I read a lot of positive comments, everyone wonders when a new character from the DC universe will come to help Raya and her friends or will be their doom, I would love to tell you what will happen next, but I can't reveal the plot of my story but I can do something else, I decided to give two chapters a week, Monday and Friday, it will be happening.
L
The first to lead the travelers was a black-haired man with a ponytail, Lao Bin, dressed in brown lamellar armor, next to a samurai was Raya in a hoarse vest and a round hat, together with a blue dragoness with white-blue purple hair marching next to Sisu, they watched with curiosity and vigilance around the rocky ground and the view that it appeared at the edge of the horizon of a great mountain pass called the throat of a trickster.
She was followed by her sister and brother, Amba and Pengu, who were rather silent most of the way and seemed to only exchange certain glances, sharing their fear of what might be waiting for them in the valley to the north, the fact that a dragon would be waiting for them somewhere. of fire, in its domain was the water very shocking to the two dragons, but their eyes, Amba's purple eyes, and Pengu's green eyes watched their joyful sister more closely from the front, as if their constant fear was focused on Sisu than on themselves.
Behind the two dragons were currently talking about the situation in the valley, Tong adjusting his ax on his back and dusted armor, Namaari training his hands to prepare for the next fight, dreaming only of revenge on Pelona, and Nitor Hazin, a black-robed scholar with a bag on his back, explaining everything.
And at the very end, two children, Little Noi in yellow clothes, were looking with curiosity at the rivalry of the two creatures, the same as the accompanying Boun, dressed in a green tunic, both watched with delight the play of the brown armadillo and the brown and red millipede which played in the race so far. then Krun Win was three times faster than his opponent Tuk Tuk.
During the trip, you could hear a lot of words, but they were all now focused on the situation that prevailed in the Tunalos valley and what changed the Western Makundaron empire, both Lao Bin and Nitor Hazin had the greatest knowledge, but it was the discoverer Nitor Hazin who explained everything about the history of the empire and the present day regarding invasions.
- Tell me, Mr. Nitor Hazin, how someone as evil and ruthless as the Black Empress could now take over the entire empire. Asked Tong, who was walking with a backpack on his back.
- it's simple, she poisoned her brother and when he left she took over the power, so the empire became her toy. Nitor Hazin said, frowning as he looked in distress at the winter.
- but how do you know that?. She asked Namaari, seeing how the knowledge of Nitor Hazin is difficult for him, directing her words to Lao Bin.
- Mr. Lao, tell us how. Namaari added, now walking alongside the samurai.
- refugees from the west traveled through a similar pass to our lands, they told a lot. Lao Bin said, frowning himself in visible pain and even disgust.
- Lao you don't have to if it's difficult, you don't have to if it's difficult for you. Raya said.
- no, you should know, the Empress took power after poisoning her brother, unfortunately no one can oppose him, in particular the army and the personal guard of samurai led by Ran Hon, Mr. Tong, you met him in a fight near the city of Fang. Lao Bin said, looking at the great warrior clenching his fists at the mere thought of losing a duel.
- this man is a cyclone, but why can't he and others like him refuse to serve?. Tong asked.
- they cannot, if they did, they would break the oath of service, break their own honor and be people without honor, Ronin, that's what we call them, people without honor, and the samurai serving the empress come to see and do terrible things on her orders, unfortunately they have no choices , for them, death is more delicate than breaking an oath and living without honor, and yet the Empress wasted half of them fearing their betrayal, what a fool. Lao Bin said, hissing in his last words, furious at the Empress and her decisions.
- So Ran Hon is a slave in his own way. Listening to the conversation asked Pengu affirmatively.
- unfortunately yes, Ran Hon and the other samurai are slaves and the entire empire!. Nitor Hazin said, also hissing angrily at the last words.
- I feel sorry for these people, the more so because they have to serve such a mad ruler as the Black Empress. Little Noi said as she walked last.
- but that doesn't explain how the Black Empress gained the possibilities she has now, how she could summon Druun, and how and what feeds her great mobile fortress, from what I've heard is a great fortress on tracks, doesn't it?. Asked Boun, looking away from the millipede and Armadillo currently joining the group.
Lao Bin and Nitor Hazin stopped for a moment, stopping the whole group from growing.
- Lao what happened or something is wrong. She asked Raya and her next question made Namaari, listening carefully, suddenly twitch her eyebrow and she herself looked carefully at her friend standing on the other side, looking at the samurai from the valley.
- nothing happened, we don't understand it ourselves, it's so strange, people who escaped from the north told that everything changed there when a mysterious man from nowhere, the Engineer, came to the Empress. Lao Bin said as he continued his journey.
- Engineer. Amba asked, looking from Lao Bin to Nitor Hazin.
For a few seconds, neither Lao Bin wanted to answer the question about the Engineer, because it was his knowledge that caused suffering to many, in the south, in the empire, and in the north in the Tunalos valley, finally Nitor Hazin took a deep breath of air telling about the mysterious man out of nowhere .
- no one knows who the Engineer is, except that he brought with him an unknown source of power, a source that is a self-recharging source and powers the entire fortress, he can transfer his power to a selected stone, granite, thus powering steel soldiers, I do not know what it is source but I know one thing, it is the fault of the Engineer, the Empress summons various terrible minions from Druun, to the phantoms of nightmares, to the great golems of doom. Nitor Hazin said shocking perhaps the three dragons most familiar with evil spirits.
- nightmares, I already know why a bad dream haunted me, she is to blame for it, I knew that I would find the answers to my dreams right there. Amba said, her indigo mane trembling again.
- ancient monsters, spawn for, no matter if it means that the Empress continues to call, if so then this source of power is some cursed artifact unknown to us from the distant past, which means that sinking prophecy will not change anything, and it will be so someday you must destroy the source, whatever it is. Said Pengu, looking at the horizon and the pass known as the trickster's throat.
- does it mean that the Empress is still doing it, summons terrible spirits and ghouls. Sisu asked, trembling at the mere thought, what but the blue dragon's heart never wanted something like Druun to come back, and here it turns out that apart from Druun, something even worse may appear.
Sisu was so terrified at the mere thought of new, worse ghosts that she instinctively pressed herself to Raya and she was almost pushed onto Lao Bin walking next to her.
- this, I'm sorry, this, I stumbled. Raya said nervously stepping back from Lao Bin and he replied with a smile and understanding.
- Nothing happened, you didn't hurt me. Lao Bin said, and he and Raya, recalling their duel for a moment, laughed.
- interesting. Namaari whispered to herself.
- but to the point, does the empress continue calling these ghosts? Sisu asked looking intensely at Lao Bin.
- no, the Empress considers them weak, the Druun feeds on conflict, nightmares of fear and golems of destruction, the Empress needs a force that feels nothing, has no weakness and that is her army of steel soldiers, devoid of flesh, blood and soul, it is a perfect immune for most blows, except for really extreme temperatures, freezing will do them nothing, only fire, fire and ice, and extreme temperatures can damage or even destroy them, but as you know it is difficult. Said Lao Bin, giving on the one hand relief because Druun and worse ghosts never arose, but on the other hand, breaking the will because the Empress has a much worse power, more effective and blindly following her will.
The conversation was interrupted for a moment until the very pass, because the next words led only to the next nightmares and the heart of the nightmares was the Black Empress and the Engineer, a man from nowhere, everything returned again and at the same time changed to another track when everyone stopped in front of the brown rocks of the great mountain pass called through the throat of a trickster, and in fact, at the very first ut, you could see what it owes its name to, everywhere there were strange protruding rocks that looked like fangs.
- amazing, this place is a bit spooky. Little Noi said hiding behind Tong's back.
- in a moment twilight we will set up camp here. Said Lao Bin, waving to Krun Win, Millipede, laden with three backpacks, approached his friend and Lao Bin took off the first two backpacks while preparing a cauldron and a fire.
- is it good idea. Tong asked.
- do not be afraid, the enemy is not able to reach us in this place, the rocks are very sensitive to sounds, if there is an army going here, we will hear it at the other end of the pass, so in the old days of our ancestors was deceived by a deceiver claiming that the pass is a road to the end of the world. Nitor Hazin said as he sat down in front of the fire.
- fraud?. Asked Boun, looking at the fire and the cauldron at the pass.
- yes, a certain scammer did big business in trade, but never said how and where he gets his goods, and he scared everyone that the mountain pass is the way to the end of the world. Lao Bin said.
- until a brave man appeared and crossed the pass didn't he. She asked Raya as they sit down near Lao Bin.
- exactly, a brave explorer, crossed the pass and exposed the lies, and the fraudster lost his fortune, but I do not know why part of it was called the pass, the throat of a fraud.
- maybe it is a warning. She said Namaari sit on the other side of Lao Bin handing him a clay mug, which again did not escape Raya's attention and that was what she was counting on.
- you can say that this is an effective warning, do not lie because your lie will be exposed, always. Sisu said looking at the flames lightly and getting too close to the flames.
- Sisu, be careful, don't get too close to the flames. Pengu said, pushing his sister aside.
- but why, they are so nice, warm. Sisu said.
- and they are fire and we water dragons have to be careful with them, don't forget or you'll come home. Pengu said.
Sisu just grunted and lay nearby looking only at the stars, in the stories written in the stars, trying to forget for a moment everything she had heard from the two visitors from the north, about the Empress and her spawns, about the steel army, and the evil spirits she once summoned.
- Sisu, is something wrong?. She asked Raya as she sat down next to her friend.
- no nothing, I'm just a little scared, I can't understand how someone like the Empress is able to do so much evil, I assumed that the evil Druun was destroyed and here, one crazy person can summon these damned spirits and even something else worse, I don't understand. Sisu said, squeezing her eyes shut, wanting this nightmare to end.
- I do not understand it either, I can only hope that our efforts will stop the Empress from carrying out a greater evil. Raya said.
- we can hope and do everything so that the prophecy never begins, Raya, you hear me. Sisu said when she noticed that her friend suddenly stopped listening to her, instead she watched Lao Bin and Namaari closely.
As it turned out, Namaari spoke loudly about Pelona, but it was not the conversation that culminated in her but her threat.
- Pelona is an assassin, she is not guided by any honor, I want fame, I want to defeat everyone who stands in her way, you can say that the Empress is her reason for the realization of her sick ambitions, she considers herself the best, and to this day no one who could have appeared to beat her. Lao Bin said, looking at the fire.
- I will try to make her lose, I will be the one who will finally beat her. Namaari said, clutching her hand.
- if you want to overcome her, you have to practice a lot, overcome your desires and emotions, Pelona is said to be filled with emptiness and self-confidence when she fights, on the one hand, it gives her strength but is also her biggest weak point, because once you break her in her her certainty should fall apart like a house of cards. Lao Bin said.
- I will train, I will remember. He said to himself, Namaari clutching his hands tightly until she saw Raya listening to their conversation with the eye of her eye, which for a moment allowed her to forget about her thirst for revenge and proceed to point a small slick in the nose of her friend and at the same time check her on a certain aspect.
- Mr. Lao, I heard that you fought with our friend, Raya like it tied with you didn't it. Namaari said as she approached the suddenly surprised Lao Bin.
- Em, yes, yes, we tied, I do not consider it dishonorable to draw or even lose to such a brave and wonderful fighter is not dishonor, quite the contrary. Lao Bin said, which also did not escape Ray's listening to everything.
- and you could teach me something, of course, if you had time. She asked Namaari which triggered Ray's sudden gasp.
- when I have time. Said Lao Bio.
- maybe tomorrow. Namaari asked, again enjoying her friend's reaction.
- gladly tomorrow, but away from the pass, if we get too close and someone is on the other side, he may hear it, and we will have to walk through the pass silently and silently, so. Lao Bin said.
- you see, you will have to wait, and not only you, I will also be happy to practice. Raya said as she sat down between Namaari and Lao Bin, which was already fun for Namaari.
In the meantime, Boun finished preparing today's dinner and departing from the cauldron, again interested in the unusual creature, which was the brown-red millipede, came closer to him, observing him and his golden eyes, Krun Win, seeing the interested young man, spun around him and rattled amusingly raising and lowering his head.
- this creature is amazing. Boun said as he watched Krun Win as he performs another Uku of joy Boun and Little Noi tricks.
- Millipedes are really extraordinary creatures, they are faithful and friendly, but I can see that you also have faithful friends, your Armadillo. Said Nitor Hazin as he watched the brown armadillo you pass and performed similar tricks in playing with the millipede.
- this is Tuk Tuk, my faithful friend and steed. Raya said.
- Tuk Tuk, it's great to see that you have faithful friends, because today only friendship means a lot, but sometimes even this bad people use against everyone, like honor, oaths, let it never happen to you. Nitor Hazin said, and his words both strengthened and showed the evil of the Empress and her slaves, Ran Hon.
Everything was muffled for a moment when a slight but strange sound came from the pass. Hearing this, Namaari immediately grabbed her swords but was stopped by the learned Nitor Hazin.
- it's not nothing bad, it's just falling rocks, the echo that carries in the pass is truly amazing, probably it is caused by the construction of the pass itself, these rocks are quartzite, such a resonant stone. Nitor Hazin said.
- Should we not be heard on the other side, asked Namaari.
- no, if I keep quiet and whisper, the enemy and their steel legionaries are very loud, besides, the Empress's men don't have to hide and they never do, but we do. Nitor Hazin said with a wooden vessel in his hand.
The night came quickly, after supper everyone went to their place, most of them close to warm dragons, except for Lao Bin and Nitor Hazin who were surrounded by their friend Krun Win.
When the rays of the sun came, when the morning mist began to descend, the sleeping Namaari was suddenly awakened by the sound of the swords being struck, like an arrow or a thunderbolt. they were awake and watched what happened in the middle of the camp.
Both Sisu, Tong, Boun, Little Noi, Tuk Tuk, Amba, Jagan, Nitor Hazin and Krun Win watched the tournament of the two rivals with great interest, as it turned out Lao Bin, as he promised, fulfilled his promise by practicing sword fighting with Raya, seeing joint struggle Namaari came closer, holding her hands behind her back and also observing every move of both fighters, in particular observing and examining every move of Lao Bin, his work of legs, hand and wrist work, as it turned out, Lao Bin did not twist his wrist very often there, but rather with his whole hand, his movements were also more rhythmic and harmonized with the movement of the body and feet, Lao Bin ci for some time led himself and his katana into a murderous whirlwind twisting the katana to the left to finally slow down his full cheese movement on the right or left heel and surprise his opponent with a quick turn, often making a turn on the right and left knee, which forced Raya, who was fighting him, to change his stance and defend both his head and feet. Not the edge of Lao Bin was running.
Lao Bin was able to surprise his opponent by making a single turn ended with a spin, but what Lao Bon did not resemble what Namaari saw in the fight against Pelona, how the killer fought, how she was able to use virtually every move for her own goals to perform various blows and counters showed Namaari that Lao Bin was also someone Pelona could eat for breakfast, so the question arose whether Pelona could actually be beaten.
- no, like every human being, she must have her weak point. Namaari said as Lao Bin suddenly lost his sword from his left hand by Ray's quick punch.
- bravo, I didn't think you would manage to knock the gun out of my hand, bravo. Lao Bin said, shaking hands with his proud rival.
- thank you, I try with all my strength, thank you. Said Raya looking very intensely in the eyes of her rival, which also did not escape the observer's attention.
- Well, since you've finished with our friend, it's time to be there and he trained me today. Namaari said in a truly flirtatious way which was surprising to everyone no more than Ray's sudden hiss.
- Namaari, there's no time for that today, we'll be leaving soon, isn't it, Lao, time is pressing. Raya said in a haughty manner thus giving Lao Bin no other option.
- Em, yeah, it's time to go. Lao Bin said.
So everyone started to spread out, picking up backpacks, putting them on the back or on the back of the Armadillo and the millipede, in the meantime Sisu, watching the strange event, came closer to Namaari trying to ask her about a few things.
- Namaari, tell me what's going on. Sisu asked.
- I don't know yet, but it seems that it's nothing wrong, quite the opposite. Namaari said chuckling under her breath which was also rather strange for Sisu to be standing for a few days.
- everything is strange, everything, but it's somehow, I don't know.
- calmly Sisu, as I said, it's nothing bad you'll see, but you need time for it. Namaari whispered.
- hey, maybe you guys will stop whispering and wasting time because we don't have much of it. Boun said.
- that's right, whispering and manipulation is my brooch, so. Said Little Noi, looking at the dragoness and the warrior from below her eye.
Both Namaari and Sisu looked at each other and then joined Tong, Amba and Pengu, two newcomers from the north, and together with all of them entered the area of the pass called the trickster's throat.
The first step into the pass at the very beginning was something that was astonishing and eye-catching, at first what was noticeable was the unusual arrangement of quartzite rocks, they looked as if they were actually teeth and the pass was a huge mouth, but the sound that was carried through the pass was most astonishing, even the air seemed to speak, scream and terrify Little Noi walking in the middle of all.
Little Noi even started to hide under Sisu walking next to her, thinking that she would find shelter here under the cover of a brave dragon, but even Sisu felt a shiver of fear on her back, and her blue-purple mane trembled with the little girl hiding next to her.
Tong, hearing a sudden strange bang, instinctively pulled his ax out, looking in concentration at the road bending a bit to the right where enemies could be hiding, you know, Namaari, walking close, grabbed both swords but never pulled them out, listening to further incoherent sounds.
At the head, Pengu and Amba also trembled slightly as another strong sound as if a roar was amplified by the sound of the whistling wind blowing with increasing force, and Raya, hearing the strange sound, expecting the worst, quickly waved to Tuk Tuk stopping her Armadillo slowly drawing her sword from Luckily they were all stopped by Lao Bin and Nitor Hazin.
- calmly it's just an echo, some small stones have loosened by the blowing wind and it's all the fault. said Nitor Hazin as he led the way, leading them all and their faithful millipede.
- as we said, the echo, these rocks perfectly transmit the sound, and the structure and shape of the pass allow you to pull the sound even from the other end of the pass, which is really fascinating, and believe us, there is nothing to be afraid of. Lao Bin said.
Everyone believed the words of your visitors from the north, firstly, there was no reason for them to lie, secondly, they knew this place and had used the pass a few times already, and today nothing indicated that the real enemy was in the pass.
Thus, for the next eight hours, a long hike continued, a silent but fast walk leading everyone to the final exit from the pass, until as the sun began to slowly set, everyone saw the rocks first breaking, followed by the sight of the great and dense Gan-JU forest.
- look at that Gan-Ju, coniferous forests, we made it, we're home again. Said Lao Bin, looking at the view that stretched over the forest, a pair of short and taller gurus visible, and the view from a distance, the view of thick smoke.
- what kind of smoke is that. Asked Boun, looking to the north you grow yourself fearing the worst.
- this smoke is an image of the destroyed city of our home, the city of Konudun, it was our home, and the seat of the ruler of the western lands, this and the eastern lands have always traded with each other with various goods with other cities. Lao Bin said, and when his voice showed pain and anger, Raya immediately gave him support without asking about the other cities.
- they couldn't do anything, it's not you guilty of it, but the Black Empress. Raya said and this time you grow Sisu listened carefully to her friend's words as she was suddenly prodded by Namaari.
- the rest of the cities are now, there are more of you here. Tong asked.
- of course, our city traded openly with our neighbor and two cities, the agricultural city of Buelion, and the port city of Zanonius where there is a great ocean. Zao Lin said standing by Nitor Hazin and Krun Win.
- the ocean !. Pengu asked, he and Amba and Sisu hearing the word ocean were shocked, because despite the fact that they were water dragons, their eyes probably never saw the vastness of the ocean.
- yes, we have access to the ocean here. Nitor Hazin said.
- lucky people, with us it is a bit more complicated, there are rivers and lakes. The ocean is very far beyond the land of Kumandr. Said Amba, fascinated by the very thought of seeing the ocean.
- if we are lucky and everything succeeds with our plan, because tomorrow we are going west to the Reigun mine, as soon as we get the scroll, we will sink it into the ocean. Lao Bin said.
As the samurai Lao Bin said, a lot depended on luck, everyone believed that luck would have favored them so far, that what had already brought them to the Tunalos valley was a twist of fate and the help of luck, but everything has an end and a new beginning.
Suddenly, a slight crack alerted Tong, Namaari and Pengu who immediately took up their weapons and bared their claws.
- what is going on, Tong, Namaari, Pengu? or something happened. Asked Little Noi, backing up behind Raya and Lao Bin because they also took up arms and watched as some of you arise in the thicket of forests.
- is it them. She asked Raya standing near Lao Bin.
- I don't think, silver soldiers usually attack without hiding, it's someone else and I think I know who, the Buelion peoples are not enemies. Lao Bin said stepping forward.
For some time there was a tense silence, Tong, holding his ax, watched the thicket of coniferous forest, Namaari listened carefully to every rustle, hearing someone unknown actually approach them and soon stick his head out of the forest backwoods, Pengu together with Sisu and Amba also opened their mouths exposing their sharp teeth and the claws of the front paws, shielding the two watching children behind her, but when Little Noi was hiding behind the backs of the defenders, Boun was fed up with being seen as the one who needs to be defended every now and then, instead of standing behind, he grabbed the cleaver and walked out in front of the light purple-blue dragoness, which Amba wasn't ready, she could only open her purple eyes, and Nitor Hazin grabbed the pans and watched closely together with Ray's forest countryside until the first word was uttered.
- calmly, we are not your enemies, we are from Buelion. The first man to come out of the thickets of Gan-Ju woods spoke.
The mysterious man led out of the forest as many as forty soldiers dressed in fur vests with tied bushes with the aim of concealing and disguising the reconnaissance group, the mysterious man and everyone seeing water dragons stuttered and bowed their heads, which was rather strange until the mysterious gray haired man in in his furry coat, he looked with his brown eyes at the leading Lao Bin.
- water dragons, I did not think that I would ever see them, but our scout found someone to help us defend the city, sorry for not changing, I am Irhabar, the recon commander and humble servant of my lord Szan-Ka-Ran. Said Irhabar, bowing his head to the arriving water dragons.
- but wait, thank you for the welcome, but actually we have another task related to the Reigun mine. Raya said quickly taking off her hat.
- mine, fiery fumes, strange, I do not understand what you and the water dragons can look for there, no matter, I would advise you not to go there, we saw a couple of enemy triples returning to the fortress on the Konudun ashes today, if you want to really go to the mine, I would advise wait with this, and go with me to my master's city, the sight of water dragons would certainly give rise to new hope, but if you do not want to, I will not persuade you. Irhabar said, standing sideways to everyone ready to travel back to town, no wonder but Little Noi saw something too familiar to her otherwise the way they had come.
- maybe this is not a bad idea, we will need help, we cannot do anything without reconnaissance, and the Empress, knowing about our friends, will certainly do a lot to stop us. Suggested Tong hide as well as all weapons.
- I am in favor, if in this way we will help to generate a new spirit in the hearts of the city's defenders, I agree. Sisu said, willing to give anything to people in need, every possible gift.
- I'm in favor too, we will need help, besides, I'm curious about the situation in Tunalos. Raya said, and the others, including Pengu, Amba, Sisu, Boun, as well as Lao Bin and Nitor Hazin, agreed to the idea of Irhabar.
- okay, let's go with you. Lao Bin said, shaking Irhabar's hand.
- so follow me, me and my people invite you to our house, we should go home before pul at night. Irhabar said, looking also with fascination at the three dragons and his forty soldiers.
It seemed that luck was smiling at everyone again, it seemed that the matter with the Tunalos valley would be easy to solve, and having allies from other cities, allies who know the actions and movements of enemy troops, the task would be much simpler, the question was whether luck would help not so much to stop the prophecies about the fall of the Golden Dragon and to leave them indefinitely, but this was not the only question asked by the observing Irhanar, walking between two dragons, Little Noi until the moment when they all stopped in front of the Nolan River moored because a small galley with twenty oars waiting for the reconnaissance one of the sides.
- wow what is it. Asked Boun, looking with fascination at the waiting little ship.
- I think it's a galley, or something like that. Little Noi said.
- this is a galley and our means of transport, go on board by sea, down the river, we will sail all the way to Buelion, the return journey will be faster and easier, go ahead. Irhabar said with a sincere smile.
Thus, according to the will of the commander of the scouts from the south and the destroyed city of Konudun, they boarded the ship, and Irhabar signaled to all alone standing in front of the steering wheel, and the moored galley set off on its way back to the port near the city of Buelion, bringing with it new hope for the inhabitants of the Tunalos valley.
L
Tunalos is a world full of secrets, with time this place will become a great arena where everything will be decided, the fate of the world or everything will be stopped.