Chapter 4 – A Desperate Search
Loki jolted awake, his body aching from exhaustion. The cave was eerily silent. His pulse quickened as he sat up, scanning the dim surroundings.
"Bo?" he called, his voice echoing against the stone walls.
No answer.
He staggered to his feet, rubbing his temples. "Ah, what a pain in the ass... Bo! Bo, where the fuck are you?!"
Silence.
Loki''s throat was dry. He grabbed a small pouch of water from his belt, taking a sip before strapping his sword to his back. If Bo was missing, he had to find him. The scorching sun bore down on him as he stepped outside, sweat already forming on his brow.
---
Meanwhile, in Hemir Village...
The village square was filled with chaos. Loki and Bo’s families were frantically searching for them. Hilda stormed into the town center, demanding help from the guards.
“You have to send a search party! My friends are missing—”
A guard shoved her back, laughing. "Tch, why should we waste our time on some damn brats?"
Hilda’s father clenched his fists. "You bastard—!" He swung a punch at the guard, but before he could land it, another officer struck him in the gut, sending him to the ground.
"You low-life filth," the guard sneered, kicking him aside. "You fucking slaves should know your place!"
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Loki’s mother, Elena, stepped forward, pleading with them. "Please… my son. Just help find him, I beg you."
The officer’s smirk twisted into something darker. He grabbed Elena’s wrist, pulling her closer. "Oh? What a beautiful little slave we have here..."
She gasped, trying to pull away, but he tightened his grip and dragged her toward the barracks.
"No—!" she screamed, her voice swallowed by the merciless laughter of the guards.
---
Back to Loki...
Hours passed as Loki wandered through the dense forest, his body drenched in sweat. His feet ached, but he couldn''t stop. He had to find Bo.
Then, a rustling sound came from behind him. He froze.
Something was there.
A gust of wind howled through the trees as a massive shadow loomed over him. Loki turned slowly, his breath catching in his throat.
A giant bird stood before him.
"Shit!" Loki bolted, his heart hammering. The bird shrieked, its wings flapping wildly as it chased him through the trees. He barely dodged a falling branch, his mind racing.
Think! Think, damn it!
He dived behind a thick tree, pressing his back against the bark. The bird sniffed the air, searching for him. Loki barely dared to breathe.
Then, a strange blue screen flickered before his eyes.
[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
New Pet Available: Eera, The Falcon
Loki blinked. "What the hell...?"
Warning: Denial this pet will deduct 5 years from your lifespan.
His fingers trembled. Five years?
But if he didn’t do something, he was dead anyway.
"Yes! Fuck it, I accept!"
The screen vanished. Loki clenched his fists and stepped out from his hiding place. "Hey, bird-brain! Come get me!"
The falcon screeched and lunged at him, but instead of attacking, Loki leapt onto its back.
Eera thrashed wildly, twisting and turning in the air, trying to throw him off. Loki held on for dear life, his fingers digging into its feathers. "Holy shit—STOP!"
But the bird wasn''t listening. It rolled in midair, trying to kill him.
How the fuck do I control this thing?!
Before Loki could figure it out, an arrow whizzed past him, nearly impaling his skull.
"What the fuck?!" Loki turned to see a masked figure standing on a nearby ledge, bow drawn, aiming right at him.
Another arrow flew straight at Eera''s heart.
Without thinking, Loki caught it midair.
Pain shot through his fingers, but he didn’t care.
"You bastard!" he yelled.
The masked figure paused, surprised. "Why did you stop me?"
"Because you were about to kill my goddamn pet!"
The stranger scoffed. "Pet? That thing was about to kill you."
Loki jumped off Eera, who now lay on the ground, screeching in pain. The arrow had grazed its eye.
He turned to the masked man, fists clenched. "You could''ve fucking killed us both."
The stranger smirked. "And? You''re alive, aren''t you?"
Loki’s patience snapped.
"Fuck off."
He lunged, tackling the man to the ground. The two rolled in the dirt, exchanging blows. The stranger landed a punch on Loki’s jaw, but Loki retaliated, slamming his knee into his gut.
The fight ended when they both collapsed, panting.
The man sat up, chuckling. "Not bad, kid. You’ve got guts."
Loki spat blood. "Yeah? And who the hell are you?"
The man pulled down his hood, revealing striking golden eyes.
"The name’s Raik. And you just stepped into something way bigger than you realize.