Tales from Earthend

Patarakka Tan and the Other Patagod, Pt. II

Tan dragged his feet on, feeling more worn out than he already had. They had arrived in the birch woods two days ago, where Tan at least had a chance to try and do some hunting. Of course, his efforts were in vain, as all the animals quickly picked up on his close movements. His buddies, Paton and Gyuru, would have a feast for four by now. Stomach growling, Tan slowed, once again losing his energy. Juri stopped, turned around, and shone his golden light on him, reinvigorating him slightly for a little longer. He had been surviving on just this light energy for awhile, and that was slowly becoming less effective, as well. This energy was once used, as Juri told him, to give his army a boost while fighting enemies such as great dragons and giant golems. it was not meant to sustain life, as it was being used, and constant usage of it slowly wore off its effect. Eventually, it would do nothing, and Tan would collapse, dying... for good.

Juri looked down at Tan as he slowly, tremblingly rose, continuing his solemn march. They both understood that he would not make it on Juri's energy. The situation looked grim. Suddenly, Juri took off ahead, leaving Tan dumbfounded.

"Oh Mighty One Juri! Where are you going??"

Tan shouted out after the flying colors of gold in the clouds. After a few moments of despair, Juri came back, bellowing to Tan a simple, yet very confusing question:

"Are you a warrior?"

Hesitantly, Tan nodded his head slowly.

"Yes, Mighty Juri, I am a warrior, or at least, I was once..."

Immediately, Juri asked,

"What do you mean, was?"

"Long ago, I was Ajam's mightiest swordsman. I would knock down all in my way, no arrow nor spear nor magic passed my shield, and I even took down Garuru with a single swipe. However, that time is past. I am not the warrior I once was. I have become a vain Patapon, Mighty Juri. I indulged in my desires for attention and respect, and ignored my duties to go out and party, drink, and dance. Over the years, I became slovenly and self-spoiling. I coasted on my fame, up until I was reborn at your Mater. I don't have anything anymore. My fame means nothing out here. My skill did, and now, that's gone, buried and burned under years of laziness and vanity and self-pampering."

"Patarakka Tan. You are the great Swordsman of The Mighty One, Ajam. It does not matter how long you have ignored your duty, and dulled your experience. It is inside of you. It will just take a familiar sound to remind you of who you are. Continue to march, my friend; ahead lies something you greatly need."

"What would that be, oh Mighty One?"

"Hope."

After another few hours of marching, Juri's light dulled, and he whispered to Tan to get in the high grass, then look ahead. As Tan did what he was ordered to do, he was mortified: a Karmen trading post lied ahead. Low-level Karmen scouts wielding simple iron bows marched about in the lookout post above, and a trio of spearmen with steel spears stood at the door. Normally, Tan would be able to charge through a structure like this without even raising his sword, but with no energy, no food, and no beat... no drums... he felt useless.

"Within this structure is something more than a simple meal for you, Tan. Knock down the tower, and I will have something to solve our problems."

Not asking questions, Tan thought about how to take down the tower. He would definitely need the PON PON Aria of Attack to muster that kind of strength... after thinking for awhile, Tan looked around. He wasn't going to be able to rush in and attack. He had to strategize, and after awhile of planning, had an idea of what he was going to do. After finding a nice rock, Tan held his aim true, and chucked it into a nearby tree, making the tree shimmer and shake. The spearmen took notice, heading over to see what the noise was. Having not seen Patapons in decades, they had not had commotion in a long time. At this, Tan took off to the left, towards the door of the complex. He rushed in, gently closing the door, then stabbed the two Karmen bowmen in their backs, killing them instantly. He stood them up on the walls of the outpost, so that they would appear alive. He then ducked down as the spearmen walked back, one holding the rock. They stood back in front of the door, unbeknownst that they were about to be flattened. Tan took the legs of both dead bodies, then flipped them over the wall, crushing two of the spearmen. The remaining one took notice, throwing spears up at the lookout post. While getting ready to throw again, the door swung open, and his last sight was Tan rushing at him before slicing him across his body, killing him immediately. Picking up his spear, Tan wedged it into the cobblestone of the structure, pushing until he had ruptured the wall. As the building began to slowly crumble, Tan tumbled out of the way, barely avoiding the rubble. Relieved that he had done that, Tan collapsed onto the ground, completely exhausted. No amount of light energy nor the meat leg he had just obtained would save him now... only one thing could do him any good, and that was who knows how far away. Just when all seemed hopeless, he heard the looming voice of Juri over him again.