Two years had passed and Ghost had become very nimble for a toddler. She had already understood the places that she isn't allowed. Whenever SkekEt and SkekOk would come back, she would become excited and greet them. Her bond with SkekTek is stronger than ever before. Whenever he was upset, she would hug him or hand him some tools when he needs it. As a matter of fact, he nearly cried with joy when he said her first word: his name. Ghost was still leery of SkekSil. There was something about him that bothered her. His words come off sweet, but Ghost knows that he's far more clever than he shows.
One day, after playing with Rian in Stone-in-the-Woods, she was returned to the palace and one of the guards had to take her with him to his post since the lords were too busy to be with her at the moment. Ghost was very well behaved, but she needed something to occupy her. SkekTek gave her an interesting puzzle that he would always modify whenever she solved it the first time. Then, SkekOk and Ordon taught her some simple reading. Ordon even gave her a toy landstrider that she hugs nonstop. As the hours ticked by Ghost couldn't help but wonder when the others might come back.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash. The guard, a Stonewood, heard several screeches and battles being heard. "Oh no! A Silk Spitter!" He turned to Ghost. "Ghost! Stay here and don't come anywhere near that noise. Just hide until it's over." He ran over to the brawl.
Ghost watched him go. Startled by the loud roar, she quickly went further into the balcony. She then noticed a strange structure. It looked like three beastly heads rearing up to roar in the sky. A crank was present. Curious, she pushed it and it moved. She heard wheels grinding. During her time with SkekTek, she learned that when wheels move it causes machines to come to life. She began to wonder what this machine can do. She began to wind it. It hurts her arm but she soon heard a noise. She continued grinding to hear the full noise. In a matter of minutes, she looked around to see the guard who was with her next to a shocked Scientist.
"Ghost!" SkekTek yelled. He moved as quickly as he could. "Get away from the horn!" He grabbed her and firmly pulled her away. "It's not a toy."
Ghost looked up at him. "I sorry. Want to know how it work."
SkekTek shook his head. "Guess spending time with me gave you a sense of intellect that I should've paid attention on." He sighed. Then, handed Ghost back to the guard. "I guess I should notify the Emperor to clean up this mess before he shows up."
"He?" Ghost said. She tilted her head, eyes glowing with curiosity. "He who?"
"That's enough, Ghost." The Guard said. He picked her up and walked her to the room where the castle guards kept her during the nights when the lords can't be with her. Leaving poor Ghost with two questions in her head: Who is this person that shows up by that horn? Would he hurt SkekTek?
Later that day, Ghost was reading her book that talked about the mysterious Mother Aughra. She was guardian of the crystal before the Skeksis took over. She remembered SkekTek saying that she lived in a Auraium where she was exploring the stars. Ghost put her book down and crawled to the nearest window to look at the stars. Worlds that existed besides Thra. Stars that could be a map, but at the same time create stories through their images. She looked around the darkened forest that was turning molten orange by dusk and noticed something moving in the moonlight. It was brief, but she could've sworn it looked like one of the Skeksis covered in bones.
She wanted to meet him. Slowly, she opened the door and looked around. So far, there were no guards around. She quickly moved as her toddler legs could carry her. Her body strained to heighten their senses. She listened to the movement of the guards and the other lords. Her Grotten heritage enabled her to see through the dark hallways of the castle. Then, she began to hear voices.
"What is the meaning of summoning me here?!" Spoke an unfamiliar voice. It was gruff and beastly. "Who do you want me to hunt?"
Ghost peeked behind a corner that leads to the stairway. She saw SkekTek, SkekSo and SkekVar talking to a Skeksis covered in bone and furry pelts. Her jaw dropped at the sight of him. He was tall and feral. His face was covered by a skull. His body rippled with strength. He held an aura of anger. She gripped the stone wall. It's a monster, she thought. A mean one!
The Emperor bowed. "Pardon the inconvenience SkekMal," He said. "One of the Gelflings got a little curious about that horn of yours. Will make sure that she won't do it again."
"A gelfling?" SkekMal said. "A gelfling summoned me?! Where is she?! I'll teach her not to make a fool out of me!"
"No need." SkekSil said. "It was Scientist who brought curiosity to her." He smiled slyly as he saw Ghost flinch. He wanted to see if SkekMal would finally end the little pest once and for all. "Would let her see some inventions."
SkekMal grabbed SkekTek and pulled out a blade. "What are you playing SkekTek? Why would you include a Gelfling to Skeksis ranks?"
Ghost couldn't take it. She didn't want to see SkekTek get hurt because of her. She ran out of her hiding place and went down the stairs. "Stop! Don't hurt him!" She would usually have someone help her with going up or down, but it was different when it came to doing it by herself. Suddenly, she slipped. Her body flung forward and zipped over the steps. Just as she was about to hit the floor, her wings popped open. She pulled up. She wobbled a little, but balanced herself. Then, she crashed into SkekMal which caused him to let go of SkekTek.
The duo almost hit the floor, but SkekMal regained some of his balance. He held her up to have a better look. Even though his face was hidden, surprise was written in his eyes. He had never seen a Gelfling like her before. Her white face was dainty and her bicolored eyes glowing from the light of nearby torches. What shocked him the most is that she's a child. "Wha-"
"Don't hurt him, please!" Ghost begged. Tears welling up. "I call you! I blew horn! I'm sorry!" She whimpered and began to cry.
SkekSil gave a smug expression. SkekSo staring in shock and SkekTek scared and touched by little Ghost. As for the Hunter, for the first time, his anger began to fizzle. He didn't attack children. Even when he hunts, he would go after the strong and never the weak. This one was special. This one was quite brave to face him, let alone try to tackle him to the ground. Blood began to seep on his fingers and soon realized that his claws cut her wrist. "What is your name, Childling?"
"Ghost." She whimpered. Ghost stared in awe as he gently placed her back on the ground.
SkekMal loomed over her. "Ghost, you are a child. I don't hunt something as small as you." He turned away and began walking down the hallway. The air around him turned into an atmosphere of shock and stunned relief. A stray look over his shoulder, he sees SkekTek quickly pick up the child. SkekSil looked on in frustration and SkekSo still in shock of what happened."I'll make one thing clear: Don't use my horn to call me again." The hunter was through the corridors and into the moonlit night in a matter of minutes. He knew the child may forget him, but he'll never forget her. It wouldn't be until much later that the two meet again.
That's it for this chapter! Thanks for reading. SkekMal is a very interesting Skeksis. Bare in mind that he's kind of immortal. I like where their relationship will go from there. Review please!
