Chapter 41

  The elder led them out of the village. White Fang orc guards watched over a large gate. They opened it when they saw a brief gesture from the elder.

  “They don’t find it weird that you are walking with a human?” Ben asked.

  The elder shook his head.

  “Anyone in the White Fang clan would recognize your prestige at a glance. Word travels fast. The human who defeated our chief and inherited his sword. You are already a legend.”

  Ben chuckled softly to himself. Eve looked at him curiously. Ben brought up his system window to show Eve what he was thinking about.

  [White Fang Clan Reputation: Renown]

  Eve giggled lightly, understanding his sense of humor. Ben was once again pleasantly surprised that Eve got his jokes.

  A sharp whistle snapped both of their attention away. The three were in one of the few parts of the orc valley that still had trees. The elder lowered his hand, finishing the whistle.

  A large shadow appeared in the distance. Eve felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Then it appeared.

  Out of the trees came a giant dire wolf. It was at least twice the size of any other dire wolf they had seen.

  Its thick white fur blew majestically in the wind. It strode forward with a calm, intense, predatory gaze. It behaved like a creature that owned the very ground it walked on. It stopped only a few feet away, its shadow casting over the trio.

  Eve instinctively moved behind Ben. Ben marveled at the creature. The elder bowed his head toward the wolf.

  “This is White Fang. Alpha. King. The mount of every chief that proves himself worthy. Prove yourself, and he is yours. Or prove yourself weak and be devoured,” the elder said.

  The elder stepped aside. White Fang moved closer, its slitted eyes bearing down on Ben. A low snarl curled its lips.

  Ben did not falter. He strode forward calmly until he stood directly beneath it. It towered over him, at least the size of the Dire Grizzly boss. Ben was confident this creature could defeat that boss with minimal effort.

  “Bow,” Ben commanded.

  A deafening silence filled the air. Ben was unarmed, still adorned in his shabby leather armor. His angels were nowhere to be seen. To White Fang, Ben looked weak, except for his eyes.

  One look at Ben’s unfaltering gaze told White Fang everything it needed to know. The wolf lowered itself to the ground and bowed its head, just as Ben commanded.

  The elder was beyond shocked.

  “How? This is impossible. White Fang never concedes without blood being spilled,” he said.

  Ben grinned and reached forward, gently petting the wolf’s head. White Fang leaned into the touch and melted. It suddenly took on mannerisms more akin to a happy puppy than a ferocious beast.

  “I already told you,” Ben said.

  The elder stared at him in disbelief.

  “Your god?”

  Ben’s grin widened.

  “Our god,” Ben corrected. “Through him, nothing is impossible.”

  The elder was left speechless.

  “Eve,” Ben said.

  Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

  Eve was just as dazed. She looked at Ben warily. He tilted his head, signaling for her to come. She obeyed his silent command and stepped forward cautiously.

  “He won’t bite,” Ben said.

  Eve looked at Ben in disbelief.

  “He wants me to pet it?”

  She bit her bottom lip and looked at White Fang. Its gaze had returned to an intense, imposing stare. Eve looked back at Ben, fear flickering in her eyes.

  “Do you trust me?” Ben asked.

  Eve was stunned by the question. After hearing it, she did not hesitate.

  “With all my heart,” she thought.

  She reached forward without delay and placed her hand against White Fang’s forehead. It stared at her for another moment before bowing its head and closing its eyes, leaning into her touch. Eve let out a breath she did not know she was holding. She caressed it, and it displayed the same puppy like behavior toward her.

  “Oh my goodness,” she thought.

  “See?” Ben asked.

  Eve looked up at him in awe and nodded happily. The elder was dumbfounded.

  “This is unprecedented. White Fang never serves two masters.”

  Ben smiled knowingly.

  “He isn’t. I am still his master. But what is the harm in letting a trusted ally borrow him for a while.”

  Eve was just as confused as the elder until a sudden sensation made her let out a surprised, high pitched squeal.

  Ben grabbed her by the waist and lifted her into the air, then gently placed her atop White Fang’s back. It was easy, since the massive wolf was still lying down.

  Eve sat with both legs dangling far from the ground. She looked down at Ben’s bright grin.

  “Comfy?” he asked.

  Her face flushed bright red. She could only nod, gripping the wolf’s fur tightly. It was exceedingly soft.

  Ben hopped up onto White Fang, sitting in front of her.

  “You might want to hold on,” Ben said.

  Eve looked around for something to grab. There was only fur, and Ben. He glanced back knowingly. She bowed her head and shifted forward, gripping his shoulders.

  Once Eve was secure, Ben grabbed two handfuls of White Fang’s fur. The wolf stood up. Ben looked down at the elder.

  “We still have one more general to visit. I hope that won’t be a problem with your clan,” Ben said.

  The elder shook his head.

  “Our brethren know our ways. You defeated our chief. That grants you certain rights,” the elder said.

  Ben smiled in satisfaction.

  “Good.”

  Ben tugged on White Fang’s fur. The wolf understood and leapt forward, vaulting cleanly over the elder’s head. The sudden movement drew another high pitched shriek from Eve.

  Instead of gripping Ben’s shoulders, she wrapped both arms around his waist and clung to him desperately.

  White Fang was faster than anything she had ever experienced. Even faster than Ben. It felt like riding a motorcycle with no helmet and far less stability. Ben noticed her discomfort.

  “Alright, quit showing off,” he said.

  White Fang huffed and slowed to a more modest pace, which was still incredibly fast. More importantly, it softened its steps, making the ride smoother.

  Eve finally loosened her grip. Ben glanced back at her. She bowed her head sheepishly and typed a quick message.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, Eve.”

  Ben brought up his map interface and pinpointed the location of the last boss. White Fang surged forward in that direction at a controlled pace.

  They passed the White Fang camp and entered a new section of the orc military city. With the change in environment came a new group of orcs.

  Ben suddenly hopped off White Fang, brandished his halberd, and summoned his cherub army. He landed smoothly and glanced back at Eve and White Fang.

  “Keep her safe,” he said.

  The wolf nodded. Ben looked at Eve.

  “This should solve those pesky stamina issues,” Ben said.

  He burst into a sprint toward the waiting orc army.

  Eve was left stunned.

  She reflected on the White Fang clan and on the additional challenge Ben had taken on. She checked the quest Ben had accepted.

  He would have gained access to the armor and katana simply by defeating the chief. White Fang was a special reward, one that only came from defeating the chief honorably. Ben had nearly gotten himself killed and pushed himself to exhaustion just to gain access to the mount.

  A mount that solved her most glaring weaknesses.

  Now she could keep up and stay safe, without forcing Ben or his cherubs to constantly protect her.

  “Did he do all that for me?”

  Tears fell from her eyes. She raised an arm to wipe them away, but they refused to stop. White Fang glanced back at her curiously. She took a moment to compose herself.

  She looked toward Ben in the distance, a powerful feeling welling in her chest.

  “Come on,” she said softly. “We’ve got work to do.”

  White Fang took off without delay. Eve followed behind Ben, gathering loot in his wake. The entire time, she could not wipe the smile from her face.