The World Shook Again

Warr

Huff Huff Huff!

I tried hard to catch my breath as I kept running. I aim to get as far away from that monster serpent. (Where the hell did that thing come from?) I asked as I kept moving my legs. I had no intention of stopping. The giant snake was a layer seven beast, even from a glance. I could tell how hard the snake's scales were. I would have a hell of a time trying to wound the serpent.

"Stupid girl! She should have run." I said as I raced through the forest. By now, I was sure to be far from the beast, but I could still hear sounds of battle. Gora no doubt putting on one heck of a show, but it would be for nothing. Even with my help, I knew we couldn't win in my heart. I was also surprised by how easily she let me go. When Gora pulled my guardian chain, I fought it for dear life; nothing in this world could get me to fight that monster. Still, I was shocked that Gora simply let me go, but I couldn't think about that now.

Right now, my sole focus was on running. Gora would surely perish, and then there would be nothing stopping the giant serpent from coming for me. So, I ran none stopped pushing my body as hard as it could go. The only problem was I didn't know where to go. I thought about running back to my old territory but figured it was too far. If Titan decides to give chase, I wouldn't be able to make it in time. In the end, I choose to head back to Frons and the others. If Titan comes for me, then I would have a little help. Or, at the very least, I can use them as a distraction to get away.

"What do I care if a few monkeys die?" I said, leaping over a downed tree. I could care less about the group of outcast Gora assembled. They were all fools to follow the self-proclaimed beast Queen. ( Who does she think she is? Calling herself the Beast Queen!) I thought, scoffing at Gora. The woman planned to unite many weaklings and take over the forest. It was a stupid plan that was doomed to fail from the beginning.

"The forest holds many mysterious beast." I said, repeating the words my mother once told me. My mother was not a strong beast by any means. When she died, she was only a layer four beast. Mother was clever, though. When my father perished, she was the one that kept us safe. We spent most of our time hiding from stronger predators and larger packs. I also hated that I wasn't strong enough to stop hiding back then. I cursed my mother for being weak and running away all the time. ( Look at me now running like some coward!) I thought, laughing at myself.

I had gotten complacent with my strength. The forest was filled with creatures, all with their own secrets. (Hell, that panther could have seriously injured me if we clashed.) I thought. I wasn't too confident in dodging all those shadow attacks. The layer six panther hid her presence so well I was surprised Gora survived so long. Then there was Titan. Even if I wanted to stop and fight him, my legs wouldn't listen. Everything in me told me to keep running to keep moving. So that's what I did. I ran until the sun came up and when it went down. I only stopped to catch my breath. However, I never rested for more than an hour before continuing to journey.

It had taken Gora and me around a month to get to where I had left her. I made it back to Frons and the other in a little over three days. Before making it to the clearing, I was met by monkeys. They swung from the tree shouted and raving, no doubt alerting the others of my arrival. I paid them no mind as I raced out into the clearing. The first person to greet me was Frons.

"Warr, What are you doing here and where is master!?" Frons shout, looking distressed. I tried to talk but found that I couldn't get a word out, too busy trying to breathe. It was the first time in three days that I felt safe enough to stop.

"Snake...Huff... Coming!" I said before my legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground. I had no more energy; I didn't even have enough strength to keep my eyes open.

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I woke up slowly from a pleasant dream about my mother. My dream was of the day she taught me to hunt. My mother was best known for her running and hiding skills. She was also a phenomenal hunter. The way she would track prey for hours waiting for the right moment. I always admired her god-like patience until I reached layer six. Then I had no use for patience. I was on top of the food chain. (At least I was.) I thought. My memory was starting to come back to me.

"Titan!" I shouted as I got to my feet. My legs wobbled when I tried to walk. My body had not fully recovered, but I managed to get to stay on my feet. I was running on the willpower by this point, considering my Ki pool was so low. ( I can't stay still until I'm sure he won't come for me. A beast, the size of Titan, could travel the same distance I had in half the time. I had to keep moving.

Hoo HOO AYee

The sound of a monkey howling caught my attention. I realized that I was surrounded by four gorillas, all at layer four. They held long branches with sharp points at the end of them. (when the hell did they get those?) I thought as I scanned the rest of the clearing. Gora had started to give the monkeys instructions, but I didn't know she would get them this organized. The group of gorillas kept their eyes glued to me. I could tell I was more of a prisoner than a patient.

"I see you are finally awake. The brown-haired spider monkey announced. The monkeys quickly made way for her. They all seemed to straighten their backs even harder when she arrived. Behind her was the little one known as leafy. The little spider monkey had grown in my month of absence. She was now half the size her sister was before she evolved. She had also gotten stronger. I could feel how close the young spider monkey was to reaching layer five. Canis was nowhere to be found. He was most likely playing with his group of images.

"Where is Master!?" Frons said as she looked at me. Her hazel eyes seemed to be searching my soul. I was not too fond of the way the woman looked down on me.

"Dead! And we will be too if we don't leave. I layer seven is on its way!" I yelled at the Frons as I walked up to her. I was still much taller than the demon beast, and My layer was higher. I wouldn't let this pipsqueak look down on me.

"Listen up! Your Queen is dead, and you may all be next. But if you follow me, I can lead you all to safety." I announced, ignoring Frons. All the beasts near us started to mummer to themselves. A lot of them even had a look of terror in their eyes. My plan was working. As the strongest alive, I would no doubt become their new leader. Although I still might have to fight Frons and Canis, It would be easier to get the others on my side.

Frons put her hands in the air and gestured for the crowd to quiet down, which they did immediately. (When did she get so much control?) I wondered as the girl stared at me.

"You say master is dead and that a powerful creature is chasing you? Where were you when master met her end?" Frons asked suspiciously. I gritted my teeth as I examined the demon beast.

"Were you not listening?" I said it was a layer seven. I had no choice but to run. I growled at Frons. The woman ignored me as she passed around me. She put her hand on her chin as if in deep thought.

"So when you were running for your life. Where was the master?" Frons asked. She was now behind me, not even bothering to look my way. ( Why is she acting so strange?) I thought. I figured the woman would be devastated to hear the news. Instead, Frons was too calm, too calm.

"Did you abandon master, too save you own skin?" Frons asked. I could feel her blood lust leaking out. The crowd of beasts all began to scatter.

"Watch yourself, monkey. Your master isn't here to save you." I exclaimed. I glared at the woman who was handing her coat to her sister. Frons seemed to say something to the young Leafy, but I couldn't hear it. Whatever it was seemed to calm the Leafy. ( Does she plan to fight me? Why is she not worried about Gora?) I thought in confusion. I didn't have time to figure out why the money was so calm because she was already coming at me. I started to move, but my legs ached. I decided to end this quickly.

Whoosh!

I launched wind claws at Frons, who charged without hesitation. My wind claws sailed at the woman, but she kept moving forward. Moments before my attack would have reached her, she moved. Dashing to the left, Frons paused for just a second.

Crack!

The ground cracked under her feet as she shot towards me even faster than before. ( Damn, she's gotten quick!) I thought as I forced my legs to move. It was too late, though. Frons was under me in no time.

Bang!

Frons fist collied with my chin send my head to the sky. The blow was strong, but I shook it off quickly. I was about to look down when a second blow struck me.

BANG!

The second blow was worse than the first. I could already taste the blood in my mouth. Still, it was nothing I couldn't handle, even in my injured state. I glanced down when I heard something scrape against the ground. Frons had already prepared her next move, and I was helpless to stop it.

"Stone Palm!" Frons yelled as both her right pams hit my belly. The minute she spoke the words, my body was racked with pain. I flew through the air landing a few feet away from a group of monkeys. I struggled to get to my feet as I coughed up blood. ( Damn ape!) I cursed. If I wasn't so exhausted from running all this way. I would have killed the stupid monkey with ease.

"Your wasting time, monkey. The beast is on its way as we speak!" I cough. I stood to face Frons. She said nothing as she jogged to me, then her jogged turned into a sprint. I fired off a few wind claws using the last bit of Ki I had. The girl dodged both of them and headed right for me. Frons lept in the air just before she reached me. I was having a hard time getting my body to move.

Boom!

I managed to move just in time to dodge the spider monkeys leg. ( Could Frons have gotten this strong just from training with Gora?) I thought as I was about to retreat again. In my tired state, I stood no chance against the new Frons.

"Frons! What's the meaning of this?" I heard a male voice cry out. I was thankful for the voice because it had halted the spider monkey's attacks. Moments later, Canis appeared. The man looks at us in utter confusion.

"Canis! Do not interrupt again. I have to discipline a deserter. I will fill you in when I'm done." Frons said, not even bothering to look at the hound. He seemed to get angry at her words as he closed his fist.

"Ever since master gave you those books, you think you're smarter than everyone. Just tell me what's going on!" Canis yelled. The two then began to bicker like children. I was shocked at how calm they both were.

"Your master is dead, and you two sit here fussing like fools. What did I expect from weaklings like you?" I said as I fell to the ground. My body was spent.

"Masters not dead, you idiot!" Canis said with a puzzled look. I look at Frons, who just covered her mouth to hide her laughter. ( Are they in denial?) I wonder.

"Poor kitty still hasn't realized it yet. Hmmm... Just out of curiosity, what did master do while you were running away?" Frons asked. Her question caught me off guard. Now that I was thinking about it, I did notice something odd as I was retreating.

"She was smiling." I blurted out. When I turned to see if Gora would follow, I noticed her walking towards the serpent with a huge smirk.

"Smiling, huh? And when you ran? Did master try to get you to stay?" Frons asked. Again her question shocked me. At first, Gora tried to make me stay with her, but then she just let me go. (She didn't have to do that.) I thought as I shook my head no. Frons seems to be deep in thought.

"Masters not stupid. If she couldn't win, she would have run. I choose to believe that if Master has not beaten this beast, she has at least gotten away. "Frons said with confidence as she looked at me. ( She can't possibly have this much faith in her master?) I thought. Gora was strong, but against a layer seven, she was but an ant.

"Don't believe me check your cor..." Before Frons could finish her sentence, the world shook. It was small at first, but everyone could feel it. The shaking started to get stronger and stronger.

"I'm coming for you, tiger!" I heard Titans voice. The word shook me to my very core. I managed to get back to my feet, but I was in no shape to run. ( I'm dead!) I thought as Titan burst into the clearing.