Chapter 6

Realms and Paths

Realms and Paths of the Canine Order:

Realms:

Pup Realm (Levels 1-10): Pups learn basic skills, hone instincts, and discover their potential paths.

Hunt Realm (Levels 11-30): Novice warriors choose their paths, focusing on specific skills and mastering basic combat techniques.

Pack Realm (Levels 31-60): Experienced warriors solidify their paths, gaining access to powerful abilities and forging their leadership skills.

Alpha Realm (Levels 61-90): Legendary warriors dominate their chosen paths, wield incredible power, and command respect within the Order.

Primeval Realm (Levels 91+): Few attain this pinnacle, becoming demigods among canines, wielding mythical abilities and influencing the very essence of the Order.

Paths:

Path of the Alpha (Strength & Leadership):

1-10: Pups develop raw strength, confidence, and pack awareness.

11-30: Warriors hone leadership skills, learn advanced combat techniques, and command small packs.

31-60: Packmasters lead large packs, inspire loyalty, and unleash devastating physical attacks.

61-90: Alphas command entire territories, wield the power of their pack as one, and possess near-immortality.

91+: Primeval Alphas become living legends, shaping the Canine Order itself and possessing godlike strength.

Path of the Hunter (Stealth & Precision):

1-10: Pups refine their senses, stalk silently, and learn basic ambush tactics.

11-30: Warriors master stealth and disguise, employ cunning traps, and deliver deadly, precise strikes.

31-60: Hunters become elusive predators, manipulate shadows, and command unseen forces of nature.

61-90: Shadowhunters vanish at will, control elements like poison and darkness, and take down any prey with one, perfect strike.

91+: Primeval Hunters become embodiments of death, bending reality to their will and eliminating foes before they even know they're hunted.

Path of the Packmaster (Nature & Empathy):

1-10: Pups develop an affinity for nature, communicate with animals, and heal minor wounds.

11-30: Warriors nurture their pack, command beasts, and utilize natural elements in combat.

31-60: Packmasters become conduits of nature's power, summon mighty animal companions, and heal even the most grievous injuries.

61-90: Nature Champions command entire ecosystems, wield elemental forces with devastating power, and revive fallen allies.

91+: Primeval Packmasters shape the land itself, command mythical creatures, and possess the power to mend the very fabric of life.

Ba Gấu: Character Sheet

Physical Attributes:

Strength: Average (former Alpha, weakened by sloth)

Speed: Below average (dulled by age and scars)

Endurance: High (boosted by Path of the Alpha)

Agility: Declining (limited by curses and injuries)

Senses: Keen (enhanced canine heritage, sharpened by experience)

Combat Skills:

Master strategist and tactician: Formulates plans, commands troops, anticipates enemy movements.

Proficient with weapons: Swords, axes, spears (favors ranged attacks due to physical limitations).

Expert tracker and ambusher: Stalks prey silently, sets cunning traps, strikes unseen.

Limited unarmed combat: Relies on agility and surprise rather than brute force.

Magic and Abilities:

Path of the Alpha (Weakened):

Heart of the Alpha: Generates shockwaves, but requires intense focus and drains energy rapidly.

Command Aura: Passively bolsters allies' resolve and focus, increasing attack speed and accuracy.

Hunter's Mark: Identifies the strongest enemy (Alpha) within range, highlighting them with a faint crimson glow.

Blessings:

Shield of the Stone Bear: Grants allies passive resistance to physical damage.

Keen Eye of the Eagle: Sharpens allies' vision and awareness, improving ranged accuracy and detection of hidden enemies.

Whisper of the Wolf's Speed: Briefly grants allies a burst of agility and movement speed.

Curses:

Scar of the Shadow Fang: Reduces Ba Gấu's own agility and mobility.

Raven's Hunger: Constant gnawing hunger and thirst, weakening stamina and focus.

Whispers of Doubt: evil spirit voices constantly whisper of self-loathing and failure that sap morale and confidence.

Special Techniques:

Alpha's Roar: A powerful sonic blast that stuns and disorients enemies, requiring significant control to avoid harming allies.

Hunter's Gambit: Sets a magical snare that binds the next enemy to cross it, temporarily incapacitating them.

Wolf's Scent: Sharpens Ba Gấu's senses to an almost supernatural level, allowing him to track enemies through scent and identify specific individuals within a large group.

Pack Wisdom: A constant aura emanating from Ba Gấu subtly enhances the cognitive abilities of those around him. Recruits learn combat skills and tactical awareness faster, veterans strategize with greater clarity, and all within the aura benefit from improved focus and memory.

:image of camp:[https://imgur.com/a/2cWA0GB]

Bandit Camp, each flame an enemy

Crimson Fang Camp Map:

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Legend:

Main Hall: Large wooden structure, central gathering point and living quarters.

North & South Guard Towers: Wooden towers with platforms and archers.

Storage Pit: Deep pit for stolen goods and provisions.

Trap Zone: Ravine containing Ba Gấu's hidden bear traps.

Escape Tunnels: Secret passages leading beneath the camp.

Ba Gấu's Entry Point: Eastern ravine obscured by thick foliage.

Linh's Entry Point: Smaller, hidden entrance on the southern side.

Central Area:

The Main Hall boasts a large bonfire pit in the center, surrounded by wooden benches and crates of supplies.

A cooking area sits near the back, with hanging pots and a makeshift barbecue pit.

Several smaller tents and lean-tos line the perimeter, offering additional sleeping quarters.

Defenses:

Both Guard Towers offer clear views of the main entrance and central area, manned by vigilant Crimson Fang archers.

Wooden spikes line the camp perimeter, deterring intruders and slowing pursuers.

The Storage Pit is covered by a heavy wooden hatch, requiring brute force to open.

Escape Routes:

A network of narrow tunnels lies beneath the camp, offering a concealed escape route for the Crimson Fang leadership in case of emergencies.

These tunnels have multiple entrances and exits, making them difficult to track and trap.

Ba Gấu's Strategy:

He enters the camp silently from the eastern ravine, utilizing the foliage for cover.

His goal is to reach the Main Hall during the initial chaos caused by Linh, taking out any leaders or key figures within.

He'll then move towards the Storage Pit, hoping to secure any valuable loot the Crimson Fang has amassed.

Finally, he'll head towards the North Guard Tower, eliminating the archers and securing a safe exit point for himself and Linh.

Linh's Role:

She sneaks in through the southern entrance, creating a diversion by knocking over barrels, setting fire to tents, and making as much noise as possible.

Her goal is to draw the Crimson Fang towards the Trap Zone, buying Ba Gấu enough time to move through the camp.

Once the main force is trapped, she can either escape through the hidden tunnels or rejoin Ba Gấu for a final push towards the North Guard Tower.

Chapter 6: Act I - The Hunt Begins

The sun cast long shadows through the gnarled branches of the Whispering Woods, painting the forest floor in dappled gold. Ba Gấu, his fur matted with dust and anticipation, crouched low to the earth. Beside him, Linh, a whirlwind of fur and nervous energy, shivered in the cool morning air.

"So," she squeaked, her voice barely a whisper, "you have a plan?"

Ba Gấu grunted, his gaze fixed on the faint trail leading deeper into the woods. "A plan? I have instincts." He sniffed the air, a growl rumbling in his chest. "And my instincts tell me the Crimson Fang are close."

Linh whimpered, her eyes wide with fear. "But they… they're like wolves! They devour villages whole!"

Ba Gấu chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "True, pup. But wolves also have weaknesses. And I, little one, am no ordinary dog." He stretched, his massive form rippling with latent power. The muscles beneath his fur, though dulled by years of neglect, hinted at a strength that lay dormant.

"You were in the war. My father went away to war but he didn’t come back when it was over.” “what do you know about your father? There were many of us Cẩu Binh in the camps but we all were linked by the scent.” “I don’t know. I think granny said ‘Bone Lard’ once.” “hmm. I don’t know any Bone Lard company, But I was in the BoneGuard for a time. Maybe we crossed paths.” Linh asked, her voice filled with awe. "One of the legendary warriors?"

Ba Gấu nodded, a flicker of pride in his eyes. "In another life," he admitted. "A life before… well, before I traded glory for comfort, teeth for a soft bed, and vigilance for a flagon of good ale." He chuckled again, the sound echoing through the silent woods.

"But even a rusted blade can be sharpened," he continued, his voice hardening. "And the path to Boneguard glory is paved with the bones of enemies. Today, the Crimson Fang will become the whetstone that restores my edge."

Linh watched him, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and fascination. Ba Gấu saw the reflection of his own lost ambitions in her gaze. He knew he had to show her, not just the path to victory, but the path to power, the path he himself had once walked.

"Listen, pup," he said, his voice low and serious. "The world of power, the world of the Canine Order, is divided into Realms. Each Realm holds its own path, its own branches of mastery. I, once, walked the Path of the Alpha, a path of raw strength and leadership."

He paused, his eyes scanning the forest for any sign of movement. "But there are others. The Path of the Stalker, silent and deadly. The Path of the Packmaster, who commands the very forces of nature. Each path leads to different heights, different powers."

Linh whimpered again. "But how do you choose? How do you know which one is right?"

Ba Gấu smiled, a wolfish grin that sent chills down Linh's spine. "Simple, pup. You don't choose the path. The path chooses you. It whispers in your blood, roars in your heart. It's the hunger you can't ignore, the itch that only battle can scratch."

He looked at her, his eyes burning with a newfound fire. "And I, pup, I hear the Path of the Hunter calling. The thrill of the chase, the taste of blood, the power that comes from facing down the beast within and the beast without."

He rose to his full height, his massive frame casting a long shadow over the forest floor. "So," he said, his voice ringing with a newfound confidence, "are you ready to follow the Houndmaster? To hunt the Crimson Fang and carve our names in the legends of the Canine Order?"

Linh hesitated for a moment, her fear battling with the thrill of the unknown. Then, her eyes met Ba Gấu's, their fire reflecting in each other's gaze.

"Ready," she whispered, her voice trembling with newfound resolve.

And with that, the Houndmaster and his pup stepped deeper into the Whispering Woods, the promise of battle hanging heavy in the air. The hunt had begun, and the path they walked led not only to the Crimson Fang, but to a destiny far more grand and dangerous than either of them could have imagined.

Ba Gấu crunched through the undergrowth, his keen ears picking up the subtle sounds of the forest. He turned to Linh, his eyes gleaming with predatory excitement.

"Listen pup," he growled, his voice low and serious. "The Crimson Fang's den lies just ahead. We'll approach from the east, hidden by the ravine. Inside, there'll be around twenty of them – a mix of scrawny pups and grizzled veterans. Your job is simple – create a diversion."

He crouched, using a fallen log as a makeshift table. With a gnarled claw, he scratched a rough map in the dirt.

"See here," he said, pointing to a circle of twigs. "This is the main hall. You'll sneak in through that side entrance, create a ruckus, anything to draw their attention. They'll chase you towards the south exit."

He traced a line to another circle of twigs. "Here, the bear traps I set earlier await. Make sure you lead them right into them – that'll thin the pack."

Linh, her eyes wide with fear but also a spark of determination, nodded. "But what about you? How will you handle the rest?"

Ba Gấu grinned, a flash of his former glory. "Ah, that's where the fun begins, little one. Remember what I told you about the Alpha's path?"

He unleashed a low growl, the ground vibrating with power. The air shimmered around him, forming a ghostly outline of a massive wolf, its eyes burning with primal fury.

"This," he said, his voice echoing with ancient magic, "is the Heart of the Alpha. It grants me strength beyond imagination, the ability to command the very ground beneath my paws."

He slammed his paw on the earth, sending a shockwave through the forest. Saplings trembled, leaves rained down, and a fissure split the ground before him.

"But," he continued, his voice regaining its gravelly tone, "years of sloth have dulled its edge. It's a hungry beast now, demanding a feast of battle to regain its full power."

He looked at Linh, his eyes hard with determination. "You create the chaos, pup. I'll handle the carnage. But remember, this is a test for both of us. Survival is the only reward, and hesitation is a death sentence."

With that, Ba Gấu melted back into the shadows, leaving Linh alone with the weight of their mission. Her heart pounded in her chest, fear warring with the thrill of the hunt. She knew what she had to do – be the bait, the spark that would ignite the flames of battle and unleash the sleeping beast within Ba Gấu.

This was no longer just a walk through the woods. It was a descent into the heart of darkness, a gamble with death, and a dance on the precipice of power. And Linh, the small, intrepid pup, was about to become the catalyst for a storm that would shake the very foundations of the Crimson Fang's reign.

act 2

Chapter 6: Act 2- Claws and Thorns

The sun dipped low, casting long shadows as Ba Gấu prowled the edge of the ravine. He moved with the stealth of a phantom, his senses attuned to the whispers of the forest. In his paws, he held three wicked things – short-range bear traps, their teeth glinting in the dying light.

With a grunt, he crouched at the ravine's bank, carefully selecting the precise spots. One near the edge, another halfway down, the last just before the steep drop. Each placement deliberate, aligned like pearls on a necklace, guiding the eye – or claws – towards the northwest corner of the camp. "A choke point," he murmured to himself, "where fear will narrow their options and my traps will widen mine."

Across the chasm, three more traps lay in wait. These were whip traps, cunning contraptions crafted from old bowstrings and sharpened thorns. They awaited unsuspecting paws, ready to unfurl a thorny embrace from beyond the gap. Their purpose? Not swift death, but delay, a thorny tangle to buy him precious seconds in the coming chaos.

His gaze shifted back to the camp, its windows ablaze with warm light, a false sense of security that would soon be shattered. "Let them chase me, fueled by rage and confusion," he thought, a feral grin twisting his muzzle. "They'll tumble down this path, a blind stampede into my snares, their fury their own worst enemy."

But the traps were merely the bait, the appetizer, before the main course. He stalked towards the camp's western wall, the stench of the latrine growing stronger with each step. There, tucked beneath the rotting planks, he unearthed a hidden crevice – his true entry point. A simple pressure plate trap, fashioned from a rusty blade and a pile of loose soil, lay nestled within. A satisfyingly cruel device, designed to unleash a shower of filth and fury upon anyone foolish enough to step on it.