Defiance of the Fall

Kruta went to the small drum beside the entrance . He infused his full cultivation base into his fist and slammed it with all the force he could muster . The hide didn’t release so much as a whimper , but a gong would alert his grandma of an urgent issue .

Even then , nothing happened after minutes of waiting . Kruta’s brows scrunched together . There was no way she hadn’t noticed his return . He was bringing back earthshattering information , yet Balka Greenleaf couldn’t be bothered to see him? A few more minutes passed , and the veins on Kruta’s forehead twisted as the grand tale he’d woven of his exploits were stuck in his throat .

It was unbearable , and one punch after another crashed into the drum , the attacks fueled by fate and frustration .

What’s that ruckus! - an infuriated roar shook the sky .

Kruta’s expression fell at the outburst . Was Grandma in a foul mood? Was the Dancing Blade Tribe causing trouble again? Shouldn’t be . It had only been eleven months on the outside since he left . It was also impossible she’d entered seclusion . Balka would have removed the drum if that were the case . Kruta was no longer in any mood to enter , and the open flaps to the tents seemed like a ferocious beast .

He didn’t get the chance to retreat before someone emerged , and Kruta frowned at the stranger . The dense swirl of ancestral will around him proved he was of the tribe , but Kruta had never seen him before in his life . Of course , that wasn’t anything odd considering the vast domain they controlled , but he had come out of Balka’s private tent .

Oh , it’s you? - the buff man grunted as he emerged . - You’re back already? -

Who’re you? - Kruta asked .

Fiesty brat , - the man grinned . - I’m Udro , but you can call me Grandpa . -

You’re one of Grandma’s husbands? - Kruta ventured , getting an affirmative nod .

Been guarding the Mystra Destolates the past couple of centuries . Just got back last week , - Udro said . - Heard the missus adopted a kid while I was gone . Well , she heard you loud and clear . Go on in . -

Wait , - Kruta said , his eyes widening in comprehension as he saw the bleeding scratches on Udro’s chest and the mix of annoyance and relief in his eyes . - I’ll just come back later . Uh , have fun . -

You little shit , you’re trying to ruin your gammy’s good time and then just run off? - a rough voice echoed from within the tent . - Come , let me take a look at you . -

Good luck , - Udro grinned as he took out a flagon of spirits .

Kruta inwardly cried , but he didn’t dare ignore the order . The last time he’d interrupted his adoptive grandmother’s time with one of her husbands , he’d been sent to oversee the mating season of their warthog hordes . Kruta shuddered at the memory—the squeals still haunted his dreams . Then again , trying to hide from Balka another time had led to him being sent into the Kussak Dreadmines for a month .

Taking a deep breath , Kruta stepped inside . The surroundings blurred , and he found himself inside the huge trophy valley of Balka Redleaf’s world tent . Everything looked the same . The towering peaks of the surrounding mountain range greeted his arrival . Of course , they were the remains of the Primordial Beast Balka slew to claim her seat as one of the seven Grand Elders at the Tribal Council .

The latent pressure of the sacrificial bones crashed into him , and he groaned as his vision started swimming . Vast amounts of energy poured into his body , and he was relieved to feel his channels easily withstand the pressure . The first time he had almost gotten killed . Now , it was just a bit painful . Kruta felt his grandmother pull him over , placing him in front of a roaring bonfire .

Not far away sat Balka , looking the same as always . A heroic warrior in the prime of her life , with her huge broadsword lying to the side . If not for the monstrous killing intent roiling off her body , you could have thought she was one of the young blade masters of Kruta’s generation .

Not bad , - Balka nodded after a while . - In fact , pretty good . I can feel how your connection with my great-grandfather has grown much deeper . You are nurturing each other in a way I haven’t seen before . There’s no way you’d manage to figure that out on your own . I guess that place deserves its reputation . -

It’s all thanks to Grandmother giving me the token , - Kruta said , remembering the steel in her voice before .

It didn’t help .

Still , that’s no reason to bang on the gong so loudly . - Balka glared . - I haven’t seen my Udro for almost a century . Ruining our sweet reunion deserves some innovative punish⁠— -

News! - Kruta shouted , the squeals of rutting hogs burned into his mind urging him on . - I have super important news , earthshattering news! I couldn’t wait . -

Oh? - Balka said with a raised brow . - Then let’s hear it . -