"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah..."
Ethan lunged forward, running in the absolute darkness.
He was dodging the massive wolves that pursued him at a frantic speed through the dark trees. His body was covered in scratches and wounds from his violent clash with the branches and thickets.
While scrambling, Ethan suddenly fell from a small rise, and his body tumbled and twisted violently in the soil.
The fall tore the flimsy leaves that were covering him, but he didn't care. Instinctively, Ethan placed his hands over his private parts to protect them instead of protecting his face.
The darkness was thick and impenetrable; only the sound of the wolves' quick paws and Ethan's muffled groans filled the air.
The wolves descended rapidly behind him with startling speed, their saliva clearly drooling, as if they hadn't tasted food in ages. Ethan struggled to his feet and continued his run, his heavy panting revealing his exhaustion.
In the midst of this despair, he muttered to himself:
"My God, just this once... I want to reach the source of the light before I die."
As he scrambled through the shadows, a huge wolf leaped onto him. Ethan could no longer hear its sound, he only felt an enormous pressure crushing him onto the ground and the wolf's claw that pierced his chest with a slight scratch, but the overwhelming fear had completely numbed the pain.
All he could perceive was the sound of the wolf's extremely heavy breathing right next to his ear, its hot saliva beginning to drip onto his shoulder, and the stench of raw meat emanating from the creature's mouth.
In that fatal second, his right hand found a wooden branch lying next to him. Without thinking, without hesitation, he plunged the branch and cruelly stabbed the wolf's eye. The wolf let out a hellish, audible shriek that pierced the forest's silence, then stumbled backward, black blood pouring from its torn eye.
Ethan seized the chance, stood up with effort, and rushed away, blood dripping from his chest. But the other wolves didn't retreat; instead, they followed him at an incredible speed. Ethan found no other way out but to throw himself into the river.
After he jumped, his naked body made contact with the cold water beneath the moonlight, where the surrounding water quickly turned a dark red. He felt the cold water stinging his wounds.
Ethan swam his exhausted body toward the opposite bank, noticing that the wolves quickly changed direction along the river, realizing they wouldn't forget him until they gnawed his bones.
Ethan had lost the ability to run; all that remained was an intermittent walk toward the distant light on the horizon, knowing that every step now was a life-or-death struggle.
The cold was gnawing at Ethan's exhausted, blood-covered body, threatening to shatter him completely. He had no choice but to immediately seek shelter, deciding to return to the dense forest to hide from the wolves still tracking him from afar.
As he slowly and cautiously made his way, he suddenly spotted a light moving slowly between the trees. An unnatural light, unlike the moon. Ethan decided to approach with absolute silence, ignoring the loud beating of his heart.
But, unfortunately, he stepped on a bundle of dry leaves, producing a loud crack that broke the absolute silence of the night.
As soon as he moved his foot, a sharp arrow pierced the air with a terrifying whistle, passing right next to him to embed itself in a nearby tree trunk. The sound of the arrow was followed by a warning spoken in a strange language of which Ethan understood nothing. He panicked and tried to flee frantically, but the light moved toward him with lightning speed, chasing his movement.
In a flash, the light stopped in front of him, revealing a person Ethan had never seen before.
He was a man with long, pointed ears protruding from his long, black hair that flowed down his back like night. His brown eyes were sharp and focused, scrutinizing Ethan from head to toe.
He wore the outfit of a professional hunter in a dark crimson color. A small lamp was fixed to his right shoulder with thin threads, and he held a ready bow in his hand, as if prepared to fire another arrow at any moment.
Ethan, naked and bleeding, stood before the mysterious hunter who did not belong to his world.
The man, whose sharp brown eyes were fixed on Ethan, spoke in a strong tone:
"...Quirea esae?"
Ethan couldn't move his lips, content to watch him in shock and intense fear. This made the man raise his voice sharply:
"...Nonnea lynquam Alirethilicam didicistirae?"
Ethan's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and he replied with fear mixed with pleading: "I don't understand what you are saying... Please don't kill me!"
The man slowly lowered his bow, then removed his leather bag from his back and pulled out a thick blanket.
He said with unexpected calmness:
"Your situation is difficult... Take this and cover your body, and follow me quickly before you freeze."
Ethan quickly snatched the cover from his hand and wrapped it around his trembling body, feeling a warm wave start to flow through his limbs. He said, stammering with confusion:
"Sir... Are we in Russia?"
The man looked at him with astonishment that seemed to come from another world, and replied:
"Russia? I have never heard of that place. I thought you were lost from Elgarth."
Ethan was so shocked by what he heard that he stopped moving, shaking his head with a lost tone:
"Please sir, this is no time for jokes! I had an accident and woke up in this strange place."
The hunter's features suddenly changed, becoming more serious. He said in a sharp, focused tone:
"Can you show me your back?"
Ethan felt intense fear, thinking the man would betray him now, but he agreed with a calm resignation. Ethan lowered the blanket from his back, and the hunter gasped in deep shock when he saw a black tattoo covering Ethan's entire back, drawn with strange symbols, engravings, and letters that glowed faintly under the moonlight.
The hunter's eyes widened hysterically, and he said with a hesitant voice Ethan hadn't heard from him before:
"e...em..Emissary!"
Ethan noticed the hunter's suspicious reaction and said in a low, choked voice:
"What do you mean, sir?"
The man replied with a mysterious and frightening calm:
"Nothing. Anyway, my name is Ainliss. Let's move! The wolves are everywhere."
Ethan moved behind Ainliss, feeling a strange sense of reassurance despite his fears, then replied:
"I'm Ethan. I think I've been transported to another world!"
Ainliss replied sharply as he started running:
"I see that... Let's hurry a little to arrive quickly, understood?"
Ethan nodded, and the two began to run in the dark. The sound of the wind whistled past Ainliss's long ears, while the area was filled with Ethan's muffled moans resulting from his wounds rubbing against the rough blanket.
Ethan began to mutter in his head with a nervous tone:
"Should I consider him a friend or an enemy? I have no other choice. I must save my life first, even if the consequences are dire. He's not even human... Could he be the Glassy Entity? I hope not!"
After a long and arduous run, the two finally reached the city walls.
The wall itself was massive and built of dark stones, topped with wooden watchtowers with pointed roofs. The main gate was made of heavy black wood, decorated with iron plates shaped like a giant leaf for protection.
Ainliss approached the gate and knocked on it with a three-beat rhythmic knock. After moments, a massive, heavily bearded man's head emerged from the observation slit above the wall, and he said in a deep, sonorous voice:
"Ainliss! Haven't you learned to come earlier? And who is that nearly naked brat?"
Ainliss raised his head and then said with a cold calmness, looking toward Ethan with a warning glare:
"Sorry, Durgard. I was helping this lost young man. He is from Elgarth."
Ethan felt danger beating in his heart again. He looked at Ainliss's face with clear astonishment when he lied about his identity, realizing he had just entered a game whose rules he did not know.
Behind the wall, the small city was fully lit under the moonlight. Its atmosphere reflected the charming Renaissance era, but with a magical touch.
The buildings were made of wood and stone with dark orange tiled roofs, and some houses bore stained glass windows that glowed from within.
The air was laden with the scent of fresh bread and wood smoke, and copper lanterns hung around the main square, emitting a warm golden light. The city looked like an oasis of hope amid the dark forest, but it was surrounded by ancient secrets embodied in its mysterious architecture.
Ainliss headed towards a large house in the city, followed by Ethan, who was catching the eyes of the few people strolling around.
The door opened, and Ethan was surprised by a comfortable warmth that enveloped him the moment he entered. The house was like a living museum; its walls were covered with dark brown paint, adorned with mural artworks depicting legendary creatures and enchanting landscapes.
Tall green plants climbed the corners of the rooms, lending a lively and unique spirit to the place. Ethan felt curiosity surge within him, and a sense of safety he had almost forgotten.
Ainliss spoke calmly, a soft smile never leaving his face: "Go upstairs and take a hot bath. I will send a doctor to you immediately to check your wounds."
Ethan smiled with an overflowing joy he couldn't suppress, and said with sincere gratitude:
"Thank you... Thank you so much! I won't forget this kindness as long as I live!"
Ainliss laughed softly, which confused Ethan, then said:
"The important thing is... I must excuse myself, I have to leave now. By the way, you will find a room right next to the bathroom. Wear something; we are almost the same height. And if you are hungry, the kitchen is to the right of the hall. Everything your heart desires is there."
Ethan bowed deeply, his heart practically bursting with excitement and hope: "I appreciate this so much, sir..."
Ethan remained bowed until he heard the sound of the door closing and saw Ainliss's shadow depart.
Only then could Ethan not resist the call of his body. He forgot the bath, he forgot the wounds, and he forgot the monster. Ethan rushed frantically to the kitchen.
He didn't see anything familiar like a "refrigerator," so he began searching every drawer and cabinet with the eagerness of someone on the verge of starvation.
Ethan finally found some strange-shaped canned food. He opened it and started savagely devouring its contents, his muffled sounds mixing with the quick chewing, realizing that these moments of safety were all he needed to gather his strength.
In the meantime, Ainliss rushed directly toward a secret passageway that was not visible from the street, until he reached a sturdy door. He opened the heavy door and entered a secret council chamber that housed seven people sitting around a massive stone table.
An elderly woman with snow-white hair occupied the head seat, her sharp features covered with wise wrinkles, looking intensely at Ainliss. She spoke in a voice devoid of emotion:
"Where is your respect, Ainliss? I did not permit you to enter."
Ainliss paid no attention to the lost respect. His eyes, which were usually calmly vigilant, were filled with horrifying shock as he panted. He bowed slightly, and without any preamble, he uttered the words that broke the council's silence:
"I found an Emissary..."