-Nefiru's POV-
Looking downstream beyond the main bridge, the Sun rises on a cloudless day with a soft breeze bringing tranquility along with the flowing water, but a crowd noise becomes louder with the arrival of more Wolves. Inside the lair, the serpent that was supposed to be a midnight snack revealed a connection to my past as I once suspected in the early days and probed the caged beast to confirm it.
"Tell me... In the dream, was your leader trapped in a cave with others, then got out years later, and died without knowing what happened?" I questioned the black and green snake.
"...!? HOW--??!" The serpent shouted proving my theory. "...Another Spy?" He accused regaining composure.
"HUNFF! We only need to know the Ranks of your kind." Erina snorted.
*Dsszz...* The beast glared unconvinced.
"A-ah! But I know things you don't." I gloated. "You see... It was humans who released the Serpents, and that's what they ate after coming out, but then... other humans killed them and turned the skins into accessories." I narrated the ironic story.
"H-how... y-you know...?" He asked faltering.
"Because I was one of those people eaten alive. It was an unforgettable experience that affected me through lifetimes, and my killer is here...it might be your Tribe Leader." I disclosed.
The snake's expression changed and froze staring at me like a picture with his conscience in turmoil.
"How does it feel to provide an enemy the motivation to eradicate your Tribe?" I monologued grinning like a villain.
"...The greatest failure..." The serpent uttered and lowered the head.
"This is why spies can't talk... You never know what information is useful to the enemy." I growled lecturing the wolves.
"...Kill me. Kill me already!" He urged moving under the net.
"Despair no further, little snake, for I am a reasonable beast," I reassured.
"R-really?! C-can you not... exterminate my Tribe?" The caged animal requested.
"The fight is inevitable, but we can come to an arrangement. Isn't that why you talked?" I offered.
"Yesss..." He replied.
"You'll make a deal with it?!!" Erina questioned. "He's desperate! He can't report back..." The golden she-wolf opposed.
"Umm... Nefi hardly lies and always have a reason..." Shaila rebuked.
"I'm a Beast. My first priority is survival, and revenge second--" I declared.
"Ehem!" The girl loudly interrupted.
"--Third." I corrected. "So, knowing about my current enemy is more important than the past." I clarified.
"What... do you need?" The serpent asked with hope showing in its eyes.
"...To sacrifice in your leader's place and let me swallow you alive for the suffering that I experienced." I spoke a term.
"...I can... try... A failure like me... can be useful..." The trapped beast accepted.
"That's pointless. Just an indulgence..." Erina disapproved.
"Don't befriend them!" Raging wind reproved.
"What does Shimmer think?" Lightwater asked the girl resting on his paws.
"I think Nefi wants a Martyr..." The white-haired girl pondered. "Ah, umm... Knowing they won't get exterminated because of an agreement could lower morale, and reduce casualties on both sides." She growled.
A Snake Jesus... I retorted.
"Of course! A cornered Beast will fight back to the last breath, but hope can pacify them..." The golden she-wolf analyzed.
"I'm-I'm NightGlimpse... Son of NightDazzle. I'll give you names... descriptions to convince..." The prisoner introduced.
"Okay, but I'm gonna need information on the hibernating place of high ranks," I demanded.
"Ssszz..." He stalled.
"Alright, I promise to conquer your Tribe with the least casualties possible and treat well those who surrender." I gave my word.
"Acceptable..." The serpent approved. "The caves... at the coast." He revealed.
Ugh... Lava tunnels? These are cautious Snakes... there's probably more than one exit and possibly under the ocean. How troublesome... I conjectured.
"That's it?!! Should we have Dark 8 properly interrogate it?" Erina suggested.
"..." The serpent was bothered and listed a dozen names of reasonable beasts in their tribe.
"That's more useful..." Erina consented and opened the metallic net holding the snake.
*Klrash! Sssrshhh...* The beast almost a foot in diameter slithered out and waited resolutely. *Schuak! HAH... Drip...* I slowly open my maw displaying sharp teeth that could pierce steel and a thick, sticky drool trickles down before being blown by the hot breath forming puddles on the stone floor.
"I wish a better life..." NightGlimpse said and slowly slithered inside my mouth.
*Ssshluuueeerkk! Slurp! Chhhlup!* The serpent slid down my throat and coiled in my stomach.
Ohhh ho ho ho! That feels sooo gooood~ I elated on the sensations for a minute.
"Hey... Won't that Serpent get dissolved alive before suffocating?" Lightwater asked.
"And can produce air..." The green wolf affirmed.
"...It even sounds painful." Midas asserted.
"It is... I've been in there..." Shaila disclosed in growls.
"The Dragon has issues... But I can't believe he got a beast willingly eaten." Raging wind remarked.
"The serpent heard everything we talked and realized his tribe was doomed either way..." Erina announced.
"Honestly, I didn't expect a sacrifice from them." I exposed.
"Sacrifices are neccessary." Midas declared.
"Not always. And you have to make it count because every ally is a probability and possibility to win. Decrease them needlessly, and you shall taste defeat." I lectured.
"...This is about how I handle my pack, isn't it?" He reproached.
"You lost most of it, didn't you?" I reaffirmed.
""Wuk!"" The Alpha couple grimaced.
"Although the same goes for all packs. Know each other's affinities, practice more and consider several scenarios." I mandate.
"Hruff! As if you can do better." The green wolf snorted.
"I have commanded large groups to accomplish difficult tasks." I derided.
As a Gamer though. I affirmed.
"...Mate, I don't like having a Dragon looking down on my Alpha position." The golden wolf announced motivated and got up. "Let's meet up with the others. We have much to do." He said walking outside and going south.
"And so, our simple lives ended. Fuuu..." The she-wolf commented defeated.
I turned to the front and noticed Erina pleasantly smirking.
"Go on..." She urged pushing with her muzzle.
I walk outside the Lair and my steps slow down as a large number of wolves of different sizes and colors lined up on the river shore register in my brain.
...Ehh!? I stopped on the platform astonished at the surreal scene. What the... fuck? I swore baffled before scanning the surroundings and roughly counting. Woah... There's two thousand!! I estimated watching more wolves arriving over the river banks.
"SO MANY!" I shouted awed and caught the attention of many beasts.
Guhh... It's unnerving being stared by so many beasts... I cringed under the gazes.
"HU HU... Glad you're impressed." Erina mused arriving on my left. "It's alright..." She noticed my insecurity and assured. "Stand proudly. Lift that tail and wag it slowly." The she-wolf encouraged next to my ear.
"It's... Um... my first time seeing these many giant Wolves... counting fiction," I affirmed and complied.
"HUum... There's actually more, but not all can come to the Tribe meeting." She said pointing towards new arrivals.
"Ah... It's a big territory..." I deduced with my jaws slightly open showing my teeth.
The thousands of giant wolves of all affinities quiet down and turn our way as three beasts standing over the others cross the bridge in a line towards our platform.
"Realm Dragon... You look well--HUP!" Wind 8 greeted and jumped on top of the Dome using wind magic. *WHOoosh! THUMP!*
"Yep. As if my wounds were a lie." I confirmed nodding, then turned to the other visitors.
"Draagoooonnn! How ya feeling?" Dark 9 happily saluted.
"Better than ever. No exaggeration." I replied. "And you are in a good mood too." I asserted.
"Oh, yes... It took days to find her..." The darkness user said with a smirk and looked north. "See that female by the bridge?" He pointed at a high-rank earth user looking at us. "She's my most distant relative." He asked my opinion.
"I'm impressed... And also, for doing a census on your whole tribe to find a mating partner." I commended.
"Of course! I won't skip mating seasons like a certain beast..." He insinuated looking at Erina.
"Not anymore. I will seek partners again." The golden she-wolf declared.
""WUO!!? REALLY?!"" The elders barked shocked.
"Yes. But preferably from other Tribes. How goes the envoy project?" She clarified and asked.
"It's going well. The first group can go to the southern Tribe before winter ends." The wind user reported.
"Good. Males won't refuse a call to mate..." The she-wolf affirmed.
"...Why start now?" Dark 9 inquired.
"For his sake, and our declining tribe, I've decided..." She replied gazing at me.
"Seems cruel using children..." I said looking at the smaller beasts struggling to take a peek under the larger beasts.
"Who isn't thankful for living?" The she-wolf questioned and turned to the river shores. "These ungrateful pups trying to leave think it's better outside these lands but always come crawling back... What disappointments!" Erina said loudly.
""Wuuk...!"" Some of the beasts who heard lowered their ears in shame.
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"Our Divine Father said this land is worth fighting for, and he was right. Even the Tribes beyond the territories surrounding us have problems of their own, and some much harsher conditions. We can only fight to survive--HERE!" She declared.
The murmurs increased as different packs discuss between them everything we say or do.
"You seem determined... What happened?!" The larger black wolf asked.
"A lot... But it's NOISY!" She barked bothered.
"I'm on it." The wind user made a sound barrier.
"...Is it safe to discuss?" The golden wolf asked confirmation.
"Yes. The Divine probed recently and hasn't noticed this gathering, so we have a while..." Dark 9 informed and gave way for the black she-wolf to arrive.
"HOU... Your body changed... improved?" Dark 8 appraised me. "I heard you suffered quite a bit fighting with a broken body. I wish I could be there to see that despair~" She fantasized.
"Uhh... Yes. But that's not even close to the worst thing that happened to me." I announced.
"...!? There's more?" She questioned as the others perk their ears.
"Can you imagine something worse than death or torture?'" I asked the black wolf on the right.
"...No." She replied lowering the ears.
"He discovered something so terrible that went out of control in a rage and almost lost him for good," Erina interjected.
"Ah~ That beautiful moment when a beast monsterfies..." Dark 8 reminisced.
"Worry not, Dragon, just immerse yourself in pleasure and forget aaaall problems." Dark 9 advised nudging me.
"Is that why he's like that?" Wind 8 asked about my appearance.
"Precisely. Only, instead of negative side-effects, it had unimaginable benefits." The golden she-wolf responded.
"Wuh? Like what?" Dark 9 questioned scanning my body.
"This light show is Lightning Elementals replicating Magic arts by themselves," I revealed.
""WHAT?!"" The new arrivals blurted.
"Are you messing with us?" Wind 8 questioned.
"Nope. At the moment, there are four Magic processes running autonomously. I can cancel three of them to execute new ones, though the elementals prefer these for some reason." I elaborated thinking of a default setting.
""..."" The wolves silently look at each other for a few seconds.
"I've never heard about such absurdity." The largest black wolf remarked upset.
"Me neither. But he has shown us how little we know of the world--of anything." Erina reaffirmed.
"HM... It's like Elementals rampaged and somehow, he gained control of that state." Dark 8 surmised.
"And that's what we'll tell others. But it's actually more complicated..." The golden she-wolf dictated.
"...We are not used to so many secrets. Fuu.." The wind user commented and sighed.
"I feel the same. Part of me wants to know while instincts tell me it's dangerous..." The smaller black wolf agreed.
"How much can they imitate?" Dark 9 demanded.
"The replication limit is my own capabilities to multitask. So, I can't grow lazy and complacent." I replied after recalling the previous experiments.
"...GRRR! I want to bite you!" Dark 9 snarled.
"And I'll--electrocute your nuts--AGAIN!" I shouted making the darkness beast flinch.
"Hyek!" The black wolf tucked the tail between his legs and expanded the Magic to repel mine.
"Haha! Fell for it, idiot. Idiooot!" I mocked gathering magic near my neck.
"GRRR! Why you--" Dark 9 growled and lashed at my neck as predicted.
*CRUNCH! Crack! Crack!* He bit down a block of ice that quickly expanded and compressed as his fangs entered.
"Wuoh!?" He uttered confused when a force pushed from above.
*Swooon!-BAAM!* I used magnetism on the ice block to repel it while swinging my tail at his left eye. *Swooosh--!* The sharp metal spike stopped in front of the beast's eye before he retracted by reflex.
"Aaaand you died." I declared.
"GRRRL!" He growled with a block of ice stuck in his mouth. "Weg-it uff!" He said shaking off the ice stuck to his snout.
"You can block my Magic energy but Lightning making contact can fry your brain..." I informed and released the icy structure.
*CRUNCH! Crunch!...* The wolf chewed the ice and swallowed.
"WUuugghh... You humiliated me in front of the tribe and my new partner..." He sulked and slumped on the edge of the platform looking at the water. *Flop!*
"Hey, heeey... come on. You know, I like you, right?" I comforted nudging him.
"Go away. I'm mad. If somebeast else pulled that off, I would kill them! HRUFF!" He said and scoffed before Dark 8 stepped on his tail. "ARGH! What are you--?" He turned back complaining.
"Kicking the Beast when its down. You showed weakness...we should eat you." She casually replied.
"GWROURL..." Dark 9 grunted and yanked his tail. *Swiip!*
"HUum... The Dragon must've planned to dominate you in front of the tribe." Erina disclosed.
"Agh! This damn dog!" I insulted.
"HU HU... I've been a baaad wolf~" She said jubilantly.
"WH--? YOU FOX!!" Dark 9 barked at me.
"Sorry buddy, but I need to be taken seriously and I'm nervous..." I said avoiding the piercing stares.
"I wasn't serious!" He protested.
"No matter. You won't keep Rank superiority for long. Though my treatment won't change..." I declared avoiding a bite.
"Stop whining like a pup. The Dragon did what's necessary to earn respect and take charge... Besides, he will indeed surpass us with that new ability... Even I got mad about it..." Erina rebuked.
"Wuo? You did?" He questioned surprised and lowered the ears. "I-I understand... For the good of the Tribe..." The darkness beast resolved and bowed to me briefly.
The wolves around us showed agitation and confusion after witnessing the act of respect.
This is... embarrassing. I thought feeling guilty.
"HOU... You can pass us with enough resources?" Dark 8 said walking closer.
"Yeah... But I can't wait long. I need access to the Mana vein as soon as possible." I hurried.
"Which brings you all here. Dark 9 hasn't shown us aaaany progress with Tribe Leader, so we'll have to overthrow her." Erina declared making them pause.
"...Mother won't take this betrayal well. We could get beaten near death or--" The sulky wolf spoke up after a moment.
"Or killed..." Erina finished the sentence. "I know. But we also have learned new tricks thanks to the dragon." She added.
"Still... She's a pre-Divine..." Wind 8 commented unsurely.
"...How surprising... risking your life for a little Dragon born yesterday. He might be like a brother to me...but it feels wrong bowing our heads so easily and going against Mother when we didn't yield to a Divine!" Dark 9 admonished.
"It's not about my current greatness. Erina saw my potential..." I interrupted.
"HU HU... My instincts weren't wrong! And what is a Divine when his enemy is a powerful Demigod?" The earthen wolf dropped the bomb.
""WUO!!?"" The elders barked and shivered.
"O-our Tribe c-could get... erased." Dark 9 stuttered.
"Our Tribe IS slowly being erased." Erina countered and pointed at the gathering beasts with her muzzle. "Look at how many high rankers we have left...is it because they went to other lands? What have we accomplished in nearly a thousand years? Feed other Beasts! We must trive and with the Dragon, we CAN!" She declared.
"HOU! That's what made you despair... That Demigod received knowledge from you much like us, right?" Dark 8 realized and asked.
"Indeed. That bastard has been using me for the past thousand years to become stronger!" I announced snarling.
"Th-thousand years!?" The large black wolf stammered.
"Yes. I was... a renown Divine at the peak of my existence around the time your Tribe was founded. I contributed to many things, helped Beasts and people alike...even the world was named after me, yet why did I die alone? Why didn't I have powerful allies like my enemy? It is regretful wasting such lifetime..." I described looking down at the water.
""..."" The beasts keep quiet as I continued.
"I always lamented not meeting more of my kind, and associating with prey isn't what a Dragon does. Ha ha... But I understand now... it's not about what I wanted...it's about what I needed. My enemies won't be looking for me among wolves and this Tribe has all I require from trustworthy allies, Elemental sources, and a Mana vein to grow." I affirmed.
"Draagoooonnn! I won't be mad at you anymore..." Dark 9 cheered and placed his large head on mine.
"Omph!" I got pushed to the ground. "Get off! You big sentimental dog!" I protested struggling to pull my head.
"And even the Lightning elementals are your allies now." Dark 8 commented stepping on my tail.
"Luck is on your side in this lifetime." Erina encouraged.
I certainly hope so... I asserted and pushed the giant head with my paws.
"Nnngg--GAH!" I got my head out and over the black muzzle. "I got you now!" I gloated and froze his fur to the stone.
"A futile attempt." He derided and used microwaves to melt the ice.
*Shrisshhh!* The water evaporated and was carried by the wind.
"Oh, yeah? Take this!" I said and altered the electron balance in the coat and the air around.
*POOF!* All the hairs on the darkness beast abruptly stood on end from static.
"Buahaha! You look hilarious!" I poke fun.
"Wuoh? This feels weird... But I look more menacing-- GRRUAF!" He barked opening wide.
I was about to use magic again when Erina intervened.
"That's enough! Stop wasting Mana." She rebuked.
""Yes..."" We acknowledged and laid down.
"At least they are calmer now," I said and extended my magic in the river to replenish.
"Yes..." Dark 9 muttered gazing over the onlookers. "Well, then... What will you do if we take over the Mana vein?" He questioned.
"Oh, uhh... I'll get Mid-Rank 6, then go for the next Soul stage, and become Rank 7 until the Spiritual benefit of Elemental Magnetism greatly diminishes." I informed.
"Hahh... It's upsetting how easy you see it..." The dark wolf muttered.
"He was a Divine before." Erina reaffirmed.
"How does that even work?" The wolf on my right retorted.
"Complicated. But there's something you all should know related to that." Erina brushed it off and announced. "It's highly possible that our Father wasn't erased." She revealed.
""WHAT!?"" The wolves barked in surprise.
"Of course, we'll probably never find him, but he might be living a normal life somewhere..." She kindly said trailing off.
"That's--" Dark 9 uttered and closed his eyes.
The three stayed silent without moving for a few minutes until the black furball spoke.
"...You better have a good plan for our Tribe." Dark 9 demanded.
"I need more info but there are things we should improve as soon as possible. Starting by calling back the troublemakers and assign tasks to keep them all busy. Those below Rank 6 will do things like building walls, holes, traps, and waterways to improve the food sources and protection. Next, divide everyone over Rank 6 by their Affinities to receive suitable lessons on certain days." I instructed.
"HUum... Increasing combat potential is a priority, but it's best to divide the whole Tribe by affinities, and have those over Rank 6 teach the lower ranks in their free time." The golden she-wolf proposed.
"That's better, yes." I approved. "And how is the reward and punishment handled?" I inquired.
"Those who do nothing, eat nothing. Those who birth high ranks, get the best territories. Those who betray the tribe, get eaten and minor offenses are judged by the pack." The golden beast explained.
"Speak for yourself. Those who fail me are experimented on the head with darkness, and depending on the severity ...until they piss in horror or their minds break." Dark 8 announced. "Did you know absorbing Lightning particles in the head makes them do funny things?" She added.
"Uhh... Harsh, and torture... You should meet Alphonse..." I retorted.
"Who's that?" She curiously asked.
"A Rank 6 darkness human," Erina replied.
"He can help you develop your, um, talents in espionage," I explained.
"If you say so..." She said unconvinced.
"Okay, so, we need to improve food reward for those who show progress or accomplish tasks. Then, sometimes, randomly bestow them Mana crystals or a daily spot near the vein, but more often to those over Rank 5 to keep them motivated." I elaborated further.
"Strange method..." The green wolf interjected.
"We have to stay on the defensive until the combat force reaches a certain point, and then, neutralize enemies one by one, starting with the serpents." I dictate the priorities.
Unfortunately, there's no miracle drug to boost Rank and I can't dedicate as much time as with Shaila, so this will take a while. I affirmed.
"An all-out war with the serpents?! But the foxes will use that opportunity to invade!" Dark 9 disapproved.
"I would be disappointed if they don't after preparing for such an obvious move." I rolled my eyes saying.
"Ah! They won't suspect any traps from predictable wolves... I like the way you think." Dark 8 praised.
"In any case, the Snakes are a more pressing matter." I continue the topic.
"They are not the ones trying to invade though." Wind 8 countered.
"I get the history with foxes, but Serpents do a lot of damage already, and being naturally good at sneaky attacks, stealing food and eating the young could get worse... Moreover, we can't let their pre-Divines ascend, but luckily, they are few in numbers and don't have a Mana vein." I elaborated.
"We also captured a spy of theirs recently and told us their location..." Erina interjected.
"Is that true? Where is it?" Dark 8 asked getting closer.
I turn right showing my undulating belly from the snake struggling inside my stomach as the acid continues to melt the lower body.
*Shruasshh! Kishhhh! Ugyaaa!* The beast cries intensify with every passing minute.
"Oh... It looked odd..." The darkness she-wolf said and lowered her head. "Ooooh! What beautiful sounds of suffering it's making!" She praised with her left ear pressed on my belly.
"Yes, he volunteered with a condition..." I announced. "You can kill it if you want." I offered.
"Don't mind if I do~" The darkness wolf said and injected her magic in my stomach.
"Oh, one last thing. We should expand the territory all the way to human lands and secure a road." I proposed looking south.
"Ah, to use them as a food supply." Dark 9 assumed.
"...Oii! We need allies to trade with, not enemies!" I rebuked. "There are pastures here for cattle and it could take care of Father eating your young..." I explained.
"Mhm... It's worth a try." The green wolf laying down on top of the dome approved.
"...At least IS a plan." Dark 9 reviewed.
"I'm eager for the future~" Dark 8 said tormenting the snake.
"Go on... Talk to them." Erina nudged me saying.
"Erm... A-a speech?" I stuttered unsure what to say.
"Keep it simple. Define your position and intentions. I'll amplify the sound." Wind 8 offered.
"Alright but I would like to change my name." I requested.
""Again!?"" They complained.
"Stop being lazy! Invent growls..." I demanded.
I trace my gaze over all present while the wolves come up with my name only recognizable by them and remove the sound barrier blocking the commotion.
"SILENCE!" I shouted and the noise quiets down. "Greetings, Black Wolf Tribe. Many of you know me as Realm Dragon, but henceforth as 'Nefiru.'" I introduced in growls. "...I have been an advisor of the Elders, and many have already benefitted from my basic teachings..." I said and let them identify. "However, we have concluded that the Tribe will perish within a few years at this rate, and there's nowhere else to go," I announced.
The wolves were shocked at first, then became confused and fixed their eyes waiting for me to continue.
"WHY? We are holding back the foxes..." A high-ranked Wind user amplified his voice asking.
"Well, unlike the Foxes, you guys are losing more High-Ranked than they are produced because the Mana vein is greatly misused, and your Tribe Leader is stubbornly uncooperative. BUT even if she does become a Divine, it'll change nothing, and the Foxes have yet to hire external help... The Divine Firefox's pride is the only thing keeping him from conquering this Tribe in DAYS!" I declared.
"You are turning them on Mother..." Dark 9 grumbled in low growls.
"Don't worry. I don't want your mother to die either..." I said in Stilus.
Though killing her would be so much easier... Just seal the tunnel, flood it or pump sleeping gas, and call it a day, but noooo... We have to do it the hard way... I contemplated.
The beasts present discussed their future alarmed and once again looked at me for answers.
"Your Elders understand this and will risk their lives going against your Tribe leader to secure that position or her cooperation," I announced.
The crowd looked at the large wolves around me for confirmation and they nodded in consent.
"With the Mana vein in our possession and precious knowledge which can even help a Demigod, this Tribe will PROSPER! I'll present you all the opportunity to reach greater heights that not even a Divine can offer." I promised and gave them a moment. "What say, you, Black Wolf Tribe?" I ask for an answer.
""WhoooOOOOooOOO..."" They loudly howled approving.
"Good answer." I praised. "However, should the Elders fail to subdue your tribe leader, I'm gonna need all the high rankers present here to help me..." I briefed my backup plan to the hundred plus beasts.
"B-but Dragon, a pre-Divine can kill many of us with little effort..." Another high-ranked Wind user expressed their concern.
"FEAR NOT!" I shouted to make them silent. "I don't need disposable pawns to win a single battle. I will nurture soldiers that survive a battle and fight in the next... So, entrust your lives to me!" I commanded.