Trees rose to heights that rivaled buildings. Canopies towered over forest floors crowded with myriads of bushes and rock outcrops. Here, in this forest, everything was different. As if it were not from his world- no, it wasn’t from his world. Fruits like blue prickly berries in shapes of stars, animals like horned rabbits, even rabid cats that had fangs as large as knives that scoured through the forest floor. It had all came across as something foreign yet familiar- it piqued Luther’s curiosity.

  Among the wildlife Luther had his back rested against the trunk of a tree as he glanced over the numerous stranges plants and animals. It had all given him a new sense of wonder. He returned his eyes onto the fire rested before his feet as it danced and roared to life. His deathly pale face highlighted by the flames as he watched the skinned rabbit slowly roast itself above the raging fire. He licked the saliva that threatened to escape his lips as he waited in anticipation. It had been around two days since he began his trial on the second floor, yet he had made no progress. Apart from the horned rabbits he managed to kill with his sword, other beasts like the large fanged-cats were too fast and dangerous for his liking. Along with them were boars, bats, and even wolves that roamed the forest floor. Each with their own unique traits and strengths.

  Jesus… this place is a living hell! From the cold nights to the fuckin’ animals…

  Luther reached for the roasted rabbit as its smell of crisp, tender meat made him hungry beyond imagination. Saliva finally dripped from his cold lips as he brought the stick towards him and indulged himself in his meal. Food had been scarce these past few days, he had perhaps gotten a rabbit a day- but that was all, nothing more, nothing less. It had been driving him insane as the juicy fluids were savored within his mouth.

  As he ate his meal, the sound of wolves could be heard as they howled into the clouded cold sky. It was approaching night, and it was time for Luther to run as he reluctantly doused the flames with dirt. He abandoned everything apart from his meal and equipment as he rushed through the shrubs and twigs opposite to the sinister howls. Soon he arrived at the base of a large tree that towered above the others. It had acted as his camp for the past few days as he could strap himself to one of its branches and sleep without worry. Although it was a rather uncomfortable experience, he found it just bearable with the only side-effect being minor back aches. Before he could swiftly use the footholds of bark to climb the trunk, the sound of something pouncing from behind him caught him off-guard.

  What?!

  Luther dodged to his right as a large fanged-cat found itself facing him. It had a brownish-blue coat, two fangs that glistened in the last fading rays of the sun, and padded paws that muffled out all sound. It trained its yellow slitted eyes on Luther as he promptly unsheathed his shortsword. It was similar to a panther he thought as it began to warily approach him. With its body lowered towards the ground it had begun to circle him. As if it were assessing whether he was a potential threat or not. Luther’s mind was racing with ideas as he tried to calm himself. The panther had began to nerve him as he tightened his grip on the swords hilt- it made his knuckles white to the bone.

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  Calm down Luther… just think of it as a horned rabbit… a big… dangerous… cat-like rabbit… with knives for teeth…

  Whilst Luther was consoling himself, the fanged-cat lunged towards him with a burst of speed unnatural for any living thing Luther had seen. He steeled himself as he raised his leather bracers in front of him with what speed he could muster. Teeth bared, the beast had its fangs rooted into his bracers as a sharp pain surged through Luther’s forearms. He was knocked to the ground as it struggled atop of him. It tugged and ripped at his arm with increased fervor as bloodlust surfaced within its eyes. The pain itself nearly brought Luther to tears as he grit his teeth. With quick wit, his main-hand had pulled itself free from its weight as he pulled his short sword and rammed it into the beast. It had pierced through the dense hide of its underbelly as blood began to slide along his swords edge. It incited a whimper and wail of agony as it began to writhe on top of the blade. In its rage, it had forcefully unlodged itself of the sword and torn the wound as a trail of blood followed the beast.

  Shit…

  Luther just barely managed to catch his breath as he jumped back to his feet. His left arm hang limply by his side as he cringed from the pain. Without hesitation, he steadied his stance as he observed the fanged-cat distance itself from him. Unlike before, it had a limp in its step as it looked for an opening.

  I have a chance… come on… stay calm...

  Luther’s grip on his sword hardened as his eyes were pinned on the beast. His breathing steadied and posture relaxed as a wave of calm echoed throughout his mind. His eyes moved to its dyed red hide matted with sweat, the twitching muscle that bursted with vitality beneath its skin, and lastly its yellow slit pupils that traced his every movement. And with a burst of courage and strength, Luther pushed off his feet and raced towards the beast. Before, he hadn’t had the confidence to face against its speed- but now? With that wound to its underbelly? Now was no better time to strike.

  The fanged-cat had its claws cleave towards him as it backpedalled on its hind feet. Luther evaded its claws without delay as he closed the distance. With a flick of his wrist, he brought the shortsword to its throat as warm crimson blood showered Luther and drenched the grass floor. Its eyes lost all vitality as it collapsed to the floor. It was rather anticlimactic.

  Luther in the heat of the moment gave way to his knees as the blood was soaked into his clothes. A sigh escaped his mouth as sweat and blood crawled their way to his chin.

  Everything hurts… it hurts and aches so much...

  He raised his left arm as he inspected his forearm - the bracer was ravaged and torn as blood escaped from the holes that ran along it. His clothes slightly shredded as he glanced over his body for any fatal wounds. It was hard to believe only minutes before everything he wore had been basically brand new. Luther then raised his eyes to the night sky as his muscles ached and body trembled from the aftermath of the fight. Even when shrouded in the dark, the sight of his joy couldn’t be hidden as a smile emerged arcing from ear to ear.

  Luther thought that despite all that pain he had suffered, all the problems he had encountered, it felt like he had actually grown stronger. This to him meant something deep, that he had actually begun to change. He remembered his times at the bars and casinos, wasting money and time on what he had thought to be the only meaning to his mundane life- but now? Ever since that dream- the intimate emotion that reached deeply into his heart and soul. It was as if he had something to strive for. To become greater; for his friends, family- himself. With the help of the Tower, Luther aimed to create meaning for his new life- for his chance to repay those he had wronged.