Charles held on for his life. His hands gripped the long silk feathers of the black dinosaur, petrified he was about to pull them out. His mind racing, wandering if the creature was sensitive about its plumage. Surprisingly, the ride was comfortable, with the quills cushioning the impact of each massive, clawed foot hitting the ground. Ellie's hair flowed in the wind as she laughed with exhilaration. In the morning sunlight, her red tangles rippled behind her like a fiery mane.
Growing up, she had spent a lot of time riding horses, making the transition to riding a dinosaur seem strangely natural to her.
Charles, on the other hand, found himself longing for something with an engine. "I'd take a motor over this big chicken any day of the week," he said to himself.
Beside him, Maze sat atop the largest of the three mounts. Not only was the older creature carrying the bags he had brought from camp, but he also had the watery Elementlet Scarf accompanying him. Charles chuckled as Maze struggled to maintain his balance while being hugged by the watery creature, who had morphed into a striking resemblance to Ellie.
Even at their thunderous speed, Charles noticed the indentation in one of Maze's satchels. He could see the green book.
That's good, he thought, relieved. We’ve a magical backup if shit hits the fan.
Ahead of him, Alec held on tightly onto feathers between his hands.
Charles eyed the tiny rock creature peering at the stone that made his torso. Alec was their connection to Karn. Charles felt a warmth in his chest as he wondered how he was faring. According to Alec, Karn was on a mission to save the world or something.
His mind wondered on the King, the Book, and the Reapers. They were all connected but he couldn’t quite put his thumb on it.
As they rode the massive beasts, Charles glanced up at the bird people soaring high above them on wind currents. The Kraven, led by a man named Valon, flew in a perfect arrow formation. He was much larger than the rest and commanded respect from his fellow Kraven.
The road they travelled appeared old and barely used, as if it had been reclaimed by nature long ago, covered in vegetation. After a few hours of riding, then finally came to the outskirts of their destination, Husno. The town, guarded by crumbling walls, seemed abandoned and forgotten, left to decay under the elements just like the road it sat on.
The black birds landed ahead of them, signalling for their companions to let them pass. Hidden Kraven warriors lowered their bows, and Charles barely had time to register their danger before the feathered beast bounded over the ruined walls and into the town limits.
Charles was silent as his eyes scanned the dilapidated town. He couldn’t quite explain it, but he felt a deep sadness when he beheld the town. As if the weight of lost emotions had fallen on his shoulders. He just knew something bad went down here.
The massive creatures came to a stop, and the three humans dismounted, eliciting cautious glances from the suspicious Kraven warriors. Within the town, they had set up pitch-black tents. Beneath the largest stood a tall woman, who held the air of authority. Valon strode toward her, saluting across his chest.
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"Mother, we’ve returned with news of the dark power you sensed," Valon reported.
Charles arched an eyebrow. The woman appeared to be around the same age as Valon.
"And?" she asked impatiently.
Charles observed Valon as he relayed the information provided by Alec, intentionally leaving out any mention of the Kraven warrior who had accompanied them. Valon's omission raised Charles's suspicions, prompting him to wonder about his role.
The woman let out an annoyed grumble, turning her attention back to the young girl lying on a cot covered in dark purple silks. She felt the girl's forehead and remarked, "The sleeping draught she inhaled was more potent than the user realised. If we hadn't intervened, she would have passed away hours ago."
Valon maintained his composed demeanour as he waited for her response.
"We found the Felren she mentioned. She was the only one to survive," the woman finally spoke.
Just as the silence threatened to linger, a feminine voice broke through, interrupting the solemn atmosphere. The young woman swiftly entered the tent with a disciplined salute.
"Commander," she addressed the woman with utmost respect, her voice steady and poised. "We found this on the human." She extended her hand, revealing a green wooden handle. The object glimmered faintly in the dim light of the tent, intriguing the onlookers.
The commander's eyes widened slightly as she recognised it. Her fingers delicately wrapped around it, almost reverently, as if realizing the weight it carried. The young woman saluted once more, her presence fleeting as she disappeared from the tent.
Charles leaned closer for a better look, unable to contain his curiosity any longer. "What is it?" he asked from outside the tent.
The commander's gaze shifted from the wooden handle to Charles, studying him briefly before finally speaking. "This is a weapon," she explained, her tone measured and deliberate. "A weapon that can build as surely as it can kill, yet an object one cannot use unless given a blessing."
With a determined glint in her eyes, the commander turned her attention back to the girl on the cot, a renewed sense of purpose emanating from her. The green handle was now a tangible symbol of hope.
Charles exchanged a glance with Ellie, their eyes reflecting a shared purpose.
A faint clacking noise echoed from behind as Alec hopped off the dinosaur and approached the commander's tent, disregarding the commander herself as he focused on examining the girl.
The woman stared blankly at the Elementlet, raising her eyebrows in surprise. Charles noticed the same reaction from Valon when they had first met him. Ellie stood beside Charles as they approached the girl. Spears instantly blocked their path.
An echo of watery footsteps followed Charles’ and Ellie’s example as Scarf stood before the dumbfounded guards.
The guards hesitated and eventually stepped aside as Scarf moved closer to the sleeping girl, pushing the spears aside as though they were insignificant. Scarf, with fluid grace, entered the commander's tent and knelt beside the girl, placing a hand on her head.
All eyes watched Scarf intently as the water Elementlet focused on the girl's internal injuries. Moments later, the girl's eyes fluttered open as the poison in her lungs was drawn out through Scarf's watery form.
"Hope," Alec said gently, patting her shoulder.
Scarf moved away from the girl and assessed her condition. While the guards allowed Charles and Ellie to enter the tent. In Charles' peripherals, he spotted Maze trying to blend into the background and tended to his dinosaur like he was merely a servant. The old man’s eye focused of the commander within the tent with a look of someone who didn’t want to be found.
He sighed at the old man's foolishness and approached the girl on the cot. He couldn't help but notice her stunning beauty and steady breathing.
"Karn," she mumbled, and Ellie glanced at Charles, recognizing the name on her lips.
He nodded in acknowledgment, feeling his connection to Karn growing stronger.
"The book," she murmured, catching sight of the stone Elementlet. "I think Palin has taken it."