The humans were too slow for the god to maintain a comfortable pace. It hovered, settling at a specific distance ahead, then waited for them to follow. Erjang was struggling until it put something in her arm that made her feel young again, in body at least. In her mind she had always been nineteen.

"Who are you?" asked the elder.

[color=f6989d]"Heartworm,"[/color] said Heartworm.

Erjang nodded. What was not said sometimes told more than what was.

"You have been waiting for us, no?"

[color=f6989d]"Correct."[/color]

"So you have something to say."

Heartworm turned to them, moving backwards now. [color=f6989d]"You are aware that Tauga has received divine modification."[/color]

Oyur's heart beat a little quicker at the mention of her name. 

"The touch of God, yes," said Erjang.

[color=f6989d]"I am that God,"[/color] said Heartworm, lowering itself to perch at the top of a boulder. [color=f6989d]"Heartworm guided your ships. Xerxes survives by its hand."[/color]

"You are Jaan?"

[color=f6989d]"Part of it."[/color] Heartworm was no longer moving. Wherever it was leading them was just beyond the next rise.

[color=f6989d]"The island of Axotal was reserved for you,"[/color] said the Emaciator. [color=f6989d]"Tauga is tied to Heartworm. Xerxes is tied to Tauga. Thus Xerxes is of the Emaciator's domain."[/color]

"And what would you have us do?"

[color=f6989d]"Survive,"[/color] said Heartworm. [color=f6989d]"Remember."[/color]

They reached summit. Before them fell a shallow sinkhole, greenery spilling over its edges. From its center rose an obsidian statue, four men tall.

With a Sweetheart at her back, Tauga held a rose quartz Heartworm in her hand and locked eyes with it, her other eyes gazing out over the sea.