Dungeon of Niflheim

294 Chapter 294: Divine presence

“Sit!” Frost spoke but a single word but contained within his voice was a matchless pressure that reverberated throughout the barn. The powerful and imposing glacial winged tiger that was Kiba, who was lunging through the air in an attempt to smash Frost with his large and sharp claws, froze mid-air. The command ‘sit’ reverberated within his head and body over and over and the more he resisted the more dominating it became. Frost became an unassailable giant while he shrunk back to the size of a cub. The massive giant patted his head, forcibly lowering him to the floor.

Boom!

The massive, winged tiger fell to the ground, prostrating itself before Frost while trembling all over. Cold sweat covered his beautiful fur giving it a glossy shine. His strong and proud tail was curled up and protected by his body while his ears descended to reflect his fear. The mighty and powerful Kiba was nothing but a small cat full of terror before the gentle looking Frost.

Frost was completely swept up in his aura, he leaned over and petted the shivering tiger, revealing a gentle smile. “Good boy.”

Druakai was completely frozen in a mixture of fear and shock. Though he was not the prime target of Frost’s aura he could still sense the unassailable presence that he emitted, he even had to resist the urge to prostrate himself in reverence. This was not from power but from one’s lineage. Just how wolves would feel subservient to the mighty fenrirs, the king of wolves, Druakai and Kiba felt that towards Frost. As if he was a superior being to themselves that they couldn’t dare to profane, even if their strength was higher. If it was a simple fight Druakai would have placed his money on Kiba given that he knew his capabilities yet under that aura Kiba didn’t even get a chance to resist before succumbing.

Frost was in the zone at the moment, though the overbearing pressure was fleeting, the residual feeling still flowed through his body causing his eyes to reveal a majestic glow. He rubbed Kiba’s face with affection, scratching under the tiger’s chin like you would with a cat, causing the beast to purr in content, completely capitulating to Frost. Finally, he had someone worthy of his strength, not an old man with burned out potential or ones that relied on numbers to become strong, no Frost was the true deal, the one he’d been waiting for.

Kiba was a very smart monster just like Ruby, he understood common tongue and had quite developed emotions. He knew that given his lineage, size, and appetite he couldn’t stay within Kranor much longer and it saddened him. He deeply loved Druakai and Ruby who raised him from when he was just a cub. Druakai didn’t know anything about his real parents, the giant orc found him injured and starving within the snow when out on an excursion with Ruby. If Druakai and Ruby hadn’t found him when they did he would have died.

That feeling of being alone while weak and terrified never truly went away, growing up he always liked to be attached at Ruby’s or Druakai’s hip and would struggle to sleep if they weren’t nearby. So, knowing that he had to leave his loving home was heart-breaking thus he rebelled a little. Refusing the actions of all the guests who sought to tear him from his family despite him knowing that it was pointless. He couldn’t be like Ruby and stay by Druakai’s side as his mount, he was too powerful, large and battle seeking for that. Though he was considered kind for a monster he failed to inherit Druakai’s, and Ruby’s wouldn’t hurt a fly personality

As time passed more and more guests came that he did not recognise, each stronger or with more backing than the last, and as he continued to grow he knew his time was running out. In fact, Frost would probably be the last guest before Druakai would have to make some tough decisions. Either sell him to an organisation that could look after him and not waste away his potential i.e. The Northrend military battalion, War Ursa or one of the major kingdoms within the inner regions. If he was refusing to be a contracted mount then only big powers such as them had enough clout to manage a potential upper B-rank monster or higher.

.....

The other option would be natural release, Druakai would banish him to the wilds to let him live free. The problem with that however was Kiba’s personality, he needed companionship as he was prone to loneliness. Plus, the moment he became wild, adventurers and unsavoury groups would actively seek him out to carve up his body for materials. Kranor already had a few run ins with a large bandit group that wanted him for materials. And the stronger he became the more of these types of people would come seeking him out. Kranor was just an enclave in the external regions with a small military it could only fend off so much, the moment an established country set their sights upon Kiba there’d be nothing they could do. Thus, Kiba had to go, for his own protection.

Frost continued to scratch Kiba’s chin before an intense feeling of exhaustion overcame his body. His legs turned to jelly, and he lost most feeling in his limbs, causing him to fall on top of Kiba. The remnants of divine energy retreated back into the depth of his body, and he was left thoroughly drained as though he just ran back to back marathons. His head started thumping and his whole body ached as he gasped for air yet hints of smile could be seen on his face and his eyes glowed with a triumphant light.

Druakai saw this and panicked. ‘Oh no!’ He was worried that Kiba would attack in a moment of weakness, ending Frost’s little life. He smashed his massive green fists against his legs to get them moving as he was still under the influence of Frost’s divine aura. He got back control relatively quickly, but it was more than enough time for Kiba to open his jaws and bite down on Frost who had powerlessly fell onto his back. He desperately looked towards Kiba ready to shout, hoping that he would listen to him even though it was a long shot.

“Kiba don.....eh?” From Druakai’s perspective Kiba had opened up his jaws and appeared ready to clamp down on Frost’s head but what really happened astounded him. The powerful and arrogant winged tiger that was Kiba, who never treated anyone bar him and Ruby with good intentions was licking Frost’s face while showing a concerned and worried expression. Druakai was speechless, his jaw remained agape as he took in this impossible sight.

Kiba allowed Frost to rest on his soft white fur, while he licked his face and supported his exhausted body acting completely opposite from his initial behaviour. A lot happened within the couple seconds Frost emitted his overbearing divine aura. Kiba understood Frost as someone far above him in terms of talent, lineage and bearing. Even as a glacial winged tiger with lots of promise he was barely qualified to carry Frost’s shoes.

Frost’s aura contained divine majesty similar to the Gods, though it was still weak and equivalent in strength to perhaps someone in the early B-ranks, the quality was there and Kiba’s instincts swiftly let him know the difference in their standing. But it wasn’t solely a dominating force that caused Kiba to capitulate, no he could feel Frost’s heart just like how Frost could understand that Kiba was testing him and had no intention of killing. He felt gentleness and kindness within that pressure, it reminded him of Druakai and Ruby as well as himself. The moment he felt Frost’s unlimited potential as well as his heart he immediately accepted the man before him.

‘If I go with him I’m sure life will be good.’ This was the conclusion Kiba came to. When in front of all the other guests that came to look at him he never felt safe or free while in their presence. Not a single one had both strength and kindness, only Frost was worthy.

“Alright, alright that’s enough, I’m fine just a little tired.” Frost complained as Kiba’s slobber dripped down his face. He appreciated the thought but getting smelly cat slobber on your face wasn’t as pleasant as it looked. Kiba stopped, immediately reigning in his large and quite rough tongue, before it damaged Frost’s good looks.

“Can you help me up?” Kiba nodded before using his head and body to ease Frost to his feet and not letting him fall. His movements being very gentle and delicate despite his massive, muscular frame.

“Thanks” Frost caressed Kiba’s head with difficulty as he leaned on the large tiger waiting for his strength to return. Using such power certainly came with risks. If this was a life or death situation and not simply a test of mettle, his life would have been forfeit. By reaching deep into his soul he managed to scrounge up a modicum of the divine energy held within his body and apply it to his aura, thus creating the impressive feat that shocked Kiba and Druakai so. The price however was complete exhaustion and aches all over his body.

Though he was effectively a demi-god, his strength at the moment wasn’t even B-rank. Channelling such power with just his physical body was a big ask, one which could have easily caused severe damage if not properly managed. He took a big risk using it but ended up with a great reward. The glacial winged tiger Kiba had thoroughly accepted him, and he had an even greater understanding of his aura as well as divine energy.