Chapter 197: The Tub And The Mimicry Ability!

Everyone dispersed after everything was over and Soren was left to die slowly in the cold snow.

The others were moved to the cave and attended to carefully by Gideon and the others. Wounds were cleaned. Water was given. Food was done.

"Here you go, it’s not as perfect as you make it," Popi said, handing Neve a small bowl of soup.

Neve took it and stared at the contents carefully. Obviously, it was not as perfect as she said it was. The broth was not as clear. The vegetables were not cut as evenly. But it was something. It was a lot.

"Thanks Popi," Neve said and took a scoop inside his mouth.

The warmth of the soup felt good going down. It warmed his entire body. He had been so tense during the execution that he had not realized how cold he was.

"They will wake up soon," Gideon said, exhaling deeply as he finished treating the last of the unconscious beastmen. "I have attended to all of their wounds. They should wake up within the next few hours."

"Thanks Gideon," Neve said, staring at the kids where they laid on furs. He groaned as he slid to the floor to sit down. His entire body ached. He had come back here, expecting everyone to be happy and safe. But he came and met this instead. Kidnapping. Dark magic rituals. An execution.

It was exhausting.

"I need a bath," he mumbled, more to himself than to anyone else.

"It’s cold," Aldric said, sitting down beside him. The bear beastman was concerned about Neve bathing in this cold weather. "The water would be freezing. You might get sick."

"I know, we can make a hot bath," Neve said, pointing at the empty room that Cael had dug at the other side of the cave. It was a separate chamber that had been carved out for privacy. "We just need something to hold the water. A tub or something."

"I can not let you do this by yourself," Cael said, walking over. "I will handle it. Just tell me what a tub is and I will make it."

Neve laughed at Cael’s determination.

He opened the system and went to the market. Surely, there were tubs for sale, but the prices were ridiculous. There was no way he could buy that with just 100 Bond Points. He had gotten the extra 20 after Maren had kissed him before he left. But that was still not nearly enough.

He turned off the system and picked up a stone that was close to him. He started drawing a simple round tub on the floor, sketching out the basic shape and size.

"Oh!" Cael muttered, understanding immediately. "It should be easy to make. We can carve it from stone or use wood. I know how to do this."

"Anyone of us can use it," Neve said, looking at everyone around him. "Once it is done, we can all take turns."

"That is even better," Varek spoke, walking closer to join the conversation. "If Popi can use it, I will help also. I will help Cael build it."

"M-me too!" Gideon added quickly, not wanting to be left out. His eyes were on Popi when he spoke, trying to show her that he was useful and helpful.

"Uh..." Neve stuttered, blinking hard at all the volunteers. "Okay?"

Neve did not expect it would turn out like this. He just wanted a tub and now it had turned into a competition between Varek and Gideon. Both of them wanted to help and impress Popi.

But Neve did not care who helped. As long as they got it done. He just could not wait to scrub the dirt and blood off his body. Only then could he sleep well. Only then could he relax.

He finished the soup that Popi had handed to him and went to sleep. By the time he woke up, he heard loud thudding sounds and voices echoing through the cave.

He wrapped a blanket around his body and stepped out of the sleeping area as he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"What is that noise?" he groaned, yawning hard.

When his eyes finally cleared and focused, he saw the kids sitting at the corner of the main cave. They were all silent and still.

Neve stared at all three of them carefully. They would have been playing or running around the cave by now. They would have been asking him questions or showing him things. But they were all seated with tears hanging at the corner of their eyes.

Neve walked toward them slowly and sat down opposite them. He did not need anyone to tell him why they were like this. They already knew the news about their sister Doris.

Neve did not know what to say to them. Maybe he should hug them. Maybe they were mad at him for not telling them the truth earlier. Maybe they blamed him for not saving their sister.

He just could not tell what they were feeling. He gritted his teeth angrily at himself. He had not punished Soren enough for everything he had done. The bastard deserved more suffering.

"I am sorry about Doris," he said to them quietly. "I should have told you what really happened to her. I should have prepared you for this news. I am sorry."

His words seemed to break something inside them because tears rolled down their cheeks like rivers.

The youngest one suddenly burst into tears, rushing to wrap his small arms around Neve. The other two joined him, hugging Neve from different sides.

The eldest one just sat there for a moment, wiping his tears silently. Then he spoke.

"My sister has gotten her justice. Since Soren is dead now. That is all that matters."

"Thank you Neve," the other two thanked him, their voices shaking with emotion.

Neve smiled, keeping his arms wrapped around them protectively.

When they finally calmed down, they sat down again. But their mood was still sad and heavy.

"Since we already know our sister is dead, are we going to leave the cave?" the eldest asked quietly. "Are we going to leave you?"

"What? No!" Neve said firmly, folding his hands. "You are all part of my family now. If you leave the cave, who would play with my cubs?"

He said, touching his stomach gently. The cubs were moving more now as his pregnancy progressed.

The three of them placed their small palms on his stomach, feeling the movement inside.

They felt a small thud from one of the cubs moving and immediately pulled their hands back, shrieking with surprise and wonder.

Neve laughed at their reactions. It was a good sound in the quiet cave.

"Neve," Cael’s voice echoed from the entrance of the other side of the cave. "You are finally awake. Come check it out. The tub is done."

Neve stood up slowly and made his way to the other room, moving carefully because of his pregnancy.

He gasped, throwing his hand to his mouth in surprise.

Not just because of the tub. Although the tub was impressive, carved perfectly from stone with smooth edges.

But because Ryker, Sorin and Kael were there. They were all awake and standing around the finished tub.

Neve almost teared up seeing them awake and alive.

"Oh, he is crying because of you, Ryker," Sorin shook his head, teasing the tiger chief.

"It is three of us, stupid," Ryker shot back, but he was smiling slightly.

"Ehn?" Sorin raised a brow and they all chuckled despite the tension that had filled the day.

Neve’s hand brushed against the tub. It was perfect. Better than anything he could have imagined. Cael and Varek and Gideon had done an amazing job.

"Now, we just have to fill it up with water," Neve said, looking at the empty stone tub. "Only if we have someone with water ability."

He paused and then he reached into his pocket.

"Let us try to give the others some powers, shall we?" he said, pulling out something shimmering.

It was Vaelthorn’s talon. The one the dragon king had given him as proof.

"What?" Varek raised a brow, confused about what Neve was planning to do.

"Do you have an ability like your brother?" Neve asked him directly.

Varek tilted his head, thinking about it.

"I do not," he admitted. "I have never had a special ability."

Neve scratched the talon against the stone floor to powder and held out his hand to Varek.

"Taste it," he commanded.

Varek glared at the powder suspiciously.

"I would not," he said, refusing.

"If you do not, Popi might get really..." Neve started to say.

At the mention of Popi, Varek immediately pulled Neve’s hand closer and wiped his tongue on his palm, licking up the powder.

He swallowed it and stood for some seconds before grabbing his chest and groaning in pain. His entire body convulsed.

"Let me see... Water ability wouldn’t fit someone like you. But let me see..." Neve muttered, watching and thinking carefully.

Varek suddenly screamed as his body started to shift and change.

"Mimicry!" Neve said.

Varek fell on the floor, groaning in intense pain. Everyone moved back, giving him space.

Then suddenly, he shifted completely.

He changed into the first person that had come to his mind. Popi.

He stood up slowly, staring down at his new body. His hands touched his face in shock.

"Wh-what did you do to me?" he asked, his voice sounding exactly like Popi’s voice.

Popi stepped in from the other side of the cave with a basket of herbs.

"I have gotten them from Gideon. Where do I put..." She froze completely, seeing her exact lookalike standing right in front of her.

The basket slipped from her hands and crashed to the ground, herbs scattering everywhere.

"Who are you????!!!!" she screamed.