A/n
Here is the next chapter, again the story in general overall has not change, but details have, so enjoy the story!
Chapter 19: Monkey Business
-Neutral pov-
When heading out on a journey you know will not be easy, logic would dictate prepare yourself for the hardship to come. Saber being reliant on logical thinking the vast majority of the time, the idea is one he lives by. And the trek that he was sent out on by the Guardians was one he expected to be hard before its end. So, for him the line he kept in mind was 'by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail'
-Saber's pov-
Once the five of us were out of Warfang, we set out north much like Seth, Cyra and I had to look for Ruben. We had traveled for a couple of hours and had the Igneous Basin insight in the distance when it was decided to stop for lunch. While the others ate an animal that had been caught for food, I had gone off a small distance from where we stopped, to think in peace. Out of hearing distance, I sat down on a rock and thought about the possible problems on the path ahead.
Someone needed to think ahead so that we can all get through this alive, that job seemed to fall to me once again. I've found that dragons, in general, don't tend to plan ahead much and though things seem to work out for them, that's not enough for me. I'd prepared for what I could imagine before leaving Warfang and I think that I have done well in that. Yet, there is always that unexpected and with me, that's a guarantee and I don't deny it. The unpredictability comes with the Silent Killers, and they will pop up. If they don't, then I will be utterly shocked and that doesn't happen often with me.
There was little doubt in my mind that there was or is a trap planned somewhere ahead, I just don't know where. And I believed it had been done by the Silent Killers in fact, I'm so sure of it that I expect it. I hadn't said anything about my suspicions to the Guardians for two reasons. The first had been it was very unlikely they would have believed me as they rarely listen to me if at all. Second, if they had listened, then they would have worried even more and would have been less likely to let us go. With Spyro and Cynder out and likely either in danger or soon to be, this trek was needed in my view.
I still remembered what Mara had said back when Seth, Cyra and I had saved Ruben, Nightbane, and Nightmare. 'Kee kee kee, you think they will believe you? One incident does not prove anything.' The Silent Killers or at least Mara had proved that she was good at fighting and stealth. If the other Silent Killers are anything like Mara, then I would bet none of them had been seen at all. By the information I had learned, not even the cheetah tribe had even suspected their existence at all. They have skill, no question about it, and it would take careful planning and tactics to deal with them. I believed that I was as prepared as I could be to take on Mara and her cohorts, but my traveling companions I doubt would be ready for them.
It was as I sat there thinking to myself, my danger sense went off giving me a warning of incoming. I rolled to my left and heard a crash in the place I had been sitting and then slightly after the first, a second crash in the distance in the direction of the others. I came out of the roll into a crouch with my right hand on Yubashiri's hilt. I leveled my gaze on the one responsible for the first crash and my gaze fell on the monkey I had met earlier Mara, who was standing where I had been.
I was once again very thankful for my constantly developing danger sense, it was getting to be more a lifesaver the more time I was in the Dragon Realm! I was focused on Mara as I needed to deal with her before I go and find out what was going on with the others. I let out a frustrated huff at the sight of her for I was unhappy to see her again, that was for sure! "I was wondering how long it would be before I saw you again Mara. I did not think it would be long after I got out of Warfang and it seems like I was right. Plus, you still have it out to kill me by that strike you tried to do me in with," I stated flatly.
Mara stood, her gloves glowing purple dully with magic, "Kee kee kee, I see your reaction time has improved, excellent. That makes this all that much better for the challenge to kill you," she replied.
I drew Yubashiri and brought my blade to the ready to fight Mara. I hoped that I was wrong, but the second crash inferred that the others were now in trouble, I would hazard a guess I am right. Whatever the case I would need to finish up with Mara quick, then go and check on them. The problem with that is dealing with Mara isn't a quick job if the last encounter is anything to judge by and I had been in better condition back at that time than I am now. I took a deep breath, relaxed, loosened up my muscles and settled myself into a chūdan-no-kamae stance. I was determined to win this fight and then go make sure my friends were okay or help them. Nothing… not even Mara would stop me from fulfilling that goal, I was determined of that. And in response, electricity hummed into being and covered Yubashiri, and like before extending my blade's reach beyond its normal range.
I'm not one that cares for stalkers any more than I do sadists, and Mara is an 'S' class case stalker! Mara smiled with pleasure before she let out a cry and rushed towards me, her gloves glowing a bit brighter as she came. I took a step forward with my left leg, slid my heel of my left foot to solidify my stance to be ready to receive the attack. Dust was stirred up with my movement, showing that the ground was dry and firm, which would further strengthen my defensive position. I had learned several lessons about Mara from our earlier encounters, she was fast and hard to located until she was close. So, being reckless would be a mistake I couldn't afford to make, or I would pay a high price for. I wouldn't let Mara push me around this time and that would take clear thinking and tactical decision making.
I cleared my mind of all unimportant thought and readied myself as Mara was closing the distance between us. She was coming towards me, her right claw purple shining brighter and slightly humming with energy. She stretched out her right gloved claw to strike me and I raised Yubashiri to my eye level and about a foot and a half from me, gripped the hilt with both hands to block Mara's strike. Mara didn't actually make contact with the blade as there was a small gap of an inch or so. What she was hitting was the barely visible field of electricity surrounding my katana.
The force of the strike pushed me back an inch or two, but I stood my ground and held firm. Her magic that was appeared to be coming from her gloved claws, specifically from what looked like a crystal on the palm. It was pressing against the field of electric energy I was maintaining which held firm around Yubashiri. Time seemed to slow down to a near halt at the time our weapons made contact with one another. The energies surged between the weapons and swirled around us in waves. On the one side, the electrical energy on Yubashiri surged and crackling, on the other side purple magic energy flowing out from Mara's claw. The energies were clashing and combining in the waves that were flowing around us, yet not touching either one of us.
After a moment, I began to push back at Mara harder, determined to win this clash against Mara by whatever means necessary. At the same time, the clash of Electricity and purple magic started to change, the electricity began to overpower the purple magic. We both grunted with the effort we were putting into this standoff. I stepped forward with my right foot, a look of satisfaction on my face as I gazed at Mara. The monkey's face showed a look of slight disbelief, yet there was still her obsessive joy she seemed to have when she fought me.
A smirk grew on my face as I took another step forward and used my strength to swing Yubashiri forward. There was a flash followed by an explosion, Mara was sent flying into the trees behind her. I managed to close my eyes before the flash and explosion so, I wasn't blinded. I was also sent sliding back a couple feet but still kept on my feet firmly on the ground before the light died down. The air was sizzling and cracking from the waves of energy that had just been released. That was awesome, now the question, did I win the fight with that?!
When there was no immediate response from Mara, I was about to dash off to check on the others. However, Mara shot out of the trees and blindsided me and forcing me to lose my grip on Yubashiri. Mara kicked my blade away from me and then forced me to start dodging her punches she was sending at me. I was reacting on instinct with Mara assaulting me, but I couldn't stay on the defensive forever.
So, when Mara was giving me a right hook, I grabbed her arm and used a judo move that is known as a corner reversal. I chucked her a distance away from me to get time to change things for me in this battle. I jumped up and whipped around to face in the direction that I threw Mara in, drawing the other blade I had. This was the first time I really could recall drawing the Muramasa, the blade had felt odd to me, but these were desperate times. The weight of the blade wasn't much more than Yubashiri had even if it was thicker than the katana I liked using.
By the time I was ready with the Muramasa, Mara had recovered from my judo move to counter her. The monkey came at me again, and I was hit by a sudden realization hit me with the force of a sledgehammer to the face, her goal in this was to keep me busy and distracted so that I couldn't help my friends! It was as clear as day, now that I had time to step back and study the situation. I had to wonder how I could've missed it before, and then I knew that my complete focus on Mara had been a detriment to me from seeing the big picture. I hadn't seen it before and now that I had, been gaining the wisdom from seeing the complete view.
No wonder Master Kai beat me with such ease, I was too focused on the small things that I didn't see the whole idea that those small parts to work together to produce. Wind surrounded Muramasa, and I couldn't help, but think 'bingo', the wind was brought out previously by nervousness was now by wisdom and would be stronger than ever. How appropriate for the wind to be truly controlled by wisdom, it was clear to me. You can't harm the wind in the same way as the other elements or block the wind with the same means as the other elements, it takes thinking and understanding… wisdom indeed.
My eyes locked onto Mara and I smiled before I twisted myself in order to wind up for a near horizontal slash. "Get the hell, out of my way monkey," I snarled, but with emphasis and held my blade at a thirty-degree angle.
I swung Muramasa in a diagonal, near horizontal slash at Mara and a crescent blade of wind came from the slash and shot at Mara. Mara screeched, but wasn't able to move out of the way and was slammed back into a tree a second time. From what I saw, the wind element reacted differently than it had with me before, somehow it was stronger. I couldn't explain how that worked or why the sword I haven't used could in some way amplify an element. Something to look into future I guess, but that isn't now, there are other things to do right now.
I stood still for a bit to make sure Mara was down for the count for the moment as I had not done that the last time and that had nearly cost me. She was moving, but she wasn't doing much other than that, she definitely not getting up just stayed on the ground. I took that as I won against Mara and I could head off to find out what was going on with the others.
Dashing off in the direction that the second crash had come from still with Muramasa in hand, and I was sprinting within ten seconds. I would fetch Yubashiri after I made sure the others were safe and not having their lives threatened. It took a little more than a minute to reach the area the others had been having lunch in. Once I came into range, my danger sense when off almost immediately, and I leaped to the left and rolled to get out of the way. There was a bang to my left where I had been as I came out of my roll back on my feet in a crouch and look to where the bang had come from.
My gaze was met by a pair of dark red eyes staring back at me as I rose to my full height, Muramasa at the ready. In front of me was a monkey that looked a great deal like Mara overall with a couple of differences. It stood in a circle about six feet in diameter of broken rocky ground that it likely made in an attempted strike against me. The monkey was slightly shorter than Mara by I would guess about two inches or so. Nevertheless, instead of grey fur, this one had almost black fur much like coal in comparison. They also carried a three-foot staff that was made of metal of some kind if my observations were correct. The staff was the likely cause of the broken ground and I would rather not know what kind of bodily harm it could cause if used against someone. Nor would I want to be the person who was chosen to be a test subject to find out what kind of effect that staff would have. What had me slightly worried were their eyes, dark red, empty and cold, the eyes of a killer. I hadn't a question that this was one of the other Silent Killers that Mara had inferred existed.
"Can't say I have had the displeasure of making your acquaintance, ya runt," I said casually, but I still had my guard up and kept myself ready to fight.
The monkey looked me over, its face still expressionless, "So, you are the one which Mara has such an interest in. You are not what I expected from the information Mara has divulged about you," it replied, the voice said that the monkey was female and was as cold as her eyes.
She suddenly rushed forward and leaps into the air thrusting her staff at me. I had been ready, so I was able to dodge her thrust by leaning to my right at the last second and then countered her with a hard left-hook to her jawline. I felt the fact that I had made contact more than I heard her a quiet hiss and that was enough for me right now. The female monkey spun away from me and recovered with a flip landing on the ground in a crouch and facing me again. I hadn't budged from my position at all, I just looked at her with a look of cool calm. "You got a name then or do you not give it out," I posed.
The female straightened up from the crouch and looked at me with slight surprise, "I think I can see to a degree why Mara is so interested in you. You are quite different than anyone we have seen before. My name is Exis, I look forward to killing you," she returned.
I was a little taken aback by her way of addressing me for she had blatantly said outright that she intended to kill me. That is definitely a different kind of greeting, yet this is someone who knows and is likely to be like Mara is certain ways. "My name is Saber and I have enough trouble dealing with Mara's obsession without adding another's," I shot back.
Exis gazed at me and then let out a huff, "I do not see this as an obsession, you are a threat that needs to be eliminated."
That's much more straight forward than Mara was and I prefer that over the stalking behavior Mara displays. "Well, at least you are more upfront than Mara is, though you both aim for the same result. I will not just let that result happen, just so that you know," I said.
Exis tilted her head slightly and then nodded, "Point taken, mission accepted," she replied and then leaped backward and disappears in the trees.
Well, at least Exis is easier to understand than Mara is as she seems to be much more direct. She still is dangerous though, maybe more than Mara in a way and that came with its own set of issues. I looked around to see what the condition of the others was and they didn't look very good. Cyra and Seth were down and looked like they had been knocked out, but at least they were still breathing. Ruben and Sarana were fighting yet another monkey, which showed me that they're coming out of the woodwork like clockwork. Ruben looked like he was about to collapse while Sarana was holding her own.
I had to confess at this point that Solara hadn't been lying, exaggerating or joking when she had said Sarana knew how to fight very well. I dashed forward to close the distance between me and the fight. When I had gotten close enough, I swung Muramasa at the monkey, but the monkey dodged my blade, flipped backward and landed a couple of feet away. I slid to a stop in front of the others setting myself between the monkey and my friends.
The monkey looked me over, at the same time as I was looking over at them. The monkey had amber colored eyes, their face was blank to the point of being apathetic. It had brown fur like some of the monkeys I had seen before in Zoos. The monkey also I noticed had a rather long tail that looked a bit thicker and or fluffier. The monkey didn't seem to have any weapons with them, but as I had already learned from Mara, looks can be deceiving, especially with this lot! "You must be the one Mara mentioned," it said and by the tones of their voice was male.
I started to wonder what things Mara had exactly said about me for me to be this infamous. For the other two, I've met today had been told about me by Mara according to them who is like a stalker with me. "Yes, I am unfortunately the one Mara is obsessed with! So, do you have a name," I asked.
The monkey seemed to be coming to a decision, "It would appear that Mara and Exis were unable to delay you long enough, that is fascinating. You have earned my respect and minor surprise. You are willing to risk your own life for your companions, a very admirable quality to possess. My name is Shiek, it has been interesting to make your acquaintance. The victory is yours for the moment, enjoy it while you can. For now, I think pulling back would be wise," he stated.
Shiek had talked, but his face never changed a bit in expression, he was good at not giving away anything. Shiek bowed and then jumped back into the trees and disappeared. I sheathed Muramasa and then turned to Ruben and Sarana, "You two okay," I questioned.
Ruben smiled back then sunk to the ground breathing hard clearly not doing well from the fight. Sarana caught my attention by hissing painfully, showing that the silent killers had really done a number on my companions! "Those small apes seemed to know who you are, have you come across them before," Sarana said.
I sighed at the question for it wasn't that I didn't want to answer the question, it is the subject matter that I have a problem with. It just serves as a reminder of my currently growing problems, "I would be lying if I said that I have not come across them, one in particular as it so happens. Due to her, it would appear that the other monkeys now know who I am," I answered.
Sarana looked at me curiously, "What is a monkey and what interest do the small apes have in you," she inquired.
I went over to where Seth and Cyra were sprawled out on the ground before I knelt down to put a hand on Seth's chest feeling for a heartbeat and I felt one. I am no doctor or healer so, I don't know what a normal heartbeat should be. However, I do know that there is a point where one's heart does not beat enough and that's a problem. Seth's was above that point I would say, not sure but I think he would be okay. I rose up and went over to Cyra and I put a hand to her chest to look for a heartbeat. When I found it, I noted like Seth her heartbeat was good enough to be okay. I then rose up once again and turned to Sarana, "I am sorry, I am not ignoring you. A monkey is a name for a smaller member of the family that the apes belong to as well in the human world. As to what interest they have in me, there is one of them to whom I am her obsession, it is not by choice I can promise you," I returned.
"You're worried about them, because their friends," she questioned.
I nodded, I was slightly surprised for Sarana was almost sounding nice, it was… different. "Yes, they are my friend so, naturally I would want to make sure they are okay. You sound familiar with the idea of friends, am I right," I posed.
Sarana looked away slightly at my question, "Do you know what it is like, to have everyone look at you and either avoid you or say you are some kind of freak," she uttered.
I stared at her for a moment, holding in my laughter as she hasn't a clue what I know of that subject and boy do I know it. If only she knew how well acquainted, I was with being seen as a freak or different, after all, I have been living in that exact position for the last thirteen, almost fourteen years. I can't deny I have had my fair share here in the dragon realm of that idea, but nowhere near what I had to deal with back on Earth! "Yes, I of all individuals can understand, at first think you can ignore them, but that does not last long. You start to question whether what they are saying is true or not. It takes some truly good friends to get through it all without becoming bitter to some extent," I said evenly.
Maybe there was more to her than I had gleaned from my first impression? Sarana gave a squeal of delight and leaped on me and any thought I had of her being nice vanished. Never mind on there being more to her, I take that back and add that she is heavy! "GET OFF OF ME," I screeched.
"Not this time and no one here can stop me," Sarana said sickeningly sweet. "We are going to have sooooo much fun."
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
After an hour, I managed to escape Sarana and I was breathing hard after the ordeal I was put through. I was trying to get my heart to stop racing at the speed it was for it felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. That dragoness had done... terrible things, horrible things to me! She was reminding me of someone from the dojo who was a sadist… only around me though. It REALLY SUCKS! "I'll have trouble sleeping for days because of her at a bare minimum," I muttered to myself.
I knew having Sarana along with us would have this particular downside, I just didn't think it would be THIS much of a worrisome of a problem! I had underestimated Sarana in more ways than one, that was for sure! Not that I am saying that she isn't helpful, the fight with the Silent Killers had proved that. It just does she… have to be so 'affectionate' as she said with me and me alone?! I could easily do without the cuddling sessions with Sarana for my physical and mental health's sakes if anything else!
"Hey Saber are you okay, you look off somehow," said a voice to my left.
I looked to the source of the voice and found it was Seth who had woken up since I had been… in a struggle for my life! I was still trying to stop the shaking that my body was doing, "I am," I hesitated trying not to lose it, "okay at the moment. I just," my voice stopped again before I got it under control again, "got away from Sarana. How can one dragoness be so," there were so many words I could say, most horrible. I took a deep breath to steady myself, "clingy? Her cuddles just felt wrong!" I couldn't stop my body shaking at thoughts of what Sarana did to me, "I don't want to talk about her other affections she… showers on me-I mean give me."
I sunk to the ground and brought my knees to my chest and shifted my body into a fetal position. I was asserting huge amounts of my mental discipline to keep myself from breaking down completely. I wasn't a great deal away from sobbing as I would have descended into an uncontrollable emotional wreak. I hate sadist for this particular reason, they could come closer than any other to breaking me mentally! I have met enough sadists to know this as fact, one was more than enough! It's at points like what I'm at right now, that I hate my life and how it works!
Seth got to his paws shakily, "Saber what," he paused for a moment, then he continued, "did Sarana do to you to put you into this state?!"
I buried my head deeper into my knees as well as bringing my body further into the fetal position. I had heard Seth, yet I can't look him in the eyes in the state I am in. I'm hit below rock bottom and yes there is something lower than rock bottom for me at least. I couldn't help but recall the things that Sarana had done to me and they were still fresh in my memory! This made my condition become worse as my breathing had become ragged before I gave my answer to Seth. "Do not ask Seth," I wheezed, "you really do," I wheezed a second time, "not want to know! Just," I paused, "give me some time." My voice started breaking as I continued, "I I n-need time to calm down."
I was having great difficulty keeping myself from breaking down into sobbing. I needed to think about happy thoughts; not being around my uncle, training at the dojo, getting one-on-one TIME with Master Kai! YES, I was attempting to console my psyche, in the last hour, I came VERY CLOSE to getting my psyche shattered! So, I think I deserve some credit and amazement for not cracking under Sarana's ADMINISTRATIONS!
The sound of Seth coming closer to where I was wallowing came to my ears, but I still had my head buried in my knees and I felt a paw on my back rubbing it. I… I won't cry, men… don't… CRY! I barely managed to prevent myself from crying vocally though I felt a few tears soak my clothing and I was sniffling too. "It is okay, whatever Sarana did to you, it is over," Seth said.
Seth's voice was soothing to me for somehow, it was calming me better than my own attempts were doing so anyway. I sat there for about ten minutes as Seth consoled me and I was glad more now than ever that Seth was my friend. He was seeing me at one of my worst times… and he was helping me instead of leaving me alone as I had asked. Actually, it was my pride that had asked for space, yet Seth had seen past that to see I needed someone to help me in a way I couldn't do for myself. This was an experience that was rare for me, only a few would do this for me, and I could count those on one hand. Master Kai was the one that would do it the most and I would go to after going through the torture I had.
I raised my head and used my left sleeve to wipe my nose which was a mess from being runny and I would bet my eyes have a red tinge to them at the moment. I may not have cried with sobs or in a tantrum, still, I had shed silent tears. I looked at Seth and smiled, "Thanks Seth," I said. "I am sorry you have to see me like this. I must look something awful right now."
"It is okay Saber, we all have our problems that are hard. That is why everyone needs a friend," he replied, and I nodded at his statement. "Well… what happened with the small apes... what did you call them… monkeys," he questioned.
"Yes, that is the term and they are gone. I had my own encounter, namely with the one I face before Mara. After I whooped her, I came here, and I guess you could say scared them away."
"Thanks," Seth said.
"No problem, it is what I do, glad to return the favor and all," I returned.
Cyra gave a groan at that point and Ruben followed shortly after her drawing the attention of Seth and me. Cyra was the first to lift her head and looked around and I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath while she did. I let the breath slowly, getting my breathing to return to normal after a traumatic experience. I thought that it would be better for the others not to see me as I just was, so when I spoke my voice was level and calm, "Cyra you alright, nothing feels out of place?"
She glanced over at me, appeared to stare for a moment as she took in that I was there and then shook her head. That's a relief, it seemed everyone would be okay and thank goodness for that. Seth had gone over to Cyra and now was helping her to her paws and Ruben was getting to his. It was then as I had some semblance of order in my mind that I heard a gleeful and sadistically type of laugh that I had come to know the laugh in the last hour! My face went pale and I flinched and the memories of what the dragoness had done to me! The laugh had sounded close, then Sarana came prancing out of the trees with a joyful expression on her face, which grew when she spotted me.
NO! Not when I have just gotten to the point that I was over the possibility of an emotional breakdown! I tried but failed to suppress a scream at seeing Sarana and I was scrambling backward away from her the best I was able. She still got closer, so I drew Muramasa and pointed my blade at Sarana. My gaze was fixed on Sarana, Muramasa still in my right hand and pointed at her and I was shaking uncontrollably so bad I couldn't hold my blade steady! I was for one of the few times in my life scared and that fear was from what things Sarana could and would do to me, then the results that followed were worse!
"NO," I screeched. "Not again," I shouted keeping ahold of my blade like my life depended on it. "I will never ever go through," I paused, unable to come up with the words to describe what the dragoness had done to me, "those things ever again! I will h-h-have nightmares about those things you did to me!" Even talking about them kept flashes of the experiences to the front of my mind bouncing around. I was unable to stop the shutter that went through me at the memories! "Just leave me alone Sarana! I am NOT your personal toy, dang it!"
-Seth's pov-
After I had helped Saber calm down from how he was from whatever Sarana had done to him, I went over to Cyra. I was worried, I mean Saber has kept his calm attitude even in the most stressful situations that I have seen. So, what kind of things can make him act like he was? I remember Spectra saying that Sarana has an unusual way of showing affections, but affections should not reduce someone to how Saber was!
I was helping Cyra to her paws when the sound of laughter was heard and it sounded different. I looked around trying to find who was laughing, I stopped, however, when I saw Saber's face. It was a much whiter shade than it was normal, and his eyes were wide at hearing the laughter with an expression of fear on his face. He jerked at the continuing sound of laughter that was getting closer to where we were. After a couple more seconds had passed I saw Sarana come out of the cover of trees, and she was looking very happy about something. Could that have something to do with what Saber had been saying about Sarana doing something to him? Sarana's grin got bigger when she spots Saber, but he screams when he saw Sarana. I just stared at Saber wondering of the reason why he was acting the unusual way he was when I had helped calm him.
Saber had started backing away from Sarana, though she just kept going closer to Saber. That cause Saber to take out his sword, which I saw was different from the one I had seen before now. It was the same size and shape, yet it was silver with an odd reflective quality to it and Saber was pointing it at Sarana. "NO," Saber screeched. "Not again," he shouted keeping ahold of his weapon though it was shaking. "I will never ever go through," Saber paused, "those things ever again! I will h-h-have nightmares about those things you did to me!" What exactly did Sarana do to Saber? I know she displayed an obvious liking of him before, but this is not right at all, "Just leave me alone Sarana. I am NOT your personal toy, dang it," Saber was yelling.
Toy? Is that how Sarana sees Saber?! It was clearer that whatever had happened between Saber and Sarana should not happen again. "Sarana! Whatever you did to Saber stop," I said moving forward, "It is clear he does not want to do it again! Besides we are on a mission!"
Sarana's joyful expression fell, but she nodded in acceptance and when I looked over at Saber he dropped his weapon and collapsed against a tree.
-Saber's pov-
Sarana's joyful expression faded from her face as she nodded in acceptance to what Seth had said. I collapsed against the tree that was behind me and sighed in relief for Sarana at least for the moment would leave me alone. I was in Seth's debt for helping me keep myself together and now for stopping a repeat of what had put me into the horrible state I had been in before! I would have to thank Seth later for the save and getting Sarana to leave me alone for the time being.
The next task that needed to be done was to get those that had been injured fixed up and cover a bit more distance while there was daylight. So, we found some red crystals to heal up everyone and I went and fetched Yubashiri before we continued our journey for the time there was for the day. By the time sunset had occurred, we had made a decent distance towards our destination. We had crossed a river that Sarana called the Great Eastern River, an original name if ever there was one once and were by it again before stopping for the night.
The understanding that I had from the facts I knew, we would in theory travel across the Arid Lands tomorrow and the next day. We would then reach a lake that was on the southern border of Earthsoul by the name of Lake Crystellus. From there it was another day's trek to get to the area that Spyro and Cynder had been heading for. Where our group would go from there, I can't say, it would depend on what we would find when getting around where Spyro and Cynder had been.
We built a fire in the open area we had decided to camp out at for the night and it had been a long day for at least me. Having had to deal with Mara and then two other monkeys earlier, then my time with… Sarana hadn't been helpful at all. I had survived the time with Sarana, yet it had been a very near thing though for being around Sarana was certainly no picnic. For me, if I was around her too long, I could suffer a fate that can be considered worse than death! It was bringing it home for me that this journey would be a long and hard one before its end. I found myself the most comfortable spot of ground I could find and took off my coat and put it down for me to sleep on. I took off my boots, gloves and my weapons and set them above where I would put my head, they would be still within easy reach if I needed them. Following that, I lay down on my back looking up and seeing stars, even if I didn't recognize any of them or their formations.
I was doing a lot better from how things were earlier today, that doesn't mean I will be sleeping well at all tonight. I gazed up at the star-filled sky trying to find the constellations I knew from home though I knew I would unlikely find any in the Dragon Realm. The fact that I was a stranger in a strange world hit home once more and I felt a little homesick at this point and who can blame me with what I had been through since I arrived in the Dragon Realm. I exhaled and cleared my mind of such feelings, they did me little good to have my attention. They didn't do anything to advance my situation in any way and so, why even dwell on them. I heard someone plop down next to me, so I turned my head to see Seth next to me now. I smiled and let out a sigh of contentment, "Lying on my back like this under the night sky brings back memories of simpler days and it has been a while since then," I remarked.
Seth rolled over so that he was underbelly up and faced the night sky as well, "You used to sleep under the sky like this when you were younger," he asked.
"Yep, I use to go out a lot at night and stare at the stars. I guess I am staring just to help me to find the answers to why I am here as I still do not know the answer. It is not working as usual, but it brings comfort in a way," I replied. Seth lay beside me listening and so I went on. "If someone had told me close to two months ago that I was going to be sent to a different world or realm inhabited by creatures that are thought to be myths on Earth, I would say they were crazy. Then add the other things I have done and am probably going to do here, I would have laughed at them and called them out of their minds and they had no idea what they were talking about."
Seth chuckled at my comment, "Yet here you are and I for one am glad you have been sent here to the dragon realm. We would have never met and become a friend if you had not," Seth commented.
That brought a smile to my face for he had a point, if I hadn't come here I would have never met anyone I had and made the friends that I had. I started to laugh softly joined shortly by Seth, "What are you two doing," asked Cyra if the voice was anything to go by. "Well, whatever it is, it sounds like it is fun and I want to join in too."
Seth and I brought up our heads to see Cyra running at us with a smile, "Hold on Cyra," exclaimed Seth loudly.
If she was about to leap onto us, I would rather she not do that, my health is still on the road towards recovery. "Whoa Cyra wait, do not do it," I nearly yelled.
Cyra didn't listen to Seth or me, she just leaped at us and then crashed on top of us, "Yay let's have fun you two," she said in her bubbly way of hers.
"Cyra get off us, give us space to breathe," Seth said.
I was finding that Cyra was heavy and it didn't feel nice to have her on top of me, she had to way around two-hundred pounds or more. She definitely weighs more than me and is crushing me, "Cyra you are heavy, not as heavy as Sarana, but still hea-" I couldn't finish the word as the breath was being forced out of me. "can't," I took in the air I could, "breathe," I got out in a gasp.
What is the answer I get you may ask, "Yay this is fun," was what came from Cyra.
"Cyra get off us, you are crushing Saber," Seth snapped.
I hear Ruben and Sarana laughing over by the fire while Cyra shifted enough for me to intake a large breath and shout out, "THIS IS NOT FUNNY!"
The next morning was extremely rough for me, one of the roughest I've had in a while. I opened my eyes slowly and the sun was already climbing upward in the sky, however, by the look of it, the timing wasn't too far past dawn. I felt heat sources surrounding me and I twisted to see Seth next to me, my upper body was against Seth's underbelly for some reason. Seth was quite warm I will say, maybe dragons are like that naturally, I can't say for sure right now. I looked down to see Cyra who had somehow contrived to have placed her head pretty much in my lap pressing rather close to being uncomfortably against my pelvis and all that is around there.
With where Cyra was, memories of what could happen when the dragoness woke up, her mouth was aiming at a place I don't want to be skewered. I mean, I've heard of castration, but having my friend in the basement impaled by an icicle is an extreme way to do that. Plus, I don't want to be neutered, I like how my equipment works and don't want that to change! This was an awkward sleeping position that we were all in and I started to wonder how I had ended up in this position.
Last night was a bit of a blur to me and I can't recall it clearly. After Cyra had jumped on me and Seth, it hadn't been long after that I had been knocked out by something hitting me. It was the only explanation that fit since I would have never gotten to sleep with the things that Sarana had done to me. And I felt the headache that confirmed and made sure I was left in no doubt that something striking my head.
I shifted and Cyra's head began to press uncomfortably against my nether regions. I lifted Cyra's head carefully, so I didn't wake her up and slid out from under the dragoness. When I had extricated myself, I got up and stretched all my muscles. I looked around the campsite and saw as I had suspected I was the only one up at this time of the morning. I grabbed Yubashiri and went off a little from the site to begin my morning routine. Yes indeed, even out in the middle of nowhere I still wake up at a little after the crack of dawn to do morning exercises. It comes once again from the years of training in martial arts. I had all the more reason to do so with Mara and the two new monkeys I had encountered yesterday.
Around an hour later after I had finished my morning routine I walked back to the campsite and strode over sitting down and grabbed my boots and pulled them on. When I had put on my boots, I heard someone stirring, and when I looked over, I saw it was Seth was the one moving. He lifted his head and blinked several times, still somewhat asleep as he swung his head from left to right, trying I assumed to figure out where he was. Seth stopped when he saw my face, I smiled at him, "Good morning Seth, how did you sleep? You ready for another day full of adventure," I posed.
Seth shook his head and looked at me with sleep now gone from his eyes. However, that didn't stop Seth letting out a larger yawn, "I slept okay, how about you," he replied.
At the question, I glanced momentarily over to where Cyra was still sleeping and thought about where her head had been when I woke up. I then answered Seth, "Well, I am normally not picky, but with where Cyra's head was when I woke up, I was worried. Let's just say I was concerned about the wellbeing of my friend with the pole in the basement."
Seth just stared blinking at me not understanding what I was saying indirectly. I slapped my forehead, forgetting about two things that were causing frustration to me right now. The first was the point that dragons don't have inference like humans do which I use a good portion of the time. The second was what my mouth is like in the morning, it has little to no filter at all and that can screw me. It's thanks to some of my friends at the dojo that is how it works for me, it's a long story and not the time to regale it. "Never mind Seth forget what just said, I slept just fine," I replied.
Cyra stirred and let out a yawn at that moment looked around and saw us, "Is it morning already? How long until we leave?"
I looked at Seth and then shrugged, "Well Ruben and Sarana have not woken up yet. In fact, I am surprised that Sarana didn't end up in the mess that we were sleeping through the night. Nevertheless, I will not complain about her not being in it, that would be worse to me. I really prefer not to wake up with that face in the morning, I do not think I would be able to stop myself from committing suicide for all that long."
It took half an hour for all five of us to be up and we were making our individual final preparations to leave. For me, that meant slipping on my gloves and buckling my arm braces on before going to where my coat was. I picked up my coat and gave it a hard shake to get as much of the dirt from being on the ground off it as possible. I put on my coat after that and rolled my shoulders to make sure I had a range of movement in my arms I preferred.
In a short time, we were all ready to go on, so we continued the journey into and across the Arid Lands. As the name implied, the area was pretty much a desert, meaning the winds were hot and unpleasant the day. The temperature was not unbearable, but it was fairly toasty as we went. We did get to what appeared to be an oasis as the sun was setting and we camped there for the night.
The next day got us out of the Arid Lands and across the southern border of Earthsoul marked by Lake Crystellus. The lake was crystal clear and was nice and cool which after the Arid Lands was very much appreciated. I jumped into the lake like the rest of our group to cool off from the trek through the desert. After we cooled off, we continued on to where Spyro and Cynder had apparently been when last contacted. It was what I would estimate was afternoon, we reached the point where the real search for Spyro and Cynder would begin.
Earthsoul, as it had been said, had mountains, plains and there were forests somewhere around here but hadn't seen them yet. The mountains were ahead of us and we were going to have to trek around them rather than over them. To our left, there were meadows along will multiple small bodies of water dotting the landscape. The five of us kept moving forward into the land after taking a few minutes to take in the landscape.
We had been traveling for an hour or so when I thought I heard something out of the ordinary. I stopped and try to listen to see what the sound had been, cocking my head and turned it from side to side trying to locate the sound I had heard. Seth stopped as well looking at me, "What is it Saber," he questioned.
I held up a hand to signal him to be quiet and everyone went silent looking at me waiting for me to say what I was doing. I listen hard, shook my head then got down to the ground and put my ear to it to see if that could help me figure out what I was hearing. I heard a faint vibration through the ground, it sounded like paws running hard. By the vibration suggested two different runners, so two dragons most likely? The sound before had sounded faintly like yelling which would then explain the vibration of running. I got to my feet and faced the others, "There is someone ahead, two dragons if I am not mistaken. There running and by the pattern of it, I doubt it is for fun," I stated.
Ruben the looked at everyone else fire in his eyes, "Well come on let's go and see."
We all broke into a run and raced ahead to see what was going on, and the five of us saw two dragons running away from a group of apes. The one in the lead of the two had fire brick red scales with a harvest gold underbelly and wing membranes. He looked around the same age as Oryha or their bouts. The other dragon also looked around the same age, but he had bright red scales, his underbelly and wing membranes were a golden shade of yellow. They were running from a group of fourteen apes.
Well, needless to say, the five of us charged forward and started hitting the apes from the side. Short fight shorter, we whooped their rears then handed to them on a silver platter that not even the pickiest aristocrat could call it anything but spotless! After that, the two dragons faced us and seemed wary of me, which I was becoming a familiar reaction that I was getting. Ruben came forward and smiled at the two young dragons, "Are you two all right?"
Both of them nodded at the question, then the bright red dragon turned to the brick red dragon, "I told you it was a bad idea to sneak out Pyris, I knew we would get into trouble," he said.
Oh boy, this is beginning to sound like something from the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. I had to read the book for school once, so I know what I am talking about. Anyway, the brick red dragon or Pyris as the other had called him took umbrage to this, "I did not hear you complain when we were exploring the cave Blaze. It is your fault we were almost caught," he replied.
"No, you are," claimed the first.
"No, you," said the other.
"You."
"You."
All that's missing is the popcorn, yeah I guess? It didn't take long for me to have had enough of this, young they may be, but this is getting no one anywhere. "Shush the both of you," I snapped making myself heard. Both red dragons look at me with surprise as I continued, "Stop this argument it is not helping."
Seth nodded in agreement with me, "Yes, it does not matter who is at fault, now where did you two come from?"
Cyra piped up then with a smile, "I would guess there are others worried about where you are."
"What are your names," asked Sarana and she was rather gruff almost to the point of rude.
It was a good idea to give these two the chance to talk to us and tell us their names even though we know what they are. Still, it would have been better if Sarana had been a little nicer, but I won't say anything to her if I don't have to. The brick red dragon stepped forward first, "My name is Pyris."
The bright red dragon followed Pyris, "My name is Blaze."
"We came from a village about an hour in that direction," said Pyris.
Pyris also had gestured with his head in a northeastern direction, and I took notice that Pyris's horns of which he had two looked exactly like Spyro's horns, just smaller. In fact, the more I looked at Pyris, the more he seemed to remind me of Spyro, go figure. At least he did if Spyro were to have red scales instead of purple. Blaze, on the other hand, had his two horns that went out the side of his head and curved upward close to the tips. Ruben then smiled again, "Well, then let's get you home."
The two dragons fell into step with the five of us though they kept their distance from me, to which I just shook my head in slight annoyance. When will dragons not treat me as an ape right off the bat, that will be the day? Well, when we get to this village may be the dragons there have information about Spyro and Cynder. One can hope no? It was also possible that those two may even be there themselves. When the five of us get there, I suppose we will find out.
A/n
And that's where chapter 19 will leave off, hope you're liking the rewrite please some of you take the time to write reviews, thank you for reading this.