by Eden Redd
The beach spread out before the pair, yellow-white sand stretching east and west. Clusters of rocks jutted out from the surf in places. Crustacean-like creatures scuttled over the rocks and along some of the beach. The air and sights were breathtaking, Kavan drinking it in and savoring the moment.
Something caught Kavan’s eye and he turned to his left. An old seaside dock stood. A home or shop was built into the end of the dock, closest to land. A little further in, a tall lighthouse stood. It was white, but had large cracks along the length of it. The windows at the top were covered in grime. The door at the base looked like it was barely hanging onto its hinges.
Kavan’s gaze shifted back to the dock. It looked weathered, to the point it might get swallowed up by a big enough wave. The wood creaked as small waves crashed into the thick pillars underneath.
“That’s the old dock. It isn’t used much, since the island nations to the south have little to do with the mainland. No ships enter or leave from here,” Onka said plainly.
“And the lighthouse?”
The goblin shrugged. “Since there are no ships, there’s no need for a lighthouse. The mayor thought to fix it up and light the lantern, as a sign to others that our small port was open.
“Instead, everyone voted against it. There was a fear it would attract monsters to our shores and we didn’t have enough strength to fight any of the bigger monsters.”
“This is what I meant,” Kavan nodded. “If the town is safe, new residents will come. Ships will come here, bringing people and opening new trade routes. It’s economics 101.”
“Economics?” Onka said with a tilt of her head and a twitch of one of her large, pointed ears.
Kavan shook his head. “Never mind. It’s something from where I grew up.”
Kavan quickly changed the topic, “The beach is beautiful. It’s hard to believe it's just a short walk from the farm.”
Onka nodded, took hold of her shirt and pulled it over her head.
Kavan turned his attention to the goblin as she quickly undressed. When she was down to her small clothes, the goblin ran towards the incoming waves.
“I didn’t bring you here just to look at the water. Follow me!” the goblin shouted over her shoulder before running into the wet surf.
Kavan smirked before grabbing at his shirt. He took off his shirt and threw it aside as Onka dove into the waves. The little goblin surfaced and turned. She waved to Kavan as he dropped his leggings and stood in his small clothes.
The dragonkin charged across the sand and when he reached the wet surf, he leapt ten feet into the air and splashed into the waves. Onka laughed as she treaded water. Kavan’s dragon-like head popped out of the water with a sharp grin.
“The water feels amazing!” Kavan shouted as he swam.
I can’t remember the last time I went swimming. It’s all coming back to me and it feels fantastic!
“Moonvale is not just monsters and farms!” Onka shouted over the waves before diving under.
Kavan followed suit by diving under and opening his eyes. The world below the surface was mesmerizing. It was a kaleidoscope of different colored rocks and reefs. Fish swam with little care as the dragonkin swam deeper. A goblin joined his side, smiling through the crystal-clear waters.
“Kavan, you should be able to hold your breath for over ten minutes. I’m not sure how long goblins can hold their breath.”
Kavan nodded as he swam down and looked at the natural structures along the sea bottom. Onka swam closer, her hand touching Kavan’s shoulder before she slid her body against his. The dragonkin turned to her as she swam up and kissed him. The two took hold of each other, deep underwater. Sound was muffled, but Kavan could feel his own heartbeat quicken to the goblin’s touch.
This feels like a dream.
The goblin pulled away with a mischievous smile before kicking her legs and swimming back to the surface.
Kavan watched her, feeling like he had plenty of time to enjoy the underwater world. Fish swam closer to investigate the humanoid dragon before they swam away.
Kavan floated, enjoying the moment when something swam closer. He turned his gaze and saw a humanoid figure darting through the water toward him. Before Kavan could react, Nava swam up to him and touched his chest.
The blue-skinned siren lingered, her webbed hand on Kavan’s chest. She smiled brightly and pointed upwards with her other webbed hand. Kavan nodded and the pair kicked their legs and swam upwards.
Dragonkin and siren burst up to the surface. Kavan took a quick breath as Onka treaded water nearby.
“Hi Nava!” Onka said.
“Hi Onka! Hi Kavan! What brings you to the beach?” the siren grinned.
“Swimming and giving Kavan the tour,” the goblin said as she leaned back and swam around in a circle.
Kavan looked at the siren, “Were you just swimming around?”
Nava nodded. “I have to go swimming almost every other day or my skin dries out. I’m also the owner of Sea Dream Fish, over on the end of the dock. It’s where I fish and prepare any fish I catch for town. You should stop by and check out my selection.”
Kavan nodded. “I will. I haven’t had good fish in a while.”
“Best place in town to pick up fish,” the siren laughed.
“Nava, any secrets you can tell us about the beach? Places to explore or relax?” Onka asked
The siren grinned. “The whole beach is wonderful. Just don’t go too far west from here. It’s a little primal and dangerous. But right where we are, there are shellfish with pearls in them. I like how they taste, but I usually toss the pearls.”
An idea struck Kavan.
“Can you show me the shellfish with pearls in them?” Kavan asked.
Nava nodded. “Follow me,” and dove under.
“I’m going to sun myself on the beach. Have fun pearl diving with Nava,” Onka said and started swimming back to shore.
Kavan nodded before diving under. The noise of the surface died into a dull gloom as Kavan swam down. Nava was already at the bottom, waving to him with a webbed hand. Kavan swam closer until he was beside her.
The siren reached down into a crack between a cluster of rocks. She took hold of something and pulled it free. She lifted it up, and with just her webbed hands, broke it open. The siren pulled out a pearl and licked the insides of the shellfish into her mouth. She then pointed to the dark spot between rocks.
Kavan reached down into the crack and felt a cluster of shellfish. They felt just like oysters with rough edges and a few spikes on them. Kavan’s spindly fingers took hold and pulled up a few. A claw slid out one of his fingertips and stabbed into the edge of the shellfish. With a twist of his wrist, it popped open. Sure enough, a pearl shined before his eyes. He plucked it from the shellfish and let the rest of it drop. Nava grabbed it and quickly licked the gooey insides into her mouth.
A pearl might be a nice gift for Zellee. She seems to like pretty things. The only way I’ll know for sure is when I give it to her.
Kavan looked down at the alien oysters in his other hand.
I could give pearls to everyone as a gift, but I think that would be a bit odd. It’s better to find out what each of my friends like. It will have more meaning.
Nava tapped Kavan on the chest. He turned to the siren, seeing her point to the oysters and then pointing to her mouth. The dragonkin chuckled, bubbles rising up from his small snout. He handed over the rest and the siren began opening and devouring the gooey contents of each one.
Kavan kicked his legs and swam to the surface. When he emerged, he looked to the beach to see Onka laying in the sand and soaking in the sun. Long arms and legs moved, propelling the dragonkin toward the beach.
Further up the beach, something emerged along the edge and peered down on the goblin. Reptilian eyes focused on the goblin and it slowly began to stalk forward.
Kavan’s gaze shifted and his heart hammered in his chest. A large creature, the size of a bear back on earth, walked on a
ll fours down from the forest edge and onto the beach. Its body was bulky and covered in hard scales. The head was pointed and reptilian, like an alligator. It was heavily muscled and as it walked onto the sand, its gaze never left the goblin.
Limbs moved with a burst of speed. Kavan propelled himself through the water and onto the surf. Hands and feet touched the muddy sand, pushing himself to move faster. He kept his gaze on the bearish reptile while it stalked closer to Onka.
Nava emerged from the waters and instantly saw the monster, Onka, and Kavan charging out of the surf.
“ONKA!” Nava’s voice rippled through the air with a sonic shout.
The goblin sat up to see Kavan rushing onto the sand and Nava waving from the water.
“Dregger!” the siren shouted with a sonic boom.
Onka turned her gaze to the large creature galloping toward her. It’s pointed snout opened to rows of jagged teeth. It moved quickly, closing the distance in a heartbeat. Onka was on her feet and running toward the water. The beast closed in, ready to pounce, when a shadow touched its charging gaze.
Kavan leapt into the air as claws slid out of his fingertips. His character stats glowed in the corner of his vision as he came down toward the monster.
Kavan Cynder
Species: Dragonkin
Health: Normal
Mana: 3
Gold: 17
Attributes
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 2
Dexterity: 4
Constitution: 4
Willpower: 3
Natural Abilities
Claws
Regeneration
Spheres
Fire: 1
Skills
Combat: 4
Kavan spent a mana point and one of his clawed hands was engulfed in fire.
The beast rose up onto its hind legs as Kavan came down with a swipe of his flaming claws. Thick hide sliced open and burned along the monster’s chest. A clawed, wide paw swung around and struck Kavan as he landed. The force of the blow knocked him off his feet and he landed twenty feet away, sand billowing into the air from the impact.
Kavan quickly rolled back onto his feet, claws at the ready. The beast turned to him and fell to all fours. It roared as it charged.
The dragonkin bent his knees and charged the attacking monster. When the two met, the beast made a clumsy swipe. Kavan quickly pulled back, the claws missing him by inches, before slicing down with his flaming claws on the monster’s arm. Deep marks opened and the flames cauterized the wound instantly. The monster roared as it tried to make another swipe. Kavan’s body bent low, the wide swipe missing his head by several inches. Kavan turned and sliced upwards, cutting along the monster’s other arm.
A deep growl filled the area as the monster threw its entire bulk at Kavan and crashed into him. The force of the blow forced the air out of Kavan’s lungs as he slammed onto the sandy beach. The monster stayed with him and slammed down, hundreds of pounds pushing against the dragonkin and cracking a rib.
Kavan stabbed his flaming claws into the monster’s side, each flaming point penetrating the thick hide and burning it. The monster reared back an arm and brought it hard across Kavan’s head.
Stars exploded across Kavan’s gaze from the force of the blow. Kavan’s neck strained to keep his head on. If he were human, it would have taken his head completely off. Pain stabbed into his entire head and neck. Flaming claws slid out of the wound as Kavan tried to regain his senses. He barely blinked as a thick paw came down and slammed into his head again.
Kavan Cynder
Species: Dragonkin
Health: Hurt/Cracked Rib
Mana: 2/3
Onka rushed into the surf as Nava ran out to her. The two met and turned to see the beast pinning down Kavan and raising its paw.
“Kavan!” Onka and Nava shouted.
Kavan fought through the waves of pain. A glow touched his throat as the fire along his hand grew brighter. Pain parted as Kavan’s eyes narrowed in contained rage. The monster’s paw was up, ready to come down to take off his head. Kavan’s eyes flashed with heat as he drove his flaming claws into the side of the monster. Claws sliced and burned as fingers grabbed onto organs. The monster’s arm hesitated as it felt its very life was being pulled out its side.
Kavan opened his maw and his head struck up like a snake. Sharp teeth sank into the thick flesh as his flaming hand on the right pulled out burnt entrails. The claws on his left hand stabbed in and pulled as well.
The monster let out a whimpering cry. It tried to pull away, entrails flowing out of it. Kavan’s mouth was clamped onto the creature’s throat, the beast taking him with it. The dregger let out a long moan as it teetered and fell onto its back. Clawed paws weakly slammed into Kavan’s back. The dragonkin tasted blood and bit deeper. When he had a sizable chunk of meat in his mouth, he pulled back his head and ripped out a hunk of flesh. He spit it out as gore dripped from his maw and down his neck.
Kavan looked down at the monster, ready to tear into it again when he saw it was no longer moving. Blood dripped from burnt organs and its neck, the monsters slitted eyes staring at nothing.
The dragonkin stood up on shaky legs. The flames died on his hand and he cradled his side, feeling the now broken rib.
Gained 1 degree in Fire Sphere. Fire Sphere is now 2nd degree.
You gained 1 point of mana.
Kavan barely saw the alert as he turned to Onka and Nava, stepping from the surf with wide eyes.
The dragonkin smirked before he collapsed onto the sand and his world turned black.
Twelve
Reality came in flashing waves. Heavy breathing touched the air as Kavan’s eyes opened and closed. The road before him tilted from the left to the right. Darkness filled his gaze before eyelids pulled back. Arms rested on shoulders. Onka looked at the dragonkin with concern from the right. Nava said encouraging words from the left. Legs and taloned feet moved at a clumsy pace. Reality spun and Kavan held onto the goblin and siren, ready to fall off the world.
“Kavan… your head… took some damage. It’s healing… slowly,” Viz’s voice echoed through his mind.
The dragonkin mumbled incoherently as he stumbled along. Darkness washed over him and when he opened his eyes, he was guided into his home.
“Upstairs,” Onka ordered.
The world shifted again, flashes of stairs before him. Reality changed again, the dragonkin seeing his bedroom door. Another blink later, he was laying down in his bed, Onka and Nava by his side.
“Get Healer Soki,” Onka said with an edge of panic. “I’ll stay with him.”
The siren nodded. Kavan barely saw the siren put two items on the bed, next to his pillow, before passing out again.
Dark memories enveloped the dreamscape. Human hands reached up and took hold of stone outcroppings. Joy filled a beating heart. A hand slipped and joy turned into a tortured pain.
Red flashed and Kavan opened his eyes. Pain ebbed away as he laid on the bed. Slitted eyes turned to a beautiful goblin in bed with him. Onka stared down at Kavan, a wry smile stabbing into her cheeks.
“The healer is on her way,” Onka said.
Kavan gave a small nod and slowly sat up. “Are you and Nava, okay?”
The goblin was sitting on the bed, her legs akimbo. “We’re fine. It was you who took a few nasty hits to the head. Maybe you should lie down.”
Kavan shook his head. “No. My regeneration is already working. I just have to rest.”
Onka nodded. “Who’s Viz?”
Kavan kept his face blank. “An old friend.”
The goblin eyed the dragonkin. “You said a few things as we brought you back here.”
“What did I say?” Kavan asked as he rubbed at the side of his head.
“Something about a mountain and broken bones. You were a mess.”
“It must have been those blows to the head. Everything is a jumble,” Kavan lied.
Onka’s eyes narrowed a hair.
“You don’t have to lie to me. We’re friends.”
Kavan blinked. “As a friend, please know I don’t want to talk about it.”
The goblin kept her steady gaze on the dragonkin before giving him a small nod. “Soki should have some healing potions to help you feel better. I could stay here with you for the night, just to make sure you’re, okay?”
“I appreciate it, but I think I can manage,” Kavan said gruffly.
Onka looked to the side. “I’ll wait downstairs for Healer Soki.”
The goblin stood up and two pieces moved by the pillow. Kavan looked over at a pearl and a khess piece of a man in armor.
“Nava said she saw you drop these when you rushed out of the water to fight the dregger. She picked them up and left them here for you,” Onka said plainly before turning and leaving the master bedroom.
Kavan sat up, his gaze caught in the gravity of the game piece and the shiny pearl.
“She isn’t happy,” Viz mentioned.
Kavan nodded.
She won’t understand anything I say about my past. It’s better to bury it and try to forget it ever happened.
“Burying your past will only cause it to come out at inopportune moments, such as being struck in the head a few times by a strong monster,” Viz quipped.
Kavan stared at the pearl and game piece for a long moment before his spirit sighed.
I know you don’t just aid in player world interaction. You counsel players as well. I’m just not sure talking about this will help in any way.
“Trauma can have devastating effects on your psyche. It can affect your relationships with others and yourself. I was programmed to help players adjust to certain social aspects for better game play. I must admit, my disconnect from the servers and being a voice in your head is a little odd, but I still follow my basic functions and protocols.
“In essence, if you cannot confide in others, you can always confide in me.”
Kavan’s gaze shifted to the side as a wall along his psyche cracked.
My family liked to camp and hike. It was our tradition every year to visit the state parks and go hiking, fishing, and enjoy the great outdoors. My parents gave me a lot of freedom since I was an only child. At fourteen, I still remember waking very early to go for walks and fishing before the sunrise.