Ximi recognized Argo’s voice.

Before the Draco and Evelyn, Ximi always thought that Argo would be his greatest foe.

While Ximi was the chosen champion, Argo was the immensely close second. Their strength was equal and so was their speed. They only differed in talent and skill.

He always thought that Argo would respect him but after hearing the second-place berserker’s roar, Ximi knew that Argo wanted to kill him and was even willing to call on the entire tribe’s strength.

Ximi snorted, something he noticed the Draco frequently did when it was amused. He then roars, silencing the meeting.

Fortunately for Argo, Ximi did not want to kill any of the tribe members. While the tribe was terrified of Ximi, he did not intend to harm them. He knew that with his newfound strength and abilities, he could not only protect them but also elevate them to a higher level.

In addition to his new strength, he felt more intelligent. While not on the level of a human, Ximi’s mind has become incredibly sharper after the fight with the Draco. He also gained new insights on how to fight due to Evelyn. He didn’t need to rely only on his fists.

With the knowledge he gained, Ximi was confident that he could teach his tribe how to become a more prominent species in the forest.

But of course, the ones that want power will do anything to claim it and the ones that have power will do everything to keep it.

Once Ximi was in front of the tribe, the elders seemed to regain some of their vigors as if Ximi wasn’t an evolved berserker ape. They roared at the giant ape, expecting him to back down and give them respect.

But Ximi did not bend. He stood tall and stared down at the raging elders.

At first, the three elders continued to roar and shout at Ximi, scolding him for his impudence and lack of respect but one of the elders noticed just how much larger Ximi has become. Berserker apes were large creatures. They were exceptionally large even when compared to the silverback gorillas on Earth.

Ximi was a gargantuan beast even when compared to the largest of the berserker apes.

This silenced one of the three elders. Two of them continued to shout, oblivious to their silent peer.

Then the elder at the center noticed that the elder beside him was both trembling and silent. Losing some of his steam, the middle elder takes a good look at Ximi.

Ximi was still a berserker ape, that much was true, but he was different enough so much so that he could be considered a different species. His evolved frame dwarfed Argo’s body, which surpassed the average berserker ape size. In addition to his larger size, Ximi’s fur was a bit greenish, unlike the dark brown fur of unevolved berserker apes.

It was a type of color that blended well with the forest. With this new evolution, Ximi could make use of the impossibly large trees to camouflage himself.

While Ximi’s size was terrifying, the ability to camouflage terrified the middle elder who was used to hunting in noisy and showy ways. If Ximi’s tribe managed to evolve in the same way, they would be able to hunt more efficiently, increasing their food stores.

The last elder was still roaring, unaware that both of his peers have seen the benefits of Ximi’s new form and had reluctantly accepted it.

Argo cautiously glared at Ximi. Before Ximi was given the glorious privilege to slay the Draco, Argo was supposed to be the one to go there. Of the two warriors, Argo was the older one. He was more experienced and skilled compared to Ximi but Ximi was far more talented. With his talent, Ximi was able to close the gap between him and Argo. The two had a brutal fight that Ximi barely won.

Ever since he was defeated, Argo nursed a grudge. This grudge became even more pronounced considering that he and Ximi were basically equal.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Spurred on by the last elder’s roaring and a deep grudge, Argo roars.

Ximi’s eyes widen in shock when he hears Argo’s challenge. He knew that Argo was angry with the results of their previous fight but this challenge was nonsensical. There was no way Argo could defeat him.

Why did he still issue a challenge?

Ximi looked into Argo’s eyes. He saw a misplaced determination that was going to get the experienced warrior killed. Trying to formulate his thoughts, Ximi was distracted by the last elder’s anger-fueled screaming.

Turning to the last elder, Ximi bares his teeth, unconsciously releasing a powerful aura, shocking the elder into submission.

Once the last elder was silent, Ximi turned to Argo.

Argo gripped his fists, prepared to attack. He waited for Ximi to accept his challenge. But Ximi’s response wasn’t what he expected.

Ximi turned to his tribe and spoke in a manner only they could understand. With a light roar, devoid of aggression, Ximi told his kin that the need for fighting is no longer needed.

Argo’s face crunches in confusion. If this was before the Draco, Ximi would have gladly charged him.

The last elder understands Ximi’s roar and roars back. It claimed that Ximi was wrong and that their tribe was only able to become so strong because of their strength.

Ximi calmly looked at the last elder with a peaceful look. He then explains that the culture of strength that they pursued was because they were always lacking in food for fear of offending the Draco but now, Ximi’s evolution would allow them to hunt more food. In addition, if more of the tribe were to evolve like him, even the Draco would feel fear.

The last elder roared back, claiming that while Ximi has evolved, it didn’t mean that the Draco wouldn’t evolve. They still needed to become stronger. Because of the Draco’s strength, it was able to claim an immensely large territory which limited the food source of the berserker apes because they were not able to stimulate the land to evolve. Their diet mostly consisted of fruits and mushrooms. Meat was considered to be a delicacy and to only be eaten in times of celebration.

Ximi felt a bit stumped by that. He wanted to avoid the previous brutish culture of just bashing each other’s heads until you become stronger but at the same time, it was the only way they were able to survive.

The last elder took Ximi’s silence as a sign of defeat and he continues to roar even more.

Ximi’s mind suddenly thought of the nearby forests that weren’t part of the Draco’s domain.

With a single roar, Ximi silences the tribe with dreams of expansion. With his new immense strength, Ximi intended to lead the charge against the unknown. He would keep his tribemates safe.

The last elder looks at the other tribemates and then back at Ximi. He replies with a quiet voice that their tribe is not strong enough to conquer the forests. Ximi shakes his head. He reaffirms that his new strength is capable of protecting the tribe. It may not be enough against the Draco but the tribe is meant to conquer the outer forest, not the inner ones.

Before anyone could counter his argument, Ximi grabs a nearby tree trunk with both hands. The tribe silently watches what the evolved berserker ape is doing. With a powerful grunt, Ximi exerts his muscles, crushing a part of the tree trunk. With a scream, Ximi reaffirms again that he was strong, immensely stronger than before.

Feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins, Ximi strikes a nearby boulder, creating a large crack in the center, shocking the berserker apes. Finally managing to fully catch the attention of all his tribemates, Ximi explains that with his strength they will be able to step out of the forest without fear.

He will go out and hunt for food. With new hunting grounds, the tribe can afford to bear more offspring and keep themselves healthy and fed.

The nursemothers looked at Ximi with desire. The juveniles looked at him with respect. The warriors looked despondent. With Ximi as the singular head of the tribe, they would have no chance to impress their females.

Ximi saw his brothers and immediately knew that these were their thoughts. He roars at them, claiming he has not forgotten his fellow warriors.

The warriors looked ashamed as they tried to hide their blatant discontent and desire. They knew that might was right and only the strong had the right to the females. It was tradition for the strong to procreate and the weak to perish.

But after seeing Evelyn’s baffling way of fighting, Ximi realized that there were other forms of strength. They could branch out and develop. They could evolve into a more incredible species by doing this.

Ximi tells everyone that everyone can become just like him and become strong. With him ruling them, no one will be abandoned because they’re weak in one regard. Everyone will have the opportunity to show off their strengths.

Remembering how Evelyn saved him, Ximi felt correct in his actions. She didn’t need to save him but she still did. Sure, Ximi was a useful shield against the Draco but he felt that Evelyn would have done fine even without him.

Ximi finishes his impassioned speech by communicating that he will lead the berserker apes into a glorious period where none of them are left behind. Their failure does not mean death but lessons for all of them. He promises that while they will fail together, they will also succeed together.

Then there was silence. Ximi held his breath as he watched his tribe absorb his speech.

The last elder seemed to simmer. He wanted to roar but knew now was not the time.

The fate of their tribe was entirely up to the decision of the collective.

Argo looked at Ximi. Feeling the weight of the words of his rival, he looks at his hands. They were large and powerful but after seeing XImi’s strength, he knew that this didn’t matter against the Draco.

The last elder was feeling the tension rise from the other members of the tribe. If there was a time to seize the moment, it was now but before the last elder could roar, Argo screeches first.

He shall follow the champion. Argo will follow Ximi.

The last elder was about to silence him but the nursemothers, warriors, hunters, gatherers, juveniles, and even the younglings roared.

They will follow the champion. They will follow Ximi.

The tribe started to chant in unison.

The two quiet elders looked at each other. They started to chant as well.

The last elder glared at his peers with a betrayed look.

Seeing his people cheer him on, Ximi raises his arm and releases a powerful roar which the others quickly imitate.

The roars fuse into a collective power that stirs up ancient and powerful entities that live in Teremarae.