Chapter 15: Decision

Silence permeated the cold stone chamber. The flickering torches no longer seemed to warm the room. Tayo stared ahead, unblinking, hollow. His shoulders were slumped, the sword he was given still lay on the ground.

Daro stood apart, rigid but composed. He had seen more loss than most and worn it long enough to no longer scream; he now had the look of stoic acceptance.

Henry and Hiro sat nearby, quiet, subdued. They were affected but not as much as either Tayo or Daro, given they never knew Ea personally.

Henry broke the silence.

“What do we do now?”

Tayo didn’t look at him as he replied, “I have no idea,” his voice dry and empty. “I really think we’re all screwed.”

Hiro looked over to Daro. “Daro?”, she spoke, unsure of herself.

He didn’t turn.

“What?” he said, flatly.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something…” She hesitated. “But first… I’m sorry. For your loss.”

There was no shift in Daro’s posture, no sign of thanks, no softening.

“What’s the question?”

“Maybe later,” she said quickly, rising to her feet, but pausing halfway. She reconsidered. If Tayo asked first, Daro might give in out of obligation. If she asked now, she could at least say she asked first.

“Do you have a potion,” she asked at last, “that can heal someone completely?”

“No,” Daro replied without hesitation.

She stared at him, uncertain whether it was truth.

At that moment, Henry called out, “Hiro?”

She turned.

“What do you suggest we do now?” he asked.

“We go back,” she said. “We report everything. It’s the only thing we can do, for now.”

Henry nodded slowly. “Then… we should get some rest.”

Later that night, Tayo lay still on the floor, curled into himself, but his eyes twitched beneath closed lids. He was dreaming. He hears Professor Simon’s voice, “Thanks for signing up for these tests.”

He is thrust into the dream. Bright fluorescent lights. A sterile white room filled with people in lab coats, murmuring, adjusting devices. At the front, Professor Simon stood like a commander before his soldiers, exuding authority.

“You’ll be going in shortly,” he said, “but first, I’d like you to meet my assistant. Ea.”

From the speakers around the participants hear Ea’s voice, “Hi everyone. I look forward to meeting you in the flesh — well, virtual flesh. I’ll be your guide.”

The dreamscape changes again and this time Tayo is in the chaos of a battlefield.

He stumbled backward as a monstrous reptilian creature lunged for him — teeth and all. Just as it was about to strike, a blur of motion intercepted the beast, the figure of a woman. The monster crashed into the ground with a roar and bolts off, recognizing its better.

Ea stood where it had been, glowing faintly.

“Tayo, right?”

He nodded, panting. “Yeah… you’re Ea?”

“Correct.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem,” she said with a smile. “It’s my job to guide you guys.”

Once again the dreamscape changes and this time ashes floated in the wind. The ground was scorched and silent. Tayo stood in the midst of ruin, his face twisted in horror.

Before him stood the professor, Guy, and Ea — unmoving.

Then, like sand in a breeze, their bodies began to fade. Turning black, then breaking apart, scattering upward in a final farewell. Tayo tried to reach for them, but there was nothing to grasp.

Tayo awoke with a gasp, soaked in sweat, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Hiro was nearby, picking weapons from the walls.

“Hi,” she said, not looking at him. “It’s almost time.”

The morning sun swept across the valley, warming the mist that condensed on the rocks. Near one of the exits, waiting with horses, Henry and Hiro stood with their bags packed.

Tayo approached, a travel bag slung over his shoulder. As he walked, he examined his dashboard, scrolling through options half-heartedly.

“What did Daro say?” Hiro asked.

Tayo paused before replying, “He’s not coming.”

“And the sword?”, Hiro inquires.

Tayo didn’t answer. He looked away. Hiro’s jaw clenched in frustration.

“We can’t leave without it. We have to go back.”

They found Daro under a tree, cutting branches with clean, precise movements. The wood gave way easily.

“You changed your minds?” he said without looking at them.

Tayo sat down on a rock nearby, quiet.

“We need the sword,” Henry said.

“No,” Daro replied.

“No, what?” Hiro snapped. “Where is it? Why won’t you hand it over?”

“Why aren’t you saying anything, Ray?” Henry asked.

Tayo looked at Daro, eyes weary. “Please… hand it over. You should come with us too.”

Daro continued sharpening the wood. “What are you going to do with it?”

“Give it to the general. He’ll know what to do.”

“And then?”

“I’ll find a place to stay,” Tayo murmured. “Wait this out.”

Daro smiled grimly. “So you’re giving up? Handing off your responsibility and hiding? You’re a coward.”

“It’s not cowardice,” Hiro cut in. “It’s caution.”

“I don't expect you to understand,” Tayo said bitterly. “Being a mindless program but I'm scared. I’ve lost people and the person I thought was our best chance is gone. So, yes—”

“Don’t you ever call me that again,” Daro snarled. His voice was full of rage. “Do you think you’re the only one who’s lost? I’ve watched my people die because of Gotar and Yugen and you want to run, hide?”

He inhaled slowly, reining himself in.

“Courage doesn’t guarantee victory,” he said, quieter now. “But still we must be courageous. My master told me to protect you… but right now, I could kill you.”

Hiro’s hand went to her blade.

“Give us the sword Daro,” she said, calm but firm. “And we'll be on our way.”

“Over my dissolving body,” Daro said, rising.

Hiro drew her knife.

“Hiro, stop,” Henry said, stepping in.

He knelt beside Tayo. “Hey man. What should we do?”

“Mi o mo,” Tayo muttered, his voice barely audible.

“What?”

Tayo blinked, realizing he’d spoken in Yoruba.

“I don’t know,” he repeated in English.

Henry waited. Then softly asked, “Wrong question. What do you want, Ray?”

Tayo looked up slowly.

“I don’t want anyone else to die. I want to end this game as soon as possible. I want to go home.”

Henry smiled gently. “Then you should accept it, own it. Ea, gave, you.”

Tayo stared at him for a long moment, then at Hiro, then Daro. He placed a hand to his chest, took a breath, and stood.

“The sword, Daro,” he said calmly. “It’s mine.”

Daro raised an eyebrow. “Too late. You won’t get it without a fight.”

Tayo didn’t flinch. “Then teach us how.”

He turned to Henry. “Are you in?”

“Yes,” Henry nodded.

“Hiro?”

She hesitated before responding, “No.”

Then, in the blink of an eye, a crack like thunder split the air and gust of wind blows. Hiro’s knife was suddenly gone and Daro stood holding it. They are all stunned.

All three stared at him.

“Hang with us a bit longer, Hiro,” Henry said. “Wouldn’t you like to explore these ruins?”

She sighed, torn, but then relented.

“Fine.”

Daro smirked. “First lesson,” he said, snapping the knife like it was glass, “it’s impossible for the magicless to defeat the magical.”

He turned.

“Let’s go.”