Chapter 602 - 602 - Indecisiveness

In the passing of a single second, a seemingly fleeting instant, everyone present regardless if they were friend or foe were forced down on the ground. With the exception of Tolliah, the little girl, no one could withstand the suddenly emerged mysterious invisible pressure that weighed heavily on each and every one of them.

No one could make a move, but to look at the sole standing figure, in all his majestic presence as it stood firm. As the edges of his robe fluttered against the heavy wind, his figure looked more and more dashing by each passing instant. Each skink, no matter if they were loyal Temple Guards or the rebel forces felt that there was a qualitative change with this ex-archbishop. The unknown aura, this domain they were now all being subjected to was unlike anything they have ever seen… yet, their initial fear was slowly transforming, changing, and evolving…

Amidst the heavy, and increasingly reverential gazes of the mass, Aiden finally moved, slowly walking towards the kneeling large lizard monstrosity, the Saurus General, Zokor. His face revealed no emotion, but only a stern, strict expression.

As he looked at this elderly figure as it steadily approached, Zokor's heightened senses were crying with alarm inside his head. He felt his skin trembling, a new sensation enveloped his heart like a dark cloud of heavy smoke. A feeling of dread, a cold shiver made every fiber of his being tremble as Zokor tried to match the archbishop's gaze.

He was terrified. As he looked at this feeble, scrawny-looking elder, Zokor, the large, bulky muscle-bound giant couldn't help but be scared, fearful of him. What was worse, that his submission felt natural as if his subconscious knew by instinct that this figure wasn't just a simple elder of their city-strong tribe, but instead something more, something that felt vaguely familiar…

Zokor dared not to make a move, but slouched his shoulders further down, doing his best to assume as small of a figure as he could, hoping, wishing that despite what it looked like, this monster would decide to ignore him. Even if this was just wishful thinking a dream birthed by the futility of the situation. 

Approaching the giant lizard, Aiden whilst he looked stoic and determined, in reality, still wasn't sure what he should be doing, what action should he take.

On one side, to end this pointless battle and turn the tide of this ongoing war between the two sides, he needed to be cruel, vicious. He needed to show that he was ready to take those heavy decisions and go to whatever length it was necessary to ensure the safety of these people. 

He needed to end the life of this horrific monster, this cannibalistic predator, this, Aiden was decided about. Zokor enjoyed a standing almost the closest to the High Priest. From the absolved memories of the archbishop, Aiden was somewhat aware of how feared this brutal general was. The Ancient One's Mighty Fist, the Hammer of Justice… several titles he was known by.

No, the dilemma Aiden was facing, was how and what he should do. Simply killing off such a being would be way too wasteful. This was the first Saurus, he had encountered, an evolved, higher form of the Lizardman race! By nature, almost like a hunger, he felt his core resonating, he felt an ancient hunger, a need to absorb this new essence and merge it with his own. 

Still, that would surely blow his current cover and reveal without a doubt that their beloved archbishop, the leader they revered and looked up to was long gone, and that he was someone else. His deceit would be ruined, even though he had good intentions, his ploy would be pushed into the light. 

How would the mass react? Would they fear him? Would they start to hate him? Would they lose their willingness to stand behind him? Will that action ultimately be the ruin of their noble and just desire for freedom? Would they go back and try to find solace with the High Priest instead? 

'What would happen to the little girl then?' Aiden halted his steps, just as he arrived in front of the kneeling reptilian general. He couldn't help but turn his gaze around his shoulder and glance back at the distant, small figure of the small skink girl, his 'daughter'…

Being tormented with indecision, Aiden suddenly felt the familiar tingling sensation inside his soul. Abruptly, all the connections he had created, formed with his captains, -even the one with Madam Dara-, have flared up, they all wanted to reach out to him. He could feel their concern, their worry, making the guilt he was already tormented with burn with even more intensity.

Not letting his emotions be shown on his face, he sighed as he opened the mental channels. In the next moment, he felt their emotions, their feelings with even more clarity… Aiden turned shocked and even slightly worried as he seemed to understand something.

As soon as he opened up the channel, and allowed the connected captains to reach out, they all jumped in and spoke up one by one.

'[Reptilian] Lord… I beg you… no, we beg you, don't be worried.' The first presence, a feminine voice, Captain Pyre was the first to reach out. 'We all already know. We are aware and we do not mind. We all support you, stand behind you!'

Her tone was honest, worried, and emotional. There was no malice, no contempt, nor any anger that Aiden could sense, making him confused. He couldn't help but ask. He needed to confirm his conjectures.

'[Reptilian] What do you all 'know' exactly? What are you talking about Captain Pyre?'

'[Reptilian] My lord, we know you are not the old man, but someone else. We know, but we do not mind. You are the leader we stand behind, the leader we support. Our loyalty is to you only.' Draghan's aged voice came in response, joining in the discussion. Like Pyre, his tone was similarly more worried, than anything, lacking any anger at all. 

'[Reptilian] Before you ask, my Master, my Lord…' The alluring, sensual voice of Madam Dara rang in the established mental channel next. 'From the first time you have connected with us in this strange, mysterious manner, we have all known. Though we still do not understand what happened, I can assure you that we all stand behind you.'

'[Reptilian] Yes, my Lord. We can all… somehow feel your emotions, your worries, your concerns. We know that you truly care about us, how you truly feel about every one of us. To us, you are the leader we stand behind. We can feel the archbishop inside you… somewhere deep down.'

'[Reptilian] My lord, do not be worried. Do what you need to do, we will stand behind you no matter what!'

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