Ka'lyctso, Chief of the Rough Scale Tribe, was bored. Not that this was exactly new. Ka'lyctso had been bored since she wrested the position of chief from her predecessor and found herself with nothing left to do. She couldn't hunt, because the chief had to stay back to protect the tribe. She couldn't take any territory, because despite her personal power, the rest of the tribe wasn't strong or numerous enough to hold any more territory than they already had. Occasionally a group of goblins from the nearby tribe would attempt a raid, giving Ka'lyctso a brief moment of excitement, but after their last four attempts ended with the entire group melted into sludge, even those had stopped. She couldn't even fuck, because none of the weakling males in the tribe were worth her time! Whatever strange quirk of fate had gifted her her strength had yet to repeat itself, leaving her alone in her superior position. Maybe if she abandoned her tribe to climb higher up the Maze, she could find a worthy partner, but she wasn't so desperate that she would abandon the tribe that had birthed and raised her. And so, she remained bored.

[Chief!] Ka'lyctso's assistant Kit'ka rushed into her ‘throne room’, a hollowed out section in the wall of the cavern the tribe lived in. [Ri'ka and her group have returned, and they brought a stranger!]

[So?] Ka'lyctso yawned. [Are they strong?]

Kit'ka gulped. [I don't know, but… they've issued a challenge! They wish to battle for control of the tribe!]

Ka'lyctso's eyes widened, grinning as she jumped to her feet. [Well why didn't you say so?!? Let's go!] She swept out of the throne room, marching towards where the rest of her tribe was gathered around the stranger. [Who dares-!] She began, looking to rile up her opponent so they'd give her a good fight, only to blanch, her mouth going dry as she caught sight of the handsomest kobold she'd ever seen. The smooth, glossy scales, the taper of his snout, the wicked glint of his claws… Ka'lyctso shuddered as his cool gaze turned on her.

[You're the chief?] Chris asked. Ka'lyctso nodded stiffly. [Good. I wish to take control of your tribe-]

[Okay. You can have it.] Ka'lyctso agreed.

Chris blinked. [Aren't we supposed to fight first? So I can prove I'm stronger?]

Ka'lyctso's eyes dilated as she purred. [Yesss~ Prove your strength to me~] The rest of the tribe looked away awkwardly as Kit'ka let out a groan.

Chris scratched his head, glancing at an embarrassed looking Ri'ka. *Do I just attack her now?* He asked through their connection.

Ri'ka coughed. *I think you might get more than the tribe if you do.*

*Then what should I do?* Chris asked.

*I don't know! I didn't expect you to seduce the chief like this!* Ri'ka frowned. *She must be lonelier than I thought…*

Chris's expression twisted slightly as he glared at the dazzled kobold chief. [Okay, let's start with this. I have a space that lets me form connections with others, putting them under my control and letting me borrow their abilities for various benefits including the ability to open portals to the space and anyone connected to the space, communicating telepathically, and limited immortality. I want to connect your entire tribe to my space, for various reasons, but largely because I want to connect everyone in the Maze to my space, and I believe there are more benefits than downsides. Particularly since the main downside is that you have to do what I say, and I have no intention of ordering you around any more than is absolutely necessary. What do you all think?]

They all looked to Ka'lyctso, but she was still staring at Chris in a daze, so instead Kit'ka stepped forward. [Why do you want our tribe? What's so special about us?]

Chris shrugged. [Nothing. As I said, I want everyone. You're just the first tribe I ran into.]

Kit'ka frowned. [But why? To fight for you?]

Chris cocked his head. Why did he want to turn everyone in the Maze into his minion? The original plan was so he could keep the Maze and by extension the City safe, but that… wasn't exactly an option anymore. Not with the elves and the doppelgangers running around. There was something to be said for having more minions so he could have access to more abilities, but honestly he didn't need a ton of abilities. If anything, he should be focusing on getting better at using the abilities he did have, rather than trying to collect a bunch of new ones. He could use an army to help him fight, but honestly he didn't need more minions, he needed stronger minions, and that meant strengthening his space. So what he should be doing was killing everyone in the tribe and absorbing their ability energy, except maybe one or two of the most powerful. That'd be the smart thing to do.

However, that idea didn't sit right with him. He thought back to his conversation with Beth about why people sucked, and it felt like if he went down that path, it wouldn't just be the inevitable factors of life making him suck, he'd be choosing to suck, and he didn't like that idea. The honest truth was that even if there wasn't any need to make these people his minions, he wanted to do it to make their lives better. To give them a chance at being something more. Because if the problem with people was groups, then why not get rid of groups, and just have one group? His group.

Chris smiled at Kit'ka. [There might be some fighting, yes, and I may have you do some things for me, though nothing you would already be interested in doing, but ultimately my goal is to create peace. Because once everyone is connected to me, then they'll have no more reasons to fight each other.]

[And what will you do if we refuse?] Kit'ka asked skeptically.

Chris sighed. [I could try to force you, but that would take a lot of time and effort I'd really rather not waste on people who aren't interested in helping me.] Chris paused, considering what he'd actually be willing to do if they said no. [I'll just move on to the next tribe.] He finally shrugged. He didn't need more minions after all. His primary focus at the moment should be hunting and growing his space. He was doing this to help them, and if they didn't want his help, that was on them.

Kit'ka hesitated, looking around. [Can- can you explain the benefits of joining you again?] Chris carefully went over the benefits of his space again, the kobolds sharing mixed looks as he did. They weren't dumb and they could see that if what Chris was saying was true, it would benefit them immensely. But it seemed almost too good to actually be true. There had to be some sort of catch, right? He'd turn around and force them to fight until they died or something. But then they'd just end up stuck in his space… which was supposedly very nice. Or at least it would be once he grew it more.

[Well I'm doing it!] Ka'lyctso declared.

Chris scowled at her. [Are you doing it because you think it's a good idea, or because you're attracted to me?]

[Can't it be both?] Ka'lyctso replied, shooting him a wink.

[You do realize I'm not actually a kobold, right?] Chris added. He'd added enough details that he was pretty sure everyone understood he was just using a kobold form.

[As long as you function like a kobold, does it really matter?] Ka'lyctso grinned.

[I'm already with someone else.] Chris shook his head.

Ka'lyctso paused at that, then shrugged. [Things change. Besides, even if I can't be with you, you're going to be approaching other kobolds, right? Some higher up? Some who are powerful? All of whom you'll be connecting to? This is the best chance I've had to find a worthy partner in years! Plus I'll be able to travel! Since the tribe will always be a portal away, there's no reason I have to stay here all the time! It's perfect!]

Chris raised an eyebrow. That actually made sense… [Fine, you can join. But I wouldn't bet on things changing.] He opened a portal to his currently empty private space. [Just step inside and don't resist.] Ka'lyctso stepped through, accepting the connection readily before stepping back out with a victorious grin. [Alright, who's next?]

*

In the end, the rest of the tribe ended up becoming his minions as well, though some just seemed to do it because they didn't want to be the only ones who didn't. Chris gave them some basic instructions, mostly just asking them to get him more energy, before retreating into his space. “So, we have a kobold tribe, but I think we need to change our strategy.” Chris announced as he walked into Beth's room. The squad had split up to do their own thing while Chris dealt with the kobolds, since there was no way they were going to rush into the middle of a tribe of pissed off kobolds if things went wrong. Chris would just have to escape and they'd have come up with a different plan.

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Beth raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Well, let me ask you this. What does having more minions actually do for me?” Chris replied.

Beth frowned. “It- makes you stronger?”

“Does it?” Chris raised an eyebrow. “I mean sure, I could throw a bunch at a problem and it would probably go away, but it'd also leave me with a bunch of pissed off people now stuck in my space for the rest of eternity. And depending on when it happens, it could get pretty cramped in there. Otherwise, it gives me a wider variety of abilities to pull on, but it doesn't actually make me any stronger. To get stronger I need to mutate and grow my space.”

“I guess… but it's still useful to have more minions.” Beth pointed out. “First of all, you know you can trust them. Second, you can use them to help you grow your space and find places to mutate. Third, sometimes you need to send a bunch of minions at a problem, even if the end result isn't pretty.”

Chris nodded. “I agree, and I'm not saying we should stop recruiting minions, I'm just thinking we shouldn't make it our primary focus. I think our main priority should be growing my space, followed by mutating, and picking up minions should be more of a matter of convenience. I think we're still in the mindset of trying to control the Maze, which isn't really an option anymore. What we need to do is get stronger.”

Beth hesitated for a moment. “I think you're right, but I think your minions are more important than you might think. The process of getting everyone out of the City-”

“Would go a lot smoother if we used humans, not random creatures from the Maze.” Chris cut her off. “Which is more reason to make my space stronger.”

Beth sighed. “The problem is I don't know how many people are actually going to be interested in being connected to your space. For the people in the Maze, where death is practically a daily occurrence, a connection with you is a guarantee that even if they do die, it isn't the end. But for the people in the City… They'll want access to your space, so they can stay young, but I don't think enough of them see death as enough of an issue to risk a connection. I think a lot of them would be worried about something much worse than death. Without knowing you, the control you have over the people connected to you is… terrifying. Plus, your space needs to get a lot bigger before it's an attractive option for people to live in.”

Chris paused. “I guess I could see that… fine, I guess we can keep focusing on collecting minions.”

Beth shook her head. “No, I think you have a point. We shouldn't be acting like collecting minions is the answer to our problems. We need to be hunting and growing your space too. It's just that we need to do both, not one or the other.” She considered their options for a moment. “Okay, I think today's events have shown that the squad isn't going to be the best for approaching tribes. We can help capture a few to start, but ultimately we can't communicate and we'll be attacked on sight. So, we should focus on hunting and marking down any tribes we find for others to contact. Daniel can help with that as well, but the others… I honestly don't know what to do with them.”

“Well, I think we can use Jo and Salvador to approach tribes.” Chris commented. “They can shapeshift like I can, so they won't be attacked on sight, and if anyone has experience blending into a foreign culture it's them.”

Beth snorted. “True, but I was referring more to the rich kids. You know, the ones with power but no training in how to use it?”

Chris cocked his head. “I actually have two ideas for that. First, if we're going to be collecting more minions, we're going to need an organizational structure. We can put them to work on that, coordinating with the tribes so things run smoothly. Second… Well, it depends on whether they're willing to become my minions or not. If they are, then I can just give them all my training. Hell, I can give them the whole squad's training, except yours. They'll still need to work to get their muscle memory and physique up to speed, but they'll at least know what to do. After they get over the headache, of course.”

“That could work.” Beth muttered. “Plus, we really should get the rest of the squad connected to you. Just being able to communicate without talking would be a good enough reason to do it.”

“Yeah, but the problem is we'd leave you out, which kinda defeats the point.” Chris shrugged. “You know, that kinda makes your point for you. The whole reason we haven't connected the whole squad to me yet is because there's no reason for it unless you expect to die, and none of us expect to die, despite the fact that we regularly work in the Maze.”

“Yeah, if the people closest to you aren't jumping on board, it's probably a bad sign.” Beth agreed. “But now we have to talk about what we're going to do with you.”

Chris blinked. “Me? I'm- with the squad, right?”

Beth shook her head. “I don't think we can afford to be as cautious as we've been. Honestly, I think the squad should split as well. Probably me, Carmen, and Nadia, then Derek, Zack, and Girolt. We'll take another minion or two for utility, and access to your space, but keeping us all together is inefficient, especially when it comes to you. You have multiple abilities you can use at the equivalent of a superior-tier! You don't need the help of a squad, at least not on this level. Maybe once we start getting into the upper levels, but right now? Sticking with us is a waste.”

Chris grimaced. “I see your point, but I can't say I like the idea of walking around the Maze on my own.”

“I know, I'd much rather be with you too, but we can't afford to do anything less than everything we can right now.” Beth sighed. “Ugh, we should really be going now.”

“Let's take care of the rich kids first.” Chris muttered. “Then yeah, we should probably get to work.”

*

To Beth's complete lack of surprise, the rich kids weren't exactly jumping up and down to connect to Chris, even if it would essentially let them skip boot camp. Katerina seemed excited by the idea of helping Chris organize his minions at least, and a few of the others at least seemed interested in helping. As for the rest… “I'll train them.” Daniel declared, crossing his arms.

Chris raised an eyebrow. “Sure, go for it, but you realize we don't have months to get them up to speed, right? If they want to be useful, we need them to be out hunting in a matter of days, maybe a week. Otherwise, we might as well just send them back to the City. I mean, do what you want, but I don't think it's going to be very productive.”

Daniel deflated slightly, before scowling at him. “That's our business. We aren't becoming your minions just to skip training!”

“Suit yourselves. It's not like I'm going to force you or anything. I was just letting you know your options.” Chris shrugged, turning to leave. “Think we should still connect the rest of the squad?” He asked Beth.

“It's up to them.” Beth sighed. “If there's no one who needs their training, there isn't much point.”

Chris nodded. “True.”

They quickly got the squad together, and Chris offered to connect them. “Sure, I'm down.” Derek agreed. “It would be convenient to be able to get to my room on my own, without needing you or your minions to open portals for me.”

“Plus we could redesign our rooms ourselves.” Carmen added. “The outlet in my room is just an inch too far away from my night stand, and it's been bugging the shit out of me.”

“And it isn't like we didn't know it was going to happen someday.” Zack muttered. “Why not today?”

Nadia hesitated. “I'm- not so sure I want to. Not that I think there's anything wrong with it, it's just- it's a decision you can't take back, and if I don't have to, I'd rather not.”

Chris nodded. “I get that. I was just thinking that since we're pretty much living in the Maze right now, and especially since we're going to be splitting up, you might want the extra security.”

“Wait, we're doing what now?” Zack interjected. “Why the hell would we split up?!?”

“Efficiency.” Beth replied. “Let's face it, the whole squad together is overkill for this section of the Maze. I think we should split into two melee, defender, ranged groups and then send Chris off on his own. We'll take Girolt to make up the extra defender.”

“Or you could take Jello and I'll just give her Girolt's ability.” Chris offered. “She's not going to want to stay back anyway and a high-tier defender will be better than a mid-tier.”

Beth nodded. “That could w-” She suddenly froze, her eyes widening as she realized something. “Wait, Chris, you can give your minions each other's abilities too!”

Chris frowned at her. “Yeah? Why?”

“You can give your minions-” She gestured to the squad. “-multiple abilities!”

The rest of the squad's eyes widened as she caught what she was saying. “Okay, now I'm definitely on board.” Derek commented. “Oh, dibs on Cabbage's ability!”

“Actually, I think I'm going to use Cabbage's ability myself.” Chris replied. “And Dyrdek's. Then something ranged… or maybe I should just use my bow? Yeah, no, definitely the bow. Using two abilities is already going to be a significant drain on my potential energy.”

“Shit, good point…” Derek muttered. At his level, trying to support two heavy use abilities would just take him out of the fight that much faster. He needed something he'd only need to use a handful of times to get him out of a tight spot. “Tibolt's then?”

“I think Firbolt's ability would pair well with my wind blades.” Zack offered. “Give them a bit of an extra kick.”

Carmen frowned. “I could use Fribolt's? I don't know, I don't think any of your minions' abilities mesh all that well with mine.”

“I did just get a whole batch of kobolds.” Chris pointed out. “Maybe there's something good in there? Plus I should probably see about mixing around their abilities anyway.”

“Let Katerina deal with that.” Beth waved dismissively. “That's what she's there for, isn't it?” She glanced at Nadia. “Do you still not want the connection?”

Nadia hesitated for a moment, before letting out a sigh. “Fine, I'll take it. But I'm getting Fribolt's ability!”