Level Up: Voidwalker

***

The Evergladian Supreme Master battered away the webs just as another Titanfang Tarantula appeared alongside thousands of other monsters, but this one was much bigger. Grishna grabbed Atlas's hand and sprinted toward the city as the smaller spiders closed in on them.

They ran through the grassland marked with craters due to the defender's cannons. Atlas saw Grishna speed up as she let go of his hand to take out an incoming spider with an Earth Bolt.

While running, Atlas made sure Lilith clung securely to his back. After confirming she was safe, he noticed a pack of monsters closing in on them. As they neared the city, they pounced on the survivors and slowly took them down individually.

As the monsters were busy with the people, he had a chance to scan one of the monsters up close.

[Wolf Spider]

[Rank: E - 200 Exp]

'Damn, they are creepy looking, they belong in a horror movie,' Atlas thought while taking in the giant spiders that looked the same as the ones on Earth.

That's when he noticed one of the creatures heading straight for Grishna, who just sped up to clear the way. Atlas quickly pointed his hand at the Wolf Spider and cast several Void Bullets that all but one missed, which connected with one of the bigger monsters.

As it turned towards Atlas, causing him to yelp in surprise, the Wolf Spider closed in rapidly. Just as it lunged forward, Lilith appeared out of nowhere and pounced on it. She barreled into the creature; the crazy Honey Badger used her sharp claws and teeth to tear it apart.

Atlas saw even more heading in their direction, and he started casting Void Arrows to slow the creatures down while rushing toward the one Lilith was fighting. The massive spider reared up as he arrived, allowing him to ram his dagger into its torso.

The blade sank deep into the creature's flesh; Atlas then unleashed a torrent of spells, causing it to explode in a burst of chaotic mana. Swiftly, he spun around and cast Void Guard just as a massive spider crashed into him, pinning him to the ground.

Atlas grunted as he wrestled with the monster, holding its fangs at bay by gripping them tightly. Suddenly, the spider thrusted its sharp legs into his body, causing blood to spatter violently in all directions.

This sent pain shooting throughout his body; he let out a pain-filled grunt. During this chaos, a rage-fueled Lilith leaped at the spider, launching a fierce assault to defend him as she put herself between it and Atlas.

While this was happening, several shrills erupted, causing the creatures to recoil in pain and quickly back off. Lilith leaped off the Wolf Spider and hurried over to Atlas as he started coughing up blood.

He was still aware and retrieved a potent Health Potion and swiftly consumed it before pouring the remainder over his wounded torso.

***

[Grishna's POV]

When Grishna saw Atlas injured, she panicked and swooped in, lifting him gently into her arms before she dashed toward the wall. Lilith followed closely behind, her piercing yellow eyes fixed on Atlas.

She sprinted across the grassland while glimpsing mana shells flying over her, creating a beautiful trail as they exploded amidst the oncoming Monster Wave. Grishna stumbled briefly but swiftly regained her balance.

As Grishna started running again, she spotted a group of spiders charging straight at them as they closed in on the wall. Before the creatures could draw near, a sudden purple blast annihilated them.

At that moment, two familiar figures emerged. They were the two girls she had seen at the inn earlier. The purple-haired one dashed towards her, speaking urgently as she fussed over the unconscious boy, "How did he get injured? And why does he look so wild?"

"Not here, Little Bird. Let's get back to the city," the brown-haired girl interjected, her tone resolute as she suddenly appeared, catching Grishna off guard.

"Follow us, and don't drop him!" the purple-haired girl instructed Grishna, casting a wary glance at Lilith, who growled in response.

Grishna nodded as they sprinted toward the city's wall with speed. She kept close behind the two girls while Lilith kept up with them. After ten minutes of straight running, they reached a lift just as it was hoisted up.

As they ascended, spiders slammed into the wall below, only to be repelled by a powerful shock. Reaching the top, soldiers quickly helped them over the wall and guided them down the city's bustling streets.

The brown-haired girl turned to the group, her voice calm but firm, "Let's head back to the inn and properly introduce ourselves."

Grishna followed until they arrived at the familiar inn, where the group of three entered and made their way to the biggest room on the third floor. She noticed the two girls were looking back at Lilith while gossiping, who was marching alongside her.

The little monster wouldn't take her eyes off Atlas, making Grishna smile as she mused, 'She truly cares for the boy.'

After a five-minute walk, they arrived at a door the brown-haired girl opened and held open for her with a smile, ''Join us; I'm sure he wouldn't want you somewhere else.''

Grishna smiled and entered, carefully laying Atlas on the nearest bed. Lilith promptly jumped up and nestled beside him, shielding his body with her own. Seeing this heartwarming scene, Grishna couldn't help but giggle.

She turned around and noticed the two sitting comfortably, settling in for rest. The brown-haired girl spoke first: ''I am Artemis Olympaea.'' She then pointed at the other girl: ''This is Amethyst Flameheart, Atlas's little lover.''

Grishna beamed as Amethyst's cheek went red, ''Grak'Thar Gromog'ar is lucky to have such a powerful mate,'' she said to calm the younger girl down.

That's when Artemis's eyes widened, and Amethyst started jumping up and down with a smile, ''I told you, Fish! Azhar'Zul is known all over Valoria. He is the Messiah who will bring us to paradise.''

As Grishna heard this, she smiled and mumbled, ''May the one who points the way take us to paradise.''

All the orc warriors recited it as a prayer before battle or for those who followed the Path. Afterward, Artemis glanced at Lilith, whose eyes widened as if she suddenly remembered something.

''What's a Jungle Devil doing here?'' she exclaimed.

That's when Artemis pulled out her sword, and Amethyst jumped up while readying her spell, but Lilith let out a growl while standing over Atlas like she was protecting him. Grishna got in the middle and revealed, ''They are bonded! She now belongs to him just like he does to her. It's the way of the Arzuros.''

"Arzuros?" the two girls questioned in unison, confusion etched on their faces.

Grishna approached Lilith, who snarled at her. But that didn't bother her as she reassured the little creature, "You know I won't harm him, girl. Stop being overprotective."

She gently stroked the angry Honey Badger. "This pretty girl is an Arzuros. That's the name of their race. They are proud and loyal creatures once they bond with their mate. Only one person has ever bonded like they have, and that's just a legend."

As she finished speaking, both girls raised their eyebrows. Shortly after that, Artemis giggled, "You mean the Jungle Devil thinks Atlas is her lover?"

Grishna nodded with a smile as Lilith growled again. "I suspect so," she said, gazing at the purple-haired girl. "Come here, Amethyst. Try to kiss him."

Amethyst turned bright red, shaking her head in embarrassment. Undeterred, Artemis approached the sleeping Atlas, leaning in to kiss him. But Lilith snapped at her, growling fiercely.

The three girls burst into laughter before they all sat down as Grishna asked in a severe tone, ''So it's us three protecting Grak'Thar Gromog'ar? Many kingdoms will see him as a demon and hunt him.''

''I assume you've spoken to him about joining?'' Artemis responded.

Grishna reavealed, ''We bonded. I am his First Fist and will defend him with my life.''

Both girls looked at her with strange expressions, causing her to smile, ''The Bloodfang Kingdom is a client state of the Thalassians. We haven't been free for a long time, and every orc wants freedom,'' she said with conviction.

She looked at Atlas before continuing, ''The Grak'Thar Gromog'ar will bring the long-awaited freedom at the end of an Azarakhsh Blade.''

''Are you a believer of the Path Grishna?'' Amethyst asked with excitement bubbling up.

''I didn't follow it fully as I was concerned about leveling up and growing stronger,'' she answered with an honest smile. ''But since meeting Atlas, things have changed, and now I want to follow the Path.''

After speaking, she prayed, which caught the other two off guard, ''Gro'shak na'golga'k, Tol us khazru.''

''Is that the orc's prayer? Many kingdoms have their own,'' Amethyst questioned.

Grishna looked at the phoenix girl before replying, ''Yes. My mother taught me it as she was a warrior before retiring to raise her children.''

After their conversation, the three girls continued talking under the glow of the twin moons overhead. They drifted off to sleep one by one, leaving the room in silence. Yet, someone remained awake.

"Lilith," Atlas murmured, his voice tinged with amusement, causing her body to tremble with excitement.

She leaned in closer, her affection evident as she continued showering him with gentle licks. Atlas couldn't help but smile wider, and he playfully nipped at her, eliciting adorable noises of delight from the honey badger.