Greetings from SeekerMeeker.
So, I am getting into this.
Reptilia
Chapter 3: He Wakes
A temple interior from somewhere...
"It's been over 20 years," a voice groaned inside of a strange, ornate room. "And this turtle master is still as a stone."
"Hold your tongue," another hissed, as two figures waved palm leaves with their scaled, humanoid arms. "He's an ancient, wise Chelon, a turtle humanoid. Be nice to him."
"I am sorry," the other creature apologized. "It can get . . . boring."
"I know," the other spoke. "You are right."
They were inside a strange, colossal room, surrounded by walls of colorful glyphs and other patterns, with ornate windows above shining down rays of sunlight. Hence, it looked like a mixture of both a cathedral and an Aztec pyramid. Numerous pillars and arches filled the room, towering over a floor of obsidian and jade tiles. A single, red carpet with golden lines extended from the golden doorway all the way to a raised platform.
The raised platform was a slab of pure-white concrete, which floated a meter above the ground due to magic. On top of it was a soft, blue cushion with golden stripes on top.
It was a throne platform for a giant tortoiseshell.
"And anyway," the hissing creature continued, fanning the shell. "We are Saurians, reptilian humanoids, as the humans call us. We need to do our job, even if it takes 2,000 years."
"You're not that old," the other replied with a smirk.
"Don't mention it," the other hissed. "Komodo"
Komodo was a Lizan, a type of reptilian humanoid with traits of lizards. He looked like a humanoid, muscular version of the Komodo dragon, but wore a fancy suit of golden armor and various jewelry all over him. On his head, he wore a helmet with a crown of bright feathers, so that he looked as if he wore a Native American headdress.
"At least I have two legs and two arms," Komodo grunted. "And humans confuse me for a Lizardman, whatever that means to them. But you have two arms only, Coby."
The creature named Coby sighed. By contrast, Coby was a Serpan, a race of "humanoid" snakes that looked almost serpentine, except for roughly humanoid torsos and arms.
"Well," he admitted with a hiss that was a sigh. "You made a great point. But come on, look on the bright side."
"You sound very optimistic," Komodo noted. "For a King Cobra Serpan."
The Serpan laughed, although it sounded like a growl.
"Yeah," he admitted. "But this job pays well. We got in only because the last two got tired of fanning this master. And according to our elders, this fellow has been still for over 2,000 years."
"It's the least we can do," Komodo groaned. I mean, we're tending the oldest Chelon in the world, and his shell is huge!"
The tortoiseshell that they were fanning was a Chelon, a species of reptilian humanoid with traits of turtles and its relatives. It clearly belonged to someone with traits of a giant tortoise, but had golden markings all around, much like that of the radiated tortoise of Madagascar.
"Huge even for Chelons," Coby noted. "But boring nonetheless."
"Then why did you get it?" Komodo asked, flicking his tongue out.
"It pays better than being a hunter," Coby admitted. "Or being a garbage collector."
Komodo reacted as if he spit out a drink. In reality, he was shaking in disbelief.
"Unbelievable!" he retorted. "A King cobra like you being a garbage collector! It's hard to swallow that fact!"
"At least it pays very well," Coby replied. "Plus free healthcare and all. But yours is bizarre: you transferred from the job of a scribe."
Komodo rolled his eyes.
"It was boring as a grilled foot!" he retorted. "Sure, I was responsible for writing down information, printing with strange machines, and other tasks, but I was not respected. Things could have been more interesting."
"But isn't that a noble job?" Coby asked. "Books are how we know how to obtain food, to fight well, and even to have fun with life! And aren't you one of the smartest Lizans out there?"
"I got tired of it," Komodo replied curtly. "You know, something that humans call the 'midlife crisis'? I am wondering what to do in life."
Coby sighed.
"Well," he grunted. "It is what it is."
"I don't want to die as just another scribe," Komodo groaned. "It's boring and . . . augh!"
The reptilian shivered, as the frond danced frantically through the vibration.
"Boring?" Coby questioned. "Everything in life is not all fun and games. If so, then it gets weary really fast. Even humans, despite their desire to command and conquer, need time to rest."
"Rest my tail," Komodo groaned. "Humans love to mix fiction with reality a lot. They think that they are the greatest species, because they are 'average.' Yet they have a bloated ego of themselves."
"Like a toad," Coby joked, and the two laughed.
"What's going on here?" a croaking sound erupted, echoing throughout the chamber. Both the Lizan and the Serpan jumped, but sighed in relief.
"Gabriel," Komodo said. "Come in!"
A massive, robust figure strolled into view. It looked like Komodo, but with giant, bulging muscles throughout. Its head was shaped like that of an alligator, and the creature towered over both Komodo and Coby. It also wore armor, but one that was clearly heavier than that of Komodo.
He was a Crocan.
"Greetings Gabriel," Komodo said, waving his claws. "We're talking about this ancient Turton."
"Good luck," Gabriel spoke with a very thick, slightly Southern accent. "Fellah's an old one."
Coby stared at Gabriel.
"Dude," Komodo groaned. "Stop it, you two."
"Can't help it," Coby hissed. "You should know that we Reptilians are not unified."
All three reptilians sighed.
"I wish that this turtle guy will wake up," Komodo groaned. "He's one of the few whom almost all of us reptilians look up to."
"Not so fast," Gabriel croaked.
"What?" Coby hissed. "What do you mean?
"You both should know," Gabriel grunted. "That an elder Turton being in slumber for 2,000 years . . . do you think that most of us will listen to him?"
Komodo and Coby looked at each other, and sighed in unison.
"But why is he sleeping in the first place?" Komodo asked. "And even the elders around don't know. All we got was an obvious piece of information written in poetry."
Clearing his throat, he spoke:
"I wake when things awaken
For many shall abuse the above.
Find the truth from the lie.
There comes a great drought
Shall starve thee to naught.
Food shall take the mood.
Fun shall run away
When they shall fight
Forever.
Solve the above with the last:
Four stars shall light to bright
The world darkened by night
They point the way to the day
The Golden Dragon shall save.
Save us."
The three reptilians stood still. The tomb-like interior echoed, carrying the weight of the saying throughout the walls and the ceiling.
"A mysterious prophecy indeed," Gabriel noted.
"It's clear that the prophecy is designed," Coby hissed. "To keep in mind its enemies. Enemies know what it is talking about: our salvation shall come from these 'four stars,' who shall ultimately point the way to the Golden Dragon."
"A prophecy that is intentionally designed with LIES inside," Komodo noted. "Unlike humans, who somehow assume that all prophecies are true, this prophecy is designed to trick its enemies. We know that not all parts are true. The problem is . . . which parts are true, and which are false?"
"When you said enemies," Gabriel said with a low growl. "You mean the warmbloods?"
The three stood still.
"Not all of them are bad," Komodo broke the silence.
"I cannot help it," Coby hissed. "They murdered my people."
"They taste weird," Gabriel grunted. "What do they even eat, y'all?"
"Don't want to know," Coby hissed. "And not care; they need to be punished."
"Hold your tongue," Komodo replied. "Do not assume that all humans are evil. But I don't blame you; at this point, there is a point that if humans need to prove it, they need to do it fast."
"But at least they make for good battles," Gabriel croaked.
"Excuse me?" Coby hissed. "They are not good at being aware of their surroundings."
"Except for their assassins," Komodo noted. "But seriously, I think that if we need to do something about humans."
"Kill them off?" Coby hissed.
"Just eat them?" Gabriel declared.
Komodo shook his head.
"I have heard rumors among the humans," Komodo said. "That there are humans from other dimensions. From what we hear, some human mages have opened up portals to other worlds. That may explain for them having bizarre technologies and magical spells."
"If so," Coby hissed. "Then we should open up our own portals, and counter the humans."
"And remember," Komodo noted. "It's not just humans; we need to deal with enemies who want to attack our continent."
"What to do then?" Coby hissed. "We need a way to unify our continent, rebuild our civilization, and find a way to learn about this world in the first place!"
"In other words," Komodo noted. "We need to have enough food, enough fun, and enough fighting experience. And this guy here is the answer."
Komodo made a light tap on the tortoiseshell.
"What's his name?" Coby hissed.
Komodo looked around, and beckoned them to come close.
"His name is not meant to be taken lightly," he hissed himself. "But you two are my closest friends in a long time. Coby Cobraka, Gabriel Gatortooth, swear in the name of Dinos that you will keep this a secret?"
"We swear," the two replied, making their own gestures and put their hands together in a hand-stack.
"His name," Komodo said in a low whisper. "Is – "
"Olmael."
A deep grunt echoed throughout the chamber, causing the three to jump. The voice resonated throughout, causing even the images to tremble.
"Who's there?" the three asked. Gabriel took out his giant gauntlets, while Coby prepared his longbow. Komodo summoned a mace-staff, a staff with a giant mace-head.
"Speak!" Coby hissed. "Or face the wrath of my poison arrows!"
"Coby Cobraka," the voice answered. "Lay down your weapons. I awake."
The three froze, then slowly turned around.
"Gabriel Gatortooth," the same voice echoed. "It has been a long time. You are like your father."
Gabriel simply let his jaw drop.
"Komodo Dragonitor," the same voice continued. "Remember me?"
"Ol . . . Olmael?!" the three gasped.
Silence. The chamber stood still, as if even the images were watching. Then, the shell started to shake, and started to glow a bright golden color from the star-shaped markings on it. A long, scaled neck slowly emerged from the shell, and a grayish head with a kind, serene smile appeared.
"Hello friends," he casually spoke, although his voice boomed with authority.
The three trembled, then immediately went down to bow.
"Please do not," the Turton spoke. "You are my friends."
He blinked, his eyes straining to deal with the sunlight from the ceiling windows. He then pulled out his arms, and waved. A staff with a strange, box-like head appeared, and he held it.
"Heave . . . ho," he spoke, as he pulled his legs out, and stood.
The Turton was a being like no other, except for his kind. He towered over even Gabriel. The three reptilians bowed their heads low in great reverence.
"I awake," the Turton spoke. "How is the world now?"
The three looked at each other.
"I understand," the Turton replied with a low sigh. "I am freed from the curse."
"Curse?!" the three gasped.
"But it does not matter now," he continued. "I, Olmael Tortarch, am free. This is time . . . for war."