Chapter 25 Horde

Travelling through the forest the past few days since their encounter with the snake king, the three continued to kill any tigers that they came across. While traveling, the three found a suitable area, for them to rest at. The location was at a large waterfall. Behind the large waterfall was a naturally formed cave. Seeing that there were no signs of habitations from other animals, Ajax marked it on their map and memorized the surroundings so that they would know how to find it again while on making their way in the forest.

Ajax looked at his team that was still full of energy, " Let's start heading back to the waterfall cave and start planning more on how to target the rest."

Jerry heard Ajax say that and was a little impatient, " Do we have to? With what we have faced so far, we have been dealing with low level monsters. They shouldn't be a threat for us."

Tim second Jerry's opinion, " Yeah, if we want to hurry up and avenge Jerry's tribe shouldn't we quicken our pace on thinning out our opponents?"

Ajax replied to the two, " true, with our strength and energy, it isn't hard for us to fight these low level beasts. However, we may need to think more about our actions. For example, once the mammoth tribe take notice of our activities, what do you think will happen?"

Tim thought for a moment before his face grew cold, " They would ambush our two tribes."

Ajax nodded his head, " That's correct, that leaves us with two options. One destroy the other two tribes quickly so that when they find out, they won't have the strength to take on both of our tribes. The second tribe is to destroy them slowly and covertly so that they don't notice the numbers of the beasts dwindling and then we'll sneak attack them before they could formulate a plan against us. After all, our tribes are not so weak."

Tim: " True, then what should we do?"

Ajax thought for a bit and said, " If we want to do it quickly, then you two will need to increase your strength a bit more and then we'll split off. I will continue with the tiger tribe. Jerry would go to the wolf tribe. And you Tim, will go to the snake tribe. However, I don't know if we still have time or not."

Jerry looked at him curiously, " What do you mean?"

Ajax: " it has already been obvious since me and Tim's hunt. We have been roaming around too much. During our last fight, we had encountered wolves and tried to create a conflict between since it was conflicting territories, however, they chased us instead. We've been too complacent with our hunting and may have killed too much. We have been noticed by the other tribes even if they have low intelligence, they already know that we are their enemies."

Tim nodded as he understood, " so that's what you meant. Indeed we do need to be more careful with our approach."

Ajax, " Then let's go back and make a plan."

On the way back, Ajax and the others came across a road and heard loud shouts and fighting happening. However, the fighting wasn't clashes of swords with swords. The fighting consists of loud men shouting and loud beast roars. Ajax and the others quickly went to the scene and Ajax found a familiar carriage with a Griffin logo on the side with several armored soldiers surrounding it in a protective formation.

Ajax quickly scanned the few soldiers when he saw the situation.

Name: George [lvl 16]

Race: Human [Elite Soldier]

Strength: 50

Defense: 30

Agility: 30

Intelligence: 30

Endurance: 30

Name: Barry [lvl 10]

Race: human [Soldier]

Strength: 25

Defense: 20

Agility: 15

Intelligence: 28

Endurance: 20

Name: Victor [lvl 10]

Race: human [Soldier]

Strength: 25

Defense: 20

Agility: 15

Intelligence: 28

Endurance: 20

Name: Roger [lvl 10]

Race: human [Soldier]

Strength: 25

Defense: 20

Agility: 15

Intelligence: 28

Endurance: 20

Name: Barren [lvl 10]

Race: human [Soldier]

Strength: 25

Defense: 20

Agility: 15

Intelligence: 28

Endurance: 20

Seeing their level, Ajax also scanned the the horned bears that they were facing

Name: Horned bear [lvl15]

Strength: 35

Defense: 40

Agility: 25

Intelligence:25

Endurance: 25

Name: Horned bear [lvl12]

Strength: 30

Defense: 35

Agility: 20

Intelligence:25

Endurance: 25

Name: Horned bear [lvl12]

Strength: 30

Defense: 35

Agility: 20

Intelligence:25

Endurance: 25

Ajax and the others continued to watch the scene when he heard the stronger soldier yell.

George: " Young lady, you must stay in here until we deal with the beasts for your own protection."

Mary quickly replied, " George, I'm sorry, but we have to find him to help us with the incoming trouble. Without father and elder brother, we will have trouble against them."

George grit his teeth as he didn't know why they had to come into the forest to find said helper. However, he has his orders to protect her.

Ajax and Tim quickly recognized the voice.

Tim cried out, " Ajax, it's Mary. Maybe she is here for us and needs our help. Looking at the several beasts, they might not make it out unscathed."

Ajax quickly nodded his head and said, " Yeah, let's go."

Ajax quickly jumped down followed by Tim and Jerry and ran towards the carriage.

George saw three new beasts running towards them and panicked, " Everyone prepare yourselves, we have more incoming!"

The other soldiers quickly glanced and saw three apes running at them with large weapons and gripped their weapons even harder to prepare for the life and death battle. However, in the next moment, they were all surprised by the actions of the apes. Instead of the apes coming and attacking them, they attacked the horned bears instead.

Ajax yelled out, " Relax, we are here to help."

Ajax and his team quickly assisted the soldiers and together, they quickly wiped out the horned bears. When the horned bears were all killed, George came forwards and cupped his hands as he thanked Ajax.

George: " Thank you for your assistance. Without your help, we may have been in trouble."

Ajax smiled as he did the same and said, " No problem." He then looked at the carriage and called out, " Mary! Mary! It's okay to come out now."

Mary heard the voice that had called to her and peaked her head out the door of the carriage. She immediately saw Ajax, Tim, and another ape with them. Her face brightened up and said, " Ajax! Tim! I found you guys."

Tim quickly came forwards and checked all over her body and said, " Mary, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Mary laughed as she saw the large orangutan checking her body and said, " I'm fine. Thank you Tim."

Ajax also laughed a little and said, " Mary, you were looking for us?"

Mary's face light up once again and said, " Oh yeah! Sunset City has encountered a problem. With reports of our scouts, they saw sightings of an incoming horde. My father has left to another city because of urgent matters and is on his way back. However, the fastest time that he will get here will be in another 4 days. While the horde will be appearing in at least 2 days. Without father's strength, it will be hard for us to hold the horde back."

Ajax frowned and grew serious as he heard the new information. Hordes consists low intelligent animals that encounters some kind of problem that causes them to go berserk. Ajax asked, " Are there no strong soldiers that will defend the city?"

Mary frowned a little and replied, " Yes. My father's right hand is busy trying to organize the soldiers and defend the city. However, with the reports, he also said it would be difficult. The numbers of the horde is too great this time and is already trying to reach out to other city's for assistance. However, they too would need time. So, I came and was hoping you would help us out."

Ajax nodded as he heard the information but also shook his head, " If you want just our help then we can do it. However, if you want the help of our tribes, I'm afraid that it will be difficult as I don't want to risk the lives of our people."

Mary's face saddened a little. She knew that it may be hopeless in asking for help when they spent so little time together, but she still had to try. " I see."

Ajax and Tim looked at each other and nodded their head.

Ajax: " Well... I can try to ask my father if he can lend some people, but there are no promises."

Tim: " Yeah, I can ask my father too."

Mary's face lit up when she heard the two speak up again. " Really?! Can you?! I also don't want to trouble you two but I can't help it, we really need the help."

Ajax: " I can try but I have one condition."

Mary quickly nodded and grabbed Ajax's and Tim's hand, " Yes, what is it, whatever we can do we will do it."

Ajax laughed and said, " Well, because of a previous encounter, my weapon broke and I need a new one. Plus, I would like to formulate a trade between our people."

Mary nodded once again, " What's the trade."

Ajax nodded as his plans began to go in motion, " We need armor and weapons. In return, we will help gather medical herbs and resources that are too deep for your people to venture without risks."

Mary thought for a bit and a then quickly nodded, " That should be fine. However, I will have to confirm with my mother and city council first."

Ajax nodded his head and smiled, " That's fine with me. We will come in the early morning in two days with the people that we can muster. Quickly go back and discuss this with your mother and city council."

Mary nodded her head as she became relieved when she heard Ajax's words. " Okay, I will go back immediately and talk to my mom about it. I'll try my best to convince them."

Ajax, " Haha okay. Go back now, We must also hurry back to our people. Before you go, this is our new friend. His name is Jerry."

Mary quickly looked at the large gorilla that stood with them. She bowed with courtesy and said, " Nice to meet you Jerry, my name is Mary."

Jerry was a little shy as he nodded and then looked to the side. Ajax saw Jerry and was a little speechless with his actions. Such a big guy was shy when meeting other races or at least to Mary. The group then said their good byes as the parted ways to meet with their leaders and organize a plan.

Ajax: " Tim, you can go back home and ask your father for help. At the very least, we need 10 of our people to make a significance."

Tim nodded his head and replied, " Alright then. I'll go and ask. We'll meet up at the entrance of the forest leading up to Sunset City. See you in two days."

Ajax: " See you in two days."

Ajax and Jerry parted ways with Tim as they made their way back to their perspective tribes.