The Equilateral

Chapter 6 [Fimbulvetr]

"There is nothing I can do. Anymore"

Outskirts off Aste

27th December 2048 – 04 27hrs

606 km from The Base

Nearly half an hour has passed since they started tracking down Nova and The Silver Lightning's whereabouts. The rain has returned to the state it was back in Aste. The water level has returned to mere puddles on the ground. Quanta was holding onto Mariul as she had laboured breathing and limped in weakness. She could barely hold her grip on Mariul's paltry arm. Noticing this, Mariul put Quanta's arm over his shoulders and trudged on slowly.

Mariul: Winded would not suffice in describing you right now.

Quanta: Don't worry...about me... she's... more important.

Mariul: My escort duties are more important.

Quanta: hah...

Quanta: Mariul... I... I... couldn't...

Mariul: Not now Leyard, not now.

Mariul gritted his teeth as he dragged Quanta due to her being increasingly weaker. Eventually, they reached a clearing. Mariul set Quanta down, who by then had fallen unconscious from exhaustion, tear marks could be seen strewn all over her face. He takes out his usual tattered book and reads to himself.

Mariul: Woe is me..

Mariul: Woe is me... for I...

Mariul: ...for I...

Mariul: For I remained shackled in place, away from mine desire, away from their desire.

Mariul: Let me go.

Mariul: Let me live.

Mariul already reached a conclusion after the encounter with The Silver Lightning. He couldn't do as he wished. He was ecstatic about the hunt, but when he began, he suddenly lost motivation. He could not bring out the extent of his abilities. He wanted to do many things. He wanted to grant strength to Quanta and Nova, he wanted to remove each wing of the beast, he wanted to crack through its layered beak. But all he was able to bring out from himself, was a failed flanking manoeuvre, and a ridiculous attack. All resulted in nothing but loss and setback. Now, even he cannot rejuvenate Quanta to an ordinary state.

Mariul: The whelp was right.

Mariul: They've done something to me.

Mariul: Why...?

Mariul: Percival... what did you tell them?

Quanta: Who's...Percival?

Mariul: !

Quanta Leyard has come to.

Mariul: Catching me slip whelp?

Quanta: I didn't mean it.

Mariul:...

Mariul: He was my mentor, before I joined the Association.

Mariul: At that time, he was a High. He taught me how abilities worked, instead of an Association.

Mariul: He also told me of the workings of The Equilateral after all. Thus mine following.