Chronic was watching his dad with amusement but, only because he would never tell his mom about the only thing she could never forgive. One year back they were supposed to visit Freya's parents, Fenrir not wanting to go pretend to be sick. Freya out of worry decided to stay home and take care of him, unfortunately a week later they received horrible news. When her parents heard Fenrir was sick they decided to visit instead but, on the way they were attacked by a horde of monsters. Normally a horde of monsters isn't too bad, killing the leader would cause the rest to disperse. So of course that's what they did but, these monsters were more aggressive, stronger, and faster. When the leader fell they went berserk and killed everyone in sight and this included her parents. it wasn't until 3 months later that she was able to smile again, she was given a letter from them telling her even worse news. Normally wolfkin are nomadic by nature but, when the clans leader is expecting they stay safely in a town or city until their child can defend themselves. while moving back towards the town their daughter was staying in, they had an encounter with a poison dragon. Failure to kill the dragon and take its poison glands meant only death awaited them, the poison of any monster is unique even among the same type of monster. The letter was carried by the remaining clan members who arrived a week before she was to go see her parents. with a note to only open if something happens to them, they wanted to say good bye in person and never got the chance. knowing they were no longer suffering is all she could want for them, Fenrir has felt guilty about it the whole time, his guilt caused him to get drunk every night until he finally told Chronic. He expected to be yelled at and hated for his actions, however Chronic gave him a hug and said "I'll take this secret to my grave".
Taking sympathy on his dad after remembering his words Chronic spoke up, "Mom, dad can't be stuck training them, remember you said as soon as I prove myself we will rejoin the clan. You promised them and they are waiting for you to lead them, besides I wanna see the world and train with you both. I want memories of you both to look back on, you know just in case something happens like with grampa and grandma". Upon hearing this Freya felt both happy and sad, her son wants to make memories with her but, thinking of her parents she couldn't help being sad. "Okay" was all she managed to say while tears ran down her face, still she was smiling so Chronic knew she wasn't hurt by his words. Fenrir looked at his son with sadness in his eyes, taking his words personally and vowing to himself to give him the best memories. After the trainer was healed up and back on his feet he resumed training the kids, Chronic and his parents went home to prepare for their reunion with the clan. Grabbing their belongings from the house they walked to return the keys to the rental office, "I can't wait to become part of the clan, in fact I'm so good you should just make me the leader" Chronic said to his mom. "You are better than the kids here Chronic, however when you meet the kids of the clan you will understand that these kids growing up safe in town are baby shit soft" Fenrir replied. "Besides, what makes you think you are considered part of the clan? I didn't see you pass the test to make that claim" Freya chimed in. "Of course I'm part of the clan, don't tell anyone but my mom happens to be the leader. So by default I'm automatically in, besides no matter what the test is I can easily pass you saw me out there" Chronic stated with a cocky smile.
"You are sadly mistaken, Chronic, you are not part of the clan until you pass the test, no one is exempt from that rule not even us. Because we have been gone so long we have to prove ourselves again, you being a kid you probably just gotta beat a goblin or skeleton or something weak like that but, for your mom and me we'll have a dangerous task. see the elders won't accept weakness from leaders of the clan, so we will have to risk our lives against something strong" Fenrir told Chronic. Arriving at the rental office they dropped off the keys and headed out of town to the forest, a member of the clan was waiting for them near the town. "Amarok Clan welcomes you and expects greatness of you Chronic, Lady Freya I'm sorry for your loss. The elders have decided your tasks, Fenrir you will hunt a cave troll, Freya you will hunt a stone golem. Chronic the elders will give your task after meeting you, may the Gods watch over you all" the clan member said as he led them to where the clan waited. "Why can't you and dad hunt together?" Chronic asked with confusion on his face. "The Amarok Clan is the clan of lone hunters, when given a task it is either completed or the clan loses weakness" Freya told him. Freya and Fenrir said their goodbyes to each other and to Chronic who was left to the care of the clan member. "How will they find us when they left before we reached the clan?" Chronic asked. "They will follow your scent child, can't you smell or has that town made you lose your connection to nature?" replied the clan member. "I can smell just fine thank you. So, what kind of task will I have to do to become part of the clan?" Chronic asked. "I honestly can't tell you, as I said before the elders will give you a task when you meet them" the clan member said. "Okay, well what is your name?" "My name is Root" Root replied, they continued to walk for twenty minutes before arriving at a clearing with brush huts, chatting clan members, herding animals, and the smell of freshly killed meat grilling.
Chronic followed Root to a nearby hut and was told to wait outside, minutes passed and Root exited with 5 old Wolfkin women. "So you are the offspring of Freya and Fenrir, Chronic you look weak I'm not sure you're ready to take a task" said one of the old crones. insulted by her words Chronic stated "You may think me weak hag but, make no mistake I'll pass any task you give me" "Cocky little shits should mind their manners" said another crone. "Now, now, calm down you two, you called the boy weak without any hesitation why shouldn't he be mad. Chronic you have insulted an elder of the clan, so your task will be tougher as a result." another crone stated. Another crone stated "your task is to kill a Flame Horned Minotaur" "Elder, surely you jest? I mean he's only a child and not even I'm not sure I could beat an adult Minotaur, yet you'd ask him to defeat one with the fire element? it's an evolved monster do you wish him death?" Root asked confusion and worry on his face. "It's fine I'll consider it the beginning of my battle training, and if I can't win I don't deserve to be called the next heir of the Amarok Clan" Chronic stated boldly with a determined smile. "Haha, now you sound like your mom but, remember if you can't win retreat after all you can always try again later. we were already going to give you a hard task as the heir but, we increased the difficulty because of the disrespect. Seeing that look on your face I'm starting to think we went easy on you, ahahaha" stated the last crone with an comforting laugh.