Chapter 35
The Gelflings, Arathim, and the two Skeksis walked through the forest together, heading west like Naia had told them to. Nobody has said a single word to each other ever since they left the Castle of the Crystal, an awkward silence filling between them.
Finally, Gurjin couldn't take it anymore.
"Man, I hate awkward silence."
"Well, there's something we can agree on." Skektek said.
"I'm pretty sure everyone hates awkward silence." Kylan smirked.
"We should talk about something, so that it's not so awkward." The male Drenchen suggested, looking back at the Skeksis. "Like, why did you guys go all quiet after Naia started talking about the creatures?"
Skektek and Skeksil looked at each other, unsure if they should tell him why. However, they didn't have to decide, as all of a sudden, Naia stopped. "We're here."
The group looked through the ferns that hid them, and the two Skeksis gasped at what they saw.
It was exactly as Naia had described it.
Strange creatures dressed in bulky white worked around the clearing, building shelters and ripping trees out of the ground with their big machines. If they looked inside one of the bigger machines that had more Tree Rippers sitting inside, they could clearly see the Gelflings that had been captured, sitting on their knees in cramped little cages.
Over to the side, a large fire was burning, and the two Skeksis nearly gagged when they saw the dead bodies of Gelflings and the creatures being incinerated.
Naia was right.
This was an invasion.
"I don't believe it." Skeksil shook his head. "The Heretic was right."
"The Heretic?" Kylan asked in confusion. "Who is that?"
"One of our own whom we banished to the far lands of Thra." Skektek answered. "He and his Mystic. They warned us about these creatures long ago, but we didn't believe them. To think that their talk of nonsense was true."
"We must inform the Emperor immediately about this." Skeksil decided. "Who knows what these creatures could do."
"I agree." Naia nodded. "Let's go, before we are seen."
But, before they could do anything, a shout was heard, and an object went whizzing past them. They've been spotted!
"Run!" Naia shouted.
Turning as one, the Gelflings, the Spitter, and the Skeksis ran back through the forest, trying to outrun the darts that were shot at them, trying to get back to the castle. Footsteps were heard behind them. Many footsteps. They were coming after them!
"Spitter!" Gurjin called to the Arathim.
The Arathim shrieked and turned, spitting its venom at their pursuers, hitting against the black glass domes. The creatures cried out in surprise and stumbling against each other, trying the wipe the gooey green substance out of their sights.
The diversion is just what the creatures of Thra needed to get away.
They panted as they ran as fast as they could, all the way back to the castle, not willing to stop even to catch their breaths, despite how far the dark castle was from the forest. They couldn't risk themselves getting caught.
When they finally reached the castle, they all fell as one, either on the floor or against the walls, panting for breath.
"That was way too close." Gurjin coughed. "We're lucky those creatures have such bad aim."
"Now is not the time to joke around, Gurjin." Naia huffed, turning her attention to the Skeksis, who looked like they were about to pass out. "We need to get to the Emperor."
"Right." Skeksil nodded, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He stood up from the wall and straightened himself. "This way then. We mustn't keep him waiting."
The Gelflings nodded and stood up, following the Chamberlain Skeksis back to the throne room, with Skektek following behind them, followed by the Spitter. When they reached the throne room, all of the Skeksis were waiting around, all looking very anxious and chattering with impatience. Even the Emperor was pacing around in front of his throne.
"Royal sire, we have returned." Skeksil announced.
The chatter immediately stopped and they all turned as one to the group. The Skeksis all stepped up to the group, anxious to hear what Skeksil and Skektek had seen.
"Is it true?"
"Was the Gelfling right?"
"Are there creatures invading Thra?"
"Is it what the Heretic said?"
"Enough!" The Emperor called, stomping his staff against the ground to silence his followers and gain their attention. He stepped up to the two Skeksis, his gaze on them hard and demanding. "Well?"
"It's just as the Heretic said." Skektek nodded. "Creatures dressed in white, with machines big enough to rip the trees have come to Thra. Whether they are here to invade or not is still yet to be decided."
"They have captured many of the Gelflings." Skeksil added. "And many others have been killed. We saw their bodies being burned just across the clearing."
"Bah!" The Emperor growled, turning away. "The female Drenchen was right. We'll lose precious essence this way. We cannot let this go on."
"As much as we don't agree with your morals." Naia frowned. "We cannot do this alone. Will you join us in our fight against these creatures?"
The Skeksis were silent, all watching their Emperor to see what he would choose.
Would he have them join the Gelflings in battle?
Or will he let the Gelflings suffer on their own, and let these creatures take Thra for themselves?
The Emperor huffed and turned back to look at Naia after thinking it over.
"... Yes… we will join your fight."