Chapter 396: To The Rescue
Nyla gave Ruby a thumbs up, while Ruby, in turn, stared at her blankly.
’What is going on?’ She wondered.
Chief Wilson proceeded to explain the whereabouts of the cultists’ operations, or at least the bases whose locations had been discovered. Apparently, it wasn’t just one structure but several spread throughout the hollow valley.
What they had in common was that they harbored abducted felines from the surface, conducting different levels of experimentation on them.
The meeting was nearing its end when one of the present scouts suddenly bellowed.
"I object."
It came from a man named Colt, bearing the presence of an Early Master, much like Nyla.
"With all due respect, great elders." Colt gave them a bow before continuing, "From my point of view, it is a disgrace to allow unaltered humans to deal with our problems! On more than one occasion they have made their disdain for our kind clear. Trusting them can only backfire on us!"
Colt’s gaze shifted to Ruby.
"To have reached such a level of might is a testament to your wisdom... Please, open your eyes! Their words may be pretty but are laced with malice. They only wish to use you! Leave them and return to your kin... This is where you are meant to be! Without a doubt, with you as our rightful queen, only victory awaits!"
Michael wasn’t surprised by the development. Considering that Colt had probably been among the strongest felines in the camp before the arrival of the crew, his pride must have been hurt greatly when faced with the gap in power. Due to his hot-headed nature, his reasoning seemed to have been clouded.
Nyla and Wilson frowned. They had worked so hard to secure outside help, yet one foolish youth was about to ruin it all by running his mouth without thinking!
Right before either of them could speak, Ruby snapped.
Her aura as a Grandmaster flared, like a predator locking onto its prey, directed straight at the man who had dared utter such insolent words. In a flash, Colt felt his vision blur, his legs buckling under his own weight as he collapsed to his knees.
Before any of the shocked elders or scouts could react to her speed, Ruby towered over the fallen man.
"What would you know?" Her voice appeared composed despite the terrifying aura she emitted.
"They saved my life on countless occasions, found me in the dark tunnels, taught me, protected me, and uplifted me. Everything I am today is because of them. And more than that, have you ever wondered how you managed to escape the rogue AIs who created us in the first place? It’s because of them. They were among the main forces behind their downfall."
In a cruel twist of fate, the felines in the hollow valley had been abducted shortly after being freed from the rogue AIs. With everything in chaos at the time, coupled with the stress of their misfortune, they never had the chance to learn the reason for the brief freedom they experienced.
Forced to live through captivity not once but twice, Ruby had enough empathy not to strike Colt at that moment, yet she was still undeniably angry that someone could dare to badmouth Michael and crew in front of her.
"You are no better than the cultists you claim to despise, unable to see past our differences... nothing but disgrace."
Before the man could fall victim to her pressure, Ruby stormed out of the building, fuming, with the crew following close behind.
"Well... that could have gone better." Ava stuttered, trying to calm Ruby down.
"You serious?" Richard laughed out loud. "This was amusing as hell! Shame we had to cut it off too early, or the poor lad would’ve met his maker."
Flustered, Nyla rushed out in a hurry, fearing that the crew had given up on helping them. Thankfully they still intended to assist, after all the cultists were the reason a plague was ravaging the lands above, so they were the most likely ones to have a cure as well.
Fortunately Ruby got her bearings under control. Rubbing her face against Michael’s, mixing their scents seemed to do the trick.
"I feel better now." She said, ears flattening. "Sorry if I caused any trouble..."
Before Michael was able to offer a response, everyone reassured her that she had done the right thing. Even he himself was taken aback by how none of them could bear the thought of someone badmouthing their leader.
’Maybe this is my influence rubbing off on them? I also can’t stand someone insulting someone I care about...’ He pondered silently. Since he had stored both of his soul weapons, there was no voice to answer him.
With news of a rescue operation underway, the scouts got to work. Even if Michael’s crew was powerful, they still needed guides to lead them through the safest paths.
During the preparation, the crew learned how Nyla’s arrow had been able to divert the attention of the Overlords that had been chasing them during their first encounter.
By carefully smearing leaves infused with spiritual energy and igniting them before firing, she could trigger a short burst of energy, enough to divert the attention of the less intelligent aliens.
The elders offered to let Michael and his crew rest, but they politely declined. They had more than enough energy for the upcoming mission, and they couldn’t afford to waste time when so many lives were on the line.
Besides Nyla, the best scouts had been tasked with leading the crew through the safest of available routes.
"Why was I chosen?!" Colt murmured out in annoyance. Given his earlier blunder, he had assumed he would be stripped of his scout position in the best-case scenario.
"Because even if you are weaker than me, you are still somewhat useful." Nyla shot him a spiteful remark. "This is your chance to redeem your incompetence or prove you really are just worthless baggage. Take your pick."
Colt clicked his tongue but didn’t dare retort.
"Good!" Nyla clapped her hands cheerfully. "Let’s go. A safe path has already been opened, and we don’t want to miss the chance!"
Victoria glanced at the feline woman with curiosity.
"If you don’t mind me asking, how do you know that? It’s not like you have eyes in the sky." She reasoned.
"Oh, actually I do!" Nyla giggled adorably.
Not bothering to elaborate, she extended her arm, only for a crow to suddenly swoop in and land on it.
"Everyone meet Nyx, he is my spiritual beast!"