Whale Fight: The Mountain Crumbles
After watching the Wolf Elder and Horse Elder, the other elders quickly caught my eye too. The ones surrounded by the most beastkin from their tribes. Those were the elders.
A snake beastkin quietly conversing amid the snake tribe's shamans. Her long purple hair and closed eyes blended into a mysterious aura. The Snake Elder, Tangled Shedding Yor.
She looked like she was in her twenties, but don't let the appearance fool you. She was an elder too. No spring chicken.
Next up...
"Crack up! That happened on the plains, huh?"
I didn't even need to hunt around—the loudest guy yelling his head off was right there. The Tiger Elder, Bite-Crushing Fangs Ragnar.
He had a build that could rival the Bear Elder, but where the Bear Elder felt massive, this guy screamed intense. Especially his hair—orange with black stripes, like he'd flipped a tiger pelt over his head.
Chatting with his kin and roaring with laughter. What a boisterous personality.
"Where's the Hawk Elder?"
Not just the elder—all the hawk beastkin were nowhere in sight. Had they gone off as a group?
I was craning my neck looking around when I accidentally bumped into someone.
"Ack...!"
"Crack up! Kid, watch where you're going."
The one I'd bumped into was the Tiger Elder. Up close, he was smaller than the Bear Elder, but still huge—I had to look up.
"New face, huh... What's your name?"
"Uh...? Ursa..."
Face-to-face with the Tiger Elder up close, he was scarier than I'd thought. From afar, he seemed cheerful, but those vertical cat-like slit pupils sent a chill down my spine.
"Right. So you're Ursa... Just like I heard."
It wasn't just the eyes. His voice looking down at me, his vibe, his whole demeanor felt off.
"Oh, right. I should introduce myself."
"Ah, I know. Tiger Elder... right?"
"You knew? Yeah, I'm Bite-Crushing Fangs."
"Uh-huh... Nice to meet you... Tiger Elder."
The conversation itself was normal enough, but the unease wouldn't quit. I tried to edge away, but...
"Hey, Ursa."
"...What, what?"
The Tiger Elder kept talking. No intention of letting me go easy.
"After we lost to those invaders, we've fought those bastards countless times over the last twenty years."
"..."
"The first ten years, we fought desperately to take back our land. That idiotic call led to countless kin returning to nature."
Sudden history lesson. What was this flow?
"They finally drove us out completely, erased our name, and then they were satisfied. After that, they just kept watch and poked at us now and then."
The backlight cast a shadow over the Tiger Elder's face. I couldn't see his expression.
"We gave up reclaiming it and chose survival. Most of the survivors I smuggled to the plains, while the rest stayed in the gorge to draw eyes and keep tabs on them."
Only his eyes gleamed from the shadowed face. Those long, slitted golden pupils fixed on me.
"No need to risk our lives fighting, so no deaths either. Haven't had a single injury in the last four years."
Fighting for four years straight with zero casualties? After twenty years of war, you master that kind of thing, I guess. Great news, but why's the mood so weird?
"Um..."
"But then, around last year... things got strange."
"...Yeah?"
"Those guys who were busy fighting among themselves... started pushing outward. Just like twenty years ago."
"..."
"Lots of fights, lots of wounds. See this scar on my arm? Fresh one."
"Ow, that must've hurt."
"...It was rougher on the other kin than on us elders."
Someone cut in. The Wolf Elder had snuck up behind me without a sound.
"Crack up! Yeah. The others had it way worse than us. And that's why—"
"—everyone started wondering. Why the sudden change?"
The elders spoke from both sides. I was sandwiched between them, frozen.
"We caught a pathetic demon and interrogated it. Lowly baron or whatever, didn't know much, but we learned they're crawling out of hell hunting beastkin."
"But they weren't charging us aggressively. More like splitting forces and scattering everywhere."
Made sense. The demon on the plains was probably one of them.
"We worried about our kin on the plains. Had to send them far away no matter what. Luckily, the well-connected Bear Elder knew a good spot."
"...Y-Yeah! I think this place is great too. Cool, great views, and—"
"Ursa. I heard your tribe picked you up last year."
The Wolf Elder spoke like my input didn't matter. I just nodded.
"We have a duty to do our best for the tribe's future. To reclaim our lost land and name, lead safely."
"To do that, we identify harmful elements and eliminate threats before they grow."
"...Guh!"
Suddenly, an invisible pressure crushed me. Chest tightening, legs shaking.
"Straight talk. Kid with the red eyes—we suspect you're connected to the invaders somehow."
"Since you showed up, demons are swarming out of hell, tearing things up. Too perfect to be coincidence."
"...Nngh."
I wanted to explain, but the pressure sealed my mouth.
"The letter had me doubting, but seeing you... the bear's right."
"But that's not enough to clear suspicion."
"..."
"Be honest. You—"
"That's enough."
Thud. The staff hit the ground, and the pressure vanished.
I looked up—Serian unni was walking over.
"Unni..."
"Ursa, come here."
I bolted behind Serian unni. The elders didn't stop me.
"Unni, huh... Rippling Earth. Grown close quick?"
"Tiger Elder. How about we call it? Wolf Elder too. Too much on a kid?"
Unni shielding me, the two elders snorted.
"Hah! A kid? Stands firm under qi pressure from both of us?"
"Impossible for an unawakened child. Weird, right?"
Unni snorted back.
"Hah! Means overflowing talent. Don't confuse special with suspicious."
As the two opened their mouths again, another voice cut in.
"How about we stop here."
Our Bear Elder. He placed a hand on my shoulder, eyeing the others.
"Bite-Crushing Fangs, Flooding Moonlight. Time for food."
"Murugan..."
The Tiger Elder scowled at the Bear Elder. Calling by name—rough relationship.
"Tangled Hooves. You think we let this slide?"
"Yeah. Looks slideable."
"..."
"Rash moves breed misunderstandings. Battlefield fog's clouding your eyes after all these years. Not my place from the plains hideout, but for now—"
"Grah! That old fart. Hasn't changed a bit!"
The Tiger Elder bellowed. Old fart? Our Bear Elder was plenty old!
Serian unni shook her head, gripping her staff.
"Haa... Words won't cut it."
"...Rippling Earth. For real?"
Unni stayed firm, others be damned.
"Unni, fighting over me? Don't!"
Whale fight brewing. Us shrimp get pulped just caught in it.
As I tried intervening, someone pulled me back from behind, away from the elders. The Snake Elder.
"Child. No need to fret so."
Her voice warm yet firm. Calmed me just hearing it.
"B-But..."
She pressed a finger to my lips. Eyes closed, intent unclear, but her faint smile bred trust.
"You don't know yet, but this is us at heart. What you've seen isn't all."
The crowd had gathered.
"Elders fighting!"
"Bear and deer versus tiger and wolf!"
"Yes! Call everyone! Elders' council!"
Serious mood gone—marketplace chaos now. Folks swarming like elders' friction was prime entertainment.
"Wh-What? Wasn't this serious?"
"They take it serious. But us outsiders? No need."
Wasn't this our community? Outsiders when convenient?
"If it's too much, how about weaving flowers? Perfect peace offering."
The Snake Elder pushed me that way. But not toward the cosmos field—toward the Border March.
......
"...So that's how I snuck out."
"Whoa..."
Leaving the village-turned-arena, I was down the mountain with Marien.
Following the Snake Elder's direction led shortest path. Coincidence? Or did she know?
Tribe's top shaman. Snake Elder—most mysterious beastkin. Every move felt meaningful.
"That happened? Sorry if I made you uncomfortable..."
I fudged details for Marien—just slipped out mid-welcome party.
"It's fine. We promised."
"Hehe... Ursa's so loyal!"
We'd dropped formalities. I'd been casual from start; she matched.
Turns out we're both eleven. Instant besties.
"Fields are nice, but our garden would've been fun..."
"Yeah. Your garden was gorgeous."
"Right? Mom's an expert."
Beastkin and Border March allied, off-record. Empire frowns on barbarian ties—not public.
Few knew. Bear Elder advised avoiding contact.
Frost? ...Didn't get caught.
Meeting Marien was tricky for both sides. But the secrecy pulled us closer.
We click great.
I talk a lot; she responds well. One-sided? If we're good, fine.
"--So can't stay long today. Always splitting right after meeting."
"Yeah... It's okay! Got lessons, gotta head back soon."
Noble lady with tutors. Empire nobles learn what? Royal studies? For emperor.
"Next time, I go to your village?"
"No, that'd be worse. We're too conspicuous..."
True—lord's daughter with mystery girl? Instant rumors.
I felt bad dragging her out, but she seemed fine. Round trip under twenty minutes? ...Liar. Even running, it's that far.
Such a sweet friend—then,
—Rumble rumble...
Vibration overhead.
"Huh? What."
"Eek! U-Up there!"
I looked where Marien pointed. Source: mountain peak, the plateau village.
It was flipping over.
Vibration from twisting earth. Meaning—
Wha...
"ELDERS!!!"
In the whale fight, the mountain exploded.