[Tian] 1:31 (Patreon)

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Minor retcons have been made to 1:27 in regards to the Pishitim and Tian's conversation. Here it is:

“Go.”

“What about—” I bite my lower lip. I am concerned about her. Just as I am concerned about the Keepers of the Grove. “The Websmith is dead. Your guardians are gone. Galgom is free to go after you.”

“He cannot break through my barrier in a day. He has tried, he has failed. I can hold out for a bit longer, and you cannot defeat him alone.”

“I am not sure if I can defeat him even with others. He is immortal.” It is a simple fact— his bodies numbers in the dozens still, and he may have more. “He is too much for even the Websmith and I to handle. Perhaps if there were only one of him...” I trail off.

“But there is.”

I pause. The Pishitim’s ethereal voice seeps into my head from all around me, and my eyes widen.

“You are mistaken if you believe Galgom is as numerous as he appears to be. Galgom is a single entity. A single being. Find his true body, and he shall perish. That is his weakness.”

“Are you certain?”

“I am.”

“Very well,” I say, feeling my mind race with this new information. “Thank you. I will return, with the others.”

I spin on my heels, running back down where I came from. I continue my light meditation. Each breath I take heals my wounds by a little bit; it is not enough to restore me back into fighting condition. But there is something else.

Real chapter starts here:

“WE ARE HERE.”

I speak simply as we slowly descend back down to Thornthistle. The city lies below us, a shadow of its former self. It is not fallen or ruined— the Keepers of the Grove managed to hold off the various En attacks throughout the past week. But their efforts alone are not enough to save everyone.

Smoke billows up from the walls of the city to the buildings in its center. Fires run amok, with Elementalists rushing down the streets to quell the flames. Some of them even try to rebuild— they use their magic to prop up tall pillars positioned next to each other, filling the holes in the city’s walls with their own.

These are not true defenses. The En will rip through they are not even there. Perhaps they will delay their advance for a few critical moments. But they are mostly there for peace of mind. To ensure the population does not panic and flee all at once.

There is strength in numbers. Especially during the true night. Monsters lurk every shadow, hiding under every tree branch and fallen leaf. There is no safety beyond the walls. Only within Thornthistle, amongst others, can there be some security. And even then, it is temporary. They will be overwhelmed. They will be slaughtered.

Not unless we defeat Galgom.

We land just before the same shelter as before. Its doors are shut. No one is out. I lightly let Kalmat and Keshiy on the ground as my wings dissipates.

“Is this… alright?” Kalmat asks, scratching his cheek nervously. “When they needed me the most— when I failed them in Crimsonhome— I ran. Am I even worthy of coming back now, showing my face to them through my shame?”

“D-don’t say that.” Keshiy waves her arms frantically. “You were scared. Just like the rest of us.”

“But I left you all behind.”

“Now you are back,” I say simply, stepping forward. I place a hand on the double doors, heaving it open. “Let them be your judge, but know that they will not judge you harshly.”

Kalmat walks past me, entering the room first. There is apprehension in each step he takes, but he gathers his courage and presses on.

The shelter is as busy as it was just two cycles ago. Not much time has passed, but everyone looks more weary. They tend to the hurt and the wounded. They hand out food to the weak and the hungry. I see children, running alone, not as aids to adults, but as their own worker. Because every available hand is needed now more than ever.

And yet, when the man placed his front foot through the doorway, all this bustling activity— the clamor, the desperation, and the fear— it all vanishes. Everybody drops what they are doing. They turn to face the man now standing before them. Kalmat opens his mouth.

“I—”

“He’s back!” Seiled yells, sprinting across the room, and leaping into Kalmat’s arms. “I was so worried…”

The man pauses. He stares around at his comrades. They stream his way, a deluge of camaraderie and friendship. There is no fury here. Not when there is almost nothing left.

“Oi! Can’t believe ya left me to take care of the squirt.” Nindran grins, strolling up to him and resting an arm on his shoulder. “Don’t ya know how bad I am with kids?”

More came. Nelrel, Beihal, Herder— everyone. They greet him not with disdain, but with a laugh and a hug. Kalmat is left in disbelief. He stands there, wide-eyed, trying to figure out what to say. What comes out leaves as almost a squeak.

“You guys… aren’t mad at me?”

“By the Grovetender, you’ve done so much for us. We’re not sure why you left, but you must have had your reasons.” Beihal smacks him on the back, letting out a hearty laugh.

Keshiy walks up to his side, grabbing his hand and giving him a nod. “You brought us together. We won’t leave you.”

Kalmat left them. He fled, afraid. But he has returned. They will not vilify him for a moment of fear.

I smile as I look on. But I do not let it last. There is something more important. Something that has to be dealt with, before it is too late.

“Now,” I say, clearing my throat so that all can hear me, “it is time we discuss what we have to do to defeat Galgom once and for all.”

***

“There’s too much destruction. The En won’t stop coming. They’re here to crush us once and for all.” Beihal speaks solemnly to the gathered Keepers.

No one else joins us in this meeting; only the few, important members are here. The others are far too busy. There is much to do. Especially during a time like this.

I cast my gaze around the room. It is a familiar sight. And yet, it is different too. Normally, Kalmat would be the one leading the conversation. Previously, there was a level of unease amongst everyone, yet a certainty that things will work out.

Now, the certainty is gone but the uneasiness remains. The Keepers of the Grove have never been pushed this far. No— all of Utana has never been pressed back as much as now. All of its guardians are dead. Thornthistle is on the brink of collapse.

Galgom is on the precipice of reaching the Pishitim.

We have to stop him before it is too late.

“But how?” I tap a finger on my chin.

“Did you say something, Tian?” Seiled perks up, looking my way.

“It is nothing, just muttering to myself.” I shake my head and turn to the bulky man standing in the corner. “Tell me, Beihal, how did Thornthistle fare in the past few assaults?”

“Not good,” he grunts. “We’ve been barely fending them off with each attack. And now, it’s not just the En showing up, but the Esh too.”

“And it takes time to return to Galgom’s Hive, even if I flew all the way there.” I cross my arms, in thought. “Are their attacks erratic? Or is there any kind of consistent interval between their attacks?”

Beihal shrugs. He is not one to keep track of these things. I look over at Seiled, who is also uncertain. Keshiy does not meet my gaze. And I do not even bother blinking in Nindran’s direction. The only one who possibly knows this is Nelrel.

The elderly woman nods. “Twelve bells,” she says simply. “The waves of En comes roughly twelve bells apart. There is some variation. However, they have not assailed Thornthistle before ten bells have tolled, nor have they taken longer than fifteen bells to arrive.”

“So, there is a period of roughly ten to fifteen bells where we are free to act.” It is not a lot of time, however that is what we have to work with.

Kalmat narrows his eyes. “What are you saying, Tian?”

“I believe that when the next En attacks, we will have our opportunity to strike,” I say, facing the man. “We will kill Galgom in that time frame.”

It is a bold assertion— to slay an unkillable immortal in such a short period of time. He blinks. Beihal stares at me, wide-eyed. Keshiy just gapes.

Seiled pumps a fist into the air. “That’s the spirit! Come on, guys! Why aren’t you excited? Don’t tell me you’re getting scared, are you?”

“Oh, shut up, kid.” Nindran rolls her eyes. “We ain’t cowards. We’re just dubious— I trust Tian as much as the next person. And I’m sure it’s the same for everyone else in here. But how’re we gonna kill Galgom so easily now when we tried and failed many times in the past?”

“Nindran’s correct.” Kalmat steps forward. He gives me a wary look. His expression is not suspicion directed towards me, but towards the plan. “Tian, you’ll have to elaborate if you really have a workable plan right now.”

“The city is a mess,” I say, glancing over at a nearby window. The Lifeblood in the air is thick. The darkness of true night is lit up by orange glows all across Thornthistle. “It is in constant, overwhelming danger. We cannot just allocate a large proportion of those protecting the city to attack Galgom’s Hive once more. Not especially after we have suffered significant losses.”

He frowns. “Right. We have our hands tied— we can’t just abandon the people here to die.”

“I agree. That is why I am proposing we avoid doing that.” A thin smile spreads across my face. I gesture at those around the room. “Everyone here shall come with me. We shall face Galgom, alone. No one else. The rest remain in Thornthistle to protect it.”

They all exchange confused glances. Now I sound more outrageous than even before. But they do not protest.

Kalmat hesitates. He takes a deep breath and meets my gaze. “Are you sure about this, Tian? If we’re going to do this, I need to know what makes you so certain this will work out.”

“Because,” I say walking forward to the center of the room, “we cannot match Galgom’s forces. Even with monsters and an army at our side, Galgom’s machines will always outnumber ours. The only thing we are able to match is Galgom himself.”

“He’s immortal, is he not?”

“Perhaps. But the Pishitim spoke to me. She told me that he has a weakness. We just have to seize it. And it is not as if his immortality has ever stopped us before.”

He purses his lips. Then a smile creeps up onto his face. A chuckle and a sigh. “Very well. When the next wave of En attack Thornthistle, we shall depart for Galgom’s Hive. It is our very last chance. We have to do this, or die trying.”

“I will not die,” I say matter-of-factly. “Nor will any of you here die.”

“Not everyone here will go.” Kalmat shakes his head, turning back towards Keshiy. “Some of us will have to stay. To protect Thornthistle.”

“W-wait, me?” She stares at me, taken aback.

“Keshiy, you’ve watched me closely all this time. You’ve proven yourself as capable a leader as me. I’m asking you to please protect Thornthistle. I know only you can do this on my behalf.” He speaks pleadingly to her. “Especially if we fail. Someone needs to stay.”

Keshiy chews her lower lip. She wants to go, I can tell. The gravity of what he is asking of her is too much for her to handle. And yet, she nods. “I will. Just please come back safe.”

“Thank you.”

“The squirt should stay too.” Nindran struts over to Seiled, placing a hand on his head.

The boy sputters. “What? Why do I have to stay? I can fight— I can help!”

“You could die too, y’know?”

“So could all of you!” he protests.

“But we’re not kids, Seiled.” Rolling her eyes, Nindran bends over and gives him a serious look. “Look, kid, we aren’t excluding you because we want to. We’re doing it because we care for ya. Even Tian agrees, right?”

She glances over at me. Seiled stares my way as I give a slow nod. He scowls.

“You’re treating me like I’m useless! As if I haven’t been out there, fighting alongside you guys this entire time!”

“That ain’t what I’m sayin’.” Nindran sighs. She tilts her head back, in thought. “Look,” she finally says, “if we fail, we need someone to pick up where we left off. And you’ll be the one to do that.” She places her hands on his shoulders. “I’m not tellin’ ya to be useless in Thornthistle. I’m tellin’ ya to make yourself useful, and be prepared for the worst. Because you’ll have a heavy burden on your shoulders if that happens. Got it?”

Seiled opens his mouth. But he catches himself. He takes a moment to think her words through. Finally, he acquiesces. “I… got it. But Pishitim bleed on me—”

“Hey, no cursing!”

“—if you guys don’t come back with Galgom defeated, I’ll make sure to go over there and kick his ass myself.”

Nindran laughs. “That’s the spirit, kid!”

I look around the room, taking note of those that are going. Nindran, Kalmat, Beihal, and Nelrel. Only five of us. Against dozens of Galgoms. We cannot draw the ire of his Esh or his En. But the Pishitim told me of a secret. It is enough to instill confidence within me.

We just have to find his true body, and defeat him.