> Kelly PoV

Wow, that spider Figment does not know when to give up!

*SHRIIIIIIIIIIEEEEE*

It lets out yet more of those pathetic cries as its legs are sliced clean off by several giant transparent blades.

Since the actual sun’s position has moved on, it’s not possible to aim a [Solar Flare] at the right angle anymore. So defeating the Figment is taking longer. Not much longer though. Red and Ellie simply keep throwing that [Slash] spell at it until it becomes spider salad, then they sprinkle it with Fire Magic for good measure. All that’s left is a giant pile of ash.

The two of them are standing in sunlight, so they’re completely safe from that accursed black smoke. I think they’re actually having a picnic in between these fights.

No, perhaps 'fights' is the wrong word. One-sided trampling? It’s a bit long, but it fits. In the end the Figment is big, but it's not nearly as strong as the Elder Dragon. Our main problem was reaching it. Just like the Elder Dragon.

“So, that’s your boss, huh?” (Brand)

“Yep.” (Kelly)

“Scary lady.” (Brand)

“Yep.” (Kelly)

*GLUG GLUG GLUG*

We both chug the ale in our mugs. It's not like there's anything we can do right now, anyway. We’re in the field hospital at the forward command base, recovering. We’re not expected to be out in the field any time soon. Not like there’s a need. Instead we’re just enjoying the trampling that’s taking place several hundred meters away.

It's a repeat for me though. A spider Figment popped out of that the same hole as the first, made its way over to where Ellie and Red are flying their tower, then got completely obliterated in a matter of seconds. About 40-50 minutes later, another one pops out and it repeats like that.

“Those two gonna hold out? They won’t run out of mana, right?” (Brand)

“Dunno. Nano?” (Kelly)

I turn towards Nano’s butler golem. It dropped in to check on me once I got here with Scrappy and has been keeping me company. Speaking of which, Scrappy is currently all alone in the corner. I’ve been working it hard these last few days so it needs a lot of repairs done.

“They said they can keep going for a few days at this rate.” (Nano/Butler)

“There you have it, big guy. They got this.” (Kelly)

“So. You going to tell me what happened with the giant gash in the mountain?” (Brand)

Brand woke up just a while ago. His first reaction to seeing the blue sky and fluffy clouds for the first time in many years was to grab a pint and enjoy the view. The big guy always had a good head on his shoulders, even if it was a little thick. He more or less figured out what happened while he was out.

Well, except for the completely incomprehensible state of the ceiling.

“Red said she didn’t know how to get in here. So she split it open.” (Kelly)

“...” (Brand)

“Technically it was Kelly’s idea.” (Nano/Butler)

“Oh no! Don’t you pin this on me! I had nothing to do with that!” (Kelly)

“*Cough* So. Uh. Who’s this?” (Brand)

Next he points to Nano’s golem. It’s standing there casually in a traditional black butler’s uniform and white gloves. The smooth white scalp and featureless face looks more like a weird mask or a bucket rather than an actual head.

“That’s Nano. We worked together on all the gear and weapons I use. Nano’s not a person though, that’s just a golem under its control.” (Kelly)

“A pleasure, Brand.” (Nano/Butler)

“Ah. Yeah.” (Brand)

*GLUG GLUG GLUG*

Following Brand's lead, I join him in drinking some more. He keeps glancing over at the flying black tower that Red and Ellie are fighting from. He’s not asking any questions about it. I’m really thankful for that, though. I really have no idea where to even begin with explaining that.

“... What about Krom and Shull?” (Brand)

I heard about how the medics found Brand, Krom and Shull after the Figment attacked them. The gryphon had apparently taken the brunt of it and was in a sorry state. Krom and Brand were thrown off his back during their fall. Krom was mostly alright, just a sprained leg, but Brand had it bad. So bad that he hadn’t woken up even after the healing magic did its thing.

“They’ll be fine. Krom didn’t even get knocked out, you know?” (Kelly)

“And Shull?” (Brand)

“Gryphons are still technically monsters, you know? Even if healing magic isn’t effective, they have that tenacious vitality thing going on for them. He'll be fine.” (Kelly)

“I see. I'm glad.” (Brand)

He’s a little relieved. Just a little though. Man in his position can’t be concerned with individual lives too much. Even though we’ve had low casualties these last few days… we’ve still had them. About 1,500 dwarves in total. A few of our clan didn’t make it, either.

“How long was I out?” (Brand)

“A little over four hours. Incidentally, that just now was the fifth time the spider Figment came back.” (Kelly)

It keeps appearing out of that huge hole it opened the first time and trying to get past Red. I thought the Calling was capable of learning, but there’s no way it can comprehend those two. Even I'm still struggling on that one.

“And the legions?” (Brand)

“They’ve had time to rest so they’re in top shape. Captain Strongarm’s got it covered.” (Kelly)

Even if the Calling resumed its initial strategy of using thousands of living armors, we’d just keep repeating what we were doing before Red arrived.

“I mean… all this...” (Brand)

He waves in the general direction of the huge crack in the mountain.

“Uhm… Captain Strongarm’s got it covered, right?” (Kelly)

“Heh. I doubt it. That old sod’s probably ripping out what little hair he had left.” (Brand)

“Tell me about it. Seems to me he hates change on principle. I mean, he kept calling Scrappy a farce until I knocked him around a bit.” (Kelly)

“Is that why he suddenly appeared with a few less teeth?” (Brand)

“Nobody insults my work.” (Kelly)

“I’ll keep that in mind. You know, it’s not just those two, right? You’re pretty terrifying yourself.” (Brand)

“Oh come on! In what way?!” (Kelly)

“In the way that you literally dragged a real live titan up to the Gates of Solitude and then ripped a giant hole right through that millennia-old enchanted steel because you were pissed off.” (Brand)

“Urk! *Cough* I guess that did happen…” (Kelly)

“Oh! And how about the way you cackle maniacally when you fight? Or how you sliced a castle-sized spider in half? Or the way you could-” (Brand)

“Okay! I get it! You can stop now!” (Kelly)

Crap. I just realized it, but I’ve been doing some rather absurd things for a while, huh?

*GLUG GLUG*

“Fuuu. Well I’m going to get a refill.” (Kelly)

I turn around and walk inside the field hospital. Well, it’s just a tent with makeshift bedding strewn about the place. Most of the injured legionnaires recovered and went back into the field during the unexpected break.

As for me, I have important kegs to worry about!

“Hey Kelly! Come back out here! Your titan friend’s glowing!” (Brand)

Huh? That’s new. I peek my head outside and look towards the 50-meter steel statue in the distance. Right at its feet I can barely make out Umph, and he is indeed shining.

Come to think of it, I don’t hear the distant hum-turned-groan that was in the background until just now.

* * *

“It is good to see you are well, Daughtahs of de Stahs. And de Breddahs and Sistahs of Steel, too.” (Umph)

Umph’s shining had died down by the time me and Brand made it here. We met up with Red and Ellie along the way. It seems that spider Figment isn’t coming back for the moment.

“So? What happens now?” (Captain Strongarm)

Ah right, the second in command is here too. That is, right next to Umph. Pretty much the entire dwarven force is looking this way from around us, though.

“De ritual was a success. I have succeeded in waking up my compatriot.” (Umph)

“Hear that you lot! The bloody titan did it!” (Brand)

Brand’s magic-enhanced voice sounded out through the field.

*THUMP THUMP THUMP*

*HUUOOOOOOOO*

They responded with the same cheer that started this.

“Wow, they really-” (Kira)

“Not the time, Red!” (Kelly)

“... sorry.” (Kira)

She was about to go on another tirade about dwarven behavior, so I had to shush her. It’s a bit rude, but I really cannot deal with her ‘I told you so’ attitude right now!

“So why isn’t the big steel lady moving?” (Ellie)

…

“Umph? Please tell me you didn’t mess up.” (Kelly)

“I did not mess up. Thanks to all of you, I have completed my purpose in coming here.” (Umph)

“But that purpose isn’t waking up the statue, is it?” (Kira)

Red's eyes narrowed at Umph's words. I agree, the way he said it is pretty suspicious.

“I will. In time. But dere is an order to things.” (Umph)

“So then… who did the titan wake up?” (Brand)

“Do not fret. He shall arrive soon. Ah, I think that’s him coming in now!” (Umph)

Just as he said that, the air next to him seemed to… bend.

*ZU ZU ZU ZU ZU ZU ZU*

A black ball formed in mid-air. It started growing steadily with a dense black cloud forming almost instantly around it.

“Umph… what is that?” (Kelly)

Wasn’t the Sunstone able to repulse Figments of Khamis?

“De Dark One.” (Umph)

Ah I see. It’s not a Figment. It's the actual titan. That makes sense. S-Somehow.

“I knew it! I told you so! I told you it reeked of ancient evil!” (Kira)

“Red! Not! Now!” (Kelly)

“Everyone back up! To arms! Something’s incoming!” (Brand)

We all back away from the mass of darkness and form a circle. I didn’t bring Scrappy since he’s still badly damaged! I can’t do anything since I’m unarmed, but I can at least give it mean looks!

Heh, unarmed.

The mass grows steadily until it becomes a few meters in diameter. Two white horizontal slits appear on its surface. Those are... eyes, right? They expand into triangles and blink a few times. Those are definitely eyes. Three ertical white stripes then went appeared right above the eyes. Almost like a headband.

“Hello, Dark One.” (Umph)

What? How is he so casual!? Ah, he brought it here, didn’t he?

“Umphrumphil?” (Dark One)

It spoke in a low, deep voice that seemed to roll in from the horizon and carry on into eternity. After looking at Umph, it spun around, setting its gaze on all the gathered dwarves. Just staring into that dark abyss is giving me a headache!

When it saw the still metal statue, the white slits became full circles. It then swung around to face Umph again.

“Tovarisch! Chevo blyat!?” (Dark One)

Huh? What’s with that weird way of speaking? Or rather, what are those nonsensical words?

“I have found de way, Dark One. With de help of de Daughtahs of de Stahs.” (Umph)

It turns to stare at Ellie and Red.

“Piiiiizdec! Jebem ti-” (Dark One)

“De Daughtahs of de Stahs do not know your tongue, Dark One.” (Umph)

“Cyka blyat… I no very good London.” (Dark One)

It rolled its eyes and finally spoke some words I understood. Not many though. Okay, I guess it’s bad at speaking our language? But then it’s talking fine with Umph? What gives? No, I know better than to actually ask him that.

“Wait, so, this is Khamis, right? As in the titan, Khamis? The one said to have made the moons? That Khamis?” (Kira)

“Dat is correct, Daughtah of de Stahs.” (Umph)

“And you just spent the last three days waking him up… why?” (Kira)

“To end de Calling.” (Umph)

“But what about Draglael?!” (Brand)

“Calm down, Breddah of Steel. De Metal One has slept for millennia. A few minutes more will do no harm.” (Umph)

“I guess... Stil, this is unnerving.” (Brand)

“Titans are all pacifist, right? I mean he won’t suddenly lash out at us for killing its pets, right?” (Kira)

“A mne pohui!” (Khamis)

“De Dark One says he does not mind. Dey are but empty vessels with no souls, after all.” (Umph)

I mean I guess? I wouldn’t care if someone attacked my vomit after a heavy night of drinking. It’s that sort of thing, right?

“So Dark One. Do you wish to join me-” (Umph)

“NAHUI POSHEL, DEBIL!” (Khamis)

Woah. I'm not sure what the question was, but that did not sound like an amicable agreement!

“Den what do you plan to do?” (Umph)

“Cheeki breeki! Shashlik! Vodka! Pelmen! Aiiii pizdec!” (Khamis)

The eyes seemed to turn upwards while the rest of him was swaying side to side a little. I guess he's excited about... those things.

“I see. I wish you de best and may our paths cross again.” (Umph)

“IDI NAHUI!” (Khamis)

Its eyes made a clear frown at Umph. Maybe they don't get along? The oppressive mass of darkness then disappeared completely with a small pop.

“Umph. What just happened?” (Kelly)

“De Dark One said he will be busy for de near future. Rest assured Sistah of Steel. De Calling will not return.” (Umph)

Yeah... somehow I think it will though. Eventually, that is.

“Is that okay? We just let an ancient evil run free, right?” (Kira)

“Titans aren’t evil, though. They just… are.” (Kelly)

“Seemed pretty evil to me.” (Kira)

“I agree with Kira. That guy was clearly suspicious!” (Ellie)

“Despite de looks and de voice, de Dark One is a really nice guy, you know?” (Umph)

“I get it! He’s like the Olboun of the titans!” (Kira)

“Ohhhhh!” (Ellie and Kelly)

Red's thinking speed is as impressive as ever! She caught on instantly!

“Okay! That’s all very good! But can you wake up the bloody Steelmother already!?” (Brand)

Ah right. That was a thing we had to do originally,

“... it’s not going to take another 3-day long ritual, is it?” (Kelly)

“No. Now dat de Dark One is awake, dis should take but a moment.” (Umph)

The big blue bird spreads its wings and flies up to the steel statue. He lands on its shoulder, but the difference in scale makes the towering Umph look like an oversized pet bird.

He lowers his head next to the statue’s ear and inhales deeply.

“WAKE UP, FATTY!” (Umph)

He shouted. For the first time since we met, he actually shouted.

Ow. My ears.

In a single motion, Graglael’s steel eyelids fly open, her calm, motherly face becomes twisted with anger and her head snaps to the side to face the birdbrain on her shoulder.

“YOU FOCKEN WOT MATE?!” (Graglael)

Khamis was brought to you by Boris the Shashlik King. I wanted him to speak a made up language, but I was too lazy to make up a language. So there.