by Selva, SK
“Of course I would, Raja. Anything.”
King Nahusha had let go of the fountain for support. He turned toward the castle doors as two other dragons quickly opened them for him.
“Come with me, son.”
Balaraj did not question his order and followed the king up the steps to the castle. Though he had been in these same walls not too long earlier, this time felt different.
“I just do not want a repeat of what happened last time, Raja,” said Balaraj.
“Yes,” said the king. “Sonia was a fine woman and better warrior. She would have made an excellent council member. I do regret what happened.”
Balaraj continued to follow the king through the halls. He could see the breath escape his lips as he shivered. Another old door appeared. Opening this one himself, the king did not break stride. Hesitating slightly, Balaraj continued to follow. The door slammed shut behind him, plunging them into darkness. King Nahusha lit a nearby torch, revealing a set of steps leading down. Balaraj could not see where it ended.
“Begging your forgiveness,” said Balaraj, “but may I know where we are going?”
“To see the truth.”
Never the biggest fan of riddles, Balaraj bit his tongue. An experienced warrior always trusted their gut, and everything was telling him to run. His knees shook, each step down taking him deeper into the unknown. The king was the only one that knew the way out.
The truth must be how to defeat the demons, and he wants me to know.
As the stairs began to flatten out, Balaraj could feel his body tense.
We’re in the dungeons, he realized.
It was a dreary place. The dust on the bars had turned them a dull gray as the dirt crumbled underneath their hooves. Balaraj gripped the bars of one of the cells. It still stood sturdy in place. He doubted even Karnan could have escaped one.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a prisoner,” remarked the king.
“Even I believe this is a bit much, Raja. Banning him from Ilemuria will keep everyone safe.”
“I do not plan on keeping Veeran here.”
A long, low moan escaped from the end of the tunnel. Balaraj had never heard anything so forlorn in his life.
“What was that?” asked Balaraj, his teeth chattering.
The king did not answer as they passed the final cell. An old wooden door with several chains appeared to be their destination.
“Let us go through here, and I will explain everything.”
Balaraj listened to the king’s commands, asking the land to remove the chains. Ilemuria would always obey the king’s requests, regardless of how strange. The clank of metal echoed through the dungeons as the chains fell.
“After you.”
Balaraj hesitated.
“Do you not trust me, Balaraj?”
“I do, Raja,” he said, “but I am frightened.”
“Do not be afraid. You are with me.”
Having faced down an entire demon army, some of the strongest dragon warriors in the battle games, and the pain of losing his most beloved, Balaraj could honestly say he had never been more terrified.
But if this is what is needed to defeat the demons for good, I must be brave.
Balaraj stepped through the door, feeling slightly relieved as the king followed him. A heavy thud from the closing did nothing to ease Balaraj’s tension, the room only illuminated by the king’s torch.
Another moan shook his very bones.
“You, of course, are familiar with Ilemuria’s history and the first dragons?” asked the king.
“Indeed,” said Balaraj. “We would not be here had your ancestors not cultivated and readied this land for us.”
“What if I told you that it was not us that were here first?”
Balaraj could not believe what the king was telling him as his breathing grew rapid.
“I beg your pardon, Raja?”
“Yes,” said the king. “When the dragons arrived, there was already a clan here. Do you know what they called them?”
Balaraj shook his head.
“Crawlers.”
Balaraj frowned, not recognizing what the king was talking about. The only light from his torch did not extend far as the lightest of breezes froze the tips of his feathers. Where was this cold coming from?
“You see, my son,” continued the king. “My ancestors did not first cultivate the land. When they arrived, it was a dark and dreary place. There were no forests, no mountains and no cities. It was a barren wasteland inhabited by strange, shadowy creatures. From our own ancient archives, these creatures had no form. They were just dark silhouettes, and they did not take kindly to the new visitors. Not at all. But the dragons could feel something new in the land that they wanted for themselves. Magic.”
Balaraj gulped. “What happened next, Raja?”
“They fought for the land, a long and gruesome battle. We lost so many but were able to claim the land and all of its magic for us. The ancient dragons that survived were but a few, but they made a promise never to allow magic to leave Ilemuria.”
“Were there any crawlers…left?”
King Nahusha’s eyes traveled deeper into the dwelling, in the very direction Balaraj refused to look.
“As we learned more and more about how magic worked, we realized we needed other creatures to control the balance,” the king continued. “We began to recruit those in hiding. The demons, unicorns, and centaurs came first, and the rest quickly followed. However, we could not stay here forever. It drained the land. So we decided to long preserve her, we would leave and return. But how were we to leave?”
Balaraj hugged himself tighter, rubbing his hands up and down his arms, trying to keep the feeling in his body.
“It was the demons that found out about the human form. Just like our ackal and mirakum selves, we also had a human version. It was this version that went back into the world. Not only that, but they passed their genes on to other humans as we procreated. This way we would never die out, and the land will always have creatures.”
“It...it... sounds w...w...wonderful, Raja. A noble c...cause.”
“Indeed it is,” said the king. “However, as you were able to see, I am growing weak and do not see anyone able to take the throne. In fact, I wish to expand it.”
Balaraj stared at the king curiously. “I don’t understand.”
“The human world, Balaraj,” said the king. “I plan on ruling that too.”
The unicorn warrior’s eyes widened as he saw the king in the light of the torch for the first time, an expression he had never seen before. Had he gone mad?
“Raja,” he said. “That is most r...reckless. We cannot do that. What d...does any of this have to do with the d...demon boy?”
“Everything. You see, Balaraj, he brings a certain magic back to this world that we have been missing. Energy has been flowing through him. Thankfully, he doesn’t feel it. I also have you to thank for bringing this to my attention.”
“If the energy is fl...flowing through him, but he d...doesn’t feel it, where d...does it go?”
“Why, right here, of course.”
King Nahusha waved his arms as the rest of the torches in the room sprang to life, Balaraj grateful for the sudden warmth and light. It did not last long as he turned, a deep black hole behind him. It pulsed, steady like calm breathing.
“Join me, Balaraj. We are not humans. We are creatures. We can live in this world forever. No more going back. No more waiting for the land. All the resources in the human world will be ours forever to keep Ilemuria filled with magic.”
“The humans would not be able to survive that, Raja,” said Balaraj. “You would end up destroying them.”
“And keeping only those with the creature gene,” insisted the king. “Our utopia will be complete. We can grow Ilemuria. Listen, Balaraj. You would never have to go back.”
The tears glistened in his eyes. It was everything he had always wanted, right at his fingertips.
“A unicorn forever, a guaranteed council seat, and leadership of the unicorn clan.”
The easiest of decisions were sometimes the hardest to make. Balaraj could not understand why he was hesitating.
“What is down there, Raja?” he asked, stalling for time.
“I’m glad you asked. You see, Balaraj, another history lesson for you, but my dragon ancestors did not vanquish all the crawlers. A few were imprisoned. This passageway had not been open for hundreds of returns. Not until I found it forty years ago.”
A crushing realization overcame Balaraj.
“Right before the demon tragedy.”
“Indeed,” said the king. “We could not do this on our own. Imagine my surprise when I found this special dungeon full of creatures I never believed existed. We began to talk, and the crawlers and I made a deal. You see, we wanted the same thing.”
Balaraj tried to inch away, but his legs stood frozen.
“It was a strenuous spell. We had to fight against the land for the very magic she shared with us. The imbalance nearly destroyed her, as I’m sure you remember. I was able to help a few of my new allies escape for this spell. Unfortunately, we could not hold it, and the land attacked us all. Only the halfwit Ravanan knew something was amiss and prepared his village accordingly. He did not suspect me, but he did tell Samara his suspicions. Thankfully, this was his downfall. Everyone believed it was the demons’ fault.”
Balaraj’s chest heaved, his mind barely able to cope. Everything he had ever fought for, everything he had ever believed, was a lie. Those he had opposed had been right, and he had been used, a fool.
“You banished an innocent clan. Samara was right.”
“Yes, a small price to pay back then. Unfortunately, it was only after that I realized that we did require demon power. This is why Veeran is so important.”
“And why you wanted the demons back.”
“Exactly, and now that he’s here, I can finally put my plan into action.”
King Nahusha looked imploringly at Balaraj, desperate for him to understand.
“Join us, Balaraj. We can rule together.”
A great internal struggle raged within the unicorn as he pictured the life he had always wanted, forever.
But he knew which side had to win.
“I cannot join you or let you do this, Raja. There are too many innocent lives in the human world. Your gross injustice cost Sonia her life.”
The king did not blink. “I do regret it, but sacrifices are required for the greater good. I see that now, Balaraj. You are not worthy of these accolades.”
He stepped forward, no longer the frail dragon from not too long ago, but empowered by an energy Balaraj could not see. Each stride pushed Balaraj farther and farther back, closer to the eager, pulsating pit.
“You’re mad,” said Balaraj, holding up his arms.
“As are you,” responded the king. “Two mad creatures in the depths of Ilemuria, near the pit where all ancient crawlers are trapped. Listen, can you hear them?”
The moans were getting louder and louder. Balaraj could feel the heat from the torches, but it was nothing compared to the pit. He nearly stumbled as he realized his foot had reached the edge.
“It will be glorious,” said the king. “I will rule both lands forevermore. Magic will be available to all. History will remember me as the king who expanded Ilemuria.”
Balaraj knew he had no way of escaping except through his king.
If I’m going to die here right now, then history can remember me too.
“There will always be those that oppose you and your plan,” said Balaraj. “You will never win.”
“Ah, but I already have,” said the king. “The crawlers and I still have our deal.”
“And what kind of deal is that?”
The king snapped his fingers. A long black tentacle wrapped around Balaraj’s leg. He struggled to free himself but could see the black tar traveling up his body.
“No!” he shouted.
He continued to try and pull away, but the black tar crept higher and higher, consuming its fresh victim. King Nahusha watched solemnly as Balaraj tried to fight.
“You will not win!”
The king shook his head as Balaraj’s final words did nothing to faze him. A final look of betrayal disappeared under the darkness. The unicorn was gone. King Nahusha waited patiently.
A dark figure was slowly pushed out of the pit, standing powerfully, eyes black as the night. The crawlers had found a vessel to take over.
“You will find the demon boy,” said the king. “You will bring him to me.”
“Yes, my liege.”
Shadow Balaraj would never let his master down.
CHAPTER 2 4
***
A aryav could feel the eyes of the other creatures bearing down on them. They were attracting attention. It did not matter, though, since Karnan had caught them. They had failed before getting anywhere near the map.
Veeran stopped struggling. He knew he was getting nowhere. He turned a defeated head toward his captor, expecting to be met with anger.
Instead, all he saw was worry.
“Come with me, quickly!” the centaur said.
Neither Veeran nor Aaryav argued as they swiftly followed Karnan into his home, passed the stares of the curious centaur guards. Karnan slammed the door shut and pulled his curtains to cover the windows.
“You two must be Aaryav and Veeran,” he said.
The demon and the unicorn glanced at each other, hoping the other one would answer. Veeran tried to distract himself by looking around the cabin. It was one of the most interesting places he had been to since he came to Ilemuria. Gadgets whizzed and whirled all over the room, while potions bubbled gleefully on the tables. There were maps with notes and sticks pinpointing certain locations. It was the first time Veeran had ever seen a full map of Ilemuria. Several question marks and arrows adorned its edges.
“Yes,” said Aaryav finally.
“This was such a foolish thing to attempt,” said Karnan. Thankfully, the two young creatures at least had the gall to look guilty. “Do you know how much danger you could have been in had you been caught?”
“Veeran’s in danger now anyway,” insisted Aaryav. “They imprisoned him. We had no choice but to escape.”
“And it’s a good thing you two did.”
Whatever Veeran had been expecting, it was not that. Karnan quickly double-checked behind his curtains and paced over to one of his many tables, flipping open different books as though determined to find the right pages.
“I don’t understand,” said Veeran.
“I’m sure you know we just had an emergency meeting with all the leaders of the land…”
Karnan tried to explain as quickly as he could what had happened.
“So I’m a criminal on the run now?” asked Veeran.
This was not what he had in mind when he first came to Ilemuria a few weeks ago.
“Yes,” said Karnan.
“Then why are you not turning us in? And why did you say it’s a good thing we escaped?” asked Aaryav.
“Because we need your help.”
Though he had seen many battles throughout his years, Karnan knew that the most important fight was always the next one.
“Please, look at these.”
He raised a trembling finger, pointing at a set of uneven scales. It was a wonder that one side had not tipped over yet. Veeran walked closer.
“In all my years…”
Karnan could not finish what he was about to say. He turned away and looked back again to make sure what he was seeing was real.
The scales had attempted to balance themselves quickly before returning to their perilous state.
“Roshna told us you were worried about this,” said Aaryav.
“But the king is not, and that’s what frightens me even more,” said Karnan. “The creatures are taking in
magic from the land, but she is not getting enough back. Something is stealing it, and I cannot figure out what. Whatever intention the king has with you, Veeran, is blinding him to what the real problem is. The last time this happened, the land attacked us and the demons were banished because of it.”
“The scales just tried to right themselves, though,” said Aaryav. “When Veeran got closer. It’s not his fault.”
“Maybe it is,” said Veeran. “And I don’t even know it.”
“It was too easy to blame the demons last time,” said Karnan. “I, too, am guilty of casually accepting the easiest explanation, but now I need to admit that Samara was right. Something was amiss back then, and something is amiss now. You are not the cause of it, Veeran. You are the solution.”
“How am I supposed to find out what’s going on?”
Shivering feverishly, Veeran grabbed on to a nearby table to steady himself. Karnan offered him a seat.
“Samara knew something was awry, but she never told us. I have been trying to piece together what she found out, but I’m missing clues. I need both of you to help me get them. There’s only one place those answers can be.”
Karnan found the book he had been looking for and pulled out a battered old piece of parchment. The edges were frayed, and it had seen better days, but it did not stop Veeran’s heart from skipping a beat when he saw the image on it.
“Poombuhar,” said Karnan, pointing to a small village on the map.
Of course, thought Veeran.
Wasn’t the entire reason they escaped Marutam that map? Didn’t they discuss last night that maybe, just maybe, that voice that was talking to him was coming from Poombuhar? Veeran thought back to his grandmother’s wishes. This was the reason he came here, and now was not the time to do what was safest.
Now was the time to right a wrong done to his clan.
“Poombuhar is from where I’ve been hearing a voice,” said Veeran.
Karnan’s eyes stretched wide, his mouth agape.
“That’s incredible, but maybe we do have help. This could be the clue.”
He started toward another set of books, frantically flipping through more pages.
“Yes,” Karnan said finally. “The entrance has been closed for forty years, but from my research there are two ways to possibly open it, as said here. One is with the dragons. The other is with a demon.”