Chapter 134: The Weapon In The Inventory And The New Arrival!
Neve looked at Aldric one more time, his mind racing as he tried to think of what to say.
He needed something that would convince Aldric that he was really Neve. Something that only the real Neve would know. Something personal and specific to their relationship.
Soren was still seated on the floor behind them, his hand gripping his genitals like he was in extreme pain. Someone had obviously hit him hard. Neve knew it was not him who did it. Maybe it was Aldric who had punched him. Or maybe it was Skarr before Neve returned.
"Skarr?" Aldric called out, his weapon still raised.
Neve looked around to see who Aldric was calling out to, but Aldric was looking directly at him.
Skarr? Maybe that was the name of the owner of his body. When Neve was gone, trapped between worlds, the original owner had returned to his body. But now that Neve was back, maybe the original owner was gone again. Temporarily pushed back.
Neve needed to prove himself quickly.
"Once we get back to the cave, I’ll finish making the clothes for Sif," he said suddenly, the words coming out before he had fully thought them through.
But they were the right words.
Aldric immediately lowered the weapon, his expression shifting from suspicion to relief.
"Sif... My sister," Aldric said, his voice filled with understanding. "You’re indeed Neve. I knew only Neve would remember that detail. Only Neve would care enough to mention it."
Neve felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"I’m sorry, Aldric," Neve said, getting up from the floor. "Did I hurt you? I mean, did Skarr hurt you when he was in control?"
Aldric shook his head.
"He only hit the chief," Aldric said, pointing back at Soren who was still in pain on the floor.
Neve looked back at Soren and walked closer to him. He squatted down in front of the leopard chief, looking directly into his eyes.
"There’s no way I can mate or bond with someone like you," Neve said firmly. "You’re a monster. You’re a tyrant. You’re everything that’s wrong with this tribe."
Soren glared up at him, pain and rage mixing in his expression.
"Who are you? Neve? Skarr? What exactly are you hiding from the tribe?" Soren asked, frowning hard. "My father or... Cael? What secrets are you keeping?"
"It’s none of your concern," Neve said coldly. "I just hope with this you won’t bother me again."
He paused, considering his options. Considering what he could do right now while he had the chance.
"Or maybe I should just..." he started to say, his mind going to dark places. He was definitely thinking about ending Soren’s life right there. It would be so easy. No one would stop him. Aldric would probably help him.
But he froze.
He could not do it. Making Aldric kill someone, even someone as terrible as Soren, could be bad for the bear beastman. Aldric was from a different tribe. He was not even officially part of the leopard tribe yet. If he killed Soren, there could be consequences.
And Neve himself was not from this tribe either. He was an outsider. An entertainer for unknown forces. Could he even kill the chief without facing repercussions from his mysterious watchers?
He shook his head and turned to look at the weapon in Aldric’s hand and at the unconscious guard on the floor.
Aldric was strong enough to take down that guard with his bare hands. Aldric was capable. Aldric was brave.
Neve smiled slightly.
"Let’s go, Aldric," Neve said, standing up.
"Yes, Neve," Aldric said, turning around to leave.
They left the chief’s cave, walking back through the snow toward their own home. Behind them, Soren knelt there alone, frowning and clearly planning something terrible.
Neve knew he was going to regret not killing Soren now that he had the chance. But it was not something that should be done by him right now. Not when there was so much uncertainty.
’After all, I’ll make sure his ending is more painful and torturous than he’ll beg for death!’ Neve thought to himself as they walked.
.
.
When they reached the cave, the kids rushed forward immediately.
They wrapped their small hands and arms around Neve, hugging him tight. Their little faces were filled with fear and worry. They had been scared that something would happen to Neve like what had happened to their sister.
Even Sif rushed forward and hugged her brother Aldric so tight that he groaned slightly from the pressure.
Aldric hugged her back, holding his sister close and reassuring her that he was fine.
Neve waited patiently for them to finish their emotional moment before he looked at Aldric.
"Aldric, can you give me the horn?" Neve asked.
Aldric handed the sharp weapon over to him without hesitation.
Popi stepped forward with concern on her face.
"Is that...?" she asked, recognizing the weapon.
"Yes," Neve said grimly. "It’s the same weapon that Soren had used to kill two members of the leopard tribe now. I’ll be keeping it so he doesn’t see it. So he doesn’t have it to hurt anyone else."
Popi frowned, thinking about the consequences.
"Where? What if that creepy guard comes in again and steals it, trying to harm us all over again?" Popi asked, her voice filled with worry.
"Don’t worry," Neve said confidently.
He looked down at the weapon in his hands and focused on his system inventory.
The sharp horn weapon disappeared from his hand in front of everyone. It simply vanished into the air like it had never existed.
The kids looked confused and amazed. Even the adults stood there in shock.
"He’ll never find it," Neve said. "It’s in a place no one can access but me."
Everyone seemed satisfied with that explanation.
Then they heard a voice from the entrance to the cave.
"Neve? I’m... back."
Everyone turned to look at the entrance.
Sorin was standing there. But he was not alone. There was someone tall standing behind him. Someone with a presence that felt powerful and important.
Neve could not see the person’s face clearly from where he stood, but he could see something floating above their head.
A favorability meter.
His heart sank as he processed what this meant.
Another mate. Another person who was connected to him through the system. Another beastman who would be part of his life and his missions.
’Oh my god! Another one?’