Prey

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In Elles village , Leila who was almost giving birth to her new and 2nd child , was filled with sorrow because of Neo's disappearance.

For a month , her husband came times to times to visit her , telling her that he haven't found Neo yet and that they even searched through Leem forest.

One day , as Ensz leave the house to go back to his tent , Granny Bai approached Leila's house to pay her a visit.

GBai"*It been a month.. I gave Ensz enough times.. I have to tell Leila the truth.."

~~~

Cyel was stunned and Neo quickly ran inside the carriage to bring Ria out.

Neo-"Quickly sister Ria , get on the horse , we have to leave , now!"

While some horses ran away , some of them died and one of the horses was hiding behind the carriage.

Neo held Ria's hand and quickly grab onto Cyel's hand and drag them in the back of the carriage.

The predator let out a roar that didn't sound like any living being from this world

and then , Ria fainted behind the carriage.

Soldiers were dying one by one , it was a matter of times until everyone will suffer the wrath of the predator.

Neo-"Quick , Sister Cyel hold onto sister Ria and please get on the horse to escape! Head back toward the city!"

Cyel-"W...wh..what about you little Neo , I am not leaving you behind!"

Cyel was clearly afraid , as she was prepared to dismount the horse to let Neo go instead of her , Neo slapped the horse back leg it quickly felt slight pain and ran toward the city.

Neo-"*Thank you sister Cyel , sister Ria .. for all you have done for me ... I will protect you both*"

Cyel-"NEO!! I will bring back help,please live!!!"

Neo smiled and waved good bye.

Cyel really wanted to go back to Neo , but she also had her little sister to worry about.. the horse couldn't carry 3 people but at worst it would only slow down the horse more and the predator might catch all 3 of them.

Neo quickly turn back and notice all the dead soldiers were either pierced in the heart or cut in pieces.

Neo did not close his eyes or avert his eyes.

Only the captain of the soldier remains because he was the only one quick enough to dodge the first ambush.

The ant-like predator swing its claw toward the captain , he puts up his blade to parry the attack but the ant claw broke the blade in piece and hit the captain his side.

The captain flew into a tree and his body sat there with no sign of movement.

The ant turn his attention to the carriage and then , 4 small needle quickly flew toward his head.

The ant dodged side way , he was so fast you could see his after-image.

Neo-"Damn..That predator is really fast.. training on the tree for a short times... I shouldn't be surprise , after all its a predator"

Tree-"*I felt a chill..*"

The ant look at Neo , lift his left claw and pointed toward him and uttered a weird sound.

Neo-"*Huh.. Is it going to shoot something?*"

Neo went on his guard and then lower his stance by squeezing his legs.

~Booom~ a loud bang was heard and Neo was gone , he sprinted into the forest.

I can use the forest trees to hide for my advantage and throw a surprise attack.

The ant turn its head toward Neo direction and walked slowly , as if it wasn't in a hurry to catch him.

As Neo ran he notice that the animals around were gone , even the birds flew away.

Good.. now I don't have to worry about wild animals and I can concentrate on dealing with this predator.

He ran for a good minute deeper into the forest because one , he needed to be surrounded by tall trees which were deeper in the forest , two , if Cyel came back with help , he could quickly run back toward the road.

But Neo was really fast , his fastest speed was atleast 15m/s , faster than the horses than fled for their lives but using his top speed would be a big burden for his legs muscle later on.

Neo was jogging everyday but only using is moderate speed to increase his endurance while feeling less sore the next day.

Neo found alot of tall trees , decided to climb one of them and he hid himself in the leaves on the branch.

I only have one shot at this.. should I multiply my needles to make them smaller and less visible.. Neo made 4 needle appear on his left fingers and a 40 cm blade on the back of his right hand.

Neo was confident with his power that can slide and pierce through anything without trouble.

He was prepared to even go hand to hand close combat against the predator.

Neo-"I will be the distraction"

murmured himself quietly on top of the tree.

Neo spread the 4 needles beside tall trees , all he had to do is to maintain the knowledge of their position to keep them afloat.

He went down the tree , hid in the bush and wait patiently for the predator.

The ant slowly followed Neo's trace , it wasn't in a hurry because he could smell Neo from where he was.

After half an hour , Neo finally heard the ant approaching , it sounded heavy with every step it took.

Is it that heavy?.. how is itso fast...

~~~

After running for 40 minutes straight , the horse finally arrived at the city walls.

As the 2 guard saw Cyel panick while carrying a little , they quickly rush toward Cyel to help her.

Guard1-"Lady Cyel? didn't you left for Liske kingdom ? where are your guards and what happened to Lady Ria?"

The 2nd guard quickly attend the horse and gave it water while the horse was lying down , tired and exhausted it went to sleep after drinking a bucket of water.

Cyel-"Please , you need to help them! A predator appeared infront of the carriage.. *sniff* my little brother.. *sniff* is still there.."

Guard1-"What!? A predator , this close to the south!? I will inform the commander! , Lady Cyel please rest in the city.

Cyel sat down as she laid Ria on her laps , shredding tears , she repeatedly murmured Neo's name quietly.

As the guard ran in the headquarters the commander soon after came outside and walk toward Cyel with his 4 personal guards.

Commander-"Lady Cyel , is it true a predator appeared? Couldn't you be mistaken it for a beast?"

Cyel look at the commander with furious eyes and said yes.

The commander notice Cyel was angry and he didn't want to anger her dad at most.

Commander-"I apologize Lady Cyel , it's just really rare for a predator to appear in the south.

Nevertheless I shall take some of my troops and deal with the predator"

As the commander apologized Cyel quickly interrupted him.

Cyel-"I shall come with you"

Commander-"You can't Lady Cyel , it will be a really dangerous battle and I can't have you risk your life , my troops and I will be enough"

Cyel-" I want to come along because my little brother life is in danger!"

Cyel wouldn't back down so after protesting for a while the commander and Cyel came to a agreement.

Commander-"Very well , I understand that you are worry for your little brother , I shall take Lady Cyel along but you will have to stay in the back of my troops and I will assign some soldiers to guard you"

The commander , a rank 4 Knight ! He was confident in his strength so he only brought a troops of 30 that he personally trained and head toward the predator ambush point.

His troops were between rank 5 and 6 , they are elites among the 10 000 troops in Irk city.

~~~

Finally , that ugly ant is here.. times to initiate my plans.

As the ant step into Neo's desired spot , It look up , around the trees.

It could smell Neo's scent on top of the tree and than it slowly turn toward the bush.

*Boooooom* As soon the bang was heard , Neo quickly rushed toward the ant and then he snap his fingers , the needles flew toward the ant's head.

The ant lift his 2 claws to grab Neo but It was interrupted by the needles that pierced through the ant's skull and froze for a second before Neo dealt his finishing move .

Neo jumps and slash his blade toward the ant's neck and slice the head of the ant.

The ant's head felt down while the body got on it's knees.

Neo turn back and look at the head.

Suddenly , the ant body move his claw toward Neo

as he heard a noise that cut through the air he turns around and felt down.

He was in great pain and let out a big scream.

He notice his pair of legs right infront of him... the ant cut Neo in half..

The pain and the blood spilled everywhere , the leaves and grass was dyed in red.

I... I don't want to die.. Mother... I miss you...

Neo muttered strength and crawls away slowly from the ant.

The ant look at Neo crawling and slowly walk toward him , the ant slowly lift all 4 of his claws and slowly stab Neo body repeatedly.

The ant's prey couldn't resist at all but it didn't stop torturing Neo.

Neo began to scream in agony , suffering from every claw that pierced him , leaving holes every part of his body , he finally stop struggling and slowly close his eyes.

The black cloud suddenly appeared around Neo , it covered Neo top body forming a circle mist around him , the wind was blowing , the trees were waving back and forward , a great storm is approaching.

*Consume .... Devour... Change ... Evolve ... Create.*