บท 441: Agreement

I noticed a few tunnels leading deeper into their base, but I wasn't about to go exploring. "I must admit, your Formations are really great. It's a shame you picked a fight with me" I said. A few Lizards stepped forwards. "We don't regret fighting for our home. Kill us, finish what you started!". I looked at all of them, then shook my head. "No. I will not kill you. You paid the price for this pointless exercise. You wanted to destroy me, but I'm willing to forget that".

I continued, "You told me I should blame myself. I shall return the same to you. Blame yourself for your narrow mind, Lizards are Lizards after all. Grey, green, red, black or yellow, no matter the colour, you are all the same". The Lizard spoke again, "Then what do you want?". I sat down on the collapsed wall, and replied. "I told you what I wanted, I want my sword back. I would've left, if you don't have it. Yet you were the ones who tried to make me stay".

He retorted, "So that you reveal our home to others? We might as well fight now, and die". I laughed for a while. "That was your problem? I thought you guys were smart. Blood Pacts exist, I had no intention of revealing your location to anyone. I wouldn't decline a Blood Pact, but you were blinded by your own ego. Sure Formations are strong and useful, but they are not invincible".

He asked angrily, "Why did you destroy us then? If you could leave, why didn't you leave?". I became serious, "You thought I would let you go, just like that? I value my life, just like you value yours. I don't take attempts at my life lightly. You should be happy I don't intend to take it any further. None of you died, and everything here can be repaired". He replied, "Fine, we paid for it. Let's make a Blood Pact, and you can go wherever you want".

I released my Domineering Aura, and enveloped the whole group. They dropped down to their knees, while I replied. "I think you misunderstood me. You are in no position to give me orders. You lost the ability to demand anything from me, the moment you tried to kill me. Now, you just have to behave, or I will give that location to whoever wishes to know. Your own kin perhaps, or Eterians. Maybe even Humans". He gritted his teeth while asking, "You are threatening us?".

I retrieved my Aura while replying, "No, I'm warning you. I'm willing to forgive and forget, if you are willing to help". He asked, "What do you want from us? We will not fight this war, it doesn't concern us…". I stopped him, "That is why your views are narrow. Don't be so block headed, and think about it. If I was able to find you, do you think others can't?".

He replied, "You don't know that". I laughed, "I don't, and you do? You can take the risk, while I can leave the North anytime I want. Listen, and listen well. If this war is lost, most if not the whole North will become the playground of Eterians. Who will save you from their clutches, when they start searching for you?". He asked, "You say that person is you? You want to be the saviour? Become the hero?". I shook my head, "No, not anymore. Truthfully, I wanted to own the North for myself, become the legend that I myself never believed in".

A few other Lizards walked out of the rubble, and stood in front of the leading Lizard. "Our home was found out, our future is no longer that safe. This… Human... is fighting a war he doesn't need to, yet we sit here hidden. Shouldn't we fight for our own home too?", one of the Lizards said. The leaders face changed, and asked everyone to let him handle this. I chimed in, "I'm not asking you to reveal yourselves. I'm not telling you to go to the frontlines, and lose your lives. You are not warriors, nor are you soldiers".

They looked at me in confusion, while the leader asked. "Then what do you want? Formations? How can we help you from this place, when the battles take place elsewhere?". I smiled, "You can. Weapons, armour, items. If I'm able to equip the people with the best we can have, wouldn't fighting the war be easier for us?".

The leader asked, "And we are supposed to trust you?". This time, I didn't have to answer. One of the Lizards answered for me. "We know who he is, Alicia knows him too. Suspecting him now, would be pointless. Stop being so stubborn, we have a say in this as well!". They argued for a while, and came to accept my offer. "Good. In that case, I will not reveal your location nor do I intend to take it any further". I looked up, and said "You should probably repair this as soon as you can".

I then stood up, and walked towards the Grey Lizards. The leader asked confused, "Where are you going?". I replied in a "as a matter of fact" manner, "Inside. What is the point of you hiding anything from me, since I know where you live? Don't worry, I know nothing about Formations except some basics. I'm not here to steal your methods of creating Formations". I then turned towards one of the Lizards who promoted my idea, and asked. "Which tunnel do I take? I need some rest".

He looked at me for a while, then at his leader, then at me again. I smiled, and waited. He pointed towards the tunnel in the middle, "You can use this one. Let me show you where you can stay". I nodded, and followed after him. But before we entered the tunnel, I coughed out some blood and dropped to my knee. 'I'm tired as hell' I thought, slowly picking myself up.

The Lizard turned around, and saw what happened. "Hey, are you alright?". I smiled, "You almost killed me you know. My wounds didn't heal much during this time". It was my Aura that kept everything in check. I was weakened, and couldn't use my Auras anymore. I drank some medicine, then continued. "I just need some rest. I will be fine". He nodded, and told me to follow him.

We went through the tunnel, until I saw some light. We entered a large room, with more hallways branching out to different sections. We entered one such hallway, where he showed me a room I could use. "You can stay here, but don't wander around alone. You can always return to the main section we just passed. Someone is usually there, and will tend to your needs… Do you need treatment?". I waved my hand while replying, "Nah, I will manage on my own".

The room they provided for me was rather small, but had a bed and a desk with a chair. It was more than enough for me. I laid down, and rested. I needed to recover from all those injuries. Although my blood wasn't leaking anymore, my internal organs were damaged due to the spikes. I had to slowly take care of that with my energy and medicine.

Time slowly passed, while I took care of my injuries. No one really visited me, and I didn't wander around either. When I was mostly alright, I finally left my room. Following the hallway toward the open area, I spotted a few Lizards talking with each other. "Hey, I'm a bit hungry… You have anything?" I asked. My provisions were gone already, but I focused on my recovery first instead of looking for food.

The Lizards turned towards me, and gasped. I tilted my head while asking, "What's wrong?". One of the Lizards pointed at me, then asked "Are… Are you alive?". I was even more confused now. "Well, I'm standing here in front of you guys, so the answer is yes?". She continued, "Your face…". I took out a well polished piece of metal from my bag, and took a look at myself. 'Ah, go figure' I thought when I saw my reflection. I was back to being a skeleton, but the view didn't really surprise me much. I replied, "Oh that. I just need to eat something… No wonder I feel so hungry. Just how much time has passed?".

She motioned for me to follow her, and took me to their kitchen area. On our way, I took a look at my body in more details. I felt hunger, but not starvation at this stage. My left arm did shrivel a bit though. I didn't notice due to the armour. My right arm was mostly alright, but the damaged bandages revealed how dry it became. Inside the kitchen, she brought some food for me. I thanked her, but she didn't leave. "If you want to ask about something, go ahead. I have a few questions of my own too" I said while eating.