Beyond Reality : the beginning of the end : Ethan path

The creature's enormous jaws opened.

The dwarf stood directly in front of it, staring at the thing that had lured him into the forest.

Ethan couldn't move.

He pulled Lian behind the nearest tree and pressed a hand over her mouth before she could make a sound.

The trunk was wide enough to conceal both of them if they stayed close.

Snow fell quietly around them.

The forest had become strangely silent.

No birds.

No wind through the branches.

Only the faint crunch of snow beneath the creature's feet.

Ethan's breathing was getting louder.

He forced himself to slow it down.

Lian looked at him from behind his hand, clearly confused.

Ethan shook his head.

Not a sound.

Ahead of them, the creature leaned toward the dwarf.

Then something unexpected happened.

The dwarf took a slow breath.

A pale cloud escaped his mouth in the freezing air.

"I'm sorry, Sara."

The creature hesitated.

"You led me all the way out here."

The dwarf reached behind his back.

Ethan's eyes widened.

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A small axe appeared in the dwarf's hand.

It looked almost ridiculous compared to the creature standing before him.

Then the dwarf moved.

The axe struck.

The creature tried to react, but it was too late.

The attack continued with frightening precision until the monster's body could no longer maintain its shape.

Its enormous form collapsed into scattered fragments across the snow.

Silence returned.

The dwarf lowered the axe.

Then he turned toward Ethan's hiding place.

"I know you're behind that tree."

Ethan's stomach sank.

He slowly lowered his hand from Lian's mouth.

There was no point hiding anymore.

He stepped out from behind the tree with both hands visible.

"Hey."

The dwarf stared at him.

Ethan glanced around the forest.

"Okay... this probably looks worse than it is."

The dwarf said nothing.

Ethan tried again.

"I was actually just passing by."

Still nothing.

He pointed toward Lian.

"The girl wanted to see the snow."

Then he gave Lian a pleading look.

"Isn't that right?"

Lian stared at him.

Ethan's expression practically begged her to cooperate.

She understood.

"Right."

The dwarf studied both of them.

"Sure."

His voice was completely flat.

He turned toward Lian.

"You're a human pretending to be a dark elf."

Lian's expression stiffened.

The dwarf's attention returned to Ethan.

"And you're a half-dragon pretending to be human."

Ethan's expression changed.

"That's..."

He searched for something to say.

"...a pretty specific accusation."

The dwarf lifted his axe.

A strange pressure spread through the air.

The magical symbols on Ethan's body flickered.

Then disappeared.

Ethan looked down at his hands.

Nothing.

He tried again.

Still nothing.

The dwarf noticed his reaction.

"My axe breaks magic within ten meters."

Ethan's eyes settled on the weapon.

"So that's why I can't use my abilities."

"Exactly."

The dwarf rested the axe against his shoulder.

"You've seen too much."

Ethan glanced at Lian.

Then at the forest around them.

"Then maybe we can talk about this."

"No."

Ethan blinked.

"That was quick."

"I can't let you leave."

The dwarf exhaled.

"Honestly, I wish you'd stayed at the bar."

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"So you're a murderer with regrets now?"

The dwarf's expression hardened.

Ethan pointed toward the wooden sign they had passed earlier.

"Because, somehow, that's still less ridiculous than that sign."

He glanced back toward the path.

"Speaking of the sign..."

His expression changed.

"Ah."

He grabbed Lian.

"Run."

Lian barely had time to react before Ethan lifted her onto his shoulder.

"Wait—what are you doing?!"

"No time."

He ran.

Snow kicked up beneath his boots as he raced between the trees.

Lian bounced against his shoulder.

"Ethan!"

"I know!"

"Put me down!"

"I can't!"

"Why not?!"

"Because we can't use magic!"

That was the problem.

Without their abilities, the forest suddenly felt much larger.

The trees seemed endless.

Snow reached their ankles with every step, slowing Ethan down.

Behind them came the sound of footsteps.

Heavy.

Fast.

Getting closer.

Lian turned her head as far as she could.

Her view was partially blocked by Ethan's shoulder, but she could see the dwarf moving through the trees behind them.

He wasn't struggling.

He wasn't slowing down.

He was simply following.

"Ethan."

"What?"

"He's coming after us."

"I figured that out."

"He's getting closer."

"I know!"

Ethan pushed himself harder.

His lungs burned.

The cold air cut through his throat with every breath.

He looked ahead.

Trees.

Snow.

More trees.

No road.

No village.

No sign of Alex.

And, worst of all, no magic.

Lian looked back again.

The dwarf was still there.

The distance between them was shrinking.

"Ethan."

"What now?"

"We're in trouble."

He glanced over his shoulder.

The dwarf was much closer than before.

Ethan turned forward again.

"Yeah."

For once, he had no clever answer.

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