Chapter 32: Chapter 32 A Hope?
The wolf let out a slow breath, his gaze fixed on the bloodied lion, who had yet to move.
"Pride makes fools of us all, Anu," he murmured. "But today, yours cost you more than just flesh."
The birds’ haunting melody swelled, sweet yet sinister, as more voices joined the chorus.
John simply watched, a smirk playing at the edges of his beak.
Tonight, the Sky Dominating Clan had taken its first bite of true dominance.
Anu the white lion remained frozen in place, his mind a void of shock. Even as the wound on his back throbbed with searing pain, he did not react. Not out of bravery. Not out of strength. But because the sight of his own flesh, torn and devoured before his eyes, had shattered something deep within him.
And the birds—those damn birds—kept singing. Sweet, melodic. A lullaby of horror.
Mario the gorilla, watching from nearby, felt a rare pang of pity for the lion. Normally, he would have relished the moment, taking pleasure in the humiliation of this arrogant, self-important fool. But not this time.
These birds were different. Cruel in ways he hadn’t thought possible. They had a way of twisting the knife, of making the strong crumble. And right now, Mario had only one thought—he needed to get out of here. Flee, or find a way to survive.
Steeling himself, he stepped forward, approaching the lion’s rigid form.
"Prince Anu," he called.
No response. The lion’s wide, unblinking eyes remained fixed ahead.
Mario hesitated, then reached out, tapping his shoulder. "Prince Anu," he said again, softer this time. "What’s done is done. There’s no point in losing yourself to it."
Then, his voice hardened, a growl rolling through his throat.
"Now snap out of it! Gather your strength and courage—because if you don’t, what’s coming next will be far worse."
Anu’s breath hitched. His voice came out in a whisper, barely audible over the eerie melody still lingering in the air.
"Y-yeah... These birds are crazy. There’s something wrong with their brains. If we stay here any longer, we’re going to die—or worse, get humiliated even further." He swallowed hard. "We need to get out of here."
Mario narrowed his eyes. "You want to flee?"
"Yes. What choice do we have?" Anu’s voice trembled with desperation. "I’ll be fast this time. You just need to cover me. Don’t let those winged monsters get close." His breathing quickened. "I’m ready."
Mario studied him. The lion’s mind was unraveling, consumed by fear. His only thought was escape, logic be damned.
"Have you lost your mind?" Mario hissed. "You lost half a pound of flesh, sure, but we’re still breathing only because we’re playing along with that damned bird’s game. If we run now, there’s no chance we’re making it out of here alive."
Anu’s expression twisted. "Coward!" he spat. "Why the hell would I play along with their sick game? If you want to stay, then stay. I’m leaving."
Without waiting for a reply, the lion opened his mouth, recklessly channeling his innate spell. His movements were hasty, sloppy—desperation clouding his judgment. A swirling mass of concentrated wind energy formed above his tongue, crackling with unstable force.
Then he bolted, racing toward the fifth ring of flame.
Mario watched, jaw tightening. This fool...
He exhaled sharply. "And I’m the coward?" He shook his head. "Look at you—tail tucked between your legs, running for your life. But the real question is... should I follow this scaredy-cat or keep playing along with the birds?"
His gut twisted. Both choices are a gamble. But maybe, just maybe, running gives me a better chance.
With a grunt, he made his decision.
He sprinted after the lion, quickly catching up.
Anu skidded to a halt just before the bonfire’s edge. His jaw snapped open, releasing the unstable mass of energy in a desperate blast.
There was no roar this time. Just the rush of power, aimed at breaking free.
The concentrated wind energy blasted into the fifth bonfire ring, momentarily clearing a path through the flames. Without hesitation, Anu lunged forward, sprinting at top speed through the gap—never once looking back. He had no idea that Mario was right behind him, mirroring his every move.
As the lion ran, he kept invoking the same skill. Three minutes later, another blast tore through the sixth bonfire ring, carving out another safe passage. He didn’t slow down.
Then, at last, the final ring of flame loomed ahead—the barrier between him and freedom.
Anu had been preparing for this moment. The swirling mass of wind energy hovered just above his open maw, charged and ready. With a sharp exhale, he fired. The flames scattered, parting like curtains before him. Without hesitation, he dashed through the gap, his breath ragged with exhilaration.
A breathless chuckle escaped him. "Ha... finally... my stealthy approach paid off. Totally worth it."
No one had stopped him. No traps. No last-minute interference.
For the first time since the nightmare began, hope surged within him. Did I actually make it?
The temptation to look back was overwhelming, but every instinct screamed at him to keep running. To flee. To never stop.
But he hesitated. He slowed—just for a moment—turning his head.
Something blurred past him.
"Don’t stop!" Mario’s voice barked, his hulking form keeping pace effortlessly. "Keep running or we’ll be surrounded and blocked off soon!"
Anu snapped back to reality, picking up speed once more. He caught up to the gorilla, panting, yet filled with renewed conviction.
"You made the right choice following me," he said, his voice steadier now, almost... confident. "This is our only chance. If we get cornered, we split up. Run in opposite directions."
Mario glanced at him, studying his expression. Has he already regained his arrogant pride? No. The fear was still there, lurking behind his eyes.
The gorilla smirked. "Aye, sir."
The pair pushed forward, sprinting down the same path they had come from. The oppressive heat of the flames faded behind them as the landscape opened up.
Soon, they reached a flatland—a vast, open field stretching endlessly toward the horizon. Tall grasses swayed in the wind, rustling like whispers in the dark.
They had escaped.
For now.