Levi and Mark continued their exploration of the forest, their steps becoming slower and more deliberate as they took in the sights and sounds around them.
After walking for what felt like hours, they suddenly came upon a clearing, and in the center of it stood a massive tree, its trunk so wide that it took both of them to wrap their arms around it.
Levi and Mark looked at each other, and without saying a word, they both knew that this was the perfect place to take a break. They walked over to the tree and leaned against it, feeling the rough bark against their skin.
They breathed in deeply, taking in the fresh forest air, and closed their eyes, letting the sounds of nature wash over them.
As they rested, Levi suddenly caught a whiff of a delicious smell. "Mark, do you smell that?" he asked, turning to his friend.
Mark sniffed the air, then nodded. "Yes, I smell it too. It's coming from over there," he said, pointing toward a patch of tall grass a few feet away.
Levi got up and walked over to the grass, his senses tingling with excitement. As he got closer, the smell became stronger, and he knew that it was something special. "This must be a very good herb," he said to Mark, who had followed him.
Mark nodded in agreement. "Let's take a look," he said, as he pulled out his bag, ready to collect whatever they found.
Levi and Mark began to search through the tall grass, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of the herb that had drawn them here. It took them a while, but eventually, Mark spotted a small cluster of delicate blue flowers nestled in the grass.
He moved closer, examining the flowers carefully, before suddenly exclaiming, "This is it! It's an Aqua Starflower! It's known to be very beneficial for water element mages."
Levi's eyes widened in excitement. He knew how rare and valuable this herb was, and how much it could benefit his water magic. He reached out to touch one of the flowers, admiring its delicate beauty.
But before he could pluck it, there was a sudden roar from the other side of the clearing. Levi and Mark froze. They turned to look in the direction of the sound, their eyes widening in horror.
As they peered through the foliage, a massive lion with a hint of blue in its body emerged from the trees. Its eyes locked onto the two friends, and it let out a deafening roar that shook the very ground beneath them.
Levi and Mark realized, with growing dread, that this lion was the guardian of the Aqua Starflower. They had heard stories of such guardians before, powerful beasts tasked with protecting rare and valuable treasures from those who would abuse their power.
The lion slowly began to advance towards them, its eyes fixed on the Aqua Starflower in Mark's hand. Its massive paws made a thudding sound as it stepped closer, and its muscles rippled with raw power.
Levi knew they had to act fast. "Mark, don't freeze. We need to beat this lion to get the flower," he said, his voice urgent. He quickly conjured his attack, preparing for the lion's next move.
Mark, who had been paralyzed with fear, took a deep breath and braced himself to help his friend. "Okay, I will do my best to help you," he said, steeling himself for the coming fight.
The lion let out another fierce roar, and then suddenly charged toward them. Its massive form moved with incredible speed, its claws digging deep into the ground with every stride.
Levi sprang into action, his water magic crackling around him as he leaped toward the lion. He unleashed a powerful water blast, but the lion was too quick, dodging out of the way and swiping its massive paw at him.
Levi managed to dodge the attack, but just barely. He knew he had to keep moving, keep the lion off the balance if they had any chance of defeating it and getting the Aqua Starflower.
"Mark, use your Muddy Ground to slow down the lion," Levi shouted to his friend, hoping to buy them some time to formulate a plan.
Mark nodded, taking a deep breath and focusing his magic. He lifted his hands and conjured a wave of earth magic that burst forth from the ground, sending a spray of mud and dirt into the air.
The lion's massive paws sank into the soft mud, slowing its charge and causing it to stumble. Levi saw his chance and unleashed another water blast, which struck the lion square in the chest, sending it sprawling to the ground.
But the lion quickly regained its footing, shaking off the mud and glaring at the two friends with renewed fury.
Levi felt a knot forming in his stomach. His attacks didn't seem to be having much of an effect on the lion, and he was starting to get nervous. He knew they were in for a tough fight, and he didn't want to underestimate the lion's strength.
He took a step back, studying the lion's movements and trying to anticipate its next move. The beast was massive, with muscles rippling under its blue fur, and its claws were longer than Levi's hand. It was a formidable opponent, and Levi knew they needed a plan if they were going to take it down.
"Mark, use your water and earth mana to make a mud ground to slow him down even more," Levi said, his voice urgent.
Mark looked hesitant, unsure of whether his powers would be enough to stop the massive beast. "The lion is too strong, he can easily move from it," he said, uncertainty in his voice.
Levi turned to him, a determined look on his face. "Do it. Believe in yourself, and push past your limits. We can do this," he said, trying to instill confidence in his friend.
Mark nodded slowly, his mind racing with doubt and fear. But he knew that he needed to do this, for the sake of their friendship and that flower.
"Okay, I will try it," Mark said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Levi could sense Mark's hesitation, and he knew that he needed to be there for him. "You got this, Mark. I believe in you," he said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder.