warlords 5

“You've tamed quite a few beasts yourself, correct?” Yrel asked the stable master carefully. The woman was a bit of an enigma. Yrel knew she was a friend but did not know how much of a friend she could be, especially considering the sensitive subject matter she was playing with. The stable master kept to herself mostly and worked, a lot. It seemed like every time Yrel saw the woman she was working. She did not look bothered by it, however.

“Correct?” The woman hummed as she cared for one of the mounts.

“What do you think it is about a beast that allows them to be tamed. Is there a perfect type?”

The woman looked up in thought. “It's hard to say that there's a perfect type. Because what would you want? Do you want a really strong beast? If so, one with a really aggressive nature and natural weaponry would be best but then you run into the problem of them being harder to tame.” She pointed to the mount she was tending to. A Talbuk.

“These guys are pretty easy to tame. They're not weak, but they're docile and scare easily. They're good for mounts because they're a bit smart and quick to learn. So which is really perfect?”

“I understand what you are saying, I think.” Yrel rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, knowing she was beating around the bush.

“Different beasts serving different purposes makes sense. It makes good sense.” She had to acknowledge that. It fit in with what she was thinking, anyway.

“But what I am wondering is, what makes it possible to tame them in the first place? A difficult animal can still be tamed with some difficulty.”

“True.” The stable master continued working quietly, but Yrel could tell she was thinking.

“Perhaps it's something about the nature of a beast that allows it to be possible?”

“So to tame things other than beasts...” Yrel trailed off.

“I've heard about hunters that can tame machines, but it seems like the machines nature was more or less made to be beast-like. That's my theory, anyway. I think it's the same with dragons. Some can be tamed like the Faerie dragons, but then I'm hearing about others that are more difficult or otherwise impossible without some type of magic. So I wonder if it's all just down to nature.”

“What is nature?”

“I think it's something to do with a things spirit? Like the, uhh... Soul, I guess? That'd be my theory.” The woman shrugged.

“Do you think the soul can be changed or altered?” Yrel asked.

The stable master stopped working to look at the vindicator curiously. “That's a bit above my pay grade. You probably know who you got to ask about stuff like that.” Normally it would be Velen. That is who she would ask about the spirit and the soul of her people and others. In his absence another thought crosses her mind.

“Who... Or what, yes.”

“Greetings child.” The Naaru chimed.

“Thank you for speaking with me, K'ara.” Yrel inclined her head politely as she stood under the Naaru, an incredibly tall, floating collection of rotating geometric shapes that were colored like stained glass. Being near it, she could hear a constant, vague hum emanating from the subtle movements of the creatures angular segments.

“How could I deny an audience to one I credit with freeing me from a terrible fate.” It said as frank as a disembodied voice could manage. Yrel still had a bad taste in her mouth. Velen sacrificed himself for this being that fell to darkness, but on the other hand it did save them in their time of need.

“I need to ask you something about the spirit or the soul of my people.” Yrel asked without wasting any time.

“A heavy topic. I will answer as best I can.”

“Can the spirit of my people be altered or changed?”

The is a long silence filled with just the sound of wind moving from the long, flat sections of the Naaru, along with the vague hum of it's existence. Finally it answered in a way that seemed uncharacteristically hesitant for one of it's kind.

“The spirit can be... Changed. It has been already.”

When it became clear that it was not going to expand on that thought, Yrel pressed it. “Changed how?”

It is less hesitant, but still somewhat slow to respond. “You have been changed in body and soul by the light. Through our partnership your kind has been made gentler and more noble than your progenitors.”

“And even they have had their spirits shaped by the Legion...” Yrel added.

“The Shadowmoon were shaped and changed by the void and even your kind-”

There is a loud ping, like metal hitting the edge of a glass. “What is the... purpose of this inquiry, child?”

Yrel lowers her head, blushing. “Can I be truthful with you?”

“Of course.” The Naaru floats down just slightly to be closer, even though it probably does not need to. It still has the effect of adding some sense of intimacy.

“I was wondering if perhaps my peoples soul could be altered further by the light, or otherwise.”

If a being without a face or feature were able to show hunger, the Naaru nearly managed as it leaned it's flat, rotating form down over Yrel.

“Yes?” It chimed, almost seeming to hide how knowingly it is answering. The feeling she got was the same when in conversation with the goblin, who couldn't tell her exactly how to proceed.

“Like, perhaps a way to forge ourselves into something more?”

“Yes. Yes, abso... I believe this is possible, yes.” The Naaru was attempting to be calm, but was positively glowing which, Yrel interpreted, could be the Naaru equivalent of salivation.

“I think that there is... Some measure that could be taken, yes.”

“You think so?”

“Indeed. But why do you wish to 'forge' your very soul in such a way?” K'ara asked.

Yrel gulped and decided in the moment to be both truthful and indirect all at once. “I believe that my kind is at a crossroads and that to advance beyond whatever future we had in store for us in the strange timeline ahead we must forge ourselves to...” She tried to choose her words carefully.

“To be purely devoted to a cause. To accept a purpose that is beyond our needs or desires in service of something higher. To accept changes that must be made for the greater good.”

“...” The Naaru was completely silent. Not even humming or wind blowing.

“Uhm... Did I lose you?” Yrel wondered if she was a bit too intense with her wording.

“No... Not at all. I apologize, child, I was just lost in thought. You have my support in whatever way you need and I can not wait to observe what you are capable of. To answer your question though, yes. All of this is possible through the light. Through the light you can forge your being into something new, something greater.”

Yrel's eyes widened. “Wonderful!”

“If you are going to go through with this process... Yourself and others... I will need to prepare.” K'ara stated vaguely.

“Of course. I will leave you for now.” Yrel left quickly, feeling the meeting had gone unexpectedly well. Though, she could not shake the feeling that, while on the same page, they were discussing different outcomes. Yrel stopped before the door.

“Wait.”

“Yes, child?” The Naaru had begun dimming slightly in Yrel's absence, but lit up again when she turned.

“Before you are prepared, do you think it would be possible to forge ones soul on my own, through my own efforts?”

“Through meditation and application of light, along with powerful intent, such a thing could be possible to some extent. I would advise trying and experimenting in the meantime.”

Yrel smiled. “Thank you, K'ara.”

The mage was an interesting subject for experimentation. Being as old as she was, her body and soul must not have been changed to an **** degree. That was Yrel's though process, anyway. In contrast, Yrel was young and undeniably Draenei. Between her and the mage, both presented very good options for experimentation. However, nothing seemed to be happening. Yrel did not tell the mage what the desired outcome was, she did not think the woman needed to know and it did not matter in the end. With no progress it was the words of the stable master that finally lead to a minor breakthrough days later.

“Honestly, taming is a two-way street. You need both the beast's to be able to be tamed and a tamer up to the task.” It was that advice that lead Yrel to ask the goblin's assistance in her experiment.

The mage pushed up her glasses. “What is it now? The same thing? With the light pouring into my being? It is not unpleasant, but, it does not seem to do anything.”

Yrel nodded. “Yes, I believe it was mostly due to what we were doing while it was happening. I would now like to try something different.”

The mage looked down at Chazix. “That is where our friend comes in?” Yrel nodded.

“Very well... Shall we begin the meditation? How will this work?”

“Begin meditating like usual, but keep that going while also... Humoring our friend.” Yrel advised carefully, not letting on too much of the process ahead of them.

“I presume you will handle most of the heavy lifting when it comes to the light?” The mage asked hesitantly.

“Just like before. Leave it to me.” Yrel took a deep breath and focused entirely on wrapping light mixed with pure intent around her own form and the form of the mage. Like a bubble that is meant to block attacks, it at first surrounded both of them before moving deeper, beneath the skin and beyond until the light wrapped their very beings. This was the attempt that Yrel had made so many times before without anything added. The process that felt like she was on the right track, but simply missing something essential.

The goblin scratched his chin quizzically. “Alright, so you want me to...”

“Train us.” Yrel asked assertively.

“What?” The scholar blinked, looking over at Yrel, who was concentrating.

“Bad girl. No questions.” Chaz flicked her ridged forehead and took the glasses from her face in one deft motion. The mage glared at him with vibrant blue eyes. She reached out for her glasses, only to have her hand tapped painfully by the goblin's smaller, more agile digits. He wagged his finger.

“Want this?” He held up her glasses and, while she was in mid nod, about to open her mouth to say 'yes' he changed the thin, gold rimmed treasure through slight of hand with a small, ugly looking dried morsel of food.

The scholar stared at the bit of meat-like product in confusion. “Where did-” Her forehead was quickly tapped.

“Ack!”

“Bad. What did I say about questions?” Chaz clicked his tongue.

“You do want these, right?” He held up two nearly identical snacks in front of them. Even Yrel lifted a brow at the sight of them. She exchanged a glance with the scholar who was in disbelief.

“I do not believe-” As the scholar tried to speak the bite was pushed between her lips, the goblin's hand quickly withdrawn. She furrowed her brow tightly. Beside her, Yrel was far easier to feed the small treat, but her reaction was similar until the light and intent wrapping their hearts and minds seemed to react. Distaste from the scholar slowly shifted as the processed animal treat melted on the scholar's tongue. Her eyes rolled back and her cheeks flushed at the sudden wash of savory goodness that filled her mouth.

“Oh... Oh light.”

“It's actually amazing!” Yrel commented, chewing. She was as surprised as the scholar. Both women savored the treat before swallowing and immediately desired the second that was flaunted in front of them. Their mouths watered.

“Haha wow. It's actually working, huh?” Chaz enjoyed how their eyes followed the treats similarly to a dogs.

“W-wait.” The scholar gulped.

“This is abnormal.” her eyes were still following the snack.

“I know, isn't it incredible?” Yrel commented.

“Down, girls.” Chaz knelt and lowered both hands to the ground. In response, both women lowered and lowered deeper and deeper until they were prostrating themselves with their asses still raised. While in that position, a treat was pushed between each of their plush lips, causing their tails and hips to wag excitedly.

“Good girls!”

“This is easy with such submissive animals...” After they were done chewing he rubbed their heads. “Alright, back up.” They lifted their heads.

“Submissive...” The scholar commented uncertainly.

“Down.” He ordered. Both Yrel and the scholar submitted, received their reward and stayed. The light wrapping their minds and their spirits positively glowed and warmed as they followed through on Yrel's intent.

“This is-” The scholar began.

“Up.” He ordered. They followed.

“So-”

“Down.” The scholar obediently prostrated herself, her tail and ass wagging preemptively. This time no treat came before the goblin rested a hand between her horns and said encouragingly.

“Good girls.” She was confused and a little disappointed. Her mouth was watering and waiting.

“Up.”

The scholar rose, finishing her thought as her cheeks flushed. “Abnormal...”

“Down.” He ordered again. In the scholars mind there was going to be no treat. She was skeptical. She was no animal, she thought, so she would be strong. She decided that she was not tamed simply because she was given something delicious. It could not be that simple. Especially if he planned to give her a few and then deny her. She would not accept that type of action without reward. As she lowered herself, unexpectedly one last time, prepared for defiance, a treat was pushed between her lips. Her eyes watered a bit as the flavor filled her mouth once again. The light wrapping around her mind felt like it was tightening. An odd sensation.

“Good girls!” He uttered encouragingly again. It was all so repetitive that the scholar began to lose track of how many times it happened. Eventually there were no more treats, but the commands kept coming and none of them were able to be disobeyed until finally, after what felt like an hour without any of the wonderful flavor filling her mouth, the scholar decided it was too much. It all just felt like a trick.. She would not perform the command once more without anything in exchange.

“Down.” One last time her mind was on the verge or rebellion and filled with doubt. At just the right moment a reward was pushed between her lips, bending her mind and shedding any doubts.

“I thought it would never come.” The scholar wined, keeping her head down.

“Me too... Maybe... Maybe he just knows best?” Yrel added. She was not immune to the **** of the process. She was being warped by the training as well and was just as put off by the growing gaps. Just like the scholar her mind was bent by the promise of reward. It seemed like they would always be rewarded for obedience at that point.

Chaz chuckled. “Of course... You think I'd starve my pets? You'll always get rewarded when you deserve it.” With that, the light wrapping their hearts and minds finally tightened and knotted with a nice bow. The goblin from that point on played with them, tested them, denied them and then rewarded them in what felt like a never ending cycle until finally, when Yrel looked up she saw Chaz's hand in front of her face. It was not an unusual sight but it felt different. It felt laced with very strong intent.

“What are you doing?” Yrel asked.

“I'm taming you.” Chazix bragged.

“Wha-” For all of her desire and posturing, while it was actually happening Yrel felt doubt and fear and aggression. The goblin's hand in front of her face felt like a syringe was slowly injecting loyalty into her brain. It was unnatural. She wondered if this was what beasts felt, and if so, she did not like it. After all her effort, it simply did not feel good. It felt wrong.

“This isn't right!” She lunged against him, but it was too late. Before she could strike her brain suddenly felt very numb.

“Don't worry, baby. All beasts fight it.” He commented.

Yrel looked to the side and saw the scholar sitting up with a numb expression, apparently devoid of thought. Yrel surmised that it must be how she appears, but also figured that her head was not actually all that empty. She could think. She just also felt an intense loyalty and love.

“Good thing I'm a beast master. I can tame the exotic ones and I'm good enough to have two out at once. I'm gonna need a stable if I wanna get more, though.” He chuckled.

***

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