Andrew Rowe - On the Shoulders of Titans

Derek’s eyes brightened as he stepped back and assumed a defensive stance. “What are you, truly, then?”

Keras put his hands together and cracked his knuckles. “Wouldn’t it be more interesting if you figured it out on your own?”

Yes, but I’d really rather you tell us anyway , I mused.

Derek disagreed, apparently. “Oh, I’ve got some ideas. Both about what you are — and about your weaknesses.”

Keras put his hands behind his head, stretching again. “That’d be interesting. I wasn’t aware I had weaknesses.”

“Weaknesses are relative. And relative to me, everyone has weaknesses.” Derek snapped his fingers. “Tavare, awaken.”

I saw Derek’s true weapons lying against a nearby wall. A column of golden light enveloped one of the weapons as it began to float of its own accord.

With the sound of a chime, Tavare appeared. They were a perfectly-sculpted golden figure, human save for the metallic scales that covered every inch of exposed skin aside from their face. Even their face was metallic in color, but the scales reflected with greater luster.

Tavare rushed forward, a luminous blur, and took a defensive position in front of their master.

Something was amiss, however.

Tavare was trembling.

“Master, you must withdraw. Radiance will engage this foe while you escape.” The golden scales flashed brighter, as if with determination.

Derek blinked. “That won’t be necessary, Tavare. We’ll fight him together.”

Tavare’s eyes narrowed skeptically, but remained focused on Keras. “You must not fight this creature, Master. You must defend the others who are weaker than you. Radiance will defend for as long as it can. It has been an honor to serve you.”

Keras tilted his head to the side, looking intrigued. He raised a hand and a blade-like distortion appeared around it.

Tavare tensed as the weapon appeared, taking a step forward. “Go.”

Derek put a hand on Tavare’s shoulder. “That was a…humbling speech you gave, Tavare, but this is just a sparring match. There’s no need to be concerned.”

Tavare shuddered again. “You do not understand what you face, Master.” The golden-skinned creature stepped forward, raising their blade toward Keras. “Radiance will not allow you to harm these mortals, monster.”

Keras sighed. “Your master speaks truly, cousin. I do not mean these people harm.”

Tavare continued to advance on Keras, blade outstretched, until their golden blade was pressed directly up against his chest. “Then withdraw. Radiance will not—”

Tavare’s blade was no longer in their hand. It embedded itself into the stone nearby.

Derek surged forward, but he wasn’t fast enough.

Keras’ hand was at the elemental’s neck, the blade-like aura still glimmering in place.

Tavare fell to their knees. “Radiance begs forgiveness for daring to raise a blade against you, Great One. They offer their life for the offense, but implores you to spare these humans. The humans are young and have great potential.”

Keras shook his head sadly, lowering his blade-hand and putting his other hand on the top of Tavare’s head.

A red-bladed sword appeared in Derek’s hand. “If you mean to hurt Tavere, I will stop you.”

Keras sighed and rustled Tavare’s short metallic hair. “You’re a loyal one. I meant it when I said I don’t mean these people any harm. You have nothing to fear from me.”

Tavare raised their head just an inch. “Truly?”

The blade-like aura around Keras’ right hand faded. “I have no interest in harming anyone if I can avoid it.”

Tavare’s expression twisted into a frown. “But such is your essence, Great One. How can you…not harm?”

Keras pulled his other hand away, then knelt down and looked straight into Tavare’s eyes.

For a moment, even at a distance, I could see silver in his gaze.

“With great effort,” he said. “And a considerable degree of outside help.”

Tavare turned their head to the side, looking perplexed. “Radiance does not understand. But… Radiance is grateful.”

Keras offered a soft smile. “Maybe you will someday.”

Tavare lowered their head again. “Will you teach me, Great One?”

Keras offered Tavare a hand. “I can try.”

“Try.” Tavere nodded. “Yes. Radiance will also try.” The golden creature accepted Keras’ offered hand, and Keras pulled Tavare back to its feet.

Keras turned toward Derek. “I think we’re done for today.”

Derek lowered his sword. “Agreed. Thank you for the match.” He bowed formally at the waist. “Can I trust you will not harm my friend with whatever ‘lessons’ you have planned?”

Keras returned the bow and then raised both hands in a defensive gesture. “We’re just going to talk.”

Derek leaned his sword against his shoulder. “I’d be very interested in hearing about what you discuss.”

Keras shook his head. “I’m afraid any conversation that I’m having with Tavare is going to need to be private, at least for now. It will be simpler that way. I’m sure you understand.”

“Well, that can wait until I’ve had more time to think about all this, then. Tavere, return.”

The golden-skinned figure lowered their head. “Radiance obeys.” Tavere shifted into mist, the golden sword clattering to the ground.

Keras folded his arms. “That wasn’t necessary.”

“I think it was. You’ve given me a great deal to think about today, and I appreciate it. But until I understand more about what you are, I’d rather avoid taking more risks.”

Keras raised a hand, and his own true weapon — a greatsword in a white scabbard with a spherical metal pommel — flew to it. “Fine. But you’re putting your suspicions over the potential for your friend to learn and grow.”

Derek shrugged. “I’m certain we can make some sort of arrangement eventually.”

Keras reattached his scabbard to his belt, which looked rather awkward, since the weapon was so large that it nearly dragged against the ground. Then he turned to walk toward the hatch to exit the roof. “Your friend can make their own choices.”

Derek let Keras leave without saying another word, then wiped his forehead with his free hand. “So…who wants to help me fix the roof?”

“That was so amazing.” Patrick was so excited that he was practically vibrating. “I’ve never seen a fight like that before!”

I was less interested in how impressive the fight was and more curious about what Tavare had been talking about.

It had called Keras “Great One”. What did that mean?

Derek had assessed that Keras wasn’t an attuned at all, and when I’d seen Keras fight my mother, she’d made a remark about his shroud not working properly.

What was he?

He could fight against a visage, at least for the short period of time I’d seen him dueling with Katashi. If he was a visage himself, that would explain how broad and unusual his abilities were.

He claimed to be from a faraway land, but was that a ruse? Or were the visages themselves foreigners, perhaps?

If he wasn’t a visage, a child of the Tyrant in Gold was another strong possibility. If Tavare had some way of sensing that, it certainly would have explained why it had been so fearful. Would it call a demigod like that “Great One”, though? That sounded like a title of respect.

What would a summoned monster respect? A visage?

A god beast, perhaps?

That was a worrying notion. Perhaps even more than the idea of a child of the Tyrant in Gold, a humanoid god beast…

That was similar to what Echion was being pushed toward, too, wasn’t it? Could Keras have been an earlier experiment, or something similar?