It had been some weeks since the battle. Yane's eyes were healing without pupils, as was happening to the other Katytans who'd recieved similar wounds. To correct it was a simple surgery that Masi had performed successfully many times in the past, and there was nothing to lose in the attempt, but he lacked the facilities and materials to perform it, currently. Yane was content to see the world as though through a thick fog, for now.
Some were not so lucky. Wounds as deep as the retina took far longer to heal, and the surgery was more complex, too. Fortunately no one had recieved such deep wounds to both eyes, and one eye was plenty for most purposes. Yane strolled around the camp, her limp barely noticable. Suddenly a figure blocked her light, however. Yane smelled a familiar scent. "Inalne! How are you? I haven't seen you all week."
Yane's old friend sighed. "Of course you haven't. I came back from Mimikozga three days ago, but I've been scared to talk with you." She cupped a hand to Yane's back, and took her to a bench. The younger Katytan (why was she always the younger Katytan?) looked in the direction of where she assumed her friend's face to be, puzzled by the notion. "Scared? Why?"
"You've changed, Yane. That... thing, you made. Is that what's affecting you? You seem so... distant."
"What? Bellblossom? Well, it is a magic axe, but I made it myself. There's nothing evil about it. And people always tell me I'm weird anyway, so it's weird you're telling me I'm weird now..."
Inalne shook her head, or at least Yane was pretty sure she did. "How about weirder? Everyone else at the battle is screaming and crying and making vows, and you've just been your usual happy self. How could you after witnessing what you did? You, who cannot skin a deer without bursting into tears?"
Yane blinked. "Um..." She thought for a moment. "Well, there is something about Bellblossom. I was blinded by the goblins, you know, so I was up for a lot of the battle, but... Fighting isn't so scary when I'm holding her. It just sounds like music... Sometimes scary or angry music, but usually just sad. It's a lot different from all the clanging and screaming, it makes me feel a lot better, it lets me focus a lot better... I guess that's why it didn't affect me that much. That, and... It's still really hard to believe they're all gone..."
Inalne looked at Yane for a long moment, silently. "You missed the ceremony... They're gone. Gabri, Elna, Kaika, Rata, and all the others. The goblins killed them all."
Yane looked down. "I want to get mad about it, but I can't. Goblins are mean, but they didn't really do anything to us. We were just trying to drive them off. It wasn't worth it..."
"No, it wasn't, but we needed to do something, or they'd just send in their armies and we'd be the ones to die in a hole."
Yane did get a little angry, now. "Stupid fast-growing races. All they do is take and take and take, they can't even give back enough to keep themselves happy, bbut when we try to make a little home for ourselves so we can give and give, they just try to take it all for themselves."
Yane heard Oici step in to the conversation. It was always a distinctive sound, due to her heavy boots. "Philosophy, hmm? I never knew you were interested, Yane. Let's sit down with the others. It's time we all had the chance to talk about what's on our minds."
Inalne let off a peeved sound at the interruption, but nodded. Yane blinked for a moment before nodding eagerly. "Okay!"
The camp was soon gathered. Oici spoke to the lunch crowd. "Your attention please... Katytans." She held up with a hand, noting some other curious faces in the crowd. Any humans who are interested may feel free to join us. Food will be served to all, soon."
Oici sat at the high table, and the other benches in the mess were soon occupied. "Friends, allies, and guildmates... Tragedy is still fresh in our minds. I know many of you recently returned from Mimikozga to see our lost friends return to Katyn. I know many of us cannot be here due to their injuries. Still, it is time we sat down for a talk, to give meaning to our loss and provide direction for our future.
"With us as of this hour is Nasha Elesmauwara; the First Katytan for those who do not know her by name. Many of you know her well, but she has returned to us quite recently..."
There was a stir in the room. Nasha had disappeared suddenly, but for Oici to announce her arrival at a meeting such as this was unusual unless there was quite a tale to tell. Oici deferred this privilege to Nasha herself.
The first Katytan entered the tent, looking over the sea of faces with a sad expression that now touched even her third eye. A definite shock to those present. She took her place at the high table, and savoured the reverent silence for a moment before she began to speak.
"I thank you humbly for the introduction, Oici... I suppose I should first start with my tale, before heading on to the meat of the discussion.
"That one night, Katyn came to me in my dreams. She told me to bring Mika--the first born child of the Crimson Inferno--to the volcano itself. Without warning, she took me there... She told me much. I saw much, I did much. Such stories are for another time.
"What I must tell you now, is that we are in a place, a situation, a very existence which is far more deadly than we have ever imagined, far more dangerous than anything we have ever faced before. The demon Usmok was a mere child relative to some of the foes we now face."
"Not the goblins. Not the Hrun. Not even the New Ikyonian Order, but the gods themselves. Yes, Decretum is one, but there are others. Ukko, Wotan, Kazad, Tomoshibi, and other such monstrosities. For the Hitengu, their god is an enemy of they themselves. We, the Katytans... The Katytans of the First, have been pitted into this battle of all races against all races, and this land is not natural but manipulated.
"Forces have been thrust here, stars have been thrown from the sky at a northern forest, the aggressor and the defender in that conflict annhilating each other in an orgy of destruction.
"I do not know the end game here, but I trust Katyn's judgement and hope that you can all do the same. That is, [idespite[/i] Ranpu, the Hitengu should be our allies. Must be our allies. We, so few, cannot stand alone with enemies to all sides in a 'game' of such high stakes and intense pressure.
"To the humans who are present--nay, to all who are present--I can promise you sanctuary to the north. The Hitengu are a peaceful race and much like you, and not unnlike us. Should you wish you stay here under our protection, you may, and we will reward all Ikyonians who seek to flock to our banner as well, in the name of peace, freedom, and the sanctity of life.
"Nanae's expedition have brought reports of another volcano, far safer than this, should we wish to relocate there. With so many wounded and so many immmediate threats, it is a prospect for another time, but I wish you all to be aware that there is a beacon of hope at the Hearth of Portent.
"We have other potential allies, the Erithreans. Already, the 'orcs'--masters of the goblins and trolls--siege their only city, a volcano far southward. Some Eriths were able to travel through 'the Deeps' to the Crimson, to co-habit it with us. Though I can not yet trust them full-heartedly, it is enough to know that there are others who share in our plight.
Nasha paused and swallowed, feeling more shame than ever. "That is all I have to say. ...I am sorry, please speak."
Oici looked at Nasha, looked back to the room, then looked at Nasha again, and had barely opened her mouth when Sonoa asked the obvious question. "Why do you have three eyes?"
Nasha blinked. "Huh. Oh, this?" She pointed at it. Her eyes moved in the direction of the finger as one. "It was given to me by Katyn, so that she may better guide me, and so that I may see in dark places such as her cavern. It is a harmless graft, but a focus for her power nonetheless It takes some getting used to. Oici?"
"Oh, I was just going to say, I'm glad you got that all out there for us. I was worried there was going to be some terrible revelation, but a reminder that all we are is pawns in Katyn's games? I expected so much worse!"
She smiled, and there was some nervous laughter. Nasha shook her head. "Not 'just', and hardly pawns. I know the battle horrified her, I felt the pain of it myself." She indicate the eye again. "She wishes to save us, to nurture us, to protect us, and she regrets her earlier belief that this 'game' was merely a good test or challenge--with foes numbering in the thousands all around, our placement here is sheer madness, hence our future plans, such as those Katyn granted to Nanae in her visions."
There was some nodding, a few had been curious about that. Yane was the next to query. "Isn't Wotan Erak's god? Isn't he good?"
Oici laughed and held up a hand to Nasha, ready to answer that question herself. "He may be 'good', but he has a severe weakness for his creations, despite his pretentions of neutrality. Under the guise of a 'test' for Erak, he sent a huge monster to destroy our city. Luckily, it was empty at the time, but Wotan is surely to blame for the destruction of Mimikozga, and could have crippled our fortress as well if it were not for Elna's efforts."
Yane began to tear up. She was not the only one. "Elna..." Monsi snorted, eyes narrowing. "So that's what happened."
Nasha blinked again. "Indeed... Interesting. I did not know this, and yet I am not surprised. Indeed, I doubt there are any truly neutral deities here. Even the least caring still toy with the world."
Yane sat up straight. "Did the god of the gob--of the orcs, did he send them to us?"
Nasha shook her head sadly. "According to some, yes, that is how it works, but I'm not sure that is fair to say. They have lived here for some time, and would likely expand on their own with just as little regard whether Kazak lead them or not.
"Kazak is a demon, by the way, though he is more powerful than Usmok and does not lead his people himself--take heart in that. The leader of the orcs is named Gaz, a brute of unmatched belligrence who seeks to take over the world--he and they are unquestionably an enemy of all, at least so long as orcs and their subserviant races still follow the lead of their 'god' and 'champion'."
Tytia was fearful. "Where are they?"
"Gaz is in his home fortress, the 'Black Citadel', as far as I know. I don't know where it is, but I've heard that the name is fitting enough that one would know it when they saw it. Kazak, like many gods, is in the divine realm, a sort of heavenly palace--Katyn can't stand the place, due to the bright light of it, but I found it rather pleasant, personally. If only I could find the time to forge some of the artwork I saw there..."
There was some genuine laughter that time, the mood was at last becoming more relaxed and open. Nasha hazarded a request. "Enough of my talk. I've been gone for quite a while, surely some of you have plans for the future, as well?"
A young human was the first to speak, his voice quickly stunning the Katytans to silence. "I plan to join you... To fight the goblins, to fight the demons. You people are different from the others, I see now what Decretum is after, and all his followers... My family is dead because of him and this 'game'. You risked your lives for us, now it's our turn. We have no gods of our own, what choice is there?"
Another human shouted from across the table. "Andre! You blaspheme!" Monsi easily restrained her with his hand. "You dare! You mmff!" The retraint became a little more selective.
Oici signalled flatly for Monsi to stand down. The woman gasped for breath. Nasha gaze became cool. "I take it there is some dissent on this matter?"
The youngster nodded. "A lot. We came here to practice our religion safe from Decretum's followers, but what did the old gods ever do for us? Where is there place in this world? We have seen what the gods can do, it's more than we ever dreamed of, and yet no one has done anything to help us before you."
Nasha nodded, quickly glancing over at the woman's boiling rage before continuing. "The old gods you speak of may exist--I suspect they do--but it is true, they are not a part of this game, and likely abandoned your people when the old empire fell, unable or unwilling to fight for or over so few followers, so scattered. I don't want to say you should abandon them... Perhaps they will return some day, and be glad to find the faithful still carry on their traditions." She looked to the woman, hopefully, and was relieved to see her nod slowly.
"Still, I thank you for your pledge of support and would never deny an able hand. Just speak to Anna if you'd like to join the Hunter's Guild, or Masi if you want to learn marksmanship, engineering, or medicine. Or hey, there's Yane if you like music, Ginya if you like art, or Tytia if metalcrafting is more your thing... The same goes for everyone. The Katytans don't keep slaves or peasants! You've proven yourselves worthy of trust, so feel free to pursue whatever pursuits fulfill you."
The boy nodded. "Excellent. I've always wanted to learn swordsmanship..."
Oici laughed. "I'd love to teach you. I'm more than a little leery of watching you folks go into battle, but it always helps to be prepared. Welcome to the fold, Future Swordmaster Andre!"
The Katytans toasted. "To Young Master Andre!" Even the author of the earlier pious outburst could not help but smile, though she covered it with some embarassment. Yane decided to continue her conversation from before. "So... These goblins... and orcs... They do want to take? And they do it for themselves, not just their bosses... And we've got to stop them, and find friends to help stop them. And... Ohhhh." Yane clenched her fists in frustration.
She's so cute when she's angry, thought Nasha. "That's about the size of it, yes. As far as I can tell, they're the most and perhaps only immediate threat, and as terrible as was the cost to us, our victory was a sizable setback for them, as well. Our first priority is to rebuild and recover, after the battle, after Erak's axe-tantrum, and after the cold winter.
"Our second priority is to finish what we started in this land. That means making allies and persuading them to cover our retreat--abandoning our lands outright would be terrible for everyone. We still have a number of construction projects to complete, and while there's little hope of hanging on to them all, we need to see some of them through, if only out of respect for the dead..."
Sonoa was confused. "How does finishing roads, bridges, and monuments respect the dead?"
Nasha would have furrowed her brow, but there was an eye in the way, so she merely looked a little stern. "With Ringa no longer among us, his last project is now his last testament. I have no doubt that the goblins will deface any art they can--that's why the bridge statues are being recalled to Mimikozga--but to merely retreat and forget about the time we spent in this place with them is unthinkable. We must do something."
Inalne hissed. "We'll kill them all, that's what. We can't do it alone, but that doesn't mean we can't do it. I'm sick of running, too. If we have to go north, fine, but we will return. For Ringa, for Elna, for everybody. Ten years from now there won't be a single goblin left to mourn their dead, and their pansy demon god can go cut himself."
Nasha muttered a little, so that only Oici could hear over the murmur of tentative agreement. "Has Nanae been through here recently?"
Oici chuckled. "A few times, but really, she's not the only one who's angry."
The chat at the low tables continued, giving them more privacy. "I know, I know. I wonder though, it's got me thinking. The effects of firepowder in doses of borderline moderation like Masi directed that Nanae take. Have you noticed the way it makes her act?"
Oici laughed. "Of course I have. I presume you mean something specific."
Nasha nodded. "Yes. It's almost as if she's like a demon, herself."
The paladin froze. "That's a pretty bold statement, Nasha... And yet, it is accurate. I wonder..."
"No need to wonder. I spoke with Katyn about many things, but the subject of fire of firepowder only came up once, and I never thought to ask questions. I will next time, that's for sure. In the meantime, let's be careful. I'm beginning to suspect--" Nasha broke off as Yane passed by, leaving the meal early with her plate. "Pardon me. I must go see what is upsetting her." "Of course, Nasha."
The two Katytans were soon alone outside, together. Nasha sat on the cold bench next to Yane, and sat in silence for a moment.
"HAve you been keeping up with your vow, Nasha?"
The First Katytan was taken aback by the bold line of inquiry. "I... Technically, yes. I've mostly been preparing my own meals, but Katyn both gave me food and presented it to me at the palace. I can only assume that a sacred vow doesn't apply when the goddess you swear it to asks you to break it."
Yane smiled, wanly. "You really have three eyes, don't you?"
"Of c--That is, yes I do. I'm sorry, I did not notice your injuries while we were at the table."
Yane giggled to herself. "I suppose having three eyes doesn't help you see that much, after all."
Nasha smirked. "No, just a little. Are you alright, Yane? I came out because I was worried about you."
"I know." Yane ate in silence for a moment. Nasha waited patiaently. Her efforts soon paid off.
"Nasha, why does Katyn care more about some of us than others? Why did she give Bellblossom? Why did she give you a third eye? Why did she give Mika her goggles, why did she give Oici her boots? None of it makes sense!"
She paused again, and again Nasha waited for Yane to continue. "I mean, there are reasons for each one, but every day, everyone has something or other that Katyn could help them with, but she doesn't. Why and how is she so... so choosy?"
Nasha nodded her head slowly. She'd thought about it in passing, but never so deeply. She'd been more concerned with the question of why Katyn only intervened in the affairs of living Katytans now, and not during the centuries before. "The simple answer is 'I don't know', but... You know better than that, don't you? So here's the complex one...
"Every Katytan is born equal. Katyn makes minor adjustments each time, but she can't always predict how things will turn out. We surprise her every day, or at least, we do when she's paying attention... She doesn't know everything, there's a lot she doesn't know, which is why we send her offerings. Not just to make her happy, but to let her know our names, what's happening, what we can do, and all that good stuff.
"She doesn't treat us equally, because we never turn out equally in the end. She doesn't treat us fairly, either, because she's not really that organized and doesn't always know who deserves what. She picked you to be the maker of Bellblossom because Foereaver fell into the volcano, and you were the only one who actually liked Erak."
Yane snorted and rolled her eyes at the mention of the name, and Nasha could not help but chuckle as she continued. "She picked me to help her help Mika, because she trusts me more than anyone, I'm still the only Katytan she's willing to ever talk to, and I think she's just scared of rejection.
"The others... I think she just decided she wanted to give us stuff, and then did it without thinking about who'd get what. I know I'm glad for Oici's boots, even if I had to make my own. Me and Masi were stuck indoors all winter trying not to get frostbitten toes before we saw those. A shame the goggles are trickier to make, I'd like to have some..."
Yane burst out laughing. Nasha didn't get it. "What's so funny?"
"Just picturing you with three eyes and goggles... What d'you think that would look like?"
Nasha's face crumpled. "Oh." She joined in the laughter for a moment. "I never really thought of that, I was just thinking about it from before. I guess I'd have to wear some goggles with a gog? Or maybe some goggoggles..."
"Hee hee hee..." Yane was out of breath. She quickly caught it. "I guess that makes sense. I thought Katyn must be mean to do that, since she's a Goddess and all, but I guess even Goddesses can just be weird. I feel a lot better now, thanks Nasha."
Nasha smiled. "I'm glad I could help. Would you like to come back inside?"
Yane she her head fervently. "Nah, it's way too noisy in there, at lunchtime especially. I get really tired from too much noise, I like music but I can't listen to it all the time or it makes my head feel like it's going to explode and I get really dizzy and I kind of start talking to people who aren't really there, like last night, there was, ummmm..."
Nasha held Yane down. "Calm, calm. I can see it troubles you, just thinking about it and you're already holding your head like you're about to throw it for boom at a pack of goblins. I spoke with Nasha about magic, too, and she thinks you've got a good untapped talent for it, which is why you're so 'weird'... She never wanted to teach us magic, because she was scared after... something she saw happen to another race she used to like."
Yane brightened up. "You really think I could? But... I don't want to make Katyn mad..."
Nasha shook her head. "Katyn wouldn't get mad at you over that, silly. Especially not now, with the 'game' already underway. The hard part is finding a good teacher. I'm kind of leerly about that fellow that came with Ranpu, after what he did."
Yane nodded, carefully. "Yes... He turned out to be... really mean. I heard about those things. I don't want to learn about stuff from someone like that..."
Nasha nodded, bent down and clasped Yane's hand. "It was nice to talk to you. Stay well, Yane."
"You too, Nasha."
"I'm off to the kitchens, all this talk makes me hungry. I'll bring you back some dessert."
"Wow! Okay, thanks!"
Nasha wandered off, and Yane kicked her feet for a moment after she finished her meal, setting the plate down on the bench next to her, and taking out Bellblossom to admire the blade... More or less. At least, she could admire the vague blueness, as that was all she could see. Still, blurry or not, it was pretty. She put it away, and quickly rushed to put her dirty dish in its proper place.
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Topic: Battle of the Gods IV (Read 71776 times)