Change of Heart

They finally made it the cave after 6 hours, no one was around. the vines grew more covering the cave better. Even so, Majid insisted on waiting, and Teemao started to question his identity, wither he was a human or a tree. No soul moved around the area for a while, only then Majid approached the cave keeping his vigilance. He let out a deep breath, once he checked the code he left.

"It's safe, no one broke in" Majid looked at Teemao, the latter face was still scowled. Did he realize it as well, Majid kept sweating along the way, as he realized how stupid and unnecessary his costume idea was.

"What's up?" Majid wore a deep smile on his face.

Teemao didn't say anything back, Majid gears turned trying to find the answer for himself, he liked this quizzes. He rarely talks with people, understanding them from their reactions was a fun game for him. Indeed it was a shameful situation, but it should have already turned into a funny memory by now. Why was the little Teemao taking this a bit seriously. A bulb lit in his eyes as he saw the blush on his face, he nodded his head with a knowing smile.

"Teemao, are you like this because of that girl" Teemao face broke as his eyes widened before he looked away. Majid was sure now. This old brother would share with you some of his wisdom so you won't need to suffer like most boys. Yeah, there's no need to let him think too much about the costume either.

"Teemao, if you want to succeed with girls, don't idolize them," he connected his index with his middle fingers like a badly[1] and put them on his forehead before he pointed ahead. Majid wasn't that old himself, in his early thirties, but due to his lone lifestyle, he felt like one. He didn't let this rare occasion pass, to pour his wisdom on his unsuspecting young cousins and nephews.

"Whoever you lower yourself to, would step on you to get higher"

Teemao mouth was wide open, but Majid didn't say anymore, he let it for boy whether he would benefit from his 34 years of wisdom.

"What does this have to do with anything," Teemao finally articulated his thoughts, he didn't understand what the hell all this came from. He was indeed ashamed because of the girl, but he couldn't wrap his head around the nonsense the young master spouted. Majid didn't know how he made the connection either, it just comes intuitively to him so he was caught off guard. And he even gets ahead of himself and went deeper. It's not like he wouldn't be able to explain, but it would be long-winded and boring for a young boy, it would lose its scholarly effect.

"What I mean is..." His forehead sweated, "If you let others judgment control you, you know…"

"You're putting yourself in a lower position, and so people would treat you the same... do you understand it now" Majid nodded continuously. He turned away from Teemao and palmed his mouth a few times, why the hell did he need to say unnecessary things.

"But didn't we put ourself in a lower position back then," Teemao wasn't convinced and Majid sweated more, can't you just think about it, wisdom is not to be discussed is to be contemplated about, damn it. It looks like my image as a schorly isn't there yet.

"That's different we are indeed weaker, do you think they would have left us alone if we didn't make them let down their guard," Majid made a stoic look as he changed the subject. He was convinced they would have taken his bone if they stayed longer. But he didn't want to linger on this anymore so he removed the boulder and disappeared inside

Fortunately, Teemao concern dissolved in the spirit source, Majed eyes roamed the place, everything was as they left it. He hurried to checks on the Ape's meat and he let out a deep breath, it was fresh as ever. He would be a joke if the meat rotted because of his brilliant idea, even worse if it ruined the spirit source as well, might as well find a whole then.

He left the apes in, and he heeded outside again. He was inspired by the other cave, he decided to make another exit here and let the original one blend completely with nature. He looked for a good spot. He found one where the thickness was small and well-hidden behind trees and shrubs. He wasn't digging on top of his head, so he leisurely started his work as his bones crushed his way out in no time. I love this bone, he would have licked it, if the idea it didn't creep him out. He found an appropriate bolder to close the exit and he goes straight to spirit source, if it wasn't that precious he would have done a cannonball.

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The next day Fiery and foxy were running in their way to join Majid, she changed her route many times as she smelled, or sensed enemies. Eventually, she was spotted by a soul detection technique.

'Foxy escape first, I will mislead them and join you,' she licked her cub, before she pushed him ahead, with her nose. 'Make sure to escape the beasts zone'.

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Xugao was pissed off, his father was disappointed in him as he showed no result, but he can do nothing about it, he was sure he killed him, how can he kills him again. He was looking for Teemao instead, but he didn't find him either, he wasted a week looking for him, he searched the whole safe zone with no trace found. Just you wait, you little piece of shit, you're dead once I catch you.

But as his father kept pressuring him, he pretended to admit his failure and asked his father to send someone able with him, so he can learn how things should be done. He smirked as he looked at the elite disciple walking next to him. His name was Lee Diger, one of the few disciples that broke into the core realm before the age of 20, one of the most talented younger generation. Show me how you can find a dead man, it's been 3 days now, and he wasn't able to make any progress either, this was the last day. But just then he felt uneasy as Diger's eyes squinted, don't tell me found out something.

From afar, a rustling sound could be heard, it gets closer and closer. Everyone tensed and readied themself. A small orange fox flashed by and changed direction as soon as it saw them, escaping away.

Xugao eyes gleamed as he saw it, he immediately gave chase. Though the little fox was fast it didn't take him much to catch up to it. Just as he jumped for the catch, he felt a strong heat from the side, the edge of his eyes caught sight of a fiery thing. He was doomed was all he could think about. But suddenly a metal sound ringed with an explosion of fire, the fiery fox was pushed away and blood burst from its side spraying the ground, he looked to his side, Diger was there with his sword bloodied, he let out a deep breath. Well, I'm the young master, after all, he switched his gaze to the foxes, his smirk turning uglier.

"Young master Xugao, I think it's better if we leave them alone," Diger said as he unsheathed his weapon and turned away.

"I want that fire beast core," it was rare to encounter a beast with fire attribute, it would help his cultivation greatly. And he won't let them go either now that they dared to attack him.

"I can defeat it since it's wounded, but I can't assure your safety at the same time," he stopped as he looked at Xugao with contempt.

"I will kill the cub and you use her desperation to kill her,"

"It's forbidden to kill the cubs!" the beasts were one of the main sources of cultivation, so the kingdom forbid killing cubs, as it was deemed a waste of resources. The kingdom enforced many low that would help its overall power to grow stronger.

"Not when I'm pissed off," but his legs froze in their way as Fiery stood in his way threatening to kill anyone that tried to get past her, and her eyes fixated on him as fire burst from her body. Though sad Foxy escaped with full speed, unlike humans, beats were born with the survival instincts. He knew he would only stand in his mother's way the longer he stayed.

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"what took them so long," it was already 6 PM when he checked the time. Majid was disturbed so he heeded to the exit. As he got outside he heard some noises, it felt oddly familiar. So he approached cautiously until high pitched barks became clear. He knew those damn barks, it was Foxy, you finally made it. A smile naturally arced on his face, why did you let think of horrible ideas, he grumbled as he pulled the boulder aside. When he got out he knew something was off as he saw that Foxy was alone, his heart skipped a beat as he noticed the desperate look on Foxy as he kept barking, it was more serious than the first time they met. Majid knew something bad happened. He obliged to the call right away, though he was scared of what awaits him, he didn't hesitate as he followed him, his heart drumming wildly.

His expectation grew worse as he started to see traces of blood, they are close, but he can't hear any sounds. In between the trees, his eyes caught sight of more blood on the ground, small flames were scattering around with broken branches and charred trees. But there was no one around, the little foxy didn't stop, he led the way to a different place sniffing after his mother smell. Each time they stumbled upon a similar spot his heart rate soared, but he found nothing, no one. Majid's legs froze as his eyes caught sight of something in between the trees, a wave rashed through his mind as his memory stimulated. A red city stretched ominously under the sunset light, with walls surrounding it from all sides and a wide building that rose above the others at the center was all that he could discern from the distance. It was the Fire Snake City.

He looked at the little Foxy with sad eyes, they can't go any further. But the thing he feared the most most likely happened, he shook his head there must be another explanation. Sorry my buddy, I can't help you this time, his eyes moistened, he hurried to rub his tears away, no it's not over yet.

He didn't know if the little guy understood him or not but after some time he followed him back to the cave. Though the chances were slim, it was best to wait for Fiery there, they can't look the whole forest nor enter the city where the smell led them.

Majid hurried inside the cave but he didn't find Fiery inside, though Teemao wasn't well acquainted with her, he was saddened by the news. He started to like her as well, especially after she brought him medicinal herbs during their time in the other cave. She meant way more for Majid, she was kind of his master, he learned a lot from her. and with the little Foxy, they were someone who kept him company in this lonely forest, someone he can trust in this cold world. They shared death and life and saved each other, it wasn't even 3 weeks since he came to this world yet he build a strong bond with them. He can't ignore it as nothing happened but what can he do, he was weak, his life no precious than hers.

Let's not get depressed her or jump to conclusions, especially the bad one. I need to think, what could have happened, he started from the beginning, he eliminated the possibility of a beast. It was unlikely that there was one in the safe zone that can threaten Fiery. Could it be some powerful cultivator, does this mean she's…

No no taking into consideration that Foxy escaped, and with all the prolonged fight traces, it's unlikely that the opponent was overpowered, there's still chance. There was no trace of other elements other than fire, either he's a fire user or element less. But the fact that the smell led them to the city could only mean one thing, f**k.

"Who, just who is it" But no matter how angry he was, he can't blame someone for hunting a beast, even a beast he liked as a family. But then an idea crossed his mind and his face twisted. If it's you again, this is it. Majid was already at his limit, he didn't want to get involved with Xiaode's problems. Even though they were after his life, he didn't have bad blood with them, this misunderstanding would end once he leaves this damn country. He just needed to hide in the school and prepare for his journey. But if they killed Fiery it would be the last straw, it would be personal now.

[1] Baldy: Saitama