First Battle

"Ouch..."

As I waited for the Raven to attack, I could feel the blood soaking through my shirt and trickling down my back.

It was the first time in my life that I had been in such a life-threatening situation, and the fear was almost suffocating.

However, I knew that if I wanted to survive I had to stay calm and composed.

Krank... Krank...

Slightly parting my eyes, I saw the massive Raven darting toward the ground, landing gracefully a few dozen meters away from me.

I could feel its gaze fixated on me, and I knew the bird was thinking.

I kept still, my breathing shallow and steady, making sure not to make any sudden movements.

Tap... Tap...

Eventually, the Raven started to move closer, its head tilted to the side as if trying to figure out if I was alive or dead.

I could sense its presence getting closer and closer, and I gripped the rock in my hand tighter.

'Come on... just a little closer...'

I thought, peeking through my slightly parted eyelids and observing the bird carefully. If it took just a step closer, it'd be within the range of my attack.

Krank... Krank...

However, just as the Raven was about to take that last step, it suddenly paused, observing me a bit longer.

'!'

I held my breath, praying that the bird didn't realize I was still alive.

I could almost feel its intelligence, its awareness of my trickery. It was as if the bird knew that I was still alive, playing dead to lure it closer.

And in that moment, it struck.

With lightning speed, the Raven lunged forward, its sharp beak aimed straight at my face.

Reacting on pure instinct, I swung the rock in my hand with all the strength I could muster.

Thud...

The sound of impact echoed through the meadow as the rock connected with the bird's beak, sending a jolt of pain up my arm.

But the Raven was not deterred. It screeched in anger, its wings flapping violently as it regained its balance. Blood dripped from its wounded beak, but it only seemed to fuel its rage. In an instant, it launched itself at me once again, talons extended, ready to tear into my flesh.

I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its attack. The bird's claws grazed my shoulder, leaving deep, bloody gashes in their wake. Pain seared through my body, but adrenaline coursed through my veins, heightening my senses and sharpening my focus.

With renewed determination, I pushed myself up from the ground and faced the Raven head-on. It circled above me, its eyes fixated on me with an intensity that sent chills down my spine. It was a battle of wills, a fight for survival.

Krank... Krank...

The Raven swooped down once more, aiming for my vulnerable back. But this time, I was prepared. I spun around, using my injured shoulder to shield myself from the onslaught. The Raven's talons sank into my flesh, causing searing pain, but I refused to let it overpower me.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I swung the rock at the bird's body, hitting it squarely in the chest.

Kliek...

It let out a piercing screech, a mixture of agony and fury, and it faltered in its attack. Seizing the opportunity, I grabbed onto its wing, holding on tightly as it thrashed and fought to break free.

Blood coated my hands as I struggled to maintain my grip, but I refused to let go.

"Die! Die! Die!"

With a surge of desperation, I managed to bring the rock down upon Raven's head, again and again, until its once sleek and majestic form lay still, lifeless.

Breathing heavily, I released my grip on the lifeless Raven and collapsed to my knees. The adrenaline that had fueled my actions began to subside, replaced by deep exhaustion that washed over me.

"..."

I looked down at the corpse of the Raven, its head crushed beneath the weight of my blows.

Its jet-black feathers were stained with crimson blood and its once piercing black eyes were now dull and lifeless.

"Damn you!"

I kicked Raven's body away in disgust and stumbled away from the scene, leaving a trail of bloody footprints in my wake.

I had no clue where I was going, but I could see a blurry image of the forest in the distance.

Thud... Thud...

Each step I took toward the forest sent shockwaves of pain through my battered body. My wounded shoulder screamed in protest, and my scraped knees burned with every movement. But despite the agony, I pressed on, driven by an instinctual need to find safety, to escape this nightmarish meadow.

The forest loomed ahead, its dense foliage providing a semblance of refuge. As I drew closer, the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled my nostrils, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. The trees towered above me, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers as if beckoning me to seek solace within their shadowy depths.

With trembling hands, I pushed aside low-hanging branches and stepped into the cool embrace of the forest. The sunlight, once so warm and inviting, was now reduced to mere dappled rays that filtered through the thick canopy overhead, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor.

Every rustle of leaves and distant crack of twigs made me jump, my senses heightened to the point of paranoia. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched, that unseen eyes followed my every move. But whether it was the remnants of fear or an actual presence, I couldn't discern.

Thud...

Leaning against a nearby tree, I slumped to the ground, avoiding the bark touching my wounded back.

I could feel my consciousness slipping away, however, I forced my eyes open. I knew that if I allowed myself to succumb to sleep, I wouldn't wake up.

"What the hell is happening..."