5 An Old Friend Appears (1/2)

Oli had seen Rathe get serious before, like when he met the Frost-fang Panther. This was different.

Rathe's face wasn't serious, it was terrified. That kind of expression could only come from an expert that far outclassed himself and Dioro. Oli took note that whatever it was that flew past them should not be disturbed in any way.

”Should we head back to the clan, Uncle Rathe?”

”Let's rest for a little bit,” Rathe's nerves were still tense. Unlike Oli, he sensed that thing's aura directly with his own and truly understood how far apart their abilities were.

”Okay, if you say so. I'm going to have some of that fruit, want some?” Oli shuffled to the nearby tree, never getting a response. ”Maybe a bite to eat will help calm you down.”

”Hmm?” Rathe tried to shake off his nervousness, ”Sorry about that. What did you say?”

”Here, have some,” Oli let Rathe catch some of the fruit as he ate some himself.

”Not bad,” Rathe relaxed slightly thanks to that. ”Let's head back to the clan, Oli. Although I'm sure Dioro felt that, it's still best if we joined up with them.”

”Okay, I'm ready when you are.”

ROOOOAAARR!!!

Both Oli and Rathe opened their eyes wide. They instantly recognized Dioro's roar and quickly hopped back onto the path to regroup.

”What's going on Rathe?” Oli was in the dark.

”I'm not sure, but that was Dioro calling for us. We just need to hurry back,” Rathe's seriousness returned.

While returning to the clan, countless beasts either flew past them or climbed up the face of the mountain, as if running from something. Rathe and Oli had a good idea of what they were running away from.

Some beasts acted out of fear and attacked Rathe and Oli, but Rathe managed to protect him without much trouble. The only issue was that they were being slowed down thanks to all of the beasts that got in their way.

Finally, after nearly twenty minutes they were able to reach the clan's location, or at least where they were at when Dioro called them back. Rathe took note of the many tracks, those from the clan and many from some other species.

”What happened Rathe? Where did they go?” Oli started to panic.

”Calm down, Oli. The clan is fine,” Rathe's seriousness had its advantages, like being able to calm any situation. ”They were driven away though.”

”What do you mean?”

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”It looks like they were ambushed and driven into the valley.”

”You mean—”

All of a sudden, the sky above the valley turned red. They looked into the distance to see the center of the massive valley in flames.

”Uncle Rathe, you think...” Oli couldn't bring himself to imagine the clan running into that expert from before.

”You're overthinking kid. Dioro would sooner confront any ambush before facing someone like that. But it does seem like the clan is in trouble, being stuck between that ambush and that expert,” Rathe grabbed Oli and held him up against his chest. ”Grab hold kid. We've got to hurry, so I can't have you holding me back. I'm going in at full speed.”

Oli tried to say something but Rathe had already taken off. If Rathe hadn't warned him, Oli would've fallen off easily as Rathe moved with incredible speed, covering almost two krin with each step.

”Don't let go brat!” Rathe yelled, causing Oli to flinch.

In a single step, Rathe ground to a stop. Oli didn't understand what was happening and was thrown from Rathe's chest due to the momentum, but Rathe caught him easily.

”Uncle Rathe,” Oli was disoriented and lost for a moment, ”what was that for?”

”Hmm, so you're an uncle now?”

Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Oli paid more attention to his surroundings and noticed a beast standing a few krin in front of Rathe.

It seemed to be from a feline race but was long and almost as big as Rathe. Its fur was pitch black, easily able to blend into the shadows. The only revealing quality he showed were blood-red spots that were splattered across his body, his piercing red eyes, and the silver choker he wore around his neck.

”Uncle Rathe, what is he? Do you know him?” asked Oli.

Rathe showed a slight smile and said. ”I sure do. Brat, say, 'Hello,' to your Uncle Vloz, the Blood-spotted Leopard.”

Oli was at a loss for words and looked at Rathe like he was an idiot. ”Oh, that's right! You've never heard of him yet. Vloz, say, 'Hi,' to your Nephew Oli.”

”Ha, you always knew how to joke Rathe,” Vloz chuckled.

”So, you are the same old Vloz. What brings a pussycat like you all the way out here?” Rathe's eyes revealed his casual self.