"I'm sorry…"
"What are you talking about dad? Sorry for what….."
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't brought you to this menacing jungle, things might have been different. Or if we had gone back yesterday, things wouldn't have turned out like this." My father said bitterly.
I was aghast and stupefied. The image of my powerful, leisurely father who appeared to fear nothing was now apologizing to me and revealing an expression of melancholy, sadness, disappointment, worry, … that I had never witnessed before. My dad right now was completely different from the father I knew.
"But there's still a way for you to get out of this forest alive Lucian….." My father continued.
'What do you mean I'll continue living? Why don't you say both of us will survive? If I am alive,then what about dad? Will he...'
"I will distract the Beast, and your task is to run, run as far as you can! Easy right? You can use as much mana as conceivable to enhance your leg and run near the edge of the forest as fast as you can!" There's no need to restrain your mana in this situation….."
"What are you talking about..."
"That way you'll be able to get through. As for me, you don't have to worry or feel bad. As long as you survive, that's fine. You don't have to feel guilty or anything. After all, it was my fault from the start….." My father said indecisively.
"What are you talking about…." I repeated what I said just now.
"Oh yeah, let's just say that this is my fate! Yeah, that's right! Maybe my fate is to pass away here. But at least my death can protect you. If this is my fate, then I can't help but concur with it!"
I could clearly see the disturbance in his eyes, which had significantly changed from a sparkling blue to a dark, dull, lifeless blue color. Even so, he tried not to panic and still hoped for the best for me.
But it would lead to my father's death….
'I don't like it at all!'
I have promised myself that I would protect the important people. That's why I won't let my father die!
'Because he's someone I cherish! He is my dad!'
"Dad, shut up! I don't agree with your plan! Are you insane? Have you lost your mind, dad?" I shouted. It was the first time I yelled at my parents.
Dad looked at me in surprise.
"Always repeating things like sacrifice or fate. Why don't you use your brain and think about it, if I lose you, what will my life be like? Do you think it's cool to sacrifice yourself for me to escape? You said that I don't have to feel guilty but do you know that it is nearly impossible? You should think about both me and your wife before saying words like that!" I spoke loudly and clearly to convey my thoughts.
"I..." My dad didn't know what to say.
I steadily lowered my voice: "We'll escape together, both of us. Then we'll go home and enjoy mom's cooking like usual…."
"But it's a Beast, it's not like the Monsters we faced yesterday…" My father was still a little concerned.
I smiled and replied, "Didn't you tell me? That you are very strong."
***
After seeing Lucian's bright smile, I felt myself calm down a bit.
Lucian's grin and credence made me regain my confidence.
'Maybe I can do it. Maybe I should give it a shot'
Moreover, Seraphine and Lucian would be heartbroken if I wasn't there when they needed me.
I looked at Lucian with admiration.
'You're really a special child, Lucian. Even in this despairing situation, you still encouraged me, making me feel more positive. We're really lucky to have you as our son.'
I then smiled and firmly said to Lucian, "That's right, I'm very strong, so let's defeat that Beast together!"
"Now what we need is a plan, do you have any ideas, Lucian?"
Just like that, we spent some time formulating a plan. The worries in our hearts gradually vanished, even though the giant worm was still wandering around outside the cavern.
***
An hour later, we had used all the gray matter in our brains and came up with a feasible plan.
Although more than 70% of the plan was my idea and my father's job was to listen and comment, he wasn't really curious about how I could come up with such a plan.
"I think this plan is possible."
"Me too."
The plan was as follows: We would burn down this forest.
After observing the worm, we came to a few conclusions. First, the worm always moved around in an erect state. Making its head touched the leaves of the giant trees.
Second, although it was a Beast, it was essentially just a worm infected with demonic energy and turned into a Beast. Therefore, it still had the characteristics of a worm. It had no eyes, so its sense of smell would be much more sensitive than a human's, plus with such a huge body, it would need more oxygen to inhale.
Setting fire would have many different effects. The smoke would attract the attention of the townspeople and they would notify the knights, and we would receive the help from the knights. The smoke would also make the worm suffocate faster because it would need more oxygen and was near the burning foliage. The fire could also burn the worm's skin, causing it to panic and my father could use all his strength and mana into one attack and defeat it.
But there was also a possibility that the worm would burrow into the ground again. So my job was to prevent that by covering the ground with a layer of hard ice as extensive as practicable.
That was probably a pretty good plan. There were definitely better plans but we could only make up that plan in the current situation. This would be a gamble, either we killed the Beast or it ate us.
Now, our task was to wait until late night, the moment when the worm would be most unguarded, that was our chance to attack it.
***
The sky began to darken. The night sky stretched out like a black velvet carpet, dotted with stars that glittered like shiny diamonds scattered across the endless atmosphere.
Usually, we would have had a cup of hot milk or coffee and relished this exalted scene. But right now, we had no mood or time.
Many different feelings were blooming within us. Anxiety about facing the worm soon. Excitement about going home soon. Confidence in the plan that had been made, …
Just like that, the worm was gradually losing its guard in this harmonious space.
We slowly approached the cavern's entrance.
"Oh right." I suddenly spoke.
"What is it, Lucian?" My father asked inquisitively.
"You just said that your destiny is to die here, right? But if that destiny is true and unavoidable, then I will be ready to punch that destiny in the face and save you!" I grinned.
My father opened his mouth in shock for a moment, but then smiled his usual gentle smile.
"I will look forward to it!"
Just like that, we rushed out of the cave.
The plan began.