With renewed vigor, Alex marched ahead in the direction of the Cerulean Mountain Peaks only to realize he didn’t know how to reach the top. He had never climbed a mountain before so he had no idea how long it would take to reach the top. Wait a minute, the job description didn’t exactly state the location of the cerulean pea seeds. Do I have to climb the very top of the mountains or can I get them somewhere nearer to the base? Alex decided it would be best to ask somebody but it was a challenge to get someone to answer his call.
Nobody would listen to his call and almost everybody who saw him avoided him for some reason. Frustrated, Alex kept on walking ahead when he noticed a wagon calling for people for transportation. Hmm..maybe I can get some information there.
“Umm, excuse me, which wagon will go to the Cerulean Mountain Peaks?” Alex tried sounding sincere.
“Ahem, this wagon will go, Sir. ” The driver smiled, hoping to get another customer. “It would cost you 5 coppers, Sir.”
“Okay, and, can you tell me where I can find cerulean peas?” Alex tried to get a little more information from the man. A burly man shoved him aside to get on the wagon. Alex didn’t mind him much. It was best to avoid trouble when it came knocking on your door.
“Oh..you have to climb the area behind the waterfall that adorns the Cerulean Hill Station. I will drop you there, no extra cost.” The driver waited for Alex to get on the wagon.
Awkward! Now what do I do? Alex was a little embarrassed. Well, I only know one way to handle the situation. “Wow, what is that creature?” Alex feigned a shocking expression and pointed a finger towards the back of the driver. The driver turned around to look, eager to see what surprised Alex so much. “What is it, Sir? I don’t see anything.”
Alex didn’t wait around to see the dumbfounded look on the driver’s face. He scrambled to a nearby alley away from the direct sight of the driver. Phew…for a moment, I thought I would never be able to get away from the driver.
“Wow, kid. I didn’t imagine you knew sleazy tactics to misdirect your opponents. Good job. This will come in handy sometime.” Komoda laughed.
Alex felt a flush of embarrassment. “That was not a sleazy tactic and the driver was not my opponent.” Alex clarified but it seemed Komodo had an opinion of its own.
“If you want, I can force the driver to make some room for you in the wagon.” Komodo clasped his tiny fingers together, cracking the finger joints. The look in his eyes made Alex shiver. How did he even crack his fingers? Alex facepalmed. For some reason, this odd new world felt like a very vivid dream to him during moments like these when reality became too comical to handle.
“No, Komodo, we don’t hurt innocent humans for our gains.” Alex let out, calculating the time it would take for him to reach the location of the cerulean peas and the energy he would have to spend. Alex released a sigh of frustration. “Not all the time, at least.” He bit his lips. “Maybe, just this once, for the poor old man. It is important to complete job requests on time.” Alex tried his best to convince himself that this was not wrong.
“Good choice, kid.” Komodo let out a laugh and slapped Alex’s back. He almost tumbled due to the force. “Don’t worry, I will go easy on him.”
Alex released a sigh and nodded his approval. After assessing all his options, he concluded this was the best one. The driver was a simple human. Komodo would not harm him if he was any judge of character. After all, Komodo helped him in the dungeon when he was practically useless to him. So, he could at least extend his trust in him a little.
Alex peaked around the corner to look at the current state of the driver. I hope the driver is not too mad at me, or would not be too mad after what Komodo did to him. Komodo leaped off his shoulder and scurried off to where the driver was trying to get the last few passengers. Alex watched as Komodo zigzagged along the street, taking care not to get squished under the foot of humans and horse hooves.
He released a sigh when Komodo managed to climb onto the foot of the driver. Shit! What’s he going to do? Komodo disappeared behind his back and the driver jumped with a squeak. What’s he doing? The driver scratched around his back like a madman trying to find the source of his intense itching. He jumped and spun and eventually settled on rubbing his back on the side of the wagon. Komodo appeared once again on top of the wagon and signaled him to enter the wagon while the driver was distracted.
Alex was at a loss for words. Yes, this is my chance! A smile tugged on his lips, as he sprinted, his heart racing. I have to get on the wagon before the driver sees me. Alex avoided the awkward stares of the townsfolk as he ran and leaped into the wagon. There were 3 people inside and they eyed him suspiciously. Shit. Will they rat me out? No, how would they know I don’t have any money? Alex stared sheepishly at a woman by the corner who had an empty seat by her side. That looks like the best spot where I can hide for a while.
Alex went and sat beside the girl. One more woman entered the wagon and one of the passengers urged the driver to get started on the journey. Shit, I really hope the driver doesn’t have the habit of checking every passenger! If so, I’ll be caught. Alex waited for the driver to peek into the wagon at any moment. The lurch of the wagon signaled to him that the plan succeeded; he wouldn’t be caught today.
Alex glanced around the window looking for his partner in crime. Komodo, you better not run away now. I still need your help. The wagon rolled along at a steady pace, headed eagerly towards the mighty mountain peaks. Alex felt his legs become restless and his heart quicken.
Shit, is Komodo really not returning?
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Just as Alex was about to get up Komodo entered through the window and settled on his shoulder, a smug look on his face. He didn’t say anything but Alex was sure his expression meant - What, looking for me? Still, he couldn’t stay angry at the little dragon. Although he was mischievous, he was the only tether of hope for Alex in this strange world - a savior, a companion, a friend.
Alex felt a bubble of heat rise up in his chest as Komodo perched on his shoulders, resting. He didn’t exactly know how to feel about Komodo - a pet or a human - him being a human sorcerer. Thinking of him as a pet came automatically due to his form. He was never really interested in lizards or chameleons or whatever. He lived with cats, those fluffy balls of mischief. But Komodo was not an ordinary lizard, which showed in his form and behavior.
After all, which lizard could puff their chests with fire and spout insults? His lips broke into a smile. Not to mention, he was really powerful. So, when he found himself petting Komodo’s head, he restrained himself. This feels wrong! I won’t pet a human’s head, especially one as old or powerful as Komodo.
Komodo opened one eye, a look of disdain on his face. “Kid, when did your balls turn steel, petting me like that?” he whispered in Alex’s ear. Alex gulped. He really didn’t want to offend his only friend in this new world. But he didn’t have any answer; it just happened.
So, Alex whispered back. “No, it’s just…I was not..” Alex turned his head to the side scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
“Well..” Komodo continued with a cough…“Why did you stop? Go on, continue… it's good courage-building training for you”.
Wait, what?! He wants me to continue scratching his head? Alex scrutinized Komodo suspiciously, taking in his body language. Is he actually enjoying me petting him but too embarrassed to admit it? He stifled a laugh.
“What are you laughing at?” Komodo feigned irritation but didn’t pursue the matter further. A thundering sound broke their secret conversion. Alex felt little droplets of water caress his back accompanied by sounds cracking through the heavens and rumbling the whole wagon. It's raining hard. Can we really get up on the mountains like this? Alex pulled up the shutters of the windows in line with the other passengers.
Alex noted with confusion that not a single passenger showed signs of frustration or fear. He speculated that the three adventurers chatting were simply continuing their previous threads of conversation. One man was sleeping, and..the girl who got in last was apparently reading a book. Alex turned his neck to look at what the lady by the side was doing and became flustered when she noticed him spying on her.
“First time in a dungeon city, I assume.” The lady’s voice was melodic and sweet. She wore round spectacles and had strange ears. Wait, are those elf ears? What will I find next, dwarfs? Alex stopped his thought from spiraling down into a chaos of imagination.
“Uhm, yes. I’m from a newly integrated planet.” Alex decided to gauge the reaction of other people or natives who lived in this strange world. Would they welcome otherworlders like me or feel contempt?
The lady released a bright smile and pushed out a hand to shake. “I’m Elora, the assistant to the head librarian of Luxia Dungeon City”. Alex shook her hand noticing the soft warmth radiating from it and momentarily lost himself in her deep blue eyes before regaining himself. He looked down to notice Elora holding a book too.
“You don’t need to worry too much. Storms are common in Luxia and the wagons are magically enchanted to withstand them.” Elora went back to reading her book shaking her head.
Alex was a little relieved to learn the wagon would not get blown to pieces due to a thunderstrike or rip apart due to a strong gale. Then, he wondered why the girl helped him or why she shook her head. Curious!
A soft, snoring sound caught his attention and he turned his head around to notice Komodo sleeping peacefully on his shoulder. Well, what do we have here? The little disaster looks so innocent when sleeping. He stretched his arms a little, cracked his head, and released a yawn.
When was the last time I slept? Alex decided to rest for a few minutes while he still could. Who knew what sort of disaster would befall him next? Sleep deprivation was not something to be taken nonchalantly and could have far-reaching effects.
He closed his eyes and drifted off into a dream.
***
“Brother, wake up…” Alex woke up to the call of his little sister, Mia. Her curious bright brown eyes greeted him as her little frame stood over to the side of his bed. What time is it? Alex reached for his mobile, looked at the screen, and rubbed his eyes. 7:35 am. Still early. He rolled over to the side hugging his side pillow. But his little devil of a sister was relentless.
“Wake up, please. Mom and Dad are gone. Please…I’m hungry.” Mia shook him, determined to wake Alex that instant.
His little sister was never this insistent. In fact, it was his mother who usually nagged at him and disturbed his sweet sleep. Please, just go away…let me sleep some more. Alex felt his mind drifting into sleep once again, his body sinking into the bed, and external sounds receding from where they came.
And yet, when he finally registered what Mia said, his mind became more alert. Mom and Dad are gone….mom and Dad are not home? That can’t be right! Alex turned around and faced Mia who was sulking by the bedside. By the expression on her face, Alex felt she was 9 years too old to be breaking into a sobbing mess.
Alex decided to at least feed her before she started her signature wailing. He would definitely get an earful from his mom if he allowed his little sister to cry over such a trivial issue. He looked at his pillow mournfully one last time before getting up from the bed.
Alex searched around the house with a toothbrush in his mouth and was surprised to confirm what Mia said. Today is Monday. Mia would be late for school. Where are they? It was beyond odd for them to go to the store or anywhere else without informing Alex. Perhaps my dad is in the garden watering the plants?
“Alex, I’m hungry.” Mia followed Alex, nudging him to get his attention.
“Did mom and dad tell you where they went?” Alex was hoping to get some information from Mia that could shed some light on this odd scenario.
“No, when I woke up they were already gone. That’s why I came to wake you up”. Mia released a sweet smile. “Please, can you let me have the special choco chip flakes? I promise I won’t tell mom.” Mia was scheming her way to enjoy her favorite breakfast cereal while mom was not around but Alex was too stunned to register that.
The gears in his mind were turning in strange ways, almost coming to a halt. Mom and dad were already gone…what does that mean? Alex went to his parent’s bedroom only to find it empty, their beds already made. He didn’t know what to suspect.
As if by some strange pull, Alex charged towards the front door, almost opening it when he felt Mia grabbing his shirt. “Stupid Alex..why don’t you feed me first?” Mia shouted, clearly angry. Alex shook his head, momentarily confused at the sudden outburst. I can’t get anything done without feeding her first.
He got a bowl, poured the special choco chip flakes, added some warmed-up milk, and a little bit of sugar, and handed it over to Mia. If he was in his right frame of mind, he would definitely realize his mistake which would cause him to get an earful from mom.
Alex called his mother’s cell hoping for a rational response but was greeted by dead beeps that stood like a wall between him getting some answers. The universe was definitely joking with him because that was the same response he got when he dialed his father’s cell.
I should check outside. Alex stepped out the front door and stood shell-shocked. The toothbrush fell from his mouth as he stared at the unbelievable phenomenon right in front of his eyes. The whole city was cast in an eerie purple glow radiating from the sky. An impossibly large object - some kind of alien spaceship, he decided - hovered over the town pulling in thousands of humans, all in a daze. None of them were struggling one bit and within that crowd, he spotted his mom and dad disappear into the womb of an alien hell.