Ezra playfully offered his arm. "May I?"
Rayna smiled and took his arm, allowing him to lead her toward the glowing heart of the village, where laughter, music, and flickering firelight promised a night full of chaos... and maybe choices.
Rayna and Ezra walked side by side towards the heart of the village, the rhythmic thump of drums and the soft chatter growing louder with each step. The trees parted into a wide open clearing where a massive bonfire crackled proudly at the center—its flames leaping high into the dusky sky, sending golden sparks swirling into the air like fireflies.
All around the bonfire, the village buzzed with energy.
Makeshift stalls had been set up displaying various items. Beastmen moved through the area, their hands full with sizzling meat wrapped in leaves, roots, berries, and fruits. There was so much variety that Rayna definitely wanted to try.
Her eyes widened as she took it all in.
It wasn't just fox beastmen anymore. Rayna spotted broad-shouldered bear beastmen with shaggy fur and low rumbles in their voices, elegant antelope beastmen with tall horns and lean frames, leopard beastmen and towering wolves with piercing eyes.
Some wore layered wraps of fur, others simpler hide garments or decorative beads made from bone, wood, and shells. The air was thick with scent of roasted food, sweat, and celebration.
Rayna's eyes sparkled with awe. "This is... incredible," she whispered.
Ezra leaned closer with a smirk. "Told you it'd be fun. And we haven't even reached the exciting part yet."
Ezra gestured ahead. "See that?" he said, pointing toward a massive circular area near the edge of the clearing.
Rayna followed his gaze. The space was bordered by heavy logs and wide benches carved from thick tree trunks, arranged in a wide ring around a flattened patch of ground. It looked like an arena.
"That's where the duels take place," Ezra explained. "It's tradition. Each beastman steps in to prove his strength—claws, skill, wit, whatever he's got. It's not always about brute force, though that helps."
Rayna's eyes widened slightly. "So... it's like an open fighting pit?"
Ezra chuckled. "Kind of. The winner gets rewarded—usually a good amount of meat, a solid status if he's from another village, and," he turned to glance at her with a smirk, "the right to propose to any female of his choice."
Rayna blinked. "Any?"
He nodded. "Yep. And most of the time, the winner is... pretty well received. Even if the female already has mates. Power and strength are very attractive around here." He grinned. "You'll see. It gets wild real fast."
Rayna asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "And what about the ones who don't win? Do they just... go home empty-handed?"
Ezra gave a small laugh. "Not exactly," he said. "They can still propose to a female they're interested in. It's not like only the winner gets to try."
"But," he added with a lopsided smile, "there's a catch. They can get rejected. Happens often, actually. In that case, the male usually tries to court the female—brings her gifts, shows effort, patience... all that stuff."
Rayna nodded.
She asked, " So, Ezra are you participating in the duel?"
Ezra replied with a pause, "Do you want me to"?
"No , no I was just asking... you're a single male right, so I thought you will participate... Soren is taking part he told me" Rayna added in the end..
Ezra gave an amused expression. "He is? That's strange he never participated till now... maybe he found a female to propose to." Ezra's eyes shifted to Rayna.
Rayna was checking out the stalls, in the meanwhile when she spotted something interesting.
"Hey Ezra can we go there?"
"Sure." Ezra led Rayna to the stall.
As Rayna walked through the vibrant crowd, something caught her eye. She stopped mid-step, blinking in disbelief.
"Wait... is that a panda?" she asked, pointing.
Ezra followed her gaze and nodded. "Yep. That's a panda beastman. First time they've shown up here, I think. Looks like it's just the two of them."
The two pandas were in their beastform, black and white fur standing out among the others, sitting comfortably while selling something from a wooden stand.
Rayna stepped closer and saw he was offering some kind of drink stored in bamboo containers.
"Can I try it?" she asked, intrigued.
Ezra pulled out a colorful shell and handed it to the panda beastman. In return, he received one of the bamboo drinks and passed it to Rayna.
She took a small sip and blinked. "Mmm... sweet. Tastes like honey, but its less dense and lighter. I like it."
Ezra smiled and leaned in slightly. "Can I take a sip too?"
Rayna nodded and held the bamboo container out toward him.
Ezra bent down, his face coming just inches from hers as he took a slow sip from the side of the container. The closeness made Rayna's breath hitch slightly, her eyes flicking to his as he pulled back.
He looked at her with a slight smirk. "Yeah... it's sweet," he said, his voice low. "Almost too sweet."
Then he stood up straight again, casually brushing his hair back.
Rayna blinked, a fluttery feeling blooming in her chest. Okay, definitely butterflies.
A loud, echoing horn blasted through the air, silencing the chatter of the crowd, commanding attention.
All eyes turned toward the raised platform where the village chief now stood—regal despite her age, with a voice that carried firm authority.
"Welcome, everyone!" she called out, raising a hand. "It fills my heart with pride to see so many gathered again for this year's Nomei Festival."
Cheers erupted from the audience, beastmen of all kinds roaring or clapping in their own ways.
"Many strong beastmen have arrived from far and near," the chief continued, "and to all, I say—you are welcome in our village."
Her gaze swept over the circular arena in the center. "Now, we begin the duels. Let me remind you of the rules: no bloodshed, no killing. These are battles of strength, skill, and wit—not brutality."
There was a pause as murmurs of agreement rippled through the audience.
"The winner," she went on, her voice rising again, "will receive a grand portion of preserved meat, a hut within our village if they are from outside, and most importantly—recognition and the right to propose to any female they desire."
The crowd cheered.
Rayna raised an eyebrow at that part, sneaking a glance at Ezra beside her.
"Now," the chief finished, gesturing toward the ring, "will all participants step forward and gather near the arena. The matches will begin shortly."
With that, the crowd stirred in excitement as eager beastmen began making their way toward the dueling circle.
Rayna and Ezra took a seat at the benches.
Rayna was still sipping from her bamboo cup, the sweet drink cool on her tongue, when she suddenly felt it—the unmistakable weight of several gazes. She looked up and, sure enough, two burly bear beastmen were eyeing her from across the gathering space, whispering to each other. But what made her pause mid-sip was the leopard beastman striding toward her with confident, almost theatrical flair.
Wait... why is he coming here?
He stopped right in front of her, flashing a grin that probably worked on someone—just not her. He wore a short leather skirt, a bone necklace jangling against his chest, and sported messy blond hair with two spotted ears poking out on top. Freckles dotted his nose and cheeks.
"Hey, female," he said smoothly, looking her over. "You're really pretty."
Rayna's brows lifted. Oh boy... here we go.
"I've trained for years to participate in this festival," he went on, puffing his chest, "and I know I'll win."
Before she could respond, he caught her hand and pressed a kiss to it.
"When I come back after winning... don't refuse me, okay, sweetheart?" he said with a wink—and a cringe-inducing tone that made Rayna visibly flinch.
She yanked her hand back quickly, trying not to grimace. Ugh. Seriously?
Ezra gave a glare towards the beastman, but the beastman just smirked and went away.
The bear beastmen were still whispering amongst themselves and then they went towards the arena.
Ezra took Rayna's hand and wiped it . "You okay?"
Rayna nodded. It sure felt uncomfortable, but she was okay.
And then the horn blew again—loud and clear—echoing across the village, signaling the start of the duels.
The crowd stirred with excitement, beastmen gathering near the circular arena, their voices buzzing with anticipation.
Rayna instinctively turned her head, eyes scanning the growing crowd.
"Where is he?"
She searched the benches, the paths, even the skies above—but Soren was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did you go, Soren?"
Her fingers tightened slightly around the bamboo cup.
Just when she thought she might catch a glimpse of him, the crowd erupted with cheers as the first fighters entered the arena.
But still... no sign of him.