Two separate groups could be seen walking in the direction of the man-sized teleportation matrix at the very edge of the island. They looked as different as possible, but all the people they consisted of were engaged in the same action of looking back often, with eyes that carried emotions tinged with the undercurrent of the kind of sorrow unique to one leaving their home.
The surprising thing was that this could be seen in the gazes that belonged to Daneel, Mors, and Alex, too, even though they had only spent a few days on the island. If he was talking about himself, Daneel could explain the phenomenon. The action of connecting with the Will of any location would always make one feel a deep attachment to that place, so his heart was filled with the despair of one who had no other choice but to burn down their house if they didn't want cruel animals who would kill them if given the chance to follow, and reach wherever they fled to as certainly as the fact that the sun rose in the North.
It felt strange to think this as it was different from Earth, but Daneel had already gotten used to it mainly because of his memories from before he had occupied this body. Musing on this phenomenon for a moment, he managed to ignore the melancholy atmosphere that filled the entire place…but after just a few seconds, he had to return to it, and as he did so, he looked to his two companions.
Mors was thoughtful, looking down at the ground while his eyes were at a faraway place. He had been engaged in this action ever since they had left that cavern for the last time, and Daneel started to worry whether something was on the elf's mind that he couldn't get rid of, and that couldn't be explained no matter how much he tried to lie.
Alex's sorrow was second hand, and this was obvious in the way he kept glancing in the direction of the other group, at the woman at whose feet his heart had certainly been thrown. Daneel saw it as clear as day; he knew that this would not have been possible if not for his own experiences in this matter back on Angaria, but because he had found true love, himself, after a lot of stumbling, it was quite obvious what the thief thought of the woman whose life had been changed forever due to her presence in that cavern, at that specific time.
He had spoken with the system extensively about what the after-effects of a transferral of a consciousness could be. He had been very surprised to find out that the least of what could happen was that her frae would be unlocked, and although he had wanted to tell this to her, he had refrained himself, knowing that this was an ability that she had to find out for herself and decide whether to pursue or forget.
When they reached the matrix, all of them turned around, as one, to look at the town that was just within their vision. Only the very tops of some of the mansions of the town could be seen, but still, almost all the eyes looking in that direction were peering at something that was within their minds, rather than visible in their vision.
Daneel didn't know whether the slaves were looking at the houses they had occupied for all these days, or the caves in the Pits which they had lived through their worst memories, and also many of the only good ones they might had had. After all, they had spent the majority of their lives there, and it would not have been possible for them to survive if they hadn't managed to find pockets of happiness in the sea of pain and unforgiving manual labor that they had been born into.
He still remembered the way the slaves had looked at him when he had announced that they would have to leave. They had been stunned, and their faces had carried the shock that could only be felt by those who had just settled into a normal life after much hardship, but had been told that they were going to be thrust into chaos once again. He had had to fight the urge to give explanations, but in the end, he had relented and talked a bit about how dangerous pursuers were going to be after them.
The slaves were hardy people, after all, so when given a hint of the reason due to which they were fleeing, they accepted it, just as they had come to accept many things in the life they had been forced to live until now. It had taken some time to convince the children who had gotten comfortable in the town and attached to the living conditions they had never experienced before, but eventually, everyone had gathered up their belongings and started trudging to the edge of the island on his command.
He looked at all of them, now, turning in their direction. Altogether, their hunched shoulders, downturned faces, and grey, drab clothes which had been worn again as it was needed to ensure their safe passage gave no doubt as to their identities. They were slaves, plain and clear, beaten down by life until defeat was all they represented, and nothing could be done to change this impression.
Daneel made to turn away, but paused when he noticed something else. It was easy to miss, only visible fleetingly in the set of a man's eyes here, a clenching of a woman's teeth there. And when he took a step back and looked at them all once more, searching for more of these signs, he understood what they were: the traces of stubbornness that had been given strength when their shackles had been broken.
If they had survived such a tough life, could they not face anything else that this world sought to throw at them? When the dam of emotions within them had broken, all of their dreams had come true, and in making that happen, he had given them the happiest memory that one could have. Could anyone that had gone through such extremes really be broken?
'Definitely not. I see it now. I see, again, why the system chose this place. They are my people, and no matter what happens, they will always be stronger than almost anyone that the Mainland can throw at me. The Mainlanders may be likened with a building already built, but these people are like sand and water stronger than anything used to construct the edifice those arrogant bastards represent. If I just use them well…what I create shall be undefeatable.'
A small smile came to his lips then, and when he spoke, his voice seemed to shatter the air that had become saturated with the grief of departure.
"Today, we flee, sinking our home for we are afraid. Some day, they shall be the ones who fear us. Someday, I shall lead you all to what you rightfully deserve. It may seem far-fetched, and I may even sound crazy…but this I swear. By the spirit of Larefa, I give you my word. Travel carefully, and never forget the precautions we entrusted to you. Graiton is waiting for you. When you reach my home, tell Reese I'll be back soon. For now…goodbye."
Daneel turned around after he was done as he didn't want to see how they took his words. He had uttered them with all seriousness, but he knew just how impossible it might seem.
He only turned back around when he detected the flash of the crystal from the corner of his eyes. The plan was simple: Seline would lead them in groups through the islands on the way to Graiton, always making sure that their way would never intersect with any other travelers. For this purpose, scouts would be used, and in the worst case, if they were seen, she would act like a slave owner, transporting her purchases.
There was nothing else to do but get on with it, now. Even though he knew it was necessary, it hurt to do it…but closing his eyes and feeling tears appear at their corners, Daneel did the deed himself, opting to not take the easy way of giving the system the command to carry it out.
He ordered the Will to perish, and he fully expected to see it hurt and betrayed. Instead, it relented without any opposition…and while his mind filled with surprise, he was sent an image that made him grin, then laugh, even as tears slipped down his cheeks.
It was the image of all the men, women, and children of Larefa looking at his straight back with fire in their eyes. A fire of retribution, a fire of a debt that needed to be paid…and a fire of a promise witnessed, and accepted.
'So they didn't think it was far-fetched, after all…'
Through their feelings, the Will had somehow comprehended that this was necessary. It let go of itself, now, and as it fluttered away into nothingness, the last thing it radiate outwards…was hope.
The land below him rumbled, then noticeably began to sink. Opening his eyes, he saw Alex and Mors looking at him with pity in their eyes.
Letting out a breath and fighting to keep his face straight, he walked to the crystal. He paused there, and taking the hint, the others left first.
It was only apt that his feet should be the last to touch the island. He checked on the spell that the elf had cast once again which would make sure that the brat and his guard would float on top of the water for a few days before they roused themselves, and after that, he knew that there was nothing else to do. This was a defeat, plain and clear. Because he had no way of going up against those more powerful than him, he had been given no option but to kill the Will of a land that had accepted him…and Daneel engraved this in his heart, beside all the other things that needed to be avenged.
Bending, he picked up a bit of the red earth and tucked it in his pocket. When he rose, his hand moved to the crystal, and before he disappeared, the last thing he saw was dark clouds, as though a storm had begun to gather.
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