Chapter 2: A King without a Country and the Fox who was caught in a Storm.
I'm adding two new characters from Stories: The path of destiny. Reynardo and Zenobia Who...Encountered a mysterious phenomena that sent them to another world.
"Reynardo! Wake up!"
The one-eyed fox rogue wearing a red coat suddenly jolted awake from his hammock upon hearing his beloved, Zenobia's voice. A clash of thunder was what shocked him awake to get up and head up his fast-soaring ship. The sky was black as dark lighting flash across the sky. Having escape the emperor's fleet after they...well, exploded. They were heading towards a new life together...Never suspecting they would get caught in a storm.
Zenobia was looking over the helm as the white furred cat tried to steer the ship steady, she was wearing a violet coat that Reynardo had given her. "Damn! Where did this storm come from!?" She cursed as she felt the ship jostled a bit.
"We're going to have to find someplace until this storm clears up-" Reynardo was interrupted when the ship began to be pulled. He turned around and saw, a glowing blue cyclone that was about to engulf the ship.
"...The book never mentioned this." Was the last thing he said before he and Zenobia was swallowed by the vortex, It then glowed brightly before fading away. No sign of wreckage to be found...
"We're getting close! We just need to..." Aranella and the group stopped seeing what was before them. In front of the waterfall that was created by the sewerway was supposed to be a bridge that led to a stairway was now a gaping gap, smoke was raising from the edges, meaning...It was destroyed recently.
"This looks deliberate..." Roland said taking a closer look at it. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps began to close in from behind them.
There, standing before him was the rat traitor and his group. "There you are, Your Majesty." Mausinger began. "As much as it pains me to do so. I must ask you relinquish your life..." As he said that, A magic circle appear above the space of our heroes. "...What in the world!?"
Suddenly, Raynardo and Zenobia fell out from the rift screaming before crashing near the group. "Ow! What the- Ow!" Reynardo said as he got up shakily. He then looked around at the two groups. "Uh...Did we arrive at a bad time?" He asked confused.
"Let me guess, Your from another world too?" Roland asked looking at the fox and cat.
"Another world?" Zenobia said thinking. "I've read they're were other worlds beside ours..."
"Enough of this ridiculous farce!" The very short mouse that stood beside Mausinger said. "Your majesty, End these fools!"
"With pleasure." Mausinger said before looking at his black knight and gestured towards the now bigger group.
"Okay, It looks like you guys need help." Raynardo said drawing his Hero Sword. He then swung it at the knight, however, he couldn't even make a dent as he started to step back towards the others. "Uh...A little help?" The fox said before being shoved towards the group.
Aranella looked at the black knight before turning to Evan. "I'll buy you some time! Scaleworth, please get them to the hideaway!" She ordered.
"What!" Evan cried out. "But Nella! We can't just leave you!"
"Listen to me." She said sternly. "You are the Kingdom's last hope, the future of your line rest on you!" She then turned to Roland, Coven and Scaleworth. Nodding to each other. Suddenly, Coven grabbed Reynardo and Zenobia while Roland and Scaleworth grabbed Evan...And jumped.
Time slowed to a stop as the last thing he saw of Nella was her running towards the black Knight blade drawn.
"NELLLLLLAAAAAA!"
Next came a large splash.
As the group came upon the cavern banks, Scaleworth began to ring his tail dry. "Gah, And just when I was starting to dry..." He cursed.
Evan then got up before the thought hit him. "Nella! We have to go back!" He then attempted to run toward the stairwell towards the broken bridge. Coven grabbed his by the collar.
"Forget it kid, She told us to get out of here, If we go back now, then she would've given her life in vain!" Roland said causing Coven to drop the boy.
"Given her-" It was then the boy processed what happened. "You mean she's...?"
There was a long silence as they all just stood there. "I..." Roland began before turning away from the boy. "I think we have to assume that."
"Oh, Nelly." Scaleworth said sorrowfully.
"Well, We can't stay here." Zenobia said looking around. "We should leave this place, you can explain what's happening along the way."
As they continued onwards, Roland provided the two otherworlders a detailed of what had happened at this point. "So, basically, Your just like us. Stuck here in this world." Raynardo said after hearing everything. Roland nodded as Raynardo looked at Evan. "And this boy was a king before that rat started a coup?"
"I, I couldn't protect Nelly...Maybe if I was stronger..." Evan said sobbing.
"We all have roles to play, Evan." Roland replied. "Yours wasn't to fight, but to escape."
"...Do you feel that? It's a breeze." Coven said as he felt a strong gust of air hitting his face. They then entered a cavern where they saw a faint glow of light. "There! That's the way out!"
However, just as they made a mad dash to the exit. A dark barrier appeared before them. They then looked behind them and saw the Black Knight from before.
"The black Knight, Then that means Nella's..." Evan said backing away.
"Allow me, your majesty." Raynardo said drawing his sword. The others except Scaleworth, drew their weapons. Zenobia held a silver rapier that she carried.
Zenobia helped out the group first by freezing the Knight's legs in place with an ice spell, while Roland and Raynardo began to slash at the knight with their swords. The Black Knight grunted as he tried to block the two's attacks. The two then split off in both directions before Coven charged at the knight and shoved him towards the chasm that was behind him. The Knight stumbled before regaining his balanced, suddenly, he stopped.
"Is he done?" Roland said lowering his blade, suddenly, the rat began to release a fog as black as night before his armor snapped off.
In the knight's place was a four legged rat manticore. Evan called out to the heroes. "That's "Transform"! It's a forbidding spell that turns the caster into a monster!"
Suddenly, the beast took a deep breath before firing a beam of fire from his mouth, it missed the heroes and traveled towards the boy. Scaleworth then shielded Evan, hoping to stop it before something knocked him to the side.
It was Aranella, she took the blast full on, much to Evan and Scaleworth's horror.
"No!" Roland yelled before firing his pistol at the raticore. The bullet pierce it in the eye, causing it to stumble back from pain, before slipping and falling into the chasm below. "...Damn it." Roland said turning to see the woman laying down, badly burnt. Evan and Scaleworth by her side.
"Nella!" Evan cried as he shook her.
They managed to get to the exit as Coven sat the fatally injured woman against the tunnel wall. She opened her eyes and saw Evan kneeling next to her. "Evan...I know that...No one could ever replace your mother...But over the years I watched over you..."
"I know, Nella. I know!" He said crying.
"Zenobia! Your a sorceress, right?" Reynardo asked his love. "Can't you heal her?!"
"I'm sorry, Healing magic can only be used to speed up the healing process." She said with a sad look. "Her injuries are far too fatal for her to recover."
"N...No!" Evan cried upon hearing the hopelessness of the situation.
"Y...You have to build a kingdom." Aranella struggled to get out. "A kingdom...where everyone can live...Happily ever after..."
"No, Not without you!" Evan cried again. The woman smiled. "I can't do it without you!"
"Of course you can, You have all the help you need." She then closed her eyes. "I can see it now, You'll be the most kindest king, with the most loving of subjects...A kingdom, where everyone can be happy forever more..." She then stopped breathing.
"Nella?" Evan said shaking the woman, no response.
"Come on, Nelly!" Scaleworth said pleading. "This is one of your jokes, A playful joke!...Nelly?"
"Nella! Nella!" Evan sobbed as he shook the woman some more. "NELLLLAAAA"
He then broke down into his's friend's lap and began to cry nonstop. "I'll...I'll try to." Evan thought through the tears he shed. "I'll build a new kingdom, I'll try!"
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps was heard before someone said. "I think I hear something from over there!"
"We have to go!" Roland told the others.
"But...But we can't just leave her here in the sewers!" Scaleworth said before Coven dragged the green dragon towards the exit. Roland then grabbed Evan's hand and pulled him away from Aranella's lifeless body. He struggled at first but eventually took one last look and left with the others...
The campfire roared to life as the group said around the fire. Evan had cried himself to sleep. And Scaleworth was just sitting on a log, with a vacant look in his eyes. "That wasn't a dream was it...?" He said to the others. "It really happened."
"Yeah. From what Roland here told us, You all went through a lot." Reynardo began looking into the fire. "Since that Mausinger guy saw us aiding the king, He Most likely labeled us all as criminals by now."
Roland then looked at the sleeping former king as he struggled in his sleep.
In a white hallway, Evan sat at the tea table, sitting across from him was a blue haired boy he never seen before. The boy sipped his tea before looking at Evan. "What's the matter, Evan? You look sad." The boy asked.
Evan, still dazed, Answered. "Well...I lost someone important to me. Someone I thought would be with me forever." He said to the curious boy.
"Oh, That is sad." The boy said. "You lost someone, But your also met someone new!"
Evan just looked at the boy curious. "Oh, Yes."
"And you'll make lots of new friends soon." The boy said. "Every step you take is apart of a great journey, The hellos and goodbyes, the rewards and challenges. They'll all apart of life that makes us who we are."
"I suppose so..." Evan said, the boy smiled.
"Listen to me rambling like an old man. Sorry, These aren't my words. Their's...Someone else's... Someone really important." The boy said to Evan.
"Really? Who?" Evan asked as the boy looked out the window, before looking at Evan.
"Uh...I have to go now, But I'll come and visit you again, Alright?" The boy said before waving goodbye. "Bye, Evan!"
"Wait-!"
Evan slowly stirred as he got up from his spot, Looking up to see his newfound companion, Roland looking at him. "Finally awake, huh?" Roland asked.
"I...Had the strangest dream." Evan said recalling the boy.
"Not a nightmare?"
Evan shook his head before looking around. "Where is everyone?"
"They're all up the cliff getting a look around." He then got up. "I for one could use a breath of air on my face." He then walked up towards the stone climb before Evan followed him. On the cliff was a perfect viewpoint of the Rolling Hills. The group looked around as Evan joined them.
"Beautiful." Zenobia said breathtaking by the sight.
"Noting but solid ground for miles and miles." Reynardo said looking at the grassy hills. A heard of Ulk was running by.
"I'm really am in another world." Roland said looking around as well. "There's no Ding Dong Dell where I was from, no view was like this ether."
"I read that there are other worlds that are closely connected to this one." Evan said thinking.
"So, We got lost between the worlds and ended up here?" Reynardo deduced.
"Hey, What were you in your world?" Evan asked the fox, Reynardo crossed his arms.
"I was a hero." The fox replied.
"G...Gosh." Was all Evan said before looking at Coven. "And you?"
"I...Can't remember anything except my name, Coven." The dragon said to the boy. Evan looked at Zenobia.
"Sorry, I...Rather not divulge my past with someone so young." Zenobia said before Evan could ask.
"Okay, I understand." Evan said before looking at Roland. "And you?"
"..." Roland was silent before answering. "...I was a King."
"Wh-What!?" Evan said backing away. Reynardo scoffed.
"Suuuuure. And I'm the baron of crazyville." The fox said sarcastically. "You don't strike me as the kingly type."
"Well, I'm actually a president, It's kinda the same thing." Roland said before continuing. "I have experience in running a country."
"Well, then. You don't mind sharing that knowledge with me?" Evan said looking off into the distance.
"What are you planning?" Reynardo asked. Evan put a hand on his chest. "You know, Scaleworth said he had a brother who runs a farm. A nice quiet life in the mountain might not be a bad idea."
"Not exactly."
Everyone looked at him as He then looked up.
"I'm going to keep my promise to Nella." He started. "I'm going to build a kingdom where everyone can live happily ever after."
"What?!" Scaleworth said hearing Evan. "Evan, You know that it'll be dangerous! Not to mention life threatening! If Mausinger discovers your still alive...Then..."
"...I think we should go for it." Coven said shocking Scaleworth. "I have no memory of who I am, And no idea where to go. So finding a place to live seems like a first step."
"I want to as well." Zenobia said causing Reynardo to look at her worrying. "Me and Raynardo been on the run from our past for so long, I realized..." She then said. "Paradise is not found, But made."
"Better then staying here." Reynardo said after a moment of thinking. "I for one would like to have an army myself in case that rat comes after us."
"I made up my mind as well." Roland said at last, turning to face him. "I'm staying here in this world. With you."
"E...Everyone..." Evan said as the sun began to rise. The light washing over the king and his newfound companions.
And so, with a heavy heart, Evan resolved to fulfill his promise to Aranella. And the mysterious otherworlders, Sensing something special in the boy, decided to join him in his journey, Along with a reluctant Scaleworth.
"If I'm to become a king again." Evan began as he and others sat down at the campsite. "I'll need to convince a kingmaker to form a pact with me."
"Kingmaker?" Roland asked, it was then Scaleworth spoke up.
"A monarch must have the power to serve his people. A KingMaker is a divine dragon that kings form kinship with. By bending one to one's will proves that they have the right to rule." Scaleworth summarize.
"So...It's like a mark of authority?" Roland said, Evan nodded.
"Yes, But it's more then that, A Kingmaker Dragon also acts as a guardian, coming at a kingdom in a time of crisis." Evan explained to them. "A single KingMaker has the strength of an entire army."
"So...They're pretty big?" Coven asked the boy.
"Yes. Some are even the size of a castle."
Reynardo then realized something. "Hey! You were a king until recently, Right?" He asked. "Shouldn't you have one of these beasties to serve you by now?"
"Ah, Well. You see. My father died a month ago, We hadn't gotten to that part." Evan began sorrowfully. "So, I wasn't truly a king to began with, not yet. If the ceremony gone as plan, I would've have had one..." He then looked down. "Of course it didn't..."
"Ah, Right." Reynardo said before looking towards Ding Dong Dell castle. "Wonder what's happen to your Kingmaker now that your out of the picture..."
"By now..." Scaleworth said. "Mausinger must've stolen his Majesty's blade and used it to form a Kingsbond with Oakenheart."
"So in all likelihood, Ding Dong Dell's kingmaker is already in enemy hands." Zenobia said looking towards the castle.
"So that's why we need to find another Kingmaker that hasn't been discovered. A new Kingmaker for our new Kingdom." Evan said before adding. "I heard rumors that the King's cradle that sleeps on the otherside of Cloudcoil Canyon has yet to be claimed."
"So what are we waiting for?" Reynardo said getting up. "Let's go over there and get ourselves one badass dragon!"
And so, the group of unlikely heroes set off towards Cloudcoil Canyon, Hoping to find one of the legendary guardian for their Kingdom to come...
To be continued...
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