Atlas led the group carefully through the thick underbrush, his senses tuned to the faint pulse of mana ahead. It wasn't hard to follow—it was like a soft beacon calling to him—but the forest around them was a different story. Every rustling branch and snapping twig sent a jolt of nervous energy through him.
Behind him, he could hear Marcus stumbling over roots and Kara muttering under her breath as she tried to keep up. Ambro, walking with practiced ease at the rear, let out a quiet sigh. "You're all louder than a herd of stampeding elk," he muttered, just loud enough for them to hear.
Atlas glanced over his shoulder and whispered, "Sorry! I'll, uh, try to be quieter."
"Do more than try," Ambro replied, his tone patient but firm. "Out here, sound carries. If there's anything dangerous nearby, you don't want to announce your presence."
Atlas nodded and focused on his footing, stepping carefully to avoid the dry leaves and brittle branches scattered across the forest floor. Still, the forest unnerved him. He wasn't used to being surrounded on all sides by trees, their towering forms blocking his view of the horizon. It felt like the shadows between the trunks were watching him, and every distant sound made his heart skip a beat.
He was used to the mountains, where you could see for miles unless the snow was falling too heavily. This was different. The forest felt alive, its presence was surounding him.
"Keep moving," Ambro whispered from behind, his voice a low, commanding hum. "We're close."
Atlas steeled himself, pushing aside his nerves. The mana presence ahead was growing stronger, more distinct. He led them around a gnarled tree and through a patch of tall ferns, the sunlight filtering down in golden streaks. Finally, they reached the edge of a clearing.
He raised a hand, signaling the others to stop. Marcus stumbled to a halt, nearly bumping into Kara, who glared at him. Ambro stepped forward, his movements so smooth and quiet that Atlas wondered how someone could walk so naturally without making a sound.
"There," Ambro said softly, pointing toward the center of the clearing.
Atlas followed his finger and froze. Near the edge of a shimmering lake stood a creature that made his stomach drop.
It was a frog—at least, it looked like a frog—but it was massive, easily as tall as Atlas himself. Its slimy, mottled skin gleamed in the sunlight, shades of green and brown blending into the forest behind it. Its eyes, large and bulbous, glowed faintly with dark mana like the lynx, and its wide mouth opened slightly, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
The beast crouched low on powerful hind legs, its body tense as it drank from the lake, unaware of their presence. Each slow, deliberate movement sent ripples through the water, and Atlas could feel the raw power radiating off it.
"That's a mana beast?" Marcus whispered, his voice a mix of awe and dread.
Ambro nodded. "It's called a Goliath Frog. Low-tier, but its size and strength make it dangerous for those unprepared. Don't underestimate it."
Atlas swallowed hard. The frog's sheer size made his earlier excitement fade into a gnawing apprehension. "And we're supposed to fight that?" he asked quietly, not taking his eyes off the beast.
Ambro glanced at him, his expression calm. "Yes. But not without a plan. This isn't about charging in blindly. It's about learning to approach mana beasts strategically."
Kara crouched beside Marcus, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her dagger. "It doesn't look that fast. Maybe we can surround it?"
Ambro shook his head. "Don't assume. Goliath Frogs are deceptively quick, especially when threatened. Their hind legs are incredibly powerful—they can leap several meters in an instant. And if it catches you with its tongue…" He trailed off, letting the warning hang in the air.
Atlas's nerves were on edge now. He clenched his fists, feeling the faint pulse of his mana core as if it were responding to the tension. "So, what's the plan?"
Ambro studied the beast for a moment, then turned to them. "Marcus, you'll take point. Draw its attention but don't engage directly. Kara, you'll flank it from the left. Atlas…" He paused, his gaze steady. "Stay back at first. Use your senses to track its movements and warn the others if it tries to escape or attack."
Atlas blinked. "Wait, I'm not fighting?"
"You'll fight when the time is right," Ambro said. "For now, wait for your moment."
Marcus smirked, clearly enjoying the idea of taking the lead. "Guess I get to show off, huh?"
"Don't get cocky," Ambro warned. "Even low-tier mana beasts can be deadly if you're careless."
Kara rolled her eyes but nodded. "Got it. Flank and strike when there's an opening."
Atlas took a deep breath, his heart hammering in his chest. He wasn't sure if he felt relieved or disappointed to be hanging back, but he trusted Ambro's judgment. Glancing at the massive frog again, he couldn't help but wonder if this was going to be another close call.
At least it's not a lynx, he thought wryly, though the thought did little to ease his nerves.
Kara reached into the pouch strapped to her side. Atlas expected her to pull out her daggers, but instead, her hand emerged holding the baby lynx.
"Oh, right. Forgot about that," Atlas muttered under his breath, eyeing the small creature.
The lynx let out a soft chirp, its silver fur glinting faintly in the dappled light of the forest. Kara cradled it gently, her expression soft and hesitant as she stepped toward Ambro.
She lowered her gaze as Ambro let out a quiet sigh. "Can you please look after him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ambro looked at her, then at the lynx, his expression unreadable. "You… want me to babysit?" he asked slowly.
Kara nodded, still avoiding his gaze, while holding the lynx out toward him. Atlas noticed her knuckles were white, like she was struggling with the decision. Marcus, meanwhile, was already gearing up for the fight, his fists igniting in brilliant orange flames. His grin stretched ear to ear, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. Atlas, on the other hand, was fixated on the lynx.
"Where the hell was it hiding?" Atlas muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Ambro pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes for a moment as if praying for patience. "You lot are going to be the death of me," he said finally, his voice heavy with exasperation.
"What did I do?" Atlas asked, looking genuinely baffled.
Ambro ignored him and reached out, taking the lynx from Kara's hands. The small creature immediately squirmed, climbing up his arm with surprising agility. It perched briefly on his shoulder, sniffing at his ear, before scrambling onto his head and settling there like a smug, furry crown.
Atlas blinked, his mouth twitching into a grin. "Is it just me, or does that thing look like it's smiling?"
The lynx tilted its head, its yellow eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint. It was a look that sent a chill down Atlas's spine, reminding him far too much of its mother. He shivered involuntarily.
Ambro, for his part, didn't seem fazed. He sighed again, the weight of resignation clear in his posture. "Fine," he said, his tone resigned. "I'll look after it. But if you don't come back alive, I'm keeping it."
Kara's lips quirked in a faint smile, and Marcus snorted, flames licking up his forearms as he smashed his fists together, sending a small burst of heat into the air. "Don't worry, Ambro," Marcus said confidently. "We'll be back. This'll be quick."
Ambro raised an eyebrow but didn't reply. Instead, he stepped aside, giving them a clear view of the clearing and the massive frog waiting by the lake's edge. "Go on, then. We don't have all day."
The three of them nodded in unison. Kara stepped forward first, and Atlas couldn't help but marvel as shimmering tendrils of water sprouted from her back, twisting and writhing like living serpents. The translucent blue of the water glowed faintly, catching the light as it swayed in rhythm with her movements.
"Show-off," Marcus muttered, though there was no malice in his tone. His own flames flared brighter, trailing up to his forearms as he grinned. "Let's see how far that fancy water gets you when I'm turning this thing into a roast."
"Try not to set the whole forest on fire while you're at it," Kara shot back, her voice dry.
Atlas drew his sword, the steel gleaming in the sunlight as he stepped up beside them. His grip was firm, his muscles tense with anticipation. He glanced at Marcus and Kara and gave a small nod.
"Ready?" he asked.
Marcus smirked. "Born ready."
Kara's gaze was sharp and focused as she flicked one of her water tentacles forward, the tip snapping like a whip. "Let's do this."
Atlas took a deep breath, the familiar weight of his sword in his hand. His nerves buzzed with a mix of excitement and apprehension, but he pushed the fear aside. They had a job to do.
With one final glance at Ambro, who stood watching them with a faint, almost amused smile, Atlas stepped forward, leading his team into the clearing.
Atlas stopped just inside the clearing, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword as he watched Marcus and Kara move forward. "Good luck," he whispered, though he wasn't sure if they heard him.
They both nodded silently. Kara withdrew her daggers, their steel glinting in the dappled light as her water tendrils coiled protectively around her.
The frog croaked loudly, its massive, glowing eyes swiveling between the three of them. Then, without warning, its tongue snapped out, cracking through the air faster than Atlas could track. He flinched, his heart lurching as the wet snap echoed across the clearing.
Gulping, Atlas glanced back at Ambro, who stood leaning casually against a tree. The Lightblade gave him an encouraging smile and a thumbs-up, as if this were all a routine training exercise.
'Bloody hell…' Atlas thought, swallowing hard.
Marcus's voice broke through the tension, calm but firm. "I'll take it head-on. Watch out for its tongue. Kara, flank it while I keep it distracted."
Kara nodded, the watery tendrils extending from her back shifting like restless snakes. "Got it," she said, her voice steady despite the tension.
Atlas, still standing back, couldn't help but ask, "How long can you keep those going?"
"I can maintain them passively for as long as I need," Kara explained, her gaze locked on the frog. "But if they break, I'll have to reform them. That drains my mana fast."
Marcus and Atlas both nodded. They probably should have gone over this earlier, but there hadn't exactly been time to bond as a team. Before they could say more, the frog moved.
It leapt from the lake's edge with terrifying speed, its powerful legs propelling it high into the air. It landed much closer to them, the ground trembling slightly under its weight. Atlas's stomach twisted as he took an instinctive step back.
'Shit, it just leapt higher than me.'
"Let's do this!" Marcus shouted, his fists igniting with bright orange flames as he charged toward the beast.
Kara let out a sigh and followed, her daggers glinting as she called back over her shoulder, "Attack when you see an opening, Atlas!"
And just like that, the fight began.
Marcus was the first to reach the frog. Its tongue shot out again, a blur of motion, but Marcus sidestepped with surprising agility. The tongue narrowly missed him, slamming into the dirt instead, and he used the opening to deliver a flaming punch to the side of the frog's head. The impact sent the beast sliding back a meter, its slick skin hissing where the flames had licked it.
The frog croaked angrily, its legs tensing. It leapt again, this time higher and faster, disappearing momentarily into the foliage above. Kara reacted immediately, her daggers slashing upward as her water tendrils lashed through the air in a wide arc, searching for the beast's trajectory.
The beast landed behind Marcus, its massive tongue shooting out like a whip. Marcus tried to jump back, but the tongue struck his chest, sending him flying. He hit the ground hard near the lake, letting out a groan as the flames on his hands flickered and dimmed. Shaking his head, he pushed himself to his feet, his movements slower than before.
While Marcus was recovering, the frog turned its attention to Kara. She was distracted, her gaze still fixed on Marcus to make sure he was okay.
"Kara, look out!" Atlas shouted.
Kara's head snapped up just as the frog lunged at her, its front legs outstretched, ready to grab her. Atlas's heart raced. She wasn't ready.
Without thinking, Atlas surged forward, feeling mana flood his muscles. He tackled Kara to the ground just in time, the frog's claws swiping harmlessly above them both. The momentum carried them down hard, but there was no time to hesitate. Atlas scrambled to his feet, his sword already raised.
The frog's tongue lashed out again, aiming for him this time. He managed to deflect it with his blade, but the tongue coiled around it, pulling with surprising strength.
"Not this time!" Atlas growled. Letting go with one hand, he reached to his side and drew the small dagger Kara had given him after he'd confessed how he'd struggled with the wolves when he'd dropped his sword. In one quick motion, he slashed the frog's tongue.
The frog let out a guttural croak, its glowing eyes bulging as it released his blade and jumped back, ichor dripping from the severed end of its tongue.
Atlas quickly sheathed the dagger and gripped his sword with both hands. The frog croaked menacingly, its body tensing. He felt the shift in the air, the subtle ripple of mana as the frog prepared to leap.
"Don't forget about me!" Marcus's voice rang out. Atlas barely had time to glance over before Marcus's flaming fist connected squarely with the frog's head.
This time, Marcus's flames engulfed his arms all the way to his elbows, the heat so intense Atlas could feel it even from a distance. The impact sent the frog hurtling through the air, crashing into a tree at the forest's edge with a loud thud.
Kara scrambled to her feet, brushing dirt off her cloak. She gave Atlas a quick nod, and despite the adrenaline coursing through him, he managed a faint, nervous smile in return.
The frog staggered back up, its massive cheeks expanding. It tilted its head back and spat a stream of green liquid straight at Marcus. He instinctively raised his fiery arms to block, but as the liquid hit, Marcus screamed in pain, collapsing to the ground. The flames on his arms flickered weakly before fading entirely.
Kara's eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, she surged forward, her water tentacles snapping out as she closed the distance. The frog's tongue lashed toward her, but her tendrils intercepted it, wrapping tightly around the slimy appendage. She ducked low, using the pull of her tentacles to propel herself forward even faster.
Sliding under the frog, she raised her daggers, slashing at its vulnerable underside. The blades cut deep, but the frog leapt away mid-attack, avoiding a fatal blow. It retaliated instantly, its tongue shooting out again. Kara's tentacles tried to shield her, but the force of the tongue's impact shattered them, sending her crashing to the ground.
The frog loomed over her, its cheeks puffing up as it prepared to unleash another stream of the acidic liquid. Kara lay prone, dazed from the fall, her daggers lying just out of reach.
Atlas's gaze darted to Marcus, who was writhing on the ground, clutching his burnt arms and cursing through gritted teeth. Kara wouldn't survive if that attack hit her. There was no time to reach them.
He tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing.
Wind Blade
With a sharp exhale, he swung his blade, forcing his mana to surge through the weapon. The sword vibrated in his hands as condensed air gathered along the edge. The arc of wind shot forward, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.
The frog reared back, ready to unleash its attack, but Atlas's Wind Blade struck it across the face. The beast's head twisted violently to the side, a deep gash appearing along its jaw. The green liquid sprayed harmlessly into the dirt beside Kara, hissing as it scorched the grass.