Huff… huff…
Ethan's eyes slowly opened.
Darkness filled his vision.
For a few seconds, he didn't understand where he was. He lay still, staring upward. Above him was the night sky—wide, deep, and endless. Tiny stars were scattered across it like broken glass. The moon hid behind thin clouds, leaving only a pale silver glow.
He blinked.
Cold air touched his face.
He was lying on the ground.
Ethan stayed like that for a long time, not moving. His chest rose and fell unevenly. Around him, the forest was alive with quiet sounds. Something chirped again and again. Maybe crickets. Maybe something else. He wasn't sure. Leaves rustled softly as the wind passed through the trees.
It felt lonely.
After a while, Ethan tried to move.
Pain exploded through his body.
His legs screamed. His arms felt heavy, numb, and burning at the same time. His neck hurt so badly that even turning his head felt impossible.
"Ah…" a weak sound escaped his lips.
He stopped trying to move.
The sky stayed the same. Calm. Silent. Beautiful.
Tears slipped from the corners of his eyes without him noticing at first.
Why am I crying?
He didn't know.
Maybe it was the pain.
Maybe it was the silence.
Maybe it was everything he had lost.
His breathing shook as another tear rolled down his cheek. Slowly, with great effort, he lifted one arm. His muscles protested, but he forced it anyway. His hand trembled as he wiped his face, smearing dirt and tears together.
"I'm fine…" he whispered, though his voice had no strength.
Then—
"Ooooouuuuu—"
Ethan froze.
A howl.
A wolf.
His heart skipped.
If a wolf attacked him now… he wouldn't survive.
Fear crawled up his spine. He tried to move again. He pushed his body, forcing his legs to respond.
Nothing.
They didn't move.
His arms felt like stone. His neck refused to turn.
"Damn it…" he whispered through clenched teeth.
"Ooooouuuuu—"
The sound came again.
Closer.
Ethan could hear footsteps now. Soft, careful steps. Leaves cracked under weight. Twigs snapped.
Someone—or something—was coming.
He stopped struggling.
There was no point.
Slowly, Ethan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Cold air filled his lungs. His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
Then—
Thrakkk!
A sharp sound echoed through the forest.
Ethan's eyes snapped open.
Another sound followed.
Thrakkk!
This time it was louder. He heard a sudden, sharp cry—high and painful.
A wolf's cry.
It was short. Broken.
Then… silence.
No footsteps. No growling. No howling.
Only the insects again.
Ethan lay there, confused. His mind struggled to understand what had just happened.
Was I imagining things?
Moonlight shifted.
A shadow moved.
Slowly, a face appeared in his view—upside down.
Someone was standing near his head, leaning forward to look at him.
Long hair fell downward, shining faintly under the moonlight. Calm eyes studied him closely, not hostile, not kind—just curious.
Ethan tried to speak, but his throat felt dry.
The person straightened and stepped into his full view.
They were tall. Their clothes were dark and worn, blending into the forest. A faint scent of blood hung in the air—but it wasn't Ethan's.
The person crouched down in front of him.
Their voice was low and steady.
"Who are you?"
Ethan swallowed hard. His lips parted slightly.
"I… can't move," he said weakly.
The stranger looked at him for a moment longer, eyes sharp yet calm.
Then they spoke again.
"…You're lucky," they said quietly. "Another minute, and you would've been dead."
The stars watched silently as Ethan lay on the forest floor—wounded, broken, and no longer alone.
The stranger stayed crouched in front of Ethan, silent for a few seconds. The forest felt even quieter now, as if it was listening.
"Don't move," the stranger said calmly. "Your body is in bad shape."
Ethan wanted to laugh, but only a weak breath came out. "I… don't think I can move anyway."
The stranger nodded. They reached out and placed two fingers lightly on Ethan's neck. Their touch was cold, but not unpleasant.
"Bones aren't broken," they said after a moment. "Muscles are torn. You pushed yourself too far."
Ethan stared at the sky again. "That's… fine."
The stranger frowned slightly. "No, it's not."
They stood up and walked a few steps away. Ethan heard the sound of leaves being moved, branches snapping cleanly. After a short while, the stranger returned and knelt beside him again. In their hands were rough sticks and long leaves.
"What are you doing?" Ethan asked, his voice weak.
"Helping you live," the stranger replied simply.
They crushed some leaves between their palms. A sharp, bitter smell spread in the air. Slowly, carefully, they pressed the paste onto Ethan's arms and legs. Pain flared instantly.
"Ah—!" Ethan gasped.
"Bear it," the stranger said. "If you scream, you'll attract more beasts."
Ethan clenched his teeth. His hands trembled as the pain burned through his body. Sweat rolled down his temples, mixing with dirt.
Minutes passed.
The pain slowly changed. It didn't disappear, but it became dull, manageable.
"…What's your name?" Ethan asked softly.
The stranger paused. "That depends," they said. "Are you going to die here?"
Ethan let out a dry laugh. "Not tonight."
The stranger looked at him for a long moment, then said, "Call me Kael."
"Ethan," he replied.
Kael nodded once, as if memorizing the name.
"Why are you alone in this forest?" Kael asked.
Ethan didn't answer right away. His eyes followed a drifting cloud that covered the moon for a moment.
"I don't belong anywhere," he said finally.
Kael didn't press him.
They finished treating his wounds and sat back on their heels. "You'll be able to move by morning," Kael said. "Barely."
"That's enough," Ethan replied.
Silence returned.
The insects sang again. Somewhere far away, an owl called.
"Those marks on your body," Kael said suddenly. "They're not normal."
Ethan stiffened. "You noticed?"
"I killed a wolf tonight," Kael said calmly. "I notice things."
Ethan turned his eyes toward him as much as his neck allowed. "Then why help me?"
Kael looked toward the dark trees. "Because your eyes look like someone who's already dead… but still walking."
Ethan closed his eyes.
"That makes two of us," Kael added quietly.
A small fire suddenly appeared beside them—not large, just enough to give warmth. Ethan hadn't seen Kael light it.
"How—" Ethan started.
"Sleep," Kael interrupted. "You'll need strength."
Ethan didn't argue. His body was exhausted. The warmth of the fire wrapped around him, gentle and calm.
As his consciousness faded