Chapter 13- explanations to the King
Meanwhile, back on the Land Domain
A round silvery and black floating disc-like vessel with lights flashing around its rim glided through the air above the countryside of the Narnian country. This vessel was like the stereotypical alien ships often depicted in our world's science fiction works featuring extraterrestrials and silver and black were not the only colours for these air vehicles in the Narnian world. Obi Wan and his group had travelled in it from their home Domain, the Narnian Moon, to the Land Domain to find Quaoar but not before examining Asgard and investigating why it had closed itself off from the rest of the world to also report to him. Now, Obi Wan and his group including Weywot the Insect Rabbit-Dog, together with Quaoar and his team and also Glitterwing the Cherub and Ozone the Cloud-Man, the escapees of Asgard Sky City were going to fly to the Sky Domain in the same Saucer but will not be flying straight to Asgard Sky City due to it being under heavy guard by many of Kurama's minions. As the group flew along, Xenon had been in contact with the group via the distance-verbal communicator and has told them to fly west and enter the Sky Domain via the westernmost areas so Obi Wan and company were heading in that direction. Xenon told the group that the reason why he wanted them to fly there is because he knew someone who may be able to provide help with the Asgard Sky City crisis. And so Obi Wan, Quaoar and company continued their flight in that direction. Through one of the floor windows as the Saucer flew along, Quaoar peered down at the green countryside passing below.
"It's going to take a good number of hours to fly from here to the Great West," Obi Wan said as he operated the flying machine's main controls with his assistant Gris, "And once we arrive there, we will call Xenon and he will then direct us to some friends of his in the Westernmost Skylands," he then turned his gaze to the giant members of the group, Bentley and Ozone, "Plus we may need a rest stop to allow those two some relief from having to sit in our vehicle..."
"The westernmost area of the Land Domain is where the Garden of Youth resides," said Quaoar. Near him, Bentley the Giant sat with his back to the wall. Though the Flying Saucer was large enough to carry Land Giants and this vehicle was one of the individual Saucers of the largest models, it was too low for a Land Giant to fully stand. Ozone the Cloud-Man also sat for he too, was too tall to stand fully erect in the Saucer for he was as tall as Bentley. As he sat near Bentley, Ozone wore a distressed look on his face. Close by, the shorter Cherub, Glitterwing, also looked visibly distressed. Crimsonandil and Moana came by.
"I believe you two are seriously worried for your families, am I right?" asked the former, the Vermillion Bird when she saw how anguished the pair looked.
"We are, Crimsonandil," Glitterwing replied, "I'm especially worried for my two daughters and nephew, and Ozone here is worried for his son and daughter. We're also worried for our spouses and in my case, my sister and brother-in-law as well but we're especially concerned for our kids."
"Our kids are having to put up with the cruel rule of that rogue Kitsune and his false Aslan alongside every other young citizen and visitor-turned-prisoner," added Ozone, his long fluffy arms wrapped around his hunched legs, "And Kurama and his minions are forcibly indoctrinating and brainwashing them in their cult. Two of these minions are the feministic Chroma Nerada the Fenghen, and the pseudo-nice Kaecilius the Kirin."
As Ozone mentioned Chroma Nerada, Adamans and Iridia came by and flashed him a frown. They knew the rogue Fenghen and utterly loathed how much of a blot among the Fenghuang species she had become, especially with following such a rogue Nine-Tailed Fox who had invented this false Aslan cult.
"I would 'ave thought your husband would have escaped with Ozone rather than you, Glitterwing," said Bentley nearby, his voice lowered so he didn't rattle the Flying Saucer and the other passengers' ears. After all, he had such a booming, thunderous voice being a Giant and Giants, especially the men, did have such thunderous voices. Glitterwing turned to him.
"I did insist that Swift leave and escape with Ozone instead of me but he insisted that I be the one to go with Ozone to get help," she replied, "Swift wanted to be there for our daughters and also help my sister Sparkle and brother-in-law Zephyr-Gus who is Sparkle's husband to protect our children. Don't EVER underestimate the protective nature of Cherub men. They can have the personality of fierce warriors, especially if they are married with children, and my husband is one such Cherub man."
"And Aurora insisted that I leave even though I was reluctant to leave behind my family," Ozone said. He then released a sigh and placed his chin on his arms wrapped around his hunched legs, "But I don't think you understand the severity of our home's situation because of Kurama until you actually see it for yourself."
Bentley just gazed at the troubled Cloud-Man and Cherub woman with a sympathetic gaze and also exhaled.
"Well, when we enter the Sky Domain via the Westernmost Skylands," Obi Wan said nearby as he operated the Saucer's controls with his Grey Man assistant Gris, "Xenon will be directing us to some friends of his."
"Who, he will tell us when we get there," said Gris.
"He'll probably know of someone in that area of the Skylands untouched and far away from Kurama's paw who could help, anyway," said Quaoar.
"Xenon has some friends in the most extreme corners of the Skylands," said Glitterwing, "Some of them are migrants from other Domains such as the Land. One group is a quartet of heroes who helped a human village deal with a wicked Oni and an evil Warlock called the Man in the Grey Three-Piece Suit, a warlock who is infamous for being suave and a dangerous lure to young Daughters of Eve (female humans). They are Momotaro the Peach Elf Boy and his three friends, a Talking Dog named Inu, a Talking Macaque named Saru, and a Talking Common Pheasant named Kiji."
"Who are Momotaro and his three friends exactly?" asked Crimsonandil.
"I know what a Peach Elf is," said Moana, the Azure Dragon, "It is a species of Dryad-Elf whose offspring hatch from peach-shaped eggs as opposed to being born live as in most other Humanoids like Dwarves, Common Elves and Blue Elves. However, they are quite rare like the Talking Spix Macaw and they have a low and sluggish reproductive rate."
"We'll get to that later," Obi Wan spoke, "In the meantime, let's just focus on getting to the extreme West."
Crimsonandil and the others then abandoned the subject on Momotaro and resumed their focus on the journey. However, as the Flying Saucer continued flying along, Aang the White Tiger called to Obi Wan.
"Obi, can you slow the Saucer down please?" the Cardinal Cat shouted, "We're being signalled by some humans down on the ground and they want us to stop. Among them is our current king."
Immediately, Obi Wan decelerated the Saucer until it slowed to a near-stop. Then the Grey Man pilot and his co-pilot began to descend the Saucer to the ground. Quaoar and a few others with him including Naihanchi, Crasher Wake the Star Man and Weywot, went over to the window Aang had been gazing out of. Sure enough, they saw a small army of humans standing by the large Great River signalling to them and at the front of this platoon was a man dressed in royal robes.
"I hope it's not something insignificant," Obi Wan said sternly, "We have a VERY important mission to deal with."
"Yes, we MUST sort out that Aslan-offending cult Kurama has set up in our home of Asgard City before it potentially gets any worse," said Ozone.
"Just put that aside for now," Quaoar commanded, "If His Majesty down there is signalling at us, then he surely has something important to discuss with us or wants to know what is actually going on."
"It's an opportunity to explain to your ruler who could be behind the incidences occurring on your Domain," said Weywot, "I'm gonna call Xenon and let him know that there may be a few delays. Do you have the DV communicator, Quaoar?"
Quaoar immediately reached into one of his tails and pulled out the phone-like device from his fur. Then he handed it to the male Insect Rabbit-Dog who took it and went to a corner to phone Xenon.
On the ground, the small army of humans, which were indeed the King and his men, stood gathered as the massive silver and black disc-shaped air vehicle continued its descent. They had seen the Flying Saucer and had signalled it to land. The wind generated by the Saucer's engines sent a constant torrent of air gusting through the grass, ruffling and flattening it. The clothes and hair of the King and his men were also ruffled and the King's robe flapped in the wind. Some of the horses which were dumb horses the King and his army used as steeds, startled by the large strange object and the noise and wind it made, released startled neighs with some of them rearing up on their hind hooves. Their riders calmed them to prevent them from bolting. The King's own steed, a pure white horse also flinched but the King also commanded him to remain calm by pulling on his reins. The Saucer continued to gently descend to the ground until finally, its landing legs were deployed and they touched the grass, allowing the Saucer to stand when not in the air. The engine of the Saucer was turned off, stopping the gusts of wind radiating from it and seconds later, its door was opened, followed by a ramp which extended like a rectangular tongue from the lower lip of the rectangular hole, the entrance and exit to the Saucer, until it also reached the grass. After this, some of the passengers and travellers within emerged. One of them was a white and ivory yellow Nine-Tailed Fox with metallic yellow, aqua blue and silver in his fur. When some of the King's men saw Quaoar and also a few strange looking Humanoids (Obi Wan and some of the Green and Grey Men underlings with him) emerge from the Saucer and walk down the ramp, they immediately drew their swords and shouted defensive threats at them but the King commanded them to be silent. Quaoar himself also shouted, reared up on his hind legs and spread his front paws in a "please don't attack" gesture.
"Whoa, whoa, it's okay," said he, "We're peaceful. We mean NO harm."
"Yes, we're not part of those murderous Talking Beast groups going around attacking your kind," put in a two-tailed Cat, Naihanchi. Bentley and Ozone also cautiously emerged from the Saucer but they kept their distance from the King and his men for their massive size was an easy trigger for the men to suddenly become defensive. Not to mention their steeds for they had a tendency to react to moving giant objects. Then after the atmosphere's tension was eased between both parties, Quaoar continued his approach to the King, bowing respectfully as he walked over to him. Behind him, his companions including Obi Wan and his underlings also bowed, recognising the man to be a monarch.
"Your Majesty," the Nine-Tailed Kitsumiho said as he rose to look at the monarch directly, "I believe you and your men might have something important to report?"
"We also have something important to discuss with you as well," added Caesium the Chroma Cat.
"We have NEVER seen a sky disc or those creatures before," said the King, his gaze on the Saucer and Obi Wan and company, "What are they? Aliens?"
"To here, yes," said Obi Wan, "In fact, we are inhabitants of the Narnian Moon and Sky Domain, and Crasher Wake here," he nodded to a man with an aura of light around him, "Is a Star but that's not important."
"We're on a mission to sort out a VERY serious incident happening in the Sky Domain," Naihanchi added as she came alongside Quaoar. The King and his men looked on with confused looks but Quaoar launched into an explanation.
"We believe that these groups of Talking Beasts going around attacking your species may have been sent from somewhere in the Sky Domain. Its main capital city, Asgard Sky City, has been taken over by another Magical Fox who is Nine-Tailed like me but is fully of the Common Kitsune species, and he has established a cultish dictatorship in the city and we are on our way to see if we can shut down this cult and liberate Asgard's inhabitants who are being severely oppressed by this rogue Nine-Tailed Kitsune."
"His name is Kurama," Naihanchi continued the explanation, "He has turned against the Great Lion Aslan after an event involving another group of humans called Telmarines destroying his village when he was FAR younger. Magical Foxes can live for hundreds of years by the way and over the centuries of his life following that incident, Kurama has harboured a SEVERE festering grudge against your species."
Then a large Black Tortoise, Morla, came in and took the wheel of the explanation from Naihanchi. "Additionally, Kurama has founded this horrible cult around a false Aslan and has raided Asgard Sky City, the home of Ozone there and Glitterwing here," he nodded to the Cloud-Man back at the Saucer and a Winged Humanoid with shining white hair, dress and white wings with metallic aqua blue under coverts, "and has turned it into some sort of base for his cult."
"Asgard Sky City is our home," Glitterwing continued, "Ozone and I have only barely managed to escape the area by slipping past Kurama's guards, and Asgard has become HEAVILY guarded by Kurama's minions to prevent anyone from leaving and outsiders from entering to 'keep his cult pure', but we believe that Kurama is sending groups of Talking Beasts on hunting trips against you humans."
"And they have been hunting your kind like dumb beasts," Quaoar put in, before a scowl crossed his face, "This kind of behaviour goes ABSOLUTELY against what the REAL Aslan has commanded us Talking Beasts regarding our behaviour."
"That is, not behaving like our dumb counterparts," added Naihanchi. Nearby, Crimsonandil, Moana, Aang and also Caesium the Chroma Cat and Thunderbolt the Raiju nodded in agreement.
"How are these Talking Beasts transporting from some sky place thousands of metres above our heads to here?" asked the King while some of his men exchanged sceptical looks.
"Via the Bifrost Transporter, a magical teleportation device used for transporting over long distances that would otherwise take hours or even days to cover via normal transport means such as on foot or flying," explained Glitterwing, "The Bifrost Transporter relies on pairs of pods to function. We have one pod in our home and it links to almost anywhere in the Narnian world with a Bifrost Transporter pod including here."
"The Transporter is lethal to you humans which is why you cannot use it," said Naihanchi.
"Also, I have a twin sister named Siveth who is also Nine-Tailed and I believe she may have been caught in Kurama's wicked cult grip," said Quaoar before a pang of worry flowed through him regarding his sister. The King's men murmured among themselves, some of them sceptical. However, the King gazed at Quaoar and his group with a serious look on his face.
"That sounds VERY serious, Fox," said he.
"It's Quaoar," said Quaoar, correcting him before continuing, a stern look on his face, "Indeed it IS very serious. Us Magical Foxes, especially those in the terminal Nine-Tailed stage such as myself, are supposed to be noble Talking Beasts loyal to Aslan but unfortunately there had been Magical Foxes who have turned away."
"And Kurama, however, is one of them," said Moana, "And it's even worse in that he's in his terminal Nine-Tailed stage."
The King and his men continued to murmur until finally, one of the army men, the commander, stepped forward on his horse. He clutched a javelin, a sword and a shield in his hands.
"Well if what you have said is true," said he, "Then we're more than happy to help."
"After all, we've been forced to kill these savage animals who have been attacking our people without provocation," said another man in the army.
"We have lost enough of our people, especially my ONLY son whom I am still mourning," said the King and he took a moment to recollect himself as his emotions and heartbreak flared briefly. After this, he continued, a glad look on his face, "But it is good to know that there are Talking Beasts who aren't acting like savage animals and are trying to help deal with the problem..."
"If you're thinking of helping, that's great," said Quaoar, "But you cannot come with us to the Sky Domain."
"Yes, your best place is here on the Land," said Obi Wan. Most of the men including the King himself, agreed to this for they HATED the thought of setting foot into a city thousands of metres up in the sky but some of them disagreed and actually wanted to go with Quaoar and Obi Wan's group.
"Why can't we come with you to the Sky areas to help?" asked the commander.
"It's too dangerous for you humans," Obi Wan explained, "and you ESPECIALY do NOT want to cross paths with Kurama based on his ABSOLUTE hatred of your species."
"Yes and Kurama has stationed highly dangerous guards around our home of Asgard City," put in Glitterwing, "And some of them are of species that are far more powerful than you are."
"Indeed, and if you want to help us, you can help the other Talking Beasts who have not given into their feral instincts in dealing with the groups of those that have," put in Quaoar, "And according to Glitterwing here and Ozone in there," he nodded to the large Cloud-Man in the Saucer, "Almost all of them have been sent by Kurama from Asgard to carry out these killing sprees against your species."
"Your women and children will need you," said Morla, "as these rogue Talking Beasts are also targeting them."
"I have already stationed well-trained and well-armed guards to protect those vulnerable members of my people during their travels and also in their villages day and night," the King replied, "Thanks, Black Tortoise," he then turned back to Quaoar and continued, "And what you have explained to us, it clearly explains why we have been having unprovoked animal attacks on our people over the past number of months and I hope you can get to the bottom of this."
"That's our aim," said Quaoar. As the Nine-Tailed hybrid Fox spoke, another army man, a captain, came forward on his horse. In his hand was a curved flask shaped like a Ram's horn painted silvery and with a decorative top sealing its mouth.
"Just before you go, Fox," the man said, "I wonder if you know what this could be."
"His name's Quaoar," Obi Wan rebuked but the man ignored him to the Grey Man's irritation. Quaoar, who didn't react to being called 'Fox' this time, gazed at the silver cornucopia flask with Naihanchi and some of the others.
"That's the same type of flask one of our youngest community members, a Cheetah had purchased from the market some weeks ago," said the Nekomata as she took it from the army captain's hands.
"I don't know what sort of liquid is in that curved container but we concluded it to be poison," said the man.
"One of my bodyguard's sons has purchased that from somewhere and has drunken half of it," said the King, an angry look on his face, "But a few hours later, he had fallen VERY ill."
Shock tore through Quaoar's group.
"Some of your people have purchased these Wish Potion flasks as well!?" Quaoar cried out.
"Wish Potion?" asked the King confused.
"It's some type of potion some other Talking Beasts have been making and selling," explained Moana, "We have been doing some investigations on a sample we had managed to salvage from the flask the Cheetah cub in our community had purchased and we found that it had been made from the apples from the Garden of Youth."
"Garden of Youth?" asked the King while his men exchanged confused looks.
"It's a HIGHLY exclusive and restricted-access area in the extreme West of the Land Domain and the ONLY source of the Land Domain's Nine-Realms Potion ingredient, the Garden of Youth apples," Quaoar explained, "It is one of the strict properties of the Great Lion Aslan. Those apples can be magically toxic if you consume them for selfish purposes."
"It served a VERY important role in the first hours and days of our world after Aslan's creation of it. A young Son of Adam was sent by Aslan on a mission to get an apple," said Caesium, the other Humanoids and Talking Beasts nodding in agreement. However, the King and his men just stood there, unconvinced.
"We've never heard of a place called the Garden of Youth," said the King.
"Yeah, it's nothing more than a mere myth," put in the commander.
"Alongside some story of some boy going there to get an apple," put in one of the other men. The other men also dismissed the Garden and the story of Digory Kirke as fictional and a mere fairytale. Quaoar and the others looked on unsurprised. It was clear that the Dark Ages' effects on Narnian education including the humans had had a negative effect and because the King and his people didn't believe places such as the Garden of Youth or stories such as Digory Kirke's mission to be real, Quaoar abandoned the idea of trying to persuade them otherwise. After all, there were more important things to deal with. However, Quaoar tried to simplify the explanation to make it more easily understandable to the King and his men.
"All you need to know is that these Wish Potions have been made from some HIGHLY dangerous fruits that have restricted use by the Lion," said the Fox, "Eating those fruits will get your greatest heart's desires granted, that is what you want most, but at a terrible price. For example, suppose you have an incurable sickness and you eat one of those fruits to selfishly heal yourself from it. It may heal your sickness but it may give you a bottomless appetite for food, an appetite that CANNOT be satisfied. It's just one example of the effects of eating these fruits but it is not a general trait among EVERY consumer."
"Yes, these fruits have different effects on different consumers depending on their desires," said Naihanchi.
"And we believe that the current Guardian of these fruits, my brother Shenron, may be behind these dangerous potions and has used some of them to make them," added Moana. However, to the dismay of her and the others in Quaoar and Obi Wan's group, the King and his men refused to believe that the Garden of Youth apples were real.
"Look, we don't have time to just stand here and listen to your fairytales," the King gruffly said, "And don't get us started on some silly Lion singing this world into existence either. There is more evidence that this world had evolved over millions of years than some Lion singing it into existence over a week or something."
"Just like how our original world, Earth, had evolved over millions of years," said the King's army commander.
"We digress on this subject right now," said Quaoar, "In the meantime, we MUST get to the bottom of what is going on in Asgard Sky City and what Kurama is doing to it before he makes things worse up there."
As he spoke, Weywot emerged from the Saucer, walked down its ramp and went over to Quaoar to return the DV communicator to him. Quaoar took the device that functioned like our world's phones and stashed it into the fur of one of his tails once again. The King and some of his men looked on a little repulsively at the strange blur-furred creature and his bug-like traits such as the butterfly-like antennae, back spines and large black eyes but Weywot ignored them.
"I have just been talking to Xenon," said the Insect Rabbit-Dog, "He told me that you guys are to go to the cottage of the Seven Sister Luminos and their parents in the Westernmost Skylands. He had been in contact with them and they have some knowledge in what's happened to Asgard. Also, Momotaro and his three companions are with them."
"That's excellent, Weywot, thanks," said Quaoar. He then turned to the King with a stern glare.
"Well, we'd better get going, Your Majesty," said he, "Now you and your men understand better what's been going on and you'd better resume your tasks in protecting your people from these savage Talking Beasts."
"Indeed, thanks for explaining to us, Fox," said the King which Quaoar ignored this time. Weywot was about to rebuke the King but Quaoar shook his head and silently told him not to. Weywot then walked away towards the Saucer. Then after a few more minutes, the two groups got prepared to part ways and they bade each other good luck and Quaoar bade the King and his men Aslan-speed in their important duties but before the humans and the Talking Beasts and Humanoids could leave, some of the King's men seized their attention.