Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 438: Warak’s Mid-God Ancestor

“Tell me, Treeda, wasn’t your great ancestor alive back then? When the quadrants were formed?”

Nodding to Warak, Treeda replied, “Yes. That’s how we started as an elite prefecture and have been on the cusp of reassuming that title for millennia.”

“Well... Does your clan have any old stories passed down from that ancestor?” Warak asked.

Confused, Treeda shook her head. “Not really, at least nothing of any real significance. We only have stories involving his glory of old and his passed-down techniques.”

“Oh, that’s a shame...” Sighing, Warak continued to shake his head, “Then your clan is missing out, like every other dragon clan.”

“Missing out on what?” Now, Treeda was just as curious as Bradok.

“... There’s one story that my great-great-grandpa would repeat over and over to his children. And that tale is now passed down to every clan heir as a reminder. A reminder that there’s always someone stronger...”

.....

“I’d love to hear the story, Bro Warak,” prodded Bradok.

Warak nodded and continued, “Treeda... My ancestor wasn’t an early-god. My great-great-grandpa was a mid-god.”

“WHAT?!”

“Let me finish...” As Treeda got quiet, Warak continued, “But he did die from latent injuries, just like your ancestor and the ancestors of many other clans. According to my great-great-grandpa, it was the Demon Ape that had completely and effortlessly overpowered him. Their fight lasted a mere second, a single blow. And Great-great-grandpa swore on his deathbed that the man he respected most was the Demon Ape... Far more so than Kartzal and the quadrant gods...

“Of course, Great-great-grandpa never explained why he fought the Demon Ape in the first place, nor did he explain how he escaped with his life. But Great-great-grandpa told us to never doubt the apes and that he had made a grave mistake doing just that, even regretting so many things he had done before that fateful encounter.”

The rest of the table was enraptured in silence. It was only when Warak chuckled and looked at them that they moved again.

Treeda’s jaw wavered as she asked, “You mean... your ancestor fought the Demon Ape?!”

“Yes,” Warak answered plainly. “And, despite Kartzal’s official declaration regarding the Demon Ape’s death, my great-great-grandpa would never shut up about how he wasn’t the only one to fight him that time. He didn’t explain the circumstances of the fight or how many people were involved. But Great-great-grandpa was adamant that he didn’t fight alone, yet he and his allies lost miserably, beyond all expectation.

“That’s why I respect you, Bradok,” stated Warak, perking up the gorilla’s ears. “Great-great-grandpa’s dying wish was to take back the many things he and his fellow draconic gods had committed against your kind. And there was just one reason. Strength. Absolute, domineering strength. We Razor-hide Dragons, at our core, base our respect on how well people can confront our defenses. And you gorillas have earned that respect many times over. Even recently, hearing that a peak-perennial gorilla, like Dioro, put my low-king brat on death’s door was both shocking and reaffirming. It reminded me of Great-great-grandpa’s story. The tyrannical power of the apes, the force that my mid-god ancestor held in the highest regard... Just thinking about that tale, it makes me wish that I too could test myself against the Demon Ape and personally feel that absolute power for myself...”

In awe, Bradok thought of something and asked, “If that’s so... Why did your brat end up so... pitiful?”

Scoffing, and even spitting on the ground in disgust, Warak replied, “Because I didn’t freely hand him the seat as clan heir and my eventual successor! You think I want that brat leading the young generations of my clan? Why else do you think he ran off on his own, fleeing and abandoning the clan instead of facing the tests we prepare for potential clan heirs?!”

“Ohh, that makes sense. Bro Warak is wise indeed!” bellowed Brak, unleashing a massive grin.

“Still, you now know why I respect you, even more so than most dragon clans,” Warak added. “To see people like you and Dioro rise up without the aid of even a perennial bloodline, it’s inspiring to me and those in the inner circle of my clan. In fact...”

For a brief moment, Warak dropped the silent formation and shouted, “Belma! Come here!”

Right away, the young dragon bowed out of her conversation with Harmot and the candidates of Toxic-shadow, then flew over to the head table. And, startling Treeda and Bradok, Belma bowed and greeted them both, “Lord Treeda, it’s a pleasure to meet you again. Master Bradok, it’s an honor to meet you.”

Bradok was speechless for a moment. He couldn’t help but notice what was obvious. There was no difference between the respectful bow, tone, and significant words given to Treeda, a prefecture lord, and to him, a territory leader.

“Please, stand,” Bradok quickly spoke up. “It’s an honor meeting you as well, Young Master Belma.”

Warak reactivated the silent formation and went on to say, “I’ve already acknowledged Belma as the current clan heir, and she’s also been told of my ancestor’s tale.”

“Grandpa, you said to never mention that! That it would get us in trouble!” Belma blurted, shocking Treeda and getting a laugh from Bradok.

“True, I did say that,” Warak acknowledged with a shrug. “However, I’ll tell you now that we’re officially allies with Master Bradok’s Iron-body Clan.”

“Like Great-great-great-grandpa’s dying wish?!”

“Shhh! Calm down, girl,” Warak sighed but couldn’t hide words that were already spoken.

Raising a curious eyebrow, Bradok had to ask, “Oh? Dying wish? If I had known that, I would’ve milked you for a better offering!”

“Too late! You get what you get!” bellowed Warak, laughing along.

“Grandpa, what is it you’ve called me for?” Belma asked, out of the loop.

Nodding, Warak replied, “To prove our clan’s respect for apes. And to inform you, the clan heir, that the alliance is official.”

“And to keep it a secret, even within the clan, just as you planned,” Belma continued Warak’s statement, flooring both Treeda and Bradok.

“Huuuh... Belma, you’re so honest. I’m amazed at how innocent you still are in the realm of politics. I’ll have to teach you a few things after we get back home,” Warak sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose with a deflecting chuckle.