The Sins of the God King

chapter 36: Lest

With every passing second, time stretches into an agonizing eternity for Lest. His heart beats rapidly, each moment laden with the weight of self-blame for sharing his plan with Wolder. If only he had kept silent, he might be with his mother now.

The approaching warlocks remain unseen in their position viewed on a small hole on the side of the cliff, intensifying the torment of the wait.

Ta'nu was meant to signal when the enemies were in position. Originally, Lest was to execute this task, but the presence of tamers and prisoners has compelled them to alter certain aspects of the plan. Wolder stationed in the far north, while Lest holds his position in the south together with Sha'ga.

Sha'ga remained seated, her eyes closed, seemingly in prayer. Lest, noticing her reflective state, gave her the space she needed in the tense moments before the impending conflict.

"That blade of yours, where did you get it?" Sha'ga's voice cut through the silence.

Lest glanced at the sword on his belt, then back at Sha'ga. "I picked it up back when we were ambushed by Ughren soldiers."

Sha'ga, intrigued, continued, "You're lucky. It's a Forger blade."

Lest retrieved the sword, inspecting it. "No, I don't think so. I don't see any Forger seal."

A smirk played on Sha'ga's lips. "I know it's a forger blade because I've seen hundreds of these. Back in the day, the Torryn king ordered the forgers to forge weapons in great number. But, of course, the law of forgers still applied. So only a few hundred soldiers received it over a thousand in Torryn ranks. The king didn't like the outcome and threatened the forgers to comply. That's why the forgers deployed these blades without seals. They renounced these weapons as their own."

Lest, grateful for the diversion, engaged in the conversation. "This blade has nothing special, just a normal sword. How do you know it's a forger blade?"

Sha'ga explained, "Look at its blade. It's no ordinary metal. It's made from ohma ore. Forgers are the only ones who can manufacture this type of metal ."

Perplexed, Lest examined the blade more closely. When he tapped it against a nearby rock, it produced a distinct sound. Like the sound of the tapping of glass.

Sha'ga clarified, "It sounds like that because it's been sin-infused."

Lest, still skeptical, remarked, "Well, it doesn't do anything much for me. No different from any other sword."

Sha'ga replied, ". these swords ability usually never reveal to the user, unless you get lucky."

Moments drifted by, the rhythmic echoes of a thousand warlocks marching permeating the air between the 2 cliffs where they stationed. Unintelligible chants added to the ominous symphony. Above, wyverns circled the shattered mountain plateau, a vigilant dance guarding the warlocks. With Ta'nu's awaited signal, the inexorable sequence would unfold, leaving no room for retreat.

Sha'ga's grip tightened around her blade, the anticipation palpable. "This is it, Lest," she murmured. "Once you drop the sun seeds, there will be no turning back. But,we can still turn back now. It doesn't have to be in your hands."

Lest, attuned to the cacophony of warlock chants, remained silent, focused on discerning the imminent signal.

The gelatinous casing enveloped Lest and Sha'ga in an eerie silence. Lest resurfaced from the depths of his contemplation, grappling with the growing fear gnawing at him. Suddenly shattering the quiet, he spoke, "Sha'ga, when I give you the signal, you have to throw me down." Sha'ga looked at him with perplexity, wondering why he would suggest such a perilous descent. Lest, his eyes filled with determination, pressed on, "You have to, if you want to save the prisoners." .