A Nagas tale

Savior I am not

'The leader has been killed!' The night grew cold when my father's aid announced the ambush. At 11 I was already used to these turf wars between the government and our tribe. My mother has always been a very calm and rational person but, she was never one to be underestimated. Our ancestors had set up a rule of our dens to be along the base of the mountain. A story that we are always told as children is that of the great Naga god who sacrificed his body to give us our home. His one request was to protect his children and the cave where it rests. My father's father spoke of a naga that lives in the mountain only leaving the barrier that creates mazes to care for the forest's shrines. As a kid, I did not believe in the stupidity of such a story. The moment I had turned nine my mother told me to explore the forest as it was our home. That is when I met the elder this man whose Aura was strong enough to kill anyone he so wanted to. He looked at me but said nothing turning his eyes away from me. "kid, go back home." He warned me before leaving my sights. His tail was green and was covered in hard scales. I asked my father about him to which he told me his identity. "That man is the only remaining Naga in this forest, do not get in his way, do not test his patients unless you wish to join the dead." His warning was interesting. I never listened to my father's warnings and always attacked the man. So started our odd friendship. When my father was killed I wanted to demand from him why he did not help. My mother gave me his sword "We must purge the plague that makes this forest ill." with her words I followed her with those who could fight. We were vastly outnumbered but I refused to let this be where I stepped back. For days we hunted those who carried the government uniform staining the soil of this forest with their blood. I felt such a thrill knowing there were others strong enough to create a challenge. I went blind to the world and sank into insanity from the grief of my father's death and the thrill of fighting. At the end of the line, I stood over the corpses of the leaders who allowed their men to do as they pleased. I was wounded heavily but that was the price of war. My eyes spot the elder watching from inside the tree line. He walked over bodies and healed me to full recovery. "My what a demonic child." He huffed before walking towards the others. "Why!?" I shout angry he would not aid in this war. "Why did you not help my father!?" I wanted the answer. The reason he did nothing but watch. I attacked him angry with him for letting my father die. He did not flinch simply allowed my sword to cut him. "Kogen!" my mother shouted ready to scold me. "I deserve this." the elder told my mother. He allowed me to vent my anger against his skin. "Why did you sit back and watch!?" I demanded as the anger devolved into grief. "Why!?" That was the only thing left to ask. "Why!?" that was all I could ask. I thought as a child Nagas were all-powerful beings unaware of just how fragile their tribe was. I look at Audrey as she naps on my lap. I look at Yyvonne who had calmed down enough to read the book of spells she brought. I look at the large mountain where our home used to be. 'I cannot die yet, I need to find my son.' His sorrow-filled words still haunt my sleep at times. As a kid, I had no idea just how fragile their tribe was living from one generation to the next only one ever surviving. The sight of those graves only proved how much this tribe suffered under the government. I look at Audrey as she lets out a quiet whine before sprawling herself out. 'A savior I am not, but for Audrey, I would kill the world to protect her smile.' The skies are getting dark and Zeras comes into view. "We are almost there boss!" The driver shouts to alert us. Audrey pokes my chin "You look down." she points out. I look at the ever-observant wife of mine. "You have drool on your cheek." I point out. She gasps sitting up to clean her face. I chuckle 'To protect this carefree wife of mine, I would burn the world.' I watch her eyes widen as we come into the port city of Zeras. "Woah! The buildings are made of concrete!" she points out. I look at the buildings around us. "Is this your first time seeing them?" I ask. She shakes her head "No! but it's the first time I've seen modern buildings here." She answers before pointing out the light posts. She seemed like a kid discovering the world for the first time. She doesn't wait for the wagon to stop before jumping off. Yyvonne follows after her as she starts running around. I get off the wagon and pick up our things I look at the black sword I had found lying near Audrey when the rift opened. I pick it up before paying the wagon driver and follow the girls down the street where more people are gathered. I watched Audrey scan the area with such enthusiasm it was silly. I turn to the ship we are to board before waving them back over. Yyvonne and Audrey quickly race over to me. "MY we are late." I turn to Yuri who walks over from the ship with his daughter. Audrey stops beside me with a deep huff "When you said our home was a village I did not think it was that much of a village!" Audrey tries to catch her breath. "They..." she huffs "They have motorized vehicles here too! And there are pay phones!!" she pointed out. "My what a country bumpkin you've brought with you Kogen." Yuri teases. Audrey turns to him and tilts her head her breathing evening out. "Friends?" she asks quickly stepping behind me. I look at Yuri who is flaring his aura. "quite being an asshole." I scoff. He grins "I just wanted to let you know where we were waiting for you." he stops flaring his aura. Yyvonne quickly runs over to his daughter. "Seinna! Are you coming with us!?" Yyvonne asked excitedly. The girl nods "Yes, I am accompanying father to the leader meeting in Norsta." She answers Yyvonne "Really!? me too! So is Mom!.... I mean Audrey!!" Yyvonne backtracks. Yuri tilts his head "Mom?" He looks at Audrey who stepped out from behind me. His eyes examined Audrey she steps back again uncomfortable in his gaze. 

I am not sure if I've just gotten too used to how the village people don't linger too long or if this man was just that creepy. His eyes seem to examine me inch by inch. I hide behind Kogen unsure of how to feel about this person. "Hm enough." Kogen covers me with his arm. "To think such a small thing finds you more safe than myself." the man scoffs. "Yuri, we should board the ship." Kogen turns the man's attention away from me. 'Yyvonne called me mom!' I wanted to cheer and celebrate but this man just made my skin crawl. "Audrey, what did I say before?" Kogen asks peeking at me. I look at him and frown "T... to not step back." I answer. He nods "Never step away from anyone." He reminds me. "H... His eyes made my skin crawl." I whisper my discomfort. He nods "Yuri isn't a normal bear so keep a safe distance from him." He warns me. I nod following him as he walks towards the dock. I look at Yyvonne who is walking in front of us with the man Yuri and his daughter. "S... so he is also from the bear tribe?" I ask looking at Kogen. He nods "Yeah, He's about my same age ten years older give or take." he explains. I nod holding his hand to calm my nerves. We get to the dock where we are boarded and given our rooms. I was amazed that they had motorized vehicles and modern ships. I feel like I have been living in an era long past up till now. I forget about Yuri and his daughter while I explore the deck. Kogen said he would put our things in our room so I walked around the edge of the deck. I look out at the vast ocean we are about to cast out into. 'My child, remain hidden.' I shiver turning back to the mountain as the ancestor passes a warning. I have learned a lot from Kogen whenever he has time to teach me. I take a deep breath and meditate to hide my aura. I feel my aura shrivel into my body and my third eye stays closed once I open my eyes. I turn back to the ocean wondering what the ancestor wanted me to hide from. The waters are dark and I feel a shiver of fear travel down my back. "Audrey!?" I jump as Kogen grabs my arm. "Oh fuck don't do that!" I hiss putting my hand over my chest. "Why did you hide your aura?" He asks. I look at him and turn to the mountain again. "The ancestor warned me to hide," I explain before looking out at the ocean. "And, I feel like the water has something to do with it," I murmur. He looks out at the ocean and sighs "It's just a larger body of water Audrey, I'm sure there is nothing to fear." He seems to dismiss my uncomfortable gut feeling. "So, you tell me, little girl," I jump into Kogen hearing that guy's voice from behind me. Kogen wraps his arms around my midsection. "My you are a jumpy thing." He huffs annoyed. 'Ugh! I feel so blind without my aura!' Yuri tilts his head "I never thought Kogen would enjoy such a weak partner." He mutters as if disappointed with me. I frown before flicking him off "Yeah buddy? Well, I'm surprised somebody would be interested enough to fuck you!" I bite back. He chuckles "Ah A smart-mouthed woman I see what he might have liked." He chuckles. "What tribe are you from?" he asks I flinch 'I can't say I'm a naga if I need to hide.' "She is from the fox tribe." Kogen answers. He hums holding his chin between his thumb and pointer finger. "Hm, I thought the fox tribe had better-looking women. How disappointing." He scoffs before turning his attention out to the ocean. "Excu..." I want to argue with him but Kogen quickly covers my mouth. I look at him and raise a brow 'The hell!?' I want to ask but the way he narrows his eyes warns me to try and argue with him. I look at this man before licking Kogen's palm. He lets go of my mouth startled by the attack. "You are disappointed!? Well here I thought all men in the bear tribe were about as handsome as Kogen but I see I was wrong." I scoff before turning to walk away. "Is that the best you can do? compare the others with KOGEN?" he mocks. I turn ready for another argument but the horn of the ship stops me. I cover my ears to protect them from the loud horn. I look up at the cockpit before turning to Yuri again. "So, what do you think the meeting will be about?" Yuri moved on from mocking me. I frown watching Kogen walk over to him "They will probably want a report on the attack we staved off." He answers. 'attack?' I wondered wanting to hear more I step towards them. I touch the railing "Audrey! come with us!" Yyvonne pulls me with her and that woman. "Huh!? wait!" I watch Kogen wave me off to go with them. 'no! I want to know about this attack! when did we get attacked!?'