I don’t know when the Champion made the decision. At first, he wanted to return home. However, mere months after his summoning, he’d revealed to me his desire to stay in our world. What brought on this change? Ambition? A desire to protect? I don’t know. But I, and the Empire, were all the more glad for it.

  -Excerpt from “The Chief Guide’s Ruminations”

  Galen felt a sense of urgency. The reason eluded him. He felt anxious, as though there was something he had to do. Or perhaps it was a foreboding feeling, his gut telling him that something would soon occur.

  With everything that’s already happened, what ELSE could possibly be coming?!

  He simply couldn’t figure out WHY he had this uneasy feeling. He just did.

  Redian, Galen reached out to his blade.

  “Yeah, boss?” his sword asked.

  Keep an eye out. Something is coming. Or maybe something is gonna happen? Maybe soon?

  Redian was quiet for a moment, before he finally said with an annoyed tone, “Well that’s incredibly vague! Exactly what do you want me to keep an eye out for?”

  I don’t know, Galen responded.

  He could sense Redian’s mental frown deepen as the sword replied, “And THAT’S super helpful, boss…”

  Sorry. I really wish I could explain, but… I don’t know. It’s just a gut feeling I have.

  He could almost FEEL the Sentient Weapon mentally rolling its nonexistent eyes, “You fleshy humans and your ‘gut feelings.’ I will never understand that strange phenomenon. Actually, no, that’s a lie. I do understand it. A gut feeling is nothing more than a subconscious recognition of patterns identified from past experiences. In which case, especially considering the screwed up happenings of our current circumstances, I have to question WHY and HOW exactly your subconscious recognizes a pattern here. The strangeness of this, I suppose, is simply another reason for me to heed your command and keep an eye out for anything else weird going on. Honestly, if only your conscious mind were aware of whatever you’ve subconsciously picked up on, this would be a whole lot easier!”

  Galen blinked. He certainly hadn’t expected Redian to go on a rant.

  He had to ask, Did… did your previous Wielder frequently have these, ‘trust my gut,’ moments?

  “Oh yeah! All the time. How’d you know?!”

  Galen honestly couldn’t tell if Redian was messing with him or not. Regardless, he responded in a way that he knew would aggravate the sword, Just a feeling.

  Some of his tension left him upon hearing the Sentient Weapon groan in his mind. Despite the situation, it was pretty funny in Galen’s perspective. Were things not so potentially dangerous and messed up right now, he might’ve burst out laughing.

  With his sword now on the lookout, he returned his attention to the present. He and his guards had stopped for a bit, taking shelter from the pouring rain under a half constructed building with some roofing. The captain had sent some of the others to scout ahead to make sure the way was safe. With everything that’s happened, it would be foolish to simply assume they were safe just because they were out of Ignis.

  “How far are we from the safe-house?” Galen asked the captain.

  “It’s a ways away. But not terribly far, Champion. Worry not, for we will keep you safe!” the captain replied.

  In spite of the man’s decree, Galen could tell he was still nervous.

  I suppose I can’t really blame him. The capital did just get nuked after all…

  Galen shuddered at the reminder. According to Milton, both the First and Second Circles had been wiped out by the blast. Just how many people died as a result? And what will the repercussions of this horrible event be?

  He felt terrible for the devastating loss of life, but he couldn’t say he fully mourned them either. How could he? He hardly knew anyone in this world, only knowing a handful despite being here for half a year. And most of that handful deliberately kept him in the dark. There was also the fact that he felt sad for the slaves who died in that nuclear level explosion.

  He couldn’t help but frown deeply as he wondered on the truth of what had occurred. No doubt the elf slaves will be painted as the initiators of today’s events. They will likely be painted as terrorists who’d caused countless deaths.

  Hell, this is going to be the Dominion’s equivalent of 9/11 or Pearl Harbor… only with a much higher death count! Galen realized with a drop of cold sweat, the Dominion, and probably Athanasius himself are going to be crying for blood… and that likely means war…

  Even as biased as the history books had been, Galen could still somewhat gleam how destructive and horrible the last Human-Elf war had been. Hell, it had ultimately resulted in the Great Fragmentation for heaven’s sake! And now that conflict was likely to reignite with a vengeance. Were it not for the whole “Realms being separated from one another” bit, the retaliatory invasion would likely occur in but a short time.

  Galen gulped as another thought occurred to him, The Dominion may not be able to invade Vindanna, but they can retaliate against the elves they have enslaved in their own territory…

  He cursed under his breath, as he began to fear that today might spark a genocide.

  The thing that really sent Galen for a loop was that he couldn’t say he blamed the elves for what happened today. Did he condone what they had done? Of course not! In his mind, only a cold hearted monster would look upon the loss of life that occurred today and come away feeling gleeful or justified about it. Yet he could understand why things had gotten to this point, due to several centuries of enslavement.

  The Dominion was not innocent of what had happened. Not at all. Especially when Galen keenly remembered that the titanic battle from earlier occurred because elves were caught escaping their enslavement.

  Going down this line of thinking, that then brought up the question of what Galen would do if his group happened to come across an escaping elf slave. He truthfully didn’t know, and it largely depended on what that elf tried to do. If they immediately became hostile and attacked? He didn’t think he’d be able to stop his guards from cutting them down. If they instead tried to focus on running? Hopefully he could convince his guards to let them go. Though, after today’s events, he wondered if he’d even be able to do that.

  Let’s just hope that such an encounter doesn’t occur at all… he thought hopefully.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  ***

  Every slow step echoed throughout the half constructed area. The only other sound that accompanied Aria’s steps were the choked sobs and hiccups she let out as she walked. She could barely see in front of her due to the tears that obscured her vision.

  Each and every movement required a titanic battle between her yearning for death, and duty to her mission. Thus far, her self preservation, strengthened by the mission her mother left her, had been winning each fight and was slowly gaining momentum.

  Each step came quicker than the last, and in a few minutes, she began encroaching on normal walking speeds.

  Keep moving… keep moving! You need to get to Vindanna. Because that was Mom’s last request… Aria reminded herself.

  Thinking of Anila brought a sharp pain to her chest, so much so that she flinched and clenched a hand over her chest where her heart should be. Yet she didn’t allow herself to slow.

  She didn’t know how much time had passed before her sharp hearing began to pick up on a new sound. She froze in place as she focused on the noise.

  The clanging of armor mixed with heavy steps.

  Aria’s eyes widened, as she realized that there must have been a patrol of humes already searching for her. Her breathing began to quicken, but she quickly controlled herself and took a deep breath. Now spurred on further by this alarming development, she began to move faster, her pace now reaching that of a quick jog. She dared not go faster lest her footsteps be heard.

  She burned some Ether to enhance her hearing to better keep track of the patrol’s movements. She was alarmed when she heard some of their voices. They were faint, yes, but the fact she picked up on them told her they were closer than she initially believed.

  “That damn captain of ours,” said one of the humes, “what does he think we’ll find out here, anyway?! We’re getting soaked in this rain for nothing!”

  Aria felt some relief to know that they weren’t looking specifically for her.

  “Well, you never know for sure. Particularly with what happened today,” another hume replied, “damn insubordinate tree huggers! Lord Athanasius not only spares their lives, but he blesses them with the opportunity to contribute to the Dominion! And this is the thanks they give in respond to his kindness?! Destroying Ignis?!”

  Aria clenched her teeth as a wave of anger and hatred welled up within her. It was quickly stifled by a wave of sadness as she thought of her mother. She squeezed her eyes tightly, and forced herself to pick up the pace.

  She then, however, froze in place as she heard another hume say, “Hold on, I sense something…”

  “What is it?” said another.

  A moment of silence passed before the answer came, “I sense someone using Ether! North of us!”

  They have someone who can sense me from this distance?! Aria thought with widened eyes.

  She broke into a full on sprint as she enhanced herself with Ether, the armor she wore clanging loudly as it hung loosely on her skinny body. More clanging armor and loud footsteps were not far behind.

  ***

  Galen and his guards continued their march to the safe-house when it was evident the rain wasn’t going to be stopping anytime soon. As they moved through the half constructed buildings and alleyways, Redian suddenly spoke in his mind.

  “Hey boss! Remember how you asked me to keep an eye out for anything weird?”

  His eyes lit up, Yeah, what did you pick up on?

  “Well, I sense what can only be an elf not too far from our location.”

  Galen froze, Seriously? Hostile? Or…

  “Can’t really tell from here, boss. Though I do also pick up on several guards. Seems like they’re the same ones that the captain fellow sent to scout the area earlier. And it seems like… they’re giving chase.”

  Before Galen could ask anything more, he heard the captain call out to him, “Champion? Is something the matter?”

  He realized that he had stopped marching, and had thus drawn the attention of his guards. He then realized as he saw the captain’s look of concern that he hadn’t exactly been hiding his expression.

  “Did you notice something? Please, tell us so that we may better protect you!” the captain implored.

  “I…” Galen hesitated.

  Another of the guards spoke up, “Did you see or detect one of those filthy knife ears?! Worry not, Champion, we will not let them harm you!”

  The other guards began to perk up, all nodding enthusiastically. Galen noticed something else that seemed to dwarf their desire to protect him.

  Bloodlust.

  The guards, the captain included, all seemed eager to get their hands on an elf. Given what had happened to Ignis, he could see where they were coming from. Still, he wasn’t exactly comfortable handing one over to them. God only knows what they would do to them… he thought with a gulp.

  He began to raise a hand, but hesitated. He then made a decision. He masked his confusion by tilting his head and frowning, as though he were listening to a conversation. He saw the guards’ eyes flicker to Redian. Judging from the looks of understanding, they knew he possessed a Sentient Weapon, and had at least some idea of what that entailed.

  Redian, Galen called, which direction is that elf in?

  “East of our current location.”

  Galen nodded. He raised a hand, and pointed…

  West.

  “West of here. My sword detected the presence of an elf,” Galen lied.

  The guards sharply turned to their captain, who looked like he wanted to immediately call for them to go on the hunt. Galen hoped their desire for retribution would trump their adherence to their orders.

  Unfortunately, the captain sighed, “Half of you here head West! See if you can find that knife ears!”

  The captain had all but growled that last part.

  Galen wanted to call out for them to not kill the elf should them find him or her. But he refrained. For one, Redian hadn’t indicated anyone was West of here. Two, he didn’t know how the guards would react to such a request given the circumstances.

  “Hey, Boss. Why’d you lie to them?” Redian asked him.

  Because I don’t want them to get their hands on that elf. That’s why, Galen answered, plus, I’m hoping to find a chance to sneak off for a bit.

  “Why?” the sword asked him.

  Galen didn’t answer, and the Sentient Weapon surprisingly didn’t pester him further.

  The captain and the remaining few guards marched with him to the safe-house. He noted their pace had increased considerably.

  They probably want to drop me off there so they can join the others in their little hunt… Galen figured.

  That gave him an idea. He very carefully and very deliberately slowed his pace until he was the last one in the group. Noting that none of the guards noticed, being too focused on getting to their destination quickly, he then hopped into a nearby alleyway. He put his back to the wall, and focused his hearing, listening to the guards’ retreating steps.

  He sighed with relief, before reaching out to Redian, Where’s that elf right now?

  “Uh… They’re currently zigzagging around, but they’re slowly heading in… wow, what are the odds, in our direction.”

  Perfect. Guide me to them.

  “Are you absolutely sure about this, boss?” Redian questioned, “that elf might not be friendly. What exactly do you hope to accomplish here?”

  I… I don’t know… I guess… maybe I want to get a different perspective, Galen answered, and hopefully get their side on what happened today.

  “Ooooookay. If you say so, boss. But considering they literally blew up Ignis, I think this is a bad idea.”

  Hey, you’ll protect me if need be, right? Galen thought back with a half smile.

  “Of course!” Redian said, as though that should be obvious.

  Well, then, I should be fine! he tried to feel confident to placate the sword, but he quite honestly didn’t.

  He did, however, know that this was a risk he had to take, because he knew with certainty the Dominion would never let him get a different perspective that was not their own. Especially not an elf’s.

  He also somehow had a feeling this would be his only chance to speak with one without prying eyes and manipulative handlers. So he was going to make the most of it.

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