Roberion was already starting to get the hang of summarising the events he’ve been through. It took thirty minutes for him to explain his situation and his grave need for any type of instruction and a way of reaching the research station.
His pessimism was alerting him against talking too much about his weapon, as the weapon seemed to be worth something. But some information needed to be given, he need for any materials they could give him to try to upgrade him and help on the voyage.
The matter that interested more of the fiznaults present, including the chief, was about the Null revolt. He tried all he could to not say specifics, evading any type of punishment from the masked man.
“So, the Nulls were fighting the imperials, even killing this one called Claudius of the servant branch of Astra Quisquiliae?”. Chief Likang asks Roberion.
Roberion nods.
”I see, servant branches are one of the ways the Empire of the Creation ensures renovation and competition, honestly I never heard something worthwhile of this clan. It must be one of the transitional ones.”
“But let’s stop talking about them, honestly the more you talk about the forces more close to the line, the worse your fate will be. Some faithful ones say that they could even hear us”, as Likang says that he winks at Roberion, and draws his attention to the other fiznaults presents, some of them were drinking a sort of wooden bottle nervously other had their eyes closed, like in a prayer.
The chief makes a point for Roberion and Percival to hear him as he talks through his translating device and talks to Kunglau.
“The general and you were right to call the main tribe. We will lose our independence, but is better than losing our life and the wisdom we got from here for nothing. I feel like a fool for doubting your opinions. I almost led our tribe to the wrong decision. But that is in the past, and the glorious tree still grows.”
Kunglau just nods and makes a click, accepting the apologies.
“Now we will show our hands hands hands hands…”, the chief keeps talking not noticing that the translation device broke. Kunglau intercedes and fixes the situation, giving a new device to the chief.
“I’m sorry for that. Another problem for our technicians to look at. So as I was saying, not it’s time to show our hands. But since we are not intimate, I can only show you my beautiful ore gloves!”, the chief and the near fiznaults start clicking fast, like they were laughing.
Kunglau seems exasperated, “Chief Likang! If I knew, I would not fix your abominable device. I will tell the general of your stupid waste of time while or brothers and sisters are bleeding and swimming forever more!”.
The chief gets serious and tries to make all the other fiznaults to behave. “There is no need. I was only trying to assuage the situation, but you are right again. We need to focus on fixing the situation.”
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The chief looks at Roberion, “We are currently fighting a sort of undead infestation. Luckily, it doesn’t seem transmissible, at least in contact with these beasts. We suspect it is more about where they come from the reason for it. They were common in our lives for thousands of years. One of them would at most show up a decade in between. Even our kids could defeat them in groups. It wasn’t even a nuisance”
“But sadly, recently their numbers have increased immensely. We aren’t a fighting force, but we can hold our own…for a time.”, Likang seems thoughtful.
“It’s against our culture to search in the ruins of the dead, as we only aspire for life. To our dismay, this seems like a curse instead of a blessing in this situation. But we won’t change. For that we would like to employ your help to reach the origin of it, and stop them, but we talk more about it later.”
“As I said, we contacted our main tribe to help us with the evacuation, but sadly, we lost contact soon after. It seems this Null revolt wasn’t the only thing happening right now, something is happening in the space. The events being connected are an assumption, but it’s too much of a coincidence.”
Roberion lifts his hands, asking to speak, which the chief concedes with a clap.
“I don’t want to be rude, but I don’t think I can help you with this situation. I need to reach this research station.”
At that, the chief gives a happy clap, as if that was a point he wanted to make.
“As lovely as this place is, we are in the middle of nowhere, my humble Null. Both of our targets are the same. The point where you could help us is on the way to your objective. That is, if I’m to believe our other foreign visitor, and I have reasons to believe them. Your ignorance is a blessing so I’m won’t give any details about this visitor. You will speak with them yourselves… if you call that speak.”
Kunglau lifts his hand and starts talking. “Most of our knowledge about the situation is from this visitor. I risk saying that they seem very interested in the ruins…”. The chief glares, interrupting the messenger, and continues speaking in his place.
“So let’s talk about what we plan to reward you. As we are leaving this place and sadly losing our freedom”, the chief makes of show of demonstrating his sadness with sad clicks, that the device didn’t translate. “We will give you the resources you need, the today resources we have will be seem as meager to the main tribe, as hard as we had to work to get it. Remember this well, every help has its price, we fiznaults always says it upfront.”
“We will help you learn your first spell, and be glad this thing is in your nape is malfunctioning, even if the process would be easier. That is a tool some forces use to herd their slaves, even its citizens”
“We follow the old ways, as does most of the universe as we know. Sometimes the new isn’t better, but be careful of the ones that use the system in its truest function. Control.”
“Enough of that cursed thing. The spell you will learn is fireball, the neutral line version of it, sadly. Be happy though, the connection you have with the neutral line is really good, few of our tribe than can’t reach creation can achieve such a connection with the neutral line.”
“As for your weapon, we will help it increase its rank to Touched, the same as you. We will need to help you directly in this process, but we will give some manuals, so you know how to do that after you are gone.”
“And yes, they are in a book, nothing digital. Most knowledge is best kept safe by using manual means, the majority can’t be digital anyway, add some magic in the mix too and you have a hard thing to break into. They can crack it, but it will be a hassle, be sure of it.”
“For your foundations, it will be better for you to see our head trainers. Our resources are open to you, but sometimes more can be bad for you, especially by what you told us.”
“First though, let us fiznaults help with your clothing. I’m forcing myself not to say any derogatory term about it, but it’s really hard not to. Maybe we can even give you something to celebrate our reunion. Shade will be so happy to hear we finally found an assistant for them.”