The Invincible Young Master

Returning to the cave, Spark quickly settled near the dying bonfire, his body tense and his movements brisk as he hastily devoured the few fruits he had saved from the day before.

As he ate, the small gecko, Chaos, sidled closer, its curious eyes locked onto the fruits in Spark's hand. The little creature's gaze was intense, its head tilting slightly as it watched every bite.

"You want to eat too?" Spark asked, raising an eyebrow at the gecko. "But you just had your fill outside."

Chaos responded with a soft purr, "Chao~," its eyes never leaving the fruit.

"Huh? You want what I'm eating?" Spark sighed, shaking his head. "You're hard to please, you know that?"

Spark tore off a piece of fruit with a resigned smile and held it out to Chaos. The gecko eagerly accepted, nuzzling Spark's hand affectionately before devouring the offering.

After feeding the gecko, Spark continued eating, his pace just as hurried. Amelia observed in silence, her curiosity deepening.

"Why the rush?" she finally asked.

Spark paused mid-bite, tilting his head slightly as if surprised by her question. A look of mild confusion crossed his face before he responded calmly,

"Because we're leaving," he said as if their departure was the most natural thing in the world.

"Leaving the forest?" Amelia repeated, frowning in confusion. The thought of leaving the Abyssal Forest had never even occurred to her. The forest was notorious—a place where few dared to enter and none ever returned. The idea of escaping seemed nearly impossible.

Spark's lips curled into a playful grin, and he gasped in mock surprise. "Don't tell me you want us to stay here forever?"

She shot him a sideways glance, unimpressed by his attempt at humor.

"And how exactly do you plan on leaving? Do you know the way?" Her voice held a trace of skepticism. After all, everyone knew that the Abyssal Forest was uncharted territory—a place no one had ever escaped, let alone mapped out.

Spark paused again, his expression turning exaggeratedly thoughtful as if he were deeply contemplating her question.

"I suppose we start by taking a few steps and see where that leads us," he replied with a shrug, his optimism almost childlike.

Amelia sighed, shaking her head at his carefree attitude.

"You make it sound so easy," she muttered, though she couldn't help but feel a tiny flicker of hope at the confidence in his voice.

Spark finished the last of his fruit and stood up, stretching lazily.

"Besides," he added, gesturing to the small gecko. "we have Chaos to guide us."

At the sound of its name, the little gecko stirred, blinking sleepily at their chatter.

Spark reached down and stroked Chaos's back, and the gecko responded with a contented chirp, nudging Spark's hand affectionately.

As they stepped out of the cave, the dense, swirling miasma greeted them with an ominous presence. The thick fog seemed almost alive, coiling around them like a serpent. Yet Spark didn't hesitate.

He snapped his fingers, and Chaos responded instantly. The small gecko, perched on his shoulder, began to shimmer, its dark scales reflecting the dim light filtering through the forest canopy.

Within moments, Chaos expanded, transforming into the massive, imposing creature Amelia had seen before.

The ground trembled as the beast stretched to its full height, towering over the twisted trees that surrounded them.

With ease, Spark climbed onto Chaos's broad back. Once settled, he glanced down at Amelia, gesturing for her to join him. She approached cautiously, her heart pounding as she placed one foot on the creature's side to hoist herself up.

But as soon as she began to climb, Chaos shifted, its body vibrating with a low growl of displeasure.

Amelia froze, sensing the beast's unease. Its large, predatory eyes locked onto her, and she could feel the tension in its movements as if it were deciding whether to allow her onto its back. Just as she considered stepping back, Spark's voice cut through the tension. .net

"Chaos," Spark said firmly, his tone calm but commanding, "behave. She's with us."

Chaos paused, the growl fading into a soft rumble, though its displeasure was still evident in its narrowed eyes. Nonetheless, it relented, allowing Amelia to continue her climb.

She carefully made her way onto the beast's back, settling in behind Spark. As soon as she was secure, Chaos snorted, as if making its discontent known one last time.

"He is a proud Guy," Spark explained, glancing over his shoulder at Amelia. "He doesn't like just anyone riding him, but he'll cooperate. Don't take it personally."

Amelia nodded, still wary of the powerful creature beneath her. Despite its earlier resistance, Chaos remained still, awaiting Spark's command.

With a gentle pat on its side, Spark urged the beast forward.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Chaos began to move, its massive limbs propelling it through the forest with astonishing speed.

The air around them blurred as they surged ahead, the dense miasma parting before them as if afraid to touch the mighty creature.

Whenever the poisonous fog threatened to envelop them, Chaos absorbed it, devouring the miasma before it could reach Spark or Amelia. The creature itself was a living shield, protecting them from the forest's lethal environment.

Amelia clung tightly to Chaos's back, her eyes wide as the scenery rushed past. The twisted trees, their branches gnarled and blackened from the miasma's influence, whipped by in a blur.

She had no idea if they were heading in the right direction—or if there even was a right direction in this cursed forest. The lack of landmarks, the omnipresent darkness, and the thick miasma made it impossible to discern east from west. Only occasional, faint rays of light pierced the oppressive gloom, offering little guidance.

Despite the turmoil around them, Spark seemed utterly at ease. He sat calmly, one hand resting on Chaos's neck, the other casually holding the remaining fruits.

The golden light from his hair flickered in the dimness, giving him an almost ethereal glow. Every so often, he glanced back at Amelia, a small, smile playing on his lips.

"Relax," he called out over the wind that rushed past them. "Chaos knows what he's doing."

Amelia nodded, though she couldn't shake the unease that settled in her chest. This forest, with its endless miasma and lurking dangers, was a place where survival seemed impossible. Yet here she was, riding atop a monstrous beast that defied everything she knew about life and death.

The sense of directionless movement only heightened her anxiety. How could they possibly find their way out of such a place?

As they continued to tear through the forest, the ground shook with each of Chaos's massive steps. The sound of breaking bones and splintering wood echoed through the air as the beast crushed mutated creatures underfoot without hesitation.

Amelia caught glimpses of these twisted beasts—grotesque and misshapen, products of the forest's dark energy—but they were no match for Chaos's overwhelming power.

Amelia's heart pounded as she gripped tightly, the massive creature charging ahead without hesitation. Despite the dangers around them, Spark remained calm, his steady presence reassuring her. Even in the middle of this dark, dangerous forest, he seemed confident and sure of their path.