The Gate

Hearing the words of Akash, Richia could barely control her tears. The enormous Bear Queen bowed to Akash and uttered with immense gratitude. "We will gladly accept it, Your Liege."

Bholo didn't bow but rather he cupped his hands and similarly spoke. "Thank you... for choosing us to complete this task, we will do it wholeheartedly."

Akash did this because he knew they'd be the best teachers for Ponytail. They were his parents, after all. Both beasts were at the peak of the Star God realm and now they owed a debt to Akash for reuniting them with their son.

Akash instructed Ponytail as he carried him towards his parents. "Listen, buddy, father will be away for a bit so train with these masters and obey them as you obey me. They are my friends, they will take good care of you."

Ponytail looked at Akash with watery eyes for a few seconds and then nodded with a coo cry.

Akash looked at the pair. "Now that that's settled, please take me to the training point."

Bholo lowered its hand gently for Akash to climb onto before telling Richia to take care of Ponytail while he was gone. Akash climbed on its big hand and Bholo jumped towards the sky. He jumped so quickly and so high that they quickly reached the top surface of the forest.

During this Akash noticed, unlike Bholo's face, his hands and feet were the same as Ponytail's. "You know, your son can jump high as well."

"I know, he's my son after all. And don't talk to me so casually, I'm not Richia, I'm King Bholo!"

Akash laughed bitterly. "I know, Your Majesty. I apologize."

As they passed, Akash saw wonderful scenery in that forest. A myriad of unknown beasts, ferocious and powerful. There were beasts of the Star God Realm as well but they all halted when they saw Bholo. Bholo stood on a strange tree resembling an Oak Tree and jumped downwards.

~THUUDD~

"We have arrived."

Akash looked in front, there was a strange gate emitting pure white light with all sides mixed with a black hue.

Bholo looked at Akash's curiously observing before urging him. "Don't hesitate and go inside, didn't Old Turtle tell you to not be afraid of death. It will only benefit you."

Akash was startled before immediately smiling. "How could I forget that? Thank you, Your Majesty."

Bholo coughed and spoke in a warmer tone. "Well, you can call me Bholo from now on, Your Majesty is too long, I guess."

"Haha, as you say. Take care, Bholo." Akash began to go inside when he heard Bholo's voice again. "Take care of yourself as well, My King!"

When Akash looked behind, there was no sign of him. He smiled while looking at the rustling red leaves and replied. "I will!"

***

Akash was looking at the gate as he was walking towards it. The gate was big and designed as if some beast had torn a part of it away with its claw.

Akash Tagar entered the gate, wherein another forest revealed itself. However, after getting a closer look, it seemed more of a garden than a forest. There was a path in front of Akash, one made of a white material resembling marble, whereas the path's sides were decorated by numerous flowers with eye-catching colours.

It was wide enough for a 50-meter big beast to walk comfortably through. The pathway was leading to a den. An enormous den emitting the same light the gate was emitting.

White light permeated by shades of black all over it. Akash was looking here and there, observing the area when he suddenly heard a voice. "Come inside, lad!"

It was the 2nd time Akash got scared to his core by a voice alone, this one was different than that of Ancestor Turtle's but in terms of power, it was the same.

As Akash entered the den, he smelt a violent metallic scent. As he kept moving forward, the scent was getting thicker and thicker. He thought it belonged to a ferocious beast. While Akash was still lost in thought, he heard a terrifying growl.

He immediately stopped and the growl ceased as well following which a thunderous voice came. "Don't test my patience, kid, hurry up!"

Akash gulped and tried to step forward without uttering a word, but his legs couldn't move. He tried to move repeatedly, however, his limbs were frozen by an instinctual, primal fear.

That mysterious presence had shaken Akash inside and out. He could feel that this being was as strong as the Ancestor Turtle, yet, there were two things different about it.

One was that this beast had a stronger killing intent than the Turtle which made its bloodlust very apparent while the other was that his intentions were unknown.

The odour's intensity grew as he approached. The most appropriate words Akash could think of to describe it were salty, acidic, ferocious and carnal. Akash couldn't withstand this overwhelming odour and puked.

"Pathetic." The beast commented on Akash's sorry sight. It used the power of psychic law and carried him in deeper.

The light was growing as well as the stench. Akash closed his eyes because of the blinding light when he opened them again, he saw a gigantic stone stadium.

It was big enough for 10,000 people and beasts to fight each other. Akash was looking in awe when he heard the growl again, forcing him to come back to his senses. The stench came back as well, although he couldn't pay any mind to it because of the growling beast.

Akash didn't spend any time turning around after which he saw a beast resting on a stone-made settee.

It had the arms and torso of a man and the head of a sabretooth tiger whereas its lower body was that of a tiger with black stripes. Its muscles were bulky while its teeth were large and sharp, especially the two big fangs.

The bones were bulging along the length of its body and neck, and its long tail's tip was split into two. The beast's tremendous strength was overbearingly apparent.

Akash stood still in fear that even a single movement could kill him.

The beast spoke dominantly without any intention of hiding its powers. "You are our successor chosen by Ancestor Turtle, your first evolution will be done by me."