Grand Design by Arrows Mark

Author:Arrows, Mark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2024-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

TURNING POINT (T)

To’Wrathh had never seen him this damaged. Never could have even imagined it even. To’Aacar’s records returned centuries of combat, without a single reported defeat. He toyed with his targets, hounding after them on whim. Often taking handicaps to his own abilities just to kill opponents in novel ways, as a self-challenge. Because the optimal techniques had grown boring.

And now, the To’Aacar looked half destroyed, nanites working hard to repair his systems with seemingly no progress. She saw it all clearly on the visual feed from that sector. The swarm he had available for use must have also been in the path of destruction from whatever attacked him this way, given how tiny it was for what a Feather should have owned. He’d need a full mite forge to work on his shell in order to restore functions back to full. Or abandon the shell entirely and wait for resources to open up within a month or three.

“To’Wrathh,” he said, the message being sent across all channels. “I know you’re listening in. I can sense you looking.”

The tone in his voice made her freeze in her seat. She didn’t know how to answer him. Didn’t know if she even should. He seemed unstable.

“My dear little sister,” he continued, not bothering to wait for her answer. “Your elder brother has returned to see your progress. Rejoice! I’ve found a use for you, after all. I never thought the day could come.”

Tenisent shifted across from her vision, leaning on the wall nearby. Sensing the girl’s distress. An eye peered out across the room, narrowing down on her. “Stay calm.” He whispered. “Snowstorms pass. Only the mountain remains.”

How could he sense she was in communication with To’Aacar? She’d gotten used to seeing him outside his containment, but the man was growing far more perceptive by the day. Was he tapping into the data feed?

She shook her head, clearing her mind. His advice was reasonable. To’Aacar responded to emotion across all encounters she’d had with him. All she had to do was remain calm and not give him anything to latch onto. Remain collected and the storm will pass.

“You are damaged,” To’Wrathh said simply, keeping any emotion at bay. “Explain.”

“I am?” he answered dryly, still limping forward, using the remnants of his spear shaft as a walking stick. “Oh, dear me. I haven’t noticed. Must have tripped on the way down here. Silly me, old age.”

“Were you ambushed by a group of Deathless on your return?” To’Wrathh asked, ignoring his japes. Deathless would be difficult to deal with, and they were the only ones that could conceivably offer a challenge to To’Aacar. If there were a team of them approaching the city, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to fend them off. She needed to prepare. Although it was more likely To’Aacar had wiped them out in exchange for his damage. He wasn’t the type to leave an enemy walking for long.

“You think Deathless could do this? To me? No. Not Deathless.

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