When Akira and the rest of the warriors returned to the small village Delgar and Burkin were just finishing up with the small tasks they had been given.

Akira found Efrem who had given them the quest and had the warriors hand over the large quantity of meat. Completing the mission.

“Thank you! I don't know how we can ever repay your kindness,” said Efrem.

Ding!

Dalry village and the Puman race are now on friendly terms with your clan.

They will be more than glad to trade with you. If there are small matters that they can help you with they will not hesitate to do so.

If you try to abuse their friendliness they will return to neutral or even become hostile.

+5 honor

“Just helping out those in need. I am sorry but we can not stay here any longer as we have to return to Jerora for something important,” said Akira.

“I won't stand in your way. I wish you good luck with your travels.”

“Why are we heading back to Jerora?” asked Burkin.

“It is because… Grand elder Wulfric has...” Akira didn't finish his sentence and looked to the sled that was carrying the body of his grandfather under several blankets.

“Oh,” was all Burkin said after looking at the sled.

“Let's move out! We need to hurry so that we can get this done as quickly as possible!” said Akira as he picked Fluffball up off of the ground and put him onto the sled he was driving.

Fluffball gave Akira a quick lick on the face with his rough tongue.

***

“What did the guild master say?” asked Kooter.

“What do you think?” said Phobia unhappily.

“Just tell me! Damn it!”

“He just laughed it off and said it was not worth it to send more people here right now. They are too busy fighting the other guilds and demons on the mainland to send anyone. We have to take care of the target with what we have right now.”

“Damn it! I lost a piece of armor! The prices here are not cheap to replace something like that!”

“Stop complaining! You're not the only one that lost something since I lost my magical staff. Losing equipment is the least of our worries. Those damn black-robed guys that were supposed to be our guides left us the moment we needed their help, and no one had been able to find where they escaped to.”

***

Akira and the rest of the scouting team returned to the werewolf encampment outside of Jerora and were shocked to see an even taller snow wall with a heavy presence of warriors patrolling the perimeter. There was far more security around the camp than when they had left.

The warriors who saw Akira and the rest of the warriors returning were also surprised. They were supposed to be far to the south searching for a place to live.

Word quickly reached the Grand elders as the scouting team entered the encampment. They came out to meet with Akira and Wulfric.

“Have you found a place for the clan to live?” asked Carl.

“No...what's with all the increased security here?” asked Akira.

“Last night a swarm of various monsters stampeded out of the forest and charged right at our encampment again. Never seen something like it before. After we killed all of them we found that someone had used that moment to kill the guards who were in charge of guarding Grand elder Wulfric's tent. They ransacked the whole place. I'm not sure if anything was taken so he'll have to check himself,” said Seoc.

“Where is Wulfric? I don't see him with you, and what's with some of you looking so ragged,” asked Àaron.

Akira did not say a word but motioned them to come over to a sled and pulled the blanket down just enough for them to see his grandfathers still face.

“Who did this! I kill them!” growled Àaron the hot head of the four grand elders. The loud outburst caused the people who were passing by to look in their direction.

“Calm down Àaron! You're making a scene. We need to find out what happened back in the privacy of the meeting tent,” said Carl.

The Grand elders and their guards cleared those that had gathered and made their way back to the privacy of the large tent. They only allowed Akira and the other scouts that had been with him at the time of his death to enter the tent.

“Speak. Tell us everything,” ordered Grand elder Carl.

***

“This is something we did not need at a time like this. As for Wulfric's last request, we agree with his decision for you to become the chief of the Darkmoon main branch. This trust we put in you must not be betrayed. If your actions start to destroy the clan we will not sit by and let you lead everyone to their deaths. Even if you are Wulfric's grandson,” said Carl.

“I have no intention of doing such a thing!” said Akira, standing straight as an iron spear.

“The rest of you. Grand elder Wulfric charged you with the duty of protecting Akira. Now that he is the faction leader your job is more than ever important. You WILL give your lives to save him if such an attack happens again. I will personally hunt you down and kill you if he dies. Each and every one of you must carry antidotes and other life-saving items with you at all times. To prevent such a tragedy happening again we will make sure to find a proper shaman to join you,” said Àaron.

Klyn hung his head after hearing the last sentence.

“We shall lay our lives down for the chief!” shouted the warriors.

“We will hold the funeral tonight. There is no sense drawing this out or hiding something big like this. Since he was a Grand elder there will be many that will want to pay their respects to him. As the Grandson you have the final say on what type of funeral you would like for him,” said Seoc.

“I can't decide what to do on my own. I will have to talk to my sister as well...” said Akira already dreading the discussion that was to come. How was he going to explain it to her? The person who raised her was now dead. The only family members they had was each other.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

As if understanding Akira's feelings, Seoc spoke, “We already sent someone to inform Azura. Both of you should hurry and decide what will be done so we can start preparing.”

“You both will also have to decide what to do with his belongings as well as see if anything was stolen,” said Àaron.

“Akira...don't let that pup cause any problems,” said Carl.

Fluffball who was sitting yawning next to Akira's feet looked at Carl who was pointing at him and gave a squeaky yap back at him.

“Don't worry. He will not do anything that bad...I hope,” said Akira.

***

Dolph and Vilkas, both who had become part of Akira's new personal guards, led him to Azura's tent.

Mileena decided to stay outside with the two guards and let the two of them have a moment to themselves.

When Akira entered the tent he found Azura who was quickly wiping her eyes to see who had entered.

Seeing that it was Akira she ran over to him and hugged him as she started to cry into his shoulder.

Akira hugged her and didn't say anything. He just let her cry as much as she needed.

Fluffball looked at Azura and let out a mournful howl his ears and tail drooping from the sad mood in the tent.

Ten minutes passed before she had calmed down enough to ask Akira a question.

“Is it really true?”

“Yes, grandfather was killed by a poisoned silver arrow,” said Akira with a stern face.

“Who?”

“The demigods ambushed us. If I had done a better job this would not have happened,” said Akira putting all of the blame on his shoulders so that Azura, if she wanted to, could blame him for their grandfather's death.

She shook her head, “No. I know grandfather would deny that something like this was your fault. It was the Demigods that killed him so they are the ones responsible not you.”

A small weight was lifted off Akira's already heavy shoulders as he listened to his sister's words.

“We still need to decide if we want a private or open funeral,” said Akira.

“I want an open one so that everyone can come and pay their respects. He deserves a full honorable ceremony.”

“Alright I will inform the Grand elders of your decision,” said Akira.

“Let me get ready for tonight. I need some time alone,” said Azura as she turned away from Akira.

***

Akira spent a short while cleaning up his grandfather's ransacked tent.

He spent most of the time sorting the items and searching through the belongings of Wulfric making sure that everything was there.

Everything seemed to be all right but for some reason, he felt he was forgetting something.

***

The funeral was held outside of the encampment in a large open area. The snow had been cleared and many makeshift benches and other makeshift seats had been erected using whatever they could find in order to allow everyone to attend the funeral.

Several small fires were set up all over the area to keep the cold away as best as they could.

There were many people from other encampments looking at the large gathering wondering what was going on. The guards on patrolling the walls of Jerora were also interested in what was going on.

A large pyre was built in front of a large platform where Akira, Azura, and the three grand elders stood.

Wulfric was laying on top of the pyre in his best clothes with both of his hands grasping onto the hilt of his sword.

Akira could see that mass of faces all looking up at him and Azura. In their gazes, all he could see was the pity that they felt for the two.

He put on a strong face and stood straight with his arm on Aura's shoulder as she sniffled trying to keep her emotions under control. He had to put on a strong front for both his sister and the rest of the coalition.

The ceremony started with Hegir giving a short speech followed by the three Grand elders.

When it came time for Azura to give her speech she got halfway through her speech before she broke down crying and Akira pulled her into a firm hug to help calm her down.

The many eyes from the crowd were watching the two siblings but Akira ignored their gazes and blocked all unneeded thoughts and emotions. He had also prepared a speech that he was going to say but threw it away.

Akira stood firm and used his skill [Shout] to reach everyone.

“Let there be no doubt of my honor, I vow to avenge my grandfather and destroy all the Demigods that come looking for us! But the safety of the coalition comes first! Tomorrow I will go south and continue the search for a place we can call home!”

His voice boomed out over the large crowd who received the added effect of boosting their morale which helped with tightening their unity in the time of mourning.

Ding!

You have received a new passive skill!

Unshakable will: You have a very firm resolve to do what you say.

Your unshakable will makes you resistant to intimidation or other debuff skills that affect morale.

Those under a leader with this skill will not be shaken as easily.

With his speech over he took a burning touch from its holder and walked over to the pyre lighting it on fire in several places before tossing the torch onto the pyre itself.

Soon a large fire roared to life and engulfed Wulfric's body. Silently saying his goodbyes Akira Returned to Azura and comforted her.

***

Next morning.

“I do not agree with sending you out to look for the new settlement! Your grandfather already died and you are now the chief of the main branch. This is too reckless,” said Carl.

“This is something I must do! I must fulfill this last mission that my grandfather entrusted to me.”

“Carl, it may be dangerous but if we make sure that he has a full guard, I see no need to deny him the chance to do this. If you want I can send some of my warriors with him,” said Àaron, who lived by the motto ‘what doesn't kill you makes you stronger’.

“No, we need your warriors here to protect the civilians. Akira's new guards should be able to keep him out of trouble but just in case we can add a few other warriors to the scouting team as well as a higher-ranked shaman,” said Seoc.

“If you two think it is okay then I will have to agree. We will have to postpone electing a new Grand elder for the main branch as well as the restructuring of the coalition until you have found a place for the clans to live. Your new position will not be announced until then,” said Carl.

“Agreed,” said both Seoc and Àaron.

“You must go quickly as we can only stay here for a short time before wearing out our welcome. It is also not that safe and secure here,” said Àaron.

Akira left the tent and returned to his own tent to replenish the supplies he had used during the trip to and back from the Dalry village.

While he was packing his items he looked over at Fluffball who was still sleeping on Akira's bed.

'Should I leave Fluffball behind and let Azura or Mileena take care of him? I don't know how safe the trip south will be.'

Akira had decided to have Mileena stay behind due to the unknown dangers she had reluctantly accepted his request.

Klyn was also not coming with him as he was currently going through hell training with his grandfather to further expand and strengthen his skills.

He shook his head and decided against leaving Fluffball behind after remembering the warning message about Fluffball's temperament changing depending on how he was raised.

Akira scooped up Fluffball along with his blanket and held him close.

“You're coming with me. I can't have you getting an attitude while I'm away,” said Akira as he exited his now-empty tent.

Fluffball just yawned at Akira and closed his eyes again after squirming to get further into the warm blanket.

The rest of the scouting team along with Akira's new guards were all waiting for him near the small open area of the snow wall.

They had already finished replenishing their supplies and were waiting for him. This time they had several warriors from the Longtail clan join them.

Akira walked to his sled and placed Fluffball onto the sled under even more blankets next to all the other supplies the sled was already carrying.

“Let's move out!” shouted Akira.

***

“Hahaha! Our mission was far more successful than I could have imagined!” said Bonestringer holding onto a box.

“Stop gloating. We have to hurry to a village that we can use to contact the other heads so we can inform them of our success. Until we get back we must not let our guard down in case they send someone to chase after us,” said Tibia.

“The rewards they will give us! I can see it all now! Our grand plan will definitely work!”