Kings Game

Chapter 117 - Insanity

(1)

No.

"What do you mean no?" asked Nul.

We're not participating in this foolishness. It's over, we're done. We're leaving this city and leaving behind everyone that is fool enough to die to that monstrosity.

Nul shook their head, they were getting tired of constantly arguing with Akanos. The moment Roran had announced they were to face Typhoon Kalan Akanos had become livid, sparking yet another argument with the ancient librarian. "We have to do this," they said. "It's an invitation to fight the Kings."

Another fool's errand. Nul, listen to me, it is time that we cut our losses and leave. No more games, no more arguments. The Storm King is not something you can defeat. It's not something any of you can defeat. The only people capable of standing against that nightmare are the Kings themselves. We are not throwing our co-mingled life away for this. I forbid it.

"My body, remember? I make the decisions. We're doing this."

You accepted responsibility for my life the moment you forged me into your blade. I fuel our godspell, I get just as much of a say in this as you do.

"Because extending your existence far beyond your initial lifespan isn't recompense enough."

Not with the knowledge and skill I have imparted to you. You owe me this much, Nul.

"I owe my friends more."

Nul finished packing a bag and turned to leave. The room was a shattered menagerie of images and landscapes, forcing Nul to grope around for the wall and feel their way towards the door.

"Please do something about your hallucinations, I can hardly walk."

Akanos grumbled something unintelligible and the hallucinations dimmed somewhat. They still clouded Nul's vision, but they were able to navigate out of the room and towards the library where Roran and the others waited.

Roran had cleared off a large table and splayed out a map. The large library was filled with a dozen candles to keep the darkness at bay. Outside, the wind was howling, rattling the windows and making the house creak.

Roran glanced up as Nul walked in. Rath stood opposite him, talking softly and pointing out locations along the map. Kell was curled up on the couch, still pale and cuddling a bottle of liquor. Darling sat at the table, carefully listening to Roran and Rath's quiet conversation.

"What's the plan?" asked Nul.

Both Rath and Roran stopped their discussion to stare at Nul. It felt like they were trying to dissect Nul with their eyes, peeling apart the layers and examining everything that lay beneath. Given the way lyhlim could see the world, there was a good chance that that was exactly what they were doing.

"They think we're doomed," said Kell.

"I think that this task is more of a challenge than you realized," said Rath. "Even we lyhlim dare not meddle with Inkala. He has long since grown beyond our ability to manage."

Kell rolled her eyes. "What, were you planning on ignoring him and hoping he just went away?"

"Honestly, yes. We believe that once the Kings are dead, Inkala will have no reason to strike at King's City. When the last of the lost kingdom are gone, Inkala will have no reason to continue existing at all."

"What do you mean?" asked Roran.

"Inkala the Storm King, as he was once called, died at the hands of the forgotten kingdom. They hunted his people to extinction, driving him mad with rage. He took that rage straight to the heart of their kingdom, destroying everything in his path. After several days of bloody battle, the Storm King was finally put down. Unfortunately, not even death could quell anger burning inside him. He rose as a remnant and has continued growing stronger ever since."