A Zusi's Path

Chapter 11: Another agenda

(Image of Di3m8 by DarkHybrid on DA )

As Re3x0 stood in front of of the group of three shady Zusi. Each of them gazing at him with the same eager expression. Anxiety pricked along his back as he tried to keep his composure.

"5k10L.. What's the kit's name?" The black and white diamond marked Zusi asked. His piercing eyes not lifting off of Re3x0. "It's D6a50's offspring.." He gladly responded, seeming to show a respectful attitude towards him, as one would treat a leader.

The larger black and white male took a few steps closer towards Re3x0, entering his personal space. Which the young Zusi responded with a sharp glare. Taking a look back towards 5k10L, "Spirited kit.." He praised before looking back at Re3x0. "You wanted to join our little band of trouble hm?" He challenged, "well. Too bad, we don't accept kits, they're too weak and always get caught." He sneered, a mischievous hint in his tone.

Re3x0 sat up, from being knocked down earlier, and with a spiteful glare he spoke up.

"What do you mean?" He challenged, "I am plenty good enough!" He held himself with a hateful expression. A smirk forming on the older's muzzle, "Oh, psht. Like you could do anything more than cry and whine.." he continued to instigate Re3x0.

5k10L looked over at his friend with curiosity, "Di3m8, What are you getting at with this?" He asked, not understanding. Suddenly Re3x0 got back to his feet. His ears flattened in annoyance, "I am not a weak kit!" He growled, raising his voice.

Though, to the older Zusi he was no threat. Di3m8, softened his gaze slightly, "Are you willing to prove that?" He said in a raspy and low tone of voice. "Yes! I am not some kit you can try to scare." He got ready for anything, tensing his body up and braced himself.

"Alright then, how about a fight to prove yourself?" Di3m8 suggested, unsheathing his claws and looked ready to pounce on Re3x0. With a flash of hesitation in his mind, Re3x0 took a step back. Not taking his eyes off of the much larger Zusi.

"F4ng1! You will fight him." Di3m8 ordered, looking over at the other black and white Zusi. Taken off guard, F4ng1 stepped up next to Di3m8. His icy blue eyes eager for a fight. "On your word Di3m8." He spoke up. Di3m8 looked back over to Re3x0, "he will be your opponent." He bluntly assigned, "go!" He called the word to start the scuffle.

Re3x0 took a step back, and without hesitation F4ng1 was making his way towards the smaller Zusi, his claws unsheathed and an grin ready to cause trouble.

With a sudden burst, F4ng1 charged towards Re3x0. Keeping his head down, ready to ram him. Quickly running on all fours, Re3x0 was able to avoid the blow.

Though he wasn't fast enough to avoid the secondary strike aimed at his flank. The pain felt like he had just gotten struck by a branch as F4ng1's horns only brushed past him. In an attempt to counter strike Re3x0 turned his gaze towards his opponent. F4ng1 was already making his next move, with a sudden charge he rammed himself into Re3x0's side. Getting a solid hit, causing the younger Zusi to get knocked aside.

Searing pain burned in his shoulder and chest as he slowly tried to recover from the blow he was just exposed to. Just as he tried to get back to his feet, another blow. This time he felt a kick along his stomach, causing him to yelp loudly in pain. Knocking all breath out of him, and now Re3x0 was back on the ground writhing in excruciating pain.

"What's the matter kit? You give up already?" F4ng1 spat with a cocky grin on his muzzle as he gave the downed Zusi another kick in the side as he looked down on him. Looking towards 5k10L, "And this is the fighting spirited son of the great D6a50! I can't believe you let this runt break your horn!" He continues to cackle, his icy blue eyes shone with self pride.

As Re3x0 lay on the cold ground, the pain from the blows were slowly ebbing away. Hearing F4ng1 gloating over his victory, and seeing the annoyed expressions of the others.

A feeling of dread loomed over him, though he still tried to get up to his feet. Staggering and stumbling as he got into all fours and tried to stand up.

Di3m8 took note of the scene behind F4ng1, and decided to stay quiet about it, "Oh. Now you really have proved yourself." He began to praise him, while doing so he took a final glance at Re3x0 before grabbing F4ng1 by the paw and raised it in victory.

While F4ng1 was thrilled by his praise, Re3x0 had gotten back to his feet. He saw that his "opponent" had his back turned to him. With the look Di3m8 gave him, an idea filled his head. He staggered on his feet, and tensed his haunches and got ready for his turn to strike.

5k10L and R4y1n stood idle and watched, getting the hint from Di3m8 to stay silent. With the last moment of silence Di3m8 looked at F4ng1 with a small smile on his muzzle, "Now, what is the number one thing I have always told you three?" He asked, raising a brow. Taken off by the question F4ng1 looked over at Di3m8, "Never take your eyes off-" he said before turning to look where he left Re3x0 on the ground.

With an explosion of energy, Re3x0 dashed quickly and delivered a strong blow to F4ng1's gut, knocking him straight onto his rump and knocked all the air out of him. Leaving the older Zusi gasping for a breath, and rage filled glare shot daggers at Re3x0, which Di3m8 was now standing next to with an amused look on his face.

"Never turn your back on your opponent, and never take your eyes off of them until they say they give up or they are dead." He lectured, his gold and green gaze looked over at the much younger Zusi. "Not bad kit, got the gods beat out of you. But you didn't give up, perhaps you could be good to us." He said in almost a praise.

Meanwhile both 5k10L and R4y1n were cackling in their position as F4ng1 sulked away in shame. "Not so high and mighty now?" 5k10L sneered at him. "Give it a blow, at least I didn't lose my horn!" He retorted harshly, to which 5k10L snarled in response. "Don't make me rip your pelt off," he glared.

"Alright you two! Cut it out before I beat you both!" He scolded, before turning his attention back to Re3x0. "So, what do you say kit? You gonna stay with us? With me I can have you become powerful. And not just in strength either.." He narrowed his gaze waiting for a response. "You already did a number on two of my boys here.." he added in with a bit of humor to his tone.

Re3x0 looked over towards the other three that were across from him and Di3m8. Then he looked back over and met Di3m8's gaze, and with a determined look he gave an answer.

"When do I have to come back?"