Even Garu’s mist didn’t cling to him as firmly as Nelika; the girl pulled him in a weaving pattern around the guards, smiling all the way and using his fog to surprising efficiency.

Naturally, they couldn’t remain as wind as he could not maintain his own incorporeal state for long, yet the fact she was able to still sense those traveling through the mist spoke of how skilled of a scout she was.

On the other hand, Ymanza was without a doubt a senior Xaria, which meant he didn’t comply to the standard laws that limited other warriors of his clan; Garu had no misgivings that this Ri’bot could slaughter over a thousand of the Great Polsan’s warriors and most of their Xaria before either being forced to retreat or die—such was the power of the Clans that maintained the ancient ways.

Garu allowed himself to be guided through Nelika’s prompts; there wasn’t much of an option, and if a clan was powerful enough to produce a Xaria of Excellence, he needed to investigate.

He studied the cheery girl, and she blushed slightly while looking back to see his intense focus, yet a grin moved her cheeks as her white spots flashed. “So, uh, what’s your name? Heh, you already know ours, so…”

“Garu… Do you speak the Ri’bot common tongue?”

“Oh, so that’s what it’s called… eh, I do—a bit, heh, and ol’ Gumbi does really well…” She leveled a smirk in the Xaria’s direction, remaining silent while seemingly looking for any sign of spies, possibly considering he wasn’t the only one of his clan nearby. “Ymanza, not so much.”

The elite warrior’s hard eyes shot to her. “Save it. We don’t know how many Mist Clan are nearby, nor their intentions.”

“What? It’s not like we’re trying to hurt him,” she pouted. “Isn’t it good we’re trying to negotiate and understand what’s happening? We can be friendly!”

Garu agreed with the Xaria; it was perfectly reasonable to conclude there were Xaria of equal or greater caliber to Ymanza nearby. He was being sensible; it also showed that they were mainly here as scouts for their clan, which meant he could still complete his mission without detection from the Empire’s enemies—they were neutral—at least for now.

“Nelika… We could be in the middle of an assassination operation, and they can understand our speech; Garu is fishing for information.”

“Oh, uh… but he seems nice,” she defended, forehead creasing to look back at him.

Garu forced a smile; clearly, Nelika hadn’t seen much combat or war, despite her skills and rank as a scout. “You have a good leader, Nelika; I would listen to his wisdom.”

“If you say so…”

“...” Garu could basically hear Ymanza’s narrowed eyes lingering on him for a second before returning to the fog Garu was continuing to generate and pull in.

He couldn’t maintain it to this magnitude for much longer, though, and didn’t want to waste energy unnecessarily. The Empress’ daily renewing force would spread to him in the next hour or two, but every drop could mean success or death in a position like this.

It didn’t take five minutes to traverse the vast field to the desert Ri’bot’s camp, which primarily consisted of supplies, and—so far as he could sense through the mist—less than twelve individuals; a small operation, yet clearly it was important enough to send elites.

Now in their camp, Garu quit feeding the fog. He’d only been able to gather such a dense curtain by standing in a small river and converting it; he would need to replenish his liquid reserves and have a water source before doing anything on this scale again.

Typically, something on this scale would require several Ethereal to accomplish; it was simple enough to maintain, yet producing it was another topic entirely, but with the mitigation of the Empress’ powers, he’d been able to perform something outside of his original reach.

Since being resurrected, he’d noticed some drawbacks and advantages that came with the Empress’ life-giving ability; this was one of those gifts.

“It’s thinning?” Nelika whispered, hips twisting to give him a questioning look. “Are your people not interested in us?”

“Save your questions,” Ymanza responded, taking the lead.

“Humph…”

Garu’s skin crawled upon observing the various caramel-skinned Ri’bot that hovered around the camp; all of them were strong, showing artifacts of achievement and rank that made him think he was stepping into the past to enter an Ethereal encampment.

If he were to take a guess, the moment he carried the fog into the camp, Ymanza had put them on high alert; no one would be sleeping, which continued to strengthen his suspicions that this clan was not to be taken lightly. Garu had to respect the quiet atmosphere; not even the unusual desert beasts made noise as they rested.

The guards gave Ymanza salutes as he passed, and he took them to the largest tent, guarded by two warriors; one pulled back the flap to allow them to enter.

Silently stepping inside, he found a foldable table of some kind to the left, parchment nearly processed to the refined degree he’d seen in the Quen’Talrat’s city spread across it. Much of the space was clear and appeared to repel the outside mist; it seemed the group was ready to pack up and move out at a moment’s notice.

Garu’s gaze fixated on an older Ri’bot, possibly in his forties, casually sitting on a simple woven mat; despite himself, Garu’s mouth couldn’t help but part in shock upon seeing his condition. Without a doubt, this was the Former Xaria of Excellence, Gumbi.

The man’s right arm lifted to rub his scared chin, leaning back and putting weight on his left stump of a hand as he gave Garu a curious smile. Almost all of his smooth caramel skin had been discolored and ravaged by some kind of corrosion.

Surgery had been done on his broad chest where a hole now resided, showing he’d been pierced by a large object, and some kind of wood had been fused with his skin, allowing one to look right through to the other side in the hollow space.

One finger, two toes, and a leg—from the thigh down—were missing, lacerations from ferocious battles still evident beyond the horrific damage. Only two of his teeth remained, and on the left side, yet it was the legendary Ri’bot’s eyes that stole his attention—sockets—as if they’d been melted.

He shifted, voice grizzly and low, which matched his colossal size for their species; if standing, he’d be double Garu’s height, and the shimmering spike embedded in Gumbi’s dark green tongue and grand gem-faceted necklace, illuminated with multi-hued light, proved his previous station as a Xaria of Excellence.

This man could kill every Ri’bot in both Great Clan’s armies… Even now, I have no doubt he would cause irreparable damage… What could have done this to a legend of such power and skill?

“Hehe, Ymanza, you should have told me you were bringing a guest, and from the Fog Clan, no less. I would have covered up a little.”

Ymanza bowed in utter respect, Garu following the moment he regained his bearings. “My apologies, Former Xaria of Excellence. We discovered this scout spying on the Polsan’s Great Chief and his advisors during their meeting when searching for possible dangers in the mist.”

Nelika’s fingers tightened around his arm, directing him to rise from his bowing position, agitation in her voice. “No, don’t bow to stupid blind Gumbi! He’s not some wise old sage or nothing—gah…”

Garu felt anger flood his veins; the level of discipline, sacrifices, talent, skill, and indomitable will to achieve such degrees as this veteran displayed was beyond comprehension to even the Ethereal.

He would be disrespecting everything his clan revered to not show such a man respect; even this felt like a disservice to such a clear legend that should be hosted as a pillar for all Ri’bot to live up to. Yet before he could snap at the older girl that should have known better, Gumbi roared with laughter.

“Haha! Don’t mind my great-granddaughter; she is a rather brash one, which doesn’t help her marital prospects.”

“D-Did you really have to say that?” she squawked, skin coloring a greenish hue to show her embarrassment before turning to storm out of the tent. “You’re always so mean to me!”

“Aww, come now, Nelika; you know I am just honest, haha.”

A little taken aback by the relation; sure, a Grade-2 scout at age five was certainly an accomplishment and fell into the talented category, yet, in the Ethereal, a descendant of a Xaria of Excellence would die of shame to have not advanced to at least Grade-6 by that point.

“Should I bring her back?”

“No, heh, no, Ymanza; leave her be.”

“Mmgm… You spoil her too much, Former Xaria of Excellence.”

“Hmm, if we stand on ceremony forever, we won’t finish until the morning! You’ve done your duty in recognizing my previous station; now, let’s have a more pleasant chat … Makura?”

One of the warriors outside swiftly entered. “Yes, Former Xaria of Excellence?”

“Do we have any more of that Ques’ká Firebrand?”

“I… believe so?” she muttered, glancing at Ymanza. “Didn’t the Chief tell us to save it for dignitary purposes and special occasions?”

“So it is,” Gumbi’s grin turned to Garu. “I have heard a great many things on the wind since arriving in these green lands… Bring a bottle for us to share.”

Makura instantly slapped her fist across her chest, probably a bit torn between the Chief and Xaria of Excellence’s orders, which showed how respected this elder was. “Right away!”

Shifting on his mat, Gumbi motioned to them. “Come sit, Garu of the Mist; we meet a long-lost cousin clan. Tell me, how are things in your esteemed clan?”

Garu hesitantly took a seat across the slow-burning, smokeless fire that illuminated the tent, and upon further study, he saw the black clouds and ash absorbed by two glowing gems placed at its base.

Ymanza stood off to the side, keeping a close eye on him, yet Gumbi appeared entirely welcoming.

He felt beyond outclassed, sitting across the giant disfigured Ri’bot of legend; clearly, he was a far more accomplished Skyspeaker than Mantrix, which only deepened Garu’s awe of the scarred veteran before him.

“I believe it would be rude of me not to assume a follower of the ancient ways, and Xaria Skyspeaker of your phenomenal caliber would have substantially more knowledge than I have to offer… You know what I am.”

Ymanza’s eyes narrowed at his response, and Gumbi’s demeanor sobered slightly, a low note rumbling through his chest.

“For one of such age to behave and respond in such a manner … You must have been born in a time of great conflict. Hmm… I know there is a being of great power rising in the valley these large clans fear … A female from a race not native to this land that can return the dead to fight for her, or so I hear. You are proof of this?”

Knowing a friendly relationship was critical at this point, Garu made his decision. “I am no ambassador for my Empress, Former Xaria of Excellence; I sincerely apologize for any rudeness I might bring, but so far as I am aware, we have no quarrel with your clan.”

Gumbi rubbed his throat with his clipped thumbnail for several seconds as the silence stretched; after some serious thought, he sighed. “Garu, can you answer me a few serious questions, and I will leave you to continue whatever you have planned with those creatures in the jungle? Oh, and skip the exhaustive formalities.”

“Mmmh… If it is within my capabilities, I will, out of respect to you, Gumbi. In the Ethereal—my clan—two High Xaria were close to starting the Last Legacy. I do not know what has become of my people, but the glory of one clan producing a Xaria of Excellence is a victory for all.”

Gumbi’s features softened at his response. “The Ethereal… I will not forget that name; they appear to produce noble Ri’bot… Now, to business. This Empress of yours, I have heard whispers on the wind that give me a name… Elinor. Is this correct?”

“It is.”

“She brings a great unease, yet the powers that I’ve heard gather in the west of our land… Garu, there is fire on the winds… a force unlike any I have experienced that subjugates all that stand before it… and I am not only speaking of your Empress.”

Stomach twisting at his sober words, Garu swallowed the sticky saliva in his throat; fire on the winds was definitely Sari’aél, yet more than just her? The Covenant… Demon? Has Gumbi been following the colossal conflicts across the heavens along their journey to the west?

“I hold no misgivings as to your Empress’ reach and power, Garu; I was guided here by a song on the wind I cannot explain. Empress Elinor is an entity of great resolve, and there are two beings near her that blaze like unto the sun at high-rise… blinding all with their radiance.”

His half-ruined nose twitched as he leaned forward, Gumbi’s single hand stroking the canvased ground in front of him. “Mmgm… The Planet’s Shadow pulses and writhes, unlike anything I’ve felt.”

Makura returned and set an expertly crafted brown glass bottle half the size of Garu’s body beside him; she retreated to bring stone vessels they could use as Gumbi’s sightless sockets seemed to penetrate him in ways he couldn’t understand.

“These Great Clans that meet here will fall… The Shadow speaks to its waiting forces, and war will consume everything. I have been listening carefully to the dozens of agents working in all directions, and what I’ve concluded is that sides must be taken if we are to survive…

“The Ques’ká grow restless as their prophetesses speak of the future and armies beyond my understanding gather in darkness. Our long rivals, the Cartalian, descendants of the Sand Clan, have been preparing for war in my passing … I have been warned that I am not long for this world, Garu, as much as Nelika refuses to believe it.”

A sharp smile lifted Gumbi’s scarred cheeks as Garu realized the possibility he was hinting at. “Hehe, there are many avenues my clan can take before that happens, and my influence is great; I do not need you to be an ambassador to your Empress, Garu.”

Ymanza shifted uncomfortably. “Mmgm, Former Xaria of Excellence…”

“What did I say?”

“Yes… Gumbi,” he forced himself to say, drawing Garu’s gaze. “You can’t mean…”

What was happening was unbelievable; he hadn’t come here to be the intermediary between a powerful eastern Clan or act as an escort, yet the opportunity had landed in his lap.

It then clicked to him that this legendary Ri’bot had known full well of his movements and was waiting for him to draw near to meet with anyone connected to the Empress. He just so happened to be the first to approach his net.

Makura rushed in through the flap as Gumbi used his only remaining hand to pop the seal on the giant vessel of Firebrand, a knowing smile on his maimed lips. He grasped the neck of the bottle and effortlessly lifted it to pour into the stone cups she’d brought.

“Ques’ká Firebrand is expensive and difficult to obtain since its export is prohibited… It is an ancient craft that compels the drinkers to utter the truth and is customarily used when forging a bond of union or negotiation. Hehe, obviously, it is not foolproof, seeing as it only goes as far as the individual ingesting it is aware of said truth, yet it serves its purpose.”

Garu noticed the tight jaw and closed fists of Ymanza as Gumbi continued. “With all due respect, Gumbi, I am doubtful such a thing will work on me due to my physiology being that of the risen dead.”

“Oh, is that so?” he chortled, motioning for the pale-faced Makura to bring him the cup. “If so, it matters little, but will you indulge me?”

Feeling as if he couldn’t refuse, Garu accepted it. “You wish to confirm something important to you?”

“Very,” Gumbi returned, downing his draught as Makura tried to reseal the bottle and carry it out. “You are fortunate we were the ones that discovered you; the Cartalian would not have responded so kindly.

“Heh, although I will not take you for a fool by your clan’s reverence toward the ancient ways and the maturity you have shown. You have no doubt realized I have been taking a keen interest in the whispers floating through the heavens and rippling through the earth.”

Garu was speechless as he stared at the yellowish liquid in the heavy stone cup he held. “You are a Skyspeaker… and an Earthspeaker?”

A secretive smile lifted Gumbi’s lips. “You learn many things in the Last Legacy.”

Shivering at the mention of the final crucible that could only be reached or know its location by advancing to the High Xaria position, and of those, few ever returned.

Garu brought the cup to his mouth; it burned as the name suggested, sliding down his throat, and had he not been undead, he would be choking and gasping on the ground by its pungent flavor and feel, yet he endured.

Clearing his throat, Garu set the stone cup down, Makura and even Ymanza looking impressed by his composure. “I cannot tell if it is in effect, but I will answer truthfully to the best of my ability.”

Gumbi breathed in deeply before releasing a hot puff of air, resting his only hand on his intact leg. “Will Nelika be safe if she returns with you to speak to your Empress on behalf of our clan?”

“What…” Garu’s hips twisted to see the five-year-old girl pause halfway through the tent’s flap. “What did you say?”

A sharp hiss came from Ymanza while rubbing the back of his neck. “Gumbi, with all of my respect… What the sand licker are you thinking? Nelika is brash, unrefined, undisciplined, short-tempered, disrespectful, and utterly unfit to represent herself, much less the Clan. Surely Chief Nisami would disagree with her selection!”

Nelika scowled at the senior Xaria. “I take offense to all of that, Ymanza! I’d say I’m proudly free-willed … but I do agree that it’s crazy for me to represent the Clan, Pop! I’m no negotiator; I spy on people and blackmail them into giving me treats.”

Makura’s shoulders sagged. “Not… something to proudly confess, Nel.”

“Maku, I can’t be an ambassador! I don’t even know anything about the Mist Clan!”

“Gumbi…” Ymanza pleaded. “Please, reconsider… She doesn’t know who she’ll be meeting, much less how dire the situation is!”

Gumbi chuckled, motioning for his great-granddaughter to come over to him and silencing the unsure throng, Garu included.

“What…”

“Ahem,” Garu said as she hesitantly moved to join the legendary Ri’bot. “I… hesitate to even think about how the Empress or the Royal Court would respond if I were to introduce… eh… her. I do not believe she would be harmed, but she may be immediately rejected, present your clan in a terrible light, and be sent home through foreign land without a guide if she acts the way she has in the presence of the Empress.”

A shudder ran through his frame. “I may be punished for bringing her before the Empress and wasting her time… Not that I’m trying to disrespect you, but… Ymanza is right when he says you appear to lack the respect that would be expected when talking to one of such power.”

“Power… I’d be the judge of that, whoever this Empress is…”

“Nel, please…” Makura mumbled, seeming to be the closest warrior to Nelika’s age at around seven. “This is a grave matter.”

Gumbi’s smile didn’t falter as he placed a hand on his great granddaughter's slightly green head, showing her embarrassment and displeasure at how everyone was talking about her. “I believe you all underestimate my great-granddaughter… You underestimate yourself, Nelika. I am given authority in this regard, and I exercised it. Nelika, you will return with Garu … If you will have her?”

Garu could feel ulcers digging into his side, well, if he could get them, and decided all he could do was put his trust in the reputation of the Xaria of Excellence. “Gumbi… I am currently involved in another task that could put your great-granddaughter in danger.”

“Oh… Do you hear that, Nelika? Are you afraid?”

“No! I’m not afraid of anything!”

“There you have it.”

“Wait, I didn’t mean I’d do it! I-I’m just not afraid!”

“Excellent!” he grinned, removing his hand from her head. “Nelika can provide support to you if it is something she is comfortable with; she won’t be in your way, as well. After all, my darling great-granddaughter is quite the scout herself!”

“Grrmgm… Pop, I don’t want to leave you…”

“Come now, wasn’t it you that said there wasn’t a chance I could die? Haha, I’m in the prime of my youth, you said!”

“Well, yeah… You’re my Pop, but…”

“Wasn’t it you that said he was cute?”

“Stop teasing me! I… Why do you want me to go… Ymanza is better for that—you could go—we all could!”

“No…” Gambi’s tone darkened, fingers closing into a fist. “As I feared, the sand shakes… We must return.”

“Ggrarg… Always with your cryptic messages! What would I even say? Oh, my Pop just sent me here to say hi; maybe you should stop by some time?”

“Hehe. I believe we have at least a day before Garu will make a hasty return to the valley. So, we will have over a dozen hours together before we depart… And, Garu.”

“Yes?”

“The creatures you have gathered are being hunted.”

Garu’s body went numb. “By who?”

“I am unsure… a group of creatures from the far south that follow the Planet’s Shadow. They are moving slowly so as to not lose their trail, but I suspect they will find the area you have secreted them in by tomorrow. Prepare carefully, and scout them out; they are strong. Nelika may be with you by that point.”

Perfect… Naturally, Demon would be after something Tiffany seeks, and I’d have Nelika’s attitude to deal with.

“I will keep her in a safe place.”

The older girl gave him an indignant glare. “I am not some helpless tadpole!”

“No, eh, I didn’t try to imply you were.”

“I can help! Maybe…”

“Hehe, that’s my great-granddaughter!”

“Humph… Only if it looks fun, though,” she grumbled.

“Right…” Garu sighed, focusing on Gumbi as his grizzly tone became serious again, and everyone straightened at the look on his face.

“Be cautious of the Cartalian… I do not know their purpose in following us, but some powerful figures in their Clan have made the journey; originally, I believed their purpose was to keep track of me, yet I am beginning to suspect another force is directing their movements.”

“I understand. I will relay the message to my Empress. Nelika…”

“What?” she growled, still glaring at her great-grandfather, seemingly unable to deny the elder’s orders; it didn’t mean she had to like it, though—or she might? Garu couldn’t read what she wanted.

“You can track my path to find me when ready; I will leave by tomorrow night, and it will be in haste.”

“I… get it. I’ll see you, I guess…”

“Hmm?” Makura smirked, giving her a look that seemed to have Nelika up in arms as they exited the tent.

“What’s with that look, Maku?!”

“Oh, nothing…”

“Don’t you dare!”

Unsure what the two were on about, or why the girl was embarrassed… again, Garu removed the two from his thoughts. “Also, Gumbi…”

“Yes, young one?”

Sober tone returned, his eyes narrowed. “Will you tell Nelika why this new group—the Cnaxar Federation—is coming here? I’m sure you can listen to their discussions, and if I need to prepare them for combat, I will not be able to return.”

“Unfortunately, the Cartalian has ways of blocking my ears and touch when it comes to their vicinity… Although, I will pass on what little I can discover.”

Garu bowed and exited the tent, mist gathering around him as he slipped into the night, staying close to the ground in the much-diminished haze he had brought.

Remaining unseen, he returned to the jungle and waited by a stream until the Empress’ restorative energies filled him. It was the beginning of the third day since he’d started his journey.

He refilled his liquid reserves and sought out Valentina; the Tiger Beastkin was currently bathing in a small lake, washing off the blood from the dozens of victims she’d hunted since he’d left her.

Garu rested in a nearby tree, gauging her progress; she still couldn’t sense him, but by the smile on her lips as she scrubbed her fur and the lake leeches avoiding her, the girl had made substantive progress.

She retracted much of her fur to be replaced by smooth skin and caused much of the crusted or wet blood to fall into the water; it was far to the northwest, away from the Ri’bot and their armies. Valentina was thinking ahead and trying to keep her presence to a minimum in the areas she believed were risky to expose herself.

You’re learning… Good. Now, the issue. His left three teeth pressed against his bottom lip while pondering the information the legendary Xaria had given him. Gorka, Cristian, and Nicole are not capable of fighting… Val is advancing in leaps and bounds; she should be ready by the required time.

Rafael… No, he has combat ability but not the instincts that Val can fall back on. All I can do is rely on Val and myself, and by the way Gumbi framed it, I likely can’t win in a straight fight… Demon sent them, after all.

I can leave Val to continue her hunt … In the meantime, I need to find out who my opponents are before they close in around our throats.

Preparing himself to begin his scouting mission, Garu watched Valentina exit the water and shake herself off before using the fur of a nearby animal she’d slaughtered to dry her hair and skin. Fur returning, she grinned, yellow irises flashing in the night as she searched for her next target and vanishing into the trees.

She’s a natural. If she keeps up at this pace, before long, she’ll surpass me. He smiled. Will she exceed my expectations by the time I see her again? The Ragnlar may already be dead.

Garu turned to the south, taking every precaution as his mental state sank into the solemnity of his living days when Ke’Thra’Ma’s Elite Hunters prowled these jungles.