The sun began to set as Mench, Camtow, Famaron, Solcrist, Ratie, and Derndish headed for the portal to the Domystic dimension. They flew low to the ground as they went in and around the great Gade tree forest.
The Gade trees were typically over a mile in height and a quarter mile wide, with massive gaping holes in their trunks that were several hundred yards wide that made the trees look polka dotted. Inside the holes were large homes and even towns where the Soopu people lived and dined on the delicious meat like bark that tasted like a great steak called Mim. They used the Mim in virtually every dish and it had the added effect of keeping everyone slim and healthy as it had no fat and was filled with nutrients and vitamins including protein.
The people who lived in the Gade forest were known to have yearlong parties if there was an abundance of the red flower Ymie, because it had the same effects as alcohol, but also destroyed all of a person’s bad memories if taken 3 or 4 times in a week. So when the Ymie was in abundance years worth of angry memories were washed away giving the Soopu an enormous joy and feeling of empowerment. Thus they felt a massive urge to party. They were led by king Gyan Goowuc whose family had ruled over them for 5,000 years. Gyan had built roads from one tree to the next and also the Deaha towers, which were a 3 mile high and 30 mile wide superstructure that was filled with an unending series of
stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and the Pouwer room, which had a 3 mile long and 2 mile wide gym set up with the Soopu’s collection of antique video and electronic games some over 3,000 years old and still in working order like,” Reservation Devastation,” which was a 2 person holographic video game where the lead character Jub goes around inviting warriors and wizards off the streets with a white paper invitation to his castle to fight to the death with the winner getting the man’s children to use as slaves and all his worldly possessions. The point of the game is to get enough wealth so as to form an army and take over the world from emperor Cocato. You also have to find a wife or husband which involves trying to woo them using various phrases and chit chat.
“ Is it safe to fly thru this forest at such high speeds? I mean it’d be very easy to end splattered on the side of one of those,” asked Ratie anxiously as they all sat in the small cockpit.
It had 2 large egg shaped white couches built into the back wall facing out the plasma window to the front of the ships, with a staircase between the 2 that led up to a small living room above the cockpit. In front of the 2 couches there was a control panel in front of a bed shaped like a coffin, that the pilot laid on and steered the ship with a black steering wheel that was leather coated and butterfly shaped. It also had the weapons controls built into the sides of it and a pair of orange pedals to manipulate the speed of the ship that were attached to the soles of your feet and could be used with very little effort. On the sides of the room were 2 small gunners stations facing out a pair of plasma windows with plates of half eaten food and empty bottle of wine strewn about.
“ I wouldn’t worry young, Ratie, you’ll be dead before you feel any pain. I take comfort in that,” said Solcrist as he lay there in the bed and they dodged a Gade tree and let out a sigh.
“ Yeah, not so comforting, hey, Famaroni, why are small pockets of air seeping out of your bum, bum?” asked Ratie as she plugged her nose.
“ It’s called gas and I’m not the only one with it, Ratie. How many chunks of white cheese did I see you consume?” asked Famaron sternly as he sat beside Ratie and smirked.
“ Enough about you, let’s talk about our favorite movies, Mine’s Veracity Cup, what’s yours?” asked Ratie slyly.
Veracity Cup, was a movie about the owner of an exotic liquor store who makes all of his products himself, who one day creates a concoction known as Vorlove. Vorlove has a smooth even taste, but is devoid of a hangover. The drink becomes so popular suddenly Hora the owner is bringing home trash bags full of money every day. In less than a year his whole house is filled with cash. So he takes his money and buys every house on his street. Then he branches out and opens 10 more stores and suddenly all his new houses are filled with money. He has so much money the thought of money begins to make him sick so he builds a 50 foot wall around his home and locks the front gate and just starts walking. He walks to the next town and begins to panhandle. He spends the next 20 years panhandling until one day he decides he’s suffered enough and returns home to find every inch of his property including the inside of each of his 20 cars packed full of money and he says softly,” It wasn’t a dream,” and then drops dead on the spot.
“ I hate that movie, when Hora drops dead at the end after all the bad stuff that happened to him I picked up my large soda and threw it at the screen. Well that’s Hoghud city for ya, they’re completely out of touch with what life’s about and what we want in a movie,” said Ohgood angrily and he then sat forward and said excitedly,” the one I loved was, The skillful insult at dawn. For my money that had everything you’d ever want and free cheese squares if you got there early, I love it!”
Hoghud was a 1600 year old movie making machine that turned out 200 movies a year that ran the gamut from romantic comedy to action thrillers. They had a monopoly on the movie industry as they were the only ones allowed to make movies as was decreed by the combined governments. This gave
Hoghud enormous power to sway peoples ideals and ideas like the controversial topic of dragon sex. Many were against it so Hoghud made hundreds of movies that broached the subject and cast the dragon lovers in a positive light. Before you knew it there were more and more dragon lovers and many of the people who were vehemently against it, started endorsing it and thought it was just them being open minded. Instead of what was actually happening which was they were duped into sharing the same views of their favorite actors and actresses. Before long anyone who stood up against dragon lovers was chastised and not allowed to have a career in films or music. Many a talented person’s career floated away as the dragon lovers kept them from succeeding.
“ The skillful insult at Dawn,” was about a woman who wakes up every morning and kills the confidence of her boyfriend by a back handed compliment like, your shirt looks great I just wish your nose was smaller. Then she’d use her boyfriend’s lack of confidence to manipulate him into doing and getting things for her like buying her shoes and doing her laundry. Then one day her boyfriend Oraup goes to a psychiatrist to find out why he has been so depressed. When the doctor tells him his girlfriend is manipulating him he devises a plan to get her back. From then on every time she insults him he does the same to her. And everything she asks him to do he intentionally gets the wrong things and makes up excuses for why he can’t do any of the things she asks. Then he begins dating another woman on the side and intentionally gets caught in bed with her, but the plan backfires when his girlfriend pulls out a gun and shoots him and his lover dead.
“ We’re nearing the entry point for the Domystic. It’s there in the heart of that massive Gade tree,” said Derndish as he smiled and pointed to a huge tree surrounded by trees half its size.
The giant tree had a massive mahogany and gold castle inside one of the holes in its trunk. The castle rose 3,000 feet up and was 1,200 yards wide with pieces of it extending out of the hole. It looked like a pirate ship in shape, with dozens of rope and wooden bridges and walkways all around it. It had an
emerald spire in the center that was dotted with black tinted windows and a large Sarg head at the top that shot out circles of red smoke and balls of white light periodically. There were a pair of dragons sitting in front of it and a loud rock song titled,” I can’t love a love taker,” by The Dived Bars came booming out the front of the castle. As the ship drew close the dragons stood up and turned to solid gold and a bridge extended out.
“ What in the sex was that? Did you see those dragons turn to gold?” asked Ratie in disbelief as she looked at Ohgood with a dropped ja
w and wide eyed.
“ I saw it, the question is, is it good or bad?” asked Ohgood nervously as he eyed the massive castle thru the plasma window.
“ Neither, they’re just saying hello. Let us be our nicest selves, the Soopu people can be vicious if they feel slighted. So you young man had better watch it,” said Derndish sharply as he glared at Ohgood.
“ Watch what, is there a movie on? I love movies did I tell ya. Oh wait, you mean the sunrise oh yeah it’s beautiful,” said Ohgood jokingly as he grinned and pointed with his index finger at Derndish.
Derndish felt a rush of anger and then said firmly,” You and I will have our day soon young one, be certain.”
“ Is that a day of games and snacks, cause I love snacks especially mini steaks and tiny pies oh I love ‘em,” said Ohgood jokingly as he tried not to laugh and Famaron scowled at him and Ohgood shrugged his shoulders while Derndish fumed.
Then as the ship passed the 2 golden dragons a tractor beam grabbed hold on the front and bottom of the ship and pulled it inside the hangar bay in the castle. Inside it was pitch black if only for a single red light that shown down on a white marble statue of a long bearded young man with thick curly hair and a
crazed look in his eye. The man had on a classic dress suit only with flared sleeves and a black medallion around his neck.
“ Now what, do we dare go outside?” asked Camtow anxiously as she clung to Famaron’s arm.
“ If they wanted to kill us we’d already be dead. There is no time like now to find out where we stand, It’s either mud or concrete let’s find out,” said Famaron sternly as he smirked and his eyebrows raised.
“ What if they just want to trick us into death by catching us off guard and then picking us off one by one?” asked Ratie as she stood up and looked at the statue.
“ I wouldn’t worry we have the Laru it will suffix,” said Solcrist as he lit up his brown pipe and started to smoke.
Everyone went outside and Ohgood raised his staff and shouted,” Lifav be bright!”
Then a huge yellow orb of light filled the hangar bay and they could see Soopu bunched together in every direction with the ceiling having torn rags hanging from it and the walls covered in a silver metallic paper that had hand painted pictures of weapons all over it.
The Soopu were yellow skinned with dark brown curly hair that many grew to their butts. They had dark blue and green checkered eyes and small round noses. They were modest in stature, but possessed great speed and agility. Each of them had a diamond turquoise and magenta mark in the center of their foreheads that pulsed when they became angry and was filled with sparse magic. In the center of their chests were the last words of Liso Muche, the last Soopu prophet who created a religion based on things god said to him in his sleep. The words on their chests were as follows,” When the air no longer fills my heart with life, there will still be life in my heart. As I and all I stood for dissipates I know the brave souls will never let the higher truths die. Remember the struggle, never the man and his failings.”
Everyone looked around at the Soopu in shock and then the statue under the red light came to life. It floated over the crowd and over to Ohgood and said,” I am Tinck Sanbla and I know you as, Ohgood. Can I do you a favor?” asked Tinck warmly as a wave of joy washed over his face.
Ohgood smiled and looked at Tinck and asked happily,” Yes, Tinck, we are trying to get to the Domystic can you help us?”
“ Yes, I can, but once you’re thru the portal the protection of your life will be in your own hands. There are things there that kill out of instinct and usually for no reason at all. Why don’t we all take a walk into my home and to the portal?” asked Tinck then he turned and began to walk on air steps as he went up and thru a round hole in the wall that suddenly appeared.
“ Ah, o.k. let’s give it a try,” said Ohgood nervously then he took a gingerly step onto the air step.
His foot felt what seemed like a hard step and he began to walk up them as he laughed and shrugged his shoulders.
“ OH my Goarote, you’re walking on nothin’! What kind of stuff is this?” asked Ratie honestly as she watched Ohgood walk up.
Then Ratie started up herself as did everyone else one right after another. They made their way up the steps and thru the round opening and came into a small room that had 6 different colored vortexes on either side of the room 3 per side. In the center of the room there were 5 statues of gold and marble that depicted 5 horrible deaths like being eaten alive by a Sarg, that were lined up in a row with several computer consuls built into their bases that had glowing turquoise and blue lights on them. The floor in the room was covered in a purple crushed velvet rug and had black pyramids rising up 5 feet in a row of 6 with tiny golden switches on top. The walls of the room were covered in a marble mosaic of Tinck’s
childhood showing him go from shy and afraid to be a brave warrior. The ceiling had a red lightning filled cloud covering all of it.
“ Well, we’re somewhere at least there’s that,” said Ohgood as he looked around and smiled.
“ We’re nowhere, who are you kidding this is the craziest room I’ve ever walked into. It’s pure evilsickle I say,” said Ratie in disbelief as she frowned and then let out a sigh and asked,” what’s that smell is this a bathroom, oh my gaw?”
Ohgood and Famaron laughed and Tinck grabbed a staff out of the ceiling and said boldly,” If you are ready for terror in exchange for glory then go thru here.”
Then Tinck raised his staff and shouted,” Gilky torv!”
Then the 5 statues came to life and the animals ran and jumped into the last vortex on the left and disappeared as a blast of red liquid bulged out of the vortex then made a thunderous sound and went inward in an instant. What was left in its stead was a long black stone tunnel that was lit by floating balls of fire on either side. The tunnel gradually turned to the right and its end could not be seen.
Famaron and Derndish walked up to the edge of the tunnel and looked in and Derndish said,” This is the start of a stressful and challenging time, but it has a great reward. Let’s us get to where we’re going follow me.”
Then Derndish entered the tunnel and Famaron said slyly,” He has a way of putting thing. A really dramatic way that fails to give me confidence.”
“ Who cares we’ll be dead in an hour,” said Solcrist sarcastically as he entered the tunnel.
Then everyone followed and as the seconds turned to several minutes of walking they began to hear young children singing and playing, but could see none. The tunnel twisted and turned then appeared
dozens of ornate suits if gold, silver, and leather armor that lined the tunnel. As they walked past each one a flash of light shot out of their eyes.
“ What was that, is this some kind of test? If so just fail me I’m sick of this tunnel?” said Mench honestly as she kept a close eye on the suits of armor.
“ I ah, yeah we can get to the end any moment now as far as I’m concerned,” said Ohgood as a flash of light shot out of a suit of armor beside him and he flinched.
“ Quiet everyone we’re almost thru,” said Derndish sharply as he glared back at Ohgood and Ohgood laughed.
Then they came to a large shinny silver door that was covered in a carving of Gohem Thea.
Gohem Thea was a murderous wizard who lost all self control and began killing every wizard he could. After 152 kills he was finally found out to be the rogue murderer, but as they tried to apprehend him he cast a spell that turned himself into a gust of wind and a moment later he was out of a window. He was never heard from again, but many wizards in the Domystic still made sure to lock all their doors when sleeping just in case.
“ Behind this door could be anything, so be ready for everything,” said Derndish coldly as he looked back at everyone.
<
br /> “ Again, where’s the encouragement I’m fragile,” said Ratie nervously as thoughts of doom filled her head and she clutched her staff tightly and frowned.
Then Derndish grabbed hold of a silver orb handle to the door that was floating 4 inches in front of it and turned it gently to the right. Then a hissing sound was heard and the door burst into a white powder that covered everyone from head to toe and filled the air.
“ What was the point of that? This powder tastes like rotten meat,” said Ohgood as he spit out the powder and wiped off his clothes.
Then Derndish walked thru the opening and in front of them there was a sprawling red and turquoise grassy field filled with hundreds of shanty shacks and 80 foot high statues of Tyracs, which were a half eagle half gorilla that roamed the Domystic and had a black and white paisley fur and glowing green eyes on their 15 foot tall and 2,000 pound bodies. The sun was 2 circles, one on the outside filled with red and another near the center that was white. It sent out a blinding heat and the sky was a dark red and purple. In and around the shacks were the Gisto people, a race of red haired giant headed dark skinned scavengers. They lived off of whatever they could find or steal. They were roughly 6 feet tall with piercing rainbow colored triangular eyes. They wore brown leather jackets and black denim pants that had sayings on them like,” WE find the good in us,” sewn onto the legs.
“ This is Moute, be very careful not to antagonize these people, as they are very stressed out and could snap at any moment. It’s best we hurry thru here as fast as we can,” said Derndish as he hurried into the village of Moute.
“ It would help if Ratie weren’t so slow. I could carry you, Ratie,” said Ohgood jokingly as he nudged Ratie with his hip.
“ Ohgood, we could die, no jokes please huh,” said Ratie as she looked at an old Gisto woman ravenously eating the meat off a Tyracs high bone that was 4 feet long.
As they walked thru the Gisto took notice of them and began throwing tiny pebbles over their heads.
“ Don’t fear, they’re only testing our resolve pay them no mind,” said Solcrist sternly as he walked briskly.
Then a large Gisto named Gonpu walked up to Ohgood and asked calmly,” Do your bones cook good?”
Ohgood looked at him for a second then said slyly,” I taste like dirt, you wouldn’t like eating me at all.”
Gonpu nodded his head and shrugged his shoulders and said,” That’s good to know I guess I won’t kill you.”
“ I appreciate that let me tell ya. Ya know I saw a box of meat a mile back that way that you might want hmmm,” said Ohgood slyly as he and Gonpu walked along and secretly Ohgood was afraid for his life.
“ Really, I love meat I’ll tell everyone and we’ll go get it thank you bad taste,” said Gonpu as he shook Ohgood’s arm then ran over to a group of Gisto.
Then all the Gisto began huddling around Gonpu as he told them of the meat and began making a humming sound.
“ What happens when they don’t, genius?” asked Famaron firmly as he glared over at Ohgood.
“ Who cares, we’ll be long gone. And if we’re not I’m all for glazed Famaron steaks hmm,” said Ohgood sarcastically as he grinned and Ratie laughed.
“ Ohgood, you realize we have to come back to this very spot to get home,” said Mench implying a question and she frowned at Ohgood.
“ It was either lie or be lunch what choice did I have?” asked Ohgood as he threw up his hands and smirked.
“ Hey, Ohgood, since you just doomed us all, how ‘bout a quickie in one of those shacks over there?” asked Mench quickly as she grinned and winked and gave him a nudge in the stomach.
“ We’re about to be eaten and you’re dyin’ for Ohgood. I like your resolve soldier. I’ll keep that request logged in my memory, deep, deep in my memory where all my embarrassing moments are. That I tell you true,” said Ohgood in a deep voice as he threw Mench a wink and a quick 2 handed point.
“ A stroke of luck, there’s a Gatrage we can steal to get us to the Spash,” said Derndish boldly as he made for the Gatrage.
A Gatrage was a 40 foot high and 50 foot long house shaped red and orange vehicle, that has massive dense energy blasters on the sides in rows of 4 that were square in shape and could shatter a person’s atoms into the atmosphere or at close range shape shift them into balls of light an fire. There was a deck that surrounded it with magnetic black cushioned chairs and mahogany tables on it. There was also rectangular doors surrounding the ship of various colors that swung upward when you drew near. There was a massive Emme bomb on top that would send out a 30 mile wave of red magic that could cripple all wizard’s abilities nearby and make it impossible to do magic.
“ What’s a Gatrage?” asked Camtow as she gave Famaron a worried look.
“ It’s better than walking that’s what it is,” said Famaron quickly as they hurried to it and as they got close a red light staircase extended out from the Gatrage and a melodic voice was heard singing softly.
“ We must hurry before they return,” said Derndish sternly as he hurried up the light stairs.
They walked up the stairs and as they got onto the deck the ship lifted up into the air 60 feet. Then 2 of the outside doors opened and Famaron and Derndish hurried inside with everyone else close behind. Inside it was lavender in color with black area rugs on the floor that had the words,” Dyin’s for suckers,”
and ,” Why fight when runnin’ is so easy,” sewn into the rugs in gold. There was a large dark blue rotating throne in the center of the room with a turquoise light shinning down from the ceiling on it. The throne had two brief stairs up to it and was massive in size with 2 controls panels, one on each armrest and a black and red dwarf like helmet floating above it. The actual seat on the throne was covered in a red padding. There were 10 smaller thrones facing inward as they sat against the wall and had red lights shining on them and dark green robot looking masks floating above them. The walls themselves had massive murals of the Tyracs becoming people as they landed on the ground.
“ Now what?” asked Famaron as he looked around the room.
“ I need you to sit in the center throne and fly the ship, because I have no knowledge of battle,” said Derndish as he inspected the center and then said flatly,” or how to fly a ship.”
Famaron grinned at this and then said slyly,” So that’s it, well I’ve flown many crafts this shouldn’t be any different.”
Then Famaron walked over and sat down in the center throne and as he did the mask above him lowered down onto his face and an explosion of different colored lights shot up and out of the throne as it spun and rose upward and Famaron asked nervously,” Is this supposed to happen?”
“ Who knows buck up captain,” said Ratie slyly as she smirked at Famaron and shook her head wide eyed and smiled.
“ You’re not comforting me, Ratie,” said Famaron frantically as a dozen holographic images appeared in front of him and a ball of electricity encircled his head.
Then he began steering the ship with his mind and they started rocketing away from the Gisto’s shanty shacks.
“ We’re movin’ now, how do you know which way to go, Famaron?” asked Mench as she looked at a hologram of outside of the ship.
“ I don’t, but who cares this is awesome!” said Famaron excitedly as they soared thru a waterfall and a hole in a mountain and shot out the other side.
There in front of them were hundreds of red clay 200 foot high tee pees in a massive circle with a huge boulder castle that was carved into a 3,000 foot high black block of solid stone that was 2,000 feet wide and was known as Cagdo and was the home of Lord Hengust Palm or as his people the Tirno called him Lord Heavy as he was 2,000 pounds and 17 feet tall. The castle looked like a castle that had been encased in rock as spires and towers shot out of the sto
ne as well as the drawbridge in front. On top was a green cloud of fire and lightning floating permanently above it.
“ What in the sex is that, Ratie?” asked Ohgood as he imitated Ratie’s voice and mannerisms and frowned.
“ I think it’s a new home for you. We’re gonna go ahead and drop ya there, but don’t worry it’s not like we’ll never be back in 100 years. No, 250 good luck,” said Ratie sternly as she glared at Ohgood and pretended to be him.
“ Really, sounds like a great deal for me. Go ahead and pull over, Famaron, let the eternity wait no longer whowe I am stoked!” said Ohgood sarcastically as he nodded at Ratie and poked her in the arm.
“ What are you doin’, stop poking me in the arm,” said Ratie angrily as she pulled away from Ohgood.
“ I just wanted to have a good memory of you in case I don’t get to annoy you again. That’s called love, Ratie, hug me,” said Ohgood as he hugged Ratie and smiled.
Then suddenly the red clay tee pees started to lift up into the air on jet engines and surround the Gatrage and Solcrist said flatly,” Looks like someone wants to have a little chat with us.”
“ We could try to fight them,” said Derndish as he eyed the giant tee pees and thought about being killed by the people inside.
“ What choice do we have? There’s so many of them they could blow us out of the sky,” said Ohgood anxiously as he looked at the tee pees cutting off any escape routes.
Then the tee pees each shot out a blue tractor beam that hit all sides of the Gatrage and shook everyone inside.
“ The choice is no longer ours. They are taking us some place regardless of what we do. We must be ready to fight and then flee if it comes to that, which it will,” said Solcrist coldly as he lit up a cigar and began smoking it.
“ Boy are you comforting, I can’t get over how at ease you don’t make me feel, huh,” said Ratie sarcastically as she smirked and shook her head no.
“ Well at least we’re dead meat, so there’s something,” said Ohgood jokingly in a serious tone as he nodded yes.
Then the Gatrage was pulled towards Cagdo at an even pace as a huge stone door flipped backward and a blinding white light came out of the entryway. Then a few seconds later the Gatrage was inside the Cagdo and in a plush hangar bay that was covered in a thick green grass and red bushes as well as large different colored flowers everywhere. There was a large turquoise battleship on the left side that looked like a man standing straight up with his head bowed and his arms extended straight outward. The ship had a massive set of 3 dense magic canons on the front with each being 15 feet across. At the far end of
the hangar bay were 3 sets of rock steps leading up to 3 mahogany steeple shaped doors that had the words,” We killed the ones we forgot, victory!” painted on them in a cursive gold lettering. There were dozens of Tirno milling about most drinking Goobs beer and eating sandwiches while others were dancing to the song,” Would it matter to air,” blaring from a set of black speakers built into the walls.
The Tirno had tan skin and purple thick wavy hair that hid their eyes. They were all giants and stood no less than 12 feet tall with massive bulging muscles. They loved dress pants made from soft fibers and thin white cashmere sweaters with long sleeves. They also all wore a medallion around their necks with 6 grains of sand from the underwater ocean called Orat, which they found gave them a huge swell of magical power.
As everyone exited the Gatrage a Tirno named Kindlo Shiam walked up to Ratie and asked,” Is it too late for love?”
Kindlo was 14 feet tall and had a square jawline and orange calm eyes and had on the Tirno usual dress of black dress pants and a white cashmere sweater and red sneakers with black soles.
“ Is it ever, hi I’m Ratie why did you suck us in here?” asked Ratie happily as she smiled at Kindlo.
“ It wasn’t I who did, it was Lord Heavy. He wants for me to bring you to him immediately. My name is Kindlo by the way,” said Kindlo warmly as he offered Ratie his pinky finger to shake and she grabbed it with her hand and shook it and smiled.
“ Lord Heavy is it, then let’s go and see this Heavy quick as we’ve got other business to attend to,” said Famaron sternly as he looked up at Kindlo and let out a sigh as he thought how massive he was.
“ Then follow me now,” said Kindlo then he stepped up the right staircase in a single step and swung open the door and looked back at everyone still climbing the steps and smiled then went inside.
“ I wonder what it’s like to be so massive. I know what I’d do if I was…house jumping. Oh the times I’d have and the people I’d frighten. Why can’t I be super big, why Ratie?” asked Ohgood sarcastically in a serious tone as he glared at Ratie who rolled her eyes.
“ Best it, shrimpo, I am not in the mood for jokes,” said Ratie sternly as she pushed Ohgood away and scowled at him as they reached the top of the steps.
They walked thru the doorway and into a massive golden hallway that had 3 dozen gold, silver, and platinum diamond encrusted statues of Lord Heavy and his pet dragons on one side of the hallway and a perpetual motion machine that had 307 gold balls perpetually going thru a mini see thru castle and then back to where they started. Above the maze there were 4 cubbyholes filled with holographic busts of the Palm family with 50, per 30 foot high and 10 foot wide cubbyhole. The other wall had a golden mural of Kessies journey.
Kessies was a Tirno who shunned all education in schools for a life of pure creativity. He decided the things he wanted to know and before long he began tinkering with robots, computers, and other machines to get a better understanding of how things worked. Soon he knew all he needed to, to create the Kessies Mind Fragmenter, which was an electronic device that could turn a person’s mind into a partial computer. You simply extracted half your brain and inserted the Fragmenter and within moments you were filled with centuries worth of collective knowledge from all the brightest minds that ever existed. Then with the abundance of advanced minds soon they began tinkering with DNA, led by Kessies. And then they had the first generation of super beings all at least 10 feet tall and as smart as you could get, but the sameness led to complacency and the Tirno lost their drive for success and began living in a lazy society.
The hallway was 800 yards long and had 150 foot high ceilings. As they walked along Mench looked at the statues and felt a chill go down her back and she asked,” Why aren’t we more scared right now?”
“ Because it’s out of our hands. Lord Heavy’s got us here if he wished us dead we would be already. That said, there’s no need to worry,” said Solcrist calmly as he watched Derndish and Kindlo walking up ahead and thought it odd that Derndish was speaking with him like he’d known him before.
“ That’s a good point, one to be held onto when they’re slitting our throats,” said Mench coldly as she frowned and still felt uneasy.
Up ahead Derndish was chatting up Kindlo and asked,” Kindlo, you don’t think Lord heavy is going to do us any harm?”
Kindlo glanced down at Derndish and then said sternly,” You mean after the stunt you pulled the last time you were here. I can’t see why he would.”
“ That was purely business he shouldn’t carry a grudge like that, it’s not right, Kindlo,” said Derndish nervously as he talked quietly and then glanced over his shoulder at Solcrist who peered at him and furrowed his brow.
“ Business, you mean stealing 8 chests of gold and his diamond studded staff of Jeon. Gee, what kind of business are you in exactly, cause it sounds like thief?” asked Kindlo snidely as he tried not to laugh and secretly wondered if Lord Heavy would kill him when he saw him.
“ Heavy has rooms filled with treasure, there were over 3,000 chests of gold why would 8 matter?” asked Derndish nervously as he wondered if he was entering a trap.
“ Of course, you’ve got 2 lungs
maybe you only need one, so I’ll just cut you open and take what you’re not using,” said Kindlo snidely as he glared at Derndish and then stopped and turned to everyone and said,” it’s in here this wall is an illusion follow please.”
Then Kindlo walked thru the holographic doorway on the left side of the hallway that looked like the gold mural. Derndish let out a sigh and followed him in.
“ Great, now we’re going thru walls into rooms we can’t see. Why do I get the feeling there is something really bad in there,” said Mench nervously as she stood in front of the doorway and let out a sigh.
“ Because there is,” said Ohgood flatly then he walked thru the wall.
“ Well aren’t you sassy,” said Mench then she and everyone walked thru the wall and saw a massive blue throne floating inside a red orb at the far end of the room with Lord Heavy sitting on it and smoking electricity cigarettes that shot out balls of lightning as he inhaled the electricity. Lord Heavy had a massive head that looked far too large even for his huge body. He had magenta far away eyes and a wide rounded nose with a bump in it and a small tattoo of a Tyrac on the tip. His hair was purple and thick with several braids on the sides. He had on dark brown dress pants and a tan cashmere sweater, as well as a platinum pendent around his neck that had the words,” Those ashes were you,” engraved on it. He also had on red leather sandals that showed his 6 toed feet.
The room also had 5 different tables filled with a banquet of different foods from sweet pies to alfredo steak rolls with pasta all inside a 14 inch sugar glazed roll. There were also dozens of drinks most of which were various types of beer like Goutoi Laternight, which was a light beer that tasted like a pale ale. The right side of the room had female dancers and a 5 piece band putting on a show as 1 foot wide yellow orbs filled with soothing pockets of scented air floated around in front of them. There were dozens of Tirno’s in the room carousing and having a ball as Lord Heavy sat silently. The walls were filled with 10 foot high angled staircases that led to sitting areas and lounging rooms set up with couches and TV’s.
“ Lord heavy, I have Derndish and his friends do you wish me to murder them now?” asked Kindlo coldly as he looked up at Heavy who was eating a glazed Tyrac head and drinking a bottle of beer.
“ What, murder we didn’t do anything. I’m sorry, but I am not his friend I hardly know him,” said Ratie frantically as her eyes darted around at everyone.
“ She’s right we don’t know Derndish any better than we know you. If he wronged you then do what you must, but leave us out of it,” said Famaron sharply as he looked up at Heavy.
“ Interesting, your friends are abandoning you, Derndish, how does that sit in your scoundrel belly full of lies? Not well I would gather. Where is my gold, Derndish, and do not try and deceive me again!” thundered Lord Heavy then he spit beer at Derndish and smiled menacingly.
“ I’m sorry about the gold I took, but my cause was just,” said Derndish slowly as he looked down at the floor.
“ Cause, what cause was this did you need a second castle to scheme in?” asked Heavy snidely as he burned a hole thru Derndish with his eyes.
“ Alright great, I’ll tell you then, I needed the money to fund the Peom army in their battle with the Deveo, because at the time it was warranted. Obviously now it doesn’t matter as the Sorplecs are invading Permea very shortly. And when they do they will destroy everything. So great, you got me do what you must,” said Derndish sadly as he shrugged his shoulders and looked up at Heavy and smirked.
Heavy sucked in a quick breath and then let it out in 5 quick bursts. Then he stood up and said warmly,” I don’t wish you harm, Derndish, I’d just like to,” then Heavy jumped on top of Derndish and slammed him to the floor.
He began savagely beating him as Heavy reigned down blow after blow to his head and body. Each successive blow shot splatters of blood flying into the air as Derndish’s head got beaten flat. Everyone looked on in horror and Ratie started to leave when Kindlo cut her off and shook his head no. Then Heavy grabbed Derndish’s body around the waist and tossed him up into a lounging area and on top of a young man who was sleeping. Then Heavy took a good hard look at everyone else and asked,” Do any of you have any problem whatsoever with what I just did?”
“ No we do not, he meant nothing to any of us. As far as we’re concerned he had it coming,” said Mench firmly as she gave everyone a wide eyed look.
“ Is this true for all of you?” asked Heavy sternly as he glared at Famaron who showed no emotion.
“ Yes, yes it is we only wish to leave here and go on our merry way,” said Famaron calmly as he kept his eyes on Heavy’s hands.
“ Hmmm, yes then so you shall. Kindlo, see them back to their ship. Oh where is it you are going to?” asked Heavy as he sat back down.
“ Spash castle, is it far from here?” asked Famaron as he could feel the energy in the room change as he said it.
“ It’s far from everywhere, I can see now there is no need to kill you for if Spash is where you’re heading you’re already dead,” said Heavy coldly then he motioned to Kindlo to take them out of the room.
They made their way back to the Gatrage and lifted off and out of the hangar bay when Solcrist asked nervously,” Just how important are these Seav glasses anyway?”
Famaron looked over at Solcrist from one of the chairs on the wall while Solcrist steered the ship and then said sternly,” If we want to defeat the Sorplecs, I’d say very important. Even more, I’d say the whole war depends on it and this mission is paramount. We can’t buckle now, Solcrist.”
“ Someone is dead, Famaron, you can’t deny that, I’d say our lives are more important than some stupid sunglasses!” said Camtow sharply as she tried not to lose it.
“ She has a valid point, I don’t want to die in this wacked out place,” said Ohgood as he thought of Derndish flying thru the air.
“ Don’t you see, the Sorplecs are going to do even worse things to us than Heavy did to Derndish. If we are to survive it will take every advantage we can get. I’m not just saying this for the fun of it, I mean it wholeheartedly,” said Famaron firmly as he steered the ship under a massive round brown wooden bridge that stood in the middle of a blue sand dune and then asked,” is it me or did we just crossover into an even weirder place?”
The landscape had dozens of toppled red marble statues of a robot that were hundreds of feet long and buried halfway under the blue sand. There was a single massive red wood and yellow leaf tree in the distance that had thousands of homes built into the 2 mile high tree and a large pair of statues on top of a square headed man named Khirlep Donesqu.
Khirlep Donesqu was a Marash, which was a race of half robot half human people that were standoffish to all outsiders and hid many of their inventions and electronics at even the slight of anyone. Khirlep, like many Marash had red skin and was devoid of hair on his head except for his blonde eyebrows. He had silver computer input where his nose would’ve been and a pair of laser canons that extended out of the sides of his head that were black in color and controlled by thoughts. He had smoke filled eyeballs that had a bright yellow electricity pulsating thru them. His forehead shot forward 2 inches
in front of his eyebrows and he was 5’11” and 184 pounds with robot hands and feet that gave him unbelievable speed and strength.
“ I’ll check the map,” said Ratie as she looked in the Laru and then said,” it says, ah it doesn’t have a name for this area it just says avoid it or it’s your peril.”
“ Great, I could’ve used that information a bit sooner. Where is our destination in relation to that tree?” asked Solcrist sadly as he stared into the red sunlight and felt calm.
“ Ah, unfortunately right on the other side. Even if we go around that tree we would have had to go a long way out around this region,
” said Ratie sadly as she grimaced and looked at everyone.
“ How long exactly?” asked Famaron quickly as he walked over to Ratie.
“ 3 times the distance, so we’ll just have to buck up, that said get buckin’, Ohgood, I’m tired of you slouching on the job. Make me a sandwich and clean my hands quick you boobsickle!” said Ratie sarcastically then Famaron and Camtow laughed and Ohgood stood up and grinned.
“ Sandwich or punch in the mouth, I get confused. And those hands just give ‘em a gentle dip in the toilet, don’t worry about germs they’ll eat up all the dirt. But you’re right I have been slackin’ so here’s what I’ll do, I’ll start now by crippling your self esteem, then I’ll wipe out your cockiness by listing your faults repeatedly hmm,” said Ohgood jokingly as he paced back and forth and Ratie crinkled her nose and Camtow laughed as did Famaron.
“ We’ve got company grab a seat!” shouted Solcrist as a barrage of hundreds of Vomics came flying at the Gatrage and shot white energy from their third eyes. The song of a small girl singing could be heard inside the ship.
The white magic began turning the outside of the ship into diamonds that fell to the ground below and left holes in the ship.
“ We need action!” bellowed Ratie fiercely as she stood up and then grabbed her staff and shouted,” Ingud wetiu!”
Then massive red and green bubbles surrounded the ship and as the Vomics ran into them it scattered their atoms and left only their feathers floating in the air.
“ I’ve got a little something for them as well, let’s try the guns!” said Solcrist boldly then he began firing the dense energy blasters and the Vomics started to transform into random objects like blue balls of liquid fire and thousand page leather books as well as half eaten cakes and 4 finger gloves.
“ That was a cool spell, but there’s so many of them they’re starting to get thru the shield!” said Camtow as she looked on and felt a chill shoot down her spine.
“ Then we need another spell. Watch how momma does it, Ohgood, see if it lights your fire,” said Mench in a sultry voice as she stood up and pulled out a tiny dark green staff that when she blew on it became 6 feet long and then raised both hands and shouted,” Blogamo dice it wisely!”
Then a burst of 8 inch white daggers shot out from the outside walls of the Gatrage and sliced thru hundreds of Vomics tearing them to shreds. Large pieces of their bloody carcasses plummeted helplessly to the blue sand below.
“ O.K., Mench, I’ll sleep with ya, that was pure awesomeness. Do you like scented candles?” asked Ohgood sarcastically as he put his arm around Mench.
“ I knew you’d come around and hopefully in. Why don’t we take a break from all this you and I,” said Mench implying a question as she rubbed Ohgood’s butt.
Ohgood looked at her and was just about to say yes when Solcrist said loudly,” We’ve got more trouble up ahead!”
Then they looked and saw 30 Marash Capler fighter ships coming towards the Gatrage from the massive tree. The Caplers were stripped brown and black with a red circle on top and on each wing. They were shaped like a human heart, but with 2 long wings extended on the sides that tilted downward at the tips. The ships had brain wave scrambling blasters in the front in a set of 3 that were H shaped and shot out a white laser beam. The back of the ship had 15 heat seeking magic filled missiles that could cast a series of spells upon impact. Beneath them were the anti-gravity thrusters and a black cloaking device that went on immediately when fired upon. They also played a thunderous rock guitar and drums as they neared to shatter their enemies resolve.
“ I say we try to evade them first. I don’t like our chances with 3 on one. Let’s head for that lake to the left maybe we can submerge,” said Famaron boldly as he gave Solcrist a stern look.
“ Done and done,” said Solcrist calmly then the Gatrage took a diving hard left and headed for a small lake.
As they raced for the purple lake the Caplers followed. Then as they got to the lake Solcrist dove into it and began going deeper and deeper still. They raced past dozens of skeletons of dead fish and people as the Caplers blasted into the water and continued after them.
“ They’re still following what now?” asked Ratie nervously as she eyed the Caplers.
“ A spell may do it, but they could be able to duck it at these depths so here goes everything,” said Ohgood hopefully then he raised his staff and shook his head twice and shouted,” The weight of Trenic!”
Then a Bobaser appeared behind the Gatrage that was 800 feet tall. The Bobaser is a half dragon half tiger with the head and chest of a tiger, but the legs and waist of a dragon, as well as a set of wings under its arms. It had dark red scaly skin and a pair of laser canons above each eye as well as a long spiked tail and long talons on its hands. In the center of its chest were the words,” The broken will rise,” in dark green letters.
The Bobaser swam at the 3 Caplers, but 2 of them scattered while the third fired heat seeking magic missiles. The missiles went for the Bobaser, but as it did she fired her laser canons repeatedly and as the laser bursts hit the missiles suddenly 9 different spells were cast. The first spell turned the water within 50 feet into red smoke. The 2nd created a wave of fire that shot backwards towards the Capler that shot it. And as the wave of fire washed over his ship it melted away the outer shell and rendered it useless. The Marash crew jettisoned in 5 escape pods and headed for the surface. The other 7 spells created gargoyles that were 30 feet high and a purple dragon with a skeleton rider, as well as massive lightning bursts that changed the water and was felt in the Gatrage.
“ What was that, are we hit?” asked Mench as she steadied herself.
“ I think it was an explosion father back we needn’t worry. Look I see no sign of the other 2 ships we might want to break for the surface and see where we stand,” said Famaron anxiously as he looked around at the holograms of the outside of the ship.
“ That’s a good point, but what if they’re waiting for us on the surface it could be a trap,” said Ratie implying a question as she tried to think of a better solution but couldn’t.
“ She’s right, but we can’t stay down here forever the ship’s air supply is getting low,” said Solcrist as he looked at the holographic gage.
“ How low exactly?” asked Famaron anxiously as he looked over at Solcrist.
“ About 40 seconds and then we’re done for. I think it may be advisable to head for the surface now,” said Solcrist then Famaron steered the Gatrage up towards the surface.
As they climbed thru the water all the loose spells that were in the water behind them could be seen fighting one another. The Bobaser was pummeling the gargoyle as the remaining missile went around them aimlessly.
“ Now there’s something you see every day, at least every other,” said Ohgood sarcastically as he watched the Malay and grinned.
“ Every day in weirdsville, where you’ve been mayor for all of your natural life,” said Ratie slyly as she tried not to show her feelings of dread.
“ Hey a job’s a job, I worked hard for those gooey chocolate covered ballots and I earned every vote. Now here comes the fun part, breaking the surface,” said Ohgood wryly as he poked Ratie who he could see was nervous.
Then the Gatrage burst out of the water and a plume of black smoke bubbled up behind them. The 2 Caplers could be seen heading back to the Marash tree.
“ They’re leaving us, look there they go,” said Mench happily as she pointed to the Caplers and grinned.
“ That was lucky, now we can head for Spash,” said Camtow excitedly as she laughed and jumped on Famaron.
“ It’s only lucky if they don’t go and get more ships. Then we’d be in a really bad spot,” said Famaron as he smiled while Camtow kissed his face.
“ Then we get the sex
out of here quick. Just go as far away from that tree as you can and still be heading for Spash,” said Ratie as she did a weird one legged dance and then threw up her hands and said,” ah ha yeah.”
“ I’m doing exactly that young, Ratie, and I can see just a glimpse of Spash in the distance. Look to the right there,” said Solcrist as Famaron steered the ship and pointed to Spash.
Spash could be seen in all its glory floating above a red flaming water lake beneath it. There were flocks of Vomics flying in formation in and around it as a single strike of lightning sat in front of it frozen in time as it hit a wizard on the ground named Yousuga Saint.
Yousuga Saint had been unlucky when he laid down the winning cards in a poker game with Spash as he thought Yousuga had been lucky one time too many that night. This caused Spash to flip the poker table at him and yell out a spell that led to him perpetually feeling the strike of a lightning bolt for all time.
“ Is that’s where we’re headin’, we’re headin’ nowhere fast. Everyone prepare yourselves for anything we might run into. I have a feeling they may not want to part with those glasses anytime soon” said Famaron firmly as he eyed Spash in the distance.