Azad, Ellie, and Choco dashed through the shadowy forest, the dense canopy blocking all sunlight, casting the woods into a foreboding twilight. The damp scent of moss and earth filled their lungs as they ran, and a thin mist clung to the forest floor, wrapping around their ankles like ghostly fingers. In the distance, low growls and unsettling rustles echoed, making it clear that they weren't alone.
Ellie's steps faltered, her breathing ragged as exhaustion took its toll. She stumbled, her hand brushing against a mossy tree for support. Azad glanced back, worry etched in his face. He swung his sword wildly, slicing through the nearest zombie with a grunt.
"Almost there, Ellie," he panted, though he wasn't sure where "there" even was. "Just keep moving. We can't stop now."
Ellie, barely able to stand, clung to the tree, her face pale and drawn. "Azad… I don't think… I don't think I can…"
"Ellie," he snapped, sidestepping a skeleton's arrow, "you're still breathing, right? Then don't quit on me now!" He gave Choco a nod, and the loyal dog growled, leaping at a skeleton's legs, sending the brittle bones scattering.
Azad caught sight of a zombie slipping past his guard and heading for Ellie. His eyes went wide, and his heart hammered in his chest.
"Ellie, behind you!" he yelled, flinging his sword at the creature. The blade impaled the zombie, pinning it to a tree as it dissolved into a pile of ash. Azad dashed forward, grabbing his sword and turning to face the next wave of creatures.
"They're all targeting Ellie. What's going on?" he muttered to himself, his brows knitting in confusion as he hacked down another zombie. "These mobs… They shouldn't be this organized."
Ellie's legs gave out, and she sank to the ground, clutching her arm. "Azad, I'm sorry… I'm so exhausted."
He moved closer to her, trying to catch his breath. "No more apologies. Just… get behind me. We're getting out of this."
But as he positioned himself in front of her, an arrow sliced through the air, headed straight for him. Ellie's eyes widened, and she raised her hand instinctively, summoning a burst of energy that erupted from her, sending Azad flying back.
"Azad!" Ellie shrieked, horrified at what she'd done. "I didn't mean to… I just—"
Azad staggered to his feet, bruised and bleeding, a weary grin on his face. "Ellie, you and these mobs are competing for who can kill me first." He brushed off some dust and adjusted his sword, noticing more mobs closing in.
Choco growled beside him, nipping at a skeleton's ankle, keeping it at bay. Azad gave him a quick scratch behind the ear. "Good boy, Choco. I'd be a goner without you."
His eyes turned to Ellie, and his voice lowered, tense. "Ellie, please—unless you want us both to become zombie snacks, use that power of yours!"
"I'm trying, okay?" she snapped back, her hands trembling as she struggled to summon her energy.
"Come on, Ellie, I'm kind of desperate here. You're my trump card! I can't do this alone!" he muttered, cutting down a skeleton with a single swing. "I'm pretty close to crapping my pants, if that motivates you."
"Stop distracting me, you piece of—!" Ellie closed her eyes, focusing on the fear and exhaustion swirling inside her. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, until a soft blue light began to glow in her palms.
Azad let out a shaky laugh, slashing through another zombie. "Finally! That's what I'm talking about, Ellie. Come on, show these things who's boss!"
Ellie clenched her fists, her face set with determination, and a wave of energy crackled through the air, growing with each second. With a fierce cry, she unleashed it, a torrent of power exploding from her hands and radiating through the clearing. The mobs disintegrated instantly, turning to ash in the blinding light, and the trees surrounding them splintered, blown back by the force of her attack.
When the dust settled, Azad stood still, sword in hand, utterly stunned. The last skeleton crumbled to dust before him, and he glanced around in disbelief. Ellie's hands still glowed faintly, though the wild energy had dissipated, leaving her breathless and drained.
Azad glanced at the decimated forest, the trees reduced to rubble around them. He exhaled slowly, looking at Ellie with wide eyes. "Wow. Remind me not to piss you off. Or… to stand directly in front of you."
Ellie looked exhausted, "If you talk shit like that again. I might honor you with death."
Azad's voice softened with fear, "Please don't :) Just learn to control it.".
Ellie shook her head. "What if… What if next time I hurt you or Choco?" She knelt down, wrapping her arms around Choco, who whined and nuzzled her, comforting her as best he could.
Azad took a deep breath, his tone softer. "Then we'll figure it out. Just… don't be so hard on yourself. That was amazing, Ellie. And, for the record, I'm more terrified of you than these zombies."
She rolled her eyes but managed a small smile, the tension easing for a moment.
Suddenly, an eerie, rumbling growl echoed through the forest, chilling them to the bone. They all went silent, looking around. The sky darkened, clouds swirling as though conjured by a dark spell. A bone-chilling wind swept through the forest, bending even the tallest trees in its path. They froze. The sky darkened, as clouds churned overhead, casting an unnatural shadow across the forest. The air grew thick, pressing down on them like a weight.
Azad swallowed, his heart pounding. "Um… Ellie, do you hear that?"
A bone-chilling wind swept through the trees, and the earth trembled beneath them. In the distance, something massive approached, its footsteps echoing like thunder. The sound grew louder, and a shape began to materialize from the darkness, a towering, skeletal form with three skull-like heads that glowed with ominous purple eyes.
Azad's eyes went wide with terror as he finally recognized the creature. Azad's heart pounded in his chest. He had heard tales of this creature, whispered in fear by those who had witnessed its destruction. Azad swallowed, gripping his sword as he stared up at the monster. His mouth went dry. "Wi…. Wither?"Azad whispered.
The beast let out an ear-splitting roar, and the ground cracked under its power. A shadow of despair settled over them, suffocating and cold. Azad took a step forward, gripping his sword tightly as his hands shook.
"Ellie, run!" he shouted, pushing her back as he prepared to face the creature.
The Wither's eyes flared, its gaze settling on them with malevolent intent. Choco stood his ground, growling fiercely beside Azad, his fur bristling.
Azad took a shaky breath, whispering to himself, "Well, I did ask for a sign that today couldn't get any worse…" He gritted his teeth, tightening his hold on his sword. "Guess I got my answer."
They stood frozen, trapped by the Wither's piercing gaze as it loomed over them, its monstrous heads twisting and turning as if savoring the fear radiating from its prey. The fight was far from over, and Azad could feel the icy grip of dread settling in—but he wasn't about to give up. Not yet.