The beast men call this planet Tharnok. It is ruled by beasts, and no human exists. In this planet a hierarchy exists. the ones who are strong and noble sits at the top. The ones who are weak are at the bottom and are struggling to survive and continue their lineage. In the world of beast men, the number of populations also matters as wars are prominent. As such, fertility rate is also a problem. beast men only experience heat once a year and their season for mating is short. if you miss it, you have to wait for another year.
While the planet feels primitive, they do have a system of choosing their rulers. To be chosen as a chief you have to participate in a series of fight in a coliseum. If none of the challengers remain, you will be hailed chief.
In hierarchy of powers Chieftains are also at the bottom. The one who sits at the very top is the emperor of all the beasts, followed by his mate the Empress, under them would be the King and Queen of every state, then the Archduke and Archduchess, the Duke and Duchess, the Viscount and Viscountess, the Count and the Countess, the Marquis and Marquess. Under these nobles would be the Chieftains.
Just like how complicated the rulers are chosen, the trials to enter a tribe is also arduous. The chiefs will decide if someone is worthy of joining their tribe by giving them a series of tests. This is to see if that beast will be loyal to the tribe or simply spying them. Most of the time, the test would simply be a fight in their small coliseum. But this time it was different.
When Aiden was sent to the Chief, the chief looked at him with full of doubt.
'Why is a Tiger beast man in the territory of the Leopards?'
Lukas is a young chief of the Leopard tribe. He is the same age as Sera and has been beside her their entire childhood. Lukas became a great chief because of Sera's great ideas. Sera knew nobody would listen to her as she is a female, she needed someone with great leadership and that was Lukas. Everyone in the tribe sees the two of them as future couples. Nobody touches Sera as they respect Lukas.
When Aiden first laid eyes on Lukas, he was taken aback. The young man stood confidently in the ceremonial robe reserved for chieftains. A garment traditionally worn by elders whose wisdom had been tempered by centuries. Among Beast men, who often live for hundreds of years, Lukas was still considered a cub. His youth clashed with the authority he carried.
Aiden, by contrast, looked older and more seasoned. His frame was broader, his gaze sharper. It felt strange, almost unsettling, to see someone younger wield such power, not just in status but in raw strength. Aiden's pride stirred uneasily. Deep down, a voice whispered that he was stronger, that Lukas's rise must be built on something other than merit.
"A Tiger beast man seeks shelter in a small tribe of Leopards?" Lukas asked.
"I left my tribe." Aiden said. Tension was growing between the two.
"Oh? You left the city ruled by Tigers to settle in a scrawny tribe like ours?" Lukas asked, there was a slight mock in his tone.
Aiden's jaw tightened. He knew Lukas was trying to challenge him. There was the unspoken question, 'Why are you here?'
"If you want your tribe to grow, you need to accept diverse beast men. The city you so mention now is strong because they are diverse." Aiden said. His eyes was subtly challenging Lukas too.
"And we have to accept you?" Lukas asked. "We have been doing well this past decade. We may be small, but we are thriving. None are starving." Lukas added, 'we don't need you.' is what he is trying to say.
Aiden smirked. "Oh, great Chieftain, I think you need to think this decision twice. I don't think you're an unfair ruler, are you?" Aiden said. "I heard some Hyenas tribe are causing trouble in the corner of your territory. You're lacking manpower." Aiden said, there was more he wanted to say.
Lukas could feel it. The mockery in his voice, Aiden was looking down at him.
"Place him in the outer division, he is not allowed to enter the inner district. He will fight at the coliseum three days from now and the council will have to test him." Lukas said. His eyes cold. He was reminding Aiden that he is in control.
---
Aiden was placed in the outer division of the tribe. Aiden realized the tribe was separated with outer and inner district. The ones in the outer division are people who also seeks shelter but not yet trusted. The ones in the inner district are people who stayed longer in the tribe and has contributed a lot. They were those higher in ranks.
As Aiden was escorted to his quarters, he noticed something unusual. A tall concrete wall separated the districts, and the houses here were unlike any he had seen in other tribes. While most beast men lived in crude clay or hay huts, the Leopard homes were skillfully built from wood and refined concrete, topped with clay-tiled roofs. Each house had a chimney, though he could not guess its purpose.
He was impressed and shocked but also unsettled. This was no ordinary tribe. They were hiding something, and someone brilliant was behind their advancements.
Aiden had planned to stay only temporarily if rejected. Now, he was determined to remain and find this person.