Chapter 573 - 573 - Pledge

An ancient, unknown source of power surged in the surrounding air. Without exception, all eyes were focused on this continuously growing, majestic being. This entity, that should be their sworn-up leader, the first man, the face of their just cause. ;

This man, that was suddenly stood distant, high above not just them, but the entire world.

Madam Dara could barely contain the chaotic, heavily thumping heart's beating. She could barely contain to forgo all common sense and lunge at this marvel of a skink with all the heat she felt. She could barely, just barely force common sense up on herself, and take a few stumbling steps back and stand back to the front of her Daughters.

Tolliah's shock and surprise gradually transformed into an elated, increasingly widening smile as she kept looking at her beloved Papa. She always knew that his Papa was strong. She always felt the safety when she was in his arms, or by his side. Even just to reach and touch the hem of his robe was enough to cause her to worry and dark thoughts to be scared away and feel like a happy, cheerful little girl once more.

Only his and her mother's presence could ease her constant worries. Only by the thought that they would be once again together as a happy family could make her continue pushing forward, despite all this… heavy darkness that kept on engulfing them.

"[Reptilian] My papa… Show them! Show everyone how strong you are!" She muttered to herself, whispering her wishes into the wind. With her small right fist, she caught the escaping drops of tears and smeared them across her little face as she slowly lost herself in the sight of his majestic father…

…

"[Reptilian] My dear friends!" Like a strike from a thunderstorm, Aiden's boastful voice reverberated as he exclaimed. A deep, otherworldly undertone carried along with each of his words, further enhancing the august of his speech. ;

His glowing golden eyes were like brightly brimming stars, providing the only source of light amidst all the looming despair and desperation. The common rabble could only marvel, and get lost in those deep penetrating stars.

"[Reptilian] I can feel your worries, I can smell your fear." Aiden continued, catching most of the people off-guard with the strange approach of his speech. Yet none spoke up, but listened to him intently, even ignoring the growing shadow in the distance. Suddenly even the approaching army became an irrelevant factor, and only the words of their leader were the only thing that mattered to them in their short, feeble life.

"[Reptilian] It is okay to be afraid. It is natural to be scared. The enemy wants nothing more than to see your… no, OUR demise. They want to see us lying down in our own pool of blood. They want nothing but to make us suffer. To die, miserably for our defiance against their order."

He paused for a brief moment, giving time for his words to sink into the minds of those present before continuing.

"[Reptilian] They want us to suffer for going against the words of their High Priest, and consequently, the words of the supposed Ancient One!"

He raised his right fist into the air, as he continued with more ferocity in his following words.

"[Reptilian] Well, I say, no more! We will not listen to the words of a corrupt, fake priest! We will not follow the guidance of someone that's only desire is to lord over the weak. We will not follow a heartless bastard! If he really is the one chosen by the great guardian, then…" ;

Aiden stopped once more, giving even more time for the people to process his words, his vow he is just making, unbeknownst to them as of yet.

After a couple of breaths time, he continued.

"…[Reptilian] Than I say, screw him also! We don't need a God that doesn't care about us! We don't need a traitorous guardian, that isn't only a kinslayer and a destroyer of our world, but would also be so heartless! We will carve our own path, trudge through the dangers together as a family…."

He sighed as he went further.

"[Reptilian] As I stand before you, I give this promise, this pledge to you all: I will fight for your freedom, I will protect your futures. I will not let these monsters steal away the happiness we have all created here! This is my vow to you all."

Finishing what he wanted to say, Aiden shocked all those present once again with his unexpected action.

He bowed. He prostrated in front of all these men and women. To his daughter, to Madam Dara. To all the aunties and uncles of Tolliah, Aiden did not hesitate to bow deeply, respectfully. ;

He did not move, he did not say anything else but simply bowed, turning his gaze towards the dusty cavern floor instead.

"[Reptilian] M-my lo… *khm* my lo-ord…" Madam Dara sighed, her slender hands touching her heavily heaving voluminous chest, trying to calm the storm his words caused inside her heart. ;

She wasn't the only one that have turned speechless either. Every eye, every person present was touched, stunned at the pledge their leader have just made to them. ;

For a few moments, no words were spoken, the silence was heavy as people had no idea what they should be doing, how they should respond.

"[Reptilian] We love you, Papa! Show those baddies that you are the BEST!" Suddenly a loud, childish cry shattered the tense air, coming from behind them.

Surprisingly, only the little girl, the brightly smiling, the cheerful angel was the one that pushed through. With all the might her little lungs and heart could muster, she cried, not caring about the tears that escaped through the corners of both of her eyes.

Her exclamation, however, seemed to be the catalyst, the final push that everyone seemed to be missing. Following her shout, slowly, the stunned, shocked gazes turned into sparks full of zeal and determination. Hands were risen, filling the air, they all erupted with great force.

"[Reptilian] LORD! LONG LIVE OUR LORD!"

Joining the sobbing, but the happy girl in the back, tears of joy, and happiness soon watered the ground. People's morale soaring to the sky, nobody was frightened or bothered by the undeniably bloody clash that would soon descend on them.

Yes, some of them, -maybe even everyone present-, would die… But so what? As long as they were fighting for their dreams, even if they would ultimately falter, as long as they could stand behind their Lord, and just help ease his burdens ever-so-slightly… It would be all worth it.

Suddenly, breaking his focus, a new message appeared in front of Aiden, blocking his vision and causing yet another round of shock to spread in his mind.

[Hidden Milestone Reached! Earned the dying loyalty of an unaffiliated group of race.]

[Initiating Army Management Interface…]

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