"Raaaaaaaaaah” Oliver screamed as he destroyed one of the wooden dummies sending splinters of wood flying everywhere. His hands had been enveloped in a orange aura. Oliver had been practicing with these wood dummies for a month. Just outside his home was a perfect training ground. It reminded Luna of the one she had seen the superior one use.

“Excellent!” Luna said as she jumped to accentuate her excitement.

“Woah! That's cool, can I do that?” Drippy asked.

“Unfortuanetly Drippy I think this may be a race specific skill. Oliver is able to do it because he is part naga.” Luna explained. Drippy pouted.

“Don’t worry Drippy, that magic stuff is all flash and no substance. Us non-magic users only need two things to fight someone.” Yadi puffed out her chest as she raised her two fists one wood and the other flesh. Drippy nodded.

“Care to put those words to the test?” Thralla said behind Drippy and Yadi.

“Heck yeah! Yadi is the strongest girl I know. She can definitely kick your butt!” Drippy shouted at her. Yadi playfully hit the back of Drippy’s head. “Ow, what was that for?” Drippy held her head.

“For talking too much. While I am strong, you don’t go boasting about it. Strong people don’t need to tell people they are strong, they are just strong. Thralla has never boasted how strong she is. As punishment you should fight her.” Yadi said

“That sounds fine to me.” Thralla said with a smile. She cracked her knuckles. “I’ll try not to go too hard on you. I hope Luna still has elixirs on her just in case.”

Drippy yelped but then she steeled herself. “I’ll never be able to beat the dragon if I can’t beat Thralla. Bring it on Thralla!” Drippy took up a battle stance. 

***

Drippy had been training with Thralla for a month. She was starting to get used to her new body. Thralla taught her how to fight a foe bigger than herself. To take advantage of their blind spots.

Thralla took a large swing at Drippy using the practice weapons they had. The weapon wouldn’t kill Drippy but with Thralla’s strength behind it, it could definitely do some damage. Drippy slid under it and ducked to the left, narrowly avoiding the blow. Drippy discovered she could still secrete her toxin. She secreted it from her feet and used it as a way to move faster. She was careful to control it because she didn’t want to hurt Thralla. 

“Not bad Drippy.” Thralla said with a smile.

Drippy grabbed onto Thralla’s arm and added the secretion to her finger pads. Drippy was sure to make this secretion non toxic. Drippy’s fingers gripped tight to Thralla's arm. Drippy used her other free hand to clutch Thralla’s chest. Drippy slid her left leg behind Thralla. She dropped her weight to the left and Thralla tripped over Drippy’s leg and was briefly airborne as she landed on her back, hard. 

Thralla let out tears. Drippy went over to her feeling concerned. “Oh no Thralla. DId I hurt you?” Drippy asked. Thralla started to laugh. “Oh no she hurt her head. Luna!” Drippy yelled as she felt tears start to come out of her eyes. 

Thralla placed a tender hand to Drippy’s cheek. Her hand was as large as Drippy’s face. Drippy was surprised how someone so strong could be so gentle. “I’m just proud of you. I remember before you were like one of my nameless.” Thralla sniffled. “Now you are good enough to be named.” Thralla got up and looked at Drippy. “For your speed I shall name you Drippy the swift.” Thralla smiled and before she could react Drippy embraced her. Drippy hadn’t received maternal affection before so this meant the world to her. Thralla embraced her back. She could feel eyes on her as she saw Oliver’s heart sink. “Come over here Oliver you have earned a name as well!” Oliver looked to his mother “You are Oliver of the Orange Hand. Son of Thralla and Uss'tuss.” Thralla spoke with pride in her voice. Oliver couldn’t help himself and he joined in on the hug. Oliver embraced Drippy and his mom. “Come on you too. You are part of Oliver’s clan so come and join in.” Yadi ran to join the hug and Luna approached slowly and joined in.

“This is nice and all but it’s getting a little hard to breathe.” Drippy said.

“You are right, let's break it up and get back to training.” Thralla said. She tried to move but she couldn’t. “Okay that’s enough.”

“I’m trying to move too.” Oliver said as he did his best to move.

“Me too.” Yadi said as she struggled uselessly to move.

“Um Drippy? You stopped secreting your toxin when you gave Thralla a hug right?” Luna said with slight panic rising in her voice.

“I can’t remember I was so caught up in the moment.” Drippy said, sounding like she may cry again.

“If you did, we may all be stuck like this.” Luna said as panic started to set in.