The creature lunged.
Its massive paw came straight for Neel's chest, fast enough to blur. For a split second, his body refused to move, then instinct kicked in and he dropped, collapsing backward just in time. The paw slammed into the ground where he'd been standing, sending snow and dirt flying.
Neel didn't get a moment to breathe.
The beast brought its paw down again, heavier this time. He rolled to the right, barely avoiding it as the impact shook the ground beneath him. Another strike followed immediately, faster—too fast.
Neel tried to move.
He wasn't fast enough.
The claw grazed his arm, pain flaring instantly, but there was no blood. For a fraction of a second, Neel noticed it—a thin, crystal-like layer forming over the wound, sealing it before it could even open.
What…?
No time to think.
Another attack came, and he threw himself out of the way again, his body moving on pure instinct now, his thoughts barely keeping up. I'm dead… I'm actually dead… God, if you're real, please…
And then it happened.
The beast's tail moved.
Neel saw it too late. It cut through the air toward him, fast enough that even if he reacted, it wouldn't matter. There was no dodging that. His body locked, his eyes shut on their own as he braced for impact.
One second passed. Then another.
Nothing came.
Neel slowly opened his eyes, confused, his breath uneven. He was on the ground, a few meters away from where he'd been standing. The beast stood in the distance, its tail still extended from the strike.
"…I teleported?"
His voice came out shaky. "I didn't even activate it…"
A thought formed, rough and quick. Did it happen because I wanted to move?
The answer didn't matter.
The beast charged.
Neel scrambled to his feet, nearly stumbling before forcing himself forward. He ran without thinking, without direction, just away. Branches scraped against him as he pushed through the forest, snow crunching under his feet, his breathing uneven and loud in his own ears.
Behind him, something crashed.
The beast wasn't slowing down.
It tore through the trees like they didn't exist, snapping trunks and crushing everything in its path as it chased him with terrifying persistence. Neel's heart pounded violently, his thoughts coming in broken fragments. How was I so stupid… thinking I could afford mistakes… one mistake is enough… and you die…
"Shit…"
The word slipped out between breaths as he forced his ability again.
The world twisted for a split second, and he reappeared ahead, stumbling as his feet hit the ground again. He didn't stop. He ran, then teleported again, then ran again. Each jump barely created distance, and every time he gained space, the beast erased it just as fast.
His body was starting to give in. His lungs burned, his legs felt heavier with each step, and his vision blurred at the edges. Still, he kept going. The trees around him began to thin, the dense forest slowly opening up.
Hope flickered.
He pushed harder.
Then it died instantly.
Neel came to a sudden stop, his feet skidding slightly in the snow. "…No way…"
A cliff stood right in front of him.
He stepped closer just enough to look down, but there was nothing—only thick fog swallowing everything below. No ground, no depth, just empty space.
His stomach dropped.
That's death.
Jumping wasn't an option.
Behind him, the sound of destruction grew louder, closer.
Neel slowly turned.
The beast was already there, covering the distance he had created like it meant nothing.
His mind went blank. Then a lots of thoughts crowded his mind at the same time.
What do I do… jump? That's suicide… fight? Are you insane? teleport? where… trees? that thing will just break them… I'm tired… I can't keep running…
The realization settled in, heavy and suffocating.
…So this is it?
The beast slowed as it approached, no longer rushing. It didn't need to. Its prey was cornered. Its eyes locked onto Neel, cold and sharp, like it already knew how this would end.
Neel felt it.
That gaze went straight through him.
The creature let out a low sound, almost pleased, its mouth parting slightly as saliva dripped from its fangs.
Neel's knees gave out.
He dropped.
Not from injury. Not from force.
Just…
Nothing left.
His vision blurred as tears formed without him realizing it. I don't wanna die… I don't wanna die… I don't wanna die…
"…Somebody…"
His voice cracked, barely holding together. "Anybody… help… please…"
A shadow fell over him.
Neel slowly looked up, his eyes red, his face damp with tears.
The beast loomed above him.
It howled, loud enough to shake the air, then raised its massive paw and brought it down with terrifying speed.