Chapter 35: Dear Mother….

When in the hands of an angry force, the best option for survival is calm.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!”

Well… it's not the only option?

“Skaldi! Stop screaming! We planned for this.” Bolato’s orders came out softer than he wanted. He needed the attention of his comrades so they could escape the Blight Elf.

“Vega! Skyward strike!”

“Gotcha boss.” Without hesitation, Vega rushed up behind Bolato and jumped on top of his shield. He pushed his shield arm high and launched the scarecrow high into the air.

“Weeeeeeeeee-” Vega was having fun. Swinging her pickaxe upward like an uppercut, the end of her pickaxe met the chin of the Blight Elf. Striking hard and wide, a great spray of blood and fungus parts rained all around, as Skaldi threw down spiked caltrops to slow the giant’s advance.

Landing in the arms of the soldier, Vega quickly hopped down, grabbed the hands of the couple, and raced back towards the ship. Hurrying hard and fast, Skaldi could not care which direction they were running. Only that it was far away from the monstrous giant.

“~Cruel construct!~” Just as black powder can shape the earth, so can a Blight Elf’s voice shape the sky. With its hideous shouts, everyone felt the air crash upon them like waves in the sea. Bolato held tight on Vega's backpack as she too soared up for a few moments.

A crunching stomping followed behind them and its rhythm quickened. Like a drum beat going faster and faster. Soon, the Blight Elf’s voice chased after the three, groaning as it stepped on the caltrops. Seeing a nearby beach tree, it wrenched out of the groan in two twists and hurled it in their direction.

The soldier looked behind and quickly shoved Skaldi and Vega down as the tree narrowly missed their heads.

“We’re almost there, keep moving!” Spinning into the sand, the trunk shattered apart like old fruit being thrown against a wall. When the outline of the Pinnace peered out from the spores, their running turned into sprinting.

“Don’t stop! Don’t let go!” Skaldi shouted to them as their feet met the bridge back up to the boat. Wooden thuds and echoes joined them in their panic, and the croaks of the Blight Elf didn’t leave them alone.

“I’ll start the anchor, do anything you can in order to slow that thing down!” Bolato commanded, running up the stairs and towards the anchor chain and its crank. Immediately pushing with all his might, the crank mechanism fired off with a crunching as the chain rose up from the water.

“By the gods…. I really can… I really have to do this!?” Skaldi’s hands were shaking as he reached for his flask.

“Do ya think it's the time to be drinking?”

“...yeah you’re right.”

The sails opened wide like the endless sky and air quickly pushed the boat from the shore, but that had yet to quell Skaldi’s anxieties.

“~Cruel crew. They will know only pain on their journey.~” Its voice sounded distorted, like it was speaking in a cave.

Like flashing light and thunder, a tree spinning through the air followed the voice. Making a tense buzzing as it crashed into the side of the ship, the tree exploded on impact. Each person held tight onto whatever was closest to them. Bolato held onto a railing. Skaldi held onto a mast. Vega held onto Skaldi.

The Pinnace swayed from side to side, splashing the green sea around before slowly returning to a stable position. The ship had been pushed far enough away so that the foul spores from the island thinned and one could see their own feet.

A soft metal met the redhead’s lips and the taste of spiced alcohol warmed his tongue. Skaldi’s knees gave out and he fell onto his butt, drinking all the liquor he could. His wounded face froze and he felt a headache start.

“...holy shit.” He pounded his chest, imprinting a blue bruise on both his thumb and breast. He was trying to tell himself to keep breathing. To keep living.

“You both alright?” Bolato rushed to Skaldi’s side and gave the scarecrow a brief look before focusing his attention on his lover.

“I’m… fine.”

“...Okay. I’ll go check the storage room to see if everyone else is good. If we have a leak I’ll call for you.” He got up and tore off his mask. His feet halted as he gave Skaldi one more look, that of understanding and worry. He had to be worried, for everyone to survive.

Took long and dragged breaths through his nose, Skaldi closed his eyes and unhitched the mask from his face as well. Laying back on the deck, Skaldi laughed like a mad man. He felt that it was funny, he was so happy to be breathing normal air.

“Do ya need help?”

“Do you ever shut up?”

“Would it help you?” Vega reclined beside him, only offering her sweet gullibility.

“...sure.”

Coal dark clouds brought the sprinkling of rain, an omen that only Vega and Skaldi could recognize. The scarecrow believed them to be clouds brought by Recor or some kind spirit, telling those who knew the signs that hard work was ahead. Vega smiled but it faded when the voice murmured in her head.

The elf returned to memories back in the Galtian tribe, where these almost venomous clouds were that of new industries and war camps. Elders would tell him that he mustn’t only be strong, but also cunning.

Skaldi readied himself for a fight, but his eyes drifted back to the recovering Valiato. Would he be cunning and strong or kind and present?

I must reveal that this was an ordinary storm cloud, its just that these two fuckers decided to be insecure about themselves again.

With them altogether in the storage room, the subject of Amir’s history with Ani Arma was not unforgotten. Amir made effort to focus on patching the wall planks as Florato lathered glue on the holes, but Skaldi’s tapping foot and Vega’s annoying scribbling rattled in his head.

“~What should I teach her?~” Amir asked Florato, who was taken aback by his dry voice.

“~What?~”

“~What should I… nevermind…~” He turned his head back to the holes, only seeking to repair what injuries that have happened.

Whatever he tried to do, Skaldi couldn’t stop brushing his own hair. Always with his thumb which would touch the wounded side of his face, causing his headache to be worse. And yet, he couldn’t stop repeating it.

He never wanted this, he thought. Facing the Blight Elf had ruined any sense of bravery he had that day, and the ever closer storm didn’t help. He knew he had a choice on the matter, but what would he choose?

Valiato’s eyes were a heavy blue and her skin became almost foggy. She had been sleeping beside Vega, who was drawing as she usually did. But instead of keeping the drawing, she would crumble it up fast and hard and toss it over to the centuries.

“What’s wrong?” He slid his back down against a wooden pillar and nudged her shoulder playfully.

“I can’t help her.”

“What?”

“Back in Xinyuai, there was-was a lady. Ya didn’t see her but she was the mom of the weirdo priestess. I felt bad because she was hurt-hurt, but the priestess told me we could help her out. That made me feel good.” She grabbed her paper in her hands and rolled it up in a mean fashion. “But now, Valiato is hurt and no one is telling me what to do.”

“Do you need someone to tell you what to do?” Skaldi tried to provoke Vega’s curiosity, to create a silly moment for them all to either laugh or cringe at. But her eyes closed and she placed her hat on her lap.

“I’m no good. I’m useless.”

“No one has said that.”

“You don’t need to say it. I already know how people feel about me.” The air around her head darkened as her perfect human eyes appeared from out of nowhere. Skaldi only saw those human eyes on her bag head for only a moment before everything returned to normal.

“What were ya saying again?”

“...M-maybe make her a song?” Skaldi said with a sweat forming on his brow.

“That's a good idea. Thank ya Skaldi!”

“You’re fucking terrifying. I-I mean, you’re welcome.” Skaldi, taking this as an exit out of the conversation, headed out of the room and onto the main deck. He stopped to look up, seeing the sails pushed by strong wind, guiding the ship and the party’s fates north.

Ribbons of tobacco smoke rose just above Bolato’s head, as he rested his palms on the railing. His eyes were stern yet charming in the midday light, staring out back to the island surrounded by yellow spores.

Skaldi’s hand naturally went back to his head and he managed to catch it before it caused his headache any more pain. He held two fists at each side and he looked like he might burst in steam. Pouting, he stomped beside Bolato.

“Problem sweetie?”

“No… No, I’m lying.” Skaldi rolled his eyes and dropped them to the sea, seeing the mermaids far below the water. “I have a headache, everyone is unhappy, and I have no idea if we’re ever going to rob the Lai Bank.”

“Uncertain?” The soldier took a big toke from his tobacco pipe and raised his head as he released the gas, fading into the gray afternoon sky.

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“I guess. It’s just… it's never been like this before.”

“How so? We’ve always been in danger.”

“Yeah, but this is a danger we are legitimately choosing. Not because the way things have been for us…” Skaldi pointed to himself and Bolato before returning hand to his waist. “I’m not saying we’re doing something wrong.”

“Kind of sounds like it.”

“Haha.” The elf bent over the railing, resting his elbow as he carried his chin. “Why aren’t you worried? Why aren’t you worried about Valiato? Is that, uh, telling when someone will survive thingy?”

“Yep. Always the eyes.”

“Of course.”

“...You want to show off all the random stuff you got? That tends to cheer you up.” Bolato gave Skaldi a squeeze on the shoulder.

“Really?”

“That's the idea.”

“...Bolato.” Skaldi shot a glance at his pipe. “Mind if I try it?”

“Really? I thought you would never ask.” The soldier handed it to the redhead, gently maneuvering in between his teeth. He blew two puffs and inhaled the tasty air. And much to both of their expectations, he coughed only twice. The effects of the smoke relaxed his sense as warmth took Skaldi’s head.

“Are you relaxed now?”

“Sort of.” Skaldi continued to take another drag. “Why aren’t you worried?”

“Who says I’m not?” Bolato closed his eyes, revealing a degree of vulnerability which Skaldi understood well.

“Sorry… It’s just… how are we going to get back on that island?”

“We can always use the scarecrow.”

“Why? We always do that to her.”

“It makes her feel useful. Helpful even.” He snickered, not noticing Skaldi stopped puffing the smoke.

“What about Florato? What about you-What about me?” Skaldi speedily stood up and grabbed at Bolato’s shirt collar.

“What is the problem, Skaldi?” Bolato grabbed onto his hand and used it to brush Skaldi’s cheek. A pink blush came across his face as the elf tried to compose his feelings.

“...I know I have to do something, but I can’t do anything. I’m powerless…. I’m helpless. What can I do?” His head bowed and rested on the soldier’s chest. Still effeminate and insecure , Bolato could tell Skaldi only needed a little nudge to return his bravery.

“Do what you can.” Lifting his head with his finger, Bolato’s lips pressed onto Skaldi’s, sending a sweet and cozy sensation into the elf. It was short but long enough to last. “Stop worrying about what is out of your control and start taking control of what you do have.”

Skaldi smiled ever so slightly, being so glad that Bolato was such a simple but reassuring person.

“It's worth it if you try. You have an obligation to us and yourself.” He spoke again, letting go of Skaldi’s chin and gesturing his head in the direction of the lower deck.

“Hey Bolato?”

“Yes sweetie?” He stood still, allowing Skaldi to think for a moment before composing his words.

“About that Operation thing-”

“That’s something I’ll worry about.” Shooting a calming grin, Bolato made sure that Skaldi focused on what he needed to do. “Do what you got to do.”

“...Thank you, hubby.”

“No. Thank you.”

You might be surprised that during that romantic moment, Vega was doing some dumb shit. This particular dumb shit was asking the animals what her song should be about.

“Centuries, I can’t write without-out inspiration!” She had swapped her original hat for one of the hats Skaldi stole from Fort Jao. Also she stole from Skaldi.

The two centuries chattered their incisors and rested on their hundreds of bone breaking legs. If they had any sentience, they were only humoring Vega until she wore out their attention.

“What about ya Kaliba? Do ya have any ideas?”

“Chicken.”

“Silly Kaliba, you’re a crow.” Vega patted the bird on the head, who then promptly poked at her hair in a motion that could be interpreted as either kind or annoying.

“Idiot.” It was annoying.

“Well, that doesn’t really help-help. Maybe I have something I could use in my pack.” She reached out for her bag, pulling out whatever she could find. Pages of crude writing spilled on the floor. As she went to organize them, a strange black sheet shined among the pile.

“Oh! What’s this?” Her gloved hands opened the sheet and found bizarre writing. It was only bizarre for Vega since it had been written with an excellent font that it made it hardly legible.

“Huh, this one isn’t written in Tripolian this time. And I can-can kind of-“

“Need help?” Skaldi tapped her back with her foot, noticing the almost majestic paper she was holding.

“Uh… sure?” Vega handed the sheet over to him, mildly surprised that Skaldi was helping her with something so mundane. They had just fought for their lives twice in the past week, so this was an event she was going to be grateful for.

“I’m kind of surprised that you aren’t working on repairing the wall.” He muttered, still looking over the paper.

“Florato said I shouldn’t. That-that it wouldn’t ‘help’.”

“Of course.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Now getting a grasp at the writing, the redhead remembered what it was.

“Huh. Is this one of those papers Bolato told me about? When you just write a bunch of nonsense that only you can understand?”

“Yeah, except ya can understand it.”

“Huh, yeah you’re right.” Squinting his eyes at the almost disgusting glamorous lettering, he tried to pick out recurring words.

“Ka…Kaliba?”

“No-no, it says Kaliber.”

“Got it.” Skaldi spoke, now getting a better understanding of the words on the paper. Her staring at him didn’t aid him the slightest. “Also, you should remember to blink once in a while.”

“Gotcha. I usually blink when I can’t take the pain-pain anymore.” She spoke in a cheery voice.

“Right. Did you write this?”

“Maybe? I don’t remember what it is and why it's in my bag.” Vega’s eyes lowered as she shuddered, fearing that the voice would again torment her. Skaldi saw this and sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her.

“Don’t worry about that for now. Let’s focus on making that song for Valiato.” He threw the sheet of paper behind him and gave the scarecrow a soft smile. She looked over at the black letter, but Skaldi forcibly moved her gaze back to his face.

“Alright. Where to-to start-start?” Picking up her guitar and giving a quick strum, Vega went to tune it.

“Why not that song you were singing with Florato? About being built for destruction?”

“I’m not sure-sure that Valaito would like that…”

“Trust me, that kid can be all sorts of destructive. But fine, let’s choose a topic less sensitive.” Skaldi stood up for a moment and looked around for another instrument to aid her in creating enough sounds for a song.

“You want anything?”

“Thunder.”

“Thunder?” Skaldi said with a laugh.

“Sorry. I just sorta think of instruments as natural sounds. Like an ocarina, I usually call-call it wind.” Vega finished tuning the guitar and tested each string. Satisfied, she put it in her lap and looked back at Skaldi.

“No, I kind of get it. My people didn’t have a word for music. If I had to translate our equivalent, it would be literally ‘people song’.”

“Heh. That’s funny.”

“Yeah…” He felt sad remembering his past but shook his head and quickly went over to Florato’s sets of instruments. “You don’t mind me stealing one of these things, would you?”

“Skaldi, you don’t pay me enough money for me to say yes.” Florato rolled her eyes, still focusing on the task of fixing the walls.

“But I pay you!” Vega answered, prompting Florato to nod at Skaldi, as he searched for an instrument that made a thunder sound. He eventually found a cymbal and a stick with it.

“Thanks lady.” Skaldi cheekily said to Florato as he hopped back to Vega’s side. “Now do you have an idea for a song?”

“Maybe… a song about the future?” She said all unsure.

“That’s an idea.” Skaldi clicked his tongue as he came into a realization. “What do you want to do after we’re done with the bank?”

Vega shrugged.

“You’re fucking with me right?”

“No?”

“Then why don’t you know?” Tilting his head, the elf beckoned her for a real response.

“Well… I’m okay with-with staying with you guys.”

“That’s not a real answer. That’s not enough.” Skaldi put a hand to his chin. If he were completely honest, her answer almost sounded like his before the Concert of Combat. “At least, not enough for a song… Why not the past?”

“What?”

“You do have a past, right? Then why not write about it?” He asked genuinely, eager to see Vega’s curious mind explode with mania. He needed to see her alive and spontaneous. He couldn’t handle the tense atmosphere right now.

And with just that, Vega’s eyes widened in thought, as she now had enough inspiration. Perhaps… too much.

“My dreams and my desires.” Speaking sentimentally, she recalled a distant memory. A time where she was surrounded by wilderness and yet became so understood. She remembered the cave illuminated by moonlight.

“Things are so colorful.” The strings she played were pure beauty "And it's possible that I’ve found…”

“Found?” Skaldi nodded his head in beat to Vega’s playing, now hitting the cymbal lightly in sequence

“Found a fountain in you. A familiar youth in me…”

“Oooo woah woah!” Skaldi cried out, getting excited by the song, ready for Vega’s singing. But her strumming of the guitar stopped and her eyes went blank.

She was hearing something… no… feeling something.

Failure.

“Vega? Are you okay?”

“What!?” Vega jumped back, falling flat on her back.

“You were doing good. What happened? Why did you stop?”

Her eyes seemed to be more irregular than usual, as the Voice’s power remained steadfast in her soul. Just as she barely got to savor the memory of the cave, she was reminded of her weakness. Her dependance.

“Nothing… ya mind helping me again?”

“Sure.” Skaldi’s excitement slowed as he made a mental note to be cautious for whenever she would seem different. As he reached out for the cymbal once more, Vega held out her hand. She instead pointed to the black sheet.

“You want me to-”

“Yes. Please.” The scarecrow’s smile didn’t return, but Skaldi gave a comforting gaze. She felt better, but not enough to smile again.

He grabbed the sheet, it read…

“Dear Mother,

I wrote this letter in Iozian to show that my studies are quite well. I’m learning the language quickly and Kaliber is helping me a lot.

Everything is going at the Yita Academy. I’m glad that you’ve sent more students here. Always a treat to have kids my age.

However, the school has hired even more guards in response to the influx of people. The palisades they have built have been replaced by brick fortifications around the farmsteads. I hope it doesn’t mean I’ll have to leave. I’d like to finish the song I’m making for you.

It’s been a while since either of you have visited. Galataii isn’t here and it's been a few months since she left. I know you told me that she is looking after you, but I wish you would at least see me more.

Regardless, Kaliber has been teaching me the guitar well. She really enjoys maintaining her appearance and that powder she always puts on makes me sneeze. When bribing the teachers didn’t work Kaliber just threatened to boil them alive. She is very nice.

We finished naming the cave. We named it “Cave Shitfuck”. Very clean and tasty sounding, don’t you think?

We took my friend there and to be honest, it was the most safe place I have been in a while. Not in the way walls and armor make one feel safe, but… something more mystical. Almost celestial.

The last letter you sent was pleasant, but I wish that you wrote more. At least, more than four sentences. I know you are sick but… I want to hear from you more often.

I want to let you know that you don’t make me feel weird. That no matter how you are or how you may feel about yourself, I accept you. You’re my family. So please… don’t be idle. To remain a memory.

Don’t remain a voice from a land far away.

From,

Ena.”

“... Hey Vega?”

“Yeah Skaldi?”

“...I have no fucking clue what this says. It is too hard to read.”

“That doesn’t matter. I’m just glad ya helped me.”