Corin eyed the furtive. Nothing about him seemed suspicious. He was friendly, seemed honest, did not hesitate to help if help was needed, always had an interesting tale to tell, and was quick to smile when greeting anyone. But Corin did not trust him. He did not have a good reason why, he just did not.

  Later that day Corin brought up the issue. It was just the two of them in the room and Corin knew he could confide in him.

  “How is it that everyone trusts him so easily?” Corin asked him.

  The question caught Cyril off guard.

  “Him?” He replied. “Who are you speaking of?”

  “You know, the outsider.” He said.

  “The outsider?” Cyril repeated unsure of what Corin was talking about.

  “You know who I mean!” Corin said.

  “Simeon? What’s wrong with him?” Cyril asked, confused.

  “He’s too… he’s too friendly. The people here in Bothia trust him too easily.” Corin began arguing. “And we don’t even know why he’s here! How is it that a furtive came here all the way from the continent? And why would he want to?”

  “Hmm.” Cyril replied, he put his hand on his chin and looked out the window.

  It was the expression he made when he wanted to let Corin know that he thought whatever he said was silly. He would make faces and pretend to seriously consider whatever Corin found offensive at the moment.

  Just seeing that face made Corin mad.

  “You're not even taking this seriously!” Corin said exasperated.

  “I’m just trying to understand.” Cyril said with a slight smile. “You don’t trust Simeon, because he’s too friendly? And because he has not yet told us, people that have known him for only several months, why he left the continent?”

  “Everytime I bring up an issue you twist it like that!” Corin said as he got up, flailing his arms in frustration.

  Cyril began laughing at his younger brother’s exasperation.

  “Come Corin, come. I was just teasing you brother.” Cyril replied as he laughed.

  Corin looked at Cyril and stayed silent.

  “So you want me to tell you, why exactly do I trust Simeon?” Cyril asked him.

  Corin was quiet.

  “Is there anything beyond this?” Cyril asked. “Any other reason why you would bring this up?”

  Corin hesitated, but he knew he had to be honest, Cyril would keep asking him until he confessed.

  “I just don’t like how much time you are spending with him!” Corin said. “It’s always been you and me Cyril! Now this stranger comes by and you and the rest of the town can’t help but spend all your time with him!”

  Cyril was quiet.

  “I see.” He finally replied.

  “Corin,” Cyril began as he walked up to his brother, “it will always be you and me.”

  “No matter what happens, I will always be there for you, and I know you will do the same for me.” Cyril told him.

  “But change is bound to happen. It’s not always just going to be you and me. One day I will probably get married, well hopefully sooner rather than later” Cyril laughed, “and you, despite your habitual antisocial behavior, will probably find someone else as well and make a life with them. But despite that, you will always be able to rely on me.”

  “And you trust him?” Corin asked.

  “I don’t see why not. He hasn’t done anything that I would find suspicious.” Cyril said.

  Corin had always relied on his brother on figuring out who to trust. The thought of trying to determine whether someone was trustworthy or not confused him.

  “You say one day I will find someone to make a life. But how would I know if I found someone like that? Someone I can trust?” Corin asked.

  “Oh, well.” Cyril replied, this time again he looked out the window. But this reaction was different, this was how Corin knew he asked Cyril something he did not know how to answer.

  “Well Corin all I can say is that you can only rely on your judgment to know who to trust. And I think your judgment will serve you well.” Cyril said as he smiled.

  Corin looked at his brother smiling. In a split second Cyril went from smiling to Corin to looking out the window once more.

  “It’s simple Corin.” Cyril replied, he said as he looked out the window.

  That’s odd.

  “Only trust those who promise to give you what you need to succeed.” Cyril looked at his brother this time. There was a smile on his face, but no warmth came from it.

  “JACO!”

  ***

  “JACO!” A voice screamed waking Corin up.

  He lay against the door. He did not even realize he had fallen asleep. He reached towards his neck and adjusted the pendant, it felt oddly tight.

  “Jaco! It’s me Jeinna, open the door!” Jeinna’s voice called out.

  Jaco walked up to the door. Corin moved out of the way but held his blade in his hand. He looked around the room. Daum, Simeon, and Livia were armed. Zhi and Nanaua were now awake, not yet fully recovered, but prepared to move if need be. Kadus waited nervously.

  Jaco opened the door and a frantic Jeinna burst into the room. She barged into the room muttering something. Corin could not make out what she was saying.

  “The sky, the sky, the sky” it sounded as if she was saying.

  “Je-, Je-, Jeinna what is ha-, happening?” Jaco too began to get nervous after seeing his sister.

  “The skies Jaco! From clear to a storm! ” she yelled.

  “Wha-, what?” Jaco asked confused.

  “A Dragon is coming!” She screamed as she looked at him.

  “Really?” Daum said, a hint of anger in his. “After keeping us in the city for days with threats of a Titan, you think we are going to believe that? Now?”

  “It’s true!” Jeinna said “I saw it with my own eyes! I thought it was a lie too! But I saw it!”

  “I thought we could trust you!” Daum said. “What ploy are you playing at?”

  Corin felt the ground beneath him slightly tremble.

  He looked at Daum.

  “Did you feel that?” He asked him.

  “Feel what?” A frustrated Daum replied.

  “I felt it too.” Kadus said.

  Kadus knelt on the ground and put his wings on the floor.

  Another slight shake.

  “What is that?” Kadus asked.

  Corin remembered the last time he felt the ground shake. In the forest, when he was running from Baltro.

  “What are you two going on about?” Daum asked them.

  The ground shook once more, but this time stronger. Daum himself almost fell down.

  “What?” Daum said. “What was that?”

  “We need to leave! Now!” Corin shouted.

  The ground stopped shaking. A quick pause. Then their entire surroundings began violently tilting from side to side. All around them it seemed as if the room would collapse.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Wha-, wha-, what is that?” Jaco shouted.

  “A Giant!” Corin shouted.

  “A Giant? In Yranto? That’s not possible!” Jeinna said. She was frozen in place.

  The shaking continued, the group struggled to move as they tried to escape. As Corin headed outside he grabbed Jeinna by the arm.

  “I know it is hard to believe but I am telling you that is a Giant! If you want to survive you need to come with us!” Corin spoke to Jeinna but she still seemed frozen. “Now!”

  Jeinna began moving now. Daum led the group as they tried to escape from the underground passages. All of the furtives around them were scrambling as well. Their surroundings were shaking, cracks began to show along the ceiling. It seemed as if it was about to collapse.

  Zhi stopped. She moved her arms and a large column of earth erupted from the ground buttressing the collapsing ceiling.

  “Are you ok?” Livia asked Zhi. It was not too long ago that Zhi was left almost incapacitated by her use of magic.

  “Never felt better.” She replied.

  The group continued moving.

  “Here!” Daum led them to a dimly lit hallway.

  “Where are you taking us?” Simeon asked.

  “There's an exit here!” Daum asked. “It's rarely used!”

  Zhi held her hand up and lit a small flame. The darkness retreated.

  “There!” Daum said as he pointed at a door that was almost imperceptible.

  “That's how I managed to escape from the agents earlier!” He said as he ran up to open the door.

  Another strong shock reverberated through the underground passages. They all struggled to stay upright.

  “Just how close is this Giant to the city?” Simeon shouted.

  “He must be right next to the city.” Nanaua stated.

  Corin knew she was right.

  Daum opened the door and began going up the stairs. They all hurried one by one. Corin was the last to go up.

  As he did so he noticed how dark it was outside. It was only shortly after midday, yet storm clouds overhead blotted out the sun.

  Corin was reminded of when Telletiuh attacked Bothia. Even then the sky did not look so dark.

  “What being possesses such power?” Simeon asked as he stared straight above.

  Three of them knew and answered simultaneously.

  “Tonatiuh.” Zhi, Nanaua and Daum replied.

  “AAARGH!”

  The ground began to shake again. The primal scream came from outside the city. Beyond the walls Corin looked. The large mountain that surrounded Yranto was gone. In its place something else stood.

  “Gi-, Giant.” Jaco said.

  Bolts of lightning flashed down from the sky impacting the Giant. It screamed in agony as the various tendrils burnt its gargantuan body.

  As the lightning impacted the Giant, a Dragon the size of which Corin had never seen flew down upon it digging its talons upon its body.

  The Giant responded. It grabbed Tonatiuh and from the ground beneath it streams of lava erupted, burning the Dragon.

  Tonatiuh began to fly away attempting to escape the jets of molten rock but the Giant would not let go. As Tonatiuh grabbed the Giant and began to fly the Giant began to assimilate the ground into its body, enlarging itself.

  “It's you Zhi!” Daum shouted. “They want your power!”

  Zhi observed the ensuing clash horrified.

  As the Giant and Tonatiuh flew, the Giant would bash Tonatiuh with its reinforced arms. Every impact would send large boulders flying everywhere.

  They began to rain down on the city, destroying large swaths of buildings, impacting the walls, crushing furtives underneath.

  “This is my fault.” Zhi said as she stared at the carnage around her.

  “You are not to blame for the actions of others!” Daum yelled at her. “But you do have a choice now! Will you submit to the Titans for the carnage they wreak upon furtives or will you continue fighting and ensure that all the sacrifices that have been made are not in vain?”

  Zhi wiped her face and rubbed her temples.

  “Damn it all!” She said. “Damn it. I just wish I didn't have to bear this burden!”

  “You're not in this alone.” Livia said as she put her hand on her shoulder.

  “My love, I will help you bear any burden you have to bear.” Nanaua said.

  Zhi looked at them.

  She looked at Daum.

  “Today is not the day I submit.” She told him.

  “Good. Now we must find a way for you out of the city.” He said as he looked around.

  More debris fell. Entire rows of buildings were being demolished, furtives all around screamed in horror.

  “We need to help get them out.” Zhi said.

  Daum turned to Zhi.

  “Now?” He replied. “The longer you stay here the more at risk you'll be!”

  “You said I am not to blame for the actions of others. But I do have the choice to help others now, and that is what I'll do!” Zhi replied.

  “How do you plan on doing that?” He asked. “We are walled in! The only route of the city leads through a clash between Titans!”

  “I'll make my own way!” Zhi said.

  She turned away from the clashing Titans.

  “Over there, beyond the walls, a river lies between the city and a forest. Is that correct?” Zhi asked.

  “Ye-, yes.” Jaco replied.

  “We’ll go that way.” Zhi said. “I will need protection while I focus on the city walls and the river.”

  She said this as she looked at Corin and the others.

  “Of course my love.” Nanaua said as she held her pike.

  “But how do we inform other furtives of the escape route?” Corin asked.

  “I'll take to the skies and let them know.” Kadus replied.

  More boulders rained down around them, smashing homes, as lightning fell all around them.

  “You can fly in these conditions?” Corin asked.

  “Now is not the time for those questions!” Kadus replied.

  “Can you help an old bird get to the sky?” Kadus asked Zhi.

  “Be safe.” Zhi said. She conjured a blooming mass of air underneath Kadus that sent him flying above.

  “All furtives head south! An escape is being opened!” Kadus began yelling as soon as he was airborne.

  The group hurried down the busy streets of Yranto. Masses of furtives swarmed the streets observing the unfolding clash. They knew they could not escape the ensuing destruction and could only observe as they waited for their inevitable demise.

  Daum stayed behind.

  “What are you doing?” Corin asked him.

  “Keep going!” He replied. “I will fall behind you and warn furtives of the escape route!”

  Corin understood. He turned around and continued.

  Zhi and the rest continued running through the mass of furtives. Despite their numbers, navigating through them proved to be less challenging than expected. They were so enthralled by the clash above them that they did not react to the others running around them. They did not even react when a large boulder crashed into a building nearby, smashing it into pieces.

  Corin could not help but remember that day in Bothia.

  Finally the group arrived at the southern wall of the city. Here they were furthest from the chaos. In front of the wall a lone furtive stood. An older female gesherin.

  “Madame Jin?” Jeinna asked.

  The gesherin ignored Jeinna. She focused solely on Zhi.

  “This destruction is because of you!” She snarled at Zhi.

  Above the city walls a group of robed furtives came out.

  “I don't have time for your petty squabbles!” Zhi replied. “If you don't get out of the way, I will have no choice but to make you move!”

  “Madame, you have to step aside, the Onsiel is only trying to help! She means to build an escape for the citizens!” Jeinna said.

  “Silence!” Madame Jin yelled at Jeinna.

  Her tone frightened Jeinna, she reacted as if she was being physically assaulted.

  “For centuries we have kept the peace with Buruni, ensuring that any Onsiel we receive in Yranto is given to him. Under his watchful eye we have built the greatest city any furtive could ever dream of!” The madame spoke. “You will not be the first to break that sacred peace we have fought so hard to maintain!”

  Jeinna sobbed. “No this can't be true. Madame, please tell me this is not true.”

  “Child I told you to be silent!” The madame shot back. “We Oixias have done everything in our power to keep this city safe. And we will continue to do so. It would do you well to know this child!”

  “No!” Jeinna said. “This is wrong! I refuse it!”

  “Such a disappointment. Guards!” The madame ordered.

  The robed furtives pulled out bows.

  “So that is why you prevented our escape?” Zhi replied. “You were going to sacrifice me to your Giant?”

  “You will be sacrificed!” The madame replied.

  The robed furtives raised their weapons and armed them. But Zhi did not hesitate. With a mere wave of her hand the tall wall in front of them vanished as the bricks exploded outwards. All the robed furtives were sent flying with the bricks. The way ahead of them was clear.

  Zhi began walking to the opening she had created.

  The madame was left shaking on the ground. The power she had witnessed was incomprehensible.

  As Zhi walked by her she began screaming at her.

  “You have caused the destruction of Yranto!” The madame’s voice cracked as she yelled at Zhi. “Because of you centuries of peace will be undone.”

  “You call this peace?” Zhi replied. “Sacrificing Onsiels to a Giant? While you have furtives living a lie? This is not peace! This is cowardice! Humiliation! The peace I build will not rely on such duplicitous schemes!”

  Nanaua stepped in front of Zhi.

  “My love, do you want me to dispose of this vile creature?” Nanaua asked her.

  “Do not bother with her.” Zhi said. “Let her live the rest of her days a failure.”

  A crowd of furtives had begun to amass behind them.

  “The walls have been torn down!” One yelled.

  Zhi hurried ahead. “The river.” She said as she continued on.

  Ahead of them lay the rushing expanse of water separating Yranto from a large forest.

  Furtives watched as Zhi stood on the edge.

  Zhi closed her eyes and focused. In front of her the rushing water began to slow down as it began to solidify.

  “How is it possible?”

  “Is she doing this herself?”

  “Is she a furtive?”

  The gathered furtives could not believe what they were seeing. The water in front of them began to solidify as it became ice. To them it seemed as if one of their own kind, a furtive, was manipulating magic the same way a Titan could.

  The crowd that surrounded them began to push ever closer to Zhi.

  “Wait!” Nanaua had to shout as she held her pike up. “We must wait until she is done!”

  As the crowd began move about a single furtive erupted from it. The dragoor that Corin had seen earlier, the one that had attacked Nanaua when she was speared through. Once again she sprung out and slashed at Nanaua.

  This time Nanaua was better prepared. She parried the slash from the sword and smacked her opponent in the face with the butt of her pike.

  “Argh!” The dragoor yelled in frustration and pain.

  “You should be dead!” The dragoor snarled at Nanaua as she stared at her.

  “Nerua!” Nanaua shouted. “There is still time for you to come with us! Please!”

  “I already told you that I will not abandon my honor again!” Nerua shouted. “I will do whatever I must to atone for my past sins!”

  Nerua once again slashed at Nanaua, and Nanaua sidestepped the attack. Corin grabbed his pistol and aimed at Nerua, he saw Livia do the same with her rifle.

  “Do not interfere!” Nanaua shouted without missing a beat. “Keep Zhi safe!”

  Corin wanted to ignore Nanaua’s request and shoot Nerua but he relented. Him and Livia stood by Zhi and along with Simeon formed a wall that protected her while she continued solidifying the rushing water.

  “Nerua, you were my closest friend! I know you!” Nanaua spoke to her. “Join us!”

  Nerua ignored Nanaua and kept attacking. She thrust at Nanaua, who avoided the blade. After Nanaua's evasive action, Nerua took one step into Nanaua's space and rotated her body swinging the massive sword from one side to the other. Nanaua could only block the swipe with the head of her pike. The force behind the swipe knocked Nanaua back, sending her tumbling.

  Nerua took this as an opportunity to strike. Nanaua saw the incoming swipe and as Nerua approached she grabbed her pike and swept the ground with it knocking Nerua off her feet. Nanaua pointed the pike right at Nerua’s face.

  “Nerua! Relent!” Nanaua shouted. “I don't want to kill you!”

  “If you do not want to kill me then prepare to die!” Nerua shouted.

  Nerua smacked Nanaua's pike out of her face with her blade. She got up and swung once, Nanaua swiftly avoiding it. But Nerua anticipated it and she caught Nanaua with an elbow to the face. The blow sent her reeling and Nerua once again thrust her blade at Nanaua. The blade sliced Nanaua’s upper arm and she growled in pain. Nerua saw this opportunity and prepared for another swing to end it.

  But as Nanaua reeled she spun with her pike and smacked Nerua with the butt of the weapon on her throat. Gasping for air, Nanaua pierced Nerua straight through with her pike. Nerua gasped in surprise as she dropped her weapon.

  Nanaua pulled her pike out and Nerua collapsed.

  “Nerua.” Nanaua softly spoke. “Why? Why would you not come with me?”

  Nerua looked at her friend and coughed blood.

  “Nanaua, there was no escape for me.” She began. “My fate was sealed years ago.”

  “I have been a fool. I thought if I helped Throk, that he would come to love me. But I lost everything. Once I lost my place as a Lord's Protectorate I lost my honor.” Nerua coughed as she spoke.

  “That shame was worse than death.” Nerua breathed heavily. “But having my death at your hands, dying a warrior’s death, it brings me comfort.”

  “The bridge… it's complete.” Zhi said as she collapsed. Corin grabbed her as she fell.

  The furtives of Yranto did not wait. They rushed past Nanaua and Nerua, with only their survival on their minds.

  Nanaua leaned in her head to Nerua's.

  “You fought valiantly, sister.” Nanaua said.

  Nerua’s lifeless eyes stared up into the sky. Nanaua would not let go of her companion's lifeless body.

  Thunder continued exploding in the background. The city of Yranto continued suffering the effects of a Titan clash. Without pause the citizens of Yranto continued their escape.

  “Nanaua we need to go!” Corin shouted at her.

  Nanaua did not respond, but she stood up, clinging to her friend's lifeless body. She walked past Corin and crossed the bridge. As they walked away Corin looked back at the ruins of Yranto.

  In the distance within the city walls Corin saw the dragoor Throk. As they crossed the bridge he only stared.

  At the end of the bridge a familiar voice called out.

  “Ahead of you!” Kadus called out and landed. He stared at the mass of furtives escaping from Yranto.

  “They're all safe thanks to you.” Corin told him.

  “Thanks to all of us.” Kadus replied.

  The carnage over Yranto continued. Corin looked back. He could no longer see Throk in the distance. But the face he did see was Daum's. He hurried along as more furtives continued escaping.

  Corin and the rest caught his attention. He saw Zhi in Corin's arms. As he approached them a thunderous explosion sounded off in the distance. The Giant had crashed back onto the ground and Tonatiuh continued his assault.

  “She is not safe yet!” Daum said. “ We need to keep going!”

  Corin and the rest obliged. Once more he had to escape another city that was under the destruction of Titans.

  Nevermore.