The Gathering of the Tribe

Outside, the village was already alive. Women were tending fires, children chased each other between the huts, and warriors sharpened weapons on stone. The air smelled of smoke and meat. Leon felt a strange comfort in the bustle, even though he was a stranger here.

Rina found him near the central fire pit, where an old woman was stirring a pot of stew. "You're awake," she said, her silver eyes bright. "Decan wants to see you. And there are two people you should meet."

Leon followed her through the winding paths of the village. They stopped at a clearing where several young warriors were training. A boy about Leon's age was wrestling with a larger opponent, laughing as he pinned him to the ground. He had short brown hair, a broad grin, and muscles that bulged under his leather vest. Beside him stood a girl with sharp features and watchful eyes, her hair pulled back in a tight braid. She held a wooden staff and watched the sparring with quiet intensity.

"That's Torn," Rina said, pointing to the laughing boy. "And that's Maliko. They're the best fighters our age in the tribe."

Torn noticed them and released his opponent, jogging over. "So this is the outsider?" he said, clapping Leon on the shoulder. "You don't look like much. Can you fight?"

Leon shrugged. "I've never really had to."

Torn laughed. "You'll learn fast. Come on, I'll show you a few moves."

Maliko stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "Don't tire him out, Torn. Decan wants to speak with him first."

"Always the responsible one," Torn said, but his grin didn't fade. "Fine. Later, then."

Rina led Leon to Decan's hut. Inside, the old leader sat by the fire, a map spread before him. Rune, the dark-haired woman who had saved Leon after his transformation, stood beside him, her hands clasped. She was tall and slender, with a calm, knowing presence. Her eyes met Leon's, and he felt a shiver of recognition, though he didn't know why.

"Leon," Decan said, gesturing for him to sit. "I have spoken with Rune, and she believes your power will grow quickly. But we must be careful. Kain has spies everywhere."

"What is my power?" Leon asked, his voice low.

Rune answered. "You carry the blood of a god. Not a demigod like Kain, but a true god's essence. It is dormant now, but it will awaken. When it does, you will be able to take on a form—a godbeast—that can rival Kain himself."

Leon's heart raced. "I don't feel powerful."

"You will," Rune said. "But first, you must learn to control it. The tournament is our only hope. If we win, we become the sixth tribe, protected by the guardian gods. Then we can train you in safety."

Decan nodded. "We leave in one week. You will train with Torn and Maliko until then. They will teach you the basics of combat and survival. But you must not reveal your power to anyone outside this hut. Understood?"

Leon agreed. He spent the rest of the day with Torn and Maliko, learning how to hold a wooden sword, how to dodge, how to read an opponent's movements. Torn was boisterous and encouraging, while Maliko was patient and precise. By evening, Leon's arms ached, but he felt a sense of purpose he had never known.

As the sun set, the village gathered for a meal. Leon sat with Rina, Torn, and Maliko, eating roasted meat and flatbread. The fire crackled, and the stars began to appear. For a moment, Leon felt almost happy.

Then Torn challenged him to a sparring match. "Just a friendly one," he said, grinning. "To see what you've learned."

Leon hesitated, but Maliko nodded. "It's good practice."

They stood in the clearing, wooden swords in hand. The villagers watched with interest. Torn lunged first, fast and strong, and Leon barely managed to block. The impact jarred his arms. Torn pressed the attack, and Leon stumbled backward, his breathing ragged. He could feel the heat building in his chest, the same energy that had surged when Lexus attacked.

No, he thought. Not now.

But it was too late. A dark red glow flickered around his hands, and with a cry, he swung his sword. A wave of energy burst from the blade, throwing Torn backward into the dirt. The crowd gasped. Torn lay still for a moment, then sat up, coughing and laughing.

"That's some trick!" he said, but his eyes were wide.

Rune appeared at once, her hand on Leon's shoulder. "Enough," she said softly. "You did well, but you must learn to hold it back."

Leon nodded, his hands trembling. He looked at the villagers, who now stared at him with a mixture of awe and fear. He felt exposed, vulnerable.

Rune led him away from the fire. "The power is strong in you," she said. "But it will attract attention. Kain senses when god blood is used. We must be careful."

"I'm sorry," Leon said.

"Do not apologize. You are learning. But remember: in the tournament, you will be tested. You must not reveal your full strength until the final battle. The other tribes will be watching."

That night, Leon lay in his hut, staring at the ceiling. He could still feel the energy pulsing beneath his skin, like a second heartbeat. He closed his eyes and tried to calm it. He thought of the forest, of the red beast, of the silver tree dream. He thought of the tournament, and the fate of the Night Bloods resting on his shoulders.

Outside, hidden in the shadows of the forest, a pair of red eyes watched the village. A low growl rumbled, and then the figure melted into the darkness, carrying news of what it had seen.