Nikita

The run through the forest is fast and furious compared to the pace I have become used to travelling with the Host but da seems to be in a hurry, so we are all in a hurry. We are ambushed by a number of the magical creatures and some of the smarter Awakened beasts several times every few dozen kilometres, proving again that our previous progress mostly went unmolested because of the large numbers and oppressive aura of the combined Host. Without that protection even mama Shea has had to get her hands bloody on occasion just for expediency more than anything else.

I pant as I run, the little kids panting as well but at least they have the benefit of being pulled along by a skill I didn’t even know grandma Divina had. I hesitate to call it movement support ability as judging by the condition they are all in its more like they are being pulled along with an invisible rope. I saw Anya being dragged along the ground when she stumble and fell, it was funny to see her flaying about but it also emphasised how serious our situation is that none of them are being babied as they usually are. I take a swing of my water skin not losing my stride, feeling both pity for my siblings and relief that it’s no longer me the mothers have been watching like hawks since we started out.

The fae man Vahe and mama Shea veer off again, likely to intercept another threat stalking us like we’re some hapless prey, it’s both exciting and nerve wrecking. Running with the Host was nothing like this, it’s almost as if the wildlife was just waiting for us to leave the main group so they could take their chances picking us off. The tress rustle, a roar is heard and disappears with the wind, my heart is in my throat wondering what might be going on but no one slows, the kids can’t and I don’t dare, mama Ingwe is close by though and she doesn’t seem worried though she runs with a spear always in hand. One could almost forget that mama Ingwe is a huntress until you see her move as she does now, she is clearly in her element.

We make steady progress through the forest, the kids receiving fruit stimulants cultivated from the Dawn Dungeon when they seem to have reached their stamina limits. We are always going forward, hardly stopping for more than five minutes at a time. Da said we had to cover 130km so we will cover 130km today, but I seriously doubt we could keep going at this pace after that, I wonder what has him so spooked. I double check my supplies in my storage ring, all my attack-aids are ready and I have a healthy supply, hopefully it’s not as bad as he imagines.

*

We make a quick camp when we get to our destination, a large rock outcrop with a cave system to our backs and the rest of the forest to our front. Isis, Cicilia and Ersule, Erabus’ ma make wards around the camp with help from mama Shea and da. The new guys, the quiet elf and fae Vahe head to patrol the area but I think its also to give us a sense of privacy so we can talk freely since we are slowly gathering around the centre of the perimeter to get updates on what’s going on.

There aren’t that many of us but I feel safe since almost everyone I know is here, yet for the same reason I also feel vulnerable. Grandpa Damage in his powerful immutable frame, hardly talks much but always there with a laugh and a hug and of course ever watchful when any of us are at the sparing fields now seems anxious as he stomps around the quick camp like an ox. Grandpa Zhen with his funny behaviour, odd ideas and love of books is playing with lightning again. He likes making miniature lightning creatures dance and act out his stories as he tells them sometimes. His wife is not far from his side with spear and shield in hand like the true Barbarian she is, Sway’s ma Freya is one of the few people in the group over 40 that is yet to Awaken though, so I really don’t know how good she may be if we have to fight our way through some beasts. Same with Vuyo and Kiera, Andrew and Hiro’s mothers also aren’t good in a fight as far as I know, but at least Vuyo can hunt and Kiera can cook an amazing stew.

Grandma Divina walks the perimeter also placing wards but hers are of a detective sort not defensive, with Saya’s friends from the Conclave Stacey and Lavender setting actual traps while Dewan shows the little kids and the earthlings how the traps work and how to avoid them. Currently his audience consists of Morpheus, the twins Orochi and Serenity, the earthlings John, Edward and Max. Michael is off to the side with Saya, Isis, Thandeka and ma’Ingwe talking pregnancy things and such I assume.

Hannah, Aura, Andrew, Soal, are with da while the man da named Toura seems to be uncomfortably fending off Tabitha and Aunt Helens assault of questions. Ma’Kuyoki is talking casually with Mira, Ava, and Sema while the big man Onimorē seems to be getting acquainted with Rigdis, Gaia and Esuas. They show each other their different weapons and complement each other, Esuas with his double headed war axe that weighs so much that I can’t lift it, Rigs and Gaia shows off their long-swords. Trying to extol the ones design virtues over the other, yet both weapons were forged by Master Smith Gwan.

I laze about with Kira and Ikigai whose Hito heritage is starting to show in her raven black silk hair and around her eyes. Iki has the same hair and light body that Ma'Kuyoki has but no one could mistake the Barbarian heritage in her tall frame, rope like muscle and unnatural strength, even before she had Awakened she was stronger than me and our ages are practically the same. Its so not fair for her to be so strong and beautiful without even trying.

‘’Why are you pouting?’’

‘’I’m not pouting,’’ I say quickly giving her my best glare.

‘’Whatever,’’ she says going back to silently watching everyone and everything while creepily shining her blade on the groove she’s cut into her wet stone from her obsessive habit.

‘’Pouty, pouty.’’

‘’Shut up,’’ I say to Kira throwing a clod at her head which she ducks deftly before wiggling her tongue at me.

‘’Pouty face,’’ she says trying to provoke a reaction. I wonder why she isn’t asleep, maybe that stamina fruit hasn’t worn off yet, they’ll probably be all out like candles when the stimulation eventually wears off.

*

‘’Okay explain what the fuck is going on and why you’re even back when we expected to make this trip without you. Not that I’m not happy to see you back so soon in one piece of course.’’ Ma’Mira says with arms crossed over her chest with attitude, her foot tapping lightly on the bare ground of our now warded and protected camp site.

‘’Of course dear,’’ da says with the patience of a saint, his eyes sparkling as they smile even as his expression remains sombre.

‘’I was one of four who left to answer the summons with the man Western, a pathfinder that travels long distances in some enigmatic way that got us to our destination in no time at all considering.’’ Da says from his place sitting on a rock gazing at the fire with Katya at his feet so close to the flames that I’m sure she’s burning but like the trained sheep she is she says nothing.

‘’I met with Master Zaraya and a few of my brethren in discipline, your uncle was there as well Isi, he sends his love.’’

‘’That sounds nothing like Gaga,’’ Isis says with a shake of her head that causes her braided locks to sway beating against her face. Her skin looks almost silver grey under the light of Lunar above and the red-orange flames around which we have all gathered for the night. She seems to have gotten even more breathtakingly beautiful since being with child and with the way Onimorē has been struggling to keep his eyes to himself I am not the only one that thinks so, I will cut his balls off though if I tries anything.

‘’Well he did smile and pat me on the back when I told him you are with child,’’ da says with a little smile for her that has her smiling back proudly back she says nothing else in response.

‘’The meeting was basically for people selected to participate in some experiment that apparently bestowed the racial traits of powerful beings onto the people that were invited there.’’

‘’Hybrids!’’ Shea says standing stalk still in shock at da’s words, I don’t get what the big deal is but apparently its an important experiment cause Shea is besides himself in agitated excitement but is glared into taking his seat again by grandda Damage who has been in a mood himself ever since we left the Tundra over three months back now.

‘’They are making hybrids,’’ he says again from where he sits, subdued but not cowed as he leans forward seemingly forgetting that ma’Ingwe is sitting between his legs until she elbows him as he pushes her too close to the flames. ‘’Sorry.’’

‘’It is something of the sort yes,’’ da says before going on to explain the little he knows about the whole thing.

He speaks casually of them each being supplied soul stones and crystals that were called ‘atomic birth molecule’ probably no small treasure whatever it is to be considered on par with a soul stone. He shows us the tattoo drawn on his abdomen that was intended to assist in the working in some way though he says the crystal and stone where taken from him as he chose to leave the hall to be with us on the trip south.

Foolish da, giving up power and opportunity to babysit us like we are some hapless band of halfling and he would be able to make a difference if we met a foe that could stand against mana Mira, Shea, grandpa Zhen or even Grandpa Damage. Spirits beyond even Esuas is a powerhouse, I’ve seen him take apart a few Barbarians at the Arena and come out mostly whole, the short man is a beast even against the intimidating power of Awakened Barbarians in the Rage. I like Esuas, he’s faithful and strong, doesn’t talk much either, same with Soal though he isn’t as strong he has other talents.

Da speaks of his trip here, how they travelled with Toura and how whatever it is that was prophesied to come has started and that we need to get home as soon as is possible. Is the Keep really home though, we hardly spent a lot of time there and I was born in Paradisum, so were a lot of us, what makes Deep Keep home?

‘’I didn’t feel anything, isn’t this supposed to be a world ending event?’’ Tóma asks condescendingly and I glare at her. I like Tóma too, the dwarf is filthy rich but still a genuine person, she and her sister own the entire first floor of the apartment block we live in back home and my pseudo-katana long-sword Reaper was paid for by Tatiana and her. But sometimes she opens her mouth and I wonder why no one punches her in the face, I look around, still no one seems ready to even flick a finger on her thick skull.

‘’Why the need to face the dangers of travelling through these lands and worse still Pangaea with its many dangers instead of hunkering down in Paradisum?’’ Rigs asks in such a worried tone that I can’t dispute him for asking, though I’m worrying da won’t be able to answer, he hasn’t so far yet has still convinced us to come here.

‘’Sachi’s instincts are correct,’’ Vuyo of all people speaks up for da bringing all eyes on her. She puffs up her naked chest proudly but still keeps her eyes downcast in a strange display of shy pride as she speaks.

‘’My people have survived through many world changing events in the Foothills because our lands protect us from outsiders and invaders.’’ She says, her eyes going up to connect with da’s then ma’Ingwe’s then Thandeka’s before she deflates and tries to make herself inconspicuous again behind Hiro’s large frame and Kiera’s smaller one.

‘’With the Seers directing the Tundra has always assisted us against threats and our claim to the land is deep and long,’’ grandpa Damage shows his own doubt for the first time in my hearing and my heart clenches at the blow of betrayal, how could he doubt da?

‘’Not like the Foothills,’’ ma’Ingwe says shaking her head. ‘’Your claim to the land helps you fight and identify foreigners whilst ours helps us hunt and enables our wise man to be able to close off our lands from strangers. We are not a very strong people yet we have survived for many centuries in Pangaea because not anyone can walk into our lands when they are closed off regardless of their personal power. If it is fighting we want then I understand staying in the Tundra, but if it is survival then the Foothills are our best hope.’’ She says looking at da encouragingly.

He nods once but says nothing, I can see grandpa damage wants to fight, he s frustrated but one look at the seven sleeping rascals Morpheus, Rayna, Lysandra, Kira, Serenity, Orochi and his own youngest son Shiro all huddled together asleep under the watchful eye of Amanda del’Helen van Damage and he melts.

Like some sappy Hito clan or Sandorian soft House we already have side branches to the family, I don’t like it. But I suppose it’s the only way it won’t be too weird when Andrew and Aura eventually mate for real and stop circling around each other like we don’t all already know their intentions. It annoys me how Amanda insists on emphasizing del’Helen in her name though. Its been irking me for years now.

‘’So we go to the Foothills then,’’ grandpa Zhen breaks me from my musing with his little declaration between puffs of pipe smoke.

‘’We go to the Foothills,’’ grandda damage says with a nod like this whole time it was up to them where we went. Da says nothing, letting conversation start up amongst everyone as we plan our route in earnest.

*

‘’No fucking way,’’ Saya say with a shake of her head crossing her arms over her chest. Her chin is up in that way it gets when she is being stubborn da doesn’t seem the least discouraged as he pushes on.

‘’Shea I think you should go as well, you being the most powerful here and you know the way best and will be able to protect the children.’’

‘’Did you hear me, I said I’m not going,’’ Saya says again getting angry, Michael puts his arms around her shoulders. She shrugs them off but he persists and she lets him, her eyes blazing at da. Even as she takes deep breaths calming herself.

‘’I can be of more use here, if someone gets injured on this trip I will be needed and anyone of you as almost my equal in sparing.’’ Shea says calmly, but I can tell that the only reason her protests aren’t more vocal is to not sink to Saya’s level of a tantrum. The dynamic between da and his mates always fascinates me, how does he handle so many different people that are capable in so many different ways, how do they handle him cause I’ve seen him when he gets stubborn. I saw him when he went to collect that spear he has spirited away somewhere even with an entire Samurai squad trying to bar his way.

By the look of that woman Selah, Ava and the big man Onimorē I’m not the only one entertained watching da work his magic weaving his way through his women with expertise. Maybe the man Ava brought wasn’t lusting after Isis, maybe he is genuinely just a curious person. I look at him assessively, he is probably as big as Andrew and Hiro’s da Om at something close to 2.4 metres with shoulders as big as boulders. His hands look like massive plates with veins roping themselves at the back of his hands in an interesting pattern, strong hands those. His hair is cut short and he wears no beard though I see some stubble on his face. He wields a two handed axe but also carries an artifact shield and sword on his back, his back isn’t cluttered though. He is so wide that everything seems to fit without issue, maybe even with room for more.

‘’You need to go Shea, these are our kids we are talking about and even if you all make it to the Keep someone needs to be there to take care of them, someone needs to be there to deliver Isi and Saya’s babies.’’ Da says insistently.

‘’I don’t know if I can take so many,’’ the Toura man says like a broken flute playing the same tune of protest again as though someone asked him his opinion.

‘’There Alderman have healers and doula’s aplenty,’’

‘’We cannot trust them,’’ Kiera quickly chimes in but Vuyo and Thandeka are already ndding in support.

‘’Husband has already accomplished more than any of their husbands in building Deep Keep and having so many strong wives and children, they will be jealous. We cannot trust my people, even my sisters or Solomzi’s wives will try to gain advantage for themselves or their children somehow in whatever you rely on them for.’’ Ma’Ingwe says in agreement with Keira, Vuyo and Thandeka. I’m liking the Alderman women less and less as I hear about them and I’m now wondering at what Vuyo and Kiera may have experienced to be so sure of their opinion.

‘’I don’t even know if the paths are still opened, even you felt the weird energies that are fluctuating within the paths as we speak.’’ The Toura may says again with his eyes lighting up as he looks around but through us as though gazing at something unseen that’s far away yet right in front of him.

‘’We have to risk it, there is no way we all make this trip with the kids with us all the way, we’ve already exhausted them running this far at this pace. Some of the beasts here have territories stretching over 50 000hectors and to stop or hunt when transversing them is to invite disaster upon ourselves, and that’s just the ones I know about.’’ Grandpa Zhen says calmly, too calmly, in fact I’ve never seen him rattled now that I think about it.

‘’I am also worried about something happening to Toura in these paths and you guys needing to make the rest of the trip the old fashioned way or even getting separated, you’re the oldest and maybe the wisest among us. You’ve survived this long for a reason, Saya is too hot headed at time-‘’

‘’Hey, I’m right here!’’

‘’-and with your blood magic you will always be able to find the kids even if you get separated.’’ Da pushes on having completely ignored Saya after declaring that she would be leaving with the Pathefinder man with Isis and the kids, and now Shea.

‘’Okay, but I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all.’’

‘’I know you don’t,’’ he says kissing her palm and looking into her eyes weirdly. I look away, everything has been sort of happening fast now. Most of us have known each other for years yet somehow I feel like we are getting to know each other for the first time in certain ways.

There is Aura laughing with Esuas, Tóma and Rigs at the perimeter patrolling together and having conversation like old friends. I’ve never seen Aurora laugh with Rigs before, hardly ever seen her even talk to Esuas. There sits Nikita, Hannah and the warrior woman Sema with the earthlings by the other fire talking whatever it is they are talking about. There lies Andrew with Erabus, Cyrus, Freya and ma’Mira lying on their cots like they don’t have a care in the world as they look p at the stars telling silly jokes that are funny because they aren’t really funny.

‘’Okay fine, we leave in the morning.’’ The Toura man stops his protests and like that we will be separating into two groups tomorrow.