Absolute instinct

Darian's grip tightened on his weapon, and with a single swing, he released a burst of energy so powerful that it sent shockwaves through the forest. The ground trembled as his blade sliced through the air, cleaving through the trunks of a dozen trees in a single motion. His attack hit the monsters with such force that they were sent flying, their bodies torn apart as they were caught in the relentless storm of wood and metal.

The remaining creatures, disoriented and panicked, attempted to flee, but they didn't get far. Mara, Kai Strom, and the others reacted swiftly, each member of the team moving with deadly precision. Mara's arrows pierced the air like whispers of death, each shot taking down one of the remaining monsters before they could escape. Kai Strom, with his speed, was a blur, slicing through any that tried to outrun the others.

In mere moments, the battlefield fell silent, save for the distant rustle of the wind. Darian stood, the faint glow of vital force still emanating from his weapon as he surveyed the scene, his presence commanding and undeniable.

As the dust settled, his senses remained alert. A strange feeling washed over him. Something—someone—was nearby. His gaze shifted toward the dense underbrush as he raised his weapon, ready for whatever approached.

A rustle broke through the silence, and a figure stepped out from the shadows of the bushes. The man was clad in weathered armor, his face marked with the scars of survival.

"I'm a survivor," the man called out, his voice steady yet tinged with wariness. "Came out here to hunt some monsters. What are you going to do about them?"

Darian's eyes narrowed as he studied the newcomer. "What do you mean, hunt them?"

The man smirked, wiping some blood from his brow. "We don't just kill them. We eat them."

Darian's eyebrows furrowed at the explanation. "Eat them?"

The survivor nodded, his gaze shifting toward the wreckage of the monsters. "We've got a priest in our group. He purifies the corruption in the monsters. Once that's done, we can eat the meat. It's a matter of survival now. The priest can cleanse the corruption and pull the vital essence out. We don't waste anything."

Darian's eyes softened slightly, impressed by their resourcefulness. "And where's this priest of yours?"

"Follow me," the man said, turning back toward the trees. "He's waiting just beyond this ridge."

The group moved forward, and Darian's mind raced. He could feel the weight of this new alliance settling into his thoughts. The priest, the purification of the monsters—it was all a strange but necessary part of the world they now inhabited.

When they arrived at the ridge, they were greeted by a tall, slender man who had the calm demeanor of someone who had seen much in his life. The priest didn't speak immediately, his eyes scanning the group before landing on Darian.

"Did you clear the path?" the priest asked softly, his voice calm but inquisitive.

Darian replyed. "Yes."

The priest's gaze sharpened, and he nodded once, then turned to the survivor who had guided them there.

The survivor leaned in, speaking in a hushed voice but loud enough for Darian and the others to hear. "Sir," he whispered, "he would like to know how you purify the monster meat."

The priest smiled faintly, his expression unreadable as he looked back at Darian. "Allow me to show you how we do it."

With a quiet hum, the priest knelt beside one of the fallen beasts. His hands moved in intricate patterns over its body, and a soft glow began to pulse from his palms. Slowly, the corruption seemed to lift from the monster's flesh, drawn into the priest's hands like smoke.

Darian watched in silence as the priest concentrated, his energy pulling the taint from the monster's essence. With a final flourish, the priest withdrew his hands, revealing a perfectly purified piece of meat, free from any corruption.

"The vital essence," the priest said, holding up the meat. "Once this is removed, the rest is safe to consume."

Darian raised an eyebrow. "You're purifying them… but how do you deal with the rest of the corruption?"

The priest's gaze was steady. "The corruption dissipates after the essence is extracted. We've done it hundreds of times. It's a delicate process, but it works."

Darian nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful, then turned to the priest. "Mr. Priest," he said with respect, "would you like to join our group? We're trying to gather as many survivors as possible, and we're making our way to the City of Survivors."

The priest's eyes flickered with interest. "Oh, the City of Survivors, you say?" He paused, his voice dropping slightly, as if weighing the gravity of the statement. "If the intel is true... then that city is vital for our species." His gaze sharpened, his commitment evident. "I will help you as much as possible, from my side."

Darian's eyes met the priest's, a moment of unspoken understanding passing between them.

The group stood at the edge of the ridge, the forest stretching out before them, the faint rustling of leaves the only sound breaking the silence. Darian felt the weight of their shared purpose settling into place. But something in the air—something unknown—seemed to be building, the calm before a storm.

"Are there any other survivors besides you two in this area?" Darian asked, his voice steady but carrying the weight of his curiosity.

The priest and the survivor exchanged a glance, their expressions somber. The priest spoke first, his tone calm but heavy with the truth. "No, there is no one else alive here anymore. We... severely survived after hiding for a long time. There were some people, but they died in the process."

Darian's face hardened with the weight of their words. The reality of the world they lived in—this broken, mutated existence—was clearer than ever. He turned to the survivor, then to the priest.

"Get on the jeep," Darian ordered, his voice low but commanding. "Everybody moves. We need to get to the next destination."

The survivors, without hesitation, complied. They climbed into the jeep, settling in as the engine rumbled to life, signaling the beginning of their next leg in the journey.

The vehicle sped off into the distance, leaving the ridge behind them, the dense forest stretching out like an unyielding sea. As the jeep bounced over uneven terrain, Darian stared out into the horizon, his thoughts heavy with the uncertainty that loomed ahead.

Their next destination was a mystery, but the path they walked was clear. Survival. Strength. And the unyielding will to push forward.