03-31-2016, 02:55 PM
Nealaphh was not used to being hailed as a hero.
Yet, as the Goron Caravan made its way back up the pitched slopes of Death Mountain, nearly a hundred Gorons line the causeway into the village proper. The thronging rock-men threw up puffs of glowing silicate powder, hooting and cheering as the lead Goron in the caravan held up the Gigaton Hammer triumphantly. In this way, the Caravan became more of a processional parade. The God-Mind had to wonder how, exactly, the Gorons had known that they were coming, but it ultimately decided that it was unfair to think that all of the golemesque villagers were luddites. Connor Hound, who had joined with their caravan a few hours prior, did his best to keep his motorcycle driving straight over the hilly, rubble-strewn terrain. Nealaphh had been glad to see the mercenary expressing such enthusiasm for assisting in the banishment of Volvagia, especially since so few others had volunteered, at least outwardly.
The red light of the ash choked sky bounced vibrantly off of the hewn doorways and walls that had been carved into the igneous landscape. All of these obsidian structures led towards the yawning mouth of the main cave, where Chief Darunia stood with his meaty arms crossed and wide grin beaming. Nealaphh abruptly returned to its humanoid form and floated fown gently from atop the Dodongo, only to have the Goron Chief rush up and give the God-Mind a sharp, crushing embrace.
"Good to see you brother! And you brought a guest! The first of many I hope!" Darunia bellowed, glancing towards Tom's placid form. The collected tribe all looked on with baited breath as Darunia collected the Gigaton Hammer from the caravan leader, hefting the weapon a few times. After giving it some experimental swings, the massive Goron leader traced a rough finger along the etched, glowing runes that ran along the haft.
"It's certainly a different beast than the Megaton Hammer...but I like it! What's say we give it a whirl?!" Darunia shouted, eliciting a round of cheering from the Goron brotherhood.
I would expect nothing less. Nealaphh cooed, its eyes narrowing in anticipation. In just a few minutes, a group of a dozen Gorons had rolled an oversized boulder down from a nearby house, balancing it precipitously on the downward slope of the main road. Daruna stood at the bottom, glaring at the black, spherical rock. Nealaphh and Tom watched in earnest as the several-ton boulder was pushed hard towards the Chief. Darunia remained still as the boulder gained velocity, and right at the last moment, he swung the hammer in a sharp, two handed arc.
There came a deafening crack as the runaway rock was more than simply shattered; it was disintigrated. A hail of pebbles and sand were blasted away in a cone from the point of impact, much to the glee of the Gorons. Connor whistled lowly, and Darunia whooped loudly and stomped his feet, gazing wide-eyed at the Hammer as if it were his favored child. The Chief brandished the head of the Hammer towards the summit and shouted an oath.
"Hear that, Volvagia?! The next thing to break is your FACE!"
Another round of cheering, and when the cacophany finally settled down, Darunia practically skipped towards the small hut where Tom and Nealaphh were watching. It was clear that Tom found the entire display to be somewhat droll, but the God-Mind's expression remained inscrutable as always.
"Quite a piece of work you put together, Brother Nealaphh!" Darunia said, slinging the hammer over his shoulder. Every time the Hammer was so much as jostled, the Enigma could hear the entombed consciousness within the weapon snarling in want of destruction.
Please, Tom here was more than instrumental in perfecting the design. It was a team effort. The first of many. Nealaphh said, bowing its head slightly. Tom noted the deliberately sacharine intonation that Nealaphh was projecting its words with. The wizard understood why, but that didn't make it any less grating.
"So what happens now?" Darunia asked, settling into a cross-legged position on the ground.
I am glad you asked, Brother. Now, we wait and prepare for the battle. Many Primes are going to be gathering here in just a few days. I will need to see to it that proper accomodations are prepared. Nealaphh said, projecting mental images of heavy duty tents strung up around the village. Darunia nodded thoughtfully.
"'And what about the Koopas?" he grumbled, his eyes flickering with a flinty resentment.
I am not sure if they have been sufficiently appeased, but we will find out soon enough.
Darunia snorted.
"Yeah, well, they'd better show up if they know what's good for 'em. Anything else, Brother?"
Not at the moment. I will let you know if I need your assistance.
"Hrmph. Good enough. See you around, Brother." Darunia boomed, offering both Primes a hearty slap on the back as he trundled out into the carmine daylight. Nealaphh turned slowly to Tom, who was very clearly uncomfortable for many reasons.
"Seems as if you'll be quite occupied for some time." Tom said with an airy tone. Nealaphh was not sure what the wizard was playing at, but it did not have the time to concern itself with such subtleties at the moment.
Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Tom. I'm sure you'll find a way to help if you so choose.
The God-Mind then turned to look at Connor, who was idly leaning against the cool pummice wall of the volcanic hovel.
As for you, Mr. Hound, I invite you to relax and do as you see fit. Accommodations will be provided shortly, unless you wish to make your own.
With that, Nealaphh swept out of the dark, stone hovel, eager to get a head start on all the necessary chores. There was so much riding on trusting in the competence of others. It made Nealaphh feel a tad uncomfortable, but, it had little alternative...
Yet, as the Goron Caravan made its way back up the pitched slopes of Death Mountain, nearly a hundred Gorons line the causeway into the village proper. The thronging rock-men threw up puffs of glowing silicate powder, hooting and cheering as the lead Goron in the caravan held up the Gigaton Hammer triumphantly. In this way, the Caravan became more of a processional parade. The God-Mind had to wonder how, exactly, the Gorons had known that they were coming, but it ultimately decided that it was unfair to think that all of the golemesque villagers were luddites. Connor Hound, who had joined with their caravan a few hours prior, did his best to keep his motorcycle driving straight over the hilly, rubble-strewn terrain. Nealaphh had been glad to see the mercenary expressing such enthusiasm for assisting in the banishment of Volvagia, especially since so few others had volunteered, at least outwardly.
The red light of the ash choked sky bounced vibrantly off of the hewn doorways and walls that had been carved into the igneous landscape. All of these obsidian structures led towards the yawning mouth of the main cave, where Chief Darunia stood with his meaty arms crossed and wide grin beaming. Nealaphh abruptly returned to its humanoid form and floated fown gently from atop the Dodongo, only to have the Goron Chief rush up and give the God-Mind a sharp, crushing embrace.
"Good to see you brother! And you brought a guest! The first of many I hope!" Darunia bellowed, glancing towards Tom's placid form. The collected tribe all looked on with baited breath as Darunia collected the Gigaton Hammer from the caravan leader, hefting the weapon a few times. After giving it some experimental swings, the massive Goron leader traced a rough finger along the etched, glowing runes that ran along the haft.
"It's certainly a different beast than the Megaton Hammer...but I like it! What's say we give it a whirl?!" Darunia shouted, eliciting a round of cheering from the Goron brotherhood.
I would expect nothing less. Nealaphh cooed, its eyes narrowing in anticipation. In just a few minutes, a group of a dozen Gorons had rolled an oversized boulder down from a nearby house, balancing it precipitously on the downward slope of the main road. Daruna stood at the bottom, glaring at the black, spherical rock. Nealaphh and Tom watched in earnest as the several-ton boulder was pushed hard towards the Chief. Darunia remained still as the boulder gained velocity, and right at the last moment, he swung the hammer in a sharp, two handed arc.
There came a deafening crack as the runaway rock was more than simply shattered; it was disintigrated. A hail of pebbles and sand were blasted away in a cone from the point of impact, much to the glee of the Gorons. Connor whistled lowly, and Darunia whooped loudly and stomped his feet, gazing wide-eyed at the Hammer as if it were his favored child. The Chief brandished the head of the Hammer towards the summit and shouted an oath.
"Hear that, Volvagia?! The next thing to break is your FACE!"
Another round of cheering, and when the cacophany finally settled down, Darunia practically skipped towards the small hut where Tom and Nealaphh were watching. It was clear that Tom found the entire display to be somewhat droll, but the God-Mind's expression remained inscrutable as always.
"Quite a piece of work you put together, Brother Nealaphh!" Darunia said, slinging the hammer over his shoulder. Every time the Hammer was so much as jostled, the Enigma could hear the entombed consciousness within the weapon snarling in want of destruction.
Please, Tom here was more than instrumental in perfecting the design. It was a team effort. The first of many. Nealaphh said, bowing its head slightly. Tom noted the deliberately sacharine intonation that Nealaphh was projecting its words with. The wizard understood why, but that didn't make it any less grating.
"So what happens now?" Darunia asked, settling into a cross-legged position on the ground.
I am glad you asked, Brother. Now, we wait and prepare for the battle. Many Primes are going to be gathering here in just a few days. I will need to see to it that proper accomodations are prepared. Nealaphh said, projecting mental images of heavy duty tents strung up around the village. Darunia nodded thoughtfully.
"'And what about the Koopas?" he grumbled, his eyes flickering with a flinty resentment.
I am not sure if they have been sufficiently appeased, but we will find out soon enough.
Darunia snorted.
"Yeah, well, they'd better show up if they know what's good for 'em. Anything else, Brother?"
Not at the moment. I will let you know if I need your assistance.
"Hrmph. Good enough. See you around, Brother." Darunia boomed, offering both Primes a hearty slap on the back as he trundled out into the carmine daylight. Nealaphh turned slowly to Tom, who was very clearly uncomfortable for many reasons.
"Seems as if you'll be quite occupied for some time." Tom said with an airy tone. Nealaphh was not sure what the wizard was playing at, but it did not have the time to concern itself with such subtleties at the moment.
Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Tom. I'm sure you'll find a way to help if you so choose.
The God-Mind then turned to look at Connor, who was idly leaning against the cool pummice wall of the volcanic hovel.
As for you, Mr. Hound, I invite you to relax and do as you see fit. Accommodations will be provided shortly, unless you wish to make your own.
With that, Nealaphh swept out of the dark, stone hovel, eager to get a head start on all the necessary chores. There was so much riding on trusting in the competence of others. It made Nealaphh feel a tad uncomfortable, but, it had little alternative...
And, we dream of home I dream of life out of here Their dreams are small My dreams don't know fear I got my heart full of hope I will change everything No matter what I'm told How impossible it seems We did it before And we'll do it again We're indestructible Even when we're tired And we've been here before Just you and I
Don't try to rescue me I don't need to be rescued
Don't try to rescue me I don't need to be rescued