Chapter 8 - The Path of Strength

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Fowad's lungs burned, each breath shallow and desperate as he ran through the tangled underbrush, his small fox beast running ahead, leading him through the dense forest.

The towering trees of the Sapling Forest loomed over him, casting deep shadows that shifted as he sprinted, every instinct screaming at him to keep going, to not look back.

Behind him, he could hear the heavy footsteps of the creature pursuing him a beast unlike any he'd encountered before.

It was an advanced level creature, and Fowad knew he had no hope of defeating it, not with his current skills, not with the fox beast, which was still only basic level.

His heart pounded as he pushed forward, branches scratching his arms, the ground uneven beneath his feet.

The fox growled, glancing back at him as if to urge him onward.

Its dark eyes gleamed with a fierce determination, mirroring Fowad's own desperation.

They were in this together, bound by a shared spirit and a single, unyielding desire: survival.

Ahead, Fowad spotted a massive tree, its thick branches reaching high into the sky.

He veered toward it, scrambling up its rough trunk, his hands gripping tightly as he climbed, each muscle straining.

He could feel the creature's presence below, hear its frustrated growl as it circled the base of the tree, its claws scratching against the bark.

He finally reached a sturdy branch high above and settled himself, his chest heaving.

The fox climbed up after him, its small body agile as it curled up beside him, keeping a watchful eye on the forest floor below.

Fowad watched as the creature, a hulking mass of fur and muscle, finally slunk away into the shadows, though he knew it would return.

The adrenaline began to fade, and exhaustion crept in.

Fowad leaned back against the tree, his hand resting on the small satchel that still held his family's spirit beast egg.

His thoughts drifted to his father's final words, the legacy that now rested solely on his shoulders.

'He cried' his hearts out for hours, his tears dried up. He think about the last conversation.

He had sworn to honor his father, to rebuild the Benit family's legacy but to do that, he needed strength, strength far beyond what he currently possessed.

The thought steeled his resolve. He would get stronger, no matter what it took.

As darkness settled over the forest, Fowad closed his eyes, the soft rustling of leaves lulling him into a restless sleep.

The fox beast curled up beside him, its warmth a small comfort in the cold night air.

He drifted off, his mind filled with visions of battles, of victories that felt as distant as the stars above.

Morning dawned slowly, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Fowad awoke, his body stiff and aching, but his mind sharp.

He had made up his mind: today, he would begin his training, and he would not stop until he was strong enough to face whatever threats lay in the Sapling Forest.

He slid down from the tree, landing softly on the forest floor.

The fox beast followed, trotting beside him, its eyes alert and its ears pricked, ready for anything.

They spent the morning searching the way he came in last night, for hours he was circling around the same spot.

He wanted to go and see his father, to bury him. But lost his ways. Then thinks father said survive no matter what.

He gives up on finds his father body...

Let's get stronger. Let's find opponent to fight.

something he could challenge, something he could learn from.

Eventually, they came across a small creature nestled between two bushes a rabbit like beast, its fur a light brown, its eyes sharp and wary.

Fowad could sense its strength; it was a basic-level beast, but it would be a worthy challenge for someone at his level.

He glanced at the fox beast, giving it a silent nod. The fox lowered itself, ready to pounce, its muscles tense with anticipation.

The rabbit beast moved first, darting forward with surprising speed.

Fowad barely had time to react, blocking its initial attack with his forearm, but the creature was relentless, its movements swift and precise.

Fowad swung his fist, but the rabbit dodged, its small body twisting as it launched another attack, landing a sharp kick to Fowad's side that knocked him backward.

He gritted his teeth, frustration rising as he struggled to keep up with the rabbit's movements.

The fox beast lunged at it, snapping its jaws, but the rabbit sidestepped, delivering a swift blow to the fox's side that sent it sprawling.

After several rounds, Fowad found himself panting, his energy drained.

The rabbit beast, though small, was quick and relentless, each move a calculated strike. Defeated but undeterred, Fowad retreated, his mind racing with ideas.

He needed a plan, a strategy to overcome the rabbit's agility.

He spent the next hour pacing, reviewing the fight in his mind, analyzing the rabbit's movements.

If he wanted to win, he needed to outthink his opponent, to anticipate its moves.

As noon approached, he returned to the spot where the rabbit beast waited, its eyes gleaming with the same fierce determination.

This time, he tried a new approach. He and the fox beast moved in tandem, their movements synchronized.

Fowad lunged forward, feinting left, drawing the rabbit's attention, while the fox circled around, aiming for the rabbit's unguarded side.

But again, the rabbit dodged, landing a blow to Fowad's leg that sent him stumbling.

Fowad's frustration grew, but he refused to give up.

He spent the afternoon refining his strategy, thinking through every move, every possible counter.

As evening approached, he returned for a final attempt, his mind focused, his spirit unyielding.

This time, he and the fox moved with perfect coordination, their attacks weaving together in a seamless pattern.

Fowad anticipated the rabbit's dodge, redirecting his attack at the last moment, while the fox lunged, its jaws snapping shut around the rabbit's leg.

The creature struggled, but Fowad moved quickly, delivering a decisive blow that finally subdued it.

He knelt beside the fallen creature, his breath coming in heavy gasps, a sense of triumph surging through him.

He had done it he had won, not through brute strength but through strategy, through patience and adaptability.

His bond with the fox beast felt stronger, their spirits more in sync, as though the battle had deepened their connection.

Emboldened by his victory, Fowad spent the evening seeking out more opponents.

He encountered two more basic-level beasts, each one presenting a new challenge, a new test of his skill.

He fought with renewed vigor, adapting his techniques, learning from each encounter, his confidence growing with every victory.

By the time night fell, he was exhausted, his body bruised and aching, but his spirit felt stronger than ever.

He returned to the same tree, climbing up to the branch he had used the night before.

As he settled in, the fox curled up beside him, he felt a new sense of purpose, a determination that burned within him.

He closed his eyes, drifting into a deep sleep, the weight of his father's legacy now feeling lighter, more within reach.

Morning arrived, bright and clear, and Fowad wasted no time in resuming his training.

He set out once again, his movements sharper, his senses more attuned to the forest around him.

As he walked, he encountered a group of small squirrel-like beasts, their eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint.

He squared his shoulders, the fox at his side, and engaged the creatures in battle.

They were quick, their movements erratic, darting from side to side, but Fowad remained focused, his strikes precise.

Each fight sharpened his skills, each victory bringing him closer to the strength he sought.

By noon, he felt a newfound confidence, a clarity of purpose that propelled him forward.

He had survived, he had adapted, and he had grown. But there was still more to learn, more to conquer.

As evening approached, his stomach growled, reminding him that he had not eaten since morning.

He began his search for food, his eyes scanning the forest floor.

Soon, he spotted a wild boar, its body stocky and muscular, grazing in a small clearing.

Fowad grinned, crouching low as he prepared to strike, but before he could move, he noticed another creature nearby a small,

A sleek cheetah like beast, its fur marked with dark spots, its eyes locked onto the boar with the same hungry determination.

For a moment, the two predators regarded each other, each sizing up the competition.

Then, with a sudden burst of movement, Fowad lunged at the boar, his movements swift and calculated.

The boar struggled, but Fowad managed to subdue it, his strength bolstered by the skills he had honed over the past two days.

But before he could celebrate his victory, the cheetah beast turned its attention to him, a low growl rumbling in its throat.

It was only a basic level creature, but its speed and agility were far beyond anything he had encountered before.

The cheetah lunged, its movements a blur as it struck, its claws grazing Fowad's arm.

He staggered back, the pain sharp and immediate, but he didn't hesitate.

He had learned the importance of adaptability, of using every advantage at his disposal.

He drew a makeshift knife he had created from the bone of the rabbit he had defeated earlier, gripping it tightly as he faced the cheetah.

The creature circled him, its gaze cold and calculating, and Fowad knew he had to strike first.

With a swift, practiced motion, he injured the baby cheetah. It was hurt. It growl's in pain.

A loud sound was make by his voice...

The baby cheetahs mother lighting Chettha comes out from the trees. Seeing it's baby injured, her was locked on Fowad...

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