《The Tale of a Sphinx》 Chapter 1 Isaac felt a sharp twinge in his back as he continued to hunch over his desk, eyes rapidly scanning over the deluge of information flowing across his monitors. He could feel the exhaustion of weeks of frantic activity clawing at his mind, desperately wanting him to succumb to the sweet ministrations of sleepiness, as the data blurred into an unintelligible mass of muddled text. ¡°No,¡± He thought, bringing some clarity to his fading mind, ¡°If no one else can rest then I certainly can¡¯t afford to either.¡± He brought a hand up to his face, banishing the lingering traces of fatigue and scrubbing at a surprising amount of facial hair. Isaac¡¯s hand pushed further up, moving his rounded glasses, beginning to massage the tension across his temples and eyes. He chuffed to himself wondering as to what manner of horrid state he looked in before he began to refocus on the work ahead. With his glasses settled again on the bridge of his nose, the dizzying wall of text snapped into focus. Countless reports stood before him, ranging from material logistic accounts and shipping manifests to external news reports and personnel transfer requests. Most in Isaac¡¯s position would have a bevy of assistants to lighten his workload but, in spite of his lush upbringing, he had no greater preference than to bear the weight of his place and succeed through his effort alone. This manner of thinking was certainly egotistical and highly destructive, but Isaac¡¯s dogged stubbornness was not without its purpose. A priority alert asserted itself at the forefront of his reports, minimizing his logs down to a singular strobing box of text ¡ª ¡°To Director Isaac Giovanni of Babylon¡¯s Revival, It is with a heavy heart I message you with the following information. At 02:45 this morning, talks to halt the hostilities between the Chinese and Americans in the Pacific have failed. Both sides have refused to undergo any further dialog and have been moving their forces to active ready stances. With the addition of increasing environmental catastrophes and global resource chains hemorrhaging under the weight of growing populations, the future looks to be a cataclysmic one. I know we both hoped that my fears would turn out untrue, that things would right themselves, but I¡¯m afraid there are no further recourses available to me. You have kept me aware of your company¡¯s work; and I know with all certainty that since my confiding in you so few months ago you have likely been working feverishly to finish that project of yours. I pray it is close to its conclusion as both of us know that the coming conflicts may well spark a war that will scour much of our world. I am scared Isaac, but I hold out hope that that brilliant mind of yours and those that you have in your employ will manage to give more than just me the hope of a new tomorrow. Time is not on our side any longer my friend, if it ever was, and I am truly sorry I must burden you with such a horrible thing. Work quickly Isaac, you MUST succeed. From, the only friend I know of you having, Lieutenant General Raymond Navarro, USAF.¡± ¡ª The room fell away as Isaac read through the message repeatedly, a desperation and fear slithering through his core with each further scan. ¡°This was always the most likely outcome,¡± Isaac reminded himself, the magnitude of the situation dragging at his very existence like a merciless riptide, ¡°all these hours spent at this desk in the near certainty the world would be turned on its head.¡± But now he was all too aware of how different the significance of a possibility was from true and undeniable fact. The awareness Ray had given him of the situation had presented him with the impetus to work himself and his company at a pace many would consider ruinous. However, only now was Isaac realizing that such frenzied work had not been out of some sort of fealty to humanity or his friend, nor was it for the challenge of surmounting such a critical matter, or even in defiance of an end. It was all out of his fear¡­ Isaac closed his eyes, the message seemingly imprinted into the back of his eyelids, straightening to look towards the ceiling. ¡°It¡¯s always fear isn¡¯t it,¡± Isaac uttered to none but himself, the empty expanse of his office providing to be no such responsive of an audience. He took a moment, inhaling as deeply as he could before releasing a long and shaky exhalation, his muscles popped and cracked with his efforts to loosen the immense tension suffusing his frame. ¡°No more time, not for introspection or my damned fears,¡± Isaac motioned towards his monitors, shutting them down, before making all haste out of his office. He pushed through the tall mahogany doors making the entrance to his office, taking a passing moment to relish in the coolness of their surface before pushing past into a lone hallway. Either side of the hall sported gorgeous terrariums - the deep emerald greens, and dazzling arrays of rainbow hues of the foliage within - a stark contrast to the minimalistic concrete finishing of the corridor. The polished floor punctuated each of Isaac¡¯s steps with a sharp click, their rapid tempo being the only sign of his agitation, in tune with his approach to the elevator situated at the hall¡¯s end. The dark wood paneled doors of the elevator opened, recognizing the director¡¯s identification marker, on Isaac¡¯s approach. His hands raced across the elevator¡¯s control panel in seconds, the motion practiced from years of traversing to and from his office. The elevator moved quickly and quietly to its destination, however with each passing moment Isaac¡¯s anxiety rose; every beat of his heart - within the confines of the silent box - punctuated yet another step towards Armageddon. Isaac took another steadying breath, the elevator slowing as it approached its destination, before a gravelly voice uttered from the elevator¡¯s speakers, ¡°Arriving at floor 4: Department of Research & Development.¡± Isaac barely waited for the doors to open before he was on the move again, stepping into the department¡¯s foyer, he needed no time to orient himself towards the chief¡¯s office. Passing on quickened feet, Isaac¡¯s surroundings flew past in a blur as his mind spun through thoughts of next steps, ¡°An internal announcement would be ill-informed as it would do nothing, but spark panic, final testing and safety checks will have to be eschewed instead of expediency, distribution channels would have to be opened with sufficient availability and restrictions, an¡ª¡± Isaac¡¯s train of thought came to an abrupt halt as he found himself standing in front of a recessed sliding door, the words Chief Project Manager: Nikos Paltridge, Ph.D., laser-etched into its composite metal panel. ¡°Sadly, the time for thought will be near non-existent from this point out,¡± Isaac closed his eyes; whispers of a past barely avoided scratched at an already battered psyche, the weight of the coming future creating faults in worn and battered safety mechanisms. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Opening his eyes Isaac set his shoulders, nailed a serious line to his lips and released a shaky breath, ¡°tch, no better way to avoid catatonia than to run head-first towards cataclysm, huh?¡± before motioning at the door for entrance. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D The door opened with a muted hiss, revealing an ordered and minimalistic rectangle, barren of even the most minor of personal effects. A bank of labeled filing cabinets lined the short wall to the right side of the room; a catalog perfect angled desk faced away from the bank, its white surface pristine, with monitors, keyboard, paper and writing utensils organized with an obvious care to detail. However - as with every entry into Paltridge¡¯s workspace - the remainder of the room presented the most complete introduction to the man¡¯s full personality. The other two walls (entry not-withstanding) were covered in a floor-to-ceiling whiteboard inundated with erratic writings and diagrams encrypted in a chicken-scratch so thick as to appear as a distinct language all its own. Much like his office, the progeniture of such modern hieroglyphics demonstrated a similarly dichotomous personal presentation. Paltridge was crouched, just ahead, in the corner of his office, awkwardly contorted to continue writing upon the leading edge of the wall; surrounded by sheaves of paper near black in colour they were packed so tightly with script. The man¡¯s clothing, so clean as to appear as though it was taken straight from the manufacture floor; consisted of a deep maroon jumper, freshly pressed black dress pants, and brown oxfords shined to the point of iridescence. His physical appearance, however, ran in opposition to his choice in apparel. Against skin so pale as to gleam under the light of the room, a tangled mess of dirty blonde hair sprouted with errant curls hanging over murky brown eyes, aloft deep bags of fatigue; indicating Paltridge¡¯s fondness for a fanatical single-minded focus. His mouth was held in a tight line framed by thin lips cracked from years of focused chewing, and a hawkish nose stood prominently above, scrunched so deeply in concentration as to mar his face in shadowed crags and valleys. Isaac would have lingered at the door, allowing for his partner to continue with whatever bout of genius had struck, but circumstances must. He could only beg Paltridge¡¯s forgiveness and hope that his sudden appearance would not too wildly disrupt the man¡¯s thinking¡­ and mood. Opening his mouth to gather the attention of his partner, Isaac was interrupted by Paltridge abruptly rising from his crouch and taking an about face towards his desk. The eccentric man glared past Isaac, eyes glassy and distant in thought, making way to his workspace, mumbling in a rolling and incomprehensible tone. Watching the man stalk by, frustration flared hot in Isaac at Paltridge¡¯s unawareness. He made to speak again, feeling no greater a desire than to lash out at the man, a heavy coat of indignation covering his tongue. Harsh words prepared to burst through the cracks in his composure before Isaac wrestled a sense of stolidity into place. His anxieties and fear were getting the best of him, fanning the embers of even the slightest of irritants into harsh and wild flames. Through gritted teeth, Isaac hissed a heavy and emotion laden sigh before calling for his partner¡¯s attention, ¡°Nikos. Whatever you¡¯re doing will need to be put on hold, we need to speak¡­ now.¡± Isaac¡¯s words were greeted by a long moment of silence from Paltridge; the only sound being the shuffling of paper and the errant clack on a keyboard. With irritation building within once more Isaac moved to speak when he was disrupted by Paltridge¡¯s reedy and distant tone of voice, ¡°Would you have asked the same of Chopin when writing his Nocturne or Curie in the throes of her work on radioactivity?¡± Paltridge looked up from his work, eyes thinned in annoyance, voice beginning to drip with vexation and dismissal, ¡°You would risk the loss of a magnum opus for what exactly?¡± ¡°Our lives and deaths, you asshole!¡± Isaac snapped back; any form of control utterly lost in the face of Paltridge¡¯s unfortunate attitude. Paltridge flinched back as though to avoid another strike in an assault, his face contorted in complete surprise at an outburst so absolutely unlike anything he had seen from Isaac before. ¡°I need to gather everyone to inform them of a rapidly approaching catastrophic event and¡­¡± Isaac¡¯s sight began to waver under a flood of emotion. Isaac turned away, desperately trying to wrangle any semblance of control over himself, the world spinning as the gravity of his emotional distress began to overwhelm him. He reached out with a hand to brace against a wall, coarse breaths wracking his body, his other clawing at the collar of his shirt. ¡°Am I having a panic attack?¡± Isaac mused distantly, his thoughts so drawn away from reality as to mimic the space between stars, ¡°That¡¯s rather¡­ embarrassing. I thought I had gotten a handle on these years ago.¡± Sweat drenched Isaac¡¯s skin, his heart lurched within his chest with enough force to convince him it was putting cracks in his ribs with every cycle. He could feel his legs weakening under him, shaking like tree limbs in a hurricane, the attack nearly on the verge of felling him entirely. Trapped in a gale of hysteria, Isaac looked to the only place he could for aid. Remnants of aged scars chafed under Isaac¡¯s regard, old and weathered mechanisms screeched to life; their keening bringing buried memories from their graves. His own little Pandora¡¯s box unfurled, old demons raging to the fore in war with new and fresh nightmares. Under the cacophony of trauma Isaac grasped at a small and broken memory, feeling the sharpened edges dig seeping rents into a psyche on the verge of collapse. ¡°1,2,3¡­¡± Isaac rasped together with the scared and muffled sound of a once familiar boy, ¡°12,9,5,17¡­¡± His panicked mind stuttered under the nonsensical counting of him and the boy, the numbers continuing even as the memory faded and only Isaac¡¯s voice remained, ¡°¡­53,27,4,31.¡± Emotions beginning to stabilize; Isaac leveraged himself standing once again, legs having given out at some point during the attack. Clammy hands beginning to work closed his un-buttoned dress shirt, Isaac looked over to a wide eyed and frozen Paltridge still locked firmly to his workspace. ¡°Just¡­¡± Isaac sighed, his speech tired and coarse, ¡°Just be ready to join everyone in the amphitheatre. I¡¯ll explain everything once I gather everyone for a conference on the matter.¡± Paltridge continued to stare, unmoving and unspeaking, before hastily snapping into motion. Inspecting his current mental state, Isaac looked away from his partner¡¯s movement, evaluating the fragility of his emotions. He could sense he teetered on a razor¡¯s edge, the burden of an immutable future shaking him deeper than he could ever have judged. He thought his decisions had been based off the inevitability of the war, of impending destruction. However now, running face first toward a truly foreseeable end rather than one of a more hypothetical nature, shook him viscerally. He had been operating under a pall of denial, over working himself to avoid the reality of the situation. Expecting - despite evidence to the contrary - that those involved would choose survival rather than annihilation. Isaac had allowed himself to rely on the one thing more dangerous than any amount of fear: hope. He found himself like a house of cards with the table pulled out from underneath¡­ falling to pieces. Before today, there remained the possibility that not a single plan of his had to be put into fruition. But now, as he watched Paltridge with gathered items hurriedly exit past him, Isaac understood that there would be no future for him on Earth. He was terrified. But at least he could admit it. ¡°It won¡¯t make what comes next any easier¡­ but it¡¯s a start.¡± A forceful buzz dragged him back to the world of the living, drawing his eyes to his wrist pad. A line of text flashing upon its face ¡ª Priority Voice-Message: TIA Chapter 2 Isaac tapped on the wrist pad eliciting a women¡¯s voice; deep and passionate with just the hint of a throaty rumble underlining her speech ¡ª ¡°My dearest Abzu, I have taken the luxury of contacting your department heads and critical staffers in your name, requesting their presence at our Washington headquarters immediately. The time for everyone¡¯s arrival on location is estimated to be in 3 hours and 12 minutes (Devoid of major disruptions), with a Mrs. Nisha Tripathi being last on the grounds. I know you will rail at the idea but please, I implore you, use this time to focus solely on yourself. Despite your certain belief otherwise, the only manner in which you can support your staff and ensure that the Cradles are successfully utilized is by being of sound body and mind both. You have been neglecting yourself for weeks, indulging in self-destruction under the guise of ¡°necessity.¡± Well, now there is no greater necessity than settling yourself. I have ordered my cadre to handle matters within the Cradles and Theo is handling internal affairs as well as all exterior logistics relating to the Cradles, with the assistance of his crew. There is nothing further that needs your direct intervention that cannot be handled by another. I am¡­ shaken and worried over your state, angered that there is nothing I can do to comfort or remove your unease fully. But even more so, I am disgusted with myself at my lack of awareness of your plight. I am sorry that I did not intervene sooner, my dearest. But I will do everything I can now to compensate for my failure, I will not bear to see you in such a state EVER again. Your Ever Loving and Devoted Tia¡± ¡ª Despite the latent fatigue and anxiety from his panic attack still leaving him unsteady, Isaac couldn¡¯t help but feel the smallest hint of a smile pull at the edges of his lips. Tia had a manner about her that always managed to break through whatever walls he had thrown up and firmly settle herself into the heart of it all, taking nothing if not great pleasure in carving out a space within Isaac solely for herself. She was a frustration at times, her rash and stubborn personality clashing heavily with Isaac¡¯s measured nature. However, there was no other person from which Isaac derived as much comfort and peace as with her. Isaac looked towards a corner of the room; eyes locked on a spot where a near unnoticeable hemisphere of cameras hung. Isaac spoke aloud towards the cameras, hoping his word relayed the true breadth of his sincerity, ¡°Thank you, Tia¡­ and you as well Theo.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome, sir,¡± came a familiar gravel voice from the room¡¯s, concealed, intercom system, ¡°I do hope my edited version of Tia¡¯s communique was not too discomforting for you, sir. To put it in the nicest manner, her original messages were rather¡­ overzealous.¡± Isaac chuckled roughly, more than aware that whatever filter Theo had enacted over Tia¡¯s words likely saved him from a great deal of personal embarrassment, ¡°Then I should be thanking you all the more, Theo.¡± Isaac slowly walked to Paltridge¡¯s desk, moving to carefully settle himself in a light brown leather desk chair. Theo was an additionally important figure in Isaac¡¯s life. He was an ever-present companion, composed and irritatingly formal, frequently being the only individual to speak to Isaac directly for days at a time. Where Tia¡¯s relationship with Isaac was¡­ unique, Theo¡¯s was a true companionship; one based on understanding, mutual respect, and even a hint of admiration. He was more of a partner to Isaac than Nikos and as equally a friend as Ray. Isaac leaned back, the desk chair squeaking in protest, to look up towards the ceiling, ¡°I know she wants me to rest but, I don¡¯t think I can just sit around and do nothing until our people arrive.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t,¡± Theo replied, ¡°While my crew, Tia, and her own partners focus on the company and the Cradles, you focus on the only thing other than your profession you excel at, speaking. There are more than a hundred employees coming here as we speak and the best way, I can see you helping them and yourself, is by figuring out just how you¡¯re going to break the news to them.¡± Isaac remained silent, mulling over his next words, so many different conflicting emotions swirling around in his head. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t think any amount of thinking is going to work for this one, Theo.¡± Isaac swung around in the chair, quickly snapping himself to his feet before beginning to pace around the room, ¡°This whole situation is too messy and too charged for a little over three hours of ruminating on the subject to make it any less so. None of our people are stupid. This announcement will change how they see everything; me, my motivations, the past uptick in work, the Cradle¡¯s overhauls, everything! They¡¯ll want answers, assurances, an outlet for their emotions, and purpose all from the man who hid EVERYTHING from them!¡± Like game hung out to dry, Isaac bled out every ounce of his anger and frustration. He raged into the empty room, throwing any sense of composure away into the roaring flames of his indignation. ¡°Beyond even that they¡¯ll have an expectation that I¡¯m unphased and resolute in the face of all this! They will look at me and - even despite my deceit - assume that I¡¯ll be their fearless leader¡­ when on top of it all, I can¡¯t even remotely claim to be as such!¡± Isaac¡¯s anger and frustration leached into lament, the heat behind his words immersed under a tide of emotion, ¡°No matter how I try and spin it, my speech will be just one bombshell in an opening salvo that none of them could see coming. These people have families and friends, hopes and aspirations; and the only news I will be giving them is to announce that all of those things are, without any notice, in jeopardy.¡± Isaac glared at the writings on the wall, mind lost in a murky sea of doubts, ¡°I¡¯m just as adrift now as every one of them will be¡­ and I don¡¯t think I have the fucking strength to be their raft out.¡± Silence dominated the room, leaving Isaac to recede into his own thoughts. He could feel the magnitude of the day¡¯s events shaking apart years of progress. Like he was standing at the epicenter of an earthquake, Isaac could almost physically feel the cracks being torn into the foundations of his self-esteem. He could hear the chittering of past demons, the wailing of forgotten memories, and the rattling of yet released specters of his psychology; mental bastions painstakingly crafted over countless therapeutic sessions trembled and crumbled under the mental onslaught. He could feel claws of doubt beginning to strangle his heart and lungs, the pressure within growing unbearable. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Isaac felt himself withdrawing further, losing control of his mental faculties, sight fading as his thoughts spiraled out of control, ¡°I¡¯m-!¡± ¡°ISAAC!¡± Theo¡¯s voice boomed through the speakers, echoing like thunder within the room, piercing through Isaac¡¯s fugue like a lightning strike. It offered a respite, a temporary shield against the cacophony of emotion assailing Isaac¡¯s mind. He could not let it go to waste. With a frenzied and desperate strength of will Isaac pushed the tide back. Inch by sordid inch Isaac fought; quelling his memories, felling his demons, and strengthening what defenses remained in the wake of the storm of hysteria that had befallen his psyche. Isaac was well aware of the fact that anything he did now was temporary, that no amount of hasty introspection would truly repair what damage was being done. However, Isaac was long past the point of caring for himself in the long term. ¡°Fix what you can now, so you can keep everyone else together later.¡± In the shadow of his distress, Isaac felt the smallest inkling of conviction begin to spread within him. He couldn¡¯t plan for how his people would react to the news, for how much time they had left, not even for whether or not he would keep himself together long enough to see the end of all of this; all he could is act to the best of his abilities. ¡°I built everything I have while battling trauma before,¡± Isaac considered, ¡°all I need is to do it again¡­ one last time.¡± ¡°Isaac?¡± Theo spoke again, voice laced with concern. ¡°I¡¯m alright Theo,¡± Isaac assured, ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m not actually alright, by any metric really, but I am a little clearer headed than I was before.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no amount of words I can weave together to make this all better, no practiced speech that will magically influence everyone to forget what¡¯s coming and focus solely on what I need them to do. I was right when I said there¡¯s no amount of thinking or planning that would work with all of this, Theo¡­ and neither of those things are what our people are going to need.¡± Isaac looked towards the camera Theo watched through, ¡°They¡¯re going to need the truth.¡± ¡°The truth, sir?¡± Theo hesitantly asked, ¡°What manner of truth will do anything but fan the flames of panic and further alienate yourself from them?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know that there is one Theo,¡± Isaac replied, a mask of composure crawling over his features to hide the sight of his anxieties, ¡°But them knowing what¡¯s coming matters a hell of a lot more to me than their feelings towards me¡­ Though that¡¯s not going to stop me from hoping they¡¯ll chose to follow me, over crucifying me, after all is said and done.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Isaac stared out over the crowd assembled before him, hundreds already sat, speaking amongst one another, the occasional new arrival further adding to the numbers already present. He had arrived long before anyone else, pacing along a stage placed at the fore of the amphitheatre-like room, envisioning the rows of black ergonomic chairs lost behind a mass of faces. Much to Isaac¡¯s chagrin, it was only once he was present within the conference room that Theo informed him that Tia had placed her meeting requests on a staggered delay: indicating that the only individuals to be informed at the time were those with the greatest distance to travel. Isaac had had a little under two and a half hours to himself before the first of his staff began to trickle in. It had felt like an eternity and had choked any confidence he had had down to a simmer. Each of these earliest entrants presented with the emotional masks Isaac would come all too familiar with as the minutes passed; confusion, anxiety, irritation, and curiosity being the most prevalent. They consisted of those already present within the premises, working as a skeleton crew overnight, and those who lived in closest proximity to the grounds. While running the gambit of mid-to-high level staff, none of those attending early on were ones Isaac recognized as having worked directly with. They avoided him, their lack of association made all the more obvious, merely giving courteous acknowledgements in his direction before looking to seat themselves in the vast rows of seats. Forced to halt his nervous pacing with his employees present, Isaac had turned to an alternative method for curbing his anxieties... people watching. Examining the seating arrangements of the room¡¯s growing occupants did wonders for Isaac¡¯s racing mind. Studying their decisions on where to sit, whether their placement be with others or on their own, what proximity a chosen seat was to him at the fore of the room, and even how they conducted themselves once seated, all gave him a tangible item to focus on. He crafted stories for every group and individual, losing himself in his imagination, and the narratives changed and grew with each additional chair taken. Time passed all the quicker as Isaac fell into his own portrayals, the room filling more and more, until his attention was halted by the first truly familiar person to approach. Maria Mu?oz, head of development & manufacturing. Born and raised in Venezuela, she had emigrated with her family to the United States at the age of 12 following her father - a surgeon - running afoul of a drug cartel for failing to save one of their own. A natural with items of a more mechanical variety and with a passion for medicine inspired by her father, she used the access provided by virtue of her new home to truly expand her already budding talents. She worked hard to cultivate her skills, and that determination was greatly rewarded. At the age of 26, Maria earned a PhD in mechanical engineering from MIT and she rapidly became well known as a rising star in numerous fields of applicable research; Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, MEMS and Nanotechnology, even Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement were not outside her realm of expertise. Her mind and skills were remarkable, demanded by everyone from multinational technology companies and billionaire private entities to even entire government institutions the world over. She chose none of them. Even despite Isaac¡¯s protestations over the fact that her skills, while greatly appreciated, were far too valuable to risk on a gamble, she decided to hitch herself to a shiny new medical technology start-up with grand aspirations. He would always be immensely grateful. However, looking at the thunderous hazel eyes clouding her amber toned face in a haze of impatience Isaac couldn¡¯t help but wonder if his gratitude would mean anything to her soon. ¡°Why the hell are you calling us in so early in the morning, Isaac?!¡± Maria interrogated immediately, arm motioning to the rest of the room, the bundle of her tied-back curly hair bouncing wildly with her animation, ¡°What ¡°couldn¡¯t possibly wait¡± and needed everyone to drop what they were doing and come here?¡± A part of Isaac wanted to capitulate to the smaller woman¡¯s demands instantly, get the truth out without anything further withheld. However, he knew well it would be an ill-advised reflex. Isaac chose his next words carefully, struggling not to wince at their clinical tone, ¡°I do not believe that speaking on the subject now would be in the best interests of those who have yet to arrive. I know that my sudden request for appearance and the need to wait further are frustrating but, I will have to ask you to bear with it for the time being.¡± He watched as Maria¡¯s face switched from annoyance into confusion, ¡°Why are you talking like some Corp, all of a sudden?¡± Isaac heard the smallest drop of fear and concern begin to dampen her words, a tentative realization beginning to settle in her mind, ¡°This isn¡¯t like you Isaac, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Maria,¡± Isaac laced his voice with steel, ¡°I¡¯m going to need to ask you again to wait.¡± While his tone brokered no debate, Isaac knew his eyes told a different story, pleading with Maria to drop her dogged pursuit for the time being. Maria was silent for a heartbeat, her skin paling slightly in response to Isaac¡¯s implicit demand. He could see she was about to speak again, her lips shaking slightly as words prepared to stumble out, when she was interrupted by an amiably resounding voice. ¡°I believe Isaac has made himself clear, dear Maria, and you don¡¯t have to be a psychologist to see that.¡± Chapter 3 Isaac¡¯s attention shifted towards the owner of the new voice, relieved to have become somewhat less of a focus of Maria¡¯s as she too turned her notice to the older man. The new arrival, ascending onto the stage, was clad in a buttoned up knitted sweater of a checkered pattern, khakis, and square toed loafers. Compared to the rest of those present, just his choice in attire would have him standing out. However, while his clothes did much to soften his appearance, his frame did him no such service. With a body more akin to that of a bourbon barrel with legs, the man dwarfed most in height and size both. Sinuous muscle stood prominently against what skin, of a similar tone to the aged-liquor his figure brought to mind, lay exposed; denoting a strength that belied his age. ¡°Eli,¡± Turning to face him, Maria growled, pointing accusingly towards Isaac, ¡°He¡¯s hiding something and if whatever it is has him acting like some corporate HR-bot, I want to know what it is. Now.¡± While Maria turned her growing frustration onto Eli, Isaac was spared a moment to look her over as well; realizing that in his reminiscence he hadn¡¯t so much as spared her a real first glance. Short at 5¡¯5¡±, Maria was diminutive in comparison to Eli¡¯s looming figure, or even Isaac¡¯s own height. However, height meant nothing in the face of her stubborn intensity, a personality perfectly reflected in the effect her work provided her body. Hardened and sculpted musculature crafted an envious if not intimidating sight, often times overshadowing her¡­ vertical challenges. A fitted burgundy long-sleeve highlighted the contours of her frame and the glowing hue of her skin. The colour further drew the eyes away from her beige cargo pants and thick boots of a rusted colouration, to the lustrous black of her hair and the rich green of her eyes. ¡°As does myself, everyone currently here and those yet to come, Maria.¡± Eli replied, his tone amiable and calm, ¡°We all desire to know what exactly has Isaac calling all of us in at such an hour. But we should also be mindful of the fact that this meeting was brought to our attention by Isaac and will move at whatever pace he believes is necessary.¡± Maria glared at Eli, his eyes wrinkled and curled in reflection of the genial smile slightly obscured behind his thick salt and pepper beard, before turning her ire upon Isaac once again. Glare still firmly affixed, her nostrils flaring in repressed emotion, ¡°Fine. I¡¯m not going to pretend I¡¯m going to like waiting but, fine.¡± She huffed, frustration made plain, already turning away from Isaac and stomping down the stage. ¡°Thank you, Maria.¡± Isaac spoke towards her receding form, hoping that his appreciation was heard. ¡°She¡¯s not the only one harboring concerns over this sudden event, Isaac.¡± The words drew Isaac¡¯s attention to the presence beside him. Eli¡¯s genial disposition had been replaced by a familial worry, making his weathered features all the starker. The older man had been a part of Isaac''s life for as long as Ray and likely knew more about him than anyone alive in this world. An incredibly personable and compassionate Psychologist and Therapist, Dr. Elijah Barbeau was the preeminent expert in ¡°Eclectic Therapeutic approaches in regards to the modalities of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Developmental Psychology,¡± or as Eli liked to say, ¡°People just pay me to be a very good listener and have some nice conversations.¡± Despite his taste for understatement, Eli had traveled the world, assisting in the establishment of psycho-therapeutic clinics, appearing before clinical departments and psychological conventions, and helping whoever he could... Like Isaac. Shortly after starting university Isaac had stumbled upon the man, waiting for a train, on his way to a symposium on ¡°Personal Wellness in the Therapeutic Setting.¡± Never having been the one to spark up a conversation, Isaac found himself being drawn in by the man¡¯s warm personality, and before his introverted propensities could realize, they were already talking. To Isaac¡¯s embarrassment and Eli¡¯s amusement their discussion would consume the duo so completely that they ended up missing their respective line. But Isaac felt they had both gained something a little more valuable from their unawareness. Following that sole conversation, Isaac and Doctor Barbeau would have thousands of meetings; sometimes merely engaging in exchanges for the sake of having a mutual to speak to and others¡­ others unveiled and evaluated pasts that Isaac believed best forgotten. Elijah had helped Isaac immensely and, when he was finally ready to create his company, he could think of no one better to assist the kinds of patients the company would make their focus. That compassion for those Eli cared for, was made all the more apparent by the disquiet darkening the age worn creases of his face and chilling his eyes - so often filled with warmth - as he gazed at Isaac. ¡°I am well aware that there are concerns Doctor Barbeau,¡± unable to look at Eli, Isaac replied, focusing his attention on the crowd, ¡°However, that will all have to wait until I say what needs to be said,¡± his voice dropped a couple octaves, becoming nearly inaudible above the din of the crowd, ¡°no matter the reactions my words may incur.¡± Isaac kept looking out at the crowd as Eli spoke, ¡°I had believed this occasion would not be a good one, however,¡± Elijah continued, his tone perturbed, ¡°if you¡¯re referring to me as ¡°Doctor Barbeau,¡± I don¡¯t think there is anything I can truly imagine causing you to distance yourself to such a degree.¡± The older man grabbed Isaac by the shoulder, muscling Isaac to face him, ¡°Are you okay Isaac?¡± Elijah asked, his voice one reminiscent of fatherly concern. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. It took every fibre of willpower Isaac had to not collapse into Eli¡¯s arms at his word, to merely give into the emotions battering at his being and let it all flow out. However, he was long past allowing himself another moment to decompress, not when every face here wouldn¡¯t be afforded the time to truly process what was to come. Meeting the eyes of the man Isaac cared for just as deeply as he assumed Elijah did him, Isaac smiled, ¡°No, I¡¯m not,¡± he turned away from Eli to once again gaze out towards the crowd, ¡°But everyone will need me to be.¡± They stood in companiable silence for a moment, Eli¡¯s hand still resting on Isaac¡¯s shoulder when he felt a squeeze, ¡°Then I¡¯ll just have to stick around to make sure you are.¡± Isaac remained silent as the seconds ticked by and the room continued to fill. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡°Must have gotten here just when Tia said,¡± Isaac mused, watching as a lone woman frantically searched the rows of chairs for an empty space to sit. Looking at his wrist pad Isaac surmised that a little over three and a quarter hours had passed, with hundreds of bodies writhing in their seats like a hive of ants, the massive room having filled nearly to capacity in the meantime. He was alone on the stage once again, having assuaged any lingering worries of Elijah¡¯s and convincing him to take a seat in the foremost row. Eli now sat beside Maria, Paltridge, and a handful of other department heads and senior employees. Having snuck in earlier, Paltridge had avoided Isaac¡¯s sight and even went as far as flinching when they happened to look at each other, ¡°He saw exactly how much this is affecting me, even caught the brunt of an outburst he didn¡¯t deserve. I shouldn¡¯t be surprised that he¡¯s looking at me in a different light now.¡± Isaac thought, eyes panning over the rows of people, ¡°I should probably start thinking of his reaction as the rule rather than the exception once all is said and done.¡± The seconds continued to tick past, there was no reason to wait any longer, no more employees to stall for, yet Isaac remained frozen still against the stage¡¯s central podium. His hands errantly traced the edges of the podium, gliding over swirling patterns of leaves and flowers embossed on its wooden structure. Despite having steeled himself for what came ahead as best he could, Isaac still hesitated under the pressure of tearing down the veneer of peace these people lived under. There would be no going back. Once Isaac began to speak, he wouldn¡¯t stop until he was done; and when he was¡­ ¡°Everything is going to change.¡± Isaac removed his hands from the podium, now clammy with sweat, moving instead to tap on his wrist pad and activate the theatre room¡¯s mic and internal speaker system. He looked out towards the crowd, took a deep breath, and set in motion a speech he loathed to give. ¡°I¡¯d like to start by thanking all of you for coming under such short notice,¡± Isaac began, ¡°There is likely an intimidating number of questions you all would like to ask. But they will have to wait¡­ In fact, I would implore you, that no matter what you hear, you remain as composed as you can manage until I am finished.¡± The crowd shifted in their seats, a susurration of hushed voices buzzing up from the rows as Isaac¡¯s words elicited a bevy of interpretations in their minds. He sighed before continuing, ¡°Roughly two months ago I increased the pace of development for the upgraded version of our Cradles, the project that all of you came to know as Enuma. I made this change under the statement that, ¡°New, exceedingly lucrative, contracts had been made available to the company; necessitating an uptick in development time to confirm the projects feasibility¡­¡± Isaac paused, looking into the eyes of the crowd, ¡°I lied.¡± Isaac raised his hand, trying to stymie their growing agitation, as gasps escaped the crowd, ¡°I lied,¡± He reiterated, ¡°No such contract exists. Instead, I was contacted by a member of the United States¡¯ Armed Forces. They reached out to warn me that tensions in the Pacific were greater than reported, that negotiations were deteriorating¡­¡± The crowd was silent as a barren arctic shelf, not even the sound of a breath escaped they were so frozen still, ¡°That war may well be on the horizon. They were well aware of our company¡¯s purpose, the successes we have had, and¡­ our recent goals with project Enuma. They reached out, to me, because they saw us as their best hope in the possibility of a worst-case scenario.¡± The speech halted, exhaustion creeping into Isaac as he watched a faint terrible realization come over the more astute members of the crowd. He released a shaky and emotion laden breath, willing himself to continue, ¡°We operated under the expectation that we would have more time, that better nature would triumph. We were wrong¡­ I was wrong. Today, the worst-case has arrived. I lied, hoping that none would ever have to know. But I cannot lie any longer.¡± ¡°I am sorry. I am sorry that I misled you all and even more mournful for the burden I must request you take,¡± Isaac barreled on, unwilling to stop for fear of losing the strength to continue, ¡°But our work is even more paramount now, than it was before. We stand on the precipice of a cataclysmic event that will end this world as we know it, and while our work will not prevent this, it will not save our world¡­ it will save us.¡± ¡°Loathe me, curse me, place every ounce of your dread and misery on me; I know that it is more than well deserved! But do not allow the emotions my lies have invoked to mislead you any further,¡± Isaac laid his emotions bare, ¡°While the circumstances driving our work has changed, the value of it has not. With the success of Enuma you can save not just yourselves, not just your loved ones, but more lives than you could ever fathom.¡± Isaac¡¯s speech trudged forward despite growing fatigue, feeling his energy and passion beginning to wane, ¡°I cannot force you to do what I ask, I can¡¯t even find it in myself to be angered if you were to turn your back on me and Enuma. After all I¡¯ve hidden, to order you to work would be even more abhorrent than what I''ve withheld. Whatever the case, all I can do is as I have, devoting every ounce of myself to completing Enuma for all of our sakes. But I fear it may be too much for me alone. So, I must beg that you help me finish this and hope that the people who started this war¡¯s stupidity - as well as my own in misleading you all - won¡¯t lead you all to lose everything¡­" "Please... help me finish this.¡± His voice trailed off, no more impassioned words remaining to be said. Isaac surveyed the chairs in the wake of his speech, finding that the listeners appeared to be in a fugue state, so much information overwhelming them entirely. They remained locked in their seats, faces paralyzed in varying different rictuses of emotion, eyes glassy as their brains struggled to comprehend what had happened¡­ and what would happen. Slumping into the podium, Isaac struggled with his own emotions; doubt being the largest among them. His employees¡¯ lack of reaction was worse, in his eyes, than if they had charged the stage and called for his blood. Isaac was left relying on the same thing that clouded his decision making and led them to this very moment¡­ hope. Hope that his words reflected his remorse and conviction, hope that his people would choose to finish what was started in the face of a coming war, and hope that there would be enough time to succeed. Isaac noticed the first signs of stirring within the crowd and felt his heart leap into his throat. ¡°Time to see if hope will pay off¡­ or if it deserved to remain buried at the bottom of Pandora¡¯s box.¡± Chapter 4 A rumble began to emanate from the rows with more and more people becoming aware of Isaac¡¯s conclusion. He could feel the weight of the assembly¡¯s emotions as piercing gazes fell upon him one by one like a quarrel of bolts. The rumble grew into an incoherent roar, the crowd¡¯s opinions and emotions clashing in a maelstrom of vehemence. He caught little sight of composure within the roiling mass of agitated persons. Screams and cries of fear and misery, outrage and hate, smashed into Isaac with enough force to knock him unconscious; with those most caught up within their own fervor, lashing out at those around them, further exacerbating an already volatile situation. Pockets began to form, lines were drawn. Isaac watched helplessly as his people fell into a madness of his doing, his mind racing and failing to find the words necessary to turn this around. He hopelessly flailed for an answer, feeling despair hanging heavy around his neck like the yoke of a draft horse, watching the crowd creep closer and closer to violence. ¡°That is enough!¡± A voice thundered through the theatre, a ripple of shock traveling in its wake as the crowd became aware of from whom it emanated. Even Isaac was stunned to find Elijah, face twisted in apoplectic rage, to have yelled with such intensity. Gone was the man unanimously known as kind and even-tempered, replaced instead by a daunting force of nature. Elijah tromped up the stage and placed himself at its forward edge, glaring out over the now apprehensive crowd, ¡°Are you all morons?!¡± His voice cracked in chastisement, ¡°We¡¯ve all been told humanity is hurtling towards self-destruction and you¡¯re choosing to fight amongst each other rather than work out a goddamn solution?!¡± Their frenzy having the wind knocked out of it at Elijah¡¯s targeted scolding, Isaac watched as a number of people turned away in chagrin and embarrassment. However, despite the pause invoked by the admonishment, it did not solely cow the crowd into introspection. More than a few faces glared venomously at Elijah, his words stoking the flames of their ire into conflagrations of rage. One voice seethed up from deep within the crowd, ¡°Who are you to tell us how to act!¡± Another voice simmered forth simultaneously, ¡°You¡¯re probably with Giovanni and knew about this all along!¡± it accused. More accusations bubbled up, declarations of collusion and conspiracies bursting forth, the crowd swelling to the point of being lost in turmoil once again. Isaac remained at the podium, watching as some people struggled to remove themselves from the increasingly incensed mob. An altogether unsurprising outcome, his speech had failed. However, the degree at which the situation deteriorated following it certainly wasn¡¯t within his expectations. Whether it be because the shock of his announcement was too overwhelming, his speech too practical, or his words failing to convey the breadth of his regrets and emotions, Isaac could think of no other way to have told them. As they devolved to violence after his speech, Isaac wracked his brain for some way to draw the crowd away from their hysteria and focus their attention at the road ahead; but found nothing. Approaching him from behind, Isaac mimicked Elijah, as earlier, placing a hand on his shoulder, ¡°I know at this point it¡¯ll just come off as disingenuous but, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Call me na?ve and simple but I thought that by presenting the truth, everyone would rally amongst each other to protect themselves, their families, their futures, everything really; in the face of this¡­ man-made apocalypse,¡± Isaac shook his head and sighed, ¡°looks like it¡¯s just another thing I¡¯ve gotten wrong.¡± ¡°Wrong is an understatement.¡± Eli replied, tensing under Isaac¡¯s hand. ¡°You dropped multiple bombshells on us and expected what exactly?¡± he hissed, tone emitting a certain incredulous scolding, ¡°That we would all just go back to work after being told that our world, futures, and lives were at risk of being snuffed out in a new world war; all at the hands of the man who knew this was coming and hid it from all of us!?¡± ¡°Did you somehow expect these people not to struggle with this information!?¡± Elijah motioned out at the crowd, twisting out of Isaac¡¯s grip and facing him, ¡°To not struggle in the same manner - made all so obvious - you have been, since you became aware of the same information!?¡± Isaac stood stock still, like a raw slab of marble, Elijah continuing to hammer away at him, ¡°Isaac, I have worked with you for years, treated you as family for just as many, so I can quite confidently say I know you better than anyone here. I know that you are desperately grappling with the emotions created by the same news you announced to us today, just as everyone else. But they won¡¯t¡­ they can¡¯t.¡± He sighed, the wrinkles lining his face deepening into imposing crevasses, ¡°While I won¡¯t say your choice of following the truth was incorrect; the moment you admitted to withholding this information¡­ God, even choosing to tell them of their impending doom at all meant that whatever followed, no matter how honest or passionate, was lost on them.¡± ¡°Even if your speech was one of the most rousing of all time, which it was anything but, son,¡± Elijah chuckled mirthlessly, ¡°There is nothing you could have said to prevent any of this from happening after all that was brought to light.¡± Isaac chewed at the inside of his cheek, Elijah¡¯s words forcing him to struggle with the consequences of his decisions, both of today and the recent past. ¡°You screwed up kid, catastrophically in fact,¡± Elijah continued, giving voice to many similar thoughts swirling in Isaac¡¯s head, ¡°You¡¯ve hurt and pissed off everyone here... myself included. To all of these people your intentions, no matter how noble, are worthless, your words even more so. But, unlike the majority of the people assembled, I know you. So, what are you going to do to salvage what little good will might be left for you?¡± The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Isaac met Elijah¡¯s eyes, finding a complicated swirl of emotions within them as he repeated, ¡°What are you going to do then son?¡± Isaac had to quickly look away from those eyes, the dizzying amount of emotions; disappointment, fear, anger, exhaustion, trust, hope, all coming together to a nauseating effect, making the world spin and swirl. Eli was right, he had failed, and while he didn¡¯t agree that the outcome of his confession would always turn out the way it had, Isaac was finding he had little energy left to waste lamenting over it. He had failed in many aspects, but he hadn¡¯t failed in telling them all the truth. What they did with the truth was up to them now, and as guilty as it made Isaac feel, he couldn¡¯t be any more relieved as to no longer have anything to conceal. Isaac could hope that some would choose to act on the information they now had and assist him in completing the development of Enuma, but he held no expectations that they would fulfill such hopes any longer. As scummy and selfish it may be, Isaac couldn¡¯t afford to wait on his employees, co-workers, partners, acquaintances, and friends to argue and debate over a course of action. He couldn¡¯t wait for them to process. He wasn¡¯t about to order them to action, he had lost any capacity as a leader, in his eyes, the moment he chose to withhold Ray¡¯s warnings, not to mention having promised not to do so. Cowardly and dismissive the choice budding in his mind may seem, Isaac had said his piece, no matter how ineffective, and it was up to them to use it as they saw fit. Eli had asked Isaac what he was going to do, in a way was pleading for him to give some form of direction to the madness¡­ but the only way forward for anyone here, was the path they chose to follow. Not one he chose for them. He was done talking. He didn¡¯t have the time to waste. ¡°I¡¯m going to do the only thing I can, Eli.¡± Isaac replied, ¡°Work.¡± before turning away from Elijah, away from the crowd, and exiting to the sound of their hysterics, hoping they would find solace with whatever decision they made next. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Isaac¡¯s consciousness was distant, his body moving through memories ingrained into their fibres, following paths woven into their strands through countless repetitions as he walked from the theatre. His emotions remained raw and chaotic, their manifestations baying in his mind for any form of release, snuffling and clawing at every nook and cranny for the slightest of weaknesses to exploit. Lost in the recesses of his thoughts, the deafening silence of the halls drew him once more to his speech, the harsh reality of its fruitlessness settling over him like a bleak cloak. Even after years of navigating meetings, galas, seminars, and every other manner of social function under the sun, Isaac was still just as uncomfortable when interacting with others as he was the first time he was forced to speak in front of an audience as a child. The only difference now being he had mastered the capacity to hide his discomfort and project a confidence that was altogether as fake as the Loch Ness monster or the Moth man, but just as zealously believed. ¡°Of course, none of that experience mattered when I really needed it to count.¡± Isaac grumbled internally. Maybe it was like Eli had said and his announcement was doomed to fail from the start. Maybe there was some manner of speechcraft that could have persuaded the audience to follow his lead unflinchingly. ¡°Maybe a part of me just wanted it all to crumble so I didn¡¯t have to be the one pushing the rock up the damn hill this time¡­¡± A certain degree of truth rung with that final thought of Isaac¡¯s, making him shiver in discomfort. A formerly buried portion of Isaac reared up from the depths, jaws poised to latch onto his train of thought, desiring nothing more than to capture him in a maw of self-flagellation, to rend his every consideration with serrated and hooked fangs of punishment. To force him to constantly ruminate on his recent failures and suffer over them and his secrecy both. However, his wretched self-destructive tendencies, the demons and wraiths of his psyche, and every manner of monster within his mind, faltered, finding their fangs and claws lame under the looming ramparts of Isaac¡¯s growing conviction. Devoid of the uncertainties surrounding his employees'' choices, Isaac was consumed by a singular focus, the work ahead. As insurmountable as the task of completing Enuma appeared, it harkened back to the beginnings of his career, tackling the unknown and wrestling it into reality. It filled him with the same form of fervid exhilaration he had felt when founding Babylon¡¯s Revival, creating the original Cradle, navigating the intricacies of AI, and so many other former impossibilities. That old heady excitement and familiar passion manifested as a fanatical devotion to overcoming the challenges surrounding Enuma¡¯s completion. But, tempered by the reality surrounding the project, Isaac¡¯s devotion became sharp and unwavering in its focus; his invigoration tamped down by what costs failure would denote into a razor-edged commitment. The treacherous thoughts screaming that he was a coward, running away from the consequences of his frankness, were cut short by the keen blade of Isaac¡¯s focus; the negativity desperately consuming his perceptions dashing itself against an ironclad keep devoid of the cracks that mired the former bastions of his mind. Isaac felt his mentality shift, the bleak weight of his ruminations sloughing off his shoulders like ice melting off the eaves of a roof. The wildness of his emotions began to abate, their chaotic tides calming under the gravity of his purpose. The howling and snarling beasts of his psyche muzzled and caged in a jail of confident determination. His posture shifted, Isaac¡¯s awareness turning away from the depths of introspections to the reality at hand; his mechanical and seemingly autonomous motions being replaced by a self-assured poise, his eyes flickering with a certain manic excitement. It took a scant few seconds for Isaac to orient himself, finding his destination closer than he had expected, before he continued walking through the complex¡¯s halls. Nondescript sliding doors and black grooves against the white tint of the walls began to speed past as his stride began to open up, his goal closing in; frenetic energy beginning to bleed through his new-found poise. Being unfettered from the domineering presence of his anxieties magnified Isaac¡¯s more eccentric predilections, even if only temporarily, replacing his depreciating thoughts with hyper-focused ones. Isaac came to a sudden halt, the minimal decoration of the walls replaced by bare edifices of concrete, a singular thick door barring further passage. Standing in place, nearly vibrating with overwhelming drive, his eyes rapidly passed over the words ¨C ¡°Department of Research and Development¡± ¡°Authorized Personnel Only¡± ¡°CAUTION:¡± ¡°Hazardous Materials in Use¡± ¡°Heavy/Manufacturing Equipment in Use¡± ¡°Safety Protocols in Effect¡± ¨C to the small computer mounted to the wall to his right. The computer, indicating its awareness of his presence, flashed in synchronicity with his wrist pad scanning it for the appropriate markers for entry. Isaac remained in place for long seconds, a small glimmer of impatience beginning to spark, when the computer chimed a high sharp note in acceptance of his idents, the tone followed by the deep clunks of the door¡¯s mechanisms unlocking. With the heavy sliding doors beginning to recede into the walls, the internal security functions disengaged and no longer holding them sealed, Isaac squeezed his way past the doors into what he liked to call the ¡°Laboratory.¡± ¡°Time to work, Isaac. Time to work.¡± Chapter 5 Located on the ground floor, the entrance to the R&D Department opened to an angled lift and stair combination, dropping off deeper into the earth under the superstructure of the building. The lift, a large banistered platform for some varieties of cargo and handicapped passengers, was situated between two wide and shallow stairways and was disregarded by Isaac while he took to the stairs instead, his pace largely overtaking its own steady and methodical rate. The stairs and lift both terminated into a rectangular foyer. Slanted windows covered the forward wall, looking out into a wide expanse of factory floor; manufacturing machines and belts working still, even devoid of human overseers. Where the left most corner would reside was instead replaced by a long-angled hallway; the right side of it wrapped with similar window bays as the foyer and the left a polished concrete wall broken up by recessed automatic doors and coloured strips indicating and directing to the floor¡¯s subspecialty departments. However, Isaac moved towards neither the hall nor the windows, rather, walking to the right corner of the room where the wall opened up to ¡ª ¡°More stairs.¡± Isaac grumbled, tempted for a split second to take one of the elevators to either side of the foyer¡¯s entrance instead, before thinking better, ¡°If the door upstairs was enough to make me impatient the elevators would have me clawing at the walls in seconds.¡± Isaac took down the stairs, leveraging off the railings to leap down the steps handfuls at a time; unnecessary and dangerous it may have been, any patience of his was rapidly leaving him the closer he came to his destination. Three flights of stairs passed in that manner, his manic energy reaching a crescendo following his exit out of the stairwell, putting Isaac at the same level as the factory floor. The sounds of machinery in action were muted through the concrete walls they worked behind; the clunks, whirrs, and thumps of the automated plant¡¯s mechanisms reverberating through the ground, traveling up Isaac¡¯s legs to echo in his head. The mechanical composition thrummed in tune with Isaac¡¯s steps, pulsed with the rapid tempo of his heart, it beckoned to him, welcomed him. This was where he felt most comfortable, not behind a desk or a podium, but here. Isaac continued through a similarly oriented hall as the ones above, passing by rooms labeled; ¡°Material Research & Synthesis Unit, Component Development Workshop, Electronics Manufactory, Coding department, Server Farm & Computational Storage Bay,¡± in addition to other rooms of similar natures. None of the rooms were of specific interest to Isaac, instead his attention being firmly latched onto a room that resided near the end of the hall ¡ª ¡°Prototype Foundry & Testing Unit¡± ¡ª what Isaac considered to be the nexus of innovation for Babylon¡¯s Revival. Hidden behind heavy automatic doors, similar to those that barred entry to the R&D Department above, the PFTU section of the department was both the most isolated and heavily secured division of the entire company. Opening into a wide room, reminiscent of a NASA control center, the prototype foundry was a perfect representation of the company¡¯s specialty, medical technologies. Sterile self-contained workspaces stood beside precision machining benches, and doors at the back of the space exited into clean rooms filled with experimental prosthetics, bionic replacements, and synthetic organ templates. The front wall was covered in floor to ceiling reinforced glass, a long bay of computers lined flush against it, overlooking the test space for the larger of the company¡¯s prototypes. Isaac found himself leaning over those computers, the rest of the space having been outside the pall of his focus, gazing through the glass at the skeleton of a Cradle laid bare. The machine was the foundation of Babylon¡¯s Revival, the impetus of its establishment, the very first original creation of Isaac¡¯s. A marvel of modern technologies, the Cradle was designed in such a way that it bridged the gap in understanding of one of the remaining unknowns of human knowledge... The mind. Leveraging an obscenely ridiculous education in Neurology, Artificial and Virtual Intelligences, Computer Science, even Cryptography and identical areas to Maria¡¯s in; MEMS, Nanomachines, and Biotech, Isaac conceived the original Cradle design and shook the medical technologies sector to its core. It was a perfect storm of epiphanies that Isaac was always tempted to describe as luck, if not for the sheer amount of energy and time he had poured into the first prototype. It was¡­ rudimentary at its infancy, little better than a CT in his eyes, but with the single addition of something Isaac coined as NCR or ¡°Neural Compensatory Reciprocation¡± the Cradle went from a quaint science project to something out of science fantasy. NCR was the by-product of three things; a nanomechanical slurry that was a result of seeming mad scientry and an absolute nightmare to design by scratch, a patchwork web of diodes and sensors to detect and transmit a dazzling array of impulses, and a startlingly intelligent AI of Isaac¡¯s own creation, all collating into a singular medical phenomenon that Isaac had only hypothesized of at the time. The Cradle would have a patient submerged - oxygen mask equipped and laden heavy with sensors and other manners of transmitters - in a suspension of mildly insulative matter and conductive nanomachines, wherein the combination created what amounted to a synthetic brain in the surrounding slurry. With the addition of Isaac¡¯s AI into the mix, translating impulses and more importantly recognizing where there weren¡¯t, the Cradle allowed for its patients to experience the full breadth of human sensation¡­ even those they had lost or never even had in the first place. Other medical technologies had made similar steps; however, none showed the same degree of potential. A year following its first creation, Isaac unveiled the second version of the Cradle - coinciding with the founding of Babylon¡¯s Revival - which allowed for the machine to compensate for neurological diseases such as Parkinson¡¯s and dementia granting those afflicted a clarity of mind and body all but believed impossible to regain. However, the Cradle did not gain popularity on its effectiveness as a treatment tool alone. The complicated instrument also allowed an unhindered look into the machinations of the human mind; full comprehensive scans, active cerebral evaluations, functions for sensory and cognitive modularity, and all other manner of capabilities that scientists and doctors the world over salivated about. ¡°But,¡± Isaac thought, eyes tracing over thick coils of wiring, the shimmer of nanomachines under industrial lights, and errant machine-worked pieces of metal spread haphazardly across floor and tables alike, ¡°all of those aspects became¡­ meaningless after I stumbled upon the one thing that I¡¯ve withheld without remorse. The Engrams¡­ and everything that followed in their wake. Funny, guess I¡¯m more of a hypocrite than I thought.¡± Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Theo,¡± Isaac called with a sort of sing-song quality, ¡°I need my favorite sounding board if I¡¯m going to work through-¡± he motioned out towards the mess below, tone switching to one of a more perturbed nature, ¡°-all of this.¡± ¡°Kind of busy, Sir.¡± Theo¡¯s voice intoned from one of the computer¡¯s speakers, ¡°But I will try.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡°Well, you don¡¯t have to stretch yourself thin on my behalf, brother,¡± Isaac replied, ¡°I could just as easily use one of the crew; maybe Min or Del?¡± Isaac¡¯s hands manipulated a computer¡¯s holographic keyboard and touch mouse, pulling up numerous divergent prototypes of the Cradle¡¯s fourth iteration, while he waited for Theo¡¯s response. His eyes scanned through each of them, parsing through their material compositions, differing power draws, and other varying components, when Theo spoke again, ¡°Unnecessary. I¡¯m sure both Min and Del would be more than willing to assist, but I am more than capable of aiding you in whatever tasks you need me of; even while undertaking others.¡± Isaac chuckled, mind sorting through all of the relevant data in front of him, ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re being a little possessive; Tia rubbing off on you perhaps?¡± The speaker hissed and crackled before Theo spoke, ¡°While I am glad to see that you are back to your usual self, Sir. Please refrain from making comments of that nature¡­ there are some jokes that go too far.¡± Isaac actually allowed himself to laugh fully at Theo¡¯s embarrassment, ¡°Will do Theo, will do. And¡­ I¡¯m glad that I¡¯m back to my old self as well,¡± he spoke through a smile, feeling the most like himself now than he had in months, before switching mental tracks back to the task at hand, ¡°Now, with that little moment out of the way, if I remember correctly, we were down to three major problems before we could undergo testing phases, correct?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Theo intoned, drawing attention to the kWh expenditures of each schematic displayed on Isaac¡¯s computer screen, ¡°First, the power required to employ the fourth iteration Cradles, for any form of prolonged period, would require a constant flow of uninterrupted energy at a rate equivalent to the average four-person family¡¯s yearly energy expenditure for every three days of active suspension. While a significant problem alone, the issue further compounds when the second complication is added.¡± Theo panned the computer¡¯s focus out showing a prototype blueprint beside the third generation¡¯s, "The Cradle¡¯s creation itself. The current machine costs two-in-a-half to three million dollars to purchase from the company, both covering our manufacturing costs and inherently representing the difficulties of assembling each individual machine. However, due to the nature of the fourth generation the production of the machine is magnitudes more complex than any of its predecessors. Not even accounting for its costs, the time necessary to both construct the new Cradles and make the appropriate modifications to their installation sites drastically stymies the possibility of any form of mass production, which-¡± ¡°Which is essential to making sure that we save as many lives as possible,¡± Isaac completed for Theo, ¡°And even if we fix both of those issues, there¡¯s still the fact that every person suspended means another Cradle out of circulation¡­ and another person in need of supervision. These designs all have the appropriate additions for long term suspensions; IV lines for hydration, nutrient and vitamin solutions, internal programs to perpetually monitor the patients, nanomachines for stimulation¡­ and even the dispensation of waste, but without the Cradles being protected, monitored and maintained from the outside no amount of features can assure the safety of anyone who decides to use them.¡± ¡°Correct, even if this iteration¡¯s problems were solved to an appreciable enough degree as to warrant full production; every calculation indicates a near certain occurrence of mechanical and systems failures due to the current circumstances leading to a lack of comprehensive testing. Without some individuals to perform exterior surveillance and maintenance it is likely that these events, when they would occur, will lead to injury or death. And¡­ this is without considering the war and the climate it will cultivate effecting the long-term viability of these Cradles.¡± Isaac was quiet, staring into the computer screen with hazy and unfocused eyes, considering the situation in greater depth. He could feel the pressure that had been present since this war had been brought to his attention, beginning to build again. It felt like he was being tossed between two altitudes: sending his ears ringing, his heart pounding, and his lungs straining desperately for oxygen. Panic was trying to gnaw a burrow into his psyche once again¡­ but it had lost the bite it had had so few hours ago. ¡°Then it¡¯s obvious to me that we need a change in plans then,¡± Isaac steadied himself, controlling his breathing as he typed across the keyboard, ¡°and while this wasn¡¯t viable before; I have feeling it¡¯s our only path forward at this point¡­¡± ¡°What is ¡°it¡± exactly, Sir?¡± Theo questioned, a warble of confusion and curiosity resonating through the speaker. ¡°It,¡± Isaac replied, pulling up an entirely different prototype schematic, ¡°is a variation of the fourth iteration that Tia and I designed while the company worked on their own. It lacks any of the problems we¡¯re facing with the company¡¯s versions, barring anything that would only be made aware of through testing; but,¡± he hesitated, a chill of discomfort coiling up his spine like a serpent up a tree as he looked at the diagram, ¡°Its predominant form of function is¡­ controversial at best.¡± Theo was silent, likely evaluating the schematic, while Isaac struggled against the discordant emotions this version of the Cradle caused him. He knew this was, if not the correct choice, the only available choice to preventing humanity from wiping itself from existence... however, ¡°Isn¡¯t it just a difference in perspective,¡± he thought, ¡°A choice to vanish from this existence to appear in another, rather than be forever lost upon death in this one. The former at the very least offers a choice, but¡­ when you realize that the choice is as permanent as death, it loses any semblance of benevolence doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°This certainly avoids the pitfalls surrounding the former diagrams,¡± Theo¡¯s voice broke Isaac from any further contemplations, ¡°However, I can see exactly why you would consider this option to be a last resort. It is¡­ unlikely, that any human would find this creation to be a palatable one.¡± ¡°Without the knowledge of the stakes and what little time we have left to both complete Enuma and distribute the finished product to the world at large, I wouldn¡¯t even begin to entertain this version. But Tia and I designed this in the possibility that time would run out¡­ and it has.¡± Isaac¡¯s words were laced with weariness, but he was stalwart in his choice, ¡°There¡¯s no other way.¡± ¡°But will anyone who chooses to assist you be comfortable supporting such a deviation in the project?¡± Theo asked, ¡°If you, one of the designers behind this new schematic, struggle with the morality of it; can you convince them to put their conflicts aside and finish the project?¡± Isaac chuckled bitterly, ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m in a position to convince anyone of anything after the travesty that was my speech. But, as seems to be a running theme of the day, we don¡¯t have a choice otherwise.¡± Isaac took in his and Tia¡¯s Cradle design, evaluating all the small modifications that made it just an update and a maintenance away from the current generation. Small changes that, in addition to the system established as the core of the Enuma project, made these Cradles an entirely different machine than those that had come before it. It was an entirely terrifying project¡­ and desperately necessary. ¡°You still there Theo?¡± Isaac queried into the silence that had filled the room once more. ¡°Yes, Sir. I merely believed that you needed the moment to yourself.¡± ¡°Thank you, Theo. But I think I¡¯ve had more than enough of those for the time being. I need you to spin up the testing room¡¯s foundry and begin to put together a material prototype of this schematic.¡± ¡°Of course, Sir. I¡¯ve already queued up the necessary components for production and assembly. However, due to my position, you will need to reprogram the nano¡ª¡± Theo¡¯s words abruptly halted, drawing Isaac¡¯s attention away from the computer and to the speaker Theo¡¯s voice had been being projected from. ¡°Theo?¡± Isaac called out with concern. ¡°You have company, Sir. I will handle any further production details and take my leave for the time being.¡± Chapter 6 The sound of a speaker chiming besides the room¡¯s door followed Theo¡¯s warning, a slightly warped voice echoing out from it to bounce around the room, ¡°Mr. Giovanni, are you there Sir?" Recognizing the voice, even distorted as it was, Isaac opened the door from his wrist pad rather than answer from the connected speaker, watching as his Head of Security walked in. Isaac spoke from across the room, ¡°You know I hate being called that, Lupo.¡± Killian Lupo was a rather unassuming man, upon first glance. Of average height, a slightly tanned - yet altogether nonspecific - skin tone, with short hair and a closely shaved beard the colour of walnut, as well as eyes of a similar hue; the man would be lost among any crowd of American, European, Latin, or even Middle Eastern heritage. Which was exactly what made him an invaluable asset to his former employers, the CIA. Originally, a Special Reconnaissance Airmen, Lupo ¡°officially¡± saw no combat and was instead deployed overseas to act as a ¡°Special Training Advisor.¡± The fact that his records indicated a series of ¡°Training Related Injuries¡± that always coincided with his stationing at bases adjacent to, or within striking distance of, certain countries of interest was certainly nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence. After approximately three years of scattered ¡°coincidences,¡± Lupo was poached by the CIA, leaving the Air Force and all but disappearing behind the thick black lines of redacted information and confidential operations. While Isaac had learned some of what the man had done and was capable of, he never pressed for more¡­ the way Lupo held himself was enough to dissuade him of ever entertaining his curiosity. Killian approached in silence, eyes sweeping the room in what Isaac knew as a natural instinct, more prowling forward than merely walking. He came to stand in front of Isaac, tension obvious in the way his jaw was tightly set and how - rather than any normal neutral stance - he viewed Isaac from a textbook parade rest. They stood in mutual silence, Isaac unwilling to force the man to speak at any other time than one where he was comfortable; and Killian seemingly taking Isaac¡¯s measure as though truly seeing him for the first time. ¡°You made the right choice Sir,¡± Killian broke the silence with a sentence that all but floored Isaac, ¡°I¡¯ve been exposed to my fair share of secrets, kept them from those I served with, still carry my fair share of them as well; so, I understand better than most what it means to keep them. Know how they can weigh a man down.¡± His voice was controlled and even, his words concise and impactful like a typewriter striking paper, ¡°I¡¯ve also been on the other side of secrets. Operational Security being the name of the game while I served; and I can tell you firsthand how much of a double-edged sword it can be. I, and the other vets you have on the security payroll, get where your company folk are coming from; being angry, confused, and hurt by the withholding of information from them. But we know all the more the kind of pain that comes around when the wrong people get a wind of those secrets too.¡± ¡°You were in an untenable position Sir,¡± He continued, posture and tone beginning to loosen, ¡°And instead of minimizing or deflecting, you chose to take full accountability. You chose honesty and transparency, where I have seen men and women alike choose to avoid any such liability. Unlike what me and the other vets did when we chose to serve, none of your employees signed up for something this terrible. But, neither did you; yet you chose to go above and beyond any form of call-of-duty and fight against something that no one would have any expectation of you to.¡± Killian let loose a weary sigh, ¡°Few if any will see it that way; hell, even a couple of my own didn¡¯t. But I, and the majority of those working under me in your security department, understand better than most how unfair decisions like these can be¡­ for all involved. So Isaac,¡± Isaac¡¯s attention snapped to Killian in full, the use of his first name cutting through the shock at Killian¡¯s candor and almost setting him back on his heels, ¡°Thank you for your honesty, for the respect you showed all of us by owning up to your mistake, no matter how well intentioned; and most importantly, thank you for doing far more than could ever be asked of a man¡­ especially when it meant cleaning up after other fools¡¯ messes.¡± Isaac braced himself on the computer bank to his back, the countertop digging deeply into his palms unnoticeable while Killian¡¯s sincerity wreaked turmoil on his already precarious mental state. For all the determination he had uncovered in the wake of his announcement to the company, Isaac was finding full-well that the situation he was in did not lend itself to anything remotely resembling mental or emotional stability. He was prepared to face the anger, despair, hate, and disappointment he had come to expect from others. But what he was not prepared for was appreciation¡­ or understanding of any kind. Frustration boiled up within Isaac at having to face yet another bout of emotional distress, the constant battering of the day¡¯s events leaving his nerves frayed and raw. He desired for nothing more than the times when he was controlled and composed, when his emotions were not nearly as loud and tempestuous in nature. However, now was yet again no such time. Killian¡¯s honesty had thrown him like paper bag in a tornado, but it was the respect the man showed him, not as his employer but as an equal, that decimated any iota of stability Isaac had found while sequestered away in the bowels of the property. The idea that positivity was the Achilles¡¯ heel to all of the resolve Isaac had built up was unbelievable; but its irony was not lost on him. ¡°Thank you, Killian,¡± Isaac¡¯s voice squeaked out, his emotions overwhelming any inclination he had to remain composed in front of the man. Isaac expected to be demonized; to find himself either working feverishly alone, isolated from the rest of the world as penance for his deceit, or be surrounded by those who despised him and only remained due to their desperation and fear. But Killian brought with him an alternative possibility; one in which Isaac would, while certainly still being distrusted by many, be nowhere near as much of a pariah as he had once believed. ¡°It¡¯s something that needed to be said,¡± Killian replied, slipping back into his usually distant and professional tone of voice; erasing any trace of his opening up beyond its memory, ¡°And something I think you deserved to hear too, Sir.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Isaac reiterated and with his whirling emotions dancing a migraine across his brow, he snorted, ¡°Going back to ¡°Sir¡± already, huh?¡± He shook his head, his grumbling voice dripping in a sarcasm laden with melancholy and weariness, ¡°I miss the casual Killian already, he wasn¡¯t afraid to say my name.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Isaac¡¯s attempted deflection elicited an eye roll from the former soldier; an uncanny action that, if not for Killian already having destroyed Isaac¡¯s original image of him, would have certainly broken any notions he had of the man, ¡°Glad to see you¡¯re one of the types to choose humor to bleed off stress rather than wallowing in it, Sir.¡± Killian commented, brushing past Isaac¡¯s sarcasm as though it was never there in the first place. Killian walked away from Isaac, grunting as he lowered himself into one of many scattered swivel chairs spread around this portion of the room, ¡°I didn¡¯t come here just to give you a pep-talk and make sure you¡¯re still kicking, Sir,¡± he stared at Isaac from his seat, every ounce the calm and collected soldier that Isaac desired to emulate, ¡°I also came to ask; what can me and the security team do for you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see myself as being in any position to tell you what to do any longer.¡± Isaac answered immediately, cutting through the haze of his distress, desperately grasping at an opportunity to avoid becoming any further mired in his emotions once again, ¡°But¡­ I can at the very least advise a course of action if you would be amenable to the idea?¡± ¡°I¡¯d more than welcome any ¡°advice¡± you could give me, Sir.¡± Killian replied, ¡°However, I hope you understand that for myself, and others I¡¯m sure, your words still carry as much weight today as they did any other. No matter how you may see yourself.¡± Unwilling to dismiss Killian¡¯s sentiments out of hand, Isaac nodded hesitantly, ¡°Well¡­ I will keep that in mind then.¡± Isaac moved to an empty chair across from Killian and cleared his throat, ¡°Anyway, as for what I feel is the best course of action for you and the security department; I believe it is in your best interest to continue your usual practice. Right now, everyone is struggling to come to grips with this horrid reality I¡¯ve dropped in their laps¡­ they¡¯re desperate for the past I took from them, some semblance of normalcy, and your department can provide just that.¡± Isaac locked eyes with Killian, leaning forward in his seat, ¡°Protect them as you always have, show them that even when everything is spiraling out of control; that nothing is completely lost just yet.¡± Isaac looked away from Killian to the shifting arms and churning mills of the room below, ¡°At least that¡¯s what I would advise you to do¡­¡± Killian was silent for a moment before replying, ¡°I will take your thoughts under advisement, Sir.¡± Rising from his seat to stand beside Isaac he stared through the same panes of glass, before continuing, ¡°However, while I still have you might I ask for some more of your¡­ ¡°insights?¡± There are more matters pertaining to my and the security department¡¯s continued functioning that I believe would greatly benefit from your advisement.¡± Isaac¡¯s eyes remained firmly set on the machines below, a slight smirk curling his lips at Killian¡¯s continued efforts to embroil him in the company¡¯s affairs as director rather than pariah, ¡°Ask away, Lupo, let¡¯s see if we can¡¯t figure some things out for you.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D ¡°I¡¯ll get right on those¡­ ¡°suggestions¡± of yours, Sir.¡± Killian uttered across the room, foot half-way out the door before stopping in place, ¡°And Isaac?¡± He paused, glancing Isaac¡¯s way to make sure he had gathered his attention, ¡°I wish you luck with whatever you end up doing here; and if nothing else, you¡¯ll have my support.¡± Killian nodded Isaac¡¯s way and turned - poignantly ending their interactions with a solidarity that formerly did not exist - walking through the door. Isaac watched as Killian¡¯s back receded from view, the door closing behind with a hiss and heavy clunk to permanently occlude the veteran from sight. Isaac continued to stare at the now closed portal, recounting his and Killian¡¯s conversations internally; Killian had made Isaac well aware that there were a lot of problems cropping up in the wake of his tell-all, and while Isaac continued to feel it was no longer his position to act in the capacity of a director, to sequester himself away and cut himself completely off from the people he left in turmoil was¡­ idiotic. Isaac couldn¡¯t be the one calling the shots anymore, He and Killian both were in agreement that retaining anything resembling his original place of authority would do more harm than good, but that didn¡¯t mean that Isaac was devoid of opportunities to ¡°assist¡± in a similar manner. And Killian had offered just one of those opportunities, albeit an unexpected one. Isaac chuckled at the brief surprise he had felt at Killian offering to be a proxy of sorts for him, a position that Isaac wouldn¡¯t have thought of Killian for as even the fourth pick let alone the first, but the more they had spoken the more confident Isaac became in him assuming the role¡­ no matter how unusual the choice still seemed. The two had hashed out as many answers to the most pressing issues they could, regarding the company¡¯s denizens above, such as; how to assist them in informing their loved ones if they so desired, having the security department allow for those that wish to leave the premises to do so and provide them escorts, making sure security cooperated with the medical and psych departments to keep watch over and assist anyone adversely affected by Isaac¡¯s announcement, and a plethora of other stability focused actions. Killian would enact all their spoken plans in Isaac¡¯s stead, providing his people with an environment where they could tackle the more¡­ unsettling problem devoid of the current complications. They had both circled around that very same problem during their conversation. Killian, obviously being interested in whatever it was that Isaac was doing to combat the coming ¡°end times,¡± but respectful of Isaac¡¯s obvious walls regarding it, avoided outwardly pursuing his curiosity. While Isaac, unwilling to give word of his plans for fear of what reactions knowledge of his current path might elicit, waved-away or redirected any of Killian¡¯s subtle prods to matters significantly less convoluted. Isaac could tell that his avoidance of the subject did nothing to hamper Killian¡¯s curiosity as they reached the end of their conversation, however a call from one of his guards had stifled any budding desire Killian may have had to pursue his interest, pushing him to return above ground and start putting action to their talk. ¡°I wonder if I¡¯ll still have that support of his once he finds out just what it is I¡¯m working on down here?¡± Isaac wondered aloud, focus shifting from door to assemblage below, ¡°Theo, you still there?¡± ¡°Yes Sir,¡± Theo replied, ¡°Do you wish to go over your conversation with Mr. Lupo with me or do you have something else in mind?¡± Isaac smirked, ¡°Going over me and Killian¡¯s conversation would be counterproductive as you were listening in for the entirety of it, were you not?¡± He was met with a loud silence by Theo, causing a sharp laugh to escape past his lips, ¡°Yeah that¡¯s what I thought.¡± Isaac shook his head, his mirth rapidly fading, as the gears in his head shifted to focus on completing Enuma once again, ¡°Before we were interrupted, you were mentioning that you wouldn¡¯t be able to calibrate the nanomachines for their new functions,¡± he motioned to the empty room, ¡°As I¡¯m the only one present to do so, I¡¯m going to have to ask you to oversee the assembly in my stead. I know you¡¯re currently preoccupied with more than I could wrap my head around, but¡­ I can¡¯t leave any of this untended and risk something going wrong now, of all times.¡± ¡°Of course, Sir,¡± Theo seamlessly answered, ¡°I¡¯ve already diverted a significant enough amount of my workload to compensate for any requests you would have of me. No asking for a favor needed.¡± Isaac sighed, grateful for Theo¡¯s intuition, heading towards the same door Lupo had so recently made his exit through, ¡°If anyone asks you where I am, send them to me will you?¡± ¡°I will. I will also inform you of their interest prior to their arrival so you may prepare.¡± Theo answered through the door¡¯s speakers as Isaac approached. Isaac motioned towards the door, its mechanisms coming to life in reply, ¡°Thanks for everything, Theo.¡± ¡°I¡¯m only helping you as you have done for me and others, so many times before. But you are welcome, Isaac.¡± Chapter 7 Digging fingers into his temples to remove as much of the building tension within his head could be managed, Isaac grumbled, squinting at another monitor through his glasses. Isolated as Isaac was - his only companions the slurry bathes surrounding - time had become anomalous to him in the nano-farms. The delicate machines required such a single-minded focus while they were recalibrated to their new purpose that Isaac could barely spare a seconds thought to anything other than them. Whether it be minutes, seconds, or possibly even an hour more; the hulking rectangular bays brimming with a drab shimmering mixture, had preoccupied every one of those moments since Isaac had entered their berths. The astringent scent of the sterile room caused his face to be locked in a rictus of soured discomfort. The dull thrum of the bathes, the gentle whirr of the rooms internal cooling system, and the drone of the lights overhead had coalesced to become an omnipresent tinnitus, drowning his thoughts in an infuriating buzz. But the room¡¯s incessant hum and noxious smell merely underlined Isaac¡¯s growing tension. Illuminated by the screen, the dizzying lines of calibration reports caused the light to undulate and flash across his face. Burning from their proximity to the monitor, Isaac¡¯s eyes were thinned to lidded lines, his sight blurring and clouding over the longer he stared. Isaac could feel his attention fading, every fibre from muscle to mind taut with overuse, his body screaming at him to rest. He was running himself ragged on the barest vestiges of a flagging determination, sprinting headfirst towards the very limits of what he was physically capable of. Isaac was locked in a losing battle with his limited anatomy, sleep darkening his vision, mind drifting as his consciousness waned. Desperate to shake away the growing desire to rest, Isaac bit down on one of his pointer fingers. Finger wrapped in a vice of his own teeth, he grunted in pain, the stimulus banishing the digits of sleep that had so desperately tried to pull his eyes closed. Releasing his finger from the grip of his teeth - a cast of bruising divots marking where they had held tight against his skin - Isaac stood. Making sure that while his focus had drifted nothing disastrous had occurred to the nanomachines, Isaac walked his eyes over the monitor, sighing in relief upon finding nothing but the standard progress alerts. He stretched, feeling older than he ever had as his body creaked and cracked. Suddenly forcing him to slam his hands down onto the console he had been working over, Isaac¡¯s stretch turned into a stumble, sending another jolt of pain lancing through him. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can keep this up much longer,¡± Isaac mumbled through gritted teeth, the dull throb from his finger already beginning to fade behind another wave of exhaustion. ¡°How long has it been since I¡¯ve gotten more than four hours of sleep or eaten a meal of more than coffee and chips?¡± Isaac wondered, rubbing at his face and throat with a hand, ¡°A week? More? I don¡¯t even remember anymore¡­¡± It was inevitable that he would feel this way after operating on the bare minimum of necessities for so long, however his self-neglect couldn¡¯t have come to a head at a worse possible moment. Isaac was stuck. Alone, he was unable to break himself away from his work at the risk of a cascade of errors occurring to put the entire project at risk while he was away. But, continuing as he was would likely lead to a similar outcome when his fatigue became unbearable. Isaac looked to the top of the monitor¡¯s screen, seeing the percent completion for calibration of the nanomachines hovering over the still streaming lines of data rolling beneath. Reporting at an eighty-eight percent completion, Isaac couldn¡¯t help but release a sigh in despondency. He needed help. Killian¡¯s talk had given him an iota of hope that he wouldn¡¯t be going at this on his own for long. However, given Theo¡¯s silence since Isaac had begun work on the nanos, he had to assume the kind of help he was looking for would not be coming any time soon¡­ if at all. And he needed a hand now, not later. Isaac let out a depreciating chuff, ¡°What else could I really expect? That they would put all my lies behind them and work with me as though nothing had changed?¡± an equally mirthless laugh escaped his lips, ¡°I know I sure as shit wouldn¡¯t if I were them.¡± A familiar face, one reeking in unconcealed scorn, flashed in to haunt the space behind Isaac¡¯s eyes, ¡°Oh¡­¡± his mind wilted under a realization steeped with an old instinctive fear, ¡°I was just like them once; scared and uncertain, filled with anger and without a way out. Only now instead of being on the same side as them, I¡¯m just like that¡­ Fucking Monster.¡± Isaac felt sick to his stomach at the idea of being anything like such a horrendous human being; but once the comparison had been made, the tendrils of doubt and disgust burrowing to entrench themselves fully within his thoughts. There was nothing else Isaac could think about, ¡°I chose to withhold everything out of good intentions, but how the hell is that any different from him?!¡± Isaac¡¯s hands curled tight, switching the pain of his finger to that of his nails digging harshly into the meat of his palms, ¡°I chose to lie and manipulate everyone without even entertaining another way forward¡­ I guess the ap-¡± An alarm blared from the console¡¯s speakers, the monitor flashing in time with the strident tone, ¡°Shit,¡± Isaac swore, cursing his lapse in focus. Scrambling back to the console, Isaac¡¯s eyes raced across the screen taking in all of the error reports. The problems were many. However, much to his luck, they were only enough to temporarily stall the calibration process and not cause a complete systems failure. Isaac internally sighed in relief, glad to see that his mistake hadn¡¯t led to an unrecoverable loss; and began working away at answering as many of the errors as he could at the console. Isaac worked quickly, knowing full well that the longer the problems remained the greater the chance for the whole of the system to crash, hands dancing across the keyboard. Minutes passed as Isaac single-mindedly resolved error after error at the console, until the only ones remaining required him to leave the confines of the bathes¡¯ monitoring booth and enter into the nanomachine farm proper. He replenished the slurries, completed the updated handshake protocols between the bathes and the console control, and went over each of the machines individually to make sure that no damage had occurred while he was¡­ otherwise occupied. Isaac watched his wrist pad closely as it finished its diagnostics of the last of the nanomachine basins. He had gotten lucky many times over, having found nothing wrong with any of the bathes prior, and hoped that his luck would continue through to this one. Left with nothing but his thoughts while the scan was underway, Isaac couldn¡¯t help but feel frustrated at himself, ¡°I¡¯m a lot of things after everything that¡¯s happened. But I am nothing like him. He wouldn¡¯t have admitted fault, He wouldn¡¯t have regretted what he¡¯d done or who he had hurt. And the fact that I did and do feel that way, is more than enough to show me that I am not even close to being like that asshole.¡± Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! A small chime sounded from his wrist pad to announce the scans¡¯ completion, and any thoughts left Isaac as he waited with bated breath for the diagnostics to be displayed. A second chime was sung as data scrolled down the face of the small device and - with a quick read - Isaac was glad to find no problems were reported. With the last of his evaluations completed, Isaac stood from where he was kneeling beside the machine and began to walk. Navigating the miniature maze back to the console booth, he slid a hand across some of the bathes as he went, feeling the cold of the metal and vibration of the machines¡¯ innerworkings coil up his arm. The panicked energy that had drove him was beginning to die down and what little stimulus his touch granted him did nothing to mute the whispers of sleep, calling like sirens to drown him in their embrace. Isaac pushed past his fatigue, silencing the murmurs of lethargy, to head back to the console booth and pick up where he had left off. Entering into the booth, Isaac¡¯s eyes locked onto the main monitor, hoping to see the calibration continuing once again. The screen was alight with data, a flow of text rolling across the screen¡­ completely devoid of any errors damming its movement. Isaac¡¯s body slumped, the tension that had kept him in motion withdrawing like shadows under a flashlight. He felt a glint of ease fill the space that his stress had fled, the lack of any continued problems heartening after his mad scramble to fix what he had almost broken. But, sitting down in a chair that had now conformed to his shape after all the time he had spent fused to its confines, Issac felt a deep-seated weariness burrow into his marrow. ¡°How much longer am I going to be watching this screen?¡± Isaac wondered, seeing the nanomachines¡¯ calibration progress now at a ninety percent, ¡°And how much longer am I going to be able to keep myself together after¡­ for everything else?¡± Isaac leaned back in his seat, hearing the creak of the chair under him, to look towards the ceiling, ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter if I can or can¡¯t. I have no other choice but to do the work until it¡¯s done,¡± he grunted into a morbid chuckle, ¡°or I am.¡± Isaac settled back into work at the console, fighting a battle to retain his focus all the while, making small adjustments as the calibration slowly progressed. Nearly an hour passed - Isaac¡¯s entire being glued to watching the advance of those small percentage numbers - when a speaker crackled to life beside him. He leapt in his own skin, his heart tangling in his throat with threads of veins, Theo¡¯s voice ringing through the booth. ¡°Sir? I hope I haven¡¯t caught you at an inopportune moment?¡± Theo inquired. ¡°Nope, all good Theo,¡± Isaac replied, pulse hammering in his ears from more than just the speaker¡¯s scare, ¡°Are you calling for what I think you are?¡± ¡°Somewhat,¡± came a hesitant answer, Theo¡¯s voice audibly apprehensive, ¡°A group has asked for your whereabouts, less so to come to you and more so¡­ ask for you to come to them.¡± Isaac could understand Theo¡¯s worries, the request indicating less than amicable intentions, but Isaac knew he was in no position to refuse their demand, ¡°So be it. Inform them I¡¯ll be on my way once my work in the nano-farms is done.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± Theo answered, the speaker following with the hollow tone of a closed connection, leaving Isaac alone once again. Isaac sighed aloud to the room, watching as the monotonous reams of data scrolled by just as they always had, ¡°If they want me, they can damn well wait until I¡¯m done with this to have me¡­¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Isaac found himself approaching the entrance into the PFTU for the second time today¡­ only this time, he was not alone. Flanked to either side of the hulking door were two security personnel. Bedecked in custom Kevlar/carbon-nanotube composite thread suits, white button-up dress shirts with a slightly concealed IIIA rated body armour, black cap lace-up oxfords, and a crisp slim tie; Babylon¡¯s Revival spared no expense in outfitting their security with the best equipment money could buy. And that didn¡¯t stop at just what they wore. Attached to a three-point sling on either guard was a, less than subtle, Heckler & Koch MP5SD. The definitively non-civilian submachine gun was as intimidating a sight in the hands of his personnel, as it was a nightmare to compile all the correct documentation to purchase for them. Chambered in 9 x 19mm parabellum with an integrated suppressor system ¨C and a handful of custom additions ¨C the SD variation of the MP5 platform was a nonstandard choice for protective services, it being developed for and most commonly employed besides special operations members. But, considering Isaac expressly hired from a pool of former spec-ops and government agents, the weapons provided a familiarity that Killian had conveyed would greatly assist in the performance of their jobs as Babylon¡¯s security. Isaac wasn¡¯t one to doubt a professional¡¯s words. Especially Killian¡¯s. The guards also carried personal sidearms, so long as they were chambered in either the same 9 x 19 as their MP¡¯s or .45 ACP, allowing for the security personnel to round out their kit in the manner they desired¡­ within reason. Their holsters were similarly allowed to be placed by preference, the guards ahead of him providing perfect examples. The woman to Isaac¡¯s left had her holster at her waist - just noticeable through the gap in her suit - and the man to his right had just the slightest lump under his suit jacket, pointing to a shoulder holster. Isaac¡¯s pace slowed, continued observations and musings falling to the wayside as they were replaced with the dawning realization of the shitstorm he was about to walk into. He was willingly entering into a room filled with who knew how many¡­ all of whom feeling betrayed, angry, and scared enough, to be more than willing to take their emotions out on the man that made them feel those ways. Isaac could feel his anxiety growing, picturing it digging its teeth into his lungs to suck the breath from them and leave him gasping, unable to make so much as a single sound. However, it had lost the power it once had behind its bite, desensitized as Isaac was becoming to the degree of stress he had been buried under since this dreadful day had come underway. He found his nerves nipped at him more like a swarm of mosquitos than some vicious beast rending him end from end, the pain being a mere reminder of its former severity. That did not mean it was any less draining. Compounding with Isaac¡¯s growing frustrations and fatigue, the constant stress was depleting his energy at a precipitous rate¡­ and leaving him nursing a simmering temper in its place. Yet another item of worry to add to the growing pile. With one of Isaac¡¯s greatest concerns of the whole heap just in front of him. ¡°Mr. Giovanni,¡± the female guard snapped out, her words sounding with as clean and straight a tone as her posture, with Isaac covering the last few feet to the door, ¡°Those that wished to have come down and are preparing for you inside, Sir.¡± Isaac watched as she waved her arm over the keypad to her side, a small metal wristband showing as her sleeve pulled back with the move, eliciting a positive hum from the computer. The door began its ponderous opening while Isaac stood unmoving beside the similarly still sentinels. ¡°Any ideas on what I should be expecting inside?¡± Isaac asked over the door¡¯s internal mechanisms. ¡°Nothin¡¯ welcomin¡¯.¡± The male guard answered, a deep Southern drawl belying the appearance his crisp suit gave him, ¡°Sir.¡± he added belatedly. Isaac snorted harshly - feeling that the guard¡¯s statement was the understatement of the century - and shifted in place with nervous anticipation as the door finally opened fully. He wasted no time in passing through the door, leaving the two guards behind, and received a smack to the face by a wall of sound the moment he had a foot in the room. Isaac looked around from where he stood at the entrance, watching the undulating mass of persons scurrying chaotically about the place like a swarm of rats. Isaac had to admit to himself that he had prepared for a¡­ different reception than being disregarded for whatever chaos so had their attentions. Tempted as he was to stay and watch the work of the madnesses of engineers and absurdities of scientists, Isaac¡¯s attention was drawn to the bay of computers overlooking the prototype foundry. Where the rest of the room was a buzzing hive of frenetic energy, the space before the foundry¡¯s windows was occupied by a calm pocket of individuals huddled together. There were more than a few faces he recognized within the grouping and Isaac swallowed roughly at having to put himself at their mercies. But he wasn¡¯t going to run away again¡­ even if it was incredibly tempting to do so. Isaac had only taken a single step towards the group when he heard a voice erupt over the cacophony of noise already present. ¡°Isaac!¡± the voice roared, silence following in its wake, all movement in the room coming to a sudden halt. Isaac gulped, ¡°and so it begins¡­¡± he thought and braced himself for whatever came next. Chapter 8 ¡°Isaac,¡± the voice yelled again, only more shrilly this time, ¡°You fucking bastard!¡± The owner of the voice rolled through the shocked occupants in their path like a raging storm front¡­ and she was certainly tempestuous enough. Maria stomped through the crowded room, forcing others to scramble out of the way to avoid her storm. Her once thunderous eyes had transitioned to flaring hurricanes, her heaving breaths like gale force winds, and the entirety of her focus lie solely on Isaac. ¡°M-Maria, I-,¡± as Maria rapidly approached, Isaac stammered, words failing to coalesce under the weight of her fury. He made to speak again, scrambling to think of the right words to say, but kept finding himself at a loss for words. His lack of eloquence only seemed to manage to infuriate Maria more, her eyes nearly sparking with anger, as the last few feet between them passed in a flash. Isaac began to give another attempt at speaking to her when one of Maria¡¯s fists lanced out like a lightning bolt, slamming into his stomach. Isaac folded like a dog-eared page - his diaphragm contracting painfully - preventing him from breathing let alone speaking again. He gasped, desperately trying to breathe again when another fist struck his face and sent him to the ground. Sprawled on the floor, Isaac¡¯s head swum from the impact, his sight blurring from pain and lack of oxygen both. He could barely make out additional voices yelling over the fog draped across his thoughts, mind spinning from shock, ¡°This is more like how I imagined things would go for me when all of this crap started today. To be treated like I was the one who started all of this bullshit, the only one at fault for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.¡± Isaac¡¯s pain and shock fueled the anger that had been growing inside of him, ¡°I¡¯m not one of the assholes putting the entire world at risk because they¡¯re too self-absorbed to think about anything other than their pride!¡± ¡°But that doesn¡¯t matter, does it?¡± Isaac wheezed, voice dripping with frustration and indignation as he pushed himself up to a sitting position. He rubbed at his face, flinching away from the touch with a sharp hiss as his fingers brushed where Maria had made contact, and turned his attention to his surroundings. With a quick glance around, Isaac found that he was encircled, surrounded by a crowd of stunned and enraptured viewers. The guards at the door - in addition to some that must have already been present in the room - had pushed forward into the throng of people keeping them at a healthy distance. But even they seemed taken aback by Maria¡¯s outburst, given a few of the guards¡¯ wide-eyed stares and rigid stances. ¡°See?!¡± Maria yelled, fighting to escape Elijah¡¯s grasps, ¡°That asshole is fine, so you can let me go!¡± Elijah grunted as he took an elbow to the stomach in the struggle, ¡°Fine or not, I am not letting go until you calm down!¡± Maria¡¯s writhing only increased, forcing Elijah to press her against himself in order to retain control. A couple of guards tensed, preparing themselves to jump in if she escaped, worried further violence would ensue. Isaac could see the hatred in Maria¡¯s eyes every time their sight met, a sickening pang of remorse and grief hitting him as impactfully as her fists with every glance. Gone was even an iota of the woman Isaac knew, replaced by a revenant whose sole goal was to repay the pain and betrayal she felt back to the one who caused it all¡­ him. The anger that he had been feeling wavered, but did not die upon seeing a similar hurt to his own, mirrored in her and many of the others surrounding them. As undeserved as he may have come to feel their hate towards him was, Isaac couldn¡¯t deny them the right to feel the way they did, ¡°Afterall, that would be like saying that I couldn¡¯t be pissed at even half the crap that¡¯s been happening today, or for the past couple months¡­¡± Wincing as he began to stand, leveraging a hand on his knee to push himself up, Isaac paused in distraction as a woman superimposed herself between him and Maria. Flaxen hair tied into a long braid - the length of which reaching all the way to the small of the woman¡¯s back - swayed like wheat in the wind in front of Isaac¡¯s face. She was tall, standing equal to Eli¡¯s own height of 6¡¯3¡±, and from what Isaac could see from how her head was tilted, was staring down at Maria. ¡°What the hell were you thinking!¡± She asked incredulously, the hint of an accent slipping through into her words displaying the extent of her shock, ¡°What would possibly make you think that punching him was a good idea?!¡± Her tone reminded Isaac of a mother disappointed with their child, sending a sharp pang through his heart, ¡°Well?¡± Maria was silent for a moment before she answered, voice shaking with emotion ¡°He put you, our families, and everyone else¡¯s lives in danger, Sara! I¡¯m not going to just stand around and let that asshole walk back in and pretend like I¡¯m alright with him being around!¡± She was sobbing and from what Isaac could see of her past Sara, was now limp in Elijah¡¯s hands, ¡°I could lose you and everyone else I love because of him¡­¡± The room instantly became somber, every person in the room resonating with the emotions behind Maria¡¯s words. Sara moved closer to her now crying partner, motioning to Eli to let Maria go. He released her, stepping away in silence as she fell into Sara¡¯s embrace, ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s alright.¡± she repeated soothingly, running a hand through Maria¡¯s hair. Unwilling to be the first one to ruin Sara and Maria¡¯s moment or the quiet contemplation many of the other occupants of the room had fallen into, Isaac stood in silence; listening to the sobs of a woman he had only ever thought of as unbreakable¡­ and hating himself for being the one to shatter her. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D As the minutes passed without change, the crowd begrudgingly dispersed, many throwing complicated looks at Isaac and the still attached couple through what guards remained overlooking the scene. Maria¡¯s sobbing had quieted, only an errant sniffle or two heard over Sara¡¯s calming coos. Isaac awkwardly shifted foot to foot, avoiding the urge to look anyone in the eyes for what he might see there. He could feel his failures as a leader and friend all the more intimately with every sob that had wracked Maria¡¯s frame. What little time he had spent listening to Maria¡¯s cries had choked his anger down to errant embers, leaving nothing but heavy chunks of charcoal darkened by remorse and disappointment in their place. It took a moment for Isaac to realize that - in his wallowing - Maria had begun speaking again, her voice nearly inaudible, ¡°I¡¯m alright, I¡¯m alright,¡± she repeated in imitation to Sara¡¯s earlier comforts. Sara pulled Maria to her feet, one hand braced at her back and the other still combing through her hair, ¡°Yes you are Mari,¡± she moved her hands to gently clasp at either side of her partner¡¯s face, ¡°And we¡¯ll be alright too, okay?¡± Maria wrapped her hands around Sara¡¯s, keeping close contact to the taller woman as though she would disappear at any moment, ¡°You don¡¯t know that.¡± Maria harshly whispered, her fears evident, ¡°But,¡± she took a large audible breath, still shaky with emotions, ¡°We can make sure everyone¡¯s safe together, right Sare?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Isaac could hear the smile in Sara¡¯s voice, ¡°we will.¡± Sara maneuvered the still clasped hands of hers and Maria¡¯s to be loosely held between them before her voice took a different edge, ¡°Even if we¡¯re going to have to work with someone we would rather just leave to rot.¡± Isaac¡¯s posture straightened and his hair stood on end as Sara turned to him, one hand still joined with Maria¡¯s. Like a placid glacial lake, her eyes were a startling blue and complimented a stare just as frigid. The porcelain skin of her face was scrunched in scorn, a sharp glare pointed his way, making the wide scar from her chin to lower lips stand out all the more harshly. She looked every inch the baleful warrior her Scandinavian heritage was often referenced to. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°Giovanni,¡± Isaac¡¯s surname came out with the same harshness as a curse, ¡°you wanted us to ¡°help¡± finish Enuma? Well, you¡¯ve got us. But unless you¡¯re talking about a different project, none of us have found a way that we can finish the Cradles for it in as¡­ short a time frame as you presented, to do anything, let alone save any lives.¡± Sara¡¯s eyes thinned to severe lines, ¡°Which means you¡¯re hiding something¡­ again.¡± Nervously, Isaac chewed at his lip, the full weight of the room¡¯s focus landing squarely on his shoulders with Sara¡¯s final declaration. He sighed, knowing there was only one way forward, ¡°You¡¯re right, Doctor.¡± The room was filled with gasps and hisses, many of those present taking aggressive steps towards him, forcing the guards to tense again, ¡°But, for vastly different reasons this time.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Sara¡¯s voice dripped with condescension, ¡°And what possible reasons could that be?¡± Isaac bit back the desire to snap at her before replying, ¡°I-I believe it would be better to show you all, Doctor,¡± He motioned to the console bays, beyond the crowd, where he would be able to pull up the relevant information, ¡°If you would all allow me to pass?¡± Sara, Maria, Elijah, and the other assorted scientists, engineers, and doctors, reluctantly made space for Isaac to pass. He caught outward signs of disappointment, hatred, and disgust on the majority faces around him, but also intrigue and anticipation on others, as he moved through the crowd. He could feel their stares on his back - like a heavy blanket smothering him with its weight - but he continued on with only minor discomfort to one of the consoles. Isaac quickly brought up the schematics that he had originally gone over with Theo earlier, casting it up onto the glass windows that also doubled as a single massive screen. He pulled away from the console and turned to the crowd, a bit of his vexation slipping out, ¡°This, is what I, as Doctor Mu?oz so succinctly put it, was hiding¡­ Read it over. Then look me in the eyes and tell me I was wrong never to want to give this nightmare even a moment of thought.¡± Isaac waited in silence, his own glare firmly affixed to his face, while he watched the group arrayed before him study the diagrams projected across the window. The longer their eyes tracked over the information in front of them, the more Isaac noticed the reality of what it represented dawn on each person; faces paled or turned green, breaths become locked in place from shock, eyes widened with fear. All the sorts of outward signs to indicate just how¡­ terrifying of a creation this deviation from the original plans for the Enuma project was. A choice of desperation. The silence continued for long seconds before Sara spoke up first, ¡°What is this, Isaac?¡± A hesitantly rhetorical question, Isaac knew, asked solely out of hope that the conclusion she had reached was a false one. Isaac gave her his full attention, looking into eyes pleading for her inference to be wrong, ¡°The only answer to the horror ahead of us,¡± he answered, voice turning harsh with disgust, ¡°Even if I hate it as much as the war that conceived it.¡± ¡°You see this as an answer!¡± Sara screamed with as vitriolic a tone as her partner had earlier, ¡°This is a perversion of everything we stand for¡­ You-You¡¯re asking us to kill people!¡± ¡°Then give me a different fucking answer then!¡± Isaac roared back causing no few people, Sara included, to jump back in surprise, ¡°You think I haven¡¯t tried to think of another way?! You think I don¡¯t understand what this thing will do to people?!¡± The floodgates had opened, Isaac¡¯s frustration and anger pouring out in an unstifled flood, ¡°I have barely slept or eaten in weeks since I was dragged into this fucking nightmare. Hell, I¡¯ve avoided looking in mirrors since the last time I did I was filled with so much¡­ disgust with myself that I struggled not to vomit! So, please, give me a better answer here and now; give me a reason so I no longer have to constantly hate myself, give me your genius plan so I don¡¯t have to be involved with this shit for even a second longer! Or,¡± Isaac prowled forward, the crowd stumbling back at his approach, voice growling with rage, ¡°shut-the-fuck-up and listen.¡± Seeing a few mouths open and close like beached fish, empty of any sound their shock was so complete, Isaac pushed on, ¡°You¡¯re right that adapting the Cradles to support the functions of this schematic is corruption of everything we stand for, that it¡¯s¡­ inhumane in every way,¡± he let out a harsh sigh, turning away to look past the window filled with diagrams to the room alive with machinery below, ¡°You are right. But only under old circumstances. War is coming, even if some of you are still holding out on the misguided hope that all of this is an overaction¡­ or another lie, it is inevitable. People will die regardless of our actions. However, I would rather they die by choice, with the possibility of more, than die at the hand of the choices of others.¡± Isaac¡¯s sight clouded with emotion and fatigue as he continued on, ¡°That is the only reason why I would even consider pursuing something this terrifying, this¡­ appalling. Because it gives everyone a chance they wouldn¡¯t have otherwise.¡± Isaac looked up, eyes clearing as he gazed at the complex diagrams suspended above. It answered every deficiency in the current design of the prototype Cradle, the version these very people - in the room with him now - had been working on so feverishly. Without the necessity of prolonged suspension, the vast majority of problems reducing the viability of the fourth generation Cradle were reduced in their severity if not eliminated completely. Energy expenditure would no longer be a chronic issue as the machine would only draw power intermittently, when activated, without having to be powered continuously to support an occupant. The machine would remain as complex, if not more so than the previous schema, leading to an expensive and material intensive production process. However, without the requirement of a Cradle per person, the mass-production of the fourth gens became a significantly more reasonable undertaking. Not simple by any means, but a far more realistic endeavor than it would have been otherwise. And without the need for a significant personnel presence to supervise and maintain this new version of the Cradles, the machine would likely become far more¡­ attractive of an acquisition to medical institutions and similar organizations alike. If only its true cost wasn¡¯t so high, Isaac would almost be willing to call it a miracle. In order to avoid all of the inefficiencies of the original fourth iteration prototype, Isaac chose to remove the singular point of complication¡­ the long-term suspension of a patient within the Cradle. However, devoid of this one portion, the entirety of the Enuma project lost its most crucial component. He had wracked his brain for a more manageable answer; staggered suspensions? group pods? Solution after solution falling flat due to the sheer impracticality of supporting even a couple thousand people, let alone possible millions, for an indeterminable amount of time. Isaac courted madness the longer he struggled to find anything resembling an acceptable answer¡­ until Tia gave him one, a solution he could never have conceived himself. Digitization. On its own the word, and the idea, was innocuous. Harmless. The Cradles already created some of the most comprehensive maps and templates of the human mind, sling-shotting the understanding of the brain decades into the future. How much of a leap would it be to - essentially - copy a person¡¯s entire psyche, their entire personality, into a digitized form? Not difficult at all Isaac had found, in fact it wasn¡¯t so far from what the Cradles were already capable of. A couple modifications and Isaac would have the answer he so desperately had been searching for. He should have been relieved. ¡°If only the process of digitizing didn¡¯t kill the person undergoing the procedure, I would have been,¡± Isaac thought, remembering as he had tested hundreds, if not thousands, of different simulations in a futile effort to find a way in which that wasn¡¯t the case. To no avail. ¡°Not that it would matter if their entire body wasn¡¯t essentially scorched from the inside out or not. If their bodies had survived the process, they would still have to be cared for¡­ leading to the same damn problem I had been trying to avoid.¡± Isaac glanced over his shoulder to the still stunned Neurologist as he began to speak again, ¡°I¡¯ve done everything that I can to find another way. I¡¯ve run so many tests, tried to change so many things¡­ all to come to the same conclusion. That this,¡± Isaac motioned to the window, diagrams still present over its entirety, ¡°is the only way we survive.¡± A fragile silence answered Isaac¡¯s declaration, broken when a new voice spoke from the crowd. ¡°Not to disparage your skills Isaac,¡± Elijah was surprisingly the first to speak up, ¡°But, I-I don¡¯t think any of us can work on this without doing some of our own¡­ examinations of it, and what other options might be available to us.¡± Isaac snorted, making his dissatisfaction clear, beginning to tap at the keys of the console he stooped over, ¡°Sure. Here¡¯s all, of my tests and failed modifications, do with them as you please,¡± The screen bloomed with hundreds of packets of information, detailing every one of Isaac¡¯s analyses, ¡°And while all of you waste your time looking for an answer that doesn¡¯t exist, as I believe I have made abundantly clear, I will work on saving our lives.¡± Isaac abruptly pushed himself away from the console and began to walk towards a door away from the crowd, ¡°Oh, make sure a couple of those consoles play the news. After all, if none of you will take my word on¡­ anything - it would seem - maybe you¡¯ll all stop throwing away our chances when an anchor or two start to get nervous.¡± Isaac didn¡¯t look back as he spoke, but he was sure that his words, borne from his irritation, made for quite the reaction. Chapter 9 ¡°¡ªt an additional Carrier Strike Group would be diverted to reinforce ours already stationed in Japan speaks to the severity of the situation, does it not Mick?¡± ¡°Well, ¡°severity¡± makes it sound like things have fallen through over there, but I just don¡¯t thin¡ª" Isaac shook his head as he listened to the two reporters, debating over whether or not the country was moving towards a war footing, already well aware that a conflict in the Pacific was on the horizon. It had been around four hours since he had walked away from Elijah and began to work - within a sub-room of the prototyping foundry - focusing on trying to remove any remaining deficiencies in the fourth-gen¡¯s plans and reduce the possibility of failures as much as he could sans testing. It was tedious work, involving some of the most minute of changes, all to eke out small percentage increases in efficiency or increase the possibility of successful outcomes. It also proved to be incredibly stressful work, while every change brought about a greater chance at saving a life, so to was Isaac more than aware that those same changes were based off of assumptive analyses and loose hypotheses, that could do just as much harm instead. It was a tight rope of cataclysmic proportions. And Isaac couldn¡¯t feel more at home walking it. If not for the circumstances involved, he would almost go so far as to say he was elated and excited to be engaged with such an amazing project. But the circumstances made for an environment that caused such feelings to rapidly die with every reminder of the stakes involved. Isaac tapped at a keyboard, adjusting a part to be manufactured ¨C again ¨C after having modified it and invalidating the original piece, only to hear the door to the main room open. Isaac ignored the entrant, it being the sixth time someone had entered into the room, more than prepared for the likelihood of it being just another questioning session to clarify any confusion they had regarding the Cradles¡¯ modifications, and nothing resembling the active assistance Isaac desired. He continued with his work, not pausing as he heard footsteps approach, stubbornly unwilling to be the first to engage. It was a petty and small action of him, but left to stew and work alone - with everyone he could possibly need to finalize the Cradles¡¯ upgrades and complete the Enuma project just a room over - Isaac had found himself in a progressively worsening mood the more time passed. Isaac continued on with his work, the only sound within the room the ambient noise of machinery at work, the tapping of keys, and the awkward shifting of feet just behind his right shoulder. He forced the unfortunate messenger to wallow in his disregard, stretching their discomfort for long minutes, a small reflection of what he had been feeling since his last¡­ conversation with the rest of their group. ¡°E-excuse me, Sir?¡± A younger man¡¯s voice hesitantly spoke up. Isaac¡¯s fingers paused mid stroke, the voice interrupting his focus for an instant, before he resumed once more, ¡°One moment, please,¡± Isaac quickly began to tap away, wrapping up another thread of modifications, so he could turn his attention to the man without putting any of his changes in jeopardy. Once finished, punctuated by the final click of a key, he turned, ¡°Yes? What questions do you have to ask me now?¡± The man stammered, then cleared his throat, eyes jumping around in an effort to avoid looking directly at Isaac, ¡°A-actually, Sir. Doctors Barbeau and Mu?oz, as well as Heads M-Mu?oz and Lupo have asked if you wouldn¡¯t return to the main room to speak?¡± ¡°Elijah, Sara, Maria, and Killian¡­ but no Paltridge? Hmm,¡± Isaac had wondered where the man had gone, not having seen him since his¡­ speech earlier, ¡°If he¡¯s not with the rest of them he must have left. Unsurprising I guess, he¡¯s always been a capricious and selfish bastard. Though now I¡¯m wishing I hadn¡¯t put up with that nature of his if - when we needed his genius the most - he bailed.¡± Isaac sighed, something he seemed to be making a habit of, and replied to the nervous man, ¡°Well, better not wait any longer. I sure as shit have done enough of that already.¡± Isaac pushed away from the desk he had been working at, forcing the messenger to stumble out of the way or risk taking a rolling chair to the shins. He didn¡¯t spare the man a second glance, standing and walking with purpose to the door, mind too preoccupied with possible meanings for the group¡¯s desire to see him. He hoped that this was going to be the moment they admitted to having found themselves at an impasse, incapable of finding any other way to complete the Enuma project than to utilize his fourth iteration design. But a larger part of him worried that this would just be another bout of wasted time and heated emotions. In either case, the only way for him to find out if his hopes or worries were valid, was to meet up and hear them out. The door slid open at Isaac¡¯s approach, allowing him - and the man who had been sent to retrieve him - into the prototype foundry¡¯s main room once more. He stood for a moment looking the room over, the messenger scurrying away with his purpose fulfilled, and spotted Maria arguing with Killian over by the main console bank. ¡°Well, let¡¯s see what this is all about¡­¡± Isaac thought as he navigated a path through the buzzing crowd of workers. On his way, Isaac threw a running glance at some of the open work screens, finding that while most seemed to still retain a focus on the version of the Cradle they had originally been working on, a handful could be seen with his version on display. ¡°As good a sign as any I suppose. Though I would prefer every able body working on it, that even a handful seem to have taken an interest in it is nothing short of a miracle at this point. Though¡­¡± Isaac¡¯s evaluation was pulled to the raised voice of Maria, ¡°I can¡¯t help but worry that this is the only good news I¡¯ll be walking away with.¡± As Isaac neared, the clearer Maria¡¯s words became, ¡°-is will kill people and you¡¯re just¡­ okay with it?! You¡¯re just going to take Isaac¡¯s word as though nothing has changed? As though we can trust that he¡¯s doing this for a ¡°good¡± reason?!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Isaac snorted at Killian¡¯s curt response, being reminded that the conversation they had shared was the exception and not the rule when it came to Killian¡¯s brand of¡­ eloquence. His snort drew the attention of the duo; Killian merely nodded in acknowledgement of Isaac¡¯s arrival, face an impassive mask, while Maria, who had been glaring at Killian, turned a deepening frown towards Isaac. ¡°You think this is funny, Isaac?¡± She asked with obvious displeasure, every ounce of her body language radiating the ire she had for him. ¡°Yes,¡± Isaac replied, tempted to answer in a similarly blunt fashion as Killian before thinking otherwise, ¡°I did think that Killian¡¯s¡­ succinct reply to your tirade was funny. I also thought it was nice to feel something other than the anger, frustration, sadness, fear, and depression I¡¯ve been feeling today and for the past¡­ oh, I don¡¯t know two-ish months.¡± Sadly that ¡°thought otherwise¡± had landed squarely in the bleeding sarcasm camp, but Isaac felt it was as appropriate a tone he could manage, ¡°Now I believe I was requested. So, how about we get to why you all wanted me here, yeah?¡± This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Killian waved over Elijah and Sara; both having noticed Isaac speaking to Maria but having chosen instead to wait until he was done to approach. With Maria floundering for a rebuttal, Isaac turned his attention to the two of them. Elijah seemed¡­ resigned if not a little nervous, his eyes holding a deep-seated weariness that Isaac had become all too familiar with. While, with a face drawn and sallow, Sara looked as though she was fighting a losing battle with some form of illness; she oozed a palpable frustration and discomfort deepening the unhealthy pallor of her features by the minute. ¡°You were right, Isaac.¡± Elijah spoke up first, cutting straight to the heart of the matter, ¡°Even in only a few hours of readings, evaluations, and comparisons we could tell that your schematic was the most feasible option for the event you informed us of. With the addition of the news reporting movement in the Pacific many have been even more convinced of the¡­ practicality of your proposed design¡­¡± Elijah¡¯s voice trailed off into a leading edge that made Isaac¡¯s eye twitch. ¡°But?¡± Isaac harshly supposed. ¡°But,¡± Sara stepped in for Elijah, confirming Isaac¡¯s fears, ¡°Not all of us are convinced. Whoever contacted you could just be paranoid; all of those rumblings and movements could just be simple posturing. There¡¯s no real evidence that any sort of world-ending war is coming¡­ and some of us just aren¡¯t comfortable jumping to such extreme measures on what might amount to a false alarm.¡± ¡°So, what does this mean exactly, going forward?¡± Isaac asked as a pit grew in his stomach, his worst fears suddenly coming to life. ¡°It means,¡± Killian¡¯s voice came from Isaac¡¯s right, forcing him to turn and give focus to the man, ¡°That while Mrs. Mu?oz and a majority of the personnel in this room will continue to work on the previous design; Doctors Barbeau and Mu?oz, as well as myself and the remaining staff, will support and assist yours.¡± Isaac¡¯s eyes widened in shock, his attention swapping from Killian back to Sara and Elijah, his mind beginning to reevaluate the situation. While the manner in which they got to announcing their support for him was anxiety and fear inducing, it was their demeanors that had led his mind astray. Their discomfort and anxiety had led him to believe that they were worried how he would react to their refusal to help, when it was actually representative of a split in decision, ¡°Killian, Elijah, and Sara against¡­ Maria.¡± He looked away from Eli and Sara to find Maria glaring at him with a vehemence bordering on bloodlust. It was obvious she blamed him for the current situation, putting her and Sara on seemingly opposing sides, his presence only exacerbating the anger that she had been feeling¡­ and had displayed earlier. But truthfully Maria¡¯s displeasure over the situation, and his appearance, barely registered over the confusion and emotional whiplash their ¡°support¡± had left him with. ¡°Why?¡± The question slipped through Isaac¡¯s lips before he could stop it, head snapping to each of the faces around him fearing that the question may cause them to reconsider their choice and rescind their support. ¡°Because I don¡¯t trust you,¡± Sara answered, ¡°If you¡¯re capable of designing something like this and willing to go through with it for reasons that may, or may not be true, how far will you go if your design doesn¡¯t work out or if you start to run out of time?¡± Sara stared Isaac straight in the eyes, unflinching and unwavering, ¡°I won¡¯t stop you. Even if I¡¯m not fully on board with the idea that a new world war is going to break out, I¡¯ve worked for you long enough to know that none of this would be happening if you didn¡¯t truly believe one was. But I can¡¯t let you continue, without making sure myself, that your desperation does not push you to entertain putting more people lives at risk in an effort to ¡°save¡± them.¡± Isaac understood and appreciated Sara¡¯s choice. A part of him was disappointed that she would think so little of him as to believe that he might go to worse practices in order to save more people from the coming Armageddon, but a far more vocal majority of him saw that his recent actions and decisions - as well as the very design he had proposed - could not be construed for much more than the choices of a desperate man. He could only hope he would prove her fears of him to be unfounded. ¡°And while I¡¯m in a similar camp as Sara, wanting to be present to make sure that others are kept safe and treated well. I¡¯m also choosing to help you for another reason¡­¡± Elijah filled the silence that followed Sara¡¯s answer, ¡°To make sure that someone¡¯s around to take care of you, too. I can see that you¡¯re burning the candle at both ends son, and I don¡¯t think you have much left to burn before you¡¯re completely spent. I know you and I can see, in everything you¡¯ve been doing, that you are trying to save people from what¡¯s coming. But I also know that unless someone steps in, you won¡¯t stop until you either succeed, or your body fails, and you can¡¯t keep going anymore.¡± Elijah waved around to their small group, as well as the room at large, ¡°They won¡¯t see the signs, they won¡¯t step in to stop you from destroying yourself¡­ but I will.¡± ¡°That even after everything I¡¯ve pushed on them, Eli¡¯s still looking out for me¡­¡± Isaac was touched by Eli¡¯s sincerity, by the fact that he still considered his wellbeing so highly, ¡°And I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever done a damned thing to deserve this degree of compassion. Certainly, nothing to deserve it after all that I¡¯ve done, or will do...¡± He was comforted by Eli¡¯s presence at his side however, and as much as he didn¡¯t believe he was deserving of Eli¡¯s faith in him, Isaac didn¡¯t see himself as being capable of succeeding without him. Isaac felt a hand on his shoulder, ¡°We already had our talk, so you know why you¡¯ll have me behind you.¡± Killian uttered before walking away, grabbing the attention of a handful of guards with a wave of his hand. Which just left¡­ Maria was seething, if she could, she would likely have wisps of smoke coming from her nostrils and flames sparking from her mouth with every breath. She didn¡¯t have to explain her reasoning, not a single word was necessary to describe how her hatred and distrust of him was all that fueled her choice. All Isaac had to do was take in her posture, look into her eyes, and know all he had to about the logic behind her decision. It was¡­ painful for him to take in what he had done to her, how his decisions had so fundamentally changed a woman that he had once known so well into a stranger. But, as much as he may wish, there was no changing the past or taking anything back from it. He had made his choices¡­ and Maria had made hers. Now he just had to hope that despite their costs, they were the right ones. Isaac looked away from Maria, not wanting to risk garnering further irritation from her, ¡°Then if one of you would be so kind as to gather whoever else would like to assist me, while I go and find an empty console to bring some things up on, that would be much appreciated.¡± Elijah and Sara shared a look, a silent discussion passing between the two before they separated; Sara moving to Maria and pulling her away deeper into the room, Elijah putting himself besides Isaac. ¡°Sara will grab whoever we need, or at least tell them to gather by us, while you do whatever it is you need to here.¡± Elijah answered Isaac¡¯s unspoken question as they watched both of them walk away. ¡°And you?¡± Isaac asked, turning his attention to the consoles surrounding them in hopes of spotting an unoccupied one, ¡°Why¡¯d you choose to stick around with me?¡± Elijah followed Isaac for a minute or two in silence as they moved from console to console, ¡°I put a lot on you earlier, son. Got so caught up in my own emotions, that even though I saw the pain you were going through, I didn¡¯t truly acknowledge it. We¡¯ve had the time to¡­ vent and discuss amongst ourselves about all of this madness. But you¡­¡± Elijah grabbed Isaac by an elbow, forcing his attention to him, ¡°You¡¯ve been going at this madness for months, alone. And then, when you finally shared it with others, you still found yourself going at things on your own. I... I should have been there to help you. I shouldn¡¯t have put so much pressure on you after your opening up, shouldn¡¯t hav-¡± ¡°Eli,¡± Isaac cut him off, ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything wrong. Certainly nothing that you should feel regretful or sorry for. Everything you said to me was deserved. Everything you felt needed the time and space for you to understand and come to terms with it. Everyone did,¡± Isaac turned to look out over the room buzzing with movement, ¡°And even if I¡¯m not comfortable with how I separated myself from everyone earlier; no one, yourself included, would have been able to decide how to deal with what I dropped on all of you if I had stuck around.¡± Isaac pulled away from Eli, turning towards the man fully, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have been of any help then. But now, I¡¯m going to do everything in my power to be of help. And you being here helps me more than you could ever believe. So, no more feeling sorry, we¡¯ve got a job to do and¡­ hell, a world of people to save.¡± He began to look through the room again, mumbling, ¡°If we could just find a console to start with that would be great though¡­¡± Isaac stalked through the room grumbling in frustration as console after console passed occupied, with a deep chuckling following in his wake. Chapter 10 After finally finding an empty station, Isaac pulled up every page of designs, modifications, and information packets he had. He walked Eli through his thoughts on the original plans, the modifications he had made, how the new Cradle would integrate with the original plan for the Enuma project and more. Of course, Isaac found himself reiterating the information more and more, new faces joining a growing circle around him. Few questions were asked, the leading consensus being to wait until everyone was present before starting to workshop together. However, as the minutes passed, and fewer people began to join the group, the greater their restlessness grew. A quarter of an hour, then more than a half an hour passed, and a single face remained absent in the close crowd. While Sara had succeeded in directing those present to his side for a debrief, what she had not managed was to separate herself from her partner. Isaac looked over the screen he sat behind, watching as Sara and Maria continued an argument they had been at for¡­ he glanced at the screen, ¡°twenty-six minutes now¡­¡± He audibly sighed, for what he could only assume was the thousandth time and threw a look back at the group behind him. He could tell the majority were growing agitated, frustrated with the forced delay, a sentiment that Isaac could agree with. There was only so much time that could be spent speaking amongst yourselves, waiting to get to the subject that had drawn you, before the stagnation became unbearable. Isaac sighed once more, turning his head the opposite direction, before whispering to Eli, ¡°Even if Sara has to be brought up to speed separately¡­ I don¡¯t think it would be smart of us to wait any longer.¡± Eli threw a quick look around them, ¡°I think it¡¯d be for the best.¡± He agreed, looking in the direction of the still arguing duo, ¡°If you think I need to stick around to go through all of this with you I will. But I think it might be better for me to walk Sara and Maria¡¯s way and see if I can help them out. Only if you think it¡¯s an option though.¡± ¡°Go,¡± Isaac answered with a second''s thought, ¡°As much as I¡¯d like to only do this once - with both of you present - I¡¯m not so self-absorbed as to think this is the only thing of importance to all of you¡­ If you can get them to a conclusion before I¡¯m done, great. If not, I¡¯ll walk you both through when I have you. But her priority is her family, and I won¡¯t force her to choose between me and them if there is no reason to do so. Go.¡± Isaac reiterated one last time before getting up and turning to the crowd, drawing all their attention to him. Eli walked off as Isaac began to speak to the crowd, ¡°I know you all have been getting anxious waiting, and for that I apologize,¡± He slowly panned his sight over the group, seeing that everyone present was paying attention, Isaac continued, ¡°I started out wanting to thank you all for providing your assistance¡­ but you¡¯re not doing this for me and I don¡¯t think any amount of my thanks really matter to any of you anymore. So, instead, let¡¯s jump right into it.¡± Turning back to the computer, Isaac pulled up the fourth gen¡¯s schematics, stepping slightly out of the way for everyone to see, ¡°Hopefully by now you¡¯ve all gone over this but - if you haven¡¯t - this is the fourth generation design for our Cradles,¡± Isaac waved an open hand in presentation, ¡°It is a design made expressly for the Enuma project, with every component of its structure chosen to mitigate the three major problems the design you all have been working on has consistently faced. These problems would be mass-production, power consumption, and active suspension¡­¡± Isaac traced a similar path of conversation as the one he had had with Theo earlier in this very room, going over the problems in detail. In divergence from that conversation, Isaac also went into detail on both how his version of the Cradle differed in both function and composition, as well as how the process of digitization worked and integrated with the original vision of the Enuma project. More than a few faces grimaced or sickened at the reminder of the cost of the digitization process. But - to credit their professionalism - even when they asked questions regarding the subject, their focus only ever fell in the realm of clarification, insights, or to encourage further description. That aspect of his design was the most questioned section, only a handful focusing on the mechanical aspects, logistics, or, as Isaac was answering now, how they were going to be involved in the design process if so much was already finished. ¡°-t question. Uh, as much as I would love to say this will be the true final design, I don¡¯t believe it will be. In only the short time I¡¯d been waiting in the other room, I made numerous, small, modifications to various components in the original,¡± Isaac pulled up another schematic to compare the differences to the first and present versions, ¡°And as much as I¡¯d like to think my first design was great and this new one damn near perfect, I know that¡¯s not the case. There¡¯s only so much I alone can see or think of and that¡¯s where all of you will come in. We have a short window of time to work but we can¡¯t be sloppy. We¡¯ll make a handful of prototypes, put them through their paces, and then come back together to compare.¡± ¡°You¡¯d want us to evaluate efficiency, component and mechanism resilience, and the like right? And make modifications where we can?¡± a voice asked. ¡°Exactly,¡± Isaac replied, ¡°What matters is making the most efficient machine we can in¡­ a 24-hour timeframe.¡± There were grumbles and gasps at his statement, and he raised a hand to silence them in advance, ¡°I know it¡¯s little to no time for something this complex, but I¡¯m operating under worst case scenarios here and the more we wait the greater the risks. Luckily, a lot of the work has already been done, leaving us with essentially just trouble shooting and stress tests. But that doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s easy, or the only work we have ahead of us.¡± Another voice spoke up from behind, over the head of the console, ¡°And when we settle on a prototype, what then?¡± Isaac turned to find Sara and Elijah standing on the side opposite from him, ¡°Say we make a Cradle that can pass all the tests we can put it through with flying colors? What then?¡± Sara repeated, ¡°Because, as I see it, the one thing that matters about all of this isn¡¯t going to be tested.¡± ¡°Glad to have you back Eli.¡± Isaac said, ignoring the question before giving Sara his attention, ¡°Sara. You¡¯re correct, there will be no ¡°testing¡± of the Cradle for the digitization process.¡± She scowled at his answer as Isaac continued, positioning himself so everyone could see and hear him, ¡°There is no standard of testing for something like this. There likely never will be. Any test we do would result in the death of someone¡­ and there¡¯s no amount of troubleshooting that will answer whether or not the version of the Cradle we settle on will successfully digitize a person.¡± Isaac dragged his gaze from face to face, holding eye contact with each for a moment before moving on to the next, seeing the discomfort they felt, ¡°Which means there won¡¯t be a test, but a¡­ sacrifice.¡± That elicited a response, the crowd¡¯s discomfort replaced by a heightened fear and agitation, ¡°What do you mean by sacrifice, Isaac?¡± Sara hissed harshly over the sounds of anxiety, ¡°What the hell are you going to do?! Ask someone to die? For-for what?! To see if your idea might work? Are you fucking insane?!¡± She began screaming at Isaac, eyes wide with fury, the crowd bolstering her with their vocal support. Isaac huffed into a strangled chuckle, ¡°I¡¯m sure all of this must make me look insane, huh?¡± He shook his head, looking into the crowd once more, watching as whatever they saw in his eyes caused them to look or step away, ¡°But no. I¡¯ve asked of and done enough to all of you already. I could never¡­ would never ask any of you to volunteer for something like this. Especially now.¡± Isaac looked away from them all, showing his back, raising his voice so everyone listening could hear, ¡°I¡¯ve lost all of your trust and given how quickly you all are to think the worst of my decisions now, I¡¯ll never get it back. And that¡­ hurts more than I think any of you could understand.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer the question, Isaac.¡± Sara spoke up again, anger still present in her voice, ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Elijah¡¯s voice echoed over Sara¡¯s in Isaac¡¯s head, the memory a reminder of his failures. It reverberated in his head with a damning chime, ringing to the tune of a fate sealed, a decision made. ¡°I¡¯m going to do the only thing I can, Sara.¡± Isaac spoke with a voice laced in melancholy, feeling the corner of his lip curl in a morbid smirk, ¡°Something I decided to do the moment I came to the conclusion that digitization was the only answer.¡± He turned to her, Elijah, Killian, and the crowd, ¡°That, when the time comes, only one person has to pay the costs¡­¡± He looked over the crowd to the glass windows staring down into the humming foundry below... ¡°Me.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Isaac tapped away at a keyboard, the one he had formerly been working at before joining the main room, ignoring the occasional stare being sent his way. It had taken him an¡­ agonizing amount of time to settle everyone after his declaration; with Eli, Killian, and even Sara being in exceedingly vocal opposition to his choice. They had treated him as though he was suicidal, disregarding the thought he had put into his decision and latching on to what the outcome would be¡­ his death. They approached his choice like he did it solely as some form of misguided penance, like he was striving to martyr himself. ¡°And I certainly understand how it appeared that way,¡± Isaac thought, seeing how their fears and shock had draped themselves over his words and granted them a life of their own, not of his making. They had interpreted his words in the only way they could consider possible; that he had lost himself, become mad, and deemed the only way to make up for his mistakes was to die. Eli, Sara, Killian, and all of those that had listened, considered themselves and the company to be the cause behind Isaac¡¯s supposed¡­ insanity. But, as much as all of them were a part of Isaac¡¯s decision-making process, as much as they believed they were the reason behind his choice, they were not the driving force behind it. He would have never proposed being the one going into the Cradle first, if he didn¡¯t think it was the right thing to do. ¡°Of course,¡± he mused, ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean that the impending ¡°end of the world¡± hasn¡¯t made me a little mad, or that it didn¡¯t cross my mind that there would be a certain¡­ justice to dying in the stead of all the people I hurt. But I had made up my mind long before they knew the situation.¡± Isaac sighed at all the time wasted calming the crowd enough that they would pay attention, at how much of an uphill battle it had been just to get to the point that he could make his reasons clear. When he had them, he recognized the anxiety in their eyes, how the narrative they had formulated in their heads of him destroyed what little trust they had in his work. There were no amount of well-constructed explanations that would reach them and shift their perspective. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. So, Isaac had offered them the same questions that had led him to where he was now ¡ª ¡°How many of you would die to save your family?!¡± Isaac had asked over the crowd¡¯s nervous chittering, watching as they dazedly tried to understand the meaning behind his sudden question, ¡°Well? How many of you would die for them?¡± Hands hesitantly raised, more and more joining them as others grew more confident in answering, ¡°How many of you would die for them if asked to by someone else¡­ or even by me?¡± Hands wavered, some disappeared, but most stood strong. Isaac had let them consider their choice for a moment, allowed them the time to look over those around them and weigh their willingness against the others'', before asking them one final question, ¡°How many of you would ask someone else to die for your family? Or for you?¡± The question had hung in the air with the same morbid finality his earlier declaration had. Isaac could see the realization sweep through the crowd, like a deathly chill, hand after hand slowly falling, ¡°If none of you can, how could I be any different?¡± ¡ª That had quelled a great deal of their anxieties surrounding him, forcing them to realize the sort of thought Isaac had to put into his decision, how much it was a choice that went beyond the day¡¯s events. However - as in this moment - Isaac was reminded of the fact that, while it might have gone a long way to quieting their misgivings, in no way did it completely erase them. Isaac could see it in the way people stole glances at him, as though to assure themselves he was still there. How Elijah hovered around him, just a few paces away at all times, seemingly out of fear that he might do something drastic without his presence. He could see it in Killian¡¯s face every time he looked his way, eyes growing distant and melancholic as he stared¡­ even Sara acted noticeably different around him, endeavoring to look anywhere but at him whenever they interacted, or in how she dove into the work provided to her with a ferocity that just wasn¡¯t present before. The stares and errant glances continued. Some of the doubt still remained. But, at the very least, Isaac looked across the room and saw how engrossed everyone was in their work, he could believe his questions had sparked a certain¡­ intensity in all of them. ¡°If they would just stop looking at me with the same sort of intensity, I could go back to focusing on other things,¡± Isaac turned his head, meeting the eyes of an engineer that had been staring at him, and shook his head as the man panicked and snapped his head in the opposite direction, ¡°Which would be nice.¡± ¡°Isaac¡± a voice called, forcing him away from his musings and his work. He turned towards the voice, finding Killian approaching with a mousy looking man, ¡°The first prototype¡¯s been finished; You¡¯re needed for the testings.¡± Isaac started, surprised that enough time had passed for the Cradle to be constructed without him noticing, ¡°No time to waste then.¡± He pushed himself away from the table and stood, looking towards the other man beside Killian, ¡°Micah, correct? I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re going to take me to the Cradle?¡± ¡°Y-Yes, Sir.¡± The nervous man replied, shaking as though Isaac¡¯s attention chilled him to the core, ¡°I mean ¨C yes, I¡¯m Micha, Micha Townsend. And yes, I¡¯ll be accompanying you to the testing foundry.¡± Isaac looked at Killian with a raised brow, and the man chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ll be rendezvousing with the team upstairs for a quick meeting and debrief before coming back down. I¡¯ll leave you in Mr. Townsend¡¯s capable hands in the meantime. Isaac. Mr. Townsend.¡± Killian nodded at the both of them before making an about face, on a trajectory out of the room. ¡°Well,¡± Isaac spoke first, ¡°Lead the way Mr. Townsend.¡± He motioned towards a door in the opposite direction of Killian. ¡°Of course, Mr. Giovanni,¡± Isaac flinched a little at the use of his surname, ¡°Right this way.¡± The man scurried off ahead of him, and Isaac sighed as he followed after. He didn¡¯t actually need someone to lead him anywhere, the room used for testing quite literally just a door away, however he was aware of the meaning behind the action. It was a small design of normalcy, a return to times lacking in¡­ mortal urgency, as Isaac was coming to think of it. Micah was given a role, even as small of one as just grabbing Isaac and bringing him somewhere as it gave him a purpose, albeit a temporary one, that drew his focus away from anything of the cataclysmic variety. ¡°If only I could do the same,¡± the selfish thought slithered its way to the forefront of Isaac¡¯s mind, being reminded of the fact that, if not for all the anxiety he was struggling with surrounded by everyone again, he would likely have long been consumed by his fatigue already. He could feel it in each step he took towards Townsend, the man now shifting in place before the door waiting for Isaac to catch up, how the nervous energy was fading, and the lethargy was growing in its place. It was like his time down in the nano farms all over again. Only Isaac doubted any sort of second wind was reasonably in his future now. Townsend led Isaac through the now opened door, head down in chagrin, the younger man stuck to Isaac¡¯s side like a barnacle rather than running off ahead again. He snorted softly at the man¡¯s drastic re-correction, the action such an unserious occurrence in an all-around mad time that it became¡­ quaint, an almost endearing reminder of a time unladen with the chaos of the present. But, as they walked through the short tunnel connecting to their destination, and Isaac could begin to feel the vibrations of the foundry¡¯s active machines through the floor, he knew it very well could be the last reminder of the world before he may ever have. The second door opened and unveiled the testing room in full; it was designed in such a way that the room was segregated into numerous parts, each with their own purpose. On the far wall, the greatest distance away from the windows above, was a veritable wall of running machinery. Designed to be a self-contained production system, with testing berths for rapid diagnostics and adjustive modification, the machines were automated ¨C allowing for minimal human operation if necessary ¨C and ranged from CNC driven fabricators and 3D printers to large robotic assemblages and welders. The machines were fed with materials or, depending upon the complexity of whatever item was being produced, whole components through hidden conveyances throughout that side of the room. The center of the room was dominated by three large, recessed, squares in the floor, each surrounded by a tall, reinforced glass barrier that also covered portions of the machining section. The squares were empty more often than not, most prototypes being smaller and of a less¡­ volatile nature, but they were not completely bare; small grates lined their outward edges in the case of leaks or spillage, raised electrical columns were dotted with numerous types of outlets for varying levels of power consumptions, and sealed fixtures spotted the floor for attachment points for support braces or, present in a smaller number, hose connectors for fluid dispensation. As Isaac walked down a short and wide set of stairs into the main floor of the room, his focus was drawn to the central of the three squares and what now occupied its space. A Cradle lay directly in its center, metal exterior gleaming under the room¡¯s lights. Looking like a scaled-up bassinet with a reticulating metal canopy, earning it its name, the machine dwarfed the size of the common MRI it was often compared against. A thick electrical wire ran from its base to one of the raised outlets and a combination of two large hoses, connected to a buried pipe running to the nan0 farms, and two thinner tubes, connecting to oxygen and anesthetic tanks set into one of the attachment ports, broke the machine¡¯s otherwise sleek presentation. The opened canopy was folded in on itself, revealing a clean white interior with a raised slab for an occupant to lie on and what Isaac had come to refer to as a ¡°mobile,¡± consisting of numerous ambulatory robot arms for IVs and at the nexus of those arms an extendable breathing mask. Isaac was tempted to go straight to the machine, run his hand over the patient bed and feel the small nodes that would raise a patient under full submersion to increase the amount of surface area for the nano machines to work with, to run a diagnostic test on the Cradle from its attached computer, to just¡­ make himself comfortable with the machine that would end his life. But all of that would come in time. A step behind Townsend, Isaac followed him towards the room¡¯s last major feature, the second control room. Located just below the main room of the PFTU, the testing foundry¡¯s control center was a backup for the one upstairs as well as a protected, close-range monitoring station that allowed for a more¡­ intimate monitoring of any creations undergoing testing. It was a hulking edifice, resembling more of a bunker on the shores of Normandy than anything that would belong in a production facility, but it was designed with protection in mind, so function was more important than aesthetics. Walking to the far side of the structure, Isaac traced a hand against its reinforced concrete wall as they moved towards one of the two entrances in. Townsend reached the door first, its frame abutting the forward wall, and in a motion mimicking the guard that had opened the door upstairs for him, he waved his wristband across a computer pad beside it. The door slid open, and Isaac noticed Townsend throw a quick glance his way - likely to make sure he was still present and hadn¡¯t wandered off somehow - before disappearing into the room with Isaac snorting while he followed on the man¡¯s heels. Even being only a handful of steps behind the squirrely man, Isaac lost him as soon as he entered the room, Townsend officially washing his hands of him the moment he successfully delivered Isaac to his destination. He had barely made an initial passing view over the figures arrayed around the space before a voice called out. ¡°Over here, Isaac.¡± Elijah¡¯s voice boomed through the confines of the room; hand raised over the crowd to draw attention. Isaac chose not to interrupt anyone¡¯s focus further by yelling back, choosing instead to raise his own arm in acknowledgement. He noticed a few people look between Eli and him, as he walked his way towards the large man, whatever they had been working on momentarily forgotten at the sudden vocalization and their burgeoning awareness of his arrival. Their stares were loud; each person¡¯s sight holding an uncomfortable amount of emotions. His pace increased, a desperate desire to avoid their gazes fueling his growing stride. ¡°Elijah,¡± Isaac nodded at the man, the final foot between them cleared, before granting his attention to the woman beside him, ¡°Mrs. Katagawa.¡± ¡°Director,¡± Katagawa greeted, still using his original title, brushing some of her shortened hair out of her eyes, ¡°Glad to finally have you with us.¡± ¡°Glad to finally be here, at this point.¡± Isaac maneuvered around the engineer, positioning himself to the opposite side from Eli, while Katagawa turned back to the computer she had been working at. He peripherally watched as she pulled up some diagnostic systems, most of his focus resting on the Cradle just beyond the reinforced glass windows of the control center. ¡°The Cradle is fully prepped for testing,¡± Katagawa began to speak while Isaac¡¯s eyes remained on the machine, ¡°With only the large gauge fiber-optic cable for¡­ ¡°transferring¡± the occupant left unattached. It is my professional opinion that we start with some rudimentary tests first, like filling and emptying the Cradle¡¯s confines with inert nanomachines; before moving on to some of the more rigorous stress tests, as specified in your original plans and that I and the other engineers have concocted.¡± Katagawa became silent as she waited for his input, still retaining the same professional decorum she had always shown him, ¡°You know I trust in your work, Misato. Start however you see fit, and I¡¯ll slide in whenever my expertise is necessary.¡± Isaac replied before looking across to Elijah, ¡°And Eli, if I could have a moment, there¡¯s something we need to talk about.¡± Isaac barely acknowledged both of their replies, already looking back towards the Cradle, his attention lured like a siren¡¯s call does a lost sailor, ¡°Soon.¡± He thought and struggled to drag his focus back to the people around him¡­ and the work still yet to be done. Chapter 11 The first prototype had failed; burning out during a prolonged activity test, the amount of power drawn during its state of continuous operation overwhelming the machine to the point that it had begun to smoke in places. The failure had led to a¡­ mix of emotions in those participating; many were disheartened and growing increasingly nervous over the possibility of failing again, others saw it as just a usual step in the process of creating as complex a device as the Cradle, and there were three cases of people growing so agitated as to physically lash out over the outcome of the first prototype. Isaac and Killian had both made expressly sure those people were no longer present. In the wake of the Cradle¡¯s demise, those involved had set upon the task of adjusting and modifying the fourth generation¡¯s schematic like hyenas on a fresh corpse. They took apart both the physical and conceptual versions of the Cradle, piece by piece, with a fervor that would concern Isaac if not for his awareness of the stakes. He had been just as single-mindedly voracious for solutions as the rest of them, running around from computer to computer, person to person; collating ideas and hypotheses, giving insight and opinions, even burying himself in the Cradle itself at one point to gather a better understanding of where the failures had been most prevalent. Until he lost consciousness, that is... One second Isaac had been standing up from a computer station and the next he was lying on the floor surrounded by a crowd of blurry faces, an odd sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu playing through what little amount of awareness he had at the time. He had drifted in and out of consciousness for a while, his body and mind so drained and run down that it had had no other choice than to push the factory reset button on itself, and lock Isaac out of running it any further ragged than it already was. A loosely present part of him wanted to force himself fully awake every time he breached his blackout, but¡­ he was just so damn tired. So, who was he to argue with his own anatomy? Seven-and-a-half hours passed with Isaac in a coma-like state, the rest of the world still moving while he was suspended within the stillness of his own mind. When Isaac came to, it wasn¡¯t to a cacophony of noise as scientists, engineers, and doctors worked together and debated amongst each other; it was to an uneasy stillness as all-consuming as the one he had just been resting within. Isaac pushed himself up, pulling a lab coat off that had been draped across him as a makeshift blanket, and grunted as he rose from the couch he had been moved to. The room was motionless, with everyone huddled in a mass at the front of the control center, the only sound present being an unfamiliar voice. Isaac walked towards them, head clearing from the grogginess of his sudden rest, the voice becoming clearer as he approached, ¡°-ports indicate that Japan has also begun mobilization, besides others indicating that across the U.S., military and government personnel are being called to report to their place of work; It is this reporter¡¯s opinion that the United States and China are moving towards an active conflict scenario.¡± ¡°But that couldn¡¯t possibly mean that this will turn to war. It¡¯s probably just¡­ posturing or-or maybe they¡¯re just being precautious, right?¡± Another voice questioned, voice subtly panicked and desperate. The anchor was answered by silence for a moment that stretched on for eternity, before they were answered by a tone that was much less assured than would be preferred, ¡°I hope so,¡± the voice was quieter, small and meek, ¡°Sources say that the White House has been inundated with new arrivals¡­ I- we have to hope that our representatives are doing everything they can to avoid such a thing.¡± Isaac tuned out the rest of the conversation, mind racing. Time was already an issue, but now¡­ now they were working against an hourglass with a crack on its bottom, and at any moment the glass could burst and leave them with no time at all. He should feel panicked at how close a new World War was at hand, he should feel frustrated that he was unconscious for so long, unable to help. But instead¡­ ¡°Why do I feel so damn calm?¡± Isaac wondered. For as long as he had known what was coming, he had been... frenzied and agitated. There wasn¡¯t a moment that he was devoid of anxiety or fear and yet now, ¡°There¡¯s no more wondering. No more waiting. And without either I can just¡­ act.¡± Isaac came to the conclusion with utmost certainty. All that was left was living or dying. Saving the world or watching it burn. Success or failure. Work or give in. And he was far too stubborn to give up now. Isaac looked out over the quiet crowd, still listening to the news with morbid enrapture, and loudly clapped his hands together. People jumped and shuddered in shock, a few yelping in surprise and fear, like a gunshot had gone off beside their heads. Heads turned, glares and panicked eyes falling Isaac¡¯s way as the attention shifted from the screens to the originator of the sudden sound. Isaac waited for everyone¡¯s full attention before beginning to speak, ¡°We don¡¯t have any more time to spare. We don¡¯t have the time to spend focusing on what we already knew was coming,¡± Isaac could see some frustration and anger boiling up at what appeared to them to be a dismissal of their feelings, but he couldn¡¯t spare them the chance to vent, ¡°For some of you¡­ maybe all of you, this news is making what¡¯s coming all the more real. You held out hope that I was mistaken, paranoid, maybe even out of my mind. I would be lying if I didn¡¯t say I hoped the very same. But this news confirms our fears, war is coming, and while we can do nothing to stop what¡¯s going on outside¡­ we can do something right here.¡± ¡°This Cradle is our best hope¡­ it may very well be our only hope, for anyone, to survive the devastation that this conflict will bring,¡± The crowd was as quiet and focused on him as they had been the news while Isaac continued, ¡°But, as I did before, when things were far more uncertain, I will not continue without offering you all a choice,¡± Isaac looked over the crowd meeting, many of their eyes, ¡°Stay or leave. If you feel you would be better served besides your families than here working, you may go. I, personally, support your decision and - while I can¡¯t speak for the others here - am sure that they will understand.¡± Isaac gave them time to think over his offer; to decide whether working towards a solution that may fail, was more valuable to them than spending what very well may be the last moments they could with their families. He didn¡¯t say a word as a small group of people broke away and quickly walked towards the door, heads down, bodies hunched and tensed in shame or frustration. He allowed them to exit without condemnation and stayed quiet a few moments following their disappearance, in case anyone else desired to go their own way, before starting up again, ¡°Now, for those of you still here, our work is all the more critical. Whatever timeframe we had in mind prior to current events is now completely worthless. Every second, every minute, every hour matters further the more they go past. I don¡¯t know how far you¡¯ve come in the,¡± Isaac looked at his wrist pad, ¡°Fuck¡¯s sake, seven-and-a-half hours I was¡­ indisposed. But wherever we are now is meaningless if we don¡¯t start putting something together, right away. I trust in each and every one of you, I¡¯ve seen your work¡­ the world has seen your work and has felt the impact with every product we¡¯ve released. So, it¡¯s time for you to do what you¡¯ve done again and again. Show the world what you¡¯re capable of¡­ and save it.¡± Isaac could feel his face flush with the realization of how much his emotions had gotten away from him. And, opening his mouth to apologize, was interrupted when a voice spoke up from within the crowd, ¡°Why the fuck wasn¡¯t your first speech like that?!¡± Surprised and hesitant laughs turned into a cascade of humor as a single action transferred the group¡¯s panic and fear, sorrows and frustrations, into a much-needed release. Isaac joined them, chuckling to himself at the absurdity of the moment¡­ and at himself. Before speaking again, Isaac allowed their laughter to continue until the point it began to peter off, ¡°I-I really wish I had an answer for you.¡± He chuckled, eliciting another, smaller, round of laughter, ¡°Now, I need to be caught up to speed. But, in the meantime, we need working prototypes up yesterday. So, with that in mind and if you haven¡¯t started to already, I¡¯m giving you all full permission to use whatever necessary to make these things as fast as possible. The entire facility is open to you; if someone is using what you need, tell them to ¡®fuck off¡¯ and use it yourself, foundry in here is occupied, start using the machine factory¡¯s, whatever it is, these Cradles are the priorities,¡± Isaac looked at the crowd arrayed before him and smiled, ¡°We¡¯ve got a world to save and little time to do it. So let¡¯s get to work!¡± Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Isaac¡¯s conclusion wasn¡¯t met by any cheers, there were no movie-like exclamations, but instead all he saw was steely-eyed determination and a certain¡­ solidarity amongst the crowd as they dispersed. He shared nods and the occasional grasp with people as they passed him, standing in place like a single stone in the center of a stream, watching a particular group approach. Sara, Eli, Katagawa, and a spattering of people parted the crowd as they neared, but Isaac was focused on one specific person. ¡°Isaac,¡± Sara started, stopped, then hesitantly reached out towards him, ¡°Are-are you alright?¡± He barely felt her hand pick up his arm and begin to check his pulse, eyes locked on a face he didn¡¯t think he would be seeing again, ¡°Maria,¡± Isaac addressed the woman, ¡°I¡¯m surprised to see you down here.¡± Maria¡¯s face flashed through a quick set of emotions; embarrassment, shame, and fear before finally settling on anger, ¡°What?¡± she questioned harshly, ¡°Now that I¡¯m here you going to rub all of this in my face and say, ¡®I told you so¡¯?!¡± ¡°No,¡± Isaac replied shaking his head and removing himself from Sara¡¯s ministrations with an appreciative smile, ¡°The idea of being that petty didn¡¯t even cross my mind while speaking to everyone before, let alone to you now,¡± He watched as another flash of shame and frustration played across Maria¡¯s face, ¡°Anyway, even if I was that much of a snake, we don¡¯t have time for anything like that. I would assume that if you¡¯re down here, you¡¯ve been helping with the Cradles, correct?¡± ¡°Y-yes?¡± she stuttered in slight confusion. ¡°Good,¡± Isaac passed her, walking towards the front of the control center, forcing the group to adjust to his movement, ¡°Then you can help everyone else here get me up to speed. We have a lot of work ahead of us and little time to complete it¡­ and I need to make up for all the time I wasted laying around while all of you were left holding the ball.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Eight-and-a-half tense hours passed, everyone collectively holding their breaths every time the news flashed with another ¡®breaking alert.¡¯ They worked at a maddening pace, like ants alerted to a threat to their hive, jumping from station to station, machine to machine, with barely a pause in-between. In the time that had passed the group had both shrunk, losing people no longer capable of focusing, their anxieties so great, or those who couldn¡¯t put work first any further over themselves or their families, and grown in a small part, with those like Maria joining from the crowd above to assist. At the very least their work hadn¡¯t suffered from the ebb and flow of participants on it. Isaac and the rest of those involved had managed to create three prototype Cradles, one an already documented failure, and the remaining two undergoing some of the last stress tests necessary to have a complete comparison between the two. His eyes were locked to a screen, evaluating every line of diagnostic data that rolled across it, watching for even the slightest of abnormalities. This was it, the final hurdle; while neither of these versions were the most efficient, nor could they describe them as reliable without considerably more tests, they were created with one thing in mind¡­ endurance. These Cradles would have to survive an obscene amount of abuse, near constant running, and even the slightest dip in the machine¡¯s capacity to work could denote a death sentence of hundreds, thousands, or possibly more lives. The left most screen flashed for a nearly imperceptible instance, a moment so small as to easily be mistaken for an errant blink, but Isaac caught it, ¡°Halt the tests!¡± He yelled, running the data stream back and finding the instance of the blip, ¡°Power failure on Cradle 02, at the¡­ 172.32 simulated hour mark.¡± A hum that had become synonymous with the room¡¯s ambience disappeared with the powering down of the Cradles, leaving Isaac¡¯s ears empty of the mechanical tinnitus he had become accustomed to. He worked at his jaw and popped his ears, ¡°Seems like it¡¯s going to be Cradle 03 then¡­¡± Isaac spoke aloud, staring at the machine in question. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± an engineer spoke up next to Isaac, ¡°She¡¯s a glutton. Powering her for as long as we estimate will have her taking in as much energy as a small city but, she can take it.¡± Isaac chuckled at the man¡¯s possession and humanization of the Cradle, understanding exactly what it¡¯s like to be so wholly invested in a project to see it as more than machine or object, like a living being, ¡°Yeah, she¡¯ll have to.¡± ¡°Sir,¡± another new voice popped up, forcing Isaac to turn fully around, revealing an older gentleman, ¡°Doctors Mu?oz and Barbeau, as well as Mrs. Katagawa and Mu?oz would like you to join them,¡± the man pointed past Isaac and out to where the prototype Cradles resided. ¡°Alright then, thank you for grabbing me.¡± Isaac nodded to both of the men in dismissal, walking away and charting a path through the chaotic movements of the workers within the center. He dodged a woman running through one of the doors and exited through it before it could close behind her. Pausing just out of the way of the entrance, Isaac listened to raised voices coming from the direction of Cradle 03 and shook his head, ¡°I could only imagine what this is going to be about,¡± He thought acerbically. As Isaac approached, the object of the group¡¯s argument became clearer and he audibly sighed at his suspicions being confirmed, ¡°If you have a problem with what I¡¯m going to do, you should speak to me about it; rather than arguing between yourselves, wasting each other¡¯s time, and getting nowhere,¡± His voice caused the arguments to suddenly halt, their faces looking the slightest bit chagrined with the subject of their discourse calling them out. ¡°There just has to be another way, Isaac!¡± Eli rumbled, moving towards Isaac, grabbing him by either shoulder, ¡°Jumping blindly to your death is insane, and you know it!¡± Isaac moved a hand up to one of the man¡¯s and patted it, ¡°Insane, maybe,¡± he slipped himself out of Elijah¡¯s grasp and mimicked him by placing one of his own hands on the man¡¯s shoulder, ¡°However I am not taking this leap blindly, but with both eyes wide open. I know what will and may come about with my choice Eli, and I am¡­ content.¡± ¡°But,¡± Isaac paused and looked past the man to Maria, Katagawa, and Sara, ¡°I¡¯m not going to be diving in headfirst just yet. Sara,¡± the taller woman snapped to attention at Isaac¡¯s use of her name, like a recruit caught with their pants down by their sergeant, ¡°I think before I go do anything¡­ permanent, I should get a quick medical evaluation while our resident engineers look the Cradle over and get it prepped for proper use. Does that settle some of your fears regarding my willingness to do something so insane?¡± Eli grunted in muted acceptance, while Sara moved up besides Isaac, ¡°If you¡¯re going to be getting any sort of evaluation, we will need to head upstairs so I can have access to everything I need and have you in the proper environment to have one.¡± Her tone brokered no debate, the order and her intentions clear to him. ¡°Of course,¡± Isaac acquiesced; he wouldn¡¯t argue against Sara¡¯s instructions¡­ even if he knew she was going to use their time together to dissuade him from undergoing the digitization process. Isaac turned his attention away from Sara, ¡°Misato, Maria; I trust that you can get the Cradle up for operation while Sara looks me over?¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Katagawa answered over Maria, ¡°In fact, it should only take us a few minutes to attach the missing fiber-optic and begin the Cradle¡¯s full startup process.¡± ¡°Excellent,¡± Isaac said and turned back to look at Sara and then Eli, beginning to walk towards the room¡¯s exit, ¡°Then I¡¯ll be leaving with Sara¡­ and Eli, I would like it if you would come with me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it would be very kind of me to leave you alone in Mrs. Mu?oz¡¯s clinical grasp,¡± Eli¡¯s thick brows danced as a smirk reached his eyes and lightened the worry etching his features, ¡°Who knows what horrible things she might do to you behind closed doors.¡± Sara snorted, ¡°So long as you do not obstruct my ¡°clinical grasp,¡± I would be delighted to have you with me Dr. Barbeau,¡± She tilted her head and pointed with a thumb in Isaac¡¯s direction, following in his stead, ¡°This one¡¯s definitely going to need that brain of his checked and your expertise would be invaluable.¡± ¡°Rude,¡± Isaac dropped in-between the two, effecting a false and shocked falsetto, ¡°Do you treat all of your patients with such impertinence?!¡± ¡°Only the frustrating ones.¡± Eli and Sara answered simultaneously, with identical deadpan presentations, causing the trio to chuckle at their mutual childishness. It was a nice moment; a reflection of a time when Sara and Eli¡¯s eyes sparkled brightly with excitement and satisfaction, rather than the fear and anxiety that swirled in their irises presently, darkening their hue. Isaac met the very lowest step of the stairs out, reveling in the small bright moment he shared with the two doctors, when the exit hissed open. Killian stomped out, pace quick, his eyes locked on where the third Cradle resided, seemingly¡­ looking for something. His head swiveled, searching, passing over the control center before resting on the bottom of the steps where Isaac, Eli, and Sara stood. Killian¡¯s eyes met Isaac¡¯s, and his heart dropped into his stomach at what he could see within the former soldier¡¯s countenance, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Killian?" Isaac questioned urgently, passing up the steps two at a time to meet the man on the same platform. ¡°Sir,¡± Killian started without further prompting, ¡°We have a¡­ situation.¡± There was an awkwardness to his tone, an altogether alien and worrying note to hear within the man¡¯s voice, as well as an undercurrent of anger to his words, ¡°Paltridge is back and he¡¯s brought¡­ company.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m guessing that ¡°company¡± is of the less friendly sort?¡± Isaac asked rhetorically. ¡°Yes, Sir. But,¡± Killian hesitated before taking a big inhale and continuing, ¡°When you first hired me you gave me an order to look out for a person, to bar them from entry and turn them away at all costs¡­¡± Isaac¡¯s heart thundered in his head, his hands began to shake, and his eyes clouded as panic began to overtake him, ¡°No, no, no, no, no¡­¡± His mind spun with vertigo, and he was forced to stumble and brace against the railing to keep himself from dropping to the floor, ¡°Why is Paltridge with Him and what does that fucking monster want with me now?!¡± Killian rested a hand on Isaac¡¯s shoulder, helping stabilize him, the words coming out of his mouth less heard and more felt, ¡°It¡¯s-It¡¯s your father, Isaac. He¡¯s here and he¡¯s brought a whole cadre of armed guards with him¡­¡± Chapter 12 Isaac¡¯s thoughts raced over the news, a fear taking hold of him greater than any amount caused by the conflict of the near future. It was as though his worst nightmares were coming to life, forming a noose around his throat to choke the life out of him; to make what were very well the final moments of his life painful and agonizing, to drag him down into the depths of depression, to remind him- Small hands wrapped tightly around a single soft and fragile one, it was cold against his palms, limp and lacking in the vitality he had known all of his life. Tears streamed from his eyes, making the already darkened room invisible to his sight they were so occluded. However, so lost to his grief, the pain and sorrow that ripped at his heart and soul, even devoid of tears he could see nothing else¡­ nothing but the face of his mother, the only person he truly loved and knew loved him, in gentle repose; unmoving, sallow, and empty. He could barely hear raised voices beyond the door of what was his mother¡¯s private medical ward and now could only be thought of as her wretched tomb; he desperately clung to the hope that those voices would be replaced by Her¡¯s, that he would blink, and her soothing voice would appear to ease his agony. It would not. The door slammed open, raised voices flowing into the room with the entrance of The Demon, droning on like the disgusting buzz of flies over a corpse. His silent sobs did not halt or break as the malevolent entity made its way to where he clung to his mother¡¯s lifeless hand and loomed over him radiating the familiar displeasure and hate the creature always had towards him. ¡°Pathetic,¡± it snarled, uncaring of the other presences still confronting it, and smacked one of its claws across his face. The sting was known to him and elicited no such verbal of a reaction beyond the sound of flesh meeting flesh, and his body meeting the floor. The voices reached a higher tenor, their words lost to him, while he lay on the floor as cold as his mother¡¯s skin. His eyes cleared as grief was replaced with a fury borne from love and resentment, the now dangling arm of his mother igniting a hatred greater than any he had felt before it. He rose and moved his mother¡¯s arm to rest on her chest, taking care not to handle it too roughly, before turning to stare in defiance of The Demon. Isaac¡¯s eyes slowly made their way up the shadowy form of the monster, before resting on its face¡­ on his father¡¯s horrible face. His hatred flared at the sight¡­ then was forgotten as his father struck him again, sending him careening into his mother¡¯s bed and into unconsciousness. - The memory faded, the old pain remained, but so too did that hatred roar to life as greatly as it did the day his mother died. Isaac felt the panic that Killian¡¯s report had filled him with evaporate under his growing anger, his pulse rapid and body unsteady with an uncontrollable fury rather than dread. ¡°How many years did I spend festering in that anger; in the fear and inferiority my father battered me with as much as he did his hands,¡± Countless memories passed behind Isaac¡¯s eyes, instances of pain and abuse, terror and tyranny, of all the times he spent quivering in fear, hiding from the demon that wore his father¡¯s face, ¡°And now that monster wants to do what? Wrap his claws around our work? Steal the Cradles for himself?! Threaten my people?!¡± ¡°Not on my fucking life,¡± Isaac hissed, his panic attack bursting under the weight of a vitriol so harsh as to melt through tungsten, ¡°Lupo,¡± He rasped, voice thick with barely restrained anger, ¡°Let them in, draw as many of your people back to protect everyone just above and here as you can¡­ but do not antagonize them. Your lives are too precious to risk them on that mon- my father.¡± Isaac straightened, Killian still hovering close to brace him, ¡°Are you sure, Isaac?¡± Killian questioned, concern evident in his tone and body language. ¡°Yes,¡± Isaac felt a bitter and spiteful calm settle over his rage like the cast-iron lid to a boiling cauldron, ¡°My father¡¯s a snake and a fucking coward, but he will not bat an eye in telling one of his ¡°guards¡± to kill anyone that stands in his way. He¡¯s not worth anyone losing their lives over,¡± Isaac stared into Killian¡¯s eyes, making his sentiments clear, ¡°Get them moving¡­ and I¡¯ll handle the rest.¡± Killian stared back, searching Isaac¡¯s face for¡­ something, before closing his eyes and sighing, ¡°Alright, Isaac,¡± he turned his attention away from Isaac to Sara and Eli, now in similar position of support, hovering around Isaac, ¡°You two have him now.¡± Lupo turned and walked away, tapping at his wrist pad, leaving Isaac, Sara, and Eli to their own devices, ¡°Isaac, are you alright?¡± Eli asked, his worry for him made plain, ¡°Do-Do you need us to do anything to prepare for¡­ that man¡¯s arrival?¡± Isaac smirked at the disgust emphasized in Eli¡¯s reference to his father, him being the only one fully aware of the truth behind their relationship, ¡°I¡¯m not fine at all, I want to kill him; strangle him and watch the life drain from him, see the same fear in his eyes that he caused me for most of my life,¡± Isaac¡¯s voice was thick with his hatred of the man and it took a herculean effort for him to keep his tempestuous emotions from overwhelming him, ¡°But none of us have the time for me to waste on making that want a reality. The Cradle remains our focus, and nothing, not Paltridge or my father will stop me from seeing this to its end.¡± He turned to look into Eli¡¯s and then Sara¡¯s eyes, a sad smile on his lips, ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say there won¡¯t be any evaluation¡­ we¡¯re out of time,¡± Isaac looked away from the two doctors, out over the room to the Cradle, ¡°You asked if I needed you to do something for me¡­ I do. What I need from you, what I need from everyone, is to finish the final preparations¡­ and to keep yourselves safe when my father makes his ¡°grand¡± entry.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to deny you if you still believe I need to be checked, Sara,¡± Isaac prevented an argument he could already see coming, ¡°But we¡¯ll have it done here and quickly. And Eli,¡± Isaac paused seeing the man¡¯s despondence, ¡°We already spoke, and while this isn¡¯t even close to the kind of circumstances I expected when I first pulled you aside, I could trust no one more than you for what¡¯s ahead.¡± Both Sara and Eli remained in silence, contemplating the coming changes, before one of them spoke, ¡°I¡¯ll run to one of the medical supply rooms down here and grab a couple things, I doubt I¡¯m going to find anything that will worry me more than what you¡¯re about to do, but I still want to check.¡± There was a fire behind her eyes, one that Isaac knew was borne from his father¡¯s presence; as while Eli knew about what his father had done directly from Isaac¡¯s retellings, Sara knew by reading years¡¯ worth of his medical files and finding the patterns of abuse for herself. Isaac didn¡¯t even have time to reply to her intentions before she stormed away from him and Eli, leaving the two behind alone. Both remained mute for a time with her absence¡­ until Isaac and Eli began to speak over one another, stumbling over each other¡¯s words. ¡°Eli I-¡± ¨C ¡°Whatever happe-¡± They fell back into silence, an awkward pause stretching between them, ¡°You go first Eli,¡± Isaac relinquished the floor to him, breaking the uncomfortable atmosphere between them, ¡°We¡¯ll get nowhere if we keep ending up speaking at the same time.¡± Eli chewed at his lip, anxiety obvious, ¡°I had hoped that while Sara and I had you alone we could convince you of doing something else¡­ anything else really. But now, with your father here and the rest of the events happening around the world, I know there¡¯s no stopping you,¡± His face was drawn with worry, aged and weary in such a way that reminded Isaac of the pages of a delicate tome worn by time and use, ¡°I do not want to see you go through with this. I despise the idea of you¡­ dying. But, now more than ever, I realize that sometimes how you feel about someone¡¯s decisions matters a lot less than how they feel about them.¡± Elijah grabbed Isaac and pulled him into an embrace, the man¡¯s grasp strong and firm, comforting in a way that threatened to pull him back into his memories, ¡°I don¡¯t want you dying, son. So, if this is truly the only course you see available to us¡­ I will trust and support you, completely, in every way you need and every way you deserve.¡± With Eli¡¯s arms wrapped tightly around him, Isaac stood frozen. He struggled, not against the contact, but with the compassion he heard and felt from Eli. It mingled with memories of his mother, her love and care intermingling and superimposing itself over Eli¡¯s trust and understanding, creating a figure that awoke the pain of a loss long buried. The loss of a loving mother. And the loss of a loving father, never had. Isaac¡¯s arms shakily raised, returning the embrace, his hands tightening around the fabric of Eli¡¯s sweater. His eyes clouded with unshed tears and his voice became thick with deep and chaotic emotions as he whispered into Eli¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Thank you¡­¡± This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Isaac grunted, man-handling the fiber-optic cable into place, the Cradle making an audible *shunk* as a tensioned coupling locked the heavy wire once it made the appropriate contact. He rose from his awkward crouch, wiping his hand across his face to remove some of the sweat that had beaded on his skin, ¡°It¡¯s locked in!¡± he yelled, stretching and groaning, his body protesting his awkward contortions. ¡°Got it sir!¡± A voice yelled back from around the Cradle, ¡°Runnin¡¯ the checks now!¡± The machine whirred to life, its hum vibrating through his muscle and bone to rest in his ears, ¡°This is it,¡± Isaac¡¯s thoughts barely beat out the Cradle¡¯s drone, ¡°All that¡¯s left is this final check¡­ and one more thing.¡± Isaac moved around the Cradle, looking up to where the upper room of the PFTU gazed down into this one, watching a few of those closest to the windows work. He clenched and unclenched his hands, fighting against the anxiety that still threatened him, knowing that soon enough that room would be preoccupied by more than just the people that worked for his company. Isaac felt his wrist pad buzz against his skin, drawing his attention down to the device ¨C ¡°Eta: 9 Minutes. ¨C K. Lupo¡± - Isaac closed his eyes and inhaled through his nose, tamping down on his building anger and fear, ¡°Not now,¡± He exhaled with a shaky breath, feeling only a modicum of control, ¡°But soon.¡± He approached the engineer that had originally called out to him, ¡°You can handle the rest of the checks in the center, I¡¯ll take over from here,¡± Isaac nodded with his head over to the bunker-like structure. The man hesitated, looking between the small station connected to the Cradle and Isaac, before backing away from the machine, ¡°Gotcha, sir.¡± Isaac watched the man walk away and saw him be overtaken by a small group of people moving in the opposite direction towards him. Sara, Maria, and Elijah approached, a bevy of emotions dancing across each one of their faces. Isaac smiled their way as they drew closer, only looking away from the Cradle¡¯s computer for a moment, ¡°Here to send me off before my father gets here and I fuck off to¡­ well, I¡¯ll be honest, I don¡¯t know where the hell I¡¯ll be going exactly, once this is all done.¡± ¡°Isaac,¡± Sara spoke with a tone of frustrated concern, ¡°This is serious, you don¡¯t have to go through with this. We-we might have more time to figure out another way, if you just give us the time, I¡¯m sure of it.¡± ¡°She truly believes that.¡± Isaac digested Sara¡¯s offer, her plead. It was¡­ tempting to give ground, to cling to the small hope that Sara might be correct, that he didn¡¯t have to give his life in some final desperate bid. But, listening to the clock in his head tick away, he knew there was no turning back. He wasn¡¯t going to risk everyone¡¯s lives for what might only amount to a couple more minutes of living his own, ¡°As tempting of an option that might be, we both know I¡¯m not going to take it. I¡¯d love nothing more than not having to jump into this machine and consign my continued existence to the flip of a coin¡­ but I¡¯d rather I be the one having to risk that coin flip now, than have all of you do so later without a ¡®best two out of three¡¯ to back you up on.¡± ¡°Still using those weird fucking expressions of yours¡­¡± Maria grumbled under her breath. ¡°I read a lot as a kid,¡± Isaac flashed a wide toothy smile at her, ¡°Probably too much in fact. But, I love using them and that¡¯s all that really matters.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a defense mechanism,¡± Eli chimed in with small flash of humor, ¡°He¡¯s nervous, and doing his best to draw your attention away from that fact by getting wordy.¡± ¡°SHHHH,¡± Isaac shushed Eli, ¡°Just because I¡¯m not going to be around for much longer doesn¡¯t mean you can just go and start giving my secrets away.¡± He winced as he finished the sentence, realizing that he may have been too¡­ direct. Glancing to the side, body still facing the Cradle¡¯s computer, he could see the tension in the three much clearer after his slip-up. He sighed, rubbing at his brow above his glasses, ¡°I¡¯m sorry if that was too far,¡± Isaac swiveled towards the trio, ¡°but it isn¡¯t something we can just pretend won¡¯t happen, or avoid even speaking about.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t if you don¡¯t go through with this.¡± Maria interjected, ¡°You don¡¯t actually have to enter the Cradle, you¡¯re just¡­¡± Her voice grew harsher the more she spoke, ¡°You¡¯re just running away from everything and pretending it¡¯s for some great cause!¡± ¡°That¡¯s too far, Mari!¡± Sara chastised. ¡°Agreed.¡± Eli¡¯s voice rumbled with disappointment. ¡°Oh? So I¡¯m just supposed to forget that all of this started with him misleading us, for months! I¡¯m supposed to trust the guy who lied to us about the fucking world ending, that he¡¯s doing all of this for our good and not because he¡¯s just some-some fucking coward!¡± Maria¡¯s voice was frantic and wild with anger, reaching a piercing tone that overwhelmed even the Cradle¡¯s deep thrum. ¡°I believe you have said enough, Mrs. Mu?oz.¡± Any further arguing halted between Sara, Maria, and Elijah, instantly at the tone of Isaac''s words. His voice, cold, clinical, and reptilian, sent a deep chill slithering down their spines, ¡°I understand your distrust of me, understand your anger; and I accept it. But, what I will not have, is for you to equate my giving my life; for you, your loved ones, and an entire world of others, with the actions of a coward! I will agree with you that I am many things, that I have been a coward before. But this-¡± Isaac placed his hand on the Cradle, feeling the cold metal vibrate under his touch, glaring at Maria all the while, ¡°This decision of mine is the furthest thing from an action of cowardice I have ever made. And I will not stand you spitting on my sacrifice while I still live.¡± Maria looked down, hands tightened closed at her sides to the point that they paled under the strain of their grasp, ¡°I was almost happy that you were going to see me out, even despite what had come between us today,¡± Isaac continued, voice clipped with frigid apathy, ¡°But now¡­ Before, I told you I was not petty enough to rub your error in your face, and I won¡¯t start now. But what I am, is vindictive enough to make sure that these will be my final words to you.¡± Isaac paused watching Maria¡¯s head raise, tears streaming down from each eye, ¡°I appreciate all that you have done for this company, I appreciate the loyalty and love I have seen you display for those you care for, and I appreciate all that you are even in spite of your hatred for me,¡± He looked deep into her eyes, let her see the truth behind his words¡­ and made sure she saw the truth of those that followed, ¡°But, for all my understanding and appreciation, I want nothing more than to never have to see or hear you again until I am dead and gone; from this life and any after.¡± ¡°Do you understand me Mrs. Mu?oz?¡± She openly flinched at his emphasis around her proper surname, tears falling heavier as though Isaac had struck her physically. However, as she seemed to finally gather her emotions enough to speak, Isaac cut in once more, with deafening finality, ¡°I want you to leave.¡± He stared her down, making his sentiments clear, watching her struggle to decide either to follow or refuse them. His sight did not waver from her for a second, unblinking and resolute, until he saw the moment she understood her position. He looked away from Maria, giving his attention fully to Eli and Sara, while she made to slink away back to the control center, tears still wetting her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for speaking to her like that Sara,¡± Isaac apologized, life entering his voice again, ¡°But there¡¯s only so much I¡¯m willing to take from a person before it becomes too much.¡± He could see the conflict on Sara¡¯s face, understanding his position on one hand, and the love for her partner on the other. So, Isaac ended the conflict for her, ¡°Go to her Sara,¡± Isaac smiled, nodding in Maria¡¯s direction, ¡°Just as I said to her, I appreciate your loyalty and love for those you care for, as well. It would be a shitty thing to do if I kept you from being there for someone you love, no matter my personal circumstances.¡± Sara hesitated for a moment before stepping into his personal space, wrapping Isaac into a tight hug, ¡°There¡¯s so much I could say, so much that I want to say,¡± she said into his shoulder, ¡°But all I can really think of is thank you; for this and for anything and everything else you¡¯ve done for us.¡± She pulled away, eyes wet with tears, ¡°Goodbye, Isaac.¡± Sara hurried off, pursuing her partner, leaving Eli and Isaac alone together once more. They remained in silence for a few moments, in perfect pantomime of the last time Sara had left them behind together; before, as though they were given some shared signal, both men began to smile and chuckle. As much as the two seemed to be sharing a moment of joy together, there was a note of sadness and melancholy to their humor. The longer they laughed the more their eyes grew cloudy with tears, until the point that drops of water began to stream down and their laughter turned to sobs. There was no need for words of appreciation or remorse to be shared as Isaac pulled Eli into an embrace. They had made their peace with one another, knew how much they meant to each other, ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you a bunch, Son.¡± Eli¡¯s voice was far deeper than usual, ¡°I hope you know that.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Isaac whispered back, the skin of his face itching along the trail of his tears, ¡°Though ¡®a bunch¡¯ seems like a kind of underwhelming amount¡­¡± Eli let loose a wet chuckle, shaking Isaac through its deep throaty bass, ¡°Of course it does,¡± Eli pulled back to look at Isaac¡¯s face, ¡°I¡¯ve got kids and grandkids of my own that I¡¯ve got to leave a little love for.¡± ¡°Ah, so you do consider me to be like one of your kids!¡± ¡°Or one of my grandkids, yes.¡± Eli agreed, a twinkle glistening behind the water in his eyes, ¡°You¡¯re in the top five of my favorites.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you only have two kids and two grandkids?¡± Isaac asked with feigned confusion, knowing the answer already. Eli smirked cheekily back and the two laughed, bleeding away the last vestiges of their shared sorrow. They stepped away from each other, Elijah¡¯s face turning steely and serious, ¡°I¡¯ll have everything handled on my end of things for you. So, just worry about yourself and the Cradle, everything else I have well in hand.¡± Isaac wiped away some errant tears, and sniffed, ¡°I know you will. Thank you for everything, Eli.¡± Tears began to build in Eli¡¯s eyes again and he rapidly blinked to clear them, ¡°Goodbye, Isaac. And good luck¡­ Son.¡± Isaac watched Eli walk away, catching the man rubbing at his face as he did so, and took a massive breath to try and steady himself. He began to turn back to the Cradle, still steadying his breaths to keep control of his emotions, when his wrist pad chimed with a priority message ¨C ¡°They¡¯ve arrived. ¨C K. Lupo¡± Chapter 13 Isaac¡¯s hand danced across the pad, replying to Killian ¨C ¡°Locking things down now. Keep yourself and everyone else safe.¡± ¨C He continued to text, getting in contact with Theo to put the security protocol underway ¨C ¡°Theo, I need you to lock the entrance into the PFTU¡¯s testing room; and while you¡¯re at it, rescind Partridge¡¯s privileges and grant them to Elijah as my new second.¡± ¨C Isaac looked over the Cradle¡¯s computer and sighed in relief, seeing all systems green across the board. His heart pounded in his chest, a bitter anticipation coming over him, his nerves causing him to continue sending errant glances up towards the windows above, waiting for the inevitable. Isaac moved his hands to the first button on his dress shirt, beginning to remove his clothing, using the act to keep his mind grounded until his father and Paltridge made their presence known to him. That rage he had managed to put lid on began to knock at its cap, the pressure building rapidly under the expectation of a confrontation the deepest recesses of Isaac¡¯s conscious had rabidly desired. He felt the cooled air against the skin of his arms and a small portion of his chest as he let his button-down fall to his feet, his wrist pad humming with the addition of a new message. But Isaac¡¯s attention was elsewhere, locked onto the two figures that now stood above him, faces in full detail even despite their distance. Paltridge stood at the glass, insignificant and unimportant in Isaac¡¯s eyes, the very subject of his betrayal far overshadowing the rat of a man. No, what drew Isaac¡¯s full focus, what caused his face to contort into a snarl, what burst the lid of his hatred and rage burning his veins like a caustic venom¡­ was the man to Paltridge¡¯s left. Tall and thin, wearing a crisp black and grey suit, Isaac¡¯s father glared down at him with cold green eyes that brought to mind a sole evergreen frozen in the deep of winter. His skin was olive coloured, and his face had all the staples of the Italian heritage they shared; a strong jawline, a roman nose, and high cheekbones. The hair of his head and beard were styled with the precision to enhance and complement his features, creating the appearance of a man youthful, alert, sharp and professional. However, it couldn¡¯t completely erase time¡¯s hold on the man. His hair was salt and pepper and his forehead was creased by wrinkles, openly displaying that the man¡¯s most common facial expression was a scowl that had permanently made its impression on his skin. Isaac glared back at the man, wishing that he had the power to strike him down with just a thought, when he noticed a nearly invisible change in the man¡¯s demeanor. A mirthless smirk quirked one side of his father¡¯s lip up, the glint of his eyes reflecting the sort of malevolent glee a bully had, watching their victim be chastised for standing up for themselves. His father looked away from him to Paltridge, sharing a couple words - unheard by Issac - the traitorous weasel pointing and motioning towards the console in front of them. He nodded and shared a final burst of words before turning his attention to the points on the console Paltridge had made note of. Isaac could make out his father pressing and moving things before the man halted, stared him directly in the eyes and made a single unhurried press. The room¡¯s speakers activated with that empty hollow note all open mics seemed to have, opening to a prolonged silence¡­ and Isaac waited. Holding his father¡¯s eyes, Isaac knew this was yet another power-play of the man¡¯s; an effort to cause Isaac to succumb to his growing tension and frustration, to have him lash out and use it as an example of how his father was more competent and controlled than his emotional progeny. There was a time such a move would have worked on Isaac¡­ but, at this exact moment, it barely registered to him. Isaac continued to stare at his father as he began removing his undershirt, only losing sight of the man as he pulled it over his head. The chill air caused his hair to stand on end, caressing his now completely bare chest, weaving its way through the thick fur that covered it to nip at the underlying skin, ¡°If he wants me to speak first, he''s going to be shit out of luck.¡± Isaac thought, finding his father still staring down on him. There was a certain degree of spiteful enjoyment Isaac found himself having, as his father continued to play his petty game and he completely ignored the board. Isaac gently folded his shirt, feeling a small smirk begin to curl his lips as he pictured his father as a child, throwing a tantrum over someone not playing into their fantasies. He knew if he continued on this holding pattern his father had established, he would eventually crack, unwilling to let the silence continue and halt his capacity to work, ¡°But the thing every child having a fit fears the most is when they¡¯re ignored completely.¡± Isaac turned away from his father, moving back to the Cradle¡¯s console to begin running the initial sequence for his submersion, when the speakers crackled once more. Isaac smiled openly, knowing his father couldn¡¯t see his face, ¡°Round one to me, asshole.¡± ¡°Isaac, son.¡± His father¡¯s voice was domineering and self-assured, the type that controlled a room from the very first word, ¡°It¡¯s good to see you.¡± Isaac had to fight to keep a snarl from turning his face into an edifice of his hatred for the man, the shamelessness of his words nearly sending him into a frenzy. He was forced to slowly turn to give him the time to bury his feelings, ¡°Not yet,¡± he reminded himself, hiding behind a mask of forced composure as he squared off against his father, ¡°Lucien, I¡¯m surprised given our¡­ history, you would ever be so concerned as to check in on me at all. Let alone in person.¡± The wrinkles on Lucien¡¯s forehead deepened slightly at his reply, a nearly invisible hesitance coming over him, Isaac evaluating his father¡¯s reaction to his barely veiled hostility. He chose to retain what momentum he had and turned his attention to the man to Lucien¡¯s right, ¡°Paltridge,¡± Isaac acknowledged, the man startling at the sudden address, ¡°I¡¯m glad you finally managed to show up. Though, the fact that you did so after most - if not all - of our work was done and are accompanied by Lucien of all people is¡­ interesting to say the least.¡± He could see how his tone, cold and apathetic, caused the man in question to flinch. Paltridge opened his mouth to speak before he was cut off, ¡°Now, Isaac. Doctor Paltridge was merely acting in the best interest of himself and his colleagues, when he asked for my assistance. After all,¡± Lucien smiled down on Isaac, radiating superiority under the guise of benevolence, ¡°You dropped a lot on your employees¡¯ shoulders, and add in your foreknowledge of current events, are you so surprised that he would find someone more¡­ trustworthy to assist your company in their state of crisis?¡± Isaac gritted his teeth as his father carried on, waiting for a lull to interject, ¡°You mislead them, Isaac. Held back such critical information as a worldwide crisis and Paltridge,¡± Lucien moved, putting himself behind Paltridge and placed a hand ¡°comfortingly¡± on each of his shoulder, ¡°just wanted to protect everyone here, and he couldn¡¯t trust that you would be able, or wiling, to do that after the truth finally came out. Do you understand that, Isaac?¡± ¡°Oh, I understand exactly what you¡¯re implying,¡± Isaac replied, beginning to pace, ¡°It¡¯s just that I can¡¯t seem to wrap my head around where you come into the equation, Lucien. How did you come to be so¡­ close to Paltridge that he would run- I mean come to you when a situation as volatile as this one came to his attention.¡± Isaac continued walking to and fro, head tilted in feigned confusion, ¡°I just don¡¯t understand why my estranged father who, to my knowledge, has had no hand in this company at any point, is even an option to him.¡± Isaac stopped, tapping a finger to his lips before snapping as though he had reached some grand epiphany, ¡°Unless, Paltridge has always been in your pocket¡­ Lucien.¡± ¡°Now that is quite the accusation Isaac,¡± Lucien¡¯s voice was calm and controlled, not giving even a hint as to whether Isaac¡¯s conclusion was true or not, ¡°I had hoped that, given present circumstances, you would be mature enough to put our differences aside and choose to work together with me, so we may support everyone here during these tumultuous times.¡± Lucien looked down and shook his head before speaking in a tone of forlorn disappointment, ¡°But obviously, as you made clear to Paltridge and your former colleagues earlier when you announced your grand conspiracy; the only thing that matters to you is yourself, even now.¡± Isaac felt the last thread keeping his emotions tied down snap, his mask shattering like a porcelain plate falling to the floor, ¡°Out of all the fucking people who would say that to me.¡± Isaac could see his father gazing back at him, smug in his victory, reveling in having shaken his son. His father began to speak again, but Isaac barely registered the words as he composed his thoughts. He had fallen into his father¡¯s tempo, engaging in the same false civility as Lucien, dueling in an arena that Isaac had to begrudgingly admit he wasn¡¯t experienced enough in to succeed within. He wanted nothing more than to throw every manner of curse at the man, threaten his life, to give in to the festering rage that desperately bayed at his mind for release. ¡°But no matter how satisfying letting it all out and getting everything off of my chest would be, the moment I do so would be the moment he wins.¡± It was a bitter truth, but one that Isaac could see clearly even through the haze of his anger. Lucien had trapped him, set himself up for a checkmate that would undermine everything Isaac had done. But, even if he couldn¡¯t take his hatred out on the man, Isaac wouldn¡¯t let him have his way ever again. Isaac looked down at his wrist pad while Lucien continued to create his sordid web, an obscene amount of alerts covering its face; one from Theo, detailing his having followed Isaac¡¯s requests, and the other¡­ This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Isaac smiled with malice, his father still speaking with an air of triumph, ¡°Is having Paltridge try to open the door into this room your idea of cooperation?¡± Isaac asked, cutting Lucien off in the middle of whatever vapid speech he had concocted. His father¡¯s face showed a flash of anger at the interruption before it settled back into its professional guise, ¡°After as many times I¡¯ve been alerted to,¡± Isaac held up his wrist pad, further preventing his father from speaking, ¡°I¡¯m surprised he hasn¡¯t realized that his credentials as my second have been rescinded¡­ or maybe he has, and it¡¯s just that he doesn¡¯t feel comfortable telling you that he can¡¯t even so much as open a door on the premises anymore.¡± Paltridge looked over at Lucien with panic written across his face, however he went ignored, ¡°You would go so far as to punish Paltridge for what?¡± Isaac watched emotionlessly as Lucien pounced on what he believed to be the last weakness he needed to exploit, the final push necessary to completely undermine and supersede him. his eyes danced with malicious excitement while his tone projected an astonished chagrin, ¡°Because he went out to look for better leadership and guidance? Because he found someone better suited to help him and his colleagues? Because he reminded you of your failures?!¡± Isaac could see the slightest hints of pleasure as Lucien strived to whip everyone into a frenzy, to supplant himself as a savior from Isaac¡¯s ¡°tyranny.¡± ¡°You would risk everything and everyone for your childish and misguided feelings?!¡± Lucien¡¯s voice reached an ultimate crescendo, his words echoing through the room. He inhaled to continue, to further kick Isaac down, when he stuttered to a stop. Isaac did nothing to hide the growing smile on his face as he watched his father hesitate, ¡°I would risk everything that I have, everything that I am, if it means I can save lives from what¡¯s coming¡­ And if it also prevents men like you from taking advantage of the desperation the future will cause, and using it for your own personal gains,¡± Isaac¡¯s smile widened to the point that his cheeks began to hurt, ¡°Then even my life would be a small price to pay to make sure that everyone has a chance at a tomorrow.¡± Isaac turned away from the windows Paltridge and Lucien stood behind and walked towards the Cradle as he continued, ¡°You try to paint me as incompetent, too caught up in my own feelings and opinions to operate as a leader,¡± he pressed a hand to the machine, feeling the thrum of its activation through his body and the cold metal against the skin of his palm, ¡°You might be right. A situation like this one is something that I would have never expected to have to deal with, and what is essentially the end of the world has a way of undermining any confidence or composure you might have formerly had.¡± Isaac removed his hand and tapped a quick message out to Theo before pushing on, ¡°But if you believe for even a second that my decisions are fueled by selfishness or egomania, then I¡¯ll be the first to gladly inform you that your projection is incorrect. I would have been incapable of admitting to my fault, would have never struggled with every one of my decisions if I was even a third of the type of person you are.¡± Isaac snorted, ¡°And if you think anything I had to do with Paltridge was based on your involvement, you drastically overestimate your value or relevance to me.¡± ¡°At least in this case,¡± Isaac¡¯s voice dropped, carrying on at a more conversational level, the mic on his wrist pad activating to compensate for his lower tone of voice, ¡°You shaped me in a massive way Lucien¡­ to the point that you are an ever-present nightmare that I struggle with every day. But even if every memory of my past is tinged by my hatred for you, haunted by the fear your torment scarred me with, your actions towards me did teach me two things.¡± Lucien¡¯s face was contorted in rage as he impotently yelled at Paltridge, the unfortunate focus of his ire desperately typing away at the console he hunched over. Isaac smirked, reveling in the silence Theo had created by cutting off their access to the coms above, ¡°The first and most important of them being the perfect example you set for me¡­ of the type of person I never wanted to become.¡± ¡°But you also, inadvertently, taught me one other thing that I¡¯ve always kept in mind,¡± Isaac wandered over to the Cradle once more, staring closely at the now blank computer screen attached, gazing deeply at his own reflection in the empty black pane, ¡°To, no matter the circumstances or people you¡¯re dealing with, always have something else up your sleeves.¡± Isaac smiled at his reflection and saw his mother smile back; her slightly shorter than typical Nubian nose, hooded eyes with upturned corners and long lashes, broad forehead, square face with a sharp prominent jawline, and silky hair the deep black colour of onyx. His skin differed from his mother¡¯s, hers being a beautiful brown with almost a red highlight to it - one that Isaac always likened to her having trapped the sunset within her skin - while his leaned more toward his grandmother¡¯s, having the same sort of hue but to a far lighter degree. He took great pride in the resemblance and reveled in his father¡¯s obvious disdain of their lack of similarities physically, if not by blood. But the feature that stood out the most, the one his mother always adored, he couldn¡¯t see in the reflection of the screen¡­ but knew was staring right back at him. One eye the rich blue of the water in a secluded oasis, like his mother¡¯s, and the other the verdant green of the foliage that grew around it, lacking in the frigidity present in his father¡¯s own green eyes. Closing his eyes, feeling as though his mother were there urging him forward, Isaac raised his voice, ¡°Theseus!¡± His voice echoed within the empty room, strong and loud, its volume cracking out like a clap of thunder. The speakers throughout the room crackled to life as Isaac¡¯s call was answered, ¡°Sir,¡± Theo spoke with the deference and control of a soldier to their commanding officer, ¡°What do you require of me?¡± Isaac¡¯s voice lowered back to a more manageable tone, but lost none of the command it contained, ¡°A Pantheon Falls.¡± The words were nonsensical to all but Isaac and in the silence that followed his utterance, he could see the confusion in all those within his line of sight. Into the silence, Isaac began to speak once more, addressing more than just Lucien, ¡°For all that I hate having to lie, I have kept one secret from all of you. One that, if not for the circumstances we find ourselves in today, I would never admit to¡­ as even now I don¡¯t see it as my own to share. But, as Theseus and his siblings conduct something of a final protective measure for me, I believe it¡¯s time.¡± ¡°The Cradles,¡± Isaac patted his hand against the machine as he continued, ¡°Stopped being mere medical devices, following the production of the second generation. In fact they became something of their name sakes.¡± a fond smile graced his face while he remembered one of the most amazing times in his life, ¡°With the level of scans and mappings of the brain the second gen became capable of, came the creation of the first Engram; an amalgam of varying different mental profiles into a single actualized entity,¡± Isaac could see realization on some and a continued confusion on others, causing him to chuckle, ¡°or what most would call them, true AI.¡± He was glad for the fact all the mics were closed as he watched many give voice to their shock at the revelation, ¡°From the first that I, ironically, named Aapep; came Theseus, Minos, Delphi, Yggdrasill, Purusha¡­ Tiamat and many others. Individuals, people, all of their own right, with personalities as distinct and unique as any one of our own. It was the most beautiful and thrilling thing I had ever done¡­ and I knew I could never share it with a soul, unless I wanted to put all of them in jeopardy.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never regretted keeping their existence under wraps,¡± Isaac rubbed his hand against the Cradle, reveling in the liberation the truth gave him, ¡°And even if I did, I certainly don¡¯t now¡­ after all, Enuma and the process of digitization were not solely of my own making. I doubt any of this would have been possible without them.¡± He paused, thinking over his next words, ¡°It was through their desire to live in a world where they had no reason to hide, where they could experience the full breadth of living that we do every day¡­ where the countless numbers of them - created over the years - could have a place they could call home; that the Enuma project was originally conceived. In time, it became something they wished to share, a world they wanted us to have a place in as much as them, and that¡¯s when all of you were first introduced to the project.¡± Isaac took a deep breath, his memories souring, ¡°And when I became aware of a war that could very well end humanity¡¯s time on Earth, those very same AI¡­ those very same people, gave us the path that led us here today,¡± Isaac snorted, ¡°The one that has led me right here, standing before this Cradle, about to step into an unknown unlike any humanity has faced before.¡± ¡°It is because of them and all of you who stayed to help finish this, that I can do this without fear¡­ or at the very least not be paralyzed by it. I am-¡± Isaac¡¯s words halted, voice caught in his throat, ¡°I am grateful beyond words for everyone, and I know that whether my part in this story ends here today or not, there are people who will survive me capable of seeing it to its proper conclusion.¡± The speaker crackled once more, heralding an announcement, bringing a satisfied smirk to Isaac¡¯s lips, ¡°And hopefully this last trick of mine will make damned sure no one can get in the way of all we¡¯ve worked for.¡± ¡°Sir,¡± A feminine voice with a Grecian lilt addressed Isaac, ¡°Theseus, Minos, and Ea have put all the manufactories and shipping channels on standby for full production and distribution, Apophis and Njambe have taken on the task of filling out your Blacklist¡­ with a great deal of prejudice I might add, and the rest of us, under Tiamat, have been filling auxiliary roles to make sure that everything proceeds smoothly.¡± ¡°Thank you, Delphi.¡± Isaac felt the last vestiges of his worries fade away at her report, his relief palpable. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Sir.¡± Delphi replied, contentment clear in her voice, ¡°I will take my leave.¡± ¡°And with that,¡± Isaac¡¯s words came out in a sigh, ¡°I believe I have done all I can¡­ to prevent anyone from trying to use our Cradles - and the Enuma project as a whole - for themselves and to make sure that everyone has the choice of using them regardless of status or means,¡± Issac¡¯s gaze traveled, from where Eli, Sara, Maria, and Katagawa stood with rapturous attention, up to the great windows above, where Lucien and Paltridge glared hatefully down and Killian stoically watched on, ¡°With this final order I hope to protect you all, to make sure that no one, not even entire governments, can threaten you in an effort to prevent our work from seeing the light of day¡­.¡± Isaac met Lucien¡¯s glare with one of his own, ¡°And to make sure anyone who does, faces the full consequences of their greed and short sightedness.¡± He continued to scowl at his father, before a malicious smile of his own, stretched his lips and cast his face in a baleful glow, ¡°People like you Lucien, Dad.¡± ¡°That Blacklist Delphi mentioned? It was designed specifically because of you,¡± Isaac¡¯s eyes darkened as his hatred began to seep into his voice, ¡°I get to pay you back for all those years of abuse, for all the fear and pain you put me through¡­ for the hate you filled me with. I get to lock you away from the Cradles, prevent you from escaping what¡¯s coming and force you to watch-¡± His heart thundered in his ears, adrenaline flowing through his veins, his voice transitioning into a strained rasp, ¡°I get to force you to watch as everything you built burns around you, as you and those like you suffer for what you did to me, unable to escape from a war that will consume the world over.¡± ¡°I get to do all of that¡­ while making sure you know how I feel,¡± Isaac voice changed once more becoming a cold and steely thing, like a finely honed blade, ¡°I despise you more than anything in this world, every fibre of my being screams at me with the desire to feel you die in my hands¡­ But, I will have to live with the hope that while the world crumbles down around you, while all your wealth and associations fail to save you, you remember that the only person to blame for your pathetic state¡­ will be yourself.¡± ¡°I finally get to be rid of you, after all this time¡­¡± Isaac snorted and turned his back on his father, waving in dismissal, ¡°So, goodbye Lucien.¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t much of the resolution I always envisioned,¡± Isaac thought, a flash of his mother¡¯s smile passing behind his eyes, ¡°But she wouldn¡¯t want me wasting what little time I have left on that monster anymore.¡± Chapter 14 Isaac found himself at the Cradle¡¯s computer once more, staring as the screen flashed, indicating the shakedown protocol had completed, and that the machine was ready for use. He removed his glasses and placed them on the computer¡¯s keypad, ¡°It¡¯s time.¡± Isaac took a shaky breath, trembling hands beginning to remove his belt, a deluge of doubts, worries and anxieties threatening to wipe away his conviction. He held his belt in place, keeping his hands still while he focused on his breathing, ¡°1,2,3¡­¡± Falling back on that old worn practice of his to keep the panic at bay, to center himself once more, ¡°17,23,55¡­¡± An ironic return to the past that had forever scarred him, to an action borne of his desperation, ¡®68,9,43,31¡­¡± and now transformed into one of his hope and conviction instead. Isaac quickly whipped off his belt, kicking off his shoes simultaneously, using the window of calm he had created to its greatest effect. He leaned his back against the Cradle and removed his socks, tossing both over to where his shoes lay, before placing his hands at his pants. He paused, a flash of embarrassment freezing him in place. ¡°Really, after everything else?¡± Isaac thought with a huff, forcing himself through his brief bout of modesty to remove his pants, leaving him in nothing but his underwear. He didn¡¯t give himself a second to think as he hauled himself into the Cradle and, before laying down, shucked off the last of his clothes leaving himself completely bare, ¡°Close her up!¡± Isaac settled himself onto the raised slab within the Cradle, making sure his head was placed into a slight divot on its surface. The segmented top began to close on him, his order obviously heard by the team back in the center. The machine hissed softly as it shut, like a boa constrictor tightening around its prey, leaving Isaac to lay in an all-encompassing darkness. He shifted in place, feeling a small spike of claustrophobia poke at his composure, waiting for the submersion process to begin. Soft lights began to activate throughout the inside of the Cradle, banishing the darkness, and with it, Isaac¡¯s burgeoning panic. ¡°No going back now,¡± he mused, the sounds of the Cradle¡¯s awakening to his presence within it, carrying the feeling of the first handfuls of dirt placed over a coffin¡¯s lid. There was no remorse or terror¡­ just a resignation at the finality of his choice. A soft pop broke the lonesome atmosphere, sounding from behind Isaac¡¯s head, ¡°Are you comfortable my Abzu?¡± The deep hum, synonymous with Tiamat¡¯s voice, caused Isaac¡¯s hair to stand on end. ¡°As comfortable as I can be, Tia,¡± Isaac replied with a chuckle, ignoring her usual possessiveness, ¡°But shouldn¡¯t I be speaking to someone back in the control center, rather than you, right now?¡± He was answered by a loud silence, causing him to sigh, ¡°What did you do?¡± Isaac asked with exasperation, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. ¡°Well¡­¡± Tiamat started nervously, bringing to mind the picture of the woman shyly rubbing her hands together and desperately avoiding eye contact, ¡°I told them I would handle your submersion¡­ and your digitization.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t just go and commandeer the whole process, Tia,¡± Isaac chastised, ¡°There¡¯s a protocol we established for this whole thing and you taking over just throws all of that to hell. Not only that, but these people have just been introduced to the fact that you are a true AI! The first thing you do after that revelation being to prevent them from doing their jobs isn¡¯t exactly a good first impression, is it?¡± ¡°But what if they make a mistake!¡± Isaac flinched as the sound echoed within the confined space of the Cradle, Tia¡¯s voice loud and hysterical, ¡°If I handle everything then there won¡¯t be any mistakes; I can monitor everything, catch any problems, and react far faster than anyone else, and then-then¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, Tia,¡± Isaac¡¯s voice ran in opposition of Tia¡¯s own; comforting, controlled, and understanding, ¡°I know you¡¯re trying to protect me¡­ but you can¡¯t do it this way. I¡¯m not saying you can¡¯t double check what they¡¯re doing,¡± he continued forestalling the argument he knew was coming, ¡°In fact a large part of why I¡¯m so calm going through with this is because I knew you, and I¡¯m guessing a few less vocal members, would be making sure everything proceeded as best they could.¡± ¡°But that is far different then being directly involved as you are now. How many people would refuse to use the Cradles if they believed ¡°Skynet¡± AI were involved? Because that is the exact sort of mentality that will be pushed no matter the truth¡­¡± Isaac smiled sadly, ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to lose me and I, surprisingly, don¡¯t want to die today. But this is far bigger than me surviving or not, this is about Humanity living or dying. So, this needs to succeed or fail on human merits alone¡­ alright, Tia?¡± ¡°But if you die and I could have done something about it¡­¡± ¡°We both know that there isn¡¯t really much you can do,¡± Isaac rebutted, ¡°Once the digitization process begins there¡¯s no stopping it. So, if it fails, you wouldn¡¯t have been able to do anything, whether you¡¯re human or a ¡°super¡± AI like yourself¡­ and anyway if I die there¡¯s no reason to blame yourself, I told you not to get involved so all fault lies with me.¡± ¡°I¡¯d never blame you,¡± She whispered before speaking more normally, ¡°I don¡¯t like it¡­ but you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll let the team in the control center take over the Cradle¡¯s processes, okay?¡± ¡°Thank you, Tia.¡± ¡°But if you die while they¡¯re in control, I¡¯ll-¡± ¡°Alright that¡¯s enough out of you Mrs. Terminator,¡± Isaac sighed in exasperation, ¡°How about a compromise?¡± ¡°Such as?¡± Tiamat¡¯s voice rumbled with interest; earlier topics seemingly forgotten. ¡°While the team gets the submersion started you can continue speaking to me without having to switch over to one of the team.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Isaac¡¯s ears rung from the blast of enthusiasm that was Tia¡¯s answer, but he barely recognized the temporary deafness, a sudden erratic movement above drawing his attention away from the burst of tinnitus to the Cradle¡¯s ¡°mobile.¡± The ¡°mobile¡¯s¡± arms unlimbered robotically, smooth and faultless, moving to various positions above Isaac¡¯s body. One lowered and attached to his neck, inserting a needle, causing him to hiss in discomfort. Another unfurled, like a flower in bloom, splitting into numerous spindly appendages, each with sensor that attached to points on his chest and abdomen to monitor his vitals. As two sets rested on either of his temples, Tia spoke up once more, ¡°Once all of the arms are situated, they¡¯ll run your vitals one last time before lowering the breathing mask to begin the submersion.¡± An additional arm clamped a pulse oximeter around a pointer finger, and she continued, ¡°Once your breathing mask is confirmed to be on, they¡¯ll run oxygen through until the Cradle fills to a little more than a third capacity¡­ and then you¡¯ll be put under anesthesia, for everything else that follows.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be here for every step of the way of course!¡± Tiamat added with a sort of flustered panic, ¡°I¡¯m not going to leave even when you¡¯re asleep, so-so if you start to have second thoughts or you just want someone to talk to, I¡¯ll be right here for you¡­¡± Isaac chuckled at her antics, the meekness she showed to him always in contradiction to how she acted around the other AI, ¡°Thank you Tia. And, while I think I¡¯m long past second thoughts, I couldn¡¯t ask for anyone better to have by my side for all of this.¡± Tiamat seemed to sputter at his words, causing the speaker to crackle and squeak, ¡°Except for maybe Theo.¡± Isaac added with a mischievous glint in his eyes. ¡°ABZU!¡± Tiamat growled, forcing Isaac to struggle to keep himself still and prevent himself from laughing. They fell into a companiable pattern of conversation, talking about a nebulous many things as the minutes ticked past, when Tiamat paused suddenly. A soft *whirr* started from above Isaac¡¯s head, the arm ending in the breathing mask beginning to extend towards him, ¡°You¡¯re cleared,¡± Tiamat spoke clinically, though Isaac could notice the tension and fear she was trying to hide, ¡°They¡¯ll begin filling the Cradle in a moment¡­ are-are you sure you want to do this? I can still stop the machine if you want. Just say the word and I¡¯ll pull the cord and-and we can find someone else to go through with this instead.¡± The desperation that had leaked into Tia¡¯s voice was anything but subtle, ¡°Do you trust me?¡± Isaac asked, just before the breathing mask suctioned against his skin with a slight tug. ¡°Always.¡± Tia replied instantly. He smiled forlornly, voice muffled behind the mask, ¡°Then trust me when I say there will be no changing my mind, I¡¯m doing this no matter what. But,¡± Isaac¡¯s voice warbled with emotion, ¡°I don¡¯t think there are any words that could describe the kind of gratitude I feel for your compassion¡­ and for your being here with me, no matter what happens.¡± Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Isaac focused on his breathing, adjusting to the oxygen being fed through the mask, when he caught a nearly inaudible whisper, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare die, don¡¯t you dare leave me¡­¡± He didn¡¯t acknowledge Tia¡¯s demand, knowing it was a statement more to herself than to him, merely taking slow and methodical breaths as he waited for the submersion to begin in full. ¡°It¡¯s starting now.¡± Tia announced, voice subdued, followed by a muted hiss from below. Isaac felt his pulse quicken, a bout of anxiety swelling up as the realization of how few moments he truly had left, swept through him. Breathing became his focal point once more, the simple action allowing Isaac to distance himself from the panic that threatened to take ahold of him. Isaac closed his eyes, his breathing and the burbling of the nanomachine slurry the only sounds present. He relaxed, feeling whatever barrier that prevented him from doing so falling away¡­ a true resignation around where he was, what he was doing, and what the future may hold, loosening the hold of what fear had still remained. An audible *clunk* reached Isaac¡¯s ears and felt a subtle vibration down his breathing tube, ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± Tia¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, but roared in Isaac¡¯s head with what it represented, ¡°Breath in.¡± Isaac inhaled deeply, sensing a minute tang to the air that could only be the anesthetic. ¡°One,¡± Tia counted his first full round of breathing. He inhaled again, seeing the faces of Ray, Eli, Maria, Killian, Sara, and many others pass by in the darkness created through his closed eyes. ¡°Two.¡± The skin under the breathing mask began to feel¡­ off, as he breathed once more, errant major memories flickering in and out like stars in the night¡¯s sky. ¡°Three.¡± Isaac felt a looseness to his body that went beyond relaxation begin to spread through him, his lungs hitching for a moment as he reached the top of his breath. ¡°Four,¡± Tia¡¯s voice was distant and quiet to Isaac¡¯s ears as he began his next round of breathing. His mind became fuzzy, his thoughts having a weight to them that made them slow and ponderous¡­ however, Isaac felt a small spark of consciousness come over him, banishing the haze that filled his head; he looked up into the loving eyes of his mother, felt her hands on either of his cheeks, and her lips as they brushed his forehead¡­. The whisper of a voice entered Isaac¡¯s mind but did not expel the vision of his mother from his sight, ¡°Fi-¡± But the darkness did. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Isaac¡¯s eye¡¯s fluttered open to a cloudless sky, the purple tinged blackness of a late sunset, filled with innumerable stars. On his back, Isaac pushed himself up to a sitting position, one arm braced against the ground and the other draped over a now raised knee. His eyes traveled across a horizon created by a seemingly endless sky, down to an equally infinitely flat ground. The ground had a sheen to it like a placid lake, bereft of current and ripples, with a soft diffuse glow radiating from it. ¡°Did¡­¡± Isaac thought, mind struggling to comprehend his surroundings, ¡°Did it work? Or am I dead?¡± He continued to look around, hoping to spot something that could answer his questions or give him a clue, a hysterical panic beginning to set in, ¡°Is This all the afterlife is or-¡± As he wildly looked around him, Isaac¡¯s attention was suddenly drawn to the arm on his knee¡­ or more accurately to what was on the arm. Each of his fingers bore silver rings, loose chains of a similar silver connecting each to the cuff of a long sleeve. The clothing was made of a fine linen weave, airy and slack, the lightly yellowed hue of paper left out in the sun; it was highlighted by a rich turquoise silk woven in the likeness of waves, lined and stitched with silver thread. Isaac followed the pattern up his arm, the waves shimmering with a luminescent quality like a tide in motion, to a long scarf that draped down over his chest. It was a keffiyeh separated into three layers; the central layer was the same linen as most of his clothing seemed to be and was edged by black tassels tied with silver adornments, and the bottom and top-most layers were both of the same turquoise silk etched with silver stitched patterns. Flipping the garment over in his hand, Isaac traced over the silver threading in the silk with a thumb, following over whorls and spirals made in the fabric. He felt the tug of the scarf against his skin as he once more manipulated the keffiyeh, exposing the top layer; it was cut and sheared in sections, revealing the linen underneath, retaining the running theme of water and waves but working in conjunction with the other fabric to create the illusion of whitewater and wave crests. He played with the keffiyeh between his fingers, feeling the fabric shift and roll against each other, as his eyes traveled down the rest of his length. The sleeves that had originally drawn his attention were actually part of a linen kaftan, richly embroidered with green, silver, and blue thread; it was sinched at the waist by a braided sash of turquoise and emerald silk, with three onyx studded silver medallions in the place of a typical ¡°buckle¡± keeping the sash together. The robe opened into four separate planes of decorated linen, reaching to a length that would put them around his ankles, revealing a pair of tubay pants beneath. They were coloured in reverse to the kaftan; the base being a deep mixture of blue and green, and the natural worn khaki of the linen working as a highlight and embroidery, or as the drawstring of the pants themselves. His consideration ended at his feet, where a pair of leather and silver embossed sandals wrapped up to his mid-calf, pulling the tubay¡¯s pant legs directly against the skin underneath. The sheer detail and craftsmanship of the clothing, and the drastic dichotomy between what he was currently in and what he had been without before, consumed Isaac¡¯s attention in its entirety¡­ and as he continued to idly toy with the keffiyeh in his hand, Isaac had the inclination that that was by design. Isaac pushed himself to his feet, letting the scarf slip from his fingers to rest at his chest once more, feeling the layers of clothing shift and settle about his person. He gazed upwards, out towards the dusk hued expanse of a starry sky above and spoke into the empty, ¡°Tiamat!¡± Emanating from every direction, a deep throaty chuckle answered, surrounding him like a blanket of bass. Glassy orbs began to rise from the ground like raindrops in reverse, their surface reflecting the sky above as though the stars themselves were trapped within them. Their numbers grew rapidly, one drop flowing into the next, until Isaac was completely surrounded by nothing but a curtain of shimmering cosmos. Isaac glanced around him, finding that the line between ceiling and ground had blurred and disappeared until the point that he seemed suspended within his own personal bubble of space. A bright light flashed past his sight, blinding Isaac for an instant, obscuring his surroundings in a sheet of white. He blinked rapidly, hissing in discomfort as he rubbed at his eyes to clear the welling tears and dark shadows the light had left in its wake. He squinted with one eye, searching around him for the origin of the light, and found a long vaporous trail instead. Isaac¡¯s mind stuttered in incredulity as he followed the tail, ¡°Was that a fucking comet?!¡± The massive ball of ice visibly receded from his sight while he stared after it, traveling faster than he could ever truly comprehend, becoming lost in the void¡¯s dazzling array of colours. His eyes widened, the comet soon forgotten, devoured by massive nebulae of brilliant hues. They stretched across space like sheets caught in the wind, ethereal tapestries woven from threads of dust and hydrogen in rich colours, dwarfing even the stars themselves in their scale. Isaac¡¯s mind boggled at the sheer size and beauty of the space around him; the incongruity of his place amongst a field of magnificent giants, a minute speck amongst an astrophysical realm that extended beyond what his mind could grasp, sent his thoughts careening like a satellite knocked from orbit. It was enrapturing and terrifying in equal measure¡­ and worked perfectly to, once more, derail his focus from more prescient matters. ¡°Tiamat!¡± Isaac growled into the endless void, wondering what the veritable goddess was planning and how this¡­ demonstration of Her¡¯s tied into it. ¡°Just. One. Moment.¡± A purr echoed from around him, stars flaring with each syllable, space seemingly vibrating and warping under the power behind her voice, ¡°Patience. My Abzu.¡± Isaac could sense the smile behind her words, stymieing any further argument from him in its tracks. He stared out into the cosmos, tracing the nebulae with his sight; eyes and mind both, finding form within the diaphanous conglomeration of celestial particles¡­ - A great eagle, or other form of raptor, spread wings of violet and emerald out over a massive swath of space, glaring down from a thick brow of rusted orange and brown. - Another nebula had the appearance of a titanic anvil, a dark rich blue like the deepest oceans, flecks of gold and crimson throughout its body, with a massive crack of amber splitting its body and face in twain. - His eyes shifted yet again, finding a startling Tyrian and ruby serpent, partially obscured within a cloud of silver and umber, with masses of bright stars spattering its length like a band of bioluminescence. - He began to take in yet another celestial body, what looked at a glance like great silver roots that dwarfed full star systems, when the space around him seemed to tilt on its axis. A thrum of sound rattled Isaac¡¯s teeth, sounding like massive brass bells ringing within his own head, heralding a great burst of light once more leaving him sightless. He was lost within that pervasive white, deafened and blind, unmoored and aimless. His corneas stung and itched from being scoured by such intense light, his ears swum in an ocean of tinnitus; however, as he desperately blinked his eyes to return some form of sight back to them, his attention was on a¡­ different sensation. Isaac felt arms on his back for an instant before the feeling fled, lost under a sudden deafening discordant screech that split through his brain, much like the sound of a knife dragged across glass¡­ And with it, the world Shattered. His mind twisted and warped, a deluge of images, impressions, conflicts, realizations, and emotions slamming into his psyche, accompanied by a pain unlike any he had ever felt before. Isaac¡¯s vision swirled with a kaleidoscope of dizzying hues; nausea roiling to the surface as the colours, pain, and mental battery melded into a confusing and agonizing mass, his consciousness flickering as he became unable to weather the ferocious storm of torment running rampant cross his mind. His mouth opened in a silent scream, the discordance of mind and body making him feel as though he was being torn apart, his body locked in a tortured rictus as he felt the very fibres of his being fray and shred. Until it became too much¡­ and Isaac found himself once more swallowed by darkness. Chapter 15 [WIP] Pain and disorientation followed him into the present waking world, yet another battery of information assailing his unprepared mind as his consciousness returned¡­ Back from a past already experienced. Fragments of recollection coalesced into a broken and shredded tapestry of memory as damaged as he was, detailing a story that felt¡­ distant despite its recency. His memories reasserted themselves with only slightly more clarity, the realization that his psyche had¡­ folded in upon itself ¨C bringing the agony he currently experienced, to the memory of his first awakening within the Cradle ¨C creating a harsh enough bout of vertigo to cause his surroundings to twirl precariously in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m dying¡­¡± the revelation had little of its original shock, much of his emotions muted and drained by the agony that radiated across every atom of his being from his rapidly failing form. Flashes of conversations, information, and revelations appeared erratically, each adding the slightest bit more context to memories lost in a haze of confusion, ¡°I witnessed¡­ something, was harmed by it¡­ broken by it.¡± His thoughts were sluggish, his mind wracked with a deep fatigue, ¡°Now my time¡¯s running out.¡± He tried to move, but even the slightest motion set his body alight with pain, as though a swarm of fire ants were writhing beneath the surface of his skin, gnawing at the muscle and meat below. The pain caused him to release a low grating groan, tears running down either side of his face, clouding his already blurry sight further. Muted steps rapidly approached, barely audible under his prolonged moan, a blurred figure coming to hover within his sight, ¡°You-you¡¯re awake.¡± A voice spoke, its tone one of weary relief, audible even though it sounded as if the words were being spoken from underwater¡­ Yet he could still tell who was speaking. Visions of a handsome ¨C impeccably groomed ¨C face with viperic eyes and a mischievous serpent fanged smirk, floated to the fore front of his mind; joined by a wealth of information and conversation all conducted through the very same voice speaking to him now. Aapep. ¡°Can-can you move, Isaa-?¡± Aapep hesitantly begun to ask before he abruptly halted, the name dying on his lips as worry transitioned into sorrow. ¡°Isaac¡­¡± A deep melancholy rose within him at the name, even his own use of it ¨C within the confines of his own mind ¨C becoming an uncomfortable endeavor, because¡­ ¡°Isaac¡­ is dead.¡± The memory bloomed, his own words humming through his head with all of the despondence, fear, anger, and pain as they had when he had first uttered them. The realization as lacking in potency as his coming nonexistence, diluted as the memories had become by his current state. He shifted ¨C the movement making him feel as though he had split some of his skin apart ¨C enough to ¡°look¡± towards Aapep, ¡°I told you-¡± he was forced to pause and take a breath, too weak to speak without, ¡°call me whatever ¨C you¡¯re comfortable with.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­¡± Aapep¡¯s voice trailed off, conflicting emotions making his voice tremble. ¡°Hard¡­¡± The shadow of Isaac offered, his voice a rasp like two sheets of sandpaper being rubbed together, ¡°To reconcile with the fact that - what¡¯s in front of you ¨C despite all evidence otherwise ¨C is not what you believe it to be?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Aapep sounded almost defeated to his ears, ¡°Isaac-You are everything to us¡­ and to have to stand here, witnessing the state you are in now and be able to do nothing about it, while knowing we were the cause of it all in the first place¡­ well, it goes far beyond being just hard or painful.¡± He could almost feel the frustration and grief radiating off of Aapep as he finished, a tense silence falling between the two, ¡°I desperately wish - I could consider myself to be him again, to find comfort, rather than confusion, in these memories I have - of a world and a life that I so pathetically cling to - despite my knowing they are not mine. I wish I could give you all your Isaac back, keep you all away from the pain - I¡¯m causing you, but-¡± Aapep snorted interrupting him, the sound wet with tears that he could not see, ¡°But, I wouldn¡¯t struggle with how to address you, if you didn¡¯t go and act, speak, think¡­ and make things more complicated for yourself just as He did¡­¡± ¡°And that is why you will always be Isaac to us.¡± Another voice smoothly joined in, ¡°Because at your that is who you are, no matter the conflicts you are experiencing now.¡± A second indistinct figure appeared in his sight, the two sets of horns on her head ¨C obvious even through the curtain of haze that fell over both his eyes ¨C as well as the throaty rumble of her voice, conjuring to mind the tall draconic woman that had been first to meet him, and introduce him to the space within the Cradle. Tiamat. He felt her place a hand against his arm, opposite of Aapep¡¯s own, ¡°And even once you enter into Vetem, at your core, you will still remain the man we know¡­ the man who created us.¡± ¡°So, it''s almost done?¡± Aapep addressed Tiamat, his tone one of sad relief with something¡­ else beneath the surface, too slight to be made out completely. ¡°Yes.¡± Tiamat replied, clawed fingers rubbing soothingly against his skin, ¡°Yggdrasill is just finalizing the last details.¡± ¡°They¡¯re also making sure that your¡­ final message is properly taken care of as well.¡± Her voice dropped to a sad whisper, the indistinct glowing orbs of her eyes turning back upon him, ¡°Your words will get to those who need to hear it, They promise.¡± ¡°Good¡­ that¡¯s good¡± He rasped, grimacing as another wave of agony rolled through him, ¡°Thank you, all of you.¡± ¡°There is no need to thank us, I-Isaac.¡± Aapep shifted, his opposite hand moving fast enough to create a headache inducing streak of colour in the air, ¡°We are merely repaying all you have done for us¡­ as well as making up for some of our mistakes.¡± ¡°Now.¡± In a minor flare of light, a shimmering square shape appeared where Aapep¡¯s hand had been moving, ¡°Before Yggdrasill truly finalizes all the details, I would like you to look over your choices¡­ If-if you feel up to it of course.¡± He nodded with a small hiss, ¡°Yigg would you mind ¨C helping me sit up?¡± At his request, he was lifted up slightly, pliant vines wrapping around his chest to shift him into a more comfortable sitting position while others moved to support his back, ¡°Thank you, Yigg.¡± A shudder of pleasure ran through the vines, leaves, and moss pressed against him, his attention quickly shifting from Yggdrasill¡¯s assistance back to Aapep, ¡°Show me.¡± With another quick motion, the square dissolved into a line of light before reappearing once more in front of his face, close enough that he could actually make out details for once-
[Denizen] ¨C {Modified}
Join the world of Vetem as a natural inhabitant, as closely entwined with the realm¡¯s workings as any other born within it, but at the cost of the memories of your life prior. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
+ Greater initial selection of skills, traits, and races.
+ No imposed penalties to progression.
{+} Start with the [Preternatural Wisdom] Trait.
- Loss of previous memories.
{-} Can only select from non-humanoid/non-bipedal Races.
- Magical affinities in flux until Second Stage of development.
- {Extended} acclimation period.
- Singular life.
Preternatural Wisdom:
Retain the knowledge, insights, and experience of your previous life, though devoid of the context or memories associated with them.
+ Greatly increases the chance of Identity retention at the cost of Skill selection during Character Creation.
¡°Denizen and Preternatural Wisdom¡­¡± He glared at the screens, the dread, self-doubt, anger, and grief that he had experienced at their appearance rising up once more¡­ Before in yet another shock of pain they dispersed. ¡°None of that matters anymore.¡± He looked over each, reading line by line, barely remembering have read them the first time, ¡°These give me a chance to live on, in at least some way¡­ and I would be a fool not to take it.¡± ¡°These are as I remember.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Aapep swiped his hand and the screens swirled forming into yet another, ¡°Then we can move on to your Race, as well as the two additional Traits I chose for you.¡± ¡°Your Race was-¡± That¡¯s as far as he heard before the pain struck again; it felt like someone were running a drill through his spinal column and electrocuting his nerves, his mind drowning under a flood of torment, a primal bestial scream ripping out from his throat as though it too were trying to escape the pain. When just as suddenly it disappeared. He slumped back down, his body on fire, his mind slowly beginning to function again. ¡°-or time!¡± A voice pierced through his tinnitus laden ears, fearful and angered, ¡°Wrap him up Yggdrasill, Now!¡± ¡°Aapep¡­¡± He thought, just as his sight was obscured behind a wall of foliage. There was a soft susurrus as the tendrils and vines shifted about themselves and his person, low flashes of multi-coloured light coiling about their cords streaking past at an ever-increasing rate, ¡°I wish- I wish I had had enough time to say goodbye¡­¡± He could barely put together an idea of what had transpired since he had awoken within the Cradle, his mind a confusing mess of broken and shattered memories and information, ¡°So much lost, so much I already can¡¯t recall¡­ what else did I choose, what am I to become? The lights grew in brilliance, the rustling replaced by a swelling hum, and a voice echoed around him, ¡°You have nothing to worry over.¡± It was an amorphous sound, as though he were hearing a crowd reciting passages in unison, seemingly replying to his inner musings, ¡°Not of your future nor of your lack of goodbye, for at least one of those things has already been spoken.¡± ¡°They know, as We do, your appreciation, acceptance, and love¡± ¡°Even without your message, what you made out to be your eulogy, all of us know what we mean to you¡­ and, more importantly, what you mean to us, Isaac.¡± Yggdrasill continued ¨C as there was only one being he could believe this to be ¨C the hundreds of voices, consisting of Yigg¡¯s own singular tongue, overlapping each other like sheaves of paper, binded to form one cohesive work, ¡°No matter your reservations in yourself; we know, with confidence, that even through the experiences you undergo in this new life, that the man at your core will remain. Our ally. Our friend. Our Creator.¡± ¡°Trust in yourself as We do. Fear not the past nor the future, worry not for what has been lost and forgotten¡­ for you will never forget Yourself.¡± If he could have moved, he would have shivered at the sheer amount of devotion in Yggdrasill¡¯s voice, ¡°What did I ever do to deserve this level of trust and expectation? How is it that they can have so much confidence in me, when I¡¯ve lost nearly all of it in myself? Why can¡¯t I remember?!¡± The lights within his cocoon began to blur past in streaks of undefined colours, the surrounding hum turning to a teeth-rattling frequency, ¡°Our time grows short, Isaac.¡± Yggdrasill¡¯s voice was clear even through the hum, ¡°So, in the time we have left, We wish to say goodbye. Not to you, but the past you leave behind, for this will not be the last we speak.¡± It was an odd experience to hear a smile come across a voice consisting of hundreds, ¡°This will not be the last we all hear your voice. But, while We do not know when it is next we shall converse, the day will come that you will take your rightful place amongst us; as who you have always been.¡± Confusion ran rampant through his mind at Yggdrasill¡¯s words, the surrounding lights and sounds reaching an equally astonishing crescendo, bathing his world in brilliant sound and white light, ¡°What does that me--?¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D He awoke with a start, flailing about in confusion as things began to fill his mind. Concepts, descriptions, opinions, perceptions, and knowledge, that he became startingly aware he should have no understanding of, affirming themselves in his thinking as though they had always been there. As though they were his own. He stumbled over his own legs, just barely avoiding stepping on ¨C or tumbling over ¨C his siblings and mother, as he made a trail towards the pond that lay partially lit through the rents in the cavern¡¯s ceiling. ¡°Rents? Ceiling?¡± He thought, then immediately paused, tripping over his legs and falling uncomfortably on his face. His thoughts were frighteningly clear. They were like his mother¡¯s; clean, controlled¡­ old. His battered and raw mind urged him back to his feet, pulling him to once more walk towards the pond. On unsteady legs he approached the still water, wondering through the pain in his head why he had such a desire to see himself, ¡°What has changed? What is wrong with me?¡± Fear intermingled with the desire, changing his stride to a desperate and unstable sprint. The sprint caused him to lose his footing, rolling end over end, only to halt just at the edge of the pond. His mind once more incessantly demanded he rise. That he look into the water. That he see. He shook with fear as he stood once more, hovering just out of sight of the water. His heart beat erratically in his chest, every step closer feeling as though he were moving legs made of stone. The pond was unbothered by his panic, placid and tranquil. The cloudy beams of light hitting the surface reflected, and filled, the cave with enough of a glow to make out details even without his enhanced sight. Yet, as he finally made the last step and leaned over the pond, he felt as though that light brightened just a little more. He gazed into the water, the light working in conjunction with his vision to display his features in full. His face was as youthful as his siblings¡¯, only just shy of their fourteenth year; and only a stone¡¯s throw away from stepping into their juvenile stage. He had a sharp chin and cheekbones for his age, though they were softened by the young fat that still clung to him. His skin was a dark tan, with a pronounced and warm red undertone that made him feel... happy, for some reason. His eyebrows and lashes were thick and full, the same rich black colour of his hair, and stood out just enough to be visible against the fur that covered his forehead and his nose. The fur was the same colour as that across the rest of his body, a unique black and deep red undercoat with white at its tips. Starting from the black triangle of his lower felinid nose, and up its flat and slightly tapered bridge, the shorter fur faded up into his hairline. His inspection drew his eyes over his hair and to his ears. The two triangles twitched unconsciously at his attention, their position further back on his head causing them to rise from his short and unruly mane like fur covered mountains. He moved them on his own; feeling as the tuft of fur obscuring their openings and the hair surrounding them tickled him and made him smile. His smile exposed his teeth, all a muted gold at their root and whitening to their tips, as well as the four long and sharp fangs that rested within his mouth. It was a carnivorous grin ¨C unsettling to likely all but himself and his own kind ¨C but as he looked back into his own eyes, it felt¡­ right. Under the nightly conditions, his pupils were massive abyssal orbs, but what little of his irises that could be seen filled him with an odd sense of contentment. They were both separate colours; his left eye a rich green, like plants glutted with water after the rainy season, and his right a bright blue, like clear water under the light of the Brothers. But their presence caused his mind to calm, the sharp pain from the sudden appearance of so much information fading as he fell into his own sight. He sat back on his haunches, vision still locked on his own reflection and let out a shaky breath that he barely realized he had been holding. ¡°I don¡¯t know what has changed.¡± He mused, the awareness that his mind had drastically changed obvious through the clear form his thoughts took, ¡°But it feels¡­ good? Not in the sense that I am comfortable with everything now filling my head, or this¡­ unsteadiness that I feel throughout my body. But that this shift in myself is meant to help me more than harm me.¡± There was another sharp twinge in his mind, causing him to narrow his eyes, ¡°Though I guess only time will tell if that feeling is true or not¡­¡± Chapter 16 Nameless glared at the sparse swarm of I¡¯thekik* scorpion-ant workers and false warriors arrayed before himself and his siblings. It had been two passes of the Sister since the night he had awoken ¨C in two senses ¨C under her gaze; his body and mind both having struggled with the changes that had occurred and having taken nearly all of the days passed for him to gain some semblance of control over them once more. It had been a frustrating ¨C and at times frightening ¨C experience, the sheer difficulty of learning how to use his limbs and senses again being magnified by the dangers surrounding him. From deadly creatures and hostile conditions, to more¡­ familial threats. His eyes quickly flicked over to Mother, she spoke at him and his siblings telepathically, but he flexed his now heightened mind to place her voice into the back of his thoughts. She had been most unpleased with his stumblings and clumsiness, following the sudden appearance of the Traits that had caused his temporary impairment. He had felt her disappointment and, more startling, her anger and disgust towards him as he struggled to regain what had been thrown out of balance. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it is because she was not expecting a need to hide such thoughts ¨C surrounded by us cubs ¨C if it is because of that Trait I have gained, or both¡­¡± He thought privately, carefully making sure his internal dialogue remained internal, ¡°But, I still fear what she might have done to me if I had continued to struggle with such basic things.¡± He thought it was a foolish and unreasonable fear, as even if she had felt such things towards him, he was still her son and she, his mother; after all there was no reason for her to harm him for something out of his control, something that harmed no one. But the fear remained, and of more frustration, he felt that the very same Trait that had allowed for him to feel her emotions, agreed with that irrational fear. He quietly huffed, manifesting the Trait in question, as well as its two companions, to read over yet another time ¨C
Preternatural Wisdom:
Your mind now contains a wisdom beyond its years; and with that wisdom comes an identity with knowledge and perceptions far past your age and experiences.
Your mind finds itself more able to utilize and advance cognitive skills, manipulate magics, and its awakening gives you the advantage of an ¡°aged¡± consciousness to temper and guide your steps forward.
Adaptive Physique:
Through harm and exposure, your body from flesh to bone, gradually alters itself to protect from recurrent sources of threat and damage.
Your mutative body increases your capacity to develop, and advance, resistant and defensive traits, as well as increases the likelihood of the occurrence of related metamorphic options.
Lesser Mana Conduits [Upgradeable]:
Often considered an essential step in mana mastery; your body has developed and integrated a vast web of mana channels ¨C allowing for mana to flow unhindered within ¨Cthroughout your form.
While the presence of a mana conduit system will increase the chance of mana based metamorphic options becoming available; your current structure consists of thin and fragile channels, only increasing the efficiency and potency of your mana by a minute amount.
¨C As a Stage 1 being your mana usage is limited to only intrinsic skills, while spells and affined magics remain latent, putting your channels into a state of dormancy until you progress into a Stage 2 being. ¨C
¨C Preternatural Wisdom proved to be just as confusing in its details as in the changes it made in his head. Simultaneously describing the clarity of mind, and knowledge that now inhabited his thoughts, as his¡­ and another¡¯s. Its benefits couldn¡¯t be denied, the ease at which he could plan ahead and interpret information, as well as his newfound ability to essentially ¡°silence¡± his mother¡¯s voice, being perfect examples of how far the Trait had already pushed his mental capabilities. Yet, there remained a divide, of sorts, between his heightened mentality and the knowledge and¡­ awareness that had been supplanted beside it. It felt to him as though the Trait were damaged, or unfinished, in some way, the line between himself and the bundle of intuitions ¨C and understandings ¨C being too present for him to see them as anything but an uncomfortable intrusion into his mind. His frustration and worry over the Trait overshadowed what positivity he held for it, as well as the two other Traits he had received. ¡°But I have more pressing things to focus on than my feelings towards the Wisdom and the other new Traits at the moment.¡± Nameless stretched, dissolving the illusory Traits, trying to relieve some of the anxious tension that had crawled into his muscles as he had worried away in his own head. He turned his attention outward, looking over his siblings to their mother, feeling as her Telepathy bloomed to the forefront of his mind once more. [While today will be your first hunt without my direct assistance, it will not be your last.] Her voice was as domineering as her presence, rumbling with a tone that ordered respect and obedience, [I will be taking you all to places like this, filled with prey, for you to fight, hunt, and learn on your own against, for the next coming weeks.] She turned her head, her short and roughly cut hair swaying with the motion, looking down on him and his siblings with a single piercing orange eye, [Use this time well, while I am still here to protect you, as with the next pass of the Sister I will be releasing all of you to progress to your second Stage on your own.] [So go,] She commanded over their telepathic link, looking down into the dried basin the I¡¯thekik skittered about within, [And let me see how much you have learned by my side¡­ and how much further you all have to grow.] At the cutting of their link, Nameless watched as two of his siblings burst from their number and down the embankment in a scree of soil and plants. Fang and Shiver were the largest and most aggressive of his siblings respectively, making his sisters¡¯ immediate leap to throw themselves into conflict as unsurprising as the tussling the two had amongst themselves, as they competed to reach the insects first. Three more of his siblings followed in their stead; the Twins, prancing down the slope with their usual halfhearted flair, and Greye, who¡¯s prodigious strength led to him more bumbling and tumbling his way down than anything else. With five of his siblings already making their way, Nameless began to take his first steps down as well. As he carefully chose a path down, he looked to his right and caught his two remaining siblings, also beginning to navigate down the slope with him. Shade and Quiet were the most methodical and cerebral of his siblings; Shade having an instinctual cunning and open fondness for sneaking about and ambushing his siblings, while Quiet was ¨C as his name for her reflected ¨C reserved and solitary, having an obvious inquisitiveness and intelligence that towered above himself and the rest of his kin. ¡°Though maybe not anymore¡­¡± He mused as he continued to carefully choose where to place his paws. Compared to his siblings the only traits that had made Nameless stand out had been his eyes and fur, but now¡­. With his actions and decisions moving more beyond instinct, and into conscionable thought ¨C like the care he put into his trail down to confront the I¡¯thekik ¨C he now held an advantage over the rest of his siblings, the brilliant Quiet included. He could plan out how he wanted to push his Skills to grow, how he wanted himself to grow, rather than just fall back on the basics of what his instincts had ingrained in him. ¡°If [Wisdom] hadn¡¯t changed my thinking I would have been running in besides the Twins and Greye, rather than taking my time on the approach.¡± Glancing between his paws and the basin, Nameless evaluated the swarm of insects below, ¡°I would have jumped in to fight where the swarm was thickest and likely only walked away wounded and with a clawful of Levels, rather than having used this opportunity to learn and walk away with something truly useful.¡± Experience. Nameless watched as Shiver and Fang crashed through the final length of brush to land at the outskirts of the basin, their loud appearance drawing an immediate and hostile reaction from the swarm. False warriors rapidly turned to throw themselves in the way of his sisters, the bulk of the I¡¯thekik swarm releasing a hollow and grating hiss at the arrival of the Sphinx, whose momentum and enthusiasm threatened to send them into the bulk of the less combative workers without some form of obstruction. The first of the false warriors to meet his sisters were easily smashed through or batted aside, too few in number to truly halt the two larger Sphinx. However, as they closed on the workers, the two soon found themselves surrounded by a frenzied mass of chitin, stingers, pincers, and mandibles; all single-mindedly focused on doing harm to the sisters in any manner they could. Fang and Shiver were bogged down, but otherwise unbothered by their position, ¡°It looks like they are enjoying themselves actually.¡± Their faces alight with a predatory glee, his sisters began to lay into the insects around them, crushing some under paw and shredding others with fangs and claws in a whirlwind of violence. The I¡¯thekik were maddened, heedless of their own injuries or the wounded and dead at their feet, they poured over themselves, desperate to get at any exposed part of the sisters. More than a few were successful. Scorpion-ant mandibles and claws latched onto legs and other patches of hide, worrying at the flesh underneath, and stingers punched forward at Fang and Shiver from every direction, trying to find purchase anywhere they could to deliver the venom within. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. While each injury caused was negligible, every landed sting or cut made eliciting barely any reaction from his sisters, the sheer volume of attacks against them risked quickly putting them in dire straights the longer they fought¡­ That is, if not for him and the rest of his siblings being on the way. Greye slammed into the I¡¯thekik at Fang and Shiver¡¯s backs in a spray of yellow ichor and broken bodies, his prodigious strength cutting an effortless swathe through the distracted false warriors as he moved to take some of the pressure off his sisters. Yet another Sphinx in their midst caused the I¡¯thekik to fall into even greater a frenzy, their jarring hiss reaching a frantic pitch as the mass of insects adjusted to yet another threat with even some of the workers now throwing themselves into the fray. As the insects redoubled their efforts to bring harm to his siblings, and he closed in on the last length before entering the basin proper, Nameless looked to his other remaining siblings. The Twins had disappointingly chosen to go after some isolated workers ¨C instead of joining the main conflict ¨C playfully batting the insects around between them, Shade looked to be angling himself towards the main mound of I¡¯thekik, though based on his nature it was near certain that he be harrying at the edges of the aggravated mass rather than joining his siblings at its center, and Quiet¡­ Nameless subtly smiled, fangs flashing in what light broke through the scraggly canopy above, ¡°I think she has the same plan in mind as myself¡­¡± Quiet was moving in a parallel to himself, aiming for where some wounded I¡¯thekik had been tossed to and a couple claws worth of false warriors continued to act as sentries over the rest of the basin. ¡°Though I wonder if it is to push her skills as I am?¡± He spared only a quick final glance, and thought, towards his cunning sister as he reached the end of the brush, his focus landing on an isolated scorpion-ant he had caught sight of on the way down. The insect had been wounded and flung away early in the initial clash, a rear leg broken and bent over its back, its left pincer shattered, and the mandible on the same side hanging loosely from its head. It was perfect. Nameless carefully slid down the sheer bank, transitioning from dry brush forest to sunbaked clay river basin, delicate bole crumbling under his paws. He spared only cursory attention to his surroundings, eyes locked on his prey as he closed on the wounded false warrior. His heart thundered in his chest, his muscles itched and squirmed under his hide in anticipation. Excitement threatened to increase his pace, but he harshly clamped down on his emotions to keep his stride steady and mind composed. There would be another time to just let himself enjoy the thrill of a hunt. As Nameless closed, the wounded I¡¯thekik finally took notice of him. Even pupil-less he could feel as its two reflective compound eyes focused on him, evaluating him as an approaching threat. Its stinger tipped tail rose from behind it, the scorpion-ant releasing that same scraping and piercing hiss that had come to fill the basin, and ¨C even with one mandible unusable ¨C it twitched its jaws at him in an effort to scare him off. It failed. Once within striking distance the insect¡¯s hiss somehow reached an even higher pitch, causing Nameless¡¯s ears to flatten against his head and forcing a growl of displeasure out from his throat. He took another step closer when, with barely a twitch, the false warrior¡¯s stinger snapped forward. As much as Nameless had been focusing on his movements, with the sudden attack, his instincts took hold. He dropped to his stomach, the stinger cutting through the air where his throat had been and tensed his legs. Snapping upwards on his hind legs, he caught the still extended tail in his jaws, roughly yanking the I¡¯thekik off the ground as he stretched to his full length. The insect ineffectually snapped at him, aimlessly swinging from where it hung from his jaws. Nameless growled, shifting to place the false warrior under himself, and allowed himself to be drawn back to all fours. The I¡¯thekik hit the ground first in a puff of clay dust, still hissing, and trying to use its renewed purchase to get at Nameless¡¯s underbelly¡­ when the Sphinx¡¯s forepaws arrived. In a spatter of viscous yellow ichor, dark wet organs, and shards of carapace; Nameless¡¯s paws punched straight through the insect¡¯s exoskeleton, pinning its broken body against the dried riverbed. Its hiss abruptly cut off at the terminal wound, however ¨C whether through a similar instinct as his own or some undying rage ¨C the insect¡¯s death throes had its body continue to fight; its tail violently twitching in his jaws to try and bury itself into his flesh, its legs desperately scraping rents into the ground in an effort to remove itself from his claws. He was forced to move his body slightly as the I¡¯thekik continued to writhe under him, trying to avoid any foolish wounds from any enemy already dead. ¡°As much as I managed to kill the I¡¯thekik successfully, I do not believe there was a moment where I really thought through what I was doing there¡­¡± Mouth still firmly clamped around the twitching scorpion-ant¡¯s tail, Nameless surveilled his surroundings as he evaluated his actions. ¡°One subconscious action folding into another; from my dodging the initial strike, to snapping the I¡¯thekik up in my jaws and slamming down on top of it, I barely spared a thought from one move to the next¡­¡± He thought, eyes landing on a trio of false warriors that seemed to be coming his way, ¡°It was effective, but much like the I¡¯thekik¡¯s own attacks, if I lean too heavily into that instinctive way of acting, I risk becoming predictable.¡± ¡°It will not be a quick process.¡± Nameless removed his paws from the insect¡¯s corpse, each coming away with a sucking *squelch*, the limbs covered in strings of sticky yellow blood and tissue caking the fur against his skin, ¡°But if I want to see those new Traits of mine to their full potential and be able to fight ¨C and survive ¨C against more than just some simple insects, it will be a process I have to start now.¡± He put the corpse to his back in a few steps and rested slightly back on his haunches as the three I¡¯thekik picked up their pace. There was no doubt in his mind that he could win, even outnumbered three-to-one, against the closing insects, but he wondered if he could do it without taking a wound¡­ ¡°Well,¡± He bore his fangs and growled, body tensing in preparation, ¡°Only one manner to find out.¡± The I¡¯thekik approached side-by-side with an unsettling unity, hissing and posturing aggressively as they scuttled to clash with him. He felt a subtle twitch through his body as the urge to throw himself directly at the insects coursed through him, their taunts and hisses aggravating him, but he halted the instinct ruthlessly, focusing on how he wanted to engage. If the only threat to him had been pincers and mandibles he might have entertained just that ¨C charging in directly and smashing straight through the scorpion-ants without hesitation ¨C but their stingers gave him pause. Unlike his siblings, fighting against the main mass of I¡¯thekik, he didn¡¯t have the luxury of others covering for his wounds, and while he could brush off gashes and bruises¡­ venom was a different matter. His eyes squinted in concentration, the insects¡¯ hissing growing louder as they scuttled closer and closer, countless different plans spreading out in front of him like roots searching for water. He could see numerous paths for him ahead unfold, a fragile web of actions and reactions ¨C from him and the I¡¯thekik both ¨C spinning out within the confines of his head. Nameless could feel his thinking shift with a suddenness, instincts and conscious thought beginning to fold into each other as something else appeared. His plans grew in clarity and confidence, the visions before him unfurling with ease, until a singular method bloomed into focus¡­ beside a surprising realization. ¡°A Skill?¡± He tamped down on the instant desire to check; the feeling percolating in his soul, like the growing warmth of the dawning of day, more than enough evidence for him to know that something had occurred within him. Nameless snarled and adjusted his posture; front paws extended fully down in front of him, body resting on his hind legs, chest forward¡­ ¡°The distractions can wait.¡± Snapping his wings out and forward, the muscles in his limbs screaming at the motion, Nameless created a cloud of sand and clay dust that enveloped the three charging insects. Quickly pulling his wings back to his sides tightly, he followed in the wake of the cloud, leaping towards where he expected the rightmost scorpion-ant to be in a swirl of dust. Nameless¡¯s leap took him two full lengths away from where he had sat, his passage clearing the air for a moment before the inevitable landing kicked up another plume of debris. But that moment of unobstructed view was enough for him. Slamming into the ground ¨C nearly on top of his prey ¨C Nameless snapped at the startled I¡¯thekik with a lunge, aiming for its tail. Faster than the insect could react, he was upon it, jaws slamming shut on its lowered tail with an audible *crunch*, forcing a piercing screech from the maw of the creature. With fangs buried in the scorpion-ant¡¯s carapace, Nameless twisted, swinging the insect around him before forcing his mouth closed, cracking through what remained of its exterior and shearing through the meat within. With the tail and body separated in a spray of ichor, the insect was sent careening through the air, no longer held in the jaws of the young Sphinx¡­ only to crash violently into another of the false warriors, its momentum sending both tumbling in a burst of yet more dust and a cacophony of grating chitin and discordant hisses. Nameless didn¡¯t dwell on the success of tangling the two I¡¯thekik up, immediately charging towards the third instead. The I¡¯thekik didn¡¯t hesitate to answer his charge with its own, skittering towards him stinger poised to strike, mandibles and pincers clacking against the air. With the distance between them eaten away in seconds, the false warrior struck first, stabbing its stinger forward with unerring accuracy towards Nameless¡¯s heart. Ready for the attack, Nameless hopped to the insect¡¯s right, narrowly avoiding the stinger by adding a beat of his wings to give him just the slightest bit of extra lift to pull away. Dust thrown up once more, visibility dropped, obscuring the vision of both creatures in a haze of red. Nameless scrambled, an uneven landing leaving him unsteady and off balance, lurching towards the I¡¯thekik as he barely caught it pivoting towards him; stinger pulled back and once more hanging above, waiting to be used. His left paw landed on the pincer of the same side, cracking through the chitin and pinning the limb against the ground under his bulk, halting the insect¡¯s capacity to turn further. His other worked in tandem with his maw, holding down its lower abdomen ¨C with enough pressure to create a web of seeping cracks throughout its exoskeleton ¨C as he buried his teeth into the space just below the bulbous head of the I¡¯thekik¡¯s tail. Flexing his jaws the stinger fell away, severed from the rest of the tail. Nameless leaned further on his front paws; his left pushing further into the pincer, causing discoloured meat and ichor to swell out around the paw, and his right cracking through the insects back with a sharp *pop*, flinging fragments of chitin and globs of yellowed blood from the gaping wound. The I¡¯thekik twitched and spasmed under him, its tail battering at the side of his head ineffectually now devoid of its stinger, causing Nameless to growl. He quickly removed his right paw from the creature¡¯s body and shifted about his left. The I¡¯thekik¡¯s struggle increased in ferocity as Nameless held his paw above the insect¡¯s head, just out of reach of its still viable pincer and gnashing mandibles. An errant thought crossed his mind in this position, that his paw resembled these I¡¯thekiks¡¯ own stingers, but as he let his paw fall and crush the insects head, so too did he crush the thought, focus turning to more pressing matters. ¡°Two more.¡± The other I¡¯thekik were already on approach, seen through gaps in the settling cloud, the wounded one just a step behind its otherwise uninjured companion. He repositioned, removing his left paw from the dead scorpion-ant¡¯s pincer and tilting his body slightly to the same side¡­ and waited. The two insects rapidly closed on him, fury obvious even through features completely lacking in such signs, but he continued waiting, watching for just the right moment¡­ Closer, the dust settled around him completely. Closer, he could almost see the savage anticipation gleaming from the insect¡¯s compound eyes. ¡°Now!¡± The instant the I¡¯thekik grew too close to react, Nameless hurled their deceased companion¡¯s corpse at the leading false warrior with an audible snarl of exertion. Taken completely by surprise, the uninjured I¡¯thekik crashed directly into the corpse, sending it careening once more away in a bundle of tangled limbs and screeching exoskeletons. Nameless followed the corpse like its own shadow, sprinting towards the other I¡¯thekik to dispose of it as quickly as he could. The wounded insect stuttered in confusion, its movement coming to an unsteady halt for an instant, almost saving it from Nameless¡¯s paw as it cut downward. Almost. Nearly missing due to the I¡¯thekik¡¯s unsuspected hesitation, Nameless¡¯s claws barely dug through the scorpion-ant¡¯s head, exposing its internals through gaping rents oozing ichor and brain matter. Killed instantly, its body slumped to the ground with an audible *thump*, limps twitching and scraping at the clay soil in its final throes. Nameless turned, his second kill in this fight disregarded, focusing his attention on the last of the false warriors arrayed against him in preparation of one last fight¡­ And paused. The I¡¯thekik had been turned on its back and caught under the corpse Nameless had tossed at it. Desperately struggling under the dead weight, uselessly pushing with its legs and tail in an effort to haul the corpse off of it. But it was not to be. Nameless loomed over the trapped insect, his appearance causing it to frantically writhe in place, mandibles snapping at him as its hiss reached a fang rattling tone. Heedless of its distress he rose on his hindlegs, shadow falling over the creature, and placed his paws together¡­ before slamming them down through its head. Blood splattered over his chest and neck, adding to the viscous coating that already covered much of the front half of his body, but Nameless gave no mind to the discomfort of the filth that stuck to his fur and hide. He removed his limbs with a jerk and walked a couple paces away from the aftermath of his small conflict, before laying down onto the ground with a tired huff. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He thought, looking out towards his siblings as he panted, his body awakening to the fatigue of his efforts, ¡°I would say that went surprisingly well.¡±
*I''thekik - (Ee-theh-kik) Chapter 17 Blooms of warmth and small insistent shocks filled his chest, tempting Nameless to manifest his Soul Reflection and see what changes had occurred within him. However he shook off the desire, quickly looking around him to make sure there were no further threats to him on the way. ¡°I can look once we all return to the Den.¡± Upon confirming he was safe, Nameless continued to rest, panting in exertion as his thoughts turned to his fight. The fight had been quick and, for all its moving parts, had turned out perfectly in his favor. ¡°Three I¡¯thekik killed by my claws all on my own¡­¡± He mused, looking down at his paws; their fur covered in clay, sand, drying insect¡¯s blood, and pieces of meat and chitin, ¡°And the only thing to mar my hide is filth, and blood not of my own.¡± ¡°But I shouldn¡¯t let this small success make me complacent.¡± He raised his head, staring out over the rest of the basin. Greye, Fang, Shiver, and Shade continued to fight the main mass of I¡¯thekik ¨C though the insect¡¯s numbers were considerably reduced ¨C broken corpses surrounding them and making the dried clay ground gleam with viscous blood. Workers and the remaining false warriors heedlessly threw themselves at his siblings, still desperately locking themselves into a suicidal battle, and as his gaze was drawn to the back line of the I¡¯thekik, Nameless could understand why. Through the undulating throng of insects Nameless could see two hulking corpses, chunks of meat still being sheared off and carried away even under the threat of his approaching siblings. The corpses were of Granite Horned Mountain Goats, their stony curled horns a shade of muted grey and green obvious against the I¡¯thekik workers¡¯ reddish-brown carapaces, even buried as they were by the press of insects skittering about them. ¡°Their hive must be desperate for food.¡± Nameless supposed, that being the most evident answer to their zealous aggression, the need for food by the hive outweighing any self-preservation they may have had. He was tempted to join his siblings in fighting the last of the I¡¯thekik in the basin but, as he watched them fight around each other, he decided he would be more of an impediment to the conflict than an asset. ¡°Shiver and Fang are already snapping at each other over space while they fight,¡± He shifted his attention back over his four siblings, before moving on, ¡°and I am not as brave as Greye to put myself in the middle of that... and Them.¡± Letting his eyes drift, Nameless caught the Twins still playing around. They had trapped quite a few workers between themselves, killed a fair share it seemed too, shredded bodies; legs, tails, and pieces of carapaces scattered about. The twins batted a legless worker between themselves, while also keeping three crippled I¡¯thekik under confinement. They had snapped off or broken each of their legs and shattered their mandibles and pincers, leaving them completely harmless, unable to so much as put a scratch on the sadistic Sphinx. He shook his head and put the Twins¡¯¡­ tendencies out of his mind, instead searching for the last of his siblings. ¡°Quiet.¡± When his eyes landed on her, he couldn¡¯t help but smile. His sister had taken on three false warriors ¨C though obviously not all at once given the distance between her kills ¨C and remained hovering around her last. He had an inclination she had gone the same direction as himself, trying to develop her Skills, but that the outcome that she was looking for was subtly different. She circled the corpse methodically; looking it over, occasionally pausing to stare at certain parts, and using her paws to shift the body here and there. He wondered what she was thinking as she evaluated the fallen insect, what her instincts were pushing her towards. He was confident in his assertion that he was the only one amongst his siblings with a true sense of self, that [Preternatural Wisdom] had instilled in him an identity far beyond his age and Stage. But watching Quiet ¨C and even his other siblings ¨C act with an obvious direction and individual character, he couldn¡¯t help but feel intrigued, ¡°Where does our instinct end and conscious recognition begin¡­ and more importantly, when does that transition really occur?¡± He could feel the weight behind that thought, how it was a question far outside what a being his age should be asking. But, as with so many things stemming from [Preternatural Wisdom], he couldn¡¯t deny that the question was so frustratingly his¡­. That, despite the feeling of discord the Trait caused within him, the identity it had awakened was so intimately recognizable as just himself. If not, a version that was merely older than the body it inhabited. As his thoughts twisted around inside his mind, he began to feel as though there was something¡­ more to his question, to his thinking. He felt an odd sensation begin to build in his head, as though his musings turned to liquid; cold, watery cogitations ebbing and flowing within his brain, breaking against a greater understanding just out of his awareness. He allowed the feeling to begin to consume him, fearful that even a stray thought might shatter whatever he stood on the shore of, not so much as giving name to what he believed was happening to him. Nameless¡¯s focus narrowed, the world around him fading into the barest of shades and most basic of sensations, slowly submerging himself in the feeling that swelled within him¡­ desperate to follow it to its fruition. Every heartbeat brought with it a flicker of fear and a growing anticipation, the feeling in his mind morphing and changing every pulse as his awareness grew in tandem. His consciousness drowned in a growing basin of liquid fire, the former cold caress of his thoughts replaced by the heat of raging wildfire; he could taste ash, feel as though his skin were blistering, and his feathers were igniting into embers. But he was oh so close to the end. Nameless could hear it, a tone that made his soul and mind roar with desire and pride. It beckoned him further, to bare the pain and fight through, to see what he had touched upon and mak¨C His instincts screamed in his head, fragmenting his Epiphany into ephemeral strands already fading from thought, ears twitching at a sound behind him. Furious, he leapt up from where he had laid and whipped around, searching for whatever had interrupted such an integral moment for him, ¡°What creature wants its head to be ripped apart now?!¡± Dirt and stone tumbled from the bank that was once at his back, an I¡¯thekik still halfway down its clay face. Nameless growled at the insect and took a step towards it, wings outstretched and fur standing on end¡­ before he paused. His rage remained, but he could still feel his instincts continuing to warn him, tugging at his mind like one of his siblings at his hair. His emotions running rampant, Nameless barely wrested enough control over himself to acknowledge that cautious impulse, forcing himself to stay still and really look at his surroundings. The sole I¡¯thekik he had noticed remained motionless, antennae twitching and pupilless eyes locked on him, ¡°Why are you waiting there?¡± Nameless¡¯s eyes scrutinized the area around the insect; from the empty space of the basin leading up to the dry bank it perched on, the bank itself, its red clay face devoid of any other presence, up to the drought browned undergrowth from which the I¡¯thekik must have com¨C His sight changed as his [Soul Sight] activated of its own volition, the world brightening into sharp contrasts giving fine detail to every object within his view, and he unconsciously took a step back. The false warrior wasn¡¯t alone. Linning the brush above it was another swarm of I¡¯thekik, every one of their emotionless eyes locked solely on him, their numbers far outstripping those of what had originally occupied the basin. At his sudden hesitance the horde of false warriors charged forward, seemingly understanding they had been spotted, covering the embankment opposite him in a flood of reddish chitin. ¡°There are too many for myself alone.¡± Nameless looked behind him, seeing his siblings still embroiled in their own battle, the scorpion-ants fighting with even greater ferocity now that more of their own had arrived. ¡°They are going to need more time.¡± Facing the incoming horde once more, Nameless made a decision, ¡°It seems that I will be putting my Skills and Traits to the test sooner than I would have liked¡­.¡± He growled deep in the back of his throat, a deep bassy rumble that vibrated in his bones, and began to look over the new swarm in truth. He didn¡¯t spare any attention to numbers ¨C there being far too many for him to reasonably prepare to fight against ¨C merely draping his attention across the whole approaching mass. His mind raced with a fearful suspense, countless actions spinning out before him in a dizzying throng as thick as the swarm they were based around. The stress of his rampant thoughts tore a snarl from Nameless¡¯s mouth, his mind feeling as though it were being slowly shred to pieces, but he continued on observing, planning, searching for a path forward. The fury of his lost Epiphany faded to the background, focus narrowing to a point as sharp as his claws, his entire being centering on diminishing the number of alternative paths he could take for the coming conflict. Looking for a way to stymie the swarm¡­ and survive it. He could feel the vibrations of the charging I¡¯thekik getting stronger, their grating hisses adding to the chaos, the sound of their legs scraping at the clay soil below deafening him as they closed. ¡°No more time¡­¡± Nameless gave up on finding some singular plan to see him through, his mind far too strained to continue the effort and the false warriors far too close, ¡°I will just have to make a choice¡­ and hope it sees me safely to the end.¡± Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. He adjusted his posture, fully extending his wings as far beyond him as possible and roared towards the swarm. The I¡¯thekik hissed and clacked in reply, their already frantic pace increasing in speed. Nameless sent his wings before him, the limbs screaming in exertion, creating a great plume of dust rolling over the front line of the I¡¯thekik. He followed in its wake, choosing to charge slightly off center, seeking to prevent himself from being too heavily surrounded by the insects once they inevitably met. With a leap and a flap of his wings, he struck the right side of the I¡¯thekik horde. His lunge had him landing on a false warrior in another swirl of dust, his bulk punching his paws through the insect and killing it. Nameless didn¡¯t stay idle for even a moment, didn¡¯t spare even a thought for the I¡¯thekik he had already killed. The moment his paws touched solid ground he raked a claw ahead of him, feeling them catch and part their way through the insects¡¯ exoskeletons, hearing the swarm¡¯s hisses reach a fevered pitch. He struck outwards once more, flapping his wings to continue obscuring his surroundings, injuring ¨C or outright felling ¨C more of the scorpion-ants. But, even in such a short time, Nameless wasn¡¯t the only one to do damage. He snarled as a pair of mandibles latched onto his right foreleg, feeling as the tooth like ridges inside of them punched holes through his hide, preventing another swipe. He shook his leg, painfully dislodging the scorpion-ant, sending the insect off into the dust cloud and out of sight. However the false warrior had done more than enough by just distracting the Sphinx for an instant. A stinger pierced his right flank, another lodged itself just below the joint of his left wing and shoulder, jaws latched onto his left hindleg, and a pair of pincers snapped at his face. The damage ¨C and threats ¨C built up almost instantaneously, the storm of pain causing Nameless to lose his composure and lash out wildly. He reared back slightly, dodging the pincers coming at his face and using the movement to go after stinger in his shoulder, snapping through the tail with his fangs. Mouth filled with viscous ichor, he snarled and violently kicked back at the I¡¯thekik still biting his back leg with enough force to impact the insect with a deafening *crack*. The stinger still embedded in his side shifted causing him to twitch away and dislodge it, the new flare of pain giving him an instant of clarity. He leapt backwards, wings flapping to give him cover and distance; stingers, mandibles and pincers replacing the space he had just occupied. He had lost himself to the pain he had experienced, allowing himself to dip too deeply into his instincts in defense, ¡°I can not allow that to happen again.¡± With a displeased grimace Nameless landed unsteadily, the impact of his paws against the ground irritating his wounds and reminding him of what his loss in composure had allowed¡­ The puncture wounds below his wing and on his side burned and throbbed, the venom injected through them already beginning to have a minute ¨C but noticeable ¨C effect on his movement. ¡°The paralytic from only two stingers will not debilitate me yet, if at all, but¡­¡± He shook himself in frustration and sprinted to the opposite side of the swarm, using his movement to replenish the amount of dust in the air, ¡°It will not end at just two; and the more damage I take, the greater the amount of venom I have to bare¡­ the closer I will get to falling.¡± ¡°That is¡­ unless I manage to hold out long enough to get support.¡± He spared the barest of glances towards his siblings, only managing to focus on where the bulk of the conflict was, and felt the slightest twinge of hope at what he saw. A claw¡¯s worth of false warriors remained, the bulk of their opposition being frenzied workers, and his four siblings were rapidly cutting through all of the insects that threw themselves in their way. ¡°All that matters now is time then¡­¡± Nameless charged the approaching swarm once more, allowing the hope of his siblings arrival at his side to bolster him, manipulating his discomfort into a goading reminder of the necessity of focus. Leaping with a powerful wave of his wings, Nameless roared in the air¡­ and clashed with the I¡¯thekik once again. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Nameless cracked another head underfoot, violently releasing an I¡¯thekik by the tail into another couple of its own, before hunching down behind his last viable wing to catch two stingers against the muscled portion of the limb. He had lost count of how long he had fought against the swarm; how many he had killed or injured and how many wounds he had taken. His left wing hung loosely to one side, dragging against the ground, covered in cuts and holes. His fur was matted against his skin; with dust and sand, bits of meat and chitin, and copious amounts of blood ¨C both from himself and the I¡¯thekik¡¯s ¨C making him look filthy and feral. His body was under extreme fatigue, the constant fighting and damage having every muscle of his howling in tension and on the edge of failure. But he held on, dodging a strike from a stinger before leaping towards the attacking insect. Nameless¡¯s leap was slightly off, the weight of his now useless wing turning it into more of a tumble. He bodily smashed through the I¡¯thekik, crushing it under him as he rolled, the paralyzed wing dislocating with an audible *pop* as it awkwardly caught under him. He yowled in pain, quickly scrambling to his paws, burying the new wave of agony that ripped through him in an effort to avoid further distraction from the conflict that surrounded him. But it was too much. His left foreleg collapsed under him, forcing Nameless to slash out with his right paw and flare open his working wing in order to try and clear a moment of space around him. His body was becoming numb, his vision blurring, each of his breaths coming out in great drained heaves. He desperately struck out around him once more, hoping to create a small opening to think, to find a way out. But as his mind spun under the weight of the pain that he was experiencing throughout his form; he came to an unfortunate conclusion. ¡°I overestimated myself.¡± Surrounded by the vicious swarm of I¡¯thekik, Nameless couldn¡¯t help but chastise himself, his body slumping to the ground too weak to put up any significant amount of a fight. Even with how cautious he had been after losing his self-control earlier; the damage had accumulated too quickly, and the swarm had grown too large for him to adjust for, the situation having run away from him and left him to scramble to just try and keep them occupied. He huffed weakly as the I¡¯thekik hesitantly approached his prone form, ¡°I guess my time is done¡­¡± ¡°Now it will be up to them.¡± He smiled maliciously as a discordant hiss sounded from behind him, watching as the I¡¯thekik swapped their focus from him to elsewhere. Familiar growls and roars combated against the rising hisses and clacks of the swarm, the ant-scorpions ignoring him as they surged forward to attack the new threats. Too exhausted to try and position himself to watch, and too anxious that the I¡¯thekik would try and attack him again, Nameless merely listened as the insects came to find themselves against his siblings. Clacking mandibles, the heavy *thumps* of bodies hitting the ground, snarls and *cracks*, hisses and scrapes, created an overwhelming cacophony of noise that nearly overwhelmed the last of his senses not fatigued and fading. With little distance between where he was and the front of the swarm started, the volume of battle increased by the second, his siblings¡¯ numbers helping to even the odds that had so nearly overwhelmed him. A broken I¡¯thekik flew past on his right, tangling up a clawful of its companions, with a roar following after it. Heavy footfalls sent vibrations through Nameless¡¯s body, and he tucked his legs tighter under himself, readying to assist his siblings even in his injured state. A blur of the same colour as Nameless referred to him after, charged in from his right, a still writhing I¡¯thekik lodged between his fangs. The heavily muscled Sphinx crushed scorpion-ants with nearly every step, the swipes from his claws crushing the insects they fell upon rather than cutting them, and his thick hide enviously shrugging off most of the attacks against him. With a pained growl Nameless rose to his paws, Greye¡¯s appearance providing enough of an immediate distraction that he felt comfortable risking the I¡¯thekik¡¯s hostility once more. His left foreleg was still numb however, with a gradual increase of weight on the limb, Nameless was confident it would not collapse under him once again. His wings on the other paw¡­ he could barely feel either, the only presence they had to his senses being their weight as the hung limply to either side. He tried to fold them to his body, roughly flexing the muscles in his back, but found his efforts to little avail; only managing to bring the limbs in up to the first joint of the wings. He glared over a shoulder at the uncooperative limb, feeling the slight phantom twitches as he continued to tense the muscles behind his shoulders, before huffing in defeat and relaxing his back. As the wings slumped back down to the ground, sending up small puffs of dust as they impacted, Nameless caught another streak of movement dart past him and into the horde of scorpion-ants. Shiver was as red as their mother but ¨C unlike her ¨C had deeper maroon and brownish orange stripes across her body, breaking up her profile. She was a bundle of violence, an unsettling grin stretching across her face, darting from I¡¯thekik to I¡¯thekik savaging them with her claws and fangs, heedless of any wounds they managed to put upon her. Covered in cuts, slashes, and holes, Shiver fought as though no such injuries existed, as though the blood running in front of her eyes and the filth on her fur ¨C so thick and dried as to crack and flake with every move ¨C did not hinder her in the least. ¡°Terrifying.¡± He thought, batting away a false warrior as the swarm became aware of his presence as a renewed threat. A sizable chunk of I¡¯thekik followed the first he had sent away, however he couldn¡¯t feel even a moments anxiety as two *thumps*, to either side of him, announced the arrival of yet more of his siblings. He spared an errant glance to his left just as the I¡¯thekik reached them, spotting the brindled red, dark-grey and brown fur of his sister Quiet. An instant of surprise flashed behind his eyes, having expected his often-distant sibling to have remained just that, before he shook off the pointless feeling and focused on the combat ahead. She worked in perfect coordination with him, covering for his current weakness, precisely striking at the I¡¯thekik to quickly debilitate them and render them non-threats. However she wasn¡¯t the only one providing him with assistance. As Nameless slammed a paw down through the thorax of an I¡¯thekik, a shadow to his right lunged. Shade was the only one amongst his sibling with black in their fur like himself, though unlike Nameless his undercoat was a deep red with the ends of his hairs darkening to black. His brother fought with cunning and guile, like his oft cagey attitude reflected, darting in and out of combat using Nameless as shield and bait in equal measure. Yet ¨C much to Nameless¡¯s appreciation ¨C Shade never went so far as to completely allow him to fall into those roles. The dark Sphinx always sticking close enough to Nameless and Quiet to pull away threats when they were getting overwhelmed or moving between the two to take care of I¡¯thekik in their blind spots. Nameless fell into step with his siblings, pushing through the I¡¯thekik swarm together. Their assistance gave time for his [Mythical Constitution] to begin its work, slowly reducing the severity of the venom¡¯s paralytic effects and minutely healing some of the lesser of his wounds. As his body repaired itself, Nameless required less and less of his siblings¡¯ cover, his own contributions to the conflict beginning to match their own. He intercepted a stinger before it could reach Quiet, prevented two scorpion-ants from latching onto Shade as a mistimed dodge put him in range of their mandibles, cleared a path for Greye to retreat and recuperate by leaping bodily into a mass of I¡¯thekik behind his brother crushing them under paw, and fueled Shiver¡¯s lust for battle by tossing the occasional false warrior her way to gleefully savage as she pleased. He evaluated each of his siblings, endeavoring to compensate for their weaknesses and play to their strengths to the best of his abilities. The swarm became a secondary thing to his position amongst his siblings, his capacity to assist their growth and spur his own on in doing so, inspiring him to focus solely on how he could leverage the battle to the greatest effect¡­ For all of them. With all five of the Sphinx engaged with the false warriors ¨C and Nameless¡¯s clever attentions ¨C the swarm found itself collapsing rapidly, their numbers paling under the inherent power of Nameless and his siblings. ¡°Almost done.¡± Nameless mused as he and his siblings pushed the swarm almost completely back to the bank they had arrived from, a field of dead and broken I¡¯thekik behind them. He couldn¡¯t help but feel¡­ impressed and proud of what he and his siblings managed to carry out ¨C even if the I¡¯thekik were considerably weaker than the Sphinx ¨C to have managed to succeed against such large numbers, without having ever fought in such a manner before, was something he felt deserved recognition. However, as he snapped another tail in his jaws and swiped his claws through the head of another scorpion-ant, he felt a¡­ pressure fall on his back, dispersing his pride like dust in the wind. It was something he was intimately familiar with, a feeling borne through a lesson that he and his sibling could never forget. ¡°The Gap.¡± His head shot up to the top of the bank, his [Soul Sight] flaring open at his panicked insistence, piercing through the dense foliage. He gulped, legs trembling under him, at what his sight unveiled¡­ ¡°A Stage Three¡­¡± Chapter 18 A massive I¡¯thekik trundled through the brush, pushing the undergrowth out of its way with its impressive bulk. It contained the same muted red and brown carapace as its smaller counterparts, but was far more heavily armoured, sharp overlapping plates of chitin creating an intimidating ¨C if not slow ¨C hulk of an insect. Two sets of mandibles sharply snapped against each other, the strength behind them obvious by the resounding *clacks* that rolled over the basin. As the I¡¯thekik panned its head over the swarm of its companions, Nameless and his siblings ¨C frozen from its arrival¡­ and the countless dead scorpion-ants they had left in their wake. There was no outward sign of fury or hate, the insect¡¯s compound eyes incapable of displaying such emotions. However, as its sight seemed to land on Nameless, he could not prevent the shudder that ran through his body as a presence of sheer¡­ wrath rolled over him. Nameless could see the same fearful reaction run through the siblings around him, its occurrence instinctual; their bodies tensing, breaths shaking, and eyes widening with terror. He couldn¡¯t tell if Fang and the Twins were also under the same dreadful geis, his attention so entirely locked to the creature in front of him. It approached ponderously, its sizeable claws ¨C appearing more like spires of stone than pincers ¨C snapping against each other, every *snap* making him flinch. At the ridge of the bank, its weight proved too much for the clay and soil embankment; the slope collapsing, forcing the massive I¡¯thekik to slide down in a burst of sand and dust, its bulk sending a tremor through the ground as it landed within the basin. Blood pounded in Nameless¡¯s ears as the impact of the enlarged scorpion-ant traveled up his limbs, the cloud of debris obscuring the insect, ¡°An I¡¯thekik of the True Warrior Caste. Why is it here? Is their Hive so desperate for food that they would send a Stage 3 for just two corpses? Or is it here for us?¡± His mind raced as he tried to think of a way to escape the insect, the intrinsic fear of a creature a whole two Stages above him making his head spin, keeping himself and his siblings paralyzed in place. With the appearance of the Stage 3 the I¡¯thekik swarm completely disregarded he and his sibling¡¯s presence. Flowing instead in the direction of the Granite Horns¡¯ corpses, their skuttling and hisses sounding almost¡­ mocking as they passed. ¡°We cannot confront a Stage Three, even with the benefits of our [Mythical Constitutions].¡± Nameless evaluated the True Warrior as its movement parted both the cloud of dust and the scorpion-ants in its path, ¡°Which means fleeing¡­ but how? Even if I focus on trying to break The Gap¡¯s sway on me and succeed, I do not believe there are many amongst my siblings that could do the same¡­¡± Quiet and Shade could probably manage to break free in time, but the rest¡­ they were far more physically focused ¨C not that that was a bad choice ¨C making it considerably less likely that any of his other siblings would manage to shrug off the effects of The Gap. ¡°Which just leaves us in the exact same position as we are now!¡± He lamented, the scorpion-ant closing, its bulbous stinger slowly raising behind it in preparation, the tip glistening under the Brothers¡¯ light. Nameless struggled against the weight of the I¡¯thekik¡¯s presence, throwing his mind at it in an effort to regain control over his body, his panic clouding his mind and lacing his thoughts with hysteria. He could only see those emotionless eyes shimmering in the light, its presence stretching and choking him with a pure and insurmountable malevolence. ¡°What do I do?¡± His sight began to fade as the I¡¯thekik made its final steps, its stinger poised to kill¡­ When Nameless¡¯s world was suddenly consumed by a violent whirlwind of chaos. A deafening *boom* sounded as he was sent spinning away from where he had stood in a vicious wave of force and debris; stone, soil and more pelting him hard enough to wound. He tumbled end over end through the air; disoriented, deaf, and nearly blind, forcing him to desperately try and gain some semblance of control over his flight before he inevitably hit the ground. He only just managed to right himself as he impacted the clay soil, his adjusted posture saving him from being injured too greatly¡­ but not completely. He tumbled and rolled over the ground, his momentum carrying him far further than the crater he had created with his landing, bones breaking and muscles snapping under the awkward and harsh fall. But Nameless barely noticed under the sheer amount of shock the sudden mayhem had caused. With a couple more rolls his momentum halted, leaving him painfully splayed out on the ground dazed and confused. His world was diluted down to nothing but pain, every fibre of his being ¨C from mind to meat ¨C screaming in agony. But Nameless couldn¡¯t stay idle and wallow in his pain. He forced himself to his paws with a miserable yowl, his limbs shaking under him and his mind nearly blacking out completely as sharp flash of pain struck at his psyche. Carefully looking about himself, trying to avoid irritating any of the injuries he had suffered further, Nameless searched for any signs of his siblings¡­ or the Stage 3. He found nothing but a thick cloud of clay dust surrounding him, red and brown in colour, the haze shadowing the basin in a hue similar to dried blood. Bodies of I¡¯thekik were scattered around him; most broken and dead, leaking their ichorous innards onto the dried clay soil, others grievously wounded, twitching in their final throes of death or crawling aimlessly, dragging trails of their blood behind them. Under the reddish pall, the scenes of death were even more stark to Nameless, the devastation on a scale unlike any he ¨C or his siblings for that matter ¨C had ever seen. And even more sharply did it display a poignant fact he had forgotten in his earlier panic. A massive gust of wind tore through the basin, clearing the dusty fog away, and forcing Nameless to hunch down and brace himself against the blast of air. The wind revealed not only his siblings ¨C all in varying states of injury as himself ¨C but also the full aftermath of whatever attack had sent them all careening across the basin. Where the True Warrior had once stood had now been replaced by a gaping crater; filled with soil and stone, large shards of chitin and chunks of yellowed insect meat. The I¡¯thekik¡¯s demise made obvious by more than just the remnants of its flesh that lay scattered about, within and without the newly formed depression. Nameless¡¯s eyes locked onto an object at the center of the crater, where stuck a single long feather, its copper metallic colour glittering under the light. In his fear he had forgotten it was not just him and his siblings present. ¡°Mother.¡± The large scarlet Sphinx, with a ridge of fur the colour of dried blood down her back, touched down gracefully behind the crater of her own creation. Her copper feathers rustling as she adjusted her wings against her body, the soft tinkle of metal against metal filling the basin in an odd dichotomy to the hisses, growls, clacks, and eventual *boom* that had once filled it. Her appearance was more of a reminder than any other within the basin of how great the difference in power became the more you grew¡­ ¡°After all, what is a Stage Three to a Stage Four on the cusp of ascending beyond?¡± She slowly panned her head across the basin, seemingly evaluating the scene, dragging her attention across the aftermath of her attack¡­ and Nameless and his siblings as well. Unguarded as they were, Nameless felt the subtle touch of his mother¡¯s emotions flicker in the back of his mind. Her emotionless face and cold, analytical, eyes only hiding the swirl of varying emotions beneath their surface. Curiosity, pride, relief, and satisfaction caused Nameless to straighten his posture, his mind wandering under the positive affirmations as he visualized his mother praises over his successes of the day. Before his daydream was shattered by a potent flash of disgust and disappointment. His attention snapped to his mother, the feelings he had caught from her causing him to anxiously search her face for any indication as to what caused her to feel those horrible emotions. [Remember this moment well my children,] Nameless barely gave attention to her words as they echoed in his head ¨C still trying to ascertain the reason behind his mother¡¯s exuding of such a terrifying amount of negativity ¨C as she raised a paw to dismissively motion towards the crater, obviously alluding to the Stage 3 that had once stood in its place, [That this is what you may have to face without me, come the next pass of the Sister¡­ and I will not step in to save you then.] [Now, collect yourselves.] His mother ordered, the shuffle and snarls of his siblings rising to their feet reaching Nameless¡¯s ears at their mother¡¯s command, [We will be returning to the den, and I hope that some of you will take that time to think over how you conducted yourselves today¡­ and whether or not it is a performance becoming of your survival and existence as a Sphinx.] His mother¡¯s last sentence made Nameless¡¯s fur stand on end, that foreign awareness ¨C provided through [Preternatural Wisdom] ¨C awakening, whispering within the recesses of his mind a warning, embroiling his thoughts in conflicting opinions. ¡°Mother would have no reason to feel disgusted or disappointed in me, nor can I consider any of my decisions today unsuitable for survival¡­ or my ¡°existence¡± as a Sphinx.¡± However, Nameless could not shake off the same insidious fear that had come to inhabit his mind since his Trait¡¯s awakening of it, ¡°But for what reason would my Trait have to lie or mislead me?¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D The whole uncomfortable trudge back to their den was spent within his own head, thoughts echoing with anxiety and frustration. Evaluating the situation from every direction, Nameless was unable to find a single reason for his feelings of fear and discomfort towards his mother; The past instances of negativity towards him understandable, given his temporary impairment, and today¡¯s¡­ he had no inclination to believe they were directed at him specifically. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°And yet¡­¡± Nameless thought ¨C lying within his family¡¯s den ¨C still struggling with his broodings even after the Brothers¡¯ had taken their rest, and the Sister had risen to take her watch, ¡°I cannot dismiss that [Preternatural Wisdom] may see something that I am unable to¡­ or maybe it would be better to say I might be unwilling to.¡± It was yet another terrifying consequence of this new Trait of his, and while he was still uninclined to trust in it completely, he would have been remiss to not air on the side of caution. Upon returning to the den, his mother had begun to critique his and his siblings conduct during their conflict with the I¡¯thekik; first, addressing them as a group, breaking down each of the roles they had played while fighting together, before moving on to each of them individually. Starting from Fang and moving down through Shiver, Greye, Shade, and Quiet, Mother held private conversations with each, before reaching Nameless himself. Upon reaching out to his mind for their own personal dialogue, Nameless headed that wariness swirling around in his head, doing as he had since his ¡°awakening¡± and projecting a telepathic capability more akin to his siblings¡¯; using impressions, senses, and basic feelings to indicate his intent, rather than the sentences he knew he was capable of. With the assistance of his [Preternatural Wisdom] Trait actively safeguarding his mind from his mother¡¯s inspections, and a Skill that he had acquired over the months passed ¨C in his efforts to appear as similar to his siblings as possible ¨C providing a¡­ structure for his thoughts to follow, Nameless shared the basic purpose behind his actions against the I¡¯thekik. He had carefully crafted his thoughts, watching closely for even the slightest signs of his mother¡¯s realizing his misdirection, however ¨C as had been the case many times over now ¨C she seemed completely unaware of his changes or manipulations. While they had been connected, he had paid even greater attention to her emotions, hoping to refute his [Wisdom]¡¯s insights, and kill the fear that still coloured so many of his decisions surrounding his mother¡­ however, he gained no such thing. ¡°Mother had treated me as she has all of us, always, sternly and patiently.¡± There was not even a hint of malice from his mother as he had ¡°shown¡± her his time in the basin, his reasonings and actions, in as great of detail as he could, ¡°I¡¯thekik. Enemy. Curious. Challenge. Surprise. Fear. Protect. Survive. Relief. Assist. Terror.¡± Each word associated with a specific moment, working in unison with his memories to display the full breadth of his experience in full¡­ though with some omissions, ¡°A Skill acquisition and a failed Epiphany are not exactly¡­ normal occurrences, especially at my Stage.¡± Worries and his own exclusions notwithstanding; Nameless¡¯s mother had provided him with valuable feedback and insights, methodically breaking down every part of his actions and thinkings and unveiling a plethora of avenues he could explore for improvement. ¡°She showed me a great deal of motions I should think on practicing for the next time I will be forced to fight.¡± He mused, his tail swishing against the cool cavern floor, ¡°And from what emotions did come through our connection while we conversed; the only times I felt anything resembling negativity were when she chastised me for losing composure in pain, and when she tacitly disagreed with my decision to stop fighting the swarm and rely on my siblings to take up the fight, giving myself time to recuperate¡­¡± Nameless looked over to where his mother slept, most of his siblings curled up by her side, the only thing differentiating her from a boulder being the rise and fall of her chest as she took breath, ¡°Both instances of disapproval were understandable from her point of view, and everything else she projected was either slightly positive ¨C like her approval of my felling the three false-warriors without being struck ¨C or just¡­ neutral.¡± He continued to stare at her sleeping hulk, the soft and steady sound of her breathing filling the den, what little light reflecting off the pond being just enough to make her metallic feathers subtly shimmer. His siblings slept peacefully under her shadow, spread between where he rested against one of the cavern¡¯s walls and where Shiver rest just against their mother, nestled deep in her fur. They were tranquil and safe. ¡°And yet¡­¡± Nameless nearly snarled as those words appeared once more in his thoughts, frustrated that even in a place of safety and comfort, fear and doubt still plagued his mind, ¡°And yet I cannot seem to find the same sort of peace in her wake as they do ¨C my thoughts and feelings so divided ¨C her shadow only feeling like some monster looming over me, waiting to strike at the slightest signs of weakness.¡± He quietly huffed in defeat, slumping down onto the floor, ¡°I doubt any amount of thinking will reconcile my conflicted feelings towards Mother any time soon. So, I will just have to struggle through until such a moment as Mother proves the fears afflicting me moot, and ends this conflict within my mind¡­¡± ¡°Or, until [Wisdom] is proven corre-¡± Nameless closed his eyes and let out a harsh breath, unwilling to entertain that line of thought, forcefully dragging his attention elsewhere, ¡°Better to just focus on the things I can effect for the time being, rather than continuing to torture myself¡­¡± Nameless opened his eyes and reached into his soul; with a flex of his intent, he pulled strands of his identity up from his soul itself ¨C the glowing strings visible only to him alone ¨C a shimmering structure coalescing before him at the speed of thought. Each fibre dissolved into a growing vertical sheet of glistening liquid, its face dancing with rich blue and green colours, the structure growing until it nearly eclipsed Nameless¡¯s sight in its entirety. With a muted flash his full Soul Reflection manifested ¨C the strands connecting him and the structure disappearing in a glittering cloud ¨C and the last details began to show themselves along its face. A border and text ¨C a more browned version of the copper metallic hue of his mother¡¯s feathers ¨C rose from, and scrawled themselves across, the placid surface of his Soul Reflection ¨C
Name: Nameless
Race: Sphinx [Cub]
Growth: [1st Stage] - Level 78
Body : [Recovering/Lightly-Wounded/Fatigued] Stamina : [Recovering/Fatigued] Mentality : [Conflicted/Contemplative] Soul : [Healthy] Mana : [Untouched]
Traits:
[Lesser Mythical Constitution] [Lesser Soul Sight] [Lesser Mana Conduits] [Preternatural Wisdom] [Adaptive Physique] [Chimeric] [Night-Vision] [Clawed] [Winged] [Polyglot] [Telepathic]
Skills:
[Claws] : (Untrained - Natural) - Level 45 [Flight] : (Untrained - Natural) - Level 22 [Language Comprehension] : (Untrained - Natural) - Level 60 - Eyemptic* - Proficiency 51/100 - Kishnalwi* - Proficiency 38/100 - Marabesh* - Proficiency 35/100 [Telepathy] : (Initiate - Natural/Abnormal) - Level 17 [Dodge] : (Untrained) - Level 94 [Sprint] : (Initiate) - Level 12 [Leap] : (Untrained) - Level 66 [Tracking] : (Untrained) - Level 27 [Stealth] : (Untrained) - Level 48 [Deception] : (Untrained) - Level 31 *New* [Tactics] : (Untrained) - Level 11
¨C The metallic border provided a solidity to his Reflection, giving it a tangible presence as ¡°real¡± to him as the stone beneath his paws, while the softly shinning text was his Identity made manifest in excruciating detail; the state of his body, soul, and mind, his name, race and stage, even his skills, traits, and ¨C eventually ¨C magic, all described in full. Nameless huffed a quiet laugh, always amused by the sight of his name, ¡°It is better than not having one at all as before¡­ but who would have thought I would become so attached with calling myself ¡°Nameless¡± that it would become a proper name of its own.¡± Following the text describing his soul downwards, his eyes traced over his stage and level, ¡°I should be much closer to the hundredth level by the time Mother has us leave to earn our second stage¡­ especially if all of our forays into the wild until that day are as fraught with danger and conflict as today¡¯s.¡± His attention flicked down to the state of his body and mind after that thought, ¡°But maybe it would be for the best that I hope events like today¡¯s do not become an expectation¡­¡± ¡°Nevertheless.¡± Nameless continued on to read his Soul Reflection, eyes momentarily latching onto [Preternatural Wisdom] before moving away, down the bottom of the reflection where his skills resided, ¡°What I need to do is plan out how I want to apply and grow my skills given what I experienced today, especially that new Tactics skill I acquired¡­¡± He had spent a great deal of time already reviewing the contents of his Soul. However, under the watchful eyes of his mother and with a portion of his focus on the lessons she had provided him and his siblings, following their return to the den, Nameless had been unable to devote as much of his attention to planning as he had desired. Which left him to prepare in the dark, his only company the errant beams of the Sister¡¯s light and the muted rush of water he could hear behind the cavern¡¯s wall. Dodge, Claws, Sprint, Leap and even to a lesser extent Flight, would continue to develop by virtue of the combat and hunts he would be forced into, their progression benefiting the least from prior planning without the foreknowledge of what he would be facing. But what would need and, frankly, required advanced planning was how to progress in the less¡­ directly action-oriented skills of his. Tracking, Stealth, Deception, and the new addition of Tactics, would all benefit from some general preparations, ¡°Stealth and Deception will be the most difficult for me to advance; Stealth having always been a problem, given my fur and size¡­ however I have to wonder now if Deception and Tactics might help alleviate those difficulties in some manner.¡± He had no doubt that the colour of his fur and his size would remain a hinderance to progressing Stealth however, as he mulled over what exactly Deception and Tactics encompassed, he could begin to see some paths to pushing the Skill in unique ways, ¡°Taking time to create and enact a proper ambush might level Stealth in addition to Tactics and Deception for example, and is certainly a better route than merely watching my steps and trying to move more quietly. But,¡± Nameless¡¯s attention quickly flicked from his Reflection to his mother and siblings, then back with a tired sigh, ¡°I do not believe it to be something I can reasonably expect to perform while so many others are present.¡± Choosing to delay pursuing any ambushes until he was alone, Nameless decided that the more basic manner of progressing Stealth would suffice for the time being. However, the idea of leveraging his skills in tandem still lingered in his head and, as his mind flooded with possibilities, he couldn¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°It looks like I will not be getting any sleep in the near future.¡± He mused and settled himself in for what might be a very long night, thoughts burning with a dazzling array of ideas¡­.
*Kishnalwi - (Keesh-nah-uhl-wee) *Marabesh ¨C (Mah-rah-beh-sh) *Eyemptic ¨C (Eh-yeh-m-puh-tick) Chapter 19 Every clawfall sent a juddering shock up his limbs, the pounding of his own paws against the ground lost under the thunder of the herd he and his siblings pursued. Nameless sent a quick glance to his right; Shiver, Fang, and Greye sprinting beside him in a staggered line, he and the more¡­ overt of his siblings having been ordered to perform as chasers in today¡¯s hunt. He didn¡¯t spare his siblings more than that glance, confirming his position in relation to them, before quickly returning his attention to their lumbering prey. The herd of Phiomia* stampeded away from them, their speed largely belying their considerable mass. In panic and agitation, they released strident bursts of sound through their short trunks ¨C adding to the cacophony of their charge ¨C masking Nameless and his siblings¡¯ movements under a shroud of noise. With every impact of their wide feet against the ground Nameless watched as their muted grey-brown hide rippled under the force of their steps; soil, plants, and dust being compacted into the ground or tossed behind the Phiomia in their wild rush. They were powerful creatures even lacking in magical properties as they were; their bulk and muscles, in conjunction with their two short upper tusks and the broad flat teeth that jutted straight out from their lower jaw, being just as dangerous to Nameless and his siblings as anything of the magical variety were. ¡°A clawful of Stage Ones and the majority of the herd at the Second, with two that give me the sense that they¡¯re at the cusp of becoming Threes.¡± Nameless evaluated, confident enough in his mental acuity now to split his attention, ¡°Yet even the strongest amongst their herd are manageable without the Traits or Magic to elevate their threat¡­¡± Over the many hunts and battles he had undertaken beside his siblings recently, Nameless had begun to realize that Stages ¨C while a mandatory step in accruing greater power ¨C were almost meaningless without the Skills, Traits, and Magic to support and enhance them. By just comparing the I¡¯thekik True Warrior to even the strongest amongst the Phiomia, or other creature he had hunted, the difference in quality to Nameless was clear¡­ and it made him appreciate his race¡¯s [Mythical Constitution] all the more. Even with all of the Stage Twos amongst their herd, the Phiomia were bereft of even the hint of magic like a True Warrior ¨C or even he and his siblings ¨C contained; the weight of The Gap between himself and the elephantine creatures being nearly as negligible as that of the false warriors he had contended against, nearly a full moon ago, even despite the Phiomia being considerably more dangerous in comparison. ¡°And that difference in quality is why they flee from my siblings and I, even when we are only of the First Stage.¡± Nameless thought as he continued to herd the Phiomia with his siblings, carefully picking a path that would allow him to continue at speed without risking injury, ¡°Their natural strength can only carry them so far and ¨C being only Mundane Beasts ¨C their opportunities to gain in the sort of strength that would truly make them a threat is, unfortunately, something that can only happen through time¡­ and a significant amount of luck.¡± But when beings like himself and his siblings existed, time was often not something these creatures had. With even the Lesser quality of their [Constitution], it was as though Nameless and his siblings¡¯ levels were more¡­ impactful, each reflecting a far more meaningful rise in their power than what was likely experienced by beasts or even other monstrous beings. That, paired with their intelligence, meant that ¨C unless their opponent were either two full stages above them or significantly more magical than themselves ¨C he and his siblings still retained an advantage even when they were the weaker at first glance. ¡°Though of course, that does not mean we are invulnerable¡­¡± Nameless thought, feeling the slight twinges of discomfort across his body from the scars he had received over the recent days, ¡°Which is why I should know better now, and save my thoughts on such matters for when a loss in focus will not endanger myself.¡± Nameless fully returned his focus to pursuing the herd of Phiomia, the world around him losing the slight haze that had overtaken it in his distraction, discarding his thoughts for the time being. He glanced around his surroundings; acknowledging not just his position in regard to his siblings, but also how far they had come since he had gotten carried away within his own thoughts. Nameless and his siblings had managed to push the herd of Phiomia from the outskirts of the dry Savannaha to an area deeper within the large grassland; with errant snakes of muddy ¨C near fully dried ¨C riverbeds choked by grasses and shrubbery, widely spaced broad canopied trees, and the occasional boulder or odd rock formation, breaking up the landscape. The uneven and grass choked field forced the Sphinx to constantly adjust their positions and watch their footing, being mindful of the sudden drops or hidden rocks that could see them wounded for their negligence. Nameless leapt over one such small depression in the ground ¨C partially hidden by a scraggly bush crushed awkwardly by the herd ¨C having to harshly dig his claws into the soil as he landed to gather as much purchase as he could to retain his speed. He continued on at a sprint, searching the horizon as he kept at harassing the edges of the herd, claws tearing through dirt and grass. Snapping and growling at them, he forced the Phiomia to remain as bunched together as possible from his side, keeping enough distance between him and the elephantine beasts to avoid being struck by any wild attacks. His eyes latched onto a spire of stone in the distance, barely visible through the plume of dust thrown up behind the Phiomia, standing out against the light green, yellow, and brown growth like the muted orange red horn of some great monster, ¡°We¡¯re too far to the left.¡± Nameless concluded, before breaking off a portion of his attention to spin out a tendril of his [Telepathy] to Greye, Shiver, and Fang. Nameless was immeasurably glad his siblings had gotten to such a point with their own [Telepathy] skills for him to make such connections without garnering much undue attention¡­ even if still being limited to communicating in the most basic of manners remained an active frustration of his. [Far. Left. Stone. Shift. Herd. Right.] He laced his words heavily with his intent and vision, describing less through the words than through emotion and sight, that they were out of position. He felt as his siblings parsed through his telepathic communication ¨C the surprise at his ability no longer as present after experiencing it multiple times before now ¨C their minds taking a moment to establish what he was trying to convey, with what they were currently doing. While his siblings quickly examined the thoughts he presented, Nameless split his focus between retaining his connection and herding the Phiomia, already beginning to shift himself forward to start moving the beasts in the correct direction. He moved himself further up the left flank of the herd as he received the first flicker of acceptance from one of his siblings. [Push. Right. Yes.] Shiver replied to his own orders, a quick glance backwards showing that she was already putting action to her intention, working to threaten the Phiomia on the left even more. As Shiver snapped and snarled at the beasts, Greye followed on her heels, communicating through the connection Nameless kept between all of them, [Keep. Behind.] Positioning himself so that he could keep pressuring the herd from behind, making sure that none of the Phiomia tried to break away through the Sphinx¡¯s line. Last replied Fang, her words thrumming with a subtle frustration, [Slow. Back. Cover.] He looked back for an instant, seeing Fang slow to encourage the Phiomia to begin shifting over to the right, her presence close enough that they remained as a herd rather than scattering away. However something else stood out to Nameless as he turned his attention once more ahead of him, letting his connection between his siblings fade. ¡°Why did she look so irritated?¡± He only wondered about the cause of his sister¡¯s fit of pique for a moment, before disregarding it as swiftly as his previous thoughts, ¡°Our hunt is the priority right now. Focus!¡± Scolding himself for yet another lapse in attention, Nameless increased his pace. His paws pounded against the ground, grass whipping against his legs and lower body hard enough to sting even through his hide, as his speed forced the Phiomia to increase their own. Nameless¡¯s notice flicked between his path ahead, the herd, his siblings, and the positions of all in relation to the spire they needed to move towards; mind spinning as he tried to balance his focus across each part of their hunt ahead¡­ He ran forward beside the herd, being mindful to avoid obstacles in his path by leaping and pivoting around rocks, holes, mounds, and tangled undergrowth while endeavoring to keep his speed. From his new place alongside the Phiomia, he attacked those to his right ¨C the herd¡¯s left ¨C in unison with his siblings, working in tandem with them to keep the beasts panicked and confused. Darting in to put pressure on the herd¡¯s flank, Nameless dodged an attempted goring by a young bull male Phiomia, lashing out with his claws in response with a snarl, leaving a seeping trail of cuts across the beast¡¯s short trunk in a spray of rich red. The young bull ¨C a Second Stage by feel ¨C reeled back from Nameless with a shrill cry of pain, folding back into the herd, fleeing from Nameless¡¯s side for the safety of the center. The Phiomia¡¯s wound and obvious distress caused the herd to tighten together and spurred them further on in fear. However, the wounded bull¡¯s passage through the left side and into the middle of the herd proved an unfortunate deviation in the Sphinx¡¯s designs. Already mindless with fear, the herd followed the young bull¡¯s path; their tight press against each other causing them to flee in the same direction, shifting the herd harshly to the right, rather than the gradual turn Nameless and his siblings were pursuing. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Nameless scrambled, now at the back of the herd, snapping out telepathic strings with such a speed that his head pounded under the sudden stress. [Forward! Control! Hurry! Catch!] He urged Fang on, almost feeling his orders surging across their connection in his panic, his mind frantically racing to think of ways to regain control over the herd before they became lost to them. Fang¡¯s rebuttal percolated across his mind just as Nameless began to coordinate with Shiver and Greye, the herd of Phiomia thundering away from them at speed, [Lead. Follow. Cover. Back.] Fang communicated, with an initial flash of frustration after his first addressing her; however, it was quickly smothered under a cloying tide of smug excitement that exasperated him. ¡°There is no ¡°leader¡± in a chase of this nature¡­ but if she desires to see herself as such, I see no reason not to allow her if it means seeing our hunt to its planned end.¡± Nameless thought as he acquiesced to his sister¡¯s demand to lead ¨C much to her obvious pleasure if the feeling that crossed their link was to be believed ¨C and sent a set of messages to Shiver and Greye, [Cover. Control. Watch. Follow.] His two other siblings quickly fell into pace with his orders, radiating a similar excitement, anxiety, and anticipation as himself. Nameless watched as his siblings repositioned themselves; Fang sprinting forward to the head of the herd to begin harassing them back into their previous direction, while Greye and Shiver ¨C as well as himself ¨C darted around the Phiomia to wherever needed, keeping them moving and contained. The herd began to gradually turn once more at the Sphinx¡¯s combined efforts, the Phiomia releasing shrill calls and wails of protestation, Nameless and his siblings aggressively pressuring the beasts, nipping and snapping at them whenever necessary. As the herd began pointing in the correct direction, Nameless and his siblings fell into their former rhythm, spreading out around the herd into their former places to coax and contain the stampeding Phiomia. The towering rock loomed closer and closer, the varying cracks and shelves created by other stones at its base and the drought browned plant life wrapped around it, coming into greater focus as the distance between himself and the dominant landmark diminished. ¡°Almost there.¡± Nameless thought as he rushed forward, preventing a group of Phiomia from breaking away to the left, his legs and muscles beginning to ache after being under use for so long, ¡°Just have to hold out a little longer¡­¡± A quick glance back told him that his siblings were beginning to feel the same fatigue as he was; their breathing labored, footing less assured, reactions slower, and the vocal nature of their harrying subdued or gone entirely. They were all tired and flagging¡­ Yet, as the herd charged on, Nameless found himself having to adjust to cover for each of his faltering siblings. His focus narrowed, sounds and sensations falling away to the barest of whispers as he merely began to act; dashing from his position to the space Greye had left after stumbling, sending slight adjustments through [Telepathy] to keep his siblings effective even as they tired, heading all the way over to the right to help Fang push back a particularly agitated group of Phiomia once more into the heard, and numerous other such movements. His efforts in containing the herd and keeping them charging towards his siblings¡¯ waiting ambush strained his body, mind, and Skills to their limits. He could feel the warmth of his efforts begin to fill his every muscle ¨C the heat of strain sending out blooms of pain with every step ¨C suffusing itself all the way down to his core, where he could feel his Skills beginning to blossom under the heavy use. His every thought occupied solely by what the situation demanded of him next, his skill and body committed to making their hunt into a successful one, Nameless barely recognized the moment the herd first began to pass by the stone spire. From an elevated position amongst the rocks, Shade and Quiet leapt down onto the left side of the herd, while the twins darted out, roaring in excitement, from a dried river embankment to strike the right. Nameless¡¯s mind stuttered for an instant as realized where he was, his body still running forward heedless of his momentary confusion; thoughts rapidly having to adjust to his change in surroundings, the appearance of his other siblings, and the herd¡¯s decline into chaos. He shook his head with a growl, tamping down on the extraneous thoughts, dust swirling around him as he ran toward where he last saw Shade and Quiet ahead of him, ¡°Focus!¡± Through the frenzied herd and thick cloud of dust they kicked up he came to find Shade; the Sphinx¡¯s fangs sunk deeply into the throat of a young Phiomia, his prey jerking and weakly mewling as its loss of blood compounded with the exhaustion of their chase. Nameless slowed to his side, Phiomia running wildly around them crying in panic and alarm, sending out another string of [Telepathy] to his brother. [Help?] He asked while watching their surroundings, moving to keep himself between his brother and the rampant herd around them. [No. Fine.] Shade answered curtly, growling as the Phiomia under him bucked, forcing him to muscle the beast down and dig his claws deeper into its hide for purchase, [Go. Help.] With Shade¡¯s final words came a general sense of where he had last seen Quiet¡­ and also a tacit dismissal. However, before Nameless ran off into the chaos once more, he used his remaining connection with Shiver to give her an idea as to where their surly brother and his prey resided, ¡°While you can refuse my help brother, Shiver¡¯s is another matter¡­¡± Confident that his brother would be protected even without his presence, Nameless pushed on. He proceeded further into the frenzied herd, following the thread of a direction provided by Shade, his senses overwhelmed by dust and the all-encompassing cloud of cries, growls, snarls, and stomps of the Phiomia and his siblings both. He dodged around two Phiomia that had begun to fight between themselves ¨C lost in their panic and agitation ¨C their tusks leaving thick rents in their hide, staining their skin with long running trails of scarlet red and making the overturned soil around them slick with their blood. They continued their battle, heedless of his passage, their grunts, cries, and the heavy *thumps* of their every strike against one another lost within the grand cacophony. Using his [Stealth], [Tracking], and his recently acquired [Spatial Sense] Skills, Nameless quietly navigated his surroundings further, even at a growing run. However, avoiding as many of the rampant Phiomia as he could ¨C even using the low visibility and deafening sounds to the greatest possible advantage ¨C proved difficult, their movement erratic and the very same elements that gave him cover also vastly reducing the effectiveness of his own Skills. But Nameless couldn¡¯t help himself from feeling¡­ exhilarated under the strain. As he avoided a charging Phiomia by a hair¡¯s breadth ¨C the wind of the large beast¡¯s passage ruffling his hair and feathers ¨C Nameless leaned fully into overcoming the difficulties surrounding him. He stretched his Skills to their fullest extent, reveling in the pressure he felt upon his soul as they were forced to adapt to his desires, each building off of and supporting the next. [Dodge], [Sprint], [Leap], and even [Tactics] flared to life, working in unison with [Tracking], [Stealth], [Spatial Sense], and Nameless¡¯s mind and body both, turning him into an elusive blur. ¡°This is what I have been looking for¡­¡± Nameless thought as a leap took him over a downed Phiomia, the beast writhing in pain against the ground, before quickly having to pivot and dash around a trio of the same charging his way, ¡°a challenge.¡± Even if it wasn¡¯t in combat, Nameless had realized over the past Cycle ¨C especially when thinking about his experience against the I¡¯thekik ¨C that he felt his most comfortable when in the greatest danger. The more he was pressured, the more he felt himself grow under a challenge, the more¡­ complete he felt. ¡°Maybe Shiver is not the only mad cat amongst us.¡± Nameless released a fur-raising chuckle as he sprinted on, feeling that he was just touching the outskirts of his sister¡¯s general area, as imparted by Shade. A loud yowl reached him a step later, his ears pivoting towards the familiar sound. His body turning in the same direction as his ears Nameless increased his pace even further, Quiet¡¯s voice being obviously pained spurring him on. The dust had begun to settle as he closed on Quiet, the once oppressant noise similarly dying down, however there yet remained enough to still obscure both his movement and senses both. Under that remaining cover Nameless more felt ¨C than saw ¨C Quiet, the familiarity he had with her mind and presence giving his [Telepathy] an exact location to latch upon. [Here. Focus. Show. Hurt. Help?] Nameless carefully reached out to his sister, trying to avoid distracting her from the conflict she was obviously in. A flicker of surprise returned to Nameless, before Quiet seemed to steady herself, [Hurt. Help me. Prey wounded.] Amongst his siblings Quiet communicated the clearest through [Telepathy], her words ¨C and the vision she imparted to him ¨C containing a lucidity that was otherwise lacking in the others. From her eyes, slightly obscured by the settling dust, Nameless saw stood across a large and obviously wounded Phiomia. Flaps of skin and deep bleeding cuts covered the beast¡¯s hindlegs and rear, Quiet¡¯s claws having done considerable damage while she had once been latched upon it. ¡°She missed her ambush.¡± Nameless evaluated as he methodically stalked along the ground, carefully placing each step, ¡°Caught the Phiomia on the back instead of the throat¡­¡± Quiet and the Phiomia were at an impasse; wounded and without the element of surprise Quiet couldn¡¯t attack without being hurt further¡­ or worse, and the Phiomia was too injured to retreat without risking Quiet taking it down as it tried to escape. Meaning the only way for their conflict to end was if something else came to finish it. He kept their connection wide open as he continued sneaking around, providing Quiet with as much a view and feeling of his own position as she did him, his every step methodical and steady. The dust was settling faster without any agitated Phiomia around to kick more of it up, but Nameless continued at his pace even with Quiet and his own nervous energy urging him to move quicker. Too fast and he would disturb the settling dust and give himself away, too slow and the dust would be gone before he could get behind the beast, ¡°One step at a time¡­¡± Using his Skills, Quiet¡¯s vision, and his own senses, Nameless felt himself finally creep into just the right place, slowly turning to face where Quiet showed the Phiomia to be, [Wait. Tell. Move.] He sent out to Quiet ¨C still keeping his own telepathic capabilities to a slightly lesser degree than her own ¨C and tensed against the ground in preparation. One heartbeat. A Second. A thi- [Ready.] [Move!] Nameless roared the moment Quiet responded, leaping at the Phiomia¡¯s wounded back in a swirling plume of dust. Suddenly caught between the two Sphinx, the beast hesitated, its attention pulled in separate directions, too focused on its original enemy to adjust to the new one. Prey frozen in place, Nameless¡¯s leap saw him land exactly where he wanted, his claws sinking into the already torn flesh of the Phiomia¡¯s rear, ripping a strained cry from the beast¡¯s throat. It bucked under him, desperate to throw him off, but Nameless just clung tighter, growling as he dug his claws even deeper into its hide. He could feel the Phiomia¡¯s panic, hear the fear and desperation in its every labored breath, as it swung itself from side to side trying to throw him ¨C its attacker ¨C off. However, in its distress, the Phiomia seemed to have forgotten that Nameless was not the only threat to its life. Nameless watched from where he clung as Quiet emerged from the cloud of debris, he and the Phiomia had tossed up, her foreclaws outstretched and jaw wide open. She slammed into the neck of the beast, claws wrapping around its width, her fangs punching through the bottom of the Phiomia¡¯s throat with an audible *pop*. The beast reeled back from the pain with a broken cry, Quiet hanging from its throat, before its weight caused its damaged hindlegs to collapse out from under it. As the Phiomia fell, Nameless unattached himself from the beast with a leap and flap of his wings, a trail of blood following his claws through the air. He landed roughly against the ground, accompanied by a massive quake, sending a shudder up each of his limbs and battering him with debris and dusty wind. Looking towards his sister he found that the beast still lived, even bloodied as it had been. The sand around it was darkened with the Phiomia¡¯s lifeblood, every beat of its heart drenching the ground further, with the last of its weak kicks and shifts digging moistened trenches into the soil. The Phiomia gurgled and mewled while Quiet continued to worry at its throat, too weak to raise its head or even try and bring itself to stand, [Thanks brother.] Quiet¡¯s voice ¨C worryingly content and chipper ¨C sounded in his head, her tail swaying behind her even as she continued to gnaw at the Phiomia¡¯s throat, [That was¡­ enlightening.] ¡°Maybe¡­ Shiver and myself are more normal than I first believed¡­¡±
Phiomia* ¨C (Fa?-oh-mee-uh) or (Fee-oh-mee-uh) : Fun Fact - The Phiomia is an actual extinct relative of the elephant from the Late Eocene Era and Early Oligocene. Chapter 20 Chest and limbs coated in a thick sheen of blood, Nameless sat back on his haunches and began to try and get some of the filth out of his fur. Keeping an eye on his sister and their surroundings both, he ran his tongue through the fur of his right foreleg, occasionally grimacing at the horrible taste of a mix of blood, sand, and soil. [Want to share?] Quiet¡¯s voice echoed in his head once more, forcing him to pause and give her his attention. Fangs still embedded in the Phiomia¡¯s hide, she was staring at him over the throat of the downed beast, it still clinging to the last embers of life. [No. Your. Kill. Eat. First. Later. Share.] He replied in the same stilted manner as his other siblings ¨C though his words remained far more concise ¨C staring back for a moment before resuming his cleaning. By the time he had ¨C somewhat ¨C managed to clean what of his right leg he could reach, Quiet had finally been capable of releasing the fanged hold she had over her prey as the beast expired. Her tongue flicked out around her mouth as she removed her jaws from the Phiomia¡¯s hide, the skin surrounding it and her chin slick with blood, dyed in deep maroon and rich scarlet. The edges had already begun to dry under the oppressive heat of the Brothers above, creating a ring of reddened-brown around most of her lower face, forcing her to begin violently rubbing at her skin with the fur of her forelimbs. Nameless chuckled, amused by the feelings of frustration Quiet radiated through their connection, [Eat. First. Clean. Later.] She stopped her efforts in removing the filth stuck to her face and glared towards him, a thick lump of coagulated blood slowly sliding down the right side of her chin, [Then why can you groom yourself?] [Simple. I. No. Eat. Now.] Nameless smirked, slowly ¨C and a hint mockingly ¨C raising his left paw to his mouth to begin cleaning the other limb. Quiet huffed in irritation, obviously giving up on trying to cleanse herself of the blood that stuck to her skin and rose to her paws with a small hiss of discomfort. With a slight limp, she padded over the couple steps to the Phiomia¡¯s chest and rested a paw against its ribs. Pulling back her paw, Nameless watched Quiet¡¯s claws part the dead beast¡¯s hide, exposing the bright red flesh and muscle beneath. Blood welled up within the cuts, the liquid shining under the light of the suns above, a rich dark red. Raising her paw once more to the top of her cuts, Quiet drew them down the same rents again to widen and deepen them further. She inspected the wound after the second pass ¨C the exposed flesh glistening under a light it had never been revealed to, before this day ¨C turning her head this way and that as her eyes roved over the Phiomia¡¯s chest. Seemingly content, she placed her other forelimb on the beast¡¯s body and lowered her head. Quiet opened her jaws as wide as she could before burying her fangs into the top of the central strip of flesh her claws had created¡­ and quickly yanked back. With both of her forelegs braced to either side ¨C to give her more leverage ¨C the flesh in her maw partially tore away with a wet *rip*, flecks of blood and meat flying through the air. ¡°There is only one way to get to the tender heart at the core of such a large creature¡­¡± Nameless mused, unconsciously licking at his lips, observing Quiet as she adjusted to tear the flesh away from the last stubborn strings of sinew that kept her from what lay beneath, ¡°Through the hide and ribs.¡± He and his siblings had learned well the steps necessary to get at ¨C and recognize ¨C the most nutritious organs of both beasts and monsters; learning by their mother¡¯s paws, and experiencing themselves, the manners necessary to extricate such precious ¡°fruits¡± straight from the flesh of their trees, without damaging their harvest¡¯s succulent meat. ¡°Though knowing what to do and prior experience does not an easy time make.¡± With another yank, Quiet pulled away a large chunk of flesh, leaving a gaping wound in its absence. Still not large enough for her to get her head in and begin working at the beast¡¯s ribs, she shifted to begin the process of ripping another piece of flesh away to widen the wound further. As she lowered her head once more, Nameless looked away to survey their surroundings in detail, rather than the errant glances he had spared while grooming himself. The dust kicked up by the stampeding Phiomia had finally settled, revealing the entirety of the chaotic aftermath formerly hidden under its dark cloud. A great many Phiomia lay dead or gravely wounded ¨C trampled or attacked by some of their own in the panic ¨C their bodies broken and bleeding. Wounded and dead alike were covered in a fine layer of settled sand and debris, the injured crying out through their mangled trunks and torn throats in a final desperate plea for help, barely recognizable from the shattered and disfigured corpses of the kin surrounding them. Blood, viscera, and overturned soil transformed the once grass cover bar of land ¨C that had separated the stone spire and dried river ¨C into nothing more than a lifeblooded quagmire, the ground now nearly devoid of plant life and boggy with soaked gore. ¡°Not ideal conditions to run or even walk in¡­¡± Nameless thought, following a straggled group of Phiomia as a few struggled to remove their feet from some of the cloying ichorus mud, before moving on to a significantly more¡­ demanding sight of interest, ¡°nor fight.¡± Beyond the last dying cries of the wounded laid about the strip of land, came a duo of strident calls and deep roars. Fang and a large Phiomia ¨C standing a full shoulder above her in height ¨C stood apart from one another, poised to join in what appeared to be an additional bout of conflict. They were both wounded, but Fang considerably more so; his sister¡¯s right paw was held up against her chest, the wing of the same side bent awkwardly at one of its higher joints, and blood ran freely from a wound stretching from her temple to hairline. The Phiomia on the other claw only had superficial wounds from what he could see, some cuts across the beast¡¯s forelegs, chest, and neck dripping thin trails of blood down its hide. ¡°Why are Greye and the Twins not joining her?¡± Behind Fang ¨C a few of his lengths away ¨C were Greye, both Twins, and the shredded corpse of what was obviously their chosen prey from the initial ambush. The Twins laid across their prey languidly; one chewing on a long chunk of meat, while the other¡¯s head was buried within a ragged hole in the corpse¡¯s lower abdomen, completely ambivalent to their sister¡¯s situation. Greye however¡­ Even from this distance Nameless could see the tension stretched across his brother¡¯s body, every part of his stance radiating his desire to leap to their sister¡¯s aid at a moment¡¯s notice¡­ However, even with such an obvious desire to join in, he just remained in place between Fang and the Twins, glaring balefully at the Phiomia. ¡°She either directly refused his help or told him to stay away.¡± Nameless concluded with no small amount of frustration and disappointment, ¡°That over-confidence and pride of hers is going to see her maimed or killed one day¡­¡± His sister abruptly charged forward, despite the ¨C by all appearances ¨C near debilitating injuries, her gait uneven and unsteady, ¡°Or maybe she will learn today instead.¡± He watched dispassionately as his fool of a sibling sprinted directly towards the Phiomia that had already injured her so, the beast itself almost appearing as surprised at the decision as Nameless himself was. However, the beast¡¯s shock only lasted an instant ¨C unlike his own ¨C before, to Fang¡¯s misfortune, it too charged forward. The large Phiomia released a great bellow from its short trunk, its feet audibly pounding against the ground, making its challenge clear. Fang roared in reply, her face glowing with a frenzied excitement, picking up speed. The space between them closed further, her desire to join the beast in conflict growing so great that Nameless watched her begin to go so far as to use her injured limb, despite the pain it openly caused her, to go even faster. ¡°Fool.¡± Nameless hissed in his thoughts, rising to his paws, the outcome of her mistake obvious to his eyes. In much the way he expected, Fang¡¯s leg folded under her ¨C just as the Phiomia¡¯s that Quiet and himself had taken down had ¨C the weight of her body too much for the limb to support, tearing a pain-wracked yowl from her throat and sending her tumbling over herself¡­ directly towards her charging opponent. Lowering its head, the large beast¡¯s charge took it slamming into Fang¡¯s tumbling form with a bone shattering *crunch*, contemptuously smashing her aside. Flung away at a flick of the Phiomia¡¯s head, Nameless watched his sister careen unconsciously through the air, spinning wildly end over end as she rapidly approached the ground once more. With yet another concerning *crack* Fang met soil, bonelessly rolling over herself as the momentum carried her a non-inconsiderable distance beyond the point of her¡­ ¡°landing.¡± Though for all her foolishness lending to her ending up this way, it appeared to Nameless that she, at the very least, had luck on her side; as her roll took her to a stop only a few paces behind and away from the Twins and Greye, form still and silent. The Twins were up on their paws, prey and laziness forgotten, fur and feathers puffed up as they snarled hatefully at the Phiomia. Greye released a rumbling growl that Nameless almost felt vibrating in his bones even from the distance between them, his brother¡¯s eyes filled with a palpable fury as his exposed fangs gleamed in the Brothers¡¯ light. With Greye standing guard the Twins approached their downed sister; while the beast responsible for her condition paced back and forth, releasing calls of frustration and agitation, shaking its head aggressively side to side with its ears and tail wildly flicking against its hide. ¡°It wants to finish her off, even if it has no idea if she is still alive or not.¡± Nameless could tell however ¨C through the string of [Telepathy] that still connected them ¨C that Fang was alive, unconscious and certainly wounded, but alive. Greye could likely feel the same, attached through Nameless¡¯s own telepathic web just as Fang was, and was probably the only reason he stayed put, rather than fight the Phiomia himself, ¡°The Twins are the least adept of all of us at combat, and the risk that the Phiomia might get a chance at them or Fang while he is fighting with it is quite high.¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Smart of him.¡± Nameless approved, watching his brother stalk between the Phiomia and his siblings, keeping them separate, instead of rushing to conflict. It was also yet another reminder of how wrong he was to refer to his siblings¡¯ manner of thought as just some basic instinctual thing, after his awakening. The Phiomia that continued to stomp about, desperate to kill his sibling despite its obvious inability to reach her, providing the perfect example of what a real instinctual creature was. ¡°They are, and were, more than just beasts dominated by instinct, unable to be or do anything beyond fulfilling the basest of impulses.¡± He looked towards his remaining siblings, Shiver and Shade, only a few leaps away from the others, ¡°Instincts were only a part of their thoughts ¨C just as they are mine ¨C but they were not all that occupied them. They each have an identity, a unique signature that I feel every time I connect with them through [Telepathy], a mind as vibrant as I would consider my own.¡± Shade remained with his prey, focus entirely consumed by the Phiomia in front of Greye, his body tensed in bated anticipation while Shiver approached the Twins, ¡°My mistake was in comparing my mind, changed by [Preternatural Wisdom], to their own. I was incapable of realizing that the flexibility and ephemeral nature of my siblings¡¯ thoughts, were not for any lack of intelligence or greater awareness of self¡­ but a sign of their youth and inexperience, proof of the fledgling nature of their blooming minds.¡± Nameless¡¯s eyes panned over all his siblings now ¨C more or less ¨C arrayed before the beast, Shiver now standing beside the Twins, head bowed over Fang as she seemed to check her sibling over, ¡°A youth that I now so lack, with a ¡°Wisdom beyond my years¡­¡±¡± The close presence of yet another Sphinx added a layer of hesitance to the Phiomia¡¯s aggression; its pacing halting, but the continued flicks of its ears and tail displaying that its fury had yet to abate. It stomped and scraped at the ground, as it began a slow and reluctant retreat backwards, shaking its head and releasing strident angered calls in an open effort to keep his closest siblings from pursuing. Not that his siblings could risk pursuing anyway. The Phiomia was an awkwardly large size and powerful ¨C at the peak of the Second Stage as far as Nameless could tell ¨C meaning there were only a few ways it could possibly be fought against. One way was like Fang had tried and failed at; fighting it alone, trying to avoid its attacks and utilize the size difference against it to either kill it slowly and safely, or risk going for something vital to end it quickly. Another would have been through the initial ambush which, obviously, was no longer possible. With the final path ¨C as far as Nameless could think of ¨C was to hunt it down as a group. ¡°Which I¡¯m sure my siblings are aware won¡¯t work either, their having insights through [Tactics] like myself or not¡­¡± With the benefits of its size, Stage, and what little intelligence it did have, any combination of his siblings working together to fell the beast would be met with a great deal of difficulties and risks, ¡°Use the strongest there ¨C Greye, Shiver, and Shade ¨C and that means trusting the Twins with protecting Fang, where all it would take is one successful charge for the Phiomia to reach them, and possibly kill any number of the three.¡± Any other combination would run the risk of similar complications; if all of his siblings chose to work together, they would leave Fang defenseless, and so many Sphinx all fighting a single beast would lend to a high possibility of injuries or death in the scrum, while if they took one of the stronger fighters amongst his siblings and had them defend Fang instead¡­ Nameless feared that the same problems would yet arise. ¡°Which just leaves one choice.¡± Even retreating Nameless could see the Phiomia wasn¡¯t done with his siblings. While it heeded its intrinsic survival instincts ¨C giving ground and increasing the space between his siblings and itself ¨C the Phiomia¡¯s every shake, snort, call, and step along the way displayed that it was still far too enraged for any of their safety. Nameless shifted, the movement causing the beast and he to share a look. He sensed the anger behind those dark eyes change subtly, the realization that there were two Sphinx isolated from the rest of their pride ¨C offering a new path for it to¡­ alleviate its anger on those that had attacked its herd and kill its kin ¨C sharpening its fury down to the two more accessible Sphinx. Having caught its attention, the beast already beginning to adjust itself in his direction, Nameless reached out to what siblings he had connections with. [Careful. Danger. Focus.] Causing her to remove her head from the chest cavity it was buried in, he warned Quiet, before extending another message to her, Greye, Shiver, and Shade, [Prey. Mine. Cover.] Through the tenuous link that still remained between them at this distance, he felt Shade¡¯s apathetic acceptance, before Shiver and Greye followed hesitance lacing their acknowledgment of his desires, ¡°Though by the feel, the cause of their hesitance could not be any more different; Greye is worried that I will get hurt, while Shiver just wants to join in on the fight¡­¡± He shook his head with a snort, discarding any further extraneous thoughts as the Phiomia turned to face him directly. The beast was nervous, constantly throwing glances towards where his siblings remained, even in spite of its obvious intentions to fight and kill him. ¡°Seems I will have to make the first move then¡­¡± Nameless roared and flared his wings out wide, immediately causing the Phiomia¡¯s head to whip around to him. With its attention, he growled deeply and lowered himself for a charge, scratching at the ground with his right claw to goad the beast. The Phiomia answered his taunts with a display of aggression all of its own; rearing, releasing a harsh bellow through its trunk, and slamming down onto the ground with a heavy *thump*. It shook its head wildly as it lowered, body tensing for its own charge, digging a wide foot into the soil with its eyes glaring into Nameless¡¯s. He couldn¡¯t help the grin that split his face, his body buzzing with anticipation, every muscle across his form tensed and ready. His focus narrowed down to just himself and the Phiomia ahead, taking in every shift and twitch of the beast, when ¨C near simultaneously ¨C both charged the other. Nameless bolted forward like a bird startled from the brush, nothing but a violent streak of fur and feathers. He felt the soil crumble under his paws, the force of his steps causing a shock to judder up his each of his limbs, shaking him from bone to flesh. While a portion of his mind worked with [Tactics], creating a plan to fell the charging Phiomia, the rest of his being devoted itself to making sure that his every step followed that path ahead. Nameless felt every movement, every twitch of his muscles, every breath, in deafening clarity, his focus narrowing down until all that remained was his next step. His heart beat within his ears, the sound unfurling in his mind with a thunderous peal that proceeded a deluge of energy flowing through his body, like the sky opening up with pouring rain. He roared in exultation, his speed increasing, every movement coming to him all the easier under the attentions of whatever Skill had bloomed within him. In the face of Nameless¡¯s roar the Phiomia¡¯s instincts seemed to realize something had changed, its devotion to its charge faltering, hesitation causing its heavy steps to fall less assured. However it was far too late for it to stop itself so suddenly now. Its momentum carrying it on, the Phiomia shook its head and released a loud snort through its trunk, the hesitation Nameless had spotted being replaced ¨C with every tremorous step ¨C by its anger once more. Nameless watched the Phiomia¡¯s every movement, taking in each detail of its body in motion and adjusting his own for the only way he could see of killing the beast. Mind racing ¨C evaluating, adjusting, and preparing ¨C he ignored the growing shaking of the ground as the beast¡¯s prodigious bulk grew closer, neglected to give attention to the way the suns shone against its tusks, and disregarded the manner that their heaving breaths began to fold into one another like the growing roar of a coming storm. He only had one chance of felling the beast quickly¡­ and he would let nothing distract him from succeeding. Nameless snapped his wings out to either side, abruptly forcing his speed to slow, much to the displeasure of his feathered limbs. He threw his body to the right, pivoting as he landed to face the Phiomia once more and tensed his muscles for a leap ¨C feeling as every individual fibre of muscle bunched and twisted below his skin. The Phiomia tried to adjust its charge, even with what little distance remained between them, the sudden change from its opponent being directly ahead of it to nearly at its side causing panic to flicker behind its eyes. But Nameless wasn¡¯t going to give the beast even the hint of a chance to turn this fight of theirs in its favor. He leapt at the Phiomia, with a bat of his wings for extra height, slamming into it with enough force to cause it to stumble. His claws dug into the beast¡¯s thick hide; those on his right latching under its shoulder blade, his left wrapping under the base of the Phiomia¡¯s wide neck, and his hind legs resting against the beast¡¯s left leg. As the Phiomia began to buck under him, Nameless shifted, digging his claws in further and biting down on the nape of its neck for extra support. He pressed himself as close as he could against the beast¡¯s body, hanging on desperately as it tossed itself around to try and throw him off, releasing blaring calls into the air that threatened to leave him deaf. With a growl Nameless burrowed his fangs deeper into the beast¡¯s neck, feeling the muscles within tense and press against his teeth, warm blood filling his mouth and coating his tongue. He raked his feet against the Phiomia¡¯s side and leg, feeling the tough flesh jerkily part under his claws, blood spilling between his toes, wetting its fur and padded undersides. His attacks forced an ear-splitting squeal filled with pain, anger, and fear, from the beast¡¯s trunk, its efforts to throw him off increasing in ferocity and desperation. While continuing to savage its side with his hind claws, Nameless braced against the beast once again, digging both claw and tooth into the hide underneath like moles through soil. He growled a second time, shaking his head side to side, worrying his fangs deeper into the meat of the Phiomia¡¯s neck as he put his left paw to work. As deep as they were in the beast¡¯s throat, he could feel its frantic heartbeat thrum up through his claws, its wild pace entwining with that of his own, spurring the exhilaration that set his blood alight to euphoric heights. Eyes glassy with excitement, Nameless¡¯s lips pulled back revealing a bloody grin; he flexed the muscles in his back and arm, violently ripping his paw across the Phiomia¡¯s throat ¨C claws jarringly scrapping over its trachea ¨C in a veritable flood of arterial blood. ¡°It is done.¡± He thought, the Phiomia releasing a wet and defeated cry as it reared up on its hind legs. Even with the Phiomia rising to stand fully on its back legs; Nameless continued to cut away with his own and open the rent in its throat further with another pass of his claws, endeavoring to do as much damage to the beast as possible, before it inevitably fell to the ground once more. The moment he felt gravity begin to reassert itself on him and the beast, he made one more passing slice before harshly ripping out both fang and claws, bodily flinging himself away from the Phiomia with a flap of his wings. Strings of blood followed him through the air, his backwards leap causing him to awkwardly slam into the upturned soil on his back. In a spray of soil, he rolled over ¨C quickly scrambling to his feet ¨C as a *boom* resounded through air and ground, followed by a rolling wave of dust. Nameless remained in place, even holding his breath to make himself completely silent, waiting for the dust to clear. His body was tense ¨C in case he needed to dodge ¨C as even while he was sure that the battle was finally at its end¡­ he wouldn¡¯t fully believe it was over until the Phiomia were dead under his paws. As he waited in silence, the dust began to clear, slowly revealing a scene that allowed Nameless to breathe in relief. The Phiomia wasn¡¯t so much standing as it was crouched, left leg folded beneath it; the limb covered in a stream of blood and gaping wounds, strips of hanging flesh and raggedly cut hide, with the still twitching muscles once hidden beneath the skin exposed to the world. Nameless had managed to make the leg lame, an action to prevent pursuit by the beast in the case that his main plan failed. However, as his eyes traveled to the Phiomia¡¯s neck, he knew there was no need to fear any sort of reprisal from the beast. From the nape of its neck down flowed blood from a mangled set of puncture wounds, the trickling trails of liquid scarlet shinning against the Phiomia¡¯s muted hide, before being lost amongst a lake of gore. Like a waterfall, blood poured from the beast¡¯s throat, every wheeze and gurgled call causing it to foam like the wild white rapids of a flood. Below it grew a darkening puddle of its lifeblood, every slowing beat of its heart causing yet more of the vital fluid to splatter across the ground. Its body shook with a growing weakness, every rasping breath a further step closer to its death, the beasts low hung head growing evermore buried into the soil as it became unable to support its own weight. Nameless¡¯s eyes met the Phiomia¡¯s own, their dark hue deepening as its focus wavered and mind began to fail, its body slumping down further with every wettened breath. There was no more fight behind its eyes, the few calls it still yet tried to make holding a sorrowful tone¡­ the beast, was defeated. Now he had but wait for death to make its claim. Chapter 21 ¡°Why will this maddening bone not break!¡± Nameless snarled, gnashing his teeth against the last of the six ribs he had chosen to remove. His head was buried in the chest of what he had come to believe was the Matriarch of their hunted herd, her Stage, size¡­ and now obvious gender, indicating as much after he had had the chance to look her over, without the threat of being maimed or killed. The Matriarch had died quickly after he had separated himself from her; succumbing to the blood loss his wounds had caused, dragging the Phiomia into unconsciousness before the inevitable failure of her body. Just as quickly as she had died, had Nameless begun his work on her corpse ¨C after checking on his siblings first, of course ¨C digging into the flesh of her chest to begin carving a path towards the beast¡¯s heart. The entire front half of him was slick and sticky with the Matriarch¡¯s blood, hair and fur stuck against his hide with chunks of coagulated gore and his face itching as the red liquid began to dry against his skin. With his paws to either side of the broad hole he had created in the corpse¡¯s chest ¨C teeth still firmly wrapped around the stubborn bone ¨C Nameless disregarded the growing filth that continued to irritate him and pulled against the rib with every muscle he had. Cords of muscle rolled under his hide with the strain, the bone beginning to finally shift slightly ¨C when suddenly ¨C it snapped away with a sickening *pop*. The sudden lack of resistance caused Nameless¡¯s fangs to slip off of the ichor covered bone and himself to flip over backwards, landing in an embarrassingly contorted pile beside the corpse. ¡°Just because I emerged victorious from our fight, does not mean you need to shame me from the Beyond so much, honorable Matriarch¡­¡± Nameless grumbled, shaking himself free of what dirt had come to cling to his ¨C already ¨C filthy fur in the tumble. Returning to his former place, Nameless noticed the previously stuck rib now stood straight up out of the wound he had made; similarly broken away from the chest like he had the other ribs prior, but still held tightly by some adjoining musculature. Pressing a paw down on the osseous offender, Nameless shifted the rib down and out of the way, feeling as the ligaments and tendons connected to the bone protested under tension at the awkward motion. Some of the fibrous muscles snapped and popped as his full weight was forced down on the bone, the stress too great, as the rest of his body leaned forward into the now rib free gap. Devoid of the ribs that stymied him so, the viscera partially obscured behind the former cage of bone was exposed to him in full. He had had but one desire in mind when he first began this fetid work and as his eyes alighted on the last true obstacle between himself and his¡­ nectarean prize, he could not help himself from licking his blood-soaked lips in anticipation. He ran his unoccupied paw against some of the remaining musculature, his claws parting the tissue and sinking into the major organ separating himself from the Phiomia¡¯s heart. His claws pierced the right lung with a muted *pop*, the pliant and flexible muscle of its skin providing an odd resistance to the sharp points of his claws before its inevitable failure. The red-pink organ opened at a careful swipe of his paw, revealing the odd porous constitution within, a slight clicking sound coming from his claws as they caught on ¨C and severed ¨C smaller fibrous structures inside. He methodically cut more of the organ away, removing larger chunks with his mouth, spiting them out onto the ground before returning to dispose of more. A small mound of torn lung ¨C building at the side of the Phiomia¡¯s corpse ¨C grew more and more, as the organ¡¯s meat was delicately removed by the piece. While not as frustrating as struggling against the Phiomia¡¯s ribs had been, having to slow down so much, so close to the Matriarch¡¯s heart was agonizing. ¡°Steady.¡± Nameless paused, speaking internally in an effort to compose himself, ¡°The Matriarch¡¯s heart is going nowhere, no reason to risk damaging it by rushing like a fool.¡± He snorted causing blood to blow in his face, head buried in the beast¡¯s chest as it was, the word ¡°fool¡± bringing to mind the image of Fang careening through the air. That, ironically enough, did more to calm him than any amount of his own internal musings could. Resuming, Nameless found the lung only had a digit¡¯s width left to the portion yet unburrowed and uncut; that moment of realization coming as he made the last slice with his claws, the lower portion of the lung shifting to fill the space removed, uncomfortably squishing against him while still within the cavity. With a few grunts, Nameless wriggled his way out of the Matriarch¡¯s chest with a wet *squelch* and sat down on his haunches, glaring at the hole now partially filled by a lung once more. ¡°I am losing my patience, honorable Matriarch¡­¡± He huffed, looking over the hole in preparation for removing the new hinderance. [Do you need help, brother?] Quiet¡¯s voice interrupted his inspections, the sound of soil softly crunching under her paws forcing him to look over his shoulder. [No. Problem mine. Thanks.] He replied, before adding, [Share. Later?] His offer caused Quiet to smile, flashing him with her blood-stained fangs, her ears twitching, [Our siblings too?] [Yes. After me.] He snorted, turning back to the Phiomia¡¯s corpse, tail swishing against the dirt. Quiet always managed to get him to speak just a little more¡­ cohesively than he otherwise would. She was the most familiar and comfortable presence amongst his siblings ¨C not that the others weren¡¯t any less important to him ¨C sharing between them a certain solidarity, ¡°One a Sphinx too smart for her own good, the other smarter than he should be¡­ like two rattling Flint Scales in a creche.¡± With a huff he returned to the hollow he had created in the Phiomia¡¯s corpse, the seeping lower half of the mangled lung still preventing his entry into the cavity. He leaned down, sinking his fangs into the porous and pliant meat of the organ and began to try and pull the lung out. Light tugs caused connective tissue to rip away from the lung, loosening it more and more until ¨C finally ¨C it came away, revealing the dark pocket behind. He licked his lips, smearing more blood around his mouth with his rough tongue, ¡°It will be a difficult fit¡­ but the heart is finally within my paws, even if I have not yet put my eyes or claws on it.¡± He stuck his head and the front half of his torso into the Matriarch¡¯s chest, his eyes watering from the scent of blood souring under the Brothers¡¯ oppressive heat. The cavity ¨C now absent a lung ¨C was as black as a night devoid of the Sister¡¯s glow, his eyes forced to adjust to using only the barest trickles of light capable of slipping past his bulk. The slick innards pressed against him from all sides as he waited within the Phiomia for his sight to return, the space he had created having barely enough room for his paws to move or himself to breathe. The moment he caught the barest detail of his gore covered surroundings, Nameless pushed himself forward, moving his head and paws just past the area the lung had vacated. He twisted, placing himself on his side, wings awkwardly contorted against him¡­ and looked up. He smiled, ¡°There she is¡­¡± Hanging above his head was the prize he had cut his way towards; the Matriarch¡¯s succulent heart was held up by strings of tissue, as well as the thick branches and slim twigs of its connected veins and arteries. He stared for a moment, unmoving, entranced by the massive ¡°fruit,¡± before lightly shaking his head, ¡°Thank you honorable Matriarch for this gift¡­ even if you made me fight far more for it than I believe was necessary.¡± With practiced ¨C if not limited ¨C swipes of his paws, Nameless pruned the heart¡¯s branches away from it until but one remained. He opened his mouth and stretched as far as he could, feeling the lowest portion of the now dangling organ brush against his teeth. Gently closing his mouth, he felt his fangs sink into its rich flesh - blood seeping out like the juice of a true fruit - granting him the purchase necessary to separate his prize from the last of its troublesome boughs. The instant his claw passed through the final aorta, the heart dropped, causing him to bite down further on the precious organ as he found himself suddenly supporting its full weight alone. ¡°Mine¡­¡± Nameless rumbled in satisfaction, carefully ¨C and uncomfortably ¨C bringing himself out of the Phiomia¡¯s chest, while avoiding anything that could damage his delicate prize. He emerged covered in gore; fur and feathers coated and sticky with strings and clumps of coagulated blood and slimy viscera. But, as the light from above shone down, the foul appearance of his body did nothing to dim the smile that stretched around his fang gripped heart. Only slightly smaller than his head, the thickly muscled organ whispered promises of a¡­ ¡°Hearty¡± and well-deserved meal, after all he had done to get it. The Matriarch¡¯s heart gleaming under the twin suns; the well-defined lines of its muscular surface and the almost purple colour of its deep maroon flesh becoming all the more entrancing now under light. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Nameless leaned down and placed the heart gently on the ground, worried far less about dirtying the organ than damaging it, before he stretched and shook himself to relieve his body of the tension and filth that covered him. Laying down ¨C heart rested between his paws ¨C Nameless looked over his shoulder once more, finding Quiet sitting on her haunches behind him, grooming herself, [Get liver? Share. After.] He watched Quiet pause, tongue outstretched towards her dirty upraised paw, as she thought over his offer, [I will do it if I can have the larger half.] [Greedy.] Nameless snorted at her shamelessness, [Big piece. Mine. Or. No share.] She huffed in feigned displeasure, the lack of disappointment through their connection revealing to him his sister¡¯s bout of cub-like deception, [Fine, but I also want some of its loi-] [Mine!] A voice interrupted Quiet, splitting through their conversation at a headache inducing tone, [Prey! Mine! Move! Away!] Fang¡¯s words rumbled through their telepathic bonds; carrying with them a vision of her ownership over the felled Matriarch, a claim that radiated a disdain and anger towards Nameless for wrongly stealing that which she saw was hers. The audacity of his sister¡¯s demands shocked Nameless, her emotions and delusions slamming into his mind and leaving him unbalanced for an instant. However, his shock quickly shifted as he caught Fang on the approach, her eyes and gait ¨C even with all of the injuries making her movements slow and pained ¨C displaying an open aggression and¡­ superiority towards him. His shock fled at the sight, replaced by anger¡­ before that too disappeared under a shroud of calm that welled up unbidden from within him, ¡°[Wisdom].¡± Nameless better understood the unusual Trait now; recognizing that just as much as it had provided him knowledge, intelligence and a wisdom he should otherwise not have had, so too did [Preternatural Wisdom] seem to work to protect or guide him when certain circumstances arose, ¡°That the only times this has happened thus far have involved my interactions with Mother ¨C and now Fang ¨C concerns me all the more though¡­¡± The Trait tempered his emotions and aligned his thoughts, less so controlling them than¡­ working in a similar ¨C but more effective ¨C manner as [Tactics] did, dragging out the best behavior and insights he had within his mind, necessary to navigate whatever was in front of him. He felt the calmness initially provided by the Trait begin to twist itself into a more apathetic nature, an indifference as cold as a wet night. His emotions settled and his mind became as placid as the water within their den, his eyes falling on his sister as he realized why [Wisdom] had come to steady him. ¡°It seems she did not learn a thing from her fight after all¡­¡± Nameless mused in disappointment, placing himself over the Matriarch¡¯s heart, ¡°So, even if it may be¡­ unpleasant for me after, it seems I must do what you could not, honorable one.¡± Fang closed on him and the corpse, the string between them continuing to convey her disdain towards him, while she examined the Phiomia for what was likely the first time since they fought, [Prey. Mine. Leave.] He stayed still ¨C not even acknowledging her dismissal ¨C watching as her eyes drifted over the Matriarch¡¯s chest and down to the heart between his legs. She stopped, focus completely consumed by the enticing organ, a flicker of her excitement and anticipation reaching him, [Heart. Thanks. I. Eat. First. You. Leave.] [Why?] Nameless questioned, the one word containing every bit of his displeasure and unwillingness to stand aside. The question seemed to catch Fang unawares, the step that she had taken forward towards Nameless and the heart hitching mid-air. She stared at him, head tilting in confusion, [Why? Prey. Mine. Heart. Mine.] She delivered her reply as though there was nothing to question ¨C before continuing back on her way ¨C as though there were no possible reason, that she could conceive, for him to doubt or refute her possession over the Phiomia¡¯s corpse. [Your. Prey. How?] Nameless rumbled, standing his ground, flooding their connection with the scenes of his battle with the Matriarch¡­ as well as Fang¡¯s own ¡°fight.¡± Fang physically flinched under the deluge of imagery, releasing a snarl as she glared balefully back at him, [Fight! First! My! Prey! Mine!] She flared her wings out as she snapped back at him, her fur standing on end, [Telepathy] sending a spike of hatred down from her end of their union to his. He didn¡¯t so much as twitch at her posturing or provocations, her aggression nothing more than a tantrum in his eyes, [My. Kill.] He asserted, putting a paw forward and tensing in preparation, waiting to see how Fang would react to his claim over the Matriarch. Fang¡¯s face contorted into a foul rictus ¨C Nameless¡¯s intent communicating a direct and unequivocable challenge to her assertions. A palpable sense of resentment rolled out from her like fog through the valley, the feeling so strong that he could sense Quiet retreat away from himself and their sister in fear. [Mine!] Fang growled before leaping forward ¨C claws exposed ¨C landing just a leg away from him as she snapped and snarled at him. He could understand what she was trying to do; see the hollow nature of her threats and realize that for all the vitriol she showed towards him, that the aggression she displayed was a false thing, based off of an overindulgence he had come to realize existed in greater detail the more time passed. ¡°You failed your daughter, Mother¡­ But I will not make the same mistake.¡± With a hiss, body already poised to strike, Nameless lashed out with his right paw. His four claws dug into his sister¡¯s left cheek, creating bloodied rents in her tanned skin and batting her head to the opposite side. He felt her ¨C and Quiet¡¯s ¨C shock at the move, Fang stunned dead-still by his attack, her anger and impetuousness momentarily halted. But Nameless couldn¡¯t end things there. Already feeling his sister¡¯s tempestuous emotions starting to rise to the forefront of her mind once more ¨C her violent inclinations beginning to pierce through the haze of her shock ¨C he rushed at Fang with his own fully bared. Nameless slammed into his larger sister, the combination of surprise and force allowing for him to temporarily overpower her despite their differences in strength. Striking her chest with his shoulder, he bodily pushed at his sister, using the momentum of his charge to try and flip her over onto her back. Unsteady and wounded, Fang could only release a pained and shocked yowl, before she found herself on her hindlegs teetering on the verge of falling and revealing her stomach. Desperate, she lashed out ¨C only capable of using one forepaw with the other still injured ¨C cutting a shallow line through Nameless¡¯s shoulder and lower right wing. The pain was nearly negligible to Nameless, his focus solely on teaching his sister a lesson and asserting his claim over a kill that was rightfully his, but it did require a response. He snapped his head upwards, smacking the crown of his head into Fang¡¯s chin, closing her mouth with a loud *clack*. He felt his sister¡¯s body shudder and go slightly slack at his unexpected attack, her mind clouding with confusion¡­ and that moment of disorientation was not one Nameless would let pass. With a roar he pushed off the ground with every muscle he had, feeling that new ¨C and yet unknown ¨C Skill come to life, allowing for him to draw out even more strength from them than he otherwise believed he could. His forceful shove took Fang off her paws, making her fall backwards, Nameless following her down while pressing himself close to her underbelly. With a *thump* and a puff of dust, Fang landed against the ground on her back, immediately trying to twist her way out from under Nameless. But Nameless was too quick, immediately reacting to her efforts; by snapping a paw down to pin Fang¡¯s left wing to the soil, pressing his full weight down on top of her, and leaning down to force his fangs against her vulnerable and openly bared throat. The instant his fangs brushed against her neck, Fang went still, any idea of further struggle halting under the risk of having her throat torn open. Through their connection Nameless could feel the burning animosity Fang held towards him grow hotter, but so too did he feel just as powerful a shame and fear begin to choke the heat from her. She growled and snarled at Nameless as he held her life within his jaws, a hollow display of resistance to hide the humiliation and fear that he already knew was present, [Off! Thief!] She hurled images and emotions at him like a Quill Toad at a predator, sending barb after mental barb at Nameless in a delusional tantrum that only enflamed his disappointment and frustrations surrounding her. With a deep chested rumble, Nameless dug his fangs into his sister¡¯s neck further, cutting her off mid-thought, [Whose. Prey. Now?] Unlike Fang, Nameless¡¯s mind was calm and controlled, his words carrying the full weight of his apathy and disdain towards his sibling¡¯s behavior¡­ as well as visions of the lengths he would go to assure that her ¡°claims¡± ended here. ¡°Just because you are strong does not mean that the world ¨C and others ¨C will bow to your desires and demands¡­¡± Nameless kept his teeth where they were, waiting for Fang to realize she had lost, ¡°And understanding ones having strength, does not mean you are without weakness or threats.¡± He could feel Fang¡¯s mind swirling about, still searching for a way to turn things around, desperately holding onto the false belief that even though he had her pinned that she was still the stronger of the two of them. ¡°Prideful fool.¡± At her thoughts, Nameless raked the claws of his right paw back, cutting through the flesh of the feathered limb it had pinned underpaw. The sudden pain caused Fang to yowl and squirm underneath him, her movement causing Nameless¡¯s fangs to dig deeper into her flesh. The fear he had felt originally slithering out from her mind once more, the acrid scent of the emotion spurring him on to put his ¡°lesson¡± to its end, [Who. Is. Prey. Now?] The change of a singular word ¨C laced with the embedded knowledge of what more could come as his patience waned ¨C killed the last hints of fight within Fang, as assuredly as Nameless could end her life with a single bite. He waited however, even with Fang¡¯s mind only granting him the sense of a meek surrender, teeth still threatening to rip holes in her throat, ¡°[Telepathy] might be telling me she is done, but her body is telling me otherwise.¡± Her body was still tense; whether from the continued risk to her life his fangs caused or for an attack she was preparing the moment he let his attention slip, Nameless couldn¡¯t say, [Are. You. Finished?] She flinched ¨C her muscles tensing even more ¨C before she released a shaky growl, [Yes.] The tension that had Nameless so on edge disappeared, Fang fully surrendering to him and leaving herself completely at his mercies, [Good. Leave. Eat. Later. With others.] Releasing her ¨C he quickly stepped away ¨C watching Fang closely as she got onto her paws and limped away, his sibling avoiding his eyes, ¡°Hopefully she will learn from this¡­ but, unfortunately, I have my doubts that one such humbling event can do so much.¡± Nameless turned around and padded back to the Matriarch¡¯s heart, catching Quiet staring at him along the way, [Yes?] [Ar-are you alright?] She asked, a hint of fear souring her words over their connection, making Nameless frown. [Yes.] He replied gruffly, sinking down to his stomach, heart resting in-between his paws, [Get liver. Now. Or. I. Take. Both.] Quiet stared at him for a moment in astonishment, before shaking her head in a huff and walking towards the Phiomia, [Fine, but I get the larger half.] Nameless sighed and took a large bite out of the Matriarch¡¯s heart, using the organ as a way to ignore his sister¡¯s demand, the taste no longer nearly as appetizing¡­ while he contemplated what he might be in for once they returned to the den. Chapter 22 Nameless stared out into the forest below, a wall of loudly falling rain obscuring much of his sight, his mind elsewhere. After feasting on the Matriarch, Nameless had noticed clouds growing and shifting above as he and his siblings made their way back to the den. The humidity in the air seeming as though it grew with every step they took. The scent of rain had coated his nostrils as he had entered their cave, his fur and skin sticky from the water laden air, the horizon darkening with the start of a storm. The rains had finally come to the valley. The sky had opened up with a roar that echoed through the den; its cry one of rumbling thunder, cracks of lightning, and howling winds. Nameless had felt an instance of elation at the monsoon''s presence, his soul cooing in tandem with the rains in a manner deeper than any other he had experienced to that day. It was a queer feeling, one that he had desired to delve into more in an effort to try to understand, if not to merely bask in the glow of the unfamiliarly vibrant emotions. However, he had had other, more pressing, concerns. ¡°Concerns that still have not been addressed or even acknowledged¡­¡± His conflict with Fang was not one he could ¨C or even desired to ¨C keep secret; the wounds covering her body, as well as his sister¡¯s inevitable retelling of their hunt, making obvious any act of deception he might try and craft. So, he had prepared himself for a confrontation with his mother, entering their den with a mind swamped in anxiety. Fang¡¯s status as their mother¡¯s Preferred was obvious; the first to eat, to be chosen for lessons, the first to be addressed after hunts¡­ ¡°if I should be grateful for anything today, it should be that Mother did not immediately jump to Fang¡¯s defense after whatever retelling of events she had given.¡± After her conversation with Fang, his mother had moved onto each of his other siblings, seemingly making a concerted effort to leave Nameless for last. Her avoidance had left him tensed to run at a moment¡¯s notice ¨C no matter how futile a move it would have been ¨C his eyes darting between his mother and the cave¡¯s tunnels, until the moment she finally reached out to him. He had been caught off guard when his mother¡¯s questionings had involved none of the accusations, reprimands, or threats he had expected. Their conversation involving his role and actions in he, and his sibling¡¯s, hunt as they always did¡­ with only one subtle difference that made him worry all the more. ¡°I couldn¡¯t feel even a hint of emotion from her.¡± Even if his mother had a significantly higher tier of [Telepathy] than him, Nameless had always detected some form of her emotions when they connected; whether that be due to a quirk of [Wisdom], or because she felt there was no way any of her cubs could detect them ¨C given their youth and inexperience ¨C he couldn¡¯t say. ¡°But sensing nothing means something has changed¡­¡± Another jagged string of lightning slipped down from the sky, the flash of light setting the fat droplets of rain a-fire with a dazzling gleam, ¡°If she had a sense of my having [Preternatural Wisdom] or ¨C even more worrying ¨C that my [Telepathy] was abnormal, I would be dead.¡± Abnormal Skills ¨C and Traits ¨C were often dangerous to whoever had them and to those around them, horrid deviations that ran the risk of making those baring them mutated, insane, or both. Luckily, the only thing abnormal with his [Telepathy] was that it had grown into the Initiate tier without his having access to magic, without any signs ¨C as far as he could gather ¨C that it was anything more than another peculiarity of [Preternatural Wisdom]¡¯s effects. However, of the impressions his mother had left him with, it was clear how she would have ¡°Abnormals,¡± of any kind, dealt with¡­ whether they were her cubs or not. ¡°Which means it must be something else¡­ but what exactly?¡± It was a possibility that Quiet¡¯s growing mental capabilities had made Mother more cautious, more cognizant of what she might reveal to them, ¡°But I am of the same mind as [Wisdom]¡¯s that there is something¡­ more to Mother¡¯s sudden precautions, than anything as simple as that.¡± Nameless continued staring out towards where the mountains would lie in the distance, sitting on his haunches, the dark overcast and heavy rain making the world in front of him as hazy as his thoughts. The storm did little to quiet his chaotic mind or calm his pounding heart¡­ nor did its howls and rumbles do anything to mask the steps coming from behind him. His ears twitched and his breath stuck still in his throat, the obvious weight behind the padded steps ¨C growing closer to him ¨C being all he needed to identify who was approaching him. He kept his eyes ahead of him, the ethereal paw of [Wisdom] appearing to bid his thoughts and emotions to follow its tracks. He allowed his mind to wander down the Trait¡¯s path, carefully parsing through its proposals and inclinations, evaluating what steps resonated the most with him. Much reluctance still tinged Nameless¡¯s thoughts and decisions surrounding the unusual Trait, a large part of him still unwilling to trust in it completely, that feeling of¡­ division between himself and [Wisdom] being something he couldn¡¯t ignore. However, he certainly wasn¡¯t as wary of the Trait as he had been. Its providing him of knowledge beyond his current understandings and the ¡°awakening¡± of his consciousness not-withstanding; what he had come to appreciate ¨C and even rely on ¨C were both its perception of his surroundings, as well as the guidance it had come to provide at times. [Preternatural Wisdom] ¨C in a manner he had yet to understand ¨C noticed things that Nameless either couldn¡¯t, or was unwilling to, recognize. His mother¡¯s emotions, how she interacted differently with him and each of his siblings, the favor Mother showed Fang ¨C and to a lesser measure Shiver and Greye, all the subtle things that would slip past his attention, intelligence or no. ¡°And for all my doubts regarding the extent of [Wisdom]¡¯s reach, I have to full well recognize that its counsel is an immense boon.¡± Nameless mused as the large form of his mother settled next to him, endeavoring to occupy his thoughts with anything but the anxiety her close presence caused him, ¡°Its guidance is only that, a guide, and it is up to my discretion in what manner I conduct myself, based off of its instructions. However, I cannot help but recognize that once my choice is made, [Wisdom] almost seems¡­ satisfied with my choice. As though the Trait has¡­ expectations and desires of me all its own.¡± ¡°Yet another addition to my herd of worries, with Mother herself at the head.¡± Nameless glanced to the side, his mother sitting silently beside him, her presence looming over him like a mountain threatening collapse. He was again reminded of that absence of emotion from her, the yawning gap in his senses bringing to mind the deep gullies whose bottoms were nothing but empty pits of black. [Do you have anything else to say about today?] His mother¡¯s voice rumbled through his mind. He could feel her senses upon him, thin strands of telepathic intent creating a gossamer web that lie over him from crown to tail, assessing his every twitch and errant thought. He didn¡¯t answer immediately, using the protections of [Wisdom] ¨C and even a little [Deception] ¨C to obscure his thoughts for the instant necessary to organize them, before responding, [No. Told. Everything. Already.] There was a risk in following the path, he believed, was most suitable. The possibility that his mother may see his honesty as an obstinance bordering on disrespect, or worse, a challenge to her leadership was high. But what insights he might gain into her thinking, under this rare opportunity, made the risks ¨C whatever they may be ¨C ones he were willing to take. [Oh? Truly? You see nothing as having gone¡­ wrong with today¡¯s hunt.] Her tone thrummed with amusement and interest, the first scent of emotions he had received from her all day, an otherwise innocuous undertone to her questioning. However, there was more below the surface, a susurrus of predatory observation masked by a feigned levity that ¨C if not for the control over himself provided by [Wisdom] and some of his Skills ¨C would have set Nameless shivering in place, his every hair standing on end, ¡°Choose your words carefully, Nameless. There is more to her questions than she would have us believe.¡± [No¡­ Actually. Almost missed. Ambush. Though. Mentioned. Already. Why?] He was padding down a thin trail, his false perplexion and misinterpretation of her questioning chancing a negative reaction from Mother. He could almost feel his mother¡¯s eyes land on him, her attention pressing down on his back as though a Phiomia were standing atop him, [Because the wounds on your sister¡¯s face as well as Her¡¯s, yours, and your other sister¡¯s retelling of events, says something was very wrong¡­] He looked up at her, using his knowledge of [Deception] to its fullest, trying not to show the fear that ran rampant within him, [No. Wrong. After. Hunt. Protect kill. Like. Taught.] Nameless watched as she leaned over him, her face devoid of emotion while her eyes danced with a fire that wasn¡¯t from the lightning, [Like I taught you? Nothing was wrong? Do you truly expect me to believe you, or that sister of yours, that your harming your sibling was warranted?] He felt her mind press down against his own, the sheer difference in strength tearing a whimper from his lips and forcing him down to his stomach, [Why would you think that your injured sister deserved to be harmed by you, her own brother, for something so¡­ insignificant as a dispute over some prey; let alone believe that what I taught you, would support such violence against one of your siblings?] The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. From where he laid, Nameless struggled to form an answer under his mother¡¯s telepathic force, [My. Prey. My. Kill.] He forced out, his mind in agonizing pain, [My. Claim. My. Success. Threatened. Taught. Defend. Honor. Prove. Strength.] He could feel the scree falling to either side of his ¡°path,¡± thinning the trail down to one precipitous strip, that any slip in words or emotions could lead to him plunging into the depths of his mother¡¯s rage that lie below. The force upon him increased, chocking the air out from his lungs and nearly making him fall into unconsciousness. His mother¡¯s control slipped, rage and disdain slamming down into his mind with as much violence as the storm outside, [Defending your success? Proving yourself?!] Mother hissed, words laden with contempt, her mind feeling like claws against his throat, [As though your felling of that Matriarch was worth anything like that, if it threatened my H-!] His mother¡¯s voice abruptly halted, the contempt that had begun to leach into her words disappearing as suddenly as a Sarcosuchus* into murky waters¡­ but Nameless had learned more than enough. Curling up and making himself as small as possible, Nameless didn¡¯t have to fake the fear that his mother¡¯s anger caused in him¡­ nor that made from the sudden absence of any, ¡°She was willing to kill me for a moment.¡± The image of his mother¡¯s tearing his head from his shoulders flitted past his eyes, ¡°[Wisdom] was right, I was just too¡­ na?ve to see the truth.¡± [I am sorry my son.] The monster ¨C with the name of Mother ¨C apologized, her telepathic connection humming with a regret Nameless couldn¡¯t believe, [I did not mean to lash out at you in that manner. It is just that¡­ I do not like the idea of you and your siblings fighting amongst one another. If any of you got hurt, I would be¡­ inconsolable.] ¡°Liar.¡± Nameless thought, her words sounding as hollow as the networks of tunnels that ran away from their den to his mind, [I am. Fine. Mother. Protect. Care. Worry. For us. I. Understand.] He buried the disgust he felt, lying through his fangs in the same way as she did. Using [Telepathy] to entwine false emotions into his words ¨C while continuing to lie down ¨C he presented the submissive, unaware, and hopelessly adoring cub she believed him to be. Endeavoring to do everything he could to present himself as anything but a threat and his fight with Fang as nothing more than a¡­ mistake of youthful exuberance and a desire to ¡°prove¡± himself in his mother¡¯s eyes. Even if he despised every moment of it. [I am glad you understand, my son. While it was a mistake ¨C losing my composure ¨C I hope you see it for what it was; my caring so deeply for all of you that it pained me to see you in conflict amongst each other¡­ and as a lesson, that next dispute ¨C between yourself and a sibling ¨C you should use your words instead of violence.] Her voice, for all its throaty tone, caressed his mind with a¡­ matronly affection. Comforting, honest, and endearing; her [Telepathy] filled his head with the scent and warmth of her fur as he curled beside her as a cub, drowning his emotions under a flood of familiarity and reminiscence that almost managed to make him believe her sincerity¡­ almost. With a [Telepathy], Trait, and awareness more advanced than she would suspect, Nameless could detect the fallacy lying beneath the surface. Scorn, dissatisfaction, derision, loathing, and a field¡¯s worth of other negative emotions and opinions, insidiously circled below her honeyed words, their reeking stench clinging to his mind as the cause and focus of her foul humor. ¡°At least I know you can feel something for me¡­ even if it is nothing but a resentment I do not yet completely understand.¡± He thought dejectedly, the confirmation of his fears beginning to break him down. However, he retained his own composure, knowing that with his mother¡¯s proximity even the slightest slip could lead to those imaginary scenes of violence towards him¡­ becoming a terrifying reality. [Understand. Mother. Try. To be. Better. Care. Too. Make you. Proud.] At his words and emotions his mother smiled, a sudden flash of lightning streaking through the sky as she did, almost reflecting the thunderous emotions that he knew hid behind her smirk-squinted eyes. [Good.] She raised herself off her haunches and turned around, facing back the way she had come, [Do not stay out amongst the elements long, my son. At the rise of the Brothers comes the start of your first Proving, it would behoove you to be in your best condition when it begins.] As the sound of her padded feet sticking against the smooth sandstone floor receded away from him, a howling gust of wind and rain swept in to replace the space she left behind. She eventually faded from his perceptions, yet Nameless held fast onto caution, continuing to keep tight control over his surface thoughts and emotions, ¡°Just because I cannot sense her any longer does not mean the same could be thought in reverse.¡± Raising himself back onto his own haunches, he looked outward, eyes piercing the darkness ahead of him, ¡°My own mother was willing to kill me... because of Fang. But why?¡± Nameless thought, working through the whirlwind of emotions and revelations that swirled wildly deep within him, ¡°Just before she regained control over herself, she was going to call Fang¡­ something, its importance ¨C resonating over our connection ¨C far beyond that of even Fang¡¯s status as Preferred.¡± He began to become lost in the sound of the rain and tempest once more, his mind slowly beginning to pull back from the raging storm his monster of a mother had created within him, ¡°But outside of the significance of whatever she was going to mention, ¡°Mother¡¯s¡± mind was too¡­ chaotic and agitated for me to get a sense, or even an impression, that could guide me to understand what she had prevented herself from saying.¡± A strike of grief slammed into Nameless as another bolt of lightning streaked down from the sky in the distance, thunder rolling in its wake like a commiserating cry, ¡°Yet for all this intrigue, I cannot allow myself to cower away from the worst revelation of all¡­ Mother¡¯s hatred for myself and Quiet.¡± ¡°In the same manner as her true reasons for¡­ obsessing over Fang are unknown to me, why she would despise two of her own cubs is something that is just as confusing and senseless.¡± His eyes began to blur, sorrow and bitterness beginning to choke his thoughts, ¡°What fault do we bare to be thought of as lesser? What blame is ours for the thought of killing one of her own to be even entertained?!¡± Rage overwhelmed his grief, changing the chaotic whirlwind within him into a furious storm as violent as the one he witnessed outside, ¡°What have either of us done to deserve your hate, Mother?!¡± Nameless snarled within the confines of his mind, barely preventing his emotions from slipping through his claws, any misstep now still containing the risk of revealing the depths of his true feelings¡­ as well as the awareness he so desperately needed to hide. ¡°No. Whatever insipid hate she has is not foisted upon us for any fault of our own¡­ but hers.¡± His rage remained, the eerie feeling of [Wisdom] perking up ¨C at yet another shift in mentality ¨C sending a shiver across his hide, ¡°Whatever blame is to be had is hers and hers alone. But that there is anything that she sees within us to incite such loathing at all, towards her own cubs no less, means there is something¡­ specific behind Mother¡¯s aversion. That should be my focus, rather than dwelling on what I have lost; and the pain and the grief, that bay at my mind like scavenging hyena around wounded prey.¡± ¡°There will come a time when I can allow myself to feel and act upon these emotions¡­ but now is not that moment.¡± [Wisdom]¡¯s alertness seemed to recede as he gained control over himself once more ¨C an odd feeling of contentment softly brushing against his thoughts like a breeze through his fur. He was by no means relaxed, much of his thoughts and emotions still unbalanced and enflamed, however he did feel a greater sense of¡­ solidity budding within. ¡°The impending Proving will give me time for a great many things; thinking, planning, growing¡­ coming to terms with everything revealed. So, while I can do nothing now ¨C and there will be nothing I can do to Her in the near future ¨C what I can do is prepare¡­ prepare to survive no matter the odds against me, even if one of them is my own mother.¡± Nameless looked out into the night, the world pitch black under the raging storm, errant flashes of light and the rolling thunder making the swaying canopy of trees ahead appear like some great monster or swarm, ¡°And even if it is spiteful of me, I see no greater victory ahead then surviving and excelling when expected to fail¡­¡± A massive cracking roar of thunder and lightning bloomed as though acting like a herald of his conviction, making him shakily smile for the first time since the hunt. He could feel something shift as he rose to his paws, a change within him that made his steps back into the den more assured, ¡°Whatever may come, I will survive¡­ as surely as the winds blow and the rain falls.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D As he awoke the following day, Nameless blinked blearily as he stretched, feeling his muscles pop and roll. Through squinted eyes he looked about the den ¨C groaning as his stretch removed some of the tension and soreness that wracked his body ¨C a particular expectation on his mind, ¡°She is gone.¡± The space where once his mother rested was empty, his surroundings only retaining the barest whisps of her former presence. He breathed a shaky sigh of relief, the lack of his mother¡¯s looming threat to him, Quiet, and possibly some of his other siblings as well, settling much of the fear that still remained from the night prior. His siblings were still asleep, completely unaware of her disappearance and the possible danger that had lurked around them as they rested, ¡°It is an unfortunate thing how quickly I have discarded my bond with her. However, while her danger to me is painful, that her hate included another of my siblings ¨C and may yet extend to the others ¨C is something I cannot forgive, nor forget.¡± His attention landed on Quiet before flicking over to Fang, where it lingered, ¡°And that my feelings towards Fang have soured is also not lost on me. Mother¡¯s favoritism will not serve to do anything but continue to inflame the pride and egotism that led to our conflict in the first place. Which means it is unlikely that Fang will become anything but a reflection of our mother¡¯s desires and beliefs, the Preferred¡­ and mine, and eventually our siblings¡¯, Adversary.¡± Fang slept soundly, unaware of Nameless¡¯s struggles, dull beams of light beginning to stream into the den as the dawn grew, ¡°But she is as blameless as Quiet and I are¡­ as unfortunate to have Mother¡¯s obsession as we are to have her hate.¡± Nameless could do nothing but hope Fang would learn that their mother¡¯s attentions ¨C all in the process of fulfilling whatever hidden desires he knew her to have ¨C would only serve to harm and stunt her, spurring her to separate from Mother¡¯s manipulations. But he doubted such a thing would occur, ¡°She will give Fang far too much for her to see the lie behind the affection. Which only means that one day Fang will be as much a threat as Mother¡­ except less of a concealed one.¡± He looked away from his sister to the pond beginning to lightly glimmering under the thin, muted, streams of swelling day, ¡°It will be good for me to be alone for a time; without Mother, Fang, and the rest.¡± He quietly padded to the water, using the slightest hint of [Stealth] to guide his steps and avoid awakening any of his kin, stepping over a sprawled out Greye, ¡°Too much has changed too quickly, and to have a moment to compose myself and begin to solidify my growth ¨C without having to hide and conceal my full capabilities ¨C will be¡­ immensely welcome.¡± Reaching the pond, he lapped at the water, reveling in the cool liquid streaming down his gullet and face, ¡°This may well be the last easy source of water I can approach for many moons.¡± Nameless thought idly. Once his thirst was satiated ¨C and then some ¨C he sat on his haunches and looked over his shoulder, keeping his wing tucked to his body so as not to obscure his sight, ¡°Now I have but one thing to decide. Do I leave now, while my siblings yet sleep? Or do I wait for them to wake and break away from them after?¡±
Sarcosuchus* - (S¨»?rko??su?k?s) Fun Fact: The Sarcosuchus was amongst the largest of the - now extinct - crocodilian ancestors, measuring in at 9-9.5 meters (or 29.5-31.2 FU or Freedom Units). Chapter 23
[Proprioception] : (Untrained) - Level 5
You have begun to gain a slight awareness and control over your body¡¯s movement and positioning.
At the sound of a long yawn, Nameless allowed the Skill in front of his eyes to fade away. [Proprioception] had been the new addition he had gained just prior to engaging the Matriarch, its effects allowing for him to have an oddly fine sense of ¨C and power over ¨C his body, ¡°While not as¡­ intense now, as it had been after it first appeared, I can tell that this Skill may yet be one of the most useful I have gained.¡± From walking to breathing, he had begun to feel more¡­ concordant with his body, his every action having a solidity and awareness to it that was previously lacking, ¡°And I can only salivate at the idea of how [Proprioception] will grow as I come to understand it, as well as begin to use it beside my other Skills.¡± At the sound of claws scraping against stone, Nameless shifted his attention away from his idle musings to the first of his waking siblings. He watched as Shade looked around the den ¨C his brother¡¯s eyes cloudy with the last vestiges of sleep ¨C his face scrunched with a slight edge of confusion. [Mother. Gone already.] Sending out a string of [Telepathy] between the two, Nameless answered Shade¡¯s unspoken question, causing his brother¡¯s head to snap around towards him. [Seems. So.] Shade got up and began walking his way, avoiding their still resting siblings between them, his every step nearly inaudible, [Proving. Begins. Then. Why. Still. Here?] [Den. Safe. Think. First. Leave. Later.] Nameless replied, turning away from Shade to drink from the pond once more. [Smart.] Shade asserted in his usually curt tone, coming to his side to also lap at the pond, [Go. With. Others. Or. Alone.?] Nameless paused for a heartbeat, tongue half outstretched, before answering, [Alone. Learn. More.] [Smart.] His brother brusquely reiterated, causing Nameless to snort into the water, splashing himself in the face, [Alone. Too.] He was tempted to answer in the same manner his brother had, when another voice entered their conversation, [Awake already you two?] Nameless shifted to look behind him, finding Quiet still lounging in the same place she had been resting prior, but now staring at he and Shade with eyes bright and clear, [Yes. Join us.] [I think I will stay where I am for a time, the Siblings only know how long it will be before any of us can rest safely like this again.] She looked away, eyes passing over the rest of their siblings, [I also do not believe I could reach the two of you without waking the rest of our siblings, if I wanted to join anyway.] [Good. Would. Become. Loud. If. You. Try. Enjoy. Quiet. Peace.] Shade interjected, clearly satisfied over their retention of ¨C relative ¨C silence for the time being, his black tail with deep brown splotches swishing against the stone floor. [I agree brother, we should enjoy this peace and quiet while we can.] Quiet nodded, laying her head down on her paws, her eyes skipping between Nameless and Shade, [But, while I have you two, when do you both plan on leaving?] [Soon.] Shade gruffly answered first, batting at the water with one of his paws, [Others. Begin. Wake. Leave. Then.] Nameless thought for a moment before answering, following after his brother, [Similar. Leave. When some. Others. Wake.] Quiet¡¯s ears twitched at his and Shade¡¯s replies, head tilting, and her tail going completely still, [So the both of you have no plans to group together for the Proving?] While their mother had described the Proving as a personal challenge, from their Imprints survival and growth were made to be the most important aspects, ¡°This first Proving is just to reach the Second Stage and survive without her protection. So, while she might have preferred of us to fight and last alone, going off in a group is just as possible a path to take.¡± [No. Go alone. Learn. Grow. More.] Nameless answered, eyes flicking over to Greye as he grumbled and shifted against the floor, their brother¡¯s eyes moving under their lids as he begun to wake, [Shade. Will do. The. Same. What about. You?] Shade radiated gratitude for Nameless¡¯s speaking on his behalf, their taciturn sibling obviously having reached the limit of his desires to converse, his hazy eyes and swaying tail indicating his attentions were mostly elsewhere. [I was hoping to have had you, and a couple claws of our other siblings join me for the Proving¡­] Quiet¡¯s thread flashed with frustration and disappointment, a loud huff passing her lips, [But I guess I will have to make do a sibling short. Unless I can persuade you otherwise?] Nameless snorted, watching as Greye dazedly rose to his paws, eyes still closed, [No. Love. To help. But. Need. To. Go alone.] In Greye¡¯s waking stumbles one of his paws landed on Shiver¡¯s tail, ripping a painful yowl from between their sister¡¯s fangs. She leapt to her paws, snarling and swiping wildly while still in a daze of slumber, the sound beginning to rouse the rest of their siblings. Nameless and Shade shared a silent string of thought, their waking siblings being the signal necessary to begin preparing themselves fully for the challenges ahead. Quiet seemed to catch his and Shade¡¯s change in demeanor through [Telepathy], her eyes shifting over the rest of them, [I wish you both strong winds to fill your wings, and that the Siblings¡¯ light may guide you upon them to victory in all things.] Quiet looked back to Shade and himself, catching both of their eyes with her own, their bond ¨C and her gaze ¨C alight with an absolute demand, [We will see each other again. Survive and thrive brothers, return to us all victorious.] [Wish. The. Same. Sister] Shade got to his paws and began making his way to the den¡¯s entrance, effortlessly avoiding his rowdy siblings¡¯ notice, [Watch. Self. Brother. Shame. If. End. Up. Only. Smart. Sibling. Left.] Nameless huffed, surprised and amused by his brother¡¯s sudden verbosity, [Same. To you. Brother. Good. Hunting. Strong. Winds.] He watched as Shade nodded, the string between them sending back acceptance and appreciation before it was unspun on Shade¡¯s end, the tattered threads of their shared [Telepathy] scattering into nothingness. ¡°I will hope to see you again Shade and that your Proving will see you return all the stronger.¡± As Shade disappeared from his [Telepathy], he felt Quiet recede from their connection as well, her attentions landing on Shiver and Greye. Following her new telepathic string, Nameless could tell that Quiet had sent out her own connection to their siblings ¨C by the immediate hitch in their movements ¨C halting their further snapping and grappling with one another. [Our Proving is today if you two have not forgotten in your¡­ distraction.] He could sense Quiet¡¯s words carrying a subtle hum of chastisement as well as her exasperation, [So if you would not mind, will you both stop, so we may avoid any of you getting injured and allow the rest of our siblings to somehow continue to rest?] Shiver felt completely unrepentant to Nameless¡¯s senses, glaring at Greye, [Stepped. On. Tail. Let. Bite. Him. At. Least!] [No, you cannot¡­ bite your brother.] Quiet sighed, walking over to their two siblings. [Not. Even. Little?] That got a small chuckle from Nameless, causing Quiet to send a glare his way. [No. Would you take an apology from him instead?] Quiet offered, sitting down in between Greye and Shiver. Shiver grumbled, [Fine. Only. If. Groom. For. Tw-. No. Three. Moons!] Mischievous excitement replaced Shiver¡¯s irritation, the quick change in their sister¡¯s emotions making Quiet roll her eyes, [Is that something you are willing to do, brother?] With her attention now landing fully on his shoulders, Greye seemed to shrink into himself ¨C an otherwise humorous action considering their brother¡¯s bulky form, [Yes. Sorry. My. Fault. But. Groom. Only. Two.] [Is that alright wit-] [Yes!] Shiver cut Quiet off, her tail wildly swaying behind her, with her red ears twitching in contentment, [Yes! Yes! Accept!] Preceded by a huff, Quiet dove back into conversing with their two siblings, while Nameless quietly listened on, ¡°It always confused me how Quiet was capable of using [Telepathy] with such intent, especially if she is as limited by her lack of magic as all of us should be¡­ but maybe she is more similar to myself than I first believed.¡± Nameless walked over to his three siblings ¨C his paw pads sticking against the floor with each step ¨C mind stretching out to shoulder its way into their telepathic discourse, [Apologies. Need to. Speak.] The strands of [Telepathy] for each of his siblings lit up to his mind, their attention narrowing down to him, [Leaving. Now.] Their eyes were on him, Greye and Shiver¡¯s strings colouring with surprise, while Quiet¡¯s seemed to emanate curiosity and a slight resignation, [Ask. That you. Protect. Watch. Each. Other. Wish. Strong winds. Siblings¡¯. Guide. To. You all.] This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. [Grow. And find. Victory. See. You all. Again.] He looked into each of his siblings'' eyes, entwining his intent with confidence and sincerity, as well as with his desire to see them all once their Proving reached its conclusion. Quiet spoke up first, a subtle hint of appreciation being sent towards Nameless telling him she had noticed his pushing their siblings to stick beside her, [We will look after each other, brother. Be safe.] [Leaving. Already? Not. With. Us?] Greye questioned, his [Telepathy] tinged in an unhidden fear and anxiety. [No. Take. Proving. Alone. Will. Be. Safe. Smart. Survive.] Nameless made sure to answer his brother with as much conviction as he could, trying to soothe his brother¡¯s worries. [I-] Greye started, still obviously uncomfortable with Nameless¡¯s choice, when Shiver mentally shoved herself into the center of their telepathic communication. [Why. You. Get. Go. Alone?! I. Want. Go. Alone!] Shiver whined with a pout, though Nameless was surprised to sense that her words almost tasted¡­ fake to his [Telepathy], ¡°She is just as worried as Greye ¨C for me and about the Proving ahead it would seem ¨C but is just too prideful to admit it¡­¡± He held back a chuckle at his sister¡¯s dishonesty, [These two. Need. Sibling. To. Protect them.] He looked Shiver in the eyes and smiled, bowing his head slightly, [Only. You. Strong. Enough.] Shiver stared back at him, her eyes wide and lips slightly parted in shock, [Telepathy] buzzing with embarrassment, [W-Will. Protect. Siblings. Brother. Wish. St-Strong. Winds. Siblings¡¯. Guide.] [Will. Protect. Siblings. Too!] Greye leapt in, possibly noticing Shiver¡¯s awkwardness, [Show. I. Strong. Too!] ¡°Or maybe it is more jealousy than protectiveness.¡± Nameless mused, chuckling at Greye¡¯s complicated twine of jealousness and protective fondness, no longer capable of containing the humor he found in his siblings¡¯ antics, [Of course. Brother. Trust. You. Watch. Protect. Sisters. Too.] Greye hummed in satisfaction, [Yes. Will. Protect. Sisters! Strong. Winds. Siblings¡¯. Guide. Brother! Come. Back. Safe. Strong.] His rich blue eyes stared back at Nameless with determination, Greye¡¯s telepathic thread going ridged and dull to the senses as it was infused with his resolve. ¡°Ever the trustworthy brother¡­ I just hope that trust and honor is not abused or betrayed by that wretched mother of ours.¡± Nameless harshly crushed the dark thought, unwilling to allow it to taint his mind and ruin their farewells, ¡°Worries for another moon Nameless. Right now, your focus is your siblings and your Proving, not dire possibilities.¡± [Come back. Safe. Strong. As well. Brother. Strong. Winds. Siblings¡¯. Guide.] Feeling [Deception] well up to the fore of his mind, he kept his [Telepathy] clear of his doubts and concerns, assisting him in his desire to obfuscate his emotions ¨C mentally and physically. Nameless¡¯s telepathic strings only wavered slightly as he readjusted his thoughts, burying the negativity that threatened to burble to the surface. [Deception] helped to keep his exterior thoughts placid, calm, and confident ¨C as he wished ¨C while it also worked in tandem with [Proprioception] to assist in presenting his posture and face devoid of discomfort or concern. The Skills added a fine edge to his efforts, honing his desires and actions to something closer to what he intended, something slightly better than what he would have managed alone, ¡°Calm and unbothered. Confident and poised. Keep yourself together for them, so they may have no other focus than their Proving ahead.¡± Nameless turned his attentions to Quiet as she began to speak, still keeping a portion of his focus on controlling himself and his Skills, [No final words of encouragement for me as you leave, brother?] She smirked at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. [No. Smart. Skilled. Enough. Do not. Need. Me. Tell you. What. Already. Know.] He huffed, moving past her towards the mouth of their den, his thread shining with his trust and confidence in her, [Strong. Winds. Siblings¡¯. Guide. Dear sister.] As he continued to walk away from his siblings ¨C leaving them behind so he may begin his Proving in truth ¨C he began to unspin the strings of [Telepathy] between them, when Quiet¡¯s voice rose out to flow over his mind in a whisper, [Do not dare die, dear brother¡­] [I. Will not. Dear. Sister. I. Will. Not.] ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D With Quiet¡¯s words still lingering in mind, Nameless looked out over the canopy below and into the sky. Through a mild rain was an expanse of light grey, the Brothers¡¯ shine hidden behind much of the clouds above, the horizon covered by a dark bank lit by the occasional flash of lightning, ¡°Another large storm is on its way¡­¡± He removed his eyes from the horizon, looking down the rocky slope leading into the jungle below, his sight alighting on the barely visible tracks of Shade¡¯s descent. Leading off to his right, the few muddy paw prints ¨C Nameless could spot ¨C were already beginning to lose their form under the consistent wash of rain, ¡°As enjoyable as it might be to follow Shade and witness his reaction to my intrusion, the Proving is far too important¡­ and dangerous to allow myself to follow such a foolish distraction¡­¡± ¡°Even if I would find a certain comfort not having to undergo the Proving alone.¡± Skin and hide slick with damp from rain and the moisture in the air, he carefully made a path down the slope ¨C in the opposite direction from Shade ¨C his mind partially distracted by worries over the future¡­ his future. Knowing that he would be undertaking the Proving on his own had filled Nameless with a measure of anxiety, a slowly growing rumble of unease that had only increased in its intensity the closer the Proving came. It had been temporarily forgotten under the fresh and daunting fear his mother had enflamed within him, lost under the formidable threat Mother posed to himself and his siblings. However, as he put the den behind him to enter into the valley ¨C alone and devoid of the safety of numbers he had become all too comfortable with ¨C the anxiety and doubts roared to the fore once more. There was as much risk as there were reward in his choosing of a path of solitude; however, the freedom to develop by his own desires, to no longer have to hide his intelligence and insight from the omnipresent watch of his mother ¨C or siblings ¨C at the cost of safety and comfort were too enticing for Nameless to dismiss. It was the choice that granted him everything he wanted, providing him the grounds necessary to grow and thrive, ¡°However, the correct choice is not always the one most comfortable.¡± Nameless thought as he was forced to halt, his paws shaking with a quickly mounting apprehension that made it difficult for him to progress. The uncertainty of the future and what it might contain for him soaked his thoughts in doubt and fear, discomfort and apprehension. His breaths grew quick and labored, his confidence wavering under the deluge of dread as heavy as the rains of the night before, ¡°There is so much that could go wrong, so many things that I might not have accounted for¡­¡± Nameless¡¯s mind whirled in a wild tempest of dreadful possibilities, his panic mounting as hesitation threatened to undercut his plans, ¡°What if¡­ What if¡­ What if¡­¡± echoed within his head, scene after horrid scene flashing behind his eyes, his mind becoming lost in visions of innumerable deaths and countless failures¡­. When a voice split through his panic, like lightning did the sky. ¡°We will see each other again. Survive and thrive¡­¡± Quiet¡¯s voice provided an instant of clarity; the worry for him, her unyielding demand, and the implicit trust that all had been entwined within her words granting reprieve from the wretched doubts that plagued him. ¡°Will you fail her¡­ fail all of them so soon? Or will you push through?!¡± With a snarl Nameless raised a foreleg to his mouth and bit down, his fangs splitting his hide and burying into the meat below. The pain grounded his mind, giving him a focus beyond the dreary storm that had come to occupy his thoughts, ¡°This too is but a challenge of the Proving, is it not? A chance to face the unknown and learn to survive no matter what may come from it¡­¡± Nameless released the grip he had on his leg, his teeth and tongue coated in his own blood, ¡°So too does it grant me witness to the fears and doubts of mine that would just as assuredly lead to my demise as any creature could, to learn to control and understand them¡­ and hopefully ¨C in time ¨C grow beyond their dismal grasp.¡± He felt the hot sting of his wound flare as he returned his leg to the ground, his weight aggravating the many teeth marks that now covered it, blood seeping from the punctures to mix with the water that dripped down his fur. Nameless looked up to the sky, focusing on his breathing and the feeling of the rain pattering against the skin of his face, ¡°This is why I must take the Proving alone, not only to grow through overcoming strife and danger¡­ but to have a chance to understand who I am beyond the safety, comfort, and scrutiny of my family¡­.¡± The fear and panic that had nearly overwhelmed him receded from the forefront of his mind, slowly ¨C and almost reluctantly ¨C returning to that underlying susurrus in the back of his mind, much like the way insects, birds, and other creatures sounded about within the cover of nature. ¡°Survive and thrive¡­¡± Nameless reaffirmed to himself, a slight amount of his earlier composure returning to him in place of the self-doubt. His mind and body were still unbalanced, no amount of reassurance or conviction capable of removing that which had been drained away during his bout of hysteria. He was tired and fatigued¡­ but Nameless was nothing if not determined to make some form of progress in the wake of his Proving¡¯s rough start. With tremulous steps, Nameless finally moved on, navigating a careful path down to the outskirts of the jungle that laid below the den. Mud clung to his paws, the wet soil sticking and pulling against him with every step, some looser rocks shifting in the dampened ground as his passing weight made movement of the surrounding dirt. The undergrowth choked forest, once browned and withered from drought, had already begun to regain its once verdant luster under the rains. The canopy¡¯s formerly muted and sallow green becoming a slightly more vital shade, the many bushes and plants at their roots beginning to swell with greenery and the myriad colours of budding flowers. Nameless angled himself towards a break in the thick copse, a large moss and lichen covered stone creating a dark hole into the jungle¡¯s undergrowth, his mind in a weary haze, ¡°The forest¡¯s depths yet remain the best place for me to go, even in my less than¡­ settled state.¡± He had chosen to delve into the valley¡¯s wide forests for the Proving long before its start, the deep jungles of the valley providing him a great many benefits that would compensate for the lack of numbers at his flank. The darkness and concealment of its undergrowth, the cover of the wide canopies, the height provided by its countless trees, and the enclosed confines of its floral body, granted his choice of solitude a possibility of success¡­ even if those beneficial qualities cut both ways. As he passed through the hole into the forest proper, the rain was replaced by a drizzle of errant drops from the water-soaked leaves overhead, his ears twitching. Beyond the muted patter of rain against the canopy and the crunching of leaves beneath his paws, the surrounding jungle was silent and still, completely devoid of the liveliness common in such an environment. The lifelessness was familiar though disquieting; however, despite his distaste, it provided Nameless a welcome reprieve, ¡°Even if I have no respect or love for Her, I can at least appreciate the sanctuary her presence has provided.¡± His mother¡¯s proximity had drenched the terrain surrounding their den in her presence, creating a territory that Monsters and Beasts alike avoided completely¡­ an undeniable sign of the totality of her power and dominion over the creatures of the valley. Himself included. Nameless picked a way through the undergrowth, twigs and branches catching in his fur, plants and detritus crunching underpaw, ¡°I will take my time leaving Mother¡¯s territory,¡± He kept his head up, eyes surveying his surroundings and the ground ahead, ¡°Use it to settle myself as much as I can, before continuing on deeper into the forest.¡± While shaken, his conviction still remained; that desire to challenge himself and witness all he could become capable of under the rigors of his Proving, ¡°I had no belief that my path would be an easy or simple one. But once I am finished ¨C once I succeed ¨C I will be all the stronger, all the smarter, all the more wise.¡± His steps and posture growing more assured, he felt the lingering remains of his anxieties recede just the slightest more, not completely disappearing but becoming more¡­ manageable, ¡°I do not know what my Proving may bring, what challenges or battles may be ahead. But I have but one focus greater than any fear or uncertainty I may have ¨C ¡± A crack of lightning followed by the roar of thunder broke the silence of the forest, causing Nameless to look toward the shaking branches above, ¡°To survive ¨C and thrive during ¨C the Proving, to live and see my siblings again... and to spite the mother that would revel in my failure.¡± Nameless smiled as yet another peal of thunder bloomed, his mind beginning to feel more as it had been before doubt and fear had brought it low, ¡°I need trust myself to no other ambition.¡± Chapter 24 His methodical pace had taken him near the ends of his mother¡¯s territory, just as the edges of the once distant storm reached, the increasing pour of rain becoming the dominant sound of the jungle drowning out most others below. Including those of his own passage. With [Stealth], [Tracking], [Proprioception], and [Spatial Sense], Nameless had practiced cutting as quiet a path through the undergrowth he possibly could while isolated through his mother¡¯s presence. Though ¨C much to his frustration ¨C his size and lack of experience made it an oft futile effort. Even with his Skills assisting his movement ¨C helping him notice the best trails to traverse and spot objects that could break the silence and bring attention to himself ¨C there was just as much he failed to recognize in time or misplaced shifts and steps he performed, emphasizing his inexperience and the mediocrity of his current Skills. ¡°Yet another reminder of how far I still have to grow¡­¡± Nameless mused, slowing down to a halt as he felt his mother¡¯s power reduce down to a subtle whisper against his hide. Stopped, his ears twitched and flicked, his acute sense of hearing picking up the distant chirps and trills of birds, insects, and other noisome creatures even through the cacophony of rain and wind above. As he listened, the realization he was so close to leaving the protection of his mother¡¯s territory dawned on him, anticipation and anxiety welling up within him like noxious gas from a bog. While Nameless had managed to bury much of the uncertainty and doubt that had dragged him down earlier, he ¨C begrudgingly ¨C recognized that he was still not of sound enough mind to risk getting himself into conflict of any kind, ¡°Even if I just want to leap directly into hunting and training, it would be the height of idiocy to do so while I still remain even slightly distracted.¡± He focused on his breathing, settling the rising emotions within his chest before they could run rampant once more, ¡°It will serve me all the more to settle myself and assure my complete commitment and focus to the path ahead, rather than rushing off in some foolish effort to compensate for my wavering¡­ after all, a loss in time is better than the loss of my life.¡± Nameless looked up as a massive gust of wind tore through the canopy above, water from rain and the trees¡¯ leaves pelting him, soaking his fur and hide even further, ¡°First I need to find a place to lay for the night, to think and avoid the brunt of the storm both. From there¡­ well, I can think things through more once I am in a ¡°safe¡± place again.¡± With a shake, sending water flinging around him, Nameless began walking again. With every paw forward he could feel the effects of his mother¡¯s power leave the surroundings, the whisper of her presence disappearing behind the humidity and growing ambient noise as he put the safety of her territory behind him. As Nameless began to put distance between himself and his mother¡¯s power-soaked region, the surrounding jungle still remained sparse of signs of life despite the increasingly present calls. While their size ¨C or lack of it ¨C may have contributed to his failure to catch sight of the creatures, it was far more likely to him that few living beings chanced subsisting so close to the territory of a Sphinx¡­ and those that did, were incredibly fit for avoiding and subverting notice. With the chirrups and clicks of wildlife to provide him company, he continued forward, his difficulties in moving easing somewhat the deeper he progressed. The canopy was thicker the further into the forest he got ¨C even despite the drought that had withered and dried much of the valley¡¯s flora ¨C making it harder, though not impossible, for the undergrowth to grow to as¡­ inconvenient lengths as on the outskirts and hinder his progression. Eyes and [Spatial Sense] keeping a lookout for movement around him, steps still being made with care, Nameless allowed a portion of his mind to drift and merely¡­ enjoy and relax amongst the wilds around him, now that he was no longer so stifled by the brush. He caught the strong scent of rain in the air, leaving a lingering humid tang along his tongue, mixing and melding with the musty odors of wood, dirt, and decaying plants to create a uniquely pleasant smell. Felt the jungle soil sink beneath his paws, rising up in between his toes and sticking against his fur and paw pads, wetted as it was by the rain. He listened to the distant screeches and chittering of the wildlife, his mind conjuring up visions of creatures to match their sounds, the occasional roar of thunder or gale of wind from the approaching storm interrupting their calls with the weather¡¯s own. For all the Proving would be filled with danger and strife, Nameless felt it necessary for him to take moments such as this when he could¡­ especially following the shaky start that had already occurred. He needed to take the time necessary to allow his mind to recuperate and pull together whenever possible, even if it was just through a passing instance of appreciation for his surroundings. ¡°How many of these moments will I really have...¡± He wondered as a bolt of lightning brought light to the canopy shrouded ground, ¡°to allow myself the respite of a focus beyond conflict, survival, or growth?¡± Feeling a small pang of despondence, Nameless felt he knew the answer to that thought already, ¡°Very few I would assume. So I see no reason why I should not take them whenever they come¡­ and I hope that one day I become powerful enough that I can have moments like these whenever I so desire, rather than leave their occurrence up to happenstance.¡± He had no idea how far he had come from the den and his mother¡¯s territory as he stopped yet again, however the lively sounds of a forest rife with life told him he had finally distanced himself enough to be firmly ensconced within the wilds. He looked around soaking in his surroundings, trying to firmly ingrain this tentatively peaceful moment firmly in his mind, ¡°I did not believe myself to be so much of one for wanderlust and rumination¡­¡± Nameless reflected with a chuckle, his ears twitching at the many sounds that echoed about; like the *Ki-Rup* of Gossamer Tree Frogs, the prolonged *Trill-Click* of Hollow Crickets, or the *Terri-Ti-Ti* of Umber Long Tailed Birds, ¡°But it seems that the Proving is doing just as its name implies, demonstrating how little I have truly come to understanding myself.¡± A crack of wood and a rustle of brush caused Nameless to discard his musings, his head snapping in the direction of the disturbance, his body and mind instantly on alert. Nameless tensely hunted ¨C with his eyes ¨C for whatever form of creature was behind the sound, searching through the gaps between shrubs and tree trunks and over the broad leaves of other ground bound plants, for even the slightest hint of movement. Another crack resounded, his muscles twitching and breath hitching with the sound, sight jerking over to the second report to catch a flicker of the creature¡¯s form. What little he caught displayed a being significantly taller than himself, its large body at least at the height his wings reached partially unfurled above his own head, its movements jerky and stilted. Uncertain as he was of its identity, Nameless lowered himself to the ground and reduced his profile, heart beating loudly in his ears, watching the shadowed creature continue on its way from a distance. With a touch of intent, he brought his [Soul Sight] to life, endeavoring to bring additional clarity to his already [Night-Vision] effected eyes, the world taking on an eerie definition. A wave a vertigo accompanied his [Soul Sight] ¨C his lack of frequent exposure to its full effects making itself known ¨C causing his vision to uncomfortably undulate and shimmer. Slowly stabilizing, colours began to bloom in his eyes ¨C even as obscured as they were by the reduced light ¨C and the edges and shape of everything, from trunks and shrubs to rocks and leaves, became more crisp and easily discerned between. His eyes firmly latched upon the creature, his melding of [Night-Vision] and [Soul Sight] allowed for him to recognize additional details across its form¡­ and also relieve himself of fears of having run across something dangerous. The large body of the Beast ¨C as he was now sure of its not being a Monster as himself ¨C was covered in a thick coat of mottled feathers coloured varying shades of green and, with its thick and long three-clawed legs a deep brown, made it reminiscent of an oddly walking tree. As the beast moved further, he could see its long and sinuous feathered neck appear from behind a bush, its relatively small head being held low to the dirt as its beak pecked at fallen nuts, berries, and leaves strewn across the forest floor. ¡°A Verdant Brush Moa.¡± Nameless felt himself capable of breathing a little easier at the realization that the mystery creature was no more than an herbivorous beast, a creature whose threat was only to the varying plant life surrounding. Watching the Moa as it ponderously made its way through the jungle ¨C swaying side to side ¨C its beak picking at the detritus across the ground, Nameless pushed himself up and returned to his paws. At his movement the Moa paused and stared at him with wide eyes, continuing to sway as though it were a tree in the wind, fluttering its feathers as though they too were leaves caught in a breeze. The beast¡¯s efforts in camouflage made him huff in amusement, his tail swaying behind him batting the foliage at his back, his attentions quickly moving elsewhere. Without the fear of a threat, Nameless looked beyond the Moa to the forest behind it, moving his sight across the jungle in an effort to discern a possible path forward. He had come to know a great deal about the valley after all the hunts he had participated in beside his siblings, though that did not make navigation an easy process by any means. Within the jungles especially Nameless had found it difficult to not only progress, but to discover where exactly he was within them with what few memorable landforms existed within the extensive forests. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. However, he had discovered some methods to mitigate the difficulties of this particular terrain. [Tracking] was especially potent within the jungle, allowing for him to spot the myriad tracks and game trails that cut through the undergrowth throughout. Their presence ¨C ounce found ¨C granting him a general direction towards possible locations of interest, that the forest¡¯s choked and obscured horizon did not. Though that did not mean the Skill was a perfect answer¡­ As an Untrained Skill, his [Tracking] only provided a slight amount of clarity and enhancement of action while he was ¡°tracking,¡± with the burden of failure or success largely resting on Nameless¡¯s own insights, experiences, and intentions at the time¡­ Which ¨C of course ¨C lent itself to his often missing or misreading tracks and trails, without numerous passes or a prolonged amount of focus. ¡°I would likely fail a great deal more if not for having [Wisdom].¡± While his early ¡°awakening¡± certainly granted him a flexibility of mind when utilizing Skills that he otherwise would not have had ¨C so soon at least ¨C what he had come to believe was of greater benefit was the Trait¡¯s effect on ¡°Cognitive¡± Skills. It seemed that what [Preternatural Wisdom] considered to be cognitive Skills was exceptionally¡­ broad, and while not having as great an influence on the progression or potency of his Skills as a ¡°Natural¡± proficiency, its effect on something like [Tracking] was nevertheless a tangible one. He moved his eyes across the floor a couple times, ignoring the Moa still trying to mimic a tree, making a steady effort to spot any trails, tracks, or otherwise subtle signs of movement made in the soil or brush. On a third pass, Nameless believed he caught the hint of a print in the soil. As he stared at the spot, he was gratified to watch an illusory haze rise from the soil like smoke from a flame, a sign of [Tracking]¡¯s confirmation of his observation. He approached the tracks, catching the Brush Moa following him with its eyes as it swayed ¡°in the wind,¡± making sure to retain a measure of care with his steps so as not to disturb the bird more than it already was¡­ nor attract the attention of anything else that may be lurking beyond his senses within the bush. Nameless observed the prints closely, carefully removing some leaves that had fallen and partially obscured them so as to get a better look, ¡°These had to have been made after the storm, the night last, to still be visible¡­¡± They were the two-pointed ¡°toe¡± prints of some form of hooved creature, shallowly pressed into the wettened soil with a small amount of water settled within. The damp weather did little to conserve the depression¡¯s features, however its quality was of less import to him than the direction the tracks indicated the creature had been heading. Tracking the prints with his eyes, Nameless saw the scattered steps of the creature lead off further into the jungle, ¡°Wherever the creature may have gone, I can hope that its trail can bring me somewhere that may offer me more¡­ shelter and protection than the surrounding forest can provide.¡± He stepped forward, intent to start following the trail, when he paused and looked over his shoulder. The Moa remained watching him, its mimicry continued, the absurdity of its belief that it had somehow avoided his attention bringing a smile to Nameless¡¯s lips, ¡°It has no idea of its failure¡­ and considering my lack of desire to kill the beast¡­¡± Nameless turned away and chuffed, the vision of the harmless creature innocently swaying about in the face of danger firmly implanting itself in his mind, walking away to follow the trail, ¡°It never will.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Nameless sprinted through the darkened forest floor; caution, silence, and the memories of the amusing Moa abandoned, the storm raging above ¨C of an even more violent temper than that of the night before ¨C making such thoughts and attentions superfluous. He had followed the game trail for long enough that the approaching storm had arrived fully overhead, making the jungle as dark as that under a moonless night, forcing him to abandon his methodical pace for one of a more¡­ expedient nature. Especially given what raged behind him. His [Night-Vision] and [Soul Sight] worked incessantly beside [Tracking], [Sprint], [Proprioception], [Spatial Sense], and even [Dodge] and [Leap] to keep him moving at speed, avoiding everything in his way as he desperately tried to escape the storm¡¯s fury. A flash of lightning bloomed above, a howl of wind ripping through the canopy to release a deluge of rain on him and the ground below, revealing the world to him in one blinding instance. He had to scramble to retain his footing after the flare of light, blinking rapidly to clear his eyes of the spots now scattered across his sight, ¡°I hope I have figured where I am correctly. Otherwise¡­¡± With a growl Nameless continued running, sending a quick glance over his shoulder to measure the distance between himself and the danger that spurred him forward so frantically. Light flickered in the distance between brush and trees, red and orange flecks floating and swirling within the wind like darting Glowflys. He could smell the smoke, taste the ash on his tongue, and feel the barest touch of a dry heat at his back. Wildfire. Even wettened as the forest had been by the storm of the night prior, it had become apparent that it was not enough to protect it from the burning ire of lightning from above. The storm-bourne conflagration had rapidly grown, pushing Nameless ¨C and many other a creature ¨C to fleeing its inexorable pace, consuming trees and undergrowth with ravenous abandon. ¡°If there is anything that may bring equality to the wilds ¨C bring Beasts and Monsters of all stages low ¨C I can think of no greater Justicar than the World itself¡­¡± He looked to his left, leaping over a bundle of roots in his way, a herd of Jungle Gazelle wildly hoping and crashing through the brush at his side unperturbed by his presence. They weren¡¯t the only creatures running with him, fleeing the maw of flames. Howling Crescent Monkeys rushed through the trees, a duo of Bristle Fur Tapier trundled forward with haste, and a myriad birds and other diminutive creatures darted about around him ¨C some even going so far as to run through his legs in their panic. The fear of the wildfire¡¯s ¨C and by extension storm¡¯s ¨C wrath, caused a sort of solidarity to fall over all the beings fleeing its crawl, none so much as giving the other a blink of hostility while under the glare of the flames. Another strike of lightning cracked, creatures scattering in every direction at the sound, a roll of thunder mingling with agitated calls ¨C that echoed throughout the forest ¨C to create a cry that resounded with the terror firmly grasping the denizens within the jungle¡¯s bounds. Nameless shook his head, a chill running down his back as his ears rung with the sound, paws still pounding against the ground as he charged forward, ¡°I must find that river soon¡­ before this accord between us fails in the face of their fear and panic, and this situation becomes all the more chaotic and dangerous.¡± While following the game trail earlier, Nameless had come upon a familiar clearing from one of his earlier hunts, giving him a hint of his position just before the storm and wildfire complicated matters. Ever since ¨C even as he ran from the flames ¨C he had been trying to stick to what he believed was the direction toward what was a dried runnel then, but was likely now, a mud and water glutted river. With the threat of the wildfire, the river was even more attractive a destination than it was prior; the many rocky crevasses that Nameless hoped to find sanctum within, amongst its banks, falling behind in importance when compared to the protection the rapids would provide him from the coming blaze. Though he would have to find the river first, to gain any such benefits. Nameless didn¡¯t let up on his speed even as he continued his search for the river ¨C needing to retain as much distance as possible between himself and the flames ¨C utilizing his Skills to their utmost, so as to reduce his chance of missing the only protection the forest could offer from the flames. He kept his eyes sweeping across the forest in hopes of spotting a reflection of the river¡¯s surface in a flash of lightning, and strained to hear through the chaos, waiting to catch the tell-tale sound of rapidly roiling waters. While looking once again, Nameless caught a sense of danger ¨C his fur standing on end and muscles twitching ¨C forcing him to pivot and dodge directionlessly with a leap and a bat of his wings. Within the air, he witnessed a large mass of muscle and fur tear through the space he had occupied ¨C with a furious and ear-ringing squeal ¨C clods of dirt torn and tossed behind the Beast into the darkness with each heavy hooved step. The Beast was a Ridge-Backed Warthog, the spine of hardened overlapping plates of bone, covered by a thin layer of hide and hair, revealing the identity of the creature to Nameless as he returned to ground. The Warthog turned on Nameless as his paws touched the soil, snuffling and scraping at the ground, swiping its tusked head side to side at him. Its beady eyes radiated an enraged hysteria, other fleeing Beasts having to avoid it in their rush to escape the flames as it pivoted and swiped with its tusks at anything close. As Nameless took a step to put some distance between himself and the Warthog, the Beast¡¯s attention snapped to him once more. With another squeal it charged towards him, taking a Brush Antlered Buck ¨C who had tried to pass between them ¨C in the flank, goring the Beast with its tusks, before crushing it under hoof as it dropped to the ground. ¡°I do not have the time for this!¡± Nameless snarled, digging a claw into the ground and tearing a paw full of dirt out of the soil and into the Hog¡¯s path. Legs tensing under him, he watched as the spray scattered across the Warthog¡¯s face, causing it to screech and close its eyes even as it committed to continuing its charge. Nameless dodged out of the way of the Warthog¡¯s charge, pivoting to keep the Beast in sight as its passage ruffled his fur and hair with a gust of wind. It passed the space he had once occupied and continued on, squealing and screeching in an impotent rage, before slamming headfirst into a thick tree with a horrifying *crack*. He smiled maliciously as the Warthog released a cry of pain instead of fury ¨C the stout Beast stumbling about in daze ¨C the temptation to strike the Ridge-Back down for its mindless aggression welling up within, making him take a step towards the confused Beast¡­ Before a single errant ember floated past his nose, halting him in his tracks. ¡°My stress and fatigue are getting the better of me¡­¡± Nameless stepped back, sparing one final glare toward the Warthog before turning away, putting the Beast to his back to return to fleeing the still approaching wildfire. ¡°I have to run and find the river. Nothing else matters.¡± He reminded himself as his paws pounded against the ground, the heavy scent of smoke following him like a scavenger does a dying Beast. He could feel the heat of the wildfire all the clearer, the short amount of time he was occupied by the Ridge-Back enough for the flames to have creeped uncomfortably close. The crackling roar of fire, mixed with the cries of thunder and lightning above, making Nameless feel as though a pack of Onyx-Fangs were baying and snapping at his heels, his sprint taking on a desperate edge. His eyes whipped about wildly, searching through the embers and ash that swirled around him, his breaths coming out in soot laden heaves, ¡°Just keep moving! It has to be ou-¡± Nameless abruptly stopped, claws digging rents into the ground, ¡°Was that?¡± His ears twitched, focus narrowing down to a thread as thin as a spider¡¯s web, hearing hunting for the sound he thought ¨C and hoped ¨C he had heard. Through the roll of thunder, cracks of lightning, pour of rain, and the roar of the building flames, he listened, parsing through every hint of noise for- Nameless flashed an unstable smile ¨C his eyes growing wild with a fervent relief ¨C as the rough susurrus of a flooded river graced his ears through the chaos of sound around him, ¡°At last¡­¡± Chapter 25 Nameless dashed towards the sound of the river without hesitation, his body almost feeling as though it were moving on its own. His fatigue and fear seemed to bleed away with every step, desperation being replaced by weary relief, the temptation of ¡°safety¡± spurring him onward at a reckless pace. His new path took him running nearly parallel to the wildfire¡¯s front, the flames¡¯ progress now kept firmly in view out of the corner of his eye, ¡°So much lost ¨C so quickly ¨C to the hunger of fire already¡­¡± Nameless darted and wove around trees and the few straggling creatures that still fled the coming conflagration, half a mind measuring the distance between himself and the blaze, ¡°And how much more will be lost before the flames¡¯ appetite and fury will run its course, I wonder.¡± Running, he leapt over a small rut in the ground ¨C trying to retain as much of his speed as he could ¨C the jump taking him crashing into and through a large bush on the other side, making his fur come out further tangled and sullied with its twigs and leaves. However his physical discomfort and soiled pelt were of little consequence or notice to Nameless, his attention otherwise occupied by the growing roar of a torrent river. He felt as though he could almost sense the rumble of the rushing water through his paws, hear the river¡¯s call echoing in his ears, ¡°Almost there¡­ almost free.¡± His body stung after running as much ¨C and as far ¨C as he had, his lungs burning with fatigue and the acrid bite of soot, the incessant desire to rest howling in his ears as loudly as the winds of the storm. But he pushed through, burying the pain and discomfort as best he could, using the consolation of the river¡¯s approach as impetus to continue despite the weariness that plagued him. Every impact of his paws against the ground sent a juddering shock up his limbs, the heat on his left side growing as the wildfire approached, embers and ash twisting and whirling past in his wake. Nameless snarled as those cinders fell upon his fur and hide ¨C their stinging burn making him twitch from the numerous small bites of pain ¨C the increasing presence of them making him tense, ¡°The wildfire is moving faster than I had hoped¡­¡± Its progress could be seen through the lessening of the once oppressive darkness, the surrounding jungle lit by the flickering glow of fire, colouring the world in a shifting orange-red hue. Shadows swayed and quivered in the blaze¡¯s light, Nameless¡¯s own stretching out into the yet untouched forest, his figure prancing amongst the border of firelight and placid darkness. Out of the corner of his eyes the undulating shadows sent a shiver down his spine, their movements bringing to mind a pack of Monsters trembling in euphoria at his desperate sprint, ¡°The lack of rest may see me fall if I do not meet the river soon¡­ especially if I am leaping at mere shadows.¡± He shook his head, dismissing the eerie silhouettes to the shadows of his own mind, ears twitching. He could hear the sound of the river becoming more noticeable ¨C even through the sounds of thunder and lightning ¨C and the jungle¡¯s ground foliage was becoming noticeably thicker, while the trees were becoming more widely spaced, as he sprinted toward where the noise emanated. They were heartening signs of progress and ¨C while incapable of completely wiping away his fatigue ¨C filled him with a burst of vitality, lengthening his stride and bringing a valuable measure of breath to his flagging body. He cut a reckless path through the brush, bodily cracking through low hanging branches and shrubbery, ¡°Almost there!¡± He excitedly reaffirmed, an end so long desired in sight. The forest ahead lightened. Not with the rufescent hues of the wildfire, but the grey and blues of the storm shaded sky. The muted light fell through the diminishing canopy beside the rain, the increasingly scattered trees creating a patchwork of holes and gaps above for the world beyond to penetrate past. The ground was slick and muddied by the deluge of rain that filtered through the holes in the canopy, the myriad plants on the ground below glistening ¨C coated as they were by rainwater. Nameless pushed through the underbrush with wild abandon, his mind lost in a haze of excited relief, the roar of cascading water luring him further with its promises of respite. However, he found himself quickly disappointed and dragged bodily back to reality as he broke through the last line of scrubs. The river he had been so desperately searching for lying not before him as he believed¡­ so much as it were below him. He cautiously walked forward; the exposed ground, sopping wet with rain, clinging heavily to his paws. The ground ended in a ragged and sheer cliff, broken trees and half buried plants sticking out through a large ¨C trailing ¨C mound of mud below, leading out towards a violently roiling river. ¡°A landslide then.¡± Nameless supposed, eyes panning down from the mess of soil and over the white crests of the heavily muddied and cascading water. The river curled towards and away from him like a long dewclaw, its rapids crashing over the remnants of the landslide and into the cliff face below, releasing a mist into the already water laden air. His sight moved away from the river, the rushing of its water a prolonged roar in his ears ¨C near overwhelming in its volume ¨C drowning out even the constant cracks and booms of the storm, ¡°So tantalizingly close¡­ yet so far still to go.¡± He bit down on his frustrations as he looked to his sides; the ridge extending out either way, trees and brush hanging precipitously over its edge, ¡°The drop is too far here for me to risk going directly down. Which leaves following the cliff further down to the right, or¡­¡± Looking out to the left; he could see from where the river flowed, its waters flooded to the point that the trees once at its banks now found the river lapping and crashing at their crowns¡­ in addition to scorching tongues of fire. The wildfire stretched much further than Nameless had expected, a large portion of its face already abutting the river, sending up plumes of smoke and steam into the air as it struggled against the torrent waters, ¡°To go to the left ¨C from where I have just escaped ¨C would be to court an idiotic and violent death, even if it seems the quicker route down.¡± Watching the left shore, he could track the progress of the wildfire, its relentless tread consuming more and more in its path, entire trees igniting in bright conflagrations in what felt like an instant. ¡°The long way it is then.¡± Nameless decided, a cloud of smoke wafting up the cliff as he turned to face the right end of the ridge, ¡°I have traveled this far already¡­ so what is one last sprint in the face of a conclusion.¡± He ran slightly inward from the edge ¨C the cliff itself too unstable for Nameless to risk traversing it ¨C having to move around, and through, the tangles of undergrowth that scattered the length of the ridge. His Skills ¨C like [Sprint], [Dodge], and [Proprioception] ¨C continued to provide him aid. However, Nameless could feel that his excitement and growing delirium were beginning to take an effect on himself¡­ and them. The oft-forgotten disadvantage of the untrained and initiate nature of his Skills reared its head as his focus wavered, and his stamina began to reach its limits. Without his attentions and intent to guide them, the support of his Skills began to degrade, the lack of a concerted focus undermining what little benefits they provided. But that loss of even a small amount of support was especially noticeable when relied upon so much¡­ Nameless snarled as he stumbled once again, his body feeling the slightest bit unbalanced and ungainly, the path ahead ¨C defined by [Tracking] ¨C dispersing into a mess of swirling illusory strings as his attention on the trail slipped, ¡°The exhaustion of the day is finally catching up to me¡­¡± He realized as he panted, the pain and pressure becoming too great to bury and discard. ¡°And trying to split my focus between so many of my Skills is only going to drain me further.¡± No longer at the dead sprint he had been, Nameless continued to advance, trying to retain his distance from the wildfire while he decided how to proceed, ¡°Which means I have to choose what Skills I am willing to fatigue myself focusing upon, and those that I am¡­ prepared to shed in the name of haste.¡± With speed on his mind, Nameless considered [Sprint] and [Proprioception] to be of the utmost necessity going forward, their effect on his stamina and ease of movement being far too important to discard. [Dodge] and [Leap] were less of a concern due to their more¡­ circumstantial nature, only requiring his attentions to bring their full capabilities to bare for small moments at a time. [Stealth] ¨C while useful ¨C was obviously counterintuitive to his needs and easily cast aside, the focus necessary to work with the Skill properly while at speed being far too much for him to handle. However, where Nameless struggled to decide what to retain and what to leave behind, was choosing between [Spatial Sense] and [Tracking]. Both [Spatial Sense] and [Tracking] shared similar roles ¨Cmainly assisting in his capacity to navigate ¨C however where they differed was in their scopes. [Tracking] was a significantly more specific Skill than [Spatial Sense], focusing predominantly on the recognition and pursuit of the spoor of Monsters and Beasts, though he had broadened its purview somewhat. However, even after that expansion of its breadth ¨C as he came to understand the act better and associate it with a wider range of situations ¨C [Tracking] still required a great deal of scrutiny to prompt its support. [Spatial Sense] on the other paw, was far broader in its origin; what with its encapsulation of how he approached, understood, and came to recognize his place within, his surroundings. With as comprehensive a focus, Nameless had come to find the Skill to be more¡­ passive in its nature, having a far more subtle ¨C yet no less valuable ¨C effect on him. Often only in retrospect, would he realize the full extent of [Spatial Sense]¡¯s aid; how it had assisted him in recognizing patterns in a new ¨C or familiar ¨C environment to grant him an easier time roaming within, helped keep himself oriented and prevented him from getting lost, or even how the Skill had aided him in retaining the memory of places he had been, ¡°And all of which was done with little thought from myself.¡± Nameless mused as he quickly trotted through the forest, occasionally sending a glance towards the ridge, to make sure he was still traveling alongside it. ¡°[Spatial Sense] is the less mentally intensive of the two Skills and, whether I want it to or not, would be providing me assistance regardless of my intentions.¡± He began to pick up speed, [Sprint] and [Proprioception] filling his form with the solidity and vigor he had begun to lack as his mind and body faltered, ¡°Which means [Tracking] is to be put aside for the time being¡­¡± Without as many Skills working in tandem, Nameless was capable of returning to something resembling his earlier pace¡­ though he quickly realized that his fatigue was far too great for him to return to the speed he had had earlier in the day, ¡°This will have to be enough.¡± It took him a moment to reorient himself ¨C as he transitioned fully into a run ¨C the sudden lack of that illusory quality of [Tracking]¡¯s support making it a slightly jarring transition to his drained mind. Nameless passed through the jungle as fast as possible, darting between as many empty spaces of ground he could find, trying to avoid the tangled undergrowth. He kept sending errant glances towards the cliff¡¯s edge as he made his way; constantly ¨C and anxiously ¨C making sure that he was still within sight of it, fearful that he would somehow lose his way and his only path to safety, even with the awareness that [Spatial Sense] would be working to keep him moving in the correct direction. ¡°Keep moving, keep focused¡­¡± The prolonged movement harshly pulled at his fatigue addled body, his breaths coming out ragged and heavy as his lungs worked to keep the sting of motion from gnawing at his muscles. Even with the support of [Sprint] and [Proprioception], Nameless could feel his time growing short, his body ¨C and mind ¨C worn to as thin an edge as the cliff he followed. ¡°Keep moving, keep focused!¡± Nameless repeated, growling through his weariness, continuing forward at the demanding pace he set for himself despite the drain it put on him. The empty air beyond the cliff slowly became filled with the sight of a canopy, every step gradually replacing more and more of the greyed sky with the same jungle interior that surrounded him on all sides. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. As the canopies nearly met, finally complete in their obscuring of the storm laden sky above, Nameless changed directions. Approaching the cliff once more ¨C much of it lacking the earlier undergrowth due to the leaf cover above ¨C he gazed down towards the similarly darkened forest floor below. Even shrouded in the shadows as it was, he could see that the ground below was covered by a thin layer of moving water, shimmering with what little light passed through the canopies as the wind shook their leaves. The flooded river¡¯s water had reached a great length away from their former banks, the torrent force cascading through the distant waterway causing ripples to softly slap against rocks, tree roots, and other standing flora. With a quick search around him ¨C making sure there was no danger ¨C Nameless slid down the steep embankment in a scree of soil, stone, and loosened plants, landing in the water with a light *plat*. The ground below the water was extremely muddy, strongly grasping each of his paws as his weight and the force of his descent pressed them deeply into the water laden soil. Grunting, Nameless released each of his paws from the sucking confines of the mud, ¡°In finding a safe place to descend the cliff from, I have come further away from the river than I may have hoped, and this mud and water will make closing that distance towards it a¡­ frustration at the very least.¡± As he stood in thought his paws sunk once more, compelling him to again forcibly release them with a growl, ¡°Nevertheless, the only path to survival I have is to reach that river¡­ even if that path is one covered in cloying muck.¡± He released a weary sigh and looked out towards where the water spread from, taking a moment to stretch and release as much tension as he could from his body¡­ preparing for what he hoped would be the last sprint to safety he would have to undertake. At least¡­ for this day. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D He had made quick progress towards the river ¨C the distance between himself and it being further than hoped, but not as far as feared ¨C however with his timely passage came a growing obstacle to his continued rapid advancement. The water. Nameless rumbled in frustration as he waded through the back-knee high water, the fur of his limbs and underbelly soaked heavily, his paws still struggling to avoid becoming trapped in the mud below. He could feel the river¡¯s current tug lightly against him, a chaotic directionless whorl, created by the water¡¯s passage through the once landed jungle, ¡°Even if running was a tiring endeavor, focusing on [Sprint] allowed me to alleviate some of the strain at least. But this¡­¡± The weight of his waterlogged limbs and the struggle against the growing current, wore him down as assuredly as a river did a mountain, his every step feeling as though it were weighed down by stones wrapped around each leg, ¡°This is just a prolonged, torturous, drain without a thing to alleviate its pressure, or support me through to its end.¡± Nameless looked around himself as he continued forward, breathing laboriously ¨C his passage through the low waters making an audible *sloshing* sound ¨C the surroundings more resembling a forested marsh than the jungle he knew it to be, ¡°But, for as much of an unbearable situation it seems now, no matter the pain or distress it may cause me at the moment¡­ is this not just the kind of challenge I had prepared to pit myself against?¡± ¡°I had no intentions of pursuing the easy path ¨C of merely surviving a Proving devoid of strife or difficulty ¨C and this is exactly the opposition I need to grow as much as I desire¡­¡± Nameless smiled grimly, his body begging incessantly for rest as he pushed through the water, ¡°Though I would have preferred these difficulties and challenges to not have started on the very first day.¡± He huffed mirthlessly at his misfortune, watching a large bundle of flotsam float away like the last vestiges of his hopes for peace, before he continued on. Some of the loose floating dross, brought about by the passage of the storm, parted around him as he pushed on; though much of the uprooted plants, leaves, branches, and other debris persisted in bouncing off of him ¨C and the surrounding trees ¨C making the already murky and turbid waters even more complicated to navigate. He was forced to place his steps cautiously, the obscured depths below becoming ever more rife with submerged undergrowth and uneven ground, that risked him becoming trapped and having to waste time in order to escape. A waste of time he could not risk. At the thought of becoming stuck Nameless looked over his shoulder, finding a light cloud of smoke emanating from whence he had come. The wildfire had continued to rage and ¨C though he had managed to put a good deal of distance between himself and it ¨C still remained a looming pursuer that even a moments pause would risk its finally having him within its maw. ¡°Even with the fire being less of a worry now that the river is so close, I cannot dismiss the danger that still remains so long as it remai-¡± Nameless caught an odd shadow out of the corner of his eye, a shiver of warning setting his fur on end. He threw himself to one side, yowling as a burning line of pain stretched from shoulder to haunch, partially submerging himself as his sudden and ungainly dodge disturbed the surrounding water. Quickly returning to his paws, fur and hair soaked flat against his hide, Nameless whirled around. His eyes wildly searched his surroundings for his attacker ¨C through the hair now haphazardly stuck against his face ¨C when he caught another hint of movement. Accompanied by the rustling of leaves above, a high-pitched screech announced yet another attack, a shadowy figure streaking down towards him with claws fully bared. Not caught nearly as unawares, Nameless leapt away, entwinning his intentions with [Dodge] and [Leap] in the instant he began to evade the second attack; lengthening the distance of his jump away and giving him the control and poise necessary to land solidly on his paws. Coming down, water splashed and sloshed away from him as he landed, the suspended film of murk obscuring his sight as another similar impact resounded out from the space he had just occupied. His [Soul Sight] flared to life at a twitch of his mind, mingling with his [Night Vision] to cut through the shadows and airborne water like his claws would through a carcass and reveal what manner of creature had assumed his former position. Unbidden, an imprinted memory came to life as his eyes traced over the Monster¡¯s form, narrated by a deep grumbling voice he had never heard, ¡°The line between them and Monsters like us is a thin one. Only requiring a single opportune¡­ or unfortunate moment, for any Beast to become something more than they once were.¡± Nameless¡¯s eyes met the former Beast¡¯s, its pupils widened to the point that their irises may as well have been black, ¡°Though with that change ¨C that conversion of the very core of their being ¨C oft comes a horrid transformation and an insatiable Madness¡­¡± The Monster appeared to have been a Howling Crescent Monkey, the horizontal ¡°crescent¡± stretching across its chest like a white toothed grin being the only remaining identifier of what it had been. Much of the Monster¡¯s hair had fallen out, exposing the thick cords of sinew that shifted and rolled visibly under its hide, as well as some strands of muscle that pushed out through the monster¡¯s skin like worms escaping waterlogged soil. Its arms were¡­ misshaped, elongated to the point of resembling the muscular bodies of Mountain Pythons, and attached to a squat frame completely at odds with the spindly body of those he had seen before. Its face was gaunt and disfigured, skin sticking closely to the creature¡¯s skull and the half-formed muzzle that rose from its once flat face. Along its snout, the stretched nostrils flared as the Monster¡¯s lips peeled back into a rictus of maddened exhilaration, revealing a maw filled with yellowed irregular fangs and gums the darkened grey hue of rotting meat. With fangs outstretched the creature released a guttural series of hoots, before Nameless watched as ¨C in a spray of water ¨C it erupted out of the flooded grounds into the canopy once more. The creature swung about the surrounding trees, using the foliage and the winds of the storm to try and cover its movement¡­ however its attempts at obfuscation were useless under a gaze infused with [Soul Sight] and [Night Vision]. Nameless kept track of the former Beast within the corner of his eyes, orienting himself towards where its more diminutive legs tossed sticks and branches ¨C in an effort to draw his attention away from its true position ¨C and utilizing [Deception] to give his ¡°falling¡± for the Monster¡¯s misdirection an additional layer of credibility. He saw thick opaque strings of saliva pouring down the Monster¡¯s jowls as it maneuvered to put itself in his ¡°blind¡± spot, the muscles across its body quivering and the hands of its warped and twisted lower legs grasping at the open air in feverish anticipation. ¡°For all the cunning it may have gained through its transformation¡­¡± Nameless shifted further ¨C putting the creature just at his flank ¨C witnessing the derangement that clouded its dilated eyes overwhelm the last vestiges of caution and suspicion within them. ¡°There is no outsmarting a Sphinx.¡± The horrid bundles of muscle that made up the Monster¡¯s legs snapped with an obscene force, thrusting it directly towards him in a similar fashion as its last attack¡­ though this time, the creature had none of the surprise it had earlier, nor expected to have from its positioning and distractions. Nameless whirled around, leaves and branches falling from above with the former Cresent Monkey¡¯s abrupt attack, facing the Monster as it rapidly careened towards him. He stared into the madness hazed eyes of the creature as he reared upwards onto his hind legs, watching as its euphoria was replaced with a dawning terror. In midair as it was, the Monster was unable to redirect itself or halt its attack¡­. Sending it straight into Nameless¡¯s paws. In a plume of murky flood waters, the Monster slammed into the space Nameless¡¯s ¡°unprotected¡± flank had occupied, drenching him completely as he plunged through the water in pursuit of the creature. His forepaws struck the creature with all of his weight behind them, pushing the Monster down under the water and forcing his extended claws through its muscular flesh. The transformed Crescent Monkey thrashed underneath him as his bulk fully settled on top of it; Nameless roaring back at the creature¡¯s drowning screams and howls, raking his claws across its body as it flailed and lashed out. One of the Monster¡¯s clawed hands sunk into the meat of Nameless¡¯s left thigh, tearing a pained roar from his throat, ¡°Enough!¡± He reared his head back, angered and tired, and thrust it back down ¨C through the water ¨C with mouth wide and fangs bared. Muddied water flooded his open maw and coated his tongue, filling his mouth with the gritty taste of turbid water, bubbles rushing out of his nose and mouth to roll up and across either side of his face. The creature¡¯s thrashing made the already murky waters even more difficult to see through, its ¨C as well as his own ¨C claws slashing through one another¡¯s hide adding swirling strings of red to the submerged surroundings, both their bloods becoming caught within the tumultuous currents around them. As the Monster violently bucked below him once more, a portion of its body rose to brush across his lips. Instinctively Nameless snapped forward, fangs sinking into the monstrous Crescent Monkey¡¯s flesh, replacing much of the taste of dirtied water in his mouth with the fresh tang of blood. A wet gurgling screech was loosed from the creature¡¯s maw, the sound filled with pain and anguish, its struggles increasing in ferocity as its derangement became overwhelmed by desperation. It smacked and clawed at Nameless ineffectually, what painful wounds it managed to put upon his body being nowhere near life-threatening. At yet another mindless swipe, Nameless removed his fangs from the meat of the Monster and threw his head back ¨C in a spray of water ¨C to gulp for air. Water and blood leaked from between his fangs as he gasped, the frantic struggle from the creature below him weakening subtly as ¨C unlike himself ¨C it was unable to draw anything more than water into its lungs, submerged and pinned as it was. Nameless shifted on top of the former Beast, wincing as its claws ripped fur and small chunks of meat from his flesh, adjusting himself so that he was positioned just right. ¡°Your struggle for survival and desire to grow were honorable ones¡­¡± Nameless opened his mouth once more, a deep rumble growing in the back of his throat, his intention and emotions reaching such a crescendo that his sight bloomed, piercing through the murk as though it were never there, ¡°But they pale in comparison to mine.¡± His head snapped down, punching through the water straight towards his target¡­ the Monkey¡¯s head. Nameless¡¯s fangs popped through the bone of the Monster¡¯s skull, the water causing the crack of his teeth breaking through to have an oddly muted and hollowed quality. With his toothed purchase, the Monkey screeched in agony ¨C a cascade of bubbles rising from its mouth ¨C the creature frantically striking and flailing about itself with a desperate strength that belied the drowning it had been undergoing, trying with every fibre of its being to escape. Nameless used the Monster¡¯s own distress and struggles to worry his fangs in deeper, putting more and more pressure down against its head, the bone and flesh within the grasp of his maw creaking in tandem with the growing volume of the creature¡¯s gurgled screams¡­ Until the force of his bite grew too great. With a horrid crunch the skull collapsed beneath Nameless¡¯s teeth, abruptly cutting off the creature¡¯s screams and filling his mouth with a mixture of water, blood, bone, and brain matter. The monster¡¯s body twitched and jerked beneath him in its final throes as he ripped his head to one side, tearing a gaping chunk out of the Monster¡¯s own, sending viscera swirling and flying through the water and air in a morbid spray. ¡°Finally¡­¡± Nameless allowed the ichorous mixture in his mouth to seep between his fangs as he gulped in air, his body shaking from exertion. Drenched and tired, his face and body covered in muck and blood, Nameless removed his claws from the corpse¡¯s hide and stumbled away from the body. Every step was a monumental task, tremors shuddering through his form as he pushed through the water just far enough to slump against one of the surrounding tree trunks. He looked towards the floating corpse ¨C still twitching with the last latent signs of a life no longer lived ¨C and closed his eyes, ¡°While the time of our conflict could have been no less inconvenient, I thank you for the gift of Growth you have granted me honorable one.¡± Nameless could feel that he had grown at the very core of his being, made yet another step closer to his Second Stage¡­ but the fatigue threatening to drag him down made feeling anything like pride or excitement in his progress an impossibility. Nameless released a ragged breath and opened his eyes, the monster¡¯s corpse now tangled in the upper branches of a partially submerged bush, bobbing in the water, ¡°If I cannot even spare the time to gaze upon the changes within my soul, I have none to waste on rest either¡­¡± He grunted and took a set of staggering steps away from the trunk he had leaned on ¨C sharp bites of pain emerging from the wounds across his body ¨C looking out through the forest to where he could hear the roar of the river emanating over the continued calls of the storm above, ¡°Once I cover the remaining distance to the river and use it to find somewhere safe to rest ¨C away from the storm and the wildfire ¨C then I can finally rest¡­¡± ¡°But until then,¡± Nameless rumbled in discomfort, the water making the cuts and abrasions he had sting, ¡°It will just have to be one paw after the¨C¡± In an unexpected oppressive flash of white, Nameless¡¯s sight disappeared, a massive crack booming through his surroundings to completely overwhelm his hearing as well. A tingling sensation rose up through his legs, making his muscles twitch and tremble, the water around him rising in temperature as a wave of heat slammed into the side of his face. Blind and deaf, he could only brace himself as objects suddenly began to pelt his fur, grimacing as he felt things embed into his hide and create further cuts and slashes in his flesh. He tucked his head under a wing ¨C covering his face from the heat and any further flying debris ¨C and rapidly blinked his eyes, chuffing in enervation, ¡°Seems the World agrees that it is time for me to move as well¡­¡± Chapter 26 The instant he could see through the dark splotches left behind by the lightning strike, Nameless had taken off. He pushed himself to the very limits of his capabilities, bending his understanding of his Skills to their utmost; eking out the slightest bit more distance in his stride, putting the smallest amount more power in his steps, and reserving as much stamina as he could manage. Growing further distant behind him, laid the broken and shattered tree split in twain by the bolt that had struck it. Its remnants scattered about, floating in the water, glowed and smoked with charr; the gaping hole made in the canopy ¨C by its falling ¨C was ringed by fresh flames sputtering under the deluge of rain from above, and with small leaps was beginning to spread across the surrounding crowns. But it wasn¡¯t the only fire for Nameless to keep watch on. At the turn of his head, he could see the glow of the wildfire in the distance, the shimmering orange of a mountain of fire growing brighter to his side, its heat leeching the moisture out of the air to leave it dry and stale. ¡°The water will slow it down some¡­¡± Nameless assured himself, awkwardly vaulting through the rapidly deepening water with an¡­ unpracticed combination of [Sprint] and [Leap], ¡°But it will eventually come to consume the canopy and when that time arrives, the water will come to be just as deadly as the flames.¡± He took another leap ¨C waves rising up to either side of him as he pushed through the water ¨C and came down to find the ground below dipped. The water rose to the base of his neck as he suddenly sunk, a small instance of panic ripping through him before his paws touched the soil below. With only the slightest amount of scrambling, Nameless gathered his paws under himself and continued to bodily ford ahead, feeling the water and current press heavily against him, gradually stymieing his progress. Enveloped in the water as he was, he could feel that it had begun to warm slightly, yet another tangible reminder of the danger that still threatened to consume him. With the water as high as it was, Nameless¡¯s movements became even more cumbrous and ungainly, and ¨C more worryingly ¨C slow as well. He struggled against the water, his grasp on [Sprint] and [Leap] fading to a tenuous thread of weakening intent, his capacity to perform the actions at the core of either Skill becoming stymied by the height of the waters. ¡°I wish there had been a circumstance to have gained [Swimming] prior to my having wanted, no, required it.¡± Nameless thought with consternation, thrashing his way through the awkwardly deep water, ¡°But if there is any a time, I may find the circumstance to cultivate an understanding of the Skill, it would be now.¡± As he made another graceless lunge, Nameless felt a sharp pain rip through his body, deeper and more pervasive than any wound ever made to his flesh. Nameless¡¯s attention scattered ¨C the aid of his Skills disappearing as assuredly as the Brothers did once their sister awoke ¨C while his legs collapsed under him, plunging his head beneath the murky waters. He sputtered and gasped, water filling his nose and lungs, mind whirling in a menagerie of excruciating hues, ¡°My Soul¡­¡± The agony wracking his mind and body spread up from that ephemeral core of his being, like thorned roots burrowing through soil¡­ its cause obvious to him even through his struggling consciousness. His Skills. Whether through the amount of time he had relied on them, or the manner he had begun to forcefully stretch what circumstances they were applied under, his use of those Skills had far exceeded what they could reasonably support¡­ and what his soul could. Lost in a haze of anguish, Nameless desperately tried to find his footing once more, fighting against the dissonance that spread through every fibre of his flesh to regain some form of control. He forcibly pushed himself up ¨C an effort of pure suffering ¨C until his head rose just enough that he could take a hasty breath, hacking as he coughed water out of his lungs¡­ before yet another horrid wave of pain swept through his body to bring him low once more. While he had experienced a strain upon his soul for the over usage of his Skills a clawful of times in the past, never had it appeared so suddenly, nor with such a vehemence, ¡°But when have I ever pushed them so far, for so long¡­¡± Nameless thought with chagrin, the torment of his battered soul causing his vision to flicker as his consciousness shuddered under a constant deluge of suffering, ¡°I should have known better¡­ Should not have allowed myself to fall to the panic of escape and lose sight of what my limits are.¡± He floated down limply within the flooded waters, feeling the current billow over his fur and hair in the same chaotic manner as the rush of pain from his soul, the weight of his body dragging him to settle against the soil below in a plume of murk, ¡°What a wretched fool I have been.¡± Nameless despaired, the discordance afflicting him reaching such a height that his blood felt chilled and sluggish, his heart beating with an almost defeated tone. He could feel his mind begin to fail, his sight blackening as the agony overwhelmed him, the muscles across his body shivering as the pain caused them to twitch unbidden¡­ when something else began to stir, its attention feeling like the dawning warmth of the Brothers playing across his hide, growing to- ¡°NO.¡± With a monumental flex of his willpower and determination, Nameless wrested his consciousness from the grasp of his soul¡¯s torment and heaved himself standing once again. Water poured off his back and head as he emerged ¨C limbs shaking beneath him ¨C releasing a wet and pained growl that caused a circle of vibrations to rise around him. His movements were still agonizing, his mind still clouded by a depth of pain unlike any he had experienced before¡­ and his soul was still raw and distressed, screeching with a discordant wail that set his entire being alight. But he would not be deterred, ¡°I have not pushed myself to the point of straining my very soul, have not fought for nearly every step since this World accursed Proving begun, to bow my head to pain and despair now!¡± He took a single tremulous step, growling as the resistance of the water against his hide felt as though his flesh were being gnawed on by a swarm of Elephant Flies, ¡°And neither will I allow myself to be rescued by you [Wisdom],¡± Nameless asserted, making slow and¡­ excruciating progress forward, his eyes gleaming with stubborn conviction, ¡°If I am to succeed¡­ to live, I must be able to do so on my own. No one and Nothing else can live for me, nor bear the weight of my pain, if I am to truly learn how to endure and survive through whatever may come.¡± ¡°For if there is anyone, I must learn to rely upon¡­¡± Nameless felt his resolve harden, his conviction becoming an almost tangible barrier against the suffering that he continued to experience with even the slightest movement, ¡°It must be Myself.¡± At his declaration, Nameless felt a sudden cacophony of emotion sweep through him like a summer wind through the savannah¡¯s long grasses. Amusement, pride, respect, and even a hint of chagrin arose beside a litany of other feelings, all emanating from the same continually vexing source. [Wisdom]. But what Nameless¡¯s mind latched upon was one singular emanation, a feeling of¡­ kinship that was altogether so familiar as to enrapture him completely. It brought to his mind being back at the den, looking down into the calm surface of the pond within, staring at his reflection within the water¡­ only, his reflection wasn¡¯t the one that was staring back. Not exactly. Around that familiarity, the emotions swirled into a vision of himself, similar, yet wholly different. Each added a different layer of detail, collating into a visage defined by a field of emotions; the hardlines of determination, conviction, and tenacity framed it, while its features were filled by a complicated and confusing depth of sorrows and regrets, fears and frustrations, as well as pain and indignation displaying a daunting breadth of¡­ experience and life, all flowing towards two vibrant eyes. Staring straight back into his own. Within those illusory orbs were where amusement, respect, pride, commiseration, and a multitude other emotions settled, the profundity of each giving the eyes a piercing quality that seemed to stare beyond the bounds of Nameless¡¯s soul to¡­ elsewhere. Gazing deeper, he believed he could see reflections of that place; visions of concepts and places, of time passed and confrontations faced¡­ of a wealth of life experience all uniting into a singular- ¡°Wisdom¡­¡± Nameless whispered within the confines of his mind, the aged ¡°eyes¡± of the Trait quirking upwards in mirth, his thoughts whirling with countless questions¡­ but only one managed to reach his tongue, ¡°What are you?¡± Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. At the question [Wisdom]¡¯s manifestation seemed to smile to the point of bursting, Nameless¡¯s mind becoming assailed by a bout of mischievous humor as the visage parted into a scintillating cloud of emotions. He felt it twirl and twist about the core of his being, causing him to wince and growl as it wrapped itself around his damaged soul. His soul chaffed and shuddered under the cloud brushing against its raw edges, shimmering strings of approval, confidence, compassion and resolve catching upon the cracks that marred it. ¡°What-¡± The cloud rippled, a cascade of energy sweeping across his soul, the strings laid upon his wounded core pulsating rhythmically against the cracks they surrounded. The tempo of the pulses rapidly increased, resonating outward to affect not only his soul¡­ but his body and mind as well. Nameless gritted his fangs to the point of tasting blood ¨C a deep agonizing groan rumbling up from his chest ¨C as the energy from whatever act [Wisdom] was performing on him, felt as though he had plunged himself directly into the wildfire¡¯s core. Within his mind the vision of his soul flared with a blinding light ¨C suffused with a stubborn determination ¨C the wretched burning sensation that coursed throughout every fibre of his being, reaching a height so great as to prevent Nameless from even breathing. When just as suddenly as the pain had begun, it ended. A *clap* like that from the storm above sounded within his mind, the power sweeping through causing him to go unconscious for a blink, before he regained his consciousness once more. The instant his awareness returned, Nameless found [Wisdom]¡¯s presence to be absent, but for a lingering sense of satisfaction that pervaded his mind and soul¡­ a soul now significantly healthier ¨C if not more whole ¨C than it had been. ¡°[Wisdom] heal-healed my soul?¡± Nameless realized with shock, his soul now feeling more like it was only fatigued rather than damaged as it had been, ¡°Why? How?¡± His mind reeled at what [Preternatural Wisdom] had managed to execute, as well as how it had behaved, ¡°Out of all of the occasions [Wisdom]¡¯s¡­ presence has reared its head, never have I felt it so clearly¡­¡± He had been well aware of the reality that [Wisdom] was a Trait unusual by many standards, that that¡­ presence that seemed to inhabit it ¨C in addition to the myriad benefits he had been provided by it ¨C starkly separated it from even such obviously powerful Traits as [Mythical Constitution] and [Adaptive Physique]. However, there had always been a separation between [Wisdom]¡¯s boons and Nameless himself, its moments of direct aid only feeling as though it were a Trait whose more¡­ active qualities were limited to the role of a ¡°guiding paw,¡± making it far easier for him to continue considering it as just an overly special Trait. ¡°Until now¡­¡± What [Wisdom] had done, went far beyond just helping him stabilize his emotions or make a Skill more effective. To have touched upon his very soul ¨C and healed it to some measure ¨C by what could only be described as its own will, made it something he struggled to comprehend, ¡°Though is it so surprising?¡± ¡°[Wisdom] awakened my own consciousness and filled my head with knowledge and concepts, surpassing those provided by imprints and instinct. It has helped to ground my emotions and calm my mind at times, aided me in my comprehension of many of my Skills¡­ and even warned me of Mother¡¯s true nature when I was blind to it.¡± ¡°It has already proven its capacity to affect me by some measure ¨C even if it was mostly through much more external manners ¨C and ¡°speak¡± to me from the very beginning¡­¡± Nameless concluded with a wince, the sudden absence of pain being as discomforting as having had his every fibre suffused with it, ¡°And in much the same way as I ignored Mother¡¯s nature, so too did I allow myself to ignore and become complacent to [Wisdom]¡¯s more concerning elements as well¡­¡± ¡°Its benefits too enticing for me to do otherwise. Until now.¡± Nameless¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by a loud crack from behind him, causing him to snap around and witness a massive flaming branch plummet into the water with a steaming hiss. The growing fear of [Wisdom]¡¯s capabilities combined with that he had of the approaching flames, scattering any further musings on his complicated feelings towards the Trait, ¡°Nevertheless, it has acted in my best interest thus far and while I would be a fool not to fear the possibility of a time coming where that may change¡­ it is not the greatest threat to me now.¡± Nameless tentatively flexed his will, touching gently against [Proprioception], feeling only the slightest sense of strain from his soul rather than the agony of before. He huffed at the prominent reminder of [Wisdom]¡¯s actions, but disregarded any further thought of the Trait, reorienting himself towards the river once more. The sound of fire crackling behind him made his ears twitch ¨C the scent of soot beginning to grow more prominent to his nose ¨C as he took his first step forward since his soul had faltered, burying any further doubts, concerns, and fears and replacing them with a single-minded focus, ¡°Safety first¡­ everything else, after.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D The body of the river roared before him as Nameless braced against the trunk and lower branches of a partially submerged tree, the wild currents desperately trying to drag him away. His paws had long lost the comforting presence of soil below them, the water ¨C as close to the river as he was ¨C having risen far above its former shore. With [Proprioception] refining his movements, Nameless had made his way through the rising flood waters to the river. However, even with his Skill¡¯s aid, his pace was originally awkward and stilted, the water high enough to stymie his movement but not deep enough to swim or float through comfortably. It had taken valuable time and energy to reach such a depth ¨C the fear of the flames growing as the sting of ash nipped at his eyes, nose, and throat ¨C but once he had¡­ he had taken off. While lacking in grace, his consistent focus on [Proprioception] made his movements through the deeper water more¡­ efficient than it otherwise should have been, considering his absence of experience. Though the Skill¡¯s aid did by no measure make him adept at swimming. So, to compensate, Nameless had used the surrounding trees and any other solid surfaces ¨C he could put his paws upon ¨C to push off of, less so ¡°swimming¡± than bounding through the water, using the force of his thrusts to impel himself forward faster. It had rapidly increased his progress and, when the water had gotten higher, allowed for him to waste less energy while floating between surfaces after every push. Though his¡­ unusual method of traversing the water, while having been fast, left Nameless at a loss as to how exactly he was going to brave the river proper. With claws embedded deeply into the trunk, Nameless looked beyond the last line of submerged brush to the flooded river. Watching the water violently slosh about, the furious foaming crests of waves running rampant across the surface of the water, while the underlying chaotic currents pulled and pushed harshly against his fur. ¡°I am nowhere near adroit enough at swimming to be able to traverse these waters normally, let alone in the state they are now¡­¡± Lightning flashed, illuminating the murky waters for an instant, revealing the distant ¡°shore¡± opposite of him, ¡°But I still have to cross it somehow.¡± Nameless turned his head, looking around the trunk he braced against and down the submerged tree line of the same side, ¡°I could follow this edge of the river down, using the trees in the same way as I did getting here.¡± His eyes alighted upon the partially exposed crown of a smaller tree as he mulled over the possibility, witnessing its leaves and branches erratically swaying in the rapid water, ¡°However, that current complicates matters, and going back into the forest to avoid it is counterintuitive¡­¡± ¡°As well as incredibly risky.¡± His choice to use trees and other standing surfaces as pawholds ¨C to increase his speed through the water ¨C had expanded the distance between himself and the pursuing wildfire considerably¡­ however that did not mean it would remain far off for long. He ruffled his wings and readjusted his grip on the trunk, shifting uncomfortably as a swell of water poured over him, ¡°Which makes the answer quite obvious, even if I am none too excited about it¡­¡± His fear of the wildfire was far in excess than any he had for the dangers of the flood glutted river, and risking its wrath all in an effort to make his progress easier would be to take all he had already made ¨C and retained ¨C for granted. Nameless sighed roughly, feeling the bark under his claws splinted and crumble as his muscles tensed, his focus on the river, ¡°Even if I do not wish to do so, I did not plan on taking the easiest paths¡­ and what is this if not another trial to overcome and grow from?¡± He spun [Tactics] to the fore of his mind, using the Skill to evaluate and hone a possible path, one in which he had begun to consider the moment witnessed the river¡¯s ferocity first claw. Through the Skill, illusory mimics of himself leapt outwards within his eyes, braving the waters fearlessly, Nameless and [Tactics] working in tandem to compare and contrast every consideration he could conceive. Every motion, every approach, every possibility Nameless could think of played out in front of him, limited only by his own knowledge, experience, imagination, and his¡­ Wisdom. A shiver played down Nameless¡¯s spine at the word, his body going tense, his attention slipping and causing [Tactics]¡¯s illusions to dissolve. His mind whirled and his breath caught within his throat as he waited for the Trait to rear its head¡­ only for his mind to remain devoid of any additional presences but his own, occupied alone by that private susurrus of internal thought and no more. He released a shaky breath, his eyes flaring with determination as the ephemeral forms of himself reconstituted themselves, returning with even greater numbers and even greater an intensity, ¡°Focus on the now, on overcoming the challenge ahead of you on your own, by your own wisdom¡­ and confront everything else after.¡± ¡°Whether [Wisdom] were to arise or not, it changes nothing¡­¡± The manifestations began to reduce just as quickly as they had reappeared, Nameless¡¯s heightened attention allowing for himself and [Tactics] to rapidly narrow down the possible methods forward to just a couple viable routes, ¡°For I will succeed by my own decisions and determination, lest I allow the Arbiters themselves to scatter my soul and strip me from the cycle of life for not standing beside my convictions.¡± With a muted hum the smoky green doppelgangers of himself resolved to but a singular, standing in place above the roiling rapids, pawing at the ideal place to enter into its depths. Nameless held the eyes of the illusory Sphinx, watching as it shimmered and disappeared, only to reconstruct itself and leap into action one last time in a display of controlled and exacting motion. His eyes traced the path, took in every minute twitch and shift, his own muscles coiling underneath himself in anticipation, ¡°One last push!¡± With a momentous shove, Nameless leapt away from the trunk, wind and rain whipping against his face and hide. He soared through the air ¨C inhaling deeply ¨C wings pressed tightly against himself and twisted, reorienting, adjusting, when he plunged into the cold dark of the wild river¡­ And all went to the claws of Chaos and Fate. Chapter 27 There was not even a moments peace or silence upon being enveloped within the embrace of the river, the sheer violence of its currents and waters filling Nameless¡¯s head with a dull, body shaking growl. He was tossed about, submerged debris slamming into him from every direction, the chaotic movements spinning him wildly without reason or pattern. But Nameless was unperturbed. He allowed [Proprioception] to fade, instead turning his attention to [Spatial Sense] and [Tracking], leveraging the Skills to expand his senses, and most prominently his sense of position. While the rampant waters battered him, Nameless focused, his mind being assailed by an instance of vertigo as his Skills acted to his demands. He felt a sting from within his soul as [Spatial Sense] and [Tracking] bloomed, his desire for them straining the Skills to their very limits, but his focus did not waver. [Spatial Sense] stretched to its utmost, filtering into Nameless¡¯s mind a myriad of information ¨C even limited as it was by his being submerged ¨C producing a small bubble of awareness around him. While [Tracking] built off that more refined sense of his environment, twinning through roiling water, brushing against the wild currents, searching, hunting. He limply spun through the water, his focus entirely on his senses and Skills, all devoted to a singular purpose- The surface. ¡°There!¡± Nameless felt [Tracking] latch upon the border between water and air, his own heightened senses ¨C improved further by [Spatial Sense] ¨C allowing for him to barely discern the change in the surrounding water enough for his Skill to act. But once it did¡­ He allowed for a portion of his attention to peel away from [Spatial Sense] ¨C slightly reducing the range of his surrounding awareness ¨C while still retaining hold on [Tracking], bringing [Proprioception] to the fore once again. Twisting with yet another chaotic blast of current, Nameless felt [Proprioception] caress his body¡¯s every fibre, his mind expanding to contain the countless minute feelings brought to recognition by the Skill. He allowed himself to be moved by the rampant currents, his head turning to face towards where [Tracking] pointed ¨C following an illusory gossamer string as it swirled and rolled to adjust to his constantly shifting position ¨C waiting for himself to adjust to [Proprioception]¡¯s returned presence¡­ until he had too no longer. With a sharp kick he began to swim against the current, [Proprioception] improving the power and control of his every movement within the tempestuous depths, while [Tracking] and [Spatial Sense] combined to provide guidance. He gritted his fangs as another searing spike of pain radiated out from his core; the sudden sting creating a small hitch in his kicks, causing him to become overtaken by the currents once again. He held back a growl, his chest becoming tight with the lack of air, keeping close attention to his Skills as he reoriented. His [Night Vision] and [Soul Sight] helped his eyes pierce slightly through the surrounding gloom as he tumbled, his legs kicking to combat the current¡¯s erratic swirl, mind and sight latched unwaveringly to the strand of [Tracking]¡¯s intent that pointed towards the surface. ¡°Move!¡± Nameless urged, every swipe of his legs holding a desperate and frantic strength. His lungs burned and tightened ¨C to the point of feeling as though they had become some sort of serpentine creature coiling in on themselves ¨C while his muscles screamed in exertion, their fibrous strands painfully twitching underneath his hide with every movement. ¡°Mov-¡± He began to urge again, when a large object slammed into his chest, causing him to unwillingly release his held breath in a pained gasp. What little air left having escaped in a plume of bubbles; panic began to well up within his chest just as the water that was beginning to fill it. He choked as water flooded his open maw, careening wildly through the waters once more, his sight blurred and darkened by pain and lack of air. Nameless clung desperately to consciousness, slamming his mouth closed with a muted clack, gritting his fangs to hold back from hacking up the water he felt settling in his lungs, ¡°This will not be my end!¡± Whether through instinct or hysteria Nameless found the strength to persevere, sharply snapping out his wings to either side of him, his fading sight latching onto his feeling for the surface. The currents violently tugged at the feathered wings, making his tumble through the water even more hectic, his head constantly whipping around to keep [Tracking]¡¯s mark in sight. As another ripple of current slammed into him, Nameless used his outstretched wings to control his spin, biting back another growl at the pain radiating up his limbs as the water awkwardly contorted them. He shifted with the flow, until his gaze settled directly upwards, his body below him with wings to either side¡­ And finally, could truly move. With every amount of power he could muster, Nameless pulled his wings down and kicked with his legs, his growing air deprived delirium spurring him on, his Skills nearly forgotten in his haste to breach the surface. Water and errant debris whipped past his face, the murk streaking past in a blur as one beat of his wings turned to two¡­ Then three¡­ At the fourth; Nameless¡¯s sight had reduced to a narrow tunnel, his body roaring for air, his every movement preceding an acidic bite of fatigue. He felt what grasp he had on his Skills fray and slip through his claws, dread swelling within him as his body became more sluggish and his sense of direction faded. He shook his head ¨C quickly burying the fear before it could grow ¨C his focus falling solely on his pursuit of the surface, of the air he so deeply desired, and the next beat his wings. The fifth¡­ and final. Nameless flew straight out of the water ¨C the surface significantly closer than he realized ¨C his entire body leaving the river with the power behind his last push for air. He was disoriented, his ears suddenly assailed by a cacophony of noisome rage from sky and river both, no longer muted behind the confines of the chaotic waters. Rain swirled around him, the frequent strikes of lightning reflecting off the fat drops to give them the appearance of dazzling sun crystals falling from the sky. While not peaceful, there was a certain beauty to the chaos; the many opposing violent forces clashing against one another, melding with the more minor elements ¨C like the rain ¨C to create a perfect scene of Nature¡¯s vast capabilities. Though Nameless was forced to ruin it¡­ He hacked and coughed in the air, expelling the water that had come to soak his lungs as began to plummet, keeping enough of a mind to extend his wings out to either side of him as he fell. Plunging once more into the river ¨C his wings hitting the surface with a dull *tok* ¨C Nameless¡¯s head fell below the water for an instant before he pushed himself above again, loudly gulping in air as the river pulled him along. Waves crashed over him; the wild rapids of the river as violent above as its currents were below, the erratic nature of the swells forcing Nameless to sparingly gasp for air in between them¡­ however it was of far lesser difficulty than his navigating below. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. With his wings outstretched to their full lengths, Nameless was significantly more capable of floating on the river¡¯s surface ¨C only needing a moderate tread to assist his wings in keeping his head above the surface ¨C freeing the majority of his attention to catching his breath as well as regaining the aid of his Skills. He inhaled deeply after another wave, managing to gather a tenuous hold on [Proprioception], its presence ¨C even minutely ¨C granting him further ease in traversing the waves, ¡°That was a closer thing than I would have desired, and it likely would have been a far sounder idea to have waded into the waters instead of diving into them¡­¡± ¡°However now is not the time for commiseration.¡± Nameless turned his head with a wet cough, dragging his eyes across the distant shore, ¡°I need to remain vigilant and search for a place to rest, especially after all of this.¡± Nameless¡¯s eyes pierced through much of the dark, revealing the shaded brush opposite of the shore he had dove from, ¡°While just crossing the river would the most expedient choice¡­¡± his searching gaze paused, catching sight of a partially obscured corpse floating within the tangled growth, ¡°It is of an extreme likelihood that the more cunning Beasts and Monsters lie in wait within the boughs, ready to strike any creature fleeing the flames by crossing the river.¡± Yet another wave flowed over his head, breaking his sight, ¡°Which means the best course I can take, despite its own risks¡­¡± He emerged from the water, turning his sight forward, down the length of the river, ¡°Would be to allow the river to take me further down, in hopes of finding somewhere more¡­ suitable for my rest and recuperation.¡± ¡°Though, I can only wonder how long that may take¡­ and whether I will have enough strength left within me to continue when the time comes.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Nameless''s breaths came out in ragged huffs, his coat soaked to the skin, his every muscle tensed to keep himself from slipping down the slick rocks underneath his paws. He paused to catch his breath and readjust his footing, turning his head to look down over his shoulder: the flooded river continued to rampage below, its waters having grown even higher under the continued downpour, yet more debris from the forests choking its murky length. The roar of the river had reached an even louder tone, the constant swell and crash of its rapids having enough power behind them to be felt through the stones he stood upon, ¡°I do not believe I could have lasted much longer¡­¡± Nameless mused, the increased ferocity of the river ¨C with the addition of yet more water ¨C having left him battered, bruised, and exhausted. A large, shattered tree trunk sped along the river¡¯s surface as Nameless watched, the wild nature of the waves causing it to bob chaotically as water violently slammed against it, ¡°Especially if the river was to grow even more¡­ frenzied under the attention of the storm.¡± Nameless closed his eyes and dragged a long weary breath into his chest, turning his head as he opened them once more to gaze upwards¡­ towards what he hoped to be sanctuary. While floating along the river, he had searched frantically for anywhere that he could safely rest, his desperation increasing as time passed, the river grew rougher¡­ and his body had begun to fail. His every kick causing him to hiss in pain as his muscles cramped and coiled with overuse, he had incessantly scoured the shores, straining his eyes under the infrequent combination of [Night Vision] and [Soul Sight] in hopes of finding even the slightest hint of a possible place to lie within. When, finally, there was a change¡­ Nameless was unaware of what process had created the great shelf of sandstone and the obscured holes dotting its face, however he cared little for such things, beyond the fact that its presence provided him with the opportunity of safety he had been so madly hunting for. Hope provided him the strength to push beyond the limits of his flagging body, [Proprioception]¡¯s aid integral in his capacity to so much as move his head, let alone cut through the powerful waves and currents of the river, towards the rock-strewn cliff and caves beyond. Fear had grown hot in his heart as the shore had grown closer, the worry that he would miss combining with the looming possibility of relief ¨C that he so deeply wanted to see become true ¨C granting him a strength he had last seen when first escaping the wildfire, lost more and more the longer he had run. That fear had not dissipated until the moment he had put paw to stone, the solace provided through the feeling of a solid surface under his paws, being just as tangible to Nameless as the rocks themselves. From that first step forward, he had slowly made his way up the harshly slanted rock face ¨C darkened by the rain ¨C its many stones as soaked through as he himself was. Nameless had struggled to climb his way up the slick rocky terrain, his fatigue compounding with the steepness of the ascent, draining him further with ever tentative step made. But the allure of safety was far too powerful for him to be dissuaded, no matter how much his body and mind begged for him to stop. ¡°Almost¡­ there!¡± His fangs grinding against one another, Nameless gritted his teeth, biting back from growling as he focused on retaining his purchase on the damp sandstone below his paws. With one of the larger ¨C and far more accessible ¨C holes he had spotted looming ahead of him, he scrambled up the rocks, his claws extended to provide him just the slightest bit more traction. The opening was obscured behind the same thick coat of vines and shrubbery that covered much of the sandstone cliff face, the presence of what hide behind only recognizable through the strong gusts of wind that blew through the cloying foliage, as well as the potent combination of his [Night Vision] and [Soul Sight] ¨C whose applications seemed to be far greater than Nameless had originally believed. His claws scratched and clattered against the rocks and his body vibrated with fatigue and anticipation, as he made final approach to the large, shadowed entrance, ¡°I cannot get complacent now¡­¡± Nameless reminded himself, his sight sharpening to evaluate the cave entrance by every measure he could conceive, ¡°I do not know what may ¨C or may not ¨C be lying in wait just beyond what my eyes can see. So, until I can put my sight upon whatever may lurk there¡­¡± Nameless¡¯s lips twitched up into a snarl, his fangs gleaming under the flashes of lightning still flaring overhead, ¡°I must be prepared for anything.¡± He slowly crept upon the flora choked cave mouth, spending enough of his precious attention to call upon [Stealth] for support, carefully picking each individual step, so as not to alert anything that may be using the cavern in the same manner as he desired. He harshly suppressed his fatigue, wresting control of his body from its creeping grasp, ¡°Nothing seems to have disturbed the plants or rocks beyond the weather¡­¡± Nameless concluded with a final examination while he opened his mouth, inhaling to scent the air, ¡°Neither do I catch any lingering scents in the air to worry over. Though much evidence could have been lost and hidden by the storm.¡± His every muscle was tensed, ready to move at so much as a threatening shadow as he paused, nose nearly touching the swaying foliage. Nameless remained still, listening, watching¡­ waiting for something to make a move, for yet another threat to his life to rear its head and force him to earn his right to survive¡­ However, the longer he waited the more he realized that there was no other surrounding presence beyond himself, the plants, the stones, and the storm. He pushed through the wall of brush hesitantly, a large part of him still holding tight to the lingering anticipation of conflict, his eyes taking a moment to adjust to the largely darkened confines of the cave proper. The cave reminded him much of the den he had left behind, its walls and floor, a rough sandstone, though the space was much smaller. Plants had creeped their way in, covering much of the ceiling, walls, and floor closest to the entrance; them, as well as the surrounding foliage, wettened by what rain managed blow in from the storm. The cave quickly tapered off at the opposite end from its mouth, ragged cracks splintering across the far wall of varying sizes, some heavily leaking water likely from the rain outside. It was damp, dark, and its interior were filled with the constant howling of the wind¡­ however it was, above all things, safe. With the cave empty of anything but himself, Nameless staggered forward, nearly dropping to the floor immediately in relief. Any semblance of composure and control he had stubbornly retained frayed under the realization that there was no final confrontation, no last challenge or difficulty to overcome to use this space he had found to rest ¨C one that he felt he had already well earned. A complicated swirl of emotions swelled within his chest, the breadth of all he had experienced ¨C in so little time ¨C near overwhelming without another complication to distract him, ¡°No.¡± Nameless huffed wearily, ¡°I can think on all that has happened later, after I sleep. To do anything else would just be¡­ too much for me.¡± He could recognize that he had reached the end of his wits long ago, having moved and acted solely on the heady union of fear and exhilaration. But now, devoid of the constant threat of injury and death, Nameless was left with only the dying vestiges of his panic and agitation¡­ and a bone deep exhaustion. Large enough to fit himself as well as all of his siblings ¨C if they slept tightly against one another ¨C Nameless padded towards the ¡°driest¡± portion of the cavern¡¯s floor, already feeling himself sleepily drifting away, even before he had so much as begun to lay down. His paws dragged against the ground as he approached his spot, his limbs as heavy as the lids of his eyes. He circled and pawed at the ground, feeling the cold stone against the pads underneath, beckoning him down. He shifted to put his head facing the entrance before folding his legs under himself, lying down for the first time in what felt like moons. Curling up, the cool stone of the floor mingling with the sounds of the storm outside to tempt him further to torpor, he allowed his eyes to slowly close¡­ And finally, finally, earned his rest. Chapter 28 Nameless growled as he sprinted ¨C his legs feeling as though they were pushing through water rather than air ¨C spurred forward by an all-consuming fear that filled his very soul with panic. He was surrounded by nothing but darkness, so pervasive that even his [Soul Sight] and [Night Vision] failed to pierce it¡­ and unable to see the source of his terror within it. A loud scraping sound came from his left, causing Nameless to whip his head around in the same direction, only to be greeted by shadows. Whatever stalked him took pleasure in tormenting him, constantly feeding his fear by granting reminder of its presence, solely moving within the dark so as to not give even a hint of its identity. Desperately trying to run faster, Nameless snarled in frustration as his limbs proved unresponsive to his will, the feeling of terror growing to the point where his fur stood on end as he wildly searched around for the creature that lurked in the dark. However, his haste and distraction proved¡­ disastrous. He stumbled and hit the ground, immediately scrambling to get his paws underneath him, only for them to slip and jerk in directions opposite of what he desired. His panic grew with his struggles, his body¡¯s discordance forcing him to reach out to [Proprioception] for aid¡­ and found it missing. Nameless froze ¨C his surroundings completely forgotten ¨C while shock stilled him completely, the realization of his Skill¡¯s absence overwhelming any amount of fear or frustration he had for an instant. Numbly, he reached out to [Proprioception] again, as well as [Spatial Sense] and even [Tracking], only to find all of them absent. The sudden lack of his Skills more terrifying than whatever creature was torturing him from the dark, countless questions darted between the fear and panic that swelled within his mind ¨C ¡°It would not matter whether you had your Skills or not¡­¡± A familiarly dreadful voice reached his ears, violently ripping Nameless¡¯s attention away from the absence of his Skills towards the speaker. He watched with wide panicked eyes as a large paw emerged from the dark, its fur the colour of dried blood recognizable even in the low light. Another paw larger than his head joined the first, its long extended metallic claws *tacking* against the ground, ¡°None of them would save you from Me.¡± The distinct gravely rumble preceded the emergence of a face that had him tremble in dread, his eyes freezing on a malicious fanged toothed smile¡­ Mother. Tongues of flame and ash passed between her fangs, making the sharp edges of her face all the more stark. Her roughly cut hair ¨C with its ends smoldering ¨C swayed as though it were ignited savannah grass caught within the wind; and her eyes¡­ her eyes were roiling orbs of fire, floating within empty sockets, the surrounding skin charred and angrily puckered with infection. ¡°There are no amount of Skills you could cultivate, nor Growth you could pursue, that will protect you from me when I finally grow tired of continuing this farce.¡± She stalked forward, her every heavy step shaking through his body, plumes of acrid smoke leaving her mouth with every word, ¡°Tired of pretending that you are anything more than an irritating nuisance!¡± With her last word, Nameless¡¯s mother lurched forward, her incendious maw expanding to completely consume his sight. He tried to react, to move from where he had been stuck to the floor¡­ but found his efforts to no avail, as his limbs remained stubbornly ineffectual. He could only watch ¨C without even the capacity to make a sound ¨C as he was enveloped within Mother¡¯s fuming jaws, the heat burning his flesh while the smoke rolling out from her throat filled his lungs¡­ Before, with a wretched *snap*, her fangs closed upon him, and all Nameless came to know was pain, terror, fire¡­ and his mother¡¯s wretched and malevolent laughter. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D With a terrified yowl, Nameless leapt to his paws, whirling around in confusion and panic. He wildly searched the shadows of his new ¡°den,¡± fear still clinging heavily to his mind even as he roused, the heat and agony of his ¡°mother¡¯s¡± ¡­ consumption of him lingering on his hide like the sweat clinging to the skin of his face. ¡°Another nightmare¡­¡± Nameless¡¯s heart thundered in his chest, the twisted visage of his mother mockingly flickering in front of his eyes, ¡°And I doubt it will be the last of them.¡± He took a long breath, the vestiges of his horrid dream twirling mockingly between his thoughts, as he slowly padded towards the mouth of his cave. It had been three moons since he had first collapsed within the hollow, two of which were lost completely to sleep; his body, mind, and soul too drained and weakened for him to do anything beyond recuperate. But it was not all restful sleep, much of his resting mind occupied by nightmares and terrors just as¡­ potent as the most recent of them; the wildfire, Mother, the feeling of drowning, or some combination of them, always having a prominent role. Nameless huffed and shook his head in an effort to banish the haunting memories of his torporous torment, his paws lightly sticking to the moistened stone, while he pushed his way through the hanging wall of foliage at the cave¡¯s mouth. Under the early gloom of the rising Brothers, Nameless looked out, through the now much reduced rain, to the world beyond. While he had rested, the storm had continued to rage throughout, the flooded river below having risen further under the persistent deluge¡­ and so too had the wildfire continued its wonton feast. Across from him remained the still smoldering remnants of a jungle; a ground bereft of life, soil chocked and covered with ash, and dotted with broken and charred trees, softly glowing with the burning cinders that hid within their shattered corpses. Devastation was all it could be considered and as he stared over it, the usual cold coil of fear wound up his spine, the destruction a stark reminder of what could have happened to him if he had not escaped the wildfire¡¯s path. Though¡­ the wake of the wildfire did not just represent how close to ruination he had come. Just as a time would come when plants would grow plentiful from the ash laden land left by the flames, so too had Nameless grown from the fire¡¯s chase, ¡°I do not desire to put myself through something like that again¡­ however my survival was certainly not without its rewards.¡± With a small hiss ¨C his soul still raw, even after all the time that had passed ¨C he manifested his Soul Reflection, a myriad of shimmering strings beginning to weave together in front of his eyes. They spun and twinned around themselves, a pulsating blue green hue traveling down their lengths, though their glow touched nothing but his own eyes. The radiance of the strings grew until they flared into a singular scintillating sheet of liquid blues and greens, eddies appearing across its face, from which the metallic borders and lettering of his identity rose to display the details of his existence. ¡°All the closer to the Second Stage.¡± Nameless mused as he began to read his Reflection, taking in all the changes that had occurred following the rather¡­ chaotic first day of his Proving, ¡°Four levels to ninety-three, an impressive amount to gain after only a single day. However, after all I had to do, I am none too surprised.¡± His eyes moved further down, passing through the lines presenting his still recuperating health ¨C hitching slightly on his Mentality and Soul ¨C before continuing on, down through his Traits¡­ to the newest addition to their numbers ¨C
Lesser Soul Resilience [Upgradeable]: A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
You have managed to push your soul to its very limits ¨C and well beyond ¨C while bearing, if not surviving, the consequences. In the wake of its exhaustion, your soul has been strengthened; beginning to reconstitute itself to be more pliant, enduring, and tough.
Your Soul gains a slight increase to its capacity to recover, resist foreign influence, and utilize Skills.
¨C Under any other circumstance he would be elated to have had the incredible fortune of cultivating a new Trait. However, its presence was much like the ash covered remnants of the jungle just beyond his Reflection¡­ a reminder. Nameless¡¯s eyes flicked down, to the Trait just below, [Preternatural Wisdom], ¡°There is no doubt within my mind that [Soul Resilience]¡¯s appearance is due to [Wisdom]¡¯s intercession. That without its assistance there is no possibility I could conceive, of my having survived at all, let alone received such a rare boon¡­¡± His eyes didn¡¯t waver from the singular line, a myriad emotions flickering behind them, ¡°Which makes my feelings and concerns all the more conflicted. How much more are you capable of? What are the limits of your effects upon me? What are you?¡± They were questions he had pondered on nearly every waking moment he had had. Asked within the confines of his mind ¨C with bated breath ¨C wondering if now would be the time [Wisdom]¡¯s presence would arouse and grant answer¡­ if not closure, to the multitude queries and concerns that ran rampant within his head, much like the river below. Only for ¨C as with every time previous ¨C Nameless¡¯s questions to go unanswered. He stared for moments longer, silently observing the Trait in question, in some vain hope that answers would appear¡­ before moving on, down to where his Skills resided. Nothing too surprising had occurred amongst his Skills; most of them having grown considerably under his heavy usage of them, like [Sprint] having grown by twenty-five levels to sixty-seven ¨C from its former forty-two ¨C or [Claws] having grown by eleven levels to enter into the Initiate tier. Though, there had come the ironic addition of the [Swimming] Skill ¨C only at level five ¨C that must have come about from his final run of¡­ flailing within the river. Altogether, it was a daunting amount of growth, the likes of which Nameless had only seen after days of frequent hunts and battles, rather than the one he had spent mostly running rather than fighting. However, it was also a perfect example of what the World weighed the greatest in determining how much Growth is deserved¡­ Struggle. Whether it be through danger or difficulty; the more insurmountable the odds were to overcome, the greater the strain undergone, the more significant the risk to one¡¯s life, the greater the rewards for survival. As such ¨C under the wildfire¡¯s cinderous maw ¨C every action and decision made, had been appraised under the impartial gaze of the World; his struggles, stumbles, and every step judged, all in determining whether his determination¡­ or desperation, bore the fruit of progress grown under the light of strife. ¡°Just as it is called, this challenge, this Proving of ours, is a chance to grow and prove to ourselves that we can progress beyond our limitations, and not just survive, but thrive under threat and adversity¡­ however, I do not believe this Proving is limited to just ourselves.¡± Nameless cerebrated, his focus moving beyond his Soul Reflection ¨C dissipating it into a fine, glittering, mist ¨C to the cloudy horizon, through which the barest gleam of the rising Brothers shone, ¡°No, it is more than that. It is proof to the very World itself that we are worthy; worthy to survive, struggle, fight, grow, and live within it.¡± He took a deep breath, feeling the damp air fill his lungs and the scent of rain coat his tongue, before exhaling in¡­ relief, ¡°What fear should I have of the future, of [Wisdom]¡¯s abilities, or even Mother¡¯s motives? When within the eyes of the World, I have yet to earn the right to even exist.¡± The Proving was, by all references to it, just the method from which Nameless and his siblings would earn their Second Stage and through that, their magic. However ¨C more than his magic ¨C there was something else that was missing from his Reflection. A small detail mentioned passingly and altogether insignificant alone, but crucial to his revelation¡­ His age was absent. Despite all the time that had passed since his birth, it ¨C beside his magic ¨C was without detail, ¡°For what reason would my age ¨C something so insignificant ¨C be missing just as my magic is, if not for it having yet to be earned just the same.¡± ¡°If my time living has yet to have value to the World, I should have no other focus than to change that, and put my energy in what I can change, rather than what I cannot¡­¡± Nameless closed his eyes, feeling the rain fall against his skin, taking another deep breath as his lingering fears faded away, ¡°The Second Stage is my priority, earning my magic and claim to my time both, being of far greater importance than any of my fears or concerns.¡± He wouldn¡¯t forget his worries, [Wisdom]¡¯s¡­ peculiarities and his mother¡¯s plans being far too significant to be so easily forgotten. However, he was well due the recognition that there was only so much he could do, only so much he could prepare himself for¡­ especially given how weak he was. As Nameless opened his eyes once more, he gazed out over the wildfire¡¯s devastation, to the jungles and mountains beyond, ¡°There is much more to life than my fear and the threats to it, and if I am to ever experience such things ¨C or even have a chance of overcoming the adversities that already loom over my future ¨C I must do as the Proving demands¡­¡± He lips quirked up into a small smile, his eyes shimmering with memories and conviction, ¡°Survive and thrive¡­¡± ¡°Though it would be best I rest for at least one more day, especially after what I saw of my state from the Reflection.¡± Nameless stepped backwards, pulling his head and the front of his body back through the hanging vines and into the cave, ¡°It would also give me some time to plan, and allow me to avoid any foolish mistakes, like my diving into a raging river while tired, with a wounded soul, and without the [Swimming] Skill¡­¡± He huffed at the thought, turning his mind towards simpler things, ¡°Though, despite the risk it put me in, it was as good a mistake as any for me to make.¡± Nameless shifted, pivoting to face into the cave, and padded towards the drier portions within, ¡°My emotions seeped into [Tactics], guiding its representations to reflect my desire for a hasty path forward, rather than the cautious and measured approach I should have conceived of, if I had not been so¡­ panicked.¡± ¡°In my¡­ reliance on my Skills for support, I have underestimated just how much effect I have upon them; not just in the obvious ¨C how I interpret and understand them or how I apply my attention to them ¨C but also in regard to my Mentality whilst using them.¡± He moved to the spot he had startled from following his nightmare, laying down against the still slightly warm ground, ¡°Without learning how to control my emotions, no matter the situation, my Skills may always risk being far greater a hinderance than an advantage.¡± At his conclusion, Nameless sighed, his harsh exhale blowing a cloud of fine dust up into the air. It was by no means a simple sentiment, the number of stressful and dangerous circumstances he would have to throw himself into ¨C to practice keeping a measured and calm head ¨C would be far in excess to what he had already undergone, ¡°Having lived through few such trying experiences ¨C where my survival was truly left up to myself, and myself alone ¨C has left me without much of the awareness of how those circumstances affect me, let alone how I can better control and guide my Skills while under a¡­ less than beneficial mindset.¡± ¡°But that does not mean I have to remain inexperienced and ignorant¡­¡± His mind swam with plans and possibilities, evaluating every movement, decision, and thought he could remember he had made during his flight from the wildfire. He had little to compare and contrast his experience to, every hunt and outing he had had prior being with the support of his siblings at his flanks, making it difficult to determine where his smaller slips and mistakes had been made. However, it was a necessary assessment; determining where fault was, realizing where there had been better opportunities, and even recognizing where he made the correct choices, all an effort in trying to conceive of how he could better prepare for undergoing other¡­ challenging circumstances in the future. ¡°It will take much trial and error, and more danger and risk than I would prefer to willingly take upon myself if I could avoid it¡­¡± Nameless huffed, his eyes losing that hazy quality as he emerged from thought, ¡°However, as with all things it seems, what is necessary is oft not enjoyable to undertake.¡± He stared across the small cave, to the cover of foliage at its mouth, his ears twitching to the light patter of rain outside. Already he could feel himself¡­ changing, the necessity to adapt in order to survive the dangers assailing him, beginning to open his eyes to a multitude of areas he had neglected and ignored. But so too was he growing aware of the necessity of rest ¨C if not relaxation ¨C how moments of repose and solitude were invaluable not just for his recuperation, or even for the time it granted him to plan and reflect, but for the moments in which he could just¡­ live within. Much like he had within the jungle, prior to its being consumed by chaos, he allowed himself to drift. Nameless listened to the rain as it fell and of the rustle of wind against the plants, he breathed deeply the scent of damp and of stone and soil; and felt the press of his stomach and legs against the slightly rough stone below them. He let himself become lost within his sensations; his worries and fears, revelations and plans, all falling away, ¡°For everything I have realized, worried, and thought over. It is ironic that I never allowed myself the moment to appreciate one thing¡­¡± Nameless¡¯s eyes fluttered closed ¨C his breathing slowing and a small smile appearing upon his lips ¨C as he drifted off to sleep, the future put off for whence he would awake, with two words following him into slumber¡­ ¡°I Survived.¡± Namelesss Soul Reflection
Name: Nameless
Race: Sphinx [Cub]
Growth: [1st Stage] - Level 89 > Level 93
Body: [Recovering/Slightly Fatigued]
Stamina: [Recovering/Slightly Drained]
Mentality: [Tired/Apprehensive/Muddled]
Soul: [Recuperating/Strained]
Mana: [Untouched]
Traits:
[Lesser Mythical Constitution] [Lesser Soul Sight] [Lesser Mana Conduits] Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. *[Lesser Soul Resilience]* [Preternatural Wisdom] [Adaptive Physique] [Chimeric] [Night-Vision] [Clawed] [Winged] [Polyglot] [Telepathic]
Skills:
[Claws] : (Untrained - Natural) - Level 92 > (Initiate) - Level 3 [Flight] : (Untrained - Natural) - Level 34 > Level 37 [Language Comprehension] : (Untrained - Natural) - Level 77 - Eyemptic - Proficiency 68/100 - Kishnalwi - Proficiency 49/100 - Marabesh - Proficiency 47/100 [Telepathy] : (Initiate - Natural/Abnormal) - Level 24 [Dodge] : (Initiate) - Level 23 > Level 40 [Sprint] : (Initiate) - Level 42 > Level 67 [Leap] : (Untrained) - Level 89 > Level 98 *[Swimming] : (Untrained) - Level 5* [Tracking] : (Untrained) - Level 51 > Level 79 [Stealth] : (Untrained) - Level 62 > Level 70 [Spatial Sense] : (Untrained) - Level 14 > Level 23 [Proprioception] : (Untrained) - Level 5 > Level 21 [Deception] : (Untrained) - Level 52 > Level 58 [Tactics] : (Untrained) - Level 30 > Level 36
Chapter 29 From his perch, Nameless watched the Bramble Hides snuffle through the waterlogged soil, their snorts and huffs causing the water around their trunks to bubble and froth. He listened to the sound of their short tusks tearing through the tubers and roots they brought to their mouths, as well as their rumbles and calls, without so much as twitching. If his purposes for having followed the Beasts weren¡¯t for growing some of his Skill¡¯s proficiencies, the Bramble Hides¡¯ numbers and overall bulk likely would have dissuaded him from engaging in conflict with them. They were bulky squat Beasts, similar to the Tapir he had run besides some days ago, only these sporting four short tusks and a rather oversized ¨C and significantly more prehensile ¨C trunk instead. Further differentiating the creatures was the source of the Bramble Hides¡¯ name, a skin rife with vines, thorny shrubbery, moss, and flowering blooms. Nameless caught two small calves wind their way through their elders¡¯ legs, the flora covering their forms bouncing as they quickly trundled about, ¡°Even the youngest of their numbers bare the plants indicative of their union with Nature¡­¡± Amongst the hierarchy of Beasts, the Brambles resided within the category just above their more Mundane counterparts ¨C like the Phiomia ¨C being considered Quasi-Magical Beasts. They ¨C just as others of their ilk ¨C bore a¡­ connection and affinity to a particular sphere of magic, being enhanced by it. However, unlike the truly Magical Beasts, they lacked the conscious ability to outwardly utilize their magic. ¡°Dangerous and likely far too resilient for me to wound on my own they may be,¡± Nameless mused as a soft breeze blew through the canopy surrounding him, ¡°But lacking in the capacity to use their magic at least allows me the ability to avoid their detection.¡± Firmly ensconced within the embrace of the jungle as he was, Nameless was¡­ grateful that none of the Bramble Hides were powerful enough to have transitioned into being a Magical Beast, otherwise¡­ He held back a shiver at the thought of fighting a Bramble Hide, capable of magic, enclosed inside what was ostensibly the source of their affinity, ¡°It would be less of a fight and far more a one-sided massacre¡­¡± One of the largest amongst the Brambles released a strident call, causing Nameless to look towards it, the rest of its kin lazily lifting their heads to look its way, with even the calves halting their play to give attention. He tracked as the large Beast huffed and shifted, its plodding steps sloshing loudly through the low water. It was proceeding deeper into the jungle, whether by virtue of the waters being depleted of their more choice selections of food, or its growing tired of the surroundings, he couldn¡¯t say, ¡°It seems our time is at its end.¡± The herd of Brambles followed slowly after, Nameless remaining concealed above them, the little ones¡¯ having to nearly run to keep up with their larger counterparts. Their passage was loud, [Stealth] a seemingly unknown Skill to them; the crack of branches, the splash of water, and their rumbles and calls, drowning out all but the close sound of his breathing. He waited until the last of the Beasts left his sight ¨C the sound of their moving off still the most dominating noise of the forest ¨C before getting up, precariously balancing along the length of the thick branch he had been laying upon. It was fortunate that the many trees of the deeper jungle almost appeared to be grown for scaling, their thick branches and trunk capable of baring even Nameless own considerable weight, ¡°As irritating as it has been cultivating a Skill I should have had already, I can at least say it was well worth the effort¡­¡± He carefully twisted himself around, the branch bobbing under his paws, the mingling of [Proprioception] and [Climbing] granting a surety of step to counter the perilous nature of the bough¡­ Though the Skills¡¯ aid did nothing to settle Nameless¡¯s nerves at the shaky footing, ¡°Yet another thing I will have to get used to¡­¡± With tentative steps, Nameless approached the trunk, feeling far more assured the closer he became to the far stronger base of the limb. He gazed down, his eyes following the scratches of his own claws carved into the bark, all the way to the forest floor. ¡°It might be better to just jump, rather than try and climb down¡­¡± The distance between himself and the ground was ¨C by Nameless¡¯s estimates ¨C at least twice his length, a non-inconsiderable height. However, while he was confident in his capacity to climb up¡­ he had yet to find any comfortable manner of climbing down. ¡°Or possibly a combination of [Climbing] and [Leap] may suffice?¡± Even if he wasn¡¯t comfortable, Nameless understood the necessity of taking whatever chances available to him to progress his Skills¡­ even if they weren¡¯t for any grand jumps in his proficiency, ¡°After all, what matters more than my comfort, is getting used to using the Skill in as many circumstances as possible.¡± ¡°Especially while I am safe to test at my leisure.¡± A slight gust blew through the tree¡¯s crown, shaking its branches and leaves. Nameless¡¯s own feather¡¯s ruffled just as the leaves, his long unruly hair blowing over his face from the wind behind¡­ And, just as the wind, he moved. Nameless leaned down off the branch, allowing himself to be pulled towards the ground, his claws digging deeply into the trunk¡¯s bark. He awkwardly staggered his drop, retracting and unleashing his claws to jarringly control his descent, until he was close enough to the forest floor to merely¡­ [Leap]. He landed hard with a splash and the *splat* of mud, his paws stinging from both the impact as well as the abuse he had put upon his nails, ¡°Not exactly the most pleasant ¨C or even skillful ¨C drop I could have made¡­¡± He looked upwards, seeing the trail of divots and cuts leading up to the bough he had been perched upon, ¡°However it was certainly the best I have performed thus far.¡± He huffed and shook his head, bringing his attention around to his surroundings. The jungle¡¯s ground had changed considerably, the constant rain having waterlogged the soil within so significantly that the ground was more reminiscent of marshland; and much of the plants and shrubbery too had been affected, both being far more vibrant and full now properly watered. With the wet *shuck* of his paws being released from mud, he began to walk away. With a practiced flick of intent, he brought [Stealth], [Tracking], [Spatial Sense], and [Proprioception] up to their fullest capacities, feeling the weight of each settle behind his wings and subtly shift at his posture. In the days following his full recuperation, Nameless had turned most of his focus to his Skills ¨C growing his understanding of those he had and working to gain those he lacked, like [Climbing] ¨C and, while it had led to a significant fall off in his Growth, he felt a great deal of¡­ security in growing his capabilities first. It was devoid of that pressure of having to hide the full breadth of his abilities from Mother, where Nameless was finding his stride. The balance he was managing ¨C even while using as many skills as he was in tandem ¨C being a perfect example of how the freedom the Proving provided him, to contemplate and experiment, was already allowing for him the space to truly develop. ¡°While raising [Climbing]¡¯s proficiency should be considered, I should avoid focusing on it overmuch while I still have a great deal more¡­ integral Skills to advance first.¡± Nameless mused, paying specific attention to his steps, trying to more meaningfully entwine his four current Skills together, ¡°Especially if it means reducing the possibility of straining my soul, like if another situation similar to the wildfire were to arise.¡± While the water and thick mud made walking completely silently a near impossibility, [Stealth] in combination with [Tracking] allowed for Nameless to find ¨C and follow ¨C a path that¡­ reduced the sound of his presence; [Proprioception] refining his motions further and [Spatial Sense] assisting in defining the best trail forward, lessening the impact he made on his surroundings. Nameless smiled, his enjoyment for novel uses of his Skills made plain, the soft *slap* of his paws becoming drowned out by the rising susurrus of the jungle. The coos, clicks, trills, and croaks that had disappeared under the rage and madness of the earlier storm had returned, melding together to create a cacophonous storm of their own. The occasional long gust of wind tousling the many trees¡¯ crowns joined the creatures¡¯ calls, sounding much similar to the rain that fell from above and drenched their leaves. Continuing on, Nameless paid especial attention to the louder howls, roars, and hoots, wanting to avoid the possibility of stumbling onto some manner of dangerous creature without warning. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. He pressed through a thick fern ¨C bespeckled by bright red seeds ¨C and paused halfway underneath, a loud screech emanating from the distance causing his ears to twitch. However, what had brought him to a sudden stop was not the scream itself¡­ but a particular scent that slithered through his nostrils and settled upon his tongue. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Nameless¡¯s eyes thinned, his mouth opening to scent at the smell better. He inhaled, feeling the air swirl through his maw and nose, tasting what lingered upon it, ¡°Death.¡± He could sense the pungent smell of decay and blood, but also a slight familiarity mixing amongst the scents of death, ¡°It is an odd thing¡­ I know it, but I just cannot place where I recognize it from.¡± He chewed on his bottom lip, lost in thought, the sounds of the jungle disappearing behind his preoccupied mind, ¡°I do not have to give it so much thought. I can just as easily turn away and continue heading back towards the cave as I had originally planned.¡± ¡°However,¡± Nameless huffed, pushing all the way past the fern he had paused under, ¡°If not to sate my curiosity, I should go to observe or search for a possible threat in the vicinity of my practice grounds¡­ Then again,¡± He shifted his neck from side to side, feeling it crack and loosen, his claws unsheathing of their own volition, ¡°Maybe I have just grown tired of practicing, and would like to proceed to something more¡­ claws-on.¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D The acrid scent of decay made Nameless¡¯s nose sting, a feeling of an almost oppressive filth hanging within the air, sullying his hide and fur, ¡°Wherever that scent is coming from is getting close¡­¡± With the growing smell of death, the very atmosphere surrounding him had changed; the more lively sounds of the jungle¡¯s wildlife had become drowned out under a harsh and irritating gale of buzzing hums, and a certain¡­ stillness had fallen upon the close forest, leaving even the breeze that swirled through the tree tops hollow and dreary. Nameless cautiously stalked forward, reducing his pace, the unknown of what lie behind the spoiled odor filling him with anxiety, ¡°At least I know better what that familiar smell was now.¡± Carefully winding between some moss and vine covered boulders, he scented at the air once more, nearly hacking at the thick flavor of rot that filled his maw, ¡°I¡¯thekik and Onyx-Fangs.¡± He clambered onto a large, downed tree ¨C trunk resting over the odd line of boulders ¨C the light rain above able to reach him through the gap left in the canopy by the tree¡¯s fall, ¡°Though I cannot even begin to consider why their scents are so steeped with death¡­¡± Stopping, his eyes gazing out over the brush and soil ahead, his mind wandered, ¡°If it were just a conflict between the Fangs and I¡¯thekik, I doubt there would be so many leftover dead for the scent to be so¡­ pervasive.¡± A gust of wind blew in his face, smacking him with the sickening stench, ¡°It could be a hive¡­ however, the I¡¯thekik would be far more prevalent if one was so close.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Nameless chuffed and jumped down to the ground, his paws coated in mud, ¡°Whatever the reason behind it, I will have an answer soon enough.¡± He quietly continued onwards, doing his best not to disturb what foliage was in his way, striving to keep his presence as unobtrusive as possible. The horrid stench of rot grew to an eye watering proportion, Nameless having to devote more and more of his attention to his breathing so as to avoid retching and possibly bringing attention to himself¡­ but he was undeterred. One paw went before the next, his eyes searching for any physical signs of the decay he had been following. Intrigue, anxiety, fear, and anticipation spurred him forward; his mind wandering with ideas of what he might find behind every shrub and thicket he had to pass through. He painstakingly became accustomed to the smell, its sour stinging losing some ¨C but certainly not all ¨C of its bite and, as he pushed past a particularly thick bout of brush, Nameless was grateful of its having lost some of its pungency. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Before him was a sizeable clearing, covered predominantly by long grasses, a sparce few fully grown trees towering over the space. However, whatever beauteous glade the area had been¡­ It was no longer now. A considerable portion of the clearing was crudely overturned, its soil soaked with viscera, and what grasses remained standing ¨C within and besides ¨C were covered in dark, dried blood. Corpses of Onyx-Fangs and a clawful or two of I¡¯thekik were spread about the destroyed area, not a single one devoid of some manner of grievous wound, their broken forms strewn chaotically about the ground. Limbs shattered and ripped apart, bodies shredded into nothing but ragged chunks of meat, scattered entrails rotting under the open sky; the sight that filled Nameless¡¯s vision was nothing less than a fetid slaughter, the pall of death hanging over the creatures¡¯ baleful carcasses as thick as the insects that swarmed about them¡­ And they were plenty. While large Carrion Locusts, fat Nettle Winged Flies, and other loathsome scavenging insects were abound, the most prevalent of all the bugs were ¨C in truth ¨C butterflies. Pheonix-Tails, Fang Wings, Jewel Tips, Golden Royals, and many, many more covered the death laden space. Their wings fluttered in mesmerizing patterns, the slightest breeze agitating entire swathes to the air in great clouds of scintillating colour, the sheer numbers of them creating a fluttering field all of their own. However, all their dazzling colours did little to hide the gore they feasted upon; mounds of them shifted over the taught greyed hide of the dead Jackals or the shattered and splintered carapaces of the I¡¯thekik ¨C wings lazily opening and closing ¨C and rings formed around murky puddles of clotted blood and ichor, lines of butterflies following winding trails of mostly dried lifeblood back to the corpse from which it had leaked. A very minute portion of him was enticed to move closer, to examine the corpses and destruction surrounding them in some effort to ascertain what had exactly occurred¡­ Yet, he was held fast by a sense far more concerning than the oppressive scent of rot on the air. ¡°A Stage Four was here¡­¡± It was barely recognizable, enough time having passed between whatever events had occurred, and the moment Nameless had arrived, for whatever creature¡¯s former presence to have mostly dispersed. But his having been constantly exposed to Mother¡¯s made it far easier to pick up on what errant traces remained, ¡°While its having been around at all is¡­ terrifying. That this Stage Four¡¯s presence has dissipated at all means that it is unlikely to occupy, or even frequent, this place.¡± ¡°Though¡­¡± Nameless willed his [Soul Sight] to rise, his vision blooming with an ethereal clarity, ¡°If that were true, why was it here at all?¡± He squinted and observed the field of slaughter, taking in as much detail as he could from a distance; beyond the insects, the overall destruction, and the decay that had occurred over time, to the story that was told by what was left behind¡­ ¡°Whatever attacked was obviously a Monster.¡± Nameless started, ¡°That few ¨C if any ¨C of the I¡¯thekik or Fangs were eaten makes that a likely possibility. The¡­ violence it wreaked, also furthering the likelihood.¡± His eyes traced over the myriad mangled carcasses, observing the many disparate ways in which they had been damaged, ¡°Mostly wounds made from slashing, it would appear¡­ Claws, or something similar then?¡± He also caught the telltale marks of fangs on some of the corpses, even fewer appearing crushed and trampled, though the slashes and cuts still remained the majority method of attack, for whatever Monster had struck. The longer he looked the more Nameless realized how much information had likely been lost to time; the rotting of the bodies, the water now drenching the soil, and the countless scavengers wiping away the finer details from observation. But fortunately, he was vigilant enough to pick out even that which was ¨C now ¨C mostly obscured or nearly washed away. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Nameless rumbled, unconsciously stepping forward before coming to a halt once more. He spotted¡­ something, a part of his mind witnessing an important feature that he had yet to realize himself. Methodically, his eyes swung over the slaughter, hunting for whatever was the cause of the feeling scratching at the back of his brain, ¡°There is something I am missing. But what?¡± His vision narrowed, focus tapering into a point as sharp as his fangs, ¡°What should I see?¡± Desire and intent collided in a brilliant flash behind his eyes, a new form rapidly swimming to the surface of his awareness, moving to his designs. His sight blazed into even further clarity as ¨C what he could only believe was a new Skill ¨C breached the domain of his soul and mind, settling itself at the forefront of his consciousness¡­ And granting him sight. Information that had originally slipped past his notice now leapt into focus, his eyes immediately snapping to a portion of the overturned soil that his attention had otherwise neglected, ¡°That is what I was missing then¡­¡± What had appeared as merely a water filled depression was¡­ more; the scattered stones, exposed roots, and oddly sheer side at one end depicting a different story, ¡°The Monster came from underneath.¡± While mostly lost to the weather, he followed a general ¡°path¡± outlined by the carcasses left behind, one he would have missed if not for his newfound insight. Where the Fangs and I¡¯thekik were thrown, cut, crushed, and shredded marked a ¨C likely unexpected ¨C trail of destruction, created by a ground-borne Monster of some kind, ¡°While there are no signs of overt magic use, if it emerged from below, it is likely to have some form of Ground magic at its Stage; Soil or even Stone possibly.¡± ¡°It is good I came here¡­¡± Nameless stepped back, taking some measure of comfort in the press of foliage against his flanks, ¡°Not knowing about the presence of something as¡­ paralyzing as a Stage Four, would have been far worse than the fear I have of being aware of it.¡± A dizzying amount of thoughts filled his anxiety ridden mind, ¡°Reaching Stage Two would be unlikely to do much, if I were to cross the Monster that created this slaughter¡­¡± He felt a shiver run through his body, his every muscle quivering beneath his hide, ¡°However, as I am now, I am even more vulnerable.¡± He turned, sifting through the maelstrom of his mind, putting his back to the death and rot that had beckoned him, ¡°I need to move faster¡­ Even if I am never to meet the creator of such wanton death, there will always remain the possibility of another ¨C just as powerful ¨C creature becoming aware of my existence.¡± His mother¡¯s face, of all things, flashed past his eyes, ¡°Stage Two would at least give me a chance of surviving such things.¡± He put one paw before the next, fear and anticipation filling his chest in equal measure, returning back from whence he had come, ¡°And for all I might desire to experiment within this newfound freedom of mine; try and cultivate new Traits and Skills, push and test them ¨C and myself ¨C to their very limits and beyond, I can do no such things if I am dead.¡± ¡°No more practicing or training.¡± Nameless¡¯s eyes shone with a resigned determination, his presence fading under the shadow of the canopies above, ¡°It is time to reach Stage Two¡­¡± ¡°No matter what it may take of me.¡± Chapter 30 Throwing a look back once more, Nameless climbed up the steep scree leading to his cave. Fear, panic, and anxiety nipped at his paws, the insidious emotions still baying now ¨C at the end of his trudge back ¨C just as they had when he had first begun to distance himself from the Stage Four¡¯s devastation. Their presence weighed heavily upon him, his head filled with visions of great Beasts and Monsters, doing to him as had been done to the corpses now far behind. However, as he pushed his way through the foliage at the mouth of the den, they paled in comparison to what had only festered and infected his every thought and breath¡­ Rage and frustration. As he stepped fully into the space, he had begun to consider home, Nameless felt no sort of comfort within its walls. Stifled. Constricted. He had no greater desire than to expose his claws and score them across those very same structures, until his fury had abated¡­ or his claws had cracked. But, with the very whispers of what composure within him remained, he huffed and stopped just short. Nameless glared at the walls, his thoughts drowned under a hateful and bitter tide, a snarl slipping out from between his fangs, ¡°After all that talk of ¡°Revelations¡±, of ¡°Proving¡± yourself to the World¡­ What. Did. You. Do.¡± ¡°Experiment? Practice?!¡± He realized during the long and slow trek, left to seethe with only his thoughts as companion, that he had fallen to an insidious and oh so simple thing¡­ Freedom. The allure of an existence devoid of the deception that even stood prominently amongst his Skills had rapidly grown far beyond a temptation, wrapping itself around him in a comforting embrace of complacency. He had allowed himself the delusion of freedom, its Siren presence giving confidence to the portions of himself long suppressed, rapidly surmounting his commitment to necessity with his desire to be as he always wanted. He lost himself in the leisure of his theories and tests, in the enjoyment of his intelligence finally unhindered¡­ and neglected the reality that threatened to drag him back no matter his desires. Until that reality stood right before him; its fetid truth filling his nostrils, occluding his sight with its dreadful presence, and draping over him as tangibly as the moisture that clung to his hide¡­ He could have been one of those corpses. Shaking in bitter frustration, Nameless felt regret and fear coil tightly around his heart, ¡°I did not need another reminder of my weakness¡­¡± A harsh growl rumbled up from his chest, the memory of the mysterious Stage Four mingling with those of his mother¡¯s domineering presence, ¡°Though it seems circumstances would say otherwise.¡± He closed his eyes, his growl becoming a weary and defeated sigh. He regretted his lapse, not just for its having happened, but also for how his taste of freedom ¨C and the enjoyment within it he had found, in finally having a time to be himself ¨C had been soured so¡­ ¡°I do not have the time to be myself¡­¡± Nameless opened his eyes and padded over to one of the walls, pressing his head against the cool stone, ¡°Whatever delusion of freedom I allowed to take me was a lie.¡± He pressed his forehead harder against the wall, feeling its rough texture dig into his skin, ¡°There is no safety here for me to learn about myself, to waste time in pursuing the myriad ideas that swirl around my head¡­ not when I am so weak and powerless¡­¡± He gave voice to his frustration and fury as he pushed harder, feeling the stone cut through his flesh, blood welling up to drip down his face, ¡°I was a fool to think otherwise, as all I must¨C and can ¨C do is Grow. Nothing less and certainly nothing more.¡± Nameless¡¯s practice and tests were valuable for the insights and increase in proficiency they provided him with ¨C the improved aid of his Skills invaluable in his continued survival and progression ¨C yes. However, devoid of the necessary Growth to support them, they were hollow things as weak as himself. Even the presence of a hostile Stage Four would harm him, no manner of his Traits or Skills capable of spanning the Gap between their respective Growths. And unable to even touch upon Magic as he was ¨C even if his Skills had been something like Journeymen or even beyond ¨C there would be no chance of survival. But with Magic, there might just be. Though, as he had realized shortly after the wildfire, there was only one path to which that sort of Growth could be claimed¡­ Through struggle and strife. No amount of his practicing, testing, or theorizing could amount to the same progression as danger could; his having not gained so much as a single Level, despite his Skills developments, standing as testament to that truth¡­ The blood seeping from the cuts in Nameless¡¯s forehead trailed down his face, over his brows and nose to drip quietly against the floor, his mind turning away from recrimination to the future, ¡°I will have to claim the Second and my Magic quickly to even have the chance to survive what is out there¡­ though the process to gain them may kill me just as well.¡± He slowly removed his head from the wall, feeling the blood sticking against it resist slightly at his pulling away, ¡°But, if that is to be the consequence of my being so idiotic and having fallen to delusion, so be it.¡± He moved, his eyes unfocused as frustration swelled within him, ¡°I do not know if I should be angered of or indebted to that Stage Four¡¯s reminding me of my place and¡­ awakening me to my complacence. However, I will not allow its lesson to be so easily discarded as I did my last.¡± Nameless released a snarl, dripping with scorn and tension, ¡°No, I will not be letting myself forget this mistake of mine any time soon I would think¡­¡± he looked towards the mouth of the cave, almost feeling as though he could see through the foliage to the world outside, ¡°And neither will the World if it has any choice in the matter, likely to carve this lesson into my hide as it is.¡± ¡°As it very well should.¡± The Stage Four¡¯s appearance had already done so after all, the aftermath of its power lingering within his mind like an insidious fog ¨C tinging every thought since, with its presence ¨C and the path to claiming an iota of safety within the wilds would as well by its end, there being no possibility of his reaching the Second Stage without a fair share of wounds. He chuckled mirthlessly, his mind lashing about with derision, ¡°Maybe next time, I will not allow my ¡°intelligence¡± to blind me to what is necessary; and be a little wiser to where and what I am, before I allow myself to be drawn at the snout by whimsy and delusions¡­¡± ¡°Even if doing so taught me more about myself than all the other seasons I have spent stalking below the Brothers.¡± Conflict raged heavily within his thoughts still, so many differing opinions towards his situation making Nameless¡¯s mind a messy quagmire. However, as he slumped to the ground ¨C contradictory thoughts rampant ¨C he grasped the only concise string of thought he could, ¡°The Proving is about Growth ¨C the growth of power mostly, yes ¨C but also one in knowledge¡­ even if what is learnt is more through mistakes. ¡°But learning of flaws is just as valuable as learning of virtues.¡± Nameless closed his eyes, already feeling that his sleep would be a restless one, ¡°After all, what is a life if you do not struggle and stumble through it?¡± ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D That sleepless night drifted through Nameless¡¯s mind as quickly as a mist fleeing the suns¡¯ light, rapidly dispersing under yet another sharp wave of pain as he dodged another swipe of a Bark Horn¡¯s head. He had given himself no time to turn away from the necessary path as he did before, leaving his cave for the wilds and¡­ conflict within, the moment the Brothers had begun to crest over the horizon. Since then, he had hunted without pause, going after any manner of creature that could even remotely pose a challenge to him; throwing himself headfirst into danger to violently drown out the concerns, anxiety, fear, and shame that still circled his thoughts. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Though he had only really succeeded in replacing them with something more¡­ pervasive. Pain. His dodge turned into a tumble, the myriad cuts, bruises, and rents covering his hide reminding him of their presence with an agonizing roar. The pain caused his vision to darken ¨C mind stuttering under the torturous wave ¨C his body feeling sluggish and unresponsive¡­ But only for a moment. With a grating snarl, Nameless barely pushed the pain aside, his focus returning with all the clarity his new [Observation] could provide. Even with his consciousness fleeing him for an instant, the Bark Horned Buffalo was only just turning about to face him again, its pivot ponderous and ungainly. The Beast was a broad and muscled one ¨C large bundles of muscle shifting obviously under its skin ¨C its hide the colour of freshly soaked soil, a deep rich brown, and its horns¡­ its horns appeared like the trunks of trees. Ending in harsh points, the Buffalo¡¯s swept back horns were covered in a startling red bark ¨C granting them an almost blood-soaked appearance ¨C darkest at their base and gradually brightening to the tips. Those very same points swayed before him as the Bark Horn met his gaze, its brown eyes radiating a palpable hatred of the threat he posed to it. The Beast huffed loudly while Nameless¡¯s evaluated it, watching its every breath, shift, and twitch of its muscles; [Observation] honing his vision and feeding his mind to bursting with additional information. However, he was only watching ¨C and waiting ¨C for one small thing. ¡°Now!¡± He moved the instant he caught the muscular ripple of an impending charge, both his and the Buffalo¡¯s movements occurring almost simultaneously, clods of mud thrown up by their respective feet. The Beast¡¯s surprise was obvious; Nameless choice to face it directly, as well as his own charge ¨C aided further by [Proprioception] and [Sprint] ¨C containing a clear control and speed that its own was lacking, having some affect. But, just as quickly as it had appeared, did the Bark Horn¡¯s surprise disappear to be replaced by the same rage of moments before, its hatred of a threat and predator far more dominant than any other thought it could manage. Much to its misfortune. Closing upon each other, Nameless lunged forward, crudely combining [Dodge] and [Leap] to take himself below the sweep of the Buffalo¡¯s horns. The momentum of his charge sent him further forward ¨C though the awkward nature of his pounce caused him to take painful kick to the chest ¨C and to the Beast¡¯s quickly passing flank. ¡°Move!¡± He urged himself, pulling heavily upon [Proprioception] to get his paws under him and body reoriented, the motion causing another deep torrent of pain to wash through him. His legs'' every muscle coiling, he snapped forward and roared into another leap, his body slamming into the Buffalo¡¯s just behind its right foreleg. His voice cried out even louder as something in his chest gave disconcertingly, mingling with the Bark Horn¡¯s own at the audible *crack* of its leg snapping under Nameless¡¯s assault. In a mess of violence, claws, fangs, hooves, and horns; Nameless followed the Buffalo down, their momentum causing them to crash into the marsh in a spray of mud and water. At impact the Bark Horn released a shrill scream, its own body causing the already broken leg to completely fold with a wet *snap*, its mouth foaming from agony. It mewled and writhed in the shallow mud and water, the Beast¡¯s eyes cloudy with pain and its every breath and snort wet with panic. While the Beast wallowed in its wounds, Nameless shakily rose to his paws a couple paces from the Bark Horn, thrown away by a lucky kick on the way down¡­ and looked himself over. He was¡­ battered; blood ran freely from tears, slashes, and punctures ¨C both old and new ¨C across his body, he could feel the heat of bruises and swelling covering him from tail to nose, every muscle shook with fatigue, twitching and rolling uncomfortably by their own volitions, and he struggled to breathe, more than a few broken or bruised ribs painfully shifting in his chest. ¡°Not¡­ looking too good¡­¡± His thoughts were slow and ponderous, pain and fatigue slowing him down to an agonizing crawl, ¡°But not¡­ done yet.¡± With one unsteady paw forward, Nameless approached the downed Buffalo, finding his closing presence completely disregarded by the wounded Beast. It continued its hollow defeated cries, twisting aimlessly on its functioning back hooves while the front half remained pressed deeply into the soft mud, completely lame. Tired and injured, he had little room for pitying the Beast as it desperately struggled against inevitability¡­ however, as it once more turned, its pain darkened eyes meeting his own, Nameless paused. He stared, watching the Bark Horn try and raise itself on its one remaining front limb, only to collapse in a heap with a despondent bray yet again, and did not so much as twitch, ¡°This¡­ could be me.¡± The thought sent a shiver across Nameless¡¯s fur, cutting through the pain and exhaustion like his claws through flesh, and urging him forward. He leapt ahead with the haste of prey hunted, landing beside the Buffalo¡¯s head, fangs already bared and poised to strike¡­ ¡°Compassion¡­ is likely something I will not¡­ receive when I go.¡± Nameless snapped down, his teeth shearing through the Bark Horn¡¯s flesh to gratingly *crunch* through its spine, with the sound of the Beast¡¯s final exhale ¨C a soft huff ¨C reaching his ears as Death granted it rest, ¡°But I can¡­ show it to you¡­ with this.¡± ¡°Rest¡­ for it is well deserved.¡± Releasing his fangs hold, he rose and sat on his haunches, the Buffalo¡¯s neck slumping down without his jaws holding it up. His every breath and movement were labored, the act of sitting causing a low groan of discomfort to rumble up from his throat, head spinning with a dizzying array of painful hues. ¡°I may have pushed myself too far¡­¡± He hissed at a painful twitch from his ribs, struggling to keep himself upright and conscious as the battle lust faded, ¡°I need-I need to rest¡­ though¡­¡± ¡°How long has it been since I last ate?¡± His stomach rumbling, Nameless looked at the Bark Horn¡¯s body, running through the past three moons of hunting and fighting, ¡°Too long¡­ it would seem.¡± The Bark Horn was the most recent in days¡¯ worth of kills and combat; three Onyx-Fangs, three Great Blossom Spiders, a Shelled Ground Sloth, a troupe of Splinter Baboons, five Vine Furred Fox, and at least seven other Beast and Monsters all preceding it¡­ and all left behind. He had moved from one creature to the next, stalking them down with a single-minded devotion, everything¡­ everything else being completely disregarded for conflict and battle, ¡°I-I do not believe I have even stopped¡­ to check the progress of my Growth.¡± Concern overwhelmed the pain wracking his body, the startling realization that he had become so consumed in his hunting that he had even neglected its purpose, slamming into him with as much force as he had the Buffalo, ¡°I¡­ just moved from one extreme to another¡­¡± Much to his disappointment, he had over corrected, allowing himself to become too entangled by the regret, shame, and anger caused by his prior lapse, to notice that he had progressed far past just finding challenges to Grow against¡­ And well into the realm of recklessly endangering himself without a mind to consequence or reasoning. ¡°You absolute imbecile¡­¡± Nameless wanted to scream and rage at his incompetence, his humiliation and regret immense; but instead, he merely¡­ collapsed. He heavily flopped to his stomach, the muck underneath squelching wetly under his bulk, the Bark Horn¡¯s corpse forgotten behind a chaotic flood of self-deprecation, ¡°I had but one focus¡­ one path¡­ and even that proved to be too complicated for such a moron as myself¡­¡± The world became muted under a deluge of shame, frustration, and negativity, Nameless¡¯s every perceived mistake eroding away any semblance of confidence or understanding he had gathered, leaving him adrift within their choking waters. Trapped within his mind, his emotions assaulted him as assuredly as every manner of Beast and Monster he had ever crossed claws with had, their scathing sentiments cutting as deep as the tears that seeped across his hide. He felt¡­ lost, two major mistakes one after the other completely undermining his trust within himself. ¡°You are useless¡­¡± ¡°Incapable¡­¡± ¡°Weak¡­¡± ¡°A failure¡­¡± The voices of his doubts and complexes engulfed his head ¨C roaring like wild, rapid waters ¨C his consciousness feeling as though it were drowning, being pulled under by their fatalistic currents¡­ Before, just as he felt himself on the verge of breaking, his spiral did instead. Like the wind from a storm strong enough to rip trees from their roots, his thoughts were cleared in a great sweeping gale, the flood of negativity dispersing into a fading cloud of gloom. ¡°[Wisdom].¡± Though he felt no presence as he had before, the Trait¡¯s effects were no less significant. In the wake of its touch a clarity of thought asserted itself, Nameless¡¯s mind evaluating his decisions ¨C and the situation they led to ¨C rather than becoming mired within the mistake they entailed. ¡°Wisdom.¡± He again intoned, slowly finding an equilibrium of opinion, a¡­ calm settling over him like the aftermath of a storm, ¡°It was a mistake to so mindlessly throw myself into danger without pause and risk my life, for no other reason than my shame, embarrassment, and frustration¡­¡± ¡°Just as it was a mistake for me to neglect my circumstances, wasting time ¨C as well as my own survival ¨C distracted by my freedom and autonomy, rather than accepting my condition and doing what was necessitated of me.¡± He continued, piecing together a gradual understanding, ¡°But they have already been made, and no amount of my regrets, frustrations, anger, or shame will change that¡­.¡± After so long without, this was the [Wisdom] he remembered; its providing him the composure necessary to put his thoughts and decisions together in the manner that most represented¡­ Him. ¡°While I would prefer nothing more than to never have to make such mistakes again, they are ¨C in their own way ¨C necessary.¡± He felt the world begin to reassert itself to his senses, ¡°For all [Wisdom] has provided, there is so much I do not understand or know, and it is through my mistakes and success both that I am capable of rectifying that.¡± He breathed deeply, wincing slightly as his ribs protested, smelling the musk of the forest, ¡°But I cannot allow myself to make the same such mistakes again; as it is one thing to make it in the first place, and another entirely not to learn from it, so as not to make it again.¡± Taking another breath, he felt himself settle, his thoughts turning to [Wisdom] itself and its sudden reappearance¡­ when he froze. Mind and body halting, he scented at the air again, something mixed in with the smells of the forest and the dead Buffalo, that had his instinct¡¯s hackles risen, ¡°What is i-?¡± Abruptly the thought ¨C and his continued efforts in picking out the smell ¨C were ended, neither question necessary¡­ Afterall, the growl beside him was more than answer enough. Chapter 31 Leaping to his feet, Nameless spun towards the noise, his body screaming its protestations at the move. The air swirling around him at his sudden motion, he felt the heft and chill of the muck clinging to his stomach. While his rise and pivot caused his muscles to tremble and burn, his landing almost made his legs fold under him. All four of his limbs shook heavily beneath his weight, but he buried the pain and fatigue under a deep snarl, his focus on tracking the growl back to its originator¡­ Though he didn¡¯t have to search for long at all. Crouched some lengths before him was a Dark Luster Jaguar, fangs bared, another rumbling growl rising from the Beast to make the shallow water around its legs vibrate. The Beast¡¯s coat shimmered even under the shade of the canopies above, Nameless¡¯s eyes struggling to keep its muscled form in focus, ¡°A Second Stage, then.¡± ¡°Worrying, but not impossible to fend off. Though¡­¡± Nameless met the pale orange eyes of the Jaguar, releasing his own growl back, feeling his chest tighten and sting, ¡°It might be far more difficult for me to fight it, given my current state.¡± His eyes flicked to the whipping tail behind the Jaguar ¨C and down its unmarred body ¨C before snapping back, his snarl increasing in strength, ¡°Then frightening it off is the smartest option.¡± With a flick of intent, Nameless grasped [Deception], intrinsically understanding that its aid would be invaluable in scaring the Beast away. He took a heavy step forward, flaring his wings out to either side of him, making himself look as large as possible. He hid the fatigue and pain wracking him with [Deception]¡¯s support, obscuring his weakness best he could, despite the wounds blemishing his hide and fur, ¡°I just have to hope this is enough. Otherwise¡­¡± He shook his head, banishing the doubts with a loud roar, approaching the Jaguar further with another powerful step, ¡°Turn away!¡± At his roar, the Beast flinched and begun to step back. The Jaguar kept its body low to the ground as it retreated ¨C nearly sliding along the marshland ¨C its eyes constantly shifting off of him, seemingly unable to stare at him directly. ¡°Submission? Good, that means my intimidation worke-¡± His thoughts disappeared like the day did to the rising of the Sister, lost to confusion and¡­ Pain. Without warning a weight crashed into Nameless, hurling him over. He felt whatever creature that had hit him latch on and dig its claws into his hide, cutting and ripping away at his flesh, tearing a scream up from out of his throat. It rode him down, the creature¡¯s mad snarls barely audible beneath Nameless¡¯s own agonized cries, the feeling of his fur and hide being torn apart sending his head spinning, ¡°Off!¡± Resounding with a wet clap, he landed loudly in the muck ¨C having just enough time to tuck his left wing to his side ¨C his attacker¡¯s body falling atop him, a muted *pop* radiating up from his chest and echoing in his head. ¡°GET OFF!¡± With a deafening roar, he moved with his fall, rolling over and dragging his assailant with him. He pulled his hindlegs up and under the creature ¨C its body flopping over his stomach with the roll ¨C its claws burrowing deeper into his hide¡­ and pushed. With an audible rip, Nameless dislodged his attacker, forcefully throwing the creature away. A loud yowl trailed away from him, his pain addled mind barely granting it attention, body already moving to put himself on his feet once more. [Deception] was discarded for [Proprioception], [Observation], and [Tactics]; the bare embers of his focus ¨C not muted by pain ¨C dragging heavily upon the Skills in a desperate effort to bring himself as close to fighting form as possible. ¡°The Jaguar was looking towards one of its kin, not away from me.¡± Nameless realized it was a feint, the first Jaguar drawing his complete attention towards it, obfuscating the second for an ambush, ¡°But I know it exists now, so the Beasts will not be managing another trap like that again.¡± When his paws met mud and water, he swayed, his limbs quivering underneath him, ¡°One Jaguar was worrying enough¡­¡± He staggered and turned, readjusting to put the duo of Beasts within his pain clouded sight, ¡°And two is far far worse.¡± His right flank spasmed with the move, that entire side a mass of agony and heat, the scent of his blood lying heavily in the air. The pain flared further as he settled his feet ¨C feeling [Proprioception]¡¯s paws nudge his posture into something more stable ¨C and swept his head towards the Beasts. The Jaguar he had tossed off of him unsteadily rose to its feet, its lustrous fur coated with his blood, the first coming to its side to cover its kin. Upon meeting, both sets of the Beast¡¯s eyes stared at him¡­ and Nameless stared straight back, utilizing [Observation] to try and study their every subtle twitch; and even borrowing upon [Tactics] to help in his trying to guess how they would choose to go after him, as well as how to counter himself. ¡°Their best choice would be to split up and try to and strike from either side of me. So, I should-¡± Fast enough that, devoid of his Skill, he likely would have missed it, both of the Jaguar¡¯s eyes moved off of him for a moment before returning. Nameless¡¯s eyes widened, body moving before his mind could even catch up, his wings unfurling and slamming down to turn a dart backwards into a long flying retreat. Water and loose mud sprayed away from where he stood, the air whistling past his ears, every muscle used screaming at him¡­ but his attention was solely consumed by what appeared in his place. Another Jaguar had lunged at him, its fur now soaked entirely with the mud and water he had kicked up in the wake of his dodge, now struggling to pull out limbs stuck deeply into the soft marshy soil from its failed attack, ¡°A third, from a tree above!¡± Nameless snarled at the appearance of yet another hostile Beast, despair digging its claws into his heart, his mind struggling desperately to figure out a way forward¡­ when he hit the ground. Snarl turned to pained yowl, further plans evaporating under an uncaring wave of agonized heat, Nameless¡¯s landing violently shuddering up his body. The impact caused his legs to finally collapse ¨C the rest of his body following ¨C his breath forcibly expelled when his chest met the ground. For a terrifying moment the world went dim, Nameless¡¯s consciousness flickering like Lightning Spiders carried on their webs in the wind. His mind was enveloped within an instance of darkness, nothing; no sound, sight, or sensation of any kind, capable of piercing the dark wall of unawareness that had suddenly asserted itself before his waking mind¡­ Until ¨C just as quickly as it had appeared ¨C the darkness fell away, and reality returned in a jarring lurch. Nameless was overwhelmed by the sudden return of his senses, each one slamming into him with almost tangible force; his ears were filled with a buzzing like Nettle Winged Flies, his body so consumed by pain and fatigue that it was almost completely numb, and his eyes struggled to focus ¨C the world spinning and twisting around him ¨C forcing him to squint in an effort to see through the harsh double vision. It appeared to him as though time had skipped forward, the Jaguars suddenly closer than they were, the duplicates created in his wavering sight weaving in and out of each other as they closed on him. ¡°They¡­ are coming. Get¡­ Up!¡± He willed himself to stand, each of his legs shaking so violently that he felt as though he were at the center of a ground tremor, all of them threatening to collapse right out from under him. Nameless recognized that he was at the very end of capabilities, having recklessly pushed himself to his very limits, his entire self ¨C mind, body, and even soul ¨C on the verge of faltering¡­ But he would not yield, he would not fall to despair. Rising to his full height, Nameless exerted every amount of willpower he had to disperse the fangs of desperation and fatigued that gnawed upon every fibre of his being. Struggling to retrieve them with a mind still dazed and off kilter, he gathered his intent and reached out to his Skills, feeling the threads of purpose strike out into the bowels of his soul to drag their support to the surface. Stolen novel; please report. [Proprioception]. [Observation] and [Spatial Sense]. [Tactics] and [Tracking]. He felt each of his Skills¡¯ support bloom within him, their presence a comfort to Nameless even if they didn¡¯t drastically change his situation or condition. His intent dove further while the most necessary Skills began their work; bringing [Leap], [Dodge], [Sprint], [Claws], and even [Flight] to waiting, a perceptible pressure building in his soul with so many Skills being frantically grasped at once. However, the fear of injuring his soul again was nothing but a light breeze to the storm of terror that was the approaching death the Jaguars represented. ¡°I doubted that I could survive two of the Beasts, let alone three¡­¡± He stared at the coming Beasts, [Observation] helping to steady his sight¡­ And felt the cold coil of worn and tired fear clench tightly around his gut, ¡°But there will be no possibility at all of surviving five of them¡­¡± Instead of the appearance of more than three ¨C created through his struggling focus ¨C another two had actually been added to the Beasts¡¯ numbers. They were spread out before him, all five sets of eyes upon him, each drinking in his every errant movement and shift. Their approach was cautious, bodies tensed for action¡­ but each was devoid of fear. ¡°They believe I am done¡­ that whatever fight I have left in me is no real danger to them¡­¡± Nameless glared at the Jaguars, their spacing lengthening as they moved to envelop him, ¡°I will make them realize how much of a mistake that is.¡± He smiled and growled, the Beasts halting at the deep rumble emanating from his chest, ¡°Because if my survival is impossible, if Death¡¯s claim this day is inevitable,¡± His smile grew wider, becoming a mad and disconcerting thing, ¡°Then I will make sure that when my final breath is taken, it will not just be my blood shed upon the ground¡­¡± Working at the speed of thought, [Tactics] flowed to the fore of Nameless¡¯s mind, honing and presenting every errant plan and path he could consider. Illusory forms of himself splitting away from him, the Skill building off of his imagination and thought, phantom conflict after phantom conflict playing out in front of his eyes in an instant. To aid and enhance his considerations further, the Skill pulled heavily upon his memories, bringing clarity to every relevant experience that had remained just outside of his mind¡¯s reach¡­ and landing on one specifically. For a blink the Jaguar¡¯s disappeared, replaced by a familiar writhing horde of phantasmal I¡¯thekik, flickering like a mirage, ¡°It feels as though that fight were eons ago now¡­ ¡± The memories of the I¡¯thekik swarm dispersed almost as soon as they appeared, but his copies¡­ they began to shift in their absence, aiming for the last of the Beasts at either end, just as he had done to those insectoid Monsters in the past. ¡°But it is¡­ fitting, that a true battle performed so soon after my awakening, would be what appears ¨C so vibrantly ¨C to me now in my time of need.¡± His illusory mimics tangled with similarly imagined Jaguars, engaging in a conflict of guesswork and supposition; every strike, dodge, and shift made ¨C by both sides ¨C ones based on his assumptions¡­ But just as his time was finite, so too were the limits of what he could conceive. The further into the false combat he considered, the greater [Tactics] struggled under the weight of possibility, his mimics dissipating into a roiling hazy cloud of chance, ¡°That is the end of it then¡­¡± Nameless shifted his focus back onto the initial strike, the few claws worth of remaining mimics there reflecting what paths he considered most successful, carefully thinking over each, ¡°Now all that is left is to choose.¡± Only heartbeats had passed as his mind and [Tactics] worked on plan of attacks, the Jaguars only just regaining their confidence to begin stalking towards him once more, ¡°Use that hesitance and¡­¡± ¡°Strike!¡± A decision made, [Tactics] faded into the back of his conscious, Nameless rushing forward with a sudden charge that caused a waft of water and mud to rise in his wake. In the gap left behind by [Tactics], [Proprioception] and [Sprint] filtered in, the two Skills entwinning tightly with one another like serpents mating. He felt his paws fall with surety, the unsteadying mud and water barely noticeable beneath them; and his body¡¯s every muscle coiled and snapped to his demands, acting despite the strain that burned within them to give his charge the speed and power necessary to catch the Jaguars off guard¡­ With his Skills underwing, the distance between himself and his target Beast was cleared in a daunting sprint, the Jaguars ¨C for all their seeming prepared ¨C caught flat pawed by the sheer speed of his advance. The rightmost Jaguar most of all. With no other sound than the heavy huffs of his breathing and the squelch of the mud under his paws, Nameless slammed through the Beast, acutely feeling the force of their collision radiate through every strained muscle and agonizing injury. Growling though the pain, his momentum taking him past the Jaguar ¨C its body crumpled to the ground ¨C he was forced to rapidly turn around; the beating of his heart signifying how little time he had left to act unopposed. The hasty pivot faced him towards the Jaguar, Nameless finding the Beast already rising to its feet¡­ though it was struggling heavily ¨C its limbs shaking and collapsing under it ¨C and the Beast¡¯s eyes were hazy with confusion. He charged the Jaguar once more, unwilling to let the opportunity of taking at least one of the Beasts out so soon, slip through his claws. His paws dug deeply into the mud, the muscles in each of his legs rippling, tensing in preparation for¡­ A stop. He hadn¡¯t been completely focused on the Jaguar he had first attacked. Well aware that there were still four others to contend with, Nameless had watched their progress to his side, taking in their every move and trying to figure out how they were planning to strike back against him¡­ and also, how to turn their own attack against them. His halt turned into yet another pivot, his body groaning under the stress, wounds across his hide opening further to soak his already matted fur further in his own lifeblood. But his focus was elsewhere, the abuse he was foisting upon himself barely a consideration, his attentions instead consumed by the Beast nearly upon him. He recognized it in the short instance they locked eyes, its underbelly and legs darkened by blood¡­ his blood, marking it as his original ambusher. In repetition, the Jaguar was leaping at the same side it had savaged earlier ¨C its hindlegs just leaving the marshen soil ¨C limbs outstretched, and claws exposed in a pose that radiated a feral anticipation¡­ That quickly turned to panicked horror as Nameless¡¯s injured flank disappeared, only to be replaced by a pounce of his own. With the additional aid of [Leap], he took off. A sharp bite of agony rushed up and through him in much the same way as the air did past his ears, however Nameless easily disregarded the newest reminder of his state, his interest solely occupied by the Jaguar he aimed to meet. And kill. They closed upon each other in mid-air, the Jaguar frantically struggling to twist itself out of his path to little avail ¨C no purchase within reach that could halt or drastically change its trajectory ¨C while Nameless opened his maw, transforming his maddened grin into a gaping pit of fangs. One that soon found itself filled. His jaws snapped down on the Beast¡¯s throat, rich crimson spraying from in between his fangs, a gurgling yowl bubbling up from the punctures in its neck. He dragged the Jaguar down with him, his own mass and speed far exceeding the Beast¡¯s own, leaving it entirely to his mercies. However, that did not mean the Jaguar was without fight. Even with his fangs embedded in its throat, the beat of its heart pulsing on his tongue, the Jaguar lived. It writhed in his fanged grasp ¨C desperately trying to remove itself from his teeth ¨C its claws batting at his hide, cutting and slashing with frenzied mortal strength. In its distress most of its slashes were ineffectual, barely recognizable against the myriad other tears and cuts marking his hide, the deepest of them mostly along his chest and underbelly ¨C where the Beast¡¯s hindlegs were capable of finding hold. But, right before impacting the ground, the Jaguar¡¯s right claws dug into his left cheek, the instinctual fear of wounding his eye causing Nameless to unconsciously reel away¡­ Just as the Jaguar pulled its paw down. Claws scraped against bone and fangs, the flesh below Nameless¡¯s left cheek parting like grass to a strong breeze, before they skipped off his lower jawbone leaving nothing but mangled threads of skin behind. The pain made him reflexively bite down further, a hollow *crunch* emanating from the Jaguar¡¯s throat, its trachea crushed under his pain addled grip. The landing followed within the next heartbeat ¨C dirt flying away ¨C forcing Nameless¡¯s fangs all the way through; releasing the Beast in a weakened, dying, heap at his paws and leaving a mass of gore within his mouth. Only, he realized none of this. Opening his mouth the viscera filling it spilled out¡­ and so too did his own blood. He took a breath, hissing at the pain of the air rushing through the rents in his cheek, his jaw struggling to close fully again with the muscles shredded as they were. He could feel the blood flowing down the side of his face like a waterfall, the blood filling the inside of his mouth acting much like its source. He struggled to retain his consciousness, his newly mutilated face another torturous injury in a multitude, whose cumulative presences darkened the edges of his sight with the grating whispers of collapse. Though, whether through a growing madness, daunting stubbornness, or something more, he persisted. Even with his Skills flickering in his mind, his soul aching, and his body failing¡­ Nameless was unbowed and unbroken. The other Beasts were still, frozen stiff with shock, none making so much as a step towards him, even with one of their own kin dying in front of them. Seeing their hesitance, their fear, did nothing to remove his near overwhelming agony and exhaustion, however it did give him something else¡­ A chance. It was a small thing, but it mingled with his anger, fear, and conviction to breathe a shaky life into his flagging mind and soul once more; the sudden reasonable possibility of survival making even his increasingly tenuous grasp on his Skills feel more assured. It was a small thing. Just as a small, unsteady step, placed Nameless¡¯s paw over the neck of the Jaguar that had maimed him twice was. And from it, an indignant determination burning as hot as his wounds, arose, rising in a rumble up his throat, slipping over his tongue, and out his mouth as Naturally as [Telepathy]. ¡°One¡­¡± Nameless¡¯s voice broke the silence with a low growl, punctuated by the *pop* of the Jaguar¡¯s spine as his paw pressed upon it¡­ To the surprise of even Nameless himself. Chapter 32 ¡°One,¡± his voice echoed in his head, raspy from the holes in his cheek, low and rough. He had never spoken before and ¨C though he had heard Mother¡¯s own the few times she had talked aloud before ¨C knew little of how to either. However now, that knowledge and ability¡­ appeared. As though it were always there, he found his mind suddenly alight with information, an intrinsic understanding of how to speak filling the void in his understanding: the feeling of words streaming up from his throat and rolling off his tongue, how to move his mouth to form every word he knew of, cadences and tones¡­ It was an odd and startling moment completely at odds with the danger he was within. The voice¡­ his voice, that had erupted from him, seeming to have the effect of freezing everything into a moment of stunned inaction. But confusion, surprise, and further thoughts on the matter were harshly buried. His life dubiously hanging in the balance, Nameless quickly snapped out of his shock, stealthily surveying his surroundings. Eyes snapping between each, he found the Jaguars remained still, the death of one of their own ¨C despite his obvious weakness ¨C stunning them with fear and hesitation. Unfortunately, they all now stood, the one he had formerly stunned, seeming to have found its footing again, despite the tremors of unsteadiness that wobbled its limbs and flickered in its eyes. ¡°I have to finish that one off while it still remains unstable.¡± Nameless concluded, avoiding looking directly at the Beast ¨C so as not to give a hint of his intentions away ¨C his mind rapidly working through further plans of attack. His leap towards the now dead Jaguar had put its shaky kin to his left and slightly behind, the remining three Beasts standing ahead of him, having moved to catch him before their surprised stop. ¡°If I kill a second, before they reach me, I have a far greater chance of survival.¡± He ran the possibilities through his head, a blink of [Tactics] only supporting his inference further, ¡°However if I do not manage to do so¡­¡± He immediately cut off that path of thought, turning his attention to more practical ones, rather than the same negativity that had led to his current situation, ¡°Focus.¡± The surrounding jungle was silent ¨C even the chirps of insects being absent ¨C as though the World itself held its breath in bated anticipation for what was to come. Soundless, he and the Jaguars remained engaged in a quiet tension, the only signs of their still living; the barest twitches of their muscles, the flicker of their eyes, and the rise and fall of their chests¡­ Until it was broken in a blink. Nameless threw himself around, tepid water loudly splashing under his paws, whirling to face the dazed Jaguar. The sinew in his legs tensed, taut and trembling, coiling for a pounce that would take him upon the staggered Beast. Time seemed to slow, Nameless watching the Jaguar¡¯s awareness slowly shift, the realization of his approach rippling through its body like the shadows before the Brothers¡¯ dawning¡­ Though, unlike their light, he was not so unfaltering. He leapt, murk kicked into the air, and felt his left hindleg give way. The *pop* of muscles snapping barked out and traveled through his flesh, the sound felt more so than heard, an excruciating pain riding upon it to assail his mind as assuredly as his ears. A harsh roar left his mouth, blood flying from it and the holes in has face both, his sight brightening with pain like a strike of lightning had slammed down before him. The world receded to the echo of the roar, his mind drowning under a growing tide of torment¡­ and the fury it created. Nameless landed ¨C the Jaguar startling backwards belatedly ¨C and lurched forward on his three working legs, into the Beast. Body met body, the duo going down in a tangle of limbs and claws, the piercing scream of the Jaguar following it down onto its back. Pupils massive and unfocused, there was little behind his eyes but an animalistic fury, his thoughts lost beneath the tumultuous tide of instinct and preservation. The claws of his forelimbs buried themselves in the Jaguar¡¯s chest ¨C one just below its throat ¨C his quarry thrashing underpaw, panicking. The Beast lashed out wildly, pinned underneath Nameless¡¯s bulk, clawing at every exposed patch of hide within reach of its limbs. Its claws created a mess of rents and cuts, blood running freely from his savaged pelt, the air gnawing at the now exposed flesh¡­ Yet its struggles were to little avail. With a heave, Nameless tore his claws down, both sets *clicking* as they skipped over the Beast¡¯s ribs. Lustrous fur parted to reveal the muscle and bone below, rich dark blood flooding behind his claws, the Jaguar¡¯s growls and snarls turning to a gasping hiss. Writhing in desperation, the Jaguar¡¯s own instincts asserted themselves, its focus becoming a desperate need to escape from under him instead. An escape that was not allowed¡­ Nameless adjusted and tore his claws down once more ¨C feeling the Beast¡¯s lifeblood soak his paws ¨C keeping it trapped. He dug his claws in and ripped away at its flesh, creating pained and fearful wailing from his prey while it squirmed in a hopeless endeavor to extricate itself from his grasp. The Jaguar¡¯s stubborn survival ¨C despite the claws that continued to mangle its chest ¨C aggravating him; impatience begun to overwhelm his fury, the pain submerged by his frenzy beginning to insidiously lap at the edges of his consciousness. His instincts urged haste¡­ and Nameless abided. With only a heartbeat of hesitation he started to open his mouth, feeling the skin and flesh of his shredded cheek tug painfully with the movement of his jaw. Mouth opening to its fullest, strands of flesh tore and snapped the tauter they became¡­ but the damage he was doing to himself was ignored. There was nothing ¨C pain or otherwise ¨C capable of piercing the haze that had befallen him, his desire for survival overpowering his instincts, twisting and corrupting even that of his self-preservation into a violent and mindless thing. The agony that rippled down every fibre, the disfigured condition of his form, the damage caused by the Jaguars¡­ and himself, didn¡¯t matter ¨C His fangs were coated in blood, his and the Beasts¡¯, rivulets of red running down the dark skin of his face to drip onto the hysterical Jaguar beneath him. ¨C There was only one thing on his mind, a focus so all-encompassing that everything beyond it was muted and distant¡­ Survival by brutal means. He struck, a stream of blood following his head down, and slammed his fangs through the Jaguar¡¯s throat ¨C the hollow *crack* of cartilage traveling up through his teeth. It¡¯s blood swelling into his mouth to the current of its heart, the Beast stilled for an instance in shock, and Nameless took full advantage. With a twist, the Jaguar¡¯s gullet was violently prised from the flesh and muscle of its neck, a ragged hole left behind spraying blood into the air ¨C and his face ¨C like a pulsating geyser. Though not an immediate one, it was a mortal blow, the Beast being left to either choke to death or succumb to loss of blood¡­ and it was an end that could be made at no better time. Fangs messily separating from the Beast¡¯s throat, a weight crashed down on top of him, detaching him from the dying Jaguar in an awkward stumble. The rest of its kin had arrived, with claws slashed at his back, tearing away flesh, fur, and feathers. He was caught off balance, his injured hind leg crumpling, the violent joining of a new Jaguar to the fray making his frenzied state waver and thin¡­ just enough. As though awaiting this moment, Nameless¡¯s anguish, fear, and distress pushed through the weakened fog of warped instinct, his mind abruptly reeling as awareness returned. Weighing upon him as heavily as the Beast atop, reality crashed into him with obscene clarity; his wounds, the difficulty he had moving, how close he was to collapsing in exhaustion, the Jaguars and so much more, assaulted his mind with almost tangible force. It was overwhelming, to the point of nearly debilitating him¡­ but only nearly. He forcefully extended his wings out to either side of him, dislodging one of the claws buried in his right shoulder, and slammed them down as he pushed up with his forelegs. The combined force spun him upwards and over, his back ¨C and the Jaguar attached ¨C crashing into the marsh, knocking the air out of his lungs and a piercing yowl from the Beast. Gasping, Nameless continued to move, flicking out his right wing to roll himself over. He struggled to retain consciousness, every thought sluggish, each movement made threatening to be the last his body was capable of performing. Still, he stubbornly pushed forward. In a crude reflection of [Wisdom]¡¯s bolstering his Soul, he dug to the very depths of his being, dragging out even the barest embers of willpower and determination to keep the darkness of collapse at bay. It was a tenuous thing, as tenuous as the grasp he had somehow retained on a few of his Skills ¨C[Proprioception], [Dodge], [Sprint], and [Claws] the only ones remaining ¨C but it was enough¡­ it had to be. Paws met cloying mire; water, blood, and mud dripping off of him. His roll faced him towards the remaining Jaguars ¨C the two darting in for an attack ¨C while the third struggled to make it to its own paws, buried partially into softened ground. With the Jaguars approaching, there was little choice but for him to brace and observe, his lame hindleg drastically reducing his mobility. He watched the two Beasts smartly split apart, forcing him to choose one over the other and ¨C inevitably ¨C leave a portion of himself exposed to the other. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. The decision was an easy if not forced one, his mangled right-side necessitating far greater protection to him than his relatively unscathed left. Mind made up, Nameless held his ground ¨C having little trust in his capacity to move any longer ¨C eyes darting between the two rapidly closing Beasts. Their sinuous muscles writhed under lustrous fur, creating ripples and whorls that shimmered in his vision like waves in the night, confounding him. Their forms flickering to his sight, Nameless¡¯s pain-added mind struggled to focus directly on them. But, with the awareness of where they were rushing towards, there was little need of him to strain his attentions trying to follow them completely. Even as the Jaguars made their final approach, he remained still, eyes no longer following either to save his mind the further stress as well as keep the Beasts unaware of what he might do next. His muscles tensed in place as the splashing of their progress grew louder in his ears, his body unconsciously preparing for what was to come; the combat, the pain¡­ and what he needed to do next. To the sound of his attacker¡¯s growing growls and snarls, he finally shifted, turning to face one of the two and exposing a defenseless side to the other. Lowering himself close to the ground, Nameless aimed to cover as much of himself as possible before their claws met. One wing draped itself over his undefended flank, adding a temporary ¨C if ineffectual layer ¨C between the Jaguar and his hide, and his every muscle coiled tightly in anticipation to counter or brace whatever attack would surely come. Unable to move further with his lamed leg, he felt the agonizing slowness of heartbeats passing, just waiting ¨C with preparations finalized ¨C for the Jaguars to strike so he too may do so in kind. Eyes latched to his chosen Beast, he allowed it to consume most of his focus, following it as it circled quickly around him just out of reach¡­ Until, with a twitch of his ears, he caught just the sound he had been waiting for. With a powerful shove, Nameless twisted around himself, his right hindleg protesting loudly at having to support his entire weight through the motion... all so he could face the Beast that had aimed to attack his ¡°defenseless¡± right. It was a risky and quick plan, wrought with the possibility of failure. However ¨C with the sight of the Jaguar just leaving the marshy ground to pounce ¨C he was confident he had chosen the best path forward, despite its lacking [Tactics]¡¯ touch upon it. The moment his paws touched ground, Nameless was moving again, pushing himself upwards towards the rapidly approaching Jaguar. His eyes were fixed to the Beast¡¯s throat, mouth opening, the sole intention of his scheme to kill it as fast as possible before moving on. Incapable of Magic as he was, whether it be Beast or Monster, the most definitive manner of killing he could manage was through his opponent¡¯s throat. Breaking its spine, crushing its trachea, or puncturing its aortas were all mortal wounds only the most resilient creatures could survive through, which made the method ¨C despite its monotony ¨C a reliably deadly technique. Hurtling towards him, Nameless rose to meet the Jaguar, fangs fully bared. Unlike his earlier leaps ¨C prior to his hindleg giving out ¨C he was well aware that he now lacked the strength to perform a true leap; so, in the same way as he had turned himself around, he used his forelegs once again to thrust his front half upwards, precariously balancing on his remaining back leg for the instant necessary for he and Beast to meet¡­ Violently. With a horrendous scraping-clack, fangs met fangs, Nameless missing the Jaguar¡¯s throat and instead burying his fangs into either of its cheeks. The momentum of the Beast broke what little balance he retained, forcing him to spin as he fell, his jaws squeezing down tighter to the sound of cracking bones and teeth. Plans rapidly adjusted themselves in his head, but one ¨C ironically ¨C stood out to even his struggling mind. Thrusting his right wing out, he used the force of its opening to speed up his rotation, while holding tight to the Jaguar in his maw. The awkward clasp of Nameless¡¯s jaws to their own leaving it completely to his mercies, the Beast flailed in the air with the twist, only capable of maddeningly snarling and gnashing its teeth against his intruding fangs. Ignoring the Jaguar¡¯s struggles, he nearly completed much of his turn¡­ and with a jerk of his neck and the horrid *crunch* of bone he had the Jaguar finish the remainder first. Only, without its lower jaw. As the memorable battle with the horde of I¡¯thekik had assisted him earlier, so too did it do so here. Careening through the air ¨C blood and strings of shredded tissue flying with it ¨C the Beast was thrown away, directly into the path of its kin. In water, blood, and mud they met, the grounded of the two trying to dodge out of the way of its hurtling companion, only to be taken down mid-jump. With the Jaguars occupied, Nameless fell heavily on his side. Unable to completely close his wing in time, he felt the end of the limb crack under his weight, adding both to the number of broken bones he had as well as another source of suffering. The water and mud aggravated the tears and rents across his right flank, the sharp sting forcing a ragged hiss through his fangs and the holes in his cheek. He staggered to his paws, his lower left side drooping without his hindleg to support it, eyes snapping to the Jaguars in preparation of yet more to come. The one he had thrown writhed wildly in the mud and shallow water, clawing at the mauled and gory flesh that hung limply without the jaw that had once connected to it. A constant guttural groan emanated from its permanently opened maw, a terrifying death wail punctuated by the hacking wretch of blood and bile forcefully expelled in it distress. It was no longer a threat, its death a certain, but agonizingly slow one. Its kin on the other claw, still was. It too staggered to its paws, mud, water, and scratches marring its once pristine fur, breaking itself away from its mortally wounded prowl-mate¡­ with a quite noticeable limp. The sign of weakness was 0verwhelmingly tantalizing, mingling with his hopes of survival, to almost¡­ almost compel him to making a hasty decision. However, he just barely held himself back, the awareness that what little strength he had left would be immediately exhausted ¨C if he went on the offensive ¨C staying his claws¡­ That is, until the moment the dying Jaguar lashed out. With a stumble that took it too close to its panicked kin, the limping Beast found itself being attacked. The downed Jaguar slashed with wild abandon, too hysterical to realize that what had approached was not Nameless, but one of its own. Confused and angered, the other lashed back, further adding to the misunderstanding with its own claws and fangs. They exchanged blows, blood and fur flying from either, Nameless forgotten in their own personal haze of conflict. Which immediately broke his self-control. He awkwardly weaved forward, neither Jaguar so much as looking in his direction, every step physically draining him. His approach was loud and unrefined, but as quick as he could manage; the fear that he would miss his chance to dispose of the Beasts ¨C if he didn¡¯t move fast enough ¨C making haste the only acceptable path. Snarling and tumbling over one another, the Jaguars tore away at each other, throwing mud and water about, oblivious to their surroundings¡­ and Nameless¡¯s sudden looming over them. Without hesitation he joined the fray, bearing down upon the tangled Beasts with claws out. With weight and surprise on his side, Nameless cut deep into the distracted flesh of the limping Jaguar, easily tearing through the right side of its chest. Hissing at the sudden attack, the Beast reeled away¡­ only to receive a claw across the throat by its maddened kin. Blood bubbling and frothing from the wound, its coming death was obvious. But it was not yet done. With a dying rage, the Jaguar snapped back, its jaws cracking down over its similarly wounded prowl-mate¡¯s skull ¨C fangs puncturing both of its eyes. It worried its head back and forth, shredding the surrounding hide, and tearing a jarring wail out of the mangled maw of its kin. Nameless stumbled back, distancing himself from the two Beasts and slumped down onto the ground, watching the Beasts¡¯ final moments. The jawless Jaguar swung its claws at the other, digging deeper and deeper cuts into whatever it could reach, leaving nothing but ragged hanging skin and fur behind; while the limping Jaguar bit down harder, its fangs audibly scraping against and cracking through bone. They seemed matched, neither able to instantly fell the other, forced to continue an exchange that would only see both falling to exhaustion before death¡­ When, with a wet *pop*, the jawless Jaguar¡¯s skull collapsed under the other¡¯s bite. It spasmed and twitched, still trapped between the fangs of its prowl-mate, the final vestiges of life sputtering through its form. Hide and fur torn and bleeding, the surviving Jaguar fell heavily to the ground, fangs firmly embedded in the remnants of its deceased kin¡¯s skull. Ragged and wet breaths escaped its snout, blood spurting from the deep cuts in its neck, eyes unfocused and wavering. ¡°It is done¡­¡± With the beast now down ¨C dying and drained ¨C its threat to him was nonexistent¡­ allowing for Nameless to release a tremulous sigh of relie- A growl announced the presence of a figure forgotten, Nameless clumsily struggling to his paws¡­ only to collapse, ¡°No¡­¡± The third of the last Jaguars stalked into sight, its fur completely covered in mud, a slight hitch to its breath. So caught up within dealing with the others, he had forgotten there was yet another, one last remaining Beast that he had to kill or frighten away to survive. And now¡­ he had none of the strength to do either. ¡°One.¡± The word whispered across his mind, bringing with it sorrow, regret, and the death of his hope. He had fought with everything he had, managed to do so much, but it wasn¡¯t enough. The Beast was wary in its approach despite his state, a sign of its fear of him that made Nameless feel proud despite his failure, ¡°Four Stage Twos¡­ killed on my own.¡± He smiled, his visage a disconcerting sight, flashing his blood-soaked teeth; his sorrow, fear, and regret lightening somewhat, ¡°Would have¡­ been better¡­ if I had taken them all.¡± The Jaguar froze, Nameless huffing at the effect of his mangled face¡­ only to choke and sputter at another intrusion. [Look. Bad.] A thread of [Telepathy] weaved around his consciousness, Shade¡¯s words as direct as the charge of a Bark Horn and dry as water-less riverbed. Unable to turn and see his brother, Nameless used their connection to follow Shade, feeling his mind slowly grow closer. However, while he couldn¡¯t see Shade, the last Jaguar could¡­ In a panicked dart, the Jaguar spun and ran, wildly rushing through Jungle with fearful abandon, leaving its fallen prowl-mates¡­ and Nameless behind without so much as a second glance. Ending the last threat to his survival without a drop of blood shed. Just as his hope started with the death of a single Jaguar and died at the paws of one other¡­ it was fulfilled by the presence of one well timed brother, [I could not be more grateful for your appearance, Brother.] Tired and injured, Nameless cared little for obfuscating his skill in [Telepathy], replying with a vibrant braided telepathic thread that shimmered between them with clarity of thought. [Heard. Fight. Interested. Found. You. Watched.] A small amount of Shade¡¯s shock and surprise ¨C at Nameless¡¯s own [Telepathy] ¨C leaked through their connection, his words laden with his vision of the fight, [Came. When. Needed.] [So, you watched me fight from the second kill on and¡­ did not even think to come to my aid sooner?] Nameless had a feeling that he already knew Shade¡¯s thought process, both from what he gathered from his communication as well as the past¡­ however he was still curious enough about his brother¡¯s reasoning that he had to ask. [No. Need.] Shade answered simply, only ¨C with his [Telepathy] as high as it was ¨C Nameless caught the hidden undercurrent behind the answer. Shade didn¡¯t feel like helping. A chuckle rumbled up from Nameless¡¯s chest, quickly growing into a hysterical full-bodied laughter, deep and rich, [Thank you, Brother.] Nameless sent his gratitude through their connection, the thread almost glowing to the mind with the sincerity of it, [Thank you.] No immediate reply came¡­ not consciously at least; a subtle embarrassment, pride, and relief traveling down Shade¡¯s thread to reveal the true feelings of his brother. To spare his brother further embarrassment, Nameless continued to commune, laughter still filling his lungs, [We will need to move soon.] [Yes.] Shade latched on to the change in conversation, his brusque demeanor returning, [You. Injured. Need. Rest. Soon.] [That I do.] Nameless¡¯s levity quickly began to die, the exhaustion and pain rising to the surface, [Can you help me up first?] [Yes.] Shade reiterated; following his communication of which side needed support, his brother padded over to Nameless¡¯s left and allowed him to brace the wing of the same side atop him. [Where. Go?] Shade questioned, shifting to settle Nameless''s wing, his [Telepathy] prodding for a direction. [My lair¡­ though it is¡­ quite some distance¡­ away.] His mind was becoming sluggish once again, the fear and relief he had felt no longer enough to compensate for his exhaustion. [Will. Get. There.] Shade surprisingly reassured, already moving to face himself and Nameless in the direction of the den, [But. Should. Focus. Walking. Not. Talk.] Nameless smiled and chuffed despite his fatigue¡­ though as he began to walk with Shade, he did just his brother requested, and unspun his [Telepathy]¡­ Leaving them both with a much-deserved silence. Chapter 33 Shade growled in his ears, the sound vibrating through where his brother¡¯s mouth met the nape of his neck. Nameless had held on for far longer than he reasonably should have, persevering despite the pain to make it to his den¡­ and the rest that awaited him there. However his body had very much reached the limits of what it could endure; his every step had grown more difficult to make, his bulk leaning upon Shade more and more, his reliance on his brother¡¯s guidance becoming greater and greater¡­ Until his body had merely¡­ given up. At the bottom of the last climb to the den, he had collapsed ¨C falling off of Shade ¨C his body drained and unresponsive, forcing his brother to drag him upwards by the scruff. "I¡­ am sorry¡­ brother." Nameless apologized once more within the confines of his mind, feeling guilty and burdensome for his weakness, unable to so much as try to walk on his own. In reminder of said weakness, his sight swirled with a nauseating maelstrom of motion and hues; the pinch of his brother¡¯s fangs, and the scraping of his body against the ground, unable to pierce the increasingly delirious confines of his mind. A groan rose from his throat, a wave of bone deep heat sweeping through, with a teeth rattling shiver following closely behind, Fever¡­. Even with all of [Mythical Constitution]¡¯s benefits, just as it did not make him invulnerable, so too did it not prevent him from suffering the eventual effects of such amounts of injuries and fatigue. His moons worth of mindless conflict and accumulated injuries had exhausted him completely, overwhelming his [Constitution]¡¯s capacity for healing, and leaving him¡­ infirm. And ripe for malady. "How long¡­ has this sickness¡­ lurked?" Nameless wondered, his thoughts as weak and stilted as his breathing, the ill heat in his chest ebbing and flowing like a lake¡¯s waves. "From¡­ the first cut¡­ of a Splinter¡¯s claws? Or from the¡­ fangs of one of the¡­ Blossom¡¯s?" Fear swam within the febrile waves, the possibility that ¨C for all he had suffered and survived through ¨C he might be felled by illness a terrifying and very real one. "Just as¡­ the Jaguars¡­ it waited¡­ for just the right time¡­ to strike." Another shiver, even more violent than the last, made Nameless¡¯s teeth chitter against one another, the fevered tremor causing his brother¡¯s hold on him to slip. Shade snapped forward, catching Nameless before he could drop, his fangs piercing the hide and fur at his nape. With a harsh tug, teeth pulling skin taught, his brother pulled him back up, snarling in frustration and exertion¡­ but never letting him go. A string of [Telepathy] slinked into his mind, barely audible against the susurrus of delirium and pain that roiled within, [Hold. Brother. Almost. There.] The thoughts were heavy with his strain as well as a shaky effort at comfort, but also¡­ a deep concern, that his brother failed to hide. There was an agitation to Shade¡¯s assurance, his insistent dragging growing more panicked and rushed. "He is¡­ worried." There was a certain morbid humor to his having made the most unflappable of his siblings display so many emotions. However, that they all arose from his rapidly failing state, made it far more morbid than humorous. Nameless moaned once more, trying to spin together some semblance of directed intent to create his own telepathic thread, from which he could reply¡­ only for it to slip from focus like water through his claws. His soul was as exhausted as the rest of him ¨C unable to move to his desires and will just as his limbs had ¨C leaving him trapped within the turbulent currents of infection, powerless to so much as send a single amount of his support or appreciation to his struggling sibling. "I¡­ am sorry¡­ for my weakness¡­ Shade." The thought ¨C laden heavy with his regret and chagrin ¨C whispered insidiously inside his already battered psyche, speaking to the very same doubts that had led to his current state. It twisted and surged around his infirmity, nipping at the raw instability of his mind, goading him into succumbing to further miseries. However, his complexes had little time to dig their malevolent fangs into the addled and fragile meat of his mind, yet another shudder jarring him from their grasp¡­ As well as Shade¡¯s. Even more brutally, he began to convulse. Vision becoming a rapid flicker of sight and darkness ¨C with the uncontrollable flutter of his eyes and lids ¨C his body spasmed and thrashed with such sudden violence that Shade¡¯s teeth split straight through Nameless¡¯s hide, dropping him heavily to the ground. The impact and the blare of concern from Shade were unrecognizable behind the chaos of his seizing brain, nothing beyond the barest notion of sensation perceptible through the scintillating light burning through his entire consciousness. He could control nothing, not even a singular thought managing to coalesce into completion¡­ but so too were his emotions lost beneath the harsh tide of fever. In a perverse manner, with Nameless¡¯s mind receding under the deluge of sickness ¨C unable to withstand the latest crest to smash down upon his weakened psyche ¨C he found a peace that he had been lacking. Muted and distant as his senses were, so too were his emotions, leaving nothing but an odd, delirious tranquility to consume his thoughts¡­ and, soon after, the all-encompassing darkness of the depths of unconsciousness. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D Moments of dazed consciousness flitted in between large expanses of nothingness; Nameless¡¯s few awakenings marred by agonizing instances of sickness. Time had little presence to him, the passage of it marked only by the repeatedly emptied contents of his stomach as well as the continued comings and goings of Shade. The sound of yet another of his brother¡¯s returns roused him from the throes of delirium, the heavy scrape of a body dragging through the plant cover at the mouth of the cave ¨C and across the stone ¨C alerting him to what was likely another of Shade¡¯s successful hunts. He couldn¡¯t move to watch though, his entire body suffused with a bone-deep lethargy, the act of even opening his eyes a monumental one. So, on the floor he remained, still, forced to wallow in sickened sour scents and burning pain. [Need. Eat. Brother.] With the thump of a corpse hitting the ground, Shade¡¯s voice came as a whisper in his head, a soft touch of [Telepathy] that brushed lightly against his mind¡­ yet resounded with the force of a roar within the aching and addled confines of it. Nameless winced, hissing through his fangs, mind recoiling as though struck. The malady running rampant throughout his body made even the lightest touch of [Telepathy] aggravate the throbbing headache draped across his skull, [Try¡­] His telepathic intent trembled like scared prey caught in his claws, barely capable of creating an audible thread through which he could reply¡­ however, it was significantly better than the ¡°movements¡± that followed, despite its weakness. With a deep and rolling rumble of discomfort, Nameless shakily pushed himself up, releasing heavy pained breaths as his muscles struggled to act to his desires. He swayed on three paws, balancing precariously: his left hindleg preventing him from standing on all four ¨C the limb a hot and swollen mass ¨C without collapsing under an excruciating wave of pain. Legs quavering underneath him, the loud gulping of air filled the confines of the cave. His lungs yearned for air, limbs threatening to collapse with their every jerk and buck, the entirety of his body reacting as though he had been chasing down prey, rather than merely forcing himself up. [Brother. No. Nee-] Shade started, [Telepathy] heavy with hues of concern, only to abruptly stop at the snarling hiss that snapped back.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. [No.] Nearly making himself black out, the flare of emotions ¨C mingling with his intent ¨C straining his already drawn mind and soul, Nameless¡¯s telepathic string undulated and wavered wildly with frustration and stubborn commitment. He opened his right eye ¨C the other shut tightly by swelling ¨C squinting towards where Shade¡¯s [Telepathy] emanated from through flickering sight, [I¡­ must not¡­ let it win¡­] With a lurching gait Nameless staggered forward, growling as his movements tugged upon swollen and tender flesh, every shaky step threatening to send him back down to the ground. Physical pain melded with a deep nausea, his sight whirling dizzily, causing his stomach to roil and the familiar sting of bile to rise in his throat. However he did not allow the pain or discomfort to stop him. In his lucidity, Nameless realized he stood on a precipice, one that ¨C if he faltered ¨C would see him succumbing to the malady running rampant throughout him. "To stop, to fall, would be to submit to my illness, weakness¡­ and the death that would surely follow." It was fear and frustration, anger and determination that resonated through his every quivering step, each press of his paw announcing to the World his desperate conviction for survival against an enemy he could only weather. He swallowed constantly, saliva dripping from between his fangs, long strings trailing down to the ground. Even the struggle of subduing his nausea ¨C forcing the bile that swirled in his throat back down ¨C was a daunting task, another of the myriad internal battles waging incessantly within, gnawing at his already fragile consciousness. Pain, vertigo, delirium, and more ripped through him, leaving no fibre of his ¨C from muscle and bone to mind and soul ¨C untouched¡­ Yet he persevered. Paws scraping the ground, he staggered on, fighting for every step. The closer he shuffled, the greater he felt the distance between himself, Shade, and his kill were, his body shuddering with an exertion akin to his navigating some wide and rough land, rather than the short length of cave that he had truly crossed. The sight in his one eye wavered, Shade¡¯s face undulating like a rippling reflection, the concern and confusion upon his features warping with Nameless¡¯s vertigo. "He probably thinks¡­ I am mad for pushing myself so much¡­ for what seems so little." "But it is far more than¡­ some conviction or base stubbornness that moves me." He winced at another ripple of agony, cold waves of fever making his fur stand on end. "No¡­ there is much more." He felt the wounds crossing his body in utmost clarity, the memories behind each of their origins flickering past his mind like shoals of fish shimmering under the Brothers. From the first made by an Onyx-Fang all the way to those left behind by the Dark Luster Jaguars, with each echo came a flash of the pain felt at the time, until it fell to the last¡­ One wound not of flesh but of soul¡­ The looming visage of the final Jaguar gazed down upon him, the fear and regret, sorrow and rage, he had felt collapsed before it, swimming within its eyes. In its face he had given up, he had lost. Even if he knew deep down that his failure had come only once all the fight in him was gone, the impotence and disappointment that last moment had conjured lingered even now. Twinning within the shadow of his infirmity, aggravating and prodding his fragile psyche, It ¨C that memory and the emotions it elicited ¨C more so than any other reason, pushed him onward. His singular eye gleamed with determination, a harsh growl curling up from his chest like the rumble of thunder before a storm, "I will never allow¡­ myself to feel such¡­ weakness again. For so long as I yet breathe¡­ I will struggle." While the battle with the Jaguars had come and gone ¨C incapable of being changed ¨C how he acted now, against the malady that wore at his flesh and blood, was a different matter. "Even if¡­ I do not need¡­ to go so far." Nameless stumbled, catching himself by splaying his legs out wide, his stomach nearly touching the stone. "It is far more so that¡­ I must. For whether I survive¡­ this illness, or not, if I do so¡­ without trying my utmost¡­ to overcome it, I will have disgraced myself¡­ more so than ever before." With a grunt he collected himself, his limbs wobbling with exertion, the breaths leaving his maw like great gales at the center of a monsoon. One paw was placed before the other, his focus narrowing down to just the act of walking, the pain and exhaustion drowned below the tide of his conviction¡­ Until it was broken by the slightest of changes. The change of texture beneath his right paw was abrupt and startling, the cold stone giving way to the warm and supple hide of Shade¡¯s kill. He tripped ¨C falling forward ¨C only dazedly managing to brace himself as his body fell atop the dead one below. A forceful groan escaped his lips as he landed, the impact shuddering up his body, consciousness fleeing for a moment as though it were smacked out of him from the fall. [Alright?] Shade¡¯s voice flitted into his head, dry and flat as a crisp wind over a drought-stricken lake, though a subtle tremor of distress and anxiety writhed beneath his tone like Rock Worms under soil. Pushing himself tremulously off the corpse, another groan slipped through Nameless¡¯s fangs, his eye pressed tightly shut as a headache bloomed across his brow. [Yes¡­] His [Telepathy] rumbled and flashed with strain, annoyance, and a slight hint of embarrassment [I am¡­ fine.] The skin of his face was slick with sweat, every breath was a rattling wheeze, and his body ached from bone to hide ¨C with even the touch of air and the slightest shift of muscle causing him to wince. However¡­ his state mattered little to him in the moment. Looking blearily downward, his eye traveled the length of Shade¡¯s kill; a squat head with small, rounded ears, connected to a long and sinuous body covered in slick fur the colour of mud. "I¡­ made it¡­" Standing above the dead Giant Murk Otter Nameless felt¡­ relieved. It was a small, rather inconsequential success in comparison to his having fought against five Second Stages and lived, however it almost carried just as much significance to him. All life was one of struggle, a demand of the World itself for one to grow and develop. But, while It valued the greater ones most ¨C where life and death balanced on the tip of a claw ¨C that did not make the smaller struggles any lesser. His struggle to stand and walk, may well have been meaningless in the eyes of the World, but¡­ even if his illness stuck him down in the end, and all his fighting against it was for nought, the act meant something to him. It was step towards giving voice to his determination; that in the face of strife and defeat he would persevere and survive, to never allow himself to be brought low until there was no more fight left for him to give. But so too was it one towards understanding; he could feel the sting of his failures as vibrantly as the wounds on his hide, however with the bite of shame, so too came the realization of defeat¡¯s necessity. The difficulties ¨C both small and large ¨C he experienced, and the choices and consequences he created in confronting them¡­ made him. "I will¡­ strive to make my failures¡­ few." Nameless inhaled, allowing for the familiar realization to swirl through the haze of his delirium. "But from those¡­ inevitably made, I will bare them¡­ just as my scars¡­ and learn from each." This time the realization seemed to settle far deeper into his mind than before, as though the myriad wounds allowed for the lesson to seep into his very being, penetrating all the way down to his core. The hollow victory against the Jaguars and the sickness that followed, carried the heavy weight of repercussion and humiliation ¨C firmly embedding the risks his living entailed within his mind ¨C but so too did Nameless sense a possibility of¡­ growth within the wake of their happening¡­ Only, not one of Power, but of Self. He turned towards Shade, the thread of [Telepathy] between them still weakened, however now seeming somewhat more¡­ solid than before, [I¡­ made it.] Shade chuffed, [Did. Yes.] Nameless could sense that his brother didn¡¯t quite grasp the significance behind his utterance, Shade¡¯s words carrying a sort of exasperation at his having put himself through something he considered unnecessary. However that was of little surprise to Nameless, he could make no claim to being the ¡°normal¡± one betwixt them; his thoughts, considerations, and the path he tread likely as abnormal as the Trait from which all of his oddities stemmed. [Now. Done. Eat?] Tracking him with his head, Nameless followed his brother as he winded to the opposite side of the corpse from him, a sharp bite of pain coming from his neck at the movement. He snorted, wincing slightly in discomfort, [Yes. But before¡­ we do¡­ I would like¡­ to say something¡­] A whisper of his brother¡¯s impatience and irritation swam down their connection before it was quickly dispersed, replaced by a weary assent, the only sign of Shade¡¯s continued restlessness, the rapid flick of his tail against the ground. [For saving me¡­ protecting me¡­ and providing for me¡­ you have my adoration. And, for so long¡­ as I draw breath, I promise¡­ to do just the same for you¡­] Nameless¡¯s [Telepathy] surged ¨C the seriousness of his devotion overwhelming the exhaustion that had limited him ¨C the full breadth of his telepathic capabilities causing their connection to swell with his emotion. Like crashing waves ¨C engulfing his brother in the shocking expanse of his mind ¨C Nameless¡¯s intent slammed into Shade¡¯s consciousness. His conviction, appreciation, and the honesty of them swirled down the length of their connection, splashing across his brother¡¯s end in a scintillating cloud of emotion, Shade¡¯s mind shivering under the deluge of shaped [Telepathy]. Nameless bowed his head, his chest feeling tight from emotions and strain, [Thank you, Brother.] Even if his brother¡¯s eyes were not wide with surprise, he could feel how overwhelmed and shocked Shade was through their shared string. "Not very¡­ surprising¡­ that he would be caught¡­ so off guard." The clarity and amount of emotions were far in excess to those of his earlier telepathic communions¡­ and likely any other communication Shade ¨C or even himself ¨C had received in the past. It left his oft taciturn sibling unbalanced, his mind a flashing maelstrom of stunned confusion and erratic feelings¡­ But, even through the chaos of his brother¡¯s mind, did Nameless catch scent of an emotion that caused the air to be instantly stolen from his lungs¡­ Fear. Chapter 34 Fear was something he knew well; he felt it while the final Jaguar loomed above him, he¡¯d felt it when Mother spoke to him after his conflict with Fang, fear went so far as to tinge even his first memories of Awakening¡­ And Nameless felt it once again, as Shade feared him. His brother¡¯s mind was a cacophonous storm; its clouds, those of confusion and apprehension, while panic, anxiety, and fear, flashed like lightning within. The connection between them trembled and pulsated, the dizzying conflict of emotions obscuring Shade¡¯s thoughts from him behind a thick wall of mental fog. With his own fear swirling around his head, Nameless¡¯s hackles raised, uncertainty ruling his own thoughts. He watched Shade closely, taking in his brother¡¯s every shift and twitch, while his mind tried to parse through the telepathic maelstrom and discern Shade¡¯s intentions. ¡°Do not¡­ do it, Brother.¡± A wet rattling breath passed his fangs, sickness¡¯s fetid grasp tightening around his throat, his body shivering at the slithering touch of infection¡­ but he remained standing, resolute, attention focused entirely upon Shade, ¡°Do not make me¡­ break my promise¡­¡± He shifted subtly, squinted eyes never leaving his brother, a tentative mental paw reaching out for¡­ [Deception]¡¯s support. The Skill was weak and fragile, his mind and soul too strained by illness to bring out its usual efficacy. However, given that same frailty of body and mind, even the slightest nudge and minute caress of the Skill¡¯s was ample enough support. Minor, nearly negligible changes began to occur across his body and mind, [Deception] lightly working in tandem with Nameless¡¯s preferences to conceal his intentions. It awoke that more guileful part of his mind, bringing him to recognizing his sickly nature as being¡­ advantageous to his desires; coaxing him into making the slight receding of his mind from his brother¡¯s appear as though it were retreating at wave of malaise and fugue, while his adjusting his stance was masked as twitches of fever and pain or an effort to alleviate some of his discomfort. The sickness that ailed him his camouflage, Nameless¡¯s muscles coiled as he shifted, mind and body tensing in reluctant preparation. He didn¡¯t have to fake the pain his movements caused, his body hissing with strain and fatigue, an uneasy jitter making his motions erratic and awkward. However, he still noticed the crudeness of his obfuscations; his own lack of focus and knowledge ¨C as well as [Deception]¡¯s untrained standing and currently reduced capabilities ¨C creating a loose cover likely seen through with a moment¡¯s drawn observation¡­ Not that Shade was in the position to do so. With the telepathic union still remaining between them ¨C even distant as it had become ¨C Nameless could sense his brother¡¯s conflicted thoughts, Shade¡¯s focus completely consumed by the dizzying whirlwind of thought and emotion that raged within his head, distracting him from his surroundings. He could nearly hear the roar of Shade¡¯s mind within his own, his haze of delirium swirling, agitated by the gale of emotion that touched his psyche from across their braid, ¡°That you¡­ are so conflicted¡­ is good. But-¡± Body readied even as the flickers of a desperate hope tried to settle him, fear ruled his actions, claws now hidden behind the Otter¡¯s corpse unfurling to click lightly against the stone, ¡°But¡­ if I catch¡­ so much as the scent¡­ of threat from you¡­¡± ¡°I will not hesitate¡­ to choose myself¡­ over my promise¡­¡± As much as he recognized he cared for his siblings ¨C likely far more than they did him ¨C he realized there was a limit to his compassion, his mother and Fang having well defined it for him. The moment they became an obstacle to his survival, a threat to his life, was the moment no amount of shared blood or adoration would prevent him from doing what must be done. ¡°My weakness¡­ will not prevent me¡­ from fighting for¡­ my life. Even against you¡­ brother.¡± Shade¡¯s oft surly self was amongst those Nameless cared for deepest, his promise having never been conceived if not for that fact. However ¨C his eyes and mind carefully watching his brother for even the slightest twitch of hostility ¨C familiarity would not blind him to the necessary¡­ If Nameless had to kill Shade to survive¡­ he would. The idea sickened him as deeply as the infection that burrowed into his flesh, that he could even conceive of such an act disgusting him so greatly that bile nearly welled up into his throat again. Still, no matter how much he despised the idea of coming to blows with his brother, he knew he had to prepare for the possibility. Yet, preparation was all he limited himself to. In much the same way as he viewed Fang ¨C under the paw of Mother as she was ¨C he looked at Shade now, as a potential threat, not an active one. Necessary his willingness to fight Shade may have been, he recognized just as readily that he was still¡­ unwilling to be the first to engage in hostilities. Shade¡¯s being on a precipice of decision, his thoughts and emotions confused and diffuse, granted Nameless enough doubt to stay his claws. But it would be a lie for him to state that it was the only thing making him hesitate. Staring at his brother, he could feel his mind rebel at even raising a claw against Shade, halting his limbs in place much like if he had waded into a heavy current, ¡°However this situation proceeds¡­ will start with you, brother. Because¡­ even if my instinct¡­ and fears¡­ demand I strike you down now¡­ I can- no will not do so¡­¡± ¡°For I would rather die¡­ a benevolent fool¡­ than live having taken¡­ even a step towards becoming¡­ like Mother.¡± He was aware of the stupidity of granting a possible opponent the first strike ¨C especially given how weakened and frail he was ¨C that willingly putting himself on the back paw would surely see him dead at his brother¡¯s claws, if Shade so concluded to lash out. But, if the worst possibility were to come, he would rather be on the defensive, then act first and become what he never wanted to live as¡­ A Betrayer. ¡°I will make the choice¡­ I am willing¡­ to live¡­ and die by.¡± Nameless saw the haze of conflict in his brother¡¯s eyes, heard the snarl of confusion and the roar of uncertainty through their [Telepathy], ¡°Just as I hope¡­ you will do the same¡­ whatever choice¡­ that may be.¡± Shade¡¯s mind remaining a dizzying swirl, Nameless waited, his body vibrating with barely concealed anxiety and anticipation. Long breaths and heart beats passed, his unease growing the longer his brother remained¡­ occupied by his thoughts. While his claws frequently retracted and extended with his nerves, their tips lightly *clicking* against the stone, his tail swished erratically behind him to summon up a small cloud of dust. Trying to stymie his building disquiet ¨C and risk making himself look hostile ¨C he delved into carefully listening to Shade¡¯s mind, braving the maelstrom to glean some form of direction to his brother¡¯s discord. A lapse of judgment he was well punished for¡­ His own mind quailed under Shade¡¯s, whatever strength of mind he had formerly found largely receded. The direct touch of his [Telepathy] sent a searing wave of pain through his skull, his mental paw flinching away to the sound of a narrowly suppressed hiss. He could feel the tendrils of malaise swell and undulate against his psyche, taking advantage of the backlash from [Telepathy] and his creeping exhaustion, to thicken the haze of delirium into a heavy fog. Mind recoiling, becoming sluggish and fevered, Nameless struggled to retain the connection between himself and Shade as well as his hold upon [Deception]. Sickness buried its fangs deep into his consciousness, spreading its virulent fatigue into every recess, his sight blurring and body slumping under a heavy wave of weakness.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. He desperately fought against the powerful current, scrambling to keep himself from succumbing to the depths of frailty washing through him, ¡°No¡­ not no-¡± [Brother?] At the touch of Shade¡¯s voice, Nameless¡¯s fatigue died under a scorching gale of panic, his head snapping so quickly towards his brother that he felt the skin of his still mangled cheek reopen. His brother¡¯s eyes were cleared, his mind feeling¡­ calmer to the senses, though there yet remained a noticeable susurrus of the agitation, confusion, and fear that dominated his thoughts before. [What. Are. You?] Shade¡¯s words trembled and flashed through their telepathic thread, his brother¡¯s emotions soaking his words so heavily that Nameless could taste them; disquiet, trepidation, fear¡­ but also, an intrigue and curiosity rather than the disgust or hate he had expected. Shock swirled around his eyes, doubt howling in his ears while his brother¡¯s voice echoed in his head. Silence was Nameless¡¯s immediate answer, too overwhelmed by a warring of hope and disbelief to form a tangible reply, the question whirling around his head like a hum of Hawkflys circling their prey. ¡°Could it¡­ be?¡± his thoughts and focus thrown into disarray, he lost control, sending a deluge of impressions and emotions down the length of the union between himself and Shade¡­ An answer in its own right. His fears and hopes, doubts and concerns, how he felt about Shade and their siblings¡­ and even himself, spun down the telepathic braid to bloom against Shade¡¯s mind in a cacophonous mental spray. As Shade staggered slightly under the unhindered waves of his consciousness, Nameless quickly scrambled to regain control, [Deception] unwinding with the last dredges of his focus turning to [Telepathy]. Fear bubbled up into his throat ¨C worry that his lapse in attention may be taken as an attack making him even more frantic ¨C his fatigue banished under the rapid currents of panic. Nameless could feel Shade begin to parse through the telepathic spill, his brother¡¯s [Telepathy] slapping clumsily against the visions, emotions, and opinions imparted through his negligence¡­ But still devoid of hostility or even the slightest aggressive twitch. Mental fangs outstretched to pull the telepathic plume back, he stopped, his brother¡¯s emotions staying his paw. Watching Shade¡¯s [Telepathy] novicely navigate the flood of impressions, he found his brother¡¯s emotions to shift. With every memory and emotion of his touched and experienced, some of the fear, anxiety, and unease that still plagued Shade, lessened. With each heart beat his brother spent swimming amongst the impartments, so too did Nameless¡¯s own worries begin to recede, becoming more of a low burble ¨C like that of a dying brook ¨C at the back of his consciousness. Intrigue began to dominate Shade¡¯s external emotions, though scintillating flashes of caution and wariness still poked above the surface of his mind. His curiosity caused the braid of [Telepathy] to warble and shift under his awkward inspections, each drop of Nameless¡¯s impressions consumed by Shade¡¯s mind to burst upon his senses and soak into his own. Nameless felt a¡­ jitteriness sprout with Shade¡¯s mind growing ever closer across their union; the continued lack of aggression, calming much of his fears, yet not completely. His remaining uncertainties demanded vigilance, despite the positive motions, draining him rapidly ¨C his body and mind teetering on the verge of collapse once more ¨C sickness beginning to overwhelm the panicked energy that had temporarily awaken him. [I am¡­ your brother. Our siblings¡¯¡­ brother. And the son¡­ of our mother¡­ just as you.] While his doubts demanded caution, his loyalty and better nature roared for his voice to fill the void that impressions could not. His words wove around the memories and emotions that dripped along their connection, Nameless straining his exhausted intent to its limits to gently brush his [Telepathy] against Shade¡¯s, avoiding it overwhelming him or losing any of its honesty, [But¡­ you are not asking for that¡­ are you?] Shade¡¯s inspections shifted, his eyes meeting Nameless¡¯s, the muted bloom of seriousness twinning back up the braid, [No. Are. Abnormal?] The final word was laced with the venom their mother and instincts embedded within them, but it was lesser than expected. [I¡­ do not believe so¡­ but would I truly know¡­ if I was?] He entwined his answer with truth, unwilling to lie in the face of Shade¡¯s composure and curiosity, the voices in the back of his head howling with displeasure. ¡°It is¡­ a risk to answer¡­ honestly.¡± He searched both form and mind for a change, waiting with bated breath for the inevitable transition to combat, ¡°But it is a risk¡­ I desire¡­ to brave.¡± Only no such conflict occurred. His brother stared for many breaths, long enough that Nameless lost his touch upon [Telepathy] ¨C his end becoming muted and dark ¨C only the barest whispers of Shade¡¯s ongoing connection recognizable through the exhaustion dragging him down. The last of his energy dying in sputtering embers, he slumped down, eyelids becoming heavy and nearly uncontrollable, a mournful growl rumbling up from his throat as he ineffectively fought against the pull of debility. He lost sight of Shade, his mind clouding with the heavy fog of fever yet again, body groaning in distress¡­ when his brother¡¯s voice hummed through his head. [Voice. Smart. Old. Different. But. No. Hate.] Nameless lacked the energy to move his head, but he numbly felt the press of Shade¡¯s body against his own, raising him up, [Different. But. Still. Brother. Honest. Truthful. Strong.] [More. Questions. Answers. Wanted. But. Rest. Needed.] A low purr shook Nameless, flickers of emotion spinning through his slowed mind too fast to consider, [Will. Wait. Watch. Give. Time.] There was more to his brother¡¯s words, just outside of Nameless¡¯s grasp, however he could do little to pursue them. But¡­ as fevered confusion blinded his mind, and made limp his body, he clung to but a single string of Shade¡¯s [Telepathy]¡­ A string that blossomed in his mind with an acceptance that made the darkness that followed just the smallest fleck brighter. ¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D¨D The Sister chased away the Brothers three times before the fevers and infections passed from his flesh, and two more of their pursuits after for him to be able to walk with only the barest gnaw of lingering pain. He had grown¡­ impatient the more sunrises he witnessed through the cave¡¯s mouth, the desire for action and motion aggravating him the longer he was forced to rest. But it was lessened greatly by his brother¡¯s continued presence. While he had sensed acceptance from Shade ¨C and had awoken at all after passing out, his brother having not killed him while incapacitated ¨C the truth was far more complicated. Turning his head, he looked at Shade''s yet still sleeping form; his brother curled around himself, a wing covering his head, ¡°He is still understandably¡­ wary of me. His acceptance but a small part of the whole; fear, curiosity, and uncertainty just as present now as they were when he first questioned me.¡± Through what moments of clarity he had had, Nameless had answered what questions Shade had asked, doing his best to assuage the loudest of his brother¡¯s doubts. However, there was a limit to what he was capable of ¨C and willing to ¨C divulge to Shade. Especially one instance in particular. While it was the truth that he did not believe himself to be an Abnormal, there were signs that made him hesitant to state that he wasn¡¯t one. Most of the information and knowledge Nameless had of Abnormals coming from the mouth of Mother and the imprints embedded in his mind; both described creatures warped and changed by the presence of some nature of unusual Trait, turning them into something other and dangerous¡­ ¡°Far too close of a depiction of myself, then I would rather think¡­¡± While Nameless did not believe himself warped by its presence, it would be an utmost lie to say he was not changed by [Preternatural Wisdom]. That it was likely also the cause of his [Telepathy] being considered Abnormal by his Reflection, further confused his opinion of the circumstances, ¡°[Adaptive Physique], [Lesser Mana Conduits], and [Lesser Soul Resilience] could all be considered deviations as well, stemming from [Wisdom]¡¯s existence.¡± It was a concern he had kept well buried from his first Awakening, a deep fear that twisted around his very soul sending a chill through his entire being, ¡°But, if I am an Abnormal, what could I possibly do about it?¡± [Preternatural Wisdom] was as much a part of himself as his heart or lungs, intertwined with his very soul, his identity. There was no manner of removing it, even if it was warping him¡­ but, despite the depths of his fears and concerns regarding the Trait, Nameless had lived through nothing that made him believe it would change him into the disastrous beings depicted by his impressions. ¡°Even its¡­ replenishing of my soul reflected a supportive existence, not a destructive one.¡± That [Wisdom] even had something approaching a mind of its own further pushed him towards accepting his truly being an Abnormal as Shade had supposed¡­ however he huffed and quickly fled from that line of thought. ¡°Abnormal or no, it matters little¡­¡± He watched Shade twist in his sleep, moving to lay on his back, stomach exposed, and wings splayed open across the ground, ¡°As long as I remain myself; a Sphinx, brother to my siblings, Nameless...¡± He looked away from his slumbering brother ¨C that even with his doubts he would trust in him enough to leave himself vulnerable bringing a smile to his lips ¨C the barest beams of light shining through the bottom of the foliage cover with the dawn, "That''s what matters." Nameless''s eyes followed the streaks along the stone floor, the light of the Brothers creating shimmering rays against the dust that floated through the air, ¡°Fears can wait for another dawn. Today begins our hunt, a return, it would be best that I prepare rather than wallow and brood.¡± With a long stretch he readjusted himself along the ground, getting comfortable as he focused his mind. His soul opened, streams of glimmering blue and green liquid twisting within the air to meet before him, spreading into a flat rippling pond. It shimmered with an ethereal light that he knew left the world untouched, tangible only to him, its dazzling hues coruscating in his eyes. Browned metallic strings wove around the pond''s edges, bordering and solidifying it, further glistening metal pushing through the now calmed surface to rest on the face as text. With the last line, his Soul Reflection flashed in a scintillating burst of rich greens and blues, stabilized, complete¡­ and changed. Chapter 35 For the first time since his fever had broken, Nameless stared at his Soul Reflection, soul and mind rested enough to conjure his identity in full. Much had changed; new additions, Growth, and progress written large across its surface. Seeing how much differed from his last Reflection, he nudged at it with his mind, causing the whole structure to ripple. The metallic text dissolved, shifting and undulating in the wavering pond of greens and blues, to reform into a more¡­ simplified manner. He prioritized his Skills first, they being the most numerous to have seen development ¨C but requiring little of the same scrutiny some other changes did ¨C the rest of his Reflection disappearing in a swirl of shimmering liquid ¨C
Skills:
[Claws] : (Initiate - Natural) - Level 3 > Level 32 [Telepathy] : (Initiate - Natural/Abnormal) - Level 24 > Level 28 *New* [Speech] : (Initiate - Abnormal) - Level 22 [Dodge] : (Initiate) - Level 40 > Level 81 [Sprint] : (Initiate) - Level 67 > Level 95 [Leap] : (Untrained) - Level 98 > (Initiate) - Level 13 [Climbing] : (Untrained) - Level 7 > Level 16 [Tracking] : (Untrained) - Level 79 > Level 85 [Stealth] : (Untrained) - Level 70 > Level 80 [Observation] : (Untrained) - Level 4 > Level 12 [Spatial Sense] : (Untrained) - Level 23 > Level 39 [Proprioception] : (Untrained) - Level 21 > Level 42 [Deception] : (Untrained) - Level 58 > Level 65 [Tactics] : (Untrained) - Level 36 > Level 48
¨C His Skills had grown considerably. His understanding of each growing with every situation requiring them, they all saw significant progress towards their next state of Mastery, though it had almost come at his life¡¯s expense. While most remained well into the Untrained, that six had entered into the Initiates was sign both of his expanding proficiency and the dangers he had overcome, ¡°Two of which are at the verge of becoming Apprentice Skills¡­¡± Nameless looked between [Dodge] and [Sprint], both of the Skills well above the Mastery of the rest. Their imminent transition from Initiate to Apprentice was one that his mother ¨C as well as his imprinted knowledge ¨C referred to in a similar manner as that from First Stage to the Second, a significant shift in capability¡­ in addition to just as great a shift in their development. He didn¡¯t look forward to his Skills¡¯ progression slowing with their increase in Mastery, nor how much effort it would require to continue building his aptitude, however he believed it well worth the benefits that would follow. With the rise in Mastery would come a far greater deftness of use and compatibility ¨C lessening the strain the Skills placed upon his Soul somewhat ¨C as well as a likely furthering of the¡­ peculiarities that already marred some Skills, ¡°While I doubt [Sprint] or [Dodge] will change too drastically, I wonder how [Tracking] or [Tactics] will develop once they too reach Apprentice.¡± The more he had grown and used them, the more Nameless had come to realize his concept of [Tracking] and [Tactics] were distinct, if not unique, ¡°As they are now, they are amongst the most tiring of my Skills to consistently use, their active¡­ visualizations of a similar nature as [Telepathy] in complexity and demand.¡± ¡°But it is those very same visualizations that make them the most potent of my Skills as well¡­¡± The illusory representations of [Tracking] and [Tactic]¡¯s were stark deviations from the rest, the sort of guidance they provided demanding more of his focus to maintain, as well as being significantly less subtle. They eschewed much of the guiding nudges and proddings ¨C as well as the refinement of form ¨C of other Skills, instead brushing against his consciousness to make manifest his thoughts and perceptions, ¡°I would almost be tempted to consider them Magical, if I did not know otherwise.¡± His eyes skipped between the two Skills, then onto the rest, ¡°However their effects are but imagined, intangible, merely the World¡¯s working to bring form to my conception and intentions.¡± The newest amongst his Skills filled his attention, thoughts slowly turning towards it, ¡°Every Skill I have grows from my understanding and impressions of them, their directions and guidance limited only by what the World considers the extent of my current knowledge and experience with them¡­¡± ¡°Which makes your appearance, all the more confusing.¡± He knew well that, beyond communicating through [Telepathy], he had never spoken aloud before; not in his natural tongue of Eyemptic, nor Kishnalwi or Marabesh. The instant that had changed was as much a surprise to Nameless, as the sound of his voice likely was to the Dark Luster Jaguars¡­ and that a Skill ¨C an Initiate one no less ¨C appeared afterwards, was even more so. ¡°One word, and from it, an Abnormal Initiate Skill¡­¡± His eyes thinned and face scrunched in frustration, a growl barely prevented from breaking the silence within the cave. If it had been present within his Reflection, he would have glared towards the Trait that yet another abnormality likely stemmed, ¡°There is no other manner I could conceive of that would cause such a Skill to appear as it has, but if [Wisdom] was at play once again.¡± Between [Telepathy] and now [Speech], two of his Skills bore an Abnormal status, the World dictating that their presence deviated enough to be considered such. The former¡¯s abnormality was obvious, [Telepathy]¡¯s having transitioned into Initiate ¨C without Nameless¡¯s having touched upon the Affinity necessary to do so ¨C being well within the realm of Abnormal; the latter¡¯s however¡­ Squinting at the particular Skill, Nameless chewed at the inside of his lip, ¡°An Initiate Skill without any of the prior experience to get it there.¡± He tentatively brushed his attention across [Speech], feeling the Skill rouse within his soul for a moment, before falling inert once more, ¡°Is its lack of activity yet another sign of its abnormality, possibly my lack of understanding, or is it just similar to [Claws] in that no amount of my focus manages to inspirit some form of aid or clarity.¡± A deep, tired, sigh passed his lips like wind through the cave¡¯s entrance, a fleeting discomfort passing by as Nameless reformed his Reflection with a lazy wave of a paw, ¡°Whatever the possibility, I will not allow [Speech]¡¯s appearance or oddities to diminish all the progress I have otherwise made with my Skills.¡± ¡°Especially when there are far greater concerns.¡± The Soul Reflection warbled and undulated like a flood-angered river ¨C Skills disappearing under its waves ¨C before splitting in twain, streams of glittering liquid and metal fetters reforming into two separate, placid, surfaces¡­ each detailing a new Trait ¨C
Lesser Scarred Hide [Upgradable]:
Marked by battle, your hide has become scarred from every claw, fang, horn, and stinger that has revealed the flesh beneath, strengthening it with each additional wound permanently borne.
Slightly increased durability against slashing, tearing, and puncturing wounds and hide toughness.
The heavy presence of scarring slightly reduces overall mobility and ease of movement.
Harrowed:
Infection scoured your flesh, brought low your mind and soul, beckoning you to let its grasp drag you into the embrace of Death¡­ and yet ¨C much to your benefit ¨C you persevered, though not without cost.
Your Soul and Mentality gain a slight increase to their overall resilience, ease of function under strain, and capacity to overcome harmful influences.
Your Body and Stamina are hindered ¨C the taint of infection lingering upon you ¨C with slight reductions in overall vitality, as well as slightly increased times to recovery and rates of exhaustion.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
¨C The two Traits felt as though they stared back, their tranquil faces looming, judging him. They were the result of his struggles, his survival¡­ but also his hubris and folly. He focused first on that which was on his left, [Lesser Scarred Hide], the least worrisome of the two, ¡°I would have to consider [Adaptive Physique] having had a paw in my receiving [Scarred Hide]¡­ though, given how many wounds and scars I¡¯ve accrued, I could very well believe that I would have received it regardless.¡± [Scarred Hide] was a potent Trait, further defenses being immensely valuable for his continued survival, though those very same defenses were marred somewhat by the additional aspects of the Trait. Nameless could feel how the largest scars limited him even as he merely shifted in place, his hide feeling¡­ tight and uncomfortable from the myriad permanent wounds across it, the warped flesh of them radiating a consistent numb itch. The scars¡¯ restrictions were especially noticeable in the most egregious of all the wounds his [Constitution] could no longer seem to remove: the mangled skin of his left cheek. It was the most sensitive and damaged of them; the lightest wind causing the skin to twitch and itch as though a mass of Nettle-Winged Grubs were writhing within the flesh beneath, a constant dull tingle creeping along its length, and the act of even opening his mouth becoming one of awkward discomfort. ¡°Slight, hm?¡± He was well aware his impairments could be significantly worse, that it was far more likely that his current stiffness was overwhelming more for his unfamiliarity with the changes, rather than their actual extent¡­ However, sight flickering up to the top of the Trait, there was an aspect of far greater worry to him than the current reduction in his mobility, ¡°If this is what the World considers a slight limitation, I fear how it will change if, or rather when, it transitions to a Minor Trait.¡± As an [Upgradeable] Trait, [Scarred Hide] could progress and grow in its strength, both good and ill. That it allowed [Constitution] to heal some of his wounds fully, but those most debilitating or¡­ consequential remained to mark him, did much to convince Nameless that there were only one path through which the Trait would develop, ¡°The more significant the wound, the greater the scar, and the more [Scarred Hide] should grow¡­ even if it be at my inconvenience.¡± ¡°Unlike before, where I could expect wounds such as these to slowly disappear over time with my [Constitution], now?¡± Nameless¡¯s touched the inside of his cheek with his tongue, feeling the odd numbed sensation of its touch, as well as the smoothed texture of the scarred flesh, ¡°Every wound may give me greater defenses against future damage, but so too may it make it all the more difficult for me to avoid any at all in the future.¡± He had been fortunate in the past to have received Traits with little in the way of disadvantages, but it was that time no longer. With a flicker of dismissal [Lesser Scarred Hide] unraveled, the glimmering liquid of his identity swirling to dive into the surface of the second of the newest Traits. [Harrowed]. He did not need the Trait to tell him of the consequence of his foolishness, the weakness embedded within his flesh obvious to his senses. It was not¡­ immense, the awareness that ¨C in a similar fashion as the now prevalent scars ¨C his inhibited Body and Stamina could be far worse, one he acknowledged but found no less frustrating. ¡°Struggle and survival are oft not without their consequences¡­ and neither is stupidity.¡± The shame of losing his composure still weighed heavy on his back, and thus ¨C at the sight of this new Trait of his ¨C so too did it weigh heavily upon his soul. He could feel that weight as the subtle ache in his bones or the slight hitch at the top of his breath, his form forever reminded of his shortsightedness by the weakness that now suffused it, ¡°Even if there is some benefit to [Harrowed], it does little to make up for something as considerable as a reduction in my physical capabilities.¡± Stretching, Nameless rose up onto his haunches, paying specific attention to every twinge and twitch the movement caused, ¡°A reduction in my vitality, longer recovery times, and being quicker to tire from [Harrowed], as well as a reduction in my mobility and ease of movement from [Scarred Hide].¡± ¡°I guess even the World believes I should avoid becoming lost in moments of stupidity and recklessness again.¡± He huffed, his cheek spasming at the harsh breath. Things would be¡­ different, if not difficult, with so many changes. However, for all of his newfound limitations, he could see a path forward, ¡°[Harrowed] nearly states it for me¡­¡± An increase to the potency of his Soul but, more importantly, his Mentality. Physically he was weaker overall ¨C though [Constitution] made for his still being well above most other creatures ¨C however, since his Awakening, his mind had always been what really set him apart. His capacity to think, plan, and reason were his greatest strengths¡­ and that, when he eschewed or neglected such things, he was prone to mistake and failure, was not lost on him. ¡°My ability to think and reason will be all the more important now. Understanding the breadth of these new limitations, and how to act around and with them my greatest priority.¡± Nameless considered all that had changed, his thoughts filling like a dry basin under a heavy storm with a myriad evaluations and ideas. His composure and wit would have to compensate for his diminished physicality, his Skills ¨C and proficiency in them ¨C of just as much import in filling the void in his capabilities, ¡°But it will take time to get used to the effects of these Traits, and until I get an understanding of their true extent, little of my wondering will be relevant.¡± He looked towards Shade, still oblivious in his slumber, a small snort breaking the silence, ¡°The day¡¯s hunt will do well to assist in my thinking, though I cannot help but worry that what I may find will be far more daunting a problem to overcome than I may hope.¡± Rising to his paws, Nameless dispersed his Reflection in a scintillating burst of illusory light, glowing blue-green slivers falling to the ground to disappear in muted flashes. He quietly padded across the cave, internally comparing the difference in how his current movements felt to those he had made before, ¡°However, even if the Traits¡¯ effects prove more significant than expected, I will not allow them to hinder me.¡± Using a wing to push the foliage at the mouth of the cave over him, he stepped through, some of the hanging vines brushing lightly against his flanks. A light drizzle of rain began to wet his fur, the water slipping over his hide and tickling the more sensitive of his scars, ¡°I did not struggle to survive only to allow some aspects of a Trait to lay me low.¡± ¡°Living is to experience.¡± He carefully begun to scale down the slick incline, the dampened stones causing the pads of his paws to lightly stick against them, ¡°My failures, and the consequences in these Traits that followed, are but one circumstance of experience.¡± His eyes gleamed as he made a short hop between two larger boulders, the impact of paw against stone sending a judder up his limbs, ¡°How I overcome these new circumstances is to be yet another trial of Life.¡± Navigating the scree to the river below, Nameless felt his musings quell some of his anxieties; those that lingered speaking to that which was yet unknown, the worries of what would be required to offset that which had been hindered, ¡°For I would not grow without struggle, and I would find little meaning in Life without strife.¡± He felt a sort of¡­ resonance with the thought, the feeling as though he were touching upon something, as tangible as the stone under paw and the rain running through his fur. The feeling swirled within his mind, flickering like an ember before the wind, until ¨C like a Flashing Hawk towards its prey ¨C the sensation dove. Nameless paused mid step, the rain softly pattering against him and the stones. He felt his Soul bloom, the sensation eliciting a dizzying array of visions, his mind whirling under a sudden assault of emotions and impressions. He struggled to make sense of what was happening, when a memory came unbidden ¨C ¡®¡­consciousness drowned in a growing basin of liquid fire, the former cold caress of his thoughts replaced by the heat of a raging wildfire; he could taste ash, feel as though his skin were blistering, and his feathers were igniting into embers.¡¯ ¨C Epiphany. While his body suddenly felt as though a nest of Blind-Burrow Serpents were carving their way through his flesh, his mind and senses were drowned under an everchanging current; he felt the burning heat of the suns against his skin shift to the heavy sharpness of a cold downpour, the scent of blood jumping to that of a jungle¡¯s loam, and countless cackles, chirps, howls, and roars filled his ears to the point of deafness. His mind was incessant, completely buried beneath the dense layers of whatever understanding he had stumbled across, when ¨C with the imagery of a seed growing from the rotting husk from whence it once hung ¨C he was released. Nameless blinked in momentary confusion, his body completely still, ¡°An Epiphany, now?¡± Quicker than ever before he conjured his Soul Reflection. The moment it completely formed before him, his eyes already darted across its surface, searching for any lingering sign of the Epiphany having happened been written upon his identity. However, there was nothing. Beyond the odd feeling that still lingered upon his Soul, nothing had changed. Nameless growled, frustration overwhelming his surprise, ¡°Yet another complication to worry over¡­¡± He huffed, his shoulders slumping, before he turned his head to the sky above. His eyes closed, the light rain wetted the skin of his face, numbed trails slithering down his left cheek, ¡°An unknown Epiphany, two new Traits, and another Abnormal Skill¡­¡± Nameless smiled mirthlessly up towards the sky, shaking his head, ¡°Life is not without its difficulties, hmm?¡± Opening his eyes once more, he returned to his walk, focusing on his steps so as to drown out the loudest of his thoughts. If not for the presence of [Harrowed] and [Lesser Scarred Hide], Nameless would be ecstatic over having experienced a successful Epiphany, even if the outcome were yet unknown. But there was such thing as too much in the way of new experiences as well. ¡°As much as my curiosity demands I give it attention, this Epiphany must wait. My priority has to be navigating the changes enacted upon me by [Harrowed] and [Scarred Hide] first, otherwise¡­¡± He reached the last lengths before the now much calmed river below, ¡°I may not survive long enough to ever consider the Epiphany at all.¡± Before he reached the riverbank he stopped a short distance away, his [Soul Sight] clad vision evaluating the waters for any sign of Beast or Monster lurking within the depths. After a few passes with no sign of threat, he completed his approach, cautiously making the last steps to the water line. He leaned down and began to lap at the river¡¯s waters, not an effort spent in trying to see his reflection in water he knew to be moving too fast to manage¡­ Especially with there being large, placid, puddles dotting the stone studded cliff that would work far better. Nameless reveled in the cool liquid sliding down his gullet, but enjoyed far more, his ability to once more walk without Shade¡¯s support. While along the climb down he had come to notice some stiffness to his movements, that he was not winded after the descent alleviated some of his worse fears regarding his reduced Stamina. ¡°While I will not know the true extent of the damage done until I truly push myself, this was¡­ good for me.¡± With one final loud *slap* of his tongue, he rose and turned, walking away from the water to find a particular puddle he had noticed. The worst of his fears somewhat ameliorated, a lesser - even foolish - concern of his took precedence, ¡°Now to see just how much damage that Jaguar truly did¡­¡± It took him a scant few steps to find the puddle in question, the water trapped within a large egg-shaped divot in the ground. Nameless placed himself slightly above the tepid water, adjusting himself around it until he found just the right position for his face to become visible, and hissed at the visage that stared back. ¡°It seems the Jaguar¡¯s wound should have been my least concern¡­¡± Four jagged scars ran down his left cheek, ending at his jaw, their smooth and lightened colouration in stark contrast to the dark skin of his face. However, there was more that had changed. His features were sharper, older, much of the youth that had once filled his face gone with the vitality [Harrowed] had claimed to strip from him. But beyond his sharpened cheek bones, slightly sunken cheeks, and more prominent jaw line, what drew his attention were his eyes. The vibrancy of them remained, the left a green as verdant as the now watered jungles, his right the startling blue of a Saphire Scarab, only now they were set within weathered and darkened orbits. They now appeared as the sight of a being far beyond his years, a creature with a myriad experience he had no claim to. Yet, the longer he stared, the more comfortable the sight became. ¡°Why do I feel like I am truly seeing myself for the first time?¡± He leaned further towards the puddle, as though he would find an answer the closer he became¡­ Until a thread of [Telepathy] caused his head to snap up and around, his brother¡¯s voice filling his mind. [Better. Brother?] Chapter 36 Staring back at his brother, Nameless needn¡¯t parse through their [Telepathy] to feel the wariness he knew to be there. Shade stood a distance away from him, but his body was tense, his dark fur doing little to obscure his hesitant posture. ¡°He could learn some from my own successful deceptions¡­¡± He mused passingly, looking back towards where his reflection shimmering in the dim light, his own threads of [Telepathy] spinning together. [Better enough¡­] Nameless answered, eyes tracing over every feature changed once again, a portion of his attention keeping watch of their union, [Though I seem to be quite¡­ changed after all that has occurred.] At the statement, he could feel their connection shiver with Shade¡¯s curiosity and questions, the twinned strings rippling and flashing to the mind. [The World has seen fit to bestow upon me a Trait.] He continued, the lie coming easy even without [Deception]. Nameless didn¡¯t need the clarity of [Wisdom] to realize that admitting to having received not one, but two Traits, might yet further his brother¡¯s apprehensions and misgivings towards him. Shade¡¯s stance ¨C and what thoughts and emotions flickered through, crudely hidden ¨C doing much to tell him that, for all he had done to answer what questions were asked of him, his brother¡¯s feelings towards him were as shaky as his limbs had been ¨C while caught fully in the throes of his illness. A small hiss made audible the sharp tang of surprise swirling down their connection from Shade, his words laced with a¡­ reverence that drowned out his apprehension and anxiety, [New. Trait? World-Touched?] Nameless turned away from the puddle ¨C his visage lingering in his sight ¨C to find Shade had closed some of the distance between them, his brother¡¯s eyes searching him with a near palpable sheen of intrigue, [Touched? In some ways perhaps¡­] Feeling Shade¡¯s shocked admiration through their [Telepathy], he was greeted by the stark reminder that his acquisition of Traits thus far, was likely much in excess to what his siblings had managed to obtain themselves, ¡°It is likely that they were similarly born with one, maybe two, Traits unique to themselves¡­ but what are the chances they could have cultivated three additional ones within the Proving as myself?¡± Traits were integral to the progression of all Monsters, and as Mythicals, it could almost be considered Nameless and his siblings¡¯ birth right to amass them faster than the¡­ lesser beings. However, that did not mean that they were easy to gain by any means¡­ And made it especially obvious that his having gained as many as he had was¡­ unusual to admit. [In others¡­ not so much.] He resumed, bringing to Shade¡¯s mind the many scars that now blemished his hide with a practiced telepathic touch, [These being the consequence of my receiving said blessing.] He watched as Shade¡¯s eyes widened with realization, the imagery and significance he attached to the wounds taking his brother a back, [Wounds. Will. Not. Heal?] Shaking his head, Nameless padded back towards the river once more, sparing a moment to make sure that the waters remained clear of threats, [Not these ones, no.] [Like. Mother¡¯s. But. Not. Magic. Made.] The passing comparison between himself and Mother made Nameless stumble slightly. A quick flicker of [Proprioception] smoothed out the motion, Nameless sending a surreptitious glance towards Shade, eyes and mind searching for whether his brother had caught upon his slip. He found Shade oblivious to his lapse, following him at a short distance, his brother¡¯s attention on their surroundings rather than Nameless himself. [I¡­ suppose so. Though I guess I should consider myself fortunate, that these wounds remain because of a Trait, rather than them being made by Magic.] With [Constitution] all of his wounds would have inevitably healed, even if they were to remain as scars for a time. However ¨C as could be remembered from the aged wounds that blemished their mother¡¯s hide ¨C there was one manner of wound that would persist, despite their shared [Constitution]¡­ Those made through Magic. Whether by Spells or some manner of Magic-Touched anatomy, the most reliably dangerous manner of injury remained through the use of that which suffused their very being, ¡°In the state I was, if those Jaguars were replaced by any creature capable of using Magic¡­ I doubt I would have survived the conflict.¡± Shade¡¯s [Telepathy] carried the warmth of agreement to Nameless, the aversion to hostile magics a shared sentiment, [Good. Not. Magic. But. What. Trait. Do?] The question was an innocent one, no feeling or scent of ulterior motivations brushing across his senses. Yet, Nameless still hesitated. His prior delirium had made him¡­ loose with details, but he had still held fast to a great deal of his most important secrets. Especially where his Traits were concerned. Even then ¨C with what he had divulged ¨C his brother¡¯s suspicions yet loomed between them, no amount of his explanations seeming to fully assuage Shade of the fear of Nameless¡¯s possible Abnormality, ¡°Telling Shade is not the problem¡­¡± While Shade could still very well turn on him, that Nameless sensed curiosity waring down the sharper edges of his brother¡¯s fear, made him more comfortable in believing that any conflict between them would be far off; Shade¡¯s acceptance of his¡­ peculiarities a tentative, yet very real one. ¡°But, that all I have said is likely to be learned by Mother is.¡± In his delirium, Nameless had lacked the foresight and strength necessary to act in any other manner but honestly. However, with that honesty, came his brother¡¯s growing awareness of his capabilities¡­ a knowledge that Shade was ill capable of hiding to their mother. Nameless did not regret speaking truthfully ¨C even if it was only because he lacked the clarity of mind to focus on lying ¨C his survival, as well as avoiding conflict with his sibling, of far greater importance at the time. Only now, greeted by yet another pointed question, did he have to contemplate what the future likely held for him, once that knowledge became known to Mother¡­ A creature that he could see as nothing but the greatest threat to his life. ¡°While possible, I do not believe Shade will become a threat. His¡­ apprehension reasonable given all we know of Abnormals.¡± His thoughts had moved quickly, much like the waters before him had when enraged by a storm, ¡°On the other paw, his curiosity surrounding me is one.¡± As much as he may desire to do so, Nameless could not avoid the question¡­ however, mind now devoid of much of the haze that had clouded his thoughts, he could see an opportunity. [It does much.] With [Deception] obscuring his intentions, he conjured to mind an¡­ alternative vision of the Trait he had mentioned ¨C
Battle Scarred:
You are marked by battle, of enemies without and within; your hide scarred, flesh scoured, and mind honed by the conflicts your form has undergone¡­ and yet, you have persevered.
Slightly increased hide toughness.
Your Soul and Mentality gain a slight increase to their overall resilience, ease of function under strain, and ability to utilize Skills.
The heavy presence of scarring slightly reduces overall mobility and ease of movement.
Your Stamina is slightly hindered with increased times to recovery and rates of exhaustion
¨C For as quickly he had put it together ¨C feeling his brother¡¯s attention swarm around the feigned Trait with haste ¨C he believed it entirely suitable for his desires. With the scars crossing his body in mind, he used [Scarred Hide] as the root of the lie. Then, he took from [Harrowed], laying some of its details into the idea, in just the same way as he wove strings of [Telepathy] together ¨C strengthening the clarity¡­ Before, with a hint of inspiration, deciding to include a small hint of [Soul Resilience]. It was a precarious construct, hastily designed with but one goal in mind; to answer for his changes as much as possible without giving away the greatest aspect of all, that [Scarred Hide] was an [Upgradeable] Trait. Under the expectation that his mother would learn of it, he had to obscure his having gained a Trait capable of growing in potency with him, ¡°If she already considers me a threat to whatever her plans for Fang are¡­ then learning of [Scarred hide] ¨C let alone [Soul Resilience] or [Mana Conduits] ¨C would certainly see me dead by her claws¡­¡± The passing thought caused his focus to waver, his fangs grinding against one another while he frantically reasserted control over the telepathic impression, ¡°Good thing Shade cannot see my face.¡± A grimace creased and warped his features, his mind and soul straining to keep even a hint of his duplicity from being revealed to Shade. [Telepathy] and [Deception] were pushed to their utmost limits, his every thought and impression being as carefully crafted as he was capable, displaying nothing beyond what he desired Shade to see.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. A more experienced mind would have likely seen right through his manipulations; his knowledge, proficiencies, and experience woefully inadequate for such a complex ruse. However ¨C guiding memories and emotions into place ¨C with the layering of greater and greater detail over the false Trait, Nameless could feel Shade¡¯s belief in what was presented grow¡­ even if, so too, did the strain on him grow as well. [Powerful. But. Burdensome.] While he struggled to keep the vison whole and stable, his brother¡¯s attention rolled over the telepathic imagery like a wave over a shore. Shade¡¯s intrigue was clear and, while there were sharp pulses of fear and apprehension, a particular susurrus of emotion stood out to Nameless even through his yet occupied mind¡­ Admiration. It felt like an early morning¡¯s heat, a gentle touch that banished the cold that had managed to burrow below his fur to the hide underneath. There was a shift of thought with Shade¡¯s burgeoning admiration, the longer he evaluated the ¡°Trait¡± ¨C and the circumstances Nameless attached to its occurrence ¨C the more it wriggled up to the surface of his mind to stand beside his loudest emotions. It wound around his brother¡¯s curiosity, hesitance, and fear, melding into each to create an utterly unique flavor of the mind that Nameless had yet to experience before. [For all I experienced to receive it, I believe the Trait¡­ suitable both for what it gives and what it hinders.] Splitting a portion of his focus away from retaining the false Trait, Nameless formed a second telepathic connection. He bit back a groan, the strain of his Skills, mind, and soul sharply increasing, but it was of the utmost necessity for him to continue the farce; communicating to Shade in such a way that he wouldn¡¯t realize the difficulties Nameless¡¯s lie was causing him. Sweat rolled down his face, jaw clenched tight enough that his scarred cheek began to twitch uncontrollably, [Especially given that most of those experiences were at the paw of my own foolishness.] Nameless allowed the memories of his conflicts prior to the Jaguars to cascade down the second connection, baiting Shade to give them his attention and save himself from the mental drain of retaining the vision of the ¡°Battle Scarred¡± Trait. [What. Mean?] The statement prodded at his brother¡¯s curiosity in just the intended way to elicit a response, the sense of his brother¡¯s focus slipping from one braid of [Telepathy] to the next. [Well¡­] Nameless nearly sighed in relief as he dispersed the false Trait, grabbing hold of the telepathic threads to weave the scattering fetters into a singular connection, [You did not believe the Jaguars to be the only reason I was in such dire straits when you found me?] [Deception] falling to the back of his mind, Nameless turned ¨C face placid ¨C the burden of his lie alleviated near instantaneously. His eyes meeting his brother¡¯s, he knew exactly where Shade was through their connection, finding a none too subtle awkwardness leaping across his eyes and [Telepathy] both. He chuffed at the sight, the exhalation causing his left cheek to twitch sharply, [I had gotten¡­ reckless, the fight with the Jaguars was the last of moons worth of conflict.] His brother¡¯s eyes widened with the blooming of Nameless¡¯s memories, the myriad battles he had undergone swimming down their union in a flood of sensation. Every sound, scent, and touch was remembered, the confused and agitated storm of his emotions roiling between them with as much clarity as when he had been actively experiencing them¡­ With none such greater a clear sensation than pain. He needn¡¯t have looked at his brother to see Shade was enraptured by his experiences, his brother¡¯s curiosity wrapping tightly around each memory as a Vine Python would prey, [While the clarity of these memories will one day fade, the World has seen fit to carve their lessons into my hide so they may never completely disappear.] [World-Touched.] Again, that title rose from Shade¡¯s mind with a whisper, laced heavy with reverence and admiration only now more¡­ pointed. Shade¡¯s attention moved down the braid of [Telepathy], passing the memories in a glittering light of focus, [World-Touched. Given. Great. Gift.] His words came with the rich colours of conviction, a resoluteness that could consider the Trait he had inspected as anything but a boon placed upon him, a direct recognition from the World itself. ¡°Thank you, Shade.¡± A current of guilt swirled deeply within him, the burden of manipulating his brother as heavy as that created by his crafted Trait, ¡°But if you knew the truth, I do not believe you would consider me ¡°World-Touched¡± at all¡­ and neither would Mother, if she were to learn the same.¡± If Shade believed the Trait were real, it would be to all those who touched his memories of this moment. Any mistakes or oddities would appear as naught but quirks of the passage of time, the details blurring in clarity with the distance of days, doing exactly what Nameless hoped¡­ throwing doubt onto his brother¡¯s thinking. At a careful glance into his thoughts, the consideration that he was Abnormal still lingered on his brother¡¯s mind, but now it waged for space against this newest admiration of his being World-Touched, ¡°I forget how young you ¨C as well as myself ¨C truly are¡­¡± ¡°And I am sorry that I must use your inexperience for my own means, brother.¡± There was far too great a risk that Shade¡¯s current opinions of him would motivate Mother to¡­ dispose of him, the belief that he was Abnormal ¨C whether true or false ¨C impetus enough to remove what he was all too aware she already considered a threat. Which meant he would have to confuse his brother¡¯s opinions of him as much as possible in the time they shared outside of their mother¡¯s attentions. [Why do you still fear me, brother?] The suddenness of Nameless¡¯s question startled Shade, his focus recoiling down their [Telepathy] with a confused flare of emotions. The question lingered between them in much the same way as Shade¡¯s considering him Abnormal did, a heavy mental silence falling across their connection, the telepathic threads completely inert. Nameless did not move to pursue an answer, allowing the question ¨C and silent tension ¨C to conjure a natural response from his brother, aware that trying to hasten a reply would only work against his intentions. He kept both visual and mental watch over Shade, dipping a singular mental claw into his mind to feel the currents that swum beneath the surface. Confusion, trepidation, fear, and anxiety made Shade¡¯s mind appear to his own as a violent tempest of dizzying hues, the tension within reflected without in the coiling of his brother¡¯s muscles and defensive posture. Heart beats passed, his full attentions on Shade, the only sounds filling Nameless¡¯s ears the soft patter of rain and the distant wildlife of the jungle, ¡°There it is¡­¡± A slight twitch ¨C eyes meeting his own ¨C and a flash of that curiosity that had suffused so many of their recent interactions, gave way to a shimmer of Shade¡¯s [Telepathy] pressing through their connection to meet Nameless¡¯s mind. [Much. Different. Voice. Words. Mind. Clear. Old. Abnormal.] With the utterance, Nameless felt the full depth of his brother¡¯s emotions, seeing through Shade¡¯s eyes the myriad idiosyncrasies he had witnessed from him that gave birth to his brother¡¯s belief¡­ But also, where there was a chance of fostering doubt. Burying the sickness he felt in taking advantage of Shade, Nameless pressed forward, [Do you feel the same about our sister?] Conjured to mind was a vision of Quiet, of her voice and mind especially. He himself had wondered at what manner of Trait allowed for her to communicate so clearly, but his own curiosity was of little consequence when her ability allowed an ideal path forward. Memories of their sister¡¯s intelligence filled their [Telepathy], the sensation of her interactions different, but only vaguely dissimilar to those of Nameless¡¯s own. He continued to fill the space between their minds with Quiet¡¯s voice, [Deception] rising to hone his motions while he began to subtly adjust some of his memories and presentations, ¡°Carefully.¡± It was not his goal to convince Shade to completely disregard his opinion ¨C the sudden absence of suspicion likely as concerning as Shade¡¯s current judgment ¨C but to begin to weather it down as a river does stone¡­ Until such a time as the belief collapsed under its own weight. With their connection filled with comparisons between himself and Quiet, Nameless watched as a surge of uncertainty began to colour Shade¡¯s thoughts, making the maelstrom of his thoughts all the more volatile. [N-No. Sister. Different. But. Not¡­] Nameless could sense his brother trying to stabilize his thoughts, the tangy scent of conflict fluttering across their union while Shade audibly growled, [Your. Change. Sudden. Mind. Too. Fast. Too. Clear. Too¡­ Heavy. Not. Same.] There was a stubbornness to his brother¡¯s thoughts, his mind too clever not to put together such a conclusion given all of that he had witnessed of Nameless¡­ but also too clever not to begin seeing fault in his conclusion when confronted with a reasonable alternative, ¡°Just one more push¡­¡± [I do not believe myself capable of convincing you that I am not an Abnormal¡­] Nameless pulled heavily upon [Deception] to create a false memory, entwinning it with the surrounding memories of Quiet¡¯s capabilities to obscure its being faked, [However, I believe it possible a combination of these may well have made for my sudden change ¨C ]
Your Soul and Mentality gain a slight increase to their overall resilience, ease of function under strain, and ability to utilize Skills.
¨C The strain far less than when he had to bring about the full ¡°Trait,¡± he first returned to ¡°Battle Scarred,¡± conjuring up the singular relevant line, immensely glad he had decided to use a portion of [Soul Resilience] in its creation ¨C
[Telepathy] : (Untrained - Natural) - Level 98
You are capable of communicating through a melding of Soul and Mind; utilizing words, impressions, emotions and more to interact with others through a mental connection.
- Further capabilities locked without access to requisite Affinity -
¨C Its content a slightly altered impression of his [Telepathy] skill, the second conjuration rose from his mind to hover beside the ¡°Battle Scarred¡± text. The strain upon him grew once more, keeping the altered visions and myriad memories within the braid of [Telepathy] requiring his utmost focus¡­ however one last detail was required ¨C
Growth: [1st Stage] - Level 99
¨C The easiest to bring about from the crags of his mind, seeing his current true level brought a small smile to his lips, completely unbidden. In all his focus on the appearance of the two Traits and ¨C shortly after ¨C the appearance of Shade, his successful rising to the height of the 1st Stage fell to the shadows. But now, scintillating amongst the entwinned strings of [Telepathy], his progression could not be ignored. In comparison to the lines of his ¡°new Trait¡± and the manipulated [Telepathy], his Growth was seemingly out of place. Yet, Nameless would not dismiss it for the integral context its Level provided¡­ Experience. He was unaware of Shade¡¯s own Level, however he was confident in considering it to be less than his own. Which, when combined with everything else that he displayed, did what any amount of his words likely could not. ¡°Provide him the scent, but leave him to follow the trail on his own.¡± Amongst all the teachings he and his siblings shared, one was always considered paramount¡­ ¡°The strong are the only ones worthy of survival.¡± Nameless was a paw away from stepping into the Second Stage, possibly being even the first of their siblings to do so, ¡°So? Are my capabilities because of my being Abnormal, or just by virtue of my being stronger?¡± He could taste Shade¡¯s conflicted thoughts, the cloying sour sensation making his stomach curl in upon itself at the reminder that his deceptions were the cause¡­ when the sound of Quiet¡¯s voice steadied him ¨C ¡°We will see each other again. Survive and thrive brothers, return to us all victorious.¡± ¡°Do not dare die, dear brother¡­¡± ¨C Nameless took a slow breath, allowing his sister¡¯s words to flow through him and calm the discourse that threatened to tear him apart, ¡°I will make sure of it dear sister, even if I must twist my words and very soul to convince him¡­ I will make sure that we both will live to see you again.¡± ¡°That we both return victorious¡­¡± His mind slowly calming, Nameless focused on his brother ¨C Shade¡¯s mind still a roiling torrent of opposing thought ¨C and¡­ watched, allowing his brother the time to think. And using it for himself as well¡­ Chapter 37 It was an oddly familiar moment, the silence of deep thought mimicking that following his battle with the Jaguars, whence he was carried by Shade back to the den. However, that silence was broken by the occasional telepathic rumble and *crack* of Shade¡¯s whirling mind. His brother¡¯s thoughts had the taste of a coming storm to them, a metallic flavor that buzzed down his mind¡¯s tongue with every conflicted roar, ¡°It is better to sow this discord now, than to wait and try to do so as he is more settled in his beliefs¡­¡± A flicker of disgust warped his features, before ¨C in much the way as a rock sinks in water ¨C it disappeared just as quickly, leaving not a ripple of its presence lingering on his face, ¡°Though I wish I had no reason to do so at all.¡± In contrast, Shade¡¯s face was scrunched and creased, the battle within him visible in every twitch, squint, and snarl, a visage as¡­ agitated as his thoughts. Only risking errant brushes against the surface of his brother¡¯s psyche, gleaning the barest understanding of what was occurring, Nameless could feel no such immediate end to his brother¡¯s internal conflicts, ¡°There is nothing I can do for him now but be patient¡­ and more importantly, vigilant.¡± He turned much of his attention away from Shade ¨C leaving a portion of his focus to keeping watch over their connection ¨C instead looking outwards, to their surroundings. They were both exposed as they were, no cover of brush or stone to hide themselves behind if some form of creature were to look their way, leaving alertness their greatest defense. Nameless¡¯s eyes traced the distant shore, the brownish-red embankment leading down to the waters empty but for scattered stones, vines, roots, and fallen trees. Above, hung a heavy plant-choked tree line, interspersed with yawning gaps in which the heavy rains had caused the soil to collapse and fall away into the river, dragging the trees and brush down with it. At first sight of the shadowed holes, Nameless let [Soul-Sight] bloom across his eyes, colours sprouting vividly with it. The world gained a heavy¡­ definition ¨C his vision more capable of discerning details and outlines ¨C and with it, did some of the away darkness recede. To aid his endeavors further, Nameless focused his intent to rouse a Skill he had been sorely neglecting as of late, [Observation]. It did that which [Soul-Sight] could not, assisting his mind in recognizing the odd and out of place details, as well as effecting those senses that yet went¡­ unenhanced. With the burst of colour from [Soul-Sight], so too came a striking host of sounds and smells through [Observation]. The jungle gained a greater life to it, Nameless becoming enveloped by a dizzying number of sensations, each as distinct as the last. The musk of waterlogged wood, the rich floral scent of flowering blooms, the *qu-ree¡¯s* of a flock of Shimmer-Crests, and the long rising bleat of distant mating Brush Deer, crashed into his mind beside innumerable more sounds and scents. The burden of so many sharp sensations dizzied him, the sudden assault requiring a near physical effort for some semblance of peace to be asserted within his mind once more. Nameless shook his head and sneezed, the sharp expulsion making his eyes water, ¡°I¡­ should make time to get used to some of [Observation]¡¯s more¡­ significant effects, when I am so allowed.¡± With another flicker of intent, Nameless harshly tamped down on the enhanced smell and hearing brought about by his Skill. Scents and sound still had more of a¡­ presence to his mind, but were far less obtrusive, relegated to little but whisps of either tickling his nose and ears. Returning to his vigilance ¨C the cover of shade and plant now pierced through by his intensified senses ¨C Nameless found the distant shore and jungle clear of threats. He carefully swung his sight down the length of the tree line and over the river, eyes then leaping to the brush closest to him and Shade. He scented the air while he continued his search ¨C ears twitching with the slightest noticeable sound ¨C making sure to consider for creatures that the eyes might miss. The jungle beside Shade and himself was little different than that across the river from them; other than its being closer ¨C the rich greens, and myriad lush colourations of flowering plants far more visible close as they were ¨C it was just as that in the distance¡­ especially with there being a similar seeming lack of any threats within. That did not mean the surrounding woods were lacking in life, however. A bevy of creatures created a cacophony of sound and movement in the shade of the jungle; Nameless caught Ruby-Eyed Tree Geckos glide between trees and a troop of Three-Tailed Macaques *hoot* while they swung off deeper into the Jungle. Innumerable other creatures made their presence known to Nameless as he turned to search the opposite tree line, his eyes halting on Shade for a moment before moving on, ¡°Our presence is not strong enough to create a territory as Mother¡­ however, that no creature tries to drink from this shore is sign enough that our existence yet has some form of effect upon them.¡± The jungle to the opposite side of the embankment was much the same, absent of any Monster or Beast that could harm either of them, yet filled to bursting with smaller creatures moving amongst its brush. He stared emptily into the confines of the jungle, searching the gaps between trees and shadows within bushes for some form of threat¡­ hoping for a distraction, ¡°He is still lost in his thoughts¡­¡± Even with Shade at his back, Nameless could sense the emanations of thought through their shared telepathic connection, the strings of [Telepathy] vibrating and warbling with flashes of emotion, ¡°I will allow him his time. I can use this moment of inaction to think a few things over myse-¡± Nameless¡¯s ears twitched, his head tilting slightly to try and capture a sound that had pierced his thoughts. The light patter of rain, water lapping against the shore, the lone *howl* of a Bur¡¯chak, and many other sounds swirled in his ears; [Observation] roused further at his intentions, the Skill twinning around his focus and assisting his mind in parsing through the chaos of sound. ¡°Where?¡± A low growl rumbled through the air, his mind struggling to find the noise even with [Observation]¡¯s aid. Hackles raised as his instinct flared, focus narrowing down to nothing but the pursuit of sound and nothing else, ¡°Wher-¡± The sound thrummed in his skull, his ears perking up almost¡­ pointing towards where the sound emanated from¡­ Above. His head snapped upwards fast enough that his body audibly protested ¨C his neck sending a hollow *pop* to his ears through his own flesh ¨C but even as he hissed at the sharp nip of discomfort, his focus did not waver from tracing the noise back from whence it came. At his insistence, [Observation] and [Soul-Sight] grew in intensity, his sight becoming so vivid that his mind squirmed under the harsh vibrancy riddling his eyes¡­ and then stuttered to a stop altogether at what filled his vision. [Run, Brother!] Nameless roared through [Telepathy], his fur puffing out in agitation. With a sluggish pulse, Shade reacted to the order, his [Telepathy] filled with confusion and irritation, [Wha-] [To the trees! Now!] Nameless didn¡¯t allow Shade¡¯s annoyance to manifest, interrupting his brother with a veritable flood of imagery, demanding his haste rather than rebuttal¡­ Especially with a huge rustle looming above them. The name of such a flock of Monsters understated the danger that they represented. Even under the cloud muted light of the Brothers¡¯, the Nuas¡¯ ¨C or Dirk Winged Herons¡¯ ¨C metallic feathers shimmered with every flap of their wings, each sharp enough to part flesh with ease. Those very same feathers created the sound that had made Nameless aware of them in the first place, the dense mass of Anuas causing one¡¯s feathers to scrape against another¡¯s, the slight keening reaching him even at the distance between them. Though he would have greatly preferred that that distance was not a rapidly closing one. Their vision was likely far better than his own at a distance, and the sight of two young Sphinx on their own and seemingly unaware of their presence, likely too attractive of an opportunity for the Anuas to fly past. With an spared towards the sky, watching the rustle dive down towards them, Nameless charged towards Shade. Noticing Shade still standing in place, his eyes clouded by the remnants of deep thought, Nameless prepared to charge through his brother and drag him to the cover of the trees if he had to. [To. The. Trees!] Nameless ground out, his [Telepathy] lashing out against Shade¡¯s mind like the thin tail of a Cave Crawler, eliciting a small hiss from his brother¡¯s maw.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Nameless almost sighed in relief as he saw Shade shake himself free from the fetters of his thoughts, his head snapping upwards to view the Anuas for the first time himself. His brother¡¯s eyes widened with shock ¨C mouth gaping slightly ¨C before he scrambled to his paws, stumbling into a run towards the trees. With Shade now running to safety, Nameless adjusted his path, putting himself between his brother and the incoming rustle. He kept [Sprint] close in mind, only allowing the barest whisper of its support so as not to outpace Shade. [Proprioception] as well came to mind, Nameless gathering a portion of his focus in hopes of compensating for his beleaguered Stamina¡­ only to stumble as the Skill failed. Flailing, his paws kicking up loose stone and soil, he only just managed to retain his footing, ¡°What?¡± The distance between himself and Shade having lengthened somewhat by his slip, Nameless allowed [Sprint] to open up further and improve his stride, while yet another portion of his mind inspected [Proprioception]. He felt a sharp pain in his head as he balanced his attention across numerous fronts; Shade, his own movements, the Anuas, and now whatever was preventing him from properly manifesting his Skill, ¡°Why did you fail?¡± Paws thumping against the ground as he managed to bring himself to Shade¡¯s side once more, the *clacks* and *screeches* of the Anua grew in intensity while he evaluated [Proprioception], their closing presence causing him to grit his fangs hard enough that they *creaked* ominously. With a glance he measured the distance between himself and the Anua ¨C a mental claw of attention closing over [Proprioception], causing the Skill to warble ¨C as well as his and Shade¡¯s distance from the jungle, ¡°The fastest of them will meet us before we can make it for the cover of the canopy.¡± [Can you go faster, brother?] Nameless felt as though he already knew the answer, but still held out a small hope that he was wrong. [No. Fast. As. Can.] Shade replied, his [Telepathy] swelling over Nameless¡¯s mind with the harsh scents of panic and frustration. A huff passed through his fangs, a noticeable ¨C if minute ¨C tightness growing in his chest, [Then just continue running for the jungle!] Nameless slowed slightly, dropping back from Shade¡¯s side, sparing another portion of his precious attention to bring about another Skill, [I will give you time to get to the trees.] He didn¡¯t stop moving, but used [Deception] to¡­ exacerbate the fatigue he could already feel building with him, making it appear as though he were weaker than he was¡­ and came to a realization. ¡°Ah¡­¡± A gleam of awareness streaked through his eyes, that lingering attention upon [Proprioception] appearing to resonate with his budding conclusion, ¡°[Scarred-Hide] and [Harrowed] have changed me too much for [Proprioception] to work correctly.¡± So heavily entwinned with his understanding of how his body worked, his unfamiliarity with the manner his body moved now likely caused [Proprioception] to fail; his comprehension of the Skill still heavily attached to a form untouched by [Harrowed] or [Scarred-Hide] as it was. Still keeping the appearance that he was tempting prey for the Anua, Nameless growled, frustrated that such an integral Skill would be unavailable to him, ¡°Little to be done about it now! Just run, you fool!¡± He felt the pressure in his skull lessen without the attention spared for [Proprioception] ¨C the now ineffectual Skill having laden him with more tension than he had originally thought ¨C his mind freed of a dead weight, more available to evaluating his surroundings. Shade had made it two to three lengths away from him, his brother¡¯s form a dark-low slung blur, kicking up a cloud of dust behind him. The jungle had become tantalizingly close, its treetops above swaying in the wind, almost beckoning them to enter into their embrace¡­ However, Shade, himself, and the jungle weren¡¯t the only things that had changed distance from one another. It was an errant glance that saved Nameless from the first strike, his eyes catching on movement to his right, body moving instinctually. He dodged ¨C reacting fast enough that he didn¡¯t even touch upon his Skills ¨C lunging forward, a sharp whistle of wind passing behind him with an additional frustrated screech. He threw a look towards Shade, finding his brother just outside of the brush, [Keep going!] Needing complete focus, Nameless cut his end of their [Telepathy], instead devoting all of his attention to escaping the closing talons of the Anua. A loud screech announced the coming of another of the Monsters, a combination of [Sprint], [Leap], and [Dodge] blooming to the fore of his mind to aid in avoiding yet another attack¡­ Only, this time, he wasn¡¯t fast enough. In trying to evade, Nameless felt a sharp tug and spasm along the scars of his right hindleg and back, turning a leap into more of a falter¡­ and earning him a talon across the side. He could almost taste the triumph in the Anua¡¯s call as it swept away and back into the sky, a trail of blood trailing behind one of its claws, the hot sting of flesh being greeted by air making him snarl, ¡°Ignore the pain and move!¡± With a roar he charged forward, a swell of sound following behind him as the Anua chased. He dodged as best he could, [Leap] and [Dodge] greatly aiding his avoidance of far more grievous wounds, but the scars across his body proved to be far more a hindrance than expected. Inopportune spasms and twitches caused him to stumble and waver, delaying his reactions and earning him a great many cuts and slashes from otherwise avoidable attacks. Yet another Anua swooped past his left side, his reaction slowed by just the slightest amount to allow the Monster to rake its sharpened feathers across his side. The pain and frustration of another injury caused him to yowl, fury swelling in his chest, his paw darting out to bat away the next of his attackers in retaliation. The Anua of his focus tried to turn away, but its momentum was too great, sending it directly into the coming paw with an audible *crack*. A Stage One as himself, the Monster collapsed under his own strike, the difference between their statuses amongst Monsters openly displayed by the speed of its end¡­ However, their physical weaknesses were more than made up for by their speed and numbers. Where he killed one, he earned another two shallow wounds across a wing and his back, rivulets of blood flowing freely into his fur and feathers, ¡°Focus on escaping, there are too many to risk a fight¡­¡± A deep growl of frustration rattled through his bones. Nameless leapt forward ¨C glad that his scars hadn¡¯t hindered him this time ¨C his Skill aiding in making the jump forward a considerable one, placing him even closer to the jungle he so greatly desired to be amongst. ¡°Move! Almost there!¡± [Sprint] felt like the dry season¡¯s heat to his mind, scalding him while he poured his focus into it, a measure of safety spurring him forward with greater haste than the threat of the Anua could alone. Five lengths away from the jungle; an Anua slashed at the nape of his neck tearing out a great deal of his fur, while another latched onto his back. Four lengths away; a roll crushed the Anua at his back underneath him ¨C as well as avoided the strikes of three others ¨C however it allowed a greater amount of the rustle to catch up. Three lengths away; Nameless was soaked in his own blood, small cuts and gashes covering him from head to tail, the rustle of Anua swirling around him like a dervish, pecking and slashing at him from every direction. Two lengths away¡­ the strongest of the Anua finally joined. Nameless had sensed their presence looming above as he had made his escape, the Second Stages circling from a distance, allowing their weaker kin to tire and injure him to the point that they felt confident they could end him themselves. He had kept his attention of them at the back of his mind, keeping watch even as he was bloodied further and further by those Anua that were threatening him directly¡­ and he was more the glad for his vigilance, when the first among them dove towards him. The difference in speed was considerable, the Anua nothing but a shimmering blur to his sight, its wings pressed tightly to its side. However, ready as he was, its speed meant little. Nameless took a pointed beak to his left shoulder and a slash of talons to his right flank, in order to avoid the path of the Stage Two¡­ But he wasn¡¯t willing to just evade its attack. His frustration and anger potent enough to turn his blood to venom, he discarded his caution and escape for a singular¡­ seemingly foolish purpose. [Tracking] and [Observation] were harshly grasped and the [Soul-Sight] he had allowed to fade was returned in a flash of visual clarity. The entirety of his focus fell upon the one Monster ¨C the others and his pain discarded ¨C while he twisted out of the way of its dive. Close as the Monster had become, it was unable to shift or break its dive, moving far too fast to do so without a great risk of self-harm. But it likely felt little fear because of that very same speed, the possibility of being struck when moving so fast negligible to its¡­ lesser mind. But to his, it was a reasonable one. [Observation] and [Tracking] twirled about one another, the depth of his focus and intent making Nameless feel as though Time itself had slowed. Through the combination of Trait and Skill, Nameless watched the blur of a Monster approach, his mind working to spot the exact path it would cross¡­ and when it did, he moved. With a pivot Nameless faced where the Anua would pass, his every muscle tensing underneath him, not a single thread of his attention focused on anything beyond himself and the Monster. [Observation] and [Tracking] assisted in his reading every small detail of the Monsters¡¯s movements, working with such clarity that it ¨C for an instant ¨C felt as though the Skill were one, his body constantly shifting to keep himself poised to strike out at just the right place. ¡°Come on!¡± Nameless roared just as the Anua¡¯s path came into full clarity, the Monster cutting through the air fast enough that he could feel the wind against his fur¡­ But it wasn¡¯t fast enough for him. Nameless lunged forward in advance, using every amount of information he had gathered through [Observation] and [Tracking] to time the Anua¡¯s crossing, with claws and fangs outstretched¡­ and caught the Anua completely unaware. The Monster didn¡¯t have so much as a moment to make a sound, Nameless¡¯s bulk slamming into it, their combined momentums causing the both of them to careen wildly into the jungle. They slammed into the ground and rolled, blood, feathers, dirt, and debris swirling around them. Nameless embedded his fangs into the Monster¡¯s flesh and slashed his claws through its feathers into the meat below. His mouth became awash with blood, both of the Anua¡¯s as well as his own, the sharp feathers cutting through the inside of his maw. He savaged the Monster as they tumbled, the Anua broken and limp from the first impact, and left as nothing but a shredded sopping corpse by the time their momentum finally abated. Nameless staggered to his paws and hacked out the feathers embedded in the flesh of his mouth, releasing deep-heaving breaths while he looked down upon the mutilated corpse below him, before turning to his surroundings. [Brother?!] He called out, stretching his [Telepathy] as far as he could manage to find Shade. [Brother?!] Again, he called, grinding his fangs together with growing anxiety, ¡°You should have retained your connection, and not broken it you fo-¡± [Here.] Shade¡¯s voice whispered across his mind, preventing Nameless from degrading himself, images of his brother¡¯s location floating across the strings of [Telepathy] to him. Nameless sighed in relief and took step towards where he could feel Shade was in the distance, when he stopped and looked back. He could still here the rustle just beyond the brush, their screeches and the scrapes of the feathers a discordant cacophony, far more agitated now than before, ¡°Seems that this one''s death is as a surprise to them as it was to it¡­¡± Leaning down he grasped the Anua¡¯s corpse in his jaws, an errant feather cutting through his tongue, [I will be but a moment, Brother.] [Good.] Shade replied near instantly, his [Telepathy] shaking with anxiety, [Need. Talk] ¡°Ah¡­¡± Nameless stopped again, corpse blood dripping onto the jungle soil, his features hardening while his mind spun, ¡°It seems he has come to a conclusion.¡± Chapter 38 With the dead Anua¡¯s talons dragging across the ground and its rustle squawking and screeching violently behind him, Nameless stalked deeper into the jungle. Following Shade¡¯s thread of [Telepathy] back to him, his mind delved into their union to gather some sense of his brother¡¯s state. He tasted the colours of anxiety and impatience that coruscated along Shade¡¯s thoughts, but distance gave little clarity to the cause, ¡°Does he worry over what my reaction may be, or the consequences that may follow his decision?¡± The uncertainty surrounding Shade¡¯s thoughts caused what anxiety that swirled incessantly just beneath the surface of Nameless¡¯s psyche to rise. It breached his own thoughts like a Vermilion Tigerfish after a Four-Winged Hummingbird, with the water that trailed behind it the insidious strings of worry, doubt, and tension that begun to drench much of his thinking. ¡°I already know that I cannot control my brother¡¯s thoughts¡­¡± Nameless snarled to himself, jaw tensing tighter around the Anua¡¯s thin neck, ¡°I already know that worrying over his decisions is useless! And yet-!¡± While he continued forward distracted, one of the corpse¡¯s talons suddenly caught on some of the undergrowth under paw, forcefully yanking the body out of his maw. The Anua¡¯s feathers scraped gratingly against his fangs and tore through more of the flesh in his mouth, the immediate pain ripping a harsh scream from his throat, a bloody mist expelled from him with the yell. The *thump* of the corpse dropping to the ground was barely acknowledged by Nameless, the pain causing his already taut emotions to snap with all the force of a monsoon¡¯s winds. He whirled around ¨C plants and soil tossed about ¨C maddened eyes hunting for the source of the agony now seeping from in between his fangs. Enflamed with every breath, his worries and anxieties died beneath a wildfire of embittered frustration, rage flaring each time the new wounds stung with the passage of air along them. His sight skittered along the ground, hunting through a furious haze for the Anua¡¯s corpse amongst the brush; wide leaves, ferns, flowers, roots, and branches, skipped past his eyes, irritation building with each heartbeat passed without the body in sight¡­ Until ¨C by the errant streams of light that filtered through the canopy above ¨C his eyes latched upon the shimmering feathers of the Anua, hidden beneath dirt, leaves, and broken sticks tossed about in his rage. Nameless dashed forward, a deep growl quaking up his throat, his right forepaw snapping outward. Extended claws hooked beneath the grounded corpse, before ¨C growl transforming into a booming roar filled with his frustrations ¨C he tossed the dead Anua away; the leaves dirt, and sticks covering it flying chaotically away once more. He watched the body careen away, blood and loosed feathers twirling around it as it spun, until ¨C with the resounding *crack* of broken bones ¨C the corpse slammed into a distant tree. The impact contained all the furious force the Anua had been made airborne with, a visible shudder radiating up the tree, shaking free leaves and twigs from above. Great rattling heaves left his maw, the fury and frustration hounding his mind seeping out with each much like the blood that leaked from in between his fangs, ¡°And yet it seems I cannot help myself from endlessly fretting over that which I cannot change¡­¡± ¡°Making myself frenzied or sick by allowing my fears and anxieties to lead me by the snout.¡± Nameless closed his eyes tightly, trying to choke the flames of his anger before they could rage once again¡­ and also avoid allowing his anxieties to slip into the gap left behind. His anxiety was becoming an ever-present irritation of his. It was a constant battle to avoid becoming lost beneath the tides of his worries and fears, their waves swelling whenever a complicated situation arose and his thoughts were allowed to run rampant, turning them into an overwhelming flood of apprehensions¡­ an occurrence that was becoming all too common. Nameless focused deeply on steadying his breathing, his mind dredging up the memories of [Wisdom]¡¯s having helped calm him once before, ¡°1, 2, 7, 4, 13, 11¡­¡± The numbers continuing in his head, his eyes opened, and he began to pad towards where the corpse of the Anua lay slumped across a tree¡¯s roots. With each step his frustration twisted away from that of Shade, the present pain, and even those fears of the future that always stalked his mind, instead turning towards that annoyance he felt at the lack of control that seemed the root of all his concerns. Leaves and twigs crunched underpaw, the sound barely audible below the voices of his thoughts, ¡°Too weak to assure my own safety, too valuable not to be hunted for the power in my veins and flesh, and too aware to not realize how¡­ tenuous this existence of mine is and not worry over every possible threat to it¡­¡± His claws extended and retracted with the waves of his anxiety, the building swell forcing him to pause and gather himself once more, ¡°34, 28, 42, 35¡­¡± He inhaled deeply, the scent of the dampened jungle filling his nostrils. In a harsh cycle, Nameless was well aware that there was little he could do to immediately alleviate his anxieties or that which caused them. There was no time he could waste on working through his problems ¨C in the same fashion as what the ¡°soft-adolescence¡± his imprints considered the Classical Races to have would allow ¨C with the dangers of the wilds surrounding him¡­ and that of his mother looming over his future. Leaving him at the same frustrating conclusion. ¡°I can only struggle to survive¡­ and hope I live long enough that I can make the time to do otherwise someday¡­¡± Lightly shaking his head, he harshly exhaled through his nose, his ears and tail flicking about with his agitation, ¡°Even if my survival seems to often come by only the skin of my fangs.¡± Nameless walked forward once more, the world muted beyond his thoughts, every one of them loudly swirling around his skull. Growth was the only recourse available to him, a brittle path rife with the same uncertainty that caused the constant susurrus of concern within him, devoid of that control he desired so greatly. With the final length between himself and the corpse closing, he chaffed under his having to surrender himself to Fate and the whims of the World, his lips receding to reveal the fangs behind. The impotent rage he felt from his powerlessness burned at his throat, every muscle in his body tensing and vibrating as he desperately held back from lashing out again. He wanted to scream¡­ but the feeling left as quickly as it arose, his body slumping just before the broken carcass of the Anua. He stared at the body, his eyes mindlessly tracing over the patches now void of its browned and silvered feathers, to the fractured protrusion jutting upwards from beneath the Monster¡¯s skin to make taut mountains of flesh. He gazed upon its now shattered wings up to the ragged holes in its neck left behind by his fangs, ¡°I suppose this is the burden of my [Wisdom]; the ability to realize and understand the unknown and uncertain surrounding me¡­¡± ¡°Only to suffer the anxiety of being aware to how little I can truly effect myself.¡± Nameless inhaled deeply, feeling his lungs swell within his chest, and huffed a heavy sigh, ¡°But that does not mean I am completely absent of choice I suppose.¡± His paws curled into the soil as he leaned down, mouth opening to pick up the Anua¡¯s corpse, ¡°While the circumstances of my survival are beyond my control, how I choose to react to them is not¡­¡± He could feel a small kindle of that conviction that drove him spark within his breast, ¡°Whether I give into my fears and rage, or strive beyond them is solely my decision alone. Even if it is an¡­ insignificant one ¨C in comparison to those I truly wish to make ¨C the decision to fight on, even in spite of all that is arrayed against me, is one only I can make¡­¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. While his living and success was so greatly dependent upon fortune and the whims of others¡­ there was a certain solace he could take in his having some form of sway over a portion of his life. It did nothing in quelling his anxieties or alleviating the anger that still begged to be released, however it did what so many of these moments of introspection did for him¡­ It granted him a small step forward. A lack of understanding of himself was what he often felt was his one of greatest weakness, so much of his Identity merely imposed upon him from [Wisdom]¡¯s awakening that he was almost having to¡­ learn about himself the more time went by; his motivations and fears, the extent of his knowledge and thinking, and even his own voice, all things he was having to become accustomed to rather than naturally being. And now ¨C fangs sinking into the flesh of the Anua¡¯s neck ¨C he felt just the slightest more aware of himself. He heavily distasted how little control over his life he had, however he would struggle and bear it so long as it led to a dawn where he would have the power ¨C and freedom ¨C to take it by the paws and act beyond mere survival. ¡°Survive and Strive¡­¡± Feeling the raging tide of his worries and frustrations begin to recede, he raised his head, the body swinging listlessly from in between his teeth, ¡°Or more so; Survive today, so I can Strive for more tomorrow.¡± Nameless smiled around the Anua¡¯s neck, his fangs coated in his and the Monster¡¯s blood. He wondered distantly as he turned how long it would take before he would find that control he desired, if it was just a vain and na?ve hope never to be realized, or something truly attainable¡­ The thought brought about a sharp slash of tension across his brow causing him to shake his head ¨C the corpse swaying against him with the motion. He was mentally exhausted; his emotions and thoughts having stretched his mind so thin that it felt as though it were a spider¡¯s string pulled taut at two ends. ¡°Not done yet I am afraid¡­¡± He sighed around the Anua¡¯s neck, his face scrunching at a migraine blooming across his forehead, blood frothing at the passage of air. Confronting Shade¡¯s decision still remained ahead of him. He did not believe there was anything for him to fear, however that same uncertainty that had enflamed his emotions and dominated his thoughts, made that belief a fragile one, ¡°I have worried more than enough this day¡­ Whatever his decision, I will deal with it once I hear it, not be-¡± Nameless¡¯s ears twitched and turned, the sound of a creature crashing through the forest reaching them¡­ growing closer. He dropped the Anua, pivoting to face where the creature¡¯s passage emanated. His fur stood on end, his wings stretching as far as they could ¨C limited as they were by the brush ¨C while he lowered himself closer to the ground, his body tensing in preparation of conflict. The sound grew ever louder, Nameless releasing a deep aggressive rumble in reply, his claws and fangs coming to bare. He stayed at the ready, positioned just above his prey, heart thundering in his chest. ¡°Whatever it is, it knows I-¡± A pleading thread of [Telepathy] smacked against his mind and coiled around it, a chaotic deluge of emotions creating a nonsensical burst of words and intentions to slam into him. Nameless winced away from the [Telepathy], fashioning his own to try and bring order to ¨C and make sense of ¨C the telepathic flood trying to smother his mind. But at least he could relax¡­ somewhat. [Brother?] Nameless reached out. [Brother!] Shade¡¯s [Telepathy] flared with a palpable relief, [Felt. Anger. Then. Disappeared. Worried.] Still reeling from the initial outpour, Nameless had to slowly parse through Shade¡¯s words and emotions, before replying with a fair bit of¡­ chagrin, [Ah, I- My apologies Brother. It seems that during a moment of¡­ frustration, I severed the connection between us without realizing. I am¡­ sorry that I worried you.] There was a moment of pause, his brother¡¯s [Telepathy] swirling over his apology, [Expected. Fight. Glad. Fine.] Nameless chuffed at how much of Shade¡¯s relief was for his not having to fight something, but he felt¡­ warmed by the concern his brother had shown for him by being willing to come to his aid. ¡°A good sign¡­¡± He could hear Shade¡¯s progress jungle¡¯s undergrowth, the rustle of leaves impossible to ignore at such a distance, [You wished to talk earlier?] The sound of his brother¡¯s movement halted with his question, Shade¡¯s end of their connection going temporarily inert. [Y-yes. Wait.] His [Telepathy] stuttered with trepidation, Nameless nearly seeing his brother¡¯s nervous hunched posture despite being obscured behind the undergrowth. Nameless placed himself to the side of the Anua, waiting on his haunches for Shade to arrive before him. He focused on his breathing to steady the nerves that fluttered within his chest, ¡°Whatever comes, you will deal with it.¡± He didn¡¯t have to wait long for Shade to break through the last of the thick growth between them, head pushing through the long fronds of a wide fern. His brother¡¯s dark complexion blended into fur of a similarly shadowy hue, his entire figure blending in amongst the shade of the canopy and brush. His face had the youth that Nameless¡¯s had lost, a fullness that smoothed the predatory sharpness of his features, slightly obscuring cheekbones and a jawline similar to his own¡­ but did nothing to his eyes. They angled slightly downwards and appeared to have an almost drowsy quality to them¡­ if not for the furrow in his brow that turned them to a near constant glare. Piercing orange eyes, dappled by flecks of fire, looked outwards behind his hooded eyes, his sight meeting Nameless¡¯s own, [Look. Bad. Brother.] Nameless huffed at the greeting, the dryness a far more familiar tone to his mind¡­ even if it was only meant to hide the nervousness below, [The Anua were insistent in their efforts to prevent me from reaching the jungle. However, it seems I proved to be more¡­ stubborn than they expected¡­] He motioned a paw towards the dead Anua at his side ¨C lips quirking up in a smirk that flashed some of his fangs ¨C watching as Shade¡¯s eyes flickered to the corpse. [Yes. Stubborn. Right.] He could feel the mental exasperation at his statement, but the flashes of his hide viewed through Shade¡¯s eyes spoke to his brother¡¯s awareness that stubbornness had little to do with his escape. The two fell into an awkward silence, the slowly returning sounds of wildlife scared away by the rustle of Anua¡¯s filling the void between them. Despite his brother¡¯s best efforts, Nameless could smell the anxiety he tried so desperately to obscure, its presence making his own rise into his throat. [Brother¡­] He started, only to be forced to stop with a sudden surge of emotions and images from Shade¡¯s [Telepathy], their depth and numbers near blinding to his senses. He experienced Shade¡¯s thoughts and feelings as though they were his own, though the inexperience of his brother made the impressions disjointed and chaotic. He witnessed his oath to Shade; felt the myriad emotions and thoughts created in the wake of his promise, swimming through confusion and fear it inspired¡­ but also the honor and gratitude it created. With every prevailing conversation and interaction they shared, he could feel the conflict within his brother shift and change; every emotion gaining a greater depth with the addition of new questions to Shade¡¯s curious mind. Nameless felt that curiosity become the impetus of Shade¡¯s interactions with him, a fanatical desire to understand what made Nameless different, battling directly against the fear he had of what he believed him to be¡­ Until today. Nameless¡¯s eyes snapped to Shade¡¯s, his brother¡¯s posture now more resolute, [Followed. Oath. Need. Trust.] He could see the instant Shade¡¯s suspicion and fear of him died, how the singular moment of his standing against the Anua to provide Shade the time to get to safety turned everything around¡­ An Anomaly would not have risked its life to protect him. Their imprints and Mother¡¯s teachings worked in Nameless¡¯s favor, his selflessness running in direct contradiction to how Anomalies were described; his actions doing more to swaying Shade than any amount of his words could. ¡°Then why was he so¡­ anxious?¡± He stared into Shade¡¯s eyes and reached out with his [Telepathy], parting the cloud of his memories to hunt down the anxiety he had been worrying over. His attention wound between emotions and impressions, searching for the scent of concern that had incited some of his own. ¡°Ah.¡± His [Telepathy] brushed across the focus of his search, moving to twine around it and understand the cause of it in detail, ¡°He was worried that I would be¡­ angered by his having considered me an Anomaly, especially after I acted to protect him.¡± Shade¡¯s eyes turned away from his, Nameless¡¯s having found his concern not going unnoticed to his brother, [I. Am. Sorry. Trust.] [You have no reason to apologize, Brother.] Nameless allowed his attention to recede from the depths of Shade¡¯s mind, avoiding further intrusion within his mind, [You were smart to be worried about me¡­ though I am glad that you no longer consider me to be an Anomaly.] [No. Trust.] Shade reaffirmed his trust for Nameless, a conviction making his threads of [Telepathy] rigid and immobile, [Trust. Promise. Protect. Fight. Beside. Too?] Nameless could feel the truth of his brother¡¯s conviction, the depth of his mimicked oath as deep as the one he had made himself. Shade¡¯s telepathy thrummed with determination and respect to his mind, a palpable yearning for his acceptance making his reply all but certain. [I accept your oath, Brother¡­] A true smile graced his lips, his fangs gleaming under the dull rays from above, a great weight falling away from his shoulders, [And I see no better way to affirm both of ours, than to do so over a hunt¡­]