The god energy surged through Ba Gau, potent and untamed. It crackled within him, a wild beast straining against its leash. His muscles thrummed with the echoes of power, but it felt raw, alien, like a wolf pup trying to control its first bite. As the electrical charge reluctantly dissipated into the desert air, leaving behind a faint metallic tang, a subtle shift occurred within him. It was a feeling deep in his bones, like a dormant seed stirred awake by the spring rain. He couldn't name it, but it held the promise of change, of potential yet to be explored.

He pressed onward, leaving the barren sands behind as the world transitioned into the fertile plains of Lan Anh's domain. Sun-kissed fields of golden barley swayed gently in the breeze, the land pulsing with life. Farmers toiled under the warm sun, their faces creased with laughter as they greeted Ba Gau.

"Blessings upon you, traveller!" boomed a burly man, wiping sweat from his brow. "We haven't seen a friendly face since the Bandit's Bane came through."

"The Bandit's Bane?" Ba Gau echoed, an eyebrow raised.

"Aye, a month ago it were," a woman chimed in, her voice filled with awe. "Twenty bandits descended upon us, like vultures on carrion. But then, a storm erupted from the heavens! Lightning danced on the wind, striking down the evildoers one by one. They say their flesh was seared black, turned to ash by the very sky itself!"

Ba Gau felt a faint blush creep up his neck. Whispers and rumors traveled fast, it seemed, embellishing reality with each retelling. Twenty bandits he could take down, but facing down a legendary storm-summoning savior was a different story.

"And who is this Bane, tell me?" he asked, feigning disinterest.

The farmers exchanged excited glances. "Some say it's a celestial spirit," one ventured. "Others whisper of a wandering warrior blessed by the Fire Maw," another added, referring to the revered "Burnt Fur" Path. a rare heritage, but his pup apprentice Linh may just be an inheritor.

Ba Gau chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. The rumors were amusing, but his mind drifted to Linh. Now safely residing in Lan Anh's manor, what skills would she be learning? Perhaps she was mastering the art of the Scorching Snout, channeling the very flames of creation into devastating attacks. His steps quickened, anticipation building as he envisioned their reunion, eager to see how their paths had diverged and converged once more.

As he walked deeper into Lan Anh's lands, the whispers of the Bandit's Bane grew louder, intertwined with tales of a fiery warrior born of legend. Ba Gau, the unwitting source of these fantastical stories, smiled to himself. The world knew him as the Butcher Fang, but perhaps, a new legend was already being forged in his wake.

Part 5

A flash of fur and fury erupted from the manor's entrance. A blur of white fur and snapping teeth launched itself at Ba Gau, a guttural growl tearing from its throat. It was Linh, a whirlwind of puppy-sized fury, her eyes blazing with mock battle-lust.

Ba Gau, caught momentarily off guard, let out a startled yelp, more for show than anything. He sidestepped the clumsy attack with practiced ease, his larger frame barely registering the impact. He deflected another snapping bite with a gentle nudge of his paw, his movements fluid and controlled.

"Hold there, little firecracker!" he chuckled, his voice deep and warm. "Easy there, or you'll knock me over with your puppy breath."

Linh, momentarily stunned by her failed assault, skidded to a halt, her chest heaving. She glared at Ba Gau, her tail twitching with frustration. "I'm not a puppy anymore, Ba Gau!" she snapped, her voice still laced with the playful growl. "And I'm almost as good a fighter as you!"

Ba Gau couldn't help but smile. He saw the spark of determination in her eyes, the honed reflexes, the way she moved with a confidence that belied her age. "Almost as good?" he teased, his tone playful. "I'd say you've come a long way, little one. Lan Anh must be a fantastic teacher."

Linh's ears perked up at the mention of her new mentor, but a stubborn pout remained on her face. The idea of praising Lan Anh, a potential rival for Ba Gau's attention, was intolerable. She crossed her paws and huffed. "She's alright," she mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant.

Ba Gau chuckled, seeing through her facade. He knew the complexities of preteen emotions, the fierce loyalty mixed with budding jealousy. He knelt down, bringing himself closer to her eye level. "You know," he said softly, "getting stronger is great, but the best fighters don't just rely on brute force. They use their heads, their cunning, and most importantly, their control."

He nudged her gently with his nose, his gaze holding hers. "Remember, little one, strength comes in many forms. Be patient, be true to yourself, and you'll be a force to be reckoned with, no matter who your teacher is."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Linh gazed at him, the defiance slowly melting away. She couldn't help but admire his strength, his wisdom, and the unwavering affection he held for her. Perhaps, just perhaps, she could learn a thing or two from him, even if it meant swallowing her pride. A small wag betrayed her thoughts, and Ba Gau knew he had reached her.

"Alright, alright," she mumbled, her voice softer now. "Maybe you have a point, old dog."

Ba Gau grinned, his heart swelling with pride. As long as he could guide her, protect her, and help her grow, he wouldn't trade this moment for anything. The path ahead was uncertain, but with Linh by his side, he knew he could face any challenge, any legend, any whisper on the wind.

Part 6

The air crackled with unspoken words as Ba Gau entered the manor's grand hall. There, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, stood Lan Anh. Time had not dulled her beauty, her silver fur shimmering like moonlight on water. He felt a familiar heat bloom in his chest, warring with the bitterness of their last encounter.

Lan Anh's expression mirrored his own – a dance of desire and doubt. Their gazes locked, unspoken apologies and accusations swirling in the silence. It stretched, thick and heavy, until Linh's innocent voice shattered it.

"Look! They're doing the staring game again!" the pup yelped, bouncing around them with unconcealed glee.

The tension fractured. Ba Gau and Lan Anh both coughed, blushing like pups caught chewing on forbidden treats. They cleared their throats, desperately searching for words, any words, to break the awkward spell.

"Linh," Ba Gau finally managed, his voice gravelly, "go play outside. Adults are talking."

Linh stuck her tongue out, but skipped away, leaving behind a trail of playful laughter. As the hall door shut behind her, the silence returned, heavier this time.

"She's grown," Ba Gau said, trying for neutrality, his gaze flicking towards the closed door.

"Yes," Lan Anh replied, her voice quiet. "Strong and spirited, much like her... teacher."

The name hung in the air, a charged word. Ba Gau forced himself to meet her eyes. "Tell me about her training, Lan Anh. What have you taught her?"

Lan Anh hesitated, then drew a deep breath. "I train her in survival, in combat, yes," she admitted. "But also in compassion, in understanding. Skills I wish I had…"

Her voice trailed off, the unspoken accusation clear. Ba Gau felt a pang of guilt, but he wasn't ready to delve into that abyss yet.

"She needs to be prepared," he said finally, his voice low. "The world is not kind to the defenseless."

Lan Anh's gaze sharpened. "And who decides who is defenseless, Ba Gau? Who draws the line between control and compassion?"

Her words cut deep, exposing the very heart of their conflict. He saw the pain in her eyes, mirroring his own.

"There must be another way," he sighed, the words heavy with longing. "A way where strength and justice go hand in hand."

Silence descended again, but this time it felt different, pregnant with possibility. They stood before each other, not as adversaries, but as two souls wounded by the same scars, searching for a healing light. The path ahead was uncertain, but in that shared silence, a fragile thread of hope dared to stretch between them.

"Perhaps," Lan Anh finally whispered, her voice laced with vulnerability. "Perhaps together, we can find it."

The future remained unwritten, their destinies intertwined yet tangled. But as their gazes met once more, a spark of something new flickered in the air, offering a glimmer of promise in the twilight of their past.

"Linh's internal flame," Lan Anh began, her voice laced with a touch of pride, "is a curious thing. Wild, yes, but with the potential to burn bright. Unlike most pups who focus solely on brute strength, I recognized the spark within her was different, more attuned to the magic of fire."

She leaned closer, her gaze flickering with the memory of countless training sessions. "Remember the old, cracked well in the eastern garden? It was there, under the watchful gaze of Asuzibi, that I started honing her flame. We practiced breathing exercises, focusing her energy into a single point within her belly, a tiny ember waiting to ignite. Each exhale, a whisper of heat against her paw pads. Each inhale, a drawing in of the fire's essence."

Lan Anh chuckled, a warm, nostalgic sound. "Of course, it wasn't all meditation and controlled breathing. We practiced channeling that flame into her strikes. Remember those training dummies stuffed with straw and soaked in oil? Each punch wasn't just about muscle, but about directing the heat, the ember within, outwards. It wasn't easy. She set more than one dummy ablaze, scorching her own fur in the process."

Her eyes softened. "But she learned. Slowly, patiently, the ember grew, transforming into a steady flame. We practiced focusing that flame, compressing it into a searing ball of heat within her mouth. At first, it sputtered and died. Then, small sparks erupted, leaving singe marks on the training grounds. And finally, with a roar of defiance, a true Ember Blast erupted, illuminating the night sky with its fiery breath."

"But" she continued, her voice turning serious, "Linh is still young. Her internal flame, while potent, is still the size of a candle flame compared to a raging furnace. It burns brightly, yes, but lacks the raw power to fuel immense strength. That's why her physical prowess, while improving, remains average. Her true strength lies in her burgeoning magic, a power she is just beginning to understand."

Lan Anh's gaze met Ba Gau's, her eyes filled with both hope and concern. "With proper guidance, Linh can become a formidable warrior, one whose fire burns with both passion and control. But it's a delicate balance, Ba Gau. We must nurture her flame without fanning it into an inferno that consumes itself."