Loss and Gain

He is now going over basic lessons with his far less dressed group and they keep their clothes looking good for the classes with the city but beyond that they are living a brutal life. Outside of those that are skipping that part of the training, most of them are thankful while a few are envious.

Onya is fighting with the fish as Ta watches and shakes her head as her kitten is just so cute but weak. After nearly killing her for a few minutes she comes over and shows again how to kill it quickly as Onya looks up and down as they share the raw fish. Dante has explained it all so she keeps nuzzling and speaking like she always has with her kitten.

Tabitha is bleeding heavily as she faces Dust and despite the wounds she no longer tries to find escape or even thinks of it. She uses her body and everything to her advantage. When he goes forward she throws blood in his eyes as she goes low and cuts along his side. He takes her down with a rear leg and stomps as he jumps away blood gushes from her mouth.

Janet seems to be the calmest as most just treat her as just another snake as she is always with them. Nestlings like to wrap around her like Dante and she travels with a constrictor near Cora's size often plus every night she sleeps in the nest with Dante. Most don't know it is during these times she has asked him to break her body fully so she requires healing if she wasn't hurt badly enough throughout the day.

After nearly a week others start to join in and form up groups to the point now even Sava has a mini pack that stay with her. Sava has also developed a mind to train them which has had mixed results. They never need to worry about injuries as they often are the ones he needs to have healed the most.

Dante is resting next to Mother after the team that came after her finally died. He tried to talk them down but the reward for her materials blinded them. He is panting as she licks the wounds on his body and looks over as several died in this exchange. His beloved brother, his first hunting partner with them, and his most trusted older sibling was one of the losses as his tears fall.

That evening when Dante comes back all heads turn his way as even silent the very air seems to carry a weight. Once to the middle where they cook he turns and faces everyone as they are gathering. "Today, we will participate in a ritual of the snakes. Mother was attacked and despite trying to talk it down a fight happened." he shakes some "Several of my family died today and one of my closest siblings was lost."

Everyone gasps as his relation with his big brother was almost envied by several but his heart is open and bleeding as he speaks honestly to them. This isn't the God of Beasts or even a Chimera this was a broken hearted little brother.

"Tonight I will prepare a feast as we send off my brother in the proper ways to them. We will share in his meat so he will strengthen us to live on." his voice cracks as several go up and hold him as he shakes "Please, I ask you join me?"

None argue as even Cory the true never eat meat diehard Vegger in the group. Tonight he takes a plate and nods to Dante who sheds tears nodding in return. Terra is in her shelter with the others that night as she can't help but think of the look in his eyes. His pain was so deep and his suffering so intense she can't stop her eyes as she looks to her hands feeling shame when seeing how human she is.

Dante wakes feeling Janet is draped across him but also feels something else. As he looks over he blinks seeing Terra naked in the nest also and she has dozens of small bites. After asking none were poisonous but despite it, she walked deep and slept with him last night. He nods his head and smiles a little as he feels her potential is finally starting to show as she is now, casting off her crutches.

Terra wakes up and gasps feeling hands on her upper thigh as she starts to writhe like the world around her as she moans out. Janet looks over to Dante who flares up because of the sounds and doesn't talk since she has done this more than once herself but won't bother him. Instead she lifts and nuzzles into a handful of bodies as they wiggle then crawl over her face this morning.

Terra finally comes to her senses and stops her sounds as she has come to the end of her waking dream. Looking to Dante she stares in open shock at him as he nods. "Morning Terra, I have taken care of your wounds from last night and honestly." she looks up to his face "I am impressed by you more and we can now start your real training." She nods with a soft smile as tears run down her face.

Janet speaks up seeing the two. "Dante I need some private time this morning so can you please join me?" he looks over curious as she nods and motions so he follows "Sorry but she has you in a state and I need to tell you something."

He laughs and agrees as she looks to him. "Take your newest mate Dante." he goes to talk as she hisses and the snake in her hand looks over as it crawls away "She really wants it Sibling."

He looks to her with wide eyes as she steps closer then looks up to him as she leans in and bites his chest. Terra has gone to her classes as she is now having a new issue. She needs to clean up and snakes were all over her like his hands were. Not only that but he smiled softly and is impressed with her and now can start her real training? Does that mean she can start to practice with the others he trains personally?!

Zezz looks over and waves as she smiles. "I heard you were missing from your area last night. Did you join up with group kitten instead of the fluffy queen?" Terra laughs and shakes her head being in a way thankful to avoid that debate between many "So what happened or were you doing late night training?"

She stops and sits down as she looks over. "I finally realized I wasn't really listening yesterday and last night I made a choice." she looks to her hands and today she doesn't feel shame as she smiles softly "I guess you can say I joined team Dante." as Zezz laughs she shrugs "I am movement and fluid focused so moving like a snake seems a good idea to me."

Zezz looks to her and nods with a smile. "I think many went with who they like to pet or snuggle with more but you put real thought in it. For me and Xin we are his sweet puppies so went with Sava and we use designs based on his first canine suit." she nods to her "However you likely will get some of the best improvement because you are mixing your natural skill with natural affinity of those you are with."

Terra checks the holo and nods as the area is clear as they start to wash up. "How long do you think we will stay out here?" Zezz is washing and says maybe another week or two as she nods "I lost so much time already. I need to really put forth the effort to be worthy of this."

"Kitten, lower your head and creep slowly. If you do that you can sneak past that nasty spider and we won't have to eat it." Onya nearly shouts but stays calm feeling the face on her and does as instructed. The entire morning she doesn't speak and just listens as her heart races while she feels finally, she is alive. "I am so proud of my kitten! You make your momma so proud sweetie." Onya looks to her as she hugs her and smiles saying she loves her momma.

Over breakfast Dante learns of a few changes and updates people on some he will do as well. He will now go out at times to collect proper training partners and bring them back. His family will keep everyone safe but it is up to those that fight to kill them. Looking over as Carter shows up on the screen he waves and Carter nods. "How is your training camp doing Dante?" Dante says better than he hoped as Carter nods "I am sorry to burden you Dante but this damn Agate is about to make your entire year to this point for all of you null. I argued and got you two weeks at best, sooner the better sadly."

Dante nods smiling as he faces him walking up to the projector. "Would have been easier without a principal however the fourth family don't take losses graciously. We will be back by the end of next week." Carter nods and waves as it stops and Dante looks to Terra "I might need to whip her ass when we get back, you good with that?"

Terra looks to him and her eyes widen as she shakes her head no vigorously. "Absolutely don't best her in combat Dante!" everyone looks shocked to her reaction as she blinks and sighs looking down "Women of our family past a certain age or skill can only marry who bests them and the first to best them is to be wed, period."

Dante blinks and sighs. "Well guess I am out." people laugh as he smiles and looks to her "However it just means that it will be you who shows her you are not some tool of their family but a free member of mine."

She looks to him an instead of asking pointless questions she stands up and takes her suit off and sets it down. "When can we start to train?"

Dante smiles and nods his head as two of his big nestlings, the ones Cora sized he calls this, watch these two and learn. I will fight you daily and will focus on killing you. Your job is easy, find a way to live." Terra looks to them and removes her compartments as he smiles and she nods her head determined to outgrow all her human weaknesses.