19 Reaching Town (1/2)
Arnin tossed Cher's head towards the beast and picked up her body. ”Since you didn't listen to instructions, you only get the head. Hurry up and finish it before the people come!” Arnin jumped onto a tree and climbed. From to branch to branch, he kept leaping. He needed to go quick or the pursuers would get to him soon. As the tree opened up into the vast, blue sky with white, puffy clouds, Arnin settled the body onto the thick green leaves that grew no further. The leaves that were once green, began to soak in the red of Cher.
Arnin dug through the leaves and landed on the branches. His foot landed on a branches that were lower until he steadily got onto the crimson dyed grass that was green no more. With light footsteps, the measly body approached that of the giant tiger. It's grey stripes blended with the orange coat showcased its grandeur. One leg swung over the mountain like back, while the other rested onto the opposite side.
”Let's go! We need to meet those pursuers before they get here. Do not attack them!” The flickering glare of the young human forced the beast to bow it's head. Even though it was stronger then the pitiful human, it just couldn't find the heart to go against him.
As the wind began to pick up, the fur on the beast began to pitifully sway back. Patches of grass that once stood tall, collapsed under the weight of the beast. The young human sat on top of the tiger beast unyieldingly, his short, black hair moving with the wind. His coal-like eyes were tinged with red, focusing on the two approaching figures. Dirt flew into the air with shredded grass accompanying it. Claw marks slid and tore the earth into shreds. The beast halted in front of the two figures.
The ocean-like eyes glared at the beast. Dane's face flinched when he found that the strength of the beast was much higher than his own. His bronze hand lifted into the air to prevent his companion from moving forward.
”So, Arnin was it? This beast must be yours then? I was wondering how you could tame a demonic beast of such caliber without being a demon yourself?” Dane knew that he could not match the beast even with his whole group present, but he was resolute to find out who Arnin was.
”I don't need to answer your question. All you need to know is that I am not yet your enemy.” Arnin smiled towards the two. His small frame faulted his domineering tone, however with the beast under him, the words carried strength.
”Since you don't want to answer, don't, but I will ask you again, what is your reason for being in this forest?” Dane decided to take a step back with his words. Although he thought he was stronger then Arnin, he knew he could not handle the beast.
”You really are such a pest! Fine, I will tell you why I am here, but you are going to lead me out of this forest then.” Arnin jumped off the beast and walked towards the two. Sadly, he wasn't able to get rid of the two because all members of the group were not all present.
”Sure, if you give us a suitable answer, we will be more than happy to take you out of the forest. But only if I like your answer.” Dane didn't show any weakness. Brajus didn't say anything. Although he was usually angered quickly, he knew when to hold himself back.
”I am a new student for the academy that you guys call Lepidoptera. I was traveling through the forest with my beast companion in order to get there.” Arnin smiled towards the two and answered 'honestly'. Dane and Brajus were surprised at Arnin's answer. They still had some doubts, so they didn't take any steps. They were firmly planted to their spots.
”Why was your beast not with you? And why did it howl jus-”
”Hey hey! I don't need to tell you anything else. You got your answer, so lead me out the forest now.” Arnin cut Dane off. He wasn't willing to answer every question they threw at him.
Brajus looked at Dane with hesitation. Worry was written all over his face. Dane didn't turn his head to look, he only pondered for a bit before nodding.
”Alright, we will bring you to the academy. If you're telling the truth, then nothing will happen to you, however if the academy finds you to be lying, then the consequences will be dire!” Dane took one last glance at the beast before turning around and speedily running through the forest. Brajus reached his hand towards Dane to say something, but he was tongue-tied. He only looked at the human boy standing in front the beast before following Dane.
Arnin turned his head and looked at a tall tree that reached for the sky. ”Bye Cher, make sure you don't meet me in the otherworld. I have lots of friends there. Haha!” The young boy laughed and leaped back onto the beast.
Patches of the earth flew into the air as the group of four traveled. Leading the group were Dane and Brajus. They kept a clear distance between them and Arnin. They still could not trust Arnin's claim of being a new student at the academy. They were also unable to get any answers out of Arnin, which furthered their doubts.
”Dane, do you think that he is telling the truth? I honestly cannot trust him, there is something about him that just seems off.” Brajus silently whispered into Dane's ear as he moved.
”I also feel that something is off about him, but is there really a reason for him to lie? He could have gotten rid of both of us if he really wanted to with that beast of his. And if he is truly one with ill intentions, then the teachers can get rid of him easily!” Dane kept a calm expression as he ran. He believed in the strength of the academy. He was only surprised about how Arnin was able to acquire a Rank One - Hell demonic beast. It was known that Demons were the only species that could tame a demonic beast. The only way for other species to get beasts was through suppression or demon crystals. Dane decided that he just needed to report what he saw, he would leave the rest to the academy. Brajus noticed that Dane was contemplating something so he kept quiet.
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The trees continued to vanish in a blur and the ground that was before covered in grass, slimmed into a narrow dirt path. The tree's closed in tightly. A smell of perfume and meat permeated the air. Arnin smiled lightly as he knew of this smell. It was not of the forest, where shrubs and leaves were all that one could smell, it was not one of the battlefield where blood and sweat was all there was, no. It was one of a civilisation. They had finally reached the town where the academy was.
The light in front seeped into the forest, covering the scene that was about to be shown. As the group moved forward, the amount of tree's lessened and shapes of the buildings took form. The smell got stronger and the light brighter. The two in front vanished into the light, and Arnin followed quickly behind. The beast stepped through the light that blinded their eyes. Arnin lifted his hands to block the radiating sun that tried to pierce his eyes. The smile on his face didn't leave; he was happy to finally get to his destination.
”Arnin, this is the town where the academy is located. The academy is an hour away if we walk, but we can get there in about thirty minutes if we run. As you are new to this town, let us walk there so that you can see some of the sights.” Dane still had suspicion toward Arnin, but he knew that he was unable to handle the beast. He had to also meet his group in the village if they hadn't already left for the academy. Brajus wanted to say something but he was stopped by Dane with a wave.
”Sure I don't mind, but let's walk quick. I have to meet some people at the academy as well.” Dane and Brajus were surprised that Arnin wasn't going to be going there alone. They were also secretly relieved because if Arnin was meeting someone there, then his intentions were most likely not bad, however there was also the off chance that this was a gathering for people who wanted to attack the academy. As a cautious person, Dane was sure that the former was correct. No one in their right mind would attack an academy, especially one in a small area.
Arnin got off the beast and walked by its side. His small steps forced the beast to also walk slower, but it didn't mind. As the four walked, people looked frighteningly at the beast. They didn't say anything bad, but their looks were those of fear. Arnin ignored all of the stares. He didn't think that it was abnormal for others to look at the beast with such stares. The tiger beast did look frightening with his grey and orange coat, red, beading eyes and the single horn on its head. It's size was also very large; almost two times Arnin's. If the beast stood on its hind legs, then one can only imagine how large it would be.
Dane ignored the looks as well, but Brajus found it somewhat uncomfortable. As a student from the academy, he only received looks of praise, never those of fear. He turned his head and gave Arnin a sharp glare, which was ignored in broad daylight. He had been holding his temper back for a long time, but he wasn't able to resist forever.
”Arnin, can you not have your beast wait in the forest? The villagers are getting frightened because of how hideous it is.” Arnin's face abruptly changed. Although he knew the beast for a small amount of time, it was his first link to his past life. Arnin never liked it when other's rebuked his underlings.