The Biggest Noil of All

     Their Neopets continued about the day without even an inkling, as the disturbance was too slight for anyone but Petpets and Petpetpets to register.

     The Noils of Neopia, however, were alarmed. The Biggest Noil had not been heard from in many years. As legend says, on Neverending Noil Day, in Year 17, he fell into a deep slumber. At first, they thought perhaps he was taking the Month of Sleeping a bit too literal. But alas, his slumber persisted.

     Over the years, many brave Noils ventured out of the valley of Neopia Central, hoping to return with good news. But all returned with empty paws, for the Biggest Noil would not wake.

     And trust that they tried so many ways! While their Pets were off at work, or bustling about the city, they spent their time researching a cure. With Seshatia’s help, they scoured books from far away lands, but no text from Xandra’s Library nor the Lost Desert Scroll Repository had the answers they sought. It wasn’t found in Lost Spells of Neopia, The Art of Sleeping In, or Professional Curses. Kayla assured them that no Slumberberry Potion would last so long, and neither Kauvara nor Edna were successful at whipping up an antidote.

     The Noils even read up on the wake patterns and methods for the Turmaculus, hoping the Biggest Noil’s slumber was similar. They sneezed, they tap danced, they sang, they jumped on pots and pans, but nothing worked.

     And so, after a few years, the Biggest Noil started to fade from living memory. Noils who knew him had started to move out of the valley, traveling to new lands with their owners. Young Noils occasionally ventured across the plains on a dare but rarely made it as far as his cave. Those who were bold, or brash, enough to lay eyes on him were seldom believed upon their return.

     Their owners were skeptical as well. Few Neopets had ever met the Biggest Noil, and even fewer of those were around to tell his story.

     A Noil as tall as the Neolodge? Who towers over the Money Tree? Whose roar can only be heard by those of his kind? It seemed like nonsense! A tale told to young Petpets to pass the time. Kougras and Scorchios alike scoffed at the thought.

     Besides, no one could explain just how he had gotten so big in the first place. And, more importantly, what his purpose was. Why was he revered by Noil-kind, but relegated to a mysterious forest dwelling?

     And yet, on this 24th day of Sleeping, Year 27, he was awake. And every Noil knew it. Even those who had been most skeptical of his existence knew now beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was real. His roar hit them like a Hypnotic Scroll; mesmerized, they journeyed to the forest.

     ***

     After a long night of travel, during which no Noil slept, the pride arrived at a positively massive cave, right at the northern edge of the Haunted Woods. With bated breath, they inched toward the cave’s mouth.

     “….Mister….Mister Biggest Noil?” squeaked a young one called Nelson.

     …

     The silence was concerning.

     “...excuse me sir! We’ve come to see you!” mewed Nyla.

     …

     …

     …

     thump

     A heavy footstep shattered the tension, and a giant sigh hummed through the crowd as all the Noils collectively let out the breath they hadn’t realized they were holding in.

     Slowly, quietly, the Biggest Noil lumbered out of the cave to greet his brethren.

     His voice was gentler than the expected, yet firm and full of purpose.

     “Noils of Neopia,” came the decree, “I was not sure this day would come.”

     The Noils exchanged quiet glances, and then settled in for what was sure to be a brilliant tale.

     The Biggest Noil continued on, oblivious.

     “Since the dawn of existence, the Noil has been a peaceful, prideful species. And then the dark days arrived. Cursed by an evil magician, the Noils were forced to turn against their friends and neighbors, and defend the Two Rings Fortress at all costs – including their integrity.

     “It is during this time that I was raised.

     “I was too young to remember a time before Neopia was in turmoil; the downfall was subtle, yet swift. As best I can figure, I was on the edge of the cast of Jahbal’s spell when he enslaved the Noils. Not completely inside the bounds, and not completely outside. It did not touch me in the way it touched my family or my friends. I kept my free will and my memories, but I was forced to watch the ones I love turn against me, with no recognition behind their cold, empty eyes.

     “I retreated to the very cave we stand in front of today and grew up in solitude. Perhaps it was the partial effects of Jahbal’s spell, or perhaps the suspension of time for the rest of the Noils, but not for me.

     “Whatever the cause, during this time I grew, until I didn’t. The day the Hero saved Neopia, I could feel it in my bones. The air around me changed. I ventured from my cave and crossed the valley to what was then an empire – and is now a shopping Central.

     “I realized then that my family, my friends, had been freed from Jahbal’s torment. But the magic had left a fog on their brains, and I of course was much different than when they had last laid eyes on me.

     “It took some time, but eventually Neopia, and Noilkind, returned to a semblance of normalcy. Neopia welcomed us back with forgiving arms, but alas, the Noils were unable to forgive themselves. For several generations the pride lived in the shameful shadows of what they had done. It lives on in the annals of history, but today many young Noils are unaware of this chapter, as it is a time that is often not discussed.

     “The reason I tell you this tale is because 10 years ago a trace of this dark magic was re-discovered.”

     The Biggest Noil paused, perhaps for emphasis, perhaps because it had been so long since he had spoken aloud that he was merely out of breath. He lapped from a nearby stream, as the pride stared unblinkingly, a captive audience.

     Inhaling deeply, he continued.

     “As the only living Noil who remembers these unfathomable times, I could not allow a new generation to fall under such a spell. It was devastating to our pride, to everything we stand for. I had no choice but to seek a way to destroy this energy, forever.

     “Against my better judgement, and the advice of several wise, trusted Neopians, I struck a deal with the Spirit of Slumber. He agreed to eliminate all remaining traces of the curse. But for those of you who have heard the Tale of Woe, it will come as no surprise that I had to pay a terrible price – my eternal slumber.

     “I retreated to my cave and was cursed to neither move on from this life, nor wake. And thus, Neverending Noil Day was birthed, for Noilkind was truly freed.

     “It is quite evident that our pride has flourished in my absence. And while I feel immense joy to see all of your faces here, I am panged with the sadness of not having borne witness to it all these years.”

     The Biggest Noil paused again, and his face fell ever so slightly. It was then that the Noils noticed the deep expanse of sadness behind his soft eyes.

     The silence persisted, as he appeared lost in his own memories.

     Some of the younger Noils began to shift, uncomfortable with the heaviness of the moment.

     Nia piped up, softly, and asked, “Mister, how did you wake up?”

     Slowly, the Biggest Noil blinked his way back to reality.

     “I do not know, young one,” he replied. “I am not sure why I have awoken, or what it means. Is there trouble in Neopia?”

     Several Noils started to reply, their words overlapping as the chatter grew louder.

     “...void…”

     “Grey Painter…”

     “...Tavi…tea…”

     “Our gourmandizer unifies all!”

     The Biggest Noil waited for them to finish.

     “Is Neovia affected by this plague?” he questioned.

     “Not yet, Sir,” replied Nathan. “But it’s only a matter of time; the curse is spreading quickly across the lands. Our own home has fallen to it!”

     The Biggest Noil appeared deep in thought. The Noils glanced around nervously, unsure of whether or not to break the silence. It was near impossible to detect any trace emotion on the Biggest Noil’s face, to discern at all what he may be contemplating.

     “It stands to reason, perhaps, that the Spirit of Slumber may have been affected even if his home is not. If the curse spread over a land that he was visiting, could it be that his magic was affected, and any existing spells broken or altered?”

     The Biggest Noil continued to contemplate.

     “My fear,” he divulged, “is the repercussions we may now face. While I have not broken my end of the agreement, neither am I fulfilling it. I worry that this has reversed the Spirit’s banishment of Jahbal’s spell.”

     The group tittered with concern, unclear on how to proceed. Finally, one of the elders stepped forward.

     “It sounds as though we must pay this Spirit a visit,” Nell said calmly.

     The Biggest Noil tilted his chin downward in quiet agreement. “So we must.”

     ***

     While the vast majority of the group headed back to Neopia Central, to avoid concerning their Neopets with a prolonged absence, a small faction began the short walk into Neovia. It didn’t take long before the air around them grew heavy and cold, and an unsettling fog permeated their fields of vision.

     The elders were unfazed; they knew Neovia was not a cheerful place. Soon, an old shack appeared out of the mist. The fog had prevented them from seeing it until they nearly crashed into it face first.

     “We wait here,” stated the Biggest Noil.

     And wait they did.

     Darkness fell quickly, and most of the Noils settled in for an uncomfortable sleep on the bare, rotting, wooden floor of the shack. The Biggest Noil, however, was wide awake. He had an uncanny ability to sit perfectly still, only the gentle rise and fall of his chest giving any indication he was alive.

     It wasn't clear to the rest of the pride if he were deep in thought or devoid of thought entirely in these moments. He had spent the past 10 years asleep, though, so maybe it wasn’t actually so odd that he wasn’t tired.

     After hours as a statue, he perked up ever so slightly, tilting his head to the direction of the wind. The only apparent noise was Nelson lightly snoring in the corner.

     “He has arrived.”

     The Biggest Noil rose and made his way to the door. Nell, who had resolved to stay awake, began to gather herself to follow.

     Gently, he shook his head – “I won’t be long.” With that, he slipped outside and was almost immediately engulfed by the darkness.

     Dawn broke a few hours later, but the Biggest Noil had not yet returned. The group busied themselves with breakfast, unsure of what else to do other than continue waiting. They shared a pot of Noil Tea in silence, lost in their own thoughts.

     And just as quietly as he had left, the Biggest Noil re-emerged from the forest.

     With a slight nod, he stated, “We can go home now.”

     The elders busied themselves, gathering their things and preparing for the journey back to Neopia Central. Although they’d only been in his presence a short while, they had enough wisdom to know the Biggest Noil would speak when he was ready. They did not question him.

     Nelson, on the other paw, was a young and eager Noil. He had volunteered mostly out of sheer curiosity. Just 48 hours ago he would’ve gladly told you that both the Biggest Noil and the Spirit of Slumber were myths, so he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to discover yet another being from his faerie tales. Not having the life experience of knowing when to keep quiet, he lasted about 5 minutes before the anticipation was too much to bear.

     “Sir, please, what happened out there?!?” he exploded.

     The Biggest Noil chuckled at his eagerness, while Nell silently reprimanded Nelson for his naivety. She began to apologize on Nelson’s behalf, but the Biggest Noil waved her off.

     “No matter, I too was once a curious young lad. And look where that got me…” he remarked, gesturing broadly at the world.

     “Many fear him, but the Spirit is a reasonable man. This plague, the Void, has affected him personally. He felt his magic break as the grey washed over his soul, as his bonds over me released. He too fears what this means for our world. Neither of us know what will happen if a cure is found – will I fall asleep where I stand? Will his magic return? Only time can tell us. But the Spirit holds no ill-will. There is no debt to be paid in his eyes, for I have held up my end of the agreement. He is confident that Jahbal’s magic remains vanquished. So for now, we return home.”

     Nelson, in awe, stammered a quiet “thank you, sir” as the pack set off toward Neopia.

     ***

     After another long day’s journey, they arrived at the edge of the city. Although often silent, the Biggest Noil actually seemed at a loss for words, seeing the grey bleeding out of his former home. The townspeople stuck out as bright spots amongst the dull grass, the colourless rainbow of the Pool, the near lifeless Money Tree. For a moment, he faltered.

     Nell came up alongside him and took him by the paw.

     “This is your home. No matter how it looks, no matter what plagues it – you belong here.”

     She continued on. “You owe the world nothing more. Noilkind is eternally grateful for what you have given us: our freedom. Whatever more happens, happens.”

     With a hint of a smile across his face, he nodded solemnly.

     And as a group, they walked ahead to rejoin the pride in the unknown of the Void, unsure of what the future held but certain of one thing: Noil Day would never end.

     The End.