Chapter Fifty-two: Snowreach Mountain

Chichi and Thorn stared at the carnage Meskyroth had left behind. A gaping hole was in the middle of the meadows, and burnt grasses snaked out of the area, evidence of Jopp's powerful lightning strikes.

"Must be nice to be able to wield such fearsome power," Thorn muttered.

"That's boss for ya," Chichi murmured.

"There's green blood here," Hekin notified as the wind picked up. He dipped his finger in the small puddle and tasted it. "Tastes like celery."

"Stop joking," Sketta admonished. "Where have they gone?"

Hekin sniffed the air and pointed at the mountain to the northwest. "The owner of this blood went that way."

"Boss isn't over there," Chichi informed. "He's heading back to the fort."

"What the hell are we doing out here? This place is creepy, anyway," Thorn muttered.

They turned around and noticed Fianna wasn't with them.

"Did she really just leave us?" Hekin blurted. "If we find her body, I'm gonna kick her ass."

"We're going to celebrate Tark's birthday first," Sketta reminded. "Her dumbass can wait."

"Elder Trekkers get no respect," Thorn chuckled. "I've missed you guys."

Once they reached the Penny Lee Fort, Gabby snuck them inside from the back door.

"Did you get everything decorated and the presents and cake?" Chichi whispered.

"We had some intruders that messed with our stuff," Gabby growled. "Tark and the girls subdued them, but they're all in the living room right now."

"They did what?" Chichi snarled. "What intruders?!"

"Shh!" Sketta ordered.

"They messed with our stuff?!" Chichi almost yelled.

"Chichi, calm down!" Thorn blurted.

"We worked hard to give Tark a nice birthday, and no damn intruders are gonna mess with it!" Chichi blasted. She stormed down the stairs and huffed as Mil and Fianna stared at her. "Where are the intruders?!"

"They're tied up and in the closet," Mil answered. "What's going on?"

"I'm gonna give 'em a piece of my mind!" Chichi started as she flung open the closet door and caught the trekkers by the necks. "Who sent you?!" she roared as she slammed them against the wall. "You sick sumbitches better answer me!"

"Chichi, let them down," Tark demanded in a calm tone.

Chichi scowled at them before she lessened her grip. The trekkers gasped for air and coughed as their pants darkened with urine. They slid to the floor and tried to wriggle out of their bindings, but to no avail.

"No one sent us!" the older trekker shouted. "We're here to take Fianna back and punish her for meddling with humans!"

"No one's going anywhere," Tark demanded, his crimson eyes flashing a cruel blue. "Get back in that closet while we decide what the hell to do with you."

The trekkers nodded with fear before Chichi pushed them back in and closed the door. She took a deep breath and sighed before she studied Tark. He seemed weaker physically, but his demonic strength had gained a hundred fold. The trauma hadn't phased him, perhaps because of Jopp's influence. What Tark had to do was take back what was rightfully his. The way to do that was to kill whomever ate him and absorb their energies.

"Tark," she began. "This might sound disgusting, but if you ever find that sumbitch that hurt you, you chop off that head and eat him."

Tark stared at her in shock for a while before he sighed. "Very funny, Chichi."

"I'm not kidding!" she blurted. "You're a demon. You get stronger by surviving horrible things. You're confusing your body because you still think you're human, but you're not. Eating the demon that tried to kill you will make you whole again."

"I have to eat my attacker?!" he started. "I'm not a goddamn cannibal!"

"It'll be better than letting him win and kill you!" Chichi contested. "You're stronger than them all, Tark! It's time you made your mother and father proud!"

"How can I be strong when it feels like my heart is in a vice?" Tark muttered.

"That's the human part of you," Chichi informed. "Your fear of losing Mayzel is holding you hostage."

"I thought if I distanced myself, things would be easier, but they're not," Tark admitted. He shut his eyes tight as he turned towards the window. A blast of wind shattered the glass, and Chichi used her greatsword to sweep the slivers away. Her eyes opened wide with shock when Tark pulsed with demonic energy. The pieces of glass floated around them, as if time itself had stopped for a kiss. His demon form was taking shape, albeit slowly. Was his love for Mayzel the only connection to humanity he had? With enough reason, Tark could either rise to the challenge of this cursed world or fall to his death. Chichi wanted him by her side. Ever since she had met him, she felt a connection, as if they could feel each other's aspirations and failures. Once her hand touched the bark breastplate, Tark screamed in pain. The sound of a thousand whips flashed through the air. Chichi gasped when she realized what was happening. Tark was taking the punishment of other demons for his strength. Not many lasted long under the cruelty of it. Tark crashed to his knees, and his breaths were ragged, but his eyes seemed furious, daring even.

"I'm pathetic, aren't I?" Tark blurted. "I can't get back up."

"That's why we're here," Chichi replied as she offered him a hand. "I'm a part of you, and so is Sketta. You don't have to suffer alone."

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "You're Jopp's minions."

"Why do you think his demonic minions vanished, and we didn't?" Chichi queried.

"It's because we're made mostly of your combined attributes: human, angel, and forest nymph. Sketta has a bit of gellecros, but that's her."

"You were just eggs," Tark pointed out. "Tiny eggs that hatched into full-grown people. Sketta was from a gellecros egg, but . . ."

"Both of you made it happen," Chichi nodded.

Tark blinked in disbelief. "Like a baby? It takes two to . . ."

Chichi punched his arm. "I'm my own person! I didn't think I'd have to tell you this, but I was happy being on your farm. I'm the forest spirit that saved you when your family was attacked. I saw the whole thing with my own eyes, and I was determined to keep you safe. I held you in my branches, even as the fires burned me, until Mayzel showed up. I could tell she would take care of you, so I gave you to her."

Tark's eyes watered as he gazed at her in wonder. "You're not making that up, are you?"

Chichi wiped his tears and smiled. "I heard your voice call to me, along with Jopp's, and I took that chance. It brought me to you. Jopp knows more than what he lets on. Don't forget that."

"And Sketta? Why did she emerge from the gellecros egg?"

"I heard you call to me," Sketta admitted as she approached them. "With Hekin's fires, I knew I wanted to experience more."

"Hear hear!" Gabby nodded. "When you brought me back to life, I knew you'd be an anchor to everyone around you."

"Mayzel Fort isn't the same without you," Fianna confessed. "You bring a certain charm and kindness that Jopp sorely lacks."

"Hey!" Jopp started with furrowed brows as he entered the room. "I'm the gardener and housekeeper. I don't have to like anybody."

Chichi and Sketta laughed while Mil crossed her arms.

"Is that so?" Mil hissed as she glared at Jopp.

Jopp gulped when he saw her angry face. "That didn't pertain to you, Mil," he quickly added. "I love you."

Mil's visage mellowed as she approached him. "I love you, too." She snuggled in his embrace.

"Tark! Come see this!" Thorn blurted as he ran to the patio. "Hurry!"

Tark walked with Chichi's help and stood at the door.

"Happy Birthday, Tark!" everyone chimed in as the view of the decorations shimmered in his eyes. Banners with his name swayed in the air with Thorn's wind nymph abilities. Tark's favorite foods lined the long table that glimmered like silver. Pints of beer and a large keg awaited their festiveness.

The trekkers had arrived with Golir and Rif. Mayzel and Noforl were there as well, setting the last dish. Every survivor was there, beaming with excitement as they wore their favorite garments. Once he sat at the table, they all joined in to sing him "Happy Birthday." Gabby set the cake with candles before him. It was a round vanilla cake, adorned with a light frosting, and it was large enough for everyone to enjoy a slice.

Tark gulped as he gazed at the candles.

"Make a wish!" Chichi urged.

Tark took a deep breath and sighed. Once he blew out the candles, the sun vanished.