Beastmen: She Tames the Land-Chapter 111: A test of strength

Gorn stripped the heavy apron from his body. It revealed crisscrossed marks of old burns and scars. When he shifted his body swelled. His skin thickened into coarse gery-brown fur. His legs bend, becoming thick and powerful hooves. The horns on his head grew larger, more menacing.

Uri’s shift was silent and fluid. His body didn’t swell; it elongated. His limbs grew long and sinuous. His skin hardened into a mosaic of black and emerald green scales. He coiled, a massive, muscular serpent. His forked tongue flicked out to taste the air.

The fight started without a signal.

Gorn charged, his hooves struck the rock with deafening cracks. There was no subtlety in his attack. The ground shook with the impact of his charge. His body was a projectile of muscle aimed directly at Uri.

Uri didn’t try to meet him head-on. That was not his strong suit. If he did, he knew he would be injured. Instead, his body glided to the side, moving quickly enough for Gorn’s charge to mean nothing.

Agility was Uri’s best skill in a situation like this. As Uri moved, Gorn’s body met air.

There was a gasp from the audience. The Stone-Horn people couldn’t believe the agility with which Uri moved. Kaelen and Cato smiled. They had always known that Uri was fast. Watching him kill prey was a masterclass in speed.

Gorn recovered, shaking his head. His dark eyes gleamed with respect. He no longer wanted to test Uri. He was now hoping he would be a worthy opponent. If the rogue was truly blessed, he would know by the end of the fight.

He charged again, this time more cautiously. He tried to anticipate Uri’s move. Uri dodged and weaved, becoming a blur of black and green scales. Gorn was powerful, but his moves were predictable. He would charge, stomp, and sweep with his horns. This caused Uri to be one step ahead of him.

For several minutes, this was the pattern. Gorn showed his power while Uri showed his agility.

The Stone-Horns watched the fight with interest. Their leader, whom they thought was powerful, was seen as slow and clumsy at this moment. They did not think he was any less powerful than before. Gorn has proven his strength time and again with his people. They were more surprised at the agility Uri displayed.

Gorn was known for his stamina. Uri was not aware of this, but as the fight dragged on, he began to understand. Uri had been on the defensive, never attacking. However, he knew he needed to change the dynamic. If he didn’t, he may be the one in trouble.

So that’s what he did, Uri changed the dynamic.

This time, he didn’t dodge. He darted forward, sliding under the goat’s belly. If the hooves were to catch him at any point during this attack, it would be detrimental. Uri knew it seemed like a suicide move.

However, as he slid under Gorn’s belly, his head snapped up. His fangs, long and sharp, sank into Gorn’s underbelly. A roar of agony and shock tore from Gorn’s throat. Gorn twisted in mid air, intending to crush the serpent beneath him. But Uri was already gone.

Gorn was bleeding. Uri had drawn first blood.

Cato and Kaelen released the breath they held when they saw Uri darting under Gorn’s belly. The Stone-horns held their breath when they saw the attack.

"You’re fast, little snake." Gorn’s voice was gruff and low. "But having speed isn’t the same as having strength."

Because of Uri’s attack, Gorn decided to change his tactics. This time, he didn’t charge. He decided to use his environment to his advantage.

After biting Gorn’s underbelly, Uri had coiled in a crevice close by. Using this to his advantage, Gorn brought his massive hooves down on the edge of the crevice. He used his horns to pry at the rocks.

Uri was trapped. Gorn was trying to turn his refuge into a prison. He knew he had to end this fight before he ended up under the rubble. He watched Gorn as he moved. Uri knew he needed to wait for the right moment.

He waited for Gorn to rear up. In that moment of vulnerability, Uri struck. He shot out of the crevice. Not going for Gorn’s underbelly as before. This time, he went for his neck.

He coiled his body around Gorn’s neck. Gorn thrashed and twisted, trying to shake Uri off. Uri held on, his muscles tightening. Gorn gave a guttural roar and began to run. He slammed his body and Uri’s against the rocks. The sound of bone and scale striking stone was sickening.

Still, Uri refused to let go.

Slowly, Gorn’s frantic movements began to slow. His legs buckled and he sank to his knees.

Uri could feel Gorn’s surrender. Gorn was suffocating; if Uri didn’t let go, he would die.

But this was not a fight to the death. Uri had no reason to kill him. He loosed his grip. Slowly, Uri uncoiled his body from Gorn’s neck and slithered back, shifting into his human form. He stood before the defeated leader.

"The blessing of the Beast God comes not only with strength but also with wisdom. You are blessed, just as I am. We need only use it in the way that befits us and helps our people," Uri stated.

Gorn didn’t answer. He knelt there, gasping for air. His body trembled with exhaustion. When he was able to, he shifted and stood. His look at Uri was no longer dismissive.

Gorn’s eyes held a respect he didn’t expect himself to give.

"A rogue who knows how to fight. You are welcome among our Stone-Horn people, Leader Uri."

He patted Uri on his shoulder. Both of them were covered in blood from their wounds. Gorn had no intention of cleaning up. He walked with Uri over to the place where Cato and Kaelen stood.

"You have a good leader. Now tell me what you have to trade."