Book 5 - Chapter 72 - The Spark (1/2)

The Khan never moved a muscle. He didn’t seem to be a living thing at all, just a sentient machine. The shadow of death, standing in Cloudhawk’s doorway.

His black mask concealed his face, leaving nothing revealed but cold and flickering red eyes. His gaze was chilling.

Cloudhawk looked back with his own dark eyes, just as frigid and unwelcoming. “So I’m just a tool you’re using to break through this place’s defenses. To feed your ambitions to take over. Don’t you think you’re being a little obvious about it?”

“No. Your worth to Judas is a hundred times greater than all the people of this kingdom put together. At least when it comes to the blood crystal, the elder demon has not deceived you. Once the Demon King’s blood is yours, not only will all your wounds melt away, you will also finally be able to access your full inheritance.”

Cloudhawk was frank. “I hate being used. Why the fuck should I agree to this?”

“You don’t want to live? You don’t desire to make Arcturus pay for his crimes, to protect Greenland? What about saving your friend’s life?” The Khan turned away, but left Cloudhawk with a final thought before disappearing. “Remember that in any situation, you have a choice. Think carefully.”

Humans were selfish by nature. A drowning man would grab whatever was stretched out to him if it meant survival, even if it meant dragging someone else under the waves.

Humans were also greedy. Wealth, rights and rank – those were the goals, and it often didn’t matter who got hurt in its pursuit. When it came to these fundamental things any righteous-sounding excuse was just so many words. The Khan was right, there was always a choice. The question was always which one you chose.

There was definitely more to Judas’ plans than he was letting on. The demon was a crafty and ambitious thing. But how did that knowledge change anything? Conspiracies were pointless, Judas schemed in the open without concern.

Even the Khan could tell there was a lot Cloudhawk still wanted to accomplish. He was eager to destroy Arcturus, protect his companions, build his nation, rejoin his family, and know the truth behind this whole mess. A man like Cloudhawk would not accept death and go silently to the dark in this frozen, lonely place.

He had his back to a cliff and the ground was crumbling beneath his feet.

As far as Cloudhawk could tell, he had two clear paths before him. Only they were two very different routes that led to very different places. Whichever he chose, the consequences were serious and irreversible.

“Cloudhawk, Redleaf has a pub called Cloudtop. Let’s go knock back a few!” Summer had tracked him down to make the suggestion.

She wasn’t convinced he would accept, so It was a pleasant surprise when he did.

Cloudhawk wasn’t an iceberg. He didn’t keep people at arm’s length forever. All the callousness and unfriendly mannerisms were to keep himself hidden and protected. But who knew what the future would hold, and Cloudhawk figured so long as he was here, he might as well try to blend in.

Cloudtop was a famous waterhole in the area. It was both a hot spring and bar, and dripped with local character. One could say it was the city’s main landmark.

The bar itself was surrounded by pools of steamy water giving it all a very heavy, aquatic feel. In that way it was very different from Skycloud and the wastelands both. Singing girls regaled the patrons with local ballads and everyone milled around, relaxed and content.

“First you need to try our fruit wine.”

Cloudhawk did as he was instructed, but could not share his opinions because the wine didn’t actually taste like anything. He appeared to have lost that sense – and not only that, after awakening he felt numb all over.

Summer saw his eyebrows drop and figured he was struggling with amnesia again. “Most of the people in Redleaf are really friendly. You could stay here until you recover your memory.”

If he didn’t only have a year to live, if he didn’t have so much he had to do, Cloudhawk would really have considered it.

“Drink up!” Summer held up a glass, his face bright and cheerful. “You know, I really respect you Chosen. One day I hope I can be able to wield the sort of power you do. Then I could leave this sleepy little village and adventure across the world. I could built my own name and write my own legend!”

“Why do you want to leave?” Cloudhawk asked. “You don’t like it here?”

Summer chortled, but his expression was determined. “Redleaf is my home, of course I like it. But I’m a man! And a man who spends his whole life never leaving where he grew up is a coward. We’ve only got a few decades to live our lives so I need to get out there and live it to its fullest. Men are meant to do something with our time on earth!”

Cloudhawk had nothing to say to that.

Summer was left awkwardly scratching his head. “You think it’s wishful thinking too, eh?”

“No. Everyone have untapped potential, ambitions, dreams, desires… those aren’t bad things. But a real warrior always knows why they’re fighting, and what they’re fighting for. Only when you’re confident and believe in what you’re doing will you have the passion to see it through, and the courage to face the hard times. If you don’t, the weapon in your hand will quickly eat you up.”

Cloudhawk muttered the wisdom into the red liquid, sloshing around in his cup. It looked like he was talking to the young man, but really the words were directed at himself.

“Remember that not ever pursuit will end in the result you want, or even any result at all. Everyone has their limits and when you’re out reaching for what you want, you’re going to lose some things, too. If you want to make a living adventuring, you have to be prepared to give up safety and comfort. When your feet hit the road you better be prepared for every storm that comes your way.”

“You’re young. You don’t know what it costs to go after your dreams. Maybe one day you’ll succeed and suddenly realize that everything you gave up to get here. That’s why it’s important, before you start, to ask yourself what’s most important. Then you never let that go.”

Summer didn’t understand. Was he saying that chasing one’s dreams required sacrifice? Brother Cloudhawk couldn’t even be thirty, why was he talking like a grizzled old man?

“I’ve done too much talking, don’t listen to me.” Cloudhawk lifted the glass and took another sip. “Real life is like a glass of booze, I guess. Warm, cold, bitter, sweet, mild, strong – everyone’s got a preference, but they don’t know till they try them all. I’m just sharing my opinion.”

“Brother Cloudhawk’s experienced a lot.” Summer was even more convinced Cloudhawk’s history was a complicated one.