Chapter 354: Stuck in Cat Mode?
Ren kicked and thrashed as the grubby paws of the bear beastman yanked at her clothing. She was out of options, out of breath, and out of her trusty 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
"Get off me!" she screamed, twisting violently.
Before the bear could tear another inch of fabric, the forest itself seemed to shatter. A deafening, bone-rattling roar ripped through the canopy, vibrating the very dirt beneath their feet.
A massive blur of pure, snowy white fur and jagged black stripes exploded from the dense underbrush.
The white tiger collided squarely with the bear beastman holding Ren, the sheer force of the impact sending the beastman flying backward. The bear released her instantly, scrambling to defend his own throat. But the tiger was a masterpiece of feral agility. He pinned the bear to the soil, his massive jaws snapping and his razor-sharp claws finding their mark.
The second bear, realizing his partner was becoming a chew toy, roared and charged the feline’s flank. The white tiger didn’t even flinch. He spun with breathtaking speed, planting his back paws and delivering a crushing swipe that caught the charging bear right across the jaw. The bulky bear was launched into the air, crashing into the trunk of a nearby oak tree before sliding into the ferns, completely out cold.
The first bear, deciding he valued his pulse more than his pay, scrambled to his feet and sprinted blindly into the woods, abandoning the mission.
During the chaotic melee, Yurk seized his window of opportunity. The chameleon lizard beastman grabbed the thick vines binding Altair and Vex. Despite his scrawny appearance, his greed granted him a surprising surge of physical strength. He hoisted Altair over his shoulders with a strained grunt.
"Altair is worth more anyway!" Yurk cackled under his breath. The Mad Bird King needed his son alive to harvest his healing tears, making the golden eagle the ultimate jackpot. Yurk vanished into the brush.
Ren scrambled up from the dirt, panting, but she had no time to chase the lizard.
The white tiger turned away from the fleeing bear and faced her. The bloodstained feline lowered his massive head and began to approach with slow, deliberate steps.
Panic spiked in Ren’s chest. She didn’t know if this beast was a friend or just another monster looking for a snack. She took a cautious step backward, her bare feet crunching on dry leaves. She took another step, and then another, retreating until her spine hit the rough bark of a towering tree.
The giant predator stopped mere inches from her, his hot breath fanning across her face.
Ren trembled, forcing herself to look up. She stared into the tiger’s eyes. They weren’t the hollow, glowing red voids of feral madness. They were deep, intelligent, and a striking shade of warm gold.
A jolt of recognition hit her like a thunderbolt.
"Kael?" Ren whispered quietly. Her green eyes went wide, rapidly filling with hot, stinging tears.
He had gotten his beast form back! Ever since he lost his ability to shift after stepping down as a Beast King for her, the guilt had been eating at her for a very long time. It was a dark, persistent weight on her conscience that she had ruined his majestic pride.
With a breathless sob, she threw her arms around his thick, furry neck, burying her face into his soft mane.
"Thank God," she cried, squeezing him tight. "Thank you for saving me."
Kael let out a low chuff and crouched down, angling his broad back toward her. Ren got the hint immediately. She wiped her tears and scrambled up, settling herself securely behind his massive shoulders.
The moment she was situated, Kael stood up and started walking.
"What about Vex?" Ren asked, pointing frantically toward where Vex was still laying unconscious on the ground.
Kael just kept walking. His large paws padded silently over the forest floor, ignoring her question.
"Kael, we have to go back for Altair!" Ren insisted, leaning over his shoulder. She kept talking, rambling at a mile a minute about everything she had experienced in the past few days. She pleaded, reasoned, and complained, but Kael never once responded. He just kept his steady, determined pace.
Ren frowned, patting his fur. It had been so long since she had seen him in this majestic form that she had actually forgotten if he could speak in his beast form or not.
Resigning herself to the silent ride, Ren leaned down occasionally to pick quite a few edible fruits and nuts from the passing branches, stuffing them into her pockets. As they traveled, her mind became crowded with worry for Altair.
She knew Yurk was taking him straight to the Northern Mountains. The only sliver of comfort she had was the knowledge that Altair’s father needed him alive, so at least she wouldn’t have to worry about them killing him on the journey.
But to save Altair, she was going to need help. She was completely powerless against those beastmen that attacked them. She needed to get back to the village. She’d need Syris’ help too. If she was going to save Altair, she’d need a whole army.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in brilliant hues of pink and gold, Kael brought them to a secluded, rocky cave.
Ren slid off his back and quickly began working on a fire so they wouldn’t freeze in the night. Once the flames were crackling, she sat down to prepare a meager dinner from the fruits and nuts she had gathered.
While she worked, Ren kept glancing over at Kael. He hadn’t spoken to her the entire time, and he still wouldn’t respond to her questions. He simply sat on his haunches near the cave entrance, watching her with his golden eyes.
"You can shift back to your beastman form now," Ren told him gently, offering a warm smile. "I won’t mind that you’re naked."
Kael only looked at her. Then, slowly, he tilted his head to gaze up at the sky that was painted the color of the sunset.
Ren stared at him, brushing the dirt from her hands. She couldn’t understand why he was refusing to shift back to his beastman self. It was much easier to communicate when he had hands and a voice.
Eventually, her eyes widened as a horrifying realization clicked into place.
"Don’t tell me," she whispered, her voice dropping. "You’re stuck in that form now."