Nightspawn: (The Shadows of Night Saga) Part 4

“Where are you from? How can you not know of the Nightspawn? They are the rulers of all the land. They are blessed with the powers of the gods by the mighty Atlas. Who are you?” Her eyes were wide, staring at Crystal closely trying to determine anything she could from closer study.

As Crystal rose from the remains of the Nightspawn, Alcyone flinched backwards in fright. She moved her hands up to her mouth in sudden shock and realization.

“The mighty Atlas knows and sees all; he will be coming for us!” Her voice was rising to the level of hysterical as she fully realized the wide eyes consequences of what she had just witnessed.

“Why don’t we go find some shelter and you can tell me more about this Atlas character and the Nightspawn.” She placed her hand on the shoulder of the girl, trying to calm her. She pulled away terrified by the realization she had made.

Caught between two fearsome forces, she sank to her knees on the ground in despair. She lowered her head into her hands sobbing at the revelation of the unimaginable horrors that were going to befall her now.

Crystal’s heart went out to this creature. She shocked herself at her personal thought that she related to this woman in front of her not only as an equal or even something of the same species, but rather a lower class of evolutionary design. In reality they were very similar, but the gap between them in knowledge was comparable to that of a creature from another species.

There was no struggle as Crystal lifted her to her feet and the shuffled towards the door of the office Alcyone had been residing in. Crystal noticed the pungent aroma right away, some sort of soup or stew was bubbling away on the glowing embers in the corner.

She lowered Alcyone onto the cushion she had obviously salvaged for herself and walked over to the pot noting the glowing rocks that provided the fuel source for the heat. The analyzer would not be able to read anything regarding the radioactivity of the rocks or of their molecular composition, she would either have to secure some for herself or leave the matter to mystery in her report.

Crystal lowered the bowl into the pot and filled it with the broth, she brought it over to Alcyone who accepted it and greedily drank down the contents. Crystal was uncertain how to begin, not sure of how much information she wanted to reveal about herself to this woman. The revelation that she was from The Complex might be too much for her to handle right now.

“I am Crystal.” She found herself enunciating as if talking down to an infant of child.

A smile broke out across Alcyone’s face at the sound of the name. She moved her hand backwards and forwards between them pointing. Crystal smiled at the infection of her excitement. She made a mental note of the importance of names and appellatives, to the Night People. This was lost on her culture since they were of the understanding of their role in life as a unit within the societal structure. They had evolved beyond the concept of many of the individualistic personality traits.

The food acted as an assurance that she would not hurt her and was drawing Alcyone out of her shell a little.

“Did you know that man out there?” Crystal gestured towards the front opening leading to the courtyard.

Alcyone shook her head no.

“That man was the Nightspawn. They are the lords of all Oceania.” She spread her hands gesturing to all the space around her. “They served the great god Atlas and he has bestowed upon them great powers. You are wrong to challenge them. They will come for you and seek revenge. They are not the merciful gods of old; you should go away from here as far as you can. They will still find you, for Atlas sees all and knows all.” She rose and went to her pot where she emptied the contents into her bowl. With a wave of her hand the rocks stopped glowing and began to cool.

Crystal watched this with distracted amusement. The Master Race had long ago abandoned the metaphysical myths of the gods of old. They realized that life was comprised solely of the material and the only reason of life was to ensure the perpetual existence of the species. In her estimation the Nightspawn were nothing more than freakish mutations which used their abnormal strength and appearance to perpetuate the fraud of superstition in order to rule over the ignorant masses.

This could be utilized by The Complex units. A strategy to attack the so called gods of the people could create a psychological impression that The Complex was even more powerful then God. The Night People would than fear The Complex on a primal, even mythical level keeping the units safe from potential attacks.

Alcyone huddled herself in the corner making no attempt to further contact with her. Crystal rose and began walking out of the office back to her shelter across the courtyard.

“You are powerful and fearless. You are strong like Nightspawn. Will you fight them?” She spoke the words hiding her mouth behind her bowl. Alcyone looked up from her bowl as Crystal turned back to her.

“If they come for me like you say then I will destroy them, but otherwise, I travel in peace. I don’t seek a war, but neither will I stand by and allow anyone to attack and brutalize another. You’re welcome, by the way.” Crystal turned back and began heading out again.

“I will fight for you!” Alcyone screamed as Crystal stepped out the door. She paused and turned back inside.

“You don’t understand. I do not seek a fight unless I have no choice, but you can come with me. I could use a guide; this is a strange land to me.” She motioned with her hands to the air around her. She caught herself breaking down her meaning as if talking to a child again. It was an easy habit to slip into. Alcyone nodded her head up and down.

“I will show you the way.”