"If it were up to me I would tell you everything in a heartbeat but unfortunately it's not my decision to make. I have to follow the advice and wisdom of my superiors. I know it seems like I'm hiding the truth but believe me, it's for your own protection."
Zyra felt uneasy by his side even though they were standing out in the open for all to see.
In his human form he was more than twice her size and could easily overpower her if they got into a heated argument.
Yet she was intrigued to hear what he had to say to her.
She got the feeling that he really was trying hard not to crowd her or make her feel uncomfortable.
He already shown her numerous times that he was more than capable of controlling his temper.
Cyril managed to impress her with his sheer willpower that kept him still in moments when he felt like throttling Zyra.
Anyone else would have felt his terror and sheer wrath unleashed on them so what made him have a soft spot for her.
"Okay, keep your secrets but at least tell me why you brought us with you to Aguatian island."
He eyed her warily.
Cyril was hoping that Zyra would have let the matter slide but it seemed she would stop at nothing to pry some information out of him.
His silence on the issues at hand was doing nothing to convince Zyra that he was on her side.
Carnelian believed that they would just keep talking in circles if he didn't tell her something of relevance.
Sometimes it was hard to muddle through all the facts and see truth from fiction.
His Lordship was having a hard time coming to terms with his fondness for Zyra so he thought carefully about how much to say before he spoke next.
"Perhaps you have heard the rumors that The Great War wasn't the first time that my clan has visited planet earth?"
"I would be surprised if it was but what does The Great War have to do with Me?"
"Just listen, I'm getting around to it." Cyril sighed. Then he watched her facial expressions closely while he continued speaking, "There is a myth amongst your people of a human male who mated with a Goddess. Her name was Amaterasu and no words could describe how strikingly beautiful she was. This Goddess was believed to be a powerful wolfbeast from the Temponian tribe. She was slated to be the next wolfbeast empress and needed to choose a mate. None of the other wolfbeast clans could tolerate having a weakling human rule over their kingdoms. So the current leaders at that time plotted to assassinate the human. Their plot worked and the human was killed but their plans went awry. The empress was heartbroken and refused to select a male wolfbeast to perpetuate the fertility ceremony. She learnt of their treachery and swore that she would get her revenge. It was believed that she cursed the wolfbeasts to never find their soulmates until a Temponian male falls in love with a human again. The wolfbeasts scoffed at this decree, they did not understand the severity of it. For their women were still giving birth to babies so they felt they no longer needed the fertility ceremony. Of course, their women still birthed offspring but the offspring was weak and if they survived they had all kinds of deformities or illnesses. From that day on the Wolfbeast population dwindled and the mighty wolfbeast clan was no more a major threat in the galaxy. They hated the Temponians for this curse and hunted the families to extinction. With no more Temponians around to break them free from the curse our current leaders have agreed to hold a battle royale. The winners takes all and they expect you to do very well in it."
"That's a lot to take in but at the same time you imply all wolfbeasts have weaknesses, so tell me what's yours?"
"Let's see, there isn't a man alive that knows my weaknesses so if I told you, I would have to sunder you limb by limb. When I'm finished there would be nothing of you left to find."
The way he answered made Zyra afraid for her life.
He meant every word of what he said and would do it easily in a heartbeat.
It recalled her initial fear of him the first time they met in the cave.
Was he just another wolfbeast in sheep's clothing that was able to deceive her into thinking he cared.
For all she knew, that long winded story he told her about Amaterasu could be nothing but a ruse to distract her from his wicked intentions.
She already spent too long in his company, she didn't want to risk provoking him any further and finding out firsthand what his weakness was.
It had to be his temper, she thought.
For one thing he managed to impress everyone with his self control but she had been with him on that ship.
Had seen how easily he could have lost it if she hadn't intervened.
No, there had to be more to it but she could tell she would get no further information from him.
The battle royale was real.
She couldn't tell what it is that set her apart from the others and why she was being deliberately thrown into a fight she had no interest in.
"I still don't get it. Why me, why was I chosen?"
To Zyra's delight, he seemed to consider her question and not brush it off like usual.
Maybe retelling the myth made him a little more circumspect.
She would like to hope, but she knew deep down that it would be wishful thinking on her part.
"I believe," he finally said, "that you have shown yourself to be a courageous fighter even when the odds are against you and even when you struggle you still rally others behind you and triumph in the end, they admire that spunk. Everyone wants the best champion and my superiors have their eyes on you."
"You say it like it's something I should be proud of."
"It is."
"The problem with you wolfbeasts is that none of you have any regard for the sanctity of human life. As far as I'm concerned that's what landed you all in your current predicament. Humans are the ones caught up in the middle of an old argument we had no hand in and are dying unecessarilly for your entertainment. How is that fair to the human race? The fact that wolfbeasts are still repeating the same old mistakes shows me that none of you have learned your lesson yet."
"I think your anger is misdirected to the wrong soul."
"How come?"
"I for one am very appreciative of human life and the circumstances that brought us together. In fact, with your permission, I would love to show you just how appreciative this wolfbeast can be."
The way he was ogling her chest left no doubt in her mind what he was implying.
She didn't like how fast the conversation had soured.
Zyra needed to do or say something to de-escalate the tension that was now building between them.
Alarm flashed in her eyes. "Cyril as much as I would love to stay and keep your company. I'm afraid I must take my leave now. Time is of the essence and I have a team to create."