I begin to walk toward the newly opened gate leaving the chief staring at me. The crowd that had been watching us was silent from shock. Many of them didn't know exactly what happened. Just walk away like a badass Craig. The gate made from sticks, twine and a few bones rose up as I approached. A small climb up the slope and I was on even ground with the rest of the tribe, a few of the children that had managed to stay awake were huddled in front of me each trying to talk to me. I brush off the children and continue to my camp in the corner of the village.

Fenrir and Twitch soon join me in my walk,  the children had given up in their attempts to talk to me. We all share a silent walk to the camp. With each step the mood lessens slightly. Soon the small flame of our camp comes into view. The orange glow painted the two sleeping bags laid on the ground. All three of us soon take our places, Twitch on the sleeping bag beside me and Fenrir between the two bags. The silence persisted for a little while after until finally Fenrir spoke.

"Celt, that was incredibly stupid."

I smile, "It was."

"You could have died for a person you don't know with a dream of suicide."

"I could have."

Twitch turned toward me, "Why?"

"That's simple Twitch, no one should be held back from what their dream is."

"Even if it will end up with them dead?"

I lay back on my sleeping bag, "If people didn't follow their dream because they might die then there would be no heroes. Life would be brought to a standstill."

"Celt, though the days I have spent with you have not been many I know that there is a personal reason you did it." Fenrir spoke with the same bland tone.

"You know me well Fenrir." I sat back up.

Fenrir gave me a slight smile, " I know you enough that you only do things for reasons of your own."

"Fair enough, the real reason is because I was in his position. When I lost my arm I could do nothing I dreamt of. There were ways I could but my parents always said no. I didn't want Owl to have the life that I had for so long."

"Celt, you are quite possibly the stupidest creature I know. Owl has lived that life his entire life." Twitch added.

"Twitch, I wanted him to enjoy the rest of his life and not be stuck here where he will never have his dream."

Twitch lowered his head a bit, "I guess that makes sense."

"Anyway what did you guys think of the fight?"

"Oh, it was pretty cool, I guess." Twitch said first.

"The chief was going easy on you the entire fight. A fight is pointless unless both combatants are trying their hardest."

I look over to Fenrir, "How do you know he was going easy the entire time?"

"Celt, I was raised by the best warriors to ever exist, I know when a warrior does not fight to his fullest."

Why wouldn't he fight to his hardest? "Well that doesn't matter much right now."

"Mind if I join you three?" A familiar voice spoke behind me.

I turn my head and see Owl standing not to far away, "Sure why not? Take a patch of dirt and join us."

"Thanks..." His tone a little less cheerful then it was earlier.

"Not a problem."

"No, I mean for everything, I didn't think anyone could ever beat my dad. I thought I would be stuck here."

I stare at Twitch and Fenrir with a smile, "You don't have to thank me for that. All I did was give you options but it is still you who chooses if you leave the village or not."

"Well thank you anyways."

"No problem anything to help an adventurer."

"Celt, if you keep getting more people to join us then we will have to get a wagon for me to pull just to carry them all." Fenrir said in a much more cheerful tone.

"We could call it the shagwagon!" I laugh.

Twitch entered the conversation, "Celt, even I know that sounds like a 3 year old came up with it."

"Yah, your right does sound like a pretty stupid name now that I think about it." All four of us laugh in unison.

Owl takes a seat near Fenrir and turns toward me, "While it would be fun to travel with you guys, I kinda have my own plans."

"What might those be young cat?" Fenrir questioned.

"Well, so many weird things have been happening in the jungle. A timberwolf left the jungle, a metal creature ploughed through the creatures living here and two tribes moved away because of some griffin. All these things come to or go to one place. Equestria."

"Ah so your gunna go to that place? Good luck, I know there are more then a few screws loose there." I laugh.

Owl smiles widely, "I bet and that will be the most interesting part. I think I'll just wander around see if I can find any other cool things like you or those other things."

"That's quite the dream you have."

"Shoot for the moon so even if you miss you'll be among the stars. That's a old saying my mother used to say."

"Sounds like the opposite of the Hive's ideals. They say 'Follow orders, and you will be content.'" Twitch said.

Fenrir spoke this time, "Twitch, that are the sayings of slavers and tyrants."

"I'd have to agree with Fenrir, Twitch."

"I know, that's one of the reasons I was kicked out by the Hive."

This caught my curiosity, "You never did tell us what happened Twitch."

Twitch's face changed to one of unease, "I'll tell you guys one day but for now can we just leave it as is?"

Kid has been through more then he let's on. "Alright Twitch we'll let it go. Anyway, I think it's getting late and we should get to bed if we want to have early start tomorrow."

"Yah, your right. Hope you don't mind but I'm going to sleep in my own bed one last time."

Fenrir smiled at Owl, "It is fine Owl, many warriors wish to enjoy one last thing before leaving their home."

Owl stood up and gave us a weak smile, "Thanks, I'll see you guys in the morning."

We watched as the cat left us to our business. A small silence filled the air only interrupted by the cracking of the wood in the fire. I stare back at my friends. Twitch had fallen asleep almost instantly and Fenrir was doing no better. A soft smile crossed my face. Thoughts of the fight invade my mind. Why would the chief risk his position to me? Did he know what I'd do? These thoughts race around in my head for sometime before I decide to take a short walk. I stand up and look back at Twitch and Fenrir both sleeping soundlessly. Heh, if I had a camera I could use this as blackmail. I turn toward the village and begin to walk.

Small pebbles are flung back with each of my steps. The prickle of cold air encompasses my entire body. A subtle breezes blew my air back slightly. I take deep breaths taking in the cool air allowing it to fill my entire body. I stare around seeing the village shrouded in shadows that danced from surface to surface with only the flicker of the torches as a limit to their movement. I soon approach the center of the village where a single form sat on one of the seats facing the pit. As I get closer I see the familiar bone armour of the chief.

I take a seat near the chief, a brief moment of silence takes places before I talk, "Why are you here so late?"

"I could ask you the same."

"I needed to take a walk in order to figure something out."

The chief kept his head to the ground, "What would that be?"

"Why you went easy on me."

"I guess your smarter then I thought. " He laughs a little.

"Well?"

He sighs, "I suppose you deserve an answer don't you? Fine, as chief I must ensure the safety of everyone then their happiness. My son's dream put him in danger so I had to keep him here to protect him from himself."

I turn my head toward him, "Even I know that is stupid."

"Stupid or not it's my duty. There was no way I could allow him to put himself in harm's way. When you came along, you gave me a chance to free him from me. So when you challenged me, I let you win."

"Not without roughing me up a bit." I joke,

The chief laughs a little, "Well, I had to make it believable or else they would never had agreed to you being chief even for the brief moment you were."

"So you used me in order to allow Owl a chance to chase his dream."

"Yes."

"Good, it wouldn't be right if you hadn't." I stand up and begin to walk to the camp.

"Please don't tell him, he must think I truly kept him here for a selfish reason or else he will stay here because of a sense of loyalty to me."

"Me, lie to your son? I never lied before, oh my." I give hardy chuckle, "Alright, I won't tell him but he will eventually figure it out."

"I am fine with that."

I continue my walk leaving the chief alone to his thoughts. I make my way to our camp, only being lead by the torches spread across the village. This is confusing world I've thrown in. Soon I see Fenrir and Twitch resting, Fenrir snoring lightly making the fire flicker back and forth. I lay down in my bed mat and allow darkness to overcome all my senses as I drift off to the dream world. Please god don't let it be another mindfuck dream..

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