Hours passed and the daylight was quickly dimming. When the sun was beginning to make its final set there were several loud bangs on Kaiten’s front door. Curiously he stood up and peeked out the window. Kurando and Iyouboushi both stumbled out of their respective rooms; they looked more tired than before they went to sleep.
“What’s going on?” Kurando asked. “Are we being arrested again?”
“Not quite.” Kaiten smiled and opened the door. Standing down below him was a dark-tanned woman with Elven ears, who stood 6’1″ in height with dark black hair with feint lines of purple running through it down to the base of her neck and around both sides of her face beneath a black and dark red hat with a bright white feather sticking out of it. Her armor was the same black and red, and appeared to be made out of thick leather covering all parts of her body. She had two swords, one on each side. “Hi Nauthima. Long time no see.” Eisen screeched happily.
“Well if it isn’t little lord Kaiten, finally come home at last. Are you going to invite me in or what?” She crossed her arms.
“O..of course.” With ease he lifted her inside. She looked at Kurando and Iyouboushi with question.
“I never knew you to be so hospitable to outsiders” she remarked, with a hint of sarcasam rubbing her hand through his hair. “New friends of yours?”
“As I recall, you yourself are an outsider” Kaiten said in retort shaking his head away from her hand. “And yes. This is Kurando the Black, and Iyouboushi of Erutoru.” Iyouboushi bowed, Kurando held tight the bucket.
“You forgot Quaram.” Kurando extended the bucket out. “He says he’s glad to meet such a pretty young lady.”
“I like this one” she said, smiling. “Hello Quaram.” She patted the bucket before yawning and walking towards a chair in the room.
“Guys, this is Nauthima. She’s a most trusted friend and advisor to my parents. She’s also over twice your age; she’s 75 years old.”
Kurando and Iyouboushi’s jaws dropped open in amazement. Kurando was so surprised he dropped the bucket onto the floor. A tiny “ow” came from its direction but no one payed enough attention to hear it.
“Speaking of your parents” Nauthima said, her voice suddenly cold and serious as she brushed the age comment away. “I’m afraid I have some bad news.” Everyone’s smiles and surprised faces faded as they all found places to sit around the room.
“What happened? Are they all right?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. Queen Mika captured them on their last trip into the heart of the Tinnei mountains.”
Kaiten became outraged at the news, quickly grabbed his polearm and ran to the door. “Kaiten! Wait!” Nauthima shouted at him, leaping up from her chair, but it was too late. Kaiten became a blur as he jumped out the door and disappeared down the road towards the mountains. Eisen screeched and flew after him as fast as his wings could carry him.
“Hey! Wait!” Iyouboushi said as Nauthima approached the door to go after him. “You have to explain this to us! Who is Queen Mika? What is going on?” His confused voice loudly shouted.
Nauthima turned to him. “Queen Mika is the leader of the Harpies. She dwells deep within the mountains with all of her many children. Kaiten’s parents are diplomats and spies. They were sent to discover the location of Queen Mika to make peace with them so that they could co-exist with the dragons that live in the mountains. They were never too keen on that idea, though.” She sighed. “It seems that Queen Mika plans to make an example out of his parents.”
“That’s terrible. We must help him.”
“Let me go after him. Stay here. The mountains are dangerous for anyone who has never traversed them before.” Without another word, Nauthima disappeared out the door, landing on the ground below with a loud thud of her boots.
“Wait!” Iyouboushi ran to the door, but she was already gone.
“So, know any good games we can play?” Kurando asked?
* * *
The grey mountains of Tinnei were bare of plant life. As far as Kaiten could see, it was rock, rock and more rock. As he jumped up various ledges in the mountains he saw many life-threatening, dangerous ledges that dropped off into the abyss of below. Eisen screeched and flew ahead of him, looking for safe spots for him to jump to. Behind him a red blur shot ahead and stopped, blocking his path.
“I always was the faster one” Nauthima said. “Do you remember how we used to race?”
“Get out of my way Nauthima.”
“What do you plan to do?” She crossed her arms.
“Rescue them, of course.” Kaiten’s resolve rang loudly.
“By yourself? Have you lost your mind? You know how fast you will be killed by Mika’s many children?”
“I’m not that weak kid any more Nauthima! I have the power to save them.”
“You don’t even know if they’re still alive.” Her voice was quiet.
“All the more reason to hurry.”
“I’m going with you, like it or not” she said.
“You don’t have to put yourself in harm’s way” Kaiten said, “these are MY parents.”
“But they are MY friends.”
With that, Nauthima turned and became a red blur as she traversed the mountains. Kaiten nodded, Eisen screeched, and together they went after her.
The sun kissed the ground goodbye for the day and a blanket of stars grew more and more visible. It was a hard climb, but finally the two had reached their destination. Deep in the heart of the Tinnei mountains lay a cavern that lead deep beneath the mountain range.
They slowly and quietly went through the caverns, guided by a small glowing ball of flame that Nauthima had conjured up and had floating before her. Voices speaking in a different language began to grow louder as they reached further and further in. “We’re very close” Kaiten said. Eisen, screeched in agreement. “I can smell them.”
“And hear them” Nauthima added.
They then arrived at the main heart of the harpy home. A huge cavern with multiple caverns stretched out before them. In the very center stood a giant beast, half woman half bird, wearing a bright golden crown and covered in reddish-gray feathers. Around here were hundreds of smaller harpies, all with gray feathers. “There, look” Nauthima said, pointing towards a small cavern at the base, behind the giant beast.
Inside were two Dragon Knights, a male and female; both with black hair. They lay on the ground, stripped of their armor and covered in blood. Eisen gave a low growl and Kaiten narrowed his eyes, trying to see what Nauthima’s Elven eyes saw. “Ah!” He gasped. “What are we going to do? There’s more than I had anticipated.”
“I told you there are many.” She closed her eyes, thinking. “We must make a distraction. And then you must show me your ‘power’” The last part sounded sarcastic.
“Ha ha” Kaiten said mockingly. “How do we make a distraction?”
“Oh, like this.”
Without hesitation she began to speak in her Elven language. The entire cavern began to shake, and the harpies began to make an awful noise as they began to flutter up and around the cavern. Parts of the ceiling began to crack, small rubble fell down, crushing multiple harpies.
“Ready Eisen?” Kaiten asked. A loud screech followed as Eisen readied his polearm and jumped out of the small cavern they were hiding in. With a strong display of force and anger, Kaiten cleaved a harpy completely in two as he landed on the ground. Without waiting, he leaped up into the air again, beating angry harpies away from him.
Nauthima laughed and shook her head. “Same old Kaiten. He never changes.” She leaped down off the ledge and used her magic to slow her fall, to land gracefully.
The large harpy, Queen Mika, spread her wings full-span. The wind began to grow violent, Kaiten and Eisen were thrown out of the air and onto the ground violently, dropping his polearm. Her brown-gray feathers began to point outwards.
“Watch out Kaiten!” Nauthima shouted. Several feathers shot out of her wings, like tiny spears. Kaiten’s left arm was pierced by one and he shouted in pain. The other harpies began to swoop down, attacking Kaiten with their talons.
With a small incantation, a plume of flame shot from Nauthima’s hands and into the crowd of angry harpies. Several caught fire, and all scattered. She ran over to him. Mika flapped her wings, sending large gusts of wind at the two. The two were picked up and thrown into the nearest wall. The fearsome beast let out a loud roar as she hopped closer to the two.
“Kaiten!” Both heard a male voice shout from behind the harpy.
“Dad!” Kaiten shouted back. Mika flapped her wings some more to ensure that Kaiten and Nauthima were pinned to the wall. She did not see the injured Dragon Knight pick up Kaiten’s polearm and leap high into the air.
With a loud crunch, Kaiten’s father landed on the back of Mika, the polearm going straight through her chest. She let out a loud scream of unimaginable pain and flapped violently. The other harpies went to their queen’s aid, grabbing Kaiten’s father and flinging him across the cavern and swarming down upon him. Mika screeched further, before finally collapsing to the ground, causing a small tremor.
Kaiten and Nauthima quickly regained their composure. Kaiten ran to the dead harpy queen and drew his polearm from her body. Both then ran towards the flock of angry harpies. Many harpies flew upwards into the top of the cavern and through multiple caverns. The ones that remained were soon disposed of with more of the fire plume and quick slashes.
“Dad!” Kaiten bent down next to his father. He was in bad condition.
“Kaiten. I am so glad I had the chance to see you once more.” Nauthima left the two and went into the cavern where the prisoners were held to check on Kaiten’s mother. “We came to visit Mika but she had changed. Something happened to her. She grew violent, angry and attacked us without warning. If it weren’t for my wyvern escaping..” he coughed up blood, “no one would have never known.”
“Don’t try to speak dad. We will get you out of here.”
“I’m so sorry Kaiten. But I’m not going to make it.” He coughed more. “Please, I want you to have this.” Slowly, with shaky hands, he reached one hand over to another and pulled off a ring with a purple stone. “It has been passed down from generation to generation.” Kaiten took the ring and slipped it onto his right hand.
Nauthima returned carrying a small black box. It was open. Kaiten’s eyes widened as he saw the box and saw the strange writing on it. He looked up at her face. “My mother?” She shook her head solemnly.
“I’m sorry Kaiten. She did not make it.”
“This is all Crim’s fault.” His anger could not be controlled.
“How can you possibly know this?” Nauthima asked. She placed the box on the ground and kneeled before her old friend. “I am sorry gramps.”
The dying man chuckled. “Still you call me this, despite being almost old enough to be my elder.” She smiled.
“My friends and I have encountered a box like this before. I will explain later.”
“Kaiten, Nauthima” more coughing, “please do not let anything happen to Tinnei. Report back to Queen Faria. Take Mika’s crown, my ring and the box as proof. Please. I am begging you two.”
He groaned, coughed and turned his head. With a last show of strengthed he started to mouth a few words but fell silent before he could finish.
Tears fell down onto his face as Kaiten closed his father’s eyes. Eisen gave a howl of sorrow and began to hum an ancient wyvern song.
* * *
“I can’t believe we forgot to ask where Kaiten lives” Slade said, holding onto Taylen’s opposite shoulder.
“I thouth that weth meet up with him in tha morninnng” Taylen muttered, drunkinly.
“You’re an awful drunk” Slade muttered, “I hope you know that.”
“I wuvth you toooo” Taylen muttered before stopping to vomit onto the ground.
“Excuse me” Slade shouted to a wandering Dragon Knight who was happening to pass by. “Can you tell me how to get to Kaiten’s home?” He was promptly ignored. “I hate this city” he muttered. “Are you finished yet?”
“I thiiinkith soo.” He vomited again.
“This is utterly hopeless” he said, tapping his foot.
“Slade? Taylen?”
Slade turned to look at who was calling his name, while Taylen stumbled forward, backwards, turned his head and threw up yet again. He saw Kaiten, Eisen and a woman he didn’t recognize approaching them. They both were carrying a body each.
“Kaiten! Am I glad to see you.” Slade said, nervously adjusting his bandanna. “We don’t know where you live.”
Taylen turned and looked at two approaching people. For a moment he paused and raised an eyebrow. Then his eyes lit up as he finally recognized Kaiten. “Heeeeeeeeeeey! I knowth youuuuuu! It’s mah buuuddddy Kaiteeen!” Carefully he ran over to Kaiten and gave him a big hug, not caring he was hugging him over a body. He then backed up and looked at Nauthima. “And heeeee’s wiith a hot womaaan!”
“More friends of yours, Kaiten?” Nauthima asked.
“Guys, this is Nauthima. Nauthima, this is Slade and Taylen” he said, nodding towards the person as he spoke their names. “Although Taylen is not normally like this. Just what did he drink?!” Eisen screeched some laughter.
“Some weird red liquid at the pub. More importantly, why are you two carrying bodies?”
“Willl youuu go outhhh with m–” Taylen turned and threw up again. Nauthima gave a chuckle.
“Poor man can’t hold his fire dragon wine” she remarked. She bent over and whispered to him, “and I don’t date men who can’t hold their fire dragon wine.”
“My parents” Kaiten said solemnly. “They were captured by harpies–I’ll explain everything later” he said, noticing Slade’s questioning look. “For now, follow Eisen back to my house. Nauthima and I must bury my parents in the graveyard.”
Slade nodded, grabbed Taylen by his collar and began to drag him as Eisen screeched and flew ahead.
* * *
“I am tired of waiting” Iyouboushi said. He reached down and grabbed his katana, ready to head out the door.
“But you heard what that woman said.” Kurando said, rolling the bucket back and forth like a ball. “It’s dangerous out there on the mountains. And it’s night now. It would be even worse!”
“I don’t care. If I don’t do something I will go crazy. It’s been hours.”
“Then a few more minutes won’t kill you. And if you’re really that bored” a sparkle in his eyes “I can always set you on the most burning of fire and watch as you scramble to put it out.” A tiny bop sound echoed the house though Iyouboushi could not see where it came from.
“That’s it. I’m out.” He opened the door and was greeted by Eisen’s little wyvern face directly in front of him. He screeched as Iyouboushi jumped back in shock at the unexpected guest.
“Mind helping us up?” Slade asked. “Although you may want to leave drunkard here outside. He’s been violently vomiting”
* * *
Dawn broke over the city of Tinnei and the sun seemed to be climbing the giant tower of the palace. Kaiten and Nauthima had returned in the middle of night, explained the situation and all that had occured to the group and had retired for the night. Now they were adjusting their armors and making plans.
“If Crim is responsible for the change of attitude in the harpy behavior then perhaps they meant to use them against the dragons and attack the city.” Iyouboushi suggested. “With this new information perhaps we can force an audience with Kron.”
“That is what we hope to do” Kaiten said, in agreement.
“Just leave that part up to me” Nauthima said. “I have quite a lot of pull with Queen Faria, you know.” She winked to Taylen, who was holding his head and groaning in pain.
“Whoever invented that drink should be shot” he said.
“You’re the one who wanted to drink” Slade reminded him.
Laughter and chuckles all around as they set out of the house and back towards the palace. Nauthima walked to the guards and whispered something to them. They both stood at attention and let them pass.
As they passed through the giant palace doors they noticed just how majestic the palace truly was. Light purple rugs with all various patterns lined the floor with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling; there were huge banisters hanging along the walls and art that would put Kaiten’s house to shame. As they approached the throne room there were multiple portraits of previous kings and queens through the ages lining the walls. But they did not have time to admire these things.
“Fancy” Kurando said, making sure the bucket sat squarely on his shoulder.
The throne room doors opened slowly and Queen Faria sat upon the throne, with a look of anger on her face.
“What is the meaning of this insolance?” Faria barked out.
“Well good morning to you too Your Majesty” Kurando offered.
“Shut up worm.” He recoiled. She looked at Nauthima. “I told them that an audience with Kron was out of the question and I would assume that you would have more common sense than to parade them through my home.”
“Ah, yes, well I’m afraid things have changed slightly. Kelmris and Delia are dead.” There was a pause. Faria leaned closer.
“That is impossible. They are on a peaceful mission to visit with our neighboring queen, Mika.”
Kaiten took a step forward to stand beside Nauthima. “I’m afraid this is true.” He bowed his head in respect, then reached down and removed the ring from his finger. “I have the ring,” he held it up for Faria to see. “And their bodies are buried in the usual place.”
Faria scuffed. “How did this happen?”
“With this.” Nauthima revealed the empty black box. “From what I understand, it houses a demon. Once opened it will possess the strongest nearest being.”
“I know what it is and what it does” she said with distaste.
“Then you must know that Crim was planning to use the harpies against us. Two of Tinnei’s most loyal servants have perished thanks to this. It is only by chance and luck that we managed to preempt any major strike against the city.” She showed Faria the crown Mika had upon her head.
Kaiten rubbed his shoulder from where the feather had pierced him as he listened to Nauthima speak.
“Very well.” Faria said. She stood up. “To honor their sacrifice, I will allow you insects to speak with the great Kron. But let me make this very clear: this is the one and only time you will ever see him. And you will make it quick.”
Everyone nodded, Kaiten bowed and Nauthima curtsied. Faria lead the group behind the massive throne to a small door, where she pulled out a small key and unlocked it before opening it. The open door revealed a very long staircase leading up the large tower that they saw from the outside. Faria stood aside. “Remember, make this quick.”
As the group approached the top of the staircase they noticed they were outside again.
“This is really amazing” Iyouboushi said “and large.”
“Just wait until you see Kron” Kaiten said.
At the top of the staircase lay a massive rock platform for them to stand upon and a massive 30′ tall cavern outline cut inside the mountain range, though the cavern itself seemed to be blocked. Suddenly the mass covering the cavern outline opened to reveal itself as a gigantic eyeball that glared at the tiny group.
“Wha..what is that!?” Taylen said, blinking, rubbing his eyes. “Am I hallucinating? An after effect of that drink?”
The entire mountain shook with tenacity as the eyeball moved upward, revealing a huge blue dragon head. A voice echoed in the collective group’s minds. “What is it you seek from me?”
“Hello again Kron,” Kaiten said, falling to one knee. “We seek information.”
Taylen’s mouth opened. “Th..this is Kron!?”
“I can’t breathe” Kurando said. He fell to the ground with a thud. “This is too overwhelming!” Nauthima laughed at him.
Slade nervously adjusted both his bandannas and stayed near the back, ready to flee if necessary.
“You think this is bad” Kaiten said, whispering, “just imagine facing him when you’re a mere ten years old.”
“Horrifying” Iyouboushi said.
“Information about the seals and the past.” Kron’s voice boomed in their heads again.
“Yes.” Kaiten nodded.
“As you may very well know, I am the most ancient being in the world; I was around the first time before the seals were even put into place.”
“So you will tell us what we wish to know?” Kron breathed out, a large mist covered the group.
“Just close your eyes” Kron’s voice commanded “and I will SHOW you what happened all those distant years ago..”
