Divine Beast Ascension

“Yes... You’re right.” Puula took a deep breath and softened her stare. “Now go get some rest, Netra. We’ll need you tomorrow.”

“Yes, Mom.”

The young fox dashed away the moment they opened the school gate.

For a moment, they were all quiet as Bradok and Zelsh got a good look at the surrounding cityscape. Both had looks of admiration and wonder as they took notice of the nightlife and the many buildings encompassing the school grounds.

“Wow... You and the brat have done a lot!” Bradok shouted in praise. “Now where’s the brat? I can’t wait to-”

“Remember, he’s unconscious.” Vloz chimed in, turning to face everyone. “Right now, we should prepare for the coming inspector. Zelsh, I’ll show you the mine right away. Bradok, follow Ania and gather the clan for a proper transfer of power. Puula, inform and gather the patrician clans immediately. We have a lot of matters to handle before the sun rises.”

.....

“Yes!” Puula shot into the darkness, already having anticipated her role.

Bradok nodded and pounded his fists together, “Right! Then lead the way, Ania!”

“Vloz, I’m in your care,” Zelsh added.

At first, the group stayed together. But the moment they reached the gorilla clan estate, Vloz and Zelsh disappeared from view.

Ania sighed, clearing her throat as she entered their estate. “EVERYONE!! We gather, NOW!!!”

Without delay, gorillas began barreling toward the estate gate. There was an open area there, enough for the clan to comfortably gather. And all arrivals instantly noticed the new face at Ania’s side. A few even recognized the old ape from years past.

But before Ania could say anything to her gathering clan, Bradok drummed on his chest and ferociously roared, “ALRIGHT! The name’s Bradok! As Ania’s old man, I’m hereby reinstated as troop chief! UNDERSTOOD?!!!?”

“SIR, YES, SIR!!!” bellowed the clan members. Those that remembered Bradok instantly understood the situation, and the others quickly caught on with the help of Bradok’s forceful but insightful introduction.

“GOOD!!” Bradok yelled, grinning from ear to ear. “Then, as you were! Tomorrow, we reconvene after some shut-eye!”

With prompt nods and pounding salutes, the gorillas gradually returned to their homes. Most felt relieved to see the old gorilla, regardless of if they knew him prior. All they needed to know was how strong he was and if he was dependable. And after sensing the old ape’s presence, along with understanding his relationship with Ania and Rathe, it was easy for them to understand what was happening.

Further south, two figures appeared in front of the mountain wall. They stopped at a cave entrance, pausing only for a moment.

“This is it. Would you like me to lead, or do you prefer to sense it for yourself?” Vloz asked.

Thinking, Zelsh shook his head. “Why not feel it myself, I guess... I’ll lead the way.”

The king entered with Vloz directly behind him. Together, they casually walked through the winding mountain passage while releasing essence to feel their way.

“That’s...” Zelsh muttered, feeling the first cluster of magicite ore with his sensory essence. “This is-”

“Zelsh, that’s only the beginning,” Vloz stated, cutting off his guest. “If what you said is true about magicite, then there’s no guessing that we’ll be investigated. Wait and see.”

“Okay...”

Taking Vloz’s advice, Zelsh continued to scan the cavern while keeping quiet. But his eyes couldn’t lie or contain his shock. Zelsh’s eyelids were retracted more and more with every step deeper into the cave. By the time they were walking through the first, massive cluster of magicite, Zelsh was incredulous to his own senses.

“Vloz, this-”

“I thought so...”

“This... This is beyond expectations. This... This will be much harder than we need it to be,” Zelsh sighed in shock and disappointment. “Of course, he would worry and warn us. For this... I’d bet on war breaking out before the next sun...”

Zelsh didn’t even finish inspecting the mine. Once he was halfway through, he turned back out of shock and disbelief.

As they quietly exited the cave, neither man could muster something to say. They gradually returned to the gorilla estate in silence, anxious to break the news to Bradok and the gorillas before the meeting with the patrician clans.

The rest of the night went by smoothly, but with a strange feeling hanging in the air. The gathering of the patrician clans was short and to the point. Bradok was presented as the new leader of the gorilla clan and territory leader without objection or question. And when Zelsh was introduced, most everyone was stunned into silence long enough for Bradok to end the meeting.

Nothing was mentioned about the mine or the imminent investigation. If anything, sharing such knowledge would’ve compromised their source of information the moment the inspector learned of the territory’s anticipation.

Instead, they felt it was best to be surprised in the public eye and prepared in the shadows. But with only one night to prepare and with their hope leaning on their most talented youth, there wasn’t much to do except to wait in suspense. Such was the case for the Zelsh especially. He couldn’t shake the shock of what he found in the mine. And he could only imagine what would happen in just a day’s time.

Sunrise eventually came. As did the second sunrise. And then the third. Yet everyone knowing of the matter at hand was left sleepless still.

And within hours, a wave of purple energy inundated Iron Academy’s teleportation circle.

Three figures were standing there, all men. One wore a simple white shirt and simple black trousers. Another wore a black robe with red accessories and a gold sash across his chest. And the last one wore a full set of half-plate armor, perfectly buffed and polished.

“Rhyner, introduce us to the territory leader,” Lord Draco ordered without hesitation.

“Of course, my lord.”

Leading them out of the courtyard, Rhyner approached the open gate where a small gathering of people was waiting. With a smile, Rhyner nodded, “Lord Draco, Master Slazza, this is the Iron-body Gorilla Clan, those in charge of Iron Territory.”