Vargus returned his focus to Auris and resumed his gentle affectionate gestures after dealing with the threat the bandit leader posed. With a reassuring smile, he said, "That nuisance has been dealt with. Let's get something to eat, shall we?"
He then retrieved the meat he had previously hunted, setting up a small fire to roast it. The warmth of the fire and the savory aroma of the cooking meat filled the air, creating a moment of peace and normalcy in the forest's quiet.
Together, Vargus and Auris shared the meal, the bond between them strengthening with each bite. As night enveloped the forest, they settled down for the evening, the day's tension giving way to the comfort of rest. Vargus soon drifted into sleep, the steady rhythm of his breathing blending with the nocturnal sounds of the forest.
However, as the night deepened, Auris stirred awake. Quietly, with a glance at the sleeping Vargus, the little tiger made a decision and began to move away from his resting master.
Meanwhile, deep within the forest, where the shadows grew long and the air hung heavy with unease, the fearsome bandit boss paced angrily among his men. His voice boomed through the trees as he demanded answers, "What has become of our leader? He should have returned by now!"
One of the bandits stepped forward, nervously explaining, "Boss, he went out to rob some adventurers passing through the area. Said there was easy loot to be had."
Frustration and concern laced the bandit boss's reply, "And why hasn't he come back yet? He knows better than to keep me waiting!" His tone was sharp, a clear indication of his rising temper and the underlying worry for what the leader's absence might mean for their group's dominance in the forest.
The bandits stood in uneasy silence, uncertain of how to address their boss's growing frustration. Their dilemma was interrupted by the breathless arrival of another bandit, who rushed into the clearing.
"Boss," he gasped, the urgency clear in his voice, "the leader... he's dead."
The bandit boss's anger flared at this news. "Dead? Who killed him?" he demanded, his voice thundering through the camp.
"It was barbarian," the messenger replied, pointing in the direction from which he had come, indicating Vargus's last known location. "He... he didn't stand a chance."
A mix of anger and disbelief washed over the bandit boss's face. "Barbarian?" he scoffed, his frustration turning into incredulity. "How foolish can you be to get yourself killed by barbarian? We all know how formidable they are. I've avoided confronting them for that very reason."
His voice dripped with disdain as he cursed the late bandit leader's luck and stupidity. "To think he'd underestimate a barbarian," he muttered, shaking his head at the folly of the situation. "Now we're down a leader, all because of his careless arrogance."
The boss quickly regained his composure, his anger now mixed with a keen interest. "Exactly how many barbarians took our leader down?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a blend of rage and curiosity.
Panting from his rush to deliver the news, the bandit replied, "It was just one, boss. Only a single barbarian."
"Just one?" The incredulity in the boss's voice was swiftly replaced by a cold, calculating fury. This bit of information seemed to crystallize his thoughts, sharpening his anger into a focused resolve. "So, a lone barbarian managed to defeat our leader," he mused aloud, the wheels clearly turning in his head. "This... this changes everything. We'll rally our men and take care of this barbarian ourselves."
His voice, now laced with a chilling determination, left no room for doubt about his next move. "Get ready. We will avenge our fallen leader and teach this barbarian a lesson. We'll make sure he regrets ever crossing paths with us," he declared, his statement a clear directive, filled with a promise of vengeance.
The change in the boss's demeanor was stark, shifting from shock and disbelief to a single-minded pursuit of revenge. His instructions to his men were delivered with a cold, hard edge, signaling the start of a perilous conflict with Vargus.
As the bandits gathered, gearing up for their impending retaliation, an unexpected visitor emerged at the edge of their camp: a small white tiger, none other than Auris, though they were unaware of its identity.
Surprised by this sudden intrusion, the bandit boss's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's this? How did a tiger find its way here?" he demanded, his voice laced with surprise and a hint of annoyance.
One of the quicker-thinking bandits, recognizing the creature, made the connection almost immediately. "Boss, that's the white tiger, the companion of the barbarian we're targeting," he informed, his voice carrying a mix of awe and apprehension.
This revelation prompted a deeper frown from the boss, his interest clearly piqued. "And how, exactly, did it end up at our doorstep?" he asked, his tone now reflecting a blend of intrigue and a growing concern over the implications of its presence.
The bandits glanced at each other, their faces a tableau of confusion and unease. No one had an answer to the boss's question.
Seeing the bewildered looks exchanged among his men, the bandit boss's irritation spiked. "Idiots!" he exclaimed, slapping his forehead in exasperation. "Can't you see what this means?"
He glared at them, his frustration boiling over. "The barbarian is likely nearby. This isn't a coincidence," he snapped, the anger in his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Stop standing around gawking and start searching the area. Don't let him slip through our fingers; he's probably closer than we think."
The bandits, spurred into action by their boss's harsh rebuke, nodded quickly, understanding the urgency of the situation. They dispersed into the surrounding forest, leaving no stone unturned in their search for Vargus.
Meanwhile, the bandit boss, his demeanor shifting from anger to a calculated curiosity, approached Auris. His steps were measured, betraying a cautious intrigue as he moved closer to the white tiger that had so unexpectedly wandered into their midst.
As the bandit boss neared Auris, his initial anger gave way to a sly, calculating interest. Observing the white tiger's diminutive and fluffy appearance, he couldn't help but comment, "Well, aren't you a cute and fluffy thing?"
A cunning smirk then spread across his face as he eyed Auris with avarice. "A creature as rare and adorable as you would surely fetch a high price among the nobles," he mused aloud, his tone laced with greed. His eyes gleamed with the anticipation of profit, imagining the fortune that Auris's sale could bring to his coffers.
With this thought in mind, the bandit boss extended his hand toward Auris, intending to snatch him up. "You'll make a fine addition to some rich man's collection," he said, his smile widening at the thought of the reward Auris's capture would reap.
However, just as he was about to lay hands on Auris, the tiger sprang into action. In a display of agility and strength that belied his small size, Auris leaped up and, with a swift motion of his little paw, delivered a powerful slap to the bandit boss. The force of the blow sent the bandit boss tumbling backward, flying through the air before crashing to the ground several feet away.
After swiftly knocking the bandit boss to the ground with a single slap, Auris wasted no time. He darted to the bandit boss's side, poised and ready for the next move.
The bandit boss, coming to his senses, burned with fury at the sight of Auris standing victoriously close. "You'll pay for that," he spat out, his voice thick with malice.
Summoning the strength of his unique talent, Rock Body, he transformed his hand into a rock-solid mass, intending to turn the tide with a single, crushing blow. "Take this!" he shouted, launching his attack toward Auris.
Yet, to his sheer amazement, Auris skillfully blocked the attack with his small paw, the impact creating a shockwave but leaving him unharmed. "How?!" the bandit boss gasped, his fury quickly dissolving into shock.
Auris, unfazed by the bandit boss's attempts to defend himself, launched into a ferocious counterattack. With a powerful strike, he sent the bandit boss sprawling through the air. Yet, he didn't relent; Auris pressed on, delivering a flurry of blows with precision and determination.
Caught under Auris's relentless assault, the bandit boss's demeanor quickly changed from one of confidence to sheer desperation. Gasping for breath and struggling to defend himself, he cried out, "Stop, please! I beg you!" His voice, once filled with the command and threat of violence, was now tinged with fear and the realization of his imminent defeat.
"I'll do anything! Just... just spare me!" he pleaded, his words punctuated by the impacts of Auris's continued attacks. It was a stark reversal from the man who had moments ago envisioned selling Auris for profit.
But Auris, fueled by a deep-seated resolve to protect and avenge any threats against Vargus, was unmoved by the bandit boss's pleas. Each blow was a testament to his loyalty and the strength that belied his small form.
The bandit boss's appeals for mercy went unheeded as Auris maintained his offensive, ensuring the bandit could no longer pose a threat to anyone. Eventually, the bandit boss was left incapacitated, a silent, unconscious testament to the grave mistake of underestimating the resolve and power of those he sought to victimize.