The prince thought for a second before speaking again.
"I just wanted to wave your offense because your bonded creature had died. Therefore, it wouldn't be a problem anymore, but now that's impossible. Meaning you will have to answer to me," the prince said sternly, shushing Mors` parents' attempted protest.
Mor gulped at this, now getting really nervous.
"I want to speak with young Agaton alone. I have to decide, without any influence from you all, what I will do." The prince continued, and no one dared to protest. Everyone filed out of the room, leaving Mor and the prince alone.
"Now, Mor. If I interpreted everything right, this human can hear and understand us, right?" He began, and Mor nodded nervously.
"Good, then relay its answer to my question. How? Where did it learn our language?" The prince asked.
°Wait? I never thought about that. Isn't it because your magic mumbo jumbo is weird?°The human asked, and Mor relayed the answer.
"That's not how this works. But I guess both of you wouldn't know that. Listen to me. I will explain exactly how this ritual came to be and how it works. BUT you will swear to never share this secret. Do you understand?" The prince said.
"I understand and swear." Mor accepted, still cautious about a possible punishment.
°Yeah me too!° The human agreed unheard.
"Good. This specific ritual, which you somehow did without knowing how was created by our ancestors at the end of the second cataclysm. Against common belief, we didn't create the floating islands to survive but developed another technique. It was called elemental possession and is the basis for creating the first affinities, Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.
Our ancestors would use this technique to bond with the magical powers of the elements and strengthen themselves to survive, but it had a catch. The first technique was crude, meaning the longer this had to be done, the more our pre-soul-kin mind would influence the elements, giving them a will of their own," the prince explained.
°I can guess where this is going.° The human said.
°Yes, me too.° Mor agreed.
"The elements used their will to free themselves," Mor simply stated, and the prince nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, because of this, the pre-soul-kin were almost eradicated. The ancient leaders then decided that this technique was to be forbidden, but the threat of the monstrosities would not allow our most powerful weapon to be left aside. In grim determination, the "Sacrificial" were created. The most adept mages would use the elemental possession and launch themselves in suicide attacks against the monstrosities, killing as many as they could before either dying or getting overtaken and then killed." The prince continued on.
Mor sat there trying to imagine the dread, fear, and desperate situations, shuddering at them.
"The pre-soul-kin could hold back the monstrosities, but barely. Still, they were trying to survive, and on the basis of the elemental possession, they created the first ritual for soul-binding. Instead of an elemental, soul-kin would bind to one another and create stronger mages that way. This was also when our ancestors found the floating islands, perfect places to defend and refine this new technique. After establishing their settlements and completing their defenses, they enhanced this new technique, forbidding the old one completely and trying to bury it in obscurity and legend." The prince finished.
"Then how did Ranbor find out about this?" Mor asked.
"I don't know, but I will find out. And may mercy grace the one who broke the ancient law because I will crush them." The prince answered in an icy voice.
"But now that you know human, how are you talking our tongue?" The prince repeated his first question.
°I think this question might go further. Mind if I try speaking for myself?° The human asked, and Mor thought for a second until reluctantly agreeing.
"Ah... Eh... Ih... Oh... Uh... Ok, this is fucking weird. Btuhtat isttlrlanwgoerk..."The Mor-human said, biting its tongue.
°Outch!° Both exclaimed.
°Ok, we need to go one after another. Just tell me here if you want to add something.° The human proposed.
°Yes. Still, this is strange.° Mor said.
°Yeah, it feels wrong talking in your voice. This will probably be the only time we will do this.° The human agreed.
At this strange uttering, the prince got defensive.
"If you take over the boy, I will murder you right here and now, creature!" He threatened.
"Keep cool. I'm just doing this so I can talk to you directly. Also, if you want to hurt my buddy, I'll break every single bone in your body." The human confronted the prince.
This gave the prince pause.
"I will accept this for now. IF you answer my questions truthfully. Now again, where did you learn our language?" He asked.
"I don't know. But if this is no strange magic mumbo jumbo, then we're all speaking a human language." The human said, shrugging Mors' shoulders.
"Interesting, that means this human language is the same as our kin-speak." The prince mused. "Strange."
"Yeah, very." The human and Mor agreed.
"Well, then, what else do you want to know? This situation is strange, and I want to get it over with," the human said, leaning back.
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"Why aren't you taking over the boy completely and instead playing along?" The prince asked directly.
The human laughed at this.
"I like this directness, and you just expect me to tell the truth. You're bold and funny! But I will stay true to my promise. It's pretty simple. Because I'm human, we're known to pack bond with anything, objects, animals, whatever if we think it's cute or friendly." The human explained, giggling.
"I don't understand? Also, animals?" The prince asked.
"Animals are the "monstrosities" of my world, but not as dangerous, without your stupid magic rules. But to explain, in human evolution, we worked together with other creatures, hunting and living together. Those later became our pets, and we now treat them like family. But if a human is lonely, they might bond to anything to escape that loneliness, even something like a ball." The human explained further.
"So your species has a very ingrained social need?" The prince asked.
"Ya got it." The human said. "And I see little Mor here as my packmate. Meaning I will personally kick everyone's butt who wants to hurt him."
"Even without a body?" The prince teased, slowly relaxing.
"I will fucking find a way." The human confirmed, grinning. "Anything else?"
"No. I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Mor seems to trust you, so I will defer to his judgment," the prince said, receiving a surprised/interested look.
"Why? Shouldn't you be more distrusting as a "prince"?" The human asked, and the prince grinned.
"Simple, as the next ruler, you must delegate and trust your subjects. Also, I see Mor more like a nephew because Moro and I are close friends, even if he addresses me like my status demands since I became crown prince. Meaning, if you want, Mor, you're allowed to call me Uncle Dino." He answered.
The human laughed out loud for a split second, retreating and giving Mor his body back. Mor instantly stuttered something, then tried again.
"Why are you so casual?!" He finally shouted.
"Easy, it makes me more relatable to the common folk, but if you want, I can be regal with you." The prince said, taking on a more imposing position.
"As crown prince of the soul-kin and your ancient appointed ruler, I, Dinothom Diamond, demand of you, Mor Agaton, to address me as your uncle." He stated in an apparently practiced voice but then devolved into chuckling again.
"I get it. So, no punishment?" Mor asked slyly, making Dino laugh even harder.
"As long as you don't do anything to destroy the soul-kin, I will trust you." He said between laughing fits.
"Also, tell me, what's between you and the Sapphire girl?" He continued to ask, interested, Mor slightly turning red in embarrassment.
"Can you even understand how strange this is for me right now?" he asked. Also, she's my friend. We're not romantically involved!"
"Yes, yes. But Moro didn't want to introduce me to you, and now I'm catching up to that." Dino said with a wink.
Mor let out an exasperated sigh while the human laughed in his mind.
"Now, back to the girl. Doesn't knowing you could bond with her change your view?" Dino teased further.
°Yeah, Mor. Tell him how much you're lovey-dovey with Saphine.° The human joined in.
"Shut up! Both of you! She's a friend!" Mor shouted, the other two starting to laugh at his embarrassment.
The prince wiped away his tears from laughing too hard and put a hand on Mors' shoulder.
"I mean it. If you have any trouble, I'm here to help. And with the Obsidian boy and the Sapphire girl, your influence is pretty significant. Don't underestimate this if you have a revolutionary idea or need help." Dino said, smiling.
Mor nodded, a bit embarrassed at this. "Thank you, uncle." He whispered.
"Very good. Now, I just need you to get along with my little sister." Dino said.
"Right! I completely forgot about this!" Mor shouted. "How should I interact with her? Father said I'm supposed to be her guard!"
"Simple, take care that she doesn't hurt herself," Dino said, producing a sealed letter. "And if she makes trouble and doesn't want to listen to you, show her this."
"What's this?" Mor asked, taking the letter.
"Your letter of enlistment." Dino simply stated.
"My what?!" Mor asked.
°Ok this sounds serious. Read it!° The human said, and Mor did so after breaking the seal.
..........
I, Dinothom Diamanond, crown prince of the soul-kin, slayer of monstrosities, forger of treaties, shadow hunter, and conqueror of tundra, hereby name Mor Agaton as fit to fulfill his role as guardian of the royal family. With this letter, the mentioned soul-kin may only be ordered by His Royal Highness, the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and myself. While exerting his duty, he will be allowed to order anyone else, be it royal, noble, or commoner, with the same authority as myself.
Furthermore, Mor Agaton is only to use this authority if he deems it indisputably necessary and not to use it for personal or political gain. He is ordered hereby to conceal his influence until the rulers mentioned above deem it necessary to reveal it or necessity demands it. Should he decide to misuse this trust, he will be outlawed and sentenced to life-long imprisonment or death.
..........
"Death?!" Mor asked in supprise.
"Yes." Dino nodded gravely. "If you accept this position, these will be the consequences of your standing. But as long as you don't misuse it for your own gain, then you're safe. Your parents were given the same contract."
"I can refuse?" Mor asked.
"Of course. But then, you must stay silent and live as a common guard at the palace. We can't let this information get out. The Agatons are our secret final weapon." Dino said.
"Even if Orth wants me as a retainer?" Mor continued.
"I would probably make an exception for that, but you will not be able to live as you please," Dino said.
°He knew we wouldn't just agree and told us all this shit to capture us. Now I see his "princely" side.° The human grumbled.
°Well, true. But I don't think this is that bad of a contract. True, the consequences are harsh, but our rights are also impressive. We could even order the high nobles around if the situation demands it. Also, if your hunch is correct and the "First" is back, we need every scrap of power we can get. I'll accept this.° Mor said.
°Your decision, but I will support you.° The human relented.
"I agree." Mor simply said, and Dino smiled.
"Good to have you at my back, but don't tell your friends that this is official. I will just play this with the Sapphire girl off as a joke and inform your parents of your decision in private. For now, can you try to look a bit meek? Like I gave you a bad scolding?" He said, and Mor nodded.
As they opened the door and rejoined everyone else, Mor looked to the ground, not making eye contact with anyone, his shoulders shuddering, while Dinothom had a stern look plastered on his face.
°You suck at acting!° The human said.
°Shut it, I'm doing my best!° Mor defended himself.
He looked to the ground and evaded eye contact, not because he was crying but because he was trying to suppress laughter.
"I'm finished with this one. His punishment is dealt with. Also, Miss Sapphire, I have to apologize for my tasteless joke. Please forget about it," Dinothom said in his most authoritative voice.
Orth and Clare gave Saphine a clueless look, but she just bowed in gracious acceptance.
"Very tasteless, my liege." She grumbled.