Sora found a spot nestled between the roots of a large tree, the soft moss beneath him offering a small measure of comfort.

  The forest around him was alive with the sounds of the night—crickets chirping, leaves rustling, and the occasional distant hoot of an owl.

  It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the day, and for a moment, he allowed himself to relax. His makeshift clothes, still slightly damp, clung to his feathers, but the cool evening air was slowly drying them.

  He curled up, trying to make himself as small as possible, his golden wings wrapping around him like a protective cocoon.

  He glanced around one last time, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. Nothing nearby, he thought, though the unease in his chest refused to fully dissipate.

  The forest was vast and unknown, and every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig set his nerves on edge. Still, exhaustion weighed heavily on him, and he knew he needed rest if he was going to survive another day.

  As he closed his eyes, his thoughts drifted to the events of the day—the goblins, the monster at the lake, the nightmare that had jolted him awake.

  I survived today, he reminded himself, though the thought brought little comfort. But what about tomorrow? Or the day after that?

  He needed to learn, to adapt, to grow stronger. But how? He was just a hatchling, thrust into a world he didn’t understand.

  The peaceful sounds of the forest lulled him into a restless sleep, but it wasn’t long before the tranquility was shattered.

  Sora found himself in a dark, empty void, the air thick and suffocating.A sense of dread settled over him, heavier than any physical weight. He tried to move, to call out, but his body refused to obey.

  The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of his own heartbeat, loud and frantic in his ears.

  Then, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness. At first, it was formless, a swirling mass of blackness.

  But as it drew closer, it began to take shape. Sora’s breath hitched as he realized what—or who—it was. The figure was him, but twisted, wrong.

  Its body was pure darkness, its eyes white and lifeless, and its mouth stretched into a sinister smile that sent a chill down his spine.

  The shadowy doppelganger tilted its head, its grin widening as it took a step closer.

  Sora tried to back away, but his feet were rooted to the spot, just like before. This isn’t real, he told himself, though the fear gripping his heart felt all too real.

  The figure advanced, its movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring every moment of his terror.

  “What… what are you?” Sora managed to choke out, his voice trembling.

  The shadowy version of himself didn’t answer. It simply smiled, its white eyes boring into his soul.

  It was close now, so close that Sora could feel the cold emanating from its form. He braced himself, his heart pounding as the figure reached out a hand, its fingers elongating into sharp, claw-like points.

  Just as it was about to touch him, Sora woke with a start.

  His body was drenched in sweat, his heart racing as if he had just run a marathon. The forest around him was dark and quiet, the moon casting a pale light through the trees.

  He sat up, his breath coming in ragged gasps, and looked around, half-expecting to see the shadowy figure lurking in the shadows.

  But there was nothing. Just the quiet forest and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. Sora took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

  It was just a dream, he told himself, though the unease lingered. The image of his doppelganger’s lifeless eyes and sinister smile was burned into his mind, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that it had meant something more.

  He stayed awake for a while, keeping watch over his surroundings. The nightmare had left him too unsettled to sleep, and he didn’t want to risk falling back into that dark void.

  As the hours passed, the forest remained quiet, and eventually, exhaustion began to overtake him once more.

  Reluctantly, Sora lay back down, his golden wings curling around him protectively. Please, no more nightmares, he prayed closing his eyes.

  This time, sleep came more easily, and to his relief, the nightmare didn’t return. The forest remained peaceful, the sounds of the night lulling him into a deeper, more restful slumber.

  When he woke again, the first light of dawn was filtering through the trees. Sora sat up, stretching his wings and taking in his surroundings.

  The nightmare still lingered in the back of his mind, but the light of day helped to push it aside. He had survived another night, and that was enough for now.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  Today’s a new day, he thought, standing and brushing the moss from his clothes. I’ll figure something out. I have to.

  With a deep breath, reaching for the small pouch he had scavenged from the caravan wreckage. He pulled out a piece of jerky, tough and salty, but enough to fill the gnawing hunger in his stomach.

  As he chewed, his mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. I need to learn more about this forest. Find food, water, shelter. And maybe… maybe I’ll find others like me.

  Once he finished eating, Sora set off deeper into the forest. The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows and giving the forest an almost magical quality.

  The air was cool and fresh, and the sounds of the forest waking up surrounded him—birds chirping, leaves rustling, and distant animal calls. He moved cautiously, his senses alert to any potential threats.

  The memory of the hydra was still fresh, and he knew that there were more dangers lurking in these woods.

  As he explored, he paid attention to the details of his surroundings. He noticed different types of plants, some of which might be edible, though he wasn’t sure which ones were safe.

  He also saw signs of other creatures—tracks, broken branches, and nests high in the trees. The forest was teeming with life, and he knew he had to be careful.

  After a while, he came across a small stream flowing through the forest. The water was clear and inviting, so he knelt down and took a drink.

  The cool water refreshed him, and he felt a bit more energized. He followed the stream for a while, hoping it might lead him to somewhere useful—perhaps a clearing, a town, or even a clue about where he might find others.

  Eventually, he stumbled upon a small, secluded grove surrounded by tall trees and thick bushes. It seemed peaceful, and the ground was covered in soft grass. It wasn’t much, but it could serve as a temporary base while he figured out his next steps.

  This might work, he thought, settling down to rest for a while. But just as he began to relax, a low, menacing growl echoed through the trees.

  His heart skipped a beat, and he turned quickly, scanning the area. Emerging from the shadows were a pack of wolves, their eyes gleaming with hunger as they stalked toward him.

  Their gray fur blended in with the shadows, and their sharp teeth were bared as they moved in a coordinated formation, surrounding him.

  The lead wolf, a large and imposing creature with dark gray fur, stepped forward, sizing him up with cold, calculating eyes.

  The others circled around, their movements synchronized as they tested his reactions. Sora could feel the tension in the air; they were trying to decide if he was easy prey.

  Run? No, they’ll chase me. Climb a tree? They’ll just wait me out. Scare them off? They’re already too close. His mind raced, but he knew there was only one option left. I have to fight.

  The standoff felt like an eternity. The wolves prowled closer, their growls growing louder, more aggressive.

  Sora could see the hunger in their eyes, the calculation as they prepared to strike. His claws tightened around the dull dagger he had taken from the caravan wreckage. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.

  Then, with a sudden burst of energy, the largest wolf lunged forward, its fangs bared. The pack followed, moving as one, their speed and coordination terrifying.

  Sora’s body reacted on instinct—he flared his wings, leaping back and creating a gust of wind that knocked the wolf slightly off balance. The others quickly rushed him from the sides.

  He swung the dagger wildly, catching another wolf on its side, but it was only a glancing blow, barely slowing it down.

  The wolves were relentless, attacking from all sides.

  Sora dodged and slashed with everything he had, but they were quick, their jaws snapping dangerously close each time. One wolf managed to clamp onto his arm, its teeth digging into his flesh.

  He screamed in pain and fury, slashing at its face until it let go, blood staining his feathers.

  Then he noticed the knife was broken. Without thinking, he used his claws, tearing into the wolf with a ferocity he didn’t know he possessed.

  His claws ripped through fur and flesh, and with a final, desperate blow, he managed to bring it down. The wolf collapsed, blood staining the grass as the rest of the pack hesitated, their confidence shaken.

  Sora let out a powerful screech, a primal sound that echoed through the grove. The wolves flinched, their ears flattening against their heads.

  For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then, the larger wolf howled, and the remaining wolves turned tail and fled into the forest. The lead wolf turned its head to look at Sora one last time before vanishing into the shadows.

  Sora stood there, panting and covered in scratches, bite marks, and claw wounds. He could barely believe that he had survived.

  But before he could catch his breath, a glowing screen appeared before his eyes, hovering in midair.

  You have slain a lvl 15 Shade Forest Wolf

  Then a second message appeared below the first

  You have gained 357 exp.

  Then the third

  You have killed creature and gain the title "First Blood" all physical stats are raised by 3

  Then a fourth

  You have slain a creature that is 10 levels above you and gained the title "Made Possible" all physical stats are raised by 10

  And finally a fifth message appeared

  You have leveled up 1>7.

  Sora stared in shock as the screens faded away, leaving him standing alone in the grove.

  What… what just happened? his mind reeling. Did I just level up? Like in a game? This world was stranger than he had imagined, with rules and systems he still didn’t fully understand. But one thing was clear—he had grown stronger.

  And that gave him hope.

  Taking a deep breath, Sora glanced at the dead wolf lying at his feet. It had been a brutal fight, but he had won.

  And now, he had to figure out what to do next, how to harness this newfound power, and how to continue surviving in this dangerous world.

  After the adrenaline faded and the reality of what had just happened settled in, Sora found himself sitting beside the lifeless body of the wolf he had killed.

  His heart still pounded from the fight, but now a different feeling took over—one of unease and uncertainty. He had taken a life, even if it was in self-defense.

  The wolf had been trying to kill him, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept.

  He stared at the wolf’s body, its fur matted with blood, and felt a pang of guilt. In my old life, I never hurt anything, even a fly, his chest tightening.

  But this world… it’s different. It’s brutal. And if I want to survive, I have to make choices I never thought I’d have to make.

  After what felt like hours of sitting in silence, Sora forced himself to move. The wolf’s death couldn’t be in vain. He had to make the most of it.

  With a heavy heart, he set about the grim task of skinning the wolf and taking what was of value.

  The process was messy and unpleasant, but he pushed through, using the broken dagger to carefully remove the hide. He didn’t want to use his claws for something like this, so it took longer than he would’ve liked.

  The fur was thick and warm, perfect for making clothing or perhaps a makeshift blanket.

  He set it aside, then turned his attention to the meat. He wasn’t sure how to properly butcher an animal, but he did his best, cutting away the parts that seemed edible.

  The meat would be valuable for the days ahead, providing him with sustenance in the harsh wilderness.

  As he worked, Sora couldn’t help but think about what this experience meant for him.

  I’ve crossed a line, he thought, his hands trembling slightly.

  I’ve killed.

  And I’ll probably have to do it again. The thought made him sick, but he knew he had no choice.

  This world was dangerous, and it would take everything he had to survive.

  Once he had gathered all that he could from the wolf, Sora decided to drag the remains away from the grove.

  Leaving it nearby could attract predators, and he didn’t want to invite more trouble. The weight of the carcass was manageable, thanks to his newfound strength from leveling up.

  He hauled it to a distant spot in the forest, where he left it to the scavengers and nature to take care of the rest.

  Returning to the grove, Sora felt a mix of exhaustion and resolve.

  I’m not the same person I was when I hatched, he thought, staring at his bloodstained claws. I’m changing. Adapting.

  And if I want to survive, I have to keep going.

  As night began to fall once more, Sora prepared a small fire to cook some of the meat. It took longer than he expected—his dad had made it look so easy when they used to go camping together.

  The memory brought a small smile to his face, but it was bittersweet. I miss them, he thought, his chest aching. But I can’t let myself get stuck in the past. Not here.

  The aroma of cooking meat filled the air, reminding him of how hungry he was.

  As he ate, he reminded himself that every choice he made, no matter how difficult, was a step toward survival.

  And in this world, survival was the only option.

  <> ? <>

  "Huh, looks like the kid is taking it rather well of his first taste of blood and it looks like he discovered the thing I gave him" the being said scratching its chin as he watch the boy say out random words before looking like he saw the most awesome thing in his life. "I made sure its easy for the boy to understand and the fact the boy plays DnD was icing on the cake he didn't have to do that much work to make it easy for the boy to understand the being smiled as he watch the boy accidentally almost burned his dinner.

  "Looks like things are about to be interesting tomorrow"