Divine Beast Ascension

“See!” Bradok bellowed, “That’s my new bet. Do you dare match it? Or would you rather go through with the deal now, before the fight? I guarantee you’ll not only see something you’ve longed for but you’ll also learn more than you could ever ask for. What’s your decision?”

“... I don’t wish to bet at all.”

“Great, then let’s get going-”

“Nor do I want to accept such a deal,” added Warak. “Without knowing what you’ll offer in return, it’s impossible to bring you to our clan totem.”

“You WHAT?! Dad, what are you-”

But Bradok ignored Ania, cutting her off, “Then, please at least accept the bet. It’s the only way our clans can make full use of our alliance. There’s no other option. Of course, you’ll be there with me. It would be impossible for me to break your totem with you monitoring me. I’m not a heartless dragon!”

.....

Finally, Warak flinched and winced hearing that stabbing statement.

“... If your great-great-grandpa wished to make up for his past transgressions, then wouldn’t my visit actually help settle his turbulent soul?” Bradok reasoned. “My visit to your totem will only strengthen your clan and help you breakthrough to low-god, or even higher!”

“How?!” roared Warak, struggling to decipher everything that was being said. “How can you promise so much yet offer zero explanation?”

“I have more than enough explanations. But I can’t give them to you unless you’re willing to earn them with a demonstration of absolute trust. You’ve already got our greatest treasure, the peak-king technique. But there’s so much more for me and you to learn, Warak. We can only do that if both of us go and meet your great ancestor,” Bradok boldly stated. “So, will you let me take us there now, or will it be after I win the bet?

“... Do you believe that I’m a liar?”

Slowly shaking his head, Warak answered, “No. You don’t seem to be that sort.”

“Then why do you think I’m lying now? I promise a full explanation that goes beyond even my knowledge, so long as me as I’m able to call on your great ancestor,” Bradok claimed, showing more determination with each word spoken.

It took Warak a moment to respond. He needed some time to ponder Bradok’s words. Time to scope out how he might justify Bradok’s visit to the clan’s most sacred relic. Time to deduce how Bradok could imagine such ridiculous claims, let alone enact such claims... It took seconds, minutes...

While waiting, Ania decided to bow once more and return to the stoves. Treeda was left even more speechless than Warak. Though, Treeda could at least infer that her new master was a part of this deal.

‘... Not exactly. This was all Bradok’s idea,’ a voice lulled into Treeda’s mind, utterly derailing her train of thought before it could even leave the station.

But before Treeda could think or say anything else, Warak sighed and sternly yet calmly stated, “Bradok. I’d prefer that we don’t make such a bet. I have no desire to enslave your clan.”

“Then what do you want me to put up? We’re not even a divine clan, so the most valuable thing we can offer is our enslavement,” Bradok declared. “I only offer such a bet because I’m absolutely certain of my abilities. Even with the bet, you’ll never see me enslaved, Warak. But at least the bet will give your clan an excuse for me to visit your totem.”

Blinking, Warak shook his head. “Bradok, despite knowing what happened between Dioro and my brat, I think you’re still vastly underestimating my kin. Dioro fended off Brak but still died in the end. I don’t wish to see you make such a tremendous sacrifice that would-”

“I’m not. I have no soul arts.”

“... Then how-”

“Because I’m confident in my abilities. Right now, even against your powerful kin, I’m absolutely certain of victory and wouldn’t be able to use soul arts to risk my life, even if I wanted to,” clarified Bradok, still showing more and more of his endless resolve.

Warak’s stern face softened, showing great worry. “Bradok... you should know that such a bet means my clan will go all out. Even Dioro never saw my brat go all out, of that I’m certain! If you dare make such a bet, then we’ll face you with every morsel of strength we have. And, out of respect for your kind, we won’t be looking down on you or underestimating your abilities... Are you absolutely certain you want to go through with this-”

“Absolutely. More than absolutely!” roared Bradok, drumming on his chest. “Then you accept the terms of the bet?”

“... I accept.”

Silence lingered among them as the mood around the table was fluctuating.

“Treeda, make sure to return Zelsh’s technique. We don’t need it any longer,” Bradok spoke, nonchalant as ever. “... What’s with the worried faces? Cheer up! You’ll witness everything for yourselves. It’s impossible for me to lose!”

Shrugging and keeping an exhausted expression, Warak shook his head. “I don’t know about that, Bradok... I hope you’re victorious, but my pride makes it impossible for me to hold back our full strength. I can only increase the difficulty in these circumstances...”

The atmosphere around the head table was forever fluctuating. Eventually, food arrived at every table. But the fluctuations between their temperaments only got larger. Bradok dug into the meal with great joy. Treeda slowly ate her meal, unable to deny the amazing taste and unable to shake off a foreboding feeling. Warak barely ate, compared to his usual festive self. He still finished his plate after quite some time. However, the sinking feeling in his heart was incredibly palpable and impossible to remove.

It seemed that everyone was enjoying the stupendous meal, everyone apart from the prefecture lords.

And, as time always passed without regard for the feelings of mere mortals, the time for the event was soon at hand.

Tables were taken away. Benches and chairs were returned to the new hotel. The makeshift kitchen was taken down and stored away. Everyone was led to the stands, sitting where the day’s contestants once sat. And the prefecture lords sat on their grand viewing platform.

On the arena floor stood a gorilla. There were no weapons or armor equipped, but to describe Bradok’s gaze as confident was an understatement. In his mind, his victory was a fact of history waiting to occur.