Hunters: The Prequel - Chapter 295

The mighty figure that induced dread in them all was a cat-like creature. It was the largest creature that had shown itself yet, towering over 30 feet with jet black fur – or rather it was fair to call its fur scales. For its ‘fur’ wasn’t fur anymore. They had mutated into large black scales that covered its entire body. Three large claws extended from each of its huge paws, and its large mouth served as the host to several large and powerful teeth. Although it was so massive, its movement was fluid and wasn’t c.u.mbersome. Sure the earth shook because of its massive weight, but the actual creature wasn’t slow and sluggish like one would expect from such a behemoth. Its confident stride, added to its wicked ‘grin’, struck fear into the hearts of the humans left alive to witness its entry.

“So this is a Pseudo Legendary Class Magical Beast,” Samoa gritted his teeth as sweat run down his back and face profusely. His body shook involuntarily. Although he wasn’t close to the beast, and wasn’t even the one in its line of sight, he could feel the power contained in its stare. The lazy look in its eyes as it regarded all creatures as nothing but nuisances didn’t escape Samoa’s observation that remained largely unperturbed by its entrance. Samoa couldn’t help but tremble as the creature got ever nearer.

“Such power,” the young man exclaimed as he lifted his arms to his face. His arms were shaking like they had been tasked with carrying several thousands of kilograms worth of weight. He couldn’t even hold his blade properly, and it constantly slipped out his hand onto the floor. And every time he tried to pick it up, the task was more difficult than the last.

He wasn’t the only one facing this predicament. At least he was still able to think and reason after gazing upon the powerful figure of the Pseudo Legendary Class Magical Beast. The others didn’t have this kind of luck. Many of the men behind him screamed in fear upon seeing the beast and feeling the dreadful strength it contained in its powerful muscles. Some directly abandoned their ranks and tried to flee. Others fell onto their knees helplessly, already throwing in the towel. The few who were able to stand, the few who remained strong despite their shaking frames gritted their teeth and bit their tongues to stop from joining their counterparts. Sweat poured down their bodies like an endless rain as they struggled to keep their footing.

An unlucky few directly lost their minds and started speaking gibberish. And the luckiest of the bunch collapsed after seeing the beast, not able to withstand the mental strain. Samoa wanted to scream at his men to calm down, but even he was having such a hard time controlling his body and begging it not to fall that he didn’t have time for anything else. He couldn’t even turn his head to thoroughly understand just how bad the situation was. Only the shouting and sounds of falling bodies gave him a clue as to what was going on.

“Will we be able to survive this,” the injured Blistering Cheetah tried to prop himself up and mumbled. Unfortunately he failed to lift himself up, and could only turn his head in the direction of the creature as he lay upon the hand woven straw mat. The size of the beast made it possible for Blistering Cheetah to make it out even when surrounded by a large number of men. Although he wasn’t affected as strongly as the Thrashers, Animal Hunters and Soldiers, he was still affected nonetheless. But for him, it was largely because of his injury that he was able to feel the dread of the large creature’s powerful strength.

“Maybe,” the Mongoose who had braved dangers to carry Blistering Cheetah wasn’t very optimistic. But even he had a shred of hope that they may be able to survive their current predicament.

“This presence is unlike any other that we’ve faced. It’s so intimidating that even I am shaking. I admire the warriors who do not possess our strength yet stand up to its challenging might.”

The other Cheetah who survived had a bleak expression as he spoke. His body shook slightly each time he looked at the creature. And he wasn’t hiding the fact that he was afraid. All his life he was indignant. Why did the oracle declare him a Cheetah? Why didn’t he possess the fate of a Tiger? He was fast, but that was never the reason behind the titles. So why wasn’t he worthy enough to possess the highest honor that was accorded the strongest of warriors beneath the realm of Lions? His pride didn’t allow him to accept his destiny, so he sought out the oracle and demanded that she told him why he wasn’t worthy to be a Tiger.

After all, before his title was revealed he was one of those handpicked by the top brass as possessing the greatest talent. They were certain that he could become a Tiger if his full potential was realised. Yet here he was, being told to the disappointment of all who placed so much hope on him that his fate was that of a Cheetah, not a Tiger. After hounding the oracle, she relented and told him why he wasn’t fit to be a Tiger.

“There is no doubt that your talent is immense. Even Domineering Tiger may not be comparable to you when it comes to talent. But the two of you are very different.”

“Domineering Tiger was also unsatisfied with his title. But unlike you who keeps on complaining and crying like a child, he fights against his fate. He is a true Tiger. He is courageous as he is strong, and isn’t afraid to take risks that many wouldn’t. It isn’t only talent that is important to become a Tiger. One must possess an indomitable will that cannot be broken. Even when one faces the greatest crisis of one’s life, one must remain unmoved. One must still have the strength to go against one’s fate. No matter how much one’s body shakes in fear and rejects the harsh reality of one’s path, one must beat him/herself into submission and go against that fate”

“You do not have such tenacity”

He went mad when he heard her comments and swore at her several times. He was furious that she called him a coward. Although she didn’t say the words, that was what she implied. She was basically telling him that he wasn’t brave enough to go against his fate, and that when the time came for his courage to be put to the test, he would fail.

But now that he was faced with such a scenario, he found out to his dismay that the oracle was right. Maybe the reason he lost his head after her explanation was because he knew within the depths of his heart that she was right. As he gazed upon the figures of Frowning Tiger, Rash Tiger, Domineering Tiger and Beastly Tiger, he was hit with the feeling of realization. Although their faces were filled with dread, and sweat formed on their foreheads, their eyes were filled with the strength of their convictions. Their determined gazes as they turned to face him briefly reflected no fear. This was true bravery. It was never the absence of fear that made one brave, but the ability to overcome that fear. He was certain that they were also afraid. Who wouldn’t be? But unlike him, they had overcome their fear and were willing to fight to the death. There was no such emotion within him. He wanted nothing more than to run away and never come back. But in the end, he just gritted his teeth and stood up.

“We must help them,” he spoke to the Mongoose who was with him.

“Are you sure,” Blistering Cheetah could tell that his friend was afraid. He knew the man better than the man knew himself, so he saw long ago all that his friend had been trying to suppress all these years. He knew that the man was a coward deep down. Unlike Blistering Cheetah and many other Cheetahs who pursued speed because they believed that if someone couldn’t see your attack coming, it wouldn’t matter how strong you are, his friend pursued speed because he wanted the strength to escape from any situation he couldn’t truly overcome. That was why he wanted to make sure his friend was aware of what he was getting himself into.

“I’m,” the cowardly Cheetah managed to squeeze out through his shaking lips.

“Then let’s go,” the Mongoose nodded his head and dashed towards the battlefield. The Cheetah took a deep breath, before trying to run forward. But he was stopped by the outstretched arm of Blistering Cheetah.

“What are you doing?” he asked angrily. It was a difficult decision he had made. He didn’t need anyone doubting him and making it harder.

“I want you to remember this: you have forgotten who you are. Before you became a Cheetah you were a dominant warrior. Many even teased that your title was going to be Dominating Tiger. That was how overwhelming you were when you fought. But you have been hiding within your shell, constantly complaining that you were given the wrong title instead of seeking to prove the oracle wrong. You were someone meant to stand on the same stage as Domineering Tiger, but you have only been hiding within his shadow. When you truly regain your sense of self and cast away the bindings of fear that have held you back, your true power would show. The first step is acceptance, which you have already achieved. Now is the time for repentance.”

The Cheetah closed his eyes as he listened to Blistering Cheetah’s words. Then he nodded his head and left, chasing after the Mongoose.

Watching the departing figure of his friend, Blistering Cheetah gritted his teeth. Feeling the powerlessness of his injured body, he could only squeeze out words of encouragement to those who wouldn’t back down faced with absolute strength. It was at this time he remembered the words of the oracle and the advice she had given concerning his friend.

“Go. Wandering Cheetah. The oracle lied to you because if you were told the truth it would never come to pass. You were never meant to be a Cheetah. Neither were you meant to be a Tiger. What you were meant to be was a being above even lions. A Titleless. Become the man you were meant to be. Become the raging inferno that sweeps through all obstacles and rediscover yourself. Take back what is yours and reclaim your name. Best of luck…”

“Dan”