The Masked Vixen's Tales

Chapter 3 - Kuasa

"The bull ashe, I wouldn't be surprised. It's just like you, rash, impulsive, attacking with brute force without thinking at all." Kuasa then taunted the other with those words, agitating the ashe because that was indeed it's natural instinct, and because it's target now wears red instead of black like her henchmen, it drove the bull ashe even more towards blinded anger, just charging at her with all it's might.

Kuasa again proved that her training paid off, being able to utilize her agility by dodging just seconds before Mari was able to slam into her. Not having enough time to stop, it then caused her to crash into the nearest pole, causing an instant blackout in the whole zoo, which poses a huge disadvantage considering that it was already late at night, and now it is just complete darkness.

Mari groaned in pain, picking herself off the floor while slowly regaining her own instincts, allowing the bull ashe to retreat back into the totem's core. She had underestimated Kuasa's ability of manipulation, as well as overestimated herself due to the little luck of success she had, causing her to get injured. However, she knows for sure that she needed even more training, and that the fight now is far from over.

"Do you see it now? You are not fit to wield the Anansi Totem, Mari. In that situation, I would have made sure I control the animal, and not let their instincts take over, like what the woman said." Kuasa spoke in an unnervingly calm manner, with Mari being at a loss on what to do next.

"Maybe I am not fit to, but I will learn. All I know is that someone like you must never get your hands on the Anansi Totem, nothing good will come out of it." Mari said with a righteous tone, despite being injured, she knows what Dr Lena Vargas said was right, and Kuasa saying she wants control over the ashes proved it.

Back at Greyson and Dr Lena Vargas, they were still being held at gunpoint as per Kuasa's instructions, which was to keep them away from where the sisters needed to settle their scores with each other.

"If they're not the smugglers, then who are they? And what could Mari possibly be facing that is worse than this, Dr Vargas?" Greyson asked the other right beside him. Though he couldn't see her face clearly due to the darkness, but he knew Dr Lena Vargas was more informed and composed than him.

"They're henchmen. I believe we will be safe here if we don't do anything rash. They would have killed us if they wanted to." Dr Lena Vargas answered vaguely, being cautious of her surroundings right after the lights in the zoo went out, as it made the entire situation even more unpredictable, and not knowing what's going on at Mari's side. "Let's just say that she can handle her side better than we can." She went on, putting on a brave and calm front in front of the other though being on tenterhooks.

Greyson was less than reassured after hearing what Dr Lena Vargas said, because if what she was facing is worse, then how would she be able to handle it better alone?

"Now I am just worried about my staff..." Dr Lena Vargas spoke honestly, because they are all around the zoo, and hearing gunshots would definitely put them off. If they were to investigate it like Greyson did, it would just bring even more innocent people into possible danger.

"They've been taken care of, don't worry." One of the henchmen taunted right after hearing what Dr Lena Vargas said, snickering sadistically and just leaving the two to ponder regarding the lives and safety of the animal behaviorist's staffs. "So don't try anything, or you might just end up like them."

The woman is extremely protective of her staff just as much as she was towards the animals at Detroit Zoo and the wild, so using them as threats is extremely effective as compared to herself being used as leverage. Though she wouldn't have fought back, it made her even more cautious when Greyson found himself into this situation, plus, being held at gunpoint is already worrying enough.