Last Alchemist
Standing in the middle of a quiet clearing, you take a deep, steadying breath, adrenaline humming under your skin. Without turning, you speak firmly into the surrounding forest, “I know you’re there. Step out and speak your piece before I lose my patience.” A faint rustle in the underbrush suggests the hidden figure is debating their next move.Spotting a narrow gap between two towering pines, you hastily stack broken branches and loose rocks to fashion a rudimentary barricade. As the soldiers fan out in confusion, the forest's ambient noise gradually reclaims the air, giving you a brief window to strategize your escape.You freeze mid-step, swiveling to face the barely audible rustle in the underbrush. “Show yourself,” you call out, your voice calm but firm. “If you’re on the run like I am, maybe we can help each other.” The silence stretches, the hidden figure hesitating in the shadows.You intentionally scatter small, noticeable signs like snapped branches and scuffed dirt leading further into the woods, before retreating to a concealed hollow beneath a fallen tree. Hidden and motionless, you keep your senses sharp, catching the faint rustle of leaves as your pursuers unknowingly follow the decoy path.