Malakai’s gaze was leveled on the Stalkborn as he jumped off the large root.
He was different from the other Stalkborns of his group. Rather than slender, he was broad, with toned muscles brimming with energy.
Just like the last Vorr’Takk he had battled, the youth’s legs weren’t human.
They were pitch black, hunched at the knees. Despite the distance, Malakai could feel the pressure contained in those legs. It was akin to a spring constantly coiled and ready to explode at any mont.
The youth’s face didn’t appear angry, but his aura said everything Malakai needed to know about his current feelings.
Many from the crowd shot off excitedly from their seats as he landed on the stage, eyes leveled straight at Malakai. He was about to take a step towards him when a sharp voice cut him off.
"Vaelik."
The youth, Vaelik, paused at the Grath’khai’s sudden call. As he turned towards her, he felt a heavy aura slam against his body, hunching his back.
Malakai’s gaze narrowed as he saw Vaelik’s legs tremble under the force.
’He’s still standing,’ he silently noted. Malakai could feel the weight of that aura, it was ant to slam him to the ground, yet he had managed to hold his ground.
Vaelik bowed in respect.
"Grath’khai."
The coven head’s cold gaze bore down on him.
"The Drah’Morr is sacred to this coven. Are you about to desecrate our na?"
Vaelik shook his head quickly. "No, Grath’khai. I would never dare to do that."
He suddenly glanced at Malakai, his gaze flashing. "I simply admired the Ashskin’s fighting capabilities and would love to spar with him. To exchange lessons."
Malakai almost laughed. Who the hell was stupid enough to fall for that? He couldn’t imagine himself wasting ti fighting this youth when he had nothing to gain.
"You do that at your own ti, and his," the coven head said, voice cold. "Not during the Drah’Morr. Go back to your seat."
Vaelik frowned, and with one last glance at Malakai, he bowed towards the Grath’khai and returned to his seat.
Throughout the exchange, Malakai hadn’t said anything.
He didn’t see a need to intervene, so he hadn’t. He was supposed to face ten people, and he had done just that.
If Vaelik had approached him, he intended to call out the whole coven. If there was one thing he had learned during the hours spent with the Gor’khai, it was that they valued honor and loyalty, far, far unlike his cold blooded Sanguine clan.
Malakai felt the coven head’s gaze rest upon him. He turned towards her.
Her antlers pierced towards the heavens, rising high enough to cast a shadow against the backdrop of the early rising sun. She looked like an ancient sage.
"Malakai." Her booming voice silenced the whispering crowd. She continued. "You chose the Korr’Zekk and you have completed the Korr’Zekk. You have won the Drah’Morr."
Malakai ignored the sight of Luna holding down Grunde, who was trying to stand and cheer loudly. He listened as the coven head continued.
"Luna’jekhai will be allowed to continue her relationship, but under strict conditions that will be revealed at a later ti. And you..."
She trailed off, and Malakai could already feel the tension rising from the coven elders. Many had frowns on their faces, clearly not liking what was coming.
"For participating in the coven’s tradition," she said, "you will be welcod as part of our people. That is all."
The Grath’khai suddenly stood, and to Malakai, it looked as though a large tree had just moved.
Her antlers were steady, and despite her old age, her back remained straight like a regal queen. The elders shot off from their seats, bowing in respect.
Until she turned and left the arena, no one uttered a single sound.
Malakai felt multiple piercing stares next. He turned and saw so of the elders looking at him with cold eyes.
They soon clicked their tongues before also leaving the area. As the elders exited, the crowd began to disperse, each person with a different expression on their face.
"Little bro!"
Malakai sighed as Grunde’s massive fra hurtled toward him. The big man’s arms were already stretched to the side, clearly about to hug him.
Malakai shot him a glare, releasing a subtle killing intent. Grunde got the ssage imdiately. His eyes widened as he rembered he wasn’t supposed to hug Malakai in the first place.
"Oh thank you! Thank you, Malakai!"
Luna passed by Grunde, who was now awkwardly scratching his head, and grabbed Malakai’s arm, clutching it tightly.
"Thank you so much, Malakai. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this..."
Malakai’s gaze shifted to his arm. Luna had grabbed it again, tight and firm. He didn’t know how to feel. Malakai hated being touched. Always had. Yet, this wasn’t the first ti Luna had done this... and he hadn’t said anything.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t noticed or had simply forgotten. No. It was just... he hadn’t felt that usual sense of disgust or threat he always felt when soone touched him.
Instead, her hand felt... warm. Like his mother’s.
He t her gaze. It was filled with boundless joy. She was obviously thrilled that he had won. But beyond the excitent, Malakai saw sothing else.
Clarity.
Her eyes were clear, devoid of deceit or even the faintest trace of ill intent.
Malakai cleared his thoughts and gave a curt nod.
"I’ll hold you to that," he said. "Why don’t you show around the coven?"
Luna blinked. "But I thought I asked Lina—"
She stopped as her eyes caught the darkened look on her sister’s face approaching them. Luna quickly shook her head and sent Lina a glare.
"Of course. I’d love to show you around."
They began making their way through the dispersing crowd. Thousands had gathered for the Drah’Morr that morning, and the retreating wave of bodies made the path tight.
Malakai remained alert. Aside from the countless hostile glances he caught as they walked, he had already read the crowd earlier.
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