Training Grounds
I was meditating.
After months of intense training, I could now extend my Observation Haki to a radius of one kilometer thanks to the fruits of Yggdrasil, although I could only maintain a stable range of one hundred meters.
Today, I would accompany my mother to a meeting of the Clan Council, composed of the strongest warriors and masters of every discipline.
In recent days, troubling reports had arrived.
House Vizsla troop movements, trade caravans attacked along the borders of Concordia, and rumors that several minor clans were being forced to swear loyalty.
The war was no longer a distant possibility.
It was a storm rapidly approaching.
I had attended council meetings before as the founder of the potato export company I named Stellar Origin.
My voice already carried weight within the clan.
With the addition of Omega, the Super Tactical Droid, together with the F1 droids, I now commanded an army worthy of respect.
Not only that, but I had also created medical and industrial droids that greatly improved the quality of life of our people.
My influence ranked just below the three Abyss Wolf Lords: my mother, my aunt, and the elder.
I finished my meditation and headed toward the showers.
I needed to be presentable for the council chamber.
I put on my armor: a breastplate bearing the symbol of the Yggdrasil Tree, shoulder guards engraved with Fenrir on both sides, and my helmet representing day and night.
I had already grown accustomed to wearing it on all my missions.
I secured my spear across my back and made my way toward the meeting.
You may wonder why I put so much importance on appearances.
The answer was simple.
I was no longer a child.
I had to demonstrate my strength.
As the future leader of the clan, I needed to command respect.
As I walked through the settlement, everyone watched me.
Children waved and ran around me, while adults offered slight bows of respect.
They knew I had improved their lives and helped bring prosperity to the clan.
After a long walk and countless greetings, I finally arrived at the doors of the capitol building where the meeting would be held.
“Welcome, Lord Azmar. Your mother is waiting for you inside,” said one of the Fierce Fangs as he opened the door.
I entered calmly.
I already knew where I would find my mother.
Several Dark Wolf Guardians had arrived, along with the leaders of the shipyards, the farms, the forge, the mines, and other important branches of the clan.
The entire structure resembled a Roman senate, with multiple tiers of seats surrounding a central platform.
Those seated closest to the center possessed the greatest authority and voting power.
My mother sat upon a large chair that symbolized her position as Clan Leader.
It was the seat closest to the center.
She looked sad.
It was rare to see that expression on her face.
“Mother, I’m here. Did something happen?” I asked quietly.
“Son, do you remember my friend on Mandalore? The one who helped us acquire our cargo ships?” she asked in a melancholic tone.
I nodded.
“Today I learned that she died during an attack carried out by the traditional clans’ faction.”
The news surprised me.
If I remembered correctly, when Satine Kryze eventually took power, only she and her sister Bo-Katan survived.
Later, Bo-Katan would join Death Watch.
Apparently, their parents perished during the civil war.
“Mother, I’m sorry. I know you were close friends. But the war continues. It’s time to choose a side and begin the rebirth of our clan.”
She took a deep breath.
“You’re right, son. Perhaps I’m becoming soft.”
Then her gaze hardened.
“It’s time to begin the meeting. Everyone is here. Take your seat.”
I moved toward my place near the center.
My mother rose elegantly from her throne.
Even while wearing armor, her movements remained graceful and firm.
“Warriors and pillars of the clan,” she began.
“I have summoned you today because circumstances have arisen that could affect the future of our people.”
“It is time to bare our fangs.”
“It is time for the galaxy to witness the glory of Clan Fen’ruus once more.”
“For years, we have hidden our strength and grown in silence. But our enemies never stopped watching us. They already suspect that we are the owners of Stellar Origin.”
“We will not join the war on Mandalore…”
She paused.
“But neither will we allow it to destroy our homes on Concordia.”
“Therefore, the optimal strategy proposed by Omega—whose analytical abilities you all know—is clear.”
“We will take Concordia.”
“And we will establish House Fen’ruus.”
I slowly rose from my seat.
My gaze swept across everyone present.
Then I released my power.
I created a technique with the Force similar to Conqueror’s Haki that spread through the chamber like an invisible storm.
The air grew heavy.
Several Dark Wolf Guardians gritted their teeth as sweat formed on their foreheads.
Not one of them fell to their knees.
And that only made me smile beneath my helmet.
They were true warriors.
In a firm voice, I spoke:
“Brothers and sisters of the clan.”
“Today, we stand before two paths.”
I drew my spear and slammed its butt against the floor.
A wave of energy echoed throughout the chamber.
“We can conquer Concordia…”
“Or continue hiding.”
I raised my voice.
“Destiny is calling us!”
“What will you choose?”
“MAY DESTINY BE!”
“MAY DESTINY BE!”
“MAY DESTINY BE!”
The cry thundered throughout the hall.
My mother continued:
“Prepare for war.”
“Azmar, you will increase F1 droid production. We currently possess one company of 128 units. You will create three additional companies until we have a full battalion of 512.”
“You will also oversee diplomacy. Your objective is to integrate the Red Moon Clan and the Black Flame Clan into our cause.” New chapters come out on g.com first.
“I will begin preparations for war against the Black Axe Clan and Clan Vask.”
“Understood, Mother,” I replied.
“I will personally handle it.”
“I will make them our subjects.”
She nodded.
“I trust you.”
Afterward, she departed alongside Omega.
I left the meeting filled with excitement.
I needed to speak with Athena.
Both clans still followed the ancient Mandalorian tradition:
If I defeated their leader, they would recognize me as their new chieftain.
It was the fastest path.
But also the most dangerous.
If I won, they would join House Fen’ruus.
If I lost…
I could die.
My strength was already comparable to that of a veteran Dark Wolf Guardian.
The leaders of those clans possessed similar power.
I could send my aunt.
She would win easily.
But this was my battle.
This was the path I had chosen.
One Week Later
I stood at the clan gates alongside my companions and my aunt.
Everyone wore their armor and carried their weapons.
Val’s and Efi’s wolves had grown large enough to carry them upon their backs, protected by durable chainmail armor.
My aunt rode atop her wolf, which resembled a giant lion.
I rode Ragnar, who had grown even larger than my aunt’s companion.
He wore no armor.
He did not need it.
His hide possessed durability comparable to beskar.
Alf and Ali traveled in a landspeeder loaded with supplies.
We would be away for three to five days.
Our first destination was the Red Moon Clan, located roughly a day’s journey away.
We could have used a ship.
But arriving mounted upon our wolves displayed our strength.
It was a declaration of power.
I said farewell to my mother, who had come to see me off.
She told me to be careful.
She knew my aunt would intervene if my life were in danger.
But I would not allow that.
I would win my battles.
We would conquer Concordia.
And when the Mandalorian Civil War finally ended…
The name of Clan Fen’ruus would be known across the galaxy.
Because destiny is not something you wait for.
Destiny is something you conquer.