Chapter 572: True Power

"[Reptilian] How poetic…" Aiden smiled at the words of Madam Dara, not showing any signs of concern over the 'massive' forces of the enemy.

"[Reptilian] What do you mean, my lord?" Dara, on the other hand, was utterly confused at the uncanny reaction. Was everything alright with the lord? Maybe he got sick over the recent events? "I-is everything alright?" 

Still, she felt it was rather rude to directly ask about it. Making her grow more and more hesitant as she spoke.

"[Reptilian] Don't worry about it. It just… reminded me of an old story…" Aiden didn't bother with her reaction and smiled at her instead. Turning to look at the people lined up in front of him, he smiled.

These men and women were more of a militia, the rebellious, romanticist citizenry rather than a group of trained soldiers. Heck, he was certain, that most of them haven't really experienced anything like what would unfold shortly.

Spilling blood, ending the life of another. It carries a great psychological burden that unless you are trained for, it could carry devastating consequences. 

Genocide.

The definition of the one that murders his own kind.  This is the emotional baggage, the weight of these innocent people, wishing nothing more than freedom would be burdened shortly.

The smile slowly faded, soured into a stern, somber expression as Aiden looked over the many shivering, trembling farmers, commoners, or even used-to-be slaves. 

Apart from a few elite individuals, -like Madam Dara and her trained Daughters-, he wasn't sure that if was right to force these people to forcefully ruin the futures of everyone present.

Thinking it through, Aiden eventually made up his mind. He would do whatever he needs to protect these people. Though his memories are vague, and still mostly in small fractions, small pieces he gained from the absorbed Archbishop… He couldn't help but think and care about them just like he did for those back in Haven.

He slowly gazed towards the back, where a young skink girl, his supposed daughter wearing his frivolous white one-piece dress were looking at them with worry and concern. Nervously grabbing and playing with the laces of her dress, she was clearly aware of the dangers, despite their attempts of trying to shelter her.

She was probably also aware of her supposed fate, even if she couldn't fully comprehend the meaning behind it. She had no future, but she didn't despair. As long as she could be with her papa and fight with her for her missing mama, she would be fine.

Aiden clenched his fists tighter as he recalled all the pain, all the suffering of the original owner of his current form, and that little innocent angel had been through. He could also feel all the emotions from the small crowd in front of him.

Despite being scared, frightened… no, terrified of the upcoming bloodbath, they were all determined down to the very last person to fight to their last breaths if needed. To conserve, to save this tiny little piece of happiness they carved beside the rocky walls of this underground world… That was the wish of everyone. From the youngest, those little boys that could barely hold their weapons, just reaching the brink of their childhood and stepping into their adulthood through this upcoming baptism of blood and gore… 

To the old, weak, and elderly. Supporting themselves with canes made out of gnarled roots from the trees still surviving on the surface of the wasteland… No matter what kind but they were all adamant to fight together with their newly gained family. Nobody wanted to stay behind. Even though they tried to keep them safe, nobody remained.

'I will not allow them to suffer such a fate.' Looking at these loving tight-knit families of people, Aiden was now committed. He would no longer just play the role. This wouldn't just be about survival anymore. He felt a connection to these people. He would give them all of his support. He would not let harm come to them.

The sound of cracks, his joints cracking as he clenched his hands into tightly balled fists, brought him out of his thoughts. 

He sighed, as the sternness eased up on his expression a bit.

Then it happened, catching everyone unprepared. Everyone present, including the little Tolliah at the back, was stunned by what they saw and felt in the next moment coming from their leader, her dear Papa.

A heavy, cold wind blew suddenly, seemingly coming from nowhere. A thick, invisible pressure, a weight descended like a veil on the land space. As their leader, Archbishop Zark straightened his posture and looked down at them, the crowd could feel a newfound force, an aura that they have not felt before, but regardless were all too knowledgable about it.

The aura of their royalty. The domain of a dragon, and not just any kind, but that of their guardian's the Ancient One's. Yet, it was still slightly different, there was an unfelt vitality, youthfulness present in it.

Yet, the most astonishing scene was the brightly glowing lucent bright golden eyes of their lord as it scanned through them.

…

Aiden decided to forgo caution and fully commit to helping these people. He removed the shackles keeping his powers at bay and unfolded the full might of his inheritance, the [Dragon's Wrath] innate.

At the same time, he did something he had never tried before. He utilized another innate, his [Shapeshiper] skill to forcefully retain his current form, only allowing the tail, the claws, and the wings to appear, whilst keeping his [Draconic Skink] form.

The surging archaic power that was once again freely surging, coursing in the youth, were also present as it caused his eyes to glow like the sun above the surface and luster with all its glory. 

The very space distorted around Aiden's figure as transparent ripples of his energy was continuously rippled across the air. It was already a borderline miracle that the stone wall he stood on didn't cave in under the unbearable pressure and besides the spiderweb cracks, it managed to withstand its master stably.

Every eye went wide, every jaw dropped at the unbelievable scene. Their master, their Lord they joined up with. The patriarch of this new family of theirs was strong. Unbelievably so. 

Such a sudden and dramatic power-up was not something they could explain themselves, causing them to be stunned in front of this mystery. 

Only two gazes grew different slowly as the seconds passed. Two maidens, two girls infatuated in a vastly different manner were gazing at the figure of this mighty… godlike presence.

One growing more and more reverent, and at the same time excited by his beloved Papa, whilst the other feeling the heat surging from the wetness of her loins the longer she gazed at her man…

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