"Here is your share," the fox said, using its paw to push two bottles toward the small lizard-like creature.
Lizarius stared at the bottles, then calmly said, "No."
The fox tilted its head slightly, ears twitching. Hmm, no? it thought, confused. Is it not satisfied with its share? I guess it's fair for it to want a bigger cut — it did kill the humans, after all. The fox hesitated, then sighed through its nose. Though I'm reluctant... I guess I have to give it more.
"Okay, how about I give you a bottle of vitality pills as well?" the fox offered, pushing another bottle toward Lizarius with a flick of its paw.
Lizarius didn't even glance at the bottle. "No," he said again, voice flat.
The fox's ears perked up. Its eyes widened slightly. Hmm? Crap... don't tell me it's still not satisfied! A frown formed on its face as it stepped back warily. Does it really want to take it all for itself? Dammit... how can such a small creature be so greedy?
But Lizarius spoke again, unfazed. "No. Don't want."
The fox blinked. Its posture relaxed a little, surprise replacing suspicion. "Hmm? You don't want the pills?" it asked, leaning forward slightly. Then it paused — realization creeping across its face. "So... you don't mind if I take them?"
Quickly, the fox dragged all the pill bottles toward itself with one smooth swipe of its paw. "They're mine now," it declared with a confident grin, lifting its chin slightly. "I hope you aren't having any second thoughts."
Lizarius turned slowly, golden eyes locking onto the fox with a calm, unreadable expression. "Don't want. Just show me the humans."
Already strapping the bag around its shoulder, the fox beamed and puffed out its chest. "I'll gladly take you to where humans are!"
Without a word, Lizarius spread his wings — thin arcs of translucent membrane humming faintly with energy — and took off toward the cave's exit. The fox trotted below, eyes alert. Together, they emerged into the soft light of the forest's edge.
"This is the outset of the forest," the fox explained, glancing up at its strange companion. "So we probably won't run into any Foundation Establishment-stage beasts… but you can't be too sure. Once we're out, we just have to find a human settlement."
Lizarius hovered beside the fox for a moment, then swooped in and landed gently on its head, claws barely brushing fur.
The fox paused mid-step. Its ears flicked. Hmm? What's it doing now?
Then the air shimmered. Lizarius slowly began to vanish, his form blurring into transparency.
"Now, no beast will be able to see you," he said, voice low and calm.
The fox blinked and stiffened. What does it mean by that?
"If we come across any beasts," Lizarius continued, "I'll kill them. Just go to where the humans are. Don't worry about anything."
Still walking, the fox's gaze drifted ahead. Guess it's right... It exhaled slowly. It killed two early-stage Foundation Establishment humans with one strike. I just have to lead it to the humans... and I'll survive.
Now completely invisible, Lizarius lay quietly atop the fox's head like a silent guardian. The fox stopped again, head turning slightly. Its ears perked as it scanned the quiet forest.
Strange… it's too quiet. It frowned. Now that I think about it… I didn't even hear my own footsteps.
Raising its paw slowly, it brought it in front of its face — but saw nothing.
Hmm... what the hell I can't see my own paw, even though it's right in front of me... Its jaw tensed. We really are invisible.
It started walking again, slower this time, deep in thought.
It said no beasts would be able to see me… but I didn't think we'd actually turned invisible.
Just what kind of creature is this?
It can use lightning... and now invisibility too?
Is it a mutated Beast?
No… The thought hung in the fox's mind like a whisper. It might be the descendant of some enchanted beast…