Timebound abyss

It had been two days since Arin—now known as Kiro—had awoken in this strange new world. Each day brought new pain, both physical and mental, as he struggled to understand his surroundings. He learned that the forest surrounding him was called The Whispering Woods, a name that sent shivers down his spine. The trees loomed like silent sentinels, their branches swaying softly as if sharing secrets he could not comprehend.

Despite the lack of modern technology, Kiro had noticed something peculiar about Kevin. The hologram communication device he used glowed with a strange, ethereal light, and his gun had an unusual design, different from anything Kiro had ever seen. Curiosity gnawed at him, but every time he tried to ask Kevin about it, the words got lost in translation.

"Hey, Kiro, are you alright?" Kevin asked, concern etched on his face. Kiro could only shake his head in response.

"I don’t really remember everything…" he admitted, feeling the weight of confusion settle heavily on his shoulders.

Kevin's expression turned grave. “This is the end of humanity. Two hundred years have passed since the world was destroyed. Only a few of us remain.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “We are the League, fighters and adventurers. We protect the towns from monsters and scavenge for vital supplies like food, weapons, and technology.”

As Kevin spoke, Kiro felt a mixture of fear and intrigue. The thought of a world in ruins, filled with monsters, was both terrifying and oddly thrilling. “A few months ago,” Kevin continued, “I was fighting nightmarish creatures when I heard about you from Chris, my partner. He told me you were living alone in the forest after your parents died long ago. You were a brave boy.”

Kevin then prepared to head back into the forest for hunting, leaving Kiro alone with his racing thoughts. Alone, he struggled to grasp the enormity of his situation. Why was he here? Would he ever return home?

On the third day, Kiro watched as Kevin trained, leaping high into the air with a grace that seemed otherworldly. His movements were fast and powerful, like a predator stalking its prey. Kiro’s heart pounded with a longing to be like him. “Can you teach me?” he called out.

Kevin landed softly, his brow furrowing. “Do you remember anything about Aerofuse?”

Kiro shook his head, and Kevin sighed. “Alright, let me explain. Aerofuse is a technique that can increase your strength and agility. It’s not just physical; it’s about harnessing the energy within you. The stronger the person, the more effectively they can use it. Many believe it is a gift from the world itself.”

Kevin began to demonstrate, channeling his energy. Kiro watched in awe as Kevin's body shimmered, his muscles flexing as if empowered by an unseen force. “It can only be learned through training and discipline. It requires a year of dedication, but it will be worth it,” Kevin promised.

Kiro felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. Training might be his path to understanding this world, and perhaps even a way to reclaim his lost memories.

Training and Adventures in The Whispering Woods

Days turned into weeks as Kiro trained relentlessly. Every morning, he rose with the sun, pushing his body to its limits under Kevin's watchful eye. He practiced leaping and running, feeling the power of Aerofuse begin to flow through him. With each session, he felt stronger, more connected to the energy of the woods surrounding him.

During one of their training sessions, they ventured deeper into The Whispering Woods, where Kiro’s senses heightened. The air crackled with tension, and the trees whispered warnings. Suddenly, a rustling in the bushes caught their attention.

From the underbrush emerged a twisted beast, its body resembling a mix between a wolf and a bear, with gnarled limbs and glowing eyes. It lunged at Kiro, teeth bared, but Kiro, feeling the rush of Aerofuse, dodged just in time. He countered with a kick that sent the creature stumbling back.

“Focus, Kiro!” Kevin shouted, his own weapon drawn. Together, they fought the beast, Kiro feeling the energy surge within him as he embraced the Aerofuse technique. They emerged victorious, breathing heavily as the creature lay still at their feet.

As they caught their breath, Kiro noticed a small, injured bird nearby. It had fallen from its nest during the commotion, its feathers ruffled and its eyes wide with fear. Something in Kiro stirred—he felt a connection to the creature.

“I can’t just leave it,” he said, kneeling down to examine the bird. Kevin watched, intrigued, as Kiro gently cradled it in his hands. “I’ll take care of it.”

Kiro named the bird Aero, and over the weeks that followed, Aero became his companion, always by his side, chirping encouragement during training sessions.

The First Real Adventure

One day, Kiro and Kevin set out to explore a new part of the forest, eager to uncover what lay beyond the familiar trails. They moved stealthily, avoiding the usual dangers, but soon stumbled upon an eerie clearing. In the center stood a giant, twisted tree, its bark blackened and branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by a pack of shadow hounds, fierce creatures resembling dark wolves but with a twisted form, their eyes glowing like embers. Kiro felt a jolt of fear but also the surge of power from Aerofuse coursing through him. “I can do this,” he whispered to himself.

“Stay close, Kiro!” Kevin shouted as he engaged the nearest hound, his movements fluid and practiced. Kiro mirrored him, using what he had learned. With Aero perched on his shoulder, he leaped into the fray.

The fight was brutal. Kiro found himself surrounded, but he focused on the energy within him, tapping into Aerofuse. He felt lighter, faster, as he dodged and struck, feeling the thrill of combat ignite his spirit. Together, they fought off the hounds, Kiro’s heart racing with adrenaline as he discovered the depths of his own strength.

As the last shadow hound fell, Kiro collapsed to his knees, panting. Kevin clapped him on the back, a grin spreading across his face. “You did well, Kiro. You’re learning fast.”

With each adventure, Kiro not only grew stronger physically but also mentally. He began to understand the world around him and the importance of his training. But deep down, a question lingered: What had truly happened to humanity? What dark secrets did The Whispering Woods hold

Kiro's journey had only just begun, but with each battle and each lesson learned, he was determined to uncover the truth of this world and find a way to protect those who remained. The darkness around him was a constant reminder that danger lurked in every corner, and he was ready to face it head-on.