Chapter 417: The Newest Brother

Listening to Aiden's explanation, Roas nodded at him, before rising up and turning towards the prehistoric-looking creature.

His face changing, a hideous-looking smirk donned Roas's face as he tried his best to seem, look and sound friendly, brotherly.

"[Orc] Thuk, right? I am called Roas, the first of the Young Master's servants and one of the leaders of the first settlement in Haven, Gupta. Don't worry I will explain everything and show you around once we arrive on the other side. For now, please gather your brethren and get ready for travel, okay?"

He spoke quickly, waving towards the Gate, which now showed the far-away image of a spacious grassy plain with a huge hillside at its one side, and a large bed of a lake at the other. In between the two natural phenomena was the image of what looked to be a village, a small, but healthy-looking settlement.

As they looked at the image, Drake's eyes went increasingly wide, as he remembered how this very same image looked just some weeks before. He tilted his head and squinted his eyes trying to make out even more from the still-looking scene.

What changed? How did that empty plain transform so much? Is this, perhaps a window to the other end of this magical tunnel? 

"Hmm… This…" He muttered under his breath, trying to process everything that was happening.

His sister, Scarlet, was way too far behind at this point. She was still lost at the sight of the strange-looking creature that the caned elder has turned into. That vague, waning life force he emitted was gone, sprouted into something that she could best describe as being as bright as the sun itself. 

The innocent, powerless little creature has changed, evolved into this prehistoric beast, an entity that had the aura and presence of a carnal predator. Yet, he was smiling, his large ball-like eyes were brimming with reverence as he looked up to Aiden. 

There were no signs of hostile intent, any dark thoughts or ideas in that look of his, only pure, unadulterated faith, and passion could be seen shining in those eyes of his.

Still, before she could even get over the shock of the new form of the skinks' leader, Aiden did another miracle, and cast a spell that only the highest figures, the strongest existences were capable of: He actually created a portal, a gateway to another place, or in this case, perhaps to an entirely new world.

The appearance of the dark grey humanoid giant was just the cherry on top of everything that was playing out in rapid fashion. She felt they were way beyond what should have been normal at this point. 

She gave up trying to comprehend today's events and was just looking at the scene playing out without any visible care in the world.

Whilst Lily didn't seem to be too disturbed and just kept caressing and patting Biggs' and  Sammy's heads she wasn't too bothered or caring about anything at this point. She trusted her brother and knew that whatever he was doing would ultimately serve their best interest.

Galina however, was brimming with happiness as the eldest of their quartet appeared. Without hesitation, she instantly sent her greeting with a couple of nice words through their shared mental connection, which now, with the completed evolution and ritual, had an additional member joining to it.

"Big brother Roas! Did you recognize me? I have also evolved, now looking just like Young Master!" She exclaimed through the mental channel with an overflow of excitement.

Roas nodded with his head towards the little Galina who now looked like a beautiful, angelic beauty that descended the heavens to brighten the days of the shoddy mortals. She smiled with an appreciative look as his words came back to the minds of all those who were listening in.

'[Orc] Little Galina, you look incredible! If we didn't have this channel, I would be hard-pressed to recognize you, you are just so different! That shy little goblin is nowhere to be seen! In her place, this charming beauty remained!'

An elated giggle could be heard in the next instant as Galina's expression brightened under Roas's array of compliments. 

Before she could calm down and react, Roas' continued on, teasing the little girl a bit.

'[Orc] Your little brother, Gob will surely not believe me when I will tell him your new appearance! He will be so jealous!'

Galina's face contorted into a cute pout as she conveyed her response through their connection.

'Meanie! Don't bully me Big Brother Roas!'

Chuckling at their interaction their Young Master's words came a few seconds later.

'Settle down guys, you are confusing your newest brother, he is still new to all of this, give him some time to get used to everything!'

Then, he turned to look at the confused-looking Lesser Primal Saurling. In the next instant, the bewildered Thuk could hear his Young Master's words inside his head once again.

'Don't be afraid, all of you that accepted my crest and name as your Master share this connection. Focus on my voice, and try to reach out with your mind. After a bit, this form of communication will come to you as easily as anything else. Even better, you'll find this even more convenient as you can reach out to me or any of your brothers and sister wherever you are as long as you can feel our connection.'

Taking a moment so the little lizard could process at least some of the information, he continued.

'Now, don't be worried if all that happened was too much for you. Once Roas takes you to the other side, you will have plenty of time to settle in. I will come and visit you in the near future and will also do my best to create the ideal living conditions, but for the time being, try to bear with what you have, okay? Now, go and gather your brethren, and get ready to go through the portal!'

Although he couldn't understand most of what he was told, as everything was just way too new for him, Thuk nodded at his Young Master's words, quickly turning his attention to the wide-eyed, frozen spectators around them.

His smile fading, he looked at their trembling figures with a stern, cold look as he clicked his tongue and gave a loud, seemingly inaudible series of hissing sounds with his evolved, much stronger jaws.

Still, his words seemed to be understood by the little creatures, as they all raised their small arms, raising their javelins and shields into the air, and responded with matching, hissing shouts.

The little lizardfolk quickly jumped up to their feet and scurried towards their elder, creating a 4-man disciplined line in front of him. Vigorous, joyful looks could be seen on each of their faces as they alternated their little yellowish eyes between their evolved leader and his Master. In their eyes, he wasn't a simple dragonkin, taking the shape of a human, but the promised return of their Ancient One, the mythical god-like existence… The first, the primordial Dread Saurian.

As Aiden looked at the scene with interest, he suddenly heard yet another ring in his head. Shortly after the System's Message log appeared once again.

*Ding!*

[Language: Saurian discovered! Analyzing information… 10%]

[Warning: Current form is incompatible with the processing dialect, speech will not be possible unless form is altered!]