# Chapter I
## Initiation

It's time to judge me. What did I do? I don't know. Maybe I was wrong by thinking like I am innocent because I'm here. 
  I don't know how much time I'm here, but... There's something I can't understand - what and why I am here. Everything started at home, when I was looking for a job. They offered me well-paid job and I took it. I was working as a blacksmith.

John: I am happy to take this job, boss.

Archie: I know, dear. I hope your day won't be bad. All you need to do is to create some weapons. Our tribe isn't using pistols or guns, we like good old swords, bows, crossbows, javelins etc. 

John: I got it boss. *nods for yes*

Archie: You know how it works, John? You need some explanation? 

John: Nah, boss. I'll be ready till the morning with some brand new swords. Do you accept any upgrading? 

Archie: No, but you can show me your own sword style. 

John: Okay, I'll start immediately. *starts doing a sword*

  I was happy to do the things I did. I was preparing and learning an art of blacksmith for years. I always liked to do some medieval weapons. I wasn't into firearms at all, so I decided to observe the tribe to be sure that they don't need any guns and modern weapons. I'd like to be a swordsman too, but I need to practice more and more. But now I'm a prisoner. 
  Let me return to the story. I was excited, because I wanted to show a results of my practice. I began to craft a sword - better than normal, more in handy and a bit fancy looking. I started and finished doing it quite quickly. I wasn't talented enough in decorations, but swords - my passion - made me more experienced now. 
  I was unsure of the result at the beginning. But I surely didn't want to give up. I started to do some regular swords after finishing making my special one and I went to go to sleep late at night. In the morning my boss woke me up. 

Archie: Good morning, John. 

John: Good morning, boss. *stands up and goes to his private chest, takes the sword and shows it to Archie* Here's my special sword. 

Archie: Let me see if it's worth of my fighting skills. *takes the sword and slashes the air* Quite nice, young blacksmith. Your age is? 

John: 21, I'm 21 years old. *smiles faintly* But I train this art for years, since I was 14. I'm proud to be a blacksmith. 

Archie: Hah, I see. You are young, but you wield great power in your job. I haven't seen a blacksmith like you for ages. I am very satisfied to find one finally. I can't wait when you will be a part of our tribe. We'll be happy to make you one of us, young wolf. 

John: Thank you, boss, but... Do I really fit here? I mean, of course, it's good news, but...

Archie: Don't worry, it'll be OK. *smiles widely* I'm sure you'll be happy in here more than in a big city. We are small tribe, but no worries. It'll be your best experience ever. 

  I wasn't mentally ready to join their tribe. I thought it will be hard. They were anthro animals and I was human. I didn't expect one thing.
  In the evening one of the animals, crocodile, called me. It was the time to join them. 

Croco: So, how do you feel? *faint smile*

John: Ra-rather OK, bud. I... I hope we'll be OK.

Croco: You seem to be worried about something. What is it? 

John: I'm a human and I think I don't fit here. You all are animals. *sigh* I'm not sure if I will ever fit. I can be your blacksmith and... And nothing more I feel to be. 

Croco: Hah! You will be surprised. *wink*

  "You will be surprised? What does it meant?" - I was wondering. The result was strangely good. But only for a while.

Priest: Stand over here. *shows something like an altar*

John: *stands where priest shows*

Priest: *says some words in unknown speech*

  Whole process lasted around 10 minutes and I felt my body changing every second. I was surprised by that, but I was standing still. No one was disturbing them to do a ritual of joining their tribe.
  When they finished, I felt sleepy. Very sleepy. I thanked them so much for this and went to sleep in my bed in my forge.
  I woke up so early and yawn. Immediately i felt my body changed. Everything looked so good. I became a reptile - dragon, who was as white as snow. My body was very strong. I felt my weight increased a little bit, but it was nice experience to feel. My scales were hard as rock and their defense were very high.

 Archie: Wake up, my dragon friend, I hope you slept well. Today you have to make some arrows and crossbow bolts. *enters John's bedroom* I see you're already awake? Nice! *claps* Show me how do you do your arrows. Today we have got some special day. Come here and look, our plants has grown a bit and flowers are in bloom. 

John: Yes, boss! Let me wear my clothes and I'm starting rigth away!

Archie: Yes, that's the spirit! *chuckles lightly and exits John's room*

  When I got dressed up and went to my anvil, I noticed beautiful landscape of forest, its beauty shown me many colours. I liked the view of this, the smell was very gentle and motivating. I started doing my work and I even didn't notice when someone came to me to look how my work is doing. Archie, Croco and unknown one for me. Gender of this character was female. She was a beautiful female shark. Her yellow skin and straight, long, light blond hair made me feel very good and my heart skipped a bit.
  They were observing me as long as I was working. They seemed to be excited with their new blacksmith and after finishing first arrows, I gave one to beautiful female shark.

John: Hello, m'lady. *gives her his first arrow*

She: Thank you, John, I'm Tierra, hunter of these woods. *takes an arrow* It's nice of you. I'll make a short test of it. It must be perfect. May you want to join after work? I won't use your arrow before your arrival. Meet me on the tree with blue and pink flowers. I'll be waiting for you. 

John: OK, Tierra, I'll come as soon ascit's only possible. Thank you for invitation.

Tierra: You're welcome. Now go back to work.~~ See ya!~ *runs into forest and disappears behind bushes*

John: She's beautiful... Very beautiful.

Archie: Hah! Guess you fell in love. 

John: *blushes* W-well... I... Maybe? 

Croco: Haha! Nice, young one. You are lucky, because she didn't pierce you with your own arrow, like with last blscksmith. She seems to like you the way you are. *looks around* Don't do anything stupid. Just leave it the way you behave in general.

John: OK, I got it. I know that. Thank you. 

Croco: No problem.

  And then I returned to work. Everything I made was quick and, I was hoping, perfect. I took some bolts and arrows for Tierra to test their quality. I felt a bit nervous, but I calmed down quickly when I arrived to her house. She was waiting on that tree she mentioned. 

Tierra: *jumps down, giggles* Hi, Johney. 

John: John, my dear, hehe. I brought some more arrows and bolts for us to test. *shows her his work* I was working all the day and here's little amount of ammo I wanted to give you. 

Tierra: *laughs* Thanks, cutie. It's funny when you try to explain such an easy thing. I don't need your explanation. You brought some arrows and bolts and you wanted to check if these are good for hunting and battles. Oh, I almost forgot... *shows him her sword* I guess it's your work. That sword made me a bit more agile while encountering monsters. Its style is fancy, but it's very handy, I fought well even while holding it in my right hand. 

John: Ummm... You... You are left-handed too? I haven't met anyone left-handed since I finished middle school.

Tierra: Wow, nice, I guess.

John: Me too. Well, let's try some bow shooting at first. *takes his bow* Lemme try to shoot the target. *takes arrow* I'm ready.

Tierra: Shoot there. *shows a hole in a tree, goes backward to prevent herself from being hit*

John: Ready, sweetie? *shoots the target with no problem* Nice, I shot to the hole. Your turn! 

Tierra: I know! Lemme shoot now. *shoots to the hole* Mhmm, nice work. Not heavy and sharp as my claws. I like these arrows. You made a piece of a good work.

John: Thank you, my dear. May you want to hunt together?

Tierra: Of course, with pleasure!

  And then our hunt began. We had a lot of fun when tried to hunt the quickest beasts. We didn't catch any, but the fun was great. This laugh when someone fell on the ground from tree or when we fell to the river and ran to dry ground. These were very nice, I liked the way of our friendship, but I fell in love and when we arrived to the end of our trip, near crystal-clear lake with glowing lily flowers and sat near close to each other, I started. 

John: Tierra, you are very cute, agile and dangerous girl, but... There's something else I wanted to ask. 

Tierra: What is it, cutie? *giggles* And thank you for time you gave me. It was a pleasure to meet someone like you. We'll be best friends forever. 

John: Yeah... I wanted to ask... How long does this forest exist? It looks like it exists for ages.

Tierra: Ages? No, it's definitely too little time. Milleniums are better to say. Now it's blooming more often only, because it is very strong forest and some of these plants eats pollutions - earth, air, water... These are very rare, but these plants are naturally even fireproof. Invincibility - their power. But... You mustn't tell anyone about that. It doesn't matter how much your friends are trustworthy, no tellig them true, or you'll be dead.

John: *gulp* O-OK. I'll remember. Well... Let's... Let's return home. We need to rest, but I really thank you for hunting with me. I really loved it and we need to repeat that sometimes. 

Tierra: You are right, you're welcome and as I said, it was a pleasure to hunt with you. See you next time! *smiles widely*

John: *chuckles quietly* Bye! *goes home*