Chapter 65
Mikel closed the slate and tucked it and the earpiece away. He’d thought about calling on Librarian, but now, after seeing how his very nature had changed, he didn’t think he wanted yet another omnipotent being poking around in his brain. Callisto had done enough on her own.
“What am I going to do?” He asked the air as Helsket snored peacefully with his head propped on his bag, “What’s going on with me?”
He looked at Metrike and half wished the woman would wake up. Even though she’d tried to kill him he wasn’t willing to condemn her outright. He knew Helsket had probably debated whether to save her at all - and he was glad the old warrior had chosen the path of discretion.
If there was to be an ocean of blood in front of Mikel… Well, he didn’t want to rush towards that fate. He’d resist as long as he could.
Another Gigant moaned mournfully into the night, the words this time of a man screaming for help instead of a woman. Mikel’s theory of the Gigants learning to hunt nobles and people of a heroic nature got thinner - it appeared a Gigant used whatever lure they thought best at the time… Whatever that ended up being.
It wasn’t long before his eyes were drooping and his body responding to the call for sleep - for rest, much-needed rest. His head drooped and before Mikel knew it, he was out cold and dreaming of a time and a place where he’d never be close to a place like this.
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Only minutes later he jerked himself upright and looked around. He blinked furiously to clear his vision, but his eyes ached so badly they all but demanded to remain shut. His body screamed for more rest - more sleep - but he couldn’t. He’d already fallen asleep on watch - but he hoped nothing had come of it. He was still here after all - He was nearest the door. If the Gigants had come back, logically he would have been the first to be taken.
Mastering himself, Mikel forced his eyes open and began looking around, searching for what had caused him to jump up from his induced nap. Something had felt… off and as he took stock of the room. He turned once, not seeing anything amiss in his blurred vision - twice, as he blinked his vision clear and a third, locking on eyes on where Helsket had lain - his spot now empty.
“Hel!” He cried as he leaped to his feet - all vestiges of sleep banished from his body as adrenaline coursed through him, “Nine Circles of Hel!” Mikel yelled as he dashed to the spot where Helsket had lain and took stock.
After a moment of searching something became staggeringly clear - Helsket hadn’t walked out, been dragged out or struggled at all. It was as if he’d simply vanished without a trace.
It was then Mikel realized their hostage was gone as well.
He only had to glance at the spot next to Helsket to see that Metrike’s covers lay as if she’d simply been lifted out of them without a fight.
They were both missing.
“Hel,” Mikel said as he looked around the room and as a Gigant bellowed in the distance, realizing just now that he was all alone in the ancient Sunken Folk city of Kar’Xet - surrounded by monstrous enemies and things that he’d never imagined.
He looked out the door to the street beyond and swore again - There was nothing left to it - he had to find Helsket and Metrike before something found them… If that something hadn’t already.