I'm putting quite a bit of faith into this leader of theirs, who upon a whim could surely give the order to end my life. Yet, I have to take in consideration their encroachment thus far, and surely if did not play out the way it did, I would never even think of doing this. Part of me is still screaming that I'm a fool for ever entertaining such an idea, but nevertheless, I remain cautiously optimistic. This is no doubt the first peace offering of many, but I sincerely hope that he understands the basic gist of my intentions. Co-operation, or a symbiotic relationship if you will. Because why settle for survival when we can thrive?
Much like before, the old hardened wolf gives a sniff while his lookout turns his attention towards me. The only gesture he gives is a flick of his pointed ear before sinking his teeth into the thick leaves of the infused ivy.
I'm… not sure if my message got across… And I'm not seeing any sort of reaction from the others. I'm probably expecting too much, they are just wild animals after all. But not all hope is lost, there is still the tentative unspoken peace between the orothus and I. As long as that remains, I might be able to establish some sort of foundation.
Outside the world still drums with the intense fall of rain. The winds have picked up since the orothus's arrival, and while the sturdy branches of our home remain stalwart, the trees outside could not boast the same. They shake violently to and fro, seemingly one harsh gust away from becoming uprooted.
A flash of white courses through the thicket, followed instantly by the booming decree of thunder. From which, all my feathers now stand in full attention. Judging by the raised hackles of the orothus below, it seems I am not alone in this regard. Notably, they have all gathered near the trunk at this point, even the one that stood sentry. Or so I thought. The troublemaker from earlier still sits away from the others, clearly soaked from the storm. I'm a bit dumbfounded by this. Is it defiance or fear that keeps it away? Regardless of the reason, both of them bring a unique set of concerns to the table.
For now I huddle up closer to the tree, doing my best to stave off the driving rain. Despite my best efforts, I still find myself vulnerable to the elements. I can only imagine what it would be like if I remained higher up the tree. Probably wouldn't even be able to remain perched with this storm blowing all about.
Suddenly I pick up on a new sound over the hail of rain. Whooping and hollering could be heard just outside the perimeter. The others seem to pick up on it as well, and each of them now stand firmly at attention. The pack leader is the first to respond, loosing a startling howl that grows in blood-curdling vigor as more and more join in. They promptly get in formation,
Seems my earlier intuition to remain put was right, but I don't spend long dwelling on that thought as something else is bothering me. The ongoing war cries coming from within the shaded woods elicit an uncomfortable sense of familiarity. Then it dawns on me, Those calls were just the same as those apes back from when I was captured! Remembering how they were able to remain hidden in the canopy as they gave pursuit sends fresh shivers down my spine. And at that moment, the tree no longer felt as safe as it once did.
The howls and the whooping calls each came to an unsettling end. The only noises that could be heard over the pounding rain were that of the orothus snarling in direction of the woods. An ugly prelude for what is sure to come.
Without warning, the trees part and make way for a beast of a gorilla, bellowing with raw ferocity. Just as expected, the ape is the same kind as the ones I encountered before, large white brutes with striped green markings all throughout. In tow are several more, each of them roaring in chaotic, battle-frenzied unison. Together they charge through the clearing like an unstoppable battering ram. Just before they make contact, the largest amongst them reels back their monstrously muscled fist aglow with verdant light, and then looses it in the direction of the orothus.
Dodging to the left, the alpha barely manages to avoid the destructive fist, but the worst was yet to come.
BOOOOM!!!
A devastating explosion rocks the clearing, sending several unlucky orothus flying. I'm caught off-guard and lose grip on my branch, causing me to fall helplessly towards the ground. Before I even get a chance to collect my composure, a different ape is already hammering a pair of skull-crushing fists down upon me.
SHIT!
I kick at the ground and dive headfirst to the right, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. But just like the attack that signaled the start of combat, a loud BOOM follows closely behind, sending me flying in who-knows-what direction. The concussive force of the blast leaves me dazed and confused, but luckily no one manages to capitalize on my moment of weakness. Eruptions sound from all around, and my ears ring painfully from it all. By time I'm aware of what's going on, I am already beset by another challenger. Having landed a solid uppercut on the orothus beside me, the poor thing gets launched mercilessly into the branches. The ape responsible beats its chest in savage victory, then begins to charge in my direction.
Before I can even react, a blur of silver fur dashes from behind me, catapulting into the air and tearing straight into the ape's neck with glistening fangs. Just as the ape reacts to the sudden attack, the orothus deftly lets go and rebounds off the creature's chest as if it were a giant springboard. Meaty hands grapple nothing but air, and in angry defiance, the wounded ape attempts to looses a furious roar. Except that it cant. Quickly a large hand is raised towards its neck, now equally soaked by both blood and rain. It harbors a venomous expression now. One that cannot be satisfied by nothing short of the complete obliteration of this meddling orothus. A barrage of wild swings are made by the desperate creature, but none of them are able to meet their mark. The silver hunter deftly weaves itself between the flurry of blows, only marginally avoiding a horrible fate as each fist leaves behind a modest crater wherever it strikes.
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High pitched barks pierce through the ongoing throes of combat. Turning to look behind me, I see that both of the pups have raced out form their hiding spots, their front ends lowered, growling and hissing towards the giant ape.
Their act of foolish bravery ignites a fire that I have long since hidden away out of fear. I know I'm a coward, I know that better than anyone! But here? No! I have the ability to act! And dammit I will!
I dash towards the fray, taking stock of the battlefield while I'm moving. It's too hard to get an exact count, but it's clear enough that they outnumber us judging by the fact that some of the others are fighting two, even three at once. For now I focus my attention on the one engaged with the ferocious mother. While its back is turned towards me, I leap onto the startled creature's and immediately climb. Arms start flailing in my direction, and the damned ape starts bucking like some maddened bull. I'm forced to dig my talons and my beak in just to stop myself from being thrown off! And just as I do, it does something I didn't account for. The ground comes up on me fast, and I'm forced to abort my plans lest I get crushed between the ape and the muddy earth.
Thankfully I'm not fighting alone and the huntress wastes no time taking advantage of the prone position the ape left itself in. Blood splatters as she bites down hard on the downed ape's ankle. And before she suffers the wrath of retaliation, she's gone as quick as she came. Her reaction speed is incredible, borderline supernatural. Meanwhile that serpentine tail of hers remains coiled and alert, the ruby slitted eyes unblinking in the face of danger. If I were a gambling bird, I would wager that their partnership is the reason why she has managed to evade so many blows up to this point. Having someone call out any possible threat would be an incredibly useful gift I muse. But I'm not here for the show, so I get in there myself, taking a deep bite out of the ape's shoulder. Unlike earlier, my goal isn't to simply hold on, instead I unleash everything I can to deliver the most damage possible. Utilizing all of my strength I manage to tear a sizable chunk out of its shoulder, earning a quick response from the ape. Between the two of us getting in our strategic, albeit cheap blows, the ape's fury escalates into blind rage, thrashing maniacally towards everything nearby in a tempest of bloody fists. Blood and mud are flung in every direction, but it's a tantrum made in vain. Not long afterwards, the beast slows down, its chest heaving frantically in exhaustion. And just as I'm thinking how to deliver the final blow to such a relentless creature, it grasps its heart in one last strained effort before growing still. Just like that, its eyes glaze over and become vacant of any life. The sudden death surprises me, but I shake my head and push it out of my mind for now.
KERRR-AAAAACK!
Everything flashes white as lightning drowns out the world with thunderous echoes.
Just as my eyes are readjusting from the blinding light, I barely manage to notice a new ape building up momentum by swinging from one of the branches and leaping down at me like a javelin! I try to leap out of the way, and if it were just the ape simply launching itself I might have made it out. However an explosive blast wave follows after its landing that sends me flying way out of the clearing. I collide against several low-hanging branches before tumbling further into the thicket.
The whole experience leaves me reeling in pain, and it takes a while before I can back on my feet.
A faint growing light from where I was moments ago in the clearing catches my attention. Suddenly, for reasons unknown to me, all of my survival instincts start screaming in unison. Doesn't take long to figure out why. A spear of pale green light flies towards me at alarming speed, and I only manage to dodge it by ducking my head down at the last second.
Splinters explode from the tree behind me, showering me in fragmented debris. Not large enough to deal any real damage, but the near-death experience sure as hell gets my attention. Since when the hell could they do that?
As if answering my question, the crafty bastard starts charging up another spear and I waste no time taking cover. Seconds later, another lance collides with the very same tree I'm hiding behind and wood splinters dramatically from the impact.
Come on! It's not like they weren't dangerous enough already, but they can pull this crap too?!
I sneak a peak from behind cover to see if the assault is going to continue, but it seems the ape has lost interest in me and has turned towards the survivors that remain.
Just as I'm about to run back in, a thought wriggles its way into my mind
"Just run, now is the best time to get away. Why involve yourself further?"
Logically speaking, the idea is sound, but I've resolved myself to this matter for better or worse. I'm tired of surviving, it's time to live! Shutting off whatever intrusive thoughts that are sure to argue otherwise, I charge back into the battle! The mother has since tackled the spear-flinging ape and seems to be doing well enough on her own, but nearby one of the other orothus is cornered by three hulking apes. Unless something changes, there's no hope for it, so I dive straight in!
With the closest one having its back turned towards me, I leap onto the exposed flank, unlike last time though, I don't try to climb further. Instead I channel what essence I can into my talons, focusing on the same hellish imagery that led to the wildfire. I can already feel a red-hot energy building up and begin to manifest, and not long after, a crimson blaze erupts from my talons. The flames lick harmlessly upon my feathers, but feast voraciously upon the ape that is now helplessly engulfed in flames. Hellish wails from being burned alive give pause to the nearby onlookers, silent with expressions of horror written clearly on their faces. The two others that are nearby begin to back away slowly, before shamelessly abandoning their ally, still crying out for desperate help. The pleas go unanswered however as they bolt into the thicket. I have since detached myself from the thrashing creature, but it seems my essence is still providing ample fuel, given my growing fatigue. Not wanting to risk falling unconscious in such a dangerous battle, I sever the connection, and immediately the flames cease growing. The ongoing rain makes quick work of the remaining flames, but the damage is already done. Not a single hair remains on the once furry creature, its seared arms twitch in desperate effort to provide any semblance of relief to the worst areas. Fingers hesitate to cover boiled eyes and the other facial extremities that were not spared from the flame's wrath. Its death throes have died down to an almost unnoticeable sobbing, too weak to cry out anymore.
Despite how horrifying I find the entire scene to be, I cannot look away. My intentions were to save a life, but inflicting such a cruel fate is almost too much. Mustering up what courage I can after committing such an act, I carefully walk up to the half-dead creature and deliver a crushing bite to its neck. The ape struggles and thrashes with what little life remains, but as more and more of its precious blood spills and becomes one with the muddy soil, the last chapter of its life comes to an end.
The orothus across from me, spared from the three apes, was none other than the red-coated orothus that first attacked me. It is horribly wounded, with what appeared to be a broken leg and standing on three shaky legs, but a defiant fire still burns behind those glowering eyes. The two of us stare at each other in uncomfortable silence before the ragged creature finally buckles and falls to the ground.
A nearby explosion knocks some sense back into me, reminding me that the battle is far from over.