Red Forest
We stood before a forest of gigantic red trees.
My aunt led the way; we were already close to the Red Moon Clan.
Along the journey, I learned more about this clan.
They followed a matriarchal system: their main leaders were women.
Their current leader was Vela Moon, a young warrior who succeeded her mother after she was killed on Mandalore.
Despite her youth, she earned a name and honor by killing her mother’s assassin in a one-on-one battle.
Their primary combat style focused on close-quarters fighting.
She wielded two red daggers decorated with blood-drop patterns.
Her clan wore red battle suits with gray trim.
Some of them used red laser crossbows crafted from the bark of their sacred trees.
Someone was watching us.
I began sensing living beings about one hundred meters away.
I assumed it was a patrol from the Red Moon Clan.
We continued advancing on our mounts; we were close to our destination.
No one approached us.
I supposed they were intimidated by Ragnar and the other wolves.
Before improving their bloodlines, only Fen’rar had possessed such an imposing size.
At last, we arrived at the entrance of the Red Moon Clan.
A group of their warriors was already waiting for us.
“Welcome, members of Clan Fen’ruus. My lady is expecting you. Please, follow me,” said one of the higher-ranking warriors.
We dismounted and followed her.
Only Alf and Ali remained behind to watch Ragnar and prevent any problems.
We arrived at a large building.
Every house and structure we had seen was built from the red trees of the forest, and this one was no exception.
“Please come in, honored guests.”
We entered.
The interior was spacious; several people were present, and at the center sat the clan leader.
Vela Moon.
She wore her Mandalorian battle armor, except for her helmet.
“Welcome, esteemed members of Clan Fen’ruus. I hope your journey was pleasant, though with such beasts accompanying you, I imagine only fools would dare challenge you,” she said with a sarcastic tone.
My aunt stepped forward.
“Esteemed Vela Moon, leader of the Red Moon Clan. I thank you for your hospitality, but you already know why we are here. War is knocking at our doors. Decisions have been made within our clan, and today we will carry them out, because destiny is on our side.”
Vela smiled faintly.
“Very gentle words for the Scarlet Wolf… that’s what they call you, isn’t it? Yes, I know why you’re here. I know about the creation of your new House and your plans for the annexation of Concordia. But… do you truly have what it takes?”
Her eyes settled on me.
“Your future leader is here as well… or should I call you the Wolf of Calamity?”
She continued:
“I suppose I will face you. It would be easy for the Scarlet Wolf to defeat me, but my clan would not consider that a fair battle. You, however, represent something more… the future of your clan.”
“I accept the challenge. The battle will take place tonight.”
“If I win, your clan will provide us with those foods so beloved by the planetary elites. Do not think you hid yourselves well enough.”
“If I lose, my clan will fall under your protection—not as slaves, but as warriors, as tradition dictates. Are those terms acceptable?”
Before my aunt could respond, I stepped forward and spoke.
“Clan Fen’ruus always honors its word. The terms are fair.”
I looked directly into her eyes.
“Tonight, you will become part of the greatest House Mandalore has ever seen.”
“Bold words,” she replied.
“I hope you possess the strength to uphold them.”
She departed with her escort.
We withdrew and waited for nightfall.
They lodged us in a guest complex.
Night had arrived.
I was ready.
Strangely, I felt neither fear nor anxiety.
Years of constant missions had forged my character and spirit.
The duel would take place in the same location we had visited that morning, though it now appeared much larger because everyone stood farther from the center.
Vela wore her blood-red Mandalorian armor with gray trim.
Her helmet resembled that of a Spartan warrior.
Her two daggers hung at her waist as she moved with remarkable agility.
I wore my full armor and carried my spear on my back.
My companions cheered for me, while my aunt gave me a clear look:
Your moment has come.
“I see you’re ready,” said Vela.
“So that’s the famous spear that ended the fate of so many criminals and murderers.”
An elderly man stepped forward, as did my aunt.
“The rules have already been established. The challenge has been accepted. Let the battle begin.”
I retreated instantly.
Vela drew her weapons with incredible speed and unleashed a flurry of rapid strikes aimed at my body.
I continued dodging every single attack.
I could see the astonishment in her eyes.
Yet her pace did not slow.
Every strike I avoided only increased her frustration.
She stayed on me relentlessly.
Whenever I tried to create enough distance to draw my spear, her attacks became even more ferocious.
Then I changed my strategy.
I surged forward.
Using my Observation Haki, I read her movements.
Then I delivered a powerful kick to her chest, forcing her to retreat.
“It seems your strategy didn’t work,” I said as I drew my spear.
She merely grunted and attacked again.
Now I had the advantage.
I deflected all of her strikes using the First Form.
The difference in strength and skill was beginning to show.
I infused my spear with the Force, making it heavier.
Then I shifted into the Second Form.
Every impact made the ground tremble.
Every clash forced her backward.
She was a formidable warrior.
Most opponents could not endure even ten seconds against this form.
Yet she remained standing.
She tried to slash at my arms and hands to cripple me, but she failed.
My Observation Haki allowed me to anticipate everything.
The battle had already gone on for a long time.
If it continued, it would favor her, as she possessed more experience.
It was time to finish it.
I intentionally opened my defense.
She committed to the attack with everything she had.
Her daggers grazed my chest, opening a wound.
But it was already too late.
My spear was directly in front of her face.
Only millimeters away.
Silence.
I had won.
Vela released her daggers.
She knelt.
Her entire clan did the same.
“Thank you for your mercy, Wolf of Calamity. Today, I swear my loyalty to you.”
“The Red Moon Clan will serve under House Fen’ruus.”
“Long live!”
“Long live!”
“Long live!”
After a great ovation, I retired to the quarters assigned to me.
I was exhausted.
Although I had dominated the battle, the pressure had left me physically and mentally drained.
After spending a couple of days organizing the newly incorporated clan within House Fen’ruus, we continued toward our next objective:
The Black Flame Clan.
The Black Flame Clan was one day away by land.
Unlike the Red Moon Clan, I already knew its leader.
As a blacksmith in training, I had sought a master to guide me, since the Master Smith of our clan rarely had time to teach me.
I contacted members of that clan who specialized in forging.
Thanks to my talent, I met their leader, from whom I learned many techniques that later helped me build my droid workshop.
In return, I sold them mining and industrial droids, saving them enormous labor costs.
Our relationship grew over the years.
I eventually reached the rank of Advanced Blacksmith.
There were only four ranks: Apprentice, Competent, Advanced, and Master.
This time, we traveled by ship.
We would not be bringing our wolves.
That way, we could arrive within a few hours.
We boarded the vessel and departed.
The journey was peaceful.
We landed at one of their ports.
They were already waiting for us.
“Welcome, young Azmar.”
“Thank you for the hospitality. I’ve come to see the Master Blacksmith,” I replied.
“Follow me. He is already expecting you.”
They guided us to a spacious hall.
There he was.
Hir Besk.
“Azmar… I already know what you did with the Red Moon Clan. And I know why you’re here.”
“Then I won’t waste any time.”
He stood up.
Walked toward me.
And knelt.
“There is no need to follow the old traditions.”
“I know you well enough.”
“I know your capabilities as a warrior… and as a leader.”
He raised his gaze.
“My clan has already made its decision.”
“We will join House Fen’ruus.”
“We will become the flame of its forges.”
Everyone present did the same.
“Thank you, Hir.”
“You will continue leading your clan.”
“And you will prosper under my House.”
I raised my voice.
“Let destiny be!”
“Let destiny be!”
“Let destiny be!”
I had succeeded.
Now only one thing remained.
War.
Against House Vizsla.
Because its fall… would forge the true power of Clan Fen’ruus.