9 A shaman's quest for love

The grand hall of the orc tribe was filled with an air of authority as the Orc Queen, Grukka, sat regally on her throne. Her piercing gaze fell upon her daughter, Azra, who stood before her. Grukka's deep voice resonated through the hall as she began the conversation.

"My dear daughter, the years have caught up with me, and I can feel the weight of age settling in. Oh, how I dream of the day when I'll cuddle my sweet grandkids in these old arms of mine! It's about time, my love, for you to find that perfect someone and begin your own little family adventure."

Azra's expression remained defiant as she crossed her arms, her hair cascading down her shoulders.

Azra, with a resolute glint in her eyes, turned to her mother and spoke earnestly, "Dearest Mother, the hearts of the men in our tribe seem consumed by the pursuit of strength and power, but my own desires lie elsewhere. I seek a partner who can understand the depths of my soul and cherish the dreams that dance within my heart."

Grukka's face filled with concern and frustration as she leaned forward on her throne, and looked deeply into Azra's eyes and implored, "Azra, my child, as the future shaman destined to safeguard and guide our tribe, the weight of our people's fate rests upon your shoulders. Without an heir to carry on our lineage, our heritage may fade away, and the very existence of our tribe could hang in the balance. It is a responsibility you must embrace and fulfill with urgency."

Azra's gaze turned distant as her mind drifted away from her mother's words. She pondered deeply, her thoughts consumed by her desires and aspirations for a different kind of life.

"I don't want to marry just any man in the clan," Azra mused silently. "All they seem to care about is strength and dominance. But I want something different, something... more fulfilling."

She envisioned a partner who understood her, who shared her aspirations for a peaceful existence away from the constant power struggles.

"I want a companion who appreciates the beauty of simplicity," Azra whispered to herself. "Someone who values love, respect, and harmony over constant battles for dominance. I want to build a life that is filled with happiness and contentment, free from the endless cycle of conflict."

In her reverie, Azra knew that finding such a partner might be a daunting task. Yet, She resolved to seek her own path, to find the love and fulfillment that her heart yearned for.

With a mix of determination and vulnerability, Azra turned to her mother, her voice tinged with sincerity, "Dear Mother, I grasp the gravity of our tribe's survival, but my heart yearns for something beyond mere brute strength. I long for a partner who will stand by my side, comprehend the depths of my soul, and together, we can forge a haven of tranquility away from the ceaseless power struggles that haunt this forest."

Grukka's face softened, a mixture of concern and understanding coloring her features.

Grukka's eyes softened with understanding as she addressed her daughter, "Beloved Azra, I perceive the yearning within your heart, reaching for horizons beyond the scope of our tribe. It is indeed a noble dream you seek, but be mindful that finding a partner to match such aspirations may prove challenging. Remember, the destiny of our tribe hinges on the path you tread and the choices you make."

With unwavering determination, Azra met her mother's gaze and declared, "Mother, fear not, for I shall not waver in my pursuit. Deep within my heart, I hold a steadfast belief that somewhere out there, a soul awaits to harmonize with mine. I will seek tirelessly for a partner who shares our vision, and together, we shall lay the foundation of a future adorned with joy and serenity."

The stern lines on Grukka's face softened into a gentle curve, a faint smile emerging as she looked upon her determined daughter with pride.

"Ah, Azra, my spirited and resolute child," she spoke with warmth in her voice. "I find great admiration in your courage and unwavering conviction. I have faith that your choices will be guided by wisdom and the truest compass of your heart. As you embark on this journey, may fate lead you to the partner who complements your soul, and in your quest, may our tribe find renewed strength through the legacy you shall weave."

With those words, the Orc Queen and her daughter shared a moment of understanding and respect. Azra's path had been set, and she would embark on a quest to find a partner who would not only fulfill her desires but also bring about a new era of balance and unity for their tribe.

Meanwhile Akun led the group of ants into battle against the monsters in the forest.

"Alright all together now!, poison barrage!"

All together the ants released a rain of poison on the group goblins before them.

"Kghhhhhhh."

"Alright guys, good job, it's nice to see that you guys are attacking the way I taught you to." As Akun commended the ants for their deadly attack. he couldn't help but reflect on the strategies he had taught them. Each ant moved with precision and coordination, their attacks synchronized as if they were part of a well-oiled machine.

"I'm glad I invested in that communication skill," Akun thought to himself. "Having the ability to give commands and coordinate our attacks is crucial in these battles. And with 100 ants now equipped with the skill, we have a significant advantage."

Akun's mind also wandered to another skill he had acquired, the Synergic Effect. By bestowing this skill upon all the ants, their combined strength and abilities were enhanced. The concept was simple - the more ants that worked together, the greater the boost to their stats. With 100 ants united under the skill, their stats received a staggering 100% increase.

"I feel like a general commanding his army, well that is to be expected, I am an experienced gamer after all." Akun said to himself with a hint of pride.

"This Synergic Effect is truly remarkable," Akun marveled. "With the ants operating as a cohesive unit, their individual strengths are amplified, making them a formidable force."

"Am lucky I remembered this skill from that game, Once I saw the skill in the super gamer shop I knew I had to get it. It is basically a cheat skill, but it's super weak on its own, but because My character in that game was a necromancer, he just kept on getting overpowered."

"Now that I am using this skill on the ants, am sure I will be able to achieve results similar to the ones in the game."

Ember and Ivy walked up to Akun, their faces filled with curiosity and a hint of confusion. Ivy spoke up first, voicing their shared sentiment. "Boss, sometimes we don't understand a thing you say. It's like you're speaking a different language."

Ember nodded in agreement. "Yeah, what she said, boss. What are you talking about?"

Akun stumbled for a moment, caught off guard by their remarks. He quickly regained his composure and replied with a sheepish smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Just my mind wandering off at times. Don't worry about it."

Changing the subject, Akun asked Ember and Ivy, "By the way, are you both getting used to your new bodies now?"

Akun was lost in thought recounted the things that happened after he defeated Borax. "I had noticed that after their battle with Borax, Ember and Ivy were one stage below the human grade. Determined to help them progress, I led them through battles in the forest, and finally they evolve and obtain human bodies."

Ember and Ivy exchanged glances before nodding in unison. "Yes, boss, we're completely used to our bodies now," Ivy replied confidently.

Akun recounted the embarrassing moment when they had evolved and the unexpected challenge that arose. "After their evolution, there was a slight issue, they both didn't have any clothes on, so I offered them cloths I had purchased from the Super Gamer Shop. And Ivy's reply was this."

"Why should We put clothes on, boss? we've always walked around like this."

Akun sighed, realizing the cultural differences between their previous lives as ants and their new humanoid forms. He said "That was in your ant form, Ivy. Now that you look like a human, it's important to wear clothes. It's a social norm, you too Ember."

Reluctantly, Ivy took the clothes and donned them, though she still seemed somewhat perplexed. Akun couldn't help but reflect on the humorous moments when both Ember and Ivy struggled to walk in their human bodies for the first time, stumbling like infants taking their first steps.

"It was so funny, they kept standing and falling back again."

"Ah, but they're doing fine now tho," Akun thought to himself. "But I didn't expect Ember to have the physique of a world-record-breaking bodybuilder, and his looks too, his fiery red hair and brown skin are simply breathtaking, and Ivy, with those curves she could put all the models on Earth to shame with her stunning figure, her blond hair gives her an angelic aura, and her Sapphire eyes give you this calm feeling."

"Even I've become quite the hotti myself."Akun thought to himself with a smug expression on his face.

Ivy noticed Akun's facial expression, feeling curious, she questioned, "Boss, why are you smiling like that?"

Akun blinked a slight blush creeping up his cheeks. "Oh, no, Ivy, it's nothing. Just lost in thought for a moment. Sorry if I looked weird."