The Sun slowly rose from the eastern horizon, its golden rays bathing the vast forest that stretched for tens of kilometres. But in a part of the forest covered by broad-leafed trees that towered overhead, allowing only thin, fragmented rays to pierce the dense canopy.
Below, the forest floor remained steeped in cool, heavy shadows as the sunlight struggled to reach the earth.
Vlad stood motionless in the darkness, his clawed gauntlets dripping with fresh blood, his dark armor painted crimson from his battle against the Duskstalkers, dark panthers whose bodies littered his surroundings.
The battle seemed to be over as there were no more beasts left standing, but Vlad calmly scanned his surroundings, a cold, emotionless look frozen on his face.
Seconds slowly passed, and then an entire minute was gone, yet not even a sound from a bird disturbed the heavy silence.
