"Ok, listen here, elder Karish. My name is Katsíki and although Kenos and I fused, I am a simple honest to goodness goat." I declared rather loudly.
It took Karish a moment to catch what I had said.
"I see… so you are the lord's vessel."
"Yes,"
The room fell silent as everyone digested what I had said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Yna asked from beside me.
"We barely know each other."
"Good point."
Karish bowed again.
"Then allow us to serve you regardless, oh dark vessel." He said.
Mmm… I didn't really see a problem with being treated this way, but it was hella weird.
"Ok! Now let's move on to more important business. The Rendaro are divided. Why?" I asked.
Karish stood up before looking at me with narrowed eyes.
"After Lord Kenos was brutally injured by the Golden Prince, we retreated. Upon arrival in the dark expanse, the Foph tribe declared that they would assume leadership and they swore revenge, but we had lost far too many people to even think about war. We, along with the Ash wraiths, went our separate ways. That was over two hundred years ago. The Foph have been trying to attack mankind ever since, but speaking strictly for myself, I do not want any more warring." Karish said.
"I see. I have a plan. I want to heal the dark expanse and turn it into usable land. What are your thoughts on this?" I asked.
Karish looked up in thought for a moment.
"Although that does sound good in concept, doing so would likely gather some attention."
"That's why I'm talking to you. If we could fortify the land around here and create a sustainable city above ground, that could spell the beginning of a new age." I said.
"Pardon my frankness, but that sounds extremely optimistic," Karish said with a faint smile and for the first time since meeting him, I could see a sliver of hope in his big black eyes. Well, that's what it looked like.
"That's why we're talking instead of recklessly acting," I said before turning to Anda and Olen, who were still bowing.
"You two, stand and give me your thoughts on the matter."
Olen stood before glaring at Yna.
"I ask that you also forgive my frankness, but if you have indeed fused with the great lord Kenos of old, why is it that you are the one who manifested into the physical world? Should it not be lord kenos?" Olen asked.
"Mmm… now that you say it, I'm not sure. He said that fusing would be the best way to save us, but when I awoke, I could barely feel his life force, his presence. He says that he's healing himself, but still…"
"Anyway, that is something we can investigate at a later date. For now, I want to focus on restoration." I said.
Olen nodded.
"We could ramp up security on the surface while you work, but that would most likely attract the attention of the Foph. You see, their largest settlement is about fifty or so kilometers to the east and they frequently send out scouts." Olen said.
"And what about you guys? Is this your largest settlement?" I asked, but Olen lowered his head.
"Your highness… this is our only settlement," Karish said.
My eyes slowly narrowed.
These guys really had it bad.
A part of me also wanted to talk to the Foph about all this, but something told me that they weren't the most reasonable of people.
But then again, war had taken so much from them.
Their hatred and anger were justified, no?
"Ok, I'm doubling down on restoration efforts. Anda, your thoughts."
Anda stood up before looking straight at Yna.
"We could use the golden knight as a deterrent while we work." He said, his eyes shaking, possibly from nervousness.
"Mmm… Yna, how do you feel about being a sentry of sorts?" I asked while slowly narrowing my eyes.
"Say the word and I'll do it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Sounds more exciting than withering away in the woods by myself, no?" Yna retorted.
"Ok, elder Karish prepare the announcement thingy so that we can get to work as soon as possible."
"Ok! Please feel free to use this office as you please." Karish said before leading Anda and Olen out of the building, leaving Yna and I on our own.
"Umm… should I ask what he meant when he called you golden knight?"
Yna looked down for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"I once served under the Golden Prince." Yna said softly.
I slowly nodded before hopping off of the chair.
"This seems like a good place to gather intel and manage resources. I can see why Karish chose it as his office, hehe." I said in a desperate attempt to change the subject.
"Yeah." Yna said as she followed me on my tour of the place.
We eventually found the main bedroom and this led me to wonder where Karish would be sleeping if not here.
I didn't want to feel like I was imposing.
"You can bunk here." I said as I walked away.
"And where will you sleep?"
"Wherever the food is." I said as he continued to wonder.
I eventually found what was the living area.
A couple of well made wooden chairs sat in front of a cozy looking fireplace.
Yep, this was definitely the home of a politician.
I'm pretty sure all other Rendaro weren't so well off, but that's why I was there.
To change that.
I sat next to a strange bush like plant in the corner.
The house was lit by dim magical spheres near the roof and so I could see pretty clearly.
I took a bite out of the suspicious bush and I hoped it wasn't poisonous.
I then returned to my thoughts on world peace.
Hehe, such thoughts were nigh ludacris on earth.
Everyone hated each other for some reason.
From mountains to molehills, hatred was embedded deep into humanity and rooting it out was a laughable thought.
My ears caught the sound of footsteps.
I looked to find Yna standing by the doorway.
"What are you thinking so deeply about?" She asked as she entered the room.
She had removed her jacket and boots, giving her a more relaxed appearance than before.
There was some tension between her and the Rendaro.
Ignoring that would be irresponsible, but I didn't exactly want to prod around.
"Mmm… not much. I'm just thinking about my ideals and how reinforcing them or thinking about them could help." I said with a mouthful of leaves.
"You're quite the thoughtful one, aren't you. You're going to be a leader soon. Leaders don't question their ideals to find flaws or make improvements. They do what they believe is just, regardless of the morality of it all." Yna said as she sat on the couch closest to me.
"That sounds… narrow minded."
"Yeah, well that's just how things really work. If you choose to become a leader who thinks about every facet of every decision you make, two things will happen: your hair will turn grey extremely quickly and you will hesitate when the time comes." Yna said as her golden eyes locked onto my little self.
She would've frightened the living crap out of me, but I didn't sense any hostility or animosity coming from her.
"Mmm… will you be there when I hesitate?" I asked.
My voice annoyingly echoed in the empty room and I watched as Yna's eyes slowly widened.
"I…" Yna closed her mouth as her eyes lowered.
"You know what? Why don't you think our little agreement over a good night's rest?" I suggested.
Yna nodded before leaving my in the dimly lit room.
I let out a deep sigh before resting my head on my forelegs.
Sleep eventually overcame me as I slowly closed my eyes.
.
..
"Katsíki." A voice called and I slowly opened my eyes to see a fully dressed Yna.
Standing next to her was Karish and he was looking at something next to me.
I turned to see a half eaten bush plant.
"Err… good morning Karish." I said awkwardly as I stood up.
"Yes… good morning. We have gathered the people in the grand hall. Please, follow me." Karish said. I noticed that he was dressed in slightly fancier clothing this time. It gave him a very dignified look, which is a shame because be always had the same depressed expression.
"The people are ready to bask in your presence. This will surely reignite the fires of hope." Karish said.
I nodded, although deep inside I felt a little nervous.
It's a good thing goats can't express dynamic facial expressions… right?
Karish led us out of the office and into the underground city which was eerily silent.
He led us down to what I assumed was the lowest level.
I could see countless stores and business, but they were all eerily empty.
We eventually arrive at what looked like a great hall and I could hear the murmurs of at least a thousand people.
We entered the hall to find countess Rendaro and they fell completely silent as soon as we entered.
Karish then led me to a pedestal that overlooked the crowd and for some reason, it was a perfect match for me.
My hooves loudly tapped on the stone surface as I stood.
The silence of the hall eventually became excruciating and so I let out a fake cough, but even that didn't help as it echoed throughout the hall.
"Hello." I said nervously.
"My name is Katsíki and I am currently the vessel of Kenos. I have come to aid in the restoration of the Rendaro people and your civilization." I said as everyone stared at me.
I looked deep into their weary eyes and saw nothing but exhaustion, hunger and confusion.
"I don't know how long it will take, but we will turn the dark expanse into a suitable home."
My words were met with silence.
"What is this?" A person asked.
"This is beyond ridiculous. Have the elders gone mad?" Another asked.
The hall was then filled with harsh words, but I had no means of proving-
[Let me see if I can help.]
Kenos said from within me.
How? I wondered.
[Watch.]
The noise of the hall rapidly died down as a thick cloud of black smoke surrounded me.
I was completely enveloped by it and I felt my body change within the darkness.
The fur from my belly up sank into my skin and the hooves on my forelegs parted, revealing ten fleshy growths.
My face flattened and shifted, but least my two little horns remained.
Gasps filled the air as the smoke cleared revealing my new form.
I looked at myself and to find that I had changed into a young boy with horns and fuzzy white goat legs.
More gasps filled the air as I looked myself over.
Plumes of smoke rose from my body as I sat on the pedestal and the entire crowd fell to their knees.
I looked for Karish to find him kneeling by one of the hall's entrances.
"Mmm… Anyway, back to what I was saying. My goal is to help usher in a new age. Are there any who are opposed to this-?" I asked, but heart dropped as soon as I heard someone sobbing.
Another person then broke into a full wail before raising their arms.
Everyone else mimicked this behavior and it wasn't long before the entire hall was filled with the cries of the Rendaro.
"Do my eyes deceive me? Has our lord truly returned?"
"This is truly wonderful news!"
I then raised my small hand and the hall fell silent.
"The coming days may not be easy. In fact, you may have to work harder than ever before, but I hope that our efforts will ultimately lead to a better tomorrow!" I said before the hall was filled with tearful cheers.
Karish the walked towards me before raising his hands just like everyone else.
"Return to your homes and rest well, for tomorrow shall mark the first of many steps towards the future lord Kenos has envisioned." Karish said before leading me out of the hall.
Yna looked at me with narrowed eyes as we made out way back to Karish's office.
There, we found several Rendaro and they were all dressed in sturdy, but old leather clothes.
"Shall we head to the surface to begin preparations?" Karish asked.
I looked at everyone before realizing that I was basically naked.
I looked down to find nothing.
Shame.
A real shame.
Ah well, this meant that clothes weren't necessary.
"Yes." I said before Karish led us across the platform.
We eventually exited the underground city and we walked for about a kilometer to the south.
We'd be doing a lot of digging around and I didn't want to disturb the city below.
I then plopped down on the fairly cool black sand as the sun slowly rose.
I took several breaths before a cloud of smoke enveloped my body.
Some of the workers Karish had gotten let out gasps as I returned to my normal goat form.
I changed back because it was quite taxing to maintain that form and walk about.
"Ok, We're going to see how deep my purification goes. Sorry, but you're going to have to start digging." I said.
The workers bowed before preparing their shovels.
I nodded to myself before slowly absorbing the darkness around me.
I looked up and saw a whirlwind of darkness closing in towards me.
The workers took this as a signal to start digging and as I suspected, the ground beneath me had been purified, but just slightly.
There was still ash and darkness mixed within it, but with enough time and focus, I could do it!
I could save an entire civilization!
.
..
A couple of hours had passed and we had managed to clear about two tennis courts worth of land.
This was particularly good as I had purified the soil almost entirely.
Unfortunately, I was beginning to feel extremely hungry and the workers were starting to look particularly tasty.
I stood up and walked over to Karish, who keenly watched over the workers.
"Umm… I'm feeling a little hungry." I said.
Karish tilted his head before his eyes widened.
"O- of course. Will that be all the purifying for today?" He asked and I nodded.
"Use the land we've purified to build a hub or center. That's where we'll store tools and such as we work. Make it also worker friendly. It should also serve as a place to rest when they get tired. We'll discuss everything else later." I said.
"Understood. This way, please." Karish said before leading me to a large building within Eimval.
We entered it to find several Rendaro lined up.
They all wore damp thin pieces of cloth allowing me to see the extent of their malnutrition.
I wasn't sure if Rendaro were naturally slender, but I could see their ribs with painful clarity.
"Welcome, lord Katsíki." They all said as an old looking Rendaro approached.
"Greetings, your grace. My name is Tal." Tal said with a deep bow.
"Hello. Nice to meet you."
"The honor is mine, really. This way, if you please." Tal said before leading me to what looked like a gigantic bath area.
Countless baths were spread out inside a much large chamber, but my eyes narrowed upon seeing that most of the water had a gray tint to it.
I also noticed that the baths were all empty.
"Umm… do you guys get all from the stream that comes from the north?" I asked.
"Yes." Tal said.
I nodded in understanding.
All that water had to pass through so much tarnished land before getting here.
Dammit, almost five or so kilometers stood between these guys and clean water.
I could only imagine what this was doing to their bodies.