A Zombie's Path to Power

Lunging over the roots, the lethargic feeling that once held Azel quickly disappeared, the figure was still faster than him though. It dashed under and over branches like a squirrel, its body twisting with practised ease as it moved.

Azel wasn't too sure if it was the exciting feeling of chasing prey that woke him up or if it was the radiating pain from his shoulder. As of right now, the zombie supposed it didn't matter, he had a squirrel to catch.

Azel's eyes were locked onto the elusive target, his blood-red gaze unyielding. He pushed his body to its limits, muscles straining as he leaped over fallen logs and ducked beneath low-hanging branches.

The pain in his shoulder, though intense, was quickly becoming a backdrop to his singular focus on the chase.

Although his memories didn't help him, Azel was sure that he was by no means moving at a slow pace, yet this hooded archer was still faster.

For same reason the thought annoyed him. Azel had come back from the very dead and he couldn't keep up with some random?

He felt the energy from the stream flood his body, and his pace quickened. Even the shoulder wound didn't even hurt anymore...

As the figure darted behind a particularly large tree Azel lost sight for a mere moment. Following her movements, he surged forward, using every ounce of his strength to close the distance.

As he rounded the tree, his eyes scanned the forest, searching for any sign of the fleeing figure.

Suddenly, a blur of motion caught his attention. The figure had doubled back, using the tree as cover to attempt a surprise manoeuvre.

Azel cursed under his breath as his hands flew up to protect his face. But the arrow found purchase on his knee instead, the impact nearly toppling him.

Azel staggered, biting back a cry of pain as the sharp agony scorched from his knee, threatening to cripple his pursuit. Blood trickled down his leg, soaking into the earth.

Despite the searing pain, Azel's determination flared even brighter. He wouldn't let this attacker escape. His vision blurred, but he steadied himself, focusing on the figure now closer than ever.

The attacker's speed and agility spoke of someone experienced in the art of evasion, but Azel was fuelled by a relentless drive.

With a guttural growl, Azel lunged forward, ignoring the protests of his wounded body. He pushed off the ground with his good leg, propelling himself towards the figure. The forest seemed to blur around him as his tunnel vision locked on his opponent.

The figure, realizing the sudden proximity of its pursuer, attempted another evasive maneuverer, darting to the side.

But Azel anticipated it, his instincts guiding him. He reached out, his fingers grazing the fabric of the figure's clothing before gripping it tightly.

With a final surge of strength, Azel yanked the figure towards him, both of them crashing to the ground. The pain from his wounds roared in his consciousness, but he didn't let go.

They tumbled together, a chaotic mix of limbs and raw energy until they came to a halt, Azel pinning the figure beneath him.

Breathing heavily, Azel's blood-red eyes met those of his attacker. To his surprise, he found himself staring into the wide, fearful eyes of a young woman.

Her face was streaked with dirt and sweat, her breaths coming in rapid, panicked gasps. She struggled briefly, but the fight seemed to leave her as she realized she was caught.

Now Azel was stuck, he wasn't sure if he wanted to kill her... But he did have every right after the attempt on his life. Yes, an attempt, he could already feel his body healing itself after the arrows were removed.

Confused, Azel decided to get a clearer idea on the situation. After all, knowledge is power, and the best way to get knowledge is through a position of power...

"Who are you?" Azel demanded, his voice a rasping growl, raw from pain and exertion.

"I could ask you the same," she retorted, her voice trembling yet tinged with a hint of steel. "Who—or what—are you?"

Azel's grip tightened, his blood-red eyes narrowing. "I am Azel. Now answer my question. Why did you shoot me?"

She swallowed hard, her gaze flickering to the wounds she had inflicted. "I didn't know what you were," she admitted, a note of desperation in her voice. "Your eyes... I've seen things like you before. Monsters, risen from the dead. They're dangerous. You're dangerous"

"I am not a monster," he growled, though the uncertainty in his own voice betrayed him. The blood-red glow of his eyes, the eerie pallor of his skin, and the almost supernatural resilience he possessed—all these traits he had taken for granted moments ago now seemed to support her claims.

"Not yet... None of you start like that, but it doesn't take long for those eyes of yours to go wild with hunger," The women continued, her own voice becoming raw with fear and anger."

Azel was silent for a moment before repeating his initial question, "who are you?"

The woman hesitated, her eyes darting around as if seeking an escape even though she knew there was none. Finally, she took a deep breath and answered, "I am Lyra, from the seeker division of the Sun Chasers. I'm a squire for knight Colwyn"

"Colwyn? who is he?" begun Azel, his questions were infinite, but he would start small. unfortunately, Lyra didn't answer but instead stared straight into his eyes.

Growing quickly uncomfortable as he watched a coy grin spread across her face, Azel began considering if she had outlived her usefulness, perhaps it would be better to kill her now before something unpredictable happened.

"Colwyn, huh? That would be me." called a nearby voice from behind Azel, "Mind unhanding my squire?"