“Wake up!” The captain shook everyone awake.
“Have we arrived at Erutoru?” Iyouboushi sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
“Not quite.”
“Then, Crim?”
“Worse.” The ship rocked violently as huge orange and black-stripped tentacles shot over the side of the ship. “Sea monster!”
Kurando let off a high-pitched scream and sunk closer to the wall of the cargo hold with the helmet pressed firmly against his chest. Kaiten, Taylen and Iyouboushi all jumped up and grabbed their weapons.
The beast pulled pieces of the ship apart and into the water. The group did their best to fight it off without being grabbed or killed. Kaiten jumped into the air and landed on one tentacle, cutting it completely in two. Iyouboushi charged energy into his blade and flung it down into the water, after the great beast itself. Taylen shot at the remaining tentacles. Finally the beast gave a gurgle under the water and all remaining tentacles shot back under. Everything grew silent.
“That was a close one” the captain said, looking over some damaged parts of the ship. He looked back up at Iyouboushi. “That’s twice you’ve saved my ship.”
The damaged ship continued its journey. The outline of a town came into view by the time the sun was high in the sky the following day. As the ship pulled into the dock of Erutoru, the group found it strangely empty. The captain looked around. “Odd” he said “but I guess not completely unexpected. After all, I do not believe another shipment is schedule for Erutoru for several days.” The group walked off of the ship and looked into the village of Erutoru.
Unlike Crim’s more machine-filled and dependent city, Erutoru was natural. The buildings had triangular roofs, there were colorful sand gardens lying in between buildings and gravel paths, small trees and bushes made the village seem homely, and several wells where water could be drawn. It was quiet. In the center of the village stood a massive two story building–thegreat Erutoru Library. Further off stood the second tallest building in town, the home of Gejiti.
“Where is everyone?” Iyouboushi asked, glancing around. “There should be more people. I don’t like the looks of this.”
“Perhaps they’re in the library” Kaiten suggested.
“Only one way to find out.”
They entered the great library and found no one at the front desk. Laying before them, behind the desk, were rows and rows of old books and scrolls. Above them was another floor that a stairwell to the right of them lead to. From deep within the library they heard footsteps and muffled curses.
“This place is amazing” Taylen said. “I bet there’s all sorts of great engineering books in here.”
“It’s a shame we do not have the time to look” Kaiten remarked.
“Let’s go investigate that noise we heard” Iyouboushi whispered.
They made their way up and down various aisles, following a trail of books that had been tossed out and left on the ground, looking for the sound of the noise. Finally they saw it. A short man wearing a cloak over his body and a bandanna over his head. Next to him stood a human-sized pile of green rags. The man was briefly tossing books and cursing. Finally he turned around and jumped back in shock upon seeing the group.
“Slade?” Taylen leaned forward adjusting his goggles. Slade adjusted his bandannas feverishly.
“I never thought I’d run into you guys again” he said. “But now that I have, you can help me.” He walked up to Iyouboushi. “You’re from this little town, tell me. Where is the hidden entrance to the chamber below this place?”
“There is no secret entrance to a hidden chamber” Iyouboushi said, mildly annoyed, “that’s just a rumor that was started by someone who was desperate for attention.”
“I don’t believe you. Izzy and I are not leaving until we find the entrance.”
“Izzy?” Everyone looked around curiously.
Slade pointed at the tall amount of green rags standing next to him. The rags came to life and bowed. Two tiny beady eyes managed to peek out from beneath the amount of rags. Kurando gave out a gasp so loud that it echoed throughout the library.
“Be quiet you crazy pyromaniac. Do you want us to get thrown out like one red-headed, blue-clothed guy was earlier?” Slade asked.
“Relax, there is no one here except us” Iyouboushi was worried and his voice showed it.
“Oh. In any case, concerning Izzy, don’t ask him to speak. He’s a mute.”
Everyone’s faces showed confusion but gave Izzy their introductions. Izzy just nodded and bowed in response. When it was over, Slade and Izzy started to walk away.
“Where are you going” Taylen asked.
“I already told you. I’m going to find the entrance to the hidden chamber.”
“Wait. Before you go, do you know what happened to all the townspeople?”
Slade stopped and looked back. “All I know is that things have gone awfully silent outside after the last shipment from Crim.” Without another word he continued around the corner and disappeared out of sight.
“What has Crim done?” Iyouboushi said before racing back out of the library. Everyone else followed, except Kurando who became distracted when he saw a very large black book. He stopped and pulled it out from the shelf. The title read THE LIFE OF CLOM. He thumbed through some of it.
“I am Clom, the greatest mage in all of history. How pretentious of me to be so egotistic, but alas it is the truth. In my travels across the globe I have yet to meet anyone who has even one-third my power. And as such, I feel it only right that I write an autobiography of my life.”
He flipped through the pages, trying to find something of interest.
“Chapter X – I have created three magical artifacts. When combined, the three artifacts will form a small charm. The charm itself will allowany mage powerful enough to match my powers and strength. No doubt many people will seek this power to try and rule the world. That is why I have hid the pieces inseparate locations across the continent of Iwote . Where are they now, you ask? To prevent anyone from getting the answer from me, I immediately erased my memory of the hiding locations. As a result I have absolutely no idea where they are.”
“How interesting” Kurando said. Quaram came to life and hopped up on his shoulder.
“It seems this is the power we’ve been searching for before we ended up in the prison of Crim’s castle” Quaram said.
“How true.”
“Continue reading.”
* * *
As they rushed towards the second largest building in Erutoru, Iyouboushi became very anxious. What would he find inside? Would he find his master? Would he find out what happened here? Or would he be left with more questions? They opened the doors and their eyes were immediately greeted with an old man sitting cross-legged on the ground. He had white hair pulled back into a pony tail and a huge moustache with a short white beard. He was not moving.
“Master!”
Iyouboushi threw himself down onto the ground next to him, listening to see if his master was still breathing. “He’s still alive” he said with relief, lifting himself back up. Loudly he shouted “what has happened here?” There was no response.
“Look over there” Taylen said, pointing. They all looked. Next to the unmoving man was a metal box with strange symbols on it. It was opened.
“Master Gejiti, I have returned from Crim.”
It was no use. The man did not stir.
Suddenly a blood-curling scream came from back inside the village. Everyone turned and ran out of the house and saw a lone man, dressed similarly to Iyouboushi, come running towards them. “Help!” he cried. As he grew closer they could see a katana drawn, in his right hand. Behind him a dark figure came slowly marching after.
“Help me!”
Before anyone could move the dark figure threw something into the back of the running man. He collapsed. The figure continued his slow march forward only pausing a moment to retrieve what it threw into the back of the man.
“What is going on?” Taylen asked, retrieving his gun from his toolbelt. “What is that?”
“It can’t be.” Kaiten squinted his eyes, trying to make the figure out.
“A skeleton?”
The figure stepped forward once more. Its outline became clear. A walking skeleton holding a hatchet was approaching the group at a snail’s pace. Iyouboushi became enraged, drew his blade and ran forward. When he was in range of the skeleton, he swung his sword in such a violent rage that a beam of energy shot from the blade and slammed into a building nearby. The building’s foundation shook. The skeleton was cut completely in half and fell, lifeless back to the ground.
Everyone walked over and put their hands on Iyouboushi’s shoulders. “I’m sorry” Taylen said. He looked down at the dead man.
“Jonas” Iyouboushi said kneeling. “I always told him he should train harder.”
Together the group burried the body of Jonas and returned to Gejiti’s home. Gejiti’s eyes suddenly shot openened and he made a gasp for air.
“Iyouboushi, you have returned. And you’ve brought friends? Good. Good. Listen to me, I don’t have much time.” Gejiti breathed heavily. “Listen, Crim has unleashed an unspeakable horror upon Erutoru! I, myself, am in the process of battling a demon that is trying to take over my body. The village has been possessed with power that I do not understand. Only those who have been in the red glow will be affected. Only those who have not been affected can save them.” He looked at the group. “You must all go to the Kodl Jungle. It’s west of Erutoru. Follow the path and you will come across a mark on the ground that is discolored. The townsmen will be there, I know it. Figure out a way to restore them to normal, please. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Absolutely” Iyouboushi said. Geijiti made a strained effort to shake his head no.
“Iyouboushi, you have a different task.”
“A different task?”
Gejiti’s eyes are started to fade out and his body appeared to be becoming more limp moment by moment. “I don’t have much time before I must enter my trance again. Should this demon control my body, you all must kill me. But Before I go, Iyouboushi, go to the Shingi Cave. Your task will be made known when you enter.”
“Shingi Cave? But that’s two days away on foot!”
“Is your trance keeping the demon at bay?” Taylen asked, rather confused by the whole situation.
“It is, but I am weakening. It is only a matter of time before I lose control. Now hurry. Go save the village. Iyouboushi, go to the cave.” Kaiten kneeled before the old man before standing back up. Everyone nodded. Geijiti’s body became lifeless again, having reentered his trance.
They walked out of the house to see Slade and Izzy come running up to them. Kurando came running behind him, holding the bucket close to him.
“What is going on?” Slade asked, panting. “We thought we heard screaming.”
Taylen repeated what Gejiti had said and that they were going to the jungle.
“The jungle seal” Slade said horrified. “They might be trying to open the jungle seal!”
“A seal? What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. Listen, we have to go and stop them. And afterwards I must go to Tinnei.” Kaiten’s ears perked up at the mention of his home city.
“Tinnei? Why?”
“To see the oldest living creature, of course.”
“Kron?” Kaiten shook his head. Everyone except Slade and Kaiten had looks of confusion written across their faces.
“No matter” Taylen said. “We have more important things to do at the moment.” He looked over at Iyouboushi. “You should get going if it takes that long to get to the cave. We’ll come after you when we’re done here.”
Iyouboushi nodded. “Shingi Cave lies to the east into the desert of Itha.”
“Oh no, not another desert” Kurando complained. “We don’t like the sand, do we Quaram?”
“Travel east until you find the oasis, then head due south. There you will find the entrance to Shingi Cave.” As he walked forward, Iyouboushi mumbled something incomprehensible. “Why does he want me to go to this place? There’s nothing there. I should be here, helping you save the village.”
“We can handle it. If Gejiti wants you to go to this cave then it must be pretty important. Now go.”
Kaiten nodded in agreement. Kurando stood confused and Slade adjusted his bandannas.
Iyouboushi sighed and finally gave in. “All right. Make haste and meet me there.”
Without another word, Iyouboushi ran off to the east.
“Shall we get going then?” Taylen asked.
Together they walked out of the village and to the west. The trees and vines grew thicker as they entered what the Kodl Jungle.
“Slade” Taylen started, “what do you know about all this? You said it was a jungle seal. How do you know that?”
Slade shrugged. “I have a source” he replied. Izzy nodded next to him.
Kaiten asked the next most obvious question. “What’s sealed there?”
“Who knows? Why do you think I was in that library? Hint, it’s not because I enjoy reading.”
The group passed by a small abandoned well. Looking inside they saw a small skeleton of a person who had fallen inside and became trapped. Taylen shivered. “Poor soul.”
As they followed the path deeper into the jungle they started to hear chanting. “Do you hear that?” Kurando asked. He held tigher onto the helmet. “This cannot bode well for us.”
Finally they reached it. As they pushed aside vines they saw a large circle of discolored grass on the ground. Surrounding it stood the entire town of Erutoru making a complete circle. They chanted loudly in a language no one understood. The group kneeled behind a bush out of sight.
“I think we need to stop them” Taylen said.
“Gee, you think? Come up with that decision all by yourself, did you?” Slade said sarcastically. “Of course we do. If they open that seal we’re going to be in some serious trouble.”
“Any ideas then?” Kaiten asked.
“I wonder what the chanting is for” Taylen asked.
“Have you totally forgotten everything I’ve said? Hello! It’s a seal. Seals open. The chanting is obviously meant to open it.” Slade threatened to hit Taylen over the head but Kaiten stopped him.
“We don’t have time for this” he said shaking his head.
A bright green light began to emit from the circle on the ground.
“Let’s take down the villagers then” Taylen said, drawing his gun and aiming it. With a BANG one of the villagers fell over unconscious. The chanting did not stop.
Taylen continued, taking down as many villagers as he could without being detected. “It’s no use” he said, finally as he reloaded. “I cannot take the villagers down fast enough.”
The glow grew brighter and brighter. Slade narrowed his eyes as Kaiten covered his eyes with his arm. Kurando began to rock back and forth behind the bush. “This is bad” he said “very very very very bad. Quaram and I do not like this at all, no sir.”
“We’re out of time!” Taylen screamed as the light completely blinded the group. The bodies of the villagers hit the ground sending out thuds. A high-pitched whine echoed in everyone’s ears, sending their hands up in an attempt to stop it.
The light began to dim and as everyone squinted and tried to look over they saw a black human shadow rising out of the ground from the middle of the circle. The villagers lay unmoving all around.
“Free at last!”
Taylen stood up with his gun aimed straight. “Who are you?”
The shadow’s figured became more defined moment by moment. With a snarl, the figure turned and looked at Taylen. He had long black hair and sinister-looking red eyes. The figure’s body was a shade of red and looked as though it was made out of scale. He was tall, taller than any of the group present.
Ignoring Taylen, the figure let out of an insane laugh. The ground where the seal lay began shaking. The bodies of the villagers started to sink into the ground, as though it had become quicksand.
“I, Blazebone, have returned from the void! This world shall suffer for what it has done to me. But first I must awaken my brethren. Arise, the sacrifices that have restored me.” The figure’s laugh continued as the seal shook and the villagers returned, only this time as undead skeletons.
Slade reached up and wiped a bead of sweat off his face.
“I’ve never heard of the name Blazebone” Taylen said. Everyone shook their heads in agreement and confusion.
The army of skeletons stood at attention, facing Blazebone who still, seemingly, hadn’t noticed the heroes.
“I have a feeling there’s only one in this world who has.” Kaiten said, looking at Slade who only nodded. “Kron.”
“Then we must go to Tinnei as soon as possible.”
“Come breathren! We must go release my sister!” Blazebone had spoken loudly. The skeletons facing him turned about face, now facing the group who immediately turned and ran back into the jungle. Loud footsteps echoed behind them as they rushed back to Erutoru as fast as they could.
Upon arriving at Erutoru they ran into Gejiti’s home and shook him violently. His eyes returned to normal and he gasped for air.
“I thought I instructed you to go into the jungle?”
“We have” Kaiten said, speaking quickly. “We failed.”
“That is very unfortunate. I do not understand why Crim has done this. Listen, I do not have much time. You must kill me. The demon has become too strong for me to handle. If I do not die now, it shall be released and bring havoc to the world. Do not let such a fate befall me.”
“There has to be another way” Taylen said.
“It is too late for any other way. And after you have finished this, go to Shingi Cave and inform Iyouboushi what has been going on. He is more important than even he knows. He must accompany you on your journey.” He took a deep breath and a tear formed at his eyes. “Tell him I am sorry. Goodbye friends. And good luck.”
Slade swung his hand and a small knife spun into place. “You are truly honorable” he said. With a swift slice Gejiti was no longer among the living. “Let us hurry to Shingi Cave.”
