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AR Chapter 344
🕑 Added 2025-03-14 04:00:05 +0000 UTC“Why do I need an octopus with this speech?” I asked, cocking my head in confusion. I quickly put together why I was giving a speech, and it further cemented my belief in the Alpha’s support for me. Why they were two working together as one didn’t really matter, and I instead focused on the importance of any symbolism that was prepared for me.
“The octopus is a ruler, though their influence be not of strength or numbers. They are wiser than the ravenous and more powerful than the conniving, more flexible than the strong and more steadfast than the malleable.”
Though Taklarr’s explanation didn’t mean much specifically to me, I understood the point of what he was saying.
“Then, am I supposed to eat it before or during this speech?” I asked.
“I could not say. Such mundanity as to the particulars of public speech are far from mine own speciality, and I doth not wish to entangle mineself in the foolishness that is politicizing.”
My tail twitched as he spoke, and I strode forward, closer to Captain Chjell. She looked out over the town square, or whatever it was called, where hundreds of keelish milled about in an excited mob. There was no sign of potential violence or anger, and I stepped forward as I spoke to the sole Hak’Tal khatif I’d seen in Tala.
“What am I supposed to do with this octopus? Supposedly, it has something to do with this speech I’m intended to make.”
“The octopus is a ruler–” he began and I cut him off.
“Yes, I get it. What am I supposed to do with it?”
“Thou must consume the body of the octopus at the culmination of thine speech. That will display thy position as a ruler in the eyes of those that lay eyes upon thee.”
“Alright.” I agreed, though I wasn’t sure if the entire body of a thousand keelish would actually be influenced by the sight of me eating a single fish. It wasn’t long before I watched the Alpha, both of them, walk to a small stage or podium in the front of the square. As soon as they appeared, every keelish went still, their eyes riveted to their leaders.
“Welcome given and bestowed upon thee, our children.” The male Alpha spoke first, though the female’s words followed immediately, as if with a single voice and thought as they spoke in unison. “We liveth in a momentous time, a time when opportunity appeareth and the future of our race flourisheth. Thou mayest yet see the dawn of a new age. Give heed to the words of Ashlani, Keel Zaaktif of the New Empire of the Saharliard.”
They parted and gave space for me to walk forward, both gesturing towards the center. I stepped forward, flaring every [Skill] I could think of to help me in my introduction. For a moment I wondered if I could upgrade [Absolute Dominance] through the subjugation of the Alpha, but I immediately understood that they were far from the leaders of a nation. I spread my arms, and in a moment of inspiration, also flared [Fanatic’s Fortitude]. I spoke, using my magic to carry my voice much further than ever would have been believed possible.
“As the Alpha has said, I am Ashlani, the Zaaktif of our Empire. I come from a land across the continent, and I have escaped everything that wishes to keep down the keelish. I haven’t asked until now, but I can already understand what it is that you’ve gone through. Have you ever run into other people? Into those without scales?”
The murmur of agreement rumbled through the assembled keelish, and some voices darkened with bitterness. Already, I’d sunk my claws in them, and I wouldn’t let them escape.
“We are seen as monsters, as beasts unable and unworthy to speak with the other peoples. They think we are a mere animal, and deserve to be eradicated to the last whenever found. If we are seen gathered, we are, at best, a pest, and if not, a scourge. Those who see us don’t care to learn our language or teach us theirs. When my swarm was found, those called humans sent hundreds to exterminate us. When we protected ourselves, they sent more. We escaped, and from then, we have fled, seeking for a land that others will allow us to claim. Now, here in the Shandise Mountains, we have found that land!
“Here, I have evolved to become Keel, the culmination of all that a keelish can become. Behold my strength, my stature, and my superiority, and understand that I will protect you! I will lead you and yours to become like me, that we can stand against the waves of our enemies and turn the blades of our foes! This is a land that once was ours, mountains claimed by our ancestors and blessed by our goddess, and they will be so once more!” While I spoke, I asked Nievtala in my head to make herself known however possible.
❮❮ I shall do what I can. ❯❯
There was a hint of mirth in her words, a little amusement she’d gained from agreeing with me. I wasn’t sure what she was so amused by, but I continued on my tirade.
“Those that have tried to stop us are left behind! Those that dare to deny our place as people are defeated! Those that hate us are our enemies, and we, together, are strong!”
There were other things I could say, but I felt that I’d said enough, the keelish in front of me staring, already under the effects of my spell, or [Skills] as the case was. I threw back my head and opened my mouth wide as I held the octopus aloft before dropping into my prepared jaws. The creature was squishy and strange, but the flavor was surprisingly delicate, compared to other, fishier fish I’d eaten before. I only chewed once before swallowing the remains.
The crowd which had begun to clamor and cheer in my support went deadly silent as soon as I consumed the octopus. My mind immediately went to the Alpha. Had they done something to impede my work? Had the octopus been an attempt to slow my ascent, and had I thus offended the keelish? When I turned to look at the male half of the Alpha, though, he was prostrate on the ground. As soon as I turned, I saw a glimmering, supernatural light behind and above me, one I recognized from my evolutionary vision.
Nievtala looked down on us, her face regal and unconcerned, though when our eyes met, she smiled in a motherly, sweet way. Then she disappeared.
❮❮ It will be a while before I can do something like that again. ❯❯
Before I could respond to her, the keelish all around and in front of me erupted into noise, their words initially unintelligible. Then, after a short while, they unified into cheers in support of me;
“Zaaktif! Zaaktif! Zaaktif!”
I smiled, pleased at the speed with which we’d found victory here. My mind wandered to Sybil and those at Nievtra. I could only hope that they too were encountering the success that I was.
