Heavenfall

"Fearless Warrior of Moonset."

Sora clucked his tongue.

"A good name, carries a lesson in it."

“Strong Name. Carry hope. Carry warning. Carry memory. One day perhaps become better Name. Bring more hope. Make more memory. All Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember learn from Ch’chit. Hope for being strong and clever, not dumb and dead.” He replied.

"On the subject of hope... have any ideas presented themselves for increasing our chances on this job?"

“Still bad plan. But no good plan. Have to get-get fallen-rock-man or more pain come. More Brave-Warriors ahead. Maybe they help. Shiny-tall hairless ones strength no can fail... If they fight-fight strong we maybe live.” He replied.

“I... try to bring help. But don’t know if come.”

"That you tried is enough for me. I think some of the others are coming to realize how long the odds we're running are, but... did anyone tell you?"

He lowered his voice.

"Those skinthieves we killed the other night... were trying to get close to Reiko. Which means she's some kind of threat. If we pose a threat... we have a chance."

“Chance small-small. More power make Chance bigger. I look for Those-Whose-Power-Shines-Brighter-Than-a-Thousand-Torches-and-Whose-Name-Stands-As-a-Great-Wall-Against-Tomorrow... They watch over all Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember. Yesterday, Tonight, Next night. If it our fate to fight-fight Tomorrow and win... they know what we do to win. I ask. Get advice. Then... chances better.” He replied as he gripped the stick in his hands.

"... honored ancestors of the Nezumi, is that something like what you mean?"

He tilted his head, "They powerful shaman. Live in Dream World... See all time. Very powerful... very... pain-is-present. But also very care about Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember."

What a civilization...

"All time? That's... I have enough troubles juggling the few futures I see."

He nodded.

"But as you say, if anyone knows, they will. Thank you for seeking their guidance."

He nodded, "Black Moonset also want stupid idea to succeed. Black Moonset try-try to save Fallen-rock-man."

"Well, Sky-man wants to help close the Pit so the Nezumi are no longer facing nightmarish monsters every day. It could mean a new beginning for both of our peoples if we succeed. A better future for the pups of both."

“What about other hairless-ones? They same-same thinking?”

Sora debated offering a comforting lie, then sighed.

"The priorities are in a different order for most, although I know of at least two- Jin and Shinsei- who would understand that closing the pit will do much more to help more people over a longer span of time. But the idea of closing the pit has not even occurred to many, because they aren't even fully aware of what it is, or how it could be done."

He chuckled.

"Hell, I'm not sure how it would be done- only that we have to try. I will speak in favor of the idea. As the most... respected direct servant of Shiba present, I will try to convince others that the best aim is to save both of our peoples from the worst of what is coming, and that there is more at stake than one fallen Kami."

“If want to do hard enough. Can find way. All things so-so.” Black Moonset replied with conviction.

“Hairless-ones no look beyond own nose. Hard to trust hairless ones when they always take so long and still make wrong choice. Hairless ones lucky... Hope luck better than clever thinking this time.”

"You haven't seen us at our best. Of course... neither have we."

He shook his head.

"But I think there's a chance here, and it's a chance I intend to make the most of. I just hope that you're right and that we are lucky, because we'll need every advantage we can get."

“Will trust Sky-man. No smell like liar.” He replied.

Sora nodded at that.

"I appreciate that, Fearless Warrior of Black Moonset. And I hope your... dream shamans have some help for us. If you'd like some peace and quiet, I can go now."

“If you want go can go. Do not mind Sky-man stay if want to stay.”

Sora nodded... and stayed put.

He didn't speak, though. Just sat beside the massive humanoid rat who seemed to be just as concerned with the big picture of the future as he was.

The larger Nezumi simply sat there in silence... rolling the stick over and back in his hands.

The only difference was in the subconsciously loosening of his shoulders... it was probably the first time in all his experiences with the hairless ones that they were loose.

The wet wood of the fire crackled as it shimmered in his yellow-red eyes...