Chapter 23: Revelations 1

"Mom? You guys know each other?"

"Yes. There was a time when Carin and Vivienne helped me and your father, as well as helped solve some issues between us."

"Issues?"

The answers were all so vague, I had no idea what is going on. What is the history between them?

"I can see you are confused. I think it would be best to listen first."

"Yes, there will be time for questions, but I believe it best to hear part of the story first."

Vivienne decided to take the lead over the conversation. Carin seemed content just listening and was still in her previous position of leaning against the wall with her arms folded. My mother was watching from the other side of the screen with an anxious look on her face.

"Tell me Rune, how much do you know about your family's history? Have you been told anything of promises that were made?"

"Well now that you mention it, I don't know anything really. Also what promises?"

Vivienne looked at Norma, as if asking if it was okay to continue.

"This has to do with your affliction dear, as well as what you are?" Norma said

"What I am?"

Vivienne nodded before she began explaining

"You're not a human Rune, you are actually of the Oxen clan."

'Oxen clan. Is there such a thing? Also why hasn't anyone told me this before, why raise me as a human? This is all too surreal to believe.'

"You've got to be joking?"

I looked over at my mom and she silently nodded. Carin finally joined the conversation at that point and spoke up.

"Its not a joke. Didn't you ever notice anything strange about your life? Did you think it was normal for people to be able to clear and replant fields as big as yours in a single day, and with only two people no less?"

I always put it off as having been in good shape. Now that she mentions it though, it is a lot of work. If I did not always ignore it then I might have noticed that my stamina and strength was higher than most people.

Moments like that kept popping into my head now that I was actively thinking about it. Even when we were setting up for the harvest festival, it only took my and my dad to carry logs back for the bonfire while other groups needed more people.

"What about this so called Oxen Clan? Why haven't I heard about them?"

All Races are widely known. I was finding it hard to believe that I wouldn't hear any mention of such things.

"That is because they were eradicated. Those that survived live in hiding and all records of them have been wiped from history." Vivienne said.

"Aside from their physical capabilities, they look almost identical to humans. Most just assume that they are people that were born capable of using enhancement magic."

"The only ones who know of their existence are us Dragons. As for why? Its a rather long and complicated story, so try and pay attention."

Vivienne then went on to explain the complex history of the Oxen race.

Although the Dragons are called the first beastmen, that title actually goes to the Oxen clan. The Oxen were the first beastmen to be created in this world. They were the masterpiece created by the combined efforts of both the Ancients and the Dragons. Using bulls, cows and the like, they poured majority of their efforts into creating a single, superior form of beastman.

High strength and stamina passed down through the gene pool made them natural users of Body Activation. And high virility and fertility among males and females, along with the Ancient's and the Dragon's combined efforts, made them capable of producing children with any kind of beastman, as well as dragons. They were the perfect soldiers for dealing with the growing threat of the monsters and the ideal mates for repopulating the world.

Not everything went according to plan though. Ages ago, it is said that livestock were produced on a much greater scale. Mass numbers of animals were kept in pens for food, some treated cruelly and in poor living conditions. Naturally, most of these places were destroyed and the livestock were devoured by monsters.

The Oxen always served without question, believing that what they were doing was for a greater cause. But eventually they found out and when they did, they started a rebellion. When they learned of how their ancestors were treated, they felt outraged. They felt like they were being used, like they would never truly have free will. The Oxen started to question why things had to be this way, why THEY had to be treated this way. Why after evolving into superior life forms must they continue to be used? To die as soldiers in battles they didn't have a choice in? To be used as breeding slaves and have their children suffer the same fate? No.

And so they went to war with the dragons. The Ancient humans were weak and already on the brink of extinction, and the Oxen recognized that the Dragons were their true enemies. The Oxen were strong, so strong that they were able to keep the war going for many years, taking many lives of their sworn enemies. But even with all their strength, they could not measure of to the superior might of the dragons.

Eventually the Oxen became worn down. Their numbers had decreased substantially and they split into two factions. Those who were blinded by their rage and wanted to continue the war at any cost, and those who wanted peace.

With the loss of half of those willing to fight, the conflict soon ended. The remaining survivors made a deal with that dragon that in return for sparing their life, they would continued their previous obligations. And even should the population stabilize they were to continue providing offspring for the dragon, to make up for those lost and ensure future generations.

". . ."

Silenced reigned for a couple minutes after that and everyone seemed to have rather grim expression on their faces. Honestly, it was a lot to take in and I need time to process this, but there was still more I wanted to know. And I could tell that there was more to be said from their end as well.