Recogntion

After sleeping an entire day away in Tadi’s nest cuddled up to his not-as-scragly hatchlings, Saif took a slow path through the Archaic Thicket before arriving at the Temple of Time.

He took the new entrance inside. It wasn’t dusty anymore, and the walls didn’t look like they were going to crumble anymore.

Around the first corner, Saif bumped into Amargo.

“Woah, you got taller!” She noted, “and aren’t you cold in that short cloak? Winter is starting to set in.”

Saif wrapped the now-too-short cloak around himself where he could, though his hind legs were more exposed than he would’ve wanted. Still, he wasn’t cold at all. He didn’t get taken to the barren fields when he slept either. So many new changes.

The Greater Being of Time was waiting for him in the garden, dressed in what Saif would describe as ceremonial. They were staring up towards the sky, looking peaceful. Saif almost regretted interrupting.

“Ah, little creature. Right on time.” They gestured for Saif to take the opposite bench.
“I have a few questions, if you would indulge me. Do you have a name?”

Saif nodded, then shrugged. “I see.” Saif had no idea what Time made of that.

“You cannot speak, can you?” Saif shook his head. He tried to say something, a greeting long since stuck in his throat, but his mouth didn’t make a sound. Saif brought up a pincer to his throat.

“Hmm, could you write?” Another shake of the head.
“No matter. We have communicated fine thus far.” Saif nodded. 

Time leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and interlacing his fingers together. “Who sent you to find me?”
Straight to it, huh? Saif pointed at himself, Time raised an eye at that.

“How did you get here?” Saif pulled out the map, flipping it so Time could see. Saif traced the general path he’d taken from the moment he fell down the mountain’s steps. Time followed the movements intently, reading out the names of areas as he went along, teaching them to Saif without knowing.

“You say you’ve started from the Hall of Greater Beings. How did you end up there?”
Saif shrugged. He tried to mimic an egg cracking open with his pincers, but he didn’t think the message got across.

After taking some time to think, Time asked. ”Would you mind accompanying me?”

Saif nodded.

They set out right away. Saif knew that Time had already planned to go with Saif in tow, the questions were probably a guise to get him to show up. Saif expected Time to have some cool method of getting to the top of the mountain, like jumping super high or teleporting there directly. Instead, Saif learned where Amargo’s love for shortcuts came from.

“We won’t have you retrace your steps, creature. There’s a shortcut to the top through the mountain. A quick trip through Twilight Town first.”

Thus the pair left the Archaic Thicket, heading eastward toward the mountain. The forest was much more alive this time, with all sorts of living beings coming and going as they pleased. Saif could hear whispers of insects everywhere he went. The gossipy critters brought along news of the rest of the forest. What animals were seen where, who lived, who died, where there was lots of food, where there was none.

Before long, Saif and Time were crossing a bridge Saif hadn’t seen before. This was probably the path Shay Kha used across. It led them directly into a dim town. Saif looked up, seeing that the sun was shaded by the massive mountain.

Saif wished he could take his time and explore Twilight Town, but Time wouldn’t slow down, traveling at their stable pace. He thought he spotted a familiar grey figure, but it turned a corner and vanished out of sight.

Time only stopped when they were face to face with the mountainside. Time pressed their hands to the rock, feeling the rough surface. Saif used the chance to look around, spotting a sparse few stone homes, but no people. A chunk of rock swung open, revealing a hidden cave. “Good to see the shortcut’s unchanged,” Time laughed, heading in.

The inside of the cave was similar to the one with all the stuck bugs, although the only bug around this time was him. They walked up to another ordinary-looking wall that glimmered and activated when they got closer. Saif heard the rumble of gears, and soon, the wall revealed hidden doors that slid open, revealing an elevator. The cabin was large enough to fit three beings the size of Time with ease, although it was slow in its ascent.

Saif wasn’t nervous when the elevator finally stopped. He felt strong, confident that he could face whatever it was that was behind those doors.

When they swung open, he was assaulted by the thunderous arguments of the Greater Beings.

They argued back and forth, even as he and Time entered the hall proper.

“ENOUGH!” One of them finally noticed them, and put an end to the noise.

Time stepped forward, but Saif hung back, looking at each of the Greater Beings. The first time he was here, he couldn't get himself to even look at their faces. But now that he could, he noticed that about half of them weren’t Great Beings at all. One of them was staring at him with tears dripping down their face.

“Who dares intrude on a meeting of the Greater Beings?”

“I, the Greater Being of Time.”

The one crying before was now sobbing with their hands over their mouth to try and stay quiet. Instinct shivered.

“I had been confined for a time within my very own domain. During that time, my underlings had tried their best to take charge, though time has proved that my duty was far too great for them to bear alone.” Time’s words resonated in the Hall. They were professionally cutting out any personal details that the others didn’t need to know about, like the fact that they were grieving the loss of their kin.

“This creature here came to my aid.” Saif took the cue to walk forwards, standing by Time’s side on display for them all to see. “It said it originated here before setting out on a self-imposed mission to find me. I come here to announce my safe return, to apologize for the errors within my domain, and to thank whoever is the progenitor of this very bug.”

The crying one stood, making their way around the desks and chairs to reach Time and Saif. “I didn’t send the eggling on a mission.” They spoke, voice wobbly with tears and gruff with disuse. They swallowed, composing themselves a little more.

“I am Bron, representative of Earth, descendant of Fire, follower of Creatures. And that there,” their voice dropped down to a whisper, “is my Vessel.”

The hall exploded into noise, but the silencer held them at bay. “How is it that it originated here, Bron of Earth and Fire.” Saif raised an eyebrow at the exclusion.

“It was a project of mine. I had brought it to a meeting long ago to continuously monitor its growth, yet when I checked on it, I saw only the egg remains. I had no idea it had survived.”

Murmurs. Many, many murmurs. Some from the members of the council, many others not.

“How would it know to find Time?”
“It was the topic of many a discussion.”
“Do we trust their words?”
“I cannot trust a Lesser Being to bring in the mail. Why should we trust them now?”
“It is the representative of Earth, descendant of Fire. Could it act on their behalf as well.”
“Enough.” The silencer called out once more. “Bron of Many, how is it those powers are combined?”

Bron swallowed, but held strong. “I invent creatures for agricultural purposes. The overlap between these Greaters is the domain of which I serve. This creature here is one of many of my own design.”

Instinct twitched, almost reaching for his sword.

“Where is Creatures?”

“I apologize, Greater Being of Law. I am unsure. Like Greater Time, Creatures has been unreachable for some time. None of their underlings have a clue where to find them. Their kindness Greater Earth was the one to give me the chance to serve on your great council.”

“I would ask for this here Vessel to be rewarded for their heroic duty to us and the people of this world.” Time demanded.

The arguments resumed. Bron took the opportunity to come closer to Saif, slowly placing a shaking hand on their head. Saif shivered at the gentleness of their touch, stuck between leaning into it or away.

“I'm sorry, hatchling. I should have protected you better. I didn't want you to get involved in all this. wanted you to be safe.” They whispered, low enough for only Saif to hear.

“Enough.” Said Law. “We gained many pieces of information from this meeting. Let us end it here. We shall expect another meeting to discuss the matter of the Vessel.”

Saif placed his pincer on top of Bron’s hand. “I’m happy to help,” he said.