Chereads / Spirit Beast Legacy / Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 - Pursuit in the Sapling Forest

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 - Pursuit in the Sapling Forest

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Fowad Benit and his father, Sadi Benit, dashed through the dense, shadow-laden trails of the Sapling Forest. The soft rustling of leaves under their hurried footsteps mixed with the deep, rhythmic panting of their breaths. The once-vibrant spirit tiger that had stood as a formidable guardian was now wounded in the fight with the wyrm beast, limping beside them with each step. He cancelled summon the beast return to spirit state. Sadi's face was pale, beads of sweat trailing down his temples, and his breaths were shallow. The fight with the wyrm had taken a heavy toll, and even now, they could feel the ominous presence of the black-robed pursuer trailing them.

The forest, dense and brimming with ancient power, became thicker the deeper they went. Whispers of the unknown and the low growls of hidden creatures echoed through the towering trees. It was only a matter of time before they would cross paths with a beast more fearsome than they could handle. Sadi glanced down at Fowad, his son's youthful face marred by fear and determination. The boy's wide eyes darted around, taking in every rustle, every shadow that might conceal danger.

"We have to keep going," Sadi muttered, pain lacing his voice. His hand pressed against his bleeding side, the gash still fresh and cruelly deep.

The sapling forest is one of biggest Beast breeding ground of the world. It's size is also one of biggest. There are only 5 forest which is called and given the title of Beast heaven, Sapling forest is one of them. The world is divided into six part Five part are rule by the Beast's and one part is living place for all other races. No one ever been able to explore these forest. They only know about and hunt and gather beast egg from these five beast heaven border.

Hours passed in a blur of strained footsteps, every muscle in their bodies aching from the relentless pace. Just when hope is about to abandon from them, Fowad's sharp eyes caught sight of an outcrop that led to a small, secluded cave nestled behind a cluster of thick vines. "Father, over there!" he whispered urgently, pointing towards the dark forest. They stumbled inside, the heavy thrum of blood in their ears masking the cries of forest creatures around them.

The cave was cold and damp, a small shelter carved into the heart of the forest. Sadi's knees buckled as they entered, and he slumped against the rough stone wall, the exertion overwhelming him. Fowad rushed to his side, his small hands trembling as he examined the wound, use the his father cloths to make bandage, but the makeshift bandage already soaked through with blood. Sadi's eyes fluttered, and a gives a smile to his son Fowad Benit before he closed his eyes, his consciousness slipping away.

Panic surged through Fowad's veins. They had no bandages, no medicine to treat the wound. He reached out, grabbing at the moss and plant life growing from the cracks in the wall. With desperate hands, he pressed the damp plants to the wound, hoping their moisture might staunch the bleeding. He then tore at the side of his own shirt, binding the clothes to the wound as tightly as he could manage.

His spirit beast, a small, sleek fox (basic level) with eyes that glistened like polished onyx, sat quietly beside him, its gaze watchful yet anxious. The little creature's presence offered a sliver of comfort as Fowad, exhaustion claiming him, leaned back against the wall. The cave settled into silence as the boy's eyes closed, the rhythmic breathing of both father and son filling the air.

The forest outside shifted with the passing night, the moon casting silver light through the hole above. Morning came hesitantly, the first dawn creeping into the cave's mouth. Sadi stirred, his senses was still blurry as he awoke to the body ache in pain and his left side like paralysed and the sight of his son curling in cold beside him, his tattered shirt wrapped around the makeshift bandage. A thought of helplessness struck Sadi's heart. How could he protect Fowad when he himself was so weak? His son had done what little he could, but now it was Sadi's turn to act.

He pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the searing pain that flared through his body. His vision blurry for a moment before stabilizing. He couldn't rest now. They needed water, food, and strength if they were to survive. Outside the cave, he scoured the underbrush, finding wild mushrooms and a few large, waxy leaves from a nearby tree. Fashioning the leaves into a crude vessel, he carried it with hope, determined to fill it with water from the stream he had passed earlier.

The forest's morning symphony masked the footsteps of the man who stalked him. The black-robed figure watched Sadi from the shadow of an ancient tree, eyes glinting with cruel delight. He had tracked them tirelessly through the night, the promise of the bounty pushing him forward. Now, as he saw Sadi, weakened and alone, he stepped out with a smirk curling beneath his hood. "Found you."

Sadi stiffened at the sound, spinning around, the crude leaf vessel dropping from his hands. "Who are you? Why do you hunt us?" he demanded, his voice strained but defiant.

The man's laugh was cold, a mocking sound that sent shivers down Sadi's spine. "Who am I? Just a hunter who's about to claim the greatest prize of his life. You see, the Benit family may have fallen, but remnants remain valuable. When I saw that spirit tiger fighting the wyrm, I knew I had found my fortune. I saw wanted poster with that tiger she the man looks very similar to you. When you summon the tiger beast I recognise it, but I became sure when you defeat the wyrm beast."

Sadi's mind raced. His strength was waning, but he couldn't let this man get to Fowad. With a deep, shuddering breath, he called forth the last dregs of his power, summoning his spirit beast. The tiger appeared, its magnificent form marred by the wounds of the previous battle. Its eyes blazed with loyalty and pain as it stood between its master and the hunter.

"Even injured, you dare to fight?" The man's tone shifted, amusement dancing on the edge of surprise.

Sadi lunged, pushing himself past the pain, his movements driven by sheer will. The tiger roared, lunging forward with fangs bared. The hunter's eyes widened as the beast swiped at him, forcing him to dodge and stumble back. Their battle raged, the clash of spirit beast energy and steel echoing through the forest. The tiger's weakened state became apparent with each passing moment, its attacks slowing, its breath growing ragged.

Just when the hunter's blade came perilously close, Sadi's thought locked onto Fowad's frightened gaze, thinking what he will do if the bounty hunter found the cave. Summoning one last surge of energy, Sadi delivered a forceful blow that sent the hunter staggering back. The battle sound hater many wild beast in the forest. Those beast started to attack both of them. But the beast have very sharp instinct they know the bounty hunter stronger. All the big ones attack the bounty hunter. In Sadi Benit minds, The opportunity to flee have arrives, Sadi seized it, running back towards the cave. Fowad was still sleeping Sadi wakes him up and grabbing Fowad's hand.

"Run!" he gasped, the urgency in his voice spurring the boy to action.

The father and son disappeared into the forest's dense embrace, leaving the hunter in fight against the beast, anger seething in his narrowed eyes. The chase was not over, but for now, they had survived....

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