Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty - The Buck Stops Here

Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty - The Buck Stops Here

Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty - The Buck Stops Here

It was hard.

Thats pretty much the only way I could describe having to do what I had to.

The others were looking to me to lead them. Wed never had a vote on it, we never sat down and delegated positions and such. Somehow I had just... ended up as the leader. Maybe it was because I clung onto others, or because Id sorta-jokingly taken the title of captain.

It didnt matter. I was the leader, and that meant that some things fell to me. This was one of them.

I took a deep breath, eyes fixed on the ground. Id never really looked at Emmanuels feet. Hooves, really, though he had these sorts of boots on atop them, a leather sheath covering his legs up to the knee, with bits of metal worked into it.

Emmanuel, I said. I think it might be best if you go back.

It wasnt what I wanted to say. I wanted to offer to help, to teach him, by example and word, how to be a better friend. He had potential, under all the silly ideas and the sometimes-rude behaviour. I could imagine him being a good friend. Everyone had that potential, and while it wasnt right out on the surface with Emmanuel, it wasnt buried that deep.

But I couldnt think just about myself.

I was leading others, my friends. If what I wanted put others in danger, then maybe I had to put that aside to make sure everyone would be safe first.

It was like... brushing your teeth. Not fun to do, but you did it because it was less annoying than a toothache.

Maybe that wasnt a very good example.

We can still be friends, I said quickly. Just, I dont know if things are working out very well right now. So... yeah. It might be best for everyone if you return to the surface for now? We have a quest to complete, and itll be dangerous, and... yeah.

I glanced up, then away from Emmanuels face. His expression was conflicted.

My friends... Bastion nodded to me, once. A show that he approved. Amaryllis still looked a bit peeved, and Awen looked like she was more concerned about me than Emmanuel, which was nice, I suppose.

Because you dont trust me? Emmanuel asked.

I held back a wince. Its... not just that. Well, actually, yes?

The cervid stomped one hoof down. No, no, I see how it is. You, you... he paused, his head falling. You see me as some sort of failure.

Not a failure, I said. Just not someone whos ready to work as a team, and in this place, thats what we need most.

Not a failure, a liability, then, he muttered. Thank you, I suppose that clarifies things. So much for being a great hero. The cervid stood up, his pride straightening his back. In that case, I think Ill go and find people who need my saving more.

Alright, I said. That might actually be for the best. You can learn and make friends, and practice being a hero?

Emmanuels jaw worked, and he looked to all of us in turn before stepping around and walking towards the exit. Goodbye, he said. I expected it to sound prideful, but he sounded sad instead.

I sighed when he turned the corner and left out of sight.

Awen came up behind me and gave me a hug, but it was Amaryllis who spoke up first. That wasnt easy for you, was it?

I shook my head.

Hmpf. Next time, let me do the dismissing. Ive fired a person or two before. Its nothing too complicated.

Thanks, I said. She might have said that, but I could read what she meant under all of that. It had to be me, I think.

Amaryllis took a deep breath. No, but it might be better this way. I had lessons about leadership, you know? I was never very interested in them, but Im sure some of it stuck. And one lesson is that you need to learn how to delegate some things. You also need to be able to make sacrifices. I think one leadership lesson a day is enough, though.

I smiled, and if it was a bit wry, she didnt comment. Thanks.

Are you okay? Awen asked.

Im fine, I said as I leaned back into the hug. Awen was getting good at hugging. Bet shed get the skill soon, then she could use it to show off to Rose later. We should probably move on.

We can take a moment, Bastion said.

And we can grab the loot Jim dropped, Howard said.

Ah, alright, Awen said.

Right, I said. Is that everything?

Just about, Howard said. Focus on the altars first. The boss is fast initially, but hell get easier to fight as we break altars.

I think well split duties then, Bastion said.

I nodded. I can move pretty fast. Ill do the altars. Awen can help. Amaryllis, lightning at first, then stop when water comes in.

Because the electricity will travel, right, Amaryllis said. I can switch out with Awen then, let her use her bow.

That sounds fair. Bastion, do you think you can distract it?

I can try, the sylph said.

Awesome, in that case, Howard, can you help Bastion, and if one of us falls in the water, your first priority is to help.

Can do, Howard said.

I clapped my hands. Okay then! Lets all gear up. The boss isnt our objective, but its in our way. Um... you can't negotiate with this one, right?

Not that Im aware of, Howard said. Just a big monster thatll attack as soon as it sees you.

Alright then, I said.

Howard revealed a door that Id missed earlier on my first inspection of the room. A small passageway, right next to the bigger doors Jim had used to enter. It led a ways through the castle, until the corridor came to an end and a familiar sort of cave began.

As we started navigating through the cave with Amaryllis magic light guiding us, I couldnt help but imagine Emmanuel returning back outside, all on his own. It must have been hard for him.

Talons squeezed my shoulder, and I smiled even if my friends couldnt see it.

I was lucky, really really lucky.

The narrow cavern opened up onto a wider path, one that split, with a passage at a sharp angle behind the exit, and a more open, more inviting passage leading ahead.

Howard didnt even hesitate to continue along the main path.

The cave widened, then narrowed once more before coming to a dead stop at a wall made of huge slabs of stone, each wider than my arm span. A door rested in the centre, with that strange symbol Howard had shown me carved all the way around it so that the signs overlapped.

All ready? Howard asked.

How much time do we have once were inside to get in position? I asked.

The floor under the boss will rise up until hes standing above us all, Howard said. You can attack him early, I suppose. Wouldnt suggest it. Might fall into the pit the boss rises from.

Okay, I said.

Might want to start hitting the altars early, but that just makes the room fill faster in my experience, and the boss will fight harder from the start.

So no starting early, then, I said.

Were not here to run this quickly, Bastion said.

Amaryllis nodded. Leave the speedrunning to others.

Theres speedrunning? I asked.

Its a sport in some places, Amaryllis said. Who can clear a citys dungeon the fastest. They keep score and all, with prizes for the fastest delvers. It means gathering things more efficiently, which is only good for a dungeon-based economy, and now you have me going on a tangent.

Sorry!

Howard chuckled and pressed a flipper-like palm against the door. Then he pushed his way in.

It was time to face the last boss.

***