Cyrus sat up, gasping for air—the memories of what happened replayed in his head in a split second.

He frantically traced his abdomen and skull, his trembling fingers finding no wounds despite a hole within his shirt.

"I'm not dead?" he muttered incredulously.

In a burst of energy, he quickly got up, his eyes scanning the surroundings. A deep sigh of relief escaped his lips.

It looks like they're gone.

"What was that creature?" he wondered aloud. "And what was that black ooze?"

His mind buzzed with uncertainty, further intensified by remembering the orange and green symbols. Did the orange symbol always dwell within him, concealed deep within his being, or had it been implanted against his will?

Questions for later.

As he refocused on his surroundings, Cyrus noticed a subtle change in the thick veil of fog that had enveloped the area. It seemed to have thinned slightly, allowing glimpses of the landscape beyond, but the sky remained completely obscured, trapped in an impenetrable shroud.

Shaking his head, Cyrus swiftly retrieved the pack he had dropped during the deadly encounter. His hands moved swiftly, assessing the contents to ensure everything remained intact.

Nothing is damaged, and the food seems to be ok.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Cyrus peered over the plateau's edge, his gaze scanning the forest below in search of any notable details.

And then, he paused.

As Cyrus ventured beyond the tree line, his gaze fell upon a colossal wall that stretched across the landscape. Sentry posts perched atop the formidable structure, hinting at a guarded perimeter. The wall's edge also was illuminated by the intermittent glow of large fire torches or perhaps even electric lights, lighting parts of the forest.

His mind raced as he recalled the faded memories of the map he had discovered within the abandoned hamlet. His brows furrowed in deep thought. The map indicated a path that led in the opposite direction of the imposing wall before him.

But could he truly trust anything he encountered in the hamlet? It all appeared excessively arranged as if someone had meticulously organized every detail. For what purpose?

I'm not going back there. The wall might be my only hope.

He chose to trust in the unknown beyond the wall and trace the precipice of the plateau. The gradual slope downward provided a promising route, and he deliberately avoided the dense thicket of trees that flanked his path. The treacherous forest harbored its own mysteries, which he was unprepared to confront if he ever would.

Click.

Even a near-death experience couldn't stop Cyrus from taking pictures.

As hours passed, Cyrus's carefulness carried him down from the plateau. He estimated that, if all went well, it would take nearly a day to reach his destination.

Cyrus took a breath and walked back into the trees.

...

Far away from where he had initially awakened, Cyrus halted in his tracks, his heart jolting at the unexpected sound that reached his ears. A rush of emotions swept over him, leaving him momentarily dazed, but soon he broke into a genuine smile.

Birds!

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Their melodic songs and cheerful chirps permeated the forest, breaking the unnerving silence that had plagued him for so long. The presence of these feathered creatures brought a much-needed sense of life and vitality, a reassuring reminder that he was not alone in this mysterious realm. The vibrant symphony of nature echoed through the trees, filling the air with a renewed energy that uplifted his spirits.

For days, Cyrus had traversed the forest in constant vigilance; his nerves stretched thin. The absence of other living creatures had intensified his feelings of isolation, amplifying the sense of being trapped in a nightmarish realm.

Birds implied that there was a natural order that extended beyond his perceptions. If animals thrived here, perhaps he wasn't trapped in some desolate purgatory.

He did not even consider that monster that tried to kill him as a living creature. And as for the body? That man could have had the same situation that Cyrus had.

As he pulled out his camera, Cyrus hoped to seize the opportunity to capture the elusive wildlife that crossed his path, even as the persistent mist threatened to obscure his view. Patiently, he ventured through the forest, his anticipation growing with every step.

An hour elapsed, and finally, his patience received its reward. A creature caught his attention that was resting on a branch of one of the taller trees. At first glance, it resembled a gray snow owl, but as his eyes focused, he noticed its wings, resembling those of a bat, and the regal crown and vibrant tail feathers reminiscent of a parrot.

Cyrus locked eyes with it, slowly aiming his camera not to scare it off.

Click.

As if sensing an invisible shift in the air, the extraordinary creature abruptly took flight, its graceful wings propelling it into the mist. Swiftly and silently, it descended low, skillfully concealing its flight direction within the ethereal veil.

Well, someone's shy.

Cyrus watched the creature disappear into the fog. He shook his head, and the corners of his lips crept up into a smile.

...

As the hours stretched, Cyrus's exploration of the forest led him to encounter numerous small creatures, their presence comforting him. But, though he continued to capture images of these small creatures, the initial novelty began to wane.

However, as he continued his photographic journey, the initial novelty of these tiny creatures began to wane. Though still comforting, their charm no longer held the same allure it once did. Cyrus yearned for something more, a hint of the extraordinary that would captivate him.

That was until he found some animal tracks larger than his fist. It was more than enough to convince Cyrus to move faster.

As Cyrus pressed onward through the mist-laden forest, an unexpected twist occurred. The world around him grew darker, casting an ominous shadow over his path. It presented a development he had never anticipated, as he had grown accustomed to a perpetual light that had accompanied him throughout his four-day journey in this unknown realm.

Regardless of this blunder, Cyrus had to press on and not stop. He hoped to reach the wall soon enough before something started chasing him again. Unfortunately, the night came by too quickly, and the fog got thicker, forcing Cyrus to pull out a flashlight.

He was almost there.

Sadly, Throughout the trek, Cyrus could hear howls within the forest, nothing like the ghoul that chased him before.

Beasts?

He aimed the flashlight at the floor to avoid tripping while trying not to attract attention. But, sadly, peaceful walks weren't in the cards for Cyrus as the howls were getting closer. The howls became louder and louder until he could hear them just above a hill nearby.

At that point, Cyrus flashed his light and saw three gray lion creatures staring back at him from above.

They were large.

Run!

As panic surged through his veins, Cyrus pushed his body to its limits, sprinting through the dense forest with desperation. The beasts that pursued him moved with a primal swiftness, closing the distance effortlessly. His attempts to navigate through the trees to outmaneuver them proved futile, their gaze fixed upon him despite the swirling haze that enveloped their surroundings.

Cyrus's breath came in ragged gasps, his muscles aching with exhaustion, yet he refused to yield to despair. With his waning strength, he caught a glimpse of faint lights twinkling atop the towering wall in the distance through the leaves, cutting through the dense fog.

His heart pounded in his chest, his body urging him to stop, but he ignored his body. The clearing before the wall stretched out before him, and amid his fatigue, he spotted something.

A gate!

Before running too far, Cyrus's breath caught in his throat as he skidded to a halt, his eyes widening with shock. The cause of his stopping was a faint but distinct and familiar sound that cut through the air, accompanied by an object piercing the ground before him.

A warning shot!? Guns?!

Cyrus' heart ran cold. How could he escape the beasts if he couldn't run forward?

Unfortunately, the beasts also wanted to know the answer as they charged into the clearing, their relentless pursuit undeterred by the warning shots.

Damn it!

Cyrus kept running despite the initial warning shot. Yet, as he ran, the sharp crack of another projectile sliced through the air, disturbingly close to his ear.

Cyrus took a deep breath and didn't abandon his run as he could. Instead, he only sprinted faster toward the gate.

With each passing moment, the gap between him and the safety of the wall diminished, his goal within reach.

As the relentless pursuit of the beasts closed in, their guttural roars echoing in his ears, Cyrus felt the weight of his pack suddenly become an overwhelming burden. The strain threatened to throw him off balance! But before he could regain his footing, a horrifying realization struck him.

It’s on me!

The swift and agile creature leaped onto his pack, its claws sinking into the fabric with evil intent. Its menacing jaws loomed closer, poised to deliver a devastating bite to seal his fate. Panic surged through Cyrus's veins, his survival instincts kicking into overdrive.

Yet, amid his impending doom, a swift and unexpected intervention altered the course of events. The unmistakable sound of a projectile slicing through the air reached his ears, followed by a pitiful yelp from the creature that climbed on his back.

Cyrus's sprint reached its crescendo as he barreled to the gate, his heart pounding with relief and disbelief.

Are they letting me in?

The gates swung open, letting him inside. He stumbled forward, his body crashing onto the mud, gasping for air.

The sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention. His weary eyes lifted onto the group of men.

Cyrus pulled up his head and tried to smile.

"Thank yo-"

But as he turned his head, the last thing he saw was the butt of a rifle right before his eyes.