by Jackson Bale
A---very---seductive---smile.
“So---Lilly,---where’s---Threm.---It---seems---we---got---some---more---troops---while---I---was---gone.”
She---stops---saluting---and---points---inside,---”She---is---resting.---The---fight---had---been---hard---on---her.”
“Injured?”
Lilly---nods,---”Just---a---little.”
“I---see.---Good---work.---I’ll---go---visit---her---now.”
I---turn---around,---pointing---at---Groknak---who---looks---like---he---is---going---to---pass---out---from---exhaustion.
“In---the---meantime,---please---direct---him---to---where---the---corpses---will---be---placed.”
Lilly---nods---and---I---Immediately---walk---into---the---now---bustling---camp,---finding---my---timetable---improved---once---again.
Chapter---Twenty---Five:---A---growing---Army.
“Heal!”
And---like---many---times---before,---I---watch---with---fascination---as---Janie’s---mana---flows---through---her---body,---quickly---entering---her---hands.---But---it---is---when---it---gets---to---her---hands---does---the---spell---which---she---is---about---to---release---change.---The---spell,---though---complicated---on---its---own,---starts---to---form---and---shift,---changing---the---already---extensive---matrix---to---something---similar---to---my---own---spell,---[Raise---Undead].
Which---is---another---way---of---saying---that---the---spell---is---too---complicated---for---me---to---even---think---about---reproducing---on---my---own.
Yup,---as---much---as---I---hate---to---admit---it,---the---way---the---mana---works---in---this---world---is---several---times---more---complicated---than---the---other---worlds---I---have---been---summoned---to.---Most---of---those---worlds---allowed---me---to---just---use---my---imagination---and---understanding---of---physics---to---use---and---create---magic.
But---here,---everything---is---pretty---much---a---program,---similar---to---a---computer---one.---When---people---cast---a---spell,---they---create---something---I---have---termed---a---‘spell---matrix’.---A---spell---matrix---is---pretty---much---a---program---that---is---made---of---mana---and---uses---mana---to---make---things---happen.---Simple---enough,---right?---So---with---my---experience---and---understanding,---it---should---have---been---a---breeze---to---figure---out---the---coding.
But---there---is---a---big---problem.---The---coding---is---massive---and---extremely---complicated,---making---it---close---to---impossible---for---me---to---get---a---good---understanding---of---a---spell---that’s---not---my---own.---And---even---then,---my---own---spells---are---so---complicated---that---they---confuse---even---myself---at---times,---making---learning---them---a---very---slow---and---agonizing---process.
“Ughhhh.”
I---blink,---stopping---my---mental---train---of---thought---as---my---eyes---turn---to---Threm,---her---back---to---a---log,---watching---the---purplish---wound---on---her---side---start---to---recede,---a---groan---escaping---her---lips.
She---was---lucky,---extraordinarily---lucky---that---the---wound---didn't---puncture---organs---or---sever---arteries.---Instead,---it---broke---quite---a---few---ribs.---The---fight,---at---least---from---what---I---had---gotten---from---Tella,---was---apparently---utterly---amazing.---Threm---had---danced---around---the---minotaur---[Chieftain],---slowly---bleeding---him---to---death.
Which---is---surprising,---because---that---style---of---combat---was---literally---created---to---kill---slowly.---Dancing---is---merely---the---best---way---to---teach---someone---the---proper---footing,---a---technique---that---utilizes---the---environment---around---them---to---move.---The---fact---that---she---actually---danced---is---something---which---confuses---me---to---no---end.
“Done,”---exclaims---Janie---as---her---hands---stop---glowing,---the---healing---completed.
Threm---sits---up---slowly,---feeling---her---smooth---side---and---missing---scales.
“Will---your---scales---grow---back?”---Janie---asks.
Threm---smiles,---”They---will,---but---it---will---take---some---time.”
I---wonder---why---Zorren’s---scales---aren't---growing---back...
“Commander,”---Threm---says,---her---hand---moving---to---her---forehead,---saluting---me---professionally.
I---stand---up,---getting---off---a---log---I---am---sitting---on,---”At---ease.---Give---me---an---update---on---the---situation---since---I---had---been---away.”
Her---hand---moves---away---from---her---forehead,---”Several---minotaurs---had---been---spotted---coming---from---the---forest,---including---a---leader---which---was---a---level---43---[Chieftain].---I---had---used---the---‘Spartan---Phalanx’---formation---that---you---have---trained---the---[Soldiers]---in,---but---the---minotaurs---seemed---to---not---have---wanted---to---attack.---The---[Chieftain]---had---requested---to---see---the---leader---of---our---kind.---Since---you---were---absent,---I---figured---that---would---be---me.”
“So---you---went---and---confronted---him?”---I---ask.
She---nods,---”I---did---and---stated---that---I---was---the---one---currently---in---charge.”
“And---let---me---guess,---he---laughed.”
Threm---tail---stops---swishing,---her---eyes---widen,---”He---did.---I’m---guessing---they---told---you?”
I---shake---my---head,---”Nope,---Just---a---guess.---It’s---something---I---would---expect---from---them---considering---their---culture---and---low---intelligence.---The---leader---probably---didn't---believe---that---you---were---that---strong---considering---your---size---compared---to---him.”
Threm---pauses,---tasting---the---air---before---continuing---her---story.
“After---he---laughed,---the---[Chieftain]---stated---that---my---people---were---his.”
“And---then---you---attacked.”
“Yes,---I---attacked.---I---figured---I---could---quickly---take---his---head---off---before---his---tribe---could---join---in…---but---I---failed.---His---body---was---very---resistant---to---my---blades.---I---was---barely---able---to---even---make---a---cut.”
She---frowns,---turning---towards---her---swords---laying---on---the---ground,---no---longer---sharp.
“He---got---angry---and---attacked---me.---I---fought---him---and---only---won---once---I---started---dancing.---After---I---won,---the---other---minotaurs---started---cheering---and---calling---me---[Chieftain].”
*Chuckle*
“So---now---they---think---you---are---their---new---[Chieftain]?”
She---shakes---her---head,---her---scales---turning---a---lighter---shade---of---red,---”I---told---them---that---I---was---the---mate---of---the---[Chieftain].”
...well,---I---didn't---expect---that...
“I---see.---Hmmm.---So---they---will---listen---to---me---and---take---my---orders?”
She---nods,---her---tail---whipping---side---to---side---quickly.
“The---entire---‘Hard---Rock’---tribe---is---yours.---All---two---hundred---of---them.”
Oh---shit!
“Damn,---this---is---very---bad.---Very---very---bad.”
“Isn't---this---what---you---want?---A---big---army?”---Janie---voices---from---Threm’---side,---confused.
I---look---at---her,---”That's---fine---and---all,---but---two---hundred---minotaurs---are---going---to---take---up---a---lot---of---space…---we're---going---to---need---to---get---bigger---walls…---and---a---lot---more---walls.”
Fuck.---how---did---I---not---expect---this?
I---turn---to---the---blushing---Gajen,---”Did---you---save---the---[Chieftain]’s---corpse?”
She---nods,---”Yes,---it---is---with---all---of---the---other---dead---bodies.”
Good.---I---can---do---this.
I---take---a---deep---breath,---looking---towards---the---glowing---crystal---which---mimics---a---sun.
I---should---have---maybe---six---hours---of---light---left.---Hopefully,---that---will---be---enough---time.
“Here’s---the---plan.---I’m---going---to---go--
-and---pick---up---the---rest---of---that---tribe---I---just---obtained.---In---the---meantime,---I---want---you---to---get---even---more---wood---cut---down.---Use---the---minotaurs---for---the---larger---trees.---Tell---Marcia---to---expand---the---wall.---If---all---goes---well,---I---should---return---with---more---workers.---Try---not---to---get---anyone---killed---in---the---meantime.”
“Yes---commander,”---she---exclaims,---saluting.
I---turn---towards---the---location---of---the---corpses,---gesturing---for---Janie---to---follow.
I---start---heading---towards---the---corpses---but---stop.
“Oh,---and---the---sooner---we---finish---building---the---walls,---the---sooner---we---can---start---building---homes,”---I---say---aloud
I---turn---my---head,---my---eyes---making---contact---with---the---blushing---Gejan.
“I---prefer---to---do---my---duties---as---a---mate---in---privacy.”
I---stop---looking---and---continue---forward,---towards---the---corpses,---a---blushing---human---following---beside---me,---having---heard---my---words.
________________
Finding---my---way---to---the---large---pile---of---corpses,---I---find---a---rather---interesting---sight---next---to---it.
“You---weak.---You---die.---Groknak---strong.---Father---weak.---You---say---I---weak.---No.---You---weak.---You---die.”
Groknak---is---kicking---the---[Chieftain]’s---corpse---while---yelling---and---insulting---it…---or---at---least---trying---to.
I---activate---my---[Advanced---Analyze]---skill---on---the---corpse.
Dorkoon
Level---43---[Chieftain]
Dorkoon---is---the---former---chieftain---of---tribe---HARD---ROCK.---Having---noticed---smoke---rising---into---the---sky---the---night---before,---thinking---that---it---was---another---tribe---of---minotaur’s---like---his---own,---he---had---taken---his---best---warriors---the---next---morning---with---the---intention---of---fighting---the---[Chieftain]---and---taking---the---tribe.
What---he---found---was---a---completely---different---species---to---his---own.---A---species---of---lizard---people---known---as---the---Gejan.
But---Dorkoon---had---told---his---mates,---before---leaving,---that---he---will---come---back---with---a---new---tribe.---Thus,---to---not---disappoint---his---mates,---he---had---attempted---to---subjugate---the---Gejan.
But---the---Gejan---had---sent---out---their---strongest,---a---female---by---the---name---of---Threm.---After---a---long---and---grueling---battle,---she---had---ended---Dorkoon’s---life---and---had---taken---his---[Warriors]---as---her---own.
Strength
147
Dexterity
28
Stamina
105
Perception
17
Endurance
61
Vitality
95
Mana
61
M/regen
.1
Affinity
0
Intelligence
6
Willpower
190
Soul
160
Minotaur’s---might:---Increase---strength---by---class---level.---Increase---Endurance---by---half---class---level.
I---never---actually---noticed---this,---but---when---I---[Advanced---Analyze]---a---sentient---corpse,---I---get---a---lot---of---information,---even---a---story---about---the---person's---death…---I---should---have---used---this---ability---on---the---mage---corpses---I---had---killed.---It---would---have---been---interesting---to---see---into---their---backstories.
“Is---he---ok?---I---think---that---was---his---father,”---Janie---points,---watching---Groknak---kick---his---father's---dead---body.
I---grunt.
“Seems---like---it.---I---believe---minotaur---culture---is---based---on---strength,---where---leadership---is---chosen---through---combat.---From---what---I---can---understand,---Groknak---tried---to---fight---his---father---to---become---the---tribe's---leader---but---failed---miserably.---He---probably---failed---so---badly---that---he---was---even---kicked---out---of---the---tribe,---which---is---why---we---found---him---alone.”
Janie---nods---to---my---explanation,---still---staring---at---the---corpse.
“Janie,---want---to---see---something---funny?”
She---turns---to---me---and---lifts---an---eyebrow.
I---don't---wait---for---her---to---answer---and---instead---extend---my---hand,---pointing---at---the---corpse.
[Raise---Undead]
My---mana---released---from---my---hand,---traveling---the---distance---quickly---and---entering---Dorkoon’s---body,---its---eyes---starting---to---glow---a---slight---purple.
To---my---slight---surprise,---I---find---that---the---mana---cost---was---quite---negligible---considering---my---level---of---[Necromancer]---is---49---now,---having---gained---a---level---from---my---earlier---fight---today.
Which---is---only---a---surprise---because---I---have---been---focused---on---reanimating---undead---far---above---my---level.
With---a---mental---command,---my---undead---lashes---out,---grabbing---Groknak---by---the---leg,---stopping---the---kick.
Groknak’s---eyes---widen---as---his---father’s---glowing---purple---eyes---turn---to---his---son.
And---then---Groknak---screams---in---utter---fear,---jumping---away---from---his---father’s---grip---and---running---the---opposite---direction.---Unfortunately,---bipedal---hoofed---feet---are---not---very---good---for---sprinting.
Groknak---trips---and---falls,---his---face---slamming---into---the---stone---floor---with---a---loud---thud.
Frantically,---Groknak---stands---up---and---looks---back,---noticing---me---and---Janie---laughing---our---asses---off.---She’s---on---the---ground,---holding---her---stomach,---unable---to---stand---while---I---am---laughing---loudly,---pointing---at---my---undead,---ordering---him---to---wave---towards---his---son.
________________
“You---know---Thoric,---I---have---to---admit---it,---I---never---thought---I---would---find---myself---in---this---situation.”
He---looks---at---me,---raising---an---eyebrow,---”You---never---expected---to---find---yourself---walking---towards---a---tribe---of---minotaur---inside---a---forest---that---is---inside---a---dungeon?”
“Um…”
“Or---is---it---you---never---expected---yourself---to---be---walking---alongside---a---minotaur---and---his---undead---father?”
“Ahhh...”
His---smile---widens,---”or---maybe---you---never---expected---yourself---to---be---walking---next---to---a---[Hero]---[Necromancer]---who---plans---on---ruling---the---world---alongside---swarms---of---horny---monster---women.”
I---giggle---and---shake---my---head.
Idiot
“Everything,”---I---say,---smiling.---”I---never---expected---that---I---would---do---anything---grand.---I---always---thought---that---I---would---just---be---another---person---lost---in---history.---That---I---wouldn't---do---anything---truly---amazing.---I---thought---I---would---die---as---a---simple---[Priestess].”
I---extend---my---hands,---pointing---around---me,---at---the---trees,---plants,---insects,---everything.
“But---now,---I---feel---like---I---actually---have---a---purpose.---That---I---am---finally---doing---something---grand---in---my---life.---That---I---can---help---accomplish---something---amazing.”
He---lifts---an---eyebrow,---”You---know---I---plan---to---wage---war---against---the---whole---world,---right?”
I---shrug---my---shoulders,---”Wars---always---happen.---It---is---unavoidable.---But---I---believe---a---war---led---by---a---[Hero]---will---have---a---much---better---ending---than---one---without.”---I---say,---giving---him---a---smile.
He---shakes---his---head,---a---smile---forming---on---his---face---as---he---looks---to---his---side,---”What---do---you---think---Groknak,---do---you---think---I---can---rule---the---world?”
The---minotaur---turns-
--away---from---staring---at---his---undead---father,---his---eyes---meeting---Thoric’s.