Arc Commander Salem Black, why did she have to show up. I had just started. Why did Gregoreal lie? Why did Taylum come? Was everything simply a lie for me?

This...this person, this monster…, is some-sort of Commander. What kind of beasts does New Dwarden hold tightly in it’s chains? I’d like to ask how this is possible…. How someone with an idea of justice can be good and just in her mind yet monstrously ruthless in her execution.

...I have to get away…

I have to… I have to…

...I-I have to open the box

M-maybe if I-I-I could reach down slowly into my right pocket, I might-might-mi be able to open it. I might get out here.

No...no...no…., the enigma will kill me. I can’t. What about the baby? My parent’s fox? No!

“Arc Commander Salem Black!” I couldn’t help but shout, my voice just quivered in fusion of anguish and rage I never knew I had.

I could hit her right on the chest, where her skin just may be exposed enough. Maybe her eyes? My fingers might be enough. She is still human after all. Isn’t she?

I began to feel angry, almost pumped up, like a violent kind of energy. … it felt as though I craved to push something, punch something, I needed to hit something, squeeze something. I even felt my hairs raise like that of an angry cat, my teeth gritting like an animal. What was this? Madness…?

I could see Taylum’s brave exterior melt through his redning eyes, seemingly crying as he looked in my general direction, choking on what little breath fear had left him with. She was close. She’s going to kill him. Idiot. Both of us are going to die for nothing.

"I'll tell you what you want to hear! Listen closely! You stupi-” I almost growled with a hungry rage.

“Ms. Black! Upholder of New Dwarden law! Bullying children. Seems a bit below your pay grade.” Thundered a voice over from above and behind me.

The voice was so loud, I could almost feel it lift me off my feet, even scaring this...fire I had inside me; the burning vanishing. The voice sounded like that of a God. It was explosive yet deep, only with a northern accent that I could only describe as maybe a gruff scottish. It felt like a God is parting the clouds to speak to Commander Black from far above. The voice was accompanied by a far reaching shadow which quickly blanketed over my head and hers.

“The Alfather’s own Gregoreal! This is my profession! I do not tell you how to throw your little confetti!” Shouted Commander Black until her voice grated.

“She’s up to high doh! Furious already!? I merely wanted to see what you guys were doing so far from the... local amenities. By Lord, yer aff yer heid! There is enough spiced meat from the furthest north of the New Dwarden to feed everyone! Foooood from the southern tips of the cities too, famous for the mouth watering spices; oh, and eyes too if ye get even a wee li’l on ye finger. You ever have the purple curry Ms. Black? It’ll get your arse-” The voice spoke weaving through the many Cherubim.

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Out from between the Cherubim wandered the elderly looking giant from before. Sitting criss cross just as he was, spinning on his piece of Poam. I could see him quickly gazing his onto Taylum and I, trying to make wind of the scenario before him. He looked me in the eyes first, then Taylum, then to the babies in Taylum’s hand, trying to avert making a sorrowed face as his eyebrows furrowed slightly in what I could only hope to be disgust. At first he appeared angry, but quickly he loosened his grimace into a smile as he shifted his focus onto Commander Black.

“Gregoreal! Do you have business being here?” She shouted over him, trying to contest the mechanical whirring noise of the Poam.

Gregoreal simply perched up his chest and smiled widely in return. He nodded his head in acknowledgement of Commander Black’s question.

“Need I remind you what New Dwarden does to a disobedient giant.” She warned, inches away from Taylum.

“Whom am I disobeying Ms. Black? I am simply asking why your bahoochie isn’t partaking in our local cuisine. You know it’s my business to get peoples bahoochie shakin’. Eh? What’s the problem Ms. Black?” He asked with a convincing amount of guilt.

“It’s Arc Commander Salem Black, Gregoreal of the Alfathers forge.” She said with oozing animosity.

“Let me play you a song. This Poam is useful for more than just spinning you know.” Gregoreal laughed without a care of the world.

“Gregoreal! Not today! This is the closest I have been to exterminating the Aeronean for good! Where there is children, there are parents! YOU HAVE A DUTY TO THIS CITY LES YOU FACE THE-” Commander Black tried her best to threaten.

While Commander Black threatened Gregoreal, Gregoreal’s Poam had begun opening holes within itself. In mere moments, the pattern that had been swirling under his platform changed to that of a dragon/lizard creature, swirling in fantastic depiction of a forest.

This floating coin essentially became a beautiful giant metal instrument. The holes the Poam had opened shot air in a way that allowed the platform itself to play a flute like melody. I could only be described a mountainous music, like an ambient fantasy high above the clouds. He patted his legs to the beat of the music and hummed to himself, spinning casually on the platform from where he sat. Commander Black was furious, never have I seen her this red, even when commanding Leo, Taylum, or myself.

Just as quickly as the music began, the music stopped. Gregoreal had seemingly taken notice of Commander Black dagger eyes. Peeking at her with one eye, he simply sat smiling, wisping his finger back and forth in the wind, letting the music drown out the hell of screams poking from below. Commander Black stewed her face into a boiling red, her bottom lip quivering like the lid of a pot.

“GREGOREAL!” She shouted with roaring authority.

“By heavens wrath miss! Keep the heid! Haud yer wheesht! I could hear you like from the top of me shoulders! Commander Black, allow me to be on my way, and ofcourse...proceed with the business that was entrusted to me, as is my duty as a civilian of New Dwarden.” Shouted gregoreal from above, reluctantly lowering his music.

Commander Black lips loosened for a moment, her face boiled a little, less. She seemed almost relieved, albeit still very angry.

“As it should be Gregoreal. Go on, throw your confetti elsewhere. Business has yet to conclude.” She commanded, puffing her chest in victory.

“Indeed.” He smiled widely as his platform turned him around.

Right as his platform floated over the horizon of the buildings. He sneered over to me, nodding his head, continuing to smile widely. I watched him as he picked up a giant steel pole from beside him and slammed it onto the edge of the platform, like drumstick on a drum. In that instance, one more larger hole opened at the bottom of the center of the platform. The hole opened up like a sliding door with a high pitched whistle.

“What in the hell…” Whispered Commander Black under her breath, briefly gazing at the hole.

I peered over to Taylum and the baby, wondering if this was truly the end of our journey. Taylum just smiled just as widely as the giant, cradling the baby tighter. Something was going to happen, and he knew just what it was.