I have learned that once again true saharliard exist in the world. Now, I request additional funds to facilitate my journey east, as the funding will allow me to travel in greater security and at a greater speed, but even if I receive no advances or additional financial backing, I will leave. I am currently in the position every other anthropologist can only dream of–the subject of my specialization has somehow returned from the annals of history, found the most impactful historical site in recorded memory, and now they speak with divine guidance that can be verified as at least mostly truthful.

Thus, I request full funding for the journey of six individuals–myself and my assistant, as well as four High Speaker guard escorts. Of course, payment for the journey for each individual will be required, except for myself. The discovery itself serves as the richest treasure I could acquire.

-A denied request for funding for an anthropological trip to New Nievtra submitted by Eldara di’Frandara

Even before I looked at the new [Skill] I’d been granted, I looked at the bottom of my [Status].

[-Sonic Keel Zak’Tal: Speak the entirety of the True Words of Power of Nievtala. Progress: 0/1 Have a Swarm Leader level race. Completed.]

My keelish rallied and rushed onward, shepherding the herds onward, towards the mountains once more. I paid them no attention as I looked closer at the other notification.

[The user has discovered the True Iteration of the First of the Words of Power of Nievtala. The user has been blessed with the greater blessing of power. The user has been granted the Skill: Spear of the Many.]

Though the [Skill] that appeared drew me in, I instead focused on why I couldn’t evolve.

[Read the requirement, little fang.]

The Administrator seemed to laugh as she said as much. I looked it over and repeated to myself, “Speak the entirety of the True Words of Power of Nievtala.” Did I just need to say them all in order? The words came preternaturally to my lips, and I repeated them.

“Through the flaming crucible of war are we refined and through the quenching in the blood of our foes are we strengthened. Through the tempering of the sacrifice of our lives are we complete. We are keelish, we are the blade bared at the throats of those who dare oppose us. Mine is the throne, the throne to which the wise submit. I am the peak that casts the long shadow!” I said the last phrase, ready for some feeling of reverence, or completion, or something. Nothing came, though Vefir stepped close to me.

“I feel those words…” He muttered. “I’ve spoken some of them myself. Is there something I can do to help you with this? I feel likeI might be able to, but I don’t know.”

I hesitated for a moment, though still nothing occurred to me about what was missing from this. “No, I think that there’s nothing for you to do just yet. In a while, though. Maybe.”

“Yes, Alpha. Keep yourself healthy, will you?” Vefir teased, though his attitude remained wholly respectful and considerate, his head bowed slightly.

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“I will try. I’m not a fan of all this.” I said, gesturing to the white scales betraying my countless scars that patterned my shoulder, hand, arms, and most every other part of my body.

“Yet still it happens. For when it does, I am here.” Vefir bowed fully, the cock of his head indicating his playful mood.

“Is Shemira treating you well?” I asked, not getting the surprised reaction I wanted.

“She is good, though a part of her still doubts your trust in her. That doubt is slowly dying, but she wishes to prove herself loyal and a good supporter who will push you to greater heights, just as Sybil does. She worries that her part in the subtle challenge to your authority would be misunderstood and might undermine all the progress she has made in becoming one of your ‘elites’, as you call us.” Vefir looked me in the eye as he said as much, the subtle request for patience with his lover obvious. Then, with a final bow, he walked off, where Sakkit waited for him to reunite.

[Though you know all of what makes up the Phrases of your goddess, that is not all that Speaking them requires. You already knew this, little fang.]

I wanted to grind my fangs and complain, but I knew she was right. The sense of a divine presence or approval wasn’t something I could force, even if I said the right words a thousand times over. My immediate evolution thwarted, I instead turned to my consolation prize.

[Skill: Spear of the Many; a Skill granted to a leader who exemplifies who and what their people are. As your species is an example of a communal creature, you have gained this Skill. This Skill allows for you to draw on a portion of the strength of those who believe in you. In order to benefit from this Skill, your believers must have true and honest faith in your cause and your ability, and they will temporarily sacrifice 120% of all stats that are lent to you. Current number of true believers: 118. Current maximum percentage of true believer’s total stats to sacrifice: 10%. Current additional recovery time for true believers: One hour. WARNING: Though your body will be able to draw on strength beyond what it is capable of naturally, your body’s limitations yet remain. Through excessive usage of the Spear of the Many Skill, it is possible to damage or even injure yourself. This Skill cannot evolve, though it can advance.]

I couldn’t quite understand what this new Skill did at first, but as it settled over me, I hissed an involuntary intake of breath. Then, with a mental command that came naturally, I dictated that I be blessed with 5% of all Stats of my 118 true believers. My body swelled with power, an unnatural or foreign energy demanding that I move, act, attack, anything. The infusion of power was accompanied by a tingle that filled every crevice of my body, and continued growing towards pain. The potency of my magic swelled and suffused my body far beyond the natural limits of my sonilphon. I went to jog forward, and my toes sent me flying forward nearly at the same pace that a full sprint would have. The other foot’s toes caught on a tangle of grass and left me sprawled on the ground and dazed.

Recovering and ignoring the approaching keelish, I looked at my Stats.

[Stats:

-Constitution: 160(+328)

-Strength: 175(+354)

-Agility: 167(+402)

-Intelligence: 160(+281)

-Magic: 195(+91)]

The broad smile that had already cracked my face devolved into maddened laughter, even disregarding the pain of my fall combined with the throbbing agony from [Spear of the Many]. This [Skill]... would serve as the equalizer for me and any superhuman creature. With enough believers and practice, a ufudoluk would be prey, not anything to fear. That reality kept me laughing maniacally long after my elites had surrounded me and pestered me to understand what was happening.

All that stood between me and absolute supremacy at this point was mere practice.