Day 9

Wizdumb, I've failed.

The sun barely peeked over the horizon this morning. Maybe it knew, sensed the heaviness hanging over this place. All night, those echoing whispers haunted my dreams, swirling with images of the creatures with burning eyes and that enigmatic sword calling out to me.

When dawn finally crept through the trees, my mind was made up. This was it. My chance to prove myself, to be the hero I was somehow supposed to be. The crow's words echoed in my head, "Only if you are worthy…" Turns out, it wasn't just some pep talk.

Heart pounding like a drum against my ribs, I walked into the clearing. The sword gleamed tauntingly, the carvings on its hilt seeming to shift and pulse. I reached out, fingers trembling… and that's when it happened.

A blast of energy knocked me off my feet, sending me flying backward. It wasn't like any pain I'd ever felt – it blazed through me, ice-cold and then burning hot. The world went dark for a moment, the only sound a harsh ringing in my ears. Then, shame.

Not the chosen one after all, Wizdumb. Just a dude who got zapped by a fancy sword.

When I opened my eyes, the crow was gone, the sword a dull hunk of metal. The whispers died down too, replaced by an oppressive silence. Turns out, the universe can be a real jerk sometimes.

Squeaks found me crumpled near a pillar, nudging at me with his nose. Even the little guy seems disappointed. With a heavy heart, I decided to leave. There was nothing for me there, no destiny, just a reminder of failure.

The walk back through the forest felt endless. Didn't even have the energy to be scared of those creepy claws the trees turned into. Everything looked muted and meaningless. Am I just some random guy destined to wander around lost, never amounting to anything?

That's the question that haunts me now, Wizdumb. Is this it? Am I supposed to just give up, go back to trying to find edible berries? Or is there still some fight left in me?

For now, at least, the path ahead is as foggy as it was on that first morning.

Disappointed and directionless,

Mark