“I have paths connected with ninety-seven people,” Gaokerena said, as numerous human shadows slowly started to emerge behind him.
Are those the villagers from Rhuvae?! In the very front were Okhar and Noix. Behind them were their four children. A long line of people continued behind the family—men and women of all ages picked up the path. Huh, they all grabbed the rope with no problems. I figured it’d be harder for the taller or shorter folks.
Gaokerena chuckled. “Do you see that thing at the very end of the path?”
Huh? An enormous black and red lump loomed at the path’s end.
“That is the dayquril that I absorbed from these people, you see. It is quite heavy.”
Wait, heavy? I mean, that makes sense, I guess. It’s about as big as a small mountain.
“And you only connected your path with two people.”
People started to emerge from behind me as well—Fresa and Datil.
“And now, we each pull on this path.” As a whipping sound echoed in the air, a white line was drawn between us. “Whoever can pull their opponent to their side, past this white line, shall be ruled the victor.”
Isn’t this tug-of-war?! Wait! We don’t have enough people at all, but there’s a different issue! “What’s up with that lump behind you? What happens if either of us pull on it?” I asked, directing my attention to that huge mass of dayquril. It’ll probably slide toward me if I tug on it, but what happens if Gaokerena does?
“No need to worry. Dayquril moves in tandem with the path. It will become an extra weight for you when you tug on it, but it will not affect me in the slightest. However,” he said with a smirk, “I can use my path at any time to absorb some of this dayquril and increase my power. In the unfathomable event that you prove to be a bit of trouble, I still doubt that I would need it.”
So it just helps you out big time. You already have close to a hundred people on your side, and you look really buff. In comparison, I’m... “Oh yeah! Why do I have arms and legs?!” I have a mouth too! What does my face look like? Have I aged? I don’t have a mirror, so I can’t confirm.
“We are in a place called the ‘Theatrum.’ Any being that connects a path, be it beast or plant, will appear in a form similar to ours as they prepare for battle. Those are the rules of this place.”
Fresa, Datil, and the villagers were in their usual attire, and I was dressed in garb similar to Gaokerena’s. Halfway through the line behind him, I spotted a familiar face wearing a vacant expression.
“Gruszka! You’re on his side?!” I exclaimed.
“Whatever do you mean? I connected a path with him, so it is only natural that he is part of my forces.”
I mean, we weren’t exactly on the same team to begin with, but it feels weird when he’s so blatantly on the other side.
Gaokerena roared with laughter. “Well then, shall we begin?”
Damn, I’m at a complete disadvantage here! I’ve only got two people!
“Very well, humans. Pull!” he ordered. With a low groan, the villagers started to pull on the path. I could feel the weight in my hands as my path was slowly but surely getting yanked to the other side.
“Ugh, can’t you at least say ‘Start!’ or something?!” I groaned. My hands were stuck to the path and I was unable to let go. I heard grunting and groaning behind me. Fresa and Datil were also pulling on the path, with similar vacant expressions.
“I can’t lose here!” I pulled on the path as hard as possible, but I felt the sheer number of people overwhelm me. Ugh, they’re so strong! Gaokerena was right—it seemed that my mental fortitude was bearing the brunt of the force. I felt like I was putting up a good fight considering the number disadvantage, but I was being slowly pulled forward, inch by inch.
“Oh? Having a spot of trouble? What happened to your feisty attitude?” Gaokerena scoffed.
“Shut up! The battle’s just beginning!” But I’m gonna lose at this rate.
“Ha ha ha! I knew it! A mere creature like you, who simply happened to receive a Tree Spirit and started to act like a former ruler, is no match for me! My sides are aching from laughter!”
He’s laughing! He’s showing off how relaxed he is! “Arghhh! Damn it! Stop making fun of me!” Upon closer inspection, I saw that he was barely holding on to the path at all. “Hey! You’re not even helping your own team!”
“Hmph, is there a reason for me to participate myself? Now, humans! Drag that fool’s Tree Spirit onto our side!”
The groans grew louder and I started to hear screams as the villagers pulled on the path even harder. I was trying to hold my ground, but I felt myself being pulled forward. Oh, this is so not good!
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from within the line of villagers. “Everyone! Please stop this!”
This voice...
“Those people are trying to save you! We can’t let this continue!” Gruszka cried, as he somehow managed to let go of the path.
Gruszka!
“You! How did you...?!” Gaokerena said with surprise.
“I only just regained my consciousness, but I’ve been listening in on your conversation! I’m not sure who you are or where you’re from, but those people over there have saved my life a countless number of times. I may not be of much help, but I’ll assist them as much as I can!” Gruszka went over to the nearest villager, put his hands on their shoulders, and tried desperately to shake them awake. “Wake up! You guys are all being fooled by that monster Gaokerena!”
The villagers didn’t stop pulling, but I did feel the tugging weaken. Good job, Gruszka! Maybe you’re not so bad after all!
“Wh-What is this?! Why can that human retain his consciousness in the Theatrum?!” Gaokerena said, wide-eyed. “You aberration! I cannot believe you are blatantly defying me while connected to my path! Take this!”
Gaokerena took one hand off the path and aimed it toward Gruszka.
Wait, you let go with one hand?! I mean, wait! “Gruszka, look out! Run!”
With a satisfied evil grin, Gaokerena muttered under his breath. “Varkha ad Martez.” In the next instant, a large flame emerged from his hand and shot straight toward Gruszka. “Those that have released the path from their grasp are no longer protected by the Theatrum, and can be burned by my flames. I suppose that fool shall receive the recompense he is due.”
“Watch out!” Gruszka yelled out as tried to block the flames with his hands, but shouted in pain as the fire enveloped him. Behind him were eight small children tugging on the path with vacant expressions.
“Did you protect those kids?!” I said.
Gruszka collapsed, faceup but unmoving.
“He protected the children? A futile effort. I said that those grasping the path would be unharmed by magic. Truly, a useless act,” Gaokerena said.
You were genuinely happy when you heard that there were sixteen kids being born, weren’t you? “You know, he was undoubtedly an evil guy, but there was just something to him that made him hard to hate.” I would love to avenge you, but there’s a clear difference in power here.