Alex’s breath came in deep, ragged gasps, each inhale a sharp breath as they ran. His heart pounded in his chest, his legs moving fast while the girl clung tightly to him. Behind them, the typhoon blades still roared, a violent whirr of wind slicing through the forest. Leaves, branches, and debris were caught in its swirling winds, crackling as they were torn apart.

Alex chanced a glance back—the typhoon was massive now, the winds howling whoooosh as it ravaged the area. The trees groaned creak under the pressure, their branches bending dangerously. Though the typhoon was slowing,the blades still sliced trough eveyrthing the boar final howl was hear which made Alex a bit ease.

As they finally broke through the dense trees, Alex spotted a shimmering lake ahead. With one final burst of speed, his feet thudded against the ground as he dashed toward the water’s edge. The moment he reached it, he set the girl down gently on the grass and collapsed beside her, his chest heaving with each breath—haa… haa… haa. His lungs burned, each breath feeling like fire.

The lake stretched out before them, its surface still and peaceful. The only sound now was the faint lap of water against the shore. The sunlight glittered across the water, casting soft ripples of gold in the fading daylight. The air here was calm, a stark contrast to the chaos they had just escaped.

Alex leaned back, placing his hands on his knees, his breath slowly returning to normal—haa…. He glanced over at the girl, who stared at him with wide eyes, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.

“You… you’re really strong. Who are you?,” she said between breaths, her voice shaky but amazed.

Alex chuckled weakly, still catching his own breath. “Yeah, I guess. My name is Alex, I don't know why I am here or where I should go, that's why I was searching for a town nearby, but then I foond you."

“My name is Alisa, I am from town nearby.” she muttered, “This place is called Elysian Forest, this is a dnagerous forest where many kinds of Magic beasts live in.”

Alex wiped the sweat from his brow, the back of his hand swishing across his face as he leaned back onto his elbows. 'Oh, I’ve been searching for a town for many days now, but I still couldn't find one. This place is just a massive forest, and the monsters here are huge. It’s clear that the forest is expansive, and maybe that’s why I haven’t stumbled upon any Towns or villages yet.'

He took a deep breath, gazing out over the shimmering lake. 'I thought I’d find signs of life sooner. Now I undesrstand with all this space, there would be no town or village nearby. I mean, if these monsters are so massive, they must scare away any normal people who might have lived here.'

“By the way, how old are you? You look taller than me,” the girl said, her eyes wide with surprise.

“My age is ten. What about you?” Alex replied.

“Huh! You're ten and this tall? Even I’m smaller than you,” she exclaimed, looking him up and down.

“Yeah, I don’t know why I’m this tall,” Alex admitted with a slight shrug.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Oh, my age is thirteen,” she said, a hint of disbelief still in her voice.

They both sat quietly for a while, listening to the faint whirr of the distant typhoon as it finally began to fade into the background, its echo growing softer. Their breathing slowed, the tension in their bodies gradually unwinding as the calmness of the lake surrounded them.

After a moment of silence, Alex asked, “Can you take me to your village?”

“Yeah, I can take you, but it’ll take a day for us to get there,” Alisa replied.

“Oh, then why are you out here alone in the forest, so far from the village?” Alex questioned.

“That’s because, while I was exploring the forest for some flowers near a lake, I got pulled underwater when a sudden explosion occurred. After that, I ended up here,” Alisa explained, shrugging her shoulders. “But don’t worry; I know where we are. I have this magic skill called ‘Sense.’ It’s a magic skill that helps me find my way back home.”

"Thank you for your help then."

“No problem. But I have a problem,” Alsia said, her expression turning serious.

“What is it?” Alex asked, concern flickering in his eyes.

“My leg is still hurting from the injury I got when I was flooded here. Can you carry me on your back, please?” she requested, her voice tinged with a mix of embarrassment and vulnerability.

“Okay, I can do that,” Alex said, her voice softening.

As Alex crouching down to make it easier for Alisa to climb onto his back. “Just hold on tight,” he instructed as she settled in, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

With Alisa securely on his back, Alex stood up and took a moment to gather his strength. “Okay, now tell me the directions.”

“Just head toward the clearing up ahead,” Alisa guided him. “We can avoid the den of those magic beasts if we stick to the path.”

They moved through the forest, the sunlight filtering through the trees, creating dappled patterns on the ground. Alex kept a steady pace, mindful of Alisa’s injury. As they walked, Alisa began to describe the beasts that roamed Elysian Forest.

“There are many types of magic beasts here,” she explained. “Some are friendly, but others can be quite dangerous. For instance, there’s the Thorned Bear. It has thick, bark-like skin, and its claws are sharper than any blade. They often hide among the trees, so we must be cautious.”

“Got it,” Alex replied, his senses heightened as he listened to her.

As they continued their journey, the atmosphere shifted. The sounds of the forest were replaced by an eerie silence, the air thick with tension. Suddenly, a rustling noise nearby caught Alex's attention. He stopped, his heart racing.

“Stay quiet,” he whispered to Alisa, who nodded silently.

From behind a cluster of bushes, a large creature emerged—a Thorned Bear. Its massive form was covered in jagged thorns, and its dark eyes glinted with curiosity. Alex could see the beast’s muscles ripple beneath its bark-like skin, a testament to its strength.

“Let’s back away slowly,” Alisa whispered, gripping Alex tightly.

They took a step back, careful not to make any sudden movements. The Thorned Bear sniffed the air, its gaze locked onto them. For a moment, Alex felt frozen, but then he recalled Alisa's warning.

“Let’s move,” he urged, gradually retreating.

Just as they turned to leave, the bear let out a low growl, its claws digging into the ground. Alex quickened his pace, his heart pounding as they navigated around the creature. They managed to slip away unnoticed, the bear losing interest as they moved deeper into the forest.

“Phew, that was close,” Alisa said, her voice trembling slightly.

“Yeah, but we need to be more careful. There could be more out there,” Alex replied, scanning their surroundings.

They continued on, sticking to the path as the sun began to dip lower in the sky. After a few hours of walking, they approached a dark cave nestled between two large boulders.

“Let’s take shelter in there for the night,” Alisa suggested. “It’ll be safer than staying out in the open.”

Alex nodded in agreement. They carefully entered the cave, its coolness enveloping them like a blanket. Once inside, they settled down on the rocky floor, Alex leaning against the wall while Alisa rested beside him.

As night fell, the sounds of the forest faded into a soothing silence. Alex felt his eyes growing heavy. He glanced over at Alisa, who was already drifting off to sleep, her expression peaceful. With a sigh, he closed his eyes, allowing the weariness of the day to wash over him.