“Pox, how much time do we have before the air runs out of these bubbles?”
The Feykin shrugged. “I can’t say for sure because it varies depending on how quickly different people breathe. But, if I had to guess, there’s maybe ten minutes more at most.”
“Can they be recast if needed?” Godilai frowned.
“Yes, but,” Pox took a moment to consider something, “I can maybe use the spell on all of us two more times before my strength is dangerously depleted.”
“Let’s hope that it doesn’t take that long to find the Gate.” Muttered Dimitri.
“I expected it to be close to this spot, where we were warped in, but I didn’t see it.”
“Me neither.”
Vincent suddenly guffawed, earning everyone’s attention. Godilai threatened him with a painful and slow death if he didn’t explain himself. The Judge grinned stupidly and pointed a sausage-shaped finger straight up. “Look.”
The Dákun Daju grumbled something and cast her gaze skywards. She promptly went silent, and then shot Vincent a death glare. Dimitri and Pox eagerly looked towards the heavens.
Floating in the void just overhead was an ageless archway craft in the old gothic style. A wrought iron gate filled the space between the cracking stones and a dragon skull lantern was fastened just under the keystone. It all sat atop a small, cobblestone platform and chunks of rock formed a simple stairway down to the surface of the desert.
Dimitri clapped Vincent on the back and sprinted towards the first step. Godilai and Pox were right on his heels as they leapt between the hovering rocks, steadily making their way up to the Gate. Vincent huffed and puffed as he tried to keep pace with the others.
The moment Dimitri landed on the cobblestone platform, the eyes of the dragon skull lantern burst to life with a red light. Dimitri took a deep breath to calm himself, reached out to grasp one of the handles, and gave a tug.
The portal did not budge.
He tried pushing.
The Dragons’ Gate remained sealed.
Dimitri gave the handle another good yank. When that still didn’t work, he looked back at his teammates. “Now what?”
“Infé!” Exclaimed Pox. Dimitri’s heart skipped a beat when a loud clang followed. He turned back to the Gate and watched as the doors slowly folded inwards with noisy wails. A red light spilled forth from within, washing Dimitri in its aura.
The Shadow Keeper shoved the doors all the way open and took a few brave steps beyond the Gate. He gawked at the scene in front of him. A blood red sky cast an eerie light over black-sand that seemed to stretch onwards to eternity. Twelve huge dragons were curled up in the hot sand and Dimitri’s gaze lingered on each one.
Dark scales, though as hard as diamond, betrayed scars from battles long since history. They glimmered in the unnatural light, giving Dimitri a glimpse at their true colors; blue, red, violet, green, black. Three of the dragons were strangely void of this armor; they were nothing more than mere skeletons. If not for their glowing, yellow eyes, Dimitri would have thought they had died and rotted.
The twelve magnificent beasts slowly awoke from their centuries of slumber. They rose to all fours, shook the sand from their frames, and stretched their long-unused limbs. Twelve pairs of piercing, yellow eyes settled on Dimitri as he took a few more steps onto the sands.
The largest of the Shadow Dragons snarled and smashed his bladed tail into the ground right in front of Dimitri. The Shadow Keeper reeled at the unexpected attack and landed hard in the sand. “Name yourself!”
Dimitri licked his dry lips and calmly took a breath. “I am Dimitri DéDos, son of your creator, Agasei.”
The charcoal- and ruby-scaled Shadow Dragon looked at the tiny man before him with a hungry look in his eyes. Finally coming to a conclusion about something, the dragon snorted and retracted his tail. A moment later, a hunk of metal on a short chain dropped to the sands before Dimitri. “I am called Hyperion of the Apocalypse. That is the Amulet of Shadows. With it, you will be able to summon me and my kin.”
“It is an honor to finally meet you, Hyperion.” Dimitri couldn’t stop grinning as he retrieved the Amulet from the sands. He got a better look at the ancient talisman as he dusted it off. It was an ellipse that teetered to a point at one end. In the middle, amidst many rare gems and gold, was a large, round jewel. Several colors seemed to swirl within its depths.
“Put it on, Dimitri.” Godilai said softly as she finally ventured through the Gate to stand at his side. When her husband didn’t oblige right away, she gently took it from him and did the honors herself. Dimitri shuddered at the overwhelming power that washed over him.
Hyperion snorted and turned to face the other eleven dragons as they gathered around. “Brothers, Sisters, meet our new Keeper!”
The Shadow Dragons roared.
Asking me ‘why do you fight?’ is like me asking you, ‘why do you breathe?’. It is a necessity. I fight for my family, my friends, and my entire world because if I don’t, who will?
– FROM “CONVERSATIONS WITH AMOREZ” BY DJURDAK ZA’CAR
Time had passed. How much, I really couldn’t say for there were no glimpses of sunlight or moonlight in this never-ending tunnel. All I knew was the hunger pain in my stomach was slowly driving me insane. If I didn’t get something to eat soon, I was going to take a bite out of dragon hide!
The dragons all snorted in amusement at that.
Of course you think it’s funny! I pouted. Your hides are impenetrable by any weapon except the talons and teeth of other dragons.
And yet you wish to eat us! Helios laughed.
What do you expect? It feels like it’s been days since I’ve eaten something. I’m starving!
You have only been in that lava tube for two days, Xyleena. Came Thedrún’s bemused reply.
I grimaced. Two days?!
Kitfox’s chuckle diverted my attention from the dragons. He faced me with that cocky smirk of his. “You’re making funny faces again.”
“Darn dragons are picking on me because I’m hungry and said I was going to eat them.”
I could tell from his expression that Kitfox was trying his hardest not to laugh. Unfortunately, he lost the battle with himself and his roaring laughter echoed off the basalt and obsidian walls. Thera and Shazza both looked back at him like he had gone completely mad.
“I think this tunnel is getting to the both of them.” Muttered Shazza. Thera nodded earnestly in agreement.
“Hunger is getting to me.” I corrected and my stomach growled for emphasis.
Thera nodded solemnly. “I know how you feel.”
“Too bad Kkorian isn’t here; we could have eaten him.” I watched Shazza stiffen at Kitfox’s mention of the pirate. I felt bad for her. Just when she had grown to care deeply about Kkorian, maybe even love him, he broke her heart with his betrayal. I couldn’t help but wonder how she would deal with her pain.
“I for one am glad we left that pathetic Hume to rot in the Arctic Prison.” The Dákun Daju muttered and I shuddered at her dark tone. “Besides, with his injuries, he’d just slow us down.”
“Xy, do any of the dragons know where we are?” Asked Thera. I could tell from her expression that she was desperately attempting to change the subject of conversation.
“I’ll ask.”
You are underground. Vortex answered flatly. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
Underground where, exactly?
In a lava tube. I wanted nothing more than to smack him soundly for stating the obvious.
Don’t worry. Kkaia spoke up just in time to soothe my frustration. You will find food, rest, and shelter shortly.
There’s a town nearby?
The Dragon of Earth chuckled. You could say something like that.
I relayed her message.
“Why am I not surprised that the dragons didn’t provide an actual answer?” Kitfox growled. “Just once I’d like to hear them say something like, ‘The city of blah is three clicks ahead.�
�”
The city of blah is three clicks ahead. Atoka echoed smugly. I bit my tongue to keep from laughing and Kitfox eyed me suspiciously.
“What did they say?” I shook my head and tried desperately to quelch my laughter. I failed and Kitfox pouted as my laughter rang out. “Are they being smart-alecks again?” I nodded vigorously. He scoffed, but smiled anyway. “Figures.”
“I would love to eavesdrop on some of the conversations you have with the dragons.” Thera chuckled.
“I wish there was a way for you to hear them.” I said once I could speak without laughing. “They say some of the funniest stuff.”
Good to know we amuse you so much. Said Wildfire with a snort. Unfortunately, there is no way for your friends to hear us unless we are released from the Eye.
That is not entirely accurate. Thedrún interjected.
“What do you mean it’s not accurate?” I ignored the concerned looks of my three teammates as I spoke aloud.
Should you ever take a mate, he will be able to take part in our conversations like this. Your father, Djurdak, surprised us one day when he joined in our teasing of Amorez.
I remember that now. The strangest thing about that conversation was the fact that Djurdak was on the opposite side of the planet at the time. Added Helios.
I chuckled and relayed everything Thedrún and Helios had said. Thera muttered something about how lucky my mate would be while elbowing Kitfox in the ribs. The Fox Demon quirked an eyebrow at her before looking at me. I tried to ignore his stare by focusing on the tunnel’s path.
After a few minutes, Kitfox sighed and gave up trying to gain my attention. Smiling sweetly, I slipped my hand into his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye as he squeezed back.
The four of us trudged on in a silence broken only by Thera summoning another light orb when her other one winked out of existence. A few meters ahead, the lava tube we traversed forked into three. Each of those tunnels was much smaller and far more jagged than the one we were now in. Navigating any of them would prove a challenge.
“Why does there always have to be a fork in the road?” Shazza grumbled. She looked to me.
Go left. Kkaia directed. I nodded and led everyone down the left fork.
Is this still leading us to the city of blah?
Atoka laughed. I have no idea.
That’s reassuring.
Kitfox and Shazza froze midstride simultaneously. Thera and I watched them carefully. Kitfox’s ears stood erect and flared as he swiveled them in the direction of whatever sound he had picked up. He released a low warning growl and all of us drew our weapons in a flash.
You need not fear them. Said Kkaia. They will not harm you.
Who are ‘They’ exactly?
The Wakari, an ancient and peaceful race of underground dwellers.
I smiled as the memory of my meeting with Verdelite in Sendai replayed in my head. I folded my war fans and returned them to my belt. “Relax, everyone, and speak softly. Thera, please kill your light orb.”
“You know what’s out there?” Thera asked as she extinguished the orb. After a moment for our eyes to adjust to the dark, we noticed a pale blue glow emanating from the opposite end of the tunnel. It was slowly making its way towards us.
“The Wakari are coming.”
“Wakari?” Shazza spat the name angrily and knocked a pair of arrows. Kitfox moved to stand right in front of the angry Dákun Daju, grasping both missiles so they could not be loosed.
“Don’t attack, Shazza.”
“I will do as I feel necessary, Demon.” She hissed.
“Shazza, if you attack them without just cause, I will bring you to your knees with a single spell.” I warned. She gawked at me for a long moment and finally lowered her bow with an exasperated growl.
I can’t believe you got away with threatening a Dákun Daju like that. Kúskú laughed.
I said nothing and turned my attention to the azure light, watching in silence as it drew ever closer. It seemed like forever before the pale blue glow reached the portion of the tunnel the four of us were in. Once the light washed over us, its advancement came to a stop. It was raised slightly higher, highlighting several extremely short, stocky bodies.
We couldn’t help but gawk at them and nineteen pairs of huge, onyx eyes stared back at us. Unruly, thick hair covered almost every inch of their pale blue skin. Some of them sported what appeared to be rock armor while others wore clothing similar to what would be found on the surface. Each outfit was accented with shimmering grey or yellow stones.
Three of the most ornately dressed Wakari before us were astride creatures of likes I’ve never seen. Each of the three creatures stood on six well-padded feet. A thick coat of shaggy, dark fur covered the entirety of their bodies. A strangely colored and curved horn protruded from atop their elongated heads and gave the impression of multiple pairs of eyes.
Finally, the female Wakari astride the biggest creature moved forward. She said something in a guttural language I couldn’t recognize and thumped her fur-covered chest proudly. Her large, onyx eyes stared at me as she awaited a response. When none came, she tried again; this time in broken Kinös Elda.
“Me Breccia, Corundum Shaman.” She proudly thumped her chest again, causing a soft but resonating boom. “Who you?”
I took a slow step towards Breccia and bowed. “Greetings, Breccia. I am Xyleena, Dragon Keeper of Light. These are my friends; Thera, Shazza, and Kitfox.” I kept my voice low enough to not hurt their sensitive ears as I introduced everyone. My actions seemed to surprise every one the Wakari gathered before us.
“You know Wakari?”
I smiled and nodded. “I met a friendly Wakari who lived under the lights in the big blue. Her name is Verdelite. Do you know her?”
“Verdelite?” Breccia rubbed her chin in thought.
A small male holding one of the strange, blue light crystals spoke up. Breccia nodded in agreement with whatever he said and looked at me again.
“Long time Breccia no see Verdelite. Thought Great Stone take her.” Breccia was quiet for a moment, as if considering something. “You from surface?” I nodded. “Why here?”
“We were captured by the Shadow Keeper,” Thera explained, keeping her voice barely above a whisper. “And locked in the Arctic Prison. Our only way of escape was through a lava tube that led us to you.”
Breccia nodded. “You here long time. Hungry? Thirsty?”
“Yes, we are, but we don’t wish to trouble you with our presence.” I replied. My empty stomach loudly protested and I blushed in embarrassment.
“No trouble. You come Seramahli. Eat. Rest.”
Shazza scoffed. “We are in a hurry to reach the surface, Wakari. We don’t have time to waste on you.”
I winced at the harshness and volume of her voice and hissed at her to shut-up in Standard.
Breccia snorted. She pointed a clawed finger at Shazza. “Dákun Daju starve.” Her fellow Wakari yipped softly. “Xyleena, Demon, Feykin join eat with Breccia.”
“We thank you for your hospitality, Breccia, and apologize for the manners of our Dákun Daju comrade.” Thera bowed her head to the Wakari Shaman. Without so much as another word, the Wakari turned and led us further into the depths of their underground world.
◆◆◆
It was a long and treacherous journey through the tunnels, but the Wakari made the whole thing look easy. It came as no surprise, seeing as how they have spent years climbing over the jagged rocks and creeping through narrow tunnels. Even the creatures they rode – tetrapexes as I learned upon inquiry - were experts at traversing the hazardous subterranean roads.
By the time the route we followed leveled out to a relatively easy path, I was sweaty, sore, and thoroughly exhausted. I could hear Kitfox and Thera panting lightly beside me and knew they felt the same. Shazza, on the other hand, had been completely silent the entire journey. I glanced back at the Dákun Daju Queen to see how well she w
as holding up. Her orange eyes were burning with a barely contained rage, making me wonder just what had transpired between the Dákun Daju and Wakari to cause such hatred.
Long before the Earthic Landings, both races were at war with each other. Explained Kúskú. Over what, no Hume, Demon, or Feykin is sure, but the war was never officially ended and much of the hostility between them remains.
I’m surprised Shazza hasn’t attacked them or vice versa. Helios added.
You dragons sure know quite a lot about this world considering you weren’t out in it that long.
Everything we know is the accumulation of knowledge from our creators: Amorez, Thernu, Moonwhisperer, Artimista, Freya, and Djurdak. Said Kúskú. For instance; he paused as if considering something, did you know that Demons aren’t a result of crossbreeding between races?
No. Then again, I’ve been told all anyone knows of the Demon race are rumors.
Helios chuckled lightly. The Demons are the original inhabitants of Bedeb and much of the current population on Ithnez today are the descendants of those warped over by Thernu during Amorez’s Dragon Quest. Before then, there weren’t any Demons anywhere on whole of Ithnez.
Before I could reply to the dragons, our Wakari escorts yipped excitedly and burst forward with surprising speed. I stood with my teammates and watched as the Wakari stopped at the mouth of a jagged cave and pointed. Worried that something might have happened to the path beyond, I rushed towards them.
The jagged cave mouth revealed a narrow stone pathway that led down into the depths of an immeasurably large cavern that must have served as a lava chamber at one time. A vast city of stone glowed with a cerulean aura in the depths of the cave. Once my eyes adjusted to the lack of light in the area, I could make out intricate and winding passageways for walking as well as running water. Countless stone domes of various sizes were nestled between the paths and rock formations. Several unbelievably tall pillars disappeared into the never-ending darkness overhead.
Culmination Page 15