Part 447: Virion A

I suppose I'd best get started.

Ho, Libra! That's a mighty pile of lumber you have there!

Yes, it is. The temple nearby is short of firewood, so I thought to do a little log splitting.

You mustn't ruin those perfect hands! Here, let me help.

No, please. I've got this.

No, no, I insist! As one friend to the other! Now let's get chopping.

*Time passes*


*Pant, pant* L-Libra? S-stop chopping... I implore you... M-my arms... So... tired and... rubbery...

What are you talking about? We're barely halfway done.

H-halfway?! I've been... swinging that... that infernal axe... for hours... Or has it been days? I know not... M-my mind is... confused... Visions of logs... piled before me... A mighty tower... reaching to the sky... Which, when I look around me, isn't very far from the truth! What army of madmen collected this uncountable mass of dead trees?

I did.

Y-you gathered ALL these by yourself? B-but how?

I picked them up and I carried them. It's simple, really. Here, are you done resting? This bundle needs to go over there.

Er, very well, if you insis-OOF!

I-it's heavier... *grunt* ...than it l-looks... J-just... got...to... h-hang on... a little... bit... longer... OH, BLAST!

Virion, look out!

*CRASH*

Hm? I... I'm still alive...? I remember toppling backward with that massive weight in my arms...

It's all right, I caught hold of you just in time.

Libra! You saved me!

It would appear so. Are you unharmed?

Er, yes. I think so.

Good. Now perhaps we should take that rest after all. Forgive me. I shouldn't have pushed you to work so hard.

Hmm... From this angle, Libra looks quite different. Very manly, in fact. That big brow... Those massive knuckles...

Sorry? Did you say something?

Who, me? Oh, er, no. Nothing of import, my good man! Er, friend. Man... friend. *Ahem* Anyway, you are a stout comrade, Libra, and I thank you for saving me.

Hah! Think nothing of it, Virion. I consider you a trusted friend as well.