Decision time (3)

Patriarch Cain

I was plunged into deep silence, my heartbeat accelerated, I looked at everyone in the room, each clan was present with their officers, except Yadha but she represented the last survivors held captive.

I pushed the chair I was sitting in, with a sudden movement, I put it up, the other people were quick to do the same.

I stared into the man's gaze, this same man who came out of nowhere and asked me to serve him, this same man who had made a clan in ruins, one of the strongest clans.

I distrusted him because of his human nature, such fearless, vicious, and perverted creatures. But deep inside me there was something screaming at me that if I didn't accept his offer, I would regret it even after I died.

I didn't know what had caused it, those words weren't even appealing, but it all made sense to me – the cursed forest had long needed to be conquered – if there was anyone capable of doing it , that would be him.

He would succeed where others have failed, after all, from what I was able to analyze in these words it is not the territories that interest him, it was not the fact of subjugating us that interested him, but rather he wanted to attack the food chain.

Instead of being prey, they wanted to make us predators.

At the same time I understand it, it was in his nature to want to dominate, it was what made them who they were.

– their own essences –

He was human.

And I was too, even if it was only half. he had awakened something in me, he had awakened this human part in me.

"This desire to dominate"

We suffered so much from these creatures, we came to kill each other for futile things like hunting grounds, so many people died, so many families were taken away, so many mothers were forced to see their children. , their own flesh being devoured before their eyes.

It was time for everything to end, it was time for us to make a decision.

A decision that should change our lives forever.

I continued to stare at Sir Cliff, strangely he exuded a feeling of dread and comfort at the same time, he had the makings of someone who was destined to lead, he had the makings of a king.

And he was the master I was to serve.

I felt my limbs weaken, it wasn't fatigue or anything like that, it was purely out of reflex, in front of this man I had to show him my respect.

To hell with what the elders of my clan think, to hell with their opinions, because if they don't agree with my decision then I will follow it myself.

The moment I felt my right knee touch the ground, I adjusted my posture, bowing fully to him.

"I, Cain patriarch of the elf clan, I swear loyalty to you, I and my peers will follow you to the ends of space-time" I barked, almost tearing my vocal cords.

Suddenly behind me I heard Akumu scream;

"I, Akumu Ibara, son of kagerou Ibara, I and my peers swear loyalty to you, we will dedicate our lives to serving you"

Everyone in the room shouted in turn, even those from the Orleth clan joined in.

Suddenly I felt a hand placed on my shoulder, a soft warm sensation had made its way to my essence stones, it had coiled itself like a snake dragging its prey, it was between/ mixed with the essence of my stone.

Suddenly I felt strong, I felt good about myself.

[You have made it happen; the Soul Pact with the individual Cliff BROWN.]

[Your "mana concentration" capacity has increased]

My eyes widened, I didn't know what he had done, it strongly resembled the technique that my clan had invented to tame creatures classified as "beasts", and to think that he used it to bind me to him .

"You can get up" I heard

I did so without delay, I quickly got up, his hand still on my shoulder, he gave me a smug smile.

"I will use this strength to serve my lord"

He nodded slightly, and walked to the back, towards where Akumu and the others had bowed, probably to do the same to them.

He looked at the others, a hint of annoyance gradually appearing on his features.

He shook his head and continued on his way.