Chapter 274 - Day CMLXVIII - CMLXX

I started the day as usual and went on my way to kill some monsters. The stuff from yesterday was still bugging me. If not the freak watching over us I wouldn't probably care so much. Those people were adults. They should be able to take care of their own shit. It's not like anybody saved my ass when I needed it. Sometimes you have to be your own hero.

But the freak was there, and he could smite me and my friends whenever they wanted. I was not built for solving some existential problems. I lacked the knowledge.

Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of such puzzles for me, although at that point I still had no idea.

I slaughtered the monsters, and piled crystals, then went back, just to meet people more or less halfway. Fortunately for me, the leadership problem kinda solved itself, as I was informed that "They will figure it out". That was good enough for me.

Then I went to finish the rest of the work and called it a day. Both Alexandra and Slaven seemed to have everything under control. There was no need for me to hold their hands.

The next two days were just the same until the night finally came, and I went to sleep.

I opened my eyes in front of a giant tree. The day was beautiful. There was a shining sun, and light wind, rustling the leaves. The ball of light was there, waiting for me, like some kind of judge.

- I did what you wanted - I informed.

- Yes, I watched carefully. You proved yourself again. Although you stepped briefly into the territory I told you to avoid.

The voice appeared straight in my head, without involving my ears. I found the words surprising.

- Again?

- Yes. When I send the monsters, I thought you will all die. I wanted to start from the beginning, as you only kept fighting among themselves. I really considered you all as a failure, but you weren't. You did the impossible in my mind. So yes, you and the rest of the survivors proved yourself.

- What the hell is this game?! What is your goal?! - I snapped.

- It's too early for you to know, but I suppose I can tell you about few other things.

I didn't say anything. I wanted to squeeze all the informations I could of that ball, the only problem was, I couldn't. I was punching this wisp in my mind.

He laughed like he could read my thoughts.

- You heard the story from Xuvi, but it's not a full story. You see, at first Bahumdabar's used to be slaves for them. I saw some virtues in their race. Especially in young Yashasvee'mies, so I approached him. I offered to give him power in exchange for a favor. He agreed, and he got what he wanted. He freed his people, and they in revenge enslaved both Uhm's and Xuvi.

- What was the favor?

- At the right time you will find out. I already failed once by giving everything ut too soon. I'm not repeating my mistakes. Now let me finish the story, as you might find it useful. You see Xuvi always had the thirst for knowledge. They experimented on both Uhum's and Bahumdabar's. In fact, your little friend is also an effect of such experiments, although it was a child of their own species. They are horrible creatures.

- You wanted their death, and you know about their existence. Why did you let them live if they are so horrible?

- No. I never wanted them dead. I let them escape. I even gave them the seed. How do you think it ended in their possession? Do you think they found it on the ground? That's impossible. There are no seeds on that planet.

- Then why do you need them?

- You will find out one day. For now, you need to know that you are not their ally, and never will be. Yashasvee'mies grew scared of his own people, and I needed him. That's why I told him how to bend children of his own species to the tree. Although I didn't like this idea, he insisted. Xuvi want to do the same thing with your entire race. Fortunately for you, they still don't know how but keep supporting them, and they will find out soon enough.

That was some useful information, even if I didn't fully trust those words.

- Why do you need Uhm's for? You also spared them.

- They are not useful for me at all. I spared them because I felt sorry for them. Those creatures got caught in the crossfire.

- If you know how to bend people to your will, why didn't you just do that?

- Because that's not the answer. Also, do not worry about the portal, as soon as they are going to open it, I'll move you back. Just better don't mention me to them. That's for your own good.

- I don't understand your games. Are we dolls for you, to play with?

- No. You are not, but you are also not ready to hear my reasons. Grow stronger, and you will find out everything.

My frustration was growing with each sentence. I just couldn't make sense out of all of this.

- Then at least tell me why do you don't want us to gack to earth?

- You will go there eventually. It's too early for it now. If I let you go now, all of your species will start fighting over the sapling. You are doing great right now. Don't ruin it because you lack patience.

- You want humans to be your soldiers, don't you?

He didn't answer. I stared at him for a solid few moments, before I realize it was not him, but the entrance to the building I was sleeping in.

That fucker was playing with my mind. He might say we weren't his dolls, but that wasn't the truth. I had this weird feeling that I hit the nail. We were his army in the making.

That's how I found myself in the morning, the next day.