Not far from where Xarther stood, amidst the dense undergrowth, a male fox-faun was visible. His bushy, reddish-brown tail swished with agility, and the pointed ears atop his head twitched occasionally, catching the sounds of the forest. A sly grin played on his handsome features as he observed a small group of test-takers resting near a fallen tree. His plan was simple yet amusing: use his thick, bushy tail as a distraction while his nimble fingers pilfered a few supply packs.
The heist went smoothly. With theatrical flair, he feigned surprise at something in the canopy, his tail blossoming into a large, attention-grabbing plume. While the others' gazes were directed upwards, his hands swiftly and silently snatched several food and drink pouches. Securing his loot, he darted away with a fox's speed, leaving behind a chorus of confusion and curses.
During his lighthearted escape, his bright brown eyes caught the solitary figure of Xarther near the misty valley. Xarther's aloof aura and cold gaze sparked an idea. Now there's one. Doesn't look like the type to ask questions or get involved in other people's messes. Perfect for a temporary shield.
With quick steps, the fox-faun hurried towards Xarther, bumping his shoulder with feigned clumsiness and ducking behind his sturdy frame.
"Hey, you! That little fox stole our supplies!" yelled several pursuers, their breaths ragged from running. They pointed at the fox-faun now concealed behind Xarther.
Xarther, who had been oblivious to the commotion, turned his flat gaze towards the angry group. He had no interest in getting involved.
One of the pursuers, a burly human with a flushed face, sneered at Xarther. "Hey, red-eyed brat! Don't protect that thief! Or do you want a beating too?"
Xarther's red eyes narrowed slightly. The threat and condescending tone inexplicably triggered a reaction. Without a word, he moved swiftly. In the blink of an eye, two of the pursuers were sprawled on the ground, clutching their jaws and stomachs with groans of pain. The third, appearing more cautious, recoiled in shock at Xarther's speed and power.
The fox-faun behind Xarther watched the scene with wide, awestruck eyes. The sly grin on his face morphed into an expression of admiration and impressiveness.
Once the defeated pursuers had grumbled and retreated, the fox-faun enthusiastically patted Xarther's back. "Wow! You were amazing, Boss! They scattered like startled rabbits! From now on, I'm calling you Boss! Thanks for having my back!"
Xarther only glanced briefly at the fox-faun, his gaze cold and expressionless. "I wasn't protecting you. I just don't like being threatened." With that, he turned away, resuming his journey as if nothing had happened.
The fox-faun, undeterred by the dismissal, continued to follow Xarther with a wide smile. "No problem, Boss! What matters is you saved me! So, where are you headed, Boss? Maybe I can help!"
Xarther sighed softly, not breaking his stride. "Stay away from me."
"Come on, Boss! We could be a great team! You're strong and cool, I'm fast and cunning! We'll dominate this trial!" the fox-faun persisted cheerfully.
Xarther paused briefly, then turned again with a sharp look. "My name is Xarther. And I don't need a team."
"Okay, Xarther Boss! But I'm sticking with you! You know, for… your safety!" The fox-faun grinned broadly, his tail wagging merrily behind him, clearly unaffected by Xarther's rejection.
Xarther sighed softly, sensing the fox-faun's continued presence behind him. Arguing felt draining and inefficient, energy better spent elsewhere. Besides, the little creature might prove useful in an unexpected situation within this survival trial. So, with his characteristic silence, Xarther allowed the fox-faun to follow.
As dusk began to settle, casting long shadows from the trees, Xarther's survival instincts urged him to find secure shelter for the night and the remainder of the trial. He discovered a hollow beneath the roots of a giant, fallen tree, offering decent protection from the wind and prying eyes. The fox-faun cheerfully trailed behind, chattering incessantly about various topics – the art of supply theft, the tastiest types of forest berries, and his unwavering admiration for "Boss" Xarther.
Xarther offered curt responses, more often simply ignoring the cheerful banter. He lay down on a bed of dried leaves, attempting to rest his weary body still aching from the encounter with the Grimscale Behemoth. The fox-faun curled up nearby, continuing his one-sided conversation as if Xarther were his most attentive confidant.
Before Xarther could truly drift off, his keen ears picked up the distant howl of a wild beast, a sound laced with desperation and fear. Moments later, the hurried sounds of footsteps and snapping twigs grew closer. Suddenly, a girl stumbled out from the underbrush, gasping for breath. Her hair, the pale blue of ice, was tangled and disheveled, and her clothes were torn and stained with dirt and blood. Small cuts and bruises marred her pale skin. Just as she lurched past the foliage, her glazed eyes met Xarther's for a fleeting moment before fluttering shut, and her body collapsed unconscious onto the ground.
Behind the fallen girl, three grotesque figures emerged. The first stood nearly two meters tall, with a bulky, jet-black furred body and long, snarling fangs. The second appeared more agile, with dark purple scales and wickedly sharp, glinting claws. The third was a bizarre creature resembling a giant, thorny vine with glowing red eyes. They were clearly in pursuit of the blue-haired girl.
Without hesitation, Xarther's fighting instincts reignited. He rose swiftly, his red eyes locking onto the three monsters. The fox-faun beside him also tensed, his bushy tail bristling and a low growl rumbling in his throat.
Despite his aversion to cooperation, Xarther recognized the urgency of the situation. The girl was defenseless, and the monsters were closing in. Without a word, he lunged forward, attacking the closest black-furred beast. At the same instant, he sensed a rapid movement beside him. The fox-faun, with surprising agility, leaped towards the scaled purple monster, attempting to harass it with quick bites and unpredictable movements. The blue-haired girl lay still, a vulnerable presence in the face of the looming threat. The fight for survival in the trial forest had just become more complicated, now involving an unconscious girl who had inexplicably stumbled into their path.
A fierce battle erupted beneath the emerging moonlight filtering through the canopy. Xarther moved with surprising speed and power, his fists slamming into the black-furred monster, staggering the creature. However, the beast retaliated fiercely, its fangs snapping and sharp claws tearing at Xarther.
On the other side, the fox-faun darted and weaved with cunning against the scaled purple monster. He leaped around his larger opponent, his quick nips and erratic movements frustrating the beast. Yet, the monster's sharp claws swiped dangerously close several times, forcing the fox-faun to remain in constant motion.
The vine-like monster lashed out with its sharp thorns, which shot through the air like deadly projectiles. Xarther had to move swiftly to evade them while maintaining focus on his immediate opponent. The fox-faun also had to retreat several times to avoid the constricting vines.
Despite his solitary nature, Xarther instinctively registered the fox-faun's movements. He noted the creature's agility and how it managed to avoid fatal blows. Similarly, the fox-faun admired Xarther's strength and precise attacks.
An idea sparked in Xarther's mind. As the black-furred monster lunged at him, Xarther deliberately sidestepped, guiding the creature towards the fox-faun's fight. The fox-faun, understanding Xarther's unspoken intention, swiftly leaped onto the back of the scaled purple monster, using its body as a springboard to launch himself towards the now unbalanced black-furred beast. With sharp teeth, he latched onto the black-furred monster's throat just as Xarther's fist connected with its face. The black-furred monster collapsed with a muffled roar.
However, victory came at a cost. The vine-like monster, witnessing its two companions fall, became even more enraged. Its thorns shot out faster and in greater numbers. Xarther shielded the unconscious girl's body with his own while trying to evade the barrage. The fox-faun, despite his agility, was struck by several thorns, wincing in pain.
Seeing Xarther struggling to protect the girl, the fox-faun bravely leaped towards the vine monster. He continued to circle the creature, drawing its attention with rapid movements while occasionally biting and clawing at the seemingly softer lower sections of its plant-like body. This provided Xarther with an opening to move closer.
With a powerful leap, Xarther reached the core of the vine monster, where its glowing red eyes were located. Without hesitation, he plunged the sharp rock he always carried into one of its eyes. The creature shrieked in horrifying agony, its thorns flailing wildly before its body finally went limp and crashed to the ground.
Both Xarther and the fox-faun were panting heavily, their bodies bearing cuts and bruises. Xarther stared at the three now lifeless monsters. Beside him, the fox-faun licked his wounds, a grin spreading across his face. Despite the difficulty, their unlikely cooperation had secured victory. The blue-haired girl remained unconscious nearby, safe from the immediate threat.
After the exhausting fight, the fox-faun, whose name was Faun, sprang up with surprising energy despite the thorn scratches marring his fur. His bright brown eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "Don't worry, Boss! I know some plants in this forest that can heal wounds quickly!" he chirped, then with a nimble flick of his reddish-brown tail, he disappeared into the trees.
Xarther merely watched Faun's departure with a flat gaze. He turned his attention back to the blue-haired girl still lying unconscious. Her face was pale, and the small cuts on her skin were clearly visible. Xarther had no intention of tending to her, yet he couldn't bring himself to abandon her in this dangerous forest.
Moments later, Faun returned, carrying a handful of green leaves and several strange-looking roots. With practiced movements, he chewed the leaves and mixed them with the sap from the roots, creating a green paste. A strong herbal scent filled the air.
"Here you go, Boss!" Faun offered the green paste to Xarther. "The best healing poultice in these woods! Just rub it on her wounds, and she'll be right as rain in no time!"
Xarther remained silent, staring at the green paste in Faun's hand with a blank expression. He had never done anything like this before. Caring for others was not a skill he possessed.
Seeing Xarther's reluctance, Faun offered a convincing reason. "Come on, Boss! She's badly hurt. We can't just leave her. Besides, if she recovers, maybe she can help us later. This is a survival trial, Boss! The more allies, the better!"
Xarther sighed softly, a barely audible exhalation. He reluctantly took the green paste from Faun's hand. Then, with awkward movements and an impassive face, he began to apply the poultice to the blue-haired girl's wounds. He did so carefully, though his features betrayed no emotion. While Xarther worked, Faun chattered on about the poultice's properties and his past experiences with herbal remedies.
Slowly, the blue-haired girl's eyelids fluttered open. The moonlight filtering through the leaves was her initial focus. Her gaze then shifted, finding Xarther sitting nearby, his expression as impassive as ever. No words of thanks were uttered, but a clear sense of dependence flickered in her pale eyes, as if Xarther were the only safe point in her current nightmare.
Moments later, the girl attempted to sit up with a groan. Faun, who had been observing her with curiosity and a touch of concern, immediately approached.
"Hey, you're awake!" Faun greeted gently, his usual cheerfulness slightly subdued. "My name's Faun, and this is… Boss," he added brightly, gesturing towards Xarther with his chin. "Who are you? And how did you end up being chased by those nasty monsters?"
Lyra stared at Faun for a brief moment, her gaze unfocused, trying to piece together her surroundings. Then, her attention drifted back to Xarther. There was something in the quiet intensity of the red-eyed boy that drew her gaze, a cold yet somehow protective aura. She continued to look at him, seeking answers or solace without uttering a word. After a short silence, her voice raspy and soft, she finally answered Faun's question. "Lyra." It was barely a whisper.
Xarther rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the darkness of the forest ahead. He had no intention of waiting or caring for them. His objective was the gathering point.
"I'm leaving," Xarther stated curtly, starting to walk without looking back.
Faun quickly caught up to Xarther, slinging an arm around his shoulder in a friendly manner. "Wait up, Boss! I'm coming too! We're a great team, remember? You know, strength and agility! We'll conquer this trial together!" Faun's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, masking a fleeting worry he had felt seeing Lyra's pale complexion.
Lyra, with weak yet determined steps, also rose and followed Xarther. She said nothing, her pale eyes fixed on his retreating back, a silent shadow in his wake. An primal instinct within her urged her to stay close to the one who had protected her, the only semblance of safety in this strange and dangerous forest.
Xarther sighed inwardly, sensing the two figures behind him. He could tell them to leave, but the energy required for argument felt wasteful. Besides, having followers might have its uses, if only as distractions should other dangers arise. So, with his characteristic silence, he allowed them both to trail behind him towards the edge of the forest, the designated gathering point for the next phase of the trial. Faun continued to chatter beside him about potential challenges at the meeting point, while Lyra trailed silently, creating an unlikely trio moving towards a common goal under the watchful eyes of the moon and the ancient trees.
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Faun brown-furred fox-man with a handsome yet sly face, pointed ears, sharp yellow eyes, and a bushy tail. Fine brown fur on his cheeks and neck adds to his agile, fox-like appearance.
Lyra The girl had icy blue hair that was cool and shimmering. Her face possessed a certain sharpness in some features, yet she was undeniably beautiful and captivating overall.