The beast had half of its body in the water, observing its wounds in detail. What at first was insignificant pain from the cut on his leg from the first arrow was now morphing into numbness that spread to the surroundings. Slowly the blood continued to drain through its open skin and the beast watches with horror the difficulty it had trying to move the fingers that controlled its claws.

For the first time in a long time, it feels again that his life is in danger, whatever those arrows had was affecting him and it didn't want to risk more than necessary. He decides to retreat, but making sure he doesn't leave his back exposed to another attack.

Ezer could hear Lyaria's heavy breathing in the midst of his own heartbeat. He wished he could help her and bandage her immediately, although the beast would not allow it when it was lurking between the water and the land.

His arm was numb and his mind tired, imbuing the arrow with more force and speed was proving difficult. In addition to that, his bow was also at the limit warning him with creaks every time he drew the string.

He was trying to search his memories for some kind of information about the beast, something that would help him gain an advantage, but he hadn't seen it in the hunting book or heard of it in the past. The environment was unknown, the creatures that inhabited it too and that added to the constant pressure, threatened to drive him crazy.

The tension is broken before he even notices it as the beast bears down on him with alarming speed, propelled by its huge tail in the water and its strong legs on the ground. He manages to dodge it in a desperate effort, but fails to do the same with the flexible tail that twists to hit him.

The cut on his arm is not felt as much as the impact that throws him to the ground meters from where he was. He gets up quickly with his arm numb from the pain, desperate before another possible attack, but the only thing that hits him is the casual night wind that relieved the humidity of the environment.

Struggling to find his bow and some arrows despite not feeling his arm, he discovers that it is not broken as he manages to draw the cracked bow back. He waits, waits, and waits a few minutes after last hearing the sound of rushing water as the beast disappeared from his sight.

“Laria!” His concentration is interrupted when a groan of pain comes from behind him.

She was next to what was left of the fire taking advantage of the little light that emanated. She was bandaging her leg which was tinged yellow from the medicine and red from the blood that had not yet coagulated, all by herself.

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"I'm fine, it looks worse than it is. It did not touch the bone, although the wounds are quite deep.” She can't hide her grimaces of pain as speaks.

“What can I do?” He felt helpless and admired her ability to maintain her composure and treat its own injuries without problems, he had to learn from her.

“Get me some water…and if it attacks us again…run.” Lyaria looks him straight in the eye and pronounces those words with seriousness in her voice.

"You know I'm not going to do it. I will bring water.” Ezer doesn't hesitate for a second to choose his words and ignore Lyaria's.

She watches him walk away and smiles internally. She knew he'd reject her idea, anyway… that he did it instantly made her a little happy and worried at the same time.

Ezer filters the dirt from the water with his clothes and stirs the fire to heat it, they didn't have enough water for both of them and he had to get it despite the time this took, anyway, they couldn't move in the complete darkness.

“How is it going?” Ezer approaches giving her some warm water.

“Better, I managed to stop the bleeding. Only...”

“Only?”

“Nothing. As soon as the sun rises, we have to leave.” She decides to keep her doubts to herself.

"I hope that thing doesn't come back. I guess you're going to need help walking.”

"Yes, I'm afraid so.” She knew this would make the rest of the trip difficult.

Ezer can't calm down during the hours that pass until the sun finally shines enough to see the road, despite being partially hidden on the horizon.

Lyaria leans on Ezer's shoulder and tries to walk, but gives up the idea as her progress was too slow. She has no choice but to accept his suggestion and be carried on his back.

Ezer knows they can't stop and fights with his arms to keep Lyaria a good height without her leg touching the water. But his strength betrays him and slowly her wound comes into contact with the murky waters. Ezer watches this with pain in his eyes and makes up his mind to get out of that filthy swamp.

Never in their lives did they think they wanted to feel the biting cold of the north as much as now, they prayed to get out of that changing labyrinth as quickly as possible.

After exhausting hours between walks and breaks, they see a third monolith. What lies beyond them despairs them.

Before and after crossing the monolith, one could notice the rapid change in temperature as well as the terrain itself. The humidity disappeared and gave way to a colder climate, the ground was full of long and thick grasses that grew higher than Ezer, making it impossible to see more than a few meters in front of him.

"Let's get some rest." Lyaria speaks softly knowing her voice would carry since she had her chin resting on Ezer's shoulder.

"Well..." He didn't want to admit it, but he was exhausted.

They sit on the ground while Lyaria checks her wound and Ezer quenches his thirst with water.

"Your wound... is it better?" Dryes the drops of water trickled down his chin.

“Yes, although it hurts a bit. But it's nothing serious, the itching bothers me more.” She smiles slightly hiding her pain as she does the same with her leg.