"Claw?!" Ivy staggered backward, her legs trembling. Curiosity rooted her in place despite the tremor.
"So." Vein stopped laughing and returned to his normal expression.
Gash glanced between them; he shifted uneasily, his claw grazing his fangs.
None of them spoke. The silence pressed on their chests, heavy and alive.
"Where is the damn honey?!" Grizzler's roar rattled the huts, shattering the stillness.
Between them, the leopard lay motionless, crimson spreading beneath him.
Only Vein moved, closing the distance with slow, deliberate steps.
"That's neat... just seeing you down like this." Vein's tongue traced his fangs before he raised his claw.
"Now, I'll restore my leader's pride."
The others watched, frozen between fear and awe. Dust swirled around Vein's feet as the air grew thick with dread.
Vein tilted his head, mockery gleaming in his eyes.
Thud!
"Are you serious? Still struggling?" Vein's eyes narrowed, his gaze full of contempt.
That's impressive... Claw didn't lose any of his stealth. He's moving like any other leopard! Ivy's eyes gleamed, awe breaking through her fear.
No! No! No! It's not the right time to do this! I... I've got to do something!
Something cold slithered up her neck before sharp fangs flashed beside her ear.
"Well, hello," Gash hissed.
Ivy stumbled back, her horn catching the dim light as she raised it between them.
"G... get away from me, you branch!" Ivy pushed herself backward, using her horn as a shield.
Dust scattered beneath her hooves. The trembling sound broke the tension for just a heartbeat before Gash spoke.
Gash's eyes went wide, torn between offense and disbelief.
"Why does everyone call me that?!"
The leopard's chest rose and fell; his eyes locked on Vein.
"What do you want now?" he growled, each breath rough and uneven.
"Vein!!"
Blood and dust clung to his fur, each breath louder than the last. The world around them seemed to fade until only Vein remained.
His grin faded. Cold settled behind his eyes, the kind that killed any last spark of mercy.
Vein laughed, a wild sound that died as his face smoothed. "What do I want?" he asked. "I want to end you, Claw," he spat.
"To end me? What do you mean, Vein?" the leopard said.
"What will you gain by repeating this torment?!"
"Did I wrong you somehow?"
A low wind stirred between them, carrying the scent of damp earth.
The leopard's voice trembled, fading into the silence.
Vein's eyes flickered, a storm caught behind his stillness. For a heartbeat, it seemed he might speak, then his jaw hardened.
Vein's jaw tightened at the leopard's plea.
"ANSWER ME, Vein!"
A sharp memory tore through Vein's mind. His leader real Claw
"What will you gain by repeating this torment, Vein? We devour to live, not to destroy."
Vein's voice trembled as he whispered, "Claw..."
Vein lowered his head, eyes dimming with what could only be sorrow.
"No… Claw was proud… brave..." Vein said before lifting his head again.
"Not filth like you!"
Vein hurled himself at the leopard, fury cracking through his restraint,
but the leopard charged forward, his head thrust out like a shield.
Thud!
Vein was sent flying. The impact echoed through the clearing, scattering dust and leaves.
He crashed through a patch of ferns, the breath ripped from his chest.
"Who... who do you think you are? Some kind of savior?!" Vein pushed himself off the ground, trembling, his claws digging into the dirt.
I'll never stand where you stood, Claw…
Vein's eyes gleamed with sorrow, then darted desperately around the clearing.
A gash in the earth, overgrown with begging ivy, caught his attention , and gave him an idea.
A spark flickered behind his eyes, faint but fierce.
"Gash!" He knew it was reckless , but that thought only made him move faster.
When Gash's gaze locked with Vein's, meaning passed between them without a word.
"Yes, sir!"
"S... sorry, dear, but I've got no choice!" Gash leapt toward Ivy, clutching her between his fangs.
"Get off me!!" Ivy shrieked, her voice cutting through the chaos.
"Claw! Help!!"
Vein's pulse thundered in his ears n there was no turning back now.
"Gash! I'm hungry! Get the deer here!" Vein's voice was tired, yet it still carried his commanding edge.
"Let's see what you'll do, soft leopard… You said it yourself: it's okay to be soft." Vein's smirk widened at the thought.
"Yes, sir!" Gash rushed forward.
"Don't you dare, Vein!!!" the leopard cried.
"I am warning you!" He stepped forward , small, slow, and hesitant, yet brimming with fury.
Gash dropped the deer; Ivy didn't move. Her eyes were wide, frightened, yet behind them glimmered a faint confidence.
Claw, I know that leopard won't let it happen... I know you'll do the right thing, Ivy thought, a fragile hope.
The air thickened between predator and prey, every breath sharp with dread.
Vein's gaze shifted , calm, cruel, and almost amused.
"I will never forgive you if you do it, Vein!"
Vein opened his mouth, mere inches from Ivy's throat.
Come on, Claw... what are you going to do? It's not like I'm not going to eat her anyway.
Vein's gaze slid toward the leopard, a slow and mocking glance.
"What am I to do with your pity?" he said, his voice cold.
Ivy's confidence shattered; she froze, like prey cornered beneath its hunter's shadow.
Somewhere deep inside, Ivy prayed the leopard would move first.
A single leaf drifted down, landing between them like a final warning.
"Here goes..." Vein's teeth glimmered in the dim light.
"DON'T DO THAT, VEIN!!!" The leopard roared , a sound that tore through the forest, shaking every creature awake.
The roar split the night open, raw and endless.
Even birds that couldn't see in the dark took flight, only to drop trembling with fear.
The roar alone was enough to make Vein freeze , it carried his leader's original echo.
"Claw...?" he whispered.
Vein's breath caught , that tone, that power... it was unmistakably his leader's.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!!" Gash collapsed to the ground.
When the warning leaf hit the ground —
THUD!
A heavy force slammed into the leopard's body, hurling him through the air and crashing him through several trees.
Everyone gasped at the sight.
From the settling dust, a hulking silhouette emerged, broad, calm, unhurried.
"YOU'RE SO NOISY! Go cry somewhere else!"
"And don't raise your voice above someone stronger than you!" he added.
Grizzler shook the dust from his mane, calm as if nothing had happened, then rubbed his fur, unimpressed.
"Anyway, Vein
… where's the honey?"