Chapter 7: The New Routine

The Cinderfang Ravager lifted its head and locked eyes with Arden, letting out a low growl that rumbled through the forest. Sparks crackled around its jaw as it crouched low, and without any more warning, it lunged. "Yeah, I figured you'd come after me," Arden muttered, holding his stance. He didn't flinch, not yet. He waited until the beast was right in front of him, jaws wide and fire trailing behind its claws. And just before it could land a hit, it kicked in. Ignition Reflex: Activated. His body jolted sideways, faster than he could process, dodging the slash by a breath. But this time, something more followed. Ember Core Pulse: Triggered. A hot surge burst through his limbs, and his body moved not just with speed but momentum, like he could feel the rhythm of the Ravager's aggression and push back with twice the force. Arden grinned. "Now we're talking." The Ravager spun and swiped again, its claws slicing through the air, but Arden ducked low and countered with a hard strike to its side. The impact knocked the beast slightly off balance, though it recovered quickly, its eyes burning hotter. Flames danced up its spine as it released a short burst of fire from its maw. Arden leapt back just in time, shielding his face with his arm, although the heat still scorched the air around him. Every time the Ravager attacked, Arden responded just a bit faster, just a bit cleaner. The life energy in his body responded to the danger, flowing through his veins in sharper pulses, each movement syncing with his instincts. His injuries from near misses stitched themselves together faster than expected. Cuts sealed, bruises faded, and he felt lighter with every exchange. His breathing was rough but steady. The fight was still tough, but he was no longer struggling. He was managing the pace, drawing the Ravager in, baiting it with fake openings, and then punishing it when it overreached. His fighting style wasn't just about power, it was calculated and strategic. He taunted the beast with every dodge, letting out short, mocking chuckles when it missed. "You're really gonna let a weak little human dance around you like this?" he jeered mid-fight. "Come on, you can do better than that." The Ravager roared, its body trembling with rage. It charged recklessly, driven by frustration, flames bursting from its feet as it pounced again. That was all Arden needed. He slid under its attack, twisted behind it, and drove his full weight into its flank with a sharp blow, followed by another and another, each one timed with the pulse of his life energy, each strike more focused than the last. And then it fell. The beast let out one last growl before collapsing, the fire on its back dying out as its life faded completely. A familiar sound chimed in his head. Life energy absorbed. Gained Life Signature Fragments: Ember Core Pulse ×2 Arden let out a long breath, wiping sweat from his brow as the warmth of the absorbed energy settled into him. He stood tall, feeling the way his fatigue was already starting to fade. "Fragments again, huh..." he said under his breath. "Guess I gotta keep collecting till something clicks." He crouched beside the beast, not wasting time. With quick hands, he harvested what he could—fangs, claws, a chunk of its scorched core. The parts would be useful later, maybe for barter or crafting if he came across a proper settlement. He glanced toward the direction he came from, thinking of the cave, the cub, and everything he had to protect. "Alright," he whispered with a small smirk, "next." And just like that, he moved forward, deeper into the wild. Arden didn't waste the daylight. Once the rush of energy from the last fight settled, he took a deep breath and got moving again, keeping close to the edges of the Ravager's territory. He had a plan now, simple and direct. Farm life signatures, gather fragments, and grow strong enough to own this part of the Outlands. He hunted slow and steady, not rushing his steps. Every time he sensed the presence of a Ravager, he prepared. One-on-one, they weren't much trouble anymore. His body responded faster now, the life energy circulating more naturally, like it was learning alongside him. His attacks got sharper. His timing, smoother. And the way his body healed during battle? That alone gave him the edge. "Feels like I'm finally syncing with the energy," he muttered, right after dodging a Ravager's charge and striking it down cleanly. He didn't only fight Ravagers though. Between battles, he tracked down wild beasts too, animals without affinity, the kind that hadn't adapted to Aether like the magical ones. Their meat was safe to eat, and right now, food mattered more than anything fancy. He had himself to feed, and now, a cub waiting back at the cave. The day wore on, and just before darkness came, he made his way back through the path he'd slowly carved into habit. The trees rustled lightly, and the sky turned orange as he stepped back into the mouth of the cave. The cub was there, curled near the spot it always chose, watching him with those glowing eyes. Still wary, but it didn't growl like it used to. That was progress. "I'm back," he said, dropping the meat with a soft thud. "You'll like this one." The cub didn't move immediately, though its nose twitched. Arden smiled, setting up the fire like he always did. It had become a routine now. Hunt by day, return with food, eat with the cub, and then sit quietly while trying to sense the movement of life energy within him. It was slow work, but each night, he felt a little more aware, like something was unfolding deep inside him. He chewed on the meat, still bland, still dry, but he was used to it by now. He glanced at the cub who was finally nibbling on its share, pretending like it wasn't grateful, though Arden could feel it. That quiet emotion of trust, fragile, but there. "Still acting tough, huh?" he chuckled softly. "Don't worry, You'll be fond of me in no time." After the meal, he leaned back against the rock wall, closing his eyes and focusing inward. The life energy was subtle now, calm, but present. He tried to guide it, push it through his limbs like a river, though it didn't always go where he wanted. Still, compared to when he started, this was progress. And the cycle continued. Hunt. Fight. Grow. Return. Every step, and every breath built towards something bigger. Arden didn't know how far this path would take him, but he knew one thing. He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was beginning to live. A/N: Support with powerstones, Drop comments and Review.