The Crystal Castle:
The Mariner and the General were tied by their wrists and ankles to thick wooden posts stationed in the throne room. They were gagged and left suspended with no food or water for three days. It was special punishment created by the Ritual Master called the Pillar of Humiliation, where the rest of the court could come and go as they please, inflicting torment and mockery. The Skeksis took great pleasure entering the throne room and throwing food at the pair while saying hateful remarks and taunting them with water. Skekayuk went so far as to poke them with forks until they bled, using it as a sauce for his meat. Skekshod would enter alone and spit on them before stealing jewelry and beating them.
When the Mariner and General had arrived to tell the Emperor of what they had heard in Stone-in-the-Wood, he had silenced them and not let them utter a syllable. This had been the punishment the Emperor had chosen to bestow on them after arriving without Rian's head. He had nearly taken their heads as replacements for the Gelfling they had failed to provide but stopped himself. Being in a war without his two best warriors would have been a foolish move, so he settled for something to humiliate them for their failure.
Three days were up and now was time to release them, but the Emperor was still unsure if he could truly trust the Mariner or the General. He stood in his room looking out at the barren tundra surrounding his castle. He ruled this land. Here he was king, and no one should dare question him. Now not only were the Gelfling after him, but he was also questioning the loyalty of his own subordinates.
"Sire?," Skeksil entered the room. "I bring you your essence."
"Excellent," Skekso turned from the view.
"Mhmmm...," The Chamberlain hummed quietly watching the Emperor limp towards him without the support of his cane. Skeksil knew there was something the Emperor was keeping secret. Something about his scepter, something about the crystal... something important. As curious as he was to find out, he also was buzzing with the prospect of taking the title of Emperor for himself. He had gotten rid of Skekvar for the very purpose of being closer to the Emperor. If Skeksil could become the closest confidant to Emperor, he could win the favor of everyone else in court and take over without any fuss.
"No sign of Gelfling, Emperor," Skeksil reported. "They all hid from the Garthim."
"There is only one Gelfling I need, it is that Rian!," Skekso gulped his drink and threw the glass to the floor. "He has escaped me for the last time!"
"Surely he will be captured," Skeksil cooed. "Today is the day to release the General, mhmm? And the Mariner?"
"They deserve to hang there until the flesh falls from their bones," The Emperor grumbled, but he was feeling slightly better with essence flowing through him. The Emperor stood taller, reaching for his scepter and letting his body heal, if only momentarily. He had no time for weakness.
"Scientist says essence is running low," Skeksil relayed the message in hopes of the Emperor becoming upset at Skektek. "Perhaps we send the Garthim to Ha'rar, mhmm? Feast on the essence of the All-Maudra?"
The Emperor couldn't deny that the idea was savory. Just thinking of that Gelfling being drained brought a warmth to his bones, but Ha'rar was heavily guarded and hidden away on the mountains. Not only that, but the Gelfling All-Maudra was young and naive. She had once offered a treaty to them in exchange for peace, she would supply Gelfling for essence. There was still a chance he could manipulate her into his larger plan.
"No," the Emperor replied as he began to walk. "We will send them to the desert. I despise the idea of the hideous Dousan living a moment longer."
The Emperor strode into the throne room, the Mariner and General looked defeated and docile. Skekso smirked at the breaking of their spirits, the General could barely even lift his head. He was especially proud of the blank and disparaged look on the Mariner's face, she had an air of mischief about her that the Emperor disdained. The rest of the court was already waiting for him, giggling at the pair dangling in front of them.
"Now you both will think twice before doing as you please," he hissed as Skekzok cut their binds.
The General fell to the floor with a solid thud, his muscles so stiff he could hardly reach to remove the gag from his mouth. The Mariner crumbled after being cut loose, unable to cushion her fall onto the hard stone.
"Forgive me, Emperor," Skekung wheezed in a hoarse voice.
Skeksa stood, her legs shaky and unstable, she steadied herself on the wooden post before raising her stare to the Emperor. He obviously took joy in seeing them in this state, she could see the twisted happiness in his beady gaze. All the Skeksis had come to see them released from their punishment, even Skekshod the new Collector stood in the corner grinning. The Mariner swiped the goblet from the Gourmand and downed the contents with a single gulp, Skekayuk stuttered a hateful response and his friends tried to calm him.
"Emperor," the Mariner faced the ruler of the Skeksis. She was not as strong as she had been and her voice was weak, but the information was important. "We bring news from Stone-in-the-Wood. News of a prophecy."
The room erupted into whispers as the Emperor's face turned dark.
"What prophecy?"
"A Prophecy of Gelfling!," Skekung clumsily stood and struggled for his balance.
"You must mean the stone?," The Satirist asked. "The Emperor has already been informed, the code was cracked yesterday," he seemed confident and smug.
"What all did you find?," Skeksa asked.
"It speaks of harmony," scoffed the Scientist. "No doubt the mindless dolling of Gelfling with dreams of peace."
"You are wrong," The General sneered. "There is more to it," her turned to the Mariner to support his words.
She could tell by the look on his face he could not remember all that was said by Mother Aughra. Instead of focusing, he had spent his time on the pole whimpering and feeling sorry for himself. Skeksa rolled her eyes, he was almost entirely useless.
"The stone is a prophecy forged by the Crystal," Skeksa turned to the Emperor. "It speaks of Gelfling being the end of Skeksis."
"Liars!" "This can't be true!" "How could Gelfling end Skeksis!?" The room was a mess of noise, everyone talking over one another, some out of fear and others in disbelief.
"SILENCE!," The Emperor's voice boomed and echoed in the throne room. His sharp gaze landed on The Mariner; he was unsure if he could trust her. She had proven to be a wandering soul and had failed to show her loyalty by bringing Rian's head. "How do you know this is true?"
"Aughra!," The General chimed in. "She was there! She interpreted the prophecy."
Skekso's claws clutched the handle of his scepter tightly. He was growing tired of hearing that name and soon believed he would need to rectify the old hag, perhaps by taking her remaining eye and leaving her in the desert.
"Aughra is not all wise," Skeksil rolled his eyes. "Maybe they lie to you? Deceive you? Hmm?"
"The Gelfling had no idea we were there," The General huffed.
"What all did Aughra say?," The Satirist inquired.
"She spoke of the prophecy, now sacred to Gelfling since it was forged by the Crystal itself through a Gelfling girl. It was said to say the end of Skeksis and that Gelfling would be the ones to defeat us."
"IMPOSSIBLE!" "LIES!"
The court was furious by what the Mariner was saying, but the Emperor was surprisingly composed. Skeksa saw he was again leaning heavily into his cane and to even stand there seemed to pain him.
"It cannot be true," The Satirist hissed. "Skekok and myself deciphered it. It says no such thing."
"Gelfling are small minded and Aughra is blind!," Skekok huffed.
"Emperor, we speak the truth," Skeksa paid no attention to the blubbering of the court.
"The Emperor sent you to retrieve Gelfling head, not Gelfling fables," Skeksil hummed, antagonizing the situation on purpose.
"Yes and were we not just punished for that grave mistake," Skekung glared at the red robed serpent.
"None of that matters," spat Skeksil. "What matters is we end Gelfling before they end us."
"Yes," The Emperor straightened his stance. "We show no mercy to Gelfling."
"NO MERCY!," echoed in the room with malicious cackling.
"I want the Garthim there now. I want that Gelfling girl dead!"
Stone-in-the-Wood:
It had been days since Mother Aughra had come with her grand announcement of prophecy and there was a swirl of emotions around the village. Some rejoiced at the news, knowing that the Skeksis would be defeated even if it did take 23 trine. Others were mourning the loss of loved ones and missing distant family, fearing the worst that could happen over the span of two decades. With the Skeksis having the clear upper hand with their new warriors and the near demise of two entire clans, many soldiers debating leaving Stone-in-the-Wood to return home.
That was before Deet arrived.
When Deet stepped into the village, she drew everyone's attention to her, she was spectacle that inspired awe. By now stories of her victory against the Skeksis and her part in the prophecy were all anyone seemed to talk about. With her here, it shifted the mood and spirits lifted. Many saw her as the Gelfling secret weapon, some divine being that would save us all. Deet shared stories of the Grotton village and was able to ease the fear that parents had about their children who were so far away.
Deet knew that she was looked at differently, she could feel it in the eyes that followed her around Stone-in-the-Wood. Were people scared of her or were they just scared of the Darkening? She was glad it didn't change how her friends saw her, Brea nearly toppled Deet when they hugged for the first time. Hup would keep her company and follow her around the village, like a protective little shadow. Kylan and Gurjin gave warm welcomes, but they kept mostly to themselves. Deet had learned of Naia's death and how Gurjin had lost his village as well as his own father. Rian had been her biggest comfort; he had this way about him to bring a smile to Deet's face. He even offered for her to stay with him and Brea in his own cottage, but Maudra Yre insisted she get a room in the hall.
"You are so kind to have risked you own life for mine, Brea. A true friend," Deet thanked her as they sat in Rian's home.
Deet was told what had happened at the Castle of the Crystal and how Brea, Kylan and Naia had gone there on her behalf. Brea showed her the book and the little she had managed to understand.
"It was a choice we all made. The answers to your powers could be in these pages... if only it made sense to me," Brea dropped her head into her hands.
"I may have no powers at all... The Darkening has gone since the prophecy."
"The Darkening...," Brea repeated her words, her mind brought back to the battle at Stone-in-the-Wood. The Emperor had thrust his scepter forward to release the Darkening on them, the bright buzz of purple static, and then Deet. Brea looked to her friend, Deet still looked like she always had except for her eyes. They once sparkled and lit up with her dazzling smile, but now as she sat beside Brea, they were brown and bleak.
"What's wrong, Deet?"
"Deet mots," Hup replied boosting himself onto the table and sliding the book in front of him.
"I'm worried, Brea," Deet admitted with a bowed head. "People here see me as a hero, some savior to protect them... but I don't think I am. I'm not even sure I have those powers anymore."
Brea slid her hand over Deet's," I have faith in you, Deet."
"That's the problem," Deet sighed. "This faith... I'm not sure I deserve it. What I did, I never meant to do it. I mean, I never planned to attack the Skeksis like that and I'm sure I could do it again even if I tried."
Brea didn't know what to say to comfort her friend. Brea wanted to help Deet, she didn't want her friend to feel so helpless. She had wanted to be the solution for Deet, the one to give her closure about her possible powers, answers to fix her worries. Brea had forced her way into enemy territory to recover something she considered to be asset to their cause. Now it lay in front her mocking her with words she couldn't read, taunting her with the possibility of answers. Rek'yr had been coming to Rian's house every day to help her transcribe the Sanctuary Tree's secrets, but progress was slow. Aughra had left too soon for Brea to ask any questions. Aughra said she was on her way to Ha'rar to give Seladon the news of the prophecy.
"Have you tried?," Brea asked her instead curiously.
"Of course not," Deet shook her feathered fringe.
"Maybe you should."
Brea's mind was now tickled by the science of Deet's mystical power. She wanted to know how it worked and why it worked, her curiosity was bubbling inside her. The book seemed to be a tragic waste, with no way to really decipher it, the pages would most likely stay secret forever.
"I... I feel different now. I don't know how to explain it... the world feels different," Deet turned to her friend. "It's like I can feel Thra, the life it's building and the death destroying it. When I walk on the ground, it's not just walking anymore. I can feel the footsteps... I don't know how to say it."
A loud whistle pierced the peaceful afternoon, everyone's head sharply turned towards the door of the home. They all knew the whistle; it was a warning. A warning of coming danger. The jubilant atmosphere of the room deflated immediately and Deet's heart began to race in her chest. Deet charged to the door and swung it open to reveal the village now mobilized for the coming attack. Gelfling were arming themselves with weapons and Deet saw Maudra Yre emerge from the hall and start giving commands to the soldiers.
The warning whistle pierced the air again, closer now than before. Another warning for a separate scout.
"The Garthim," Brea swallowed the fear inside her. "They're coming."
"Hup fight!," the Podling jumped from the steps of the cottage, ready for action.
Deet, however, was frozen. She was fixated on the chaos unraveling before her. The Gelfling soldiers running to the armory to get weapons, the shouting of orders by Maudra Yre, the steel clang of metal, she was zoning out of it all. The noises faded into her background, and she thought of the horrible vision she had seen as she was given her powers. It was as if the vision was unfolding in front of her, the running and the screaming, the crystal flashed in her mind and then Mirror of the Mountain itself.
"Deet you must be strong," The Sanctuary Tree had told her. "There is much coming."
"There is much coming," she whispered out loud to herself, letting herself snap back to the present.
"We must arm ourselves," Brea was already running towards the armory, expecting Deet to follow. Hup began to run after her and looked back to see Deet still standing in the doorway.
A third whistle rang, this time now further from the main village. The threat is moving away, Deet turned her head towards the whistle. Moving east. Moving towards...
"...Grottons," she whispered.
This cracked the rigidity out of Deet's system, she expanded her wings and flew into the air, with a straight shot out of the village.
"DEET!," Hup called after her, but she had not time to waste. Hup watched his friend fly away, but he couldn't run after her, she was too fast in the air. He fought internally before heading to the armory to get a weapon. He would fight with Gelfling and find Deet later.
Rian was at the edge of the forest with his platoon, he had been there all-day running training exercises when he heard first whistle. Rian immediately ordered them all to return to the village, it was crucial everyone was together as the strength of Gelfling was their numbers. The second whistle came, this one now closer and Rian realized the threat was charging towards them. Now he wanted to have the element of surprise, so he commanded everyone hide in the large rocks scattered by the edge of the trees. The third whistle came, it was definitely closer, and Rian felt his heart jump.
Rian leapt behind the giant rocks, crouching there with other soldiers. Rian squatted beside a Dousan, Emit, who was shaking uncontrollably while holding his spear. "Easy," Rian whispered to him and peeked above the rock. There was a distant rustle, whatever was approaching had no respect for the wildlife and was crashing through everything without hesitation. It could only be the Garthim, Rian thought. But why are they heading away from Stone-in-the-Wood?
Emit gasped as the sight of the big, black Garthim monsters emerging from the brush. There were five that Rian counted, marching in single file with their skittering legs moving quickly to keep pace. Even at the distance, Rian was able to see their massive claws and the nets wrapped around their bodies. Where are they going, he stood a little taller to watch their trail. Nothing out that way, not since the Spritons are gone... It took a moment longer before it clicked in his head. The Grotton village!
"They must be heading towards the Grottons," Gurjin shared his thought.
"They have no soldiers," Tijar mumbled to himself and tensed with his eyes narrowed. "Those slithering Skeksis," he spat.
"The Grotton village hold all the children!," a soldier shrieked.
Rian held up a hand to silence them all.
"Five of them, thirty of us... can it be done?," he looked to Gurjin.
"We need to send someone for reinforcement," he looked to Emit who was still shaking as he watched the Garthim scuttle further away. "You," he pointed. "Got the village. Get help!"
The solider nodded and complied immediately, running into the trees and disappearing.
"They aren't ready, Rian," Gurjin whispered, knowing what was to come. "The Garthim are dangerous."
"That's the problem with war," Rian stood. "Will we ever really be ready?" Rian turned to his platoon, some of them now standing, all waiting for a command from him. Some seemed anxious, scared of the Garthim either due to the stories told or firsthand experience. Other had anger in their eyes, similar to Tijar, wanting a chance to get even for the damages done by the Skeksis.
"Training ends here," Rian told them. "Now we fight for Thra. Silent approach."
The platoon began to creep out from behind the large stones, like water oozing from between the cracks. Rian led in the front, his sword flat to his chest as the team hustled to catch up with the enemy. A flash of movement to his right diverted his attention, it was a Gelfling speeding through the air straight towards the Garthim. And it wasn't just any Gelfling, it was the same braided platinum hair and brown dress he would recognize anywhere.
"DEET!"