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The Sapling Forest was alive with the muted whispers of the wind threading through the towering trees.
The forest canopy stretched high above, blocking much of the sunlight and casting long, eerie shadows across the forest floor.
Fowad moved silently through the underbrush, careful to stay hidden.
Every step was deliberate, his senses sharpened by years of navigating the dangers of these woods.
Foxy, a sleek creature with piercing amber eyes, kept pace at his side, her movements as fluid as the wind itself.
Fattey, the ever-curious companion, perched on Fowad's shoulder, his small form swaying slightly with every step but never making a sound.
Together, the trio was an inseparable unit, bound by survival and trust.
Through the gaps in the trees, Fowad is closer to group of strangers humans.
A young girl stood at the center, surrounded by several guards.
They were dressed in fine but practical clothing, their attire suggesting both wealth and a readiness for travel.
The girl, no older than her mid-teens, had long, dark hair tied back.
Her posture was upright, exuding confidence and an air of command that seemed at odds with her youthful appearance.
The guards were a stark contrast to her composed demeanor.
Armed and alert, their eyes scanned the forest constantly, their movements precise and disciplined.
It was clear they were well-trained, but their purpose here was a mystery.
Fowad's mind raced as he observed them from the shadows. Who are they? What are they doing in the Sapling Forest?
His heart tightened for a moment. They don't look like bounty hunters. That realization brought a wave of relief, however fleeting.
His gaze lingered on the girl. There was something about her her calm presence, her quiet authority that intrigued him.
She didn't look like a fighter, but she carried herself as someone used to being in control.
He studied her for a moment longer, wondering what could bring someone like her into such a dangerous forest.
The memory of bounty hunters flashed in his mind, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in this world.
His grip on his knife tightened as he shook the thought away. He couldn't afford to trust anyone here, especially not strangers.
For now, he decided to keep his distance, blending seamlessly into the shadows as he followed their movements.
The group moved cautiously through the dense forest, their progress slow but deliberate.
The guards maintained a tight formation around the girl, shielding her from all sides.
They were clearly here for a reason, though their purpose remained unclear to Fowad.
The stillness of the forest was broken by a low, guttural snarl. Fowad froze, his breath hitching as his eyes darted toward the sound.
Emerging from the shadows was a massive group of wild boar beasts, their gleaming tusks catching what little light filtered through the canopy.
Their red, beady eyes locked onto the group, and with terrifying speed, they charged.
The guards sprang into action immediately. Swords flashed as they formed a defensive line around the girl, shouting commands to each other.
The lead guard stepped forward, slashing at the closest boar, but the beast was relentless, retaliating with a powerful swipe of its tusks.
The guard barely managed to dodge, the force of the attack gouging a deep mark into the earth.
The girl, seemingly paralyzed by the sudden chaos, stood frozen in place. Her wide eyes followed the carnage as the guards fought valiantly to keep the beasts at bay.
She clutched the hem of her cloak, her knuckles white, but she didn't cry out. Her fear was palpable, but there was also a glimmer of determination in her expression.
Fowad watched from his hiding spot, his fists clenched as he debated his next move.
His instincts screamed at him to run to put as much distance as possible between himself and the danger.
But something in him hesitated. The guards were skilled, but the sheer size and strength of the boars were overwhelming them.
The beasts fought with unrelenting ferocity, and the girl… she was completely defenseless.
Foxy growled softly at his side, her ears flattened against her head.
Fattey shifted uneasily on his shoulder, his small claws gripping Fowad's tunic tightly. They both sensed the conflict within him.
"I can't," Fowad muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. "It's not our fight."
Yet, his feet remained rooted to the spot. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the scene unfolding before him.
One of the guards was thrown backward by a particularly brutal blow from a boar, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud. He didn't get back up.
Fowad's breath quickened. He knew he could help.
His times in the forest had taught him how to deal with creatures like these, and his companions, Foxy and Fattey, were more than capable in a fight.
But stepping in meant exposing himself his presence, his identity. It was a risk he wasn't sure he could afford to take.
The girl's voice broke through his thoughts. "Hold your ground!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "Protect the others!"
Her words, though simple, carried a weight that struck Fowad. She wasn't a fighter, but she was a leader, and she was doing her best to keep her people alive.
Fowad's jaw tightened. He made his decision. He will help from the shadows. Defeat as much boar beast as possible.
"Stay close," he whispered to Foxy and Fattey as he stepped out from the shadows.
Fowad reached for his knife, his movements quick and practiced. "Foxy, distract them. Fattey, find their weak points."
His companions responded instantly. Foxy darted forward, her lithe form weaving between the boars with astonishing speed.
She let out sharp, taunting yips, drawing their attention and disrupting their attacks.
Meanwhile, Fattey leapt from Fowad's shoulder, landing nimbly on a tree branch.
From his vantage point, he scanned the beasts, his sharp eyes identifying the vulnerable spots Fowad could target.
Fowad moved with precision, his knife flashing as he struck at the boars' exposed flanks.
His attacks were swift and calculated, each one weakening the creatures without wasting energy.
The guards, though surprised by the attack for a moment, quickly adapted, coordinating their efforts with each other.
For a moment, it seemed as though the tide of the battle was turning.
But the boars were relentless, their numbers and brute strength posing an ever-present threat.
One particularly large beast let out an enraged roar, charging directly at the girl.
"Look out!" guard shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The girl turned, her eyes widening as the massive creature barreled toward her.
The remaining guards scrambled to intercept it, but they were too far away.
Time seemed to slow as the beast closed the distance, its tusks gleaming menacingly.
Fowad's heart pounded. He had no plan, no time to think. All he knew was that he couldn't let her die.
He lunged forward, his knife raised,
and.....
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