Chapter 568: They have arrived

As all three groups have encountered some challenges along their way, back in the underground city of the Draconic Skinks, Aiden was experiencing a disaster of his own as well.

Ruining their precious moment, the guards stationed outside the main cave came rushing in and appeared at Aiden's or to be more precise Archbishop Zark's chamber. Startled by the sudden intrusion, the little girl, Tolliah jumped up in fright and quickly rushed to hide behind to the best possible place she could think of: his dear papa's protective back.

"[Reptilian] Yes?! Don't just stand there, like a bunch of fools! What is it?!" Aiden roared with annoyance. He actually felt that he made some steps getting closer to the little girl, he wasn't appreciating the interruption in the slightest. His face was contorted to an angry, displeased frown as he gazed at the guards who were, in turn, were shivering, trembling in fright.

"[Reptilian] A-a-a…" The guards stuttered at first, unable to phrase a proper sentence whilst being subjected to their leader's full brunt of anger. 

Noticing this, Aiden was close to losing himself and vent some of his rage by killing and then absorbing all three of the guards. However, just as he was about to launch himself into action, he felt the gentle, shy tug of the ceremonial garment he was still wearing coming from behind him. 

Knowing well who the source was, his anger instantly vanished, and a warm smile appeared on his face as he turned around and looked at the little girl. She was looking up with wide, puppy-like watering eyes at her beloved Papa, her lips quivering as she slowly, hesitantly asked.

"[Reptilian] Papa… you wouldn't hurt them… do you? They shouldn't be scared, right?"

Aiden sighed at the girl's words, taking a moment before giving it a single nod. Yes, he was only annoyed by the fact his intimate time was ruined by them, but in reality, they weren't to blame for that.

Turning around, he buried his face in his palm and shook his head as he turned to face the trio of shivering guards again, and asked with amidst two sighs.

"[Reptilian] Yes, Tolliah is right. You have no reason to be scared, at least not from me." Aiden raised his head turning to look at the central guard. "What is it that you came to tell us? It has to be important for all three of you to barge in so suddenly."

The guards became startled once more as they were called out again. They needed a bit more time before they could calm down and collect themselves enough to finally reveal the reason for their intrusion. 

Yet, instantly, as their minds became focused they turned worried and frightened again. This time, however, it wasn't because of the potential pressure coming from their leader, but because of what they were about to say next.

"[Reptilian] M-master! T-t-they… T-t-they are c-coming!"

Listening to the stuttering words of the guard, Aiden was confused.

"[Reptilian] What? Who is coming? What are you talking about?"

Tolliah however managed to connect the dots almost immediately. With worry, she exclaimed as she tugged at his sleeves once again.

"[Reptilian] Papa it's them! The bad guys! The bad guys are coming to hurt us! You have to help the uncles! You have to save the aunties, and all my friends from the meanies!"

"[Reptilian] Bad Guys? What are you.." Finally, Aiden understood, recalled the memories of the absorbed old man. "Oh… I see."

His face soured, returning a stern, somber expression, he turned his head away, looking at the wall, the direction of where Ugburg the city should be. His gaze was cold, piercing even. For the guards and Tolliah, they didn't know what he was actually doing. Thinking he was devising a plan of action, they waited patiently for him to say the word. Though they were nervous, and even slightly scared at the prospects of a gruesome, bloody clash between the Temple Guards and themselves, they wouldn't run away. Every single soul knew what they were fighting for, they were loyal to their just cause.

At the same time, Aiden wasn't simply pondering about what he should be doing. Instead, he was utilizing his system's powers to the fullest, sending out empowered, invisible energy pulses to scan as much of the terrain outside the cave as he could. He watched with keen eyes as the several small green dots, representing the rebels living in this shabby, sad place appeared one by one.

From their movement, it was easy to see that they were trying to make their way inside and hide inside the many small shelters inside. Though he couldn'T see it clearly, he was certain that huge stone slabs, just like the same as he had, were pushed in their place to hide the old, the young, and the weak whilst those that could, went back to take their already practiced positions.

Still, Aiden needed to know more. He pooled more of his own energy into each subsequent energy wave, pushing the ground it could cover to its limits. As the information began to pour back in a few seconds later, the expected image has finally begun to take shape on his system's map.

From the distance, still, quite a distance away, red dots, marching in an orderly, militaristic fashion were slowly approaching their location. From the first images, Aiden could see that the enemy have sent at least 3 batallion of soldiers to deal with them.

"[Reptilian] Hmm… I see." He mumbled, continuing to send out pulses, though with a bit less resource investment as he opened his eyes and turned his attention back on the guards still standing and blocking their only exit. "What are you still standing there for? Go and take your positions! You three should each have your own teams to manage! Go and lead them. Tolliah and I will join you in a bit!"

"[Reptilian] B-but M-master…" The guard that spoke up before, couldn't help but ask as they were ordered to leave. With clear concern in his eyes and a troubled expression settling on his face, he asked with a shaky voice. "…What are you planning to do? Is it wise for you to fight? You and the Young Miss should escape through the back-"

"[Reptilian] That's enough!" Aiden raised his hand, silencing the guards with his cold, words. "I will not run away, while you all are risking your lives! That's not the way we will live! That disgusting worm worshipper, the Zuruk may be like that, but we aren't."

He turned to look at the little girl, who was brimming with happiness and had sparkles in her eyes as she looked at her Papa.

"[Reptilian] Is that right, my dear?"

Tolliah jumped up in exclamation raising her little fist in the air as she responded.

"[Reptilian] Yes, Papa! We will beat up the baddies!"

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