Ali stumbled through the underbrush, panting hard.
"Huff... huff... huff...! Oh man... Oh man, oh man, oh man! Are you serious?! Why the hell is that lizard monster chasing me?!"

Behind him, Malak was barely keeping up.
"Huff... huff... wait, Ali! I... I can't breathe..."

Ali turned, panic written across his face.
"Malak!"

She clutched her chest, her breaths shallow.
"Huff... puff... I—I can't even run anymore..."

Ali looked back over his shoulder.
"That thing’s not gonna let up! We’re in trouble if it catches us! You saw what it could do, didn’t you?! We won’t get off easy if that thing catches us!"
He was clearly freaking out.

Malak, trying to stay calm through her fatigue, gasped out,
"B-but, I can't move... Huff... puff... We should... hide somewhere, and wait for help..."

Her vision swam as her knees nearly gave out.

Ali gritted his teeth.
"Hide where? The only place around here is that shrine—where the lizard monster is!"
Then his eyes lit up.
"Ah! The small altar! We could hide in there! Come on, Malak, get a move on!"

"Um... all right..." she mumbled weakly.

Suddenly, a rustle came from the side. Something leapt from the shadows.

"Eek!" Malak yelped, her whole body trembling.

Both of them turned, eyes wide with fear.

"Oh no... that sound..." Ali's face went pale.
"Yaaaugh! It’s heeere!"

"Ah... ahhh..." Malak whimpered.

Ali clenched his fists, sweat dripping from his brow as he stepped forward.
"D-Dammit... let’s go. Bring it!"

Malak's voice cracked in fear.
"Ali?! What’re you doing?!"

Without turning to face her, he replied with a shaky smirk,
"I’ll deal with this jerk somehow, so you get going..."

"No, it’s dangerous!" she cried, heart racing.

The creature moved.

Ali stood frozen, arms trembling, eyes locked on the monster as it loomed closer.

"W-Who knows... maybe I can handle this g-guy on my own... I’ll b-be a hero..."

Malak’s pupils shrank.
"Nooo! Don’t do it!!!"

Before the creature could strike—

"Stop right there!"
A bold, masculine voice rang out.

"Stay away from those kids!" shouted a higher-pitched voice, equally fierce.

"Huh?" Malak blinked.

"Ach!" Ali flinched at the sudden interruption.
"What is it this time?! A kid with a beard... and another that looks like a pear... now?!"

The bearded one puffed out his chest proudly.
"We shan’t allow further wrongdoing from you, you lout!"

The round one nodded fervently.
"I’ll protect you for sure!"

"Fret not, for you two are now safe—"

"I CAN’T EVEN WITH ALL THESE SHORT THINGS!!!" Ali wailed, eyes squeezing shut, tears brimming.

And with that, he bolted, sprinting away from Malak and the odd new arrivals.

"Wh-Where are you going, Ali?! Don’t run off on your own!" Malak cried out.

✿✿✿✿✿