Hours went by.

The Ogres and the wolf-men were currently on standby, observing their enemies, ready to strike the second anyone made a move.

The wolf pack only had twenty-five active warriors excluding Alpha Eurenia and the three commanders.

While the ogres were more than seventy in numbers.

They were bigger and more durable; a single ogre was strong enough to crush two wounded wolf-men.

They had the advantage.

"What’s the news?" Alpha Eurenia questioned. She emerged from her tent, followed by the three commanders.

All were armed with weapons stronger than the ogres’ physical defenses. Spears, battle axes and daggers.

One of the scouts approached the Alpha; she bowed her head before Eurenia, "Lady Eurenia, the ogres are yet to make a move," She reported.

"Till now?" Eurenia frowned, "We’ve always known ogres to be creatures of brute; they do not use their brains often."

"Since they know where we set our tents, they should have attacked already." Eurenia clenched her fist, "Something is wrong."

"I agree," Commander Hedro nodded, "For ogres not to make a move till now, there are two things involved," He explained.

"And what are they?" Alpha Eurenia asked. Commander Hedro cleared his throat, "The first reason is they are waiting for reinforcements and the second reason is...."

"They’re investigating something," commander Hedro stated. "Investigating something?" Eurenia asked.

Commander Hedro nodded, "Perhaps they’re wary of the power of god. That old man lives in one of our tents right?"

"Even though I want to disagree with my little brother, but he may be right," Commander Agro added.

"Tsk," Alpha Eurenia growled, "Let’s watch and...."

"Lady Alpha!"

"Lady Alpha!"

Before Alpha Eurenia could complete her statement, one of her scouts was seen running towards her.

The wolf-man was soaked in blood, his eyes etched with fear, "Warriors," Eurenia screamed.

"It seems they’ve made their move!" Her gaze darkened. "Let’s strike them down!"

The air in the Hudeii Desert didn’t just feel hot; it felt heavy, a blinding crimson sun hung stationary in the cerulean sky, baking the cracked clay of the desert floor until it mirrored the heat back upward in shimmering, dizzying waves.

Although battle ready, the pack was resting, seeking refuge from the oppressive midday heat, their long tongues lolling, chests heaving in synchronizing rhythm.

Then, the wind changed.

It brought with a foul, rancid stench that made the alpha bolt upright, her ears twitching violently. It was a smell of unwashed fat, sour blood and rotting marrows.

Ogres.

Before a warning howl could even clear the throat of the sentry, the sandstone bluff above them seemed to explode.

With a deafening, collective roar, a war-band of ogres cascaded down the ridge. They were towering, misshapen walls of gray-green muscle.

They didn’t use strategy; they used momentum.

"Warriors!" Eurenia roared, she swung her spear, "Do not waver; they’re battle freaks, they have no brains."

"Remember our pride as the Great Luna Pack and crush them all." The wolf-men positioned themselves, unshaken by the charging ogres.

The first wave hit the camp like a rockslide. The ogre captain watched from a distance, his black eyes glued to the tents.

"I released my hungry brothers to feast on your people," The ogre captain whispered, "Now reveal yourself, Bearer of divinity!"

The air rippled the second the ogres clashed with the wolf-men, but this beastmen were heavily injured.

Weakened because the ogres attacked their pack in the middle of the night, when they slept and made love.

"My lady," Commander Vian whispered. Alpha Eurenia grumbled, "I know, we’re losing and badly at that."

"It’s just a few minutes and five of our warriors have been killed." She clenched her fist, "We can’t win like this."

Commander Agro stepped forward, "If we must survive, we’ll need the help of that old man."

"No. The blessings of Anazora’s god!" Commander Agro tightened his grip on his battle axe.

"I’ll keep the ogres busy; we must act now." Without waiting for the alpha’s decision, Agro charged forward, running towards the battlefield. He ducked a wooden spiked club unleashed by an ogre; Agro swung his battle axe.

His axe sliced through the ogre’s arm, not giving it breathing space. Agro moved his upper body; he chopped off the ogre’s head.

"I’ll join my brother," Commander Hedro stepped forward. He too held a battle axe, more bloodied than his brother’s.

Commander Hedro dashed into the battlefield; he was faster, cutting down two ogres within a minute.

Alpha Eurenia’s brows furrowed, "Where is old man Anazora?" She questioned.

Commander Vian excelled a deep sigh, "He’s in his tent," he answered.

"Let’s go meet him then!"

**

Roy, who remained in the form of old man Anazora, was seated in his tent. If he was asleep, the sound of battle would have woken him up.

Yet he remained unshaken.

"Old man Anazora," the voice of the alpha called. Roy slowly opened his eyes, "She’s finally here." His lips curled faintly.

He looked up to see the alpha and commander vian making their way into his roughened tent. He locked eyes with Eurenia.

’Just as I expected. She came running to my arms,’ Roy thought. He was quick to clear his throat, "It seems the ogres have come," He spoke calmly.

"Yes," Eurenia nodded, "Although they hesitated for a few hours but they attacked. They’re savages just as we expected," she sighed.

"Why are you here then?" Roy asked. Eurenia slightly frowned, "I know I’m quite stubborn and I have bad memories when it comes to gods."

"But this wolf-men are my people." She fell on one knee, "We’ve suffered a lot already. I can have them die because I was stubborn."

"Is your God’s request still valid?" She asked. The old man smiled, "Of course it is."

"Varanus is generous and understands you very well. He’s ready to grant his blessings once you pray to him," Roy explained.

"I see," Eurenia hesitated, "Then I’ll pray to him, but only I will pray to this god of yours."

"If he’s an evil god," she paused, "then only I will suffer the consequences," she spoke, her eyes brimming with determination.

Roy slowly rose to his feet, gently holding onto his stick, "That is the natural trait of a leader." He gently stroked his beard, "Can you speak in ancient Lydora?" he asked.

Since the incantation must be recited in ancient Lydora language. He needed to confirm first.

"Yes....the first criteria for a wolf man to be ordained as an Alpha is to learn the language of the spirits" she answered, "My father taught me everything"

"Very well then" Roy nodded with a smile.

"Child.... repeat after me." Roy’s eyebrows furrowed; while the ogres and the wolf-men were on standby, he was busy.

What is a God without divine honorifics?

What exactly would they be praying to?

Just like the system said. In other to establish direct connection with mortals. He needed divine honorifics so he spent hours creating one.

[Divine Honorifics has been registered]

[You have created a Three Path Honorifics]

"Blessed hath thou O Eternal One" Roy’s lips twitched for a second.

"Blessed hath thou O Eternal One," Eurenia repeated with her eyes closed.

"Thy name, Varanus, is the truth"

"Thy name, Varanus, is the truth"

"You are the Great Primordial of the Feral Domain."

"You are the Great Primordial of the Feral Domain."

"You are the Principal of the Fractured Mind."

"You are the Principal of the Fractured Mind."

"You are the God of Beasts and Men, Who Shall Devour All!"

"You are the God of Beasts and Men, Who Shall Devour All!" Eurenia gulped hard as she recited those heavy words.

The moment Eurenia finished her words, Roy felt something flowing through his veins; his crimson eyes flickered for a second.

[Ding!]

The transparent cyan panel spawned before his eyes.

[Congratulations! Player Varanus]

[You have gained your first follower]

[You have gained 10 Faith Points]

[You have leveled up]

[You have awakened a new ’Divine Authority’]

[You have established a Divine Domain]

[Divine Domain: Ruler of Beast]