Some parts of the desert plains of Red locks Barren are so far removed and considerably less traveled that entire towns have been forgotten. The Town of "Last Treads" of course is no exception. Recently the last century has ceased in travelers or trade from as far as fifty miles. Caused by massive sandstorms that start in the south then billow up Northwest many lives have been lost trying to cross this harsh terrain. Regardless of this fact, the merchant "Dead Skin" still toils to maintain his reputation as an exceptional deal maker, and shopkeeper. The color of the sky turns red as the sun starts to drop over the mountain ranges. In moments the entire plains will be swept in darkness. However, before that happens Dead Skin is attempting to close a last minute transaction. Deadskins shop is small and cramped, located on the edge of town. There are countless jewels, antiques, weapons, apparel, and tools. Along the wall are many photographs depicting the merchant much younger in various poses with different patrons or landscapes. One common denominator between the pictures is a sharp smile worn by the merchant. Even now, his teeth sparkle in the candlelight of the intimate atmosphere.Face to face with a young women who wandered in about fifteen minutes till closing up.
Dead Skin leans forward putting his scaly hands on the counter "So first time customer I see, now that doesn't happen to often these days" swearing to himself softly "does me no damn good the way things are now". Sitting up a bit and adjusting himself Dead Skin begins to swing his tail behind the counter "So young lady, what brings you out shopping on such a dead quiet afternoon". Reaching across the counter he slides a small wooden box closer, removing a pipe and quickly dicing a small brown leaf. Tossing it into the pipe with a piece smoldering of coal. Taking in a deep drag of smoke and becoming more visibly impatient "Just a quick reminder the shop will be closing soon, I will be open tomorrow though, I'm open everyday actually". Releasing a big cloud of smoke from his mouth it forms a ring before collapsing on itself and spreading out in various trials about the shop.
The young lady not taken back by the lizardmans crudeness, keeping close the words of wary from the other townsfolks. She takes out a pocket watch of brilliant silver and blue, glancing at briefly then turning back to Dead Skin. "I want to know what's causing the sand storms that block the west? I heard you know many things of the lands here, everyone in town thinks you might know something but are either to scared or complacent to do anything about it". Dead Skin was absolutely shocked by this revelation. Granted he was one of the few lizard men that actually bothered to learn the humans language, however human and lizard relations had deteriorated into dire circumstances, the people of Last Tread were ignorant to this though, due to their extended isolation. Many parts of the lands to the west have already segregated into warring states man vs scale, however since the storms have been so consistent over the last two years news has been traveling quite slow. Contemplating his response Dead Skin folds his arms and begins to simmer, the young lady continues "This is serious you know the town is dying. People don't trust you because you've always been here as long as anyone can remember!"
Interrupting and slamming his hand back on the counter, "Hey how is it my fault Lizards live so long!" Shoving a picture in Deadskins face, he begins to hold back a swelling of emotions "What about him? What happened to him? What did you do to him?" Turning his gaze towards the last rays of light as they danced over the ridges with a look of sadness briefly turning to joy before settling on a solemn expression deep in thought. "Tak... "Tak Tak", was my son and he left this place in search of answers for questions that couldn't be answered otherwise. Tears begin to stream from the old reptiles yellow and green eyes staring back at the young lady out of the corner of his eye" Would you like a seat how about a name? I don't think we've met you're a bit younger than most I know". Moving over to sit down she begins to take off her scarf revealing a metal cross necklace with several red spikes, "Ika my name is Ika Shield Bug, and you can spare me all the bullshit details. My family is one of the oldest in this town, they told me all about how you have always been in this town. They also remember how 29 years ago, when you returned from the east with a child. I heard that you kept the boy a secret from the rest of the town until he was 7 or 8. It was only after the fact that people figured out where and when you must of taken the child from. However there are no cities or villages east it's a nowhere." Interrupting again Dead Skin chimes "You could be mistake" setting his pipe on a small table between the two he continues "It is true that it's a lot of nothing in that direction, but there is something out that way, and it's that something where I believe Tak came from'' Pausing for a moment he becomes lost in thought again reaching into his front pocket he takes a pre rolled cigar and begins to light it up. Soon the room becomes full of a sweat sticky aroma. Offering another cigar to Ika, she declines, and that same sharp smile of his streaks across just for a moment. "You figure you're pretty smart well I guess that means you don't mind me sharing with you some hypothesise of what's going, but first, how far east is the limit of your knowledge?" Looking around the room she responds with a question of her own, "Do you have map?, pointing to a wooden chest on a shelf towards the back of the shop "Over there but if I had to guess you've never been farther than Spiders Run or Dust Death Gulches?" Looking puzzled for a moment she gives up on the map "I've never heard of those places" chuckling to himself "That's not surprising as of late those places have been more traveled by many of my kin. if I had to guess I would put you in your early twenties. you've heard of pilots point I'm assuming?" "Correct" although she had never been "I've heard that you can see a great distance east from there is that true?" Taking another long drag from his cigar the smoke billowing from his nostrils " Not many people are aware but the lizard clan emerged from the east however legend says that there was a period known as The Great Shade. Quickly my people had to flee their home lands heading west many never to return. However many attempted to stay it was one of these nomadic tribes that I was born. Those were rough days and as I got older more of the tribe perished or disappeared. It was around 70 years ago that me and several other travelers founded this town, myself being the sole survivor. from time to time I would journey back to the east, sometimes to make deals, other times we were searching for treasure, or ancient artifacts. You see Ika unlike these settled lands in the west that have become soft and known however the east is something primal, something unknown, something to be respected. There are legends of an ancient Race that came from the underground, known for their stone like skin and a single solid black eye. There are also legends and rumors of a place so far east that no one has easily been able to venture there and return." Pausing for a second and staring off dead skin starts to tremble slightly. "It was 30 years ago that me and a friend known as Barule set out to find that mythical place simple known as "The Nowhere". Just then a loud knock at the front door startles Ika before she can turn her head Dead Skin is already with incredible speed at the side of the door unlatching a small vent he greets the truent patreon with a quick gruff " Sorry but this is after hours barring an emergency I'm closed until sunrise" there's a pause and the sound of someone leaning against the door can be heard a equally rough voice responds "I understand leaving town in a couple days anyway you can make an exception someone told me this is the best shop for reliable tools" Slightly annoyed now dead skin doubles down "Come back in the morning I stick by my rules besides if you're leaving town you should know there is a bad storm brewing southwest it'll more than likely wipe out anyone on the trail at that point'' The voice on the other side growing more distant now "Doesn't matter we're going east I don't think that storm is gonna swing that way, I'll send someone back in the morning" Shocked by this Dead Skin quickly unlocks the front door opening it he glances outside before slamming it just as fast. Ika only being able to catch a glimpse of the stranger as they strode past the window his face twisted with annoyance, but for a moment she could have swore their eyes met through the dusk. Returning to his chair after securing the door, agitated Dead Skin begins to fiddle with a jade stone rolling from finger to finger. Ika watching finally notices the deep cuts and roughness of his body deciding the break the silence she speaks up " Did you get all those scars from travels over the years?" Stopping the motion of the stone he returns it to his front pocket pointing to a large scar on his forearm "Well the truth is I got most of these on one trip, I suppose it's gotten late" Staring off for a second before continuing lost in decades of the past he slowly returns "Not sure whose idea it was but after we found that one clue that confirmed the existence of The Nowhere, both myself and Barule had our reasons for taking such a perilous journey. I guess it was when we found the blade of 4000 wins, was when it all started." reaching under his chair he grabs small black box with detailed carvings of desert landscapes on the outside. Popping it open he holds up a broken sword. "Due to my trade I am familiar with most contemporary and ancient armaments, this blade though was distinctly different than any previously encountered. First it was over 4000 years yet it barely shows signs of decay, the other thing that makes this blade special is it was found in a grave site from a expedition that pushed far more east then most. It was overlooked as a significant find though until we made the connection to the nowhere. The thing is that this weapon was built to be held by human hands, humans as I'm sure you know have no territories east and they never have." Chiming in ika interjects "what's so special about that though?" A sharp smile slides across DeadSkins face " There is another legend my people tell" his eyes dart at the cross around her neck before return his gaze shifting slightly in this chair he groans a bit stretching " We only know of one recorded instance of this occurring but as the legend tells in that ancient hidden land where we the lizard clan emerged known as the nowhere there is a city of humans. 10 generations ago a war between rival lizard clans was halted for several weeks while a caravan of humans crossed the battle field. To this day we have no idea who they were, where they emerged or how by simply walking across a battlefield they brought peace to two of the most violent clans of that era. 30 years ago when we set out east we had every intention to discover "The Nowhere" along with the fabled human city our, ambitions were high. All but Barule backed out when the time came for the departure, being a childhood friend of mine and considerably older Barule had always looked out for me whenever I had a tendency to get in over my head. However he took particular interest in my development in combat, being from the mighty Red Rock clan meant that weakness was the ultimate form of disrespect. During the height of the RedRock Empire they were considered the strongest in military might, that by the way hasn't been rivaled since. Even though there territory was small compared to the other rival states, they were much larger on average and their deep red skin and dark green eyes cause many to compare them to mythical beast like that of Dragons, or the Orgithak. Barule was every bit of what the legends said of his people and I was glad to have his company. Bringing enough supplies to last several months in the wilderness is no easy task however over the centuries many tribes have worked together to create cache points of water and food. Once past Death Gulches we approached the place of my birth the Plains of Zu, located there is a historical landmark for all Lizards known as the Plateau of Choice. On that great mound thousands of years ago after the Great Shade there was a great council and festival here to decide the direction of the wind. Subconsciously I was becoming more anxious and found my guard slipping. The lands had changed so drastically since our last trip just 5 years earlier. There were huge chunks of the landscape that had been ripped apart, along with that many of the caches that we came across had been looted or had long since been depleted. Something had happened to the plains, and because of this the place had become strangely void of any activity. Nearing the plateau Barule sensed that I was becoming uneasy and suggested we rest at the base of the climb. That night I remember having a strange dream as we slept by the fire, It felt as though I was in the ancient times at the Grand Council festival. music, and the smell of roasted vegetables, and meat filled the air. Several massive fires of blue and purple were positioned east of the plateau. However as I was just about to venture into the scene beauty right before me someone speaks from behi d me in a unfamiliar but friendly language " Ouw Di." Startled from my dream before I can turn to respond a tremendous roar of noise comes from the other side of the plateau. Scrambling to my feet grabbing my weapon I find Barule already dismantling the campfire " We have visitors" he whispers pointing to the top of the plateau, there I can see a small stream of smoke rising in the air. Moving along the side of the plateau eventually we arrive at a point where we can begin to scale towards the top. Once near the summit voices become softly audible listently closely the language is human but unfamiliar to both of us. Shortly before we reached the top the talking abruptly stops, and what awaits us is a empty campsite. Moving towards the center I can detect a trap but I know this won't deter Barule. Suddenly from the sides of the plateau a series of three clicks heightens our senses we prepare for combat. There is a burst of light, noise and smoke begins to flood the plateau, losing sight of Barule in the confusion I hear him roar and the sound of metal clashing. I attempt to head in his direction but something cuts in my path. Before me is a human clad in thick cloth brown and red, the once intricate designs worn and battered from the prolonged exposure to the elements. underneath the garments shined black and grey armor, wielding a sword and shield the warrior charged straight at my throat. Quickly dodging I retaliate by stepping in and delivering a strike towards their head, ducking and parrying my metal staff with their shield, pulling the knock back off my weapon I am forced to step back as they begin to slash violently, being pushed to the edge of the plateau I break away from the assault my opponent is striking with lethal precision. One wrong move could set the rest of the encounter. Clearing my mind I notice the smoke clearing and Barule fighting two similar opponents. My lapse in attention almost cost me though the warrior continued to push even more frantically now. Keeping their shield up they prepared to go for a thrust, Just then I saw a small weak point on the side of their shield. Seizing my opportunity I jump back in order to lunge forward. The force of my staff shatters the side of their shield striking the warrior in the chest. Knocked back for a second they recover pausing to drop their shield holding up the empty hand they speak to themselves as their armor begins to glow. I can feel a heat rising as I look over the other warriors facing Barule are doing the same. All at once their open hands burst into a blue and purple flame reminding me of the great pillars from the dream I had the night before. Frightened and knowing me and Barule would have to react or the outcome would be determined. There was only one thing that came to mind, dropping my weapon I repeated the same greeting from the night before 'Ouw Di" Taken back they lowered their weapons and repeated the phrase "Ouwdi" taking this moment I shout at Barule to lower his guard after a few moments the warriors start to back away from us. Moving towards the center of the plateau while keeping a close eye on us. Suddenly one of the warriors collapses and blood begins to spill from their torso. The other warriors immediately start to administer aid. Once me and Barule are close enough we start to try and piece together the situation, "You really messed up that one fighter you think they gonna want revenge if they die?" Chuckling to himself Barule looks down closing his eyes "Probably not Skin I didn't give em those wounds fool must of opened up trying to compensate for his partners shortcomings" Looking back at the warriors he continues "It's a shame though I would enjoy a fight with them at full strength their technique is strong" Deciding to offer my assistance I approach with both hands open. My opponent from earlier notices and signals me over. The warrior on the ground was fast fading, there was a blast wound that had shattered the left side of heir chest plate. The others were gravely wounded as well. A combination of broken bones, burns, and puncture wounds. Shocked that they were able to fight the way they did. Within a couple of minutes the fallen warrior passed on, truly something strange happened next Ika. Talking amongst themselves the warriors activated a blue symbol on the armor of the fallen. A loud hissing followed with the body and metal starting to burn with that same blue and purple flame. within seconds the only thing that remained waa a pile of blue dust. Talking a bit more both warriors stare in my direction eventually. The one who signalled me over and activated the code on the fallen, speaks to much my surprise in lizard tongue. " Are you of these lands?" I respond in the the proper way with "Of these Lands we all live and die" an ancient phrase that dates back to a time before the Great Shade. Taking a seat next to them the look of exhaustion on each bears foreboding signals. " My name is Dead Skin Dogs kin" The warrior smiles and nods at the other warrior who had already fallen unconscious speaking softly " Arue" Pointing to himself "Logis" slumping over they took a small remote from their armor. Punching in several codes turning to speak had become quite difficult for the warrior "It was never supposed to be like this, will die soon but they might survive if you will accept the privilege it's possible that if you are successful things can finally go back to normal" A soft hum can be heard in the distance soon a small flying mechanical device can be seen approaching. Looking at their comrade and then the device the warrior punches in several more codes before their armor starts to lights up in that brillant blue and purple flame. The glow covers the plateau as both warriors side by side became nothing but memories. The small device circled the plateau several times before landing. There before us was "Tak" a crying baby boy."
