The next installment of Dormin's Curse, featuring Lexus' decision to enter the misty path. I own nothing but the People of the Colossi, the Custom Colossi, Azgarot and the ghost of Erageo.
(Note: This chapter is also a celebration; I've created another custom colossus to be used! Armagedus the Armored Sand Reptile will be quite fun to write about, but first, let's focus on here and now.)
Chapter 3
Not Enough Power
Celosia ran in circles around Quadratus, roaring at the larger colossus, as Lexus and Elder Agekale watch. "So it's true, isn't it?" Lexus said quietly. The ceiling shook as Avion landed on the Shrine of Worship. "I'm afraid so. Dormin the Deceiver is not lying this time." Elder Agekale replied, misty eyes on the deteriorating form of Runtus. Eolly was helping two other men to drag Ombane back to the Shrine of Worship; he'd have to be healed by Agekale if he was going to survive.
"So then I'll have to go into the misty path." Lexus told herself. She looked up at the light where Dormin's essence shone through. The god had been silent ever since Runtus had been slain, something that worried Lexus for a reason she couldn't figure out. "But Agro ran into the pass..."
It was true. Upon sight of Celosia, Agro had bolted for the misty pass and vanished within. Lexus tried to call for him, like before, but the second presence hadn't entered her body when she tried. She gave up and returned to the Shrine of Worship. "Someone has to go, Lexus, but it doesn't have to be you." Eolly called as he drew near. Elder Agekale shook her head slowly. "She is the wielder of the Ancient's Sword, and she swore an oath. It must be Lexus." she said.
"But you cannot fight the Colossi without a steed." Eolly shouted. "We should gather all of the horses and--"
His words were cut off as Celosia leaped over his head, barreling towards the Shrine. Lexus drew her sword and raced at Celosia, but the boar Colossus merely skidded to a halt and bowed its furry head. Lexus blinked. "I...I can't!" she exclaimed. "I can't ride a Colossus!"
"Why not? You rode Agro." Eolly muttered, as if he was jealous. He probably was. "A Colossus shouldn't be too much more difficult." "You don't understand!" Lexus stammered. "Colossi are evil, unholy brutes! To ride one would taint my blessed blood!" "That was true when Wander was alive, Lexus." Agekale said gently. "The Colossi have been purified; that is why Quadratus kicked you aside, instead of running over you."
Lexus stared at the ground, unable to decide. Finally, she looked up. "Okay. If Celosia will allow me to ride him...I will." she said. Celosia pawed the ground, then lay on its stomach. Lexus cautiously approached, blade at the ready, then she swung onto the Colossus' back. Immediately, the furry creature wheeled around and bolted for the misty pass.
Lexus was almost thrown off; Celosia bounced her around like a child's toy with its massive strength. It was all she could to to hold onto its back fur. She made it a point to beat up Eolly later; Agro was a tame little pony compared to Celosia! As the Colossus bounded into the misty path, Lexus was chilled to her bones. Then darkness closed around her. She glanced back, and saw nothing. The only sounds she could hear were Celosia's breathing, and the impact of its claws on the ground.
Then her breath was taken away. They emerged onto a massive bridge; it must've been five times bigger than Entry Passage! (The replacement bridge for the Fertile Lands.) The ground fell away into a deep abyss which must've stretched on for miles. If Lexus squinted at the end of the bridge, she could make out a dark haze. But the sky above was deep blue, and so was the bridge. Mist covered everything, and she could see nothing but the bridge and Celosia.
Close your mouth, girl, you'll catch insects.
Lexus nearly fell off of the Colossus. Dormin? No, the voice was different. Huskier, deeper...closer... "Who said that?" she called, looking around.
I'm right beneath you.
This time, Lexus DID fall off of Celosia. The Colossus spoke into her mind! Celosia skid to a stop and padded over to her, its blue eyes shining brightly. "You...you talk?" she stammered. Celosia grunted and tossed its head to the side.
Of course I speak! I'm not some mindless beast, you know! And just so we're perfectly clear, if you EVER call me an 'evil, unholy brute' again, I'll run you through with my tusks.
"Right!" Lexus shouted, causing Celosia to take a step back as the sound echoed around them. "So...where are we?"
The domain of the Colossus God, Origin.
"Origin." Lexus repeated. She grabbed one of Celosia's tusks and began to pull herself up, but the Colossus roared and whipped its head away.
Do not use me as leverage, girl!
"Sorry, sorry!" she apologized, climbing to her feet. Mounting Celosia again, they set out. The next few moments were spent in silence, the Boar Colossus padding beneath her as the dark haze drew nearer. Finally, they were upon it. A massive, evil-looking building loomed ahead. The stone was as black as the blood of a Colossus, and it seemed to reach the sky so far above.
As Celosia ran into the building, Lexus' eyes wandered around. There were massive stone idols, like there used to be at the Shrine of Worship. But she could only see about fifteen; the hall split into three others. Two led to more halls, the third led to the front of the building. Standing on a stone platform, looking out at the mist, was a boy about fifteen.
He had black hair that covered his eyes, a cloak that reached his knees (underneath the cloak he wore black pants) and large black boots. Rings covered his arms and fingers. As Celosia drew near to the boy, it growled and slowed down. Lexus swung off of the Colossus and approached him. "Excuse me, who are you?" she asked.
The boy turned and brushed hair from his eyes. Lexus froze in place. They were frighteningly blue, and seemed to pierce her very soul. "Doth thou not recognize a divine ruler?" the boy asked. He looked at his own body with disgust. "Alas, all of Our remaining power could only leave us with a mortal body. This is truly a worthless form."
"Dormin?!" Lexus shouted, gripping the Ancient's Sword. If Dormin had taken a frail phsycial form, she could simply strike him down! But Dormin saw this, and he raised a hand. Wind blew directly on the Ancient's Sword, keeping it inside the sheathe. Lexus was unable to draw it. "Do not think of Us as defenseless, mortal." Dormin said. "Because We do not have enough power to use our true form, do not think We will not strike thou down all the same."
"Well, you're not really Dormin if you don't have Dormin's body." Lexus snapped. "I'll call you Azgarot." "Azgarot?!" Dormin bellowed. "We shall not be renamed by a mortal GIRL!" and as he said this, the walls shuddered. "Look, Dormin, if the Colossus God tears apart the land, you'll go with it." Lexus declared. "And I will not help you if you are uncooperative!" Dormin's mortal body looked at the surrounding building, then at Lexus. It was clear that he loathed her greatly. But he finally sighed.
"Azgarot it is, puny mortal." he muttered. "Now then, thou must slay the Colossi if the fell wind is to be quelled. Runtus was the first of many foes." Lexus nodded. Celosia bounded to Azgarot, knocking him over as it raced to the edge of the platform. "Damnable beast!" Azgarot shouted. "Now then, about these Colossi..." Lexus began.
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