Unlike Ruru, who used long jumps to travel, Vyaghra was passing through the trees, pushing back their bark with his paws to launch himself forward like a bullet.
His speed was several times faster than Ruru's, and the air resistance from his extreme movement was so intense that my eyes were forced shut, and my skin felt as though it was being ripped off.
He maintained this intense pace for twenty minutes before skidding several feet to a stop.
"Why—huff... huff—did you stop?" I asked, taking heavy breaths after the crazy ride.
"We have... arrived," he replied, his voice tired.
"Already?" I asked, shocked, as I opened my eyes.
We were standing at the entrance to the Neutral Zone.
Leaning against the border trees, Jambavan and Ruru sat.
"Lon' time no see," Jambavan smirked, looking at Vyaghra.
He had transformed into the human form—the one that I saw in his memories. He wore a loose tunic, braies, and knee-length leather shoes. An eyepatch was covering his damaged eye.
