Divine Beast Ascension

It Was Netra, Right?

“The school entrance exam will be on the day of the first equinox, marking the new year. It will be a two-day event where the first day we test the essence affinity and strength of the novice youths and the second day is for the adept youths. As a prize for thriving in the first tournament, the gorilla clan will be giving away cultivation techniques, battle arts, gold, and more. Are there any objections?” Oli cut to the chase and got everyone to stand behind the idea. “If there are none, then let’s move on from our announcements and discuss how we can best move forward together as a town.”

The chiefs council continued till the suns set and all chiefs had finished sharing the details of their tribes’ or clans’ lifestyles and how they can best avoid unnecessary friction between them.

Once the council was dismissed, everyone stood and began to chat and speak casually about the news they had all just heard, especially the young stallion with a big mouth and no self-control. He was bragging about his recent breakthrough to peak-novice with the other young masters. Oli tried to avoid them and remain low profile until the tournament, but Oli was dragged into the conversation by Yeter’s high praise.

“You’d better be careful Karos, you may bite off more than you can chew. I’m sure I can rival you now, but you’ll have to keep an eye out for Oli too!” proclaimed Yeter.

“Oh, is that true?” Karos’ eyes caught the escaping Oli. “I guess I’ll have to keep a close eye on you. Thanks for the heads up Yeter.”

Oli stepped back and turned towards the lynx young master. “Why would need to worry about me, I’m only a mid-novice? Besides, with your lightning essence, it’ll be hard for anyone to match you.” Oli kept stepping back towards the exit while he cursed at Yeter in his heart. But as he stepped back, he bumped into someone and knocked them to the floor.

It was a young fox that silently fell and hid her face in her two tails. Not many had noticed what happened, but she was too shy to not try and hide it. Her pitch-black fur could easily let her disappear in the night, only revealing some silver streaks the were mesmerizing to examine up close.

“I’m so sorry! It was an accident, I swear,” Oli apologized immediately.

.....

“Mm,” she didn’t say much at all as she slowly showed her face.

“Netra are you okay?” the Night Fox young master ran over to the fallen vixen, offering his tail to help her back up.

“I’m fine brother,” Netra got up on her own, rejecting him.

“But sis—”

“Mrado, that’s enough. You know your sister can handle herself,” said Chief Puula as she walked up to her daughter. “Are you okay Netra? You know better than to stand so closely behind someone.”

“Mm,” she shrugged off her mother’s concern and stepped in front of Oli, peering into his eyes for a few moments. “You’re different.”

“Umm… Thanks?” Oli scratched his head, not knowing how to respond.

Netra got even closer to him, surprising everyone. She sniffed his hands first before taking in the scent of his chest and neck. Her soft fur brushed through Oli’s fingers, it was plush and perfectly smooth. Feeling it in his hands allowed him to relax, almost causing him to close his eyes.

Oli was stiff as a board, having no idea what she was up to. Once she reached his neck, he got a whiff of her scent. He blinked and opened his eyes wide as the aroma almost caused him to buckle. It was a soft scent, hidden in the background of the world. But upon recognizing it, Oli would never forget it from that point on. The fragrance was uninviting yet warm, distant yet reachable. To Oli, that gentle and easily overlooked aroma eliminated the rest of the world for a moment and left only him and this fox mistress sniffing his neck.

“Hmm?” Her whisper brought Oli out of his daydream, just barely reaching his ears. “Dark essence?”

Oli instantly jumped back, unsure if she had recognized his dark essence or how she could’ve. He cleared his throat and asked, “It was Netra, right?”

Netra nodded and was about to step forward again but was intercepted by her mother. “I apologize, Master Oli. My daughter is somewhat of a recluse, but she’s not usually like this. Come on Netra, let’s go.” She pulled her daughter away as Mrado followed closely behind.

Most everyone was clueless to what Netra was up to but Chief Gar and Vloz knew exactly what just happened. They both glanced at each other as if to confirm if it happened. Rathe also knew what was going on thanks to all of the time he had spent with Vloz and was excited to see the little vixen share scents with Oli.

“Ha, ha! Atta boy Oli!” Rathe’s booming voiced announced his thoughts. “I knew you had it in you all along. The ladies love you, just like they love your uncle!”

With a loud crash, Rathe was suddenly hit from behind and was sent flying through the council building’s wall. He groaned as he rolled over in the grass and tried to hold his lower back that was now aching.

When he looked back at the hole he just made, he saw Ania climbing out with her new perennial grade war hammer that he had gifted her back when she found out about Oli drinking for the first time. “Wow, I can see you like your new toy, Sis.”

“Mhm, and I just realized that I still need to test it out. Thankfully, I think I’ve found the perfect test dummy.” Ania gave her brother a devilish smile.

She didn’t know what scent sharing was but thanks to Rathe’s comment, she quickly figured it out. She couldn’t control the fox girl or even her own son, but she didn’t want Rathe pushing Oli to share his pleasure-seeking lifestyle. Ania decided to take this moment to remind her brother of that. Everyone else left after seeing the gorilla’s internal conflict and realizing what had happened with Rathe’s unusual means of clarification.

“Sis, lighten up a little,” Rathe began to beg. “Look, you’ve already hurt my back, I don’t know if I can take much more.”

“Really? Then let me toughen you up, that way you can better handle your duties as territory ruler, right?” Ania neared him and lifted her hammer high above her head.

“Ania… Don’t… No!” Rathe’s cries for help filled the still darkening sky, but not a soul dared to deny the angered Ania the satisfaction of teaching her brother a lesson.