Ch 86: Dormancy

The air in the Ironworks Plaza carried an uneasy stillness. The ash clouds had cleared enough to let patches of sunlight streak through, but the light did little to lift the ominous mood. It had been days since the Galgameth and Lava Worms had last made their presence felt, and their sudden dormancy unnerved even the most experienced veterans of the Peaks of Ash and Fire.

The Augury, his face lined with concern, stood at the center of a gathering larger than any before. The workers, warriors, and craftsmen of the Ironworks surrounded him, joined by the outsiders who had taken refuge in the valley—merchants, mercenaries, magic researchers, and even a few nobles. The usual tension between the groups was subdued, replaced by a collective unease as they waited for the Augury to speak.

Kalem stood near the front of the crowd, his focus core glowing faintly against his chest. He glanced at Vornar and Tharic, who flanked him, their expressions grim. Tavian and a few of the other master smiths were scattered among the gathering, their enchanted weapons strapped to their backs.

The Augury raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent.

"There is a strange stillness upon the land," the Augury began, his voice carrying easily over the assembled crowd. "The Galgameth and Lava Worms have retreated into dormancy far earlier than they should. The Season of Fire is never quiet—it rages until the end, reshaping the valley in its fury. But now…" He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Now, it is as if something has cowed even these beasts of chaos."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. The idea that something might be strong enough to frighten creatures like the Galgameth and Lava Worms was deeply unsettling.

One of the nobles, a tall man with a commanding presence, stepped forward. "You believe something is driving them into hiding?"

The Augury nodded. "I do. And whatever it is, it is likely far more dangerous than anything we have faced thus far."

The noble scoffed. "Dangerous enough to scare oversized lizards and worms? Perhaps. But nothing my knights and I cannot handle."

Tharic's deep voice cut through the noble's bravado. "Don't underestimate what you don't understand. If these creatures, forces of nature themselves, are afraid, then we'd best be prepared for something worse."

As the Augury opened the floor to discussion, theories and speculations began to fly.

"It could be a shift in the valley's core," one of the magic researchers suggested. "Perhaps a new fault line is forming, something even the Galgameth sense as a threat."

"Or another type of creature," added a merchant, his voice wary. "Something even more powerful, emerging from deeper within the earth."

Tavian, ever the pragmatist, folded his arms and spoke up. "Whatever it is, we need to prepare. If it's a force strong enough to disrupt the Season of Fire, it won't care about claims or titles. We'll need to put aside our differences and face it together."

The noble bristled at the suggestion but said nothing. His knights shifted uneasily behind him, their confidence clearly shaken by the gravity of the situation.

Kalem listened intently, his mind racing. He thought back to the creatures he'd fought and the dangers he'd faced. Whatever was causing this strange lull, it had to be something extraordinary—and terrifying.

The Augury raised his hand again, calling for order. "We cannot afford to wait idly. Each group must take measures to secure their people and resources. The Ironworks will form scout teams to investigate the valley's most volatile areas. Merchants and researchers, I urge you to share any findings or observations that might shed light on this mystery. Nobles…" He hesitated, his gaze hardening. "I suggest you focus your efforts on defense rather than conquest. This is not a time for petty disputes."

The noble from earlier frowned but nodded reluctantly.

The crowd began to disperse, but the unease lingered. Groups huddled together, whispering plans and speculations. The workers of the Ironworks moved with purpose, their experience in facing chaos driving them to prepare for the unknown.

As the crowd thinned, Kalem lingered near the plaza's edge, his thoughts heavy. He turned to Vornar and Tharic, who had stayed behind.

"What do you think it is?" Kalem asked, his voice low.

Vornar shook his head. "I don't know. But whatever it is, we'll face it. We always do."

Tharic grunted in agreement. "Just make sure you're ready, lad. This isn't the time to get complacent."

Kalem nodded, his resolve hardening. He thought of the weapons he'd forged and the skills he'd honed. Whatever came next, he would face it head-on, just as he always had.

As night fell, the valley took on an eerie stillness. The lava's glow was subdued, its flow slower than before. The faint light of the stars peeked through the thinning ash clouds, casting a ghostly pallor over the jagged landscape.

Kalem stood at the edge of the Ironworks, his gaze fixed on the horizon. In the distance, the mountains loomed like silent sentinels, their peaks still smoldering with residual heat.

He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, the faint hum of its energy resonating through his hand. The land might have quieted, but the tension in the air was thicker than ever.

Whatever was coming, Kalem knew it would test them all. And as the shadows deepened, he steeled himself for the battles yet to come.