Licking Wounds in the Shadows

-Shoggoth-

Ash laid on a bed at the camp. Scarlet stood over him, hands busy as she finished her prayer, and a blood red sigil appeared around Ash’s shoulder. “This will hurt-”

“I know it’ll hurt! Take care of it! Now!” Ash yelled, gritting his teeth though the pain of his arm slowly dissolving. Already it had taken his bicep and was threatening his shoulder.

“Very well.” She pulled out a bonesaw, and aimed it right at the halo, slicing clean through the flesh halfway through his shoulder like she was cutting through butter.

Ash howled in pain, Galen’s firm grip the only thing keeping him on the bed.

“It’s clear. Beginning surgery.” Scarlet looked passively at the chunk of flesh that was all that remained of Ash’s right arm. It was still being dissolved by the purple energy, and she pushed it away from Ash’s body with her bonesaw, not observing any damage to her saw, but she still put it on a tray next to her.

As she did this, her pedipalps were expertly stitching the wound shut, blood red halos occasionally appearing and disappearing as the blood was stopped, the skin regrown, and the wound closed.

Within a minute, all that was left of the wound was a fleshy bump where Ash’s shoulder used to be, and the smallest flecks of Ash’s arm dissolving into nothing on the tray. There was no spilled blood.

“All clear.” Scarlet skittered backwards, turning around to move the trays of her tools away, intending on cleaning them while they discussed what happened.

Galen stayed by Ash’s side, holding him down, never silencing his screams of pain, as he waited for his friend to return to his senses. “Ash, please tell us. What happened? Who did this to you?”

“Gray.” An uncomfortably familiar voice spoke, as the shadows deepened around the room in the old church. Even the comforting shadows beneath Ash’s bed and body felt ominous, like Shoggoth’s eye could manifest in any of them.

“What?” Galen asked, and Scarlet turned around, her cleaning forgotten as she kept her eyes on the entity.

The Trifecta still wasn’t sure about trusting Shoggoth. They could not find any knowledge of it. Not even among the lesser gods who traveled in nomadic tribes.

Yet the reports from Rudosterni showed a steady growth of believers within Mesolefko. All gained in surprising ways, instead of the force they expected of Shoggoth.

“The attacker.” Shoggoth’s eye appeared in the shadows above them, almost looking like a drop of water dripping down onto Ash’s table.

Unlike when Shoggoth first showed itself to the Trifecta, this eye wasn’t as terrifying to behold, even if it was still unsettling.

“Gray? A demigod?” Galen asked.

“No. A traveler from another world, much like myself. His magic follows different rules than your own.”

“What? There can be no such thing. Are you claiming that ‘Gray’ is a god?”

Shoggoth chuckled. “No, far from it. A sickly child, given a second chance, more like.”

“How could a demigod like Ash lose against a mortal? Shadow’s power makes it impossible for someone without divine light to stand a chance.” Scarlet spoke up.

“Not divine light. Any bright light would do. But Ash was unlucky. In fact, you three are the worst possible combinations against him. Any other demigod would be more than a match for him, but he’s uniquely suited to defeat all three of you if you relied on your gods.”

“Galen, your Silence has no effect on a man who does not pray.”

“Scarlet, his magic can cure any wounds or inflictions your Blood can inflict.”

“And Ash, his light can dispel your Shadows.”

“What… what was that spell he hit me with?” Ash growled out, trying to force himself to sit up. Scarlet rushed over to help him.

“Pure magic. It’s his trump card. Erases matter from existence.”

Galen took a step back. “That’s…”

“Don’t worry.” Shoggoth responded. “It’s got more consequences than uses. It’s absurdly more expensive for a spell, in both magical and mental energy, for one. Two, it can be resisted with magic or incredible willpower. And three… well, I’d like to gather a second data point before submitting my conclusions, but he’s already showing regret at using it. I doubt you’ll encounter that spell again, unless you cornered him.”

“It’s still a big problem in our plans. To think the princesses recruited an ally like that. You’re familiar with him, what do you suggest, Shoggoth?”

Shoggoth was silent for a time. “Ignore him. The princesses are greater threats. He’s merely a willing side-character in their stories. If you must, distract him with some activity or another to pull him away from the princesses.”

“I see… I’ll need some time to-”

“Oh, if I might add my own suggestions to the plans, I’d speed up golem production. As much as possible. Your factory isn’t going to last much longer.”

“I agree.” Scarlet added, looking between her allies. “We’ll need as many forces as we can make. We likely won’t be able to make golems at an acceptable rate for a time once the production is stopped.”

Galen sighed, crossing his arms. “I don’t like it, but I fear we don’t have a choice. I’ll send the order.” He turned back to Ash, resting a hand on his good shoulder. “In the meantime, Ash, please get some rest. We’ll need your help for the next phase.”

Ash groaned, twisting his body to try and stand up, but was held down by Scarlet. “Please, give him at least one night of rest.” She spoke, both soft and determined. She didn’t offer a reason or anything.

The boys let out a soft sigh in unison, and followed her request. That’s just how Scarlet was. Woe to the fool who angers her.

But Shoggoth broke the mood by speaking. “Why don’t you ask your grandfather for assistance with your arm? Or was it your grandmother? I hear they change shape with every appearance.”

“At least they have a shape…” Ash whispered under his breath, but turned his head away. The protective shadows underneath his bed seemed to be growing taller, licking at the sides.

Without another word, both Galen and Scarlet chose to leave Ash in the care of his god.

Scarlet climbed up a wall in the infirmary, and disappeared through a small hole into the cave system beyond it, likely to her own room. Or to the injured within the camp.

Galen merely walked out of the room, heading back for his desk to continue his work. “Shoggoth.” He called out to the darkness a moment later. “Without Ash, we’ll have to rely on you to deliver this note to the prince of Almastia. His involvement is vital in this phase.” He stressed each word as a shadow approaches, an eyeball eyeing the note as a tendril takes it.

“Yes, I’m aware.” The note disappears within the shadows. “You don’t have to worry about me betraying your Trifecta. I assure you, I’ll not be the one to make the first move.”

Galen merely grunted, turning back to his desk. “We’ll see about that. Just because we lead a bunch of brigands and outcasts, doesn’t mean our morals are so low. Each of us is willing to give our lives to continue our cause. We’ve yet to see you offer the same.”

“Believe me, I’m risking my life more than you know. But I have my own goals to accomplish. None of which involve backstabbing.” Shoggoth’s voice disappeared with the intense shadows that surrounded it, already moving towards the kingdom of the earth god.

Galen paused to look at the shadows for a moment. He wanted to believe he could trust Shoggoth, but Shoggoth didn’t make it easy.

“Nothing’s ever easy.” He groaned softly, rubbing his temple as he refocused on his paper work. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing.”

Anything, for a better tomorrow for all.