-Afternoon - Nefiru's POV-
After being surrounded by four enormous wolves, I stay still knowing that sudden movements could end my life in an instant, and escaping is improbable. The scent of two male and two female canines confirms high ranking beasts no weaker than Big Red as they close the circle with footsteps loudly crushing the sand which denotes their incredible weight. The giant female golden wolf went next to Midas who's behind me while the two black ones block my sides and the male green one faces me from the north.
Ah... I'm used to Father's presence, but Midas probably felt this intimidation from him. I assess the threat level. This feels like standing under a building that's about to collapse... I desist any intention to probe after a quick analysis.
I look up at the green wolf who seems to be facing me for a reason when a push from above made my legs give out...
"Omph!" I uttered as my body smashed into the sand forced the air out of my lungs.
I turned my head and saw a black hairy foreleg belonging to the taller black male wolf pressing down on my back between the wings.
Aargh! ...That almost broke something! I protested glaring back angered. And I can't do shit since my magic will probably tickle this high rank. Ugh! It sucks being at the mercy of others... I affirm enduring the pain.
I hear the wolves converse between them while ignoring my glare, but some familiar growls suggest that I'm part of the topic, then after some time, the black wolf holding me lost patience, and lowered his open jaws to my neck.
"GRRR!" I let me anger known growling as my entire body emits lightning bolts.
However, the black wolf only seemed bothered by the high voltage as he retracted the snout while still pressuring with his paw which made me realize he's playing around and the calm attitude of the others confirm it.
Oh? Not taking me seriously? I resolved to retaliate sending a thin wire of magic energy close to the ground to avoid detection.
The wolf probably noticed, and arrogantly ignored it, but may have found my rebelling actions disrespectful...
*Creeak... CRACK!!* The scales on my back break under the pressure of claws piercing through while the black wolf shows his teeth.
"GHAAAAH!" I cried out in pain as thick claws that two human palms cannot grip at the base sink into my body.
SON OF A... I endured the agony concentrating lightning elementals outside my body.
I ignored the blood gushing out from the four holes on my back and used compressed water jets to attack the wolf's eyes. He discovered my attack as it was forming, and closed the eyes dodging with his head, but the two beams still landed on the eyebrow and cheek causing two thin cuts on the fur. However, that was merely a distraction to carry out my main attack on his private parts before generating the highest voltage I could muster with the current reserves.
*BRRZZSST!* Two bolts of electricity as thick as human arms traveled between the nuts and the ass closing the circuit.
"HIIAAAK!" The darkness user screamed and sprinted away with smoke coming out of his rear.
Bitch! What do you think of this tickle? Ah, that didn't come out right.... Whatever, I hope that he got castrated. I thought being started by the other beasts.
""WROUOF!"" The other large wolves scoffed watching him running in circles, then jumping into the river.
Nice! I didn't become dragon barbecue... I asserted with relief after noticing a positive attitude on the other beasts.
"HMPH!" I scorned before getting up with difficulty.
I try nullifying some of the excruciating pain caused by the claw holes close to my spine, but with lightning reserves running dangerously low, I resorted to freezing the blood without letting the frostbite cause further damage.
Ugh... Is the damage only to that extent with an all-out electrocution? A human would be charred black! I assess my attack while recovering magic reserves. It looks like I'll need to carry around a bothersome iron rod for a coil gun attack, but the utility belt looks ridiculous. I affirmed the need to carry uncomfortable hardware while staring at the creature slowly coming out of the river.
"GWRR..." The black wolf growled enraged and rushed towards me from tens of meters away to the south.
However, the female golden wolf walked in front of me and blocked the path of the angry wolf desiring to maul me. They argued with jaw snaps and growled until she calmed down the injured wolf who laid down on a side to inspect the damage before lifting his muzzle to the east.
"WUOOooo..." He briefly howled and laid back down in a 'C' position facing us.
A call for what? Mommy? I derided him.
Meanwhile, the giant green wolf approached from the west with his head lowered while blocking the sun, and I turned to face him when he growled something unknown which made me tilt my head in silence to look puzzled. The large wolf understood and got closer to sniff my back, then faced me with the mouth slightly open. However, to my surprise...
"You smell of humans, so bark if you understand me." He instructed using wind magic to speak a language known to me.
"Oh! How convenient since I have yet to master your tongue." I uttered while surprising the onlookers who perked their ears.
"Mhn... It wasn't a total waste learning human language from the Divine and saves us trouble that you can speak as well." The wind user muttered with a lazy tone.
"Although nodding for yes and shaking the head denying would suffice to answer simple questions..." I announced feeling glad my speech doesn't consume much magic either.
"Mhn. I suppose introductions come first." The wind user said as if it was a bother. "...I'm known as Wind 8, the progenitor of little wind 4 and next to her is little Earth 5." He introduced looking at Mirati and Midas who are behind me.
Er... Is it difficult translating names to Stilus language? Although it might work as an identification with the rarity of high ranks and language barriers between beasts, they seem to be proud of that inconvenient naming method. I question their designations as the sizeable green wolf pointed his snout to the smaller black wolf on my right.
"The youngest of us four with only two hundred years go by Dark 8." He proudly presented before turning to the bank river where a large black wolf is resting. "The one in a hurry to eat you is Dark 9 whom I hope can still procreate with other mates this year..." He announced with a hint of mockery which caused the beast in question to grumble.
Hmm... It seems that all of the high rankers understand... Cool. I marveled observing their reactions. Although not all wolves mate for life, the asshole who made four painful holes on my back is a philanderer? I asserted feeling the need to lecture him.
"Well, Dark 9 shouldn't play with his food." I sneered.
The black wolf threw a glare containing his anger while the other wolves watch our exchange in amusement.
"Is your pride hurt? What if my death causes your tribe to perish? Just because one is a little powerful doesn't mean actions have no consequences." I lectured causing the beast to snort. "I can't even afford to sulk in this conversation, and my back really hurts..." I complained in frustration when the large golden wolf surprisingly started licking my wound.
Hng!!?... That hurts more than it helps! I protested suffering from the tongue scraping my wound. The intentions seem benign since beasts my rank hardly get infected, but why is this wolf so friendly? I question her character. Perhaps there are beasts out there open to friendship and just requires the right circumstances or methods. I ponder recalling the dead wolf.
"And lastly, Earth 9..." The translator frowned at the golden wolf. "So, what should we call you? Little lightning dragon 6?" He asked my opinion.
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"Please don't..." I spoke feeling shame. "My name is Ne--" I started saying before cutting my speech.
Wait a minute! Is it possible to have the same name as in the past? That strange feeling I had with specific names being agreeable when Shaila wanted to name me--no way...it's the names that I previously used? In that case, it's terrible spreading my name, but if allies are looking for me...they'll have trouble finding me... I came to a startling realization freezing on the spot.
"What's wrong?" The green wolf asked while the licking stopped.
I noticed their anxiousness after seeing me unresponsive and turned to see the she-wolf cleaning her lips of my blood while staring at me as if done.
"I must hide my true name for the time being. So, I'll be using Tenryuu as an Alias." I informed deciding on another game character.
Ah, thank goodness, she stopped licking... I affirm with joy lowering my body to rest while facing the west before focusing on my wound once again.
"Alright, but we don't have a translation for it. Does it have a meaning we can use?" He revealed the language shortcomings.
"Of course. It's a Divine Dragon who caused havoc in different realms of creation, and can also mean Heavenly Dragon." I resume the origins of the name.
"Realms!? I didn't expect to hear this from a little dragon." The green wolf said surprised. "Hmm... Not sure what heavenly is, and Divine would be confused with ranks, so maybe 'Realm Dragon' will do." He said before growling it.
"Oh, I got a wolf name!" I said excitedly memorizing it. "Too bad I'm not a wolf..." I retorted on the practical uses.
"And yet, one of my descendants became your mate." The green wolf rained on parade.
"Guh! That-that was an accident..." I stammered under their scrutinizing glares. "I imitated some growls to get a cooperative guide and thought she was just a naive wolf, but realized her value after it was too late... Ugh... It's frustrating losing an ally that I desperately need because of my inability to judge beasts." I explained my regret with a gloomy look.
"Mhn... Your words seem genuine little Tenryuu, and earned my approval." The green wolf said after inspecting me for a moment. "It certainly was an unfortunate loss since raising talented individuals is quite arduous when our kind is preyed upon by many creatures..." He mentioned before closing his eyes lamenting for a moment.
Heh... This beast seems reasonable, and what he said can explain some of Safi's behaviors, but that remark was directed at me... I realized while agreeing with him.
"Naturally, it is regrettable not getting a chance to show one's full potential" I nodded saying. "Although that sounds hypocritical coming from me who don't even like the taste of wolves, I did what I thought was necessary under the circumstances, and spared those with Talent if possible." I clarify my doings while looking at the two small beasts behind me.
"Uh-huh... Even Red dragon 8 usually eats the weakest of our kind like doing us a favor, but we avoid a confrontation for various reasons." He associates with Father's habits.
"Nah, we don't share that Dragon's way of thinking." I casually dismissed.
"Are you saying that it was merely a whim to spare little Earth 5?" The green wolf narrowed his eyes probing with a tricky question.
"Uh... I'm not very powerful to always have the choice, but it didn't feel right to kill him, and it wasn't a good idea to waste the talented offspring of a possible high ranking beast." I described our first encounter pointing my tail at the smaller golden wolf who found my actions annoying. "Well, He still has a lot to learn as a magician as well as an Alpha when low ranking dragons gave him trouble, but even his mate impressed me, so I took a liking and named them both." I carefully explained before switching my gaze to the small green beast that felt puzzled.
The large golden wolf happily translated for the two beasts in question who grunted depressingly and slumped on the ground before leaning on each other.
"Nonetheless, it was a risky decision since retaliation could still happen, and I wonder if an ambush from a high ranked darkness user not long ago was related." I probed.
"GRRR..." The high ranked earth user growled at the others seemingly angry.
The smaller black wolf said something which startled them and looked at me with a glint of malice in her eyes while the big golden wolf gazes intently.
"...It was Dark 8 wanting to toy with dragon whelps and send one of her own for capture. But he came back in a sorry state that earned him some punishment...quite impressive for your rank." The wind user informed before commending me.
So... Dark 8 is a psychopath in the making? I categorize before speaking to the wolf with beady eyes.
"Miss psycho, I wanted to chew those dragons alive too, and I can even control the pain signals with magic, but when it comes to cruelty...it's hard to surpass humans," I stated.
The beast wasn't bothered or showed opposition, then laid down as if done interacting, and the huge wolf behind me continued.
"Earth 9 asks what did you call them, and the meaning of the names." The wind user relayed once again.
"Ah, yes... The earth magician 'Midas' as the first thing that came to mind was the tale of a King that turned everything into gold with a touch while the female wind user 'Mirati' which means, surprise." I explained the origin of the names while admiring the coat of the great female wolf shining gold under the sunset rays.
Erm... Now I feel like a cliche dragon who likes glittering things... I realized as the contents were translated for the smaller wolves who showed different reactions.
"Mhn. She approves of the golden king meaning so you may call her son that, but little wind refuses." He conveyed while revealing Midas was the son of the giant golden wolf.
Oi! Don't reveal essential things so casually! I retorted at the wolf that might have forgotten such detail. I'll let the misconception pass since it might sour her mood, but what is this wolf thinking when her son almost died twice already, and she's being friendly with me? Hmm... Perhaps some kind of rival or playmate? I ponder on the she-wolf reasoning.
"So, you are his mother huh? Is that why you are being nice to me?" I asked the tall golden wolf on my left.
She nodded twice.
"Nice? She wants to drag you into her lair and--" The green wolf interjected before he was interrupted.
"GRRR!" The high ranked earth user growled to stop him.
"...She wants you to be an impetus for her son, and help him evolve without your consent if necessary." He explained her conduct more subtly.
"Thank you, big girl... But there's no need to be forceful since our interests align, and I'll benefit from this too..." I declared making the beast brighten up.
"WOOF!" She barked while wagging her tail noisily.
"However, I could still be a danger to your son, even in captivity... So, did you judge me to be trustworthy or are you placing that trust in me so that I'll be?" I inquired confirmation.
"Judged." The wind magician answered in her stead. "She knows there is a reason worth risking your life coming here, and you spared little earth twice already without showing any hostility." He elaborated.
"...He's lucky to have you as a mother." I praised her ability to discern intentions.
"WUENYIO." She thanked before lying down on my side, obstructing the black wolf by the river bank.
"That being said. Why have you come into our lands and what's your interest in our young talents?" The translator interrogates on their behalf.
"Well, I deemed Midas a potential ally worth risking to approach which could either be my way into your tribe or death in the worst case scenario. I have to say...the level of difficulty wasn't low, but a certain she-wolf that's no longer around helped me get here and make this conversation happen much sooner than anticipated." I explained recognizing Safi. "Now, I hope I didn't make a mistake in attempting to ally with beasts who are supposed to be less treacherous than humans." I reproached my treatment.
"Hmph! What an odd way of thinking...to seek alliance after eating half of little Earth's pack, several more of our tribe, and I'm not even holding you responsible for the deaths caused indirectly." The wind user spoke being upset.
"Guh! You hit where hurts..." I admit him to be right. "But in the end, we are all prey in this world and must be prepared to die when trying to take another life, or at least expect retaliation when taking aggressive actions." I lectured. "In any case, I respected my prey by not wasting their flesh, and they become part of me in a way," I spoke solemnly.
"Mhn... That goes without saying, but establishing an enemy simplifies beast lives with a particular set of worries, and making exceptions will cause unrest." He debated.
"Well, I can't speak for the Red Dragon, but the three of us can stop killing and eating your kind indefinitely once hostility ceases between us which should ease your kind's worries." I declared.
"Maybe... And who will be your prey? Hopefully not our food supply, but you still have to eat right?" He reminds the need for prey.
"That won't be a problem with fish in that river, and our prey of choice is the snakes anyway. But we could also relocate far south after a while if the conditions are unfavorable here." I announced our choices.
"I see... Although killing those fish is easy, finding them with the current can be a waste of time." He pointed out a flaw.
"Not a problem either." I dismissed recalling nets.
"If you say so. Then, tell me, why do you seek from an alliance with our tribe?" The wind wolf inquired.
"For starters, we can help you deal with the snakes, but not much at the moment since I'm still weak, and assist a little with magic training." I clarified my intentions.
The enemy of my enemy can be my friend or an opportunist... I affirmed hoping to be the former.
"Mhn. Little Tenryuu must have good talent, and plenty human knowledge from what we've heard, but the wind snakes are not easy to handle. They have two pre-divines and other high rankers whereas our tribe leader is the only Rank 10, and following her is just the four of us..." The green wolf spoke making all wolves lower their ears.
Ugh! The serpents will be more annoying than I thought with this tribe is in dire straits lacking high rankers to offset their enemies, though that must frustrate them more than me... I deduced their situation.
"However, Earth 9 will be happy that you stay with her son to oversee his growth, and offer some protection, but mainly from the fire dragon since he's been lucky enough after being close to death too many times for his twenties years of life." The green wolf proposed my uses.
Uh... Where does that leave me? I've been close to death since birth. I retorted before realizing the bothersome assignment. Er, I planned to teach things...not babysitting a spoiled wolf, and I can't stay too long either... I analyzed the job offer that should belong to their kind then turned to the giant head on my left.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked while exchanging stares. "He'll be uncomfortable and uncooperative because of everything I've done, and isn't another wolf better?" I inquired peering into her golden eye.
The golden wolf nodded confirming before replying.
"She was informed of your deeds and thinks you qualify for the task, but even more so willing to impart him some human knowledge. Furthermore, it is not required to get along, and you can punish little Earth with non-lethal magic, but don't interfere with the leadership of the pack beyond pieces of advice, or their mating..." The wind user translated the conditions.
I turned to look the two wolves behind me with a smirk which made them tremble and whine to the golden she-wolf in protest, but she remained adamant, then added something else.
"Earth 9 will also reward you in any way she can after her son shows results." The green wolf spoke while glaring at the she-wolf in discontent.
...I'll get a leash! I affirmed motivated.