Chapter 1277: The New Initiates

Chapter 1277: The New Initiates

Three little squirts are kneeling in front of me. Honestly, it's kind of hard to tell how old they are. Recognising human features gets harder and harder the longer I live this new life. They're older than ten, but not eighteen. Probably.

These three have lived interesting lives up to this point, I can tell. Taken in by the Nameless Ones, and now this? I wonder how they got caught up in the crusade in the first place? Actually, I think I can guess. After all, we wouldn't want the crusaders to overwork themselves....Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

"You three can understand me?" I say, speaking to them via pheromones.

It's polite to be sure of these things.

All three of them nod.

How in the heck?

"You kids went through some tough training... didn't you?"

Again, they nod. Come on now, say something... anything. I'm a friendly ant, not scary at all!

Or perhaps they just aren't comfortable speaking out loud? After all, if they gained the Templar Initiate Class like the other two did, they won't get pheromonal language until they advance it.

Welcome.

I gesture to them with the secret language of the Nameless, and I see all three of them react, stiffening in place.

It is an honour to be before you, Eldest.

The way they move is interesting. After all, they can't move like an ant does, for obvious reasons, but they've adapted to make the required gestures using various other means.

You should probably get used to it, considering what you've now become.

The Templars need to be around me in order to level up, at least at the Initiate stage. Forging bonds with me or something? I don't know how it works. Honestly, I'm not sure how useful they are in the first place, but it'd be rude for me to cut off their potential because I found them inconvenient.

Alis and Jern were able to get the necessary levels to advance their classes during the trade mission, unlocking a range of new abilities including pheromonal language. Despite this, none of us are any clearer on how they're supposed to 'defend my sanctum' or from what.

These three were the second set of statues to turn up inside the Nave, and there will probably be more in the future. I'd love to know just what they're supposed to do, for their sake as well as mine.

It kind of feels bad to have these dedicated people hanging around without some sort of purpose.

We do not know what we have become, Eldest. We wish to serve the Sanctum of Sleep, as we ever have.

It's the boy who gestures this message to me, but the other two don't contradict him in the slightest.

I consider for a moment then indicate Jern and Alis, who've been standing around looking confused nearby.

"Take them as well while you're at it. The more the merrier, I suppose."

There is a spark of hesitation from the shadow, and I can tell what they're worried about.

"I don't intend to interfere with your operations, and I know you aren't combat specialists. It's fine, just do what you can. I have complete faith in the Nameless to come up with something that will work. You're adaptable, after all."

It will be as you wish, Eldest.

"Great. I'll send Crinis along to keep an eye on things and pass along any ideas I come up with, alright?"

We will be blessed by the Shadow?

In a sense....

"Hey, Jern! Alis! Come over here."

The two Templars brighten up as I call them and jog over to me.

"What can we do for you, Anthony?" Jern asks.

Alis is still fairly intimidated by me, but Jern seems as unperturbed as always. He's getting better at pheromones faster than she is simply because he doesn't hesitate to use them.

"I've got good news and bad news for you."

"What's the good news?" Jern asks.

"I have arranged for some special training for you. When you complete it, I guarantee you'll feel more connected to the Colony and much more confident in yourselves as a result."

"What's... the bad news?" Alis asks, looking a little concerned.

I clack my mandibles happily.

"I have arranged some special training for you! It's going to be so hard, you'll almost wish you were dead!"

No sooner have I finished speaking than the shadows rise like a wave and swallow them all.

It'll be fine.