We Wait

"What now?" Celeste asked after they left the Weaver Gathering.

Behind them, the golden Weaver gate sizzled before snapping shut. They were back in Atlas's realm.

"Now? We wait. All of you go home, prepare- there will be roughly ten cycles before the Weaver War begins."

"Nothing else?" Myra side-eyed him.

"Nothing else can be done," Atlas sighed. "Celeste, I don't know what's going to happen in the future. If you want to have more children- or any of the other female Primordials- you may."

"That is... a terrible implication," Celeste said softly.

Myra scowled. "What? You forbade her from having children?"

"Primordials and dragons eat a lot. They were consuming too much and decimating the wildlife. I had to ask-"

"So now that they're dying because of your wars, she may birth more children- for more wars?"

Atlas stopped, turning around, his rising anger evident. "Do you think I have a choice? This is the way of Weavers. Of Gods. Beyond your world."

"What a choice for us," Myra said wryly.

"I enjoy the thought of these battles," Ira chimed in, like an innocent child expressing his opinion.

Sighing again, rubbing the bridge of his nose, Atlas shook his head. There really wasn't anything he could do other than fight and win. He hadn't started this war, nor provoked it.

"The moment An-Ki became old enough, Xag declared war. There was no communication prior."

"If we defeat Xag, a Weaver many times stronger, we may have peace for centuries. I doubt any others who stayed quiet will want to test us- unless we're weakened to the point they don't fear us."

"So the wars will continue," Myra said.

"Not if we win decisively."

While Myra and Atlas bickered about the wars on the horizon, Ira approached Celeste. Her gaze was downcast, her once-prideful glow dimmed.

Despite his prior taunts, the anger and resentment he'd once held for her, a lingering desire for Celeste still stirred in Ira.

"Do you hate being used? Being viewed as a weapon?" he asked.

"No," Celeste replied. "But I don't want that to be the sole purpose of my children's existence. To breed generations for slaughter."

Ira paused, his judging gaze sweeping over her deflated majesty.

"You still serve our Weaver... but no longer without question?"

Celeste nodded. Ira exhaled black smoke in response, annoyed but trying to be sympathetic.

"This feeling you harbor- I don't understand. I would gladly fight, with pleasure, to destroy his enemies. But..." he paused again, more contemplative this time. "You need not worry about this war. The Weaver appears to have a plan."

"Since when? Selena? You've heard nothing I haven't."

Ira fell silent as the argument between Myra and Atlas continued.

"How many must Celeste or I breed for these wars?!"

"This isn't about you or abusing your people! This is about the world! Your people are this world's best chance to fight off the invaders!"

"Use the light-skinned elves or the round ears! Those small, hairy people too! Let them taste sacrifice for once instead of using us!"

Atlas gestured upward in frustration. "They are too weak! I've been trying to guide them but without threats that force growth- like your people experienced- it's slow!"

"So if we die because you overuse our people in these wars... what's left? Your defeat?"

"It won't happen. I've already told you: I have a plan to use Selena first."

"One creature. One. How is-" Myra began.

"Self-reflect on your power, Myra," Celeste interrupted, drawing all their gazes. "You destroyed the Smiling Tree in one attack. You killed Primordials- accidentally. You slaughtered thousands of corrupted beasts."

"You're right..." Myra admitted, thinking aloud. "Selena might be able to weaken the invader sufficiently. If I'm nearby Selena's corruption, we may win."

"But she'll attack me too," Myra added with annoyance.

"Trust me, Myra," Atlas said firmly. "Just lure her toward the enemy."

But in the background, Ira muttered,

"Does this mean I won't get to fight?"

----------------------

Golden, crystal light enveloped Celeste, and blood-red mist surrounded Myra as they departed. A similar event was happening to Ira, who would've been the last to depart when it suddenly vanished.

"Ira, a word?" Atlas said gently.

Excitement stirred in Ira's chest. "Of course! I'm eager for battle!"

Still smiling softly, Atlas tilted his head. "Great! I need your help then."

"At your will, Atlas!"

"I need you to bring a dragon's corpse to Selena's cave. If possible, a Primordial corpse too."

Atlas's CDIM globe reappeared beside them, and with a mental cue, it zoomed in on the mountains where Ira had once slaughtered his kin—where Myra had first found him. Then, it cut across the land in a straight line to focus on Selena's cave, where a few dark elves were departing for another expedition.

"My lessers will not be an issue. Plenty of their corpses litter my mountains," Ira sneered, clearly taking pleasure in the thought. "But why a Primordial corpse? Why corpses at all?"

"Take a guess."

"...Selena can birth an army of those green-skins. Is she capable of what the Smiling Tree was?"

When Atlas nodded, Ira's eyes widened. "I didn't think you capable of such coldness after all your comforting words to Myra and Celeste."

"Do you think they would agree? A few lives for the many. Selena has the potential to wipe out the Weaver entirely—if she can birth an army of Primordials."

The idea alone made Ira shudder. A true monster, Selena, had been hibernating near his den this entire time unnoticed.

"They'll know of this when you use Selena."

Atlas nodded. "They will. But I found the corpses in your mountains. Isn't that right?"

"It is a half-truth... but still truth," Ira said slowly. "This deception will demand revenge if they discover the entire truth."

"I trust you to keep silent. You'll be the only one who knows the truth of what was done to protect this world."

"It is an honor."

"Is it?" Atlas mused, tilting his head.

"Sacrifice a few to save thousands- millions- the world. I'm not one for romantic notions of grandeur, self-sacrifice, or nobility. I desire battle, strength... and a worthy mate. I believe others would agree with this decision."

"Which one do you desire more?" Atlas asked, and Ira stiffened. "Which one of the ladies?"

"I... do not know."

"Perhaps learning to shift like Enderax will give you a chance with Myra?"

"..."

Amused, Atlas waved him off. "Return. I'll be watching."

And with that, golden light enveloped Ira before whisking him away like the others.

No words. No witty or muscle-headed comeback.

Just a perplexed expression.