A short while before the fireballs that signaled the attack were shot in the sky, a group of individuals went outside the city. Split in even numbers were members of the Catallard clan and the Terdim clan. Among them was the Catallard head, Argos and his wife, Supriya. Besides them were five other branch members, making a total of seven Catallards. The Terdims also had five branch members and, just like them, the head and his wife were present, Rowan and Grisel Terdim.
With white dog ears on both sides of their head as well as a white tail near their waist, they were the top two of the clan that was, just like the Catallards, tasked with protecting the royal family. As if they were mirror images, the dark red-haired man was a walking wall of muscle like Argos while the blonde-haired woman was a sharp-eyed, sword-carrying beauty like Supriya.
“So, this is where you fought that human?” [Rowan]
The Terdim head said with a bit of disdain as he examined his surroundings. The grassy field had several parts gouged out, revealing the dark brown earth beneath. A clear trail of destruction punctured a hole into the sea of trees that led to the forest with fallen trees littering the place. This was where Argos had his duel with Ryner.
“Is now the best time, Rowan?” [Argos]
Argos asked the grim-faced man as they stood face-to-face. The others that came along were standing at a distance, waiting for the fight to start and carrying a couple of healing potions since their match always went overboard.
“We always fight at this time every month. It’s a friendly competition between us, the two strongest forces of Ofauvra.” [Rowan]
“Perhaps. But, the entire royal family is inside the ruin. We should be there to pro-.” [Argos]
“I assigned my best men to protect them. And if we both go in the ruin, who would be left to protect the city if it gets attacked?” [Rowan]
“Then, at least, one of us should have accompanied them.” [Argos]
“It is the will of the king. Both his majesty and his older brother told us so. There is no point in bringing it up now.” [Rowan]
By Leonhart’s suggestion, both Argos and Rowan stayed behind to watch over the city along with Taniel who would take charge of things until they got back. Argos thought that it was too risky, but he was assured that the best fighters from the Terdim clan would be going with them. Not being able to voice any more objections when Leodor simply laughed off his worries, he had given up and accepted the decision.
“… You’re right.” [Argos]
Clenching his fist, the purple-haired beastman prepared to fight and Rowan also got ready. Their two clans would often compete as the strongest force of their kingdom and this was their own method that had become a sort of tradition every month. So, with their respective family overlooking their match, the two clashed head-on. Trading punches and kicks, they tried to dominate the other.
These two warriors were on par with each other’s strength and possessed an impressive mana pool that classified them as S ranks. However, since Argos had beastification that significantly increased his power, he had been winning their duels. But, he only used it to turn things around. That was why they were currently evenly matched as their battle reached a realm few could hope to tread on.
With body strengthening, their bodies surpassed the limits set on them by nature and they wreaked havoc at great speed. The ground that was already torn up by the previous battle was once more being destroyed. Every powerful step they took left a print with cracks around it like spider webs. A trail of dust followed behind as they ran faster than the eye could follow.
Argos’ punch connected with Rowan’s left cheek which caused a loud impact. The force would have turned anyone’s head into a rotten tomato that hit the ground, but the dog-eared beastman only had a bruise on his cheek. He then counterattacked with a knee to the stomach. His deadly blow would have pulverized a person’s insides and smashed him in two. However, the cat-eared beastman only had the air knocked out of him and grunted in pain.
Clenching his teeth, Argos returned the blow and the two S ranks continued this routine of hitting and being hit, dodging and being dodged, blocking and being blocked. They pumped a large amount of mana to sustain their body strengthening spell. They were keeping it at a level that they were comfortable with, but that was thanks to their large mana pool and great control over their mana. If anyone below S rank tried to burn up mana at their rate, they would be hard-pressed or incapable of doing so.
In a fight between magic users that relied on their body, the first one to run out of mana would lose his sword and shield, leaving him vulnerable, which meant his loss. So, as they exchanged terrifying blows that shook the air, they made sure to keep track of their mana pool, managing it. Whenever they pushed each other back, took some distance, and had a few moments of respite, they lowered the level or stopped using body strengthening to save up on mana.
Of course, when an opening was presented to them, they pumped in more mana, increasing the intensity of their spell even more to deliver a crippling attack, though the increase in mana made it more difficult to control. That was how these two clan heads tried to defeat their opponent. The group that followed them watched on, careful not to get dragged in their duel. Watching Argos, Supriya once more confirmed how strong a man she had the chance to marry and this filled her with pride.
However, a certain human’s face flashed in her head, a warrior who bested Argos when he was at his strongest. It was the same for her husband who couldn’t help but be reminded of Ryner. He never fought a battle that felt so one-sided before. Rowan, whom he was currently trading blows with, was on par with him. He was strong, but he most likely couldn’t defeat Ryner.
As he compared his rival to himself and to the human, an inexplicable feeling placated him. A sudden uneasiness attacked him when his mind thought about Rowan, about their clans’ rivalry and their current match. Argos knew this strange feeling. It was something that he was blessed with and that had saved his life numerous times. To others who didn’t know him well, they believed it was unreliable, but those who had fought alongside him understood its value.
His intuition was telling him that something was horribly wrong, both with Rowan and the city.
Instantly, he stopped looking at the Terdim like a rival and more like an enemy. For a moment, his eyes drifted towards Ofauvra in the distance and towards the spectators as well. Warily, he jumped back, interrupting their exchange of blows. Both were breathing roughly and had several bruises.
“Rowan.” [Argos]
Argos called his name cautiously.
“What?” [Rowan]
Rowan asked curtly while wiping a smudge of blood from the corner of his mouth.
“… Are you up to anything?” [Argos]
Instead of beating around the bush, the Catallard head bluntly asked him, making his eyes go round for a second.
“Huh?” [Rowan]
“I said, are you plotting something?” [Argos]
“What would make you ask that?” [Rowan]
“… A feeling.” [Argos]
“And… What do you mean when you asked what I was plotting?” [Rowan]
“… Are you a danger to the city?” [Argos]
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“…” [Rowan]
Rowan fell silent and stared at his opponent with an impassive face. That moment, a chill ran up the purple-haired beastman’s spine and he screamed at his wife at the same time as the Terdim head whistled.
“SUPRIYA!” [Argos]
Feeling the urgency in his voice, the swordswoman instantly got on guard and activated body strengthening. Furthermore, the air was different from before, heavier. She could feel it thanks to a skill she picked up not through training, but through real battle.
Thick killing intent was directed at her.
She registered it in her mind in an instant and reacted just in time before a sword was swung at her neck from the side. She stepped away and leaned backwards, dodging the attack as a few strands of her dark blue hair was cut. She drew her sword and glared at her attacker, or rather, at the attackers.
Grisel, who failed to kill her, quietly fixed her stance and stood at the ready with a bit of frustration on her face. The other members also attacked, but only two succeeded and took down their target. Now, the six Terdims, who had launched a surprise attack on the Catallards, faced off with their weapons drawn against the four remaining enemies.
“Grisel…” [Supriya]
Clicking her tongue because of the death of two good men, Supriya carefully watched the woman that could have been her murderer.
“What is this?” [Supriya]
Grisel took a step forward, readying herself to dash.
“This is the day I surpass you.” [Grisel]
She said before sprinting, leaving a cloud of dust. Following her were the five other family branch members who were also out for blood. The two A rank swordswomen clashed head-on, cutting the wind and the earth as they tried to chop off their foe’s head. The duel between Argos and Rowan had turn into a death match between the Terdims and the Catallards.
Argos, who had warned his wife of the danger, couldn’t help because Rowan didn’t let him as he rained down blow after blow, pushing him away from the others’ battle. Locked in mortal combat while his bad feeling persisted, he quickly used beastification to end it. While engaging Rowan, his body grew larger and was soon covered with light brown fur as his head changed into that of a feline with long teeth like a saber-toothed tiger. He roared loudly as he faced Rowan who had backed away after a short while when he saw signs of his transformation.
“I’ve been waiting for this.” [Rowan]
He said, smiling arrogantly before his body started to expand as well. Argos’ eyes went wide when he understood what it meant.
“(Beastification?!)” [Argos]
He charged at him, planning to finish him off before the transformation was complete. However, his enemy wouldn’t go down so easily. He evaded some of his attacks, blocked others and got hit multiple times, but none of them were fatal. In the end, having completely beastified, he caught his opponent’s fist and punched him in the stomach, sending him sliding backwards ten meters away.
“ROOAAAAR!!” [Rowan]
The strongest Terdim roared, announcing the completion of his rebirth. The cuts and bruises he sustained were rapidly healing on his huge body that was covered with white fur. His tail grew nearly a meter long and his head turned into that of a dog with two long canines hanging down from his upper teeth. There was a patch of grey fur on his forehead that formed a circle. A vertical line went from the top of the circular shape to between his ears and stretched out all the way down his back.
“Now… We’re on the same footing.”[Rowan]
His voice, mixed with growling, declared so. He pierced the skin on his bare chest with his claws and cut himself, forming five red lines from which blood flowed out. Then, the wounds begun to heal right away, closing themselves in a matter of seconds.
“This power is wonderful, and yet, only you could have it for years.” [Rowan]
“It’s impossible. You didn’t get beastification from the relic.” [Argos]
Argos said, still slightly shaken from what he was seeing before his eyes.
“That’s what everyone says when they don’t get it on the first time, that they weren’t worthy. And that’s why no one tries it again a second or third time.” [Rowan]
A delighted smirk appeared on the dog’s muzzle, happy that he got the reaction he wanted from his longtime rival.
“But, his majesty is different. After venturing inside the ruin many times and investigating the relic thoroughly, he discovered that there was no such thing as not being worthy. That object gives beastification at random.” [Rowan]
He charged with a speed greater than before and threw a straight punch which Argos blocked.
“I just wasn’t lucky enough to get beastification the first time!” [Rowan]
He roared ferociously and their duel resumed. Two beastmen who attained beastification fought as they punched, kicked and clawed. When they got hurt, their injuries would start healing quickly. As such, they slowly stopped dodging and focused more on damaging the other until his body could no longer take it. Blood flew as large cuts were made and crushing sounds were heard as bones were broken.
The two warriors that were now closer to being beasts roared, growled and madly attacked their enemy. They were even. In terms of strength, speed and healing rate, both of them were even. However, one unfortunate scene tipped the favor towards Rowan and sealed Argos’ fate.
For Rowan was not the only one with beastification.
“SUPRIY-!” [Argos]
That second of opening cost him dearly as the Terdim head deeply stabbed into his stomach with his claws on both hands and cut him horizontally, dealing a large wound that would be fatal to anyone. As the blood spurted out, he landed a clean blow to his face, creating two long cuts with one blinding his right eye. Then, he knocked him down and released an onslaught of vicious attacks.
Pummeling him to prevent him from escaping and cutting him up to shave away his life, the one-sided violence continued as Rowan didn’t let up at all. So that Argos couldn’t have time to breathe, he mindlessly struck him, covering both of their bodies in his blood that flew everywhere. Although the beastified Catallard tried to fight back, it took his all to protect his head and heart.
Gritting his teeth that were stained red, he endured the pain of being torn apart, but his strength was failing him. Beastification certainly made him incredibly resilient, but he wasn’t immortal and his body had a limit. Unfortunately, after taking too many serious injuries, he had hit that limit. Moreover, Rowan focused all the mana he could control in his body strengthening spell to increase his power as much as he could. It was to deal a powerful, finishing blow.
“ROOAAAAAAR!!!” [Rowan]
Releasing a beastly roar, he raised his right arm high and with his fingers straight, he drove them into Argos’ abdomen. Like a spear, his arm stabbed deeply and even reached the back. The Catallard, coughing blood, lied on the ground powerlessly. His limbs fell down and stopped moving. Noticing his victory, the Terdim pulled his arm out and stood on top of his rival.
As if signaling the end of the duel, the defeated beastman’s body was slowly turning back to normal. Among the numerous bruises and cuts that didn’t heal entirely, a bloody, gaping hole on the right side of the abdomen was present. Yet, the victim’s chest was still faintly moving up and down and his remaining eye was staring at the victor. His grim and pained expression seemed to be asking him why.
“… I beat you.” [Rowan]
Snarling and breathing roughly, Rowan turned around. Not facing the loser anymore, he prepared to head for Ofauvra while leaving parting words.
“Let it be known that neither I nor the Terdim are weaker than you lot.” [Rowan]
He then ran towards his city along with Grisel, who had taken Supriya’s sword as a replacement for her broken one, and four other Terdim members. Although one of them died, they still managed to win. Of course, that was only to be expected considering the fact both Rowan and Grisel had beastification. The two beastmen that resembled ferocious white dogs running on two legs led the group as they hurried back to Ofauvra so that they wouldn’t be late when the signal was given.
Left for dead, Argos, who had turned back to normal, was weakly breathing, letting out wheezing sounds as his strong but mortal heart grew quieter. As he blankly stared at the sky, unable to move, the sound of unsteady footsteps reached his ears. His furry ears twitched which was how he showed his joy since a smile rarely appeared on his scary face.
Right now, he was incredibly happy to spend his last moments with her.
“… Su… Pri… Ya…” [Argos]
His blood-covered mouth muttered the name of his beloved. He forced himself to say it, for it would most likely be the last time he ever did.
“… Argos…” [Supriya]
She answered him in her usual composed voice, but there was warmth, fatigue, pain and a bit of sorrow mixed in it. Slowly, she lowered herself on the ground and lied on her back next to her husband. Her massive blood loss made her feel sluggish and her vision was blurry. However, she did her best to act strong. The many cuts from which her blood flowed certainly ached.
But, it was the sword piercing through her stomach that hindered her movements. Grisel had discarded it since the tip was broken. After Supriya lied on her back, the blade stood up vertically. It blocked her view of the sky a bit, but she couldn’t see it anymore, so it didn’t matter. Her hand reached out to Argos’ and she weakly grasped it. The end was coming. She knew it approached as she grew colder.
She thought about her children. They had all grown up. Although the twins were a bit worrying, but they would probably be alright. Even her estranged daughter, Maya, who didn’t fit the bill of being a Catallard, had come back, stronger than ever. She suddenly felt like she should have spent more time with her, like she should have done more than ask her to train from childhood to adulthood. She mocked herself for thinking about such things when it was far too late.
A deep regret assaulted her as well as worry for her family and for the city. She would die here, unable to tell anyone that it was the Terdims who killed her and that they may plan to do the same to the rest of her clan. But, as Supriya’s consciousness faded, a deep male voice entered her ears. It was weak, hoarse and was fading away, but she definitely heard it.
“… It’ll… Be… Al…Right…” [Argos]
She heard her husband, who had the best instincts, reassure her.
“He…… will…… Pro……… Tect………” [Argos]
So, she quietly closed her foggy eyes and poured the last of her strength into her hand, tightening her grip on her husband’s big hand.
Later that day, along with one Terdim and five branch family members, Argos Catallard and Supriya Catallard were found dead outside the city.