Oliver rang the challenge bell loudly. The skeletal Dragons maw opened. Out came an orc that was similar to the one Drippy and Yadi had seen a month ago. “Do you wish to challenge the war chief?”

“I rang the bell didn’t I?” Oliver said with a grin. 

The orc dismissed Oliver’s remark. “It’s always the arrogant ones that get defeated quickly.” The orc gave Oliver a toothy grin back. They went along the path leading to the war chiefs chambers. Oliver took in his surroundings. The place was new to him but he had felt as if it was a homecoming, like he belonged here.

“Sorry I didn’t catch your name. What is it?” Oliver asked. 

“My name is Gurak. Why the sudden shift in attitude?” Gurak asked.

“I decided if I came in confident it would make me feel more confident, but I tried it, and it’s not for me.” Oliver said. “I apologize for my earlier behavior. Would you mind telling me what this is?” Oliver asked as he pointed to the wall of the named.

“This is the wall of the named.” Gurak explained as he motioned to the large wall covered in various names. “This is where our greatest warriors make their mark once they have proved themselves.” Oliver saw his mother’s name almost as big as she was. He felt reassured that he could do this. “I see you found the name of our previous war chief. Should you defeat our current one your name shall be added to the wall as well.”

“I will make my mark today.” Oliver said. Gurak no longer saw the upstart from earlier but instead saw a determined warrior. Gurak was excited to see his future unfold. They arrived at the war chief’s battle ground.

They saw Oakgu sitting imposingly on a throne of what looked like bone. Oliver felt a chill run up his spine. He was excited this was his chance to show the results of his work. “What is the name of the one who challenges me?” Oakgu asked, her voice booming around the battle ground.

“I am Oliver of the Orange Hand. Son of Thralla and Uss'tuss.” Oliver said proudly.

Oakgu’s expression changed. She was too far for Oliver to see but he could feel the shift. A smile cracked across her face. Oliver felt that chill run down his spine again. She leapt down from her throne and stood within a hair’s breadth from Oliver, her eyes locking with his. The movement had been so sudden Oliver couldn’t react. Her eyes washed over him with fascination.

“A named? Yet you aren’t one of ours? Orcs don’t typically wander far from where they are born.” She took one of his hands in hers. “Orange hand is such an odd name. Tell me child if I unravel these bandages around your hands will I find orange underneath.” Oliver felt like he was being taunted but he didn’t think he could strike her unprovoked. Oakgu continued sizing him up as she stepped away to get a better view. “Not to mention your heritage. Son of a previous war chief and a Supreme One.” Oakgu said his father’s title with disgust. Oliver felt his blood boil. His father was a sore spot. Oakgu scoffed. “To think my sister would create something so unsightly.” The disgust was apparent on Oakgu’s face. “An abomination, a female masquerading around as a male.”

In the blink of an eye. Oliver’s fist connected with Oakgu’s cheek, his punch coated in orange aura. “You will not bad mouth my parents.” Oliver said. Oakgu had gone flying and had turned one of the walls into rubble.

“Touched a nerve there, did I?” Oakgu rose and shook off the debris. She spit out some blood. “You even use your father’s blasted magic. I’ll show you that naga's are inferior to orcs.” Waves of heat started to radiate from Oakgu as her skin took on a red color. Oakgu lunged at Oliver and landed a kick square to his chest. Oliver felt the wind escape his lungs. His ribs would have cracked if not for his leather chest piece. 

“Is that all you got?” Oliver asked teasingly. “I’ve trained with my clan and your kicks don’t match up to her’s” While Oakgu’s kick hurt, Drippy’s kicks were on a whole nother level.

“Then how about my fists!” Oakgu unleashed several consecutive strikes. Oliver raised his arms to protect himself. Each blow shook him to his core but he held his ground. 

“My mom hits harder than you do!” Oliver said with a smile. She was close enough and he slammed his head into hers. It stung a bit but it was definitely enough to rattle Oakgu. Oliver used his lower half to wrap around Oakgu. His fist emitted the orange aura. “Now it’s my turn!” Oliver continued hammering his fists into the area of her head that he injured. The heat coming from her kept rising and it was starting to get unbearable to hold her. Oliver sacrificed as many scales as he could muster and landed a devastating blow to oakgu. The sound echoed around the battle ground. When Oliver looked to Oakgu he saw the whites of her eyes. She was unconscious. He had won.