2# The Savage Noble: Part 2 of 5
In the tropical jungle, a fierce battle unfolds between Erista, and a new foe who arrived.
Erista was amazed when of his opponent's unique ability allows him to transform his body into an organic steel-like substance. This transformation grants Peter immense durability and strength, making him a daunting adversary. His limbs can extend into long, prehensile tentacles that serve as both flails and whips, allowing him to strike from a distance or ensnare his opponent.
As the confrontation escalates, Erista deftly dodges his foe's powerful strikes. The air crackles with tension as his foe boasts about his invulnerability: "Your attacks will not hurt me; I am made of steel!"
His voice is laced with arrogance, believing that his organic armor renders him impervious to harm. However, Erista's eyes narrow in determination; he knows that underestimating an opponent can lead to dire consequences.
Snikt!
With a swift motion, Erista unsheathes his retractable bone claws—sharp extensions of his mutation that glint menacingly in the dim light of the Savage Land. He responds to Peter's taunt with scornful confidence: "You may be made of steel, but that does not mean you will win this battle easily." The words hang in the air as he prepares for the next exchange.
Suddenly, amidst the chaos of their battle, a voice pierces through the tension. The young woman, that Erista has saved, rushes forward, positioning herself between the two combatants. Her presence is commanding yet filled with desperation as she pleads for them to stop fighting. "Please! You have to listen! Peter, this man has saved me!" Her eyes dart between the two men, imploring them to cease their hostilities.
The one called Peter's gaze shifts from Erista to woman; confusion flickers across his face as he processes her words. He looks back at Erista with newfound scrutiny. "Is it true what she says?" he asks incredulously. The weight of the woman's declaration hangs heavily in the air.
Erista nods solemnly. "I heard her scream," he replies earnestly. "She was in trouble." The admission resonates deeply within Peter as he surveys the aftermath of their conflict—the lifeless bodies of other Savage Landers strewn about like discarded remnants of a forgotten battle.
Realization dawns upon Peter; guilt washes over him like a tidal wave as he reflects on his intentions prior to this encounter. He had come seeking vengeance but now finds himself confronted by an unexpected truth: Erista is not merely an enemy but also a protector—a savior who intervened when Raquel needed help most.
With humility replacing arrogance, Peter lowers his head in apology. "I'm sorry," he murmurs sincerely. "Thank you for saving Raquel." The acknowledgment transforms the atmosphere from one of hostility to understanding—a bridge forged through shared experiences and revelations.
"I thought you were one of Zaladane's men," Peter says as he turns into normal.
"Zaladane?" Erista repeated. "Who's Zaladane?"
"First thing, first," Peter says before turning around to the jungle behind him and calls out "You both can come out now."
Erista sees, coming from the jungle, a young boy, with a Smilodon at his side. Peter introduces them "This is Matthew Plunder, the son of Ka-Zar and Shanna the She-Devil! And his loyal protector and friend, Zabu."
"I and Peter comes from the Fall People." Raquel added. "Of what's left of it."
"What do you mean?" Erista asked, confused and curious of what she says.
The conversation quickly turns grave as Peter recounts recent events: "A week ago, Zaladane launched a surprise attack on the United Council of Tribes." His voice trembles slightly as he continues, "They captured many leaders—including my mother Nereel and Matthew's parents."
"She commands a great army," he continues. "An army big enough to conquer the Savage Land. Right now her forces are spread out across the lands, attacking and capturing many tribes."
Erista feels a surge of responsibility toward his tribe; he knows they must act swiftly to protect their people from Zaladane's advancing army. "We need to return to my village," he declares urgently.
At top speeds, the five of them rush through the jungle, Erista in the lead. Their journey back is filled with anticipation as Erista hope to reunite with their people. However, upon their arrival, they are met with chaos; Zaladane's army of Savage Land mutates is attacking the village.
Erista's heart races as he witnesses the destruction wrought upon his home. The sight of burning huts and frightened villagers ignites a fire within him. His claws—retractable bone weapons that are a hallmark of his lineage—pop out instinctively as he prepares for battle. With a fierce roar that echoes through the jungle, Erista charges into the fray against Zaladane's forces. His friends follow suit; Peter unleashes his agility and intellect to outmaneuver enemies, while Raquel uses her combat skills to protect those in danger. Matthew Plunder draws on his resourcefulness and knowledge of survival tactics to aid in their defense.
In the midst of battle, Matthew catches sight of Erista's retractable bone claws glinting in the sunlight. Memories flood back from stories told by his father about one certain individual—a known for similar claws and indomitable spirit.
"Stay strong and together!"
Hearing his mother's voice, Erista turn to see his mother, Gahck rallying the village. He was about to run to her when his senses warn him of a greater threat in the middle of the battle pinpointing where this threat is located, he sees a Savage Land mutate—towering over the rest of the mutates, muscles rippling under his mottled skin. "You think you can protect this pathetic village?" he growled menacingly to Gahck.
Angered, Erista lunged forward with all his might, shouting "Get away from my mother!"
However, the moment his claws were powered up he saw they were ineffective, especially against this one invulnerability. Each blow landed on Snarl seemed to bounce off like raindrops on stone.
"Erista! Be careful!" Peter shouted a warning. "That is Snarl, Zaladane's champion!"
"Fool!" Snarl scorn Erista. "I am powered by Lady Zaladane...who in turn is powered by a God himself!"
Snarl threw a punch at Erista who in turn dodges it. Yet the force of Snarl's punch seems to shatter the earth beneath, sending various sizes of debris flying everywhere. Erista notice that despite their best efforts, one by one, members of the Tribe of Fire began to fall under Zaladane's relentless assault. Erista pushed himself beyond his limits; he could not allow his tribe to be defeated.
In a moment of desperation, he summoned all his strength for one final strike against Snarl. However, in a swift motion fueled by raw energy, Snarl countered and knocked Erista unconscious with a powerful blow.
When Erista awoke up, he sees the other stand over him. Sitting up he asked, "What happened?"
Peter seems to hesitate for a moment until he finally says " Zaladane's army withdrawal after Snarl defeated you. Yet they took half of your tribe. Your...mother was amongst them."
"No! This cannot be!" he exclaimed as memories flooded back—his mother's laughter echoing in his mind like music from another time.
Replacing his grief with anger and determination, Erista vowed "I'll get her back! I'll get them all back! I swear it to my father's name, the Wolverine!"
"Wolverine?" Matthew reacted to what Erista just said.
0o0o0
hidden beneath a canopy of lush greenery and ancient trees, lies a fortress shrouded in mystery. Within its stone walls, Zaladane sits in deep meditation, her mind drifting through the corridors of time. As she closes her eyes, the present fades away, and she is transported back to her childhood—a time filled with innocence and adventure.
Zaladane recalls the day when she was just a young girl, accompanying her parents—renowned dinosaur archaeologists—on an expedition into the Savage Land. Her parents were passionate about their work, driven by a desire to uncover the secrets of prehistoric creatures that once roamed this land. They had traveled far and wide, but nothing could prepare them for what awaited them in this untamed wilderness.
As they trekked through dense foliage, Zaladane's excitement bubbled over. She marveled at the towering ferns and heard distant roars echoing through the valley. Her parents explained to her that they were searching for evidence of dinosaurs—bones, footprints, anything that would prove these magnificent beasts once existed here.
However, their joy was short-lived. One fateful afternoon, while exploring a secluded area near a riverbank, they were ambushed by members of the Sun People Tribe—a fierce group known for their territorial nature and hostility towards outsiders. Zaladane watched in horror as her parents fought valiantly but were ultimately overwhelmed by sheer numbers. The last thing she remembered was their cries for help before darkness enveloped her world.
In a twist of fate, instead of being killed alongside her parents, Zaladane was captured by the Sun People Tribe. They saw potential in her—a child who could be molded into one of their own. Despite her initial fear and sorrow over losing her family, she slowly adapted to their customs and way of life. The tribe taught her survival skills and instilled in her a sense of strength and resilience.
Years passed as Zaladane grew into a formidable high priestess among the Sun People. She embraced their beliefs and became deeply devoted to Garokk—the Petrified Man—an ancient deity revered by the tribe. Under his guidance, she learned to harness powers that lay dormant within her; powers that would eventually lead her down a path of conquest.
Driven by visions from Garokk himself, Zaladane united various tribes under her banner and led them into war against rival factions within the Savage Land. Her strategic brilliance on the battlefield earned her respect and fear alike; she became known as a fierce leader who fought relentlessly for dominance in Garokk's name.
As she reflects on these memories during meditation, Zaladane feels both pride and sorrow for what transpired next. Until she fell at Magneto's hands, despite all her power and determination fueled by faith in Garokk. Zaladane launched an attempt to control all the magnetic forces of the planet Earth. Nick Fury, director of the international law enforcement agency S.H.I.E.L.D., Ka-Zar, Magneto, and the X-Man Rogue joined forces to stop her. Magneto executed Zaladane despite protestations from Rogue and Fury.
Yet death was not final for Zaladane; it was merely another chapter in her existence. Through unwavering faith in Garokk—the idol that now loomed before her during meditation—she found rebirth. Emerging from darkness anew with enhanced abilities granted by Garokk himself, she vowed to reclaim what was lost and continue fighting for dominance over the Savage Land.
Since her rebirth she was renewed with burning purpose coursing through her veins like fire igniting dry brushwood, she prepares to rise again—to lead with ferocity unmatched as she seeks destruction against those who stand in the way of Garokk's rise.
Writer's Note: Dear lyricluna207. I thought about your offer, and it shows great promise of benefit. I plan on treating this story like it's a comic book, with issue after issue, plan on fully developing Erista's character in the Marvel universe, despite it to be fictional. While I have ton of ideas for this story, I don't mind some good advice from you on what ideas should I needed to help this story progress. We can maintain contact with each other on our review through fanfiction net or DeviantArt, Kaddsonin.