"Pick anything we can find, we will be on the move in five.." Liam told no one in particular, but they all nodded in unison and rose. "Marcus, you're in charge of harvesting useful materials from that beast, check its teeth, claws or meat, we will be needing everything".
Marcus frowned, looked at Priya and grabbed his tools.
Rita sat on a nearby log of wood, looking into space, her face twitching into various expressions.
"Urmm, guys, I'm seeing something..."
"I think I see something out in the air, right in my face....Huh? I got a new weapon too."
"What is it you're seeing?" Priya asked.
"I got a sword". Rita replied with her face beaming with a smile.
"Oh, that's new. Is that a super power now, or is it for....ohhh...I think something flashed in my eyes too". Marcus said. "I think I got a crossbow".
Liam looked at Priya expecting her to say something or see something.
Affirming that, Priya flinched, "Guys, I... think I got a potion". Looking surprised, "Does that mean I have just healing powers?"
"That should be it" Liam responded.
The team faced Liam expecting his own discovery, after about a half hour of concentration and searching, Liam gave up.
"That meant you didn't get anything?" Marcus chipped.
"Yeah, it seems so".
Priya and Rita circled Liam pondering on what could be the reason for the delay or denial of Liam inventory.
A sudden explosion rang through the bush and a tree snapped. The rest of the team were alarmed and ready to fight or flight. Marcus looked back at his team member glaring at him with malice.
"Sorry guys, I was just practicing and checking out my crossbow. Uhmm, Boss, have you been able to get anything?"
Not waiting for an answer, Marcus pulled on his crossbow string and fixed another arrow, locked in on another target, what followed was another powerful explosion.
Gathering the team, Liam fixed a new plan. With no personal inventory of his own, he remained the leader of the team. Liam made Marcus the main offensive person due to his powerful crossbow, and made himself a supporting offensive partner. He put Rita in charge of guarding the rear and making offensive charges if needed, and he also made Priya their healer when anyone is dealt with gruesome injuries.
"Let's move"... Liam ordered and the team got moving.
The forest grew thicker as Liam's group pressed forward, the dense canopy above filtering the sunlight into eerie, shifting patterns on the ground. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and something else—something sharp and wild.
Marcus, still marveling at his explosive crossbow, took point, his eyes scanning the underbrush for threats. "This thing packs a punch," he muttered, grinning as he adjusted his grip. "One shot, and boom—anything in our way is toast."
Rita twirled her newly manifested sword, testing its weight. The blade shimmered faintly, as if reacting to her movements. "It feels... alive," she murmured. "Like it wants to cut something."
Priya clutched her potion tightly, her fingers brushing the glass vial at her belt. "Let's hope we don't need this too soon," she said, casting a nervous glance at the shadows between the trees.
Liam, still empty-handed, kept his expression neutral, but frustration gnawed at him. Why me? he thought. Everyone else gets a weapon or a power, and I'm just... here. But he pushed the doubt aside. Leadership wasn't about strength—it was about strategy. And right now, his team needed him sharp.
Then the forest went silent.
No birds. No rustling leaves. Just an oppressive stillness.
Marcus froze, his crossbow raised. "Uh... guys?"
A low growl rumbled through the trees. Then another. And another.
From the shadows, three massive shapes emerged—hulking beasts with matted fur, elongated claws, and eyes that glowed like embers. Their thick hides were scarred from past battles, and their jagged teeth dripped with saliva.
"Clawed Predators" Liam whispered, recalling the name from old survival logs. "Fast. Strong. And very hungry."
Rita tightened her grip on her sword. "We can take them."
Marcus aimed. "Yeah, let's see how they like my—"
Before he could fire, the lead predator lunged.
Chaos erupted.
Marcus's bolt struck true, exploding against the beast's shoulder—but it barely staggered. The creature swiped at him, sending him crashing into a tree. Priya rushed to his side, uncorking her potion as blood seeped from a gash on his arm.
Rita charged, her sword flashing. She sliced deep into the second predator's flank, but the third one circled behind her, claws raised for a killing strike.
Liam acted on instinct. He grabbed a fallen branch and swung hard, cracking it against the beast's skull. It snarled, turning on him.
Then, a blur of motion.
A figure dropped from the trees, landing between Liam and the predator in a crouch. A glint of steel, a swift slash—and the beast's head rolled.
The remaining predators hesitated, their growls turning uncertain. And fled.
The stranger straightened, flicking blood from her dagger. She was tall, her dark hair tied back in a tight braid, her sharp eyes scanning the group with a mix of annoyance and amusement.
"You're lucky I was nearby," she said, her voice cool. "Otherwise, you'd all be dead."
Liam exhaled, adrenaline still coursing through him. "Thanks. We owe you one."
She scoffed. "You don't even know my name."
"Then tell us."
She studied him for a long moment, then smirked. "Aria Thorn. And you?"
"Liam. This is Rita, Marcus, and Priya."
Aria's gaze flicked to their weapons—Marcus's crossbow, Rita's sword, Priya's potion—then back to Liam's empty hands. Her smirk widened. "Let me guess. You're the leader?"
Liam didn't flinch. "Yeah. Got a problem with that?"
Aria chuckled. "Just wondering how long you'll last."
Marcus groaned as Priya helped him up. "Well, I like her."
Rita wiped her blade clean, eyeing Aria with cautious respect. "You fight well."
Aria shrugged. "Survival's a good teacher." She turned to leave.
"Wait," Liam called. "You should join us."
She paused. "Why would I do that?"
"Because you're alone. And we're heading somewhere important."
Aria tilted her head. "And where's that?"
Liam met her gaze. "Somewhere that could change everything."
For the first time, something flickered in Aria's eyes—curiosity. Then she sighed. "Fine. But I'm in charge of combat. You can keep your little leadership role... for now."
Liam scoffed. "Deal."