The journey through the giant forest in search of a monster had begun at dawn, the path ahead veiled in mystery and silence.
The sound of a carriage crushing floor leaves breaks the silence.
As the carriage rattles, Sam shifts uncomfortably on the hard wooden bench, his eyes drifting to Akusan, still asleep despite the jarring motion.
Owen is seated at the front of the carriage next to the mature woman tasked with escorting Sam and Akusan to the beast's den.
With one hand on her pipe and the other guiding the horses, she appears unperturbed by the tension inside, focusing solely on navigating the tangled path ahead.
"Grandmother," Owen began, addressing her with familiarity and by a close to home title despite her youthful appearance, "How come you didn't tell Master Gahdu that we haven't found the beast yet?"
Owen's voice carried a mix of curiosity and urgency, emphasizing the need for any information she might possess about their elusive quarry. Grandmother glances at him, her eyes revealing a depth of wisdom that belied her youthful face.
"Finding the beast isn't my concern, killing it is." Grandmother responds, "Something tells me that our golden boy back there may not know exactly what he's capable of."
Owen glances back at Sam, seeing that he is lost in thought with his brows slightly furrowed as if wrestling with an inner conflict.
His hands are fidgeting with his recently given back gauntlet and Maria's sheathed sword. Owen turns his attention to Grandmother again.
"What do you mean by that?" Owen asks, his curiosity piqued by her cryptic remark.
Grandmother takes a long drag from her pipe, her eyes momentarily clouded with smoke.
"Well," she says, exhaling slowly, "Sam's kind, they're not the sort to be led around unless they choose to be. They're apex predators, Owen, meant to command respect and fear." She glances back at Sam, her gaze thoughtful. "If he wanted to, he could've wiped out everyone back at the hideout without breaking a sweat. It's a wonder he's so humble."
Grandmother chuckles softly, her eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement.
"Must've had some good home training to keep that power in check," she remarks, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "It's rare to see such strength paired with restraint, but it speaks volumes about who he is at his core."
Owen pauses for a moment, considering her words.
"So, either Sam is a sleeping god who chooses to keep his power under wraps," Owen muses, "or he's completely unaware of just how strong he truly is."
"Given how young he is and the way he's probably been sheltered to go unnoticed for so long," Grandmother continues, "it's likely he's never been pushed to his limits or even had the need to tap into his full potential. A life away from conflict can make one forget their own power." She looks at Owen, her expression softening. "He's like a blade kept sheathed, sharp but untested."
Owen hesitates for a moment, then leans closer to Grandmother.
"I saw something back in the forest," he admits, his voice low. "Sam held his own against Akusan when she was tearing through everyone. He took quite a beating, but he lasted longer than anyone else."
He pauses, searching Grandmother's eyes for understanding.
"Through my crows, I watched him stand his ground, and it was like watching a storm contained within a single person."
Owen's brow furrows deeper as he reflects on the scene.
"It was almost as if every move Sam made was calculated, not to strike back with full force but to defend himself without causing irreversible harm," he continues, "Maybe he's aware of his strength, but he's just too afraid of what might happen if he lets loose. It's like he's carrying this burden of power, always cautious not to unleash it on those who might not survive it."
He looks at Grandmother, his eyes earnest.
"Perhaps restraint is his way of protecting everyone, even those who mean him harm."
Grandmother listens intently, her eyes never leaving Owen's face as he shares his observations.
She nods thoughtfully, taking in every word before speaking.
"I understand your perspective, Owen," she begins, her voice gentle yet firm, "but I still believe that Sam's restraint is more a result of inexperience than a conscious burden. Until he truly faces a situation where he must push beyond his limits, we can't be certain how much of his power he even realizes he possesses."
"Then we'll need to teach him quickly," he replies, determination lacing his voice. "We can't afford any mistakes when we finally face the monster."
Grandmother lets out a soft chuckle, smoking curling in her pipe.
"Owen, don't forget that it's Sam and Akusan's task to face the monster," she reminds him, her voice carrying a gentle admonition. "Our job is to ensure they reach its den safely and to document what unfolds, not to take the lead in the battle."
Owen's shoulders slump slightly as he processes Grandmother's words, realizing he's been overstepping his role.
He exhales slowly and then turns to give Grandmother an understanding nod.
The carriage also contains Olivia, Genevieve, Suave, and Leano, who are sitting across from Sam.
Genevieve leans back comfortably, her head resting against the side of the carriage as she watches the forest pass by with a serene expression.
Suave, with an air of nonchalance, has his arms casually crossed, one leg stretched out in front of him.
In contrast, Olivia sits upright, her eyes scanning the surrounding trees with sharp vigilance, while Leano maintains a rigid posture, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
Their postures rigid and alert.
Leano's eyes, sharp and scrutinizing, move between Sam and Akusan as if trying to decipher any subtle shifts or intentions hidden behind their calm exteriors.
The intensity of his gaze adds to the charged atmosphere within the carriage, leaving no doubt that any attempt at escape would be swiftly thwarted.
"So you're a sleeping god? I don't know what that means or why it makes you important, but everyone seems to think you're the shit," Leano says, his gaze lingering on Sam's unusual yellow hair and otherworldly eyes, "I hope it's true because you'll need whatever you can get to survive what you're up against."
Leaving his deep thoughts, Sam meets Leano's gaze, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face before he nods slowly.
"I don't fully understand it either," he admits, his voice steady despite the weight of expectation. "But I'll do my best to live up to it, for all our sake."
Leano smirks, raising an eyebrow as he leans back in his seat.
"For all our sake, huh? Let's be honest with ourselves, bud. It's really for your own sake that you need to live up to it," he retorts, his tone half-teasing, half-serious. "If you don't survive, none of us are going to care. We never needed a golden boy before and we certainly don't need one now."
Sam offers a small, resigned smile, choosing not to engage further in the banter.
Instead, he shifts his focus to the passing scenery outside the window, letting Leano's words wash over him without reply.
The weight of their situation presses down on him, a silent reminder of the challenges ahead.
Leano, unable to resist, leans forward again, tapping Sam on the knee to regain his attention.
"So, what's the story behind that yellow hair of yours? Is it to add to your little divine story, or did you just lose a bet?" he asks, his voice carrying a hint of irritation as if the mystery itself were a personal affront.
Sam internally notes Leano's tendency to talk with an edge, but he simply shrugs, replying, "It's just always been this way, I guess," leaving the question hanging in the charged air.
Genevieve, sitting beside Leano, stretches her unusually strong and muscular legs with an air of authority.
"Leano, give the guy a break," she interjects, her tone firm but not unkind.
Sam's gaze briefly shifts to Genevieve's legs, his admiration evident in the way his eyes widen slightly.
Genevieve catches his look and arches an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at her lips.
"Eyes up here, Sam," she teases gently, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Sam's cheeks flush a faint pink, and he quickly averts his gaze, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Sorry, didn't mean to stare," Sam mumbles, trying to regain his composure.
Genevieve chuckles softly, then looks at Leano.
"Leano, he's got enough on his plate without you grilling him about his hair."
Suave, who had been lounging in the corner with a relaxed demeanor, looks up with a lazy grin.
"I think the hair's pretty cool," he remarks, his voice smooth and laid-back. "Adds a bit of flair, you know? Like a cat with its own stripes, standing out in the crowd."
Leano rolls his eyes dramatically, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation.
"Oh god, not the cat metaphors again," he groans, shaking his head with exaggerated disbelief. "Every time, Suave! You're gonna start meowing next."
Suave chuckles, and as he does, the long, sleek cat tail peeks out from beneath his black cloak, swaying playfully from side to side.
"Can't help it," he says with a wink, clearly enjoying the banter as much as the attention.
The tail flicks with a life of its own, accentuating his feline-like grace and adding an air of mischief to his laid-back persona.
Genevieve smirks, crossing her arms as she leans back.
"Well, we all need a little levity now and then," she comments, glancing between Leano and Sam. "Especially with the mission ahead."
Leano sighs, finally relenting. "Alright, alright," he concedes, "I'll save my questions for later. But don't think you're off the hook, Golden Boy."
Suave deftly leaps over Akusan, who remains sprawled on the floor of the carriage, landing gracefully in the empty space beside Sam.
His cat tail sways around Sam like a curious snake as he reaches behind him and pulls out a small container.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he opens it to reveal rolled-up weed, catching Sam by surprise.
"Hey, ever wonder if sleeping gods like to partake in a little herbal indulgence?" Suave quips, deftly rolling the paper between his fingers. "Might be the secret to their eternal slumber," he adds with a wink, as he expertly finishes preparing the joint.
Genevieve raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Suave's handiwork.
"Mind rolling one for me, too?" she asks, her tone casual but eager.
Suave lights his own joint, taking a quick puff before nodding and setting to work on hers.
Sam, meanwhile, watches the scene unfold with wide eyes, a mix of curiosity and discomfort evident on his face, as if he's still processing how quickly they've let their guard down around him.
He sits there, bewildered by the surreal turn of events.
This wasn't how he'd imagined the mission would unfold, with the group's focus shifting from strategic planning to lighthearted banter and impromptu smoke sessions.
He wonders if this laid-back camaraderie is a testament to their confidence or a sign of recklessness, leaving him to question his place in this peculiar ensemble.
Olivia continues to stare at Sam with an intensity that feels almost invasive, as if trying to peer into his very soul to uncover the secrets he guarded so carefully.
Olivia's gaze never wavered.
She maintains her unwavering gaze, a memory surfaces, whispering tales once shared to her about the sleeping gods.
According to a dear friend, these beings are demigods who had betrayed their goddess long ago, condemned to slumber until the end of time and embedded with stones to limit their power.
The thought sends unease through Olivia, as she wonders if Sam is a potential ally or enemy.
She finally breaks her silence, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of disbelief.
"Sam Aka," she begins straightforwardly, "You've been pretty vague about your past, and with everything going on, we need to know who we're dealing with. Are you really just who you seem, or is there more to your story that you're not telling us?"
Her eyes bore into his, seeking any sign of truth or deceit in his response.
Sam hesitates, his expression a mix of reluctance and contemplation.
He shifts uncomfortably under Olivia's penetrating gaze, as if weighing the consequences of revealing more about himself.
Finally, Sam lets out a resigned sigh, his voice barely above a whisper, "There's more, but it's complicated. But look, I really am just trying to bring my sister back home. Everything else that followed upon me leaving home I never asked for. Now, I'm realizing that there are things I haven't been told, and I'm not sure if I'm even allowed to speak of what little I do know."
Just as she was about to delve deeper into her questioning, the wagon abruptly jolts over a rock, rattling the entire carriage and momentarily interrupting her revelation.
Akusan slowly stirred from her slumber, letting out a soft, cute squeal as she stretches her limbs.
Her eyes flutter open, blinking to adjust to the dim light filtering into the carriage.
Akusan's pointy ears twitch with curiosity, picking up the hushed conversation and the sounds of the wagon's wheels creaking beneath them.
Suave and Genevieve exchange a quick, amused glance, their eyes twinkling with mischief as they hastily hide their smoking instruments.
Suave, ever the smooth talker, offers Akusan a lazy grin and says, "Morning, sunshine. Didn't mean to wake you with our little bumpy ride."
Genevieve chuckles softly, adding, "Hope you don't mind a bit of extra company during your nap."
Olivia and Leano tensed immediately, their hands instinctively moving to the hilts of their weapons, ready to defend against any unforeseen threat.
Akusan, sensing the shift in tension, gracefully brushed her long hair aside, revealing her sharp, alert eyes that lock onto Sam's with an intensity that matched Olivia's earlier scrutiny.
For a moment, the air was thick with anticipation, as if the slightest misstep could shatter the fragile peace within the wagon.
With trained professionalism and a cold gaze, Owen glances over his shoulder, his instincts telling him that Akusan's awakening signals an impending confrontation.
He nudges Grandmother gently, his voice barely above a whisper, "The aireon is awake."
Grandmother turns her head slowly, her gaze resting on Akusan with a mixture of curiosity and caution, aware that the dynamics within the wagon might shift dramatically.
Tension.
Leano was about to voice his hope that the handcuffs would restrain her, but before he could utter a word, Akusan's eyes flared with a sudden, uncontrollable fury.
In an instant, she erupts into a whirlwind of energy, her strength tearing through the restraints as she lunges toward Sam with a ferocity that leaves everyone scrambling to react.
The confined space of the carriage erupted into pandemonium as Akusan's sudden outburst sent everyone into a frenzy.
Sam toppled to the side, narrowly avoiding her assault, while Olivia and Leano drew their weapons.
Olivia's blade flashed as Leano raised his compact firearm.
The chaos swayed the carriage violently on the uneven path, threatening to overturn with every sharp turn.
Genevieve steps forward, her voice gentle yet firm, "Akusan, listen to me, we're not your enemies here.
Let's take a deep breath and—" But before she can finish, Leano lunges, pulling Genevieve to the ground, shielding her from Akusan's wild strikes.
His swift action leaves Genevieve breathless, realizing the gravity of the danger they all face
Grandmother, with a determined glint in her eyes, began to mutter an incantation, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as green flames flickered to life around her fingertips.
Just as the flames started to take shape, Akusan's cunning instincts kicked in, and she let out a piercing cry.
Instantly, brilliant blue flames engulfed the carriage, their intense heat disrupting the spell and casting an otherworldly glow that danced across the walls, forcing everyone to shield their eyes from the searing light.
Reacting instinctively, Owen grabs Grandmother's hand, pulling her towards him as they dove out of the carriage.
Olivia and Leano, driven by survival instincts, quickly follow Owen's lead, leaping out of the burning carriage with precision.
Genevieve, with her swift reflexes, rolls out onto the ground, narrowly avoiding the licking flames.
Suave, with a quick glance back, spots Sam struggling and deftly grabs him, yanking him out just in time as they all tumble to safety.
Suave and Sam land with a hard thud, the impact jarring them as they hit the ground amidst a cloud of dust.
Meanwhile, the driverless wagon, engulfed in flames, continues its wild trajectory, creaking ominously as it rolls further away into the forest.
The intense heat of the blue flames quickly spread to the front of the carriage, singeing the reins and startling the horses.
With a collective whinny of panic, they reared up, snapping the charred leather straps that bound them to the now blazing wagon.
Freed from their burden, the horses bolt into the forest, their hooves pounding against the ground as they vanish into the forest, leaving the burning carriage to finally come to a skidding halt.
Akusan steps out of the flaming carriage with an air of eerie calm, her silhouette framed by the roaring blue inferno.
The flames danced across her body, illuminating it with an otherworldly glow, yet leaving her untouched and unharmed.
Her eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as she surveyed the scene, a chilling reminder of the power she wielded and the fear she inspired.
Grandmother and the others focus on Akusan, standing in trained positions.
"Hag…" Akusan's voice drags. "Those green flames...those were dragon flames...They don't belong to you. How can you summon them when you don't have the eyes? You're not even an aireon."
Nonchalantly, Grandmother pulls out her pipe and takes a smoke from it.
"Calm your flames down and maybe I'll tell you my little secret." She calmly answers.
Akusan holds out her hand and the blue flames twist and coil around it, spiraling upwards with mesmerizing precision.
As if responding to her command, they condensed and solidified into the sleek, lethal form of Kenosi, her dragon-themed scythe.
The blade gleamed with an ethereal blue hue, its edge as sharp as a dragon's fang, while intricate scales adorned the handle, giving it the appearance of a dragon's spine.
With a single, fluid motion, Akusan twirled Kenosi, the flames trailing behind like a comet's tail, amplifying her fearsome presence amidst the chaos.
"Or you can tell me now if you still value your soon to end life." Akusan boldly responds.
Grandmother's eyes crinkle with amusement as she takes another leisurely puff from her pipe, the smoke curling around her head like a lazy serpent.
"Child," she chuckled softly, "if I worried about every sharp tongue and sharper blade, I'd be long gone by now." Her voice was steady and unyielding, a testament to her unwavering confidence in the face of Akusan's intimidation.
Leano clenches his grip on compact firearm as he stands protectively in front of Grandmother.
Owen walks up beside her, his gaze sharp and calculating.
An expression of seriousness appears on Genevieve's face as she performs a standing quad stretch nearby them.
Olivia's fingers danced over the hilt of her flower maiden spear, her stance low and balanced, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
Suave twirls a dagger in his hand as he coughs away the weed from earlier and sways at the air in front of him.
Together, they formed a united front, their resolve unshaken by the menace of Akusan's fiery display.
Sam, still catching his breath from the harrowing escape, watches in awe from behind as the black cloaks formed a formidable line.
Akusan narrowed her eyes at Grandmother and the rest of them, scrutinizing them with a mixture of curiosity and caution, as if weighing whether this enigmatic elder and her followers are another threat worth confronting.
With a subtle shift in her stance, she seemed to reach a decision, her gaze flickering towards the dense forest surrounding them.
Without another word, she turned and dashed into the forest's embrace, leaving behind trails of blue flames that lingered in her wake, like ghostly echoes of her presence.
Grandmother watches Akusan's retreat with a subtle smile, murmuring to herself, "Wise choice."
She turns around, her attention now on Sam.
Sam anxiously scrambles back onto his feet.
With a gentle expression, Grandmother locks eyes with him.
"I suggest you get after her if you wish to hear everything there is to know."
Sam's eyes widened.
"The stuff about Whisperer?"
Grandmother merely smiled.
That was all he needed.
Sam immediately lunged forward.
"Come on, come on..."
The young sleeping god burst into motion, dirt spraying beneath his boots.
He had only taken three steps when Grandmother casually stepped into his path.
Sam nearly collided with her.
"Whoa!"
Grandmother chuckles.
"No need to run me over, boy."
"Sorry."
Sam bounces anxiously on his heels.
Every second felt wasted.
Akusan was getting farther away.
Grandmother reaches up and brushes a speck of ash from his shoulder.
"There."
Sam blinks.
"There what?"
"Nothing."
The woman smiled pleasantly.
"You looked untidy."
Before he could respond, she gave his chest a light pat.
The kind a grandmother might give before sending someone out the door.
Completely harmless.
Completely ordinary.
"Now go."
Sam nods.
"Right."
Without another thought, he sprinted into the forest.
The moment he disappeared into the trees, Owen frowned.
"Why did you stop him?"
Grandmother calmly removed her pipe.
"Did I?"
Olivia's eyes narrow.
"You touched him."
"I do that."
"No," Olivia replies. "You touched him for a reason."
A small grin crept onto Grandmother's face.
Sharp.
Knowing.
The grin of someone caught cheating at cards.
From behind her cloak, she produced a tiny silver object no larger than a fingernail.
Except it wasn't complete.
Half of it was missing.
Owen immediately recognized it.
"Joy's communicators."
Grandmother nods.
"The latest model."
Leano folds his arms.
"You put one on him?"
"Half of one."
Grandmother corrects.
"The other half is already with Joy."
Genevieve raises an eyebrow.
"Did he notice?"
Grandmother barks out a laugh.
"That boy could be struck by lightning and spend ten minutes apologizing to the cloud."
The group couldn't argue with that.
Grandmother slips the remaining piece back into her pocket.
Without hesitation, the others quickly fell in line behind her, their curiosity piqued by the unfolding mystery.
Sam's breath came in ragged bursts as he pushed deeper into the forest.
The blue flames Akusan left behind scorched the roots and bark of the colossal trees, creating a trail only a blind man could lose.
"Come on..." Sam mutters.
The forest felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Too large.
The trees stretched hundreds of feet overhead, their branches knitting together into a ceiling that swallowed most of the sunlight.
Strange mist drifted between the roots like wandering spirits.
Sam vaulted over a fallen trunk.
Landed.
Kept running.
Then froze.
Something enormous moved nearby.
A low growl rolled through the forest.
Not ahead.
Not behind.
Above.
Sam slowly raised his head.
Two glowing eyes stared down at him from the canopy.
His hand immediately moved toward Stormglass.
The creature's body was almost impossible to make out among the branches.
Eight limbs wrapped around the trunk like a spider while antlers twisted from its skull.
Every instinct screamed at him to run.
"Don't."
Sam nearly jumped out of his skin.
The voice came from nowhere.
A female.
Young.
Calm.
Directly inside his ear.
"What the hell?"
The creature above tilted its head.
"Don't move."
The voice returned.
Sam looked around frantically.
There was nobody.
No footsteps.
No scent.
No movement.
Just trees.
"Who said that?" he whispers.
The girl ignored the question.
"Five seconds."
"What?"
"Four."
The creature began climbing downward.
"Three."
Sam's pulse accelerated.
"Two."
The creature's claws dug into bark.
"One."
"Hide behind the root to your left."
Sam didn't know why.
He simply listened.
The moment he slid behind the massive root, the creature dropped from the tree.
The impact shook the ground.
A cloud of dirt exploded outward.
Sam covered his mouth.
The creature sniffed the air.
Slowly.
Patiently.
Then moved on.
The sounds of its footsteps gradually faded into the forest.
Silence returned.
Sam remained frozen.
Finally:
"...okay."
He stood.
"...who are you?"
A pause.
Then:
"My name is Joy."
The voice sounded oddly pleased.
"As in happy?"
"Exactly."
Sam blinks.
"Where are you? How are you talking to me right now?"
"I'm currently very far away and someone must've slipped one of my communicators into your ear."
Sam checks his ears and feels it.
He immediately knows who did it and lets that matter rest.
"How far are we talking?"
"Far enough that I don't have to smell Deadwood."
Sam stared blankly.
"You can see me?"
"Obviously."
"How?"
Another pause.
Then:
"I cheated."
"What does that even mean?"
Joy giggles.
The sound was surprisingly warm.
"I saw you leave the wagon."
"You chased the angry dragon girl."
"That seemed like something you'd do."
Sam frowned.
"You know Akusan?"
"Everybody knows Akusan."
"You and her are the hottest topics right now."
The voice suddenly became serious.
"Don't move."
Sam immediately froze.
A branch snapped overhead.
A dead limb crashed down exactly where he would have stepped.
His eyes widened.
"...how do you keep doing that?"
Silence lingered.
Then Joy answered quietly.
"Because I've already seen it happen."
Sam's brow furrowed.
"What?"
"You ask too many questions."
"You answer too few."
Her tone shifts to serious.
"Take the left path."
"Why?"
"Because if you take the right path you'll fall thirty feet into a sinkhole and break your leg, probably. Unless a sleeping god such as yourself can survive that?"
Sam stared.
"...Uhhh, I don't know...there's really a sinkhole?"
"Yep."
"You saw it..."
"I saw you fall into it but didn't care to witness the rest because I'm not going to let it happen."
Sam felt a chill crawl down his spine.
He was unsettled.
"Who are you?"
Joy laughs again.
Not mocking.
Almost amused.
"Just Joy."
A brief pause.
Then:
"And if you hurry, you'll catch Akusan before she jumps into the next tree line."
Sam's eyes widened.
Without another word he sprinted forward.
Joy's voice followed him.
"Oh, and Sam?"
"What?"
"She's not running because she's afraid of the Bat-Thing."
Sam slowed.
"What do you mean?"
The answer came softly.
"She's running because she's afraid you'll be kind to her."
Sam looked forward, completely speechless.
The forest rushed past as he continued running, leaping over roots and ducking beneath tangled branches.
Ahead, flashes of blue flame flickered between the trees.
He was getting closer.
Much closer.
"Joy."
"Hm?"
Sam hesitated.
The voice sounded as if it were right beside him despite being impossibly far away.
"Thank you."
A brief silence followed.
Then:
"You're welcome."
Her answer came softer than before.
Not teasing.
Not playful.
Just genuine.
Sam smiled.
"Still don't know how you're doing this."
"I could explain it."
"Can I understand it?"
"Hmm, that depends."
"On?"
"If you're smart enough."
Joy laughs.
The sound echoed faintly through the communicator.
For several moments neither spoke.
The silence felt strangely comfortable.
Ahead, Akusan vaulted from one massive branch to another.
Sam could finally make out her silhouette.
Then Joy sighed.
A small sound.
Almost disappointed.
"Looks like this is where I leave you."
Sam blinks.
"What? Why?"
"You're about to catch her."
"And?"
"And this conversation stops being about mysterious voices and starts becoming about angry dragon girl."
"I guess."
"You guess?"
Joy sounded offended.
"Sam, she's literally setting trees on fire."
"Y-Yeah, you make a good point."
"Thank you."
Sam couldn't help but laugh.
The blue flames ahead were becoming brighter now.
He was only moments away from reaching Akusan.
Then Joy spoke again.
More quietly.
"Can we do this again sometime?"
Sam nearly missed the question.
"Huh?"
"Talk."
There was an unusual hesitation in her voice.
The first crack in her cheerful personality.
"I have questions."
"What kind of questions?"
"Lots."
Joy immediately perked up again.
"Where did you come from?"
"Why is your hair yellow?"
"What are your powers?"
"What kind of name is Sam Aka?"
"Can all sleeping gods run this fast?"
"Why did you chase Akusan?"
"Why are you so nice to people that threaten to kill you?"
Sam laughs.
"That's a lot of questions."
"I've had time to prepare."
"How much time?"
"A concerning amount."
Sam shook his head.
For someone he'd never met, talking to Joy felt oddly natural.
Like speaking with a friend he'd somehow forgotten.
"If we meet again," he said, "I'll answer them."
A pause.
Then:
"If?"
Sam winced.
"Okay, when."
"Much better."
Joy sounded pleased.
Ahead, Akusan suddenly stopped on a massive branch.
Sam slowed instinctively.
He'd finally caught up.
Joy's voice became distant.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Like someone stepping toward a doorway.
"Good luck, Sam."
"Thanks."
"And Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"Try not to get yourself killed."
"I'll do my best."
"Your best isn't very reassuring."
"Hey."
"I'm serious."
Sam laughed again.
The sound surprised even him.
The forest didn't feel nearly as dangerous as it had a few minutes ago.
Then Joy spoke one last time.
A little quieter than before.
"I'm glad Grandmother was right about you."
Sam frowned.
"What does that mean?"
But the communicator had already gone silent.
No answer came.
Only the sounds of the forest.
And the sight of Akusan leaping among the trees.
For reasons he couldn't explain, Sam found himself smiling before continuing forward.
Akusan glances back over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing with a mix of disgust and annoyance.
With a disdainful huff, she picked up her pace, leaping from tree to tree with ease, her movements a graceful blur that left Sam struggling to keep up.
Despite the distance between them, Sam could feel the intensity of her glare, fueling his determination to catch her.
"Akusan, can you hold up for one moment! Let's talk this out." Sam shouts.
At the sound of her name, Akusan came to a sudden halt, her feet skidding to a stop on a sturdy branch.
She turns sharply, her expression shifting from irritation to curiosity as she regarded Sam with a curious tilt of her head.
The unexpected pause gave Sam a moment to catch his breath, his eyes locking with hers as he seized the opportunity to reason with her.
"How do you know that name?" Akusan asked, her voice a mix of suspicion and vulnerability.
Sam takes a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.
"It's the name the black cloaks called you during the meeting with their leader."
"What meeting?" Akusan questions, having no memory of such an event.
Sam itches the back of his neck in a comical manner.
"Oh right, you were sleeping during the whole thing after all."
Akusan scuffs again at Sam.
'Don't call me that name again. You don't have the right to do so. Only she can do that, the only one who saw beyond the flames." Akusan demands while at the same time being vulnerable.
Sam nods slowly, understanding the weight of her request and the pain behind it.
He lowered his gaze for a moment, acknowledging her boundaries with a respectful nod.
Akusan came to a halt on a branch, now facing Sam entirely with Kenosi in hand still.
Sam also stops.
He scans the surrounding trees, searching for a sturdy path that would lead him up to Akusan's level.
He carefully selects a nearby trunk, its branches intertwining like a natural ladder.
Climbing with deliberate care, he makes his way up, stopping just short of her branch to maintain a respectful distance, his eyes meeting hers with a silent promise of understanding and patience.
"I understand," he replies softly, his voice filled with empathy.
As Akusan turns on her heel, preparing to flee once more. Sam hurries ahead of her, halting her from leaving.
"Wait"
She glances at Sam's hand, her expression a mix of surprise and annoyance.
With a swift motion, she slaps his hand away, her eyes narrowing in warning.
"Don't ever try that again," she hisses, her voice low and filled with menace.
Sam takes a step back, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and defiance.
Despite the warning, he steadies himself, determination flickering in his eyes.
"I just want to help or talk, both, you seem like you got a lot going on and no one other than me seems interested in trying to figure out what you're running from," he says softly, trying to convey sincerity in his voice.
Akusan paused, her expression softening slightly as she repeated Sam's words, "Help... or talk?"
Her brow furrowed in confusion, a hint of vulnerability breaking through her guarded demeanor.
"Why the hell would you want to do that? Do you know what I am?" she asks, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity, as if the notion of someone caring was foreign to her.
Sam hesitates for a moment, considering her question carefully before responding.
"Honestly, I don't know everything about what you are," he admits, his eyes meeting hers with a steady gaze. "But I do know that everyone deserves a chance to be heard, and maybe, just maybe, I can offer you that."
Akusan moves with a speed that startled Sam, positioning herself directly in front of him with an air of primal grace.
Her movements were fluid and deliberate as she leaned in, running her nose from his lower stomach up across his chest, her eyes sharp and suspicious.
"You smell honest," she murmurs, pulling back slightly, her gaze still locked onto his, as if trying to discern the truth of his intentions.
"If this is about sex, I'm not interested," Akusan states bluntly, her voice carrying a hint of disdain. "I would only consider fucking the strong and I've already proved I can whoop your ass on more than one occasion, remember?" She smirks, recalling their earlier confrontation where she had easily overpowered him, her confidence unshaken.
Sam's eyes widened in shock, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson as he vigorously shook his head.
"No, no, it's not like that at all!" he exclaims, waving his hands in front of him as if to ward off the very idea. "I'm saving myself for Maria anyway!" he adds with a comical seriousness, swaying his hands dramatically.
Akusan raises an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at her lips as she watched his flustered antics.
"Then tell me, what do you really want from me?" she asks, her voice tinged with a cautious openness, signaling her willingness to listen to what Sam had to say.
Sam hesitates for a brief moment, trying to find the correct words.
"I-um." he can only stutter.
Akusan studies Sam's face intently, searching for any hint of deception or hidden motives.
She had encountered countless individuals who saw her only as a tool to be wielded, and she wasn't about to fall into another trap.
"I've seen it before," she says, her voice steady but laced with a hint of resignation. "The same look in the eyes of those who want me to do their dirty work, promising freedom in exchange for capturing or defeating something they fear."
"The black cloaks, you think they're different, but they're not," Akusan continues, her voice firm yet laced with empathy. "They will use you just like the purified use of everyone else, dangling promises of freedom only to discard you when you're no longer useful to them."
She pauses, letting her words sink in, before adding, "I've been in your shoes, yellow rabbit, right now, I'm trying to get the hell away from it forever. Live by my own rules, my own conviction."
Sam sighs, taking in every word Akusan spoke.
"I hear you," he finally says, his voice steady and sincere. "I don't want to be another person who takes advantage of you. I just want to understand your world and maybe find a way to help, if you'll let me."
Sam shifts slightly, inching a bit closer on the branch, ensuring his movements were slow and unthreatening.
"I know I have a lot to prove, to myself, to everyone," he admits, his tone earnest, "but I want to show you that I can be an ally, not an adversary." His gaze remains steady, offering a silent assurance that he was there to listen and learn, rather than impose or demand.
"You're angry and you have been given a very good reason to be for a very long time it seems. But these people, the black cloaks, something tells me they're different, that somehow this may all play out well for us. Yeahhh, maybe they are forcing us on a mission of life and death, something you may be very familiar with but they aren't like the people who used you."
Sam takes a brief moment to think before continuing on.
"I believe the black cloaks want to change the world and they want our help. Why else are they having us go through this quest for approval."
Akusan raises an eyebrow, her skepticism evident.
"And what makes you so sure about their intentions, rabbit? Just a while ago, they were ready to end you without a second thought, and during this meeting, I'm sure they didn't exactly roll out the fucking welcome mat." Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she continued, "Maybe you're just eager to play the hero, thinking you can save everyone and everything."
She pauses, observing him closely.
"Why would I risk my neck for a world that has only ever kicked me down?" she spat, her frustration palpable. "They're sending us on a suicide mission against some godforsaken beast, one that I've never even heard of, let alone faced. It's like a bad joke, fighting for a life that, frankly, I'm not sure I give a damn about anymore."
She clenches her fists, her anger mingling with a deep, weary resignation.
Sam leans forward, his eyes filled with determination.
"What if, instead of letting the world keep kicking you down, you make it owe you for every ounce of effort you put in?" he suggests gently. "Imagine proving to them—and to yourself—that you're more than just a weapon or a pawn in their games. You could be the one to change the game entirely, demanding respect and recognition, rather than just spilling blood for your own satisfaction."
His voice steadies as he delivers the harsh truth.
"Aku-look, they need us because we're not like them. We're stronger, faster, and if we wanted, we could be walking destroyers. But choosing not to act on those temptations, that will set us apart. The world and those begging for our help will owe us for that restraint, and it's time we start demanding what we're truly worth."
Akusan pauses once more, absorbing Sam's words, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as a devilish smile curled at the corners of her lips.
There was a spark there, one that hinted at a mix of admiration and something more.
Sam remembers the countless hours spent at the cottage, unknowingly being hidden away from the prying eyes of the outside world.
Each day spent with grueling training sessions from Xavier and Maria that pushed him to his limits, revealing the true extent of his immense strength.
He recalls the moment he accidentally crushed a training dummy with a single blow, the realization dawning on him that he possessed the power to break people if he truly desired.
Sam turns to Akusan, his voice steady but firm.
"I know they think I'm just a naive fool, unaware of my own potential. But I know exactly what I'm capable of, and I choose to hold back because there's something far more important at stake," he explains. "I need to find my sister, Maria, who was taken from me, and follow the last message of guidance from someone very important—it's the only path that makes sense to me now."
Sam's gaze shifts back to Akusan, and his heart skipped a beat as he noticed the distinctive wrappings she wore.
They were unmistakably the same as those belonging to Whisperer, the person responsible for his sister's disappearance and the destruction of his home.
"Those wrappings—they belong to Whisperer... I swore...I swore that what she's done to my family and my life, that I was going to make her regret ever crossing my path."
Akusan glances down at the wrappings around her body, a shadow passing over her face.
"The Whisperer..." she began, her voice tinged with a mix of disdain and anger. "She caught me once during an attempt to escape the purified and wrapped me up so tightly, I thought it would be the end. But then, at the last moment, she released me on the orders of the man I despise the most."
Her eyes meet Sam's, filled with a fiery resolve.
"I intend to find him and the rest of his governors, and then my fucking father to make them pay for every moment I thought I would die in these bindings." Sam listens intently, feeling a surge of empathy for Akusan's plight. Her story mirrored his own pain, and he realized they were both bound by a shared quest for justice or...revenge.
"Then let's join forces," he suggests, his tone softening as he reached out a hand. "Together, we can take down the ones who wronged us and bring peace to our broken worlds."
Akusan hesitates for a moment, then shakes her head with a grim smile.
"Peace? I don't have a world to bring peace to, rabbit. Nor do I care what happens to this world or any other once they're gone. All I want is to see them pay for every scar they've left on me, and for every nightmare they've forced me to live through."
Akusan's hands clench into fists, her sharp nails biting into her palms until blood oozes from the crescent-shaped wounds.
This act of self-inflicted pain seemed to fuel her resolve, a physical manifestation of the deep-seated hatred she harbored for those who had wronged her.
"Every day, I carry the weight of their cruelty," Akusan continues, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of bitterness. "No, It's not even just about the scars on my skin—it's about the ones they left on my soul. They took so much from me and I want them to experience the same helplessness and despair they inflicted upon me, to understand what it's like to have everything ripped away."
Sam nods, his gaze unwavering.
"I promise to stand by you, to help you track them down and make them pay for their sins," he vows, feeling the weight of his words settle over him like a mantle.
In his heart, Sam knew he was stepping into a dark and uncertain path, but he couldn't turn his back on Akusan's pain.
He didn't fully grasp the depths of the vengeance she sought, yet he was compelled by a sense of justice that demanded retribution for the wrongs they both had endured.
Despite the grim promise made, Sam's heart skipped a beat, a wave of disbelief washing over him as he realized he had managed to sway the seemingly unshakable Akusan.
It was a rare feat, convincing someone so resolute to entertain his perspective, even if some elements were exaggerated truths.
For a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the unexpected triumph, feeling a newfound sense of hope and camaraderie in their shared mission.
Akusan walks up beside Sam with a fluid grace, her devilish smile widening.
"Alright then, yellow rabbit," she teases, nudging him playfully, "if we're going to do this, let's start with that beast. Give me a sample of its blood or something it owns, and I'll track it down."
Her confidence was infectious, and Sam couldn't help but grin back, feeling their alliance solidify with each shared challenge.
Emerging from the shadows, Grandmother, flanked by the other black cloaks, steps forward with a knowing look.
"I can help with that," she says, holding out a vial of the creature's fluids.
Akusan turns to Grandmother with a suspicious look.
"Mhmm, you again, Granny," she says with unenthusiasm.
Grandmother flicks her wrist with practiced precision, sending the vial sailing through the air effortlessly.
"Yes, me again." She replies with the same energy but more playfully.
It spun gracefully, catching the night light as it arced toward Akusan.
With deft reflexes, Akusan snatches it mid-air,.
Owen and the other black cloaks exchange bewildered glances, caught off guard by the abrupt shift in Akusan's demeanor, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Leano shakes his head in utter bewilderment, turning to the others.
"Is it just me, or has that devil done a complete 180?" he marvels, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I guess she doesn't want to kill us anymore—haha, who knew she'd ever play along like this?"
Genevieve chuckles, rolling her eyes before swiftly grabbing Leano in a playful headlock.
"Come on, Leano," she teased, tightening her grip just enough to make him squirm, "play nice! If Akusan's on board, that means we're not on the menu anymore, and they might just have a shot at taking down the night creature."
Leano let out a muffled laugh, raising his hands in mock surrender, while Owen nods in agreement.
Akusan deftly uncorked the vial, raising it to her nose for a quick sniff.
Her eyes narrow with determination, and without a word, she gestures for Sam to follow her as she launches herself into the forest with renewed urgency.
Before following, Sam glances back at Grandmother.
"Grandmother, you better keep your promise," Sam leaps after Akusan, "because we're about to take down this night creature once and for all!"
Grandmother chuckles softly, calling after them, "Don't worry, my dear. I've never broken a promise yet, and I'm not about to start now. Just remember, it's not the size of the beast but the size of the heart that matters!"
Grandmother's smile slowly fades, replaced by a quieter, more contemplative expression as she watches Sam and Akusan leap away into the unknown.
"Friends are important, Sam, but don't let what happens to them hinder your progress. Ender has great plans for you, it'll be a shame if you were to lose your way." Grandmother says to herself.
To Be Continued.