"Hunter In The Dark" [Part 21] Tengu Origins - An Infinity Kingdom Story

🔷 Introduction

Welcome to part 21 of my new Tengu series.  This will be inspired by the new release of Tengu in our game and incorporating his legend within the realm of Norheim.

His story will be roughly based on his historical legend with a twist from within the game we know and love.  I will be bringing 1 or 2 new episodes per week so stay tuned for more!

🔷 Recap Part 20: “Trail of Bones”

Tengu and Ninetails entered a silent forest where stripped skeletons, abandoned shrines, and deserted camps hinted at a terrible force. Their journey ended with the discovery of a massive footprint and the chilling realization that something unseen was following them. 

🔷 Part 21: “Hunter In The Dark”

Night settled over the forest long before either traveler wished to stop.

The thick canopy swallowed what little light remained until the trees became nothing more than towering shadows.

Tengu tightened the straps on his pack.

"We should make camp."

Ninetails immediately shook her head.

"No."

He looked at her.

"You think it is still following us?"

"I know it is."

The certainty in her voice sent another chill through him.

Without another word, they continued walking through the darkness.

Every sound felt louder now.

A distant owl called once before falling silent.

Leaves shifted somewhere behind them.

A branch cracked.

Tengu spun around.

Nothing.

Only endless rows of trees disappearing into the night.

After several more minutes another branch snapped.

This time it came from their left.

He turned so quickly his hand landed on the hilt of his sword.

Again there was nothing.

His heartbeat refused to slow.

"This is getting ridiculous," he muttered.

Ninetails kept her eyes forward.

"It wants you to feel that way."

"What do you mean?"

"It wants you looking everywhere except where it chooses."

The answer did little to ease his nerves.

Hours passed as they pressed deeper into the forest.

The silence returned.

No birds.

No insects.

Only their footsteps across the soft earth.

Then Ninetails suddenly stopped.

She lowered herself toward the ground and studied the dirt.

Tengu knelt beside her.

Another footprint.

It was even larger than the one they had found at the abandoned campsite.

Fresh soil still crumbled around its edges.

"It was here only moments ago," she whispered.

Tengu slowly looked around.

"I do not see anything."

"You are not supposed to."

They continued walking, but neither of them spoke.

The feeling of being watched had become impossible to ignore.

Every shadow seemed alive.

Every tree looked like a figure waiting to move.

Several minutes later Tengu noticed deep claw marks carved into the trunk of an old pine.

He stopped.

"Were these here before?"

Ninetails stared at the fresh cuts.

The wood beneath them still leaked sap.

"No."

Tengu frowned.

"We passed this tree not long ago."

"I know."

His stomach dropped.

Something had carved those marks after they had already walked past.

The creature had been close enough to touch the tree without either of them noticing.

A cold wind drifted through the forest.

Far ahead came the sound of another branch breaking.

Then another.

The footsteps were slow.

Deliberate.

Never rushing.

Never hiding.

It wanted them to know it was there.

"It is matching our pace," Ninetails said quietly.

Tengu tightened his grip on his sword.

"Why does it not attack?"

She remained silent for several long seconds.

Finally she answered.

"Because it does not need to."

The words hung heavily between them.

Near dawn the eastern sky began to brighten.

The darkness slowly retreated from the forest.

For the first time all night, Tengu allowed himself to breathe.

Then he noticed something between two ancient trees.

High above the ground, resting on a thick branch, were two enormous glowing eyes.

They never blinked.

They simply watched.

Before Tengu could speak, the eyes slowly disappeared into the fading darkness without making a single sound.

Neither he nor Ninetails moved.

The hunt had only just begun.

📄 Recap Questions

1. Why did Ninetails refuse to stop and make camp during the night?
2. What terrifying discovery did Tengu make just before sunrise?

🔷 Conclusion

Whatever stalked the forest had revealed only a fraction of its presence, yet that was enough to fill both travelers with dread. As daylight returned, Tengu realized the true danger was not being hunted, but facing a creature confident enough to wait. 

See you next week!

🔷 Hades, Press Officer.

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