Legend of Parocaav: The Quest for Redemption (First Draft)

Chapter XII: On Their Own

Drayk and Roku fall from the portal onto the cold ground. The skies are black, filled with stars. A seemingly never-ending desert is underneath them. Cacti in all directions, and sand sweeping in the steady breeze. The portal closes as Drayk stands up. He helps Roku to her feet, looking all around. What appears to be a campfire can be seen off in the distance in front of them.

"Leon," Roku sighs.

"I cannot believe we let that happen," Drayk says.

"It couldn't be avoided. We didn't even see it coming.... I did see Leon's killer right before his realm started falling apart."

"What?!"

"It was the man from my vision from Lady Parocaav.... I think it was a warning Drayk."

"How could he have entered the Forgotten Forest? Only Leon can decide....."

Drayk's face goes blank, he is stricken with silence.

"What is it Drayk?"

"Bahemyth."

"Father Time?"

Roku now has a very confused look on her face, raising one eyebrow. Drayk looks at her ans explains he assisted in the creation of Leon's realm when it was bestowed to him. Roku stares straight up into the sky. The world seeming so much bigger now. So much deception. She never realized what was truly possible. She was raised in some mountain range by a hermit monk after all.

Her thoughts wandered to Crito as they started walking towards the distant campfire. She wonders how many days have passed outside of the Forgotten Forest. Her mind drifts to random thoughts of how she should have tried to stop the man. With her magic, she might have been able to defeat him. What was that magic arrow he killed Leon with?

Drayk and Roku walked in silence for the first mile or so. Neither one knowing what to say, they felt it better to walk in quiet. Both of them trying to get over seeing their master slain before them. Drayk can't help but blame himself. This was the second time he let someone he cared about slip between his fingers. A second guilt he would have to deal with. Sammi and Leon both murdered while he was helpless to save them. No more. He would never let this happen again. Drayk glances over at Roku. Especially her. He couldn't explain what he feels for Roku, but he knew he could not lose her as well.

They finally drew closer to the fire they had seen from where they landed. The simple campfire turning out to look more like a bonfire. The outline of tents can now be seen, lit from the glow of the fire. Drunken laughter are heard, making them slow their pace.

"I think this might be an Elite Soldier's camp. We best be on our toes," Drayk whispers to Roku.

"Agreed," Roku whispers back.

This is the first time either of them have felt like they were alone. They may have had each other, but yet they couldn't help but feel alone. Nervousness struck them. This was really happening to them. All that time spent in the forest, it felt like any other day to them. Their whole lives have been spent training and wielding magic. The idea if their quest was just now sinking in. They knew now that things would never be the same. They must stop Lord Xivaac and his forces. This war must come to an end. If not for the peace of mankind, or even for their own sake, it should be ended in the name of the Goddess. It needs to end for the sake of everyone whom had lost their lives, freedom and worse.

Approaching the camp, Drayk and Roku remain perfectly quiet. Not even making a sound as they sneak up behind a big tent. They don't want anyone to know they are here until some investigation has been done. This camp is awfully close to where Leon's realm was hidden. They might have been the ones who invaded. Drayk peeks his head around the corner, trying to get a good look at anyone nearby. Roku pokes her head out underneath Drayk's. She looks around, watching the faceless Elite Soldiers drinking and singing around the bonfire.

On the other side of the camp, a huge tent stood taller than the rest. It had the mark of Natre, symbol of Xivaac, above its entrance. That had to be the commander's quarters. Deciding to carefully sneak to the other, Drayk and Roku tiptoe along the outer skirts of the base. Once they make it, they realize how big this tent really was. It appeared to be the size of a two story house. It even had two floors worth of windows. From inside, more drunken laughter can be heard.

"Silence you imbeciles!" A deep voice shouts, "I am trying to make my report for Lord Xivaac!"

There was so much authority in this man's voice. It must be the man in charge. Drayk and Roku look at one another. Without saying a word to each other, they know what they must do. They must wait. The two of them only want to confront the man in charge, not wanting to slay anyone else if they don't have to. This man is who they are after. Besides that, they didn't feel like taking on a small army. Power isn't in question, it's the fact that are all alone in this. There is no one to back them up. No one to guide them or give advice. This was now completely up to them.

All this waiting made them feel like they were wasting their time. How long can these soldiers possibly stay awake? They are drunk. They should be passing out. However, they keep laughing, cheering, hollering like idiots. Roku had never seen the Elite Soldiers so close before. Crito always has a tornado around his peak, keeping any intruders from getting too close. She had only seen these men from far away. Up close She realized it wasn't her eyesight that made them all look the same. This was Xivaac's design. All of the soldiers have masks on. She hopes they're just masks anyways. If they aren't masks, these soldiers have no faces. Blank. Nothing. Not even visible eyes. Just solid blank faces with mouths.

Finally the sound of raucous laughter dims down and now the soldiers are starting to yawn. They must be getting to call it a night. The base starts to clear of soldier, them all retiring to the other tents. It doesn't take long before all is quiet now. A light still shining from inside the commander's tent. The bonfire slowly burning out, darkening the entire camp.

"Let's go," Roku whispers.

"Right," Drayk agrees as they head inside.