Chief Ironclaw was sitting in the large tent that he had purchased before leaving Sun & Moon island. He was very impressed with the craftsmanship of the tent, it was the size of a marquee and had many rooms. It was engraved with various inscriptions to provide protection, illumination, and utility, and Ironclaw almost felt the marquee tent was better than his cave, but wouldn't admit it due to pride.
He was sitting in his favorite chair eating his favorite meal, brisket, while watching the QTV he bought as well. Even though he could use his Qnet Remote Access Artifact to watch shows from Sun & Moon island, he instead decided to watch the first season of 'The Westward Journey'. He controlled a jade slip, and directed it into the receptacle on the side of the QTV, then took a large bite while the splash screen appeared. He started the show, and took a large gulp of beer while enjoying the adventures of a monkey beastkin name Sun Wukong.
Ironclaw had just got to the third episode, when the Monkey King had just dived into ocean to visit the Dragon palace, when the ground shook. He paused the show, walked outside, and realized that Snowfur village was being attacked.
"IRONCLAWS", he shouted, "PROTECT THE VILLAGE!"
Ironclaw morphed into his true form and rushed towards the commotion as quickly as he could with his followers after him. When they arrived at the scene, they saw two yaks, the size of an elephant, running at each other until their head collided. The impact caused a shockwave that caused everything to shake slightly afterwards.
"PROTECT THE OTHERS", Ironclaw commanded, "STAY BACK WHILE I ASSIST CHIEF SNOWFUR."
The two yaks had locked horns while trying to dominate the other through raw strength.
"Datak!", Snowfur yelled, "Stop immediately, you've gone too far. How many of your kin will you consume."
"As many as I need to", Datak declared, "My rebirth is at hand, and I will not be denied."
"You are Datak", Snowfur uttered, "You're the beast core of the ancient one speaking?"
"You're right", 'Datak' acknowledged, "Datak is no more. I have consumed his soul, and after I do the same to you, the ritual will be complete, and I will walk the land once more."
Snowfur was stunned for a moment, he had held on to the hope they could have separated the elder from the stone. It caused him to hesitate for a moment and 'Datak' took advantage. Snowfur got rolled over, and 'Datak took a few steps back before charging forward, aiming his horns at Snowfur's vitals.
Before he reached the downed yak, 'Datak' felt a pain in his side, as Ironclaw rammed the yak from the side.
"Stand, Chief Snowfur", Ironclaw ordered, "Don't let your people see you fall to weakness."
Ironclaw dashed towards 'Datak' and prepared maul the possessed creature, but just before he could use his dagger like claws, a horn nearly impaled him the chin. Ironclaw backed off, staring down the opponent, who was back on his feet.
"The other one is here", 'Datak' said, "But I will not run again. This will delay my plan slightly, but just know you can not stop me, the ancient known as Ravagore."
The yak now known as Ravagore began to grow in size while the white fur of the yak started falling out. The skin underneath was a dull metallic armor of plates, and green vapor flowed from Ravagore's nose. When the green smoke hit the floor to expanded in all directions. Snowfur and Ironclaw watched as a few plants growing in front of the nearby turned grey like stone when the green smoke contacted it.
"Snowfur, the stone has activated the true body of the ancient, just as Daoist Wei mentioned before", Ironclaw explained to the chief yak, "We must evacuate everyone."
"My people", Snowfur loudly announced, "You're in great danger, flee the village, head west to the Frostmane village, and let them know what happened.
"Ironclaws", Ironclaw commanded, "Make sure our allies make it there."
"You wasting your breath", Ravagore told the pair, "They will be next after I deal with you two."
All deafening screech interrupted the now housed sized bull, and everyone looked up to see multiple eagles flying in their direction.
"My friend", Razortalon inquired, "Have I arrived too late?"
"No, Chief Razortalon", Ironclaw displayed a rare smile, "You have arrived just in time. I trust you brought some assurances with you."
"There is nothing to worries about", Razortalon assured his friend, "Eagles, assist the evacuation."
Yaks, bears, and eagles were seen abandoning the village as the three chiefs and the giant bull faced off.
Realizing his prey were running, and that his own time was limited, Ravagore took a deep breath and let out a huge cloud of gas, which rapidly expanded. Many of the fleeing beastkin froze, as the pressure from the ancient bull blood essence enveloped them.
"Razortalon, the gas will turn the living to stone", Ironclaw asserted, "You can't touch it."
The giant eagle used it superior eyesight to confirm Ironclaw's words.
"Then I need to use the artifact now", Razortalon said, "but it's too dangerous to approach the enemy."
"I'll make sure you can use it", Ironclaw replied, "Chief Snowfur, can you make sure to deliver me and my stuff to my wife and son?"
"What?", Snowfur responded, "It's suicidal to enter the green smoke! Don't throw your life away, old friend!"
"I'm too old now", Ironclaw replied, "I only have a few decades left, and my son has been ready to take over for me. I was going to help capture the stones first before retiring on Sun & Moon island, but fate is cruel."
Ironclaw threw a storage bag to Snowfur and looked at Razortalon, "Are you ready?"
Before the eagle couple say anything, Snowfur stepped forward, "Don't think you will go alone, old friend. I'm the chief of the village, and will die to protect it."
"Fine", Ironclaw said, and handed Snowfur two pills, "I hope you ready, because I'm going now."
Snowfur threw two storage bags on the ground, "Chief Eagle, I trust you will handle things after."
Both Beastkin ate the pills and the aura around them grew heavy as their bloodlines started burning in exchange of power. As they started to feel themselves start to lose control, the Yak and Bear sprinted towards the huge green cloud. They both heavily circulated their blood essence to resist the curse of the green smoke as they beelined towards the giant bull.
"You fools", Ravagore laughed, "You've entered, and now you've only killed yourselves. I don't have to do anything at all, except watch you slowly turn to stone."
Snowfur charged in first headfirst aim to challenge Ravagore. The giant bull lowered his head and met the yak, blocking the attack with his own horns.
"This is not even a challenge", Ravagore boasted, "I don't know what gives you the courage to attack me."
Ravagore felt heavier on his front leg as Ironclaw bit his metallic flesh, causing little damage, and holding onto his leg. He tried to move, but found it awkward with the two beastkin hampering his efforts.
When Razortalon saw the pills that the two took, he already knew that this would be the last time he would see them, so when he verified that they had engaged the giant metal bull, he started to move.
As Razortalon approached the area the theee were engaged in battle, he shouted before dropping the sealing artifact, "Goodbye my friends, we will meet again in vast blue sky."
Ravagore noticed the artifact that was dropping from overhead, but didn't feel anything from it as it descended, "This is what you put your hope into? I guess inferior beasts will always depend on humans only to be defeated in the end."
The sealing artifact hit the ground and activated, releasing a suppression array formation covering the three beastkin, and covering the area with fog.
Hit with this suppressing aura, Ravagore's eye widen as he felt his strength start to disappear.
"What is this?", Ravagore panicked, "Isn't this the same as the protective barrier at Sun God Island? That man still lives?!? NOOOO! I WAS ABOUT TO RETURN! I CAN'T DIE NOW!"
Razortalon watched over the artifact, ready to feed it spirit stones as the Giant Bull's power flared higher trying to resist the array. Green smoke and fog swirled around constantly for the next hour as Ravagore continued to create the cursed gas to combat the formation, and bash against the barrier's walls in an attempt to escape. Razortalon found that he had to add stones on two occasions before silence finally came.
The eagle lord kept watched until the air finally cleared, uncovering an unsettling sight. Deep ruts were carved into the ground, buildings were destroyed, and in the middle of it all was three statues: Chief Snowfur, Chief Ironclaw, and Elder Datak. The chiefs in their true forms were forever trapped in stone showing their last heroic acts, while the elder was very emancipated, looking like a shadow of his former self.
Razortalon picked up the storage bags of the three men to carry out their last wills and storing the Stone of the Bull into the storage ring Wei Huoran had given him before taking to the air to catch up with the evacuees.
A day later, the yaks, bears, and eagles had returned to the village. Razortalon was keeping watch over the statues to ensure their safety when his Qphone notification tone played. He looked at the message before telling the crowd who watched over the statues, "Pardon me, I just received word that the Bloodclaw wolves have arrived. I hope you can trust my word that they will not cause any conflict."
Jaeger Bloodclaw was setting up camp next to the location that Ironclaw had also set up camp. He felt it was weird that all the Ironclaw's tents were erected but no one was around, but he just told himself that they were preparing to face the holder of the Bull Stone. Soon after getting his tent set up, he heard the flapping of wings and saw Razortalon landing in a nearby clearing.
"Finally, a friendly face", Jaeger greeted the Eagle, but quickly noticed his friend's expression, "What has happened Aerion?"
Razortalon spoke about what he saw when he had arrived, the events after, and the result.
The wolf lord stayed quiet the entire time, and when Razortalon finished, asked, "Can you ask for permission for my entry into the village? I wish to send my regards to our friend, and beg forgiveness for being late."
Aerion nodded his head before returning the Snowfur village, and speaking with the remaining elders. After receiving permission on the condition that only Jaeger was allowed to enter, the wolf lord headed to the entrance of the village before stopping.
"I am Chief Jaeger Bloodclaw", he announced in a loud voice, "I thank the elders for allowing me to visit my friend, the honorable Chief Ursak Ironclaw, and vow now that if the Snowfurs ever need a favor from the Bloodclaws, I will do my best to fulfill your wishes."
Wearing only basic clothing and no weapons, Jaeger entered the gate guided by Aerion Razortalon and soon the two arrived at the now petrified remains of their friend. Jaeger took a wine bottle out of his storage bag, and drank half before pouring the other half at the feet of their friend. He finished by howling in mourning before turning around to leave. Three Snowfur elders stood, and watched the whole process and a woman stepped forward, "Please wait a moment, Chief Bloodclaw."
Jaeger stopped and bowed in greeting, "I'm sorry for your loss, elder?"
"Elder Yara", she replied and bowed in return.
"Elder Yara", Jaeger continued, "When it's acceptable, I would like to return and take Chief Ironclaw. I need to return him to his tribe so they can perform their own rituals as well."
"Of course", she responded, " I would never prevent such a request. I have my own request to make though, if I can be so bold?"
"Please go ahead, elder", Jaeger requested.
"Can you stay here, and help protect us until our relatives from the other villages arrive?" Elder Yara asked, "Chief Razortalon said he must deliver something quickly, and I don't want to impose on the other Ironclaw's after this incident."
"Yes, Elder Yara", Jaeger replied, "I will ensure the safety of everyone here until it is no longer necessary. Now if you please excuse me."
The wolf lord left the village, returned to his tent, and informed his pack about their duty to defend the village before typing the events of today into the chat room of the chiefs and starting the first guard watch.