A few days pass, and the village is enjoying a festival to celebrate the reunion of the queen and her son. It is a beautiful event, with everyone who lives there out and enjoying the activities.
Waminya and Yesseia sit and talk while Cordayl entertains the children, who love his gravity manipulation.
"So, Yesseia, where are you from, child?" Waminya ask.
"I come from the Hardoy Tribe. I was also at same battle as Cordayl," Yesseia answers, sadness in her voice.
"Oh, my. I am sorry for your loss, my dear. It seems you and Cordayl are more intertwined than I realized," Waminya replies. "Did he remember you?"
"No, he did not. From what he has shared with me, he lost his memories, and what memories he had were deeply repressed. But I knew who he was as soon as I saw him. And I just had to fight him." Yesseia laughs.
"And that's how he won your heart?" Waminya smiles.
Yesseia looks away, blushing, which makes Waminya burst out in laughter. "It's okay, dear. Cordon told me a tale about how a warrior won the love of a Hardoy woman by defeating her in combat. Cordayl should be honored to have earned such a privilege from a beautiful warrior such as yourself."
Hearing her words makes Yesseia blush even harder. Picking her head up, Yesseia thanks her for the kind words, and they both turn their attention to Cordayl.
Cordayl is having a good time juggling the kids in the air and watching them love the zero-gravity atmosphere he has created. Getting bored, Cordayl slowly pulls all the children back to the ground so he can take a break.
The children start to complain and ask him for a little more time. Cordayl agrees but decides to switch up the activity.
"Who here is the fastest?" Cordayl asks, and every kid raises their hand, arguing amongst each other.
"Okay, calm down. Now, who here is the strongest?" He asks, getting the same reaction as the first question. "Alright, how about an old Melatonin contest of speed and strength?"
The kids all erupt in excitement and line up. Cordayl jogs across the plain, and on his mark, the kids take off at full speed to prove they are the fastest.
When the winners cross, the kids cheer or pout at the results, but Cordayl quickly prepares them for the second challenge.
As they line up again, Cordayl runs to the other side and tells them to take their mark. Before counting down, he increases the gravity just a little to make the children's full speed impossible.
Giving them the cue, Cordayl watches as they all slowly but persistently make their way to him to obtain victory. When all the kids finally cross, Cordayl cancels his power, and everyone watching cheers for the children.
Cordayl congratulates everyone since not a single child gave up. "You all did well. While you may not have come first or second, you did not give up and saw the challenge through till the end. That's what it means to be a warrior, never giving up. And all of you will be fine warriors one day."
Hearing his encouragement, the children's eyes grow in happiness, and they all bow and show their respect before leaving.
Cordayl breaks away from the crowd and walks up to his mother and Yesseia. "That was fun. Y'all ready to eat?"
"I think lunch will have to wait, my child. Now that you played with the children, the adults want a turn."
"What grown-ass person wants to be tossed in the-" Cordayl turns and sees a crowd of excited warriors staring at him.
His mother laughs, "Lighten up, my child. They didn't grow up fighting Melatonin men every day like you. For some, it is a golden chance to test their skills and see if the legends are true." Waminya whispers challengingly.
"Go on, Cordayl. By the time you fight the last one, I'll have your plate ready." Yesseia adds.
"You better start walking. I plan to make this quick," Cordayl smiles.
Walking up to the crowd of brave warriors, Cordayl scans the area. Seeing that there are people in attendance, Cordayl tells the observers to back up so they won't get caught up in what happens.
Once there is a good space for fighting, Cordayl activates his gravity and smashes the warriors with its weight.
Cordayl increases the weight until he notices a few warriors about to take a knee. Canceling the effect, Cordayl watches as some have seen what they need, and the rest stand tall, unsatisfied.
Cordayl smirks at their spirit and removes his shirt so he doesn't get it dirty. Seeing him shirtless, the women watching all cheer and whistle at his chiseled body.
Yesseia rolls her eyes, and Waminya chuckles at her jealousy.
Cordayl squares up, and the warriors all form a line, waiting to spar with Cordayl.
Cordayl steps up and battles each fighter in line, never taking one step back as he knocks down one fighter and progresses to the next.
Making his way to the end, Cordayl takes a deep breath and releases his testosterone. Turning around to see the fighters still picking themselves up, he casually asks, "Another round?"
The fighters still have some fire in their eyes, but they all concede and bow, showing their respect. Cordayl bows in return and bows again at all the cheers he receives.
Meeting him halfway, Yesseia walks up and hands him his shirt. "Quite the popular one, I see."
"Yeah, right. I feel like a hired performer. I'm tired as hell. I'm still getting that plate, right?" Cordayl ask.
"I'm going to make it now," Yesseia tells him, grabbing his hand.
"Love to hear it," Cordayl says, following her, but then he stops. Eyes narrowing, Cordayl cuts his eyes to the side.
"And I love to see it! Nothing is more exciting than young love! Y'all will look so cute together in my trophy den." The hunter licks her lips.
Suddenly, the whole village is on alert, circling the intruder. "Sorry, kitty. No strays allowed inside." Waminya tells the hunter.
"There are no house rules in the jungle." The hunter chuckles. Looking around, the hunter makes the correct guess that Waminya is the leader.
"Well, alpha, if I were you, I would have all these warriors go towards that little entrance of yours. My masterpiece militia will be marching through any minute now. Please give them a good challenge. It's good for their learning system," the hunter says coyly .
Waminya stares at the hunter, trying to determine if she is bluffing. "Waminya, send your warriors to the front. I can handle the kitten." Yesseia promises.
Waminya gives the order, and all of her soldiers move to arm up. She then tells everyone to go to the escape tunnel and asks Cordayl if he can escort them.
Cordayl is hesitant, remembering the wound Yesseia suffered last time, but Yesseia gives him a nod, reassuring him that she will be alright. Cordayl grabs his mom's shoulder and promises he'll be back in a minute.
Yesseia steps up to the hunter and squares up. She is momentarily surprised to see Waminya by her side.
"Smart of you to have some help this time. Pretty for her age, but unfortunately, not pretty enough to add to the collection. Just the graveyard." The hunter smirks.
"Ohh, please. The fur warming my floor is scarier than you. Come now." Waminya strikes her stance.
The three fight, with the hunter holding her own against the two warriors. Although Yesseia and Waminya are winning the battle, the cheetah shows no signs of defeat.
With the three fired up, the fight becomes fierce as they battle all across the village, with Waminya doing excellent to prevent the hunter from damaging any of the housing or infrastructure of her town.
Cordayl finally leads the villagers to the tunnel, leading the way in case they run into any enemies. Making it through the tunnel, Cordayl urgently ushers everyone through.
Pulling an elder aside, Cordayl asks them where they go next. The elder tells him that there is a safe location up the river.
Cordayl nods his head and moves to continue escorting the villagers, but the elder stops him.
"Running left would take a normal warrior 4 hours at full speed to make it back to the entrance. But you are no normal warrior, are you?" She smiles.
Cordayl smiles at her. "Never been."
"Go. I got them. Nice seeing you again, baby. Goodness, you look so much like your father, " she says, pinching his face.
Cordayl smiles, then takes off running as fast as he can.