Way of the Knights

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"AHHHHHH."

Allan screamed for dear life as he found himself flying in the air. He didn't even had the time to register what Raven just did, nor he cared anymore since the deed was already done. 

What Raven did was simple. 

As soon as Allan picked a hand, Raven used that swiftly grab him and threw him up where Dennis was. He did it that since he really didn't have much choice. 

The poor ape fell not too far away from Dennis, who's mouth was still wide open from realizing what just occurred. Skipping sounds occurred behind him, when he looked behind him, he saw Raven already standing there without an ounce of sweat on his face. 

Dennis' lips twitched as he went over to his big bro to check his condition. 

"Big bro, are you okay." Dennis asked as soon as he came over. 

Allan nursed his rear and said: "I'm a bit hurt from the fall but it's nothing too serious." 

He then glared at the direction of Raven and said: "A warning could've been nice you know?"

"Oh, I know." Raven said in a 'matter-of-fact' tone. "I just thought that it's faster this way. And I did got you out of there right?"

"Still!" Allan said in an aggrieved tone, he wanted to say more but he realized that nothing will change since the deed was done. "Anyways, thank you for aiding us."

"You're welcome." Raven said in a neutral tone. He then asked: "So, you guys are going to back to your tribe now?"

Dennis helped Allan up, it was the latter who replied: "Yes. We've been out for a while, our Elder Bro must've been worried."

"But a least we have a contribution for the festival. He wouldn't be so mad." Dennis said but his face showed hesitation, "At least, I think he wouldn't be mad at us."

"Festival?" Raven's brows raised as he asked. 

"Ah, yes." Allan replied, "The Monkey King's Festival."

"There is a Monkey King out here?" Raven unknowingly blurted out.

"No, no." Allan shook his huge hands along with his head, "It's just a tradition. Think of it as uh…birthdays. Yeah, it's like a birthday celebration for humans."

"Oh, I see." Raven said with a visible pity on his face and voice. 

This isn't the first time that Raven heard the term 'Monkey King's Festival', though it had a been a while since then. 

Just like Allan said, the Monkey King's Festival is very similar to a birthday celebration. It is celebrated in a yearly pattern, though the activities that happen during the said festival vary from tribe to tribe. 

He had once seen a tribe celebrated the festival during his time in the Divine Realm. The monkey's celebrated it but sacrificing human lives in front of what they called 'The Monkey King's Holy Totem.' It wasn't pretty and it always caused a massive disturbance.

Another tribe celebrated it by conducting a massive orgy while their so called 'Monkey Queen' is the center of the attention. Again, it was a disturbing memory. 

This is reason why Raven unconsciously asked if they had a Monkey King in their tribe. If they did, then Raven might've already left. 

Nevertheless, Raven never knew that there is a monkey tribe that celebrated the festival, here in the lower realm. And knowing that it was being celebrated by monkeys that speaks his language, it is safe to say that he is slightly curious about it. 

"Do you want to come with us?" Dennis asked, seeing that Raven was contemplating. 

"Can I?" Raven asked back. 

"Of course!" Dennis nodded while sneaking a glance at Allan. "Anyone can join the festival at the premise that you won't do anything bad. Right, bro?"

"That's right." Allan agreed. "You will be treated as a guest so there is no need for you to submit any kind of resources."

"Well, since you say it like that. Then I'll be in your care." Raven said as he walked towards them. 

Dennis smiled and pulled Allan's hand. They then walked hand in hand, leading the way towards their tribe.

Raven followed the two and remained silent as they talked to each other. His thoughts was pre-occupied by random things as they went deeper into the woods. 

It was then that his instincts went off and he suddenly dashed towards Dennis and intercepted an attack heading his way. 

*Boom!*

There was loud explosion that occurred, causing the ground to shatter and clouds of dust to rise. 

"Dennis!!" Allan roared as he called out, his vision was slightly obscured by the dust cloud. 

The impact caused him to shoot backwards, leaving his young sibling vulnerable. As the dust cloud settled, Allan saw something incredible.

Dennis fell on his butt and was looking up. Raven was in front of him, standing tall like an immovable mountain as he grabbed a staff which appeared to be made out of stone. His face was still impassive, a clear contrast to the shocked face of the assailant.

The one who tried to assassinate Dennis was another monkey. 

This one was wearing some sort of a cloth that hid its face. This monkey had three-tails just like Dennis does, but its arms were more muscular and its clearly stronger. It's fur was dirty brown and wet. 

The assassin tried to pull the stone staff away from Raven's grip but much to his surprise, he couldn't even shake it off. Its brain worked fast. Since the assassination failed and there's a new variable in the mission, it planned to retreat and report this matter. 

Unfortunately, it met the wrong guy. 

Before the assassin could even flee, it was surprised to find out that Raven already grabbed him by the neck. It tried to struggled but to no use, each time it attempted it would feel Raven's grip tightening causing the monkey to suffocate even more. 

Raven looked back and asked: "You guys know who this guy is?"

Allan who was dumbstruck by Raven's actions, snapped back to reality and growled: "Not specifically, but we know that he's from the Frenzied Silverback Tribe. They are our enemies."

Allan caught up and pulled Dennis up and hid him behind while glaring at the suffocating assassin. 

Meanwhile, Raven let out an amused tone and brought the monkey closer. His grip on its neck turned into a claw, causing the monkey to suffocate even more. As he brought it closer, he removed the cloth on it's head and revealed its face.

"Does he look familiar to you?" Raven asked the two. 

They both shook their heads. Raven sighed and thought about what he should do with this monkey. He stared at it for a while until an idea dawned on him. 

"It's been a while since I did this." Raven said in a hushed tone, yet was still heard by the ones around him. He then loosed the grip on the monkey and said: "Look at me."

The monkey unknowingly did what he was told and after that, its eyes dulled and miraculously stopped struggling. 

Raven placed the monkey down, much to the surprise of the two behind him. But before they could say anything, Raven spoke. 

"Who are you and who sent you?"

Just as Allan and Dennis was puzzled on what's going on, they heard the assassin answer Raven's questions.

"My name is Gil. I am sent by Elder Tony." 

Allan and Dennis were shocked one more. They were not expecting the assassin to answer Raven's question at all. Even more so, its response which surprised them even further. 

"Big bro. Elder Tony is that…" Dennis asked hesitantly.

"Yeah." Allan nodded gravely, "It is like what Elder Bro suspected. Elder Tony really wants you dead."

"Oh? You guys know who this Elder Tony is?" Raven asked as he overheard their discussion. 

"Yes." Allan answered for the two of them while he patted Dennis' back as he looked down. "Elder Tony is one of us, but ours and their family had always been against each other. We just didn't expect him to stoop so low and go after our youngest life."

Allan looked over at the assassin who's standing like a mindless idiot. He then asked: "I assume you're somehow controlling him?"

"Hmm." Raven hummed, "Well, I guess you can say that." 

He then looked at Gil and gave an order. "Do a flip."

Gil flipped.

"Scratch your butt."

Gil scratched his butt.

"Bark."

"Woof."

Raven looked back at the two and amusingly said: "See?"

Allan could only smile wryly at his attitude. Raven didn't even look remotely worried at the current situation even after knowing the story. He even started wondering if all humans were like him. 

"Don't worry, he's under an illusion." Raven informed. "He will not remember anything that happen here. I could even forge a fake memory for him to remember. But why did this Elder Tony wanted Dennis dead anyway?"

Allan took a brief glance at his little bro and sighed.. He then answered: "It is because Dennis was chosen to be next heir of the Tribe Leader."