Neolani sneered as she turned away, "Long for those who have been so disappointed, Alexei, Melia, Azarius, let's go." The naga followed them all the way into their tent.
Alexei rolled his neck and stretched his shoulders, "Come love, it has been a long day." He wasn't sure if he was sore because of all that had happened, or because his body had been so thoroughly healed.
"Since that eagle showed up… my connection to Ash's heart has been… different." Neolani admitted as soon as they entered the tent. She didn't waste time on small talk as she pulled the heart out to show everyone. She'd thought the connection had been distant since she didn't physically have the heart in her hand… but even now the connection was strained at best.
Alexei stilled as he tried to feel the connection again. Since he had to channel his mana through Neolani there had always been a distance… but it had been like a door he just had to keep propped open. Now… feeling the mana felt as he had to hold up a bolder for a small trickle of water to pass through.
Melia also tried to channel her mana through her mother. Unlike previous where she could feel a tsunami or raging mana washing over her immediately, even with her full concentration it was more like stagnant pool. She could still use the mana… but it was different.
Neolani drew on the mana, but the emotional connection was gone. "Have the mages test the connection every hour. Hopefully this is only temporary." Neolani glanced around the tent; all three pairs of eyes were equally serious.
Caius ignored the pathetic excuse of an illusion the Adarian's used to sneak out of the camp. Aiya, they were so predictable. Caius snuggled around his Little Snack as Littlest and the owl female took to the skies with an illusion of their own.
Sebastian looked out his window. No, he tried to look out his window. A mountain seemed to have taken up residence just outside the palace walls. Calix was looking out the window with his grandfather, "Perhaps we should stay inside today." Calix offered only half jesting. They had only woken due to the ruckus downstairs.
Sebastian half sighed, half yawned, "Let us gather everyone up. I see today will be no less eventful than the last few."
Calix woke the others. He couldn't stop yawning, nor muster any enthusiasm. If he didn't know better he'd think everyone had been dosed with sleeping powder. Even the guards were lackluster at best. By the time everyone was suitably dressed to meet at the side entrance more than an hour had passed.
Jaxon stumbled as he pushed Monroe's wheelchair out, everything felt heavy. Simply lifting his foot for each step felt as if he was treading through a swamp. Monroe was in constant danger of slipping out of the wheelchair regardless of the straps.
Lucian refused to falter as he led the group out the side door to figure out what had blocked out every window facing the clearing. Devlin was stumbling along more akin to a drunk rather than with lethargy like the rest of them. None of the mages had been able to stay concentrated enough to manage a spell.
Leonard kept Devlin as steady as possible as they followed quietly out. Well, as quiet as stumbling children learning to walk, who were also in desperate need of a nap. Irritation warred with the need-to-know what new surprise awaited them in the courtyard this morning.
Sebastian flinched as he used his left hand to cover his eyes. Morning? It was at least high noon already… maybe they had been drugged.
"What time is it? Why didn't anyone wake Us?" Lucian demanded as he kicked a guard who was sleeping against the door. No wonder it had taken so much effort to open. The guard barely stirred, as Lucian glanced around. Apparently everything from mice, to mages were still sleeping. The foxes, gryphons, bugs, birds, even the sun was blocked out by thick dark clouds.
Sebastian glanced around at the other delegations, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should figure out what… that giant lump under Lord Reece's nest is first." The mass filled most of the clearing, it was clearly covered in fur, and breathing. Even the giant mass was asleep.
"How did it get here without anyone raising the alarm?" Leonard asked shaking Devlin in hopes of some kind of answer.
"SSSSHHHHHHH, THE LITTLE ONE IS STILL SLEEPING."
Leonard and half the group were knocked the ground as the long, deep drawn-out voice boomed across the land. Leonard sat on the ground dazed as his ears continued to ring. Beast Gods above… that voice alone would be enough to ruin a country.
Lucian felt as if he were being crushed by a mountain as he struggled to remain standing. The beast moved a limb larger than the hunting palace to reveal a single half opened eye. It took several heartbeats for Lucian's eyes to register the beast in his clearing. Grelck, sin beast of sloth was laid out with Ashton's nest on his stomach.
Sebastian gripped Calix's arm; the massive moon bear was laid out on his back. Grelck had one paw over the nest either keeping it secure… or keeping them trapped. Beast Gods above, would all the beasts be coming to visit?
Charmaine struggled back up, her dress ripped from the fall and catching Serafin. Thankfully they had insisted Natasha stay inside, otherwise who knew what spectacle they would be making. These wretched beasts kept coming one after another, ignoring the imperial family. Even in lesser areas the beasts would make some kind of announcement before descending like the plagues.
Before her majesty could say anything, Leonard helped her up, but gripped her arm with a firm look. His head was still ringing but empress Charmaine looked ready to go up and confront the beast of Sloth herself. Her irrigation was radiating off her like mana from an untrained mage.
Lucian glared Charmaine down until she bowed her head stepping back, then he nodded for Leonard to step forward. He was almost unsurprised when Sebastian stepped forward.
"Majesty, perhaps we should wait until Lord Reece wakes up." Sebastian didn't miss the narrowing of the large eye still watching them.
Lucian gritted his teeth as they once again… waited for Ashton to wake up. This was becoming a tiresome pattern.
Ashton opened one eye, he'd noticed Grelck yesterday, seemingly just out of range of his territory. One of the reasons so few gathered around Grelck, was… well the persistent lethargy and desire for sleep. Ashton moved the tails covering him as he leapt to sit on the edge of his nest.
Caius pushed himself up dramatically as he crawled to the edge of the nest to lean his fox head over. He blink at Grelck blearily. "You said… you wouldn't… come here…" Caius complained with grievances. If Grelck had just agreed to come yesterday… he could have… so tired.
Ashton rolled his shoulders as he hopped down on the surprisingly soft belly fur. "Hello Grelck, have a nice nap?" Ashton asked with a mildly curious expression as he started to aimlessly pass through the fur that came up to his chest.
Grelck yawned as he patted the nest, almost squashing Caius. As it was, he was now a fox pancake… oops. "I did, do you feel better rested little bird?" Grelck didn't show his cautious apprehension as he watched the being smaller than his smallest finger wandering on his chest. While the small bird might not be aggressive, this didn't mean the invasion of his territory would go unquestioned. Grelck had been expecting a more… assertive greeting. "I also came with a gift." Grelck added as he let his head rest on the ground. Before the little bird could find out exactly where his core was located he lifted a previously hidden jar. The jar just happened to intercept the small bird's path.
Ashton glanced up as he moved closer to the earthen jar, he circled the jar curiously. Almost as large as his nest was around, probably ten feet tall. Since Grelck had technically invaded his territory Ashton merely nodded once before leaping up onto edge of the jar to peer inside. Amber liquid that was all too familiar.
"This honey is made by cored bees, from mana flowers. I brought the trees and bees from an island on the other side of the world. I assure you, there is no better-quality honey in all the world." Grelck promised solemnly as his claws tapped on the jar.
Ashton raised a brow as he walked along the edge of the jar. What a… significant gift. If he was not mistaken, Grelck had offered his beloved the same gift when they last met.
Ashton glanced up, unlike with the fox, Grelck was so overly cautious Ashton had expected Grelck to retreat after yesterday's fiasco with Kaveri. "I did." Ashton wasn't in any hurry for Grelck to escape. If anything, this would encourage a stronger reaction. Though it would be better if the royals were awake to witness Grelck's presence.
Grelck carefully sat up, placing the jar and nest on the ground as he shrank down as to not look down on the little bird.
Caius yawned as he changed to his human form as well. Was it really necessary for Grelck to use his blessings like this? Most of the humans had woken up already. Kind of. Even his foxes were stumbling around like drunks or belly crawling dramatically. No dignity to be seen among the lot of them!
Littlest covered his eyes with his tail and his ears with his paws in grievance. He'd been up so late for Father Caius! Fox abuse! Ungrateful! Hypocrite! His owl was also nodding off. They should go to her nest and just leave Father Caius to clean up his own messes!
Caius rolled his eyes as he slid out of the nest. His legs felt wobbly he was so tired. Aiya! "Grelck, turn it off already! Aiya! My knees aren't yours to make weak after a long night!" Caius complained as he stumbled to the jar. Despite his lethargy, some parts were wide awake. Hmm, honey covered Little Snacks were even better.
Grelck's human form was surprisingly bare of hair. A few dark brown curls on his chest and arms, while his head had locks reaching his waist. Black eyes, bushy eyebrows, thick proportions. While he might look pudgy, there was no doubt one hit would easily break bones.
His nails were sharp even in his human form, and his eyes assessing all that he saw.
Grelck suppressed his blessing, but it was the little bird who removed the effects from everyone. Even his human form was larger than the little bird by at least three times. With a yawn he plopped down cross legged, now at eye level.
"You've come far Grelck, Sin beast of Sloth. We are not so close to visit without reason, so, what is yours?" Ashton asked as the fox scooped him up to sit with him in his lap. It would appear the fox and the bear had not been forthcoming with each other. The fox tensed, clearly trying to claim dominion.
Grelck watched Caius, then the small bird. Like straw hut over an open flame. Eventually, one had to give. If Caius wouldn't see reason… perhaps the bird could be moved. "The fox is a persistent one."
Ashton raised a brow as he leaned back. Persistence wasn't always welcome. "I see." Ashton waited, if all Grelck wanted to do was encourage a union then they would part in peace.
Neolani gripped her spear, not one alarm, person, or ward had alerted her of a beast that could literally use a mountain as a pillow had arrived. Not to mention, it was another sin beast. Alexei had been the first to awaken but said he'd been practically immobile for an hour before he'd managed to roll into her. Then it had taken a herculean effort for her to truly feel awake. Even now, she felt heavier than usual.
Alexei watched the Adarians, they had returned coincidentally during the last rotation of the guard, there hadn't been movement from anyone since. They might look just as shocked and confused… but Alexei gestured for two mages to watch them.
Ashton deliberately glanced around, he wasn't surprised at the Gippsi feigning exhaustion. The little flower was also watching from behind her bangs. So, a flower, a bear, a fox, half a snake, and an almost bird. The more the merrier.
After a few moments, Grelck glanced around as well with a deep sigh. "I originally came to discourage Caius from approaching you. He is capricious, passionate, unreasonable, and worst yet, vengeful. I thought for sure you would quickly do away with him." Grelck admitted. Truth be told, had Caius only told him that the little bird let him sleep in his nest, Grelck would have thought Caius was exaggerating. Playing up his importance to the little bird.
Ashton tilted his head, "Now?" Despite the words Grelck spoke, his tone did not seem encouraging.
Caius tried not to tense up, Grelck had been the most insistent that he let the past go. To move on. Accept his loss. More than to just learn from his mistakes, to ensure he did not repeat them. When Caius had gone to ask Grelck about his Little Snack prior to coming to the empire, Grelck had staunchly tried to convince him his revenge might be sweet but he would be paying for all of eternity. Not even death would bring release. But even after days with his Little Snack, he didn't seem like the crazed, controlling, domineering beast Grelck had portrayed.
Grelck bowed his head, "I have paid my respects, I'd like a word with Caius… privately."
Ashton raised a brow, then shrugged, "I must be terrifying indeed, I will remain here."
Caius pouted as he lifted his Little Snack back into his nest, "Aiya, so heartless Little Snack! Fine! I will not be long." He followed the overly cautious bear into the forest. The ran more than a hundred miles in just a few heartbeats. "Aiya, Grelck, even if you will not help! To harm my chances! Aiya!" Caius complained as his ears flattened.
Grelck took a deep breath as he looked to Caius, "He is not like us Caius, a bond with him does not end. That being said… he will cherish, protect, and indulge you. If you persist, even if your passion dies out, there is no turning back." Grelck stared into Caius's eyes.
Caius gritted his teeth "I'm not seeing the downside, Grelck." Just because the bear was older didn't make him some kind of leader among sin beasts. At best, they cooperated because their interests usually aligned. Clearly no longer.
Grelck closed his eyes. That small bird. He looked so small, so weak, so delicate. It was all a lie. So deceiving, easily luring all manner of beings into a false sense of security. The problem wasn't with this bird. It was with the creature it had created. "Caius you are young. That beast is unpredictable at best. You cannot lay claim to him like any you have met before… Caius… I told you he wiped out entire continents. A single misstep… could see all your kin slain."
Caius growled, "What difference is there? Only that we are too weak to face the consequences. We have both killed so called innocents. You won't help me, neither will the others… so I'll find someone who will."
Grelck sighed, "You must know… he has… something. You care capricious, but even you will weigh the consequences of your actions… he created something… it is not a beast, nor human. That thing's capricious demands make you look like a saint. His indulgence is why Alaina has gathered so many… why she snips all similar beats early."
Caius snorted, "They are not mated, you said it was dead. Did you only agree to meet with me because you learned it was still alive?"
Grelck was silent, then gave a slow nod. "I came to warn you… before it's too late… escape. If it makes demands… to refuse means a fate worse than death Caius. Since it was created, his heart as become increasingly tainted. That taint… is how Alaina will kill him. Then everything, and everyone he has a bond with."
Caius's fur bristled, "Then I will simply help remove the taint. That bitch is too scared to leave her cave. When he ascends, the taint will be burned away."
Grelck closed his eyes, "Can you guarantee that? Or will the taint affect his ascension? He's not a true beast anymore."
"What makes it so dangerous? Just that it was created? The beast gods would have killed it if was a real threat."
Grelck snorted, then laughed shaking his head, "It is not natural… of all monstrosities created from human or beast depravity, it is by far the most dangerous." Grelck half admonished as he shuddered, " A god did try to kill it… It should have been destroyed… not protected. But that small bird killed them all…"
Caius stilled, he'd heard of the battle where one bird faced the gods themselves… but the timelines didn't match up… Caius had tried not to tense, but that meant… his Little Snack had faced the gods more than once. Grelck might not be a fighter by nature, nor did he go out of his to start a fight but in the last thousand years he'd defended his territory to the death. No beast who had gone looking for a fight had ever left his island. Even Alaina had never outright challenged Grelck.
"It is not dangerous because of where it came from, but because of what that small bird is willing to sacrifice for it. His indulgence resulted in more deaths than any human or beast war combined. The empire's entire history cannot match the devastation he wrought in a single day." Grelck stated with such solemn despair… it scared Caius.
"Then I will ensure I ingratiate myself with this creature…" Caius refuted with a swish of his tails. "If he is so strong, so willing to fight, I would rather it be for me, rather than against."
Grelck was honestly stunned, then angry. "You don't understand what you're getting yourself into fox. That bird, that… thing… is more dangerous than you can even imagine. They would kill everything…"
Caius grinned savagely, Aiya, how nice that sounded. If all of them paid… so long as everyone paid equally it would be worth it. Some vengeances were worth dying for.
Grelck stared at Caius, the determination… the savage pleasure… "I will not continue on a futile endeavor, Caius… careful that you bind more than just your own life." Caius pushed himself up, glancing back where the small bird was still waiting. He would return to his island… and warn the others of the impending storm.