DREIKA

Chapter 1

Vamika Gautam landed at Dreika a few minutes ago, screaming and arms flailing. If it was someone else maybe I would have written that they were plummeting to their death. She was plummeting for sure but she landed pretty well. She had no scratches or bruises and definitely no broken ribs.

The girl stood up,  patting off the dust that had collected on her head. She knew where she stood. She knew the Dreikan forests much better than any other human alive.

Now that she was here, all she needed to do was find the book, get the pendant and succeed in one of the greatest escape plans ever, which she would have to plot very soon because giants don't wait, the kill and being dead meat dissolving in a snot filled
stomach or maybe inside something even worse is not considered a pretty death.

As Vamika Gautam, a girl with one of the prettiest names I have ever wrote, she deserves an even prettier death. No suggestions accepted [for now]. If she’s indeed going to die, why not do it with style? Death did favour her but favour’s not one to rely on in the long run.

“You’ve arrived.” The voice echoed as the trees before her parted for  Indopetus. The giant was clad in armor, his club dragging through the ground as he walked towards her. She glanced at the blood caked spikes of the weapon. One nudge with it and she'd be gone.

Vamika hummed, her eyes shifting towards the arena behind him. Giants thrice her size sparred in there. They were preparing for the war.

“I want the book and the pendant before the blood moon.” He spoke.

“I’ll bring them in time.” She shouted.

She could feel her heart beating against her ribs. This was not the first time she was seeing Indopetus or the arena before. She knew he wouldn’t kill her. He couldn’t kill her, at least not today. He didn't  have time to replace her for another.

“ You will be gifted grandly for your loyalty, little one. You can name what you want after you bring us what we need.”

Lies. Pure lies were all they were. She knew it. Only death awaited her. The giants never planned on gifting her anything. Giants don’t give, they take. That was all they did and all they planned to do.

If she didn’t get them what they needed, they would just send some of their beasts .

The giants didn't hold power outside the forest but the beasts they kept  wouldn’t mind having a bit of human flesh for a snack and if she did bring them the book and the pendant, well, they would just use her blood for the Awakening Ceremony.

It was her blood that would start the war. Dreika's nothing but a starting target. From Ivamis to Earth, they would hunt until everything would be gone, crumbled beneath their feet and only barren land left behind for them to start their new reign.

Earth was not her problem. Vamika knew that very well.  What indeed was her problem was the fact that they would kill her as soon as they get the pendant and the book. She needed to be back at Earth before the Giants would ever recognize she’s gone.

Indopetus whistled as a half decayed lion ran towards him, the smell of decayed meat flushed up her nose as she coughed.

“ This is Alakaros.” Indopetus introduced the animal. Vamika caught her breath as the animal stared at her. It was much larger with half of its skull exposed, the other half had worms all over gnawing at whatever flesh was left.

Vamika watched it's right eye hole, Masty yellow liquid dripped out of it and onto the ground.

“How old is he?” The question fell out her mouth. All she wanted was to get as far away as she could from it, yet here she was making small talk.

“ Seven. He is my most trust worthy partner here. One of the best killers we have.” Indopetus laughed. Sure, it was wonderful to see how proud he was of his zombie lion. To know that, she might end up in its rotten stomach nauseated her.

“ That is amazing! Will he be joining me?” Asked Vamika.

“ Unfortunately, he won’t be.” Vamika liked to believe she was fortunate he wasn’t joining her.

“ That is unfortunate. I thought I would get some help.” She sighed. Indopetus looked down at Alakaros. Vamika could only hope he was not having second thoughts.

“ I am sure you will do just fine without him, little one. Besides, you can call me in your dreams, when you need guidance.”

“ Thank you.”

“ I just keep on delaying you, don’t I?” Indopetus stared at Alakaros. The animal dropped a scroll and t
a dagger onto the ground.

“ Take it.” The giant urged. Alakaros stepped back as Vamika stepped forward She picked up the scroll making sure she did not accidentally touch the wet parts.

“ The dagger too.” Indopetus’s voice demanded.

Relax. She was going to take it. It was not like she was going to leave behind the only weapon she most probably was going to have for a very long time.

Vamika picked up the dagger. It was beautiful yet she knew it was a reminder for each day that would pass.

“ The blade is Dreikan steel. Its been dipped in dragon blood, so it should help you fight easily.”

“ I don’t know how to fight or kill.”

She did plan on knifing in case the occasion presented itself but she didn’t know anything about it. She could wave the dagger around wildly but what else could she do? She didn’t know to defend or offend.

“ You don’t need experience. The dragon blood is there for that. You will be able to fight just enough to save yourself. The rest you will have to learn on your own.” He answered, observing the girl.

Vamika only nodded to that. Was it comforting to know that she could pull some basic moves? Yes, it was, but the giant might as well be lying. Her grip on the dagger tightened as she looked up at the giant.

“Killing is an art, little one. You are just days away from mastering it.”

Vamika stared at her reflection on the blade. At the tip of the blade was a small red gem, the shape of a drop. The dagger felt odd in her palm. It felt heavy and wrong.

“ Open the scroll. We don’t have much time.” 

Vamika kept the dagger inside the belt loop of her pants. The quillons of the dagger where just wide enough to stay put.

It was a map of Dreika.

“ It shouldn’t take you long before you get out. If you open the scroll more, you can see a map of the royal palace. The king has a secret chamber near his study. Find yourself a way in.

“ How will I get inside the palace?”

“ I cannot help you with that, little one. You must find a way yourself.” Indopetus answered.

How was she supposed to get into a heavily guarded royal palace without getting herself skewered onto a spear. This was Dreika. The people here have magic flowing through their veins and they do not hesitate using it.

“ Good luck, little one. Your time starts now.”