SECRETS OF EXOCLYUS

12: IN CAVERNS DEEP

At first Stella was uncertain about telling them about their journey, even with Ferrus knowing of who she was Koma was a different case. However Usgard assured they could be trusted with information so she decided to go with it.

Telling them everything that happened caused disbelief between the father and daughter, but when Koma unwrapped his wooden arm and grudgingly flashed his golden eye, the Runegaze family took a moment to grasp just how complicated everything now was.

A god was in their living room. Or a Trezobak, whatever that was.

Ferrus scratched his beard in awe, he had witnessed a range of things in his life, but never something of this level. "Does Don know about this, Usgard?"

Usgard shook his head. "Not had the chance to send a hawk to King Don. Plus, I believe he'll need to see Koma upfront to understand whatever I write to him."

"And do you wish for the king to know of your existence, Koma?"

"No." He answered strongly. "He probably has heard of me as the Nyxlian, and word would have reached him from Luro, but I am not interested in meeting his highness."

"Does the same go for you, princess Stella? Wouldn't your godfather want to know of your presence in his kingdom?"

Usgard choked on his tea and turned to Stella. "Goddaughter?"

"Uncle Don probably knows I'm here." Stella assumed. "As his goddaughter he did tie our souls with mother's help. If I'm in any true danger he will race to my side."

"That could take a while." The dwarf said. "He's not even on the continent. A war broke out between the Yanzail and Maziko kingdoms of Gerpha, he's there dealing with politics. If things escalate only then will he fight. Although last time we spoke he said he's very close to beating both parties back to their senses."

"So who's ruling right now?" Stella asked.

"His son, Jonta." Ferrus answered. "Mastered his mother's ice magic, but also gained his father's temper. Should see him in battle, something fierce. Anyway, that's off topic. You say you're cursed Koma? By a being calling himself Shongo?"

Koma nodded. "Has a hold on my soul by right, even though I don't recall ever selling it to him."

"And the whispers as well. They hold your soul?"

"They've been a part of me far longer than Shongo." He explained. "But they're also lost in a sense. They have no memory and call me guardian."

"Is amnesia just very common amongst spirits?" Usgard wondered.

"Well Shongo certainly knows what you are if he called you Trezobak." Pheruss said. "Even if he doesn't have his memories pieced together he still recognised you. Meaning you are definitely connected to something bigger."

That belief was on everyone's mind, they weren't sure of what Koma was but being that two separate entities are battling for him meant that in the grand scheme of things Koma was incredibly important.

But the problem was they didn't know whether he played a part in Exoclyus' preservation or its demise.

"Alright, no more talk of soul holding." Ferrus waved the matter aside. "Let's get to what you came here for. Weapons, correct?"

"I saw a beautiful amount of them outside." Stella complimented. "Very well crafted."

"That's her work." The forge master gestured to his daughter proudly. "She's got my skills down and even made some of her own, but the level of your quest is going to need the very best of craftsmanship. And you'll also need a very specific material."