Pandora and Reaper just let Beast mourn in the loss of his clan specially his parents. At one point, Beast lay down between his parents' graves and did nothing but stare at the calm skies. Pandora and Reaper just thought it's his way of paying respects to his late parents. Beast then suddenly broke his silence and decided to finally share his past before he got to Professor's mansion and live with them since. This obviously surprised his friends but they didn't complain. Even Pandora who already knows his story still kept his ears open.
"This is the first time I'm going to be hearing this." Reaper muttered to himself.
"Reaper, listen." Pandora replied.
"I'm all ears, Pandora. All ears." Reaper responded.
Beast started his story few days before he gets to be announced as the crown prince of their clan. As their culture goes, that will also be the first time he will officially be introduced to the public so everyone is beyond excited not just the royal family of the Roaring Lion Clan but the rest of their village as well. From the branch families to the common villagers were all looking forward of Beast's coronation.
"Binti, why don't you go fetch your brother? He needs to be ready for the rehearsal of the coronation." Beast's mother said.
"Thahani, my love, we can have the servants do that. Thana needs to get ready herself." The Clan Chief, Beast's father responded.
"No, Baba. I got this! I'll wake Kaka up." Thana, Beast's sister responded cheerfully. "Wish me luck, Mama!"
"Don't be too harsh, Binti." The mother responded.
The royal family of the Roaring Lion Clan who is also referred to as the main branch family consists of the Clan Chief Thaine Ojibwe, his wife Thahani Ojibwe, the eldest son Thandiwe Ojibwe and the youngest child Thana Ojibwe. Like any other royalties from other clans, the Ojibwes are truly respected, loved and admired by their people. The Clan Chief is does his job so well in managing their village that no one argues that he's one of the greatest leaders in the nation almost close to the current Gallant Chieftain.
"Kaka, it's almost your big day!" Thana yelled as she came running into Beast's room. Without any hesitations, she jumped onto her brother to wake him up.
Thana was welcomed by the chill ambiance of Beast's room. His room was filled with things that relate to their culture may it be through their designs or the meaning behind them. His bedroom may be larger than common bedrooms but he doesn't have a lot of things put in and he always makes sure that his bedroom is clean. The most notable item amongst all the stuff in the room is a huge figurine of an enraged gorilla.
"What are you doing, Thana?" Beast exclaimed as he groans in pain from his sister's impact.
"I'm saving you from embarrassment of being late from your rehearsal of your coronation!" Thana responded excitedly. "Get up! Let's go."
"We're still doing the rehearsals? What a drag." Beast replied unenthusiastically. "All we'll do is walk around, wave at our people, stand still and get crowed. Is there really a need for a lot of rehearsals?"
"Come on. Being happy and excited every once in a while won't hurt you, you know." Thana said. "How I wish my coronation comes sooner than later. I can't wait to be introduced to our people."
"You know what?"
"What?"
"Why don't you pretend to be me for a day so you can experience the coronation you've been waiting for and excited about all your life even if it's just the rehearsal of the actual event? That's still a cool idea isn't it?"
"There's no way you'll going to talk me into doing one of your shenanigans again. Just get up already! We all need to practice the entire ceremony"
"Can you give me five more minutes at least?"
"Get up now or I'll tell Mama you're planning to ditch the rehearsals."
"Do what you want."
"You're call. Mama! Mama, Kaka wants to skip his rehearsals."
"Wait! Thana, I'm just kidding."
"Sorry what? Mama!"
"Thana! Get back here."
"Make me. Mama!"
"Mama, Thana's lying. I'm awake now!"
In a typical sibling quarrel, Beast continued chasing his sister around the mansion to keep her from snitching to their parents. They went through the study room, the garden, the living area and even their attic. They were so unbothered running around their home that Beast didn't bother to change into his casual clothing from his pajamas. Eventually, Thana gave in and laughed at her brother because she was successful in waking him up.
"Bwana Thandiwe, everyone is waiting for you at the courtyard for your coronation rehearsal. You must tidy yourself now." The head attendant of the family said. "Wajakazis, attend to the young master's needs."
"Vifijo." The other attendants replied in agreement.
"You're now in good hands, kaka." Thana said. "See you later at the rehearsal!"
Beast was then accompanied by some of their attendants back to his room to take a warm morning shower. While he's busy cleaning himself up, the attendants prepared his clothes for the entire day including the one that he'll be wearing in the rehearsal. Before the actual rehearsal begins, he was asked by his parents to join them for breakfast which he agreed upon. As soon as he got to their lavish dining area, some other attendants help set his meal up.
"Thank you." Beast responded after his meal has been served.
"Are excited for you coronation, mwana?" The Chief asked.
"I am, Baba. I can't wait to be finally revealed to the rest of our village." Beast said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Mwana, you don't sound excited. It's your dream to lead our village, isn't it? Cheer up." Thahani, Beast's mother, said.
"It is, Mama. But, can't we just skip the coronation part? I can be an outstanding Chief without that kind of celebration. Besides, a lot of people will pause whatever it is their doing just to watch me crowned." Beast pointed out.
"It's family tradition, mwana. You understand that, right?" Thahani responded. "Also, I am sure that our people would really want to witness the coronation of their next Chief."
"Fine. I really can't do anything about it, can I?" Beast replied.
"I believe you're going to become a great leader, mwana. You can even surpass me one day if you really push for it." The Chief said.
"I have the same feeling. You're smart, you're strong, you're dependable and so much more! I'm already proud of you, mwana." Thahani added. "We all are including your sister. She may not be too showy towards you but I know she really loves you and trust you in leading our village into something greater."
"Thank you baba, mama. I won't let you down. I've been born to lead this great village of ours." Beast responded proudly.
"Speaking of our binti, where is she?" The Chief asked.
"She's really into perfecting her kaka's coronation so she's still busy directing everything." Thahani explained.
"That girl is something else." The Chief commended. "She really compliments her brother so well. I'm sure with the two of them being the head of the village, our future can be brighter."
"We're so lucky we have you two as our bwana and binti. I love you." Thahani said as she started to get teary.
"We love you too, mama. No need for water works." Beast responded. "Baba, can you calm her down?"
"Oh, you know your mama. She can easily get emotional. Thahani, my love, ease up. It's not good crying in front of our meal, right?" The Chief said as he hugs his wife tenderly.
"I'm sorry. I'm just so happy we have a very healthy and loving family. If I were to be reincarnated in my next life, I'd still want to be the mother of this family." Thahani commented.
"I know, my love. I'd still want to be the father of this family in my next life as well." The Chief said.
"Hello! Kaka, Baba and Mama, here comes the very beautiful, cheerful and hardworking princess of the Roaring Lion Clan." Thana announced as she walked into the dining area.
"The calm before the storm has ended." Beast muttered to himself.
"Mama! Kaka is saying something bad about me." Thana shrieked.
"Let it go, binti. Come join us!" Thahani invited Thana.
"Baba, is mama crying again? What did you do this time?" Thana jokingly asked.
"Your mama became overly excited again about your kaka's coronation." The Chief explained.
"Mama, let me give you a hug!" Thana exclaimed and ran toward her mother for a big hug. "Baba, kaka, what are you waiting for? Come over here!"
"Is that really necessary?" Beast asked.
"Oh, come on. Mwana, let's get into it." The Chief said and dragged Beast for their family hug.
After their breakfast, Beast headed to the courtyard for the coronation rehearsal. Thana went with him as she acts to be the director of the entire event even though there's a hired director for it. They did the entire event multiple times until the director and Thana were satisfied about the outcome. They discussed the time when the rest of the villagers to will come in to the courtyard until the time Beast will be officially revealed to the public from the top floor veranda so he can be seen by everyone.
"Thank you all so much for your hard work, people!" Thana announced after wrapping the rehearsal for the day.
"We couldn't have done it without you, Bwana Thana. Your efforts are greatly appreciated." The Director said then he and the rest of the crew applaud signifying the end of an eventful day.
Beast felt extremely exhausted after everything the director and Thana made him do which is just mostly stand, wait and try his best to smile on his actual coronation moment. It took them hours until Thana got satisfied of the results of the rehearsal that they finished after sun down. After everyone wrapped things up, Thana and Beast took a quick break before going to dinner with their parents.
"How's your day my beautiful children?" Thahani asked.
"Mama, our day was so grand!" Thana announced. "I can't for the actual day of kaka's coronation!"
"My day is all right." Beast said. "Very tiring but it's all right."
"Kaka, I can feel your excitement about you coronation. It wouldn't hurt if you say it." Thana said.
"Fine. I'm excited for my coronation." Beast reluctantly responded. "Happy?"
"Good enough. You'll be more in a blast on the actual day of your coronation." Thana replied cheerfully.
"Whatever you say, Thana. Whatever you say." Beast said.
"I couldn't wait to introduce you to the rest of the nobility and gentry, Thandiwe." The Chief said. "They're only hearing great things about you from me."
"That's so sweet of you, my love. You're already building Thandiwe's character to the rest of the head of the village." Thahani responded.
"Baba, I appreciate the gesture but you don't need to make my name sound good. I can do it myself." Beast replied.
"Kaka is really looking forward to be the head of the village. I'm already claiming that it'll happen in no time." Thana said.
"I already know that will happen as well. He'll become a great Chief one day." Thanani commented.
"Greater than me if I do say so myself." The Chief added.
After their dinner, everyone called it a day and went back to their rooms to sleep. However, Beast couldn't sleep so he decided to go to his usual place of solitude, the rooftop at the west wing of the mansion. Although he's excited to finally be officially announced to the public, he's contemplating if he really can do the job as the future Chief of their village. He lay down comfortably throughout the night as he watched the clouds moved pass, the stars twinkled and the moon shone brightly.
"Kaka!" A familiar voice yelled.
"Thana? What in the world are you doing here?" Beast asked in shock.
"I couldn't sleep so I decided to pass some time here at your favorite spot. Surprisingly, you're here as well so I guess you couldn't sleep as well." Thana explained.
"Ok but how did you know this is my spot?"
"I saw you once when we were kids that you're hanging around here when you're feeling stressed. This is the first time I've been here though and this spot feels awesome. I now understand why you would like to always spend some time here."
"Can't you find your own spot like the cactus section of the garden? You love cacti, right?"
"Kaka, come on. We can share. I promise I won't tell baba and mama you're hanging around the rooftops."
"Fine. But, this is my side of the roof and you can get the other part."
"Hooray! Thanks, kaka. It really feels refreshing here. I should've been going here since."
Few moments has passed and Beast and Thana just minding their own businesses when Thana decided to come over to where her brother is. Beast was slightly caught off guard but he immediately understood that his sister is about to share something. They may quarrel most of the time but they know have this connection that they can sense each other's vibe so they know if the other is carrying something or just simply goofing around.
"I know you're thinking about something. Just spill it." Beast said.
"Really?" Thana asked.
"I know you already know I'm here and you want to talk about something you don't want to share to baba and mama yet so go for it. I'll be listening."
"Kaka, you know me so well! Here I go."
"Just don't cry on me. I can't handle your messy waterworks right now."
"I promise I won't cry. I just want to lighten my baggage."
"Good. Go on then."
It's been a while since the siblings were this open to each other so it took Thana a minute of two to share her thoughts. As Beast said, he's all ears from everything his sister is about to say. As an older brother, he's also preparing some advises he can think of to lighten up Thana's baggage even more. The cold breeze embraces them much like the moon lighting up the entire horizon before Thana can share her thoughts.
"I know said this already but I'll say it again. I'm happy that you'll get crowned and I can't for my coronation."
"That's why saying you can pretend to be me so you get crowned instead."
"Kaka, I'm serious."
"I'm sorry. Go on."
"As I was saying, I'm super excited about your coronation and I'm looking forward for mine. However, I'm not so sure if I can handle the pressure that comes along with it. The pressure from being a role model to the entire village, the pressure from the fact that I'll be having a role for the development of the village, the pressure from living up to our family's values and some other stuff. I know that the pressure on you is much greater but I know you can handle them. I'm not that sure if I'm even half as tough as you to handle the pressure on me."
"It's fine if you're having doubts. That's normal. I've been in that situation few years ago but now I can confidently say that I'm completely prepared for the role. You'll soon be announced and I know you'll totally prepared by then. You just be you and believe that you can be a great princess of the village. Our parents and I believe in you and we're here for you always."
"Thank you, Kaka. I'm just still in some kind of unsure of how I'll do if that happens but if you believe in me, I will too."
"You're the most dependable, considerate and cheerful person I know. I'm sure you'll do fine."
"I sure hope so!"
The two continued to enjoy each other's company. They remembered their shenanigans when they were young. When they were kids, Beast was the more outgoing one and Thana was the more reserved child. To the people around them, Beast and Thana's teenage years seemed to change their personalities for good. One time, kid Beast convinced kid Thana to hide in their attic with the rest of their pets and they were not found until the next day.
There were also a phase when kid Beast threw a lot of pranks to their parents and their attendants and for him to get away with it, he's been pointing Thana as the culprit but everyone knew that it was him who was doing all those pranks. Kid Beast has developed this habit to always pick on her sister until she cries but luckily their parents was able to remove that from kid Beast's system as soon as possible.
"You were such a troublemaker back then, kaka." Thana teased.
"People change, Thana. People change." Beast responded a little embarrassed.
"And I was such a crybaby but now I'm a strong independent woman, right?" Thana asked proudly.
"Are you really now?" Beast teased.
"Okay, fine. I'm a strong woman because I'm still dependent to you sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
"Fine. Most of the times. Happy now?"
"Yeah, that sounds about right."
The siblings eventually decided to call it a night for real and went back to their respective rooms to take their slumber. They woke up the next for the last rehearsal for Beast's coronation and it went smoothly as everyone hoped it to be. However, Beast is slowly feeling anxious for his actual coronation day. He's starting to get worried about how will the branch families, the nobility, the gentry and the rest village folks' reactions about their next chief but he's doing his best to contain his emotions because he doesn't want to let anyone down specially his parents and his beloved younger sister.
The moment of Beast's coronation finally arrived. The director and Thana continue to supervise everything for the event to as smoothly as they hoped it to be. The director was in charge of the outside of the mansion and Thana pulling the strings from the inside so that the villagers will not see her. Everyone present in the event wore their best clothes. Even the villagers made sure to look presentable in the presence of the royal family, the nobility, and the gentry.
The director arranged to have three thrones be placed on the top floor veranda to be sat on by the Chief, Thahani and Beast who will be announced as the crown prince of the Roaring Lion Clan. The first to greet the villagers who were gathered in the courtyard is the Chief. He welcomed everyone and gave a heartwarming speech to keep everyone riled for the main event. Thahani also thanked everyone as well.
"Kaka, this is your moment! Just wave, smile and give your speech and that it! You're officially the crown prince of our tribe!" Thana excitedly said as she started to get teary.
"I got this, Thana. I've been waiting for this all my life." Beast responded confidently.
"Bwana Thandiwe." The head attendant of the family called out.
"Yes?" Beast replied.
"Forgive my trespassing but you seemed to be unusually cold? Are you feeling alright?" The head attendant asked.
"I'm perfectly fine. It's probably just the nerves." Beast commented.
"That's good to know, Bwana. But to be sure, I'll have a wajakazi on standby just in case something happened." The head attendant said.
"You can do that." Beast replied.
"Thank you, Bwana." The head attendant said.
"Kaka, let's go! Let's watch the performances of the entertainers we invited. I heard they're so great!" Thana invited Beast.
"Sure but make sure to not go out there and be seen by people." Beast warned his sister.
"Don't worry about that. I know a great place to hide with a great view of the stage. Come on!" Thana exclaimed and ran along with Beast.
As per the event chart, the Chief will greet the heads of neighboring clans who attended after he gave his speech. The only clan leader who didn't attend is the Roaring Lion's rival at the time which is the Slithering Python. Then, few acts will perform in front of everyone. Next is a clip of Beast's life will be shown. Then, Beast will finally walk out of the shadows and reveal himself to everyone on the veranda where his parents are. After that, the Chief will give another speech to welcome the crown prince. Finally, an all-out party will be thrown until sun sets.
The first to perform is a circus act which made everyone be on the edge of their seats because of their death-defying stunts. Next is an amazing magician who made the crowd equally mystified and blown away at the same time because of his tricks that haven't been seen elsewhere. Next is a dance crew that made everyone's blood rushing due to their powerful routine. Then, the dance crew was followed by a singer who is known to be a freak of nature because of her unbelievable range. The singer didn't disappoint as she started to make most of the audience cry in just her first two songs and she's supposed to sing three more.
"Kaka, you really are getting cold. Are you sure you're alright?" Thana asked as she grabbed Beast's arm.
"I'm sure. Maybe it's because the singer's performance." Beast tried to dodge the topic.
"She is! I am getting goose bumps everywhere. Look!" Thana exclaimed as she shows her arms to reveal her goose bump-filled skin.
The singer finally sang her last song so it's time to show the clip of Beast's life. The catch is if his face isn't cut out of the shot, it's blurred just so the crowd can be more riled up and expect more on the actual coronation of the crown prince. However, Thana noticed something a bit of from his brother during while they're watching the clip. Beast started to shake uncontrollably and cold sweats are now being seen from him.
"Kaka, you're clearly not fine. Let's go get the head attendant. I'll get baba and mama!" Thana exclaimed in panic.
"Don't!" Beast yelled. "They're busy with the event. Go get the head attendant instead."
"But-"
"Go! Now!"
Beast started to feel extremely hot even though the head attendant and Thana said they felt him being unusually cold. He decided to take off some of his clothes to ease up a bit. Thana and the head of the attendant took their time getting back to him so he decided to solely go back to his room on the other side of the mansion. He realized that he couldn't even walk properly but he did his best to get to his room because he felt it's his safe place. He managed to get to his room even though he tipped off some vases, broke some glasses and even punched a hole to a door somewhere on his way.
"Thana, where in the world are you?" Beast muttered to himself as he struggles.
While Beast is not sure what's the cause of whatever it is he's feeling, he can hear the crowd cheering way back in the courtyard. They sure are having the time of their lives watching clips of his life. At this point, he's not so certain anymore if he can make it to his coronation. Even though he's just wearing thin undershirt and shorts, he's still having a hard time dealing with extreme heat he's feeling so he decided to open his windows wide to let the breeze in. But as soon as he did open his windows, he noticed a black smoke coming from the courtyard. As he looked towards the horizon where he can see the rest of the village, he saw the same black smoke scattered everywhere. Then, his door swung open.
"Kaka! Here you are. We've been looking everywhere for you!" Thana exclaimed. The head attendant and some other attendants or they refer as wajakazis instinctively tended to Beast.
"Where's the medicine? I'm expecting medicine! Where are you taking me?" Beast shrieked as he is being escorted out of his room.
"Kaka, we have to get to the vault. We are under attack!" Thana explained.
"Where are baba and mama?"
"They're in the vault already. Less talk and more walk. Come on!"
On the way to the vault, they spotted guards heading to the scene to hopefully control the situation. Beast still couldn't walk properly so he had to be held by two of their wajakazis. Eventually they made it to the vault. As soon as the siblings arrived, they saw their very terrified mother and their father comforting her. The head attendant and the wajakazis left and locked them inside to help defend the mansion and everything in it from the bandits.
"My babies! Are you two alright? Are you hurt?" Thahani asked while keeping herself together.
"I'm fine, mama. Kaka however, he doesn't seem fine." Thana responded.
"Mwana, what's happening? Tell us. What do you need?" The Chief asked.
"I don't know! I just feel so hot and numb all over!" Beast exclaimed.
The main family couldn't do much inside the vault but to embrace and wait for the bandits' siege to be over. The Chief couldn't wait any longer and decided to join in the skirmish. There seemed to be a huge number of bandits terrorizing the entire village so he should be out there and help contain the situation. Moments after the Chief left, one of the bandits got to the microphone that was used by the host earlier and went on to announce something. The microphone is connected to every speaker in the mansion and rest of the public speaker across the village.
"You may have outnumbered us but we will conquer this village!" One of the bandits announced. "We have an Anomaly with us! Bow to your new royal family, roaring loan." He added then laughed maniacally while moving away.
"I have to help baba." Beast commented while still struggling with his situation. "Thana, stay here and keep mama safe."
"No! We should all stay here until you baba comes back." Thahani shrieked.
"Besides, you're currently a mess. What is there you can do in your situation?" Thana asked.
"It's more of a mess out there! Baba needs me. We've trained years for these kinds of things, Thana. You know that." Beast pointed out.
"I know but baba said to stay here and protect mama." Thana responded.
"I'm going." Beast replied firmly.
Before Beast can even stand up, they heard a random tremble from the outside of the vault which made them more horrified. Then, they heard an unfamiliar sound which seemed like someone is torching the vault open from the outside. The screams and explosions from the outside may fill their ears but they couldn't ignore the fact someone is surely right outside the vault and if what they were thinking is right, the vault will be torched open eventually.
"I know you're in there! I'm coming in if you're not going to come out." A guy from the other side of the vault announced.
Beast condition seemed to worsen every second. The extreme heat and the numbness he's feeling is significantly restricting his movements and narrowing down his way of thinking. The vault door finally dropped heavily to the ground revealing a guy which mostly is one of the bandits. Beast, Thana and Thahani immediately noticed the guy is carrying the Chief of his shoulder. One other thing they noticed is the guy's eyes glowed red as soon as the vault door fell to the ground. They suddenly remembered that the other bandit said that there's an Anomaly amongst them so he must be it.
"What have you done to our baba?" Thana exclaimed.
"You're that excited to know what your trashy father has become? Okay, fine. Here, take a very good look." The guy threw the Chief in the vault for everyone to see.
After throwing the Chief violently on the ground, it was revealed the he was badly beaten that he's filled with bloody wounds all over and it seemed like he's already in his final moments. This surely shocked the rest of his family. Thahani was so surprised that she fainted. Thana was filled with anger but she couldn't leave her mother like that to fight but knowing her brother's condition, she's the most capable to defend them at that moment.
"I never thought ending the lives of the royal family in this village is so easy! We could've just raided sooner." The guy proudly said. "Your Chief is weak, this guy is hanging for dear life, that woman fainted and a helpless girl are the only ones here? I could kill you all right now but I won't I'll with all of you for a bit." He added then his eyes started to glow red once again as he's looking at Thahani. "Dodge this!"
"Thana, watch out!" Beast shrieked.
The guy shot a laser beam from his eyes but with Thana's reflexing, they were able to dodge that. The guy was impressed then laughed maniacally while applauding. He then walked towards the bleeding and unconscious body of the Chief and started kicking him wherever he wants. He also continues to shoot laser beams at Thana and Thahani for his entertainment at a random but Thana was continuous to barely dodge all of them.
• Bandit = Anomalous Perk: Optic Laser
"Stop!" Beast screamed.
"And what can a sick guy like you can do to make me stop?" The bandit asked as he continues kicking the Chief.
"I-I.." Beast is now struggling to speak as well but his aura seemed to change all of a sudden making the atmosphere heavier and a lot more intense. Then, he then stood without saying anything while looking intensely to the ground.
"Kaka, what are you doing? You're scaring me." Thana asked.
"Hey, girl! What is he doing? Aren't you afraid I can end your lives in just a blink of an eye?" The bandit said. Beast's aura seemed to be affecting him since he started to stop kicking the Chief and walked back a little.
"I will kill you." Beast said without any emotions whatsoever after he suddenly looked at the bandit. It appears that whatever it is that's causing his struggle earlier has now completely taken over his mind.
Beast statement startled the bandit because he had a feeling that he will definitely do it so he charges up his laser beams as he intently look at Beast but he was stopped as Beast let out a blood-curdling scream then everyone witnessed him morphed into a raging gorilla for the very first time. It turned out that what he was feeling earlier is the trigger of his Anomaly. After his transformation he immediately charged towards the bandit.
The bandit tried to defend himself by trying his best let out a powerful laser beam but before he can even shoot, Beast in his enraged gorilla already got to him. Beast immediately grabbed the bandit by the face. The bandit tried his best to free himself but it's no use. The bandit gestured that he'll be shooting laser from his fingers but his attempt failed as Beast violently slammed him to the ground not just once but multiple times resulting to his immediate death. Beast's rampage left bloody dents on the ground and a dead body.
After noticing that he brutally killed the bandit, he seemed to go back to his senses while partially on his gorilla form. He looked back to his family and he saw very terrified Thana looking back at him. Their parents also regained consciousness and saw what he had done. They visually shocked of what they just witnessed. No one dared to speak for minutes until the thought of terror, loathe and disappointment hit Beast. Beast's family couldn't believe that their first born was an Anomaly so they couldn't make themselves say something.
At this point, Beast decided to run away as far as he can and leave everything and everyone behind. He realized at that time that someone who was cursed to be an Anomaly can't be the next Chief of their village. He went back to his full gorilla form as he ran away. To help the rest if the village from the remaining bandits, he continued to attack those who he saw terrorizing the villagers until the military arrived.
"We received a report that an Anomaly is attacking this village." A military officer said a block away from where Beast was at.
"Sir, is that a gorilla?" One other military man asked.
"The bandits are centered at the Ojibwe Mansion. The Anomaly must be there as well!" A villager announced.
"You heard the man. Let's head to the mansion!" The military officer announced.
"What about that gorilla?" The other military man asked.
"Let the locals handle that. We didn't come here to subdue wild animals, did we? We came here to capture the Anomaly." The military officer responded firmly.
Beast instinctively left the area since it seemed it will be under control due to the fact the military force came for their aid. Since he doesn't have any idea on where he supposed to go, he decided to spend days in the wilderness. Until one day, he saw a man doing some foraging in the forest he was hiding. At that time, he was shocked because no human could be able to reach that far in the woods but the mysterious man did.
One humid morning, as Beast continues to watch the man from afar, He saw him fell from a very steep and rocky cliff that's equivalent to a twelve-story building. He expected him to be dead but when he checked on him, he saw him healing himself at the very spot where his body is supposed to be lying lifeless. Beast realized that he was also an Anomaly like him so he approached him without any precautions.
"Are you an Anomaly?" Beast asked.
"Whoa! What are you doing here? No one should be around this part of the woods. It's very dangerous." The man responded in panic.
"I know but we're both here where normal people couldn't."
"Wait. Did you see what just happened?"
"I saw everything. By any chance, are you an Anomaly like me?"
"What do you mean like you, lad? You're an Anomaly too? That's fascinating! What is with your wardrobe? Are you a modern-day Tarzan of some sorts?"
"I am an Anomaly."
"By the Gods! I just came here to fetch some ingredients for my research but I found something or someone greater. Are you with a tribe? A clan? A group?"
"No. Not anymore."
"What if I offer you a safe place to say and I'll have you meet one Anomaly like us. She's such a beaut and very dependable."
"I can come with?"
"If that's fine with you. You make a choice."
"I guess I can come. Thank you for inviting me."
"This is very exuberating! But before we go back to my home in Noble Asia, let's get something to eat and obviously something to wear."
Reaper was moved and equally fascinated in Beast's story. Moved because of what happened to his family on the day when everyone should be celebrating and fascinated because if he was the one in his position, he couldn't imagine if he can be as strong willed as him. Even Pandora still couldn't wrap her mind around everything that's happened to Beast even after hearing the story multiple times.
"I think I'm good now." Beast said and suddenly stood up. "We can now go back to the Hill House."
"We can finally go home." Reaper muttered to himself. "But what will you do after?" He couldn't help himself asking.
"I will find my sister next. She's too kind be with Eve and the rest of the Coven. She's must've been under some sort of mind control." Beast pointed out.
"Let's deal with that with the rest of us. The Professor and our mentors may have leads about your sister and our missing comrades by now." Pandora commented.
"Will you be transforming into a horse and let us ride you back at the Hill House?" Reaper asked.
"I may have shared to you my story but we're still not that close. We will be taking a cab back to the orphanage. Then, we'll walk to the Hill House." Beast replied.
"Fine." Reaper reluctantly responded.
"Let's get a move on, boys. We don't want our friends to worry too much." Beast said.