When Grizzler faltered, the leopard advanced, each step measured and silent.
I will take her, he thought, his eyes fixed on her.
The leopard's tail twitched, betraying the hunger behind his calm.
Saliva pooled at the corner of his jaw before he swallowed it back.
I must resist... I came to take her, not devour her, he told himself.
When the leopard closed the distance, his breath brushed Ivy's skin as his muzzle found her throat.
For a heartbeat, he hesitated—then his jaws parted.
"Here you go," the leopard hissed, voice coiled with restrained hunger.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed behind him, vast as a mountain's silhouette.
It swallowed both the leopard and Ivy in darkness.
When did he—?!
There was no time to process, no time to retreat.
Grizzler pushed the leopard's body away, sweeping him across the grass.
The leopard's ears flattened; instinct screamed before his mind could catch up.
He gasped, the wind knocked from his lungs.
Then his gaze snapped back to Grizzler.
Why didn't he kill me?... That push... it was... gentle?
Grizzler turned to the leopard, his eyes hollow with exhaustion.
Before gathering Ivy into his arms, he rasped, "You're lucky I'm not Grizzler anymore."
Not Grizzler?! What kind of trick.. the leopard thought.
His ears flattened, confusion twisting into rage.
The name hung in the air like a lie too bold to believe.
"S-stop this nonsense! Who doesn't know you, you monster!"
The leopard spat blood into the dirt.
The crimson splatter stained the grass between them.
His voice cracked, fury tearing through the pain.
"You killed Claw! You destroyed everything!"
Tears mixed with blood at the corners of his eyes, though he didn't seem to notice.
"And now... now you play hero?!"
"What gives you the right to mercy after what you've done?!"
Grizzler's gaze lingered on the leopard for a heartbeat, something ancient and sorrowful flickering behind the exhaustion.
Then he turned away, as though the conversation had already ended.
The leopard's breath hitched, disbelief crashing over him like cold water.
"DON'T IGNORE ME!!"
Grizzler didn't flinch, didn't even slow.
"Walk away, leopard. I'm done fighting. And tell your leader... I'm not worth hunting anymore."
He continued forward, as though the leopard's words were already forgotten.
The leopard's ragged breathing filled the silence—and still, Grizzler didn't look back.
Not worth hunting anymore? After what you did?
His massive frame carried the weight of a mountain, every step an echo of exhaustion.
The leopard's vision blurred red.
The leopard lunged.
Thud!
"You monster," he snarled, claws sinking deep.
The impact shook through Grizzler's spine, claws piercing hide.
Blood welled up where the points sank in, warm and dark.
He wanted Grizzler to react, to feel something, anything.
"So that's what you want? You want me to become that again?" Grizzler's voice cracked, caught between anguish and rage.
His arms shook as he gently set Ivy down as though she might break.
Then he straightened**, inhaled sharply, and—**
"LEAVE!!" Grizzler roared.
The sound ripped from his chest like a wound tearing open.
The roar's shockwave tore through the forest.
Birds exploded from trees, animals scattered.
Even the Frog of Wisdom lifted his head from the mud, eyes widening. "He's awakened," he whispered.
Beside him, another frog croaked, "You and your delusions... again."
Far across the forest:
"Huh? Seems like the bear is already fighting." Even the sound had reached Namir.
His ears perked, recognition sparking in his eyes.
"Not without me!" he shouted, and rushed towards the sound.
Behind him, other leopards fell into formation, a pack united by vengeance.