Chapter CCCLXXI: New Duties ~Lich
What a night, Lich decided. Is this what life holds in store for me now?
The chieftain surveyed the village as he walked into it with Naaro. A hut’s remains still smouldered, its wisp of smoke filling Lich’s nostrils with the pungent smell of the wood. He had only been on the planet for a day and a half or so, and already he had to deal with too many invaders. Why couldn’t he have had a period of relative peace and quiet?
Because
they’re reminding you the quest’s not over, Lich
thought bitterly. Havering’s been raised. We’re no longer aiming to prevent,
but to contain. Again. That’s what Zolott was about,
at the end of the day: just a little game drawing in a number of animals into a
zoo. But, the animals broke free of their cages and mauled the keeper. We now
have to stop Havering from trying to control the entire cosmos, once more.
Maybe there’s
something to do with causality going on, here. All of these prophecies are
being fulfilled, yet history is repeating. Sure, the river may be at a
different reach, but it flows the same. Perhaps when
prophecy is fulfilled, these little rifts happen that allow history to repeat.
Or maybe it’s the other way around. Or something.
So, I’m here
now, with no idea of where the others are, and no idea of where to go. If this
is the world I have to protect, along with Yamauchi, where will the final
battles be fought? Or are those who come here trapped like the Banished Tribes?
Have we been removed from the branch of the River that leads to Havering’s
success or defeat, and placed on one that leads elsewhere? Where are we going?
Don’t be daft. The Prophecy of Two Worlds states that I’m going to fight on another world altogether. So, I guess I’ll be getting off this rock…sometime. Maybe someone’ll find the Spectrum and take us away again, or I’ll be warped – Elementals, I hope not – to where I need to be.
Lich looked up
at the stars, failing to recognise any constellations. Which star has
Yamauchi? Which one is my sun? I’d need some sort of star recognition device,
probably has a telescope or something, point and shoot, tells you what it is…I
ought to see if
If I find
“Lich, hello?” Naaro called.
Lich flinched, startled. “Hm?”
“Good, you’re still with us,” he answered. “Where is everyone?”
The Yoshi covered his mouth with one hand as he yawned, while he waved the other towards the way he’d seen everyone flee into the darkness. “Out there…somewhere,” he answered. “Gotta call them back.”
“Everyone?” Sapphire asked.
“Lich’s tribe,” Naaro answered.
“Your tribe?” she continued.
Lich nodded. “Welcome to G’lirer, otherwise known back home on Yamauchi, incorrectly, as G’lirr.”
“This place doesn’t look like purgatory,” she replied, looking around.
“G’lirr? I’ve heard of that,” Sixtyfourhundred spoke up.
“Yes. Thank our great-great-great-great…” Lich paused and counted on his fingers, “great-great grandfather, Recugrian.”
“Recugrian Yoshi,” Kuroi intoned. “Bane to those who dared oppose him, friend to those who supported him. Read up about him. Powerful sorcerer-warrior.”
“Indeed, and the stock of which the God of Warriors and me are moulded from,” Lich answered. “This is the village of the A’gul people, those whom Recugrian was part of. Hey…this means that you’re an A’gul too,” he said to Sixtyfourhundred.
“…I am?” he replied.
“Yes.” Lich looked down at his painted self, raising an arm as he studied it. “I don’t know if that means this has got to happen to you, too.” He looked back up at his cousin. “You wouldn’t look right without your armour on, anyway.”
“Well, uh…” the warrior god spoke, smiling sheepishly and rubbing the back of his head, as Sapphire giggled.
“I think you can get away with it, being a god,” Lich returned the smile.
“I hope so.”
“Anyway…” Lich said, turning, “I’d better go out and get them. Be prepared, they speak in the old tongue. Culture hasn’t really advanced that much in five hundred years, here.”
* * *
Having found the A’gul encamped not too far away, Lich led them back to the village, a feeling of relief lingering in the air. Ung’grl hobbled with him, keeping up with his lord’s pace, while Hl’garng maintained the rear, making sure nothing would attack from behind.
“Lord, if I may ask,” Ung’grl started, “why have these foul demons of late appeared? Have they truly appeared with thee?”
“Yes, Ung’grl, they have,” Lich nodded, firmly. “They must have followed me here. You see, I am part of a greater battle.” He looked up at the night sky and swept his hand across it. “All of these stars, stretching beyond infinity, are what my companions, my brother and I are fighting for. You see, we are fighting for the very existence of life itself. And, somewhere out there amongst those stars, the battle rages on. Those you have seen here with me are only part of our number.”
“The A’gul hath been touched by war,” Ung’grl stated.
“Indeed,” Lich sighed. “I did not want to involve our people in it, but, it seems like I had no other choice.”
“Our ways are the ways of peace, lord. We do not seek vengeance for what hath happened. But, as we are now involved in war, we must fight.”
Ung’grl hung his head as Lich turned his head to him. “Fight, Ung’grl? You have no idea of what the enemy is. Those demons…well, I would have to say that they are the better of them, from our viewpoint. If the A’gul or any other Banished tribe were to go up against any of the enemy, they will fall,” Lich clicked his fingers, “like that. When I go – and I will go again, for the Prophecy states so – I cannot take the A’gul with me.”
“Then take Hl’garng, lord, and leave us to defend our lands whilst thou riddest the cosmos of these demons,” Ung’grl declared.
“Hl’garng?”
“Yes, lord. He is the finest of the A’gul warriors.”
“That may be so, but I believe he is better here.”
“Lord, if I may insist, please, take him.”
“How come?”
Ung’grl sighed. “Lord, when I was chieftain, it was much easier for me to maintain secrecy that people placed in me. Now that thou art here, I must provide an answer.”
“If it is a secret, then I only want to hear it if it will not hurt anyone,” Lich said, opening his arms.
“Then tell him
that I told thee to ask him, lord. I feel that it is not my place.”
Soon, the tribe had re-entered the village. Sixtyfourhundred nodded to Lich as he entered, and folded his arms as he saw the others arrive with him.
“Everyone,” Lich called, standing beside the warrior god, “these travellers are my guests, and therefore guests of the A’gul.”
Sixtyfourhundred leant and whispered in Lich’s ear, “Should I tell them or you?”
Lich turned and muttered, “Not at all, at the moment. We’ll talk to Ung’grl, my advisor, and Hl’garng, chief warrior, tomorrow.”
The chieftain cleared his throat and turned back to his people. “Unfortunately, as some of you may have witnessed, some of your homes have been destroyed, so as I invite my guests into my home, invite those who have lost their homes into yours. I will now retire to bed. I wish you all a good night, and best hopes that tomorrow will be a brighter day.”
The A’gul dispersed, and a low hum filled the village.
“Hl’garng,” Lich called as he saw the warrior part ways with his comrades, “I need to speak with you, in my hut, alone.”
“Yes, my lord,” he answered, slightly bewildered.
Lich turned to his guests and asked, “Could you please wait outside until I am finished.”
To replies of “No problem”, “Sure”, and “Whatever”, Lich brought Hl’garng into his hut.
“Ah, Lich,” Professor Highland greeted him. “Has the fiend gone?”
Lich nodded.
“May I take care of this?” he asked, holding up the evil scythe in his gloves.
“By all means, please do. I don’t want it near me. Now, could you please go outside, I need to have a private conversation with Hl’garng, here.”
The Professor nodded and left. Lich tracked his Mana Presence as he departed, to make sure he was nowhere near earshot. As a secondary precaution, he beckoned Hl’garng to come to the tables where Ung’grl had instructed him only a number of days before, but what seemed like months now.
Lich walked over to the end of the table, his back turned to Hl’garng, “Please, make yourself comfortable, Hl’garng,” Lich invited him in.
Hl’garng took a few steps forwards and stood erect.
Lich turned around, and studied him briefly. His washed-out green skin shone pallidly in the moonslight from the chimney hole in the roof, putting him in a sort of spotlight.
“Please, come over here,” Lich said, trying to make him feel more comfortable with the light off him.
Hl’garng stepped forward back into the calmer light and asked, “What is it you wish to talk with me about, lord?”
Lich raised his hands. “Although you told me yourself the other day that you wished to call me ‘lord’, please, here, call me by my name, ‘Lich’.”
Hl’garng tilted his head, confused.
“I see you as a friend of sorts, Hl’garng,” Lich continued. “Alone, away from everyone, when it’s just me and you, I’m telling you, please, call me Lich. I find that titles and protocol tend to be a barrier between two friends.”
“It is by thy wishes I shall, l…Li…ch,” Hl’garng answered, his mouth refusing to form the sounds.
“Thank you. Now, you’re probably wondering why I brought you here. Well, you’ve shown me that you know the Prophecy of Two Worlds pretty well.”
“Yes,” Hl’garng nodded.
“So, as it states, I’m going to be leaving for the battle at some stage. Ung’grl has asked me to take you with me to it.”
Hl’garng stepped back. “Me? Why me, lo– Li-ch?”
“Because you are the finest of the A’gul warriors,” Lich nodded. “While I’m gone, I’ll leave the village in Ung’grl’s care. He’s obviously a good leader, seeing as he’s told me everything I need to know, except one thing. That which only you can tell me, Hl’garng.”
“What dost thou mean?”
“Something that Ung’grl knows, but feels that it is not his place to say.”
“Thou meanest not–”
“I have Ung’grl’s permission,” Lich raised his voice above Hl’garng’s. “Please, tell me, Hl’garng. No secrets that I have been told ever pass my lips.”
The warrior looked down, losing his composure and slumping. “It seems that Ung’grl hath given me the dubious honour.” He drew a breath, and looked up at the patient Lich. His mouth opened and closed silently, before he bowed his head again. “No…no, I can not, it is not right.”
“Hl’garng,” Lich said kindly as he approached, placing a hand on his shoulder. The warrior flinched at his unexpected touch. “The fate of the A’gul, the fate of all the Banished Tribes, the fate of the Tribes That Remain; the fate of the cosmos could depend on what this secret is. Please, tell me.”
Hl’garng looked up at Lich’s expectant face and bit his lip. “This secret…involveth thee.”
Lich’s hand tightened on his shoulder, making Hl’garng wince. Lich withdrew it and took a step back.
“It involveth also thy brother, the Hunter,” Hl’garng murmured.
Lich recoiled. “How…how long have you known this, Hl’garng?”
“From the time, just passed, that the cool wind cometh from the north.”
“I don’t know the seasons around here yet. How long has it been since then?”
“Half of the cycle of seasons,” Hl’garng answered.
Lich was stunned. Half a year. How could he have known that? He hadn’t been on the planet for two days!
“I see things, Li-ch. Things that could happen; things that are yet to happen.”
“Yo…you’re a prophet?” Lich asked.
Hl’garng nodded. “It seemeth so.”
“Do you see things in your dreams?”
“Sometimes. Other times, I see them from a mere glance at an object, a pattern of leaves, the shape of the clouds, the flow of water over rocks…I have seen these things since I were a Koyoshi.”
“Does the A’gul know?”
Hl’garng shook his head. “What I see may or may not happen. I could not bear to direct the A’gul to do something because I had a vision, for it not to happen. But…for thee…I feel it will. Many seasons ago, when the duties of first warrior were bestowed upon me, I saw thy arrival, just as Aggli had written. I saw thee, and thy brother, orange and pink. Markior was with thee. But, half of the cycle of seasons ago, I saw thee, and I saw thy brother, again, in a dream. Thy brother and thou were apart. He…”
Hl’garng paused, and lowered his head again, shaking it.
Lich looked on expectantly in silence, for a moment. “What about my brother?”
“Li-ch, thou art my lord, and…I do not want to give thee any offence. But, thou dost request my prophecy, so, I must answer. He betrayeth thee with his tongue.”
Lich looked dumbfounded at Hl’garng, and then lowered his head. “The cybernetics,” he whispered in Pandoran to himself.
“Thou seemest disappointed. I thought thou wouldst be.”
Lich nodded. “Did…did you see anything else, Hl’garng?”
“Thou shalt call for his blood. And then…”
Hl’garng’s lord crouched before him, and gripped his shoulders desperately. “Yes?”
“Thou shalt bring about harm to his flesh for his sin against thee.”
Lich shook him. “What else? Please tell me there’s something else!”
“There is but one thing. Thy brother, the Hunter, shall die in thy arms, drenched in thy tears.”
Lich let go and turned away, standing up and walking to the wall. He pushed his hand against a post and sighed, shaking his head. “Is that all, Hl’garng?”
“Hope that my words are not truth in entirety, Li-ch. For what I see could happen, or it is yet to happen. Li-ch…the Prophecy of Two Worlds is in danger from what thou decidest; alway in danger. I impart all my knowledge unto thee. I can say no more.”
“Thank you, Hl’garng,” Lich murmured, not turning around. “Go, get some sleep.”
Lich heard his
footsteps depart. He sighed mournfully.
To protect the
secret meant the silencing of those who knew. He was Guardian of his weapon; he
was Guardian of himself. He trusted
Lich shook his head and rose. There was no point in staying upset about it: he
was Lord of the A’gul, he had work to do in the
morning, inducting his cousin back into his tribe.
“You can come in now!” Lich called as he turned around and walked towards the door.
His guests filed in through the curtain. Lich met them in the front room.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” he smirked. “There are some beds in the two rooms along there, to your right. Sorry to be less than accommodating, I’m exhausted and I’m going to bed. Good night.”
After receiving various “good nights”, he saw the agent lying still on the second bed in his room. “Good night, Tehx,” he whispered as he climbed onto his own bed. He was asleep before his head reached the pillow.
* * *
“Ah good, it’s working. Parano, Lich.”
Lich opened his
eyes and took in his surrounds: the platform room of the
“Don’t be alarmed; it’s just a summoning spell,” Nase re-assured him. “I’m focusing my energies through the Mana Seed to do this because…well…you’re a long, long way away. I’ve been waiting for you to fall asleep; it’s the only time you can do this.”
“How far?”
“A very, long, long way away.”
Lich laughed, and then walked closer. His legs made no progress.
“Er, yeah,” Nase smiled sheepishly. “The spell kinda holds you in place.”
“Well, that’s a pain,” Lich said, noticing his voice seemed to be distant. “So…why have you called me here? I’m feeling – hang on, I’m not feeling anything.”
“You’re having an out-of-body experience, Lich. You haven’t got any glands or endorphins. Thankfully, the spell includes what you’re wearing right now, and I must admit it looks rather…colourful.”
“Oh, this?” Lich said, raising an arm momentarily as he looked at it to show Nase. “Paint. You remember Syoro Ki telling us about the Banished Tribes?”
Nase thought a moment, and nodded.
“I’ve found them.”
The Water Palace Guardian’s eyes widened. “And they’ve been holding the Diamond of Gokar?”
“Yes. The Child of the Moon, they call it.”
Nase nodded a few times. “I wish you’d been able to find the rest of them sooner…it’s been quite some time since you left Fa’Diel.”
Lich blinked. “Been able?”
“Pandora and Tasnica, being close allies as they are, declared war on Kakkara this morning.”
“They did what?!”
Nase nodded gravely. “They’d ask the Empire to help, but the Treaty of Mandala prevents my people from having anything more than a defence force.”
“But…this means…”
“Yes. You have to come home and go to battle.”
Lich scowled. Because he had been called to do national service, there was the binding tie to Pandora that he had to fight should the army be mobilised.
“But, right now I have no ship,” Lich explained, trying to find an excuse. “I have no way of…Kuroi. I’d have to teleport to Fa’Diel.”
“Heratu’s passes, my friend. But the memory of the press doesn’t.”
“The Pandoran media are going after me?!”
Nase held up a newspaper, open at the fifth page. “Second article on the Toshadago Pandora’s section of war articles. You know how they are. As soon as someone says something, they’ll all be saying it.”
“What’s it say?” Lich asked nervously.
“Basically, it reports that you’re the only Guardian conscript, and that you haven’t been seen for some time. Says that you’ll receive a four-thousand Lucre fine if you don’t turn up four days from now.”
Lich shook his head and held it. “Please tell me this is a dream…”
Nase shook his head slowly in reply. “This is real, Lich. You are not dreaming. I’ve just summoned your mind while it is at rest.”
“I want to go back to my body,” Lich whined.
“Sorry, but not
yet,” Nase sighed, wiping some sweat from his brow.
“I speak to the Guardian of the Cyan Arc as Guardian of the
Lich flinched. “Something’s really wrong, isn’t it?”
Nase nodded. “The sea has told me of
much shipping going on between
“Surely the
authorities at
“You can use
black-market
“So…Zulan’s got something up his sleeve that could possibly devastate the Pandoran and Tasnican Armies. Have you told any of the other Guardians?”
“I’ve told Generals Tigolatu and Ajotis, Undine, and you. That’s it. You can’t trust the other Guardians these days; in fact, you can’t trust anyone. Someone may show support for Theutes, but be acting as a spy for Zulan.”
“Not even the other Palace Guardians? Not even Shero?”
“It’s too
dangerous, Lich. Shero is an old man. He may be the
best spellcaster of Lumina, but if I told him, I
can’t guarantee his safety. You know he lives in
Lich nodded.
“I can’t trust any of the Guardians I oversee; I can’t even trust my acolytes,” Nase groaned, wiping his brow again. “It’s just you, the generals, and the Elementals.” He sighed, shaking his head. “Lich, I can’t keep up the spell much longer. I’m going to send you back; it’ll just be like falling asleep again. I’ll give you another update tomorrow, if the battles start or the media make any wild accusations. Well, good night.”
Lich opened his mouth to reply, but found his consciousness slipping away. His eyelids drooped, and he vanished.
* * *
The next thing he knew, the morning sunshine was pouring through his window. He winced, sat up, and stretched.
“Good morning, Lich,” came his cousin’s voice from across the room.
Lich flinched. Why was it suddenly people’s habit to come into his room while he was asleep? He would have to educate the A’gul about the benefits of a wooden door and a lock…except he’d have to get both, first.
He looked to Sixtyfourhundred, dressed in pyjamas, and shaking Multehx.
“He’s not going to wake up,” Lich told him.
“I could go get Saph–”
“He’s not going to wake up,” Lich repeated as he swung his legs around and sat on the bed’s edge. “He’s deactivated. Someone needs to flick a switch, and I don’t know where that switch is. Metaphorically speaking, of course.”
“Saph is the Goddess of Healing,” Sixtyfourhundred spoke, standing and turning to him.
“I know,” Lich replied, raising his hands. “I have real doubts she can do anything towards him right now. Does she know he’s here?”
“She’s still asleep. My bed was hard, so I’ve been awake before sunrise.”
“I’m sorry the accommodation’s half-a-star, if that,” Lich sighed, resting his head back against the wall and closing his eyes. “Not much I can do about it.”
“It doesn’t worry me that much. It’s a pain, though.”
Lich nodded slightly and folded his technicolour arms across his chest. “You know,” he said, after a moment, “I’m still getting over the fact that you’re my cousin.”
“Yeah,” Sixtyfourhundred answered. “We’ve known each other for about six or seven years, and for all that time…”
“Yeah,” Lich answered. He sighed, raised his head and opened his eyes again. “It’s made me start worrying.”
“About what?”
“My family – our family,” Lich said, gesturing back and forth between them, “has its real strokes of bad luck. Our grandfather, Spekkio, was an orphan; his brother, Bloshi, had his egg thrown into a lake up in Star Road for some reason…I think we’re part Hoshi ‘cos he wouldn’t have been up there otherwise.”
“We’re part Hoshi?”
“One-eighth, I think it is. But, I don’t know, strange things happen in the ancestry.”
“So, how’d they meet up?”
“I don’t know; I never found that out. Granddad died before I hatched, Grandma Mila…she went senile. Mad as anything. They had to take her away, from what I found out.”
Sixtyfourhundred remained silent.
“Then, I suppose
there were your parents on your side of the family, and then there’s
“I’ll be fine,” said Sixtyfourhundred confidently. “I’m the God of Warriors.”
Lich nodded and smirked. “Yes, I suppose so. Ah well. Might as well wake the others up, now; I’ve got a ceremony to perform.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. Accepting you
back into the tribe. And I have no idea how to do it.”
“Ung’grl! Ung’grl!” Lich called as he walked out into what he had dubbed the “square”.
He looked around. Already, Yoshies were starting to rebuild the huts that had been destroyed, legs and arms coated in mud as they built the walls. Some had begun to cover the mud with bark, coating it with what appeared to be some sort of glue for added strength and protection. Some older females were sitting around in parts of the square, thatching together grass for the roofs.
A real community, Lich thought. And I’m its general manager.
Lich’s chief advisor hobbled towards him from across the square, after appearing to order some young males to go and get something, probably wood. “Yes, my lord?” he called as he approached.
“Have you seen Hl’garng?” Lich asked.
Ung’grl shook his head. “I did not see him this morning. He may have arranged to start a hunt before dawn. But,” the elder Yoshi looked across to one of the huts, “it is unusual that Eng’g and Ul’gah be not with him.”
“Maybe he just needs some solitude for a while,” Lich said. He guessed what had caused it: having the secret forced out of him.
“Perhaps,” Ung’grl spoke, interrupting his thoughts. “Is there anything else thou seekest my assistance with, my lord?”
“Yes. I need you to impart some knowledge to me.”
“What dost thou wish to know?”
Lich opened his mouth, but then thought a moment. “Uh, perhaps it would be better if this knowledge was ‘applied’. Please, come in.”
He made the motion to allow Ung’grl through the door first, but the blue Yoshi nodded him through. Obviously, the leader was meant to lead everywhere.
Sixtyfourhundred stood in the room with the tables, bedecked in his armour. Naaro sat nearby, deep in thought, his eyes closed and his hands steepled in his lap. Alex appeared to be nowhere to be seen – Lich guessed he had taken the scythe away for private study. Sapphire and Kuroi stood nearby as they talked; they ceased as soon as Lich and Ung’grl came in, and turned to them. Naaro opened his eyes.
“Sixtyfourhundred, Sapphire, Kuroihoshi, please meet Ung’grl, my chief advisor. I would have had my chief warrior, Hl’garng, with me, but he is tied up with other commitments right now.”
“It is an honour to meet you,” said Ung’grl, bowing.
“You too, Ung’grl,” greeted Sapphire.
Sixtyfourhundred nodded.
“Yes, you too,” Kuroi replied.
Ung’grl nodded in reply to each of them.
“Now, do you promise not to exert yourself?” Lich asked.
“What dost thou mean, lord?” Ung’grl asked.
“Sapphire is the Goddess of Healing, while Sixtyfourhundred is the God of Warriors, and my cousin.”
Lich took a sudden step back as Ung’grl fell to his knees and kowtowed. “Please accept my piety.”
“My goodness,” Sapphire spoke, also taking a step back in surprise. Kuroi jumped to one side. Naaro smirked.
Sixtyfourhundred flinched, but remained calm. “Please, stand up. I am a friend, and friends do not kneel and bow to each other. It is also honour among warriors that only the defeated kneel and bow.”
Ung’grl rose to his feet. “Thank you, oh great one.”
“Sixtyfourhundred and Sapphire are recently Commenced,” Lich explained. “In fact, their Commencement is so recent that Sixtyfourhundred, before his Act, is my cousin, Brian Yoshike. Therefore, I wish to welcome him back into the A’gul.”
“I see,” Ung’grl nodded. “I still have to teach thee the meanings of thy paint, and how to make the First Paintings. Therefore, if I say that thou hast a want for my assistance, would I be wrong?”
“Not at all.”
“I see,” the advisor replied, and turned to Sixtyfourhundred. “Thou dost understand that thou shalt be presented?”
“Presented? I do not understand what that means,” replied
“It means the entire village looks at you and I ask if they accept you into the tribe again,” Lich told him.
“It does not have to be the entire village,” Ung’grl cut-in as Lich finished. “As long as an A’gul other than the lord beareth witness to the presentation, thou art accepted.”
Lich looked to Ung’grl, an A’gul not him. “Well, then, let’s get started,” Lich smiled.
“My lord, there be some things thou must say. Please, come with me, and I shall tell thee.”
“Er, I guess I’ll be right back…” Lich said as he exited the room.
About fifteen minutes later, Lich came back holding pieces of paper, while Ung’grl held a tray of paint.
“What was it that thou said thou scribed with?” the elder Yoshi asked.
“A pen,” Lich replied.
“Yes, that was it.”
“Right, well…sorry to keep you all waiting. I think we can begin now.”
Ung’grl placed the tray on a seat while everyone except Sixtyfourhundred moved away from the table, and sat on another long, low rock nearby.
Lich placed the sheets of paper on the table. He then looked at it, and up at his cousin, whose eyes were filled with uncertainty. He cleared his throat.
“Today, brothers and sisters, we are approached by a Yoshi lost to the A’gul. Calling himself Sixtyfourhundred, he seeketh re-acceptance into our fold after his long journey to find us again.
“However, he is
like myself, for he is of Recugrian’s
blood. But, Recugrian held A’gul
blood within his veins, for he was born to our tribe, in the shadow of
“He hath proven to mine eyes that his deeds are noble, and that his ways are the ways of peace, for his sword is only drawn in protection of fair justice, and that its blade only cutteth the flesh of those with evil hearts. He hath incredible bravery. Therefore, I deem him worthy of re-acceptance by his mind.
“He hath also proven to mine eyes, by his very nature as the God of Warriors, of expressing piety beyond what we can ever hope to achieve. He seeketh only good intentions, and he hath love for more than what he hath hatred for. Therefore, I deem him worth of re-acceptance by his heart.
“Now I ask thee to speak the truth, Witness of the A’gul: As we welcome our journeying family back into our homes, do we welcome him back into the A’gul?”
“Yes,” Ung’grl nodded, and smiled.
Ung’grl bent down to the table and brought up the husk holding the green and blue paint, and the brush, and held them out to Lich, with a sideways glance to Sixtyfourhundred. With another quick glance at the paper, Lich took the husk and dipped the brush in the green paint. He turned to his cousin and held it up above him, and said, “Bless this paint, Markior–” Lich then lowered it to Sixtyfourhundred, holding it out towards him, “–and Sixtyfourhundred, for it is what maketh the warrior.”
Sixtyfourhundred leant back. “Er…okay…it is,” he said, his voice uncertain.
Lich turned to Ung’grl, to find his mouth still open. “He is the God of Warriors.”
Ung’grl closed his mouth and nodded after a moment’s reflection. “Like I did to you,” he reminded Lich, sotto voce.
Lich closed his eyes for a moment, reflecting on the prayer. It seemed strange to be praying to his friend, even though he had grown up with doing it, and to his very own cousin. And now, he was painting not only his cousin, but a god, too.
To think I would never be doing anything like this, ten years ago… Lich thought.
He opened his eyes again, looked up at Sixtyfourhundred as if to say, “This is it,” and drew the inverted “V” shape on his stomach armour. He then turned to Ung’grl, took another brush, dipped it in the blue, and made the cross-piece oval shape.
“He is welcomèd with the symbol of the A’gul:
“Welcome home,” Ung’grl told him.
The warrior god nodded, and turned as if to go to the others. Lich caught his arm and turned him back. “It’s not over yet,” he said, sotto voce. He looked up to see his cousin’s surprised face.
Lich looked at the paper again and cleared his throat once more as Ung’grl prepared more paint. “Our ancestors were painted as warriors. But we, though warriors we remain, paint for another reason. In our sadness, our skin hath faded, and thus we paint to stay as colourful as the Tribes That Remain. Our ancestors used painted codes to show importance, rank, and identity; we still use these codes today. When one hatcheth from their egg, they are named; when they come of age, they are given a second name. Thou already hast thy hatching-name, Brian Yoshike, and in thy Commencement, thou were given thy adult name, Sixtyfourhundred.
“Now, I ask thee to come and lay thyself down upon the table; it is time thou art painted.”
“Lich,” Sixtyfourhundred spoke quietly, “is that really necessary?”
Lich nodded. “I’m just following the traditions, here. Best not to break them where possible.”
His cousin nodded. “Back up or front up?”
Lich turned to Ung’grl. “Front,” the advisor told him.
“Alright…”
Sixtyfourhundred sat on the table’s edge. He then lifted his feet and lay on it. He winced; it was his second hard bed today.
With the paint now ready, Ung’grl held the tray up to Lich.
“This is where I need you most,” Lich muttered. “What should I put on him?”
“The star on your right palm first,” Ung’grl replied in a murmur. “It is Recugrian’s star, nine points for nine generations. Remember to have the paint blessed.”
Lich looked at his palm and at the red star. He dipped a brush in the red paint, and raised it again. “Bless this paint, Markior, and Sixtyfourhundred, for it is what maketh the warrior.”
Sixtyfourhundred’s eyes seemed to ask, “Again?”
Lich nodded.
“Er…yes,” the god answered.
Lich took his cousin’s right hand and drew the star on his glove.
And so it continued this way for some time: Lich asked Ung’grl what to do next, and Lich did it. Pretty soon, Sixtyfourhundred’s covered arms and legs were patterned with a rough lattice of blood-red and forest-green (the symbol of a warrior), with large white spots in the diamonds they created (for his importance), a Shyguy’s mask on both of his shoulderplates surrounded by red and green (to scare away demons), red and green stripes on his collar (for the binding of himself to defend the defenceless with his life – Lich thought it resembled a noose around his neck) and blue circles on the backs of his gloves (for the two moons).
It was just as Lich was about to paint brown across the top of his breastplate (his skill) that there came a familiar voice from the door, “Hi. What’s up?”
Lich turned to view the interruption, dripping brown paint on the floor. His eyes widened. “Vector! Good to see you! I’ve wondered where you’ve been hiding…please, sit over there, Naaro’s got some space near him. This is a very important ceremony.”
“Vector?” asked Sixtyfourhundred, raising his head to see him.
“Hang on…that’s you, Lich?” Vector asked. “And I thought…what the hell are you doing to Sixtyfourhundred?”
“Inducting him as a member of the tribe. Look, I’ll explain everything later; please, sit, and observe. Quietly.”
Elementals…there goes the special moment…
“You’re do–”
“Vec, please.”
The blue Yoshi nodded with a silent “ah”, and sat down.
He turned to Ung’grl, who gestured for him to go ahead. Lich painted on the brown area.
Some symbols later, he heard Vector whisper, “And this is all it is? Watching him get painted up?”
Lich glanced to see Naaro nod and Vector frown and yawn. He knew Vector was not a Yoshi of much patience.
The Lord of the A’gul sped up, lest Vector do something embarrassing. Pretty soon, Ung’grl told him, “You need to give him something to reflect his name, around his heart area.”
Lich looked at his cousin. Six thousand four hundred copies of something, even if it was just a tiny line did not seem feasible. He struck an idea.
“Tell me, are these paints ordered?”
Ung’grl nodded.
“What’s the sixth?”
Moments later, Sixtyfourhundred had a thick orange stripe, a thick blue stripe, and a doubly thick black stripe covering most of the left side of breastplate.
“Now, paint his nose black, to remind him of the death and suffering he shall give, and to remind him to only give it to those who truly deserve it.”
“All of it?”
Ung’grl nodded.
Lich turned to his cousin. “You heard him.” And thus, he painted his nose black.
The rest of his face was painted white, for the life he would preserve. Three stripes across his forehead, green, red and brown, was to link his warrior skills between mind and body. His throat was painted blue, to show that he was enlightened by raising his face above the sky.
Then, it was time for him to turn over. After his cape was removed, Lich painted much blackness on his armour – the loss and destruction he would leave behind. Then there were more bits of green and red scattered about, especially on his spikes and saddle area, an orange stripe down the middle for the pain of fighting, which would never stop him, and the eyes of Markior across his shoulders, for both fear and wisdom, crowned by a single yellow circle resting on a brown line – Luna, Yoshi Goddess of Moon and Earth, on the back of his neck.
“It is finished,” said Lich. “Rise, God of Warriors.”
Sixtyfourhundred got off the table and stretched.
Lich whispered to him, “You’ve got to ask if Ung’grl accepts you as God of Warriors. I know it sounds stupid, but please, do it.”
He nodded, and turned to Ung’grl. “Do you accept me as God of Warriors?”
“Yes, oh great one,” Ung’grl answered.
“Then you are truly once more part of the A’gul, Sixtyfourhundred,” Lich proclaimed. “Know that thou art God of Warriors amongst us, and that thou art welcomed once more. And thus, this ceremony concludeth.”
“And about time, too!” Vector called out. “I was falling asleep!”
Sapphire hopped up and rushed over to Sixtyfourhundred, giving him a hug. They whispered something to each other, before Sapphire left the room happily. The God of Warriors, both in title and in paint, moved to Lich. “Well…that was alright,” he said. “I’m glad I don’t have to go through it again…it’s strange to me. All this paint feels strange.”
“That’s how I feel,” Lich answered.
“I’ll be in my room if you need me, cousin,” he smiled, and left the room
Lich watched him go. Kuroi left soon afterwards.
Naaro patted Lich’s back. “I think you’re shaping up well as a leader. Well done.”
“Thanks.”
Naaro left as well.
Ung’grl finished with the paints, and picked up the tray. “I will be outside, my lord, helping with rebuilding. When thy business is finished, I recommend strongly thou givest thy help.”
“Thank you, and thank you particularly for your help.”
“I am thy advisor, lord. It is my job to help thee.”
Ung’grl filed out, also.
Lich sighed. This isn’t so bad after all, he thought.
“So, Lich…what is with this get-up anyway?” Vector asked, once the room was empty. “Because I saw your brother in camouflage paint on the other side of the planet.”