Argenton followed the twins down the tunnel that soon lead out to a two-laned corridor fitted with a black carpet. Windows were rounded, carved, and symmetrical to each other, equally spaced, but not bringing in sunlight. Faint green light pooled in through the windows. A forest of emerald pillars glinted off each other and short umbraghast with baskets on their backs weaved between the crystals.
"Green energy crystalized as you know," the girl twin telepathized, "That's all from Nistilutiland. If you bring back here, it grows."
Nistilutiland was what the collective non-magical realms were called. They existed outside of the Realm of Ozel Emla where Argenton and everyone else lived. While there were four countries in Ozel Emla, Nistilutiland had many countries and no one ever got along between them. Sure, Ozel Emla wasn't exactly peaceful either, but at least they weren't jumping on each other's throats every few days. Rumors had it that humans of Nistilutiland were so greedy they tried to fuel all their houses with gold and forgot all about green energy for so long that the green energy turned to emeralds. So, some Ozians went out to Nistilutiland to grab some of the emeralds.
Thanks to stupid Nistilutiland, the emerald's our gem. Argenton knew that he ever met someone from that land, he would laugh in their faces. They were missing out on eternal energy.
"One day, they'll notice and fight wars with us," said the twin boy. The girl jabbed him in the ribs.
"They are too stupid, Fauna."
"No, Floro," Fauna grunted, "Never underestimate them."
Fauna for a boy's name? And the other's Floro? Argenton knotted his brows. Grivo had been female and now so was Floro. It was sounding like naming was a little bit backwards here compared to home. If there was ever an "o" in a name, it was usually male. Argenton's female version of his name would be "Argenta" or "Argentana".
At last, they arrived at two double doors, hard, sturdy rocks carved to be pushed. Fauna flipped his braid back over his shoulder and pushed the door, heaving it open. A waft of scents bombarded Argenton's nostrils, but it was sour and not the least bit appetizing. He glimpsed an arched tunnel through black stone, lined with small green emeralds that glittered like stars.
Floro pushed him in from behind and Fauna shoved after. The door shut heavily behind them.
"Where are we?" he asked, but instead the twins pushed him along. Argenton furrowed his brows as they neared the end of the tunnel. A wide space of flattened dirt stretched out before him. It reminded him of the combat and swordsmanship training zones in Tynfer that he was allowed to go to only for that purpose and only at night so as to not meet anyone.
With no friends. But who needs friends? He scoffed at the idea. No one would understand him anyway.
He quickly snapped to attention as a large, stone stadium with several umbraghast in the seats, towered high to the cavern ceiling. Before Argenton could get his bearings, the twins ran out to the field and gave growls and grunts. The audience stomped their feet or howled. Something shoved Argenton from behind and he stumbled into, what could only be, an arena.
"I thought we were getting food?" he said.
"Why would Habit think so?" Grivo materialized beside him making him flinch. He hoped she didn't see that. Nothing scared him. Argenton rolled his shoulders.
"I smelled food."
"Must show the others Habit has the Haunter soul." She glided away, dissolving down to her head as she went. The sight made him curl his lip. For these creatures it might be usual, but for him it was downright disturbing to see a head roll around.
YOU ARE READING
There Lives a Beast in the Burning Heart ✓ | a novella
Fantasy[An Ozel Emla Tale] At midnight, fire mage Argenton loses memory of yesterday. It's a curse that's eating away at his sanity. All he knows is that he's a loyal soldier protecting citizens of Noier from forest beasts called Haunters. His father also...
