Mythos: Last Stand

  Chapter 15 — Guided Tour

  by Caide Fullerton

  Sam exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from his brow. Lying before him was Lii, her wounds cleaned and the worst of them re-bandaged. As Makala put it, most of the smaller wounds would heal themselves within a few hours; using up precious supplies on them would be a waste. It pained him to give Lii anything less than the best treatment, but he was an outsider; he didn’t have the right to complain.

  Lii had been in a lethargic state of partial consciousness since she’d been awoken back in the jungle. She only roused from that state near the end of her treatment. No sooner had she awoken than Raffica entered the tent with a basket of fruit for her. On one hand, Sam was concerned by how the girl seemed to have been listening in on them; on the other hand, he was glad to have a kind ally in this unfamiliar place.

  Lii was stable and conscious, and now that she had plenty of food in her system—she devoured the contents of the basket in mere minutes—she was well on the path to recovery. With his work done, it was only now that Sam realized just how exhausted he was. The adrenaline of a patient in need of care had kept him going, but now all he wanted to do was find a quiet spot to collapse.

  He heard approaching voices from outside, followed by Raffica’s cheery voice. Taking a deep breath to muster the rest of his strength, he turned just as Jackie ducked into the tent, followed by Helena and Jahd.

  Jackie: “We’re back. How’s Lii?”

  Lii: “My everything hurts,” she answered for herself, her voice soft and shaky, “but I’ll be fine.”

  Jackie turned to her, their red eyes flicking back and forth as they took in her condition. “Good. I’m glad you’re awake.” They relaxed their shoulders in relief, then added a moment later, “Thanks for saving us.”

  Lii: “Oh, um, i-it’s fine..! I couldn’t just let you all fall…”

  Helena: “But you nearly killed yourself in the process.” She crossed her arms, her voice firm.

  Lii: “B-but… I-I’m sorry…”

  Shaking their head, Jackie stepped over to her and lightly patted her on the head. “It’s alright. Everyone’s still here, thanks to you.”

  At the word ‘everyone’, Sam glanced around the group, taking a head count; one was missing. “Where’s Strade?”

  Sils: “Sleepin’.”

  The unfamiliar voice made him blink. It was only then that he finally noticed the tiny figure lounging on Jackie’s shoulder. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but the tiny woman was still there when he looked again.

  Sam: “Uh?” He gestured at her, unable to muster any real words for his puzzlement.

  Jackie turned his way, cocking their head. Then, their eyes lighting up with realization, they held a hand up before the tiny woman. “Oh, right! This is Captain Sils. She’s the one in charge.”

  Sils: “Pleasure ta meetcha, Human boy.”

  Sam: “Uh, Sam. It’s Sam. Uh. The pleasure’s mine.”

  Jackie narrowed their eyes at him. “By Eve, you need some sleep.”

  That earned a sigh from him. “Yes, I do.” Then, realizing they’d drifted off-topic, “Strade. Where is he?”

  Sils: “We found an empty tent nearby an’ left ‘im there.”

  Sam: “...why?”

  Jackie: “‘Cause Jahd beat him up.”

  Sam: “...why?”

  Helena: “We’ll explain later. He’s fine.” She sighed, “Can we make this quick? I’m ready to pass out.”

  Sils: “Right-o. To be blunt, I don’t mind lettin’ y’all stay here at Heapwatch, given we’ve got a surplus o’ food, but I can’t afford ta letcha move freely. In case ya didn’t notice, we’ve got a war ta fight.”

  Jackie: “Against the guys who exploded Jahd’s head?”

  Jahd nodded. “Aye. Evendel.”

  Sils: “I’ll letcha use a couple spare tents. Long as you’re on good behavior, I’ll let you move freely around camp.”

  Jackie: “And if we’re on bad behavior?”

  Sils: “I’ll feed ya to the Maneaters.” This earned her glares from both Helena and Jahd, so she raised her arms in surrender, “It’s a joke! I’d just hafta throw ya in cells. Be good and we’ll be fine.”

  Lii: “You won’t let us leave the camp..?”

  Sils shook her head. “Can’t have ya defectin’ ta Evendel, can I? Besides, Kirra’d kill me if I let a batch o’ real Humans die out in the jungle. For now, you’re stayin’ right here where I can see ya. That’s that.”

  That seemed to sour everyone’s moods, but Jackie rolled with it, putting on a smile. “Well, we had to sit around here for a few days while Lii heals, either way. We’ll work something out.”

  Sils: “There ain’t much to work out, y’know.” She sighed, “If ya really want out, I could putcha on the next caravan ta Avek Tirion, letcha be Kyte’s problem instead. That won’t be fer a good week, though.”

  Jackie: “We’ll think about it. Can we take the tent Strade’s in?”

  Sils: “Knock yerself out. Pretty up the place, while yer at it.” She chuckled and fluttered into the air, landing on Jahd’s shoulder. “I’ve got work to do, so go sleep.”

  Jackie: “One last thing. Can I make sure of something?”

  Sils raised an eyebrow. “Go ahead.”

  Jackie: “Can you guarantee that nobody here in this camp will bring any harm to us—especially to Lii?”

  She snorted. “Aye, I’ll make sure of it. Anyone who tries anythin’ will hafta answer to me an’ Jahd. Long as y’all behave, that is; bets’re off if you’re causin’ trouble.”

  Jackie: “Gotcha. I’m satisfied, then.”

  Sils: “Good. Go the hell to sleep, now. Bother Makala if you need anythin’.”

  With that, Jahd gave them all a quick bow before ducking out of the tent, taking his captain with him.

  Once he was gone, Makala, who had been silently sitting out the conversation at his desk, rose and waddled over to Lii. “We should move her to her own tent, as well. I need this bed available to treat any emergency patients, and she will rest better without my unfamiliar presence, I think.”

  Sam gave that a serious nod. “I’ll help you—“

  Jackie flicked the side of his head. “You’re exhausted, dude. Follow Helena back to Strade and get some rest. I’ll handle it.”

  Sam considered protesting for a moment, but gave up with a sigh. “I’d rather not leave her alone.”

  Jackie: “I’ll keep her company. Though, to be honest, I’ll probably pass out, too, the moment I find somewhere to lay down.”

  Makala: “If I may give my professional opinion”, Makala interjected, “You are all in need of significant rest and, most likely, some medical attention of your own. You should not resist the call of sleep, I think.”

  Sam looked to the old, wizened doctor for a moment and nodded. “Yeah, that… sleep sounds like a good idea.”

  ? ? ?

  Jackie awoke to the unfamiliar, slanted ceiling of a tent. Their body felt refreshed, but their mind was foggy. It took them a few moments to put together where they were. They’d escaped the Forgotten Heap, barely survived thanks to Lii, and met a strange man. He took them somewhere called Heapwatch, where they were given a tent…

  The memories came flooding back. The previous day had been a rollercoaster of emotions, ending with the group becoming more or less trapped in Heapwatch. Sils seemed well-meaning, at least; Jackie liked her.

  They didn’t particularly mind being stuck here, either. Reaching the outside world only gave them more questions. They wanted to learn about all the races and people here in the camp, about this other nation called Evendel and the war they were fighting, about the city called Avek Tirion, and about the many, many things that would be common sense out here but that Jackie had never had the opportunity to learn.

  Most of all, they wanted to learn about themself—about Humans, that is. Why were their kind extinct out here? When had it happened, and why? How did Humans end up inside an Eve-forsaken place like the Forgotten Heap?

  For that matter, who was Eve? They knew it was a person’s name, but the only thing they really knew about her was that Alistair had frequently used her name as an exclamation. It seemed to be common among Humans; at the very least, they’d heard Strade say it, too. Was she someone important to the Human race, or to history as a whole? Makala hadn’t reacted when they said her name the night before; did that mean it was used the same way out here?

  They needed to do some research.

  These thoughts consumed them so thoroughly that it took over a minute for them to realize they were being squeezed like a large stuffed animal.

  From what Jackie had gathered, Makala was the most skilled doctor at Heapwatch. He did daily rounds to visit all the wounded in the medical ward, but his own tent was reserved specifically for emergency patients that required his expertise. As such, Lii was moved to her own tent to rest. Jackie had gone with her, so as not to leave her alone in this unfamiliar place, and ended up passing out before long.

  They weren’t sure whether it was due to the current circumstances or if Lii was always clingy like this, but at some point in her sleep she’d latched onto Jackie. It wasn’t at all unpleasant, but they had things to do.

  They carefully wriggled their way out of Lii’s arms, doing their best not to wake her. This was met with mixed results as she rolled over and grabbed at them, but eventually they did manage to escape and stumble out of the tent.

  The sky above them was already bright, the sun high in the sky; it seemed they’d slept for quite a while. They looked around to orient themself, identified the large tent where Makala worked, and began walking that way.

  Makala: “There’s something I’d like to check. One of you should come visit me tomorrow morning.”

  So the old man had said before everyone departed; Jackie figured it was as good a spot as any to start their research. They peeked inside the tent and were relieved to find the bed empty and Makala at his desk.

  They stepped inside, and after a moment the doctor turned a glance their way. “Ah, there you are. Just awoken?”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Jackie: “Turns out I was very tired.”

  Makala: “You all were, I think.” He rose from the desk.

  Jackie: “So, what exactly was it you wanted to see?”

  Makala: “Just a quick inspection,” he assured. “I read something about Humans once, but I have never had an opportunity to confirm it before. Might I look at some of your injuries?”

  Jackie nodded and turned around, lifting their shirt. “My back got it the worst, I think. It was a rough fall.” They waited in silence for a moment as Makala waddled over, then broke the ice with another question, “Who all knows that we’re Human?”

  Makala: “I believe only myself, Jahd, Raffica, and Captain Sils are in the know at the moment, though I could not say if others have put the dots together. It is common knowledge that you escaped from the Heap, I think.”

  At least their secret wasn’t out already. They weren’t sure who told Makala—or when he figured it out himself—but he seemed to understand not to go around sharing it. It was doubtful their being Human could remain secret forever, but they wanted to avoid the trouble it might bring for as long as possible.

  Jackie: “So, notice anything?”

  Makala: “Yes. You may put your shirt down.” He waited for Jackie to do so and turn to face him before continuing, “The bruising is recovering quite well. It would seem my notes were correct.”

  Jackie: “What did they say?”

  Makala: “Humans possessed an exceptional healing factor, apparently. Not as fast as a Mimic’s, but still much faster than the norm. Perhaps it explains how your kind could survive in the Heap?” He mused, turning to waddle back to his desk, “You should all recover naturally, around the same time as the Mimic, I think.”

  Jackie: “Interesting.” An idea popped into their mind. “Do you know anything else about Humans? Like, our abilities and such?”

  Makala raised an eyebrow. “You do not?”

  Jackie shook their head. “Sils mentioned they’re ‘mental’, but that’s the first I’ve heard of it. I’m not sure that I have any magical abilities.” They decided to keep their memory vision to themself, for now.

  He pondered that for a moment. “Records state that Humans possessed telepathy. They could speak to others using their minds, allowing them to transmit messages instantly over long distances.”

  Jackie: “Telepathy, huh..?”

  They shut their eyes tight and tried to focus on beaming a message into Makala’s mind, earning them a chuckle form the old man.

  Makala: “They could only communicate with those they shared a close bond with, I think. I daresay we do not know each other that well.” He turned back to the smattering of notes across his desk, “I’m afraid that’s all I know.”

  Jackie: “No, that’s plenty. Thanks. I’ll figure the rest out.”

  Giving him a polite nod, Jackie turned and stepped briskly out of the tent, their thoughts consumed by the new information. How close was a ‘close bond’? Did that mean love? No, they couldn’t imagine it’d be a very useful power if it were that limited. Friends, then?

  Distracted as they were, they did not notice the approaching beast until it was upon them. A small creature leapt up with a yowl, pouncing onto their chest and knocking them over. They blinked as they took in the form of their assaulter—a cat with black and orange fur, split half-and-half across its face. The same pattern was reversed for the rest of its body, forming a very lopsided 4-tile checkerboard of fur.

  ???: “Ah, Palooza, come back!”

  Out cried the familiar voice of a cheery, red-haired girl as she rushed over, kneeling beside Jackie. Raffica gave an apologetic smile, scratching her head,

  Raffica: “Sorry, she just suddenly ran off. Looks like she likes you.”

  Jackie: “Does she usually pounce on the people she likes..?” They sat up, causing the cat, which had been kneading their chest, to roll down into their lap. It gave them an indignant meow, but otherwise didn’t seem very bothered.

  Raffica: “She pounces on me, so I think so. Try and pet her!”

  Heeding her suggestion, they raised a tentative hand to the cat’s head. It nuzzled up against their palm, and so they began to stroke its fur. As the cat began to purr, they glanced up at Raffica.

  She seemed kind and trustworthy, and based on the ease with which she’d carried Lii the day before, she seemed quite strong as well. Jahd, the second-in-command here, also seemed to be personally familiar with her, though their exact relationship was unclear. Befriending her would be very beneficial—and probably pretty easy, given her cheery disposition.

  They shook their head, forcing down their analytical side. What did it matter if it would be beneficial? They hadn’t survived alone for all those years just to do what was ‘most beneficial’. They hadn’t escaped the Forgotten Heap just to live life efficiently. They hadn’t promised Al to be careful or calculating.

  They were here in the outside world for just one thing—the opportunity to meet other people, to forge the bonds they so dearly desired. And so,

  Jackie: “Hey, Raffica. Wanna hang out?”

  She cocked her head in response, thinking for only a brief moment before putting on a bright smile. “Sure!”

  * ? *

  Jackie had a vague plan in mind when they set out to gather information. They wanted to learn about two things: Humans and common sense. Their first goal, of course, had been to see Makala; they’d ended up learning much more about Humans there than expected, which was a nice bonus. Asking anyone else about it might raise suspicion, so that was out of the question; luckily, they could research their ancestors and gain some common sense at the same time.

  The people here spoke the same language as them—thank Eve—so it stood to reason that they might write in the same language, as well. If they could get their hands on some books—particularly historical texts—they could learn about the events that led to their race’s ‘extinction’ while also learning more about the outside world’s culture.

  While learning about Humans was important, gaining some common knowledge would likely prove even more valuable. Many things that were universally understood out here did not exist in the Heap, leaving Jackie with various gaping holes in their ability to understand the world around them. They hadn’t even known Palooza was a ‘cat’ until Raffica said the word while scratching its chin.

  To solve that problem, they needed books, so they got Raffica to give them a proper tour of the camp. Knowing the layout would be important anyways, and this would also be a good opportunity to meet and speak with more of the people here. They could identify which locations actually had books now, then come ask to borrow them later.

  Heapwatch had two entrances, situated to the east and west. Each gate featured a watchtower arch, and a few other, taller watchtowers dotted the palisade wall. Raffica’s tour brought Jackie in a clockwise circle around the camp. The medical quarter, where they’d started, was located in the northeast. They passed first through an area strewn with tents, small huts, and a handful of wooden cabins—a communal area where the camp’s residents slept. Continuing to the southwest they found a variety of workstations—smithies and tanning racks and a smattering of others things the camp needed to keep itself running.

  This section of camp was by far the most lively; most of the people were gathered here and hard at work. Sils had mentioned they were at war, so they no doubt had a lot to do; that also explained the sheer size of the medical quarter. If Jackie had to hazard a guess, Sils’s people were losing. Even so, they kept themselves busy and worked diligently.

  They glanced aside at Raffica as they walked, wondering what role she served here. Based on something Jahd said when she first appeared, she wasn’t meant to be out in the field with his squad.

  As straightforward as she was, they might as well just ask. “So, what do you do here?”

  Raffica: “I’m a warrior!” She boasted, though her smile wrinkled after a moment. “Well, I’m meant to be. They don’t actually let me fight much.”

  Jackie: “Why not?”

  Raffica: “Lapala treats me like a little kid. Sils, too. How am I meant to learn anything on my Vita Sagacia if they make me stay in camp all the time?” She pouted with that last line, and Palooza, held in her arms, gave an indignant meow in agreement.

  Jackie: “Your ‘Vita Sagacia’? What’s that?”

  Raffica: “Oh, it’s an Alphicca thing!” That was the second time they’d heard that term in reference to Raffica; they surmised it was probably the name of her race. “It’s a fifteen-year-long journey where we aren’t allowed to return home to Patria. We’re meant to see the world and learn and stuff.”

  Jackie: “And stuff,” they affirmed with a nod. “If it’s so important, why don’t you stand up for yourself?”

  She looked to the side, bashfully scratching her cheek. “I don’t want to be a bother, y’know? Lapala means well, and Sils has a lot on her plate.”

  Jackie: “So you’re just gonna let them make you sit around at camp?”

  Raffica: “I don’t just sit around! I help cook for everyone. And take care of Palooza.”

  Jackie: “If you say so.” They shrugged, moving on. “I saw some people hanging out and drinking yesterday. Where’s that?”

  Raffica: “Oh, the pub? It’s a little closer to the center, near Sils’s tent. Follow me!”

  So ensued a short walk out of the work quarter and towards the center, where there were a handful of larger tents and small buildings. Heapwatch was an odd place; some parts of it were permanent installations, proper buildings and the like, while others consisted of tents and implements that could be moved at a moment’s notice. It was as if the camp itself didn’t know what it wanted to be.

  Jackie’s gaze drifted upwards, to the towering stone butte that stood where the northwest corner of the camp would otherwise be. From outside they’d only been able to see the ladders leading up the many small platforms, but from within they could make out the structure on the second-highest section. There floated a large crystal, a blue, faintly-glowing bipyramid that hovered above the ground. Arcs of electricity occasionally sparked between it and a metal ring on the ground beneath it as it slowly rotated in the air.

  Jackie: “I’ve been wondering, what’s the big crystal?” They gestured up at the structure.

  Raffica: “Hm? Oh, the communi-whatsit? I dunno what it’s actually called.” She followed their gaze up to the crystal, petting Palooza as she spoke, “It lets you send messages to other crystals. There’s one in Avek Tirion, too, but this one’s a bit busted.”

  Jackie: “Busted, as in it isn’t working?”

  She shrugged. “It works sometimes, and other times it blows up. I don’t think the Admiral has the spare funds to get the Mechier to send a replacement, and Evendel wouldn’t let it through, anyways. Sils grumbles about it a lot.”

  Jackie: “Seems like she really does have a lot on her plate…”

  They were starting to pity the fairy captain. Sure, she’d confined them here, but that seemed a reasonable precaution. Nobody had come and tried to force them to work, either, so it seemed like she’d given Jackie and co free reign in their open-air prison. It wasn’t a bad deal, all things considered.

  Much as Jackie wanted to see more of the world, there were enough people here in just this camp for them to keep occupied meeting and befriending them all for years. There was no shortage of new information to mull over, either; this ‘Mechier’ was another thing they’d have to ask more about later.

  That detour aside, they arrived at the pub in no time at all. It was hardly a stone’s throw from Sils’s big tent, as well as a few other buildings. Built on stone foundations, the buildings here seemed to be the most permanent installations of the whole camp; Jackie wondered if Sils using a tent was some kind of aesthetic choice. Jahd had mentioned yesterday that she usually wasn’t there; perhaps she didn’t want to waste resources on a building she hardly used?

  The pub itself was a simple L-shaped building consisting of a closed storage area in the small part of the L and several shelves of drinks and the like behind a wooden counter along the long part. The space between the L’s arms was covered by hanging cloths and filled with tables, chairs, and stools, completing the rectangle. A number of people were gathered at the bar and a few of the tables, drinking or playing card games as they enjoyed a break from whatever work they did here in the camp.

  Jackie’s eyebrows raised as they recognized a familiar face sitting at one of the tables. Before they could act, however, Raffica moved in first,

  Raffica: “Hi Delia! Hi Viz!”

  She approached the table with a cheery smile, bouncing on her heels. Sitting there on one side was Delia, the wooden-puppet woman from Jahd’s squad. She lowered a hand of cards to the table as she turned to Raffica with a calm smile,

  Delia: “Hey, Raffica. Come to join us for lunch?” Her gaze then drifted to Jackie, “Ah, see you’ve got a new friend…” She trailed off, her eyes narrowing. “The ‘Human’ from the Heap?”

  Right, she’d been there and heard that fact from Jahd. Jackie stepped forward, holding out a hand, “It’s Jackie. And I’d appreciate it if you kept that under wraps, if you can.”

  She raised an eyebrow at their outstretched hand, then shrugged before taking it and shaking firmly. “Sure, will do. I’m Delia, if you didn’t catch that yesterday. And this,” she nodded her head to the other end of the table, “is Viz.”

  The person sitting across from her was a lithe, muscular woman with large wings where her arms should’ve been. Her feathers were light blue, matching her long hair, which was tied back in a ponytail; some feathers peeked out of her hair behind her ears, as well. She was wearing a sleeveless black vest and shorts, and below the knees her legs were formed of yellow keratin instead of skin. What stood out most about her appearance, however, was visor that sat over her eyes. Forged of polished silver metal, a slit in the center of the visor revealed a lining of bright red crystal within.

  Viz was leaning back casually with her chair on two legs, one wing folded over her body and the other hanging off the edge of her chair. She had talons in place of feet, and one leg was raised over the table, a hand of playing cards clutched between her talons; the other gripped the base of the table to keep her affixed at her precarious angle.

  Viz: “Yo. Just learned your secret on accident. Sorry ‘bout that.” She spoke with a calm, casual tone.

  Jackie: “It’s fine—long as you keep it secret, anyways.” So they said, but they scratched their head, “At this rate, though, I don’t think it’s much of a secret at all.”

  They sighed before taking a second look at Viz. She seemed vaguely familiar, but they couldn’t remember quite from where. Then it clicked,

  Jackie: “You were on the watchtower yesterday, right?”

  Viz: “Bingo.”

  Delia regarded Jackie with narrowed eyes. “You really are Human, then? I guess Sils wouldn’t’ve kept you around otherwise.”

  Jackie: “Yep.”

  Delia: “Isn’t that, like, a really big deal?”

  Jackie: “Which is why I’d like to keep it a secret, if I can. I don’t even understand the significance of being Human yet.”

  Viz nodded along. “Well, not every day you get a chance to drink with an extinct race. Wanna play some cards?”

  Jackie looked down at the deck of cards sitting between the two women. They did actually know what playing cards were; that, of all things, had been successfully passed down the generations of Humans in the Heap, and they’d played several different games with Al back in the day.

  Jackie: “I highly doubt I know how.”

  Viz: “You can learn. Unless you’re scared of gettin’ your ass kicked?”

  Jackie crossed their arms. “Hey now, I never said I didn’t want to play. What’s this game called?”

  Mythos enjoyers across the world—thanks to recent improvements in my productivity, I can now provide you with two (2) chapters per week! Look forward to hefty injections of Mythos on Tuesdays and Thursdays from now on!

  Chapter Glossary:

  Eve - A woman whose name is used as an exclamation by Humans from the Heap. Her name seems to be recognized in the outside world, as well; did she play a role in its history?

  | Palooza - Heapwatch's collective pet cat. Raffica takes care of her.

  | Viz - A Harpy who serves as a lookout at Heapwatch. Friends with Delia and Raffica. Jackie thinks she's really cool.

  Vita Sagacia - A fifteen-year spiritual journey of growth that Alphiccae embark on from ages 15-30. They are forbidden from returning home until the journey is completed.

  Evendel - A nation of elves, which the people of Heapwatch are currently at war with.

  | Avek Tirion - A large city in the same nation as Heapwatch.

  | Patria - Raffica's homeland, the nation of the Alphiccae.