226 Allyce (Part 2)
A golden cocoon suddenly enveloped Exile as he cursed. He knew exactly what was coming.
[Applying Warbeast (Pheonix Eagle) Traits…]
Exile felt a stinging sensation in his eyes as they turned a golden colour. His muscles became denser and more toned instead of bulky. He felt a tingling sensation run through his body as he grew in height to six foot six inches. ‘Thovok is going to be pissed.’ He thought as his facial features grew sharper.
Finally, his back started to burn. The agony was hard to endure as the seconds passed. ‘What the hell is this?’ Exile groaned as a fair of wings erupted from his back! The feathers were scarlet red with golden tips. Short bursts of flames appeared and disappeared on separate feathers with no specific pattern.
[Modifying stats to fit racial changes…]
[+5 Endurance]
[+5 Authority]
[Congratulations! Your racial change is now complete.]
[Select four from the following as your Race’s Traits… (Warning! Your choices will replace your current traits.)]
[(Human) Versatile: When killing a player, the Divine Orb they generate will focus on taking half of the player’s Strength, Endurance and Speed Stats. (Adjusted according to Tier restrictions)]
[(Dwarf) Rocksteady: When killing a player, the Divine Orb they generate will focus on taking more points from the player’s Strength and Endurance Stats. (Adjusted according to Tier restrictions)]
[(Warbeast/Pheonix-Eagle) Eternal: When killing a player, the Divine Orb they generate will focus on taking more points from the player’s Endurance and Authority Stats. (Adjusted according to Tier restrictions)]
[(Human) Faithful: +5 Authority]
[(Human) Devout: +10 Authority]
[(Dwarf) Unyielding: +5 Endurance]
[(Dwarf) Everlasting: +10 Endurance]
[(Warbeast/Pheonix-Eagle) Grace: +5 Authority]
[(Warbeast/Pheonix-Eagle) Majestic: +10 Authority]
Exile did not hesitate to choose Eternal, Devout, Everlasting, and Majestic. Devout and Everlasting were upgrades to his current traits, and Majestic was just better than the other choices. He knew from experience now that he would gain levels for the extra stat points. Exile also knew the traits would become part of his base power when he reached the next tier.
[Congratulations! More than 170 points of Divinity were detected. You have reached Tier 2 Level 7!]
As the cocoon faded away to reveal Exile’s new form, the flames surrounding Allyce did the same. Her feathers had turned red with white tips, while her hair had red streaks through it. However, Allyce ignored her changes to study Exile. A smile danced on her lips as she appraised his new form.
“What do you think you’re doing!” Ania hissed as she placed herself between them and glared at Allyce.
Allyce cocked an eyebrow at the small, fiery woman before realising what Ania’s problem was. ‘Humans, still so possessive.’ She thought as she bowed toward Ania.
“I was simply sealing my pact with Lord Exile. The kiss served as nothing more than a conduit for my vow. You have nothing to worry about.” Allyce grinned as she raised her head.
Ania’s face flushed red as she glared at Allyce for exposing her feelings like that. However, Exile placed a warm hand on her shoulder as his wings disappeared into his back.
“Ania, I will not have my Oracles fighting amongst themselves. I admit Allyce could have waited for a better time to perform her ceremony.” Exile shot a glance in Allyce’s direction before he continued. “I think you and I should have a private talk. Ania, I’ll be using the temple for a while. Make sure nobody enters.”
Exile beckoned for Allyce to follow him as he walked toward Eraldsfen. Oblivious to the fact that by not inviting Ania along he had caused her more distress. Allyce shot a sympathetic glance in Ania’s direction before following her god.
Once they passed the main gate, a member of the Fenrir saddled a horse and set off to deliver the news to Bjorn. Exile noticed women scolding their husbands when they caught them stealing glances at Allyce’s enchanting figure. ‘This could cause a lot of problems if every woman of Allyce’s tribe is this beautiful.’ Exile sighed as he led the way into the temple.
However, as soon as he entered the building, more than eight people of different genders kneeled before him. They wore loose robes, and all of them had shaved heads. Their faces were painted white with black circles around their eyes. ‘Don’t tell me, these guys are meant to be akin to priests of our Pantheon?’
He recognised several religious symbols belonging to his pantheon on their jewellery. Each priest only wore a single symbol, so he guessed they were responsible for guiding the followers of his different teammates. His eyes narrowed on the man who wore his symbol.
“Bring me a table and a chair for my guest,” Exile commanded as he walked past the priests toward the rear room.
He sat on his throne and quietly waited for the priest to deliver what he had requested. His eyes passed over Allyce as he studied her changes and many thoughts ran through his mind. The priest eventually appeared with a few others as they placed the table before the throne and the chair on the opposite side. The priests bowed to him before exiting the room with solemn expressions.
“Please, take a seat, Allyce,” Exile said as he gestured toward the chair.
Allyce performed a curtsey before obliging him. As she sat down, she cleared her throat before fixing her golden eyes on him.
“You know, that woman from before, she holds deep feelings for you.” Allyce smiled as she waited for him to react. However, Exile maintained an aloof expression.
“She has a deep reverence for me. She was my first Oracle, and we have been through much together. It’s only natural.”
Allyce covered her mouth and chuckled. “No, I mean she is clearly in love with you. I believe she would do anything you asked of her.”
Exile frowned as Allyce gave him a knowing smile. Eventually, he let out a sigh as he placed his palms on the table. “I’m not so sure that would be a good idea. What if she birthed a demigod? She would hate me if her child died fighting my wars. I would rather spare her from such a fate.”
“Unlikely,” Allyce scoffed as she gave him a look of disbelief. When she saw his confusion she frowned. “You really don’t know?”
“Don’t know what?” Exile asked with a hint of frustration.
“She’s practically barren. The odds of her ever having a child are extremely low.” Allyce shook her head as a sad expression appeared. “You can tell by her hair. Those blue streaks mean she’s descended from a mortal that pledged themselves to a god of ice. If I had to guess, I’d say Jor, Allevia’s greatest rival. He also held one of the first elements. Anyway, it’s called the frozen womb curse.”
Exile looked at Allyce with disbelief as he wondered if she spoke the truth. However, Allyce only gave him a gentle smile in return.
“Does she know?” Exile asked as some concern for the future of the Eraldsen family appeared in his mind.
“I don’t think she does, but I wouldn’t be surprised if her parents know. That knowledge would usually be passed down. But they may have lost that knowledge if nobody with those streaks has appeared in a long time.” Allyce shrugged as she idly studied the temple.
“So, what do those red streaks mean for you then?” Exile asked when he thought about the changes Allyce had undergone.
“These?” Allyce smiled as she toyed with her hair. “They mean I’ve pledged myself to you. I’ve inherited some of your power while also increasing my chances of carrying your child.”
Exile’s eyes widened as he stared at her. Allyce chuckled at his expression before waving her hand in the air. 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝘭.𝘦𝑡
“However, if you stop existing, then so shall I. So I’ve bound myself to your fate. It’s in my best interest to guide you as best as I can to make the right decisions.” Allyce gave him a flirtatious look before she continued. “Of course, I’d be happy to have a few featherlings if you feel so inclined.”
Exile groaned as he massaged his temples. He felt like he had been caught in a honey trap. He could not deny that Allyce was extremely attractive, and he would need to produce demigods to increase his power in the mortal realms. However, he could only see problems arising from that when it came to Ania. She was about to blow when Allyce only kissed him. He could not even begin to imagine how she would react if she learned of a demigod child between them.
“Don’t worry,” Allyce said as she gave him a look that said she knew what he was thinking. “There’s no need for romance between us. It can be seen as a business relationship. I don’t even mind if you keep her as your main partner. But hear me on this, sooner or later, this world will enter an age where divine power will be needed in the mortal plane. You gods have restrictions you have to abide by. You’ll face something you have no power over, and only your children will be able to enact your will.”
Allyce gave him a firm look as she let him mull it over.
“We can discuss this later when I return to my nest. I’ll contact you then. After all, you should start the candidate trials as soon as possible. The other nests will be interested to know I’ve found one of you. The queen will want to send out more scouts to find the others…”