Chapter 1 - A Chameleon
Scene: Lost Hex
Espio, an arrogant 12 year old chameleon hears about an interesting tale about a satellite planet called the Lost Hex, hidden in the clouds. The tale intrigues him and he has made it his mission to find it. He always wants to test and bulster his skills, so the uncharted planet is the perfect place to do so.
He used his detective skills, and info-gathering, a trail of rumors, and old hearsay, he was led to a gorgeous plateau littered with flowers and cubular trees. He looks up into the clouds, seeing no sign of the supposed "mystery world". Journeying further into the cape of the continent, on the beach he notices a rocky peninsula and a suspicious cave, he climbs up and slowly ventures inside. There he discovers the cave's treasure: a giant warp ring, glistening from the leaking light from above.
Espio ponders: "could this place be some kind of secret passage?"
There's no telling where this ring would take him, but his curiosity has brought him this far. After a moment of pause, Espio leaps into the ring, vanishing in a burst of golden sparkles. With a feeling comparable to whiplash, he suddenly pops right back into existence 30 feet above ground level. He tumbles down and slams right down but first into the terrain, sending a cloud of dirt into the air.
Espio: *groan*
Espio comes to his feet and takes in his surroundings, a mixture of astonishment and confusion strikes him. Looking around he realizes that he has landed in a serene archipelago. He steps onto the sand of the tropical coast and stares out into the clear waters. His eyes meeting the scope of a land he's never seen before. The clouds seem to encase the horizon, and the sky above is empty, nothing but a deep blue. In the distance he can see portions of other radically different environments, almost as if the world he's on is a tightly knit amalgamation of ecosystems: Pyramids, and a brink of a vast desert, a wealth of a dense forest lands, a titanic wall of icy mountains, and far beyond those, a plume of smoke from an active volcano.
Espio Ponders: Could this wonder world really be the lost hex of legend?
Espio turns to observe the nearby area, walking back onto the plush grass. He spots a pseudo oriental garden, organized with subtlety and graceful form. The garden is full of bountiful trees, unlike the palm trees everywhere else, heart shaped trees with unnaturally large apples dangling from them, the surrounded growing what looked to be equally oversized watermelons, a strawberry bush equal size, and a plethora of other fruits. Adjacent, a stone pathway leads up to a temple up the hill, huge gears can be seen poking out from the various fissures on the roof moving a rotational motion, controlling some unseen autonomy. Despite operation, the building itself appears to be very old, but magnificently built with intricately carved stone dragon pillars and murals depicting creatures like demons. Espio can't help but admire the elegance of the layout, as he heads towards the temple along the stone paths, his instincts are down for a few brief moments before he senses something off about the area. From behind him, a voice echoes out from the cliff.
?: Ah. What do we have here, an uninvited guest in my garden?
Espio turns sharply. A small horned creature can be seen on top of the cliff, just below the steps leading up to the house. This being is unlike anything Espio has seen before, it's sky blue skin, wrinkled and old, holding what looks to be a cane. It's shiny yellow eyes pierce through Espio, looking at him up and down, assessing him. The elderly hermit's eyes squint slightly, as he continues to smile. The creature then flips down from the cliff, making the cane look like a redundant fashion accessory. Espio readies himself with the uncertainty of what he's dealing with.
Without warning, the creature throws his cane towards Espio, who dodges out of the way. The old creature keeps his arm extended, as the cane turns in midair, smacking Espio in the back of the head and turning to its owner. The creature raises his other hand and just then, with the same disembodied force, a barbed vine from one of the trees tries to grab hold of Espio's tail. Espio leaps forward and away from the thorny appendage. He immediately tries to use his chroma camo, but to no avail. The carefully cultivated garden springs to life and manages to restrain him. Espio struggles to get out of the tight grip of the plant life surrounding him, knowing that this thing is dangerous, unnaturally dangerous.
Espio: Let me go!
The creature moves the vines down towards the ground as if to allow Espio some sort of fighting chance. As soon as Espio's feet hit the ground, he cuts himself loose off the vines with the help of his kunai knives. The creature uses his telekinetic power once again to hurl the garden's fruit at the young chameleon. Espio starts slicing all of the fruit that comes his way into oncoming pieces, he grabs the shuriken he has on hand, and throws them with extremely precise aim forcing the creature to cartwheel out of their path. Espio comes to the conclusion that he has encountered something not of this world: a demon: an Oni, a powerful one too. He can't help but recognize the honed skill he's facing. Just then the creature pauses.
?: You're not too bad, young one. I expected much less.
The creature sees some promise in the chameleon and the way he fights, but his attitude shows a lack of discipline. Espio brushes off the remarks, determined to strike down his adversary. This brash nature and arrogance proves to be his downfall, as the creature beats down the chameleon with lightning fast moves and agility, promptly putting Espio in his place. SO beaten, Espio is amazed that this old man has that kind of strength.
?: You, young man, have much to learn. My name is Zik, but you can call me Master Zik.
Zik slowly approaches Espio, he speaks slowly with maniacal wisdom radiating from his voice.
Master Zik: I have a proposition for you, you seek power, do you not? That's why you came here, become my student, I can teach you what you desire.
Espio raises his head to Zik, shocked by what he's just heard.
Master Zik: I have taught many young pupils in my time, but I have semi-retired recently, but I am willing to go for one more apprentice.
Espio drops to one knee and speaks to Zik profusely.
Espio: I refuse, I sense your vile ways. I have nothing to learn from someone like you.
Master Zik brain: Hmm, there is potential, but he ignores the gray between good and evil. That will be a challenge
Master Zik: If you become my pupil, you will be stronger, so strong even more than morality itself. You have a strong sense of justice and righteousness, that is a weakness. Under my training, you will uproot that weakness. It's shackling you, young man.
Espio wants to deny it, but he can't deny his own curiosity and ambition.
Master Zik: So, what's your name young reptile?
Espio: E-Espio. Espio the chameleon.
Master Zik: Why don't you come inside, and we can start training.
A loud rumbling is heard, Espio claims a fighting stance in response.
Master Zik: Ah, that would be the others.
Master Zik and Espio walk inside the temple into the Foyer. Zik waves his hand and opens large wooden doors. As the gears turn and the doors creak open, 5 new figures enter, which Espio notes very physical resemblance to Zik.
Master Zik: Everyone, I'd like you to meet my new student, Espio.
Though he hasn't agreed to any classes yet, Espio unconsciously stands to attention, intimidated by the fierce beings. Zavok immediately eyes up the small chameleon with distaste, and the rest of the Zeti showcase various emotions, most ranging from confusion, disgust and general disinterest.
Zavok: I thought you weren't taking in any more strays master.
Master Zik: Oh, I didn't plan to, but this one sprouted in my garden, and I decided to make an exception.
Espio tries to speak up but Zik nonchalantly flicks his cane and swipes Espio's legs out from under him, knocking the youngest onto his back.
Master Zik: He will be training with me for the unforeseeable future, until I deem him at his full strength.
Zavok: He'll never succeed.
Master Zik: He held his own against me for a little while, Zavok. You best test him yourself. Actually, that's not a bad idea.
Master Zik: Zazz, Zommom, Zeena, Zor, clear some room for Espio and Zavok.
Espio now stands across from the hulking red demon, as he tries to de-escalate the situation.
Espio: Now hold on a min-
Zavok: Easy enough, come here pipsqueak.
Espio swallows the lump in his throat, preparing his stance as the first hit comes, knocking him across the foyer and into the floor. He tries to stand, but Zavok pins him to the ground using only a fraction of his strength, his one hand bigger than Espio's entire body. Panicking and with his arms held down, Espio retaliates by firing out his tongue poking Zavok in the eye.
Zavok: Insolent little-
Zavok goes to punch Espio with his free hand but Zik interrupts.
Master Zik: Zavok, let him go.
Zavok pauses for a moment and scoffs, releasing his grasp and storming off outside. Espio stands and falls forward onto his hands and knees. He's left stunned, he didn't even stand 10 seconds against Zavok.
Master Zik: That could've gone much farther.
Espio: What do you mean?
Master Zik: Zavok is my best student, he's been trying to take my position as the leader.
Finally grasping the gap between the two of them, Espio suddenly without hesitation slides on his knees, palms against the ground and bows his head to Zik.
Espio: Master Zik, please train me!
This immediate action after losing surprises Zik and the other Zeti in the room. He knows the nature of these Oni, but stays blindly confident that no matter what, he'll be able to remain on the side of the light.
Master Zik chuckles knowing well that the fight against Zavok was bait towards Espio's appetite. Now to reel him in.
Master Zik: Are you sure? After all it took decades for Zavok to master my teachings.
Espio: Decades!?
Master Zik: You see, us Zeti live for centuries, Zavok is 700 years old, I am more than 2 millennium. This means that your training must be accelerated, this means that you'll be taking a century long teaching regime for a twentieth of the time.
Espio is stunned once again, this will be hellish, no freedom, no time for relaxation, not even to breath. Espio chokes up from the gravity of the task, but his rigid relentlessness has the final say. He calmly confirms his understanding of the terms.
Espio: I understand.
Master Zik: Very well then, student Espio.
