A/N: This Chapter is extremely long. I apologize for those of you that were
expecting a short chapter. Me and Botfan decided to do all the dragons at
once. Again if you have any questions ask them now. We're going to do Q&A
now so let me answer stuff you don't understand! Also The Q&A will give you
a little game to play with the rest of this book. E-mail me with the
questions or just put them in your review so I can answer them. Also the
game has a little prize!
Chapter 7 Dragon Hunt
"Time to get a move on it." Zoah said waking up Paul. Dissinger and Shaun were already boarding the boat with what supplies they'd need on their journey. Zoah helped Paul up and together they walked over to Diss. Shaun threw a few more bags and cleaned off his clothes gathering around the forming circle. After awhile everyone was in the circle.
"This everyone?" Diss asked. Everyone nodded. "Let me be honest. I really don't think we have an easy way around this. We fight Dragons. No way around it." Paul took over the conversation.
"The strategy is simple. We go in, we kick some ass, we go home. Aim for the eyes when possible, and when you hit a spot that makes its eyes pop out you hit that spot over and over again. Let me be frank. In the words of a great man, 'we're going into battle, we're going to come out alive, but no one said how our condition would be when we did.' In other words. Expect the unexpected." Paul pointed to Shaun. Shaun cleared his throat and began.
"What he said." Pointing at Paul. Soft laughter filled the air.
"Okay, my team is Glenn, me, and Fargo. Yours is the three of you. We are going to tackle the Water Dragon first." Lynx said checking off a list. Diss clapped his hands together.
"Okay, great! Everything seems to be ready. This may be the last time we see each other in a long time. So make sure we get in our last goodbyes." Diss said. Everyone gave their last goodbyes hugging when necessary. Marcy gave a quick reminder to Paul to talk about problems whenever possible.
"My men will stay here and track down Serge while you're gone." Viper said pointing to the Devas. Diss was about to give the order to go when Shaun stopped him.
"Paul, if you wouldn't mind." Shaun said pleadingly to Paul. Paul looked at Shaun quizzically.
"What?" Paul asked. Shaun softly stirred around.
"You know, what you always say?" Shaun pleaded. Steena walked on deck and looked at the circle joining it standing next to Paul. Paul thought for a moment and grinned.
"Well everyone, put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye, we're going on another fun filled, action packed, adventure! YIPPEE SKIPPY!" Paul said sarcastically. The boat erupted in laughter and the people began going their separate ways smiling knowing that Paul's so called "Blessing" was given to them all. Steena walked up to Paul and handed him a small package before waving goodbye. When Paul entered the boat he checked the weight.
The boat would hold much more than anticipated, which was a very good sign. Diss noticed the small package and Shaun did also. As they left the S.S. Invincible Diss spoke first about it.
"What's in the package?" Paul shrugged. He opened it up to reveal a small golden chain and a note. It read,
Dear Paul,
I wish you good luck on your journey and whenever you need help or guidance always look to the past, which should always be by your heart. Steena
Paul put the chain around the locket and placed it around his neck. Shaun coughed and pointed to the note. Paul read the P.S. from Shaun and got the general idea it was his idea.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." Paul said not knowing whether to hug Shaun or not. Shaun just shrugged it off.
"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but Steena was the one who had the idea all along. She asked if I would be a part of it so you wouldn't know she liked you." Paul blushed a little and quickly turned around.
"Thanks for the F.Y.I Shaun." Paul said rather quickly. Diss grinned as he found the perfect way to annoy Paul the entire trip.
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Lynx stood at the tip of his boat staring into the sea. It would take an hour to reach Opassa Beach. Glenn was double-checking the gear as Fargo relaxed steering the boat. He took the cigar out of his mouth to blow the smoke from his lungs out. Lynx pondered how long it would take them to get all six Relics as the anxiety built in him just thinking of getting his body back. He went through a lot and was more than ready to get his original form back. Glenn took out his sword and began sharpening it.
"After we defeat the Water Dragon who do we take on next?" Glenn asked not bothering to look at Lynx.
"Earth Dragon." Lynx replied turning around. Fargo tossed his cigar in the ocean as he brought out another.
"Arg, only one thing bothers me matey. And that's those other clowns getting the relics. They have no idea what to do or how to start do they?" Fargo asked. Lynx nodded.
"Then again, neither do we." Glenn said matter-of-factly. It was a minor setback they decided they were going to have to accept. He looked at the sun and concluded that by this time the other party had reached Mount Pyre.
"We should be there anytime now." Glenn said looking at the shape of a mountain before him.
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"Mount Pyre." Paul said trailing off as they walked inside the cavern. With each turn they made they swatted another foul beast away. When they ran into magma Diss used his staff to clear it away momentarily. Paul looked up and around the cavern as he saw a slope leading to a door, but a flood of magma was in the way to big for Diss to manipulate long enough for them to pass. Shaun took notice of the rocks and bent them and placed them to his standards so it made a bridge. They all crossed as Diss preferred to walk through the magma. When they entered the cavern Paul took notice of the large dragon stuck in the magma pit.
"WE-ARE-HERE-TO-CLAIM-THE-RELIC, DO-YOU-UNDERSTAND?" Paul asked yelling slowly. The large dragon looked oddly at Paul as it brought its huge head down to look at Paul. It tilted it to the side of its shoulder and looked quizzically on Paul like a confused dog as a small little dragon walked up behind them and spoke in a tone like he was trying to sell the clothes off their backs.
"HEY HEY HEY!" he began. "Looks like your challenging the wrong guy. My pet salamander has no clue what you're saying at all." Diss spoke up cutting off the dragon.
"That's a salamander?" Diss said blankly pointing at it behind him. The little dragon nodded his head.
"Yup." The little dragon said with pride. Paul became enraged as he began yelling.
"Look! We need to find the Fire Dragon God thingy! Do you know where he is so we can kick his butt if need be so we can get his relic and leave?" the little dragon grinned.
"I am the Fire Dragon." It said with pride again.
"WHAT?" they all said together staring at the Dragon God who in return looked at them eye level.
"What?" the Dragon God said before them. Paul busted out laughing.
"YOU? You're the all mighty 'Dragon God'?" Paul said in a mocking tone putting up his pointing finger and middle finger bending them at the same time. "Man, I could choke on you!" The Dragon God grew angry at Paul's comments. "Man, your so small I could squish you!" Paul fell down laughing so hard.
"Paul, remember what Steena said." Shaun tried to warn Paul. Paul turned his back to the dragon as he continued to insult him,
"Man, I was worried about a challenge, instead all we got here is a runt. This is going to be a breeze! I'd like to order mini dragon pie please?" The dragon's nose began to have smoke come out of the nostril as it gritted its teeth. "LOOK DISS, IT'S THE HOT WHEELS OF DRAGONS! The Diet Coke off Dragons! One Calorie, Not Enough!" Paul said laughing. Diss and Shaun stared in horror as they pointed behind Paul and turned to get cover. Paul poked an eye open to see the older girl from his locket tapping her foot and pointing behind Paul.
"Behind you." She said coolly disappearing. Paul slowly turned around to see a full-grown dragon looking back at him.
"Heh.heh.heh." Paul laughed nervously. "OH SHIT!" Paul said yelling running for cover. The Fire Dragon snatched Paul up with his claw and threw him to the side. Shaun launched a rock at the things head and cursed as fire breath turned it to magma. Paul shot electricity at it and all it did was tickle it with delight. Paul tried to go for his most powerful attack when the thing blew fire all over Paul's body. Diss relaxed putting his hands behind his head while leaning on a rock. Shaun rolled out and tried to toss a few small rocks at its eyes. It shielded the attack and swung its tail at Shaun. Shaun jumped over the tail and was being squished inside the claws that grabbed him from behind. Shaun was brought up to the dragon's eyes before he was tossed to the side. Paul jumped in the air avoiding a tail swipe and avoided a swing from its massive claws by rolling. He ran over to Shaun and together they began attacking the dragon with their powers advancing slowly. The electricity only made the dragon angrier and the rocks had no effect. Shaun and Paul dove in looking for their weapons. Paul un-strapped the Halberd on his back and dived into Fire Dragon head first cutting the dragon as he moved up and down. While Paul covered Shaun he managed to strike the ground with a hard punch from his fist allowing him to break through the earth and pull out a Mace. Shaun swung the mace in the air and crashed it on the dragon's foot only stubbing the mighty beasts toe. Paul got an idea and had Shaun toss him up in the air so he could swipe at the dragon's eye. The dragon dodged the strike and caught Paul on the way up laughing.
"Pitiful mortals." The dragon said in a snobbish tone. He tossed Paul to the side but he regrouped in mid air levitating in place as he hurled his Halberd at the Fire Dragon. It stuck in the dragon's hide, but did no real damage. Paul shot electricity at the Halberd as a conductor and the energy was able to momentarily blind the dragon. The Halberd fell and Shaun caught it tossing it back to Paul.
"Shocking." Paul muttered. Paul went back onto the ground to see an incoming tail swing. He jumped over the tail and prepped for the next wave of flying body parts. He jumped again backwards to avoid being squashed by its foot when Paul was trapped in a corner. The dragon tried to clap Paul into a pancake but luckily Paul ducked avoiding the death that was sure to come. Paul was smacked to the side by the dragon's backhand. Diss brushed off his clothes charging into battle only to be swiped away by the tail. The dragon jumped into the air and hovered drawing in his breath. He looked at Shaun and blew fire at him melting the rock Shaun hid behind.
"YIKES!" Shaun yelled back flipping over a small fire dart. The dragon flew in low and nearly chopped Shaun's head off if he didn't duck. The wind caused Shaun to roll a few feet. Diss tossed a fire bolt at the dragon's exposed back only to have a rock launched at him in retaliation. The dragon hovered in the air as he saw Shaun run to Paul who was slowly recovering. He drew in his breath as Paul and Shaun tried to find cover. As the fire erupted from the dragon's mouth Paul and Shaun both passed out from the heat. Diss tossed another fireball that connected with the dragon's eye getting its attention. The dragon swiped Dissinger's chest cutting a huge hole.
"Damn!" Diss said. The dragon blew in more breath as he spewed it at Diss. The fire ended up healing Diss putting him back in the fight. Diss and the dragon traded blows always ending with Dissinger's near death experience being healed by the fire the dragon tossed at him. The dragon hopped to the ground and spoke.
"You win mortal." The dragon said uneasily. Diss gave a satisfied smile as he approached the Fire Dragon. Paul and Shaun both uneasily got up limping over to Diss.
"The relic." Diss said stretching out his hand. The dragon tossed the relic in Diss' hands.
"One last condition." The dragon said as they turned to leave.
"What is that?" Diss asked.
"He has to kiss my feet while apologizing for an hour." The dragon said pointing at Paul.
"HELL NO!" Paul yelled. Diss laughed.
"Maybe you shouldn't insult people before you know them. Do it so we can go." Paul muttered something vulgar as he walked over to the Fire Dragon. Diss and Shaun left laughing looking behind to see Paul hesitate to bend over.
"DO IT PAUL!" Diss yelled as he left the cavern.
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Lynx, Glenn, and Fargo all moved along inside the water cavern as they made their way down to see the Dragon God.
"Arg, It's going to take some time to get used to this, that's for sure." Fargo said stomping out his cigar. They reached the Water Dragon in the largest room in the cave. It had some sort of a deranged grin on its face like it knew what was going to happen. They walked up to the pedestal and spoke their claims.
"Welcome Mortals. I am the Water Dragon," The dragon god boomed at them. "Is it your wish to defy the Goddess Fate?"
"Yes," Serge said clearly to the being.
"Then come forth and face my trials!" The dragon boomed.
Fargo looked nervously at Serge, "It wants to fight us? It can't be serious!"
When the Dragon roared they knew it was serious about fighting. The Water Dragon crawled to a far area in the cavern spitting at them. Glenn moved in cautiously first from the left side as Fargo did likewise from the right. Lynx moved slowly down the center as they cornered the dragon.
"He's got the relic behind him." Fargo said through another cigar. The dragon roared again spewing an icy breath that almost blasted Glenn who ventured to near. Glenn skipped back twice and held his blade in front of him. Lynx dove in first twirling the Swallow in his hands cutting the face of the Water Dragon. The dragon nearly bit his head off as he backpedaled to his original location keeping light on his toes. Fargo sprinted into action cutting the dragon just below the mouth and circling around to his original state. Lynx dove in again to be blasted away from a squirt of water the dragon shot from his mouth. Glenn jumped in slashing the dragon's eye and swinging up diagonally. The dragon wailed in pain as he hit Glenn back. Lynx nodded as they all slowly moved in on the dragon again. The dragon roared lifting his tail and from the peak of its odd shape three beams blew them all back.
"We can't get to close like that, we'll need to just attack it." Glenn said getting up. Lynx and Fargo nodded.
"On me count," Fargo started. "One, Two, MOVE IT!" they all sprinted to dodge another blast from the tail as the Water Dragon reared on its hind legs and swiped Lynx back knocking him away while getting cut and scraped from Glenn and Fargo's sword swinging. Lynx rose up into the air and dove down in a deathblow that merely cut the dragon's backside. Glenn dashed ahead and slashed a huge gash in the Dragon's chest. Fargo took special attention to the shiny object on the Dragon's side.
"Don't mind if I do." Fargo said chuckling picking up the object. He put it in his pocket as he slashed away a claw that was coming his way. Lynx saw the Relic inches before him and reached to grab it when the dragon whipped around so his tail whacked Fargo and Glenn back. Lynx fell off the roller coaster like dragon and hit a wall pretty badly. He slowly got up, as he was smashed into it again by a claw. Fargo came to the rescue jumping on the creatures back and hacking away with his sword. Glenn thrusted his sword at the Dragon where it stuck inside the creatures body, then Glenn used the two sides from the hilt of the sword and with his momentum he grabbed hold of the sides and swung like a child on monkey bars kicking hard with both feet. The Dragon backed off into his corner again as he slowly began to regroup. Fargo and Glenn approached the dragon together slowly swords pointed as Lynx got up and levitated above them. The dragon did its form of a jump and tackled Glenn and Fargo. Lynx dropped onto the Water Dragon's back and slashed away. The Water Dragon rolled on his back nearly killing Lynx as he got away lucky with a broken wrist. The dragon slowly moved back into the corner as Fargo sprinted to the relic trying to pillage it from the dragon. The dragon backpedaled faster trying to cut off Fargo's route. He swung his claw and tripped from the momentum that he carried from the extra speed he used to beat Fargo. Fargo was about to reach the relic when the Water Dragon's tail hit him in the head so he did a complete flip before landing on his back. Glenn went to the aid of Fargo to be blasted away by the tail attack. Lynx saw his downed comrades and grew angry. He frowned as he pointed at the Water Dragon. The cave grew dark as countless Shadow Cats appeared behind Lynx. The Water Dragon's red eyes grew wide as his face resembled that of someone who is afraid. Lynx dropped his hand.
"Bye-Bye." Lynx muttered as the Shadow Cats cut and scraped the Water Dragon causing him to limp badly after the last Shadow Cat disappeared.
"Very well.you can take the.relic with you." the Water Dragon wheezed out. Fargo took the relic as he held his head in pain. Glenn helped him limp over to Lynx where they turned to leave when the Water Dragon crawled out of his corner and stood up as if nothing had happened. The expression on his face had the same demonic grin it had before. He placed one claw over the other as he went back to his happy lazy state. He spoke softly again to them saying,
"You have done well mortals. You have passed my trials and earned my blessing. Seek the other god's blessings now."
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Paul was by the lake near Mount Pyre washing his mouth out as best he could. Diss and Shaun were laughing at him together.
"Oh that was nasty." Paul said nearly throwing up. He continued to wash his mouth out with water. "I envy the kids who have their mouth washed out with soap." Paul said again after gurgling. Paul spat the water out at a rock where he spat everything else so not to contaminate the clean water more than it probably was. Diss just relaxed giving Paul five more minutes to finish his cleaning. Shaun took a look around noticing all the different kinds of rocks and picking up a few pebbles here and there. He pocketed them and tapped his pocket lightly.
"How's your rock collection coming?" Diss asked noticing Shaun. Shaun didn't reply as he looked for more rocks to add. Paul got away from the water as he dried his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Which dragon do we take on next?" Shaun asked. Paul sighed.
"Oh yeah, we still got two more to go. Let's see." Paul thought. He sighed again, much more heavily this time. "Maybe it won't be that bad." Paul said to himself. Diss and Shaun looked at each other concerned. If Paul said it wouldn't be bad it was. "Okay, we have the.Black Dragon next." Paul said carefully. Diss and Shaun both sighed.
"That last dragon was bad enough, even for me!" Diss said. "I was lucky he blew fire on me to heal me up." Diss sighed putting a hand over his head.
"Well, in the words of a wise woman," Shaun started. "We can make zis hard, or harder. You decide." Paul spoke next quickly making the sign of the cross.
"Amen to that." Diss laughed softly.
"Okay, lets go to Marbule then." Diss said in a leadership type of tone.
"Were off to get our heads blown off, by the wonderful Black Dragon of Death, because, because, because, because he's the most sick and demented dragon of all." Paul sang to the Wizard Of Oz theme. Shaun and Diss stared at Paul as he finished singing the song to himself as he skipped away.
"Sometimes I wonder if he has gone insane." Diss muttered to Shaun.
"Oh he already is." Shaun muttered back staring at Paul as they left.
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Lynx and Glenn were watching Fargo cook the meat they had brought on the trip eagerly as they waited until dawn to travel again. If they went out now they would get stuck in fog sure to come.
"Eat up matey's!" Fargo said with pride. "Me own special recipe. Komodo Droppings! Made with Heckrum!" Glenn and Lynx looked at the food and nearly threw up. They looked at each other and Lynx nodded as they tossed the food behind them when Fargo wasn't looking. Fargo laughed his mighty pirate laugh at them turning around with a garden salad in each of his hands giving them to Lynx and Glenn.
"Har, har matey's. Only joking with ya!" Fargo said making his own salad. "Eat quickly though. It'd be better to go now than in the morning, cause it will rain tomorrow." Fargo said looking up at the sky. Once again Fargo's extensive knowledge of the ocean and weather proved Lynx's plans otherwise.
"Doesn't matter really." Glenn said shoving more Salad in his mouth. "I thk we sould ead to Mabule." Fargo and Lynx looked at Glenn in a confused look. Glenn chewed his food and gulped staring at them in embarrassment as he was already about to shove more salad into his mouth.
"What did ya say?" Fargo asked after a minute had passed. Glenn swallowed his salad and was about to shovel more into his mouth when Fargo held his hand down so he could talk straight.
"I said, I think we should head to Marbule. By now the others had to have gotten the relic. We'll drop it off and go talk to them."
"How do you know the Sky Dragon isn't next?" Lynx said quietly.
"Think of it this way. I know." Glenn said eating the last bit of his salad. Fargo and Lynx stared at Glenn trying to get past his odd logic. Glenn looked at Lynx's plate and then Fargo's. He gulped the last of his food then pointed to each of their plates.
"You going to eat that?" Glenn asked softly. Fargo and Lynx dumped their salad onto his plate looking the opposite way.
"I'll get the boat ready." Lynx and Fargo said together getting up.
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Diss looked around the boat as he stayed near the center. Paul was out by the bow as Shaun was standing at the back.
"So, any strategies?" Shaun asked.
"Don't get killed?" Paul suggested. Diss laughed.
"You guys worry to much." Diss said waving a hand dryly in the air. Paul turned around.
"And I'll put that on your tomb stone when you die." Paul said sarcastically. Shaun and Diss both got a dry laugh out of that.
"There she blows." Shaun said sighing.
"You know, for all the worry and fear we have put into this Black Dragon It had better be tough. Cause if this thing is a walk in the park I'm going to get pissed." Paul said angrily. Diss nodded. Shaun steered them up to the shore of the island.
As they approached the village Demi-humans were everywhere. Ranging from part animal part human to what appeared to be humans except for obvious quirks. As they entered a Demi-human threw a rock at Diss hitting him above the eye and cutting deeply.
"Humans! Leave now!" the demi-human said angrily.
"Count this as the fifth place I'm not welcomed," Diss said dryly.
"I think it's more like tenth. But this is the fifth place you'll leave standing where your not welcome," Shaun said slowly.
Diss nodded moving on in the village, Demi-humans would occasionally give them death glares as they passed, but none acted like the one at the entrance. Diss touched his now open wound and cursed when he saw the blood.
"This can't be good for me." He said slowly.
"Never is Diss," Paul quickly quipped.
Shaun pointed at the cave on the edge of the village. Diss nodded getting the gist of the statement, the Black Dragon was there. As they entered the cave they saw it sleeping quietly. In one of its claws was the Black Relic they needed. All three looking at each other, Paul and Shaun nodded as they quickly held out fingers. Paul held out one while Shaun held out two along with Diss. Obviously Paul would have to get the relic from the dragon's claws.
Paul crept up slowly to the dragon while being careful not to make any noise. Paul slowly started tugging on the relic as it slowly moved out of the dragon's enormous claws. After he finished liberating the Relic he tossed it to Diss just in time to have himself grabbed by the dragon. Diss and Shaun froze in place watching as the dragon miraculously stayed asleep, but was now holding Paul instead of the relic.
Diss sighed; he couldn't leave Paul like that. He would have to wake the dragon in the only way he knew how, he had to hurt it. Drawing out his staff he slashed hard, but the dragon remained asleep as he gashed it across the back. Puzzled he continued to slash it up until he finally just brought it down sticking it in the dragon's thick hide.
"Diss I don't think the Dragon Staff will wake it up." Shaun said.
Quickly the dragon's eye opened and looked around. As it awoke he tossed Paul aside causing Paul to hit the wall hard and slump unconscious. Diss readied for the fight but was surprised when the dragon plucked the staff from his grip.
The dragon held up the staff looking at it before it growled deeply. Its breath washed over Shaun and Diss as it roared.
"Uh Diss.I think that staff was its cousin or something, because its mighty pissed." Shaun stammered as he started slowly backing up.
"Got any bright ideas?" Diss said as he dissipated the staff and brought it back up in his hand.
"Run." Shaun said before he turned to flee. Diss turned to follow suit when the Black Dragon stomped its foot in front of the only exit.
"The years of sleep have made we weak. You will provide some much needed exercise," The Black Dragon said icily. Diss turned and dropped into a fighting stance ready for the attack. Paul slowly got up undoing the Halberd from its harness as he dropped into a similar stance. Shaun punched into the ground reaching deeply as he brought up his mace. All three readied, but were unprepared for what happened next.
The dragon laughed as he flicked its claws at Shaun and Paul. Both went flying through the air. Paul went sailing out of the entrance and landed in a pool of water outside. Shaun, however, was not so lucky as he hit the wall behind him hard and was knocked unconscious. Diss looked at his fallen comrades and growled. The dragon looked at Diss eye to eye before speaking.
"Show me your strength mortal, amuse me by hitting me your hardest," the dragon ordered.
Diss felt his rage focus as he controlled it. He slowly pent up his rage into one point in his mind. Slowly he rose off the ground as fires swept over his body. Finally he released his anger and fire swept the entire cavern as Diss unleashed his power.
Diss dropped to the ground slowly and fell to one knee, the exertion too much for him. Instead of the gasping he expected he only heard laughter.
"Is that the best you can do?" The dragon asked laughing. "Feel my fury!" the dragon roared as it hovered in the air. It inhaled deeply and let out a very deadly black flame that nearly connected with Diss if it wasn't for Paul who checked him out of the way.
"OH MY GOD!" Paul screamed as he rolled around the floor trying to smother the black flame. The dragon laughed from Paul's reaction as he looked at Diss landing on the floor. Diss growled as he rushed and attacked hitting the dragon squarely across its nose. The dragon rose up onto its hind legs roaring in pain. Having had enough of the impudent mortal, Diss was grabbed by one massive claw.
"You will make a fine snack for me to defeat your friends," The dragon mocked as he tossed Diss into his mouth.
Paul slowly came to and watched as Glenn, Lynx, and Fargo ran into the cavern. Getting up he ran into the cavern just in time to see Diss consumed.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Paul screamed as he watched in horror. The other members of the now increased party watched as the dragon started shaking his head then open its mouth. As it tried to close its mouth it found it couldn't as Diss slowly climbed out hissing in pain from the moisture in the dragon's mouth. Glenn rushed to Diss' side as he slowly pulled him back from the dragon. Diss shook off the help after a minute and slowly stood hunching in pain still from his exposure to water.
"Give me the relic or the staff in your mouth will shove up into your skull and kill you instantly," Diss said in pain.
The others watched Diss as he stretched his hand forward. The Dragons mouth was clearly being held open by the staff, and no matter how hard it tried it couldn't close its mouth. Diss twitched his hand in what seemed like a command.
The Dragons mouth snapped shut as the staff went sideways. With another flick the dragon stood very still, obviously not wanting to move.
"The relic?" Diss asked coldly.
"Staff first, then I will give you back the relic," The dragon said cruelly.
Paul looked at Diss.
"I thought you had the Relic Diss." Paul said confused.
"I did until he swallowed it. He was trying to get me, but the relic fell down his gullet instead," Diss explained.
"Remove the staff first." the dragon commanded.
Diss nodded as a small trickle of flame fell out of the dragon's mouth slowly making its way to him and reformed his staff. The dragon began coughing, and soon threw up spilling many things onto the cavern floor, including the relic. Paul picked up the relic cleaning it off as they turned to leave. Diss stayed at the back of the party incase of betrayal in the promise.
Once outside Diss promptly sagged under the pain and fell to one knee. Shaun and Paul hovered over him checking him quickly. Grabbing towels they began drying him off until he finally could stand, but stumbled to the boat still. Lynx looked at Diss confused as he made his way to the boat.
"What's wrong with him?" Lynx asked quietly.
"Water is like acid to him, if he's exposed to too much he can die. He almost did when we got him back in Guldove. He'll be fine, he just got covered in water and had to deal with that while he pushed himself," Shaun said matter-of-factly.
Fargo looked at Diss as he lay on the boat; pain was etched into his features. Paul sat silently next to him with a towel drying him off as best he could in spots they may have missed.
"Arg, seems like we don't know much about them do we?" Fargo asked Glenn quietly.
They are most puzzling. They say they have rules, but from what I see they are flimsy at best. Almost as if they were the law where they came from." Glenn said slowly.
Lynx walked over to the boat quietly. Fargo and Glenn followed when Lynx sat next to Diss.
"We came by to drop off the Water Dragon's relic. We're going to tackle the Earth Dragon. We figured you guys could handle the Green Dragon for us since the whole place in surrounded by huge rocks that can't be blasted or anything." Lynx said handing the relic to Paul. Diss nodded agreeing to help them with the Green Dragon. Paul tossed it to Shaun who in return tossed Paul another towel. Paul handed it to Diss and left the boat.
"Where are you going?" Diss asked annoyed looking at Paul.
"I don't know, back to the dragon." Paul replied continuing down the path.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?" the whole boat yelled to Paul.
"Maybe I am." Paul replied.
"What in God's name is possessing you to do this?" Shaun asked. Paul stopped for a second and held onto his locket tightly. He paused for a minute then replied walking on saying,
"I don't know, someone told me to." Shaun looked at Diss to see if he should go get him. Diss shook his head.
"Let him go." Diss said quietly. He looked at Paul as he entered the village again.
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"What do you want, Human?" The Black Dragon asked in disgust. Paul stood with his weapon drawn as he replied,
"You could have easily killed us. Why didn't you?" The Black Dragon stared at Paul as he slumped to the ground.
"I won't answer that." The Black Dragon said in a very unusual calm manner. Paul was a bit shocked by the sudden politeness.
"Why did you come here? I know you have another reason." The dragon asked.
"They told me to." Paul said quietly holding his locket. The dragon nodded his head in understanding.
"Ah, the ghosts of your past. They visit me quite often in my dreams." The Black Dragon trailed off in his words looking to the sky.
"You know the two girls?" Paul asked enthusiastically. The dragon nodded.
"Yes, they help me avoid nightmares. They are the reason why I have slept for so long." Paul sat down close by to the Black Dragon. He looked up into the Black Dragon's eyes and asked another question,
"Do you know who they are?" Paul asked the question very carefully and quietly.
"Yes I do. I know how they are related to you also. They speak very highly of you." Paul quickly fired another question.
"How are they related to me?" The Black Dragon shook his head.
"They asked me never to tell you. I am bound to keep that promise." Paul dropped his head in disappointment. The Black Dragon asked his question now.
"About the battle earlier, you could have done much better. Why didn't you?" Paul shook his head.
"I guess my mind was on other things." It suddenly hit Paul he was having an intelligent conversation with the most feared dragon of all. Paul jumped to his feet, but sat back down.
"They asked me to go easy on you, and only you." The dragon said quickly.
"That's why you didn't kill us?" the dragon nodded. Paul looked around the cavern looking at all the shiny material around him. "Shiny place." Paul said quietly.
"What?" The Black Dragon asked.
"Shiny place. I decided to call this cave Shiny place." The Black Dragon laughed. "What's so funny?" Paul couldn't help the grin that covered his face.
"That's exactly what the little one called it." The dragon continued to laugh a little longer. It was at that time the two ghosts appeared following closely behind his ghost self. The Black Dragon snarled and roared at the ghost Paul.
"Put a sock in it cuddles." The ghost Paul said in a snobbish sort of way. The little girl ran up to the dragon and began crawling up the tail and running along the back until she was sitting on the head.
"MY NAME IS NOT CUDDLES!" The Black Dragon yelled. The older girl sat next to Paul. Paul leaned on her, as he looked at himself grin with sadistic pleasure.
"Admit it. You can't make a decision for yourself." The ghost Paul said turning his attention to Paul.
"NOT TRUE!" The little girl squeaked in anger from atop the dragon's head.
"SHUT UP!" the ghost Paul blared. The Black Dragon tried to swipe the ghost but failed hitting only air.
"Cheap." The dragon muttered cursing other vulgar phrases.
"Careful cuddles. There are little ears in the room." The ghost Paul hissed. The dragon and the little girl both glared at him.
"It's been like this the whole week." The older girl said tiredly. "She won't shut up and the Black Dragon won't quit. And as for yourself he's been causing hell." Paul nodded knowing what she was going through. The older girl fell asleep on Paul as the other three beings in the room yelled and cursed at each other. "Are you tired?" The older girl asked Paul. He nodded quickly rubbing his eyes. " She smiled closing her eyes lifting her hand and waving it in front of Paul's eyes. Paul slowly closed his eyes and stretched out one more quick time before resting. It took very little time for them both to fall asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
"What are you doing sleeping in here?" Diss whispered angrily at Paul waking him up. Paul looked around his surroundings seeing the Black Dragon glare at him and Diss. Paul got up quickly dropping the blanket that was covering him. "Where did that come from?" Diss asked quizzically. Paul shrugged grabbing his Halberd. Paul looked behind him to see the two ghost girls and himself, looking back at him. His ghost self held up a watch and Paul got the impression he had a little more time left until he had to make his big decision. Diss helped him pack up his things as he ran out of the cave. Paul took one last look at the "Shiny place" and his eyes fell upon the Black Dragon who winked as Diss grabbed Paul by the collar and yanked him out.
"That Diss guy better lay his hands off of him or I'll lay my hands on him in a way he won't like." The older girl said through her gritting teeth.
"Shiny stuff is cool." The little girl said quietly trailing off as she was in the middle of picking up a shiny rock. "I like the Shiny place." She said quietly. "Lot's of shiny stuff."
"Sweetie, do me a favor. Be intelligent. Don't grow up and develop your own logic like he did." The older girl said pointing to Paul.
"Oh, that really hurts you know. It took me half a year to figure out where I got all that odd logic in the first place. It also took me a year to figure out the logic in Hamsters migration patterns." The ghost Paul said.
"Hamster's don't migrate." The older girl said slowly realizing the stupidity in trying to prove Paul otherwise.
"Yes they do. According to my logic they do." The ghost Paul said grinning before disappearing.
"Crazy lunatic." She muttered looking at the little girl. "Come on sweetie, time to go." She said softly picking up the little girl. "Say thank you to the Black Dragon for letting him allow you to play in the shiny sand."
"But we can't go! He promised me we would build a sand castle!" The little one protested.
"You can later." The older one said shifting her around so she was comfortable.
"By girls, see you in my dreams." The Black Dragon said closing his eyes.
"Thank you." The little girl said before they both disappeared. Paul ran back into the cavern to pick up the same shiny rock the little girl did.
"Shaun better be grateful I did this for his stupid rock collection or I'll." Paul mumbled running back out of the cave.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Paul was not happy with tying the two boats together. The idea was very threatening to his position as not knowing how to swim. Diss felt a little easier with the idea as he talked merrily with Fargo. Shaun was admiring the shiny rock he had received from Paul as he did all sorts of weird things to it like make it float and the like. Lynx was sleeping and Glenn was off on the second boat by himself at the bow staring into the sea. Paul carefully made his way to the other boat and sat next to Glenn.
"How do you think so illogically yet make the most sense?" Paul stiffened up realizing someone actually understood his logic.
"You actually follow my logic?" Glenn nodded.
"To a certain extent. Your logic is very.well, odd is too far from the truth."
"Hmm, maybe it is time to teach the ancient way of thinking, it has the most unique logic in the world. I can teach you Paul logic, but the process can be very tedious." Glenn stared at Paul thinking to himself.
"Okay." Glenn said. Paul brought out a package of Viper Churros.
"You eat this stuff. Do you enjoy it?" Glenn nodded quickly smacking his lips.
"I can eat ten of those easily!" Paul looked at the food and took Glenn's word for it.
"If you give a correct answer young grasshopper I shall in return give you one churro. Failure will result by a smacking. Understood?" Glenn nodded. "Good. First, Hamsters migrate south in the winter." Glenn stared at Paul in confusion.
"Hamsters don't migrate." Glenn said softly. Glenn was smacked against the side of his head.
"Yes they do, according to this logic they do!" Paul began pacing. "You see anything that proves you wrong is wrong itself. Everyone else's opinion that isn't similar to yours is instantly stupid."
"That's insane." Glenn said annoyed. Paul smacked Glenn upside the head again.
"That opinion was stupid. See the logic now?" Glenn grew wide-eyed.
"Total enlightenment." Glenn said looking into the sky. Paul smacked him again.
"That's for scaring me. Now remember, only my logic is better than everyone else's." Glenn shook his head.
"That's stupid." Paul grinned evilly. He tossed Glenn a Viper Churro. Glenn easily snatched it in the air and devoured it in one whole bite. Another poor sap gave into his logic. Glenn was now going to be.normal. According to Paul's standard that is.
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After two days of sailing and crossing another dimension they separated their ways. Lynx's Dragon Elimination squad was sent to take down the Earth Dragon, while Diss' Universal commandoes (Paul demanded they have spiffy squad names) went to Gaea's Navel for the shot at the Green Dragon. It took them three days to reach the Navel in the paddleboat because of the risk Diss would get splashed. When they arrived at the rocks Shaun grinned with sadistic glee. He jumped onto the rocks and with a mighty heave he took a huge boulder and chucked it into the ocean. It splashed and nearly hit Diss, who glared at Shaun. Shaun took the better part of a day removing boulders to create a way into Gaea's Navel. When he was done monsters began pouring over the cliff. Paul shocked all the monsters with his energy as they slowly moved up. Every now and then Diss and Shaun got close quarters with the beasts and did a number on them. Paul was the first to climb over the ridge to see a large creature looking down on him.
"Hi." Paul said helping Diss and Shaun up. The beast looked at everyone before speaking.
"Come hither." the monster said. Without a doubt they knew it was the Green Dragon. They did as commanded and quickly the Green Dragon grinned saying, "Lunch." Paul instantly back flipped to avoid a claw smash and Shaun ducked leaving Diss to get launched into a tree. The dragon stood on its hind legs and held his mouth before letting loose a very noxious foul breath. Paul nearly passed out and Shaun vomited.
"HOLY SHIT!" Diss said waking up from the stench and holding his mouth trying to prevent the vomit that was trying to escape his mouth. "That is so foul." Diss said weakly.
"Die humans!" The Green Dragon swung at Paul who dodged by ducking. Shaun barley managed to pull his mace from the earth as Diss summoned his staff to bear. Paul un-strapped his Halberd and dove in to strike when the Green Dragon opened its mouth and exhaled deeply. Paul fell from the toxic smell and retreated running behind a tree.
"Oh damn Diss. I think I'm going to be sick." Paul said hunching over holding his stomach. The Green Dragon once again belched and Diss passed out being too close to the fumes. Shaun hid high in a tree and tossed a boulder at the dragon. It connected knocking the Green Dragon over into water. The dragon quickly got out and swung Paul away as he prepared to do an attack with his magic. Diss slowly came to as Paul landed on top of him.
"Diss, I fought some really tough battles, but this is just wrong." Paul said weakly.
"I know." Diss replied patting Paul's back getting up.
"IN MY WORLD WE HAVE THESE THINGS CALLED TIC TACS! WHY DON'T YOU GUZZLE DOWN A COUPLE BILLION?" Shaun yelled slamming a rock into the dragon's back. The Green Dragon released more toxic breath into the air. Paul thought it couldn't be worse until he saw a dead bird fall in front of him.
"Diss." Paul said staring at the dead bird. Diss tried to order a command but the stench just proved too foul. Diss grabbed his soar side as his stomach ached.
"Makes me appreciate Rachel's cooking." Paul muttered shooting electricity at the dragon. The dragon fell down in pain. A small stub from a tree caught a little bit on fire and then exploded into a flamethrower. Diss' head clicked as he held his staff at the dragon's mouth causing flames to erupt from the tip. The Green Dragon laughed as he saw the small flame coming towards him. He didn't realize it grew larger and traveled faster as it grew near to the dragon's breath. Paul grinned covering his nose as the dragon yelped in pain as his mouth was on fire. It dived into the water gulping up the water until he was able to get rid of the fire.
"OH MY GOD! THAT BURNS! OH GOD OWIE OWIE OWIE! MOMMY!" The dragon hissed holding his mouth from the burns.
"Give us the relic." Diss said walking up to the Green Dragon. It shook its head ready to attack when Paul began tossing between his hands a small ball of electric energy. The dragon's eyes looked at the water and then Diss, then to Paul repeating the process.
"Heh.heh.heh." Paul grinned demonically laughing as evilly as he could. The Green Dragon sighed nearly killing Diss and Paul as he tossed the relic to Shaun.
"Very well humans." The Green Dragon said. Paul and the rest of the gang walked back when Paul said quietly,
"Get ready to run."
"You wouldn't." Diss said quickly.
"Just did," Shaun said as he watched Paul toss the ball of electricity at the pond. Diss sprinted with Shaun and Paul and in an act of desperation jumped through their "Entrance" and luckily landed in the boat nearly capsizing it as water flooded the bow.
"ROW, ROW, ROW!" Paul screamed grabbing a paddle. The Green Dragon flew over the cliff and was heading straight for them. Diss tried to burn it, but it was hell bent on killing them this time. Paul turned around with an idea and he caused the sound of thunder to bellow nearby. The Green Dragon instantly stopped as it glared at Paul. Paul caused Lightening to strike and it hit squarely on the nose. The dragon screamed in pain and flew away. Diss and Shaun both stared at Paul with a look to kill him.
"YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE!" They both at him. Paul laughed and sat back relaxing next to the little girl. She giggled with delight as she snuggled with Paul.
"The devil made me do it." Paul said evilly. Diss and Shaun both sighed paddling the boat away from Gaea's Navel to Opassa Beach.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Lynx and the others slowly approached the Island. Sand seemed to be its only feature as they looked around. Making their way to farther in the Island they saw a large patch of sand and a bunch of men around it.
"Well I would suggest we stay away from this patch it looks like quick sand," One of the men said.
Lynx looked at Fargo, who looked at Glenn. They walked up to the nearest man.
"Where's the Earth Dragon?" Lynx asked quietly.
"Sorry what you see here is basically Earth Dragon Isle," replied the adventurer.
Lynx sighed, how would they reach the dragon if he were here? He stepped forward.
"Hey man watch out! That stuff is quick sand!" One of the nearby men shouted.
Sure enough when Lynx tried to remove his foot it stuck a little before eventually pulling out of the ground. He looked at Fargo who shrugged. Lynx looked at Glenn who nodded and gave an encouraging gesture. Lynx took a deep breath and stepped forward. He felt the sand tug on him as he turned to watch Fargo and Glenn do the same.
Holding his breath as the sand came over his head he felt like he was falling. Eventually he let go of his breath as he free feel through the sand landing far below. Fargo landed behind him along with Glenn.
"Arg, I got sand in me boots." Fargo said jingling his foot. Glenn stood up looking around the area carefully. They saw a small opening and they decided to go for it. When they reached they went through they found themselves in another cavern. They went down a small ladder like structure and walked to a sand boil found near a rock bridge. There was no way around it, and the bridge lead to another cave entrance. They all jumped in the sand boil and were launched up onto the bridge. Glenn nodded as they moved into the cavern slowly.
The cavern was very dark and empty. No dragon in sight. Lynx sighed as he looked around.
"Nothing." Glenn said to himself.
"HELLO?" Fargo yelled loudly. No answer came.
"We might as well head out." Lynx muttered. At that moment a voice was heard.
"Who disturbs my rest?" A loud voice roared. Suddenly a large yellow dragon dropped into the sand pit that lay before them.
"We have come to claim your relic," Serge called out to the massive dragon.
"If thou wishest to defy the Goddess Fate then face my trials!" The dragon roared. It immediatly stood at its full hieght and gave a loud roar to try an intimidate his opponents then dropped forward. The battle started out fiercely as the Earth Dragon swung its massive claws at them. The Earth Dragon swung his tail and Fargo was hit in the face again causing him to do a complete flip in the air. Glenn dashed at the dragon and gashed a big cut against the beast's chest. Lynx swung his blade as if it was weightless cutting and scraping the dragon. The Earth Dragon retaliated in force nearly biting Glenn's head off. Glenn swung up into the jaw of the dragon.
"Ouch, now that smarts." Fargo said getting up slowly. He was backhanded by the Earth Dragon into a wall where he was again knocked down. Lynx dived up into the air and dove down in a deathblow grazing the dragon's shoulder.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" The dragon bellowed. He tried taking bites at Lynx, but he was just to fast as he swung the swallow while being backed into a corner. When Lynx saw he was out of options he saw before him something odd, it was the relic! Lynx dove under the dragon's feet and was nearly sat on. Glenn dove in and slashed at the dragon only pissing it off more.
Lynx swung hard at the dragon's exposed stomach and surprisingly the dragon roared in pain.
"WAKE UP YOU BUM!" Glenn screamed to Fargo. The Earth Dragon began to make heavy steps over to Fargo when he came to.
"UH OH!" Fargo said as a massive foot was coming down his way. He rolled and saw something shiny on the dragon's neck. "Hmm, don't mind if I do." Fargo chuckled scaling the mountain like back of the dragon. The Earth Dragon reared on its hind legs and Fargo almost fell off. He stabbed his sword into the dragon's back deep so it created a place to allow Fargo to hold onto. The dragon roared in pain as Fargo swung on the bar like a monkey tossing him up. He had his fingers on the relic when he was slammed into the hard rock wall.
Lynx ordered Glenn to keep the thing busy while Lynx scaled the back. Glenn did a decent job by tossing small rocks at the beast. Lynx was all the way up when he had a firm grasp on the relic. He tugged as hard as he could when it finally came loose. He free fell nearly a hundred yards and landed with a loud thud.
Glenn ran over to Lynx to check and see if he survived. Somehow, he did.
"Oh, man, I thing I broke a few bones." Lynx said weakly. Fargo came to and moaned in pain as well.
"ARGGG, me leg feels broken." Fargo held his leg as he grinded his teeth. Glenn ran over to Fargo.
"Damn, I can't carry you guys..." Glenn muttered. He looked at the two girls.
"Hmm, it appears I am beat." The Earth Dragon said looking around.
"YOU NEARLY KILLED US!" Glenn yelled.
"Hmm, I didn't think I hurt you that much."
"Only broke me leg." Fargo muttered.
"Well done mortals you have passed my trials and earned my Blessing. Go forth and seek the remaining dragons blessings," it roared. With the blessing of the Earth Dragon and his spell Fargo and Lynx were both healed and were able to walk again.
"Thanks." Lynx and Fargo said together. They ran out to reach Opassa Beach.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
"Man, it's been three days. You think they died or something?" Paul said pacing.
"No, and quit pacing." Shaun said annoyed. Diss was practicing his flame shot when he saw something in the distance.
"They're here!" He said happily. Paul instantly began packing up everything so they could leave. When the group reached the shore they all greeted each other. Lynx tossed Shaun the Earth relic and Shaun placed it next to the other four and they all looked at the relics before them.
"One left." Paul muttered. Lynx grinned form ear to ear. He was going to get his body back.
"I just hope this thing doesn't beat the crap out of us." Diss said getting in the boat.
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It took them the better part of the last day to get to Sky Dragon Island, but when they made it there they looked at the steps before them as they scaled up each one slowly. Paul was the first to reach the top, as he looked what led ahead of the whole party. The Sky Dragon. Looked at them as if he was expecting them.
"Well done mortals, you have made it this far. Now face my trails to recieve the final blessing of the Dragon Gods.However, you could avoid this by doing a simple task." The Sky Dragon muttered slyly.
"What?" They all said.
"Answer this. What is 2+2." Paul was about to answer when Diss smacked him upside the head. "Times the square root of." and a long chain of numbers began a complicated math problem. Shaun and Glenn just stood with their mouths open wide. Fargo was relaxing blowing the smoke out of his lungs. Paul took a glance at Fargo and sighed.
"What? I can't even count past 50." Fargo said with a matter of dignity. Paul just rolled his eyes. Lynx took a twig he found and wrote the equation out in the dirt. The only two who were able to keep up were Diss and Paul. Paul stood with his arms crossed over his chest while Diss occasionally pointed at the sky drawing imaginary numbers. "Times pie over 2." Glenn stood in confusion.
"I don't..." Dissinger smacked Glenn and told him to keep his mouth shut. The Sky Dragon looked at each of them slyly. He knew he out smarted them.
"2." Paul said with confidence.
"NO Paul!" Diss screamed.
"What, how, wait, huh?" the Sky Dragon looked at Paul in confusion. "But, how, AH MAN! Now you ask me a question." Diss grinned sinisterly as he stepped up.
"I'll handle this." he said casually, "Simple Baseball question. Follow me simply and tell me the name of the Player I ask for. Who's on first, What's on second, Huh is on third, and I don't care is the Pitcher." He said rapidly.
"Now the question, what's the name of the player on first?" He said sinisterly.
"What?" The Dragon said confusedly.
"Sorry, its Who. Give me the relic," Diss said grinning ear to ear.
The dragon threw down the relic in disgust. Shaun picked it up placing it in his pack as they turned to go. Lynx was patting Diss on the shoulder and Fargo was handing out cigars for everyone heartily laughing. Paul remained behind for a second and turned to the Sky Dragon.
"I'll let you beat me up if you can answer this question." The Sky Dragon rose to the challenge.
"Bring it on, Mortal." The Sky Dragon hissed. Paul grinned.
"If you're the smartest creature in the world, how come we stumped you?" The Sky Dragon looked at Paul as he left walking down the stairs.
"Damn you humans." The Sky Dragon said in disgust.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
They all rushed to Guldove and Paul wasn't surprisingly talking about Steena. Instead he kept quiet to himself grinning sadistically. When they anchored the boats Diss got out and gave a nervous twitch.
"Shuddering memories?" Paul asked mockingly walking past Diss patting him on the back. Diss glared at him and walked on. Lynx was the first in Steena's room, followed by Paul, then shortly everyone else.
"Wow, you guys really did it!" Steena said looking at the relics. "As I said, the Dragon Tear is yours Lynx. First we will need to take you to Fort Dragonia." Everyone shuddered at the name. Steena looked to Paul to explain.
"Bad memories." Paul said leaving it at that.
"DO I HAVE TO?" Shaun asked in a childish tone. Diss barked his reply,
"Let's get it over with shall we?" Diss said.
"HEY KIDDIES! LET'S GO ON ANOTHER FUN FILLED, ACTION PACKED ADVENTURE! YIPPEE SKIPPY!" Paul said raising a fist in the air. Everyone just kinda looked at Paul debating if he was insane. Steena broke the tension with a small laugh.
"This will be a long trip." Fargo said getting out another cigar.
"No smoking area." Steena said sternly.
"WELL YOU GOT ALL THESE BLASTED INCENTS IN HERE! I DON'T THINK YOU'LL NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE!" Steena walked over to Glenn, took his sword and stepped up to Fargo.
"HIYA!" with a swift stroke of the sword Fargo's cigar was cut in two. Fargo looked at her, half scared, half admiring.
"Now that's a woman." Paul muttered to Shaun. Shaun nodded in agreement as Steena returned the sword to Glenn.
"So, shall we?" Steena said offering her hand to Paul. Paul just walked out. "Doesn't take hints very well does he?"
"As the saying goes, 'how can one be so smart, and yet be so stupid at the same time?'" Diss said as his reply. "I'll take it you want to go on our boat." Diss started. Steena eagerly nodded. Shaun decided it would be a great idea if Paul were alone on the boat with Steena. Diss couldn't pass up the pay back for all the times Paul made fun of him while he was with Christy. "It's my job to make sure he knows who is in charge." Diss said in his secretive authoritative tone.
"Last time you talked like that you nearly killed someone, an Info. Broker." Steena stared at them.
"Righhhttt." And she left. Paul doubled into the room via the window.
"Hey guys, do you mind if you go on the other boat so I can chat with, uh." Diss crossed his arms across his chest and Shaun did the same.
"Who Paul, speak louder." Diss taunted.
"Steena." Paul said angrily.
"Very well." Diss said yawning. "I guess I should, just remember who's the boss."
"Just remember who's." Paul whispered the ending laughing exiting the window.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Diss bellowed trying to reach for Paul's foot.
"Nothing." Paul whispered. Shaun couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, you coming?" Steena said poking her head into the room. Diss grunted then walked out the door.
"Wait till I get my hands on him." Diss mumbled. They all left when the older girl appeared.
"You better keep your hands off of him! Or I will kick your." She muttered angrily as she vanished.
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Diss sat on the bow of the boat alone. He held back tears as he thought about everything in his life. He had Christy waiting for him and for lord knows how long. He had his friends who believed in him enough to allow him to lead. And he had a brother who sacrificed his life so Diss would live. He sat silently stewing in his own emotional whirlwind wondering what he had done to deserve this. Torn from the only life he knew to try and return there from god knows where.
He looked at the stars, they were so different from his own, but still held the comfort they once had on him years ago. He would look at the stars when he felt lonely like this, and hope he wouldn't be alone much longer. He knew he wouldn't be alone much longer, but he was always fearful of what was going on in his world. He had survived an Alien invasion; surely this little adventure wouldn't kill him.
He felt someone approach from behind. He knew he was either in trouble or about to have someone save his soul. Slowly he heard an all too familiar voice,
"Diss? Is that you?"
He spun around and saw Christy standing there. He sat there in shock.
"Is it really you?" He whispered quietly.
She nodded solemnly. He couldn't believe it.
"When we first met. what was the first word you actually spoke?" He said in disbelief.
"Water," She said hugging him tightly.
"How--?" He began asking.
"Shhh.I don't have long. It's been a week since you went out in the storm, but it took us at least three days to find where you went. I'm projecting myself into this world mentally, and it's tiring me more because of the baby," She said softly.
He nodded quietly, "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, but I have something important to say. We found something in the mountain the Aryans were using. It was a machine that creates dimensional rifts. The night of the storm jarred it into activating, but its too weak to power up properly now to get you guys back. The thing is, the instructions say there is a second machine in this dimension. Find it and you'll come home," She said urgently.
Diss took it all in before he went to what was on his mind, "Christy I."
"Shhh.Diss you have gone through so much here. Don't blame yourself for what others did to you." She Said.
"You know?" He asked softly.
She nodded, "But, before I forgive you, you must do one thing."
"Anything, if it means that you'll forgive me I'll do anything." He said earnestly.
"Now that's the man I love. You have to forgive her and free her from what that man has done to her. You can forgive her only after you save her. And Diss one last thing.I want you to honestly reconcile yourself with Paul. You two keep butting heads like that and he'll hurt you. Worse than when he threw you in the ocean," Christy said softly.
Diss nodded slowly before he kissed her softly. She returned the kiss cupping his face before she pulled back.
"I can't hold out any longer. Diss, I love you, come back to me in one piece," She said softly as she slowly shimmered disappearing from right in front of him. Diss looked at where she was then up at the sky and cried loudly, "NO! WHY THEN, WHY THEN? DO YOU DERIVE PLEASURE FROM MY PAIN? DO YOU WANT ME TO LIVE MY LIFE ALONE?" It was just too much as he broke down crying into his hands. She had saved his soul, but damaged his heart. He only wished he could have spent more time with her, so he could tell her exactly what happened. After he was dry of tears he stood up with one final decision on his hands, and he made it quickly and sadistically. Serge.would.pay.
Chapter 7 Dragon Hunt
"Time to get a move on it." Zoah said waking up Paul. Dissinger and Shaun were already boarding the boat with what supplies they'd need on their journey. Zoah helped Paul up and together they walked over to Diss. Shaun threw a few more bags and cleaned off his clothes gathering around the forming circle. After awhile everyone was in the circle.
"This everyone?" Diss asked. Everyone nodded. "Let me be honest. I really don't think we have an easy way around this. We fight Dragons. No way around it." Paul took over the conversation.
"The strategy is simple. We go in, we kick some ass, we go home. Aim for the eyes when possible, and when you hit a spot that makes its eyes pop out you hit that spot over and over again. Let me be frank. In the words of a great man, 'we're going into battle, we're going to come out alive, but no one said how our condition would be when we did.' In other words. Expect the unexpected." Paul pointed to Shaun. Shaun cleared his throat and began.
"What he said." Pointing at Paul. Soft laughter filled the air.
"Okay, my team is Glenn, me, and Fargo. Yours is the three of you. We are going to tackle the Water Dragon first." Lynx said checking off a list. Diss clapped his hands together.
"Okay, great! Everything seems to be ready. This may be the last time we see each other in a long time. So make sure we get in our last goodbyes." Diss said. Everyone gave their last goodbyes hugging when necessary. Marcy gave a quick reminder to Paul to talk about problems whenever possible.
"My men will stay here and track down Serge while you're gone." Viper said pointing to the Devas. Diss was about to give the order to go when Shaun stopped him.
"Paul, if you wouldn't mind." Shaun said pleadingly to Paul. Paul looked at Shaun quizzically.
"What?" Paul asked. Shaun softly stirred around.
"You know, what you always say?" Shaun pleaded. Steena walked on deck and looked at the circle joining it standing next to Paul. Paul thought for a moment and grinned.
"Well everyone, put your head between your legs and kiss your butt goodbye, we're going on another fun filled, action packed, adventure! YIPPEE SKIPPY!" Paul said sarcastically. The boat erupted in laughter and the people began going their separate ways smiling knowing that Paul's so called "Blessing" was given to them all. Steena walked up to Paul and handed him a small package before waving goodbye. When Paul entered the boat he checked the weight.
The boat would hold much more than anticipated, which was a very good sign. Diss noticed the small package and Shaun did also. As they left the S.S. Invincible Diss spoke first about it.
"What's in the package?" Paul shrugged. He opened it up to reveal a small golden chain and a note. It read,
Dear Paul,
I wish you good luck on your journey and whenever you need help or guidance always look to the past, which should always be by your heart. Steena
Paul put the chain around the locket and placed it around his neck. Shaun coughed and pointed to the note. Paul read the P.S. from Shaun and got the general idea it was his idea.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." Paul said not knowing whether to hug Shaun or not. Shaun just shrugged it off.
"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but Steena was the one who had the idea all along. She asked if I would be a part of it so you wouldn't know she liked you." Paul blushed a little and quickly turned around.
"Thanks for the F.Y.I Shaun." Paul said rather quickly. Diss grinned as he found the perfect way to annoy Paul the entire trip.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Lynx stood at the tip of his boat staring into the sea. It would take an hour to reach Opassa Beach. Glenn was double-checking the gear as Fargo relaxed steering the boat. He took the cigar out of his mouth to blow the smoke from his lungs out. Lynx pondered how long it would take them to get all six Relics as the anxiety built in him just thinking of getting his body back. He went through a lot and was more than ready to get his original form back. Glenn took out his sword and began sharpening it.
"After we defeat the Water Dragon who do we take on next?" Glenn asked not bothering to look at Lynx.
"Earth Dragon." Lynx replied turning around. Fargo tossed his cigar in the ocean as he brought out another.
"Arg, only one thing bothers me matey. And that's those other clowns getting the relics. They have no idea what to do or how to start do they?" Fargo asked. Lynx nodded.
"Then again, neither do we." Glenn said matter-of-factly. It was a minor setback they decided they were going to have to accept. He looked at the sun and concluded that by this time the other party had reached Mount Pyre.
"We should be there anytime now." Glenn said looking at the shape of a mountain before him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
"Mount Pyre." Paul said trailing off as they walked inside the cavern. With each turn they made they swatted another foul beast away. When they ran into magma Diss used his staff to clear it away momentarily. Paul looked up and around the cavern as he saw a slope leading to a door, but a flood of magma was in the way to big for Diss to manipulate long enough for them to pass. Shaun took notice of the rocks and bent them and placed them to his standards so it made a bridge. They all crossed as Diss preferred to walk through the magma. When they entered the cavern Paul took notice of the large dragon stuck in the magma pit.
"WE-ARE-HERE-TO-CLAIM-THE-RELIC, DO-YOU-UNDERSTAND?" Paul asked yelling slowly. The large dragon looked oddly at Paul as it brought its huge head down to look at Paul. It tilted it to the side of its shoulder and looked quizzically on Paul like a confused dog as a small little dragon walked up behind them and spoke in a tone like he was trying to sell the clothes off their backs.
"HEY HEY HEY!" he began. "Looks like your challenging the wrong guy. My pet salamander has no clue what you're saying at all." Diss spoke up cutting off the dragon.
"That's a salamander?" Diss said blankly pointing at it behind him. The little dragon nodded his head.
"Yup." The little dragon said with pride. Paul became enraged as he began yelling.
"Look! We need to find the Fire Dragon God thingy! Do you know where he is so we can kick his butt if need be so we can get his relic and leave?" the little dragon grinned.
"I am the Fire Dragon." It said with pride again.
"WHAT?" they all said together staring at the Dragon God who in return looked at them eye level.
"What?" the Dragon God said before them. Paul busted out laughing.
"YOU? You're the all mighty 'Dragon God'?" Paul said in a mocking tone putting up his pointing finger and middle finger bending them at the same time. "Man, I could choke on you!" The Dragon God grew angry at Paul's comments. "Man, your so small I could squish you!" Paul fell down laughing so hard.
"Paul, remember what Steena said." Shaun tried to warn Paul. Paul turned his back to the dragon as he continued to insult him,
"Man, I was worried about a challenge, instead all we got here is a runt. This is going to be a breeze! I'd like to order mini dragon pie please?" The dragon's nose began to have smoke come out of the nostril as it gritted its teeth. "LOOK DISS, IT'S THE HOT WHEELS OF DRAGONS! The Diet Coke off Dragons! One Calorie, Not Enough!" Paul said laughing. Diss and Shaun stared in horror as they pointed behind Paul and turned to get cover. Paul poked an eye open to see the older girl from his locket tapping her foot and pointing behind Paul.
"Behind you." She said coolly disappearing. Paul slowly turned around to see a full-grown dragon looking back at him.
"Heh.heh.heh." Paul laughed nervously. "OH SHIT!" Paul said yelling running for cover. The Fire Dragon snatched Paul up with his claw and threw him to the side. Shaun launched a rock at the things head and cursed as fire breath turned it to magma. Paul shot electricity at it and all it did was tickle it with delight. Paul tried to go for his most powerful attack when the thing blew fire all over Paul's body. Diss relaxed putting his hands behind his head while leaning on a rock. Shaun rolled out and tried to toss a few small rocks at its eyes. It shielded the attack and swung its tail at Shaun. Shaun jumped over the tail and was being squished inside the claws that grabbed him from behind. Shaun was brought up to the dragon's eyes before he was tossed to the side. Paul jumped in the air avoiding a tail swipe and avoided a swing from its massive claws by rolling. He ran over to Shaun and together they began attacking the dragon with their powers advancing slowly. The electricity only made the dragon angrier and the rocks had no effect. Shaun and Paul dove in looking for their weapons. Paul un-strapped the Halberd on his back and dived into Fire Dragon head first cutting the dragon as he moved up and down. While Paul covered Shaun he managed to strike the ground with a hard punch from his fist allowing him to break through the earth and pull out a Mace. Shaun swung the mace in the air and crashed it on the dragon's foot only stubbing the mighty beasts toe. Paul got an idea and had Shaun toss him up in the air so he could swipe at the dragon's eye. The dragon dodged the strike and caught Paul on the way up laughing.
"Pitiful mortals." The dragon said in a snobbish tone. He tossed Paul to the side but he regrouped in mid air levitating in place as he hurled his Halberd at the Fire Dragon. It stuck in the dragon's hide, but did no real damage. Paul shot electricity at the Halberd as a conductor and the energy was able to momentarily blind the dragon. The Halberd fell and Shaun caught it tossing it back to Paul.
"Shocking." Paul muttered. Paul went back onto the ground to see an incoming tail swing. He jumped over the tail and prepped for the next wave of flying body parts. He jumped again backwards to avoid being squashed by its foot when Paul was trapped in a corner. The dragon tried to clap Paul into a pancake but luckily Paul ducked avoiding the death that was sure to come. Paul was smacked to the side by the dragon's backhand. Diss brushed off his clothes charging into battle only to be swiped away by the tail. The dragon jumped into the air and hovered drawing in his breath. He looked at Shaun and blew fire at him melting the rock Shaun hid behind.
"YIKES!" Shaun yelled back flipping over a small fire dart. The dragon flew in low and nearly chopped Shaun's head off if he didn't duck. The wind caused Shaun to roll a few feet. Diss tossed a fire bolt at the dragon's exposed back only to have a rock launched at him in retaliation. The dragon hovered in the air as he saw Shaun run to Paul who was slowly recovering. He drew in his breath as Paul and Shaun tried to find cover. As the fire erupted from the dragon's mouth Paul and Shaun both passed out from the heat. Diss tossed another fireball that connected with the dragon's eye getting its attention. The dragon swiped Dissinger's chest cutting a huge hole.
"Damn!" Diss said. The dragon blew in more breath as he spewed it at Diss. The fire ended up healing Diss putting him back in the fight. Diss and the dragon traded blows always ending with Dissinger's near death experience being healed by the fire the dragon tossed at him. The dragon hopped to the ground and spoke.
"You win mortal." The dragon said uneasily. Diss gave a satisfied smile as he approached the Fire Dragon. Paul and Shaun both uneasily got up limping over to Diss.
"The relic." Diss said stretching out his hand. The dragon tossed the relic in Diss' hands.
"One last condition." The dragon said as they turned to leave.
"What is that?" Diss asked.
"He has to kiss my feet while apologizing for an hour." The dragon said pointing at Paul.
"HELL NO!" Paul yelled. Diss laughed.
"Maybe you shouldn't insult people before you know them. Do it so we can go." Paul muttered something vulgar as he walked over to the Fire Dragon. Diss and Shaun left laughing looking behind to see Paul hesitate to bend over.
"DO IT PAUL!" Diss yelled as he left the cavern.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Lynx, Glenn, and Fargo all moved along inside the water cavern as they made their way down to see the Dragon God.
"Arg, It's going to take some time to get used to this, that's for sure." Fargo said stomping out his cigar. They reached the Water Dragon in the largest room in the cave. It had some sort of a deranged grin on its face like it knew what was going to happen. They walked up to the pedestal and spoke their claims.
"Welcome Mortals. I am the Water Dragon," The dragon god boomed at them. "Is it your wish to defy the Goddess Fate?"
"Yes," Serge said clearly to the being.
"Then come forth and face my trials!" The dragon boomed.
Fargo looked nervously at Serge, "It wants to fight us? It can't be serious!"
When the Dragon roared they knew it was serious about fighting. The Water Dragon crawled to a far area in the cavern spitting at them. Glenn moved in cautiously first from the left side as Fargo did likewise from the right. Lynx moved slowly down the center as they cornered the dragon.
"He's got the relic behind him." Fargo said through another cigar. The dragon roared again spewing an icy breath that almost blasted Glenn who ventured to near. Glenn skipped back twice and held his blade in front of him. Lynx dove in first twirling the Swallow in his hands cutting the face of the Water Dragon. The dragon nearly bit his head off as he backpedaled to his original location keeping light on his toes. Fargo sprinted into action cutting the dragon just below the mouth and circling around to his original state. Lynx dove in again to be blasted away from a squirt of water the dragon shot from his mouth. Glenn jumped in slashing the dragon's eye and swinging up diagonally. The dragon wailed in pain as he hit Glenn back. Lynx nodded as they all slowly moved in on the dragon again. The dragon roared lifting his tail and from the peak of its odd shape three beams blew them all back.
"We can't get to close like that, we'll need to just attack it." Glenn said getting up. Lynx and Fargo nodded.
"On me count," Fargo started. "One, Two, MOVE IT!" they all sprinted to dodge another blast from the tail as the Water Dragon reared on its hind legs and swiped Lynx back knocking him away while getting cut and scraped from Glenn and Fargo's sword swinging. Lynx rose up into the air and dove down in a deathblow that merely cut the dragon's backside. Glenn dashed ahead and slashed a huge gash in the Dragon's chest. Fargo took special attention to the shiny object on the Dragon's side.
"Don't mind if I do." Fargo said chuckling picking up the object. He put it in his pocket as he slashed away a claw that was coming his way. Lynx saw the Relic inches before him and reached to grab it when the dragon whipped around so his tail whacked Fargo and Glenn back. Lynx fell off the roller coaster like dragon and hit a wall pretty badly. He slowly got up, as he was smashed into it again by a claw. Fargo came to the rescue jumping on the creatures back and hacking away with his sword. Glenn thrusted his sword at the Dragon where it stuck inside the creatures body, then Glenn used the two sides from the hilt of the sword and with his momentum he grabbed hold of the sides and swung like a child on monkey bars kicking hard with both feet. The Dragon backed off into his corner again as he slowly began to regroup. Fargo and Glenn approached the dragon together slowly swords pointed as Lynx got up and levitated above them. The dragon did its form of a jump and tackled Glenn and Fargo. Lynx dropped onto the Water Dragon's back and slashed away. The Water Dragon rolled on his back nearly killing Lynx as he got away lucky with a broken wrist. The dragon slowly moved back into the corner as Fargo sprinted to the relic trying to pillage it from the dragon. The dragon backpedaled faster trying to cut off Fargo's route. He swung his claw and tripped from the momentum that he carried from the extra speed he used to beat Fargo. Fargo was about to reach the relic when the Water Dragon's tail hit him in the head so he did a complete flip before landing on his back. Glenn went to the aid of Fargo to be blasted away by the tail attack. Lynx saw his downed comrades and grew angry. He frowned as he pointed at the Water Dragon. The cave grew dark as countless Shadow Cats appeared behind Lynx. The Water Dragon's red eyes grew wide as his face resembled that of someone who is afraid. Lynx dropped his hand.
"Bye-Bye." Lynx muttered as the Shadow Cats cut and scraped the Water Dragon causing him to limp badly after the last Shadow Cat disappeared.
"Very well.you can take the.relic with you." the Water Dragon wheezed out. Fargo took the relic as he held his head in pain. Glenn helped him limp over to Lynx where they turned to leave when the Water Dragon crawled out of his corner and stood up as if nothing had happened. The expression on his face had the same demonic grin it had before. He placed one claw over the other as he went back to his happy lazy state. He spoke softly again to them saying,
"You have done well mortals. You have passed my trials and earned my blessing. Seek the other god's blessings now."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Paul was by the lake near Mount Pyre washing his mouth out as best he could. Diss and Shaun were laughing at him together.
"Oh that was nasty." Paul said nearly throwing up. He continued to wash his mouth out with water. "I envy the kids who have their mouth washed out with soap." Paul said again after gurgling. Paul spat the water out at a rock where he spat everything else so not to contaminate the clean water more than it probably was. Diss just relaxed giving Paul five more minutes to finish his cleaning. Shaun took a look around noticing all the different kinds of rocks and picking up a few pebbles here and there. He pocketed them and tapped his pocket lightly.
"How's your rock collection coming?" Diss asked noticing Shaun. Shaun didn't reply as he looked for more rocks to add. Paul got away from the water as he dried his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Which dragon do we take on next?" Shaun asked. Paul sighed.
"Oh yeah, we still got two more to go. Let's see." Paul thought. He sighed again, much more heavily this time. "Maybe it won't be that bad." Paul said to himself. Diss and Shaun looked at each other concerned. If Paul said it wouldn't be bad it was. "Okay, we have the.Black Dragon next." Paul said carefully. Diss and Shaun both sighed.
"That last dragon was bad enough, even for me!" Diss said. "I was lucky he blew fire on me to heal me up." Diss sighed putting a hand over his head.
"Well, in the words of a wise woman," Shaun started. "We can make zis hard, or harder. You decide." Paul spoke next quickly making the sign of the cross.
"Amen to that." Diss laughed softly.
"Okay, lets go to Marbule then." Diss said in a leadership type of tone.
"Were off to get our heads blown off, by the wonderful Black Dragon of Death, because, because, because, because he's the most sick and demented dragon of all." Paul sang to the Wizard Of Oz theme. Shaun and Diss stared at Paul as he finished singing the song to himself as he skipped away.
"Sometimes I wonder if he has gone insane." Diss muttered to Shaun.
"Oh he already is." Shaun muttered back staring at Paul as they left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Lynx and Glenn were watching Fargo cook the meat they had brought on the trip eagerly as they waited until dawn to travel again. If they went out now they would get stuck in fog sure to come.
"Eat up matey's!" Fargo said with pride. "Me own special recipe. Komodo Droppings! Made with Heckrum!" Glenn and Lynx looked at the food and nearly threw up. They looked at each other and Lynx nodded as they tossed the food behind them when Fargo wasn't looking. Fargo laughed his mighty pirate laugh at them turning around with a garden salad in each of his hands giving them to Lynx and Glenn.
"Har, har matey's. Only joking with ya!" Fargo said making his own salad. "Eat quickly though. It'd be better to go now than in the morning, cause it will rain tomorrow." Fargo said looking up at the sky. Once again Fargo's extensive knowledge of the ocean and weather proved Lynx's plans otherwise.
"Doesn't matter really." Glenn said shoving more Salad in his mouth. "I thk we sould ead to Mabule." Fargo and Lynx looked at Glenn in a confused look. Glenn chewed his food and gulped staring at them in embarrassment as he was already about to shove more salad into his mouth.
"What did ya say?" Fargo asked after a minute had passed. Glenn swallowed his salad and was about to shovel more into his mouth when Fargo held his hand down so he could talk straight.
"I said, I think we should head to Marbule. By now the others had to have gotten the relic. We'll drop it off and go talk to them."
"How do you know the Sky Dragon isn't next?" Lynx said quietly.
"Think of it this way. I know." Glenn said eating the last bit of his salad. Fargo and Lynx stared at Glenn trying to get past his odd logic. Glenn looked at Lynx's plate and then Fargo's. He gulped the last of his food then pointed to each of their plates.
"You going to eat that?" Glenn asked softly. Fargo and Lynx dumped their salad onto his plate looking the opposite way.
"I'll get the boat ready." Lynx and Fargo said together getting up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Diss looked around the boat as he stayed near the center. Paul was out by the bow as Shaun was standing at the back.
"So, any strategies?" Shaun asked.
"Don't get killed?" Paul suggested. Diss laughed.
"You guys worry to much." Diss said waving a hand dryly in the air. Paul turned around.
"And I'll put that on your tomb stone when you die." Paul said sarcastically. Shaun and Diss both got a dry laugh out of that.
"There she blows." Shaun said sighing.
"You know, for all the worry and fear we have put into this Black Dragon It had better be tough. Cause if this thing is a walk in the park I'm going to get pissed." Paul said angrily. Diss nodded. Shaun steered them up to the shore of the island.
As they approached the village Demi-humans were everywhere. Ranging from part animal part human to what appeared to be humans except for obvious quirks. As they entered a Demi-human threw a rock at Diss hitting him above the eye and cutting deeply.
"Humans! Leave now!" the demi-human said angrily.
"Count this as the fifth place I'm not welcomed," Diss said dryly.
"I think it's more like tenth. But this is the fifth place you'll leave standing where your not welcome," Shaun said slowly.
Diss nodded moving on in the village, Demi-humans would occasionally give them death glares as they passed, but none acted like the one at the entrance. Diss touched his now open wound and cursed when he saw the blood.
"This can't be good for me." He said slowly.
"Never is Diss," Paul quickly quipped.
Shaun pointed at the cave on the edge of the village. Diss nodded getting the gist of the statement, the Black Dragon was there. As they entered the cave they saw it sleeping quietly. In one of its claws was the Black Relic they needed. All three looking at each other, Paul and Shaun nodded as they quickly held out fingers. Paul held out one while Shaun held out two along with Diss. Obviously Paul would have to get the relic from the dragon's claws.
Paul crept up slowly to the dragon while being careful not to make any noise. Paul slowly started tugging on the relic as it slowly moved out of the dragon's enormous claws. After he finished liberating the Relic he tossed it to Diss just in time to have himself grabbed by the dragon. Diss and Shaun froze in place watching as the dragon miraculously stayed asleep, but was now holding Paul instead of the relic.
Diss sighed; he couldn't leave Paul like that. He would have to wake the dragon in the only way he knew how, he had to hurt it. Drawing out his staff he slashed hard, but the dragon remained asleep as he gashed it across the back. Puzzled he continued to slash it up until he finally just brought it down sticking it in the dragon's thick hide.
"Diss I don't think the Dragon Staff will wake it up." Shaun said.
Quickly the dragon's eye opened and looked around. As it awoke he tossed Paul aside causing Paul to hit the wall hard and slump unconscious. Diss readied for the fight but was surprised when the dragon plucked the staff from his grip.
The dragon held up the staff looking at it before it growled deeply. Its breath washed over Shaun and Diss as it roared.
"Uh Diss.I think that staff was its cousin or something, because its mighty pissed." Shaun stammered as he started slowly backing up.
"Got any bright ideas?" Diss said as he dissipated the staff and brought it back up in his hand.
"Run." Shaun said before he turned to flee. Diss turned to follow suit when the Black Dragon stomped its foot in front of the only exit.
"The years of sleep have made we weak. You will provide some much needed exercise," The Black Dragon said icily. Diss turned and dropped into a fighting stance ready for the attack. Paul slowly got up undoing the Halberd from its harness as he dropped into a similar stance. Shaun punched into the ground reaching deeply as he brought up his mace. All three readied, but were unprepared for what happened next.
The dragon laughed as he flicked its claws at Shaun and Paul. Both went flying through the air. Paul went sailing out of the entrance and landed in a pool of water outside. Shaun, however, was not so lucky as he hit the wall behind him hard and was knocked unconscious. Diss looked at his fallen comrades and growled. The dragon looked at Diss eye to eye before speaking.
"Show me your strength mortal, amuse me by hitting me your hardest," the dragon ordered.
Diss felt his rage focus as he controlled it. He slowly pent up his rage into one point in his mind. Slowly he rose off the ground as fires swept over his body. Finally he released his anger and fire swept the entire cavern as Diss unleashed his power.
Diss dropped to the ground slowly and fell to one knee, the exertion too much for him. Instead of the gasping he expected he only heard laughter.
"Is that the best you can do?" The dragon asked laughing. "Feel my fury!" the dragon roared as it hovered in the air. It inhaled deeply and let out a very deadly black flame that nearly connected with Diss if it wasn't for Paul who checked him out of the way.
"OH MY GOD!" Paul screamed as he rolled around the floor trying to smother the black flame. The dragon laughed from Paul's reaction as he looked at Diss landing on the floor. Diss growled as he rushed and attacked hitting the dragon squarely across its nose. The dragon rose up onto its hind legs roaring in pain. Having had enough of the impudent mortal, Diss was grabbed by one massive claw.
"You will make a fine snack for me to defeat your friends," The dragon mocked as he tossed Diss into his mouth.
Paul slowly came to and watched as Glenn, Lynx, and Fargo ran into the cavern. Getting up he ran into the cavern just in time to see Diss consumed.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Paul screamed as he watched in horror. The other members of the now increased party watched as the dragon started shaking his head then open its mouth. As it tried to close its mouth it found it couldn't as Diss slowly climbed out hissing in pain from the moisture in the dragon's mouth. Glenn rushed to Diss' side as he slowly pulled him back from the dragon. Diss shook off the help after a minute and slowly stood hunching in pain still from his exposure to water.
"Give me the relic or the staff in your mouth will shove up into your skull and kill you instantly," Diss said in pain.
The others watched Diss as he stretched his hand forward. The Dragons mouth was clearly being held open by the staff, and no matter how hard it tried it couldn't close its mouth. Diss twitched his hand in what seemed like a command.
The Dragons mouth snapped shut as the staff went sideways. With another flick the dragon stood very still, obviously not wanting to move.
"The relic?" Diss asked coldly.
"Staff first, then I will give you back the relic," The dragon said cruelly.
Paul looked at Diss.
"I thought you had the Relic Diss." Paul said confused.
"I did until he swallowed it. He was trying to get me, but the relic fell down his gullet instead," Diss explained.
"Remove the staff first." the dragon commanded.
Diss nodded as a small trickle of flame fell out of the dragon's mouth slowly making its way to him and reformed his staff. The dragon began coughing, and soon threw up spilling many things onto the cavern floor, including the relic. Paul picked up the relic cleaning it off as they turned to leave. Diss stayed at the back of the party incase of betrayal in the promise.
Once outside Diss promptly sagged under the pain and fell to one knee. Shaun and Paul hovered over him checking him quickly. Grabbing towels they began drying him off until he finally could stand, but stumbled to the boat still. Lynx looked at Diss confused as he made his way to the boat.
"What's wrong with him?" Lynx asked quietly.
"Water is like acid to him, if he's exposed to too much he can die. He almost did when we got him back in Guldove. He'll be fine, he just got covered in water and had to deal with that while he pushed himself," Shaun said matter-of-factly.
Fargo looked at Diss as he lay on the boat; pain was etched into his features. Paul sat silently next to him with a towel drying him off as best he could in spots they may have missed.
"Arg, seems like we don't know much about them do we?" Fargo asked Glenn quietly.
They are most puzzling. They say they have rules, but from what I see they are flimsy at best. Almost as if they were the law where they came from." Glenn said slowly.
Lynx walked over to the boat quietly. Fargo and Glenn followed when Lynx sat next to Diss.
"We came by to drop off the Water Dragon's relic. We're going to tackle the Earth Dragon. We figured you guys could handle the Green Dragon for us since the whole place in surrounded by huge rocks that can't be blasted or anything." Lynx said handing the relic to Paul. Diss nodded agreeing to help them with the Green Dragon. Paul tossed it to Shaun who in return tossed Paul another towel. Paul handed it to Diss and left the boat.
"Where are you going?" Diss asked annoyed looking at Paul.
"I don't know, back to the dragon." Paul replied continuing down the path.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?" the whole boat yelled to Paul.
"Maybe I am." Paul replied.
"What in God's name is possessing you to do this?" Shaun asked. Paul stopped for a second and held onto his locket tightly. He paused for a minute then replied walking on saying,
"I don't know, someone told me to." Shaun looked at Diss to see if he should go get him. Diss shook his head.
"Let him go." Diss said quietly. He looked at Paul as he entered the village again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
"What do you want, Human?" The Black Dragon asked in disgust. Paul stood with his weapon drawn as he replied,
"You could have easily killed us. Why didn't you?" The Black Dragon stared at Paul as he slumped to the ground.
"I won't answer that." The Black Dragon said in a very unusual calm manner. Paul was a bit shocked by the sudden politeness.
"Why did you come here? I know you have another reason." The dragon asked.
"They told me to." Paul said quietly holding his locket. The dragon nodded his head in understanding.
"Ah, the ghosts of your past. They visit me quite often in my dreams." The Black Dragon trailed off in his words looking to the sky.
"You know the two girls?" Paul asked enthusiastically. The dragon nodded.
"Yes, they help me avoid nightmares. They are the reason why I have slept for so long." Paul sat down close by to the Black Dragon. He looked up into the Black Dragon's eyes and asked another question,
"Do you know who they are?" Paul asked the question very carefully and quietly.
"Yes I do. I know how they are related to you also. They speak very highly of you." Paul quickly fired another question.
"How are they related to me?" The Black Dragon shook his head.
"They asked me never to tell you. I am bound to keep that promise." Paul dropped his head in disappointment. The Black Dragon asked his question now.
"About the battle earlier, you could have done much better. Why didn't you?" Paul shook his head.
"I guess my mind was on other things." It suddenly hit Paul he was having an intelligent conversation with the most feared dragon of all. Paul jumped to his feet, but sat back down.
"They asked me to go easy on you, and only you." The dragon said quickly.
"That's why you didn't kill us?" the dragon nodded. Paul looked around the cavern looking at all the shiny material around him. "Shiny place." Paul said quietly.
"What?" The Black Dragon asked.
"Shiny place. I decided to call this cave Shiny place." The Black Dragon laughed. "What's so funny?" Paul couldn't help the grin that covered his face.
"That's exactly what the little one called it." The dragon continued to laugh a little longer. It was at that time the two ghosts appeared following closely behind his ghost self. The Black Dragon snarled and roared at the ghost Paul.
"Put a sock in it cuddles." The ghost Paul said in a snobbish sort of way. The little girl ran up to the dragon and began crawling up the tail and running along the back until she was sitting on the head.
"MY NAME IS NOT CUDDLES!" The Black Dragon yelled. The older girl sat next to Paul. Paul leaned on her, as he looked at himself grin with sadistic pleasure.
"Admit it. You can't make a decision for yourself." The ghost Paul said turning his attention to Paul.
"NOT TRUE!" The little girl squeaked in anger from atop the dragon's head.
"SHUT UP!" the ghost Paul blared. The Black Dragon tried to swipe the ghost but failed hitting only air.
"Cheap." The dragon muttered cursing other vulgar phrases.
"Careful cuddles. There are little ears in the room." The ghost Paul hissed. The dragon and the little girl both glared at him.
"It's been like this the whole week." The older girl said tiredly. "She won't shut up and the Black Dragon won't quit. And as for yourself he's been causing hell." Paul nodded knowing what she was going through. The older girl fell asleep on Paul as the other three beings in the room yelled and cursed at each other. "Are you tired?" The older girl asked Paul. He nodded quickly rubbing his eyes. " She smiled closing her eyes lifting her hand and waving it in front of Paul's eyes. Paul slowly closed his eyes and stretched out one more quick time before resting. It took very little time for them both to fall asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
"What are you doing sleeping in here?" Diss whispered angrily at Paul waking him up. Paul looked around his surroundings seeing the Black Dragon glare at him and Diss. Paul got up quickly dropping the blanket that was covering him. "Where did that come from?" Diss asked quizzically. Paul shrugged grabbing his Halberd. Paul looked behind him to see the two ghost girls and himself, looking back at him. His ghost self held up a watch and Paul got the impression he had a little more time left until he had to make his big decision. Diss helped him pack up his things as he ran out of the cave. Paul took one last look at the "Shiny place" and his eyes fell upon the Black Dragon who winked as Diss grabbed Paul by the collar and yanked him out.
"That Diss guy better lay his hands off of him or I'll lay my hands on him in a way he won't like." The older girl said through her gritting teeth.
"Shiny stuff is cool." The little girl said quietly trailing off as she was in the middle of picking up a shiny rock. "I like the Shiny place." She said quietly. "Lot's of shiny stuff."
"Sweetie, do me a favor. Be intelligent. Don't grow up and develop your own logic like he did." The older girl said pointing to Paul.
"Oh, that really hurts you know. It took me half a year to figure out where I got all that odd logic in the first place. It also took me a year to figure out the logic in Hamsters migration patterns." The ghost Paul said.
"Hamster's don't migrate." The older girl said slowly realizing the stupidity in trying to prove Paul otherwise.
"Yes they do. According to my logic they do." The ghost Paul said grinning before disappearing.
"Crazy lunatic." She muttered looking at the little girl. "Come on sweetie, time to go." She said softly picking up the little girl. "Say thank you to the Black Dragon for letting him allow you to play in the shiny sand."
"But we can't go! He promised me we would build a sand castle!" The little one protested.
"You can later." The older one said shifting her around so she was comfortable.
"By girls, see you in my dreams." The Black Dragon said closing his eyes.
"Thank you." The little girl said before they both disappeared. Paul ran back into the cavern to pick up the same shiny rock the little girl did.
"Shaun better be grateful I did this for his stupid rock collection or I'll." Paul mumbled running back out of the cave.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Paul was not happy with tying the two boats together. The idea was very threatening to his position as not knowing how to swim. Diss felt a little easier with the idea as he talked merrily with Fargo. Shaun was admiring the shiny rock he had received from Paul as he did all sorts of weird things to it like make it float and the like. Lynx was sleeping and Glenn was off on the second boat by himself at the bow staring into the sea. Paul carefully made his way to the other boat and sat next to Glenn.
"How do you think so illogically yet make the most sense?" Paul stiffened up realizing someone actually understood his logic.
"You actually follow my logic?" Glenn nodded.
"To a certain extent. Your logic is very.well, odd is too far from the truth."
"Hmm, maybe it is time to teach the ancient way of thinking, it has the most unique logic in the world. I can teach you Paul logic, but the process can be very tedious." Glenn stared at Paul thinking to himself.
"Okay." Glenn said. Paul brought out a package of Viper Churros.
"You eat this stuff. Do you enjoy it?" Glenn nodded quickly smacking his lips.
"I can eat ten of those easily!" Paul looked at the food and took Glenn's word for it.
"If you give a correct answer young grasshopper I shall in return give you one churro. Failure will result by a smacking. Understood?" Glenn nodded. "Good. First, Hamsters migrate south in the winter." Glenn stared at Paul in confusion.
"Hamsters don't migrate." Glenn said softly. Glenn was smacked against the side of his head.
"Yes they do, according to this logic they do!" Paul began pacing. "You see anything that proves you wrong is wrong itself. Everyone else's opinion that isn't similar to yours is instantly stupid."
"That's insane." Glenn said annoyed. Paul smacked Glenn upside the head again.
"That opinion was stupid. See the logic now?" Glenn grew wide-eyed.
"Total enlightenment." Glenn said looking into the sky. Paul smacked him again.
"That's for scaring me. Now remember, only my logic is better than everyone else's." Glenn shook his head.
"That's stupid." Paul grinned evilly. He tossed Glenn a Viper Churro. Glenn easily snatched it in the air and devoured it in one whole bite. Another poor sap gave into his logic. Glenn was now going to be.normal. According to Paul's standard that is.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
After two days of sailing and crossing another dimension they separated their ways. Lynx's Dragon Elimination squad was sent to take down the Earth Dragon, while Diss' Universal commandoes (Paul demanded they have spiffy squad names) went to Gaea's Navel for the shot at the Green Dragon. It took them three days to reach the Navel in the paddleboat because of the risk Diss would get splashed. When they arrived at the rocks Shaun grinned with sadistic glee. He jumped onto the rocks and with a mighty heave he took a huge boulder and chucked it into the ocean. It splashed and nearly hit Diss, who glared at Shaun. Shaun took the better part of a day removing boulders to create a way into Gaea's Navel. When he was done monsters began pouring over the cliff. Paul shocked all the monsters with his energy as they slowly moved up. Every now and then Diss and Shaun got close quarters with the beasts and did a number on them. Paul was the first to climb over the ridge to see a large creature looking down on him.
"Hi." Paul said helping Diss and Shaun up. The beast looked at everyone before speaking.
"Come hither." the monster said. Without a doubt they knew it was the Green Dragon. They did as commanded and quickly the Green Dragon grinned saying, "Lunch." Paul instantly back flipped to avoid a claw smash and Shaun ducked leaving Diss to get launched into a tree. The dragon stood on its hind legs and held his mouth before letting loose a very noxious foul breath. Paul nearly passed out and Shaun vomited.
"HOLY SHIT!" Diss said waking up from the stench and holding his mouth trying to prevent the vomit that was trying to escape his mouth. "That is so foul." Diss said weakly.
"Die humans!" The Green Dragon swung at Paul who dodged by ducking. Shaun barley managed to pull his mace from the earth as Diss summoned his staff to bear. Paul un-strapped his Halberd and dove in to strike when the Green Dragon opened its mouth and exhaled deeply. Paul fell from the toxic smell and retreated running behind a tree.
"Oh damn Diss. I think I'm going to be sick." Paul said hunching over holding his stomach. The Green Dragon once again belched and Diss passed out being too close to the fumes. Shaun hid high in a tree and tossed a boulder at the dragon. It connected knocking the Green Dragon over into water. The dragon quickly got out and swung Paul away as he prepared to do an attack with his magic. Diss slowly came to as Paul landed on top of him.
"Diss, I fought some really tough battles, but this is just wrong." Paul said weakly.
"I know." Diss replied patting Paul's back getting up.
"IN MY WORLD WE HAVE THESE THINGS CALLED TIC TACS! WHY DON'T YOU GUZZLE DOWN A COUPLE BILLION?" Shaun yelled slamming a rock into the dragon's back. The Green Dragon released more toxic breath into the air. Paul thought it couldn't be worse until he saw a dead bird fall in front of him.
"Diss." Paul said staring at the dead bird. Diss tried to order a command but the stench just proved too foul. Diss grabbed his soar side as his stomach ached.
"Makes me appreciate Rachel's cooking." Paul muttered shooting electricity at the dragon. The dragon fell down in pain. A small stub from a tree caught a little bit on fire and then exploded into a flamethrower. Diss' head clicked as he held his staff at the dragon's mouth causing flames to erupt from the tip. The Green Dragon laughed as he saw the small flame coming towards him. He didn't realize it grew larger and traveled faster as it grew near to the dragon's breath. Paul grinned covering his nose as the dragon yelped in pain as his mouth was on fire. It dived into the water gulping up the water until he was able to get rid of the fire.
"OH MY GOD! THAT BURNS! OH GOD OWIE OWIE OWIE! MOMMY!" The dragon hissed holding his mouth from the burns.
"Give us the relic." Diss said walking up to the Green Dragon. It shook its head ready to attack when Paul began tossing between his hands a small ball of electric energy. The dragon's eyes looked at the water and then Diss, then to Paul repeating the process.
"Heh.heh.heh." Paul grinned demonically laughing as evilly as he could. The Green Dragon sighed nearly killing Diss and Paul as he tossed the relic to Shaun.
"Very well humans." The Green Dragon said. Paul and the rest of the gang walked back when Paul said quietly,
"Get ready to run."
"You wouldn't." Diss said quickly.
"Just did," Shaun said as he watched Paul toss the ball of electricity at the pond. Diss sprinted with Shaun and Paul and in an act of desperation jumped through their "Entrance" and luckily landed in the boat nearly capsizing it as water flooded the bow.
"ROW, ROW, ROW!" Paul screamed grabbing a paddle. The Green Dragon flew over the cliff and was heading straight for them. Diss tried to burn it, but it was hell bent on killing them this time. Paul turned around with an idea and he caused the sound of thunder to bellow nearby. The Green Dragon instantly stopped as it glared at Paul. Paul caused Lightening to strike and it hit squarely on the nose. The dragon screamed in pain and flew away. Diss and Shaun both stared at Paul with a look to kill him.
"YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE!" They both at him. Paul laughed and sat back relaxing next to the little girl. She giggled with delight as she snuggled with Paul.
"The devil made me do it." Paul said evilly. Diss and Shaun both sighed paddling the boat away from Gaea's Navel to Opassa Beach.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Lynx and the others slowly approached the Island. Sand seemed to be its only feature as they looked around. Making their way to farther in the Island they saw a large patch of sand and a bunch of men around it.
"Well I would suggest we stay away from this patch it looks like quick sand," One of the men said.
Lynx looked at Fargo, who looked at Glenn. They walked up to the nearest man.
"Where's the Earth Dragon?" Lynx asked quietly.
"Sorry what you see here is basically Earth Dragon Isle," replied the adventurer.
Lynx sighed, how would they reach the dragon if he were here? He stepped forward.
"Hey man watch out! That stuff is quick sand!" One of the nearby men shouted.
Sure enough when Lynx tried to remove his foot it stuck a little before eventually pulling out of the ground. He looked at Fargo who shrugged. Lynx looked at Glenn who nodded and gave an encouraging gesture. Lynx took a deep breath and stepped forward. He felt the sand tug on him as he turned to watch Fargo and Glenn do the same.
Holding his breath as the sand came over his head he felt like he was falling. Eventually he let go of his breath as he free feel through the sand landing far below. Fargo landed behind him along with Glenn.
"Arg, I got sand in me boots." Fargo said jingling his foot. Glenn stood up looking around the area carefully. They saw a small opening and they decided to go for it. When they reached they went through they found themselves in another cavern. They went down a small ladder like structure and walked to a sand boil found near a rock bridge. There was no way around it, and the bridge lead to another cave entrance. They all jumped in the sand boil and were launched up onto the bridge. Glenn nodded as they moved into the cavern slowly.
The cavern was very dark and empty. No dragon in sight. Lynx sighed as he looked around.
"Nothing." Glenn said to himself.
"HELLO?" Fargo yelled loudly. No answer came.
"We might as well head out." Lynx muttered. At that moment a voice was heard.
"Who disturbs my rest?" A loud voice roared. Suddenly a large yellow dragon dropped into the sand pit that lay before them.
"We have come to claim your relic," Serge called out to the massive dragon.
"If thou wishest to defy the Goddess Fate then face my trials!" The dragon roared. It immediatly stood at its full hieght and gave a loud roar to try an intimidate his opponents then dropped forward. The battle started out fiercely as the Earth Dragon swung its massive claws at them. The Earth Dragon swung his tail and Fargo was hit in the face again causing him to do a complete flip in the air. Glenn dashed at the dragon and gashed a big cut against the beast's chest. Lynx swung his blade as if it was weightless cutting and scraping the dragon. The Earth Dragon retaliated in force nearly biting Glenn's head off. Glenn swung up into the jaw of the dragon.
"Ouch, now that smarts." Fargo said getting up slowly. He was backhanded by the Earth Dragon into a wall where he was again knocked down. Lynx dived up into the air and dove down in a deathblow grazing the dragon's shoulder.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" The dragon bellowed. He tried taking bites at Lynx, but he was just to fast as he swung the swallow while being backed into a corner. When Lynx saw he was out of options he saw before him something odd, it was the relic! Lynx dove under the dragon's feet and was nearly sat on. Glenn dove in and slashed at the dragon only pissing it off more.
Lynx swung hard at the dragon's exposed stomach and surprisingly the dragon roared in pain.
"WAKE UP YOU BUM!" Glenn screamed to Fargo. The Earth Dragon began to make heavy steps over to Fargo when he came to.
"UH OH!" Fargo said as a massive foot was coming down his way. He rolled and saw something shiny on the dragon's neck. "Hmm, don't mind if I do." Fargo chuckled scaling the mountain like back of the dragon. The Earth Dragon reared on its hind legs and Fargo almost fell off. He stabbed his sword into the dragon's back deep so it created a place to allow Fargo to hold onto. The dragon roared in pain as Fargo swung on the bar like a monkey tossing him up. He had his fingers on the relic when he was slammed into the hard rock wall.
Lynx ordered Glenn to keep the thing busy while Lynx scaled the back. Glenn did a decent job by tossing small rocks at the beast. Lynx was all the way up when he had a firm grasp on the relic. He tugged as hard as he could when it finally came loose. He free fell nearly a hundred yards and landed with a loud thud.
Glenn ran over to Lynx to check and see if he survived. Somehow, he did.
"Oh, man, I thing I broke a few bones." Lynx said weakly. Fargo came to and moaned in pain as well.
"ARGGG, me leg feels broken." Fargo held his leg as he grinded his teeth. Glenn ran over to Fargo.
"Damn, I can't carry you guys..." Glenn muttered. He looked at the two girls.
"Hmm, it appears I am beat." The Earth Dragon said looking around.
"YOU NEARLY KILLED US!" Glenn yelled.
"Hmm, I didn't think I hurt you that much."
"Only broke me leg." Fargo muttered.
"Well done mortals you have passed my trials and earned my Blessing. Go forth and seek the remaining dragons blessings," it roared. With the blessing of the Earth Dragon and his spell Fargo and Lynx were both healed and were able to walk again.
"Thanks." Lynx and Fargo said together. They ran out to reach Opassa Beach.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
"Man, it's been three days. You think they died or something?" Paul said pacing.
"No, and quit pacing." Shaun said annoyed. Diss was practicing his flame shot when he saw something in the distance.
"They're here!" He said happily. Paul instantly began packing up everything so they could leave. When the group reached the shore they all greeted each other. Lynx tossed Shaun the Earth relic and Shaun placed it next to the other four and they all looked at the relics before them.
"One left." Paul muttered. Lynx grinned form ear to ear. He was going to get his body back.
"I just hope this thing doesn't beat the crap out of us." Diss said getting in the boat.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
It took them the better part of the last day to get to Sky Dragon Island, but when they made it there they looked at the steps before them as they scaled up each one slowly. Paul was the first to reach the top, as he looked what led ahead of the whole party. The Sky Dragon. Looked at them as if he was expecting them.
"Well done mortals, you have made it this far. Now face my trails to recieve the final blessing of the Dragon Gods.However, you could avoid this by doing a simple task." The Sky Dragon muttered slyly.
"What?" They all said.
"Answer this. What is 2+2." Paul was about to answer when Diss smacked him upside the head. "Times the square root of." and a long chain of numbers began a complicated math problem. Shaun and Glenn just stood with their mouths open wide. Fargo was relaxing blowing the smoke out of his lungs. Paul took a glance at Fargo and sighed.
"What? I can't even count past 50." Fargo said with a matter of dignity. Paul just rolled his eyes. Lynx took a twig he found and wrote the equation out in the dirt. The only two who were able to keep up were Diss and Paul. Paul stood with his arms crossed over his chest while Diss occasionally pointed at the sky drawing imaginary numbers. "Times pie over 2." Glenn stood in confusion.
"I don't..." Dissinger smacked Glenn and told him to keep his mouth shut. The Sky Dragon looked at each of them slyly. He knew he out smarted them.
"2." Paul said with confidence.
"NO Paul!" Diss screamed.
"What, how, wait, huh?" the Sky Dragon looked at Paul in confusion. "But, how, AH MAN! Now you ask me a question." Diss grinned sinisterly as he stepped up.
"I'll handle this." he said casually, "Simple Baseball question. Follow me simply and tell me the name of the Player I ask for. Who's on first, What's on second, Huh is on third, and I don't care is the Pitcher." He said rapidly.
"Now the question, what's the name of the player on first?" He said sinisterly.
"What?" The Dragon said confusedly.
"Sorry, its Who. Give me the relic," Diss said grinning ear to ear.
The dragon threw down the relic in disgust. Shaun picked it up placing it in his pack as they turned to go. Lynx was patting Diss on the shoulder and Fargo was handing out cigars for everyone heartily laughing. Paul remained behind for a second and turned to the Sky Dragon.
"I'll let you beat me up if you can answer this question." The Sky Dragon rose to the challenge.
"Bring it on, Mortal." The Sky Dragon hissed. Paul grinned.
"If you're the smartest creature in the world, how come we stumped you?" The Sky Dragon looked at Paul as he left walking down the stairs.
"Damn you humans." The Sky Dragon said in disgust.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
They all rushed to Guldove and Paul wasn't surprisingly talking about Steena. Instead he kept quiet to himself grinning sadistically. When they anchored the boats Diss got out and gave a nervous twitch.
"Shuddering memories?" Paul asked mockingly walking past Diss patting him on the back. Diss glared at him and walked on. Lynx was the first in Steena's room, followed by Paul, then shortly everyone else.
"Wow, you guys really did it!" Steena said looking at the relics. "As I said, the Dragon Tear is yours Lynx. First we will need to take you to Fort Dragonia." Everyone shuddered at the name. Steena looked to Paul to explain.
"Bad memories." Paul said leaving it at that.
"DO I HAVE TO?" Shaun asked in a childish tone. Diss barked his reply,
"Let's get it over with shall we?" Diss said.
"HEY KIDDIES! LET'S GO ON ANOTHER FUN FILLED, ACTION PACKED ADVENTURE! YIPPEE SKIPPY!" Paul said raising a fist in the air. Everyone just kinda looked at Paul debating if he was insane. Steena broke the tension with a small laugh.
"This will be a long trip." Fargo said getting out another cigar.
"No smoking area." Steena said sternly.
"WELL YOU GOT ALL THESE BLASTED INCENTS IN HERE! I DON'T THINK YOU'LL NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE!" Steena walked over to Glenn, took his sword and stepped up to Fargo.
"HIYA!" with a swift stroke of the sword Fargo's cigar was cut in two. Fargo looked at her, half scared, half admiring.
"Now that's a woman." Paul muttered to Shaun. Shaun nodded in agreement as Steena returned the sword to Glenn.
"So, shall we?" Steena said offering her hand to Paul. Paul just walked out. "Doesn't take hints very well does he?"
"As the saying goes, 'how can one be so smart, and yet be so stupid at the same time?'" Diss said as his reply. "I'll take it you want to go on our boat." Diss started. Steena eagerly nodded. Shaun decided it would be a great idea if Paul were alone on the boat with Steena. Diss couldn't pass up the pay back for all the times Paul made fun of him while he was with Christy. "It's my job to make sure he knows who is in charge." Diss said in his secretive authoritative tone.
"Last time you talked like that you nearly killed someone, an Info. Broker." Steena stared at them.
"Righhhttt." And she left. Paul doubled into the room via the window.
"Hey guys, do you mind if you go on the other boat so I can chat with, uh." Diss crossed his arms across his chest and Shaun did the same.
"Who Paul, speak louder." Diss taunted.
"Steena." Paul said angrily.
"Very well." Diss said yawning. "I guess I should, just remember who's the boss."
"Just remember who's." Paul whispered the ending laughing exiting the window.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Diss bellowed trying to reach for Paul's foot.
"Nothing." Paul whispered. Shaun couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, you coming?" Steena said poking her head into the room. Diss grunted then walked out the door.
"Wait till I get my hands on him." Diss mumbled. They all left when the older girl appeared.
"You better keep your hands off of him! Or I will kick your." She muttered angrily as she vanished.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Diss sat on the bow of the boat alone. He held back tears as he thought about everything in his life. He had Christy waiting for him and for lord knows how long. He had his friends who believed in him enough to allow him to lead. And he had a brother who sacrificed his life so Diss would live. He sat silently stewing in his own emotional whirlwind wondering what he had done to deserve this. Torn from the only life he knew to try and return there from god knows where.
He looked at the stars, they were so different from his own, but still held the comfort they once had on him years ago. He would look at the stars when he felt lonely like this, and hope he wouldn't be alone much longer. He knew he wouldn't be alone much longer, but he was always fearful of what was going on in his world. He had survived an Alien invasion; surely this little adventure wouldn't kill him.
He felt someone approach from behind. He knew he was either in trouble or about to have someone save his soul. Slowly he heard an all too familiar voice,
"Diss? Is that you?"
He spun around and saw Christy standing there. He sat there in shock.
"Is it really you?" He whispered quietly.
She nodded solemnly. He couldn't believe it.
"When we first met. what was the first word you actually spoke?" He said in disbelief.
"Water," She said hugging him tightly.
"How--?" He began asking.
"Shhh.I don't have long. It's been a week since you went out in the storm, but it took us at least three days to find where you went. I'm projecting myself into this world mentally, and it's tiring me more because of the baby," She said softly.
He nodded quietly, "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, but I have something important to say. We found something in the mountain the Aryans were using. It was a machine that creates dimensional rifts. The night of the storm jarred it into activating, but its too weak to power up properly now to get you guys back. The thing is, the instructions say there is a second machine in this dimension. Find it and you'll come home," She said urgently.
Diss took it all in before he went to what was on his mind, "Christy I."
"Shhh.Diss you have gone through so much here. Don't blame yourself for what others did to you." She Said.
"You know?" He asked softly.
She nodded, "But, before I forgive you, you must do one thing."
"Anything, if it means that you'll forgive me I'll do anything." He said earnestly.
"Now that's the man I love. You have to forgive her and free her from what that man has done to her. You can forgive her only after you save her. And Diss one last thing.I want you to honestly reconcile yourself with Paul. You two keep butting heads like that and he'll hurt you. Worse than when he threw you in the ocean," Christy said softly.
Diss nodded slowly before he kissed her softly. She returned the kiss cupping his face before she pulled back.
"I can't hold out any longer. Diss, I love you, come back to me in one piece," She said softly as she slowly shimmered disappearing from right in front of him. Diss looked at where she was then up at the sky and cried loudly, "NO! WHY THEN, WHY THEN? DO YOU DERIVE PLEASURE FROM MY PAIN? DO YOU WANT ME TO LIVE MY LIFE ALONE?" It was just too much as he broke down crying into his hands. She had saved his soul, but damaged his heart. He only wished he could have spent more time with her, so he could tell her exactly what happened. After he was dry of tears he stood up with one final decision on his hands, and he made it quickly and sadistically. Serge.would.pay.