Mythos: Last Stand

  Chapter 24 — A Meal With Friends

  by Caide Fullerton

  A great stone wall stood high over the western edge of the city, eclipsing the pinkish glow of the setting sun. It cast a long, deep shadow over the city below, clashing against the sparkling blue that rose from the ocean.

  The city of Avek Tirion was made up of a three-quarter-circle around a round bay, the land framing the mouth of the bay mere strips of sand topped with stone platforms. Its districts were divided into several flat layers, forming a titanic staircase down to the shoreline. Piers crisscrossed the bay, many ships standing tall as they bobbed on the gentle waves.

  Despite the approaching night, the city was loud and lively with bustling citizens. Everywhere Jackie looked, people were hard at work carrying crates and burlaps between buildings, yanking clothes off of clotheslines, or chopping firewood. They could hear the clangs of smiths pounding at metal in the distance, and the street smelled of some mix of smoke and metal and meat.

  The crowds here were even more diverse than in Heapwatch. They saw many of the same races they already recognized—Spriggans, Alphiccae, beastfolk, and Human-like people they assumed were Undead—and there were even more of the lizardfolk and frog-like people they’d seen a handful of, but there were others as well. Tall, blue-skinned folk with serpentine tails where their legs should be; humanoid insects with stick-thin frames and rounded eyes; people whose skin glistened with glowing, multicolored runes; grey-skinned folk with pointed ears, not unlike the elves from Evendel.

  It was a lot to take in.

  Sils: “Th’admiral should’ve started preparin’ my ship already, but not even I’m crazy enough ta set out at night, an’ I’m sure y’all need a rest.” She sat on Jahd’s shoulder as she spoke, the Zombie stepping forward at a brisk pace. “Stay close. We’ll hit an inn nearby.”

  The others did as they were told, following close as Jahd cut through the crowds of workers and peddlers and drunkards. Some seemed to recognize him, stepping out of the way or bowing with respect. Passing guardsmen addressed him with a nod or a lazy salute.

  They moved a ways down the main street, passing stalls of food or clothing or equipment closing up for the night. They descended two flights of stairs to the third layer of the city, the one just above the shore and the piers. They passed several large, important-looking buildings and turned into an alley, a moment later arriving in front of a quaint, idyllic building nestled between several larger and more imposing structures.

  Jahd: “Welcome ta the Young Lotus Inn. It’s more or less our private getaway; nobody’ll get in yer business ‘ere.”

  He opened the door and waved the rest of the group inside, the chime of a bell accompanying the creak of hinges. Jackie stepped inside first, followed by the rest of their companions; as they entered, they were met by the scent of honey. The inside of the inn was laid out simply, a few round wooden tables and a bar illuminated by the warm glow of a lantern. A spiral staircase led to an upper floor and a basement. Behind the bar stood a young-looking girl who leaned over it to peer at the newcomers.

  ???: “Customers? Are you the guys Kyte mentioned?” She leaned so far over the bar it seemed she might tumble over, eyes sparkling. “You took long enough! I’ve been bored out of my mind waiting!”

  The girl had pale, pink-tinted skin and matching eyes. Where her hair should be was instead a beautiful lotus bud, currently knit closed. She wore a white dress whose skirt curved out in many rounded strips like the petals of a flower. With her childlike complexion and short stature, she looked to be a teenager at most.

  Sils: “Sorry fer the wait, Sagacia.” She perched herself on Jackie’s head. “We hit a snag on the way here. Got a big group tonight.”

  Sagacia: “No problem—you’ve got the whole place to yourselves! Well, minus me.” She placed her hands on her hips with a proud huff, puffing out her chest. Then, pouting, she gave Sils a side-eye. “Stop being weird and formal, though. Call me Saga like everyone else.”

  As if to prove her point, a red-haired girl came running over, slamming her hands down on the bar to lean towards her,

  Raffica: “Saga! How’ve you been?”

  Saga: “Oh, Raffica! It’s so great to see you again!” She embraced the taller girl. “I’m doing well. Are you a part of this mission?”

  Raffica: “Yep! It’s my first real job with Sils.”

  Saga stepped back, raising an eyebrow. “Your first? You’ve been at Heapwatch for months now, haven’t you?”

  Sils cleared her throat. “In any case, we’ve had a long day, so I’d like ta get everythin’ sorted. Everyone, this is Saga. She ain’t a fighter, but she’s a trusted associate of ours. Feel free t’ask ‘er if ya need anythin’.”

  Strade crossed his arms. “Tch. What’s a kid gonna help us with?”

  Saga scoffed. “I’ll have you know I turned forty-three just last month.”

  Strade looked her up and down. “I refuse to believe that.”

  Jahd: “She’s a Dryad. They look a lot younger than they are, courtesy of their immortality. Same as me, Celeste, an’ Sils, fer that matter.” He waltzed over to the bar, plopping down on a stool and resting an arm on the counter. “Saga’s a bit of an extreme case, though. Most don’t look as childlike as her.”

  The Dryad sighed, turning to retrieve a drink for Jahd before he could even ask. “It’s a real hassle, y’know.”

  Sils: “Don’t you Dryads grow ta look exactly how ya want?”

  Saga: “That’s preposterous. Who told you that?”

  Sils: “Kirra. An’ I think she’s a whole lot smarter ‘an either of us.” She chuckled and fluttered up into the air. “Either way, I’m off ta report ta Kyte. Jahd’s in charge. If he gets blackout drunk, Jackie takes over.”

  Jackie: “Oho?~ You trust me enough to be third-in-command?”

  Sils: “I’ve reason to believe you’ll keep things runnin’ smoothly, that’s all. It’s Saga’s inn, so don’t get any ideas even if y’are in charge.” With that she zipped out a window, disappearing into the night.

  Saga looked between everyone. “Well, I’d offer you drinks, but that’s probably not a good idea before an important mission.” She glanced at Jahd, who was clearly an exception, given he was already halfway through a bottle of whiskey. “How about dinner instead?”

  * ? *

  Jackie hadn’t realized how hungry they were until there was food placed in front of them. They and their companions were served a feast of soups and sandwiches and grilled fruits; all of it seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye. Saga seemed more amused by this fact than she was annoyed, but it kept her busy retrieving plates and bowls and supplying the tables with ever more food. At some point, Raffica had stopped eating and started cooking, just barely allowing Saga to keep up with the demand.

  Jackie regained control of their body halfway through a thick meat skewer. They paused, wiped their mouth, and stared blankly ahead for a moment, unsure of what to even say. They finally settled on a simple question,

  Jackie: “What kind of meat is this, anyway?”

  Saga: “Those? Maneater legs.”

  They blinked, and the other three Humans paused as well. “The giant spiders?”

  Saga: “Yep. Pretty metal, right?”

  Strade: “Damn straight.” He agreed and immediately plucked a spider-meat skewer from the center of the table.

  Watching from the bar with a more modest meal beside him, Jahd chuckled at the display. “Ye Humans sure have an appetite all of a sudden. Sure ye were eatin’ yer fill back in Heapwatch?”

  Sam inhaled a mighty slurp of soup before answering, “I don’t think we knew what ‘our fill’ was. We were still eating like we were rationing food in the Heap.”

  Helena nodded in agreement. “Once it was in front of me, I couldn’t help myself.”

  Saga gave a pleased hum. “Well, there’s no need to hold back. You’ll just have to work hard to pay me back for it all later.”

  That got all four Humans to stop in their tracks, each twisting to face her. She burst out laughing.

  Saga: “I’m kidding, I’m kidding! This place is basically a government facility; it all goes on Kyte’s tab.”

  Jackie: “Is this Kyte the Admiral I keep hearing about? You guys seem awfully casual with him.”

  Jahd: “Aye. It’s hard not ta be casual with him, honestly. The man hates titles much as he loves smokin’.”

  Strade cocked his head. “Smoking? Like… a fire?”

  Jahd nearly spat out his drink with a hearty chuckle. “Hoo boy, y’all’re in fer some real treats.”

  Jackie: “How do you guys have so much food, anyways? I was under the impression you weren’t doing so great with the war and all.”

  Jahd: “We ain’t, since no trade’s getting’ in or out. Food’s about th’only thing we do have plenty of.” He took another swig of whiskey. “My turn. Why’d ye agree in the end?”

  Jackie: “To work for Sils, you mean?” They leaned back in their chair, “It worked out conveniently for us, I guess. Helena and I can see the world, Strade can get some fighting experience, Sam can save people, and Lii gets to experience a normal life again.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Jahd: “I wouldn’t quite call our mission normal.”

  Jackie shrugged. “We’re four Humans and a Mimic; I don’t think ‘normal’ is ever really going to be an option for us. We—”

  Raffica: “Well, that’s not fair!” She called out from the kitchen, a small, doorless room nestled in the corner behind the bar. Zipping out of the room and landing on the bar, she jabbed a ladle towards Jackie. “You shouldn’t have to settle because of who you are!”

  Jahd seemed unimpressed by Raffica landing beside his meal; Saga waved her arms in a panicked fluster. Jackie regarded the Alphicca with a curious expression, tilting their head,

  Jackie: “I don’t disagree. But I don’t think there’s any way our identities becoming common knowledge won’t cause a stir, good or bad. To my understanding, nobody else knows that Humans aren’t extinct, that monsters like Mimics can be civilized, or that there’s people in the Heap. It’s going to change a lot, and we’re gonna be at the center of it, like it or not.”

  Raffica: “That doesn’t make it any more fair.” She crossed her arms, giving them a determined glare. “You’re a good person. You deserve to be happy, too.”

  Jackie scratched their neck. “I can’t speak for everyone else, but who says I’m not happy? Maybe I wanna go on dangerous adventures and deal with the consequences of an extinct race’s reemergence.”

  Raffica: “Even if you do, it should be your choice.” She huffed.

  Helena placed an elbow on the table, resting her chin in her palm. “Why’re you so passionate about this? You hardly know us.” Her tone was somewhere between curious and suspicious.

  Raffica: “I just think everyone should be happy. It doesn’t matter if I know you or not.” She hopped down from the counter. “Besides, I already decided I wanted to be your friend. I’d be a pretty terrible one if I let the world kick you around.”

  Jackie gave Raffica a long, meaningful look, meeting her fiery eyes. Eventually they turned to Jahd with a shrug, “I guess that’s why, mostly. I like you guys—not just Raffica, but you, Sils, Celeste, and the others back at Heapwatch, too. I want you all to be my friends.”

  Jahd: “And ye’re willin’ ta put yer life on the line fer that?”

  Jackie gave him an incredulous look. “Uh, yeah?”

  He blinked, then burst out into boisterous laughter, rapping his fingers against the bar. “That so, eh? Ye’re a real riot, ain’tcha, kid? Ha!” He slammed his drink down on the bar and stood, stepping over to Jackie and offering a hand, “Well, if ye’re that serious, who’m I ta refuse? I’d be glad ta be yer friend—if yer willin’ ta settle for a drunk old man.”

  Jackie shook his hand without hesitation. “Sure.”

  They replied calmly, showing just a slight smile, but on the inside they were ecstatic. Someone else had asked to be their friend. Really, it was all the proof they needed that this venture was worth it.

  Raffica didn’t seem satisfied by how the conversation had progressed, so Jackie turned to her next. “The fact that you’re so concerned for us makes me happy.”

  She wrinkled her determined expression, scratching her cheek. “I guess that’s good, but… You helped me with Lapala, y’know? So, when the time comes, I’ll definitely return the favor.”

  Sam: “It sounds like your favor is gonna be a lot bigger than Jackie’s…”

  Raffica: “That’s fine! I can handle anything!” She pumped her fist, right back to her usual self.

  Jackie turned back to Jahd. “While we’re at it, I do have a question for you, too.”

  Jahd: “Oh? Go ahead.”

  Jackie: “What’s up with Sils, exactly? I understand that her powers are more useful here in the field, but it still seems odd to me that she’d leave Heapwatch when she’s in charge.”

  Jahd’s face sank; Jackie got the distinct impression that that was a difficult question to answer. “Sils, she’s got… a lot of complex feelin’s when it comes ta Heapwatch.

  “She never fancied ‘erself a leader. Convinced she ain’t got the mind fer it. But Kyte wanted someone he trusted in charge after the previous leader passed. Hers was meant ta be a temporary position, but…” He shrugged. “Things happened. We never got around ta findin’ someone else. Then the war started.

  “Keepin’ things runnin’ wasn’t hard afore, so we let it sit. The goin’ got harder once the war started, an’ Sils doesn’t think she’s cut out fer it. She’s been tryin’ ta replace ‘erself since it started, but she also cares a lot for us all. She won’t settle fer someone who can’t do it better ‘an ‘er.”

  Jackie: “She left Lapala in charge. Why not just make him the leader?”

  Jahd: “It’s one thing ta let someone step in temporarily; it’s another ta pass the torch completely. I trust Lapala with m’life, an’ he’s good at what ‘e does, but that doesn’t mean he’d make a good leader. Fer now, Sils’s rules’re still in place; he’s just a substitute.

  “I think it’d be fine to let ‘im take over completely. But she’s worried the transition might not be smooth. More an’ anythin’ else, she doesn’t wanna make a mistake that puts blood on ‘er hands—or on the hands of whoever takes her place.”

  Jackie scratched their head. “It still doesn’t make perfect sense to me. If she wants out so bad, and she thinks she isn’t a good leader, shouldn’t it be easy to find someone else?”

  Jahd shrugged. “Things rarely make perfect sense when emotions an’ responsibilities’re involved. Life’s messy, especially when ye’re in dire straits. Doesn’t help that this type o’ thinkin’ just ain’t in her blood.”

  Catching Jackie’s curious gaze, Jahd continued, “She’s a Sylph. Her race don’t have a society of their own. They wander the world doin’ what they please—they’re somethin’ between tricksters an’ bandits. They don’t hold conversations or build relationships with people or any of that other stuff Sils has been doin’. It’s second nature t’us, but it takes twice the effort fer her.”

  Jackie stroked their chin, looking down with eyebrows knit. “This whole mission’s just a bandaid, huh?”

  Jahd: “It’s a hell of a good bandaid, one that’ll save a lot of lives.” He stepped back over to the bar and retrieved his drink. “But… y’ain’t wrong. Things won’t get much better til the war’s over.” He took another swig, his bottle nearly empty.

  Jackie: “In that case, we just have to end the war, right?”

  Jahd came very, very close to spitting whiskey. “Kid, if it were that easy, I’d’ve done it already.”

  Jackie: “I know it won’t be easy, but it’ll make things better for Sils, right? It’s like Raffica said earlier. I want Sils to be my friend, too, and I want her to be happy. If ending the war is what it takes, I’ll find a way to make it happen.”

  Jahd” “Ye say the damnedest things, ye know that?” He sighed and raised his bottle to the sky, downing the rest of its contents. “I’ll hold ye to it, then. Fer now, let’s focus on the task in front of us. Looks like ye’re all about done with dinner, but ye can’t end the war without sleep.”

  On that note, Saga perked up to assume control of the conversation. “We’ve got four rooms with two beds each. There are…” she paused to count everyone, “eight of you, minus Sils, so that works out.”

  Jahd: “I’ll hang out down ‘ere so Celeste can ‘ave a room ta herself. The rest o’ ye figure things out.”

  Before anyone else could speak, Raffica marched over and took Jackie’s hand, her grip firm.

  Raffica: “In that case, you’re coming with me! You’re gonna tell me all about your life in the Heap so I can help you.”

  Jackie’s eyes widened at her assertiveness. They nodded, giving a simple “Okay” in response. Raffica gave a wide smile as she began dragging them away; they had just enough time to turn and stick their tongue out at Helena before they disappeared up the staircase.

  * ? *

  Helena flopped down on her bed with an exhausted sigh, though its texture was enough to instantly cheer her up a little bit.

  Helena: “Holy shit. This is so soft.”

  Lii: “I-I guess you’ve never had a real bed before, huh..?”

  Helena rolled over to peer at the source of the voice. The small room was laid out quite simply, a bed against each wall and a wooden desk sitting between them, a small, unlit lantern resting upon it. Lii sat on the edge of the other bed, somehow looking more tired than she already always did.

  Helena: “No. Is this considered normal out here?”

  Lii: “For the most part. These are pretty high-quality.” She patted the fabric of the mattress.

  Helena: “I don’t know how I’m meant to go back to sleeping on the ground after this.” She laid an arm over her forehead, letting her body sink into the bed. It didn’t take long for the novelty to wear off and her frustration to creep back into control. “Seriously, what was with that dumb look Jackie gave me? What was that meant to mean!?”

  Lii gave a weak shrug. “I guess they thought you’d be jealous?”

  Helena scoffed. “What exactly am I meant to be jealous of? That they’re sleeping with some cute girl?”

  Lii: “Yeah, I wonder.” She sighed and let herself fall backwards, sinking into her bed as well. “Maybe they just thought it’d annoy you?”

  Helena: “Then they’re right. I swear, one of these days…” She trailed off and sighed, reorienting herself to lie properly on the bed.

  Thinking about it wouldn’t help; worse, it would give Jackie a sense of satisfaction. Time to change the subject. “Uh, Lii. Are you… feeling alright?”

  Lii jolted in place, then took her time rolling onto her side, facing away from Helena as she finally responded, “Wh-what makes you ask that..?”

  Helena: “Uh, y’know, what happened earlier? You’ve been quiet all day since.”

  Lii: “I-I’m always quiet.”

  Helena: “You’ve been even quieter than usual.” She rolled onto her back with a sigh. “It’s fine if you don’t wanna talk about it, I guess. Just… we’re here for you, y’know?”

  She was quiet for a while. “...I know. I know that.” She took a deep, slightly shaky breath. “You really don’t mind?”

  Helena: “I’d rather know what’s wrong than just sit here imagining it.”

  Lii hesitated. “If I… I-if I became a monster, what would you do..?”

  Many gears clicked into place in her mind. “Is that what was happening?”

  Lii: “N-no!” She answered a little too fast. “I’m not! Th-th-that couldn’t… it couldn’t happen. But. Theoretically.”

  Helena thought for a second. “I wouldn’t let you get that far gone. Jackie definitely wouldn’t, either. Or Sam.” She honestly wasn’t sure about Strade.

  Lii: “But if I did?”

  She sighed. “I know exactly what you’re thinking. Listen, I… I know what I said before, when we first met. But… if it weren’t for you, we’d still be sleeping in the mud, half-starved in the Heap.”

  Her mind drifted to the conversation in the bar. She continued, “It’s like Raffica said. You deserve to be happy, even if you’re a monster or whatever. So I won’t let that happen.”

  Lii: “...you promise?” Her voice came out as a croak.

  Helena: “...yeah. I promise. If it seems like you’re becoming a monster, I’ll beat it out of you.”

  Lii: “Th-that’s kind of scary..!?”

  Helena: “Well how else am I meant to do it!?” She chuckled, then let out a soft sigh. “But, I mean it. You’re one of us. We won’t leave you behind.”

  She heard Lii’s skin shift against the bed as she curled into a ball. “...th-thanks, Helena. Um, g-goodnight.”

  Helena: “Yeah. Goodnight.”

  ? ? ?

  Jackie jolted awake, torn from a pleasant dream by… something. They weren’t sure exactly what in their dreary state. A loud noise?

  They’d gone to sleep pretty late after a very lively chat with Raffica, which left them in a rather delirious state. Glancing over to the window, they saw the first inklings of morning light filtering through it. Raffica had sat up in her bed as well, her red hair frazzled.

  Something boomed in the distance. It was a sharp sound that echoed out in a deep rumble, but it was too quiet to be what had awoken them. No, that was the sound that came after—a terrible crash, complete with the screeching of metal and stone and wood.

  More booms rang out, some close, others just as far as the first. The far sounds were followed by crashes. They could faintly hear people shouting outside. Screams.

  Avek Tirion was under attack.

  you eat giant spider meat?

  Chapter Glossary:

  Sagacia - A Dryad girl who looks much younger than she is and runs the Young Lotus Inn in Avek Tirion. Goes by Saga.

  Dryad - A race of plantlike Fae which hail from the distant nation of Yggdrasil. Sworn protectors of nature and seekers of self-actualization.