there is a group of creatures waiting for me inside the forest. the only problem is i have other creatures who want to harm me-the canneries are the prime example.
among the enveloping green these creatures feel like home. like where i'm supposed to be. i don't feel this with people. i don't feel this either my family. i don't feel this in the capital. this green new beginning.
"do you regenerate?" i have to ask.
"yes," igor responds.
"where are your crystals?" i can't help but ask.
igor smiles. "if i told you i wouldn't be able to regenerate," the words shock me. what does he mean?
he laughs when he sees my response.
"we keep the secret of the crystal's location generation to generation," there's a joy and pride that mixes in his voice. they are creatures of honor and conviction.
my mind is bathed in images of the creatures throughout my life. the brutal killers everyone believes them to be.
"why do you kill protectors?" i ask igor.
"they are trying to steal the crystal core," a griffy answers. it is the older one i talked to before. he slowly makes his way towards igor. then he stands before us on all eight tentacles.
"why would we do that?" i'm aghast.
"the core holds the power to our world. it is our life breathe. our god," the griffy gushes.
"the alasians believe in the importance of protecting the crystal core," i argue. in fact that is why we kill. it's always been why we kill. to protect our homeland," my fists clench.
"we know about the power outages. there is weakness pouring in all directions. the protectors must be sucking the core dry. there aren't as many plants these days sprouting from the ground. and the small beasts who need our protection have gone into hiding,"
"are you saying something bad is coming?" a shiver runs down my spine.
"it's already here," igor growls.
my heart skips a beat.
"you mean the protectors?" i feel nauseous. "but who would betray our most sacred vow?"
"the outsiders walk just like us, among us, eating us alive from the inside out," igor is louder now. it's not just him. it's all of them. there is a mad cry for revolt. a mad chant.
"we must kill the outsiders! we must kill the outsiders!" it sends a different kind of disgust to build within me.
"and all of the protectors with them?" the words come out more anxious than i mean them to.
"how else will we kill the outsiders among us!" shouts another griffy from within the crowd.
they are out of control until igor and gerame thrust commands at them. there's a silence but it's wrought with tension. bloodthirsty tension.
YOU ARE READING
the game
General FictionBOOK 2 WARNING: VIOLENCE/DARK THEMES/GORE/DEATH All of us come face to face with death in our lifetimes. Betrayal, lying, and the vulnerability of choosing our dreams over what others want from us. We never fit the plan, and that is what this book i...
