Zach Brenner's Arc

Chapter 1 of 86

Zach Brenner opened his eyes to a forest he had never seen. An hour ago he was home. Now he lay on wet leaves under trees that scraped the sky. He pushed himself up, boots slipping on moss. His tattoos were the same. His black tank top and jeans were the same. Everything else was wrong. He had no phone, no road, no idea which way led out. He needed shelter before dark, and he could not find shelter without first finding where he stood. He walked. The trees thinned into a clearing. In the center, a weathered sword stood driven deep into a rough stone. The blade caught the gray light. Zach stopped and stared. Swords in rocks belonged in stories, not in his life. He circled it once, then reached out and touched the leather grip. A scream cut through the trees. "Help me!" A woman's voice, high and desperate. Zach did not think. He gripped the sword and pulled. The blade slid free with a scrape of stone, lighter than it should have been. He ran toward the scream, boots pounding roots and mud. He broke into a second clearing and froze. A creature crouched over a young woman. It had three eyes, four thick legs, and two fangs longer than his forearm. Its scaled back rippled as it lowered its head toward her. The woman pressed against a fallen log. Black cat ears flattened against her dark hair. Her eyes went wide when she saw him. Zach charged. The creature turned, one eye swiveling to track him. It lunged, fangs snapping. He ducked and swung the blade with both hands. Steel bit through the creature's neck. Its head dropped into the leaves. The heavy body shuddered and went still. Zach stood over it, breathing hard, arms shaking. Blood steamed on the cold ground. He turned to the woman and offered his hand. She took it and rose. She wore a black leather top laced up the front and tight leather pants. A studded belt hung at her hips. She looked barely into her twenties, but her eyes were sharp. She brushed dirt from her knees like the monster had been a small inconvenience. "Thank you, stranger," she said. Her gaze dropped to the sword in his hand. Her whole body went still. "How did you get that?" Zach looked at the blade. "It was stuck in a rock. I pulled it out." Her ears twitched. She stepped back, studying him like he had grown a second head. "No one pulls that sword. No one." She swallowed. "You're the chosen one." "I'm the what?" Zach's grip tightened on the hilt. "Look, I just need to know where I am. I need somewhere to sleep tonight." The woman's mouth curved into a small, uneasy smile. "My name is Raven. You saved my life." She glanced at the dead creature, then back at him. "I'll get you shelter. But once people see that sword, chosen one, you won't be sleeping quietly for long."