Book 2 Chapter 20

As the Monstrous Starfish sank slowly into the waves, it let out one last cry towards its children on the beach. It sensed that something was wrong with its enemy, but thinking about its own wounds, decided to continue its retreat. Calling for its children to follow. Instantly the smaller beasts started to withdraw, following their parent’s orders without concern for the fights they had just been in.

Maria stood with Nerida as the water priests cheered around them, cutting down some of the fleeing monsters in revenge for the suffering they had wrought. Though they didn’t know where the giant wolf had come from, it was enough that their Holy Priestess had said that it was on their side. They cheered for its victory, seeing it as their priestess’s own.

Maria though stood frozen as she watched Garm’s form shrink before dropping like a stone towards the water. A moment ago, she had been amazed when Garm suddenly ignited, showing off the power of Tirr and Claire’s Blessing, something Maria hadn’t heard or thought possible. But now seeing Tirr run so frantically…

“Is God’s Guardian not well?” Nerida asked after organizing the priests to take care of the wounded and start looking for survivors.

“I don’t know,” Maria replied before starting towards the beach with Nerida close behind. “I haven’t seen this happen before...”

In the Shallows, Garm’s small form disappeared into the water with a splash, before the waves continued as if nothing had happened. Seeing nothing rise out of the water, Tirr dove in, swimming in large, powerful kicks that churned the water around him. Ignoring the pain as his skin burned from what he guessed was the remnants of the monster’s blood.

He reached where Garm had fallen and looked frantically about before seeing no sign of the pup on the surface. He took a deep breath and forced himself down, ignoring the pain as he searched the ocean’s floor beneath him. He soon found Garm’s small body sinking slowly with the current and Tirr kicked towards him, grabbing the small pup with his arms before launching himself off the bottom and back towards the surface.

He reached the air and breathed deeply, making sure to hold Garm up and out of the water as he swam back towards the shore. Around him, the swaying forms of the retreating Beasts went by on their way. Bother groups passing each other without any intent to fight.

As Tirr climbed out of the water, Maria and the Priestess were there waiting for him. They watched him run out of the water and were frightened by his terrible expression.

“Tirr…” Maria started, but stopped as she noticed Garm’s still body in his arms. “No …” Maria whispered, tears coming to her eyes.

Tirr ran just far enough to get away from the water before dropping Garm down onto the sand. His hands going carefully towards the pup’s chest as he channeled his Life Blessing.

Maria looked at Garm’s motionless body and felt herself crying as she watched Tirr pour in power with no response. She hadn’t seen the young god so distraught since he recovered his memories of Bren.

As Tirr continued to get no response, he slammed a fist into the sand angrily, thinking… Finally, his eyes seemed to light up as he noticed the Priestess. “You!” He commanded towards Nerida standing with Claire, “Get the water out of him!”

“Yes.” The Priestess moved quickly, understanding what he wanted. As she knelt by the small animal’s side and focused on her Shard, they watched as water spurted out of Garm’s mouth. Tirr moved in quickly once again channeling his Blessing.

As Garm’s Body filled with white light, Tirr watched with bated breath, waiting… Suddenly the small form twitched and Garm raised his head weakly, looking at his anxious master above him while wondering why he looked upset. As Tirr felt Gar’s warm tongue licking against his hand he let out a relieved smile and quickly pulled the wolf cub up into a tight hug.

“Dumb pup!” Tirr cried, “How could you get yourself into trouble with such a weak opponent? What would your ancestors say to me if they knew you almost lost like that?”

Garm didn’t have a response as he let out a weak yip, struggling as he tried to lick Tirr’s face. As he wiggled, he let out a growl of pain as he realized how uncomfortable his body was.

“Stop that!” Tirr ordered immediately, “After pulling that off you’ll be lucky if you can move properly in a month, let alone right now.”

“What happened,” Maria asked, confused about how this came about in the first place. She had thought everything would be fine when Garm suddenly won, but things ended up almost turning out so horribly.

Tirr sighed still holding Garm as he explained. “My ‘Guardian’, as you and your village called it, and I share a special bond that allows it access to my blessings. But the use takes up a huge amount of life force and strength. Garm’s too young to properly use it without overburdening his body, but I didn’t have any other choice…”

“But he’s okay now right?” Maria confirmed, relieved as she smiled down at the little cub.

Tirr nodded, smiling “He’ll be stuck as the runt he is for a while, won’t have the strength to use his larger forms. But it will probably just take some time for him to fully recover.” He let out a laugh as Garm continued to lick at his face. “Maybe we’ll wait a few more years before trying that again…”

“I’m glad that your guardian is safe God…” Nerida said as she kneeled next to Maria and Tirr, pressing her head down towards the sand. They looked at her in confusion as she continued.

“It was my fault that this all happened…” The priestess said seriously, “I failed you and allowed not only your servants, but even your esteemed self to be put in danger. Please God, whatever punishment you decide on, I will take obediently…”