Below the red-lit skies, a large lion could be seen. It's gold and black coat blew with the wind, before it a human boy stood unmoving.

Taf stood there nonchalant as his dreads also blew with the wind. There was no seeming sounds as the two sides tried gauging the other.

" I'm sorry but if it was a staring contest that you made it all this way for, you had seemingly made a wrong turn. It's currently at the west of the forest.

The current winner a gorilla I think, is still there with its glistening reward. I guess seemingly overwhelmed by the acknowledgement given its apparent frozen state.

Not a chatty fellow, however, but I would be more than willing to set up a meet and greet."

Taf spoke as a seeming grin started to show on his face.

" I guess Zanche was not exaggerating when he spoke of your overbearing nature, cub. Tell me what is your name so that I may address you as such?"

Tensho seemingly was unfazed by Taf's words as it spoke.

" The name is Mouse, however, I tend to play better when a Sir precedes it."

A reply was then heard by Taf as he eyed the lion.

" Mouse? well, that is an interesting name and you say it so boldly with such pride. You really are an interesting cub...

I am Tensho...

Now I'll go into the matter at hand. Zanche though somewhat smart in his own way, is not well versed when it comes to dealing with humans. It's not his fault as he has not been able to meet many thus the former result.

Though his recount of events was indeed exhilarating. If one has a calm head they would see flaws in his thinking."

Hearing Tensho words Taf's expression remained unperturbed but in his mind, he had to acknowledge this lion was by far harder to manipulate compared to the jackal.

" Is that so..? Please to enlightened this one on these seeming flaws that you had garnered."

He then stated as they continued to communicate.

" Well for one your battle tactics using his attack to amplify your own, though slightly ingenious does highlight one factor...

You needed the additional help to fight the two but maybe this beast is overthinking things.

There is also the means by which you, even after all that occurred shaped Zanche into a pawn. That I indeed must commend you on. I'm am also a budding master when it comes to the art of manipulating the mind.

Fear is also a tool I employ on a daily basis. The jungle is heartless and cruel but sometimes having a brain can indeed work wonders for a beast."

Tensho went on to say as its sought for a clue of changes within the youth's expression. However, sadly there was none to be seen.

" I'm sorry but if you were trying to make a point it has seemingly missed its mark."

Taf became a bit irritated as the lion kept mumbling on. Soon two 3ft hammers were summoned within his hands.

" Hehe, now-now calm down a bit. I was just marvelling at a job well done. I'm simple saying I can always tell a bluff when I see one cub or should I say Sir Mouse.

Now there are those beasts among us who would like nothing more than to rip you to shreds.."

The demon beast went on to say as it face held a semblance to a smirk.

"....and let me guess you are not such a beast?"

Taf couldn't help but finish his statement...

" This is indeed my thoughts Sir Mouse. When a golden opportunity arrives at your doorstep you would be a fool not to greet it with open arms.

I'm currently at the peak of 9th demon beast stage. I've failed the tribulation to ascend into a beast lord twice. The last time I barely made it through with my life.

The others are pretty naive as it pertains to the tribulation and are unaware of what steep hurdles await them"

Tensho spoke as it eyed Taf's reaction that just as before was unchanging. It then thought within its mind...

"This child is really seemingly made of ice. As I thought this is a true prodigy in training. If I do not grasp this chance I definitely would not be Tensho.."

After the thought had crossed its mind it then went on with its point...

"For all of us laying siege attacking you together as a force would be the ideal scenario. However, behind you is a benefactor and I'm guessings we would be slaughtered before getting the chance...

I've come up with terms in which I think all parties involved would benefit".

It ended by saying its finally words...

" Terms huh. I thought the terms I put in place were quite simple. All cores should be before me within the week. As far as I'm concerned there were no other terms...

However, let me here these terms..."

Taf smirked as he was seemingly about to refuse but he changed his tune somewhat. Seeing this Tensho was not quite sure what to make of it. In its mind, different scenarios of its meaning played out....

" Was this another ploy or just simply coincidence? No wonder Zanche and Falco were made into nothing but tools".

It then decided maybe it was best to get straight to the point...

" I will convince 6 of the remaining 9th stage beasts to gift their cores if you help us in the future. When you have arrived at the realm of lords or above you will assist us in our tribulations in return."

The beast then put all the cards it had in hands on the table. Then awaited Taf's response...

"...but if I were to take these cores by myself I would forgo the responsibility of fulfilling these terms. What is there to stop me from doing such a thing?"

Taf then smirks as he playfully dragged his hammers on the ground.

" let us not play games here Sir Mouse. You are a genius from all I can tell. Exceptional in all things at the moment but you have a huge flaw.....

Though on the outside you have an ice-cold demeanour. It is not so within your soul. I can tell because as a beast it is within our veins to be bloodthirsty. You do not have that stench.

You would only slaughter those who pose a threat to you but if we were not to put up resistance and simply shatter our cores. I dare say you wouldn't have the heart to kill the innocent.

Having a restriction placed on yourself is the biggest flaw. As it stands you are not what they deem, a true fiend."

Taf didn't change his expression as his flaw was outlined by the lion. Inside, however, he knew that for the first time the lion had total seen through his disguise.

This was indeed a flaw within his armour. He didn't mind however as this was a flaw he did not plan to mend.

" You said you could obtain six cores, with the addition of yours i only count seven. What about the remaining one?"

He then stated without outwardly acknowledging the lion's claims. Tensho became a bit quiet as the last remaining beast was mentioned.

" Sadly that core i know for a certainty i cannot obtain. She will definitely not forgo her core to you. That will have to be dealt with by you both"

It stated as though it was an absolute fact it wouldn't be given freely.

" Interesting, who is this last remaining demon beast i wonder?"

Taf became curious as he heard Tensho's words. In the lion's words was seeming respect. It was at the peak of qi demon beast stage. So this beast must be on a similar or higher footing demon beast to garner such respect.

" Mother of webs, Marceline"