Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

What makes us human

The reddish sunlight was setting on the horizon. What was about to happen would be witnessed only by darkness. The wind blew silently, covering the bodies and human remains with sand. All the buildings finally stopped falling, leaving only rubble of wood and flesh.

Misneachd , Fèin-Ghràd , and Urras split up, two of them heading towards the surviving humans and Gràin . Urras advanced towards the Hunter. The Aimhreit army closed in on their masters.

Grain ...

Cry ... och .

I don't have much time before they notice my conscience in Aimhreit . Take... avenge us.

Gràin 's sword shines incessantly, blinding those who look at it and banishing the darkness and cold. Her worsening wounds do not stop her from rising. Her eye was blinded by Ghaoil 's past attacks , but she can still see the burst of light that came from her sword.

Cridhe ! Leather Gràin ! - Cridhe , her sword, she finally heard her name. The explosion affects the Aimhreits , causing an uncomfortable disturbance in Urras and his brothers.

The white army begins to randomly attack whoever is closest. Aimhreit tearing Aimhreit apart . Their masters cannot communicate to order them.

Hate... that's what I am...GHHRAAAAAH! – In her hate, there was strength. Her wounds would not take away these last seconds of her life. Her blood would paint the ground along with the blood of everyone around her. No one would reach the end of the road, because for Gràin ...

THERE IS SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO DIE

And they would all be. His cuts hurt Misneachd . Fèin-Ghràd is caught by an angry Dìoghaltas .

Ghaoil grabs Neo and runs to the Hunter.

Hunter! – She shouts to get his attention – Let her in! Please!

But his screams attract Urras .

With a flap of his wings, a curtain rises, blinding Ghaoil and Eagallach 's cannon . Urras grabs Neo and tosses her into the air like a doll. He tackles Ghaoil before she can see it, then grabs her by the arm and swings her against the tank, breaking a few ribs but not even scratching the tank.

The impact rocks Eagallach , giving the Hunter the exact location of his enemy. His tank was disabled, but the Hunter still had his equipment.

With his sword and restored shotgun in hand, The Hunter opens the hatch, and immediately fires his shotgun without putting his body out in Urras' direction .

Urras' body , affected by Cridhe 's wave , could suffer damage from banal weapons.

Fèin-Ghràd was fast, fierce, and brave, but Dìoghaltas surpassed his expectations. His hammer struck with brute force, and ever-increasing speed. Fèin-Ghràd 's body began to crack and cave in, like a rock being punished by sledgehammers.

A scream of a girl calling for her protector, Ghaoil , echoes near Dìoghaltas , distracting him, for a few seconds, but long enough for Fèin-Ghràd to pierce him with her fingers.

Sliding them until they got tangled in Dìoghaltas ' right kidney , then ripping it out – Never get distracted from... – His arrogance is countered with a direct hit to his head, throwing him against the sand.

Even with a severe wound, Dìoghaltas still fought.

Gràin attacked Misneachd ferociously. His blows created cuts that did not heal, but glowed with the color of his weapon, slowly burning the areas around the wounds. Misneachd soon dived again, disappearing like a shadow amidst the curtain of sand he created.

Gràin had no time to wait for a surprise attack, slashing and stabbing the ground beneath him, hoping to hit his enemy.

Neo 's eyes , preventing her from seeking shelter amidst the conflicts around her – Ghaoooil ! – She screamed in fear and tears.

Ghaoil was on the ground near the confrontation between Urras and the Hunter, deciding to crawl towards the screams.

Urras still had the strength for one last confrontation – Why did you betray us? We could have won this battle and gone to Mothachadh , you would have gained what you wanted.

You underestimated me. You thought that by making me one of you, you could control me by always being inside my head. But you yourself ignored what I always had: disbelief.

You... don't believe in the new world, do you?

Why only one survivor for Mothachadh of yours? Why keep me here hunting instead of having taken me long ago? It was all a lie, the real answer is simple: Adam and Eve.

What do you mean by that?

A man and a woman kept safe inside a hand-picked Mothachadh . Both young, healthy, slowly being healed of the Uine within the air of your Mothachadh . But it goes beyond that, doesn't it? I've faced Aimhreits who've given me agonizing visions of my choices, but over time, they've stopped. Why? They don't remind us, they copy us. I've seen them climb the redwoods and attack humans from the sides, flanking strategy. They're being molded more and more with the human mindset. Those two, Brosnachadh and the Sonas woman , are Adam and Eve. Both kind, perfect to be observed, and create the perfect form of life: A human Aimhreit . Your mother didn't create humans, only the Earth. I bet she always wanted to put her own fruit on the Earth to plant her seeds. A living being immune to the God Uine , and commanded by her mother. Too bad I crushed both raw materials.

What...

You and your brothers... were deceived by your mother, you chose me, but I will be nothing, your brother's religion may be useful, but I... am disposable. This was surely the true treaty between your mother and Uìne .

Where did you get all that nonsense from? And how did I not realize your intentions of betrayal and distrust? We were mentally connected.

One thing about human beings: We don't even have to think about betraying someone's trust, we do it by instinct, as a sport.

Human... – Urras advances silently. His thoughts were quiet, his doubts dead.

The Hunter needed to die.

Dìoghaltas had the advantage. Fèin-Ghràd was on the ground, wounded and without strength to fight. At the final blow, an out-of-control Aimhreit was looking for more of a fight, and caught Dìoghaltas by the neck.

Fèin-Ghrád stabs at his wound. The Aimhreit slashes his left eye as he tries to rip his face off.

Dìoghaltas has had enough.

Aimhreit 's pale face , Dìoghaltas smashes him to the ground. With only one hand holding his hammer, he swings it at Fèin-Ghràd , pinning him to the ground.

I am a god! Stop this! – Aimhreit shouted .

Ah, I always knew they were – said Dìoghaltas , lifting his hammer with both arms using all his strength – I always thought that war years ago was the apocalypse, and that my purpose for surviving... was revenge.

AGAINST A GOD?!

There is a place called hell, when I go there, I hope to meet you all again, so we can do this again – His hammer blocked the sun, standing like a monolith silhouette over Fèin-Ghràd – Goodbye.

Fèin-Ghràd 's head was buried. An enormous pain hits Urras and Misneachd .

Fèin-Ghràd was dead.

Nooooooooo !

Fèin-Ghrad ! – Misneachd ejects from the ground, attacking Gràin , hitting her in the head. Gràin didn't have much time left.

Ghaoil finds Neo . One was injured beyond repair, the other was unable to move out of fear. They both embraced and let the confrontation unfold around them.

Urras was shaken, the Hunter was injured. Blood dripped onto the ground, Pain broke his chest.

They both felt their strength draining away.

Whoops... Why did you spare me that night?

I did not lie when I told you... I saw the contempt you had for humanity, you did not want to be there, you did not want to be following orders. The war seemed decided, but we knew we would not usurp your land, so I made you. I gave you Eagallach , and I let you roam the world, unwittingly cleaning it for me.

That's something that depended a lot on how I would react, you shot in the dark that day.

No, Ìsleachadh , I knew then that you did not deserve to die, I knew that you wanted to live far from the cloak of human laws, to be the fury and hate that you always wanted to be. And that day I chose you as my champion... I still believe that you can be my chosen one, abandon this disillusionment, this... disbelief, it is false.

I believe what you said you felt for me, but I don't believe you found me by chance. Your attacks changed course when you arrived at the base where I worked, your Aimhreits avoided me until you arrived.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

...

You already knew who I was.

There is no hiding anything from you, there never was. – He had no face, but The Hunter knew Urras let out a smile. – Yes, my brothers and I watched the Earth above for decades, while our mother and Uìne planned their attack. Each of us chose our champions before the attack even began. All that was left for us to do was collect them after the War.

Collect... you bastards, you killed everything we loved so that we would have no choice but to accept your proposals.

No...

Quiet! – A shot from his shotgun, Urras was too weak to dodge. The lead entered his body, polluting it.

You... were never my first chosen. Urras lunges at the Hunter, swiping at him with his wing and grabbing him while he's still in the air. Squeezing his throat until the life begins to leave his body. Until the muscles in his neck begin to snap. I had a chosen one before you. I took everything from him so he could seek revenge on the humans I would blame. But he...

But I have discovered the truth – Dìoghaltas shatters the shoulder of the arm that held the Hunter captive. Urras kneels on the ground – I have waited a long time for this – Once again his hammer rises to the heavens.

MISNEACHED!

Her brother breaks off the fight with the weak Gràin and runs towards Urras. His advance is stopped by Ghaoil . With broken bones, she still had the strength to hold off the enormous Misneachd .

GRÀIN! – In his desperation, Gràin runs the sword through Misneachd , crystallizing around the wound, making any attempts at healing impossible.

HUNTER! – Dìoghaltas brings his hammer down on Urras , leaving him motionless long enough for a final volley of lead and fire to destroy his head.

Another one had fallen.

Nooo ! – Misneachd was on his knees, weak and defeated.

In front of her, the humans gathered. Gràin wore her metallic smile, even though her death was near. Dìoghaltas and the Hunter joined her, and Ghaoil held Neo in his arms.

You... humans, you are the reason all this happened. Greed, hatred, discontent with what Earth already provided for you. Wars never needed to happen, but the only language you understand is battle, the only peace comes through death. Look around, what were you looking for? What is at the end of this road? Nothing - Misneachd looks at the Hunter - Urras went against our Mother, choosing his champion according to the destruction he would cause, and for such disobedience, he lost his rights as one of us, he was still our leader, but his chosen one would die - Misneachd falls to the ground, the crystallization was finishing consuming his body - Humans are dangerous... their imperfections... are... contagious...

The four leaders were dead.

...

Humans won the War.

The Earth trembles with the death of all the Mothachadhs , Aimhreits , and Sequoias that dried up over the Uíne in a matter of seconds and died when they hit the ground.

...

It's over...- Says Ghaoil .

It's all over – says Dìoghaltas – There's nothing left in this world... it's over... Their mother won... all that's left is for her to wait for us to die.

What do you mean by that? We won, we can rebuild, we can...

You don't understand – The Hunter walks up to his old companion Eagallach , removing the Uíne that was already taking hold of him – We killed the four leaders, the ones who kept the Mothachadhs alive, with their deaths, no Mothachadh will remain.

Who told you that? – Asks Ghaoil .

Brosnachadh – The Hunter answers, taking his knife out of his pocket, looking at its blade with fresh blood.

Who?

That's beside the point, what matters is that neither of us are going to make it through another night with these injuries, so if you have something against each other, I bet it's better than sitting around and waiting for death to come.

A silence prevails in the place. The wind blew agreement and malice into the tired thoughts of everyone there.

I have a lot to sort out with you, but I need to find a place for her first – Neo was placed on the ground, she was able to stay standing - ...Goodbye.

I will go with you – Dìoghaltas drops his hammer to the ground, his service to the owner was over – I want to spend my last moments knowing that at least I was able to fulfill my promise to you and this little girl.

Thanks.

Those who departed saw a mere mirage for The Hunter and Gràin , who stood still, side by side, pondering their rivalry.

How much time do you think you still have?

A few minutes. My head is heavy, my eye is blind again, my arm can't hold my sword.

You were resurrected... in the forest.

Yes, Crìoch made sure I didn't die because he had a secret mission for me, but I didn't obey, I am free.

I understand.

Gràin looks subtly, The Hunter was not carrying weapons, he was distracted – You know, the reason I was here, was always that tank, and you.

Hm.

I felt hatred for something as strong as that existing, and not being mine , I felt jealous of you being so strong, and me so fragile, but... I think that ended up making me admire you, wanting to be like you, and having what you have.

Well... we don't have much time left, do you want to see inside?

...Yes.

Gràin takes quick steps between stumbles to reach Eagallach , at least he could see it from the inside, imagining all the beauty of something so destructive. The metallic interior of the white flame that burned so many lives along the road he traveled.

His fingers smoothed the outside of the tank, a warm metal, even though old, still gleaming – Hello, Eagallach , I am -BANG-

His body was too tired to feel the pain in his chest.

His ears were covered in blood to hear the cocking before the gunpowder exploded.

One look was all he had left. And there stood The Hunter, smoke billowing from the barrel of his pistol, hidden in his sleeves.

His last steps try to reach Eagallach , the Hunter doesn't even look back, he just starts walking the long road.

At least she had touched him. Coughing blood all over his bodywork. There was no one else there but her and Eagallach .

You...are. ..my ...

...

...She had done it.

...

Did you hear that? – Neo asks , worried.

Yes, what was it? – Ghaoil asks.

The end of Gràin – Dìoghaltas responds – Let's continue.

... Ghaoil ... – Neo hugs Ghaoil , remembering his savior in the past.

Come on Neo .

They barely saw as the Uíne threw his handkerchiefs onto the road, shining brightly in the sun that illuminated the vast emptiness that the road led to.

Ugh ... – The big man finally felt the lack of blood, Díoghaltas falls to the ground. Ghaoil asks Neo to walk a little ahead. Leave them alone.

Hey... – Ghaoil rests Díoghaltas ' head on his thighs, comforting his deathbed – It will be over soon.

I... I lived surrounded by blood and iron, blinded by revenge, always alone in my ambitions – His weak hand comforts Ghaoil 's face – From the first moment I saw you, what you did to Gràin , that was the hatred that I thought only I had... I fell in love with that... I...

It is true.

As?...

I harbor hatred for those who interfere with the well-being of the people I love...and I never... EVER... FORGET.

His hand runs inside Díoghaltas ' wound . His small reactions of shock and pain are signs enough that Ghaoil was wreaking havoc.

I'll never let you forget the faces you killed – His hand finds the weak beat of your heart. His fingers pierce the weak outer layer – Those faces were in my heart, now, you'll feel the weight I felt.

Ghaooil !

And there ended the life of the strongest man known in history.

Defeated by the delicate hands of a mother who lost everything...

...Something as dangerous as an Aimhreit .

Rising from the corpse in the middle of the road, Ghaoil watches the familiar silhouette approaching.

With slow and wounded steps, both faced each other face to face. Their eyes were tired, their legs were shaking, their blood painted a trail along the road.

You seem to be in worse shape than me – Ghaoil says , laughing.

My time is running out – the Hunter replies.

Mine too – Ghaoil looks behind her, Neo was waiting for her – Hunter... what if we don't find a place for her?

I'm sorry... it's not something I can answer.

I don't want... I don't want to leave her alone.

Then we'll die after finding a safe place for her. Let's go ahead.

But there's nothing ahead, did you hear what that Aimhreit said?

He said that Urras is no longer the guardian, but Mothachadh is still there, the greatest and eternal.

But they would all die with the death of the four leaders, wouldn't they?

I don't think so – The Hunter takes the Diary he has always read from his pocket – This is the Diary of Òrdugh , the man who has already walked through every corner of this world... he knows that what is at the end of this road is not a simple Mothachadh , it is their own mother.

What ... but...How will we know that...

At this very moment she must be there, alone, thinking that she will never reach the perfection of a human being, that she will never build a perfect Aimhreit to maintain the world, an Aimhreit is an unstable being, she cannot control millions, she needs a perfect model, and he is there.

Neo ...

Innocence, pain, anxiety, trauma, hope, fear, caution, willpower. She's been through a lot I bet, I see it all in her, she's the perfect example, neither Adam nor Eve, just a human.

So there may be hope – Ghaoil smiles, like someone who believes in a mirage.

Yes, it can, and we will walk as long as it takes to find that hope, and after that... we can have our reckoning.

...

The sun had set at least twice, hundreds of kilometers had been covered by three people on the verge of their requiems. Their feet ached and bled, The Hunter maintained his posture, but he no longer felt his blood circulating through his veins, nor the pain that had previously squeezed his heart so tightly.

Ghaoil was pale, her body working with the little blood she had left. Still she carried Neo in her arms, as she was too weak to continue. Neo 's weak breathing increased the pain in Ghaoil 's body , her efforts would have been in vain. When they realized that the road no longer existed, and that in front of them only the mountains of Uíne stretched to the dark gray sky that continued endlessly, where before there would have been a sea.

They had finally reached Beatha 's End .

It's over... -Says Ghaoil .

It's not possible... – The Hunter stood firm, but his legs seemed to give out at the revelation.

It's over – Ghaoil falls to her knees, Neo 's weight , ever closer to his end, was a huge burden for her – No... no...

There must be something... there has to be something.

THERE IS NOTHING HERE! NOTHING!

She's here, I know she is! – In the midst of his delirium, the Hunter hears a call, as low and imperceptible as a morning breeze, but his name was mentioned – Did you hear that?

No, I didn't hear, I don't hear anything here! – Ghaoil lets his tears wet Neo 's dry face , who could no longer open his eyes.

I'm listening...to her.

Who is she? How is she listening?

I can still hear them... What do you want?...

After seconds of meditating in the dark sky, the Hunter returns with a smile on his face – Leave her right there.

What?

Leave her there, at the end of the road, and let's go.

How can you ask me to-

It's her condition, only Neo interests her, he'll keep her safe. But we have to cut our ties with her.

What do you mean by cutting our ties? And who are you talking about?

I'm saying to abandon her - An Aimhreit humanoid appears in the middle of the Uíne . He had the appearance of Brosnachadh , recognized by the Hunter, while possessing the facial expressions of Neo-Thèarainteachd .

Who are you? – Asks Ghaoil .

I am Ri Teachd , I represent my mother in her interest in saving this girl. She will be the perfect final mold for us to create a new race, better than humans, but still human .

I don't understand... – Says the Hunter.

How can we trust you? – Ghaoil holds Neo in his arms.

With a silent stare of eyes, an enormous Mothachadh begins to emerge from the depths of the vastness of Uíne . It was so large that it approached the heavens, immense and imposing. Its interior had different biomes and biomes, alternating from the coldest snowy mountain to the freshest cherry trees.

AND...

It's their mother – The Hunter feasts his eyes on the being he has sought so much in his life.

This is Bruadar , our mother. The creator of this world, and the right hand of God.

God? Our god?

A question I cannot answer, but now, your time is short, abandon the child, and go your way. Her time is short, and you know it.

Ghaoil ... – The Hunter places his hand on Ghaoil 's shoulder , easing his embrace on Neo .

Yes... – gently placing Neo on Ri Teachd 's arms , giving her a melancholic goodbye kiss, tears streaming down her face – I promised I would save you, didn't I? There's nothing more to worry about...

Goodbye Neo ...

Ri Teachd had a look on his human face, it was respect.

Let's go...

The Hunter and Ghaoil began to walk back down the road, watching over their shoulders as Neo woke up inside Bruadar , with Ri Teachd washing her face with water she had taken from the nearby river. They were far enough away for her to see them one last time.

Here it is good... and I can't walk anymore – The Hunter falls backwards onto the road, looking at the sky he followed so much. Ghaoil kneels beside him, not wasting any signs of his last strength – I know we still have scores to settle.

We don't even have the strength to get up anymore

All good.

Can I ask you something?

My name?

No, you can die without anyone knowing your name, consider it a gift.

Thanks.

That day in the redwoods you turned against us. Was that what it was about? They were watching Bruadar , his splendor fading before the Uine .

Yes... a promise I would never live to see come true.

Why?

I don't know, I never believed in Urras, I never believed that my path of despair for another lifetime would have rest.

We were all desperate for more time, I guess that's what makes us...

Humans... – The Hunter smiles, his eyes closing, and his head resting on the Uíne .

Yes... – Ghaoil lies down beside him.

...Goodbye, Ghaoil ...

...Goodbye, Hunter...

Fìor Saoghal .

END.