“It is early summer. The solstice is approaching quickly, along with the new year and we have sailed past the dimensional fields erected by the Demi-Gods safely. It was strange how their domains expanded and contracted as if they were breathing. I doubt the Generals and Admirals will have the same luck. I have taken it upon myself to rest, since we will not be changing course for the rest of my journey, wherever it may lead me. The fiery grave of a traitor or a golden mausoleum befitting a king. Only time will tell. Tomorrow I will embark alone on a journey to the Southern Continent. The home of the World Tree and her caretaker.” Kagiso said, and he stared at the transcript of the audio log.
“Land ho!” a Dragon called out. “Excellent, that must be the archipelago your people described.” Commander Buchu said as she stared across the horizon. “And again, no signs of life.” Lieutenant Rondo remarked. “The pirates reported that the locals were too afraid to venture south. I did not expect the Demi-Gods to be amongst their numbers.” Lieutenant Commander Kruger admitted, with a long stretch.
The Deer and Wolf Dragons stared at the tired Owl Dragon. He adjusted his robes, turned his head the wrong way round, and stretched his back. Lieutenant Commander Kruger grew a hundred and fifty meters taller, before he compressed like a spring and returned to his original size.
“I cannot stand it when you do that in public.” The Falcon Dragon said. “Who?” Kruger joked, and Falke rolled her eyes. “It is absurdly quiet though.” The Owl Dragon added. He closed his eyes and stared at the horizon.
“Quiet or peaceful? Nature’s creations rarely care for our struggles. And in the absence of our presence, they are left to flourish and grow.” Gloria rumbled reverently and Lieutenant Commander Kruger listened carefully. He heard billions of tiny wings flapping, quiet voices grunting, paws rustling, hooves trampling and heart beating.
“Ensign Mokoena’s right. These lands are still teeming with life. Should we not build a supply base here as a precautionary measure?” The Owl Dragon asked, and Shen nodded. “It also means you can finally fall back and get some rest.” He added, with relief. “There will be no need to build a supply base here once I have reached the shore and met our contact.” Kagiso replied calmly.
“I beg your pardon?” The Parrot Dragon asked quickly. “It is as The Prince said. He and He alone will sail to the southern continent.” Admiral Granger replied and the five hundred Dragons glared at the senior officers.
“The Prince?” the Azure Dragon asked with a scoff. “Pray tell, friend. What else are you keeping from us?” he rumbled with a mixture of frustration and disappointment. “More than I care to admit. I carry the burden of knowing, Shen. Would you have me carry the burden of guilt as well?” The Black Dragon rumbled spitefully. “Kagiso!” the Terrier Dragon scolded.
“If we are to continue, then we must divulge the truth. You were all carefully chosen for this mission. This is no mere war party. We are the vassals, lords and allies of the future Dragon King. That is why we were made the central pillar, that is why our position is nestled near The World Tree.” Admiral Granger rumbled carefully. The Azure Dragon turned to Gloria, and she looked away guiltily.
“So, you trusted the scouting to your forces, you took it upon yourself to guide us to the enemy’s and now you alone are going to carve out a foothold in enemy territory? You are either the most paranoid Dragon I have ever met, or the most arrogant.” Shen rumbled with a mixture of disappointment and anger.
“Remember, Sergeant. This is a peacekeeping mission. We should not regard the southern continent as enemy territory, but as our new home.” The old Dragon rumbled hopefully. “The future…King?” “A new central government?” “This is treason.” “Is it?” “Do we not have the Council’s blessing?” The Dragons debated and the Azure Dragon sucked his teeth and looked away.
“Go. We can convince the others to join our side. We would have had to, anyway. So, what if it is a day sooner?” Admiral Granger advised. “Thank you, uncle.” The Black Dragon replied before his Astral body left the old Dragon’s observation tower.
The Dragons argued for hours. The sun set and night fell. Only then were the last few voices silenced and brought into the fold. The Terrier, Deer, Falcon, Owl and Tortoise Dragons gathered for one final meeting.
“And in the end, none truly objected.” Commander Buchu said with an exhausted sigh. “Once they had the memories to justify their excuses. Cowards.” Lieutenant Rondo rumbled angrily.
“We have just asked them to gamble their clans’ futures and their ambitions for a possibility. We should not blame them for seeking impunity.” Lieutenant Kruger rumbled empathetically. “Aye, but can we rely on allies that expect us to fail?” Lieutenant Rondo asked skeptically. “That depends entirely on whether our Prince can execute his plan. His achievements will make believers out of them.” Admiral Granger rumbled proudly.
*
Two days passed by quietly. Kagiso stood on his observation deck and stared at the distant shore nervously. His chest tightened, and he inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. The Black Dragon tilted his head back and stargazed.
“My life has been one long obstacle. What about yours? Has your existence been as troublesome as mine?” Kagiso wondered as his Mother Ship drew nearer to the coast. “You are more powerful than I foresaw. Unless you weren’t the one who erected this barrier.” The Black Dragon added, and he scanned the glittery dome around the entire continent.
Kagiso folded the path before him and stepped forward. His golden boots touched the beach sand, and he looked around. The Black Dragon reached out and touched the dense Mana field. He closed his eyes and passed through the veil.
Kagiso opened his eyes and chuckled. He stared at the beach, the ocean and his Mother Ship on the other side of the veil. The Black Dragon turned around and scanned the grassy plains beyond the shore. He spotted the river in the distance and the forest on the other side of its western bank.
“This looks like the place we meet. I hope I didn’t drift too far south. No, this is the eastern coast, and the river is right there. I suppose I just wander around aimlessly now.” Kagiso muttered and walked up the hill.
“These beaches do not look so small anymore. They used to be daunting as a child. On rainy days, they looked like desolate wastelands. Salty swamps that drowned unsuspecting children. During summers, they were unbearably hot. I should be sharing this with you.” The Back Dragon said with an embarrassed laugh.
“By the Universe man, what are you doing?” Kagiso scolded, before a shiver ran down his spine. A red light flashed in the corner of his right eye and he spun around. The Black Dragon watched as an abnormally tall woman grew instantly. He crossed his arms, blocked and her shoulder barged into his shields. The glittery crystal bricks cracked and the giant woman drove him a hundred meters back.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“Ha! Wow, you are strong.” Kagiso said with a smile. The giant woman raised her head and the short braids in front of her face parted slightly. She revealed four pitch black eyes and the Black Dragon frowned.
“Leave! Now!” Anansi screamed, before an explosion of Mana burst out of her body. Kagiso vanished and appeared a safe distance away. However, he had appeared further inland. A high-pitched ring forced the Demi-Goddess to her knees and she let out a piercing scream. The Black Dragon blinked and found himself standing in the Void. He magnified his vision and spotted a gray silhouette on the horizon. The figure pointed at the coast, disappeared and eight purple suns rose slowly.
Kagiso snapped out of the trance. A red light flashed, and his body tensed up. Anansi landed a heavy right straight and cracked his mask. The Black Dragon blinked and the red-light flashed again. He ducked beneath the wild swing and narrowly dodged the heel stomp.
“Did she get bigger?” Kagiso wondered, while the armour on his back bulged. He spread a pair of armour-plated wings, flapped and vanished. The Black Dragon swallowed his head. His snout grew longer, his legs shorter and his back more hunched over. He fell onto all fours and dove to the side at incredible speed. The Demi-Goddess’ fist came crashing down with a thunderous impact.
“Too slow.” Kagiso said, and his golden armour crept over his head. He donned his helmet and dodged everything Anansi threw at him. “Go…cursed…” the Demi-Goddess boomed, before she flew into another rage induced rampage. “I know, but I refuse to leave you.” The Black Dragon rumbled caringly. Silver humanoid machines, similar to the Dragons’ automatons, appeared suddenly. They restrained the two-kilometer-tall woman, and Kagiso appeared before her.
“No…time…leave. Please. I don’t want to hurt you.” Anansi pleaded. “You will, but that is inevitable if you care about someone. But do not worry, I am not fragile. Let me help you.” The Black Dragon rumbled sincerely. He reached out and the Demi-Goddess looked up. She made eye contact with the Kagiso and her smile faded away. All eight of her eyes opened fully and the Sentinels were annihilated mysteriously.
*
“It’s been two days.” Gloria said impatiently as she paced back and forth. “I agree, but Kagiso said he would contact us in less than a week, and it has only been two days.” Shen replied. “My apologies, I meant The Prince.” He added with a scoff.
“He is my friend. Not a political tool, nor a religious idol. I grew up with him. He has an open mind, a warm heart and the freest spirit. We used to prank our elders and trick our siblings together. I care nothing for conniving schemes or hollow titles. I only care that my friend is safe.” The Parrot Dragon scolded, and she left the Azure Dragon’s ship.
“Wait, where are you going?” Shen’s Astral body asked and Gloria left the formation. “I am sailing to the southern continent.” The Parrot Dragon announced and the senior officers turned to her. “Excuse you?” the Owl Dragon asked, but the Parrot Dragon was already gone.
“Please stop her from doing anything that could jeopardize the mission.” Admiral Granger requested and Commander Buchu nodded humbly, before she vanished. “I am going with them.” Shen said, before he vanished as well. “Wait! By the Universe, how can we lead long lives and be so impatient?” the Terrier Dragon rumbled tiredly.
“Return to your position, Ensign Mokoena. We have not received our orders yet.” The Deer Dragon advised, and Gloria glared at her. “Is that all you do? Wait for orders? No, Sam. I cannot just sit and wait. I will gladly suffer the consequences of my actions.” The Parrot Dragon rumbled sincerely and the Azure Dragon hung his head. He opened his mouth to say something, and Admiral Granger appeared on their observation towers.
“Very well, but you are to act as scouts and nothing more. I will arrest you and strip you of your positions if you ever disobey an order again.” The Terrier Dragon rumbled threateningly, and Commander Buchu smiled. “Yes, Admiral.” She replied, and the irritated Astral bodies disappeared.
“We can make it in a day if we hurry.” Gloria said excitedly. “Slow down. Getting scanned off the coast, while he is in the middle of a negotiation would be very counterproductive…don’t you think?” the Deer Dragon asked and the Parrot Dragon cleared her throat. “Of course.” She replied and Shen’s Astral body watched quietly.
*
“God, it is freezing. Isn’t it supposed to be summer or was it still spring?” a beautiful Demi-Goddess wondered. She tore through the skies at hypersonic speeds and squinted at the three objects in the distance.
“Oh! Is that Heracles? Oy! Over here! I am so cold and in need of a strong hero to save me.” Aphrodite called out, before she placed her hand on her forehead and cried crocodile tears. The beautiful giant, frowned when she did not hear trumpets blowing.
Aphrodite lowered her head and squinted. Her eyes shone brightly and she magnified her vision. The beautiful Demi-Goddess spotted the flying whales and the cities on their backs. She tilted her head to the side and gave it some thought.
“Uh oh.” Aphrodite muttered. She stopped dead in her tracks, spun around and flew right into Commander’s Buchu’s path. “Oh, well hello. Aren’t you magnificent? You know what? I’m willing to try anything once.” The beautiful Demi-Goddess said playfully. “Do not come any nearer!” The Deer Dragon roared and Aphrodite clenched her fists.
“She is indecent.” Commander Buchu added, and the beautiful Demi-Goddess inspected herself. Her eyes bulged when she saw her naked body. “I wondered where the breeze was coming from.” Aphrodite said with a chuckle. Gloria glared at the Azure Dragon. Their eyes met, and he blushed and looked away.
“Well, hello friends. Are you working hard or hardly working?” the beautiful Demi-Goddess asked as she twirled around and a pair of loose-fitting robes materialised on her body. “My name is Sam. They are Gloria and Shen. Who might you be, friend?” the Deer Dragon asked politely. “Oh, I never expected to see Dragons here. But you don’t feel bad. Oh well. My name’s Aphrodite. I came here to visit my friend when she stopped responding to my messages.” The beautiful Demi-Goddess replied honestly and Commander Buchu chuckled.
“My apologies. I do not mean to make light of your troubles, but this is a strange coincidence. We were looking for our friend as well. He went missing around these parts, but we have not been able to contact him.” The Deer Dragon replied, and Aphrodite’s expression changed.
“What was he doing here?” the beautiful Demi-Goddess asked quickly. “He came to meet with the Lord of these lands in the hopes of brokering a peace treaty.” Commander Buchu replied honestly and Aphrodite’s eyes darted from side to side. She pondered it, scanned the water below, and her eyes bulged.
“No, no, no. We must hurry. Come with me!” the beautiful Demi-Goddess shouted quickly. She darted towards the ocean and the Dragons followed her closely. “What is going?” Gloria asked, but Aphrodite disappeared before their very eyes. “Hold!” Commander Buchu ordered. The Dragons stopped abruptly and stared at the ripples in the air.
“A dimensional field. Why can’t I feel it?” the Deer Dragon wondered in confusion. “I can’t see it either.” The Parrot Dragon replied, and Shen darted past them. “Wait, it could be a trap!” Gloria shouted. “Does it matter?” the Azure Dragon replied coldly, and he spiraled through the invisible barrier. The Parrot Dragon hesitated, before she flew after him. They passed through the veil and stood on top of the hill.
“Hey, is everything…okay?” Gloria asked, before she noticed the thick walls of glittery webs. “Gloria! Gloria, help me…I’m stuck.” Aphrodite called out with a whimper. “How were you captured so quickly?” the Parrot Dragon asked, and a thunderous crash shook the ground.
A glittery white mist rolled across the beach, and the two Dragons vanished. They reappeared in the same place, struggled and fought, but could not free themselves from the silky cocoons.
“Uh hum? Do you have anything to say?” the beautiful Demi-Goddess asked smugly. “Shut up.” The Parrot Dragon replied and Commander Buchu bathed the area in Dragon Fire. Aphrodite closed her eyes, but the glittery flames hugged her gently. “Move!” Commander Buchu barked. They vanished and the beautiful Demi-Goddess leapt out of the way at hypersonic speeds. Two colourful streaks darted by and the ground exploded.
The four watched the two blurs carefully. The colossal Demi-Goddess launched a relentless assault. Her many arms and legs thrashed around violently and the Black Dragon dodged and parried every attack.
“Are they fighting or dancing? Wait, has he been using his foresight the entire time?” Gloria wondered. She scanned the fields of cobwebs and clouds of white mist. “Ah, there she is. No, over there. Damn it! I hate it when she skitters around like that. Look, I need your help. Anansi’s sick, but I think I can snap her out of it…for now. Tell your friend to hold her down!” Aphrodite shouted, and she rocketed away in the wrong direction.
“Kagiso. You need to hold her down.” The Parrot Dragon said, and she shared the beautiful Demi-Goddess’ plan with him. Kagiso inhaled sharply and his energy output doubled. His eyes shone, his Mana burst out of his body and the colossal Black Dragon grabbed Anansi. Gloria, Commander Buchu and Shen stared in disbelief. Aphrodite drew nearer slowly, but she did not make it in time.
Kagiso held Anansi tightly, even when she pierced his armour and stung the right-hand side of his body. The Black Dragon let out a pained roar, but still he held on. The beautiful Demi-Goddess landed on her friend’s shoulder. A glittery bright light enveloped her right fist, and she injected the strange inter-dimensional energy into Anansi’s neck.
The Deer, Azure and Parrot Dragons felt a sinister presence and closed their eyes. They gasped when Riekes’ soul fragment shattered. The traitor’s laugh faded away and Anansi’s eyes returned to normal. Kagiso’s cells absorbed the Void Mana in and around her left hand and she felt a horrible pain shoot up her left arm. The colossal Demi-Goddess yanked her arm free and the Black Dragon’s wound ruptured open.
Kagiso stumbled backwards, and his legs gave way. He fell onto his wings and clutched his side and winced. A lake of blood formed beneath him quickly and his energy output dropped drastically. The Mana he had secreted leaked out into the world and he shrunk rapidly.
Anansi shook her head and looked up, but the Black Dragon wasn’t there. She looked around frantically and spotted him on the ground, in a massive pool of his own blood.
“I can help-”“-do not touch him!” Gloria screamed and the three Dragons appeared above the crimson lake. They fished Kagiso out and the Parrot Dragon was shocked to see that his wounds weren’t healing at all. “Why isn’t he healing?” Shen asked quickly.
“He doesn’t need to heal. He usually undoes his wounds. Did you run out of Mana?” the Parrot Dragon asked and she injected a glittery water ball into her childhood friend’s chest. Gloria scanned his nano-tech and her Astral bodies appeared inside of his soul well. She looked up and saw the cracked holes Anansi’s fangs had punctured in the sky.
“What did you do? Tell me or I will render you to ash.” The Parrot Dragon rumbled maliciously and Aphrodite’s blood turned to ice. The Black Dragon groaned in agony and Commander Buchu’s energy signature spiked.