Trouble in the East
Chapter 10: To the Earth
The next day Nicholas was up early as were the rest so they could head back to his home city. He figured that the group would report to those rulers before heading out. Another reason was because the male wanted to now introduce Miura as that special someone in his life. The guy decided to go to her room first after getting ready. The male found the door closed and locked. "That's odd…" the guy said.
Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around him, causing Nicholas to jump before hearing a familiar laugh. "Gotcha…" Miura cooed, kissing him on the cheek.
"Damn it Miura…" Nicholas growled and pinned her against the wall with an evil grin.
"What are you going to do to me?" she whispered.
"Punish you." The next thing the Drauk knew was that the male Anuban was tickling her after sweeping her over his shoulders.
"Nicholas put me down!" Miura demanded while squealing, her legs kicking playfully.
"You're in no position to make demands."
"I'm warning you…"
The male set her down but attacked the Drauk with his lips. She answered him back. "By the Great Tree, you two are already eating the other's face?" went a sleepy male voice.
The two froze mid kiss and looked to see Tethu standing there, rubbing his eyes of sleep. "Jeez, you couldn't give us a few more seconds?" Nicholas asked with a smirk, pulling back from Miura, their arms still around the other.
"At this rate you're going so far up couple tree, we might never see you," the male Seedling said and continued to the dining hall.
"Ha, ha, very funny," Miura replied. She and the male Anuban began to follow him.
They made it to the dining hall and didn't have to wait long for the others. Esna appeared in her orb and Lanayru revealed he had one as well. "Well now, this is so exciting!" the female water spirit stated. "We get to go on another adventure!"
"Don't be too much," the male one stated. "It'll only get harder from here on out."
"True, but the thought of meeting another spirit is what's causing it! Maybe another female one!"
"There are those, so I don't think you'll be disappointed."
The food then came out so the ones that had to eat took care of that. Then after one last word with the rulers, it was then off back to Nicholas's city in a vehicle similar to what had been used before. In a couple of hours, they were back at Loft Ereborn. It was then up to the palace to report to the rulers here what had happened. The group arrived at the door with Nicholas and Miura leading the way, her hand in his paw. "By the way, how do you think everyone here will take it with us being together?" she asked.
"Why are you asking questions you don't have to worry about?" he replied sending her a smile. "They won't mind and my parents will love it."
Nicholas led the way in and the group were soon before the rulers. There, they told them what had happened with the older ones listening the whole time. "Well done all of you," Ajihad said when the tale was finished. "And it's nice to hear what has happened for you while staying there."
"So then, where do we go next?" Tethu asked.
"Your next destination is the earth city of Draenoir," Natasha answered. "We'll send word of your coming to them."
"Very well," Nicholas replied and the group all rose up. "We'll leave tomorrow if that's alright."
There were no objections, so the group decided to head to the same room they had stayed at to drop off the stuff that wasn't needed. They all had a quick meeting before heading off to do their own thing. But Nicholas and Miura went off to sneak around outside in the garden of the palace. The two ended up having quiet the bit of fun, which involved some kind of game of hide and seek with tag thrown into the mix. It then led to the two found themselves on the ground with her on top of him. "I win," the female Drauk cooed with triumph.
"Only because I let you," the male Anuban let out with a smirk.
The two then laid there, enjoying the other's company. "Mmmm, you're warm," Miura whispered.
"Because you're with me," Nicholas replied softly.
"You're sweet." The two found the other's lips and it quickly turned into much tongue fighting. Miura's hands moved up and down the guy's strong neck and chest while his held the small of her back in a tight embrace. Finally the two pulled back, gasping for air.
"Damn you're such a good kisser," the Drauk said.
"And you're not bad yourself," the Anuban replied. "Now then, we should probably get up before someone comes across us."
"Yeah, that'd be awkward," the female commented with a laugh. Nicholas rolled to his feet after Miura got off of him.
"So tell me what this next city is like," she said as the started back.
"Well there's a lot of mining so you'll fit in quiet nicely. Who knows? Maybe we'll find some stuff for you."
"You love to spoil me, don't you?" Miura cooed and grabbed Nicholas's arm.
"Of course I do," he replied with a smirk and pecked her on the lips. "You're my special someone after all."
Soon it came time for eating something and everyone made it to the dining hall. Nicholas's family was here and his mother was overjoyed that her eldest son and the Drauk were together now. She and Miura talked a bit of how it had happened and what the two had done. The older female Anuban found it all to be cute. "I'm really happy for you son," Nicholas's father said at one point while they were talking about him and Miura being an item.
"Thanks dad," Nicholas replied.
The whole group went to bed early that night and the next morning were soon in a flying vehicle like last time. The flight went south but then Nicholas turned the plane to the west. Soon the group were headed towards a mountain range. But then they noticed one really tall one in the middle of these. "There it is," Nicholas stated, pointing it out to the others. "That's our next destination, Draenoir!"
"Wonder what we'll find here, huh Tethu?" Tethi asked the male Seedling, giving him a smile. The guy made no reply but then saw Esna's Orb along with Lanayru's pop out.
"This is so exciting!" the female water spirit stated.
The vehicle flew into an underground chamber like last time and everyone got out. "Now then follow me," Nicholas said. The guy took the rest down it to an open area that was a part of the mountain area they had seen before. The view was breathtaking. And standing there was a mole hedgehog like creature with spines and clawed hands like blades. This person was about the same height as Sol and looking up towards a structure on top of the mountain. The new race member turned right on cue and his eyebrows went up.
"I'm surprised we've run into you already Gongoron," the male Anuban stated with a smile. He went over and the two bumped fists.
"And I'm glad my friend," the second male replied.
"Everyone, this is one of the Dibbites who live here." The rest were introduced one by one.
"Well if you're here to help, I'll go let out Chieftain know you're here," Gongoron stated. The guy rolled into a ball and rolled up the path ahead.
"Handy for traveling," Sol commented with a nod.
"It's one of their main forms to do damage," Nicholas explained. "At full speed, some larger ones can get through tough bedrock. And those hands with claws are no laughing matter either."
"How do you know each other?" Miura asked Nicholas.
"He's come to visit my city before and we bounded," he replied with a shrug. "It's like that with Cyrus. I've also met his rulers before having visited that city before. But I've never met the rulers here."
"Well I want to see what this place is like," Tethi said and then grabbed Tethu's right hand while walking ahead.
"Hey!" the male Seedling stated. Everyone else grinned at the other and followed them.
Soon they made it to the main entrance and went inside. Right away they could hear the sound of metal being hammered. They walked forward some steps and found themselves inside the main area of the city. Looking over an edge showed it went down into the earth with more of the Dibbites going about their business. Unlike last time, there was work and talk at least rather than the sad and gloom. "So this is Draenoir," Esna stated, her orb and Lanayru's coming out to get a better look.
"I wonder where you friend went," the male water spirit said to Nicholas. "I don't see your him." The two spirits had been out when Gongoron had been introduced.
"He's father down I think," the male Anuban answered and led the way.
Some levels later, they had arrived at an entrance were Gongoron was. From the look of it, this had to be where the chieftain was. "He's waiting for you inside!" the male Dibbite stated and took them in. The place had two chairs instead of thrones. But they were richly decorated by the gems on them, some of which the group hadn't seen before. There were more in here along with pillars of marble and other beautiful types of stone. Sitting on the seat on the group's left was another male Dibbite that was wearing a white upper shirt that had no sleeves to show his muscled arms. But it was richly decorated with symbols. This had to be the chieftain. And if that weren't enough he had heavy golden head band. Nicholas went forward and bowed before him as did the others. Esna and Lanayru on the other hand had to nod their heads in respect due to being in their orbs.
"Chieftain Teba, they're here," Gongoron said respectably.
"Very well Gongoron, you may go," the older Dibbite replied, his voice deep and rumbling like the earth itself. The younger male left. Teba then looked to the group carefully.
"So you're the ones who helped one of the spirits already? I've heard all about it from the rulers you previously visited. I can already see the strength in your eyes so I have no doubt that what they said is true. What are your names?" He was swiftly told.
"They all sound strong," Teba stated when that was finished. "Now then…" He then paused and looked to the left. "I can tell you're there, come in."
Everyone looked to see a female Dibbite enter who was dressed similarly as the male one but in a more feminine outfit. This had to be the other one who ruled this city with Teba. "I'm sorry, but I had to take care of a little something first," she said. "I didn't want to interrupt."
"You could have come in at any time and I wouldn't have minded," the male Dibbite said with a smile. "Anyways, I'd like you to meet our guests." She was introduced to them.
"It's nice to meet you all," the female Dibbite replied when that was finished. "I am Medli."
"So then, what can we help you with?" Tethu asked.
"It doesn't seem there's as much trouble as the last city," Tethi said.
"It hasn't gotten yet but is approaching," Teba replied. "As you know, we make our life by burying in the earth. But we aren't born with the claw like hands. The young ones have small normal ones. When they reach of age, the journey to a section in our main mine to harvest a section of special rock to eat. It is that that triggers the beginning growth of the adult hands. Recently however, that mine has become unaccusable due to the sheer number of violent cave ins. On top of that somehow monsters have begun to infest and make their home inside."
"What of the spirit who lives here?" Lanayru asked. "Have you had contact with her?"
"No, and we believe that may be the cause of the problem. If this keeps up, or city and very future will be threatened. Our first priority is to deal with this problem."
"I don't suppose there's a way we can help?" Nicholas asked.
"We helped the other city last time," Miura said.
"There might just be," Medli replied. She then turned to look to Teba. "How about they meet with our daughter Ariel? There are a couple of other females with them and she might open her heart to them and speak of her troubles."
"Perhaps," the male Dibbite said. He then looked to the others. "Let me be direct. Our daughter is of the age to obtain that special rock. Yet… she is weak… in some ways. And in light of the current situation, she might just give up on ever getting one. Also… she is at that age where she thinks she doesn't need us. But I can see in her eyes she still loves and care about us. Just know that no matter what she says, she's just in a phase. So do you think you can maybe find some time today to talk to her?"
"I'm sure we can if Gongoron shows us her room," Nicholas said.
"Thank you. For now after you guys take care of that, he will show you around. A lot of our city at this time is closed due to the problems. In the morning, your group will head out and into that mine to see what you can do."
"Very well, let us go meet her," Esna from her orb stated.
The Dibbite that had led them was called back and told what to do. This male led the group to the place. "She's in here," the guy said. "Try not to get offended by her behavior…"
It was decided the females, which included Esna, plus Nicholas would head in. Miura knocked on the door. "What?" came a female voice that sounded impatient. "Come in and make it quick!"
The small group who were heading in looked at the other and the Drauk opened the door. They went in and saw a female Dibbite laying on her bed. The room itself was almost just as nice as the room where her mother and father ruled from. Ariel sat up and gave the newcomers a strange look. "So… you're some of visitors here I heard about huh? Well… I guess I should welcome you. Not that there's much to do here due to our troubles."
"I take that as your way of saying hello," Nicholas replied, frowning.
"Did my father and mother send you here to talk? Well forget it; I'm not saying anything. You should just mind your own business. I'm fine."
"That's not what they said…" Esna stated, also frowning.
"And what do they know?" Ariel replied. "Sorry, but I'm not saying anything to you! Not even if all of you were spirits! It's not like you guys have to go and get that rock when it's impossible now!"
Miura was about to say something in anger, but Nicholas grabbed her shoulder with a smirk. "What if we said we're going to go in there and fix this?" he asked.
"You're saying you can?!" The female Dibbite let out a scoff. "Stop lying! Bragging doesn't cost anything! It's easy to say you can do anything! Now stop wasting my time and get out!"
They saw her lay on the bed and turn away from them. "Nothing more we can do; come on," the male Anuban told the others and proceed to leave. But before doing so, Nicholas got in the last word. "I'd be careful with what you say. You just might be eating your own words."
They left the room and shared what had happened. "I'm sorry to hear that," Gongoron said. "She's been getting slowly worse. She won't open to me like she use to when we were little. I guess now the only way is for you guys to help us with that mine."
The group noticed him blushing somewhat talking about her. They smiled with amusement at each other, but didn't ask anything about that. The male Dibbite then led them to what was ever open and available to do in this city. Miura did notice that a store that sold pick axes was open, but she liked the one she used as it served her well. However, the Drauk then found out the store did upgrades to them and found they could upgrade hers to be more durable. But that option would have to wait as one of the materials that was used was in the main mine and blocked off. She and Nicholas left this place since the others hadn't wanted to go in. "So it seems we've got another task while inside there," she said and told the others.
"I'm sure we can find the time to do so," Tethu commented. It didn't take much longer to look around so that meant heading back to where the rulers were. The group spent the rest of the time looking at the map of the mine Gongoron gave them and studying it while plaining. They were then all off to bed early, ready to tackle this next challenge.