Forcent narrowed his eyes, with intent to intervene. "Armoured… An Orc shouldn't be here. Mm. At least the Persudos provide some protection to the forest… Despite their nature."
He didn't waste another thought, stepping out, his presence drawing the Persudos and the Orc's attention. The Gray Persudos shifted aside, weary of the Ennom, whilst the Orc's shoulders drooped; straightening himself.
"Hmph. Ennom. You must be the leader of these pests," The Orc exclaimed, raising his axe at the Gray Persudos. "I am General Nudge, right hand of Lord Gull, commander of the resistance army: Real Mountain Orcs. State your name, Ennom of Mount Criin."
Forcent's eyes glimmered with a flicker of interest, his ears perked. "I am Forcent. I see you're familiar with my species?"
A deep, shuddering sigh of relief deflated Nudge's body, the tension draining from his shoulders like a physical weight; his stern expression, though still etched upon his features, softened at the edges.
"Yes. As are many. Finally a sensible presence to speak with. My leader and I would appreciate it if you could call off these little pests for wolves."
Forcent turned his head to the three Persudos on standby. "Pests… Is a very agreeable term. The Persudos are misguided. Erinot is a very venal leader."
"Venal. That would explain it. A disgrace for a leader, truly," General Nudge said in stern agreement. "They've been causing us so much trouble since we've arrived. If the leader is the issue, then I suppose now I know our priority."
"Are you the sole Ennom presence in this forest?"
"Yes. But there is someone I follow," Forcent replied.
"Someone you follow?" General Nudge's eyes narrowed with intrigue. "And who may this be?"
"He's a very hospitable person. I wish I could indulge you with more information, but I'd prefer not to. They're usually very cautious," Forcent replied.
General Nudge nodded in understanding. "No need to explain. Such caution is needed every now and then. Perhaps we can meet here again. Perhaps we could have our leaders get to know each other?"
"I cannot make any promises… If next time we meet each other and I'm alone, then you should have your answer," Forcent replied.
"Wonderful. Shall we meet again within three days time?" General Nudge inquired, in search of agreement upon the time.
Forcent nodded the time seemingly suitable enough… Besides in his eyes Imuru hasn't been doing much lately. General Nudge, returned a subtle nod, giving the Persudos on the side one last glance before he set off.
Forcent's blinked over toward the three injured Persudos with only passing disinterest; he was about to turn and melt back into the forest, his curiosity satisfied, when his ears twitched at the distinct sound of something rushing through the brush behind him. He looked back over his shoulder, and there stood a familiar foe; Erinot.
They locked eyes neither blinking. Erinot took his gaze from Forcent, over to the injured Persudos, casually strolling over to them.
This calmness Erinot displayed perplexed Forcent ever so subtly. Though he didn't have a word of thought to exchange with Erinot.
"You spoke with the Orc?" Erinot inquired, just right after consulting with the injured Persudos.
"You spoke with the Orc?" Erinot inquired coolly, having just finished a low consultation with his injured Persudos. Forcent was genuinely taken aback that Erinot was addressing him so directly, and with a question, no less.
"I did," Forcent replied, his voice a neutral rumble.
"Hmph. I suppose I should've spoken with Sunshine and Rainbows about these Orcs' presence. Mm. I'm not used to seeking guidance from others," Erinot mused aloud, more to himself than anyone, his tone grating with reluctant submission.
Forcent glanced at him, his ears drooping slightly to the sides in a posture of pure, unamused bewildered. The silent reaction hanging in the air was palpable.
In an uncomfortable and strangely surreal walk, Forcent and Erinot moved side-by-side through the dappled forest light. The white shadow of the Sacred Forest and the former apex predator, a pairing no sane mind would ever picture being this close together without violence... well, unless in your particularly vivid or deranged imagination.
"So he really did sweet-talk you too..." Erinot chuckled, the sound rough with honest disbelief at the absurdity of the very idea. He shook his head, the scales along his neck rasping softly. "I still wonder if he uses some sort of charm skill, or if he's just... that obnoxiously kind by nature."
"Is he truly this kind?" You work with him, do you not?... Doesn't matter to say the least—he'll eventually learn his kindness won't solve everything," Erinot remarked, a cynical edge to his tone.
"Hmph. Obnoxiously kind, not oblivious," Forcent retorted with calm disinterest, his voice a low, firm rumble. "He simply tries to see the best in others... But he has his limits, like anyone else."
"Is that how it is?" Erinot said, the question hanging less as doubt and more as a grudging recalculation.
"Not oblivious... Isn't that difficult for me to believe."
"As to why you wish to speak with him? Why, I wonder, are you opening up? It's clear your Persudos aren't doing well," Forcent said, his gaze unwavering.
Erinot grumbled for a split second, a low, irritated rumble. "And here I thought they were yours... I suppose not anymore, after your little rampage failed."
"Rampage. Hmph. In the end, if it had been successful, it would have been beneficial for them... But fate had other plans for me," Forcent remarked, his tone edged with a cold, detached regret. "What of your rule? What did it bring? I would consider you a disappointing leader... You remind me of a certain Dark Devider."
Erinot's jaw tightened, a sharp retort rising in his throat, but he bit his tongue, swallowing the words. Deep down, in a place he rarely acknowledged, he knew Forcent did have a point—and that quiet, inconvenient truth silenced him more effectively than any threat.
Outside, sitting on his porch, Imuru sipped slowly on sweet tea. A chabudai table sat before him, holding a simple clay bowl piled high with fresh, dewy fruits. Yosho stood beside him, a silent and watchful presence, her eyes scanning the peaceful yard as the late afternoon light painted everything in shades of gold and calm.
This calmness was swiftly broken by the intense, buzzing flap wings. Looking out curiously in search of the source, Imuru saw the enormous Bee from their cave exploration descend into his vision.
"Pone!" Yosho exclaimed, her voice lifting with sudden, childlike glee.
"Ugh! This guy again?" Imuru thought, his peaceful moment shattered, something he did not want to see. "What does he want now?"
The Bee flew on to the porch, landing softly right in front of the table. "Pff. Whatever. Long as he doesn't cause trouble."
Imuru shut his eyes, lifting his cup to take another slow, deliberate silence of tea, savoring the honeyed flavours in a last-ditch effort to reclaim his peace. Before he could fully seclude himself in the quiet, however, Yosho's voice cut through, bright and clear.
"Great Imuru—Forcent has returned."
Imuru's eyes shot open. In a burst of uncontaminated joy, he leapt over the chabudai, vaulted straight off the porch and accidentally knocked over Pone the Bee into a tumbling, disoriented flip onto its back with a soft fwah!
"Forcent!" Imuru expressed gleefully, already skidding to a stop, barely restraining himself from burying his face into Forcent's thick, snowy side.
"Uh!?" Imuru took notice of Erinot beside Forcent. "Ow... Erinot." Imuru glanced back and forth at the pair. He pointed to and from the other. "Are you two—"
"NO!!!"
The wolves were quick and decisive with their words. Imuru raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Okay, okay, I get it."
A hand on his hip, he looked to Erinot with a question. "So, what brings you here? You've been a good boy, right?"
Erinot stared at him unamused… Genuinely why on earth was he being spoken to… Like a pet?
"There have been a mass of Orcs entering the forest, but I shall rest my issues with them for now. Since we have very different views. Go on Forcent?"
"There's this General," Forcent began, his voice a low, steady rumble. "He referred to himself as Nudge, right hand of his leader, Gull. He was sending an invitation to have his leader meet you. I did not inform him of your title or anything else. We have a set location... If you decide to accept."
Imuru cocked his head, crossing his arms across his chest. "General Nudge…" Imuru smiled a little. "I guess it would be kinda disrespectful not to show up. So, sure, why not."
"Anything for Forcent…"
"He requested to meet within the next three days," Forcent added, his tone factual.
"Then I suppose I'll leave them to you, Sunshine and Rainbows," Erinot grunted, already turning to walk away, his scaled shoulders set in their usual, dismissive shrug.
"Eh?!" Imuru blinked, utterly perplexed. He watched the retreating Erinot, then looked back at Forcent, his head tilting to the side in an adorably confused manner. "Sunshine and Rainbows... Is that my name to him now?"
He scratched the back of his head. "At least he's… Friendly. Oh…"
"Wait! Erinot." Imuru hurried to catch-up with the Persudo. "Sorry. Just a question. Y—"
Erinot growled in irritation. "I'm doing as told. Just deal with these Orcs." He didn't look back, quickly becoming a shadow dissolving into the treeline.
"Okay… Thank you." Imuru waved him goodbye.