Essence of Contempt

Day 4 in The Rapids. I finally have a moment to catch my breath and write again. My whole body still aches, and my hands won't stop shaking, but I have to get this down. A few days ago, with help from the Lucid Sect, I managed to enter this world called The Rapids. To my surprise, the forest was full of mystery and wonder—sunlight danced between the leaves, and I felt for a brief moment as if I'd stepped into a fairytale. But it didn't take long to realize that this peacefulness was only a fragile illusion. By afternoon, the fog began to settle, and beyond it, we caught sight of something watching us from the mist. Even now, my hands tremble as I remember. There was a towering, grotesque creature with smoldering red eyes, its jaw twitching in an unnatural rhythm. In the blink of an eye, it was right in front of us. Everything after that is a blur. I remember running for my life, my lungs about to burst, the screams of my companions, and the awful sound of flesh being torn apart. I think I'm safe, for now, but I'll never forget the contempt in its eyes as it tore people apart with those long, cruel claws. - A.