Chapter 10:
Leon awoke slowly, his eyes crusted with dry tears. The room was silent, with nothing but the slow ticking of the clock filling the air. His body felt heavy, as if the weight of the entire world was pressing down on his chest.
He glanced around to confirm he was in his room. Someone must have found him and brought him back. Perhaps the servants? But this realization did nothing to ease the turmoil inside him. The memories of the previous day clung to him like a relentless nightmare.
"Why?" he murmured softly as questions began to flood his mind:
"Did my brothers kill my mentor? Why? Was his death my fault? Was his sacrifice in vain? Why does everyone who tries to help me end up dead? Is life truly fair?"
These thoughts swirled like a storm in his head, amplifying his feelings of helplessness, sorrow, and rage.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on the floor, he felt no tears left to shed, only the overwhelming despair of hopelessness. His only mentor—the one person who had offered him a glimmer of hope—was now gone.
"No... this is more than I can bear."
---
The Forest: Seeking Solace
Leon left the castle silently, without telling anyone where he was going. His destination was the forest, the place where his first training had begun—the place where his dream had once been alive, now shattered.
He carried his sword, though he had no clear purpose. All he sought was an escape from the pain consuming him. Reaching the forest, he stopped before a massive tree. Staring at it for a moment, he began striking it with his sword with all his might.
"Why?! Why is this happening to me?!"
His voice rang out as he continued slashing at the tree, ignoring the blood dripping from his hands caused by his improper grip on the sword.
Each strike was a desperate attempt to purge his heart of the agony and rage within. He was certain his brothers were behind his mentor's death, yet he had no proof. Worse still, he lacked the strength to confront them.
"I'm weak... useless..." he muttered, tears streaming down his face.
---
The Wolf's Arrival
Amid his grief, a small creature emerged from the shadows of the trees. It was a young wolf, predatory yet small. Despite its size, it looked dangerous. One of the weaker beasts in the forest, yet to Leon, who lacked any real combat skills, it posed a significant threat.
The wolf paused, locking eyes with Leon with a hungry gaze before charging toward him. Leon raised his sword in an attempt to fend off the attack, but he was utterly unprepared.
He struggled to block the wolf's strikes, barely holding the sword correctly. The fight quickly turned into a nightmare, with the wolf clawing at his arms and shoulders, leaving painful wounds.
Leon found himself retreating with each attack, realizing that continuing the fight would mean his death. He had no choice but to run.
---
The Chase
Leon ran as fast as he could, the wolf relentlessly chasing him. The towering trees blocked the sunlight, heightening the terror of the moment.
"I don't want to die... not yet..."
His feet stumbled over roots and thick grass, but he pushed forward. The sound of the wolf's heavy breaths drew closer and closer—death itself pursuing him without mercy.
As he ran, he suddenly collided with a large tree, falling to the ground. He tried to get up, but his body was completely drained. Turning around, he saw the wolf slowly approaching, its fangs glinting menacingly in the shadows.
---
The Fall into Darkness
Unable to stand, Leon began crawling backward, desperate to put distance between himself and the beast. His eyes were locked on the wolf, which seemed to relish the sight of its helpless prey.
At the very moment the wolf leapt for its final attack, the ground beneath Leon gave way, and he fell into a deep pit. He plummeted for several seconds before landing hard on the cold, damp earth below.
Darkness enveloped him, making it impossible to see. Pain coursed through his body, but his mind was too clouded to process it. Exhaustion claimed him completely.
"Where am I?... Am I dead?" he whispered faintly before succumbing to unconsciousness once again.
End of Chapter