Rats

After planning their next course of action, Nyell went outside to peek at the sky. It had already grown into a drop red-orangish color as the sun started to settle down. It made him click his tongue in annoyance. They would have to wait until the following day before leaving, as traveling at night in the jungle was not an option. Only reckless fools and youngsters who didn't know better would dare. Even Nyell, as a grown-up, avoided doing it whenever possible. He had had enough bad encounters throughout his teenage years to last him for a lifetime. He learned the lesson the hard way, but he learned it regardless.

Just thinking about the many close calls he had… Nyell shuddered. If anything, he had been fortunate never to return home with missing limbs or, worse, as a corpse.

Death was always around the corner in the jungle, but it was even more so at night. It wasn't rare for a whole group of hunters to vanish when they did not find a proper shelter to rest and sleep, leaving behind only a few broken weapons and bloodied clothing. Their remains were rarely found, and when they were, not much was left.

It took time to tame his inflated ego and realize he wasn't invincible: Nyell might be the strongest warrior in his tribe, but it didn't make him immortal. Werewolves were powerful, and their regenerative abilities were impressive. Still, if an injury was grave enough, they could die just like any other living beings. And now that Nyell had outgrown his wannabe years, he could see the risks of traveling at night, especially with a travel companion like Lapis: this weak man was the perfect prey, and protecting him from starving beasts was easier said than done, even for Nyell. He didn't plan on neither of them becoming anyone's meal, so Nyell decided another sleepover was in order. 

Better to be safe than sorry.

"Looks like we'll have to spend the night here again," he announced with a shrug, pretending not to notice Lapis's aggravated expression. "We'll leave tomorrow after sunrise. Until then, try to relax."

"I'll go catch dinner, then," Myrven smiled as he jumped to his feet and stretched. It could be risky for his companions to venture near the jungle at this time of the day, but it shouldn't be for him. "Anything you want?"

"Hm, I'm craving bird meat right now," Nyell said, instinctively licking his fangs in anticipation. Jerky was good, but fresh meat was always best. It was also better to hunt whenever possible than to go through their rations and end up with nothing as a backup. Cautiousness was a must in the wild.

"As long as it's not some weird monster," Lapis gulped, remembering yesterday's dinner, which he ended up throwing up. The gummy meat from whatever bizarre beast Myrven had caught had tasted awful. It was like chewing caoutchouc, and the herbs couldn't even hide its smelly odor. "And can you, like, gut it out elsewhere and not in front of me this time…?"

"You sure are weak to blood," Allen chuckled. "I'll go gather some fruits in the meantime. Do you want to come with me, Nyell?"

"No, thanks."

"Are you sure?" The shaman insisted. "We could take the opportunity to talk a bit."

"We can talk later," Nyell shook his head, more or less guessing what was going through Allen's mind. It was easy to figure out if he let go of his skepticism. The man might be ruthless, but he had a caring side toward his destined mate. 

And right now, there was no need to be a genius to know Nyell's thoughts were in disarray. He had always been a mama's boy, and learning the truth behind her death and the agonizing pain she went through was psychologically devastating.

Maybe talking would indeed help distract his mind from the searing pain soaring through his chest, but Nyell didn't want to show the White Moon tribe's chief any weakness. He had yet to feel at ease enough to confide in Allen. He was not ready to let his walls crumble down, although he had a hunch that if their relationship continued to deepen as it had been these past few weeks, the walls would collapse on their own sooner rather than later. Not that he was planning to admit that aloud, of course.

"Later?"

"Yes, later," Nyell rolled his eyes. "I'd rather have some alone time right now."

"Alright, got it. Tell me if you change your mind."

"I won't! Now, get lost before I lose patience."

"How rude!"

The chuckle echoed far and wide into the canyon as Allen ventured further inside. There were berries farther down the river, and he went to pick a few. As he walked away, Myur flew to his side, doing some weird aerobatic maneuvers. It seemed to be trying to impress the shaman, and the man playfully went along, clapping his hands and encouraging it.

Nyell watched the two disappear into the mist, squinting his eyes as he gradually got lost in thoughts. He reviewed all that had happened these past few weeks, but no matter how much he racked his brain over the matter, he still could not understand the shaman's odd behavior. Every action he took seemed to have a purpose, yet not at the same time. 

In the end, Allen was an enigma. 

But that was fine. Nyell would have all the time in the world to try and decipher it after leaving his tribe for Allen's. Until then, he had other more important things to take care of, starting with the elders.

.

.

The next day, before heading into the jungle, Nyell eyed Allen, who was rubbing his sore neck. The shaman's body was stiff, and his every move seemed to stir up some discomfort. Nyell couldn't help but grin at the sight. Even if Allen was well-built, sleeping on a thin rug atop rough, uneven ground was bound to be hard on his articulations. Meanwhile, Nyell felt great as he had taken possession of the hammock. What could he say? He didn't want a reenactment of the night before, so he had shut off the man and thrown an ultimatum: either he slept on the rug or spent the night in Dangu's cave with Lapis and Myrven.

Well, it was clear as day what he chose.

"Be careful out there," Allen said, pinching his lips in worry. "And Lapis, you better listen to these two and not wander alone. You heard me?"

"Even if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have," Lapis smiled weakly, remembering his dead friend. Hiking in the jungle was not to be taken lightly, something he had come to understand after almost losing everything. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. "Wait. You're not coming back with us?"

"Hm? No, not yet," Allen shook his head, aware that his beta still hadn't yet given up the idea of conducting that damned ceremony. "I have a few things left to do here. Anyway, it's not like you need me. You're an annoying fellow, but I know you can do your job right when you put your mind to it. That said, you better guide Myur to the right people, or else…"

"I-I won't make any blunder!" Lapis bowed, flustered. "I swear on our God's name, I'll not disappoint you!"

"Good to hear. I'll come back once I'm done here."

"What can you possibly have left to do…" Nyell frowned, suspiciously eying the man up and down. He had the vague feeling that Allen was hiding something. But when the shaman lifted his hand and showed him the mark carved by his oaths, Nyell got the cue. "Ah. I see."

"Alright, we'll leave you to your things. But don't do anything foolish," Myrven warned, a frown creasing his brow. "We'll heed your warning and be careful, so do me a favor and do the same."

"I'm always careful."

Myrven threw him a 'who the fuck do you think you're trying to fool?' kind of look before turning around, beckoning Nyell and Lapis to follow in tow. The trio swiftly vanished into the jungle, and silence soon befell the area after their departure. Allen stayed still for a moment, unknown thoughts going through his mind as he stared at the lush, overflowing vegetation. Minutes passed, and he eventually left the canyon's entrance to return to Dangu's side. 

The moment Allen stepped inside the cave, an ethereal voice pointed out matter-of-factly:

"I don't remember the oath preventing you from mentioning that peculiar thing. But I guess you didn't lie either, as you only showed the oath marks on your hand and let my nephew make his own conclusions. Not like your little charade concerns me, anyway."

"Oh, were you spying on us?" Allen teasingly said. "And here I thought you weren't a peeping creep."

"Stop spouting nonsense: you know perfectly well that I wasn't peeping. Everything happening in or near the canyon is transmitted to me, regardless of my will. Whether I like it or not, this is the territory I've been bound to, in case you haven't yet noticed."

"Don't worry, I've long noticed," Allen chuckled, aware that daemons were territorial creatures. Trespassing was usually akin to courting death. "But I think some rats haven't yet realized it is."

"They're not fools, though, as they purposely stay between the boundary of my sanctuary and the outside. I've been trying to catch the leader, but she's cautious enough to let her underlings do the work and observe from a safe distance. Whevener I show myself, she runs away and sacrifices her lackeys instead. She's been doing that for the past few months. Myur can't even manage to track her, thanks to the smelly pouch that confuses his senses. Though I guess I had some respite these past two weeks. Since your arrival, she has kept her distance, but seeing that she dares to come closer now, it seems like she has either come up with a strategy or has no choice but to act."

"Instead of beating around the bush, can't you just ask me to help you?"

"Why would I? Even if I don't ask you, you will go rats-hunting anyway. You might look calm on the outside, but you're furious deep down. That woman's shenanigans have hurt your destined mate deeply, and I doubt you'll let it slide. I fear she'll regret ever being born."

Allen shrugged, having nothing to say in his defense. The Black Moon tribe's shaman had been hanging around Dangu's sealed ground, seemingly to verify and restructure the array encasing the canyon. Her job was to protect the elders and ensure the daemon couldn't reach them. She had to eliminate every potential threat, whatever that might be. However, she also had to tread carefully around Allen, as his untimely death could lead to war with the White Moon tribe. But for whatever reason, she was now throwing caution to the wind, and Allen wasn't foolish enough not to take the opportunity presented to him on a golden platter.

"I haven't gone rats hunting in a while…" 

That said, Allen smiled before vanishing from the cave. The daemon then closed his eyes to watch from afar: he didn't want to miss the show.