Becca enjoyed the snowfall while Xior stood beside her looking at her. A tall man, with wolf years on his head and a thick tail, grey blue hair and brown eyes came out of the building.
He wore brown sleeveless fur vest, his bare arms full of scars and a tattoo, pants from the same material with shin guards. And a thick fur-lined cloak made from the hide of a Frostfang beast.
Around his neck he had a necklace which holds the tooth of their first chief. It was passed down to every chief.
"Welcome, humans. I am Tharnak, the Chief of the Wolf Tribe." He greeted them from behind.
Becca and Xior turned quickly to see the towering man, Xior was tall but Tharnak even towered over him. While he looked intimidating, the woman next to him looked calmer than him.
She had dusk grey fur with streaks of silver. Her long, layered hair was tied was tied back with bone heads. Her eyes were violet, a rare trait among the Wolf Tribe.
Although smaller than her father, she was exactly as tall as Xior was. She wore a black leather tunic, a matching black trouser, fingerless gloves with high-boots, a crescent-blade on her back with throwing knives along her belt.
On her left arm she had a similar tattoo as her father. She smiled while looking at them, her fangs slightly bared.
"And I am the Vice-Chief, Kayla. Come, I want to fight you." She said as she pointed towards Xior.
"Isn't this too sudden?" Xior asked.
Her smile turned to a smirk as she stepped forward, her face almost touching his and said, "no, this isn't sudden. I just like fighting strong people."
Her ears twitched and she sniffed him, then her body glowed as she used her left hand to reach her blade. But Xior was faster, he grabbed his wrist making her stop.
"Tell me human, how do you have a scent similar to that of a dragon?" She whispered and jumped back.
Xior didn't know how to answer that so he stretched his body. "Okay, I'll fight but it'll be a arm wrestling match."
Tharnak laughed as Kayla pouted a bit, "sure, arm wrestling match is fine. Maybe I will join too."
*****
Xior and Kayla stood face to face, between them was a platform risen up to be used for the arm wrestling. Kayla put her arm on it and flexed her muscles, but Xior didn't back down.
He took off his shirt and revealed his scarred body and naturally formed muscles from all those years in the Abyss. Their hands locked into each others and they started.
Kayla was strong, enough to move Xior's arm a little bit. But he was not giving it his all. He grabbed the platform with his other arm and his bicep bulged more and with a single move he defeated her.
"What a great show of strength, Xior Arden you've now earned the right to ask us for help for clearing this last stage." Tharnak said.
Becca brought Xior's shirt back while having her cheeks stuffed with meat. The other tribe members were hospitable.
"As you know the Dragon Tribe is causing issues with all of the tribes. So, we're here to solve any issues you've had regarding the other tribes, especially the Dragon Tribe." Becca said as they sat down around a bonfire.
"What you said is correct but we can manage on our own." Kayla declared.
"The Dragon Tribe is the most powerful out of all, let us help so we can be done with this floor and you too don't have issues." Xior responded.
"Xior, I don't think we're in any position to do anything about the Dragon Tribe. But you can do something for me. The Tiger Tribe kidnapped a few of my soldiers.
I'd appreciate if you could negotiate with them, this way you will form relationships with the Tiger Tribe as well." Tharnak suggested.
Xior and Becca nodded, they both were going to sleep there for the night. Despite being half beast half human, they were nice to them.
They looked intimidating but were actually the opposite. Becca and Xior went inside different rooms and fell asleep.
The morning came rather quickly as Becca groaned and got out of bed, from the window she saw Xior training with Kayla. She walked outside and greeted them.
But suddenly a young soldier of theirs came running to Kayla.
"Vice Chief, the Dragons they attacked us. Please, they took in seven of us." The soldier pleaded while bleeding all over.
She quickly picked up her blade and ran towards the exit, Becca and Xior followed behind.
"Why are you both following me? Go back they are dangerous." Kayla said
"No, you don't know how many they are. You're at a disadvantage Kayla."
"Becca's right, you'll only end up dead of their hostage if you go alone." Xior added.
She understood their concern and kept quiet. They ran and reached the edge of a peak. Down below they could see a group of six people surrounding seven wolf tribe soldiers.
They were covered by hood but the scent was different, full of malice.
"Three against six, let's take two each." Becca declared to lighten the mood.
Kayla smiled, she was fierce and liked what she said, "sure, be quick. If you are slow I'll steal your prey. Remember we have to take them in alive."
As both of them were talking Xior crouched and jumped down shaking the whole area. He shot like a meteor and landed on top of one of the dragon tribe members.
Dust swirled and shouts were heard. But then there were two more loud crashes. Becca and Kayla had also landed.
As the dust cleared, Xior, Becca and Kayla stood in front of them, one of the dragon tribe member on the ground, bleeding all over.
"That's their Vice Chief, this will be a nice catch." One of the dragon tribe members said.
The remaining five took off their cloaks revealing their small wings, their claws were sharper than the wolf tribe.
But the three didn't flinch and also jumped towards them.