Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 24

Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 24

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Sivantic.

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No one knew what occurred.

Not the Knights who followed their vows, rather than their king.

Not the villages who were cast aside, but decided to stand and fight.

Not Djet’Is and the Askari who came with her.

All anyone knew was that the meagre light we had left flickered and failed for a moment. At that moment, it taught all peoples the true meaning of eternal darkness. It was not the same as the twilight that we now perpetually experienced, with the light of the moon shining save for the clouds in the skim.

It was a true, complete darkness that shattered what little security and hope our progress brought to the people.

I’d seen it before, in the eyes of so many young men as they cried and wailed upon seeing their brothers and fellows die beside them. In the eyes of those relieved of duty after so many months at the front, as they trudged lifelessly and sought only the pleasure of lacking any emotion through drink or other pleasures.

A whole generation of young men lost, but here it was greater.

It was like what remained of humanity was cast down and was struggling to rise.

Every so often people glanced at the tree of light and feared it would flicker once again.

How many times will it be before all hope is lost and most decide to not suffer it any longer? Will there be even enough courage amongst those who survive to struggle, to hunt, and to live in the darkness? Could what they produce even be called human as evolution takes its toll?

Questions abounded in my mind, but no answer came.

I knew not how to treat it.

So, all I could think now was how to prevent it from flickering once again.

To that end, I needed to speak to those who cast aside hundreds of thousands to die after taking all they could from them.

…

Gale represented the common people of the village.

Erucic the knights and former soldiery that decided to ride out instead of stay in castles.

Djet’Is was invited into the meeting within the hall, because even the As’Kari had need of the tree of light. Warriors could see in the dark, but not the populace, and their mounts produced too little waste to keep everything alight.

However, one amongst the group gathered held the enmity of Gale and the apathy of Erucic.

Averi… who had her head bowed and weathered all the baleful curses of Gale, because she realized that I was willing to hear her out.

“Enough. We need to know what happened and prevent it from happening again.” We sat on stools facing one another. The wood for furnishing the hall was still drying. Gale and Erucic tried to insist that I sit at the head of the group, but I deferred. We sat in a half-circle with Averi at the center, so that the Knightess could speak… and so that I could protect her if tensions ran too high. “What caused the flickering, Averi?”

The knightess swallowed deeply before speaking, her eyes gazing worriedly at myself and the other listeners, before she mustered the courage to do her duty.

Erucic scoffed at the display, but I glance his way silenced him.

Oddly enough, Djet’Is’s gaze upon me became pronounced at that moment.

I did my best to ignore it.

“The Tree of Light stands only through the dedication and the power of the Crown. The Princesses and Princes are one and all powering it. When one rests, another takes their place, and so the cycle goes on.” Averi explained. It was as I expected. This was why the Crown held such great interest in me. I could supplement the cycle and allow one of their own the ability to do something else besides maintain the ability to live. “Meanwhile, the King and his brothers set out to quell the land of monsters alongside their knights. They would search for the source of the Darkness, for this has a source, and destroy it while the kingdom is maintained.”

“After cutting off hundreds of villages!”

To Gale’s words Averi had no response, and so she merely spoke.

“The heirs to the throne are not all equal. Some are younger and tire more easily. The older ones are well trained, but even they have their own limits. After months and months, I can only surmise that their labors have taken their toll.” It was easy to understand with that explanation. But it was obvious that something was not being addressed. Why weren’t there others like Averi who could supplement in times of need? My question must have been obvious. “You misunderstand us. Not all are as strong as this village is. The regular people cannot fight. Most soldiers die in battles. Knights of great quality are few… and many of them chose to ride out. It would take dozens of capable knights and mystics to replace one of the Heirs, and we have need of them for the expeditions and their supply chains.”

The logic was once again harrowing, like listening to a general explain that suffering is simply to be expected in exchange for meeting strategic objectives. As though the numbers lost weren’t singular lives that were to never be again… or sent to other worlds bereft of any connection to others and ostracized for their maturity at a young age. I could only hope that they had trades, or the ability to stand on their own two feet, with such a fate ahead of them.

And, the good fortune to be born to a people that were strong and not encountering great misery.

So much could go wrong…

But I cast those thoughts aside in favor of the present.

“Then, what if your lands become like this. You have seen what has become of this place. It stands tall, despite being abandoned by your people.” I chose my words carefully. It was the truth, but I appealed to Erucic and Gale in hopes of mollifying them. I did not assuage them enough to make them believe that I would take their side without a thought, though. That would have disastrous consequences. “If all the people of your land could become strong, or at least now weak, then would your people not fare better?”

I made a suggestion, but Averi’s eyes snapped up at them.

“It would be better if you helped us. You are powerful! More so than any of the heirs!” That was a strange statement. I recalled the Knightess who led me here telling me that I was equal to them. Hm, this development needed study. Was it because I was eating different kinds of monster flesh? Did their effects differ from one another and compounded differently? I needed to know more. “You can take on the role of three of them, and everything you wish for will be yours! The eldest sons and daughters of the King will be able to join his majesty and the expeditions will progress far more quickly!”

Gale and Erucic’s gazes fell upon me at those words.

But Djet’Is already knew my answer.

“It is better to teach and cultivate a system that makes me unnecessary, then for all peoples to rely on me.” This was how I helped the As’Kari. I did not expect to live forever and be as their greatest chieftains were. The rise and fall of many tribes came from their leaders, who experienced far longer lives because of their ways of living, and consumption of monsters. However, when one fell, they sorely lacked a replacement and their enemies came after them. That was no longer the case for the As’Kari. I gave them the ability to analyze and process their knowledge more efficiently, and new methods to record animals and diseases. It brought change the very fabric of their society, as they listened and believed in what could be proven. Their strength has become inherent to their society. That is what this land needs too. “I have no intention to ally with your people. My only desire is to see the lives of many saved… and that unfortunately means that I must aid the people who have done so much wrong.”

Averi was ready to speak, but I rose from my chair and that silenced her.

“I will go to the tree of light and strengthen these people enough to ensure that the world continues to be bathed in its glow.” Already, I wondered how the power that I was willing to give would be misused. How terrible it would be if these people who cruelly tossed away so many would become as strong as the As’Kari. Teaching them everything would be a fool’s errand… but that will have to do as a plan until I come up with another. “Gale and Erucic, I need your help to plan an expedition.”

Both rose to help, but I was surprised as Djet’Is spoke.

“How strong am I, Warrior, compared to him?”

She stood and unleashed the wrath of her soul and power. Erucic and Gale almost immediately fell to the ground and desperately tried to continue breathing. Only as I used my own power to shield them from the currents and tendrils of Djet’Is’ might did they find the strength to protect themselves.

We were raised with one another and I conveyed to her most of what I learned, while she listened.

Not only that, but she came from hardier stock, was raised on finer food, and trained in combat her entire life.

The result was obvious, as Averi eyes suddenly glistened with tears of joy.

“You are as mighty as the king himself. Oh, I beseech you… please save my people! We will forever be in the debt of the As’Kari!”

My heart fell at those words, as I realized what Djet’Is intended.

It was, after all, the reason why she was here.

“And, for this debt, you are willing to supply us with the weapons and armor that we need take the whole desert.” Metal weapons, tools, and more. That was why they made contact with me again. Now, for the help they already planned to give, they could receive far more in recompense. Things that I could not produce and things that they needed more of. “Are you not?”

“We have the finest smiths at our disposal and most wealthy of mines. Ask of it and it shall be yours!”

“I see.”

Djet’Is turned her gaze towards me.

“Release this prisoner to me, Will. I have need of her.”

The As’Kari choose war and conquest above all else, then.

I was glad to have left, then.

I schooled my features and calmed the bundle of wretched emotions within my chest, before speaking again.

“I will give her to the As’Kari for 100 Warriors.” My words made Djet’Is go still and our gazes met. For a moment, she was surprised by my words and the glare that I returned, but soon enough realized that I was opposing her desire to propagate conflict. 100 warriors were far more than the As’Kari could hope to give. Their gains from entering the service of the crown would be undone with such a cost in mind. “You have no claim over her.”

“…That is true, but you have no right at all to stop me from heading to her people’s lands and hearing their offer for my power.” With that, Djet’Is arose from her chair and walked out of the hall. Her guards and the other As’kari were quick to follow her. None paid me a passing glance. All my former tribe knew that I opposed them now. They stood with the heiress of their people. “Do not try to stop me, Will. I will defeat you.”

I acknowledged her challenged with a nod and allowed her to leave.

Before Erucic and Gale could ask, I raised a hand to silence them, before speaking to Averi.

“So, at the peak of her power, Djet’Is is as strong as your King?”

“Yes.”

Hm.

“But isn’t nearly as strong as Kan’Is… and I rival him when I don’t hold back. Djet’Is can’t compare to him.”

Those words made the white-haired, scarlet-eyed young woman pause and stare at me.

“Physician… do you mean to say that the energy you’re unleashing now… is not your full might?” There was a hint of trembling in her voice with her question.

“Of course not, I cannot do the same without causing others to faint or harm themselves.” Kan’Is once asked me to unleash all my power for his curiosity several years ago. Since then I have trained extensively to continue harnessing my power, because I wished for it to be precise enough to heal even the slightest of wounds. The more it grew, the more chances I had to train, so I cultivated my strength. Kan’Is had asked me to teach him what I did, and he took my lessons to heart, and did as I did: compress at every moment the weight of our souls at all times. “Here, allow me to show you.”

I reached out with one hand, while sending out threads to the three others in the room, as to shield them from my power.

And, with their protection ensured, I released my control over my power and instead urged it to run rampant.

The screeching of hundreds of monsters suddenly resounded outside, the fluttering of immense wings filled the sky, and the creaking of wood surrounded us. The cawing and roars were quick to fade, and I calmed as no terrible swarm suddenly assaulted us. The floor buckled and a wind formed within the room that blew open doors. The stools flew away, slamming into sturdy walls with great speed and breaking apart, while the roof shook threateningly.

I restrained my power after that, allowing it to return to the continuous layer that I exerted upon my skin for practice. If I could not maintain the second, thin skin of power around me, I would never think of using it to guide a needle for hours on end.

Kan’Is could do far more when unleashing his full might, as he was a prodigy and blessed with mind and body.

This whole hall would’ve been blasted apart, if he unleashed his power.

Anyway, I cast those thoughts aside in favor of looking at Averi, whose gaze gave me pause.

In her gaze was fear and terror.

Bound in chains, she gibbered and struggled to find the words, while she stared at me like a monster instead of a man.

It reminded me of my parents in this world.

I sighed as no words came and moved to leave.

I had to stop Djet’Is, because her plan to sell herself to the Kingdom in exchange for the As’Kari victory was not something I could accept.

She was honorable and loyal to a fault, and thought everyone else was the same, even in times such as these. The nation she sought to engage with would take advantage of her and steal her away, keeping all they can, while knowing that the As’Kari could not come to retrieve her without endangering themselves against the other, remaining tribes.

I could not abide such a thing.

Fortunately, my release of power drew her attention, and she and the other warriors were still at just steps away from the door when I exited.