Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

What makes us inconsistent

Opening her eyes the next day has never been more euphoric for Ghaoil , who wakes up to the soft scent of a girl, wrapped in sheets, sleeping in her arms. Seeing Neo again gave her hope, and she would never let that hope fade away again.

In the infirmary, Gràin wakes up without pain, much to her delight; her wounds had not bled during the night, and her throat showed no difficulty when she breathed. Indeed, Malice lived up to her former reputation.

Good morning – Malice finds her awake as she walks past the beds – I see you look better, little devil.

Little devil?

With those teeth and all your scars, it suits you.” She gestures for Gràin to lie down again so she can check his injuries. “And you didn’t say your name.”

Gràin , and I am grateful for your help – Her gaze fixed Malice in a peculiar way – Are you... an expert in suturing wounds?

Unless you think I didn't sew you up right, yes.

So you would have the equipment needed to suture again?

Malice finds herself thoughtful, but interested – Not that I have enough to go around sewing up everyone who comes along, but yes.

Gràin gets up and sits on the bed, placing his head in a comfortable position over the window. “If I asked you to give me... a small stitch on someone, would you do it?”

Ha! And do I look like someone who does favors for people I don't know? Don't get me wrong, Gràin , you may be part of us now, but don't think that gives you influence over certain things, especially over me.

Malice returns downstairs, to the back of the infirmary, where she made medicines with the plants collected from the Sìth . Gràin walks up to Malice in disbelief , but hides it behind an innocent expression.

Have you seen my teeth? – Malice turns to Gràin , she was so focused on her alchemy that she had barely noticed her in front of her.

What? Oh, you – She takes off her glasses and lets down her hair, as she moves her chair away from the jars – Yes, I saw them.

Do you know how I got them?

Did you buy them?

Funny.

Why would I want to know?

Because I want to get something out of the man who did this.

Malice shows a slight surprise, followed by more interest – Oh, I imagine that is the tied-up man Ghaoil told me about.

Himself – Gràin approaches Malice , his eyes had been looking at her in a peculiar way since she woke up, and this did not go unnoticed by her – He broke my teeth so that I wouldn't bite what he put in my mouth later.

The world is cruel.

Yeah, but only for those who suffer at the hands of the people who make this world cruel. She leans over the table, Malice adjusts in her chair. And this time, I want to be that person.

Want me to help you cut out what you can't bite?

No, I want you to help me cut out what he used to deceive me.

Hm, is that why you didn't kill him? Do you want to make him suffer first?

If this had happened to you, you would understand.

What I don't understand is why you're looking at me that way – In fact, Gràin was close to Malice , smelling the chemicals that his jacket contained – Kill him or cut him into little pieces, I don't know why you need a doctor to keep him alive.

Because I want him to see something.

Interesting, but still not convincing.

Please – His hands reach Malice 's thighs , their gazes lock – He ripped my dignity from me, made a joke of me, didn't accept when I refused to give him the warmth that I only give to women.

Just....for women?

Yes... – She whispers in Malice 's ear .

She walks away from Malice , and slowly walks back upstairs, giving her one last look, seconds before heading upstairs.

Malice follows her, and finds her waiting for her, removing the rags she was wearing.

Malice 's breathing was heavy.

I want to pay for the hospitality – She hugs Malice , nothing else charged her.

This form of persuasion won't work – Gràin closes Malice 's lips with his, to which she responds by throwing them both onto the largest bed at the back of the bus – But if you try really hard, I can see what I can do.

...

Ghaoil gets up, leaving the beautiful girl sleeping. They can no longer enjoy the corner they have conquered. The Ùine was already killing what was left, leaving only the rot of dry trees and a stream of green water.

The caravan was almost finished packing up their supplies. Creideamh , who was overseeing the tasks before they left, noticed Ghaoil sitting alone on a fallen log, staring down the road they were about to take.

You're thinking about him, aren't you? – The silence there is broken, Creideamh sits next to Ghaoil , and together they look at the same road – At the Hunter.

Yeah.... I wonder if we'll see him again.

He's heading North just like us, who knows, maybe he's looking for the same thing, one way or another, the road will end, and we'll meet there.

Does it really have an end?

Yes, she does – The duet is interrupted by Gràin , who silently approached the two – Good morning.

Creideamh 's perception was the best of the group, indeed her surprise at Gràin 's silence .

I learned this from living alone for a while.

Are you better now? – Ghaoil stands up to properly welcome his newest member – so I think we can now introduce ourselves, I'm Ghaoil , and this is Creideamh , it's a pleasure to meet you.

Nice to meet you – Creideamh says , remaining seated.

Hi, I'm Gràin , and I wanted to say how happy I am that you helped my injuries, and for letting me stay with you.

It's the least we could do, you took care of Neo and brought her back, the whole caravan is happy, and it was all because of you - Creideamh reaffirms .

Creid is right, you deserved nothing less, and that's the most we can do at the moment.

It's more than enough for me – Gràin looks around, the myriad remains of clear air they breathed – Also, I wanted to talk to you about... the man who came with me.

Ah, finally – With a slap on his thighs, Creideamh stands up agitatedly – I've been wanting to get my hands on him since I heard he took Neo .

Creid , this is her decision – She calms Creideamh with a hand signal – Don't worry, we didn't even lay a finger on him, and we didn't even take off the gag so he wouldn't talk, but I have to ask... what are you going to do with him?

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I won't do anything that will lower myself to his level, I'll carry him with me until I decide on a good place to release him, and let him live on his own where he can't hurt anyone else.

Ghaoil and Creideamh looked at each other, they would indeed prefer this to an execution.

Alright then, let's take him with us.

But first, I'd like to talk to him alone, can you tell me where he is again?

Come on, I'll take you there – Creideamh gets up and follows Gràin to the oldest bus in the caravan, where the back seats had been ripped out to house supplies, or in this case, a prisoner, tied up and watched by security guards – We're here, let's give you some time alone – He turns and whistles to the guards – Alright guys, let's go outside and help pack the supplies, hey Gràin , let me know if you don't feel comfortable with it.

Thank you Creideamh .

Until.

Alone they were, Gràin couldn't contain his laughter when there was finally no one around. Imcheist was unharmed, and this only comforted Gràin in the idea that he hadn't told the guards anything, keeping his true persona a secret.

Aah Imcheist , who would have thought we would get such luck, a caravan full of armed and stupid people, and I thought I would only depend on Dìoghaltas to help me in the End of Beatha – She removes Imcheist 's gag – But now, I will take another army that will keep Ghalt occupied after they kill that man, and the First for myself.

The End of Beatha ....that fairy tale? Is that what you set off the flare for? Do you want to lead us to certain death?

Thank you Imcheist , the certain death that awaits us is what stops me from killing you now, while Dìoghaltas is coming to rescue you with his army, you will still be useful to me.

So that's why ... But you're thinking of a glass plane, girl, if something goes wrong and hits that plane, it shatters, for example, why do you think Dìoghaltas will come with an army after just one person?

Because he doesn't know that it's just one person – She sits on the bench in front, her head held high and looking down at Imcheist – A simple message is enough for him to think that you were taken by a tribe... a rather peculiar one.

Peculiar....

The Sgùrr .

Imcheist 's eyes widen at the sound of that name – No...

The only name that would make Dìoghaltas mount all his men in vehicles and come after you, when in fact, he will come after them.

You know the consequences of putting Dìoghaltas on the Sgùrr 's trail , and even more so when he realizes he was bait.

But it's not bait.

What?

The Sgùrr .... They do indeed still exist, exiled beyond the Northern Reach.

How can you know where the Northern Limit is?

I've been there Imcheist , I must be one of the only people who went and came back from there alive.

Girl....you are starting a five sided war, what is the reason for all this?

The reason... – She gets up abruptly from the bench and addresses Imcheist , kicking his jaw, throwing him to the ground – That's the reason, do you know how many times I've been like this? Bleeding on the ground, looking at the feet of those who thought they were superior to me? Well Imcheist , THAT'S THE REASON, all those who did this to me will pay! There will be a bloodbath and sacrifices for me, and when I absorb all the souls before Uìne , I will be eternal!

Girl....

Anyway, Imcheist , it was nice talking to you, but now I think I'm going to have to keep my secret, I told you a lot, and I can't leave you with so much information like that - She then takes a radio communicator out of her pocket, and speaks through it - We're waiting.

Minutes after watching Gràin 's silence , the door opens for the healer – Sorry for the delay my dear, I couldn't find the sedative.

Okay, I've learned that your delay is pleasurable because it always pays off.

Flatterer – Malice looks at Imcheist – Is this the patient?

Yes, we better not take too long, give me the sedative.

Gràin addresses Imcheist again, one more kick to the stomach to prevent any reaction as she injects the sedative into Imcheist 's neck – It was really nice talking to you Imcheist .

...

...

Imcheist wakes up with a disturbing migraine and blurred vision, possible effects of the powerful homemade sedative. In front of him, Gràin was thanking Malice for her services, with caresses and kisses.

See you at the infirmary? We don't have much time before Ghaoil wants to leave.

Go ahead and prepare the stimulants, let's see this alchemy of yours.

In fact, our patient even woke up.

Malice leaves, leaving Gràin and Imcheist alone again – Good morning, did you sleep well? Oh, sorry, better not to try to speak – She smiles mischievously as she lifts a small sealed bag, inside it, a fresh piece of something, it was difficult to see due to the blood that covered it – Even more so now that you can't even develop words for it, what happened? Did the cat get your tongue? No... I ate your tongue.

HHHMMMMM!! HHHHNNRRRMMM!!

Oh please, don't try so hard, it's useless now – She starts to analyze the tongue she was holding in her hands – The only threat you posed to me is now in my hands, don't worry, now I really have no reason to kill you – She takes her mouth mask out of her pocket and turns to Imcheist – Here, I thought I had to use this to hide my face, but I don't need to hide from anyone, so I'm returning the favor, it's very comfortable, you'll see.

HMMMMRMRMMM!!! MMMMMRHHHRHM!!

...

Creid ? Everything ready? – It was almost time for the sun to shine at its strongest, and the caravan was ready to leave, the cars already had their engines running and warming up.

Yes Ghao , we took all the supplies we could carry, mixed some oil extracted from some stalks into the gasoline, gave us a few extra gallons, the cars are fueled, we are ready.

Okay, but what about Gràin ? Her car isn't running yet.

No need to worry Ghaoil – Again Gràin appears unnoticed between the two – That beast over there is always ready to roll.

I hope these appearances don't become a fad.

Creid ! Anyway, we're leaving now, did you finish your conversation with our guest?

Yes, I'm done, you can go first, I'll go last in line.

He is sure?

I do, I feel less intrusive that way.

But you.... – A second of silence, and Creideamh decides not to comment – Okay, we know how it is.

Enough talk, let's go, I want to reach the North before the Hunter.

Hunter?

Yeah, the man who helped us kill that thing, his tank is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

Ah... I see...

We hope to meet you again if we walk the same path.

Yes......I hope we find it.

The caravan finally leaves, under the sun that was shining at its strongest. Among the queue, Gràin leaves a few minutes late, making up for lost time by quickly catching up with the caravan.

{{Did something happen Gràin ? You took a while}}

Sorry, it seems I bragged too much about my car, I needed to warm up the engine.

{{ Haha , it happens}}

They moved away from the beast, Gràin kept his iron smile, always watching his rearview mirror, waiting for something. His wait was met, once again, by the red star that rose to the sky and exploded the clouds with its incandescence.

What?! – Ghaoil looks in the rearview mirror at the scarlet glow burning the clouds.

Damn! Not again – Creideamh picks up the radio – Attention everyone, whatever that flare means, it's definitely dangerous, let's speed up.

...

... Hehehehehe , HAHAHAHAHAHHA!

...

Several kilometers away, he saw the red sky again, but there was nothing to fear, he was already far away. He was alone again, with supplies, and the Sun giving energy to his tank. Where he was, the roads were the only thing he could see, there was nothing to the sides, just sand dunes. He was almost there, he was about to begin his real journey.

In the distance, the road began to darken, the sky was darker, and the sun was getting redder and redder. The Northern Limit, where people who entered were never seen again.

A sign, a simple sign, green and worn, with “North” written on it, was the gate that separated the Northern Limit, the view ahead was discouraging; under the orange sky and the reddish Sun, countless Mothachadhs were decomposing, the smell was so strong that it permeated the wind thanks to the loose ashes of their bodies, flying over the road.

From that moment on, there would be no more rest, no more Mothachadhs , only one road, and only one destination: The end.

Finally... – It was time, a race against Ùine 's poison , to fight his greatest enemy. While he was distracted without following the path he so desired, a shadow covered his tank for a few moments, he noticed them.

It was something huge, which flew over the Hunter, but the mystery did not last long: It landed, crushing the road that the tank was following, the Hunter had no other option but to stop.

It was an Aimhreit , bigger than the tank itself, as white as snow, its skin was smooth, without marks or wounds, it had huge and spiny wings, bones projecting out, covering a large part of its body, if there was a god among the Aimhreits , it was him.

Hunter! – His voice echoes in his white face, like thunder striking the tank, draining its strength to the point of leaving it immobile. The Hunter had no choice, not against him. Without delay, he leaves the tank, and his word to answer the call referred to the same concept.

Hooray...

Long time no see, Hunter.

In fact.

I see you did not give up on your foolish journey, even though I had advised you to do so.

I can't stop, Urras , you know that.

It makes no difference, you will die like the others.

Just like the Sgùrr ?

... How do you know that name?

It doesn't matter to you, if you don't believe I can do it, get out of my way and watch.

I'm not here to stop you, I'm here to warn you: You killed Sonas .

Sonas ... No, I killed an Aimhreit .

Sonas was not just an Aimhreit , he was like me.

And what difference does it make?

The difference... - One step forward, the ground shakes - Sonas couldn't die!

One Aimhreit dies, two arise, isn't that what you told me last time? - Said the Hunter, incredulously, as he walked away.

One aimhreit dies, two arise. Sonas dies, and only three will remain.

Three?

I, Fèin-Ghràdh and Misneachd . Four of us should exist, now that only three exist, we cannot save this world.

Save? From what? Look at this world, there is nothing in it, make more sense.

Silence! – Urras steps away, spreading his wings – I came here on my mother's orders, to kill you and stop you from causing more trouble, but instead, I'll warn you: There are two Mothachadhs ahead, Don't. Them. Attack.

Why don't you kill me?

Because you will say what I told you, to those who are coming after you.

Those.... Ghaoil .

Killing you is useless, many are coming the same way, you will be my messenger.

They're just a few survivors chasing a dream, don't hurt them, Hurras , they're defenseless, and besides, we have a deal, remember?

Urras takes flight, as he gets further and further away, the Hunter's tank starts working again – The treaty died, when you killed Sonas . Go your way Hunter, know the end of your persistence, but I will warn you again, if you threaten Fèin-Ghràdh or Misneachd , I will have to break the bond we have had for so many years.

After so many years, Urras , and only today you tell me about this.

Because the treaty was to ensure your survival, like the coward that you are, and not the massacre of so many beasts because of our creation. You are only alive, Hunter, by my will alone.

Urras flies into the sky, tearing through the clouds as he passes through them, disappearing in the wake he left.

...

What...was that? – Ghaoil asks , his eyes fixed on the creature that had taken flight in the distance.

I.... I don't know – Creideamh was scared, he knew it was an Aimhreit , but he had never seen one of that size.

...

So – Entering your tank again, now back in its functional state – Let’s begin.