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DARKNESS IN CHIMA
Part Four: The World Under
Chapter XII
Scorched Savanah
Friday June 21, 2019…
The word "hot" just didn't cover it.
Even though the Guardians had gone through a summer in the American South, known for its punishing heat and humidity, nothing could have prepared them for the scalding they received while crossing the Scorched Savanah.
There was no shade, no oasis, no respite of any kind. It was even worse, Lloyd noted, than when the Guardians traveled to Death Valley, California to retrieve the Sword of Fire months ago. At least then they were in and out somewhat quickly; this time, they had to walk in the godforsaken heat for hours.
Eventually, the boring flatness that added insult to the injury of the severe heat ended, and the Guardians came across a grove of strange trees.
Well, it wasn't clear that they were actually trees. They looked more like tall mushrooms with thick stalks, but what mattered was that they offered an opportunity to rest in some shade.
"This. Sucks," Pete fussed. "My element is Ice, dude. I'm not built for this crap."
The other Guardians joined in Pete's complaining. Normally, the Green Ninja would try to focus the group's attention on the mission and off of the moment's difficulties; he was their leader, after all. However, Mack wholeheartedly agreed that, in Pete's words, the Scorched Savanah did, in fact, suck.
"I've never been hotter in my life," Mack sighed. "I'm just glad these… things are here so we can rest."
But, as seemed to be a theme for their time in the Realm of Chima, the rest was not to last. A few minutes after stopping, the Guardians heard a commotion seeming to come from the other side of the grove.
"Sounds like a fight," Lloyd said.
Mack thought for a moment. "Let's check it out, but carefully. Cole, watch Jay—he can't fight yet."
Cole nodded and the Guardians skulked through the grove until they came to the edge on the other side. Well-hidden, they observed a fight between two groups of different-looking creatures—members of two Dinosaur Tribes that disagreed with each other, the Guardians assumed.
It was a stalemate. The dark blue tribe of bigger dinosaurs with sails down their backs were stronger, but the orange dinosaurs with small arms wielding sharp swords were clearly more skilled.
The dark blue creatures finally retreated when one of their larger warriors was struck down, tipping the balance of the fight. On their retreat, they ran right by the hidden ninja, never suspecting their presence.
"Great," Jay whispered. "We already have to be down here in the sweltering heat to talk to the T-Rex tribe, and now there's a freaking civil war to deal with?"
"Not exactly," Mack replied. "We're here to restore all of the tribes' powers, not intervene in their conflicts with each other."
"Well, these guys look like they could be the Tyrannosaur Tribe," Lloyd observed. "Should we introduce ourselves?"
Mack nodded. "Yes, but let's be gentle here. They're gonna be on-edge after that fight."
And so, the Guardians slowly emerged from their hiding place, moving carefully to avoid spooking the Tyrannosaurs.
The Tyrannosaurus warriors tensed up to attack, but Mack quickly held up his hands in a non-threatening manner and called out, "We mean you no harm."
The creatures were interesting to behold, each a brilliant shade of red, yellow, or orange.
"Who are you and why are you here?" an orange Tyrannosaurus warrior called out in a gravely voice.
"We're the Guardians," Mack replied before explaining their mission to return power to the Dinosaur tribes (by now he had some practice giving the explanation).
In turn, the orange warrior—Togaris, as he introduced himself—explained that a civil war with the neighboring Spinosaurus Tribe broke out shortly after the Tyrannosaurus Tribe lost their power, and the loss of the Fire Crystal had resulted in a bitter and bloody stalemate between the two tribes.
"The Spinosaurs are bigger and stronger, but our warriors are more skilled," Togaris boasted. "And so, many die on both sides, never any closer to a resolution."
"How did you lose your power?" Mack asked, knowing that Tenebris was behind it but wanting to know the specifics.
Before Togaris could answer, a booming voice called out from behind the vanguard of Tyrannosaurs: "What is going on here?"
The sea of warriors parted, and a highly decorated Tyrannosaur accompanied by two slightly less decorated Tyrannosaurs approached the Guardians.
"I am Tetzorium, Grand General of the Tyrannosaurus Tribe," the new warrior announced. His skin was the brightest red, but covered in scars to the point that from a distance his skin might appear a darker red or brown.
His guards had similarly scarred skin of golden yellow. Their faces were covered with dark but transparent veils, indicating that they held this general in an esteem approaching worship.
"What's going on, Togaris? Who are these strangers in my Savanah? Don't make me ask again."
"Lord General," Togaris gave a small bow before repeating what Mack had previously explained.
"I see," Tetzorium stroked his gray-bearded chin. "And I did hear that you have burdened these strangers with our troubles, as well."
"Forgive me, Lord General. I thought they might be able to—"
A couple of the Guardians gasped when Tetzorium interrupted Togaris with a slap to the face before grabbing his shoulders.
"Stop that damn groveling! How many times have I told you: a warrior must trust his instincts?"
Tetzorium spoke in a hard tone, but Lloyd thought he understood the motivation. After all, it was not an easy task to travel with his father while learning to hone his powers. Many might mistake Tetzorium's hardness as cruelty, but Lloyd recognized it as a good teacher pushing his pupil to greatness.
Togaris, for his part, only nodded firmly, and the general released him.
Tetzorium then turned to the Guardians. "Before war broke out, I went to visit the Fire Crystal—as I do every morning—and there were guards sprawled about outside the chamber. Massacred by the dozens. I drew my sword and looked inside the chamber, only to see a shadow enveloping it.
"I approached; I didn't know how, but I would kill whatever had slain my men and seized my tribe's power. But then, the next thing I knew, I woke up in my quarters. A day had passed, war had broken out, and I was not able to prevent it.
"I wish to know why it insulted me by killing my men and not me."
"Fear," Mack replied without delay. "The shadow was placed by Tenebris. He doesn't value life, which is why he killed your warriors; but he cherishes fear more than death, which is why he let you live."
"The Lord General is not afraid," Togaris spat.
Mack turned slowly to Togaris. "But you are."
That shut him up.
"Tenebris?" Tetzorium squinted.
"Our enemy," Mack explained. "The one who has stolen power from all the Dinosaur Tribes. He plans to use it to destroy this realm."
The general nodded. "So, you will help us restore our power, and then you will do the same for the Spinosaurus Tribe?"
Mack refused to show any hesitation. "Yes. That is our mission."
Tetzorium approached to within a few inches of the Green Ninja's face. "What is your name?"
"Mack."
"I like you, Mack. I will grant you and your warriors an audience with the Tyrannosaurus Tribe elders… if one of you can pass a test of skill. Which of your warriors is the best swordsman?"
Mack turned toward Kai. "Kai is a master swordsman, the Guardian of Fire, and the one who will fight the shadow that's claimed your power crystal."
"Kai, Guardian of Fire," Tetzorium thundered, "prepare yourself for combat. Your opponent will be me."
Tetzorium drew a wicked sword. It seemed to have an impossible number of edges, yet still came to a pristine point.
Following Mack's example, Kai showed no hesitation. The other Guardians and Tyrannosaur warriors backed off, giving the two a large circular space in which to duel. Kai drew the Sword of Fire, still having not said a word.
"If you were a Tyrannosaur, we would fight to the death. But since you are a guest, the first to disarm his opponent will be the winner."
Kai pulled his mask over the lower half of his face, and Togaris shouted, "Fight!"
Tetzorium immediately charged. Your mistake, Kai thought. The Tyrannosaur general brought a huge strike from the shoulder, which Kai sidestepped. The Red Ninja responded with a strike of his own, which Tetzorium blocked.
But Kai purposely underpowered the swing, and he used the momentum provided by Tetzorium's block to bring a much stronger strike. Tetzorium blocked again, but he was stunned and whiffed on his counterattack.
Kai struck at Tetzorium's sword, putting it at an angle impossible to block from, and landed a kick to the general's chest. Tetzorium hit the ground hard and Kai quickly kicked his sword out of his hand.
The wind knocked out of him, Tetzorium held up a hand and gasped out, "I y— I— I yield."
Kai stayed his sword as Tetzorium caught his breath.
"I have never seen such skill with the sword… I am certain that you will return our power to us."
"So am I," Kai replied, offering a hand and helping Tetzorium to his feet.
"I will take you to our elders."
Rather unceremoniously, Tetzorium brought the Guardians to another grove of tall trees where the elders were waiting. Cole resisted the urge to fanboy over seeing twelve real Tyrannosaurus Rexes.
Mack spoke aside to Tetzorium, "As the Guardian of Fire, Kai will have the ability to speak to the elders. You might introduce him and let him explain things."
"I was not aware anyone could speak to the elders; but the Guardians, and especially Kai, have earned my trust today. Kai will be the one to introduce himself."
So, Kai spoke up and explained the Guardians' missions to the elders. The elders responded with a series of snarls and growls.
"They're gonna take me to Claw Cliffs," Kai translates. "Wish me luck."
"If you're gonna fight a T-Rex," Cole spoke up, "remember: he can't see you if you don't move."
Kai rolled his eyes (he wasn't the only one). "Cole, for the last time, this is real life—not Jurassic Park."
The Tyrannosaurs were confused, but they only shrugged. They were among aliens, after all.
Kai followed the elders until they came to a jagged cliff face. There were graves on either side of a cave opening. The warriors slaughtered by Tenebris, Kai inferred. This is for them, he thought, feeling a sense of approval from the elders.
The elders stopped, six on either side of the cave mouth. Kai looked at them and nodded before entering the cave.
Kai was surprised when he came into the cave to see that it appeared to be a large arena, lined with sharp rocks as if to keep fighters from fleeing to the edges. In the middle of the arena floated the Fire Crystal, barely visible behind a curtain of shadow.
The shadow descended to the ground, where it began to materialize.
Kai drew the Sword of Fire and smirked. He always enjoyed this moment—the moment right before a good fight.
As skilled a swordsman as he was, he still had no idea what to expect from the fight that was moments away (and the disadvantage only made him more excited). From the others' stories, he guessed that he would fight a warped, shadow-corrupted version of a T-Rex, and he may need to rely on skills other than just directly fighting it.
The Shadow Rex, as Kai mentally dubbed it, finally materialized. It was a wicked beast with long claws like claymores on its "hands" and feet. Its arms were comically short like the typical T-Rex, but its claws were no laughing matter.
It let out a horrible roar and charged after Kai. The Shadow Rex used its claws like swords; Kai fought them off, but he was surprised at the creature's skill. It was like fighting a swordsman with six arms—he had never had to move his sword faster to block so many blows, except maybe when sparring against Jay.
Kai managed to block a particularly nasty strike and threw a fireball into the Rex's face. It staggered and then slowly backed away, glaring with searing hatred at its challenger, the two slowly circling the arena.
As Kai was planning his next attack, he suddenly found himself swearing like a sailor and sprinting to flank the Rex as it breathed a jet of fire at him. Kai tripped and instinctively used the Sword of Fire to block the flames.
Of course, Kai was frustrated he hadn't considered that the sword would protect him from the fire attack.
The Rex stopped and Kai stood up. Another jet of flame came, and Kai pointed the sword directly at the beast, and the flames split and passed harmlessly on either side of the Red Ninja.
The Shadow Rex roared with fury and charged.
Kai bolted, but he knew he couldn't keep this up. The Rex was much faster and stronger—he didn't have Jay speed or Cole's brute strength.
Thinking of Cole, Kai had another thought. A thought that just might be crazy enough to work.
The Shadow Rex's jaws narrowly missed Kai, who turned and sprinted toward the spiky edge of the arena.
Cole, Kai thought, if this doesn't work, I will haunt you for the rest of eternity.
Not having time at the moment to consider whether it was possible to haunt a ghost, Kai stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes, and the Shadow Rex ran right past him, confused as to where its prey disappeared. It tried to stop, but momentum caused it to trip and roll toward the edge, where the monster was impaled on one the sharp rocks on the perimeter.
The Shadow Rex let out a gurgle and exploded in a black mist, and the fight was over.
Kai wanted to be in shock, but deep down, he knew he had never been steered wrong trusting his friends.
As per usual, Kai came into the Tyrannosaur village riding one of the elders. Seeing one of their own riding a T-Rex was, in Cole's words, "the most badass thing anyone has ever seen."
Kai dismounted as was set upon by both the Guardians and Togaris and his Vanguard.
"Settle!" Tetzorium boomed. Everyone became quiet.
"Guardian Kai," the general said, "you have restored power to our tribe. We are forever in your debt. As a show of respect for the Guardians' mission to bring peace to our world, we will not retaliate to the recent Spinosaurus attack."
"Thank you," Kai replied. "That's where we're going next. Hopefully, we'll be able to resolve this and restore peace as well as the tribes' power."
"Indeed," Tetzorium nodded. "However, I must also tell you that if the Spinosaurus Tribes attack my territory again, I will not hold back in the ensuing fight, even though there is an imbalance of power between our tribes."
"We're on a tight schedule anyway," Mack replied. "We'll hope to restore the Spinosaurus Tribe's power by this time tomorrow. We'll try to appeal to peace as well, but it's ultimately up to you and them to settle this dispute."
After a few more pleasantries, the Guardians departed and made their way to the Snapper Wetlands. They would have preferred to keep a low profile, given the tense situation, but they had to cross a river to reach the Spinosaurus Territory.
And besides, arriving sooner rather than later might be the difference between life and death for many members of the Tyrannosaurus and Spinosaurus Tribes. There was no guarantee that the Guardians could convince the Spinosaurus to seek peace, but if there was a chance, the Guardians needed to get there as fast as they could.
The sun was setting, but there was no rest available to the Guardians that night.
On the way, Kai told Cole he was right, and that his advice was how he defeated the Shadow Rex. Cole was all too happy to have some vindication after his friends had lovingly teased him for his Jurassic Park obsession.
Kai might be my favorite character to write (besides maybe Morro), so this chapter was good fun. I hope you enjoyed it!
After DARKNESS IN CHIMA, I plan to do a bunch of one-shots before another big story, just to give myself a chance to spend some time with the characters in lower-stakes situations.
Anyway, thanks for letting me think out loud for a moment. See y'all around, and if I don't see you again soon, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!