Azra of the Burning Sands (Genesis Project)

by Arlin Fehr

  ‘We don’t know what happened to him. We just don’t know where he is,’ she said, softly.

  ‘That blasted snake!’ Dykyn snapped suddenly.

  Jahnyz stepped back from him, surprised by the outburst.

  ‘I’m... sorry Jahnyz,’ Dykyn apologized, bowing his head, ‘I know he was your Master. I’ll find a way to make sure the snake pays.’

  Jahnyz was taken aback. ‘How can you do that?’ she asked.

  Dykyn stood a little taller. ‘Ahaki captured Shakla... he’s in the dungeon... right below us, and he’s not going anywhere.’

  ‘Shakla? Here?’

  ‘Yes. Master Ahaki took him after he was driven off by his own allies,’ Dykyn explained. ‘After all he’s done, and now he’s our prisoner.’

  Jahnyz wasn’t sure what to think. The thought of all they’d been through came flooding back to her, and she moved to the wall and sat heavily on a bench. Dykyn walked over and sat next to her. She stared at the floor and didn’t say anything.

  Dykyn put an arm around her. ‘Hey, it’s okay,’ he assured, ‘we’ve got him.’

  Jahnyz shook her head. ‘It doesn’t bring Azra back.’

  The words surprised her.

  She was shocked at the strength of her emotion. Azra and her had never gotten along well, but the thought that they had no idea if he was alive or dead hit her harder than she would have thought it would have.

  She took a breath and calmed herself. She had a mission to do.

  ‘Do you know anything about Kont Reso?’ she asked suddenly, looking at Dykyn.

  Dykyn looked confused. ‘Not a whole lot. Why?’

  ‘I’m trying to determine his motives. He’s helping the rest of us from the expedition to get home again.’

  Dykyn leaned back against the wall and thought for a moment.

  ‘Kont Reso... my Master knows him. He’s from the Kingdom of Nedin if I recall. He’s a master of the energy aspect, with some particular talent towards living things. He’s quite the healer if I recall. I don’t know much about him really. He always seemed nice, when I met him,’ Dykyn said.

  Jahnyz was disappointed. ‘Anything odd about him? Or his Mahgic?’

  ‘No not really... well... I’ve never really actually seen him do any Mahgic, but then, people don’t go walking around throwing fireballs while they’re in Sallock.’ He smiled sadly. ‘Unless maybe they’re Azra, I reckon.’

  Jahnyz let out a quick laugh, but then went quiet.

  ‘Hey... I’m sorry, I know you’re worried about Azra. I am too. The man’s a legend. Especially to a young Wyzard like me. I hope he’s still alive, but I’ll tell you one thing... Shakla’s not going anywhere. He will pay for his crimes,’ Dykyn said with finality.

  Jahnyz looked up at him and smiled softly. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Anything... for you,’ he replied.

  Jahnyz stood up. ‘I’ve got to get going. I’ve got to get my people home.’

  ‘Good luck.’

  *

  Dykyn watched his girlfriend walk off. As soon as she was gone, the smile faded from his lips.

  Azra is gone, he thought.

  He knew that Shakla was responsible for this. Dykyn had looked up to Azra. His brash nature and bursts of raw power had appealed to the young Prince. He’d originally wanted Azra as his Master when he’d first come to this world. Unfortunately, Azra already had an apprentice, Jahnyz.

  That was just as well too... he was glad Jahnyz was Azra’s apprentice... glad he’d met her.

  Dykyn had wondered, occasionally, if he and Jahnyz would have ever got together if it wasn’t for Azra. Dykyn had originally been drawn to Jahnyz because of her closeness to the legendary Wyzard.

  No. I... love her. She’s worth being with on her own strengths, he thought.

  Now no one knew where Azra was, or if he was even alive. That someone with such raw power could just be snuffed out... it made Dykyn... frustrated. It wasn’t fair.

  He heard someone walking up behind him. He turned around.

  Kont Reso was standing in front of him, wearing a shimmering blue robe, a cloth cap, and a smile.

  Dykyn put on a happy face. ‘Master Reso, I was just talking about you, as a matter of fact.’

  Kont looked concerned. ‘Not to yourself I hope.’

  ‘No, no,’ Dykyn chuckled, ‘to my girlfriend, she was just here a myno ago.’

  Kont smiled again. ‘Ah, well that’s not so bad then.’

  ‘If you’re looking for my Master, he should be in the upper levels in his study.’

  Kont made a dismissive gesture with his hands. ‘No need to worry, young Prince. I’ve just come from a meeting with your Master actually. He tells me you’ve had trouble with a certain prisoner.’

  Dykyn frowned. ‘He has?’

  Kont laughed. ‘Yes, yes, it’s all right, young Prince. We’ve all had to deal with difficult people before, though, hopefully, the next time you have to, you won’t have to have your back and robes torn up.’

  Dykyn felt himself flush with embarrassment. ‘I... misjudged his reach.’

  Kont nodded and became serious. ‘Mmmm, yes, and I think we all may have misjudged his power. He’s made quite the mess since getting here.’

  ‘But we’ve got him now. He’s our prisoner.’

  ‘Yes, he is at that,’ Kont said, nodding, ‘he’s under the watchful eye of the Wyzard Council. Justice will be dealt.’

  ‘I hope it’s soon,’ Dykyn said sourly.

  ‘Why is that, Dykyn, my boy?’ Kont asked, stroking his chin.

  Dykyn hesitated. He shifted his jaw, and then said, ‘I’ve been having some... conversations with him. He knows things. Things he shouldn’t know... about my homeworld.’

  ‘Ahhh yes, Paltia, spoken of, but never seen by anyone in this region of space. And here you are, our very own Paltian Prince learning our ways,’ Kont smiled.

  ‘And I’m very grateful for the hospitality shown me here, but Shakla knows things about my world that no one here should know. It’s made me... anxious.’

  Kont nodded. ‘It would indeed, but... I don’t think it’s a problem. The Council will deliberate and come to an agreement about a course of action.’

  Dykyn realized what that meant. ‘That could take forever. The Council is not known for rush decisions.’

  Kont patted Dykyn on the shoulder. ‘No they aren’t, but what can we do? Justice will be served. We’ll just have to be patient.’

  ‘I guess.’

  A moment of silence passed between them.

  ‘Now, I must be going boy. I have places to be yet, and people to help.’

  ‘Safe journeys, Master Reso.’

  ‘Thank you, young Prince, and you too.’

  Kont bowed a little. He started off towards the exit of the tower.

  Dykyn moved towards the exit at a slower pace, thinking to himself, and made the long walk to his quarters.

  Choice

  ‘Remember who you are, always, my son... It is with a heavy heart that I send you to these alien lands to learn their Mahgic, but always remember, you are the son of a King, you are noble, you stand for what is good and right, and... always look your foes in the eyes...’

  -Aykyn the King of Paltia, to his son Dykyn, before he left for the Anciantos Realm

  SALLOCK – BAZRA WASTES

  Dykyn sat in his quarters within the city of Sallock. His was a special privilege. Being an envoy from a distant realm of space, he had no loyalties on this world, and had been given lodgings within the walls of Sallock. Such a privilege was usually reserved for Mahgic users of certain rank and prestige.

  Being a Prince had its advantages, though that did embarrass him somewhat.

  Young Dykyn’s mind was distracted though, by the thought of Shakla.

  He didn’t like it. He didn’t like that Shakla had him so worked up. He liked it here, on this world. Though it was not even close to being as advanced, technologically speaking, as his home, the world had a q
uality of nobility to it. A largeness to it. Plus, the Mahgic of this region of space was different in nature to the Dorash back home. It was one of the main reasons why he had been sent here.

  He remembered being taught about the history of the world by his Master. The characters and events all seemed larger than life, and the examples of Mahgic in those histories were staggering to the imagination. The focused fury of the elements, wielded as weapons... so similar to those great legendary warriors... the Four of Light... but different too.

  Even the people alive now seemed larger than life, like Azra.

  That blasted snake even controlled one as legendary as Azra... and probably got him killed... and Jahnyz too. She could have died.

  Dykyn stood up in a rush and moved to a window, looking out over the Wyzard city. He balled his hands into fists.

  ‘He could have gotten Jahnyz killed,’ Dykyn growled to himself. ‘Lizards... all they do is hurt... kill... rob you...’

  Dykyn looked down, remembering the evil Rodnok, remembering the fear... the death... Lizards always tried to take from Dykyn what he loved. He would not let Shakla escape the way Sarhash had... he would not.

  Something inside began to come to a boil.

  He turned from the window and walked out of his quarters, a purpose to his steps.

  *

  ARCHWAY PLAZA – SALLOCK

  Jahnyz stepped out of the Archway from Minna, and blinked in the sunlight. She clutched onto the precious focus crystal. The court Wyzard of Minna had been reluctant to give one up – and she had to swear she would never let it from her sight. She looked around the plaza. Kont Reso was standing nearby, smiling. She walked over to him.

  ‘You are back, young Miss! What fantastic timing,’ Kont said with a smile, ‘I’m done with my business too, so we can go rescue your friends if you’re ready. Did you get the crystal?’

  Jahnyz held it up, and then said, ‘Let’s get moving.’

  Before she could react, Kont had snatched the crystal out from her hand. He held it up and examined it in the light. It seemed to glow sharply for a moment, and then he lowered it handed it back.

  ‘I’ve always loved how they shimmer in the sun,’ he chuckled. Then he looked back at Jahnyz, saying, ‘Now let’s be going.’

  Jahnyz glared at him. ‘Ask before you take next time,’ she growled. ‘I’m under strict orders not to let this crystal out of my sight.’

  ‘Oh, my apologies,’ Kont said with bow. ‘However, you can still say you did that, as it never left your sight for even a moment.’

  Jahnyz snatched the crystal back and turned to the Archway back to the southern continent. Kont produced his own crystal and inserted it into an alcove on the side of the Archway. As soon as he did, it glowed, and the Archway filled with a spinning, blue and white cloud of light.

  Kont beckoned Jahnyz toward the portal.

  ‘I assume you know how to use the crystal?’ he asked.

  Jahnyz nodded. ‘Yes, I’ve used the one in Jarridon.’

  ‘Ahh yes, the Kingdom of Minna, the only power on the planet other than Sallock to have two Archways. Very well then, after you.’

  Jahnyz hesitated. ‘Are you coming?’

  ‘I’ve actually realized I have something I must do yet. I’ll be along,’ Kont said.

  Jahnyz looked at him suspiciously, but realized she had a job to do. She walked through the Archway, and left Sallock behind.

  *

  DUNGEON – SALLOCK

  Shakla was awoken from his sleep by the sound of the door to his cell block closing. He opened and eye and looked out. Standing in front of the bars of his cell was Dykyn. Shakla smiled to himself and sat up.

  ‘You’re back... boy. Have I inssspired you?'

  Dykyn reached a hand over the lock to the cell. There was a brief flash of light, and the whole space in front of the cell flashed brightly with an emerald green light before extinguishing itself. Dykyn unlocked the gate.

  ‘What about the guards outside, young Prinssse? Did you think to turn them away?’ Shakla said, still smiling.

  Dykyn glared at him, and said, ‘They won’t disturb us. It’s time for a shift change.’

  Shakla leaned forward, and held out his arms, still shackled by chains. ‘It wouldn’t be sssporting to cut down a defenssslesss man.’

  ‘You’re no man... you’re a... lizard...’

  ‘I didn’t think you had it in you boy,’ Shakla chuckled. ‘Thisss represssentsss the will for power. I am impresssed.’

  ‘I could give a frash,’ Dykyn snarled, standing just out of reach of Shakla. The young Prince raised his hands, and an orange glow began to form in front of his open palms.

  ‘What assspect will you ussse, boy?’

  ‘I will burn you to ash, for all the lives you’ve taken... including Azra.’

  Shakla laughed. ‘Why would you get ssso upssset? He isss not even your Master. You are weaker than I thought. I take it back boy, you don’t impressse me. You disssgussst me.’

  ‘Again, you piece of lizard scum, I couldn't care less what you think of me.’

  With a flick of his fingers, a column of flame shot from Dykyn’s hands and streamed towards Shakla. When it connected with his chest, there was a flash of white light, and Dykyn was thrown across the cell, slamming hard against the bars.

  Shakla felt a surge of power through him, and summoned his own power. There was a flurry of air, and two gouges were torn from the wall where his chains were held in place. Shakla stood up, and walked over to where Dykyn was. The young Paltian Prince was writing on the ground, clutching his arms against himself.

  ‘A gift from a friend, a means to survive should anyone try to kill me with Mahgic. You didn’t think I’d be taken out by the likes of you did you... boy?’ Shakla leaned in close, opening his maw wide, with a wash of hot breath and dripping teeth.

  Still trembling from the blast, and clutching his chest, Dykyn nevertheless glared into Shakla’s face, and hissed, ‘I told you not to underestimate me.’

  The boy swiped with his hand and sharp claws tore into Shakla’s neck, opening deep, bloody, gouges. The snake man reared backward, roaring and hissing, grabbing at his bleeding throat.

  Dykyn scrambled back to his feet, and stood in a fighting stance, his hands at his side, fingers curled inward, and at the end of them, his finger-nails had grown into golden, hooked, talon-like, claws.

  Shakla spat, spraying venom into Dykyn’s face. The boy cried out and stumbled back, as the venom hissed and smoked, burning into Dykyn’s pores. The young Paltian stumbled and fell to his knees, then onto his side.

  Shakla pulled his hand from his neck and looked down at the blood in his palm. She snarled, turning back to Dykyn, and then stepped over to the Princeling.

  Shakla grabbed Dykyn by the neck, the boy’s body was limp like doll. He slammed the Paltian against a wall of the cell and glared at him.

  ‘I have causssed you paralisssisss. I am going to bring you with me. You wanted to sssee power boy. You can ssstill turn your head and move your eyesss, but you will be unable to move or ussse Mahgic... Or even any Dorash you may have had.’

  Dykyn glared.

  Shakla dropped the boy, and grabbed him by the arm, dragging him out of the cell. He strode through the door way and out through the doors beyond, into the hallway. The boy had been right, there were no guards. Shakla allowed himself a moment to revel in his triumph. Now he needed only find his ally and leave the city.

  It would be wonderful to hunt once again.

  Shakla dragged Dykyn through the cell block, and met his accomplice in an arched doorway at the foot of winding stairs. Torches flickered on the walls, casting deep shadows.

  ‘Ressso. Do you have what I require?’ Shakla demanded, glaring up at the Wyzard who stood above him. Two unconscious guards, lay on the stairs, flanking him. Kont looked down at Dykyn.

  ‘What are you doing with the young Prince?’ he asked.

  ‘He wanted to sssee power,’ Shak
la growled, ‘I’m obliging him, thanksss to hisss gift of trying to kill me. Your enchantment worked asss planned, it channelled his Mahigcal attack back to me and allowed me to break my prisson. Now, do you have what we need?’

  From within his robe, Kont held out a dull crystal.

  Shakla reached towards it, but Kont pulled it away. ‘Ah ah! It’s not ready yet.’

  Shakla let out a low growl.

  Kont waved his finger at Shakla, saying, ‘Patience now. Just one moment and all will be right as rain.’

  Kont held the crystal in his hand, holding it in front of his body. He closed his eyes, and there was a flash of light.

  Shakla closed his eyes against the sudden flash. When he opened them again, Kont was holding the crystal towards him. It was glowing with a glittering, internal, light.

  ‘This crystal is now the exact copy of the crystal for the Archway of the city of Minna, as per your request. Let me remind you that you would never had found a finer master of the Energy aspect than I. This little copy would not have been possible without me.’

  Shakla snatched the crystal from Reso. He tucked it into the band of his ragged clothing.

  ‘Your contributions to the Massster'sss plan are noted. Now, we mussst leave thisss place.’

  ‘That’s going to be a little more difficult. This isn’t really somewhere you can just walk out of. You can’t get in or out unless you go through an Archway or have some Mahgical means to do so.’

  ‘Am I not a ssservant of the Massster? We ssshall essscape.’

  Kont looked uncomfortable. ‘Unfortunately, thought I am a master of many things, teleportation is not one of them, but even if I was, I’m sure the Council will have Sallock shielded against such things as soon as we leave the tower. To make matters worse, the Archways will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get to. Plus the crystal I gave you goes to Minna. I’m not sure we’d be welcomed with open arms.’

  Shakla began to stalk up the stairs, dragging Dykyn behind him. Kont fell in behind him, struggling to keep up.

  ‘Do you have a plan?’ Kont asked behind him.

  ‘Ssspread fear, caussse panic, and leave a trail of the dead.’

  ‘You are in the middle of the highest concentration of Mahgic users on this world, dragging a prisoner behind you, and your idea is to fight your way out?’