Chapter 69
Power Within Power
“Today we have gathered to give a new generation, a chance to obtain the power of the Great One. Through him, we will gain the power to walk the world in its entirety. Through him, we will gain the power to change between the realm of man and beast. Best of all, we are granted the power to walk these lands without fear of corruption, or degradation of our capabilities. For once you gain the essence of the Great One, you will become as him, incorruptible in all aspects,” the serpentine Queen began.
Frank did not know why the serpentine Queen had been given the right to speak over Prentip in this event. Though he figured it had something to do with the consistency of power.
From the way everyone seemed to bow and acquiesce to the serpentine Queen, it was clear that she had a lot of power. Also, her throng of followers were apparently highly respected.
Even the other tribes that had all come from other directions all came to pay homage, and then ultimately supplicated themselves before her.
It was not immediately clear why the other groups came, or why they too had blood to offer, but the others that came also had blood that was meant as a sacrifice. Blood that would be used to strengthen the initial mixture that would be provided to Frank and the others.
Though it was clear, that those that came, also had people wishing to take advantage of the situation. However, it was also clear that because the Serpentine Queen and her retinue arrived first, the others would bow out and let her take the lead.
“We have our first challenge of the night. Broadine of the cobra clan, wishes to challenge Frank the unaffiliated for his measure of blood,” the Serpentine queen began.
“How do you choose to respond Frank? Will you rise to the call of the Great One, or will you prove yourself to be unworthy of his grace?” The Serpentine Queen spat out, all but demanding Frank challenge, lest he be run away from the tribe.
Frank could see this all as one great ploy, and yet he still found himself unable to avoid the future. At least, he couldn’t find a way to avoid this current future that now faced him.
“I accept,” Frank responded, rising up and removing the cloak that Ravena had draped over his shoulders while the fighting area was being prepared.
“Then come forward, and receive the blessing of Blood for your bravery,” the Serpentine Queen began.
At this, the Serpentine Queen held up a clay bowl filled with a thick red liquid that clearly contained blood, among other ingredients.
Fortunately, while they were preparing, Drava had been able to whisper what was happening.
“The material in the bowl is war paint, which will be applied is meant to show off the power already invested by the Great One in the gathered opponents. As the child of the Serpentine Queen, it will be clear to everyone that the Great One prefers her son, and that you are nothing more than an interloper.”
“Okay, but why do I have to go shirtless?” Frank asked, not that he was exactly ashamed of his physique, but other than showing off the much taller frame and more chiseled physique of the challenger, Frank could not understand the purpose for this, unless it was all psychological.
“This way, when the war paint interacts with your body, it will cause the blessings to appear, but don’t worry,” Ravena answered with a quick wink and a smile.
Frank had wanted to ask more, but was quickly ushered out to face this pageantry that would take place before the actual combat.
This was how Frank now found himself standing up and walking forward. For a moment he thought his legs would give out on him, but before they even had a chance to wobble, he felt the strength of the Earth Filling him, strengthening his base and helping him to not falter in his movements.
By comparison, the much taller warrior that strode up from the other side of the slightly elevated stage to stand toe-to-toe with Frank was easily a foot taller, maybe more. It was also clear that, the boy in front of him was older, likely having a year or two more to fill out and gain all the muscle mass that showcased a sculpted body and torso.
While Frank also had muscles on his sturdy frame, he knew his body was not as flashy as the male before him. A male that was clearly either ready to strike out as an Alpha for a pack, or would soon step out to take on the role of an alpha. Worse, the boy was clearly limber, able to sway from side to side with ease and grace.
In a way, Frank felt like the boy was trying to hypnotize him with his movements, the swaying causing the light from the bonfire to shift and sway as he strode forward, and the reflection of the flames rippled and danced across stomach muscles.
With all that, Frank did not falter. He had taken on many bullies in his time, and found that the scariest part, the part that bullies feared the most was getting back up. Frank made it a point to be like the earth, unmoving, undaunting, and only able to be changed over time with constant work and pressure. This was the true way of earth, and it was the quality that Frank now called upon the most.
“Now that you two have gathered, know that this is just a precursor for the blood the victor will soon swallow. By using this ancient remedy, we will show both how much attention the Great One and Greater Spirits have paid to each individual, but we can also all but guarantee the victor based on what is first displayed here,” the Serpentine Queen began.
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Then dipping her long thin fingers into the bowl, she swished her fingers around, and came out with a clump of material. Material that looked like soupy mud and clay that began letting excess liquids pour down her fingers back into the bowl.
With lightning precision and movements, the serpentine queen took the scoop of material and quickly raised it and smeared it across Broadine’s forehead.
There was a pause as a glowing golden light began to appear. The glowing light first surrounded the clump of material, and then began to flow down, over and through Broadine’s face, giving his face a demonic glow. Particularly with the way shadows formed as he smiled and bared his teeth at Frank.
Frank watched, as the golden lights trickled downward and finally gathered over Broadine’s heart, where a vaguely familiar symbol began to appear.
It was vaguely familiar, in that it seemed like one Frank had, but it seemed somehow lesser.
Gasps.
“The mark of the Great One,” people of the audience called out in astonishment.
“Yes, as my son, he has received half of my blessing,” the Serpentine Queen called out excitedly. Thereby declaring herself and her power to those that were gathered.
After seeing the image and hearing that it was somehow half of his mother’s gift, Frank paused and then realized why that symbol looked so familiar. For it was the same symbol that the Dark Warlock had given him. The only difference between the two markings, was first the size, for despite being on a much larger torso, the symbol that appeared was relatively small. Also, there was but one dot, where Frank’s had three.
Seeing the mark clearly defined on her son’s chest, the serpentine Queen all but hissed in satisfaction.
Still holding the pestle of blood, she turned to face Frank and finally asked.
“Do you wish to reveal how much the Great One favors you?” The Serpentine Queen asked.
Hearing the message, it was clear what the Serpentine Queen was asking. Did he want to go through and be embarrassed by having the war paint reveal that the Great One, and other Greater Spirits, as the Serpentine Queen called them, hadn’t even seen him or shown their interest in him in any way.
For a moment, Frank thought about accepting the out. After all, Frank himself wasn’t certain whether this mixture would show his blessings at all. After all, he had gotten the markings from the humans, and did not know if the processes to show those blessings would be different.
Still, there was the tingling sensation of curiosity that was building within Frank. A tingling sensation that wanted to show what he had gone through. A part, a tiny part of him hoped that his markings would show up, and at least get this overly pompous serpent to eat her words, for at least a moment. Then just as he was deciding what to do, he found his eyes searching out and finding Ravena. Ravena for her part was smiling like the wolf who ate the canary. Looking to his left, he saw Drava, who while looking supportive, still had a look of doubt in her face.
Ultimately, it was Drava and that look of fear on her face that caused Frank to decide on what to do.
“Let’s try it,” Frank responded, a faint smile filling his lips as he could all but feel Ravena’s excitement building up within him.
The Serpentine Queen paused and scowled for a moment. Then seeming to come to a wicked idea on her own, she smiled widely, as she took the remainder of the bowl in her hand and poured out its contents, into her palm.
“Never let it be said that I didn’t try to help you,” the Serpentine Queen preened, as she took the remainder of material and smeared it heavily over Frank’s forehead.
For a moment, Frank was ticked, realizing that the Serpentine Queen was clearly up to something. For a moment, he wondered if she had somehow corrupted the mixture, or done something to it.
Only once Frank felt currents of electricity coursing down his body, did he realize what had happened.
WHOA!
The crowd that had gone momentarily quiet at the clear act of disrespect from the Serpentine Queen, suddenly gasped in astonishment, due in no small part to the fact that Frank now glowed.
Having to close his left eye, due to slimy soup like blood pouring into his eye socket, Frank could only mildly look on as he saw a radiance glowing from his own skin.
Worse, Frank could feel the energy flowing down his body, stopping at two nodes on his chest, and one further below that towards his navel.
“What are those?” A girl called out from the audience.
“I don’t know,” a mother replied.
Still the energy was not done, as it seemed to search out his entire body, and then find its way down his left hand and stop as it glowed.
Mentally, Frank knew the spots and could all but feel the energy pooling in each area and what they meant.
Over his chest, he felt the markings for both the Dark Queen and the Dark Warlock form their intricate designs. Further down on his naval he felt the blessing that Dr. Evans had given him, the Greater Mark of Healing. Then on his left hand, he paused, trying to remember what that was, but soon saw and then felt that this was where his Mastery of Earth symbol resided.
Four.
Frank clearly showed not one, but four distinct markings that were on display. Their light, size, and intensity undeniable thanks to the extra helping of war paint that the Serpentine Queen had so arrogantly added.
Silence.
There was a complete silence that befell the audience.
“Isn’t this where the two challengers face the audience?” Wise old Prentip inquired from off to the stage.
“Right,” the Serpentine Queen replied, as she quickly shook herself before calming her mind and seeming to go through the motions of the event. “Challengers, face the audience so that the rewards of conquest can be witnessed for all to see.”
At that prompting, Frank turned and face the crowd. For a moment he felt insecure, as he could feel hundreds of eyes staring at him.
Only looking out to Drava and Ravena calmed him. Drava looked visibly relaxed at what she was now seeing, while Ravena was seeming to rotate her left hand, showcasing the backside.
It took Frank a second to understand what she meant by the gesture, but soon he found himself clinching his fist and revealing the mark of Earth on the backside of his hand. As he let his clenched fist rotate back and forth for the whole crowd to see.
Seeing the marking, Frank wondered if it had somehow moved? It must have, as he didn’t remember that marking being there, as he could have sworn it was originally on the inside of his wrist? Right?
Then quickly dismissing that, Frank figured it was likely something to do with the way the symbols were forced to appear that caused this change in location. Or maybe he somehow changed after he set up his dual circulation networks within his body? Regardless of the reason, he could feel that the three blessings that he previously received now resided over cultivation nodes within his body. As for the element of Earth, he was not clear on its meaning, at least not for the moment.
Glow.
The earthen symbol on his fist glowed brightly. Seeing the brightly lit symbol for earth, Frank was reminded of his dream. The one where he was supposed to go to the backside of the human prison and enter through a door clearly marked with the symbol for earth. He still planned to get there, eventually. It was just that his path had taken an unexpected detour, one that he found that he didn’t quite mind at the moment.
For while he still had a need, not a want, but a deep bone churning need to go to the secret door and see what secrets lay hidden, there were other more pressing concerns that awaited him.
Concerns like the hulking brute next to him.
Turning left, he saw the giant brute who stared at all of his blessings and licked his lips in delight. It was clear that his opponent, this Broadine, was ready to kill him and somehow take Frank’s strength for his own.
This taking of power would no doubt be something Frank would soon find out about, one way or another, but he wouldn’t put it past the groups. For at first, everyone seemed ready to take on Frank as a potential challenger. Now most of those who had gathered had seemed to stop, and stare at Frank with wide-eyed amazement.
Frank didn’t know if this staring was a good thing or not, but soon found he didn’t have time to think, as the Serpentine Queen continued.
“This is your last chance to step down, and accept defeat, and let your opponent go first in the ritual of awakening.” The Serpentine Queen called out.
“Challenged Frank of the vaunted wolf tribe, do you still intend to continue?” The Serpentine Queen asked, her voice seeming to tighten ever so slightly as she continued.
Was that fear? Frank found himself asking.
“Yes,” Frank replied, again relying on the strength of earth to help calm his heart and even out his emotions.
“And as for you Broadine, as the challenger, you too have a chance to leave here now. Though know that by leaving now, you will not be able to awaken at this time,” the Serpentine Queen replied, a note of sadness in her words.
“No, I still choose to challenge,” Broadine declared, as excitement filled his voice. It was clear that there was no doubt about what he expected the outcome of this event to be.
“Then take your places, and prepare to battle to the death,” The Serpentine Queen managed.
With that, Frank soon found himself in an open ring surrounded by hundreds of shapeshifting monsters, where he would be forced to fight to death with an opponent that was older, stronger, and had been trained for this very type of combat from birth, apparently.
Yet, Frank felt calm as he stood and waited for the inevitable to happen next.
“Fighters take your spots,” the Serpentine Queen began.
And like that, Frank’s mind cleared, the world narrowing down around him, until it was just him and his opponent.