Game Of Survival

The moonlight barely reached them.

Zane and Lyra stood frozen at the edge of the twisted, fog-covered trees, catching their breath.

They had escaped the Hollow Depths, but at what cost?

Zane's body ached. His lungs burned. His stamina bar barely flickered above zero.

And yet—they couldn't stop.

The Hollow Stalker had returned.

It didn't forget its prey.

[NEW OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE THE HOLLOW STALKER'S RETURN]

Do not let it catch you.

Find a way to permanently remove the threat.

Escape the Cursed Forest.

Lyra pointed. "There."

Through the thick fog, a rotting wooden watchtower stood like a corpse, half-swallowed by vines.

It was old—barely holding itself together.

But it was shelter.

Zane and Lyra moved cautiously, scanning for movement.

Zane checked his inventory.

[INVENTORY CHECK]

Wolf Meat (x2) – Must be cooked.

Dried Meat (x1) – Restores 10 HP.

Water Flask (50% full).

Bandages (x1) – Stops bleeding.

His stomach twisted with hunger, but food could wait.

Survival first.

They reached the base of the watchtower, looking for a way up.

Lyra spotted a rusted ladder leading to the second level.

"It might hold," she whispered.

Zane exhaled. "Only one way to find out."

[NEW OBJECTIVE: SECURE THE WATCHTOWER]

Check for structural stability.

Search for supplies.

Defend against possible threats.

Inside, the watchtower smelled of damp wood and decay.

Scattered across the floor were torn maps, old weapons, and… bones.

Zane's stomach tightened.

Someone had lived here.

Someone had died here.

Would they suffer the same fate?

A system prompt blinked.

[ITEM FOUND: BLOOD-STAINED JOURNAL]

Contains notes on the Hollow Stalker.

Hints at a weakness.

Lyra flipped through the damaged pages, reading aloud.

"It follows. It does not stop. It does not sleep."

"But it hesitates at the fire. Why? Fire should not matter to the dead."

Zane's breath hitched.

A weakness.

[NEW KNOWLEDGE UNLOCKED: HOLLOW STALKER WEAKNESS]

Fire affects it.

Use this to escape or kill it.

Zane's mind raced.

If they could create fire, they had a chance.

But before they could act—

The forest fell silent.

Then—a deep, guttural growl.

A system warning flashed violently.

[WARNING: HOLLOW STALKER HAS RETURNED]

It has found your scent.

It will not stop hunting.

Zane and Lyra froze.

Outside, the fog twisted unnaturally, shifting like something alive.

Then—footsteps.

Slow. Deliberate.

The floorboards creaked beneath their feet.

Zane exchanged a look with Lyra.

If they moved, it would hear them.

If they stayed, it would find them.

Then—something worse.

The tower shook.

Something massive was climbing up.

[DANGER: HOLLOW STALKER ATTEMPTING ENTRY]

It knows you are inside.

Time until full breach: 30 seconds.

Lyra's grip tightened on her spear.

"We have to burn it."

Zane nodded, heart pounding. "But how?"

Lyra dug into her own inventory, pulling out a flask.

Oil.

Zane's mind clicked into place.

They had an opening. One shot.

[NEW OBJECTIVE: SET FIRE TO THE WATCHTOWER]

Lure the Hollow Stalker inside.

Ignite the structure before it escapes.

Zane and Lyra moved fast.

Lyra smashed the oil flask onto the wooden floor, soaking the ground.

Zane grabbed a rusty torch from the wall, his hands shaking.

Then—

The Hollow Stalker's hand burst through the doorway.

Long, clawed fingers, stretching unnaturally.

Zane's lungs seized.

It was here.

[TIME UNTIL FULL ENTRY: 10 SECONDS]

Zane didn't think.

He lit the torch against the rotting wood—

And threw it.

WHOOSH—FIRE ENGULFED THE WATCHTOWER.

The Hollow Stalker let out an inhuman shriek, recoiling violently.

Its body twisted, writhing as the flames consumed it.

Zane grabbed Lyra's arm, pulling her toward the window.

"JUMP!"

They leapt just as the tower collapsed behind them.

[ESCAPE SUCCESSFUL]

Hollow Stalker Status: ???

Watchtower Destroyed.

Zane and Lyra hit the ground hard, rolling onto the damp forest floor.

Above them, the watchtower burned, sending black smoke into the Bloodmoon sky.

The Hollow Stalker's agonized wails echoed through the trees—

Then—silence.

Zane lay there, staring at the burning wreckage.

Was it finally dead?

Lyra sat up, panting.

"We did it…" she whispered.

But Zane wasn't so sure.

Then—a system message appeared.

[WARNING: BLOOD PACT SCOUTS DETECTED]

They saw the fire.

They are coming

Zane's stomach twisted.

They had defeated one monster.

And now, another was coming.

No rest. No mercy. Only survival.

Lyra gritted her teeth, gripping her spear.

"We run."

Zane nodded.

And without another word, they vanished into the mist.