Scepters of Empyrea

by Vignesh Ravichandran

  That’s enough!!! That’s enough!!! That’s enough!!! (Cave echoed)

  They may be incapable and though they didn’t utilize our powers effectively they learned everything and they will be a problem to us in the future, said Tyrant.

  Problem!!! Hahaha!! These stupid humans!! Hahaha!! No way father, they had no clue what to do on the battlefield, we can easily take them down, said Pitheceus.

  I had the same thought before Tarzan came into the picture. I am not scared of him but he carries the Scepter of nature, how did he get his hands on it in the first place? !! Didn’t we see Mysterio plugging it in the empyrean stone. If he could break the empyrean stone, we need to consider the possibility of him being powerful enough to defeat us, said Tyrant.

  Our plan to retrieve the scepters backfired because of Royston, and now we need to wait till the night of the new moon, said Kraity.

  No!! There’s too much at stake here and we cannot wait until the new moon night. If he figures out how to use the scepter of nature, he will be undefeatable. And I won’t have that because I am the Emperor, the throne is mine!!! Mine!!! Mine (Cave echoed) raged Tyrant.

  Father!!! The dark toxin is ready, it’s time to strike. We will transform the humans to the dark warriors by tonight, said Kraity.

  You are right my dear!! We should not delay this any further, tonight we get our powers back, said Tyrant.

  How does the dark toxin work by the way?, asked Pitheceus.

  Once the humans drink the dark toxin, they will be intoxicated and will experience excruciating pain. The toxin will mix in their blood, their human skin will fade away and the dark skin will begin to spread all over their body. At last, their physical appearance will change to that of a dark creature and they will bow down to us serving us for life, said Tyrant.

  But what about the creatures? How are we going to handle them? Remember you mentioned that the creatures will protect their lords and attack us if we try to harm them, said Kraity.

  That's why I have this, said Tyrant and took out a tiny bottle from his hip.

  Father, what's that, asked Pitheceus eagerly.

  This is Mourin. This potion will help us retrieve our scepters.

  I’m afraid, we don’t follow you father, how will this potion help us, asked Kraity.

  This is not some ordinary liquid. The major ingredient of this potion are the tears of an ermaid and the blood of a virgin unicorn, said tyrant and walked towards a small pond which reflected Emla (moon). He opened the bottle and poured the dark gray color potion into the pond. The dark gray color potion produced thunder sparks as soon as it touched the water surface turning the entire pond to dark gray and overshadowed the reflection of Emla. Seconds later, the dark clouds pounded the sky and hid Emla. In the absence of Emla all of Empyrea turned away with thunders overpowering the sky.

  Finally, our mother is useful for something, said Pitheceus.

  There’s no time to waste now, this potion will hide Emla only for the next hour, leave immediately to your regions and come back with your scepters, said Tyrant.

  Ok, we will get the Scepters and return to Evila but what about the humans, asked Pitheceus.

  They will turn into dark warriors after 4 hours and will automatically come and serve us, said Tyrant laughing hysterically.

  (Everyone joined in the laughter)

  Each one of them took the dark toxin in a pot and departed.

  At Sorgamia,

  Manav was sitting by the riverside looking at his reflection. He wasn’t able to see the real Manav’s face but instead what stared back at him was the apes face.

  (Pitheceus came to the riverside)

  Lord!! You are here!! I was looking for you in the vathroo camp, said Pitheceus.

  What’s the problem, for someone who ran away from the battlefield fearing the waves I should say, very brave of you to come out looking for me at this time of the hour, said Manav.

  Lord!! I went to gather some more people for our army, said Pitheceus.

  Then, where is the army? You liar!!!! Liar!!! Liar!!!!(Riverside echoed) I saw you swimming along with that greenish girl and the bizarre bearded one.

  Lord!! I was not the one swimming with them, they were swimming alongside me. I’m sure they were trying to escape the waves just like me, said Pitheceus.

  Then!! You let our enemies escape the waves, you should have killed them, raged Manav.

  Surely the day is not far when they will meet their death by your hands, my Lord. However there are more urgent matters that need your attention right now. I have bought you something, in fact something that you have been eagerly looking for, said Pitheceus.

  Except the hearts of my betraying friends I am not looking for anything else. But I’d also like to have a human hand rather than this ape hand, said Manav.

  I know that my Lord and that’s why I bought you this, (Showed the pot) this is the Emla potion, lied Pitheceus.

  Emla potion!!! What’s that, asked Manav excited and curious at the same time.

  My Lord!! This is the answer to all your problems. It will turn your ape’s hand into your regular human hand and not only that, this will turn you into the most handsome person in the universe, said Pitheceus.

  This is perfect, just what I need indeed!!! Then, I will not only be the strongest but also the most powerful and handsome person in the universe. Keep it in the vathroo camp. I will drink it in the morning, said Manav.

  No Lord!! This Emla potion needs to be consumed right away, only then will Emla be able to share its beauty with you, said Pitheceus.

  Ok!! Give it to me, asked Manav.

  (Pitheceus gave the pot)

  This looks like my favorite red wine, will it taste the same, asked Manav.

  This will taste better than that, said Pitheceus.

  (Manav drank the Dark toxin)

  I feel strange. (Manav’s ape hand started to turn to his regular human hand) wow!!! This is fantastic, I’m turning into me, said Manav unable to hide his excitement.

  Pitheceus watched in silence as Manav’s hand transformed all the while thinking to himself that this excitement will be short lived.

  And then suddenly as though the universe heard Pitheceus’s silent thoughts, Manav began to scream - Ouch!! Pitheceus!!! I feel like my bones are disappearing.

  It first started with his hands and then his legs began to give way turning into rubber and he fell to the ground no longer able to hold his scepter. His Scepter dropped out of his hands onto the ground.

  (Pitheceus took the Scepter from the ground)

  Holding it high in his hand Pitheceus said, Finally!! this scepter is where it belongs. (Pitheceus laughed) I am Pitheceus, (Thunder roared) the Lord of Sorgamia. (Pointing the Scepter blade to the Manav’s throat) You made me your servant. My father has tied my hands if not I will kill you right now in this place.

  And what did you ask me, “why I swam along with that greenish girl and the bizarre bearded one, Hahaha! Then, who else would I swim with other than with my father and my sister, said Pitheceus.

  All of you will pay for this dearly, whispered Manav.

  What!! Hahaha!! Pitheceus ignored Manav and said,’ Come back soon and serve your Lord dark warrior, ‘ and left the place.

  At Dinolaya,

  Ameer was upset about his defeat at war. He was practicing harder with his Scepter at the dino camp without even changing his battle dress. The cruel Tyrant saw Ameer practicing and was mesmerized for a second.

  Wow!!! Though he is my opponent, I need to admit this. He knows how to use the Scepter so well. “I will make you the general of my dark warriors”, thought Tyrant and approached Ameer cautiously.

  Lord!!! Your moves are fresh, where did you learn all these, asked Tyrant.

  I learnt these from my father. No one could defeat him in the battle of the swords. Likewise, I was unbeatable. I am the world champion in martial arts but those backstabbers made me taste dust, snarled Ameer.

  Yes, my Lord!! I can see that yo
u are a natural and a born warrior. If I may say so, I also used to be a sword fighter, said Tyrant.

  Hmmm!! Then let’s fight with each other, said Ameer and threw a sword at him.

  (Tyrant caught the sword)

  Hahahahaa!! You may be the champion in emrath but not in Empyrea, said Tyrant sportingly.

  Soon the Dinomen in the area rounded the place and greeted them. Ameer and Tyrant faced each other at the riverside. The area was wide enough for two of them to fight without hurting others.

  Let’s play general, said Ameer with a winning smile.

  Ameer shrugged his shoulders, smiled, and slowly took one foot behind his back. Tyrant snapped his fingers as if to say “Come on” towards Ameer. The fight was on. The two opponents, equal in strength were testing and teasing each other.

  Tyrant rushed towards Ameer, he dipped and weaved right as he was about to reach him and slashed his sword downwards. Ameer parried with one of his gauntlets and the blade clashed against the metal strapped to Ameer’s arms with a shriek. This sent sparks flying in the air.

  Tyrant was quick and gave an uppercut slash attempting to catch Ameer from the stem all the way to the stern. Ameer sidestepped to the right just enough and the blade passed a hair’s breadth from his face. Quickly before Tyrant could retaliate, Ameer swiftly punched Tyrant in his neck plexus which knocked the wind out of Tyrant, and he was stunned by the blow for a brief moment.

  Not bad for a guy in his fifties to compete with an energetic youngster like me. I appreciate it general, said Ameer.

  Tyrant was wary but seemed open for more. Ameer obliged him putting in a simple sidekick into Tyrant's stomach, doubling him over and he followed that up with a quick rising uppercut with his scepter.

  The entire Dinomen were watching in silence holding their breath as Tyrant descended. They were enthralled with every step, with every punch and waiting expectantly for the next move.

  Ameer gave Tyrant an apologetic shrug, midair. As if to say, “sorry” for what was going to come next. Ameer used his momentum creatively, instead of piling onto his opponent, he jerked to the right and swung around Tyrant. Then when he was directly behind his opponent, Ameer curled his legs into his body and angled his body towards the ground, changing the direction of his fall, putting the weight of his jump into a powerful throw. Tyrant was pulled off his feet violently and was thrown across the ground. He skidded and tumbled along the ground.

  Woww!! I feel much stronger than before and I’m sure this all has to do with the Scepter, thought Ameer.

  Tyrant looked up at Ameer. He looked surprised but knew that all this was because of the Scepter.

  If this were a real battle, you would have died at the hands of my Scepter general. Do you want to fight further, asked Ameer.

  Tyrant looked down at his hands and noticed one of his fingers bleeding. Dammit! I got a cut on my finger! Forgive me, my Lord. I learnt how strong you are, said Tyrant.

  You fought bravely like a king, I liked your moves, said Ameer.

  (Ameer shook hands with Tyrant)

  Thank you, my Lord!! I have bought you something, it’s a bravery potion but after competing with you I don’t think you need it, said Tyrant.

  (Dinomen cleared the place)

  Bravery potion!!! What’s that, asked Ameer, curious.

  (Tyrant sneered)

  The person who drinks this bravery potion will become the strongest and the most powerful person in the universe, in simple words, he would be braver than anyone else, said Tyrant.

  Then I surely need it!! Where is it, bring me the potion, ordered Ameer.

  (Tyrant gave the dark toxin)

  (Ameer drank it)

  This is amazing!! I can already feel the difference, my body is responding to the potion immediately, said Ameer.

  But soon his Scepter fell to the ground, he bent to take it, he could touch the Scepter but wasn’t able to grasp it. He had lost his grip, the dark toxin started working, he got epilepsy and fell to the ground.

  (Tyrant took the Scepter)

  It’s been centuries without you, at last, you are mine. (Thunder rumbled in the distance) It’s time to show the world that we are finally together, said Lord Tyrant.

  And for you kid!! You made me bleed with my own blade, in return I need to do something for you. I’m going to take you as my dark warrior. And, you were wrong about my age, I am 512. Oops!! I forget to add the 5000 years stone life. I have work to do, so you do the math and tell me when you meet me as a dark warrior at Evila in the morning, said Lord Tyrant.

  (Thunders rumbled)

  Meanwhile Lord Tyrant’s face no longer remained the same. His face turned long and his legs stretched, his skin disappeared and rough scales appeared. Soon, out pierced massive wings from his shoulders and his entire body transformed into a Quetzalcoatlus and he flew to Evila.

  At Nagamalya,

  Everyone was asleep. Leonce most definitely will be upset about his defeat at war. He would be confused out of his mind trying to find a solution. I will use that as an opportunity to manipulate his mind a little and make him drink this dark toxin stating that this was a winner’s potion. This is going to be a cakewalk for me, thought Kraity.

  Kraity approached Leonce’s tent and was ready to start her acting.

  (Indistinct Roaring)

  I hate these roaring sounds. The sounds are somewhere nearby though, sounds like a saber-tooth tiger, I hate them the most, thought Kraity and pulled out a knife from her sheathe.

  (Indistinct Roaring increases)

  The roaring sounds were now getting closer, it seemed like it was coming from Leonce’s tent, I think the saber-tooth tiger might have eaten Leonce. Anyway, my work is done, and there won’t be any requirement for this dark toxin, thought Kraity and slowly moved towards the tent.

  Suddenly she stopped in her tracks and thought. No!! No!! Facing the saber tooth tiger without any powers will be a risk. I will wait until the saber gets out of the tent, thought Kraity and waited outside the tent.

  (Indistinct Roaring)

  Not only were the sounds increasing but also there seemed to be more than one but why the delay?. I can’t wait any longer to get back my Scepter. I am going to get in there, thought Kraity and crawled into the tent.

  When Kraity went inside the tent, everything was messed up. Leonce was missing in his bed. His white and ash patterned snake coat was filled with blood. Frightened Kraity firmly held onto her knife and was ready to rip apart the saber tooth tigers. She was looking for them all over the tent but couldn’t see even one of them.

  (Indistinct Roaring)

  There is no tiger in the tent but I can still hear the roaring sounds, where is it coming from, thought Kraity and looked around the tent. The sound was coming from the other side of the bed, they must be hiding there, thought Kraity and moved closer.

  (Indistinct Roaring increased)

  Kraity gripped her knife and lunged on the bed to attack the saber tooth tigers but her furiousness turned to frustration when her face was smeared with some slimy liquid.

  The liquid was not the blood of saber tooth tiger but that's the saliva of leonce. And the roaring sounds were not the saber tooth tigers but that of Leonce’s snore. He drank the Naga’s painkiller medicine to cure his wounds and he fell into a deep sleep. He lay on the floor covered in a pool of his own vomit.