Suddenly, Alex and Boros felt an enormous amount of energy burst out right next to them.
It was coming… from Boros's axe.
Cracks formed along the blade, letting out a bright scarlet-red light.
The energy kept rising, again and again, at a terrifying pace.
" We have to leave ! " Boros shouted. " It's going to explode ! "
Alex shook his head, his eyes fixed on the weapon.
" No… the blast will be too powerful. We'd all be caught in it. "
" Then what do we do?! " Andris yelled, completely panicked. " We're all gonna die! "
" Oh no… I don't want to die… I just got this body! " Linnie sobbed.
Alex clenched his teeth.
" Nobody is going to die. "
He stepped forward and grabbed the axe with both hands.
" What are you doing?! " Boros yelled.
" I'm protecting my friends… and your home, " Alex replied calmly.
His eyes lit up with a ruby-red glow.
Using his telekinesis, he rose into the air, carrying the axe with him.
But the higher he went, the more unstable the weapon became — the cracks widened, and the energy roared, ready to destroy everything.
Alex focused all his telekinetic power, pushing past his limits.
He flew at an insane speed, but it still wasn't enough: the blast would still reach the forest.
So he made a choice.
Under the soles of his feet, he made blood burst out with high pressure, creating a brutal thrust that propelled him even higher.
Boros looked up, stunned. A helpless rage took hold of him — once again, someone was risking their life for him.
He clenched his fists, his teeth, his heart burning.
Then Andris placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
" Lift your head… and believe in him. That's all we can do. "
Boros froze for a moment. Then, slowly, he raised his head.
His gaze hardened with determination.
He decided to believe… in the boy who, even for a moment, had shattered his loneliness.
Alex kept rising through the sky, the axe still in his hands.
" No… it's not enough! " he murmured. " I need to be even faster. "
Then, gathering all his energy, he made giant wings of blood burst from his back, majestic like an angel's.
He gained even more speed, shooting through the sky like a red lightning bolt under the setting sun.
From the ground, Boros and the group struggled to see him.
" Come on, boss! You can do it! " Andris shouted with hopeful excitement.
Then, a titanic explosion thundered in the distance.
Even at that height, the shockwave shook the forest like a storm.
Andris was swept away by the force of the blast. Boros and Linnie held on as best they could, using the strength of their legs to resist the wind.
Linnie turned her arms into gelatinous material, stretched them out, and grabbed Andris, who had been blown away.
" Thanks! " he shouted.
The shockwave finally stopped, and Linnie released him midair. Andris dropped heavily onto the ground.
" Ouch… you could've set me down gently! " he grumbled, before looking up at the sky.
" But… where's the boss?! "
He looked up, but saw nothing. Seeing only emptiness, tears gathered at the corner of his eyes as he fell to his knees.
" Oh no… "
" Don't worry, he's still alive! " Linnie said with a determined look. " I can feel it… in my mind, we're connected. "
Boros frowned and closed his eyes for a moment.
" Me too… I can feel his energy, " he murmured.
Then suddenly, a red light descended from the sky at full speed, crashing into the ground in an explosion of dust.
Everyone looked up, frozen between hope and fear.
When the cloud cleared, a silhouette appeared: it was Alex.
Shirtless, his chest marked by the blast, his pants half torn apart.
He slowly stood up, breathing heavily, and gave a tired smile.
" Waaah… I would've died if I hadn't evolved… "
Andris and Linnie ran toward him and jumped on him, the three of them falling to the ground in laughter and massive relief.
Alex smiled, his eyes shining.
" I see you already missed me. "
" Please never do that again! " Linnie exclaimed, still panting.
Relieved, Boros allowed a small smile to appear.
He walked toward Alex and knelt before him, a gesture of silent respect and admiration.
" Twenty winters have passed since my tribe fell. Silence was my only companion, and my cave was all I had left of them. You saved it, and you saved me too. With you, I feel it will regain its true value. My father would have approved of this choice, of following someone who gives up what he wants simply because it is right. You are not greedy, not like the dragon who took everything from me. So yes, I would be honored to serve you and protect this cave again, this time for you. "
A flame ignited in Boros's wounded heart.
Alex smiled and said:
" Now, you're no longer alone. "
Boros, moved, let a smile form on his face.