Marcus said the trip to Azaacar's Embrace would only take two days. It took four. The plan was to run from dawn to dusk at a steady pace and Marcus was going to teach Marley how to use the Old Power to refresh his muscles on the fly. The beasts of the woods had other plans. About five hours into their run, they were attacked by a pair of Kuflo, winged snakes that were each about fifteen feet long and as big around as Marcus was. The battle would have been over in an instant if it wasn't for both men's incredible reaction speed. They were able to duck and dodge as the snakes struck at them again and again at lightning speed. The moment Marley found an opening for a counterattack, the snake he was facing took to the air out of his reach and spit twin hot streams of corrosive venom at his face. As Marley ducked and spun out of the way, he glanced up at Marcus who, at that moment, rushed his target, leaped and spun. His sword made a wide but precise arch severing the head of the snake he was facing, as his momentum brought his other arm around, he pointed his flat hand at the other snake. Blue energy shot from his hand in the shape of an arrowhead and sliced clean through the neck of the unsuspecting beast. All three bodies hit the ground at the same time, only one got back up. Marcus inhaled deep as he stood, then exhaled slowly. Marley rushed over to the older man like an excited child and nearly yelled as he asked his question. "How did you do that?" Marcus smiled mischievously as he answered. "The Old Power is a path to many abilities many would consider supernatural. Only by becoming one with it, will you begin to comprehend its true power." He said, sounding like an old holo-movie. Marley stared at him in amazement, waiting for a more comprehensive explanation. Marcus just chuckled. "Come and help me, I'll explain more over some roasted kuflo."
And so, the journey went, the pair would travel for a few hours then get accosted by one beast or another. There were more Kuflo, bearcats, and several shadow dogs that didn't seem to appreciate the two men traveling through their homes. It was near the evening of the second day when they had to stop running due to being laden down with all the pelts and meat they could carry. What they couldn't eat or carry, they buried, giving the bounty back to the planet. Every fight ended with a lesson, there was always a new technique, a new way to weaponize the Old Power. Marley learned to harness the power for offence, defense, stealth, and even healing. By nightfall of the fourth day Marley was wondering what could possibly be left to learn. Marcus and the beast of the woods had turned him into a living weapon. He felt like there was no challenge he could not face and defeat with the Old Power as his ally. At that moment, as if to answer his thoughts, the shadows seemed to growl all around them. The two men stood back to back, weapons at the ready, as they found themselves surrounded by glowing red eyes. They moved in sync turning slowly, watching for any signs of movement from the enemy. In an effort to focus through their fear they recited their mantra.
"Strong mind," Marcus began softly.
"Strong body," Marley replied shakily.
"Strong spirit," said Marcus, gritting his teeth,
"True Power." A third, loud, deep, resounding, voice reverberated inside their heads, startling the two men. They waved their swords, frantically looking for the source of the voice. Slowly a figure stepped out from the shadows, ten feet tall and menacing. It was the largest shadow dog either of them had ever seen. Its long fur flowed in the breeze, its three, bushy, soft-looking tails waving lazily side to side, its golden eyes looked sharp and intelligent, its sharp teeth glinted in the moonlight like polished ivory. Strangely, neither man felt a hint of malice coming off the massive creature. Still, they kept their weapons raised and their eyes firmly on the giant canine.
"I have not heard that mantra in many, many moons." The voice was softer this time, almost wistful, as if recalling a fond memory. "It has been so long since men have come here looking to enter Azaacar's embrace. I can see her blessing is strong with the both of you. Lower your weapons and leave the meat you carry for my children, and I will show you where you can rest for the night." Marley lowered his weapon and stood to his full height, still feeling small next to the enormous wolf. "We thank you for your benevolence, great one, but who are you?" He kept his words calm and measured, being very careful not to offend their would-be host. The beast seemed to smile at Marley, which actually terrified him. She lowered her head to as close to eye level as she could get before she spoke again. "I am Jarka, the spirit of the shadows, the custodian of Azaacar's Embrace. It is a pleasure to meet you Marley of the blessed bloodline. I have been waiting for you for quite a while."
The challenge arena was situated on top of the highest point of the ship that has served as Lastirk's palace. The winds whipped harshly as Lastirk stood holding her ornate great-sword in hand. Her crimson hair failed in the wind wildly, an outward representation of the turmoil, the fiery rage in her heart. She had worked all her life to get where she was, to gain what she had. There was no way in all the hells in the universe that she was going to let her own son take it from her. What was sad to her was, if he would have only waited just a couple more years she would have handed it all to him on a silver platter, while she retired to a beach somewhere with a handful of man-servants. But, as it stood, there was no way she was going to stand by and let him steal all of this from her. If he wanted to try to pry it from her cold, dead hands, so be it.
Greyson strode confidently up to the arena with a small-framed, raven haired woman hot on his heels like an excited puppy. Naga grinned from ear to ear, her eyes were wild and blood thirsty. To her it was both an honor and a pleasure to be asked to fight as Greyson's proxy in this last step of his master plan. At this point all she had to do to be queen was kill the queen. This was going to be so easy it was making her positively giddy. She stepped on to the arena floor and bounced from foot to foot, her energy at a fever pitch. She stared across at Lastirk giggling maniacally. A shiver of evil pleasure ran down her spine at the disdain on her opponent's face when Greyson announced her as his proxy. She licked her lips in anticipation as the general officiating the duel explained the rules, or lack thereof, and asked if the combatants were ready. When they were finally commanded to begin she dashed forward like she had been shot out of a cannon.