Vigor Mortis

Chapter 42: Hugs and Horrors

I grab Melik and drag him somewhere Im confident no one can overhear, turning on him before he can have a chance to talk.

All right, kid, three things. One: I know youre not a Nawra. Two: if you plan to stay that way, youre not going to tell anyone about my artifact. And three: how the fuck do you know I even have an artifact? Ive been hiding it since before we got here!

Dont call me kid, he scowls. Youre younger than I am!

My eyelid twitches, but I refrain from any other reaction.

Answer the question.

Its my talent, he says, scowling. I can sorta feel where metal stuff is if its nearby.

My eyebrows raise.

Woah. Dont look so grumpy. Metal detection is kind of an awesome power?

He shrugs.

Sure, if I want to be used to detect metal my whole life. Which I definitely dont. So youre not going to infect me, huh?

Not if you behave, I promise. Im not sure if telling him our plan is a good idea yet.

We stare at each other for a while. Melik has the same stocky build as his mother but with a lot more height to it. The kid yes, Im going to keep calling him that is muscular and clearly well-fed, his skin heavily tanned from outdoor work. All of this irritates me to no end. Even after a few months of proper meals and constant workouts, Im skinny as a rail. Plus, I have to wear a hooded cloak or my pale ass just gets sunburnt! And, of course, as a what, probably a 15-year-old? He looks older than me. Unforgivable.

...Its kind of weird talking to a parasitic monster, he comments after a while.

I snort.

You get used to it. So are you going to play nice or not? Im happy to leave you and your mom alone, its really not important to me.

That empty face he wore at the meeting earlier returns. Penta also reattaches to my spine, having presumably finished her sulk session. It takes her no time at all to catch up on the conversation, though she lets me continue for now.

Ill play nice, Melik says.

Cool, I confirm. Then you work for me now. So, the other slimy folk dont have any artifacts of their own, do they?

Your friend does. The, um, arrogant noble lady?

Yeah, thats Penelope. I know she does. Anyone else?

Theodora has some metal on her. I dont know what its enchanted to do, though.

I nod, thinking about all that.

All right, well thanks, Melik. Remember, you cant tell anyone I have an artifact. Not even your mom.

I turn to walk away, but he calls out to me first.

W-wait. Why are you covering for me?

Hmm. Should I tell him? Penta nods my head imperceptibly.

Really? You think its a good idea?

Another nod. I chew on the thought. Yeah, he might actively work against me otherwise, thinking Im on their side. Thats a bigger risk than the fact that he might be a bad actor. If he gets found out and slimed well, Ill just have to be there to make sure the slime dies before it can give away secrets.

Because Im not actually a Nawra, I hiss quietly at him. Im here to wipe them out and free everybody.

He stares at me in surprise for a moment, hope slowly dawning.

Mom and I will help, he insists.

No. You absolutely cant tell your mom.

Why not? Shes strong! If you have a plan, she can

Shes one of them, I tell him bluntly.

His face falls, but it looks more like despair than surprise.

But

Nawra copy their hosts memories, I press on. Trust me. Even if shes acting exactly the same, thats normal for them. Youre free because that slime ended up copying your moms love for you, and she cant bear to replace you with someone else. Lucky you. But she is a Nawra right now and I need you not fucking around with my business if Im going to free her. Got it?

He nods, blank-faced.

Okay, so heres the deal: I can save pretty much everyone except Remus and that Theodora lady by myself. The artifact has a poison in it that can kill their slimes without killing them, but to use it

...You want to save Seong first. he finishes.

Yeah, exactly, I nod. You know them, right? Like the real them? Can they keep pretending to be a slime while we set everything up, or are they just going to be a liability?

Seong is smart, Melik promises. Um are you really serious though? This isnt some weird slime ruse?

I snort with amusement.

Not this time. You can come if you want, just dont act suspicious.

Hopefully, the not acting suspicious bit would be upheld by both of my tagalongs. I head towards Seongs place. No time like the present. I have the recommendation of a 15-year-old, which okay, maybe a bit shaky, but in the absolute worst-case I can let Penta control Seong for a while. Besides, one way or another? I need that slime dead.

Remus intercepts us on our way to Seongs house, which I expected. Thats where he had just left from, after all. He smiles as broadly as he can at Melik and I, waving as he approaches. Only half of his face can move thanks to his burn scar, but boy is that half looking happy.

Hey, you two! Getting along, I see?

Yes, Uncle Remus, Melik lies. Vita is telling me about the city, and Im telling her about the village.

Wait, is he your uncle? I posit, changing the subject since I dont actually know anything about the village and wouldnt be able to bluff that if it came up. I thought he was your grandad. Hold on, am I your aunt?

Melik laughs, faking it better than I expected he would.

No, thats just what Ive always called him! Since he and my mom used to be on the same team, hes always been like family!

Now its just more official, Remus agrees, clapping a hand on each of our shoulders. You two let me know if you need anything, all right?

Yup. Sure will, mister person I plan to murder. I smile back at him, Penta assisting subtly in crafting the fake expression. Shes way better at that when she tries, huh?

You got it, pops! I say aloud, saluting cheerfully.

He snorts with amusement, heading past us with that wholehearted half-grin still firmly on his face. I keep my inner eye on him as he goes, trying not to drool over that huge soul the slime has. It will be mine soon, either as a Revenant or as food. I cant wait.

We continue on, and I spot Penelope chatting with the metamancer woman, Theodora, out of the corner of my eye. I nod at her and Penelope waves back, shooting me the kind of smile Ive only seen her make when Penta was controlling her. I suppose Ive never seen the real Penelope make a face like that before. Even now, its obvious to me that shes faking it but I doubt it would be to anyone who doesnt know her.

Melik and I make it to Seongs door and knock. They answer shortly afterwards, looking up at him before glancing down at me.

...Hey, ya two. What can I help ya with?

Mind if we come inside? I ask innocently.

Ah suppose not, the slime says with a shrug, stepping back to let us in. Melik walks in first, and I follow, closing the door afterwards. Ah gotta admit, ah dunno how ta address ya, Vita. Mah host is a lot older than ya, but ya personally were split much before I was.

Oh, I wouldnt worry about it! I say cheerfully, walking closer and plunging three tendrils into their body.

They only have a split second to move before I wrap their soul in death and pull. They waste it, and I tear the fresh morsel of life out from the slimy body hidden in their neck. Gleefully, I caress my prize, storing it safely in my torso as I rub it like a beloved pet. I havent had a fresh, complete soul in so long! Its a bit small for a good snack, though, and I promised Penta to see about making them Revenants anyway.

Seong, now the real Seong, instantly flashes their hand into a pocket, pulling out some kind of concoction and chugging it with one hand as they whip out a knife and hold it to my throat with the other.

Let meh through, they demand.

I recoil a bit at the knife, but try to keep my cool.

Im the one that saved you, I say as calmly as I can. I need your help to save the others.

They glower, keeping the knife still. I am very careful not to let it so much as touch me, considering whos holding it.

How? Seong asks.

Lucky talent, I answer. Im pretty much a Nawras worst nightmare.

Penta wiggles, apparently considering that the understatement of a century. At least shes not sassing me verbally when we have a poisoned knife to our throat.

Speaking of, Seong withdraws their blade a bit, storing it and giving me a considering stare. Despite the wrinkles around their eyes and partially greying hair, they hold themselves with a poise of a much younger person. Remus is absurdly powerful, and though it does little to hold him back its clear he feels the aches and pains that come with age. Seongs movements have none of that unwanted stiffness, and I could almost believe they were closer to my age than Remuss. The only part of them that seems like its affected by old wounds is their voice.

Lets say I believe you, they hiss. If what you say is true, what do you need me for?

Remus and Theodora, I answer. Those Nawra are too old and too strong. I cant get through their magic resistance. So I convinced Talines slime to make a feast for everyone. I was thinking you could help her add a few spices?

Seong snorts, what I could see of their face crinkling in amusement. The rest of their body is still tense as a coiled spring, though, as if each muscle was still reeling over the fact that it could tense at all.

Cant cook most of what I carry. Can brew a drink, but dont have enough of the non-deadly-ta-humans stuff. Ah poison monsters, nah people.

I feel outward with my senses, locating Penelope and Theodora. Penelope, on point as usual, seemed to have the other woman engrossed in conversation and facing the other way. I pull out the Everfull, showing it to Seong.

Well, I need you to do both. This is full of Nawra poison. All you could ever need. If we pour from it, though, Theodora will notice.

Ah. Thas a conundrum. But ta get this in tha first place yer backed bah Skyhope after all, eh?

Yep. And the others still think Im one of them, which is how I plan to keep it. Anywhere safe I can pour this for you?

Thas tough. Dunno. Ahm no mage.

Shit. Okay. Ill go talk to Penelope, then. Shes also clean.

Seong nods. Melik, however, looks utterly flabbergasted.

W-wait! he protests. Thats it? You just walked in and fixed them? No way. You were just with my mom, and you said

Well get your mom when we get the others, I say, cutting him off. Shell be fine another day.

She should be fine right now!

Melik, do not

Oi, Seong butts in, holding out a vial to me. Drink this.

A glance at it, then back up at them.

No?

Itll immunize ya from the slimy bastards fer a couple days. Last of tha stuff I have. Drink.

I scowl. Couldnt things ever be easy? Thankfully, I have a good excuse.

I can protect myself from Nawra. Give it to Melik.

Seong shrugs, handing the kid the poison. Melik gratefully drinks it, then tries very hard not to retch.

So are you going to be okay, Seong? I ask. Well need you to keep pretending to be a slime in control of your own body.

Dont worry about meh, Seong hisses. Tha damn slimes are gonna pay fer thinkin they can take mah village.

Uh, okay. Just please dont do anything crazy without telling me. Were on a time limit, and if slimes try to run itll get messy.

Seong tilts their head, giving me a considering glare.

Fer someone even smaller than ah am, ya sure are bossy. Question fer ya. That thing controlling Remus talked a lot about yer plague mage biomancer friend. Why use poison at all if ya have someone like her?

I glare back up at them.

Her magic takes a while to get going, I half-lie. This is the better way. Just trust us, please? Dont make me regret freeing you early.

Seong snorts.

Girl, yer way too young ta make a face like that.

My tendrils twist and curl as I hold down a bout of anger. Ive been hearing that way too many times today.

I just saved your ass, I shoot back. Quit looking down on me and show some damn gratitude.

Seong lets out a hissing chuckle, nodding.

In mah defense, ah dont get ta look down on many people. But yer point is taken. It just makes meh sad ta see, is all. Ya got an unlucky talent, and now yer forced ta kill people at yer age. Its ah failure of the whole country, ta let shit like tha happen.

Well, I grumble, we can agree that Valka is a failure. Thats neither here nor there, though. Your slime is dead and we have the rest of them to kill next. Ill go grab Penelope, and well work something out.

Poor bastards, Seong growls, voice low. Ah wanna get mah hands around tha neck of whatever motherfucker made those things.

Penta perks up, snapping into control.

Made? You think Nawra are artificial?

Ah believe so. That or not from tha island originally. Or both, ah suppose. But tha way they work it dont make a lotta sense. They dont need half their instincts if theyre possessing monsters and dogs. Ahd bet mah ass theyre a fuckin bioweapon, made fer infiltrating human colonies.

Penta swallows, her horror making my heart race.

A sapient bioweapon

Yup, Seong hisses. Theyre too perfect at that fer it to be chance. Makes mah fuckin blood boil. Theyre damn children, ya know? Scared, confused little bastard mine was. But we still gotta kill em all.

D-do we? Penta almost begged. If they can be reasoned with, then

Nah. Reproduce too fast. Even if ya have one or two reasonable ones, a single bad apple and theyll fuck it for everyone. Sa mercy to end it, as disgusting as tha is. Swhy I wanna gut the fucker that made em. Doomed their own kids from the damn start.

Doomed from the start, Penta repeats quietly. Maybe so. In that case I wouldnt mind helping with the gutting, if you figure out who did it.

Seong shrugs.

Ahll let ya know, but ah doubt ahll run into em just like that. Sa dream, nothin more. Now, we gotta save the others, ya?

Yeah, Penta agrees, barely whispering. She gives control back to me, and I nod.

Ill be back, I promise. Seong, can you take care of Melik?

Wh- hey! Melik protests. I dont need taken care of!

I just keep looking at Seong.

Please? I ask flatly. They chuckle.

Ya. Don worry Melik, I aint yer nanny. I got shit for you to help with. Follow meh.

I head out as they move deeper into Seongs house, thoughts racing.

Their theory makes sense, Penta whispers to me. I hate it, but it makes a lot of sense. Nothing in our biology is wasted or redundant, and nothing is similar to any creature Im familiar with. It almost seems as though were missing the bits that would allow us to survive independently. When you look at it that way, were almost certainly artificially created life.

How the heck does someone create life?

Well usually they have sex, Penta answers, deadpanning.

Ha ha. I mean artificial life.

Well Im no expert, but I would suspect you need at least a biomancer for the body, and

An animancer, I finish. For the soul. Would that be necromancy or cognimancy?

Taking something dead and making it alive? I can only assume, but I would say thats the logical conclusion of both disciplines, used in tandem. The mark of a true master of animancy.

Well, thats one way to get you a better body, I guess.

Penta blinks.

You cant be serious, she murmurs, dumbfounded.

As usual, you know exactly how serious I am. Its what you want, right? A body of your own? You know biomancy, I know animancy. Lets figure it out!

For a moment, I feel tears start to well up in my eyes before Penta drops control of my body, shivering to herself in the base of my skull. I wipe away the bits of water before we head anywhere they might be noticed, smiling to myself. Slowly, as non-threateningly as possible, I reach soul-tendrils up around her, not making contact. I get why it freaks her out to be touched by them, what with our rocky start and all. But this is what youre supposed to do when a friend cries, right? Be it in pain or joy.

Pentas little soul-cilia slowly, haltingly, stretch my way as she moves them for the first time. I take that for the invitation it is, and wrap her up with mine.

Finally, for the first time, I hug my friend.