As all the escape pods raced thru the escape tunnels they could see the light at the end of the tunnel. As they shot out the round opening they found themselves on the other side of the mountain. There in front of them was the red Bloodlet ocean. Off in the distance was Marus island a 2000 acre wonderland that consisted of a dense jungle as well as the city of Gom. The inhabitants of Gom were the Crushus and they were a peaceable people, with dark red skin and black hair. The city of Gom was made up of green wooden carved buildings and houses that each had the owner’s likeness as their shape. There was also a round 350 meter wide lake in the center known as the Wusaa that had crystal blue water and a series of sword shaped waterslides on its banks that twisted and turned and brought you to the center of the lake. Once there an air jet would gently pick you up and carry you back to the start.
“ How’s everybody doin’?” asked Famaron over the intercom as he hovered over the Bloodlet.
“ Great, but where’s Mouca and Greride?” asked Ratie as she looked out over the ocean and thought of home.
“ I didn’t see them come out you don’t think they stayed,” said Veata in disbelief.
“ If they did they are no more. So let us hope not,” said Solcrist as he swooped down to the oceans edge to look at the red water.
“ Good point, well why don’t we head for that island. If they do come out they’ll know that’s where we headed. Everyone stay close we may not be out of the Gorgu yet,” said Famaron boldly then he started for the city of Gom.
“ I’ll race ya,” said Dornoa brightly then he pressed the accelerator and shot forward in a seconds time towards Gom.
“ You can try,” said Famaron slyly as he smiled and pressed his accelerator to full speed ahead.
Lucern laughed and said to himself,” You’d never know we were at war.”
Then Lucern drove towards the island. All 7 escape pods flew over the island that looked like a burial ground with dozens of carved buildings that looked like their owners. The buildings were tightly packed together with red steel walkways from one to the other. Beneath them there was a labyrinth of streets and alleyways that had numerous stores and shops. The entire city was ruled over by the Crushus king Fordemer Smen or as he was called Purt for short. He was a tiny man of 5 feet and 120 pounds, but he had a vicious temper and mastery of several fighting disciplines like Borcrane.
Borcrane involved a series of techniques where you tried to bite of part of your attackers face as well as several ways to break their arms and legs. It took only a few months to master and was greatly feared.
Purt had black silky long hair that fell on his face from a large widows peak. He had crimson serious eyes and a round tennis ball like nose as well as large prominent lips. His hands were very large as well as his feet, but both had triangular knuckles and joints that caught the eye. He had a birthmark on his neck of a gargoyle that many thought made him a deity.
“ Let’s land in the field and wait for Mouca and Greride,” said Famaron then he flew down to a patch of purple grass and landed.
Everyone else followed suit and then they exited the escape pods and took a look around.
“ This place is weird and in the weirdest way. I bet the food tastes weird I just know it,” said Ratie as she folded her arms and grimace as she looked at the Crushus.
“ Ratie, for once in a decade of things you’ve uttered I have to agree with you. This is a strange land the air smells of different, but oh where is the merrymakers and the tellers of jokes. For I am in need of enjoyment and this is my curse,” said Ohgood coyly as he looked fiercely at Ratie and Famaron.
“ O.K. great who’s up for leaving the escape pods right here and getting some dinner?” asked Famaron as he stretched his arms and then laughed as he let out a sigh.
“ Food at a time like this, where is it I’m starving?” asked Solcrist slyly then he grinned.
“ I can see a small restaurant down that street called Peps. I say let’s take our chances with that one,” said Lucern then he started to walk towards Peps.
“ Every time someone says that tragedy ensues, but who cares I’m starving,” said Ohgood slyly as he skipped beside Famaron then ran after Ratie.
As they walked down the alley between 2 huge green buildings carved in a woman’s and man’s image, the street was made of a black rubber and thick carpet. The shops they walked past each had a hologram of their wares out on the sidewalk from clothes to steaks and even robots. The stores themselves were small, but had several levels up and down. Each storefront had the owner’s face
carved into a large block of different colored wood right beside the doorway that was equipped with a voice generator in case you had a question about an item. There were 3 dozen animal robots roaming the streets that people had put out to go get them all the loose change people would throw at them. Each of these robots were covered in red, orange, or purple fur and had square or round heads with childlike eyes.
As they came upon Peps many people were going in and out of the restaurant, the ones who were leaving had plates of various pastas and Gack steaks in their hands, as well as bottles of white wine under their arms.
“ This is the place, I just saw a steak,” said Solcrist as eh licked his lips and then entered with everyone right behind.
“ All’s I want is food that isn’t moving and I’m happy,” said Famaron slyly as he looked at a large steak and a plate of blue potatoes go walking by.
“ What’s the fun in that?” asked Ratie sarcastically then she nudged Famaron gently in the ribs.
Inside the restaurant there were a pair of ordering computer consuls on either side of the room that were dark blue in color and shaped like a gargoyle and dragon, with 2 lines of people at each. You just typed in your order and within 30 seconds it was ready to eat. Then as you went a bit further there was the food givers, which was a line of 12 people who were constantly giving out plates of food. Then you had the choice of eating in their 175 foot long dining room or taking it with you under a thin plastic wrap. The dining room had 50 black wooden clover shaped tables with each table having a Calblader monkey doing tricks and singing in the middle of the table.
The Calbladder monkey had seal black 8 inch thick fur that was curly and hid all of the monkey’s body. It even hid its eyes and mouth. It was 2 feet tall and weighed 10 pounds with a single red tuft of hair for a tail. Their tongues could stick out 10 inches and were wide and purple in color with a round ball at the end.
The chairs at the table were shaped like a length of rope with the black seat cushions cut into it. They also had bottle of wine in the armrests that were kept chilled and could rise up at the press of a button. The walls of the restaurant had Purt’s face painted all over them as well as several staffs of yesteryear hanging from a red energy hooks. The end of the room had a large brown wooden stage with several instruments on it and a curtain behind. At a certain time of day anyone who wanted too could jump on stage and play for as long as they wanted which inspired many jam sessions.
Everyone ordered their meals and waited in line and Solcrist said anxiously,” I am dying of hunger please Goarote let my meal come quick.”
Then he looked up and his meal was being handed to him by a waiter and Ratie said angrily,” Hey Goarote, I’m hungry too. Where’s my steak and pie?” asked Ratie and then she was being handed her meal by a female red headed waiter an instant later and Ratie said flatly,” Thanks nice service here Goarote.”
After everyone had gotten their meals they went into the dining room and Famaron said,” Hey let’s get a table by the stage we might get a show.”
“ Sounds good, but where are the musicians?” asked Dornoa quickly as everyone headed for the table in front of the stage.
“ They’re comin’ these things take time, nerves to get over
and pep talks to give yourself, not to mention bottles of wine to drink. It takes a lot of practice to master these things and be a professional musician,” said Ohgood jokingly as he chewed a tube filled with Gack ravioli circles.
Everyone laughed and then sat down and Lucern asked,” Do you think there’s any chance Mouca and Greride survived? I mean we’ve been here some time if they were going to escape they would have already done it.”
“ That’s a good point, we may need to accept their passing and figure out where we stand. We’ve got the people we brought with us as a potential army against the Poems. If we could sway maybe the Haborm or Dirki to our cause, we might be able to defeat the Peoms,” said Famaron plainly as he ate and looked at everyone.
“ That’s a good point, we could travel to the Gorma highlands and let our people’s know what happened and see how they stand on a war. And if they join us we would be formidable. The thing is we don’t know what the Peom used to shield their ship. It had to be a spell, but there aren’t any known spells that powerful even with Eyebrem,” said Ohgood calmly as he ate.
“ Then it has to be unknown which implies a secret book of spells. That said, if we were able to steal that book we would literally steal their advantage,” said Solcrist smoothly then he took a long drink of wine and pressed the button on the armrest for a fresh bottle of red wine and it rose up.
“ That’s fascinating which gives me an idea. The Peoms have no idea that we’re on Permea or that we were friends with Mouca. All’s we’d have to do to get in their good graces is tell them the same story we told Mouca. Then when they give us asylum we steal the book and wage open war by getting
the Haborm, Sands, and Dirki to help us like you said. Easy as juicy steak ha ha ha,” said Ratie then she picked up her steak on a fork and bit into it with a smile on her face.
Everyone looked at her with their mouths agape and Veata said slyly,” You secret genius, you only let us think you were poor, Ratie, while you were something strong huh.”
“ She’s right, you duped us good. What do you have to say in your defense?” asked Solcrist as his left eyebrow raised.
“ Steak good me likey,” said Ratie in a little kids voice as she ate her steak and then everyone laughed and she said seriously,” O.K. maybe I was playing it coy, but I’m a woman and we have to use our wits. So now that you’ve caught me can I go back to my meal?” asked Ratie as she grinned from ear to ear.
“ Fine, eat up, but remind me not to leave my door open when you’re around and I’m asleep. Well, she’s right so I say we do just that. We’ll double back after dinner and get a battleship from the field where we parked ‘em. Then we’ll pay the Peom a visit and see if they’ll take us poor orphans into their homes cause we need all the help we can get,” said Famaron sternly as he tried not to laugh.
“ A wonderful and flawless plan that will have to wait until after dinner and hopefully a band,” said Dornoa plainly as he gave everyone a look and then looked up at the stage and said happily,” I see instruments and I love to play watch this.”
Then Dornoa jumped up and walked up on stage and sat down at the round white marble piano and gave everyone a smile then began to play,” Or maybe my son,” by the late Geen songwriter Ramor Theat.
Ramor Theat was a vicious man who loved to fist fight and hurl insults at anyone who came close. He had a 10 bottles of wine a day habit that he’d had for 20 years. He also loved to smoke and went thru 6 packs a day of Dunm cigarettes a Sandu brand, as well as 8 cigars a day that he himself rolled in his basement. He lived on the far side of Parscan in a huge castle for 50 years until he died of old age 2 years ago. Over the course of his music career he recorded 500 hit songs and earned so much money that every month until his death he bought a new mansion many of which he never set foot in. He just wanted the homes because he was bored with wealth.
“ He plays beautifully isn’t that something,” said Veata as she swayed to the music and thought of her late father who had loved to play piano when she was young.
“ It’s extraordinary, I’m really moved by this song,” said Famaron softly as a wry smile crept across his face.
“ He’s got a gift I haven’t heard a missed note and he really delivers this song huh. Well I’m impressed,” said Ratie happily as she held her fork with potatoes on it in her hand.
Then a red short haired man started walking towards the stage named Famso Peps the owner of the restaurant. He was 5’10” and very husky with broad powerful shoulders and tree trunk legs. He had a baby face that belied his 50 years. He had on a black and red cashmere stripped sweater with a pair of blue glasses in the front pocket that he used to read with. He also had on a pair of black denim and silk jeans with the words,” Old Peps is right,” written across the front left pocket. He also had on a yellow leather pill box hat with a red dagger attached to the side as well as a pair of black and green star design pattern boots with a gargoyle sewn onto the heel in purple with the word Lorenic beneath it in blue.
Lorenic Tasks was a Haborm scientist who ran a group of intellectuals called the Primep. The Primep were constantly tinkering and doing mayhem to unsuspecting societies like the Peom and the Sands. They did things like put insanity inducing drugs in the water supply as well as random well thought out murders of well to do citizens. Their aim was to keep people in a constant state of panic as well as keeping them susceptible to persuasion. This allowed them to get the things they wanted like power and wealth without very much effort. Lorenic himself had risen fast as a leader of the Haborm and used the Primep to do his dirty work.
“ What is that man doing there?” asked Solcrist as he watched Famso hurrying up to the stage.
“ He looks like trouble, be ready and swift,” said Famaron as he clutched his staff and watched Famso.
Then at every table the Calbladder monkeys leapt up out of their cages in the center of the table and began dancing and making goofy faces.
Famso walked up on stage and punched the keys on the piano and yelled,” Nobody plays my piano unless they ask me first got it!”
“ Hey, relax I was just having a little fun. Why don’t you go take a happy pill and stop bothering me,” said Dornoa angrily as he glared at Famso.
Then Famso punched him in the mouth and tried to put him in a chokehold, but Dornoa grabbed his arm and smashed it against the piano keys.
“ I think we’ve had enough dinner let’s help Dornoa,” said Solcrist and then he stood up and shouted,” Maran ga faru!”
Then a Gargoyle appeared on the stage and grabbed Famso and picked him up and tossed him across the room. He landed on top of a Calbladder monkey and crushed it to death and then Famso shouted,” Wizardry in my restaurant!” You’ve crossed the line get ‘em!”
Then 3 large waiters with white egg shaped hats started running towards everyone at the table and Veata calmly shouted,” Qist while it’s raining!”
Then a deluge of 15 miniature black dragons appeared above the waiters and descended upon them. The dragons fired flames at them and burned the first waiters head to ash, while the other two were being ripped to shreds by the dragon’s talons.
“ We should get out of here quick!” said Ohgood boldly as he grabbed Ratie’s arm.
“ You’re right let’s head for the escape pods,” said Lucern sternly then he ran over to Famso and punched him in the jaw and knocked him unconscious.
Everyone ran out of the restaurant and out into the street. They saw a group of 10 Crushus police officers heading their way on the backs of Bumtu’s. The police officers had bright green robes with padded chests and arms as well as a gun belt around their waists with Gasou pistols and hand grenades affixed to them. They also had on silver blast proof head shaped helmets with blue visors that were made like each officers exact head. They also had on red leather
boots with black laces.
Bumtu’s were a 9 foot tall lion like creature, but with red fur and a small black round nose and green eyes. They also had an orange groove around their mid section for a saddle.
“ Hold it right there!” shouted the police officer named Gamsy as he saw everyone run out of the restaurant.
“ Down the alley quick!” said Famaron boldly as he hurried into the alleyway.
“ Sounds good to me,” said Solcrist as he and everyone else ran into the narrow alley.
As they ran down the alley Ohgood looked back and saw the police officers couldn’t fit in the alley while on their Bumtu’s, because of their size. So the cops jumped off of them and ran into the alley and Ohgood said nervously,” They’re still coming I’ll have to do something,” and then he stopped and turned and raised his staff and shouted,” Peas sope dust bringer!”
Then all the dirt in the alley and all the dust in the air began to swirl and come together in front of Ohgood. Very quickly it took the shape of a 20 foot tall gargoyle with a mouth full of 50 electricity balls and he had an orange 4 foot tall metal eagle on his shoulder.
“ Have fun fellas,” said Ohgood slyly as he smiled and then ran after everyone else.
The gargoyles began firing electricity balls at the cops and as they hit them it sent 20,000 volts thru their bodies. This killed the closest 3 instantly, but the others pulled their Gasou’s and began blasting the gargoyle repeatedly. The gargoyle’s eagle flew at the cops and grabbed 2 of them with its claws and lifted them off the ground and flew away with them.
The remaining 5 cops kept firing at the gargoyle, but he jumped high up in the air and landed on one of them crushing him to death. The other 4 contiued firing, but then the gargoyle blasted 2 of them with electricity balls and then killed them seconds later. One o the remaining 2 threw a pair of grenades at the gargoyles and blew it to a million pieces. Then the cops started down the alley after everyone.
Meanwhile up ahead everyone had reached the escape pods and were getting ready to leave when Famaron said,” We’ll meet up at the field where we parked the battleships. Then we’ll pay the Peoms a visit have fun.”
“ Look who’s talking mr. seriously in need of a vacation over there. Let’s take down some clouds,” said Ohgood boldly then he ran and jumped in his escape pod and launched into the sky.
“ Vacation, I’ve never heard that word before. Well, you’re taught something every time you ask a question,” said Famaron sarcastically then he launched into the sky.
Everyone lifted off except for Lucern who was having trouble getting his engine to start. He tried a few times then said nervously,” C’mon already start I can’t sit here for long! Start start right now you piece of junk. I’ve got to call Famaron and ask for help. Where is the communicator channel he’s on,” asked Lucern as he fumbled thru the different channels and then found Famaron’s and said anxiously,” Famaron, my ship’s engine won’t start I need help.”
“ I can come back for you wait there in your ship,” said Famaron then he started to turn around.
“ Thanks I just hope no one shows up before then,” said Lucern nervously as he looked around.
Then the 2 cops came running towards his ship blasting their Gasou’s and hitting the side of the ship. Lucern desperately tried to get out and run, but just as he stood up he got shot in the back of the neck. The blast sent his head flying thru the air as his body fell limp.
Famaron saw the scene as he drew close and gritted his teeth and shouted,” You bastards, Goarote that is bad luck,” and then said snidely,” Well you 2 aren’t gonna fair much better.”
Then Famaron swooped in and opened fire with his laser canon. He hit both of them simultaneously and tore 1 foot wide holes in their chests and back. Then they fell to the ground with blood gushing from their chests and mouth. Then Famaron shot them again as he doubled back and blew them to pieces and killed them as they stood and Famaron said coldly,” You 2 were dead at breakfast. Now you’re a buzzards brunch.”
Then Famaron flew away and headed for the battleships. After about 30 minutes of traveling Famaron showed up at the field and saw the other 5 escape pods already there. He pulled in beside Ratie’s and landed and as he exited Veata asked,” Where’s Lucern is he coming in his own ship?”
“ No he didn’t make it they killed him, but I gave them the same treatment so at least there’s that. We need to focus on the task at hand these Peoms aren’t gonna just roll over and die. We’ve got to be fierce and be wise or we’ll end up like Lucern,” said Famaron sternly as he walked in between everyone.
“ You’re right, then I guess it’s time for the plan to take effect. Mouca said that their leader was in Emred castle in the city of Crem, How exactly do we find it, this world’s immense?” asked Ratie as she tapped her foot and rubbed her left shoulder.
“ I spoke with Mouca and he also said that the Peoms lived in the south. I would gather if we headed a bit south then asked to see the ruler for asylum, the city of Crem and Emred castle would find themselves,” said Famaron then he shrugged his shoulders and gave Ratie a wink.
“ You are wise oh so wise, but one thing you forgot is who’s bringin’ the booze. It’s well known the Peoms are a race of drinkers I say ten bottled would be a nice gift maybe 20, but I won’t be held accountable if it isn’t enough,” said Ohgood sarcastically as he put his hand to his forehead.
“ Laughs aside,” said Famaron as he laughed and then said,” he makes a good point what about a gift. And I just remembered there’s only us in these battleships how do we explain that?” asked Famaron as he felt embarrassed that it had just dawned on him that the ships were empty.
Veata felt a rush of embarrassment and then smiled and said nervously,” That’s kind of a large error, one that will not go unnoticed. Ah, ha ha well what can we say about that?”
“ I’ve got the perfect answer and it will give us the benefit of the doubt in their minds,” said Solcrist smoothly as his left eyebrow raised and he puckered his lips.
“ And that is?” asked Dornoa as he grinned.
“ A plague,” said Solcrist flatly then he started walking towards his battleship.
“ A plague, what does that mean?” asked Ratie.
Then Solcrist turned and waved his pointer finger from side to side and then said smoothly,” You are not as wise as I thought. All’s we have to say is that the ships were overrun by the Tinkerun flu and that all our passengers perished while the captain’s quarters were unaffected on all the ships. See, an old man’s mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a lovely place to visit.”
“ O.K., that is a perfect plan and changes out strategy only slightly. If anything it makes us more attractive as refugees as there’s only the 6 of us. Huh, alright south we go and when you see me landing follow suit. Let it commence,” said Famaron happily then he boarded his ship.
“ I think he loves this sort of stuff a little too much,” said Ratie as she shook her head.
“ We all do so what, life’s supposed to be fun. Just yesterday I hatched a plot to make people taller. I didn’t mention it ‘til now due to security concerns. Now just you wait and see all the 8 foot tall people we’ll all become. And oh what a world it will be as the shorties are gone,” said Ohgood sarcastically as he walked over to his battleship with Ratie laughing beside him.
“ Ohgood, I think you’re missing some wires in your head, but it’s o.k., we can use gum to fill in the holes,” said Ratie jokingly then she ran into her battleship.
After everyone had gotten to their respective bridges and taken their seats they launched into the air and followed Famaron’s ship closely. They flew south for a few hours and flew over the Bowayn continent. As they neared the city of Enelop Famaron said,” Let’s try this one an
d take our chances.”
“ Sounds good this place looks prosperous,” said Veata as she looked at the city in awe.
Enelop was comprised of 20 million people of every different race on Permea. It had thousands of buildings large and small that were arranged in a specific design of a pair of dragons stabbing each other with their talons in the chest and breathing fire straight up. The design could only be seen from the air, but all the residents were aware of it. The majority of the castles were made from green marble and were in the heart of the city in and around this series of hills with the largest of these at the top with an acre of grass around it. The castles were in the shape of a dome with 7 to 10 towers around the outside for each as well as several large deck areas around the castles. Each castle had the owners face painted on the outside of the castle in full color as a sign of prestige. The other buildings in the city were shaped like a cross or sword and like the castles towered 5,000 feet into the air. There were hundreds of thousands of large and small spacecraft flying in every direction most with anti gravity engines. On the left side of the city there was a statue of Rinship holding onto a large Gasou rifle made from gold and
diamonds with a silver plated block at the base of the 800 foot tall statue with an inscription that read,” If I were the taker of dreams I’d already be dead.”
The 6 battleships landed on a large patch of blue grass in Altoge park on the west side of Enelop. Everyone got out of their ships and took a look at the city skyline and Dornoa said softly,” I hope this is the place we’re going to be living, because it is absolutely astonishing.”
“ I’ve never seen a more massive and lavish city anywhere. Did you see all the castles in the center of town. This seems to be where all the wealthy citizens come to laugh at the poor ones,” said Famaron as he smiled slightly.
“ I wouldn’t want to live here big cities always have big jerkoffs. Plus there’s all the stress of day to day life. No, I’ll be living in a smaller town or suburb. Why damage yourself just for excitement doesn’t make sense,” said Ohgood honestly as he walked around and kicked large red wildflowers.
“ I’m with him it’s too big who needs the stress. It is nice to look at thou,” said Ratie.
“ Well regardless we’ve got to find a local and try out our story while we ask for directions. What’s that noise I hear sounds like cheering?” asked Famaron as he listened hard.
“ It’s coming from that large building over there,” said Veata as she pointed to a large green coliseum on the far end of the park.
The coliseum was 150 stories high and oval shaped with hundreds of air jet elevators around the outside that would lift you up to a certain floor on a cushion of air. And if you wanted to go down there were hundreds of escalators as well around the outside. There were dozens of round decks around the outside of the stadium with several video game arcades set up on them. There were people everywhere
on the decks having a great time and singing songs. The walls on the coliseum were covered in a thick paisley design green wallpaper that rain couldn’t cause to tear because of ultra thin see thru plastic covering it. At the top of the coliseum there was a continuous black marble statue of a trio of men being chased by a horde of Coupocs all the way around the stadium.
Coupocs were hairless red dog like creatures only with 2 faces one large and one small that came out of their noses. They had 3 legs with dark green claws and they had red snarling teeth that could tear thru metal. On their backs there was a 1 foot tall man who was born with his feet grown into them called a Surn man.
“ Well, it’s not like the Peom ruler is waiting for us. I say we check it out it might be fun,” said Famaron calmly as he shrugged his shoulders and looked at everyone and made a goofy face.
“ Sounds great I wonder if they’ll cook us on pikes and boil us in red wine. Either way I’m hungry so let’s go,” said Ohgood sarcastically as he looked around wide eyed and then he pretended to eat his arm.
“ I didn’t quite get that one,” said Ratie as she squinted at Ohgood.
“ I took a shot give me a break,” said Ohgood nervously as he grimaced and shook his head.
“ I finally caught you and oh is it sweet. Now I get to trample on your ego,” said Ratie as she softly kicked Ohgood’s butt.
“ Careful you two we don’t want to upset the natives. Such acts of random foolishness could get us killed and a former emperor whose home world has been destroyed like long unhappy lives in random far away worlds. And plus it’s just not cool to kick your brother’s butt. It reminds me too much of my
childhood,” said Famaron playfully as he grinned and then kicked Ratie in the butt softly and she laughed.
Then they walked the brief distance to the coliseum and over to the air jets and Solcrist asked,” Just how safe do you think these things are?”
“ Well if someone blocks the air or shuts it off while you’re in mid air you’ll fall to a terrible death. The good thing is you’ll only die once. So there’s that,” said Famaron sarcastically as he grinned at Solcrist.
“ That’s very comforting to hear,” said Solcrist slowly and then said quickly,” Great why don’t you go first, Famaron, and show us the proper technique.”
Famaron laughed and then said happily,” Well if you need lessons, because your mind is old and weak and can’t send proper signals to your feeble body, then I couldn’t be happier to go first.”
“ I can’t wait for you two, bye,” said Ratie as she smiled and then jumped on the air jet and was whisked up the side of the coliseum and up to an entrance where she was grabbed by a worker and pulled onto the 5th floor.
“ I like her, she’s sassy bye boys,” said Veata then she jumped on the air jet.
“ They’re leaving us behind, the absurdity of this sends shivers thru my ego. I must have satisfaction or I will fall asunder,” said Ohgood in a pompous voice then he ran and jumped on the air jet and shot upward.
Dornoa shrugged his shoulders and smiled and then jumped on one and up he went. Then Solcrist and Famaron did and when they got to the top they were pulled onto the 5th story by a worker. They
looked and saw the others eating a Gack 7 layer burger and smiling and Famaron asked,” Where did you get those?”
“ Here you go, sir,” said Keter a blonde haired worker at the coliseum as he handed Solcrist and Famaron Gack burgers in round containers.
“ Huh, thank you I was dying for a bite, and it’s a large bite to boot,” said Famaron slyly then he bit into the Gack burger and let out a sigh and said happily,” Oh boy did I need that and I think I’ll need another of these before long.”
“ That’s why they give you one so you’ll buy one. It’s just good and sneaky business, but you forgot we don’t have anything to drink to wash it down,” said Ratie as she ate.
“ Well, we’ve got the money Mouca gave us, let’s spend a little and fill our bellies,” said Ohgood as he looked around and then said quickly,” there’s a drink stand down that hallway let’s hit it.”
The hallway was perfectly round and it was dark blue in color with a continuous hologram of a Qualpork match playing on the walls. There were also several black leather chairs built into the wall that could rotate into a viewing booth that gave you 3d viewing of the match.
Qualpork was a 6 person game that involved 2 teams of 3 wizards each. The object of the game was to prevent the opposing team from carrying their Qualpork to the large glowing vortex that would explode into diamond rings when you had. The Qualpork itself was a 1 foot tall miniature yellow man dressed in black or brown leather boots. The Qualporks were a race that lived in caves under the surface of Permea and it was thought to be good luck to catch one and even better luck for a town if they won a Qualpork match. Each team would use harmless magic to keep the other team from
r /> advancing as well as a series of obstacles like rivers or even small buildings they had to negotiate. The field of play was a quarter mile in length and had a thick carpet like green grass in between the obstacles. To start each match the song,” I’ll only ask twice,” by the Canvasless Painters would play and 3 dozen performers would do various acrobatics and stunts. Then the Cormbu tone and yellow light would signal the start.
The Cormbu tone was a 70 beat musical note that encompassed every note that you could possibly play in a the matter of 2 seconds.
The winning team was given a castle in the center of Enelop as well as 2 years worth of wealth. This was their reward because they could and someone usually did lose their lives.
Everyone hurried down the hallway behind Ohgood and then they came to a liquid booth known as a Kam that had every drink on the planet.
“ I’ll have…better give me the large Denja pop and a caffeine sot,” said Ohgood to the black haired female worker inside the egg shaped blue Kam named Coele.
Denja pop was a red soda pop that tasted like chocolate and Pepsi combined. It came in a green metal hand shaped can with a top that would open and close before and after each sip.
“ Here you go, sir, here’s your Denja and shot of caffeine. Can I have your 8 Pak please?” asked Coele brightly as she smiled at Ohgood and extended her hand.
Then Ohgood pulled out his wad of Deveo currency and handed her a 8 cot bill and asked,” Is that enough or do you need more?”
8 cot was the equivalent to 2 million dollars and was a green and blue bill with Mouca’s face on it holding a sword.
“ Uh, you just gave me 8 cot that could buy everything in my shop and more. Do you have anything smaller?” asked Coele nervously as she handed Ohgood the 8 cot back.
“ Uh…how about this here?” asked Ohgood as he handed her 4 Ment which was about 400 dollars.
“ Ah, closer give me a second to change it,” said Coele as she started to count out his change and then said brightly,” Here’s your change, have a great time at the match.”
Ohgood grabbed the 6 inch tall pile of bills and laughed as he looked at Ratie then Ohgood asked,” What match is that?”
“ Very funny, sir, everybody’s heard of Qualpork Thanks again, sir,” said Coele with an awkward smile.
Then everyone else ordered their drinks and started back down the hallway where they saw Ohgood looking into the stadium with wide eyes and a smile on his face and Ratie asked,” What’s wrong, Ohgood, you look stressed?”
“ I’m watching the greatest game ever created. Look at that!” said Ohgood boldly as he motioned with his head towards the field.
“ What,” said Ratie softly then she turned and looked at the field.
The playing field had 4 three story red and black wooden castles set up at different spots around the field with one right in the center. The castles had Joems robots on top of the towers with flame
throwers and crossbows firing at the wizards. There was also a dozen Coupocs running around after the wizards as well as several baby dragons. There were statues of Rinship that rose 50 feet in a circle around the red center castle that had hawks perched atop them. There was a field of ghostly figures screaming and throwing electricity swords at the wizards from both sides in a flowing mud pit that flowed upward. There was a pair of green dragons with devils on their backs fighting a trio of Gips bears who had laser burst machine guns and were 20 feet tall with purple fur. The sky above the field was filled with an orange flaming cloud that continually bombarded the field with red balls of fire. On top of the clouds stood a black cloud man who threw 3 foot wide black marble balls down at the wizards.
“ This is so sick my mind is overloading,?” said Ratie as she looked at the spectacle in shock.
“ Oh we are in for a fun day, I’ll tell you true,” said Solcrist gleefully then he sipped his Denja and grinned.
“ That is an understatement. Well, let’s grab a seat and watch the hilarity unfold,” said Famaron joyfully then he started down the ramp to the seats.
Everyone followed him down the yellow ramp and took a look around for a group of couches that weren’t taken. The seating for the coliseum was row after row of black, brown, and green leather couches with small brown wooden tables in front. Each couch had a built in computer to create a hologram of the playing field on the table in case you couldn’t see and for replays. It also had a computer monitor that would slide out of the armrest to order food drinks and even cigarettes that would be delivered right to your couch. There were 4 couches per box and there were thousands of boxes as well as a small plane that you could rent and literally fly into the action and attack the wizards
with energy grenades and razor sharp spikes. There were also performers who would walk throughout the crows and do musical numbers, acting parts, as well as crack jokes for a small gratuity.
“ Hey what about those 2 couches right there?” asked Veata then she ran and jumped onto a brown empty leather couch and laughed loudly.
“ Works for me,” said Dornoa as he walked over and plopped down beside Veata and winked at her.
Then everyone else sat down on the couches and began watching the match. The green robed wizard was halfway across the playing field with the yellow Qualpork in the brown skinned leather sack over his shoulder and he was named Donce. While the other 2 green wizards were red skinned and the taller one was named Gowel and the red haired one Trim.
Donce raised his staff and shouted,” You are goodoo!”
Then a liquid 50 foot long light blue snake surrounded he and the other 2 green wizards. Then the snake began slithering towards the goal section and the large glowing vortex. But the red wizards saw this and the grey haired one named Hosiah raised his staff and shouted,” Torup steal your sanction!”
Then he rose up off the ground on a pedestal of blue and green flames and started to fly towards the green wizards. As he did the pedestal began to form into a long toothed fish with yellow piercing laser firing eyes. Then the 2 beasts hit head on and all 4 wizards were thrown into the air as the snake latched its fangs onto the fish’s neck. The 2 of them began to twirl at rapid speed and smashed into one of the castles and reduced it to a puff of smoke and a pile of rubble.
“ I am in heaven, did you see that move?” asked Veata as she laughed slightly.
“ That was a huge spell these wizards are most powerful,” said Solcrist as he sat transfixed on the action.
“ I’d like to see their spell books. That would fascinate me to no end,” said Famaron as he tried to type in an order for another Gack burger, but without looking away from the action.
Then Gowel raised his blue wooden staff and shouted as he ran at Hosiah,” The surge of imagination died!”
But as he did Hosiah also shouted,” The weight of air Babrab!”
Then a 20 foot Krebos appeared in front of Hosiah, which was a 2 legged and 3 armed turtle like creature that was filled with a cauldron of blue stars of fire that would shoot out of its eyes. It had a hard shielded green body with dozens of small faces all over its belly that could shoot forward in an instant.
Then in front of Gowel an earth scorching ray began firing at the ground beneath him and as it did a Qury rose up from the fire. A Qury was a seal black rubber coated 15 foot tall half man half Lion with the legs and head of a lion and the rest man. He had a silver bow and sack of green flaming arrows.
“ This will be wicked, oh I can’t wait,” said Ratie as she laughed and shook Ohgood’s arm.
“ My money is on that, half lion creature, but I’ve been wrong before, once when I predicted that the rain would turn green for a day I almost had that one,” said Solcrist honestly as he thought of his wager ten years prior with Biol Wrong a wizard of Sandu descent.
Biol W
rong was the wizard who cast a dust spell in his youth that made all dust taste like cinnamon. The spell lasted right up until Parscan’s demise. He also cast a spell that made tellers of untruths
mouths fill with tiny lizards just moments after lying. That particular spell made him a hated man by many and cost him his life to a sword thrust by a female poker player after she was made to taste the lizards on a stone cold bluff.
The Qury ran and jumped on top of the Krebos and kicked it in the chest. Then the Qury did a back flip off of the Krebos and in mid air grabbed 2 arrows and blasted the Krebos in the stomach. But as he did the Krebos began firing its blue star shaped fireballs from its eyes. The fireballs hit the Qury in the leg and burned thru the rubber shell and burned the Qury’s flesh. This caused the Qury to shriek in pain, but it gathered itself and fired 3 more arrows at the Krebos. The arrows sunk deep into its right leg and a geyser of blood shot out.
“ Nice moves, old lion head has good reflexes. I am truly impressed, huh,” said Ratie then she took a sip from her Denja pop.
“ Those arrows are the key to this battle. I think it’s just one good shot to the head and it’s over,” said Veata as she rubbed her knees while she sat Indian style.
“ We’ll see, the big fella could grab hold of the lion head and end this thing,” said Famaron as he ate a Gack burger.
Meanwhile the green wizards were sneaking past the red wizards who were preoccupied by the fight.
“ Hey wait ah minute they’re escaping,” said Hosiah boldly as he noticed the green wizards.
Then Gowel raised his staff and shouted,” Bornbla curmt!”
Then an orange prism formed around Hosiah and the other 2 red wizards and they were trapped inside, but Hosiah raised his staff and shouted,” Thunder bomb!”
Then a circle of blue electricity formed around he and the other 2 red wizards. Then a second later it exploded outward from them with a sonic boom and in a dazzling perfectly round electricity and fire explosion. The orange prism was shattered and Hosiah and the other 2 took a look at the green wizards and then the Krebos and Qury who were still fighting and Hosiah said boldly,” Leave them be we can still outrun them to the vortex and win the match. Follow me and be quick and swift my friends!”
Then Hosiah and the other 2 wizards made a mad dash for the vortex with the Qualpork bouncing up and down in the sack on Hosiah’s back. The Qury and the Krebos were exchanging blows with the Qury firing 6 arrows at the same time the Krebos shot 8 blue star bursts. The arrows hit the Krebos right in the neck and shoulders while the stars hit the Qury’s head and burned away all of the rubber coating. The Qury’s face burst into flames, but he kept firing arrows by shooting another 4 as he winced in pain and his mane was in flames.
“ Who could come up with a sport like this? I’ve never seen a better one in all my days,” asked Ohgood then he stood up and shouted,” Go get ‘em!”
“ Ohgood, would you sit down. Some of us have respect for the other people behind us and then there’s me who doesn’t like the look of your weggie. So take a seat before I turn you into a pile of steaming turd,” said Solcrist as he scowled at Ohgood who was smiling.
Then Ohgood picked his weggie and shook his butt and asked,” Is that gargoyle turd or dragon, because they’re not the same you know?”
“ Both and I’ll light it on fire to boot. Huh, you little rascal,” said Solcrist sternly as he tried not to laugh.
“ Fine, but I think team spirit gives the competitors the winning edge,” said Ohgood sarcastically as he sat down.
“ But what team are you routing for with all this team spirit?” asked Veata as she grinned and put her arm around Ohgood’s neck.
“ Whoever wins, I’m loyal that way,” said Ohgood quickly then he nodded and flashed a wry smile at Veata.
Meanwhile the Qury’s 4 arrows hit the Krebos right in both eyes and in the mouth. Krebos’s head exploded and its body began to turn into golden dust and float away on the wind.
“ I knew he would win now let there be celebration as the stars have aligned,” said Solcrist loudly as he waved his arms and shook his legs from side to side.
“ But the match isn’t over yet. That was only a small part of it. Look they still have to get to the far end of the field and get over that lake and thru that red marble castle. No old man there is much to be undertaken,” said Famaron smoothly as he pretended to be blind and flailed his arms wildly and blinked his eyes rapidly.
Donce, Gowel, and Trim raced towards the vortex thru a field of 12 foot tall red grass that had booby traps throughout it. Donce ran and jumped over a black boulder and when he landed he went thru a trap door and into an incinerator. His body was quickly ash as he howled in pain. Then Trim ran thru a pumpkin patch and as he stepped on a pumpkin a trio of hands reached up and grabbed onto his legs. The hands were purple in color with long green fingernails and they began to drag Trim under the ground. He tried to raise his staff and shouted,” Dogs Oma!”
Then a 10 foot dragon appeared above him with black scaly skin and flew down and sent fire at the hands, but they only slowed slightly. Then the dragon grabbed hold of Trim’s arms and started to pull him up when the cloud man dropped a 3 foot wide black marble ball right on top of the dragon and Trim. This sent the 2 of them straight into the ground below.
Gowel saw this and stopped for a second then a pair of ghostly figures headed for him and he waved goodbye to Trim and ran for it up a mud pit that was flowing uphill. As he did he shouted,” Gacso try some!”
Then a miniature 7 foot long Konno appeared beside him and he grabbed hold of it and jumped on. Just as the ghostly figures tried to grab him.
Meanwhile Hosiah and his 2 friends were running thru a green marble castle’s library. It had dozens of rows of books that were inside glass domes of every different color. The floor was covered in a red leather that had the words,” To kill is worthless, to live worthwhile,” sewn into it with green thread. The ceiling had a fresco of the battle of Pompask painted on it.
Pompask was a century’s old war between the Sands and the Haborm that was started over a 2 dollar bet that a Haborm king refused to pay a Sands queen, because he thought she had cheated when she guessed the winner of a Qualpork match. She became irate and stabbed the Haborm king named Getius right in the heart. His people soon after launched an all out war that lasted 70 years and took the lives of 100,000,000 Haborm and Sands.
Hosiah ran around a book case and a long laser sword came out of the wall and he quickly ducked it, but his fellow wizard behind him was decapitated leaving only Hosiah and Pumsal. Then they ran thru
the last of the library and out a green brown doorway into a green grass field. They could see the vortex up ahead and increased their speed.
“ Look those 2 made it thru the castle. Now, I don’t know much, but I know there were 3 of them that went in. Which suggests somebody’s eatin’ dirt while I eat Gack burgers,” said Ratie straight faced then she nibbled her Gack burger and looked at Famaron wide eyed and he broke out laughing and then Ratie said slowly,” Don’t you know it’s the truth. I eat food they are food, what a great day.”
Then everyone laughed and Dornoa said boldly,” The wizard on the left is almost there look.”
They looked and saw Gowel sprinting the last 40 feet to the vortex while Hosiah and Pumsal ran all out for the last 50 feet to theirs. As Gowel saw the vortex within reach he reached back and grabbed the Qualpork and tossed her into the vortex. At the same time Hosiah tossed his Qualpork at his vortex and shouted,” To the last!”
Then Gowel’s vortex exploded into diamond rings sending 200,000 of them into the air and into the stands. Ratie and Solcrist caught a pair of the 2 huge blue diamond rings and Ratie said happily,” What luck now I can marry a random stranger.”
“ And that stranger is me dear, Ratie,” said Solcrist smoothly as he offered her his ring.
“ I would, but you’re too young for me. I won’t marry a man who still has all his teeth. And plus, you’re lack of b.o. and lack of back hair is a major turn off, but thanks thou I needed another reason to think you were creepy,” said Ratie jokingly as she gently slapped Solcrist’s face and then took his ring and acted like she was gonna put it on, but then threw it down to the field and nodded her head no to Solcrist.
“ I feared as much it probably wouldn’t have worked you still have all your limbs. And you bear no resemblance to a Geen Mudrath, which by the way is a must. Fine go ahead and pack on 40 pounds as you grieve the loss of my love and quick wit. I’m sure I’ll find another woman like you coming out of a nursing home on a gurney. That’s where all the good women are these days, but, Ratie, you’re the reason I gave up sassy women, they just can’t dig a hole and fall in it, huh, beautiful,” said Solcrist sarcastically then he smiled and gave Ratie a quick wink and shook her shoulder.
A Geen Mudrath is a 3 headed blue reptile that had a body shaped like excrement and also has black 8 toed feet with yellow toenails. Its faces have the appearance of total terror and shock. The Mudrath devours any waste from other animals and lives in piles of mud. Its nose looks like a bent pointer finger and shoots out a foot from its face.
Ratie pretended to weep and then said defiantly,” Never, I’ll never let our love die. I want you to let me back into your heart and fast cause I need at least another 30 minutes of our pretend love before I give up and laugh myself to sleep. I know there’s nothin’ between us, but at least it’s our nothin’ oh, Solcrist,” said Ratie softly as she leaned in to kiss him, but at the last second punched him in the gut.
“ What was that for, I thought I had 30 minutes before you loathed me again?” asked Solcrist in disbelief as he tried not to laugh.
“ You love too hard and too fast for me I just had to let out a good belch and forget your ignorant head,” said Ratie as she belched and then gave Solcrist a couple of quick karate chops to the chest.
“ Hey check that out,” said Ohgood as he looked at the field as they were cleaning off all the debris and 20,000 acrobats started doing maneuvers all over the stadium.
Then a thousand holograms of every creature on Permea filled the stands and began dancing as Gowel was being carried on a red leather chair to the center of the field. They were quickly assembling a large pentagon shaped golden stage with 50 chairs on it. In a matter of seconds it was up and then Gowel was brought to the stage as Rinship, Paguis, Orbay, and then their families walked up onto the stage and then took a seat in their thrones.
Then a microphone disc was put in front of all the chairs as Gowel reached the stage and was set down facing the audience. Then Rinship pressed the activation button on his microphone disc and said sternly,” Hello my lovely residents of Enelop, I am Rinship the leader of the Peoms and I want thank all the wizards for putting on a fantastic and brave performance. It was one for the ages and we should show them our gratitude.”
Then the audience began singing a deep bassy note at first and slowly in unison rose to higher and higher notes. Then they screamed like they were about to die and then silence.
“ Did he just say he was the ruler of the Peoms?” asked Ratie in disbelief as she looked wide eyed at Solcrist and then Famaron.
“ I heard,” said Famaron then he stood up and took a hard look at Rinship and then said boldly,” this changes everything because if we’re seen here it could undermine our plans. We need to get up and go outside and find his ship and then move our ships to a place beside his. Then we can say we just arrived.”
“ You’re absolutely right let’s move,” said Veata then she started for the exits with everyone else right behind her.
They walked briskly to the stairs and then down and out of the stadium. They looked around and Dornoa said boldly,” We’ll have to spread out to find it. My guess is that it’s on the far side.”
“ Good point why don’t we break into teams of 3 and go in opposite directions around the coliseum. If either of us find it send one person to tell the rest of us,” said Ratie as she looked around.
“ Done and done let’s hurry,” said Solcrist as he, Ratie, and Famaron started to go around clockwise.
Then Veata, Ohgood, and Dornoa went around counter clockwise as fast as they could and on the other side Ratie, Solcrist, and Famaron were jogging along. They went for a minute and then Ratie saw Rinship’s Mehelux parked right beside Famaron’s battleship and she laughed and said happily,” Well that makes perfect sense. He parked right where the cool people are.”
“ What’s that?” asked Famaron as he looked at Ratie perplexed and then looked over and saw Rinship’s face as well as Orbay’s in a multitude of colors on the side of the ship and then he laughed and said happily,” Now that’s funny and I mean hilarious. O.K. I’ll go around and get the others.”
“ Hurry, Rinship could be along at any moment,” said Ratie quickly as she watched Famaron shake his head and then run off.
“ Funny how this worked out. We still have to figure out a way to explain landing right beside Rinship’s ship no pun intended,” said Solcrist smoothly as he fidgeted with his hands.
“ Taken I’s taking that pun and I’m casting it in gold for its total lack of humor. Alright here’s what I say, we just tell him it was happenstance and leave it at that. People get lucky you know, it could’ve happened,” said Ratie slyly as she furrowed her brow and looked for Famaron and everyone else.
“ It did happen, he parked right beside oh, here they come,” said Solcrist as he saw Famaron and everyone else come around the corner.
“ Nice,” said Ratie as she hurried over to Famaron and then said quickly,” I’ve got a plan and its’ an enormously perfect work of perfection.”