"Tom, buddy, you have GOT to get up." Lonni's baritone voice said as softly as he could muster, shaking my shoulder with his thick hand. My eyes fluttered open seeing the big lug leaned over my bed.
"Lonni, can you get your knee off my thigh." I asked, trying to wiggle feeling back in my toes.
"Uhp, sorry pal." He said, moving his leg off of mine. The sun wasn't even up yet, and Steve kept me on the water yesterday until dark. Meaning, there's absolutely no way I hadn't just barely dozed off.
"What is it, Lonni? I was hoping to actually get some rest for once." I said, rubbing my eyes and sitting up with a big stretch.
"Yeah, I barely got word you're back. We're headed home. Well, me and Korbin are." Lonni said, quickly waking me up.
"Uhh, okay? Why?" I asked, confused considering the conquest had just begun.
"Korbin's looked over enough of Gerard's mapping of this region to know no unconquered Pylon's anywhere close. Plus, there's work to be done at Savants Elysium." Lonni answered, already heading for the door.
"Well hold on, so we're done with the conquest?!" I said, frustrated.
"No no, you and Cassi are still gonna b-…just come to the ship and bring your things. Korbin said it better." Lonni said, his face reddening. Though not in anger, rather embarrassment having not conveyed things clearly. Doesn't actually matter anyway, I'm for the most part along for the ride.
"Okay, I got to go get Steve and let him know before I go." I said exiting my temporary sleeping quarters, headed towards his sleeping spot.
"Uhh…okay. Just don't take too long, Korbin explicitly said to make sure you'd be there on time. They're leaving in a few minutes toward your Castle Pylon, where the ship's docked." Lonni said before quickly shuffling off. Oddly enough, he waited until the end of our conversation to provide the only information that mattered. Now, I just had to meet them at the ship, a piece of cake.
Steve was snug in his coiled up self, his head hidden under his layers of skin atop each other when I woke him up ever so gently.
"YO STEVE!! You kept us out too late, we're leaving already!" I totally didn't yell mentally out of a touch of resentment. It was my mistake mentioning I'd hit Class Level 7 during the siege, and he insisted on matching my level while we had the free time to hunt yesterday. We had to travel back to the forest biomes west just to find something alive to hunt, much less anything comparable.
After a day of tedious fights with the local Necromancer Foxes, a few giant boars with iron teeth and fire in their eyes, and a fair share of bears, Steve finally leveled. I definitely didn't envy the mountain that was leveling for beasts, even if only having to level one classification sounded easier to manage. Turns out it's just more tedium for the same workload, one my Profession contractually mooched off of.
"Ughh, really Tom? We JUST got back, man?" Steve grumbled, lifting his feathered head from his bundled body.
"Yeah I know. I know. We got home too late to hear the news, we're heading all the way back ti the Elysium today." I said, skipping the pleasantries. Hearing we're leaving now was going to suck one way or another. Better to give it ti him straight.
"Fine. But I'm getting on that fucking ship and sleeping." Steve growled, narrowing his orange glowing eyes.
"Yeah you were allowed to already, Steve. Come on, I'm WAY too fuckin' tired to argue." I grumbled mentally, hopping onto the winged serpents back. Catching up to Korbin and our little army didn't take long, however Steve decided they were too slow and flew ahead. To his credit, Steve moved considerably faster than any human.
Not willing to get an ear full from Korbin, I leapt off the snake and sent him on his way. Rather he's mad at my beast than me before he goes.
"I think your snake is running away." Korbin said, as I walked back to march along with everyone else.
"He's just cranky, we'll meet him there." I answered, shaking my head looking back where he'd slithered away to.
"…he does know how to get back to the docks right?" Korbin asked, referencing the docks I had built at my Pylon. Which was admittedly a fantastic question given I'd directed us each time Steve and I had gone there…
"Meh, if he finds water he'll find us." I concluded, fully trusting the scaly shit. Besides, my mental pings will eventually annoy him enough to find us if he gets 'lost'.
The march back was long enough to make me regret being such a team player though, having not reached the ship until around noon. We beat the heat of the desert thankfully, and the remains of Steve's apparent boredom cleared our path of any danger along the forest biomes. Once at the docks, Steve was clearly wrapped around the rope ladders on the side, snoozing away.
The ride back was fairly uneventful, given the majority of the waters we'd tread were well established stomping grounds of Steve and I. The occasional orca feeling big for its blubber would try to bother the ship, only for Steve to intercept and exemplify the consequences of threatening our peaceful trip. The ocean was always a might-is-right ecosystem, at least to my knowledge. The integration appeared to only exacerbate the issue.
The long trip did give me a chance to read over the skill I'd unlocked during Cassi and I's battle with Nathaniel's Kings Guards, namely their hulking magically armored tank.
Flow Sever (rare) - a perfectly timed strike onto the culmination of a foe's Flow, combined with your own, provides a strike sharpened by its own harmonic nature.
+40% piercing damage
Outside of its crude title, the skill was definitely worth the rarity given it cut through armor my weapons were previously incapable of denting. That's assuming it functioned as consistently as it had against the armored Kings Guard. Of course, it came at a heavy cost, as some playing around revealed using the skill costs a whopping 22 mana to use. Basically, I'd need to save mana or use it immediately if it were to serve any practical utility in a fight. Still, I'd hoped to find a way to adjust the exerted mana much like Lightning Strike. My efforts have proven fruitless thus far, but I have an entire tutorial to practice with. However long that is..
Eventually we made our first stop at the Savants Elysium to drop off Korbin and Lonni, along with a couple citizens that signed some contracts with Korbin to live here. Korbin called me and Cassi over before he departed from the ship.
"Alright, Tom. Cassi's gonna run the show on the conquest while I'm gone. This is me officially giving her command over you from this point forward, we clear?" Korbin said very slowly and articulate, making sure both parties confirmed with a nod before he continued.
"Good. Then good luck out there. Cassi will brief you on the details later." Korbin added descending down the rope ladders. As he got to the bottom and began to walk back into the settlement, he stopped and spun around.
"Hey Tom!?" He called out.
"Yeah!?"
"Be patient! Don't get yourself killed!" He yelled, before flipping me off and walking away.
"Damn, he really lays into you doesn't he?" Cassi asked with a grin watching Korbin walk away.
"Please, that's top 10 of the nicest things he's ever said to me. I've known him for way too damn long for dishonest pleasantries anyway." I answered with a scoff.
"Exactly how long have you known each other?" Cassi asked. I took a second to count the years backwards before answering."
"I believe 14 years now, so longer than I haven't." I answered, feeling uncomfortable realizing how much time has passed.
"Damn, so you two trained that whole time?" Cassi asked, shocked. I laughed reflecting on those times.
"No, no not quite. Only in the last year, though he was apparently training that whole time." I answered.
"Hm, you'll have to show me how you guys trained. I'm curious about the differences in styles." She said with a smirk.
"Don't need to, he's way nicer to you. Which I wish he told me he'd be." I said, turning toward the hallway abruptly for my room on the ship.
"Wait, why?" She asked, stopping and calling down the hall to me.
"So I'd know I don't have to be. Let me know when you want to train, or when we get to wherever you have us going, General." I said, not turning around at all. There was nothing incredibly kind about the process of showing someone how to truly fight, however the act itself is one of great charity for lack of a better word. Meaning, there was no utility in coddling your students. If anything, it inhibits their ability to solve problems in their form by themselves. For now my focus wasn't to improve her combat ability though. It was to meditate peacefully until we arrived at our destination.
For once, one of my wishes came true without a caveat of some sort. The ship was incredibly maneuverable according to our captain, a fellow named Han. A man of few words, his gruffly beard and balding head completely grey. He was damn good at what he did though, whipping our massive vessel right next to the rock face we'd leapt onto exiting the ship.Our small army of 30 filed onto the forest foliage having leapt from the ship onto land. The 15 original Druid warriors lead our march in front.
Cassi ran a head count as me and Steve patrolled a few yards ahead of our soldiers. The humidity here was palpable, though it beat the scorching, bone dry heat of the desert by a fucking landslide. Steve and I returned to the group finding no signs of danger in our immediately vicinity to find them ready to continue northwest.
Cassi finally updated me on the plan along our journeying into the forest. Apparently, Korbin had gotten in contact with some folks who traveled with literal Minotaurs from this region when things got too heated between conflicting Pylons. Yeah, a fucking Minotaur ferry. Not only do these creatures really exist, but they're also intelligent enough to make deals with humans. Part of me hoped they'd pick a fight, only because I'm curious as to how strong they actually are. The other half shuddered questioning what exactly didn't exist at this point.
We continued traveling along the forest foliage for quite some time before Steve perked his head up, whipping his tail in front of me and Cassi. Cassi lifted a hand up, signaling for everyone to halt.
"What's up man?" I asked my cautious serpent mentally.
"Another snake's nearby. Female." He answered, slowly slithering forward. I leaned over on my toes whispering up to Cassi.
"We'll take point, hold the guys here for now."
"I'll allow that, sure." Cassi replied, making a point to remind me who makes the decisions. Disregarding that entirely, I followed after Steve as we crept through the rainforest thickets. Much of the life here appeared harmless, apart from a few clusters of apes we'd passed earlier. They furiously played the chest drums at us to assert their territorial dominance, but Cassi didn't want to engage unnecessarily until we had a Pylon to fall back to. I'll be back for them though, bastards tossed some shit at me.
Steve and I both broke through the brush having heard heavy rustling ahead. We both froze at the sight of a woman in light red leather armor with a bow slung over her shoulder. Her hand was extended, as she slowly inched toward a 20 foot Boa Constrictor.
"Shh shh shh, there girl." She whispered, steadily approaching with her hand forward. The Boa looked uncertain as to how to respond, but this level of comfort implied familiarity. A few orcas have treated me and Steve this way at a distance, however they tend to flee as we draw nearer nowadays.
"Damn. She's fine as hell." Steve said to me as we watched on.
"I thought you couldn't tell what humans were attractive or not?" I asked, looking the olive skinned woman up and down.
"No no, the Boa she's trying to…touch. She's gorgeous." Steve said, his head never turning away from the long dark scaly mass in front of us.
"How can you tell? Like, do all snakes in general do that?"
"Oh. It's a scent thing for snakes." Steve replied.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Well, kind of. Basically the ladies release their wonderful scent into the air we guy-snakes pick up with our tongue, a-" Steve's explanation was cut off by the loud hiss of said boa, her head coiled back looking down at the archer trying to pet her. The archer spring-boarded back off both hands before drawing her bow, aiming at the constrictor.
"We should probably stop that." I said, bursting from the shrubbery we hid behind.
"HOLD UP! TIME OUT! Everyone, chill the fuck out." I yelled, walking brazenly between the both of them with my hands up gesturing two 'peace signs'. The boa's eyes fixed onto me like a hungry dog for a moment before Steve emerged from the bushes behind me. The boa instead grew reserved, even backing up to better inspect my friend.
"Who the hell are you, and why shouldn't I put an arrow in your skull right now?" The archer asked, her bow covered in flames along its quiver and arrow now trained on my face.
"Cause he'll eat you for it." I said, pointing my thumb toward Steve over my shoulder. The archer's eyes widened seeing my massive winged companion slithering up beside me.
"H-…how did you..?" She fumbled, a mix of defeat and wonder forming across her face.
"Oh, I made a contract with the scaly lug. Now I'm his tamer, and we fuck shit up and get stronger together. That's what you were going for here, right?" I asked, gesturing toward her and the snake, who was circling Steve. Though, Steve certainly didn't look too defensive over it.
"Yeah, yeah that's the goal I guess. What do you mean by contract?" She asked, which I was fully prepared to answer until Cassi emerged from the behind, our soldiers in tow.
"What the hell is going on?" Cassi asked, scanning over at our new friends thoroughly.
"Oh, we met another beast tamer!" I yelled over my shoulder. The archer looked much more uncomfortable seeing the army popping out around her.
"Hey, Tom? Becky wanted confirmation these soldiers weren't going to hurt her if she left?" Steve asked, indicating they were getting acquainted over there.
"Yes. Or, no? Look, no one's going to get hurt so long as no one attacks anybody. That includes you, 'Becky'." The Boa nodded in appreciation, getting another shocked reaction out of the Archer.
"You can hear her too?! What the fuck, it took me days to get her to tell me her name?!" She exclaimed frustratedly.
"Oh no, but I can hear my buddy Steve." I said leaning in closer, though not enough to catch a nervous arrow between the eyes.
"I think he likes her." The archer cracked a half grin out of the corner of her mouth, slowly lowering her bow.
"Alright, then why are you people here? We haven't seen or heard of human armies nearby?" The archer asked, now turning toward Cassi and the rest of our soldiers.
Wait.
"Why exactly did you specify humans?" I asked, cutting off whatever Cassi was saying as my mind replayed the archers question.
"The people of the nearest Pylon have all allowed themselves to be touched by Jaia, the Giant Demigoddess. As such, they all became giants themselves after their first evolution." The archer explained matter of factly.
"Umm…okay. Then why the defensiveness if there are no threats nearby?" I asked, still trying to process the whole 'giant' thing.
"I didn't say that. I said no humans. The other neighboring Pylons are all touched by siblings of Jaia, each representing different beliefs. A few hellbent on killing their kin for power, others trying to mend their families power lusting minds in hopes to reconcile their differences. It's a bit of a mess, to be frank." She answered, remaining far too casual delivering this news.
"Woah woah back up, how do you know all this? You don't look like a giant to me." Cassi asked, looking down at the archer. Cassi is taller than me, so it's hard to imagine many people looking down to her other than Lonni.
"They give me TP and a place to hunt for levels, and in return I help them clear out their waves every 3 days or defend from other Demigod factions. The last wave was brutal though, and the second time in a row there were undead sprinkled in there, so I'm trying to partner up with this feisty girl here for backup." The archer rambled, her anger leaking into her speech clinching her jaw pointing to the boa.
"What's your name, hun?" Cassi asked, after giving the archer a moment to breathe.
"…Phoebe." The archer answered after a pause.
"Hello Phoebe, my name is Cassi. I'm the commander of this army, and that includes my beast tamer here, Tom." Cassi said, pointing her hand to me.
"If you can get me a council with those giants' Pylon leadership and help me negotiate an understanding with them, I will bring you and your boa-freind back with us to Savants Elysium. Our contractor and Pylon leader will be happy to repay you with a favor." Cassi added, hanging heavily on that last word while glancing at Steve. The archer took a second to understand the offer fully, a look of pleasant surprise overtaking her face.
"Deal. But he's got to teach me how to tame her first, or we'll never get her on the boat." Phoebe stipulated, her finger pointing to me.
"Tell her Becky's game for a contract with her. I told her about our deal with Perunious, and she wants in on that action." Steve said quickly before reverting his full attention back to Becky.
"Becky's cool with the contract, but I do think I can help you out, Phoebe."
"You have to agree to the deal first, though." Cassi interjected, rightfully. Handouts were no affordable commodity in the tutorial. Phoebe considered the proposition a moment longer before giving her answer.
"Alright, sure. Follow me and, if you see a big bird, fucking yell." She said, turning and walking ahead. Cassi signaled the men to follow as she trailed closely behind Phoebe.
"Steve, time to roll bud. Let Becky know she can leave if she wishes, but to meet back here soon." I sent to Steve, turning and following the rest of the army. Steve caught up with the boa right beside him, indicating either he had some solid game about him, or she was just as hungry for power as he. Either way, I had no issues with another friendly giant serpent to accompany our campaign.
Our journey of following our new friend Phoebe through jungle-esque rainforest was relatively uneventful. The many low hanging vines and tall plants made walking a slower trek, a few appearing sentient as purple petaled flowers danced around one another. They grew to unbelievable heights, their thick thorny stems weaving around one another. It hadn't taken Cassi long to begin barraging Phoebe with questions regarding the settlement ahead.
"So, you said these folks are giants? How big are we talkin'?" Cassi asked.
"Mm, it sort of depends. Some are around 12–13 feet tall, while others are closer to 10 feet. All of them are crazy tough though." Phoebe answered, volunteering that last tidbit with an adopted pride.
"You seem quite fond of them?" Cassi continued, pressing further.
"Well, we've grown a sort of kinship in our battles. They all have struggled with loss this tutorial, with the waves ramping up in intensity so quickly and all. Me, well…" Phoebe's eyes narrowed trailing off into the distance, apparently being careful in considering her next words.
"…doesn't matter. Everyone was already gone before I got here." She finally finished, returning to meet Cassi's gaze.
"I see. Speaking of those waves, you mentioned undead? I've never heard of any undead anywhere else." Cassi continued, changing the subject after Phoebe's mood turned grim. However, she had to be mistaken.
"No Cass, there were zombies at the woodland Pylon I found Lonni in, west of the Savants Elysium. I told Korbin all about it. Happened on like the first night. He really didn't mention it?" I spoke out, correcting Cassi. Though, I'd forgotten all about those things by now to be honest, mainly because I hadn't found any others in all our journey.
"Why would there only be zombies there, and in this region exclusively? That doesn't make sense, especially since there's been no reports of any 'zombies' since I've been around. As crazy as it sounds, I hadn't even considered there would be any." Cassi replied, externally working everything out.
"We figured everyone was dealing with this issue. It picked up around the third wave here, on day 9. They just flew in behind the Gorillas, and they prioritized taking the giant's bodies. It's fucked up shit over here, it's not too late to head home for you." Phoebe snickered, giggling at something even I knew wasn't a laughing matter.
"No not at all. Which is wierd considering we already have a zombie rat n- AGHHH FUCK!" My sentence cut short by the splitting pain of Korbin's stupid contract forbidding me of even mentioning…it.
"What Tom's trying to say is we have undead among us on our side already, yet there's been zero interaction with them since. Let's not waste time, a conversation with their leader is becoming increasingly imperative." Cassi said, picking up for me verbally while I rubbed the remainder of this migraine from my temples. She was right though, even the foxes we'd dealt with would fully resurrect one another, rather than merely reanimate into some ugly corpse.
Another 45 minute hike later, our destination was within eye sight. I'd felt like I just hopped out of the ocean walking marching through the incredibly thick humidity that blanketed the tropical air, when the Giants' Pylon was finally within sight. Their settlement was massive, rivaling the size of the Savants Elysium, maybe even larger. The clustered culmination of trees, brush and high growing foliage suddenly flattened out into short grass about 50 yards in a circle around their territory.
Our arrival attracted the attention of two insanely large men towering over 10 feet high stood on either side of two metal doors large enough to fit 5 of them comfortably between them. Cassi leaned into my shoulder as we approached within speaking distance.
"Behave. We fight if I say so, not a moment before." She whispered sternly. I stuck my tongue out, knowing full and well her role gave her full power to boss me around anyhow. Besides, she's the tactician, I'm cool with just being the agile muscle here. That doesn't mean I won't be a shit about it.
"Welcome home, Phoebe. We must ask why you bring an human army to our doorstep?" One of the giant guards asked, their deep voice bellowing as they questioned their colleagues' motives.
"They are possible allies, and of great power too." She said, pointing toward Steve in the back, his eyes still trained on Becky the boa as he dances an odd wriggle-wiggle.
"I see. These are their beasts?" The guard asked, one bushy eyebrow raising high above his massive blue eye.
"Mine, and just the big one with wings. The other's Phoebes. Well, soon it will be." I answered stepping forward, not willing to have Steven spoken for by anyone else regardless of our audience. The Giant looked taken aback at my candor, a smile creeping on his long bearded face turning his head to the side.
"Ahh, a beast tamer of great caliber. Well, Lord Garrin will be at least willing to hear them out, albeit they're…weak stature." The giant said scoffing as he surveyed our soldiers.
"Want to bet big fella?!" I chirped, not allowing for that kind of slander of my soldiers.
"No, I concur, respect my soldiers, giant. We come in peace, not in service." Cassi added, surpassing me as I'd expected to be right after. Instead, she doubled down for her men. I have to respect it. Apparently, the guard felt similarly, as he chuckled holding his hands up.
"Oh, oh okay. Sorry you two, you'll fit right in here. JOHNNY!!" The guard bellowed out suddenly, his gruff voice echoing through the forest as he banged on the metal door twice. Heavy mechanisms chambered and popped before the doors slowly opened inward, revealing a bustling settlement that dwarfed our entire army in size. The buildings were all proportional to their inhabitants massive size, including their multileveled structures.
"Come, Garren's castle is still a ways away." Phoebe said, pointing to the colossal sized castle that sat against a large mountain wall at the back of the settlement. Phoebe wasn't lying, it still took us 15 minutes to cross town, passing by a myriad of shops and homes. It was relatively empty given the total structures, but I assumed that maybe most giants weren't keen on outsiders or something.
Approaching the castle, the guards requested our army remain outside their walls, and that we may send a pair of representatives. Naturally, Cassi and I accepted, leaving Steve to care for our soldiers. Not the best leader in terms of communication but, Steve would keep them safe enough.
A couple of giant guards adorning massive green and grey warriors' medium armor, a few with ill-fitting knights helmets, escorted us up the many floors to their Pylon room. There sat their leader, Garrin, equipped in fine heavy leather armor head to toe. A massive axe sat propped upside beside his chair as he sat leaned to the side, his bearded chin resting on his knuckles.
"Phoebe, darling. You know it's always a pleasure. However I must admit I'm rather concerned about you waltzing an army through our grounds." Garrin grumbled, his smile upon seeing her slowly fading as he spoke.
"Naturally, I expect no less paranoia from a mind like yours, dear friend. However, these folks came here to speak with you in peace. They claim to have great power where they're from, and the winged snake outside was most the proof I needed." Phoebe said, now gesturing towards us.
"I see, and who is your leader here?" Garrin asked, looking at me and Cassi.
"That would be me, Sir Garrin. My name is Cassi, and I will be representing my faction during these negotiations." Cassi quickly answered, as if I'd ever argue. Fuck politics.
"And what of the other one here? With the long stick?" Garrin said, chuckling in reference to my sheathed and connected twinblade. I had nearly lost the urge to conceal their powerful true nature when Cassi spoke up.
"He is far and beyond greatest soldier, and the tamer of aforementioned serpent that accompanied us on this journey. He's also willing to assist your friend here in officially taming the boa as well. Our faction carries much to gain, which is why I came here. To discuss a mutually advantageous agreement." Cassi announced with a hint of authority in her tone as she defended one of her soldier's once more.
"Ahh, I see. 'Protection', haha. Well, what is your supposed agreement in mind, Miss Cassi?" Garrin asked, sounding patronizing at best. Cassi's demeanor remained calm, however she spoke far more bluntly.
"Simple, you provide our leader, Korbin Erickson, official ownership of this Pylon, and in return you shall reap any and all amenities promised to you by Korbin himself. We may discuss terms with him in person, however your acceptance or refusal must be decided here." Cassi's chest puffed forward as she finally gave it to the big man straight, something he didn't take kindly to.
"Oh, so it's an 'or else' circumstance? You do realize you're vastly outnumbered here, I see no way you walk out of here alive, little lady." Garrin hissed through his incredibly deep voice, leaning forward as he spoke.
"And you must realize you'd suffer many casualties you cannot afford right now. By my guest, based on the amount of empty homes scattered throughout your settlement, you've lost at least 40% of your population in the last 6 days. You're more than likely preparing now for the walls to fail, based on the disparity in size between this castle and the rest of them. Besides, we have a 30 foot flying snake and his thirsty girlfriend down there, I'd prefer they didn't level up here, on your people. Your call." Cassi quickly rebutted, rattling off a slew of accusations.
It appeared her assumptions were accurate, considering the change in their leaders posture. His eyes bugged for a moment before he recomposed his uncaring facade.
"I take it you people must have it easy, then. Jaia has spoken of your lands, one that's free of such powerful beasts and undead creatures. You reek of privileged circumstances." Garrin snarled, his face scrunched in disgust.
"Give me your best fighter then." I blurted out, tired of this back and forth. Cassi shot an angry stare at me, one that I happily ignored.
"Really? You want our strongest?! I'll tell you what, little one. You beat my son, Barry, and we will consider your proposal. Otherwise, get the fuck off of my land, we have far more pressing threats to attend to." Garrin stipulated. Finally, some goddamn austerity.
"Sounds good, when and where boss-man? I'm feeling restless anyway." I said, lightly leaping side to side to warm up my muscles. It was becoming more ritualistic than useful, however I enjoyed it nevertheless. Cassi, on the other hand, looked upset to say the least. I'm not sure why, I'm not particularly worried.
At least I wasn't, until the 14 foot walking muscle of a man walked in. The giant had shoulder and leg armoring, with a massive cleaver dragging behind. His eyes glowed a bright red, matching the monster's long straight hair and beard.
"I hear a challenger? In my fathers chambers no less?!" He growled as he stomped forward. Galen giggled as his son marched from across the large room.
"This is my son, Barry. He's our Pylon's greatest warrior, and you will fight him-" My stomach churned ducking under a massive cleaver flying toward my head at the corner of my peripherals, prompting me to duck quickly while Water Stepping away.
"…now."