Journey Chapter 42

The hour passed quickly, with most of the time they spent admiring Coral’s collection of trinkets. Some were from human discardings, others were fossils and bones. When it was time for them to leave, Viper and Coral helped carry them all to the meeting place atop one of the mountains near the Scar. With Coral carrying Nightfall and Viper carrying Forest and Crimson. They flew off towards the mountains, North of the Scar. When they got there, a large group of wyverns of all different kinds was talking to Methuselah, and seemingly arguing over something. Viper and Coral dropped off the three. Coral hesitated in the air as she watched her mother land with the other three. Forest watched her hesitation for a moment, before she flew away back in the direction of the Scar. He then looked nervously forward at the large group of wyverns talking to Methuselah. As Forest, Crimson, and Nightfall approached Methuselah to sit by him, the crowd of wyverns began to quiet down. A blue wyvern with white and purple markings stood in the middle of the group. He stared at Nightfall for a moment and then looked at Forest.

“So, this is the Drake. What's your name youngster?” The Blue wyvern asked with a kind voice.

“Forest sir.”

“Forest, it’s so nice to meet you. My name is Kaminari. I am the president of the Wyvern Republic.” The wyvern said smiling. Forest looked at him hard, he seemed genuinely kind and sincere. But he wasn’t yet sure if he could trust him or the others.

“My dear friend Methuselah here, has been trying to convince us that you three aren’t from here. Which we believe. What we don’t believe is that what he says you and Crimson are. He said you two are something called The Five, but from the sound of what he said it sounds awfully similar to the legend of The Wyvern Slayers.” Kaminari said

“But they are, how many Rock Drakes do you know named Forest? And how many times will we have to tell you that a forest refers to a group of trees!!” Nightfall said stomping, Kaminari scowled at Nightfall. Nightfall scowled back in defiance.

“I know his name refers to a group of trees, but I need to see one thing that will make me believe that he is who he says he is.” Kaminari said as he looked down upon Nightfall. Crimson then took a step forward as he finished saying that.

“The rune?” Crimson asked. Kaminari nodded.

“Yes, the rune has a marking that has been passed through generations of both lightning wyverns, and the seers. If it has the markings described by our ancestors, I might believe who you all say you are, but I may need to ask you another question afterward to have my cabinet and myself fully believe you. I’ll need you to hold the rune to let me examine it.” Kaminari said.

Forest sighed and looked at Kaminari. “I have nothing to hide from anyone.”

He grabbed the rune from his bag and let Kaminari examine it. His eyes widened as he examined it for a moment. When he was finished examining the rune he turned and started talking to the other wyverns. Forest sat in angst while watching them talk he looked over at Viper who gave a smile. She looked confident with what was happening. Forest was still worried; Crimson looked worried too. Nightfall was pacing but seemed more irritated than worried.

After several claw-biting minutes of waiting. Kaminari turned and looked at Forest and Crimson. “The rune you have shown me does seem to match perfectly with all the markings that our ancestors said would be on the weapon of the Wyvern Slayers.” He said.

“So that means we’re the legendary heroes of your stories, right?” Crimson asked. Kaminari looked to his council around him. Viper seemed to be the only one leaking into believing that it was the case. Crimson looked at Forest, expressing her deep irritation with this. Kaminari then looked back at the three.

“While I do believe who you say you are, my council has asked that I ask one more question.” Kaminari said. Crimson groaned with the news. Forest stood tall, but nervous as Kaminari told him this. “Okay, I’m not afraid to answer any questions.”

“Now slow down, there isn’t any reason for anyone to be afraid here. The final question is this, how did the wyvern die?” Kaminari asked.

“How did he die?”

“Yes, from our legend. The moment of when he was slain had no onlookers to speak of. And it explicitly mentions how he dies.” One of Kaminari’s cabinet members says. Several others begin to agree with said statement. Forest worried they wouldn’t believe him and they would be stuck here forever, or worse. That they would and consider them nothing more but frauds… either way though. He was going to tell the truth.

“We aren’t sure. He grabbed The Rune away from me. Then, the sky ate him, and storm clouds came down and swallowed him. When the clouds faded away, he was nowhere to be found. It was like Asgard ate him itself.” Forest answered. The wyverns nodded and talked amongst themselves about what they had just heard. Forest stood there anxiously as they spoke in hushed murmurs. Then Kaminari turned back around with a smile on his face.

“Well, it indeed seems you three are who you say you are.”

“Wait, you believe that!?” Nightfall snorted. Kaminari looked at him with frustration.

“Our legend goes, ‘And in secret, there in Asgard, the Wyvern Slayers would face the tyrant. There, they would call upon the weapon of the Rune in their hour of desperation. And the Rune would accept their call. And the tyrant was swallowed by the heavens, never to be seen again. With the Wyvern Slayers were victorious. They would return to their lives, until they were needed again…,’.” Kaminari recited. Forest looked at Kaminari with worried eyes.

“Needed again?” Forest asked.

“How do you know about Asgard?” Crimson asked.

“We didn’t, not even our seers knew what Asgard was. All we knew is something happened there. And that the only the Wyvern Slayers would know this. Which you three have proven to be the heroes of Fjordur, the Legendary Wyvern Slayers.” Kaminari said smiling.

“Yeah, I guess we are. I didn’t know we had such a great effect here along with Fjordur.” Forest said. He didn’t say everything that was on his mind though. He felt concerned about being called a wyvern slayer. Sure they killed Jethezzar, but they weren’t trying to kill him. Forest tried to save him. He was about to clarify that when Kaminari continued.

“And to that. I say whatever you need, we will help you achieve. And we’d like to hold a feast tonight in your honor if you two and your friend are okay with it.”

Forest looked at the president, his smile was as wide as the trench and his eyes as warm as they could be. He looked over at Crimson who nodded her head in approval and then looked at Nightfall who shrugged leaving the decision to him.

“I guess there’s no harm in that, but we have to leave tomorrow and we do need something. We need to know if there are any other ways to go somewhere else besides the Obelisks where tamed creatures can leave from? As we think the Rune will let us leave through an exit like that.” Forest asked.

Kaminari’s grin went away and his eyes softened. “We do, but no one can know of that path. The only few who know of this path are a few select members of the cabinet. We dare not show and accidentally expose it for fear of the gods’ punishments.” Kaminari said before pausing. He turned before getting interrupted by Nightfall.

“If I may, we wouldn’t need a private escort. All we would need is a single wyvern to show us. We wouldn’t even need to go in the day. Anytime would do. If the night is more suited, then we can handle the night. If dawn or dusk. Then we can handle those too. We just need to use that exit to escape. We can’t The Obelisks. So otherwise, we’re stuck.” Nightfall said. President Kaminari looked at Nightfall with annoyance, yet eyes showed deep thought. As he stood there. Crimson smirked at a thought she had.

“And if we can’t leave. Then we can’t fulfill your legends…” Crimson said. Kaminari looked at her.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Well, the Rune did send us here for some reason or another. And if that’s the case. Then, there has to be a legend, right?” Crimson said. Kaminari nodded.

“I suppose there might be…” He said softly. His grin came back and his eyes widened in excitement as he stood there.

“I think there is one that is mentioned... yes!!” He said with enthusiasm. He looked at the three of them and smiled.

“We will help you in this endeavor. I will send you tomorrow with Commander Viper, Methuselah, and two of Viper’s best guards to where you can leave.” Kaminari continued in excitement.

“Thank you kindly Mr. President.” Forest said,

“Yes thank you!”

“You three are all welcome! And please, call me Kaminari. Now if you like, you may return to Viper’s nest. You have done what we asked and have proven who you three are. I hope I will see you three at the feast tonight, if you come I will have you seated next to me if you are okay with that? If not, we can have you seated with whoever you like.” Kaminari asked smiling.

“Thank you Kaminari, we would appreciate sitting next to you very much. And thank you again, I think we will do that.” Forest said.

~

The three started walking away as Viper prepared their talons to carry them back to their nest.

“Forest! May I call you Forest? I would like to ask you if you could stay here for a moment longer? If it’s okay with you? I’ll take you myself to Viper’s nest once we’re finished here.” Kaminari requested.

“Uh, yes sir. And Forest is fine.” Forest said, he watched as all the other wyverns flew and Crimson and Nightfall went with Viper. Forest and Methuselah were the last two there with the President.

“Do you want me to go Kaminari?” Methuselah asked. Kaminari shook his head.

“Not quite yet old friend, you should know that you are obviously invited to the feast. But I am going to have you sit with us four at the feast tonight.” Kaminari said.

“But Kami-”

“No buts about it, Methuselah. You never want to sit with me because you don’t feel you have the right. You don’t feel you’ve earned it. Well old friend. You do and you have, you and I have been friends for years and you always refuse. Now you don’t get that opinion now.” Kaminari said asserting his ground. Methuselah grumbled.

“I expect to see you at the feast and I expect you will sit with us four tonight.” Kaminari said kindly,

“Alright… I’ll see you there. Do you have anything else to tell me or can I go?” Methuselah asked in irritation,

“You may leave. But I do wish to say that we miss you around here Methuselah. You really need to come around here more” Kaminari said kindly. For Forest, that was the first time he saw Methuselah angry about anything since he met him. Methuselah walked away down the mountain and after a few moments, it was just Forest and Kaminari.

“What would you like to know from me sir?” Forest asked in slight confusion,

“Oh, yes. Sorry about that. I would like to request that you do something for me tomorrow morning when we take you to the place.” Kaminari said,

“What would it be?”

“That you would take Coral with you.” Kaminari said,

Forest was flabbergasted, he didn’t expect to be asked this as a question or any question for that matter. “Why, wouldn’t her parents have to agree to that before you ask?” Forest asked in awe.

“She doesn’t belong here anymore, her parents and I both agreed on that. They were the first to bring it up to me that she doesn’t belong here. She’s not like us… in a good way.” Kaminari said, “I love her like my own. I’m her godfather and she was always a spunky hatchling. But she was never content with this place, her home, or Scorched Earth.” Kaminari said, as tears came down his face. Forest saw that he cared for her as much as any father could.

“But how do you know it’s with us and not someone else?” Forest asked,

“I don’t, not exactly… You see, it's one of our legends. What do you know of our legends?” Kaminari asked. Forest shrugged.

“I know of one thanks to Coral telling me. The legends of the seers and the legend of The Wyvern Slayers.” Forest said.

“So you already know of the seers?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Because this legend is about the seers. You see, it was foretold by one seer that during the last generation of the wyvern seers. Wanderers sent by the gods of a strange land would come, and would need to take the gift of the spirit of foretelling. This would be our payment for the blessing of having the gift for so many generations. As it would become their blessing in their land once they return home.” Kaminari said.

“Ok, but what does this have to do with Coral? She said the seer has been dead since she was a hatchling, and the next one won’t be picked until they reach adulthood.” Forest said confused. Kaminari smiled and chuckled.

“That would be true in most circumstances, but in this. The seer must be announced early. And Coral is the seer, as was told to me by my predecessor when I took office. That was a shock to me to find that my goddaughter was the one who was called to be the next seer. But her time to be a seer here is not what she was called to be. She was called to be the last gift, and so she is called to be the seer of the wanderers. To you, The Wyvern Slayers.” He said.

“But how do you know, the legend doesn’t refer to the wanderers as The Wyvern Slayers. What makes you think it will be us?” Forest asked. Kaminari shrugged.

“I really don’t know, I believe its you. But I don’t know. You on the other hand will be the one to know.”

“Me? How will I know?” Forest remarked.

“Because I am going to tell you what she told me about one of her dreams, or visions as they are.” Kaminari said,

“That still doesn’t how-” “She told me she dreamed about a place where myth and reality are one. Far beyond that of anything we talk about or were told of. Where three supernatural realms exist outside of the domain of their gods. Where the gods and god killers of human myth guard this cold. Yet, a beautiful place. She spoke of mountains of smoke, where fields of lava blossomed; a land of green further than the eye can see. Places with deserts of white cold and water. Trees taller than some of the mountains that fill this world. She spoke of heroes who saved it from chaos. That they were brought together by a spirit of foretelling, and that spirit who brought them together was named Peeri.” Kaminari continued.

Forest was in awe, he didn’t know what to say. What little he described sounded just like Fjordur. Could he be lying? But how could he know Peeri’s name? Forest couldn’t understand it. He turned and started walking away. To where he didn’t know. He didn’t get far though. Kaminari ran up to him and stopped him before he could go further.

“You don’t have to give me an answer now, you don’t have to even say yes. All I want you to do is if you feel that you need to, take her with you. It isn’t a command, it’s a request. Just please give me an answer at tonight’s feast.” Kaminari said in a frail voice.

“Okay. And I promise I will.” Forest said,

“Thank you.” Kaminari said. Forest looked at Kaminari with a puzzled look.

“So, was this something you came to me on the spot with or did you plan on asking me this if we proved to be who we said we were?” Forest asked. Kaminari sighed.

“I planned on asking you when I first heard that The Wyvern Slayers of Fjordur were here. Most of what I did was for show for the other wyverns in my cabinet. They’re a skeptical bunch, but they keep my head on a steady balance. But I believed the same as Viper, who believed you three to say who you were. She was the one who said that it was time for Coral to leave once you three arrived. Why do you think she sent her so soon to stay with you? She wanted you three to get to know her, and maybe wish to take her. But again, you decide on that. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to push.” Kaminari said choking up. He genuinely seems to love Coral like his own daughter.

“Would you like me to take you to Viper’s nest?” Kaminari asked his voice cracked.

“Yes, yes I would. Thank you!” Forest said smiling softly.

Kaminari launched himself into the air, then circled back and grabbed Forest. Then flew off towards the World’s Scar.

~

Within another part of the Scorched Earth mountain ranges. A small pack of Troodons was being led by a basic linguist scout named Butch walked as being led by a large avian bird. The bird rotated its head back looking at them before cackling. He strode along with the group of Troodons following. This bird led them to a gorge. Where a wake of Argentavises had gathered in both the air and on the ground. The sound of the screeches and the rattling of bones filled the air, and so too did the smell of death. The Argentavises were barbarians here unlike other Arks. Other arks did carry some of the traits of brutality, but Scorched Earth’s brutality was on another level. And for all the brutality on other arks, they held high standards of life with speech, food sources, intellect, and nesting grounds. Not with the ones on Scorched. They spoke poorly, they weren’t awfully smart, they nested anywhere, and they hunted anything.

“Hear ye, Hear ye.” The Argent said announcing to the other Argentavises. The others looked over at the Argentavis and the guests he brought.

“Yous see that guests have appeared to Talontooth, guests asked Talontooth to take guests to leader. So Talontooth agreed.” Talontooth, the Argent that took them to the gorge said. An Argentavis landed in front of the group. Bones were messed through his feathers as he stared down the group.

“What do guests want with Bloodbeak?” The Argentavis said.

“Guests say they have offer for Bloodbeak.” Talontooth said.

“Then guest should speak and let Bloodbeak hear the offer.” The Argentavis, whom Butch presumed was Bloodbeak. Butch hated the Argentavis language here.

“What are they saying?” A troodon named Creditch asked.

“They’re asking what we want to offer?” Butch responded.

“Then let's get this over with, the sooner we say and they agree. The sooner no one can corroborate us with this operation.” Creditch said. He began to say aloud what he wanted as Butch translated into avian.

“Oh, Bloodbeak, leader of the Argentavis Mountain tribe. We wish to have you lead an invasion attack into the Wyvern Trench with us for a total and complete extermination of the wyverns. If you do so and we succeed. We will give you the full trench access and control as we only wish for the eradication of the trench and we know that you hold a claim as to the trench being your ancestral home. So we see this for you as a how we’d say ‘two birds with one stone’ proposition for you.” Butch translated to Bloodbeak and the other Argentavises. Bloodbeak seemed extremely interested. And from the sound of the squawking and ragged feather flapping of the crowd. It seemed to be gaining the interest of other Argentavises. Bloodbeak stood tall as he looked down upon the troodons.

“Bloodbeak like this propo-thingy Guests say. When do Argantavises attack with Guests?” Bloodbeak asked. Butch translated to Creditch who told him the answer and why.

“Tonight.” As Butch said the word. The Argentavises went up in an uproar. A mix of fluster and excitement as squawks and screeches were heard from everywhere. But Bloodbeak seemed more concerned with the idea.

“Why attack so soon?” He asked.

“Because the wyverns have a planned festival tonight, as it's the Night of the Seer, the night they were first ble— it doesn’t matter. What matters is they’ll be busy and off guard. Making them susceptible to an easy eradication.” Butch answered. Bloodbeak weighed it and seemed genuinely surprised.

“Makes sense to Bloodbeak.” He then immediately turned to the Argentavises.

“Bloodbeak decided to have Argentavises kill the Wyverns at first light of dusk!!!” He shouted. And he was answered with the cheers and screeches of the Argentavises. They then all flew off into the higher mountain ranges. Leaving the Troodons completely alone in the gorge. Butch then turned to the others.

“They took it. They’re attacking at dusk.” Butch said. The troodons all clapped in success as they stood there. All except Creditch.

“Are we sure they won’t associate us with the inspiration?” He asked. Butch laughed.

“Those thugs?! As soon as they're alone, they’ll forget we even proposed it. They’ll presume it was their leader's plan, and when the Mantises join the attack. They’ll presume they made the pact with Mantises. They won’t correlate us with the idea.” Butch answered. Creditch nodded.

“Good, good. Now lets hope the others had just as good of luck with their operation.”

~

Within the endless dunes of Scorched Earth, a band of six Troodons wandered through them. Being led by the scout who met with the Lords, his name being Heretic. He and the others carried large burlap sacks as they walked through the desert. They only had to walk for a short distance as they could see a large group of what they wanted. Mantises. They seem to know they were coming, as forty or so had gathered in the dunes. Heretic thought this was unusual. But these were insects, they behaved in mysterious ways.

Their group walked up to them finally. But they came to the problem of how to converse. Insects were a difficult kind to speak to. Even with a linguist (which they didn’t have). Because unless insects are bred tamed and raised near other creatures. They had extreme difficulty speaking outside of their language which was difficult for other creatures to understand. So it was a standstill of awkwardness for that moment. Until Heretic finally broke it.

“Are any of you able to speak or under-”

“IIIII AAAAAAAMMMMMM KKKKKKKAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSS. SSSSSSSPPPPEEEEEAAAAAAKKKKKK!!!!!” the front Mantis hissed. Acknowledging that they spoke Carnivore. Heretic cleared his throat as he looked up at the Mantis.

“Oh KARRRRAKIS, leader of the Mantis Dunes. We come here to make the proposition to have you lead an assault on the Wyvern Trench with Argentavises for the reason of complete and total eradication of the wyverns.” The dunes were filled with vicious hisses of the Mantises as Heretic said this. He paused for a moment in fright. “We know-”

“WWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!” KARRRRAKIS hissed with extreme volume.

“Wait, I haven’t even-”

“WWWEEEAAAPPPOOONNNSSS, AAANNNDDD WWWEEE SSSHHHAAALLLLLLL DDDOOO YYYOOOUUURRR BBBIIIDDDIIINNNGG!!!” He hissed. The other Mantises hissed alongside their leader in anticipation. Heretic looked at the other troodons and shrugged.

“Show them the payment.” He said as he dumped his burlap bag. Revealing piles of swords, sickles, axes, picks, and pikes. The other troodon soon followed. Heretic looked at KARRRRAKIS and smiled.

“We brought these in hopes that this might persuade you into joining ‘the cause’.” Heretic said as the rest troodons finished unloading the weapons they brought. And as the last troodon finished unloading their sack. The Mantises jumped upon the chance to grab any and all weapons they troodons had finished giving them. KARRRRAKIS watched as the pile of weapons slowly disappeared and was taken by his subordinates.

“IIISSS TTTHHHAAATTT AAALLLLLL?” KARRRRAKIS asked hissing. Heretic seemed surprised. They had brought enough weapons for an army three times their numbers and they wanted more?

“Was that enough?”

“WWWEEERRREEE TTTHHHEEERRREEE AAANNNYYY OOOTTTHHHEEERRR TTTAAARRRGGGEEETTTSSS?” KARRRRAKIS retorted. Heretic then understood what he meant.

“Make sure if you see a stray troodon and any other strange creatures that are with him… are eliminated completely. And you will be paid greatly for doing so.” Heretic said. KARRRRAKIS retracted his arm closer to his body and lowered his head in a bow.

“IIITTT SSSHHHAAALLLLLL BBBEEE DDDOOONNNEEE.” KARRRRAKIS said. He turned to the other Mantises and let out a series of hisses and other insect noises. Heretic watched as the Mantises began to disperse Heretic was beginning to get confused at what was going on.

“Wait, we haven’t even tol-” “WWWEEE KKKNNNOOOWWW WWWHHHEEENNN TTTHHHEEE FFFEEESSSTTTIIIVVVAAALLL BBBEEEGGGIIINNNSSSS. WWWEEE SSSTTTRRRIIIKKKEEE AAATTT DDDUUUSSSKKK.” KARRRRAKIS said. Heretic stood speechless as they disappeared into the dunes. Then, one of the troodons with them stepped forward.

“Can we trust them to stay to their word?” the troodon named Jass questioned. Heretic scoffed at her questioning.

“The Mantises have a deep hatred for the wyverns that we don’t even know the answer to. They will go through with it.” Heretic said, looking at her. She still seemed to question it.

“Okay, but can they go through with it? Can they eliminate the wyverns and our targets?” Jass asked.

“Ever heard of their attack on Nosti?” Heretic asked. Jass shook her head.

“The city of Nosti was considered one of the most powerful cities of Man within Scorched Earth, and a few small bands of mantises half the amount we saw with minimal coordinated efforts had the city on the ropes for days. With a fraction of the hate the mantises hold for the wyverns to the humans. With their number and their hatred. The Mantises will make sure to coordinate and ensure not a single wyvern escapes.” Heretic answered. Another troodon named Trident joined in the conversation.

“Plus the Argentavises will be aiding the assault on the trench. That means they’ll be an assault from both the ground, and the air.” Trident said.

“Which means the wyverns and fugitives are trapped in the trench. As the Argentavises will attack from the mountain, while the Mantises attack from the dunes.” Heretic said.

“With the odds far in our favor, the wyverns and the fugitives will be completely eviscerated by dawn’s break tomorrow.”