Fight or Flight

The moon hung high in the sky, casting long shadows that stretched like fingers across the forest floor. Kai stood at the edge of a dense thicket, his breath shallow, every sense on high alert. He didn’t know what he expected when he agreed to take on the 22 quests, but this… this felt more real than anything else. The weight of the dual swords on his back was both reassuring and terrifying. He wasn’t sure how to feel.

Blik had given him the map—a crumpled, ancient thing that seemed to pulse with an energy of its own. The ink was dark, almost alive, marked with strange symbols Kai didn’t understand. It was the key to his first quest. A quest he had no choice but to complete.

Slay two monsters—rats and cats that lurk in the shadows. Easy enough, right? He thought bitterly, trying to ignore the gnawing doubt in his chest. The map pointed to a clearing deeper in the forest, a place he didn’t recognize, but he was certain it led to the monsters Blik had spoken of.

Kai adjusted the straps of the swords across his back, feeling the weight of the promise Blik had made to him. The first sword was sleek and silver, gleaming under the moonlight, sharp enough to cut through almost anything, its edge unnervingly fine. The other was darker, its blade stained with a greenish hue. The poison blade. One swing could drain a creature’s life in seconds. But the catch? He could only wield one at a time.

"You have a choice," the figure had said cryptically. "You can take the poison blade and slay with swift death, or you can use the razor blade to cut through obstacles. But... you cannot wield them both at the same time, Kai. And each weapon comes with its own delay. You’ll have to be strategic."

Strategic.

Kai glanced down at the swords. The weight of them was almost too much to bear. The decision hung over him, sharp and final, like a sword poised above his head. What if I fail? His chest tightened as he gripped the map once more, tracing the path with his finger, and began to walk deeper into the forest. The air felt heavier here, thick with something unnatural. The leaves rustled, but there was no wind. The sounds were too quiet, too still.

His eyes darted around, scanning for movement, for any sign of the creatures that waited for him. The trees seemed to loom over him, their branches creaking faintly, whispering languages he couldn’t understand. The unease deepened in his gut—there was something wrong here. He could feel it.

Kai’s footsteps faltered when he heard it: a low growl, then the unmistakable screech of claws scraping against stone. He spun around, his hand instinctively reaching for the silver sword. There, in the underbrush, were two figures—shadowy, distorted shapes that slinked closer with each passing second.

At first glance, they resembled nothing more than large, grotesque rats with feline eyes and sharp, dagger-like teeth. Their fur was matted, patchy, and the greenish glow that emitted from their skin sent a chill down Kai’s spine. They were anything but normal.

His pulse quickened.

The creatures' eerie eyes locked on him, gleaming red pupils full of malice. Without thinking, Kai lunged forward, the razor-sharp blade in his hand. He slashed at the closest one, but it darted back, just out of reach, hissing like a cat in pain.

The poison sword, its handle cold in his grasp, seemed to call to him. He had to make a choice. One weapon. He could feel the weight of the decision in his bones—if he chose wrong, he could lose the upper hand.

With a sharp breath, Kai sheathed the razor blade and drew the poison sword, its dark edge humming with malevolent energy.

He could do this.

The rat-cat hybrid hissed and lunged at him, but Kai was faster. He twisted, bringing the poisoned blade up in an arc. The creature’s skin split open with a sickening sound, and a green mist exploded from its wound. Within seconds, the beast collapsed, twitching violently before its body went still.

Kai felt a surge of satisfaction, but there was no time to rest. The second one was already charging, its teeth bared and claws outstretched. It leaped, and Kai barely had time to react. He rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the creature’s attack. But it wasn’t over.

His mind raced. He needed to make the next move fast—he couldn’t afford another mistake. He drew the razor blade, feeling the power of it hum in his hand. The moment the creature lunged again, Kai was ready. With a practiced motion, he slashed at its side, the blade cutting through the air with precision.

The creature screeched, but before it could retaliate, Kai made a second strike—this one aimed at its head. It dropped like a stone, lifeless.

The forest fell eerily silent, save for the sound of his heavy breathing.

He’d done it. The first quest was complete.

For a moment, he stood there, alone in the dark, his heart pounding in his chest. But then, a sudden coldness crept up his spine. He knew it had only just begun.

Kai checked the map once more, the lines and symbols still swirling in his mind. But it didn’t matter. He’d completed his first quest, and now the clock was ticking louder than ever.

The next day, Kai woke with a start, gasping for air. His bedroom was dim, the early morning light barely creeping through the window. The familiar weight of the clock on his wrist reminded him of what was about to happen.

The day he turned 22.

And everything would reset.

But this time, the power Blik had given him was real. The weapons, the map, the quests—they were no longer figments of some dream or twisted hallucination. They were his new reality.

Panic hit him for a split second, but then he forced it down. This time, it would be different. He couldn’t afford to waste time. He had to finish the quests, and fast. He wouldn’t let Moia slip away again. Not like the other times. He had the power to change it.

With that thought fueling his every move, Kai raced through the motions of his morning routine, his heart thrumming in anticipation. He was already planning his next move, mentally preparing himself for whatever came next.

But as he hurried through the streets, heading toward Moia’s apartment, something unexpected happened. When he opened the door to her apartment, she was there—waiting for him.

And there, in her eyes, was a spark of recognition. Her smile was warm, as if the past had never been erased.

"Kai," she said softly, her voice full of tenderness, "I’m so glad you're here."

A strange warmth flooded his chest. This... this was the feeling he fought for. The one thing that made every moment worth it.

She remembered him.

And for the first time in so long, Kai allowed himself to believe that maybe, just maybe, he could break the curse.