A tense silence engulfed the council table. The last person to try and speak had faltered under the pressure, and so the silence remained. Everyone was waiting for the same thing: the representative from the Titans.
The Titans were a strange race. Almost immortal, they operated on a different wavelength than the other races in the Fold. It was not uncommon for them to sleep for years at a time and the meetings between the various races of the Fold were often conducted without them. Of course, that was only possible if the entire reason for the council gathering wasn’t meeting with the Titan’s representative in the first place.
When Packan took over as the council representative for the Ak’ckaban, he had big shoes to fill. While the previous councilor had been beloved by all and had led their race with impeccable leadership, Packan was more of a compromise between their race’s different political factions. Being on the Council of the Fold was a huge honor, and one that he felt he wasn’t worthy of. But it was his duty to represent his race, and the Ak’ckaban did their duty.
There were a total of eight different races in the Fold, although the Titans were really only nominal members. The Fold was not a gathering of choice, but a gathering of necessity, and the Titans could fend for themselves.
A long time ago, longer than even the longest lived Titans had been around, the Gods had an argument. None of the mortal races knew the details, but the Gods were split between two sides, with a few Gods managing to stay neutral.
At first, the Gods kept the argument between themselves. But it eventually reached their children, and that was when the Fold and the Hammer had been formed. The Hammer was a gathering of races representing one side of the Godly argument, while the Fold represented the other. There were twelve gods total, with four representing the Fold, five representing the Hammer, and the other three remaining neutral. Although truthfully Gaia was mostly neutral among the mortal races, as the only children he had were the Titans. They mostly ignored matters of the other mortal races and the Hammer was too wary of them to force the issue despite Gaia being the God the Hammer hated most.
But now the Titans WERE his only children. As in they weren’t anymore, and the news had swept through the mortal races like wildfire. A council meeting was quickly called to decide the Fold’s official response.
Apparently Gaia had created another race, the Humans, in secret, wanting to keep them separated from the struggles and wars of the other races. But what he could hide, others could find. Gaia was the God the Hammer wanted to punish the most, and now they finally had a way to do so.
The current balance of power had both the Hammer and the Fold in a bit of a stalemate, with both sides fearing a counterattack should any offensive end poorly. Truthfully, it wasn’t really a true stalemate, as the Hammer was substantially stronger than the Fold. But when armies fight the defending side always has an advantage, so while the Hammer might be stronger, it wasn’t nearly enough to offset the power of entrenched magic fortifications.
And so the stalemate held, and there had been nothing bigger than a skirmish for the last thousand years or so. But that was all about to change, and this council meeting was only the beginning.
Packan nervously shifted in his chair, worrying about the changes the news had set in motion.
Surely they don’t expect us to go out and fight, right? I hope the Talalli don’t immediately push for an offensive. Fighting may be their strong suit but we would be decimated outside our fortifications. The Titans should know where the Humans are. Hopefully it’s right in the middle of our territory. If the Human’s link is within the Hammer’s side they are done for.
The tension never let off and the silence was never broken, and after a long wait the representative from the Titans finally walked in the door. This specimen seemed to take on a female form, and was actually rather small. She was barely taller than the council table. Most people who had never seen a Titan and had only heard stories thought of them as giants. While that was true for their combat form, most of the time they appeared as rather small humanoid shaped moving sculptures. This one was no different, and looked to be formed from some sort of blue granite.
Packan sighed internally as the pressure dissipated and the other six members around the table leaned in as the Titan woman took her seat. She paused for just a moment before speaking in a beautiful voice unbefitting of a moving stone statue.
“As you may have heard, we are no longer alone as the children of Gaia. The Humans, a relatively young race, have recently joined us, and joined us in our struggle against the Hammer, whether they want to or not.”
Here the Titan’s representative paused, meeting the eyes of everyone around the table. Packan barely avoided flinching under her stare. For someone with only stone sockets for eyes her gaze seemed to see right through him.
“But for them to join us, we first have to secure their connecting portal. Gaia was only able to influence its location so much, and it has appeared on the other side of Thorrer valley. Unfortunately, as a result of influencing its location, the Hammer has been made aware of the connecting portal’s location and should already be on their way there. We must immediately move to intercept them, and if that is not possible, reclaim the land and secure the portal.”
Packan felt sick as the council dissolved into discussion. This would mean war. Of course, some of the more militant races had been in favor of outright war for years, but thankfully cooler heads had prevailed. Now there was no choice. Packan listened as the representative of the Aveninitie somehow managed to calm the council enough to ask a question of the Titan.
“But what exactly are these Humans? The Aveninitie are all for their rescue, but what exactly are we rescuing? There is a huge difference rescuing a race like the Talalli, who are naturally adept at combat, and a race like the Ak’ckaban, who are practically useless in a direct confrontation. Our plans could differ drastically if we have to support a deadweight race after their rescue.”
Packan inwardly winced at how his race was described, but he couldn’t exactly disagree. The Ak’ckaban were almost useless in direct combat. Luckily they held their weight as crafters, and almost all the enchanted fortifications were built by the Ak’ckaban.
The Titan pondered for a second before answering the Aveninitie’s question.
“Gaia has described the Humans as adaptable. They are rather bland in form, with only a humanoid appearance and almost no distinguishing features. If they wore wings and claws they could even pass as a Talalli from far away. But while they are rather bland and appear useless at first glance, that is also where Gaia said their strength lies. They originally were on a world without magic, but Gaia has since thrown them into a harsh environment for them to grow their strength. When Gaia heard out fears that they would cave under the pressure, we were told that they had the capability to adapt to become more powerful than even us Titans, although we suspect Gaia was slightly exaggerating.”
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
The council paused to mull that over before the Aveninitie spoke once more.
“If they truly have such potential, what are their numbers? I am sure everyone would be happy to welcome a race with even half your power with open arms, but if they only number in the thousands like the Titans we may lose more combat power than we would gain by rescuing them, especially if they have low reproductive rates.”
The Titan smiled, obviously waiting for this exact question.
“Although many have died in the transition from their birth planet to their new home on the other side of the connecting portal, when they were allowed unchecked growth their population was counted in billions.”
The council was stunned. Packan desperately tried to wrap his head around the concept. It was billions, not millions. Even their most numerous race, the Deghol, only numbered in the hundreds of millions, and they were rather weak individually, only showing their might with numbers and a high reproductive rate.
Billions. And they have the potential to match the Titans? This, this could change everything!
It was rare for the Ak’ckaban representative to speak, but Packan was the first to break the silence after the bomb that the Titan just dropped.
“The Ak’ckaban move for immediately rescuing the Humans with a level eight motion of importance.”
The other council members were only surprised for a moment at Packen’s declaration before they understood his reasoning. Unlike all the other races in the Fold, the Ak’ckaban did not have control over their own connecting portal. It was controlled by the Hammer. The only Ak’ckaban that were on the major plane were the descendants of those that originally came through the portal, before the territories were so clearly established.
So while races like the Talalli that were well suited to combat were constantly clamoring to go on the offensive, no race wanted to smash the Hammer as much as the Ak’ckaban. And it only took the council members a moment to realize that Packan thought the Humans were their ticket to do so.
A few seconds later, unsurprisingly, the Talalli representative raised their hand.
“I second the motion, and move for immediate implementation.”
Packan thought that it would take some more deliberation before anything more happened. All the other races generally took some time before they warmed up to the idea of any sort of offensive, even the more militant ones. Packan couldn’t blame them. He had been the same way until a minute ago. It would only take one bad offensive for it all to crumble. But before any discussion could happen, his motion was fast tracked in an unexpected way.
“The Titans move to implement the New Birth clause in favor of the motion.”
At first Packan only thought the Titans had supported his motion, as he knew they would. It was a given that any race would support rescuing another race made by their god. He was distracted from his inner thoughts when the council table went silent. It was only then that he thought over what exactly the Titan represtentative has said.
But wait, New Birth clause? I don’t remember any… oh.
Back when Packan was training for his seat on the council, one of the things he had to do was read over all the rules and regulations. Every, single, damn, one. It took him over thirty days. He murkily recalled that one of those piles of documents was titled “Important rules that will never be used”. Since they were important he had made sure to actually have them memorized. And one of them was the New Birth clause.
It actually was not that hard to memorize because of its content. There wasn’t anything else like it. It also was the only clause to be added in without ever being used. Most rules were added in to solve a problem retroactively, not proactively. But The New Birth clause was different.
Packan nervously cleared his throat before speaking.
“As per the New Birth clause, any motion made regarding the good of a new race can be given level nine priority by another race under the same god. Following the clause, the Ak’ckaban move to accept the Titans support and finalize the nominated motion, with the final details to be discussed immediately, delaying any recess that would normally be taken until the results are finalized. Speak now or by the will of the Gods it shall be done.”
The minute of waiting felt like forever to Packan, and he let out an internal sigh of relief once the motion was confirmed as passed. Despite proposing the motion, Packan didn’t have much to add once it was finalized and discussion began. War was not his forte after all. But Building actual forts was, and he already had some plans to extend the Fold’s battle lines to encompass Thorrer valley. The Ak’ckaban had been homeless for long enough. Soon, with the Human’s help, they would have the power to fight. The drums of war were beating, and for once Packan welcomed their coming. Home was an ethereal concept to the Ak’ckaban, but now, now it finally felt within reach.
It was time to go home.
----------------------------------------
Ienchth was giddy with excitement. He couldn’t hold it in, and the feral grin that had snuck its way onto his face had his officers walking on a tightrope. He wasn’t quite sure why, as he hadn’t eaten any of them in a few days. Well, he had only eaten one or two.
I knew that those old crustaceans were too lax. Always saying to wait, take it easy. I doubt they could have foreseen this opportunity, but I couldn’t have taken it if I hadn’t been in position with my army. Now all the glory will be mine. If I had followed those dumb boundary lines I would have been days away, not hours. Now no one can beat me to the prize.
Ienchth was salivating at the thought of all they lovely prey he was about to have access to. The first breakers had already arrived at the portal, and they should have it open by the time the rest of the army was in position. Then it would be time to feast.
This will show them that the Ctheicthu can’t be underestimated. Always calling us small fry. Now all the glory will be ours! The matrons will grow fat on fresh meat and slaves once we return victorious. Then we can shut those Aileela up. Let’s see what they can say in the face of a real swarm!
Ienchth had to hold himself back from eating another of his officers. It was bad habit to get into. He might need them soon after all, even that particularly tasty looking one… No, he had to wait. Soon he could have all the fresh meat he wanted. Soon.
The army moved slower than he would have liked, but it was still in place by the time the portal breakers had finished their job. Ienchth double checked everything before their entry. He didn’t really know what to expect on the other side after all, and it wouldn’t do to get caught in a trap like some amateur. He was just about to order the army to move forward when his assigned matron interrupted him.
“Ienchth my dear, you wouldn’t be thinking about moving forward without a secure retreat would you? You know that the breakers need time to fully secure the portal. We will need to leave with our bounty after all. The elders wouldn’t want you to just lose an entire army, even in pursuit of a noble cause.
Ienchth cursed in his head. She was right of course. He had forgotten all about their glorious return.
“My dear matron, I wouldn’t think about advancing without securing a way for us to transport the food back. Everything is for the glory of the hive.”
The matron smiled, her predatory grin even more ferocious than his own.
“Of course. The hive will grow fat once we return, laden with meat and slaves. I always knew you had our best interests at heart. I think a day should be enough for the breakers to secure the portal. We should only need to secure it for a softshell’s legs worth or so.”
“Of course matron,” Ienchth replied, cursing internally at his need to follow the instructions. “Your will be done and the may the hive grow fat at your command.”
He quickly bowed and scurried away to see to the new instructions. The matrons always made him nervous. Nothing could impact his mood for long though, and he soon was back to salivating at the thought of what was to come.
It ended up taking longer than a day before the matron was satisfied with the state of the portal. They were lucky it had never been used before, or it would have taken even longer to secure it properly. Ienchth had been waiting for her command, and as soon as she gave the go ahead he gave the order to enter. While she could give him orders, he was the only one the army listened to.
It was truly a glorious sight watching the army slowly disappearing into the portal. Ienchth had waited too long for this. Too long to draw blood, to suck on succulent soft flesh. To crush bones between his mandibles as he reveled in the screams of his prey, savoring their agony until they were nothing but food for his increased power.
Too long have we been at peace. The hive has grown complacent. The elders like softshells. We have forgotten the true taste of flesh, sweetened by the scent of fear. But no longer. I will show the hive the path to glory. We will grow fat on the flesh of our enemies. Too long have we gone without proper prey, holed up in our burrows like the soft races. The hunt will begin once more, and these Humans shall soon know what fear truly is. The hive is coming, and the Ctheicthu will grow fat once again.