The Beast Tamer Clan's Monster Overlord

Crow's wings cut through the wind as they soared high above the clouds, the world stretching endlessly below them. Owen slithered lazily from one of Axelius's shoulders to the other, his sleek black scales shimmering faintly in the sunlight. He tilted his head down, peering at the vast green blanket of forest under them.

"Where are we going now?" Owen asked, his forked tongue flickering out as if tasting the air.

"To meet some new people," Axelius replied with a grin, his golden eyes narrowing in excitement.

Owen tightened around his shoulder, uneasy. "New people? Don't tell me it's trouble again…"

Axelius just chuckled.

At that moment, Crow tucked in his wings and dove sharply toward the earth. The sudden descent made the air scream past them, the forest canopy rushing closer and closer until Crow flared his wings at the last second, halting his momentum in a violent gust of wind.

The impact of his landing sent dust and leaves flying, branches rattling like they had been hit by a storm. Axelius leapt down, his boots kicking up dirt as he landed.

Owen slithered down from his shoulder and stretched on the ground, his tongue flicking rapidly. His sharp eyes scanned the forest around them. The trees were tall, dense, and silent, the air thick like something was waiting just out of sight.

Then rumble.

The ground beneath them trembled. Small rocks bounced and dirt cracked in thin lines. Birds scattered from the treetops in a sudden rush.

Owen's body stiffened, his scales rising slightly as he hissed. "Something's coming! Hide, Axel!"

But Axelius only smirked, brushing the dust off his coat as though the earth wasn't shaking around him. "Nah," he said calmly, his voice low but certain. "It's them."

The rumbling grew heavier. The trees ahead parted as massive figures emerged, their steps shaking the earth with every stride. Owen's eyes widened, his serpent body tensing.

A group of towering giants—no, orcs—burst through the treeline, their tusks glinting, their massive clubs and axes strapped to their backs. For a heartbeat, Owen thought they would charge. His scales bristled, and he instinctively slithered up Axelius's body, coiling on his shoulder.

But instead, the orcs slowed.

Then, in perfect unison, they fell to one knee, their heads bowing low, the ground trembling from the weight of their kneel.

Owen's jaw nearly dropped. "Orcs, Axel?!"

Axelius smirked, tilting his head with that casual grin of his. "I hate these guys… but now?" He spread his arms slightly, as if presenting them. "It's good to show them off."

The kneeling orcs beat their fists to their chests and greeted loudly, their deep voices rumbling in human language.

Owen blinked rapidly, his tongue flicking in disbelief. "They… they can even talk?! What the hell is going on?"

Axelius chuckled under his breath, his golden eyes gleaming. "Supposedly, it should only be the Orc Lord who can speak." He looked down at them, pride dancing on his lips. "But after I gave them names… they were able to talk."

The orcs raised their heads slightly, their sharp gazes burning with loyalty as they awaited his command, the forest echoing with the sound of their guttural voices.

Axelius stepped forward, His smirk faded into something more serious, his golden eyes narrowing as he lifted a finger and pointed at Owen.

"This one," Axelius said, his voice calm but firm, carrying across the silent gathering. "His name is Owen. He is not just my tamed monster—he is my brother. From now on, you will respect him, treat him as you treat me."

The orcs' deep growls rumbled through the air, echoing like drums. They struck their chests once more, tusks bared in unison as if to swear their loyalty to the serpent on his shoulder.

Owen froze, his glassy black scales shimmering faintly under the sunlight. His eyes darted between the massive creatures and Axelius, his voice cracking with disbelief. "W-wait, did you just… make them bow to me too?"

Axelius tilted his head, a lazy grin forming again. "Of course. I said you're my brother, didn't I? What's mine is yours, Owen."

One of the largest orcs pounded the ground with his fist and spoke in rough but clear words, his guttural tone filled with respect. "Owen… brother of the Monster Overlord. We bow to you."

Owen's body twitched as he nearly slipped off Axelius's shoulder, stunned. "You… you've got to be kidding me. Axel, you're insane!"

But Axelius only chuckled, reaching up to pat Owen's sleek scaled body with the back of his finger. "I just don't like standing alone at the top."

Axelius crossed his arms as his gaze swept across the clearing. The orcs still knelt, their massive frames towering even in submission, the earth trembling faintly under their weight.

With a slow smirk, he tilted his head toward the treeline, golden eyes glinting.

"I like this place," he said lazily. "The river not far, the trees thick enough to use… hmmm."

His grin widened as he pointed casually toward the ground beneath his feet. "I have a task for all of you. Build me my own home here."

The orcs looked at one another, their deep growls rumbling like thunder, then in perfect unison they stood up tall, raising their fists to their chests.

"We obey, Lord!" their voices boomed together,

Axelius gave a single nod of satisfaction, waving his hand. "Start."

Immediately, the orcs scattered like a wave breaking apart. Some stomped toward the trees, gripping massive trunks with their thick hands and wrenching them straight out of the ground, roots and dirt spraying into the air.

Others roared at one another in their harsh language as they carried whole trunks on their shoulders.

Owen, still coiled on Axelius's shoulder, stared in disbelief, his scales trembling faintly. "You just told them to build you a house, and they actually—? What are you, some kind of demon king?"

Axelius only chuckled under his breath, watching as the orcs worked. "Hah, no. Just smart enough to use what I've got."

Then he turned his head, his grin fading into something sharper, his voice lowering as he looked straight at Owen. "Now… enough staring. Let's start training. Especially you, Owen."

Axelius only tilted his head, smirking wider. "You've got new power, and I want to see it."