The Chain
The waters of Sandover Village's fountain were as still as glass. Even the seaside breeze couldn't rupture it. That was how Gol was able to examine the pale face that stared back out at him.
As he leaned over the bowl to get a closer look, his blond hair fell over his left shoulder. It was kept in a low tie, and dangled dangerously close to the water. But Gol hardly noticed, as his own eyes had captivated him. They were definitely a deeper blue the last time he'd examined them properly.
"Ah, Gol!" a voice called from somewhere high above. Gol straightened up to see Samos Hagai descending from the top of his hut. It never ceased to amaze Gol how he could keep his balance with a log on top of his head. Somehow, his greying hair kept it securely in place.
"Samos," Gol greeted with a wave.
The Green Sage landed beside him. "I apologise for my absence. I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long."
"Not at all," Gol said. As soon as he'd emerged from Samos' portal, the floorboards rippled underneath him. A faint thud from somewhere below accompanied it. The ruckus was enough to wake the rather docile plant-creature that he and Samos had created by combining their respective Ecos. He'd rushed downstairs to see Samos' young daughter, Kira, covered from head to toe in a fine black powder, and pulling apart a machine with unusual dexterity for a child. She happily informed him about the Sage's excursion to Volcanic Crater, and promptly went back to dismantling. Gol hovered nearby for a while, ready to step in to prevent another explosion of soot, or, Precursors forbid, something worse. But thankfully, Kira had quickly grown bored of the machine, and disappeared into her room. Bored himself, Gol then decided to wander down to the rounded huts that made up the village. He only got as far as the fountain before remembering the looks people in Steephead Village would give him. Did his reputation proceed him? He opted not to find out.
Gol smiled. "It's good to see you again. How are things?"
"I can't complain. All is well - something I'm still not quite used to," Samos replied with a hearty chuckle. "I trust everything's dandy on your end?"
It was a staple reply of his. Teasing, almost. Perhaps one day Samos will tell of his 'troubled' past.
Gol shrugged. "More or less."
"Good, good. Did that fellow with the 'crispy' foot come to see you?"
"He did. That's why I'm here."
"And I gather it didn't go well?"
Gol shook his head. Samos beckoned for him to follow, and started to float back up the wooden bridge. It gave a creak of protest when Gol put his weight on it.
"I thought you might have wanted to see the damage before I sent Crispy Foot on his way. He kept yammering on about me being a 'terrible Sage' when I gave him the bad news," Samos explained, grounding himself on the rock pillar between his hut and the mainland. "It's not my fault he stuck his foot in Dark Eco!" He muttered something under his breath, then gave Gol an apologetic smile. "I just hope he wasn't more trouble than what he was worth."
The palm tree that stood nearby began to rock violently. The tail of Gol's coat followed its rhythm eagerly. It was then that he noticed his companion's attire. How could Samos wear so little when living by the sea called for anything but?
"I don't think it's possible to be a fully-fledged Sage until an 'all-knowing' villager questions your abilities." That earned him a bark of laughter from Samos, but Gol found himself inwardly cringing. It was a remark more suited to come from Maia's mouth. "But yes, the man proved to be very resourceful indeed. Do you know what he told me? The Dark Eco he stepped in was liquid. Pure concentrated liquid - and at the surface of all places!"
Gol cast his gaze out to the object of his desire: A veil of mist that took up most of the horizon. The infamous island certainly lived up to its name.
"So I've heard," Samos said quietly. There was a strange look behind those spectacles that normally made his green eyes look comically huge.
"Samos? What's the matter?"
A sigh escaped from the Green Sage's lips. "I think you should forget about all of this."
"What do you mean? Is Misty Island truly that dangerous?"
"From what I've heard… but that's not why."
Something twisted deep in Gol's stomach, but he ignored it. Surely there was a good explanation for his comment?
"I sent that young man to you for a reason. I knew there was nothing you could do for him," Samos said.
"You sent him to inform me of the Dark Eco?"
"I sent him to warn you about it."
Gol took a step back from Samos. "Why?"
"Because I know you and Maia have been channelling Dark Eco."
He should have recognised that strange look Samos gave - the one he was so accustomed to receiving back at home. How could he have known though that it was one of wariness? It was so unfamiliar on his friend's face.
"How do you know that?" Was it his appearance? Was the change that noticeable?
"I spoke with Maia about it," Samos replied.
Gol furrowed his brows. "When was this?"
"Oh… a little while ago now."
A little while ago? That was something his sister had failed to mention to him…
Samos shook his head. "We're getting off track here. Gol, you should know as well as I that Dark Eco, at its core, is dangerous. It simply can't be controlled. You need to stop channelling it before something goes terribly wrong."
Gol blinked. How could he say such a reductive thing? He'd have thought that as a fellow Sage and friend, Samos would be supportive of such a ground-breaking experiment! And again, just like the previous day with that young boy and his unpleasant father, he found himself without words. There was no raging fire within to draw fuel from. There was only a cold bitterness that washed over him, and seized his tongue.
"I… I understand," Gol managed.
Samos nodded, and an uneasy silence settled over them. It was accompanied by the waves crashing into the rocks below. Gol unclasped his shaky hands from behind his back and tucked them deeply into opposite sleeves. Everything felt surreal - like he wasn't in his own body anymore. It was as if he was tethered and floating above, looking down at himself and Samos.
And he so desperately wanted to float away.
"By the way, where is Maia?" Samos finally said, battling to be heard over a particularly thunderous clap of water.
Gol stared straight ahead. "She'll be here shortly."
"Is she still searching for more Precursor metal to smith?"
Their talk must have been recent, as she'd only taken up smithing a little while ago.
"Yes," Gol said.
"I can see she's improving in the craft. Your knee guards - they're quite the thing! I'll have to ask her to make me a pair."
Gol looked down at his pants. Maia had carefully shaped out the ovals from melted Precursor scrap, and attached them to some cloth so he could tie them around his knees. It was a gift: the first proper thing she had created that she was completely satisfied with. It was something he cherished dearly.
All that Gol could muster was a small smile. As he continued to stare out at the eerie blanket of mist, he could feel Samos' scrutinising gaze on him. Did Samos forget what he was the Sage of? There was still so much to learn about Dark Eco, and it seemed as if he was the only one willing to uncover its secrets.
He couldn't give up now.
Gol licked his lips, tasting salt. "So how would one go about travelling to Misty Island?"
Samos exhaled deeply from his nostrils.
"I assure you," Gol continued, steadying his voice, "if I obtain the concentrated Eco, it won't be misused."
After what felt like eons, Samos tapped the end of his staff on the ground. "I'm sure the village's fisherman can lend you his boat." His staff went swinging towards one of the huts that lined the cliffs. Gol leapt back to avoid its path. "He lives in that one over there."
"Thank you. I should be going now. Preparations will have to be made as soon as possible."
It wasn't that urgent, as Maia wouldn't be here until later. He just wanted to put as much distance between him and that wary look Gol figured would now be permanently affixed to Samos' face during every subsequent meeting. Perhaps with time and demonstration, he could change the Sage's mind about Dark Eco channelling…
…just as he had to win the villagers over with him being a Sage of Dark Eco.
"I trust you'll do the right thing, Gol - for your sake and for Maia's."
It took all of Gol's willpower to nod. He turned on his heel, and made off to the hut pointed out.
"And just be careful, for Precursor's sake! I've heard that island is nothing but trouble!" he heard Samos call over the waves.
No amount of trouble would ever deter him from getting his hands on that concentrated Dark Eco. They could handle themselves.
xxx
"Who would have thought that one of those pathetic villagers finally had something useful to say?" Maia mused.
She was lounged at the front of the boat, legs crossed and propped over the gunwale. Her welder's goggles that rested on her forehead did nothing to stop her blonde hair whipping wildly over her face. Behind her, the wall of mist over the violent waters grew larger and larger.
Gol gave her a sidelong glance.
Maia smirked. "And yet, you're even more sulky than usual."
Now she had his full, piercing gaze.
"Don't give me that look," Maia said, threading a hand through her billowing hair so he could see her eyes roll. "It's true. You've hardly said a word since I arrived. So what's the matter? I thought you'd be pleased at the very least."
Gol blinked, taken aback by her bluntness. "I am. But…"
Maia drew her boots back into the boat and leaned in close. "But what?"
A pang hit his stomach. He couldn't even spit out Samos' name, let alone confront her about her secret meeting with him.
He sighed. "But nothing."
Maia eyed him for a moment, then shrugged. She returned to her previous position, letting her gaze drift skyward.
The two fell silent, and all that could be heard was the steady groan of the wind turbine and the slap of rough water against the hull. With nothing better to do, he opted to look back towards the mainland, and watched as it grew more and more distant. Before long, Samos' hut became nothing more than a hazy blob as the mist eventually swallowed them whole.
The air went crisp and hit them hard. Through the grey veil, Gol spotted Maia shivering.
"Would you like my coat, dear sister?"
The top-half of her attire was a thin white blouse and a waistcoat that was bound together at the front by lace, exposing her midriff. A red scarf was also tied around her neck, but was too short to cover the part of her chest that was exposed. Like him, she was pale, as if she'd hardly seen the light of day. Most people believed it too, given their reclusive behaviour. But that wasn't quite true, and they both never corrected anyone who assumed so.
She let out a snort, and his concern dissipated like the sea spray that was launched in the air around them.
"At least that hasn't changed."
"What hasn't?" Gol asked, watching with narrowed eyes as she lazily rolled her head to him.
"That you're slowly starting to sound like an elder, as well as looking like one."
How was that in any way related to offering his coat? Her attempts at teasing him were becoming more and more desperate lately.
"We're the same age."
"Sometimes I wonder," she drawled with a sly grin.
It took all of his effort not to grit his teeth. The only thing that could possibly make his day worse was if the injured man was lying about the Dark Eco on the island.
xxx
Great care had to be taken whilst navigating into the bay. With the blanket of mist still in full force, stray jagged rocks that peppered the surrounding waters could end their expedition in a heartbeat. As they came closer, aiming to moor on the far edge of the bay, the mist thinned out, and the island finally revealed itself. Dead trees and skeletons of behemoth-like creatures crowned its rocky landscape. Not even a patch of green could be seen amongst the monotonous grey. An unnatural silence also hung in the air, and the smell - a mix between rotting flesh and faeces - wafted out to greet them. It was enough to send Gol's gag reflex into a frenzy.
It was difficult not to imagine that this was where things eventually went to die.
Gol was the first off the boat, and his eyes immediately caught a colour other than grey on the nearby ground. His breath hitched. A handful of shallow craters dribbled down to the water's edge, and were all filled to the brim with what appeared to be a purple substance.
Concentrated Dark Eco. It was real.
In all his life, Gol had never seen it in this form, only in small floating Eco clusters. He theorised that the more concentrated forms of it were buried deep underground. So how was it that it was here at the surface in such an odd fashion? If they'd moored any closer, it would have been entirely likely for one of them to accidentally step in a puddle upon disembarking.
Maia joined his side, shaking him out of his thoughts.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Gol murmured, kneeling down to get a closer look at the puddle. Its surface was streaked with glossy purples, violets, and blacks, and almost appeared to be alive and breathing, spitting out the occasional wisp. If the puddle held a reflection, it would have projected back the two siblings' awe-struck expressions.
"It certainly is," agreed Maia.
She crouched down and dipped her hand low enough that her fingers almost grazed the frenzied surface. Five blobs promptly lifted up and began to seep into her fingertips.
Gol's mouth parted slightly. So it can still be channelled in its liquid form. He studied Maia's face as she continued to absorb it. She didn't seem bothered by it in the slightest.
Thoughts of Samos - long forgotten ever since Gol laid eyes upon the Eco - stirred up again. What did that old fool know, anyway?
Rolling up his sleeves, Gol let his fingertips glide just above the purple surface. While absorbing Dark Eco clusters and handling Dark Eco in general, extreme caution had to be exercised. Burning was the most common outcome - one that he was certainly no stranger to. He didn't need to imagine how much worse it would be in its liquid form; he already had an example served up to him by Samos.
Small ripples followed Gol's hand. The ends of his fingers tingled with anticipation. However, not a single drop lurched up to be absorbed. Steadying his hand, he closed his eyes and forced the world around him into a silence. It was fortunate that the island was so lifeless. With the amount of concentration he needed for the task, something as insignificant as a chirping bird would most likely throw him off completely.
Finally, a deep chill crept through his fingers and pooled in his palm. A faint prickle followed all the way up his arm and hit his chest. Startled by this, he opened his eyes. The feeling was tenfold stronger than what he was used to.
While Maia removed her hands from the pool and stood, Gol remained, taking as much as he possibly could. Unlike her, as soon as he had absorbed Eco, it would gradually leave his body where it had entered - as if he were actively rejecting it.
Maia flicked her wrist, and a sprout of Dark Eco twirled from her fingertips, fading into a purple mist. Already feeling the icy sensation in his palm start to slowly recede back to his fingertips, Gol stood and did the same, except he produced only a miniscule puff.
Maia threw her head back as she cackled. "Don't worry, brother. You'll get it eventually."
Gol turned his back to her, grounding his teeth. She knew very well that his ability to channel Eco was a sore spot, and yet she still teased.
"Help me prepare the canisters," he finally said. "We should also see if there are any more puddles like these."
When Maia didn't reply, Gol whirled around to see her staring off at the cliff across the bay. He stormed over to her. "Did you hear a word of what I said?"
"That's Precursor metal!" she exclaimed.
Gol blinked at her. "What?"
He followed her gaze, and examined the cliff through the thinning mist. Sure enough, there was a distinct metallic shine to it the further up it went.
"There's a Precursor structure here," Maia said, now looking at Gol with wide eyes. "Let's go around to see it!"
"Perhaps later on. We have work to do first," he said, and started off to the boat.
"Oh, come now. The Eco isn't going anywhere."
"Neither is the Precursor Structure."
Maia gave a snort. Gol looked back around in time to see her throw a wave over her shoulder as she strode off. She weaved between the puddles of Eco, which continued up further, becoming smaller and shallower as the path narrowed and sharply bent off behind a wall of uneven rock.
With or without him, he realised with annoyance, she was going to explore it.
He glanced back at the boat, which rocked against its mooring. The empty canisters clanged together in harmony with the waves. He couldn't collect all the Eco by himself. It was a two person job at the very least.
"Wait for me," he called with a groan, and gave the canisters one last look before setting off.
When he reached Maia, she scoffed. "Where's this 'danger' Samos spoke of?"
They had passed the last little puddle of Dark Eco. From here onwards, there were no more to be seen.
"He probably meant the Eco," Gol replied with a sigh. Briefly, he thought of bringing up her talk with Samos again. Perhaps there was a good reason for her choosing not to tell him?
As they reached the sharp bend, Gol couldn't help but feel uneasy - as if eyes were on him. It was a feeling akin to when he would walk through his own village. Naturally, he dismissed it, and it wasn't long before another feeling took its place: the faintest of pulls. Every inch of his body wanted to stay locked onto the path that led to the Precursor structure.
They eventually came to a gigantic ribcage that was lodged in-between a passage that tapered out. A foul odour crept up Gol's nostrils. The path had ended, and was filled with mud.
"Urgh. Is there another way around?" Gol said, pinching the end of his nose and scrunching his face.
Maia had already slipped down into it. Much to Gol's disgust, the mud stopped at her chest. Why did it have to be so deep?
"Don't be such a child," she snapped, and began to wade through the passage.
"A child would love this," Gol mumbled to himself.
Slowly, he lowered himself into the brown sludge. He then trudged on in her wake, dry-heaving with each squelch and slosh. After a few agonising moments, something moved out of the corner of his eye. He turned. Did the filthy surface just stir? He chalked it up to being a stray rock falling in from somewhere high above.
The pit ended where the belly of the gigantic creature would have been. The rest of the ribcage was firmly lodged into the ground, tunnelling Gol and Maia out into a small clearing that had yet another, albeit smaller, mud pit. Luckily, this one had a stepping-stone that they used to cross, bringing them to a larger clearing. To their left was a drop to a watery grave. To their right, a wall of Precursor metal, with a couple of large steps leading up to a concentric feature that Gol assumed to be a door. Two pillars on either side of it sent beams of yellow light skyward, slicing through the grey.
That slight pulling sensation that overcame Gol had gradually morphed into what he could only describe as a chain wrapped around his torso, dragging him with unrelenting force.
"Do you feel that?" Gol asked.
Maia nodded absently. She then walked over to the stairs, peering at its inscription. "Life."
"Only 'life'?" Gol looked incredulous. The whole staircase was covered in symbols. Upon closer inspection however, he realised it really was just 'life', but repeated over and over again.
Maia climbed up the stairs, and Gol followed close behind. When the door didn't open at her approach, Maia let out a groan. She placed her hand at the centre, then ran her fingers over the spiral grooves.
"I finally come across a Precursor door, and it's locked," she muttered. "It may need some Blue Eco to open."
She was the expert on all things Precursor, not him. So where on this dull rock would they find Blue Eco?
Deep, throaty grunts emanated from behind, making Gol's hairs stand on end. The two siblings twisted around to see a couple of hulking creatures slink towards the staircase. They were covered in shaggy purple fur, and wore nothing but a white loincloth. Their hands and feet were gigantic compared to their limbs, and the hunch of their back made it seem as if their heads had sprouted out from the centre of their chests. A broad, bone-like jaw with spurs topped off the unnerving sight, and their beady black eyes swum in an ocean of sickly yellow.
"What are those things?" Maia breathed, taking a step back.
"Lurkers," Gol whispered back. Babaks to be more specific, but that wasn't important right now. What was though, was where in Precursor's name had they come from? From what he saw, the island was practically deserted.
Maia blinked in disbelief. "They're Lurkers?"
Gol nodded. This was the first time he had laid eyes upon a Babak outside of books and sketches. The Lurkers they normally encountered were the more common snakes, crabs, and fish. Were these ones as aggressive as their smaller counterparts? Were they capable of understanding the native tongue?
"We don't want any trouble. We'll leave," Gol tried, raising his hands in a calming gesture.
One of them let out a snarl, and another Lurker shimmied down from the behemoth's ribcage. This one had a dark blue coat of fur, and was clad in bone armour. It began to saunter over to the small gathering in front of the steps.
Gol's eyes immediately locked on to the bone club that rested over its shoulder.
If they could get the Precursor door open, then maybe -
Maia took a sharp breath. Abruptly, her arm shot out. A small ball of Dark Eco burst from her palm, letting off a sound that mimicked sheets ripping in two. One of the purple Lurkers cried out. The force of the blast was enough to send it tumbling backwards and straight over the cliff.
Maia paused for a moment, examining her palm with awe. "We can take them," she said, clenching her fist to produce another ball of Eco.
"But I -"
The other two Lurkers went into a frenzy. Teeth like razor-sharp cones were now bared. The one that wielded the club began to spin it wildly around its head, slicing the air with a whir. They started towards the twins.
Maia descended the staircase, sending the bone-clad Lurker over the cliff with a well-placed Eco ball to the face. Gol, however, found himself rooted to the ancient metal beneath him. He brought up a hand, and willed a ball of Eco to appear. All he could manage was a puff of purple. Much to his amazement, from within it, a tiny spark crackled. He fought to keep it alive. It was a start at least. Just a little more, he told himself, and maybe he would have something workable. But at that moment, a Lurker had dropped down in front of him. An otherworldly echo greeted Gol as his back hit the Precursor door. The puff of Eco vanished. He could do nothing now but stare at the monster's pulsating black pupils - the eyes of starvation.
The depictions in books didn't hold a candle to the real thing. Did Lurkers normally petrify their prey? Make them an easy meal? For some bizarre reason, Gol tried to recall whether or not he had read that somewhere.
The Lurker's lips pulled back so far that Gol could see black rot on its teeth and gums. Blobs of saliva dripped down its bone-like jaw. It then straightened its back, and a giant mitt swung high in the air. Gol sunk low and tensed, preparing for the first swipe to pierce flesh.
A sharp tearing sound cut through the air.
The Lurker was flung at him - as if the bones in its body had suddenly melted. Its body crushed Gol against the Precursor door for a moment, before tumbling to the ground in a heap. Its back was a deep, bloody gorge. The purple fur that was left was also singed black, and small wisps of smoke trailed upwards. Gol looked up to see Maia catching her breath nearby. How big of an Eco ball did she conjure?
Maia threw her arms up as she approached the stairs. "What are you doing just standing there? Shoot one of them!"
"I'm trying!"
"Try harder!" Maia hissed. She then eyed the large bone structure. "We have more company."
Gol followed her gaze to see two more of the bone-toting Lurkers charging from the mud pit. Another purple-coated one was also scurrying down from the rib cage.
She resumed her assault without a second glance at him.
Gol allowed himself a deep breath. He then descended the stairs to stand abreast with Maia, and tried again to will some Eco into his palms. He could feel the deep chill - although it was only in his fingers now. His arm prickled as well, meaning that there was a bit of Eco still flowing through his body. But what about Maia? Killing his assailant must have cost her greatly. He observed the balls of Eco she hurled at the Lurkers with a grimace: Just as he suspected, they were indeed smaller now. More worryingly though, they lacked the explosive power that her very first strike had, only stalling and driving the Lurkers to a stumble – making them even more unruly.
Gol did a quick scan of the immediate area. Of course there weren't any Eco puddles here.
It took a couple of direct hits for one of the Lurkers to fall, but the other was already upon them. It took a swing at Maia's head. She ducked, missing the club by a hair's breadth. The Lurker quickly closed the gap. Another blurry white arc followed. The club went low, and this time, Maia was too close to dodge. Gol threw himself between the two. The bone connected with his stomach, and sent him sprawling into Maia. Air rushed out of his lungs as he came to an awkward landing on his side.
He took a breath, but the air wouldn't go back in.
His heart pounded in his ears. Just barely, he heard his name being called like an echo.
After a moment, Maia crouched over him. Their attacker laid motionless nearby. Behind her, he spotted the mud pit - their only exit. Bones clunked heavily in the distance, and individual huffs became a chorus. How many more of these creatures were there? Whatever the number, they couldn't stay and fight them off any longer. Surely Maia knew that by now. Gol wanted to voice this to her, but each heave he took made no difference to his current breathless state.
"Boat," he mouthed, pointing a shaky finger to the path. She helped him upright, but his empty lungs forced his body back to a hunched position.
A horrid realisation struck him: Maia couldn't possibly carry him and fend off the Lurkers at the same time… but she'd be able to escape with her life if she left him here.
For the alternative was death having them both.
Again, she tried to pull him up, but this time he shook her off and beckoned with a hand for her to leave.
"Not without you!" Maia exclaimed. She dragged him upright by his coat, slung his arm over her shoulder, and held him tight. His whole body ached in protest.
The unnerving noises grew louder, and came from somewhere behind them. Maia spun around and unleashed a volley of small Dark Eco balls. Gol found himself back on the ground again. He didn't know if she was successful in her attack. All he could do was stare ahead at the clear path to the mud pit. But something stirred within it. Bubbles formed at the surface and popped. The mud peeled back to reveal a pair of yellow eyes.
Gol had only ever seen such a thing in his Creatures of the Land book: The Quicksand Lurker.
Its head followed, and it inhaled deeply. Maia had heard it, and turned too late. A small ball of purple was already rushing toward her. It hit her square in the stomach. She staggered back. Something shifted in her eyes as her head, as if cranked by a lever, lowered so her chin rested on her chest.
All at once, the air rushed back into his lungs. "Maia?"
She dropped to her knees. Lines of agony spread across her face like a plague. Thin streams of blood ran over fingers that clutched at brutalised flesh.
Her attacker let out a cheer, and sunk back into the mud. Then, with a bellow, the Lurker she had been previously dealing with came charging, swinging its weapon wildly above its head.
Gol was too late to intercept. The bone club came crashing into the side of Maia's head.
Blotches of crimson splattered onto the rocky surface.
She slumped to the ground.
"Maia!" Gol cried.
A blow like that could be fatal… and she wasn't moving.
Gol barely recognised his own scream. The pain that plagued his body drained away, replaced only by numbness. His vision tunnelled. At the end of that tunnel wasn't a white light, but the Lurker who was towering over Maia.
The one who'd dared to touch his sister.
He lunged forwards, latching onto its back and grasping fistfuls of grimy hair. The creature roared and dropped its club. It tossed this way and that, trying desperately to reach behind.
Gol had a fist ready to slam into the Lurker's face when something sharp dug into his shoulder blade. He cried out, and was ripped away from the Lurker's back. Another Lurker had come to assist, tossing Gol like he weighed nothing. Colours burst in front of his eyes as he landed, momentarily lighting up the grey sky above him.
He angled his throbbing head to see Maia nearby. Her hands had fallen away from her exposed stomach, revealing a dark bloody hole surrounded by bulging black veins.
She'd been shot with Dark Eco.
Tears welled in his eyes, and his trembling fists balled.
How dare they use his own Eco against him!
Gol was almost up again, already searching frantically for a nearby Lurker to strike out at, when a low growl resonated around the rocky landscape. Or was it the ground rumbling beneath his feet? Devoid of mind and unable to process bodily senses, he couldn't tell. Either way, it sent them all into a complete silence and stillness. His brows creased as the Lurkers parted to form two lines leading towards the Precursor stairs.
They were all much too organised for such savage things.
Sobering up at the peculiar sight, he staggered to his feet and glanced back at Maia. The Lurkers had calmed, leaving him an opening to escape. But was there even a point in that anymore?
Not without you.
Tears finally fell freely down his hollow cheeks; its biting chill on par with the feeling of the miniscule amounts of Eco he had left in him.
Gol scoffed. The Eco that he couldn't even utilise when he needed it.
He found himself drifting over to her, needing to see her face one last time before he handed himself over to the beasts, but it was hidden by her dishevelled, bloodied hair.
Her face… Never again would he see that smirk she'd don when she teased him, or that thoughtful frown when she was mulling over a design or reading a book.
Perhaps he would see it again in death.
The acidic smell of the Eco eating through flesh started to hit his nose when he stopped. There was a slight rise and fall of her chest.
His heart skipped a beat.
Did he imagine that?
Gol fell to his knees and crawled the remaining distance to her. Gently, he pushed her hair out of her face and cupped his hand lightly over her nose and mouth. The slightest bit of warmth tickled his palm.
He let out a shaky breath. She was alive!
"Maia?" he whispered, giving her a slight shake. Her head lolled in response.
It didn't matter right now if he couldn't wake her. He could still carry her away from here, and -
A mechanical hiss ripped his attention away from Maia. He looked up in time to see each of the Lurkers' necks straighten and angle towards the Precursor door. The door itself had split into six slices and pulled back, revealing what looked to be an arena. It was a poor angle to view from, and all that could be discerned was a strange green light.
That same resonant sound boomed again. But now, it sounded more like a distant and distorted human voice, and came from within the structure.
"Trespasser."
A humongous Lurker stepped through the doorway - the biggest creature Gol had ever laid eyes on. Its fur was a deeper shade of blue than its smaller counterparts, and it wore a black loin cloth and matching foot wraps. Short curved horns also protruded out of its skull, pointing skyward. But most bizarrely, the beast wore an amulet. Its green stone shined almost as intensely as the strange light inside the structure.
It approached slowly; every footfall it made produced a vibration in the ground so heavy it wracked Gol's bones. Lurkers scrambled back as it passed each of them. Finally, its elongated shadow consumed Gol's frozen form entirely, and it came to a stop.
"Y-You speak? How?" Gol blurted.
Its pinpricks for pupils bored into his. "Gift from Precursors."
"A gift?" To speak?
"You not belong here," it continued, ignoring Gol's bewilderment. "We sense dark, and we meet it when it comes."
As if on cue, each of the Lurkers behind him fanned out, forming a perfect circle around the large beast and the twins.
"I apologise," Gol said, swallowing thickly. "My sister and I weren't aware that the island was inhabited. We didn't mean to startle you all. We were only curious."
"No curious. Dark must never meet Precursors. We make sure."
Gol blinked. What did it mean by that, exactly?
He did a quick scan around him. Their exit was blocked once more, and the Lurkers showed no signs of breaking formation. They had him and Maia surrounded.
"Please, let us go."
After some thought, the leader took a step forwards. "We let you live. Woman did killing. She dies."
His heart plummeted straight down his body and sunk into the ground - as if it were nothing but a stone in the mud.
"No," Gol managed through a dry mouth. "She didn't mean to. She thought we were in danger. She was protecting me, just like you're protecting the Precursor structure!"
It huffed, flexing its claws as it took another step. "Move, or you also die."
Gol bundled Maia's limp form up in his arms. He was keenly aware of the lines of blood making its way down his now exposed backside. With his silence, there'd be more blood to come. A lot more.
A low rumbling sounded. The leader's earth-shattering footfalls started up once more. Fainter ones, in their dozens, followed suit.
If only they hadn't come to this island. If only he'd experimented more with channelling Eco.
If only he was a better Sage.
Their shadows fell on him. He pulled Maia closer to his chest, and buried his face in her hair. Perhaps if he held on tight enough, she would be spared of the oncoming bloodshed.
"I'm sorry, dear sister. I'm so sorry," Gol whispered, and closed his eyes.