The morning sun was only just fully rising from the horizon as the minor lycan members of the [Full Moon] guild arrived back at Kodria's south fort.
“Did we finally make it back to the fort?” asked Rondie while wiping the sweat from her forehead.
“Why do I feel like this was all just an excuse to have us help with chores that could have been done by anyone else,” said Beater while drinking from his nearly empty waterskin.
“The only reward we got for all that work was food...”
The new recruits of the [Full Moon] guild had been split up and sent to three different allied towns where they had helped the residents take care of several tasks that needed to be done before the warm months ended.
This was partly to get their names and their guild's name out there to show everyone that they were friendly. It was also a way for Akira and the grand elders to see if they were really committed to being allies to the demon race.
When they had finished with all of the menial tasks, they had been given new orders to return to Kodria for the next phase of their training. But... on their way back they had been asked to carve out a wider and more even road from the allied towns to Kodria.
The small footpaths, hunting trails, and hilly pathways that snaked all over the place were transformed into actual dirt roads as the [Full Moon] members used their skills to cut through all the obstacles that would have stopped or taken months for demon race workers to get through.
“What took you guys so long?” asked soggy Sweety, as she looked at the dusty Beater and Rondie.
“We've been waiting for you here so we can start the next phase,” said Crowbahr, who was also one of the high-level bodyguards of Sister Teresa. She had shoulder-length black hair, tanned skin, and the leather armor she wore made her look like a sporty gangster. It didn't help her image much when you could always find her chewing on a small twig or piece of grass while holding a metal crowbar on her shoulder as she stared at you silently, not talking for several seconds.
“We had a lot of rocks and hills to go through!” said Rondie.
“Ha! We had it worse. So many damn roots everywhere!” said Crowbahr as she swung her metal crowbar through the air mimicking slicing through an obstacle.
“How was that hard for you? All your skills are based on fire! We had to work in a swampy area. What a pain in the butt that was trying to keep the road from disappearing” said Sweety.
Beater looked around and asked, “Why don't I see big sis Teresa with you guys?”
“Since she has chosen to become a holy shaman healer she was taken to train with the head Shaman.”
As they were chatting Zundar walked out of the southern fort and headed towards the gathered [Full Moon] guild members.
“Good, you're all here! You are in luck to arrive back today! A new batch of army recruits will be starting boot camp today and you're joining them. Let's go!” shouted an energetic Zundar.
“What? We just got back!” said Crowbahr.
“Don't worry. Training with everyone will build character. No more complaints, this is a direct order from the duke,” said Zundar while he started herding them toward the recruits' training ground.
“Let's do this! They say that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...” said Beater after slapping himself hard a few times to pump himself up.
“We're not perverts like you,” said a tired Sweety.
***
For the next weak the [Full moon] guild members were treated as new army recruits and were put through the wringer. They were not treated any differently and were forced to march, learn formations, spar with each other, and participate in manual labor for Kodria to build up goodwill with the locals as well as some muscles on their frail bodies.
While the members of the guild were run ragged with training, Sister Teresa spent her time chatting with Klyn and the other holy shamen about the finer details of certain skills and healing chants as well as the ancient arts of healing using medical herbs and self-made potions.
“Teresa, the grand elders want to talk with you about the future plans of expanding the guild as well as a few other concerns,” said Akira when he found her in one of the castle's gardens.
She only nodded to him while setting down the book she was reading and stood up to follow Akira.
As they were walking down the stone hallway of the castle Akira asked, “Are you planning to join in the new training phase later today?”
“What's that?”
“I'll be taking the rest of the members out to hunt as a regular hunting pack later today if everything works out after we deal with this meeting and a few other minor errands.”
“Hm... hunting is not really my thing but I may join you just to make sure everyone is okay. I heard that there have been migrant demigods wishing to join my guild. What's the number so far?” asked sister Teresa.
“Too many. I'll need your help with screening and interviewing them when this meeting is finished. It shouldn't take too long, as we should be able to see who is really here and if they want to join for good or bad reasons. We have to see if those that want to join are willing to go through the ceremony or if they are just here to spy on us for the other major guilds and have no intention of converting to a minor lycan. Our time is limited so we can not play around with them.”
The guards in front of the large doors to the meeting room saluted Akira before opening the doors for the two of them. Akira nodded to them and passed through the doors along with sister Teresa which closed immediately behind them.
Only Grand elder Hegir and Grand elder Àaron were sitting at the meeting table this morning.
“The other elders and grand elders are all dealing with other important matters and could not make it for this meeting,” said Grand elder Hegir.
“We won't waste your time as we have our hands full with finishing the local projects as well as the harvest before the cold winds arrive,” said Àaron.
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“Don't forget the large harvest festival is just around the corner as well as managing the influx of trade that will be coming in the next few weeks to months as we gather and trade for what Kodria needs for the long winter months,” said Grand elder Hegir.
“That, and also keeping an eye on our ever-present demigod problem to the north. They can't be trusted and they won't stop expanding because the winter months are coming. No offense meant towards you,” said Àaron as he looked at Sister Teresa who sat down next to Akira at the table.
“None taken,” said sister Teresa.
“The main problem right now is, we can't keep having these random demigods show up at Kodria asking to join your guild,” said Hegir.
“None of them have been screened or investigated as well as we would like since our information on the growing plague of demigods is little to nothing. We can not allow such dangerous people to stay near the inner or outer city where they can cause trouble. Do you have a way to put out a message to the demigods that want to join you and have them go somewhere else where they can wait until we can confirm they will not be a harm to Kodria?” asked Grand elder Àaron.
“That can be easily done through our demigod ways. Where would you like them to stay?”
“That's Great! That would be a load off of our shoulders. As for where, I'll have to check with the other Grand elders first,” said Hegir.
Grand elder Àaron leaned forward over the table as he stared at sister Teresa and asked, “How big do you plan on making this guild you have created?”
“I don't have any plans on turning away anyone who sincerely wishes to join in order to protect the weak and help those in need. If that means only a few more join or hundreds join it is all the same to me.”
“Alright. Do you have any plans set in place to make sure that those you recruit will not be a danger to Kodria?”
Akira spoke before Sister Teresa could, “After we finish this meeting, we'll be testing out some measures to see what works. Do you have anything that you think we should try?”
“A few.”
***
“Gather around!” shouted Akira.
“Yap!” said Fluffball as he headbutted and herded a few of the more shy demigods forward.
Akira stood in front of the southern fort which had all its soldiers on the walls watching the new demigods like hawks.
Garg cavalrymen had created a protective semicircle around them to make sure that no outsiders could interfere with the interviews. This was to protect Kodria from any rogue demigod as well as protect the demigods from any citizen that had a grudge against the demigods and wanted to enact their own justice.
Until the gathered demigods proved they had no ill will towards Kodria they would be watched like this until they passed the tests and went through the ceremony to officially join the [Full moon] guild.
Behind Akira stood sister Teresa and each of the minor lycans of [Full moon] guild. They all had complicated looks on their faces as several of them were grumbling about their 'training' that they had been pulled away from to attend this meeting with new guild prospects.
Although they had leveled up several different skills as well as their physical strength, the majority of the guild members' levels were still the same as when they had joined Kodria. They had been so focused on doing chores and training with the army recruits that they were definitely being left behind by the other guilds.
“You have all come to join the [Full moon] guild,” said Akira as he looked over the crowd scanning each of their faces for any changes. He saw many male and female demigods whose strength varied widely and from the weapons and armor they looked to have many different 'Occupations'. Akira made sure to remember their names and faces to put them down on the growing list of demigods that they were keeping track of.
“But as much as I would love to have the guild grow to help Kodria in the future, we can not accept everyone as some of you may have impure feelings towards Kodria. There is also the fact that you may not be able to fit the requirements that Sister Teresa has for you to join. I am no expert in this sort of thing, so I will have Sister Teresa, the guild leader of [Full Moon], give a short explanation on what it takes to become a member.”
Sister Teresa stepped forward and in a soft voice said, “You will not be able to join the [Full moon] guild as you would normally join one of the northern guilds. There will be no tax to join or weekly dues that you need to pay the guild. Instead, we have decided to only allow you to join if you go through the Full Moon ceremony which will change you into a Minor Lycan. Those who can not handle pain will be unable to complete the ceremony. It is worse than any death you may have experienced so far.”
Several hands went up in the crowd each having questions.
Akira randomly picked the closest small group of three teen males to speak first.
“Umm... we aren't demigods. Can we still join?” asked Whan.
“What? Are you human?” asked Akira, as he quickly checked their names and levels.
“We may be humans and not of the demon race but we have awakened our special skills and want to join Kodria in taking down the demigods! Is it still possible for us to become a minor lycan?” asked Tou.
When he said this several demigods that were standing around them all looked at them as if they were idiots.
A few held hostile expressions for a second or two before going back to blank expressions.
“Well, you look a little too weak to join the full moon guild,” said Akira.
The trio looked down at the ground dejected. They had spent all of their life savings and belongings to make the trip south evading the blockade of demigods.
“But that does not mean we don't need all the help we can get. If you want to help Kodria, you can join the current class of army recruits. You'll have a lot of catching up to do as they are already a week ahead of you.”
At this, the three brightened up. “We accept!” “...and about the transformation?”
“If you prove yourself then we can see about that later,” said Akira as he waved for a nearby guard. “Take them to the other recruits.”
When the guard had escorted the trio away, Akira took another question from a redhead female demigod.
“Sister Teresa said the only requirement to join is to go through the full moon ceremony. Does that mean we have to wait here for another month until a full moon arrives?”
“No. We will do it right now,” said Akira as he transformed into a werewolf.
“What? It's the middle of the day? There is no... owww!” Beater was thumped on the head by Zundar who stood next to him. With a glare sent his way, Beater stayed quiet not finishing his sentence.
“What do we need to do?” asked a shivering pink-haired girl as she looked at Akira.
“It's simple,” said Akira, his furry face turning into a large grin that showed off his sharp teeth.
“You only need to receive a bite from me on your neck,” said Akira, his gaze drilling into each of the demigods in the crowd.
“You must be joking!” shouted a male demigod with piercings all over his face.
“He is not. How else do you think we were able to have such a drastic transformation changing our bodies into what they are now? Didn't you listen to Sister Teresa?” said Rondie.
“Still... that seems a bit... dangerous,” said the man.
“Don't worry. I won't bite hard,” said Akira, snapping his jaw shut and making a loud clacking noise as he stepped forward toward the crowd.
Over half of the demigods that had come looked at each other and decided it was time to leave.
“We'll... I think this is not something I would be suited for. I don't like seeing blood or experiencing pain, so I will be leaving,” said a female demigod.
“Me too,” a large portion of the demigods chimed in their agreement as they had only been here for other reasons or were just curious and did not want to go through with such a barbaric ritual.
“Why leave so soon? You just got here?” asked Akira calmly.
“Oh, well I have something cooking over the fire back at my house. I need to go check it,” said a demigod nervously as he looked towards the cavalrymen that were slowly tightening the semicircle.
“But I insist you stay. You came such a long way it would be a shame for you to go away empty-handed,” said Akira with a steely voice. With a motion of his hand, he gave a silent signal.
The demigods wanting to leave took this moment to try and escape as well.
“Finally some action!” shouted an energetic Beater.
The combined forces of the Garg cavalry, the fort guards, and the members of Full Moon engaged in battle with those trying to escape.