The smell of moss, water, and pleasant reptilian musk brought Igni out of his sleep. Feeling slightly groggy, he sat up with a sighing groan. He looked at his arm and peeled off a sleeve of skin.

His new skin was no longer crumpled. He placed the shed skin into the pile he had accumulated during his brief, dazed awakenings. Feeling his arm, he pulled off another old layer while softly humming to himself.

Once done, he rose from the bed and approached a door in his room he always kept slightly cracked open. It led to the bathing room, and he prepared himself a lukewarm bath.

After bathing and donning selective white clothes, he exited his room.

The sound of great activity throughout the castle greeted him. His tongue flicked out, and he smiled while resting his hands in his billowing sleeves. The air hummed with excitement and a unique sort of happiness that held a touch of danger. He moved to see the ground floor and whistled to himself.

His boss had built up quite the army after so many years, and it showed. People, some of which Igni had no choice but to consider soldiers, walked to and fro with an air of anticipation about them. He had to wonder why; more than three-fourths of them weren't even going to storm the fields.

Ah, well.

He strolled down the stairs and passed through the foyer. The usual children weren't around this time, likely taking precautionary refuge underground with the other civilians. Passing their usual spot, he entered the large Centerspace to see it substantially empty. Humming softly, he glanced up to the second floor. The crossing path from the left side to the right side of the floor was also empty, meaning most of the army had gone outside. It explained the activity in the foyer.

However, he could see his leader walking up the stairs to said second floor.

"Boss. Where's the motley bunch o' 'em?" he asked with a grin.

A smile turned on him, and his leader waited until he came to his side to continue up the stairs. "They should be gathering soon, but there is time."

Humming, Igni cocked his head to the side and examined his leader's expression. The older man appeared enlightened. "What're ya thinkin' 'bout, Boss?"

A grey eye glanced at him. "Yes, well. I have considered something. A change in plans, perhaps."

"Oh." Igni looked at the sky once they reached the back of the castle. Ceiling-high doors were open, allowing them to move to the balcony and see the sky. He spotted a growing whirlpool in the dark water that made up the heavens. "Ain't that rare."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Yes. I do believe you will appreciate the change. I will wait until everyone arrives before explaining."

Nodding, Igni moved to stand at the far end of the balcony.

He and his leader didn't have long to wait. A tall but hunched man in black, Balgoros, appeared first, followed by a woman with mahogany-colored hair and a pale complexion. Igni smiled at her, and she gave a respectful nod.

"Good to see ya, Iseun," he said with a slight nod of his own. Several individuals appeared after he spoke. They included the Bear and the Beetle, and he chuckled at their side glances his way. "Nice t'see all us Valinn leaders together fer once."

"Indeed," his leader said with a smile. "It is good to see you all here. Shall we watch for a moment?" He beckoned to the sky.

Igni stepped over the balcony to sit on the edge. He sensed other comrades near, and he knew his leader was somewhat to his side and behind him.

The watery sky broke and pushed away as if by force, shining a bright light on the middle plane. Along with sail ships powered by solar energy, several thousands of people fell from the opening in the sky. They landed on Garwados in great bursts of fire, and they fell in ranks to create the Firengá Ibutá, the indrahti army, in their colors of silver, red, and oranges.

The once dark, empty land, full of ruins and remnants of decay, became illuminated with shining white and orange-red light.

A barking laugh brought Igni's attention to a man in thick locs named Khiamaru. The older man stood an equally far distance from their leader as he did but in front instead of behind with folded arms. "Those indrahti! They sure know how to make an entrance."

"Indeed," their leader hummed. "For their troubles, I pity them."

Smirking, Igni leaned forward as he began to feed off the excitement.

The Firengá Ibutá had moved ahead of schedule yet right on time for his leader's meticulous plans. This likely meant all had gone relatively well on Sahīleth, though the lack of mentioning someone's presence must have indicated at least one thing his boss wanted did not happen.

"We didn't git 'im?" he asked.

"Unfortunately," the Bear responded with an irritated huff. "There were two Yerō, enough to distract us, and he fell into the underground cave..."

"Oh?" Igni didn't turn around. "S'he alright?"

"I'll take care of it," Balgoros softly chuckled. "We'll get 'im before the end of the battle."

"Yeah. I have to find Quan, that fucking idiot," the Bear sighed, "but he should have more intel by now."

"Should," Khiam laughed. "I'd hate to be him otherwise."

"Igni."

Igni looked up to meet his boss' eyes. "Aye?"

The older man seemed to think for a moment, then the familiar small smile spread on his face. "You are free to do as you want once the time comes."

Blinking behind his blindfold, Igni's hands came out of his sleeves to lightly grasp the balcony bars.

"Eh?" An indrahti man, Auron, pointed at him. "Why does he get to go first?"

Their leader nodded. "We will soon need a distraction and Igni can provide it. Seeing him on the battlefield will thoroughly distract both sides, particularly the Malaki Raja'shun. Also..." He smiled knowingly at Igni. "You are hungry, yes?"

Humming with a fanged smirk, Igni looked back at the brightened landscape. "Ah, Boss, ya know me too well. Thanks ya. I won't disappoint ya 'r nothin'. Promise," he said glancing at him.

"Feel free to make it a good show."

He chuckled while licking his lips. There were too many glorious translations to that simple sentence.

The taste and wanting for violence was so thick in the air around him, he could drink it.

He lived for this.