They left the clearing without looking back.
⠀
The dense forest swallowed them almost immediately, towering trees closing in. Roots twisted on the ground as the fog thinned little by little.
⠀
Ash still clung to the bark of nearby trees. Ashen leaves crunched faintly beneath their steps, and the distinct hint of burning wood hit their noses.
⠀
The smell of blood lingered in the air, metallic and unmistakable, refusing to fade no matter how far they walked as the branches scratched them.
⠀
The ash drifted in the air, traveling with the wind across the forest.
⠀
As he staggered, Leo grasped a loose piece of bark. A sharp pain hit his heart while his internal organs churned. With shallow, faltering breaths, Leo forced himself forward.
⠀
Hiding his weakening body, he brushed his dirty palms.
⠀
His ears were ringing, his feet trembling, and an overwhelming sense of weakness sat on his shoulders.
⠀
The world tilted for a split second. A raging headache filled him with pain, and he almost fell before stabilizing himself.
⠀
The more he walked, the slower he moved.
⠀
Each step sent a dull ache crawling up his legs. His breathing was steady on the surface and controlled, but his chest felt tight, as if something heavy was pressing down from the inside.
⠀
The ringing in his ears hadn't stopped since the flames vanished. It pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, making it hard to focus on anything else.
⠀
The pain caused by the form was returning. He was on the line of unconsciousness.
⠀
He clenched his jaw.
⠀
'No... I can't fall now. I just have to endure this for a couple of hours more. If I fall, everything will be lost. I have to keep moving forward. I won't be bested by some beasts!' Relying on pure will, Leo's back stood straight for a moment.
⠀
His hair stuck to his cold, sweat-soaked face, and his skin was paler than ever. Mud stuck to his skin and tunic. His tunic became mostly scraps of cloth, showing his figure.
⠀
Vietra walked a step behind him, quiet.
⠀
At first, Leo thought she was just giving him space. But after a while, he noticed her gaze wasn't wandering the forest. It was fixed on him.
⠀
"Leo," she said carefully. "You're slowing down."
⠀
"I'm fine."
⠀
The words came out too fast.
⠀
The ground tilted for a split second before snapping back into place.
⠀
Leo steadied himself against a nearby tree, fingers digging into the rough bark as a sharp wave of nausea washed over him. He felt the disgusting acidic taste of vomit in his throat, threatening to throw out the entire contents of his stomach.
⠀
He forcibly swallowed it down.
⠀
Vietra was at his side instantly, hoping to be of any help to the man who saved her life.
⠀
"You're not fine," she said, guilt flashing across her face. She hesitated to touch him.
⠀
"That form, whatever it was. It's hurting you, isn't it?" she asked, hands shaking.
⠀
"It's the side effects," he admitted. "I pushed it longer than I should have."
⠀
He didn't mention how close he had been to crossing a line he might have never come back from.
⠀
"That flame form strengthens my being through the use of my mana. It is a last-ditch effort. The backlashes are mental and physical."
⠀
"Then is it permanent... this backlash?" she said, clutching her hands.
⠀
'...I hope not.' A grim thought took place in his head.
⠀
"No, unless I spend too much time in that form," he said, looking down at his boots now caked in mud.
⠀
'I have to get stronger. I can't believe that using the flame form for such a short time caused this much pain.'
⠀
As Leo thought this, they heard running and beasts howling in the distance.
⠀
"Damn it, this forest is teeming with beasts. Nowhere around here is safe." Leo let out a deep sigh.
⠀
"We should keep moving before they reach us." Vietra looked around as she spoke.
⠀
"Yeah... we're in no condition to fight," Leo agreed with her suggestion, feeling the exhaustion hit him.
⠀
Vietra looked at his condition and said, "Lean on me. You're in no way able to run." Her expression was full of sincerity.
⠀
Leo looked at her, his face twisting with refusal, but he recognized the truth in her words. He grumbled as he put his arm around her shoulder.
⠀
They began running as the noises got closer to them.
⠀
The sounds of different animals rang in their ears like a beautiful melody full of life.
⠀
Black beastly figures hiding in the trees and fog followed behind them, sniffing at the ground and tracking them.
⠀
By now the smell of blood had gone, replaced by the calming and relaxing smell of nature. Birds flew across the evening sky without a care in the world, a grim reminder that it hasn't even been one full day inside this ancient forest.
⠀
Reaching a bunch of rocks, they slid down, their backs hitting them hard. Leo grimaced. He touched his cracked, dry lips, a world of difference from their former beautiful red color and vitality.
⠀
After running, exhaustion and hunger took over them. Their stomachs growled after not eating for such a long time.
⠀
Leo especially felt his entire being grow heavy and frail.
⠀
'Are these the consequences of using something I'm not used to? Heh, to think the great talent couldn't handle a few minutes inside that monstrous form.' Leo chuckled to himself.
⠀
His spit tasted like blood. Testing this, he spat at the ground. His spit came out dark red.
⠀
Vietra saw this. "Leo, hold on just a while longer. I'll bring some food."
⠀
Vietra's eyes were locked on him. A mixture of worry and guilt twisted her cheerful features.
⠀
She reached out to him, hands trembling slightly, wanting to help steady him but unsure how. She bit her lip and whispered, "Please, just hold on a little longer," as she brushed his shoulders, her eyes full of worry.
⠀
Leo didn't even hear her. His eyes became full of blood while the piercing pounding in his ears only beat faster.
⠀
His hearing muffled.
He fell into the mud, nails digging into it. By now his head was pounding violently and cold sweat drenched his body.