Chapter 449 (2/2)

Almost as if the Creature had made a hole to a land before time.

“I bet there are fucking dinosaurs down there,” Clarissa said, echoing Randidly’s thoughts, and sounding a dozen times more cheery about the prospect than Randidly felt.

*****

Tziech folded his arms in front of his chest, considering the 6 persons in front of him. “Speak, what are your worries?”

The predawn filtered down through the banners towards their group, standing alone in their main camp. Today was the day of the battle against the spirit invaders, which is what they began calling the other army, so no matter how much Tziech wanted to send his minions away and continue practicing with the gifts given to him by the Progenitor, he needed to assuage their worries. Without them, managing the army would be… difficult.

Not just in terms of numbers, but because they each had a legion of children behind them, which formed some of the core units of the Monster Army.

Maltaius, a fleshy, blob-like creature stood passively to the side, nearer to Tziech than the rest. His allegiance, at least, was clear, likely due to the fact the only reason he had risen to power was he was friends with Tziech before he had changed and remade himself. A dozen years ago, Maltaius would have called him Zeke, with a smile.

No longer, but that didn’t mean old loyalties had faded.

Rifman, the Lizardkin Elder, and Tillian the Darkspawn were also rather neutral, their arms folded. Their continued support Tziech really couldn’t do without. The Lizard corp was perhaps not the most powerful, but it was definitely the largest, and they were the most steady in the face of injuries. With their remarkable healing abilities, they could be cut in half in the morning and both sides would be ready to fight the enemy by the evening.

The other three were standing in a line, and at their center was Varga, the Wargmaster. Her eyes were soft golden crescents right now, as one of her supporters went to speak on her behalf. Immediately, Tziech’s eyes narrowed. He raised a hand.

“Let’s not play. Varga, state your piece.”

Although her two lackeys, Tziech’s so-called generals, frowned, Varga smiled.

“Thissss…. is why I always liked you. And supported your bid for Monster King,” She said sweetly.

Tziech was tired of the games, tired of the intrigue, of the subtle hints and the power plays at inopportune times. That was part of the reason that he had withdrawn. Which had given the Skinshifters the opening they needed.

His hands clenched into fists. They didn’t have time for this.

“We wonder… if the Progenitor that you viewed was legitimate.” Varga ultimately said, her eyes locked on him. “It just seems… so opportune. First, they blame the abominations’ crimes on us, making us pay, now they want to use our armies to drive the enemies away? What responsibility do we have to protect their realms? The monster kingdom’s-

Tziech couldn’t help it. He laughed.

Everyone gave him a surprised look, even Maltaius, a flash of warning in his eyes. Tziech knew what his old friend was thinking, that the Wargs were their heavies and the most powerful of the Monster armies in a direct confrontation. Without them, it would be very hard to assault the strange Soul Conduit that Lucretia indicated.

But… Tziech couldn’t be bothered to play with kid gloves anymore. He had been king too long, he suddenly realized. He needed to remember how it was to be young… and self-righteous. All at once, energy rushed through his body to his left arm, concentrating on that strange, dark power the Progenitor had given him.

A cold, purple-blue light began to shine from Tziech’s hand. It grew, and grew until Varga gasped and took a step back, and Tziech could feel the frost forming up his arm to his shoulder, the insidious numbness growing slowly.

Then, all at once, he dispersed it, letting the power fall away. Grinning at Varga, Tziech said, “We ride in an hour, Varga. You’ll take the vanguard. Or, after this is over, I will hunt you down and remind you of the real reason that I was chosen to be the King of Monsters.”

Then he turned and walked away.