supplies
After they witnessed the stone devour the massive deer, seemingly alive, Miko and Rune journeyed through the vast forest with a single purpose in mind: to find an escape before stumbling upon a deadly monster. As Rune walked through the dense trees, an unpleasant musty scent wafted from under his arm. It was perplexing that none of the police officers had noticed his strong odor, but perhaps they were too consumed with the idea of eliminating him if he were to transform into a monster. Curiously, since leaving the city, Miko had not mentioned the unpleasant smell, prompting Rune to push it aside and forge ahead. He optimistically speculated that, while traversing the forest, he might stumble upon discarded garments or locate a pond or stream to cleanse himself.
As Miko and Rune wandered through the enchanting forest, a gentle breeze teased their faces while the warmth of the sun embraced their bodies. They gracefully maneuvered through the dense foliage, skillfully avoiding the ancient trees and gracefully stepping over scattered rocks. As time passed, Miko shifted her gaze towards Rune, who walked confidently by her side. With an expression of curiosity, she asked, "Do you truly believe that we will be able to escape from this enchanting forest?" Although she was merely 7 or 8 years old, her eyes still carried an innocent sparkle. Rune paused, scanning the ground for any clues that could guide them out of the forest, but alas, there was nothing. Undeterred, he pressed forward and replied, "I am certain that we can find our way out of here." Upon hearing these reassuring words, Miko's face lit up with joy, knowing that she was not alone in this treacherous woodland.
After walking for a while, Rune noticed that he was approaching what appeared to be the very heart of the forest. He cautiously moved closer until he found himself behind a tree, carefully scanning the surroundings to ensure his safety. As Rune peered out, he was greeted by an extraordinary sight - a magnificent rock, adorned with grassy surroundings, and no trees in close proximity. Rune couldn't help but think to himself, "I hope that rock isn't some kind of monstrous creature," though he refrained from voicing his concern, as it might frighten Miko. "Wait here," Rune instructed, and Miko obediently nodded as Rune summoned the courage to step slowly towards the imposing rock at the center. Being mindful not to stand too close, Rune scrutinized his surroundings, cautious of the possibility that the rock could be a monster in disguise.
Rune cautiously circled the rock, coming to an abrupt halt as he caught sight of two large backpacks resting on the ground. Approaching slowly, he unzipped one of the bags, discovering a treasure trove of items - from delectable candy bars and provisions to clothing and even bed sheets. Upon further inspection of both bags, Rune realized that these were the belongings of fellow travelers. These individuals were courageous souls who ventured beyond the safety of the cities, in search of valuable supplies to aid their return. The government rewarded them handsomely for their efforts, making this an attractive opportunity for anyone. As Rune delved deeper into the contents of the bag, he noticed a swarm of flies buzzing over a specific area in the grass, prompting him to investigate further. As he approached, his expression transformed into one of sheer shock as he laid eyes upon a man and a woman locked in an eternal embrace, lifeless on the ground. The gruesome sight that met his eyes was unimaginable: a portion of the man's face was missing, while a gaping slash marked the woman's side, exposing her innards to the world. Flies circled around the corpses, with maggots wriggling beneath their decaying flesh, emitting an almost unbearable stench. Rune's heartbeat quickened as he gazed at the lifeless bodies, prompting him to gradually close his eyes in an attempt to gather himself and regain composure.
As Rune's gaze remained fixed on the lifeless body, he stood in silence, motionless. After a moment, a sudden pain pricked against his arm, causing him to turn around. It was Miko, standing there, her presence unexpected. "What are you doing here?" Rune asked, his voice filled with a mix of sternness and concern, remembering that he had told her to stay by the tree. Miko remained silent. Though she didn't utter a word, Rune understood why she had chosen to follow him. Fear must have driven her to do so. Without hesitation, he clasped her hand in his and swiftly pulled her away from seeing the haunting sight of the corpse.
Rune then realized something crucial as he picked up the heavy bags, readying to depart. If the owners of these bags had been killed and left so close to them, there had to be a dangerous creature lurking nearby. With urgency, he hoisted the bag onto his back, not willing to stay any longer, uncertain of when the monster would return.
Now equipped with supplies, Rune and Miko ventured into the forest. As Rune took his first steps, he realized the immense potential of his newfound abilities for survival. Curiously, he turned to Miko and posed a question, "Miko, what path were you chosen by and what unique ability do you possess?" Miko pondered for a moment before responding, "I was chosen by the water path of life, and my unique ability allows me to breathe underwater." Captivated by Miko's answer, Rune exclaimed, "That sounds Interesting! I believe it's important for us to practice and master our abilities, as they can really help us in this journey of survival."
In this vast world, there exist two paths - the path of life and the path of death. When an individual is chosen by a path aligned with either of these, they acquire a distinct skill that is directly connected to the nature of the monster they were destined to become. For Rune, this meant becoming a monster associated with the concept of truth.