Death or Survival

Ji approached Zelestina with quick steps, his eyes full of concern. He saw her shoulder covered in a glowing green, viscous substance that radiated danger. When he tried to touch it with his hand, he felt an intense heat burning his skin, and his hand began to melt gradually. He screamed in pain and quickly withdrew his hand, stepping back in fear.

"Zelestina! What happened?!" Ji asked, his voice filled with terror.

Don suddenly appeared from the shadows, wearing his usual smile that concealed his enigmatic intentions. He spoke with a chilling calmness:

"Never touch that substance again. It's toxic enough to end your life. I barely managed to regenerate your hand; don't make me do it again."

Ji looked at his hand, which was slowly starting to heal, then turned to Don and asked him desperately, "Tell me, what can I do to save her?!"

Don smiled, that mocking smile that only made things worse, and said, "Let her evaporate and dissolve slowly… it will be an entertaining end to watch."

Ji shouted in anger, clenching his fist: "No! I won't allow it!"

Zelestina spoke in a weak voice, trying to endure her pain: "It's the saliva of the beasts… extremely toxic. If it touches any of us, their body will evaporate slowly until death."

Ji stepped back, his eyes darting between the beasts that had attacked Zelestina and the storm of thoughts racing in his mind. He realized that these beasts were none other than members of Lara's tribe, but he couldn't fully comprehend it.

"I can't let this happen. I won't let this happen!" Ji said with a voice full of anger and defiance.

Zelestina sighed with difficulty, then looked at him and said, "Ji… this is my end. I want you to fulfill two requests for me before I leave."

Ji looked at her, tears shimmering in his eyes, and said in a trembling voice, "What are they? I'll do anything."

Zelestina said, "There's a barrier separating my tribe and the beasts. I want you to break it. Then take me to that large rock over there."

Ji asked her with confusion, "Why? What are you planning?"

Zelestina gave a weak smile and said, "Trust me, just do as I say."

Elsewhere, Levin was running through the forest with shaky steps, panting in fear. The spirits were relentlessly pursuing him, and tears streamed down his cheeks. Suddenly, he stumbled and fell to the ground, trying to catch his breath.

The spirits were quickly closing in, beginning to surround him when Lara appeared suddenly. She stabbed one of the spirits with her spear, and it instantly dissipated.

She looked at the remaining spirits and said coldly, "Alright… time to get rid of you all."

Lara launched into the fight with incredible speed, using her sharp claws and deadly arrows. With each spirit vanquished, another would attempt to attack her, but she outmaneuvered them with her swift and precise movements.

After finishing off all the spirits, she returned to Levin, who was trembling in fear. She knelt beside him and said gently, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to protect you."

She began treating his wounds skillfully while Levin tried to speak in a halting voice: "I… I'm Levin."

Lara smiled and said, "Ah, so you're Levin? I've been looking for you!"

Levin asked hesitantly, "Why?"

His tears began to flow again as he said, "I saw everything… they all died. The soldiers, the person who was with me… they were torn to pieces. It's my fault… if I weren't here, this wouldn't have happened."

Lara placed her hand on his shoulder and said, "Don't worry. Nothing will harm you anymore."

At that moment, Lara received a magical message from Ji:

"Lara, come to the barrier separating the beasts and the spirits. I've broken it."

She interrupted him angrily: "When all this is over, I'm going to hold you accountable for this recklessness!"

Levin turned to her and asked, "Who's that?"

Lara replied, "It's Ji. We're going to him now."

As they approached the barrier, the spirits began chasing them again. Lara quickly carried Levin and started running toward the barrier, dodging continuous attacks.

On the other side, Ji had broken the barrier and carried Zelestina to the large rock. He asked with concern, "Zelestina, what do you want to do here?"

She replied weakly, "Now, lure the beasts to this place. And tell Lara to lure the spirits here as well."

As Ji communicated with Lara, Zelestina began gathering the remainder of her strength. Everyone reached the arena: the spirits, the beasts, Lara, and Levin.

Zelestina looked at the gathered crowds and said with a strong voice, "This is my last chance. I have to end everything now, no matter the cost!"

Zelestina began using her special ability to control the beasts and spirits, forcing them to fight each other in a gruesome and bloody battle.

Ji and Lara shouted simultaneously, "No!"

But the battle had already begun. The terrifying sounds of the fight filled the air, and blood covered the ground. The beasts and spirits fought until their last breath.

When everything was over, the arena was littered with bodies and blood. Lara sat on the ground, trembling from shock, and said in a quivering voice, "My family… I've lost everything."

As the sun rose, the beasts' bodies began to evaporate gradually. The arena, which had been full of life moments ago, was now completely empty, save for the blood covering the ground.

Don finally appeared, approaching Zelestina with a sinister smile: "You're brave. You deserve respect for this spectacular performance."

Zelestina looked at him with a weak smile and said, "You're selfish… even in this moment."

With the sunrise, Zelestina began to evaporate, leaving everyone in shock. Ji and Lara stood there, unable to comprehend what had happened.

As for Don, he was thoroughly entertained. He looked at the chaos left by the battle and said with a wide grin, "What a magnificent show!"

End of chapter...