The big man seemed taken aback, almost as if the words had struck a chord. Then he smiled, and almost instantly Aryu was relaxed. Something about that smile was so reassuring. Despite everything that had just happened in the last few days, Aryu felt a small ounce of peace again.
“Indeed, sir. Indeed. My apologies. It's safe t’ say Imma’ man outta’ place here. I beg yer pardon. If by yer ways yer a proven man, then I shall treat ya as no less.
“Now, again, I must know, and speak no lie t’ me, sir. Is wha’ ya say tha whole truth? Ya simply found it?”
Aryu nodded slightly, tears still flowing freely. “Yes, that is the truth. If we are a week west by foot as you claim, then we are just over that far from the mountain. It was our final night before setting off home.” Recognition dawned on the thing’s face as if Aryu had confirmed a suspicion he’d had. Aryu barely noticed it.
Our. He had said our. The thought of Johan came to him instantly. He was likely still out there, either going home or wherever. He had to get back to him to let him know what had happened and that he was alive. Surely Johan saw the explosion, but the truth of why had to be told. Machines had come to the village, which meant that they were already coming into the central Inja. They were all in danger.
“I need to find my friend.”
The man looked at him, lost in thought once more. “Friend?”
“A man like myself. We set off on our quests together. I was sent on ahead by air. I need to find him. I need to know that he’s alright.”
The man seemed unaffected by Aryu’s plight. “Not yet. As odd as it sounds, I need ya with me right now. I believe ya hold some answers tha’ I need.”
Aryu was up again, head and body be damned. “Now I don't know who or what you are, but my place is with my friend, and if you don't take me there, I'll go on my own. I've told you everything I know about the sword, now please give it back and let me go on my way.”
The man shook his head calmly. “I can’na do tha’. I need ye and this sword with me.”
“Forget the damn sword. Keep it, I don't care.” A lie. After only two days he was already irrevocably attached to it for reasons he could not explain, but he hoped his lie wasn’t detected. He hoped his tear-soaked face hid it well. “I don't need it. What I do need is my friend, and you are not going to stop me.”
Aryu didn't know what kind of shape he was in but knew it was as good a time as any to find out, stretching his wings out with a minimum of trouble as he began to leave, hoping to find somewhere to take off from. “I do thank you for saving me, sir, but I'm afraid I cannot do as you ask. I have my own way to go.”
Before he could begin to leave, the large man rose to his feet and lifted his sword to Aryu’s face. “I'm afraid I must insist. Ya got more important things t’ do now.”
“So you say. My way is west and to my friend.” He turned to leave with a quick wave over his shoulder, telling the other this conversation was finished. He needed Johan. He needed to see if the machine was true to its word.
It was then he felt the heat and saw the light grow behind him. He turned quickly and was blinded by two very large walls of fire protruding from the other’s back, almost like....
…like wings. Son of a bitch. He had wings, and not ones like his own. This man was something so much more. Dear Lords and Ladies, he was an Embracer! After all this time of peace and silence, why was Aryu suddenly inundated by a mechanical Army of the Old AND a practitioner of the forbidden ways? Eyes wide and heart racing, Aryu stepped back and slumped down onto his rock again. It was all way too much. The tears became sobs as the weight of it all pressed harder.
The man’s wings died down, shrinking in brightness and intensity until they were no more.
“Ya canna’ escape me, and I highly recommend ya don’t try. My path is tha correct one, and I insist ya follow me on it.”
“Who… who are you? Why me?”
“Well now, finally some logical questions.” The big man relaxed and sat back down, sword resting in his hands. “My name is Nixon. Nixon of the Great Fire and Ash, t’ be precise, but most jus’ call me Nix.
“The history behind my bein' here is more stories than I care t’ tell at this moment. Know this, though. I am and 'ave forever been, drawn t’ the bearer of tha' sword and 'ave hunted ’em since long before ya could imagine.”
“Are you an Embracer?” Aryu spat out between gasps.
A confused look on Nix’s face. “Of the Power? Ha! Not in tha slightest. Those are mostly fools and tha fools who follow ’em. No, I'm somethin’ more’n tha’ entirely. My power is God’s power, as it was He who gave it t’ me.”
“God’s power?” The sobbing slowly crept away as the conversations steadied him. “Lord Ryu gave you Power?”
“Wrong again. Not him. Ne'er him.”
“Good. Then I'd know you were lying.”
Nixon looked perplexed
