For the first time since Zeke had woken up, he felt like the elders were taking him seriously. Until now, he had been treated like a prisoner to be interrogated, but now, the atmosphere had shifted ever so slightly.
Zeke wouldn't let this chance slip by. It was time to get started on his plan. "I am the leader of the Ember Scar Cartel, an—"
"Bullshit," somebody spat. Zeke recognized the voice as belonging to Elder Dragon. "I know what the leader of the Ember Scar Cartel looks like, and it's not some scrawny kid."
Zeke frowned but didn't try to defend his statement. He would say his part and then deal with the consequences. "I am the leader of the Ember Scar Cartel," he repeated, "an ally of the Spectral Dominion and the owner of the Blackthorn Covenant."
"Lies upon lies upon lies," Elder Dragon interrupted again.
However, this time, somebody spoke to stop him. It was a woman's voice, crisp and commanding, cutting through the air like a blade. "That's enough. We'll assess the truth of his statements later—no need for those constant interruptions."
"You would side with a human, Elder Wolf?" Elder Dragon hissed.
"I will speak my mind. Unless you have a problem with that?" she challenged.
Before the two could continue their bickering, a third voice chimed in. It was a man's voice, low, deep, and filled with strength. "I also want to hear what the human has to say." At his words, others chimed in, making their opinions known. Zeke counted a dozen voices in total, six male and six female.
After everyone had spoken, the leader addressed Zeke once more. "Why is it that you've come here, human? Surely, you were aware that you would not be welcome."
Zeke grimaced. "I didn't expect a warm welcome, true, but this treatment is far worse than I had anticipated," he said while rustling his chains for emphasis.
A man snorted. "Don't like the chains?" Zeke recognized him as the Elder Boar he had met when waking up for the first time. "Why is it that humans never seem to have a problem with them when they're wrapped around our necks?"
Zeke raised a single brow. He was well aware of what the man was trying to do, and he wouldn't stand for it. "To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time we've met, Elder Boar. Yet you presume to know all of my thoughts already?"
"You dare mock me, human?" Elder Boar asked.
Zeke smirked in the direction of the voice. "You think I'm afraid?" he asked. "Do your worst, you pig-like bastard." His words fell like a heavy veil over the crowd, hushing them instantly. Only the rhythmic sound of Elder Boar's mounting breaths pierced the silence, indicating his growing rage. Finally, the man strode into the light, granting Zeke his first clear view.
He stood shorter than Elder Dragon, but his formidable width and sinewy muscles made up for it. His arms were bulkier than Zeke's legs, and despite a slight hunch, he'd still loom over any man. His facial features were elongated, resembling a pig's snout, with a lower row of teeth jutting out like those of a boar.
"You think I won't kill you?" he asked, clearly struggling to contain his rage.
Zeke rose as high as the chains would allow him, meeting the Chimeroi's gaze without a shred of fear. "Do your worst," he repeated.
Elder Boar's eyes turned red, and he took a step forward, clearly intending to fulfill his threat.
"STOP!" somebody yelled, but the enraged Chimeroi didn't listen. Elder Boar was in a wild charge, blind to anything but his target. Zeke calmly stood there, a slight smile on his face.
At the very last moment, a shadow dashed in from the side. With a feral roar, the newcomer slammed into the larger figure, toppling Elder Boar to the ground. It was a woman adorned with orange fur streaked with black stripes. After rolling a few times, she perched herself atop the fallen Elder and pressed her claws against his neck, emitting a low growl. "I told you to stop."
Elder Boar was still fuming with rage, paying no heed to the dagger-like claws at his neck. He roared at the woman. "Don't get in my way. I'll kill that bastard."
The woman's eyes turned fierce for a moment, and without hesitation, she jabbed her claws into Elder Boar's chest, causing him to squeal. "Know your place," she growled dangerously. "He is not yours to do with as you please."
The pain from the piercing blow seemed to jolt Elder Boar back to reality, dispelling his rage. He calmly met her gaze and spoke with a serene tone. "I understand, Elder Tiger. Release me."
The moment the woman got off his frame, Elder Boar rose to his feet, and he threw a hate-filled gaze toward Zeke. "Count yourself lucky, human. You just escaped death."
Zeke shook his head, the smile lingering on his lips. "It is not only me who escaped death just now, but also all of you."
Elder Boar snorted and turned away, taking his words to be meaningless bluster, but not everyone thought so. The presumed leader spoke up once more, giving voice to his doubts, "What do you mean by that exactly?"
Zeke turned to face the voice. "Before I answer, would you mind telling me who you are?"
The man stepped into the light, revealing his face. "I am Elder Monkey," he introduced himself.
Zeke was taken aback by his appearance. The man resembled a primate so closely that he seemed almost indistinguishable from an animal. Only the fact that he was clothed hinted at his Chimeroi nature. Yet, it was his eyes that stood out—gleaming with the intelligence of a human, observing him with interest.
Zeke nodded courteously, displaying much more respect than he had shown Elder Boar. "A pleasure," he greeted. "To answer your question: I have instructed my people to invade the northern district in case I do not return. They are to eradicate every member of the Venomous Cabal mercilessly."
A chorus of murmurs swept through the crowd. At the same time, a flicker passed through Elder Monkey's eyes. The leader of the council remained silent, staring right at Zeke, searching his eyes for something. After a while, he averted his gaze and peered into the darkness at something Zeke couldn't make out. "Is he speaking the truth?" Elder monkey asked.
Zeke followed his line of sight and could just barely make out the silhouette of a figure standing there.
"The human has yet to lie," declared a female voice.
Following her words, a woman stepped into the light. She seemed to be in her early twenties, with smooth skin and crimson lips accentuated by red eyeliner. However, what truly drew attention wasn't her beauty but the vibrant blue feathers adorning her head instead of hair. Only the middle of her scalp bore red feathers, standing upright.
Her glowing blue eyes met Zeke's. "I am Elder Rooster," she declared before promptly retreating into the darkness.
Zeke nodded towards her, his gaze lingering a moment longer. So, they possessed a method to discern his honesty. Frankly, he hadn't anticipated this, but he found himself embracing the change. It certainly made persuasion easier when others could trust the truth of his words.
"That is quite troubling," Elder Monkey said, attracting Zeke's attention once more. "Tell me, human, what did you hope to gain by coming here?"
Zeke moistened his lips, knowing full well how his next words would sound to the proud Elders. "I was hoping for you all to surrender."
As expected, a barrage of insults and jeers echoed in response. However, not everyone joined in. Only about half of the council members mocked him openly. The rest either stayed silent or murmured words that were lost amidst the clamor.
Zeke was pleasantly surprised. Frankly, he had expected to be attacked from all sides, but evidently, not everyone here was a fool. Especially Elder Monkey, who remained visible, had a thoughtful expression.
When the screams finally died down, the leader turned toward another direction. "How are our chances in a fight?" he questioned the darkness.
A tense silence enveloped the room as everyone awaited the response. Zeke felt puzzled by this. He had presumed Elder Monkey to be the leader, yet nobody accorded him this much reverence. Who, then, held such authority?
Quiet footsteps approached from behind, prompting Zeke to tilt his neck in curiosity. A figure emerged into view, scarcely taller than a child, adorned with greyish-white fur and large, round ears. His nose twitched akin to a rodent's, while long, drooping whiskers sprouted from the sides of his face like untamed weeds.
The old man reminded Zeke of the guide who had died during his expedition to the mine.
"We will all die," the elderly Chimeroi declared. His voice, though slightly higher in pitch, resonated with the wisdom of age.
Elder Monkey furrowed his brows. "Are you certain, Elder Rat?"
"Of course, I am certain," the old man snapped. "Do you think I would speak such words lightly?" With that, he retreated into the shadows, cursing quietly as he went. It seemed the old man had quite the temper.
However, what truly gave Zeke pause wasn't his personality but the fact that Elder Rat could speak with such unwavering certainty about the future. Could his innate ability be linked to Time Magic? If so, the old man possessed a remarkable talent. Even the Seers of Seravan had never offered such precise predictions. Whether they couldn't or simply chose not to was uncertain, but it hardly mattered. Anyone would covet such a gift.
This council was more than met the eye. One of its members could detect lies, while another could discern the future. If there were others with abilities of that caliber, he would have to be careful. But why was that?
There was only one thing that came to mind.
Among the members he had seen so far, most looked far more feral than the average Chimeroi. Their features resembled those of a monster at least as much as those of a human. Was it possible that they would awaken stronger abilities depending on that?
While Zeke had been thinking, the members of the council had been talking amongst themselves, with one voice slowly emerging as the clear winner of their dispute. It was Elder Tiger, the woman who had saved Zeke earlier.
"…Does it even matter?" she asked the others. "We have long since decided not to kneel to the humans, right? So what if we all die? I say we kill this human now and fight till the last!"
Zeke grimaced. This wasn't good. He couldn't allow Elder Tiger to rile the others up, or they might decide to do something impulsive. A short silence followed her impassionate speech, and Zeke used this chance to make himself heard. "You are mistaken about something, Elder Tiger," he said casually yet loud enough for everyone to hear.
The silhouette pivoted her head towards him, a moment of silence preceding her growl. "Where am I mistaken, human?" If Zeke had entertained the idea that the woman was on his side, the hostility in her voice shattered that notion. If anything, she stood among those most opposed to his cause. She had saved him, yes, but not out of affection; rather, she must have deemed it her duty to stop Elder Boar from acting out.
Despite her prickly demeanor, Zeke smiled amicably. "You are mistaken about many things. For one, I don't require anyone to kneel. But more importantly, you are mistaken about my intentions. My purpose is to give the inhabitants of Undercity a fair chance—nothing more and nothing less. Isn't that what you are striving for as well? I've heard that the Venomous Cabal defended their kin, vehemently opposed the human Masters, and sought a brighter future for all Chimeroi."
Before anyone could stop him, Zeke continued his monologue. "But is that really what you are doing? Ever since I came to the northern district, all I've seen is misery, poverty, violence, and anger. You fight the humans, yes, but not for any grand aspirations like the liberation of your kin, but to satisfy your own petty grievances. Most of you are so blinded by pride and rage you won't even consider making a small sacrifice to save the people you have sworn to protect."
Zeke swept his gaze over the figures hiding in the darkness, eying them like a judge looking at a group of criminals. "Look at what you've created!" he yelled. "Your district is the most impoverished and miserable even among those in Undercity. Freedom? I spit on this so-called freedom. You are beholden to no Master, but not a single Slave would want to trade places with you."
He turned to face Elder Tiger again. "And what did you say, Elder Tiger? You want to fight until the last man? Do you think that is brave? Do you think it is just? Let me tell you: your actions are neither of those things! All you do is rob your people of the chance for a better future. While my people eat three meals a day and earn a living, your people are starving to death, yet I am the tyrant. If you want to kill me, do it, but don't pretend to be on the side of justice when you are the only thing keeping your people down."
After his impassioned outburst, Zeke took a moment to catch his breath. With eyes ablaze, he gazed into the darkness, challenging anyone to dispute his words.