Chapter 38

Flaming Paw was waiting patiently.

Even though it was getting colder, on his goblin’s mountain, the sunlight reached him, warming his orange-red fur.

It was pleasant.

Not that Flaming Paw needed the warmth, he had enough fire inside him, but he enjoyed it anyway.

The goblins hidden in the surrounding area made his stomach grumble, reminding him of his appetite.

But Flaming Paw was a grown up and smart fox and could control himself and be patient.

When his water goblin Divine finally emerged from his burrow, Flaming Paw set off right away.

Flaming Paw moved at a light jog down the mountain until Divine caught up to him.

Then the five-tailed fox started accelerating.

Flaming Paw didn't even need to slow down when they ran into the thickset forest.

It seemed like the little green two-legs was getting stronger too.

That fired Flaming Paw up and he ran even faster.

Suddenly he noticed that he had burnt too bright and lost the goblin in his enthusiasm.

The fox slowed down to look around.

Suddenly a figure jumped out of the treetops, landing near him.

Flaming Paw wasn't the best at interpreting the facial expressions of two-legs, but it looked like Divine was wondering why he had stopped.

Keeping up with Flaming Paw at this speed, while running through the treetops, it looked like the fox had still underestimated his little green friend.

Since the goblin couldn't answer him, Flaming Paw just kept on talking.

The magical beast language was really superior, since even those who couldn't speak it could understand.

Flaming Paw led Divine right to the edge of the whole territory his fox pack had conquered up until now.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

They reached a lake that was completely surrounded by the forest's trees.

The lake was unnaturally round.

Its surface mirrored the sun in the sky, shining and a little blinding.

Colorful leaves lay all over the ground, and some were flowing on the lake.

The whole scenery painted an idyllic picture.

As the duo stepped closer, a deer herd, that was drinking from the lake, quickly fled.

Flaming Paw made no move to follow them and went right to the edge of the lake.

He put a paw into the water and channeled his fire.

The lake started bubbling in a small circle around his front leg.

Flaming Paw's arrangement didn't seem to be to Divine's taste.

But before Divine could protest, something was already coming.

A wave swept out, drenching Flaming Paw's fur.

The five-tailed fox retreated swiftly behind Divine, who stayed untouched by the water, shielding himself by getting the water close to him under his control.

A huge white snake followed that wave out of the water, its scales glistening brightly in the sun.

----------

Divine thought the snake looked quite exquisite.

It was definitely an impressive specimen.

And if he couldn’t feel that the snake was weaker than him, he would’ve been scared of its great form.

As soon as the snake talked to them in the magical beast language, it was clear she was a female.

The white snake addressed Divine because the fox was hiding behind him.

Divine just pointed at himself quizzically, acting like he had no inclination of what was going on at all.

Quickly, Flaming Paw came up from behind him.

Moonscale’s pale yellow and slitted eyes fell on the five-tails.

The white snake's gaze became even more guarded and unfriendly and there was a hint of mocking and derision when she mentioned the fox pack.

But Divine could also detect a hint of fear, well hidden, but not well enough.

"What natural order?!" Flaming Paw let out a harsh bark. "You mean the elven order! You are just a pathetic giant pale worm, crawling to the elves’ feet!>

"You arrogant greedy young fox! Do you want to be hunted down? Didn't you learn your lesson from the forest guardians the first time? Do you think just because you carved out a little territory for yourself you can do whatever you want? Even your elders from the fox clan stay well-behaved up on their mountain and don't dare to create such a ruckus like you!> Moonscale berated Flaming Paw.

The fox didn't like her words at all and snorted angrily.

Flaming Paw was really angry now. Her words had hit him.

Moonscale didn't fear Flaming Paw much, because their strength was roughly the same and she had the elemental advantage, but her sharp instincts told her to be very careful of this goblin.

Trusting her instincts, the white snake immediately retreated back into the lake, but not without leaving behind a deterrence for the future.

Flaming Paw yelled heatedly.

Divine shook his head and Flaming Paw understood that this gesture meant ‘no’.

Flaming Paw screamed at him.

Divine just looked at the fox calmly, but his qi was gathered and at the ready.

Flaming Paw started growling threateningly and bared his teeth. Heat started rising.

Divine said in the magical beast language.

Flaming Paw’s outrage couldn’t stand against this surprising news and abated quickly.

The five-tailed fox stared at Divine as if he was a freak of nature.

He was totally dumbfounded and couldn’t really believe it.

Flaming Paw demanded shaken and unsure.

Divine was immensely proud of himself right now.

Divine had figured out the trick to the magical beast language by experimenting on the minion prospects under Beorn, but he hadn’t been completely sure if he had grasped the technique completely correctly because of the goblins’ confusing feedback.

It did seem like Flaming Paw’s worldview had really taken a hit.

At least the fox had forgotten about their earlier dispute.

Flaming Paw was so stunned that he needed a few minutes to process this information.

The way Flaming Paw looked at him had changed, but Divine didn’t know if positively or negatively.

With these words Flaming Paw wandered off slowly, deep in thoughts.

Divine wondered if he would ever see Flaming Paw again after this.