As the new, more powerful Athena stood before Damian, still bowing, Damian could not help but become excited by his new skill and servant.
"Tell me, Athena, how do you feel?" Damian asked
"I feel stronger...much stronger than I ever had!" Athena spoke, her voice filled with excitement, as he clenched her fist
"This is just the beginning. Continue to follow me, and you will be able to become stronger," Damian replied
"Yes, my Lord!"
"Did you see that. A human was really able to make her evolve," one of the trolls said in surprise.
"Look, how much she has changed, and she looks stronger than the leader now."
"Maybe we will all get stronger like that if we follow the human?" another questioned
"I don't trust him. Humans can't be trusted," Another troll with a slimmer build leaned against a tree, spoke at a distance away from the crowd.
"Alright, that's enough. Bring everyone that is left in the village, and give me a rundown on your supplies and how you live," Damian said to Athena.
"Yes, my lord, please give me some time. Almost everyone is here. We have four pregnant trolls that will give birth any day now, so they rest in that tent. We also have another hunting party that will return within two days," Athena explained.
"I see, for now, bring me to those four, I shall name them. If we are lucky, their children shall also evolve before birth," Damian spoke.
"Ymir, can you please begin naming the remaining trolls?" Damian said
"As you wish, master, but what shall I name them?" Ymir asked
"Whatever you wish. Just as long as the name suits them," Damian replied with a shrug of his shoulders as he followed behind Athena.
"But...alright. Would you please all form a line? I shall start giving you names," Ymir sighed.
Leaving Ymir to begin naming the trolls, Damian and Athena made their way towards the tent with the pregnant trolls. Walking inside the tent, Damian saw four pregnant trolls lying on dirty fur beds with dirty buckets of water next to them. They were dressed in clothes that were also dirty and barely covered their bodies, and the air in the room was so musty and pungent that it almost caused him to gag.
"A human, what is a human doing here?" one of the females asked in concern, seeing Damian and Athena
"Calm down, I know you have a lot of questions and are confused. I will explain everything," Athena said, walking up to one of the females.
"Who are you? I have never seen someone like you in this village," another asked.
"That is because I evolved; I was the head female warrior. This human, our new Lord, blessed me with a name, and his companion is currently naming the others outside," Athena explained.
"Is it really you? You look so different,"
"Yes, she has evolved into a dusk troll," Damian replied
"But how can we believe you?" the last one asked
With a slight smile, Athena spent the next five minutes explaining everything and proving who she was in the village.
"Athena, I must ask why they are in this tent? These are terrible conditions for anyone pregnant to be in. What if they get sick?" Damian asked
"This is the best, cleanest tent we have besides the leader's tent," Athena replied
"I see, please take them outside for a few moments, but before that, I shall give them something," Damian said, walking up to the female.
"Could you please hold your hand out? Don't worry, I don't plan on harming you," Damian said in a gentle voice.
Hesitantly, the first woman extended her hand. Holding her hand, Damian bit his finger and began drawing the rune for healing on her palm. Confused, the woman watched him draw blood symbols on each of their palms.
"What I drew were healing runes. They will help you avoid getting sick and keep your child healthy," Damain said as he activated the rune.
As the runes started glowing, a cooling feeling embraced each of them as they felt an improvement in their health.
"He is right, I feel less heavy, I feel much better," one of them said
With Athena's help, he brought them outside. Where they waited for him. Walking back inside, Damian looked around and sighed, taking his magic book, he skimmed through it until he found the spell he was looking for. A cleaning spell.
"Oh Goddess of motherhood and health, heed my call, cleanse the filth that surrounds me, all these that carry another life to rest easy, dirt clean home...Clens,"
With that, a wave of light blue magic began to wash over the whole tent, and a small wisp cleaned every inch of the tent, including the water. Now with the tent clean and a new flower smell surrounding him, Damian sighed.
"Much better
As Damian spoke, the small blue spirits that smelled life flowers began surrounding him with a curious look.
[It seems the magic of this world is curious about your rune magic within you.] Val spoke
"In a good or bad way?" Damian asked as the spirits flew around him
[Don't worry, it's in a good way, they seem to want to see your magic,] Val replied
"Well, I will show you all the magic you want if you do me a favor," Damian said
Hearing his response, all the small spirits began combining until they became a female fairy with long blonde hair and shining blue eyes in a dress that seemed to be made from leaves.
"Hello, human, I am the emissary of the Goddess of Motherhood and health. She says she is willing to accept your deal, but you must agree to allow me to follow you around and study your magic, especially your healing magic," the little fairy said.
"Well, that is simple enough, but I must ask for limits and privacy on what I do," Damian replied
"...My Goddess agrees with your request. What was your first favor?' the fairy spoke.
"Could you please clean this camp. All the tents, the trolls' clothing, and the water," Damian said
"That is an effortless task for me, also, you can calm me, Tessa," the fairy said as she sat on Damian's head
"Pleasure to meet you, Tessa, name's Damian"