Chapter 35 - 35: Oathbound Dominion
The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays filtering through the dense canopy of the Forest of Fiora.
The light danced on the leaves, casting a mosaic of shadows on the ground below.
In the center of the village, the Lionkin had gathered, their faces a mix of curiosity and hope.
The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of earth and blooming flowers.
The villagers stood close together, their fur glistening in the sunlight, their tails swishing gently as they murmured among themselves.
Children peeked out from behind their parents, their wide eyes filled with wonder, while the elderly sat on wooden benches, their expressions thoughtful yet eager.
At the heart of the gathering sat Keiran, his presence as calm and steady as the ancient trees surrounding them.
His hair caught the sunlight, giving him an almost ethereal glow. His piercing eyes were focused, his gaze fixed on the floating runes that shimmered in the air around him.
The runes were intricate, their shapes shifting and swirling like living things. Each one pulsed with a soft, golden light, casting faint reflections on Keiran's face.
The villagers watched in awe, their breaths held as they witnessed the creation of something extraordinary.
Beside Keiran stood Greon, the village's current leader. His muscular frame and stern expression commanded respect, and his presence added a sense of gravity to the occasion.
He stood tall, his posture rigid, his hands clasped behind his back. The villagers trusted Greon, and his presence beside Keiran only deepened their anticipation.
Keiran's hands moved gracefully, his fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air as he manipulated the runes. The process was mesmerizing. The runes began to merge, their shapes intertwining like threads in a tapestry.
A faint hum filled the air, growing louder as the runes coalesced into a single, glowing symbol.
The symbol hovered in the air, its light casting a warm glow over the villagers. Then, with a final flash of brilliance, the symbol solidified, and the runes dissipated into the air.
Keiran's creation was complete.
[Congratulations! You have created an uncommon skill.]
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[Oathbound Dominion (Active): Grants the user the ability to form magical contracts of subordination through sworn allegiance, binding willing subordinates under a sacred oath. Subordinates receive increased physical and magical power based on their loyalty, while their hidden potential is partially unlocked, slightly lowering the difficulty to raise their Rarity tier. The user also gains a moderate boost to their own physical and magical power based on the total number of sworn subordinates, with a balanced cap to prevent overload. Breaking the oath inflicts a backlash on the subordinate, temporarily weakening their abilities. Mana Cost: 5.]
Keiran stood slowly, his movements deliberate and unhurried. His expression was as calm and unreadable as ever, his face a mask of quiet authority.
The villagers watched him intently, their hearts pounding in their chests. When he spoke, his voice was steady and monotone, yet it carried a weight that demanded attention.
"I have accepted Greon as my first subordinate," Keiran began, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "In exchange, all of you will be under my protection."
A wave of emotion swept through the villagers. Some gasped, their hands flying to their mouths, while others clasped their hands together in gratitude.
Tears welled up in the eyes of many, their hearts overflowing with relief and joy. For so long, they had lived in fear, their once-proud tribe reduced to a shadow of its former self.
Keiran's promise of protection was more than they had dared to hope for.
But Keiran wasn't finished. "That's not the end of it," he continued, his voice unwavering. "Rather than being people who need protection, all of you can become protectors. Not just Greon—if all of you swear allegiance to me, you will gain power that others can only imagine."
The villagers stared at him in stunned silence. They had come here expecting a simple act of kindness, but Keiran was offering them something far greater.
Power. Strength. A chance to reclaim their dignity and stand tall once more. It was more than they had ever dreamed of.
However, Keiran's offer came with a condition. "There is a drawback," he said, his tone serious. "You will lose your identity as Lionkin of the Forest of Fiora. You will be under my rule, and you will carry my name and banner as your own."
The villagers exchanged uncertain glances. To give up their identity was no small thing. The Lionkin had a rich history, and their connection to the Forest of Fiora was deeply rooted in their culture.
But as they considered Keiran's words, Pio rose to his feet. His body trembled with age, his fur dull and patchy, but his eyes burned with determination.
"The Lionkin lost their identity long ago," Pio said, his voice shaky but resolute. "It was lost the day our stronghold, once the strongest in the forest in Fiora, was destroyed. You are not replacing our identity. You are giving us a new one after we lost ours. Our lives are yours to employ."
With those words, Pio slowly made his way toward Keiran, leaning heavily on his cane. The other villagers watched in silence, their hearts stirred by his courage.
One by one, they rose to their feet and followed Pio, their eyes fixed on Keiran. When Pio reached Keiran, he knelt before him, his head bowed in reverence.
The rest of the villagers followed suit, kneeling in unison. Tears streamed down their faces, but these were not tears of sorrow—they were tears of hope, of gratitude, of newfound purpose.
Greon stepped forward and knelt before Keiran as well, his voice strong and clear as he recited a speech of allegiance.
"We pledge our loyalty to you, Lord Keiran Graywood," Greon declared. "We promise to serve you faithfully and to uphold the values you stand for. We will strive to be worthy of your trust, so that you may never regret taking us as your subordinates."
Keiran listened in silence, his expression unchanged. When Greon finished, Keiran gave a small nod. "Very well," he said. Then, he activated Oathbound Dominion.
A soft, golden light enveloped the villagers, wrapping them in a warm, comforting glow.
They felt a surge of energy coursing through their bodies, a tangible sign of the bond that now connected them to Keiran.
The light faded, but the sense of unity and strength remained.
Keiran addressed them once more, his voice carrying a quiet intensity. "We will protect those who cannot protect themselves. We will be the vanguard against the darkness. We will fulfill our duty until the day we take our last breath. This is what it means to be a hero—and what it means to be my subordinate. Rise, protectors of the realm of Eteria."
The villagers rose to their feet, their hearts swelling with pride. They cheered and embraced one another, their joy overflowing.
For the first time in years, they felt a sense of belonging, of purpose. They were no longer just survivors—they were protectors, bound together by a sacred oath.
Keiran watched them silently, his expression as calm as ever. Though he showed no outward emotion, a sense of satisfaction settled within him.
He had given these people a new beginning, and in doing so, he had taken the first step toward building something greater.
The Lionkin were no longer just villagers—they were his subordinates, his allies, and his responsibility.