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AR Chapter 389
🕑 Added 2025-05-16 04:23:09 +0000 UTC[The Alpha of Tala POV]
As one, the Alpha rose. They had spent the vast majority of their life like this, and when one heard something was of import, they both would learn of it. The dream that one had received came to the other, and they knew they needed to go out and be ready. There was precious little to do but to ensure that the Zaaktif remembered Tala as a place that willingly followed him. His appearance here… was strange, like a dream. The Alpha shared their dreams, and they therefore frequently became impossible to understand. A creature, like a reflection of the Goddess, strode from the forest. The Alpha had watched their approach. Something had told them to be prepared. That everything would change that day.
Walking behind the small one. The Khatif. She was strong, and closer to Keel than they were. Even so, she would have been folded into Tala’s control, if it weren’t for the Zaaktif. The Alpha held tight control over their city. That was the benefit of having surrendered so much of themselves to the ritual that allowed them to ascend to this role. Yes, they would have enveloped her and used her eggs to continue to grow the strength of Tala. Instead, the Zaaktif walked in. Why had he acted the way that he did?
Their thoughts passed from one to the other, wondering how one had become Zaaktif but hadn’t understood how to subjugate their own people. It was strange. Stranger still was the aura that he brought that nearly made the Alpha accept his way as the way it should be. Just as soon as he’d acted in a manner befitting his station, Tala had fallen in line. That the Goddess had appeared to show her approval of the Zaaktif was the final reminder that the Alpha was naught but a vestige of a forgotten and weak people.
Stepping in unison without communicating their desire to do so, the Alpha walked from their dwelling and listened.
“Hast thou heardest that the signs of our people have been sighted in journey?”
“I thinkest that there has yet been aught mentioned of it. Indeed, it may very well be that the Zaaktif has returned to our fair lands!”
More and more there were mentions and exultations regarding the possible appearance of the Zaaktif. The Alpha was fairly certain it wasn’t him, though. As the feeling of something approaching swelled, the Alpha stood tall. Behind them, Tala’s people waited in hushed excitement. Slowly, the sound of the waves lapping on the shores were obscured by the sounds of dozens and hundreds of feet tromping through the forest and pushing through the thick growth.
But a moment later, Captain Chjell was visible, though he’d changed markedly. It was immediately apparent he’d become Keel. Something to celebrate. The Alpha spread their arms widely to welcome home he who once was their trusted advisor. As he strode closer, though, the Alpha wondered if they had been mistaken, and though this was Chjell’s body that had returned to them, it was not his mind. His steps were purposeful, and his focus entirely on the Alpha. Were they considered an obstruction to the Zaaktif? If that was the case, they would be taken or slain, and there was naught they could do about it. Even so, the thought did not terrify them. With them would die the rituals used to create more Alphas like themselves. Given the appearance of Keel, they themselves were an abomination instead of the necessary evil they once had been.
“Welcome home,” One mouth said.
“We are gladdened to see thee, Chjell.” Finished the other.
“And we’re happy to be here as well.” Chjell’s words showed how he’d changed. Just a winter and a spring and he’d adopted the ways of the Zaaktif and his people. For the better, the Alpha knew. There was no bitterness, just acceptance of their impending relegation to unnecessary. It would be painful, but again, they were willing to do so.
“There must be some deep and intimate reason for thy return.” Spoke the head on the left.
“Do indulge us and request of us thy desires.” The head on the right requested.
Chjell bowed his head. Again, the respect shown by a Keel to them was almost painful. Their existence served as a painful reminder that their ancestors had lost the power and wisdom to ascend to Keel. That what they were is but a pale copy of the Keel, and here, a Keel begged for a request to be granted?
The Alpha ceased their minds’ discussion. Instead, they stood in the area as the sound of the waves again returned. This… yes, this was a good way to die. They would ensure that Tala fell to the Zaaktif’s control with as little resistance as possible. After working his jaw for a moment, Chjell finally managed to eke out what he was going to say.
“I want to take your position from you.”
Both minds reeled. Was this not a command from the Zaaktif? It was pure careerism? Chjell was never an autocrat. Now that he was… perhaps becoming Keel shifted much in an individual.
“Once I do so, you can go to New Nievtra.” Chjell continued. “There, as you spend more time in the Zaaktif’s presence, I’m sure you can become Keel. Just being near him helped me to become like this!”
The Alpha paused for a moment. Their fears and worries were, as a surprise, unnecessary. They were not being consigned to death to further strengthen the Zaaktif’s hold over Tala. Instead, they were to be pulled from their position while one who had been fully placed under the control of the Zaaktif moulded the city to their tastes. Different from what they had expected. Even so, they didn’t do more than flare their frills in acceptance.
“Of course the Alpha shalt do as the Zaaktif commandeth.”
“We are always at his command.”
“Shall we prepare ourselves to serve at his table forthwith?”
“With thy permission, this humble Alpha shall be ready to leave with immediacy.”
“No, don’t misunderstand!” Chjell shook his hands in an attempt to dissuade them. Was there something they’d missed?
“It won’t be just you! There’s so many of us here because we’ll be sending the vast majority of the people in Tala to New Nievtra. There will be a war to fight soon, and we wanted to provide as much opportunity to you to evolve preparatory to that.”
The Alpha cocked their heads. They truly had misunderstood many things, and weren’t sure what to think. Even so, the Zaaktif had prepared an interesting future for them. Why wouldn’t they allow themselves to indulge in the surprises the Zaaktif had? Maybe they could feel more like one of the Goddess’s chosen if they were able to become individuals once again.
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No_Creative_Name
edited
Veldorn
"go out and be ready.There was precious" Missing space after the .
