by Selva, SK
“I think it’s a good idea to have rejected the king’s offer, especially after what Balaraj said,” said Thalia. “We need to keep Veeran as far away from Raja as possible.”
“You don’t think the king was behind it all, do you?” asked Veeran.
Thalia paused. “There were a lot of holes in his speech to the village yesterday, but everyone trusted him. It’s easier on the mind to think the danger is gone.”
Veeran would never forget the way King Nahusha surveyed him after he had rejected his council seat offer.
“Let’s forget about it for now,” said Thalia. “You heard what Roshna said. It’s time you finally enjoyed the village, Veeran. You don’t have to hide anymore.”
Veeran peered out the window, gazing at the lively village. Maybe it was time to finally let his mind be free.
“Let’s go.”
Kiramam Square was so much more welcoming when the creatures were not scared. There were stares and whispers, but this time it did not bother Veeran as his hood remained by his shoulders, showing his face off to the land. Griffins, elves, merpeople, and fairies came up and introduced themselves. They had a quick meal at a nearby bar, where Veeran tried a drink for the first time. It burned his throat as Thalia and Aaryav laughed.
“We’ve always been a peaceful community,” said Thalia as they continued their stroll, “but along the way, each clan has become prideful. The heroism you two have shown has helped remind everyone that the clans must remain together.”
“Good thing too,” said Veeran. “We’re going to need that for whatever might be coming.”
They walked through one of the village’s many exits, now unguarded, and stared into a vast field, mountains standing tall in the distance.
“You’re going to need to get back to training, Aaryav,” said Thalia. “Why not a quick race to the mountains?”
“I doubt Veeran would be able to keep up with us,” he said, smiling, his wings beginning to grow.
Veeran could feel the land giving him only the energy he asked for. He grew taller and stronger as his skin burned a crimson red. He turned to his two friends.
“You’re on!”
And with that, the three of them raced to the mountains, forgetting their troubles for just a few blissful moments.
*
Roshna stood by Karnan and Yachana as they waited, shoulder to shoulder, in the only room they felt was safe. The embassy chambers were too dangerous to use for what they were about to discuss. A knock on the door alerted them to the arrival of expected visitors. Karnan peered through the keyhole before allowing Charak in, along with two mermaids and a goblin.
“It’s highly irresponsible to allow the games to continue,” said Yachana. “What is the king thinking?”
“It is tradition,” said Charak. “Ever since the dragons first invited us to the land.”
“How is the demon boy?” asked one of the mermaids.
“He’s safe and still my ward,” said Roshna. “We are grateful that you have all decided to join our side. Balaraj died a hero, but there are those that might use that against Veeran.”
“We have Thalia watching both him and Aaryav to keep them out of danger for now,” said Karnan, “but we must keep a vigilant eye open. The land is still in danger.”
“We all want what’s best for the land,” said the goblin.
“Though what’s best for the land depends on who you talk to,” said the centaur.
Roshna looked somberly at those in the room. The dragons had taken over Kiramam Square and were ensuring everyone that the danger had passed. Balaraj’s final words had been haunting her every night.
“And how do we know the dragons aren’t correct and the danger is gone?” asked Charak.
Karnan pointed at the lone set of scales on the tiny table before them. As it dangled to one side precariously, the elf leader gasped.
“Even after the battle, it still has not fixed itself,” said Karnan.
“Our land is still in danger,” said Yachana.
Charak’s face filled with worry. “What are we going to do about it?”
Everyone in the room turned to Roshna, who could not take her eyes off the scale before her.
“I don’t know,” she said.
CHAPTER 3 5
***
J eya paced through her apartment, straightening items that she had adjusted barely seconds earlier, just for something to do. Even though Veeran was gone, it seemed so much smaller. He really did brighten up the place.
It had been a few weeks since he had left, and she never once stopped regretting her decision. Even though time moved differently over there compared to the human world, the task she had given him was monumental. How was he supposed to be able to do this alone? Had she willingly doomed her grandchild over her own selfish desires? Her daughter had already left her, and now the only family she had left was on a fool’s errand that she had suggested. She lay on her couch, struggling to fall asleep despite the early hour.
A loud knock at the door awoke her. Not expecting any visitors, Jeya slowly opened the door and looked outside.
“Begging your pardon, madam,” said the gentleman that had been in her home earlier. “I was just wondering if I could have a word.”
Jeya hesitated but opened the door slightly. Maybe this man could help Veeran somehow.
“It’s Pandian, right?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said politely.
“Call me Jeya. May I get you a drink? Some tea?”
“If you could be so kind.”
Jeya prepped the tea while Pandian patiently waited on the couch, his hands tucked into his heavy jacket pockets. He reached for the tea graciously, sipping it as though he would never get the chance again.
“Been a long time since I’ve tasted something this good,” he said.
“I appreciate the compliment,” said Jeya.
He continued to drink slowly, savoring the flavor. Or perhaps he was stalling. Jeya could see him trying to speak between sips.
“I take it this is not just an everyday visit,” she remarked, taking matters into her own hands.
“No,” said Pandian, breathing deeply. “I don’t see your grandson.”
“He went to Ilemuria. I sent him.”
“Ah, so you know of that place.”
“You are Samara’s husband?”
“That I am. How did you know?”
“I overheard a bit when you and Roshna were telling Veeran everything.”
“That was a grave mistake on our part,” said Pandian. “I’m guessing you have a creature gene. Had I known, I would not have said anything. Stepped out of bounds.”
“No,” said Jeya. “I think you two were just what he needed. What I needed too, actually. He deserves to know.”
Pandian stared at his empty cup with regret; Jeya graciously refilled it. She knew what a warm, homely drink could do for a tortured soul.
“It was a very brave thing for your grandson to do to go into that world.,” said Pandian. “Especially considering the circumstances. I hated it every time my wife went, but even a grim old man like me could see the happiness it brought her. She was never the same, though, after she returned from the demon tragedy.”
“I’m so sorry for how she was,” said Jeya, “but the tragedy was not our fault.”
“I believe you. Sammy said so, and she was always right. More than enough times than I gave her credit for.”
He took another grateful sip of his tea.
“I just came by to apologize for my intrusion, but I also want to know, how was Sammy in your world? Was she the incredible woman there that she was with me?”
“She would have made a better ruler than any dragon that I know,” said Jeya.
“I’m glad to hear,” said Pandian, his eyes sparkling. “You know, she always used to say that Ilemuria was not just the land, but the creatures too.”
“Even so, Veeran’s the lone demon,” said Jeya.
; “Sammy always told me it was not fair, but maybe, just maybe, we can help your grandson.”
Jeya stared at Pandian curiously. What was he trying to say?
“She left me something else,” he explained, reaching into his jacket pocket.
Jeya’s hand flew to her mouth, unable to hide her shock as Pandian pulled out a strange object.
How did he get that?
Despite everything, Pandian smiled. “Like she always said, long live Ilemuria.”
“Long live the land,” Jeya replied instinctively.
“One last thing,” said Pandian as his smile quickly disappeared. His eyes bore into Jeya’s as his lips quivered.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Before she passed and gave me her horn, she whispered two words to me. To this day, I still don’t know what she meant.”
Jeya’s fingers trembled as she looked at the old man. “What did she say?”
Pandian’s could feel his voice choke as he remembered his wife’s last moments. He had been so furious with her request, but kept her horn tight in his grip, promising to do as she asked. For the first time since all those years ago, he repeated Samara’s final words.
“Kumari Kandam.”
EPILOGUE
***
K ing Nahusha had left Kiramam Square to retreat back to his familiar lodgings at Tirakan. It had been a long few days, and he had used the Yonder Gate instead of flying. His wings were tired. His loyal dragon subjects would be staying in the village, making sure his rule was kept. Opening the doors to his castle, there was a certain pleasant solitude along the familiar path down to the dungeons.
The demon child was causing him more difficulty than he ever could have anticipated. He had not expected Veeran to defeat the crawler warrior. It was even more troubling that he had unlocked the demon mirakum. The magic from the most powerful of elements should be mastered by dragons only. He could not share it with the demons, or any creature. Even permitting the crawler to use its power had come at a great cost. He could not allow this anymore. Not with everything at stake.
It had not been that long ago that he had entered the deep chambers with Balaraj. What a waste of a loyal subject. He opened the heavy door to the pit of shadows, the crawlers more restless than ever before.
“Nahusha!” A chilling voice called from the pit.
Sighing, the king watched as a fiery cage emerged, a lone creature sitting on a regal throne within it.
“You are not here with good news,” it said.
“The plan did not go as expected,” said the king.
The crawler tried to jump through the cage, but the fire burned as he stepped back.
“I am growing tired of waiting, Nahusha.”
“Patience is what will lead us to our ultimate prize,” said the dragon. “As a fellow king, you would know this.”
The crawler king eyed the dragon, who did not back down.
“Your ancestors have kept us trapped here for too long. You promised to free us. Had I known what you were planning, I would not have sent my weakest warrior. I would have gone personally.”
“We could not risk our partnership being exposed.”
“What partnership do you speak of, you worthless dragon?” spat the crawler king. “You have continued to keep us imprisoned after your vow of working together. You promised us the human world if we gave you this one. The chance to finally put our plan into action has arrived, and we have failed.”
“For now, but the games will use more magic for the land. We can strike at their peak.”
“I’m warning you, dragon, do not disappoint us. You remember our deal?”
“I have not forgotten.”
A long moan escaped the pit. King Nahusha sauntered to the barren crater calmly as he looked down curiously.
“He has been regaining his wits and trying to escape. The return of the demon boy has strengthened him,” said the crawler king.
“He should have left all those years ago, instead of coming here snooping,” said the dragon. “I could not risk him exposing our secret. Let me remind him of his place.”
The crawler king snarled as chains began to pull a tortured figure from the pit of shadows.
“He seems to have been communicating with the demon boy,” said the caged crawler. “It has caused him a great deal of pain.”
As the shackles carried the broken body higher and higher, the king observed the prisoner. The wizened old demon hung limply as the chains held his arms. He looked up, determination etched across his face. Years of capture had done nothing to quell his resolve.
“I will escape,” he croaked, barely a whisper.
The crawler king laughed. “No one has ever escaped our pit of shadows.”
“He beat your minion, didn’t he?” The demon smiled, an expression he had not worn in decades. “That’s the reason you’re still in your fire cage.”
“Perhaps,” said the crawler king, “but as you know, there are more of us.”
The crawler king lifted a shadowy finger, pointing at his partner. The demon’s smile quickly vanished.
“Raja,” he spat venomously. “I knew it. You have sunk so low to be working with this evil.”
“Having the land forevermore is not an evil,” said King Nahusha. “This is our home.”
“I had a feeling it was you all along, but my loyalty would not allow me to believe it. I should have stopped you all those years ago. I should have left instead of returning to make sure!”
“But you didn’t. And now you must stay here while the crawlers grow stronger with yours and Veeran’s magic. Once we capture him, they’ll finally be able to escape this tormented curse.”
“I will make sure that never happens!”
“Oh yes,” said the dragon king. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. You are still one of my most trusted council members ever, Ravanan.”
The former demon leader cried in anguish as the crawlers from the pit of shadows swarmed his body, stealing what little magic he had left. The depths of the cave drowned out his cries of agony as King Nahusha smiled.
This time, his plan would work.
END
Legends of Ilemuria Will Return in Book Two