Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

Ascendant

- HGA ttg The Nazgûl

Book 1: Convergence

Chapter 5

The house was a mess of all sorts of things. There were papers covered in various scribblings, tools of unknown origin, various rocks that didn’t seem out of the ordinary, various assortments of feathers and leaves, as well as many other unidentified objects. There was a small table in the center of the room. The bed was covered in small wooden boxes filled to the brim with more clutter. Spark did not understand how someone could live like this. He did not see how Caleb could help them win the war, but if Cole trusted him, then Spark would too. The three sat down at a small table in the middle of the mess.

“Caleb,” Cole began, “we are afraid we may be on the brink of war.” Before Cole could begin another sentence Caleb already began to panic.

“War!? What if the island gets taken over!? What will happen to us!? WHAT IF WE DIE!?” Spark looked on and couldn’t help but feel a little pity for Caleb. He had at first thought he was a lunatic, but now he realized he was just the same as himself, a young man excited for the future. Only Caleb’s future did not involve war.

“Caleb!” Cole shouted. This appeared to settle him down, at least for the moment. “I understand that it scary and the future is uncertain. However, we are unable to prevent the inevitable. Spark and I are going to lead the army, and I want you to help us.”

“Me? Help? I am hardly built for that sort of thing. What are we going to do? Do we have a plan? Why can’t we hide? What if—“

“Listen Caleb, everyone here needs our help, so we are going to help them. If we hide, we will eventually be found and killed. I know you are not the strongest, but you are a great guy and there’s no one I would rather have fighting beside me. As far as a plan, you will have to ask Spark.” Caleb turned towards Spark. Spark could see the fear and anxiety in Caleb’s eyes. Cole looked over as well. They were relying on him now. Now was his first step as a leader.

“Well, I haven’t thought about it much, but here is what I am thinking. We can send John out to keep an eye on the trench. He is one of our best scouts. He can inform us if they begin to attack. In the meantime, the three of us will have to train everyone in combat. Cole, you can teach hand-to-hand combat, as well as archery if we have time for it. Caleb, you can help people in the medical field as well as any other duties you see fit to teach them. I can deal with swords. We will have to divide the people up in the morning for what we will teach them. As far as where to fight, I figured the desert would be the best place to begin, since it is open and everyone will have an easier time with their first battle. If we make it past there, then we can figure out the rest, one step at a time.”

“Seems like a good plan to me.” Cole said. “I can let John know tonight. You guys get some rest. We want to be prepared for—what are you doing?” Cole looked at Caleb who was grabbing a jar from under a heap of papers. He set it down on the table and dig through a pile of rocks and pulled out three cups. He poured the drink into each of the cups. Once finished, he grabbed his cup and raised it into the air.

“For courage and friendship!” He said. Spark glanced over at Cole. Cole smiled and grabbed his cup. The three of them touched cups and drank. Spark smiled. So this was how it all began, the three of them all gathered in a messy hut as they planned to lead an army. He imagined them when it was all over, standing with each other in victory. The next few days would be long and tiring, but to get to that result, to achieve victory and stand with his friends, it was worth it. Whatever the cost, he knew he would work his hardest to win the war. Whatever it took. Whatever it cost. They would win. They had to win.