Defeating Dragons

Chapter 15 - My Mission was to go Home

I hug my arms close to me. Their long length comforts me, as they can wrap further around me. But to not be flapping I have to make it a more lengthwise wrap, than a widthwise wrap. I don't often do this. 

I haven't heard from Kyle. He said something was happening and that he'd call me back soon, but he hasn't called yet.

We're in the rear of the group going up the mountain. I've seen two monsters charge toward our potion cart so far, even though most of them were expected to be immobilised or being dealt with as we got close. Also, we haven't gone that high yet. There seems to be a lot more corrupted monsters than previously thought. 

"Darn," Kisec grunts, "I was hoping this wasn't the case."

I look to him. I'd raise an eyebrow, as my voice won't come out just yet. But I think my face has frozen too.

He answers anyways,

"The Cahokian's all split up after burying their dragon, Piasa. A lot of them left to travel the world. Seems as if the cultist group rounded them up. That's why there are so many monsters."

I think I nodded my head. My eyes might have gotten wider. 

We continue up. I was supposed to help hand out potions to the Hunters who ran out before they charged on ahead. But it's all I can do to keep my legs moving. 

Monster cries fill the air. 

I'm sorry Shibby, you are nothing like a monster. 

I hiccup. 

Kirsec sighs, rubbing the back of his head. 

We continue upwards.

...

Hours later and I've been placed inside the cart. This one is an older version that doesn't rotate the potion racks, so me being inside means I can lift the ones at the bottom and hand them out so it's quicker for the Hunters. I'm glad I can do something. 

Also, I can't see the monsters as they approach so I can move better. 

The ground starts shaking. My bones rattle. 

Ding.

Ding.

Beep!

Sounds come from my armband. Is it Kyle?

Crackle. 

"Cody, can you hear me well?"

"Yes!" I exclaim. Instantly, I can feel my body warm up.

"Well, seems like I was too lenient and Dazz has slipped through a different portal." Kyle brings bad news.

"Why would you start with that?" I dislike the bad news.

"Sorry, how are you?" he asks.

I shake my head, "Not good. How is Uncle?"

Kyle looks away. 

"He is ... fine. I think you better come back as soon as the portal is on though. Regardless of the dragon's state."

More rumblings from the ground. I try to stop the potions from ramming into one another. Is this what an earthquake feels like? 

Maybe I should get out of the cart.

Kirsec is thinking the same thing and lifts me out. I feel a slight twinge of sadness, but that is soon scared away by another monster. 

I can at least move my body this time, and hide behind Kirsec. 

"Use the armband," Kyle says. 

He is still here. OKay. I give it a shot.

And a few more. 

Another shot and it finally hits the monster. 

I may have had better aim if I wasn't still trying to half hide behind Kirsec, but I couldn't be sure I'd hit the right button if I did that.

The ground rumbles again.

Screeches are heard in the air.

"Bird monsters?!" I shout.

Kirsec just grunts, and lobs a potion above. An arrow is shot from nearby and hits the bottle, scattering over one of the bird monsters. 

It wobbles. Then screeches. Then simply glides down, somewhere far away. 

The ground rumbles again and rocks fly. 

A roar, louder than any other noise, or mix of noises I have heard comes from above.

The dragon has come out.

I fall to my butt. 

This isn't good. 

How do we even deal with this?

"Cody, hold the green button down, and use the dial to make the holo screen as big as you can," Kyle's voice cuts through the noise. Is it an angel ability? I couldn't hear what Kirsec was trying to say.

I do as he says. 

A Tv size holo. A movie screen size. A bigger movie screen size. And bigger. 

Kyle changes the image from just his face to where he is at.

"Uncle!" 

He is there, staring at the portal. 

Why is it so light? Did they move the portal?

"What?" screeches the dragon.

A couple of beeps and flashing lights from the armband. Kyle's voice gets louder.

"As you can see, Kukulkan, the dragon by Dazz has been destroyed." He shows a messy pile. 

Is that cake?

A roar from Kukulkan. 

"You cannot come to Earth this day," Kyle smirks. That doesn't seem to fit right on his face. I squint. Still doesn't.

"Ku ha ha," an awful cry from the dragon. I think it's laughing. Dreadful dark caves of black and deep green and bone colour. 

Kyle says a few more things, while I try to get the colours out of my brain. 

Another creech from the dragon.

Energy vines are around him. More are being shot towards him. I turn to Kirsec, he is smiling. 

Guess I wasn't in the main briefing. 

"Take him home, Kirsec," Kyle looks to me before cutting off. 

Kirsec grabs me and runs. 

And runs.

And runs.

To the portal, where Hadwin and his team are. 

The portal is on. 

Kirsec stumbles, so just decides to throw me.

"See you again. Traveller Cody!" He cries as I'm yeeted through the portal.

And land in Uncle's arms.

I cry.

I sleep.

And a feast begins in Coober Pedy.