AIDEN
We walked for what felt like hours through the dense greenery, the forest alive with the quiet hum of nature but devoid of any visible life. The air was thick with moisture, and the scent of moss and damp earth clung to everything. Despite the serenity, a strange tension hung in the air, like the forest itself was holding its breath. I couldn't help but think—this must be what the calm before the storm feels like. The kind of silence that comes just before chaos erupts.
Shirley walked beside me, her steps light but deliberate, her eyes scanning the surroundings with the precision of someone trained for danger. The trees loomed overhead, their branches interlocking like fingers, casting long shadows that danced with every flicker of sunlight. It was beautiful, but unnerving.
"Do you know even know where the Eye of Ra is?" she asked suddenly, her voice low but clear.
"Yeah," I replied, brushing aside a low-hanging vine. "It's attached to his throne. At least, that's what Zain told me…" I trailed off mid-sentence, stopping abruptly. Something wasn't right. I held up a hand instinctively, halting Shirley's movement.
"What is it?" she whispered, her body already shifting into a defensive stance. Her hand hovered near the hilt of her blade, and her eyes narrowed as she scanned the trees.
"There's someone… or something here," I whispered back, my voice barely audible. I didn't know how I knew, but I felt it—like a pressure against my mind, subtle but persistent.
She didn't question me. Instead, she adjusted her footing, her posture now that of a seasoned warrior. I admired that about her—how quickly she could switch from casual to combat-ready. I took a deep breath and tried to clear my head, focusing on the environment. The presence was faint, almost like it was deliberately masking itself. That told me one of two things: either it wasn't hostile, or it was waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The second option was far less comforting.
"We know you're out there," I called out, my voice echoing through the trees. "Show yourself!"
Silence.
I couldn't see anything, but I could feel it. Like eyes on the back of my neck, like a whisper just out of earshot. It wasn't just watching—it was assessing us.
"I still can't feel anything, Aiden. Are you sure?" Shirley asked, her voice low and steady.
"Yes," I said firmly. "It's there. Somewhere."
We waited, tense and alert, for what felt like an eternity. But nothing moved. No rustle of leaves, no shift in the shadows. Eventually, we decided to keep moving, though every step was taken with heightened caution. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, but whoever—or whatever—it was didn't make a move.
Then, just as I was starting to think we might be imagining things, someone appeared directly in front of us. No sound, no warning—just bam, there he was. We both jumped back instinctively, hands reaching for our weapons.
The newcomer stood tall, his expression smug and self-assured. His clothes were strange—ornate, almost ceremonial—and his eyes gleamed with something between amusement and disdain, yeah snobby much.
"Well, well," he said, his voice smooth and condescending. "What do we have here? It's been a long time since anyone dared trespassed into this realm. Who are you, if I may ask?"
He said it like he didn't care about the answer, like he already knew we didn't belong.
"None of your business," Shirley snapped, her tone icy. I chanced a look at her, it seems new guys attitude is rubbing her the wrong way.
"You might want to be a little nicer to the stranger," I whispered to her. Let's be honest—we weren't exactly the strongest duo, and this guy didn't look like someone we wanted to piss off.
"You might want to listen to your arm toy, whore," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.
I blinked. Did he just—?
"Now, wait a minute, pooch boy," I said, stepping forward. "We just met. No need to be insulting, or didn't your momma teach you better? Wait, why am I assuming you have a gene donor"
He looked irked. I smiled. Gotcha.
"Huh huh," Shirley chimed in, her voice sing-song. "I think pooch boy here might cry."
That did it. His irked expression twisted into one of pure rage. His body began to shift, muscles bulging, bones cracking. His form expanded rapidly, his skin darkening and thickening. In seconds, he transformed into something monstrous—like the Incredible Hulk had a baby with a hornless minotaur. Towering, snarling, and very, very angry.
"What the f—" I muttered, stepping back. Yeah, antagonizing him might've been a bad idea. Judging by Shirley's expression, she agreed.
"Why did you antagonize him—or rather, it?" I hissed.
"Was I the only one?" she shot back. "I remember you calling him a pooch."
"Okay, fair. But what are we going to do? How do we fight that?"
"You're asking me?"
"Well, you're the trained warrior!"
She gave me a look that could melt steel. I held up my hands in surrender. There was no way we could outrun this thing. It looked and felt too everything, too fast, too strong, and too angry.
Then, suddenly, a bright light burst from Shirley's medallion. We both noticed it at the same time. She reached for it, her fingers curling around the glowing artifact.
"I think it's time to call our friend to the party," she said, her voice calm but resolute.
She threw the medallion into the air. It spun once, twice, and then exploded in a burst of radiant energy. The light was blinding, and the air shimmered with power. The creature paused, its rage momentarily replaced by confusion.
From the light, a figure began to emerge—tall, cloaked, and pulsing with energy. I didn't know who it was yet, but I had a feeling things were about to get a lot more interesting.
And maybe, just maybe, we had a chance.