Machinist of Mana Chapter 129 Empty Island

We did not bother meeting up with the other ship's crew before heading to shore. A certain goblin was very, very insistent that we see what was left. It was hope, but from what I could see that hope was likely for naught. The only green was upon the shore, strands of kelp that had washed up. Not a blade of grass remained, and that was both terrifying and really impressive.

“Father told us that there were caves, we must find them. Should any of our people have survived they'll have hidden there.”

“Greta...” I began.

“No, first we find them, then we discuss. I remember the stories, where they stood near the rocks, the entrances hidden. If I just follow his directions...”

She was almost frantic, babbling quickly. The Councilor said nothing, letting her go, letting her work it out on her own. Perhaps that was the better way, I wasn't sure, but for once he made no jokes or quips, and that bode poorly. I let her pull forward, running along a cliff face as I got closer to him.

“This was done with artillery,” I said, looking at the craters everywhere, huge ones, but some very subtle.

“Yes, then finished with magic, the land scoured. Bombard first, then fire and death to wipe it clean.”

“You've seen it before?”

“Not often, but when we wanted to wipe something clean, fully exterminate some magical plague or creature this is how we did it. If there are any left, and I doubt there are, they'll be hidden deep, and we'll have to rebuild the ecosystem on this island from scratch for them.”

“You'd do that?”

“I may be a bit of a bastard but I'm not without decency. At any rate those goblins will need a homeland. Your people are likely to want them gone soon, and exterminating a race of sentient beings doesn't sit well with me.”

“Wouldn't have expected this from you... though I guess you've been through a lot before.”

“Something much like this has happened before. I wasn't there to put things right that time, but I won't miss my chance this time.”

It took her time, but eventually Greta did find the entrance to one of the tunnels. She hurried down it, heedless of any further danger. Of course according to her none of her kind would dare hurt one of their own who was with child, not that I thought they could beat her anyway, but still.

The shaft went deep into the earth, much further down than I'd thought anyone sane would build, but these warrens were ages old and supposedly often very full. Space may well have been a concern. It also gave hope though, for If they were this far below the surface the bombardment shouldn't have killed them.

The walls were wet and slick in places, the floor much the same, with our only lights being from the two spellcaster's magic. Down we went, further and further until we came upon an opening. Cold coals were near the door, long gone out, long the power of flame had left the small makeshift firepit. This room was where we found them.

All across the floor were bodies in various states of decay. Some were little more than bones, others almost whole, but desiccated and dried somehow. There were no rats, insects, or anything else to rip and tear them apart, so they lay there, dead and gone.

Greta didn't have words, instead falling to her knees and weeping, surrounded by the corpses of her long lost kin. It was a harrowing sound, pained and full of suffering, like a scream of agony between the wails.

After a time she settled, still kneeling there, exhausted, weak, unable to continue.

“I am sorry for your loss,” a calm, almost kindly voice said from the shadows.

Looking up we saw another elf there, one who could have been the Councilor's brother. Long white locks flowed over his robes and his all too familiar face. I knew him, I'd met him, and he was here.

“Did you do this, are you the one responsible!” Greta accused, rising with a snarl.

“No, I did not, not this time.”

“You will tell me everything you saw!” she spat, tossing forwards her hands. From them sprang ribbons of light and magic, reaching towards the newcomer.

Before they could touch him though the spell dissolved, falling apart like smoke on the wind. I recognized the technique, if not the power. He had magical resistance, and had just used it to unwind her magic like a wind blowing it to bits.

She didn't take that well, and in a bit of a fit threw several more projectiles towards him. Those wouldn't have even bypassed my magical resistance, poorly constructed and not very powerful. The elf just looked at her with tired eyes.

“I am not your enemy, now cease this,” he told her, clearly not willing to raise his voice. “I would hate to have to restrain you, as my own people always loved children and loathed putting them at risk, but I will if I must.”

“Why?” she asked, voice breaking on the word.

“That is something I intend to find out, return above and rest for now. There will be much to do later. Boy, stay with me, we've much to discuss.”

She did as he told her and left, helped along by our other elven companion. He too didn't argue, or quip a bit, just took her arm gently and walked her back towards the surface.

“You're like me,” I said in English.

“Yes, the first of us that I know us to come to this world. Much like you, and Alana, and this Father, and a few more I've known over the years too.” His language matched mine, perfectly pronounced, like he'd stepped out of a school just yesterday.

“And what is it you want from me? I'm afraid if you want me to kneel I already have a ruler in this world.”

“I left my throne behind long ago child. No I want your help, for someone killed my friend, and I want to know who is responsible precisely, and I want to know why. I even suspect that they had something to do with this massacre too, heaping another crime upon their backs. Something is festering and it stinks, stinks in a way I don't care to see again.”

“And should I do so?”

“Then we will cut away the rot.”