One month after Kihet departed from Vivrus:
It was cold.
The onslaught of powdered snow finally subsided, but with that, the skies grew dark. They would make camp and wait for daybreak to resume their journey.
As a thin trail of smoke drifted through the hole of the dome and into the night sky, a stick like arm tossed a chopped piece of lumber into the fiery pit. He let out a sigh, turning the map in every direction trying to make sense of it.
“Priqet, aren’t you tired?”
Beside him was an insectoid who adventured with him since he first registered at the guild. A moth set her belongings across the pit and wrapped another layer of blanket over herself.
“I think we might’ve gone the wrong way.”
“We are heading north, right?” The moth asked.
“We are, but the area I think we’re in doesn’t match what it says.”
Skeptical, the moth scoot beside the grasshopper. Without so much of a peek, she noticed Priqet was reading it upside down.
“Turn it around.”
“Hm? Oh! Aha! How foolish of me! I guess the captain was right. Maps aren’t my thing, Yixy.”
Perhaps the cold had gotten to him. Even though Vivirians were weak against the cold, Priqet was covered in blankets. In this dome where a fireplace burned strong, it should be enough to keep him warm. His arms and notably, his voice, was shaken in most unusual manner unlike his usual cheerful self.
“Someone’s nervous.” Yixy loudly yawned. “I suppose that’s justified since this is the first time we’ve ever set foot out of Vivrus.”
“I can’t believe her majesty would send us to Xu in the middle of winter! Talk about cruel-no, she’s a tyrant! I thought she’d sent me to a training regiment, not marching through a blizzard!”
“Are you sure to speak about her highness about that? If someone, say high authority, were to hear those words, you might find yourself in for some scolding, Hero.”
It sure wasn’t the cold outside, but Priqet felt a strong chill shaking his entire core and didn’t dare look back. A hand fell on top of his head with enough pressure to not injure, but to feel his antennas were being plucked out.
“Ow, ow, ow! I give, I give!”
“To whom are the insults being thrown towards?”
“I give, Lazzi! I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have spoken bad about her highness!”
“G-general Lazzuxui!”
“At ease, Yixy. Priqet, your lucky nobody else is around. Priqet, it’s General Lazzuxui in public, got it?”
An ant type insectoid moved into Priqet’s view and took a seat on the opposite side of the campfire. Under her snow white coat, she wore fur armor to fight against the cold. Multiple onyx black arms swept the spot of her seat and poured herself some hot tea.
“Of all the people, I can’t believe you’re in charge.” Priqet rubbed his head. “My poor antennas. You’re the only one who could sneak up on me like that and I hate it!”
“Then get better with your passive detection.” Lazzuxui crossed her arms. “If I’m not here, how would you understand the conversation between you and Xu’s Empress?”
An invisible blow struck Priqet’s at his side, leaning far back before catching himself. Sure, his Zuxin wasn’t as well as he hoped and he kind of regretted not learning it seriously when he had the time to do so. He grumbled about how he should’ve asked the Oracle, Tomoe or maybe had Holy Megith tutor him.
On second thought, maybe not the Oracle. There was no doubt he’d do any favors for free.
“I wish there’s a shortcut to learning new languages.” He sighed. “If I’m to travel with the Oracle and Tomoe, that should be the bare minimum, right?”
“Actually, there is an easy way. For us Vivirians.”
“Really? Tell me Lazzi- ouch!” Priqet covered his head after General Lazzuxui smacked him with her cane.
“It’s General.” She scolded. “Priqet, step over here. I’ll demonstrate it on you.”
Priqet abided to the general’s order and waited. His shoulders jumped as Lazzuxui suddenly yanked his antennas and like an electrical socket, attached it to the generals. He remained still until the process was done but he did not notice anything different.
“Laie ho ma?”
“I’m good-. Hm? Did I just understand Zuxin?”
“That’s the gist of it. Some Insectoids are able to pass down information through the touch of antennas. I’ve copied my understanding of languages I know to you.”
“Wowie! Why haven’t all of Vivrus spread that knowledge to begin with?” Priqet asked.
“Before I explain further, this will only be kept to the three of us. Understood?”
“Yes mam!”
“I pray to the Creator you either forget this or will actually keep your trap shut.” Lazzuxui sighed. “Basically, Vivrus does not want anyone who doesn’t put in the effort to willy nilly challenge her majesty for the throne. Knowing the seven languages are the basic prerequisite if they are to carry the will of the Hive.”
“A serious question, Lazzi. Don’t you have the requirements to take the throne if her highness, say, gets in an accident?”
“Although I know the seven languages, my status does not allow me to apply for the throne. People with the same ability as I am called Keepers and we can no longer inherit the Hive’s will. Our kinds can become Royal Guards at best. Those who were given information through this are now considered one of us.”
“Does that mean Priqet can no longer challenge her majesty for the throne?”
“That’s the case now.” Lazzuxui reached behind her seat and stacked numerous books in front of Priqet. “Although you understand it, that doesn’t mean you know how to write and speak it. I’m assigning you two to know all of these contents by the time we reach Xu.”
“Eh?! All of this?!” Priqet exclaimed.
“M-me too?” Yixy squeaked.
“Yixy, you’re intelligent. I have full faith in you but as for Priqet… you can do it. Somehow.”
“This is harassment of power! I object! We object! Right, Yixy?”
“I… well.”
“I’ve very well lightened the difficulty of materials by providing my own notes.” Lazzuxui then glared at Priqet. “Or would you prefer to relive the training drills I assigned you?”
Priqet’s face turned paled and went silent. His bravado was shattered by flash backs of his younger days where Lazzuxui was his instructor. Every day he was assigned the worst punishments and was picked on for being a troublemaker.
The Grasshopper quietly picked up a book and diligently studied its contents without any complaints. But that needn’t remain long as his antennas twitch when he felt a slight disturbance in the wind.
“General Lazzuxui, we have an emergency!” A guard flipped the covers opened. “Lookouts have spotted a horde of Tower Monsters nearing the encampment. What are your orders?”
“We eliminate them. If we allow one to escape, they’ll return with a larger force. Yixy, meet up with the casters and have them prepare a spell bombardment.”
“Understood.” Yixy grabbed her cloak tightly and bolted out of the tent.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“And what about me?” Priqet asked.
“Normally I’d give you orders but your status as a Hero places you out of my jurisdiction. You have free reign to do as you see fit to eliminate the Shadows. We will act around you.”
“Looks like I’m the boss. I hear you loud and clear!”
Stepping outside, the world all around him was white. The brewing storm severely reduced his field of vision and his feelers shivered in winter’s air.
Priqet marched into the blizzard outside with his macahuitls drawn. In preparation for his battle, he gripped the handle of his weapons to cast them in silver light. Aside from the ability granted to him as one of the Heroes chosen by the Oracle, he was able to see glowing silhouettes only he could perceive as the enemy marching towards him in the distance.
“Hero, do you see them?”
“I see them. Bring pods Xu’s Wyvern rider dropped earlier and get your blades enchanted. I’ll share my senses so everyone can see them.”
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With the great wall Dragonkins abandoned, the Scalemen now control the entire eastern quarter of Stusis. The captured stronghold gave them access to resources such as new hunting grounds, mines and the most important facility at the time, the freedom to use the hot springs.
The mineral rich ponds cured the militia of fatigue. It hastened the militia’s recovery and allowed them to assist fortifying the stronghold.
However, such luxuries were not given to the leaders as they planned the next phase. They knew casualties on both sides were high, but the Dragonkins lost their mercenary army. The enemy could easily replenish their numbers unless the Scalemen could find a way to deny more mercenaries from being hired.
Kihet on the other hand was inconvenienced by life after his ten days from the other realm. After being exposed to convenient technologies of Elenora’s timeline, he had a rough time adjusting to life now. There were bulbs keeping the room well lit, but back at the material plane, people in Stusis used candles and torches instead.
But not a second had passed during his absence.
“Hey, Kihet! Heard you lost two fingers with your fight against Alc’Bruk. It’s amazing you could fight him off like that.” His friend, an Enui, was the first to greet him after Kihet walked out of the infirmary. “Why do you look so down?”
“It’s nothing, Draigh. I just remembered how tough life is.” He sighed as he closed a book decorated in gold linings and tucked it away. “So, how are the others? How’s Tama?”
“The Werecat’s alive, but she’s heavily injured. Yizdra talked with our best healer, and it’d at least take two weeks for her to get on her feet, but everyone else is safe. They’re all waiting for you.”
“They haven’t started the meeting? Is that why you’re here to get me?”
“I’m not a thinker. When I saw them throwing suggestions left and right, all I could do was sit there and pretend to know what’s going on. I snuck away.”
“I see.” Kihet sighed.
“You’re sighing way too much.”
“That’s because I went over to the other side for a bit.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Do you know how crazy you sound?”
“You’d probably won’t believe me.”
While Kihet sounded optimistic, Draigh was the opposite for thinking his friend somehow gotten a loose screw after the long siege. Maybe having lost three fingers damaged Kihet’s mental state and needed time to recover.
“Lemi wanted me to relay a message to you. She said she’s sorry for going ahead and she’s happy for the time you’ve looked out for her.”
“Lemi did…? That’s totally what she’d say if she was here.”
“She’s not idling either. Hannah, the Elder and Kridas are all fighting strong to keep the spirit world safe.”
“That explains why your personality suddenly changed.” Draigh slapped Kihet’s back. “It’s nice to hear from them even if they’re separated from us. Everyone’s doing their best for the good of the world.”
“We better step it up if we want to see that peace sooner.” Kihet then saw a familiar individual waving to them.
An insectoid with features of a dragonfly waited next to the entrance. Its carapace was dark blue tinted with a little purple when shined in sunlight. When the Dragonfly’s large compound eyes saw Kihet walk into view, it immediately picked up its slate and scribbled something on it.
[How injuries?]
“Not as bad as it should be. Don’t worry too much, Aten.” Kihet raised his left hand with its missing fingers. “How about you? I saw you fight against the other Oracle’s members.”
[Yes. Formidable foes. Have report. Gave to Tomoe.]
“Good. I want to know who we’re competing against. Not going in?”
[Noisy. Rather help carpenters.]
The Vivirian, Aten, nodded and spread his glassy wings. Just as the Insectoid was about to take flight, Kihet called out to him. “Aten, I have some information for you later. It’s about you know what.”
His antennas stood erected, a surprised expression. Returning Kihet’s words with a nod, Aten silently shot himself into the air and flew towards the wall.
“Don’t know how you found a guy like him. He held off his own against two of Irvan’s group really well. Man, Kihet. You sure made lots of friends. It’s making me jealous.”
“It’s not like you didn’t make any of your own.”
“True. Anyways, it’s getting a bit noisy in there. We should go in.” Draigh reached for the curtains.
In the room, the chieftains of the three tribes: the Nagas, Lizardmen and Tortoise folk sat on the far end. They listened to advisors discussing among themselves.
“I sssuggest we capture the borders next.” A Naga spoke. “If we can control the border between Pamalyra and Stusisss, we can prevent the Dragonkins from inciting more sellswordsss to fight their battles.”
“What if Pamalyrians take that as a threat? We’re basically going to cut off mercenaries eager to get hired by the Dragonkins. We don’t have that kind of finance to bribe them off either.” A Rozzalian argued.
“Doubt mercenaries do anything, left alone. Agree Carmyn.” Learning Scylanis, Lily voiced her opinion in broken words. “Possible ambush unaware. Dragonkins fly during night, hire before know.”
“But we cannot afford to allow the enemy to increase their numbers.” A lizardman added. “We will be outnumbered, and our battles will only be more difficult as we lose more volunteers.”
Voices overlapped, tones shifted as the room was divided and plunged into a heated debate. Everyone in the room broke the order to speak in turns and voiced their opinions of where to take the next battle to.
“Can’t people learn to not speak at once? It’s hard to listen for reasonable suggestions.” Had enough, Kihet marched to the center and scolded everyone in the room.
“Oracle, surely you know we are fighting a losing battle as time progresses.” The Lizardman commented.
“I heard you, Yizdra. Then why not force the Dragonkins so they can’t pay them off? If we seize the root of the cause, then the effect won’t happen.”
“However, Oracle. We do not know the location where the Dragonkinsss keep their treasury. Be it an important asset, it would be likely kept deep within their territory.” The Naga hissed.
“Hilaqi, didn’t we have some people we freed had seen the treasury?” Draigh asked. “If they remember what the area looked like, maybe we can narrow it down.”
“I ssshall see to it once they have recovered.” Hilaqi bowed his head. “What of the chieftainsss’ decision?”
“The war against the Dragonkins may be important, but Oracle, what of the Towers and their abominations?” The Tortoise chieftain asked. “They roam between canyons, and it will be difficult to build outposts or sneak past them unless something is done.”
Unlike the Cerulean Tower from Elenora’s realm, the ones in the material world were hostile. The one in Stusis was under a strange influence until after Kihet returned from the realm. Its fragments previously were found scattered throughout the land, but now everyone could see the Azure Tower standing behind the mountains within enemy territory.
“I’ll deal with them. Somehow. If I have the time, I’ll bring people to go clear any dungeons we stumble across, but my main priority is to find the other Oracle.”
“That is acceptable.” The Naga chieftain’s tongue flicked out. “It would be ideal to wait until the enemies made a blunder. As of now, a few of my brethren scour the lands for their trail.”
The Tortoise Folk and Naga then eyed the silent Lizardmen chieftain, waiting for his answer.
“I have concerns of my people I’d liked to be addressed.” The Chieftain leaned on the table. “Are you familiar with the Scalemen ceremonial firekeeping traditions?”
“I never witnessed one, but I was taught several of them are celebrated every few constellations depending on which Deity you’re affiliated with. You offer prayers, tell stories to the young. What about it?”
“Of stories passed down from generation, there have been no variants of two Oracles existing. Some folks have taken it as a sign where one is expected to lead the world to ruins as the other to salvation.”
“What?! Kihet do much! People no believe?!” Lily screamed.
“I mean no disrespect, First Hero of Oracle. Some folks are rather incredibly superstitious and a word from the Holy Oracle will help quell their uneasiness.”
“So, you want to know if I’ll lead the world to ruin?” Kihet raised a brow. “I don’t know, and I won’t promise anything. All I want is to do everything I can to get results I’m happy with.”
“In short, that’s a no?” Carmyn asked. “I can’t vouch Kihet isn’t a vengeful type, but he sure isn’t one to do anything without any good reason.”
“All you have to know it’s in my best interest to help the Scalemen and do my best to fulfill my role as the Oracle. Does my answer satisfy you?”
The three Chieftains tossed a look to one another and shared a nod.
“We shall relay your words to those who have concerns.”
“For now, we ssshall await new information before we act.”
“This meeting is adjourned.” The Tortoise Chieftain said. “Oracle, might I have a moment to discuss a matter?”
“I have time. Lily, go ahead. I’ll find you later.”
“En. Carmyn and I will go to check on Tama.”
“I’ll be helping the people to set up the training grounds.” Draigh added. “Kihet, talk to you later.”
After everyone left the room, it was just the Tortoise Chieftain and Kihet. The Chieftain waited until the sound of footsteps diminished and it was just the Scalemen chattering at the stronghold’s courtyard.
“Alright. Talk.”
“This is about the Herald of the Pale Dragon. I’ve a couple of favors to ask. If you could bring up that Tortoise’s courage, I believe he’d be useful to you.”
“Ainig? What brought this up?”
“The Crimson’s wrath. Though you have bested the Dragonborn once, I know his insatiable rage could not be quelled unless he has his revenge. Next time…”
“He’ll go for the kill from the get-go instead of all that theatrical display, right? You think Ainig has a chance against him?”
“Of the four deities of Stusis, the Ash and Azure Champions were felled before they matured. The Herald of Pale Dragon remains the last on his list. If anyone is to oppose Alc’Bruk, Ainig would have the best chance.”
“I was wondering if there were others like Alc’Bruk.” Kihet frowned. “So, Ainig could be as strong as Alc’Bruk? I can’t see that. Why did the Pale Dragon choose him anyways?”
“The Pale Dragon always favored those who were shunned. Perhaps it pities them and wishes to grant them courage in its own way. Alas, I’m a devotee of the Ash Dragon and do not possess the knowledge of prerequisites of the Pale Dragon’s selection.”
“And the priest I met at Stusis border was the last of them.”
“Then Ainig truly is the last of the Pale Dragon’s follower. I would be most gracious if you would take him under your wing.”
“Last I met him, he was wary of me. I don’t think I can do much.”
“That may be so, however you are the Oracle. Ultimately, my goal is to put Ainig as a candidate Hero under your guidance.” The Tortoise Folk slowly rose. “I shan’t take more of your time, Oracle. I offer you potentially one of the strongest shields of Stusis, but the question is whether you would help nurture his powers or not.”