The gatehouse near the door in the orchard was nearly done; three large wooden walls, and a swinging, wooden gate had been erected in a quick order. I had heard stories of Romans erecting forts in a night, and I suppose this would be an equivalent feat. Archers; mostly Efra, but some humans that I recognized as some of the people I rescued from the dive with the apostle and the floating islands, hung out along the walkways on the walls. A few wave me in through the gate, and down a long, packed earth path that connected the gate to the cobblestone street.

As Jenna and I exited the small gatehouse, Jenna ran over to Dylan and Nyt who were lingering together on the cobblestone street. Jenna handed the clothes over to Dylan, and they ran off together as Nyt approached.

“Nothing happened, okay?”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Happened.”

“Okay?”

She nods once.

“Are you alright? You seem distant.”

“Military found me, and I’m trying to think of a way to break that news to Seth.”

Nyt’s eyes glance away from me to someone behind me. I follow her gaze. Seth had emerged from somewhere in the orchard.

“Well, shit. Should probably call Laura and tell her.”

“Sorry, Seth.”

“No problem.” He sighed, “Figured it would happen sooner or later. I’ll just have them stay here."

“It’ll be rough.”

“Maybe. The cult left behind a couple of generators at the trailers where you and Nyt first ran into them, yeah?”

I nod.

“Figured we could probably send a few boys over to pick those up and bring them here.”

“I’ll help.”

“Are you kidding me? Do you want them to rain napalm on us? No, you stay here until the heat dies down.”

“What’s napalm?” Nyt asks.

Seth glances away from me toward the cat person.

“Sticky fire.”

“Sticky...fire?”

“It’s banned in warfare.” I say, “Deemed too cruel.”

It takes a moment for the words to settle in Nyt’s mind.

“I...I’m interested in the ways of war in your world.” She says, “You have weapons deemed too cruel to use?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the worst of the worst of them?”

“Probably chemical weapons,” I answer.

“Why is that?”

“The deaths they provide are cruel; their lungs and throats begin to burn and melt inside of them.”

“No, no. It has to be nuclear weapons.”

“Nuclear weapons?”

“They get their power from splitting an atom — a fundamental building block of our reality. The existence of it alone has led to a tempered peace between two major powers in our world for decades.”

“What can it do?”

“There are several that are powerful enough to completely cover this entire cove in fire, and make the land uninhabitable for years to come.”

“Your world is terrifying.” She said after some time.

“You have dragons.” Seth says, “I think that’ll even out the ‘terrifying,’ factor. Besides, only two early ones were ever used in a war.”

“And dragons don’t typically attack settlements unless perturbed. So…”

To put a stop to this conversation I interject with a question.

“Did Paul come talk to you about becoming chosen?”

Seth turns towards me.

“He did, I told him I’d think about it.”

“I think it’s a good idea.”

“Why is that?”

“You and I both know that the world is going to permanently change, once the five-year period is over.” I say, “That fact is inevitable. Giving him the power to push back against this inevitability now, will put him leagues above everyone else when the time comes.”

“I never really thought of it that way.” He said, “I’ll talk to both Ullr and Paul later.”

“Ah, there you are.” Fen’s voice speaks from the direction of the path that led down to the port town drawing my attention. I turn my head so that I can see him. “I see you’re wearing the robes Sir Loir made for you.”

“Sir Loir?”

“Ah, he’s the one who made your necklace and cloak,” Nyt says. “I found him at the military base.”

“Ohh, what is this made of?”

“Some scraps of cloth were found around the ruins. The thread was coated with the powder from the scale that we found in your possessions, I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t. I was wondering how I would use it.”

“Yes, it has the added benefit of increasing the effectiveness of defensive spells.”

Ah, that’s why.

“I’ll thank him later. Nyt told me that you wanted to talk?”

Fen nods and glances at Nyt and Seth and they nod as well.

“Let’s get in somewhere. It’s chilly.”

Indeed it was. Strange as it was, the weather in Efra had always been lukewarm with very little variance. It was almost as if Efra had begun to breathe again.

Fen leads the four of us down toward the port town into a large building with signs of construction ongoing around it. Humans and Efrans milled around the town aimlessly. Each of them is injured in some way; with welts and bruises all over their bodies; a few walked with a limp or favored one side over the other. What had the military put these people through? It’s infuriating just thinking about it. When we step into the building it’s obvious what it once was; a shrine in the shape of a curled sea serpent sat in the corner; with pocks of it taken out through the swings of various weapons, and the symbol of the White One carved into its chest.

“We want to ask about your plans for the future,” Fen says as he takes a seat on what had once been an altar.

Nyt leans against the wall near the door, and Seth takes a seat on a chunk of stone that had been knocked out of the building.

“What do you mean?”

“These people; both Efran and Earthean cannot go back to Earth,” Nyt says.

“Not until your name has been cleared.” Seth continued, “The military likely has profiles out on them, and if they leave, they’ll be snatched up.”

“And?”

“We’re thinking of setting this area up as a town; a kind of place for refugees to gather, and a safe place to all those done dirty by the government and the war,” Seth says. “And Paul’s getting a small army together of volunteers.”

“Okay, and? It’s not like I’m going to stop you. I think it’s a good idea, in fact. I just don’t see what I have to do with this.”

“If this continues we’re going to become a powerhouse in the region,” Seth continued, “And...well we’re going to need a leader.”

“Why don’t you or Nyt do it?”

Seth shakes his head, as does Nyt. Fen, meanwhile, is using a strange tool to shape the stone of the sea serpent as if it were clay; paying no heed to our direction.

“Because you are, even if you don’t know it, the most influential person here.” Nyt says, “Without you, more than half of us living here wouldn’t be alive. Without you, Seth, Fen, and I wouldn’t be alive. Without your directions to Monica, Dylan, and Jenna probably wouldn’t be alive; you have sway over the people’s hearts here, if only because they know how strong you are.”

“But I’m not really leader material.”

“Are you certain? You took the lead when we went against Ikit, and were the one to ultimately free his mind and give us access to this cove; besides, anything you don’t know how to do you can delegate."

I think for a moment. It's true; Paul and Laura were gathering a small force together to strike at the cult in their hideouts; where Seth and likely a few of the men and women here would no doubt join them. Once that happens, and we begin taking their arsenals squirreled away in their bases, and free of any corrupting influences of the cult, we’d no doubt grow in strength to compete with the Icarian Corps in the region; both as a political entity, and a military entity. There was one problem, however...

“I want to be out in the field,” I answer, after some length. “I don’t want any political power or sway, I just want to fight.”

“And you’ll be able to,” Nyt says, putting her hands up defensively. “We’re not asking you to become a mayor of this town, or anything like that, just be the point of the spear: the voice to the world for our town to the outside world.”

“As long as I’ll be able to fight, I don’t mind being a figurehead, if that’s what you’re asking for, but I know nothing about infrastructure, diplomacy, or anything like that. I just know how to fight.”

“I can do something about the infrastructure.” Seth says, “I worked in construction.”

“As for diplomacy, I know someone, let me go find them…” Nyt says right before she slips out of the temple momentarily.

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“How about food?” I ask. “The orchards here are remarkably bare.”

“Well, for now, we can fish,” Nyt answered. “The waters both here and in the underground cave are practically teeming. In the long run; once your name is cleared up, we can establish trade routes for any who choose to stay here.”

I tap my fingers on my thigh.

“What about other things? Restrooms, medical supplies, water, and everything like that? We’re by an ocean, aren’t we?”

“There are a couple of freshwater wells around the town.” Fen said as he continued to carve the sculpture, “This place was a living space, after all.”

“And there’s a sewage system already in place. Drains into a basin beneath the plateau near the mountain. Already looked through it yesterday. As far as medical supplies; is that really necessary when we have magic? How about the other things that could benefit us? We have an expert craftsman here thanks to Nyt, and we have a small army on the way; we could use this as a base of operations for our dives and for our strikes against the Order of the White One."

What he was saying was true; it would be nice to have somewhere safe to go back to, somewhere I can readily offload my loot, and somewhere I could commission stronger pieces of gear to again, but still... Just the thought of being in charge of something so large sent waves of dread coursing through me. Images of the battle against the apostle and his forces flash through my mind. I can’t live through that again.

“I’ll help out, don’t get me wrong, but if we’re going to do this, I demand that we all have an equal share, so not all the responsibility falls onto my shoulders.”

At least with that, I reason, if something did happen, it wouldn’t solely be my fault.

Seth thinks about this for a moment.

“Kind of like a ruling council?"

“Perhaps, though I really don’t want to be a ruler. I just want to fight.”

As the discussion continued with me answering in much the same manner, Nyt entered with a person tailing her: the old general who had been rescued from the same dive that Nyt had been.

“Hey, I know you.” Seth says, “You’re General McKinnon. You were my brigade commander when I was enlisted.”

“I recognize you. How have you been, Lance Corporal Raurleif?”

“Been doing good, sir.” Seth throws up a mocking salute.

“What are you doing here, General?”

“Ortega kept me under, ‘house arrest,’ at the base, to, ‘remove the terrorist’s spells.’” He spat on the ground.

“Excuse me, this is a temple, please don’t sully it,” Fen says, turning a fierce gaze at the old man.

The general’s green eyes darted toward the fox.

“Yeah yeah, you furry piece of —."

“So what happened, General?” I interrupt the old man.

“Well, she saw me locked in the same cage as the rest of ‘em — or at least the rest of them that are left, and she,” the General motions towards Nyt, “Got us out of there and brought us here. So what’s all this about?”

Nyt and Seth begin the spiel again; talking about setting up a settlement in this area, and using it as a base of operations for not only the Chosen; Fen, Seth, and I, but also the small militia that was currently being formed; specifically for bring down the cult and its influences on the valley, and any other cults operating on the continent, and the war against Roki's forces on Efra. They explained to him, as they did to me, that if things continued we were going to have problems with the military and the US government, and we needed a liaison to ensure that we stayed on good relations with them once the cult was gone, and their machinations revealed.

“So you want me to, what? Be a diplomat?”

“Something like that.”

“Yeah, I can do that. But I also want to be in the fight; I lived my life as a soldier, and I’d like to die as one.”

“That’s fine, but once the time comes we’ll need someone who knows how to work the system,” Seth says. “How to say the right things to make sure we’re not all killed.”

The General nods curtly in response.

For the next few hours, we discuss the intricacies of this plan; to make a home away from home for those who’s lives were completely upended by the war with Roki; both human and Efran. We decided that by doing so we’d give even the average man and woman a chance to fight back against the inevitable, so that normal, non-chosen humans wouldn’t have to mill around waiting for the end of the world, and Efrans could have a second opportunity at Roki’s throat. We walked around the entire area in animated conversation.

For those who’d want to fight; we’d offer training. Nyt and the general both offered their services for this. For those who weren’t able to fight, but wanted to contribute; Sir Lior offered to train those he found acceptable in his crafts; otherwise, they could help with supply runs, fish, farm, or whatever they could to help further the cause. We won’t turn anyone willing to work away. For those who wanted a place to live away from the madness of the world, they’d have a place to belong. It was a rough plan; not much of a plan, really, rather than spouted ideals, but it was a plan we hashed out together. We’d all work together toward a single goal; to push back against the inevitable demise of Earth, through any means necessary.

We decided then and there, that we won’t be swayed by fear, and any who are ever found to betray our cause, we will not be merciful to them. To those who betray humanity, we will not offer a forgiving hand.

Our discussion, while not spoken out loud in a grand speech upon a balcony like some Generalissimo, those who heard our animated discussion spread it among themselves: “We’ll fight.” Became an utterance we heard more than once.

An invisible, tangible energy began to stir through the people there, and before our discussions were said and done, everyone within the cove was talking about the discussion. All those who had been injured by the cult of the White One. All those who had been snatched from their homes and tortured. All those who had been betrayed by their government since this began, all shared the same fire that we had in our voice.

When all was said and done; standing on top of that dilapidated temple, overlooking the cascading tides, people gathered in the streets below. I see a few familiar faces; the Efrans and humans who had been tortured and used as slaves by the apostle. Those who had already fought alongside me. Those who I feel like I failed. Some I don’t recognize, but I can tell Dylan, who is standing among the crowd, does. They all look up at the four of us, having finished our talks, expectantly.

“Say something,” Seth says in a hushed whisper.

“Why me?”

“You’re the figurehead."

I roll my eyes and approach the edge of the building; the rotting wood creaking underneath as I step forward. Fear pumps through my heart. What can I say? Perhaps...

“I’m not one for public speaking,” I begin, “But we – the four of us here,” I glance back to those standing behind me, “Have something to ask of you; will you lend us your aid?”

There came an affirmative cheer from the crowd.

“It won’t be easy; nothing ever is, especially when you’re dealing with the end of the world; but if you’re with us we can promise you this: an opportunity to help with the struggle against the inevitable, so that you’re not just sitting around, waiting to be snatched out of your homes and tortured, or sold into slavery, or killed by an invading force, will you, then, take this chance?”

Another affirmation rises out of the crowd.

“There will be bloodshed, and I can’t promise that we’ll make it out of this alive, but death is our only certainty in these, uh, trying times. We can at least promise you an opportunity to make what remains of your life meaningful.”

A somber air rushed over the crowd, as a pair of shadows emerged from the sea. Ikit and Atar had come to listen as well.

“Or would you rather live your life cowering for the next five years, while Roki and his forces snatch more families from their homes, and sell more children into slavery? Dammit.” I slam my fist on the rim of the building. A part of it breaks off, and I hear Fen squeak a little behind me.

“No!” Came a shout from the crowd.

“Then fight back!” I say, “That’s our goal here: To provide a way for you, and anyone else who joins, a chance to fight back against that damned fate of cowardice and regret. Death is the only thing that awaits us, regardless of what we do. Let us make sure that it’s the only thing that awaits our enemies, too.”

I slam my fist on the side of the wall again. Another crack forms and Fen groans in pain again as a cheer erupts from the group.

“If you want to fight in the front lines, there’ll be a place for you. If you want to help in other ways, there’ll be a place for you. So I ask again, will you help us?”

Another cheer.

“Thank you,” I say, taking a deep breath.

“If we’re going to be a group, what’s the name going to be?”

Jenna was the one to call this out from the crowd.

“A name…”

I hadn’t even thought of something like that. I glance around nervously, before turning my head and setting my eyes on the four peaks standing tall watching over our pomp and ceremony. By the time we’re all dead, those peaks will still be there. My eyes dart to the three gathered behind me; powerful people in their own rights, each of us representing a different god or spirit...wouldn’t that be a poetic connection?

“The Four Peaks Militia.” I respond, “That’ll be our name going forward.”

There came a mumbling from the crowd before a cheer erupted from the crowd once more.

And thus, on that ancient building; amid a chorus of cheers, and beneath the ever-present fog, the town of Four Peaks Cove, and the force known as the Four Peaks Militia was founded. I had broken two of the vows that I had made to myself when I woke up from that horrible battle, so I replaced it with another; to bring death to the enemies of Earth.