A/N: Second chapter will be out later today, there's a portion of it I want to change because I don't like it as it is currently. Thank you again for the continued support, you guys are the best.
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The entire tribe just stares at Topaz after his sudden introduction as the chief's son. Topaz takes a step forwards to greet everyone, but before he has the chance, a small woman runs through the crowd and launches herself at Topaz.
????: "My baby!"
Topaz: "Hi mom, it's good to see you again."
Sara: "Look how big you've gotten."
Topaz: "That does tend to happened when you are away for thirteen years you know."
Sara: "Don't you get smart with me mister."
????: "Momma!"
A small girl that looks like a blonde version of Ruby runs over and hugs Sara. She looks to be around five or six years of age. She sees Sara hugging Topaz and hides behind Sara's legs, while peeking out to see if Topaz is still there. Topaz gives the girl a smile and says hello.
Sara: "Topaz, I would like to introduce you to your little sister, Haley. Haley, this is your big brother Topaz."
Haley: "Big brother? The one that had to go away?"
Sara: "Yes, he had to go away to keep mommy and daddy safe."
Haley: "Oh, thank you big brother."
Topaz: "You don't need to thank me Haley. They are my mom and dad too."
Neo walks over to Topaz and grabs his hand. Topaz can see her looking at his mother with nervous eyes. Topaz smiles and pulls Neo closer.
Topaz: "Mom and Haley, I would like to introduce you to my girlfriend Neo."
Sara: "Girlfriend? Pleased to meet you sweetie, I hope Topaz has been treating you well."
Neo types into her scroll and hands it to Sara.
{It's so nice to meet you ma'am. My name is Neo Politan, and I apologize for having to communicate like this, but I cannot talk sadly. Topaz has treated me better than anyone ever has before. You have an incredible son.}
Sara: "You poor dear. Topaz you had better not hurt that girl ever."
Topaz: "I know mom. She and Ariel mean the world to me."
Sara: "Who is Ariel?"
Topaz: "Ariel is my other girlfriend."
Sara: "Other girlfriend, it seems I need to teach you how to teach you how to properly treat women."
Neo rushes forwards and waves her hands. She types into her scroll quickly and hands it again to Sara.
{Please don't. Ariel and I both agree that Topaz has made our lives so much better. Because of him I have a sister and a place to belong.}
Sara: "I see. In that case, you are off the hook Topaz."
The crowd after that interaction begins asking if Topaz is really their chief's son. Leo slowly makes his way out of the cart with help from Stella.
Leo: "I can vouch for him. He's the reason I'm still alive after the fight we had earlier."
????: "Chief Alex, you said someone defeated the alpha deathworm. But who could possibly be strong enough to do that?"
Alex: "Leo, would you mind going over what happened?"
Leo: "I would be glad to sir. Everyone, while making my way home after my trip to Kuo Kuana today, we were attacked by a single deathworm. While I was taking care of it, another snuck behind us and tried attacking. I saw it was an alpha and told Topaz to just take the cart and run. But he instead stayed back and kept the alpha deathworm preoccupied while I finished the other one. After defeating it, I turned and saw that Topaz had managed to not only wound it, but forced it into calling for help and retreating. After that it returned with eight more deathworms and Topaz and I fought until I could fight no longer. Topaz then decided to not only stay and fight, but he took on the alpha alone yet again, and was able to defeat it. He defeated it the moment before our warriors showed up and defeated the remaining two deathworms."
Alex: "There you have it everyone. My son Topaz was the one to defeat the alpha deathworm."
????: "So, you finally decided to return brat?"
Alex: "Father, it's rare of you to make an appearance since you retired."
Grandfather: "Well I heard that there was some big news, and decided to check it out. And to my surprise, I learned that not only was the most dangerous grimm we've ever encountered defeated, but it was done by the child I had sent away so many years ago."
Alex: "And what of it?"
Grandfather: "I think he is ready for the challenge."
Sara: "No, you cannot do that to him."
Grandfather: "If he wishes to join you here in the tribe, he is required to do it."
Topaz: "I will take on your challenge, but not to join the tribe."
Grandfather: "What will you do instead?"
Topaz: "If I complete your challenge, my family is allowed to leave."
Grandfather: "What exactly do you mean by that?"
Topaz: "I mean, dad passes on the chief position to someone he trusts if he wants to, and then they can all leave the tribe."
Grandfather: "That is preposterous. The chief of the Nemea tribe has always been of our families decent."
Topaz: "Well seeing how much you care about your family maybe it's time that changes."
Grandfather: "Why you little brat!"
Topaz's grandfather transforms into his lion form and lunges at Topaz. Topaz transforms himself and bats his grandfather away with his paw. Topaz can hear gasps from the surrounding crowd and they begin to whisper.
????: "Oh my gods, he's massive."
????: "He really is the chief's son."
Topaz's grandfather goes back to being normal and just stares at Topaz with wide eyes. Topaz transforms back and goes back by his family. He watches as his father makes his way over to his grandfather.
Alex: "I told you father, he would be the strongest of us one day."
Grandfather: "You were right. And because of me, he wants nothing to do with this tribe."
Alex: "Not necessarily true. He looks comfortable around Leo and Stella. It's you he has an issue with."
Grandfather: *Sigh* "I guess you are right. If given the chance, would you leave the tribe?"
Alex: "Honestly, yes. Sara has told me so many stories of the things the world holds, and I would like to see them myself."
Grandfather: "Who would you choose as your successor? You know how difficult the job of chief is. It has to be someone who the entire tribe trusts and would be willing to follow."
Alex: "I was thinking Leo. Especially after today."
Grandfather: "Very well, go make your announcement."
Alex: "Thank you father."
Grandfather: "But... Topaz must complete the challenge first. It is a tradition of the tribe for anyone who comes of age to participate in it. You know that."
Alex: "But the tradition is to do it at sixteen, not eighteen. And it's done by the children that grew up in the tribe."
Grandfather: "Details."
Sara: "Oh, that is just like you. The moment you start losing an argument you begin acting as if there isn't a conversation at all."
Topaz walks forwards to stops the argument from getting any worse. Walking between his parents and his grandfather Topaz stares at his grandfather with resolve in his eyes.
Topaz: "If you agree to my conditions, I'll do your challenge. But only if you swear it on your honor and tribe."
Grandfather: "Very well then. I swear on my life and on the proud name Nemea, that if you complete the challenge given to you, your family will be able to leave."
Topaz: "Ok then. What is the challenge I'm supposed to do?"
Grandfather: "You will find out tomorrow. I will say the same thing everyone is told beforehand. Prepare yourself for danger."
After that, Topaz's grandfather walked away returning to his home. Topaz can hear the crowd whispering about being excited for the next day. Topaz walks over to his family and Neo gives him a hug.
Topaz: "So, what is the challenge like?"
Alex: "I'm sorry Topaz. The challenge changes each time it happens. The only thing that stays the same is the combat between finalists towards the end."
Topaz: "That's ok. I'll overcome anything that happens during it and get you guys your freedom."
Alex: "Technically we are free currently, but it will be nice to be able to pass off the chief position and travel with everyone. Now come on, it's getting late and you need your rest."
Topaz and his family make their way into Topaz's parent's house. Haley continued to ask Topaz and Neo questions along the way while his parents just laughed at her antics. Arriving at the house, Topaz stands in the doorway and looks around, taking in how little everything changed.
Sara: "Topaz, your room is clean and ready for you. Neo, you can stay in Haley's room with her. Unless you really want to stay in the same room as Topaz. Just know that the walls are thin, so no funny business."
Topaz: "We will behave mom. After everything I've been through, I know I'm not ready to have a kid."
Sara: "Topaz, no one is ever ready to have a kid, sometimes it just happens. I mean for gods' sake, your father and I decided to have you even with the tribes' restrictions."
Topaz: "Fair point. We still won't do anything."
Sara: "And that's ok, but someday I want grandbabies."
Topaz: "Summer said the same line when I first introduced them to Neo."
Sara: "That sounds like her, she and I have always been similar when it comes to children. How was she?"
Topaz: "Just you wait, you'll see her soon enough."
Sara: "Get some sleep Topaz. Love you sweetheart."
Topaz: "Goodnight Mom, love you too."
Topaz makes his way into his room with Neo following. Topaz looks around his old room and finds everything exactly as he had left it thirteen years ago. Topaz grabs Neo and gives her a quick hug, then kisses her forehead before heading to bed. Neo follows him into bed and falls asleep against his chest. Sleep is quick to overtake them.