The morning after the great feast, the forest was heavy with the smell of smoke and roasted meat. For the goblins, it had been the first night they had shared fire and laughter with another tribe. For the beastmen, it had been the first time goblins had sat among them as equals, not prey.
Yet beneath the laughter of the night before, distrust still lingered like embers under ash.
---
Luminus was the first to sense it. The Redmane camp, which had been warm and open by firelight, was different in the cold of dawn. Eyes followed him — not with curiosity now, but with calculation.
When Kaelen appeared, a group of warriors stepped forward, their manes bristling. At their head was a tall lion with scarred arms and a jagged ear, his amber eyes sharp with challenge.
"Chief Kaelen," the scarred one growled, his voice carrying for all to hear. "You spoke of the slime-lord as an ally. But one night of drink does not bind the blood of our tribe. Have you forgotten the law?"
Murmurs rippled through the gathered beastmen. Some nodded, others looked uneasy.
Kaelen's gaze hardened. "I have not forgotten. But the law also says strength proven in battle earns recognition."
The scarred lion bared his fangs. "Then let us test this strength. If these goblins and their lord wish to stand beside the Redmane, let them endure the **Trial of Trust.**"
The words hit the air like a thrown spear. The goblins shifted uneasily. Mira's hand went to her blade. Rugo cracked his knuckles with a grin.
Elira muttered under her breath, "Of course. It couldn't be that easy."
---
Luminus extended a tendril. "And what is this trial?"
Kaelen met his gaze, unreadable. "It is an ancient custom. When a tribe's loyalty is doubted, they prove it with blood and danger. Two groups face a challenge together — not as rivals, but as one. If they survive and succeed, then no voice may question their bond."
"And if we fail?" Mira asked quietly.
"Then the alliance dies," Kaelen said grimly. "And perhaps so will you."
The scarred lion's grin widened. "Let them face the Fangmaw."
The name stirred unease even among the beastmen. A predator of the deep forest — half-cat, half-serpent, with jaws said to split a boar in two.
Kaelen's jaw clenched. "That is no simple prey."
"Then let us see if their unity is more than pretty words," the scarred warrior sneered.
---
By noon, they set out. A mixed band of Redmane hunters and goblin warriors marched together into the shadowed parts of the forest where roots twisted like bones and the air smelled of rot.
The atmosphere was tense. Beastmen whispered among themselves, some casting mocking glances at the goblins.
Rugo padded at the front, his massive wolf-form moving with quiet menace, yellow eyes glinting. Behind him, Mira stayed close to Luminus, her sharp eyes scanning the woods. Elira moved in silence, clutching a pouch of herbs, muttering incantations under her breath.
A fox-eared huntress trotted alongside them, speaking at last. "The Fangmaw is clever. It watches. It stalks. When you hear nothing… that is when it is near."
---
They found its trail at the edge of a swamp — deep gouges in the earth, a lingering musk of blood.
Then silence.
The forest seemed to hold its breath. Even the insects stilled.
A shape burst from the undergrowth, faster than thought. A massive feline body, scales rippling across its back, and a serpentine head that split into a maw lined with curved fangs. Its roar was half hiss, half thunder.
The Fangmaw struck first, slamming into a lion warrior and hurling him across the clearing.
Chaos erupted.
--
The beastmen leapt forward, claws flashing, trying to pin the creature's flanks. The goblins moved with drilled precision under Mira's commands, spears darting in formation.
But the Fangmaw was cunning. Its tail lashed like a whip, sending two goblins sprawling. Its head darted like a serpent, seizing a wolf-rider by the leg and flinging him screaming into the swamp.
"Focus!" Mira shouted. "Hold the line!"
Luminus expanded, intercepting the beast's lunging jaws. Fangs sank into his slime body, but he hardened his core, trapping the maw in place. Electricity crackled through his form as he forced the monster back.
"Now!" Rugo bellowed, lunging in his wolf-shift, slamming into its flank with a roar. A lion warrior leapt beside him, their claws tearing in unison.
For a heartbeat, goblin and beastman fought as one.
But the Fangmaw was not finished. With a violent twist, it broke free, hurling slime and blood in all directions. It turned toward the smaller goblins, sensing easy prey.
Elira stepped forward then, her hands blazing with green fire. Roots erupted from the swamp, twisting around the Fangmaw's limbs. "Strike it down!" she shouted, voice trembling with strain.
Together, goblins and beastmen surged. Spears pierced its belly, claws ripped its throat. Luminus enveloped its head in his slime, suffocating its final roar.
With a shudder, the Fangmaw collapsed.
---
Silence fell over the clearing. The beast's body twitched, then stilled.
For a long moment, no one moved. Then the scarred lion stepped forward, staring at the corpse, then at Luminus and his companions.
"You fought… as one," he admitted, though his tone was begrudging. "Even the weakest goblins stood firm."
Kaelen approached, his mane wild, his eyes burning with pride. He raised his clawed hand high. "The trial is complete! Let all here bear witness — the goblins and their slime-lord have proven their bond with the Redmane!"
A roar went up from the beastmen. Even those who had doubted cheered, their voices shaking the swamp. Goblins slumped with relief, some laughing weakly, others weeping from exhaustion.
Mira sheathed her blade, giving Luminus a weary smile. "You've bought us more than respect today. You've bought us belonging."
---
As the hunters carried back the Fangmaw's carcass in triumph, Kaelen walked beside Luminus, his voice low.
"You have won them over. Even those who doubted now see strength in you."
"But strength alone won't be enough," Luminus said.
Kaelen's golden eyes gleamed. "No. Not when Demon Lords watch. And not when men march. Enjoy this victory, slime-lord. For it is only the first step on a path lined with enemies."
And though the Redmane cheered their new bond that night, in the silence beyond the forest, other eyes were already turning toward the growing flame.