“Whatever you do, don’t let go!”
He didn’t make any reply and appeared to be slumped over the branch and was hardly moving at all. I could hear the rushing water suddenly grow louder and I feared the worst; a waterfall. I strained my eyes in the direction of the water, and no longer saw the swelling waves like before, only pure, undisturbed darkness.
My mind reeled at what was about to happen. I desperately looked around for something to grab onto; a rock, a log, anything. I thought about swimming to shore, but there was no way Meriwether could do that. Just then, I felt a large thump and felt the branch swing around. We had lodged ourselves against a rock, but the current was swiftly turning us back towards the waterfall. I grabbed the rock and pulled the branch around.
“Come here, Meriwether!” I shouted, “I think I can pull us into shore, but we need to be quick!”
The black lump slowly scooted over towards me. There was something funny about the way Meriwether moved, but I pushed it out of my mind. I slipped off the log and was surprised to find solid ground beneath my feet. I attempted to haul it over to shore, but the current was so strong I couldn’t keep it from swinging back around toward the waterfall.
“We’re going to have to swim the rest of the way,” I called, “I’ll try carrying you across, but you’ll have to kick too.”
Without warning, Meriwether jumped off the log and swam to shore with amazing strength. Shocked, I swam after him. He reached shore a little before me, walked up onto the sand, and shook himself.
Why I went to all the trouble of saving a mangy dog instead of my friend, I’ll never know.
Chapter 5
Betrayal
Meriwether ran like the wind. He wanted to get as far away from the road, and Clark, as possible. He clutched his throbbing heart, which was beating so vigorously because of his pace, he felt as if it might fly right out of his body. And it very well might have, because of the large hole in his chest made by the bullet the night before. Anger stricken Meriwether wasn’t quite sure where he was going or what his plan was. But he knew for sure that he would get revenge on Clark for his utter stupidity.
Meriwether had no idea where this burst of energy came from, but he knew now that the gods were on his side, and that they would help him carry out a revengeful scheme. At any other point in time, he would have been scared out of his wits to be alone in the woods, especially at night.
Ikili watched Meriwether run aimlessly through the forest from his vantage point high on the mountain.
“Those crazy humans,” he laughed, “friends one minute, enemies the next! When will they ever learn? Guards! Go fetch that man down there and bring him to me. I would very much like to speak with him.”
Two of the guards bowed and exited the throne room. Ikili leaned back upon his ornate throne and let out a heavy sigh. As he did so, the wind raging outside howled even louder. Ikili grinned, reveling in his power and enjoying the sound immensely. As the rain beat upon the palace roof and the thunder rumbled outside, various plans brewed in Ikili’s brain, evil plans, to be exact.
“There are multiple ways to eliminate Clark,” Ikili muttered to himself, “but the trouble is deciding on one that will be entertaining, humorous, as well as bloody. That’s the real question.”
Lost in thought, Ikili didn’t notice Meriwether enter the throne room. He continued to stare blankly out the window, until Meriwether coughed. Ikili, greatly startled, stood and roared with fright at the sudden noise, and then sat back stoically on his throne again.
“Good evening, Meriwether,” said Ikili, “and how are you tonight?”
Meriwether was visibly shaken, “Well, apart from having a hole in my chest, I’m fine, thank you.”
“Oh yes, I heard about that little incident you had in the woods last night, quite unfortunate.”
Meriwether gulped.
“So, tell me about Clark. What are his plans? I’m sure that’s the reason you came, is it not, to let me in on your little secrets?”
“Yes sir, I mean, no sir. You see, I just wanted to get out of the rain and find some shelter, and ended up here, sir.”
“Come now,” said Ikili, “Let’s get that bullet out of our chest, you’re not thinking straight.”
With a loud clap, two guards appeared in the doorway.
“Escort this man to the procedure room. He has a serious chest injury and possibly some brain injuries as well,” Ikili said with a laugh.
The guards chuckled to themselves, took each of Meriwether’s arms and escorted him out of the room.
A few minutes later, deafening screams echoed through the palace.
Chapter 6
Strange Sights
The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was clear, but I took no notice of it. I was still in shock about the whole escapade in the river. The dog I had saved was, I could only imagine, very thankful for my saving of him, but I couldn’t help but wonder what a dog was doing in the middle of the night playing by the river; a mangy, dirty, ugly animal that appeared so helpless floating in the water. Somehow I knew that it would have been able to save itself, without my aid.
It was now mid-day, and the river had diverted from its path along the roadside, and I was getting thirsty. Thankfully, I had remembered to throw off my pack before jumping in the river, so all my belongings stayed dry. I was beginning to become concerned that this road would never end. I hadn’t seen a building, another human being, or even a tree for miles; only road, dust, and endless mountain ranges. As the dog trotted alongside me, I could sense he was agitated. I looked on either side of the road, but saw nothing. Still the dog looked in that direction, ears perked up and alert.
Just then, a low growl sounded from my left side. I whirled around, and jumped at what I saw. An enormous lion, at least eight feet long, stood right next to me. I had only heard about these ferocious beasts from travelers who passed through the city of Uca from faraway lands. My knees shook visibly, and I had no idea how to react. I took a few steps backward, and then started to run. The dog fled also, knowing he had met his match. But to my great surprise, the great beast failed to pursue us, instead he walked back the way I had come. Puzzled, I slowed to a walk and proceeded ahead. The dog, now relaxed, walked right along beside me.
But that wasn’t the end of my strange encounters with animals that day. We saw snakes, wolves, zebras, and even dinosaurs. But they never attacked or chased us; they just seemed to appear and then disappear into thin air, and then were replaced by another animal, but always in a different place. I knew I wasn’t dreaming up these objects because the dog reacted to them as well.
I looked off to the left and saw a crocodile in the sand, not a strange sight compared to everything else I had been seeing. But as it disappeared, a new figure, one I had not seen in many days, replaced it. It was a woman, tall, and with dark brown hair. I rubbed my eyes, thinking I had really gone insane this time. But the figure remained, and began walking towards me.
I stood there, astonished, and rubbed my eyes again to be sure I wasn’t dreaming.
“Hello, Clark,” the woman said, “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve been watching you.”
Chapter 7
Plans Revealed
“Bring him in!” Ikili barked, “Quickly, now!”
The two guards dragged Meriwether through the doorway. A trail of blood marked the path where the party had come.
“Drop him there.”
The guards promptly threw Meriwether to the floor. He looked more dead than alive, his face cut and bruised, and with a large gash on his leg. The victim groaned with the impact against the cold stone floor.
“Now, tell me, good sir, what are the plans of your friend Clark?” Ikili sneered.
“I don’t know.”
The silence that followed seemed to go on for eternity.
Ikili replied with astonishing calmness, “Actually, I think you do know. The question is, how to draw it out of you?”
Meriwether began to shake, a pool of blood forming around him and soaking into the cracks between the stones on the floor.
“I would hate to send you to Oymrupa’s torture chamber, mine is a child’s playground compared to his. But I hate to pester the poor god either, he has much more to think about than pitiful little rascals like you.”
These words stung Meriwether like wasps. He finally gave in to Ikili’s promptings.
“All right, I’ll tell you as much as I know,” he responded weakly.
Ikili roared with rage. “I want to know everything, you idiot!”
Ikili slapped Meriwether across the face, leaving deep claw marks on his flesh.
“Sir, please, let me explain. I’ll tell you everything he told me. But he may have been suspicious when I left and changed his plans.”
Ikili lowered his arm and sat down. “Tell me, what are Clark’s plans?”
“Well, before he shot me…”
Ikili snorted with laughter.
“Please continue, friend,” Ikili said, suppressing his amusement.
“He said that he planned to travel through Loucyess, and then onto Oronika.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes.”
“What was he going to do in Oronika?”
Meriwether was silent.
“Answer me, it’s in your best interests,” said Ikili.
“He’s going to go to Oronika, defeat Oymrupa, find his father who has been missing for years, and take all the gold back to the city of Uca.” Meriwether blurted out.
The silence that followed pressed in around Meriwether and he barely seemed to breathe at all. Just as he thought it would never end, Ikili spoke up.
“Very well, thank you for your cooperation. Guards!”
The two guards dragged Meriwether out of the room.
Chapter 8
Signs of Life and Hope
“Who are you, and where is Meriwether?” I demanded.
“I am the goddess Saca, sent from Xnos,” the woman replied.
I was shocked. I had never met a god, evil or good, before in my life.
“Pleased to meet you,” I stammered.
“As to the location of your friend, he has taken a route much different than yours.”
“What do you mean?”
“He has betrayed you.”
I was stunned. “But Meriwether would never do that!”
“You would be surprised what people do when angry,” Saca replied.
“So why are you here?” I asked.
“I’m here to help you. You can’t get through Loucyess alone, not to mention Oronika.”
I fell silent, not knowing how to respond.
“I have sent others ahead of us to help you in your quest. Trust me, you won’t survive without them.”
I had many questions for the goddess but I kept quiet.
“Come, quickly” she said, “We have to get to Loucyess before Meriwether gives away your plans.”
“Oh, and the dog is Seaika,” said Saca, “he’s a god as well.”
Seaika barked and wagged his tail.
For the second time that day, I was shocked.
Saca and I both walked briskly down the road towards Loucyess. I secretly hoped that it was all a dream and that I would wake up the next morning back in Uca.
Chapter 9
Penudos of Loucyess
It was oddly calm and peaceful that night. The stars shone bright in the coal black sky. All around me I could hear the heavy breathing of men and the snort of horses. I was somewhat reassured with the help Saca had brought me, the extra food, men, and horses, but I was still nervous. No one had ever defeated the evil gods at battle.
We were camped just a few miles from the border of Loucyess. All of this land had been owned by Xnos centuries before, but was now in possession of Oymrupa. A great battle had raged there between good and evil. Many evil ones had died there, but many more good warriors. The only way we would ever defeat them was by a surprise attack, which was now impossible because of my carelessness of leaving Meriwether alone, or by a miracle. I hoped for the latter.
Saca had guards posted at the outskirts of our camp to alert us of any surprise attacks by the evil ones. I could not get to sleep so I got up and walked away from the camp to where one of the guards was posted.
“Have you seen anything?” I whispered.
“No sir, nothing,” the man replied.
Suddenly, out from the underbrush, an appalling creature shot towards the guard. In a blur of teeth and legs, the brute sprung and the man crumpled to the ground, wailing and kicking his legs.
A hairy, eight-legged beast lay on top of the guard’s face. I could hear muffled screams coming from the man’s throat. I stood there, frozen in horror, watching this all take place. Everybody in the world has their fears, and mine was of spiders, so I ran like a coward.
A loud screeching noise rang out through the forest, sending chills through my body, even though it was a warm night. The sight that I received back at the camp was one of horror and panic. Had they too, been attacked by this monster? But I saw nothing attacking them. And then I heard it, a buzzing noise of a thousand bees, although much more deadly than insects. I looked up, and was mortified at what I saw. Thousands of spiders filled the sky, steadily descending upon our camp.
“The Penudos,” one man yelled, “It’s the Penudos monsters!”
“Run for your lives!” said another.
I needed no prompting. I didn’t even stop to pick up my belongings, but fled from the camp and away from the Penudos. Everyone ran along with me, leaving all their supplies as well as the horses. But leaving those horses turned out to be a horrible mistake. The Penudos were a smart bunch. They knew that without our horses, we couldn’t outrun the evil gods’ warriors, who had horses. We didn’t think of that in our panicked rush. All we could think about was survival.
The horses made every frightened noise imaginable, and desperately tried to escape, but it was all in vain. All of the buzzing and snorting ceased abruptly. The Penudos had found their prey, and there was nothing the poor creatures could do about it. I kept running.
Chapter 10
Dead Horses
Ikili paced back and forth, his claws making scratching noises as he moved across the room, waiting to hear the results of the surprise attack. The door burst open and Ikili jumped with surprise and let out a furious roar.
“Don’t scare me like that,” enraged Ikili roared.
“Pardon me sir,” replied a short and visibly shaken man, “but I have received the report.”
“And…?” yelled Ikili.
“Many horses, sir, were killed. We have proven victorious!”
A stunned silence came from Ikili.
“Horses were killed; you say?” Ikili replied bluntly, “anything else to report?”
“Yes sir, I have also been instructed to inform you that exactly 30 horses were devoured by the Penudos monsters.”
Ikili was becoming impatient. “What about Clark?”
The messenger gulped. “Clark is currently in the process of being found.”
A roar rang out through the palace that shook the very foundation.
The messenger, gulping rapidly, turned and ran out of the room. Ikili took a spear from the wall and hurled it at the messenger, making a loud thwack as it hit the door right above the man’s head. Breathing hard, Ikili sat back down on his throne.
“Guards! Summon Meriwether immediately!” the god-of-weather bellowed.
The guards sensed Ikili’s agitated tone and within seconds brought Meriwether before Ikili.
“You lied to me; Clark never went to Loucyess,” Ikili sneered, “what do you have to say for yourself?”
Meriwether was puzzled. “Sir, I do not understand. Clark assured me that he would pass through Loucyess and then on to Oronika.”
“Well, you must have heard him wrong. We sent an entire squadron of Penudos to Loucyess and only found a few horses.
What is your explanation?”
“I have no explanation, sir. Only that I’m sure Clark passed through Loucyess.”
“You’re a liar and a cheat! People like you don’t survive long in this place. Guards, take him away!”
This is becoming too much for me, Ikili thought. It’s time to alert Oymrupa.
Chapter 11
Native Forces
I felt unstoppable as my army marched boldly on foot through Loucyess and out the other side. It was the most fought over land in the world, and we had just passed through it without any incident. We had lost all of our horses, but the fact that we hadn’t lost any human lives was more important.
We walked through a dense forest, thick with briars and shrubs. Saca led our party, and Seaika ran alongside. It was early in the morning, and a heavy fog had descended. I knew that the righteous gods were looking after our group, as we had not encountered any enemies thus far, and we were deep in hostile territory.
It had been a week since I had met Saca on the dusty road and her guidance was invaluable. She always seemed to know exactly where she was going, but as we traveled on, she became steadily more quiet and serious. I feared upon reaching Oronika it would not be easy going.
The forest never seemed to end as we trudged our way through the thick underbrush. Our team consisted of about 50 foot soldiers carrying rifles, and that was it. I knew it wasn’t much, but it was certainly more than what I began with: myself, a half dead friend, and a dog.
Suddenly, we all stopped dead in our tracks. Saca held up her hand, signaling for us to stop our march. I recalled with horror the night when the Penudos monsters had come upon us, how quiet it was and how unsuspecting we all were. But now, we were all on the alert. I strained my ears to detect any coming danger. I glanced down upon the ground and my eyes darting to and fro, searching for creatures crawling along the forest floor.
Saca gestured to us to stay where we were. Quick as a flash, she darted through the forest ahead of us. I was tempted to follow her, but stayed back. Everyone stood in silence and waited for the goddess to return.
Saca had not yet returned when a twig snapped from somewhere in the bushes. We all whirled about to see a multitude of black faces peering out of the shrubs, their features expressionless. We all drew our swords and prepared to fight, though we were greatly outnumbered against the natives.