“YOUR PLAN WILL FAIL, GIRL. IT WILL NOT STOP THOSE ETERNAL ELEMENTALS.”

Galgom’s words bring me to a stop. I face the man. The alien. His purple visage is pale, cheeks sunken, exhaustion evident, yet he sneers all the same. My eyes narrow as I cross my arms.

“And what makes you say that, Galgom?” I ask, preparing for any tricks he may pull. “If I recall correctly, you are our enemy. We have no reason to trust you.”

“Then let your foolishness drive you all to despair.” He spits with a dry mouth. No saliva comes out.

“Just hear him out, Tian,” Nelrel interjects in an insistent tone. “He may have been our enemy, but he is no follower of the Void Pirates either.”

My eyes narrow. I look past Nelrel— towards the outside corridor. The Keepers of the Grove are still in a panic. I see their members rushing about as they prepare to evacuate the city. We have to go full scorched earth here. Nothing— not even Thorntistle— is allowed to survive what is to come. At least, that is my proposition. Now, however, Galgom is refuting it.

He throws his head back and laughs. “I have heard about your struggles with the Eternal Elementals. And your plan will do nothing to stop it.”

“What are you saying?” I cross my arms.

“The Eternal Elementals cannot be killed,” Galgom says with a cackle. “As long as there is any form of matter for them to draw from, they will always be able to regenerate. This includes the air. The ground beneath your feet. Everything.”

“Everything?” My eyes widen. I take a step back as I process this. “Then that means—”

“Yes,” Nelrel speaks over me, “we’ll have to destroy more than just the Flourishing Flatlands.”

“That’s right,” Galgom says, still grinning widely. “You’ll have to destroy all of Utana.”

“But…” I find my head reeling as I massage my temples. I steel myself with a deep breath and focus. “Just what are these things?” I face Galgom grimly.

The amount of damage they can wreck is far too substantial to be the same as the other Void Pirates. It makes no sense that they are so powerful while the others are simple enough to deal with Unless—

“They are the real threats, girl,” Galgom speaks my thoughts.

“And the others were diversions.” I purse my lips.

The former tyrant shakes his head as he explains.

“You ask what they are, but you know not the nature of these Void Pirates are either. Those that you have faced until now? They are not the true Void Pirates. They are merely slaves, sent ahead to destroy your world’s defenses before they arrive. Even the Eternal Elementals are but mindless creatures captured by Idu and his ilk.”

“Slaves?” I stare at him, disbelieving. “You mean all the Void Pirates I have fought so far are not true Void Pirates? How can this be?” I had struggled with quite a few of them— and even the Eternal Elementals especially.

“Did you not hear what I said, girl?” he snaps. “Yes.”

I frown and glare at him. “Watch your tone, Galgom. I have been patient with you because of the information you could provide, but if you choose your next few words carelessly, you will be left naught but a memory before my eyes.”

He hesitates. Galgom tries to work his jaw but nothing comes out. Finally, he scowls as I uncross my arms.

“Fine,” he concedes.

“How did Idu enslave these Eternal Elementals?” I demand.

“Individually, these Eternal Elementals are calamities. They can be tamed— stopped— before they merge into one. But once that happens, they can bring about the end of worlds. They will simply keep growing, keep consuming, until nothing is left. Idu is a fool to have unleashed them so soon— they may destroy all but your world’s core before he locks them back up in his ship.”

“But how?” That explains nothing. I narrow my eyes, and Galgom shifts back. “How do we defeat them? Is Idu that powerful on his own that he can rip apart entire worlds?”

“No, not on his own,” Galgom says. He hesitates for a bit, but Nelrel sighs. She steps forward as he still refuses to speak.

“He wouldn’t tell me this part, either. But I could infer as much myself.”

“What?” Galgom blinks at her.

“Do you think we’re idiots or something?” the elderly woman snorts. “What Galglom is hiding from us is simple: we have to create a vacuum.”

I nod slowly as Nelrel wags a finger.

“A place devoid of matter. That is how we trap these calamities. They won’t be able to grow stronger.”

I furrow my brows. “That is true. We don’t need to destroy all of the Flourishing Flatlands if we can contain this threat.”

Nelrel smiles at me as Galgom clicks his tongue behind her. She grins back at him.

“We may be from different worlds, Galgom, but we are not as primitive and savage as you think.”

He does not respond. I place a hand on my chin, considering this. “However, how do we create a vacuum?”

“Firstly, we need someone to create a containment zone for it. Then we can focus on drawing all matter out of that zone.” Nelrel shakes her head. “However, we don’t know what materials they can’t absorb.”

“We will have to try out a variety of prisons.” I shrug. “That is the only way.”

It will be a lot of work, but I believe I can craft something that can fit them with my current powers. I just have to find what is right. Galgom glances over at Nelrel and I as we are locked in discussion. I ignore his gaze for a moment, but his voice draws my attention.

“They cannot absorb metal,” Galgom says. I glance over at him, and he averts his gaze. He harrumphs. “They cannot absorb anything that is artificial. Glass and refined metal are such examples.”

“Are you certain? Nelrel blinks.

“Yes.” He meets her gaze, adamant.

I mull over it for a moment and agree. “Galgom is likely right. I do not remember the Eternal Elementals absorbing any metal. A prison made of metal then.” I pause and eye Galgomg warily. “But why are you telling us this?”

Galgom licks his lips. He remains silent for a moment. Then he growls. “This is not for redemption, girl. I simply despise Idu more than I despise you, and I’d rather watch his plans fall apart.”

“I see.” I nod simply and accept his explanation. There is likely more to it, but I have no time or reason to pry. I start past him as my wings spread wide. “Very well, then. Let us defeat these Eternal Elementals once and for all.”