Chapter 10: Lika-Natu


As daybreak sets over the sea, The Kooluk ship returns on its course, Komaru, his back to us, is working on something but his body prevents us from seeing just what it is. Cluttered around the bench at which he works are chemicals, herbs, strange scientific beakers etc. Maximilien comes in to see Komaru.

Maximilien: The captain reports we are well on course, master ... but ...

Komaru: But there is no hope of overtaking Lazlo and Lady Kika? No matter, Maximilien. I expected such a possibility. I am prepared for it.

Maximilien hold up a bucket and Komaru drains out a large beaker full of water into it. The greenish liquid revolves in the glass and gradually a form begins to emerge which at first looks like a miniaturization of a human form. He then pulls out what we now see as another new homunculus onto the table, scaley body is now shiny, life-like but still it remains inert.

Komaru: Mandrake root and a few chemicals is all that is needed.

He pulls up his sleeve and puts a ceremonial knife on his arm, Maximilien comes forward and stops him.

Maximilien: No!

Komaru frowns, turns to Maximilien angrily

Maximilien: Don't throw stones in the well you drink from.

Komaru: Do you dare defy the demons of darkness?

Maximilien: I've watched them drain your strength. [ Gasps, grabs a mirror to Komaru's face ] Look. See what they have done to you already. [Komaru pushes the mirror away] If you continue, you will perish before this journey is over.

Komaru: Have you no faith in my powers? We are soon to triumph, Maximilien. And then the very world will be at our feet.

He then cuts is arm with the ceremonial knife.

Komaru: My life, my blood shall bring life.

A tiny globule of blood forms on the tiny wound, forms, grows, and drips into the homunculus's mouth, then it begins to move.

Komaru: Don't fear it, Maximilien. It is our friend.

The homunculus growls and yawns as its stands up.

Komaru begans to call on the creature he maded.

Komaru: Come up!

The homunculus jumps up on his arm, then they walk up to the window.

Komaru: You will find Lazlo, my good friend. Seek him out. Seek him out.

The homunculus flies out into the night.

Komaru: Magic purges the soul, Maximilien. The night with its ears, and the day with its eyes.

In the morning, a long row boat sails for the beach with the party group:

Lazlo, Kika, Theodorus, Flare, Katarina, Snowe, Arista, Tal, Keneth, Paula, couple of Kika's men, Jewel, Ted, Jeppe, Sigurd, Hervey, Ameria, Trishtan, Rikie, and Rakgi.

The strange coastline, like nothing we have ever seen before - menacing, eroded, ancient. The cliff carvings, temples and statues in ruins dated back a hundred years old. The boat lands and Lazlo and Kika jumps off and on the sand.

Lazlo: Come ashore.

Arista come off and into Lazlo's arms and sets her down on the dry beach. The rest of the group comes ashore, eventually forming up on Kika. They looked around the island that faces them. Only Lazlo seems unaffected by the eerie silence of the place. And then Theodorus saw someone.

Theodorus: There's someone moving.

A black figure runs and hide into the bushes.

Theodorus: Beckoning.

The group began to follow the figure, while the flying homunculus spies on them. Komaru, Maximilien, Royce, and Samuel arrive with some soldiers. Meanwhile, the Group climbs up a steep hill, Jeppe is helped up by Lazlo.

Lazlo: I didn't expect you to volunteer.

Jeppe: Land, any land is good for these legs.

Lazlo: Even dangerous land?

Lazlo: Dangerous? Dangerous! You never told me it would be dangerous.

Lazlo: You didn't ask.

Komaru, Maximilien, Royce, and Samuel lands on the beach.

Komaru: Landing on these shores is cause for celebration. Have them return to the ship. See that every man gets wine.

Royce: Aye, master.

He sents the boat away, leaving Komaru, Maximilien, Royce, Samuel, and a few Kooluk soidlers.

Maximilien: I know you proposed we go alone into this place? But just the small group of us?

Komaru: We shall not lack for protection, Maximilien. We shall not lack for that.

They soon follow Lazlo's Group. In the jungle, they hear a bird Squawks.

Squawk

Kika: Stop!

The jungle was quiet, then a Lute Plinks, it was Jeppe tripping in the bushes.

Jeppe: Sorry.

Arista saw someone in the trees.

Arista: Lazlo, look.

The black figure was running into the trees, bent and aged - and beckoning - and then disappears again. Kika led the group to follow the figure into the trail. Komaru and his group party climbs up the steep hill, and they looked at the hill carvings, then they continued up to follow Kika.

Kika and the group long walk stops at a amazing sight, a stone temple with many faces.

Kika: Your courage has deserted you.

Jeppe: Me? No. My heart is full of bravery. But I have cowardly legs.

The group walked slowly up to the temple, studying the looks of it.

Theodorus: As it was written, a temple with many faces- It is the temple of the oracle of all knowledge. I never thought to stand here. The great eminence, we must seek him out.

Lazlo and the group began to walk up to the entrance of the temple.