A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing
Chapter 684 - 684 - Speaking with his followers

"Never," was his immediate response as he lifted his head to look at Erik directly. Determination, conviction, and grit all flashed in his eyes. "I've chosen the one I will follow, and I've chosen you not only for your power but also your actions, and what you stand for. Now, I will do so till the end, whatever that may be."

They locked eyes for a moment. Erik with curious, relaxed confidence, his hands still in his pockets, and this man with hard determination. Yet, it wasn't long before he could no longer bear the power behind Erik's gaze and bowed his head again.

Smiling slightly, Erik lifted his head to scan the other cultists. Some looked at him for a moment before bowing their heads again, others never lifted their heads… but that didn't hide their expressions from Erik's omnisense as it swept through the room.

He could see some of them disagreed with parts of what this man had said, but most were more or less on the same wagon.

"What do you think?" he asked Elora as he shared his omnisense with her. Naturally, his beloved fairy was far better at reading people than he was.

Her measured and confidence response came quickly, but he could feel glee through their bond. "I think there's only more fanaticism among these people, not less, when compared to this guy."

An amused Erik rolled his eyes. "You're enjoying this too much."

"You're not enjoying it enough!" she bit back, grinning excitedly.

Smirking, Erik laughed softly. She was probably right, to be fair.

He focused on the man in front of him again. Probably in his late twenties, this man dressed in traditional Maasai clothing, and actually looked a little familiar.

"You have a good attitude," Erik nodded approvingly. "What's your name?"

The man parted his lips, but another voice answered.

"Leki," Enkai growled, finally unable to keep quiet. "Tell me what you're doing here. You can't actually believe this man is worthy of such reverence?! Have you forgotten everything Ankhur has done for us?! For this kingdom?!"

Leki glanced at Enkai, his head still bowed towards Erik. There was a little anger there, but mostly it was the indifference of a son who'd been disappointed with his father for a long time, and didn't truly expect anything to change.

"Hello to you too, Father," Leki said calmly. "If you've just come here to lecture, I suggest you stop. You'll only alienate the people here."

Enkai's nose wrinkled, but a quick glance around the room told him Leki was right—many angry eyes looked towards him now. He grimaced a little, noticing many of the prominent youth he'd known most of his life were among them. Clearly, Nora had, very wisely, focused on the influential to begin with.

"We haven't forgotten that our king is also deserving of respect," Leki argued, speaking for the group. "But has king Ankhur not also bend the knee to the Wolf-Sire? We are merely following his example and taking it a step further."

Heavy breaths escaped Enkai's flaring nose. Yet… said nothing. What could he say? It's not like Leki was wrong, but that wasn't good enough for him. He still didn't like the fact that his friend, the man he regarded as his brother, was not the ultimate ruler of the kingdom anymore.

Leki snorted dismissively and turned his gaze away from his father. "What a surprise, nothing has changed, old man. You still cling to outdated beliefs with no good arguments to defend them. Think of some, or stop embarrassing yourself."

His words stabbed in Enkai's heart like a knife. Erik didn't fail to notice the hurt in Enkai's eyes when his son's words dropped. He raised an eyebrow, then sighed. Finally pulling a large hand out of his pocket, he grasped Leki's right shoulder.

Leki looked up in surprise. "Wolf-Sire! I'm sorry about that display…"

Erik looked at him sternly. He was a little bigger than Leki, but also younger—yet no one found it strange, the way Erik looked at him.

"You should be sorry," Erik nodded, quickly causing nervous energy in the room to rise. "Not because you argued in front of me, but because you did so with your father."

Erik lifted his left arm and waved at the portrait on the wall. "Do I not also represent family? Whether or not you believe I am a god, being a part of this group obligates you to follow the tenets set forth by Nora."

Lifting his head, Erik looked out over the group and saw a lot of nervous gazes. His deep, sonorous voice reverberated. "You all are here because you believe I am worthy of reverence. Because you believe that what I embody is something you want to emulate. That's fine—I appreciate it, even. But what is that worth without action?"

He looked back at Leki. "I'm not saying you need to simply forgive and forget whatever happened between you and Enkai. I represent family, yes, but not blood, and I don't know what happened between you two. Enkai seems like a fine man to me, but there are unworthy parents out there, and you should be allowed to choose your own family."

Erik narrowed his eyes. "But, to take the easy path out does not fit me, either. So, let me ask you this, have you tried? Really tried to mend things with your father? Or have you simply shut yourself off to the possibility? What I'm saying is this: if you wish to follow my path, then follow your heart, but do not dare take the easy road. Bravery and courage are a part of my path as well, Leki."

Silence fell on the room. Everyone's eyes were on him, with various levels of awe and complicated feelings. Enkai was no different, as he stared at Erik with wide eyes.

Erik stayed silent, too, and simply waited patiently for Leki's response, hand still on the man's shoulder. He wasn't doing this for Enkai per se, he simply did actually consider family to be important. Having lost his own father, he felt the urge to mend their relationship.

Besides, he'd seen Enkai with Naeku, and could see the old man cared for his son. He didn't know the backstory, so it's possible Leki was justified if he wanted to keep his father at a distance forever, but Erik doubted it.

Finally, Leki looked up again. "I… I understand, Wolf-Sire," he nodded seriously. "I'll give my father another chance."

"Good," Erik grinned, and couldn't help but sneak a smug glance at Enkai, who was lost for words.

Turning back to his followers, Erik looked at the bound and gagged group in the back. "Now, let's see what we can do with these troublemakers, shall we?"