Conndo, Rowan, and Aristella seed to have put their trust in , which was a good step in the right direction. First, I had to let Greenwater Predation Force et them beforehand so they could get their own opinions on humans, since I’m assuming this is their first ti eting one.
As we walked back to the village, we eventually ca across Stoneback and the other creatures of Greenwater. They looked shocked to see among three other ’two-legged creatures.’ Especially the frogs.
"Lady Keiko! You have returned!" Said Stoneback, walking forward. "And you have obtained the humans?"
"Don’t say it like that!" I shouted. "But yeah, they’re pretty chill guys!" I said, sitting down on my butt, swaying my tail. "Greenwater, et Rowan, Conndo, and Aristella!"
All three of them stepped forward, but Conndo seed the most surprised.
"A-A talking turtle?!"
"I’m still surprised that we can talk to beasts. It is usually impossible..." Said Rowan, looking down in thought.
"Mmm." Aristella nodded her head. "Beasts have their own language, just like humans!"
[Eh? Seriously? Spiritus, what the heck is going on?]
[[Answer. After you evolved, you’ve beco a Wildborn Beast. The first stage of the Beast Evolution. And with your newfound power, I’ve bestowed upon you the Special Skill: Universal Translation. It allows one to understand all languages, humans, or beasts. The more it levels up, the more languages it can comprehend. Greenwater can use this skill thanks to their connection with your soul.]
[Whoa, for real? I don’t even know what’s on my status hub right now, but I guess I’ll just wait until I’m alone before opening it. Anyways, maybe I should tell them what’s going on so they don’t get super freaked out...]
"Oh, well that’s because I have the Universal Translation skill! It’s a special skill that can translate any language."
"The Universal Translation skill?" Asked Conndo. "Isn’t that a Special Skill that cos from soone who’s related to, or has so divine origins?"
[Eh. Wait, seriously? But didn’t Leapmouth and Vipermouth have it?]
I cringed my feline face, if I even could, before, looking down in thought.
[...Maybe they’re related to Sasobek, which would explain how they got those skills. I an, doesn’t Sasobek count as soone with Divine Origin?]
"Well anyways!!" I raised my voice, deciding to change the topic. "You guys have a village to see. Let’s get a move on, shall we?"
Stoneback didn’t look fully convinced, but then again, Stoneback rarely questioned .
"As you command, My Queen." He said, before turning toward the rest of Greenwater. "Stand down. These humans are guests of Lady Keiko!"
That single sentence caused a lot of reactions.
The frogs stiffened their stances as they gripped their spears tighter. A few snakes subtly reeled back while most of the dragonflies hovered higher as compound eyes locked onto the humans.
Yeah. This was definitely their first ti seeing humans, there was no doubt about it.
Rowan even noticed it too. His shoulders squared up as his instincts kicked in. It looked like he was prepared to fight.
"They’re... watching us." He muttered.
"Relax, dude!" I said imdiately. "They’re not gonna jump you. Probably!"
"That did not help!" Conndo whimpered.
I hopped back onto my paws and trotted ahead, deliberately placing myself between Greenwater and the humans. "Alright, everyone!" I announced with my tail flicking. "These three are under my protection. No stabbing, poisoning, or surprise ambushes from the trees, got it?"
There was only silence until in perfect unison, they shouted.
"Yes, My Queen!"
The humans flinched at their reactions.
"...They listen to you frighteningly well." Aristella said quietly.
"Heh... yeah, about that." I laughed awkwardly. "I might’ve accidentally started a cult."
Stoneback thumped his flipper against the ground.
"It is not a cult. It is loyalty, My Queen!"
"...That’s exactly what a cult says." Said Rowan.
Anyways, we continued forward as the trees began to thin, and the forest clearing ca into view.
That’s when it hit them. The village opened up before us with tree nests, burrows reinforced with stone, straw huts, watch posts, armor-clad frogs, massive snakes hauling supplies, turtles building other houses, and dragonflies tracing glowing paths in the air.
There were even other animals that ca from the forest. Deers, squirrels, birds, rabbits, and foxes.
Conndo’s jaw dropped at the sight.
Rowan stopped walking entirely.
And Aristella gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.
"...By the Axis!" Rowan said. "This is a fully functioning settlent."
"Yep!" I said proudly. "Welco to... uh..."
I froze.
Oh no, I totally forgot.
"...I never nad the village!"
Stoneback turned to , horrified.
"My Queen... you have yet to decide a na?!"
"HEY, I’VE BEEN BUSY, OKAY?! I was unconscious for two weeks! I didn’t even plan on making a village either!"
It’s not my fault at all, you were the ones who surprised .
The humans exchanged looks again.
"A beastly settlent." Rowan said in awe. "Organized. Ard. And cooperative across species..."
"This defies all recorded norms." Aristella said as her eyes sparkled, taking everything in.
Conndo slowly raised a finger.
"...You weren’t kidding about ruling a village."
"Nope..." I sighed. "Still wrapping my head around it myself."
As we stepped fully inside, the reactions only escalated.
Frogs bowed as we passed, and snakes lowered their heads respectfully.
Aristella’s voice dropped to a whisper.
"...They’re not afraid of us?"
"You are guests of Greenwater." He rumbled. "Any guest that Lady Keiko brings will automatically be trustworthy. But if any harm cos to her, then it will be t with absolute retaliation."
Conndo swallowed, widening his eyes.
"...Understood."
I shot Stoneback a look.
"Gentle intimidation, buddy! Gentle."
"My apologies."
I padded forward and hopped onto a raised wooden platform near the center of the village.
"Alright!" I caught everyone’s attention in the village. "Listen up everyone! We have so important news!"
I felt all eyes staring at as I flicked my tail back and forth.
"I’m sure all of you are aware of the na... Sasobek, the King of Beasts."
Everyone widened their animalistic eyes at my comnt, making them stop what they were doing.
"He’s strong... very strong! And tyrannical. I’m sure you all heard the stories, right?"
Everyone slowly nodded their head.
"Well... everyone across the Axis Mundi is working together to stop him. And just now, we obtained three new alliances, and they’re humans."
Everyone turned to face Aristella, Rowan, and Conndo.
"Currently, they’re working together to gather information on Sasobek and his whereabouts. We’ll need them at all costs!
"M-My Queen." One of the frogs stepped up, giving their say. "Are you aware that humans have hunted beasts since the beginning of ti? Many here have lost kin to fire and tal."
Ah, damn, he was right. My mom did ntion sothing about how humans kept beasts under their wicked rules before Sasobek saved them, earning him the title ’King of Beasts.’ But I didn’t know a lot of racism was still this common—but it now makes sense—why these three feared so much.
I now glanced around, really looking at them this ti. Everyone seed skeptical about this.
Rowan even stiffened behind , clearly aware he was standing in the middle of a loaded crossbow situation.
"...That’s fair." I admitted with a whisper before I raised my voice again. "But listen to !"
Everyone jumped back from my sudden rise of voice.
"I won’t lie to you. Humans can be dangerous. So of them are awful. So of them see beasts as nothing but materials or monsters!"
Rowan flinched at my comnt—but he didn’t interrupt.
"But these three?" I pointed my tail back at them. "They didn’t attack us. They didn’t enslave anyone. They didn’t even run when I talked!"
"That should count for sothing!" Conndo blurted out, then imdiately slapped a hand over his mouth.
I continued before anyone could say sothing.
"They’re here because they want Sasobek gone. The sa Sasobek who forces beasts to kneel. The sa Sasobek whose title strips you of choice!"
That did it—everyone’s reaction was imdiate.
Snakes hissed like they’d been struck. Frogs croaked angrily. A turtle slamd a stone block down so hard that it cracked.
Stoneback’s eyes darkened.
"...The King of Beasts." He growled. "The one who dares claim dominion over all wildlife. The one who sent Croak’mar to enslave us in the swamp under his wicked rules."
"Yes!" I said firmly, nodding my head. "That one! He’s our common enemy, among humans and beasts!"
Silence followed before Aristella stepped forward. She hesitated only a second before bowing sincerely.
"I swear upon the Axis... we did not co here to harm you all. If anything, we ca seeking hope!"
That surprised . Rowan looked at her like she’d just detonated a bomb, but it was already too late.
"Sasobek’s authority is absolute over beasts." Aristella continued. "We’ve lost entire expeditions because the mont a beast hears his na... they turn on us. Even ones we raised!" She said with a trembling voice, but strong nonetheless. "We only want the sa as you! To stop Sasobek for good!"
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