In the passing of a couple minutes, Imurus' group was on their way through the woods at their top speeds; much to the joy of Imuru. The Gray Persudos came to an abrupt stop, strangely, howling in unison for a few seconds.
"Senseless beasts," Arken grumbled, taking his moment of opportunity to promptly complain.
As to why they came to stop, it was made clear by the appearance of another pair of Gray Persudos. The pair mingled amongst the others. Imuru with quiet intrigue, watched them communicate amongst themselves—and right in the next moment they were gone.
"Hmm." A took a second, but Arken finally remembered they had someone that could provide an explanation. "Ennom! You speak their language, what did the creatures say?"
"That's right," Imuru thought, everyone following to turn to Forcent for the translation.
".... The Persudos are from a specific group, organized by Erinot, to scout ahead, and secure the area. They've noticed a secondary faction moving out of sight of the Cat Daughter," Forcent informed.
"A second faction?" Yosho repeated in a curious mumble. "Is there anything to be known about this second faction? Perhaps I could figure out who they are with some description."
"Kah—Haahaha. Let's hurry, I'm eager for a battle. If this second faction makes their appearance then I Arken will personally confront them," Arken proclaimed, brandishing sheer confidence.
Imuru raised his hand. "No, we won't be fighting anyone. We just need to be respectful, and expect the same in return. Besides, whoever this second faction is, they'll have to deal with us and a Great Force," Imuru spread his arms, "so, what's there to worry about."
"Tsk. Naive. What if this is their plan? This Great Force, can't be trusted this quickly." Arken was swift to state his point.
"Good point…" Imuru bit his lips, pondering just a little to counter Arken's point. "But I'm not simply trusting anyone; but a little faith doesn't hurt, does it. For my response, Yosho's brother will be accompanying the Cat Daughter, so there's little for us to worry about."
"Unless he betrayed us, and this is all a big trap," Imuru rolled his eyes at his own sarcastic thought.
"Ah~... The woman's brother? If he's even half as capable, I can allow him to hold our lives in his hands," Arken declared. "Let's be on our way."
Yosho subtly rolled her eyes at Arken's words, but kept her lips sealed, deciding not to engage with the Dark Devider.
Not long after Imuru's group made their progress onto a wide dirt path, it was rugged, but showed clear patterns that it wasn't always like this. Imuru took note of this, and to quench his curiosity he turned to Yosho for his question.
"Awhile ago, this was a road in development meant to connect to the Lizardmen territory, it I remembering correctly it should pass through Cherishnot also," Yosho began, "unfortunately it was cut short once certain issues between Great Forces arose, and by this point Sacred Forest was far from its prime stability…"
While everyone seemed to be distracted by Yosho's story, Arken narrowed his eyes, noticing something approaching from over the horizon. The Gray Persudos reached to a stop, and the others themselves came around to face the sight, the ground beneath them shaking upon the convoy closing the distance; each pulled along by the huff and stride of Great Bears, whilst guards mounted on Great Bears themselves lined the sides in strategic unison.
"Ohw…" Imuru's demeanor sank in embarrassment. "I seem to be… lacking." A simple, yet accurate thought he had—realizing the Cat Daughter seemed to have brought a whole army alone with her.
It all came roaring to a gradual stop a decent amount meters away. The two groups remained in a moment of suspension—only the heavy breath from the bears on one-side; against the calmness of the Gray Persudos.
To get things started, Imuru unmounted from the Gray Persudo. "Well… better go greet them, no?" Imuru caressed the Persudo, raising his hand for the others to hold back, as he went ahead. "It's clear I didn't take this as seriously as I should. Uh-huh, I was half expecting it to be like—one or two persons; five max, possibly."
Look at those guys," Imuru eyes darted from between the two men at the convoy, "they've been through some stuff alright, are the others behind them like that too? Uh, I wonder?... Hmm, no they seem kind of softer."
From a hand raised from the other side, Imuru came to a stop. The Beastern Coachman at the front of the convoy, enshrouded in layers of thick cured hide and wool. The mysterious figure leaned back, in a clear observant manner, turning to the guard on his left, he gestured to him.
The guard gave a nod, descended off the Great Bear, and headed down toward the convoy, stopping at the center. He went to knock, but the door was pushed open out of nowhere, frightening the Beastman.
"UGH!!!" The Cat Daughter bent her back. "I god damn hate sitting for that long," She grumbled in annoyance. "Collon! Hurry! Damn softie, what if your father saw you like this?" She said stomping off much to the anxiety of the Beastman around her.
Inside, Collon stumbled his way out, leaning against the door, holding his stomach, and looking as if he'd just gone through a beating. "... I think he wouldn't mind…" Pulling himself together, he tried to muscle through the pain, hurriedly pushing himself forward to catch up with the Cat Daughter.
"Apexes! Get your lazy asses out here and hurry up!" Cat Daughter shouted at the top of her lungs, a bashfulness in her tone. "We've stopped for like what? Ten minutes now, and why am I out before the rest of you?"
At her orders, the Apexes moved to her command, stepping out one-by-one:
[Roge The Wolfsman]
[Lightning Serpent Grive]
[Wreecker Poised]
On Imuru's side, the group looked on eagerly, as she came forward to the convoy, a hand at the back of her head.
[ONE OF THE FIVE GREAT FORCES OF THE SACRED FOREST]
[Cat Daughter Vuranu; Ruler Of Beast Town]
She stood at a height of 5'7" with a slim graceful frame that speaks of agility and poise. Her hair is a long voluminous, puffy cloud of white, soft and wild, framing a face dominated by sharp, small fierce black eyes—their points tapering at both top and bottom, giving her gaze a constant, focused intensity.
Her ears, white and delicate, are tipped in black, twitching with every sound. Her long, slim tail matches—white furred, with a distinctive black top that flicks and curls with her moods.
A gorgeous woman that put Imuru at ease. His eyes followed every flick of Vuranu's tail—tracking as if he was hypnotized.
"Am I your type?" Vuranu inquired, jolting Imuru from his day-dreaming, hands on her hips, smirking with an intense predatory stare. "Hmph. Sorry, it's just the way you're looking at me." She repositioned her body, to cross her arms across her chest. The Apexes joined her; Roge The Wolfsman assisting Collon. "So, where's your leader?"
"V—Vuranu," Collon pat Roge on his shoulder, breaking off from his help to wobble forward to her side. "Ah. Again, I'll say I'm glad you took the time to come here," He stated, Vuranu eyeing from head-to-toe from the corner of her eyes.
"Erm…" Imuru, narrowed his head, and tilted his head. "He's seen better days. Goodness what were they doing to you over there. I hope this isn't her way of showing respect."
"This is Imuru," Collon moved to Imuru's side, resting a hand on his shoulder. "The one I was speaking of."
Upon hearing Collon's words, Vuranu raised an eyebrow. "This is the Imuru guy?" She inquired. "Huh… Not what I expected."
"My apologies, I suppose I should've mentioned, no scary looking Demon Lord here, just a refined person," Collon joked, forcing a laughter that bordered on nervousness. "If—"
At the brink of making out those final words, an abrupt third-party makes their presence known from the forest edges, putting themselves between Imuru's small group and the Cat Daughter's convoy. To the confusion of everyone—there stood another three, implementing themselves into the conversation.
The obvious leader of this sudden group, held a massive grin on his face.
He was big—broad-shouldered and powerful muscular, built like a warrior who has seen countless battles. He's dressed in red and dark-shaded yellow clothes, the colours bold and regal, and a lance rested across his back. His hair is a mane of blonde, overgrown spikes. Atop his head sit brown lion ears, tufted and alert, with matching fur ruffling beneath his neck like a soft collar. His eyes are small, sharp, and golden, gleaming with predatory focus and quiet authority.
This sudden presence perplexed those on Imuru's side, while simultaneously forcing out exasperated sighs from the Cat Daughter's.
Vunaru planted a hand on her face. "For the sake of Beast Town, not this guy again."
"You!" Kemono called out, pointing to Imuru, his booming voice echoing through the area. "I heard we have a self proclaimed Demon Lord in our midst! If that's the case, I demand a challenge. I'm Kemono, Head Of The Great Town Of The Beast People," He pointed at himself, oozing absolute confidence. "An upcoming Demon King I declare myself," Kemono removed his lance from off his back, "so now I hope you can understand why I must challenge you?"
"UH?! What?!." Imuru blinked, staring in confusion and panic. "Demon King? Crap. Upcoming… Just my luck. This guy isn't afraid to make such a bold declaration… He must have some serious power behind him."
Imuru's group swapped concerned glances between each other—everyone besides Forcent; the Ennom's expression leaned more to the curious side, at Kemono's declaration.
"Cut the crap!" Vunaru marched forward to face Kemono. "Hey, Imuru kid, don't listen to this buffoon, he's no goddamn Demon King, I can assure you that. And you dimwit, if you keep going around saying that, you're gonna attract the wrong attention," Vunaru strongly critiqued.
Kemono merely smiled from Vunaru's words. "Energetic as ever. You might not want to believe and fear repercussions of using the title, but I do not. I am Demon King Kemono The Beast Master, and anyone who dares to challenge me for my title, step forward!" It was a stern determined declaration to all within the vicinity; who dared to willingly face him.
"What the hell are you even doing here, your town has no place in this conversation" Vunaru paused for a split second, to lock eyes with a certain person accompanying him, "... and you brought her with you?"
The female accompanying Kemono smiled. She was a part of the small duo known as the Hands Of The Beast—herself, Beast Balance Vulmaru, along with the observant Monster Phoroled.
"Hello sister, loud as ever?"
"HAAA HA HA HA HA. You and your sister have quite the relationship. Something never changes," Kemono said sarcastically.
Cat Daughter turned to Imuru and Collon. "Remember when I said, some things have changed at Beast Town. I meant this. Kemono, here, thought it was a bright idea to go around shouting into everyone's ear that he'd declared himself a Demon King, claiming he'll be 'An Absolute Peaceful Utopia' he said. In the end, quite a few at Beast Town bought into it, and his nonsense. I'd admit he was convincing… I guess that boastful confidence, and the claim of such a title made them decide to flip."
"Wait…" Collon seemed to recall something from his visit. "Aren't they?..."
"Yeah, that was them, just across the lake," Vunaru confirmed. "... No I can't tell if he's taking the piss, or this is just some sick joke; trying to taunt me."
"If you'll excuse us," Kemono interjects himself into the conversation, the warm boastful casualness in his tone gone, and replaced by a firm authorized tone. From the look he gave off, it was clear he was determined to push the fight forward.
Vunaru grinned. "One thing I can agree on," She stepped back, "have at it… I'm curious to see what this Demon Lord can do."
"They are no different!" Imuru screamed in internal hopelessness.
Collon cleared his throat, and leaned down to Imuru's ear. "Sorry, I also meant to tell you, she also wanted to fight—her way of determining whether or not she wants to work with someone."
"So, they are no different," Imuru shook his head subtly, his final hope giving way. "Thank you for that confirmation, Collon."
"Hold up…" Vunaru marched forward to Imuru's group with an eerie blank expression, "I must be going wild…" The Cat Daughter's demeanor caught everyone's attention; what grabbed her interest all off sudden. "Hell, yeah. You," Vunaru pointed at Forcent, "you're an Ennom… The Guardian defeated one of your kind back in the past, rather easily."
Lifting her head high, she had another proposal to make. "Demon Lord Imuru, Kemono, I'd like to join in on this. I'll take on this Ennom, if he's half as capable as the hype around his kind, then this should be at least a good warm-up."
"Wait, wait, this is actually going down?" Imuru's eyes darted around like a confused puppy, his mind finally clicking to assess the real situation. "I need to de-escalate. What to say? Let's do this another time… No, that won't work."
To break Imuru's bubble and destroy any chance he had to de-escalate the situation, another party made their appearance beside the Apexs; in quite starry black flames. A woman in a black kimono patterned with delicate pink flowers stood at the edge of the scene, her presence still and elegant. A decorative fan was held just below her eyes, masking her mouth, leaving only her gaze visible—curious, sharp, beading intently at the events unfolding before her.
The Apexes almost leapt into action at the sudden arrival, as once again all their attention were forced to make a dramatic switch to the accompanying presence.
"Pardon my intrusion on your affairs, Cat Daughter. I am here as merely an observant for my master, the Kitsune Highest," The woman announced, bowing in respect of the Cat Daughter's presence.
"What the heck is going on?" Imuru thinks, the constant changing and additions to the battlefield, gradually chipping away at his composure—he left like he was in a twister, unable to come out.
"Observant? Suite yourself!" Cat Daughter replied. "Come, step forward Ennom."
Forcent lifted one leg to confront the Cat Daughter, only to have Arken get in his way.
"You seek a worthy challenger do you not," Arken inquired, his voice a soothing calmness. "Then that would be me, and not this Ennom." Arken went to start his ramble; while the worried Imuru struggled to grab ahold of Yosho's attention without looking as if he's about to have a seizure, until he finally managed to capture her attention.
Cat Daughter eyed Arken in dismissive disinterest, her eyes sharpened, and tail stiffened, at every word he spoke… right up until Yosho brought him down to the ground, to the Dark Deviders shock and annoyance.
"What?! You traitor! Working with the enemy? A cheap trick—attackkng from behind, just as suspected from you woman." Arken went on a rambling tangent, trying to wiggle his way and get Yosho off him, forcing Linira off her Persudo to help restrain him.
"Kill me now."
Imuru planted a hand on his forehead, shaking his head, expressing his disappointment internally to keep what's left of his outward composure. "I better put on a good show, to make up for this…" He locked eyes with Forcent, giving an approving nod. "Me and Forcent."
Imuru loudly cleared his throat. "Excuse me! You wanted to challenge me Beast King Kemono? Then I'll accept your challenge."
"I am an Ennom," Forcent put out in confirmation of Cat Daughter's earlier words; stepping forth in acceptance of her challenge. "I will say this… this is a pointless challenge," He said in disinterest, stopping in close proximity and towering over the Cat Daughter.
"Is that so?" Vunaru's grin widened. "That confidence makes me even more eager to fight. It's been awhile since I've worked up a sweat, this is going to be one hell of a time."