Chapter 32
Naia, Gurjin, and Kylan, along with a bunch of other Gelflings stood around the fire pit, their spirits saddened as they sent more lost warriors back to Thra.
Their numbers were down tremendously after they had charged at the creatures invading their planet and destroying the forest, ready to die for their planet… and die most of them did.
These creatures were not the brightest, but they were quick on their feet, and obviously skilled in combat, more so than the Gelflings themselves.
Gelflings from each of the seven clans were lost to either death, or being captured and placed in one of their big machines. Even with the Arathim on their side, they were no match for the creatures, even if most of them panicked at the sight of the Spitters.
They were outnumbered, and outsized as well, the strange creatures being taller and bulkier than them, and stronger as well. Of course, they were able to kill a few creatures themselves, but the creatures of Thra lost the bigger numbers than the invaders did.
"We cannot let this happen again." Naia said solemnly.
"Naia…" Gurjin started, but his sister held her hand up, stopping him.
"No Gurjin. We lost too many warriors. We cannot afford to lose more." The female Drenchen sighed. "We will not go after the invaders anymore."
"But Naia…"
"Gurjin we can't. They outnumber us, and they outsmart us." She turned to him. "We can't fight them Gurjin. We're no match for them. We can't afford to lose anymore warriors. Not when we still have a battle with the Skeksis to prepare for."
"Wait…" Kylan started suddenly. "Maybe that's it."
"What's it?" Gurjin asked the Spritton.
"We may not be a match for those creatures, even with the Arathim fighting alongside us… but what if we could convince the Skeksis to join our fight?"
"Convince the Skeksis to fight on our side?!" Naia gasped in disbelief, causing a few other eavesdropping Gelflings to gasp as well. "Are you insane?! That's like asking a podling to take a bath! There is no way the Skeksis will ever join us!"
"But we have to try." Kylan frowned. "After all, think of it this way. To them, if these invaders win, then the Skeksis may not have anymore Gelfling to drain for essence anymore, and surely they don't want to lose that. After all, we are the only creatures of Thra that can keep them alive at this point."
Naia frowned, admitting to herself that Kylan was right. If they were to tell that to the Skeksis, then perhaps they very well may join the fight against these creatures. Kylan was right. They had to try.
"Alright." Naia nodded. "I will try to convince the Skeksis to join us, just this one time."
"Oh no you don't, sis." Gurjin argued. "You are not going to the Castle of the Crystal to convince those scraggly, gnarly reptiles by yourself."
"Then I'll take a Spitter with me." His sister rolled her eyes.
"No, Kylan and I will go with you."
"Gurjin, somebody needs to stay here and train these warriors to fight."
"They are trained enough." Kylan said to her. "Gurjin is right. You cannot go alone, so we will go with you. And if there is a Spitter willing to come with us, we would appreciate it."
Immediately, one of the younger Spitters stepped up, and Gurjin immediately recognized it as the one he hugged after running the Skeksis out of Stone In The Wood. The Drenchen nodded at it. "Thank you, friend."
Naia nodded. "Alright. We have our team. Let's go talk to the Skeksis, and hope that this isn't a big mistake."