It was still dark by the time Thu’lain awoke. He sat up quietly and took in the wooden room: a dim orb hung from the ceiling lighting the branch woven room in a gentle amber glow. There were sleeping bodies all around him, including Raj’ken, who sat up with her back against the wall as she slept with a dagger near her hand. Across from her, Tin’lo and Tu’lar lay together in a tangled heap, sleeping in blissful silence. He scanned the rest of the room to comfort himself that the fires and death had been nothing more than a dream.

Hard to tell the nightmares from memories.

Thu’lain scoffed lightly to himself as he stood; he’d long grown past the point that dreams could trouble him. Still, there was some truth within his dream and the thoughts of burning cities weighed on his mind heavily.

Thu’lain walked out of the communal abode to one of several balconies that hung over the open air, looking out into the dark forest. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and let himself relax. In the time he’d been back to Anosora, there was almost no time to rest, since he’d been jumping from place to place and meeting everyone he needed to know about to organize the re-construction of elven society. There were so many new variables now, and resources, but also potential for trouble.

On the one hand, they had discovered El’tan, which boosted the gaur’s morale, but also meant they would turn their attention to settling down.

Other elves he’d met in the Cradle and the rest of Anosora would likely be a boon to any resistance they would mount against the apex or eclipse, with the added bonus that they would only become stronger as time passed.

But the strangest turn of events was most certainly Uch’l’thein.

Perhaps Uch’l’thein could be more than just a point of defense. It had shown a level of intelligence that implied it could follow commands. Would it hunt an eclipse if it was told to? Would it recognize the order at all?

The potential was massive under the best case scenario, and it was the wildcard that could easily tilt the balance of the scales in their favor.

Though it’s still uncertain how effective it would be at killing an eclipse. No doubt it could kill one with enough time, but could it do so without elves falling in the time it took for it to do so?

Thu’lain remained thoughtful even as he noticed a familiar elf climbing quickly through the trees toward him. Dae’jita sat on the branch railing once she reached Thu’lain and greeted him.

“Good morning, nice place you guys got here.” She spoke softly, in case others were sleeping within.

“It is. My friends were excited.”

Dae’jita nodded and hopped down from the balcony to lean against it comfortably.

“What are you all doing now that you’re here?” Dae’jita asked.

Thu’lain shrugged, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Our goal was to make it here. Now we are.”

Dae’jita looked over at Thu’lain with a confused expression on her face, but before she could say anything Thu’lain continued.

“I’m considering our options for dealing with the eclipse. Once they are dealt with, I’ll likely look at leaving the Grey Realm.”

“Why not leave now if you are going to later?” Dae’jita gave a sideways glance at Thu’lain.

“I need to make sure Anosora is as safe as it can be and the elves become whole again. If the others want to stay here, I want them to be secure.”

“Do you need anything from me? If you’re coming up with a plan to take out the eclipse, I’ll want to know about it to make contingency plans,” Dae’jita said.

“In case we fail.”

“Yes, and draw the eclipse back here instead,” Dae’jita confirmed.

“I’ll need a map of where the eclipse are currently laying dormant. And a scryer.”

“I’ll be back later with that map and I’ll find you a scryer.” Dae’jita leapt from the balcony and back into the trees, quickly disappearing from sight.

Thu’lain remained on the balcony in quiet contemplation.

“What are you planning, Thu?” A sleepy voice came from behind him, and he heard as Raj’ken walked around him and rested her head on his shoulder.

“How much did you hear?”

“You want to take on some eclipse, and then take off to Erebus, probably.” Raj’ken yawned as she shook her head.

Thu’lain smiled and leaned his head against hers.

“We’re going to go have a chat with Uch’l’thein.”

“Wait, what?” The sleepiness in Raj’ken’s voice completely vanished.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Are you sure it’s in there still?” Raj’ken asked.

“We’ll find out.”

Thu’lain walked forward through the edge of the treeline, where the morning sun was just rising over the forest and bathed the grass and soil in light. Across the clearing was a large pond, tranquil and shining with light. Thu’lain searched with water for any sign of Uch’l’thein, expecting at least a part of the creature to be sticking out of the water.

Instead there was nothing, only leafy pads and colorful stalks of flowers marked the surface of the water. Even so, Thu’lain walked with a measured pace and carefully watched the surface of the water.

“Uch’l’thein.”

Thu’lain waited in the clearing around the pond as the others watched from the treeline.

The waters of the pond stirred gently as a smooth, round mass began to emerge from the edge of the pond. The black mass slid up the bank and into the clearing with a steadily lazy pace. Uch’l’thein halted once it fully emerged from the water’s edge, though that still placed it dangerously close to Thu’lain if something was to go wrong.

“Elven progenitor.” Its voice rumbled out, monotonous.

“What is your purpose?”

“Prevent the extinction of the elven race.” The same monotonous tone roiled out from Uch’l’thein.

“Will you obey my commands?” Thu’lain was only somewhat surprised at this point.

“I will obey any elven progenitor, unless the guidance is in conflict with my purpose.” For just a flash, something sounding like amusement crossed into Uch’l’thein’s tone.

Thu’lain nodded and gestured for his party to come forward; with the exception of the gaur and El’tan, the rest of his friends had decided to come with Thu’lain. Uch’l’thein remained stationary, but a sense of curiosity seemed to radiate from it.

“Can you help the elves rebuild Anosora?”

“I can protect the elven race and guide them to safety, in accordance with my purpose.”

“Do you know where there are other progenitors? Can you sense them?”

“I have knowledge of all progenitors and can identify them on sight.”

Thu’lain paused for a moment, considering again how best to utilize Uch’l’thein now that he understood its purpose. Though it was created to prevent the extinction of the elven race, he suspected that was all it would do. Ignathus - that layabout - was not known for his thoroughness. If Uch’l’thein would only do the bare minimum to keep the elves alive, then it likely would operate on an efficiency mode that did not include searching out threats like the eclipse unless they wandered too close to it - and more elves would die in the meantime. That left another option however.

“How quickly can you cover large distances?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I’m not sure how I feel about traveling like this.” Tin’lo grimaced as he swayed back and forth on top of the undulating black mass.

“Your mobility options are inefficient for the distance we must traverse.” Uch’l’thein’s monotonous voice came unnervingly from directly underneath Tin’lo.

“Uch’l’thein is right. This is more efficient.”

“Thank you, progenitor,” Uch’l’thein crowed in what sounded like pride as it continued running; its body had shifted into an extended snake-like body with ridges across its spine that made it easy for the elves to sit in place in the unusually soft seats.

Uch’l’thein ran across the ground with several sets of clawed legs that tore into the earth for traction. Instead of barreling through trees, it winded around them deftly to keep branches and trunks from injuring the elves riding on its back.

“We’re making good time, so we should reach the first location by the end of the day.” Trat’catha looked over the map Thu’lain had given him earlier, one with a glowing dot on it pointing the way to, of all things, an Everlight Guide. It had been an interesting experience to watch a scrying ritual requiring blood; it was an ancient ritual almost no mages had practiced since the dark ages of elven society. They had developed technology since then that would use other types of essence for locator spells, but none of them had worked. Of course, no one had ever tried to locate an Everlight Guide before - at least not in the last 150,000 years. And, of course, the closest kin to an Everlight Guide was another Everlight Guide such as Thu’lain, making a blood tracking ritual unusable till now.

Their speed was unreal; if Uch’l’thein was fast before, then it was quicksilver incarnate now. Gaining intelligence and finishing whatever maturation process it lacked had given it a fine control over its shifting form; instead of being a haphazard blend of parts, it now generated and used efficient and frankly unnatural limbs to bolster its speed. In fact, the elves had found it imperative to keep their arms and legs within the armored seating arrangements Uch’l’thein had made - passing an errant branch could lead to dismemberment with the pace they made.

“I have a question,” Trat’catha shouted over the sound of the wind, “Everlight Guides aren’t a very well-known part of our society, even for me, but there’s a trend that I’ve noticed, and the scholarly community at large.”

“What trend?”

“Well, I’m getting to that. Historically speaking, there was always a Guide residing in Anosora, but usually only one or two at a time, up until about five-hundred years before the fall. So I’m curious why there were so few, and I’m also curious why there were no Guides in Anosora before it fell.” Trat’catha elaborated, and looked expectantly back at Thu’lain, who took a deep breath and appeared to be debating on whether to answer.

“If you asked this a week ago, I don’t think I would have answered,” Thu’lain mused.

It’s strange to have friends again.

“Fine. As you know, there have been nine Everlight Guides since near the dawn of the Grey Realm. Around Three-hundred thousand years ago, give or take a few thousand years - I stopped counting - we were the first teachers and leaders of our race, and we each had our own strengths. One of us had to always be present within the bounds of Anosora; it was Ignathus’ way of making sure someone was watching over the elves. That’s why there was always at least one.”

“Okay,” Trat’catha drew out the word as he seemed to be running numbers in his head and struggling to accept the information. “In case you didn’t know, Thu, this information is all new. There’s so much scholarly rumor and overblown exaggerations about the capabilities of the Guides that most agree we don’t know anything for certain. But…” Trat’catha gulped hard. “I thought I was old. How can you even perceive that much time - You know, let's move on from that part. How come you all weren’t like always at Anosora?”

“Most of us developed to have some quirks that don’t mesh well. We step on each other's toes. It's easier to handle things when only one or two of us are around. Back in the day, factions used to pop up around the Guides if there were more than one in Anosora. It got annoying fast. To be honest, though, that problem resolved itself pretty handedly during the Ar’ghul extermination war.”

“What do you mean?” Tin’lo interjected, drawing a furrowed-brow stare from Trat’catha.

“Hargrithe was pompous and enjoyed being the center of attention. He’s also very opinionated. When he was around - even when it wasn’t his turn - he always had something to say about what the official Guide was doing.”

Trat’catha still listened carefully, no longer glaring at Tin’lo, and was in fact very interested.

“What happened during the Ar’ghul war that changed that?” Trat’catha queried.

“He ascended,” Thu’lain said bluntly. “This should be common knowledge.”

“How do you mean ascended? To where?” This time Raj’ken asked the question, and Thu’lain realized that he had everyone’s attention, even Uch’l’thein seemed to be listening in.

Thu’lain pointed up into the daylight.

“He became the sun. The Red Sun of Hargrithe. He ascended to become an astral body and it’s what ultimately condemned the Ar’ghul. They cannot survive in his light. Before that, we had a regular sun much like Erebus does.”

“And to answer the final question, one of the Guides decided to slumber deep beneath Anosora and buried herself there deep enough that she wouldn’t be bothered. It counted for the rule of one Guide in Anosora, so it freed us of that duty.”

“We’re almost there.”

Thu’lain looked through the trees ahead of them to the bare rock that made up the top of a cliff. Uch’l’thein began to slow as they breached the treeline and came to a complete stop.

“Get off and stretch your legs. We’ll be leaving soon.”

Thu’lain was the first to jump off of Uch’l’thein’s back and looked out over the cliff.

Red extended out into the horizon, the sky holding a few clouds that glowed amber in the setting light of Hargrithe’s glow. Beneath that sky was an open ocean that shimmered orange and red as it reflected across the water’s surface.

Thu’lain took a deep breath and enjoyed the sight.

I haven’t made a trip to the ocean in a long time.

Thu’lain smiled as he recalled standing atop his keep in Erebus, looking out over the bay. The blue waters there were just as beautiful as the red ocean before him, and he still craved to see them again.

First, I need to gather the other guides. Anosora needs to be stabilized first.

“It’s a pretty sight. I’ve only seen the ocean a few times.” Raj’ken waltzed up beside him, stretching as she did so. “I bet it’s cold, though.”

Thu’lain smiled and stretched out himself.

“I think it’s supposed to be warm this time of year.”

“Oh yeah? Maybe we should go for a swim, then. Y’know, once we figure out how to get down there.” Raj’ken grinned, and Thu’lain looked back pointedly at Uch’l’thein.

The obsidian black creature was no longer the many-legged beast it had been minutes ago; now it looked to be more like a massive headless bat, with two-pairs of massive wings and layers of flat plates on its back that looked almost like the walls of a hut. It didn’t give much importance to feet and stood upon four stubs that almost seemed to be too small for the size of its body. Even as they watched it, Uch’l’thein seemed to become larger and its wings extended further.

“Wow. I wonder how it just gets bigger like that. Can it shrink down a lot too? Could it fit in a pocket?” Raj’ken mused.

“If that is imperative to the continuation of my purpose, I can alter my size, Elf.” Uch’l’thein responded monotonously. Raj’ken was a bit taken aback; she - like the others - still had difficulty reconciling the intelligent and benevolent creature in front of them with the nightmare fuel bogeyman they’d heard about over the years.

“Uh, okay, that’s pretty interesting,” Raj’ken paused as she registered something. “My name is Raj’ken, not elf.”

Uch’l’thein froze for a moment, even halting its shifting while it processed.

“Understood, Raj’ken.” Uch’l’thein resumed its shifting process, but to Raj’ken it looked that it had nodded to her as it spoke.

Thu’lain watched the interaction with interest.

Uch’l’thein is learning at an incredible rate.

“Progenitor, I am prepared for the next leg of the journey.” Uch’l’thein took several awkward steps towards the edge of the cliff before coming to a halt at its edge.

Thu’lain took a look around, noticing that Tin’lo and Tu’lar were helping each other stretch and laughing, while Anar’dea and Trat’catha both stretched out on the ground with Trat’catha explaining the concepts of enchanting equipment to a vaguely interested Anar’dea.

“It’s time.”

Thu’lain called out and they gathered up into the plated area on Uch’l’thein’s back.

“Huh, pretty spacious back here, actually,” Tu’lar commented as he sat down, spreading his legs out over the furry black fluff that made up Uch’l’thein’s back.

Thu’lain looked around once they’d all climbed in: the plates made up a dome with an open back, allowing them to see the forest behind them.

“We’re ready Uch’l’thein.”

“Understood, progenitor,” Uch’l’thein intoned from beneath them. His whole body shifted as he awkwardly waddled over the edge. Thu’lain quickly took a seat and black tendrils gingerly wrapped around him and the others, anchoring them in place.

“Uh, what’s going on?” Tin’lo asked anxiously.

“I must restrain you momentarily so you do not experience any collisions with one another while I understand flight,” Uch’l’thein responded promptly.

“What do you mean ‘understand’?” Tin’lo retorted.

“I have the knowledge of flight, though I have not exercised it yet. Do not be alarmed, Elf, there are many thousands of feet to the ocean below.” This time when Uch’l’thein spoke its voice held subtle undertones of both amusement, and a genuine hope that it had assured the elf.

As Tin’lo began to speak again, his heart lurched to his throat and he felt himself being pulled up by gravity. His eyes widened in shock as he realized they were already falling off the cliff.

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no,” Tin’lo yelped and gripped the tendrils hard. He looked to the open back of the dome to see the top of the cliff rapidly fading into the distance and the wind rushing past the opening.

Thu’lain smirked and remained calm while listening to the panic from Tin’lo and simultaneously hearing Tu’lar whooping in excitement along with Raj’ken. Trat’catha and Anar’dea both seemed to experience varying degrees of tension, but ultimately grunted and held fast to their seats.

With a sudden and heavy lurch that pushed all of them uncomfortably into the back on their massive mount, they suddenly began to level out.

In several minutes, Uch’l’thein had figured out a rhythm to flap the wings instead of simply gliding on the thermal currents around them, and only then did the tendrils holding everyone in place loosen. Still, Uch’l’thein kept one tendril around each person’s ankle and refused to release them.

“Why won’t you let go of me now? You’re flying just fine,” Tin’lo pouted.

“Elf, if you fell from this height, it would be an effort to retrieve you before you hit the water. It is for your safety.” Uch’l’thein sounded like it sighed at the end of its statement.

“Oh, it sounds like an excuse to be lazy,” Tin’lo pointed out as he crossed his arms. There were a few moments of silence.

“Maybe.” Uch’l’thein mimicked the pouting tone Tin’lo had just used.

Tin’lo cocked his head and scrunched up his face, but ultimately decided not to argue with Uch’l’thein. This time.

“Thu’lain, the map shows the next guide just out in the ocean. Do you think they found an island or something?” Trat’catha asked as he lounged in the bundles of soft fur; after asking nicely, Uch’l’thein had adjusted Trat’catha’s sitting area to have a tremendous patch of fur. Thu’lain was tempted to do the same - it did look quite comfortable.

“I can’t say. But we’ll know soon.”

“So you say, but I don’t know how fast we are flying.” Trat’catha shrugged.

“According to your map, I predict arrival by nightfall,” Uch’l’thein supplied helpfully.

“That's… quite fast. Well, thank you, Uch’l’thein.” Trat’catha calculated in his head how fast they must be travelling, and made himself a bit more comfortable in the meantime.

“You’re welcome, Winter Smith,” Uch’l’thein crowed in pride once again.

“Who told it to call you by your title?” Raj’ken asked.

“I did; if it’s gonna be around the elves I felt it only appropriate that it learns about some etiquette,” Trat’catha said smugly.

“The Winter Smith has been very informative about Elven society. I find it fascinating,” Uch’l’thein chimed in.

Trat’catha nodded and smiled happily, and - now that they were listening for it - the others could hear a soft-spoken conversation passing between the two.

“Still seeing new things every day.”

Thu’lain chuckled and settled in for what would be several hours of arguably peaceful travel.