Revolutions

113 - Legido

"Is that really you?" Iker gasps, clutching your hand like a lifeline. "I... I didn't think I'd ever see you again, or even anyone familiar out here."

The pudgy figure in front of you stumbles backward, tripping over a root and landing with a thud. You rush forward, extending a hand to help him up. His face is dirty, his clothes torn, and his eyes dart around wildly, as if he's seen ghosts.

"What happened to you?" you ask, glancing around to ensure no danger lurks nearby. "Why are you out here alone?"

Iker takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "It's Xiatlidar," he says, his voice trembling. "The settlement. With the Great Xiatli Himself. Everything's gone wrong. Xiatli... He's..."

You motion for him to lower his voice and pull him closer to the fire pit where Dorez and Benicto are still sleeping. "Let's wake the others. You can tell us everything."

As you rouse your companions, Iker plays with the hem of his shirt, glancing into the shadows as if expecting another threat to emerge. Dorez is the first to wake, her eyes widening when she sees Iker. Benicto follows, his usual scowl softening slightly in the presence of a new, Legido face.

"Who is this?" Dorez wonders aloud, her voice froggy from being stirred awake.

Iker casts his eyes to the ground. He mumbles something—you believe it's his name—and draws circles into the dirt with the tip of his worn leather shoes. His shoulders hunch forward, as if trying to make himself smaller, to disappear from the attention.

"This is my good friend, Iker," you announce. Benicto smirks, but before he can crack wise, you continue, "He was on one of the other ships, led by the Great Xiatli. He has information on how we could rejoin the party, to journey to their settlement with the great leaders."

You hope this news prevents any harsh treatment of Iker, sparing him from Benicto's berating. Dorez looks on, her curiosity piqued. All of you sit closely together, gazing at Iker attentively.

"Alright, Iker," you say, once everyone is gathered around the fire. "Start from the beginning. What are you doing out here, alone? It's dangerous out here, after all."

"Well, I'm not exactly alone," he mutters. "I traveled here with a search party. We had to spread out to cover more ground. We're looking for food, water, medicinal herbs—anything we can find to bring back to Xiatlidar. Anything that can help us survive."

Benicto perks up. "You're traveling with others? We can be rescued! We can finally return to civilization! Praise Xiatli!"

Iker shrinks at Benicto's statement, which is not lost on Dorez. Eyes narrowed, she stares at Iker, as if studying his expression to glean any hidden meaning. When he doesn't speak, she observes, "What are you not telling us about your companions?"

He continues staring at the ground. "There's nothing wrong with the members of the search party," he says, then nothing more.

You note what is being left unsaid, and the enigmatic manner in which your longtime friend speaks. You decide to get to the bottom of what is going on. "You mentioned earlier about Xiatlidar. What has been happening there?"

Iker swallows hard, meekly looking each of you like a wounded animal, before speaking. "Xiatli's gone mad with power. He's enforcing his rule with an iron fist, and Captain Criato and Atelmaro Ulloa... well, they're no better. They're brutal, forcing everyone to work without rest, punishing anyone who steps out of line. People are struggling, and the morale is shattered."

Dorez leans forward, her brow furrowing. "Why would they do that? What are they hoping to achieve?"

"I don't know," Iker replies, his voice cracking. "But it's as if they want to break us, to mold us into something else. They talk about 'purifying' the settlement, making us stronger, but it's just cruelty at the end of the day."