Now that the stampede was officially over -the mana vein also returned to giving its normal daily DP dosage before he left- Frost didn't have to worry too much about running into wandering packs of monsters that were infused with unbridled bloodlust however there was another issue.
"Guess they weren't kidding." Frost had to force Kiba to stop while he took in the views before him. The landscape he remembered from his previous excursion into the glacial mountains had shifted due to the incessant march of millions of monsters heading south. But the most important change was the change in controlled territory.
With vast sums of monsters leaving for the south never to return, areas that were once under the firm control of a former group of monsters were now up for grabs thus leading to a complete change in the local monster demographic.
Whenever there was a monster stampede, especially a large one, all the information collected by the local camps, outposts, countries and enclaves regarding the local fauna had to be thrown out.
Only after several months of brutal competition between the newly born monsters would they be able to accurately identify the new pecking order. An area that used to be flush with frost wolves could turn into a habitat for polar bears, frost spiders or even frost lizards, greatly changing the established hunting routines. It was a bit of a pain in the ass but overall seen as a good thing.
The stampedes brought new life to the external regions, a regular change that helped reduced overeating and hunting of a particular species.
For Frost however it meant that the path he intended to take was no longer as empty as he would have hoped. An area that was previously devoid of anything remotely violent and dangerous now housed a group of polar bears fighting against a couple frost drakes for dominion of the unclaimed territory.
"Haaaaaaa delays, delays and more delays" Frost let out a sigh and shook his head. This was the fourth group of aggressive monsters that impeded his path and he was starting to grow frustrated at all the stopping and starting.
"Garow" Kiba offered a solution to their problem.
"No we're not flying there. Despite your increased skills it's still too dangerous."
"Garow!" The young tiger drooped his head in disappointment. What good was having massive wings if he never got to use them.
"Just roar at the top of your lungs and see if that scares them off and if not, I'll use my aura."
"Grrrr!" Kiba acquiesced to the order though it was clear that he still wanted to fly to Kranor.
"ROOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!" With a mighty roar that threatened to shake the heavens Kiba revealed himself in all his glory to the battle enthused polar bears and frost drakes. The D-rank monsters that had been fighting each other for control over the past hour trembled at his roar. They all turned to face the massive tiger with fear in their eyes.
Instinctively they started stepping backwards from one another, opening up a large gap between the two sides that would facilitate Kiba's passage.
'Looks like his roar worked well this time.' Frost petted the young tiger's head with affection as the two charged through the established gap without any interference. The two opposing monster groups remained frozen as they passed and only after a couple minutes after their departure did they resume their battle with an even greater ferocity.
Despite the many interruptions and changes in the landscape, Frost and Kiba managed to make it to the Kranor enclave just as the sun was about to set and cover the region in utter darkness.
"No, no I'm ecstatic to hear all about Lola, Sam and the kids." Frost promptly denied the accusation, but it was clear where his true thoughts lay.
"Haaaaaaa young love or rather lust is a beautiful thing." The elderly woman shook her head and smiled.
"Daki's been great, she doesn't shut up about you and how she's going to finally live in peace and no longer have to search far and wide for a decent match. The damn girl's got her head in the clouds and behaving like a school girl having her first crush hmph...but it's not as though I can blame her.
You're certainly quite the catch and a proven good man, she's a lucky girl but you better do right by her, or I'll beat you black and blue personally." As Chia transitioned into a threating mother bear her evening wear began to stretch as her muscles tensed to crazy levels. Frost doubted he'd be able to win against her if it came down to a straight physical comparison.
'Chia can be quite frightening; no wonder Yarrow and Sam are so submissive to her.' He audibly gulped as he imagined the force that could be brought to bear by those seemingly dainty hands of hers.
"Well it seems as though you lucked out in your choice. She's currently helping out at Druakai's but is set to sleep here tonight so if you don't mind waiting, she'll probably be walking right through the door in the next hour or so." Chia took another sip of tea and relaxed her shoulders.
"Ahhhh good stuff." She couldn't help but comment.
While she relaxed and enjoyed her cup of tea, Frost's heart started beating a mile a minute as he imagined his reunion with Daki. He grew nervous and greatly anticipated her arrival, working and reworking what he'd say to her first.
Roughly an hour later the front door to the manor was opened revealing a beautiful orc dressed in casual clothes that screamed tomboy yet her impossible to obscure dynamite figure spoke otherwise.
"Auntie Chia I'm back." The young woman's voice boomed throughout the hall causing Chia to smile gently and shake her head while Frost visibly trembled.
"I'm in the reception room and I've got a surprise for you." Chia played along with Frost's surprise plan quite eager to see the look on the young woman's face when she first saw him.
"A surprise, now I'm really excited." Daki responded in an excited manner and practically skipped towards the reception room.
She opened the door without knocking and stepped straight into the room with a bright smile.
"What's the surprise is it another tale of when you were...." Her words were cut short as she took in the form of the young man sitting across from Chia who's image had been flooding her mind since the day they separated. She practically froze and stared at him bug-eyed.
Frost was no less moved but gained control of his faculties first.
"Da...." However the moment he went to say her name the large woman leaped from her spot with her arms outstretched. She smashed headfirst into his chest, knocking him off his feet and wrapped him up in a vice like hug.
A coffee table and some crockery were unfortunately damaged in the tussle causing Chia to slightly frown but she forgave Daki a moment later.
"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG IDIOT!!!!!"