Chapter 14: Troublesome Cat

While the two fighters were chatting Manticat had broken in a fight with the squirrel. That hideous rodent had scratched him on his beautiful face and Manticat can't help but be thirsty for his blood. He chased that blasted acorn-loving pest into the forest and swung his scythe at him in a desperate attempt to kill him. The pest ran into the forest like the coward that he is but Manticat wouldn't let his prey get away unscathed. He will make his mother proud and offer her the heart of his enemy. Ruby will be pleased with his achievement.

He flew after him with his scythe but the pest was nowhere to be found. Manticat looked around, this part of the forest is very dark due to the thick foliage blocking out the sunlight but it does not matter for a great predator such as himself that descended from the great line of the kings of the jungle and rulers of Savannah. He heard rustling from a bush and figured that the stupid rodent had foolishly hidden there. He raised his scythe and started chopping through the leaves until he had found the tail of the damned pest. He released his scythe and pulled the furry tail of the rodent.

"Meoooow meoww meow!!" he exclaimed. (Translation: Your blood is mine!!) His body was thrown back due to the force of his pull, bringing along with him the prey he had caught. He suddenly heard the barking of a young puppy and he looked at the thing in his hand and found a wolf cub instead of the damned squirrel. His eyes widened due to his mistake so he released the cub from his hold. The pup cried as it hit the ground. Manticat suddenly heard snarling. He lifted his gaze from the cub and saw its parents and clan. Panic instantly gripped his heart and he flew away from the pack with all the might his wings could muster. He took twists and turns but the wolves were fast on their feet; they were only seconds away from baring their fangs at him.

He suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out to him and he did his best to outrun the wolves and get back to safety. He took a sharp turn and outmaneuvered them to follow the voice as best as he can.

"Manticat! Manticat! Where are you? Come back to me, okay. Stop playing around in the forest, it's dangerous for you, mein liebe." Ruby called out, which she knew was dangerous because it might attract the attention of monsters.

The familiar cried as he found his master and buried himself upon her bosom to seek the safety and comfort of her benevolence. She wrapped her arms around him as he wept.

"There, there darling. You're safe now. Where have you been? You shouldn't have wandered off far from us." she reprimanded, gently caressing his head.

Ruby suddenly heard snarling and saw a pack of wolves about to pounce on them. She summoned her scythe but it was too late, the wolf was already too close. The first wolf had pounced on her bringing her down to the ground. She used the handle of her scythe to block off its maw from ravaging her, baring its sharp teeth against the hard metal. It took her a few seconds to register what was happening and react to defend herself and her familiar.

Ruby kicked it on its stomach, sending it flying to a nearby tree and pulled herself up. She was surrounded by wolves and there is no way out unless she kills them all. She moved her hand to raise her scythe but found her hand paralyzed. The wolf had somehow made a cut on her right wrist which she didn't notice mostly due to shock, rendering her incapable to wield her weapon with her dominant hand. She kicked a wolf that pounced on her.

The branches of the trees are too low and the space they are in is too tight to merit the use of a weapon as large as hers. If she raised her scythe it will hit a tree branch and destroy the momentum of her attack and she can't release a shockwave as well. Her scythe could leave her open if she tries to wield it in offense so she can only use it for defense. Her spirit however is unbroken, she had faced situations far worse than this and surpassed them all in one piece. These are just beasts she is a huntress, they can't bring her down even if she is underhanded.

"Show me what you rodents got. I won't back down!!" she yelled.

Five wolves instantly jumped at her and with shaking hands Ruby raised her scythe to block them. A sudden force had collided against her body pushing her out of dangers' way making her leg go off her weapon. She felt strong arms wrapping around her shoulders protectively.

Ruby opened her eyes and lifted her gaze to her savior. She saw the demon staring at her with a blank look. His wings were out and wrapped around them protectively like a shield. She heard the wolves clawing at his back but he doesn't seem to mind nor care.

"You're hurt." he mumbled.

"You're getting hurt!" Ruby fired back, alarmed as the wolves bite and scratch his muscles.

"You're a troublesome cat, putting your master in danger like that." Aleister reprimanded making the familiar look down with guilt. The demon flapped his wings, throwing the wolves back. He lifted himself from the ground and brought her up with him, keeping a protective arm around her waist. He looked at the snarling wolves and back down at his injured mistress who winched when she moved her hand.

"Stay here." He whispered before vanishing.

It only took a blink of an eye for everything to change. The next thing Ruby knew, all the wolves before them had been all killed. Dark crimson now colored the dull brown of the trees as he murdered every single wolf in one quick breath. The beasts tried fighting back but their efforts were all in vain due to the immense prowess of the demon. Their pitiful crying ceased after the last of them fell dead on the ground.

Ruby stared at her familiar with fear. He had the power and brutality to do all the things he just did on those wolves upon her if he so desires and the possibility terrifies her. She knew what he was capable of and the thought of him going haywire made her tremble. Aleister walked back in front of her and paused a few feet from her position.

"Did I scare you? I'm sorry but I just want to protect you. You understand that, don't you?"

Why the hell do those words sound familiar? And the way he said it brought a knife to her heart, opening long-forgotten wounds that time did little to heal.

"I'm fine." she was able to reply.

"Clearly you are not. That is a very dangerous cut. If he had gone any deeper he might've popped an artery. Come on let's get back to the house." the demon went near her and touched her shoulder but she instantly pulled away from his hold as if his touch burned her skin.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. It just feels familiar, in a bad way. Like painful memories. But you're right let's get going. I don't want to meet any goblins just yet. What the-?!" Ruby suddenly colored bright red when Aleister had suddenly swept her off her feet and lifted her off the ground.

"Hey! I can walk you know. My wrist might be injured but not my feet so let me down now. I'm not that weak and pitiful." Ruby yelled.

"I'm faster than you and we need to keep going before monsters show up. You said it yourself." Aleister carried Ruby away back to the house and ignored her protesting and insults. He seemed to have toned down his remarks and antics, but why? His face looked neutral enough but his eyes told more tales. They look angry. Why is he angry?