The two dashed toward each other, Zo''Kati with a small axe in each hand and Ta’Ku with a large warhammer. Ta’Ku swung in a mighty arc and Zo''Kati rolled to the side, just out of reach. She lunged forward, carving a narrow gash across his thigh before he could respond. She jumped back, just a second too late, and there was a crunch as her left arm absorbed the hammer blow. She roared in rage, closing the distance with her remaining arm. Her axe bit into Ta’Ku’s hip but she was unable to withdraw in time to avoid the pommel strike to the head. She collapsed in a heap and the crowd thundered their approval as Ta’Ku raised his weapon in victory. The healer attended to them both and then Ta’Ku was made to stand before the chief.


    “We have our champion!” Shouted the chief, met with yells of ascent. “Ta’Ku, you have earned the honor of the title, Dan’Kar. Do you accept this title?” The chief intoned as if reciting ancient lines.


    “I accept!” Ta’Ku replied forcefully.


    “Very well.” Ro’Kar began, “From this day you are Dan’Kar to No’Ah, leader of the humans. Fight his battles, share his victories, and mourn his losses!”


    “His battles are my battles, his victories are my victories, and his losses are my losses!” Ta’Ku proclaimed.


    “No’Ah!” The chief shouted, motioning for him to stand. “Do you accept Ta’Ku as your bound brother, your Dan’Kar? Will you share your journey with him to the final end?” Noah paused, feeling the weight of the moment. Do I want this? His heart replied before his mind could reason.


    “I accept!” He yelled. What’s done is done. He extended his arm toward Ta’Ku who instead wrapped him in a bear hug, lifting him from the ground.


    “Brother, I have seen you fight like a raging berserker and think like a great tactician. We will conquer much together!” Ta’Ku announced. Noah couldn’t help but smile at his new accolades.


    “Let it be so, Ta’Ku.” Noah agreed. There was much joy in the village following the tournament. Even his people seemed to appreciate the sport. Noah enjoyed the festivities but was eager to be on his way. He tracked down Ro’Kar and pulled him to the side.


    “Ro’Kar, I will be leaving to continue my journey soon,” Noah said. The chief nodded in understanding.


    “As you should, though I ask you remain for the night. Ta’Ku will need to get ready, and you need new weapons.” Ro’Kar advised. Noah nodded considering what kind of weapon he would choose.


    “That sounds reasonable. I will let Ta’Ku know our plan. As for my people, I intend to send them down the mountain to meet with others I have traveled with.” He replied.


    “This is good. Now regarding the weapons, do you have any training?” Ro’Kar asked. Noah nodded.


    “Only some, and primarily in swords and knives.” He said.


    “Ah. Knives we have, But our smith has yet to forge any swords. He says they are too costly with our current metal supply. Let me see what we can do.” Ro’Kar explained.


    They left each other to their tasks and Noah made his way to find Bob, stopping shortly to inform Ta’Ku of their plans. Bob stood among the others, looking out of place in their rags. It would be winter soon, probably quite soon on the mountain, and they would need to be better equipped. He reached Bob, waiting while he wrapped up a conversation.


    “Noah, that was quite the spectacle! I see what you meant about not fighting them!” Bob said.


    “Indeed. I hope it has done some good for the people to see that. I am not here for that though. Have you made your decisions?” Noah asked. Bob nodded.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    “We have, Noah. We will go down the mountain and seek out your friends. From what you said, they will be able to help us get on the right path. Most of us are crafters, but that doesn’t mean we can’t become strong.” Bob explained. Noah felt satisfied hearing his conclusion, and he hoped he would get to see his friends again.


    “When will you leave?” Noah asked.


    “Immediately, we were just waiting for you. The orcs gave us some basic supplies and even some weapons. How we do now is up to us.” Bob said. Noah shook his hand.


    “I’m glad we met, perhaps we will see each other again down the road. And if you do find Julie, would you tell her that I am well?” Noah asked. He considered saying more but perhaps it was best to move forward.


    “Likewise Noah. I really appreciate this second chance you have given us. We won’t squander it.” Bob said. The group gathered their things and left the village, leaving Noah as the sole human once again. He made his way into town and enjoyed the company of the raucous orcs. Ro’Kar hosted him in his home and they talked late into the night.


    The next morning, Noah met with Ta’Ku in the village center finding him up and ready just after dawn. They shared a meal and Ro’kar found them, bearing gifts. He deposited the bundle in Noah’s arms and he was surprised at its weight. He unwrapped the leather and found two identical long knives in sheathes, alongside an impressive warhammer. It was made of a dark, heavy metal with a large two-sided head. One side was a flat polished square of metal, and the other was a sharp spike. Noah smiled.


    “It is not a sword, but it will serve you well. Ta’Ku is well-acquainted with the warhammer and can teach you of its use.”


    “I am very grateful for your generosity. I will teach the monsters to fear an orc hammer!” Noah grinned.


    “Hah! Are you sure you’re human? You''re not secretly a half-orc?” Ro’kar jested.


    “Definitely human, though my brother’s an orc.” He said, pointing at Ta’Ku. The chief bellowed out a laugh.


    “This is a good way to part paths, No’Ah. May your journey be long, and your enemies mighty!” He said, extending his arm. Noah returned the gesture.


    “May the hordes break against your hammer!” Noah replied. With their farewells exchanged the pair left the village, heading up the slope. They had a long way to travel by day’s end and they set out at a run. Noah took the opportunity to revisit his status, having forgotten about the many notifications from the battle. He used his XP to level, finding he was able to do so seven times. With that he pulled up his screen.


    Status


    Name: Noah Denter


    Race: Human


    Grade: F


    Domain: Self


    Caste: Iron


    Gate: 1


    Path: Apprentice


    Level: 43


    Strength: 86


    Dexterity:86


    Constitution: 97


    Intelligence:11


    Wisdom: 13


    Willpower: 14


    XP: 5/100


    Essence: 0


    Stat points available: 21


    He let out a low whistle in appreciation. There was nothing quite like progress to make you feel alive. He brought both strength and dexterity to 90 and put the remaining points into constitution, pushing it to 110. This boost in stats felt more dramatic than the previous ones, even though it was fewer stats. He could feel his skin harden, and there was an intense feeling in his gut. He tried to puzzle out the cause but could only guess that it had to do with passing 100 in constitution. Perhaps it''s a threshold of sorts. He continued running, feeling much more durable than a few minutes prior. He smiled. If this was what a few levels could do, then he was ready to get more.


    Ta’Ku watched Noah as he ran ahead faster. How can he do that? His breath was starting to become heavy after the hours of running, and yet Noah didn’t slow at all. Is he going to stop at all before night? He picked up his pace, careful not to fall behind. The boring landscape was numbing to his senses, he was hungry, and his legs hurt. No. I will not fail on my first day. I am a Dan’Kar! Ta’Ku steeled his resolve, if he had to run for days on end without food then it was a price he was willing to pay. It was his responsibility to be good enough to stand beside Noah in battle after all.


    Noah occasionally glanced back at Ta’Ku, impressed by his stamina. He would stop if the orc needed a break but so far he hadn’t said a word to that effect, in fact, he hadn’t really said anything. Must be the quiet sort. Noah picked up the pace, eager to meet the challenge of his new companion. It feels good to have such a capable person along for the ride. Ta’Ku was handsome, he supposed, for an orc. He had the typical light-red skin, and long black hair that he kept in a braid. His tusks were short, straight, and shining white, a trait not shared by all the orcs he had seen. He was about the same height as Noah, around 5’11”, if nothing had changed. His eyes were what set him apart the most, they were a bright green–a stark contrast to his skin. Noah found it interesting just how easy it was to interact with a completely alien people. He had really connected with Ro’Kar, and hoped that the same would be true of his new companion. As the day began to turn to night, Noah saw what he had been looking for all day. A beast!


    Ta’Ku’s eyes went wide as he watched Noah charge at a beast in the distance. They hadn’t stopped a single time that day. Not once. I’m going to die. He thought as he drew his hammer from his back and charged after his bound brother.