The Mak Toras Chronicles

Chapter 12 - Emerge

    Long after crowd dispersed to the lower levels, there were only a handful of members left amongst the grand hall; the guards, who stood ever so vigilant, spoke nothing to their fellow citizens-only the duty before them. Everyone more so everything was far out of balance; where he stood, what happened just moments ago and to his purpose: why him? As Tanner watched the room slowly empty, he was called upon by his name in the crack of air.
    "Come along now and join us, Tanner Mak Toras!" The voice called enthusiastically. He was surprised at the familiar name. Never once did he consider people knowing ahead of time unto gripping his name within a pinch. Usually, people ask out of curiosity-especially the strangers beside the streets he once strided. Trembling from the wariness of his own body, slowly, he crept forth.
    "H-how do you know my 'real' name?" The words came out stuttering as if they themselves experienced fear.
    "Simple, we've been watching carefully," Sa'eed said with reassurance, "You're forgetting who brought you here to begin with-"
"About that," interrupted Deja Kaan, "We have business to attend to,"
"Now, now, mighty one, I was hoping we get to know this-," he paused a glance to the boy, "-this young boy. Besides, I bet he has many questions to offer thee."
The king raised a brow, exchanging a glance to Deja Kaan. Introductions were put aside until the end. Despite recovering him, there was much more explaining to do rather than to blandly tell his story in terms of glory.
"Very well then. Onward, youngling," the king said gesturing to Tanner.
"Well um..." he trailed off gazing around at the bestial faces before him; how every set was filled with mandibles and a wicked snarl only a mother could love.
"Don't be afraid to speak, you may. No one's out to hurt you," Sa'eed inquired.
As terrifying as he found to be, Tanner took in a deep breath and proceeded.
"I'm from Eterna-my family. It's also a company. I was training to become a huntsman like my brothers and help save the-," he was intruded by the sound of another member.
"A huntsman? Do you hear that, Deja Kaan-you reeled a big one-,"
"Silence! He's not finished," hissed the king smitefully.
"Anyways," continued Tanner, "I-I also noticed that you guys also fight, yeah?"
The hunters stared at eachother eye to eye, eventually with Deja Kaan stepping forth.
"More than you know, young one. Speaking of which, it is part of the reason why we brought you here: for decades I've seen the fruits of our combat spread to our counterparts from generations on. You, being one of many, inherit the fighting spirit that is your race. With that, there was more I wanted to fill you in privately. My king, shall we?"
With a gesture of approval, countless hunters of the drow soon cleared without a trace, vanishing like leaves in the ever changing breeze. The hall, now quiet once more, reigned in solitude.
From aside the throne, the king approached the minature sized being, kneeling to his height. With serenity, he eased his volume
"I'm sure you know why you're here," said the king, hoping not to spark a nerve.
Tanner's heart sank as the memories raced back immediately. Already he felt like dying on the spot. Too much had happened much less tore him apart since day one of the incident. Time flew by faster than his train of thought. It had been nearly a day since his transit from Remnant to this alien world-or so it seemed. As a sigh passed from his lips, he depressingly replied in hatred.
"Why did all of this happen to me? Everything was just fine then-then," he began to tear up.
The king continued with a determined stare.
"Even if you're too small to understand why, I feel your pain. In honesty, the lives of all organisms can be compromised at any moment. This is something that has stuck with me and my fellow hunters. I've lost brothers, friends, and more but I'm still here; alive and well. All that really matters is your decision to change to make the better out of your life. You can relate to at least one of things, right? Were it not for Deja Kaan's intervention..."
Though sucking up the tears, Tanner still felt a great heave; a wave of emotions barrel down on him like a never ending storm. Still, the name stuck in his head. Deja Kaan... He had trouble pronouncing it through mind. Whipping back to reality, he glared down into the yellow-beaded eyes of the king.
"He saved you because he saw something in you-we all do. You may have lost your family and lineage but all hope is not lost: you're still alive. That is something I believe to be the pinnacle of all creatures. The ability to survive and overcome; to transcend in an unforgiving environment," said the king glancing over to the lone warrior with a smile. Deja Kaan remained on the sidelines, watching carefully at the boy's feelings.
"You have what we don't, young Mak Toras: a power beyond our understanding," the king proceeded, standing up to meet the rays of the three suns glistening through the massive skylights above, "and to our final verdict, I've decided to let Deja Kaan train you; teach you our ways and the art of combat. A huntsman, you've desired to be, yes?"
His eyes lit up, knowing his confort zone. Soon out of the realm of despair, Tanner felt ready to embrace anything, despite being far from home. Heeding the king's words, there was no turning back. The visions prior all came back like a jigsaw puzzle finally pieced together to create the big picture. It was right all along... he thought, repeating the words of the dreamwalker encounter. 'Prepare'. It all forged into one: vision upon signs, the fate unfolded into his lost, feeble mind.
"I never got to ask, m-my king," repeating the words of his captor, "what's your name?" With graceful compliance, the king smiled again
"My name is Talar, son of Zalar."