Chapter 82: Give and Take
His question prompted echoes of the previous night to surface in my mind. With each curse I unraveled, I learned something more of the creature’s power. The endless tangle of magic held many runes I didn’t recognize, but the flow of magic was unmistakable.
"The basilisk’s curse has at least two functions. The first is to draw on its host’s soul to sustain the curse, meaning the only way the petrification is undone is when there is no longer enough strength to sustain it."
Soltair’s brow furrowed, a deep contemplation etching lines on his forehead. "At which point it’d be too late. And the second?"
"I’m not exactly certain on this, but it there appears to be some sort of link between the host’s soul and the monster, feeding it a steady supply of energy. I think that’s why it doesn’t eat or kill anyone, as it collects strength right from their soul. Most of them don’t have another week before they’re consumed entirely."
"So we just kill it before then, right?" Trithe asked nonchalantly.
I shook my head, feeling a wave of despondency. "I think that might be the worst possible thing. Right now, the flow is controlled, and sustainable if you will. When the basilisk dies, I fear it might be like ripping the spout off a waterskin, and their soul will leak out all at once.
"How could you possibly know all that?" Trithe asked skeptically. "You said yourself you didn’t understand what the curse was doing.
"I can see enough, given my abilities, to know we can’t take the risk," I argued. "Even if I’m wrong, will it hurt to save these people sooner rather than later?"
Soltair closed his eyes, taking on a troubled expression. "And what if they don’t want to be saved? Look at them out there. They’re terrified of you just being present in the village."