18 The Token's Awakening

Eamon's attention was drawn to the token, the small skull-shaped object. It seemed to pulsate with vitality, as if awakening from a long slumber. Flesh began to encase its bony structure, and skin gradually formed, transforming it into a lifelike representation.

Eamon watched in awe as the disembodied head, now adorned with features that resembled a living being, turned towards him. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, fixing him with an intense gaze that seemed to penetrate his very soul. A shiver ran down his spine as he sensed a connection forming, an unspoken bond between himself and this enigmatic entity.

As Eamon stood before the Token, the small head started to speak. "I've seen everything since you landed in the cave, Eamon," its voice carried the innocent tone of a child. "I've been here all along," the token added, its words infused with a sense of wonder. "I saw you and your friends arrive, and I've been watching ever since. You were impressive."

Eamon regarded the token with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. "What are you?" he asked, his voice echoing softly in the cavern.

The token shifted slightly, as if considering the question. "I do not know who I am," it replied. "I am simply bound to your territory."

"Why do you speak now?" Eamon inquired, his brow furrowing in confusion.

The token's response was measured. "As you conquer more land, my powers grow stronger," it explained. "The more you expand your domain, the more my consciousness expands with its strength. I am akin to the land, and the land is my vessel. Now that you have claimed the rat forest and the eagle mountain, your status as lord has evolved, and my power has increased."

Eamon nodded. "How should I address you, then?" he asked.

The token seemed almost bashful as it responded. "I have not yet chosen a name," it admitted. "I have spent time observing you, and you are the only living being I know fairly well. I would like you to choose a name for me."

Eamon nodded thoughtfully, considering the request. After a moment's contemplation, he spoke with conviction. "Then I shall call you Klac," he declared.

A sense of satisfaction seemed to emanate from the token as it accepted its new name. "Klac," it repeated softly, the word resonating in the cavern.

Eamon couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with Klac, despite its unconventional form. "Klac," Eamon repeated, a hint of warmth in his voice as he tested the name on his tongue.

The childlike token smiled. "I like you, Eamon," Klac confessed. "You're decisive and strategic. I would like to help you; it would make me feel useful."

Eamon pressed further. "Do you have desires of your own? What is it that drives you?"

Klac's expression turned thoughtful. "I don't know exactly," it admitted. "But I feel like I want to grow, to become stronger. And for that to happen, the territory needs to thrive."

Eamon processed Klac's words. "So, the territory belongs to you or to me?" he ventured.

Klac nodded eagerly. "Eamon! You're the lord and the territory is yours, but the territory is also a part of me. For now, I cannot take any direct action on the territory; I am entirely dependent on you."

Eamon nodded. "And what about the messages, Klac? Are you the one behind them?"

Klac nodded once more, its eyes gleaming. "Yes, I am. I want to help you, to guide you and ensure the prosperity of the territory."

Eamon decided to focus on his new status as Lord.

He summoned his Lordship table.

[Lordship]

[Rank: Squire]

[Promotion possible by increasing the Lord's domination over his territory.]

[Enslavement:

If any living being is located on the Lord's territory, there is a possibility of transforming them into a subject if they have an affinity score higher than 70% and they give their consent freely and knowingly. A subject can be bound to the Lord by oaths of honor, breaking which leads to the death of the subject. Upon a Lord's death, their subjects become the subjects of the new owner of the token.

Enslavement is not applicable to other Lords or followers and subjects of other Lords.]

Eamon's gaze lingered on the words. The ability to exert control over not only followers but all the living beings of his territory was thrilling.

Noting the change in the affinity score requirement from 70% to 60%, Eamon realized that the potential of this ability had expanded.

Eamon wanted to test the enslavement power immediately. He drew the tip of his spear and nicked his finger, letting a small drop of blood well up. With deliberate caution, he approached the immobilized mother eagle and made a shallow cut in her flesh. The eagle letout a piercing cry as Eamon's blood mingled with hers. With the blood still fresh, Eamon turned his attention to Klac and deposited it onto the skull.

Unfortunately, the test failed.

"It must be due to her low affinity," Klac explained, before adding playfully, "Perhaps it's because you killed and transformed her companion into an undead monster and stole her young."

"I preferred it when you were silent," Eamon replied tersely.

Eamon shifted his focus to new tasks. "Malakai," he commanded, "assist me in constructing a pit using stones. It must be wide and deep enough to contain the eaglets without risk of escape."

With Malakai's help, they quickly erected a sturdy pit within the cavern. "Fred, Cassandra," Eamon called out, "place the eaglets within the pit."

Eamon turned to Klac. "Klac, do you sense any dangerous creatures in the forest or the mountain?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Klac shifted slightly, as if contemplating the question. "There is nothing that could endanger your group," Klac replied in its gentle voice.

A sense of relief washed over Eamon at Klac's words. "Are you sure?" he pressed.

Klac's response was unwavering. "I am certain," it affirmed.

Eamon nodded, grateful for Klac's assurance.

Eamon turned back to Malakai. "Gather plants with long, sturdy fibers," he instructed, his tone decisive, "and hunt beasts in the forest with Fred, Cassandra, and the Ghoul eagle."

With the tasks assigned, Eamon's gaze shifted to Roxy, who remained in the cave. "Roxy," he said, his voice carrying a note of authority, "stay here and keep watch over the mother eagle, don't let her move."

With his orders given, Eamon watched as his companions set out to fulfill their assigned tasks.

They returned several hours later, as night gave way to morning, depositing plants and beasts before him.

The plants they brought back were long and fibrous, with a deep green hue that spoke of their vitality. As Eamon ran his fingers along their sturdy stems, he felt the rough texture of the fibers beneath his touch.

Eamon's gaze fell upon the bodies of the creatures they had hunted. Two giant rabbits lay sprawled on the ground, their fur matted with blood. Nearby, the bodies of three giant rats lay motionless, their grotesque forms twisted in death, their eyes glazed over, and their bodies riddled with wounds.

With hesitation, Eamon considered his options. He ultimately decided to utilize his power of transformation on Cassandra and Fred. He sought to enhance their strength and intelligence, molding them into reliable lieutenants to better serve him.

With a wave of his hand, Eamon unleashed his transformative power upon the five animals, directing its force towards Cassandra and Fred. As the energy enveloped them, the bodies of the animals began to wither and decay rapidly, while Cassandra and Fred underwent a startling transformation.

Cassandra's form underwent a drastic metamorphosis. Her hair fell away in clumps, her skull reshaped itself into a more human-like form, and her eyes regained their vitality, yet now entirely blackened orbs. Her skin softened into a milky-white hue, her limbs regaining their original shape while sinewy muscles emerged along her silhouette.

Fred's transformation was equally brutal. His elongated limbs stretched even further, bone blades protruding from his elbows, his skin hardening into a grayish hue. His body underwent a grotesque shift as muscles bulged and twisted beneath the surface, his form becoming more monstrous and elongated with each passing moment.

It was then that two notifications appeared before Eamon.

<Congratulations, your creature has evolved>

<Congratulations, your creature has evolved>

The childlike voice of Klac resonated behind him. "You've created quite a terrifying creature this time, Eamon."