Before everyone, my body began knitting itself together with incredible speed. The sight caused murmurs, especially among the knight order, many of whom had dropped to their knees at the sight.
Not only had it knitted together my injured parts, my body mass had also improved. I was slightly wider, more muscular and had grown at least two inches, making stand now at a respectable 7ft5.
’Well this is unexpected?’ I thought to myself before imdiately checking that this sudden growth had not fucked up my enhancents. It was on the contrary the slight impurities I had from last ti, the occasional muscle that was not perfect, now was. On top of them being bigger. I wouldn’t be able to call myself a sleeper body now, no shirt could hide this muscle gain.
The main question though was. "Why am I floating?" And as soon as I acknowledged it, I fell, landing on my feet. I then proceeded to give my body a quick stretch and nodded. I didn’t even need to go through the getting used to the new body proportion size phase, this just felt right.
Right up until Nerissa grabbed my arm and began to audibly sniff . Usually I would let such hive-like behaviour slide, but in public? With hundreds of people staring at ? I had my limits.
"Um... Loch Ness Sniffer? W-Why are you doing that? People are staring?" I asked, and the mont I did, Nerissa clicked a combination on her suit and an opaque do erged around us and she continued to sniff.
...
Skaja looked at the do and felt a shock that was not entirely her own. ’Did that man just?’ Artemis thought in shock before urging Skaja to walk forward.
So people were already trying to look and get through the do. Gabrielle was banging on it trying to get inside, but she just walked right through, like she had the authority to do so.
...
"What the fuck is going on?" I heard from my left and turned to Skaja, who had sohow gotten through Nerissa’s barrier.
"Um? Good question? I am the victim in this scenario, ask Nerissa." I replied and at that point Nerissa pulled back and explained not to , but to Skaja.
"His body has changed on more than a genetic level. His sweat slls like- hold on-" She proceeded to extend her tongue out of her cover and ’mled’ my arm. "-Yes, even tastes like birch sap. And his entire body slls like petrichor after rain. It’s intoxicating. Sll for yourself."
At Nerissa’s instruction, Skaja walked forward and took my arm before inhaling. In another scenario, hot females sniffing my aroma would be a sensual experience, but not here. Not now. It was just odd.
As she took in my... musk? Her eyes went wide and she pulled back, her face turning flush. "*Ahem* A-Apollo, you sll really good right now. Like freshly brewed hot cocoa after a long day of hunting in the snow. It’s uh... Can I get another whiff?"
Just as she said that, her eyes turned green and her hair amber. I thought I was about to get ready for a fight considering the last ti I saw that, but she spoke to calmly with a trace of authority.
"Apollo, put on your armour and keep it on. We cannot have distractions now. Just say to everyone you have awakened a new Psionic power, even though you clearly haven’t as this is... Not sothing I have seen before."
I shrugged my shoulders. I had no problem with that as I had no idea what just occurred, and if I had awakened sothing I would know it... Probably.
The events leading up to Kathrine’s slave state ca to mind.
"Hey, Ness, can I have a shirt?" I asked as the current one was just a neck hole at this point. Nerissa simply nodded before handing my regular size. As I put it on, it was now like I was wearing a second skin with all my muscles in clear definition.
"Oh dip, I might have to start wearing 8XL. This is fine for now though." I thought aloud before covering myself back in my armour. The mont I did. it was like sothing visibly hit Nerissa and Skaja as they looked between each other in realisation.
Skaja’s eyes then went wide and spoke. "Nerissa, your hand." She said before her hair and eyes returned to their usual colour.
Nerissa then looked at her hand and so did I. Her skin was multi-coloured.
"Again?!?" She shouted, losing her composure. She then removed her helt and looked directly at . I freaked out as Skaja was here, but she seed to know? Judging from her shocked, but not violently so reaction.
Turning back to Ness, her face was actively changing colour again. It was still mostly green, but tiger-like streaks of blue and orange were beginning to show.
However, I couldn’t focus on that for long. She was looking at my helt with a gaze so soft and sweet, it took by surprise and I actually felt myself blush, which I now had the luxury to do.
"Apollo... Are you-"
"-Ready to go back out?" Skaja interjected and walked over to , patting on the back. She then turned to Nerissa. "Nymph, helt and gauntlet. We have been in here for too long, it will begin to make everyone antsy."
...
As the do dropped, Gabrielle must have been on top of it, kicking it aggressively as her leg was extended at an odd angle as I caught her fall.
"You ok?" I asked?
"Are you? Apollo, what was that? I’ve not seen you do that before?"
"Oh, I awakened a new power. I still don’t quite understand it yet, but the bottom line is, I am fine." I then put Gabrielle down with her letting out a dissatisfied moan before Knight captain Cassian announced from his ch.
"What a glorious display of your regenerative arts! The sight was like the stories of our ancient order. I am honoured to have borne witness to such a sight and relieved you are well, my Lord sentinel."
I was about to brush the complint off, but suddenly realised that I would be leading these people into battle once more in a few hours upon sunrise, so I gave the man a salute by placing my hand above my heart.
"Thank you Captain, now. Muster your n and tend to your wounded. A thousand victories."
"A Thousand victories, Lord Sentinel!" Cassian shouted at the top of his modulator and then his order followed suit
"A thousand victories!"
...
A few hours later, we relocated from the battlefield we were on and travelled to the west of the fort. The Phalanx had managed to drive the Drakoshi back in what can only be described as a bloody feat.
Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in one battle. A battle considered ’Easily won’ from the high ups I have been in contact with.
Not long ago I was given command in lieu of Skaja. However, unlike Skaja, who only had authority to lead us, the college elites, given my title and the status that ca with it, I had now been promoted as direct ground commander of the forces.
Those above in the chain of command, the warroom, would give intel on how I should approach a battle, but considering my authority, I could adapt this in any way I saw fit.
Most would buckle under this type of stress, and while I did not enjoy having such authority, it did not allow to kick back and relax, I have had over a decade of battle tactics controlling Jewel’s swarms through a bio pad.
Honestly, this wasn’t going to be much different. The Spartari higherups treated the Phalanx like hive lower castes. Just send them into the at grinder and hope they co out intact on the other side.
However the difference this ti was that I was not looking through a Freethinkers point of view. I was here. Commanding an entire army. I would not half ass this. I also would not be leading from the rear.
I was currently standing in a command tent, surrounded by a bunch of Phalanx captains I did not know, Skaja and Nerissa by my side alongside Centurion Cockburn. One of the Phalanx leaders, while respectful, did not like the idea of taking to the battlefield.
"My Lord, I strongly advise against this course of action. While I am not doubting your strength, the leadership must survive so the Phalanx does not lose mor-."
I slamd my first into the tal table, denting it deeply to shut the man up before speaking my mind.
"I will not put the safety of my soldiers before my own. I will fight with them. Shoulder to shoulder in the line of fire. How can I expect them to give their all, to muster all their courage if I do not? No, I will be there with them as their embodint of courage. To show them that their leader is not sending them to their deaths, but has set forth a plan so sound, that their leader willingly joins them in the charge."
The room went silent. Each face told a different story as they reacted to my words. I nodded, all seed ready to listen, not bicker.
"Now, here are the andnts to the assault."
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