Sisu & the Undiscovered Country
Chapter 1: When There's a Will There's a Dragon
Behind the drive-thru register of a local fast-food restaurant there, stood a young man who groaned as he recited a tired phrase he's spoken for the fifteenth time in the last half-hour, "Hello, welcome to Krispy Khichens where our chickens are the crispiest, how can I help you?"
Snickering could be heard over his headset, "Yeah, I'd like a bucket, four sodas, and advice on how I could work the dream job like yours?"
The teenage boy groaned internally as he could hear the laughter of the speaker, along with three others, were heard on the other end of the intercom. It didn't even matter that he recognized the person on the other end or that they were usually a jerk to him in general. Working life as a fast food could be soul-crushing work. Forget that customers would say thank you after each transaction; that's mostly out of formality. It truly is a thankless job. There's always been a stigma surrounding those who choose to work in such places were simply not qualified for 'real jobs.' Everything goes right, then people will be on their merry way without a care in the world. But if there was even the slightest thing out of place, then those same people not only pin the blame squarely on you but also treat you like the most unintelligent person on the planet.
"So, that's a bucket, four drinks, with a piece of jerkwad on the side. Will there be anything else?" our friend behind the drive-thru shift should almost be over, so he didn't care to retaliate.
"Wait, what did you just say?" the voice on the other end was filled with anger, indicating that the fun was over.
"$18.99, sir." the teen said with a hint of venom behind his voice, "At the window."
However, because of his disgruntle interaction with this particular customer that he made a classic rookie mistake. He placed the order right on the other end of the opened window before ringing it up on the register. It couldn't have been more than two seconds of looking away before said order was swiped. By the time the teen noticed what happened, an expensive red sports car speeding out of the drive-thru with a free meal.
"Hey!" the young man shouted at the fleeing car but knew it was futile, "That's going to come out of my pay."
Yet another misfortune that comes with working in fast food, especially during the summer. But, of course, with schools out, that only made work that more difficult. Before, the teen had to contend with condescending adults but now had to deal with his rambunctious peers. Constantly having mini parties in the lobby, pulling pranks, just causing trouble in general, as if working here couldn't get any worse.
"Hey, Jamie!" called out his manager, "Shift up. You can go home."
If there was one thing worse than something going unexpectedly wrong, it's when things go suddenly according to plan. Now, most wouldn't scoff when going home early, but for Jamie Reed, he was actually hoping for an unexpected food rush or anything to keep him at work. Not because he needed the money, but he just didn't want an excuse to have to go home today. But alas, nothing could be helped as Jamie clocked himself out and drove his old pickup truck back home. With the truck's engine started, Jamie took the drive home through his town of Greyrock, Idaho.
Greyrock may have seemed like your average medium-size mountain town located off the edge of the state, with the downtown area being the central hub for business and entertainment for her residents and the residential area just outside of it. However, the vacation seasons were usually the busiest the town ever sees it. So, you might be wondering what would make what would seem to be a middle of nowhere town to become bustling in the tourist trade.
In 1945 when the town was young and small, a meteor stuck down just outside the town. With a thunderous roar through the sky, the massive space rock crashed past the peak of one mountain before striking down into the base of another; the shockwaves were strong enough to rock the entire town. So natural, such a scientific phenomenon appearing on American soil was not going to go unnoticed. Immediately, the US had sent out their top experts to study the crash site and retrieve as many samples as possible. Though such a task was troublesome, the impact resulting in an avalanche combined with the meteor's heat and crater created a brand-new lake and river system in Greyrock.
For fifteen years, Greyrock played host to these officials. Ten years were spent with the scientists doing their best to study and excavate the meteor from under the water. Five of the remaining years were spent making sure there was no residual radiation left in the water that could prove harmful. Once they were satisfied with their finding that was no radiation, the scientist and other officials packed up everything and left with the meteor in tow, and thus Greyrock was left once again to their own devices.
This, however, turned out to be the roughest period for the town. Without the extra market from the visiting government employees or the surrounding area declared a national landmark stopping all logging and mining industries from continuing, Greyrock was left in limbo. For twenty-five years, the town struggled to maintain itself. That was until a wealthy capitalist came in and saw a new avenue they could take using the meteor's crash site to the town's advantage. With the rising of the internet age, they spread the story far and wide, attracting all manner of tourists from science fiction enthusiasts to families dragging their kids to bear witnesses to an obscure piece of American history. In a year, that crash site had become the town's own Golden Goose.
From driving past these roads just barely outside of the town limits, young Jamie of seventeen made it home. His house was built just barely out of town limits, a lovely few acres of woodland with a beautiful view of Montane Forest and budding lakes in his backyard. Jamie pulled into the driveway of his two-story homestead, a place that had been built by his father brick by brick back before he was born. Sure, it's gone through some remodeling over the years, especially after certain events, but she still remained the envy of many homeowners out in the countryside. Going through the front door, Jamie entered the great room: decently sized for his family would hang out with glass doors on the far end to look out at the scenery the house was built in front of. Moving into the room, the teen noticed someone ignoring said scenery and, instead, staring at cartoons on the TV.
"Hey, Sophie," Jamie ruffled the girl's hair, "How's your pony show going?"
"Stop it, Jamie!" his nine-year-old sister groined while pushing his hand away, "Anyway, it's just a rerun."
"Mind if I join you?" Jamie plopped himself onto the couch next to his little sister.
"I thought you hated this show for being too girly."
"Yeah, well, I had a rough day at work, so maybe something obnoxiously upbeat can cheer me up," in all honesty, Sophie wasn't wrong about how Jamie felt about the show. He didn't understand or care about what was going in the show; all he knew was that the purple pony was arguing with the pink pony about parties or something. He wasn't getting into this, "So, where's mom and Katie? Mom's car is in the garage, and I doubt they'd leave you here home alone."
"They're up stares changing for the festival," Sophie said without turning her head away from the TV, "I already have mine on, see?"
Sophie finally turned her attention away from the TV to do a bit of showing off for her big brother. The preteen pulled a ballerina twirl to show off the festival gown she was wearing. Jamie tried to feign interest, but he wasn't at all surprised. She's been wearing that outfit all day before Jamie went to work. Sophie begged their mother for her to wear it ever since it was given to her by their father.
"Hello, hello!"
Speaking of which.
"Dad's home!" Sophie excitedly rushed from the room, forgetting what she was doing earlier, making a beeline towards the garage where the voice came.
Leading into the family room entered a thirty-two-year-old Asian man who happily picked up the giggling nine-year-old, "Evening, my little Tiger Lillie! Ready for the festival?"
"Yes, dad!" Sophie exclaimed before giving him a hug.
With his daughter in tow, they made their back into the family room, where Jamie still sat unfazed, "Hey, Jamie."
"Ritchie." for many, kids calling their parents by their first name is usually a sign of disdain, but that wasn't the case for Jamie. It wasn't like he disliked Ritchie. He just didn't see him as a dad because he wasn't.
Richard Hahn was a third-generation citizen of Korean descent who had married Jamie and Sophie's mother four years prior. His parents gave him an American-sounding name because they hoped it would help to get more opportunities. Not that Ritchie needed any handouts, he excelled in school, and by the age of twenty-three, he set off from his hometown and set up his own auto repair shop in Greyrock. It was through this did he end up meeting Jamie and Sophie's mother. She was having car problems that left her stranded on the road, and Ritchie was more than willing to tow her home and do repair work on the car at a considerable discount. Since then, the two hit it off with one thing leading to another, and they got married four years after.
Again, Jamie had nothing against the man. He made his mother and sisters happy, and his income has helped put a load off his mom's shoulders. Jamie remembers one story where Ritchie had to pick Sophie up from school one day because mom had to work late, only to leave early anyway. After all, the school wasn't convinced he was Sophie's father and thought he was trying to kidnap her. After getting everything cleared up, the school attempted to save face by saying, 'Oh, now we see the resemblance.' But, unfortunately, this would be impossible because Ritchie wasn't biologically related to any of the Reed children of Swedish heritage.
Truth is, as far as Jamie was concerned, Ritchie wasn't his father, and he will never be his father. Harsh as that sounds, that was just how the teen felt. Jamie had no interest in bonding and forming a connection of any kind. Even with Ritchie being persistent about getting involved in the boy's life.
"So, how was work today, Jamie?" Ritchie asked.
Jamie lazily laid back on the couch, "Well, one customer took fifteen minutes to make an order, got yelled at by another because they dropped one of their change, and one of the orders was swiped. So, it's been a day."
Before an awkward silence had a chance to form between the two, two pairs of footsteps could be heard running down the stairs. Entering the room were two women dressed in festive gowns similar to Sophie, and both were drastically different ages from each other. Jamie's mother, Carol, the oldest woman of forty-three, sauntered over to greet her husband with a peck on the lips. A smile permeated her face until she saw her son.
"Jamie, what are you doing just laying around?" Carol asked, "You've got to hurry and get dressed for the festival."
Jamie groaned as he tried to sink deeper into the couch, "Mom, I just went through seven hours wearing an itchy – tightly fit uniform. I rather not spend the rest of the day playing dress-up."
"Sounds like someone had a rough day at work," the second girl who appeared with Carol responded, "Did someone spit in your soda today, bro?"
"More like stole some food." Jamie mumbled.
Leave it to his twin sister, Katie, to try and annoy him. Yes, they were twins, though technically, Katie was born first, making her the eldest child. But, boy, did she love to lord that fact over her brother's head every chance she got.
"Carol, it's alright." Ritchie interjected, "Dressing up in these gowns is more of a formality. If Jamie wants to come to the cultural festival with what he has on, then that's fine."
By that, he was referring to his red t-shirt, blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a black leather biker jacket with a picture of a snarling timber wolf and the title Razor Fangs above it.
"Well, you can still comb your hair at the very least," his mother pointed to her son's disheveled brunette hair, made that way thanks to the hat he was forced to wear at work, "Honestly, maybe you should just quit that job. It seems to bring you nothing but stress."
"But mom, Jamie needs that job so he can afford the operation." Sophie spoke up.
Everyone looked puzzled by what the youngest Reed child was referring to.
To set things straight, Jamie answered, "Sophie, I'm not getting an operation."
"Then why does Katie keeps saying you need a doctor's help to get the stick out of your butt?"
Katie laughed at her sister being able to embarrass Jamie but stopped when she found to be the only one seeing this as amusing, "What? It's not my fault that he's always such a sourpuss, even before getting that job."
Jamie let out a groan but left it at that. If he chose to argue with his twin, they'd just continue going round and round before their mother would go off on how they were wasting time. So instead, he headed his mom's advice to comb his hair before joining the rest of the family in Ritchie's car. From there, it was off to the festival.
One of the many things the town could profit from the meteor was the festivals centered around it. Tonight's celebration was more of a mix of a few different ceremonies going on simultaneously. One of which is celebrated by the local Native Americans whose tribe once lived in the mountain range, centering around the meteor and the fact that tonight would be a full moon. Stories had it that the tribe believed that the moon processed spiritual powers, and any rock that fell from the stars would also carry that magic with them. The other is a ceremony, the Japanese Star Festival, and a mix of other Asian theme holidays that could center around the meteor. It was the latter of these that were the reasons why Jamie and his family were attending.
Jamie stared out the window of his step-father's vehicle as his family drove closer to their destination. The festival takes place at the town lake. Not the lake created by the meteor, but instead the town's local fishing lake. With the crash site being off-limits to civilians, this was the next best thing in turn of a substitute.
After finding a suitable parking spot and stepping out of the vehicle, Jamie's family was now able to enjoy the festival in full. Sophie ran off with Ritchie to make some paper lanterns that would be light up before releasing them onto the lake. Jamie's mom and his twin Katie left for the kiosk to look for some snazzy souvenirs. This left Jamie's to his own devices to wander the boardwalk at his leisure. Jamie could tell that town hall must be proud of themselves because the festival was booming this year. With the tourist trade in full swing this season, advertisers made it a point to visit the festival to experience other cultures and what the meteor means to them. It seemed to work, as many of the people at the festival were those Jamie didn't recognize seeing in town.
At one kiosk, Jamie saw quite a familiar sight. A booth was run by an old Native American woman. She was regaling a story to a preteen boy who was there with his mother. A story about the meteor was a gift from the moon spirit for people to commute with them, and those who do so successfully will be granted a wish from the moon spirit themselves. All one had to do was draw a sacred rune on a piece of the meteor, which the old woman showcased that she was selling. Make a wish to the moon, and it will be answered. The young boy giddily asked his mother to buy him one, which she did, and after quickly drawing one of the runes on display with a free chalk stick that was given to him, he ran off in joy. Unfortunately, so excited the child was that he failed to place the chalk in his pocket, and it fell out onto the boardwalk.
Jamie walked over to pick up the chalk and called out, "Hey kid, you drop this!"
His words fell on deaf ears with the child running off along with his mother to enjoy the rest of the festival. Jamie looked at the chalk as a wave of nostalgia swept over him. He remembered how he used to be just like that young boy back in the day. How excited he was to learn of the concept of having his wishes granted with a piece of meteor rock and some chalk drawings. Those were simpler times when he believed in things like magic existed, but now he was grown up and knew better. Those pieces of the 'meteors' that were being sold were just ordinary rocks, no more magical than anything else on earth. As much as Jamie tried to make attending the festival work, this little trip down memory lane really drains whatever little festive spirit he had.
"Hey, Katie, I'm heading home early. Tell Mom and Ritchie I'm sorry, but I'm not in a celebratory mood right now."
Jamie texted on his phone as he headed home. It may seem like quite a walk back, but living in Greyrock his entire life, you get to know how to get around. Primarily since Jamie used to hike through the woods when he was young, back in the days when his real dad was still around. The two of them venture and camp out in these woods during their annual fishing trips. Thanks to his old man, Jamie practically knew these woods like the back of his hand; he could even navigate it through the dark as if it were his own backyard. Those were the days; those were the day. Back when things were simple and before reality kicked you in the ass.
While reminiscing of better days, Jamie stumbled upon something he almost all but forgot about. A forest trail so small that it went nearly unseen to the naked eye, visible to only those who knew where to look. His father found it one day when out on their fishing trip, and it was something to remember. He didn't know if it was out of nostalgia, boredom, or something else, but Jamie decided to take this old trail regardless of where it took him. Even a metal fence with the label 'Keep out!' wasn't going to be in way since the course led to a gap that hadn't been fixed for well over ten years and was obscure from prying eyes by the local plant life.
Beyond this fence was the preserve in which the meteor crashed landed all those years back; entering the sight without a government-approved warrant would be a federal offense with multiple years in jail. Jamie, though couldn't care less as he and his old man used to venture past the perimeter on numerous occasions and not once been caught. So, with reckless abandonment, Jamie stepped through the gap of the fence and continued on down the forest trail. If memory served him right, his destination would be only a few miles climb uphill from the fence. After over an hour of walking, Jamie finally made it to where this trail had been leading him. The path led him towards an opening of a cave on the side of a mountain. So, of course, the teen continued on his journey and entered through the mouth of the cave. It was pitch black within the cave wall for him to see, but thankfully he still had his phone on hand to help light the way. Typically, it would be advised not to explore a cave by oneself, but Jamie had been in it before and knew where he was going. That was enough to convince him to keep moving further down into the dark abyss.
After trekking through the dark for several minutes, watching every step he took to be on the safe side, Jamie had finally made it to his destination. Taking one last step and Jamie had found himself in the chambers of a large cavern. But this was no ordinary cavern, nor was he in any typical mountain, for Jamie was standing inside the mountain that was struck by the same meteor that turned his town into a tourist trap. Inside the cavern, one could see the significant cracked dent along the cave walls, cracks big enough for rays of moonlight to shine through and illuminate the area. Jamie hardly needed his phone from this point, for there was nothing more to worry about other than knee-high puddles. However, what made this cavern genuinely breathtaking to behold was the carving plastered along the cave walls. Carving that depicting a man holding a rock that came from the stars and the land prospering because of it; these carvings being the bases for legend built by the Native American tribe of the area.
Jamie huffed as he thought about that legend once again. He also thought the rumors that circulate around town saying how the government didn't get the whole meteor all those years ago; that pieces of it were probably still lingering within this mountain and the lake nearby. Deciding, why not? He was here; why not humor this legend this one time? Looking around the cavern, Jamie looked for the most fitting rock to match what was sold at the kiosk. Eventually, the teen settled on an odd-looking black stone, which he assumed was coal and took it into his hand. Jamie would then take the same chalk he picked up while on the boardwalk to begin drawing the symbol instructed back at the kiosk.
Once that was all said and done, all that was left was to wish for something. But what to wish for? Thinking hard about it, Jamie couldn't help think back to what his twin sister had said earlier today. How he's been such a sourpuss lately. The truth is, is that Jamie has been in such a state much longer than he cared to admit. It wasn't for lack of trying, but Jamie has found it hard to open up to people again since what happened to his dad. He became socially distant toward others to the point of losing his friends and family, though nagging to be more involved beforehand, eventually leaving him to his own devices. He had long forgotten what it was like to actually bond with someone else and wanted to know that feeling again.
"I wish I had somebody who could remind me what it's like to connect to someone again." he said as the stone shone in the moonlight.
Suddenly, without warning, the stone began to glow in Jamie's hand. But, it wasn't just glowing; it was also rapidly growing in heat. Jamie, in a panic, dropped the stone in knee-high water below in fear that it would sear his hands. Then something even more unexpected happened. The air began to swift and was concentrated on a singular point in front of the cave drawings. It wasn't long before this focal point opened up into what Jamie could best describe as a giant swirling vortex. Jamie was so shocked by the phenomenon that he was frozen in place just staring at it. However, what really got the teen's attention was that he heard the distinct sound of somebody screaming inside the vortex. No sooner when he heard that did Jamie see a large blue noodle creature flying right at him.
"Look out!" it hollered.
But it was too late, for the creature had already crashed right into the boy. The force of the impact was enough to cause Jamie and the creature to tumble down against the cave floor. Jamie, though had the misfortune of hitting the back of his hand when he landed, rendering the young man unconscious. Little did he know that this wasn't even the tip of how crazy his life was going to get.
Kumandra
Earlier in the day
From off the coast of the land of Heart, there stood a structure made of crystallized water. Within it lived five magical water dragons, but only one was of importance to our story. Her name was Sisudatu, or Sisu as she prefers. She was a friendly – energetic sort, but today she was mainly in a lively mood. Today she was rushed back in forth inside her crystal home, frantically gathering supplies. Even though this dragon had everything she needed laying out before her, Sisu continued to double and triple-check to make sure she was ready for the day ahead.
"Okay, okay, let me make sure I've got everything one more time." Sisu said, staring down the items, "Durian, check. Shrimp paste, check. Lemongrass, check. Palm sugar, check. Dragon fruit, for obvious reasons, check. Grounded chili pepper of three different varieties of spicy." she took one of these bowls of peppers that was said to be highest in the severity of spicy, and took a nice whiff of it. Immediately, her nostrils began to burn to the point of breaking out into tears, "Oh yeah, that's the good stuff."
While Sisu was doing all of this, her four siblings were also there watching the whole thing. All of them stared at their sister's antics with mild amusement.
"Sister, don't you think you're acting a bit overdramatic about this whole thing?" said one female dragon of violet-blue fur and indigo mane.
"Overdramatic? Overdramatic?!" Sisu cried out at her younger sister, "This occasion is serious business that I have to pull my weight for it to succeed. Here I thought you had class, Amba."
"Serious business?" asked a pinkish-purple female dragon, "Aren't you just going out on a picnic?"
"It's not just a picnic, Prance. This is the one-month anniversary of my friends booming the Druun away!" Sisu exclaimed.
"Don't humans usually prefer to celebrate such tremendous occasions merely once per year?" Amba asked.
"Yeah, but that'll be for the big celebrations where everyone takes part in," Sisu clarified, "This is just for my world-saving friends and me to have a little get-together."
"Didn't one of those friends of yours end up killing you?" asked the eldest of the siblings in a severe tone. A lime green male by the name of Pengu.
"Who, Namaari?" Sisu nervously asked rhetorically, "I mean, yeah, it was an arrow from her crossbow that was shot into my heart, but that was all an accident. She was just startled when Raya shot her sword at her. It was sort of a reflex sort of thing." this still did nothing to soften her big brother's demeanor, "The point is, is that Namaari and I talked it out, and now we're all good! She's a really great girl once you get to know her."
"Oh, don't worry about him, Sisu," Amba assured her, "Big bro is just a little tense because the meetings with the leaders of the five lands haven't been going his way."
Pengu sighed to himself, "They say they want to be of Kumandra again but refuse to give up the land they divided amongst themselves to become whole again. I had hoped Chief Benja would see reasons, but even he said his people won't be so quick to give it up. Do they not see that they cannot be of one people when their lands are not as such?" Pengu rubbed his temple, "I don't understand this era."
True, it's been a huge adjustment period for all dragons. Five hundred years ago, the dragons lived harmoniously with the people of Kumandra, bringing rain and prosperity to the land. Back then, Kumandra was of one land, that is, until the Druun invaded. In an instance, the Druun spread throughout the lands like a plague turning every living creature they touched into stone. The dragons fought valiantly defending the people, but even they were no match. With Sisu and her siblings as the last dragons, all seemed lost. That was until Pengu came up with the idea for him, Jagan, Pranee, and Amba to combine their magic into a gem. Through Sisu, Pengu trusted the gem's power to her as he and their remaining siblings were turned to stone.
Pengu had hoped that he, his siblings, and his kind would wake up immediately. Imagine him and his siblings' surprise when they did wake up to find Sisu was dead (temporarily), and they've been stone for five hundred years. Once things had calmed down after the Druun being defeated a second time, Pengu finally had a moment to reflect on just how much things had changed in his absence. The most glaring change was how Kumandra had since been split into five lands of Fang, Heart, Spine, Talon, and Tail. After which, Pengu was appointed the patriarch for the dragons and worked to restore Kumandra to its former glory with limited success.
It didn't help matters because his younger sister, Sisu, had been implementing changes to their lifestyle. Initially, dragons didn't need to build structures to live in. Instead, dragons were used to living freely on the river, occasionally accepting offerings from the people they met along the way. But ever since they awoke from their stone sleep, Sisu had insisted her family use their magic to build themselves a house, with the patch of land given to them freely by Chief Benja. Not being one to turn away a gift, Sisu used this as the perfect opportunity for an excuse to make their new home. All of this is because Sisu wanted a roof over her friends' heads if she ever decided to host a sleepover.
"Don't worry, Pengu." Sisu comforts her brother, "You'll figure something out. You always do."
Those words did help indeed help calm the older dragon, "Thank you, dear Sisu. I wish you could stay here."
"Come on, Pengu, it's just a picnic." Amba replied, "What's the worst that can happen?"
"Speaking of which…." Sisu frantically packed her supplies, "I've got to get going! Don't want to starve my friends of my comedic charm." Her comment illicit a laugh from her family, "What? What did I say?"
"Just how you just called yourself a comedian." Amba answered.
That rose Sisu's eyebrow, "What? I thought I was the funny one in the family."
"No, you're not. We've been over this. Jagan's the funny one." Pranee gestured to their deep purple second brother, "You're the goofy one."
"What's the difference?"
"One's funny on purpose," Jagan spoke up, "The other is accidental."
"Oh ha, ha!" Sisu retorted sarcastically as she made her way out the door, "I'd laugh longer if I didn't already have prior engagements."
Once our lovely dragon stomped out the door, and a bit help with some rain magic, Sisu flew rendezvousing with her friends at the capital of the land. Out of all the five lands, Heart's been one of the few to age gracefully since the dragons turn to stone, with much of it filled in a beautiful – lustful rainforest. It was hard for Sisu to believe that the second invasion of the Druun was started because the other lands were envious of this land's prosperity. All because the other leaders believed that the Dragon Gem that Pengu created five hundred years ago, secured in Heart territory, was responsible for such bounty and that the people of Heart were hoarding to themselves. Sisu shook her head in disbelief at such a notion because the Dragon Gem couldn't do anything like that. Even Pengu had to explain that to the other chiefs, excluding Benja, when they asked if he could make more for them. The fact that Heart thrived was in contrast to the gem even being there.
Before long, Sisu's destination came into view. An island stood within the river; this was the village of which the residents of Heart resided. However, the true centerpiece of the village, and this region, is the oval-shaped mountain with an archway hole inside. Upon the hill was a palace where Sisu was flying up, for that was where her friends were to be.
Touching down, Sisu did away with the rain and made her way down the palace halls. Along her journey, Sisu would run into random passersby who would immediately stop what they were doing to bow to her. It was a form of hero worship that the dragon was still getting used to; many people saw her as the one who singlehandedly defeated the Druun the first time around. Though Sisu would explain that her brothers and sisters put in most leg work, she merely went over the final hurdle. But, despite her efforts, most of Kumandra still saw her as a Hero of legends regardless that she felt undeserving of taking all the credit.
"Sisudatu." spoke a man who appeared and bowed in front of her. This man was the leader of Heart, Chief Benja, "Welcome back. Your presence is always a treat."
"Hello, Chief Benja, and for the record, it's simply Sisu to you." she said playfully, "Can Raya come out and play?"
Chief Benja had grown quite used to Sisu's almost childlike demeanor and couldn't help but to laugh, "She and the others are already out in the garden. They've been waiting for you."
"Thanks, Chief! Was nice seeing you!"
Sisu trotted off outside behind the palace to where the garden should be located. Just like Chief Benja has said, Sisu was met by her closest friends. Tong, a warrior of Spine who was once the last of his people when the Druun invaded. The only thing more significant than his massive muscle, and equally enormous ax, was his kind heart and fierce loyalty to those he cared for. Then there was Noi, a small yet clever and mischievous toddler of Talon who was wise beyond her years, as proven during the Druun invasion, where she became a successful con artist with the aid of three small monkeys called Ongis. She was here under the watchful eyes of Tong, who, when Noi's family were turned to stone, took it upon himself to look after her as if she were his own when he joined Raya and Sisu to save the word. Since then, Noi's family had trusted Tong with the toddler's safety. After them was Boun, a ten-year-old boy from Tail that was once captain of his own boat/shrimp emporium, or shrimporioum as he called it. However, ever since his family came back after the Druun's defeat, it was apparent that Boun had been demoted from captain when his parents took over the business once again. Then we had Namaari, the princess of Fang. Her story was a complicated affair of mistakes, mishaps, and misgivings. Admittedly, Namaari's betrayal of her friendship with Raya six years ago was the catalyst for the Druun's return. Plus, she attempts to undermine Sisu and Raya's efforts to reassemble the Dragon Gem and accidentally shoot Sisu in the heart. However, Sisu didn't have it in her to hold contempt against the princess, for it was now known that Namaari had been given enormous pressure placed via her mother to do right by her people. Still, Sisu was quick to forgive the princess and would avidly invite her to as many opportunities for social interactions as possible to show she wanted bygones to be bygones.
Last but not least was the princess of Heart, Raya. If it weren't for Raya, Sisu would've been left to sleep at the river's end for the rest of eternity. It was Raya who grew to trust a former enemy who brought everyone together to defeat the Druun. Through Raya's friendship, Sisu was better able to climatize to being five hundred years in the future. In all honesty, Sisu couldn't have asked for a better friend.
After their pleasant greetings, the gang's picnic went underway. One by one, they all donated the food that each of them had brought to be cooked by their own chef, Boun. The first hour was spent enjoying their meal while also trading stories with one another. Of course, such stories as Tong's many hard-fought battles ending in victory or how Boun's shrimporioum has seen massive growth in business for his involvement in defeating the Druun and being close friends with a water dragon didn't hurt either. Unfortunately, Namaari was still too shy due to her past transgressions to involve herself in the activity, but Sisu was more than willing to fill in for the Fang Princess.
"Before the region you all called Tail was even named such, it used to be a massive swampland," the dragons exclaimed, "Jagan loved sneaking around in the mist to play tricks on us. He was so devastated to wake up and find that whole region turned into a desert after five hundred years."
"But at least he's fixing the place up." Boun said.
"Yeah, Jagan and a few of his friends are doing their best to restore Tail to its former glory." Sisu replied, "It won't be entirely the same, but in a few months, there won't be much of a desert left."
"Tail isn't the only ones receiving aid from your siblings," Tong interjected, "Your sister, Pranee, has made a great effort to reconnect my people to who we used to be. So now, we no longer just train to be better warriors, but so that we may be protectors for all who live in Kumandra!"
Noi caught everyone's attention with her unintelligible baby speak. Still, considering what the conversation was about, Sisu figured what she was attempting to convey, "Yes, and Amba's doing her best to class up, Talon, so the people there are not so… what's a polite way to say it… conniving? Though during one of her visits there, she had a run-in with the former chief who tried to feed me to a Druun, not a fun time when she came home, let me tell you."
It went on like this for a good hour or so of everyone simply enjoying each other's company. There was the occasional banter between Tong and Boun over the level of Boun's cooking. Sisu would also catch Raya stealing a glance at Namaari with the Fang Princess being none the wiser; Sisu would definitely pester her about that. But, of course, the meals, laughter, and games really help make time fly by. Before any of them knew it, the sun was setting upon the land, and the youngest members of their party must leave, for it was immediate past her bedtime.
"This was fun," said Sisu, "We should do this more often."
"Yeah, maybe something earlier in the day so Noi can stay awake longer." Raya gestured to said infant sleeping soundly in Tong's arms.
"Right, it's easy to forget she's a baby sometimes." Sisu giggled innocently, "Still, can't help but feel like a third wheel in this."
"What are you talking about? We wouldn't be here without you." Raya said with the playful jab to the dragon's arm.
"You're giving me too much credit," Sisu interjected, "If you recall, you guys did all the leg work at the end while I was in the proverbial dirt."
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit," Raya retorted, "It was you who inspired me to take the first step to put my trust in Namarii, which ended up saving the world. Face it, Sisu, you're more important to people than you realize."
Sisu wished to respond bashfully to the complement but, before she could, something suddenly felt off. The air was starting to feel thin. Sisu was beginning to feel on edge, especially when she pulled up her forelegs to see the fur on them swaying. What about this, that put the dragon at worry was fur, and soon mane was moving against the wind. That was never a good sign.
"Sisu, what's wrong?" Raya asked, noticing how her friend was slowly becoming distressed.
But before Sisu could answer, a loud thunderous crackle permeated the area. Once that settled down, both Raya and Sisu found themselves staring at a giant swirling vortex. The two stood there in awe over the phenomenon that was in front of them. Yet, both knew not how to proceed with this unknown.
"Sisu, what is that?"
"I have no ide…" before Sisu could finish, she was caught off guard when some unseen force suddenly pulled her in the direction of the vortex, "Whatever it is, it's pulling me in!"
Raya was quick to jump into action to grab Sisu's tail, but it wasn't enough to stop Sisu from being pulled in. Catching wind of the commotion, the rest of the gang rushed in for the save. Each of them grabbed hold of Sisu by her legs or tail to pull away from the vortex. However, even with Tong, the strongest in the group, it was to no avail. The force pulling Sisu not only matched their strength, but it overcame theirs as well. Finally, even Sisu grew desperate, so she used her magic to summon the rain combined natural magic of dragons, to turn those raindrops into liquid platforms under their paws, to use as a means to create a barrier for Sisu to push back against.
However, such a feat was Sisu's downfall. The result of her rain caused to muddy the ground beneath everyone's feet. Mud did nothing to help those trying to help Sisu but only succeeded in making the bed soft and slippery for them to walk on. Soon enough, Tong, who was pulling with all his might, tripped in the mud, causing him not only to let go, but the force created threw everyone forward, also letting go of Sisu.
With no one left to help hold her back, Sisu was sent flying through the vortex. The last our blue dragon saw of Kumandra was Raya running after reaching out for her, only for the vortex to instantly close the second Sisu's tail passed through. Now, Sisu couldn't help but worry as she floated aimlessly trapped in the void, or so she thought. Finally, a light showed itself, unveiling a way out. On the other side, Sisu saw a boy no older than Raya and how she was flying uncontrollably right at him.
"Look out!" Sisu hollered as she threw her hands in front of her face.
Despite her attempts, Sisu still ends up slamming into the boy regardless. She tumbled on the ground with the boy; unfortunately, Sisu hit her head against the rocky floor beneath her. However, the resulting impact did its job knocking the dragon out in a new world unlike her own.
End of Chapter 1
A/N: And thus, the beginning of my first non-crossover work. To be honest, I mainly started this because the other two fics I've been working on have been getting heavy for me, and I needed something more fun before going back. Hope people enjoy this slight departure from what I'm used to writing while waiting to continue those other works of mine. Till next time.