At the same time as Naybeah's battle was reaching its peak and their battle would conclude, far away from them towards the west, somewhere below the wasted surface, Aiden's group have reached an agreement and accepted Tak, the Draconic Skink Temple Guard Captain's proposal.
Just after they finished their humble but nevertheless filling breakfast meal, Aiden motioned for Tak to follow him to the back of the building where their cart was also being parked.
His retainers, or to be more precise, Aiden's captains although did not yet have the chance to be subjected to what he was planning to do with Tak, they somewhat knew what was about to happen.
Looks of envy and jealousy sparked in their eyes as they looked at the 'lucky' but confused middle-aged soldier as he followed after the small group of retinue. Whilst they found it mildly unfair that this newcomer has somehow got ahead of them in the imaginary 'queue', they did not speak out their minds.
Madam Dara couldn't help but pout, as she walked along with his Master, Aiden. She felt that if anything she should be the first amongst her kin that should have earned this right, this blessing. She felt that she was the closest, she held him the dearest in her heart after all…
Aiden, though he could clearly feel the wildly swaying emotions from his group, decided to not speak up for or against it, as he slowly walked whilst carrying the little Tolliah in his arms. He merely donned his usual, characteristic smile that, in his current, elderly Skink form- looked rather grotesque. The scales were pushed up along the curve created by the wrinkled lip on his face.
He gently caressed the top of the little one's head, listening to the soothing noises of her peaceful snoozing; after overeating with the offered meal, despite the warnings of her elders, she had to rest a bit to 'recuperate'.
Reaching into the dark alleyway, Tak couldn't help but shiver, feeling he was being lured into the den of a monster. His emotions were going off the charts, as although he had proclaimed that he would gladly sign away even his life if that would be requested of him, for the small chance of being reunited with his family. Even if for just a short time, he wanted to see them, embrace them… know that they are now safe and free from the terror of that tyrant and his self-proclaimed god.
"[Reptilian] Feeling light-footed all of a sudden… Mr. Tak?" Aiden asked, stopping in his tracks and flashing a playful smirk as he looked over his shoulder. Noticing the growing dread as it settled on the poor man's face, he chuckled a moment later along with his attaché.
Waving his hand in a dismissive way Aiden added.
"[Reptilian] You have nothing to worry about, you are safe. You are among my friends. Unlike your old masters, we do not ask anything outrageous. I only want your faith, for you to believe in me, to believe me when I say I will do EVERYTHING in my power to have your missed precious girls, your loved ones be reunited with you once again."
Aiden first put the needy-little koala down on the back of the cart before turning around and looking over at Tak as well as his chosen six captains whom he has already connected with.
As his face eased up revealing a much calmer, honest smile the six skinks' eyes went wide with shock and surprise. At that moment, they instantly understood what was going on. They too would go along with their 'initiation' ritual along with Tak and be reborn by their new lord's gaze.
Their lord, their Master did not forget them. The reason he did not do the ritual at the time was that when their pledge was accepted and the 'connection' was made, they were in the midst of a bloody battle for their own survival. Not to mention that the idea of putting all of his captains out of commission wouldn't have been a good idea, Aiden himself wasn't sure at the time that his powers, his system would work the same in this realm.
Besides, Madam Dara wasn't even amongst them at the time, she was with her own group tailing the retreating forces and trying to ambush the enemy's main forces off guard.
He only just recently understood that his connection wasn't cut with Haven and that he just needed to re-create the [Gate] to have the connection with his long-missed family of minions restored.
Though he was yet to accomplish this feat and complete this task, he was no longer hesitant. As the opportunity came knocking on the door with the Guard Captain Tak taking the initiative to approach them, Aiden did not wish to waste any more time and decided to accept everyone at the same time.
"[Reptilian] You, my friends have already taken the leap and placed your heart and with it, your faith within me. You accepted me as your leader, despite knowing the truth, and have wholeheartedly stood behind me." Aiden smiled as he looked at his captains.
"[Reptilian] At the time, I could not give my blessing to you. I was cast in my own doubts and worries myself, unsure of both my purpose and even my past." He said, looking somewhat solemn. Taking a few short seconds, he allowed his captains to digest his words before his complexion eased up once more.
With his hands raised in an inviting manner, he first looked over at his captains.
"[Reptilian] Now the time has come. The shadows of my own doubts and worries have been lifted. My purpose… No, OUR purpose is clear." He said, glancing over at Tak and nodding at him with the same reassuring smile before slowly looking at the eagerly smiling Madam Dara. Even from under the cover of her hood, her wide grin was almost visible.
"[Reptilian] Come, my dear Dara. You are amongst those that I should be the most apologetic to. My deception must have caused you the most harm, after all, you were the one that stood the closest to my vessel's previous host."
Aiden motioned with his hand, inviting the almost euphoric woman over.
"Please, let me ask you one last time. Come…"
Tak looked confused as he listened to the hooded merchant's words. What was he talking about? What vessel, what host? What blessings? What was going on? Why are they gathered here, what would be happening?
Yet, before he could ponder any further on such thoughts, suddenly the thoughts, the words, and even his own blood froze in him as he heard the deep, yet somewhat familiar-sounding rumbling voice coming from Aiden.
"…KNEEL!"
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