Chapter 37: Return of a Son

Inside the castle at Lake Ken-I-Po, Najarin spoke with Maxxor through a new holographic communication system the Alliance had been working on. "We'll need to step up our defenses against Chaor's forces. Especially now that Covadra and Zaryna have betrayed him." Maxxor said. "Yes. But it is not Chaor that concerns me." Najarin said. "I know. It's Lord Van Bloot." Maxxor said. "I fear after recuperating after so long, he may have other plans. And Chaor is just a pawn." Najarin said. "Indeed. Which is why we'll need to be ready for any further attacks." Maxxor said. "I agree. But right now, I need to rest." Najarin said. Maxxor nodded, knowing the true meaning of Najarin's thoughts and ended the transmission.

Najarin sat down at his desk, picking up a parchment. It was the letter left to him by Afjak, his apprentice, his son. Najarin had a hole in his heart every time he read that letter. After Tom, Kaz, Sarah and Peyton discovered the secret of Dranikus Threshold, Afjak attempted to prove himself to his father by going to Dranikus Threshold in their time and study the Location's power. Najarin attempted to stop him, but it was too late. Afjak activated the Threshold and disappeared to an unknown time. Tom felt responsible for revealing the Threshold's secrets, but Najarin also blamed himself for not allowing his own son to take part in his experiments. And now that Dranikus Threshold was now destroyed, Najarin lost all and any hope to ever find Afjak.

As he started to set the letter down, he felt a strange essence within him. He stiffened up and was shown a vision. There were weird raptor Creatures battling an unknown Creature in a robe. They were in a strange forest. The robed Creature turned to Najarin's view. "Father." Najarin gasped as his vision ended. "My son. He's alive." He said.


(Intro)


The next day, Najarin started packing a rucksack. Just then, Tom, Sarah and Sidney arrived at the castle. "Welcome, my friends. I'm glad you could come." Najarin greeted. "It's our pleasure." Sarah said. "So, why'd you call us? It sounded important." Tom said. "Last night, I experienced a vision. A non-Mugic vision." Najarin explained. "What was the vision about?" Sidney asked. "Afjak." Najarin revealed. Tom and Sarah gasped. "Who's Afjak?" Sidney asked. "He was Najarin's apprentice. When your mother, uncles and I traveled to the past through Dranikus Threshold, he learned of the Location's secret. And went missing." Tom said sadly. "Najarin blamed us for Afjak's disappearance and would've destroyed us if didn't leave." Sarah said. "Although, there was one detail about Afjak that I left out from our last conversation, Tom." Najarin said. "Uh, I think I know. Afjak was your son, wasn't he?" Tom asked. Sarah was surprised to hear this. "How'd you know?" Najarin asked. "I've been thinking about that conversation for years. And it wasn't until Sarah and I had Sidney that I actually figured it out." Tom said.

"So, what about this vision?" Sidney asked. "I did not see much, but I know that my hopes that Afjak would be alive after all these years are answered." Najarin said. "But where is Afjak?" Sarah asked. "I'm not sure. It appeared to be a jungle of some kind. And he was attacked by unknown Creatures." Najarin explained. "And you don't know where that is." Tom said. "No. But that is why I asked for you 3 to come. Your scanners can be helpful." Najarin said. "That's right. We can track approaching Creatures with our scanners." Sarah said. "I promise you, Najarin. I take full responsibility for what happened to your son and I will do whatever it takes to help you bring him home." Tom said. "Thank you, Tom. Your help will be most helpful." Najarin said.

Later, Najarin, using his magic on Tom, Sarah and Sidney, flew across Perim, heading towards the place where Afjak might be. "Najarin? How will you know that Afjak will be close by? Did your vision show you the exact Location?" Sarah asked. "I'm afraid it didn't show me much about the Location. Only Afjak and some of the Creatures that may inhabit it." Najarin said. "Then how will you know that we're close?" Tom asked. "As you know, Tom, I hold many secrets. One is about my particular humanoid species. Like those before me and Afjak, my kind shares special magical bonds with each other." Najarin explained. "The fathers and sons can sense the other's presence from very distant spots in a Location. So, if we're ever close to where Afjak may be, I'll be able to feel it." Tom understood, but Sarah and Sidney looked at each other and shrugged with confusion.

Just then, Najarin felt something inside him. "Afjak. He is close." He said. Tom, Sarah and Sidney looked down and saw that they were above a jungle of some kind. "I don't recognize this jungle." Sarah said. "Do you think it could be a CodeMaster Location?" Sidney asked. "Doubtfully. I don't think even the CodeMasters know about this place." Tom said. "This is one of many unexplored Locations in Perim. But I know Afjak is down there somewhere. I can feel it." Najarin said. "Then we should probably land and look for him." Tom said. Sarah and Sidney agreed. Najarin nodded. But before they could start their decent, there was a huge screech in the air. "What was that?" Sidney asked. Najarin looked ahead and saw something coming towards them. It was a periwinkle dragon, covered in feathers, as big as Velreth. "Uh, Najarin? Have you ever seen such a Creature before?" Sidney asked. "I'm afraid not, my child. I've read about Creatures from far off lands like Prexxor Chasm, but I'm not familiar with any Creatures from any place like this." Najarin said.

Just then, the dragon blew an Arborsmash towards the travelers. Najarin steers his friends around the attack. But the dragon gave chase after them. It started to fire several beams of Blind Fury attacks from its 6 eyes. Najarin did his best to avoid the attacks, but one finally struck him, causing his powers to wear off on Tom, Sarah and Sidney. The 3 screamed as they all fell towards the jungle. "NAJARIN!" They all screamed, trying to wake up Najarin. But no avail. Until finally, as soon as they started to close in on the trees, Najarin regained consciousness and formed a force field around himself, Tom, Sarah and Sidney just as they crashed down into the jungle. The dragon, thinking that they were no more and seeing no way to follow them, flew away.

The 4 recovered from the crash. "Well, that's one may to make an entrance." Tom said, straightening his back as he stood up. "Yeah. But I've had worser landings." Sarah said as her husband helped her up. "Yes. Not one of my better landings." Najarin admitted. "Where's Sid?" Tom asked, not seeing Sidney with them. "Up here." Sidney called. Tom, Sarah and Najarin looked up to see her in the tree, tangled in some vines. "Sidney, you alright up there, honey?" Sarah asked. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just hanging around." Sidney joked. "Well, I see she still uses my bad jokes." Tom said deadpanned. "Totally." Sarah agreed. Najarin flew up to Sidney and freed her from the vines. "Thanks, Najarin." Sidney said. "No problem." Najarin said as he set her down on the ground. Tom and Sarah embraced their daughter. "Are you alright, Sid?" Sarah asked. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just lucky none of those vines got around my neck." Sidney said. "Thank god for that." Tom said.

Najarin looked around the jungle. "I have no knowledge of this Location." He said. "I don't think anyone has ever seen a Location like this one." Sarah said, taking out her scanner and scanning the jungle. "I haven't seen a jungle like this since the Jungle of Life in the past." Tom said, scanning the jungle. Sidney scanned the jungle too. She looked at the scan as it finished. "It says it's called the Shivando Jungle." She said. "Shivando Jungle? I've never even heard of that name." Sarah said. "Neither have I." Tom said. "No Creature has. This Location is part of an untouched section of Perim, unexplored by none of the known Tribes." Najarin explained. "Then as we look for Afjak, we can be the first to explore this jungle." Tom said. "That's an excellent idea, Tom." Sarah said. "We may not get another chance." Sidney agreed. "Very well. We shall explore as we look for Afjak." Najarin said. And with that, the group took off into the jungle, not seeing a pair of golden gator eyes watching them from the bushes.

As they headed further into the jungle, Tom, Sarah and Sidney had their scanners ready, keeping a look out for any approaching Creatures. "Who knows what kind of Creatures live in this Location?" Sarah asked. "If they're anything like that dragon we encountered, I'd say they're really fierce and dangerous." Tom said. "Indeed, Tom. There is so much we do not know about this Location or what kind of Creatures inhabit it. We cannot let our guard down for even a minute." Najarin said. "Right." Tom, Sarah and Sidney said.

Just then, a dot started blinking on the family's scanners. "Incoming!" Sidney called. "From the left!" Tom added. Najarin prepared himself for what was to come. The tree in front of them was ripped in half, revealing the Creature that had the golden gator eyes. It looked like a big brownish-gold crocodile with lots of spikes on its back and a big tail. As Tom, Sarah and Sidney screamed, they ran for cover as Najarin began to fight this Creature. Najarin attacked with Shadow Strike. But the croc just smashed the shadow and attacked with Megaroar, sending Najarin into the trees. The croc then attacked with Rock Wave, but Najarin managed to counter with Power Pulse. Tom, Sarah and Sidney watched as Najarin struggled to stand up from the Megaroar. But the croc stood above him, preparing to smash him.

But just then, a Frostblight came out of nowhere and hit the croc dead center in the chest. The group was shocked and confused at what happened. Then a robed figure came out from the jungle and landed in front of Najarin. The croc got up and prepared to attack again. "Fluidmight!" The robed figure fired a Fluidmight from his chest and blasted the croc deep into the jungle. Tom, Sarah and Sidney helped Najarin to his feet as they all stared at the robed figure as he turned to face them "Afjak?" Najarin asked. The robed figure took off his hood, revealing his face to be an older Afjak. "Father." Afjak said.

Najarin brought his long-lost son into a big emotional hug. "I never thought I'd ever find you. And in such an unknown Location." He said. "Well, now we're back together again, Father. I've missed you so much." Afjak said as he hugged his father back. Tom, Sarah and Sidney watched emotionally as the father and son from Past Perim were reunited at last. Afjak then took a look at Tom and Sarah. "Uh, hey, Afjak. Long time, huh?" Tom asked nervously. "I remember you. You were the players who came to Kiru's time through Dranikus Threshold." Afjak said. "Uh, yeah. That's us." Sarah said nervously. "And to be honest, I have to thank you and the other 2. If I hadn't come here through Dranikus Threshold, I never would've become the very Creature I am today." Afjak said. "Yeah, but it also really upset your father." Tom said. "Yes. I threatened to destroy them as other Chaotic players started coming through Dranikus Threshold." Najarin said. "It was one mistake, father. Everybody makes them. We're both at fault." Afjak assured. Najarin smiled. "But who's the other girl? I don't remember seeing her." Afjak said, gesturing to Sidney. "Afjak this is our daughter, Sidney." Sarah introduced. "It's nice to meet you, Afjak." Sidney said, holding out her hand. "You too." Afjak said, shaking the hand.

Afjak brought his father and friends to his home. "So, after I was transported here through the Threshold, I was nearly made into dinner. Luckily, all your lessons paid off and led to my survival for all these years." He explained. "So, Afjak, how much do you know about this place?" Tom asked. "Pretty much everything. I've faced off against pretty much all the Creatures that live here." Afjak said. "So, do you know that big feathered dragon that nearly blew us out of the sky?" Sarah asked. "That's just Crealence. He's the ruler of the skies, according to him. He may look scary, but he's a total sweetheart." Afjak explained. "And what about the giant croc man who nearly killed your father?" Sidney asked. "Gortz. He's my usual sparring partner during my explorations in this jungle. We're practically, how do you humans say in your world? Besties." Afjak said. "And what about these raptors I saw in my vision before we came here?" Najarin asked. Afjak froze at the mention of raptors. "They're a threat to this jungle. They're twins, call themselves Oilox and Tarlox. I've dealt with them numerous times with help from Crealence, Gortz and many others. Those 2 are basically this jungle's version of the UnderWorlders." He explained. "But what do these guys mean in your vision?" Tom asked. "I'm not sure. Those Creatures, this jungle and Afjak was all I saw. Nothing else." Najarin said. Just then, there was an explosion outside. "Uh, I think I just figured it out." Tom said.

The 5 raced outside, finding a wall of fire surrounding the hut. "They're here." Afjak said. Just then, 2 raptors came through the fire. Oilox was red-skinned with dark-blue armor and a grey mohawk stretching down his back. Tarlox was blue-skinned with light-grey armor and a X scar across his face. "Afjak, we meet again." Oilox said. "Hiya, fellas." Afjak said. "I see you have new friends. An old man and 3 little flesh bags." Tarlox said. "Actually, the old man's my father. The other 3 are humans." Afjak corrected. "Humans, eh? I've heard of humans. Always wondered how they would taste." Oilox said. "These humans are under our protection. Go back to whatever swamp you came from and leave us." Najarin said. "Well then, it would appear that we have a problem." Oilox said. "And the best way we deal with problems is by eliminating them." Tarlox said.

Afjak attacked first with Ice Shard. Oilox countered the attack with Torrent of Flame. Najarin whipped Viperlash at the raptors, but Tarlox countered with Blazing Claw. Oilox and Tarlox then fired a double Lavalanche at the father and son. But Najarin managed to raise his water shield around him and Afjak, dousing the attack and saving them both. Tom, Sarah and Sidney ran for cover in the trees as both sides continued throwing attacks at each other. "Afjak wasn't kidding. Those 2 are as fierce as UnderWorlders." Sidney said. "What do we do now?" Sarah asked. "We get help. Afjak said he knew the 2 Creatures that attacked us." Tom said. "So, if we tell them that Afjak's in trouble, they might help us." Sidney said. "That's crazy! But it's crazy enough to work." Sarah said. "Then we better hurry. Let's go!" Tom said as they ran into the jungle.

Najarin attacked with Delerium, but Oilox slashed through with Slashclaw. Tarlox then jumped in and hit Najarin with Magmaburst, knocking him against Afjak's hut. Afjak glared at the 2 reptiles. Oilox and Tarlox prepared to attack, but Afjak was quicker, firing Demon Eyes at them and knocking them back. "Father, are you alright?" Afjak asked, helping his father up. "I've had worse, but I'm still standing." Najarin assured. "Not for long you're not." Oilox said as he and Tarlox recovered and walked up to the father and son, forming Flame Orbs in their hands. "And so, this is the end of our greatest nemesis. Afjak of the Ancient Days." Tarlox said.

But before the 2 could attack, an Arborsmash hit Tarlox, knocking him down. Oilox looked to see Tom, Sarah and Sidney with Crealence and Gortz. "You leave them alone, Oilox!" Tom shouted. "Or what, little human? You and your girls gonna hurt me?" Oilox asked mockingly. "Not us. But they will." Sarah said. Crealence and Gortz started firing Pebblestorms at the lone reptile. Seeing no way they could win, Oilox helped Tarlox up and they started to head back into the jungle. "This is not over! We will find out more about where you come from! And when we do, your lands will belong to us!" Oilox shouted as they disappeared into the brush.

Afterwards, everyone gathered around. "You're help was once again well appreciated, Tom Majors." Najarin said. "Thanks to you and your family getting Crealence and Gortz, we would've been destroyed." Afjak said. "Always happy to help." Tom said. "I suppose it is time for you to return to your Chaotic world." Afjak said. "Yeah, I suppose." Sarah said. "But what about you, Afjak?" Sidney said. "I think it's time I return to Kiru City with my father. See what changes have happened in my absence. Crealence and Gortz have decided to come too. We've all been in this jungle for too long. It's time to make our home known to the rest of Perim." Afjak explained. "That's good. Maxxor and the others will be pleased to meet you, Afjak." Tom said. Just then, Najarin whispered something to Afjak. "Tom, before you go, I'd like to give you and your family the opportunity my father offered you." Afjak said. Tom, Sarah and Sidney were surprised by this. "You mean, you want us to scan you?" Tom asked. "Yes. My father trusted you enough to scan him. That means that I also trust you." Afjak said. Tom, Sarah and Sidney looked at each other and smiled. "You can count on us, Afjak." Tom said. The 3 of them took out their scanners and scanned Afjak. "May we do our best in your Chaotic game together." Afjak said. Tom nodded.


New Cards:

Creature 1: Crealence

Tribeless Warrior

Courage: 70

Power: 70

Wisdom: 20

Speed: 65

Elements: Air, Earth

Mugic: 0

Energy: 90

Creature 2: Gortz

Tribeless Warrior

Courage: 70

Power: 70

Wisdom: 35

Speed: 25

Elements: Earth

Mugic: 0

Energy: 85

Creature 3: Oilox

Tribeless Warrior

Courage: 70

Power: 70

Wisdom: 25

Speed: 55

Elements: Fire

Mugic: 1

Energy: 75

Ability: When Oilox and Tarlox are next to each other on the board, Oilox's Power increases by 20

When these 2 twins are together in the field… -Afjak

Creature 4: Tarlox

Tribeless Warrior

Courage: 70

Power: 70

Wisdom: 20

Speed: 60

Elements: Fire

Mugic: 1

Energy: 70

Ability: When Oilox and Tarlox are next to each other on the board, Tarlox's Power increases by 20

they become a real danger to every Creature that stands in their way. -Afjak

Location: Shivando Jungle

Adds 20 to Earth and Water.