Tale of Panthera Regina (Remake)

Chapter 6: Trust

POV: (Rex)

The brown tiger and gray fox had traveled two days straight, only stopping to sleep or hunt. The savanna wasn't easy territory to be in as it was the dry season. Only the desert is classified worst as it has unforgiving heat and little water for miles. Stranger yet, the savanna was worse off due to the weather's strange behavior. Everywhere else on the island had nothing but storms and floods. However, the savanna could be described as a desert at this point. Even during the dry season, the savanna shouldn't be this lacking water.

And if this continues, borders might be breached, and wars will break out. The only good thing was that Kadupul was with him and true to her word. She kept her side of the deal. The Darwin's Fox made sure that neither got attacked by any snake. Kadupul would either pounce on the serpent or suggest taking another path to avoid them together.

At first, Rex wanted to get to the village as soon as possible. However, they were still about halfway to the village of the Leopard people. Kadupul told Rex that she smelled about 20 King Cobras in the patch of tall grass. Not wanting to risk their lives, they took a two-hour detour. The tiger pays attention to the fox's every move as she guides them to the safe route.

The heat was unbearable as they made it further into the Vesper Savanna territory. For a big cat, this was even worst as Rex felt he was being baked alive. He was made for cooler, but more humid weather. He noticed that Kadupul didn't like the heat either as she stuck out her tongue and started to pant. Surely her smaller size made it at least more comfortable. However, Rex was starting to question that train of thought. The night should be better than the day, and they should be able to handle it. That is what he hoped, at least, as they continued forward.

About a quarter way there, their luck started going downhill. Predators of larger size, especially leopards and lions, as they greeted the pair with claws and threats. Kadupul once asked Rex to translate what they said as she did not speak leopard or lion. He refused because what the leopard said was very rude. Rex remembers one of the leopards saying that she would cover the two in honey and throw them to the crocodiles, which Rex thought was strange, but didn't want to think about it too much.

As the earlier afternoon turned to evening, Rex started to learn more about his new campion and what had happened. Despite not getting Kadupul to tell the whole truth about how she ended up out of her zone. He made a promise to her that she will be cared for by the village. As a result, they started to trust and depend on each other more and more. They reach a lone tree as night started to fall. Rex and Kadupul had agreed to rest here for a few hours. The village of the Leopard people was still another two days away, that is if they continued on foot during the night.

The pair continued their journey when the moon was at its peak in the sky. They continued throughout the night. Whenever Kadupul couldn't walk anymore, Rex would pick her up by the tuff of her neck or let her ride on his back. However, she didn't like either option as it defeated the purpose of the deal.

There was one point during the journey that will haunt Rex forever. The worst part is they only learn of the danger after it had left. They were be hunted. They were still about a day away from the village but couldn't walk anymore. So, they decided to find another tree to shelter under while they rest. The idea was to have some cover and not be completely exposed to the elements. In the dead of night, Rex rest soundly by the trunk. Kadupul was fast asleep, snuggled up in a shallow hole of one of the tree's roots.

*Crack*

Rex instantly woke up due to the sound of a stick breaking. He sniffed the air and knew it had to be one of the leopards from before as he recognized her scent. Despite the night casting her shadow, Rex is still able to see in the dark. The tiger ended up waking up the fox as he paced around the tree, trying to locate the leopard. Rex was unable to find the feline until he saw her tail as it walked away, retreated to the brushes.