“A puzzle indeed. A mortal with no deities at his side, only remnants of the energies of such beings.”
“My wards,” explained Tyler.
The giant looked at him thoughtfully.
“Stranger and stranger. The world turned upside-down. Soon-to-be deities as wards of a mortal, even if he is a mage.”
“Long story,” he replied drily.
“I expect so, mage. It is only because of the familiar energy I sensed within you that your life had been spared and I granted you this audience. And I guess that’s another long story, this time from me. But this is not the moment for such tales.”
Familiar energy. This entity had met Elder beings?
“Now, explain yourself,” demanded the colossus, though in a conversational tone.
“Well, this island was a gift by deities to me. I didn’t ask for it, mind you. But your presence here could wreak havoc on the livelihood of the human communities along this coastline.”
“And you wish me to leave? To fight me off?” said the giant in what Tyler sensed as an amused tone.
“Oh, no, no, no! We wouldn’t last a few seconds! I didn’t mean it that way!” exclaimed the mage, horrified at the idea.
The being laughed, hurting Tyler’s ears again.
“Mortal, do you even know what this form is?”
“Uh, an avatar? A magical projection?”
“Then what am I?” asked the entity.
“You’re the kraken?” answered Tyler. It was painfully obvious. He hoped the giant didn’t consider him dumb enough to deserve the question.
The kraken grinned.
Such huge teeth. Filed to sharp points too, observed Tyler with an involuntary wince.
Suddenly, Birki appeared at Tyler’s side. The diminutive spirit bowed. To Tyler’s surprise, the giant nodded back.
“Ah. You seem to have such strange companions, mage. A power of this world itself stands by your side. Another unexpected sight. You are full of surprises, mortal. A bearer of an energy I respect, the guardian of powerful children, and the blessings of an ancient being of this world. But none of that would have mattered if one of those arrogant so-called gods accompanied you.”
He doesn’t like gods too?
“You don’t consort with the pantheons?” blurted out Tyler. My mouth again!
“No, and never.” came the answer. “Well, maybe for one or two. But that was a long time ago. They could already be dead. Deities and their stupid wars.”
“Well, he doesn’t like or trust them too. Most of them anyway,” said Birki, pointing at Tyler.
“A wise decision,” said the kraken. His size became smaller until he was but a foot taller than the mage. The giant sat on a large rock. “Come, let’s sort this out.”
The pair found places to sit, though the water lapped up to their knees. Tyler made sure Birki had a larger boulder to sit on, concerned about Birki’s reaction to the sea, considering the being’s affinity for earth.
“I’ll start,” said Tyler. “Why are you here?”
“My kind is attracted to locations of vast magic, and for now, this island, being a magical creation, is of interest to me. I intend to remain here until my need is satisfied.”
“Would that take long?” asked the mage.
“A long time, mortal. The traces of power on this island show that several deities exerted vast amounts of energy to raise this piece of rock. Which reminds me, what do you intend to do with it?” asked the being.
“I am not sure as of now. It was supposed to be the Archmage’s island, but that can wait. Several more crucial problems need my attention. If I live through them, then I’ll come back and consider what to do with it. Though as of now, I confess I am not comfortable with the idea of an island raised by deities. If they could raise it, then they could also easily sink it.”
To Tyler and Birki’s surprise, the kraken sniggered uncontrollably.
“That they could, mage. And it wouldn’t be the first time. You mentioned problems facing you, but matters on land are not my concern. It is as you said – you might not come back.”
“I know,” replied Tyler. “But right now, my concern involves mortals who depend on the sea for their livelihood.”
“Mortals. And their ignorance. Such a bother. I have forgotten how many times I had been rudely disturbed by humans as I slept on the surface. And those deities! When they realized they couldn’t order us around, they tried to use force. Now we don’t tolerate their presence. The farther away they are, the better. Nincompoops.”
“But I still have to consider and worry about the lives of humans who depend on the sea for their livelihood. Can we come to an arrangement of sorts?” asked Tyler.
“Normally, I wouldn’t care. But the energy you carry gives me pause. The bearers of such power had been of invaluable help to our kind. The knowledge they bequeathed made it possible for our race to be more than huge floating beasts. My ability to talk to you was one of their gifts.”
Finally, the two came to an arrangement where the kraken won’t attack or destroy any human ship, provided they keep to thirty miles away from the island. Nor shall such vessels engage in fishing within the same area. Any strange protrusions shall not be attacked by humans, and nobody shall attempt to land or visit the island except for Tyler.
The mage figured that was the best deal he could arrange. Then just before he left, with his wards safely back in the staff, came the final instruction.
“Just don’t bring any deities here. I’ll squash them flat.”
There goes any visit from Dionysus or even Viracocha if the kraken was still around, that is if and when I return. At least, the island would be guarded while I am away, thought the mage.
He brought out the remaining stone.
“What’s that?” asked the seated being.
“A return runestone. I have to go back to that beach over there,” replied Tyler as he pointed out the area in the distance.
“Another trinket of those so-called deities,” said the kraken with clear disdain. “Allow me.”
Tyler felt a rush of swift cold energy. Unlike the transportation spells of the deities, his
