Finding Your Voice

Having learned how to harm the Putrefaction, I set up for another blast. I growled as loud as I could, but all that came out was a little bullet. I tried again and again, but the little bullets did nothing against the encroaching doom.

The Putrefaction was inching closer and closer, and my options for escape were dwindling. I readied myself for a last-ditch bum rush when I heard that strange voice speak to me again: 'La sola maniero vi sukcesos estas de mi. Vi devas diri 'Aktivigi' por uzi mian povoj.'

I understood, and I activated Geoffrey. It began glowing once more, and changed form; each individual petal of the Pitch Quartz moving to better concentrate the blast. "This is gonna be good!" I taunted.

The Putrefaction creeping ever closer, steadying myself, I growled, and saw that my attack had cleaved the creature in two. Congratulating myself on a quick fight, I trotted up to grab the necklace, stopping when I noticed the two piles of putrid matter moving independently.

I backed away gradually, breaking into a full gallop when saw the two piles lumber towards me. I attacked again, splitting the 2 into 4, and again, turning 4 to 8. I attempted to talk with Geoffrey, since all of his advice had been helpful; there was no reply. I began to plead with it, and finally, I got a reply: 'Splitis' .

Piecing together previous occurrences, I surmised that every time Geoffrey contacts me, I learn a new attack. Using this, I readied myself, and growled: "Splitis!". To my amazement, the blast completely shattered the eight creatures, as well as most of the surrounding area.

With the confidence that the Creeping Putrefaction was beyond resurrection, I sauntered over, and picked up the necklace, which was only slightly damaged. Placing the chain around my neck, choking back tears, I stumbled through a short prayer. I made my way back to the clearing, where I collapsed, completely exhausted.

When I finally awoke, the sky was completely dark. 'Hey, where's Geoffrey?' Looking around, I noticed that it was gone; 'What's this strange mark on my flank...nevermind, I need to get back home', I thought, it's already night'. I stumbled through the Woods, eventually reaching the entrance, 'Home stretch'. Exiting the Woods, I heard screams and saw flames coming from our house: 'No, No, No!! I thought we were safe!'

I arrived at the house, fearing the worst; my fears were realised when I saw the entire place completely engulfed in flames, red tongues licking the sky. I saw Marc trapped underneath a fallen beam, and I rushed to help. I managed to free him, but it was useless: his entire body was broken, twisted, and charred beyond recognition.

Taking him into my arms, I asked: "Dad, who did this?"

"It was the Bandits son, we didn't have a large enough harvest. They were merciless; they came unexpectedly for tribute, and I gave all that we had, but they decided it wasn't enough. They demanded that I pay them, and when I told them that we had nothing left, they told me that I was to pay with blood: they then savagely beat me, shredded my wings, threw me into the house, and lit it on fire. *coughs up blood* Oh, look son, it's almost time...Hey, where's Speakly?"

"She's dead, Dad. All I found was her necklace. I'm sorry; I knew exactly where she wanted to go, and I said nothing. It's all my fault."

"Don't worry Vocaleero, it's fine; she's back with her mother, she's finally free from this hell...You know, that necklace was your mother's favourite. She made it herself, weaving the chain from strands of Sapphire Vine, and used as the charm a small Amethyst Lily flower, which she found pressed hidden behind the photo. She passed it down to Speakly when she was born, and she never took it off. *coughs up more blood* I'm not going to live much longer, Vocaleero; my dying wish is for you to be safe. I want you to be free from here: run away from this hell, don't stop, keep going until you collapse......Goodbye son, I love you."

His final breaths leaving his body, I heeded his words and left. I crept to the entrance of the plot, and ran away. I never stopped for more than a day, passing through many strange lands, until I finally collapsed on the doorstep of an immense building.

I was awakened by an unfamiliar drawl asking: "Are you alright son?"