Essence and Cinder stood strong with against strong foes. Fear was heavy in the air, but they held themself together. The worker broke the silence and spoke "Calm down guys. We want peace." Essence speaks up next "Is this how you treat your guests? Atithidevo Bhava[1], right?" "Guests don't come to visit with weapons in hand. good thing we saw you before that did. Nice to meet you I'm Raghav. I work here for staff in the Zoo." Raghav spoke like it's any day. Essence closed Rocky's mouth and put down his weapon. He looked Raghav up and down. he didn't look suspicious, so he also introduced himself "My name is Essence and he is Cinder. We made a shel-" Raghav cut off Essence to speak "Well I know you, Essence. You are the fool how challenged the dragon." Essence was shocked at him. Cinder started laughing hard while Rocky also started wagging its tail. Essence gave Cinder and Rocky the death glare till they stopped laughing. Now with a slight hint of anger Essence spoke "Which son of a Bi**h gave you such false info? Such a bad liar. How will Challange a dragon?" Raghav started walking and made a gesture signalling them to follow. They followed behind Raghav as he spoke "I worked in this Zoo for 3 years. I always liked animals as a whole." as he spoke and walked deeper, many beasts walked out of the shadows. A snake crawled out of a drak space. It was unimaginably long when it lifted it's head it was taller then the monkey following them. It hissed at the walking group. Cinder took a step back but Essence stood firm as he has experienced worse. Raghav step in and signaled the monkey. The monkey growled at the snake making it go away not in fright but trust. Weird to see a snake trust. Then a group of monkeys came into view they were sitting on huge trees. Their eyes glowing and their stature making them look like humans made it worse. Then Something as big as a truck stood against them. Its steps made small yet noticeable tremors. It was a hippo. it stood motionless. Raghav began to pet him and the big beast rubbed itself on him. Essence asked "aren't you scared it will bite you? There is no way for us or anyone here to save you from its bite." Raghav giggle at Essence then answered "it was the same before this weird mutation outbreak. They even told me to write a Will because I dealt with many predators. I lost my family in 2021 in the virus outbreak. I've dealt with depression ever since. But these lovely ones brought me joy. They are like family to me." Essence asked "Are you done with your boring @ss backstory?" Cinder joined in "Want me to play the worlds smallest violin?"
Raghav turned red. He spoke with burning eyes "You Ret@rds Are the reason why I hate my own Generation!" "Woah Clam down Unc. Eat some ice." Essence answered back and started laughing with Cinder they argued a little more and then sat down to talk seriously. Essence broke the silence "i wanted to ask something." Raghav was direct "I know what you are going to ask. Sorry but you guys can't move in here. Others also came but most of them died and the rest ran away. Not to mention there is a dragon on you. Too much risk for me and my family's safety." Essence looked at him with an disappointed face "bro. You can't know everything. I'm here to seek cooperation. Help me to defeat the dragon." Raghav let out a sigh "You truly are delusional. I won't be helping in a suicidal mission. I already can't survive here." Cinder asked " I saw the dead monkey. Is the Tiger out loose?" Raghav's eye's lit up "Wow! So there is someone with common sense present. Why are you even friends with all talk guy anyways?" Essence poked Raghav with his rod-sword playfully. But the monkey attacked Essence thinking it was going to hurt Raghav. Essence dodged the attack easily and stabbed his Rod-sword into the monkey. It cried out loud and Raghav jumped between them to stop the meaningless fight. Then Something big approached them. Even bigger then the Hippo. It was a Group of elephants. 3 of them. The one ahead grabbed Essence and picked him up. Essence tried to retaliate but to no use. Cinder was ready to jump in and Rocky also started to run. But Raghav shouted "STOP! She's angry because you attacked her family. Essence just answer it and she'll leave you." Essence also followed in the same tone " THE F**K YOU MEAN? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO TALK TO AN ANIMAL! AND HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?" Raghav explained "I don't know. When this all started i could understand everything they ment and they also understood me." Cinder asked "Can you tell it to place him down?" Raghav did what Cinder asked. But the Elephant threw Essence down hard. "MY BAD! I JUST SAID DOWN." Essence was 6 feet deep under ground, Motivationally. Cinder and Rocky were chasing Raghav in anger. Soon they all got together for another serious talk after a few shenanigans. Raghav stated "The Elephant wants to say something to you. It's ready to help if you help us deal with the Tiger." Essence light up in joy. He asked "Where is that tiny guy? Can't you just crush him with So many beasts with you? I don't think even a bigger Tiger will pose such high threat." Raghav looked down and answered Essence "Its as big as the Hippo and the 2 leopards are working with it. There is also a few crocodiles and alligators and a bear and the first 3 can do some sort of magic. All 3 of them have different ones." After a long pause Cinder spoke,
"Yea we are Cooked!"
[1] It's a saying spoken in the local tongue. means: Guest is akin to God