Unlike Xavious Azreal didn't want to sleep so he climbed one of the taller trees and relaxed on one the branches, just staring off into the millions of stars.
"Oh, what's this? I never expected to see anyone here this late?"
Looking down saw an old skinny serval cat with a long white beard in front of him, looking up at Azreal he flashed an amicable smile —quite a few of his teeth were missing— as he used one hand play with his beard and the other holding his walking stick.
Azreal didn't have anything to say so he just looked at him waiting for him to speak.
"Beautiful aren't they?" The old serval cat said while looking up.
"Hm?"
"The stars hehe, all the souls of our family and friends are up there, those we hate and those we love all living together in harmony" the old cat laughed a jolly laugh as he spoke, his big ear twitched a little.
After saying that he walked over to the tree trunk, grunting as he climbed, by the time he'd gotten up to the branch where Azreal was he was covered in sweat and breathing heavily.
Azreal didn't move forward to help him, only a second ago did it dawn on him that this old man had managed to get so close and he didn't notice anything, he sensed no malice or danger from him, it might've just been that his mind was distracted so he didn't notice but still better safe than sorry.
"Oh, it's been so long since I climbed a tree oof! But this view is worth it"
Sitting on the branch with his cane in his lap he went into his raggedy coat and took out a bag with some nuts while humming.
"Would you like some?" He asked while stretching the bag over to Azreal who shook his head.
"Rosemary cashew nuts, roasted them myself heeheehe, the honey ones are pretty good but theirs just something about rosemary that makes me smile heehee, maybe it's the nostalgia" as he ate his cashews the old warbeast kept talking.
Azreal wasn't sure how he was eating since he didn't most of his teeth, maybe he was using his gums?
At first, the talking did seem annoying but after a while, it became a sort of comfort preventing him from over thinking, kinda like talking to your grandfather.
Looking over at the old man Azreal realized that his eyes weren't really focused on anything in particular.
"Your blind"
"Heehee, didn't you learn not to point out others flaws to their face? Hmph I'm not blind at least not yet"
Sigh
Looking at his eyes Azreal didn't believe him even if he could see it wasn't very well, probably all just a blur.
"On nights like these I always find myself back in time when I was young and strong... and handsome hahaha, the times of struggle are always the worst until it's over then it becomes the most beautiful"
"Old man, what do you want?" Growing tired of his random ramblings Azreal decided to just ask what he wanted if anything.
"Hmm? Want? I don't want anything heeheehee, you just looked lonely by yourself so I thought I'd keep your company, it seems like I was wrong" slowly getting up the old serval cat was about to leave but then he stopped and flashed Azreal a wryly smile
"Heh, do you mind helping me down?"
Remember how difficult it was for him to climb up Azreal got up and walked over to him grabbing him by the waist.
The old serval cat patted his hand several places over Azreal's body trying to find somewhere to grab onto, eventually settling on his shoulder.
"Hold on"
"Wait Wait" Azreal was just about to jump off when the old cat started pulling back.
"What is it?" Azreal asked slightly annoyed.
"Aren't you going to climb down?" The old serval cat asked in confusion.
"Why would I when I can jump?"
"Jump? Are you sure?" saying that the old cat started laughing "Haha just looking at me, scared to jump out of a tree, if it was in my younger days I wouldn't have hesitated but look at me now heh"
Not saying anything else Azreal grabbing on tight to the old warbeast, as if sensing that he was ready to jump the old warbeast gripped his shoulder tighter.
Stepping forward Azreal leaped off the branch, feeling the wind the old warbeast started laughing in excitement, Azreal couldn't help but smile when he looked at the joyous expression on his face.
Just as they were about to the touch ground the old warbeasts hand—that once gripped lightly on his shoulder— gained strength without giving Azreal a second to react the old cat sunk his thumb in Azreal shoulder easily breaking the scales and flesh, digging inside him.
"Aggggghhhhh!" Azreal screamed in agony.
By reflex Azreal sunk the claws that were on the hand that was wrapped around the old cat's waist into his skin with all high might but they didn't even manage to break the skin before they shattered.
Not letting that little —although painful—setback stop him, especially since the old cat was wiggling his thumb in his wound and laughing like he was just enjoying the fall, Azreal clenched his fist and rammed it into the old cats face at full strength but that did nothing, he was still laughing.
"Bloodlust level two!"
When the old cat heard that his laughter died down a little.
Wamp!
Azreal rammed his fist into the old warbeasts face this time he did it four times in quick succession knocking him out of his hand and slammed him into the tree.