Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 454: Stick to the Plan

“I have my reasons for keeping this egg with Oli, apart from my promise to Trada. And you’ll see those reasons play out with time after your granddaughter hatches,” continued Eeole. “So, for now, be satisfied that you’ll be the proud grandparents of an incalculably rare mutant dragon. One with the defenses of the Razor-hide Clan and the death essence of the Toxic-shadow Clan.”

Neither Treeda nor Warak knew how to take that information. They were mentally bombarded with possible reactions and the unexpected fulfillment of their greatest expectations.

Bradok spoke up, “And this kid will be with Oli? How’s that gonna work?”

“You’ll see. I already know that Oli is eager to see the egg hatch. That’s why I’m helping incubate the egg while he’s going through his current trial.”

“Then let us incubate-”

“No.” Eeole stated bluntly, “I’m incubating the egg not because I want to, but because I must. This child will have a one-of-a-kind bloodline, a bloodline that puts her on par with the likes of Kartzal and Dominus.”

That phrase shook Warak’s and Treeda’s cores. A sharp pulse of anticipation passed through their minds and hearts.

.....

Continuing, Eeole mentioned, “For that reason, I’ll care for her incubation. But her best incubation is actually to be with Oli, someone who has her same affinities. I just took her so that there’s no chance of Oli’s trial affecting the egg’s condition.”

“That makes sense...” Treeda sighed, startling Warak.

“I know that Oli is Bradok’s grandson and that he’s key to your plan. But what’s this about a trial? And how come I’ve yet to meet him?” Warak questioned.

Eeole answered, “You’ll meet him, but not yet. He’s busy undergoing a rare process that’s foreign to the modern era, a process that was developed by Azar for the benefit of his tough-bodied descendants, though I did tweak it to better suit Oli. And the only reason Oli has a chance to survive is due to his king-grade, mutated bloodline and his similar cultivation techniques. So, unless he comes out of that trial far sooner than expected, you’ll have to wait until the Mortal Championship to see Oli in action.”

“... Then I look forward to seeing that. It seems that Treeda lucked out this time around,” scoffed Warak, nudging Treeda’s shoulder. “Make sure to save a finalist spot for the rest of us.”

“Actually,” Eeole added, “there’s still a chance that Oli won’t be able to accomplish all that he must.”

“Why’s that?” asked Warak.

Shrugging slightly, Eeole clarified, “Oli’s goal isn’t the final round. His goal isn’t the Mortal Championship. Oli’s goal is to outperform his father’s record in the Global Exhibition, without using his rarest abilities.”

Warak blinked. “... How many essences does Oli control?”

“Three.”

“Three? Earth, dark... and what else?”

“Gravity,” Bradok answered, toppling Warak’s mental world. “That same ability you witnessed the Tyrant Ape using to fight multiple gods? Oli’s got the potential to do the same.”

“But only because of Trada’s sacrifice,” added Eeole, looking back at Treeda. “That’s why I’m adamant to give your clan every morsel of help I can offer, Treeda. And, since you’ve already gotten close to Bradok, I hope to do the same for your clan, Warak.”

As Eeole retrieved the egg, the other three were caught up in various trains of thought. They all left from the same station but each person’s mental train was chugging toward a different destination.

Treeda was wrapped up in thoughts of her unborn granddaughter, as well as her relationship with her deceased daughter. She was forced to accept that Trada had done far more for the clan and family than Treeda had ever recognized or appreciated.

Warak was trembling with enthusiasm. One thought was stuck in a loop. Hearing that a new ape with the potential of the ancient Tyrant Ape had emerged... Warak was over the moons just anticipating what was to come since they were allies! He didn’t even pay attention to how his son had made an enemy of such a gorilla. All Warak cared about was having a chance to right the regretful wrong of his clan and the chance to truly rise, something that Kartzal would never allow.

Bradok’s body kept going from tense to relaxed. He already knew about Oli’s third essence. But seeing the true power of that essence in action boiled his blood with pride. However, Bradok was still reeling from learning the full truth behind his kind’s persecution and how badly the rest of the world wanted their kind dead. This caused him to cycle through absolute pride and utter bloodlust.

Eeole just sighed and waited a few moments in silence. Then, he spoke up, “For now, just follow the plans I’ve laid out for each of you. You don’t need to know the full extent of each other’s actions, though I’m not against it. But make sure that you don’t get distracted. Some things will happen that you’re not expecting or anticipating, even to the point that you may believe them to be harmful. But, I assure you, so long as those events aren’t caused by Kartzal or his lackeys, then you’ll be fine. Understood?”

“... Understood.” Warak agreed with a nod.

“I understand,” Treeda was the next to agree.

Bradok didn’t react at all, but that didn’t seem to faze Eeole.

“Then I’ll be going. I’ve got some special matters to handle. Remember what I’ve warned you of, and make sure to respect your surroundings without giving yourselves away. If you ruin the plan, I’ll take emergency actions and I won’t be able to guarantee the complete safety of your clans at this moment...”

Eeole’s voice faded out of existence, as did he. The dragon lords were left alone to ponder the man’s words while Bradok was already rushing to the door. “I’ll be downstairs. I need a good night of drinking!”

“I’m joining you!” Warak shook off his nerves and followed without hesitation. “What about you, Treeda?”

Nodding slowly, she replied, “I’ll go too...”

The three then raced back down to the banquet hall, with Treeda in third place. Bradok barely lost to Warak, at least that’s what Bradok made clear to everyone else. And the rest of the night was spent with cheap and expensive booze alike.