Evolution of the Ruined Heir

Chapter 248: Orbs

As they passed, people paused whatever they were doing to whisper in a tongue he didn’t understand. But he didn’t need to speak the language to know what they were saying.

It wasn’t good.

Still, it was a scene he was all too familiar with. Malakai ignored it like one would ignore a passing breeze. His steps were steady, expression calm. He followed Luna and Grunde without a word.

Soon, they arrived at a wide space where a large crowd had already gathered.

It was a vast open space, with thick overgrown roots circling around a large area at the center.

The Gor’Mekhai were seated on the roots, and from the number already gathered, Malakai counted more than a thousand people.

’More than I expected.’

They had still passed by so many people on their way here, and more continued to pour in from different sides of the forest. There were a lot. Far more than Malakai had anticipated.

’I don’t think the city knows this.’

If they did, if they knew the Gor’Mekhai had such numbers, they would have taken them even more seriously. If war were to break out between both parties, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Malakai felt most of the stares shift to him the moment he stepped into the stage. The whispers engulfed the entire space.

But he ignored it all and followed behind Luna, who suddenly moved closer and began whispering.

“We won’t be able to be with you once it begins,” Luna started explaining, and Malakai made sure not to miss a word.

“I’ll have to stand together with Grunde since this Drah’Morr is because of us. All you have to do is stand on the stage and follow the Grath’Mekhai’s instructions. May the forest be with you. Good luck.”

“Good luck, little bro. Show them your might!” Grunde added, and they both soon separated from him, walking to the side as Malakai made his way to the tall platform where the Grath’Mekhai and the elders were seated.

Malakai immediately noticed they were still wearing the same clothes as before. Not a single change.

’They must not have gotten any sleep,’ he concluded.

Malakai stopped a few meters away from the platform and stood still. He immediately felt the heavy gazes of many of the elders.

Some of them brought their heads low while others gestured downward with their hands. It was very clear, they wanted him to kneel.

Malakai returned their gestures with a calm look. He was not going to kneel.

Their gazes grew heavier, but none of them unleashed their aura. After what the coven head had told them, and the orders that followed, they couldn’t.

Malakai’s gaze eventually found Lina, seated on the roots closest to the platform along with numerous other Gor’Mekhai youths of varying ages and power.

Her glare was still very much there, but Malakai’s gaze soon landed on one other youth. He had no idea if it was a gift, but he’d always had a knack for picking out the strongest of a group.

Then again, they rarely made it hard to tell.

Unlike Lina, who sat alone, this particular youth was surrounded by other young ones, clearly trying to get into his good graces. His gaze was leveled directly at Malakai, a small frown on his face.

’They have almost the same traits.’

Luna had called them Stalkborn, the scouts of the coven. Considering she had used we, Malakai guessed that she, Lina, and this youth were all one.

And if that were true, then it made sense that the youths seated nearby were all Stalkborns too.

’Looks like the coven is divided into different groups.’

Malakai swept his gaze through the crowd and noticed more groupings. Then, casting another glance towards the elders, he realized something. Each elder bore a resemblance to one of the groups.

’Their representatives,’ he concluded.

Malakai turned and saw that Luna and Grunde had settled into their seats, on a lower elevation beneath the coven head and elders.

A tap on the armrest echoed across the space and silenced the crowd. All eyes turned toward the Grath’Mekhai.

“We are gathered here today because one of us has challenged our ruling,” she said. The entire space was silent.

“We are not a savage people. We value freedom more than all. Our rules are put in place to protect our coven and ensure that no harm comes to us. But they are not absolute. This is why we have the Drah’Morr.”

A surge of exhilaration ran through the Gor’Mekhai crowd, and many couldn’t help but clench their fists in reverence.

“The Drah’Morr has been a tradition since our ancestors’ time, and we shall continue to give it the highest honor it deserves.” She gestured toward Luna, who quickly stood along with Grunde.

“Today, Luna’jekhai has invoked the Drah’Morr to allow her keep her relationship with an outsider.”

The heavy mood that followed was intense and obvious. Many in the crowd turned cold gazes on Luna and Grunde, their scorn evident.

Grunde looked ready to fight anyone that dared to treat Luna in such a way, but Luna maintained her calm, appearing unbothered.

The Grath’Mekhai continued.

“And representing both of them today is Malakai.”

All eyes turned toward him again, the cold gazes lingering.

Malakai didn’t even seem to notice.

The coven head allowed a few moments to pass in silence. As the tension in the air waned slightly, she continued.

“The Drah’Morr will start now.”

Malakai entered a state of utter focus. Without his weapon, he felt bare. And he didn’t like it, not even one bit. He waited for her to continue.

After the cheers from the crowd settled, her voice rang out once more.

“You will select a challenge from the pile and complete it, no matter what it is.”

Multiple orbs of vita suddenly hovered before him, glowing and vibrant. Malakai calmly studied each one.

’So that’s why she said it could be anything.’

It was impossible to predict what each orb held. The pile was a mystery, and he alone would make the choice.

’Don’t be bad,’ Malakai hoped, stretching his arm toward one of the orbs.

The moment his hand touched it, the orb let out a blinding glow before revealing its contents.

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