6 Auris's Final Gift For Bandits

Auris, having successfully subdued the bandit boss, now stood triumphantly atop his fallen adversary. With a gesture that mirrored Vargus's own affectionate ones, Auris lightly tapped the unconscious bandit boss's head, a mocking semblance of a pat.

In his mind, Auris's thoughts took on a growling tone, filled with a mix of warning and relief. "You're lucky it was me who found you, not my master," Auris reflected, his internal monologue laced with pride and a hint of amusement. "If Vargus had been the one to confront you, your end would have been far more gruesome. Consider yourselves fortunate."

With his message mentally delivered to the defeated foe beneath him, Auris gracefully leaped down from the bandit boss's back.

Turning away from the scene of his victory, he made his way towards the camp's entrance, leaving behind the silent testament to his strength and the folly of underestimating him. 

But before Auris exited the bandit camp, he paused, deciding to leave a parting gift behind. With a swift glance over his shoulder at the quiet aftermath of his onslaught, he drew in a deep breath and released a roar.

Though small and seemingly innocuous, more adorable than intimidating, the sound carried a peculiar depth. It wasn't the roar's volume that mattered but the intention woven within it—a call to the wild that resonated with the creatures hidden in the forest's embrace.

This unique roar, undetectable to the bandits' ears, was a clear signal to the forest's inhabitants. Despite its cute undertone, the underlying message was unmistakably aggressive, stirring the nearby beasts into a frenzy.

One by one, they responded to Auris's call, their instincts awakened to the threat the bandits posed, turning them into unwitting attackers against the camp.

As chaos ensued, with the sounds of the forest's creatures descending upon the bandit camp, Auris couldn't help but let a satisfied smirk play across his features. "Let this be my final gift to you—a lesson in respect and the consequences of underestimation," he mused silently, his thoughts echoing with a mix of satisfaction and warning.

Meanwhile, the unsuspecting bandits were caught completely off guard by the sudden onslaught of forest creatures. Confusion and fear quickly spread among them as they scrambled to understand the cause of this unexpected attack.

"What's happening?!" one of the bandits shouted, dodging an enraged boar that charged through the camp, upturning anything in its path.

"Beasts! They're attacking us from all sides!" another cried out, barely managing to climb a nearby tree for safety as a wolf pack surged into the camp, their eyes gleaming with a ferocious hunger.

In the midst of the turmoil, a consensus emerged: "We need the boss!" they shouted to one another, believing only their leader could navigate them through this crisis.

Rushing to the hall, where they expected to find their boss rallying the defense, the bandits were met with a sight that drained their courage. There lay their boss, unconscious, the very picture of vulnerability rather than the strength and command they desperately needed.

The bandits exchanged looks of disbelief, their situation going from bad to worse. "How can this be?" one of them exclaimed, the shock evident in his voice. "He's out cold!"

They tried shaking him, calling his name, anything to rouse him from his unconscious state, but to no avail. "Wake up! We're under attack!" they pleaded, the urgency clear in their voices. But their efforts were futile; their leader remained unresponsive, leaving them leaderless and overwhelmed by the sudden beastly onslaught.

Then suddenly, a seasoned and formidable bandit stepped forward, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We have to abandon the base," he declared, his tone brooking no argument.

His suggestion was met with immediate resistance. "How can you say that? Abandon our base?" another bandit protested, unable to fathom leaving behind their stronghold.

The fierce bandit turned to face his comrade, his expression grim. "Look around! The beasts are overwhelming us, and our boss is out cold. What choice do we have?" he countered, his rationale clear and unyielding.

There was a moment of tense silence as the other bandits processed his words, the reality of their dire situation sinking in. "Our lives are at stake here," he continued, pressing his point. "Staying means certain death. Our survival is more important than this camp."

Confronted with the harsh truth of their circumstances, the other bandits found themselves at a loss for words. They understood the logic, yet the thought of fleeing, of leaving everything they'd built behind, was a bitter pill to swallow. However, faced with the alternative, they knew the fierce bandit's counsel was their only real option.

The seasoned bandit, taking charge in the midst of uncertainty, commanded, "Grab the boss and let's move. We'll head to Young Master Carlos for refuge."

As his companions hesitated, he added with conviction, "This has to be connected to that barbarian. Seeing his tiger here... it can't be a coincidence. Young Master Carlos is our main support; he's the one who finances us. It's to him we must report. He'll want to avenge this insult."

The other bandits, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the wisdom in seeking their benefactor's protection, nodded in agreement. "He's right," one of them said, the resolve firming in his voice. "Carlos won't take kindly to one of his investments being attacked. He'll make sure to retaliate."

With a shared sense of purpose, they hurriedly lifted their unconscious leader, their movements now coordinated and swift. The understanding was clear among them: their survival and the possibility of retribution lay with Young Master Carlos. It was under his patronage that they could regroup and possibly strike back at the barbarian who had brought them to this low point.

Meanwhile, Auris, upon returning, was greeted by the comforting sight of Vargus, who was savoring the warmth of a campfire and the simplicity of a roasted meat meal. The relief of seeing his master safe, immersed in such a tranquil moment, washed over Auris.

Vargus, noticing the small tiger's approach, greeted him with a smile that spoke volumes of their deep connection. "There you are, Auris," he said, his voice rich with the warmth of welcome. "I've been wondering about your whereabouts. It seems you've had quite the journey."

Reaching for another piece of meat from the fire, Vargus extended it towards Auris with a gesture of care. "You must be famished after all that excitement. Come, share this meal with me," he invited, intuitively sensing Auris's needs.

Auris, with no trace of hesitation, moved closer to accept the offering, their companionship shining brightly in this simple exchange. Vargus observed Auris enjoying the meal, his face alight with satisfaction, knowing how cute Auris really was while eating. 

While Vargus watched Auris feast on the offered meat, he noticed a smudge of blood on Auris's paw—a detail that didn't escape his keen observation. The blood was clearly not Auris's. This small but telling sign led Vargus to a silent contemplation, piecing together the events that might have unfolded.

"Could Auris have confronted those bandits on his own?" Vargus pondered internally, recalling the trouble they had encountered the day before. The thought of Auris taking matters into his own paws, possibly seeking out the bandit camp to exact revenge or justice, crossed his mind. "Knowing this forest as he does, he might have found their base... but would he really go that far?"

However, almost as quickly as the idea formed, Vargus found himself doubting it. "No, that can't be it," he reasoned with himself. "Auris, despite his bravery, embodies cuteness more than anything. It's hard to imagine him launching an assault on the bandits. He must have been testing his strength, perhaps on some wild creature that crossed his path."

This line of thinking seemed more plausible to Vargus, aligning with the peaceful, albeit protective, nature of his companion. "Yes, that must be it. Auris wouldn't seek violence unless provoked. He's simply proven his capability, nothing more," Vargus concluded, comforting himself with the thought that Auris's adventure was less about vengeance and more a display of natural instinct and strength.

After sharing a fulfilling meal, Vargus rose to his feet, invigorated by the brief respite. He gazed down at Auris, his eyes alight with a blend of affection and determination. "Alright, my friend, it's time for us to press on," he announced, his voice imbued with the excitement of impending adventures.

Auris, ever in tune with Vargus's intentions, responded with an eager nod, signaling his readiness to follow wherever the journey led. With a nimble jump, Auris positioned himself on Vargus's shoulder, his favorite perch for travel, affirming his role as a steadfast companion.

Vargus couldn't resist giving Auris a gentle pat, his touch lingering a moment longer as he admired the tiger's enduring cuteness. There was a hint of mischief in his smile, a playful acknowledgment of their unique bond. "Let's see what adventures await us, Auris. Together, there's no path we can't tread," Vargus said, turning his gaze forward, their united steps marking the continuation of a journey filled with unknown challenges and shared moments.