Followers

"He's going to kill us!" One of the men from the group yelled out, instantly turning around and trying to run away with a woman and a few others not completely frozen with fear. However, he did not get very far before he and the others were stopped as they ran into an invisible wall.

Lucian let out an amused chuckle, "Come on, guys," he said, his tone one of disappointment as he shook his head from side to side.

"L-Lucian!" Shea called out, quickly jumping in front of Lucian. She held out both of her arms to her sides, continuing, "You said you would help them!" She pleaded.

"Move, rabbit," Yue said, her expression still the same neutral one as always, yet her tone gave way to her seriousness.

Lucian slightly smiled at Yue's words, not even paying the frightened bunnies any attention. He reached one of his hands to his side and gently stroked Yue's golden locks.

"There, there, princess," Lucian said, his voice a mix of amusement and gentleness.

Yue hummed in acknowledgment, her head seeming to lean into the pets.

Turning his attention back to Shea, though still not ceasing his petting of Yue as he brought her closer to his side, Lucian spoke.

"And I will, Shea," Lucian said, his kind smile still on his face, though it only served to further alarm the rabbit people now that they understood what he was.

"He's lying! There is no way a demon would save beastmen!" A random rabbit woman from the crowd yelled out, the others murmuring their agreements to her words. Shea and Cam seemed stiff, as if unsure what to believe.

'It's almost like you want me to pop your head...' Lucian thought, really struggling not to just burst the woman's head that had just yelled like a watermelon.

"Wait! That man saved my daughter's life!" Another feminine voice called out, originating from a woman embracing a child covered in blood and guts.

Everyone turned as they faced the direction of the sound, their expressions changing as they laid their eyes upon the girl, seemingly just now remembering that Lucian had saved a little girl from their group.

"Stupid rabbits," Yue murmured, still enjoying Lucian's gentle touch as she hugged the side of his body.

Chuckling at Yue's words, Lucian spoke, "See, I am here to help." His words gained the attention of the group of rabbits once more. They turned to face him, some still looking distrustful, though most appeared relieved and even thankful.

Cam, who had slightly backed away and stood next to his daughter, said, "I believe you." His expression revealed relief, and he continued, "And I thank you, Lucian, for saving a young member of our tribe." His tone was kind and gentle.

Shea smiled again, attempting once more to jump towards Lucian and Yue as she exclaimed, "I knew you were here to save us!" However, she was stopped once again by an invisible wall, letting out an "Ow!" as she fell back onto her butt.

Ignoring Shea, Lucian replied, "Of course, it was no problem, really," shaking his free hand as if to wave away their worries. He continued, "After all, you guys will become very useful to me." Lucian watched as looks of confusion and slight worry washed over the crowd.

Yue, too, seemed slightly interested in what Lucian had planned for the rabbits, her gaze turning up to look at him. Though she said nothing, not wanting to interrupt him or risk the chance he would stop his headpats.

"What do you mean by that, Lucian?" Shea questioned, already standing back up and dusting herself off.

Looking over all the rabbit people present, Lucian's kind smile faded into something more neutral, almost inviting as he spoke, "Aren't you tired of being pushed around? Being weak?" Lucian said, observing some who seemed contemplative of his words while others only appeared more confused.

"What if I said I could offer you something that would make you never have to cower from monsters again? To never be run out of your own home simply for being different?" Lucian continued, his tone a mix of condescension and persuasiveness that made the gathered crowd listen more carefully.

"How did you kno—" Shea began, only to be interrupted by Lucian as he moved his hand from Yue's head, causing a momentary grunt of annoyance due to the stopping of her head pats.

Bringing his now-free hand, along with the other, up and to the sides of his body, Lucian declared, "I can transform you into the most powerful creatures in this world," accompanying his words with a slight flick of his outstretched hands. The world around him seemed to surge to life in response.

"W-what!?" Shea exclaimed in shock, taking in the extraordinary sight unfolding before her eyes. Her cries were echoed by others who, not completely silenced by astonishment, voiced their amazement and wonder.

The once lush green forest surrounding them underwent a remarkable transformation. Touched by what seemed like the hand of a benevolent deity, the vibrant green foliage became even more resplendent. Colorful flowers of every hue burst forth from the earth, creating a magnificent tapestry of reds, blues, purples, and yellows that painted the landscape with nature's breathtaking beauty.

'It's not copying if no one else saw it,' Lucian thought, satisfied with the vision he had brought to life.

"Show off," Yue murmured, reaching up and taking Lucian's hand, placing it back on her head. She completely ignored the awestruck looks of the gathered bunnies as they admired the lush tapestry Lucian had just woven into existence.

Lucian gave an amused chuckle at Yue, returning to stroking her hair as he broke the silence that had settled upon the group of rabbits.

"So, what do you say?" Lucian asked, his kind smile once again gracing his face. "Will you follow me?"

'Or will I have to drag you all kicking and screaming.' Lucian finished internally. Though he knew they would agree—why wouldn't they? He was offering them everything they wanted. And he would get everything he wanted in return. People to experiment on as well as followers.

Afterall, what is an entertainer without his followers?

Some seemed unsure, others ecstatic at the idea, though the first to speak up slightly surprised those present.

"I will!" A feminine shout sounded out, originating from a green-haired rabbit woman holding a child covered in yellow blood.

Lucian raised a brow at the shout, not that surprised that she would volunteer to follow him. After all, he had saved what he could only presume was her child's life.

Smiling in the direction of the woman and child, Lucian spoke, "You've made the right decision." He said, raising his free hand toward the approaching mother and child pair. With a thought and a flick of the wrist, the blood covering the child seemed to dissipate into thin air.

"Thank you, mister!" The little girl exclaimed, a happy smile forming on her features.

The mother, too, smiled as she drew closer to Lucian and Yue. "Thank you, Lord Lucian," the woman said, her tone grateful yet nervous as she continued, "I will do my best to serve you."

A slight smile formed on Lucian's face at her words, though he did not voice a reply.

Another wave of murmuring began to sound out, some other rabbits even walking slightly forwards as if wanting to follow him as well.

Though the chaos was quickly silenced as Cam spoke up, "You say you are a demon?" Cam questioned, his tone seeming to hold suppressed shock and genuine curiosity as he continued, "Then why do you look so different? And why have you not killed us? No demon would act like you."

Turning his gaze to face Cam, Lucian blinked, confused since he had already answered one of those questions. He was really beginning to wonder if rabbit people had some kind of memory problem or something.

"I look different because I am not a demon from here. I have not killed you because, as I've said before, you are useful to me," Lucian explained, growing tired of maintaining his kind facade and wondering if he should just get rid of those who have yet to decide. 

'No, my plan will not work if they all die,' Lucian thought, battling the slight urge he has had since his rebirth to just kill everything. 

"Hmm..." Cam hummed in thought, appearing to consider it, while the other rabbit people were either lost in thought about the sudden change in the forest or murmuring amongst themselves.

Well, all except for the mother and daughter pair who arrived and stood next to Yue.

"I think we should do it, father," Shea said, moving closer to Cam's side and continuing, "I mean, he did save a member of our tribe."

"The stupid rabbit is actually smart?" Yue murmured, appearing genuinely surprised by Shea's words.

Cam furrowed his brows at his daughter's plea, appearing deep in thought. He turned to face the rest of the group behind him.

"What do you think? Do you all agree with my daughter's words? Should we join Luna and her daughter and follow him?" He questioned, observing as the group broke out into even louder murmurs.

"Of course! Didn't you see what he just did?" one man yelled out.

"But he's a demo-" another man began, only to be hit upside the head by another rabbit woman to his side before he could finish. She spoke, "You idiot! He saved a child of our tribe! Be quiet, or you won't get any tonight!"

Hearing the majority of his people in agreement with his daughter's words, Cam spoke, "Then it is decided." He turned to face Lucian once more, adding, "We shall follow you, Lucian. Please take care of us."

Lucian's kind smile threatened to break as he responded, "Of course." Nodding, his gaze swept over the gathered rabbit people as he continued, "I will take good care of you all."