Ash and Ravok walked side by side through the dusty streets of the desert village.
The heat still lingered in the air, even as the sun slowly lowered.
People moved around them—participants, merchants, strangers.
Noise.
Movement.
Life.
Then—
"Hey."
Both stopped.
Ash turned first.
Ravok followed.
A familiar figure approached.
Tall.
Confident.
Golden hair.
Sharp eyes.
Leonis.
The Lion vessel from the Red Team.
He smirked slightly.
"…You guys remember me?"
Ravok crossed his arms.
"…Hard to forget the guy whose plan nearly made us lose."
Leonis chuckled lightly.
"…Fair enough."
He raised his hands slightly.
"…But it worked, didn't it?"
Ash tilted his head.
A short pause.
"Our plan was simple," Leonis said.
"Rush forward. Take their flag."
"And if they took ours… we left defenders in their base to stop them from winning."
He shrugged.
"If they chased us, we'd already be halfway back."
"If they stayed… our defenders would hold long enough."
Ash frowned slightly.
"…Sounds like extra steps to do the same thing."
"Attack and defend."
Leonis looked at him calmly.
"…Maybe."
A brief silence passed between them.
Then—
Leonis turned his gaze toward Ravok.
"…Actually…"
"…I came to talk to you."
Ravok raised an eyebrow.
"…About what?"
Leonis didn't hesitate.
"…Join my team."
"I saw what you did in the trial."
"Impressive."
Silence.
Ash blinked once.
Ravok stared at him.
Unimpressed.
"…Why would I do that?"
Leonis smirked slightly.
"…Because we already have strong members."
"…With you, we'd be unstoppable."
A short pause.
"…We could become the strongest squad in the tower."
Ravok shook his head immediately.
"…No."
Leonis frowned slightly.
"…No?"
Ravok didn't hesitate.
"…I already have a team."
Ash raised his hand slightly.
"…Present."
Leonis looked between them.
Then smirked.
"…So you recruited the crow?"
Ravok snorted faintly.
"…No."
Ash crossed his arms.
"…More like I recruited him."
Leonis raised an eyebrow.
"…So the captain of the squad is a crow?"
A faint smirk formed on his face.
"…Not sure that's a very good idea."
Ash met his gaze.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"…Guess we'll find out."
Leonis smirked slightly.
"…Tell you what."
He stepped forward slightly.
"…Let's settle this."
Ash tilted his head.
"…How?"
Leonis spoke confidently.
"…A duel."
A short pause.
"…If you beat me…"
"…You get one of my teammates."
Ash blinked once.
"…And if I lose?"
Leonis smirked wider.
"…Ravok joins us."
Ravok frowned immediately.
"…What is this?"
He stepped forward.
"…Am I some kind of princess?"
"…I can fight for myself."
Leonis chuckled slightly.
"…Relax."
"…It's just an offer."
Ravok cracked his neck slowly.
"…How about this instead?"
His eyes sharpened.
"…All of you."
"…Against me."
"…Right now."
Ash laughed.
A short, amused breath.
A pause.
Then—
Ash stepped forward slightly.
His expression changed.
Serious.
Cold.
Intimidating.
"…How about something better."
Leonis narrowed his eyes.
"…What?"
Ash locked eyes with him.
Unblinking.
"…You against me."
A pause.
The air felt heavier.
Then—
"…Until one of us dies."
Silence.
Even Ravok froze slightly.
Leonis's expression tightened.
"…W…What?"
Then—
Ash suddenly laughed.
Relaxed.
Casual again.
"…Relax."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"…I'm joking."
A smirk formed.
"…See you in the trial."
He turned.
Walking away.
Ravok followed beside him.
Leonis remained standing still.
Watching them leave.
Thinking.
Ash spoke quietly as they walked.
"…We're taking the trial tomorrow."
Ravok smirked faintly.
"…In case you're interested."
Behind them—
Leonis watched.
Silent.
Interested.
"…He's not what I expected."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.