18 Dead Or Alive

Kita watched the portal, waiting patiently for someone to return as she sat in the doorway of her one-room house.

Jem and Zin were the only ones left at the fortress, and Kita had become concerned with what was going on. Both the leader and the beta had vanished, and now they were taking a long time to get back. It had been a few hours, seeing as how it was now eight o'clock in the evening.

Kita sighed, "I wonder what's happening. I hope they're not in trouble. I wouldn't think so, but it's hard to tell."

After a few more moments, the peace of the Dead Beach was interrupted. The fortress entrance suddenly opened, and Zin ran out of the entrance tunnel. As he did, Kita felt happy.

Not very long ago, Zin has still been on-edge around her. Now he was perfectly fine, and would talk to her just as he did the others. Even so, as Kita thought about it, she realized that even she didn't forgive herself yet. According to what she heard, Corelia could've done a lot worse than a few hours of interrogation and minor injuries. They could've gone as far as to kill them to make a point, and just knowing that risk made her guilt increase tenfold.

'At least they're not too hurt over it,' she thought.

When Zin reached her, he spoke, "hey, mortal, do you know where Timbur is?"

Kita nodded. "He, Seyber, Scorch, and Leiytning all went off on some mission."

His ears pricked. "All four of them? Sounds important. Do you know where they went?"

Kita shook her head. "No, I don't remember. I wish I did, though."

"Why?" Asked Zin.

"I'm worried; they've been gone for a very long time. I think they might've been faced with some trouble. I can't say it would be surprising, but-"

"Are you sure that you have no clue where they are?" Zin interrupted.

Kita looked anxious. "I'm sorry, but I don't know anything. As stated, I wish I did. You don't think they're really in any danger, do you?"

"At any other time, I'd be confident that they'd be alright," Zin explained. "Especially with Leiyt leading the way. But with everything that's been happening, we can't be too sure. Corelia has been going insane with her attacks and trades, so maybe she's come back for the rest of her targets."

Kita groaned, "I hope not."

"She's probably waiting right now..."

Kita looked down, gulping nervously and trying not to shake. Little did she know that instead of acting serious, Zin was wearing a mischievous smirk, creeping closer.

"You think so?" Asked Kita. "That's a horrifying thought."

"Yeah. Leiyt, T, and the others don't even realize that she's following them, right behind. Or maybe she's waiting somewhere ahead. Just waiting..."

"For-"

"TO STRIKE!"

Kita squealed, flinching so hard that she fell over. Zin burst out laughing, like a mad hyena. After recovering, Kita had to restrain herself from hitting him.

"Don't do that!" She cried.

Zin finally managed to get words through his fit. "It's even better than scaring Seyber! I've never seen that reaction, but it's great! Four have mercy, sylphs are like those goats; you just play 'possum when scared."

"Very funny," Kita sarcastically muttered, standing as she brushed the sand from her dress.

"Yes, it is," Zin agreed.

Kita refused to encourage him; she rolled her eyes, turned away, and retreated into her own room. As soon as she closed the door behind her, Stud came running over.

"I told you that one was no good," he spoke.

"He was just playing a joke," said Kita. "A very annoying joke. That's what Zin does, and that's what he is."

"They're all trouble-makers," Stud muttered.

"If you actually knew the first thing about Zyreans, then you'd know that there's a lot more to them than claws, fangs, and unrepressed killer instinct." She smiled. "They're so nice. Even the stubborn or angry ones have their good qualities."

"You complain about the 'angry' one all the time!" Stud argued.

"Yes, Timbur is a pain," Kita concurred. "He's getting better, though. While he definitely has a temper, I don't think he means to be so harsh. He's just very loyal. Whenever I do earn his trust, that'll be a great quality to have in a teammate."

"What's the 'good' in that annoying one, then?" Asked Stud.

"Zin makes everyone laugh," said Kita. "He's good at making bad situations seem manageable, or he'll distract you from it entirely. It sounds bad, but it's nice being able to get your mind off work."

Stud stretched. "I don't see it, but you can believe what you want. I'll just be happy in my safe hiding place, protected by these four walls and my secret hole in the floor."

"But don't you-"

"What the hell is that doing here?!"

Kita flinched, biting her tongue. The yelling came from outside, and sounded like Zin.

"I guess the others are back," Kita remarked. "With what, exactly?"

Curious, Kita made her way back outside. To her relief, she finally saw the four missing demons. They had just returned, the portal closing behind them. There was a newcomer that surprised her and, evidently, Zin. The wounded creature belonged to another tribe that Kita had not been familiarized with, but the fins made her think it was a water-dwelling one.

Zin hastily spoke, "Why in the goddamn world would you bring back a water-goyle?"

"They're called Aquarus Gargoyles," Leiytning responded. "Unfortunately, they're the latest victim in Corelia's frenzy. She led an attack on their small tribe, not too long ago. Their territory is reduced to ash, and all of them are dead. All except this one."

Kita froze up. 'They killed a whole tribe? Why?!'

Zin looked shocked. "You're joking? Gods, that's horrible..." He shook his head. "No, I mean, you have to be joking!"

Leiytning's eye narrowed. "What sick person do you take me for, to make a joke out of this?"

"Right, it's just..." Zin shook his head. "Damn sylphs. It's hard to believe they'd pull this stunt again."

"Worry about it later," Leiytning continued. "Right now, we have a new contract to settle."

"Do you mean we have a new informant?" Asked Zin. "Or were you asked to kill someone, again?"

Leiytning pointed at the gargoyle.

"Ah, gotcha," Zin remarked.

"It's almost the same as the others," said Leiytning. "This gargoyle will be doing whatever work we give him. Mainly, it's going to involve staking out borders, because I don't think he'll be good at anything else. He won't be paid in tradeables; his profit will be living in the river at the edge of the Silent Meadow."

"Why is that a profit?" Asked Zin. "It's crawling with orcs and meadow-vermin."

"Yes, but it's better than living among ruin and corpses, and being a prime target for Aubade soldiers. Now, I want you to take him to the river. Explain our border system, and tell him what kind of vermin we get usually. I'll deal with the job description later."

"Why do I have to do it?" Zin groaned. "Can't you just do it all now?"

"Stop being lazy," Leiytning retorted. "If you don't, I'll throw you head-first into the basilisk's lair. Now get moving, moron."

Zin squealed, rushing to work. He quickly gestured for the gargoyle, Lurix, to follow him, and slipped back through the portal. Once they had gone, and things were settling down, Kita approached the leader.

"I heard what happened," she said. "Those poor gargoyles. What a tragedy."

Leiytning sneered, "Wallowing in paradise while they leave others to face hell. That's Aubade morality."

"Someone needs to shove a knife through Corelia's neck," Kita muttered. "Honestly, it's hard to believe that one tribe, and a corrupt leader, is responsible for so much death. I hate it!"

"Are you going anywhere with this?" Asked Leiytning.

"Not really, no," said Kita. "At least, not if you're going to explain how this affects our schedule." She looked away. 'And if you have a moment to explain the same thing I've been asking for nearly a month.'

Leiytning merely grunted and started off to the fortress. Kita, knowing that was probably a 'yes' in his own language, followed closely. The other three had already gone ahead, likely waiting in the Hex Den for an explanation. Sure enough, in the Hex Den, everyone from the beach was inside. Jem was also at the table, nearly asleep as she leaned against it. The minute Timbur flicked her, she lurched back, snapping out of it.

"About time you got back," Jem remarked. "What happened that took so long?"

"Long story," Timbur responded. "'More sylph trouble' is all you need to know for now."

Scorch nodded. "What's your plan, Leiyt? I'm still confused about what's happened, much less what we're supposed to do after it."

"You all heard Lurix," Leiytning answered. "Corelia was trying to trade with the Aquarus tribe, and attacked when they refused. The same goes for the Kaens, and it wouldn't be crazy to think that she would've killed the Storm Gargoyles if Xarin refused her offer. The same goes for all the other tribes that have been rumored about. While we can't be completely sure, it's clear that she's doing nothing good with the things she's collected. Her ultimate goal might be to attack us, as always, but maybe not. There should be other reasons for such a large-scale operation."

Jem sneered, "Of course she's plotting against us. Everything she does is to kill, torture, apprehend, or just do something to mess with us. She's probably collecting things to improve her weapon so that she can finish what she started, and I'll bet my arm that she's hellbent on killing you, now that Thundur's down."

"On the contrary," Leiytning spoke, "I have a suspicion that Corelia doesn't know I'm still alive. Her new arsenal and strategy were successful in defeating Thundur, and combined with her cocky attitude in battle, she must've had the courage to come after me. However, she hasn't made an appearance since that battle. She's just sent those minor patrols, and they're only invested in finding Kita."

"Wouldn't she just give it all and take her, if that's the case?" Asked Scorch.

"No, because they don't want confrontation," said Leiytning. "I've noticed that troops are far less likely to become hostile when Kita is present. I think they're under orders to not attack under those conditions. It's not hard to believe, either, given the risk of her getting caught in the crossfire. I think she's more likely to be hurt by some loose canon idiot, though. So, I believe Corelia will only take Kita through persuasion, not through any means of violence."

"That explains why they've been retreating more often," Seyber remarked. "Kita's like a shield, right now."

Kita shuddered. "That sounds good and bad at the same time."

"Precisely," Leiytning agreed. "It means you'll keep things calm, and you'll be safer. However, it won't diminish the risk of them taking you back to Sybilius. They could still detain you without attacking."

"I'd have let them, already," Timbur muttered. "It's actually handy that she thinks you're dead, Leiytning. Makes sense, too. No Aubades have seen you since the last battle. Corelia was also very confident that Thundur would just bleed out and die, thus doing the same to you."

"Well, that's two advantages for us," Seyber remarked. "Still, she's killing countless others, and just caused another near-extinction! Small tribe or not, we can all agree that's horrible. What's the plan to handle this before it becomes too much? If we just keep doing the usual, nothing will improve!"

"I will say this for the umpteenth time," Leiytning spoke sternly. "Honestly, I don't know what we can do. With what Corelia's already collected, I'm positive that confronting her would be a stupid idea, as would any attempt to sneak into the palace. We're better off staying discreet for now. All we can do is keep a closer eye on the Aubades, track their movements as much as we can, and hope we can riddle out what their psychotic leader has in mind."

"Obviously, we should also be more careful in the Blood Forest," Jem remarked.

"Be careful anywhere you go," said Leiytning. "Corelia was able to access the Scorched Ruins, the Gavungu Eye, and the Siren's River. Obviously, the Blood Forest would be the most dangerous place, but with her new transportation method, she could appear anywhere at any given time. Unlikely, sure, but possible nonetheless. Especially if she starts listening to rumors from these outsiders."

Kita felt her stomach churn. "W-What about the Dead Beach? She might be able to find the fortress, and ambush us right here!"

"That much is beyond doubtful," Leiytning replied. "We've worked hard at keeping this place's location a secret; only the informants we have a tight leash on know. Its location is something Corelia's been after ever since our old territory was destroyed, hence some much earlier hostage situations."

"That was fun," Timbur sarcastically remarked.

"You weren't helping," Leiytning muttered. "Better yet, we've seen bits of her guesswork, and she's nowhere close."

"What guesswork?" Asked Kita.

"Recent evidence," he continued. "According to a map that Druitt stole, and some notes he could partially translate, Corelia's only hint has led her far north of Sybilius, while we're the exact opposite way. She's nowhere close to finding us."

"Hardly anyone could," Scorch remarked. "The whole reason we settled here is that nobody can just 'stumble' on it. The closest inhabited place is the Jungle of Ghouls, which would be a thirteen-day trip across the Stone Plains. On top of that, the biggest portion of that jungle belongs to our best ally for longer than we can remember."

"The Leo Ghouls," Seyber remarked. "Say, I bet they could lend a hand if needed! We should keep them in mind!"

"They have their own troubles, at the moment," said Leiytning. "Nothing they can't handle so far, but if anything, we should be ready to help them."

"I guess that's safe," said Kita. "What's across the lake, or whatever it is, outside?"

"Actually, it's the ocean," Seyber explained. "See, we're at a corner where one way is the ocean, and the other side is the Great West River, which separates us from the Western Territories; a whole different continent that's nearly impossible to reach. In other words, there's really nothing that can get to us. Portals only!"

Finally, Kita felt relieved. "That's good to know."

"The point is that Corelia won't find our fortress," Timbur said dismissively. "What she can find is our other territories. We could just be on our usual business in the cavern or meadow, and then she'd jump out of nowhere and slaughter us."

"That is a valid fear," Leiytning agreed. "Be that as it may, the only thing we have to prevent it is our own caution. Now, enough of this. I'll continue thinking about this, but in the meantime, tend to your usual work and be careful."

"Very well," Timbur responded, as Leiytning left them. Once he was gone, Timbur began talking to the others about upcoming patrols.

'I guess I can lend a hand,' Kita thought. 'I've been doing nothing else all day.'

"Who's helping with the Blood Forest?" Asked Timbur.

"I'll go," said Jem.

"Might as well," Scorch agreed.

Seyber looked hesitant. "Timbur, are you sure you should go to the Blood Forest, with Corelia targeting you?"

"I'm not going to let Corelia terrorize me on my own territory," Timbur snapped. "That's all the more reason to inspect the Blood Forest. If we want to keep it as our own, then we need to make sure she stays away from it."

"Why do you keep it?" Asked Kita. "It doesn't do anything but provoke Aubades."

"That alone is always great," said Timbur. "But it also puts us right on Sybilius borders, within proximity to their dumb castle. Not to mention, it was given to the Zyreans ages ago; long before the sylphs came along and screwed everything up. We're not sacrificing a piece of our history over some maggot infestation."

"Amen!" Scorch chimed.

Still nervous, Kita sighed. "If you say so. I guess I'll go with you. Maybe I can use my 'shield' advantage to help."

"That'd be handy," Seyber remarked. "Although, let's hope you don't have to."