Chapter 5

Heart pounding, Jade gripped the branch tightly, his mind racing with desperate thoughts.

I knew I stood no chance against these monsters but ....

"I won't! ...."

.

"I won't die today!

.

He refused to go down without a fight and still hoped for a way to survive. 

With a steely resolve and a branch in his hand, he braced himself for the inevitable clash.

.

.

" Roar !!!!!! "

Before the wolves could make their move, a deafening roar echoed through the forest, so powerful it shook the very ground beneath and sent a jolt of fear to Jade and the pack.

"What? ... What now?!" 

Both Jade and the wolves felt a surge of fear and panic.

The wolves hesitated, their growls faltering as they turned their attention toward the source of the roar.

Jade's breath caught in his throat as he scanned the surroundings, his mind racing with fear. 

Then out of the shades of the large trees emerged a massive figure towering over the wolves. 

"A black tiger?!" 

The Black tiger that emerged suddenly jumped between him and the wolves, its amber-colored eyes scanned the surroundings and its imposing aura made it hard for the wolves to breathe. 

The wolves, recognizing the superior strength of the tiger, backed away, their tails tucked between their legs as they retreated.

Jade watched in awe as the tiger stood imposingly, and with wolves running away its eyes were now fixed on him intensely.

Its gaze piercing yet strangely calm. Then, it took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

Panic surged through him as it closed in.

But instead of attacking, the creature extended a clawed hand toward him,

"Is it inviting me? Hey!..... Do you save me?!"

he wants to confirm the intention of the Tiger

Jade reached out, his hand trembling as it met the creature's. Surprisingly, the touch was gentle, almost comforting.

As if answering his question the Tiger emitted a soft rumble, akin to a purr, and Jade felt a strange sense of calm wash over him.

Then with a silent nod, the tiger motioned for Jade to follow.

"It did save me, and ultimately I don't have much choice but to follow it for now" he hesitated for a moment before deciding to trust in the Tiger's guidance.

And also he couldn't shake off the fear that one wrong move could provoke the creature's wrath, that its kindness might be nothing more than a facade. 

But before he could make even one step forward, the weight of exhaustion and fatigue finally pressed down upon him.

"Hey, you can understand me right? .... I want to follow you, but I'm exhausted, I don't have the strength in me to walk anymore" 

Pain lanced through his body as he lay sprawled on the ground.

.

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*****

Several hours later

With the Tiger's guidance, Jade navigated through the dense forest, his fear gradually subsiding as they traveled deeper into the woods.

"Is it because of him?" Along the way, all the monsters they encounter seem to behave and some straight-up run away.

But with each step, Jade felt the weight of exhaustion pulling at his limbs once again, the energy he regained with 2 hours of rest depleted after wandering through the dense jungle. 

"Hey!.... How long do we still have to travel?" 

Disoriented and desperate he continued to walk even if he stumbled forward.

But the Tiger as if not hearing anything continued walking.

Eventually, they arrived at what seemed their final destination. 

"Is that a Cave?" 

The cave lay hidden within the depths of a dense forest, its entrance concealed by cascading vines and overgrown foliage. 

 Suddenly the tiger stepped aside, gesturing for Jake to enter.

"You want me to enter?" 

In response to his question the Tiger slowly nods. 

"All right!" 

He hesitated for a moment but he chose to trust the Tiger who had come to his aid in his hour of need.

Resolving himself, he arrived at the mouth of a cave and stepped forward.