The preparation was complete, but the air was thick with tension. Rio stood amidst his clones, each one silent but expectant, their eyes following his every move. A clone, his voice tinged with curiosity, took a step forward.
Clone 1:
"How many armors do we need to make, Master?"
Rio turned to face him, a faint smile curling at the edges of his lips. He met the clone's questioning gaze with confidence.
Rio:
"Not many. We already know that the village isn't large. With our abilities, the quality of the armor, and the artifacts we possess, I doubt we'll face much resistance. A hundred sets should be enough."
The clone hesitated, his brow furrowing as he processed the information.
Clone 2:
"A hundred? But... does that mean you're summoning a hundred clones?"
The room fell silent at the mention of a hundred clones. It wasn't that a hundred was overwhelming—it was the fact that it had been so long since Rio had summoned that many at once. It was a sight that stirred old memories, a reminder of the Rio who was anything but ordinary. Who wasn't just "one of them."
Rio:
Chuckles softly
"Don't look at me like that. You're going to kill me with your eyes before the villagers even get the chance!"
The clones let out a collective, quiet laugh, breaking the tension in the air. One of them smirked, crossing his arms.
Clone 3:
"Well, it's the first time you've summoned this many in ages. We're bound to be... curious."
Rio nodded, his expression growing more serious as the reality of what was about to unfold settled in. He looked at each clone, their faces a reflection of his own resolve.
Rio:
"Everything is prepared. The armor, crafted with artifact-enhanced ironwood, is ready. Weapons from my inventory are equipped, and strategies are set. Now, we move."
As dawn broke, Rio's voice rang out, steady and unwavering.
Rio:
"It's time."
The clones sprang into motion, their movements as coordinated as a single mind. A hundred strong, they split into two groups. Half would charge the village head-on, while the other half would flank from the sides. The original ten—those who had been with Rio from the very beginning—stayed close, forming his vanguard.
The village came into view. Small, isolated, and seemingly unprepared for what was about to unfold. As the clones drew closer, the villagers noticed them. Their faces, once calm and content, morphed into expressions of confusion and fear as they saw identical figures approaching from all directions. One villager, a young woman, shouted something in their native tongue, her voice trembling. It was unintelligible to the clones.
Clone 4:
"Master, I think they're frightened. They're saying something, but I can't understand it."
Rio observed them, his gaze cold and calculating.
Rio:
"It doesn't matter. They attacked us first. They killed one of us, even if it was just a clone. They'll face the consequences."
The tension in the air grew palpable as the first wave of clones collided with the villagers. Despite the villagers' desperate efforts to defend themselves, their crude weapons were no match for the superior armor and weaponry of the clones. The ambush was executed flawlessly. Clones from the front pushed the villagers back, while those from the sides trapped them. The ten clones with Rio ensured that no one escaped, their vigilance absolute.
Clone 5:
Whispers amidst the chaos
"Master, it doesn't feel like we're fighting puppets. They speak, they cry... but their words don't reach us."
Rio clenched his fists, the weight of the moment sinking into his chest.
Rio:
"Perhaps it's better that way."
By the time the sun reached its peak, the battle was over. The village had been claimed. The remaining villagers, bruised and broken, were rounded up and held captive. Their language was foreign, a puzzle to be deciphered later. Rio stood amidst the wreckage, a strange heaviness settling over him.
Rio:
Quietly, almost to himself
"This wasn't how it was supposed to be."
One of the original ten clones stepped forward, placing a hand on Rio's shoulder. His voice was firm, yet understanding.
Clone 6:
"Master, we're in a different world now. Survival is the only law here. They struck first, and even clones feel pain. We couldn't have allowed this to go unanswered."
Rio's expression softened slightly, his gaze distant. His thoughts swirled with questions, but he nodded in acknowledgment.
Rio:
"You're right. But I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this place. A village this isolated... It feels like someone didn't want it to be found."
The clones murmured in agreement, their shared consciousness resonating with Rio's unease. The feeling of something deeper, something hidden beneath the surface, was unsettling.
Another clone, stepped forward, his voice resolute.
Clone 7:
"Master, the village is ours now. It's time to think ahead. You spoke of building an organization—one that is loyal, unbreakable. We can start here."
Rio turned his gaze to the village, his mind already shifting gears, plotting the future.
Rio:
His voice hardens, filled with determination
"You're right. First, we gather resources and map the area. We need to understand their language, their customs, their strengths. Once we know enough, we'll expand."
The clones nodded, each of them understanding their role in the larger plan.
Clone 8:
Calmly
"We'll need to gather information on the surrounding lands as well. If there are other villages, if there are threats... we should know. It will be harder for anyone to stand against us if we have the knowledge."
Rio:
"Good. Deploy a hundred of you to secure the area. Search the forest, and ensure no one escaped.
One of the clones stepped forward, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.
Clone 9:
"Master, there's an item in the inventory—a C-rank skill. It can mask appearances. If you use it and share the skill with us, we can blend in better."
Rio raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
Rio:
"You want me to use a skill... just to make you all look different?"
The clone nodded firmly.
Clone 9:
"Yes. It's necessary if we want to avoid suspicion. We can't risk being recognized by anyone, especially if we plan to make this village our base."
Rio sighed, but with a small nod, he activated the skill. A wave of magic pulsed through the air, and the clones' appearances shifted subtly. Each one now bore distinct features, their differences enough to confuse anyone who might try to track them down.
Rio:
With a touch of sarcasm
"Happy now?"
The clone grinned, his demeanor lightening.
Clone 9:
"Very."
With their appearances altered and their plans set in motion, the clones began their search. Resources were gathered, maps were sketched, and every corner of the forest was explored. Rio's vision of an organization, one built on loyalty and strength, was no longer just a dream—it was becoming a reality.
As night fell, Rio stood at the edge of the village, staring into the distance. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the scent of fresh earth and unspoken possibilities. One of the original ten clones approached him, the weight of the day settling over both of them.
Clone 10:
"Master, are you ready for what comes next?"
Rio turned to face him, his eyes steely with resolve. There was no turning back now.
Rio:
"Ready or not, we move forward. This is only the beginning."
The future stretched out before them, a road filled with uncertainty, but Rio was no longer the uncertain man he once was. He had a purpose now, a vision, and nothing would stop him from seeing it through.