[suib0m]

Generally speaking...

Suibom entered the gates of Pyr somewhat hesitant. He had been here before but that was long ago and in the company of guildmates that knew these lands and these people. As a child he was taught that the Fyros were foolish and barbaric, often leading to destruction of some sort or another when they gathered together. He had known some Fyros, and knew this was not entirely true, but it is never easy to fully shed the preconceptions pushed onto a person by the elders they grew up respecting and trusting.

The city gates did not help him shake off his prejudices. Columns of ethereal fire rose from the ground, controlled by Fyrosian magic, protecting the city entrances. In a display of the Fyros mastery over fire, homin could pass these pillars of flame without being consumed. A Tryker elder once told him the story of this city, told of the Fyros emerging from their exodus and laying claim to the desert lands. While exploring, they came upon a natural pyre at the base of a massive, hollow tendril skeleton. They held the place in such reverence that they cremated their embalmed leader, Cerakos II, on the natural pyre so that his vessel could be burned away and his soul released. The Fyros people then began to lay the foundation of their city within the immense bark skeleton.

As he walked through the city gates and began to search for the Agora stage, the location where General Decalion requested all homin meet, a familiar feeling began to wash over him. The sky continually blinked in and out of existence behind city walls and roofs. The massive Imperial tower and the tendril shell that loomed high over the city devoured most of the sky. This place was very different than the forests that he called home. Throngs of Fyros flowed through the enclosed city streets like a chaotic river. Ebbs and eddies of homin were interacting with each other, causing the main flow to shift wildly to and fro as it coursed along the streets, making his head start to spin. He felt like the city was collapsing in on itself, ready to crush him at any moment.

After what felt like hours of wandering through the claustrophobic city streets, he managed to spill out onto a wide open area, nearly stumbling into a group of Fyros soldiers in the process. He stepped aside and took a moment to look around, catch his breath and clear his head, thankful for the distance between walls. He recognized this place as the Imperial Hall Square, with the massive fire pit at one end of the square. The Agora stage was near. The din of voices and rustling from the gathering could be faintly heard even from this distance. He started to push his way through the thick crowds again, forcing himself closer to the stage.

The winding pathways finally opened up into another large area. Before him towered the renowned Agora stage. Agora's massive, curved backdrop rose majestically into the air, amplifying every sounds from the stage – which was currently empty. Decalion and his men had not yet made their appearance - a fact that was emphasized by the increasingly stirring crowd. Most of the homin were huddled into their own groups, either by guild or by race. An occasional fight broke out in the intermingling crowd, but each scuffle was quickly quelled in respect for the magnitude of this gathering. It had been many moons since all homin had been gathered into one place, and it was never a good sign.

A spike in the volume of the crowd began to ripple outwards from the direction of one of Agora entrances. Sui tried to make his way through the crowd to an area where he could see the stage, and hopefully a familiar face or two. He still felt disheveled from his journey through the streets and was beginning to feel agitated by amount of homin in this area that, once so wide open, seemed to be closing in again. He could briefly make out the figure of Decalion walking towards the stage through the bobbing heads and bodies of other homin clamoring for a view. Decalion was accompanied by other Fyrosians, some were obviously military and some not.

“What on Atys is goin on out there, I caint see no blody thing.” The high pitched voice of a Tryker rose above the chatter.

“Decalion is taking the stage”, said the softer voice of a responding Zorai, stooping down so the Tryker could hear him. “He is accompanied by the Fyros scientist, Daeronn.”

“Bloody inconsiderate..” The Tryker shouted out loudly at the bodies in front of him, hopping up and down, trying to get a look over their shoulders. They didn't seem to notice, fixed intently on Decalion and the others.

Sui made his way past the grumpy Tryker, walking towards the side of the stage where he could make out an empty area. From his new vantage point he had a clear view of the stage and the group of Fyros walking towards it. The one that he believed to be Daeronn stepped to the front of the stage, followed by Decalion.

“Greetings! Greetings all!” Daeronn shouted across the exuberant crowd, trying to get their attention. The crowd erupted with roar of return greetings. The sound was deafening.

“Thank you all for coming today. It's a pleasure to see so many of you here. Fyros, Matis, Tryker and Zorai!” Daeronn continued.

“Why do the Fyros call out to all homins? What is this news?” Sui shouted back over the boisterous crowd, the levels of his agitation rising. His voice was drowned out against so many others.

“Homins! Please, quiet yourselves and be seated.” Decalion shouted out. He waited for a brief moment before continuing. The volume of the crowd slowly diminished.

“It is nice to see Xap managed to gather so many homins brave enough...” Decalion scanned the crowd, seeming to look into the eyes of every homin present.

“Brave enough for what?” Sui heard a hushed voice whispered between a group of homin somewhere behind him. He looked at his surroundings as the crowd began to seat themselves. He saw Meagon and some of the other Aedan Artisans nearby and caught glimpse of Rahia and Ripset further into the core of the crowd. He was glad to see familiar faces and began to feel more at ease.

“Indeed, it is reassuring to see all of you.” Daeronn stated. He was able to speak at a more comfortable level now that the crowd volume had dropped to an undertoned murmur. “I walked past the boards earlier today. I saw his post. I'm sure many of you are confused and possibly even scared at what was written.”

“I guess it doesnt help the Decalion's writing was far too scribbled.” Daeronn added in with a broad smile, glancing at Decalion out of the corner of his eyes.

“Yes, it was confusing.” Meagon's voice floated out into the crowd. Sui heard several grunts of agreement.

“It sure did look dangerous i can tell you. A Soldier is meant to fight, not write!” Decalion scoffed at Daeronn's jab but a disgruntled brow marred his forehead.

Sui noted the conflict between the two Fyrosians and felt a moment of unease about this meeting. “Fyros have not been known to openly foster good faith with my people,” he muttered to no one in particular, thinking about the fluctuating discord between the races.

Daeronn appeared to not notice Decalion's protest. “There is, of course, a more serious reason why we called you here. Other than to discuss handwriting...”

Decalion addressed the crowd again, “Much more serious indeed.”

“Then let us hear it!” someone shout out from a group in the crowd. Several other homin in the group loudly signaled their agreement.

Elsewhere in the crowd, another voice challenged the first, “Quiet, homins, and listen.”

“Recently there has been... movement...” Daeronn hesitated as he spoke, waves of apprehension from the could be heard in response to the hesitation. Sui nodded to himself, this was it, he felt it was coming. “Movement from the Kitin.”

The volume of the crowd spiked again, filled with fear, agitation, anger, and many other emotions all mixed in a tumult of sound. Everyone was well aware of what this meant. Decalion pushed his arms down with palms out to signal for silence again. Daeronn waited for the crowd to calm, then continued speaking.

“At first it we didnt think much of it.” Sui couldn't help but to wonder why Daeronn sounded so calm about this news. “But further investigation has led us to call this gathering.”

“Kitin always seem on the move, but this was different...” Decalion followed. “Down in the roots we found increased activity. And even worse...” Now it was Decalion's turn to hesitate, the stir in the crowed was markedly more pronounced. “We found the largest Kizarak ever encountered.” For once the crowd was stunned to silence. The gravity of this news slammed into many of the veterans. The more green warriors, like Sui, could only take cue from the more seasoned. One homin fell to the ground, fainting at the news. Sui saw that Rahia had rushed to her aid.

“This creature,” Decalion broke the silence, “will no doubt be more dangerous than any us Homins have ever encountered.”

Sui looked around at the crowd. Every homin was captivated by this news. Homin from every race and religion, here because they believed in protecting hominity as a whole. No racial boundaries existed at that moment, no religious hatreds. All the veils of distrust fell away.

“I pledge my ax and sword to all homins, if we are to face Kitin masses again!” Sui shouted out. This was the time to bind together and become one force. Many were declaring similar pledges and others were cheering out their support. One cheering voice was familiar to Sui, he turned to see Inifuss shouting out. He was glad to see Ini, she was a strong leader. The unity was a growing force that could be felt washing across the gathering.

Decalion signaled for silence again. When it came, he continued. “This creature has a name,” he said, “Virhe.”

Daeronn stepped forward. “We have called you all here to help eradicate Virhe from Atys,” he said. He paused for a moment to emphasize his next statement. “But It wont be easy...”

“He hid himself in the most impenetrable of places.” Decalion continued.

“Where can we find Virhe?” someone shouted. The energy of the gathering was picking up again.

Decalion stared into the crowd, face tense and eyes hard. Every homin vibrated with anticipation of his next words.

“Demon's Lap.”

To be continued...