The Archaic System

My legs bent and strained under the pressure of forcing them to move as fast as possible. I used the cords that comprised my legs like a spring, tightening and releasing with every step just to increase my speed. I could feel my energy getting low, but I couldn't stop.

I have to get back to Troy!

He doesn't know he is in danger!

I have to warn him!

After Troy saw Cratagus at the Black Wolf Arena he had me leave to inform Corytheius that the human leadership of Black Lion Village might know about the village. Troy had explained the danger they could pose and that the bandits led by a human named Ward might attack. I understood his concern so I agreed and headed back to the village.

( Quick Author's Note: Some reader's had expressed that Valerian's character didn't have enough depth. I changed and added some of Valerian's background information to remedy this issue. Unfortunately, that means some readers may not understand why certain things are mentioned. While I think you can understand the chapter without it, if you choose, you can read the changes in Chapters 9 & 13)

After grabbing my stuff from Black Claw Inn I went through the south gate and headed in the direction of the village. I knew it was important to inform the village about the humans, but I wasn't in a great hurry. Troy has wisdom and character which I respect, but I think he underestimates the power of the village.

Of all the warriors in my village, I'm in the middle in terms of combat power and that's including my nightshade abilities. Without them I'd be at the bottom. Not to mention, we have about 300 warriors protecting the village. Any one of them could easily take on three or four of the bandits based on what I've seen so far.

Troy as wise as he is, couldn't have known that of those 300 about 280 were away on a mission during his stay. A mission they would have returned from yesterday evening not long after we left. From his perspective we only had about 20 warriors to defend so it was understandable that he was worried.

Then again humans get stronger at a frightening rate, or at least Troy does.

I didn't really understand the things Troy told me about ALIC, but being able to gain the abilities of things you killed sounded powerful. Humans, although weak right now, have the potential to grow incredibly strong. Which is why, even though I knew the village would be fine, I still agreed to go inform Corytheius about Cratagus working with the humans.

After a few hours of walking, I decided to head to the lake to absorb some water and spread out. While G'eth are sentient, and plants are not, we do share similar traits. We need to absorb nutrients from water and use the energy of the sun to function. Nutrients from water nourish our body and we absorb the energy of the sun. After absorbing the energy it is channeled to a core that stores it. All G'eth have a core in their chest that can store the sun's energy.

That energy allows us to move and power our abilities. From what Troy has told me it seems to function similar to human's blood, in the sense that it travels through paths in our body and the core is in our chest. Except, we don't immediately die if we run out and it's not constantly circulating. We can allow the energy to lie dormant, only using it when we need to. If we run out we cannot move until we absorb more. Although, if we go three days without it, we can die.

After all the activity over the past few days I finally got the chance to completely restore my energy. G'eth can somewhat tell where our energy level is. I'd say it's similar to the human feeling of hunger. You begin to crave it and your core will start to feel more and more discomfort as it gets low. Being empty is not a pleasant feeling.

After spending a couple pleasant hours basking in the sun and absorbing the water from Lake Lyenas I felt fully recharged. I resumed my trip to the village, easily passing through the forest. Few beasts noticed me and those that did avoided me. Most beasts understand G'eth are the true rulers of the forest. Only a few, like the Grootslang, are unreasonably aggressive.

However, for some reason beasts that normally avoid us, ferociously attack humans. I was shocked at how frequently beasts would attack Troy as we traveled last time. It also seemed like he even expected them to behave that way. It's very unusual.

I arrived in the village after dark and headed straight for the Elder Compound. As I got close I noticed that many G'eth were rushing about performing different tasks. That's odd.

Curious, I walked up to a G'eth I knew from patrol, "Acaena, what's going on?"

Acaena looked at me with surprise as she responded, "Valerian? I thought you left with the human?"

"I did, I returned with important news for the Grand Elder."

"The Grand Elder is in the Elder's Compound, luckily he wasn't badly hurt in the explosion. We are still working to repair the damage."

I was startled, "What explosion? How could there be an explosion? I was here just yesterday morning and everything was fine."

"I don't know all the details I just know it happened late this evening."

How could this happen? What if... is this connected to Cratagus and the humans? It shouldn't be right?

I bolted in the direction of the Elder Compound. I dashed through the crowd quickly reaching the entrance. Two guards standing there tried to block me from entering.

"It's me, Valerian, let me in. I have important information for the Grand Elder."

They hesitated, but after recognizing me they slowly stepped back. I couldn't help noticing that one of them looked at me with disdain, but I couldn't care about that at the moment.

I quickly made my way to Corytheius's private quarters, in an area behind his courtyard. As I entered I could see Corytheius leaning back in a large stone chair. The chair had ten sockets placed so they would be on the edge Corytheius's body. In each socket was a sun stone giving off a bright glow. Corytheius was slowly absorbing the sun energy.

I had seen Corytheius sit in this chair many times before. 700 years ago Corytheius's core was almost shattered in the fight to defend the Geodenisis Arboreth. Even with repeated use of the Geodenisis Arboreth sap it never fully repaired. This made it harder for him to store sun energy. The amount of sun he could get naturally simply wasn't enough. Ever since, he's needed sun stones to keep him functioning. Even more troubling, over the years he has needed more and more.

Most forests don't have areas that produce sun stones. However, this forest borders many plains and has a few clearings that can produce them. This is actually why an important Grand Elder was located in such an obscure village far from major G'eth centers. The mission the warriors just returned from was to retrieve some newly found sun stones from a clearing further south.

As I looked closer at Corytheius I noticed a few scorch marks that were slowly healing on his legs and torso.

Grief overwhelmed me.

I should have been here.

I could have prevented this.

I owe my life to Corytheius, I never should have left.

Corytheius noticed me, "Valerian? Why, have you, returned?"

"I... I have important news, but it can wait."

Silence swept the room.

I felt guilty, "I'm sorry... I should have been here."

Corytheius let out a deep sigh, "No. Valerian, we discussed, this. You have, a greater purpose. That human, Troy, there is, more to him, than meets, the eye, he has, a great destiny."

"I know, I'm grateful to Troy and I want to, but..."

"Valerian, do you, remember why, I picked you, back then?"

"I remember..."

When the other Grand Elders realized a bud had absorbed the last bit of poison from the attack on the Geodenisis Arboreth they wanted to let it die. If a bud is not picked in time it will wilt, eventually dying. This is almost never allowed to occur, but they were going to make an exception. When Corytheius heard, despite his condition, he traveled the long distance to the Geodenisis Arboreth and picked the bud himself. He assured the other Grand Elders that he would take care of it and train it. That one day it would save all G'eth.

When I was old enough to understanding, he told me the story and said he picked me because I had a greater purpose. As much as I wanted to stay with Corytheius, I couldn't doubt his judgment. It'd be the same as admitting he was wrong to save me 27 years ago.

Silence lingered for a moment before Corytheius spoke again.

"Now, what news, have you brought?"

I quickly began to relay everything I knew about Black Lion Village, Ward, Morrow, Sauer, and Cratagus. Troy told me to tell Corytheius everything, even his personal goals. It surprised me how much he trusted us.

"Interesting. What do, you think?"

"Troy's plans are always ten steps ahead of everyone else. He has a powerful desire to get stronger, but he won't sacrifice the weak or innocent for it. He's willing to kill, but only those who are a danger to himself or others. I trust him with my life."

Corytheius smiled as if he already guessed I'd say that, "And the other humans?"

"Troy fears they pose a threat, but he hasn't seen our true strength. I don't think it's a big deal, but from what I've seen humans have the ability to improve quickly."

Corytheius nodded, but a painful expression appeared and he grabbed his torso.

"You need, to return, to Troy, but first, talk with, Castor," Corytheius looked at an area to my left.

For the first time I noticed we weren't alone in the room.