He sat in the tall grass, leaning against the tree as he gazed up at the sky. His hands trembled slightly—a mix of nerves and adrenaline. He had been preparing for this moment for a long time, and today was finally the day.
He began to gather his equipment, packing the last of the dried meat and a heavy water skin into his backpack. He ensured that his knife was securely fastened to his belt. Everything he possessed was now contained within this bag.
This location had begun to feel constricted, like a cage he had been trapped in since birth. For centuries, his people had resided in this singular place, encircled by a dense wall of smoke that never dissipated. The narrative was always the same: if you venture out, you do not return. There were no accounts of individuals making it back home, only a list of names of those who disappeared. Fear was simply a part of existence here. Most individuals remained behind the walls, paralyzed by the terror of being hunted by whatever lurked in the mist. They were even discussing the construction of additional walls to feel a bit more secure.
He gazed at the grey horizon and felt a sharp, furious tug in his stomach. He was weary of being dictated where he could go. The thrill of finally experiencing the world was beginning to overshadow the fear of death. He was determined to see the other side of that smoke, even if it meant it would be the last thing he ever did.
***
"Well, I suppose this is farewell," he remarked.
He positioned himself just outside the barriers, prepared to depart. He took one step, followed by another, until the dense smoke enveloped him completely. Suddenly, an unusual force seized him and pulled him forward. He was being dragged through the fog at such a speed that he could hardly think, until he eventually emerged on the other side.
He opened his eyes and observed the external world with clarity. It was vast. Enormous rocks, rugged mountains, and expansive rivers were present everywhere. He glanced back toward the smoke and attempted to step back in, merely to test if he could. However, it was futile. The smoke forcefully pushed him right back out. He tried once more, but the mist consistently yanked him out every time he made contact with it.
That was the explanation. No one ever returned because the smoke simply would not permit them. It was a one-way journey.
He diverted his gaze from the smoke and noticed something moving in the distance. It was a creature, a dreadful entity as large as a titan. It was far away, yet he could discern its hairy body and those enormous claws. Its red eyes glowed like flames. It resembled the beasts from the tales.
He did not wait for it to turn in his direction. He hurried toward a cluster of trees and dense bushes nearby, keeping low to the ground. He forced himself into the shadows of the foliage, attempting to blend in and remain as silent as possible. He remained there, heart racing, observing the giant navigate through the valley.
He turned his gaze away from the creature and began to walk in the opposite direction. He maintained light footsteps, attempting to navigate through the underbrush silently.
"Goodness, this entire situation is simply enormous," he murmured to himself. "I was aware there was a larger area than that wretched place."
As he continued onward, he began to notice more of them. He remained crouched, observing from the shadows and mentally cataloging everything he encountered. The initial ones resembled the one he had seen earlier—clad in dense fur with those luminous red eyes. They varied in size, yet even the smaller ones were still as large as titans. He resolved to name them Fury Titans. It was a straightforward designation, but it was appropriate.
Then he glanced upward and noticed movements among the clouds. There were flying creatures with enormous wingspans, gliding over the rugged peaks as if they owned the sky. Given the absurd size of everything in this area, he simply referred to them as Sky Titans.
He was astonished by the magnitude of it all. Why was everything in this place so colossal? It was awe-inspiring, yet also frightening. Every being he encountered was the size of a building, making him feel like a mere speck of dust in a world that seemed unfit for humans.He turned his gaze away from the creature and began to walk in the opposite direction. He maintained light footsteps, attempting to navigate through the underbrush silently.
***
By midnight, he had his camp set up. He didn't dare light a regular fire that would give away his position to anything wandering in the dark. Instead, he huddled inside a small tent he'd put together using some wood and the fabric he'd carried in his pack. He was hungry, so he managed to cook some lamb over a tiny, shielded flame that he kept completely covered so no light could leak out.
Even with the walls of the tent around him, he could hear things moving in the dark. There were heavy footsteps and low growls echoing through the trees nearby. He had picked a spot deep inside a cluster of thick bushes and trees to stay hidden, but he didn't relax. He kept his boots on and his gear ready, prepared to bolt the second something caught his scent.
"Goodness," he whispered, staring at the small, flickering heat under his meat. "I wonder how the explorers who came here before even survived."
***
He did not sleep at all. Instead, he remained seated in the darkness, listening to the heavy thuds and rustling sounds outside his tent until the sun began to rise over the horizon. Once there was sufficient light to see, he repacked all his belongings into his bag and resumed his journey.
After walking for some time, he arrived at a broad river. The water flowed swiftly over the rocks, yet he was able to locate a stable spot to fill his containers. He took his time to purify the water, ensuring it was safe for consumption before securely sealing the caps.
While he was engaged in this task, he sensed an unusual warmth against his skin. He glanced down at his arm and was taken aback. There was a mark pulsating with a faint glow right on his flesh. He gazed at it, rubbing his thumb over the skin, but it did not fade away. It was undeniably luminous.
'What is this?' he pondered, as his heart began to race once more.
He attempted to recall the moment he crossed over. He had never possessed a mark like this back home, nor had he seen anyone else with one.
'Since I have never encountered it before, I presume it is related to the fog', he speculated. It was merely a hunch, but it was the only explanation that seemed plausible. That strange force that pulled him through the mist must have altered something within him.
It was merely an instinct, yet he lacked the luxury of time to linger and dwell on it. He continued onward, creating distance between himself and the smoke. Over the next few days, he evaded one creature after another, navigating rushing rivers and scaling rugged mountain passes.
Then, through the foliage, he spotted a figure that did not resemble a monster.
It was a man. He was slumped against a tree, appearing as though he had endured a brutal ordeal. One of his hands was entirely missing, severed at the wrist, and he was drenched in blood and sweat from head to toe.
He hurried over, his boots pounding against the ground. "Hello? What happened to you?"
The man looked up, his eyes widening in sheer disbelief. "Holy moly," the stranger exclaimed, gazing at him. "This is the first time I've encountered another human—someone of my own kind."
As the man spoke, something extraordinary occurred. The mangled stump of his arm began to twitch and emit smoke. Right before his eyes, the flesh and bone started to rejoin. The severe wounds on the man's chest simply sealed up, the blood drying and flaking away as new skin formed beneath.
It appeared that he possessed some form of power.
"So, what is a simple human like you doing at the border of the Beasts Region?"
Before I could respond, his gaze fell to my arm. He observed the luminous mark for a moment, then rolled back his own sleeve. He possessed one as well. It radiated with the same peculiar light, though the design was distinct.
"That mark," he murmured, his tone becoming noticeably more serious. "It represents that your desires are fueled by exploration and curiosity."
He raised his arm for me to examine it closely. "I have a mark too, you know. However, this one... it signifies Revenge." He regarded the glowing design on his skin with an expression that was far from joyful. "Let's just say I engaged in an action out here that I certainly should not have."
"I am Ryhen Somaki, and you?"
"I am Will Hinlaw," he replied.
"Regardless, it appears you are perplexed, judging by your expression," Ryhen remarked. He shifted his stance against the tree. His recently healed skin appeared pale in contrast to the bloodstains on his shirt.
"And I can surmise that you emerged from the smoke clouds, correct? Those clouds keep you in a zone. They conceal your marks—it essentially functions as a safe zone, you know? However, once you exit, you cannot return, am I right? I experienced something similar once, although not in this area."
He scrutinized me from head to toe, shaking his head. "In any case, you are fortunate to have evaded those creatures. Most individuals who escape the smoke clouds in this area do not survive. You are indeed fortunate."
Ryhen rose to his full height, extending his limbs. "You ought to accompany me. The choice is yours."
Will remained stationary. He did not move, merely observing the stranger. This individual was an enigma—capable of regenerating a hand and speaking in cryptic phrases about marks and safe zones. Accompanying him could either be the wisest decision he ever made or the blunder that led to his demise. He was unaware of Ryhen's intentions or the destination he was heading towards.
'I do not know this man', Will contemplated. He tightened his grip on the straps of his backpack. The forest was silent, yet it was a silence that suggested something was poised to strike.
"Apologies," Will replied, his tone devoid of emotion. "I am uncertain."
Ryhen did not insist. He simply shrugged lightly and began to walk away, his boots crunching on the brittle leaves. Will observed his departure, feeling the heaviness of the choice weighing on him. If he remained, he would be isolated in a realm of giants. If he chose to follow, he would be entrusting his life to an oddity who engaged in battles with titans for amusement.
Will perched high in the branches of a colossal tree, resting his back against the coarse bark. He merely wished to gaze at the sky for a moment and inhale deeply. However, the tranquility was short-lived.
The ground began to resonate. Then it shook. In mere seconds, the entire tree swayed like a blade of grass. It felt as though the earth was on the verge of splitting open right beneath him. Suddenly, the soil erupted. A gigantic, pale form burst forth from the ground adjacent to his tree, propelling fragments of rock and dirt into the atmosphere.
It was a worm, yet it was the size of a cathedral. A Titan Worm.
Will acted instinctively; he dropped from the branch and hit the ground running. He navigated through the underbrush, his heart pounding against his teeth. Behind him, he could hear the sound of the earth being torn apart. The worm was swift, tunneling and breaking through the surface like a dolphin in the dirt, its mouth a gaping pit of whirling, serrated teeth.
He leaped over a fallen log, his lungs pleading for air. He glanced back and witnessed the creature arching high above him, poised to slam down and consume him entirely. He was trapped.
Just as the worm lunged, a figure blurred into the space between Will and the beast.
Ryhen?