Chapter 53: Action or Discussion |
When the Infested appeared in the arena a minute later, it found Hiral sitting cross-legged on the ground, elbows on his knees, and his chin resting on one hand. Across his black Coat of Amin Thett, tattoos and Meridian Lines stood out a stark white, and he waved with his free hand.
Something in Hiral’s gut had told him not to come out swinging. At least, not yet. There’d be time for that soon enough. This was a death match, after all. Out of all the Infested Hiral had watched in the trials, though, there was something different about this one. Something that made Hiral think that – in another time and place – maybe they wouldn’t have to fight. Yes, the theatrics had kind of pissed Hiral off, but the fact the Infested had personality, that was different.
Even more importantly, there had been something about the Infested’s magic that had gotten Hiral’s attention. Namely, that when he’d observed the art on the scrolls, he knew what they were. The images weren’t obscured by Tomorrow’s block on communication. Now, the only question was whether the Infested would – mistakenly and regretfully – see Hiral’s “vulnerability” as an opportunity for action or discussion.
The first good sign was the Infested didn’t outright attack, though he did look on guard for a trap. He had to know Hiral had a full minute to prepare for his arrival, and sitting there waiting probably wouldn’t have been his first guess. After nothing attacked him or exploded for a solid fifteen seconds, though, the Infested likewise sat down. He even returned Hiral’s wave.
“Snoogle atchi noogie oogle?” the Infested asked, and Hiral just shook his head.
“Nope,” Hiral said. “Still can’t understand a thing you’re saying. Like I’m sure you can’t understand this. So, plan B.” The way the Infested screwed up his face confirmed Hiral’s words were nothing but nonsense to the man, so Hiral moved on to gestures. A tap to his own shoulder, then he wiggled his hand in front of himself like he was writing, before finally pointing at the Infested.
Following the gestures, the Infested raised an inquisitive eyebrow, then looked at his shoulder where he had three scrolls strapped in place. He smiled in understanding, then gently shook his head.
“Don’t want to talk?” Hiral said out loud, unable to hide his disappointment. Like the Infested understood the sentiment of the words, he immediately shook his head more emphatically a second time, then pointed at one of the pouches at his waist.
While holding eye contact with Hiral, the Infested very slowly reached down and put his hand on the flap of the pouch, clearly indicating he wanted to open it, while also trying to convince Hiral it wasn’t a trap.
Continuing slowly, the Infested opened the pouch with one hand, reached in with the other, and – again, very slowly – pulled out a scroll. Putting it on the ground without untying or opening it, he reached into the pouch a second time, this time to retrieve what looked like a long, narrow paintbrush. Longer than what should’ve been able to fit into the pouch, but Hiral wasn’t really surprised if the Infested had some kind of interspatial pack.
The brush went onto the ground beside the scroll, and the Infested reached a third time into the pouch, this time for an ink bottle. It too got added to the ground beside the other items, before the Infested closed the pouch on his waist. With all three items laid out like that, the Infested held his hands palm up on either side, as if to show that was all he’d grabbed. A look from Hiral, to the items, back to Hiral.
Hiral gave him a thumbs up – that had to be universal, right? – then gestured to the items on the ground in the hopes the Infested would continue.
Quickly catching on, the Infested lifted the scroll up and untied it, then unrolled the first foot of it to show Hiral it was blank. After another thumbs up from Hiral, the Infested placed the scroll back on the ground, uncorked the ink bottle, dipped the brush in it, and began to draw. Paint?
Either way, it only took a brief second – far too fast for the Infested to actually do much – before it turned the scroll up for Hiral to see.
Hiral’s jaw practically dropped.
On the scroll was a complete image of the two of them, clearly locked in a life-or-death struggle. Hiral in his black cloak, with his RHCs, shots fired at the Infested who had scrolls hanging open from each hand. A storm of daggers filled the rest of the space between them, and it was interesting neither side seemed to be winning.
After the shock of how damn good the image was, Hiral shook his head to snap himself out of the awe. He also smiled. He was right. Something about the Infested’s magic did bypass the restrictions. Or, is it because we’re already in a death match, and one of us isn’t walking out of here anyway? Either way, it let them ‘talk’ for the moment. With that confirmed, Hiral pointed to the ground in front of him, pointed to the scroll in the Infested’s hand, then shook his head again. Not now, he tried to get across.
The Infested nodded in return, put the scroll back on the ground, and quickly sketched out something else. Another few seconds and he showed Hiral the scroll once more. This time, the two of them sat as they did now, their mouths open like they were talking. Beside that image, there were three dots, and then the image of the battle.
Hiral frowned a little, but nodded. They’d talk, then they’d try to kill each other.
The prospect of the upcoming fight didn’t seem to worry the Infested – the guy was even smiling again – and the scroll went back to the ground. Barely a second of work with the brush later, and he showed a new image to Hiral. This one with an island clearly floating in the sky. As Hiral looked at what could only be Fallen Reach, the Infested pointed from the scroll, to Hiral, and back again.
He’s asking if I’m from Fallen Reach. No reason to hide it…
Hiral nodded.
The Infested held up a finger for Hiral to wait a second, then went back to work on the scroll. When he held it up this time, the island was still front and center, but he’d added what looked like something falling off it. At a closer look, it wasn’t something, it was someone.
Vorinal. With a tower connected to his lower half.
Down went the scroll, a quick brush stroke, and back up it came, this time with a sword in the space between the island and the Fallen.
The Infested pointed at Hiral, pointed at the sword on the scroll, and shrugged.
Again, not really worried about confirming the fact he was a big part of what stopped Vorinal up on Fallen Reach, Hiral again nodded. He also pointed to the sword-hilt coming up from over his shoulder.
At first, it was surprise on the Infested’s face. That quickly transformed to amusement, and then to full-on laughter. Hand slapping on his own thigh, the Infested actually fell back and continued guffawing. Apparently, he wasn’t too torn up about Vorinal getting knocked off Fallen Reach.
Or is it more than that?
When the laughter finally ended almost a minute later, and the Infested was sitting in place again – though wiping tears of laughter from his eyes – Hiral pointed at the scroll. After he was sure the Infested saw, Hiral pointed next to the Infested, and made an angry face himself, followed by a quick shrug.
You mad about this? he tried to ask.
Luckily, the Infested was pretty good at this game – or maybe he didn’t understand at all – but he shook his head. A few quick brushstrokes brought a new image for Hiral to look at. Vorinal with – what could only be described as – a comically mean look on his face.
So, Vorinal isn’t winning any friends with his charisma. Huh. In Tomorrow’s Vigil, he didn’t seem like a bad guy. Then again, he also wasn’t trying to wipe out all of humanity at the time, so something clearly happened between then and now.
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Still, that did leave Hiral with a question, so he pointed at the Infested, down at the ground in front of them, then shrugged again. Why are you here now?
The Infested blew out a breath like he was sighing and held up two fingers, before he went back to painting. First – he said by holding up one finger – then showed the next image on the scroll. Vorinal – still with his bottom half encased in the tower, interestingly – flexing his arms. Muscles far larger than what Hiral had seen in the encounter bulged out of his biceps, while a glow of energy surrounded the man.
Because of his strength.
Hiral nodded he understood.
The Infested held up two fingers to indicate the second reason. More brushstrokes illustrated a squid. An Enemy. When the Infested was sure Hiral understood the image, he pointed at Vorinal’s image, then at the squids, then drew his hand across his own throat.
Only Vorinal is strong enough to kill the squids. The same thing Banst said. Which means that either A-Rank isn’t enough – because the Infested don’t think they can do it themselves – or Vorinal has convinced them that’s the case.
Hiral nodded he understood, then held up a hand like he wanted the other man to wait. When he was sure he had the Infested’s attention, Hiral tapped himself on the chest, pointed at the Enemy on the scroll, then drew his thumb across his neck in the same gesture the Infested has used.
By the look on the other man’s face, he obviously didn’t believe Hiral. He even went so far as to tap the image of the two of them fighting, then put his hand to his own chest. He was still sure he’d win the fight between them.
This time, Hiral shook his head, gestured to the image, pointed back and forth between the pair of them, them thumbed himself in the chest.
Nah, I’d win.
The Infested chuckled a little and patted the air like he was humoring Hiral, though as his eyes ran across the scroll in front of him, he stopped. Leaning closer, he seemed to be looking at the image he’d drawn of Vorinal getting kicked off Fallen Reach, and realized what that could mean.
Hiral tapped his own chest again. Yeah, I’d win, he tried to get across.
The Infested brought a finger to his chin in thought, his face turning serious. When he leaned forward again, he slapped his hand down on the image of the Enemy. A second slap, to make sure Hiral knew what he was talking about, and the Infested once again drew his thumb across his neck. Then he pointed from Hiral to the image of the strong Vorinal. Back and forth his hand went at least a dozen times before he shrugged, then slapped his hand again back on the Enemy.
He doesn’t care who does it, as long as somebody stops the Enemy.
Hiral nodded, pointed at the image of the squid, then tapped his chest. Leave it to me.
Staring at Hiral like he was trying to weigh the truth of his words, the Infested stayed like that for several long seconds before going back to work on his scroll. Whatever he was painting took longer than usual, and it became clear why after he finally showed it to Hiral.
There were two images this time, though they were both very similar. In each, there was what had to be an underground city, since it looked like it was in a cave. Within the city, the Infested had painted dozens of people that had things like horns, tails, and wings. The Possessed. There’s a city of Possessed! That realization wasn’t the importance of the two images, though, as the difference between them was clear.
In one, it had Hiral standing between the city and a squid, sword in hand like he was ready to defend the place. In the other image, Hiral stood over the dead squid, but this time his sword was pointed toward the city itself.
He wants to know if I’d attack the city or protect it? Why…?
Logically, without knowing more, Hiral didn’t know if a city full off Possessed was a good thing or a bad thing, The two here in the Tower of Dynamic Trials were very much trying to kill his party…
But, were they doing it by choice?
Hiral looked again to the image of “strong Vorinal”. Was he forcing them, somehow, to fight for him? Then again, even if he was, that wouldn’t guarantee they’d be allies to Hiral and his friends with Vorinal out of the picture.
The Infested pointed at the two images again and shrugged. Which is it?
Without knowing which side the Possessed would be on…
No. It doesn’t matter. They’re no different than the Bonders, until proven otherwise. They need our help? They get our help.
Hiral pointed at the image of him protecting the city.
The Infested drew another quick picture, this one clearly of a Possessed looking very angry. He pointed from that image back to the one of Hiral protecting the city. Would he do that even if they didn’t want his help? Or, worse, actively tried to stop him.
Hiral nodded and pointed at the same image. If his choice was letting them die to the squids or helping them – even if they were angry at him for some reason – he’d help.
The Infested didn’t seem satisfied with the answer, so he pointed at the image of the angry Possessed, at Hiral, then at the image of Fallen Reach.
Hiral didn’t quite understand, so he shook his head.
Pointing at Hiral again, the Infested pointed to Fallen Reach, then made a jerking motion with his hands. After that, his finger went to the angry Possessed. The ‘sentence’ complete, he repeated the gesture, and suddenly Hiral understood.
The Possessed somehow thought Hiral and the others had taken Fallen Reach from them. Are the Possessed survivors – or descendants of survivors – from when Fallen Reach was launched? That might explain why they’re here…
If these Possessed were lied to – or forced to come – then there might be an opportunity to straighten out a misunderstanding. An opportunity to find another ally against the Enemy. And, considering the two in the Tower of Dynamic Trials were A-Rank, they could be very powerful allies indeed.
Hiral pointed to the image of him protecting the city from the squid, then added a second emphatic point. Even if the city of Possessed decided not to fight with them, he wouldn’t let them get destroyed by the Enemy if he had a choice.
For some reason, that seemed to be the answer the Infested was after. Why…?
Hiral’s eyes widened as pieces began to click into place, and he pointed from the picture of the city to the Infested. That didn’t seem to be quite enough to get the point across, so Hiral gestured at the Fallen Reach picture, then back to his own chest. He repeated the gesture. I’m from Fallen Reach.
Pointing from the image of the Possessed city to the Infested, Hiral shrugged – the best he could do to show he was asking a question. Are you from this city?
The Infested clearly made an ‘Ah!’ face that transformed into a sad smile before he went back to work with his paintbrush. A little further along on the scroll, he showed Hiral a portrait of himself with three others. Unlike the Infested in the painting, these three didn’t have faces, but there was no mistaking his wife and two children.
When the Infested was sure Hiral understood the image, he folded over the blank space between that picture and the Possessed city, putting one atop the other.
The Infested and his family are from that city. Why are their faces blank…?
Hiral’s head tilted to the side in question, and he pointed at the picture, then circled his finger around his own face. Another shrug to show it was a question.
Another sad smile on the Infested’s face, and he pointed from his own shaking head to the picture. He didn’t remember what they looked like anymore.
Just how long have you been an Infested…?
Hiral had to pause at the tragedy of it, his mind taking him to what it would be like to remember Seena and the others – or his father and sisters – but not be able to see their faces in his head anymore. There was always something comforting about having those memories with him, no matter how tough it got. To lose that…
Hiral tapped his chest over his heart and winced. It was the best he could do to convey how much that must hurt.
The infested shrugged in return. There was nothing that could be done about it now. Except, his hand went to the picture of his family, and he gently ran his fingers across them. Looking back up at Hiral, he shook his head slightly. They aren’t alive anymore. His hand went to the city, and he tapped it, then tapped Hiral’s picture.
Hiral nodded. “I’ll protect it,” he promised, even though the Infested wouldn’t understand the words.
Accepting Hiral’s answer, the Infested leaned back and let out a breath. Then, with another sad smile, he put the stopper back in the bottle of ink. When Hiral gave his best questioning-look, the Infested pointed at the very first painting he’d drawn – the one of them fighting. The time for conversation was almost over.
After the discussion – a lot like when he’d talked to Banst – he didn’t really want to fight the person in front of him. Was there another option?
He pointed at the Infested, then held out his hands with his wrists pinned together, like he was bound. Would you surrender?
The Infested laughed again and shook his head. He pointed at the image of them fighting, to Hiral, then to the image of Vorinal, before finally settling again on the picture of Hiral protecting the Possessed city.
If I’m not strong enough to beat you, how could I ever defeat Vorinal or protect your home?
A nod. I understand.
The Infested dropped the ink bottle and the paintbrush in the pouch at his waist, then reached for the scroll.
“Wait,” Hiral said, holding up his hand since the word wouldn’t mean anything. At the fact Hiral said anything at all, the Infested paused and looked at him. When he had the other man’s attention, Hiral pointed at the length of the scroll, then at the Infested, and bowed his head. Thank you for talking to me.
The Infested tapped the picture of the two of them talking, then his own chest. He’d prefer to talk as well. Then the man’s fist clenched in front of him, and he pointed again to the picture of them fighting. But this is what we have to do.
“So be it,” Hiral said.
As if that decision were a trigger, a notification window that’d been missing appeared in front of Hiral’s eyes.
Tower of Dynamic Trials – Twelfth Floor
Challenge – Death Match!
No matter the reason you’re here, there can only be one outcome. Only one winner.
The death match ends when only one fighter remains.
Note: No attacks will be prevented, and there is no respawn mechanic. Death is very real.
Note (2): There will only be one round, lasting until only one is left standing.
Note (3): All buffs, self-buffs, abilities, and weapons are allowed. Hold nothing back.
Preparation time – 1 minute, beginning now.
As pleasant as the conversation had – surprisingly – been, the time for talking for over. Now, it was time for Hiral to kill another Infested.