In the bear tribe.
A scout was reporting in the chief's hut.
" I observed the Fiery Wolf tribe for a few days. I was especially monitoring the house in the forest as you told me to. From the neighborhood, I could easily smell the scent of the wolf who killed many of us, but it was slowly dissipating in the last few days. So before returning, I discretely came closer till I could see the house. No one seemed to live in. Then I came back to report to you, chief."
The chief didn't answer for a long time. The scout started to sweat. He heard rumors about their current chief. He heard the chief would hardly punish whoever didn't bring back satisfying results. Not even his sons were spared.
Golok was thoughtful. He was calculating the risk. ' This year's ceremony isn't as successful as the two years for now. We might get as much loss as them. I was starting to become impatient from waiting all this time. But now that that orc has left, there is nothing that prevents us from going to war !'
A sudden dark smile appeared on his face affraying the scout.
" Great ! It's excellent news you bring me. We will be able to move on with our plans ! "
He looked thoughtfully at his subordinates.
" I hope for you that the orc is really gone. But to be sure, you will return there with three other scouts to see if he is really gone. Then two of you will stay to monitor the enemy's movement. "
He then glances to the side where another big orc is standing. The orc could be considered to be Golok's right arm.
" Drog, prepare the troup ! When the young one come back..."
" The war will start !"
...
[Yalak POV]
Yesterday, the sisters came to tell us that Yurim and the guys had returned. We were all surprised by fast they were.
We were very excited to see them again. It was only at the end of the afternoon they came back. We all gathered around them and listened to their adventures. I was very impressed they arrived at the ambush part and took notes not to make the same mistake.
Then they showed us their tattoos, well only Yurim and Wolfteeth, as Rorm's tattoo was for all to see. We saw it as soon as they came in.
His tattoo was red. It showed the head of a fiery wolf ready to attack. It was sowing its teeth. The eyes of the wolf, however, were filled with intelligence and the will of a tenacious warrior with a slight hint of madness. I would say that the tattoo fits very well Rorm's personality. Rorm loves fighting so much that he sometimes seems to lose his senses. However, that doesn't make him weaker. In that state, he becomes sharper and become even more cunning. He just became too hard to stop.
Wolfteeth was the second one to show us his tattoo. We were all very surprised when we saw him remove his shoes. It was on his left foot, a blue tattoo of a fiery wolf which was the opposite of Rorm. It looked calm and focused as if nothing could disrupt it. The wolf was the incarnation of a hunter meant. With limitless patience, it would stealthily track and come as close to its prey, before, jumping and killing it. That reflects as well Wolfteeth's character.
Finally, Yurim showed us her tattoo but with some reluctance this time. She got her top off. Her growing chest distracts me briefly, but a purple tattoo quickly attracts my attention. It was showing a curious and proudish wolf. The wolf seemed to be smirking at us.
Seeing the tattoo, I couldn't help but laugh slightly. Yurim looked annoyingly at me. The most excited one was Trosh, who wouldn't miss this opportunity to make fun of her. However, a single look at Yurim shut him up.
" Your tattoo doesn't look too bad."
" Thanks, Ushha, for trying to comfort me, but it's not working at all. I don't like it. I wish I could have one beautiful as yours !"
Ushha didn't know what to answer her.
" You shouldn't dislike your tattoo. It's a part of you. It would be best if you accepted it as such. Besides, although it may have an arrogant expression, the wolf doesn't look bad, and tattoos change with your growth. You might get it to change his face." I calmly said.
Yurim hopefully looked at me and brightly smiled. It was so bright and beautiful that it stunned me for a second.
" Thanks, Yal." She said, using her soft voice.
I slightly blushed. They were all looking at me.
Ushha came to my help by diverting their attention by asking a question.
" Now that you guys have gotten your tattoo, you must have also received your first skill. What is it ?"
It was a question that I and all the orphans were very curious to know. Baruba taught us that we would receive a skill with our tribal tattoos. He also said they were usually a shorter list of first skills you can get. However, we never asked what the possible skill for our fiery wolf tribal tattoo was, and neither Ushha nor Vea shared theirs with us. That's why we were all very curious to know.
The three of them smiled and were as excited as us.
"We didn't have the time to try them. So we might as well show them to you and see what they can do." Said Rorm.
Thus we all went behind egghead as Rorm said he couldn't perform his skill inside.
Yurim started.
" My skill is called Wolf aura. The description from the system says that wolf aura will give the user the aura of a true hunter aura that will scare those weaker than I."
"Oh !" said Ushha, a bit surprised " I know this skill. It's quite rare to get it. It might be a little weak now, but it has great potential."
We all stared at her. It was not surprising that she knew as much since she had gone through the two-month training.
Yurim nodded and activated the skill. Suddenly, we felt her presence flare up. The orphans without any tattoos yelp and start to sweat. Clearly, they became afraid of Yurim, who couldn't help but smile. Her smile became even wider as she saw Trosh nearly pissing on himself. She walks toward him with a sadistic face.
" What is it, Trosh? Have you lost your tongue ? Next time you try to scare someone, think twice about who you target."
Trosh was scared shitless. As for me, I could feel slightly scared at first, but as my heart beat faster, the fear went away. Ushha, Rorm, Wolfteeth, and Zala weren't affected either.
" You should stop Yurim before you make them faint," I said.
They were greatly surprised when they saw that Zala and I weren't affected, but it quickly subsided.
" As expected from two monsters." Mumbled Wolfteeth loud enough for everyone to hear.
The other three nodded in response before Yurim released her aura. When she saw the afraid gaze Noa and Uzu were giving her, she regretted having maintained it for so long.
" It's all that bastard's fault," she said while looking at Trosh, who shivered, feeling her gaze.
" My turn !" exclaimed Rorm, who went near a dummy that Baruba made for our training.
" My skills are called instant strikes." He took a stance facing the dummy. Then hit it. It was so fast I barely saw it.
"Wow" exclaimed all the orphans.
That was an impressive skill that could surprise and destabilize his opponents.
" My skill is called silent steps," said Wolfteeth. " Everything is in the name. I can move without making a sound." He said while walking around and demonstrating his skill. Although less impressive, the skill isn't less helpful. Stealth is essential when hunting or hiding.
"Now that we showed you our skills, we want to know what is yours, Ushha ?" Said Yurim.
" That's true. We don't know what is yours."
" Oh, it's true I didn't share mine! Well, my skill isn't as impressive as yours. I got the night vision skill. With it, I can see in the dark."
" Do you know Vaela's skill?" asked Zala.
" She has several of them, but you'll need to ask her when she comes. Knows that skills are part of our personal power and can't be easily shared. Asking for someone's skill is rude. Do you all understand ?"
" We do." We all said.
" Good, now let's go back, we have a few things to tell you guys. Its concerns our teacher Baruba."
And we went back inside the hut.