52 Enel's Request

Cherry introduced herself as well as her three companions.

Enel gave a friendly smile. "Let's go somewhere more comfortable to talk."

He led the group into one of the buildings that was mostly intact. He gestured for them to sit on a couch made of cloud. It was the perfect balance between firm and soft, enough so that even Cherry thought it was quite luxurious.

They were offered refreshments in the form of a strange fruit, which was cut open at the top and a straw placed into it.

Once they were settled in, Enel addressed them. "You have my apologies that I could not offer more hospitality, but times are hard for my people."

"No, you've given us a gracious welcome." Robin assuaged his concerns, sipping on the fruit.

"Tell me what you want, Enel. You said we might be able to help you to your man out there." Cherry cut to the heart of the matter.

"Of course." Enel smiled patiently. "This land is called Birka. For over half a decade now, its people have been under attack by the Mad God Gan Fall because we refused to submit to his rule."

Cherry eye twitched at the utterance of the word 'god'. She quickly calmed herself, remembering that this was a different world. There should not be anyone equivalent to the divine realm in this world, or at least she certainly hoped not.

Enel continued. "He was not always a tyrant. He was once known as the wise and kind God of Skypeia. However, something changed 6 years ago. He broke off contact with Birka and the next we heard from him was an ultimatum delivered by his soldiers."

Enel frowned and the air became tense. "He does not even possess the courage to face me directly, only using hit and run tactics with his soldiers to destroy our homes and kill our people."

"So you want us to fight in your war?" Cherry asked.

"Specifically, I want to confront God Gan Fall. I believe you are quite strong and should be up to the task. I cannot leave Birka to face him, lest he sends his men to attack while I am gone." Enel spoke.

"How can we sure everything you've said is true? There are two sides to every conflict." Robin pointed out.

Ohm seemed to be angered by this, but Enel raised his hand to stop him. "That is a fair question. As outsiders, you do not have the full story. Even I do not know the whole story, only my side of it. That you care enough to ask that makes me feel more confident in asking you for help."

"You are free to ask the other Birkans about their own experiences and to gather information in Skypeia as well. I would like to emphasize that I do not want to to take revenge for us. If you are able to end this war without further bloodshed, that would be all the better." Enel stated. Ohm didn't look quite as willing to see the war end without bloodshed.

"Allow me to confer with my comrades and take you up on your offer to ask around." Chery said and Enel nodded.

"What do you think, Robin? He seemed honest enough to me." Cherry asked. She could go either way with this situation. Although Enel didn't seem to have much to offer in exchange, a guy who calls himself God should have some nice stuff to loot, right?

"I don't know enough of the history of these civilizations to make any judgements. Perhaps there is someone here who can tell us more." Robin replied with a thoughtful expression.

After asking around, they did manage to find something of a oral historian who was able to elaborate on the history of Birka and Skypeia.

The two sky countries have a long history of conflict, as is common for neighboring powers. However, there had been a long period of peace between the countries. This peace was solidified further during God Gan Fall's rule of Skypeia, when he started sending food to Birka. That made it all the more shocking that he was the one to suddenly wage war against them.

Food was the most valuable resource in the sky, so what could he possibly want from Birka when he has so much? They thought perhaps Gan Fall had been usurped and sent an emissary to confirm. The emissary returned missing an arm and confirmed Gan Fall was still God of Skypeia. This was why they started calling him Mad God Gan Fall, as they believed only madness could be the cause of this sudden shift in attitude.

Learning all this, assuming it was true, it certainly was very strange to Cherry and the others.

They returned to speak with Enel after some time.

"So, what have you decided?" He asked them.

"We'll go to Skypeia and see what we can find out there. We'll decide once we have more information." Cherry said, noncommittedly.

Enel seemed to understand. "Very well. I hope the next time we see you, you have good news. If we see you again."

They parted ways as the sun began to set beyond the clouds and the sky grew red then dark.

"We should try to reach Skypeia under cover of nightfall. The later this Gan Fall learns of our arrival the better." Cherry suggested, Robin and Cabernet nodded while Serene seemed unwilling.

Cherry turned to Serene. "What do you think we should do, masseuse?"

Serene was startled, not expecting to be asked her opinion. She almost blurted out they should leave the stupid people to kill each other and not get involved, but stopped herself. "Um, we should help however we can?"

"Good girl." Cherry smirked and patted her short blonde hair. Although it was demeaning, Serene couldn't help but think it was actually quite nice.

They set off after Cabernet transformed into a ship at her full speed, following the log pose.

...

"Are you sure about those outsiders" Oh asked Enel after Cherry and company left.

"I think they will do what I have asked of them. I have been nothing but honest, after all. More importantly, go inform the others. We're going to Skypeia. This will be our best opportunity to fulfil my ambitions. While Gan Fall is distracted by the outsiders, we'll steal into his home and take back Birka's treasure. Then it won't matter even if Gan Fall prevails, I will just kill him myself." Enel responded.

Ohm nodded and seemed excited. He bowed and rushed away to inform his comrades of their mission.

Enel remained there quietly, looking up at the moon. He smiled.

...

God Gan Fall sat in his study listening to the battle report of the raid that happened today. It was the same as usual, no real progress. Birkan resistance was still strong and that bastard Enel always showed up in short order to foil the raiders.

Enel and Birka wasn't the only thorn in his side, there was also a report about another Shandian attack on his desk.

"Why must I be challenged so? Is it not in everyone's best interest that I should rule them? Tell me, McKinley." Gan Fall commanded.

McKinley was sweating nervously, but did his best to answer in a non-offensive manner. "T-they just cannot foresee the future in the way only you can, Lord God."

"Yes, that must be it. They are too feeble of mind to see how things must be done for the betterment of all as I can. You are dismissed." Gan Fall rambled.

McKinley bowed and backed out of the room as quickly as he could without being perceived as rude.

After he left, Gan Fall looked at the guard in the room. "Send someone to break McKinley's hand. He hesitated to answer me, so his loyalty must be wavering. Some discipline will be good for him. Aren't I a merciful God?"

"Yes, of course, Lord God!" The guard responded without delay and went to arrange McKinley's punishment.

Being left alone in the room, Gan Fall opened a drawer and pulled out a book labeled "Dreams". He opened it to a page he often read that told of Enel destroying Birka and taking his throne.

"It won't happen, no no no. I won't let it happen. He can't do anything without Birka's Treasure..." Gan Fall muttered to himself until he fell asleep.