Chapter 177: A Divine Touch [7] (1/2)
Chang Chang reentered the library just as a piercing scream filled the air. The cry of pain and anguish ripped from Gallazza's throat. He stood up on his knees, his back to the fire, arms raised in supplication. He appeared to be staring at—or through—Chang Chang. Beside him, the Lochal watched the yaomo with an impassive expression. When Chang Chang came into the room, she looked up.
”He is in the grip of The Phantom Black Tome,”
She explained which sent a chill through Chang Chang.
”It's driving him mad. I warned him what the outcome could be. Whether he comes back or not is up to him.”
Gallazza's anguished expression as he reached out to clasp the empty air pulled at Chang Chang's heart. She took an involuntary step toward the yaomo.
”Can he hear me?”
Chang Chang asked the Lochal before turning towards the yaomo.
”Gallaxza, can you look at me?”
”He won't regard you. His mind—”
The dwarven spirit was saying before stopping midway. Just then, Chang Chang stepped closer—too close. Gallazza swung toward her and snatched her by the wrists. Chang Chang gasped and tried to pull away, but the yaomo, small as he was, appeared to be stronger. He yanked her down until she, too, was on her knees, at eye level with him.
”Tell me why.”
Gallazza said. He paused for a second before continuing.
”Beloved maiden, high demon—. Tell me who I am!”
Gallazza, it's me—Chang Chang.”
Chang Chang's wrists ached where he held her and she quickly circulated a portion of blood energy to it. They'd be bruised later. Behind her, she heard the clank of armor and weapons bursting free from their scabbards. The guards were coming.
”Wait! He doesnt kmow what he's doing.”
Chang Chang shouted as they flanked Gallazza and pressed their blade tips against his throat.
”Our orders were clear. If he harms you, he dies.”
Said the guard closest to Chang Chang. Satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. He's been waiting for this, Chang Chang realized, maybe praying for it, for Gallazza to give him a reason to cut him down.
”He's done nothing yet. Let him be.”
Gallazza, for his part, ignored the deadly steel pressed against his throat. His entire being focused on Chang Chang's face. What did he see when he looked at her? Love and hate warred on his features. Was he seeing another yaomo, a woman he'd once loved? It didn't fit with what she knew of the race or of Gallaza himself. The yaomo trusted no one, loved nothing so deeply, except perhaps their utmost demon queen. Their faith in Arkhat was the driving force behind their ecistence.
”Hear me, Gallazza,”
Chang Chang said. She bit her lip, hesitating. Did she dare try to reach him? If something didn't happen soon, it was clear the guards would act. Chang Chang had no love for Gallazza, but she also had no desire to see him slaughtered right in front of her. Or maybe you're just afraid he'll die before you're able to fulfill king Laggarma's request, a small, spiteful voice inside her whispered. Steeling herself, Chang Chang leaned closer to the yaomo, she whispered.
”Hear your divine, Gallazza.”
Gallazza sucked in a breath. Tears rolled down his cheeks. Chang Chang didn't know whether he'd heard her or if the hallucination still trapped him. The dwarves exchanged tense glances, and the Lochal looked on with something that might have been approval in her fathomless eyes.
”Gallazza, you must free yourself from this.”
Chang Chang said.
”It's not real. Your divine calls you. Come back.”
”I have killed for you—in your name, always,”
Gallazza sobbed. Chang Chang quelled a wave of revulsion. The sight of a crying yaomo was not pleasant to the eyes.
”But all I want … I want—”
”To know yourself. Yes. It's all right. Come back now. Come back.”
Gallazza uttered a choked, inarticulate cry and pulled Icelin against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. Dwarven sword tips hovered in the air next to Chang Chang's head, but the guards seemed at a loss as to what to do. They'd clearly never expected this reaction. They weren't the only ones, Chang Chang thought. She crouched awkwardly on the floor as Gallazza held on to her.
.
”He seeks the truth of his own identity. But it is that very identity that Lolth requires him to sacrifice. Will he choose his goddess or himself?”
The Lochal murmured. She raised her hands, and The Black Tome appeared between them. The onyx crystal in the center of the cover winked in the firelight.