The two feats following the Feat of Reeds would be completed with little-to-no trouble. Of course, Wuk Lamat continued to lack interest in the rite of succession. Thus, the group meandered slowly on the road, within the caravan pulled by two lumbering rroneeks from place-to-place.

The Feat of Gold? Seeing as Wuk Lamat took good care of the two rroneeks pulling her caravan, one might assume that she would have no fear of alpacas. Not so, as the Warrior of Light would discover. Plagued by a childhood trauma of being spitted upon by an alpaca, Wuk Lamat was.

Still, with the help of Mablu, Wuk Lamat obtained a specially-crafted saddle that allowed her to tame a wild alpaca in a day, completing the Feat of Gold.

They came across Zoraal Ja, Sareel Ja, and Estinien again. The two siblings, Wuk Lamat and Zoraal Ja, acknowledged one another with a simple nod. Estinien remained silent as usual, while perpetually smoldering under the sun.

When Zoraal Ja returned with a golden alpaca, Estinien’s raised eyebrow made Alisaie grumble to no end, in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

A rather concerning event prior to the Feat of Pots though, was Wuk Lamat’s second encounter with Bakool Ja Ja. The two-headed Mamool Ja sabotaged their boat to the southern half of Kozama’uka.

“I swear,” Alisaie had commented, “that Bakool Ja Ja has a thing for Wuk Lamat. It’s almost as if… he’s chosen to specially target us.”

The Warrior of Light agreed, for to their knowledge, Bakool Ja Ja had yet to demonstrate similar behavior towards Wuk Lamat’s siblings.

“It must be your lackadaisical attitude,” Alisaie had said to Wuk Lamat. “Bakool Ja Ja, this bully, probably thinks of you as an easy target.”

“Indeed,” Alphinaud had nodded emphatically. “Bullies tend to take advantage of easy targets. Such as their twin sibling, for example.”

The Warrior of Light also nodded emphatically at Alphinaud’s words, which elicited a light slap from Alisaie.

“But I wonder…why? We have long fallen behind…”

That was true. Wuk Lamat had insisted on dragging her beloved caravan and the two rroneeks onto the boat to Kozama’uka, while complaining about the circumstances that forced them to use a riverboat in the first place.

As for the Feat of Pots? It was rather convenient that Wuk Lamat had briefly made an acquaintance with a goldsmith seeking a career revival in the New World.

Once Wuk Lamat recruited the goldsmith Fonjeantaine, the Feat of Pots was all but done. Wuk Lamat’s lucky encounter with this desperate goldsmith helped them catch up to the other contestants’ pace, to Alisaie’s delight.

Just when the group intended to board Wuk Lamat’s caravan and travel back to Urqopacha for the Feat of Proof with the Yok Huy, a stranger requested Wuk Lamat’s assistance for a simple task. Only when Wuk Lamat failed to return after some time did the Warrior of Light sense something to be off.

They searched high and low, every nook and cranny in Earthenshire, yet failed to find even a shadow of the hrothgar.

It was then that they crossed paths with the Second Promise, Koana, along with Thancred and Urianger.

“You’re still here?” Alisaie was shocked that the three weren’t far ahead of their slow and lumbering caravan travel.

“Ah…” Thancred shrugged uncaringly. “Koana insisted upon examining and improving the tools of the Moblins.”

“With better tools, the quality and quantity of work per time increases,” Koana nudged his glasses and explained. “So, too, does the safety of the workers in cooperation with the Moblins increase, if given proper training to master said tools.”

“And why art thou still present?” Urianger asked.

A quick explanation and Koana dashed off with the Warrior of Light to investigate. This was the first time that the Warrior of Light had interacted with the Second Promise extensively, and the Warrior of Light was pleasantly surprised to discover the Miqo’te’s deep and genuine concern for his sister.

Meanwhile, a few scions did their own investigation.

“It must be Bakool Ja Ja…” Thancred muttered under his breath. “I scouted extensively to form a safety perimeter around Koana. Bakool Ja Ja’s minions have attempted to approach many times. Once I ambushed one of his minions, they no longer dared to approach anymore.”

Alphinaud, Alisaie and Krile all had nothing to say. The three simply weren't capable of doing the same for Wuk Lamat. Thancred has a unique set of capabilities, after all.

Eventually, the Warrior of Light tracked a bandit back to the river pier on the eastern end of Kozama’uka, assuming the worst. To the Warrior of Light’s surprise, Wuk Lamat appeared with another bandit tied and gagged.

“Lamaty’i!” Koana exclaimed. “We thought the worst-- that Bakool Ja Ja had acted against you!”

“Oh, he certainly did,” Wuk Lamat replied.

“Oh?!” Koana’s ears twitched in alert.

“He just wanted to steal my completed tile from the Feat of Pots,” Wuk Lamat nonchalantly explained. “So I handed it over to him, before returning to catch these bandits that made a fool of me. The road my dear caravan travels upon, pulled by Mister Resolve and Missus Reason, must be safe!”

Those were the two names that Wuk Lamat had given to the two rroneeks.

“What?” Koana’s tail flickered in agitation. “How could you give in so easily? That--”

“Oh, brother,” Wuk Lamat shrugged. “You know I care not for the position of the Dawnservant. Plus, father’s men should be watching. Bakool Ja Ja will be assessed as a fraud and be blocked from the position of the Dawnservant.”

Koana seemed to struggle internally for a moment before he exhaled in a deep sigh. “Sometimes I wonder why I even bother caring,” only to suddenly find himself suddenly in Wuk Lamat’s tight embrace.

“But thank you brother,” Wuk Lamat delightedly exclaimed. “It fills me with joy to know that you, too, put aside the rite of succession to ensure my safety.”

“See? The rite of succession isn’t so important after all,” Wuk Lamat cheekily added.

“Well…yes,” was Koana’s awkward reply.

___________________________________________________________________________

Bakool Ja Ja was elated to have to easily obtain Wuk Lamat’s completed tile from the Feat of Pots. He had thought that she would have put up a fight. He was confident that with her isolated, he was certain to win.

The problem, as ever, would have been potential interference from Gulool Ja Ja’s men and those that host the feats-- after all, the rules of the rite of succession strictly forbid such actions. A rule that Bakool Ja Ja understood but-- his justification for his actions was that these feats were pointless tasks, and he was desperate. The whole of Mamook relied on him!

As far as Bakool Ja Ja was concerned, Tuliyollal would never have formed if Galool Ja Ja lacked the battle prowess. Or at least, having been raised in Mamook, he knew that those around him would never follow one not of two-heads and two souls!

As for the ‘pathetic’ Wuk Lamat-- the female hrothgar had simply handed over her completed tile like an obedient kittie. Bakool Ja Ja was overjoyed at how easy it was to gain the completed stone slab, and now swaggered his way towards upper Urqopacha.

He would soon find a figure blocking his path-- Zoraal Ja!

“Step aside, one-headed. Lest you wish to suffer,” Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic threatened.

“I think not.” Zoraal Ja replied as he unsheathed his twinblades in a combat stance. “Though my younger sister is hopelessly unmotivated… that slab still belongs to her. Not you.”

“Our mamool ja society believes the two-headed and twin-souls to be supreme. For you to resort to such action makes me wonder…are you perhaps lacking in ability?” Zoraal Ja challenged.

“How dare you!” One of Bakool Ja Ja’s minions hollered in anger at Zoraal Ja. “You are but the lucky one. Do not become full of yourself simply because they call you the resilient one in Tuliyollal!”

“Calm yourself,” Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic ordered his underling.

“Indeed. Only blades will prove the difference,” Bakool Ja Ja the Mighty stated as the two-headed Mamool Ja also unsheathed his twinblades.

Zoraal Ja’s mind and body was anxious. He had never beaten his father, even after the head of reason went to sleep. He had also lost against the Warrior of Light when he tested himself during the Feat of Reeds. Both his father and the Warrior of Light have at least more than one soul within their bodies. Would this battle end up with the same result?

Zoraal Ja tensed his body to bring forth his full strength and focus. He began to zigzag forward towards Bakool Ja Ja.

He swung his twinblades in a feint before suddenly accelerating, and found himself easily digging the pommel of his right sword deep into Bakool Ja Ja’s right ribs as the two-headed Mamool Ja fell for his feint. A crack sounded, and Bakool Ja Ja fell onto one knee, slumped in pain.

Bakool Ja Ja’s minions were speechless, their minds frozen at the sight of a two-headed losing to a one-head so quickly in combat. They had never even contemplated the possibility of such a situation.

“Hmph.” Zoraal Ja himself was surprised at how easily he had won as he retrieved Wuk Lamat’s completed Feat of Pots slab. “Two-headed with twin-souls? Not much after all.”

“Perhaps… you should only be one-headed.” He placed a blade across the neck of Bakool Ja Ja the Mystic!

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“M-mercy, O Resilient One!” An underling begged. Not that the underling actually cared about Bakool Ja Ja. But rather, Bakool Ja Ja’s father might blame them for his son’s end!

“Zoraal Ja,” Sareel Ja intervened. “The peace of the continent might be compromised if you take his head. I have a better idea.”

“Very well,” Zoraal Ja sheathed his twinblades and rejoined his companions. Sareel Ja would whisper into Zoraal Ja’s ear a dastardly plan. Though Estinien was curious about this mysterious plan, he saw no reason to intervene, and stood at a distance, rather satisfied that Zoraal Ja had retrieved the completed slab for Wuk Lamat.

Anyhow, with his confidence somewhat restored after having lost to the Warrior of Light, Zoraal Ja strode towards upper Urqopacha with Sareel Ja and Estinien following behind.

Zoraal Ja considered that perhaps, his father Gulool Ja Ja, and the Warrior of Light are just different, even for those of more than one soul. After all, there had been many two-headed before his father that amounted to nothing, their names forgotten. And if Estinien’s words are to be believed, the Warrior of Light did travel to the end of the universe.

____________________________________________________________________________

Compared to the previous feats, the Feat of Proof was rather straightforward. It didn’t take long before Wuk Lamat and her companions sparred against Gurfurlur atop Worqor Zormor and was found worthy.

They encountered Zoraal Ja once again, and Alisaie was delighted when the Mamool Ja returned a completed Feat of Pots slab back to Wuk Lamat, giving his sister a glare of disapproval before wordlessly leaving.

“He…’ Krile wasn’t sure what to make of Zoraal Ja.

“Ah…” Wuk Lamat gazed at the mural made for her father atop Worqor Zormor as she organized her thoughts. “When we were young, Zoraal Ja displayed a passion for battle similar to my father’s head of resolve, while Koana got along much better with the head of reason, eventually seeking to enrich his knowledge through Sharlayan’s academic system.”

“Me, on the other hand… I guess I just wanted peace and fun. Zoraal Ja dragged me to spar with father, saying that I was needed to make the fight fair against father’s two heads. Whenever Koana returned from Sharlayan, he would also lock me in a room with him while sharing all that he had learned.”

“I was never really into seriously sparring with my father though-- I just saw it as a bit of fun if you know what I mean. And I also could never understand much of the advanced research that Koana passionately attempted to demonstrate to me. It was mostly fun and interesting to get glimpses of the world across the seas.”

“Both my brothers would soon come to learn of my nature as they grew and matured. Zoraal Ja has always expressed the opinion that I could be so much more if I cared and put my heart into it during the spars against my father,” Wuk Lamat concluded.

“And the rite of succession,” Erenville added. Wuk Lamat nodded, acknowledging the reason for Zoraal Ja’s disapproval.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Sareel Ja waited outside Karryorzar the Gracious, for none other than the injured Bakool Ja Ja’s appearance.

“Took you long enough,” Sareel Ja softly said as Bakool Ja Ja approached the place.

Bakool Ja Ja’s two heads, and his underlings glared at this follower of Zoraal Ja.

“Do you not fear retribution?” One of Bakool Ja Ja’s underlings threatened.

“Calm yourself,” Sareel Ja replied. “I was sent here by Zoraal Ja to offer you information. As an apology.”

“Hmph! Indeed, he should recognize the prime position of the two-headed!” Bakool Ja Ja the Might exclaimed.

“Within this building is the sealed form of Valigarmanda,” Sareel Ja grinned mysteriously. “The great Gulool Ja Ja combined the abilities of his two-heads and twin-souls, delivering a unique magic that caused Valigarmanda to lose control and seal itself in everlasting ice.”

“It is said that this everlasting ice can only be broken by the unique magic of a two-headed, as it was borne out of the great Gulool Ja Ja’s magic. Thus, if you can break this ice… then it will be proof of your capabilities as a two-headed Mamool Ja, and Zoraal Ja would have no choice but to bow his head to you.”

Sareel Ja’s words lit Bakool Ja Ja’s four eyes aflame.

“None would be able to deny your rightful place…You would have demonstrated your abilities to be comparable to the great Gulool Ja Ja.” Sareel Ja added with a seductive voice. “Not even with that injured rib of yours.”

A flash of anger and humiliation passed over Bakool Ja Ja’s eyes, but the two-headed Mamool Ja quickly calmed himself and strode towards Karryorzar the Gracious with intent, the pain in his right abdomen now a minor distraction at the back of his head.

_____________________________________________________________________________

The earth and air of Urqopacha would soon shake upon Valigarmanda’s freedom, as if signaling the end of the world. Of course, it would not compare to the Final Days, but one should not belittle the giants’ current plight in such a manner.

Vorporlor, a leader of the hostile Chirwagur faction of the Yok Huy, with a group of his underlings, came before Gurfurlur in a wild rage.

“Gurfurlur!” Vorporlor bellowed. “For many years, we chirwagur have accepted your friendship and peace with Gulool Ja Ja. And look where that has brought us?”

“Valigarmanda has slain dozens upon dozen of our people at the Chirwagur Saltern in a single fiery breath. The skyruin was freed by none other than Bakool Ja Ja! We all know the two-headed Mamool Jas are the leaders of their societies!”

“Thus, for this, we must declare war against the Mamool Ja! Raze Mamook to the ground. Reclaim our place of ancestry within the Yak T’el forest, and ensure this never be repeated again!”

A crowd of chirwagur behind him roared in approval, including many of the injured. Many had burns upon their skin and one was even missing an arm.

So far, the Warrior of Light’s interactions with the Yok Huy had been… slow. Their speech was unhurried. Only now, and riled up by the deaths and injuries of their people did the giants utter declarations with such speed and verve.

Gurfurlur sighed as his mind sought for the right words. Though he is the respected leader of the giants, this could very quickly spin out of his control.

“Indeed, there must be… compensation,” Gurfurlur started. “Do, however, be reminded that it was Gulool Ja Ja, a Mamool Ja, along with his companions, that first sealed Valigarmanda. I will right this wrong, that I promise. Gulool Ja Ja, though he is of Mamool Ja, has always been a fair and just ruler. Our current concern should be the skyruin.”

“Where’s Bakool Ja Ja?” A chirwagur in the crowd questioned.

Gurfurlur hardened his resolve. “Find and capture him. Throw him into the deepest depths of our jail, but ensure not to harm him.”

“We will make use of him against the Mamool Ja, yes?” Vorporlor’s eyes glinted, reading into Gurfurlur’s intentions.

Gurfurlur closed his eyes. “Yes. Though you all may be angered, ensure he suffers not more than bruises at most. Else his value will be severely diminished.” He knew that Bakool Ja Ja was the son of the current autarch of Mamook, and this action would likely further escalate the situation. However, he had no choice. He needed to answer to his own people!

Soon, a chirwagur would return with bad news.

“Bakool Ja Ja immediately escaped after he freed Valigarmanda!” the giant informed all present.

“So he knew and came with dishonorable intentions!” Vorporlor seethed.

“If I may?” Zoraal Ja now stepped forth.

“Go ahead, First Promise.” Gurfurlur nodded. Perhaps the First Promise could offer a diplomatic solution.

“It is unfortunate that Bakool Ja Ja came here with ill intentions-- still, he cannot be considered to be representative of Mamook.”

“I understand that the chirwagur are concerned of ill intentions from others, and prefer to protect oneself by conquering those around you. I can assure you that there are many Mamool Ja who reside in both Tuliyollal and Mamook-- such as my father-- that serve you no ill will.”

“As First Promise, I assure you all that Bakool Ja Ja, and those behind him will be punished accordingly. Bakool Ja Ja should not be seen as representative of Mamook. If he remains representative of Mamook in the future, you all will be justified to take action and raze Mamook to the ground!” A declaration of intent.

“Big brother…” Wuk Lamat interjected. “Is that not overly…”

“Lamaty’i,” Zoraal Ja slowly shook his scaled head. “If Mamook protects Bakool Ja Ja after his freeing of Valigarmanda, the very source of sorrow and death for the Yok Huy… then Mamook does not deserve to exist in this world any longer. You desire peace, do you not? To wile away your days in joy?”

“I will do what is necessary!” He spat with resolve.

“To demonstrate my commitment to you all, I will do combat against Valigarmanda, just as my father did before!” He declared. “After being sealed for so many years, Valigarmanda has undoubtedly weakened. And I intend to finish what my father started, and send the skyruin to its grave once and for all!”

“If I am successful, I hope that you will give me and father time to resolve the issue of Bakool Ja Ja. I promise to send him into your arms as punishment for freeing Valigarmanda!”

“Very well.” Gurfurlur agreed. This was the best option to avoid an all out war that would devastate both the Mamool Ja and the Yok Huy and potentially send Tural back into endless warfare.

“Even Gulool Ja Ja could not defeat Valigarmanda alone,” Vorporlor hesitated to agree.

“My brother will not be alone,” Koana announced his participation.

Both Zoraal Ja and Koana turned to Wuk Lamat, who they understood to have a bad habit of avoiding trouble and, what they see as the responsibility of a child of Gulool Ja Ja, even if adopted.

Wuk Lamat’s eyes were initially closed as she contemplated the situation that had so quickly escalated to this stage.

When she opened her eyes again, her gaze had a determination that the Warrior of Light only briefly glimpsed during the Feat of Reeds.

As for Zoraal Ja, this look of determination lifted his mood to the sky. In their younger years, Wuk Lamat had once displayed this determination when they sparred against their father together. That was the farthest they had ever pushed Gulool Ja Ja in combat.

Zoraal Ja never figured out why his younger sister had such motivation on that specific day. Ever since, he had tried many different approaches in an attempt to bring that fire out from Lamaty’i again. All failures. Until today.

“I suppose I have to, don’t I…” Wuk Lamat said, her eyes clear. “The peace of Tural must be kept.” She would no longer be able to meander around Tural within her precious caravan if a war broke out.

A giant whispered into Vorporlor’s ears.

“Those of the Chirwagur Saltern tracked Valigarmanda to the many-colored mountain, our sacred site!” Vorporlor shook his head. “For that reason, I cannot agree to this deal.”

“You would block us?” Zoraal Ja unsheathed his twinblades. For him, the slaying of Valigarmanda had a much more significant importance that of the Yok Huy’s safety.

For many years, he had struggled to prove himself of comparative stature to his father. He had been seen as nothing but a simple one-headed Mamool Ja by those of his own kind. Mocked despite all that he had done leading the landsguard.

Defeating Valigarmanda, even if it was weakened, would demonstrate strength. It would also place him in a position where he would dictate the terms of peace between the Yok Huy and Mamook. He would then be able to remove Bakool Ja Ja, ensuring that no two-headed Mamool Ja would threaten his position in Mamool Ja society. Eventually, they may come to see him as capable as his father.

“Big brother!” Wuk Lamat gripped onto Zoraal Ja’s forearm in concern.

“He means no ill will,” Wuk Lamat said to Vorporlor. “My brother has led the landsguard for many years, and only desires to protect the citizens of Tural. He is only concerned that Valigarmanda will take many more of your people’s lives if not dealt with expediently.”

“Younger sister,” Zoraal Ja scoffed. “You may not know this, but the chirwagur has always been uncooperative with the landsguard. It is only with Gurfurlur’s intervention that we landsguard have been able to keep the peace! The chirwagur has taken actions that sometimes even sabotage the happiness of their own people!”

Yet this time, Gurfurlur stood on the side, unwilling to intervene for reasons unknown to Zoraal Ja.

Meanwhile, Koana and Urianger were conversing with one another in rapid unending sentences. Koana soon approached Vorporlor.

“Vorporlor, well…excuse my pronunciation of your name if it is inaccurate.” Koana’s voice gradually grew in confidence. “We believe that Valigarmanda is attempting to strengthen itself by draining aether from the environment into its body.”

“Thus, your sacred site might very well become nothing but a drained and place of rot if we are not allowed to enter the many-colored mountains. It will become the gray mountains.”

“Valigarmanda will also recover its full strength, at which point…well.” Koana reverted back to his hesitant tone at this stage.

“Valigarmanda will destroy your people,” Alphinaud calmly finished Koana’s warning. “You will not even have the chance to seek justice from the Mamool Ja. As for the price that Tural will pay afterwards…”

Vorporlor’s and his underlings’ expressions darkened, but they could not deny the truth within Alphinaud’s words.

“Very well,” Gurfurlur rumbled. “Let us do what must be done. May the three Promises of Tuliyollal prove their worth!”

“Fine.” Vorporlor pursed his lips, choosing to accept the current deal even if he wasn’t fully on board with these ‘outsiders’. “Let them prove their worth!”