Ellia nodded. “Very well. I will go to them.” Ellia took a deep breath. Meeting with the Zironists was always a harrowing experience. Even now, the hair on the back of Ellia’s neck was rising. She worshipped the Zironists like any other good member of her religion, but that didn’t stop her from fearing them. They could obliterate her easily, if they so wished.

Ellia straightened her clothes and tried to calm her pounding heart as she made her way through the fortress.

Their voices, their posture, their hands… Ellia found her pace slowing just thinking about it. A chilliness seeped into her bones that froze her still in her tracks for a moment. Her fiery passion to do what was best for her tribe unfroze her, however, and she marched confidently down the stairs to the first floor of the building, and then outside.

Upon exiting the building, Ellia saw that the sun was already setting, and her eyes were greeted to an eerie, wine-colored sunset. Stars were already blinking at her from the depths of the fluffy, red swirl. Although it was warm outside, there was a cool breeze stirring up the sand, sweeping it into her eyes. She closed them momentarily, and when she opened them, she finally allowed herself to look at the Zironists.

They were hunched creatures, twice as wide as humans and twice as long. Hidden under their cloaks was a large, red, scaled tail, dragging across the sandy earth. Their hands were long, clawed, and just as scaled as their tails, and in their scaly grip, they held canes to assist them in walking.

There were three of them, and Ellia bowed to them graciously. “It is good to see you this fine night, My Lords. May I ask what brings you here?”

They rasped, their voices barely above that of a whisper, “We have come to ask for another sacrifice from you.”

Ellia knelt. “We have not prepared one, as we were unaware that you would be coming. Please give us time to prepare one for you.”

There was utter silence for a time, and Ellia was terrified that the creatures were going to end her right there and then for not having a sacrifice prepared. Instead, one of them said, “Might we come inside?”

Ellia nodded hastily. “O-of course. Follow me. Ellia pressed her hand onto the square panel by her fortress, and the circular, metal door peeled aside. Ellia entered, and the Zironists followed after her. Ellia felt extremely uncomfortable admitting them into her fortress; her tribe had never seen the creatures before, and she didn’t think they were ready to see them now. Whenever a sacrifice was offered, Ellia would stand by with the woman who was willing outside the fortress and wait for the Zironists to arrive, sparing her tribe a look at these powerful creatures who they worshipped and feared.

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The women of the tribe stopped what they were doing and stared at the scaly, robed creatures as they passed by, unable to tear their gazes away. They plastered themselves against the walls, making room for them to pass by and trying to make themselves as small as possible. Nikodemus was in the hallway when they passed by, his face pale with fear. He held up a hand, “Ellia, I—”

“Not now, Nikodemus.” Ellia sharply cut him off.

Nikodemus swallowed, but said nothing else. Ellia led the Zironists up to her room, where she sat on her bed and invited them to sit on her floor. “Sorry… the fortress isn’t equipped to seat you, as we only have human-sized chairs.”

The Zironists said nothing. They merely stared at her with their glowing, eerie, amber eyes.

Ellia looked away from their bright eyes when it became too difficult to look at them any longer. She crossed her legs and hugged her stomach for comfort. “Anyway. I’ll prepare that sacrifice for you and—”

“Ellia.” One of the Zironists interrupted her.

Ellia gulped. “Yes?”

“We have more news for you. If you can hold on to the Last Man for at least a month, and if you bring him to us during that month, then we will grant you Paradise… and, we will grant your tribe baby boys to raise.” The Zironist said in his flat, whispery tone.

Ellia sucked in breath through her teeth in excitement. She stared forward, her jaw ajar in shock; her stomach was fluttering with exhilaration. She managed to compose herself before saying, “Really…?” she said breathlessly. “I have always dreamed of going to Paradise—of seeing the greenlands that are present in the few books we have left….”

“You will have it. You merely need to survive a month with the Last Man, bring him to us, and it will be yours.” The Zironists said in unison.

Ellia fell to the floor, prostrating herself before them. “Thank you. Thank you… what have I done to deserve such kindness?”

A clawed hand settled upon her head. “We are sick of this cycle of war. We see you poor creatures fighting and killing each other daily—it is time for a change, so we are changing the rules of this game. Besides… we have the most faith in you than we have had in any other tribal leader. You will succeed, we’re sure.”

Ellia lifted her head, tears in her eyes. “If you had the power to create male children, then why haven’t you done so from the beginning?”

“We require the Last Man to do so, and we are unable to touch him.” The Zironist explained.

“Unable to touch him…?” Ellia repeated. “Why?”