The Achievement Junkie

'We've gathered as the Body Council to meet and congratulate our long-lost sister on her return to us!'

The entire crowd roared in cheers and praise of the remark, as did many of the hydras across the dozens of cushions. In particular, Jack noticed that the three-headed hydras present cheered the loudest, especially the few three-headed hydra elders.

Then, the hydra head raised a claw, getting the crowd to grow silent once more. 'Please, share with us your name and story, young one.'

Jack got a chuckle out of that comment but Lunara felt nothing wrong with it. She was certain that Head Raztol was older than her, and possibly by a few millennia. His holding of the head position was proof of that also.

'My name is Lunara. Long ago, I fled from Glacier Reef to pursue a life beyond the trench. I'm glad to come back and visit my people. I'm also overjoyed to notice how much our society has progressed since then.'

'How long ago did you part from the trench, Lunara?' asked Raztol with a kind smile.

Sighing, Lunara replied, 'When I was still young and you, Head Raztol, were only an elder.'

Whispers and murmurings flooded the audience and council floor. Only a handful of elders had lived that long yet this returning hydra proclaimed to be so old? And she appeared to be alive for only a couple of millennia?

'Is this true?' Raztol was startled to hear that and laughing softly. 'Would you mind describing what you remember of our old society? This should confirm any doubts about your claim and best help me to explain our development since your leave.'

In awe of Raztol's personality which drastically contrasted her former beliefs, Lunara nodded. 'At the time, tri-heads made up thirty percent of the population and the Glacier Palace had been recently built.'

'And your parents?'

'I don't remember them well… I never met my father and my mother passed when I was but a child. That was what led to my leave.'

'I see…' Sighing, Raztol leaned his head against one of his arms. 'I think I know where to start, given your terminology…

'The derogatory term 'tri-heads' was banned and removed from society soon after I became a consul, so that confirms your story.'

At the mention of the word, the party paid more attention to the uncomfortable glares from the many three-headed hydras present. It was a stark contrast to the congratulating roars from before.

'I hold nothing against you for using such a term. At the time of your leave, such was the custom for everyone. I'm also guilty for slandering our people as such in the past…' The hydra head blinked, showing a touch of vulnerability that the party would never have expected.

'Since the time I became a consul, our society began to make radical changes. We've since perfected the art of farming and shifted to a more plant-based diet to accommodate the growing population. But we've also begun to raise our own prey, which still gives us plenty of meat. This created a boom in fertility and expansion, forcing us to span the entirety of Glacier Reef and we're even considering expansion into the trench walls for future growth.

'Also, that growing population has created more equality among the people. Now, seventy-five percent of newborns will have three heads when they reach maturity and more than half of the overall population is made up of our three-headed brethren.'

'That…' Hearing those statistics left Lunara speechless, glad to know that her people were on their way to more equality.

'However, there's another new law that may not be in your favor,' added Raztol, garnering more of the party's attention. 'I've heard that you're interested in visiting Glacier Keep. Back then, all hydras were allowed to visit Glacier Keep when they mature and evolve for the first time, and occasional visits were allowed with proper planning.

'Now, that's changed. Only the elders are allowed to visit Glacier Keep.'

'And why is that?' asked Lunara.

Head Raztol sighed and glanced about the room. 'It was voted for and put into motion soon after I became a consul. The majority passed the motion and restricted Glacier Keep's uses to only the elders, their families, and loyal aides… It was declared when the population began to grow emphatically as a means to, and I quote, 'preserve the sanctity of Glacier Keep from the overuse of the overwhelming populace'. That was the verdict and description that was reached ages past.'

'Want me to speak?'

Lunara shook a head at Jack and stated for all to hear, 'Head Raztol, please understand that what I'm about to say is by no means to disrespect the hydra people.'

'Very well. Then, please, proceed.'

Letting out a long sigh, Lunara admitted, 'Head Raztol, Body Council, in three days' time, Glacier Keep will be unsealed.'

Immediately, the entire room filled with more murmurings and no more whispers. But Head Raztol silenced the crowd with a single raised claw, staring more attentively at Lunara. Unlike the consuls and many elders with questioning stares, the hydra head seemed genuinely curious. 'Proceed…'

Lunara nodded and continued, 'Glacier Keep will unseal no matter what the hydra people do. But that's not the most worrying thing. What the hydra people need to understand is that many people will be arriving for the sake of entering Glacier Keep as well.'

'Hmph!' grunted Hindrad, not saying anything but making his stance clear already.

'And why is that? Have you spread news of us?' asked Raztol, sharing the concern of many elders.

Shaking her head, Lunara explained, 'The creator of this world is the one opening Glacier Keep. But I'm not done with my warning. I must also make myself clear that no Glacial Hydra should dare enter Glacier Keep after it's unsealed.'

'Preposterous!' shouted an elder on the floor. This led to many changing their opinions of the newly-arrived hydra and startled voices filling the area.

'SILENCE!'

Hearing their leader's call, all audience members and council members ceased speaking. Head Raztel then squinted at Lunara and her party. 'Then what gives you the right to enter?'