Chapter 782: Io (1/2)

“What do they plan to do then? Now that their main task is fulfilled?” Trian asked.

The Executioner glanced his way, its green eyes glowing a little brighter. “They are talking about that as we speak. And I believe the Accords should be a part of that conversation.”

“It may mean war with the Domains,” Claire said.

“I don’t think something like that is really possible,” Ilea said. “Not after meeting an Oracle. War with the Monarchs, maybe. Even then I don’t think the different ones will stand together.”

“And yet the danger is not unsubstantial,” Aki said. “I understand your concerns, Claire. Even the One without Form did not consider any direct attacks on the Domains and its defenders as likely to succeed. Being part of the conversation however doesn’t mean participating in an all out war with elven kind. What we need is time. If the Cerithil Hunters act too quickly, they might overextend. If only due to their nature and arrogance.”

“Sounds like some of the previous Guardian is still in there,” Ilea said.

“You have charged in here with them. I include you in that statement, Ilea. The assault on Iz has only resulted in this outcome because you had collected all of the keys and somehow survived the unsurvivable. It would be an unimaginable loss if the Cerithil Hunters attacked a Domain and were killed in the process. They have had no allied factions throughout their fight, and it will be difficult to convince them to accept any. But if they are ever open to such a conversation, it is now. I understand what that means for many humans, dwarves, and even Dark Ones, but I believe it isn’t just worth it, it is a necessity,” Aki spoke.

“Can we talk to them and see where everyone stands?” Catelyn asked. “We cannot speak for all of the Accords but we do have a lot of influence. If we plan to convince the respective Councils and city leaders, we have to know more.”

“I’ll introduce you to Isalthar,” Ilea said.

“It would be a start,” Aki said.

“More and more things to consider,” Claire said, rubbing her most certainly headache free skull. It was likely one of the healthiest skulls and brains around. Full of healing magic.

“Indeed. And I understand that this is a lot to process. However without my own creation and Ilea’s ability to get me into the Sphere we wouldn’t be here at all. These are all great opportunities,” Aki said.

“Of course. If you really have full control of all these machines and facilities, we’ll be able to achieve… I don’t even know where to start these considerations,” Claire said.

“I’m working on it,” Aki said before the machine chuckled. “But yes. The potential is enormous. Speaking of opportunities and potential. There is something else.”

Claire just sighed.

“Don’t act so mysterious, green eyes,” Ilea said, watching the lithe silver killing machine.

“Hypocrite,” Aki said.

“I’m human. Fallible. Weak flesh, and all,” Ilea said and winked.

“Understandable.” The machine winked back. “Enough time invested in humor. Ilea, you know about the core directive, and you tried to remove it. However destroying the Elves was only one of the directives. The other main one was the protection of the Taleen.”

“Doesn’t sound like the One without Form did a particularly good job with either,” Ilea said. “I’ve only met one surviving Taleen dwarf.”

“Well that is the thing. I’d argue it did a better job on that directive, though its interpretation is… questionable. Perhaps malicious, but it’s impossible for me to decipher how the One without Form developed in the past millennia, if it changed at all. It was highly complex, though artificial instead of something more akin to a copy. Perhaps it was the first of its kind… and the last,” Aki spoke.

“A better job?” Catelyn asked.

“Yes. To protect the Taleen, they were taken to a newly built facility deeper below ground than even Iz. Protected… so to say, by the very machines they had created,” Aki explained. “They remain there to this day.”

“Wait… what do you mean?” Ilea asked. “Remain. It’s been thousands of years.”

“And for thousands of years they have lived, built, educated, reproduced, and survived. Within what they came to call the city of Io. Under heavy surveillance and… security of Guardians. They remained protected, the core directive fulfilled to the very end,” the Executioner explained.

“That’s insanity,” Kyrian spoke.

“They wouldn’t have let that happen. The most powerful dwarves and most innovative minds? They would have resisted,” Claire said.

“And resist they did. The core directives prevail over single Taleen deaths. And so they were fought and killed. Those who were considered a danger to the core directives were executed, even if they did not resist at first. I could tell you the specific numbers of deaths, even the names of everyone killed, but I don’t see how that is beneficial in any way. More importantly, there are currently three hundred seventy three thousand five hundred and twenty eight dwarves living in Io. The entirety of the Taleen peoples, minus Gretmoor Valarian, the one now living in Hallowfort. Of course there is a possibility of others having survived outside of the influence of the One without Form, however it tried to fulfill that directive with the same fervor as it did trying to destroy Elven kind,” Aki explained.

Ilea whistled. “Now that’s fucked up.”

“Nearly four hundred thousand people,” Claire murmured.

“Indeed. And another potential ally. Ilea I know you don’t exactly like it but your actions did free an entire peoples. While I suggest the present members of the Accords should talk to the Cerithil Hunters, I think it best for Ilea to go to Io,” Aki said. “You do have a tendency to somehow befriend everyone you find.”

“Not everyone,” Ilea said, crossing her arms.

“Not everyone. Will you assist me anyway? I don’t think it should be the very machines that oppressed them to inform them of their freedom,” Aki spoke.

Ilea sighed. “Sure. I’m dodging every other responsibility after all.”

“Any other big reveals?” Train asked, looking at the machine with a smile on his face.

“Nothing that is relevant right now,” Aki said. “If you are in agreement with my assessments, we shouldn’t waste anymore time. Every minute could mean a major shift in potential outcomes.”

“No wonder you’re so stressed out if you constantly think about all the potential outcomes,” Ilea said before she stretched her arms. “So, Violence, ready to see the hidden city of Io? Or prison I suppose.”

Violence!

“Well let’s hope there isn’t much of that there,” Ilea said.

“They had quite a lot of freedoms. The One without Form came to the conclusion that total oppression could lead to a total rebellion, which in turn could endanger the core directive,” Aki explained.

“I don’t suppose the dwarves just accepted all of that for thousands of years,” Ilea said.

“No. In this past year there have been eighty six executions and six hundred twenty five prison sentences,” Aki answered.

“And you really think it should be me? Not someone like the Meadow? Claire? Catelyn? Sulivhaan?” Ilea asked. “Or even Alyris?”

“You freed them. And you want to see them free. Or am I wrong in those assumptions?” Aki asked.

“No of course I want them to be freed,” Ilea said.

“And while you are an important figure in many organizations and structures, you do not see them as a potential asset to exploit. That I believe is why you are the best choice to explain their new circumstances,” Aki said.

“Aren’t you considering them an asset to exploit? With all these considerations?” Ilea asked.

The Executioner’s eyes glowed a little brighter. “If you look at it in a cynical manner. Maybe. My goal is to protect the Accords and its allies. You suggested the name Guardian of Cerith. The Taleen are a part of that, and I believe there is potential for civil war, conflicts of them trying to retake their cities, conflicts with elven kind, conflicts with humanity, and the Accords. None of that would be beneficial to anyone. That is what I believe. And I believe Lilith is the best choice of a first contact with a peoples that has not seen anyone but their own in nearly three thousand years.”

Ilea grinned. “Primordial Arbiter and all.”

The Baron chuckled.

Friend!

“Yeah. Let’s hope they don’t try to catch and imprison you immediately,” she said to the little Fae.

“There shouldn’t be anyone there that you can’t easily defeat,” Kyrian said.