Heat, Tigeren, and Speedy teleported to the far side of the Cakiswa Forest. Speedy jumped out of Heat's wing.
"Why did you do that?" Speedy cursed under his breath.
"What are you talking about?" Heat responded.
"Wake up, Tigeren!" Speedy shouted in Tigeren's ear.
Tigeren's eyes opened, his consciousness returning to him.
"What happened? Where is Marisha?" Those were the first words he said, his voice sounding tired. The words were as slow as his breathing.
"You really should learn to control yourself. What were you thinking?" Heat asked. His eyes narrowed. His tone was clear. He folded his wings and looked directly at him.
"You really made me worry. King Weli entrusted me with both of you, but you haven't learned to trust me."
"I'm sorry about my actions, but this mission is personal," Tigeren replied. He climbed a tree. He slowly inhaled the cold air around him. His mouth opened wide. A yawn walked out, and his chest relaxed.
"Heat. Thank you for everything, but please, let's get to sleep."
With his eyes shut, his mind entered deep into the world of dreams.
"Speedy, tell me everything," Heat said.
Speedy looked away. He lay down under a tree's shadow. The ground was freezing.
"I want to tell you, but…" Speedy whispered, struggling to finish his sentence.
Heat approached him and sat down by his side.
"I need to know what's going on."
Speedy narrated as the memories entered.
"It was years ago. I was training under Master Chahi. Tigeren was my sibling in training and my rival. Master Chahi was like family to us. Like a father to our parents."
His thoughts showed him the face of his master. His eyes turned red. Tears sat in his eyes. His voice toned down.
"I remember how he laughed with us. He trained us whenever our parents were out on missions. I don't blame Tigeren for being furious all the time. His rage came because of what happened in the past."
Speedy looked at the stars above, his eyes counting each and every one of them.
"I wish I could tell you more, but I can't," he said.
The white cheetah fell into slumber.
"I don't understand. What are they hiding from me?" Heat whispered. He closed his eyes and began snoring.
Time swept by. The sun colored the sky in orange and red. The cold darkness left. The cold air met the warm-hearted sun. The leaves shined green.
The sun greeted Tigeren's hidden eyes. The light knocked, and his eyes opened.
"Heat and Speedy are still asleep," he whispered as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
He climbed down from the tree and left without waking them. His legs sped ahead. The wind pushed him back. His eyes focused on the path ahead. His nose tracked Marisha's scent. The spider's scent was unforgettable.
"I can still sense his energy. This emyiko energy is his," his thoughts spoke.
He caught a glimpse of Marisha's body. As he approached the black spider, trees were slashed and punched. Leaves met dust. Stumps were left behind. The life from the trees cried death.
"He's here! His smell is getting closer and stronger. I will end you," Tigeren growled.
Marisha heard the crying forest and turned to see what was approaching him. Tigeren smashed the ground, and loud cracks followed Marisha. An earthquake attacked him.
Marisha used his Shocking Web ebatix to shield himself from the attack.
"Face me, you coward!" Tigeren barked, his legs lunging at Marisha. His claws aimed for an attack. He slashed Marisha's leg. His leg separated from his body.
"You are out of control again… Tigeren," Marisha said, pain striking his muscles.
"You're the one who started my rampage. Just shut up and die," rage consumed Tigeren.
"Did you hear that?" Heat woke up in great shock. The noise from Tigeren and Marisha crashed across the entire forest. The roar of thunder and earthquakes clashed and smashed against one another.
Speedy snapped from his sleep.
"Yeah, but what could be causing such violence?"
"Where's Tigeren?" Heat asked as he searched around.
"I don't see him anywhere," Speedy answered. "I think he went after Marisha alone."
"Let's go. There's no time to waste," Heat said, his voice sounding troubled.
With their elemental speed, quick as lightning, they made it to the damaged site of the forest.
"This place is a mess," they said as they scanned the sight.
Trees were broken down. White flowers turned black and were covered with dirt. The ground beneath them shattered apart. The air was charged with the scent of lightning.
Tigeren was breathing heavily. Marisha struck him down with the Shocking Web. Tigeren ran out of steam and collapsed.
"No. Tigeren, I'm coming," Speedy reacted as he saw Tigeren falling to the ground in defeat. He caught Tigeren before his body touched the dirty floor.
"You idiot. Why did you come here?" Tigeren questioned, his breath heavier than stone.
"You shouldn't take all that hatred upon yourself. You know that it wasn't your fault," Speedy replied with a soft voice.
"Both of you are no match for me. You failed to defeat me, just like you failed to protect your weak master," Marisha declared.
"You killed their master, didn't you?" Heat asked. His blood boiled hot.
"No. I'm the one who killed him," Tigeren answered. His voice carried pain, not only from his wounds but from his heart too.
A loud silence filled the air. Tigeren heard his heart racing and crying.
"It wasn't your fault. You know that Master Chahi—" Speedy said in a low whisper.
He tried to make Tigeren feel better, but the silence grew louder. Tears flooded from Tigeren's eyes as the name of his master entered his ears.