The Forest Prince's
Chapters 20. Early Friendship

A dozen years ago, when Helion was young and princely in the Lion Tribe, and Hippotam also held the same status. These two tribes often fought for power. The Lion tribe wanted to expand its power and make all the tribes under his leadership. While the Nile Horse Tribe does not want to be governed by any tribe, therefore the Nile Horse Tribe closed itself and hid behind the dark forest.

at that time, Helion was walking alone and not too familiar with the characteristics of other tribes. Unknowingly, the adventurous Helion had unknowingly entered the enemy territory.

Helion confusedly spoke inwardly, "it seems I am lost somewhere. But if I get into the woods, it's gonna get dangerous. Moreover, this forest is very dark, even sunlight cannot penetrate this forest. Damnit. I'm starving because I've come a long way.I'd better look for a quarry." and Helion steps deeper into the dark forest.

Meanwhile, the,

Hippotam was upset with his father's character, "shit. In that case, I better get out of my territory and start my own life. My father is too hard to sue me. He demanded that I should be the best prince. As for my father, he was only busy fighting with the Lion Tribe.

I better find my own way."

then I looked alone at the river.

And suddenly Helion appeared,

Helion asked politely, "hello, friend. Can I have a favor?"

ask Helion to Hippotam while walking closer.

Hippotam then quipped the words Helion, "friend? your head mate, I didn't know we were friends. What do you want?"

looking suspiciously at Helion.

Helion begged, "please do not be like that. I got lost and needed help. I starve. Do you have any food?"

Hippotam after noticing Helion, "it seems that you have no evil intentions. Wait a minute." then jump into the river, then come out while gripping the fish.

"still 1 tail, wait for ya." go in again and come out as much as 3x.

"there are 4 fish. Let's burn it together. You must be hungry."

Helion then divided the task, "let me seek wood and turn on the fire. Wait a minute."

then go find some wood for the campfire. Soon he appeared carrying wood, then started a fire, and then began to put the fish Hippotam catch.

Helion then said, "I forgot. Salute, I'm Helion."

introducing yourself to Hippotam.

Hippotam then instead introduced himself, "greetings respectfully too, I'm Hippotam."

Helion then asked, "why are you here?"

Hippotam was astonished by Helion's question, "I should ask. This is my territory. What are you doing here?"

Helion felt puzzled then said, "right too. Haha. I'm totally lost. I don't know where else to go. Moreover, this forest is confusing."

Hippotam only responded to this with a calm attitude, "just normal. It's a dark forest. This is my tribe's territory."

Helion then immediately asked Hippotam for help, "then, can you take me to the border? I'll repay your good deed later."

Hippotam agreed to help Helion, "could be. Finish this grilled fish first. I'll take you later."

As Helion and Hippotam spoke, a group of Nile Horsemen came and surrounded them.

The troops said firmly, "prince, stay away from this young man. He's dangerous."

Hippotam who does not believe in the words of his team, "dangerous how? He's just starving."

The troops then tried to convince Hippotam, "we are not kidding, prince. The prince looked at the young man carefully. He's from the Lion Tribe."

Helion suddenly interjected, "no need to bother so. I'm just asking for help to get us to the border. I'm totally lost. And I am indeed from the Lion Tribe."

Hippotam was furious after Helion said that, "you? you dickhead. You fooled me, Helion. You really sought your death by coming to my territory right now."

Helion said honestly, "I'm not lying to you, man. I just happened to get lost.. I don't care about the Lion Tribe or the Nile Horse."

Hippotam, "my father always advised, to always be vigilant when meeting the Lion Tribe. And today you came to take your life. What a fortune to the Nile Horse Tribe."

suddenly, Lioner appears, Helion's father and many Lion Tribe troops. Then began to finish off one by one the troops of the Nile Horse Tribe

Lioner immediately confirmed the situation, "thankfully you're okay, Helion."

Helion, "i'm fine, dad."

Lioner felt calm looking at Helion, "good. I've been looking everywhere for you. Thankfully you survived. Wait a minute, I'm gonna finish off this army of Nile Horsemen."

Helion was only silent with a flat expression.

The war was increasingly unbalanced and many casualties fell from the Nile Horse troops.

not long, though,

Lioner commanded his troops, "catch the prince of the Nile Horse Tribe and bring it before me."

The troops directly obeyed the order, "well, Chief."

then he captured Hippotam, and dragged him before Lioner and Helion.

Lioner said to his son, "kill this prince, Helion, so that they know that you are the next leader who is firm and cannot be underestimated."

Helion was still speechless, and only looked at Hippotam.

then came the army of the Nile Horse led by Hippotam's father, Hippotanus.

Hippotanus said angrily, "you are presumptuous to enter my territory, Lioner. You also insulted me by holding my son in my own territory. Let go of my son, and then we'll finish our fight."

Lioner then took over, "Helion, if you don't dare take the child's life, let the father do it." saying, Lioner directly attached the tip of his sword to the skin of Hippotam's neck.

Hippotam yelled at his father, "help me, father!"

Hippotanus pleaded, "I will kneel, Lioner. Just so you promised to release my son. I'll let you go, then send you a letter of agreement that I'll be your subordinate for the rest of my life."

Lioner is not interested in Hippotanus' offer, "unfortunately I am not interested, Hippotanus.

look at your son's death for yourself." tried to stick the tip of his sword Hippotam's neck.

Helion suddenly restrained her father, "stop, father. We've got it all."

Lioner was surprised by his son's words, "what do you mean, Helion?" stopping his sword.

Helion then said to the head of the Nile Horse, "don't kneel, Hippotanus. And dad, we've got this endless hatred."

Hippotam was astonished by Helion's decision, "why did you save me, Helion? Though I intended to kill you just a moment ago, let alone our tribesmen being hostile to each other."

Helion then said, "if our father or even our tribe is hostile, do we have to follow such a way? I don't want to involve a child just because of his father's problems. It's all just a difference of view and there's a way out. Instead we should seek better solutions and not make this hatred take root forever. Moreover, the agreement that your father said earlier, wouldn't it just harbor deep hatred and one day be able to make war again?"

Hippotanus was amazed and moved to hear the words of Helion, "thank you, prince of the Lion Tribe. I will forever remember the prince's kindness."

then kneel down to face Helion.

Helion immediately forbade Hippotanus, "don't kneel, uncle. I don't deserve Uncle's respect. I'm still a stupid young man."

Hippotam then said, "thank you for your kindness and generosity, Helion."

then thrust his hand as a form of greeting.

Helion, "don't think about it, man."

while receiving greetings from Hippotam.

Hippotanus then decided, "Lioner, as a form of my respect, I give up. let us keep occupying the dark forest territory. We won't be your subordinates either, but we will be an alliance for the Lion Tribe. Accept my respect, Lioner." then kneel before Lioner.

The Lioner responds wisely to the words Hippotanus, "stand, Hippotanus. We are both stupid tribal leaders. And today we are taught by innocent young men. I accept your good intentions as an alliance and my best friend, Hippotanus. Don't kneel down."

Hippotanus was grateful for the Lioner's words, "thank you very much, Lioner. Let's all go home to celebrate the union of our alliance."

The entire army of the Lion Tribe and the Nile Horse Tribe shouted in unison, "come home, chief. Hooray. . . "