Aeloria

The second day began much like the first. We walked. And walked. And walked.

The forest stretched endlessly around us, its towering trees forming a canopy so thick that only fragments of sunlight managed to filter through. The air was cool, carrying the earthy scent of moss and pine, but it felt heavy. Oppressive. Each step seemed to lead us deeper into the unknown, the world around us an unbroken sea of green.

To pass the time, we started talking about the past. Emery broke the silence first. "You know," she said, glancing over at me with a faint smile, "I've been thinking about when we first met. Back in our dorm."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what about it?"

She shrugged, her smile growing mischievous. "How I kept you at arm's length because I didn't want you to figure out that I liked you."

I laughed, the sound feeling strange in this alien world. "You kept me at arm's length because you were too embarrassed to admit it."

"Please," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You were the one who wouldn't take a hint. I mean, how many times did I have to reject you before you figured it out?"

"Twice," I corrected, holding up two fingers. "And to be fair, I didn't 'figure it out.' You just gave up on pretending you didn't like me."

She laughed, the sound light and genuine, and for a moment, it felt like we were back on Earth. Back in college, in a world that made sense. But that feeling didn't last.

"I guess that was a different life," Emery said softly, her voice losing its playful edge. "A different world."

Her words hung in the air, a sobering reminder of how much had changed.

---

It was a couple of hours past noon when I heard it—a faint, unmistakable sound that made my heart race. The sound of moving water.

I stopped in my tracks, straining my ears to make sure I wasn't imagining it. Emery noticed and turned toward me. Before I could say anything, her face lit up.

"Water!" she screeched, bolting toward the sound.

"Emery, wait!" I called after her, but she was already sprinting through the trees. I quickly followed, adrenaline surging as I pushed past branches and undergrowth.

When we reached the stream, Emery dropped to her knees and plunged her face into the water, drinking greedily. I joined her, kneeling by the edge and scooping handfuls of the cold, clear water to my mouth. It tasted fresher than anything I'd ever had—crisp, clean, and impossibly pure.

But just as I leaned down for another drink, a familiar chill ran down my spine.

Not again.

I rolled to the side instinctively, just as a spear slammed into the ground where my head had been.

I shot to my feet, positioning myself between Emery and the goblins that emerged from the trees. Three of them this time. They looked just like the one I had killed the day before—short, wiry, with sickly green skin and grotesque, wart-covered faces. One held a spear, the others wielded stone axes.

"Stay behind me," I shouted to Emery, my voice sharp. "Run if they get too close!"

The goblins didn't wait. They charged all at once, their shrill war cries echoing through the forest.

I moved first, closing the distance with the goblin on my left. It held an axe, its movements clumsy but aggressive. My spear gave me the reach advantage. As it swung at me, I stepped back and lunged forward, driving the tip of the spear into its head. The blade pierced cleanly, green blood spraying as the goblin crumpled to the ground.

I didn't stop. I yanked the spear free and spun, spotting the second goblin closing in from my right. Without hesitation, I hurled the spear at it. The weapon struck its shoulder, the force knocking it to the ground.

But now I was weaponless, and the third goblin was upon me.

It lunged with its spear, and I barely sidestepped in time, the blade grazing my arm. Too close. I grabbed the shaft of the spear and yanked it forward, pulling the goblin off balance. We hit the ground hard, and I scrambled to take its back. My legs locked around its chest in a figure-four, squeezing with all the strength I had.

The goblin thrashed wildly, clawing at my face, but I kept my grip tight. With one hand, I reached for the knife strapped to my side. The blade gleamed as I brought it across the goblin's throat. Its movements slowed, then stopped.

I rolled the body off me and turned to the final goblin.

It had pulled my spear from its shoulder and was now charging at me, axe raised in its one good hand. Its movements were slower, clumsier, but no less dangerous.

As it swung the axe, I sidestepped, driving my shoulder into its chest and tackling it to the ground. I pinned its working arm beneath my knee, holding the knife steady in my hand.

"This is survival," I muttered under my breath, driving the blade into its temple.

The goblin's body went limp, its blood pooling beneath us. I rolled off, my chest heaving, every muscle in my body screaming.

---

"Logan!"

I looked up to see Emery running toward me, her face pale with fear. She barreled into me, wrapping her arms around my neck as she searched my body for injuries.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Her hands moved frantically over my arms, my chest, my face.

"I'm fine," I said, my voice steady but tired. "They didn't get me."

She didn't look convinced. Her hands kept moving, her eyes scanning every inch of me. Only when she was sure I was unscathed did she let out a shaky breath.

"I can't believe this is real," she whispered. "We're surrounded by monsters."

"They're not strong," I said, trying to reassure her. "They're not smart. Simple feints, taking it to the ground—I can handle them." I gestured toward the stream. "Think about it. We have water now. All we need is food, and we'll be okay."

Her eyes softened, but the fear didn't leave her face.

After a moment, I stood and began scavenging the goblins' bodies. Using the ropes from their belts, I tied the two spears to my back and secured the axes to my waist. The knife, now stained green, was strapped to my ankle, ready for when all other options failed.

When I was done, I turned to Emery. "Let's get going. We still have some daylight."

She nodded, and together we set off, following the stream. It wasn't just a path. It was our lifeline.

---

As night fell, we climbed a tree a few feet away from the stream, far enough to stay hidden. Emery tied herself to the branch with the rope I had given her and quickly fell asleep, her exhaustion finally catching up to her.

I climbed to the top of the tree, hoping to catch a glimpse of something—anything—beyond the forest. But all I saw was more trees, stretching endlessly in every direction.

Above me, the sky was breathtaking. Two large moons hung overhead, one a faint red, the other a soft blue. Stars blanketed the sky, their light undimmed by pollution. It was beautiful, but it only reminded me how far from home we were.

I stayed at the top of the tree for a long time, my thoughts churning.

I don't care if I become a monster.The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. If it means keeping Emery safe, I'll do whatever it takes.

I climbed back down, settling into a spot near Emery. Her face was peaceful in sleep, a stark contrast to the chaos around us.

Protecting her was all that mattered. Even if it meant losing a part of myself.