***** back at the Gold sun tribe ******
In the Gold Sun tribe, everyone has seemed to have already accepted the Ava's death and the mating ritual, which was very crude, was about to be held for Isabelle and Ethan, this ritual simply involved receiving the blessings of the shaman on behalf of the beast god for a fruitful union, then the tribes people will wait outside the cave of the newly joined and the listen to the partners mate, this ritual was usually held for males who would be the head male in the family and also serves as a way of publicly declaring a males status in the family but is not always compulsory, as the female can just decide to receive the shamans blessings and then proceed at their own discretions, but if the two people being joined together are from prominent families or the mating was political in nature, they would almost always wait a considerable distance outside the cave of the would be mates and listen, to make sure their families were not cheated, as it was not uncommon for such unions to not be consummated.
Unknown to the masses and the families involved, Isabelle and Ethan were already mated in secret even before Ava went missing, and that was mostly because Isabelle was so diligent in hiding Ethan's mate mark which had appeared right below her belly button. If the truth about this was discovered people would have already begun to suspect the two.
Ethan and Isabelle stood before the Shaman of the Gold Sun tribe and the Red Fox tribe, both going down on one knee. The Shaman of the Gold Sun tribe scooped water from a huge gourd and poured it on their heads, reciting incantations. The Shaman of the Red Fox tribe stepped forward and did the same.
As the shamans began to dance around them, shaking their staffs with small gourds attached, filled with seeds that made a rattling sound, they invoked the name of the beast gods. "Beast gods, bestow your blessings upon these two. Grant them fruitfulness and strength."
But before they could continue, lightning and thunder tore through the skies, and a heavy downpour started. The tribes people scattered, and the ritual was unable to be fully completed.
Ethan's face darkened as he looked at Isabelle. "This cursed rain ruined everything. I was supposed to emerge from this cave amidst cheers, and our union would be officially announced."
Isabelle smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Well, at least we won't have to hide our relationship anymore."
Ethan's expression softened, and he pulled her close. "You're right. Let's make the most of this unexpected turn of events."
The two shamans and tribe chiefs stood close to the cave briefly, before leaving as soon as they heard noises of the couples, coming from within. Ethan and Isabelle were left alone, and they took advantage of the privacy.
As the rain continued to pour down outside, Ethan and Isabelle were lost in their own world within the cave. The sound of the rain and the rattling of the shamans' staff still lingered in their minds, but they were too caught up in each other to notice.
After a while, The rain had stopped and they emerged from the cave, their faces flushed and their hair dripping wet. The shamans and tribe chiefs were waiting for them, their faces solemn.
"The ritual may not have been completed as planned," the Shaman of the Gold Sun tribe said, "but the blessings of the beast gods are not bound by human plans. Your union is blessed, and you will be fruitful."
Ethan nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.
The tribe chiefs nodded in agreement, and the Shaman of the Red Fox tribe added, "The beast gods have spoken. Let us return to the village and prepare for the official announcement of your union."
The villagers, although disappointed that the ritual was cut short, were eager to celebrate the union of the two tribes. They began to prepare for a grand celebration, one that would showcase the strength and unity of the Gold Sun tribe and the Red Fox tribe.
As they trekked through the wild, the sky above transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, a breath-taking sunset unfolding like a masterpiece of pink, orange, and purple hues. The air was alive with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the earthy smell of damp soil. The trees, tall and majestic, stood like sentinels, their leaves rustling softly in the gentle breeze.
Ethan's thoughts, however, were elsewhere. He couldn't help but think back to the day it all started. The arrangement between their Gold Sun tribe and the Red Fox clan had been a strategic move, one that his father, Fox Chief Charles, had eagerly accepted. After all, it would secure their future and because now he doesn't have to worry about finding a suitable mate for his son.
The proposal had been made by Ava's beast father, and Ethan's father had seen it as a perfect opportunity to solidify their position. With only two females in the Lion Chief's family, there wouldn't be any rivals to fight over rulership of the new tribe, especially since Ethan was already a three-striped beast man at such a young age.
But Ethan himself wasn't happy with this decision. He had heard that the second daughter, an antelope beast lady, was much prettier than the first daughter. Golden blond hair cascaded down her back, framing her delicate features. Two little antlers adorned her head, and her blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. Plump pink lips curved into a perpetual smile, and Ethan couldn't help but feel drawn to her.
In contrast, the Lion Chief's actual daughter was bland, with black hair and brown eyes. Ethan felt wronged, why should he, who could only have one mate, end up with someone like her? He felt that he had to take matters into his own hands.
He had told his father that he was going out to the wild to further hone his abilities and develop his skills, and therefore would not be back for a few days. The Fox Chief beast suspected nothing, since this was a normal thing for his son to do.
After notifying his father of his future absence in the clan, Ethan left with a smirk on his face. He knew exactly what he was going to do – find his way to the Gold Sun clan, where he would put his plans into motion. As he left the Red Fox Clan, he took six of his most trusted men and disappeared into the wild.
Ethan coming back to the present, felt that his plan was going well. Once he assumed leadership, the next step would be to eliminate all that threatened his rise and claim to power, which may or may not include his father-in-law. A cold smile spread across his face as he thought about it. He was determined to do whatever it took to achieve his goals, and nothing would stand in his way.
As they rode on, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Ethan was a Beastman on a mission, and nothing would deter him from his path.
The celebration that followed the union of Ethan and Isabelle was a grand affair, with both tribes coming together to feast, dance, and rejoice. The air was filled with the savory smell of roasting meats and the sound of laughter and music. The shamans, resplendent in their ceremonial attire, moved among the crowd, blessing the food and drink and ensuring that the union was blessed with fertility and prosperity.
As the night wore on, the Shaman of the Gold Sun tribe stepped forward, a wise and knowing look in his eyes. "My dear friends and family," he began, his voice carrying across the gathering. "Tonight, we come together to celebrate the union of two great tribes, the Gold Sun tribe and the Red Fox clan. And as we do, we must also give a name to our new tribe, a name that reflects our values and our heritage."
The crowd nodded in agreement, eager to hear the Shaman's words. "After much deliberation and consultation with the spirits, we have decided to name our new tribe the Emberlight Tribe."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, eager to learn more about the significance of the name. The Shaman smiled, pleased with the reaction. "The name Emberlight is derived from the words 'Ember,' meaning red fire, which represents the Red Fox clan, and 'Light,' which represents the Gold Sun tribe. Together, we form a union that is strong, vibrant, and full of life."
The Shaman paused, looking up at the stars twinkling in the night sky. "And I am pleased to announce that the name Emberlight Tribe has been blessed by the beast god. It is a name that will guide us and protect us as we journey through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."
The crowd cheered again, this time with even greater enthusiasm.
The celebration was in full swing, with the crowd cheering and applauding the Shaman's words. But just as the excitement was reaching its peak, dark clouds gathered overhead, and a sudden downpour drenched the gathering. The rain came without warning, catching everyone off guard.
Panic set in as people scrambled to save their roasted meats, grabbing pots and pans and rushing to find shelter. The shamans, who had been standing at the center of the gathering, were caught in the downpour, and their pots of divine flames, which the shamans had kept burning for a long time, were extinguished.