Free Web NovelChapter 4: The Fire Is Coming!
"Fire!"
Maeve froze mid-bite.
Another voice followed, louder this time and filled with panic. "Leaders! There’s a fire near the western forest!"
The situation shifted almost instantly. What had been quiet just seconds ago turned into chaos. Footsteps rushed past the cave entrance, and distant voices overlapped in urgency.
Maeve slowly lowered the food in her hand. "Fire? Near the western forest?"
Didn’t Axan say earlier that the Azuryn Tribe was located in the western part of Lumivale Forest?
Great. A while ago, she nearly drowned in the ocean, and now she might end up being grilled by fire.
"Axan, check the shield around the settlement! There’s a leak on the eastern side from the Cindermaw attack last week!"
Maeve could hear Ikarus’s voice outside the cave. He sounded tense and a little bit panic, completely different from the calm demeanor he had shown her earlier.
But what did he mean by shield? She didn’t see anything around the settlement.
"I knew it!" Cerus growled. "I knew the Cindermaws had a hidden nest near our settlement! I should’ve checked the area more carefully!"
Maeve slowly stood up and walked toward the cave entrance. Her chest still filled with fear, but her curiosity pushed her forward.
She stopped near the entrance, keeping herself slightly hidden to the side.
Carefully, she peeked out and saw Ikarus staring seriously at his brother, Cerus. Axan was already gone, likely doing what Ikarus had just told him. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"It doesn’t matter now," Ikarus said, his voice firm as he calmed his brother. "Lead the warriors. Check the fire and find the cause. If you can put it out, do it. If not... then retreat."
Cerus frowned. "Retreat? To where? The western region is the only place where the trees and water haven’t dried up yet. There’s no guarantee that the other forest is better than this one."
"I know, but we have no other choice," Ikarus replied quickly. "Instead of letting our people burn, it’s better for us to run. Now, go! If you think the fire can’t be stopped, give us a signal."
Cerus gritted his teeth. "Fine." His golden eyes quickly shifted toward Maeve, who was hiding near the cave entrance. "I’ll take care of the Cindermaws and the fire. You take care of our mate and our people."
Ikarus nodded, then also looked at her. "Of course. I won’t let our last hope die."
Maeve jolted in surprise when she realized they were looking at her. She wanted to run back into the cave, but when she thought that the fire might spread inside, she decided to stay near the entrance instead.
There were many things she didn’t understand about the situation, but at least she knew one thing; this tribe was in danger.
No... not just the Azuryn Tribe, but the entire forest.
[Truthfully, the entire planet is dying,] Pinky suddenly said.
[Every tribe is struggling to survive,] Pinky continued, its tiny wings fluttering as it hovered in front of her. [The water sources are drying up, the soil is losing its life, and even the beasts are becoming more aggressive.]
Oh, great. This damn system had said earlier that as long as she gave them children, she could live as long as this planet existed. But how was she supposed to live that long if the planet itself was dying?
[You are still the key to this planet’s survival!]
Maeve was about to ask why, but something suddenly happened.
BOOM!
A loud explosion echoed from the distance. Maeve flinched, her body going stiff.
In the distance, flames burst even higher, lighting up the sky. Even from where she stood, she could see it clearly.
"Go! Go now!" Ikarus shouted to Cerus. "Try your best to put out the fire, but don’t get yourself killed! May the Sky Mother help us!"
With a quick nod, Cerus turned and rushed forward, his figure disappearing into the growing chaos. Several warriors followed behind him, their movements fast and urgent as they ran toward the burning forest.
The air grew hotter by the second.
Maeve swallowed, her fingers tightening at her sides as she stared at the distant flames. The fire wasn’t small, it was spreading so fast, and she wasn’t sure whether they would be able to put it out or not.
"I can’t guarantee this place is safe for you," Ikarus said urgently to Maeve. "I need to move you somewhere else. But... for me to do that, you have to let me come closer."
Maeve hesitated at first, but the moment she saw the fire growing bigger, she knew she didn’t have time to be stubborn.
She bit her lower lip, then slowly lowered her hand. "Fine," she said, her voice a little shaky. "But don’t do anything weird."
"I won’t," he said gently.
Ikarus walked toward her slowly, giving her enough time to pull back if she wanted to. But this time, Maeve didn’t run.
When he finally reached her, he stopped at a respectful distance. "May I?" he asked.
Maeve hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod.
Without wasting another second, Ikarus reached out and lifted her easily with one arm.
Maeve froze, her body going stiff from the sudden contact. He let her sit on his arm, holding her securely, but because of his height, everything suddenly felt so far below.
The problem was... she was afraid of heights.
"I-I can walk by myself! I can walk by myself!" she said quickly, her voice trembling.
Ikarus didn’t stop moving. "Your little legs won’t get you far," he said calmly. "It’s faster this way. We need to get to the back of the settlement as soon as possible."
Before she could argue again, he had already started moving quickly. As he carried her through the settlement, he gave clear instructions to the others.
Around them, people rushed back and forth, trying to control the situation as the heat from the fire grew stronger.
Maeve swallowed and without realized it, she circled her arms around Ikarus’s neck.
[Ding! Ding!]
[Side Mission: Hug Your Future Mates to Build Affection]
[Progress: 1/3]
Pinky popped up again, its voice bright and way too cheerful for the situation. [Great job, Host! Keep it up! Don’t be shy, you can lean your whole body on him!]
Maeve’s face turned red instantly. She spoke inwardly, ’Oh, shut up!’
