The Bringers of Hope descend down into the labyrinth deep beneath the land of Auzt. The corridor they are walking down stretches downwards for what looks like miles. After about twenty minutes of walking, the Bringers finally reach the end. The corridor widens out into a massive underground city, mildly lit with torches on the sides of mud homes. Drayk puts his levitating flame out to help conceal their presence.
"Shh," Drayk whispers, "It seems like someone is living down here."
"Is that even possible?" Sammi asks quietly.
"Until we find out for sure, we need to keep a low profile," Drayk states.
"I can agree to that," Roku whispers with a smile, "You know, Crito used to tell me stories about a mythical people who locked themselves away in a place he referred to as: the heart of the world."
"Anything you remember that stands out?" Drayk inquires.
"Well, Crito once told me these people were a group of Earth Mages that decided to abandon the world above and live amongst Gaia," Roku explains, "I wonder how they got here?"
"I think they have been here for all these years," Drayk answers.
"How would they survive? Or populate for that matter?" Roku can't help but ask.
"What if they were given immortality by Gaia, or Parocaav?" Sammi wonders.
"That's a possibility too," Drayk sighs.
The three continue their descent into the ancient city limits, all scanning the area with their eyes. None of them have any idea what to expect. An ancient people, secluded from everything on the surface, completely at peace. As soon as the Bringers approach the backside of a house, a baby's crying can be heard from within it. Drayk signals to Roku and Sammi to remain quiet. He then slowly lifts his head up to a small window on the side. Cautiously he peers inside to see a large gathering of Earth Mages surrounding a birthing mother. Drayk sits down low and gets close the girls.
"It looks like a ritual of some kind. There's a lot of people in there," Drayk whispers, "As far as I know though, Earth Mages have never had such rituals."
Without waiting for a response, Drayk heads back up toward the window. He takes another careful peek just in time to watch the crowd begin to celebrate. Music and laughter echoes from behind the walls of the mud home. Just as Drayk turns around to face the girls again, his eyes lock with those a local man. His heart sinks and he signals with his eyes to warn them. The man is dressed in dark grey robes that Drayk has never seen before, with a crest unfamiliar to him as well. He starts to speak, but his ancient dialect is unknown to the Bringers.
"I'm sorry. I don't understand your language," Drayk says in a welcoming tone after the man stops speaking, "We are the Bringers of Hope."
"I don't think he understands you," Sammi says softly.
"Bringers.. Of hope?" The man mimics as he gestures for them to follow him, "Bringers of Hope!"
"He understood that," Roku says with a smile.
The Bringers follow the unknown man deep into the town. The townsfolk seem to be confused and distraught at the sight of them. The man they are following talks to them as they pass, and their facial expressions change. They reach a large log cabin sitting in the middle of town. A more modern language is written on a sign out front. The man walks up to the door and knocks on it. A young man near Drayk's age opens the door and his eyes instantly lock onto the them.
"Ahh. Bringers of Hope. I welcome you to our town," the young man speaks with a thick unknown accent.
"You speak our language?" Drayk asks.
"Of course, Gaia has prepared me for your arrival. She said you would come help us," he speaks again, "My name is Gyrz."
"We'd be happy to help in any way we can," Roku smiles, "My name is Roku. This is Drayk and his sister Sammi."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. Please, come inside so we may speak more comfortably," Gyrz tells them and walks inside the cabin.
The Bringers slowly follow him into the cabin. The inside is lit calmly with an oil lantern set in the middle of the dining table. All of the furniture is made out carved wood, but intricate designs are all over the polished wood. Before sitting down, the Bringers are gestured to sit by the mysterious man. They do so to be polite, and to enjoy the chance to rest. They never know when that type of opportunity presents itself to them.
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions about my people, but first, let me explain my request," Gyrz tells them, "My people have been suffering from a curse. We were given immortality by Gaia herself, but once Lady Parocaav discovered us.... that's where things got bad. Every time a child is born here, it gets taken by a terrible beast. I'm sure you heard the celebration from the church on the edge of town, that a new child has been born. I fear the child won't survive through the night."
"You want us to kill the beast?" Drayk asks.
"If it comes to that, yes," Gyrz sighs, "You see.... the beast is our village elder, Goi, who was the victim of the curse. When a child is born to our people, he turns into a dragon.... once he has eaten the infant, he returns to home deep inside the labyrinth. No one has seen him in several hundred years. He even tries his best to hide himself, but to no avail."
"Goi? That name sounds familiar," Drayk wonders quietly out loud.
"Goi is a legendary man in his own right. If nothing else, you might know him to be the father to the most powerful Ragnarok Mage and alchemist to ever live, Leon the Wise," Gyrz explains while looking at Sammi with a strange look in his eyes.
"You mean, the Great Master Leon?! Father of alchemy?" Roku bursts out.
"That's right. Leon would be ashamed to know what has become of his father," Gyrz sighs heavily, "That's part of why I think Gaia knew you would assist us. I know he trained you in Ragnarok Magic, Drayk and Roku."
"How old is Leon?" Sammi asks in amazement.
"Much older than I'm sure he lets on, as are we," Gyrz smiles, "As you have noticed, my people still use the ancient dialect we have spoken for many thousands of years."
"You are Earth Mages, right?" Roku asks outright, not able to resist anymore.
"Most of us are, yes, in a manner of speaking. We are a forgotten people known as the Mages of Gaia. We harness the power over the physical earth as do Earth Mages, but we can also controlled nature. Even though there is no Sun here, we can still grow the food we need to survive."
"I read a book about the Mages of Gaia in a book in Leon's realm. Your magic is the birth of all magic," Drayk mentions to confirm.
"Yes, in a sense. We were the first people to utilize the magic power," Gyrz laughs, "Ironic we aren't Parocaav mages, considering she is the one who actually bestowed the gift of magic to the human race."
"So, are you this village's leader?" Drayk asks, "You keep referring to them as your people, so I have to ask."
"No. Only Goi, Leon or.... never mind. Goi and Leon are the only two people that can ever lead these people. I have been.... appointed by Goi to watch over them in his absence," Gyrz admits, "I hope that you three will help restore order here."
"We'll keep an eye out," Drayk states.
"We will end this curse on your village," Roku adds, "We will be cautious and try to find a way to spare the village elder. For your people's sake, and for Master Leon."
"You three really are pure hearted souls," Gyrz says with a smile while glancing oddly at Sammi, "Gaia was right about you, Bringers of Hope."
YOU ARE READING
Legend of Parocaav II: Against the Darkness (rough draft)
Fantasy(Book II in the Legend of Parocaav series) The Bringers of Hope have finally succeeded in their quest for redemption. Lady Parocaav has been restored, but at what cost? The planet seems to be destined to be ruled by darkness. Lady Parocaav is gather...
