Sorry for just publishing this chapter guys, contract application for this story got banned due to some reasons so I have to start a new one that might get signed for a contract.
Sabre's legs moved as though they were on autopilot, each stride powered by a desperate will to survive. The wind howled past his ears as his figure blurred through the dense forest, leaves and dust swirling in his wake. His breathing came in sharp bursts, chest heaving as he darted between towering trees that reached endlessly toward the heavens. It felt as if the entire world around him had faded into streaks of motion — only the pounding rhythm of his heart reminded him he was still alive.
"Her sacrifice must not be in vain," he muttered under his breath, the words spilling out like a prayer. He repeated them again and again, forcing the pain in his legs to fade behind the weight of his determination. The phrase became his mantra, a chain of focus holding together the fraying edges of his consciousness.
He could still see her face in his mind — Miss Eagle, the fierce warrior of the Golden Wind Eagle Tribe, who had chosen to face death so that he could live. Her final smile haunted him, a bittersweet image that burned behind his eyelids every time he blinked. Sabre clenched his fists mid-run, his teeth grinding together.
"I won't waste your sacrifice," he whispered through gritted teeth.
Branches tore at his clothes, slashing shallow cuts across his arms and cheeks, but he didn't slow down. The forest seemed endless, a blur of green and gold that offered neither comfort nor direction. Yet, somewhere in his chest, the faint warmth of borrowed power pulsed — the last gift of the Golden Wind Eagle Tribe.
"Golden Wind Eagle Tribe… I owe you this power," he breathed, his voice trembling between exhaustion and gratitude. "I would gladly lay my life down to help you."
He could feel the energy in his body beginning to flicker, burning low like the final glow of a dying ember. The strength that had carried him this far began to falter. His legs trembled violently, his breath came in ragged gasps, and the once-blurred trees began to regain their sharp edges. The sensation of speed drained away, leaving behind the heavy weight of fatigue.
He stumbled forward a few more steps before collapsing to one knee. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead, sliding down to sting his eyes. His chest rose and fell in uneven heaves as he struggled to draw air. The taste of blood filled his mouth. He had pushed his body far beyond its limits.
Sabre slumped down against the rough, coarse ground. His fingers clawed weakly at the earth as though trying to hold onto consciousness itself. Weariness clouded his reasoning, fogging the edges of his thoughts until even the forest around him began to blur.
Through half-closed eyes, he managed to glance at his surroundings — towering trees, patches of sunlight filtering through the canopy, the faint echo of rushing water somewhere in the distance. He wanted to stand, to keep moving, but his limbs refused to respond.
"I… just need a moment," he mumbled.
And then everything went dark.
…
The warmth of sunlight brushed gently across his face. A soft golden glow pierced his eyelids, urging him to wake. Sabre stirred, groaning faintly as his fingers twitched. The light felt too bright, almost intrusive after the cold darkness that had swallowed him. He raised his hand weakly, shielding his face.
"Man, my whole body feels sore," he grumbled, his voice hoarse and dry. He blinked several times, forcing his vision to adjust.
Slowly, his surroundings came into focus — a breathtaking expanse of emerald green stretched endlessly around him. The forest was alive, whispering softly with every breath of wind that danced through the leaves. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the canopy, scattering golden specks across the ground like stardust.
"How… did I end up here?" Sabre muttered, scanning the scenery.
The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming acacia trees, mingled with the earthy scent of damp soil. Every inhale filled his lungs with life itself. The sound of rustling leaves carried faint hints of unseen creatures — cautious eyes glimmering from the shadows of the underbrush. Somewhere in the distance, the melodic roar of cascading water echoed through the forest.
The rhythmic beat of water striking rock stirred something inside him — a pull, both instinctive and comforting. He closed his eyes for a moment, listening. The sound was pure and constant, the kind that seemed to wash away exhaustion with every note.
Curiosity ignited within him. The thought of clean water after days of struggle was too tempting to ignore.
"Maybe I can even have a bath," he said with a small grin. "It's been days since I had one. I probably stink by now."
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, it refused to leave. His aching body protested when he stood, but he pushed through the stiffness. A faint thrill of energy rippled through him as he began walking, then jogging toward the distant sound of the waterfall.
Each step carried him deeper into the heart of the forest. Shafts of sunlight followed him like guiding lanterns through the trees. The murmur of water grew louder, transforming from a whisper to a steady rush until the air itself seemed to vibrate with its presence.
When he finally broke through the last line of trees, his breath caught in his throat.
Before him lay a scene so serene it seemed to belong to another world. A silver-white waterfall cascaded down from a jagged cliff, its stream glittering in the sunlight like molten glass. Mist hung in the air, cool and refreshing against his skin. The pool below shimmered with an ethereal blue hue, reflecting the forest canopy above.
But it wasn't the beauty of nature that froze him in place — it was the figure beneath the waterfall.
A woman stood under the curtain of water, her form partly veiled by the mist. Droplets clung to her skin, sparkling like tiny diamonds in the shifting light. Her long hair flowed freely, blending seamlessly with the falling water, the two moving together in perfect rhythm. She was still, almost statuesque, lost in the tranquility of the moment.
Sabre's breath hitched. For a heartbeat, he simply stared, unable to look away. There was something almost divine about her presence — calm yet commanding, soft yet untouchable.
As the water continued to flow around her, she tilted her head back slightly, eyes closed, allowing the cascade to wash over her face and shoulders. It was a sight that made the world seem to slow around him.
But then, as if sensing the weight of his gaze, her eyes snapped open. The serenity vanished, replaced by shock and confusion.
Her gaze locked onto him — a stranger standing at the edge of the clearing with a stunned expression. Her lips parted in disbelief before twisting sharply in outrage.
"What are you doing, you pervert?!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the clearing.
Sabre froze, every word hitting him like a slap. His mind scrambled for an explanation, his face flushing crimson.
"Wait, no, I wasn't— I mean, I didn't—!" he stammered, waving his hands frantically, but his voice drowned beneath the roar of the waterfall.
The woman's glare only grew sharper, and for the first time since waking up, Sabre wished the earth would open up and swallow him whole.