Law

Saif found it difficult to proceed, but he knew what had to be done.

“What choice?” Echoed Instinct.

He steeled himself, walking up the mountain with his head raised high in pride. Saif wasn’t afraid of what anyone might do to him now.

Creatures marched ahead of him, grumbling and seething with every step.
Water also walked in front of him, sipping on what proved to be a never-ending mojito.
They both slipped on the 4,654th stair. He knew to keep count and avoid it in time.

Instinct looked around, keeping all its senses open for any sign of Bron. Saif would've patted him comfortingly if he could.

They entered the empty hall, the glimmers of shadows around the edges were no longer glimmers. They held strong, present in a way they’d never been before.

Saif took the center stand, waiting proudly for the other Greater Beings to arrive. Creatures was not as confident. It twitched often, hunching in on himself in a way he’d seen only in Bron.

The Greaters took their sweet time showing up. They entered one by one, none sending any representatives in their place. Law entered last.

Saif looked them all in the eye, naming them to himself when Instinct couldn’t.

Water took their seat as well, shifting its clothes from the casual summer wear into ceremonial attire, finally setting the mojito aside.

Greater Law raised a hand, beckoning the servers to enter. Two Metallums entered, dragging in a weakened Bron. Saif kept his head high, though Instinct gasped at the sight.

The shadows were watching him- No… they were all watching Bron. They grew stronger, surrounding him, protecting him from harm, though no one else could see it.

“I believe the conditions were to bring the Greater Being of Creatures into a meeting before the first snow. It has become evident that the Vessel has failed to meet those standards.”

What?

The court glared and gasped, but none said a word. Shifting uncomfortably in their seats like it would do something to change it.

“We shall take the time to execute the traitor Bron with no mercy for going against the Council of Greater Beings, and we execute the Vessel of Bron as well.”

“Greater Being of Law, you betray your honored name.” A voice spoke up from the shadows. The Greater Being of Home, the one who blessed him at the last meeting, stepped forward, revealing themselves.

“You dare go against the Representative of Law itself?” Law sneered.

“I challenge your unjust nature. Your fear of devastation has clouded your mind.”

“It was with clear explanation and intent that the Vessel was to bring Creatures to justice before the first snow, do you agree?”

“I do.”

“If such is true, then why is the Greater Being Creatures within my hall when it should have died by its blade?”

“The vessel is a servant. A messenger, not a judge. Not only do you sully the name of Greater Beings, but you forget your own place.”

“Enough,” Law snapped, “even so, snow had fallen before this meeting had begun. This is within our terms.”

Home shook their head. Disappointed. “You fear, Law. You are no Greater Being. Entering the Hall last of all to ensure a living being’s downfall.”

“Enough,” Law tried again, but Home was not done. “You have gathered the other Greater Beings under your will, for you fear what their rivalry would do to you.”

“Silence! This is a meeting for the Council and the Council alone. I shall not listen from a Being not Greater than I.”

“So you admit, it all surrounds you?” Earth spoke up, standing from their seat. “I thought it strange when during the height of my season, you’ve called me on and demanded that I renounce my representative, who had done nothing but serve me to its utmost loyalty. When I demanded to know why, you gave me no truth.”

“It served us all.” Sun said, standing. “We have been weakened by the Devastation. The ailment of time wrought through both Moon and I most terribly. For once, we started growing strong. The vessel had undone a part of the Devastation's work.”
Moon stood, “it is a hero. Of many throughout the land. I’ve heard its name in many blessings and prayers throughout the night though it goes by many names.”

“I sent my underlings to watch it throughout its journey as well,” said Travel, “it was honest, fair and true. Never tricked, never stole. Not even when it would have been easier than honesty.” Saif flushed, recalling the moment with Yabko and the money at the last map shop.

Celebrations, surprisingly, also stood. “Wherever it goes, it spreads joy. My name had not been uttered in such reverence since before the Devastation. The land is starting to return to its former glory.”

Even Creatures found the courage to speak.

“I ask for your patience, members of the Council of Greater Beings,” they said with snark. “I had been away from my duties for too long. I had been working on a solution to the problem, though we had not been successful. I believe my duties are too grand for my weakened state, and had planned on forming another Greater through myself and Greater Water to assist with our domains.”

The councilors gasped. Wisdom jumped in, “that would make you half as weak! Your domain shrinking by half its size would do you no good.”

Creatures shook their head, looking exhausted. “I cannot keep up. The human world has grown too powerful. Too demanding. To think that in my weakened state you accuse me of being against your command, and to accuse a follower of mine of treason against you.” Creatures shook his head.

“The follower is mine as well,” Earth straightened.

“And of mine. He is my descendant. I proudly claim him as my own.” Fire stood, crossing their arms over their robes. “I’ve gone through the work of Great Bron. Both the work he’d shared to the world, and the work within the privacy of his own home. All was in favor of benefiting the lives of those around it through his specialty. Insects.”

“He’s a sweetheart.” Love chimed in, “his intent was pure from the start. He couldn’t have been the traitor.”
“And a believer in family. He had always wanted a child, so it nourished a hero to be his own,” added Family, though they did not seem convinced.

“Enough,” bellowed Law, trying to get everyone to sit, but the only ones not standing were them and War, who didn’t even pretend to care about the argument.

“I believe it is enough indeed.” Time walked out from the shadows. “Greater Being of Law. It seems as though you have been afflicted by the devastation far more than we had known. It is time for you to renounce your role, and for a new Greater Being to take your place.”

“No…No… NO!” Law screamed, letting out an unearthly screech. It stood, scraping it’s chair back against the marble floor. “KILL HIM! KILL THEM! ANYONE AGAINST THE LAW MUST PAY THE PRICE!”

The metallums didn’t obey. Letting go of Bron instead.

Saif spoke up. “Even laws set in stone erode.”

“AUGH!” Law screamed, trying to escape the hall. Saif chased, kicking them down before they could fully leave the hall. The Mettalums grabbed it, taking it to the hidden torture chamber instead.

“If I may,” started Time, “I would ask to locate a suitable replacement for both the Greater Being of Law and the Greater Being of Creatures.”

Saif walked up to it and tugged on his robe.

“Do you have someone in mind already, little one?”

Saif nodded. “Yes. There is a creature of great strength, power and intellect within the oceans, I do not know of its name.”

“What’s it like then?”

“An angler fish disguised as an island.”

“Oh! That’s Blackwood. They were a contender, though we could not expand their minds enough to bear the responsibility of being a Greater.”

“I ask of you to try. I believe this time, it will work.” Yea, because Saif literally made tunnels through their brain.

“In case I have not said it already, Thank you, Vessel of Bron. Your actions in helping us with the devastation once again will not go unrewarded. We name you, Hero of the Council. All in favor remain silent. All in disfavor state their case.”

War stood up, preparing to leave. “You’ll keep putting yourself in trouble,” they warned “so you better watch out who you’re pissing off.”
Saif nodded. “Oh, and fix whatever’s up with your warrior’s instinct. It’s gonna get you killed.”

What in the world could that mean?

The council came to a close, most of the Greaters leaving without a word, simply passing by Saif with a deep nod.

When they were finally alone, Saif helped Bron up to his feet, realizing he’d gotten taller already.
“Let's go home, dad. I want to tell you and mom about my adventure."