PoV: Xaria Ectria (One of the three top Warriors of the Delthax Clan; considered ugly with her knocked out, single tooth and blue skin, splotched with light-brown, showing her mixed heritage. Of course, few would tell that to her face.)
Recap: In the last chapter, we followed Chief Kalix of the Delthax Tribe as dealt with the failing Wixum Clan, and the disastrous decisions they’d made that was threatening their safety.
To make matters worse, he learned of the Supreme Chiefs’ arrival onto the physical plane! We left off with Kalix making the gave decision to abandon the Wixum Clan to Xaria Ectria’s horror, and to her dread, she’s finding herself opposing her Chief’s decisions.
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Ectria hopped down the cliff face, nimbly finding proper purchase; she’d lost her fear long ago, playing along the shelf as a child, despite the adults’ constant warnings.
The invigorating rush that coursed through her veins was unlike anything else. With every leap that brought her closer to the roaring river below, her stomach twisted with anticipation, sweat leaving her pores.
It had become a game to her, a complex issue of finding the fastest route to the bottom without losing her focus, and she’d become a master. It took her fifteen minutes to reach the sixty-meter drop point. Taking a deep breath to calm her heart, she double-checked her jacket, making sure it was properly sealed, and jumped.
The heavy wind pushing along the shelf mixed with the moist updraft, but she’d instinctively adjusted to the current, doing a reverse somersault before straightening out to fall feet first, leaning slightly forward. She kept her hands together, arms down, and struck the water.
The cool liquid surrounded her, well above the usual levels after last night’s storm, which caused the current to increase. Ectria was more than confident in her ability to combat the current if needed, but went along a vertical path, using the flow to tell her which direction the shore was.
Spreading out, she opened her eyes, spotting the fish that on any typical day, she’d try to capture; there were two massive wild Torlim within eyesight, but they were busy chasing the schools of Fire Snappers and Quel.
Everything moved so slow in the water, giving her a sense of security. She made her way to the opposite side of the river, two-hundred and forty meters across.
Her mind returned to her Chief’s conversation, mixed with the reports given by the returned Warriors.
If this Elinor and Juggernaut really are invincible, then how do we beat them? We could tie them down, and then figure out how to kill them. It might be possible, but the issue is the power they seem to possess. Dead Quen’Talrat, though … the number of vines we’d need for something like that, and if they have their flaming fur, it would be useless.
Only the best Warriors could take down a Quen’Talrat, and that was with surprise, preparation, and the Ancestors on their side. The dead, powerful creatures, and whatever else this Elinor might be able to do … a ruler from the other side of the Gate. To make it worse, Elder Chief Valdar was killed.
No. Ectria’s teeth pressed against her lower lips, focusing on the task at hand. Everything will become clear when I see them myself. They must go through the Wixum to get to us … isn’t that cowardice, though? I mean, logically, it’s a sound strategy, but ethically … Kole’s wife is of Wixum, and her entire family still lives by the lake.
Her gut tightened, filled with the desire to hide them in the jungle. The Chief’s right, Yimara will convince them to willingly accept these new threats into their village to avoid any hint of conflict, but I must comply with his orders … exposing myself could put the entire Delthax Clan in danger. I don’t want to do wrong by Kole, but … I can’t take that big of a risk, either.
She swam through the clear water, following the current to the other side to conserve her strength while trying to come up with a solution, but nothing came. Dammit! That girl’s going to get over a thousand Ri’bot slaughtered … friends, family … why’s she so stupid? She’s got everyone brainwashed, thinking everything will be fine if they just ignore everything, but that just means we have to suffer their ignorance.
Ectria’s internal conflict was cut short as a wild, eight-foot-tall Torlim jumped into the river, entering from the bank further upstream; it instantly locked onto her, being bigger than most the Quel in the area.
Really?
Even though the Ri’bot and Torlim had similar characteristics, and every young Ri’bot asked the question, they were always given the same answer. No, the Torlim are nothing like the Ri’bot, and only suitable for battle pets, travel, and food.
In all honesty, they were faster than the majority of Ri’bot while in water, closing the distance quickly between them within thirty seconds; however, being a Ri’bot and among the fittest of her kind, Ectria’s marine acrobatics more than gave her a victory over the creatures.
Her left hand darted to her jacket’s left side, pulling the knot loose that kept one of her daggers sheathed. Gently altering her course while combating the moderate flow, she tilted upside down, waiting for her assailant to near.
Bursting into action, she kicked her feet, shooting under his massive fanged mouth as it opened its jaws wide to swallow her. Her sharpened blades easily pierced the creature’s soft belly, digging into the thick skin while ripping through its organs, sending green globs of blood spilling into the river with its internal organs.
Catching sight of its spike-like genitalia, she frowned. Huh, a male … odd; generally, the females are more aggressive about territorial disputes. Although, I suppose he is hunting for the group.
She swam a little higher, watched the dying creature writhe under the small waves, innards leaking out as it moved toward the surface. Quel, Torlim, and Fire Snappers soon caught onto the scent and sight of the squirming beast, targeting it to pick the defenseless thing apart.
Finishing her swim to the shore, she broke the surface, taking a deep breath before slowly exhaling; she could have gone another twenty minutes without air. Her fingers tightened around her slick dagger, doing a quick sweep of the jungle, scanning for signs of danger. Five seconds passed before Ectria determined it was safe.
The jungle was oddly silent, making a chill run down her spine as she recalled some of Valdar’s old stories.
If the jungle is hushed without signs of enemies, an evil presence is moving through. I won’t hear anything, though … no, I’m not so attuned to that kind of thing. She reassured herself. It’s not like the Unseen Eye, or the Vorpal Presence will take notice of me. No, no, the Ancestors protect this Jungle.
Nonetheless, the sudden atmospheric tension drove her previous thoughts out of her head. Ectria quickly cleaned what was left of the sticky Torlim blood off her weapon before putting it back into its hardwood case, securing the knot again.
Leaping onto a nearby protruding root, she made her way up the tree, using the trunk to launch from branch to branch. She was a little less than two miles away from the Wixum, Dalthax, and Flex Tri-State Area. If she kept heading northeast, then she’d make it to the Wixum’s lake.
The Warriors warned them about an enemy coming; so, they should be preparing. Please, Ancestors, let the Chief and I be wrong. Please, knock some sense into that girl … Chief. Chief Yimara needs all the prayers she can get … we all do, but especially her.
The journey to the village was rather uneventful; the Wixum rarely had many of their people this close to the Flex border, and she even saw signs of Delthax presence, smiling at the scent. Gorbin, although, shouldn’t he be a bit more north, keeping track of the Torlim behaviors? Hmm, maybe Icara shifted his post; it should be fine, I mean, in-field operations are often altered, but still…
Her sharp eyes scanned the jungle, goosebumps forming along her arms. The creepy presence that rarely permeated the forest was slowly easing, moving along the strong southbound breeze.
Ectria’s long pink tongue slid out to wet her mouth; her jacket was still damp, but her skin was only partially slick with the gusts constantly blowing against her. Her fears were quickly realized. The Wixum were not preparing for battle; in fact, it seemed like they were gathering gifts to welcome the potential invaders.
Her jaw set, nose twisting while staring around at the clan they’d long protected. They’re not worried at all! Three Delthax Warriors, slaughtered in their northeast territory … turned to paste … Warriors far better trained than their own in a panic over the sheer force, and yet here they are, welcoming them in like an old friend.
She sucked in before releasing it in a long puff of air. Maybe I’m reading the whole situation wrong. I just need to do my duty and give them a proper warning.
Stepping out of the jungle, she wanted to scream; it took their mediocre Warriors more than fifteen seconds to notice her. Fifteen seconds … fifteen! I could have slit their throats, and hidden the bodies in that time, dammit! I’m in the open, not even trying to hide my presence, and if it was that Flex Xaria, Iona … she specializes in stealth combat. She could probably wipe out the entire Wixum Clan herself!
Nebu, a rather aged and corrupt Ri’bot, happened to be one of the two guards watching the jungle, and frankly, he was a terrible close-combat officer within the Wixum ranks, even in his youth from what she’d heard. He was accompanied by Koma, one of the two only raw Warriors in training within the Clan.
Ectria felt bad for the youth; she was born in the wrong era and to a failing clan. She truly wanted to train and take up the collapsing mantle of the past Wixum Warriors, even going so far as to privately ask the Delthax stationed nearby to give her tips on how to train. The girl had a lot of free time with the current Wixum Warrior work-ethic.
At least, she would have said they were keeping watch, had they not been stuffing their faces with Celpher Berries and Dried Torphal. Ectria had no doubt the old, corrupt Ri’bot had forced her into it with his rank; he liked being seen with the young to make himself feel better about his long, pointless life.
Her jaw tightened once she’d been noticed, but not by the veteran; Koma’s light purple eyes lit up with delight. “Xaria Ectria! Oh, umm, it’s an honor to see you!” She shouted, slamming her fist against her chest in a salute. “Is there…”
The kid’s voice was drowned out by Nebu’s gruff tone, reminding her of the Flex’s outdated tongue she hated so much. “Xaria Ectria … what brings such a—decorated celebrity to our humble village?”
Ectria didn’t miss his jab at her splotched skin color, nose twisting at his remark about her brown marks. Why is it always the same with these Wixum fools? They act all wet-tongued and mighty, boasting as if they’ve painted their bodies with blood, thinking they’re my equal … big fish in a severely small pond.
“You know there’s a tax…”
Before he got the T out, her dagger was unbound and at his neck; the fool didn’t even notice until he’d finished the word, and Nebu froze in place soon after.
The sharp edge of her blade pressed against his exposed, wrinkled throat, making the old Ri’bot’s breath catch in his lungs. She spoke clearly and distinctly. “I’ve heard of these little extortion games, Nebu, and I’m not amused. Try that again, and I’ll cut your head off before you can blink … now, blink if you understand.”
His eyes fluttered. “Good. Now, you’ll take me to your Chief without a word, then return here, and Koma,” Ectria’s purple irises shifted to the girl.
“Y-yes, Xaria?” She stammered, standing at attention.
“Go find Xaria Kole’s wife and kid, tell them to meet me outside of the Chief’s house.”
“Yes…”
She trailed off as Nebu’s fingers twitched, but before it moved half an inch, her other second blade was free, the tip touching the nape of his ample belly. “Did I say you could move?” She growled. “Blink twice.”
He followed her demand, and she sheathed her daggers before he could swallow, walking around him as if nothing had happened; the scene had drawn several Ri’bot’s gazes, but they swiftly returned to their tastes as if forgetting the entire incident.
“Well?” Ectria turned to glare at the trembling man.
“R-right,” he mumbled, voice hoarse. “T-to the Chief?”
“Isn’t that what I said?”
He didn’t respond, wrapped leaves of celpher berries, and dried torphal falling to the floor as he hurried to comply. Such a waste … they’ll probably just leave it for the insects.
She was a little amused watching Koma race off, a thrilled grin on her face. If it weren’t for Yimara forbidding her to train with our Warriors, then I’d teach her myself. She’s got just the right spirit, and follows orders, but … I’d have to break her a bit of that; she needs to be able to think for herself, and not follow tools like this dirt licker.
Following the cowed man through the hundreds of wooden homes, she noticed how the raised lake levels didn’t really affect most of the buildings since they’d been constructed two meters above water level. I’ll give the Wixum that … they do have some decent plans, but it’s not like any of it would mean anything the moment the Flex and Lethix stamp their foot down their throats.
Her presence caused quite a stir among the Clan, but everyone seemed to be keeping their distance as they continued the tasks that had been assigned to them.
Ectria’s vision narrowed when Nebu didn’t lead him to the Chief’s house. Yimara isn’t making plans with the Elders?
He brought her to the lakeside, where a group of fifteen children was gathered, clustered around the fifteen-year-old Chief as she appeared to be educating them about a bright white gemstone.
“You see, these little stones at the bottom of our lake provide some kind of element that draws more wildlife through the rivers to us. Over the past five years, we’ve been sprinkling them further upriver, and as I’ve hoped, we’ve increased our output by over fifteen percent! We can also cluster the Quel in fish farms with them, giving us more bartering power with the … oh,” she turned to stare at them, brow furrowing as she glanced between her warrior and Ectria. “Xaria Ectria? I, umm—I wasn’t expecting a Xaria to be the messenger.”
“The Delthax Warriors returning gave you a warning?”
“Mmh, they did,” she mumbled, turning back to the children. “It seems we’ll have to cut this lesson short!”
“Aww,” one of the kids grumbled, glaring over at her. “I wanted to learn how to make fish follow me! Tamili keeps showing off…”
“Next time,” Yimara promised, giving the kids a playful splash of the knee height water.
“Hey!”
The kids quickly broke into laughter and moved the game away while the Chief moved to join them.
“Chief!” Nebu huffed, turning to glare at her. “She held a knife to my belly and throat!”
“Oh, for what reason?”
“I—umm, I don’t know. She just snapped!”
“Right,” Yimara sighed, waving him off. “I’ll talk with her.”
Ectria’s vision narrowed, directing it at the Wixum Chief, but her scathing gaze moved to Nebu as he smirked, causing him to dart back to his post, spraying water all around him as he ran.
“Now, why are you giving me that stare?” Yimara sighed, rubbing her slick forehead.
Ignoring her question, Ectria shifted her gaze to the nearby residents, “We need to discuss a sensitive matter.”
“In private then,” Ectria whispered, sounding tired. “I hate these kinds of things … fine. Follow me.”
She followed her to the Chief’s house, which was a bit larger than most the other residents in the area, having been a relic from the past. When they entered, she noticed all sorts of clutter, showing dozens of what seemed unfinished projects of wooden design around the hut.
Her focus darted to the thin walls, showing small gaps between the boards. “This isn’t exactly private, and I can already sense people trying to ease up to eavesdrop.”
“Meh,” Yimara shrugged. “I don’t care if they hear it or not; they’ll all hear what you have to say soon enough.”
That’s not the point … how information is released matters. If they only release a part of the story, then it could cause a panic. I can see why the Chief hates dealing with her.
“If that’s your decision….”
“Before that,” Yimara mumbled, moving to drop down into a wooden seat with a short grunt, “what’s the whole putting a knife to Nebu’s throat deal?”
“He was trying to extort goods from me as some kind of entrance tax.”
“Ah,” Yimara whispered, glancing away with a slight frown. “He shouldn’t be doing that.”
“It’s fairly common from what the Warriors under me say; they don’t relent, but from what I hear, your fellow Clansmen are more than willing to bend the knee to the thugs.”
“Well, it’s not that bad,” she replied, rubbing her left arm without making eye contact. “I mean, they do help keep the peace, and it’s not like the Delthax respect me as a Chief; you clearly don’t. I’ve come to accept that, and if the Warriors feel like they need a bit more food for their services, then that’s fine.”
Her eyes widened with a forced grin as she held up her hand. “Oh, not that I’d expect it from a Xaria; you could cut me into twenty pieces before I could blink—probably. I mean, I’m no Warrior, and I know almost all past Chiefs were experienced Warriors in their own right. I haven’t done much to deserve that respect, yet, but I’m trying in my own way.”
Ectria’s teeth pressed against her lower lip in frustration, leaning against the wall while following three children below them, trying to catch their conversation below. “I don’t get you. You aren’t afraid to be seen in a negative light, and you can ask me pointed questions, despite being nervous, and yet, you submit to tyrannical behavior without a second thought.”
“I—umm,” she glanced away, sucking in her lips for a moment. “I don’t—do well with conflict … real conflict. I don’t like the sight of blood—even in an accident, I throw up, but—but Vivine chose me to lead, and—and I need to do my best to advance the Wixum. I’m doing my best.”
Ectria released a soft puff of air, glaring at the floor. So, it’s all Former Chief Vivine’s fault. Is that it? She’s just a girl; I suppose, Chief Vivine could have been delusional from her illness for all I know, but Yimara still refused to take most of Chief Kalix’s advice and even disregarded Elder Chief Valdar’s words of wisdom. She’s not the victim she paints herself as.
“Anyways, I’m here to tell you that a new enemy is coming, and we can’t help you.”
Yimara froze. “Wait … can’t help us?” She mumbled. “W-what do you mean by that? You’ll come in a bit, so we should hide in the forest or rivers?”
“No,” Ectria growled. “I’m saying creatures are coming that are already dead. A Quen’Talrat Elite Hunter is among them, with a being as deadly or possibly even more dangerous, a Juggernaut. We’re preparing for the possibility of our Clan being utterly destroyed, and you should do the same.”
A thought struck her, taming a bit of her hot emotion. Wait … were the gifts for them or us? No, they’d heard about the attacking force, but thought we’d come to drive them back. Maybe I was a bit too harsh on her.
Scratching her temple, Ectria took a deep breath before letting it out; Yimara seemed to be taking the information rather badly, staring blankly into space.
“Look, there was a deal that went to Flex with the Komath, Roxim, and Clavex. There was also a Gateway to another realm that appeared. These creatures come from there, and there’s one named Elinor that can raise the dead.”
“The dead? Does that mean … can this Elinor wrestle the—the spirits from The One Above All? Is she—some kind of—of ancient evil like the Unseen Eye?”
Ectria shook her head, frowning at the shivering Chief. She’s far too weak for this position. “That’s a possibility that I’d rather not contemplate, but there’s the other option … The One Above All and the Supreme Chiefs, are on her side. We have displeased the Ancestors somehow, and this is our reckoning.”
“C-could it be us … we haven’t been quite as mindful of our prayers and practices recently,” she quaked. “W-what can we do? No, no, if they are sent from the Ancestors, then—then we can be redeemed, right? We just need to know how to set things right—yeah—yeah, that’s it.”
Ectria folded her arms, turning away from the Chief. “My suggestion, leave. You can’t possibly fight.”
“Leave … where would we go? We can’t go south … none of the Clans in the valley would harbor us; their resources aren’t strong enough, and leave everything I’ve built?” She mumbled, hugging her shoulders. “No—no, we can’t. No, that’s not the only option. We can negotiate with them! I know we can!”
Ectria’s teeth ached with the pressure she exerted against them, feeling her flesh being punctured. “You’re delusional! Think about the Clansmen, not some dream you have, whatever that is. You aren’t prepared for what’s coming, period and the Delthax have family members here that they want protected.”
Yimara’s nose creased as she looked up at her. “Then why won’t you protect us?”
“If you knew anything about war tactics, you’d understand,” Ectria shot back. “In any case, I’ve delivered my message, but know that every Delthax Clansmen will hold you responsible for what comes next.”
Ectria stormed out of the building, slapping the vine door covering aside while exiting. She sensed the kids running off to spread what pieces they’d heard, and noticed Koma with Kole’s wife and one-year-old son. He was a strong boy and would do his father proud with time, but there was a dispute between him and his wife about their son’s future.
She didn’t even know the woman’s name but respected Kole enough to give his family an appropriate warning. Her movements were nearly silent as she walked through the water, using the proper hunting technique that had been beaten into her since a child.
Her parents knew she had no future with her skin color unless she’d become a top-ranking Warrior; so, since before she’d lost her tail, she’d exceeded all expectations, breaking part of the mold she’d been born into. Kole was one of the few peers who hadn’t mentioned her splotched skin color once in her entire life.
Ectria put on a pleasant smile. “Hello, I don’t think we’ve formally met, but I work with your husband.”
“Uh—yeah,” she mumbled, giving her a narrowed eye while keeping her son close to her side. “I know who you are, Xaria Ectria.”
“Umm, could I know your name?” Ectria asked, trying to be as direct and polite as possible.
The woman’s lips fell into a deep frown. “Oh, Kole never mentioned my name? Typical.”
Okay, then … guess their relationship is worse than he leads on.
“He probably has multiple times, but I haven’t committed it to memory. We usually just discuss Warrior related topics, not our personal life,” she chuckled, trying to ease the tension. Koma looked like she wanted to edge away from the whole conversation, trying to stay out of the woman’s line of sight.
“I believe that,” she huffed, giving her a look that Ectria had received many times before, but rarely ever once her Warrior career had started making waves; this woman was more than willing to insult anyone, even a Xaria.
I see, so, there’s no possible way Kole and my relationship could ever revolve around anything but Warrior business because I’m just too ugly. I mean, it’s not like we’re close friends, but we’re fellow Xaria! Jeez, how did he get hitched to a raving Ragnlar like her?
“Anyways,” Ectria mumbled, “I need to talk to you three in private.”
“M-me, too?” Koma asked, enthusiasm sparking to life again.
“Yeah, you, too,” Ectria chuckled.
“Yay! By the way, her name’s Jama.”
Jama gave the three-year-old girl a dirty glare, likely wishing to insult her husband more before giving her name. “I’m busy—is this about my husband? Who am I kidding? Of course, it’s always about Kole.”
Ectria stated, feeling a bit fed-up with the Ri’bot. Every time I interact with a Wixum Clansmen, my opinion drops more and more. Well, I suppose that’s not fair to the ones in our village … just these locals. “It’s about war and death,”
She paused, brow creasing while staring down at her son. “Oh … umm—fine, lead the way,” she grumbled.
“Mama…”
“Shh, the grown-ups are talking,” Jama cut in, silencing her son.
Ectria ignored the woman, walking back toward the west side of the village to hide in the jungle until Elinor made her appearance.
Koma jogged after her, falling in step with Jama and her son begrudgingly following.
“Blood and death, huh? Maybe I’ll finally see some action! Is it the Flex, are they coming to attack?”
Ectria sighed, scratching her cheek. “Don’t be so eager to get into battle, Koma. You have a lot of potential, but you lack the training to live in actual combat. I’ll explain when we’re out of earshot.”
“Why can’t you just say it here?” Jama grunted.
“That’s for your Chief to decide.”
They both fell silent at her venomous tone.
Reaching the edge of the jungle, they left any signs of eavesdroppers. Turning to them, Ectria licked her tooth. “Look, there is an enemy far stronger than the Flex and Lethix coming, and soon.”
“But you’ll slaughter them, right, Xaria Ectria!” Koma stated with doubtless eyes.
“No, girl,” Jama mumbled, eying Ectria with a calculating glare. “The reason why she’s telling us this is because she doesn’t think the Wixum village is safe anymore.”
Koma’s eyes widened in shock. “W-wait, really? You’re a Xaria, though!”
“That doesn’t mean as much as you think,” Jama sighed, vision softening while glancing down at her son. “Damn you, Kole … couldn’t come yourself, huh?”
Ectria folded her arms. “It was a split-second decision made by the Chief; I was sent over the cliff to deliver the message as soon as possible. The Delthax will not support the Wixum in this conflict.”
“I see,” Jama mumbled, and after a moment’s thought, released another sigh. “I get it; we’ll be heading to The Shelf then.”
“Wait, what about the rest of your family … my parents?” Koma asked, growing concerned.
Jama shrugged. “That’s up to you, but I know mine won’t leave.” Her hard purple irises darted Ectria. “I suppose you’re telling us this because Chief Yimara won’t be plotting an escape plan.”
“That’s right, but do you think you can make the journey to The Shelf alone?”
A smirk lit Jama’s face. “What, you think I’m that weak?”
Ectria’s brow rose as Jama let go of her son’s hand, darting forward to strike her throat. Easily dodging the blow, she moved around the woman, arm extending in a decent form to deliver a jab. Not bad, to be honest. Her vision slid over every muscle the Ri’bot used in forming the attack. That’s actually pretty impressive for a non-warrior. She had a lot of potential if she’d trained when younger; again, a pity she was born to the Wixum.
Grabbing her wrist while kicking out her legs, Ectria used Jama’s forward motion to spin her into a front flip, closing the distance to lighten her fall.
Jama gasped, wincing while looking up at her face as she came to a stop. “Tch, shouldn’t have expected anything else from a Xaria,” she huffed, and Ectria helped her back to her feet. “My head’s spinning a little … could have gone a little more easy on me.”
Ectria smirked. “I was.”
“Huh … guess Kole’s growing soft,” she mumbled, rubbing her left arm.
“Well, I’d say you could hold your own with the Wixum Warriors, at least,” Ectria offered.
“Insult me, why don’t you,” Jana grunted, giving her a grin.
Ectria folded her arms. “Alright, Jama, I suppose I’ll see you back there.”
“Yeah,” she guided her wide-eyed son further into the jungle by the hand, pausing to turn and smile at her. “Hey, if you make it back, maybe I could show you how to prepare a decent meal. I know that Xaria training doesn’t include lessons on seasoning a proper Quel. Kole is terrible at picking the proper herbs and spices … but he’s got one Pit of an appetite,” she chuckled.
“Maybe I’ll take you up on that,” Ectria replied, waving her away, son asking why they’d attacked each other, and if fighting is bad. Huh, maybe she’s not that terrible after all. At least she seems to have a functioning mind … I can’t say the same for the rest of the Wixum.
Koma gave her a concerned look, lips bleeding as the two teeth on either side of her mouth punctured her lip. She was actually a decently attractive Ri’bot with her symmetrical triangular patterns, even among the throng of women in the Wixum flock.
“C-can I at least try to convince my parents?”
“Yeah,” Ectria smiled, rubbing her smooth head. “I’m not trying to kidnap you or anything. I just hoped you’d consider running to The Shelf and staying safe. I’ll give you a promise; if you make it through this alive, then I’ll train you myself.”
“N-no way! You—a Xaria—me?” She squealed, jumping five feet into the air while cheering. “That’s so rare!”
“I think you’ve got the potential, but a fair warning, I’ll have to really push you since you’re already three.”
“Okay! Umm—I’ll let my parents know. I’m almost six already; I should be able to make my own decisions!”
Well, two years off is still a decent period, my girl. “I love the enthusiasm,” she laughed. “Okay, just—make sure to stay alive.”
“Yeah, definitely. I’ll drag them to The Shelf myself if I have to!”
Ectria watched the youth race back into the village with a warm heart, but that soon frosted over, noticing the town gathering as messengers shouted a meeting.
Creeping into the town, she hid beside wooden crates, nailed together with long meltra thorns, and it was precisely as the Chief had feared.
“Gather round!” Jimara called. “We’re going to be preparing to receive guests. Bring gifts!”
“More than what we brought for the Delthax?”
“No, we’ll be including the Delthax gifts,” Jimara stated, causing a wave of mumbles. She quickly retook command. “The Delthax have abandoned us, and so, we must see what these new creatures bring. We are not harmful, and we can help them. I’m sure we can forge a wonderful relationship that will benefit us both!”
Do you even know if you can speak to them? She’s such a fool! If the Wixum get out of this, it’ll be a miracle … straight from The One Above All. Nothing else could save them from their stupidity!
Ectria remained as they continued their preparations, returning to the jungle to wait in the high reaches of the massive trees; she’d seen Koma all but dragging her parents, brother, and two elder sisters into the jungle, saying anything she had to to get them to follow her.
Yeah, she’s persistent.
It took much longer than she’d expected, the sun rising long into the day, and just as it began to descent, they came. A blast of noise from over a thousand Ri’bot told her it was time to investigate.
Stealthily moving through the trees, she made it to a spot to observe the new threats; what she found chilled the marrow in her bones.
Her blood boiled once she witnessed the Chiefs and Xaria of both the Flex and Lethix Clans. Dirt lickers! Did they guide them here? They must have; this is a combined assault! I’ve gotta warn the Chief!
She could hardly believe her eyes, and the revelation put a thorn in her gut; a dozen flaming Quen’Talrat, colossal forms flanking the Elite Hunter. The Hunter was the only one that showed muscle stretching across its burning bones, and in its palm was a solitary figure; she couldn’t hear what Yimara was saying, but it was clear she was groveling before the Elite Hunter or the creature engulfed in green flames, sitting in the Hunter’s hand.
That must be Elinor, but … so many, and even more hiding in the trees. How many? Twenty … no, fifty … more? I can’t tell from here … it could be well over a hundred.
Her vision centered on the large eight-legged creatures that put a level of fear in her that dwarfed even the Quen’Talrat, recalling the stories Elder Chief Valdar spoke while explaining the Fire Wars. Thélméthra … she has Quen’Talrat and Thélméthra.
She wasn’t sure if the Juggernaut was present, it would be likely. Thélméthra can climb cliffs better than me … I might be able to fight one while on the wall, but four? Impossible, and the Quen’Talrat aren’t foreign to steep surfaces with grips. There’s no way … we’d have to overwhelm them with numbers. The Chief was right; we need traps … and a lot of them. If we could…
Her mind blanked as a burst of hot wind exploded around the area, heating her skin like high-noon, and a sense of doom shook her to the core. The jungle became dead silent, no different than when she’d sensed the dark presence moving south, and it was followed by a booming feminine, speaking in a calm yet dominating tone.
“I am Empress Elinor, Supreme Chief of the Pits, The One Above All. Kneel, serve me, and you will find happiness within my Empire. Fight, and be slaughtered, consigned to the Pits until you have paid for your crimes. Choose this day whom you will serve.”
An involuntary quake shook Ectria’s frame, and her recovering mind pieced together the words Elinor had spoken, still experiencing the horror of being utterly outclassed by a powerful aura of combative ability.
Empress Elinor’s statement was proclaiming her identity, and not one Ri’bot seemed to have linked together the full implications of that address because no one so much as twitched.
Supreme Chief of the Pits—The One Above All … she’s… Her mind couldn’t wrap around it; no one would dare say such a thing. No, how? Why? The Ancestors’ Wrath last night … the Gateway, and how the Elder Chief died…
Ectria’s mind slowly pieced together what she knew, painting a horrifying picture. We can’t fight The One Above All. It’s—impossible. Unimaginable. Blasphemous. Yet … wait, she said kneel and serve her … we’ll be happy in her Empire? If we resist, we die … burn in the Pits. What can we do?
The Empress’ voice returned, easily heard while not being overbearing like before. “Well, what will it be, Wixum Clan? Do you serve The One Above All, or do you reject your Deity?”
The throng of Ri’bot dropped to their knees, one after another, their faces planting into the mud, and each person repeated the same phrase. “I serve The One Above All!”
She stayed, watching the whole ceremony as each one vowed to follow her new reign, and the information the Empress gave next put an even greater weight against her consciousness, making her doubt the very purpose she was out here.
“Excellent,” Elinor stated, voice refined and without heat. “Valdar will be joining us shortly with Folcra. When I descended from the Heavens, four Clans met me with their blades.”
She let the statement hang, head turning to survey the crowds as they mumbled in disbelief. Attack The One Above All, which Clans would dare make such an evil act? The thought was unimaginable, yet Ectria’s gut churned with internal speculation.
“The Komath Clan sent their Xaria, Dalria after me, killing two of my mortal attendants—that Xaria is now facing the punishment of that sin, and the Komath Clan will face my wrath soon enough, including the abduction of some of your fellow believers, my people as you have become my people.”
Her tone laced with a heat that made Ectria flinch. “I will show you first hand the lengths I will go to protect all my believers. The Komath Elder Chief will not only enter The Great River in the Heavens but be dragged down to the Pits by my hand with the rest of his wicked followers, suffering for their hubris acts against me, The One Above All.
“The next Clan that attacked me, cutting me to pieces, trying to kill me … I gave them every opportunity to be civil. The Roxim Warriors that struck me will fall the same way as the Komath, some already partaking in the fruit of their labor.
“A small fraction of the Clavex were much wiser, choosing to repent for their sins, and have been treated appropriately. Given time, they will be forgiven, and join you as fellow brothers and sisters in me. Depending on how the rest of their clan responds, they will join you the moment they pledge.
“Finally, the Delthax … yes, Valdar and his company sought to destroy me, and for that, he entered the Pit. However, I am a merciful goddess. He repented, and I raised him out of those depths to join me. He has ascended beyond even his Ancestors to stand by my side as the first High Priest within my Order.
“Much is to come and will be distributed by those appointed as I return you to the proper worship of me, your Goddess and Empress, Elinor. Once I have united the valley, I will call an assembly, which is why the Chiefs of every Clan that has joined me stands before you. So, Chief Yimara, will you join your fellow Chiefs to bring the Ri’bot race back within my Empire to make your once great people whole again?”
After a short pause, her voice became soft. “Good. Welcome to the Empire. As I said, we will wait for Valdar, and then we move to the Delthax.”
Supreme Chief of the Pits … how will she give this speech to our Clan? No, I’ve got to warn them! She’s coming … The One Above All is coming! I have time; I can make it!
Ectria almost tripped as a massive Thélméthra hung above her, utterly undetectable; she’d just seen this same creature beside the Empress. It’s moist, horrifying fangs were partially visible, showing sticky saliva. The fiend just watched, not making a single motion; its gem-like eyes glowed with a deep red, contrasting its metallic black and white exoskeleton. Ectria couldn’t sense it, even now, but she couldn’t deny the fact that this thing loomed over her.
The Xaria fell to her butt in stunned disbelief. How long … I swear I … did I see her?
A lump dropped down her throat, forcing her to blink, and the eight-legged creature was gone. Looking around, she found the Thélméthra beside the Empress again. Did I hallucinate that? Was that … no, I need to warn them!
Catching herself before sliding off the edge of the branch, she raced back to warn her Chief.
Maps:
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