Chapter 16

note to readers: originally this story was written in Indonesian. but for some reason, the story did not pass the contract. so I thought of sharing it again but in English. but because I don't really understand English I used an AI application to translate it. ONLY FOR TRANSLATION, THIS STORY IS NOT MADE BY AI. but even though it was translated by AI, I realized the style from one chapter to another is sometimes different. so I apologize for that. one more thing, I just finished this story in Indonesian up to 30 chapters. after that chapter, I don't seem to be able to update every day like before.

Aslan entered the tent. For some reason, he felt incredibly sleepy and decided to sleep early. However, before he drifted off, Aslan accidentally overheard the others talking.

He was shocked to learn that Lukas and his friends were planning to make money by turning him over to a noble.

Aslan began packing his things, but the drowsiness in his head grew stronger. He tried to stay alert, but his head throbbed with dizziness. At that moment, all Aslan could do was sit and listen to what they were saying about him.

He remained silent because what they said was mostly true. On the outskirts of the city, he had seen a child so thin, crying when the rice he carried fell into the mud. Aslan wasn't sure how long that child had been starving. Compared to the people Aslan had met, his own suffering in the palace was nothing.

If he chose to stay asleep, he might wake up in the palace and live a fairly peaceful life. But Aslan rejected that. Despite the pain in his head, he decided to sneak away.

When Aslan exited the tent, Lukas and his friends were busy packing, making it easy for him to slip away unnoticed.

Aslan entered the forest, walking without direction. He kept moving, and fortunately, the pain in his head slowly faded.

After walking for quite a while, Lukas managed to catch up with him.

"Why did you run away?!" asked Lukas.

"Isn't it obvious? Did you think someone who just escaped would willingly let himself be handed over to the nobles?"

"This may sound ridiculous to you, but living like this is far more painful than being lonely in a palace. I suggest you don't resist. This is the best path for you," Lukas said, trying to persuade him.

"You may be right, but this is the path I've chosen, and no one will stop me," Aslan replied, drawing his sword.

He gripped his sword tightly, trying to maintain balance despite the lingering drowsiness and dizziness. On the other side, Lukas stood with a serious expression. His right hand held a small dagger, while his left hand remained free.

"So, this is the path you've chosen?" asked Lukas with a sigh. "Do you realize what could happen next? You could be seriously hurt—or worse."

"What does that have to do with you?" Aslan responded coldly.

Lukas shrugged. "In that case, I have no choice."

Lukas attacked first, thrusting his dagger quickly toward Aslan's stomach. Aslan twisted his body to dodge, then countered with a slash toward Lukas' arm. Lukas parried it, but the impact caused him to stumble.

"You're fast," said Lukas with a grin. "But you've never fought humans before, have you?"

Lukas used a pouch on his belt to throw sand at Aslan's eyes. Caught off guard, Aslan staggered as the sand stung his vision. Lukas took the chance to launch a flurry of attacks. Despite the blurry vision, Aslan managed to block most of the strikes.

"Dirty tricks, huh?" Aslan said, stepping back to catch his breath.

"Out here, no one cares about honor. All that matters is surviving," Lukas replied.

Despite the tough situation, Aslan remained calm and focused. Thankfully, the pain and sleepiness were wearing off. He waited for an opening, and when Lukas rushed forward again, Aslan took the opportunity to slash at Lukas' leg. The strike landed on his right thigh, causing Lukas to kneel as blood flowed from the wound.

"Lukas, I don't want to kill you," Aslan said, pointing his sword at Lukas' throat. Based on what Lukas and the others had said earlier, they weren't evil. Killing would be overkill. "I know you have your reasons, but this path isn't for me."

Lukas fell silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "You're more stubborn than I thought. But don't get too confident, Aslan."

Aslan quickly sensed danger. From behind the trees, three people emerged—Lukas' friends. They carried their own weapons: A had a large axe, B held a short sword, and C was armed with a bow.

"You know, when I saw you, I sent my bird to call the others," Lukas said.

"Well done finding him," said A, patting Lukas on the shoulder. "Leave him to me. You've done enough."

Despite his injury, Lukas tried to stand. "Be careful. His level is higher than all of us."

A laughed. "Hah, he's just a spoiled brat from the palace. Watch how I take him down."

Aslan realized he was surrounded but showed no signs of surrender. A charged first, swinging his axe down with full force. Aslan rolled to the side, dodging the blow, then countered with a horizontal slash at A's torso. But A was fast enough to back away and avoid the strike.

Meanwhile, B attempted to strike from behind, trying to catch Aslan off guard. But Aslan noticed the movement through the moonlit shadows. Reacting quickly, he turned and blocked the short sword.

C, the archer, used his distance to fire an arrow. Aslan raised his sword just in time to deflect it, though the impact pushed him back several steps.

"Damn it..." muttered Aslan.

"You're getting weaker, Aslan," said Lukas, trying to stand despite his injured leg. "There's no point resisting. In this condition, you won't last long."

Lukas signaled B and C to surround Aslan. They moved slowly, like predators closing in on a wounded prey. Aslan swung his sword at B, but the attack was weak and easily dodged. C took the chance to strike from behind, slamming his bow into Aslan's shoulder.

Aslan staggered forward, nearly falling. He knew he couldn't win this fight.

Realizing he needed a way out, Aslan spotted a narrow gap between the trees on his right. Using the last of his strength, he struck the ground with his sword hilt, kicking up a thick cloud of dust to obscure his enemies' vision.

"What the hell?!" C shouted, trying to wave away the dust.

Without wasting a second, Aslan ran toward the opening. His breathing was heavy, and every step felt heavier, but he didn't care. Escape was his only option. Lukas and the group tried to follow, but the dust and darkness made it hard.

"Chase him! Don't let him get away!" Lukas shouted.

Aslan kept running, pushing through bushes and branches that scratched his skin.

Lukas and the others didn't give up. Despite their injuries, they followed the trail Aslan left—broken branches and crushed leaves. C, with his sharper night vision, led the way.

"I see him! He's up ahead!" C shouted, pointing at Aslan's silhouette in the distance.

To be continued...