Chapter 24: CHAPTER XII – Playthings of Mass Destruction

Diving through the hole in the ceiling, Cekell raced to his comfortable place as fast as he could. Something deep within him trembled at the sight of an unprotected hammock. His barrier had been dispelled, probably when he overexerted himself testing his barriers when the water fell. He was nonetheless relieved to see that his sparks were fine. 

He had started to leap up and into the hammock without thinking, but guilt dug it’s way into his mind. Remembering how he had disturbed Sphaere’s rest, he crumpled to the ground. More than anything, he wanted to bask in their warmth, but what if he continued to disturb them? Would they continue to tolerate his presence? Upset with his own actions, he lifted up and hammered the floor of the cave with his fist, and vowed to himself that he would never hurt them again.

“Aww, didja fall out? Ya ain’t been down there long, have ya?” Sphaere asked as she carefully climbed out of the hammock so as not to disturb Rhystea, and abruptly snatched Cekell up. Squealing when she came into contact with him, she lifted him up close and continued, “Woah! Yer ice cold! Poor thang!” Offering no resistance, yet refraining from latching on to her welcome warmth as he dangled from her grasp, Cekell let out a pitiful squeal that turned into a disillusioned groan. 

“That bad, huh?” Sphaere asked him as she eyed the still sleeping Rhystea before turning and heading out of the chamber. “I’s all wrapped up in my head an’ didn’ even notice ya was gone ‘til I heard ya movin’ ‘round down there, I’m sorry ‘bout that! Real sweet o’ ya not ta jump back in on top o’ us, Rhystea really needs ‘er rest. I don’ think she’s used ta doin’ this much, but she cain’t let ‘erself stop, not in this situation. If she weren’ doin’ ‘er damndest, I think she’d break down. Throwin’ ‘erself inta what she can fix is keepin’ ‘er level, but I’m gettin’ worried ‘bout ‘er keepin’ up with this gruelin’ pace.” Sphaere explained as she squeezed Cekell tightly and fawned over him as she headed out of the cave.

Turning her attention down to the oddly silent warborn, Sphaere sighed - almost nostalgically before continuing, “We got each other, though; an’ so far that’s been enough. Cain’t ask fer more than that…” She trailed off, lost in thought, before forcing a smile and repeating herself, “Cain’t ask fer more than that!” She squeezed down tightly on Cekell, trying to get a reaction out of him, but he lay quietly, almost as if he were sulking. 

Exiting the cave and continuing on towards the gate, Sphaere lifted Cekell up and held him in front of her face, meeting him eye to eye and softly asking, “What’s gotten inta ya? Almost miss ya spazzin’ out over ever’thang, but I suppose with it bein’ the middle o’ the night, it’s probably fer the best... Jus’ not used ta ya bein’ all calm an’ quiet!” She stated with a laugh.

Wrapping him back up in her arms and coddling him as if he was an infant, Sphaere reeled him in tight as she climbed up to the top of the gate where A212 was keeping silent vigil. They made eye contact, but no words were spoken as she approached him, stopping part way across, she turned and looked out at the stars. Laying limp in her arms, Cekell reached up with his tendril, wrapping it up and around from behind her, to rest his probe on her head.

“It’s so weird, you havin’ a tentacle on yer noggin.” Sphaere insisted as she gazed up at the stars. The sound of rustling leaves carried by a strong breeze hit them, causing Sphaere to shrink back. “Brrr! I don’ think ya’ve warmed up a bit! I’m startin’ ta catch a chill…” Conflicted for but a moment, she stepped over to the edge of the gate and suggested, “How ‘bout we go fer a walk?”

“No!” Cekell insisted sharply, much to Sphaere’s surprise. 

“Aww, c’mon!” Sphaere pressed him. “Ya can fry anythin’ that bothers us!” She teased.

“No!” Cekell demanded, almost angrily yet somewhat concerned, before sliding his tendril off her head to hug around her neck tightly.

Smiling deviously, Sphaere slowly inched towards the edge. “What if I jus’ stole ya away? Wouldja-”

Cekell cut her off as he locked her in a barrier that gave her little room to move around. “No.” he said, voice full of relief.

“Wha- hey! Lemme outta here!” Sphaere ordered as she tested the limits of her confines. Cekell snuggled up to her and pretended not to hear anything.

“You don’t want to go out there tonight.” A212 spoke up. “Those insects have been up to the edge of the tree line a number of times, and not too long ago a pack of shadow garm got a hold of something big… or something big got a hold of the pack. A restless night that promises a busy morning. You should rest up while you can.”

“If I could sleep, do ya think I’d be out here?” Sphaere retorted as she struggled in vain against Cekell’s barrier. “How ‘bout you go rest up, I thank Ceke here can handle the gate, even in ‘is sleep.”

“Too much to sort out before I can relax. Aside from the Aves being on edge, they now look to me for leadership… I can’t do that on my own, and many are upset that we are leaning on the Reptilia. Even if we weren’t being encroached upon by giant bugs, we’ve got strangers in our midst that upset the balance of power and steered us in this direction. That’s not a complaint, by the way - just a lot to take in for an impromptu Eminent.” A212 rationally expressed his concerns.

“Tell me about it.” Sphaere sympathized. “That’s almost as rough as gettin’ plucked from yer home an’ spirited away ta some magical land where there’s talkin’ animals, an’ monsters, where we’re all together on the menu jus’ tryin’ ta get by an’ make it through ta tomorrow.” She would have turned to face her feathered friend, but encased in Cekell’s barrier, she couldn’t really even turn her head.

“Eat or be eaten has always been the law. These bugs, though, they’ve changed everything. A lone hunter presents itself as easy prey, we must work together, or…” A212 trailed off.

“United we stand, divided we fall.” Sphaere stated matter-of-factly.

“Exactly, how can we afford to let our petty squabbles drive us apart? Clinging to old grudges will be the death of us. We need to work with each other instead of against each other, but there are those who are blind to that truth.” A212 continued. 

“Ya know, when I thought I was goin’ ta be overwhelmed by it all, a friend o’ mine showed me the best way ta deal with it.” Sphaere responded.

“How’s that?” A212 asked.

“Ya start with what ya can do, an’ ya never stop. So long as there’s somethin’ ya can do. ya jus’ gotta keep on keepin’ on. Things’ll get better. Sometimes things’ll get worse, too; butcha cain’t let that stop ya. Sure, sometimes ya need ta stop an’ take a minute ta think about what yer doin’, but if ya let the thinkin’ part bring ya ta a complete stop, then yer doin’ it wrong. Ya gotta keep movin’, an’ the ones that want ta keep up - will. Ya don’ lead with words, ya lead with action. Instead o’ arguin’ with the ones too stubborn ta let go o’ their grudges, show ‘em the benefits o’ movin’ on without ‘em. Even if not everybody sees it, some will, an’ they’ll rally ta yer side. Then the rest’ll be forced ta look again. Maybe they’ll see it that time. Maybe the next. Ya cain’t let it bog ya down, ya jus’ gotta keep on keepin’ on…” Sphaere explained as she thought about how even when Rhystea didn’t have all the answers, she wouldn’t let it get to her. She’d always put one foot in front of the other and take another step. 

The conversation paused as both Sphaere and A212 found themselves in contemplation. The silence was finally broken by A212. “You know, you’re absolutely right. Allowing uncertainty to slow me down is one thing, it gives me time to think; stopping though, that’s the mistake, isn’t it? Yes, I like the logic behind that. Even if it’s small steps, just keep moving, ever forward. Make a decision, take action.” A212 stretched, groaned and finally sighed as if a weight was lifted off of him. “Thanks!” He said graciously as turned and headed down from the gate. “I think I’m going to rest up while I can, it’s someone else’s turn to keep watch, anyway.”

Left alone in silence for a time, Sphaere’s restlessness grew. Unable to remain still any longer, she leaned forward and casually whispered to Cekell, “Ya better let me out o’ here, ‘r I’m not gonna carry ya around anymore.” Cekell gasped, looked up at her, brought his best sad face to bear and topped it off with a concerned squeak.  “Yea.” Sphaere replied, concern weighing down her voice. “Then ya’ll jus’ have ta crawl ‘round on the cold, hard ground.”

With a panicked squeak, Cekell threw his arms around her neck as he wrapped himself tightly around her. “No!” He demanded. “No, no, no!”

Sphaere didn’t think she could actually follow through with her threat, certainly not encased in Cekell’s barrier, but she didn’t have a lot of options and settled on a psychological approach. “I know, an’ I don’ wanna put ya on that cold, cold ground; so it’d be in yer best interest ta let me outta here, wouldn’ it?” 

Cekell agreed, but not before groaning in discontent. There was a moment’s hesitation before the barrier dispelled. The only resistance he offered was in the form of tightening his hold on her. “Now that’s more like it!” Sphaere insisted as she turned and headed down from the gate. “Ya still ain’t warmed up any, let’s go warm up by the fire.”

Heading back to and through the entrance to the cave, Sphaere passed an Aves that was heading out, presumably to keep watch from the gate. Not knowing what to say, she softly nodded towards the Aves, who didn’t seem to notice as he did not gesture back. Thankful that the exchange wasn’t any more awkward than this, she hurried to the Reptilia section of the cave and made her way next to the fire, on the other side of the room from their hammock. 

Finding a comfortable enough looking rock to sit on, she pulled Cekell down to her lap, wrapped her arms around him, and slumped forward as she pulled him in close. He responded by curling up against her, and hugging her neck with his tendril. 

“Yea, tentacle on yer head is jus’ strange. Could be a lot worse, though, couldn’ it? Yer a lot cuddlier than them bugs, that’s fer shore. If ya was all bug eyed, ‘r toad skinned, I don’ know if I could tote ya ‘round like this.” Silence fell over them as they sat there. Cekell enjoyed his warm place as Sphaere watched the smoke rise through the hole in the ceiling of the cave. She resituated by sliding down to the ground and leaning back against the rock she had been using as a seat.

“Yer always here when I needja, though, ain’tcha? I gotta admit, that trick where ya let me soar, weightless like a piece o’ paper, that’s somethin’ I’ll remember fer the rest o’ my life… however long that may be. Maybe we can do that again, though, hopefully without the life ‘r death sitchy-ation loomin’ over us. Jus’ you an’ me an’ the wind an’ the trees. That’d be pretty alright.” Sphaere spoke slower and slower as she started to doze off. She was about to drift off from consciousness as a thud from something landing on the ground could be heard behind her. It wasn’t the sound, but rather Cekell snapping to attention that pulled her back to reality.

“Oof!” A discomforted voice meekly cried out. Ignoring the sound, Sphaere focused on Cekell, who wriggled free from her grip, plopped down on the ground, and scampered off with a panicked squeak. Turning to see what he was after, she noticed Rhystea sprawled out on the ground.

Crawling up to her hands and knees, Rhystea attempted to say something, but only managed to wheeze hoarsely before turning her head sharply and coughing. Cekell darted to her side and berated her with a series of concerned chirps. “I’ll be alright.” She stammered and choked out. “Knocked the wind out of me…” She forced out slowly before taking a deep breath. “...When I fell out of the hammock.” She gently pushed back Cekell, who was accosting her with concern. “Ouch.”

Undeterred, Cekell lunged at Rhystea, who’s eyes went wide as reflex took over and she snatched him out of the air, much to both of their surprise. In her possession, Cekell settled down and Rhystea took a moment to collect herself before climbing to her feet and making her way over next to a still chuckling Sphaere. “Rude! And wow, you’re really cold!” Rhystea responded as she made her way over to the fire and took a seat.

“Ya alright? Yer kinda yer own worst enemy. If yer not careful, Ceke’s liable ta attack the ground thinkin’ it were pickin’ on ya!” Sphaere blurted out with a laugh.

“Yea, yea. Me and my two left feet don’t always get along.” Rhystea sighed and she clenched her side that she landed on.

“I hadn’ noticed!” Sphaere insisted, trying her best not to laugh.

Rhystea groaned and rolled her eyes before focusing on Cekell. “He’s freezing cold, is that why you’re over here by the fire?”

“Yea, ‘e fell outta bed too, an’ instead o’ divin’ back in on top o’ us, ‘e stayed down on the cold ground. I been tryin’ ta warm ‘im up since I found ‘im, but ain’t had much luck.” Sphaere answered.

“You could have woken me up, you know.” Rhystea flashed her an annoyed look as she adjusted her glasses.

“Well the way ya was sawin’ logs like an angry lumberjack, I figured ya could use the rest!” Sphaere said, this time not holding back her laughter.

“I don’t snore!” Rhystea insisted and turned slightly red.

“Well, ya idle like a two stroke!” Sphaere retorted.

“I don’t even know what that means!” Was all Rhystea could manage for a rebuttal, and by the time she finished saying it, the confusion she had been wearing evaporated, leaving behind a stabbing glare. 

“Well there’s a first!” Sphaere shot back.

“Oh, don’t you even!” Flustered, Rhystea drew in a deep breath to calm herself.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasin’ ya. Ya had a long day yesterday, an’ was sleeping quite comfortably, we jus’ didn’ want ta disturb ya was all. Now that yer awake though, yer fair game.” Sphaere explained with a devious grin.

Rhystea pouted out her lower lip as she reply, “I was sleeping great. I must be homesick though, I was dreaming about it. Stupid hammock.” Sphaere started laughing again, and Rhystea snapped at her. “It’s not funny! I don’t know what I landed on, but it-” She trailed off when she went to rub her still throbbing side, and it hit her. Forgetting she had put it in her pocket, she pulled out a small, black pyramid. “Hey, it’s-”

Realizing what Rhystea held in her hand, Cekell came alive and cut her off as he squealed in both disbelief and aggravation. Before Rhystea could react, Cekell had lunged at, retrieved, and fell to the ground with the Astral Point.

“Woah!” Was all Rhystea could cry out as she threw her hands up in surprise. Sphaere didn’t say anything, but instinctively hopped up to her feet and adopted a defensive stance. Cekell rolled around on the ground, beside himself with relief. Collecting himself after a banter of excited chirps, he held up the Astral Point as though it were the answers to all their problems. 

“Yea, that’s about how I felt when I landed on it.” Rhystea assured Cekell as she scooped him back up.

“Ya didn’ break it, didja?” Sphaere questioned wryly as she sat back down.

Ignoring Sphaere’s comment, Rhystea turned her focus to Cekell and gushed, “You sure are excited about that little thing, hope you get more out of it than I did!” Cekell responded by holding it up to her, just in front of her face. “Well it’s not going to do me any good, maybe you should keep it.”

Neither Rhystea nor Sphaere noticed as Cekell tightly gripped the Astral point in his right hand, but began to focus intensely on his left hand. They noticed him settling down, and began to chat, Rhystea starting with, “This place would make anyone homesick, I’ll be dreaming about my bed next.”

“Hot water.” Sphaere voiced wantingly.

“Shower…” Rhystea chimed in.

“Tea…” Sphaere continued on.

“Tea…” Rhystea echoed.

“Chi!” Cekell added in his two cents.

“You would love tea, and not only because it’s warm.” Rhystea stated matter-of-factly.

“Calms the mind an’ restores the spirit.” Sphaere added.

“Sweet nectar of life!” Rhystea asserted.

“Is it still tea after ya put all that other crap in it?” Sphaere questioned with a shit eating grin.

“Milk and sugar? I don’t know, at that point it almost becomes something more.” Rhystea answered dryly as she adjusted her eyewear.

“Tea don’ need any more than a slice o’ fruit! Doctorin’ it up with anything else an’ it ain’t tea no more, it’s a science project.” Sphaere insisted.

“Less science and more of an art, truthfully, though the earliest science projects were all about food. Then again, cooking isn’t really a science, I bet even you could cook!” Rhystea countered with a haughty laugh.

“Least I wouldn’ need ta pour milk an’ sugar over ever’thang jus’ ta make it edible.” Sphaere shot back.

“Tea certainly doesn’t need anything else added to it.” Rhystea admitted. Sphaere didn’t respond with anything more than a snide smile. “Neither does water though, but milk and sugar just make tea that much better.” She added with a snide smile of her own.

“Milk an’ sugar make a lot o’ things better. An’ who drinks water? I bathe in that stuff. Maybe I should put milk an’ sugar in my bath?” Sphaere scoffed.

“Yea, try that, maybe it could make you just a little less bitter!” Rhystea retorted, sticking her tongue out for good measure.

Sphaere laughed before saying, “I dunno, would take somethin’ pretty tart ‘r sour ta cut my bitterness.”

“Ah, you’re not that bad, a little milk and sugar would go a long way for you… maybe not so much in your bath, though.” Rhystea assured her with a laugh.

“I dunno, if I could afford ta take sugar milk baths, I bet I’d be almost as sweet as you.” Sphaere argued. 

They both fell silent as they peered into the flames. It would have became an awkward silence, had Cekell not interrupted it. He flung his left arm, almost as if he was throwing something. Reeling his arm back up, he swung again, this time harder.

“Hey!” Rhystea announced in surprise as she leaned back so as not to be struck. “What’s gotten into you?” Ignoring her, Cekell kept flailing his left arm, harder and harder, until something white poked out of his hand. Balling his fist up, he flung hard one last time before opening his hand to reveal a white cube. “Yea, that’s not strange at all.” Rhystea told him.

“‘E’s got a tentacle fer a hat, ya came ta the wrong cave fer normal.” Sphaere explained.

Pleased with himself, Cekell bounced off of Rhystea’s lap, chirped excitedly, and presented the Astral and Umbral Points to Rhystea. In doing so, he held them in close proximity, and nobody had time to react before what came next. Nobody but Verakry at least, who noticed the energy spike from a great distance and immediately stepped into the shadows behind them to observe. The shadowy figure’s intrusion came unnoticed, as the black spark that leapt from the Umbral to the Astral Point commanded everyone’s attention. This prompted Cekell to leap backwards from Rhystea, putting distance between them.

Cekell then blew up like a child that had just discovered adrenaline. Holding his treasures high, he threw his head back and cackled. Excitement overwhelming, he charged off to run in circles as if he were to stop, the very world would cease it’s rotation. Squealing in hysterics, he held his arms out as though they were wings while chasing after his tendril.

It was at this decisive moment that Rhystea and Sphaere both started to slowly turn their gaze to the other. At this point they were on the same page, and in unison they spoke, “Should we-” 

Not having a threat assessment, Rhystea innocently continued on with, “be worried?” 

Already on the next line, Sphaere was at the part where they questioned whether or not they should, “Stop ‘im?”

They were already too late. Cekell stopped everything as he got to the part of his circle where he was facing them. Crying out in glee, he clapped his hands together, intending to cause a collision between the Points.

Knowing this would eventually happen, Verakry was ready and able to intervene; and appearing before Cekell at the last moment, the dark figure reached out and used it’s own hand to keep the Points from coming into contact. This did nothing to stop the ensuing wave of energy that expanded outwards from the near-contact event, which not only brought both Rhystea and Sphaere to their knees as it almost knocked them over, but reverberated through the cave system, causing the very ground to tremble and groan. “Not yet, little one, you have no hope of controlling the vast surge that would have ensured. You almost hurt your sparks.” Verakry explained.

With a panicked gasp, Cekell dropped the Umbral Point while recoiling back a step and wrapping around the Astral point as if to cage it.

“Do no fear, you were allowed to take them both, and I kept close observation on you. It’s good that you are learning to utilize them; such is your purpose, after all. It’s interesting you were able to provoke such a reaction from them… then again, I don’t know that we ever checked to see exactly how close they needed to be in order to interact. How close is close? I’ve never worked on such a small scale until coming in contact with humanity. It’s undoubtedly relative, and yet, they were close enough to each other, it’s as if they reached out for the other. Such a curious thing.” Verakry continued.

By now, Rhystea had climbed to her feet, brushed herself off, adjusted her glasses and taken a deep breath. Her mind reeled and her thoughts raced, burning through the oxygen in her breath which was exhaled as a sigh. She was cross when she demanded, “What exactly are you letting him play with?”

“Something I want him to open and free that which is imprisoned within.” Verakry answered without turning to face her or otherwise acknowledge her apparent concerns.

“I get the feeling it’s a lot more than a simple container holding someone precious to you.” Rhystea shot back. This got her something of a desired reaction.

Verakry turned and peered at the girl for a moment before replying with, “And do you get the feeling of just how important this is? Perhaps the sense of urgency behind our actions? Maybe even a hint of the desperation that’s driven us into this corner? Do you feel all that, too? Or are you just reacting to what’s in front of you?”

Rhystea sucked in a deep breath as she glared up at Verakry, who peered down at her with equal contempt. Not knowing what to say, Sphaere forced back the urge of tossing her two cents onto the pile. Cekell warily retrieved the Umbral Point, overly cautious in keeping it away from the Astral, he held his arms apart, to the point it made it difficult to observe the Points more closely. 

No one had noticed that the almost aggressive snoring emanating from the chamber where the Reptilia Series gathered to sleep had ceased. Numerous pairs of eyes were now fixated on them, and not just those belonging to the Reptilia Series.

Not about to back down, Rhystea continued on with, “I feel like you ignorantly gave a child a weapon to play with, and I feel thankful that you deemed our imminent demise a good enough reason to slither out from your hidey hole. Mayhap we could look for something more suited to being a toy?”

“You’re gravely mistaken if you believe the Point to be the weapon, and not the child. He could snuff out every life in this hole with less effort than it's taking you to whine. One day he’s going to need it. When that day comes, I pray - for all our sakes - that he knows damn good and well how to use it.” Verakry fired back.

“And he needs to know this now, it can’t wait until he’s older? When he’s had a chance to have matured and grow more competent and capable?” Rhystea dug in.

“I’ve allowed him to explore and learn at his own pace, and he has exceeded my expectations every step of the way.” Verakry declared in defiance.

“Is it not pertinent then to take precautions to keep him from blowing himself up?” Rhystea retorted.

“You misunderstand if you think I stopped him from hurting himself. I stopped him from hurting you.” Verakry rebutted. 

Staying out of the argument that was centered on him, Cekell carefully walked around Verakry and over to Rhystea. Cocking his head to the side, he offered the Umbral point up to her, along with a curious chirp.

“Look at that, it’s almost as though he learned from the lesson I set before him. Knowing full well that he’s far from capable of controlling both Points at the same time, he readily offers up the Umbral. Crisis averted without hindering glorious progression. What were you whining about?” Verakry pointed out haughtily. 

“You’re absolutely correct, the fault is mine for thinking an advanced being such as yourself could find a better way, I’ll have to refrain from overestimating you again.” Rhystea stated before attempting to angrily snatch the Umbral Point from Cekell, who retracted his hand at the last moment. Unamused, Rhystea glowered down at him with rising anger.

Holding both points out in front of him, but careful not to hold them too close together, Cekell’s focus darted back and forth between them, indecisive and uncertain. Finally coming to a decision, he reluctantly offered up the Astral Point this time, but did not pull away when Rhystea reached out to claim it.

“Intriguing choice!” Verakry noted. “You are far more adept at controlling the Astral, but rather than focus on your strengths, you decide to push your limits elsewhere. I look forward to seeing where this path takes you. I must come up with something special to test you with.”

Silence fell over them, and Verakry prepared to make good on his word, but before he could slip away, Cekell turned, reached up to him and chirped shrilly. 

“Angry.” Verakry replied as he stopped mid disappearing act and turned his focus back to Cekell. “But it’s the good kind of anger that will spur him onwards. Overconfident and underprepared, his defeat was an eye opening ordeal. It’s been really good for him, though, as he has since found the drive to continue forward - his own motivation, and not something he was simply instructed to do. I’ve no reasonable expectation of him catching up to you, let alone surpassing you, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be the stepping stone leading you to even greater heights.”

Cekell responded with a chirp.

“Hmmm.” Verakry paused, intently staring down Cekell as he lost himself in thought. 

Again, Cekell chirped up at him. 

“Even without the Astral Point, you’ll be hard pressed to find a suitable challenge with which to test yourself against. Adversity gives rise to progress, and I see no reason he cannot continue being the hurdle you leap over.” Verakry reasoned.

This time Cekell responded with a barrage of banter.

“Maybe not, but that isn’t a decision either of us can make, and I don’t think he would agree with you. Either way, you’d be better served talking to him about it; you’re sure to have a chance before long, he has something to say as well.” Verarky clarified. When he didn’t get an immediate response, he vanished into thin air. 

Cekell groaned before turning back to face Sphaere and Rhystea.

“I really don’t like that guy.” Rhystea admitted. 

Sphaere squealed as she hopped up, raced over to Cekell, and gushed, “Aww, yer worried ‘bout yer bro, ain’tcha?” As she snatched him up and reeled him in tightly, prompting an ecstatic chirp out of him.

Rhystea stared down at the Astral Point she held in her hand. Without taking her eyes off of it, she returned to where she had been sitting, near the fire. “I’m ready for all this to be over.” Rhystea sighed.

“Got someplace better ta be?” Sphaere asked sarcastically as she approached and set down next to Rhystea, Cekell in tow.

“Home. Class. The Library… You say that as though there were somewhere that isn’t better than this place.” Rhystea pouted.

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“Ahh, C’mon now, it ain’t been all bad. Never woulda met Ceke anywhere else, now would we o’?” Sphaere squeezed down on Cekell again, getting him to squeal for emphasis.

Rhystea toed at a rock on the ground in front of her as she continued on, “I know, I know, but… There’s just no place like home. And this place is just…” She trailed off.

“Amazing!” Sphaere finished for her.

“How do you figure that?” Rhysta asked sharply.

“Well, thrivin’ greenery aside, ‘ave ya taken a good, hard look at this place? Metal trees leech iron right outta the ground an’ grow a mile high! Even the animals seem as though they were… manufractured ta contribute ta the needs o’ society. How amazin’ izzat?!” Sphaere beamed.

“Manufactured.” Rhystea corrected with a sigh.

“How much o’ this stuff ‘ave ya already seen in a book? Seems like it’d be a paradise fer an intellectual such as yerself! Those scaleheads are a strange bunch, but they are also some o’ the nicest people I’ve ever met. Even them feather brains are someone ya can count on.” Sphaere reiterated. 

“You don’t get eaten in paradise.” Rhystea deflected.

“An’ we ain’t been eaten! We ain’t gone hungry, neither.” Sphaere kept on.

“Maybe not, but here, the bugs try to squish you.” Rhystea wasn’t having it.

“Ok, ok. With all the runnin’ fer our lives, we’ve only caught brief glimpses o’ the wonders this place has ta offer. But thinkin’ ‘bout all the good that could come from this place, how it could change not jus’ home, but the whole world… That’s gotta be at least a little excitin’!” Sphaere insisted.

There was a sigh from Rhystea, followed by a silent moment that was broken when Rhystea noticed, “You’re always looking at the bright side, aren’t you?”

“A good friend showed me that it’s always better ta stand in the light than cower in the shadows.” Sphaere asserted.

“Sounds like a good friend.” Rhystea stated as she closed her eyes, leaned back, and did her best to shrug off her concerns.

“Certainly! Sure, she’s too smart fer ‘er own good, an’ yea, she’s gotta have ever’thang done ‘er way; but she’s the first ta extend a helpin’ hand, an’ ‘er word is money in the bank. They jus’ don’ make people like that anymore, ya know?” Sphaere elaborated with a sly smile.

Rhystea sighed yet again, then added, “Unfortunately, I can relate. You have to keep the good ones close, otherwise you’ll be surrounded by people that will use, abuse and take you for granted. It’s a rough world, though; and if we don’t make it better, who will?”

“‘Xactly! An’ we been surrounded by people we can count on! Ceke here not the least o’ which, ain’t that right?!” Sphaere turned her focus down to the warborn in her lap and squeezed agreement out of him in the form of an excited chirp.

Rhystea laughed lightly before asking, “What’s he going to do? Jump in?” With a sigh of relief, she slid over close to Sphaere. “Yea, this one’s a real mystery. You can never tell what he’s about to do, but he’s seen us through some… heh, sheer insanity, hasn’t he?”

“‘E ain’t the only one, neither. Ya’ve gotten us outta a mess ‘r two yerself. Turned rocks inta grenades. Lay on hands ta heal the wounded. A solution fer every problem!” Sphaere all but sang her praises.

“When there’s a part for me, I do try my best.” Rhystea said softly before turning her gaze to Sphaere. “Charging off into that… wilderness just doesn’t do it justice, but it’s hostile and unfamiliar; I couldn’t begin to muster up the courage to charge into that, certainly not by myself. You, though, it’s like you’re missing whatever part it is that makes people mortally afraid. I could never do something like that!”

Sphaere smiled wryly and admitted, “Yea, well, fear’s jus’ another one o’ them words that I ain’t not too good with.” Before laughing heartily.

Rhystea shook her head, but otherwise ignored Sphaere’s intentionally bad grammar. “If you hadn’t found that observatory, I’d still be scratching rocks for want of a more sound plan. That wasn’t just initiative, or courage. I thought you were nuts! And through all the craziness and giant insects that are trying to eat us, you somehow grasped hope and pulled it out of that situation. I never could have done that.”

“Ya know, I was jus’ gonna go an’ climb a tree, hopin’ that I’d be able ta see somethin’. When I tried ta put ‘im down so I could climb, well, ‘e weren’ ‘bout ta have that. So ‘e made it where I could jump ta the top o’ that tree without havin’ ta put ‘im down.” Sphaere stopped talking and locked eyes with Rhystea. “Ya’ve gotta try that sometime, it’s like flyin’! I’ve never been able ta run so fast in my life!”

“You know, if I was out there with those giant insects, I’d probably run the fastest I’ve ever ran, too.” Rhystea admitted with a laugh.

“I dunno, us an’ imminent demise are kinda like besties anymore!” Sphaere laughed. “Ya shore did run like hell when ya were bein’ chased by an unconscious bird boy riddin’ Ceke’s barrier though!” 

The conversation trailed off as they thought about the absurdity of the last few days and how they were a stark contrast with anything else they had experienced. The silence that fell upon them was quickly interrupted by footsteps. They both turned simultaneously to see R208 approaching them cautiously.

Sphaere cringed and apologized, “Yea, sorry ‘bout that. She didn’t mean ta cause an earthquake, but she really jus’ couldn’ help ‘erself.”

“What? Hey! What did I do?!” Rhystea asked.

“If ya hadn’ fallen out o’ bed, then none o’ this would o’ happened, now would it o’?” Sphaere explained.

“Hey-” Rhystea started, but was interrupted.

R208’s eyes were wide as he interjected, “That was you?!”

Sphaere fell over laughing as Rhystea sighed and removed her glasses to clean them. Replacing them on her face a moment later, she corrected R208’s misconception, “While I did indeed pave the way to the incident, it was in fact caused by Cekell.”

R208 shifted his gaze between them, eyeing each of them carefully. After a moment, he asked, “What did the Writhing Shadow want?”

Rhystea took a deep breath as she loaded a lengthy explanation, that was utterly thwarted when Sphaere spoke up, “‘E told Ceke ta stop shakin’ the ground.”

R208 blinked at her, and Rhystea could all but hear the gears grinding in his head. “He can- he can do that?” The perplexed scalekin stammered.

Sphaere instigated an ecstatic chirp out of Cekell by squeezing down tightly on him. R208’s eyes got even wider, who went to say something, but no words escaped his mouth as his jaw just hung agape. 

“Yea, ‘e’s a handful, but we got ‘im contained.” Sphaere looked down at the warborn that was curled up in her lap and admonished him, albeit gently, “No more shakin’ the ground, m’kay?”

Cekell squeaked softly back up at her.

“‘E says ‘e’s sorry an’ that ‘e’ll try not ta do it again.” Sphaere translated.

An awe struck R208 just stared at her for a moment before changing his focus to the fire. Rigging up a pot that he had filled with water, he produced a pouch with which he poured the contents into the pot. After a moment he turned back to face them, stating, “Not to worry, it won’t be much longer and the sun will be up.”

Sphaere groaned as she thought about how little sleep she had and how long of a day it was going to be.

“Not the worst way to greet the day, I do wish I had been there to see him do it, though.” R208 said.

“Careful what ya wish fer, this one has a problem holdin’ back. ‘E’s liable ta bring yer roof down on top o’ ya.” Sphaere disclosed.

“Oh stop it, you make him out to be a monster.” Rhystea insisted.

Not knowing what to think about the subject at hand, R208 walked across the chamber to retrieve his weapon before returning. Sitting down nearby, he went to work on maintaining his massive blade.

“Jus’ monstrously strong.” Sphaere retorted.

Rhystea fell silent as her gaze fell upon Sphaere. Adjusting her glasses, she stared intently, with a curious look on her face.

“What?” Sphaere asked, puzzled.

“Did you always talk this much?” Rhystea didn’t mince her words.

Sphaere was caught off guard, struck dumb by the question, and at a complete loss for words. Brow furrowed in contemplation, she all but scowled back at Rhystea. As the silence grew, so too did Rhystea’s smile, as she had not managed to get in the last word with regards to Sphaere until now. After a protracted pause, Sphaere finally admitted, “Not ‘til I knew I could count on ya!”

“The Sphaere seal of approval, I’m honored.” Rhystea teased.

“As ya should be, I don’ waste my breath on jus’ anybody!” Sphaere explained.

“I take it you’re normally the reserved type? That would explain the prickly exterior, keeps anyone from getting too close.” Rhystea noted.

“Hey, I ain’t prickly…! Most o’ the... sometimes!” Sphaere fumbled her words.

“And thrown completely off balance when put in the spotlight. You’re shy… ain’tcha?” Rhystea pointed out mockingly.

“What? I’m not- you said ain’t!” Sphaere misdirected.

“Don’t try to change the subject, shy girl.” Rhystea riposted.

Sphaere opened her mouth to say something, but the realization that she was becoming flustered set in. Narrowing her gaze, she glared back at Rhystea in silence.

Rhystea laughed before stating, “It took you a while before you would come out of your shell. You’re not so much abrasive as… poignantly humorous.”

There was a pause before Sphaere asked, “Bracive?” 

Pushing back the urge to correct her, Rhystea replied, “Prickly.”

“I’ll show ya prickly!” Sphaere shot back.

“When spotted, the elusive Ray-ray retreats into the safe confines of it’s spined carapace, where it’s impervious to the words of it’s peers.” Rhystea surmised. 

“Ok, ok, ya caught me. It’s hard ta get comfortable ‘round people I dunno…” Sphaere paused before finishing, “‘r rather, people I don’ trust.”

“I suppose sharing consecutive life or death situations has earned me a modicum of trust.” Rhystea related.

“Not only that, yer can do, take charge attitude gave me a place, ta fall in behind ya. Even if yer a… little overbearin’.” Sphaere explained.

“Overbearing? That’s a big word!” Rhystea glibbed snidely. 

“Almost as big as yer head!” Sphaere rebutted.

“Abrasive.” Rhystea said slowly, as if she were explaining something to a child.

“An’ yea, constant fear fer our lives made fer a nice distraction. Now that I know the weight o’ yer words, though, I don’ feel like I gotta keep my distance.” Sphaere remarked.

“I like this side of you. It’s colorful and warm. A refreshing change from the uncomfortable silence you carried when we first met.” Rhystea analyzed.

“Speakin’ o’ silence an’ changes…” Sphaere trailed off as she turned her gaze to their scaly companion, who was intently focused on carefully maintaining his weapon.

“Knowing how loud he sleeps, I would have to agree.” Rhystea agreed.

“Well ‘e cain’t cheer ‘bout the hunt ‘til ‘e’s prepared fer the hunt.” Sphaere clarified.

Hearing the word ‘hunt,’ R208 turned to notice they were peering intently at him. “You coming with us?” His eyes lit up as he said the words.

“Not this morning I’m afraid, I’ve already got plans to speak with your elders. Hoping to learn something about the observers that watch over you, specifically where they can be found.” Rhystea revealed.

“Well it’s not just us the observers watch over, they can be found tending to the animals, plants, and even the very ground. Encountering them is rare, but we’ve come across them out on hunts before. On occasion they approach us, most of the time they don’t even speak to us. There have been a few times they brought us materials and such, even taught us which leaves to boil to enhance our water or even treat our wounds.” R208 detailed.

“Do what?” Sphaere interjected at the same time Rhystea asked, “What was that?”

“Well they’ve got nothing on you, but they did teach us to clean and dress our wounds using various plants. Some numb the pain, others help ward off infection.” R208 elaborated.

Rhystea started, “No, no.” For Sphaere to finish with, “Boilin’ leaves ta enhance yer water. We need ya ta ‘laborate.”

“We boil the leaves of the sugar tea shrub to make our water not only tastier, but also improve focus and alertness. We have it most every morning, in fact I just put some over the fire. It will be ready shortly if you’d like to try some.” R208 explained.

Sphaere and Rhystea turned their gaze on each other, and then back to R208 after a pause. Sphaere answered, “I dunno, if it’s this prescription strength tea that’s got you scale heads hoopin’ an’ hollerin’ all the time, it might melt poor Rhystea. Though, fer purely scientific purposes, I suppose a sip wouldn’ hurt...”

“It’s a kick in the tail, that’s for sure! Actually, with you both sleeping right over there, we’ve been holding off on drinking any until we head out. In fact, several of the other Series have requested that we make this common practice.” R208 told them.

“Cain’t imagine why.” Sphaere spouted off.

“They just wish they could belt it out like the Reptillia Series!” R208 insisted.

“Oh yes, shout envy, what else could it be?” Rhystea added.

Careful so as to just get the liquid and not the leaves, R208 filled two vessels from the pot before handing them to Rhystea and Sphaere. “It’s better while it’s hot.”

Leering at each other warily, they simultaneously lifted the filled vessel to their noses and deeply breathed in the almost familiar yet relaxing aroma of the heated beverage. In unison they cast off their concerns with a sigh of relief before taking a small drink.

“Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all.” Rhystea admitted.

“Paradise.” Sphaere echoed her thoughts from earlier. 

“That’s just boiled leaves, if you want something that will really make your tail curl, we’ll have to find a gravity wasp hive and get some nectar. It’s been awhile since we’ve raided a hive, but I’d say we’re due for a celebration!” R208 commented before dumping tea down his maw.

“Honey would be excellent in this.” Rhystea suggested.

“That iron hoof has calves, we ought ta be able ta milk ‘er. Nothin’ better in tea than milk!” Sphaere informed them as she cracked a smile at Rhystea, who narrowed her eyes to a sharp glare she cast back at Sphaere.

“Nectar is more of a way to end the day, if we drank it this early, it would impede our hunt.” R208 disclosed.

“Impede, ya say?” Sphaere asked, curiosity piqued.

“It means to hinder, or obstruct.” Rhystea delineated. 

It was Sphaere’s turn to glare as she stammered, “I know what- wait, ya really think ‘e knows more words than I do?!”

Rhystea shrugged before pointing out, “Well he certainly uses them in a much more proper manner.” With a satisfied grin.

“We’re goin’ ta have ta get some o’ this nectar, an’ then we’ll revisit this discussion on proper speak.” Sphaere insisted.

“That’s not a bad idea, with everyone being on edge. A morale boost would go a long way towards easing tensions.” R208 added.

“It’s probably only a little life threatenin’, an’ wouldn’ ya know it, Ceke here excels in those situations, don’tcha?!” Sphaere asked as she squeezed agreement out of the warborn she was holding.

“You say that as though the act of going to the bathroom wasn't life threatening.” Rhystea argued.

“It has been awhile since they’ve been cleaned…” R208 conceded sheepishly.

“So I take it that means you will be hunting while I meet with their elders?" Rhystea inquired.

“Wouldn’ wanna get in the way o’ yer proper speak.” Sphaere replied.

“Great!” R208 bellowed. “It won’t be too much longer before first light, which is when we’ll head out.  See to your preparations and meet us at the gate. I’ll let our Eminent know of this change in plans, he’ll want to spread the word!” With that, he turned tail and headed back to the chamber that the Reptilia Series use for sleeping.

“Nobody spreads the word like the ol’ scale train!” Sphaere cried out after him.

“They do function quite well as a PA system.” Rhystea laughed.

“What’s a PA system?” Sphaere asked with a puzzled look.

Rhystea sighed, “Public Announcment-” And paused when she noticed a mischievous smile spreading across Sphaere’s face. Standing up, she adjusted her glasses and crossly stated, “Be careful out there, many a beast would happily make a meal out of you, and your charge is all but a helpless child without you.”

“Won’ let ‘im outta my sight!” Sphaere confirmed as she climbed to her feet.

“Yea…” Rhystea hesitated before finishing, “I was talking to Cekell.”

Sphaere’s gaze snapped back to Rhystea, and her mouth opened to say something sharp when she was cut off by a growing chant of, “Nectar! Nectar!! NECTAR!!!” Smiling softly, she slightly bowed her head towards Rhystea, turned her focus to Cekell, lifted him up to her eye level, and joined in the chant. Cekell squealed incoherently with her as he was carried out of the chamber. 

Sphaere headed off to the gate in order to watch the break of dawn with Cekell as they waited for the Reptilia Series to gather there. She was surprised to find a group of Aves already gathered, as well as F120 who was tending to her garm pup, Lucky.

Keeping her focus on coddling the warborn that was tied up in her arms, Sphaere slowly made her way over to the young girl of the Feline Series. As she approached, F120 turned and met her gaze. With a big smile, F120 started to greet her, when A212’s voice called out for F120 from behind them. Waving before dropping what she was doing, F120 darted off to answer her summons, Lucky trailing behind her.

Sphaere clicked her tongue before turning to observe the Aves as they continued with their preparation, none of which paid her any mind. Turning her gaze back down to Cekell, she told him, “The sun ain’t even up yet, an’ it’s gonna be a looooong day.” Cekell wasn’t about to argue with her.

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