In times of peril as long as you try your best, you will never feel despair, although failure might break you, defeat might humble you and mistakes might cause you to rethink what you've been doing, doing your best is all that you can do.

14day of Blue sun year 188

This specific day Xeor was hunting as usual near the river when a strange feeling of irritation and anger overtook him. Well it could be cause there was nothing to hunt or cause his life was quite boring or it could even be that he lacked something but didn't know what it was.

He just blindly started hitting the trees with his paws and scratching them with his sharp claws, it took awhile until it all went silent.

In his mind he was fighting with his father and Zifarang as he didn't feel ready to take any of them on. In that irritated state he heard a cry for help coming from nearby, probably within his territory as well.

He sneaked closer and saw among the trees a liongirl being chased by a group of boarmen. She looked pretty at least for their standards.

Without much thought or planing he came out of hiding and roared so loudly they were all paralyzed in surprise and probably fear as well. Both the liongirl and the boarmen were stuned by the loud road and their ears hurt a little.

The boarmen felt fear, well at least until they saw he was but a young lionman.

(Boarman leader)-Leave us alone lionling she is at fault here, she hunted in our ground and injured one of us as well

(Female)-Hel...

(Xeor)-Silence you are both in my hunting ground , you go back to your territory or die and you girl don't even think of running away

(boarman leader)-Funny ,haha ,I saw some claw marks but I thought no one used marking anymore, but we are five and you one If you die, your territory will be ours by your l...

Before he could end , Xoar had reached him with his claws . The boarman tried to evade by ducking but Xeor's target were his eyes. With a single strike of his claws Xeor had blinded their leader and instantly went for the next on, this time targeting his leg and then for the next one's neck and so on.

As if in a drunken frenzy he made them sqeel from pain and run from fear as he killed their leader by cutting his belly open in a most gruesome of ways.

As it all had ended he looked for the girl but she had already left. He laughed for a bit and went on hunting.

The next day he used the boarmen heads and body as a threat for the boarmen and went on his normal daily routine as if nothing had happened.

I think I should talk a bit about Rot, well you see in allastar the disposal of the dead body happens in a bit of a different way.

They are called the "thought eaters" and they are tiny micro organisms all over allastar, they make forgotten things dissapear.

If of course they are entirely forgetten about, it's existance for them to simply disapear as if it was never there.

Thus food almost never disapears and dead bodies seldomly do, as long as someone unconsiously knows or remembers them. As long as something is remembered it will remain to exist, of course magic artifacts are an exception.

17day of Blue sun year 188

Words of Xeor's death travelled fast around the village as he hadn't roared a single time the past three days. (he had no reason to and wasn't in the mood)

The rumors started by the girl and became a huge topic for conversation.

This day his friends finaly decided to find out if the rumors were true, mostly cause nor Xeor's mother nor anyone else knew the way to his territory and only Fren had a hunch about the way but wasn't entirely sure himself.

Xeor's mother had roamed the forest for the past two days without much success, so Fren talked Gulf in accompanying him.

They traveled fast, full of frustration, they really didn't want to believe Xeor died so easily and if he had, they decided they would try and avenge him.

Don't ask me how, I really doubt they knew themselves how but ain't the thought enough.

They had made this exhausting trip only to find him over several bodies of dead boarmen, covered in their blood. To us it would probably seem gross, but to them he looked like a true warrior.

Gulf went closer to see if he was alive but took a hit right in the jaw, making a great fall on his own behinds.

Xeor was really exhausted, he could barely communicate with his surrounding, Gulf tried a second time to lend him a hand to stand up and Fren laughed as they both fell down out of exhaustion.

(Xeor)-What brings you, huh , to my little, hunting spot?

(Fren)-Just yesterday we heard rumors you died fighting five boarmen to save a girl, you lucky bastard

(Gulf)-Bullshit, I said and we came here

(Xeor)-That little ... left without even a thank you kiss

(Fren)-Hah , you are lucky she did

(Xeor)-What?

(Gulf)-That's our Xeor, trying to mate with the chief's daughter, that in itself takes guts.

Instantly bursting in laughers.

They left almost as fast as they had come, without a care in the world. That same day, or rather closer to night another lionman appeared before him. He was tall and strong and reeked of might.

Xeor became nervous as he saw a full grown warrior coming with such a bad timing. It smelled like a challenge but before he had a chance to react, a lion roar even greater than his froze him in place.

(Lionman)-Insolent young man, are you trying to start a war with the boarmen or are trying to impress my daughter?

(Xeor)-I am not trying anything other than this

He rushed at him only to see the sky as he was punched so hard he fell like a log to the ground.

(Lionman)-this territory is now mine and think of me letting you live as thanks for saving my daughter Zifxi

Xeor kept lying on the ground and looking at the sky as the chief of their tribe left back to the village, that warrior no doubt was Zifarang.

(Xeor)- Must be great being strong, I can't wait to fight even more warriors

8day of Blue sun year 188

The next day he desided to go back to the village thus he grabbed the boarmen heads and went home for the first time after a year of training in the wilds to where his parents were.

The road was long but Xeor was somewhat special he could run for a day and not even understand it, I know it sounds strange but it was a really strange trait of his.

When he arrived home his parents welcomed him with open arms.

(Kor)-Welcome back son, your mother will be back soon

(Xeor)-Whatever, I just want to know if there are any good warriors to test my skills

(Kor)-Well that won't be too difficult, you're just in time for the chief's youth tournament

(Xeor)-What's that supposed to be

(Kor)-Well the Chief decided that in honour of his newborn son he will hold a feast and a fighting event

(Xeor)-That's interesting but will fighting youngsters make me any stronger

(Kor)-Well you see Xeor, if you win you will probably be the next chief without even lifting a finger

(Xeor)-As if I care, the next time we fight I will surely win

Xeor left leaving his father wandering about what he meant by that. However in contrast to his words Xeor would never lose such an event, a chance to fight the strongest youngsters of the tribe.

Fren and Gulf were waiting for him a bit further from home

(Fren)-Xeor will you also be joining the tournament

(Gulf)-Say you do, I want to at least have one sure win

(Xeor)-What do you mean Gulf, you think I'm as weak as I was a year ago

(Gulf)-Well you see after you left I haven't won even once, everyone comes to challenge me to see if they can also win against you, as you know you never won against me

(Xeor)-Sorry Gulf but this win will be more difficult to get than our childish duels, I am a real warrior now(six human years old)

(Fren)-Well it's not like Gulf and I haven't trained as well but don't think too highly of yourself just cause you beat Jix

(Xeor)-Whom?

(Fren)-Don't bother, I heard you had your ass kicked by the chief himself

(Xeor)-Big deal, next time I'll make him cry like a baby

(Gulf)-Big words for a loser

Xeor didn't answer and left somewhat angry.

(Gulf)-Why is he so down all of a sudden isn't the chief the strongest lionman

(Fren)-Well a loss is a loss

(Gulf)-I don't get it...

The day passed normaly and Xeor returned home walking halfheartly thinking about his loss, when he felt little prick from his foot, he looked down and saw numberous Ziks (small ant-like bugs) fleeing from under his feet but one little Zik was trying to attack him, Xeor lifted his foot and squashed it like a bug, with this he felt better and went home.

At night his mother was overjoyed from his return and had a feast ready in their lair.

There were many rumors circulating for the passed few days that made her heart race, but since he returned alive she now felt relieved sleeping in their home as a family once more.

The next few days were Xeor's welcoming party as many lionmen and lionwomen had come to see him, the most promising of the young warriors and probably the future chief of the tribe.

22day of Blue sun year 188

That morning an annoyingly loud voice could be heard from outside their lair.

(Jix)-Xeor! Come out! I have come to challenge you to a duel

(Haki)-What are you shouting outside our house you rascal

(Kor)-Dear who is it?

(Jix)-I am Jix son of Rath and I've come to challenge your son Xeor

(Kor)-Why so early in the morning?

(Jix)-Don't you know every young warrior hopes to beat Xeor, whose name now rings throughout the village

(Xeor)-Aaah, What is going on dad?

(Kor)-It seems you have a challenger

(Xeor)-Really?

Xeor popped out of their lair and seeing Jix

(Xeor)-Crap, why is it this kid again?

(Haki)-He's not a kid, this midget is older than you are so show some proper manners

(Xeor)-Yes mom, what do you want, what was you name again?

(Jix)-It's Jix son of Rath you ignorant brat

(Haki)-Stop badmouthing one another and decide on the duel already

(Kor)-I'd love to see a good fight

(Haki)-Weren't you against fighting

(Kor)-Well I kind of not like to fight but thats different than spectating...

Xeor and Jix stood across eachother and Haki stood in between

(Xeor)-So how will we fight, child-like without claws or you became a man in one year

(Jix)-Claws and teeth that's the only way a warrior fights

Xeor smirked and revealed his claws which were sharper and longer than Jix's, he then took a few steps back and both now were in combat mode they didn't hear Haki's voice trying to make them reconsider their choice but it was late now.

They were now walking in circles looking for an opening, thinking of ways to crush their oponent.

Xeor was over-excited at the chance to fight dispite his mother's protests, while Jix felt decieved into a terribly dangerous situation and it would have been if Zifarang the chief of their tribe hadn't shown up at that moment.

(Zifarang)-What are you two doing?

(Kor)-Can't you see they are having a duel

(Zifarang)-This duel is made void right now, I forbid the use of claws for small fights and personal duels, we need everyone to be ablebodied and ready to defend the village

(Xeor)-What do you mean defend the village?

(Zifarang)-Well it seems some ignorant brat killed enough boarmen to make them angry enough to attack us

(Xeor)-Why even worry they are weak as an ant

(Zifarang)-Don't boast of your stregth to me kid!

But before he stopped talking Xeor had charged at him and while he tried to armbar him as he moved, Xeor was too fast for him to handle, Xeor could have killed him if he wanted to at that moment.

(Xeor)-Well It seems you are right, if they try a surprise attack we might have to tell the village goodbye, but as long as there are warriors in our village I doubt they will dare attack us

Xeor left leaving both Jix and Zifarang furious and at the same time overwhelmed by his skills in combat.

(Kor)-Well I think my kid's right

(Zifarang)-You don't know what you're talking about Kor

(Kor)-Well at least he can live up to the rumors circling around town don't you agree chief

(Zifarang)-We'll see at the festival, and you Jix

(Jix)-Yes sir

(Zifarang)-I expect much from you and your gang

(Jix)-we will try to meet your expectations

(Zifarang)-thats the spirit now go and train, the festival will be held tomorrow morning, Kor make sure Xeor comes too, it will be a good way to amuse the old and train the young.

They dispersed shortly as everyone went on to their daily lives only Xeor felt lost in the village, as he longed for the excitement of living in the wilderness, he couldn't even roar in the village as it would draw too much attention and unwanted troubles.

The day of the festival was close and Xeor hadn't come home that night, his parents were worried for him but they couldn't do much to find him, he was a warrior after all.

23day of Blue sun year 188

It was really early in the morning more like in the middle of the night, everyone was present in the center of the village the chief and some other warriors stocked up branches of dead trees and the elders lit them on fire, the fire raged as the festival had begun, everyone was there eating as the tounament had begun and young warriors fought (without claws) for a place in the village and to become more popular with the ladies but before the event begun the Chief made an announcement.

(Zifarang)-I thank you all for coming, I can recognize many of you and many of you I don't but we are all lionmen, brave and proud warriors whose might echoes through the Milewoods, this festival is to celebrate on the happiness that I felt for the birth of my first son Meur and the tournament is to marry my beautiful daughter Zifxi, to the strongest lionman youth of our tribe, I only hope we can always remain as happy and united as we are now

Countless cheers and applauses made the dark night merry and the fire was lit after that.

(you know they don't normaly use fires but on special circulstances and only the elders know how to light one, fires are more like a calamity than a useful tool to them as the rivers are far from their village, half a day for a fast runner like Xeor, a day for Gulf and Fren, thats the main reason they don't use fires at night)

After the fire was lit and the young lionmen and warriors came to the fire out of curiosity, only one of which was missing and yes it was Xeor who came late carrying a huge Mawufang (a wolf-like creature known to instill fear to the young and trouble to seasoned warriors)

(Xeor)-sorry for being late I was too absorved in hunting and before I knew it night had fallen

(Zifarang)-No worries young Xeor, you are just in time for the fighting event

(Xeor)-well is there a reward or something if I win

(Zifarang)-Well the winner has the honor of marrying my daughter and will prove his ability to the whole village

(Xeor)-And the rules for those fights

(Zifarang)-Of course no claws and fight as well as you can

(Xeor)-I knew it wasn't worth my time, well take this as a gift for your son's birth and goodbye everyone, I'm going back to sleep

(Voice)-Where do you think you are going

(Xeor)-Oh you again, whoever you are

(Voice)-I'm Jix, and here I thought you were going to fight but you are nothing but a coward

(Xeor)-Fight, you call those sissy mockfights duels fights, you think anyone fears your fists, It's your claws that rip opponents apart its your teeth that cleave the flesh off your prey. If any of you is ready to die he can come and challenge me anytime he likes

The mood had become awkward as non dared question the chief but fighting to the death only to show who is stronger sounded like madness, well he was Kor's son after all.

In the confusion Jix charged at Xeor with all his strength only to find himself on the ground as Xeor pushed him with his paws, many more youths charged at him but non was left standing.

(Xeor)-I would love to challenge the chief one of those days, I think he is getting too old to rule

Xeor left after having beaten all the best young warriors without even using his claws and even challenging the authority of the chief.

The fighting event was ruined but the feast went on in a strange fashion as the winner of the fights was Jix who fell like a fly before Xeor, Zifarang couldn't give his daughter to him at least not yet, not till he beats Xeor.

26day of Blue sun year 188

Three days later Xeor went to challenge the chief to a duel, but he was told he wasn't feeling so well these days but he wasn't ill on that day.

In truth he was afraid of losing, the last time he almost couldn't react and his son was just born a few days ago, losing ones life at a duel for the strongest was too much for him at that moment.

He even let him live the other day and now he highly regreted it, but there was a way out of it, two ways to be precise.

First would be if he maried him with his daughter but Xeor looked to him like an Idiot and it was too risky as he could reject the offer and then he would have to fight him for her honor, the second was tricky but had better chances to succeed.