174 Coming Together (1/2)

Thisbey nodded, ”Let's be precise here. My boys have run the data and done the research. A single gialgathen can destroy a hundred square miles of land over its lifetime.”

He leaned back into his chair, letting a hand flop onto his armrest,

”Now while I might be a biased source, something has to be done about this mess. Otherwise, every man, woman, and child on Giess will drown in this here filth.”

Thisbey's voice turned sharp as a razor,

”And why? For what cause? So that these beasts can look down on us? So that they can whittle away our planet's resources just to fuel their own arrogance? I say that's some poor reasoning. I say we put a stop to it.”

I narrowed my eyes, ”Well then, how would you get rid of the problem exactly?”

Thisbey waved his hands, ”If it were up to me in totality, my solution would be simple in practice. We eliminate the cause of pollution. Seeing as that isn't an option you'd consider, how about we find a compromise so to speak?”

I thumped my fingers against my armrest, my impatience growing. I'd heard more than enough of Thisbey's bullshit at this point. Thisbey spread out his arms as if he had nothing to hide,

”I just need you to tell the espens that drawing mana from nature is foolish. There's a large portion of espen society that still does so. You'd be the one to put a stop to it.”

He leaned back in his chair, a smile growing on his face, ”It has nothing to do with the gialgathens. I'm self-aware enough to know that I'm biased. Despite that, I'm willing to work with my compatriots. That means I'm willing to work with you.”

I leaned back into my chair, ”Where are you getting the data and research from?”

Thisbey shrugged, ”A reliable and neutral source, I assure you. Most of what I know isn't public knowledge. Find someone who researches the silvers. Anyone worth their salt can tell you this much.”

I looked down, diving into thought. Thisbey was full of shit for sure, but he raised a few points I should research on my own. His growing desperation to convince me also taught me something. If I shifted something the wrong way on Giess, I could wreck the whole planet.

My decisions mattered. I affected people, a lot of people. Up till now, it was like I was running away from all that. It's a lot to take on, and it's not something I'm good at either. If I kept fumbling in the dark though, I might end up slaughtering people, my friends included.

Killing Delilath drove that point home.

With that in mind, I took a deep breath, centering myself. I was scared of all this new responsibility and influence. The more I avoided it though, the larger a problem it would become. It was time I stopped running away. I put that fear behind me, using it to spur me forward. It was time to man up and get this shit done.

I first needed to get a solid understanding of the situation on Giess. Once I got an idea of what I was working with, I'd come up with a plan. The quicker I did so, the better. At this rate, people might even think I was siding with Thisbey. The guy was a genocidal maniac. Not my cup of tea, personally.

I stood up from my chair, ”I'll talk to someone else about it. I have a lot to do. Goodbye.”

Thisbey leaned his head back, ”Could you at least consider the idea of my proposition? What is it about me that throws you off to such a degree?” He frowned, ”Am I too lowly for you? Is that it?”

I raised an eyebrow. Thisbey snapped at me. I was done playing nice with him, so I gripped the edge of my chair's armrest,

”Tell me, what animal did you get this leather from?”

Thisbey blinked, ”Well, it's a trade secret.”

I crushed the armrest in my hand, smearing the wood and nails like playdough, ”See, that's why I won't consider what you're saying. You're lying to me.”

Thisbey's brow creased, ”Now there's no reason to get uncivil here. These are ungrounded accusations. Any proof behind them?”

I was done with his politician talk. It was time to be blunt. I leaned over Thisbey,

”I'm done playing these little games of yours. Let's just be honest, alright? I hate your guts. You get other people to do the dirty work for you. Why? Because you can't stand a little dirt under your fingernails.”

A blood vessel throbbed on the side of Thisbey's head. He stood up, pressing a finger against my chest,

”Now I've been as kind to you as my own son. I've paid for hotel rooms. I've done charitable work in your name. I've done nothing to deserve this kind of judgment, let alone condemnation...Especially from you.”

I scoffed, ”Ever since we met, you've been trying to use me to orchestrate genocide.”

He frowned, ”It's not genocide. It's saving Giess from an environmental crisis. I'll have you know my intentions are pure at heart.”

I raised an eyebrow, ”Really now? No hidden agenda there?”

He gripped the collar of his leather suit, ”Of course not. I'm a man of my word.”

I grabbed his skin jacket,

”You're still trying to play games with me, Thisbey. You're wearing gialgathen skin. I can smell it. I can feel the mana in it. How the hell am I supposed to trust you when you can't even own up to that much?”

He knocked my hand aside, ”You don't know me. You don't know my history.”

I scoffed, ”You're wearing another sentient species' skin. What else do I need to know about you before I can tell you're a bad person? That you eat children?”

Thsibey's face went dark. He glared up at me and seethed,

”I will ruin you for this. Do you hear me? I built you up and I'll tear you down. That reputation of yours, I'll flip it in seconds. I'll turn you into a demon instead of a hero.”

I rolled my shoulders, ”Just like you did with Delilath? I already told you. I couldn't give two fucks about fame.”

He spread out his arms, ”At the very least I didn't kill her like some savage. Your big, brutish hands can't do much else but smash, can they? I wonder what you've done to that woman of yours with those big old hands? Probably beaten more than once or twice.”

I wrapped my hand around his shoulder. My palm rested over his chest, and my fingers wrapped around to his back. I compressed his torso, his bones creaking,

”You mean these big, brutish hands?”

Thisbey paled, anger draining out of his face.

I tilted my head, ”Answer me this, smooth talker. Do you wear gialgathen skin because you're afraid? Does it give you control over them? Do you think it gives you control of me?”

I cracked my neck, the bones in my neck sounding like steel. Thisbey's knees shook as I glared back down at him,

”Tell me...do you feel in control?”

I held him there, giving his chest the slightest squeeze. My fingers were steamrollers, squeezing the life from him. A bead of cold sweat dripped down the side of his face. He shook his head and mumbled,

”I don't.”

I nodded, ”Didn't think so.”

I let him go, patting his shoulder,

”Hey, just a heads up. If I see you wearing gialgathen skin again, I'm feeding you to an organ caterpillar. They're deep in silver territory.”

His heart pounded in his chest, his pupils dilating with fear. I turned around, walking out. As I opened the door outside, I turned to him,

”They're a nasty bunch, so you shouldn't have any problems fitting right in.”

I closed the door behind me, done with that guy. I lifted my arms over my head, stretching out my back. As I did, the muscles in my back popped like iron cords. I ran forward, jumping up. I pulled myself along with a gravity well, reaching our hotel.

As I entered our room, I found Tohtella and Torix discussing details of the plan. They both stared at a series of holographic projection of the Skyburner base. They organized portal locations, supply chains, and portal locations.

They looked at me as I walked up. Tohtella crossed her arms, ”Good to see you're well. Did you win? It doesn't look like it.”

I frowned, ”Yeah, I won. It wasn't easy though.”

Torix scoffed, ”I assure you, that's quite apparent. Here-” He opened a portal, pulling out another gray square of armor.

”I only own seven more. Do try to keep them safer would you?”

I took the gray square, ”Yeah, yeah. I'll give it my best.” They looked back at their projection. I put hand on Torix's shoulder, ”Hey, I need both of your help before I let you guys do your thing.”

Tohtella pursed her lips, ”What is it?”

I raised my hands, ”I need resources on Giess. Culture, environment, etcetera. I'm trying to get a grasp of what's going on.”

Torix's fire eyes flared, the fires growing brighter, ”That's rather sensible of you. Would you mind discussing what spurred you into action?”

I frowned, ”I killed someone at the tournament.”

Torix leaned back, ”Oh...Well then...”