No, not paper people. The book focused on Rin’s path, not the warriors. It didn’t include him learning medicine. Knowledge of beast energy wasn’t relevant to him.
Now, Enzo was learning about herbs, so what he learned would be different from Rin’s.
He patted his chest and thought that it was fine to have his own path. Gato saw him patting his chest and thought he was overwhelmed. He smiled like a kind elder.
"Too much information?" he asked.
Enzo shook his head. "No, it’s...I was thinking about what you said." He drew closer to Gato. "Then are there any other herbs that can help the warrior? What about mixing the normal herbs with the ones with beast energy? Can sub-beasts become warriors too?"
The last question was the one he wanted to know. If there was a way to become stronger, he was willing to take it.
Gato shook his head regretfully. "Sub-beasts cannot become warriors. Our ancestors said there is a way to use plants to help a sub-beast’s body become more resistant to the cold and heat, but many can’t handle the pain. So far, we have no way to lessen the pain.
As for mixing regular herbs with those infused with beast energy, it won’t work. The properties conflict. And we do not know of any other herbs that might help warriors."
"Then, aside from the plants, are there any other things that have beast energy?"
Gato pursed his lips; he looked off into the distance. Enzo saw him struggling with whether to tell him something. Finally, he sighed.
"There are other things."
This piqued Enzo’s curiosity.
Gato saw his eager look and continued. "There is a section of the forest, a forbidden place, where animals become stronger, and most plants in that area are filled with beast energy.
Our tribe prefers to stay away from that place. But some venture to the outskirts. If one is lucky enough to catch a beast from the forbidden place, there is hope of rising one level in an instant.
According to the chief, something inside the beasts of the forbidden place glows green. When a warrior comes into contact with it, their strength increases. Their strength can also increase by eating the meat.
The previous chief was this chief’s father and encountered one of the beasts. We know this because of him. Many have gone into the forbidden place since then, but most died; those who didn’t die were injured to the point of not being able to hunt again."
Enzo watched him reminisce, probably thinking about whatever war story he heard from the previous chief or current chief.
He thought it made sense. There’s no way a tribe can know about beast energy and not want to take on the beasts that can make them stronger. Just hearing Gato call it a forbidden place, he wondered how many died for it to become restricted.
Not to mention the people who died; if the beasts inside are so strong, why don’t they come out? What’s holding them in that section of the forest?
After hearing everything, Enzo nodded; he expected this. If there was a way, whether to become warriors or sub-beasts to use beast energy, he was certain the many beastmen and sub-beasts would want to try. But the risk of losing their lives wasn’t necessarily a great allure after knowing that many of their own people died.
He decided not to ask anything else. He felt that if he got any extra information, he wouldn’t be able to process it. He also wanted to go back and check on the herbs he found. Even if he couldn’t use them, it would be good if he could grow them himself.
While he and Gato continued speaking, he heard footsteps approaching. It was one of Gato’s partners. He had gone to find them something to eat.
He came back with a large sheep.
Enzo had no requirements for cooking. He knew the tribe was just getting into the habit of doing something other than roasting their food over a fire and making soup.
Regardless of the adequate preparation, Enzo thanked them and ate his fill. When they were finished and Enzo leaned against the tree trunk, rubbing his stomach, Gato laughed.
"Little cub, did you eat too much?"
Enzo belched as he opened his mouth to respond. His face turned red as heard Gato laugh.
He coughed, attempting to get past the awkward display. "I’m full."
"That’s good. I’ve noticed you putting on weight. You look much better now than you did before."
Enzo scratched the back of his head. "Thanks. I still have a long way to go. I think I might be the smallest female in the tribe."
"Nothing wrong with being small. You still have time to grow. Time to go back."
Enzo stood, stretched, and waited for Gato. He saw him take a few plants from the valley.
"When we go back, I’ll teach you to make a restorative medicine. It will help you."
"Thank you, Gato."
"No need to thank me."
The four of them stepped out of the forest and headed towards the tribe. They had spent most of the day there. As soon as they stepped out, Enzo saw someone he hadn’t expected.
Gato chuckled beside him, and Enzo glared at him.
"I think you really should thank me," Gato said close to his ear. "Your future partner was worried and came to find you. The restorative medicine can wait until tomorrow. Have fun."
Gato sped up and walked closer to his own partners. He held both their arms and walked ahead of Enzo. He knew Gato was teasing him. His cheeks puffed up, and he glared at Riven, completely forgetting his promise to stay away from the male.
Riven saw Enzo and immediately walked up to him. He heard everything Gato had said. When he heard Gato calling him Enzo’s future partner, something swelled in his heart.
He had liked Enzo since he saw him, but the little sub-beast seemed unwilling to get close.
Enzo walked up to Riven, glaring at him. "Why are you here?"
"Bring you home."
"I don’t need to be brought home. I can go by myself." Enzo walked, and Riven followed behind.
"A capable mate makes sure their partner is safe."
The word mate made Enzo’s head throb. "Did I tell you I wanted a mate?"
Riven pursed his lips. "Is my scent not pleasing?"
Enzo’s ears turned red. Luckily, the fur hid the colour, so Riven didn’t see them. Aside from a slight twitch, his ear didn’t move. He cleared his throat. Should he lie to him? He should. He should tell him that he stinks.
He turned to Riven and opened his mouth, ready to answer, but found he couldn’t make himself say it.
It was his favourite scent. He couldn’t say he didn’t like the smell of earth after the rain; he would be lying to himself.
Riven saw Enzo at a loss for words and smiled.
"So my scent is pleasing." This time it wasn’t a question.
Enzo huffed and kept walking forward; he ignored Riven and walked towards his hut. He didn’t say another word along the way, but he was sure Riven was still there, his scent lingering.
Not until he went inside did Riven turn and walk away.