Ashes

“Honey? Can you grab me another soda from the chest?”

“Of course! Which one you want? Dr. Popper or Mt. Mist?”

“Surprise me!” the man chuckled.

“Can I have another too, mom?” said a young boy.

“Ooooh, I don’t know. How many have you had today?” the woman asked.

“Um... Two...”

The woman sighed, smiling. “Well just one more. But you’re gonna topple over from thirst if you don’t drink some water soon!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll drink some too! There’s a fountain over there!” the boy pointed.

“Just take care of yourself, okay JZ?” the woman then passed the boy a can of Dr. Popper.

“I will!” the boy waved, running back to play with his siblings.

It was another ordinary day in the summer. JZ’s family had gone out to a distant park for a picnic. This park had a gazebo, a designated spot for grilling, a playground, and a nearby river for people who liked swimming or fishing. The sun was shining, the grass was green, and the breeze was gentle and cool.

Why am I seeing this now? thought Jabez. Am I dreaming?

Watching an old memory play out, his kid-self ran around with his siblings, Elias and Sarah. Nearby in the gazebo, his grandparents on his mother’s side, Luke and Edna, were sitting at a bench, playing cards. His uncle Seth was throwing a stick for the family dog, Rubin, and his aunt Bernice was playing an acoustic guitar. His father John was working the grill, cooking burgers and hotdogs for everyone, all while his mother Judith was setting the table. It was just another ordinary day in the summer, but the further those days got away from Jabez, the more he wished they’d go on forever...

Please... Wake up... I don’t want to see this anymore. Please. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

Wake up!!!

---

Jabez sat up from his bedroll, wearing little more than pants and bandages. He looked around, realizing he was far from that forest from before. They were in a dark cave for shelter, and all around him were several others in bandages under blankets. It seemed that they had survived, but from the look on everyone’s faces, it came at a heavy loss.

“Papa! You’re awake!” Iris hugged him. “Thank goodness...”

“Hey Iris,” Jabez hugged her back. Somehow, she felt much heavier than before. “Is everything okay? How long have I been asleep?”

“Three days. They didn’t think you’d make it...” Iris let go.

“Three days?! What did I miss?”

“I can fill you in,” Demetra spoke up. She looked wounded too, and was sitting with her back to a nearby wall. “But first, I need to ask. Are you in pain?”

“Pain? I feel fine... Just a little weak.” Seeing a worried look on Demetra’s face, Jabez pulled away his blanket, realizing his body had shrunk. He was thin and frail, and his skin had taken on a grey hue. “What the? The poison...”

“When we found you, your heart had already stopped. Taluvuri poison attacks all the muscles in the body, making them weak and feeble. Tuuli got to you just in time to bring you back, but... She had to choose between helping you or Seela.”

Visions of the wounded elf flashed in Jabez’s mind. He gripped his blanket, feeling a sharp pain in his stomach. “No... Not Seela... Why? Why did she choose me instead of her?”

“That’s not for me to say. All that matters is you’re here now,” said Demetra.

“What happened to the others? We’re alive, so did we win?”

“We did... But at the cost of half our forces. I personally killed Captain Bowen myself, and Sullivan fended off Hito, though I feel like that mage left of his own accord instead of fleeing. The Company of the Spade is no more, as far as I can tell. We were... Quite thorough in our search.” Demetra then went over the other losses, including Samu, who died early in the battle. “Reijo has reached out to another branch of the Hidden Grove and will rendezvous with them when the time comes. We haven’t given up on our plan for the capital. But...”

“But what?”

“He said we should stay behind,” said Iris. “You, me, the goblins... He doesn’t want to put us at risk anymore.”

Hearing those words cut deep. Jabez slammed his fist into the ground uselessly, his hand numb from the poison. Feeling weak and humiliated, he tried to stand, but faltered.

“Papa! Don’t! You shouldn’t be up right now!” said Iris.

“I can’t just take this lying down. I’ve committed myself to this fight!”

“Don’t,” said another wounded man, an elf named Vili. “Haven’t you done enough?”

“Don’t you dare,” said Demetra.

“You think I’ll stay quiet after all of this? No. You want to know the real reason Reijo wants to leave you behind, Jabez? Because you’re a liability.”

“That is not true!” growled Demetra.

“Oh yes it is! Samu was right about you, human. We were doomed the moment you joined our cause. If it was just us, we could have sneaked our way to the capital just fine. But then you had to come along. You and your bounty and all those thrice-damned mercenaries!”

“Vili, that’s enough!” shouted Demetra.

“No! I know the others won’t say it, so I will! All of my friends are dead because of you, Jabez! Samu, Seela, and all the others!! We should have left you behind as soon as Hito got involved! At least then we could have minimized casualties.”

“Don’t talk about Papa that way!” yelled Iris, hugging Jabez’s arm.

“Hey... It’s okay...” Jabez put a feeble hand upon the girl’s head, brushing her hair.

“P-papa??”

“He’s... Not wrong. Everything was fine for a while, but... I messed up. If we fought in the field, we might have had a better chance. It was my plan that got people hurt. He has every right to be mad.”

“No!!” Iris buried her head in Jabez’s chest. “It’s not your fault! You did everything you could! There was just... Too many...”

Jabez continued petting Iris’s hair, doing his best to calm her down. In his weakened state, he could feel the shaking of her body in his bones. It hurt, but he didn’t mind.

“Demetra...”

“Yes, Jabez?”

“When the time comes, what will you do?”

There was a long pause before the Ajinian spoke up. “My duty is to the cause. Regardless of what Reijo and the others decide to do, I’ll help them. But... I want to help you first.”

“What? But how?”

“There’s an old legend of an ancient monster that lives in the mountains not far from here. It’s said that she’s seen the rise and fall of countless kingdoms, always watching from the dark. If what I’ve heard is true, she might be able to heal you. But... There’s a catch.”

“A catch? What is it? I’ll do anything if it means I can become strong enough to help you all!”

“Do you know what a jurou is?”

It didn’t sound like any creature he had heard of in stories before. Jabez shook his head. “No. What’s a jurou?”

“An old race of monster folk. Half man, half spider, everything is their prey as far as they’re concerned. I’ve heard that jurou can be bargained with to help those in need, but it always comes with a steep price. It may be dangerous, but...”

“Tell me,” Jabez stared Demetra down. “Point me in the right direction, and I’ll climb that mountain.”

“It will be your grave,” scoffed Vili. “In all my years on this rotten world, I’ve never heard of someone walking into a jurou’s lair and making it out alive.”

“Papa could do it,” said Iris. “I just know it.”

“If your heart is set on this, I’ll lead you to the mountain,” said Demetra. “But after that, you’re on your own. Reijo won’t wait for me either. Duke Sigard must have reached the capital by now, so it won’t be long until he marries the princess. If we’re to go through with the plan, we can’t put it off any longer.”

“Of course,” Jabez nodded. “I understand.”

“Don’t worry, papa. I won’t abandon you,” said Iris.

“Neither will Kela,” said the goblin matriarch, walking into the cavern.

“Kela!” said Jabez. “Is everything all right? Are the others...?”

Kela nodded. “Demetra fought honorably, killed many men. All of clan is safe. We’ve tended to wounded ever since. Gatu and others still learning, but hold splint or wrap bandage just fine.”

“Then is it you who I should thank for these?” Jabez put a hand on his bandaged chest.

“Yes, yes. Kela made certain Jabez heal. Tuuli use magic while Kela lay beside Jabez to give warmth.”

A rather pleasant image manifested in Jabez’s mind. A small comfort, given the circumstances. Nonetheless, he felt eternally grateful to his friends.

“Thank you Kela. I owe you so much...”

“Worry not, boy. You gave, we gave. We kept each other safe. We healed together. Heart is at ease.”

Jabez did his best to smile. “Mine too, Kela. Mine too.”

Time passed, and eventually everyone gathered together.

“People of the Hidden Grove,” said Reijo. “We have survived much. Lost much. But we must not falter. We can still reach the capital. We can still overturn this unjust system once and for all. Though we must say goodbye to some of our comrades, know that we shall always keep you in our hearts. For those who must be left behind, I wish you the very best. Be safe, everyone.”

““Be safe,”” the crowd repeated.

Jabez had gotten dressed, though it wasn’t easy. Simple clothes felt as heavy as armor on his shoulders. It was a struggle just to tighten his belt enough so his pants wouldn’t fall. Still, he was as ready for the journey as he could be. As for the others, the Hidden Grove’s caravan was just about to leave when Tuuli approached Jabez and his group.

“Hey... How are you holding up?” asked Jabez.

“Not well. Seela and I had been blood sisters for many moons. It was not... Easy.”

“I can’t imagine,” Jabez shook his head. “I did what I could. She told me to leave her behind, but... I couldn’t. I just wish I could have done more.”

“It’s not your fault. I... I...” Tuuli reached out and hugged Jabez. He remembered just how much that meant between elves, so he hugged her back. “I’d still cry, but my eyes hurt too much...”

“Try and take it easy, Tuuli. Let it out, but do not let it hold you back. Seela would not wish to see you falter.”

“I know... I know... She’ll be one with the flowers. I needn’t cry forever.” Tuuli’s hug lingered for just a little more, then she finally let go. “Demetra says you’re seeking a way to heal. If you get better, will you join us in the capital?”

“Of course. I’ll be back on my feet before you know it.”

“I look forward to it,” Tuuli smiled weakly. “Until then.”

Jabez watched as Tuuli walked away, joining the rest of the caravan. He saw the others leave as well.

“Be safe, my friend,” said Braun, waving goodbye.

“Seek us out if you heal,” said Sullivan. “There is still much I wish to talk with you about.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon,” said Jabez.

After everyone was gone, Demetra looked at the remaining group. “Okay, everyone. Are you ready?”

“I am,” Jabez nodded.

“I as well,” said Iris.

“Kela is always ready.”

“Us too!” said Gatu, Aba, and Yev.

“Then make sure to don your circlets,” said Demetra. “We’ll be sticking to the wilderness, but we can’t take any risks.”

“Of course.” Jabez then put his circlet back on, but his disguise faltered. Looking down at himself, he realized he had turned into Seela. “I... Dammit.”

“I miss her too...” said Iris.

It took longer than he would have liked, but eventually Jabez calmed down and focused, making up a new disguise. He then reached out a hand to the disguised Iris.

“Let’s go.”

With Demetra in the lead, the group began their journey towards the jurou’s mountain. But whether they would find salvation or damnation, Jabez didn’t know. All he knew was that he had to keep fighting. For Seela, for Samu, and for everyone else who was gone.