A Map

Lex ran so deep into the forest that it went completely dark as the sun was blocked by the trees overhead.

But thanks to him being a Vampire he could see in the dark. The Mantarix were catching up on him.

He turned around and kept firing into the incoming monsters causing explosions to go off all over the place.

Lex's heart pounded in his chest as he pushed himself to the limit, sprinting through the dense forest.

Behind him, the relentless Mantarix pursued, its eerie chittering growing fainter with every step. The thrill of evasion coursed through him, but it was short-lived.

As he raced on, the sky above darkened ominously. The once-clear day turned into a maelstrom of gray clouds that gathered with malevolent intent.

The wind howled through the trees, and the distant rumble of thunder grew closer. With a sinking feeling, Lex knew he couldn't outrun both the Mantarix and the looming storm.

As the rain began to pour, he spotted a towering tree with thick branches reaching out like protective arms.

He dashed towards it and, with adrenaline-fueled agility, started to climb. The tree's branches offered some respite from the rain, but the storm raged on.

Thunder cracked like the fury of the heavens, and lightning illuminated the forest in eerie bursts of blue-white light.

Lex clung to his precarious perch, rain-soaked and shivering, as the tempest raged above.

The Mantarix, its hunting instincts thwarted by the storm, screeched in frustration below, then retreated into the shadows of the forest.

He watched it vanish with a mixture of relief and trepidation. He knew he was safe from the creature for now.

But he was trapped high in a tree in the midst of a violent storm, with no choice but to wait for the storm to pass and hope that he'd soon be able to continue his journey to safety.

Lex sat in the tree staying dry, Lex looked down and saw hordes of monsters passing by looking around for something.

He got a good view of the storm as it raged above him and heavy rain fell. Lex decided to check his status.

[Lex Dawnstrider]

[Level: 7]

[Race: Vampire]

[Magic: Blood]

[Hp: 1500/1500]

[Mana: ----]

[Strength: 2000]

[Stamina: 1700]

[Vitality: 1200]

[Intelligence: 1000]

[Charisma: 600]

[Spells: Body Enhancement(0)Stealth Shroud(0)Clockwork Shield(0)Quick Step(0)Elemental Strikes(0)

[Skills:]

Happy with the boost in stats Lex waited in the tree until the storm calmed down. Once it stopped he jumped out the tree.

With a heavy thud, Lex landed on the forest floor, his boots sinking into the damp earth.

He wasted no time, his every step calculated and wary as he journeyed through the dense woods.

His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, ever watchful for signs of danger. Suddenly, grotesque creatures emerged from the shadows, their appearance reminiscent of Hivefiends.

But something about them was off. Lex's brow furrowed as he grappled with the unsettling mystery of these creatures.

However, the urgency of the moment overtook his curiosity, and he swiftly readied his Gearhearts. Whenever a monster lurked in the bushes, Lex's aim was spot on.

His guns hummed with power, shooting mana bullets that struck the creatures and made them retreat, howling in pain.

As he continued his journey through the shadowy forest, Lex's senses remained on high alert.

The path ahead remained uncertain, but he was resolute in his determination to head north, back to Celestial City.

Every step carried him deeper into the dark unknown, the mysteries of the forest pressing in around him.

But Lex knew that he had a goal to reach, and no matter the challenges that lay ahead, he would not waver.

The path might be treacherous, but he would follow it through the darkness to return to Celestial City.

After walking for days he saw the end of the forest and started running but once he exited he was even more shocked.

There were overgrown grasslands that reached up to his chest. Lex looked at this and didn't like the idea of traveling through it gave him goosebumps.

But he had no choice but to start walking through it. Lex trudged through the wild and overgrown grasslands, the blades of grass brushing against his legs as he forged ahead.

The endless sea of green stretched as far as the eye could see, punctuated only by the occasional rise of a distant hill.

Hours passed in solitude as he pressed forward, his determination unwavering. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the expansive landscape.

And then, on the horizon, he saw it—a town nestled in the distance, its buildings and rooftops rising above the grassy sea like a beacon of civilization.

The sight invigorated him, and he quickened his pace, every step bringing him closer to his destination.

But as he got closer and saw a rundown abandoned town, Lex entered it and saw crumbling buildings and an eery silence that fell over the place.

The cobblestone streets were empty and covered in litter and debris. Buildings appeared weathered by time and ruin.

Yet, he knew that somewhere amidst the stillness, he might find something of value. He wandered through alleys and peered into storefronts, searching for anything.

Dusty shelves and empty rooms greeted him at every turn, a testament to the town's long-forgotten past. With each fruitless search, Lex's hope waned, but he pressed on.

Finally, in an old, dilapidated building, he stumbled upon something that caught his eye—a tattered and weather-worn map.

Gingerly, he picked it up and unfurled it, revealing an intricate depiction of the surrounding region.

It marked out various landmarks, winding roads, and points of interest. While the map seemed aged and worn, its details were surprisingly clear and precise.

Lex was studying the map and realized he was very far from Celestial City and it would take him a while to make his way home.

[A/N - Leave some comments, power stones, and gifts. It all helps support the book. Artwork in the comments or discord]