A fast-approaching cloud of dust heralded its arrival, the sparsely distributed trees before it snapping like twigs.
Hssss-KRAAAHHH!
Veyron's arrogant smirk vanished, his face paled. His breath labored, his boots feeling glued to the earth as the monster's wrath bore down on him. The men behind him staggered, some dropping to their knees under the oppressive weight of the creature's presence, wishing desperately to flee but finding their limbs unresponsive.
A humongous snake halted before the tribe's gate, its massive head swaying as it observed the uninvited guests. Noticing Rajah Bayani's injury, it fixed its gaze on Veyron's group, its reptilian eyes burning with hostility. Judging the intruders as insignificantly weak, it lunged without further hesitation.
Sssshhh-ROOOAAARRR!
Jaws filled with razor-sharp fangs opened wide, promising to devour them whole in a single, terrifying bite! 'I have to move! Damn it!' Veyron thought, his muscles screaming in protest against the paralyzing fear. Instinct finally overrode his terror, propelling him into a desperate dodge. He then belatedly registered the absence of their horses, the animals having long since bolted at the first sign of danger.
Crra-ssh! Boom!
"Help me, boss! Waaahhh!" one of his men shrieked, half his body disappearing into the snake's gaping maw. Others, those fortunate enough to evade the initial attack, scrambled to their feet and sprinted away. No one spared a glance for their comrade's cries, each man consumed by the primal urge to survive.
Veyron, of course, wouldn't risk a stumble to look back at his dying men. They could all perish for all he cared, as long as he lived. 'That's right, they should buy me some time by sacrificing themselves. I'll make sure their families get some coin if I make it through this,' he rationalized, his selfishness masked by a fleeting thought of generosity.
Pumping his legs with desperate strength, he quickly outpaced the fleeing remnants of his group. The snake, having swallowed two of the weak underlings, seemed to lose interest in such meager prey. Its attention then snapped to Veyron, now leading the retreat and gaining considerable distance. In the wild, the leader was often the strongest, and therefore, the most nourishing. With a surge of what might have passed for cunning intelligence, the serpent excitedly surged forward, its massive body slithering towards Veyron, effectively sealing his fate.
Seeing the monstrous snake redirect its pursuit to Veyron, a flicker of hope ignited within his remaining men. "Run! As far and as fast as you can!" one of his lieutenants yelled. "Spread out! Don't stay in groups!" They were no fools; their boss had willingly abandoned them. They would not chase after him nor follow his suicidal lead again.
Meanwhile, Rajah Bayani addressed his warriors, his voice firm despite his earlier injuries. "Our guardian has pursued Veyron, the strongest of our enemies. Summon our finest warriors. Move in groups of five and pursue the rest who fled. If they resist, they are to be eliminated. If they surrender, capture them and bring them back as prisoners." He commanded Bantug and his assembled warriors.
"As you command, Rajah!" Bantug replied, bowing respectfully.
Slowly, Rajah Bayani returned to his horse, mounting it despite the aches and bruises that riddled his body. 'I need to check on Iskra and Silak and ensure their safety. I also need to calm the people and convene a council meeting with the elders,' he thought, his mind already focused on the tasks ahead.
Clip-clop, clip-clop
-------------------
The atmosphere in the council hall was thick with tension, a palpable blend of worry and fear. Rajah Bayani sat at the head of the long table, the tribe's Elders flanking him on the left, and his warriors positioned to his right. They had already been informed of the earlier attack and the guardian's timely intervention.
"Give me the report," Rajah Bayani said, his gaze settling on Bantug.
"Reporting to Rajah!" Bantug began. "Thankfully, the guardian swiftly dealt with Veyron without sustaining any injuries. Our warriors engaged the remaining attackers, eliminating those who resisted and capturing those who surrendered. All enemies have been accounted for; none escaped."
"Well done, to you and all our brave warriors," Rajah Bayani acknowledged, a hint of relief in his voice. "I will instruct the elders to prepare rewards for their successful hunt."
One of the Elders, his face etched with concern, spoke. "Rajah, we fully understand the necessity of our guardian's intervention. However, we must now discuss its limitations. I believe everyone in this room is aware of the guardian's true condition."
Rajah Bayani's expression clouded over, the sternness softening into sadness. "I know. I would not have used the horn were it not for my own weakness. This incident only highlighted our tribe's vulnerability in our current state. We must find ways to awaken our bloodlines and enhance our cultivation, or seek a means to prolong our guardian's life and sustain its strength."
Silence descended upon the room. They had survived the night's threat thanks to their guardian. But what of future dangers? They could not perpetually rely on its intervention.
Iskra sat behind Rajah Bayani, the infant prince nestled in his cradle beside her. Her eyes darted around the room, trying to piece together the full extent of the aftermath and assess any lingering threats to her son. After all, the reason behind these attackers' motivation was the phenomenon caused by prince Silak during his ceremony.
'Could there be anyone else that noticed the same phenomenon?' she thought in worry.
Silak, lying peacefully in his cradle, listened intently, his infant mind surprisingly sharp. 'So, the wonderful phenomenon earlier tonight was the reason those greedy bastards thought I was some kind of treasure?!' he thought with dawning bitterness.
'Based on everything I've gathered so far, weakness in this world is practically a death sentence. You might be born weak, but you certainly can't afford to die that way. Unless, of course, you die before you even have a chance to cultivate—like me,' he mused with a sudden, poignant realization. 'I'm not even a week old, and this world is already pushing me to grow up fast.'