A Zusi's Path

Chapter 8: Embers to a flame

"Let me go!", Re3x0 cried out as the two Zusi held him down, spitting out the rag in his mouth. The leader of the little group stood in front of him. "Oh, is the little runt scared? Will we make you cry", he began to mock. "N-no!", Re3x0 defended himself, trying to sound up a growl.

"Oh look boys! He's getting all angry", the leader cackled a response. "What are you gonna do? Lightly hit us?", he mocked. "Let me go and I'll show you!", Re3x0 spoke up but soon tried to take it back. "Oh okay, boys let him up!", the leader said. The other two let him up. Now on his feet Re3x0 looked around trying to figure something out. "Sooo Runt? Gonna do something?", he mocked again. Suddenly, trying to make a run for it, Re3x0 made a dash for the door. The other two instantly tried to stop him from escaping, and in a panic. Re3x0 backed himself away from the two trying to restrain him again.

"Hah! 5k01L look at him shaking! He's gonna wet himself", said the shorter of the two. "Why don't I give him something to be afraid of", 5k01L grinned as his grey pelt blended in with the low light of the building. Re3x0, his paws trembling and his being back up into a corner as the larger grey Zusi approached him. "G-get back!", Re3x0 stammered trying to stand up tall.

"Why don't you make me?", 5k01L growled, unsheathing his claws and approached closer. Suddenly something came over Re3x0 and he then headbutted 5k01L, their horns clashing with each other. The larger of the two backed away in surprise of the sudden impact, feeling a sharp pain in his right horn. "Agh!" , He groaned backing away. Re3x0, breathing fast, quickly darted his gaze to try and find a way to escape before his gaze turned to 5k01L for a moment and felt his heart drop.

The larger Zusi had his right horn broken off, hanging on by a bit of skin tissue. Blood dripping onto his face. His two henchman, by his side trying to help him. "Don't worry about me! Get that bloody runt!", He snarled. Re3x0, standing up on his feet feeling a bit proud of what he had done.

Suddenly 5k01L glaring daggers at Re3x0, "I bet you feel real good about yourself right now! When I get done with you, that smirk will be off your face!", He growled before lunging at Re3x0. Suddenly dashing away on all fours, he jumped out of one of the already smashed windows. 5k01L going to jump after him, didn't land properly and landed on his back, blood covering his eyes and he snarled. "You runt! You get back here and I will rip you to shreds!", he threatened.

Running away from the building, Re3x0 was making his way home. Somewhat proud of himself and terrified of what has happened. Re3x0 dashed into his home and closed the entrance behind him, out of breath and shaken up slightly. E4r1c comes to see what the racket was, "What is going on?", he asked noticing his brother's expression. "Why are you out of breath?", he questioned even more.

"Just.... Nothing...", he said between breaths. Unconvinced E4r1c continued to question his brother. "Tell me what happened..", He said in almost a growl. "Fine! These older Zusi were messing with me and...", he trailed off. "I rammed one of them and broke their horn..", he said looking down expecting to be scolded.

Instead of what he was expecting E4r1c just smiled, "Yeah, if anyone messes with you. You beat em up, if they beat you up. I'll beat them up", he smiled before playfully putting his brother into the head lock. "But don't be getting into too many fights now", he chuckled.

Struggling to get away, Re3x0 tried to get out of the headlock before giving up. "Alright..", he sighed. Though a bit confused.

"Alright now, if those Zusi bother you again, come get me. I'll show em who's boss", he added before letting his brother out of the headlock and gave him a grin. Giving a faint nod, Re3x0 responded, "Alright... But only if I can't handle it", he chuckled as his brother left the main room. Looking out the window, Re3x0 could see the three Zusi outside looking around. 5k01L's horn still broken off and dangling by a thread of flesh and skin, blood staining his grey face.

Feeling a bit of pride prickle at his chest, he gave a growl of satisfaction before going away from the window before he was seen again by the three. A grin on his muzzle before he went towards his room, tomorrow was another day.