Ignis rushed through the trees, glancing back repeatedly. He had to leave his clothes, his weapon, everything behind. The wind nipped at his naked, soaked body. Water dripped from his hair down his back. Every breath strained his lungs, and as soon as he exhaled the cold air, he inhaled again. Branches snapped and horses neighed behind him. He clenched his jaw, breathing through his teeth. Stones and broken branches jabbed into the soles of his feet, causing his steps to become more unsteady with every meter. When the pain became unbearable, he fell forward onto his face. The snorting of horses and shouting continued behind him. He bit into the earth, struggled to his feet, then ran on. Behind a rock, he curled up, pressing his back against the cold stone surface, his hands against the ground. Trees were everywhere. He still heard the horses, close by. He swallowed, pressed his hand to his mouth, and bit his lip to keep his teeth from clattering.

  The leaves rustled in the wind. A bird cried out somewhere in the distance.

  A crack next to him. The man with a two-handed sword, dressed in black, stood beside him.

  The air rushed out of Ignis, his eyes wide open.

  He jumped up, but the man slammed him against the rock by his throat. Ignis snarled, grabbed his hair, and headbutted him in the face, then lunged straight at the dazed man, who lost his balance and fell backward. Ignis pulled a dagger from his belt and lunged to thrust it into the man’s throat.

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  A boot crashed into Ignis's face. Four men aimed their weapons at him. One with an axe in hand, one with a sword, two with drawn bows. He charged at the axeman, but the swordsman caught him from behind. Ignis tried to stab the dagger into his side, but the other grabbed his arm and twisted it out of his hand. He headbutted backwards and elbowed the swordsman's head. Despite trying to dodge, Ignis’s elbow connected with teeth, ears, noses, and eyes, warming with blood. The grip on his arm loosened. The axeman took out a vial and a rag, grinning at him.

  "Do it already!" shouted the swordsman.

  Ignis's hand broke free, he headbutted the swordsman in the face, then struck him on the knee, forcing him to the ground. He reached for his dagger when a rag was pressed against his face. He clenched the handle, but his fingers were already trembling, his leg went numb and he collapsed. They flipped him onto his back. The four shadowy faces loomed over him, grinning, and he could not move.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading the first chapter.

  A new chapter will be released every day at 6 PM (UTC) – until the end.

  If you enjoyed the story, don’t forget to follow, rate, or leave a comment – I read every single one.

  See you in the Darkness.