As the light dissipated, Eldion tried to see where they were. He had to stifle a scream when he saw where the pulko stone took them. He was seated with Mira inside a moving cart that had two long seats at the walls. Seated were Imperial soldiers, all of whom were dozing off as they were being transported.
Mira placed a hand over Eldion’s mouth as they looked at the sleeping soldiers. Then, Mira looked at Eldion and placed a finger over her mouth. Eldion nodded and Mira removed her hand. Mira then raised her finger, demonstrating to Eldion that he needed to try using the pulko stones again.Eldion nodded at Mira to show that he understood and pulled out the bag of pulko stones from his pocket. He again slipped the bag’s contents on his open palm and looked at the discolored stones. He was about to pick one when Mira pointed to a stone that was darker than the rest. She then pointed to her head to say that Wen told her which stone to pick.Eldion pinched the“What do we do now, Mira?” asked Eldion, his eyes almost pleading.“I don’t know, Eldion, but we need to think of something fast,” replied Mira. She placed a hand under her chin as she thought of what to do.“We can try using the pulko stones again,” suggested Eldion. Immediately, he pulled out his pouch of pulko stones and placed its contents on his palm. He showed the remaining stones to Mira.Mira examined the stones and frowned. She knew that the pulko stones of dubious quality could not be depended upon. It had brought them closer to danger twice already and those were the ones that she thought were of better quality than the rest.Mira shook her head and grimaced. “No, Eldion. I think those remaining stones would be more dangerous to use. We are already very high up. I can’t risk getting us to drop even higher from where we are.”Eldion closed his hand as he thought of what else that they coul
The vast lake of Dagos came into full view as the giant statue of Rodan walked towards the Kanima Pass. The deep blue of the lake was enticing and beautiful, but it was the least in Eldion’s mind as he became occupied with the dangers that awaited them at the pass. The troop of Imperial soldiers Eldion saw barring their way was just one of the many that dot the sides of the mountains. There were holes dugout of the towering cliffs and Eldion knew that there were bound to be Imperial soldiers in most of them.The Kanima Pass was the only passage towards Alnoc and the lands beyond and was adequately defended with garrisoned troops. The hard rock cliffs were dugout centuries ago by Rodan and his army to protect their lands from the invading forces of Sukram. When Rodan was able to assume leadership over Sukram, there was no longer need for the garrisons and they came into disrepair. Mira was surprised to see that the holes on the rock cliffs were once again being used
“Eldion!” cried Mira as she fell to the water. She saw Eldion block the arrows with his energy barrier before he went underwater. Mira was able to take a deep breath before she felt the water press around her. Everything seemed to move slowly as she saw the surface of the water and everything became murky. She tried to swim to where she last saw Eldion, but could not see any trace of him. As Mira searched for Eldion in the murky waters, she noticed a familiar blue glow within the folds of her dress. “Could it be?” she asked herself. She immediately placed a hand over her pocket and felt within the round shape which could only be the Pearl of Sorrelia. As soon as Mira touched the round shape of the pearl, blue sparks came out of the pearl and surrounded her. The water lit up and Mira was able to discern Eldion struggling under water. Then, his body became tense as he lost consciousness. Immediately, Mira swam towards Eldion, hoping to reach her friend before he drowne
“Now, if only that pearl could also help us to get across the lake,” said Mira, thinking out loud.“That would be great!” said Eldion. The sparks around him glowed brighter as he concentrated. He closed his eyes and used his power to scan the lake. He felt the energy of the pearl flow into his hand and out of his body, scanning the lake like tentacles feeling the water and everything in it.Suddenly, Mira saw bubbles appearing on the water all around her. Then, she felt something brush against her feet.“What was that?” she said, swimming closer to Eldion. She looked at the water, wondering what could be stirring within the murky depths.Then, something gigantic rose from the water beneath Mira, lifting her several feet from the surface of the lake. It was a large serpentine creature with grayish scales and spikes around its head like a crown. It looked at Mira curiously but allowed her to sit on its broad back. The brigh
It had been few days since Enzir and Lankko flew over the Kanima mountains and the vast Dagos Lake, but Enzir’s thoughts went back to that day when they rode the transformed Kora to escape the attacking Imperial forces. He was seated outside a bamboo hut on top of a slope that overlooked the serene waters of the lake and his mind was transported to that moment when he knew that they needed to escape from the Imperial forces keen on attacking Remuel’s den.The fighting had been fierce and Enzir remembered feeling extremely exhausted as he held on to one of Kora’s enormous legs while they flew over the scene of the battle. Enzir caught a glimpse of the snake creature Verna lying on the ground as well as the giant that was tossed by Kora to the trees. The giant raised a fist at them as if vowing revenge.Enzir looked at the carpet of trees far below and felt the wind as they flew westward to Dagos. He had told his new friends to meet them there where Enzir h
“You haven’t told me that,” Enzir said to Lankko.“I haven’t?” asked Lankko. “It happened several years ago when I went here to Dagos Lake on a day much like this and–“Lankko abruptly stopped.Enzir waited but Lankko did not continue his tale. “What is it? Why did you stop?”“Jad Enzir…” began Lankko. There was a slight tremor in his voice. “It’s happening again.”“What do you mean it’s happening again?” asked Enzir.“Ahm… It’s Kora, Jad Enzir. I’m afraid...” Lankko hesitated and Enzir could almost hear his keeper swallow hard.Then, Enzir knew what it was that Lankko was saying. Looking at Kora’s other leg, he found that it had shrunk several times smaller.“Kora’s turning back into a chicken!” continued Lankko as he saw Kora’s head shrink.“Get her to
“Aren’t you coming in, Jad Enzir?” asked Lankko. He noticed that his master had been spending more time alone staring at the lake. He knew that Enzir had a lot of things on his mind after all that had happened in the past weeks and he let him ruminate on these things on his own. Lankko, however, knew that as Enzir’s confidante and adviser, it was also his role to be there for Enzir when he needed help.Enzir looked at Lankko and smiled. He sighed before speaking. “I’ve just been thinking, Lankko,” he said.“Yes, Jad Enzir, I’ve noticed that you’ve been doing that a lot lately,” said Lankko.Enzir chuckled. “I know it’s not something that you’d seen me do before all this, but staying here has given me a lot of time for introspection. And, after all these things that had happened, I did have a lot to think about.”“You do know I’m here to listen and give advice, Ja
“What are you saying, Lankko?” asked Enzir, his voice rising as he felt his blood rushing through his veins. “What do you mean my mother may still be alive?”Lankko suddenly felt warm. He felt sweat forming on his forehead and he wiped it off with his hand. He could not look at Enzir whose eyes seemed to drill into his own. “I have to apologize, Jad Enzir. Your father forbade everyone to speak to you about your mother and I had to obey his orders.”Enzir felt weak. He wanted to shout at Lankko and destroy everything he could have his hands on, but there was nothing to break, nothing to smash against the walls.“Aaahh!” cried Enzir. He finally managed to pick up a rock and threw it hard towards the lake. He felt his breathing quicken and he stood on the slope watching the rock he threw fly through the air and landing on the water.“Please, Jad Enzir,” pleaded Lankko. “Please don’t be angry wit