The challenge

Gora:

I walked in the back of my battalion of beasts. I had to admit my force was small but intimidating. A group of well-trained beasts could even challenge a real army. We walked through the dead woods for a few days now, and we were close to reaching the silent mountain. Next to me walked Frons. Her green eyes were scanning our surroundings. The demon beast had ranked up to layer six, and she practically radiated power.

Frons had been appointed as the Queen's Shield. Officially, that meant she was my bodyguard and leader of her own beast squad. I had come to rely on the spider monkey a lot lately. She had become my unofficial advisor of sorts. Luck, for me, Frons had taken to her new role quite nicely. I chalk this up to the books she read. I received many texts from Mog in the storage ring she gave me. None of them were about martial arts, so I gave them to my guardians. Learning to read was easy for them considering or soul bond. Frons was the only one to take the time to read them. She particularly loved the ones about knights and princesses.

I recently found Frons reading a book called "The Servant." It was a book about being the best Servant to one's country. Mog loved the book only because it was written about her. "The Servant" was loosely based on Mog's life and her service to the kingdom of Esha.

Although I didn't like the idea of Frons reading such biased material. I did like that she was reading. Canis didn't read any of the books Mog left. He prefers to read sword manuals. Canis walking in the front leading the troops. The hound had also reached layer six and was given the title of the Queen's Sword.

This meant he was in charge of all things combat. Canis took his role seriously and engrossed himself in his training. It took the beast longer to grasp things than my other guardians, but the Jackal was Something of a workaholic. I would sometimes find him practicing his sword style late while everyone else sleeps. Sometimes I worry the hound will push himself too hard. But I could bring myself to stop him. I would only hurt the Jackal's pride.

"Your majesty, Canis is asking to take a break," Frons said after getting news from one of the wolves. We had been matching for half the day now, and the sun was starting to set. Although I was tired, I figured my army was.

"We can stop and make camp here for tonight," I announced to Frons, who relayed my words to the wolf sent to deliver Canis's message. The beast then took the news to the front, and in minutes the group of beasts stopped marching.

"Your highness, the troops are setting up the camp while I sent scouts ahead." Canis said as he kneeled in front of me. ( I really wish they'd stop being so formal.) I thought as I looked at Canis. He and Frons have been calling me things like your highness and majesty. I blamed Frons for this.

"Good, make sure everyone gets some rest. We will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning." I explained. Canis got up and went to help set up camp. I looked around and watched as the beast roamed around the base. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits. The beasts were all well fed and well trained. There wasn't a beast under level three. A smile graced my face as I examined my little army. (The beast kingdom is coming together nicely.) I thought.

"My Queen 'I've prepared a place for us," Frons announced from behind me. I turned and followed the woman as she led me to an area a few feet away from our camp. She had crafted a bed out of leaves and twigs.

"Master, we can sleep here tonight. I figured you like the privacy." Frons said as I plopped down on the nest.

"You don't have to sleep with me. I'm fine on my own, you know?" I said. Since becoming my shield, Frons has been attached to me by the hip. Nowadays, it is rare for Frons to be away from me.

"As your shield, I must be ready to protect you at all times. Plus, what if Master gets the urge to mate at night?" Frons said nonchalantly. (Not this mating thing again.) I thought, rolling my eyes.

"You don't have to worry about my urges on this trip," I said as I laid back and closed my eyes. Although I still had feelings for the demon beast, I decided to put them on hold. I was too anxious to reach the mountain to think of anything else.

"Master, what do you plan on finding at the top of the mountain?" Frons asked. I could understand her courtesy. I hadn't told my guardians too much about my reason for climbing the mountain. I only said to them that I wished to know about my mother.

"I'm sure there will be snow up there!" I laughed. Judging by Frons face, she didn't like my joke. I decided to tell her my thoughts on the journey. I explained how my mother's people could still be alive and how I wanted to meet them. The humans on top of the mountain could also point me in the right direction. I had no idea where the beast forest was located in relationship to the other kingdoms. I figured I could get more insight from my mother's people if they still lived. If I planned to leave the forest, I would need to know which way to go. I didn't want to end up in the human lands by mistake.

I knew that the mountain was most likely full of a mighty beast. Hence the reason for my small army and on the off chance that my mother's people become hostile. I would need backup. I spent the night voicing all my reasons for my journey to Frons. We talked for hours, and I didn't even remember falling asleep

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"We are her Master!" Canis announced. We had finally made it to the foot of the mountain after marching for another day. The grey stone of the giant mountain was now just inches away. ( I can't believe I'm really here.) I thought as I looked up at the massive mountain.

"We will set up camp here for tonight. Tomorrow we climb!" I shouted. Canis got the troops to set up camp in a hurry. All the beasts moved with purpose. The gorillas had become efficient at making campfires and nests for us to sleep in. Frons had the most organized unit of them all. The gorilla under her command hung on her every word.

The wolves were great scouts able to communicate from long distances using howls. The dead woods were empty, so there was much for the scouts to report, but I could already see the potential in the unit. Canis was a little knucklehead, but his troops respected him.

The tigers I had Warr recruit were being led by Shadow. Titan had convinced me to give the panther a temporary title. He was the Queens Dagger. I planned on giving the position to Warr if she had stayed. The Queens Dagger was essential the leader of my spies and assassins. It was the only logical option I could find for the big cats. The Tigers were too self-centered to be around the other beasts. So they were instructed to stay hidden from the rest of my army. I figured I could use them to ambush my enemies if the need arises.

To my surprise, Shadow was a competent leader, if not a little harsh. The brat ruled his team with an iron fist. I figured this was because of his talks with Titan. The old serpent would chat with the panther for hours while I trained Canis and Frons. Titan seemed to care for Shadow like an actual grandchild and would give the beast advice from time to time. I had yet to accept Shadow into my inner circle, so I hadn't taught him anything. He would have to prove himself to me.

"Frons gather the troops, even Shadow and his band of miscreants. I will be giving an important speech tonight." I explained. Frons bowed before setting off. ( The woman doesn't even hesitate.) I thought in fear. I hoped I wasn't creating another paladin order of mindless slaves. I shook off the thought as I gazed up at the mountain.

"I will give my people a choice," I said to myself as I sat and waited. Hours went by while I sat and thought about my words. Nightfall was now upon us, and my army had all gathered in front of the silent mountain. I now stood in front of all 50 of my beast army as they waited patiently for my words.

"I gathered you all here today to ask you once again! Will you embark on this journey with me?" I paused while Frons translated my words for me.

"I can not promise to bring you all back alive, so I won't be mad at you if you want to leave now." I paused again, waiting for Frons to finish translating before I began again.

"I can promise that those who do survive will no longer have to suffer to survive. You will no longer receive the scraps left behind by those more powerful than you. You will never have to run out of fear that you will be eating. And you will never have to worry if your family is safe!" I shouted. The crowd roared and howled in approval.

I knew my audience. Most of the beasts that joined me were outcasts, discarded by their own tribe or pack. Or they had been under the thumb of a ruthless alpha like the gorillas who followed Log. A few months ago, these same beasts were struggling to get by. Now the outcast had found a home in my kingdom. They didn't have to fight over food, and they weren't abandoned for being weak. In the end, none of them left, choosing to stay with me. I looked out at the beast smiling big, but something was strange. I couldn't spot Shadow anywhere.

"Frons, where is that bratty panther?" I asked my guardian. She told me she couldn't find Shadow anywhere. It struck me as odd that the panther was nowhere to be found. The roars and howling stopped while I was talking with Frons. I turned to see the crowd part. Walking down the cleared path was Warr, Shadow in her jaws.

Warr had gotten a lot bigger since I last saw her. She is now almost double her original size. Warr carried the unconscious Shadow in her mouth like he weighed nothing. I froze as I looked at the panther.

Puh!

Warr spits out Shadow like he was a piece of rotten meat. I wanted to see if the poor panther was still alive, but I didn't make a move. Warr had shockingly reached layer seven. So I couldn't afford to be reckless.

"Your Queen can't even protect one of her stronger followers. What hope do you peons have? HAhaha." Warr laughed. I could feel my rage bubbling, but I chose to stay calm. I could also see ShShadow'shest rise and fall, although it was only faintly. If I didn't reach him soon, he would die.

"I've come to challenge the beast Queen for her throne. Will you accept?" Warr asked with a toothy grin. Before I could answer, Canis and Frons jumped in front of me. Both prepared to take on the cat.

"Give us the order, my Queen, and we will get rid of this pest!" Canis exclaimed. Frons just nodded her head. I was proud of my guardians. They showed no sign of wavering. Even while facing a layer seven beast. One-on-one, neither of them would kill Warr, but they had a shot together. I honestly wanted to see them fight. I wanted to see how much the two had improved but decided against it.

I couldn't take it anymore. I'd been holding in my rage out of concern for my weaker troops. But I could keep it locked away for long. Blood lust poured out of me, and my black aura surrounded me. Some of the beasts closer to me began to look physically weak. While the other retreated away far enough to still see the situation without being caught up in my killer intent. The only ones left near me were my two guardians. However, I could tell they found it hard to be close to me.

"I accept your challenge, kitty. You made a big mistake coming back. Not only that, but you hurt one of my men in the process. I'm afraid your punishment will be quite severe!" I announced as I tapped both my guardians on the shoulder. I also whispered to Frons to help Shadow. Before Charging at Warr.

I was a little worried that Warr managed to increase her level so quickly, but it didn't stop me. I had also gotten strong while the tiger was away. I was now a layer four, and I was itching to try out my new skills on an opponent I could go all out against. (aiming to crush every bone in your body, cat!) I thought as I was about to reach my target.

The Queen's Shield: A title given to Frons. The shield is the Gora's bodyguard and advisor to the beast nation.

The Queen's Sword: A title given to Canis. The sword is the general of the beast army.

The Queen's Dagger: A title that was temporarily given to Shadow. The dagger was the lead spy of the beast nation.

The Servent: This book is designed to make the demon masses fall in love with their guardian beast. The book is loosely based on Mogs' exploits and details the hydra's heroic service to the demon kingdom. It was also designed to teach others how they can serve their country. It was glorified propaganda to quell the demon citizens.

Silent mountain: The mountain Gora's mother was raised on. The mountain is so dangerous that not even the forest beast dare travel up it. The beast up there can reach layer eight. At least, that's the story told by the monkey tribe. They call it the "silent mountain" because many alphas are most likely roaming the hills, yet the massive mountain is eerily quiet at all times.