You crouch beside a narrow stream to catch your breath. The forest around you is quiet. Half-grown trees sway in the weak light. You lift your canteen, and that is when you hear it: a soft rising hum from somewhere ahead.

A beam of white energy snaps past your head and scorches the rock beside you. The shot is perfect. It was never meant to hit. You drop behind a trunk and look toward the ridge maybe 15 meters away. You see a head of Silver-white hair rise just above it, still mostly in cover.

“Human!” Calls a female’s voice. You don’t respond of course.

“You are hunted, human! You should give up, yes?! I missed on purpose!”

You consider if you may have a shot at her…

“It’s only a little re-education, human! Is good!” Her voice comes over the ridge again, but it’s teasing like she doesn’t really want you to give up yet.