"Come on... Stop hogging the water."

Huddled behind a large boulder, Noah and Steve observed the riverbank where a formidable pack of lizard-like monsters were drinking from. These creatures reminded Noah of a smaller, wingless version of the dragons he would often encounter in his favorite virtual games.

Not only were there dozens of them, but they appeared to be led by a particularly large and aggressive specimen. Noah had no intention of picking a fight with this pack, or rather, letting Steve pick a fight.

Being near water yet unable to reach it was torture. Noah's lips felt dry and cracked as he watched the reptilian creatures greedily gulp down the river water, feeling a pang of jealousy.

The pack of monsters unknowingly conducted a small experiment for Noah. A massive arachnid looking creature had approached the pack and was promptly slain by its imposing alpha. However, no green mist emerged from the corpse, leading Noah to speculate that he must be within a certain range of a kill to gain the power of the slain.

Eventually most of the reptilian pack moved on, leaving behind only two stragglers. Noah's thirst gnawed at him, but the stubborn pair of lizard-like monsters showed no signs of leaving.

'Go away already, you motherloving lizards.'

Noah sighed and turned to look at his skeletal Guardian.

"Are you up for a fight, Steve?" He whispered.

The fallen warrior did not react as Noah studied his exposed and damaged ribcage. The foamy green mist still clung to the tips of the broken and missing bones.

Noah, wishing to reduce the risk for his skeletal companion, formulated a plan. Stepping out from behind the cover of the large boulder, he approached the pair of monsters with caution. Picking a rock, Noah aimed and threw it at the reptiles.

The creatures hissed and began to chase after Noah.

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'So fast!'

He did not expect the reptilian monsters to be so swift, but Noah was also surprised by his own speed.

'Even when I was younger and in top shape, I wouldn't have been able to run this fast!'

Even so, the lizard-like monsters were gaining on him, as Noah sprinted back towards the boulder.

'This is crazy!'

With the monsters close behind, Noah turned and slid behind the boulder. When the first reptilian creature followed, it came face to face with a battered looking skeleton warrior.

Noah watched as Steve swung his Greatsword, sending the head of the surprised monster flying. The second reptilian creature stopped and hissed at the skeletal warrior. At the same time, Noah absorbed the green mist that emerged out of the decapitated lizard.

Steve lunged at the remaining creature, thrusting forward with his blade. The overgrown lizard managed to dodge sideways but suffered a cut on its torso.

Rising to his feet, Noah observed as the reptilian monster and his guardian clashed. The creature hissed in rage and swiped its claws at Steve, who managed to deflect the attack with his Greatsword. However, the lizard opened its maw and bit the undead warrior's shoulder.

Unbothered, Steve drove his blade upwards, into the monster's torso. The reptile hissed and released the skeleton's shoulder, before falling silent. As the creature collapsed to the ground, it also released a green cloud of mist, empowering Noah.

'Oh no...'

Walking towards his skeletal companion, Noah examined the damage to Steve's shoulder. He had hoped to prevent Steve from enduring any more damage, however the skeleton's pauldron was punctured, and Noah could see a green glow seeping through the holes.

Noah placed his hand on the undead warrior's shoulder, as if to comfort him.

'I'm sorry.'

With the last obstacle removed, Noah rushed to the river, as Steve followed close behind. Kneeling at the riverbank, Noah cupped his hands and scooped up as much water as possible before drinking.

'So good!'

Noah continued drinking until he felt like he might burst. He then washed his bloody face, which proved to be a mistake as a massive tentacle suddenly emerged from the water, lashing out at him and catching him off guard. Having lived his entire life in the land locked Arcturus City, Noah never thought about aquatic monsters.

Steve was ever vigilant, however, and swiftly chopped off the tentacle, leaving it to twitch on the riverbank.

"Thanks, Steve," Noah expressed as they distanced themselves from the river.

'Everything here is trying to kill me...'

The situation was unnerving. Noah couldn't shake the feeling that at any moment, some nightmarish creature might attempt to turn him into dinner. The only thing keeping him alive seemed to be Steve, who appeared increasingly worse after each battle.

'Nothing else to do but push on ahead, I suppose.'

Noah began marching upwards along the river, hoping it would lead him back towards the surface.