Boom!
Zane once again heard loud explosions from behind. He could only imagine what kind of monsters were chasing him. He doesn't even want to look behind him, he simply kept running and running, even deeper in the forest. For some reason he didn't meet a single monster, as he kept running deep in the forest.
Maybe because, all of them went to the spot where Zane had been before? Thinking he was still there? In any case, he was just glad that there were no monsters to attack him, as he kept running even deeper in the forest. Honestly, he doesn't even know where to run at all.
He just ran and ran, away from all the monsters that were after him. Perhaphs, Velrath's destructive magic spells had attracted all the monsters that lurked within this forest, maybe thats really why he never met a single a monster.
As Zane was running, looking in front of him, at a very far distance, he could see a lake. A beautiful, glowing lake, as if fairies lived in it. Which confused Zane, because... such a lake never existed in Dreadwood Forest. Zane slowed down his pace, looking at the lake at a far distance, with awe in his eyes.
...It was beautiful.
Zane was confused, he had never heard of such a lake, in Dreadwood Forest before. Maybe people had seen it, but never really mentioned it because it didn't look as magical as it is at night time? He went back to his usual pace, despite being so tired already. His legs were turning numb, he was also out of breath already. It felt like he could collapse any moment soon.
As Zane got closer to the mysterious lake, he felt even more amazed by how beautiful it was. He looked around him for a moment, making sure there were no monsters nearby. Seeing that no monsters were after him, he stopped running, and started walking, heading to the lake before him.
Considering that there were no monsters in sight, Velrath probably manage to hold on, on all the monsters that went after him. He had never been so glad to have a demon king by his side before.
As Zane finally got near the lake, he could see small glowing particles all around him. It felt like, he was in another dimension. He looked around him for a while, admiring the unusual view around him. He then looked towards the lake, the lake was glowing in ethereal blue.
'Unreal... I have read many books about Dreadwood Forest before, but, I have never heard of such a lake being in this forest.'
Curious, he went even closer to the lake, he then slowly crouched and touched the water of the lake. It was cold, and it felt good... he put both of his hand in the water, he then take out a water out of the lake, using both of his hands, he then used the water to wash his face.
He doesn't know why, but for some reason. He felt like his body was recovering at a rapid state, he could feel a sudden burst of energy going inside of him, he could feel the pain in his body going away as well.
"No way, is the water of the lake healing me?"
This made Zane feel even more confused. From the moment he started running, he never saw any monsters on his way, he was also not running in one way, infact, he was running all around the forest, just trying to escape from the hundreds of monsters chasing him. Could it be that someone was leading him to the lake?
As the thought entered in Zane's mind, he felt somehow, terrified. Well, not really. Considering that the one that led him in the lake protected him from the monsters that were coming after him, he probably doesn't want to kill him. But still, who could've led him all the way here?
"You catch on pretty quick, Zane Thaleward."
Startled by the unfamilliar voice in front of him, he tried to take a step back, making him stumble on the ground. Panicking, he looked from left to right, until he saw a figure in front of him. A figure that made him breathless for seconds.
"N-no way! You—you're!"
In front of Zane stood a massive wolf-like creature, far larger than a dire wolf, with three long, swaying tails. Its sharp claws dug into the ground, and its glowing eyes locked onto him, radiating a fierce and wild energy.
Zane stared at the wolf-like creature with a dumbfounded expression. He could barely let out a word, as the massive wolf-like creature looked at him on the ground.
"You're Sylvaris, the Protector of Nature!"
'Sylvaris was the one who led me here?! But why?'
A smile arose from the massive wolf-like creature's gentle face.
"We finally met again, Zane Thaleward."
Hearing Sylvaris' statement, a hint of confusion appeared on Zane's face.
"S-sorry, but I don't think we have ever met before."
Sylvaris paused for a moment, his expression unchanging, a gentle smile could still be seen on her face.
"Oh? Is that so? Well, forgive me for my mistake."
She paused for a while, before continuing speaking. She then said with a casual tone.
"Nevermind that, I have something to give you Zane. Something really... special."
Zane stared at Sylvaris, even more confused. From the moment she appeared, Zane's mind had been in shambles, he couldn't think right at all. Meeting a deity so suddenly, was just too shocking for him. And it wants to give him something?!
"Something special? Wait hold on, I don't understand. Why would you want to give me something special?"
Sylvaris paused for a while, the smile on her face was slowly fading, exchange with a serious expression. She then said.
"...Because, you are going to need it soon, Zane."
Zane stared at her for a moment, his expression full of confusion. Honestly, he don't even know what to say, or how to respond to such words.
'Need it? What does she mean?'
Shooking his head, he slowly rose up from the ground. He then responded, his voice slightly trembling.
"Sorry, but. I don't understand, this is all too sudden for me."
Sylvaris' gentle smile, slowly went back on her face. She looked towards the lake, then, suddenly, a ripple can be seen on the lake.