The battle against the southern Komi had come to an unexpected end, with the Drakar and their newfound tulsa overlord emerging victorious..., this was the story spreading from tribe to tribe among the Komi on the entire continent.
Along with it, was the spread of fear, fear that the same disaster that befell the Komi of the south may follow in all directions given time. The Drakar were after all known for their greed, arrogance and dominance.
To avoid inviting the same fate upon themselves, various tribes stepped forward and offered tribute to the ruined city Aron and the Drakar resided in.
The tribute came in the form of resources, food and other trinkets each tribe considered valuable.
These dealings were left to Rose as Aron quietly recuperated in the depths of the main building without disturbance.
With the threat of south eliminated, a message was sent to all other parties indirectly. Clearly showing what was in stall for them should they choose to battle Aron and his Drakarian army.
This illusion of invincibility and complete dominance he created was enough to ensure that not only no trouble came, but also more help.
Numerous humans and tribe-less Komi flooded the ruined city in the Pesian days to come. However, Rose's instructions didn't change and she continued to hasten the construction of the airship, regardless of how many lives were in a poor state due to overworking.
The humans despised her and Aron whereas the Komi revered them. Unlike humans, the Komi native to Limbo had long since grown used to harsh conditions and means to survive.
So, despite Rose's treatment being seen as inhumane, it wasn't that bad in the eyes of the native Komi. Afterall, she cared little for what they did outside work, which granted them much freedom in a safe territory overseen by the Drakar.
After many arduous Pesian weeks, the construction of the airship had been complete. Appearance wise, the ship looked to be of exotic quality but Rose didn't care much for aesthetics given the resources she was working.
Her satisfaction came from the fact that she had built an airship like no other. Although much smaller than the average airship, the one she had constructed was built for speed and durability, perfect for navigating the harsh air currents in Limbo.
Many lives were lost building the airship, human and Komi alike, but what did she care? They got what they wanted and that's all that mattered.
With the ship complete, she wasted no time rushing into the lower depths of the main building that lead to a dark storage area of sorts.
The area was open and eerily quiet, with only the subtle sound of the wind seeping through the cracked areas of the bricks that made up the construct.
Her gaze was focused on the central area where a silhouette of a large figure could be seen once she directed some light there. This figure was of course Aron.
Soon the light displayed his entire figure as one of her scouters hovered right above his head.
At that moment, Aron opened his eyes and raised his head to meet Rose's gaze before speaking. "From the confident look in your eyes, I'll assume you're done."
A small smile crept up on Aron's face before the uncomfortable sound of bones creaking followed as he stood up. He had been in the same position without moving for weeks.
At first, Rose assumed his injuries were heavier than he let on, but to her surprise, he was already healed the second time she paid him a visit… yet he remained stationary and never moved, despite conversing for a bit with her at times.
She had asked numerous times what purpose there was in him isolating himself but he never gave a clear answer. So, as he stood, she carefully looked at his body but noticed no exterior changes, even with his mana fluctuations, everything looked to be the same as it was before he came in, aside from his ruined armor.
Only after she fully examined his figure with her gaze, did she reply to his remark with a frown. "Not just done, perfected. Given the scarce resources and unintelligent help I had, I'm quite proud of my final result… as should you."
Her tone carried clear irritation of the circumstances she had to work under but Aron didn't pay it much mind and continued to stretch his limbs and muscles.
During this time, what Aron had actually been doing was fortifying his mind as the luna mana still existed within him. While in this state, he had time to reflect on the events that occurred thus far and paint himself a clear direction to follow.
Despite all the knowledge he had gained from Argos and his father, many things just didn't add up, especially after experiencing life on his own and without guidance.
The nature of the various races he interacted with, their emotions, drives, weaknesses, desperation and many more were things no book could describe more vividly than experiencing it for oneself.
Only then did he have a true picture of things in that regard.
Whilst stretching he glanced at Rose in the corner of his eye. 'To think she'd actually succeed in so little time, hopefully it works.'
His expression made it hard to anticipate his thoughts per usual but at the moment, he was genuinely amazed that Rose was able to complete such a daunting task, this quickly no less.
Ever since he began this walk-through life on his own, he gained an interest in individuals that stood out from the norm. Rose, Evanora, Lucas, Jin, Juliet and so on.
Each of these individuals had certain elements about them that separated them from the fold. One couldn't calculate their actions or thoughts using normal standards, the same could be said for Aron and thus the interest to know more.
Rose tapped her healed boot repeatedly with a rhythm of impatience while Aron was immersed in the epiphanies his isolation had brought.
Seeing Rose do this, he turned and began walking in her direction before saying, "No need to look so impatient, I'm ready to leave immediately."
Rose's frown faded and was replaced by instead a raised brow and an expression of relief. "Good, one can only bear so much of this primitive place."
"Primitive? This is considered developed in Limbo. If you think this is bad then you're in for a surprise." Aron warned as he walked past her.
As Rose followed and matched pace with him, she replied, "I think you misunderstand me, a lack of civilization isn't what I consider primitive. To me, primitive is a lack of intellectual presence."
Given what the places they've been to thus far, Aron could believe her statement as not once has she overly complained about an area.
Once the two made it back up to the main hall, they found the main figureheads of the ruined city present and awaiting.
The moment the airship was complete and Rose was seen walking away, many were quick to anticipate the return of Aron.
So as his frame walked into the hall, many eyes were cast his way, some with fear, others with admiration.
Among the people present, Aron only cast a direct glance at a few of them. Jagu who had grown slightly bulkier, Jin who looked like he had witnessed hell and Evanora who was still Evanora.
After witnessing Aron fight such a brutal fight, Jagu strived to get stronger any chance he got, and that was beginning to reflect in his physique.
As for Jin, his complicated expression came from the fact that he played a major role in overworking some humans to their deaths. He could've spoken up but he didn't, he just watched and did as he was instructed. Now his principles were changing.
Not much could be said in the case of Evanora, aside from having Rose question her existence every now and then. She kept to herself and most times chose to sit idly in the depths were Aron isolated himself. Even those who barely knew her so her as a very strange being.
A silence prevailed the hall after Aron and Rose entered, with no one speaking. After Aron looked at Jagu, Jin and Evanora, he spoke first. "Jin, Jagu, Evanora, get ready, we leave immediately." He didn't raise his voice but his words were loud and clear enough for all to hear.
He was leaving.
Among the humans present, Claudia, Xavier, Scarlett, Reginald and Aela had all expected this, it wasn't like he was making an airship for décor. What came as a surprise was the fact that he wasn't planning on bringing humans along… them included.
Claudia's face looked a bit distraught at the thought but she didn't speak up.
Aron didn't look her way and directly turned towards Rose, "I'll leave you to pick an adequate crew. At least one durable enough to last the journey to the western continent."
Rose shrugged off his statement as if obvious and begun to walk away. "I've long since prepared a shortlist. Who do you take me for?"
With a confident and proud look in her eye, she walked away with a small smirk, hips swaying.
Soon the hall cleared and only some Drakar and Aron were left. These Drakar were Greile, Rorguvv and Amarr, all of whom had their heads lowered in reverence of Aron.
"Did you find Osar?" He asked plainly and Amarr stepped up and shook her head. "We did not, no body or presence, it is safe to assume he's in hiding, as for why? I do not know."
After receiving this answer, Aron no longer lingered on it, he was simply curious. What he actually wanted to discuss was far for important.
"I'll be leaving these lands soon, and thus dominion over them shall fall onto you..."
Hearing this, slight smiles began to creep up on the faces of the Drakarian leaders, especially Amarr whose ambitions were fairly high… but Aron was not done.
"…however." The moment he said this, the smiles froze and the trio listened intently. "I have no plans of just handing over a rich continent I struggled to gain so don't misunderstand. I leave these lands and expect to find adequate growth the day I return, be it stronger armies or better resources, I do not care. Remember these words and don't forget who owns these lands… and your lives."
Aron's words carried a terrifying intent to them. He was already a figurehead in the eyes of the Drakar so his threats carried extreme meaning to them.
In reality, Aron had no real plans to return. But in the case that he did in future, it was better to find the lands had grown along with the habitants, serving better use to him overall.
With that said, Aron turned, ready to walk away, when Amarr raised her head and spoke. "What of the tulsa wandering the lands and the city?"
Her smile was bloody and one could guess what she was thinking by asking this. Aron paused and glanced at her in the corner of his eye before answering.
"I think your kind deserve a feast."
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