“It seems to be a big fire, it's been going on for a long time and it's still just as intense.” Ezer watched the glow of the flames from higher ground not far from the towering black mountains capped with white.

“We must hurry, that indicates that we are close to the battle. The worst that could happen is that the beasts stray towards us and I don't want to be in that situation. Besides, I still have to go back.” Nielmar 's nerves increase, although he is still forced to be a guide through the terrain he knew so well, after all, his job was to explore.

“Further on there is a ravine that is impossible to go down. We have enough rope, but it would be very risky to descend at night.” Walking in the woods at night was dangerous enough, and climbing down rocks in complete darkness was a decision Lyaria wouldn't make.

"Yes, but there is a well-hidden fissure in the rock that will allow us to go down to the bottom. It's either that or take a detour.” Nielmar stops his steps waiting for the decision of both.

"Through of the fissure." Ezer glances at Lyaria and gets her approval.

“Okay, although it won't be easy with all the equipment you're carrying.”

“It doesn't matter.”

Nielmar stops insisting knowing that they would not change their minds. On the outside he seemed calm, but on the inside his mind was working hard on deciding what to do. It was the perfect opportunity to escape from that disgusting town where he was destined to be devoured sooner or later, with the money added to the equipment, he was confident enough to reach the neighboring town in three... no, two days and continue from there until he gets away from the most dangerous area.

The greatest obstacle was not the forests and mountains, since a child he crossed them, instead they were the people of the other towns. It was not common for an outsider to arrive for no reason, if his desertion was suspected... they would hunt him down even if he headed for the frozen lands further north.

"Where is the fissure?"

“Hey? Ah… just a little more.” Lyaria distracts him from his thoughts with that question, he had to make a decision and quickly.

"This feeling…" Ezer abruptly stops his steps.

“What's going on?” Lyaria is immediately on alert when she notices his strange behavior.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"We have to run... now!" The same sense of pressure, the same erratic feeling that the wind gave him.

"Why so suddenly?"

“Just run!” Nielmar does not blindly follow Ezer's words like Lyaria did and this proved to be a fatal mistake.

The ground is deformed exploding in the place where Ezer was until recently, this affects Nielmar who falls to the ground being the only one not to get away in time.

“Shit! Everything is blurry and… I can't seem to open an eye.” Nielmar sits on the ground, since he knows that standing up would be useless with the effort it cost him to move.

"Lyaria, help him! I'm going to buy time against that thing.”

“Okay.” She doesn't doubt for a second, after all, a single second could be fatal and that was proven recently.

“No matter how much I hate them and avoid meeting them, I always end up face to face with one.” Ezer draws his sword for the first time with intent to kill.

“Can you stand up?” Lyarai takes advantage of the time to approach Nielmar.

“No, I can't even open my left eye.”

“You lost it.” She grabs his body and yanks him up while he's stupefied.

“What?”

“Your eye, you lost it. Where is the fissure?”

"Ahead, a few meters. It’s not well seen in the dark.” Maybe it was because of the calmness with what Lyaria said, or maybe because he couldn't understand what that meant, whatever the reason, he doesn't despair and guides her by supporting his body weight on her.

Further back, Ezer could already clearly see every scar on the bear's body, as well as the steam released from its nose. Quickly the tip of his sword rises from the bottom up raising a curtain of snow between him and the beast. As expected, the bear goes through it without caring that it is a trap and Ezer takes advantage of this to attack the side of the beast with his blade.

At the moment when the sword pierces the bear's skin, it responds by extending its paw to hit Ezer who has no choice but to stop his attack and defend himself. In any case, the enormous force of the impact makes him fall meters from where he was, he gets up quickly surprised that his sword was still firm in his hand.

The beast wastes no time and rushes towards Ezer who had run out of plans, his attacks were ineffective and the weight of the equipment he was carrying made movement difficult.

“I should seriously think about a second plan before starting the first one.” In spite of everything, Ezer does not despair and the reason does not take long to present itself. A white wolf whose color was purer than the one of the beast attacks, taking the bear by surprise with enough force to knock him off balance and force him to the ground.

Lia wastes no time approaching Ezer, making her intentions clear. He smiles, perfectly understanding what she suggests and climbs on her back to quickly escape, although he never said it in words, he always wishes to do this at least once. But the reality was very different from what he expected, the speed with which they moved away from the beast, which had already gotten up, was much greater than on foot, although this meant a lot of effort for Lia who had to support the weight of Ezer and the equipment he was wearing. Although the wolves are large, they are not large enough for a person to ride and not hinder their movement.

Contrary to his expectations, the white bear was closing the distance faster and faster.