At Stone-in-the-Wood:
Night had fallen on Thra, the only light was from the flames of scattered fires meant to warm the bodies of the many Gelfling sleeping in the quiet of the Endless Forest. Not every Gelfling was sleeping, one of which was Rian who was staring up at the ceiling of his childhood home. He had been staying in the house his mother and father had lived in when he was just a baby, his father had left it when he went to work in the Crystal Castle. Since his mother had died and his father was gone, the house now was his and he had tried his best to make it feel like his own. Rian didn't have many possessions and decorating was not in his forte of expertise, so he left it mainly as it had been.
Rian tossed in his bed, his mind was replaying the events of his entire day. Deet had told him and Hup everything about her journey, how she wasn't really herself and she wandered through the forest, followed the Dying sun and then had a vision of the Sanctuary Tree. It was so surreal for Rian to hear her side of things, he had only worried for her safety but now seeing how she was lost in her own head he felt selfish for letting her leave. Somehow she expelled the darkening, but it created an image on stone- Rian had dreamfasted to see what she had done, but he couldn't read it either. The strange pictures of Gelfling and the images of the Mystics and Skeksis were baffling. It looked like the writing was in the old language, but Rian didn't know how to read it, nor did he know anyone who could read it. The only person who came to mind was Mother Aughra, but she had left after the battle and no one had seen her since.
What could it mean? It had to have some significance. How did it all work, was it a message of some sort or is it some strange remanence of the Darkening? Deet seemed to be better, the Darkening no longer tainted her skin or caused her eyes to glow which Rian took as a sign of health. It did not stop his curiosity about the whole situation, how had Deet absorbed it? How did she expel it like she did? What effect would this have on her?
Somehow Rian managed to fall asleep as he was piecing the puzzle together inside his head. He awoke to an abrupt knock on the door, he opened to see Deet standing outside and the entire army seemed to be mobilizing.
"Deet? What's going on?"
"Maudra Yre sent me to fetch you. Paladins arrived overnight and Maudra Yre is readying the army for an attack on the castle."
"Right, yes. Let me just grab something," he left the door open as he went back into his room, Rian rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes. It was barely dawn which meant he had only slept a few hours.
"Is this your home?," he heard Deet ask him, no doubt she was looking around.
"Yes."
"I didn't know you had a home in Stonewood."
"Technically it was given to me by my parents," Rian slung his bag over his shoulder and found Deet curiously looking at some hanging stones in the corner.
Deet turned to him and smiled," I guess I should congratulate you as well."
"For what?," Rian cocked his head
Deet giggled and Rian's heart jumped in his chest," I guess you wouldn't know yet... Maudra Yre is naming you captain and you will ride with her at the front."
"Oh...," Rian's head dropped. "That is very great news."
"I'm sure your father would be proud," she placed her hand on his shoulder.
Rian tensed under her touch and forced out a laugh," Thanks Deet."
"I wonder if that means I'll have to take orders from you," she smiled mischievously.
Rian's brows furrowed," Orders? What do you mean?"
"When we storm the castle. I know I will since I don't hold any title like you do, but I promise to be a good solider," she saluted him with a smile.
"No," Rian shook his head.
"What?"
"Deet, you can't come with us. You need to stay here and rest, somewhere safe and far away from the Skeksis. It's too soon for you be out there, what if they use the Darkening?"
Rian left out how devastated he would be to lose her again, even if only for a week, it would break his heart if she was missing or killed by the Skeksis.
"Rian, I have to go. I have to protect you... and everyone else. If the Skeksis have power of the Darkening, then I need to be there."
"What about the people here that need protecting, your brother and that baby Podling. I couldn't leave here if there wasn't someone that stayed to keep them all safe."
Deet sighed," Rian... I...," she paused and looked to the floor. "But what if," Deet's voice caught in her throat. She couldn't say the words- what if he didn't come back? What would happen if Rian was taken by the Skeksis... it was such a deplorable thought it made chills run down Deet's spine.
"We will handle whatever the Skeksis might try," Rian saw the worry in her face, it made his heart sag. He hated to see Deet look so dismal, she was bright and cheery, it's what made her so beautiful.
"Deet...," Rian stepped closer. He was now face to face with her, she was looking up at him with her big brown eyes, they were gleaming in the dim light of morning. She was so beautiful and Rian would do anything to protect her, there was no way he was letting her out into battle.
"I'd never forgive myself if you got hurt," she whispered hoarsely, bowing her head to hid the tear that slipped from her eye.
Rian lifted her chin with his hand lightly," I know no Gelfling with a heart as pure as yours."
Deet swallowed, unable to process such a compliment from Rian, her throat was dry and she was frozen by the light pressure of his hand on her face.
"You were the most amazing thing I had ever witnessed when the Skeksis attacked us. I was worried when no one else showed up, honestly... I thought we were going to die but you saved us, Deet. You're more than ten soldiers combined... I know you can fight, but I guess I'm selfish for not wanting you to get hurt."
Deet could see how Rian was struggling to say this, she didn't know if he was uncomfortable or maybe embarrassed, she couldn't quite pinpoint what emotion was glinting his eyes.
"I don't want you to be hurt either," she replied honestly. "If you insist I stay behind, Mother Argot is wanting to see the stone etching herself, maybe I can take her and the Grottons there."
Rian coughed and lowered his hand, a deep blush flushed his face as he noticed how close they really were, but he didn't move away.
"To the south?"
"Yes, I think I survived out in that barren place for a reason, it must be a sign that life can flourish there. My family needs a new home and there we can build something for ourselves without disturbing the home of giant spiders" she lifted her lips into a smile. "And Mother Argot is very persistent."
"So the Grottons will leave Stonewood then?"
"I think it's time we made a home for ourselves."
Deet was like no other friend he had before, she was special to him in a way he never thought possible. He wanted to give her the things she wanted and make her smile, he wanted to keep her safe and help her if she ever asked. Rian knew they could have fun together doing anything, but being so attached to her was scary too. For when she was gone, he constantly worried for her and thought about leaving in the night to find her.
Deet saw the concern in Rian's eyes, she knew that he cared for her safety and didn't want her to be in harms way. Deet admired how much Rian cared for his friends, it was something the two of them shared. In her time away she had missed him more than her other friends, something she was too embarrassed to admit but Deet knew it was true. His light green eyes were hypnotic, Deet could just stare at him all day with a smile. It was then she noticed how close the pair were standing to one another, and she cleared her throat and stepped away.
"Promise me you'll return quickly?," Rian asked her, unfazed by the red tint in her minty cheeks.
"I.. I will, yes," she tucked a braid behind her ear. "Promise me you'll return unharmed... Daylighter," she once again saw the space between them was small and Rian's eyes were shinning as he looked at her.
"I will do my best," he smiled at the silly nickname "Be sure you come back safe, Darkcrawler."
"Darkcrawler?"
"I made a nickname for you too."
Deet let the smile rest on her lips," I'll accept it... Skybaby," she laughed and Rian joined her, the two friends sharing a kindhearted moment, forgetting about the darkness in their worlds.
At the Crystal Palace:
"I've never felt so alive!," Skekli, the Satirist cheered, throwing his arms into the air as the essence rushed through him.
"We will live forever!," Skekung pounded the table, the essence was such a thrill, like nothing he had felt before.
"What a crime to never taste something so sweet," Skekect cooed, sipping her essence with proper form.
"Where is Emperor," Skeksil wondered, looking around for a sign of their leader.
The all sat in the dining room, the long curved table was filled with delicacies from around Thra. Every morning the Skeksis would assemble here and gorge themselves on food and drink, now with essence added to the menu with capturing of the Spritons. It served a secondary purpose to discuss the ongoing conflict the Gelfling and what should be done to preserve the Skeksis lineage.
"I can't believe he would miss this," Skekzok guzzled his goblet quickly.
"It almost makes me feel bad for the Mariner," Skekayuek slurped.
"That only means more essence for us," Skekshod's beak twisted into a deformed grin.
"The Emperor is in his room," Skektek replied to Skeksil.
"Not any longer," The Emperor burst into the room, striding quickly to his place at the center of the table. "Where is my essence!," he demanded. "You dare drink before me! I am the Emperor!," he flipped the middle table over, spilling food and drink across the floor. The clatter of silverware filled the room, in the corner, Podlings trembled at the aggressive display afraid to approach.
"Forgive us, Emperor!," Skekok pleaded.
"Be merciful!," Skekna had no desire to lose another hand.
"You will all suffer for this insolence! Bring my my Essence!," he bellowed to which the Podlings jumped and carried in a large bowl of silver essence. "Ahhh," The Emperor began to drool at the sight. He chugged his essence quickly, feeling the thrill of life run through him, he felt young and nourished.
"Emperor, I bring news. I have completed the animal that will survey all of Thra," the Scientist wanted back into the good gracious of the Emperor. "Crystal bats!," Skektek stood up abruptly, bumping the table and spilling his red drink. His call was followed by the flutter of wings and small flying creatures swarmed the room.
"What are they?," Skekzok asked.
"They are Crystal bats, of course," spat Skektek. "They can go across Thra and show us what the Gelfling are planning!"
"Excellent," The Emperor grinned.
"Crystal bats fly! Search the land, search the water, search the sky!"
The small bats escaped through the open windows and flew out into the morning light.
"Come Emperor," the Scientist urged, practically skipping away to the Crystal chamber. "We shall see what the Gelfling are planning."
The room was quickly emptied as all the Skeksis trailed behind the Scientist who ushered them into the crystal chamber. It was there they saw the many eyes of the crystal illuminated before them. It was like a giant projector of what the bats were seeing, the Emperor was very pleased with this and knew it would help them even after the death of all Gelfling.
"Marvelous," the Emperor's sinister grin stretched his wrinkled face.
"I also have a solution to the problem of the shard."
"What shard," Skeksil craned his neck.
"A shard that Gelfling claim will end Skeksis power."
All Skeksis gasped collectively, how could such a thing exist?
"Gelfling could never defeat us!"
"We must take that shard and destroy it!"
"There is simple solution, sire," Skektek stood up and puffed his chest out. "We take other crystal shards and send them all over Thra to confuse the Gelfling, they will never know which one is the one they need."
"How do you plan to separate it from the true shard?," Skeksa drew their attention, she was standing in the door of the crystal chamber with arms crossed.
"Easy, we fake a truce with Gelfling, meet with them, no doubt they have the shard hidden away somewhere."
Skeksa scoffed, these imbeciles were surely to lose the war and she was to lose her life if it was left in their hands.
"Emperor, do you thin-...," The Mariner was cut off by Skekok.
"Look at the Gelfling!," he pointed to the crystal.
There in the eyes of the crystal bats, the Skeksis saw Stone-in-the-Wood and the bustle of Gelfling scurrying with weapons. The many Gelfling clans were mobilizing and quickly.
"They must plan to attack!," Skeksil gawked.
"Insolent ugly brutes!" "They dare attack us!" "Emperor, we must prepare!" "General, what is the plan?!"
Skekung confidently called the attention of the Skeksis," We will let them think they will defeat us! Let them into the castle, lure them closer and then surround them with Garthim! They will be trapped and ours for draining!"
"We need more places to hold Gelfling then, the dungeons are still full."
"Then drain more Gelfling, make room for the new prisoners," The Emperor's body felt weightless as he struck his staff into the ground. He was more powerful then any other Skeksis, he would be know throughout the stars as the most cunning and accomplished Emperor. The essence was elevating his sense of superiority as he dreamed of ruling over all the land with no Gelfling to stop him. He wanted to go to his secret lair, now would be the best time to absorb more of the Darkening before the Gelfling arrived. This time he would be strong enough to defeat that stupid Gelfling girl.
The Endless Forest:
"Are you sure you're strong enough to hold me?," Kylan asked Naia and Brea as the neared the castle.
"Of course," Brea confirmed.
"You weigh no more than a Drumlur," laughed Naia.
"Ha Ha," Kylan grabbed Naia's hand and spun her to face him," You think you're so clever," he winked.
Naia's face flushed a deep rose, before turning and following Brea without another word. Kylan had been doing this more lately, saying normal things with a wink of a smirk that made Naia's heart flutter uncontrollably. She didn't like being so vulnerable, but with Kylan she didn't mind as much. He was still her friend and that had shared a intimate experience together, but it wasn't as if they were bonded or ready to settle down. Naia was having fun with Kylan, it was fresh and exciting, and she loved to tease him just as much as he did to her.
"We're nearly there," Brea called back to them.
"Good," Naia pushed onward until the finally reached the end of the tree line and could see the cryptic castle in the open. Naia's jaw clenched," We should burn it down."
Brea turned to Naia but said nothing on the topic. If they burned the castle, all the books would be lost forever, inside was the only true history of Thra. It was something Brea could never let happen, not only did she need the knowledge to help Deet, but the Gelfling could use it to perhaps defeat the Skeksis.
"How will sneak up so they don't see us," Kylan came out beside them.
"With this," Naia pulled on the brush next to her. "We cover ourselves in callwrepes and if the see us, they'll think we're just loose bundles tumbling around."
Brea contemplated the idea, it sounded solid as callwrepes were already scattered across the land before them. Callwrepes were bundles of long grass and moss that would de-tatch from trees and roll around aimlessly with the wind to find a new place to root. They weren't living in the sense that callwrepes had no conscious, they were normal plants that were alive by the will of Thra.
"I like it."
"Good," Naia began tearing at the callwrepes near hear and attaching pieces to her body. The other followed suit and after they were all covered, they began the least leg of their journey towards the castle.
Kylan was happy, the trip had gone very smoothly and it was nice to be able to spend so much time with Naia. The three of them made a great team, but he and Naia had a different chemistry and in the past few days of being with her he felt so zestful. Seeing the blood flush her cheeks with such a simple action like grabbing her hand or winking gave Kylan a mild sense of power and he loved that he had an effect on this spirited girl.
"We made it," Brea started to take off the callwrepes quickly, hiding in the dark shadow cast on the land by the palace. "Hurry before anyone sees."
After tossing aside their disguise, Naia grabbed Kylan," Don't look down," her sultry whisper tickled his ear. Then they were up, Brea and Naia flying in unison, carefully avoiding castle windows on their ascension. Kylan closed his eyes, heights were not his favorite, but curiosity was too great and he peeked through one eye. Before him lay the great Skarith, he could see the Endless forest go one forever and when Naia and Brea rounded the castle he saw the Northern Mountains in the great towering glory. It was truly a beautiful sight to behold, until he glanced down and saw how far he was from the safety of the ground. Naia felt him tense beneath her grip, but thankfully he didn't cry out or squirm; despite having said he was of little weight, Kylan was starting to grow heavy in her grasp and she was grateful they had reached the top of the castle.
Naia set Kylan down as Brea and her landed safely on the balcony of the castle. Naia impulsively reached forward and pinched Kylan's butt, he jumped silently and turned to her with a furrowed brow to which she only responded with a cocky smirk.
"Is this the Emperor's room?," Brea wondered as she crept in, oblivious to the other's shenanigans.
The room was gold with blood red curtains draped on the walls, which were formed in the shape of a triangle. In the center lay an giant bed with matching silk red sheets and large white pillows covered with a sheer silver canopy. Above the bed was a grand golden chandelier and the beside the bed were golden statues.
"It must be, who else would need such lavish things," scoffed Naia.
"We should go," Kylan was pushing towards the door. "This is last place we want to get caught."
"I'd think the last place we'd want to be caught is in the crystal chamber," Brea countered.
Kylan did not give his normal witty response as they silently made their way into the hall.
"We should go to the library first," Brea whispered. " If we heal the crystal they'll know we're here."
"Where is the library?," Naia asked.
"I'm not sure, but I'm guessing Skekok's room would be close by."
"The Emperor is so starved for power, I'm sure he'd only let his room be on the top floor."
"So downstairs?," Kylan asked and the girls nodded and followed him.
Three floors down they found some more bedrooms, the first one had been a horror to see. It had been filled with food, half of it rotting and bug flying around. The group had barely been able to see a bed in the chaos and the stench was unbearable, they had closed the door just as quickly as they had opened it. Another room had been decorated almost as extravagantly as the Emperor's room with velvet furniture and neat shelves of trinkets, Brea had made the obvious deduction that this room had to belong to Skekect, the Skeksis superficial Ornamentalist.
Naia was on edge being in the castle, so far they hadn't seen anyone which was good but it was only a matter a time. With no more guards and most of the Podling slaves had fled out of fear, all that was left in the castle was the Skeksis themselves.
It was when they had opened the third bedroom door that they heard a commotion outside.
"Quiet," Naia pulled Kylan to the corner of the room, Brea had hidden behind a chair.
The three of them waited, assuming someone would enter the room at any moment, but nothing did. Instead, they saw a black shiny body scurry past the door. The animal was nothing they had ever seen before, it was as tall as two Gelfling and it's wide round body took up the entire space of the hall. It passed them without even glancing into the room, Brea let out a silent sigh of relief to not be discovered. Slowly she stood up as the creature went on it's way, Naia and Kylan had been crouching in the corner of the room.
"What was that?," Kylan whispered in disbelief.
"I've never seen it before," Naia gaped.
"I've studied all of the fauna in the Skarith," Brea was breathless. "No such beast like that exists."
"How can it not exist?," Kylan turned to Brea.
"It almost looked like the Arathim?," Brea turned to Naia who was stealthily moving towards the door. "You don't think they would betray us, do you?"
"What I know is we need to keep moving," she leaned out to check for any more bodies in the hall. The two followed her quickly making their way down the hall away from the direction the monster had went. The made it down another flight of stairs, weaving through the halls of the castle working hard to avoid any other living creature. The had made it to dead ends, seen rooms they had never imagined and still had yet to find the mysterious great library of the Skeksis.
"Look there," Kylan pointed to a large set of double doors at the end of the hall.
The trio scurried quickly to the large wooden doors, Naia was checking over her shoulder for signs of anyone else. Brea held her breath as she reached out for the bronze handle, wishing on every thing in her being that she had finally found the great library. She paused for a second before pushing on the heavy door and then before her she saw an enormous room with multiple levels and endless rows of books. Brea stepped end, her eyes wide as she took in the sheer volume of journals, diaries, logbooks, and chronicles that were overflowing in the room.
"This must be it," Kylan stepped in after her, he did not seem impressed by what they were witnessing.
"No Gelfling has ever been allowed to step foot into the library," Brea couldn't contain her excitement.
"So we're the first," Naia briefly glanced to the floors above them. "How will find the information you need?"
"I need to figure out how he organizes the books," She rested her hand on a pile nearby that had dust collected on the top.
"That could take a few hundred trine," Kylan muttered to himself.
"With whatever those things are, we can't stay here long, Brea," Naia again looked behind them for a sign of the bulky creature.
"You two should head to the crystal chamber, I'll find what I need here."
"Absolutely not," Naia shook her head. "We are not splitting up!"
"Then we must hurry," Kylan strode further into the room towards what appeared to be a large wooden desk.