Chapter 603 - 603 - Sudden Pressure

'[Reptilian] Everyone…' Aiden was conflicted after hearing all of them. Though he could feel that they were honest when they all confessed their loyalty to him, he still couldn't bring himself to reveal his true nature to these people. 

To show the true monster, that he really was, and do something so horrific, so terrible… Aiden couldn't bring himself to do it. After listening to each and every one of them, Aiden just grew more affirmed in his belief that he should not, under any circumstances, fail their expectations, and reveal the cruel, brutal truth to them.

Not to mention the fear of falling from the grand pedestal he was placed on in their eyes, he was most worried about the little girl standing in the back. He was supposed to be her papa, her daddy that he himself had murdered. Since he had taken the place of the archbishop, Aiden had truly decided to take care of the little girl, and protect her going on, even from himself if necessary.

Thus, finally, he had come to a decision. He would do anything and everything to protect that little girl. Although he would also do almost anything to protect these people, ultimately, the little girl was the primary driving factor behind his actions. 

His decision to step out of the ploy, the farce, and live up to the life of the man he had absorbed, and merged his memories with. To go and lead these people, and be the figure, the leader they all wanted him to be.

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Aiden sighed before his voice finally filled the mental channel and he spoke to his captains.

'[Reptilian] Everyone, I thank you for your kind words. I promise that after all this is over, I will explain everything. I promise to do everything in my power and will continue to support you. To help you.' He sighed again, taking a brief pause. Affirming the decision he came to, he nodded slightly, as he continued. 

'[Reptilian] Once, this is all settled, I promise to guide you all to a new world, a new hope, a new chance at life. To a place that is different from this. From everything. I will guide you to Haven, a world where you can live in peace, away from this bloodshed, this cruelty.' 

As the Captains listened to the youthful voice of their leader, images of a new world with lush green plains and vibrant forests appeared before their mental eyes. A literal Garden of Eden, a dreamlike realm, with a singular moderately-sized, steadily growing village at its center. With a large lakebed supporting from one side, and a seemingly endless mountain range protecting it from the other end.

Creatures of different shapes and sizes lived together in harmony. The wide-stretched smiles plastered on each of their faces, the relaxed, slacked shoulders and posture revealed the prosperity, the peace they lived their lives. 

Then the vision traversed towards a muddy, swamplike area, making them grow shocked when they noticed the familiar shapes of the pyramid-like structures, the ziggurats growing from seemingly the dirt and mud. 

A true Temple-City from the ancient scrolls were displayed in front of their mental gazes, making each captain turn shocked upon the unbelievable scene they were witnessing.

'[Reptilian] W-w-what is this? My L-lord… what is…' They stuttered, daring not to place too much hope on this dream, this strange vision they were all shown. Yet, they still couldn't hold their curiosity back, and eventually, one of them, their eldest, Draga spoke up and asked.

Aiden, smiled inwardly as he heard the question, understanding the underlying meaning behind it. 

'[Reptilian] Haven. A world founded through the collective wish of those that you have seen. A world free from the taint and corruption of reality, of beings drunk in their own filth and power, thinking they are the gods and have the right to decide the fates and lives of those weaker than them… A new home for you all, if you still wish to follow me.'

He took a momentary pause, giving his captains a moment to process his words before he continued on.

'[Reptilian] However, I will need to ask your patience for a bit further. Before I can open the path and guide you through to what you have seen, I still have to learn more about this world. About you all, and the history of this plane.'

He sighed again, as he ended with a firmer tone.

'[Reptilian] I will need to visit this Ancient One…'

—

*A few minutes before…*

A heavy wind swept across the battlefield, forcing everyone down on the ground, bringing a momentary, temporary halt to whatever action they were doing. The sudden release of energy shook the walls of the caverns, a faint earthquake shook the large underground realm, reaching all the way to the clash between Madam Dara, her daughters, and Captain Ixorak. 

Their desperate struggle to somehow overcome the disastrous trap they have fallen into was now grounded to a sudden, abrupt halt as they were all thrown back by the invisible force that swept across them. 

The firm and strong warriors were thrown down on the ground as if they were mere dust, similar to the Daughters. Each and every one of them finding the sudden heaviness, the growing weight in the air, forcing them down on their knees.

"[Reptilian] H-hey! W-what is g-going on?!" The warriors cried with the shock and surprise they felt.

The daughters whilst their faces were mostly hidden, covered by the veil of cloth, and have managed to retain their professional silence, it was obvious they were all just as confused. Their slit-like eyes were now wide-open, darting from left to right with a chaotic rhythm, trying to make sense of what was happening, but finding no immediate answer. Eventually, their gazes turned towards their Madame, their 'Mother', hoping she would know more.

The warriors following the girl's motion similarly turned to their captain for answers.

Unfortunately for them, Captain Ixorak, who was forced to kneel down on the cold, solid ground like them, was just as lost, confused, and hopeless as the rest of them. In the end, he turned towards the only person, that could shed some light on this mystery, his opponent just a moment ago, Madam Dara.

Captain Ixorak was surprised to see, that after the momentary familiar look of confusion flashing across the mature woman's gaze, a growing smile, cheerful happiness settled in. 

From the shock and fear, she was visibly more relaxed and even elated, happy-looking.

"[Reptilian] Madam… Dara… C-could you… explain… W-what is going on?!" He cried out, unable to suppress his emotions any longer.

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I have joined into the latest Writing Prompts Contest (WPC #236 - Strong acting weak) with a unique and (hopefully) engaging new story titled: "The Strongest Demon Lord in the Modern World" 

You can find the novel either by searching for the name, or just looking it up in my Profile. (or on discord where there's a link there already. 

To give you an idea (and not to steal away the words, I will add the synopsis into the Author's Thought's section. Give it a read, I'm sure you will like it!