Epoch 13: The Yin Energy.
Hou ran without any direction. The only thought he has is to find Tang Tang before everything becomes too late.
'What if Tang Tang doesn't like him anymore?'
'What if Tang Tang realized that Xue was better than him?'
'What if Tang Tang chose to marry his brother and throw him away?'
The what-ifs that keep bugging him, combined with his insecurities and uncertainty, make his mind muddled.
Hou keeps on running while calling Tang Tang's name. His whole body is trembling, his voice is hoarse, and tears keep flowing from his eyes.
"T-Tang Tang—-"
'Why am I not as smart as Xue?'
'Why can't I memorize it like Xue?'
'Why am I not as strong as Xue?'
'Why is Xue good at everything? Why can't I be like him?'
'We are twins! Why did Xue get all the good traits?'
Tang Tang is the only person who didn't compare him to anyone. He is the only person who believes in and encourages him.
They only knew each other for a short time, but Hou knew that all he needed was Tang Tang. He doesn't care if he is not the smartest or the strongest; as long as Tang Tang stays beside him, everything will be all right.
'But what if that person leaves and chooses someone better? Someone like Xue?'
"N—no!!" Hou shouted.
'I will not let Tang Tang leave me.'
'All of this is Xue's fault! If only they're not twins..'
'If only Xue didn't exist..'
Cai wants to know why Hou suddenly ran to the forest, teased him, and then dragged him back to the tribe to finish the distribution of prey. That is why he followed him until now.
"HOU!!"
At first, Hou is just running aimlessly. Then he suddenly threw away the fur he was carrying, started frantically looking around, and kept on calling Tang Tang's name. He also started mumbling things he couldn't understand.
Cai started to get worried due to the abnormal behavior of Hou. He tried to call him several times, but Hou didn't stop running, as if he couldn't hear anything.
"HOU!!"
When Cai caught up to Hou, he tried to stop him, but he was suddenly thrown out of a tree.
"Ughh–"
"W–why? Why do you want to stop me, Cai?"
"H-Hou?" Cai was shocked when he saw Hou's state.
They were friends ever since they were still cubs, but this is the first time he saw Hou like this.
Even though he was criticized by the whole tribe, disregarded by his own parents, and compared in any possible way to Xue, he never lost his composure like today.
'He was still fine earlier. What happened?' Cai thought.
"I need to find Tang Tang." Hou tried to run again but was immediately restrained by Cai.
In the current state of Hou, he is worried that if Hou finds Tang Tang, he might unconsciously hurt the sub-beast.
"Hou, calm down!" Cai shouted.
"LET ME GO!!!"
'Everyone wants to stop you! No one wants to help a person like you!'
"NO!" Hou struggles with Cai's hold.
"Hou, please stop! I don't want to hurt you."
Cai's build is much bigger than Hou's, but Hou is much stronger than him. To restrain Hou without hurting him, he even needs to partially transform, but if Hou transforms into a beast, he will surely be pummeled. In the whole winged tiger tribe, only the tribe leader and Xue can stop Hou.
'Cai is not your friend! He is also on Xue's side.'
'He doesn't want you to find Tang Tang.'
"YOU TOO CAI!!!" Hou shouted, his vision starting to blur as he kept on struggling with Cai.
Cai was sweating profusely, his body started aching, and he was exerting his full strength while trying his best not to hurt his friend. "Argh. Hou, please calm down!"
But in Hou's vision, Cai started laughing sinisterly while mocking him.
"Do you think you're worthy of Tang Tang? I am just concerned for you. Aren't we friends, Hou? Hahahahaha!"
Hou's face flushed from anger after hearing this.
'Kill him!'
'Kill him!'
Bloodlust combined with a strong smell of pheromones exuded from Hou, then cup-shaped ears appeared on his head, his fangs started growing, and long, sharp claws gripped Cai's left arm. Hou is slowly transforming into a beast.
'Fuck!' Cai's face paled.
Hou roared.
Cai had already heard about those beasts who lost their rationality and went berserk. Those are beasts who experience traumatic events, such as grieving the loss of their partner or illness. But Hou was fine earlier; Cai didn't know what the reason was for Hou to go berserk.
He just closed his eyes and tightened his hold on Hou, and his body started to weaken from the strong beast pheromones. After this, he might have a few broken bones or, at worst, he might end up dead, but no matter what, he will not let his friend go berserk and hurt someone else.
With his eyes closed, Cai was anticipating feeling any extreme pain, but a few seconds had already passed and there were no movements from Hou; he even stopped growling.
When he opened his eyes, a deity welcomed him. "Am I already in heaven?"
"Dummy!"
Tang Tang and Xue were walking back to the tribe when they heard someone fighting, followed by a loud roar. The voices were familiar, which is why they immediately rushed in their direction.
Tang Tang didn't expect that the two fighting were Hou and Cai. When they arrived, Xue immediately leaped between the two and pressed something on Hou's nape that caused him to pass out. Tang Tang was stunned for a second; he didn't clearly see anything because everything happened so fast.
Xue separated the two beasts, then he supported Hou and laid him down on the grass. While Tang Tang is helping Cai stand up.
"Are you okay, Cai?" he worriedly asked.
Seeing the beautiful sub-beast and the cold-faced Xue, Cai heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you. The two of you arrived on time."
"What happened? Why are the two of you fighting?" Tang Tang inquired.
"We are not fighting! I am just stopping Hou because he went berserk," Cai explained.
Xue furrowed. "Berserk?"
"I don't know what happened to Hou. When we arrive in the tribe, he is still fine. He is even excited to see you—aaargh." Cai tried to move his left arm but felt an excruciating pain.
"Let's go back to the tribe first so Lia can treat you. You can tell us what happened after that," Tang Tang said when he saw beads of sweat on Cai's pale face.
"Cai." Xue called.
Cai smiled. "I know I won't tell anyone about Hou going berserk."
Xue nodded.
Tang Tang was curious but stopped himself from asking. They have an injured man and an unconscious one; they both need to be checked first.
Then he saw Xue lift the unconscious Hou and carry him on his shoulder like a sack of cotton.
'Wow, so strong!!'
Xue noticed that Tang Tang was looking at him. He came closer to the sub-beast and whispered. "I can't hold your hands now, but you can still hold on to my arm."
'eh?' Tang Tang face redden.
[Didn't you want to hold his hands? Hihi ( ꈍᴗꈍ)]
He just said that to Xue earlier to flirt with him, but he didn't expect that he would sound so needy that Xue would offer his arm while carrying a patient.
"N-no need. Let's go back to the tribe immediately," Tang Tang said as he walked past Xue and supported Cai.
Xue was puzzled as to why Tang Tang refused. They even argued earlier because the sub-beast wanted to hold his hand while walking.
Amidst the confusion, he still led them to the back of the tribe, where only a few people go at this time of the day. It is also the nearest way to Xue's tent, where Tang Tang is staying.
"I will call mother. Stay here first," Xue said to Cai after he laid Hou on the monster's skin.
____________
A man clad in a dark blue robe, embellished with silver embroidery, is sitting arrogantly on a large golden throne. Next to him is an alluring man wearing a red silk robe and beautiful jade ornaments, a great contrast to his pale and supple skin.
In the center of the great hall, a large white jade basin stands out, exuding bright light, and a particular scene can be seen.
"I didn't expect that the dormant yin energy in the child's body would be triggered like that and would go rampant," the man in blue said, his thick brows furrowed while looking at the three people.
"Cernu, don't worry. He may be the cause of the yin energy becoming unstable, but he may also be the cure," he said, looking intently at the sub-beast shown in the basin. "Rosyne's child is quite good at provoking the twins, ah," the beautiful man added as he took a sip of his wine.
He sighed. "This is all my fault, Ali."
The alluring man named Ali put down his glass and sat on the man's lap as he caressed his cheeks. "My love, stop blaming yourself. You only do the right thing at that time."
"I just hope that Rosyne's child can really help them and Gaia," Cernu said as he hugged Ali.