Game Of Survival

Zane was barely conscious, his body tumbling through the violent currents like a leaf caught in a storm. The freezing water sapped his strength, each passing second pushing him closer to exhaustion.

The roar of the river drowned out all other sounds—except for his own ragged breaths.

[DANGER! STRONG CURRENTS DETECTED]

STAMINA DRAIN INCREASED: -3 STAMINA PER SECOND

BREATH LIMIT: 4 SECONDS BEFORE DROWNING DAMAGE BEGINS

OBSTACLES AHEAD: HIGH RISK OF COLLISION

A wave crashed over him, forcing him beneath the surface.

Too deep. Too fast.

His lungs burned as he struggled, arms desperately clawing upward.

A dark shape loomed ahead.

A jagged rock, directly in his path.

His instincts screamed.

Move or die!

Zane twisted his body at the last second, narrowly avoiding impact—

But his shoulder clipped the rock.

[-10 HP] [INJURED STATUS: LEFT SHOULDER]

Reduced Swing Speed (Melee -10%)

Pain flared through his arm, but he had no time to process it.

Up ahead, a familiar voice pierced the chaos.

"ZANE!"

Zane's head snapped toward the sound.

Lyra was just ahead, gripping a half-submerged log.

Grab it. Hold on. Stay alive.

With his last bit of strength, Zane lunged—his fingers wrapping around the log.

[STABILIZED: RIVER NAVIGATION IMPROVED]

Chance of Survival Increased

Lyra was panting, coughing up water, but her grip on the log was firm. Her sharp eyes flicked toward him.

"You alive?" she gasped.

Zane let out a weak, breathless chuckle. "Barely."

She smirked, but the relief didn't last.

Ahead, the river split into two paths.

One led into a dark cave, the entrance barely visible beneath the overhanging rock.

The other led to a sheer drop—a waterfall.

Zane's stomach twisted.

Neither looked good.

A system prompt flashed before his eyes.

[CHOOSE A PATH]

LEFT – Enter the river cave (Unknown dangers, possible shelter).

RIGHT – Take the waterfall (High injury risk, but faster escape from pursuit).

Lyra glanced at Zane. "Pick fast!"

Zane's mind raced.

A cave might mean a slower current—a chance to recover. But what lurked inside?

A waterfall was a gamble.

"Cave!" Zane shouted.

Lyra didn't hesitate. "Hold on!"

They angled their bodies, letting the current pull them into the cave's mouth.

The moment they entered the cave, the roar of the outside river faded.

The current slowed, becoming a gentle pull, but the air turned deathly cold.

A system prompt appeared.

[ENVIRONMENT UPDATE: UNKNOWN CAVE SYSTEM]

LIGHT LEVEL: LOW (Visibility Reduced)

TEMPERATURE: COLD (Risk of Hypothermia if exposed too long)

SOUND REFLECTION: HIGH (Enemies may hear movements easily)

Zane shivered violently.

Lyra paddled toward a rocky ledge, pulling herself up first. "Come on," she whispered.

Zane gritted his teeth, forcing his body onto the rocks. His entire form ached from the abuse.

His stomach growled.

A new status notification flashed.

[STATUS UPDATE]

HP: 17/35 (Minor Injuries)

STAMINA: 4/50 (Critical Fatigue)

COLD STATUS: Moderate (-10% Stamina Recovery)

HUNGER: Severe (-15% Strength)

THIRST: Low (-5% Speed)

Zane let out a weary breath. "We need food."

Lyra nodded, shaking water from her hair. "Water's not an issue. But if we don't eat soon, we're in trouble."

She glanced at him. "You got anything left?"

Zane opened his inventory, checking his supplies.

[INVENTORY CHECK]

Wolf Meat (x2) – Requires cooking to avoid food poisoning.

Dried Meat (x1) – Ready to eat. Restores 10 HP.

Bandages (1 use left).

Water Flask (50% full).

He grabbed the dried meat, tearing off a chunk.

[HP Restored: +10]

Current HP: 27/35

Lyra's eyebrow raised. "Not sharing?"

Zane broke off a piece, tossing it to her. "There. Happy?"

She caught it with a smirk. "Very."

After eating, they turned their attention to the cave itself.

[NEW OBJECTIVE: EXPLORE THE CAVE AND FIND A SAFE EXIT]

Find an exit before exhaustion takes full effect.

Beware of unknown threats.

Just as Zane was about to stand, something shifted in the shadows.

A faint, almost inaudible whisper.

A cold pressure settled on his chest, his instincts screaming.

Lyra froze beside him.

"You hear that?"

Zane nodded, his fingers tightening around his dagger.

Then—movement.

A shadow detached itself from the cave wall.

A tall, thin figure, its body wrapped in ragged strips of flesh-like fabric, its head twisted unnaturally.

It didn't breathe.

It didn't move like something alive.

But it was watching them.

Then—it spoke.

A voice like wind through a dead forest.

"Why... do you trespass... in the Hollow's Depth?"

Zane's blood ran cold.

A system warning flashed violently in his vision.

[NEW ENEMY DETECTED: HOLLOW WRAITH]

HP: ??? (Unknown)

Abilities: ??? (Unknown)

Hostile Status: Passive... for now.

Zane swallowed hard.

"We need to go," he whispered.

Lyra didn't argue.

They moved slowly, carefully, avoiding sudden movements.

The Wraith's empty sockets followed them, but it did not attack.

Yet.

They made their way deeper into the cave, hearts pounding, breaths shallow.

[NEW OBJECTIVE: ESCAPE THE CAVE BEFORE NIGHTFALL]

Find an alternate exit.

Avoid waking the other Wraiths.

Do not make a sound.

As they crept forward, Zane dared one last glance over his shoulder.

The Hollow Wraith still stood in place.

Watching.

Waiting.

And then—it smiled.

A grotesque, unnatural grin.

And whispered, "Run."