Chapter 39 -- Tragedy

"Is Jenny close by or something ?" Adam asked as he observed the wall in front of them, which was without question made using the earth element.

Suddenly the wall started to collapse onto the ground. Behind it stood an earth lion, however it was different from the other rank two lions. It was taller standing at four and a half meters. Rock like armour covered all it's four limbs, unlike the normal beasts which only had armour on the front legs. It's mane was black while the rest of its body was the normal brown colour although in a darker shade.

This time Lex didn't hesitate to use his inspect skill on this new type of enemy. His biggest concern was that it seemed to be able to use earth powers.

'System Inspect'

{

Rank 2 Earth lion (evolution stage)

Element : Earth Lvl 1

Force : 65/70

Strength : 150

Speed : 100

Endurance : 160

}

Lex's eyes almost popped out of their sockets as he stared at the stats of this lion, which he thendecided to compare with his own.

{

Name : Lex Black

Race : Lesser Void Dragon (Human form)

Rank : 2

Force : 39 / 55

Strength : 61(+10)

Speed : 45

Endurance : 57

Mind : 25

Elements : Fire ; Darkness ; Light.

Fire element -> Lvl 3.

Darkness element -> Lvl 2.

Light element -> Lvl 1.

Human skills :

Absorption Lvl 2

Flame blast Lvl 2

Flame bullet Lvl 1

Scorching blade Lvl 1

Laser Lvl 1

Inventory (Passive)

Dragon skills:

Roar Lvl 1

Sensitive (Passive)

}

All of the new lion's stats where more than double his!. Lex imagined that (evolution stage) meant that the beast was close to evolving. 'If this is the strength of a peak rank two beast then how strong is a rank three one?' Lex wondered to himself.

{Lex this is going to be a hard battle. You two have only a 15% chance of survival!} Angela warned in Lex's mind. Lex already knew that it was going to be a tough battle, and Angela did not even take into account the other forty or so rank two lions. Sweat started forming on Lex's forehead as for the first time in a long time, he was scared.

*Grrrrrrrrrrrr* The peak rank two lion suddenly released a low growl and immediately after, all the other lions retreated into the thick forest. Lex was not sure whether the beasts where trying to surround them or they were just running away. However he didn't have enough time to think about that as he heard something he never thought he would hear.

"WHY are you Siding with these Humans!" A growl in human words resounded from the lion. It's teeth where still clenched but it's lips moved as it stared directly into Lex's now wide eyes.

Clang**

A sound was heard, both the lion and lex diverted their attention away from each other for a second.

Adam stood there with his mouth wide open, the sound had come from him accidentally dropping his sword from the shock. Lex and Adam where absolutely sure that beasts could not talk, never in their short lives have they ever heard of a beast using human words. Lex thought his father was an exception because...well he was a Dragon.

"How can you use human words ?" Lex asked. He didn't expect the beast to answer him but it was worth a shot.

"ALL rank THREE Beasts can use Human WORDS, We Just don't talk to Humans" The lion said while glancing at Adam.

Lex wanted to ask why it could speak since it was still a rank two. However he felt that he was limited in the questions he could ask before the beast lost its patience and rips them to shreds.

"But i am also human, why are you talking to me" he asked with his fingers crossed.

"Don't ask me STUPID questions. The ONLY reason i haven't eaten You and your Human friend Over there is BECAUSE your kind Once helped Mother escape HUMAN Hunters 60 years ago. You HAVE but one Question remaining Dragon cub, MAKE it count."

Lex had guessed that the beast knew his race, but he didn't expect for there to be other dragons in the human domain. Dragons, just like other more powerful beasts had been banished to the other side of the world more than 100 years ago and given half of the world. From what the lion said there was another Dragon in the human side, or maybe that was just his father, Lex didn't know.

The rank two said Lex only had one question remaining but what will happen after he uses all his questions? will the beast attack them ?. Lex wanted to ask but that would mean using his last question, so he asked for the most crucial piece of information.

"Are you the leader of the earth lion pack ?" he questioned.

"NO , I am Not the Alpha." The lion quickly replied

"Your Time is up , My debt WITH your kind is Fulfilled. Now Answer my Question. Why are you Siding with these Humans ?"

Lex could tell that the lion was done playing games and battle was imminent. Depending on how he answered this question he could very well die. Lex wondered if he could save himself by maybe saying he was saving the humans to eat later or something, but he had a feeling that that lie would not work in this situation. What if the beast believes him and asks him to eat Adam as proof?.

His next plan included running. However he only had 45 points in speed while the beast had 100. He would obviously not get very far, and even if he could somehow outrun a beast two times faster than him where would he go ? . Retreating to the village was obviously a bad idea and running into the forest was like jumping into the beasts lair.

Lex was out of options, he was really desperate and nothing he could think of could save him and Adam.

'Fuck it if I'm gonna die I'm gonna go out fighting.' he thought as he replied to the lions question.

"Because humans are my friends and i will fight to protect them" he replied with resolve.

"Friends ?. AREN'T humans the ones Who sent YOUR Kind to the Other Side of the WORLD?. Humans hate us, They hunt us And use our Skin to make their CLOTHES yet you SIDE with THEM!!. YOU are a DISGRACE to the VOID DRAGON bloodline. I can't allow You to Live."

The beast said with its irregular speech as it shouted some words and growled others.

All of a sudden, it leapt towards Lex and Adam in a speed they had never seen before, leaving a giant crater where it's legs used to be. Lex quickly infused as much fire as he could in his legs and dodged to the side. Adam however was not as lucky

He had managed to cross his sword in front of him to block the blow, however it was useless as the beast's claws cut through the blade like a hot knife through styrofoam. Adam was blasted 200 meters away with so much force that he destroyed a dozen trees with his body before he finally crashed on a huge tree which managed to stop his momentum.

Adam's flight had left a trail of blood leading to his body which lay under the giant tree. Three very deep wounds on his chest. His ribs, lungs and non-beating heart on full display as he lay there motionless, with his eyes wide open and his signature smile somehow still plastered on his bloody face.

"NOOOO!!!!! ADAM!!!!!" Lex cried, a river of tears running down his face.