Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 358: Netra vs Tilgron

“This isn’t the place to talk about this.....”

“Okay.” After rubbing his daughter’s back and rubbing the hair atop her head, Bradok gave her a heartwarming smile. Then, he bowed to both huddled groups. “Sorry for the interruptions.”

The old gorilla rushed back to Vloz’s side and quietly waited for Ania to do the same. After wiping her forearm across her eyes, hiding the water that almost leaked out, Ania joined the huddle as well.

Looking past the sudden outburst, Vloz turned his full attention back to Netra. “You did well, using your opponent’s strategy against himself. Well done.”

“What do you mean-”

“Thank you, Master,” Netra replied with a bow, stopping her mom from interrupting what she felt was most important, her teacher’s tips for improvement.

Nodding, Vloz continued, “Keep that mindset. You’ll need it for this next match. That tiger should be the strongest of Zelsh’s pupils. He should be a mid-elder, and he’s likely closer to being a high-elder at that.”

.....

“Almost a high-elder? Netra, you’re not even a low-elder. You-”

“Mom?”

Puula caught her tongue and took a deep breath. “Just... be careful, okay? This is my first time seeing you take on something so challenging, and I care too much to see you get hurt.”

“I know mom,” replied Netra, “that’s why I asked my teachers to not tell you about my training. I can handle myself. It’s only a sparring match.”

Bradok nodded, adding, “Besides, Tilgron isn’t cruel. That pussy cat knows how to control his strength better than the others. She’ll be fine!”

“Thank you for that information,” stated the fox girl, nodding.

Ania kept quiet but smiled regardless, trying not to bring down the mood.

After half an hour had passed and Zelsh had given Netra a healing salve, everyone headed back for the stands. Only Netra and Tilgron were left standing on the battlefield, each sharing an enthusiastic smile.

“My name is Tilgron, and it’s an honor to fight someone of your caliber,” remarked the larger Tundra Tiger.

Lightly bowing her head, Netra reciprocated. “The feeling is mutual. I look forward to your teachings.”

“Since you’re both ready, BEGIN!” Zelsh shouted, excited for his long-time star student to find another top-level rival.

Each combatant nodded and took their battle stances, ten krin between them.

Immediately, icy knives were hurled toward Netra and then in all directions. Also, ice began to cover the floor everywhere Tilgron ran. “I want to see how you handle this!”

Netra vanished from the get-go, wasting no time. The moment Tilgron covered the space she understood the pressure of a mid-elder.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are...” Tilgron joked, never letting his grin waver and never losing his heightened focus. “There you are!”

A drop of blood fell on the ice not too far from Tilgron’s back. One icicle blade was halted in the air as Netra came back into view. But the determination on the fox’s face was only sharpened by the incident.

Netra yanked out the knife with one of her tails and dashed forward in a full sprint, completely visible.

“Interesting...” Nodding, Tilgron met the charge with his own as all icicle knives were directed straight ahead. “What will you do next?”

Inundating the path ahead in dark essence, Netra gained speed and vanished within the dark space.

The tiger was quickly engulfed as well, but he unleashed an icy aura to combat and counter the dark mist within one krin of him.

Netra then emerged from the mist and immediately struck with her claws. But Tilgron smiled at the incoming fox and countered with his own attack, showing his domineering brute force. The fox was easily thrown. However, Tilgron blinked and turned around to notice two other foxes on opposite sides of him.

“She can make duplicates already...” Zelsh slyly shook his head, watching the damaged fox fade out of existence. “You’ve found a terrifying talent.”

Nodding, Vloz added, “As have you...”

Tilgron speedily turned, lashing one fox with his icy mace of a tail and tearing into the other with a frosted claw. Yet both vanished upon contact.

His instincts kicked in as Tilgron looked up to avoid another duplicate from above. Knives were thrown and curved toward the diving fox covered in dark essence. But at the same time, Tilgron noticed two more foxes in the corner of his eye, both emerging from his very own shadow. They were even closer to reaching him, forcing his attention there.

“Well, played!” Tilgron sensed the dark essence from above fade as he lunged at the foxes coming from the shadow. “I’ve learned so much already-”

Slash!

“It’s over!”

As Zelsh’s voice filled the arena, Tilgron breathed heavily as he felt a bloody claw against his throat. Glancing back, the tiger laughed and released his icy essence.

Netra finally stopped controlling her breathing, letting everyone hear her pained pants. She grinned and pulled back her claw as the icy knives evaporated and disappeared from her sides.

“That was an amazing lesson. Thank you, for all you’ve taught me.” Giving a full bow, Tilgron gladly praised the victor.

“I won this time, but that trick won’t work on you a second time. You adapt too well for that. You’ve taught me even more in this battle. Hopefully, I’ve learned enough to win next time, when the outcome matters,” reasoned Netra, also bowing to her opponent.

“Astounding... Are you sure you don’t want to join-”

“HEY! Don’t touch our recruit!” Bradok shouted, jumping in front of Zelsh without any fear.

Shaking his head, Zelsh sighed, “I already know the answer, but it was worth a shot. Too bad you’re already invested in his techniques. Otherwise, I’d fight to have you on my side.”

“Thanks for the compliment.” Calmly walking to his pupil, Vloz shared a tender smile. “Well done, Netra. You now know, without a doubt, that you’re a real contender. Be proud.”

The fox girl took a moment to calm her breathing and joyfully nodded. “Thank you, Master. I’m glad to make you proud.”