The group of young dragons were happily chatting while moving around the Grand den . Tramas had a lot of questions about pretty much everything , and the young dragons were more than happy to explain to him all in great detail . Often , they jumped from one topic to another , seemingly unconnected one , but it apparently made perfect sense in their minds .

  Like this , they went all around the den . And as such , they found themselves near the challenge pit . Tramas was of course curious about the workings of the place , and once the group explained to him the purpose of the place , he simply had to see it .

  Challenge pit , is a place to both train and resolve disputes , that cannot be solved by words alone . Of course , the training part was what captured Tramases interest , so they went to watch for a bit . Inside the pit were two adult dragons sizing each other up , while quite a few others watched from outside . At some unseen signal , the two combatants charged each other with impressive speed . Clashing with a very audible thud , the two dragons slammed each others chests while catching each others hands . Apparently , this was a test of strength . Two dragons of comparable power try to push each other back with only their lower body strength .

  Huh . Surprisingly , the smaller one seems to have the advantage . I guess , the angle helps to put more of his power out . " I think the smaller one will win " -Said Tramas somewhat confidently . While the rest of the group looked at him , like he just sprouted a second head .

  " Why do you say that Tramas ? Shouldn't the bigger one win ? " -Asked Aira while she looked confused .

  Welp , let me dazzle you with my ocean of knowledge then ! " The bigger one is not only pushing against the smaller , but also the ground . The angle helps the smaller one to put out more strength and so he has quite the advantage . " -Said Tramas confidently , while watching the match , secretly hoping he was right .

  " The boy is right . This is not a fair fight , but the idiot insisted that he knew what he is doing . Boy , you already have more brains , than most of the young adults here . " -Said the big adult with brown and green scales close to them . Looking at Tramas with interest , which made Tramas slightly uncomfortable .

  " Thank you , elder . If I was incapable of learning , I would be dead long ago . The journey here was not easy by any definition . " -Tramas said , remembering the many challenges and dangers he had to navigate on his lonely journey .

  " I can see that you had it rough . Its written all over your body and I can see that . What happened to you boy ? " -Asked the elder , while getting closer to Tramas wanting to get a closer look at the boy .

  And so Tramas started his tale of how he found himself alone , learning to hunt on his own . His journey to the north and its many dangers , he had to surmount one way or another . The elder dragon listened intently , sometimes nodding approvingly at the lessons Tramas has learned along the way . Never interrupting the boy from his story , the elder listened and sometimes looked at the boy's body , when he explained the harder fights he had . Quite a few times the boy said that he was close to death , but ultimately he pulled thru somehow every time . Elder examined both the boy's words and body and came to conclusion , that he just has to know more . So he hatched a little plan after Tramas finished his tale .

  " I see . What do you say boy ? Want to test the strength you acquired ? Want to see what all that blood and pain has given you ? " -Asked the elder with a twinkle in his eyes .

  What is this guy up to ? I don't like the look in his eyes . I should be careful around him . " ... How ? Is there something that I can do to show me ? To make me understand ? " -Asked Tramas the elder , while wondering what he has gotten himself into .

  " Trainer Wiliath . Auntie Frijija said that Tramas has to rest for at least a week , to regain his strength . " -Said Aira with worry in her eyes .

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  " Don't worry girl . I wont hurt the boy , or push him past his limits . What she sees in the boy , is a badly wounded hatchling . What I see is a strong warrior in the making . " -Said Wiliath to Aira .

  " I am not a warrior ... Just a survivor . " -Said Tramas with his head down , solemnly .

  Wiliath suddenly pointed straight at Tramases head and said . " And that is exactly why , you boy , are so dangerous already ! That power and understanding is a very dangerous combination for anything that makes an enemy out of you ! What do you say , boy ? Want some pointers ? A little advice , how to go further ? " -Said Wiliath with a dangerous twinkle in his eyes . If he was honest with himself , he was getting a bit excited .

  Tramas felt quite a bit daunted by the prospect , but if he was honest with himself , he was getting excited . Wiliath looked like a well of knowledge and Tramas knew , he will need every advantage he can get in the future . " I would be grateful for your help elder . I greatly appreciate the opportunity . " -Said Tramas , lowering his head .

  And just like that , it was decided . When the pit was free , the two dragons went inside . As Tramas looked around , getting himself ready , he saw it was actually quite spacious . There was enough room for him to get a bit fancy , with his movements . Seeing Tramas look around , Wiliaths assessment of the boy went up another notch . Wiliath saw the boy assess his battlefield and scheme even before a single word was said . When they were in their positions , almost ready , Wiliath begun speaking .

  " Don't hold back , boy . Give me everything you have . Attack me , like I was the one that disappeared your parents . And don't worry , I will be fine . " -Wiliath said confidently , looking at Tramas .

  ... Fucker ! You know how to push others buttons ?! FINE ! You want me to show you vicious ? Vicious I will be then ! Be ready and don't regret your words later geezer ! " grrr . Fine , I wont hold back anything . " -Tramas begun slowly moving to the side with measured steps , lowering his body and slightly widening his stance . With each step , he grew more limber , more catlike in his every move . While there was anger in his eyes , behind it grew focus . Slowly , surely , he circled his foe , looking for a chance . When Wiliath started to take a step to face Tramas , the boy sprung forward with surprising speed and agility . Spraying sand and rocks behind him , he closed the gap quickly . But not quickly enough , Tramas saw that when he chose his way to attack , Wiliath was ready to counter it , so he quickly dug his claws down to change his direction and jumped back .

  " Good instincts boy . " -Praised Wiliath , while not taking his eyes from the boy and a very fanged smile begun to grow on his face . To this Tramas only growled and sped up his circling . Breaking into light sprint , it wasn't long when Tramas charged again . This time on his approach , he changed directions a couple of times and in the end jumped . Wiliath saw it all and was ready to catch the boy and almost managed just that , but with a quick beat of Tramases wings , he jinked the grapple and swung his tail towards the elders head . Wiliath dodged the tail swipe and caught it with his hands , he then spun almost a full revolution and threw Tramas away . The whole manoeuvre had the boy with his back towards the ground . But with a quick few beats of his wings , he righted himself and landed on all fours . Sliding back for a bit , he dug decently big furrows into the ground with his claws . Tramas made a couple more attacks like this , but they all had similar outcomes . Each failure made the boy more and more furious , but his focus only grew sharper . While every attack grew closer and closer to landing a hit , boys stamina was not endless . With each failure he lost more and more energy , panting from the exertion he made one last , almost desperate attack . With all the speed the boy could muster , he went straight and didn't stop . Tramas hit the elder with his entire body and with his jaws , went for Wiliaths exposed neck .

  When Tramas finally comprehended , what happened he found his head on the ground underneath Wiliaths hand . It happened so quickly , he didn't even see anything . Panting , Tramas relaxed his body as best he could , he understood that the bout was over .

  " You really are a scary dragon , boy . I saw your determination and commend you on your ferocity . Your moves were good too . Honestly , there is not much for me to criticize . What you need is just time and even more experience . You will need to build up your stamina more , but with the intensity you fought you already have a decent reserve . This pit is always open to you . I am here pretty much every day , so when you feel like sharpening those talons of yours , come and find me . "

  " Thank you ... Elder . " -As Tramas panted on the ground , trying to regain his energy , Wiliath left and the group of young dragons were quickly approaching .