Alex's breath came in ragged gasps, each inhale sharp and shallow as he sprinted through the dense forest, the girl cradled in his arms like a princess. Her hands clung tightly to his shirt, trembling but secure, her face buried against his shoulder as he pushed forward with all the strength he could muster.
Behind them, the typhoon blades raged, a chaotic symphony of destruction. The sharp whistle of the wind sliced through the trees, accompanied by the deafening creak of bending branches and the occasional crash of falling timber.
He chanced a glance over his shoulder. The typhoon still spun violently, its winds tearing through the undergrowth. Leaves and debris swirled in its vortex, an unstoppable force consuming everything in its path. The distant, guttural howl of the magic boar broke through the storm, a final cry that sent a shiver down Alex's spine.
The edge of the forest broke suddenly, giving way to a shimmering lake. The sight spurred Alex forward. His legs burned with exertion, but he didn't slow. The water ahead promised safety, or at least a reprieve. With one last burst of speed, he stumbled onto the soft grass lining the shore. He carefully set the girl down, his body collapsing beside her, chest heaving with each breath.
The lake stretched before them, its surface untouched by the chaos they'd left behind. Ripples danced across the water, glinting gold in the fading sunlight. The serene calm of the lake was a stark contrast to the destruction they had just escaped.
Alex leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. Sweat dripped from his brow, soaking his shirt. His lungs burned, each breath a desperate gasp. Slowly, his racing heart began to settle.
"You…" The girl's voice broke through the quiet. She was staring at him with wide eyes, her own breath still unsteady. "You're strong. Who are you?"
Alex chuckled weakly, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "Just a traveler," he said, his voice hoarse. "The name's Alex. I've been wandering around, looking for a town. Didn't expect to run into something like that."
The girl sat up, brushing strands of hair from her face. "I'm Alisa. You're in the Elysian Forest," she said, her tone serious. "This place is crawling with magic beasts. It's no wonder you couldn't find a town—no one sane would live this deep in the forest."
Alex let out a bitter laugh. "Figures. I've been searching for days. Nothing but trees, monsters, and more trees." He gestured toward the lake. "This is the first peaceful place I've seen."
Alisa offered him a small smile, though it was tinged with exhaustion. "Well, you're in luck. My town isn't far from here—maybe a day's walk if we avoid the beast dens."
Alex perked up slightly. "Finally, some good news." He turned to her, his gaze narrowing. "But what were you doing out here alone? This forest doesn't seem like a place for casual strolls."
Alisa hesitated, glancing at the water. "I was gathering flowers near the lake. They're rare and valuable for healing potions. But while I was searching, something exploded underwater. The force dragged me away, and I ended up here."
"And you decided to keep exploring instead of heading back?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.
She shrugged. "I didn't have much choice. Besides, I have a magic skill called Sense. It helps me find my way back home, even in places like this."
Alex nodded, filing the information away. A skill like that could be invaluable. Before he could respond, Alisa winced, her hand moving to her leg. "But my ankle… It's sprained. I can't walk far like this."
Alex sighed, crouching down in front of her. "Get on," he said, motioning to his back. "I'll carry you."
Alisa hesitated for a moment before climbing onto his back. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and she settled her weight carefully. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice soft.
"Just hold on tight," Alex replied, adjusting his grip. "Now, which way?"
"Head toward the clearing ahead," Alisa instructed, her voice steady despite the situation. "We'll need to avoid the Thorned Bear dens."
Alex's steps were deliberate as he moved through the forest. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, but beneath it was a faint tension—a reminder that the forest was alive and watching.
"There are a lot of magic beasts here," Alisa said suddenly, breaking the silence. "Some are harmless, but others… not so much. The Thorned Bear, for example—it's massive, with bark-like skin and claws that can slice through stone. They're territorial, and they blend in with the trees. If we run into one…"
"We won't," Alex interrupted, his tone firm. "I'll make sure of it."
Alisa's grip tightened slightly, and she fell silent.
The forest grew darker as they pressed on, the canopy above thickening. The faint sounds of birds and insects faded, replaced by an oppressive stillness. Alex's senses sharpened, his gaze sweeping the area. Then, a rustle in the bushes to their left made him stop.
"Stay quiet," he whispered.
From the shadows, a massive figure emerged. The Thorned Bear was even larger than Alex had imagined, its bark-like skin blending seamlessly with the surrounding trees. Its dark eyes glinted as it sniffed the air, its massive claws sinking into the ground.
Alex froze, his muscles tensing. The bear's gaze locked onto them, its growl low and menacing. Alisa whispered in his ear, her voice barely audible. "Back away. Slowly."
Step by step, Alex retreated, keeping his movements measured. The bear watched them, its head tilting slightly as if assessing the threat. For a moment, it seemed to lose interest, turning away. But as Alex took another step, a dry branch snapped under his foot.
The bear's head whipped around, its growl deepening. Its claws tore into the ground as it crouched, ready to pounce.
"Run," Alex hissed.
He turned and bolted, his feet pounding against the forest floor. The bear let out a roar, the sound reverberating through the trees as it gave chase. Alisa clung to him tightly, her face buried in his shoulder.
The ground shook beneath them as the bear closed the distance, its massive form crashing through the underbrush. Alex pushed himself harder, his breaths ragged, his legs burning with effort. The clearing was just ahead—a cave nestled between two boulders.
"There!" Alisa shouted, pointing.
Alex surged forward, diving into the cave's entrance just as the bear's claws raked the ground behind him. The beast roared in frustration but didn't follow, its massive frame too large to fit inside.
Inside the cave, Alex collapsed against the wall, his chest heaving. Alisa slid off his back, her breaths shallow. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sound the distant growl of the Thorned Bear outside.
"We made it," Alisa said finally, her voice trembling.
"Barely," Alex muttered, running a hand through his sweat-drenched hair. He glanced at the cave's entrance, the bear's silhouette still visible in the fading light. "Let's hope it doesn't decide to wait us out."
Alisa nodded, her exhaustion evident. "We'll rest here for the night."
Alex leaned back against the cold stone, his eyes drifting to the cave's ceiling. The weight of the day pressed down on him, but for now, they were safe. As the forest grew quiet outside, sleep slowly claimed him.