Chapter 803 (2/2)

That was another reason she no longer had guards. Increasingly, her outburst grew unavoidable. Perhaps it was this body. Some things simply could not be endured without comment.

The fools were less foolish than she had anticipated. Perhaps from some of the rumors she had planted, they understood that her goals were not just the stated opening a door to the Progenitor and attracting his attention.

Which was strange. For all that most people were developing a nihilistic streak, they balked at the prospect of death. Honestly, Alta was surprised more people weren’t on her side. The world was ending; that much was clear.

And yet food continued to appear in the Monster Princes hands. The Weavers assembled grand tents that gave the illusion of civility even in this wild place. It was hard to gather firm population numbers about the procession, but an impromptu city the size of any one Land’s capital had sprung up at the edge of the ruins.

But even the Monster Prince’s magic food source couldn’t hold off the inevitable.

Hunger was rampant. So even as the other factions didn’t want Alta technology, they needed it; despite everything else she had lost, she was still the greatest technical mind that this world had ever seen.

“This world will burn. One way or another…” Alta muttered. Her hands moved to the small models on top of the map and moved the small carts toward the ruins. Tomorrow was the agreed upon date. They would allow her through, or she would force their hand.

On her side, there were herself, Creta, and the enigmatic and beautiful pilot of the silver mech. Honestly, Alta was so irritated by how pretty the pilot was that she had many times considering assassinating her as well. But she was useful. And always willing to support Alta. Even to a metal Alta, loyalty meant something.

“Soon,” Alta whispered. She lay on her bed and stared up at the rough cotton roof to her tent. Creta’s mission tonight was delicate. It wouldn’t change the outcome, but it would certainly make tomorrow easier.

*****

“You are sure?” Lucretia said, her expression behind her mask twisted into a frown.

He nodded. “I don’t believe your mistress and I have anything to talk about.”

Lucretia leaned forward. “Cailm-”

“That is no longer my name,” The Earth Golem who had been High King boomed. Like clockwork, his good arm reached up to touch the stump of his shoulder. Even now, the limb felt so close moving. Like it was still there. “I am no longer the boy filled with hope for this world. I have learned much.”

“If you believe the rumors, that dark attitude will put you right on Alta’s side,” Lucretia pointed out. “She seeks an eternal answer if you take my meaning.”

Cailm’s smile was sharp and bitter. “I am surprised you haven’t urged her from such a path. She wins no favors from the populace with her extreme stance. No, the opposite of hope is not hopelessness.”

Lucretia just stared at him for a few seconds. “That is exactly what it is.”

“Bah! I will not engage in battles of words. That was never my strength.” Cailm turned and regarded the cracked and rugged land around the two of them. They were meeting on a low mountain to the South of the ruins. From their position, the cheery torchlights of the night watch were visible. “Let us speak no more of this. Instead, I have a question before you go crowing back to your Iron Queen: Why was the Great Emperor of the Earth Golems different from me?”

Lucretia thought about a dozen ways to twist the answer she gave to urge her to join Alta, but somehow she knew it wouldn’t work. Everyone was aware of the madness in Alta now. Despite persuasive arguments, people were spooked by that. Hell, Lucretia was spooked by it. In Alta’s chest, the karmic flowers had begun to rot. Petals fell away and gathered in a bubbling cesspool at her core.

Instead, Lucretia dropped those thoughts and simply considered. Then she said, “Perhaps because he was not trying to be his ancestors. But simply trying to protect his people.”

“Mmmm…” Cailm said slowly. Then he stretched. “Recently, I’ve begun to suspect… it is because he never existed. And yet… even now, every time the young Earth Golem speak of him, their eyes fill with light. Something that doesn’t exist, yet still it ignites a spark? That is precious. That is magic.”

Cailm began to walk down the mountain. “Something that precious… even if it does not exist, it must be protected. The young must have Paths toward the summit to walk. Goodbye, Creta, Queen of Thorns.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Lucretia whispered, pain in her heart. One last dance.

She looked up at the sky, searching for an answer.