The Last Primal

As the second, and final storm was quelled, the bright blinding light engulfing not just the core, but Aiden as well signaled the completion of the new seed, the new form that was now added to the boy's growing repertoire.

Yet, he couldn't celebrate just yet, as just as he expected, the system immediately came with a new message, informing him of this already known fact. He did not waste any time with overanalyzing as he usually did, but instead focused on accepting the offered option to activate the usage of his [Shapeshifting] innate together with his Primal racial traits and hastily begin the first transformation to the new race that the system referred to as [Draconic Skinks - Clean - Tier 1+]. 

Surprisingly, the stripes weren't the only unique factor to these baseline little reptiles, but there was something else, a closer relation to the mythical dragons of the tales of old. They had the blood of true dragons flowing inside their veins. 

Before he could ponder on these thoughts more, his mind suddenly succumbed to the system-induced drowsiness, quickly losing consciousness. Before his head could fall to the ground, suddenly the edges of his body trembled as the first transformation to the newly acquired form had begun. 

His body was quickly swallowed up by the abrupt appearance of the greedy black cocoon, reducing the current, humanoid shape of its master back into the primordial fluid.

…

Time once again passed by as the Primal Evolution was taking its place. Whilst the shield remained active so far due to the interference of the mysterious entity, as soon as the boy was encased in the ebony, solid hard shell, its paradoxical effects were no longer sustained, its connection was also cut off. 

This, though retained the effect for a while longer, it eventually began to fade, allowing time to once again regain its dominance over the underground chamber and began to corrode the remaining resistance of the still lingering energy shield. 

Even though it was no longer frozen, time still flowed at a different, slower pace outside the barrier than on the inside. Whilst there was no clear indication of what the actual numbers of this dilation was, it was quite substantial.

Standing outside the hall, the two guards seemed to have not noticed anything strange, to them, the time they have spent guarding wasn't that arduously long as what had already transpired just the other side of the wall. 

To them, what was at this point at least several hours since the elderly, robed skink had stepped inside to 'play' with their captive, was only a couple of minutes. Hours, upon which most was spent outside, exempt from the effects of time. Hours from which, the elderly lizard was no longer alive, but was already absorbed, assimilated into the growing sea of consciousnesses inside the Primal Core of the boy.

Still, these minutes-turned-hours have finally begun to take their toll and slowly, gradually began to wear down the last bits of energy that so far kept the outside world separate from the inside. The blurry surface of the translucent energy layer began to flicker as it waned, allowing the noises to traverse without blockage once again, and energy signatures to be sensed once more.

As the energy began to disperse, the guards immediately raised their attention and turned to look at the dark entrance of the jail cell. They could only sense one signature instead of the previous two, and even that seemed slightly different from either one from before. 

Though it was closer to their boss, it was also slightly different. It seemed… as if, it was slightly higher in terms of strength.

Both of them reaffirmed their grips on the handles of their spears, and by raising them slightly off the ground and in front of their bodies they both entered a battle-ready stance.

Not knowing anything that could have transpired in the few short minutes they were cut off, the guards had to be vigilant. No matter how ridiculous the thought of their master defeat sounded in their heads, they were trained warriors, protectors of their people. 

They both watched as a shadow, -somewhat familiar-shaped- slowly grow from beyond the darkness. It stretched towards the opposite wall, climbing higher and higher as the darkness slowly began to draw out the silhouette of the approaching figure. 

As soon as they recognized the familiar body, their wariness instantly vanished, subsided. A smile began to stretch across their expressions, their worry was quickly replaced by the glorious prospects of the future. 

Their master was victorious! He didn't only dare to defy the High Priest's direct orders, but he actually seemingly grew in terms of power. From what they could sense, it could probably match with that of the High Priest! 

He might even be able to defeat him, and earn the praise of their God! He could become the next to be the Chosen and be crowned as the 'One who He speaks to!'

That would also mean that their importance as the Chosen one's guards would rise. They would be able to step to the very top of the ranks, directly below their master and above all the annoying old fogeys of the tribe!

Their mind continued to wander, raising more and more outrageous claims, possibilities for the future. Visions of uniting the four Great Tribes of the Ancient One under one banner once again, finally defeating the Xarik's and finally be the true masters of the world!

They could even once again finally claim the surface once they receive their God's blessing! 

Their wishful thinking came to halt when the familiar robes appeared at the doorway. Their gazes, full of appreciation, however, quickly turned into one resembling shock and fright when they noticed a large gaping hole at their silently standing elder's chest.

Though there were no visible wounds, the faint traces of blood that smudged the ceremonial white garb, staining it with a gradient of scarlet, made them lose their guard completely and hurry to the aid of their master.

…

From the cacophony of clicking noises both of the guards emitted, even without noticing the questioning, worried, and concerned sounding tone, Aiden could have guessed what they were asking.

As soon as his transformation was completed, he could feel the fading energy barrier, he didn't have any time to check up himself and just quickly equipped the robe he saved previously before he stood up and tried to display an arrogant, cold demeanor of what he felt matched the previous master of these two. 

Still, whilst he was listening attentively to their speeches, his gaze was staring coldly seemingly at the empty wall. 

However, behind that cold, disdainful-looking gaze, the young Aiden was grinning like a kid inwardly as he opened the latest system notification…

[Language: Reptilian - Basic discovered! Analyzing information… 13%]

---

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