Chapter CCCXCIII: The Road is Long and the Hills are Steep ~Lich

“Lord, it is customary for–”

“I can do it myself. Thank you, Ung’grl.”

“–a Yoshette to–”

“Yoshette? No. No. Don’t tempt me. I’ll do it myself.”

“If thou hath the insistence.”

Five minutes later, Lich leaned back in the tub hewn from a boulder and shut his eyes. The craftsman – or craftsmen, considering how laborious it would take to create a hollow of this size – had not performed the best of jobs, as there were a few jagged pieces here and there. Remnants of his paint turned the water black, the result of some scrubbing. Most of the work had already been done by the chemical in the Kllkll leaves.

He grimaced at the thought of what his brother could become without those leaves. Ark’s mind had already been altered by his time underground, and after seeing his cybernetics, he had become manic. Without these leaves, he would go insane. An insane Ark was not going to be a pretty sight. He immediately felt sorry for Naaro and Vector. He trusted them and at least Ark knew them, if his insanity did not affect his memory.

Lich sighed and turned his thoughts to other things. Ung’grl had mentioned the custom of having a Yoshette bathe him. Back home, he would have to be with a girlfriend or in a house of questionable repute for that to happen, and his morals would never let him deal with the latter. He immediately quashed his thoughts about Dragon – she had said her goodbyes and gone, on Zolott, another bad memory. He did not remember how it happened, but he remembered that it did happen. It was five years ago now, and he was over it emotionally.

However, Lich knew what his greatest weakness was, and it was a weakness he felt ashamed about. He had to employ considerable restraint to stop himself from falling prey to his physical desires. Having what would be considered a “natural” Yoshette back home bathe him while he was also “natural” was something he had to make himself refuse, otherwise the outcome would be very embarrassing at best, and at worst it would probably destroy the respect the A’gul had for him. Five years without a partner was starting to make things quite hard.

He shuddered to think about Ark. They had talked about those things, and Lich had the veritable impression that if someone tempted Ark with it, he would fall prey in a snap. In his state of insanity, he could easily make Lich end up as an uncle. Ark probably could not live with himself if that happened outside matrimony.

“Ahem,” Kuza’s voice came from the door as he turned away quickly.

Lich sat up, opened his eyes and turned his head. Surprised to see Kuza already healed, he wiped his lips and spoke, “Oh, hi. My species’ biology makes provisions, if you haven’t already noticed the locals.”

“They have paint,” the Anjel replied, his head still turned away. “Anyway, when you’re ready, I need to talk to you.”

“I’m almost done; be with you in a minute.”

Sliding forward and raising his knees, Lich submerged his head in the water. He then sat up after a moment, his hair draped in clumps around and over his eyes until he parted it with a finger. He stepped out of the bath and straight into his thongs, before wiping himself down with a towel from his Storage. Considering Kuza, he draped it around his waist and tucked in the top corner. “Okay.”

“Naaro gave me this,” Kuza told him, showing him the reed flute. “He thinks that if the Dark Lich kills Rynn and Kai, he’s going to go after you.”

“Well thought,” Lich replied. “He would go after me. I’m sure that he’s not going to kill Kai though. Rynn may be different, but anyway, what’s the flute got to do with it?”

“If Rynn, Kai or the Dark Lich show up, he wants me to play it, and it will alert him.”

Lich nodded. “Fair enough. So, I take it you’re coming with me, then?”

“Yes. Naaro asked me to.”

“You do know you’re going to war though, right?”

“What’s this about war?” Sixtyfourhundred asked as he approached the two of them.

Lich turned and saw his cousin, Sapphire and Kuroi. “Oh good, you’ve come back. I guess I should explain. As soon as is possible, I want to leave G’lirer for Fa’Diel, via the Shadow Dimension.”

“Are you really sure you want to do something like that?” Kuroi asked. “It is Kurayami’s realm, and he doesn’t like people coming through.”

“I have no other choice, unless someone builds a spaceship tomorrow. Besides, the Cyan Arc guards me as much as I guard it.”

“But why do you want to go?” Sapphire asked. “You’re chieftain here.”

“Yes, I know. But, the Council is still out there –”

“That’s taken care of,” Sixtyfourhundred interrupted him. “There’s only a few left. You were knocked out at the time.”

“Malachai has my Pokémon. He has kidnapped six of my friends. Then, if what Markior says is true, Havering is alive again. I can’t sit here in cosy Tribalville and twiddle my thumbs.”

“Where is Markior, by the way?” Sapphire asked.

“Getting Artanis, somewhere on this planet. He sure is taking his time about it, but he can handle it. I’m going to have to leave him behind.”

“Why?” Kuza asked. “If you leave a friend here, isn’t that a bit rude?”

“He will understand,” Lich answered. “Now, look, before I get sidetracked any further, let me explain what’s happening.”

He paused for a moment to piece together his thoughts.

“Going back a few years now, I was conscripted by the Army of Pandora. Even though I had early discharge thanks to some…events…I still am required to fight should Pandora go to war. Which it has.”

“How do you know this?” Kuroi asked him.

“Through my friend Nase, Guardian of the Water Palace and purveyor of all Fa’Diel information,” Lich answered. “He contacted me last night while I was asleep and told me that it was happening. If I don’t go, I become a criminal. Also, if I don’t go, the Pandoran Media is going to have an absolute field day, dredging up any sort of information they can get and spreading scandalous lies, everything from my school results to homosexual relationships. And worse.”

“So, you are willing to leave this Markior behind for the sake of your own reputation?” Kuza asked. “That’s rather –”

“I know,” Lich snapped, and sighed. “He will return here where he will find a message I have left for him, and then he will go to Fa’Diel. I am a good friend of his; he understands these things. Trust me.”

“So,” Kuroi started, “you want me to open a portal to the Shadow Dimension for you, Kuza – you met Sapphire and she told me your name – us three…what about Tehx?”
“He is coming too,” Lich replied. “And Hl’garng, my head warrior.”

“You’re taking someone with the battle experience of tribal skirmishes and hunting, with weapons made of crude metal through the Shadow Dimension?” Sixtyfourhundred asked, alarmed. “Does he know what he’s in for?”

“No,” came the chieftain’s weak answer.

“Lich, you’re mad,” Kuza told him.

“I have faith in Hl’garng,” Lich argued. “Yes, he may seem like a liability, but I have seen him in battle, personally. If you look in my room, you will see that I am now in the possession of a valuable artefact obtained with his help. That’s where I have been this afternoon.”

“Alright,” Sixtyfourhundred conceded. “But what about Tehx?”

“We’ll have to drag him along. On my back, if needs be, as much as I hate the thought. He’s fallen into my lap after five years. I am not going to put him aside. Now. Kuroi, how long will it take to form a portal?”

“Should take a while, I’ll try to get us close to Fa’Diel,” she replied.

“Okay. You three start work on that now.”

“Lord, I am ready for the journey,” Hl’garng called from down the hallway.

“Ah, Hl’garng,” Lich greeted him. He moved between his cousin and Sapphire and gestured him to come down. His paint appeared to be renewed, while a rucksack was on his back, seemingly full, while he held a spear. His machete was tucked into a belt on his waist.

The warrior noticed Sixtyfourhundred’s paint. “Lord, I have never met this warrior before, and yet he maketh a claim to be of the A’gul, and even more powerful than I,” Hl’garng stated, looking at him warily.

“Hl’garng, meet Sixtyfourhundred; Sixtyfourhundred, Hl’garng,” Lich introduced them. “He is my cousin.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Sixtyfourhundred greeted him.

“It is an honour to meet thee, but I must ask this, begging thy pardon: why hast thou the markings of a greater warrior than I? Art thou a new head warrior of the A’gul?”

“No. I’m the God of Warriors and–”

Whump. Hl’garng was prostrate in the blink of an eye.

“…I was going to say that there is no need to pay homage,” he continued. “Only my defeated enemies should bow before me, not my travelling companions. Stand up, please.” He turned to Lich. “You really need to do something about these Yoshies someday.”

“Great one, it is a tremendous honour to be alongside thee,” Hl’garng told him, awestruck, as he stood up. “Long have I waited for the day when a God of Warriors would Commence. And to meet thee is something I will never forget.”

Lich’s insides cringed. Hl’garng seemed to be turning into some sort of fan. “Yes, yes, well, let’s save the platitudes for later, shall we?” he laughed nervously, placing a hand on his shoulder and pointing him towards Sapphire. He raised his eyebrows worriedly to his cousin for a moment, knowing Hl’garng could not see them. “Now, without bowing, let me introduce you to Sapphire, Goddess of Healing, and their friend, Kuroihoshi. And that gentleman up the back there is Kuza.”

The two girls greeted Hl’garng cautiously.

“We already met,” Kuza nodded to him.

“We did,” Hl’garng replied after nodding to Sapphire and Kuroi.

“Okay. Now that we all know each other, you three set to work. Go someway out of the village, like towards the eastern hills that way,” Lich pointed. He knew it took a while for portals to be formed; he’d seen it before. “Hl’garng, Kuza, come with me. I have to say my farewells.”

He went to his room and read the message scribed in the floor. Multehx would wake up soon, but how soon? Hopefully, it would be in time for their departure.

Thank you for your advice about the paint, Omega, Lich thought, and chuckled quietly.

After retrieving the Cyan Arc and its belt and putting on the PLT and a pair of shorts, he found Ung’grl waiting at the door, the other three Yoshies already ahead of him. “Lord, if I may be correct in belief, thou art departing now?”

Lich nodded. “Yes. I cannot delay any further. The Prophecy is at stake if I do not act now.”

“So speaketh the Prophet Pul, ‘He cometh and goeth like the wind cometh and goeth, to return when his duties be completed.’ I understand, my lord.”

They even saw this happening? Lich wondered.

“Now, it is time that thou makest thy farewells to the A’gul for now. Please, after you; lord, leadest thou them to the middle.” Lich nodded and they filed out. As soon as Ung’grl moved outside, he cupped his hands around his mouth and called, “The Lord of the A’gul and the Head Warrior of the A’gul departeth!”

Tools were placed down and the Yoshies congregated around their leader. Their faces seemed sad as Lich walked to the middle of the village. Once he arrived, he closed his eyes and centred himself.

“You all are no doubt aware that I have stripped myself of the paint of the A’gul,” he spoke. “But do not think that I have stripped myself of you.”

He opened his eyes and looked up. He had never really experienced disappointment on such a large scale with him. It was something he had never really experienced before; except to a far more frightful degree in Demenoz’s illusion.

“I am but a pawn of prophecy,” he continued. “I came here because prophecy said I would, and now prophecy states that I must depart for now. For I am going to war where no-one can go, except those chosen by me.” He frantically searched his mental reference of the Palimpsest. “The Prophet Aggli said, ‘He taketh his own for the battle, those that pleaseth his choosing.’ I declare this to be fulfilled.

“I take Hl’garng, hatched Arg’lehg, and Sixtyfourhundred, hatched Brian Yoshike, with me to that battle that the Prophecy of Two Worlds speaks of. Sixtyfourhundred is my cousin. He was welcomed back to the A’gul this morning in private, as by his choosing, deemed worthy by blood, mind, and heart.

“There is one thing that I ask. Do not think of me as deserting you. The Prophet Pul gave us hope when he said that I would return when my duties are completed. And I will return. We are family. Even though I may be your lord, to me, you are my parents. I have as much to learn from you as you have to learn from me. My learning is far from complete and, like an apprentice to his master, an apprentice cannot be called a master until the master deems him worthy and lets him go. I am still an apprentice. You are my masters. I may be worthy by title, but by experience, I am not. I will return. That is my vow to you, my family.

“I give my leadership to Ung’grl until I return. As he has more experience than I, I request that he chooses the Head Warrior until Hl’garng returns. Do not worry about those demons that have appeared of late because I am here. They do not want the A’gul; they want me. Therefore, they will follow me. But do not worry about me. Pul said that I will return. And I will. It is prophecy. Only those whom prophecy speaks of have the power to change it. I will not allow this to change.

“Now, the time for my departure is here. I –”

Lich looked down. Baskets were placed before him and Hl’garng. Yoshies peeled away from the crowd, into their huts. Soon, they returned with meat and fruit in their hands. One by one, they came forward and placed their food in the baskets. When it looked like they had finished, another Yoshi would emerge from the crowd, holding something.

“I thank you humbly for your generosity,” he told them, smiling, after what seemed like ages. He took each basket in his hands, closed his eyes for a moment and they disappeared. There was a murmur of awe amongst them.

“Do not worry; I have them with me,” Lich reassured them as he put the next one into his Storage. He looked to Hl’garng and nodded.

After they were all put away, Lich let out a noise of satisfaction. “There. Now, I shall depart. There are some things in my hut that I require. After I take them, I ask that no-one follows me. As I said, I go where only those I choose to take with me can go.”

He closed his eyes and breathed out. He was about to do something he did not really like to do in public unless he had some sort of backup, but this was the time and the place. He refocused himself, thought back to his childhood, hummed quietly until he found the right pitch, and drew a sharp breath.

“The road is long and the hills are steep,

There may be foes along the way,

But where I go, I will be safe,

For your blessings are bestowed on me.

“Markior, guard me as thou promised,

Demir grant your strength to see me to the end,

May Apollo’s winds be at my back always,

And may Luna’s gentle beams turn night to day.”

He looked at the Yoshies around him. The hymn had been written after the Banishment, but their appreciation of it did not diminish. “And now I go.”

The Lord of the A’gul turned around and walked back to his hut, as drums started behind him. They were wishing him on his way.

Ung’grl nodded to him as he passed through the door. He turned into his room. Multehx still appeared to be knocked out. He picked up the Onyx of Are from his mattress. He handed it to Hl’garng, who arrived behind him.

“We must keep this apart from the Child of the Moon,” he explained. “I entrust its care to you.”

Hl’garng nodded and placed it in his rucksack, making sure it was secure in it, while Lich picked up the Diamond of Gokar and put it in his left pocket, away from the Ruby of Erisot in the Boomerang.

Next was the problem of Multehx. With Hl’garng’s help, they lifted him by the shoulders. Hl’garng jumped back as the agent made some mechanical whirrs and electronic beeps.

“Don’t worry, this is a good sign!” Lich exclaimed happily. He propped Tehx up against the wall, fixing him up when he slumped forward. “Can you hear me, Tehx?”

There was no answer.

“Egg?”

Biiiiiip!

Lich darted back quickly and raised the Cyan Arc. After a few seconds, Multehx flopped forward and onto the floor.

“He’s still out cold, then,” he sighed with relief, putting the Boomerang away. “Right, help me out again, please.”

Multehx’s spherical body was not conducive to having it slung across two shoulders, unless those shoulders were about two feet lower than Lich and Hl’garng’s were. They lowered him back onto the bed.

“Right, we resort to Plan B,” Lich announced. He sighed, covered his face with a hand and shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

“What art thou doing?” Hl’garng asked.

He watched as Lich began to contort his body. He seemed to press himself downwards at the hips, pushing his tail and lower back out behind him. With a groan, the saddle-like protrusion on his back lifted itself as his spine moved into a curve, his stomach peeling away behind him.

“Get Kuza and put Multehx on my back,” Lich muttered.

“Lord, thou shouldst not subject thyself to this subordination,” Hl’garng replied.

“I’m doing it because he’s my friend. Now, go get Kuza.”

From his now lower viewpoint of the world, he watched Hl’garng go out the door and gesture for Kuza to come in. The Anjel appeared surprised for a moment.

“Yes, yes, I know,” Lich groaned. “Get him on my back, please.”

The other two picked up Multehx once more. Lich brought his back underneath him

“Gently now – oof!” Lich let out a growl of pain as Tehx’s weight fell sharply on his back. He reached his arms up and wrapped Tehx’s around his chest. “Right. Let’s go. After both of you and I insist.”

He carried Multehx out of his room. Before he stepped through the front door, where Kuza held the curtain apart for him, he muttered in Pandoran, “If you dare make any references to any sort of beast of burden, I will make that golden M of yours a trophy on my wall.”

He found Ung’grl waiting for him once he stepped outside, now just beneath eye-level. “My lord, thou hast subjected thyself to –”

“Subordination, I know,” Lich sighed.

Ung’grl nodded. “Lord, before thou departest, if it is any consolation for what I failed to do before, please takest thou this.”

He held out his hand. Lich held out his in return and a few leaves fell into it.

“The leaves of the Kllkll tree,” Ung’grl answered. “For when thou findest the Hunter.”

“Thank you, Ung’grl,” Lich answered, and put the leaves into Storage. “Not only for this, but for everything you’ve done for me.”

“It is my duty, my lord,” Ung’grl answered with a smile.

Lich smiled back. “There is one thing I need you to do for me while I am gone. The Markior shall return here at some stage. Please tell him I have gone to Fa’Diel. Fa-‘dee-ehl. He will follow me there.”

Ung’grl nodded. “I will, my lord. Lord, I wish thee and thee Guest, and thee, Hl’garng, the best of fortune. May the gods and goddesses smile upon you.”

“May they do so upon you and the A’gul, too,” Lich answered. “They’d better, otherwise they’re going to receive a piece of my mind next time I go to Olympus.” He smirked. “Well, I had better get going. Thank you, Ung’grl. All the best.”

“Goodbye,” he told them, then turned and hobbled back to the festivities.

Lich felt the Mana Field around him and found the other three Yoshies not far to the east. “Let’s go. It’s good to be leaving here at last.”

As he turned and set off, leading the other two, he felt a tinge of sadness. He had finally come to accept G’lirer as part of him just as he had to leave it. He looked behind him briefly, and saw Hl’garng’s resolute face. He smiled briefly, and received one in return. What was he pulling the warrior into? Would he be able to cope with modern technology? Yet, there was a small little voice that kept telling him, “Everything’s going to be fine.”

He wished it was.