Argo stepped out of his hut, yawning, only to be met by an older man, who was taller than him by a couple of feet, he had light brown hair and kind brown eyes. It was clear this was the leader of the family, who had taken shelter on his cliff during the night. While standing there, he expected an argument, thanks to being a Forsaken, but the Varna held out his hand.
''May Erda give you all the blessings she can, warrior; you saved my family and deserve a reward for such things,'' the stranger said, smiling.
''A reward?'' Argo replied, taking the offered hand as the man shook it with a big smile..
''Yes, Shards, my father will pay you once we return to our village,'' the father said before introducing himself. ''I'm Hodor, a trader from Winterbrook. Do you mind escorting us home? I'll give you extra for the journey?''
His eyes narrowed, but Athena's soft voice echoed in his head. 'Go, Arg. You need to meet new people, and that young woman keeps looking at you, maybe you can make some little chicks?'
When Argo heard this, he nearly lost it, but held it together and was saved as a quest popped up, which he found convenient.
[System Quest: Escort the family back to Winterbrook - Reward: 20 Beast Points + New Skill]
Following that, Argo finished reading it and glanced at Hodor's daughter as her face lit up, causing him to nod in agreement. ''Okay, but I'm not going to get chased away from the village?''
''On Erda, you'll be welcomed, warrior,'' the older man reassured, turning to the young woman who seemed to be in her early twenties, introducing her. ''This is my eldest daughter, Dravina, she'll be a powerful Spiritblade, she's being trained by the village's Shaman to use the world's essence.''
Argo looked at Dravina, who took his breath away. She had long silver hair tied into a messy bun, and some stray strands came down the side of her face. He couldn't help but like her bright golden eyes glowed faintly, watching him with calm curiosity and something sharper beneath, confidence, power, and just a touch of danger.
She was gorgeous, not in the delicate, breakable way of the village girls he'd met, but with a bold allure. His gaze lingered on her sexy curves that shaped her figure, her big chest pressed against the thin fabric of her armor. ''You don't say much, do you?'' she murmured, her voice smooth as silk, leaving him wondering.
Argo nervously adjusted the strap across his chest. ''Words don't do much good when people have already decided what you are.''
Her lips curved slightly as she replied. ''Then it's a good thing I don't listen to the rumors or Varna gossip.''
Meanwhile, Hodor and the others began loading their things into their packs while chatting among themselves, but Dravina didn't move. Her gaze lingered on him, studying him like a puzzle she intended to solve. Athena's voice murmured in his mind. 'Careful, Arg. That one carries more secrets than the mountains.'
Argo turned toward the path leading down the cliff. ''Let's get your family home before dawn, or the Night People will come,'' he said.
Dravina stepped beside him, silver hair brushing her shoulders. ''Lead the way,'' she said, grinning. ''I'm curious to see what Erda has planned for you.''
''What have I got myself into?'' Argo muttered, walking toward the Dead Woods.
Hodor, Dravina, and the others started trailing behind him as he cleared the entrance, only to notice the Night People's bodies had vanished; beasts had taken them during the night. Athena flew above, scouting the way north as Artemis stayed beside him, guarding from any more predators.
The American Lion stayed behind, keeping watch over the group as they began their journey to Winterbrooke after stepping out of the Dead Woods. While trekking, the family spoke among themselves, happy to have survived the night. He noticed the silver-haired beauty glanced at him as she spoke to a younger boy and girl who were his age but were more shy.
Argo ignored the looks, not knowing how to react to them while he checked out the upgrades he got from the Night People fight, and was surprised at the gains he received from the effort.
[Experience Gained: 140]
[Level Up: 6>7]
[HP: 12>13]
[STR: 21>22]
[STM: 12>13]
[CHA: 12>13]
[INT: 12>13]
[Beast Points Gained: 55>69]
After that, they stepped onto the road, which led to the Northern Pass separating their world from the outside one. Argo was staring into the distance as Hodor appeared beside him, smiling. ''That path that leads to the Great Green Sea, it is a wondrous place. A man from the village went beyond their many years ago.''
''I think my mother is traveling through it with the Kravati caravans,'' Argo revealed, not turning his gaze away from the dark mountains.
''I'm sure she'll be fine, warrior,'' he tried to reassure him. ''But I won't lie and say it's safe because everyone knows the land is full of nightmarish beasts; in the village, about one certain creature, our explorer encountered.''
''Like the Ashen Ones, but I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Argo,'' he said, forgetting to do it earlier thanks to becoming distracted by Dravina.
''Good to meet you, young one,'' Hodor chuckled. ''I heard rumors of the Beast Master, but to see you in the flesh is something else.''
''Any rumors about creatures near Winterbrook?'' Argo suddenly asked.
The older man stiffened at his words before giving him a solemn nod and revealed. ''Yes, a Death in the Dark has plagued Dawnfire Village; it's a month's journey to the East, killing many hunters and terrorizing the walls.''
When Argo heard this, his eyes widened as he gazed at his tames, causing Hodor to glance at Athena, Aslan, and Artemis, then panic after realizing what was going through his mind. ''You cannot go after such a beast, it's bigger than Hornbreakers!'' he exclaimed.
Just then, Aslan let out a fierce roar as he spun his Skystone Spear. ''Don't worry about me, I've been training to fight man and beast since I was able to walk. I've already fought Urvaks at the Battle of Summermarsh.''
''I recall the other traders mentioning it,'' Hodor said just as Athena's voice sounded in his mind.
'Arg! We have four Urvaks closing in on you and the family!' she warned.
''Aslan! Artemis! Watch over the family while I fight!'' Argo shouted as he pushed Hodor out of the way just as spears slammed into the spot he was just standing.
Without waiting, he locked onto the closest Urvak, hefted his spear back, and launched the weapon. It sailed through the air, slamming into the enemy's chest with a sickening thud, thanks to his good accuracy. Moments later, he took out his sling, spinning it as he approached the remaining three, flinging stones at them, slowing the brutes down.
Just then, Dravina appeared beside him, using a glowing spear as she expressed. ''We fight together to defend my family, Beast Master.''
Argo nodded in agreement and rushed forward to meet the closest Urvak, dodging the cannibal's swings by ducking under it as he lunged forward, his dagger burying in the foe's neck before he spun to the side, kicking another's legs, bringing the Neanderthal to the ground with a thud.
***
Dravina's vision tunneled as Argo detonated through the Urvaks. They loomed nearly six feet tall, towering over the Beast Master, stone axes whistling down like falling oaks. He slipped inside the attacks, getting close to the flesheaters, leaving behind a corpse. One of the two last enemies bellowed, club swinging in a blur.
She watched as he ducked beneath it, pivoted, and hammered his boot into the brute's knee. Bone shattered like wood. The giant pitched forward, face clacking on frozen dirt, until his stunned gaze met Argo's as he slashed the cannibal across the throat. Blood sprayed in bright, impossible ribbons.
The young man's face remained calm; he closed the distance, dealt with threats, and dispelled the idea that anyone could harm him. Dravina forgot the cold; she had forgotten to fight, thanks to being mesmerized by the scene as she observed the Beast Master kill the last one by using his spear to pierce the enemy's heart.
***
Argo was breathing heavy after the fight and turned to Dravina with narrowed eyes. ''I thought you were going to help?''
The young woman shook her head, returning to reality as a big smile crossed her face. ''Sorry, I was shocked by how skilled you are. Did your parents teach you to fight?''
His eyes widened, but he soon nodded. ''Yes, my mother did. My father died when I was a newborn in the far north.''
Dravina gave him an honest smile as she placed a hand on his arm. ''I'm sure he's watching from the Great Beyond and is proud of you, Argo.''
When he heard this, he felt better, only to change the subject with a chuckle. ''Next time, help out, those brutes aren't easy to fight, lucky they're much bigger than me and I can get the drop on them.''
The silver-haired beauty nodded in agreement as the big cats appeared, looking happy at his fighting prowess. Athena landed on a nearby boulder. 'That was good, Arg. Your mother would be happy, knowing you can look after yourself,' she praised.
'Well she did train me for thirteen years straight,' he answered, laughing at the memories.