Musa looked at me with unshaking eyes and a heavy brow.

Most of Chozek’s men were staring at us along with their king but I ignored them and chose to focus on my boy.

“My Lady.”

“Yes?” I asked with a voice that shook. I knew the answer to my question but I wanted him to tell me exactly who hurt him so that I-

“Whatever anger you feel, whatever rage… I beg that you don’t take it out on the Aviyvists.”

I bit my teeth.

“Let us handle this.”

My son’s pleas echoed endlessly in my mind.

But…

I took a deep breath before reaching for Musa’s wounded arm.

I held it up and, using Glass Transference, I healed it.

“A-alright,” I said through a tightening throat.

“Thank you. Now, could I ask that you return home for now? I’ll visit as soon as I’m done here, alright?”

I nodded before turning around and examining the scene a little further.

I spotted a few corpses next to some trees a few meters away but what I wanted to know was what tore off Musa’s arm.

I spotted what appeared to be a rocket launcher next to one of the dead bodies but a rocket would have had done a lot more widespread damage.

I slowed my perception of time and inspected the weapon closely.

My eyes narrowed upon seeing that it wasn’t a rocket launcher but was in fact a sort of rail gun.

The tube that made up most of the weapon was lined with coils.

I wondered if the reason it was able to generate so much power was because the attackers used Glass as a source of gravitational energy rather than regular electric currents and judging by the bag the dead user carried, they were able to produce a lot of energy.

I scoffed before returning my perception of time to normal.

I then returned to my Doll body at the airport where a worried Tal, Cheche and Hekima looked at me.

“What happened?” Tal asked as she stood in front of me.

“Musa was attacked by the Children of Aviyv. It seems as though he was having a meeting with Chozek when they tore his arm off.” I explained making Tal narrow her eyes.

The air seemingly grew a little colder and I heard the clap of distant thunder.

Hekima’s face contorted with anger and Cheche’s eyes widened with dread.

“Where is he? Did you heal him?” Tal asked flatly and it was here that I reached out to her but while I intended to my arms around her, she stepped back and held my arms.

“He… He’s still in Y’shuah. He asked that I allow him to deal with the situation up there and yes, I healed him.” I answered.

“Sorry for leaving so abruptly.” I apologized while turning to Hekima and Cheche.

“No! It's fine, really! I’m just happy big bro is alright… for the most part.” Cheche assured as her father nodded.

“Mmm… do you want to continue on your trip?” I asked.

“Not until we know big bro is really OK,” Cheche said while squeezing her fists.

“Alright. Then let us return home and await Musa’s arrival.” I nodded before leading everyone back to my ship.

We then made our way home in silence where we had the lunch I had diligently packed.

No one spoke and I found myself drifting back to that awful night as I sat.

I didn’t want to lose him.

I didn’t want to lose my boy but…

I trusted him.

I trusted he would preserver for, just as they had shown me before, the humanoids were capable of acts of greatness and with his new body, I imagined he would bring about another wave of unfathomable change.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest as I heard footsteps approaching the Temple.

I walked out of the kitchen and saw Musa standing by the door, his eyes weary and low.

He took a deep and loud breath before walking up to me.

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He then raised his eyes to meet mine and within them I saw an ocean of sorrow.

“Our history is steeped in conflict and bloodshed. It may be an inevitable- perhaps fundamental part of us but I didn’t want any blood to be spilt if it was avoidable. That’s why I wanted to talk to Chozek. I suggested that he give the western parts of the Elephantine Forest to the Children of Aviyv but…” Musa explained as everyone exited the kitchen and stood behind me.

Musa glanced at Tal prompting me to step aside allowing her to walk up to her big brother who gave her a weak smile.

“Thank you for lunch, My Lady. We will allow you some time.” Hekima bowed before leading Cheche out of the temple.

“Bro…” She whispered and again, her voice brought with it the harsh winter winds.

“I’m glad you’re alright.” She whimpered before collapsing into Musa’s arms.

The two held each other for a moment while I slowly approached them.

“So… what do you plan to do,” I asked.

“I… I will talk to the Children of Aviyv and ask them to consider establishing their own state. Just as Ed did all that time ago.” Musa explained.

“But what if they won’t stop? Surely you know what they chant whenever they kill someone. They want heads, Musa, not peace.” Tal pointed out and while I agreed with Musa that pursuing peace was the more preferable option, the Children of Aviyv would need to be convinced that peace was the best option in the first place.

Chibuk had been far too lenient.

What they needed was to be reminded of their place.

“Musa.”

He looked at me.

“I agree with your plans to speak to them but Tal is right in that they may not listen so be prepared to use force because as you know, drawing it out will only lead to more harm.”

Musa nodded.

“Alright, but that will all have to come later. Right now, I just want you here, if that’s alright.”

“Alright.”

I nodded but, before I could turn to lead Musa into the kitchen, Tal spoke.

“Brother…” She whispered.

“Yes?”

“I really hope that your plan works.”

Musa’s brows furrowed.

Tal then stepped away from her brother and wiped what appeared to be a few tears that had fallen before smiling which made Musa’s eyes narrow a little.

“Oh- Mind if I prepare dinner tonight?” Tal asked and I nodded.

She smiled warmly before leaving the room and making her way to the kitchen.

Musa and I exchanged glances.

“Why do I feel as though if I fail… I will soon experience a fear far greater than I have ever in my life?” He asked but all I could do was sigh in response.

“Well, try not to be too afraid. After all, she just cares deeply for her big bro.” I smiled but this made Musa scoff.

“You say that but if I hadn’t begged for mercy on behalf of the Aviyvists, the Elephantine Forest would be in flames right now which would be awkward since it’s a part of you!”

“What? You underestimate just how calm and reasonable I can be!” I said while puffing my chest but Musa shook his head.

“Right… says the being who won’t let anyone ride dragons even though they would become a worldwide attraction and maybe even worshipped- oh… so that’s why you won’t allow it.” He snickered but I just rolled my eyes.

“First off, they are silent and serene beings. I wouldn’t want their peace to be disturbed by anyone or anything-“

“Didn’t you create a storm that forced them to relocate-“

I gently placed my hand in front of Musa’s mouth.

“And secondly… ah- now I forgot what point I was trying to make.” I giggled.

Musa chuckled but it wasn’t long before our expressions stiffened again.

“It’ll be alright,” I muttered.

“I never took you for an optimist.”

“I’m not but… that’s what I want to believe right now. That you, that life will find a way.”

Musa’s eyes widened a bit.

He then gave me a nod before standing up and nodding towards the doorway.

“Come on, let’s go see just how much of a mess Tal made.”

.

..

I had chosen to break the silly promise I’d made to myself and watched over Tal but she wasn’t at school or even on the Island of Tablets.

She was floating in the air, hundreds of meters above the continent of Y’shuah and looking down on the city of Pele where in Musa was having a meeting with Chozek in his palace.

The two sat in silence for a moment as dark clouds gathered about Y’shuah.

Musa sat with crossed arms and a stiff expression while Chozek was hunched over and could be seen wringing his hands.

“I am… so sorry.”

Musa remained silent.

“I should never have allowed things to get this bad and, if you would give me a chance, I plan on making things right.” Chozek pleaded.

“And how would you go about doing that?” Musa asked and I felt a deep pain as his voice came out as a growl that was deeper than any I’d heard before.

“We’ll eliminate them, make sure that none of them remain to insult you or Our Lady further!” Chozek squealed but this just made Musa wince.

“They… are her children too.” He whispered but it was clear enough for Chozek to hear.

Musa sat back and took a deep breath.

“Follow our initial plan. Give them that part of the Elephantine Forest. Build a wall if you have to. Allow them their embers.”

Chozek bit his teeth.

“A-alright.” He bowed.

Musa nodded before standing up and leaving the palace.

He then looked up into the grey afternoon sky and ascended up to where Tal was.

“Chozek is still willing to give the Aviyvists some land.”

Tal turned her half-open eyes to Musa and the two stared at each other for a moment.

Musa then turned his gaze west before flying in that direction with Tal in tow.

They then arrived at the part of the Elephantine Forest where the Children of Aviyv were hidden.

Musa descended alone and he compressed the gravitational fields around his body to such an extent that the space around him was warped.

He then landed in front of the main entrance of the tunnels where he was greeted by scouts who immediately pointed their weapons at him, guns and all.

“How bold of you to show your face here, demon spawn! What do you want?”

One of the scouts barked.

“I would like an audience with your leaders.” Musa requested.

“And why would they want to hear anything you have to say, fiend?”

“Because if you are unable to chose the clear path of peace being presented, a wrath will fall unto you that will spare nothing and no one.”

The scouts all shook at Musa’s words.

“So you have finally decided to shed your guise and show us mere Mortals the bloodlust that has ached your teeth and belly so.” L’vanah scoffed from within the tunnels.

She emerged alongside Refu and the two glared at Musa whose weary eyes remained unblinking.

“King Chozek has agreed to peacefully grant you this part of the Forest. He has allowed you to-“

“What delusion led you to believe thats we want that? Our demands are twofold: we want the head of the Puppet King and… we want your heads.” L’vanah hissed as several scouts raised those familiar rail guns which they pointed at Musa.

“Our heads?” Musa whispered with a slightly tilted head.

“Yes. The Great Father’s prophesied day will not be soiled by the presence of dark gods and their… spawn. So we will not rest until we have your head, that of the girl… and that of your wretched mother-“

L'vanah gasped a little as a bolt of lightning struck Tal although L’vanah must have seen it as a simple flash of lightning.

“Ahem! So, since you kindly brought yourself here, kneel so that we may take your head peacefully, as you said. In the name of our martyr, Lahat, Rosh Sh’viyl Rosh.”

Musa bit his teeth before suddenly jumping back to the sky and this act was enough to send a shockwave that knocked L’vanah and her men backwards.

Musa floated up to Tal whose face violently twitched.

“All of them...”

“Mmm?” Musa frowned.

“I want all of them dead!”