Level Up: Voidwalker

''No, they are annoying pests who like to make me jump when I'm not expecting it,'' Atlas replied, kicking one who tried to nibble him.

He pointed at the creature, ''See? They've just been beaten and still want more.''

The women laughed as Estelle commented, ''It seems like you've grown into a fine young man, but now it seems like we need to test your strength.''

Atlas grinned, holding up his stump. ''You're challenging a cripple, blondie? But sure, let's fight; I've been looking forward to this.''

With that, he created a battlefield outside the treehouse, the thrill of the impending clash sending his excitement soaring. Once everything was set, he and Estelle stood opposite the makeshift arena.

Estelle stood poised with her sword while Atlas gripped Nightblade, his focus unwavering. Grishna swaggered into the center, raising her arms in a playful gesture as she looked at him with a knowing smile. "If you beat blondie, I'll give you a special treat tonight, handsome."

Atlas felt his cheeks flush at her words, but Amethyst retorted before he could respond, ''Two more years! We all agreed to wait until I come of age!''

Grishna's green eyes sparkled with mischief as she nodded. ''That's right—no sex until the Little Bird gets her night as the first wife; there are other things I can do to satisfy him,'' she mumbled, her tone light yet serious.

Following that, the orc woman raised her hand to signal the start of the fight. When it came down, Estelle raised her blade and cast Solar Slash, which flew in his direction, causing Atlas to smile.

He cast Void Infusion over Nightblade. In an instant, he vanished, leaving Estelle shocked to her core. She had barely a heartbeat to brace before Atlas reappeared directly in front of her, unleashing a powerful strike aimed at her.

She quickly raised her sword to block the attack, and sparks flew as their blades collided, illuminating the battlefield with light flashes. Estelle danced around him, her footwork elegant as she parried his strikes, her blue eyes focused.

Each movement was a blend of skill and technique, neither willing to give an inch. Atlas pushed his speed to the limit, darting in and out like a shadow, while Estelle relied on her training and instinct to keep pace.

'She can keep up!' he thought in shock as they continued to clash.

Atlas started using his speed before creating sonic booms as he moved too quickly, and when he struck at the blonde, she quickly raised her sword. When she did that, he ducked down and dropped his blade.

He cast Void Punch, preparing to strike, but just before his fist could make contact, a brilliant white barrier materialized in front of him. The impact sent shockwaves through his hand, causing his fingers to break and forcing him to grit his teeth against the pain.

'Fuck!' Atlas raged as he tried to jump back, but it was too late.

Seizing the moment, Estelle countered with a kick to his chest, knocking the wind out of him. Before he could recover, she unleashed a Light Blast, the energy surging toward him and sending Atlas hurtling across the battlefield.

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He crashed to the ground, his head ringing from the force of the impact, but as his Regeneration kicked in, he pushed through the pain and stood up as the bones repaired themselves.

'The pain is still there, but it's not as bad as it used to be,' Atlas thought while staring at his hand.

Estelle darted toward him so quickly that it caught him off guard, causing him to cast Void Wave, which sent her skidding back as Atlas flexed his hand and darted toward the blonde while casting Void Lances, and Bullets peppered her defenses.

An explosion erupted, sending her backward, but Atlas was already there, smiling as he unleashed Void Punch. She quickly raised a shield, and his fist connected with a resounding clap, the force propelling her through the trees.

Estelle cast Healing Light on herself as she tumbled through the underbrush, mending her injuries instantly. Regaining composure, she retaliated with a Light Blast aimed directly at him.

Atlas sidestepped the spell, but before he could react, the blonde appeared beside him, her blade pressing firmly against his neck. She slid behind him, whispering, "You're impressive, Azhar'Zul; I see you took my advice to heart; at least you won't die now."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I had to," he replied, his voice steady as he held her soft hand gently. "I've seen things that would shatter people's belief, I've seen monsters that could bring empires to their knees and if I were to die, all those moments would vanish—like tears in the rain."

Estelle wrapped her arms around him, leaning her head against his back as she spoke softly, ''You've matured so much. I don't see that rash boy anymore; I see a man who has faced hardships on his journey back to us.''

''You can't sit around and wait for someone to come to your rescue. You have to make your own way,'' Atlas replied as all the memories of everything he had been through.

While that happened, Grishna approached and commented with a warm smile, ''We're heading back inside. You two lovebirds can stay here.''

As the other women entered the treehouse, leaving them alone, Atlas took Estelle's hand and led her into the jungle's depths. The blonde glanced at him, confusion flickering, but she remained silent.

''There were many times I nearly died,'' he began, his tone serious as they walked. ''When we were trapped in the Chaos Realm, I finally realized how reckless I had been. I needed to be smarter before acting, to think things through rather than rushing headlong into danger.''

''I understand that, and it's a good thing, Atlas,'' Estelle said, stopping him as her blue eyes shimmered with understanding.

Atlas smiled at her, but she leaned in and pressed her lips against his before he could respond. A jolt of electricity surged through both their bodies at the contact, and the blonde jumped back, her fingers instinctively grazing her lips.

''Seems like there's a spark between us, blondie,'' Atlas said with a smile while pulling out some monster meat to eat.

Estelle stood there before shaking her head and speaking sternly, ''This didn't happen. Don't mention it to the others.''

''No problem,'' he answered as confusion washed over him.

Atlas shrugged and continued walking, leaving Estelle behind with an expression he couldn't read. He walked deeper into the jungle until stumbling across a wolf monster's den, which caught him off guard.

'I can't remember getting these creatures but we did capture thousands of monsters in the Chaos Realm,' he pondered as the pack leader appeared at the entrance.

The giant wolf nodded before returning inside as adorable yips and howls came from the monster's home. Atlas continued walking as he pushed through the dense underbrush of the jungle, the vibrant sounds of wildlife filling the air around him.

Moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the ground as he moved. As he navigated the winding path, anticipation tingled in the air. After a few minutes, he stepped into a massive clearing, and his breath caught in his throat.

Before him lay the Scalebreaker nest, an impressive sight surrounded by towering trees. The nest was a chaotic blend of large, jagged scales and twisted branches, radiating a primal energy.

While standing there, Atlas suddenly heard a chorus of chirps around him. A grin spread across his face as he said with an amused voice, ''I know you little ones are lurking around.''

As he spoke, the baby Scalebreakers launched their ambush, led by the now fully grown Sera, ''Don't you get involved! We've already talked about this girl!'' he exclaimed.

But the cheeky monsters barreled into him, using her weight to knock him off balance. Before he could regain his footing, the others swarmed him, their tiny tongues licking every inch of exposed skin.

Atlas started laughing while trying to push the little creatures off, but when he got one away, another three jumped him. As this happened, Cera's amused voice sounded in his mind, 'This is your fault, master. You've been spoiling every batch of younglings we've had, and they love you like a big brother.''

When the babies realized the matriarch was there, they scattered like hooligans. Atlas pretended to scold them, but the surrounding Scalebreakers knew he enjoyed the silly creatures.

After that he turned to Cera and answered, ''They are cute, I can't help but visit them as much as I can.''

The older monster giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ''Oh, you know we cherish you, master? The one barely paid us any mind, and here you are, bothering us daily. We're starting to get a little bored with your company,'' she teased, playfully scooping him up with her massive tail.

He laughed before stroking the massive Scalebreaker, and she asked in a curious tone, ''Who is that beautiful young woman watching you?''

Atlas turned around only to smile when he saw who it was.

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