Chapter 58 Highbeasts

Two small silhouettes emerged in the dim light of the night, deep within the Izulte Forest, located in the island kingdom of Ednia.

They were two children barely seven years old.

The little boy Louis wore a hood that covered his brown hair, and a simple peasant outfit he trembled slightly, his eyes scanning the darkness with unease. Beside him, Lucia, a girl with orange hair tied in a ponytail wore a mini-skirt and a worn but colorful top.

 "L-Lucia, we were supposed to be back before dawn. It's already dark!" Louis murmured, his voice trembling.

Lucia crouched a few steps away, was busy picking fruit.Unlike her friend, she seemed completely unfazed. Turning back with a mocking smile, she replied:

 "Oh, Louis stop being such a scaredy-cat! Besides I didn't force you to come. You decided to come along with me yourself ."

Louis stammered in response:

 "B-but how could I let you go alone when there are wild animals out here?"

In their village, a strict curfew had been enforced to protect the inhabitants from nocturnal beast attacks.

However, the shortage of fruit and supplies caused by those very creatures had pushed Lucia to defy the rules.

Determined, she had ventured into the forest in the dead of night to gather food for her family Louis, despite his fear, couldn't bring himself to let her go alone.

Now, Lucia slid the last fruit into her bag before standing up.

 "There, I'm done! We can go back now, Mister Scaredy-Cat," she said triumphantly.

Louis didn't have time to reply. A piercing roar ripped through the air, reverberating like a thunderclap:

 "WROOOARRR!!!"

The boy flinched violently, his eyes wide with terror.

 "W-what is that?!" he stammered.

Curiosity sparked despite her fear, Lucia cautiously approached a small hill overlooking a clearing. Peering over, she spotted two colossal creatures locked in a fierce battle. On one side was a massive saber-toothed tiger, its golden fur glowing under the moonlight. Opposing it was a gigantic gorilla with immaculate white fur. These two Highbeasts, as scholars called them, were engaged in a brutal struggle for dominance.

Fascinated and terrified, Lucia whispered to herself:

 "What… is this?"

But before she could process the sight, the two beasts stopped fighting abruptly. As if sensing a presence they simultaneously lifted their gazes toward the hill. Their piercing eyes locked onto Lucia.

 "O-Oh no…" she breathed, stepping back.

Without warning, the monsters began ascending the hill with terrifying speed.

 "Louis run!" Lucia shouted, grabbing her friend's arm.

The two children dashed through the forest, Lucia's fruit bag bouncing at her side. Behind them the Highbeasts' roars drew closer with every passing second.

Branches scratched their faces, and roots tangled beneath their feet, but fear drove them onward.

Suddenly, Lucia tripped over a root and fell to the ground, dragging Louis down with her. The saber-toothed tiger, its menacing fangs bared, was just meters away.

Lucia's face was etched with despair and fear. She whispered, her voice trembling:

"I-I'm so sorry, Louis… You were right. I… I shouldn't have…"

As the tiger lunged, its gleaming fangs ready to strike, a metallic flash sliced through the air. A resounding impact made the predator stagger, letting out a roar of pain.

Lucia opened her eyes, surprised she hadn't felt the fatal blow. Standing before her was a tall man with a commanding presence. His gray hair fluttered in the breeze, and his partially bloodied armor gleamed under the moonlight.

 "You're safe now. Stay behind me," declared Gilbert, his voice calm and protective.

From the shadows behind him, three other figures emerged: Raelia, Nilyna, Kaylen, and Jonady.

All had their weapons drawn, ready to face the monstrous beasts.

 "So, those are…" Jonady began, eyeing the creatures.

Kaylen finished his sentence in a grave tone his gaze unwavering as he watched those beasts:

 "Yes, Highbeasts."

"Stay behind," Raelia ordered her sword shimmering as she positioned herself in front of the children.

Gilbert clad in his armor stated firmly:

"We can't let them escape."

Nilyna dressed in servant's attire and armed with a dagger, moved to the rear her sharp eyes tracking the beasts' every movement.

Raelia standing beside Nilyna with her sword raised, advanced cautiously her gaze fixed on the white gorilla.

Kaylen, gripping his sword tightly braced himself to counter their next attack.

The white gorilla pounded the ground with its fists, sending a shockwave that rattled the surrounding trees. The saber-toothed tiger its green eyes filled with anger bared its fangs, preparing to pounce.

Jonady raised his sword, his expression resolute.

 "Get ready."