothers. I couldn't let those men die without at least trying to help. So, with a sense of half-hearted determination, I decided to intervene. I carefully surveyed the scene, making sure it was just the wolves and not any other lurking danger, before steeling my resolve to face the beasts and protect the group.

I sprinted down the slope, picking up a dagger from the dead man's hand. The blade was dull and paled in comparison to my previous weapons, but I had no other choice. I charged into the fray, dodging the vicious jaws of the snarling beasts.

One of the wolves, its eyes set on an elderly man, prepared to pounce. With a scream, I lunged forward, plunging my dagger into its throat and preventing it from sinking its teeth into its prey. The wolf's eyes darkened with fury, and with a terrifying burst of force, its ribcage ruptured, spikes and bone tearing through flesh and skin. I dodged back in time, the sharp bones ripping into my arm. "Of course they fucking explode" I curse internally.

I rolled over, scrambling back to my feet. Another wolf had me in its sights and was quick to attack. With a swift move, I slipped the dagger between its ribs, puncturing its lung. In a desperate attempt to inflict the most damage possible, I yanked out the blade and scrambled away. The wolf fell onto its side, writhing in agony, as bone spikes erupted from its body and tore the animal apart. Becoming a porcupine of bones and fleshy mass as it detonated, not as direct as the first.

My mind was consumed with frustration and confusion. I couldn't make sense of anything that was happening. What kind of place was this? Was this some sort of cosmic joke? I prayed that it was, but deep down, I knew it wasn't. This was my reality now, and I had to find a way to survive it.

A third wolf rushed towards me from behind. I felt a draw from the gem as I swivelled, narrowly avoiding the beast's gaping maw. I slashed my knife towards the creature's throat, the beast screeched as the blade passed through it's neck. There was no blood, no cut but it seemed to be in immense pain as it rolled about on the ground I plunged my dagger in once more finishing it.

Some of the others managed to take out a few more of the pack, and we soon overwhelmed them.With the pack of wolves on the run, the group of merchants began to regain their senses. Some were wounded, with minor cuts and bruises, while others were gravely injured, with bones jutting out of their flesh. One guy had a spinal column impaled into him like some fucked-up twisted makshift spear. Despite my help during the encounter, the men regarded me with suspicion, except for the elderly gentleman.

"You saved my life, stranger. I owe you a great debt," the old man said, his voice filled with gratitude and something more somber, a hint of regret. "You must think us fools for traveling without proper protection or escorts in these parts" he added, his face falling.

"I understand that everyone has their reasons," I replied, not wanting to pry further into the man's affairs. I was a stranger in this place, and I couldn't afford to draw unwanted attention to myself. It was best to keep a low profile until I knew more about this world.

"Would you accept some silver in exchange for your help?" the old man offered, holding out a single silver coin.

"May I make another request instead?" I asked, pushing back his hand with the coin, He looked taken aback by my response.

"I need information about this area. Anything you can tell me would be a huge help," I explained. The man hesitated for a moment, looking indecisive.

"Very well," he nodded. "We can tell you about Willowhaven, the town we were headed to. It's a good place, with walls that keep out the worst of the dangers out here," he said, gesturing to the desolate landscape around us. "But be wary, for there are worse things out here than just wild beasts."

When I tell him what happened in the forest, his eyes widen in surprise. He tells me that all he knows about the forest is legends and that I'm lucky to be alive; he depicts the creatures I came across as parasites that change and destroy a person's mind and body. Changing them into an insatiable monster. His story reminding me of a myth from my own world, The legendary Wendigo. A creature in North American folklore, some describe it as a curse inflicted by shamans, while others describe it as a spirit that haunts those who succumb to greed and selfishness. A human with a ravenous appetite that becomes more of a monster over time, I wonder if it was really more than just a story designed to warn children about the consequences of greed.

As for the trypophobiacs worst nightmare, the myriad of mouths that tried to devour me. The man had no idea, and the fact that he believed the account without question terrified me for whatever other horrors this world must have to offer for it to be accepted so easily.

As for the so called Durgs, a wolf like creature with an innate affinity for a rudimentary form of blood magic. Apparently we were just lucky that these were only young.

Just like that I had three fantastically disturbing things to spruce up the night terrors.

I start arranging my new pack and supplies an additional gift from the man. Food, a canteen, a map of the area, and, perhaps most importantly, a small leather bound book and quill. The merchant also bestowed upon me a real dagger, one with an actual edge. I must have greatly underestimated the value of that coin, as the man handed it all to me like it was nothing.

I gleamed some more information off of the man about the surrounding area before departing. I had debating staying with them till they reach the town, maybe even offering my service as a mercenary of sorts. But the reason I left them was simple: I couldn't be around people and was not yet prepared to travel in a group. Even if only temporarily.

No one would not be as forgiving of the real me as my brothers were. They accepted my problems, been there when I never even knew I needed someone to be there. After being away for so long and despite all the people I killed, both good and bad, they greeted me with smiles and open arms when I finally returned. It's not something that just anyone can do.

I could always make up a story, live a new life while I travel alongside them. To be fair I could use the information of these merchants, they would surely know alot about this world. But I'm not ready to not be me, to pretend like none of what happened had happened.

I sighed, knowing that it was back to being just me, that I'd be that solitary wraith once more. After all, I wouldn't have known anything else if it hadn't been for them. There is comfort in familiarity, and in time who knows this world might change me.

I started on my way, leaving towards a large forest that was marked on the map. The merchants had informed me that this forest was relatively safe, hopefully inhabited by nothing more than the creatures that belonged there. the thought of further interaction with people sending a shiver down my spine; even more so than the beasts from earlier.

If I had stayed another minute, I might have noticed it. A wolf's blackened corpse. Dark tendrils bursting from its body, forming glassy spires. The body gradually disintegrating, becoming nothing more than dust. Dissapearing into the wind.

This world although different from my own seemed so familiar, the terrain, landscapes even the movement of the clouds in the sky. It all looked normal and if it weren’t for the difference in vegetation and all the bloody horrors that festered just underneath the surface of it all, then I would be none the wiser.

The trek was not too far and found me sitting at the edge of a small lake, it's waters murky, bleak and far from inviting. I bring out the small book and turn to the final page, I took the quill and began to practice writing. The medium far from familiar to me. When it had reached a legible standard, I turned back to the first page. Tapping at the book as I toyed with how to fill it out, choosing to just write my thoughts as they came to me.

This journal is to record and experiment on the strange phenomenon which happened earlier, I suppose it would be a scientific reference. If only Louis could see this, bet he'd be proud. Also I realise as I write this I have no idea how to write a journal, scientific or not. Really I should stop writing and waffling on here and get to the point...I am shit at this. Okay here we go.

Entry 1

When the blade pierced through the "Durg" in our earlier encounter, I felt a connection form with my body and the gem. Within it there was some sort of a change. My knife left no sign of a wound on the pseudo wolf, yet it howled in pain as though it had been struck.

There was no resistance as the dagger passed through, I even believed that I had missed "As if" My next steps should be to see if I can catalyse this result again. Catalyse is that the word, I mean it sounds sciencey. Fuck, I should of paid more attention in school.

Okay so the plan...steps...recipe. Method that's it. Okay so our method to research, I suppose is just try and see what happens? Stab things maybe? Test how to activate whatever the fuck that was? Yeah probably a good start point.

Test 1:

The lack of immediate results is making me doubt that this would be my superhero origin story; with nothing to show even after hours of stabbing and slashing at the nearest tree. Maybe I imagined it all, but the gem is still there. Surely it did something other than act as a glorified memory box.

Test 2:

It was back to the drawing board, this time focusing more on the gem. My skin tears open as I remove it, a feeling I'm far from comfortable with I might add. Like why the whole gorey, squelching-ness of it all, I feel more like the vending machine from hell than a potential mage, hero or god, or whatever I might now be. If anything.

When I held the stone in my hand, it felt cold, but not in a bad way. More akin to an absence or a void of temperature, It was somewhat comfortable yet eerily unnatural. The more I concentrated on it, the more difficult it became to determine its structure. At first it appeared crystalline but at the same time, it seemingly moved almost as if it were a dense liquid.

I continued my maniacal assault on the tree which stood unwavering in spite of my attempts, still no reaction and it is pissing me off to no end. Maybe I have just lost the plot, a resonable reaction after today's fuckery.

Test 3:

This would be the last test of today, as anything more might just push me over the edge. I grudgingly let the stone re-seat itself inside my head. An experience as disturbing as that of removing it, I could swear it clicked into place.

I concentrate on the stupid little rock in my head, recalling what happened with the wolf. Something started to happen, and I felt a connection to it. I could feel something being extracted from it. My blade felt heavier, and just looking at it made me feel uneasy. It was almost sinister. I mean, supervillains have always been the cool ones, and it's not like I've spent my entire life as some moral justice warrior. I killed people for a living and enjoyed tormenting them before they died. Maybe the villan thing will...focus.... I get way too easily distracted... I swung at the tree again, with way too much enthusiasm and far more confidence than before. A mistake I'd regret.

The blade cut straight through, throwing me off balance and causing me to trip and fall headfirst into the tree. I wish I didn't put everything into that swing because the impact fucking hurt like hell. Tree one, me nil.

As I ungraciously hauled myself to my feet again, I noticed something happening to the tree. Its structure bends and twists, and its leaves wither right before my eyes. The tree eventually snapped under the strain of its own weight, its core rotting and streaked with black. "One all bitch"

the tree erupts into shards of what appears to be black glass streaming past me in waves, I leap for cover, a few smaller pieces embedding themselves in my arm and back. Turning to dust as they did, it wasn't overly painful, but that fucking tree just had to one up me in the end.

I was overjoyed, a little confused, well totally confused and slightly pissed off. But it worked, or at least something worked. I was unable to stop there, and instead continued to repeatedly slash at the trees that were all around me while I attempted to compensate for the fact that I wasn't actually hitting anything. After the decimation of a mini ecosystem around me. It hit me; a fatigue unlike any I'd ever felt...and then everything went black.