New World: The Rise Of Meruem

As I spoke those venom laced words, I turned away from Za,coken and focused on the other Intecqus who had stopped working and starred at the too of us who stood in the middle of the room. Za,coken was clearly shaken up by my words I could feel his heavy breath practically bath me in its stench. It was all quite amusing, to be honest.

It's clear if not before then now that Za,coken would be this species equivalent of a warrior and because of that, he's all too aware of the difference in rank.

"ha, it's obvious he's wondering where I fall on this ranking scale" he stood still for some time, just breathing heavily not wanting to offend me but also not wanting to appear weak in front of the other Intecqus. I could hear his feet twitch just slightly as he contemplated whether simply walking away and not answering my question would result in him being murdered. But after some time, he made his decision and gave me a slight bow then walked off. All four of his hands clenched up into balls, his body was practically seething with anger.

He stopped dead in his tracks when I turned to face him no longer facing the workers.

"Get back to work"

As I said this the sounds of equipment being put together filled the room once again. Za,coken started walking again convincing himself that I wouldn't find any fault in his action. But his body was tense, and he walked as though he knew depending on what I said next he may have to face the wrath of Viticus.

Though I have no proof of this I believe Viticus outranks him in some way. But that would mean this species is not power-based but instead, in I would guess either generation based, or intelligence. But either way the actions of Za,coken today have placed Viticus in higher esteem in my mind.

"Za,coken we begin our sword practice tomorrow. If you do not have an answer to my question, then expect your head to roll."

A deathly silence captured the room, Za,coken who practically had one foot out the door, shivered. The spikes on his head also seemed to shiver. It's strange when I threatened to kill the fool inside the birthing chamber, he responded with more contempt acting as though me killing him was not even a possibility. But here is the big and powerful Za,coken who could rip me apart with a slight sneeze cowering by my mere words.

This confirms it then, it seems some generations are held in higher regard. Though Za,coken is strong he's not as important as someone from Viticus, or my generation. After watching him leave I turned once again to the workers, I found the one who looked to be doing the least amount of work and also appeared to find fault with what I said or the way I treated Za,coken. So, with a quick swipe of my tail, I slapped him across the face. The slap appeared to send shocks through all of them, fear-filled the room. Though no one said anything I could practically guess what they were thinking

"what just happened" "who got hit" "it sounded like an explosion" "what'd he does wrong?"

"Get back to work. I will not tell you again"

I said in a calm voice, returning to my normal resting position which consisted of me sitting on my tail. The sounds of them working was quite pleasing it let me know how serious they took my words, seeing as none of them even attempted to take a break. Working themselves to near exhaustion. I noticed some of them even so tired from moving soo much wood that looked thinker and denser than anything earth could ever hope to produce. I figured this would be a better time than any to attempt to gain their favor.

I guessed from my previous behavior that I gained their fear and admiration seeing as when I told Za,coken off some of their heartbeats fluttered in excitement, though most fluttered in fear. I got up off my tail in a calm controlled manner and pointed at 26 of the 50 Intecqu team, these 25 were responsible for hauling wood, but one of them did nothing and simply pretended to aid in carrying the wood. He kept his hands on the wood that his fellow workers carried on their shoulders but didn't actually carry any of the weight.

They all looked tired so I gave them an order. This was just to flex my muscles and see who would follow me but it's a better time than any to see my effect on people.

"You 26 are to rest seeing as your no good to anyone especially to me as you are now. With this, we will postpone the bringing in of wood. You the one standing there and pretending to carrier your fair share of wood. You are to go get everyone's food and drinks. You have exactly 10 minutes to return as I will only be giving your fellow workers 50 minutes to eat, I will begin counting the moment you walk out of the room."

As he turned and looked at me it was clear as day, he knew I was talking to him, and quickly rushed off. The other workers put down the wood and started massaging their sour muscles. Though no one said anything many looked at him with anger in their eyes, as though they knew he was not doing his fair share of the work. They appeared to be of a different generation from even Viticus and Za,coken. Seeing as they had the four arms of Za,coken but none of the dangerous aspects of his body, and they had the height of Viticus but not the weak body look, its clear they were bread for manual labor.

I watched as the wood carrier I singled out, reached the door, just as he was about to run out the door and desperately attempt to find both food and drinks I added a little motivation. See I knew he was afraid of me but not so afraid that he'd steal or kill anyone no. I needed to add more motivation for him to truly spread my name and fear of my name to all those who called this cave home.

"Oh, I nearly forgot to inform you. If you're not back here in ten minutes' time I will kill you when you do return whether it is 1 second or 3. And if you choose not to return ill find you and give to you the slowest most painful death thee Intecqus species has ever witnessed. You have 9:40 left."

Just as I said this the room grew cold as everyone completely stopped breathing. Have you ever seen someone so scared that not only do they keep working but also do so while not breathing, well that was the case for the other 24 Intecqu who worked on setting up the many work working machines. This is good I thought this will spread my name far and wide.

I returned to my resting pose crossing my arms and just waited for him to return, he was the key to my fear and authority if he doesn't come back then to make true of my threat I will have to find him and torture him to let the other know I'm not to be ignored. But if he does return which Is what I'm hoping for then it shows my authority is not to be denied. So, with these two options in mind, I simply waited for the verdict counting the second that went by.

...….

Minutes went by and you could practically feel the weight in the room, was it my concern that he hadn't returned yet? I mean he still has 4:54. I guess I just hoped he'd be more of an eager beaver, but instead, it appears he's taking his sweet time or maybe he's run to someone he believes can keep him safe?" the thought filled me up with excitement and just a little fear. I've played the role of the fearless leader before but never with stakes this high, I mean just think about it if I fail and some big hulk looking Intecqu comes banging on that door, even if he or she doesn't beat the shit out of me. I still stand to lose my reputation and social standing, the two things I feared losing the most.

"HAHAHA nameless wood carrier know this if you attempt to ruin my reputation I swear I'll cut your leg to pieces and feed you bites of yourself. Then I'll find your friends and whoever you deem family and do the same to them… It will bring new meaning to the term "full course meal" I thought while turning towards the Intecqu who were setting up the equipment.

I got off my tail and walked over to the giant looking futuristic machine.