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“Where is everyone?” I panted as I followed Suzanne, running slightly a few feet behind. “I figured you guys would stick together all the way.”
She laughed hysterically as her hair ran wild like a loose horse in the glistering moonlight.
“They are just up ahead of us. We found some new recruit willing to risk their lives for our cause. I think you’ll be pleased with who joined us.”
Well that was good news. More crazy people throwing their lives away against a monster like Katarina Fox. I meant that metaphorically by the way. The thought of all these people risking their lives to aid me sent turmoil in my heart. The woods were dark and creepy, covered completely with tall thick trees. I doubt Katarina would easily find us in here.
“So where’d you find these lunatics?” I laughed to myself hoping she would join in. “They have to be crazy to challenge Katarina Fox.”
She didn’t laugh as she stopped moving and looked down. I felt like I had said a bad joke at the wrong time, truly awkward. I stopped and looked at her, waiting for any kind of response. Her shoulders dropped as she sighed softly.
“You want to rescue your friends right?” she looked back into my eyes. “Like you, we have our own personal reasons for going so it’s not something to laugh about. The Rainku are evil tyrants who might eventually destroy the world and they need to be stopped. Your arrival was a sign meant to tell us to take arms and pull ourselves out of this madness. I lost my brother due to her brutality and I want to avenge him. For that, I am willing take a gamble and risk my life for my conviction and so will the others.”
Oh! She had said a mouthful and made me feel stupid at the same time. I gazed down into the dirt, finally realizing what was at stake. Everything she had said was true. At first, I had only come to Okaya in order to take my friends from Katarina Fox. But now, I was more determined to see the Rainku brought down to justice. That being said, it was still crazy talk to face those savage people. No man in their right mind would dare take such a task. So why was I?
Suzanne turned around and began to run in silence. I followed behind after watching her, pondering to the last things she said to me. I heard loud growls in the air, coming from the city a few miles away. The night was filtered with screams and destruction as Jura was being turned upside down by the giant treasure dogs. Were we safe? Even by a thousand of miles, I had a hunch that they would find me regardless. Just up ahead, I spotted a small camp fire lit on bare ground. There were quite a few people around it, talking carelessly to each other, unaware of the dangers behind us.
“It’s about time you two showed up,” Kaya commented as we came into view. “We’ve been waiting for ages.”
Even now, it was always nice to hear his smart remarks, although I doubted I would ever get used to Dashe’s. They were sitting next to a fire in plain sight, enjoying meat from a boar that had been recently killed. It smelled good and amazing. I walked up to them and noticed a few new people. The new strangers glared at me for a second before talking amongst themselves. From my perspective, they looked like street bums and regular thieves.
“So these are the serious help?” I asked Suzanne in a blank expression.
If they were then we were in serious trouble. At first, I had seriously thought she had recruited at least a dozen good soldiers to aid us. But this was not what I was expecting.
She placed her arms on her waist and said, “yeah they are and don’t judge a book by its cover Rid. They are loyal and a lot stronger than you can imagine. This boy in the ragged black and red attire is Dien, but he prefers to be called “Blaze.” That one over the there in the strapped shirt and short is Showe the genius. Lastly, but not least, the two cousins in the corner are Masonku of the spades and Glazer the swift.”
Their names sounded valiant and great compared to mine. Nevertheless, they still looked like ordinary bums and thieves to me. I had spent time among thieves so yes I knew what I was talking about. Glazer definitely was or used to be a thief. He had the eyes of a master thief, constantly looking around, curiously aware of everything around him. Just what had Suzanne promised them?
Treasure! Gold! Silver! Emeralds! Probably one of those if I had to guess.
“How about we finish this conversation later,” Dashe rudely interrupted pointing towards the direction of Jura. He stood up quickly and sheathes all of his swords. “It seems we might have company soon.”
I turned my head towards the direction of Jura and saw the giant dogs climb up the giant walls. How did they always know where to look? I think they had caught onto my scent somehow. Clearly, in dire need of a bath after this was over. The last time water had touched my skin was when I swum through that sand piranha infested river.
“Pack everything up on this side,” Ogana yelled orders. “I will make sure the booze is packed and safe in the caravan.”
What a fool! Was booze the only thing he cared about? The caravan was fast, but I doubted it could outrun these giant dogs at all. This was not going to end well. My fist clenched as I anticipated the worst case scenario in my mind. I thought of flying out towards them and fighting them head on, giving the others a chance to escape safely.
“Everyone get in and leave this to me and Masonku,” Dien spoke with a confident voice. He took two steps forwards and raised his fists carelessly. “We will get rid of the animal problem.”
I hunkered down looking at him in a surprised manner. Could they really do something about those animals? I mean those giant dogs were no easy push over. Suzanne leaned in close and grabbed my hand, “leave it to them, trust in their power.”
I looked into her eyes and nodded. If she trusted them that much, the least I could do was the same. Within seconds, we were all inside the back of the caravan awaiting Dien and Masonku. They stood perfectly still without showing any slight sense of fear.
“This will teach them,” Masonku said sinking his left hand into the ground. “Giant earth spikes trap killing power.”
Seriously! Maybe naming your attacks was not as great as Ebi made it seem. That was like the worst name for an attack I had ever heard. Nothing happened as all was motionless around us. I heard small tremors that suddenly got louder and louder with each moment. The ground behind us was carved down and molded strongly, bringing forth mud spikes from beneath the surface. The giant pointy spikes shot up high into the air, standing firmly and strong. The name of the attack was indeed terrible; however, the attack itself was amazing. If I had to guess, I would say he also acquired his cursed power from the mists too. Dien extended his arms up, turning his whole body into a large intense flame. He swung his right hand across the trees sending the forest ablaze. The flames quickly broadened and within seconds were directly beneath the wall of Jura. With the spiky canyon surrounding the city outside and fire everywhere, I felt confident that we could escape safely. The giant treasure dogs stopped halfway, looking in our direction with intense anger. They growled out loud for a while before returning to their mistress’s side.
“We should probably get going, that fire will not last for long,” Dien said as he and Masonku jumped inside the caravan quickly. “Katarina must have seen this and if we are not careful we might just be caught in a wormhole.”
Yeah! How could I forget? Those nasty worms holes had almost got me twice and I didn’t feel like taking another chance. The driver whipped the horses at full speed, heading in the direction of Danyen. In a short time, we were far from Jura and travelling safely under the covers of the forest. I sat on the right side of Ogana thinking carefully as to what I would do once I got to Danyen. I had gotten stronger, but it felt like it wasn’t enough. Katarina Fox’s power was far much greater than I had expected. Ogana’s sudden rude belches startled me causing me to look around. I looked at each and every one of my new comrades and smiled. I wasn’t alone anymore, I would face her with the aid of my allies. Nothing was greater than the power of friendship.
“Paul and Tye wait for me guys,” I whispered to myself as I fell asleep, “I will be there for you soon. Just be patient a little longer.”
I was tired and exhausted since morning and it felt good to finally sleep.
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