Lightning Is the Only Way

"We think the neighboring territory has been taken over. That's why you five will scout out the territory," a mighty hyena transmitted to five small snakes.

"Are you sure-"

BANG!

The talking snake was slapped away by the hyena. "You lower class beasts have no right to your opinion. The only reason why you're still alive is that you look like sea beasts! Now, if you don't want to die, you will go and scout!" the hyena shouted.

The other four snakes looked at their brother with rage and pity. Yet, they weren't angry at him, but at this Tribe.

They had been born into the Hyena Tribe. Their parents had been captured sea snakes, who had been forced to reproduce. Before the snakes even understood anything, their parents had been killed. After that, they had been raised by the hyenas.

The Hyena Tribe, as its name suggested, was a Tribe led by the Hyenas. Over 90% of their population was made out of Hyenas from the same family. Describing it as a Clan was actually more accurate than describing it as a Tribe.

"You either scout or you will die right now!" the Hyena shouted. "You still have a chance to survive as long as you bring us good intelligence. We didn't put so many resources into your growth so that you can do nothing. Learn your place, trash!"

The snakes were angry. All of them were only mid-rank Spirit Beasts. Yet, in a Tribe full of high-rank Spirit Beasts, they couldn't even defend themselves. Every day, they had to endure insults from the hyenas, not being allowed to strike back.

Yet, what were they supposed to do? They were under constant supervision, making it impossible for them to flee into the sea. On top of that, fleeing to another Tribe would force them to go through the fatal Prey Process.

Becoming the Prey of another Tribe was incredibly dangerous. They would need to fight multiple beasts one-on-one, and only if they won all fights would they become part of the Tribe. On top of that, beasts that joined via the Prey Process generally had lower standings.

These five snakes were rather smart. That's why they realized that they could do nothing else but follow the tyrannical hyenas.

"Okay," the same snake from before said in defeat. There was nothing they could do.

The hyena snorted. "Good! Then, go! If you don't come back in five hours, you will receive a severe punishment."

The snakes didn't object and just traveled to the mountain range bordering the River Tribe. A small meerkat, another low-class citizen, had already dug a tunnel to the river separating the two Tribes. Without talking, the snakes entered the tunnel and entered the other territory.

Like this, nearly five hours passed.

Shortly before the five hours were up, one of the snakes returned, incredibly injured. The hyena saw that but didn't react. "Report," it demanded.

a frustrated and horrified look on its face. "My siblings have betrayed the Tribe,"

hyena didn't fully buy the story. "And you didn't go with them?" it

shook in fear. "I… I was too afraid of dying.

still didn't fully believe the story. "Why are you injured?"

them that I would return, they all decided to attack

"Why?" the hyena asked.

tell you the current state of the territory. They said that if

supposed to believe that you managed to escape from all four of

quickly overwhelmed me and bit me. Our venom is devastating, and I played dead, knowing that they wouldn't want to eat their sibling. When they

venom?" the hyena

Apparently, we're immune to each other's venom. I thought that I would die but quickly realized that I didn't feel as weak as I thought. That's when I realized that their venom didn't work," the snake reported.

what about the territory?" it asked, not caring about

are left behind the mountains. Currently, they are searching for new sea beasts in

bit. "Did you find out anything about their Lord?"

why my siblings didn't want me to return because, if I told you, you would decide to immediately

hyena's eyes shone. "Is

the Lord. Right now, the Tribe is being led by an incredibly smart sea snake, who battles as many other beasts as it can. In probably another day or two, it will manage

occupies a valuable territory needs a powerful leader." Then, the hyena turned around. "Go back to your

"With all due respect, but why do you believe me so suddenly?" the

our neighboring Tribes. The fact that you knew that the Sand Tribe leader had venom

as it looked with disdain at the snake. "No Tribe would accept anyone from another Tribe in under five hours. No rational beast would trust

have your smaller siblings with us. If you betrayed us, you know exactly what would happen to them. You wouldn't dare to do

head. "Okay," it conceded with a

left for its

headquarters of the Hyena Tribe. There was a huge tree in the middle of their Tribe, and all the high-ranking hyenas lived under it. A load

hyena that entered the shadow was forced to meet the Matriarch, but they better

hyenas stood before a white but relatively small hyena. Nearly every other

with a

came to visit her immediately became fearful as it saw that smile. "Great Matriarch, I come to report

Matriarch nodded. "Anything else?" she