HEROES, OR SACRIFICIAL FOOLS?

The Nakki

Weave #12, Thread #II

Image generated by Chat GPT.

In the darkness of the sacred Nakki cabin, the three friends held hands, pupils dilated as they tried to see something — anything.

They were roughly in the center of the ancient Nakki circle, where the Judge of the Moon was known to appear. It felt as if they were being watched from behind, even though they couldn’t see anything.

Claudia suppressed the urge to itch her back.

Ever so slowly and cautiously, they turned around. There, in a corner, was — “Purple stuff!” Olive cried.

“Elixir,” Toad growled. “This elixir is worth more than your life, girlie.”

Olive rolled her eyes. “This stuff can grant wishes. Why don’t you lot just take a sip and wish your Oracle thingies back?”

“You think we haven’t tried?” Toad snapped back.

Olive had no answer to that. The elixir just glowed and pulsed like a living thing, its slow movements promising one’s greatest, deepest desires at a single sip.

Claudia didn’t miss the way Jared’s hand twitched at the sight of it.

On the other edge of the darkness, the Nakki stood behind the single jar of elixir. To them, the room was as bright as day — if Olivia knew they could see in the dark, she’d whoop that Toad was a great name for their young Nakki guide.

They watched the three humans standing blindly in the dark, confused yet determined to help anyhow. Toad was the most surprised of them all. “Why are they still helping?” he whispered to his grandfather. “If they only knew why they’re here…”

“Shhh!” his grandfather hissed.

“I don’t like it,” Toad replied.

His grandfather pinched him on the arm. “The Delphi Oracles have left,” he said. “These naive creatures will have to do.”

Toad was silent.

Suddenly, Claudia spoke up. “You know, you took our gold. So technically, you owe us elixir.”

“Yes, indeed,” Toad’s grandfather replied. He said it in his most stately voice ever.

“So… you should hand it over, right? And an explanation for how we’re supposed to help would be great, thanks!” she said.

Grandpa Nakki growled. “Respect, girl,” he said. “You will address your elders formally, or not at all.” He handed the vial of elixir to Toad and nodded toward the three children.

As Toad approached, the trio could make out his face in the elixir’s pulsing light. They held their breaths; the elixir’s power was palpable from a distance.

One sip, and forget the Oracles, they could summon the sun itself.

Toad took another step forward.

“You know, this stuff… we could do a load of powerful things with it,” Olive whispered. “Like, those uni applications? Or — what if we…? I mean, after we drag those Oracle butts back, of course. You feel the power?”

Claudia gulped.

And yet, at the very last moment, just as Claudia reached out to take the bottle, Toad shook his head.

The message was clear: Whatever these Nakki told them to do, they were not supposed to do it.

As the glowing substance stood in Claudia’s grip, and as the girls discussed options with the Nakkis, Jared’s eyes took on a focused stare, transfixed on the purple liquid as it flowed, swirled, danced, enticed, and promised more than it could deliver.

He’d tasted it once before, and now it was within reach again. And he wasn’t sure he’d make the right choice this time.

What we have so far:

**Thread I by Robbi Walls**: Ten years after returning from the world of the Nakki, Claudia, who is having strange dreams, is drawn back to the Wishing River. She persuades Olive and Jared to meet her there. The young Nakki from before is also at the river. He brings them back to his world to assist the Nakki. They agree, not knowing what will be required of them.

Thread II by Zeest Zulfiqar: Things aren’t as simple as they seem, because Grandpa Nakki is clearly hiding something. An uncomfortable Toad may be an unexpected ally for the humans, but the biggest threat lies within: Will Jared be able to resist the Elixir’s allure, or will he become the next victim? Only time (and the next writer) will tell.

People, you don’t need to read the original Weave to write the next Thread. All you need to know is, the elixir grants a wish, but there may be consequences.

If you think you have ideas, claim Thread III! Comment with the magic words, “I’m claiming the next Thread — “ and enjoy!

Tagging the writers of Weave V: Meta Marvelia, Vaidehi, T.F.H, and Clarity. You might want to jump in this time :)

[embed]Weave It Together Where we build new worlds, as a team. Five successive stories — five worldbuilders on the same page. Watch the magic…medium.com