PET
1245 Words
They had been walking for hours on end and the road had become so monotone that Skhana and Phomeryka had long stopped exchanging snide remarks.
The peculiar group meandered in a single line with Axe leading the way and silently pacing through the thick vegetation in his usual circumspect demeanor.
He was being closely followed by his sister and the Xoltunian Princess while the Yahurian warrior guarded their backs.
The blue-haired youngster was so deeply engrossed in his own reflections and plans, that Akoh´s voice would make him jolt in place when it suddenly pierced his ears.
-Watch out! – He heard him yell a fraction of a second before he sensed the disturbance in the air as well and his eyes anxiously scanned the trail ahead.
The deafening growl that came instantly after the soldier’s warning would simultaneously reveal the threat’s presence and its nature, as a large figure pounced heavily before them and blocked the way.
-K-Kohu? – Axe heard his sister mumble in bewilderment, barely giving him enough room to react and snatch her by the arm in time to stop her from sprinting any further towards the large black feline standing menacingly in the middle of the path and plunging directly into its open maws.
-Wait! – He hurried to shout with a raised hand as he placed himself in front of the large feline.
Yet, his words were not meant for his sister but for his two other companions, who had both of their weapons readily aimed at the beast.
– It’s all right! – The young man frantically tried to explain, eyeing the skeptic pair pleadingly and waving his palms while he remained strategically positioned between the animal and them – He’s just hurt and scared, see?
With an arm still stretched forward, he slowly receded towards the immobile creature, that was now emitting a low, cautionary grumble as he gingerly approached.
His bare fingers hovered hesitantly over its massive head for a moment, before he delicately patted it a few times and began brushing its lustrous fur as the enormous cat visibly relaxed before everyone’s astonished eyes.
-He is bleeding! – Skhana gasped. Intending to bolt towards them, but stopping almost immediately after, when the animal let out a threatening roar that froze her in place.
-Yeah… A buck he hunted did this to him weeks ago – The blue-haired boy sadly sighed, distractedly running his fingertips through the feline’s dark hair – He is famished now, and too weak to hunt anymore, that’s why he tried to attack us... At least he had a great last meal, I guess.
– Are you kidding me? Help him! – Skhana yelled from her standing spot, pointing eagerly at the oozing gash on the giant jaguar’s left hind leg – What the f**k are you waiting for? He is dying! Just help him, Axe!
-I… I – Axe mumbled with uncertainty, doubtfully gazing left and right. His eyes then coyly meeting hers – I don’t know if I can do that.
-Of course you can, don’t be stupid! – His sister impatiently urged him in an increasingly higher tone.
-You know what I mean, Skhana – The youngster gravely muttered, shaking his head – I am not supposed to interfere.
-Bullshit! – The girl angrily cried out – When was the last time you saw a wild giant jaguar, uh? They’re practically extinct! This is not interfering, Axe, this is fate… Don’t tell me that you can’t feel it too! He must be here for a good reason. You know that he is!
-Alright – Axe finally said with a defeated grimace, after a long, vacillating moment. His hand traveling slowly from the beast’s forehead to the open wound and barely grazing it. A blue, bright light sparkling from it only for a split second… So short, that it was impossible not to rule it out as a mere trick of the mind.
But then, when the boy turned around to face them all once more, the white streak crossing his mostly blue hair had apparently widened a bit.
Nonetheless, there was a broad triumphant smile on his face, and his eyes flickered radiantly with a strange fulgor for a fleeting moment, before he heavily collapsed on the ground.
-Axe! – The Xoltunian archer exclaimed in audible terror, running towards his fallen figure while ignoring the enormous beast lying inches next to him, and cradling his head in her lap as her inquiring eyes searched accusingly into Skhana´s ones – What the hell? Is he alright?
-I’m fine – He groggily responded with a faint laugh, trying to sit up but instantly falling flat again on his back – I’m just rusty, that’s all.
-No, you’re not! – Phomeryka scolded him, nodding pointedly at the stern Yahurian traveling with them while she held the blue-haired man protectively in her arms – He needs to lie down, we’re setting up camp… Now!
The dry bark softly creaked as it was gradually engulfed by the rising flames of the modest fire that Akoh had lit, dissipating the surrounding shadows somewhat.
Phomeryka had set the tent up herself in a hot minute and practically thrown Axe inside a couple of hours ago, despite his initial protests. Then, she had refused to eat or do anything else other than stay by his side all night.
Skhana had rolled her eyes and let them be. Her attention soon diverging from the couple and refocusing on the large animal that had warily remained lying on the dusty ground instead.
The wound on its paw had completely vanished, but it still hadn’t moved an inch anyhow. So, she had spent a long time uselessly trying to gain its trust. She’d managed to come only a few inches away from it without getting her face mauled yet. But every time she reached her hand to touch it, the creature inevitably growled again.
-Well! That was quite the event to witness! – The Yahurian warrior casually commented, propping himself by the fire and carelessly stretching his limbs – I guess now I know what the fuss was all about.
-Give him the venison! – Skhana suddenly said in an imperious voice, ignoring his remark and looking at the masked warrior with an unflexible stance – He is starving, we need to feed him!
-THE venison? Do you mean all of it? – The Yahurian mockingly scoffed at her – That is not a stray bird, girl. You can’t feed him in the hope that he’ll stay.
-I just want to keep him alive – Skhana glowered at him, vigorously shaking her head – Now give it to me!
-No, I won’t – The masked man retorted with equal conviction – That’s literally our only source of food! Do you want to starve now? Because I sure don’t!
-We will have reached Phenjal by tomorrow, we can replenish our resources there – She obstinately insisted – But he might not even make it through the night if we don’t help him fast… He is too weak! Please!
They stood there, staring at each other before the firelight. The masked one sitting completely motionless while she glared at him with crossed arms.
-He is not a pet – The soldier grunted at last. Eyeing her with deep annoyance but still reluctantly tossing her the heavy bundle that contained the entirety of their cured meat – Remember that.
- Writer
