Lily and Malroth stood up at the temple a few days later, Hermit and Tiny having wanted to see them before they finished the pyramid. "My magic can only con-con-conceal the island for so long, soon you'll have to travel to Moon-Moon-Moonbrooke to see how many warriors will come back-back-back to the Isle to help us against the Children." Hermit leaned against his hammer, throwing a glance to Tiny who was much more weary about the two going to the next destination.
"They aren't ready. I've sssaid thisss a thousssand timesss." Tiny hissed, his little wings flapping angrily at the Hermit.
"What are you a-a-afraid of? They'll be safe with you there."
"Can we discuss this later? I promised Lulu and Babs I would finish the blueprint for the pyramid today so the others could get to work on it. And besides, Dougie has been trying to contact me through my resident list for the last twenty minutes while you two have been arguing."
"He has?" Malroth had his arms crossed and was laughing, shaking his head. "Is that what that annoying dinging is in the back of my head?"
"Yes, that's the others growing impatient." Lily shook her head, noticing that the two monsters in front of them weren't even paying attention to the two of them. She leaned into Malroth, her voice a soft whisper. "C'mon, they aren't even paying attention."
Malroth tipped his head, a hungry growl leaving him. "I have an idea on what we could do instead." He laughed quietly when Lily gave him a playful shove and the two were sneaking down the stairs and headed towards the Scarlet Sands.
Malroth was relaxing by the oasis, a Digger Jigger in hand as he watched Lily run around the Sands, building a new pub and pool along with a new kitchen. He could tell just by how many projects she picked up that she was starting to get anxious. He let out a low whistle, catching her attention and waving her over with a curl of his finger. "Aren't you taking on a few too many projects right now?"
"It's keeping my mind busy, I'm fine, really." Lily gave a nervous laugh as she tried to run by him, not wanting him to feel the panic coming off of her.
Malroth lashed out, his arms wrapping around her waist and yanking her down, so she landed on his lap. "You've built the shop that Ordelia wanted, you're wanting to go to another island to see if someone will come run that shop, and now you're building a new pub and pool? Take a breather, will ya?"
"Malroth, really, I need to get as many of my side projects done as I can, we only have a few days before we have to leave this island to go get more fighters. I'm fine, I promise." She laughed, seeing that look in his eyes that said he didn't believe her. "Tonight, you can help me relax." Her voice came out in a purr that had Malroth licking his lips and giving her a playful growl. If she were being honest with herself, she was exhausted, but that was only because Malroth found something new to destroy and that was her. The last few days had mostly consisted of him hogging her to himself and hiding away in their cliffside home.
By the end of the week that Hermit had given the two, Lily and Malroth had gone to two smaller islands and picked up cattle and two great sabrecubs along more people to come live on the island. Lily had finished all of her smaller projects like the pub and even a few more fields up in the gardens; which made Rosie happy. She was finally relaxing with her toes in the water, slowly sipping on a Digger when Lulu came over, a wide grin on her lips. "Is the pyramid finished?"
"You betcha! Although, the boys are talking defense and offense for when the Children come back." Lulu swept her arms back towards the pyramid, showing off the top that looked like Goldirox.
"I know, they have been for the last two days." Lily got up, linking her arm with Lulu's. "C'mon, we'll go talk to everyone and I'll try my best to put their minds at ease." She led the way over to the tablet, feeling a similar power wafting off of it like how the one up at the Green Gardens did when they finished the list on it. She looked around, seeing Malroth waiting near the tablet. He didn't look all that pleased, but if Lily had to guess, it was due to the power coming from the tablet that she was about to activate.
"Ho-ho-ho! I can feel the pow-pow-power of creation coursing through the island already!" The Hairy Hermit appeared next to Malroth, beaming as Lily stepped up to the tablet. "Go on! Go on!" When the girl touched the tablet, magic erupted, flowing through her, into her and around her. "Before long, this place will be a paradise that even the legendary builder of yore-yore-yore would be proud of!"
"That's great news! My Empire of Evisceration will be-" Malroth slammed his head against the rock wall next to him, a loud snarl leaving him. "Da… Damnit…! Not again… Not…"
Lily ran over to Malroth, her fingers sliding into his hair and pulling him against her so the others wouldn't see how his eyes changed, how the fangs in his mouth elongated. So, they wouldn't see the pain in his face as he fought back whatever was bothering him.
My Lord and Master…
Hear me…
What ails You, Might Malroth?
Does something cause You pain?
"Ag- uuurgh! Again… just leave… just leave me alone!"
I see…
As the world fills with the power of creation…
Your appetite for destruction grows…
Lily clung to Malroth, a searing pain burned through her veins, bringing tears to her eyes as Malroth dug his fingers into her skin. Malroth was shaking against her, Lily could feel the heat and slick of his tears against her neck.
"Lies… it's all lies…!" Malroth pulled away from Lily, his power flowing ten-fold what it did last time, the shock of it forced Lily to her ass as she stared up at Malroth, but as soon as he pulled away, any signs of the power was fading, his canines were shrinking back down, his eyes weren't as wild and hungry for… for something, Lily couldn't put her finger on it.
The day that You will lead this world
To its salvation draws ever closer…
But first You must understand the truth…
You must know Your own nature…
You must become the god You are…
"Are you alright, Malroth? Is something the matter?" Lulu stepped up, watching her friend carefully.
Malroth stood up straight, sweat dotting his brow from how hard he was fighting to maintain his composure. "It's nothing… I'm fine."
"I fink I saw yer muscles bulgin' a bit bigger there, Malroff!" Digby stared at Malroth with hearts in his eyes, admiring the physique of the taller male. Soon Malroth was playfully showing off his muscles with Dougie and Digby, laughing like nothing had happened.
Malroth turned to Lily, a dark look crossing his eyes as he looked her over. "Shall we go see the Hermit up at the temple?"
"I'm going with you!" Lulu stomped her feet as she followed her two friends up to the temple.
It was like Lily was taken back in time to earlier that week when Hairy and Tiny had called them up to the temple, Tiny had a stern look on his face while Hairy seemed to be as carefree as ever. "Asss you know… the Children will more than likely attack any day now, onssse they find the isssland again." Tiny glanced to Hairy, annoyance on his face.
"Which could be any day-day-day now." Hairy swung his hammer around as if he were bored of this conversation already, all he really wanted to do was watch Lily build. "I rec-rec-recommend going to the land of nev-nev-never ending war… A forbidden place where no outsider dares set-set-set foot." Hairy looked right at Lily, waiting for her reaction at his final words. "Moonbrooke."
Before Lily could even speak, Lulu lunged, eyes nearly bugging from her head. "Moonbrooke… you mean The Moonbrooke?! But… hasn't that place been abandoned since the castle was sacked? How could there still be a war going on there…?"
Tiny watched Lily carefully, seeing the confusion on her face that turned into unease. She was slowly adding something in her mind, the pieces were slowly falling into place, but she was missing a piece or two. "What does it matter?" Malroth reached up, giving a pigtail a playful tug to bring Lily back to the here and now. "Any island with a 'never ending war' raging on it sounds like just my kind of place!"
"If you're willing to risssk yourssselvesss to go… Brownbeard will be waiting." Tiny hissed, side eyeing the Hermit.
"Are you not going with us?" Lily stared at Tiny, her eyes wide as if she were pleading with the little monster to go with them. She saw how he quickly looked away from her, obviously not wanting to go, but she could tell that something was forcing him to go one way or another.
"Of tah' Moonbrooke?" Brownbeard smiled at Lily and Malroth when they arrived, eyes glittering. "A little flyin' fish told me that it's home to a military general who's as fierce as she is beautiful, and a master swordsman whose blood is hot enough to boil a blizzard! Only problem is, there's some bad juju about that island, and we pirates – I mean, we sailors – are a supercilious bunch. I'd rather not get within squiddin' distance o' the place. But if that's where you wanna go, I'll take ya… reluctantly."
Lily looked back at Lulu who was leaning against one of the great sabrecubs, the two looked excited for their friends to go on this new adventure. "I'll uhm… we'll see you later, Lulu!" Lily waved as she took Malroth's hand and slowly climbed onto the boat with him.
"Say hello to the princess if you meet her!" Lulu giggled as the boat pulled away from the dock, waving at her friends.
Lily turned; eyes wide as another piece of the puzzle in her brain clicked into place. "Princess? What are you… you mean the Queen-" She whispered, not seeing the expression of worry on Tiny's face as they sailed away.
"What do you think-think-think of this, Hargon? This world was once barren and bare, but now it hum-hum-hums with life. It may be nothing more than an illusion, read-read-ready to shatter at any moment… but there are still things here that I believe in… Like the pow-pow-power of humans… and the pow-pow-power of creation…"
When the four docked, Brownbeard shivered and pointed to a cave just off to the side. "I-I'll stay here an' see to the ship… the crow's nest needs swabbin' an' the mizzenmast needs… mizzenin'. When ye want to head back home… just say the word."
"No, Brownbeard, head home. I have a feeling we'll be here a while, come back every few weeks to see if we're ready. But I don't want you getting caught up by the Children again." Lily smiled, touching her captain on the arm. "We'll be fine."
Brownbeard nodded and jumped eagerly back on his ship, looking to the two one more time before setting sail once more. Malroth looked to Tiny who was curled up against Lily's neck, frowning at all of the snow. "So, this is it, hm?"
"Yesss, thisss isss Moonbrooke…"
Lily reached out, her fingers touching the snow. This wasn't right. If her counting was right, the time of year back home would put Moonbrooke in late spring, not dead winter like this. She looked up, not able to see the castle from the tall cliff walls; but she could smell ash and smoke along with blood. She looked to Malroth, seeing that the scents were getting him excited for a fight.
"Say, Lily… what's all this fluffy white shit? From the way Whitebeard talked about it, I figured the ground would be red-" Malroth dropped to his knees, hands gripping his head as pain rushed through him. "What… what the hell?!"
O Mighty Malroth, Master of Destruction…
This isle abounds with death and devastation.
The perfect place for You to realize
Your true potential…
I await Your awakening with bated breath….
"That damn voice again… who is it? What do they want-"
"No. No, no, no! This isn't how this was supposed to happen! Damnit!"
Tiny immediately turned invisible as Lily and Malroth looked up, a man was pacing at the mouth of the canyon just ahead. He had deep blue hair and was in full armor as he beat his forehead with the heel of his hand, cursing to himself. He happened to look up, seeing Lily and Malroth standing on the docks. "By… by jove! What in the world do we have here, then?"
Malroth surged to his feet, putting himself between the stranger and Lily. He still felt raw as the pain slowly ebbed away, panting as the man approached. Lily carefully touched Malroth's arm, letting him know that she could handle things until he was in a better state of mind. "Hi, I'm-"
"It's not normal for humans to pay a visit to these parts. If you're an ally of the monsters, I suggest you leave now, before I drive you out by force!" He paused, taking in the way Lily stood with a hand on her hip and a blank expression on her face. "Judging by that vacant expression, it would seem you haven't the slyness for that manner of subterfuge. Perhaps you're not in league with the enemy after all." He relaxed, sheathing his blade slowly. "But then, what in the world brings you to a place like this?"
Lily rolled her eyes, letting the insult slide for now. "Like I was saying; my name is Lily, I'm a builder and this is Malroth, he's the muscle of our operation. We're looking for people who would come back to our island to help drive away the forces of Hargon."
"Wh… what?!" The man went wide eyed, jaw agape as he stared at Lily. "A builder… hmmm." He turned his back on Lily and Malroth, not having really noticed Malroth at all. "Could the legends be true? Could you be the builder who will bring balance back to Moonbrooke?" He turned to Lily again, nodding at her. "Well met, milady. Warwick, Captain of the Moonbrooke Brigade of Guards, at your service."
Lily watched as Warwick turned and ran back through the snow, only to stop and look at the two again. "My good lady, I require your aid! Follow me, I prithee!"
Malroth followed Lily, watching her as she gathered plants and herbs on the way through the canyon after Warwick, a small laugh leaving him as she ran from plant to plant. "C'mon, this guy looks like he's about to shit his pants from impatience."
"Warwick, my boy, you have returned! And with strangers in town, no less! Don't tell me you've managed to rally new recruits to our cause?!"
Lily was looking at the girl who was laying on the ground, she could tell even from this distance that her breath was shallow and labored. She didn't pay the men around her any attention as she went up to the girl, digging her fingers into the wound on her belly and then pulling her fingers back, giving them a sniff. "Poisoned."
Warwick and Malroth stood in the way of the kingly man and the old warrior as Lily ran around doing what she does best. "Your Majesty! Lord Gerome! Glad news! This young lady is our long-awaited builder – the emissary of annihilation who will lead us to victory on the battlefield!"
"Lily? Lead you to victory?" Malroth did his best to stifle his laughter, while Lily had gotten better about fighting, she wasn't a pro like he was. He watched as she made the antidote and some healing salve to put on the girl's wounds.
A surprised noise to her right had Lily looking up finally, her heart stopped. Here she was, sitting there staring up into a face she had seen many times, but never actually met in person.
"Gram, who is that?" The small girl pointed to the large painting on the wall. It was a man with the Royal Crown on his head, his long brown hair and beard framing his face.
The old woman looked down at the little girl next to her, a smile on her face. "Why, that is the late King of Moonbrooke, Queen Varia's father. He died when the Children of Hargon attacked Moonbrooke many, many years ago."
It felt like the world, like time itself had stopped as Lily stared up into the face, tears of panic welling in her eyes. She felt like she was falling, but her body didn't move. And then it seized, and her head hit the hard-stone floor beneath her, making her world go dark.
"Damnit. I knew this would happen. Damn that stupid Hermit." A blank, snow white mask was suddenly in Lily's line of sight. She was no longer on the cold, snowy island with a dead man and Malroth at her back, she was in a warm cave; one that she knew well from her childhood, the place where her great grandmother had woken up in decades before Lily was even a thought.
The builder wanted to scream, wanted to lash out but her body didn't respond, she was frozen in place. "Calm her, woman. I cannot put her back down in this state and keep time stopped there. Not with Him so close to His true power."
A soft, cold hand stroked Lily's hair, her grandmother was cooing softly to her. "My sweet girl, relax. You've been doing so well. You need to relax, let Dracken help you. When your adventure is done, you can come back and tell Gram all about it, hm?" The cooing became soft as a thumb was brushed under Lily's eye, swiping away tears. "Hush, my child. Gram is here with you, but right now… you have a world to save."
The world went dark again, it felt like Lily was floating in cold water, but then she realized she was surrounded by the cool darkness. It was peaceful. "Lily, you will feel numb for a few days, your mind will be cloudy. All I ask is that you build a room for yourself and Malroth, I will explain all that I can when you build that room. I am with you, but I cannot let you see me, for your safety. Remember to stay you, Lily. Stay you."
Lily was sitting up again, staring up at the King, her signature goofy grin planted on her lips once more. She turned her attention to Malroth, he was livid, she could feel the rage and confusion in their bond. "Everything is alright, Mal."
Malroth gave a jerky nod but he kept his attention locked on Warwick and the other two men. "So… are you a bunch of idiots that blindly follow Hargon too?"
