The Outergod's Avatar-Chapter 55: The Return Party (2)

They had gotten even more quiet as they moved deeper through the forest. Apparently, Sophia and her wolf, Nyx, were also masters of stealth. Their steps made no sound, and even the rustling of leaves seemed to pause for them.

To Izikel, it almost felt like he was floating through the air, carried gently on the back of the great wolf. Nyx’s movements were so smooth and calculated that Izikel could barely feel the ground slipping by beneath them.

But he also noticed something else—they were slower now. Much slower. Every step was deliberate, each one placed with precision. Sophia wasn’t taking any chances. She didn’t speak, and she hardly even turned her head as she led them, her eyes scanning the trees for danger.

The forest stretched endlessly ahead, the trees tall and shadowed, their thick canopies blocking out much of the moonlight. It was starting to feel like they had been walking for hours. Time had no meaning here. The silence of the forest was deep, oppressive—so much so that the only sounds they could hear were their own controlled breathing and the faint heartbeat in their ears.

And the longer they moved, the slower they got.

Sophia had become even more cautious, and so had Nyx. The two of them moved like shadows, perfectly in sync, never speaking, never even needing to look at each other.

’They probably have some mental connection’ Izikel thought. It was the only explanation that made sense. The two were connected in some way beyond the physical. There was no other way to explain how effortlessly they moved together.

"The other side isn’t too far now, just a bit further," Sophia said suddenly. Her voice was soft and reassuring, but Izikel noticed the subtle shift in her expression. Her calm was strained—something was wrong.

"What’s wrong?" he asked immediately, already bracing himself for the answer.

She hesitated for a second too long.

"We’re being tracked," she said.

"Tracked? By who?" Izikel’s eyes darted around the trees.

"Not who," she replied grimly.

The moment she said it, a twig snapped behind them.

Like a trigger had been pulled, Nyx and Sophia broke into a sprint.

There were no words exchanged. They didn’t need them. They simply ran.

"You both hold on tight," Sophia ordered as she matched Nyx’s stride, her spear held firmly in one hand as they weaved between the trees.

Izikel risked a glance over his shoulder—but he saw nothing. It was as if they were being chased by the forest itself.

But then, out of the darkness, a massive mouth filled with thousands of jagged teeth burst out from the shadows. Its jaws snapped shut just inches from Izikel, missing by a hair’s breadth.

The beast crashed into a tree with a thunderous thud but somehow recovered only losing a little momentum. It was back on their trail in an instant, moving with a terrifying urgency—like it had tasted blood and wasn’t about to let its prey go.

Izikel’s heart was in his throat, but now he could finally see their pursuer. It was none other than the Horned Beast. Its enormous, obsidian horn gleamed in the faint moonlight as it tore through the forest.

’I didn’t even notice it was there until it was beside us’ Izikel realized, shaken.

’This monster is also a master of stealth... and its power, its speed—everything about it was monstrous. Its body was massive and thick, almost impenetrable. It really lived up to its name... Divine Beast’

It was a creature that should not have been able to move that fast. A tank moving like a phantom. Yet here it was, weaving past trees with uncanny grace, gaining on them step by step.

Nyx ran as fast as he could, his muscles moving like a blur. Sophia kept pace, her eyes sharp, her expression unreadable. But the beast didn’t relent—it pushed forward, inching closer and closer.

Then, just when it seemed like there was no hope left, Izikel saw it.

The end of the forest.

The trees were thinning, and just beyond them lay the Wildland—a vast open space they could escape into.

"We’re almost there!" Sophia yelled, her voice filled with urgency.

’Just a little more... just a few more seconds...’

Nyx leapt through the last line of trees, breaking into the open terrain of the Wildland. They had made it out.

But after a few seconds, so did the Horned Beast.

It didn’t slow down. If anything, it got faster.

’WHAT THE HELL?!’ Izikel’s mind screamed.

Then it occurred to Izikel, who ever said that the beast would be unable to leave the forest. Infact it seemed like it gained speed now that it wasn’t dodging trees.

They were literally inches from the mouth of death.

"Shit," Sophia cursed.

At first, Izikel thought she was reacting to the same thing. But then he noticed it—steam. Steam was rising from the Wolf’s body.

He turned his head. The first light of dawn was spilling across the sky.

He remembered what Sophia said, that Nyx could only move freely at night.

’No...’ Izikel clenched his jaw. ’Is Nyx going to disappear?’

It couldn’t be worse timing.

The village was still far away—too far. They weren’t going to make it.

"We’ll have to change strategies," Sophia said, her tone decisive.

Nyx came to a sudden stop, dropping down low to let the children climb off. His eyes, usually calm, were narrowed with fierce resolve.

Izikel didn’t need to hear it. He already knew what Sophia was going to say.

"You two will have to continue while Nyx and I hold him off," she said.

"Sophia, last time you only survived by luck," Izikel protested.

"I didn’t have Nyx last time," she said, trying to force a smile. "And that makes all the difference."

"Even if that’s true, he won’t be around for long," Izikel said, his voice rising.

The steam rising from Nyx had grown more intense.

"I can’t leave," Izikel said firmly. "I’m tired of running... tired of leaving people behind to die."

"But Lord Izikel—"

"There’s no point. Even if we run, how far do you think our little legs would carry us? It’ll catch you and come for us next... It’s hopeless."

Lyzah didn’t speak, but the way she stood silently beside Izikel said everything. She agreed. Why waste strength trying to delay the inevitable?

Sophia looked between them, her shoulders heavy with despair.

"Fine... You deserve to choose your own death," she said, her voice hollow.

The Horned Beast was almost upon them.

"Lord Izikel," Sophia whispered bitterly, "I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you."

She turned to face the monster, spear in hand, resolve hardening like steel in her eyes.

And then she stepped forward.

Ready to make her final stand.