Rugr gave a slight cough, and his tone went all business again. ¡°All right, then. We head out as soon as you break camp. Be snappy about it¡ªthis rain won¡¯t hold off forever.¡±
Arraku
Their efforts to gather information in Balta had proven fruitless. Though Calman had expected as much, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Establishing a clear lead would have been a welcome stroke of luck¡ªsomething to counterbalance the growing burden of traveling with Thespis. The boy¡¯s arrogance and constant need for attention had worn Calman''s patience razor thin, and their mission had only begun.
To buy himself a moment¡¯s peace, Calman had paid a plain-faced barmaid to entertain Thespis for the evening. The plan backfired spectacularly. After less than an hour of enduring Thespis¡¯s self-aggrandizing stories and relentless condescension, the girl had returned half the coin and stormed off. Not wanting good money to go to waste, Calman had spent the remainder of the night with her himself. To his mild surprise, he¡¯d found the experience quite pleasant.
As they prepared to leave Balta, Calman¡¯s mind was again troubled by the realization that this was only the beginning of what could be a long trip.
Their next destination was a tiny, unnamed village halfway to Cabal, tucked into the hills north of the main road. The village didn¡¯t appear on any map Calman had seen, and its obscurity only deepened his unease.
Thespis saw their mission as an opportunity to assert authority he neither earned nor deserved.
¡°Junas!¡± the boy barked imperiously, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°Fetch and prepare the horses. Quick, now!¡±
Though the order was meant to demean, Junas leaped at the chance to escape Thespis¡¯s endless prattle. Calman caught the subtle smirk on Junas¡¯s face as he walked away.
Sela had been less fortunate. For two days, Thespis had latched onto her, forcing her to endure his ceaseless monologues and increasingly transparent attempts at charm. Calman had noticed her temper fraying and knew she wouldn''t hold out much longer.
Only last night, Thespis had knocked on her door three separate times. Though she''d dismissed him each time with polite firmness, Calman later spotted her slipping out a side door, seeking refuge from his relentless advances. Thespis, oblivious as ever, had finally retired to his room, muttering something about her ¡°needing time to appreciate true greatness.¡±
Calman resolved to intervene before things deteriorated further. If Sela snapped¡ªand that was only a matter of time¡ªit would jeopardize her standing in Astiria. Thespis¡¯s vindictiveness would ensure she never received another worthy assignment. Calman had no intention of letting the boy¡¯s inflated ego ruin her promising career.
The following morning, Thespis arrived at the stables half an hour late, smiling smugly and waving his hand with exaggerated authority.
¡°Good, you¡¯ve all arrived early,¡± he declared, ignoring the glares exchanged among the group. ¡°That¡¯s the type of initiative I like to see in my team.¡±
No one responded though Calman caught Sela¡¯s subtle eye-roll.
¡°All right,¡± Thespis continued, unfolding a map he couldn¡¯t interpret. ¡°Are we prepared to depart? Calman, you¡¯ll lead the way. I''m having a devil of a time finding our turnoff. I''d hate to overshoot it and accidentally end up in Cabal.¡±
¡°Aye,¡± Calman replied, voice neutral. ¡°I¡¯ll find it.¡±
¡°Excellent. Sela, please remain close to me. Should we encounter brigands or any trouble along the road, I¡¯ll need you at my side¡ªfor your safety, of course.¡±
¡°Of course, Thespis,¡± Sela said sweetly. ¡°I¡¯ll stay right behind you.¡±
Calman hid his smirk. Sela possessed a rare gift for cloaking contempt beneath a veil of deference. He was grateful he¡¯d brought her along; her patience and sharp wit would be invaluable in the days ahead.
Calman gave the signal with a curt nod, and the group set off eastward along the road toward Cabal.
As they settled into a steady rhythm, the oppressive weight of Thespis¡¯s presence loomed over them like a gathering storm. Calman gritted his teeth, silently vowing to complete this mission without throttling the insufferable boy¡ªor at least, getting caught.
The forest grew darker as dusk settled over the wagon¡¯s resting place. The skeletal remains of its broken frame cast long shadows against the crimson-streaked sky. Calman knelt beside the wagon''s rear, studying the damage to the undercarriage. Something about the break in the axle seemed wrong, though he couldn¡¯t put his finger on what.
Junas crouched next to him, his gaze shifting between the damaged wood and the fading light. ¡°The hopper¡¯s empty. A few boxes with rotted goods, but nothing like the one we¡¯re after. If Rugr and the girl were here, they¡¯ve moved on.¡±
Calman frowned. In the mission report, Rugr had mentioned a delay to the ship¡¯s captain, and a broken wagon axle would explain that. Rugr had likely continued to Balta, holding the vessel while arranging new transport. Rugr had paid the captain in full, convincing Calman that Rugr had no intention of returning. Markus¡¯s daughter was a different story. Would Rugr have left her alone to guard the box? That seemed unlikely. But now, almost a month later, her trail had grown cold.
¡°They could¡¯ve hidden it,¡± Junas said, breaking Calman¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Buried it nearby. There¡¯s no way to know without wasting days searching every patch of ground.¡±
Calman grunted in agreement, rising from his crouch and dusting off his hands. "No point guessing. Let¡¯s finish scouting the area and move on to the village."
Thespis and Sela returned from their search in the woods. Sela looked grim, her shoulders tense. "Nothing," she said. "No signs of activity."
Thespis, however, looked pleased with himself.
"On the contrary," he said, brushing past her. "We found a perfect spot to camp. It offers a clear view of the wagon, which is ideal for keeping watch. Rugr would have surely discovered it had they remained in the area. Since the area shows no signs of disturbance, I conclude they did not stay in the area for long."
Sela gave a small sigh of irritation, but Calman stared at Thespis. The boy¡¯s arrogance was grating, but he wasn¡¯t wrong. A skilled tracker might avoid such obvious spots, but the girl might not have been as cautious as Rugr.
Thespis smiled, basking in his self-proclaimed brilliance. ¡°You see, Sela,¡± he continued, his tone condescending, ¡°sometimes what¡¯s not there tells us more than what is.¡±
Calman fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Very insightful, Thespis," he said. "Your studies have served you well."
¡°Of course they have,¡± Thespis smirked, buffing his nails against the coarse fabric of his cloak. ¡°It¡¯s one of my many natural gifts.¡±
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Sela muttered something under her breath, and Junas coughed to cover what might have been a laugh. Thespis remained unaware, too absorbed in inspecting his nails for imagined dirt.
Calman turned toward the path. ¡°We¡¯re losing light. Let¡¯s get moving before¡ª¡±
¡°Actually,¡± Thespis interrupted, ¡°we shall stay here for the night. I¡¯m famished; after all, we found the perfect spot. Junas, see to the horses and fetch my bags. Sela, start a small fire. The air has grown quite chilly.¡±
Junas shot Calman a look¡ªa mix of disbelief and frustration. ¡°You know it¡¯s going to rain tonight?¡±
Calman could feel the moisture in the air, the quiet promise of a downpour. Still, he glanced skyward, the darkening clouds confirming Junas¡¯s warning. ¡°Thespis, staying here is¡ª¡±
¡°Not up for debate,¡± Thespis cut in, his tone haughty. ¡°This is a decision made for the group¡¯s benefit. Unless, of course, you think you could find a better spot?¡±
Calman clenched his jaw, the weight of leadership and responsibility pulling at him. But arguing with the boy was a waste of energy¡ªand daylight. He exhaled and said, ¡°Junas, see to the horses. Sela, skip the fire. We¡¯re better off without the light.¡±
Thespis¡¯s lip curled, but he said nothing, turning instead to dig through his pack for a cloak. Sela rolled her eyes behind his back and gave Calman a nod of understanding.
The group began to settle in for the night, but unease crept along the edges of Calman¡¯s thoughts. The forest''s silence wasn¡¯t the natural quiet of evening¡ªit was heavier, oppressive. He glanced around, scanning the treeline. Something about the stillness felt wrong.
In the fading light, the broken wagon stood like a monument to his frustration. Calman¡¯s gaze lingered on the damaged axle, his mind turning over the puzzle again. Was it indeed an accident? Or had it been sabotage?
He looked toward the trees again, his instincts prickling.
Above them, the first drops of rain began to fall.
The Arraku moved forward with predatory silence, its long, spindly legs flexing at unnatural angles, rising and lowering without a whisper. Each motion was fluid and precise, every joint working in perfect harmony. The sharp tips of its legs touched the ground so delicately that the creature seemed weightless, leaving no trace of its passage.
Fine, bristly hairs sheathed each leg, twitching subtly, sensing even the faintest vibrations in the air and earth. These soft sensory hairs brushed against leaves and soil, moving in seamless harmony with their surroundings, betraying nothing of their owner¡¯s lethal intent.
Arraku hunted their prey with uncanny grace, slipping through shadows¡ªa master of stealth. When ready, they burst into sudden, lethal speed, legs snapping forward like loaded springs, closing the gap between shadow and prey in a heartbeat.
Its curved, scythe-like fangs folded snugly beneath powerful mandibles when not in use. Each fang was serrated and honed to razor-sharp perfection, designed to slice deep into flesh and ensure steady blood flow. Thick amber venom seeped from their hollow tips; its cruelty matched only by its effectiveness. A numbing chill spread from the wound, seizing muscles, clouding the victim¡¯s mind, and leaving them helpless as the toxin worked inexorably toward the heart.
For larger prey, the Arraku deployed its prehensile stinger, hidden beneath glossy, chitinous plates at the base of its abdomen. These plates shifted with a faint rasp, like a blade drawn from its sheath, revealing the segmented appendage. The stinger was a barbed, iridescent needle, its surface glistening with venom. Upon piercing flesh, this venom overwhelmed nerves, amplifying pain to unbearable heights. As the stinger withdrew, its barbs tore through tissue, leaving jagged, agonizing wounds¡ªoften the last sensation the victim ever experienced.
An Arraku shared a telepathic link amongst its cluster, an intricate network of signals rich with emotion and instinct. Their shared ''vocabulary'' consisted of simple commands or identifications, each word overloaded, carrying layered, shifting meanings depending on the context. This connection allowed them to act in unity, their movements and attacks coordinated with deadly precision. A surge of anticipation would ripple through the link, signaling the moment to strike.
Within the nest, the Spider Queen amplified their telepathic bond. Her will resonated through the network like an unrelenting tide. Her commands were absolute, impossible to resist, and suffused with the immense power of her dark presence. Outside the nest, her influence waned, but a tenuous connection could be maintained when a cluster of Arraku focused together.
Connection meant everything to an Arraku¡ªclan and community above all. When isolated, cut off from the nest''s telepathic web, the silence became unbearable. Without the comfort of its communal bond, the creature descended into "spider madness," a state marked by profound lethargy and deep despair. Gradually, it would lose all motivation, its movements becoming sluggish until it finally collapsed, legs folded beneath its body in a twisted imitation of rest, surrendering to a slow and solitary death.
As the Arraku moved closer, the clutter cried in unison, Demana.
Thespis and Sela worked together to build a makeshift shelter against the relentless rain. Their efforts were hurried, but the structure would stand.
As Calman and Junas fashioned their own, Junas''s scowl deepened. His sour mood was on display, an unspoken complaint against Thespis¡¯s idiocy and the downpour that fell from the brooding sky.
For Thespis, the dreary evening¡¯s circumstances aligned in his favor. The rain''s chill drove everyone to seek closer quarters. Calman had forbidden the warmth of a fire, and Sela¡ªbeautiful, elusive Sela¡ªwas now within arm''s reach under their shared shelter. It was an ideal opportunity to press his affections. She had never outright refused him, only deflecting his advances with practiced ease. Tonight, that would change. He would present his intentions, simple and plain, refusing to let her sidestep them again.
As the rain intensified, Junas rose, muttering curses under his breath. "The wagon''s hopper will give better shelter than this," he spat, his frustration evident.
Calman nodded in tacit agreement, but before Junas stormed off down the incline toward the wagon, Calman caught Sela''s gaze. There was something unspoken but deliberate in their exchange¡ªa glance Thespis understood but dismissed as irrelevant.
The sharp crack of splintering wood joined Junas''s curses as he tossed the remaining crates from the wagon. Then, an abrupt silence, leaving only the monotonous hiss of the rain.
"I''m going to check on Junas," Calman said, tightening his cloak.
His eyes bore into Thespis as he added with measured weight, "I''ll be right back."
Thespis smirked. Fate seemed to favor him tonight. With both men gone, he was finally alone with Sela.
He frowned with disappointment when Calman¡¯s voice carried back through the rain.
¡°What the hell?¡±
His words and tone made Sela stiffen. She left the shelter without hesitation to stand at Calman¡¯s side. Annoyed, Thespis followed, grumbling about imbeciles and rain as he approached the incline where the others had gathered.
¡°What¡¯s so damn important that I have to stand in the¡ª¡± His complaint died in his throat as his eyes fell on Junas.
Junas stood at the center of the dim clearing, a grotesque puppet suspended by an unseen force. His feet sank into the mud at unnatural angles, toes twisted and splayed as if crushed beneath a great weight. His knees buckled inward, trembling beneath a lifeless frame that sagged unevenly. One shoulder drooped lower than the other, its arm hanging limp, while the opposite limb swung loose from its socket.
Rain slicked his face, giving his pale skin the waxy sheen of death. His head tilted at an awkward angle, barely supported by the fragile connection of his neck, rolling in slow, uneven movements that defied any illusion of life. His slack jaw hung open, rainwater trickling from his lips, and his eyes¡ªempty, sightless eyes¡ªstaring into an abyss known only to the dead.
Lightning flashed overhead, illuminating the macabre scene in stark relief. For an instant, Junas¡¯s lifeless form seemed animated, his limbs jerking and twitching as though attempting movement. Each raindrop that dripped from his chin marked a grim rhythm, a steady, macabre metronome punctuating the eerie silence. Another bolt struck, and for a moment, the illusion returned, Junas¡¯s head snapping forward with a wet, sickening thud as his chin struck his chest. His body jolted grotesquely beneath the force. Yet he did not fall. Something unseen held him upright, forcing his lifeless form into a disturbing parody of defiance against gravity and death.
Visible behind Junas, illuminated only in brief flashes, loomed a deeper shadow¡ªvast, oppressive, and terrifyingly alive. It shifted with each burst of lightning, revealing the barest glint of something sharp and unnatural, too sinister to belong to anything human. The air thickened, heavy and oppressive, as if the very storm recoiled in horror from the monstrosity hidden behind its dead puppet.
Calman''s hand went to his sword. "Get your weapons," he ordered, his voice low and commanding.
When Sela turned to push Thespis back toward the shelter, she found only empty space¡ªhe was already gone.
Through the rain came the sound of thrashing branches and panicked footfalls as Thespis fled, abandoning them without a word.
Calman and Sela exchanged a grim look. Whatever had done this to Junas still lurked unseen¡ªand now they would have to face it alone.
Circus
As they broke down camp, there was still no sign of Rahna or Bitter. Jack expressed concern, but Kleo seemed unbothered.
¡°What if they¡¯re not back when we¡¯re ready to leave?¡± Jack asked.
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. They¡¯ll either return or catch up with us at Clan Ulgar. They know the way.¡±
Jack hesitated. ¡°Wait¡ªwe¡¯re stopping at the village?¡±
Kleo pointed skyward. ¡°Remember the storm that first night at the temple?¡±
Jack glanced up. The sky was calm enough, with only scattered clouds.
¡°Yeah, not something I¡¯d forget.¡±
¡°There¡¯s another one coming. It won¡¯t be as big, but close enough. We won''t reach the village before it hits. If I¡¯m wrong, we can always ride on.¡±
Jack frowned, anxious about the wolf. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯d feel right leaving Bitter behind.¡±
¡°Jack, Bitter¡¯s a native of these woods. He might choose to stay.¡±
Jack scoffed. ¡°No way. He¡¯s obsessed with me. He¡¯s definitely coming.¡±
Kleo smirked. ¡°I admire your confidence. We¡¯ll see.¡±
Will and Rugr approached with the horses, ready to load their gear.
¡°So, are we waiting on Rahna and Bitter or heading out now?¡± Will asked.
¡°We¡¯re heading out,¡± Jack answered. ¡°If they don¡¯t return in time, we¡¯ll meet them at Clan Ulgar.¡±
Rugr held up his hands in confusion. ¡°Wait¡ªwho exactly are Rahna and Bitter?¡±
¡°Rahna was my goblin bridesmaid, but it turns out she¡¯s actually a goblin princess¡ªor maybe queen,¡± Jack explained. ¡°I¡¯m not really sure. And Bitter¡¯s our wolf. Bonded with Kleo after we took out the Dark Witch.¡±
Rugr blinked. ¡°Would¡¯ve been helpful to mention that earlier.¡± His annoyance was evident. ¡°Wait¡ªa goblin and a wolf? I saw a goblin crossing the river as I was riding south. Thought she was riding a bear.¡±
Will stared. ¡°Excuse me?¡±
¡°Yeah, at first glance, it looked like a black bear,¡± Rugr said. ¡°I guess that was your wolf. I was relieved when they vanished into the woods.¡±
¡°She was riding Bitter?¡± Will asked.
Rugr nodded. ¡°Upright across the river, side-saddle going up the bank. Pretty impressive, actually.¡±
Jack laughed. ¡°Holy crap. I never even thought of that, but it makes sense.¡±
Will shook his head, bemused. ¡°I mean... why not?¡±
Rugr sighed, turning toward Kleo with an exasperated look. ¡°Gods above, Kleo, this little entourage of yours is nothing short of a traveling circus.¡±
She squared her shoulders, lifting her chin defiantly. ¡°I happen to like circuses, so deal with it.¡± Then she added with a mischievous glint, ¡°Also if you mistook Bitter for a bear, you might need glasses. No one¡¯s ever made that mistake before.¡±
Jack opened his mouth to object but reconsidered, catching Kleo¡¯s pointed stare. Instead, he nodded in agreement.
Rugr ignored her barb. ¡°Fine. Wolf, goblin, circus¡ªwhatever. As I came in, I saw goblin bodies along the river, and from their state, I figured it had to be a bear.¡±
Jack shook his head. ¡°Nope, that was a hill troll.¡±
Rugr shot Will a questioning look. Will shook his head. Not a hill troll.
¡°Do I even want to know?¡± Rugr muttered, exasperation growing.
Will shook his head again. ¡°Probably not.¡±
¡°And the goblin bridesmaid?¡±
¡°Maya and I are pretty confused about that one, too. So again, no.¡±
Rugr gave up, turning back to the horses. ¡°Fine. Goblin bridesmaid, riding wolves, trolls¡ªwhatever. Let¡¯s get these horses loaded. The sooner we head south, the better.¡±
They rode hard under Rugr''s lead, following the main path toward Clan Ulgan. They planned to follow the river''s edge, bypass the village, and continue toward Clan Ulgar.
Rugr hoped to push even further if they made good time. Kleo''s warning about an approaching storm proved accurate. The darkening sky and heavy, humid air made it clear they might need to adjust their plans.
Passing by Clan Ulgan without stopping weighed on both Kleo and Jack. The Woogs had become family, and the thought of riding past without sharing a meal, exchanging stories, or even offering a simple greeting left an ache in their hearts.
As they neared the turn toward the river, Jack noticed the wistful expression on Kleo''s face. He felt it, too¡ªa longing to reconnect, linger, and belong, even if only for a moment.
Jack was still concerned about Rahna and Bitter. The approaching storm did nothing to ease his mind. He had faith that they would find their way, but until he knew they were safe, the worry would stay in the back of his mind.
As they took the path that hugged the river, they passed the edges of Clan Ulgan¡¯s territory. The village seemed quiet, though smoke rose from a few huts. Jack¡¯s heart tightened at the sight. The woogs of this village were not his family. More like close cousins, but he had met them all, even if their stop had been brief. He would have to apologize the next time they were in the area. He had no idea when that might be. They were heading south, following Kleo¡¯s pulse and her heart.
They pressed on for a few kilometers, but as the sky darkened and the first light sprinkles of rain began to fall, Rugr called for a stop to rest the horses. They dismounted and gathered near the riverbank, each stealing glances at the sky. The thick clouds promised the threat of heavy rain.
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Jack and Kleo sat apart from the others, sharing a meal. Despite their grueling pace, Jack had found his rhythm in the saddle. His horsemanship improved with each passing kilometer, and Kleo smiled, noticing how much he was enjoying the ride.
"Jack," she said, breaking their quiet moment, "the pulse still pulls me south, but I think we''ll need to shift east. Since it only comes at night, it''s hard to predict when we''ll need to change direction."
"Okay. We''ll figure it out. Rugr will understand¡ªHe''s convinced your Kadas Shadoom is guiding you. He won''t try to hold you back. If anyone would understand, it should be him, right?"
"Yeah," Kleo agreed. "He went through his own Kadas Shadoom. He rarely talks about it, but I know it wasn''t easy. People say he wasn''t the same afterward."
Jack glanced at Rugr, who stood a short distance away, scanning the horizon with the practiced vigilance of someone who always anticipated danger.
"That would explain a lot," Jack murmured.
Kleo caught the edge in his voice and turned to him. "Rugr is a good man. He''s essentially my father. Don''t judge him too harshly. He wants to protect me¡ªthe same as you."
Jack met her gaze, torn between defensiveness and understanding. While he didn''t dislike Rugr, something about the man left him uneasy. Rugr always stared at him as if searching for a hidden malevolence¡ªsomething Jack knew wasn''t there. What was there was his love for Kleo. Jack had already decided that when it came to her, he wouldn''t back down¡ªnot even to Rugr.
"I''ll try to keep that in mind," Jack said.
Kleo smiled and leaned into him, her touch offering silent reassurance. The rain began to fall in earnest, drumming against the leaves overhead.
"Storm won''t wait. We''d better get moving."
The rain intensified as they neared Clan Ulgar, soaking through their cloaks and chilling them to the bone. Rugr slowed their pace as night fell and visibility diminished. Navigation was becoming difficult. He also wanted to keep the horses fresh. He had no intention of stopping. The abandoned temple, their next available shelter, lay two hours ahead¡ªif the weather held.
Kleo, had different plans. She intended to stay in the village until the storm passed. She knew the tempest would last until early morning, its peak hours away.
She knew Rugr wanted to push on¡ªhis sole focus was the box. He was putting on an act, pretending they were of one mind, ready to feign surprise when she objected. Such manipulation had worked in her youth. Under his tutelage, confined in Astiria, she had few choices. But now, as he himself had noted, this was her circus. She was its ringmaster. And Rugr? She struggled to fit Rugr into the metaphor¡ whatever, he didn¡¯t fit.
Yet, she thought with a pang, Rugr had always wanted what was best for her. Though his protectiveness could feel suffocating, she knew it stemmed from love¡ªeven if he struggled to show it.
She also didn''t want to share the temple. It held deep meaning for her and Jack, representing a pivotal moment in their relationship. She doubted Rugr would understand its profound significance.
When the Ulgar village came into view, Kleo''s heart surged with joy. It truly felt like home now, the sight filling her with warmth and contentment. While Astiria held beautiful memories, it had never been more than a place to live. She knew she might make peace with that reality someday, but that day remained distant. For now, this little Woog village embodied everything she yearned for¡ªa proper place of belonging and love.
Seeing that Rugr had no intention of stopping, Kleo spurred her horse forward, cutting in front of him and halting their horses.
"We stop here. That was the plan!"
"The plan is to get south as quickly as possible. You said you wanted to go south, Kleo. You never mentioned stopping at a Woog village."
Kleo leaped to the ground and grabbed the reins of his horse.
¡°Get down. We need to talk.¡±
She turned and walked away as the others watched. Her emotions were going haywire, and she wasn¡¯t sure what she would say, but it was best not to embarrass him in front of them.
The rain and wind continued to drone around them, and Jack could just make out the outline of her figure. She did not look happy.
When they were out of earshot, Kleo whirled on him, her voice sharp with fury. ¡°How was I supposed to tell you anything? You haven¡¯t even given me two minutes of your time. All you do is think about your stupid box!¡±
Her words lashed out like a whip, and Rugr recoiled. She pressed on, her voice trembling with emotion.
¡°Jack and I found an abandoned temple; we saw a Sasayaka reta Himitsu; we killed the Dark Witch and freed Bitter from her curse. We made friends with some great Woog villagers¡ªthey built a house just for us, and it¡¯s right fucking there.¡± She pointed toward the village, her voice rising.
Rugr¡¯s expression shifted from anger to something softer, almost pained.
Kleo wasn¡¯t finished.
¡°And then we got ambushed by goblins, stayed at an abbey, and made friends with two great guys; they¡¯re twins, by the way. Then I summoned and killed a demon¡ªwith Jack¡¯s help¡ªand unfortunately, Antonio died, but he was a twat anyway. And Jack and me¡ we invested in a new business.¡±
Her voice broke, tears spilling freely as she turned away from him. "But none of that matters. All you care about is your stupid box!¡±
Deciding she wasn''t done, she spun around, throwing her hands in the air, even though she knew it made her look more hysterical.
¡°Sure, it''s a fucking circus, but it''s my fucking circus, and if you can''t appreciate that, can''t be happy for what I''ve found, then you know what? Leave. Go get your precious box. I hope it makes you happy because¡ª" She sobbed. "Because I clearly don''t."
The group sat in stunned silence. They couldn¡¯t hear everything over the rain, but what they missed, they could sense in the weight of her gestures and Rugr¡¯s posture. He stood, staring at the ground, his shoulders slumping as her ire swept over him.
The only thing going through Will¡¯s mind was that he wouldn¡¯t want to be Rugr right now. Maya had given him this talk more than once, and he always ended up with his tail between his legs.
When Rugr heard the deep rumbling growl behind him, he straightened, raising his hands, keeping his motion slow.
¡°Let me guess. There¡¯s a giant bear-wolf thing behind me?¡±
Kleo tried to compose herself. ¡°Hi Bitter, hi Rahna. Could you give us a moment?¡±
Then Jack stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. She let her emotions out, sobbing into his chest. He held her close, remaining silent, his expression a mixture of sorrow and quiet anger.
An unexpected voice broke the silence. ¡°Hey, Jack. Everything okay out here?¡±
Jack flinched, almost jumping out of his skin. ¡°Chester! Don¡¯t sneak up on us like that.¡±
Chester raised an eyebrow, his usual easy demeanor unshaken. ¡°Sorry, mate. Just came to check in. Looks like a bit of a scene.¡±
Kleo turned her tear-streaked face toward him. ¡°Hi, Chester. I¡¯m fine. Just¡ having a moment.¡±
¡°Well, if you want to get out of the rain, you know you''re always welcome in the village. Rhonda can open your place. If you don¡¯t want house guests, I¡¯m sure we can find a place for your friends.¡±
¡°Thanks, Chester. We¡¯re staying. Let Rhonda know.¡±
¡°Will do. I¡¯ll let you get back to it, then. Matilda is waiting for me. Don¡¯t stay out here too long¡ªyou¡¯ll catch your death.¡±
Jack managed a weak laugh. ¡°You and Matilda, huh? Good for you.¡±
Chester grinned. ¡°Willard¡¯s a bit jealous, but he¡¯ll manage. Matilda¡¯s got a sister, after all.¡±
Maya tried to be the voice of reason. ¡°Rugr, We should stay here for the night. It¡¯s dry, and we could all use the rest,¡±
Rugr nodded, his face heavy with regret. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. This rain is miserable, and¡ I think we could all use some time.¡±
Kleo pulled away from Jack, spinning to face Rugr. Before anyone could react, she threw herself into his arms, clinging to him. Rugr froze for a moment before wrapping his arms around her, his expression a mix of shock and sorrow.
¡°I love you, Rugr,¡± she whispered through her tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I acted that way. Ever since I saw you, I''ve felt like that little girl you used to hold in your arms.¡±
Rugr¡¯s voice cracked as he replied. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare apologize. You¡¯re right¡ªI¡¯ve been a bad¡¡± He hesitated, then finished, ¡°I¡¯m the one who should be sorry¡ªI¡¯ve been a bad father.¡±
Will and Maya nodded to Jack and then slipped away, leading the horses toward the village. Jack lingered for a moment, watching Kleo and Rugr. The rain poured around them, but it felt like the air had cleared for the first time in days.
Jack gave Bitter a pat on the head. ¡°Come on, big guy. Let¡¯s get inside.¡±
The wolf followed, happy to get out of the rain.
Rahna, who wasn''t sure what was happening, held back for a moment. Something had stirred when she watched Chester disappear into the rain. Maybe the right goblin wasn''t even a goblin. Chester was tall and handsome, with such nice teeth¡ªa key consideration for her. She would have to woo him and see what he was made of. Whoever she was, this Matilda was no concern; she could remain as his concubine. Or perhaps, Rahna mused, she would eat her.
Revelation
Rhonda swung open the door to the house with a beaming smile. Everything was precisely as Kleo remembered¡ªwarm, cozy, welcoming. Rhonda¡¯s eyes immediately landed on Rugr, and she nudged Jack with her elbow. ¡°Who¡¯s the brooding one?¡±
Jack gave her a weary smile, deflecting her curiosity. ¡°Not tonight, Rhonda, okay?¡±
¡°Fine, fine,¡± she said with a smirk, clearly undeterred. ¡°I¡¯ll be around tomorrow. Introduce me then.¡± She shot Jack a slow wink before disappearing into the rainy night.
Rugr sank into a chair, tense and uncertain. In the bedroom, Kleo dried herself as best she could, catching a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror.
¡°I look awful,¡± she muttered.
Jack stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. ¡°You look beautiful. And welcome home, by the way. It hasn¡¯t been that long, but I missed this place.¡±
Kleo sighed, leaning back into his comforting embrace. ¡°Me too. It¡¯s good to be home.¡± She steadied herself for a moment before straightening. ¡°Come on. We need to talk to Rugr.¡±
Jack groaned, reluctant. ¡°We?¡±
¡°Yes, we,¡± Kleo said, guiding him firmly toward the door. ¡°You¡¯re my husband, and he¡¯s my father. We all need to talk and clear the air.¡±
Jack grumbled but allowed himself to be led out.
When they entered the main room, Rugr glanced up, bracing himself. He looked like a man weathering an internal storm, matching the storm outside that left him soaked and weary.
Jack gestured toward the smaller room. ¡°You¡¯ll be staying in the spare room. I¡¯ve never slept in there, but it should be comfortable enough.¡±
Rugr stared at the doorway without speaking.
Kleo pulled out a chair and sat, motioning for Jack to sit beside her. Once he did, she turned to Rugr, voice calm but resolute. ¡°I need to say some things, and I want you to listen first. Afterward, we can talk. Is that okay?¡±
Rugr nodded, tension evident in every line of his body.
Kleo took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m going to be blunt because it seems that¡¯s what works best between us. You¡¯re my father, and I¡¯m your daughter. I don¡¯t want to hear about Markus or Nima. They were never my parents.¡±
A shadow of sorrow passed across Rugr¡¯s face, but he remained silent.
¡°Nima spent my whole life pretending I didn¡¯t exist. There¡¯s nothing in here,¡± she pressed her hand to her chest, ¡°for her. Not love, not hate¡ªnothing.¡±
Rugr¡¯s gaze dropped, her words striking him deeply.
¡°And Markus¡¡± Kleo hesitated, choosing her words with care. ¡°He was kind, sometimes attentive, but when it mattered most, he wasn¡¯t there.¡±
Rugr nodded, unable to deny the truth.
¡°Who was there for me, Rugr?¡± Kleo¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°Who was there when I needed someone?¡±
Rugr swallowed, hesitant to respond, afraid to interrupt.
¡°You were,¡± Kleo continued. ¡°Who showed me love? Who picked me up when I fell? Who taught me to be strong?¡±
His voice came out rough, barely audible. ¡°I did.¡±
¡°Who else?¡±
Rugr shook his head. ¡°No one.¡±
¡°Exactly.¡±
Kleo leaned forward, eyes burning fiercely. ¡°You raised me. You are my father. I¡¯m your daughter. And I love you.¡±
Her words landed hard, unlocking something within Rugr that had remained guarded for years. He stared at his hands, his voice shaking.
¡°I was so afraid, Kleo. You were everything to me¡ªbut I knew Markus could take you away at any moment. I let that fear hold me back. I failed you¡ª¡±
¡°No,¡± Kleo interrupted, placing her hand over his. ¡°As I grew older, I understood exactly why you held back. It didn¡¯t make me love you less; it made me love you more. You did everything possible to protect me, even when it wasn¡¯t easy.¡±
Rugr¡¯s shoulders sagged under the weight of years of regret. ¡°I should¡¯ve been braver. I should have told them¡ªtold you¡ªwhat you meant to me.¡±
¡°You can tell me now,¡± Kleo whispered, squeezing his hand. ¡°Right now is what matters. We¡¯re not in Astiria anymore. No one can take me from you. I¡¯m free, Rugr. I¡¯m never going back to that cage.¡±
Her voice carried bitterness but also strength¡ªa woman who had claimed control of her destiny.
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Rugr lifted his gaze, eyes bright with emotion. ¡°You¡¯re right. I let Markus define too much of what I could be for you. But no more. Kleo, I¡¯m proud of you. And I love you more than anything.¡±
Kleo smiled, blinking through tears. ¡°I love you too.¡±
Still silent, Jack stood and placed a supportive hand on Rugr¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You have an amazing daughter. And she¡¯s lucky to have you.¡±
Rugr looked up, his expression softening. ¡°Thank you, Jack¡ªfor being there for her. For loving her.¡±
Jack nodded. ¡°Always.¡±
The tension between them eased, replaced by something more hopeful and honest. They were a family now¡ªflawed, complicated, but genuine.
Jack was relieved the conversation was finally over. Emotions had been shared, truths spoken, and now rest seemed within reach.
But Rugr had other plans.
¡°Do you want to hear my thoughts on the box?¡± Rugr¡¯s voice broke the silence abruptly.
Jack groaned, slumping back in his chair. ¡°Haven¡¯t you been paying attention for the last hour?¡±
After days of travel and the emotional storm they¡¯d weathered, all Jack wanted was to retreat to the soft bed waiting in the next room.
Kleo tilted her head, studying Rugr¡¯s serious expression. ¡°Is now really the right time?¡±
¡°Well,¡± Rugr said, voice neutral, ¡°considering Markus tried to send that box¡ªand us¡ªto the bottom of the ocean, I¡¯d say it is.¡±
Kleo froze. The idea of Markus wanting her dead was difficult enough, but Rugr¡¯s certainty made her pulse quicken.
¡°All right,¡± she said, leaning forward. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±
Jack sighed. ¡°This better be good.¡±
Rugr met Kleo¡¯s eyes. ¡°The remains in the box¡ªthey¡¯re Demana.¡±
¡°And?¡± Kleo pressed.
¡°They belonged to someone you wouldn¡¯t know, someone who never set foot in Astiria.¡±
Kleo frowned. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. The last of our people fled directly from Demana to Astiria. There were no others.¡±
¡°That¡¯s exactly what I believed,¡± Rugr said, ¡°until I ran into my brother in Balta.¡±
¡°Your brother?¡± Kleo blinked in confusion. ¡°Your brother died during the Last Stand¡ªyou¡¯ve told me countless times. He¡¯s in every history book.¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Rugr admitted, his voice tight. ¡°Imagine my surprise when I saw him standing at the bar of the Salty Mermaid.¡±
¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± Kleo said, her disbelief mingled with shock. ¡°Of course you are¡ How can that be? He died over three hundred years ago.¡±
¡°Exactly what went through my mind,¡± Rugr said, eyes distant. ¡°I fled the city immediately. Me. I ran away like a frightened child. Can you imagine?¡±
¡°I can if you believed you¡¯d just seen a ghost.¡±
¡°That¡¯s exactly what I thought at first,¡± Rugr said. ¡°But I stopped outside Balta, on a hillside overlooking the city. I knew if it were Dungr, he¡¯d follow. And he did.¡±
Jack leaned forward. ¡°Can we skip to the chase? What the hell¡¯s going on?¡±
Rugr nodded. ¡°There¡¯s another group of Demana survivors in this world. They built a sanctuary hidden deep in the great desert to the west. It¡¯s isolated, nearly impossible to reach. No one crosses the sands unless they have a death wish.¡±
¡°How is this even possible?¡± Kleo asked, breathless. ¡°How did they get here?¡±
Rugr¡¯s expression grew somber. ¡°That¡¯s the heart of the matter, Kleo. But you might not like what you hear.¡±
She steeled herself. ¡°I need to know. This contradicts everything I¡¯ve been told my entire life.¡±
Jack slumped deeper. ¡°I¡¯m fine not knowing. Can I go to bed now?¡±
¡°No,¡± Kleo snapped, kicking his foot under the table. ¡°This is important. Stay awake, Jack.¡±
He grumbled, resigning himself. ¡°Fine. But I¡¯m making tea.¡±
Rugr watched Jack fill the kettle before turning back to Kleo, his voice grave as he began the tale. He revealed Barto¡¯s betrayal of their people and Markus¡¯s complicity. By the time Rugr finished, Kleo¡¯s eyes were wet with tears¡ªanger and grief mingling openly.
She turned toward the window, unable to speak. The revelations were crushing. Jack hovered nearby, questions forming, but he held them in. Instead, he prepared cups of tea.
When Kleo finally turned back to Rugr, her voice trembled with suppressed emotion. ¡°How could Markus do this? My whole life¡ªit was all lies.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t excuse Markus¡¯s actions,¡± Rugr said. ¡°But it was too late when he realized Barto¡¯s betrayal. Markus tried to save as many as he could¡ªthose willing to follow. Barto is the true villain here.¡±
Kleo forced herself to breathe. ¡°At least there are more of us alive. And your brother¡ªhe¡¯s alive, Rugr. That must mean something.¡±
Rugr allowed himself a faint smile. ¡°Yes, that part is good. But there¡¯s a catch¡ªand it relates to the box.¡±
Kleo¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Why does there have to be a catch?¡±
Rugr¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°Dungr¡¯s life depends on me returning the box. I swore on his life that I¡¯d do it. That¡¯s why it matters so much. The remains must return to their rightful resting place in the desert sanctuary.¡±
Kleo groaned, dropping her head into her hands. Rugr and Jack braced themselves for another fiery reaction, but instead, Kleo surprised them both.
¡°Oh, Father¡ I¡¯m sorry for how I acted earlier,¡± she said. ¡°I had no idea what kind of burden you were carrying.¡±
Kleo straightened, her voice steady again. ¡°But I still don¡¯t understand why Markus went through all that trouble¡ªsending us after the box only to have it destroyed and us along with it.¡±
¡°That¡¯s the puzzle,¡± Rugr admitted. ¡°I don¡¯t have the full answer. I spoke with Maya, and she shared some theories. But they¡¯re incomplete¡ªI want to consider them carefully before we jump to conclusions.¡±
Jack rejoined the table, tea steaming in hand. ¡°I didn¡¯t sit through all this for half a story. What exactly did Maya say?¡±
Ignoring Jack, Rugr focused on Kleo. ¡°Do you remember saying the box wasn¡¯t buried but hidden?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± she said, nodding. ¡°It was hidden in a recess beneath the temple floor¡ªnot buried.¡±
¡°And the construction?¡±
¡°It was strange,¡± Kleo said, recalling the details. ¡°There was no visible seam or way to open it. It had a subtle protection spell¡ªweak, but well-hidden.¡±
Rugr leaned in. ¡°Maya suspects the body inside isn¡¯t dead.¡±
Kleo¡¯s eyes widened, and Jack dropped his tea. ¡°What does that mean?¡±
¡°She thinks the box protects the body of a powerful Kull magic practitioner, keeping it suspended¡ªalive but unmoving¡ªwhile its soul exists in another realm.¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ªwhat?¡±
¡°The body stays preserved,¡± Rugr clarified. ¡°But the soul travels elsewhere. Over time, the physical body deteriorates, and eventually, it becomes impossible for the soul to return. Markus likely wanted the box sunk, hoping that would sever the link forever.¡±
Kleo¡¯s brow knitted. ¡°But why would anyone separate their soul from their body?¡±
Rugr shrugged. ¡°To transcend physical limits, perhaps. To travel unseen, hide from enemies, search across vast distances, or even time itself. But this is Maya¡¯s area of expertise¡ªnot mine.¡±
Kleo¡¯s thoughts raced, her voice quiet with realization. ¡°Searching across distances. Across realms¡ª¡±
Jack¡¯s voice cut through her thoughts, steady and serious. ¡°The body¡¯s here, but the soul is somewhere else, reaching out, calling¡¡±
¡°No,¡± Kleo whispered, eyes widening as she shook her head. ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡±
But Jack was confident. ¡°Yes.¡±
¡°No,¡± Kleo insisted, shaking her head.
He met her gaze steadily, and they spoke in unison:
¡°The goddess.¡±
Goddess? + Prize
¡°Goddess?¡± Rugr repeated, utterly lost. His questions multiplied by the moment, but it was impossible to interrupt Jack and Kleo, who were deep in a conversation only they understood.
¡°Gods and Fates, Jack,¡± Kleo exclaimed, shifting from shock to exhilaration, ¡°this is both completely insane and perfectly logical at the same time!¡±
She spun toward Rugr, urgency in her eyes. ¡°Father, go get Maya¡ªnow. We need her.¡±
Rugr wasn¡¯t accustomed to being ordered around by anyone, least of all Kleo, but he nodded and headed for the door without protest. Jack pointed him in the right direction.
¡°Turn right, second hut on the right. It¡¯s the only one with a stoop.¡±
As Rugr left, Kleo paced the room, her fingers threading through her damp hair as if she could physically untangle her thoughts. Jack watched from the side, his stomach growling in protest. In the bedroom, he rummaged through their bags for food but found nothing. The door swung open again, and he returned empty-handed to the main room.
Maya and Will entered, their expressions worried and their clothes disheveled. Rugr followed behind, face unreadable. Jack wondered idly what Rugr had interrupted.
Maya immediately fixed her gaze on Kleo. ¡°Kleo, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
Kleo stopped pacing, pressing both palms against her temples. ¡°Maya, you¡¯re going to think Jack and I have completely lost it¡ªif you don¡¯t already.¡±
She took a steadying breath, composing herself. ¡°Rugr told us your theory about the box¡ªthe Kull magic, the suspended animation.¡±
Maya nodded, cautious. ¡°It¡¯s one possibility. Far-fetched, perhaps, but the evidence fits. Such spells require a specialized container, exactly as Rugr described. But my understanding is limited.¡±
¡°Jack and I think the person who cast that spell¡ªthe body in the box¡ªis a woman.¡±
Maya arched an eyebrow. ¡°Explain.¡±
Kleo hesitated, eyes flicking around the room. Jack gave her an encouraging nod.
¡°Okay, here¡¯s the crazy part.¡± She began to pace again, her voice fast with excitement. ¡°After the battle with the Dark Witch, Jack had an experience. A vision¡ªor something. He encountered a presence that he called ¡®the goddess.¡¯ When he mistook her for me, she said something strange. Something like, ¡®I¡¯m not Kleo, but that¡¯s an easy mistake to make. She¡¯s the thread binding us. We¡¯re both trying to find our way back to her.¡¯¡±
She turned to Jack. ¡°Did I get that right?¡±
Jack nodded. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what she said. I understood it completely at the time, like it was undeniable truth¡ªbut now I can¡¯t explain why.¡±
Silence fell as the others tried to digest this revelation. Rugr finally spoke, skeptical. ¡°You¡¯re putting a lot of stock in something Jack dreamed while unconscious.¡±
Kleo snapped at him. ¡°You, of all people, know better. Tell them about my dreams.¡±
Rugr sighed, addressing Maya and Will. ¡°When Kleo was very young, she had vivid dreams¡ªongoing stories, detailed and consistent. She spoke of them often until she was about ten and probably experienced them longer but stopped telling me about them.¡±
Kleo prompted, insistent, ¡°And?¡±
Rugr continued, eyes sliding toward Jack. ¡°In these dreams, she was always an adult. Never a child. And each dream involved the same man¡ªa man named Jack.¡±
Maya and Will exchanged uneasy glances. Will broke the silence first. ¡°That sounds¡ kind of creepy.¡±
¡°At the time, I thought so too,¡± Rugr admitted. ¡°But when I met Jack and brought him back to the wagon, I knew, from the look on Kleo¡¯s face, that this was the Jack from her dreams. Honestly, I still don¡¯t know exactly why I didn¡¯t kill him outright. But, as you see, he stands here very much alive.¡±
Jack swallowed. Kleo glared at Rugr. ¡°Father, really? Was that necessary?¡±
Kleo turned to Maya. ¡°It¡¯s true¡ªall of it. Seeing Jack for the first time stopped my heart. And then¡ª¡±
Maya finished, understanding dawning in her eyes, ¡°¡ªit triggered your unyielding fate.¡±
Kleo nodded, visibly shaken by the memory.
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Will leaned in, curious but cautious. ¡°So, what does this have to do with the box? You don¡¯t seriously think it contains an actual goddess, do you?¡±
¡°Not exactly,¡± Kleo admitted. ¡°But there¡¯s more.¡± She bit her lip, recounting her experience with the pulse: the overwhelming joy, peace, and safety, the deep feeling of connection. By the time she finished, she was trembling from the memory¡¯s lingering impact.
¡°So, after your party at the abbey, you figured out it was a signal and triangulated it?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Kleo said.
¡°Let me guess," Will said. "South?¡±
She nodded again.
¡°And since the box is also south, your theory is the pulse originates from it¡ªthat this ¡®goddess¡¯ is somehow the consciousness of whoever is inside the box?¡±
Kleo¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°Is that completely insane?¡±
Will opened his mouth to reply but caught Maya¡¯s warning glance and reconsidered. ¡°It¡¯s ¡®circus crazy¡¯¡ªexactly the kind of crazy I¡¯ve come to expect from you two.¡±
Kleo frowned, unsure if she should be annoyed or flattered.
Maya interjected, ¡°What Will means is that it might sound unbelievable, but it also makes a strange kind of sense.¡±
Kleo smiled. ¡°Circus crazy sense.¡±
Rugr cleared his throat. ¡°Crazy or not, we have critical questions we must answer. One: who exactly is in the box? Two: why is she reaching out to Kleo? And three: why does Markus¡ªor perhaps Barto¡ªconsider this ¡®goddess¡¯ such a threat?¡±
Silence settled again, heavier now. Maya broke it, thoughtful. ¡°The answer to those questions is the key to everything that happens next.¡±
¡°What happens next is I go to bed,¡± Jack said, stifling a yawn.
¡°That¡¯s where you''re wrong. We need to work through this tonight. Tomorrow, we go collect this ¡®goddess¡¯ and head for the desert.¡±
Jack groaned. ¡°Fine, but I need something to eat first.¡±
The demana stood no chance against the Arraku. The attack was swift, clinical¡ªthe stinger plunged deep into his heart. Death was silent except for the faint, wet crunch of bone meeting barb. The Arraku soldier held the body upright, gripping it through its dying spasms, maintaining the illusion of life as his cluster brothers took positions in the shadows. Three were enough. The fourth waited, a contingency. A precaution. The Spider Queen demanded it. The operation was sacred.
This demana was nothing¡ªwaste. Only the female mattered: food, a prize for the Spider Queen¡¯s feast. She must be captured, sedated, cocooned. Her vitality preserved. The Queen¡¯s decree left no margin for error.
The Arraku stood motionless behind the demana corpse, its limbs deceptively humanlike, the stinger hidden within the hollow of the victim¡¯s chest. He held the pose flawlessly, waiting for the signal as the cluster prepared their assault.
Two demana stood watching. One was the female¡ªthe Queen¡¯s chosen. He saw fear in the female¡¯s eyes as he twitched his bipedal puppet, imitating its crude movements:
I am fine. Standing in the rain. Normal demana behavior.
His performance was flawless.
He observed her with curiosity. Why the Spider Queen desired this particular female did not matter. The Queen had spoken. Her command absolute.
The signal pulsed through the cluster¡¯s shared consciousness. Immediate. Absolute. His brothers descended from the trees, deadly shadows, movements fluid and precise. The second demana fell instantly, the barb piercing his heart with a choked gasp and a spray of blood, lifeless before he struck mud.
The female screamed, her terror sharp and piercing. She turned to flee, but a second brother intercepted, limbs closing around her like iron restraints. She thrashed uselessly. The Arraku struck without hesitation, venomous fangs sinking deep into her shoulder. Resistance faded, muscles slackened as the toxin surged. Cocooning began immediately, silk spilling from hidden spinnerets, binding her limbs rigid. The webbing preserved her flesh and organs. She was precious. Her value absolute.
A third demana fled into the woods, crashing through the brush in a blind panic. The cluster leader considered pursuit but dismissed it¡ªirrelevant. The objective was secured. The female was theirs.
The leader pulsed the signal: Nest.
Three Arraku gathered, forms obscured by rain and darkness, surrounding the cocooned prize. Their compound eyes glinted green, thoughts attuned to the Queen. The fourth brother did not appear. The signal shifted¡ªanger. He pursued the fleeing demana male into the woods, breaching protocol. His prey irrelevant. An unforgivable mistake. He would be waste.
Connection sharpened, reality twisted, and the air shimmered and tore as the Spider Queen opened the portal. Threads of her vast web bridged the distance attuned to their signal.
The female was secured. Her capture guaranteed the Queen''s favor. To stand in the Spider Queen''s presence, enter her personal nest¡ªthese were rare honors. Pride surged through the leader, echoed and magnified by his brothers. Victory elevated them. They would earn the right to mate with the Arrakfala, her brood mothers.
Then came a new command: wait.
Confusion rippled through the shared link. Unexpected. The sender insisted on patience, but the cluster responded decisively: regret. The fourth brother no longer mattered. The mission was sacred. The female their sole priority.
They stepped through the portal one by one, carrying their unconscious prize. Reduced to three, the cluster exuded satisfaction¡ªa deep, collective sense of triumph. They had fulfilled the Queen¡¯s command. Their reward awaited them in her nest.
The fourth Arraku returned to the rain-drenched clearing too late. The portal had closed, leaving it stranded¡ªsevered from its cluster, the nest, and the purpose that defined its very existence. A cluster of one was no cluster at all. Isolation was a death sentence.
Pursuing the fleeing demana had aligned with the mission, but abandoning the cocoon had been selfish, driven by pride and instinct rather than the Spider Queen''s will. Now, its brothers were gone. No connection. No Queen. No future.
The Arraku staggered toward the discarded body of the second demana, rain streaming down its carapace, forming rivulets like the tears it could not weep. It sank to the ground beside the lifeless prey, the corpse still warm and pliant¡ªone final, pitiful meal to delay the inevitable. Already, spider madness whispered at the edges of its consciousness, fraying its thoughts into chaos. The silence in its mind was deafening.
With limbs folding beneath its failing body, the Arraku curled into the mud. Rain pattered upon its carapace, a cold rhythm marking its solitary end. The darkness closed in, absolute and irreversible, as the Arraku waited, feeble and afraid, for death to grant mercy.
Mother
The room took a few minutes to settle. Jack scrounged for food, Rugr argued briefly with Bitter about the bed¡ªthen gave up, deciding to complain to Kleo instead.
Jack caught Will and Maya exchanging a quiet, tender kiss near the doorway. He tried to hide his smile. Although he still didn¡¯t grasp their complicated history, seeing them share that gentle intimacy amid all this chaos reminded him there was always room for hope.
When they finally gathered around the table, Maya took charge.
¡°Will and I will lead the discussion. You know more about the box, Markus, and Astiria¡¯s history. Your insights are crucial for us to understand exactly what¡¯s happening¡ªwho¡¯s involved, their motivations, and how we proceed.¡±
No one objected. Maya turned immediately to Rugr.
¡°Rugr, does the second Demana sanctuary pose a real threat to Astiria?¡±
Rugr considered his answer carefully. ¡°The mere existence of the second sanctuary would raise dangerous questions¡ªthe kind Astiria¡¯s leadership could never tolerate. If the sanctuary knew how to find or access Astiria, they¡¯d pose a serious threat, at least from Markus¡¯s perspective. Either way, it¡¯s a risk Markus and Barto can¡¯t allow.¡±
Will leaned forward. ¡°Then it¡¯s possible this presence¡ªthis ¡®goddess¡¯¡ªis trying to locate Astiria?¡±
¡°That¡¯s probably what Markus and Barto fear most. But¡¡± Rugr hesitated, frowning. ¡°Keep in mind my thoughts are subjective, but this presence doesn¡¯t feel strategic. It feels personal.¡±
Maya tapped the table thoughtfully. ¡°Speaking of personal¡ªwhy exactly were you and Kleo chosen to retrieve the box in the first place? You¡¯re both capable, but if the plan was to dispose of you afterward, why not send someone expendable?¡±
¡°Because,¡± Kleo spoke up, ¡°it is personal. Somehow, I have a connection to whoever is in that box. Markus knew if something happened to me, Rugr would tear Astiria apart to find out why. To eliminate me, they¡¯d have to eliminate Rugr as well.¡±
Jack interrupted, mouth full of carp. ¡°Maybe Markus thought you were a security risk, that you might give away Astiria¡¯s location.¡±
Rugr shook his head. ¡°Impossible. Kleo doesn¡¯t know enough to compromise the community.¡±
¡°You¡¯re the risk, then,¡± Jack shot back. ¡°Maybe Kleo was just collateral damage.¡±
Rugr¡¯s frustration surged. ¡°Markus would never kill his own daughter.¡±
Jack¡¯s response was calm, almost casual. ¡°Except she¡¯s not really his daughter.¡±
Silence fell abruptly. Rugr stared at him, stunned. ¡°What?¡±
¡°Think about it,¡± Jack said. ¡°Kleo¡¯s ¡®mother,¡¯ Nima, ignored her completely, and Markus¡ªthough better¡ªdid little more than check in on her. I mean, he let you raise her, Rugr. No offense, but that¡¯s not exactly parental devotion.¡±
Will interjected before Rugr could react. ¡°Jack has a point. Markus placed severe restrictions on Kleo¡¯s training. This mission was the first time she was allowed to leave Astiria, correct? If the ultimate goal was to eliminate her, she must be the real threat, not Rugr.¡±
Rugr started to object but paused. The logic was hard to deny. Yet, if Markus and Nima weren¡¯t Kleo¡¯s parents, who were?
Maya guided the conversation forward. ¡°If Jack¡¯s theory is true, is Kleo¡¯s heritage the threat, or is it something else entirely?¡±
They all turned to Rugr. He remained silent, looking uncomfortable.
¡°Rugr?¡±
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He glanced at Kleo, reluctance evident in his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s something else.¡±
¡°Care to elaborate?¡± Maya pressed.
He shook his head. ¡°No.¡±
Jack groaned impatiently. ¡°Come on, Rugr. Spit it out. It¡¯s late. I¡¯m exhausted, and if you don¡¯t start talking soon, I¡¯ll collapse right here.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll speak when I¡¯m ready,¡± Rugr snapped. ¡°In the meantime, shove some more food in your mouth and let the adults talk.¡±
¡°Father,¡± Kleo said, placing a calming hand on Rugr¡¯s arm, ¡°it¡¯s all right. I already know.¡±
Rugr sighed, then nodded.
¡°Kleo is different. She always has been. I tried to ignore it, hoping she could have a normal childhood. I wanted her to stay carefree, innocent, untouched by her destiny for as long as possible.¡±
The room waited, sensing the weight Rugr carried¡ªthe deep, fierce protectiveness of a father who wished only for his child¡¯s happiness.
Finally, he spoke, as though releasing a truth he¡¯d hidden for too long.
¡°Kleo is Arch Demana¡ªa supreme being, born once every thousand years, possessing unparalleled power and talent. The Arch Demana aren¡¯t only exceptional¡ªthey¡¯re legendary figures, meant to lead our people against forces of darkness¡ªthose who seek the destruction of life. Enemies who thrive in shadows, driven only by death. The Dark Lords, the plague-bringers¡ªthe Sa Kamal, whose only goal is to consume worlds, unravel creation, and plunge everything into oblivion.¡±
The group sat stunned, absorbing his words. Kleo struggled under the weight of his words. She knew it was true, but hearing it spoken aloud shook her.
Rugr¡¯s voice softened. ¡°We needed her three hundred years ago, on Demana. We failed, and our world fell. Ever since then, the darkness has spread. It¡¯s only a matter of time before this world, and countless others, are reduced to ash. I¡¯ve witnessed it once¡ªI never wish to see it again.¡±
Maya closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath. The hour was late, and they all needed rest. But one crucial question still hung unanswered. Maya knew the answer but wouldn¡¯t be the one to voice it.
¡°If everything we¡¯ve discussed is true,¡± Maya began, guiding Kleo toward voicing the revelation, ¡°then the identity of the person in the box can only be one person. Someone desperate to find Kleo¡ªnot because she is Arch Demana, but because¡¡±
Maya let her words fade into silence, waiting.
Kleo¡¯s hands shook; tears glistened in her eyes. Jack reached out and placed his hand over hers, giving her strength. He knew.
Kleo swallowed hard, her voice trembling but sure. ¡°Because she¡¯s my mother.¡±
Kleo stood off to the side, her head buried against Jack¡¯s chest, muffled sobs shaking her shoulders. Maya watched, her heart aching for the girl. She couldn¡¯t fully understand Kleo¡¯s grief¡ªMaya¡¯s loss had been tangible, something held and then painfully taken. Kleo¡¯s was different. It was an emptiness felt all her life, now made real.
Maya rose and guided Kleo back to her chair. Kleo¡¯s face was flushed, her breath unsteady. The effort of voicing the revelation had left her trembling and exhausted.
¡°Kleo,¡± Maya asked, ¡°can you manage a few more minutes? There¡¯s still a bit we need to discuss. Afterward, Jack can take you to rest.¡±
Kleo nodded weakly, ¡°A few more minutes. I¡¯m fine.¡±
Maya glanced around the table. Rugr sat stoically, his expression tense. Silence lingered, heavy and uncertain, until Maya finally spoke again.
¡°Let¡¯s try to piece everything together,¡± she said, her voice steady but gentle. ¡°Astiria discovers an Arch Demana child has been born. They abduct her, hiding her in their secret realm. Markus, Nima, and Rugr are assigned to watch over the child. The mother, devastated, searches the continent, perhaps the world, exhausting all conventional methods. Desperate, she resorts to an ancient Kull spell, dividing her existence between worlds to locate Kleo. Astiria realizes this, sees her as a threat, and sends Rugr to dispose of her remains¡ªhoping to permanently sever her connection to Kleo. Fearful that Kleo¡¯s powers will awaken, Markus and Barto decide Kleo herself must be eliminated. Rugr, as her protector, becomes expendable too.¡±
Rugr¡¯s expression darkened, his voice low. ¡°Sounds correct. I also suspect Markus and Barto suppressed Kleo¡¯s Kadas Shadoom. Demana transformations typically occur before age fifteen. Kleo is nearing twenty-three. Even for an Arch Demana, such a delay is unheard of.¡±
Maya¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°The question remains, how did they know about Kleo¡¯s true nature so early? Could they detect the magic somehow, or is someone from the second sanctuary communicating with them? And then there¡¯s the Kull magic. Extraordinary.¡±
Rugr¡¯s shoulders tensed, eager to move forward. ¡°The speculation changes little about our plan. We retrieve the box and head for the desert sanctuary. We won¡¯t find answers sitting here¡ªwe¡¯ll uncover more as we go.¡±
Jack interjected, sensing Kleo¡¯s increasing exhaustion. ¡°It¡¯s been a long day. Kleo needs rest¡ªI think we all do. Let¡¯s decide on specifics in the morning.¡±
Kleo looked up, her exhaustion plain. Rugr stood, placing his hand on her shoulder. ¡°Jack¡¯s right. Rest now. We leave tomorrow as soon as everyone¡¯s ready.¡±
The group dispersed, each weighed down by the revelations. As Jack guided Kleo toward their room, she paused, looking back toward Rugr.
¡°Goodnight, Father,¡± she whispered.
Rugr¡¯s expression softened, the tension easing from his features. ¡°Goodnight, daughter. Sleep well.¡±
Jack closed the door behind them, suppressing a smile as he heard Rugr grumble into the silence:
¡°Now, what in gods¡¯ names am I supposed to do about this damned wolf?¡±
Daughter, Wife, Demon
When the pulse came, Kleo struggled to wake, her exhaustion weighing her down. The day''s emotional turmoil had taken its toll, pulling her into a deep sleep where her mind drifted through a hazy dreamscape.
A gentle warmth radiated over her, enveloping her, and she floated within its embrace. The gentle buoyancy was similar to that of the sanctuary¡¯s pool, requiring no effort. She drifted, thoughtless, letting herself drift through the soothing expanse.
The presence permeated her dream, brushing against her¡ªa tender hand sweeping the hair from her face. Kleo didn¡¯t flinch, even as the compassion emanating from the touch overwhelmed her, flooding her with trembling waves of emotion. It was almost too much, too pure, and she feared the vibrations might tear her apart. Yet, she didn¡¯t want it to end.
A soft finger traced the line of her cheek, wiping away the remnants of a dried tear. Kleo¡¯s lips parted, but no sound came. Her mind grasped for a single word, one she was scared to think. Mother?
The answer came not as words but as a rush of love, surging into her like a tidal wave and filling the empty spaces she never knew she had. Then she heard the voice¡ªsoft, warm, and impossibly vast. It wasn''t only sound; it was feeling, its ripples resonating through her consciousness.
You are more than I ever dreamed for you, my Kleo. That is what he calls you¡ªKleo. Your bonded soul¡ªJack.
At Jack''s name, Kleo''s heart erupted with love¡ªa fiery cascade intertwining with the radiance of the presence.
The voice lingered on a word, soft and deliberate: love. The sound resonated within her like a crashing wave, then settled into gentle ripples that draped over her like a delicate veil.
Kleo lifted her hand, marveling as tiny points of light floated upward into her vision. They shimmered like stars, responding to her touch as she playfully poked them, the force causing them to drift lazily away.
I love this name¡ªKleo. The voice was tender, sweet. Though it wasn''t the name I gave you, it suits you. It has become your true name. Kleo is who you are.
A question rose unbidden in Kleo''s thoughts. What name? Though she hadn''t meant to ask, the words surfaced on their own.
A soft, melodic laugh filled her, rippling through her mind like the sweetest song. A simple, sweet name¡ªLily. When I held you in my arms and touched my finger to your tiny nose, I called you my Lily Bean.
Kleo''s breath caught as her heart ached, yearning to reach out and embrace the presence. But the harder she tried, the further it slipped away. Panic seized her as she scrambled to hold onto the feeling, her desperation clawing for any anchor to that precious warmth.
The voice, now distant, faded like the final notes of a song.
You must come to me, Kleo. Bring me home. I would hold you in my arms again.
Her mind responded with a silent, fervent vow. I''m coming. I will bring you home.
The voice whispered one final time, a gossamer thread of sound just perceptible above the growing void¡ªDaughter.
Then, silence descended.
Kleo stirred restlessly in her sleep, her chest rising and falling as tears slipped from her closed eyes. The warmth was gone, replaced by a hollow ache and the fading echoes of her mother¡¯s love.
The following day, Jack awoke, body and mind sluggish, the weight of the previous day still heavy on his shoulders. Beside him, Kleo lay curled in a cocoon of blankets, her face slack with exhaustion. Throughout the night, she had tossed and turned, muttering incoherent words¡ªher restless sleep mirroring the emotional storm she''d weathered.
Jack sat up carefully to avoid disturbing her. She needs this, he thought. Let her rest.
Padding softly into the main room, he found Rugr awake, seated at the table with his head resting in his hands. The older man looked worn, his broad shoulders sagging under the weight of unspoken burdens. Jack nodded a silent greeting as he moved toward the fireplace.
¡°Tea?¡±
Rugr lifted his head, offering a tired nod. ¡°Sounds good.¡±
Jack placed two cups on the table and set a pot of water over the fire. The quiet crackle of flames and the occasional creak of wooden beams were the only sounds as the hut settled around them.
"Still sleeping?" Rugr asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah," Jack replied, adding tea leaves to the cups. "She had a rough day yesterday, and her night wasn''t much better. She kept muttering in her sleep¡ªtroubled dreams, I imagine."
Rugr grunted, his expression unreadable. "She''s carrying more than she should," he muttered as if to himself. "Always has."
Jack nodded while preparing the tea. "She''s stronger than she appears, but yesterday took its toll. She needs to wake up on her own¡ªno rushing."
Rugr''s gaze drifted toward the door, his fingers drumming a slow rhythm on the table. "I don''t mean to push, Jack, but we can''t delay much longer. That box... if what we discussed last night is true, then Kleo would agree¡ªwe need to move."
Jack sighed, leaning against the counter. He knew Rugr was right, but the thought of thrusting Kleo back into danger gnawed at him. She deserved better than this endless chain of crises. "Yeah," he replied. "You''re right. But let her sleep. We''ll leave when she''s up."
Rugr nodded, and silence fell over the room once more as Jack busied himself with the tea. While Jack wasn''t looking, Rugr raised his hand toward the pot. A faint red glow flickered in his palm, sending heat into the water. The pot began to steam, and Rugr withdrew his hand, settling back into his seat as if nothing had happened.
Jack turned back as the water began to boil. He frowned, suspicious, but remained silent as he poured the steaming water into the cups, the fragrant aroma of Woog tea filling the air.
Jack handed Rugr a cup and took one for himself. "Why don''t we take this outside?" he suggested. "I''ll introduce you to a few people."
Rugr hesitated, glancing toward the bedroom where Kleo still slept. After a moment, he nodded and rose, following Jack into the village. Morning sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows across the ground. The Woogs bustled about, their cheerful chatter and busy movements contrasting sharply with Rugr''s somber mood.
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Jack led him toward the central square, stopping to greet familiar faces and point out notable sights. It felt good to be back in the Woog village. The familiar smells of his home brought a faint smile to his face.
Rugr''s rigid posture gradually relaxed, and Jack felt a spark of hope. Even amid their looming uncertainties, these simple moments offered quiet comfort¡ªan anchor against the chaos that lay ahead.
When Kleo awoke, the little house was quiet; the only sound was the faint rustling of leaves outside the window. Jack was gone, and the absence of his usual chatter felt comforting and unsettling. She lay still, her body weighed down by a deep, lingering fatigue. Thoughts of the dream filled her mind¡ªa strange mix of happiness and loss that left her chest tight and her limbs reluctant to move.
Yesterday had been too much. Seeing Rugr after their long separation had stirred emotions she¡¯d buried for years. Feelings of abandonment, raw and unresolved, had clawed their way to the surface. And when those emotions had finally overwhelmed her, they had spilled out in an angry torrent, directed at the one person who had been her rock. She regretted the outburst, but part of her knew it was necessary. There were things she had needed to say¡ªthings Rugr needed to hear.
Still, the aftermath of it all left her feeling hollow. Lying in the dimly lit room, her mind raced as her body resisted the urge to rise. The faint scent of Woog tea lingered in the air, and for a moment, she considered getting up to make herself a cup. But as tempting as it was to ease herself into the day with a quiet routine, she realized that this was the most time she¡¯d had alone since Jack¡¯s recovery.
The realization brought a flicker of resolve. Alone in the stillness, she decided it was time to confront what she had been avoiding. Something best faced in solitude.
The battle with Morghadus had unlocked something within her¡ªa change she couldn¡¯t quite explain, but she felt it humming beneath her skin like a barely restrained current. It wasn¡¯t the pulse, the signal she¡¯d come to associate with the ¡®goddess.¡¯ This was something inevitable¡ªher transformation.
She needed to learn to control it and not the other way around. The night in the woods was a stark message: Embrace or be consumed.
Curiosity gnawed at her. She flexed her fingers, studying her hand in the faint sunlight that filtered through the curtains. Slowly, deliberately, she called to the power, coaxing it forward as though coaxing a timid creature from the shadows.
At first, nothing happened. Then, a faint tingle prickled at her fingertips, spreading down her palm like warm honey. She inhaled sharply as her skin shifted, darkening and rippling like the surface of a still pond disturbed by an unseen force.
Her nails extended, lengthening into razor-sharp claws that shimmered faintly, catching the light with an unnatural gleam. Her skin darkened further, taking on a rich, obsidian hue that seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it. The texture transformed¡ªsmooth and flawless, yet unnervingly otherworldly. Faint lines of molten gold coursed beneath the surface like veins of living fire, pulsing with a heartbeat that wasn¡¯t entirely hers.
Her hand swelled, growing larger, more powerful. The structure of her bones shifted, elongating her fingers and enhancing the curve of her knuckles. It was her hand, but it wasn¡¯t. It was something more¡ªa weapon, a symbol, a revelation.
Kleo¡¯s breath caught as she tilted her wrist, watching the light play over the transformed limb. Her pulse quickened, a mix of fear and exhilaration coursing through her. The sheer power it radiated was intoxicating, yet she couldn¡¯t ignore the whisper of unease that threaded through her thoughts.
This is who I am. This is who I¡¯ve always been. Why does it still feel so alien?
She flexed the claws, testing them, marveling at their effortless sharpness, the way they seemed to cut through the air itself. A flick of her wrist sent a faint ripple of energy outward, making the room feel charged with static. The sensation was thrilling and terrifying, a reminder of what she was becoming¡ªwhat she had always been destined to become.
And yet, she hesitated. Her other hand, still her own, still demana, rested beside the demon¡¯s hand. The contrast was stark, a visual representation of the duality that defined her existence¡ªthe familiar versus the inevitable. Kleo versus the Arch Demana she was destined to be.
Her thoughts turned to Jack. Would he still look at her the same way if he saw this? If he saw all of her? The thought made her chest tighten, but she pushed it aside. Jack loved her. She knew that. He had bound his soul to hers, accepting her before she understood herself. And yet, the fear lingered¡ªa fear she couldn¡¯t quite shake.
Slowly, she willed the transformation to recede. The claws retracted, the darkened skin lightened, and the molten veins dimmed until they disappeared from view. Her hand was her own again, but the memory of the transformation remained, burned into her mind.
She exhaled, her body trembling with the aftershocks of the power she had tasted. This was her Kadas Shadoom¡ªher unyielding fate. It was not something she could avoid or suppress. It was who she was. Who she would always be.
But as she lay there in the quiet stillness of the room, staring at her now-normal hand, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder: How much of myself will I lose before this transformation is complete?
Though a part of her feared how this metamorphic power might alter Jack¡¯s perception of her, the Kasad Shadoom would not allow her to deny it any longer. The transformation was no longer something to resist; it was a truth she had to face. For now, she would confine it to her hand¡ªtesting the limits of this strange new power while sparing their quiet, tiny home from unnecessary destruction¡ªthe thought of what a complete transformation might bring excited and terrified her.
Kleo focused on her hand, willing the transformation again. Her breath hitched as the change began¡ªnot painful, but alien, as if her skin remembered something she had yet to know.
The pale glow spread over her fingers, and as the transformation took hold, her skin shifted, darkening to a rich, opalescent black. But this time, it was not smooth. She watched in growing awe and unease as the surface of her hand rippled and divided. Segments formed, each piece distinct yet interconnected, like scales¡ªbut more intricate. Each segment locked seamlessly into the next, moving with a liquid grace that suggested flexibility and unyielding strength.
It reminded her of interlocking armor, but this was alive, not forged. The edges of each piece shimmered as though they were infused with energy, the glow pulsing in time with her heartbeat. She flexed her fingers, marveling at how the segmented plates moved as one, their intricate design defying logic. Where one piece ended and another began was impossible to discern.
Her thumb brushed the surface, and a faint shiver ran through her. The texture was smooth yet impenetrable, a fusion of silk and steel. She clenched her fist, testing the strength, and the segments locked together in perfect harmony, forming a gauntlet that felt indestructible.
She frowned, her gaze lingering on the faint glow beneath the plates. The light wasn¡¯t hers¡ªnot her mana, not the energy she wielded. This was deeper, older, something born from the essence of her Arch Demana nature.
¡°Gods and Fates,¡± she murmured, though the words felt inadequate. This wasn¡¯t armor¡ªit was her. A part of her she¡¯d never known existed, yet it had been waiting, lying dormant, until the Kadas Shadoom stirred it to life.
The realization hit her like a chill: this hide wasn¡¯t only protection¡ªit was a weapon. She could sense it now, humming under her skin, as if it longed for battle, for destruction. A dangerous thrill coursed through her veins at the thought.
But then came the unease, settling like a stone in her stomach. What would she become if she embraced this power? Would she still be Kleo¡ªor would this new form consume her, piece by interlinked piece, until nothing of her old self remained?
The creak of the front door startled her, and with a sharp exhale, Kleo released the power in a burst of blue light that lit the room. She glanced down at her hand, relieved to see it had returned to its original form. Gods, what would Jack have thought if he had seen the transformation?
Jack popped his head through the doorway, his brows furrowed in puzzlement. ¡°What was that?¡±
¡°What was what?¡± she replied, masking her nerves with a yawn and an exaggerated stretch. She hoped he¡¯d think she had just woken up.
¡°I thought I saw¡ª¡± He hesitated, then shook his head. ¡°Never mind. Glad you¡¯re up. Want some tea?¡±
¡°That sounds wonderful,¡± she said, her tone light. ¡°I¡¯ll be right out.¡±
As he disappeared down the hall, Kleo drew a deep, steadying breath and exhaled. The moment had passed, but her mind lingered on the transformation. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, planting her feet firmly on the floor. It was time to face the day. They needed to get moving. She needed to get to the box.
She needed to be with her mother.
Bitter Goodbyes
Kleo sipped her tea, letting its warmth spread and grounding herself in the familiar aroma. It was the scent and taste of home. She wanted a few more quiet moments to relish the calm before the next inevitable storm.
Jack entered the house and smiled at her. ¡°Glad to see you¡¯re up. I¡¯m going to start packing. Rugr wants to get moving.¡±
¡°Where is Rugr?¡±
¡°The Woogs are showing him around. Chief Harold is making quite a fuss over our four friends. He''ll throw another parade if we don¡¯t stop him.¡±
Kleo raised a knowing eyebrow. The Woogs¡¯ enthusiasm was both endearing and relentless. She didn¡¯t want to rush them, but they couldn¡¯t spare much time for hospitality. Still, she knew she¡¯d need to make an appearance before they left.
¡°Okay. You handle the packing, and I¡¯ll show my face. Plus, I have to check in with Rahna.¡±
She stood, kissing Jack on the cheek before heading towards the door.
She stopped and turned. ¡°You know Bitter isn¡¯t coming with us, right?¡±
¡°Yeah, I know.¡±
She could tell he had mixed feelings about leaving their friend behind.
¡°Okay,¡± she said, then stepped outside.
The mid-morning sun shone brightly, casting a glare across puddles from the previous night¡¯s rain. The path through the village was soft and muddy, clinging to her boots as she made her way toward the river. She didn¡¯t have to look far to find Rugr, Will, Maya, and Rahna. They returned from the river with Chief Harold, Chester, Willard, and Matilda. Matilda beamed as she held Chester¡¯s hand, her joy radiating like the sun overhead. Will and Maya walked arm-in-arm, their conversation punctuated by quiet laughter.
As the group spotted her, they waved and headed her way. Will¡¯s goofy grin told her exactly what she suspected.
¡°So Jack catches fish by singing to them?¡± Will asked, unable to contain his laughter. Even Rugr let out a soft chuckle, giving Kleo a sly grin.
Kleo groaned, rolling her eyes. ¡°I really don¡¯t know what I was thinking. It was such a mean prank to play on him.¡±
¡°Mean but legendary,¡± Chester chimed in, turning to Matilda. ¡°Willard and I saw the whole thing. Funniest thing I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±
Matilda giggled. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you know him so well¡ªJack. The Jack.¡±
Kleo sighed. Jack¡¯s mystique among the Woogs was way overblown, thanks in no small part to her embellishments. But she couldn¡¯t deny the joy it brought them¡ªand the pride Jack took in it.
She turned to Chief Harold, offering a warm smile. ¡°Sorry about the unexpected visit. We needed to get out of the storm.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry, my dear,¡± the chieftain replied, his eyes twinkling. ¡°When you left, I thought it would be ages before you returned. Your visit is a pleasant surprise for us all.¡±
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¡°We¡¯re happy to be home, even if only for a night,¡± Kleo said. Her gaze shifted to Rugr, who flashed the hand signal for ready. She turned back to Harold, her tone softening. ¡°We need to leave soon, though. I¡¯m sure you understand.¡±
The chieftain¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Of course. But before you go, perhaps we could have a discussion with our goblin friend. There¡¯s no trouble¡ªit''s just a matter I¡¯d like your perspective on.¡±
¡°Of course. Rugr, can you get everyone else moving while I talk with Harold?¡±
Rugr nodded. ¡°Consider it done.¡±
When Kleo returned, she found Jack in front of the house, everything ready to go.
¡°Rahna will stay in the village for a while. There is an expectation that many goblins will migrate to the south. She¡¯ll. direct them and make sure there isn¡¯t any trouble for the woogs. Also, Chief Harold and the elders have suggested a small trade agreement. More of a trial to see how things go.¡±
Jack nodded, his brow furrowing. ¡°That¡¯s¡ ambitious. I hope it works out.¡±
Kleo gave a faint smile. ¡°A friendship, even a tenuous one, is better than isolation. They¡¯ll take it slow. Both sides have more to gain from peace than they realize. Besides, one day, Rahna will be a good ally to have. You never know when we might need a goblin army.¡±
They both laughed, but the thought made Jack nervous. He hoped one day, life would be simpler.
Jack sighed, glancing toward the front door. ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll come back? Like, settle down here someday?¡±
She paused, her eyes softening as she considered his words. ¡°Maybe. But there¡¯s a lot to do before then. My path isn¡¯t always clear. Maybe one day I¡¯ll have more freedom to choose.¡±
Jack nodded again. He didn¡¯t understand what Kadas Shadoom would mean for Kleo, but he would see it through, always at her side.
¡°I know the deep desert isn¡¯t exactly a friendly climate for a wolf his size¡ªbut it¡¯s hard to say goodbye.¡±
¡°Bitter will protect the Woogs and the goblins as tribes begin migrating. Chester will appreciate the help with security.¡±
Jack swallowed the lump rising in his throat. The thought of saying goodbye to Bitter felt like losing a piece of himself. But he knew it was the right decision for their companion.
¡°Jack, Bitter will be happy. We¡¯ll see him again, I promise.
Pushing the sadness aside, he hefted the bags and carried them to where the others waited.
Kleo lingered a moment longer, her gaze sweeping over the little house. Every corner held memories of quiet evenings, shared meals, and stolen moments of peace. It felt like leaving a part of herself behind. But the pull of the road¡ªand her mother¡¯s pulse guiding her south¡ªwas stronger.
She closed the door, letting her fingers linger on the frame. With a quiet breath, she turned and joined the group.
Kleo knelt on the ground, her forehead pressed against Bitter''s, her fingers tangled in the thick scruff of his neck, holding him close. Silent tears traced down her cheeks, landing on his snout.
The wolf had been her friend, guardian, and steady comfort through many trials. His absence would leave an ache she couldn¡¯t ignore, but she knew it wasn¡¯t for the best.
Jack stood a short distance away, arms crossed, his face set in mock indifference. Kleo knew him too well. His act was a thin shield against the pain of separation. Jack would miss Bitter just as much as she would.
Kleo stood and wiped her tears, her composure returning as Jack finally stepped forward.
Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Bitter¡¯s massive neck. The wolf responded with a grand sweep of his tongue across Jack¡¯s face, whining, his sadness evident. Jack laughed, stroking Bitter¡¯s fur. "Take care, big guy. And try not to get more famous than me while we¡¯re gone."
As Jack helped her mount, she caught his eye. He gave her a reassuring smile that spoke of his unshakable support. She returned it with a nod, excitement bubbling beneath the bittersweet farewell.
Kleo turned, taking one last look at the village and the friends they were leaving behind. The Woogs, standing together with their quiet strength and indomitable warmth, had become a family she hadn¡¯t known she needed.
They rode out, the village fading into the distance behind them. Though the journey ahead was daunting, Kleo¡¯s resolve burned bright. She was going to find her mother, and in her heart, she knew the reunion would be worth every step of the long road.
Secret Detour
Two hours into the ride, Jack veered west toward the temple. Kleo had been reluctant to let him go alone¡ªespecially given his purpose: to find the Whispering Secret. Though the enigmatic creature unsettled her, Jack remained adamant. He believed the entity owed him something valuable, something they might need for the challenges ahead.
Though they tried to keep Jack¡¯s destination secret, Will and Maya suspected where Jack was headed. The abandoned temple was the only logical choice¡ªno other destination made sense.
Jack grappled with a pressing dilemma as he rode: he had nothing to trade. Despite all that had changed since their last encounter, no worthy secret came to mind. Even his possession of Demana magic¡ªa power linked to his bond with Kleo¡ªseemed insufficient since he suspected the hive mind had already sensed this ability during their first meeting.
He''d keep that as a last resort if nothing else came to mind. He needed something valuable to give the creature¡ªa secret worth trading for the insight or knowledge he sought.
He worried he might have to trade one of the secrets he''d learned the previous night¡ªan Astirian secret. These weren''t his secrets to share, and the thought of betraying that confidence made him uneasy. Yet the stakes were high. Protecting Kleo meant taking risks, and hesitation could exact a steep price.
When the temple finally loomed into view, its crumbling fa?ade seemed more ominous than he remembered. Shadows draped the stonework like mourning veils, and the air seemed heavier here, saturated with the weight of forgotten things.
Jack dismounted, tying the horse to a nearby tree. His gaze lingered on the ruins, unease curling in his gut. He disliked this place, but he needed what it might offer.
Moss and decay made the temple steps slick. Jack hesitated, steadying himself before entering. The first room''s familiar dread washed over him. Thick dust motes floated in the stagnant air while a faint stench of rot permeated everything. Crouching low, he scanned the debris-strewn floor for movement. The silence felt unnatural and heavy. An oppressive atmosphere bore down on him, making his heart race.
He decided to wait in the second room. If the Whispering Secret were near, it would find him. He had no intention of entering the sanctuary itself. The thought of descending into that eerie, glowing chamber without Kleo¡¯s help unsettled him. The lever that operated the hidden door was a puzzle he wasn¡¯t confident he could solve alone, and he had no desire to trap himself within.
He climbed over a pile of fallen stone to reach the second room, each step disturbing years of settled dust. Though the room beyond appeared untouched, its air seemed alive with ancient memories. A profound sorrow permeated the space, threatening to erode his determination. The room felt like a living entity that fed on despair. He clenched his fists and pushed the dark emotions aside¡ªthis place would not sink its claws into him.
Jack moved into a shadowy corner and sat on a fragment of collapsed stone. He recalled the creature''s words from their last encounter: "The Fates weave paths of suffering." Or perhaps it had been something even darker¡ªhe couldn''t quite remember, but the memory made his skin crawl.
His patience was rewarded¡ªor punished¡ªsooner than expected. The shadows began to shift with deliberate intent. The temperature plummeted, and Jack''s breath hitched as he caught sight of the familiar, unsettling form. The Whispering Secret was here.
The figure of the Sasayaka reta Himitsu rose from the shadows, their dark shape hovering over him. The twisted faces¡ªa grotesque disfigurement¡ªdrew him in and pulled at his mind. He looked away, but the figure shifted back into view, studying him with curiosity. Once satisfied with their inspection, the figure spoke.
¡°Something pulls, Jack. Something pulls at the threads of Astiria¡¯s past,¡± the figure rasped, their voice low and heavy, like the grinding of ancient stones.
¡°Ripples. Violent ripples, Pulls, and Pulls,¡± the chorus hissed, their voices overlapping in a chilling melody of despair.
¡°Yes, ripples,¡± the figure agreed, the many faces shifting unnaturally. ¡°Vibrating in the memory of our bones.¡±
The chorus lamented, a dreadful harmony echoing in the air: ¡°Bones. Old bones. Forgotten bones.¡±
¡°The harmonics are maddening,¡± Ke¡¯moto continued, its tone edged with anguish, ¡°piercing us, shaking us to our core.¡±
The chorus erupted in wails of dissonance, their words twisting into indistinct and jumbled cries.
¡°We need your help, Jack,¡± the figure implored, its many mouths twisting into unsettling smiles. ¡°We seek relief.¡±
¡°Anguish. Agony. Anguish and agony,¡± the chorus shrieked, their pain palpable.
Jack recoiled, instinctively leaning back. The oppressive air pressed against his chest like unseen hands. He wasn¡¯t sure how he could help and even less sure he wanted to.
¡°The key to Astiria, Jack,¡± Ke¡¯moto said, their tone shifting to dark persuasion. ¡°A way in¡ªa way to see for ourselves, to relieve us of this torment, of this absence.¡±
The chorus swelled, their voices a cacophony vibrating in Jack¡¯s bones. ¡°The key! The key! Give us the key!¡± they cried, their intensity forcing Jack to press his hands against his ears.
¡°I don¡¯t even know where Astiria is,¡± Jack shouted over the din, his voice straining.
A hush of silence descended, and then laughter came in waves, growing as the chorus of voices joined.
¡°Astiria is not a where Jack.¡±
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¡°I don¡¯t know what that means,¡± Jack muttered. Coming here had been a bad idea.
¡°That might be for the best. What we seek is a key. A key to open the door.¡±
¡°The key opens the door. We must open the door!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t have a key to Astiria!¡±
The figure leaned closer, its shadow looming. ¡°Do you?¡± they asked, their voice now soft but laced with a desperate, menacing desire.
The chorus wailed in unison, ¡°Tell us, tell us the secret, tell, tell!¡° Their voices rose, jagged and uneven. We must know!
Jack gritted his teeth, his hands still clamped over his ears. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to find Astiria; I don¡¯t have a key¡ªand even if I did, I wouldn¡¯t tell you!¡± he yelled, his voice filled with defiance.
The figure¡¯s many faces turned toward him, studying him with a disquieting stillness. For a moment, the cacophony stopped.
Then the chorus muttered: ¡°Take it, take it, take it from you. We would.¡±
Ke¡¯moto remained still, their presence looming like a shadow pressed against Jack¡¯s soul. Then, in a voice almost resigned, they whispered, ¡°He tells the truth.¡±
The words seemed to ripple through the figure, and the chorus erupted into a groan of disappointment. ¡°Truth! Truth! He tells the truth,¡± they muttered, their once-booming voices fading into low, indistinct murmurs.
Ke¡¯moto straightened, its towering form somehow smaller, the many faces slack with displeasure. ¡°You disappoint us, Jack,¡± they said finally, their tone carrying the weight of bitter frustration.
Jack exhaled, his hands dropping from his ears. ¡°I¡¯d say that makes us even,¡± he muttered, glaring at the figure.
The Whispering Secret tilted its head as if considering him anew. ¡°Perhaps,¡± they said, their voice hollow. ¡°But the ripples remain. The bones ache. We will find the key, one way or another.¡±
The chorus sighed like the wind through dead trees: ¡°The key will be revealed.¡±
Jack knew a secret about Astiria. Though it wasn''t his to tell, with the figure pressing him, he realized its potential value. He would demand something equally valuable to ease his conscience and justify betraying this confidence as a mere transaction.
Jack hesitated, his pulse hammering like a warning drum. This wasn''t his truth to share¡ªit belonged to Kleo and Rugr, and revealing it could weaken their bond. Yet as the Whispering Secret loomed, their faces writhing in grotesque anticipation, Jack knew he couldn''t leave this bargain without gaining something in return.
He exhaled, the words catching in his throat. ¡°Certain members of the Astirian leadership cut a deal with the dark lords of the Sa Kamal to undermine the defenses of Demana and, in return, received the keys to Astiria.¡±
The Whispering Secret grew still, the countless mouths falling silent as though frozen mid-breath. Their faces shifted slowly, realigning like shards of broken glass until they formed a great serpent. With glowing crimson eyes and a flickering forked tongue, they hissed a single, chilling word: "Treachery."
The chorus erupted, voices clamoring in a cacophony of delight:
¡°Treachery! Hideous betrayal! Delectable betrayal! Delicious, vile betrayal!¡±
The figure convulsed, trembling as if Jack''s words had sent a ripple through their very essence. The serpent''s face split into a hideous grin, their fangs gleaming in the dim light. "Names, Jack," they purred. "Give me names. Who betrayed Demana?"
"No," Jack said sharply, his voice steadier than he felt. "Our agreement was one secret for another of equal value."
The serpent''s face splintered, morphing into a dozen smirking visages. "Ah, but secrets beget secrets, do they not? A mere taste will not suffice. We want the entire feast."
The chorus keened:
"He must give! He must yield! Names, names, names!"
Jack gritted his teeth, his frustration boiling over. "You''ve had your secret! Now, you owe me one!"
The Whispering Secrets¡¯ faces rearranged themselves into what seemed like mockery.
"Owe? Do you believe it is so simple, Jack? A mere trade of words? No, no¡ªthe value of a secret lies not in its telling but in its meaning." They leaned forward, the multitude of faces looming closer. "What pleasure would there be if we handed you an answer? No, the true delight lies in discovering that meaning."
The chorus hissed in discord:
"No games! No riddles! He must accept! Honor the trade!"
"Quiet," the figure snapped, silencing the discordant voices. They retrained their attention to Jack, their tone lilting with playfulness. Very well. You seek a secret, yes? Something to aid you, to protect your precious Kleo."
Jack¡¯s patience was wearing thin. "That was the deal."
"Yes, that was our agreement." The figure''s tone turned sly. "But perhaps you needn''t protect Kleo''s secrets from us if you''re going to reveal them anyway?"
Jack winced.
The figure''s faces shifted again, cycling through expressions of thoughtfulness, disdain, and glee. "Hmm... what to offer? What to reveal? There are so many truths, each more tantalizing than the last. To give you an answer would be¡ª" They paused, savoring the moment. "Dull."
Jack''s fists clenched. "I didn''t come here for your amusement."
The figure¡¯s laughter was a thousand fractured notes, sharp and grating. ¡°Oh, but you did. You came for a secret, and secrets are our domain. But I told you their power is not in the telling, Jack. It is in unraveling the meaning. The chase, the realization¡ªthat is where their true value lies.¡±
They paused, considering.
¡°Something waits, Jack. It knows you''re coming.¡±
¡°Dark! Something dark. Waiting!¡± cried the chorus, fear resonating in their voices.
¡°Is that the secret?¡± Jack asked, unsure.
¡°It is no secret. She will know. She will be drawn to its malevolence, just as it is drawn to her.¡±
The creature became lost in thought, their faces shifting faster than Jack could register.
When the serpent''s face returned, the long tongue flicked in the air as they whispered: ¡°Make the connection, take the bait.¡±
Jack frowned. ¡°Is that the secret? It sounds like a riddle.¡±
The chorus howled in disagreement:
¡°The riddle is the secret! The secret is the riddle! Accept, accept!¡±
Jack glared at the shifting form, his frustration bubbling over. ¡°You¡¯re twisting the deal. You owe me something tangible.¡±
¡°Tangible?¡± The figure seemed to savor the word, rolling it around like a morsel. ¡°What could be more tangible than the threads of meaning you will weave yourself? To hand you the answer would rob you of its value.¡±
The chorus wailed:
¡°Unravel the meaning! Trust! Trust! He must trust! He must accept!¡±
Jack''s thoughts raced. The Whispering Secret¡¯s nature was maddening, but he couldn¡¯t deny the allure of its logic. The creature¡¯s riddle could be a way of planting seeds, forcing him to see revelations that he might otherwise miss. As much as he hated to admit it, uncovering the truth was often more valuable than the truth itself.
¡°Fine,¡± he said at last. ¡°But next time, I expect more.¡±
The figure¡¯s smile widened, grotesque and knowing. ¡°Ah, but Jack, isn¡¯t the fun in not knowing what to expect?¡±
Jack¡¯s face showed his frustration, and his exhaustion was evident.
The serpent''s face leaned closer, their crimson eyes gleaming. ¡°You still owe me, Jack. You hold my name.¡±
Jack shook his head. ¡°Just go. I¡¯ve had enough of your games, Ke¡¯moto.¡±
The figure dissolved into shadows, the choruses¡¯ parting words echoing in the void:
¡°Ke¡¯moto, Ke¡¯moto, Ke¡¯moto¡¡±
As the echoes faded, Jack felt a strange hollowness settle over him. The riddle gnawed at the edges of his thoughts, its meaning elusive yet insistent. What connection? What bait? He shook his head, forcing the questions aside as he rejoined Kleo.
The creature had said something malevolent was waiting for them. This wouldn¡¯t be news to Kleo. It felt like he had nothing, that the entire meeting had been a waste of time.
This only amplified the guilt of sharing her and Rugr¡¯s secret.
With a sigh, he returned to the horse, riding southeast to meet the party waiting on the hill overlooking the Stone Wall marsh.
Thats a Nice Box
The ride to join the others failed to ease his anxiety after the encounter with the Whispering Secret. As he reached the hill overlooking Stone Wall Marsh, he met suspicious expressions from the others regarding the unspoken task that had separated him from the group.
Jack forced a smile, though it felt hollow and heavy with guilt.
Kleo greeted him with a smile, embraced him, and kissed him sweetly. The taste of Woog honey lingered on her lips¡ªa brief comfort against the knot in his chest.
He now had a secret, and the bitter irony did not escape him¡ªhe had betrayed Kleo and Rugr''s trust by giving the creature an Astirian secret. The thought churned in his mind like the murky waters of the marsh below. What tormented him wasn''t the betrayal itself but its pointlessness. The hive mind had delighted in his treachery, offering only a cryptic riddle in return¡ªanother twist that deepened his frustration with the whole encounter.
He sat down without a word, accepting a sandwich from Kleo. She leaned into him, her expression serene as she deftly guided the group''s attention to a new topic. Jack ignored their banter, his thoughts turning inward as he wrestled with the consequences of his encounter. The nagging sense of the creature¡¯s manipulation wouldn''t leave him. Next time, he would demand something concrete¡ªno more riddles.
Kleo shifted behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissing his neck. Her voice was a gentle whisper against the breeze. "Let it go," she said. "Whatever happened, it''s done. I need you here, Jack. With me."
Her words seeped through the tightness in his chest as he focused on letting the tension dissolve. She was right. The encounter with the Whispering Secret belonged to the past. Whether it had been a mistake no longer mattered. What counted was this moment¡ªbeing here, with her.
He leaned his head against hers and whispered, "I love you, Kleo."
She hugged him tighter. "Always?" she whispered.
"Always," he replied, his smile finally reaching his eyes.
Jack stood, stretching and brushing dirt from his hands. "Why''s everyone sitting around? We''ve got places to be, boxes to find. Let''s move, people."
Rugr''s gaze was sharp, his jaw set as if weighing a retort. Jack grinned, testing the waters. "Come on, old man. You''ve got the lead on this one. We''re all right behind you. Besides, you can always kill me after we find the box."
For a moment, Rugr looked like he might take Jack up on the offer. Then, to Jack''s surprise, Rugr''s expression softened, and the corner of his mouth twitched. "Aye," he said dryly, "I suppose I can."
Kleo shot them a stern look, though her tone betrayed humor. "Father, please remember¡ªno one kills Jack without my permission. Got it?"
Rugr''s smile deepened, a rare warmth breaking through his gruff exterior. "Yes, sweetheart, I got it."
Jack turned to Kleo, eyebrows raised. "Sweetheart?"
She shrugged, eyes twinkling. "I don''t know¡ªI kind of like it."
Jack laughed, the guilt finally forgotten.
As they approached the road where the abandoned wagon rested, Rugr dismounted and motioned for the others to do likewise.
"I buried the box east of the wagon in the marsh across the road," he said. "Once we reach the road, we''ll tether the horses and continue on foot."
The group nodded, recognizing the need for caution.
"We can''t assume we''re alone," Rugr continued. "They''ve sent a search party for the box, and they could be nearby¡ªor worse, waiting in ambush. Move quietly and stay alert." He waited for each person to nod before leading his horse down the slope toward the road.
They halted on a flat stretch overlooking the road, waiting in silence. Only the occasional rustle of leaves and distant bird calls broke the stillness. Rugr intensely scanned the surroundings, his hand resting on his sword hilt. As Will secured the horses, the others kept watch, their eyes searching the trees and underbrush for any hint of movement.
The forest held an ordinary peace¡ªa natural quiet that felt deceptively normal. After a few minutes, Rugr signaled them forward, and they descended toward the road in a well-spaced line, every sense alert. Jack took the rear position, his nerves crackling with anticipation.
At the road''s edge, Rugr crouched and raised his hand for a halt. His eyes narrowed as he studied the ground, tracing faint imprints in the mud. After a moment, he stood and moved back to the group, speaking in hushed tones.
"Fresh tracks, one or two days old¡ªfour horses, by the pattern. The prints are puddled from last night''s rain but still clear enough to read. Thespis and his men must be heading toward the village where we found Jack."
Will leaned in, murmuring his plan. "Stay back while I cross first. If they''re lurking nearby, my presence might draw them out."
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Rugr considered for a moment before nodding. Will moved onto the road, crouching to study the tracks. Rising, he let out an exaggerated yawn and stretched his arms overhead with deliberate nonchalance. His sword clinked against his belt in the stillness¡ªan intentional signal to any watchers. Adjusting his waistband with theatrical flair, he strolled into the woods on the far side of the road. There, he crouched, watching and listening, waiting to see if he had drawn any unwanted attention.
After several moments of silence, Will signaled for the next person to cross. Maya darted over to join him, her eyes scanning the treeline. She whispered something, and Will responded with another hand signal. Rugr crossed next, moving across the road with practiced stealth, each step silent and precise.
Kleo flashed Jack a playful smile. "See you on the other side," she whispered, then stepped onto the road. Unlike the others'' stealthy movements, she walked with an unhurried grace, almost daring anyone to notice. She reached the far side, joining the others with a confident nod.
Jack lingered, his heart pounding as he scanned the road. He stepped out, keeping his body low and his steps light. As he crossed, the forest held its breath, the oppressive silence bearing down on him. Reaching the other side, he exhaled and crouched beside Kleo.
Rugr gestured for them to follow as he turned away from the road. Leading them deeper into the woods, he moved with heightened vigilance. The group pressed on toward the buried box, every sense alert. They flinched at each snap of a twig or rustle of leaves, pausing to see if their presence had been detected.
Upon reaching the marsh, Rugr guided them along a maze of narrow land bridges that stretched deeper into the wetlands. They leaped across shallow stretches of water, their boots sliding on the soft, muddy ground. The marsh buzzed with life¡ªsmall flocks of birds burst into flight as the group passed, their cries dissolving into the heavy afternoon air.
Deep in the marsh maze, Rugr halted. ¡°There,¡± he said, pointing to a patch of water. "About four feet out. The water''s waist-deep. Jack and I will retrieve it."
Jack eyed the dark water with apprehension, its surface filmed with a slimy mixture of green algae and yellow pollen. Rugr had already stripped off his pants and waded in with confident strides. Looking back, he said, "What are you waiting for? I can''t haul it out alone."
Jack grimaced but complied, removing his boots and pants, then eased into the cold, murky water. The silt sucked at his feet as he moved, each step a struggle. When the water reached his waist, he stifled a yelp as the chill seized his core. Rugr smirked. "Stop whining. The sooner we get this done, the sooner you''re back on dry land."
Jack muttered under his breath as he waded toward Rugr, stubbing his toe on the submerged box. Rugr ignored his glare and reached down, using a hand-hold to heave his end. Together, they wrestled the box from the muck and dragged it back toward the shore.
The group gathered around the box, its surface obsidian black and smooth as polished glass. Its beveled corners and intricate ivory inlay formed a design that rippled in the sunlight. A mesmerizing swirling pattern adorned one side, but the box showed no seams, hinges, or openings¡ªa single piece of masterful craftsmanship.
¡°That¡¯s a nice box,¡± Jack said, suppressing the urge to whistle.
¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like it,¡± Will said. ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine how it made.¡±
¡°Craftsmanship and Magic,¡± Maya said, as if that wasn¡¯t obvious.
Jack stared at it silently. During their wagon journey, this box had lain beneath a blanket where he''d slept. The thought of spending two nights resting above its contents was unsettling, but what he found even more disturbing was that the box contained the living body of his mother-in-law.
¡°How does she breathe in there? There aren¡¯t any air wholes,¡± Jack asked, although the question felt rhetorical.
¡°Magic,¡± Maya said.
When Jack and Will turned to look at her, she understood. ¡°Oh, I guess that¡¯s obvious.¡±
They nodded and turned back to watch Kleo kneeling by the box, wiping away debris and mud. She traced the swirling design with her fingers¡ªa gesture that felt almost reverent. With a deep breath, she placed both hands along the top and closed her eyes. Jack felt the familiar stir of mana, a subtle connection through their bond.
Kleo tilted her head back, her mouth parting as if to speak¡ªbut instead, she gave a sharp gasp and stumbled backward. Jack was instantly at her side, steadying her.
"What happened?" he asked, worry evident in his voice.
She shook her head, her eyes distant. "I''m fine," she said. "I pushed mana into the box to strengthen the spell. The heartbeat surged¡ªstronger than I expected. I¡¯m okay... but I was caught off guard."
¡°Smart idea," Maya said. "Feeding it mana could buy more time before the body begins to deteriorate.¡±
Kleo smiled, appreciating the praise.
Rugr exchanged a glance with Will. "Let''s move this closer to the road."
"I''ll fetch the horses and construct the litter. We should make camp farther north¡ªbeyond Thespis''s likely search area."
Rugr and Will lifted the box with surprising ease. Will''s eyebrows rose at its unexpected lightness. Given the box''s ornate appearance (and contents), he had anticipated a much heavier burden. Jack wondered if magic was woven into its construction as the weight defied natural explanation.
At the road, Will retrieved the horses as Rugr gathered poles and canvas from his pack. Working together, they fashioned a makeshift litter to trail behind one of the mounts. Jack sat beside Kleo, who remained deep in thought.
"Are you sure you''re okay?" he asked.
Kleo nodded, though her gaze remained fixed on the box. "I''m still processing it. My mother''s in there. It''s... a lot to take in."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, offering what comfort he could. "I understand¡ªwell, as much as I can. Just know I''m here if you need anything, even if it''s only to talk."
She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I know," she whispered. "I depend on you, Jack. More than you realize."
After a moment, she pulled back to look at him, her eyes searching and vulnerable. "If I ever change¡ªif my transformation makes me...someone else¡ªyou''ll still love me, right?"
Jack''s smile was gentle but unwavering. "I can''t imagine not loving you, Kleo. No matter what happens, you''ll always be you to me."
She sighed, her shoulders softening as she buried her face against his chest. He stroked her hair, wishing he could ease her fears. Yet deep within, he knew she wrestled with doubts beyond his understanding.
After the group finished securing the box, Rugr motioned them forward. They walked the road on foot, testing the litter''s stability while minimizing noise. Though each scrape of the poles against the ground set Jack''s nerves on edge, he found calm in the steady rhythm of his companions'' footsteps.
As they neared the wagon site, tension hung thick in the air. Jack couldn''t shake the feeling that their task¡ªstraightforward on the surface¡ªmarked only the beginning of something more perilous.
The Whispering Secret had indicated as much. Something waited. Something that would draw Kleo in--and him with her.
His thoughts returned to the tiny house in the Woog village. Would they ever be able to make a life there, or would something always pull Kleo in a different direction? He accepted his fate for now, but would he always?
Dreams of Spiders
The sight of the wagon brought Jack back to the night his adventure with Kleo had started. His memory of being that person was faint. He found it hard to comprehend how much had changed over the last month.
When their pace slowed, Jack sensed something was wrong. When Rugr called for a halt, Jack could see a body near the wagon''s rear. A pair of legs extended into the road, twisting at unnatural angles and completely motionless.
Rugr motioned to Will and Maya to move forward. ¡°Jack, stay with Kleo. Guard the box.¡±
Jack nodded, drawing his sacred Woog blade and scanning the woods around them.
Rugr approached the wagon, Will flanking him on the right. Weapons drawn and ready. On the left, Maya scanned the trees for any sign of movement.
When Rugr reached the body, his stomach twisted at the gruesome sight. He recognized the man¡ªJunas Folds, a second-generation Astirian and the son of a longtime friend. His connection to the man¡¯s family only sharpened the blow of the brutal reality before him.
Junas lay face down in the dirt, his limbs contorted like a grotesque marionette. The deep puncture wound in his back had blossomed into a nightmarish bloom of blackened, splitting flesh, veins radiating outward in a horrific map of venom¡¯s devastation. The swollen, pulsing discoloration stretched across his body, a grotesque swirl of sickly greens and bruised purples.
His face was twisted to one side, frozen in a death mask of agony. The eyes bulged from their sockets, the whites stained yellow and spider-webbed with ruptured blood vessels. His waxy, corpse-like skin was stretched tight, and his fingers curled inward like claws--rigid in a final, futile grasp for life.
Rugr crouched, noting the streaks of dried mud and smeared blood around the body. The tracks told a tale of desperate, hopeless struggle. The acrid tang of venom lingered in the air, mixing with the sickly sweet stench of early decay. Ruger released a low growl, struggling to contain his grief and fury.
Will and Maya grimaced but didn''t linger on Junas. Their eyes swept the woods, every sense on high alert. They''d seen deaths like this before¡ªvenom injected to kill with swift and brutal effect. Though the wound resembled those from desert scorpions, here in the forests, a spider was the likely culprit. Rugr''s instincts, honed over centuries, told him the same.
Will''s gaze fixed on a slope leading to the woods above the wagon. A lone boot twisted near the edge¡ªa grim sign of another victim. He pointed without a word, and Rugr''s expression darkened. They climbed the embankment, alert to danger, swords ready, each step placed for silence.
At the top of the slope lay an even more horrifying scene. Another man''s remains were strewn across the ground, his torso partially consumed and still dissolving. The digestive acid melted the skin, revealing ribs slick with the viscous fluid. The remaining tissue was bloated and discolored from the venom''s corruption. Blood and bile pooled beneath him in the dirt, mixing into sickly hues of black and green.
In the middle of the abandoned camp sat something that froze them in place.
A spider¡ªmassive, alien, and grotesque. Its long, segmented legs folded beneath its body like the limbs of some eldritch throne. As large as a horse, the creature lay motionless, its head resting against the earth. Thin, hair-like tendrils twitched in a slow rhythm, tasting the air. Though still, the beast was unmistakably alive.
Maya reacted from experience, forming a shimmering dome of energy around the creature¡ªa containment spell she¡¯d used countless times before. Will watched as the barrier flickered to life, its edges glowing a wispy blue. It was a defensive spell, and he knew it would hold as long as she maintained focus. Relaxing, he scanned the treetops for movement, but the forest remained eerily still.
Rugr examined the demana lying at his feet, eyes narrowing as he assessed the scene. The damage made it difficult to identify the victim, but he had a grim suspicion¡ª¡°Calman Visser,¡± he muttered under his breath. Calman was the shadow leader within Thespis¡¯s group and one of Barto¡¯s trusted operatives. Under most circumstances, Calman was unlikely to have gone down without a fight, but he saw no sign of a struggle. Rugr¡¯s jaw tightened¡ªCalman had never seen it coming.
With Junas and Calman dead, there should be two more, including Thespis. There were no other bodies in the clearing. Where were they?
Further into the woods, Rugr noticed horses tied up to a tree. They stood patient and content, unaware of the carnage nearby. He glanced toward Will, who followed his gaze.
¡°The horses look fine,¡± Will remarked, his voice low. ¡°If this thing were part of a larger brood, those animals wouldn¡¯t still be standing. They¡¯d be spider food by now.¡±
Rugr nodded but didn¡¯t lower his guard. ¡°Could¡¯ve been on its own,¡± he said, his tone clipped. ¡°Or left behind.¡±
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Maya moved closer to the creature, her eyes locked on its massive, folded frame. Will¡¯s hand shot out, gripping her arm.
¡°Maya¡ªdon¡¯t.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she said, her gaze never leaving the creature. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong with it. And the spell will hold.¡±
Will released her arm, his expression a mixture of frustration and concern. He knew Maya¡¯s skill, but that didn¡¯t make the risk easier to swallow. He kept his sword ready, close enough to intervene if the situation turned.
Maya knelt beside the Arraku, her movements measured. ¡°It¡¯s still alive,¡± she murmured. Extending her hand, hesitating above its mottled chitin.
Will tightened his grip on his weapon but said nothing, forcing himself to trust her judgment.
When her fingers brushed the creature¡¯s shell, energy coursed through her. Maya shook as an alien flood of sensations overwhelmed her: despair, loneliness, a crushing sense of isolation, and a resigned acceptance of death. The creature¡¯s thoughts streamed, fragmented, its emotions raw and unfiltered.
But something else rose amidst the din of thoughts¡ªa second presence, vast and malevolent. It loomed on the edges of her consciousness, distant but aware. Maya¡¯s breath hitched, and she pulled her hand back as if burned, severing the connection.
The spider¡¯s green eyes snapped open, glowing with a faint pulse.
Will took a defensive stance, raising his sword. ¡°It just opened its eyes.¡± The rise in the pitch of his voice revealed his concern.
Maya staggered to her feet, her face pale. ¡°Get Kleo.¡±
Rugr turned without a word and strode back down the incline, signaling to Jack and Kleo. ¡°Prepare yourselves,¡± he said before returning to the camp.
When Jack reached the wagon and saw Junas¡¯s mangled body, his stomach churned. ¡°What the¡ª¡±
Kleo gripped his hand tightly and pulled him upward; her expression steeled against the carnage. When they reached the top of the incline, Jack stumbled back, his breath catching in his throat. Another, even more gruesome corpse lay at his feet, and in the middle of the clearing, something worse. A massive spider, its unblinking eyes fixed on them.
Maya rushed to Kleo¡¯s side. ¡°When I touched it¡ª¡±
Jack cut in, his voice sharp with disbelief. ¡°When you what?¡±
Both women turned to glare at him, their unspoken "not now¡± silencing further protest. Jack held his hands in surrender, trying to process what he saw.
Maya continued, her voice trembling. ¡°When I touched it, I connected with it somehow. It¡¯s¡ alone. Isolated. It feels abandoned, purposeless, like it¡¯s waiting to die. It¡¯s sick¡ªor broken.¡±
¡°Strange,¡± Kleo said, observing the creature over Maya¡¯s shoulder.
¡°I felt¡ something else. Something malevolent. A second presence lurking at the edge of the connection.¡±
Jack¡¯s brow furrowed. The Whispering Secret¡¯s cryptic advice echoed in his mind: Make the connection, take the bait. His curiosity stirred, but he pushed it aside. He was fitting the situation to the riddle. That¡¯s how the palm readers and spirit guides got you. Speaking vague words, letting your mind fill in the blanks, leading you to read something from nothing.
They stood watching the spider, and in return, the creature¡¯s eyes locked on them, each unblinking, and each unnervingly aware.
The thought resurfaced unbidden. Jack spoke it aloud. ¡°Make the connection. Take the bait.¡±
The Spider Queen hissed her displeasure. The girl the Arraku had returned was demana, yes, but she was not Arch Demana. That mattered. She could still twist the girl¡¯s mind, bend her into a vessel for corruption, but it would be less. Less power. Less satisfaction.
She needed an Arch Demana¡ªher. That one carried the strength to be reshaped, to become her weapon. An unstoppable force that would shatter the Demana sanctuary, that would turn the smug refuge of her tormentors into dust. And then¡ªthen she would drive her weapon against the Dark Lords themselves. They would be her masters no longer. The fools who commanded the endless, mindless Sa Kamal hordes. The fools who had banished her here. They would suffer as she had.
Her fangs clicked with bitter delight at the thought of their ruin.
And yet¡
The lost Arraku had reached out to her, giving her pause. Alone and isolated, the Arraku should have been too weak to connect with her across the vast distance. It couldn¡¯t have done this alone. Something else had boosted its pitiful signal, made it strong enough to touch her.
The Spider Queen ran her tongue across her slick fangs, tasting the moment. Oh, this was delicious. Had her web caught the proper prey after all? Perhaps the Arraku had found the Arch Demana. Yes¡ªyes, that would explain everything. If it were true, she would reward the creature well. Allow it the glory of living within her shadow for a short time. Its reverence would grow unbreakable; its worship would be pure.
What should have been a death sentence for the creature¡ªalone and failed, so far from its nest¡ªhad turned into an unexpected opportunity.
The Spider Queen reached out, sharpening the connection, weaving her mind around the other presence like silk. She felt it then. Not weak, but not what she had imagined. The Arch Demana should exude power, a force brimming with apocalyptic desire. She clicked her mandibles in annoyance. Yet, this Arch Demana was newly developed, like a child. Untrained. Formative. Yes. This could explain the weakness. So much the better. Easier to imprint¡ªeasier to corrupt.
And then¡ª
The connection broke.
The Spider Queen stilled. The faint vibrations of its fear still lingered in her mind. The second presence had fled from her.
Good, she thought with cruel satisfaction. Let it be afraid.
But then her triumph soured, and her anger surged.
The Arch Demana still eluded her.
She flicked one of her long legs, sending the cocoon dangling from the ceiling into a violent swing. Her new pet smashed against the far wall with a dull, wet thud, and her rage burned hotter.
Her thoughts turned cold and sharp as glass. She would send another team. If the next group failed to return with the girl, she would send another and another. She would throw her Arraku into the void one by one if necessary¡ªthey were expendable.
However, they were not limitless. The Arraku were special. Precious. Their hatchings were rare, and the Arrakso attendants, greedy and mindless, devoured many before they could cluster and grow strong. That was the way of things. She would not intervene unless she had to.
She flexed her limbs, fangs clicking a haunting rhythm as her mind spun with new plans. The Arch Demana would be hers. She would be remade.
And the world¡ªher tormentors, enemies, and especially her masters¡ªwould learn to fear her name.