Cuba's sandals brushed the rocky ground as he climbed the jagged mountain.

He was in the forest about a kilometre east of the Redwood Den and was making his way towards the camp of the group leader, Zoka.

Just like the other group leaders, Zoka and his group lived in the mountains — away from the tribe's settlement and only came down for missions and the hunt.

The reason behind this practice was simple: the leaders that remained under the tribe's protection were considered weak by those who didn't, and recognition of strength mattered most to those of Dhaevrak.

However, two groups didn't share their belief, and they were of Haria and Rion's.

Haria didn't need anyone's recognition, and Rion simply didn't care about such 'bullshit traditions and beliefs'.

A few minutes passed as he traversed the rough area of the mountains, and he finally reached his destination.

He brushed off the dust clinging to his body and looked at the front.

Before him was a redwood fence that bordered two sides of the clearing.

Huts similar to the redwood basin's stood a few steps away from the fence, and at the centre of the clearing lay a campfire pit.

At the far end was a mountain with multiple caves carved into it; the cave at the centre was larger than the others, as it was the cave of the group leader.

"This has to be the place," He mumbled under his breath, scanned the surroundings and took a step forward.

Suddenly, a voice reached him.

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" One of Jura's squad members, Erak, asked while pointing his spear at Cuba.

Cuba's eyes shifted from spear to the person, and he stated, "I am Cuba. I've come here to meet group leader Zoka."

Erak eyed Cuba for a few moments before he lowered his spear.

"Follow me," Erak said as he turned around and began to walk towards the group leader's cave.

As Cuba followed behind him, a few squad members stepped out of their huts and looked at him with curious eyes.

However, he ignored their gazes and stared at the caves.

The closer he got, the heavier the air became because of the aura flooding out of the smaller caves.

He focused on the aura and mumbled inwardly, 'I sense three people with an aura equal to mine and...'

His eyes shifted towards Zoka's cave, and his thoughts continued, 'One with aura just a few steps below my liege's.'

A few minutes later, they reached the mouth of Zoka's cave, and Erak said, "You have to enter by yourself."

Cuba gave him a silent nod and stepped inside the cave.

Just as his sandals touched the ground, the air turned heavy, and a heavy pressure descended on him.

His knees buckled, and his body trembled under the weight of the pressure.

He gritted his teeth, and his gaze fell on the person sitting at the top of a wide rock.

That person had a muscular body that was full of battle scars and looked similar to that of a dark lion. His dark red hair was braided like thick ropes, his sharp black eyes were polished with the hunter's experience, and a large double-bladed axe was resting on his lap.

That person was none other than — Zoka, the group leader with strength second only to Haria because Rion had yet to display his full power.

'Is he testing me?' Cuba questioned and thought about using his aura, but a heavy voice reached him.

"Do not use your aura."

He gazed at Cuba, clenched his fists and used all of his willpower to move forward.

His bones shook, and his muscles ripped under the strain as he took a few steps, and the pressure began to increase.

"Ugh!" A groan left him, and blood dripped down the corner of his lips.

A clap rang throughout the cave, and Cuba glanced at Zoka.

Zoka grinned and growled, "Who do you belong to?"

Cuba's body trembled with each word that escaped Jura's lips, but he fought back the pressure with his determination and declared, "I belong to my liege! Rion Del Haden!"

Suddenly, the pressure vanished as confusion danced across Zoka's face, and he muttered, "Huh? Rion? What does Sovereign's son want from me?"

He rubbed his chin in thought for a few moments and finally concluded.

"Gragragra! Does he want to join my group?" He asked with a wide grin.

Cuba looked at him with a confused expression, and seeing that, Zoka frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"

Cuba's lips opened and closed for a few moments before he managed to answer him, "Our former leader, Tarek... died in the last hunt."

The air turned heavy, and Zoka mumbled under his breath, "Tarek died...?"

Zoka shook his head and stammered, "No, it's impossible. That fox-like bastard would never die before us—"

"The ruler of purple came for him..." Cuba revealed.

Silence descended into the cave.

Zoka's jaw hardened, and he mumbled, "Hah... How could he die before us...? Spiteful bastard!"

Zoka clenched his fists and stated, "So, Rion was chosen as his successor?"

Cuba nodded, and a clang rang throughout the cave as Zoka stood up from his spot and his axe struck the ground.

"I have to meet him," he said, but before he could move, Cuba shouted, "Wait!"

Zoka narrowed his eyes and growled, "Who are you to stop me?"

A shiver ran down Cuba's spine, and he stammered, "M-My liege is going to hold a feast two days from now, and he has sent me to invite you to it!"

"A feast..." Zoka mumbled under his breath and patted Cuba's shoulder before he said, "Go tell your leader that this Zoka would play his little game."

Cuba nodded and placed a fist on his heart before he turned around and left.

Zoka watched him leave with a curious gaze and mumbled in his head, 'What has he done to gain this much loyalty in such a short time?"

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