The Last Primal

As he slowly regained the motoric controls of his body, Aiden kept monitoring the situation around him through the System's map.

Five distinct red blips were visible on his map, slowly, but surely converging around his location from all directions. From their path, it seemed that though they had some rough idea where he could be, they weren't certain as they weren't following a straight line, but instead looked around at every nook and cranny along the way.

Frowning, Aiden tried to move but soon found that even this small motion proved to be much harder than before. With such a strain exerted on his body and soul just a while ago, every muscle in his body was strained. His stamina and energy were completely exhausted, he was barely conscious at this point, much less being capable of any strenuous physical activity. 

At most, Aiden could watch helplessly, as, for the first time in his life, he truly was the little rabbit in the hunt and was powerless against his predators. 

Still, he didn't want to go down or be captured without doing everything he can. He knew he still had his divinity and its accumulated Faith that, -in theory-, he could use if push comes to shove. The only problem with that was, that he had no control over it.

These powers, he could only control through the system and in Haven. At the last time, it showcased itself outside of that safe plane, it was only for a brief moment and he wasn't even fully aware of it. 

He wasn't sure how, but he felt that whenever he lost his control through an emotion, like anger, rage the shackles chaining down his core strength would be temporarily lifted, allowing his true essence to flow inside him freely.

Was that truly they, though? Even if that was the case, it wasn't like Aiden could artificially anger himself over the threshold! 

'Fear, maybe then?' He thought inwardly, as a secondary option, an alternative emotion to utilize. However, he quickly shook his head, he wasn't afraid, nor could he think he would ever be capable. His draconic mindset would never let him refer to himself as anything but the top of the food chain!

Aiden sighed, realizing that he was truly hopeless. He was going to be captured by these abominable puppets and brought in front of that strange masked master, whoever he or she may be. Though he had no idea what beef he had with that stranger, he could feel the overflowing hatred through these five remaining minions of his or hers.

Suddenly, the breaking of twigs alerted Aiden's attention back to the System's map once more, making him turn wide-eyed with the sudden change that appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

Suddenly countless amounts of orange-colored dots appeared all over the map around him, seemingly spawning in the dozens from the southern edges, just outside the current frame he could monitor.

The new army of dots seemed to be a roughly organized bunch, moving in thick groups separating in 5 directions, each group clearly aiming towards one of the abominations that were hunting for him. 

In the end, only 3 orange blips on the map to set out directly towards his location. Noticing this strange shift Aiden could only frown, unsure of what to make of this sudden change.

Were they the 'locals'? Wasn't this realm supposed to be deserted? If so, who were these new forces? Their numbers were way too numerous to be related to any of the pillars. If not them, then who were they? Were they friendlies? Or a new force that they have to be wary of?

Questions after questions emerged in Aiden's mind instantly as he followed the trio steadily approach his position. He could only hope that they would be willing to shed some light to this newfound mystery. 

As for if they were hostile or not? Well… currently he could only hope that it would be the latter…

…

In the next instant, a ferocious roar suddenly broke the eerie silence of the dead jungle. Soon, followed by the sounds of metals colliding with claws could be heard, only for the same to be repeated exactly five times around him.

Startled, Aiden snapped his attention towards the west. Squinting his eyes, he could only make out a thin cloud of dust in the distance. The shroud of battle, no doubt. He then shifted his gaze, ignoring the approaching trio for the moment, and shifted his gaze over the 5 focal points where the parties now were merged together in a battle of life and death.

Countless orange blips faded and vanished from the minimap whilst the five ferocious demons kept on slaughtering them in a desperate bout for survival. Ultimately their resistance was futile, as the seemingly limitless supply of these enigmatic natives had gradually overwhelmed them. As they were clearly not afraid of death, it was only a matter of time when the five fierce, mutant predators will be brought down.

After a brief moment, Aiden shook his head and shifted his attention back in front of him after he noticed that the incoming trio just crossed the nearby tree and was about to emerge from the bushes.

Unfortunately, as the danger had seemingly passed, and he knew that his assailants would no longer bother with him, the adrenaline that kept him active has also slowly left his body, making the drowsiness quickly overcome him. 

His eyelids became heavy, his vision turned blurry and his figure swayed around. Three dark silhouettes appeared in the distance, though he couldn't bother focusing on them anymore. His mind, his consciousness was slipping away, no matter how hard he tried to resist inwardly. He could only see the rough silhouettes as they got closer and closer before he finally fall back, and succumbed to his exhaustion. 

Just before he lost his futile struggle, he could feel a faint buzz inside his soul, as if a connection was just about to be made. Before he could react or answer, however, everything turned dark and Aiden's head plopped back to the inner walls of the tree he was still sitting in.

—

"Hmmm… This is weird…" Galina frowned, opening his eyes and furrowing his brows, looking troubled all so suddenly. Turning her head to the right, she looked at Lilly. "Did you feel it also?"

"Yeah…" Lilly muttered, her gaze looking sternly in the northeastern direction. It was as if she was actually trying to find something on the horizon, something that could somewhat resemble the person occupying all his thoughts and heart currently. The reason for all her worries, and calm the raging storm of emotions in her maiden heart.

"Young Master might be in trouble. Something serious must have happened for him to suddenly lose contact… I can't sense him at all…" Galina muttered, clenching her fists in worry…

---

AN: Hey there Readers!

Just a friendly reminder, that from wherever you are reading , you can reach out to me using any of the below methods!

For you, sailors of the seventh sea (non-WN readers), be a bro/gal and throw me a cup of joe, show your appreciation!

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