Chapter 27: Quest of the Bashers
In the morning twilight, the Bashers gathered outside in the square. They stood in the very spot Bann fought Sagitar only hours before.
"You look well, Bann. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Actually, I've never felt better. Isn't that right, guys?"
Queen's Knight appeared by his side and smiled. "Yeah."
"Why did you just summon Queen's Knight?" Zakei asked.
"Bann, they can't hear me. Remember, only people who can talk to there…"
"But…" 'But they could. On the tower that night, they all could.'
"Not anymore. They're memory is fragmented from losing parts of their soul."
'Great, now I sound like I'm crazy.' "Um… just to test my power. Make sure I'm fine and stuff."
"Alright, well then. We have to talk about what just happened. What was with that Sagitar guy? How did he, you know, transform like that?" Zakei started his leadership shtick.
"He said he was a Bloodwing, but I didn't think they existed. I heard they were only folklore from the Northern Wastes," Vaila added.
"Well, he was pretty real to me, but what really concerns me…"
"… is what he said about Rooko-sensei." Tiamat finished.
"Exactly."
"Hello there, young Basher Elites."
The Bashers turned to see Count Youngblood riding up to them in a carriage.
"I have been ordered by their Royal Highnesses to gather the seven of you and bring you to the court. They know of what happened last night and must speak with you immediately. Please, get in."
Shortly after, they were in the royal court again, standing before the king and queen. This time, the room was almost empty.
"We know of what happened last night. What can you tell us?" Lord Archer inquired.
Zakei proceeded to tell the king and queen what had happened with Recks and Jesi filling in the details.
"I see, so a Bloodwing has become involved, and he has the power to use Cree. Quite interesting. Are you sure that what he said about Rooko and the others was true?"
"He had to meet up with Rooko."
"What makes you say this?"
Bann explained. "Sagitar, this Bloodwing, he used some of Rooko's own Cree. The only possible way to do this is if he took some of Rooko's soul, which means that he had to see him. He also said that Rooko was alone."
"True. This has become quite a predicament. On one hand, we have the word of a demon with amazing powers, who could very well be leading us into a trap, but on the other hand, if his speaks sooth, then the lives of some of our people could be at stake, and as king, I cannot allow that. Bann, Zakei, I need you to go into the mountains and look for them. You two are the strongest of the Bashers."
"I want to go too," Recks added in.
"Yeah, if my buddy goes, I go," Tiamat followed.
"And don't count me out," Jesi said. "I wanna see some action."
"I'll follow my friends to the ends of the earth," Vaila was also ready to go.
"And… I'll go too," Migome wouldn't be left out.
"I can't… I can't allow this. If the seven of you go, we will be unprotected.
"The N00bs aren't a problem anymore. They won't be attacking for a long time."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. Their strongest is dead. It will take a long time to regroup and plan an attack on that scale, and while they're gone, we get stronger, so they will be exceptionally cautious. I'm sure what remaining Bashers we have as Mods will be more than enough to take on a small scale attack."
"Alright, I give you a week. You must be back by then. You leave tomorrow. Count Youngblood will take you as far as the rocky creeks. You are dismissed."
The Bashers turned and left. All except Bann were gone, who stopped halfway out the room, turned, and walked back.
"What is it?"
"When Rooko started the quest, he said something about a Dragon. What can you tell me about this?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Sagitar said he wanted the power of the gods, and that the Dragon was one of them."
"Ah, you wish to know more of the four divine winds and the two axis?"
"Yes."
"In each direction, the winds of change are controlled by a different being. To the north, Cheops the Stone Turtle rests within an icy fortress. To the south, Ra the Blazing Phoenix is perched, looking upon the northern sky. To the east, Osiris the Saint Dragon slumbers in the mountains. To the west, Sekhmet the Sacred Lion watches over the forests. When these four are awakened, they will unleash terrible power that will destroy the world or save it. Only the two axis know."
"And what are the axis?"
"The axis of heaven, the Great Colossus Obelisk and the axis of hell, the Demon Jackal Anubis."
"He wants the power of these six gods? What would happen if someone controlled all this power?"
"Some say they would die from an overload. Some say they would become immortal gods themselves and rule over this world and the next. I have no idea, honestly."
"Why would Rooko want to awaken them, then?"
"Erebus. Legend speaks of the blood god and his mighty power. It is believed that the only thing that can stop him is the power of the One. Know one really knows what the One is, but some believe that by uniting the six divine gods in battle, he might appear."
"So, Rooko is trying to release them in order to summon the One, and Sagitar is trying to absorb the powers of the divine gods so he can attain the power of the One and possibly become the One himself?"
"Yes, I believe so. Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?"
"Yes. What are the Legendary Dragons?"
"Where did you hear of them?"
"I have one."
"Then you are a chosen. Perhaps…"
"What?"
"I can say no more. Protect that Dragon. It is as much a part of you as you are of it. Bann, you must get ready to go."
"Yes, sir. Thank you King Archer," Bann said and turned and ran off. Although the information about the Dragons wasn't much, it was enough to work on. Also, he now understood what was going on.
The next morning came in a flash. Bann woke up at dawn's first light. He rubbed his eyes and jumped out of bed. Recks was already waiting at the entrance of the house.
"Come on, sleepy. The others are already waiting for us."
"I'm coming. I'm coming. Just wait up." Bann grabbed his things and ran out the door and down to the city gates.
Standing at the gates were his friends. Migome, Jesi, Tiamat, Vaila, and Zakei were all waiting.
Zakei made his usual snide remark. "The great Bann has finally shown up."
"Well, let's get this show on the road."
"We got a lot of ground to cover and some friends to rescue."
Bann looked around, stuck his finger in the air, pointed at the mountains, and shouted, "Next stop, the Eastern Mountains!"
Next time on City of Fire: Unusual Vacation. The Eastern Mountains