"Uncle...!" Zego woke with a gasp, calling out in his sleep. Under the pale moonlight, he saw Zeos sitting cross-legged not far from him, his body drenched in sweat despite the cold night wind. Zeos hadn't slept. Ever since the terrible battle with the sea monster, every night had been spent sharpening his nearly faltering senses. The slightest mistake could prove fatal.
Zego remained silent, traumatized by the horrific event that had shattered their peace. He had only faint memories of his parents' faces, hazy shadows from his childhood. Yet, the loss of the villagers, who had always greeted him with warm smiles, felt so real, gnawing at his soul.
Zeos turned, catching Zego's vacant stare. The light in the boy's eyes was dim, radiating a sadness that pierced Zeos' heart. Guilt hit him like a wave. If only I had been more vigilant... if only I had sensed its presence earlier... But what was done was done. With a burning resolve, Zeos swore to himself that he would never make the same mistake again.
"Zego, stay here for a moment," Zeos said softly, trying to hide his anxiety. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."
Zego didn't respond, his gaze still fixed on the emptiness. Zeos sighed, then with a single leap, plunged into the dark ocean. Zego held his breath, worry gripping his heart. Will Uncle be okay? Soon after, Zeos resurfaced, carrying a large fish that shimmered under the moonlight. "We're having a big meal today, Zego!" he exclaimed, trying to force a bright smile.
Seeing Zeos return safely, a glimmer of light reignited in Zego's eyes. He gave a small nod, a sign that he understood. Zeos quickly prepared a fire and grilled the fish. They spent the day on the silent beach, and Zego slowly began to respond to Zeos' conversations, though still in a quiet tone.
When night fell again, Zego was fast asleep beside Zeos. Carefully, Zeos carried the boy. "We're going west," he whispered to the stars. "I'll make sure you get there safely."
The journey from the south to the west was a severe challenge. They had to cross the dangerous waters of the Black Zone. The risk was too high to take the shortcut, so Zeos took the route used by traders, even though it meant it would take longer.
With incredible speed, Zeos shot across the surface of the water. Strangely, the water he passed over remained calm, without a single ripple, proving his superhuman speed. He knew his body couldn't maintain this pace all day. After a long night, Zeos was still pushing himself at a crazy speed, heading west.
My body is starting to feel heavy, Zeos thought, but this is the only way to give him hope.
As dawn broke, Zego awoke. His eyes widened in disbelief at the scenery around him. They were traveling so fast that the ocean view looked like a blurry line. "Uncle... where are we going at this speed?" Zego asked quietly, his voice barely audible.
"Ah, you're awake," Zeos replied, trying to sound cheerful. "We're heading west." He looked at Zego, noticing the boy's pale face. "Are you hungry, Zego?"
"U-umm..." Zego answered shyly.
Zeos smiled gently. "Don't be shy, Zego. I'll find some land in a bit. Just hold on a little longer."
Soon, a small piece of land appeared in the distance. However, there was something strange about the island. Zeos stared intently, a bad feeling enveloping his heart. That land is so strange...
As they were about to approach for a closer look, a strange movement was seen beneath the water's surface around them. "Zego, hold on tight! Don't let go!" Zeos yelled in a panic, his face tense. He immediately focused his aura, trying to detect the danger nearby. Sure enough, right below them, the silhouette of a massive gaping mouth was ready to swallow them whole.
With a swift reflex, Zeos leaped high into the air, avoiding the deadly jaws. The huge mouth was even capable of swallowing the entire small island. The creature fully surfaced. On its back was a large and sturdy shell, its skin covered in sharp, lethal spines. But the most terrifying thing was its eyes: only one large, glowing red eye, and within it was an strange constellation pattern.
Zeos immediately summoned his holy spear. The Stellaris Lance trembled violently in his hand, as if recognizing the enemy before it. Zeos realized that this creature must be one of the ten legendary Ancient Sacred Beings. This creature... its aura was the same as the ancient dragons of the past. His heart felt heavy. Maybe it was my spear or Zego's eyes that attracted it...
"Ugh, you damn bastard!" Zeos cursed in annoyance. Meeting a creature this powerful at the wrong time was his worst nightmare.
The monster gathered the surrounding water into giant balls, then shot them at Zeos with lightning speed. "You damned bastard! That almost hit me!" Zeos widened the distance. The monster kept shooting water balls. Zeos managed to avoid the attacks. Suddenly, the monster launched countless thin water slashes. "Ah, damn it! This is bad!" Zeos exclaimed in a hurry. He unleashed his first technique, but the water attacks were too numerous and difficult to avoid completely. Several slashes managed to hit his body. "Argh! It's been a long time since I bled... The last time I bled was when I fought that ancient sacred dragon," Zeos muttered, a flash of the past crossing his mind.
What kind of creature can injure me? Zeos was incredibly focused, he began to regulate his breathing, making his entire body feel hot. That bastard keeps attacking me if I'm out of its range, but if I get closer, it will definitely blindly destroy me, Zeos felt a little desperate.
The creature's glowing red eye met Zeos', and instantly Zeos' body froze. However, Zego's scream broke the spell. "UNCLE! DON'T STOP!!!"
Zeos was jolted back to reality. But it was too late. The creature's sharp, spiny tail was right in front of his eyes. Zego closed his eyes tightly, his body trembling with fear, clinging to Zeos. Is this the end of their journey?