Chapter Three:To Survive
Gravitas launched Ain off the broadside of his giant sword, sending the man barreling into a swarm of gelatin mass. He chunked a crystalline dagger into the center of one, warping to it in a teal haze, and he tore through it. The small blade vanished as a double-edged sword appeared in its place. Ain swept the glaive across three more of the blobs, resulting in them pooling on the cement. Verus shoved a spear through another two, kicking a third away from the onyx-haired man's back. Gravitas slashed through the last of them with his massive blade.
They had cleaned out several streets surrounding the ever increasing survivors, yet they never put a dent in the amount of monsters that came for them.
Ain wiped black ooze from his charcoal sleeves, though it didn't much improve the filth already coating him. How many days had it been? It was impossible to tell; Ain couldn't remember the last time he saw light - only this hellish nightmare of darkness and never-ending daemons. He spent his time with Verus and Gravitas, protecting the citizens of Solis, but they never improved their situation. Things only got worse; it was only a matter of time before they would be overrun. He wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. "Verus, Gravitas, we need to discuss the future of our encampment."
"What'd ya mean, Ain? There'll be no future if we don't protect it." Gravitas quirked an eyebrow at the slender man.
"Gravitas is right. All we can do is what we currently are. What is there to discuss?" Verus peered at Ain over the rims of his glasses.
"We can't keep this up. I'm not sure if either of you have noticed, but more of these monsters appear every hour. Their numbers are increasing. We've been fortunate enough to not come face to face with anything fiercely strong yet, but it's only a matter of time."
"What do you suggest?"
"I think we should evacuate everyone." It was a hard pill to swallow, but the chances of them holding out in the middle of Solis were slimming by the second. They needed a safer place to go, somewhere hidden, somewhere closed off.
"Evacuate? Are you nuts? How are we gonna move all those people? How will we keep 'em all safe? Where would we even go?" Gravitas' concerns were legitimate. Ain didn't know the city at all or the surrounding areas. However, the one thing he did know, they would all die if they stayed.
"Are there any areas on the outskirts of the city that are walled off? If we can get the people there, then they will be easier to protect. We have enough men to fight off the smaller daemons and protect the sick and injured." All he needed was the place; if they gave him that, he could take care of the rest.
"Well, there are the underground channels. But they are on the farthest outreaches of the city," Verus answered.
"Show me the way." It came out more as more of an order than a request, but Ain had no time for courtesies if they were to move so many people in the dark and unforgiving city full of monsters.
"Are you kiddin' me? We can't leave these people unguarded for that long," Gravitas objected.
"Gravitas, if you stay and hold the parameter, I can show Ain the way to the channels."
Gravitas tsked at the man in glasses. "Better hurry your asses up then." His large arms folded across his chest.
"But of course," the spectacled man said as his gaze shifted from Gravitas to Ain. "Follow me. I'll take you to the channels."
As Ain and Verus made their way through Solis, the once thriving capital of Solheim, they witnessed the horrors of the night as the daemons ravaged the darkened buildings and tore them down. Ain instantly recognized the roar he heard in the distance as one of the giants he fought with Ardyn before he disappeared. Sounds like it's far away and in the wrong direction. We should be safe. "How much further?"
"It's just across the bridge," Verus replied.
Ain couldn't see the opposite end of the overpass; it was much too dark. However, it didn't deter him from his goal as he jogged past Verus and headlong into the unknown. It was eerily quiet on the bridge, no daemons at all in fact. It didn't sit right with Ain. Why were there no daemons in this area? Did they only go where there was an influx of people? If so, why? What did they want with the populace? Ain shook his head. Focus. You have hundreds of people relying on you.
"Up ahead, to the left. That's where the entrance to the channel is," Verus instructed and Ain veered off after he cleared the railing of the bridge.
A concrete tunnel descended steeply under the surface of the street. Ain couldn't tell exactly how far down it went as he stood at the edge of it. He noticed wires trailing down the bottom of the wall and sought out the source. He followed the cables until he came upon a generator sitting idly by. Solis had been without power since the never-ending night started, but if he could get the people some light, maybe they'd be willing to make the trek here. He flipped the switch, and the machine shuddered and buzzed to life. A faint hum came from the tunnel and Ain shuffled back to the entrance to peer into it once again. Lights flickered dimly as far down as he could see, and his lips curled up in a smile. With this, it should be no problem getting the survivors to agree to come.
"Verus, I think this is the perfect spot for us to move everyone to." Ain spun around to find the spectacled man staring out over the border of the city, eyes wide, brows drawn up. "What is it, Verus? What's wrong?"
"This darkness...it isn't just Solis, is it?"
Ain joined him and followed his gaze, the night sky stretched over the horizon, casting the entirety of Eos in blackness. "What did you expect? That you'd reach the city gates and see light? There is no more light." Ain's tone was harsher than he intended as he remembered what Ardyn said about the darkness. How long would it take him to defeat Ifrit and rid the world of this cursed Starscourge? The daemons only grew stronger the longer this night stretched on. "We should get back and formulate a plan to get everyone here."
"Absolutely not. It's too dangerous to move this many people with those monsters out there." A stubborn, older fellow claimed leadership over the camp Ain and the others protected. He never budged from his decisions, no matter how much logic and planning Ain threw at him.
"If we stay here, we'll all succumb to them. There are lights in the channels. These people won't have to live by candles and finicky flashlights anymore," Ain pushed, hoping that he could convince the man to leave.
"The answer is no. We've held out just fine so far. Why would we risk that to go gallivanting off to some sewer?" the old man spat.
"Because the longer we wait here, the stronger the possibility we have of being attacked by the bigger daemons. We can barely hold them off as is. Don't you want to give these people a chance? Hope that there is something after all this terror?" Ain's nails dug into his palms as he forced his voice to remain pastoral. What would he do if the old man refused to listen? Verus, and even Gravitas, was coming around. They could see how everything was deteriorating around them, how the men were having a harder and harder time trying to fight off the daemons. The weaker ones were getting stronger, which meant that the giants and the mindflayers were as well.
"That's exactly what I have been doing. This camp is the best shot any of us have at making it through this alive. And you would have us move? Instead of searching for hovels to hide in, why don't you focus on doing your job and killing those monsters?"
"But-"
"I'm done with this, Ain. I'll hear no more about it."
Ain spun on his heels and flung the tent flap open as he stormed from it, a growl radiating deep in his throat. They would all die if he didn't do something. But that damn geezer was too afraid to act. He just sat in his tent, away from all the daemons and fighting, and dictated how everyone else should operate.
"What did he say?" Verus asked as Ain passed by him on his way to get food.
"He won't do anything. He'd sooner let us all die than step out into the city." Annoyance buzzed around him like a fly as he ladled some broth into a chipped bowl. "The longer we wait, the less likely everyone will make it to the channels. It isn't safe here." The bowl dink'd on the improvised table, made from an old wooden door, when Ain sat.
"Did ya tell him that? Doesn't seem like he'd wait for everyone to kick it just to save himself. I mean, he did set up this camp." Gravitas' weight shifted the rickety bench as he took a seat next to Ain.
"He cares more about his own safety than that of everyone here. We need to figure out another way to get them to safety." Ain sipped at the broth, eyebrows knitting together at the bland taste.
"It would seem the best means might be to forego the man completely and speak directly to the people. Let them decide their own fates. If they wish to stick it out here, so be it. We'll only take those who want to go to the channels," Verus suggested.
"I don't like the idea of splitting the people. But you have a point. It's useless to force them to do anything against their will. And if they choose to move on their own, they won't see us as dictators." The raven-haired man mulled over the suggestion in his head. If they chose to ask the people themselves, how should they go about doing it? Asking individually would take too long; the camp was pushing three hundred survivors by now. Should he make an announcement during meal time? What would he even say?
Ain glanced around the sectioned off area full of makeshift tables and benches, counting the heads gathered for dinner - lunch - whatever meal this was considered. The room filled quickly as the citizens filed in for food. With enough people present, his address would spread to the others in no time. All he had to do was wait for the right moment…
When the tables and benches were filled to the max, and the line stretched out the flap of the tent, Ain decided it was time. He pushed himself up and stepped onto the bench, then the table, bracing himself on Gravitas' shoulder.
"If I may, I would like to steal your attention briefly," Ain started, but no one paid him any mind. Frustrated, he tried again. "EXCUSE ME!" he yelled, authority in his voice, and the room quietened to murmurs before falling silent altogether. Ain cleared his throat, nodding politely. "Most of you were brought here by men like Verus, Gravitas, or myself, for the sole purpose of surviving this nightmare we are currently experiencing. We promised you that there would be safety in numbers, and that we would protect you from the monsters outside." Ain deliberated his next words with precise care before continuing, "However, I'm not confident we can keep those promises anymore." Gasps and whispers erupted in a wave across the dining area.
"What do you mean? That's the only reason I brought my daughter here: for protection," a man shouted from the back.
"Me too! Are we not safe here anymore?" a woman chimed in agreement.
"The integrity of this camp is deteriorating with every swarm of daemons that attack. We'll be overrun in a matter of time, unless we do something about it," Verus spoke up to aide Ain.
"What are we supposed to do? Just accept our fate?"
"Our pal Ain here has a plan. Don'tcha, buddy?" Gravitas patted the man on his lower thigh.
"What is it? Your plan?" This time, it was a man sitting one table over that spoke.
"We move the camp. Verus and I scouted out to the edge of the city and found the channels, with a generator to light them up. Having all but one side closed off means we can rest easier and not put such a strain on those who would protect you."
"The outskirts?"
"But that's a long walk from here."
"How would we make it with those monsters out there?"
"That sounds like more trouble than it's worth. There's no guarantee we'd be safer there."
"I think this camp is fine where it is. Why tempt the gods to smite us down?"
The fear was palpable, thick enough that it felt like it might smother Ain if he didn't cut loose and run. But that wasn't the answer, not if he wanted to save these people, from themselves if need be. "The gods don't care about us. They are nowhere to be found while we suffer at the mercy of these daemons. Their concerns lie elsewhere!" Ain near growled his last statement as he recalled Bahamut appearing before him and Ardyn and choosing to take his brother over him. "If we stay here, those monster will breach our walls, and they will kill every one of us. It's only a matter of time."
"If we band together, we can make it to the channels without losses. Allow us to guide you there and protect you."
"Yeah! Just rely on us, that's all ya gotta worry about. We'll handle the rest." Gravitas beat his fist into his left chestplate in a perceived manly fashion.
"When will you leave for the channels?"
"In three day's time. Anyone who wishes to come with us is welcome. We will not force you. If you wish to stay here...then so be it." Ain stepped down, once again using the bulky Gravitas as a prop yet again.
"You think a lot will show?" Gravitas asked.
"Given the time to thoroughly think this through, the majority should be able to see reason and accompany us. There's nothing left for them here except monsters and the vestiges of a once flourishing capital city. Solis will never be the same," Verus answered the question aimed at Ain.
"I hope you're right, Verus. Anyone left behind will likely suffer at the hands of the daemons."
"Indeed."
The crowd of survivors started to gather in the west quarter of the camp early on the third day, carrying all they could in their arms as they prepared to make the trip. Ain's gaze moved over the growing mass of people, there were more than he expected. A small grin curled his lips up; if he had to guess, over a third of the camp's populace was already here.
"It looks as though the people listened to you," Verus said from behind the raven-haired man, giving him a start.
"It's still not enough, but we have another two or three hours before we leave. More may join us."
"Let's hope. I would much prefer to move the entirety of the populace, but there's no sense in forcing those that do not wish to go."
"Where's Gravitas?" Ain asked, scouring the crowd for the hulking man that almost always accompanied Verus.
"I believe he is addressing the Patrocinors, telling them how to best offer their protection to the people as we move," Verus answered, pushing his silver-rimmed glasses back up his nose.
"How many are coming with us?"
"All of them."
"What about the people who elect to stay?"
"It's their choice; we can't force the Patrocinors to stay any more than we can force the people to come with us."
Before Ain could get in another word, a familiar, gruff voice edged closer to him. "Just what do you think you're doing, boy? I told you, we're not moving the camp!" The geezer jammed his finger into Ain's shoulder.
"You don't get to dictate what the people do. It's their choice to make, not yours. I'm taking those who wish to go somewhere more secure, that's all."
"Don't think your pretty words can fool me. You just wanna take these people so you can rule over them!" The accusation in his voice set Ain's veins on fire.
"I want no such thing. When I came to you with concerns of this camp's safety, you shut me down. I went to the people instead, and these are the ones who understand the dangers of staying here." He forced composure into his voice as he spoke. The last thing he needed was to get in a screaming match with the old man, especially not in front of all these people. It could jeopardize the whole ordeal.
"Like Hell anyone is leaving! These people belong to me!" The geezer's voice carried over the rapidly extinguishing conversations.
Ain inwardly smirked. This was the crack he needed to prod in order to shatter the faith the rest of the survivors had in this man. "These people are free citizens of Solis and, ultimately, Solheim. They do not belong to you or anyone else."
"I'm the one that's protected them from the monsters! They should be grateful to me!"
"Protected them? And exactly when were you putting your life on the line for theirs? I don't recall ever seeing you out there in the battlefield. The Patrocinors are the ones who guard their lives, not you. It's quite impossible to do from your cozy cushion in the center of camp." Hushed murmurs erupted throughout the crowd.
The old man's face blazed crimson as he fumbled out, "I-It's not about who's out there and who's not. It's about the fact that I created a safe place. What do you know? I've never seen you around until all this started happening. You're behind this, aren't you!?" He shoved his index finger in Ain's face.
"Are you daft? How could a mere human do something like this? Clearly, it was done by otherworldly means. You want to know who brought the night? It was none other than one of your own gods. The ones you cling to so adamantly." Ain turned toward the crowd. "Ifrit is the one who did this to us. He brought something called Starscourge from the astral realm, and now we're stuck in a never ending night! If you seek to blame someone, blame the gods." That's right, if not for them, things wouldn't be so screwed up right now. Ardyn wouldn't have gone off to act like a hero, wouldn't have left him alone to fend for himself in an unknown city with no one to turn to for help.
"Blasphemer! How dare you speak of the gods like that! They are kind and just and would never let this happen," the old man snapped.
"What do you know of your gods? Have you ever spoken to them? Have you even seen them? Because I have. It was Bahamut who told me that Ifrit brought the Starscourge. And what are the gods doing about it? Nothing. So we have to act ourselves."
"Liar! You have-"
"If Ain says that happened, then it did. Can you offer any other explanation? Because he's right, no human could do something like this. Even with all the technology we have, it would be impossible to cast darkness over the entirety of Eos," Verus interrupted the fuming geezer.
"I…" He couldn't spit out the words. "Fine. Do whatever you want. Take the people. Who needs ya? Who needs any of ya!" The man who once claimed leadership over the survivors forfeited to Ain and shuffled away.
Unbeknownst to Ain, more people gathered during his confrontation with the old man. Whispers spread like a ripple in water, fanning out over the crowd. More than half the citizens in the camp now waited for their departure. It was a stroke of luck that all of the Patrocinors decided to leave with them, because they would need them in order to guard this many people.
"Verus, it's time. You know what to do, right?" Ain asked as he approached Verus at the gate to the camp.
"Yes. I'm not going to stop once we get out there, no matter the circumstances. I'm going to rely on you and the Patrocinors to handle all the daemons." Verus unlatched the locking mechanism.
Ain turned to the people, plastering the best smile he could muster across his face. "Once we step out of this gate, there's no turning back. We will not stop for any reason. We'll attract daemon attention, but do not panic. The Patrocinors will protect you from them. Stay together, and keep moving." He shifted back to Verus and said, "Gravitas is bringing up the rear. I've already sent a few Patrocinors to secure the channels. They should be finished by the time the first citizens arrive."
Verus gave a curt nod to Ain before the gate swung open to an abandoned city. "Stay as close together as possible, and refrain from fanning out." He spoke to the people directly behind him. "Let's get this underway."
If Ain had to make a guess, the entire camp was gathered to leave for the Channels. He breathed a sigh of relief. They all listened to reason. He was sure that the spectacle from earlier probably aided in the decision of those who had yet to make up their minds.
At first, the crowd appeared to not move. It was an agonizing wait before Ain could see them thin out. With Verus at the front, and Gravitas at the rear, he decided to take the middle of the column. As the people filed out, Ain heard screams in the distance - the first daemon attacks no doubt. Gunfire broke out shortly after and died down within minutes. From that point on, every now and then there would be bursts of shots proceeded by screams.
With no way to accurately determine exactly when half of the crowd had passed him by, Ain made an educated guess as to the appropriate time. The long line of heads stretched into the darkness and beyond.
"Mommy, I'm scared. What if the monsters attack us?" A child clung to her mother's hang, visibly trembling.
"If they try, they'll have to face me. I'm not an easy man to go through." Ain shot the little girl a toothy grin. Despite hearing the screams and shots in both directions, Ain had yet to come across any daemons. Not even the small fry, like the imps or gelatinous oozes. It was strange that he hadn't crossed paths with a single one. By the time the bridge came into view, a feeling of anxiety and dread washed over him like a cool, summer shower. It had been eerily silent for some time, then he heard it - the creak and groan of metal bending unnaturally.
In an instant, there was a crystalline broadsword in his hand, blocking the thick, burning blade of a red giant. Ain's stomach leapt to his throat at the realization of exactly which daemon he was facing off with. Screams and wailing came from behind him as the people caught sight of the horrifying monstrosity before them. How many had seen one before? Most of the stories he heard from the survivors were encounters with the smaller daemons. He assumed because if someone encountered one like this, they most likely would have been killed. "Keep…moving…I'll...take care...of it!" The words came out strangled as he focused every ounce of strength he could to fend off the overwhelming power of the giant.
The line of people rushed forward in a fit of panic, trying to escape from the giant. They pushed against the slower moving persons in front of them, nearly toppling others over in their terror.
"It's gonna kill us all!"
"Hurry and move!"
"I don't want to die!"
The screams jumbled together and were soon indistinguishable. Ain's teeth ground as his jaw tightened with the effort of fending off the attack. The tip of the giant's sword rested against Ain's. Had it been any closer, the behemoth would have crushed him. He used the length of his weapon to his advantage, tilting it forward and forcing the enormous sword to the side by way of the daemon's own momentum. He ducked from its other hand grasping for him and jogged to one of the Patrocinors preparing to join in the battle.
"No, you have to keep this line moving. I'll take care of this giant by myself. Stir them clear of the fight, and keep them calm."
"But you can't possibly take this thing on alone," the man protested.
"We can't afford to lose any protection for these people. The channels aren't far past the bridge. Get going!" Ain didn't give him a chance to respond before he dashed back toward the red monster. The long sword disappeared from his hand, and a javelin replaced it. He rose it above his shoulder, leaned back, and thrust it forward, releasing it. The barbed head burrowed into the armor on the giant's shoulder, and in a blue haze, Ain hung from it. "Hey, you bastard. Come play with me!" He kicked at the metal, the soles of his shoes thunking with every impact.
The copper colored monster bellowed a deep roar that reverberated in Ain's bones. He glanced back at the survivors; the Patrocinor was hurrying them along, just like he commanded him. Now he needed to keep to his part and distract this thing. It wasn't going to be an easy task, and there was a high probability that he'd die. But it had to be done. He lurched his body forward, then back, swinging from the javelin before he jerked it free, cracking the metallic husk of the giant and flinging himself onto the opposite shoulder as it reached from him.
Ain recalled how he and Ardyn took down the other giant, though it was different in color and weaker than the one he faced now. Maybe the vulnerable spot was the same. When Ain felt the shift in movement underneath him, he pierced the armor with the tip of the spear and clung to it as the daemon wrenched its body forward and backward. It lifted its elbow and shifted the plates around the shoulder that Ain perched, knocking the weapon free. Ain's footing slipped, and the javelin vanished to make way for a dagger, leaving Ain's hand immediately and impaling a lamp post. Before he fell, Ain warped to the blade in a haze of blue, feet dangling as he hung ten feet from the ground. The metal groaned, and the dagger dislodged from the pole. Ain hit the concrete and rolled in time to dodge the oncoming assault of the giant.
His feet slid across the cement as he pushed himself up. Without a way to distract this monster, how could he get behind it? He successfully drew its attention away from the crowd, but how was he supposed to actually defeat the thing? Even knowing its weakness didn't help if he couldn't reach it. If Ardyn was here, this would be easy. He shook his head, raven hair tumbling around his face. No, I don't need him. I can do this.
The giant rose its massive, scorching blade above its head, crimson glowing hollows where the eyes would have been focused in on him. Its metal body creaked and groaned as the armor moved, playing a song of intent, giving Ain just enough of a hint that he could leap out of the way before the daemon cracked the ground with its weapon.
Ain bolted up the blade, swapping dagger for crossbow. His boots clomped on the dense plate as he sprinted up the arm, shooting an arrow into the eye hollow. A crystalline katana appeared and he wrapped both hands around the hilt, following up with an upward slash. He jumped across to the adjacent shoulder and grabbed the dual swords that floated next to him, rushing forward and thrusting both into the giant's jaw. The daemon reached for him, movements stagnating. I have to protect these people. Ardyn left, abandoned them. I'm all they have - their last chance and survival! A crystalline scepter flashed into existence, and he jammed the tip into the monster's chest as he jumped down, catching himself with it and using the momentum to swing back up, latching onto a large shuriken above the giant's head. He spun and launched the star into the crevice between shoulder and neck and vanished in blue. Azure light illuminated the darkness around the daemon as Ain stood behind its leg, jabbing a short sword into the joint.
How am I doing this? The weapons aren't disappearing. They are all still in this realm. The crystalline weapons sparkled in the light surrounding him, each still where he struck the giant. The monster let out a pain filled howl and swung its massive arm around behind it in an attempt to swat Ain. It met with a shield, Ain's soles scraping across the concrete at the force of impact. He released the shield to grab a full length, one handed sword and pierced it through the hull of the giant's calf. The armor around the giant groaned and buckled as the daemon collapsed to hands and knees.
Ain darted under an arm, fingers wrapping around the hilt of a long blade as his feet scampered across the ground. He shoved the sword into the red giant's bulky hand, trapping it again the ground. He felt something wrap around his body, squeezing, and remembered the sensation from before. Before the daemon could close its stubby fingers around him, Ain drove a final sword into the palm, bending it back until the blade sunk into its wrist. He dashed up the arm once again, reaching out for the mace as he made it to the top and slammed it into the side of the monster's neck, shattering the armor surrounding it. Ain switched to a battleaxe and jammed it between the plates, prying them apart as his free hand grasped a trident and drove it deep into the giant's neck.
If he were a praying man, he'd be praying to the Six right about now. "Just die…" he heaved, sweaty hands gripping the hilts of the axe and trident as a mean to hold his balance. That was it - he had nothing else left to throw at it. All of the weapons cracked and broke away in glimmers of silver and blue. His weight shifted, but instead of falling back, he was thrown forward as the armor before him started collapsing in on itself. I did it…? I did it! I took this bastard down on my own. His smile stretched from ear to ear as he watched the daemon melted into the ground and disappeared.
"Ain! Did you…on your own...?" Gravitas' voice shook him from his stupor as he heard his comrade's clunky footsteps approaching.
"Yeah…" He barely believed it himself, if he hadn't been there, seen it - if it had been anyone else, he would never be able to accept it.
"How?"
"I…I don't know. It's kind of a blur. I think it had something to do with the Armiger."
"Are ya kiddin'? How can ya not know?"
"I was acting on instincts, Gravitas. I don't know how else to explain it."
"Ain, Gravitas, why are you loitering around? The last of the citizens are being escorted into the channels as we speak. Let us join them." Verus approached from the opposite direction.
Ain claimed a private tunnel chamber for himself while he, Verus, and Gravitas discussed what would come of the camp. The move to the underground tunnels was a smart choice, but would it be the best place for the survivors to stay? If the channels proved to be a safe haven from the daemons, then there would be no need to move, or so Gravitas kept insisting.
"But what if there are safer places outside the city? This place is crawling with those monsters, and there's no telling if or when, to be more precise, they will find their way down here. I say we immediately send out scouts and search for a place where we would face less of a threat." Verus argued his point, but the burly man stood his ground.
"If we send men out now, we'll be left with a hole in our defenses. We need to prove to these people that we can keep 'em safe before we start sending away the best of the Patrocinors."
"Before we can convince them we're able to keep them from harm's way, we need to determine who will lead this group of citizens. We revolted against the only leadership they knew in this darkness. We have a responsibility to see they have someone they can turn to for guidance," Verus paused, a thoughtful expression etched over his features before continuing, "We should give them the option of choosing their own leader." Verus straightened his glasses when they slid down the arch of his nose.
"How would we do that? Go up to each of 'em and ask who they want in charge? There're hundreds of people down here, and they're all scattered in the channels right now." Gravitas pointed out, arms folded over his broad chest.
"Well, yes, that is one way to-"
"I say we put good ol' Ain here in charge. He's a natural. He was able to get us all down here in one piece. Plus, he put that geezer in his place when he tried to stop us," Gravitas interrupted Verus.
"If we just decide their leader for them, we are no better than the predecessors who all but declared themselves rulers of the people. These survivors deserve to have a say in the matter." Verus was unbudging in his insistence.
Ain quietly listened to the back and forth between the two men, waiting to see if they came up with a solution before he voiced his opinion. Governing a populace, even of only a few hundred seemed quite the task, and he wasn't sure if he could do such a thing. He'd never done something even remotely similar before. Ardyn was always the one to make the decisions where his life was concerned; it was Ardyn who decided they should make haste to Solis before this accursed darkness fell over the land.
"If you're not gonna change your mind on this, then fine. But how do you suggest we get it done? Asking every single person would take too long." Gravitas' brow furrowed over his dark, chocolaty eyes as his voice teemed with annoyance.
"We'll send what Patrocinors we can spare to the different sectors and take a majority vote. Does that satisfy your need to be in a rush about it?" Verus shot the burly man a victorious smirk that earned him an exaggerated eye roll.
"Yeah, yeah. Fine."
"It's settled, then?" Ain finally spoke up. Not knowing the people as well as the two sitting before him, he thought it best to let them decide the fate of leadership. He couldn't deny that when Gravitas suggested Ain take charge that a twinge of excitement and, more over, pride rushed through his veins. They had faith in him, faith that he could not only protect them in crisis, but lead them as well.
Gravitas exited the room for a few brief moments as he spoke with two Patrocinors standing outside the door. When he returned, he gave Verus a nod and said, "They're going to pull everyone except those guarding the main entrance and tunnels leading further in. All we have to do wait."
When the first of the Patrocinors came back, Ain couldn't believe what the young lady said. There's no way he heard her right - there just wasn't.
"I'm sorry, will you please repeat that?" Ain asked with an arched eyebrow.
"The two sectors I spoke with unanimously voted for you, Ain, to be their new leader. And if I may state my personal opinion, I am in agreeance. The way you took down that monster...no one here, even among the Patrocinors, could have done that. Even if several of us teamed up." She spoke with adoration while a small blush dusted her pale cheeks.
Ain couldn't find words to express how flattered he felt that it was more than just Gravitas that held a belief that he was capable of leading. When a second, and third Patrocinor arrived with the same results, an overwhelming sense of pride filled him. If the people wanted him to govern and protect them, he wouldn't let anything stop him from doing his best.
The loneliness Ain felt from Ardyn's abandonment lessened with every day he spent in the presence of his new found friends, and even more so as the people began to turn to him with the last bit of hope they could muster in a rapidly darkening situation. What would Ardyn say if he could see him now? Would he be jealous of Ain? Ardyn might have been chosen by the Gods, but Ain had the people of Solis at his back - and to him, that was what truly mattered.