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Chapter 60 – Bonds of Beast and Blood
The fire in the woods had died down, leaving only the glow of magic embers and a trail of broken chains scattered across the dirt. The former slaves—humans, dwarves, and demi-beasts alike—were now free, thanks to the surprise assault by the beast warriors. The vampire guards had either fled or fallen. Victory, for now, belonged to the wild.
Asher stood beside Varek, his glowing green-lined outfit pulsing softly in the night like a heartbeat. He watched as the freed slaves were given food and water. The beast warriors worked together quickly, guiding the weakest to rest while keeping sharp eyes on the treeline and moving fast to their destination.
"You didn't tell me you had beast allies," Asher said, eyes narrowing.
"I don't tell you everything," Varek replied with a smirk. "Gotta keep some mystery alive."
Moments later, Varek stepped forward, gesturing toward the four powerful figures approaching. "Asher, meet the beast soldiers. These are my comrades."
The first to speak was a woman with an ethereal beauty—her face delicate like an elf's, but from her lower back curled a sharp, segmented scorpion tail that twitched with each movement. She twirled once dramatically, her voice light and playful.
"I'm Elsa," she grinned. "Try not to get stung—unless you're into that sort of thing."
Asher raised a brow behind his mask, clearly unsure how to respond.
Next was a towering brute of a figure. His entire frame was covered in grey, fur-like skin, complete with a massive bear claws protruding from his forearm. Despite his heavy build, his chest puffed with pride as he flexed both arms.
"I AM KOROK! STRONGEST OF THEM ALL! IF YOU NEED MUSCLE, YOU CALL ME—AND THEN STAY BACK SO YOU DON'T GET CRUSHED BY MY POWER!"
Elsa groaned. "Here he goes again…"
Then came a lithe and agile figure—lean and elegant, her form clearly feminine beneath the spotted fur. Her cheetah tail swished behind her as her golden eyes studied Asher carefully.
"I'm Zira," she said softly, her voice cautious. "I don't trust easily, but… Varek says you're one of us now."
Asher nodded in acknowledgment, sensing the layers of trauma beneath her quiet demeanor.
Finally, the tiger stepped forward. His presence still carried that intense weight from their earlier clash. He crossed his arms and looked down at Asher.
"I am Kael. You earned your life earlier. Don't waste it."
Without another word, Kael turned and walked away, disappearing into the night mist like a shadow retreating from battle.
"Don't mind him," Varek muttered. "He's like that with everyone."
Kael's voice echoed behind them as he called out, "We'll have to pass through the swamp so they can't track us.The vampires will regroup. We return to the village before they follow the scent."
Without waiting, the beast warriors began guiding the freed slaves along a hidden forest trail. Asher joined them, silently leaping from branch to branch, surveying the horizon.
As the group moved deeper into the woods, Asher finally spoke again.
"Varek. Why are you with them? With the Beast Clan?"
Varek's smile softened. He looked up at the moonlight flickering between the trees. "I've always had a soft spot for animals. Even before I awakened as a clone, something in me just clicked with them. They're honest. They fight for their pack. It made sense to protect them… and lead them when no one else would."
There was a beat of silence.
"Stop lying to him, Varek," Zira said from just ahead, her voice playfully sharp.
Varek blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, don't try to act innocent now," Elsa chimed in, flicking her tail teasingly. "You joined us because you fell head-over-heels for the Chief's daughter. That's why you've never left!"
"I did not—!" Varek snapped, then cleared his throat. "That's... highly exaggerated."
"Oh really?" Zira smirked. "Because you literally challenged a silverback gorilla-man to a duel just to impress her "
"That was for honor and beside I did it so I could learn the gorilla fighting style!" Varek said defensively.
"Uh-huh," Elsa giggled. "Honorably simping and becoming a gorilla for your crush."
Asher watched the banter with amused eyes. It was strange—but comforting—to see such warmth in the middle of war. These weren't just warriors. They were a tribe. A family. And somehow, Varek had become part of it.
As they continued walking under the moonlight, Asher stayed at the back of the group, deep in thought.
He'd come to destroy the vampires.
He didn't expect to find a whole hidden force of beasts... or a clone of himself who found a home among them.
But one thing was certain now.
The Beast Tribe protected their own people
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As the group entered the hidden village nestled deep within the wilderness, the shadows around them slowly softened. Trees arched over wooden walkways, and glowing stones lit the paths with soft amber light. Huts carved from mountain rock and shaped from thick vines surrounded them, filled with the quiet hum of nature and the warm scent of herbs. Despite being born from war, this place held a peace of its own.
The tiger warrior, Kael, stepped forward and barked instructions to the younger beasts. Without hesitation, several beastkin children—many of them bruised, tired, and frightened—were led into a large tent with healing runes etched into the fabric. The smell of crushed herbs, enchanted moss, and forest dust filled the air.
Inside, an unusual healer waited.
It was an obese creature, round and massive with fur like a shaggy sloth and long ears that twitched as it waddled toward the children. The moment it reached a wounded boy, it leaned down and gave a slow, careful lick across his arm.
The result was instantaneous. A soft golden shimmer spread from its tongue, and the boy's injuries began to close, skin knitting together as if time reversed itself. The same process followed with the others. Their eyes widened as the pain faded, replaced by relief—and some, even a smile.
Asher stood silently at the entrance, arms crossed, his green-striped assassin outfit pulsing faintly with every breath.
"You're welcome to stay the night," Varek said from behind him. "The village has safe places, and it's too dangerous to head back through the trees alone. Especially with vampire scouts around."
Asher turned slightly. "Thanks. But I'm not staying long."
Varek raised a brow. "Of course you aren't."
"I didn't come for shelter," Asher said, stepping further into the village. "I need information."
At that, Varek's expression grew serious. He nodded once and led Asher to a quieter section of the village, away from the recovering slaves and curious beastfolk.
They entered a small tent shaped like a badger's den, reinforced with bones and layered hides. Asher sat across from Varek on a floor mat covered in stitched bear fur.
"So," Asher began, "Tell me what you know about the Magic Power Stone and the beast tribe."
Varek leaned back against a carved root pillar and exhaled. "Straight to business, huh?"
"You know how I operate," Asher said coolly.
"Yeah. No time for wine and stories." Varek smirked and then his tone shifted. "The Beast Continent—our home—is small. We're wedged between two powers: the Vampire Continent on the east, and the Human Continent on the west. We were never meant to be a third kingdom."
He paused, eyes darkening.
"Most of us... were created," he said. "Either experiments done by vampires on demi-humans, or the result of unwanted pairings between races. Humans and vampires... elves and orcs... dragons and dwarves. The world didn't know where to place us."
"So, they abandoned you here?" Asher asked.
"Exactly. We were dumped into this stretch of land as if we were mistakes. Over the years, the strong survived and formed clans. We stopped begging to be accepted. We became a force of our own."
"And now?" Asher asked, leaning forward.
"Now we protect our own," Varek said. "And the Magic Power Stone... we know where it is. We've scouted it."
He opened a carved map drawn into a stretched hide. At its center was a spiked mountain ridge surrounded by blackened fields.
"The stone is here," he pointed, "In the ruins of Nekareth, the Vampire Fortress. Hidden underground beneath layers of traps, arcane seals, and undead guards."
"Figures," Asher muttered. "Vampires always hide their toys under ancient death pits."
"It's worse than that," Varek continued. "The vampires excel in magic—more than humans ever did. They're stronger in combat too. Faster, more ruthless. The only thing humans have is numbers."
"So if I go in alone," Asher concluded, "I'll be walking into a fortress full of immortal killing machines."
Varek hesitated. "...Yes."
He waited, expecting Asher to agree to take a unit of beast soldiers. But the assassin shook his head.
"I'm going alone."
"You're insane," Varek snapped. "You just heard me—"
"I heard you," Asher cut in. "I also heard that the stone won't survive if I go in with a full army. Vampires will lock it down, maybe even destroy it. They'll sense the threat."
"So you're walking into a death trap?" Varek asked.
"No." Asher stood, green lights on his coat flickering. "I'm walking into their house."
There was a long silence between them.
Then Varek smiled.
"You haven't changed."
"I have," Asher said, eyes burning. "I just learned to stop waiting for permission."
As the moon began to rise over the beast village, Asher stepped out of the tent. Somewhere in the eastern lands, the Magic Power Stone waited—surrounded by enemies, cursed soil, and the blood of the past.
But Asher didn't flinch.
He was going to take it.
Even if he had to carve through the darkness alone.
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