Ezer could only see yellow spots in his vision and feel pain, it was difficult for him to move his body due to the weight that those beasts gave him being on his arms, legs, back and head.

The pain did not take long to increase, the parts where his skin was exposed were the first to feel it. If it weren't for the sturdy clothes Lyaria had gotten for him, right now his entire body would shed blood from the shallow cuts those monkeys made with their short, but sharp, fingernails.

His first reaction was to bring his hands to his face and protect it, but when trying, he receives a bite on his arm that manages to go through his clothes and he receives stabs of pain.

He can hear Lyaria's screams and struggles over his own. At that moment, he thinks more about her safety than his own, decides that must do something and tries to move his hands again, but this time towards the sword at his waist.

Amid pain, screams, and his blocked vision, Ezer reaches for his sword and draws it, yelling as he steps forward. Instead of struggling and trying to get the monkey off his head to free his sight, Ezer instinctively repeats the movements that are engraved in his muscles and mind, adapting them to his situation.

The screeches of the beasts at his feet are heard as he cuts through their flesh as well as those attached to his arms. Some walk away in fear of pain, while others continue to cling to a blind hunger.

Ezer does not despair and concentrates leaving the pain aside, the air around him begins to move erratically until it condenses and generates an invisible whirlwind that makes the monkeys' teeth and nails unable to cling to him anymore, throwing them into the air. He immediately swings his sword and cuts the monkey in the air that, moments ago, was above his head. Surprisingly, the dented blade of the sword manages to pierce through the beast's arm bone, but stops between its ribs for lack of sharpness and strength.

With his speed and crude skill, Ezer only manages to kill one of all those who were on his body a moment ago. He immediately diverts his attention to Lyaria and decides to help her, although in doing so, he sees how she is already free of her attackers and keeps them at bay better than he does.

“She knows how to take care of herself.” He knew it thanks to all the days they spent together, and now this reminds him again that he must save himself before he can save others.

“Ezer! We can't stay any longer!” She motions for him to get closer so they can protect each other.

“Any ideas?” They were surrounded, and the beasts were waiting for the right moment to attack.

"Yes, don't look into my eyes.” When she ends say it, reaches for a small bag tied around his waist and takes a handful from inside it, tossing it around him.

A fine dust hangs in the air, reflecting everything around it, from the ground to the yellow fur of beasts. This changed when Lyaria focused her eyes on one of the floating particles and it reflected them back to the others creating tiny mirrors that showed her gaze.

Ezer closes his eyes thanks to Lyaria's warning and part of his instinct. Screams break the silence and surprise Ezer who tries to open his eyes to check what is happening, but is stopped before doing so.

"Not yet, now just run." She takes his hand, pulling him away from the yellow circle of confused beasts.

It wasn't easy, he stumbles several times until finally Lyaria allows him to open his eyes again. They continue to run away from the beasts as fast as they can.

"What was that earlier?" He can't help but ask."

"Later, now we have to get away. It won't be long before they come back to their senses.” She stops wasting air talking and focuses on running.

In the back of his mind, Ezer was beginning to believe that the danger had passed, but when the branches begin to move frantically, he knows that the beasts continue to chase them above in the treetop level.

"What do we do if they catch up with us? There are so many that I even have not enough arrows. “Ezer has no plan and hopes she does.

“I can use the same trick one more time. If they fall into it.” Lyaria knows that the intelligence of beasts should not be underestimated.

They keep running waiting for the attack that never comes. The beasts never go back down to the ground and only momentary yellow spots could be seen moving between the leaves.

"Looks like they just want to drive us away." They do not risk having more deaths. Ezer looks over his shoulder and detects no presence of his pursuers.

“Yes, maybe their nest was close or they are just very zealous of their territory and... it's too dark.” Lyaria stops, alarmed, noticing the sudden change in environment that she hadn't noticed before.

“It's the trees, they hardly let the light through.” Ezer looks up into the treetops and sees a few lone beams of light that manage to break through the dense leaves. “Also these trees are strangely white and their exterior is very smooth. If I can't find a low branch, I don't think I can climb them.” He strokes the crust of a nearby one.

Lyaria is lost in thought as Ezer speaks, struggling to recall something deep in her mind. She finally remembers when herself touches the crust of the tree and her eyes widen showing a hint of panic as a result.

"We have to go back on our steps!" “She scrambles to find the tracks they made while running and finds them.

“If we go back, it is very likely that we will meet those beasts again.” He trusted her, but preferred an explanation to following her blindly.

“We are in the black forest or white forest. Choose any of the names, you already realize why.” She does not take her eyes off the ground as she walks and follows the marked steps.

"How dangerous?" He inadvertently brings his hand closer to his sword.

“Enough to kill us several times in a day if we're not careful.” She stops abruptly and pronounces those words with resignation.

"Then let's go back the way we came, I prefer the monkeys." He reaches her side and is surprised when looks at the ground.

“I do not think that's possible. The footprints... are gone.” Lyaria knew that from now on, they would have no rest until they either made it out or stopped breathing.