Luines - Book 1

Chapter 23: Dragons of the Watery Deep

Her morning classes that day were all a blur to Hal because she was fixated on one thing: Let Hell Break Loose. The bright silver words of the band's name screamed out to Hal Cruz, as she admired the glossy ticket. Never in a million years had she thought to even procure tickets a day before a concert that was always sold out, and these were VIP. She slid her ticket safely in her pocket and asked Ryu, "Are sure Lesedi and Sef aren't coming with us later?"

Ryu shook his head, "Lesedi and Sef are going fishing after classes with Sef's grandmother. Her grandmother's team is down with two members so they got forcefully volunteered."

"Too bad. I feel it'll be fun having them around too." Hal held the knob to the Dean's Office and heard arguments between strong personalities. As she slightly opened the door, she peaked through the slit of the door.

In the middle of the room stood a glistening woman, her scale skin as smooth as a snake's. Her high cheekbones cringed as she roared and shook the room. She spoke to Professor Uskevren, "I hope nothing would befall on my mahi koochooloo. If that Mooneater lays another hand on my child, he'll be challenging the whole dragon clans of the Persian Abyss!"

On the other side of the room, Lizard was rolling his eyes while his mother continued to rant about the Mooneater.

"So, what's going on?" Ryu whispered.

The door sprung open that almost tripped Hal Cruz forward; Ryu caught her hand before she nearly fell flat on the ground. Professor Uskevren spoke, "If you don't mind, Tamtu, we have guests, Haliya Cruz and Ryu Kazama. I hope you don't mind if they join us."

Tamtu hissed as her emerald eyes followed Hal Cruz and Ryu Kazama to their seats next to Lizard. Tamtu closed her claw; the door flung shut.

Hal whispered to Lizard, "Welcome back."

Lizard smiled back at her, "Thanks. My mom cleared me of every inch of smoke left in my system. Basically, they've been rambling about the Mooneater for twenty minutes now. She demanded to have three dragons on guard, and a stronger protection spell."

Tamtu stood in front of Hal, "I hope you don't underestimate that Mooneater. We go way back with that bastard that ruined our lands. He trespassed on the Persian Gulf years ago. He was hunting a Luine from a gypsy family."

Hal thought that gypsy could be Naiara D'Aigua, and indeed Tamtu confirmed it. She continued on saying, "As if the bastard didn't know the laws of our seas, and invaded without a warning! He overstayed his visit in the Persian Gulf!"

"So, Tita Tamtu, What did you do to make him leave?" Hal asked.

Tamtu raised her hand in the air, a gush of sparkling clouds breathed out of her nostrils. The whole room was engulfed with thousands of glitters that flashed a blinding light. "He couldn't stand the glitter and glamour I brought to my sea. It shone like a sparkling sapphire!"

Lizard dug his face into his hand, "Mom, you're embarrassing me!"

Tamtu threw a darting look at her son and said, "Tarsoo, next time, better not meddle into Mooneaters and Luines! But, we can't help it. The Luines may restore balance in our worlds and the glory of our kingdoms."

Hal gripped on the chair as she was about to give a piece of her mind at her. She gritted her teeth, but Lizard held her down. She read his mind right now, Don't. I wanna leave early as much as you do. If you spark another debate, we'd stay here the whole day. Hal calmed her nerves in short breaths as she watched Tamtu walk across them back and forth.

Tamtu turned to Ryu, "If you want to ward off or banish that lunatic that collided our worlds back then," a claw pointed at his chest and she stressed each word that will follow, "use the strength of your aura within you. You'll see."

Ryu turned to Hal and she answered with a shrug. They were as perplexed as Lizard was. He muttered under his breath, "I get this all the time at home. My mom speaks in proverbs."

Tamtu handed Ryu an octagonal talisman. Ryu brushed his fingers on the stone carved charm and asked, "What's this for?"

Tamtu said, "You're a Kazama, aren't you? Didn't your parents educate you of your bloodline? Your name says it all!"

"What's with his name?" Hal asked.

Ryu stared at the ancient rune characters etched on the stone. "It means dragon."

"His line are descendants of Ryujin, the dragon guardian of the East Sea. Most likely, your family left one of those for you."

"But, what does it do?" Ryu handed the stone back to Tamtu.

"Use yours and invoke us and one of our powers will come to your aid. I want a piece of that bastard that ruined my kingdom! So does any of the dragon clans!" Tamtu was furious that her words came with a breath of shimmering fog. Her words continued on a gibbering rant about the politics between the Realm Communities.

Hal folded her hands as she glared at Uskevren, Professor, can we leave now?

The professor waved her hand, and allowed her, Ryu Kazama and Lizard to leave. They snuck out as quietly as possible, while Tamtu was so indignant about the new Realm administration. "That Frost Giant is a tyrant! He shouldn't have taken that position as Realm Elder! I would have been a better successor for Nala Ngoma!"

As soon as they were ears away, they burst out laughing. Hal patted Lizard on the shoulder, "Chong, you have to deal with her every single day?"

Lizard scratched his head, "Yes. But, my mom means well. The Realm Communities have been on a rollercoaster since our world merged with yours. Right now, ever since Bakunawa did that, it's been pretty bad for us, dragons, right? Hence, we fought fire with fire. For my case, it was to beat everyone's asses in this school."

Hal looked down, thinking of how much Zee, her and Neon felt after the destruction and death that followed them. She knew exactly how that wrenched her heart, but she never lost her home. They did. Neon and Zee got displaced just like Lizard. She said, "Though, I had fun kicking everyone's asses and pushing them to the walls."

Lizard laughed, "It was all our morning destresser." His tone shifted into a more concerned one. "Look, Hal, if you're what my mom thinks you are, better stay safe. In the history we know, you'll be the first Human Luine."

Hal raised her brows. "I thought the founders of GEOS were all human?"

"They hid well in human forms. Azraff Gamil was a fire djinn, Shen Einsling was a pixie, Milos Oskaron was a grigori, and Florenz Silny was a light elf. So, you're technically the first known human." Lizard explained. "I better get going and I don't wanna fly together with my mom on a political rampage. So long, Hal!"

Lizard curled his claw, and Hal bumped her fist on his. As she withdrew her hand, the world that surrounded her was slowly turning black. She couldn't breathe, and her mind was being sanctioned into another void. The void swirled in purple smoke and saw the beast Bakunawa growling and rushed into an old colonial house. Hal screamed in her mind as she knew that place very well: Nocturne.