Captain Destiny's Adventure

Chapter 5: Twilight Terrors

Hakku looked around for an official sign. Upon seeing none, he knocked.

"Who is it?!" a deep woman's voice snarled.

Hakku winced back.

"Uhh, hi Miss Roki! My name's Hakku. I am looking for some supplies and I was recommended to you, including colored flashlights. Those sound pretty neat by the way!"

Silence.

Hakku looked around the area.

There was no more path.

Trimmed grass stretched to the island's edge on the horizon.

Even the workshop had no windows.

He tilted his head to the side.

He bit lip and knocked again.

"Who is it?!"

"Hakku, still. The door was never opened."

"Go to the market! I'm sure they'll have the supplies you need."

"But what about the colored flashlights?"

"Tch. I'm out of them! Now scram!"

Her low timbre could have rattled the house if it was loud enough.

Hakku's shoulders sank. Something churned in his stomach.

"Oh, sorry to hear that. I'll be off then. Thank you, Miss Roki!" he called.

Every nerve in Hakku's body urged him to turn around.

The stomach wrenching desperately fought against this.

"Oh, by the way," he added, "Those Cloud Kings you made for the kids were really detailed! They almost looked alive!"

"Thanks. I love making them," the woman noted in a softer, higher voice.

Hakku listened to sky creatures.

Dawn Pigeons were starting to get closer to the island. He stole a glance at the shadows.

"It's still mid-afternoon. However, at this time of the year the sun will set sooner."

He took a deep breath and turned around.

The young man cautiously stepped away from the workshop.

"You don't want one?"

Hakku stopped and looked back.

"What?" he asked.

"You don't want a Nubes Regem?" she repeated.

Hakku's mouth dropped slightly. He whirled around his body.

Blood roared in his ears.

"You know their registered official name?" he half-whispered.

"Err, yes. Why is that a question? All you do is translate Cloud King – the official name – to Latin and you get their registered official name. The one you find in the books."

"Well, the kids called them snake-dragons, the common name. Plus, they clearly didn't recognize the description. After all, they're very rare, as they only live in extreme storms. Such as the barriers to the Ninja Realm and the Mage Realm, for example."

A large clatter was heard on the inside.

Hakku rushed to the door.

"Miss Roki! Are you okay?!" he called.

He listened to the sounds of metal, wooden, and stone objects shuffling.

"I-I'm fine. Please don't worry about me."