Paths Beyond (Under Rewrite)

"We're getting closer," Grey said, his silver eyes narrowing as the golden thread threaded itself into a vibrant path of Will floating in the air. "It's this way. Let's take it slow."

The group nodded silently, their movements deliberate as they slowed their pace. Each step was cautious, their breaths quiet as they advanced into the deepening danger ahead.

A sudden, guttural cry cut through the stillness—a human cry. The sound sent a jolt through the group.

"Stop," Keen hissed in a harsh whisper, freezing them all in place.

Apprehension gripped the group, memories of recent tragedy flooding back. The shadow of their last encounter with humans outside the village loomed heavy, the losses still fresh in their minds.

"What do we do?" Shot whispered, her voice trembling with panic.

"Calm down first," Brawl said firmly, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. His calm presence anchored her as the group gathered their resolve.

"It sounds like they're struggling," Wild muttered, gripping her club so tightly her knuckles turned white. "Now's a good chance to strike."

Keen's voice remained level, his eyes scanning the trees. "We don't know who they are yet. Let's approach slowly and decide when we can see more."

The group moved without argument, crouching low and slipping into the underbrush. The sounds of conflict grew louder with each step, the tang of charred wood and scorched earth filling their noses. The aftermath of a violent clash lay ahead—underbrush torn apart and the scent of burned leaves clinging to the air.

Then, in Grey's vision, the orange light they had been tracking abruptly vanished, snuffed out like a candle. He tensed, watching as new lights flared to life—nodes of pure yellow Will, rising from the forest floor. Wherever the energy touched, plants wilted and decayed, leaving a trail of lifelessness in its wake.

"What's going on?" Wild asked, her voice laced with unease.

Keen's breath hitched. A memory surged forward, unbidden—the sight of withering flora, just as it had before his brother's death. "Grey," he said, his voice low and urgent, "is it...?"

Grey's eyes remained locked on the swirling yellow energy. "I don't know what happened," he replied, his voice tense. "If the target evolved, it wouldn't be this strong. Something—" he paused, his voice dropping further, "—something else killed it."

Elsewhere, not far from the group, over ten corpses littered the forest floor. Among them, two figures remained, bloodied and gasping for breath as they stood over the lifeless body of a massive beast. Their hands trembled as they lowered their weapons, a brief flicker of relief crossing their faces.

But the relief was short-lived.

Within the shadows, the true predator observed. It had waited patiently, conserving its energy, crawling from one host to the next. The parasite had slowly devoured its previous vessel from within, spreading tendrils through muscle and sinew until it reached the brain. Now, its body brimming with stolen power, it had evolved so long ago—though it still yearned for more.

The parasite's current host was a beast of moderate strength, but it was no longer enough. The perfect opportunity lay before it, a new body that surpassed anything it had possessed before. Its virulent Will radiated in a deep yellow glow, unseen by the two survivors, as its tendrils reached out hungrily for the fallen beast.

The timing was precise. As the two humans celebrated their narrow victory, the parasite made its move. A tendril lashed out from the shadows, wrapping itself around the corpse of the beast. In a grotesque display, the lifeless body began to move, its limbs twitching unnaturally as the parasite forced itself inside.