The Last Primal

"[Reptilian] G-general… The forces have lined up, we are ready for your orders." The central skink, garbed in the same armor as the soldiers with the addition of a single gold star insignia etched into the right part of his chest spoke up, reporting the current situation whilst keeping his gaze plastered towards the ground and kneeling.

His two peers -garbed similarly as their brethren, with the same one star shining in their chests even-, have kept silent with their gazes also forced down on the ground.

The three shivering reptilians were actually the second in command, the second-highest in the command chain in this army. The leaders of the three battalions were sent out to eradicate the pests, the rebels once and for all. All three were respected and fierce, cruel warriors, feared by many… yet in front of this giant, robust creature, that resembled the true warriors of the Lizardmen community, a fearsome Saurus rather than any of these mongrels. 

Adding the extra layer of shiny armor covering most of his body, the velvety cape hanging down from his shoulders…. Or the large trident that reached the size twice of the tallest soldier in the army, General Zokor was a rightfully feared creature, with nothing matching his stature in the entire Ugburg, or in the High Priest's forces.

If the High Priest was called the Voice of the Ancient One, he liked to refer to himself as the Fist, the Might of the Ancient One. The necessary means to deliver justice and faith, and crush the heathen, the chaotic masses.

Zokor scoffed at the report, his glowering large yellow eyes were like eerie pairs of stars at the dark canvas of the imaginary skies. After an extra few moments of intense silence, his large mouth slowly parted, revealing the double rows of sharp yellow teeth lining up inside.

"[Reptilian] Launch the attack. Leave no survivors except for that traitor and that wretched bastard, the chosen mate." He slowly lifted his giant right palm from the armrest of his throne, waving it dismissively. "Now go, don't bother me any more unless it's important."

The three captains shivered at the guttural, demonic-sounding voice coming from this terrifying creature as he spoke. They all bowed and nodded as it dismissed them, not daring to show anything outside that could cause his mood to dampen further, lest he would vent his frustration on one of them.

After all, it wouldn't be the first time, he would tear apart a captain, because of his wild mood swings. Knowing his cannibalistic tendencies, nobody wanted to end up in pieces, or worse, inside his belly.

"[Reptilian] At once G-General!" They all shouted firmly, hiding their fright in a fake display of their so-called resolve, and swiftly turned around to escape from the sights of this monster.

Yet, before they could even take a second step, they were scared stiff and forced to halt yet again as they felt the sudden cold and heaviness of the air around them. They were immediately alerted, and clenched their fists, readying themselves for the worst.

This was the General's aura, a power unique to the highest, strongest creatures under the service of the Great One. A domain of his terrifying killing intent was unleashed, forcing them to make a stop to their move.

As they were shivering, wondering what could have happened that earned the sudden ire of their General, his rigid, aloof tone of voice thundered from behind them.

"[Reptilian] Some rats are sneaking up from behind. One of you, take half of your men and go meet them. Decide who will be the one. Now."

The trio, whilst shivering under the great pressure, slowly, shiveringly turned around, looking at their leader's robust, standing figure and wide, muscled left arm as it was raised and pointing to the western side of the vast field, right at the dark dotted walls of this giant underground city-cavern.

They were met with the cold, contemptuous, frowning gaze of their leader. Not wanting to meet such a scary gaze for long, they looked at the direction he was pointing at, only to grow more confused at the seemingly empty, deserted plain of a scene he was pointing at.

Gathering all of his courage, the figure that spoke before, mustered up his resolve and with a meek tone of voice, asked out.

"[Reptilian] G-general… P-please pardon my stupidity… b-but, w-what should w-we be looking at?"

"[Reptilian] You imbecile!" The general roared in annoyance, making the speaking skink slouch his shoulders even lower and cower in fright before the robust figure of his higher-up. "They are still in the tunnels you disgusting primitive reptile! Go, take your men, and don't come back without their heads! Did you get it?!"

"[Reptilian] Y-yes, my l-lord!" The skink captain hurriedly nodded, although he still didn't fully understand what he was supposed to see besides the empty vast plains and the cavern walls. 

Did the General think that there are enemies inside the walls perhaps? How could that be? From their knowledge there is nothing in that direction, there could be nobody lying in wait. Then what was he supposed to look for? Invisible opponents?

The little skink wasn't sure what was going on, or what he was ordered to do. Yet, hearing the growing anger in his master's voice, he did not dare to raise any concerns or questions anymore, and instead resolved himself to his fate. 

As the trio slowly turned around once more and started to leave, the little poor, unlucky skink's mood was down in the mud. What was he supposed to do? What enemy should he face to please this Tyrant and not end up as tonight's dinner?

Seeing his rapidly paling visage, the other two 'brethren' of his smiled at him wryly, patting his back warmly, compassionately.

"[Reptilian] Don't worry too much about it Ixorak! Look at it from the other side!" The female skink captain on his left spoke out, with a warming smile. 

"[Reptilian] Yeah, don't look so down, man! In reality, you are the luckiest of us! You should be smiling instead of almost crying!" The male skink on his right joined in as well, trying to raise, to lift Ixorak's spirits.

"[Reptilian] W-what are you guys are talking about?! What enemy should I look for? What heads should I bring back?! What LUCK are you two talking about?!" Agitated, and scared about the prospects of his future, Ixorak cried out with agony in his voice. 

"[Reptilian] What are you so scared about! You have been given the best luck of us all, can't you see?" The male skink on his right wasn't phased by his friend's sudden outburst. He smiled widely, as he leaned his hands over Ixorak's shoulder. "You have been given a free pass of this stupid battle! You can just take your men and leave, and return safely! Whatever that oversized monster asked, just go back to the slums and get some heads. Return with them, and wham! You are safe from punishment and didn't even have to fight!"

---

AN: Hey there Readers!

Just a friendly reminder, that from wherever you are reading (although I wholeheartedly thank you if you are reading and enjoying the story through NovelFull), you can reach out to me using any of the below methods!

For you, sailors of the seventh sea (non-WN readers), be a bro/gal and throw me a cup of joe, show your appreciation!

Also, feel free to reach out to me in either one of the below links, or just on WN. :)

Links:

https://discord.link/Shaele

Ko-Fi:

https://ko-fi.com/shaele