The pursuer is coming — and fast.

The young man’s instinct told him to run and hide — for his life. He had no idea how long he’d been running, but the pain in his legs gave him a clue. Even so, he had no other option. He would rather feel the excruciating burn in his muscles than have his life end in an instant. The moonlight had mostly disappeared behind the thickening forest canopy, and the sharp scent of pine filled his lungs with each breath. He was already deep inside the woods, and the wide tree trunks gave him a sliver of hope. Small as it was, he had to try.

He kept running until he found the darkest patch he could, then crawled to the base of a tree and prayed that the pursuer would pass him by.

Moments later, he spotted the figure not far from where he hid. The pursuer paused, scanning the area slowly — as if he could sense the young man nearby. The young man’s heart pounded harder, his hands shook uncontrollably as fear crept over his body.

The pursuer stood still, moonlight dimly illuminating his figure. He wore a hooded cloak that shrouded his face, though the faint light revealed a scarred jaw. Then his head turned toward the young man’s direction, and a wicked smile formed on his lips.

The young man knew what was coming. He braced himself and bolted deeper into the woods.

As he ran, the darkness grew thicker. Not even a faint glimmer of light pierced through. Total blackness. Still, his will pushed him forward — blindly, aimlessly — until he stumbled. He fell hard. The burning pain in his palms and knees was nothing compared to what might befall him next.

Then he heard it — faint footsteps, steady and closing in. Louder with each step.

Is this the end?

As the pursuer approached, the surroundings began to brighten. He could see the massive trees around him now. Their trunks were thick and weathered — survivors of a hundred years, maybe more. But would he survive to see another dawn? If those trees had withstood sun, rain, and the hands of men, maybe — just maybe — he could too. Or perhaps they would only bear witness to his end.

He clenched his fists and readied himself to fight.

Then he turned.

The pursuer stood before him, hand raised high.

A blinding light burst from his palm — and everything disappeared in white.