Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Chapter 1174: Rally The Beasts

(A\N: In case of confusion with the events that will make up this and the next few chapters, consult chapters 1015&1018).

Tremur Forest...

"Karima. This cannot go on. As free-willed as we are, I think we need to step in this time. That is the purpose of our ascension, is it not?" Azila said.

"Yes! Thank you! We can't keep going back and forth for another week! It's not as though the role we are asking of you is too unreasonable!" Soidon cried with relief at seeing someone, rather, something, other than himself and Erlton persuade the beast seated atop a throne of luminous, abstract shapes to do the right thing.

Said abstract shapes, each of a different colour and strewn about chaotically in the deep, dark space of Karima's Dormant Territory, swam serenely, slowly, only trembling lightly at intervals where it looked as though invisible, silent bolts of lightning struck within the dark domain.

Aside from Azila, the Great Mane Mountain Ape, other figures could be seen on either side of Karima's throne. The Aqua Ripper, a great, blue aquatic serpent assuming a humanoid form where its scales covered its extremities, like clothing, could be seen seated opposite Soidon, a man with long, dark hair, and Erlton the Herald, his lute in his lap.

There was a clear division between the two 'humans' and three beasts, it seemed, mirroring how their opinions had differed very much for the last eight days.

Nothing had yet to enter or exit Karima's Territory other than Azila who had been on a journey to Agmold when the two 'humans' arrived.

"Not unreasonable, you say? Do I, again - for what might be the thousandth time - need to outline how tall of a task you are asking of me? It is no easy feat to rally the guardian beasts in all the Sacred Forests. There are many ascended beasts in those Forests that are equal to me or stronger than I am. You yourselves have even expressed that I am not mistaken in considering this. You are privy to the strengths of the Deities' creations, are you not?" Karima said in an exasperated tone, his words directed moreso towards Erlton than Soidon.

Karima was a rather short beast with matted black and white fur covering his entire body. His long arms were easily the most unique thing about him, that was, if one didn't count his face which was pink, raw and no different from a bat's.

There was wisdom that could be traced in his beady, black eyes, however, and quite like Azila, he also featured a ring of light above his head in which a brilliant star sat, giving hints of some imperial significance.

Erlton gave the ascended beast a deep look.

"It is not lost to me the fact that there are many beasts stronger than you are," he said, "but - and I hate to insult your intelligence - you are not so foolish as to not know that Tiers mean little to beasts like you" - he looked towards Azila - "Beasts who have interacted with the relics left behind by powerful humans are infinitely wiser and skilled."

Azila's expression grew severe.

He indeed understood what Erlton meant. He had heard it from Asthon himself, after all.

Karima hardly looked insulted though. One of his long arms supported his drooping head upon which a placid expression could be seen.

Erlton continued.

"I stress again, beasts progress in a manner that is different from humans because ultimately, their purpose is different. YOUR purpose is different. You are not the equals of man. You are - whether you like it or not - the stabilisers of the world you reside in," he said with his brows furrowing. "This must have been shown to you by the simple fact that Clusters cannot emerge in Sacred Forests. The spaces beasts like you inhabit are THAT stable. You - not humans - are what keep Aigas aloft. You are the best lines of defence created by the Deities! While humans and Sif rise through their Stages, yearning for Divinity, you ascend, becoming pillars, bastions of nature! This is why I can only count on you to help against the madness that is about to ensue - more than you already have, of course."

Karima gave a mirthless laugh.

"And again we argue. I have no qualms with the fact that we are not man's equals. I daresay, when you first mentioned it, I was indeed quite... disconcerted by the fact that beasts were barred from reaching Divinity by our own Majestic Territories, which we all thought to be our greatest strengths, but still... Tell me. Beyond the call to duty you present, is there really a chance? These creatures... the Carven, you call them, are as many as the humans on Aigas. How much, really, does my and the presence of other ascended beasts contribute to the victory you see?"

"Plenty," Erlton said firmly. "In case you don't know, there aren't nearly as many humans with the ability to combat these creatures. And asides from that, I hardly think I can count on Maqi to go out of their way to help save the other nations. Worse yet, while Opungale could be saved for a short while by having its entire population become Seeds, that isn't exactly a solution."

Karima did not speak.

It was funny really. There wasn't really anything new presented in this argument since it began eight days ago. Many points had been flung around, but ultimately, they remained afloat, neither rebutted or accepted.

The fact of the matter remained that Boron was soon to rise. Erlton confirmed it.

The Carven that had risen from the Under so far were only a prelude. The real numbers were soon to burrow their way up to Aigas with their Lord when he showed his face for the first time since Aigas' creation.

For this, Erlton, duty-bound as a Herald, had to rally Aigas' resources to prepare for the worst. He didn't know what would happen when Boron rose, but he had a nasty idea. The best bet he could think of - along with whatever else he was sure his other remaining companion, the third Herald, rallied - was having the Sacred beasts of Aigas take arms to defend it, as they were meant to.

Sacred Forests existed, transfixed, in order to ensure that natural forces remained no matter how strong man became. That was why, even in the times when humanity peaked millennia ago, Sacred Forests and their guardian beasts remained objects of reverence and respect.

"I find hard to swallow the idea that it is you preaching this message of togetherness and whatnot, and not that cult humans made. Do the Deities not speak through them anymore?" the Aqua Ripper said with disdain, her eyes on Erlton.

"It's not a cult. It's a decent order for the Deities - the Purity," Erlton answered with a sigh. "And the Deities do speak. Better yet, they have acted. Aigas was split in two not too long ago. I hardly think any of you felt it, but it has already been mended. That's one less problem to

deal with."

The Aqua Ripper snorted. She didn't give her own opinion on Erlton's proposition. Rather, she waited on Karima's decision. His choice would be hers too.

Azila took advantage of the silence that followed.

"Ashton, who has been keeping to a deal he made with the royal family of this human land would have gladly accepted your proposal. I'm sure he would have urged us all to as well. I admit, I'm reluctant. I was told that beyond our ascension, it is necessary for us beasts to draw close to humans and learn bits of their craft in order to truly reach our full potential. Perhaps for that reason alone, I might consider joining forces with human combatants and fight, but as for rallying the other guardians..."

Azila looked at Karima. The bat-faced beast said nothing to proceed the ape's slick segway

into his final decision.

Instead, he looked at Soidon.

"If I do as you ask, what will you do, REPENTED LICH? Will you stand and watch as always, or

will you join in this time?" he asked.

Soidon's face scrunched up.

He had opened his mouth to reply when Erlton suddenly interjected.

"He's here."

...!!!

"What?!" Azila asked with a note of intense anxiety.

The Aqua Ripper quivered.

Karima grunted and sat up straight.

"Boron?" he asked what everyone else seemed to be thinking.

"No," Erlton said, frowning and he turned to Soidon. "HE has just set foot in this forest."

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