Chapter 366 The Big White Ferocious Beast
Northern sat cross-legged in a small tent and greedily tore at a roasted meat.
He gulped water from a brown hide, paused a little, taking his time to swallow before he continued with the meat.
Throughout, Ellis stared at him.
"Small small, calm down and eat slowly, the food is not running away, you know?"
Northern nodded and spoke with a muffled voice, a lot of meat in his mouth.
"I've not eaten for long… it's been so long."
The last time Northern probably had something to eat was when he was in the rift.
From when that night he got kidnapped till now, he had not eaten anything.
And only got conscious of it when he smelled a roasted monster meat.
Jeci was seated behind him with her legs and arms also crossed, her eyes were closed and she was silent.
Ellis stole a glance, silently shifted towards Northern and asked,
"Who is she?"
Northern waved his hand dismissively and continued his meat.
When he was done with the meat, he slurped the side of the bone with his tongue and finally abandoned it.
Then he leaned back with his hands as support and exhaled in deep satisfaction.
After not eating for probably four days, that was more than enough to make him even burp.
"I'm really glad you are back. What of lady Raven, is she fine? Did harm do her at any point?"
Northern raised his head and sneered at him.
Ellis swallowed the rest of what it looked like he was about to say and looked down in small shame, he looked up at Northern and quickly looked down again when he saw that Northern's sneer persisted.
After a few awkward seconds in silence, he raised his voice in protest.
"I mean, I was just worried about her, you know."
Northern nodded his head.
"Understandable. Don't just ask me, you can go find her yourself."
'I wonder why they are not here yet though.'
Jeci opened her eyes and looked at Northern and Ellis then closed them back.
"What about Hao anyway? I've not seen him."
Ellis looked down, his eyes somber.
"What's wrong?" Northern pressed, slightly frowning upon seeing the boy's expression.
"Hao was taken… by the Sloria delegates. But we know he is alive. He is too valuable to be killed."
Northern lowered his head, looking down with his frown getting darker.
"I see…" His voice went on a pause for a couple of heartbeats before coming back.
"So, where is he being held?"
"They have probably taken him to their stronghold."
Northern nodded.
"I guess that's convenient."
Ellis looked at him, lingered then asked:
"What do you mean?"
Northern sighed and stood himself up, then said to Ellis as he walked out of the tent.
"Come show me around."
—
The forest reverberated with the sound of snapping twigs and rustling leaves as an enormous white beast, its fur a stark contrast against the dark foliage, darted through the forest.
Its piercing blue eyes glowed with a fierce intensity, every sinew of its powerful body rippling with controlled aggression.
On its back, a young man with closed, small slant eyes and packed, upward spiky hair clung tightly, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
With a mighty leap, the beast soared over a fallen tree, its claws digging into the soft earth as it landed gracefully.
Ahead, the ox-headed monsters, massive and menacing, lumbered into view, their heavy footfalls shaking the ground.
The beast didn't hesitate. It surged forward, a blur of white fur and lethal intent.
The first monster barely had time to raise its club before the beast was upon it, jaws snapping with a bone-crunching force.
The monster roared in pain as the beast's teeth tore through its thick hide, blood spraying in a gruesome arc.
The young man on the wolf's back moved with calculated precision, his movements fluid and controlled, guiding the wolf with subtle shifts of his weight.
Both of them were like a fluid flow of oil, synchronizing perfectly with each other.
Another monster charged, its horns aimed at the wolf's flank, but the beast was faster.
It twisted mid-air, evading the attack and lunging at the monster's exposed neck.
With a savage growl, it clamped down, shaking its head violently until the monster's body went limp.
Guttural roars of the monsters crawled from the depth of the silent forest, only to be met by a ferocious snarl of the beast.
The young man's presence atop the beast was a striking image of calm amid the storm, his eyes narrowing in focus as he directed the beast towards the next foe.
"Mr. Fluffy… forward!" He shouted.
Mr. Fluffy surged forward immediately the guy spoke, each of its powerful strides eating up the ground between them and their foes.
The young man's fingers tightened in Mr. Fluffy's ruff, as the beast thumped forward.
More of the monsters plunged out of different sides of the forest, but the big white beast seemed unbothered, as did its rider.
Mr. Fluffy's ears flattened against his skull, his lips curling back to reveal rows of gleaming fangs.
A low growl rumbled from deep within his chest, a primal sound that sent shivers through the very air.
The closest monster swung an axe in a wide arc.
The young man's eyes narrowed, calculating trajectory and speed in an instant.
With a subtle shift of his body, he guided Mr. Fluffy into a tight roll.
The axe whistled harmlessly overhead as beast and rider spun beneath it.
In the same fluid motion, Mr. Fluffy twisted, using his momentum to launch himself at the monster's exposed flank.
His claws raked across tough hide, leaving deep furrows that welled with dark blood.
The monster roared in pain and fury, its stubby fingers fumbling to grab at the beast.
But Mr. Fluffy was already gone, a white blur darting across the creature.
The young man clung tightly, his body low against Mr. Fluffy's back.
The forest whirled around them in a dizzying kaleidoscope of dark, green and brown.
The tang of sap from broken branches filled the air, mingling with the copper scent of fresh blood.
Another monster charged, its bovine head lowered, razor-sharp horns aimed straight for them.
Mr. Fluffy's muscles bunched beneath his rider.
The young man perspired as he felt the surge of power, anticipating the coming leap.
With explosive force, Mr. Fluffy sprang upward.
They soared over the charging monster, so close that the young man could see the surprise in its beady eyes.
Time seemed to slow as they hung suspended in the air, the forest stretching out beneath them.
Then gravity reasserted itself. Mr. Fluffy twisted in mid-air.
They landed hard on the monster's broad back, claws digging in for purchase.
The beast bellowed, bucking and twisting to dislodge them.
But Mr. Fluffy held fast, his jaws clamping down on the thick neck.
The young man leaned close, with a dagger appearing in his hands as he extended his limb and stabbed the dagger brutally into the monster's back.
Followed by that was a savage shake of his head. Mr. Fluffy tore out the monster's throat.
Hot blood sprayed, staining white fur black.
The massive body crashed to the ground, sending tremors through the earth.
However, there was no time to savor the victory.
Two more ox-headed creatures lumbered towards them, their heavy weapons raised high.
Mr. Fluffy's chest heaved, his breaths coming in rapid pants.
But his eyes still blazed with fierce determination.
The young man patted his neck, feeling the wolf's racing pulse beneath his palm.
"Just two more, buddy," he murmured. "We can do this."
Mr. Fluffy's ear twitched at the sound of his voice.
He crouched low, muscles coiling like springs.
The monsters approached cautiously now, wary of the deadly duo that had felled their brethren.
Tension crackled in the air like static electricity.
Leaves rustled in a sudden breeze, carrying the metallic scent of an approaching storm.
The monsters paused for a couple of seconds, then suddenly lunged themselves, attacking as one, their clubs descending in a devastating downward strike.
But Mr. Fluffy was already moving—a white phantom darting between the massive bodies.
His teeth flashed, tearing at exposed flesh. Blood flowed freely, staining the forest floor.
The young man clung tightly and ducked beneath flailing limbs, leading Mr. Fluffy with the slightest touch.
Together, they were a whirlwind of fur and fangs, striking and retreating before the lumbering monsters could retaliate.
One monster fell, its leg hamstrung by Mr. Fluffy's razor-sharp claws.
It crashed to the ground with an earth-shaking impact, trees trembling from the force.
The other one roared in fury, swinging its axe wildly.
Mr. Fluffy danced away from the attack, his movements, while still graceful, lacked their earlier explosive power.
The young man could feel the beast's sides heaving beneath him, each breath was a labored gasp.
The remaining monster pressed its advantage, backing the duo against a massive tree.
Its beady eyes gleamed with malevolent triumph as it raised its axe for a final, crushing blow.
Time seemed to slow.
The young man's heart thundered in his chest, matching the rapid pulse he could feel thrumming through Mr. Fluffy's body.
The monster's muscles bulged as it began its downward swing.
In that frozen moment, the young man grinned. He leaned close to Mr. Fluffy's ear, whispering a single word:
"Now."
With a powerful and explosive surge, Mr. Fluffy leaped.
Not away from the monster, but towards it.
They collided with the ox-headed creature in mid-swing, throwing off its aim.
The axe delved into the oak behind them, sending splinters flying.
Before the monster could recover, Mr. Fluffy's jaws clamped onto its throat.
The young man added his weight to the attack, pressing down with all his might.
Together, they bore the creature to the ground.
The monster thrashed and bellowed, its cries growing weaker as Mr. Fluffy's teeth sank deeper.
With a final, rattling gasp, it went still.
Silence fell over the forest.
The only sounds were the ragged pants of Mr. Fluffy and the young man, and the soft patter of blood dripping from the wolf's fur.
Slowly, carefully, the young man slid from Mr. Fluffy's back.
His legs trembled as they touched the ground, muscles protesting after the intense battle.
He leaned against the beast, burying his face in his fur.
Mr. Fluffy turned his head, gently nuzzling the young man's hair.
His tongue lolled out, a wolfish grin of triumph despite his exhaustion.
The young man laughed softly, the sound filled with relief and exhilaration.
He scratched behind Mr. Fluffy's ears, eliciting a contented rumble from the massive beast.
"Good boy," he murmured. "The best boy."
However, the beast slowly sniffed the air.
Mr. Fluffy's eyes suddenly swung open and he shot to his feet. Legs strong gripping against the ground.
Perceival staggered back, confused by the sudden act of the beast.
Without a word to Perceival, Mr. Fluffy darted forward with explosive speed.