The Battle of Death Mountain: Staging

[Tearen Wover]

In the span of a few hours, Nealaphh had efficiently used only a pittance of Omnilium to construct several improvised shelters to accommodate the imminent influx of powerful Primes. The small structures were partly made from volcanic glass that the God-Mind had cauterized into frames using the pervasive soot, and partly made from a strong fabric that the Gorons made from Bomb Flower flax. In the short periods of rest that the enigma had taken, it had elected to observe these volatile crops in detail. The plants themselves were fascinating in that they seemed to use a blend of carbon-rich organic compounds and a pressurized inner husk to create concussive blasts upon separation from their root. The fact that the Gorons were able to tend to entire fields of these explosive flora was testament to their exacting and deliberate nature.

Nealaphh rose from a seated position on the glimmering, black ground and turned around to peer off to the South. Two black specks were weaving among the ash clouds like tiny gnats, the incarnadine light of the Steppes causing their reflective surfaces to twinkle and glimmer. It was the God-Mind's primary Aspects, returning from an emissary trip to the Koopa Kingdom. In a matter of minutes, the two hovering prisms came to a stop just a short distance from the God-Mind. The shadow reached out with its enveloping consciousness, and delved into the crystalline memory of the two geometric beings, allowing their thoughts to meld together.

In this way, Nealaphh learned that Bowser had refused to help the Institute in their pursuit, despite Drake Oneir's noble sacrifice. How inane. The oafish laughter of the Koopa King still rang loudly in their memories, and it grated against Nealaphh's practiced tranquility. No matter; if they refused to help themselves by ridding the Steppes of Volvagia, it would be easier to justify imperious judgement on the Koopa Kingdom once Nealaphh had the Institute better established. With a whoosh of its robes, Nealaphh walked up through the field of a dozen or so glass-fabric tents, towards the Goron Village proper. The God-Mind needed to deliver the news to Darunia.

A short time later, Nealaphh was standing in the familiar chiaroscuro darkness of Darunia's chambers, the roaring volcanic flame causing the shadows to dance across the myriad reliefs chiseled into the walls. Darunia scratched his stony beard slowly as Nealaphh delivered the news of Bowser's cowardice.

"Hrmph. Well, I half suspected this. We'll make do without!" Darunia said, clapping Nealaphh on the shoulder. The Enigma resisted the urge to flinch and looked up at the towering, muscular man.

I am sure that once you set an example of leading the assault, King Bowser will feel very foolish indeed.

Darunia seemed to pause, and Nealaphh could taste a hint of apprehension on the Chief's mind. It smacked of hypocrisy.

Is something wrong, Darunia?

"Well...it's just that..." Darunia paused, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. Nealaphh had never seen the Goron Chief behave this way, and it was slightly disconcerting. The Goron released a deep sigh and held the Gigaton Hammer out towards Nealaphh. Scrunching one eye in confusion, the God-Mind plucked the implement from Darunia's grasp with a slow telekinetic tug.

"It's just that...I'm afraid I can't join you on this." Darunia said, offering Nealaphh an apologetic look. The Enigma's inscrutable facial features remained ambiguous, but inside, Nealaphh was suppressing an alarmingly human amount of anger. It was all the God-Mind could do to relay its telepathic thoughts without a trace of disturbance.

Why is that?

"No offense to you, Brother, or the other Primes coming to help, really. But you see, I'm the Chief. I'm here to make sure the rest of our Brothers stay safe, and if that means putting Volvagia to sleep every now and then, that's fine, but something like this..."

Nealaphh cut the Chief off.

You can't risk them being attacked, should we fail to put the dragon down.

"Smart as ever, Brother. Someone needs to stay here to protect the village. But tell you what. Any Goron willing to fight will be free to climb to the summit with you." Darunia nodded, crossing his over-sized forearms. Nealaphh passed the hammer to the telekinetic influence of Klee and Shen, who had been lingering at the threshold of the grand chamber for the entire conversation.

I understand, Darunia. We will find someone else who can properly wield the weapon.

"I don't enjoy the idea of sitting this one out, believe me on that Brother."

Say no more, Darunia. I have nothing to hold against you. Let me know when you have a solid number of volunteers accounted for; I must continue making my own preparations.

With that, Nealaphh quickly swept out of Darunia's chamber, quietly steaming to itself. The Koopa Kingdom was staying out of it, Darunia lacked the confidence in the God-Mind to join the fight, and where was Ambrosia? Surely Drake must have arrived in the jungle by now, yet Nealaphh had heard nothing from either the smuggler or Princess Guu. As the shadow exited the main cave, it looked up at the smoking summit of Death Mountain with pinched eyes. It could not afford to back off on the assault. Not now, when it had so much momentum behind the raid. After a moment of reflection, Nealaphh began taking long strides off towards the temporary living area. It had to construct sanitation facilities, a kitchen and pantry, as well as a myriad of other living amenities. It was a good thing it had chosen to construct the Gigaton Hammer from native Omniverse material; otherwise it would not have been able to afford the Omnilium to make all of these objects...