Chapter Two-Hundred Nine
SouthwoodÑøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
Forge Alliance? Y/N?
The Southwood considers the prompt, and as he does so, he finds more and more worth considering about it. While it seemed to appear as all prompts do, something about it speaks of the weight of ages behind it, like an ancient pine. Or perhaps like a cicada with a much longer cycle; something that has not been seen for a long time.
He considered dismissing it and trying to pressure Thedeim to accept him as a vassal, but that would plainly not work. Not only would it be a bit strange to try to force someone to take him as a vassal, the other dungeon clearly doesnt want another vassal. The look on the rats face made that plain enough. But why not?
The other dungeon certainly seems determined to be the symbiont that the Southwood classified him as a while ago, but even herbivores will snack on an unfortunate rodent occasionally. Why does Thedeim refuse?
As a vassal, or even just being subsumed, the other dungeon would reap many rewards. The Southwood is proud of his territory and spawners, and his countless nodes. If Thedeim consumed him, the dungeon hiding in that hole would stand no chance. Proud of his progress as he is, he knows his capacity for self-defense is sorely lacking. If not for the scions of Thedeim, the Southwood would be subsumed already.
If he wanted a steady harvest, vassalizing the Southwood would be a good choice instead. Losing much of his autonomy would grate on his Voice, but even the Stag has come to understand how outmatched his Lord is.
As a vassal, he could tithe mana to Thedeim, and have his own growth guided by a mind more suited to battle. He doesnt need to be a fighter to recognize one, even if Thedeim prefers not to bear his teeth without cause.
Hmm. Even if he denies the alliance, he will probably be reliant on the other dungeon. If being a vassal is still not an available path, denying the alliance is pointless. Hell still probably be dealing with the other dungeon in hopefully an amiable way for the foreseeable future. Whatever the alliance does, it cant hurt the options of working together.
The Southwood accepts the alliance. Immediately, he can feel the change, and feel his options and information expand. New options bloom like flowers in spring, and he's relieved to see he can trade his more precious upgrades and options more freely. He can't give them away, but he can offer a trade. There is also an alliance pool of mana, that any can contribute to, and any can withdraw from. He can feel the Thedeims protege, like a curious pup hiding behind her sires legs. He can feel Hullbreak in the distance, a wounded predator slowly learning to accept help and recover.
And he can feel Thedeim. Hes hardly more than a pup himself, but there is a cleverness there, far more cleverness than should exist in one so young. Happiness and confidence radiate through the alliance like a warm breeze in fall. Thedeim has no fear of losing this battle, but hes also not going to just charge blindly in.
There is a ruthless patience to him, a combination the Southwood would have never expected to exist. The closest is how wolves hunt, tracking and harrying their prey until the final blow can be struck. That kind of pursuit is one of hunger and focus, grim determination and desperate hope of securing victory.
The intentions of Thedeim are different. The Southwood can see Thedeim like one of the delvers, a similar shape, but no detail beyond the outline. Hes pursuing a goal. The pursuit is almost casual, expending the minimal effort while still tracking the prey. Opportunities can be taken advantage of, berries picked or smaller prey taken, but each step continues to close the distance. It can be outrun, but it cant be escaped. Following, always following, always moving at a steady pace. Even the fight with the Harbinger fits into the steady rhythm of Thedeims advance. While the enemy dungeon scrambles to prepare, Thedeim continues his inexorable advance.
His new allys preparations are simple and deliberate, slowly building momentum towards the goal. A wolf might go out and hope for victory, fight for its life and howl its latest victory against starvation but Thedeim doesnt hope for victory. He knows what it will take, and has prepared accordingly. In his pursuit, foes are felled and allies carried until they can walk on their own. When they stumble, hes there to keep them moving, carrying them again if needed.
The vision fades, and it takes the Southwood a few moments to recognize it was a vision. The feelings through the alliance bond grow slightly concerned, but the Southwood quickly has his Voice reassure Teemo, and so Thedeim, that hes fine. He had been dimly aware of the dungeons fate affinity, but the vision has, perhaps appropriately, brought that knowledge into focus.
The alliance may be fresh and new, but the Southwood can already feel himself recommitting to the idea. Thedeims intentions are clear: to nurture and uplift his allies to the point they can stride confidently, and to ensure their foes never enjoy a moments rest.
