Con't III: Double-Cross
A pair of those same mysterious white eyes shot open, as if he'd awakened from a nightmare. They narrowed as he listened to the crashing ocean waves in the distance and the sea breeze hit the sleepy warrior. Surrounded by palm trees and amongst a grey, rocky wall, he looked through a mystical, bright light just ahead of him, revealing a thin portal of sorts as if it were an eye of a hurricane. He gazed over a thick forest of thick red and orange vegetation. The Oriental watcher noticed the tiny, armored warrior march thru it and soon paused as he fought against a swarm of the Red Dragon klan. He then rose his head as he breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly. His upper chest warmed as he was still in his lotus position. "Yes... It is him; it is Taven. I sensed Blaze's fiery essence resting inside of him. He must have conjured it as he first traveled thru Arctika. He shall help us prevent Armageddon and save all the realms."
"You found him." The female Edenian hiding her face in a large, silky, cerulean mask appeared behind him. Her outfit matched the same shade and material as her vial, even her pair of black and blue gloves as soft as the night sky. The Asian holy man nodded.
His eyes then followed a slightly taller traveler konsisting of a thin, long, white ponytail, a bare chest and a red cape as if belonging to a superhero with his denim jeans. He was heading straight for the Edenian. "...Fujin."
He spotted the otherworldly lone warrior trodden toward the massive warehouse after sticking a small, purple hairbrush in his pocket, completely armored like a steel-tight military base, just smack dab next to a steep mountain slope as if it was just incinerated by a wildfire; it was barely noticeable amongst the heavy steam.
Fujin followed Taven as he spotted him head in the same direction as that terrorist workstation. He reached for him, as he was blowing a squall of wind from his palm, but it only let out a thin breeze. His hand just stopped, as if frozen in time. The same mysterious Chinese man stretched out to the Wind God's arm, only it stayed in place. He gave it a slight tug and the inanimate elemental was paralyzed. Seeing he was satisfied, he gazed upon Taven's destination.
"I need to discover why the Red Dragons have been hunting me," Taven said aloud.
While inside the opaque chambers, Taven managed to bash thru about four swarms of the same Red Dragon assassins wearing the usual blood-red uniforms with black hoods and cream innards, and they seemed skilled than the radicals at the Botan Jungle.
He also found a red, thick cape almost as soon as he stepped foot into the cavernous, natural entryway; although it never seemed cooler, but just as humid as the outer, hefty Krimson Forest. Only flaming torches lit the ways stuck in one of several indentions within the stone walls. A choker bracelet with a golden handle was laid out beside a door Taven couldn't budge, so stayed the kourse. Within a fork, he turned right, and a door of inaccessible titanium alloy blocked his way. The left path led him to a massive chamber where a motherboard was located.
It may not have been the buzzing noise emanating from the heavy machinery, but Taven held his head for a short while; a vision of him raising his hands and creating a funnel made a group of enemies stop dead in their tracks.
Some fires beneath the massive slab of rock burned in hearths as sudden landings of pairs of army boots interrupted Taven's reverie. With the technique he had just recalled, he utilized his Time Stop maneuver which had the same effect he envisioned in his mind, albeit lasting for about five seconds before his assailants continued to sock him!
During the melees, Taven found a thick, rubbery blackbelt as if it was worn by a runaway fanatic near the few giant motherboards, a pair of hook swords in the backwall, and he needed to pay heed from the numerous combustibles and gas tanks around; the biohazards were proven useful as Taven broke those cannisters instead while throwing his enemies into them, and also letting them spread to more of his assailants gaining on him.
It wasn't long before the main deck was silent, yet still Taven remained on guard.
"Taven." A deep tenor nearly startled him.
He was undoubtedly surprised as he cried with a tight throat, "Daegon!"
A tall, well-built man with tan skin who was completely bald walked up behind him. On the left side of his face, he wore a dragon tattoo much like his brother's and his left eye looked blinded while a long scar ran over his right. He had a small goatee on his chin. He wore no shirt, only a black belt with a golden sigil of the same emblem belonging to the Red Dragons with a hakama, arm guards with spikes and a long red cape with gold linings and another sigil embroidered on the back. He wore red pants with gold linings and black boots with studs along their fronts.
Upon close evaluation, Taven's voice dropped, "You look...older..."
"I am. Much older than you, big brother," he replied with such dissonance.
"So you were awakened long ago. Why are you here?"
"This is my stronghold," he stated proudly as he opened his arms.
Taven pointed to him, "YOUR stronghold? And these warriors...?"
"I formed the Red Dragon Clan many ages ago," Daegon stated with each sentence building in pride and also...callous.
"There must be some misunderstanding." Taven could've sworn his throat was growing coarse. "Your soldiers have been hunting me."
Daegon just shook his head without any trace of remorse, "There is no misunderstanding. For years my clan has infiltrated every corner of Earthrealm searching for you. Scouting parties were placed in locations where you were likely to appear. At our parents' temples, for instance." Taven could've sworn Daegon's eyes glazed as he smiled and put his hands on his hips. "I see you found your armor. I wear mine always."
"Why would you send your clan after me?"
He smirked. "Isn't it obvious? I intend to kill you."
"What?!" Taven was definitely taken aback, how his only living and trusted family member can turn on him almost instantly!
Daegon pointed at himself, "The prize will be mine, Taven. I will not risk losing it to you." He pointed to his weaker sibling, so he claimed.
"Grand Master! Please excuse the intrusion." Another tenor clad in black, including a large cape, marched up to him.
"Speak, Mavado."
"Blaze has been found."
Daegon raised his clenched fists in triumph. "Excellent! I must make preparations. See that my brother never leaves this stronghold alive."
While the Red Dragon elitist was circling Taven, before he lunged out with his elongated hook swords, the strange meditator just rose beneath the sun still shining amongst the creepy vermillion sky. He gradually dropped his white-tattooed arms as his eyes began to fizzle as if they were generating lightning, before his entire being glowed and combusted with fire! Hovering over the resistant stronghold, his righthand cupped a pyro ball within his palm...
After several clangs with his Drakesword, Taven was able to outmaneuver the count of the clan. He then picked him up as he wringed his throat, "Where is he!? Where is Blaze?" Mavado's only reply was a sly smile. As Taven reached for his foe to make his point more strenuously, Mavado snapped away on a concealed elastic cord. He disappeared thru a hatch, which sealed behind him...
All a sudden there was a tremendous flash of light coming from the lower deck beneath Taven's perch! The ground trembled and it made the ceiling rain down some debris while a humongous wall of flames began to lick portions of the cavern!
A monstrous Saurian and a blanch, bold sorcerer stood within the circular room surrounded by machinery, just before it felt the violent tremors, chunks falling from the ceiling as if they were starting to be buried alive, the foundations became fractured, and the alarms blared; amidst the chaos, an elongated red dragon was limp amongst the electric chains keeping him suspended. Instantly, the keyboards sparkled and soon lit up as bright as the sun, and the duo of warriors ran to a nearby red and white portal made of radical energy, leaving the serpent trapped! However, he was too weak to even protest or yelp for help!
At the same corner of the chamber, another portal appeared, only this was made by swirling flames! The same man just rose his left arm after he stepped out, allowing electricity to shoot thru it and onto the remaining restraints! The power to them shut down as they collapsed with noisy clangs onto metal, and he marched over and bashed open the shackles with his durable fists and wristbands, covering the dragon's sore feet and massive tail! With a hint of anger, the warrior broke apart the contraptions with one blow at a time, even shattering a chain in half before slamming them down!
"Stand still!" His voice boomed in a low, stern tenor before he rushed over to unwrap the metallic shackles. "Can you move your feet painlessly?"
The beast demonstrated that he could as he moved his toes, feet, and his legs warily, never wanting to break or strain a bone. The stranger with the igniting white eyes urged, "You must escape into the portal before your slaver should get here!" The crimson serpent hardly saw the epicenter as it shown within its swirling flames a tropical scenery with palm trees, thick foliage and an indigo sky. "Now, come with me."
The dragon was reluctant as he followed the kind stranger, but he knew his time was short. He grew limp, yet he was still desperate to evacuate from his master's abuse as he cantered! The portal still roared with the bright flames, yet the aperture was closing as every second passed!
Luckily, the two escapades breached the fiery portal with no incident of burn, blister, nor heat exhaustion. The ejection, however, did give him some imbalance before he toppled over. To his surprise, a calm, cool breeze greeted him, the loose, damp sand soothed his irritate feet, and to his surprise, he heard ocean waves in the distance. He actually stuck out his forked tongue a few times like a snake's, taking in the refreshing aromas and scenery.
The Edenian female approached the fugitives as she came with a silky cushion to rest the poor dragon's head on it. He actually began to slowly close his eyes as they fluttered, and his breathing became fainter...
"Don't die on us now! ...Caro." The man urged him to stay awake. He then touched his scaly face, "Stay still, you will feel a deep sting." His hand and arm lit up in a bright blue hue before he ejected the holy energy onto the wounded dragon who whimpered at times as he felt the singing pain! He was still widely awake, though, even when his head and body trembled here and there. The man roared as he konjured more energy into the dragon and the hue grew brighter, until it instantly shut off when he was done and uncurled his fingers. Caro became limp, until he slowly moved his head with a few growls.
"His vital signs seem normal." The woman stated with serene relief as she felt the stronger pulse in his neck.
"Thank you." The savior added. He faced his subject. "You are now safe, Caro. Far away from the accursed Red Dragon base."
"What...? Am I... back in my own cave?" He spoke with a tangy voice, as if belonging to another species like a reptilian's or a robot.
"No, you are at the peaceful beach of Yin Yang Island. This is the most ideal place for anyone to hide. An isle between Earthrealm and Outworld, and within the Lost Sea."
"Ergh, I am grateful for your sudden rescue. Mind telling me who you are...?"
"The answers will come in another time. But before I do, what is this calamity? Who is Blaze? And why were you held captive against your will by your master?"
The man knew this won't be easy. Caro just took in a deep sigh as he stuck out his tongue a few times, "I have been enslaved by Daegon. He uses me to teleport his clan anywhere in the realms, including Earthrealm."
"Anywhere...? I hope I had destroyed the lot of them, including their wrathful counterparts, the Black Dragons; I saw Kano there earlier. But..." The Oriental's fist just clenched. "I can't believe he could be capable of something like this! I too decimated those accursed experiments, the foul Red Dragon hybrids."
"He is not the man we once knew..." Caro replied with disappointment.
"We...?" His expression instantly changed by to seriousness, although his voice seemed reassuring, "Tell me, Caro, what happened?" He laid a comforting hand on Caro's head, relaxing him as his partner gave the dragon fresh fruits.
"I am partially to blame... Long ago, I lost mental contact with the fire spawn, Blaze. I mistakenly took it as the signal to awaken Taven's brother. But it was too soon - reviving him early had unforeseen effects. ...Daegon was unbalanced. He was outraged that he had been manipulated by his and Taven's parents and demanded to know the true purpose of the quest."
"Did his parents tell him, by force?"
"Perhaps. Whatever he learned must have disturbed him greatly. He killed them both."
"What!? Killed them?! How callous! And he was about to slay you!"
"No... that's impossible." The Edenian added, "Argus was a god and protector to all of Edenia! Delia was a powerful sorceress! Although, I was never one to believe in visions. Just like the future, everything changes."
These last statements tugged some disturbing thoughts in the Oriental's mind, fighting a lightning god in multiple fashions, as if they'd been destined to destroy each other...
Caro's wispy voice broke out the reverie, "How he did it is of little importance. They are gone, and I am to blame." His voice seemed cracked in despair.
"No, do not condemn yourself. You may have been the mascot and catalyst of the evil Red Dragons, but this was all against your will. I blame your slaver, Daegon, for all of this."
"Taven is still alive, Caro. There is still hope, if he truly is the savior of Armageddon. And, if Daegon were to round up our adversaries..."
"...My wife has been watching over him, Caro. It is not too late." The Oriental gazed down onto the relic, with cracks beginning to thicken at the top. His face fell a little with worry.
"Nevertheless, I wish to atone for my mistakes. Moments ago, I created that portal to the Netherrealm for Daegon. She is right, he truly is evil incarnate, as tainted as those living in that horrid realm...! He is there now. You must follow him. And... slay him if you must."
"I will. I promise you." He bowed with his hands together, as if his display of gratitude was similar to that of the Shaolin...
"I intend to destroy these atrocities Daegon has created in my name. When I am done, the Red Dragon will be nothing more than broken bodies strewn throughout the hollows of all the realms!" Caro's eyes appeared to be like raging flames as he roared.
His caretaker stuck out a hand, "Shhh... Save your strength, Caro. I'll see to it our enemies are destroyed, and Armageddon is prevented."
"You should never blame yourself for these calamities, Caro. My husband is known as Earthrealm's most prominent warrior."
"Then...there is still hope."
"I saw some of our enemies escape from the wreckage. Mavado, Quan Chi, Reptile, along with Taven and Daegon hurried out. I will defend Taven, and my friends, with my life if anything should happen."
"And... what of Orin? He would be vulnerable alone."
The Edenian sighed, "The millennium-old dragon can do so much..."
"Perhaps, I will check on him." The multi-elemental rose and walked back to his main portal while the gentler keeper stayed by the crippled dragon's side.
"Go now, and may the Elder Gods watch over you."
All he gave was a smile and a thumb up before he returned to his perch.
Meanwhile, Fujin's body nearly took a jolt as his arm suddenly lurched as he noticed he was mobile again. It was as if he woke up from a night terror and was flabbergasted by the sudden destruction just ahead of him! The humongous bonfire was once the Red Dragon base, he recognized. Before he had an inch of worry, Taven suddenly materialized a few feet away!
Through a puff of dark smoke and a small fiery funnel, Taven emerged back outside in the Krimson Forest!
He perspired, "...That was too close! That sudden firebomb destroyed the Red Dragon base, and nearly annihilated me... As something my brother would've wanted." He began to catch his breath. "I csn't believe Daegon betrayed me! I wonder if his guardian dragon, Caro, knows. He must've had this idea from his own dragon, possibly abusing him!"
Looking at the stunning display, as the mountainside finally caved in and doused the flames, he brought himself back to Orin.
The golden serpent was surprised to see him! "Agh-Taven! You made it!"
He dusted the layers of hot soot off himself. "Yes, that was just a hot mess I went into!"
"Are you hurt?"
"No, but the Red Dragon base was destroyed. They were attacked, firebombed." He abruptly stopped as the fire spawn re-entered his mind. "By the Elder Gods... I hope it's not Blaze...!"
"I sensed it from an unknown assailant; it wasn't Blaze, nor was it ill will from their bloody rivals, the Black Dragons."
"The Black Dragons!?"
"They were members of the Red Dragons that formed their own clan. I had received word from someone in Earthrealm. He seemed to be almost like a god. One I have never foreseen."
"A god...? Well, I hope it has vanquished a lot of those bastards! All because of...my brother." Taven sulked.
"Daegon?"
"Yes... I'm not certain whatever happened to his own dragon, Caro." He began to pace with a clutched fist as tight as an airlock. "But he has woken up centuries before me and created the Red Dragon klan. And he sent them to kill me... All because he and Rain wanted this prize! From this competition between us!"
Orin felt just as disheartened, "My sincerest apologies. I am deeply sorry of your plight, Taven..."
He then stopped and faced his monolith where he awakened from, only he used it as his own punching bag! His ferocity left several cracks on its basaltic surface. His struck fist began to ache, and all Orin did was remain silent, with many unanswered questions...
What if my parents were slaughtered as well...?
A/N: Much like the Konquests in Deadly Alliance and in Deception, Taven's journey has been taking quite a mental grind on me... Especially with all those fake leaks and rumors for MK12... I couldn't wait to be done with this, and a lil spoiler alert, I really do want the dragons to live here. I also wanted the Yin Yang Island to be a significant place as a safe haven since it's known it's smack dab in between Earthrealm and Outworld thus being on the Lost Sea so many people won't find it. So, why not use it as a sanctuary.
Also, I don't want to reveal who the identities of the mysterious Oriental nor his wife if you will... You probably might know who they are, but I won't tell. And I'd been pretty miffed the way Konquest was going; as I hated Daegon and his double-crossing, even enslaving poor Caro, and making abominations of actual Red Dragons! The whole base was a shameful outrage, even when Quan, Reptile, and others were involved! So, I couldn't WAIT to get rid of that accursed base! Why not make a sneak attack to wipe out most of the Scrappys like the Red and Black Dragons, eh? I hope I would explain more in the next chapter; it was just too exhausting here...
Again, Drakkhen has done it, giving me inspiration music-wise during Taven's quest. The Fire Area - Day shall play as he breaches the Krimson Forest since sadly Armageddon never had its own theme... The Red Dragon Hideout would chime in once he investigates the terroristic base, A Formidable Opponent from the Pokémon series plays as Daegon double-crosses Taven, while Raid plays as the base in under assault. Fire Area - Night would play as Caro explains everything as it may be his remorse theme, House in Fire Area would sound as Taven gets outraged over his brother's plots.
So, another section of Taven's Konquest is komplete. Hopefully, I'll get refreshed for the next one...