A pile of branches fell onto a patch of dry ground without any grass. Oliver crouched down and summoned ash on his bare palm. Then, he sprinkled the sizzling ash onto the sticks, and they immediately caught fire, igniting into a roaring bonfire.

     Proud of his resourceful work, Oliver smiled at his creation. He stood up and raised his left hand above his shoulder. A tiny stem quickly grew from the ground on the same side and instantly matured into a bush filled with colourful fruits. Oliver then picked healthy, vibrant raspberries from its branches for himself.

     Oliver sat in front of the bonfire and popped a few raspberries into his mouth. Using his elemental powers, he summoned sand onto his other hand, and it quickly took the form of a small cup. However, it was unusable in its current state since it was still made of sand. But, with a wave of his hand, Oliver transformed the sand cup into a glass, ready to be used.

     Once Oliver created the glass, he quickly gobbled up the remaining berries in his other hand so that he could use it to summon safe and clean water. Once the water filled the glass, he drank it all in one go, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. He then cleared his throat.

     Suddenly, a violent vibration rumbled inside Oliver's stomach, causing him to glance around at his surroundings. He quickly spotted a group of gazelles skipping in the distance, catching his attention. He then peered at them and observed them gallop.

"No, no... I'm not a lion," Oliver joked, chuckling to himself.

     Oliver reached for another berry from the plant he had summoned. He took a bite of the sweet, juicy fruit while keeping his eyes locked on the sprinting gazelles. The fascinating animals dragged his head closer in their direction.

     Unexpectedly, Oliver feels the urge to look to his right. But nothing lies there except for the wind brushing through the grassy fields. He neglects the strange feeling and continues to focus on the gazelles.

     As the moment passes by, the temptation to approach the area grows inside Oliver's head. He keeps resisting until he finally decides to stand up. Then, he proceeds forward.

     Oliver feels a tingle of excitement as he walks towards the area. He then halts on an exceedingly low slope, scanning the grassland around him. As he breathes a relieving breath through his mouth, Oliver suddenly hears a suspenseful, distressed noise echoing across the meadow.

"Help!!" a masculine voice cried out.

     Upon hearing the sound, Oliver quickly searches for the source. Far away on the grasslands, he spots the person calling for help. He immediately realizes that it is none other than Gregory.

     Oliver narrows his gaze. Then, he squints his eyes and watches Gregory run frantically—as if something is chasing him. Oliver can tell that Gregory is unaware of his presence as the distance between them makes it difficult for Gregory to notice Oliver on the horizon.

     Gregory dashes across the sharp grass, his waistcoat flung aside. His trousers are rolled up to his calves, and his sleeves are folded to his elbows, revealing his bare forearms. As he rushes through the plains, his hair becomes tousled and unkempt, wildly flying in the wind. The buttons of his shirt loosen, revealing his glistening, broad chest slick with sweat.

"What kind of plan are they up to this time?" Oliver wondered, mumbling by himself.

     Oliver crosses his arms over his chest and presses his lips into a thin line, showing neglect. He raises a sceptical eyebrow and glares at Gregory. Suddenly, a flashing movement draws his attention behind Gregory. Oliver's eyes quickly widen as he gasps.

     In the distance, Oliver spots a wild bear furiously hunting for its next meal. The bear bellows, gnashing its teeth as saliva drips down its jaw. Its growls echo through the plains as it charges towards Gregory.

     Oliver gasps in horror. He quickly turns around and abandons Gregory. But when he hears Gregory's cry, Oliver freezes and stands still, staring at the ground.

"Help!! Please!!" Gregory cried.

     Pity overcomes Oliver as he decides whether to keep running. If he continues running away, he knows guilt will sprint over him afterwards. And it will haunt him forever.

     Oliver takes a long, careful look at the ring on his finger before staring at his palm. He closes his fist and opens his hands as he spins around. Suddenly, a shower of glimmering, sparkly lights emanates from his hands, encircling and covering his body in a dazzling display of magic. As the lights gradually fade, Oliver's appearance changes drastically, and he gleams like gold.

     Feeling newfound confidence coursing through him, Oliver begins to hasten down the slope. With a final glance at the ring on his finger, Oliver removes it and drops it onto the soil, knowing it will be lost forever. He takes a deep breath and sprints towards the predator and its prey, ready to fulfil his duty as a Podeshire.

     Meanwhile, Gregory sprints across the vast plains, his heart pounding with fear. Clueless about where to go, he glances over his shoulders and yelps. A wave of relief washes over him as he realizes the bear isn't gaining on him.

     However, as Gregory looks back again, his relief turns to horror as he trips on a small boulder hidden among the grass and tumbles to the ground. Gregory's ankle throbs with pain, making it impossible for him to stand up and continue running. With the bear closing in, Gregory crawls through the tall grass, hoping to find a way to escape. But, as he inches forward, he reaches a point where the grass is short and sparse, leaving him dangerously exposed. Gregory hurriedly checks his back.

     Gregory's heart races faster than a falcon upon seeing the bear's gaze fixed on his eyes. With every passing second, the bear draws closer, and Gregory can feel his fear mounting. He continues crawling on his back. But the bear continues approaching as its massive form casts a long shadow over him.

     With only a few meters separating them, the bear suddenly charges at Gregory, its jaws gaping wide to reveal its long, sharp fangs. Its massive frame closes in on him with terrifying speed. Its thundering footsteps echo through the grasslands, and Gregory cries out in fear.

     Before the bear can even reach Gregory, a stone strikes it on the head, causing it to reel back in pain. It shakes its head before turning its attention to the side. It immediately notices a man holding a torch with a puffed chest and upright back.

     Letting out a ferocious roar, the bear charges towards the man, completely letting go of Gregory in its fury. As it draws closer, it suddenly halts, its eyes fixated on the ignited torch in the man's hand. It growls as it steps back.

     The bear watches the flickering flames warily. Then, the bear lunges forward with its massive jaw, ready to snap shut on the man's skin. The man deftly dodges the bear's deadly sharp teeth and strikes the grizzly creature's head using the torch.

     The bear recoils in fear, its eyes wide with surprise as it takes a few steps back, growling fiercely. With a fierce bellow, it turns its back and retreats into the surrounding wilderness. Slowly, its massive form disappears into the distance.

     As the bear retreats into the horizon, Gregory remains on the ground, struggling to control his breathing as he clutches at his chest. He tries to look at the man approaching him, but his vision blurs as his eyes grow heavy; he can feel himself slipping away. The last thing he sees is the shadow of a man looming over him before he succumbs to the darkness, passing out from sheer exhaustion.