Strange Ceremony
Lyerin assessed the situation carefully, knowing the dangers that lay ahead of him. He began to roll the tires he had gathered up to the highway, one by one. He kept them rolling and rolling as a distraction, while doing this, he made sure he was cautious.
Once he had all the tires rolled in place, he transformed his feet into his Zur'Ibex Wilding form and leaped to a nearby building to hide.
From this vantage point, he could see the streets and monitor the activity below.
The horse he fought earlier had been a secondary black-inked cannibal. He was sure of it.
Its appearance was terrifying—a pitch-black coat that seemed to absorb light, eyes that were empty voids, and a mouth filled with sharp, jagged teeth. Its power was immense, capable of running faster than any normal horse, more deadly with its bites and kicks, and now, because he thought they were now secondary, it would be chillong to see it climb buildings with ease.
"I'll call it a day and burn a series of tires for tonight," Lyerin decided. He didn't want to risk encountering more of these deadly creatures, especially not in the open streets or even on the sides of buildings, so he immediately left and didn't say any longer.
As he predicted, several black-inked horses appeared moments later, like a pack of wolves.
Some of them clung to the sides of buildings, their hooves gripping the walls like those of a spider.
It was a chilling sight, and Lyerin who left knew he had made the right call to hide.
Back at the abandoned sanctuary, Lyerin rolled up some clothes and added them to the tires, creating a centipede-like chain.
This way, he could burn the tires simultaneously but one at a time, ensuring a continuous barrier of flames for the whole night.
As night began to fall, he finally lit the first tire, watching as it blazed brightly against the encroaching darkness.
Returning to the sanctuary, Lyerin gathered the girls. "It's time to sleep," he said. "I'll go back to the Ruined Magical World. But remember, stay vigilant. If anything happens, don't hesitate to defend yourselves."
The girls nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Lyerin then lay down and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself emerging from an unknown summoning circle. He stepped forward, greeted by the sight of a large group of horned people.
"I see," Lyerin thought to himself, "this is not the Kingdom of Rose now, but the Devil Horned Tribe, Zur'Ibex Clan."
The horned people stared at him, their eyes filled with curiosity of who he was.
But then, Lyerin saw their eyes change and twinkle in recognition.
This was the beauty of returning to the real world.
The creatures of the Ruined Magical World wouldn't remember them once they were back on Earth, but their memories would be triggered once they returned to the Ruined Magical World.
It was a strange, almost surreal deja vu.
Lyerin's appearance, now resembling a literal goat, drew attention.
One of the horned tribe members approached him, a look of surprise on his face. "Oh, there's another wild one here," he said, staring at Lyerin with wide eyes. "You need to go to the ceremony. The Wild Zur'Ibex need to be there soon."
Lyerin nodded, deciding to follow his advice.
As he walked towards the ceremony, he noticed many eyes on him, filled with amazement and curiosity. Whispers filled the air around him.
"Look at the size of him," one of the tribe members said, awe in their voice.
"He looks as fierce as a Wild Zur'Ibex," another murmured.
"His form is perfect," someone else added.
"I've never seen one like him before," said another, their tone tinged with admiration.
"He must be incredibly powerful," another voice chimed in, the excitement clear.
As Lyerin continued, he heard even more comments, each one more astonished than the last. It was clear that his presence was causing quite a stir among the tribe.
After a few minutes of walking, Lyerin arrived at a massive bonfire.
The flames roared, reaching high into the night sky, casting a warm glow over the tribal ornaments and dancing warriors.
The dancers moved with a rhythmic grace, their bodies painted with intricate designs that seemed to tell a story of their own.
Their movements were fluid, yet powerful, each step and gesture harmonizing perfectly with the beat of the drums that echoed through the night.
The music was mesmerizing. Drums pounded in a steady, primal rhythm, accompanied by the haunting melodies of flutes and the occasional deep bellow of horns.
(Chanting)
Zur'Ibex! Zur'Ibex!
Horns of the devil's spawn!
Raging beast of the highlands,
Stalking the rocky dawn.
(Rhythmic drumming)
Hooves of thunder, eyes of fire,
Charge through the mist-shrouded vale.
Fearsome warrior, loyal clan,
Before your might all others quail.
(Ululating vocals)
Horns that pierce the heavens,
Shaking the earth with your tread.
Unleash your primal fury,
Scatter our foes with dread.
(Chanting builds in intensity)
Zur'Ibex, mighty champion,
Bring honor to our name.
Lead us to victory, kinsmen,
Our tribe's undying fame!
(Chorus joins in chanting)
Zur'Ibex! Zur'Ibex!
Horns of the devil's spawn!
Zur'Ibex! Zur'Ibex!
Horns of the devil's spawn!
The dancers' feet pounded the ground in unison, creating a symphony of movement and sound that was both captivating and otherworldly.
They leapt and twirled, their limbs moving with a precision that spoke of years of practice and tradition.
Lyerin stood at the edge of the bonfire, watching the display with a mixture of fascination and respect.
This was a celebration, a display of culture and strength that resonated deeply with him. He somehow felt a connection to these people, a sense of belonging that he hadn't felt in a long time.
The music and dancing continued, the energy building to a crescendo.
(Chanting builds in intensity)
Zur'Ibex, mighty champion,
Bring honor to our name.
Lead us to victory, kinsmen,
Our tribe's undying fame!
(Chorus joins in chanting)
Zur'Ibex! Zur'Ibex!
Horns of the devil's spawn!
Zur'Ibex! Zur'Ibex!
Horns of the devil's spawn!
The warriors moved faster, their movements more intense, their voices rising in song.
The fire crackled and roared, adding to the wild, primal atmosphere.
Then, suddenly, the music and dances paused.
!!!
The warriors froze in their tracks, their eyes turning to Lyerin.
There was a moment of silence, the only sound being the crackling of the fire.
All eyes were on him, his monstrous form standing tall and imposing in the glow of the bonfire.
Immediately, a loud shout erupted from the crowd, capturing everyone's attention. "Here stands the strongest Wild Zur'Ibex we have invited! The symbol of hope for the Devil Horned Tribe! The herald of the rise of the Zur'Ibex Clan within our tribe!" The voice rang clear and powerful, echoing across the assembly. "He is the embodiment of strength and resilience, a beacon of power among us!"
The crowd of horned people buzzed with excitement as the announcer continued. "Look upon him and see the star signs! He is the harbinger of new lands, a symbol of new hope for our people. The stars have foretold his coming, and with him, the dawn of a new era! An era where the Devil Horned Tribe will rise to prominence, led by the mightiest of the Wild Zur'Ibex!"
The announcer's voice grew even more impassioned. "The ancestors told us that Wild Zur'Ibex is not just a warrior; he is a legend in the making! His strength is unmatched, his courage unparalleled. With him, we shall conquer new territories, we shall expand our influence. He brings with him the promise of prosperity and victory. Our enemies will tremble at the sight of him, and our allies will rally to our cause."
Lyerin was speechless.
He knew they were doing this to convince him to come to the tribe. But damn, it felt too much.
Normally, a Wildling could refuse a tribe and choose a solitary life, and for some unknown reason, most Wildlings chose freedom most of the time.
This is why Devil Horned Tribe cannot multiply long.
That's why at the ceremony of inviting them, they would entice the Wild Males with human or other species Wildlings that they captured forcefully and transform them into a female one, like they did to Corora.
It was funny, because Lyerin was already intending to come to their tribe willingly, but he decided to play dumb for a while and let them do whatever they wanted.
The crowd cheered, their voices rising in a wave of enthusiasm.
The strange old Mana announcer pressed on, painting a vivid picture of the future. "With the strongest Wild Zur'Ibex leading us, we will navigate through the darkest nights guided by the stars. He is the light that will lead us to fertile lands, the power that will safeguard our tribe. Under his protection, our clan will flourish, our children will grow strong, and our traditions will be honored. This is the dawn of a new age for the Devil Horned Tribe!"
The announcer paused, letting the words sink in every single one of them.
The crowd was enraptured, hanging on every word. "The ancestors also told us that he, the strongest Wild Zur'Ibex is the symbol of our future, the warrior who will carve our path through adversity. His presence here is a sign from the heavens that our tribe is destined for greatness. We will thrive under his leadership, and our legacy will be remembered for generations to come!"
As the speech concluded, a pathway formed beneath the bonfire.
The tribe members parted, making way for a procession of slender, beautiful women of the Zur'Ibex Clan.
At the center of them, adorned in tribal finery, was Corora.
Lyerin would flinch. He is right. They water to enticd him.
The women moved gracefully, surrounded by the rhythmic dances of the tribe's female members, who welcomed them with fluid, mesmerizing movements.
Lyerin watched, captivated by the display. The women moved in unison, their dance a perfect blend of strength and elegance, symbolizing the unity and grace of the tribe.
The firelight flickered on their faces, casting an ethereal glow as they danced in a circle around Corora.
The announcer's voice rang out once more, "Wild Zur'Ibex! Come forward! Join the Tribe!" The command was clear, the invitation extended.
The tribe awaited Lyerin's next move, their eyes filled with expectation and hope.
Sighing inside, Lyerin would begin and step forward with rumbling noise.