Reaper (Cradle, #10)

by Will Wight

There came a thunk as the door on the first floor swung open, interrupting Lindon’s thoughts. A voice echoed up from below. “Oh no, I missed something!” Eithan cried. “Quickly, repeat your entire conversation before you forget a word!”

Lindon gave Eithan a sidelong glance, but the man looked perfectly sincere. “Apologies, but I thought you would try to trick me into doing it.” “Lindon! Lindon. Lindon. How dare you say something so hurtful and yet so accurate.”

Eithan looked from his own bandages to Lindon’s sling. “If I hugged you right now, would that put an awkward strain on our relationship?” “It would certainly strain our injuries.” “Then just know that I embrace you in spirit.” Eithan settled down on his cloud.

Eithan sighed. “Yes, it does, and just between you and me and any Monarchs that happen to be eavesdropping on us, I suspect they’ll be sending some cloudships for us soon. They won’t have missed a Dreadgod’s rampage, and they know we were involved. Naru Huan has an opportunity. But we would be the most powerful beings in the Empire by a huge margin. Our presence could change the entire landscape of the nation, not to mention their relationship with the Akura clan.”

Lindon chewed on that for a long moment. If he wasn’t qualified to lead a sect, he certainly didn’t feel qualified to give his opinion on international politics. Then again, he was a Sage now.

“Now that you’re awake…” Lindon hesitated, unsure how to phrase his thoughts properly. “I’ve heard of giant sacred beasts, and I knew you were going to transform. But how…” Orthos laughed, and several of the Golds lost their feet. “Bigger than you expected?” “I thought you’d be a dragon,” Lindon admitted. “What do you call someone who violates their own soul?” Orthos asked. “What do you call a trash human who does something that no one with a conscience would ever consider? You say they’re inhuman, don’t you? It’s your actions that determine what you are on the inside.” He raised his head proudly. “I’m more a dragon than any of those proud gold dragons who ambushed you like cowards. And I gained this control over my body when I accepted that I was in the form that suited me best.”

Eithan and Yerin began cycling their madra. Lindon’s gut tightened. “Wait a minute. This is going to look like we’re trying to outdo him. Or scare him off.” He was also concerned that a display of their overwhelming madra might come across as an attack. “Don’t worry, I know Naru Huan well. He will appreciate this.” Something in Eithan’s tone made Lindon look closer at his face. “Will he really?” “The word ‘appreciate’ can have so many definitions, don’t you think?”

If Lindon wasn’t careful, he was going to end up with some sort of reputation as a Sage who kept tiny pets. Unless, he thought, he had such a reputation already. Lindon shuddered.

Orthos had already hopped off of Lindon’s shoulder and started munching at a defunct hammer. “Stop that,” Lindon said. “That could be a thousand years old.” Orthos met Lindon’s eyes and deliberately took another bite.

“And perhaps now we are trapped in here with a Monarch. Or…perhaps he is trapped here with us.”

“Thank you, Eithan,” Lindon said quietly. “For everything.” Eithan looked at Lindon in shock. His expression slowly softened, and he rose to his feet. He placed his hands on Lindon’s shoulders and met his eyes. “I’m proud of you, Lindon,” Eithan said. That hit Lindon harder than he had imagined.

Something pulled at his gauntlet, and Eithan caught Lindon trying to Consume his power. Lindon coughed and averted his eyes. “Apologies, it’s a…new arm.”

Elder Whisper sat on his haunches, tails waving as he regarded Lindon and Yerin. “So how do we kill the Dreadgods?” Lindon asked. Whisper leaned forward. “Attend me closely, for this is ancient knowledge. There is only one thing that can kill the Dreadgods: points.” Lindon gasped. “I knew it!”