The Ethereal night : Feather's Curse

The massive form of the Guardian lay motionless on the ground, its body crumbling into the earth, its once-glowing red eyes now dull. Arin stood over it, panting, blood dripping from several wounds across his body. His breath was ragged, and his muscles screamed in protest, but he had done it. The Guardian was dead.

He stumbled backward, the weight of the moment sinking in. He had just killed a creature far stronger than anything he had ever faced in the real world. The adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, but the exhaustion was catching up to him. His legs wobbled beneath him, and he collapsed onto a nearby stone, trying to steady himself.

The battle had taken everything out of him, but it was only the beginning. The Heart of the Forest was still ahead, and with it, the answers he desperately needed. If he was going to survive this, he couldn't afford to waste any time.

---

A Glowing Message

As Arin caught his breath, a soft, golden light suddenly appeared in the air in front of him, hovering just above the ground. It was the familiar game interface—another message.

Congratulations! You have defeated the Guardian of the Forest.

New Objective: Reach the Heart of the Forest before time runs out.

Time Remaining: 47 hours.

The countdown. It was relentless. Arin didn't have much time before the game's rules caught up with him again. He could feel it now, deep in his bones—the sense of urgency, the ticking clock that would not stop.

---

The Stranger Appears

As Arin prepared to move, the sound of rustling leaves caught his attention. His hand instinctively went to his sword as a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees.

It was a man, tall and lean, with dark hair and a long coat that swayed with his movements. His sharp eyes locked onto Arin, scanning him from head to toe.

"Another one?" the man muttered, his tone laced with suspicion.

Arin stepped back, gripping his sword tightly. "Who are you?"

The man tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Does it matter? I'm here for the same reason you are. To survive. But I'll tell you this much—this forest doesn't forgive mistakes."

Arin's eyes narrowed. "You're trapped here too?"

The man nodded, his gaze flicking toward the glowing path ahead. "We all are. The Heart of the Forest is where they want us to go. But no one's ever made it there and come back."

Arin frowned. "What do you mean?"

The man shrugged, his smirk fading into something colder. "The Heart is where the real game begins. If you think the Guardian was tough, you're in for a rude awakening. There are worse things ahead."

"Then why are you going there?" Arin asked.

The man's eyes darkened. "Because I have no choice. And neither do you."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "We can either work together or die alone. The game doesn't care which."

Arin hesitated, his instincts warning him against trusting the stranger. But the man's words rang true. He couldn't afford to be alone. Not here. Not now.

"Fine," Arin said reluctantly. "We'll work together. But I'm watching you."

The man chuckled. "Smart move. Call me Cain."

---

The Chimera Attack

The two of them walked down the path together, the silence between them heavy with tension. The deeper they went, the darker the forest grew, the twisted branches overhead forming a canopy that blocked out the sky.

Suddenly, a deafening screech tore through the stillness. Both Arin and Cain spun around, weapons drawn, as a massive creature emerged from the underbrush—a Chimera. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto them, and it charged with terrifying speed.

"Move!" Cain shouted, leaping to the side as the beast lunged at them.

Arin dodged just in time, swinging his sword at the Chimera's side. The blade glanced off its thick hide, barely leaving a mark. Cain struck next, aiming for its legs, but the Chimera retaliated with a powerful swipe of its claws, sending him flying into a tree.

The Chimera turned its attention back to Arin, its jaws snapping inches from his face. Arin swung wildly, his blade finally finding its mark as he slashed across the creature's throat. But the Chimera was relentless, its claws lashing out and catching him across the chest.

---

A Sudden Awakening

Just as the Chimera lunged for the final blow, everything around Arin shattered like glass.

He jolted awake, gasping for air, his body drenched in sweat. His chest throbbed with pain, and when he looked down, he saw faint red marks where the Chimera's claws had struck him.

The realization hit him like a thunderbolt. The game wasn't just a dream—it was real. If he died there, he would die here too.

His gaze fell on the glowing feather lying on his bedside table, its soft light pulsing rhythmically. He reached for it, his hands trembling.

"This is no game," he whispered to himself.

---

To Be Continued...

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