Fear

Above in the red-lit skies slowly plummetting was the brown Jackal. At the moment it was lost for words as to what to say.

" Was i really outsmarted by a cub that still has the smell of his mother's milk. I was indeed impulsive when i sprang in the air after the child's taunt.

If i had stayed below with Falco( Deceased Gorilla) and devised a strategy together, things would definitely have ended differently.

Was that his tactic all along to separate us and then acquire my assistance in amplifying the ferocity of his attack?"

It looked on the dark-skinned youth that finally landed on the ground as a chill slowly ran down its spine. Below Taf slightly raised his head watching as the Jackal landed.

He did not launch an attack while the beast had been stunned, as his mind had formulated another use for it.

BOOM!!!!!!

Cracks kept on spreading on those areas that had escaped the previous destruction as the Jackal landed. As the Jackal found its bearing it looked on the scorched remains of its fallen comrade with seeming guilt.

Demon beasts usually associated with their own kin, so seeing the loss of the gorilla it was not mournful. The guilt had been formed after knowing its indirect role in the death of the beast.

It then looked on the youth before it who black dreads blew with the wind. There was no longer the previous grin that he had displayed during the fight, but a face void of any seeming emotion.

It didn't know why but it rathered the idiotic grin in comparison to what was before it.

" Jackal, I'm not one known for giving second chances. Before i had given two option which was received with total derision...."

Taf spoke as he dragged his hammers along the cracked and broken lands...

" Is this perhaps still your stance.."

At the moment his figure was beside a gigantic gorilla encased in metal standing like a sculpture. His hand stretched touching the surface of the creature as he eyed the Jackal...

"Hmmm, Still hot i see...

This is a nice piece of artwork i think. Even i as the creature marvel at how exquisite a piece it is. As I've grown, I've learned to appreciation and critique such works and identify the flaws which hamper them from becoming a masterpiece...

Taf continued his appraisal of the gorilla. His eyes looked as though at the moment the world itself was this sculpture. With every touch that Taf hands made, the Jackal felt within the wind a wry feeling.

It was a though it was its corpse that was encased within the moulted metal. It didn't know why but at the moment it dared not speak what was on its mind.

After a moment of silence between the two, a few words were finally heard from Taf...

" I.., I., that's what's missing. Something to act in complete contrast to the metal confinement in which the gorilla is encased. The metal screams boldness, durability and strength.

but.., what...?

Taf stood as he admired his piece before a wicked smile began to form...

" Hmmm, Maybe the mangled decrepit body of a Jackal impaled by a spike. Completely roasted on a spinning rack. This will show weakness, vulnerability and fear"

As the words escape Taf lips the Jackal decided to make its escape. as its paws were ready to charge it heard a few more words...

" How far do you see yourself reaching before i butcher you. Then harvesting your organs before turning them into a stew."

When it turned around to look at the youth, it felt a slight suppressive force entrapping it in its grasp.

" Wha..what bloodline is this?"

Its blood quivered as it felt as though it had met its primordial superior.

PLOP!!!!!

Its head hit the floor as it bowed to the youth who slowly walked while both hammers scraped on the ground.

" I take it you have a name, Speak..."

Taf then spoke as the Jackal quivered on the ground not daring to move.

" Blo...Bloodline Primordial Imperator this lowly servant is Zanche. Please spare me"

The once boisterous Jackal Zanche now stuttered as it addressed the youth that face made ice itself seem like the surface of the sun in comparison.

" Bloodline Primordial Imperator huh..?"

Taf was taken aback by the way he was greeted by the jackal. Seeing his response the jackal Zanche quickly explained.

" Bloodline Primordial Imperator is a term used to address those demon beasts with ancient primordial bloodlines. Though i am unaware of any beast within this forest ever having the privilege of meeting one.

This term is seemingly encoded within our genetic bloodline as a means to refer to these beings as such when we meet"

The jackal Zanche hurriedly gave an explanation as it still quivered bowing once more where it stood.

" Hmmm, the results are more than i expected when unleashing the aura of my bloodline. This is quite intriguing, isn't it? I guess it was a good thing i held back this ace when facing the lower level beasts.

Where would the challenge be if all beasts were to quiver at my feet? However, this is a bit above my original expectation"

Taf thought within his mind while still coldly gazing at the Jackal who called itself Zanche.

" I don't see your core before me, is it your intention to have we don my butcher's hat"

He then stated chillingly as he eyed the quivering jackal. Zanche the jackal was a bit reluctant as it shook but when it saw the stare Taf gave, it could only sigh.

There was no doubt in its mind that this child would slaughter him where it stood if it did not comply. From their previous fight, it knew that this kid had more in store if it resists.

This, however, was not what had caused it to struggle against any attempts to retaliate. Its bloodline at the moment felt a godly suppression on it. Though its heart was unwilling, its bloodline stated otherwise.

" This servant will willingly offer my core as a gift to the Bloodline Primordial Imperator".

It stated as a red glow began to form around its body. Soon it spat out a red globe that was somewhat translucent. When the core had exited its body the Jackal began to pant heavily.

The qi level that it previously emitted was now several levels lower. Taf seemingly was oblivious to what the Jackal had undertaken as he had the orb in his grasp.

" The sum of qi within just this one orb is quite impressive..."

He then placed it within his spatial ring before now focusing on the weaken jackal Zanche.

" I commend you for making the right choice. I, however, have one more task that requires your completion"

Hearing Taf words the jackal Zanche could only continuously swear in its mind.

"Didn't this child have a heart? Who could have possibly grown a being such as this? He had already taken his most precious possession, yet he still intended to ask for more.

Which one of them exactly was the beast?"

As it cursed Taf took note of its reaction.

" Oh, i thought your life was of utmost importance. Please pardon me for my seeming ignorance"

His hammers made a scraping sound as they once more dragged on the ground heading towards the weaken jackal Zanche.

" Whatever you desire this lowly servant would do its utmost to satisfy"

It hurriedly stated as Taf unhesitantly drew for his weapons.

" Good, Good you are becoming one i like..."

Taf spoke as a slight smile started to show...

" Now i know there are eight more 9th qi stage demon beasts such as yourselves within this confined areas. Disclose all that had occurred here today while adding a message.

Tell them i want all eight cores brought to me within a week. If they are not present before me at such time well...."

He started to grin while he looked at the gigantic gorilla encased in metal with a horrified look upon its face.

" There is still space for more moulted statues. From now on you report to me but if you plan to meet your maker. You are more than welcome to try refusing"

As the last words were heard the Jackal could only look on this youth as though he was a true fiend. His word seemingly lacked any form of emotion and it dared not think of what would occur if it was to refuse.

" This demon beast will see it as a great privilege to convey his Lord's words"

Not waiting for a response it bowed before sprinting deep within the forest. As Taf watched it sped off a red feathered eagle slowly landed by his side.

Soon a petite figure made her way to his side as she assessed the battle area.

" That ended quicker than I expected. what did you say to make the Jackal sprint off so fast with its tail between its legs"

May curiously asked as she recalled the beast charging into the forest before both her and Hammerhead descended.

Taf could only smile before saying a few words.

" Remember big flower, at times fear can be the most powerful tool that you have at your disposal..."

As Taf spoke he wavered a bit as his strong demeanour from before was no more. He looked within his dantian at his world qi that was nearly depleted...