Outcast

Following Emperor Cernunnos, Valoris was deeply curious about what the rewards will be.

They reach the deepest part of the grove where a large cavern opens up. As they enter the cavern Cernunnos askes

"Are you planning on following my advice?"

"Yes, I'm planning a trip through the Unclaimed Forest, then visiting the Dragon Peaks."

"Mmm, I'm going to have to change your rewards to something more suitable for traveling. Also, be careful, those four elders especially Solam dont like what you did."

"Thank you, Emperor, still even knowing that I still would have killed him. You dont leave enemies alive to get stronger."

"I agree, well here we are," says Cernunnos before turning into a large opening filled with various treasures.

Valoris practically begins to salivate at all the treasures around him. He has an instinctive urge to eat and hoard them, feeding off the energy coming off of them to grow stronger.

"Do you know why I told you to go travel?" asks Cernunnos

"Fighting against different fighters increases your fighting experience, and helps you learn new tactics?" asks Valoris

"That's the secondary reason. No, the main reason is I can tell you are a training maniac. You put your all into getting stronger, breaking yourself if you need too. The thing is it's very easy to get burnt out by just isolating yourself and training.

Motivation and determination are fueled by emotions. Traveling, meeting friends and enemies, helping people. These all can create emotions that can help fuel your motivation to get stronger. Also, it will show you how high the heavens really are and what it will take to reach them."

"I see now, thank you, Emperor, for your teaching. May I ask what my reward is?"

"Hahaha oh I bet you just want to grab as much as you can and run huh? okay so here are a couple of things for you. First is a space stone, eating one will let you gain control over a large room in a separate dimension that you can store things and even people in.

Remember if you kill someone also check if they have a space stone. You can absorb it giving you access to what is inside. I left some goodies in there for you that should help you if you find yourself fighting someone way stronger then you. Dont mess with them until you need them.

Also as the Champion of the recruits, you are entitled to a medium-tier natural treasure that contains your element.

This is a branch of a 200-year-old redwood tree that grew in the Wavering Wind Forest. Surrounded by the wind element this branch absorbed a lot of it before it was struck by lightning. I think you will find it perfect for cultivating.

The final reward is this, its a Blood Medallion. With this, I will know your location at all times. If you run into a situation where you will die activate it and I will know you are in trouble and show up."

"...Emperor why are you helping me so much?" asked Valoris curious

"You probably think I have some hidden relationship with you or something huh? like maybe you remind me of someone? wrong, truth is our country? Descarga Forest is the weakest nation on the continent.

Do you know why? because since before even I was born Beastkin was taught to respect strength, giving no thought to how the person treats others, their morals, or even how they got strong. We tear each other apart not caring about the world around us growing stronger.

I want to change that, I want to teach Beastkin that you can be strong, but kind and helpful to other Beastkin as well. And the only way I can do that is to help you, kids, whenever I can showing you there is another way"

Shocked Valoris listens to Cernunnos, Hearing him talk about how Beastkin needs to unite, about how being strong doesn't mean you should pick on the weak resonated with him. As someone who originally was thrown away for being weak Valoris wanted to show the other beasts that they were wrong! even an outcast could become strong if given the chance.

Taking his treasures with him, they leaving the cavern with Cernunnos sending him off. As the young kobold crawls away Cernunnos whispers to himself

" Show them! Show them there is another way!"

Arriving back at his quarters, the first thing Valoris does is swallow the space stone. Concentrating he feels it fall into place right next to his dragon stone. Sending some dragon blood into the stone he feels it unlock. Looking inside he finds a large cave big enough to fit 2 a.d.u.l.t wyverns in.

In the corner are the items Cernunnos told him about warning him not to touch them until he needed to use them. Setting the Redwood branch down Valoris exits the space and looks at the Blood Medallion.

It's a square piece of blood-red stone with a carving of an attacking white stag on it. Putting it on Valoris goes to find his master as he is sure Lord Mezal was informed about the hearing.

Heading towards the Lord tier fighters sleeping quarters, he asks the guard if Lord Mezal is here and if he is available. The guard goes to ask, several minutes later coming back and say he is and to follow him.

Arriving at Mezal's sleeping quarters Valoris heads in. Lord Mezal is cultivating in the corner, clearly preparing himself for the fights he will have tomorrow. Sensing someone approaching he opens his eyes and see's Valoris sitting in front of him. Smiling he looks down and says

"You did well"

Before getting up and motioning for Valoris to follow him. They head outside before Mezal motions for him to get on his back. They fly a couple of miles away before setting down.

" So how many elders wanted to banish you? "

" 4 master, the one that concerns me the most is a steelbacked gorilla king"

" ha....yeah no surprise there. Tarn was his grandson. His name is Solam and he is an elder of the Blood Plateau Organization. While we dont have a ruler in our country, we do have several organizations that tribes and clans belong too. He could make your life very difficult if he wanted too."