Silence descended onto the camp, neither group prepared to break the insurmountable tension. Longer and longer it lasted, Michael attempting to get out of the deeply uncomfortable stare he was getting from the massive one-eyed giants. He slowly inched his way closer to Jax, trying to get behind him.

All the while, he stared deeply into an endless expanse that reflected his image. The Cyclops in the center matched that stare, head tilting from one side to the other. While the others breathed in deeply and exhaled with the same force, shoulders rising in an exaggerated manner. Sweat covered their bodies, as though they ran a marathon.

But, Michael knew better than to assume such folly. Especially because he knew he saw what the others did not. Somehow, someway, after seeing the first screen when entering the forest, any leakage of mana, if not in perfect use and stood out in the surroundings, was easily caught by his senses. It was camouflage earlier, hidden by the lack of light in Death’s Forest, but now it was clear as daylight.

The crackling fire that swayed to and fro casting long shadows, made the use of light and darkness apparent to him. The darkness was black with purple outlines that was difficult to see even with the light, but still visible to his naked eye. On the other hand, light was transparent, impossible to notice if he was not as close as he was now with nothing blocking his line of sight.

Taking a step forward, the center Cyclops, opened its mouth wide showing off normal teeth, just with two extra pairs of canines. But the sheer size and drool that dribbled out still made a frightening seen. Near him, he heard Jax grip his sword, the pommel squeaking in protest from the strength he exerted. But, instead of a full out attack the guard had expected, the Cyclops dropped its gigantic club with a earth shaking thump.

Michael watched in fascination as every Cyclops winced when the club impacted the floor. The first thing that came into his mind was they were afraid of making noise. It also made sense that they would use so much energy to keep themselves quiet if they had a reason to make no noise.

Raising a hand, it’s wide open mouth started moving silently, like it was trying to mentally sound out the words before it spoke them; an issue it would have if it had not utter a single word for ages. For some of the longest seconds, it continued until finally it spoke in a rumble that hurt the ears to listen too.

“You are Balance. You are Help. Help us. Help us, please!”

The final words were not their own, but the sick voice that he had heard earlier. It spoke the same words it said as he entered the forest. Lining the horrific sounds the Cyclops barely made when attempting to speak. As the words echoed around the camp, all guards stepped back into a shield wall. Startled by the monstrous voice that had come out of what was supposed to be an unintelligent beast that knew nothing but the very base instincts it served as master.

Yet, as his guards formed the wall, Michael felt a deep pull from the deepest recesses of his soul. Something so far down, it defined him, made him, influenced him, shaped him in ways he could not explain. A sudden migraine shook him as he stumbled forward looking for some support. He felt like his body was waging war against itself as the whispers came back with renewed vigor. Having been quiet ever since he had first laid eyes on the forest, it took advantage of the weakness in his mind.

The whispers kept promising him things, begging him to commit savagery, to escape into Death’s Forest and become a monster. What was more disconcerting was that the whispers were eerily similar to the beaten voice of the forest. Then again, with the introduction of the whispers came the valorous pulse in the back of his mind. Ever the strong wall he could lean on. But, what surprised him most was how badly it begged him to help the Cyclopses. To help the voice that sounded like a louder version of the whispers it battled eternally.

Before he could help himself, his body moved without his consent. A feeling he had hoped to never experience again, it reminded him of how insane he felt back in the prison. But, further and further he walked, pushing the guards that stood in his way. Jax and Bialo hurried to reach Michael, to stop him from the folly he attempted. With a sudden burst of speed that had everyone surprised, even Michael himself, he escaped their clutches and stopped before the main Cyclops.

Extending his arm, palm facing down, Michael stared deeply into the well of madness that was the single eye. Having to stretch his neck to stare directly at it, he waited for the monster. Internally he screamed and clawed at the source of the crazy act. Trying his best to get away from the fetid stench the came from the Cyclops. But, no matter his efforts, he could not change a single thing; the task to mountainous to eclipse.

Slowly, in what was the most frightening moments of Michael’s life, the Cyclops fell down to a knee. It extended a hand that could cover him from head to toe, and with the tenderness and gentleness of a mother with a child, it placed a finger under the palm of the human barely even a quarter its height. Closing its eye, a lonely tear streaked down from the eye and down the right cheek. Splashing on the ground, Michael felt terrible for trying to ignore their plight. They never meant him harm, that would just lead to a complete apathy to any emotions they could have conveyed. But their plea of help was filled with nothing but the lack of malice.

Mouth moving on its own, Michael spoke his words meaning every single one. He and whatever it was that controlled his body uttered each word in unison, no separations between the two.

“I’ve heard your plea for help. And I, Ruthar Michael Ges Lunar Kindreal the first of my name, shall answer with nothing but full devotion to the cause you have begged of me. Now, kneel before me as your rightful savior,”

With those words, the other Cyclopses crash landed onto the solid ground, their caution of any sound lost in their tears. With lowered heads and a single knee on the floor, they began to hum a rumbling hymn in their own language.

All the while, Bialo, Jax, and Agata were left dumbstruck at the scene that had just happened before them.