“There is nothing we can do about it,” said Carl as he thumped Wulfric on the back.
“It is foolish to split up and go our separate ways. Do they really think that an ocean will stop the demigods? It will only give us more time to prepare for the future. There is no telling what they will find at the two coastal cities or if they will even be allowed to join them,” said Wulfric as he stared at the backs of the grand elders who exited the tent.
“I know. You don't need to convince me. It would be smarter to solidify our base of operations before conducting diplomacy with the other clans. If you look on the bright side of this they will be able to warn the clans and raise their awareness of the Demigods. So that they can take precautions for the future...hopefully.”
“Seoc, Àaron, I'm sorry for dragging both of you and your clans into this,” said Wulfric as he turned to the only two remaining Grand elders that had decided to stay with Wulfric and Carl.
“The Longtail clan has long been a friend of both of the moon clans. We were one of the first to join the first Hero Akira when he called for all the clans to join against the Demigods. I see no reason why we should ignore all the warning signs that everyone else has forgotten or brush off as not their problem anymore. Although we are one of the smaller clans in the earth tribe I hope you will accept us as part of the new coalition to protect the future of the Earth tribe,” said Seoc.
“Don't forget about me. The Madmane clan was also one of the first to join the Great warrior hero Akira. Some say that the warriors of the Madmane are quite mad or even insane but we are just very passionate when it comes to fighting. I hope you will allow us to fight alongside your grandson and kill all the demigods that come our way!” said Àaron.
“You meatheads are too passionate. That's why you have always stayed as a small clan. If you calmed down you could have been a medium-sized clan by now,” said Seoc.
“Speaking of losses, how did both of your clans fare in the war?” asked Wulfric.
“The Madmane only suffered a few losses. Unlike Tormoid who lost many warriors due to their reliance on large numbers of low skilled warriors. Every Madmane warrior is trained as soon as he can hold a sword along with our special hell training and weightlifting. You should know that our clan specializes in elite heavy shock troops with more of a focus on dealing damage.”
“Yes, I fought alongside several warriors of the Madmane clan during the second and third great wars. Each and every one of the warriors were very courageous and full of strength. The strength needed to be able to run around in such heavy armor for several hours is no laughing matter,” said Wulfric.
“They're still just a bunch of meatheads, as for our clan, we only suffered a few deaths as well,” said Seoc.
“That's because you are a bunch of dancing fairies that never stay put and always run away, unlike us front-line warriors that face the enemy head-on,” said Àaron.
“You know that our clan specializes in scouting and skirmishing tactics. Our clan's warriors can 'dance' circles around you for hours without you being able to do anything,” said Seoc.
“I doubt it.”
“Alright, alright, no need to get in a fight over who is better. Both of your clans provide different things that are needed for fighting an enemy,” said Carl.
“This coalition is already well fit to be together with the elite shock troops, scouts and the warriors from our moon clans. We should have no problem facing whatever is ahead of us as we look for a new place to call home,” said Wulfric.
“Well said,” said Seoc.
“I couldn't agree more,” said Àaron.
“Carl, this may be too much to ask but I would like for both of our clans to join together and once again become one clan as it was in the past,” said Wulfric.
“I have no problem with it but I will have to talk to the elders of the red moon and see what they think since this is not a decision I can make by myself,” said Carl.
“Get back to me when they have decided. For now, everyone must make sure they are prepared for the long search ahead of us. I am not sure how long it will be until Burkin is finished with his duties in the city so we shouldn't slack off and be ready to leave as soon as he comes to us,” said Wulfric.
***
The gathered Earth tribe split into three with Tormoid intending to lead his faction to the west city and Dùghall leading his faction to the east city.
They left on six of the ships that had brought them to the new continent without saying a word to those staying behind. They thought those who were staying behind were idiots that were just begging for punishment.
There were still four ships left for remaining clans to use if they needed them. Each one only had a skeleton crew that also included a shaman who could receive orders from the grand elders. The number of sailors was only enough to take care of the ships and move them to wherever the grand elders decided they needed to go.
***
Several days had passed since the departure of the other clans.
Akira and his fellow companions sat around the fire in his tent trying to stay warm after completing a short patrol of the camp.
“This place feels so empty,” said Chack as he huddled in his multiple layers of fur coats.
“That's to be expected, with all the other clans gone there is a lot of unoccupied space now,” said Klyn as he wiped his glasses to clear the moisture from them.
“Did the clans decide yet on whether or not to join together?” asked Mileena as she laid her head on Akira's shoulder.
“They did. Both clans decided to join together once again. We are now the Dark moon clan once more. The Blue moon clan has become the main branch and the Red moon will be the outer branch as it was in the past. With our combined strength we are just as strong as any of the other three large clans,” said Akira as he turned his head and blew into one of her furry ears, causing it to twitch furiously.
“Ah! That tickles!” said Mileena as she moved her head away and flicked Akira on the lips before returning her head to his shoulder.
Akira took pleasure in torturing her several more times by blowing into or rubbing her ears, making them twitch along with her tail swishing back and forth. They both ignored the other people in the tent as they flirted.
Then Azura entered the tent.
“Ahem...Big brother would stop being so shameless. You're making other people uncomfortable. I'm sorry that I have to interrupt your happy time but grandfather wants to talk with you,” said Azura.
“Alright, I'll be there in a second,” said Akira.
“He wants to talk to you now,” said Azura as she walked over and dragged Akira out of his seat and Mileena's embrace.
***
“I need you to go find Burkin and see if he has finished yet. The elders are getting a bit antsy waiting as it has already been a week,” said Wulfric.
“I'll go right away,” said Akira.
“Ardolf and a few others are waiting for you at the camp entrance,” said Wulfric.
“I'll go as well,” said Azura.
“No, you will stay here and help me,” said Wulfric.
Akira left the tent while Azura started to voice several unsatisfied complaints to Wulfric.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“You're finally here!” said Ardolf when Akira arrived.
“This place will take some getting used to,” said Dolph as he rolled the snow into a ball and threw it at one of the hills.
“Cold,” was all that Vilkas said as he kicked the snow in front of him.
Akira was surprised to see several familiar faces that would be accompanying him to the city.
“Let's go,” said Ardolf as he plowed through the fresh white snow covering the ground.
***
“Burkin, are you finished with whatever it was you needed to do?” asked Akira as he took a sip of warmed wine at one of the empty tables in the quiet Snow owl tavern.
“I just finished early this morning before I came here to celebrate over some nice warmed wine,” said Burkin taking a large swig of the wine that was in a large horn from some unknown monster. The horn was now being used as a large mug for the small dwarf.
“Celebration my butt. You always come here to harass me whenever you have free time,” said Jas the tavern owner.
“When can you leave?” asked Akira.
“As soon as I finish this wine,” said Burkin, draining it all in one go, “There, finished! Let's go.”
Burkin threw a few coins onto the table and said, “I left a few extra coins for you since you're always so empty, I know you'll miss me, but there is no need to worry I'll come back to visit in a year or three.”
“If you were sober and awake during the night you would know that's when all the normal people come here. I'm doing just fine,” said Jas as Burkin exited the tavern with Akira and the others.
The small group walked through the less crowded side streets to get to the main gate faster.
“Did you guys get all the supplies you need for the trip ahead? From what I saw earlier you have a small cities worth of mouths to feed and clothe, that can't be cheap,” said Burkin.
“We did, but not everyone had the same plans as us and decided to go their own way. The group that you will be guiding is far smaller than what it was when we arrived,” said Akira.
“Ah, I see. Even your clans have problems like this. I understand all too well. Just trying to get the old fogies from each of the dwarf clans to agree on one thing is such a pain,” said Burkin.
Akira and the others waited in line at the main gate as the guards inspected a large group of rugged warriors that wanted to enter the city.
“This city is so small compared to Fregoldawae. Are you sure we can find what we need before we start our hunt?” asked one of the warriors.
“Watch your mouth! The city of Froit is the largest city on Foradverold,” said one of the guards.
The words from the warrior caused Akira to be alarmed. He pulled up his hood to cover his face and stepped behind Ardolf.
From behind Ardolf, he scanned the warrior to see who he was. [Berk, lvl 25, Demon hunters guild]. He checked several others in the group and after seeing each of their names his stomach began to feel sick.
“What are you doing?” asked Ardolf as he turned around to look at Akira.
“What kind of game is this?” asked Burkin his head cocked to the side as he looked at Akira who was trying to hide behind Ardolf.
“Shhh! Quick come this way,” hissed Akira as he walked back towards one of the hidden side streets.
The others followed Akira confused at why he was acting so odd both Dolph and Vilkas sensing something was wrong scanned their surroundings for danger while their hands gripped the hilts of their swords ready to draw them and start fighting at any moment.
“What is it?” asked Burkin as he saw the others start to act weird.
“Those people at the gate are Demigods!” hissed Akira.
“What!” asked everyone next to Akira.
“How can you tell?” asked Ardolf.
“Just now they were talking about Freeopia!” said Akira as he peeked his head around the corner and stared at the demigods who were in a heated argument with the guards.
“Since you guys look like you want to cause trouble only two of you are allowed to enter,” said one of the guards.
“Were not all in the same group! I'm from the Cunning Shadow guild,” said a female archer.
“Only two people from a group will be allowed to enter the rest of you have to wait outside,” said the guard as he slammed the butt of his poleaxe on the ground.
A total of 8 people were allowed to enter the city.
Akira was able to see that there were two people from three different guilds. But no matter how hard he stared at the last two figures who were hiding in dark robes he was unable to find out any information on who they were.
As if sensing someone looking at them one of the dark-robed figures turned their head towards the side street but after finding nothing continued looking forward.
Akira and the others were glued to the side of the building not breathing as they had hurriedly hid from the gaze of the dark figure.
A minute passed before they let out a sigh when no sound of approaching feet could be heard.
“We need to get out of here now!” said Ardolf.
“What are we going to do with such a large group of demigods waiting outside of the city,” asked Dolph.
“There is no reason for them to suspect anything. Just act natural,” said Akira as he stuck his hand into his bag and rummaged around inside it before grabbing what he was looking for.
“You're not seriously going to wear that are you? It will draw more attention to you if you do,” said Burkin as he watched Akira pull out a full face mask depicting a ferocious wolf.
As they walked out of the gates instead of walking away from the group of demigods Akira walked towards them.
“Akira where are you going!?” hissed Ardolf.
“We need information! Just wait here, I'll be back in a second,” said Akira as he started to again look for something in his bag.
“It's all your guilds fault for making the guards angry. If it weren't for you we would have been allowed to enter the city.”
“Shut your mouth! Why did both of your clans decide to come here in the first place? Are you trying to steal our quest and our hunting grounds?”
“Since when has this land become yours? I don't see your name written on it?”
“It is our guilds because I said so. Got a problem with that?”
“Yeah, I do!”
“Then duel me! If you get killed don't go crying to your guild master and try to start a guild war.”
“You know that my level is not as high as yours. Plus you have a better weapon,” complained the archer demigod.
“If all you're going to do is whine and do nothing then you should just leave,” said the warrior demigod turning his back on the fuming archer.
...Only to get shot in the back by several arrows from two different archers.
“You little...! Now you've done it! I'm going to kick your asses!” shouted the warrior.
The situation started to deteriorate quickly as several of the demigods joined the fight and started to use several dangerous and colorful special skill attacks that Akira had never seen before.
There were still several other demigods who were standing back watching the hotheads duel it out while cheering them on from the sidelines.
Akira snapped out of his amazement at the large variety of flying skills and walked up to one of the cheering demigods.
“Excuse me,” said Akira tapping one of the demigods on the shoulders.
“Huh? Who are you,” asked the annoyed female demigod who was wearing long robes and holding a book and a large wooden staff.
“Just...A wandering merchant,” lied Akira.
“Ha look at you. I see you bought one of those cheap knock-off masks as well,” said a male fighter who was wearing large metal gloves with jagged metal knuckles.
He took off one of the gloves and pulled out a mask from his bag and showed it to Akira. It was a mask similar to his that was made to look like a gorilla.
“What do you want?” asked the female demigod.
“Would you be interested in buying some potions? The city has none as another group of travelers bought them all. We can also trade information if you are interested in that sort of thing.”
“What type of information do you want?”
“Nothing that important. How about what you all are doing here?”
“Heh, that's no secret. The Demon hunters are here to do a quest but they won't tell us anything other than they are hunting someone. But the Cunning Shadow and my guild the Forbidden came here because it is supposed to be a land of monsters and demons. Which means a lot of places to hunt and get stronger!” said the brawler as he smashed his fist together.
“And maybe grab some land of our own if we can,” said the female demigod.
“How many potions do you have?” asked the brawler.
“20.”
“I'll take them all,” said the Brawler. He didn't even ask for a price and just tossed Akira a small pouch that was filled with clinking coins.
Akira looked inside and saw that the bag was full of gold coins. He happily handed over all of his expired potions to the demigods and quickly ran back to the others who were still waiting for him.
“Let's go. We need to warn my grandfather and the others about the demigods!” said Akira.
***
Back inside Wulfric's tent, all the Grand elders had been called after Akira had returned with Burkin.
“What did you say?” asked Carl.
“There is a decent-sized group of three different demigod guilds that have just arrived on this continent. They are just outside the city gates right now.”
“Are you sure?” asked Wulfric.
“Grand elder, there is no mistaking them. I saw the bizarre and exotic skills that they were using. They are similar to the ones I encountered in the last great war. There were even some things I have never seen before,” said Vilkas.
“We should go and kill them all right now! There are only a few of them,” said Àaron.
“Don't be foolish. Use your brain for once, won't you? If we kill them they will know that we are the enemies they are looking for. They will continue to follow us and never leave us alone. If that happens how are we going to find a safe place to live?” asked Seoc.
“Carl, Seoc, Àaron, inform your people. We are to leave within the hour. We need to leave now before they find our camp and start to ask questions,” said Wulfric as he stood up and left the tent.
“Akira, come with me,” ordered Wulfric.