The ultra-Monstrosity groaned to itself, as if the long trek had wearied it, and began to bend its knees. It lowered itself down to the wet ground and settled into a cross-legged sit.
Pierce and the others had to adjust their grips on its hide as the giant's legs pivoted, but when the movement stopped, they were left only a few hundred feet above the ground. It would be much easier to climb down from here.
This they did, taking care to keep quiet, now that the giant's loud movements would no longer cover up any noises they made. They snuck around the thing's back and out of its shadow, just in case it decided to lay down and rest.
"I can't believe we got away with it," said Agrathor, grinning. "You really are good luck, kid."
Pierce still took exception to that notion of luck, but the skeleton man seemed so pleased, he didn't want to contradict the sentiment.
"There should be a convergence where the center of the Temple would have been. Most likely, Testadel would have been centered on it too," said Scythia. "We should be able to ride it straight up into the fortress."
"Wait," said Pierce, "Kash's anti-folding curses won't kill us?"
Ess shook her head. "No, the convergences operate differently. It is like they knit points in reality together, without warping either end. Plus, they are natural, and cannot be enchanted against. It is why the central chamber of the Temple was so heavily guarded."
"Never knew that," said Pierce. He looked out as far as he could see, trying to gauge where the center of the fortress would have been. "I'm surprised he doesn't have the area guarded down here."
"He probably thinks this giant will be enough," said Scythia. "But anything could be waiting on the other side."
"Everything's waiting on the other side," said Agrathor.
"But all we have to do is punch through to Kash," said Ess. "There is nothing for us to defend this time, so there is no reason to engage more of his forces than is necessary."
The statement was sort of sad, despite also being a relief. Pierce loved the rush of battle, but even he knew that there was no point in fighting more than was necessary to meet your goal. Grondell was gone, and that still sat heavy in the hearts of Gorgonbane, but at least now, they wouldn't have to worry about saving the place. They could be quick, efficient, or even reckless if they needed to. Pierce wondered what kind of havoc the group could wreak if there were no limiting factors to consider. He guessed he was about to find out.
"I can feel it," said Sev. "The convergence is not far, but it is beneath the gaze of the Monstrosity."
"You are more sensitive to it than I, forgemaster," said Ess.
"I suppose it's built into me," he replied.
"Can we get through before it sees, or at least before it can try to kill us?" asked Agrathor.
"It's either that, or we wait until the thing sleeps. If it does sleep..." said Scythia.
"We should probably just go for it," said Pierce.
"You would say that," said Agrathor. "But this time, I agree."
They all looked around as if the world might hold more palatable options they'd simply not yet seen.
"Well," said Ess, "shall we?"
Sev indicated the general direction of the convergence, and the others followed him in a wide arc away from the Monstrosity. They were trying to keep out of its line of sight until there was no other choice. The plan was to dash in as quickly as possible, then engage the convergence, one by one. Scythia would go through first, and use one of her many enchantments to shield the group from any attack on the other side. If and when the giant noticed them, Pierce would try his blue sword to blind it, or Ess could harass it with her liquid orbs until everyone was through. Even Pierce had to admit it wasn't a very good plan - they were way too close to the giant for his comfort. Still, they had to try something.
Gorgonbane got into position and Scythia counted down on her fingers. She gave the signal, and everyone dashed forward. Ess floated.
Pierce couldn't help but watch the giant's face as they moved into its eyeline. Its eyes were half-lidded as if it were barely staving off sleep, and its cavernous mouth was open like a drunk's after the bottle had been drained. This one was unbearded, and its drool dripped down from its mouth and onto its chest in foul imitation of an infant.
The giant's head twitched back. It took a sharp breath in through its nose, and its eyes began to widen. A look of disgust and anger dawned on its face as its cheeks rose up, its nostrils flared, and it bared its teeth. The ultra-Monstrosity roared, a gut-wrenching sound louder than a dozen black obelisks, almost pitiful in its suggestion of human remorse and ire. If it had merely leaned forward and swatted, it could have killed all of Gorgonbane like the insects they were, but instead, it began to struggle to its feet, slowly, as if its joints were arthritic.
"Here!" Sev cried. He guided Scythia to where the convergence was and she immediately started to fade away. Agrathor went second. When he was gone, Pierce gestured Sev into place. He nodded and began to fade as well.
Pierce took a few more moments to engage the convergence, for he had only used them a handful of times, but he, too, faded through the connection between parts of reality, trusting Ess to follow them through. The furious roar of the Monstrosity faded behind him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Testadel
Scythia's shield of defense was flaring and straining already when Pierce materialized beside her. The space around them was a world of flame and lightning, flying arrows and waiting clubs and swords. Agrathor was right
