After separating from the Arbalex groups,
[On the road through the forest, searching for other heroes]
The trees twisted in a sinister dance, their black silhouettes merging into the thick mist that covered the forest. The ground was crumbly; every step seemed to sink the adventurers' boots into a sticky mud, and the air was heavy, almost suffocating. The wind barely blew, but every rustle seemed to be amplified, echoing like a warning.
Winlife: (in a low voice, an ironic smile on his lips)
We'll find you guys... but seriously, even if I'm surrounded by screw-ups.
Arm 1: (frowning, he scans the surrounding darkness)
Hero, I... I feel a strange pressure here. It seems even the forest is watching us. Every crack of a branch makes my heart jump.
Winlife: (laughing softly, but a bit nervous)
It's just the atmosphere, comrade. Even the trees probably want to devour us... but don't worry. Nothing can happen to me here since I'm a hero. (Smile)
Suddenly, a heavy silence falls over the group. The wind stops, and even the sounds of the forest disappear. The low growl of a distant creature echoes in the air.
Winlife: (straining his ear, his gaze hardens)
Shh... stay on your guard.
Dull noises are heard on the horizon, like movement in the shadows. Two monsters suddenly appear, their silhouettes standing out in the mist. They are fast, their massive bodies moving with frightening silence. A cold smile appears on Winlife's lips, a flash of confidence in his eyes.
Arm 2: (panic)
To the left!
Arm 3: (disoriented)
No, to the right!
Winlife: (light laugh)
Don't worry, guys, I have them in sight.
He draws four shuriken-like objects, throwing them in a flash of light. The weapons whistle through the air... and slice the monsters. They fall to the ground. Suddenly, they straighten up, but two of the arms of each fall off, and they take to their heels.
Winlife: (seriously annoyed, but also satisfied with the adrenaline)
Damn, I missed them. Oh well... everyone with me, let's party.
Arm 1: (gritting his teeth, a look of regret on his face)
Damn, what a waste...
Arriving in front of the two monsters, four more appear. The six monsters, howling with rage, rush towards the group. Winlife, with a confident smile, takes position in the center.
Winlife: (clearing his throat)
Let me handle this!
He performs a quick movement, moving like a ninja. He disappears into the shadow of the trees, leaving a trail of smoke behind him.
Arm 1: (looking around)
Where did he go?
Suddenly, flashes of light burst into the forest. Winlife reappears, throwing shurikens with precision. Each projectile hits its target, piercing the monsters' flesh.
Winlife: (with assurance)
A little help here!
Arm 2 and Arm 3 rush to his side. Arm 2 brandishes a sword and slices the air, cutting a monster in half. Arm 3 uses a spear to stab another monster that gets too close.
Arm 3:
We can't let him do everything!
The other arms regroup around Winlife, each taking their role. Arm 4 uses elemental magic to create a fire explosion that pushes two monsters back.
Winlife: (jumping into the air)
The final touch is mine!
He performs a series of acrobatic movements before landing gracefully in the middle of the chaos. With a powerful kick, he deals a decisive blow to one of the monsters, which collapses.
Arm 2: (out of breath, looking around)
That was... that was tense, but we got them.
Winlife: (wiping his blades calmly, fixed gaze)
Too easy. This smells like more to come...
Arm 1: (whispering)
Do you feel that? Like... a vibration in the ground?
Suddenly, dozens of red eyes light up in the mist, one by one. Low growls multiply. The ground trembles slightly.
Winlife: (tight lips, low voice)
Ah. Here's the real main course.
Monsters of various shapes slowly emerge from the shadows: some crawl, others are massive, with gleaming claws. The group instinctively retreats, encircled.
Arm 3: Oh shit, what is all this? (trembling all over, eyes filled with terror)
Arm 2 and Arm 1 are speechless, their gazes fixed on the void, seeing death knocking at their door.
Winlife: (sword raised, a glow of defiance in his eyes)
I can't die, even if they try. I'm a hero, and I'm sure to awaken my power. (Smile)
You are many... but not enough to...
A shrill, inhuman howl cuts off his sentence. A gigantic creature surges on his right, slicing Arm 2 with a claw strike. His body flies like a broken doll.
Arm 1: (screams)
NO!!
Winlife: (disconnected)
What...?! He was right next to me...
No time to react: Arm 3 is grabbed by black tentacles, pulled into the mist, his scream quickly stifled. The group is decimated one by one. Monsters emerge from everywhere, organized, ruthless.
Winlife: (backing away, short breath, terrified eyes)
It's... it's not possible. They were weak just now... why now... why!?
He tries to fight, but his movements are less precise; fear has infiltrated his muscles. His blade trembles slightly. Arm 1 attempts a final assault but is impaled cleanly by a beast covered in red scales.
Winlife: (on the ground, covered in blood—not his own—looks around)
Am I... alone?
He looks up: dozens of silhouettes surround him, slow, menacing. The light that enveloped him seems to have gone out. The wind is dead. His breath becomes scarce.
Winlife: (low voice)
I always thought nothing could happen to me... that I was... the hero.
He looks down at his split sword.
Winlife: (gritting his teeth, voice broken)
But now... I can't do anything.
The monsters advance, menacingly. Their heavy steps make the ground tremble. Winlife's eyes go from one corpse to another... none of his companions survived.
Winlife: (trembling, wiping the blood from his face)
I... I must leave. I must live.
He grips his sword... then throws it to the ground, his fingers clenched.
Winlife: (backing away, panicked)
It's not like in the stories... I... I'm not ready...
Suddenly, he turns and runs. He pushes through branches, stumbles, scrapes himself, but continues to flee like a hunted animal.
Behind him, a howl of victory from the creatures echoes in the forest. He doesn't dare to look back. The hero of the story, the one who thought he was invincible, flees without glory, his heart heavy and his throat tight.
He reaches a clearing, falls to his knees.
Winlife: (tears in his eyes, rage mixed with shame)
Why... why couldn't I save them?! Why did I run?!
An echo of his own voice resonates in his head:
Nothing can happen to me since I'm a hero...
He clenches his fists. That day, Winlife did not find his strength. He found his weakness.
Day 1-3 – The Shock
The mist clings to the trees like chains. Silence reigns, heavy, almost supernatural.
Winlife stumbles forward, his sword dragging on the ground, his eyes lost.
Winlife: (whispering, trembling voice)
They are... all dead. Arm 1... Arm 2... Damn... What did I do?
He falls to his knees, out of breath. His hands are stained with blood—theirs. Not a single word comes out for a few seconds.
Winlife: (louder, desperate)
It's not possible... I'm supposed to be the hero! The hero, damn it!
He hits the ground with his fists, again and again, until his knuckles are scraped.
A distant monster cry pierces the silence. He freezes, slowly raises his head.
Winlife: (empty gaze)
No... Not now... I'm not ready...
He gets up with difficulty, stumbles to a tree trunk, leans against it, his sword on his knees.
Winlife: (low voice)
They're going to come. Kill me. That's what I deserve... right?
A long silence. Then he clenches his teeth.
Winlife:
No... I must live. I must prove it... to them. To myself.