Papuru Star

The silence of the infinite lake was broken by the fisher's deep voice, startling Claude from his reprieve.

Fisher

Do you believe everything I've said so far about your destiny?

Child Claude

Kinda. I can change it after I hear it.

Fisher

Fate cannot change. What is supposed to happen, happens. Those who are supposed to die, do so.

Child Claude

Not something that would comfort my friend. In case you forgot, his mom just died. I told him I would get him a sandwich, but you will not let me out this boat.

Fisher

To better prepare you for what is to come, it is best you get familiar with death.

Child Claude

Am I gonna die? Is Kane?!

Fisher

Everything dies.

FUTURE

DAY 45

The Pian holding the canister containing the red goo was about to toss it on Avia, who was closest to him. Claude had called up enough wind to whip up the dirt and loose grass around them, cutting off all vision, the moment he felt the weird life force of the Pians. He heard Avia grunt and the sound of bodies colliding; she was standing next to him a heartbeat later. He couldn't see Kane, but heard him call out for them. Claude disperses the cover he called, revealing two unconscious men at Kane's feet, Will Blade on his forearm. Three more Pians were picking themselves up, including the man in the green jumpsuit; the container of ooze still in hand. Noun moves to join him, a creepy smile was planted on every face.

Noun

Don't you want to be free? The One takes care of all pain and sorrow, leaving only goodness. You'll appreciate it, in all honesty.

Avia

Don't hurt them!

Kane

Who're you talking to? Them or us?

The men and women around them, about twenty in all, rush in unison; moving faster then any Pian not utilizing Quickening should be able. Avia leapt out of reach of the woman directly in front of her, but was tackled mid leap, crashing within the strong grip of two of her kinsmen. Claude tackles one off her, while she freed herself with a shove of both feet into her attacker's belly. The pulsing silver of Kane's Will Blade drops three Pians reaching for him, looking like a broad sword chopped in half. Claude tosses the Pian as far as he could, just in time to kick away an assailant approaching from behind.

Claude

Is it possible the red goo is controlling them somehow?

Kane

After they tried to throw it on us, I'd say it was highly likely.

Avia

It's made them stronger and faster, too.

As they fought off their attackers, more Pians covered in the dirt of digging in the soil were leaping from the trench in droves.

Avia

We have to get clear!

When they realized how dangerous Kane was with his one hit KO, the Pians warily circled him, more careful in their timing. One was able to grab his blade arm. The jumpsuit Pian was rushing towards him with the container. Claude was about to stir up another dust devil, when a rippled ringlet of blue energy struck the Pian and he dropped like he was dead. Kane shook loose the Pian holding him and puts him to sleep as more ringlets add to the unmoving pile of bodies.

A green-silver streak came in to dropkick a Pian reaching for Avia. Claude was shocked to see the Preesling, Fritz, wrapping his legs around the neck of a Pian and backflipping him away from them. His thick tail held a gun that looked to be made of glass with a liquid inside that matched the goo in color. He used it to drop three more before turning to Claude.

Fritz

I have four more shots left! Move!

The four work to clear a path out of the forty or so Pians with unnerving, joyous expressions frozen on their faces. Kane's Will Blade and Fritz's last shots give them break away room, allowing each to speedily escape the encompassing threat. The Pians give chase, but even their added speed was unable to keep up and were miles out of sight when Claude lands in a gust of wind next to the Preesling, Kane and Avia already speaking to him.

Avia

Thanks for the save.

Kane

Yeah, how did you know we were out here?

Fritz

I've been keeping track of the Only working in the area.

Avia

You know something about this?

Fritz

They haven't given up trying to infect us. There's an abandoned structure three point eight kilometers from here. I have a pad set up there where it's safe to mellow out and chat.

The structure was an old castle overrun with plant life and partially surrounded by crumbling siege walls. A herd of some animal Claude was unfamiliar with grazed in the grass nearby.

Avia

Salani Keep. Home to some minor lord when I was a baby. It's said he went crazy and killed his whole household with poison, servants and all. Its supposed to be haunted.

Fritz

Nice! I'd love to study me some apparitions. Alas, none these eyes have yet to see.

The place was lit with torches along the wall and smelled of rotting wood. Broken glass and furniture were at every turn. They walk past a fireplace in the hall that had become a nest for a family of rodents. Many chambers were empty except for collapsed walls of stone; vines, moss and shadows. The area Fritz led them to held a freshly carved table of oak, atop which were metal fragments, chemical beakers, and other scientific equipment. A glass canister held a glob of the red goo suspended in a gravity field and a person sized metal table with restraints sat against a wall next to a computer terminal.

Avia

What. The. Hell.

Kane

Don't freak out, Avia. Better talk fast, bro.

Instead, the lizard man went to the computer and begin typing on the archaic keyboard with clawed fingers. The nostrils of his snout wrinkle and he makes a noise that resembled a sneeze but could have been a cough.

Fritz

Did one of you fart?

Kane

What?! No!

Fritz

Then someone is in serious need of bathing.

Avia

WHY IS THIS SHIT HERE!?

Her voice echoed in the following silence. Fritz turned calmly and watched her stalk his way, fuming.

Avia

What part of forbidden didn't you get?!

Fritz

Why's tech forbidden?

She stopped a foot from where he sat on his tail, like a barstool, scally legs crossed.

Avia

It's tainted. You have polluted my land.

Fritz

It's the Only virus you should be focused on. Not inanimate objects with no mind of their own.

Claude

He is correct, Avia. Discussion of breaking planetary laws can wait until the crisis is averted.

Avia

Fine. Tell me what you know.

Fritz

Awesome. This plague happened on my world a few centuries back. I came across its mention while studying up on the ancient history of my peeps.

Kane

So, you're a what? Scientist? Archeologist?

Fritz

I dabble in both. The red plasma they kept trying to throw on you contains the virus, keeping it alive until a host is found. Once infected, the One becomes your god.

Claude had been inspecting the goo in the glass while Fritz spoke.

Fritz

Got that sample while exploring Pia's diverse wildlife and set this lab here to study how it functions.

Claude

How did it get here?

Fritz

Space debris, if I hazard a guess.

Kane

And you just happen to have a gun or whatever handy in case a centuries old epidemic resurfaced.

Fritz

Once I got a handle on what was going down, it was simple constructing countermeasures.

Fritz points to a similar weapon on the table with the beakers.

Fritz

That one is a spare. All it does is put the target in stasis using the enzymes of the goo that keeps the virus dormant. No biggie.

Avia

Any way to return them to normal?

His jovial mood drops and he shakes his head.

Claude

What's it composed of?

Fritz

I'm still trying to classify whether it calls lanthanide or alkaline home, but it is metallic in nature.

Claude sat cross-legged on the floor, back against the wall. No one noticed as he closed his eyes.

Avia

I need to know how far this infection has spread.

Kane

And what they're really looking for. Somehow, I don't think it's a new mascot.

Fritz jumped from the terminal to the table and began pouring stuff from one vial to the next, mixing various chemicals.

Fritz

My studies have found that a small bit of slime isn't enough to infect more then one person. That over there isn't even adequate. That container earlier looked like it could infect at least two of you. My projection is that no more than a hundred and fifty Pians exposed.

Kane

No way to properly predict that. They could have plenty in reserve.

Fritz

Then they would have had enough for all three of you. And more than just one of them would be carrying the stuff. I don't know how long they've been here, but the size of the hole suggests they've been at it for at least a couple of days.

Claude

I have located two additional dig sites. All appear to be on the Zareil/Biquin border. I can see at least twenty at each. No telling how many below.

Claude eyes remained closed.

Fritz

How do you know this?

Claude

Bird eye view.

Avia

Can you give me a precise location?

Claude

The sites are set up in a triangular pattern. Approximately five miles separate each. Northwest of the one we encountered and east of that one. The eastern sits on the Zareil side near a group of windmills.

Avia

Watermills. That's good enough for me.

She heads towards the door.

Kane

What are you going to do?

Avia

Get an order of knights to round up the infected for quarantine until it's determined a cure's not available.

Fritz

There isn't one.

Kane

Back in the old days there wasn't. Medicines got plenty of wonders nowadays. God speed, Avia.

She smiles at him and nods. Her Quickening left a whooshing sound in her wake.

Kane

What now?

Fritz

Kidnap one for interrogation?

Claude

Could be productive.

Kane

Let's go.

Fritz

But first, here.

He hands Kane a vial of clear liquid.

Kane

What's this?

Fritz

Smelling oil. Just made it, green meadow scent. Humans bathe, correct?

Claude, eyebrows raised, avoids looking at his friend as they walk out the makeshift lab. Kane follows, applying the oil on his skin.

Kane

It's not me! It was that damn sawhorse! Look, I even have flea bites!

***

Claude used wind currents to carry the three over the countryside and it wasn't long before the site where they were attacked sat below them.

Kane

Just get me close enough to tell them apart.

Fritz

Your Awareness can't sense from here?

Kane

I've been working on it. Need a little bit more time before I can differentiate from this distance.

Fritz

No shade, dude. Just verifying.

Kane

Don't think to use this against me when we pair up.

Fritz

Wouldn't dream of it.

Claude

I have located our target.

Fritz

And you can see clearly from two thousand feet. All good info.

Kane

Should've left your scaly ass back at the castle. Get me closer and I'll put'em to sleep.

Claude

No need. My Communion with Pia is adequate enough to bring our quarry to us.

To those on the ground, it started as a cool breeze in the fall air; refreshing to the excavators drenched in the sweat of constant digging. The sudden increase in air pressure beneath the Pian who was currently displacing a barrel of dirt, went unnoticed by everyone but their target, who was sucked into the funnel Claude created. Once Kane's blade had their captive unconscious, Claude had the winds carry them to the castle. They had made it back to Fritz's lab and had Noun strapped to the gurney present in less than an hour after they left. Noun still wore that smile, even when he was sleeping, which Kane had mentioned, more then once, how much it creeped him out.

Noun

The restraints are unnecessary. I will not attempt to escape or attack you.

Fritz

That's cool to know, but we will ere on the side of caution. Your name is Noun, correct?

Noun

What's in a name? There is only one name and that is the One.

Claude

Explain how your father, Tooliver, died.

Noun

We went hunting and encountered four of my future brethren. They wanted to enlightened us and we resisted, to my cringe. Tooliver sadly lost his life trying to prevent my mind from being opened.

Kane

You know he's your dad, right?

Noun

He was too focused on self. One's focus should always be on the One, who takes sorrow and pain away in a tiny ball of sunshine.

Kane (whispering)

Creepy.

Fritz

So you no longer feel pain?

Noun

No.

Fritz

Let's test.

Fritz was about to claw Noun's arm, but Kane had grabbed the lizard man by the wrist.

Kane

Let's not. This is a no torture info dump.

Claude

Kane is correct.

Fritz

No worries.

Noun

You will truly have no worries when enlightened. Set me free and I can use the incubator over there to reach one of you. Having a Superstar among us would help legitimize our faith.

Claude

Is that what you all are seeking? Legitimacy?

Noun

Of course not. Our minds have been put on the right track. That is the One important thing.

Kane

Then why are you guys digging up the ground? And don't say to find a figurehead; that's bogus.

Noun

I speak only truth.

Claude

Describe the One to us. In detail. Is it a person?

Kane

Or some ancient statue you guys unearthed and started worshipping.

Noun

It's hard to put into words. It must be experienced to truly understand.

They were silent a moment, each contemplating the current situation and how to best proceed in the questioning.

Fritz

What do you feel from him, Claude?

Claude

Normally, I can sense the life force of others clearly.

He turns to Fritz and holds a smile briefly before turning back to their captive.

Claude

With the Only, it is like trying to listen to music while underwater.

Fritz

Are you saying his life force is amplified in some way?

Claude

I am not clear on what I feel from Noun, let alone trying to put it into words.

The Preesling went to the cluttered table, grabbing a dull gray device that produced a light that he runs over Noun, scanning top to bottom.

Fritz

My equipment find him in perfect health. Physically and mentally.

Kane

What a conundrum.

Noun

We are not a threat. You will soon learn the truth.

Kane

And what is this truth you keep spouting?

Noun

That I am to keep you distracted while my brethren surround us.

Kane

Crap.

Claude rushes from the chamber to the hall's archer slits to spy Pians circling the area, carrying torches in the gloom.

Claude

They are here!

A loud crash echoes from down the dark corridor at the same time, Claude heard Kane exclaim.

Kane

He's loose!

Claude reenters the lab just in time to see Kane put Noun back to sleep, inches from the container of slime.

Kane

He moved fast, but not faster then my blade can stretch.

Fritz

Can you conjure one up for me? My remaining Only blaster is six shots max.

Claude

It is more then before. I think a hundred of them.

Kane

We gotta get outta here.

He uses his shimmering blade to cut a triangle exit in the stone wall, cool air began wafting through the stuffy chamber. Claude is forced to yank his friend from the opening, just as red goo lands on the spot he would have stepped on. Two Pians, a male and female, enter moving faster then Kane was expecting, nearly grabbing him with tough, calloused hands. He was quick to kick the man back, while Claude took the woman's outstretched arm and tossed her back out the wall into two more Pians attempting to breach. Six more slip by, two racing for the goo in the container, but Fritz uses his weapon to put them down.

Fritz

Let's go!

They exit into the hall at a run and see even more Only coming from the left end. They go the opposite, a wave of Pians in tow. Several block their escape vector and Claude trusts in his best friend and new acquaintance to deal with them, while he impedes their pursuers. A wall of hurricane wind was quick and easy to control within the confined space, but the Pians continued to push against the gale. Claude was unnerved at the struggling Pians ever present smiles, like they were enjoying the chase.

Two dropped from the floor above through a hole in the ceiling right on Claude, knocking him to the cracked stone. He rolled forward, prepared for the ambush, willing the damaged floor to be a tad more brittle, crumbling under the weight of the Pians. They lost their balance and Claude quickly used that momentum to throw each in turn into the coming horde. He did not wait to see the outcome, rushing to the path the others had cleared.

The hall they occupied exited into the gatehouse, which was more intact then the area of the abandoned castle they had fled from. Their path was blocked by five Only, this group scooping handfuls of goo from a container before coming at them. Fritz tossed a metal sphere that exploded in a small brief flash. The Only and the globs they hurled at them, bounced off invisible energy in diverse directions. The trio storm past into the gatehouse, Kane leaping over a Pian whose face was covered with goo. The Pian is still able to snag his ankle, sending Kane face first into the floor.

He tried to scramble away as the woman crawled over him, goo dripping from her face onto his shirt. Claude reached for his friend, mentally winching at the visual of the wide eyes and hypnotic smile seen vaguely through the slime. His rescue attempt was in vain, Kane had brought forth his Will Blade again, paralyzing her. He pushed to his feet, carefully taking off his shirt as Fritz closed and barred the wood doors.

Claude

Are you good?

Kane

Yeah, that was close.

Claude

Lucky for us, you get to keep your trousers.

Kane

Yeah, wouldn't want y'all feeling inadequate.

Claude

As if!

Fritz

Hey, you two; mind controlled, grinning cultists, out to get us.

Kane

This is just like Night of the Dead Walking.

Claude

I remember that movie, I think. Was that with the zombies?

Fritz

What's a zombie?

A large crash shook splinters from the heavy doors. Claude took in his surroundings; it was darkness all around, the only source was the torch Fritz carried with his tail. He saw nothing of use; rubble from a crumbling wall and ceiling, rotted out wood of a broken chair, the controls for the gate outside, and overgrown foliage. Another crash against the door echoed loudly in the confines and the silver light of Kane's Will Blade joined the orange of the torch.

Kane

The door's not gonna hold. We gotta fight.

Fritz

Well, try not to get infected. You guys are pretty chill. I like you.

Kane

Thanks. And your the coolest Preesling I have ever met.

Fritz

Have you met any?

Kane

Nope.

Claude closed his eyes and opened his mind. He felt a subtle shift in atmospheric pressure and when he opened his eyes again, he was surrounded by black and green scales. Every direction, as far as he could see, was the writhing body of the great dragon snake, so long in scale that it was impossible to know where it began or end as it overlapped itself into the infinity. Claude stood on the scaled body as it glided east, or at least, he thought it was east; with portions of the dragon snake going in different directions all around him, it was easy to get confused.

It had been almost two years since he last visited the Planet Spirit of Pia. His second and latest encounter had ended badly with a Communion increase of one percent and he only got that because the great dragon snake had respected his boldness. Three percent was not enough to save his friends, so it was time to get to know the Planet Spirit better.

Great Dragon Snake

What do you want Dycordian?

The voice came from everywhere and nowhere all at once and vibrated his bones.

Claude

I came to talk.

Great Dragon Snake

You came hoping I would save you and your friends sorry asses.

Claude

We can save ourselves. All I want from you is a bit more cooperation.

Great Dragon Snake

Who the hell are you coming demanding anything? You're just a mortal. And not one from me.

Claude

We are not that different, mortals and spirits. We both feel things. I know you feel the need for solitude and so did I for a while. But my friends brought me back from a dark place. Without them, we would not be speaking now.

Great Dragon Snake

Mortals are weak and not just physically. The slightest of mental stress and you are projecting your pain onto others. You are no different; but you and I are.

Claude

I lack your mental fortitude, true. But I care for the well-being of your home. And right now, it is in danger.

Great Dragon Snake

This is of no consequence. Your lives are like that of wisps of smoke. Floating around one moment and gone the next.

Claude

Did wisps of smoke cause that change in your geography? Transition, sometimes, is in an instant and not always ignorable.

Great Dragon Snake

Still inconsequential.

Claude

All life gives you life. If it is sick, then so are you. I can be your cure.

The only sound was the sliding of scales on scales for a few moments. Claude had to leap from one portion of the moving body to another or risk being knocked off.

Great Dragon Snake

Leave me.

Claude's eyes snap open. Kane stood on his left, silver blade pulsing in the dark, his face, a mask of determination. Fritz hopped from one five clawed foot to the other, one hand holding his weapon, his tail, the torch. The door smashed inward, allowing the Pian horde access.

A second ago, Claude lacked the ability to turn himself and his friends into animated stone statues; it took an additional two percent to allow him this. Kane uttered an exclamation, gazing at his arms, as a glob of goo hit him firmly in the face.

Fritz

I get it.

He planted two feet in the face of the first Only to reach him, sleep gun dropping another.

Fritz

Without the vascular system of our individual bodies, the virus has no effect.

The Only came on, grabbing at them, but were knocked away. Kane's Will Blade was still active and he moved as fluidly as before, slashing every Only in range. Claude was careful not to permanently injury the Pians with his grey, stone limbs, though he knew he could easily crush their bones to powder. They were difficult to put down, as strikes to the head seemed to have little effect, other than pushing them back. A loud screeching sound issued from outside, but the Only left standing paid no heed as they continued hurling slime at them.

Claude was applying a chokehold, hoping cutting off the air supply will render his assailant unconscious, when a severed arm landed in front of him. He turns to see men and women wearing brownish armor that resembled the exoskeleton of various crustaceans storm the doorway, wielding fog-glass swords that glew red hot in the night. Claude saw Noun beheaded and his fellow Only follow him into death, including the one Claude currently held, who was stabbed in the side of the head. He cried out briefly in surprise and shock and lowered the deceased to the floor.

The swordsmen stared at the moving statues, helmeted heads hiding their intent. A smaller version of the armor enters the room of slaughter, sans any weaponry. After the helmet was removed to reveal Avia with her hair pinned up, Claude dropped the technique that turned them to stone.

Avia

Is everyone okay?

Fritz

Not everyone. Can't tell by their faces, though.

Fritz was looking around at the dead, all still wearing the smiles of bless. Avia turned to the knight to her right.

Avia

Go inch by inch of the grounds.

The knight nods and goes back out, followed by the others, crab armor clacking like a baby's rattle. Avia motioned to follow her outside, where even more carnage awaited. Dozens upon dozens of hacked up bodies at the booted feet of knights carrying the banner of Zareil.

Beyond, the three massive forms of the dragonflies stood in their terrifying glory; golden eyes the size of full grown Pians staring down at the tiny beings. Claude felt like he was walking onto a communal dinner plate to await the plucking as a dragonfly selected its next morsel. Avia didn't turn to address them until she reached two armored women standing in the center of the bedlam, both holding helmets under their arms and sporting hair the same complexion as Avia.

Avia

These are my sisters, Zella and Zetori.

Claude was speechless at her caviler attitude at the death around them, Kane, not so much.

Kane

Why, Avia? What if it could be reversed?

Avia carried a regal pose and her voice took on a measured clip.

Avia

After the assertion of the virus being metallic in nature, my sisters and I were unwilling to take the chance. This plague was too dangerous to attempt to contain. My sisters went to the dig sites to find them abandoned. I came straight here to see a hundred of my subjects all staring at the gatehouse, like they were waiting for some shadow puppet concert. Some were known to the knights with me and we tried to reason with them. Once they attacked and tried to infect us, we knew those we cared about were gone. Our world has experienced the dangers of metal and fanaticism in the past. Like it or not, it had to be done.

Claude

I like it not.

Kane

Same here.

PRESENT

Child Claude sat silently in the canoe as the fisher concluded.

Child Claude

I did not enjoy that ending. Could they not be saved?

Fisher

It is true. No cure exists.

Child Claude

Then I will prevent it some other way. Tell everybody what you tell me.

Fisher smiles gently at the boy.

Fisher

If only it were that simple.

End chapter