Alaric kept running. The air that rushed through his nose now seemed to chase him, in sync with his desperate, lightning-fast pace. Every beat of his heart felt like it was stabbing his chest, but his eyes never wavered from the two figures ahead.

The man, who appeared somewhat intimidating, never stopped, not even for a second. He ran with force, his speed impressive, his feet pounding the ground with a rhythm that seemed unshakable. The black boots he wore slammed against the earth with loud thuds, in perfect harmony with the small chains hanging from his waist, which jingled with each step.

Ahead of this man was a boy, barely a child, clearly exhausted. His small body couldn't keep up with the stamina of an adult. Every now and then, he looked back, his fear intensifying as the distance between him and his pursuer narrowed. His face was pale, sweat dripping down his forehead. His eyes were wide with panic as he saw the gap closing in.

"Don't let it happen..." Alaric muttered softly, pushing himself harder, though he knew the distance between them was still too far. His leg muscles screamed in protest, his steps growing heavier. He knew he wasn't a professional runner, but his heart refused to give up.

The area they were heading to was changing. The road became steeper, quieter, and ahead was a large lake, its surface shimmering with the golden light of the setting sun.

But for Alaric, the sight made his heart race even more. The lake was deep, its edges slippery. If the boy panicked and chose a dead-end, he might jump into the water without thinking.

Alaric's eyes widened. "No, not that!" he thought. He knew fear could make people do foolish things, and a small child like that, already running out of energy, might choose to dive into the water rather than be caught by the stranger chasing him.

"No, it can't happen..." Alaric muttered, his voice strained with exhaustion. He shook his head, trying to push away the fatigue. His legs screamed, but he forced himself to speed up again, each step sending sharp pains through his joints.

The lake was now only about thirty meters ahead. The boy's steps grew more erratic, almost stumbling over the roots of the trees. The man, still relentless, moved steadily forward, his large strides closing the gap. His hands stretched out, as if ready to grab the boy's back.

From his position behind, Alaric's gaze sharpened. He could clearly see the boy's fragile back, contrasting with the huge figure of the man behind him. And the more he thought about the boy potentially falling into the lake, the stronger the sense of dread tightening around his chest. "If that happens, I can't just stand by."

The air that had once been calm now felt oppressive. The usual sounds of birds from the surrounding trees had vanished, replaced by nothing but the pounding of feet on the ground as the three of them raced against time.

Alaric pushed himself further, his heart thudding with each step. The figures ahead were becoming clearer: the boy, panicking with unsteady movements, and the imposing man, relentless as a predator, unwilling to give up the chase.

When he saw the boy stop at the edge of the lake, his face pale and his eyes full of fear—Alaric felt an unspeakable weight on his chest. The boy's decision was on the line.

As the gap narrowed, Alaric saw the boy had run out of options. He stopped at the edge of the lake, his face pale, sweat dripping down his temples. His eyes flickered nervously between the calm surface of the water and the empty land to his left, as if searching for another way out. For a moment, he hesitated... whether to dive into the water or surrender to capture.

"Don't!" Alaric silently pleaded, as if his thoughts could reach the boy.

And just as the large man was about to seize the boy, Alaric leaped forward in a quick reflex. His hand grabbed the man's shoulder, yanking him back with all his strength. The force of the pull was so powerful that the man staggered several steps backward.

The man, heavy and muscular, strained against the pull, but Alaric held on. His grip tightened, refusing to allow even an inch of movement toward the boy, who stood trembling at the edge of the lake.

"What the hell is this?!" the man roared, his voice deep and threatening. His eyes were wild, filled with fury, like a cornered animal. His breathing was harsh, his chest rising and falling rapidly, the smell of sweat and cigarettes lingering in the air.

But Alaric didn't flinch. His gaze was cold, unwavering. "Enough. You won't touch him," he said, his voice flat but full of authority.

The man struggled, his muscles straining to free himself from Alaric's grip. The sound of their feet scraping against the ground echoed, heavy and harsh, drawing the attention of a few students nearby, who began to whisper nervously.

The boy, still trembling, turned his head slightly, his eyes full of fear but also relief, as if a burden had been lifted by the presence of someone who would protect him from the terrifying man.

The man let out a low, mocking laugh, his voice grating. "You've got some guts, stepping in. Do you have any idea who I am?"

Alaric didn't respond. He kept his grip firm, even as the man's nails dug into his arm. His chest heaved as he fought back the surge of anger, but his eyes never left the man's face, focused solely on the boy's safety.

Alaric felt his muscles scream in pain, but his determination was stronger than the fatigue that was assaulting his body. The closer he got to the boy, the more he could feel how.

The air around the lake felt thick, the tension between the two men palpable. The students watching from a distance whispered amongst themselves, none of them daring to approach. They could all sense the raw energy about to explode between these two.

Alaric knew that if he let his guard down even for a second, the boy would be in danger. And he wouldn't allow that to happen.

—

Alaric staggered back a step as the man's powerful push collided with his chest. He caught his breath, but his body remained steady, his feet planted firmly in the damp grass at the lake's edge. The water nearby sent small splashes as his shoes came dangerously close to its surface.

Meanwhile, the boy, who had been running from the man, now stood a few meters behind, his face pale but determined. Both of his hands were hidden behind his small frame, as if guarding something important.

His eyes flicked between Alaric and the burly man, nervous but resolute. Alaric could tell from the boy's posture: whatever he was hiding, it meant something. Whether to him or to the threatening figure in front.

The man, with his messy long hair and worn leather jacket, hissed in frustration. His hand shot forward, trying to grab the boy, but the child quickly stepped back, almost slipping on the slick ground. The fear was clear in his eyes, but he held fast to whatever he was concealing behind him.

A small smile appeared on Alaric's face, not one of mockery, but one of certainty. His instincts had been right: the boy wasn't in the wrong. The man in front of him was.

He finally managed to grab the big man and push him back, a moment of relief came over him.

"It looks like you're the one with the problem," Alaric thought, tightening his fist.

Without a second's hesitation, Alaric moved swiftly. His body leaned forward, his shoulder raised, and then...

crack!

A hard punch landed squarely on the man's face. There was a short, sharp sound as his jaw was struck, sending the large man reeling backward and crashing to the ground, just barely missing the muddy water.

The boy gasped, his breath caught in his throat, staring at Alaric in shock. For the first time, he seemed a little relieved. As if the weight on his shoulders had been lifted.

But that relief didn't last long. With a low growl, the man slowly got back up. A thin trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth, dripping down his chin and into the dirt. His eyes were wild, filled with more rage than before. He clenched his fists, ready to strike, the kind of brutal street fight moves that had no rules.

Alaric didn't back down. He stood calm, his shoulders relaxed, though his fists were clenched again. He wasn't challenging the man, but his gaze was clear and full of readiness. As though he were watching, waiting for how the show would unfold.

The evening breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of water and damp leaves, surrounding the stillness and tension that hung heavy at the edge of the lake.

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