The wind howled across the hills surrounding Greystone, carrying with it the scent of smoke, sweat, and fear. Though Lucas's speech the day before had rekindled hope in the hearts of many, not all could ignore the looming threat of the incoming Tide. Preparations were underway, and soldiers moved with purpose across the fields and walls. Yet a strange tension still hung in the air, heavy as a stormcloud.
Just past dawn, the alarm bell tolled from the southern gate.
Reynard rushed to the wall, sword sheathed but hand resting near the hilt. He peered down the hill, where a group of twenty figures approached through the mist. They were not human. Fur-covered ears twitched, tails flicked, and sharp eyes gleamed. Beastkin.
The guards raised their weapons. Reynard waved a hand. "Hold. They don't come as enemies."
As the group came into full view, their leader stepped forward. A tall, muscular woman with striped fur covering parts of her face and arms. Her eyes were golden and predatory, her steps silent and confident. Beside her padded a massive saber cat with lightning crackling faintly along its fangs.
She raised a hand. "I am Kaela of the Stormfang tribe. We seek shelter from the coming Tide."
Reynard narrowed his eyes. "You come with beasts."
Kaela gestured toward Thunderfang. "My soul-bound companion. As your lord is with his own. We mean no harm, only sanctuary."
Lucas arrived just as the gates were opening. Zephyra circled above, Umbra close behind, ever silent. Elira walked beside him, her face pale but focused. The poison from the ape scouts had taken a toll, but she bore it without complaint.
Lucas stepped forward. "You seek shelter? You'll find it. But understand that this is Greystone. We don't take in wolves who plan to eat the flock."
Kaela sniffed the air, her feline senses analyzing him. "You're strong. But strength doesn't make a leader."
Lucas tilted his head. "No, but the will to protect everyone does."
Kaela grinned. "Then fight me. If I win, I lead Greystone. If you win, my tribe follows you. Survival of the fittest."
Reynard stiffened. "This is absurd. He is our lord—"
Lucas raised a hand. "Let her speak."
He stepped forward and removed his cloak, revealing the dark armor beneath.
"I accept."
The sparring grounds were cleared. Citizens gathered, murmuring in confusion and awe. A beastkin tribe? A challenge to their lord?
Kaela stood barefoot, muscles tensed. Thunderfang growled behind her but remained outside the ring.
Lucas stood opposite her, Umbra and Zephyra behind him. "No weapons. No beasts. Just us."
Kaela smirked. "Good."
The gong rang.
Kaela exploded into motion. Faster than most could track, she closed the distance and lashed out with a flurry of blows. Lucas blocked the first two, ducked the third, and rolled aside from a sweeping kick that cracked the ground.
"Strong," he admitted.
He surged forward, fists alight with shadow. Umbra's energy wrapped his limbs. He ducked a punch and drove a palm into her stomach. She coughed, grinned, and backflipped.
Kaela roared, her eyes flashing yellow. Claws extended, muscles bulging. Her aura swelled, primal and raw. Lucas responded with his own. Stormlight flared from his body as Zephyra's power pulsed through him.
They clashed again. Fists met claws. Elira watched from the sidelines, her breath catching as shockwaves rippled from their strikes.
Lucas feinted low, then leapt upward, flipping and slamming a kick into Kaela's shoulder. She spun from the impact, landed on all fours, and lunged again. They traded blow after blow, neither giving quarter.
Finally, Lucas saw an opening. He let Kaela grab his arm—and used her momentum to flip her over his shoulder, slamming her into the ground.
She gasped, stunned.
Lucas stood over her, breathing hard. "Yield."
Kaela chuckled, blood on her lip. "You fight like a beast. I yield."
Thunderfang growled, but Kaela raised a hand. "He beat me fair. We follow him now."
Cheers broke out. The beastkin warriors knelt. Lucas helped Kaela to her feet.
"Why risk that?" he asked.
She grinned. "Because strength must lead. And now, we have hope."
DING!
[System Alert: Hidden Quest Completed – "Challenge of the Wild"]
[Reward Unlocked: Skill Acquired – Aegis of the Beast King]
[Description: Area of Effect Skill. Instantly heals all allies within 30 meters and grants 30 seconds of invulnerability. Cooldown: 24 hours.]
Lucas blinked.
{Angel}: "The beastkin recognize you. The system responds. Use this power wisely."
He looked at Kaela. She stood proud beside him, Thunderfang purring with electricity at her feet.
"Then let's survive this together," Lucas said. "And when the Tide comes... we'll be ready."
The beastkin bowed.
Greystone's walls now housed warriors who lived by claw and code. And their king had fangs of his own.
The roar of beasts echoed through the valley.
And above them all, Greystone stood firm.