LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 3: Sudden Encounter
The sound of water rushing over rocks reached Yamoshi's ears, soft at first, but growing louder with each step he took. His heart quickened with the thrill of adventure, the pull of the unknown guiding him forward. His eyes sparkled as he moved through the dense forest, the trees towering above him like ancient sentinels.
On Sadala, life was a symphony of vibrant energy, the planet overflowing with a vitality that seeped into every blade of grass and fluttering leaf. The trees here were colossal, their trunks twisted in patterns that defied imagination, while their leaves shimmered with colors Yamoshi could not name—hues he had never seen before, vibrant shades of green, gold, and red that danced in the sunlight. Flowers bloomed in extraordinary shapes and sizes, their petals glistening with dew as if touched by a thousand suns.
Yamoshi marveled at it all. Some of the plants and creatures seemed familiar, while others were so alien that he could only stare in awe, trying to understand their purpose, their beauty. Yet even though he couldn't fully comprehend everything, he saw what mattered most—the intrinsic beauty of life itself, woven through every living thing, from the smallest insect to the grandest tree.
The waterfall beckoned to him, its rush of water cascading over rocks and into a shimmering pool below. He felt its energy, its pulse as if the very essence of the planet itself was flowing through it. Yamoshi stood there, absorbing the serenity and wonder, feeling the warmth of Sadala's life force surge through him.
As Yamoshi approached the waterfall, the peaceful symphony of rushing water was interrupted by the low, guttural growls of animals nearby. He froze, his senses sharpening as his eyes darted through the dense foliage. Just ahead, partially obscured by the underbrush, two wolves loomed over the remains of a recent kill.
These weren't ordinary wolves. Their hulking forms were covered in tough, dark fur that gleamed like polished obsidian, rippling over muscles built for the hunt. Their claws, sharp and hooked, glinted in the filtered sunlight, and their teeth, bared as they tore into flesh, looked strong enough to crush bone effortlessly.
Yamoshi's heart pounded against his ribs, each beat a deafening echo in his ears. For the first time, he felt the bitter, acrid scent of fear—real fear, the kind that seeped into his chest and gripped his lungs. It was foreign, paralyzing, and all-consuming. The thought clawed at his mind: This is what it feels like to face death.
His instincts screamed at him to run, to turn and flee as fast as his legs could carry him. But his body refused to obey, frozen in place as his wide, golden eyes stayed locked on the wolves. The forest, once his sanctuary, now felt like a prison. He was too far from the village. Too deep in the woods. Even if he screamed, no one would hear him.
I... I have to run, he thought, his breath shaky and shallow. Slowly, carefully, Yamoshi began to back away, his movements deliberate as he kept his gaze fixed on the wolves. Their growls rumbled low in their throats, a warning that sent shivers down his spine.
Then, his foot caught on a hidden branch.
He fell hard, the sharp sting of the ground knocking the air from his lungs. The crack of the branch and the thud of his body broke the tense silence, reverberating through the trees.
No... no, no, no... Yamoshi's mind raced in panic.
The wolves' heads snapped up at the sound, their blood-soaked muzzles glinting in the dappled sunlight. Crimson droplets clung to their fangs, and their ears perked, swiveling to locate the source of the noise.
Low growls turned into guttural snarls as they began to move, their dark forms slinking closer to Yamoshi's prone figure. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the only sounds the rustle of leaves beneath their massive paws and the thudding of Yamoshi's panicked heartbeat.
He pushed himself up on trembling arms, his body screaming at him to move, but the wolves were closing in.
Sniff, sniff.
The sound of the wolves sniffing the air sent a chill down Yamoshi's spine. He could hear their slow, deliberate steps growing louder, closer. His mind raced, drowning in panic. Every instinct screamed the same command: Run.
Yamoshi bolted. He pushed his legs harder than ever before, the forest blurring around him as he sprinted with all his might. Twigs snapped beneath his feet, leaves whipped at his face, but he didn't dare look back. His lungs burned, and his heart pounded like a drumbeat in his ears.
But it wasn't enough.
The wolves' growls transformed into snarls as they gave chase. Their four-legged strides were far too fast, their powerful bodies built for the hunt. Yamoshi's hope crumbled as one of the beasts surged ahead, cutting through the forest like a shadowy blur.
Before he could react, the wolves moved as one, their instincts sharper than his fear. One darted in front of him, blocking his path. Yamoshi skidded to a halt, his chest heaving as he tried to regain his balance. Another wolf circled behind him, its glowing eyes locked onto its prey.
They faced him now, head-on, their teeth bared in menacing grins. Saliva dripped from their bloodstained jaws, pooling on the ground below. Their growls reverberated in the air, low and threatening, shaking Yamoshi to his core.
Trapped and cornered, Yamoshi's golden eyes darted between them, searching desperately for an escape. The forest felt smaller, closing in around him as the beasts stalked closer, their steps slow and deliberate, savoring his terror.
What do I do? he thought frantically, his hands clenched into fists. For the first time, he felt utterly powerless, his fear turning the air around him cold.
The wolves stopped just a few steps away, their piercing eyes locked on him. The moment stretched endlessly, thick with tension as if the entire forest held its breath.
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