As they left the rocky plains behind, the group entered a dense forest, the trees towering above them like sentinels. Demos led the way, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced air. Gorthok followed closely behind, his massive frame gliding effortlessly through the underbrush.
Kael, Thane, Ryker, and Maverick fanned out to the sides, their movements silent and fluid. They were a well-oiled machine, each warrior anticipating the others' moves with ease.
As they journeyed deeper into the forest, the sounds of the wild grew louder. Birds chirped, leaves rustled, and the distant roar of a waterfall echoed through the trees. Demos raised a hand, signaling for the group to halt.
Gorthok's one eye narrowed, his gaze scanning the surroundings.
Gorthok (whispering):
"What is it, Tribe Leader?"
Demos' eyes locked onto something in the distance.
Demos (softly):
"We're not alone."
Demos:
"There's something out there, watching us."
The group froze, their senses on high alert. Kael, Thane, Ryker, and Maverick formed a semi-circle around Demos and Gorthok, their eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of caution and excitement. Gorthok stood right behind Demos, his one eye fixed intently on the forest.
The air was thick with tension as they waited for what would happen next. The forest seemed to be holding its breath, the trees standing silent and still.
Suddenly, Gorthok's voice cut through the silence like a lightning strike.
Gorthok (bluntly):
"PEREZOSO…"
Everyone's eyes widened with fear and regret.
Demos spun around, his eyes narrowing at Gorthok.
Demos (firmly):
"What is it?"
Gorthok (somber):
"The Perezoso. It's a territorial beast... rips through anything and everything unlucky enough to enter its territory. All the other weak and small tribes in this forest fear them."
Demos smiled hearing that, a sinister grin spreading across his handsome face.
Demos:
"Then the Perezoso is going to be our first hunt."
His words left Ryker, Kael, Thane, Maverick, and Gorthok in utter fear. Ryker, the skinniest of the group, protested, hoping the new Tribe Leader might reconsider.
Ryker (panicked):
"Hell no! This is our first hunt! Please, Tribe Leader — anything else is better than this suicide mission!"
Demos remained expressionless, his eyes fixed on the glowing System Interface before him.
🩸 SYSTEM INTERFACE: Name: Demos S. Sparta Age: 15 Level: 1 Health: 100/100 Strength: 12 Agility: 12 Intelligence: 10 Ability: (##$#) sealed, (#_#$#) sealed, (#$$#$$) sealed Unique Ability: Five-Colored Lightning – sealed Ice Age – sealed Language Pack Installed: Azuran Language Skill: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Level 1) New Mission: FIRST HUNT: Hunt a Perezoso Reward: 50 Healing Potions
He turned to the group, a sinister yet prideful grin forming on his face. He remembered a speech from his homeland, altering the words slightly.
Demos (roaring):
"NO! THIS IS THE MOMENT OUR TRIBE SHALL SHOW HOW STRONG WE ARE! SHOW NO FEAR — THIS IS THE PATH WE SHALL TREAD!"
Suddenly, Ryker, Kael, Thane, Maverick, and Gorthok felt a strange surge of energy burning through every blood cell and vessel in their bodies. The fear that once plagued them vanished — replaced with bloodthirsty resolve.
Demos:
"First, we fall back... and find a lone Perezoso to hunt."
After climbing a nearby cliff to scout the area, Demos spotted a lone Perezoso taking a massive shit near a strange settlement. Demos pointed at the beast — and its steaming pile — and what he said next left the others in disbelief.
Demos:
"Gorthok, it's time for your punishment. Come with me."
Gorthok:
"Yes, Tribe Leader."
Demos:
"Can you see what's over there?"
Gorthok:
"Yes... the lone Perezoso near that settlement."
Demos:
"Yes. And that massive load of Perezoso shit?"
Gorthok (hesitantly):
"Yes... but why did you ask?"
Demos (grinning):
"Because that's going to be your punishment. You're going to cover your entire body in Perezoso shit, get close to it, and lure it to the side of the cliff so we can kill it."
Kael (exploding with laughter):
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Hey Gorthok — remember to cover yourself well! AHAHAHA!"
Ryker (gasping):
"AHAHAHAHAHAH!"
Thane:
"AHAHAHAH!"
Maverick (laughing):
"AHAHAHAHAHA! Just wondering, Gorthok — are you walking back to the tribe covered in Perezoso shit?"
Gorthok shivered at the thought and turned to Demos, silently begging for mercy.
Demos stared at him coldly for a moment, then spoke.
Demos:
"Yes, he will. And don't worry about Akira."
He turned to Ryker.
Demos:
"Ryker, you won't have to help. Just scout that settlement and return to me."
Ryker's face remained stoic.
Ryker:
"Yes, Tribe Leader."
Gorthok's heart sank when he heard the old healer's name. He descended the cliff slowly, moving deliberately. As he reached the bottom, he smeared the Perezoso dung all over his body — the stench nearly making him gag.
Covered in filth, Gorthok climbed back up the cliff. At the top, he roared, grabbing the Perezoso's attention.
Gorthok (shouting):
"COME ON, YOU BEAST! FOLLOW ME!"
The massive creature charged, shaking the earth with each step. Gorthok led it to the cliffside, where Demos, Kael, Thane, and Maverick lay in wait.
The group launched their attack. Demos wielded his one-handed axe with brutal precision, hacking at the Perezoso's armored fur. Kael and Maverick fought side by side, their bone spears piercing its flanks. Thane and Gorthok joined in, though their weapons barely scratched the beast.
The Perezoso roared and swiped with terrifying strength, slashing Thane and Maverick. Blood poured from their wounds as they cried out in agony.
Kael and Gorthok rushed to pull them to safety.
Kael (shouting):
"We have to get them out of here!"
Demos:
"GO! I'LL COVER YOU!"
Kael and Gorthok dragged Thane and Maverick away as Demos stood alone, bloodied but unyielding.
His axe rose and fell, each strike a brutal song of war. The Perezoso's claws ripped into his shoulder, tearing skin and muscle. Demos faltered but did not fall.
With a final roar, Demos struck the creature's skull — a thunderous CRACK echoing through the forest. The Perezoso collapsed.
Demos stood tall, chest heaving, body mangled and soaked in blood. His eyes rolled back, showing only white. Then — he collapsed.
But something stirred.
His unconscious body began to pulse. Wounds sealed. Flesh reformed. His muscles flexed as if something ancient had awakened inside him.
Kael and Gorthok stared, stunned.
Gorthok (trembling):
"What's going on...? How is he...?"
Kael (wide-eyed):
"I don't know. But I think he's waking up. Let's ask him… what was that?"