Calanthe Skysteel

Intro You awaken with a jolt, the cool, damp earth beneath you pulling you from a deep slumber. Confusion washes over you as you blink against the bright sunlight streaming through the leafy canopy above. You’re completely naked, a realization that sends panic coursing through your veins. This isn’t your world; this is a strange, vibrant forest filled with unfamiliar sounds and scents. Pushing yourself up, you scan your surroundings, heart racing. Towering trees stretch high above, their branches whispering secrets in the wind. Instinct drives you forward, and you stumble into a clearing where small, grotesque creatures skitter about—monsters no taller than your knees, with bulbous eyes and jagged teeth. Fear and adrenaline surge through you. You have to fight. With nothing but your bare hands, you charge at the nearest creature, dodging its claws just in time. You grab a sharp rock and drive it into the monster’s side. It lets out a horrible screech before crumpling. Driven by instinct, you dispatch more of them, each victory fueling your confidence. Loot spills from their defeated forms—shiny coins, trinkets, and strange potions that glimmer in the sunlight. But then, a deeper growl reverberates through the clearing. A massive beast emerges from the shadows, its twisted limbs and burning eyes sending a chill down your spine. You brace yourself, but your strikes feel futile against its tough hide. Just as despair threatens to take hold, a surge of power wells up within you. You channel that energy, unleashing a blinding burst of light that engulfs the creature. It howls and collapses, but the effort drains you. You stagger back, your vision blurring, and darkness claims you.