The Keeper of Shadows

Shock painted everyone's faces, mouths agape. The three black panthers, their pursuit fueled by fury, lay lifeless, seemingly swallowed by the earth itself. This sudden shift from frantic flight to chilling stillness left them bewildered, their gazes drawn to Zephyr, the enigmatic figure responsible for the impossible feat.

One man, shaking off his shock, stepped forward. "Sir," he began, his voice thick with emotion, "thank you for saving us. We were moments from..., well, you know." His words, though spoken in English, betrayed his Indonesian heritage.

In this fractured world, where the long-standing statehood had crumbled and humanity scattered, English had become the lingua franca. Different races, thrown together in the chaos, struggled to communicate in their native tongues.

Zephyr understood that idea. Yet, his own English, even compared to the man's broken phrases, was pitiful. He knew, with chilling certainty, that even English wouldn't survive the rise of the Apex World. His skills stagnated, a silent reflection of a fading language.

Now, interpreting the man's gestures and tone, he assumed the words were of gratitude. He waved dismissively, then approached the fallen panther, his steps echoing in the sudden stillness.

Zephyr's silence puzzled the man, who quickly attributed it to a stoic nature. Others mirrored his assumption, their initial gratitude quelled by Zephyr's dismissive gesture. Relief washed over them since the immediate threat was neutralized.

But then, Zephyr's next act sent shivers down their spines. With his right hand, he ripped and gouged at the dead panther's scalp, desperately trying to free his dagger, lodged firmly in its skull.

Three Shards might seem insignificant in the Apex World. But to Zephyr, a beggar with no balance, they meant everything. Even returning to the Fortress of the Divine Light wouldn't net him much right now - only 86 Shards for slaying 43 rampaging animals. So, in this era of advanced Exo-skeleton armor, his dagger, however essential, held immense value.

Zephyr's eyes darted between the two fallen panthers and the one behind. He needed to scan those animals to lock the numbers; it was worth every Shard. Wasting it wasn't an option.

Meanwhile, the bewildered group followed silently, unsure of Zephyr's motives. Fear kept them rooted to the spot.

Suddenly, a woman with a Filipino accent broke the silence. "Sir, where are you from? Do you have a safe place? Can we come with you?" she asked in English.

Zephyr's silence discouraged further questions. Most of the group shrunk back, intimidated. But the lack of communication gnawed at others. Following a stranger with no explanation felt risky.

"Sir, we desperately need shelter," another voice, this time with an Indian accent, pleaded. "We've been awake for 24 hours, exhausted. Please, help us."

Zephyr finally turned, facing the group directly. "I don't understand," he replied in a mix of English and Korean, his tone revealing a hint of frustration. He made a dismissive gesture, hoping it conveyed his meaning.

Confusion rippled through the group. "No"? "X"? Was it a denial of shelter, help, or something else entirely? The language barrier, coupled with Zephyr's terse reply, left them in the dark. They shuffled awkwardly, exchanging perplexed glances.

Suddenly, a young girl, younger than Jae-Ya even, stepped forward. "Sir," she began, her voice hesitant, "do you speak Korean?"

Relief washed over Zephyr's face, a stark contrast to his stoic demeanor. "Good! You're a lifesaver," he exclaimed, his Korean tinged with urgency. "Can you translate what they were asking before?"

The girl readily launched into an explanation, her words bridging the gap between Zephyr and the bewildered group.

Understanding dawned on Zephyr. He gestured for Eugene to translate his message to the group.

Eugene, the girl who'd bridged the communication gap, began, "This Sir said he lives in a large shelter that can fit everyone. He advises us to follow him, as venturing alone is dangerous."

Relief washed over the people. Their earlier unease about Zephyr's silence and gruff demeanor vanished. He was, after all, their potential savior.

Meanwhile, Zephyr consulted his Ex-communicator. 'Too far from the Fortress of the Divine Light,' he muttered. 'Hours by foot.' He glanced at the darkening sky. 'Nightfall soon. As long as no more than 20 berserk and mutated animals attack simultaneously, I can handle the situation.'

"Tell them," He instructed Eugene, "We leave now. Darkness falls soon, and this wilderness is no place to be after dark."

Eugene relayed the message, and the group readily followed Zephyr's lead. Having a capable warrior at their side offered a much-needed comfort in this unforgiving world.

An hour into their trek, Zephyr cast a wary eye over the group. Coughs wracked their bodies, punctuated by the rasping gasps of labored breaths. Red splotches marred their skin, stark reminders of the harsh new environment. Though their physical builds varied, they all bore the undeniable stamp of the Apex World's unforgiving atmosphere, their Earthly immunities struggling to cope.

'Their immune systems are plummeting,' Zephyr thought grimly. 'Some will likely succumb soon, while others might manage to stumble on for a while longer. But fatigue will be a relentless enemy, chipping away at their strength with every passing step.'

His prediction proved grimly accurate. Not long after, three elderly women and an old man crumpled simultaneously to the ground. Shock rippled through the group as they rushed to their aid.

"Rest here," Zephyr commanded, already scavenging for dry branches to start a fire. In the Valleys of Torak, nighttime brought plummeting temperatures, averaging a bone-chilling -13 degrees Celsius - a stark contrast to the day's warmth.

He ignited the branches with effortless precision using his dagger. As he sat to watch, Eugene approached, her voice laced with hesitation, "Sir, they ask... is there any food? Water?"

Zephyr offered a flat reply, "None." It was unfortunate, but he hadn't anticipated encountering survivors this deep in the region. His quest hadn't involved seeking them out. He carried no supplies - no food, water, or even a mask since his enhanced body was already immune to the Apex World's harsh environment. The AP-X Serum further amplified his resilience to hunger. Thus, lasting a day without food and water was doable.

Eugene parroted Zephyr's flat reply to the group, mirroring his stoicism. Then, she settled closer to Zephyr, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sir, can I call you Uncle?"

Before Zephyr could answer, a torrent of words spilled forth.

"I'm Choi Eugene, nine years old, Korean American. Nice to meet you, Uncle!" Her eyes sparkled with an optimism that clashed sharply with her circumstances.

"What's your name, Uncle? Do you know what happened? I don't remember much, only falling during the earthquake and being separated from my parents. I cried and cried until Uncle Chow found me and promised to help me find them."

Eugene's voice, despite the cheerful delivery, held a tremor of fear. Her story was a tapestry woven with loss and uncertainty, yet she narrated it with a resilience that surprised even Zephyr. He found himself suppressing a groan, not at her words, but at the raw pain hidden beneath her bravado. He couldn't help but admire the flicker of hope in her eyes, a beacon against the encroaching darkness.

At first, Zephyr tried to ignore Eugene. But a flicker of warmth tugged at his heart. He softened his voice, a rare indulgence for the hardened warrior. "You're a brave one, little girl," he said, his smile strained. "Stay strong. Everything will be okay. You'll find your parents." He tried to comfort the girl despite knowing his words were false promises.

Suddenly, Zephyr sprung from his seat, startling Eugene and the others. His gaze locked onto a point beyond the campfire's reach, where darkness reigned supreme. A creature emerged from the shadows, unlike anything they had ever seen. It dwarfed even the apex predators, its size rivaling that of a rhinoceros.

Four-legged beast with scales that shimmer like diamonds, reflecting the light in a thousand different directions. Sharp teeth that glisten in the moonlight. Its claws were long and razor-sharp, and whip-like tails flickered in the darkness, hinting at their deadly purpose.

Fear gripped the group, stifling them instantly.

A cold shiver ran down Zephyr's spine. He cursed under his breath, a rare display of vulnerability. 'Damn it! It's Sentinel!' His mind screamed. Now, one stood before him, a harbinger of death in the shambles.