Cordrina landed gently on the rocky, moonlit beaches of the island of Kuan Jun. She folded her wings behind her back as she proceeded towards the center of the island. She did not need to worry about mortals seeing her, as it was a holy place – a meeting ground for the gods. Even then, she was still worried about other, more dire problems.

Cordrina rubbed her forehead as she hastily walked through the narrow canyons surrounding the center. This accursed noise is not ceasing… and now it’s causing me headaches, too. In the end I’ll have to ask that meddlesome Dwayna to examine it… Hmph. Cordrina thought to herself. She was experiencing a strange noise in her mind lately. At first she didn’t give it much importance, but in the past few days the noise has been increasing and it began to hurt. Meanwhile, she finally arrived at the meeting place. Most of the gods were already there, except for the god of death, Dhuum.

“I bet our newest brother is still cleaning up the mess Naraiohn left in the Underworld.” Cordrina’s lips curled into a snide smile as she approached the other four gods. “But that happened so long ago… either Dhuum is tormentingly slow or he was very thorough in screwing up the whole place.”

“Dhuum has been working hard to undo the damage Naraiohn caused to the equilibrium of the Mists.” Dwayna gave her a reproachful look. “But how should you know when you were hiding in your realm when all that happened?”

“Oh, so now I am to be blamed for not acting. Please refresh my memory: who suggested we should wait and try to reason with him? Was it you, by mere chance? Ah yes, it was!” Cordrina shook her head. “Just like when Anthiel was slain because of your naivety!”

Her last sentence struck anguish into Dwayna’s heart. She quickly turned her head away but Cordrina still saw a tear forming in her left eye.

“That was completely unnecessary, Cordrina.” Said a fierce, yet smooth, voice. Melandru quickly stepped in between the two goddesses. For a moment she glared at Cordrina before turning to Dwayna. Melandru put her soft, bark-like hand on Dwayna’s right shoulder.

“It’s okay.” Dwayna said and managed to smile weakly at the other goddess. “We came here to discuss important matters of the present, so let’s not dwell on the past. Shall we begin, then?”

Cordrina bowed her head and clutched her forehead with her hand. To the others it might have been a sign of regret, but she did it because she was in pain. The splitting headache only intensified in the quarrel with Dwayna. I have to apologize and beg her to cure this. It’s unbearable now! But only after the meeting, when the others have left… Cordrina could barely hear her own thoughts in that maddening noise.


“… and under the leadership and guidance of Kaineng Tah’s bloodline, the human race will advance and create a thriving empire that can live in peace with the other inhabitants of Tyria.” Melandru stood in the center of the circle that was surrounded by six throne-like seats with equal distance between them, each designated for one of the Six Gods. Under the goddess’ feet was a map of the world of Tyria. “Although, a lot depends on who succeeds the Emperor. Cantha has been only unified recently, and thus the young alliances need time to be fostered well in order to grow strong.” Melandru finished with a smile. She loved using nature-related metaphors.

“So, you suggest that Kaineng Tah should name his daughters as heirs to the throne, correct, Melandru?” Dwayna asked. She seemed to feel a lot better now that her sister shared the good news with the others.

“Indeed. Yian Zho is just too… dangerous. He has the same strategic and intelligent mind his father has, but his temperamental spirit could destabilize the current balance.”

“And why is that wrong?” The goddess of combat entered the discussion. “Do we really want a humanity that will slowly become soft because it thrives too peacefully and nothing threatens it? They need strife and conflict to become strong enough to hold what they claim. Because right now, they get everything they want because we stand behind them, empower them, guide them.” The goddess leaned back in her throne and started twirling her sword in her fingers as she added. “I say let them decide their own destiny. Let them fight their petty wars, and when their grand empires will fall they will rebuild them to be stronger. That will be the time when the human race will finally be worthy of conquering the whole of the world.”

Cordrina’s headache intensified. The noise was growing.

“I disagree with Keelaiah’s opinion on this.” The golden-clad god of knowledge looked sternly at the human goddess. “If humanity showed up as conquerors, my kind will wage war. No good would come out of such conflict, we all know that.”

Cordrina had to grip her head in pain.

“I agree with Agnites.” Dhuum’s dark green eyes met with the god of knowledge’s. “I don’t want to sort the souls of mortals whose time have not arrived yet… Besides, I still have plenty of work to do.”

“And what do you think, Cordrina?” Dwayna turned to her.

“I… I am…” The world started spinning around Cordrina. Faster and faster at every moment. She heard the startled words of her fellow gods no longer. The buzz deafened her to the outside world, and she felt like as if her head was splitting in two. She cried out in agony then the darkness took her.

Suzehn 46 CC (Canthan calendar), Age of the Marmoset

Raijin Seritena spurred his horse to close in on the fleeing white hind. The cold, autumn air bit into his face as they gained speed. He leaned forward in the saddle and grabbed an arrow from the quiver on his side. Both the hind and horse were getting weary, but the distance and the terrain were appropriate for a clear shot. Raijin straightened his back up in the saddle, released the rein and pressed his feet into the stirrup as much as he could. The hunter swiftly nocked the arrow on the shortbow that he held in his hand since the sighting of the deer, then pulled back and released a moment later. The arrow whistled through the air before it pierced into the neck of the hind. The animal released one last cry before crashing into the ground as the limp body dragged on for several feet. The hunter rode next to the fallen prey and jumped down.

“Well, this hunting trip isn’t as bad as I expected.” Raijin murmured to himself as he crouched and drew out his knife to cut out the arrow. He was working on the hind when he heard two more horsemen approaching. He quickly finished strapping the animal’s legs then stood up to greet the other huntsmen.

“Boys, you are a bit tardy today.”

“Excuse us, my lord.” One of them apologized as he quickly bowed his head in respect. “You were already riding after the hind when we spotted it.”

“Never mind, it’s no trouble. We should get back to the camp with this deer. It’s getting dark and in a few more hours we won’t see a bit from the forest.”

Both huntsman jumped down and began working on a way to take the fallen deer back to camp. Raijin looked around and took a deep breath. He always enjoyed the silent, autumn forest during dusk.

Suddenly, he heard a bone-chilling shriek from somewhere close, followed by a frightened neigh of a horse. Silence again, only broken by the periodic chirping of a lonely songbird.

“By the Six! What was that sound?” One of the horsemen asked.

“Kei, Shinzo! Leave the hind here! Come with me, now!” Raijin ordered the other two as he jumped on his horse that also seemed a bit uneasy.

The three men rode with haste in the direction where swarms of frightened birds flew from. The place was about five minutes away from where Raijin brought down the deer. When they arrived they could already see a smaller commotion forming around something; however, a larger ring of multiple huntsmen and guardsmen stood around with weapons drawn. They were prying the area for hostiles, but the forest was just as silent and unmoving as before the shrieks. Two of them – a male and a female, – saluted Raijin as he rode up to them and jumped off of his horse.

“At ease. What happened here, soldier?”

“Sir, Prince Yian Zho ordered us to lead you to him as soon as you arrived.” The young female guard said. “I can’t tell you more, I’m sorry, sir.”

“Understood. Kei Jii, Shinzo!” Raijin turned to the riders he came with. “Reinforce this defensive ring!”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Well, soldier, please lead me to the Prince, then.”

The huntress beckoned Raijin to follow her through the area between the guards and the center group. As they were walking towards them, he tried to spy the faces of the courtiers and nobles surrounding the object of interest. Their expressions were a mixture of shock, confusion and anxiety.

“My Prince, General Seritena is here as you ordered.” The woman said as she knelt down.

“Oh, Takara, please.” A man said, brushing his way through the small crowd. Prince Yian Zho appeared before them in his elegant hunting clothes. He was a tall man with black hair that went halfway down his back. He usually let it down, but during sparring and hunting he wore it in horsetail. “I told you not to call me ‘your prince’. Not after those fiery nights we spent together.” He said with a complacent smirk, but his eyes showed only sorrow.

“I… Yes, my Pr-… Yian.” Takara stammered and bowed her head in embarrassment.

“My Prince. You summoned me, yet I still don’t know what has happened.”

“Ah, excuse me, General. Well, I’d rather show you why I called to you.” With that he stepped aside and flapped his hands so the courtiers could understand to let Raijin have a clear look at the source of the commotion.

In the middle, Kaineng Tah, the Emperor of Cantha lay unmoving. His eyes were closed, his face was calm. From afar, it might have seemed that he merely lay down and fell asleep on the fallen, dry leaves.

Raijin’s heart skipped a beat when he saw that the Emperor was not breathing and moist blood was stuck to his grey beard. At the same moment he realized that his best friend for over forty years, the first Emperor of the Dragon, was dead.

It took Raijin a few moments to pick up himself from the shock.

“How… how did he…” But he couldn’t finish his question.

“Let us discuss that in private, General.” Yian Zho stared at the older man for a second, and then turned to a royal servant. “You there! Head back to the camp and tell them to bring a stretcher and a sheet to cover… this.”


“Everything is settled now.”

“Good, General. Very good.”

They had returned to camp an hour ago. Fortunately, in the dark of dusk no one had seen whose corpse they had brought back, but the absence of the Emperor and the grave look on the faces of the returning men and women were enough for some to figure that out alone. The whispers of the tragedy had spread and panic had nearly broken out. Raijin and his officers had to intervene and calm down everyone before things could have gotten even worse. But now that it was over, he could talk to the Prince in private.

“But how could this happen? I thought he was being escorted by a Dragonguard squad on every trip. Where were they now?”

“My father sneaked out without the guards’ notice. I bet he wanted to actually catch something today. He always told me that all the animals fled when he and his small iron-clad entourage marshaled into the woods.” Yian Zho stood behind the desk of his father’s, staring outside through the tent’s entrance and rubbing his shaved chin.

“And how did he die? It makes no sense, that horse was his favorite, and he personally trained it. It wouldn’t just throw off its owner unless it was terribly frightened.” Raijin stepped to face Yian Zho as well as to block his view – it irritated him he wasn’t wholly listening when discussing such a serious issue.

He hadn’t stood face to face with the Prince for a couple of years now, as Yian Zho had spent most of his time in one of his summer retreats with one – or more – of his concubines, or in case he had returned to Raisu Palace it was the General who had been outside the capital due to military or private matters.

Raijin closely observed the Prince’s features: long cheek framed by the dark, long hair he now let down. It followed him like a shadow when he moved… an unpleasant person he was, but no one could deny that he commanded absolute respect where he appeared.

The two men glared at each other and Raijin saw the late emperor’s blue eyes looking back at him. But when Kaineng Tah’s gaze was caring, Yian Zho’s was calculating.

He inhaled deeply and decided to break the embarrassing silence.

“And by the way, what happened to the horse?”

“I don’t know the answers to those questions, General. I’ve just lost my father, yet I can’t mourn him properly right now or investigate his death. The Empire of the Dragon always needs an emperor to stay strong. We have to return to Raisu at once, bury my father, and have the crowning ceremony.”

“With respect, my Prince, we don’t know who the late emperor chose as his heir to the throne. I’m sure it is either you, or your sisters, but for as long as we don’t see Kaineng Tah’s last will, we cannot crown anyone.”

“You dare defy your Prince, General?!” Yian Zho was starting to lose his temper.

“Not at all, sire.” Raijin was just as calm as before, he didn’t show any sign of being terrified from the Prince’s veiled threat. “I concur that we should return to the palace as soon as possible, but I wouldn’t worry about the Empire being leaderless. Princess Niya and Raiya proved to be excellent governors in the past, when your father was on similar extended hunting expeditions.” He couldn’t help not smiling faintly at Zho’s growing frustration.

“Very well, General Seritena.” Yian Zho hissed as his fingers whitened from pressing the desk in suppressed anger. “Then I command you to strike camp and make preparations for the way back home.”

“As you wish, my Prince.” Raijin put his right fist on his chest and bowed his head.


Raijin didn’t sleep that night. Even if he’d had time to rest a little besides organizing the decampment, he wouldn’t have wanted to. Memories rushed his mind. Memories of how he met the man who fundamentally changed his life and the land they loved so much.

Back then Raijin was only 19 years old. He just lost his father in a raid of another warlord, and had to assume leadership of his own tribe. He remembered that he was full of grief and hatred, and as one of his first acts he wanted to destroy his father’s murderers – whose tribe and soldiers severely outnumbered his own. If it hadn’t been to the future emperor’s fateful appearance, the Seritena line and the people he was tasked to protect would have been utterly eradicated. Kaing, as Kaineng Tah was called then, arrived on the eve before Raijin’s planned assault on the hostile tribe. Although Kaing’s tribe was neutral to his, he always supported Kaing’s beliefs about unifying the warring Canthan tribes, and thus he gave shelter to Kaing’s armies in his own domain. On that night the wise lord convinced the young and brash Raijin to join his cause, and the next morning he swore his sword to the other tribe leader. Kaing honored his oath, and with their coalition of tribes they ended the treacherous warlord responsible for the death of his father. In that defining battle, he saved Kaing’s life, sealing their friendship forever.

“My lord…” A familiar voice brought Raijin back from his memories. Kei Jii stood behind him with bowed head.

“What is it, Kei? I thought you were relieved of duty.”

“Yes, I was, but I couldn’t rest, so I went back for the hind at dawn to bring it back. The deer was gone, probably a predator dragged it to its lair, but I found something else.” The young scout looked very excited.

“What did you find?” Raijin raised a grayish eyebrow.

“Follow me, my lord.”

The general and the soldier hastily crossed the busy camp and entered a larger tent that served as a stable. Raijin’s eyes grew wide from the sight. Before them stood Kaineng Tah’s jet-black stallion, blowing and anxiously pawing the ground with his hoof. Raijin wasn’t sure whether animals could show more complex emotions, but he could see terror in one of the horse’s eyes. The other eye, strangely, was blind.

“How… how did you bring it back?”

“He was very hungry. I think his hunger overcame his fear, and so I could lure him back with crumbs of food.” Kei Jii chuckled, but stopped quickly as he realized the situation wasn’t comical at all. Raijin cautiously went around and took a closer look at the horse. When he got to the rump something caught his eyes; four parallel wounds resembling the claw tracks of a wild animal. But something didn’t add up. The wounds were too shallow to fit the claw size of a larger beast, and even then, Kaineng Tah and this stallion encountered rabid wolves yet the horse never threw off his rider. And then there was the odd blindness of the right eye.

“This wasn’t just a terrible accident, Kei Jii.”

“Then what was it, General?” A furious voice sounded behind them. He spun around and saw Yian Zho with a few Imperial guardsmen. “You should have come to me immediately and reported your findings.”

“My Prince…” Kei Jii said as he knelt down. “It was my mistake. I told the gen-…”

“Silence! No one questioned you!”

“I wanted to see whether it was truly your father’s horse… my Prince.”

“Now that you’ve seen it is, I order you to take lead of the army and give marching order.”

“And what about you, sire?” Raijin said, clenching his fists. He didn’t like where the conversation was going.

“I’m going to stay behind with my personal guard for a little while. Don’t worry, General, by next nightfall we will see each other again.” Yian Zho said, flashing his smug grin.

“Understood.” Raijin quickly bowed then stormed towards the entrance. There he turned back and saw that Yian Zho was still glaring at him. For a moment their eyes locked, and then he stepped out of the stable.

“Come on, Kei. We have to return to Raisu posthaste.”

The faint sun shone brightly on the hill where the mourning crowd gathered. The people surrounded a large grave made of obsidian. For now, it was open, revealing the late emperor in ornate, traditional Canthan clothing and his hands on the hilt of his sword over his chest. However, soon the grave would be sealed and a magnificent statue of Kaineng Tah erected atop of it. Nobles from all around the Empire came to Raisu to pay homage to the deceased emperor. Some of them were his enemies once, but these former chieftains have long since understood that Kaineng Tah was worthy of becoming their ruler, and his vision led to the creation the first human empire on Tyria. They all owed him this much.

Even Kanaxai, the proud captain of the Kraken Clan, respected Kaineng Tah. More than thirty years ago, Kaineng defeated his father in honorable combat, and in return, as the leader of the Kraken, he convinced the other three clans not to take up arms against the powerful Dragon. The Luxon people saw the valor in Kaineng’s heart, and they accepted him as their emperor. He respected this, and while the Luxons and their territories were annexed into the Empire, they could more or less retain their way of life as nomadic fishers, traders and warriors of the Jade Sea.

It was Kanaxai’s turn now. He walked up to the open grave, and bowed his bald, tanned head.

“Go with Dwayna, Dragon Sovereign. May your spirit be at peace at the side of the goddess.” Kanaxai finished and stepped aside to let the next nobleman pay his respect. As he walked towards the entrance, he noticed that a Canthan lord was watching him. He turned to the older man, who in turn walked up to him. The Canthan was tall, but still a few inches shorter than Kanaxai. Despite his older age, he seemed to be just as fit as a thirty-year-old trained soldier.

“Excuse me for the stare, Captain Kanaxai. It’s been a long time since I saw a Luxon so far from the Jade Sea. I don’t believe you remember me. I am…”

“Raijin Seritena, General of the Imperial army.” Kanaxai finished the interrupted sentence. “I do remember you, General. You were there at the duel between my father and the Emperor.”

“Why, yes.” Raijin said with a slight surprise in his voice. “I didn’t think my role on that day would be remembered. I did nothing but anxiously watch the combat.” He chuckled at the old memory. “By the way, how does your father fare?”

“He passed on a few years ago. He wanted to slay a leviathan by himself… he succeeded, but then died of the blood loss.”

“Oh… accept my condolence.”

“It is no trouble. He lived a long and fruitful life, and he always said he wanted to end it like that.” Kanaxai smiled but a slight sadness could still be heard in his voice.

“I wish my father could say the same when he meets the gods.” A third man entered the conversation.

Kanaxai saw that the man’s clothes were reminiscent to the one on Kaineng Tah’s body. This must be one of the princes. He thought to himself.

“It’s good to finally meet you, Captain, although the circumstances could be more pleasant. My name is Yian Zho, but I’m sure you’ve heard of me before.”

“I cannot say that. I have heard that the Emperor fathered a lot of children… how could a mere captain like me keep track of that huge amount of princes and princesses of the royalty?”

A flash of fury ran through Yian Zho’s previously complacent face. The general who stayed silent until now couldn’t help not laughing, but tried to masquerade it as a cough. Zho turned to him in an instant.

“I believe your attention is needed elsewhere, General. Make sure no unauthorized guests enter the area.”

Kanaxai could see the frustration growing in Seritena. He quickly bowed, then turned back to him.

“I hope we can continue this nostalgic conversation someday, Captain. Farewell!”

“Yes, yes. Now, would you take a walk with me through the surrounding hills, Captain? I would like to discuss some matters with you.” Zho walked ahead then waved Kanaxai over to follow him through a small bridge leading to the next hill. They silently walked around for minutes and observed the beautiful vista of the faraway mountains to the east and the silhouettes of the half-finished parts of the grand palace to the west.

“I don’t want to toy around with you, Captain.” The Prince finally decided to talk business. Now they stood midway on the same bridge they came through first. “In the next few weeks, I will be crowned the second Lord Emperor of Cantha. It is inevitable… I just want to know whether I can count on the continued cooperation of your people.”

“I cannot speak in the name of my sisters, the other clan leaders. Besides, we accepted Kaineng Tah as our emperor, and thus we will only accept the emperor – or empress – who he named as successor in his will.” Kanaxai pondered on a bit. “What makes you so sure you are his chosen?”

“It is the most logical choice. I am the eldest son, and I inherited the traits that made him a great emperor. My sisters are too weak to properly govern an empire as big as this.”

“No, you did not inherit all his traits, Yian Zho.” Kanaxai turned away from the vista to face the Prince. “You lack the tranquility and the valor that truly make the difference between a good ruler and a bad ruler.”

“How dare you speak to me like that!?” Zho couldn’t have been more outraged than he was. Fire was kindled in his eyes, and the air started to warm up around his body. “I am your better, Luxon dog! I AM YOUR EMPEROR!”

“You are not my emperor, not yet. You are just a prince out of a hundred more.” Kanaxai was still calm, but his voice became threatening. “However, if your father actually chose you as the heir to the Canthan throne, you will indeed be my emperor. I respected your father, and I respect his decision. But until then, we are equals.” With that he turned his back on the raging prince and walked through the small arch that led to the grave. It was time for him to make the long trek back to his family and his clan. He also had to discuss the future with his sisters.


Raijin closed the door behind him and looked around in his quarters. It was rather simple: a comfortable-looking bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and stands for armor and weapon. He walked to his desk to check the letters he hadn’t read yet. Outside the sun was just setting in the west, so he didn’t need to light the candles yet. As he skimmed through the various papers, he stopped at one having a seal with the badge of the Seritena family on it – a dragon with star eyes coiled around a mountain. It was from his grandson, who was stationed in an outpost on the shore, near the delta estuary of the great Rijeka River. He knew very well what the contents of the letter would be centered around, and it brought a tear to his eye.

His son had died just days after Kaineng Tah. No sooner the hunting expedition returned with the late emperor’s body did he learn of his death. He had left Raisu immediately and traveled south, along the western shore to reach the outpost. Together with his grandson they had buried him, but duty had called Raijin back and a day later he had been riding back towards the palace. He returned only a day ago.

No… I’m can’t read this, not yet. I don’t want to remember… He thought to himself as he dropped the letter back on the top of the paper pile. Raijin’s mind was still full of memories – both sad and happy – as he headed straight for the bed, and lay down to take a short nap, hoping it would hush his thoughts away.

Knock… knock… knock.

He didn’t know how much he slept, but he felt more relaxed already and memories were not tormenting him so much. He quickly went to the door and opened it.

“Greetings, General Seritena.” An elegant, purple dressed woman in her thirties stood before Raijin. “I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

“Not at all, Minister Naemi. How can I help the Celestial Ministry tonight?”

“When Kaineng Tah gave his last will to the previous minister, he told the Ministry what to do with it and when to have it read in the event of his death. One of his wish was that you attend the reading.” Minister Naemi smiled gently. “However, I thought that you had already been informed about this. I talked with the Prince yesterday and asked him to tell you this since you two would meet at the funeral.” She looked inquiringly at Raijin.

That rat “forgot” to mention this. Raijin was getting a bit frustrated.

“Interesting… he never said anything about this, neither his servants. But… shall we go then, Minister?” He offered his arm to the woman, who accepted but blushed a little bit. Seems my charm hasn’t waned yet. He thought as he went through the different halls of the palace arm in arm with the minister. Soon they arrived at the door leading to the throne room.

“After you, Minister Naemi.” He said as he opened the door for the woman.

“Thank you, Raijin.” Naemi flashed her smile at the general as she entered the chamber. He was a bit surprised she called him by his forename, but quickly followed her into the room.

The throne room was rather large; ninety strides long and fifty strides wide, with the ceiling twenty strides above the floor. From the door two rows of pillars led to the far end, the rows being about sixteen strides apart from each other and the walls. Exquisite Canthan designs and motifs adorned every little detail, and grand carpets that covered most of the walls immortalized the many battles Kaineng Tah fought in order to unite the tribes. At the opposite end of the hall the throne stood, and behind it a giant golden dragon statue perched from a column, its wings protectively folded as if trying to envelop the throne and the prevailing emperor.

“Ah, what a lovely couple!” Yian Zho came at them with his complacent grin.

I don’t understand this pongmang. Every time he gets furious and leaves, he returns with a more irritating attitude. After his “debate” with Captain Kanaxai today, he nearly burned down the bridge he was standing on. I can’t even imagine what he will do after he finally realizes his father never intended the throne for him…

“I was eagerly waiting when the two of you would arrive. It seems the general can hold out longer than I thought.” Yian Zho laughed stridently at his own joke. It was Raijin’s turn to lose his temper. He stepped dangerously close to Zho.

“Minister Naemi came to me to inform me that I was invited by Kaineng Tah himself… my Prince.” Raijin gritted the last two words through his teeth. “She went out of her own time to do that, because unfortunately, you forgot to tell me at the funeral.” He looked deeply into the Prince’s eyes, but those were not furious this time. He was still smiling in his smug way like before.

“Oh, how true! Excuse me, General, but I had a dead father to mourn. Somehow it slipped my mind. But from what I have seen, I did you a favor by not telling you then.” Zho turned his head away and measured the embarrassed Naemi from head to toe. “A very great favor.”
Raijin opened his mouth to lash out at him, but was stopped when a hand touched his shoulder.

“Relax, General.” A gentle, white-gowned woman who was in her mid forties approached the quarrelling men. “Excuse my brother’s rudeness. He has been a bit on edge since our father’s death.” The Princess said and Zho frowned at his elder sister’s words.

“My apology, Princess Niya.” Raijin bowed as deep as he could, just to show how much he respected the Princess. “I should not have left the frustration get the better of me.

“It is normal, General.” Another white-gowned woman, Princess Raiya, said as she stepped beside her twin sister. “We are all grieving.”

“Bah… enough of this.” Yian interrupted the conversation. “I say we should listen to what father had to say to each of us. Minister Naemi, can we begin now?”

“Ahem… my assistant, Defahn, should be here with the will any moment now.”

She was right. About half a minute later the junior minister entered the room. He looked incredibly nervous, and drips of sweat ran down on his forehead. He bowed before the dignitaries, then hurried to his superior and whispered something in her ear. Namei’s eyes grew wide.

“The will… it is gone.”

The people in the throne room were all shocked. They started asking the minister and his assistant, but they were just as puzzled as the rest of them. According to Naemi, the will was enchanted with protective magic and was even cursed – in the case it would fall into wrong hands – by Imperial sorcerers. The magical wards were all broken and the will taken.
“This confirms my suspicions.” Yian Zho looked on the others, to whom it was obvious that another grand speech was coming from him. “Our Empire is targeted by some cowardly menace that strikes from the shadows. The death of the Emperor, our father, was not an accident. Someone spooked the horse which threw him off. And now, on the very day of his funeral, his last will is stolen by forces unknown.” The Prince paused for effect. “We have to act quickly if we want to save the Canthan Empire, our father’s dream. Since this is a time of emergency, it requires emergency actions. Thus, I hereby announce my claim to the throne, and would like to get my sister’s approval… and their resignation from the same claim.” Zho finished, Namei gasped, Raijin was taken aback. Only the two sisters remained calm, but they looked very sad.

“We do resign our claim to the throne.” Princess Niya replied after a long moment of silence.
“What? But…but why?” Raijin stammered in disbelief.

“Not now, General.” Raiya said sternly to the confused man. “We would like to speak to you in private later tonight, however.”

“As you wish, Princess.” He murmured as he bowed again. When the twins left the hall, Raijin looked at the jubilant Crown Prince.

“Well, General, I have to take my leave. I need to announce the crowning and start the preparations for the ceremony. That is, order the servants to start the preparations.” The soon-to-be emperor left the throne room while laughing heartily.


“With respect, but I cannot believe how you could have relinquished your claim to the throne… it doesn’t make any sense.” Raijin was furious as he paced up and down in Niya’s quarters.

“Calm down, Raijin.” Niya told the General for the second time tonight. “If we had retained it, the Empire would have been plunged into civil war.”

“Our brother gained more and more allies over the past few years.” Raiya continued. “If it came to war, he would surely rally the allied nobles and lead them against us and those loyal to us.”

“So? We could surely defeat them. Much of the Canthan military answers to me and some other high-ranking officials. I know them well, and they don’t like Yian Zho either. Then the Celestial Ministry under Naemi’s lead would surely side with us. What is more, the Canthan people love you. We can still end this insanity here. Princesses, please, let me arrest him.”

“No, we have decided, Raijin. You are very kind, but we do not want the innocents to suffer because of our lust for power. Then we would be no different from our brother at all.” Raiya smiled sadly at the man.

“Indeed. The Empire is too young to fall into a civil war in less than a half of a century. However, we would like to ask something of you, dear General.” Niya said as she put her hand on Raijin’s shoulder – again, for the second time tonight.

“Anything, your highness.”

“You have been the truest friend of our father, and you always took the Empire’s needs to heart. We ask you one last thing: keep an eye on our brother and try to reason with him when he loses his temper. We trust you can talk him off of his wildest ideas if you remain calm and respectful. In the end, he may prove to be an excellent ruler if he is given enough time and patience.”

“We know this is a very hard task, but you are the only person in the court who can actually argue with him.” Raiya stepped beside her sister. “He is not going to remove you, because a large part of the army is overly loyal to you, and he knows that you are a great tactician yourself.”

“For the good of us all, I hope you are right.” Raijin sighed.

“May the gods help us all.” The three of them said in unison.

A hundred trumpets caroled as the large oak doors of the throne room opened, heralding the coming of the Crown Prince. Yian Zho sublimely moved forward between the armor-clad lines of disciplined Dragonguard soldiers who held back the enthusiastic Canthan nobles that returned to Raisu for the second time in a fortnight. Among them he could see several counts and countesses of the Kurzicks, but not one Luxon leader, which offended him. I am not going to let the absence of those barbarians ruin my finest hour. Yian thought to himself and smiled as he arrived before twelve men and women in regal robes and clothing. The six high priests and priestesses and the six Sacred Guards of the Six Gods formed a semi-circle around him. Six of them stood on his left, five on the opposite side, and one elderly man right in front of the Prince. He knew the process, as his father told his children how he had gotten crowned so many times, and was aware that the coronation was only about formalities. He knelt down, bowed his head, and then looked back up at Dwayna’s patriarch. In his hands he could see his father’s crown glinting in the light.

“Crown Prince Yian Zho.” The old priest began the ceremony in an elevated tone. “You have appeared before us to gain the approval of each and every god and goddess, the protectors and saviors of our race, and the shepherds of humanity in Cantha and beyond. We, the humble servants of our divine leaders, will relay their holy word to you and those around. If they deem you worthy, each of us will bless you with a trait that you will have great need of in your reign as the mortal ruler of humanity. Are you prepared?”

“Yes, I am, Revered Father.” Just the usual “blessing giving,” and soon my father’s crown will be on my head now. Yian chuckled in himself.

But suddenly, all six Sacred Guards moved in and surrounded him in a tight circle, stretched out their arms and pointed at him. At the tip of their index finger small orbs of light – a purple, a dark green, a sanguine, a blue, a lime green, and a yellow – formed. The orbs then flew away and coalesced into one greater orb in front of him. The Prince’s eyes grew wide, and he left his mouth agape. What is this? This was not part of the p-… The glowing orb of light flew right into his head. Zho closed his eyes, and then started panicking in his mind. He feared the secrets he hid from the world would now be revealed, and the deeds he did would be known by the priests and guards, who would tell their respective gods. The scrutinizing orb strolled through the various vistas of his mind – both good and bad, but when it got to certain memories Yian feared would mean his end, it only saw a silverfish fog, censoring the details and only presenting misty silhouettes of places, persons, and distant echoes of sounds and noises. A forest, feathers, a foreboding laughter. The probe stood puzzled at these strange memories, and in its moment of confusion the mist struck into its surface and slithered into its core like a snake.

Then it ended. The orb flew out of the Prince’s mind. It hovered in the space above Yian’s head so everyone could see it.

“Show us your judgement.” Dwayna’s patriarch issued his command to the orb. The probe obeyed, and it turned even brighter.

Yian sighed in relief. He passed the test. The orb flashed one last then dissipated in the air.
The Sacred Guards who were just as indifferent as ever backed out without a word and let the priests move in. It was their turn to surround the Prince.

“Yian Zho, as Dwayna’s patriarch, I bless you with her compassion.” He touched the crown with his hand and passed it on to his right.

“As Melandru’s matriarch, I bless you with her harmony.” A tan skinned woman said as she passed on the crown to her right as well.

“As Keelaiah’s patriarch, I bless you with her strength.”

“As Agnites’ matriarch, I bless you with his wisdom.”

“As Dhuum’s patriarch, I bless you with his justice.”

“As… as Cordrina’s matriarch, I bless you with her inspiration.” The young pale woman with dark hair nervously passed on the crown back to Dwayna’s patriarch, who took it and stretched out his arms with the crown in his hands. All the other five touched it once more.

“In the name of the Six, you are hereby crowned as the second Lord Emperor of the Canthan Empire. May your father’s spirit and the Celestial Dragon watch over you.” The priests and priestesses sang the coronation blessing together as they put the crown on the Crown Prince’s head.

Emperor Yian Zho rose and turned to the crowd of nobles as the twelve men and women lined up behind him. He raised his hands in the air and smiled. I am the Emperor of Cantha!

The throne room erupted in cheers. His eyes moved among the courtiers and he pleasantly noted that everyone clapped, even General Seritena and Minister Naemi, although they didn’t seem too enthusiastic. His eyes moved on to his allies whose grin ran from ear to ear, but then his eyes fixated on two white-robed women. Only one more threat remains to my reign. That is, two, but they form one. Which means I can kill two birds with one stone. Yian Zho laughed as he had himself celebrated.


“It seems our plans for the succession failed completely, Dwayna.” Melandru walked up to her sister, irritatedly twitching her bark-skinned wings. “I don’t understand…”

They stood on one of the steep hills surrounding the Inner Sanctum of Raisu Palace. The goddesses had their backs against the sun that shone brightly. When a mortal looked in their direction, all they would see is the burning light that they had to shield their eyes from if they didn't want to go blind. As of now, no one tried to do that.

“It is done now, Melandru. We cannot interfere into their lives more than necessary.” Dwayna turned around and smiled faintly at the goddess of nature. “Instead of struggling against the branches of fate, we have to accept their decisions and help them ensure they come to fruition. It is the only way they can learn to stand on their own feet.”

“You are right, and I’m sorry I let this frustration get the better of me, but it all seemed so perfect.” She bowed her head, her hair of liana and leaves rustling on her shoulders. “And now a brutish, brash man takes the throne. He could ruin everything! Everything, Dwayna!”

“That likelihood wasn’t unforeseen to us. Keelaiah was right about one thing: they can learn from their mistakes as well, even if it hurts us to see them squander our gifts.”

The goddesses fell into silence for a longer time. Dwayna turned her head away, deep in thoughts, before she decided to speak again.

“However, there is something that bothers me to no end.”

“What is it?” Melandru looked inquisitively at her sister.

“The way how Kaineng Tah died, followed shortly by the strange disappearance of his last will.”

“And you suspect Yian Zho being the one who orchestrated those?”

“I am not sure… he passed the test, after all, but he was still on the winning end of those events… more or less.” Dwayna curled her hair behind her left ear. “Maybe one of his allies worked without the consent and knowledge of the prince to help him to the throne…”

“Unlikely.” Melandru said, shaking her head. “Very few of them possess magic, and even then, they cannot command it to such extent.

“Hmm… then we have to find who’s behind this through the Emperor himself. I will talk to my Sacred Guard and ask her to investigate.”

“And if it turns out he had a hand in those crimes?”

“Let’s worry about one issue at a time. A lot could change by then.”

Silence enveloped them again and only the cheering crowd could be heard from down below. There was an issue that endlessly grieved both of them but they had no other choice but to discuss it.

“You went to visit her, didn’t you?” Melandru asked, knowing the answer.

“Yes…” Dwayna let out a deep sigh, her shoulders and wings sinking in sorrow. “I should’ve felt it, Melandru. She fought it so strongly… her stubborn denial put it to a halt.” She smiled weakly at her memory. “I could’ve saved one of us at last, but when she needed me I failed to realize.”

“None of us can defeat it… you couldn’t have cured her, you know that.”

“And she stood there, shackled… raging against the chains, but I could see it in her eyes that she knew what was coming.” Dwayna looked Melandru in the eye, her eyes glowing with a bluish flame that was her way of showing anger. “She’s still fighting it. Hoping she can destroy the corruption… Oh Cordrina, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“It pains me, but I must ask this, Dwayna: have you found someone who can succeed her?”

The goddess of life closed her eyes and let go of the painful memories. When she opened them again they were back to normal.

“Yes, I have.” Dwayna drew a circle in the air. The particles her finger touched coalesced into a bright frame and inside the pool light gathered from all across the world, swirling like a liquid substance. Glimpses of people, places, and events flashed before the goddesses, but Dwayna was searching for one particular person. The images changed with remarkable speed until they stopped at a twin of young women, immersed in dance: their lithe figures of exquisite beauty entwined in a mesmerizing dance, much to the delight of the men whose faces were lit by campfire the twins were moving around.

A satisfied expression appeared on Dwayna’s face as the pool zoomed in on one of them.

“There she is.”

“How did your choice fall on her?”

“Magic runs strong in her. The whole family is magically adept, but she and her sister are exceptionally powerful. Combined with her inner traits she’s the perfect choice.” Dwayna touched the surface of the swirling light and the pool collapsed, the unseen components of the frame returning to the air once more.

Melandru considered the options before she spoke.

“I support you decision, sister, and I’m sure the others will, too.”

“Thank you, but I am… I’m not planning to make her a successor right now.” Dwayna confessed to Melandru, her graceful wings strained with tension. “She’s so young. She could enjoy the free, mortal life for a few more years before we take away that freedom and replace it with burdens instead.”

“I understand… but what about Cordrina? She would have to suffer through all those years alone, fighting and slowly succumbing to it.

“I… I know.” The conflict in Dwayna’s heart grew. She snapped her head away and clenched her fists. “Maybe we can find a way to ease her suffering. All five of us, together.”

“Let us hope we can.”

The goddesses stared down at the joyous masses – both nobles and commoners – that surrounded Raisu, celebrating their new emperor. However, their attention was still focused on the throne chamber, where destinies were decided at a whim, based on what the owners of those lives said. Their enchanted eyesight pierced the material walls of the ornate palace and fell on the people inside.


“I, Raijin Seritena, swear my sword to you, Lord Emperor Yian Zho, just as I swore it to your father many years ago. I will defend you and Cantha to the death. My loyalties lie with you and the Empire alone. Should I break this oath, my soul will never find peace in the Mists.” The General knelt in front of the stairs leading up to the seated emperor. He rested his hands on the pommel of his sword, with the blade’s tip on the floor.

“I accept your fealty, General Raijin Seritena. Rise and take your place at my side as the other nobles swear their loyalties to me.” Yian waved him to his left, and Raijin walked up to his post. “Is there anyone left waiting outside, Minister?”

“No, no one is left, my Emperor.” Minister Naemi looked up from her records book. “General Seritena was the last.”

“Good… then let us solve one more issue before we finish for today. My dear sisters, please come before me.” Zho pryingly watched as her sisters moved before him and bowed.

“Brother, if you may let me speak first.” Princess Niya asked and the Emperor waved that she may. “You do not have to issue the ungrateful act of our exile from the Empire. We wish to leave Cantha and head north on our own.”

Yian leaned forward in his throne, and a spark of interest kindled in his eyes.

“Interesting… what do you have in mind, dear Niya?”

“If you grant us a company of soldiers, a few sorcerers, and four ships with enough supplies that may last for about a year or two, we will travel north with our families and servants and explore the islands and continents there.”

“If we find a place that is worth colonizing, we will send you back a ship with its crew so they can guide your forces there while we resupply and move on.” Raiya added to her sister’s words.

“Hmm…” Yian started rubbing his chin. They are right. This way I can show the people that I am not just a tyrant removing my own sisters because they threaten my reign, but a wise ruler who begins the exploration of the world northwards… and who kindly supplies his pioneer siblings. Excellent, this day just keeps getting better and better. “I really like this idea. Niya, Raiya, I will commission the building of the fleet you want. Before the beginning of the next year, you can embark on your grand journey. Come here, please.” As they walked up to him, he stood up. When they were in arm’s reach, he hugged them.

“Thank you!” He whispered in their ear.

Niya and Raiya returned the hug.

Kanaxai ran as fast as he could in the direction of the rising pillar of smoke. From afar he already felt the smell of burning wood and flesh. His lungs were becoming full with the poisonous smoke as he was drawing closer to the source of the fume, but he just ran and ran… until he arrived at the horrid sight.

A pile of corpses rose in front of him.

No one was spared: Kanaxai could see women and men, old and young. Everyone was dead. He wanted to believe that his son, his wife, or somebody survived and escaped, but all his hopes were quickly destroyed as he looked at the top of the pile… they were all there, leaned against a tall pole around which the corpses lay. Kanaxai looked at the top of the pole with teary eyes, and in that moment his grief turned into limitless rage and hatred: it was the banner of the Canthan Empire waving defiantly in the wind. He clenched his fists, fell to his knees and cried, for he knew that he alone could do nothing.

In this helpless, unable state he listened to the crackling of the fire. Kanaxai lost his perception of time; he might have been curled up in front of his slaughtered people for hours… he didn’t know.

Suddenly, the muffled sound of screams and howls from the harbor’s direction reached his ears. Someone could still be alive! Maybe there’s resistance! Kanaxai rose up with a newfound strength and fury, and ran as fast as he could, despite being choked by the smoke.

The shore was not far from the place of the massacre. Even from afar he saw the contours an anchored vessel in the bay, illuminated by the rays of the setting sun from the back. With each scream, Kanaxai doubled his pace, even though he was on the verge of collapse now. And again, he arrived at another heart-wrenching sight: three limp figures on noose-tied ropes swaying from the mast of the great freighter.

“NOOOOOOOOOO!” His yell echoed sharply through the cove – the hanged figures were his sisters, the other captains.

Kanaxai could still hear some screams coming from nearby. His eyes were drawn to the source: hundreds of Luxons, all shackled and broken, were being tossed towards boats guarded by grim, Imperial soldiers.

Kanaxai’s interior burned from the rage that seethed within him. He reached for his double axes on his back, and let out a mighty battle cry. He would’ve wanted to charge at the accursed Canthans, but a terrible pain struck into his lower back. The cry of battle turned into a cry of pain as he fell to his knees and dropped his axes. Blood gushed out from the deep wound: his kidney was basically torn apart in the stab. As he finally regained his vision, a tall, smiling man stood in front of him. In his hands a small dagger drenched in blood.

“No, no, little captain, don’t let the anger flow through you. Remember what you told me at my father’s funeral?” The man laughed out at the mention of the memory. Kanaxai wanted to say something, but he started coughing up blood. He collected it in his mouth, and then spat it in the face of the man.

“Disgusting animal!” The man’s smugness disappeared, replaced with fury. He kicked the wounded captain in the stomach who fell into the sand on his back and cried out even more intensely – the sand now got into his wound. They let him writhe in agony for minutes until he was grabbed and forced to his knees by two iron gloves belonging to a guardsman. Kanaxai managed to focus his sight, only to see two young women, similarly on their knees. The evil man pressed the edge of the bloodied knife against the neck of one.

“Look what I have here, little captain! Your nieces, the beauties and pride of the Crab Clan and the Luxon people! They are truly breathtakingly beautiful, I’ll give you that.” With that, the man slit the throat of one of the girls. Her lifeless body collapsed into the sand on her left shoulder, locks of her white hair covering her dreaded face. “Oops! What a pity… well, at least her sister’s still alive!” He pointed at the other girl. “Take her to my ship! I guess I found another concubine.” Another Dragonguard grabbed the living twin sister under her shoulders and began dragging her towards one of the boats. The smiling man leaped right in front of Kanaxai, and stared into his eyes.

“Now you can see, little captain, that you are not my equal. You are below me.”

“Why… all this?” Kanaxai managed to cough out a few words among the blood that foamed from his mouth.

“Why, you ask.” The man straightened up and with hands clasped behind the back he began walking around the defeated captain. “Because you defied me! Now all of Cantha will see that those who insult their emperor will pay the price a hundred-fold. My wrath will be directed not only at them, but at their families and their people as well. No one will defy Emperor Yian Zho ever again!” The Emperor started into his long, strident laughter as he arrived before Kanaxai again…

But he couldn’t bear it any longer. He turned all his pain and grief into rage that he added to his already fleeting strength. With a strong tug he freed himself from the ironed hands of the bodyguard, jumped on his feet and charged at the laughing man – he wanted to tear out the man’s throat with his own teeth.

The surprised and dumbfounded Yian Zho could only watch the enclosing jaw in terror – he was given no time to prepare. Then, when Kanaxai was an inch away from the Emperor’s neck, his vision dimmed and the darkness took him.
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________

Kanaxai suddenly sat up, breathing heavily and sweating. He quickly reached back and touched the part where he was stabbed. Nothing. He looked around and saw his wife sleeping peacefully beside him. He jumped up and went out of his tent. Everything was peaceful. The other tents were set up nicely, the camp fire flickered, and a few sleepy guards patrolled among the rows of roundish tents. Kanaxai looked up, but only the Kraken Clan’s banners waved idly in the small dawn breeze. The clouds over the Jade Sea were dyed orange from the rising sun, and the light of the million stars above waned already. Kanaxai let out a great sigh of relief, and silently watched the beautiful sunrise. A few minutes later, soft, feminine hands touched Kanaxai’s still tense shoulders and started kneading them.

“Why are you awake so soon? Did you have a bad dream?” His wife, Arianthe, asked. Hearing her voice and feeling the touch of her hands were enough to sooth Kanaxai.

“Yes. But it was just that, a nightmare. Everything is fine…” For as long as that wretched Prince Yian Zho does not become emperor. Kanaxai thought to himself. He turned away from the entrance to look into his wife’s brown eyes and comb into her long, brown hair. “Don’t worry, love. You should lie down and sleep a bit more. You and the baby need to rest.” Kanaxai smiled and put his other hand on Arianthe’s growing abdomen.

“Why don’t you join me?” She was smiling mischievously.

“I’d like to but I can’t… I have to check if the preparations for the Convocation are going well. My sisters deserve a proper welcome.”


The current campsite of the Kraken Clan was bustling in the early afternoon. The people were busily preparing for the Convocation. Hunting parties were organized to catch the most delicious of beasts and fish, so that others could cook them for the grand occasion. The artisans of the clan crafted various goods: from wooden pots and cups to deadly spears and blades that they could trade with members of the other clans. Others wove various rugs and carpets so Kraken could nicely accommodate the visitors.

Kanaxai stood near the center of the camp and observed his working people. Arianthe stepped beside him and leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. He put his right arm over her.

“This will be a memorable Convocation, I can feel it in my bones!” Kanaxai was very enthusiastic, but a sudden thought crossed his mind. “Haven’t you seen Zannos?”

“He told me he would go down to the shore to meditate. But it’s been some time since he did.” Arianthe sounded a bit worried.

“Ah… I am sure he is fine. That boy was probably blessed by the gods themselves!”

“Are you speaking of me?” A young voice came from behind. The surprised couple turned around to face the unexpected newcomer – who seemingly came out of nowhere. The boy in front of them was only fifteen years old. His figure was thin but had well-defined muscles that he seemingly took pride in: he usually walked around either half-naked or wearing clothes that still showcased his physique. However, his striking features were his blonde hair and green eyes – in spite of the fact that both his mother and father were dark-haired and brown-eyed. Given his age, he was still at least one foot shorter than his tall father.

“Son! How’s your training going?”

“Rather well. I am ready to face the best warriors of every clan. I can’t wait for the dueling night.”

“Hah… I remember that I was just as eager before my very first Convocation.” Kanaxai laughed as he patted Zannos on his shoulder. “I am sure you will not disappoint us.”

“Where were you for so long, Zannos?” Arianthe still looked inquiringly at her son.

“I met a Canthan trader in the bay. He and his crew anchored down to refill their supplies before moving on. I took them to the nearest fountain and had a chat with them. Did you know that the second emperor was crowned about two weeks ago?”

Kanaxai became tense under a moment’s notice. The mention of Imperial matters brought back images from his nightmare.

“Who is it?”

“Yian Zho. The trader said he is the eldest son of Kaineng Tah, and that there was some sort of scandal around the inheritance.”

“What do you mean?” Kanaxai’s eyes grew wide in terror.

“Basically, some courtiers say that Kaineng Tah had a last will that disappeared, while others say it never existed at all. But this Yian fellow became the Emperor while his sisters are going to leave the continent and head north.” Zannos finished his report with a sigh. “I wish I could go with them as well… life gets boring around here.”

“Zannos!” His mother’s angry look made the boy laugh.

“Okay, okay… I was just joking!” With a wide grin on his face he turned to Kanaxai. “Anyways… what can you tell me about my opponents, father? Any weaknesses I could exploit?”

But Kanaxai wasn’t listening. He was staring into the distance in the harbor’s direction. Flashes of his vivid nightmare rushed his mind again: the banner, his sisters hanging from the freighter, the enslaved Luxons, the stab, the slit throat.

“Father, are you all right?”

“Yes, dear, you look very pale.” Arianthe looked worriedly at her husband.

Kanaxai finally snapped out of it. He tried to focus and hugged his wife and son.

“No… no… it’s nothing. I just remembered something that could be done for the others’ arrival.”

Over the next two days the other three clans arrived one by one. The clans of the Luxon Armada always stood within reasonable distance of each other, in case something befell a member of this great family. The Turtle Clan made the trek along the eastern shore and came in from the south on their giant turtles, while the Crab and Serpent clans arrived from the west by ships. All the attendants were in Maishang Hills by dusk, although a few more guests still showed up every hour. The celebrating Luxons cordially greeted their friends and acquaintances who they haven’t seen for years. People were drinking, eating, debating, laughing, and waiting for their captains to announce the start of the duels.

Kanaxai rested his head on his left hand that the right hand held at the elbow. It was dark in the tent with only a few candles illuminating the people inside: Arianthe and the Captain of the Serpent Clan, Alua, sat on a couch-like, padded furniture. They were silently talking to each other. Ione, the Captain of the Turtle Clan, leaned at one of the sturdier support beams of the tent with crossed arms. Only Elora, the Captain of the Crab, faced Kanaxai. She glared at her brother and shook her head.

“You cannot be serious, Kan. We can’t break out of the Dragon just because the very first meeting you had with the new emperor ended badly. He was obviously mad with grief, that’s why he reacted so… heatedly.” Elora was inspecting Kanaxai as she combed a curl behind her ear. Kanaxai looked up from his pondering pose and similarly stared down his sister. Her white hair that she usually wore in a bum was intimidating in the semidarkness of the tent.

“You were not there, Elora. You did not see the burning anger and outrage in his eyes. Your daughters could confirm my feelings if they met him… although I would never endanger them by taking them before Yian Zho.”

“Why is that?” Alua asked, looking quizzically at her brother. “I don’t really understand your almost paranoid fear of the Emperor. From what you have told us, back then you lectured him very boldly… maybe you did take it a bit too far, but remember what Elora said: he was probably on edge from his father’s death.”

“No, it’s just… it is complicated.” Kanaxai started scratching the back of his neck. “Well, I had this dream about…”

“Dream?” Arianthe looked up suddenly. “You never mentioned a dream. So this is why you have been so tense in the past two days.” She tried to stand up but had to clutch her abdomen in pain. Alua helped her sit back as Kanaxai ran to his wife’s help, crouching beside her. Kanaxai wanted to ask if she was alright but Arianthe reached out and touched his lips with her fingers.

“Why didn’t you tell me, my love?”

“I… I didn’t want to frighten you. You are up too much and don’t rest enough. I was worried for your and the baby’s health.”

“It is pretty pointless now… Please, tell us about this dream.”

Kanaxai straightened up again and took a deep breath as he recalled the horrible scenes of his nightmare.

“Zho and his soldiers killed everyone here. He had you hanged; sisters, and then he went on to enslave every Luxon.” He finished and rubbed his eyes with the tip of his fingers as sharp images from the rest of the nightmare flashed into his mind. They don’t need to know the gruesome details.

“If Kan had a vision from the gods…” Ione started into it but was cut short by Elora.

“Who said that the gods gave him this dream? They would never incite humans against other humans, especially not in such a horrible way! They would first try to solve the dispute peacefully, possibly not in person, but acting through their priests.”

“And what if even the gods can’t reason with Zho anymore? You heard what brother told us about the scandal around the succession. Maybe they realized that they had to warn us before the threat becomes real.” Ione uncrossed her arms and pushed herself away from the pillar to face Elora better. “Besides, I think it is time to leave their little empire and do things on our own.”

As Ione finished, Elora opened her mouth to respond.

“Enough!” The loud yell silenced his arguing sisters. “This pointless squabbling will get us nowhere. We are all tired, so let us return to this matter tomorrow.” Kanaxai stopped for a moment and listened to the cheering attendants outside. In the past couple of minutes, while he and his sisters debated, the roar of their people increased. They sounded like a rampaging storm on the sea. “And we have to entertain our brethren or they will tear this place apart. What is more, I am sure Zannos is more than eager to finally show off his skills!


Zannos stood face to face with the champion of Serpent Clan, a nearly seven-foot tall warrior named Therios Epidierthus. The giant Luxon had green serpent tattoos from toe to face on his tanned, sculptured body and wore his dreadlocked, dark hair in a horsetail. But Zannos was more concerned with Therios’ four-foot long dual swords that the man wielded just as easily as if they were the steely extensions of his arms.

Zannos tightened his grip on his shortsword in his right and snapped the blade of his other shortsword backwards, with its tip right next to his left elbow. Therios whirled his blades in response, and the two warriors began circling each other, never taking their eyes off of each other.

Come on, I have to defeat this lumbering giant. I’m faster, I’m better. I haven’t defeated aunt Ione’s champion to be beaten by this guy. Zannos thought to himself as he tried to overcome his growing anxiety. The dueling of this Convocation began only an hour ago, and he had already defeated Turtle’s spear-wielding veteran. The battle didn’t tire him out much; however, upon seeing Therios defeating Crab’s magic-wielding champion – without breaking a sweat from his opponent’s magic-empowered counterattacks – Zannos started doubting he could defeat the other finalist…

I have to win. All that training and time I devoted to this duel will not be in vain. This is going to be my finest hour.
The two of them have been circling each other for minutes now. The excited crowd behind them remained silent for some time, but now humming could be heard in the lines.

Suddenly, someone in Kraken’s lines began chanting his name. The chanting spread and a moment later all the attending Kraken members bellowed ‘Zannos.’ Serpent Clan retaliated by simultaneously chanting ‘Therios.’ The two names echoed through the hills, resonating throughout the bay and beyond. The naga dwelling in their caves or on one of the outlying islands not far off the coast were bound to hear the names of the human champions.

Zannos was fired up by his people’s support; he inhaled deeply and lunged forward with a fierce battle cry. Therios stood still, waiting for the right moment. He pulled both his swords back, intending to deliver a dual blow that was ought to knock the boy out of his balance. But the thought to stop or block never crossed Zannos’s mind.

Therios released his brutal slash; the two longswords howled in the air, ravenously craving to bite into flesh or steel, but Zannos reclined his neck and back while dropping to his knees. His momentum carried him forward on the soil, towards Therios, while the heavy blades passed overhead. Zannos hissed from the pain of bruising off the skin.

Friction was continuously slowing down his slide, until he stopped right in front of his foe – still on knees. The giant Luxon was not surprised at all: with a quick twist of grip, his left blade changed course and was now headed for the boy’s shoulder. Zannos expected this and blocked the thrust with a quick uppercut of the shortsword. As Therios’ sword swung up, he rolled to the right and managed to cut the other’s thigh. Warm blood poured to the dusty ground.

“Aaaargh!” Therios’s cry of pain silenced the roaring crowd. But instead of slowing him down or weakening his resolve, the bleeding wound sent him into a fury– now it was Therios’s turn.

Zannos could barely stand up when a flurry of the two blades was upon him. Slash after slash, stab after stab, he evaded and parried as strong as he could, but he had to back with each strike: losing ground and getting closer to the edge of the dueling area. The strength of Therios’s strikes only intensified and their pace increased; the champion was determined to push his opponent out of the battle circle, which also meant defeat.

Zannos was weary and now only two feet away from the edge. In his panic of losing the battle, he improvised; as Therios’ final slash approached – which would have wrested the sword from his hand –, he suddenly fell backwards, dropping his swords at the same time. The slash passed above again, but Zannos was still falling. Before he could have impacted into the dusty earth, he arched his back and reached aback with both his arms. The force with which his hands touched the ground nearly broke both his shoulders, but he used the bridge-like posture of his body to kick up his legs from the ground. However, before he could have backflipped out of the circle, he pulled his calves right to his thighs and kicked out a moment later, leading both legs into Therios who was truly surprised now. Zannos’s right leg managed to kick the still-bleeding gash on his opponent’s thigh: the giant Luxon fell over.

But he didn’t count in his own weakened state. The acrobatic, desperate move drained him, and when his legs touched ground again, the convulsing muscles in his arms finally gave in: he collapsed to the ground with face up.

This is it. At least I tried my best. Zannos thought as he tried to get back up, but his fleeting strength did not allow him. Even from his heavy breathing he could still hear Therios grunting and having similar difficulties. Unfortunately for Zannos, the other man was much tougher… sooner or later the Serpent champion would be up again, ready to claim victory over a foolish boy.

After the second unsuccessful attempt at standing up, he turned to his left side and let his sight wander onto the audience. There, his gaze met that of a spectator.

Zannos forgot to breathe as he had never seen such a beautiful being before. The woman’s beauty was on par with that of his twin cousins. He suddenly felt a sensation in his exhausted self and a renewed strength flowing in his veins. He jumped up, grabbed his swords and took up an offensive stance.

Therios stood up at the same time, but he had to lean on his blade to straighten up fully. The giant warrior barely had time to enter a defensive stance, as Zannos’s surge of blades reached him in the blink of an eye.

Zannos landed blow after blow on his opponent’s waning defense, while cutting and bruising him more and more. In less than a minute, Therios was so weakened that he let his guard down, which he exploited to disarm him; wounding the right hand which dropped the blade, while knocking the other sword out of the left hand with a powerful blow. The Serpent champion stumbled back but regained his stability.

Let’s finish this. Zannos smiled as he jumped forward so quickly it was hard to follow and struck his opponent’s healthy leg with the flat of the sword. The force brought Therios to his knees.

He pointed the tip of the right shortsword at the defeated man, who tiredly looked at his conqueror.

“I yield, Champion of the Kraken.”

The crowd basically erupted. The members of the Kraken Clan cheered, roared, and hugged while chanting the young champion’s name. Even the Serpent Clan members were satisfied with what they had seen, although they were less enthusiastic about it. Meanwhile, some healers ran in to help Therios up. The Serpent warrior shook his head then turned to Zannos.

“Kid, you have my approval. I haven’t seen anyone fight like that at your age. However, don’t engage in such risky moves next time.” Therios winked as he began limping out of the ring with some help. Zannos couldn’t even respond from being dumbstruck. He couldn’t believe he won, and now that the fight was over, the exhaustion rushed him. He felt very dizzy when a tall man and a woman of his height stepped next to him and hugged him.

“We are so proud, dear. What you did tonight would have surely impressed Keelaiah.” Arianthe said as she kissed her son on the cheek. “But are you all right? You must be tired and thirsty.”

“Someone bring us some water!” Kanaxai shouted then turned to his son who was still breathing heavily and unable to speak. “Son, I don’t know what to say. You were incredible!” He laughed and hugged Zannos again while some Luxons brought water. “Here, drink a little!”

“Can I… can I get some rest?” Zannos was so tired he nearly fell over. Kanaxai laughed heartily at his son’s question.

“No, not yet! The Champion of the Kraken and the current Convocation can’t just disappear without greeting his fans first!” Kanaxai patted his son on the back. “And remember, Zhu Hanuku will come soon. I doubt you’d want to miss that!”

Zannos didn’t reply but stared almost blindly into crowd as he drank some of the water and poured the rest on his body.

I can’t believe I won…


“You were so awesome!” A young woman with shoulder-length white hair said as she hugged Zannos. She was in her early twenties and immensely beautiful – no wonder she and her twin sister were called the pride of the Crab Clan. “Luna, over here!”

“What is it, Lyss? Have you found our little cou-… oh, there he is!” Luna stepped next to her sister and kissed Zannos on the forehead. Being twins, Lyss and Luna were completely identical to each other; save for Luna’s same white hair that went halfway down her back. “We knew you would do it. We felt it.”

“Well, at least you didn’t worry much then. There were some moments when I thought defeat was at hand.”

“Oh, it is natural. But you should never question yourself, Zannos. You were truly blessed by the gods.” Lyss said as she smiled at the sight of her cousin’s blushing. “You have no reason to doubt your exceptional prowess.”

“Indeed. You have the power to accomplish the impossible. But you should never ever let fear compromise who you are. If you do, you are lost.” Something changed in the sisters’ voice. Their gaze felt otherworldly.

The eerie moment sent an intense chill down on Zannos’s spine.

“Uhm… I will keep that in mind, but if you’ll excuse me, I should greet the others.”

“Oh, of course.” The twins’ behavior was normal again. “Later, oh Kraken Champion!” They sang together in a lovely, sweet tone before they headed back to Crab’s area.

Zannos began wandering the expanded camp area, meeting Luxons at every third step. Congratulations and cheers bombarded him from every direction. Although he tried to focus on his surroundings, the things Lyss and Luna told him – and the way they did – bothered him. He knew magic ran strong in them and that they could see and feel things others couldn’t, but this was new. What did they mean by not letting fear and doubt control me? What happened to them in those seconds? Questions like these plagued him as he was walking aimlessly, getting further and further from the others. The noise of the crowd began to fade away and Zannos realized he was now on the edge of the camp site. As he looked around he spotted a few Luxons talking but his attention was drawn to a lone figure near the woods.

The exquisite pair of eyes that were fixed at him belonged to the girl who he had seen during the duel. She was more beautiful than before with that radiant, seductive smile on her face. Zannos noticed that she was about his age, probably just a bit older.

The girl beckoned to him and he wanted nothing else but to run to her and get away with her.

“Son! I was searching high and low for you.” The sudden calling of his father made Zannos turn around in an instant. Kanaxai was jogging towards him. “You need to come; Zhu Hanuku has appeared to bless the winner of the Convocation.” He put his hand on Zannos’s shoulder and smiled.

“Ah… yes, I almost entirely forgot that. I am sure he will be pleased that the champion is from the clan that bears his name.” As he began the trek towards the shore with his father, he turned back in the direction where the woman stood, but she wasn’t there anymore. He looked around, but saw her nowhere, almost as if the earth swallowed her in whole. Well, I think I ran out of luck for some time with this victory…

Zannos stood in awe before the amazing creature. He has seen Zhu Hanuku many times, but he never stood directly before the great Kraken, nor did he revel in his blessings. Zhu Hanuku was a sea spirit, as the Luxons called the souls of mighty sea beasts and creatures that were believed to embody various virtues. This powerful spirit took on the shape of a fifty-foot long kraken and has been bound to the Kraken Clan since the very beginning of Luxon history. His six transparent tentacles waved calmly in the air, while his grand eyes were fixed on the boy in front of him.

“Zannos, son of Kanaxai, you have proven yourself worthy in the battles you fought tonight. Your victory is well deserved, for you have defeated your foes with true cunning and strength.” The spirit’s deep voice that sounded like the mild waving of the sea boomed throughout the bay. “Although your actions were not seen by the gods, the sea spirits are pleased, and as your reward, I bless you. Even in the darkest hour, the sea herself will forever hold you safe.”

Although Zannos thought that the blessing was just a formality involving no magic at all – a way to show that the sea spirits were always watching and keeping the Luxons safe –, he felt some sort of energy coursing on his skin as well as through his body. The hair on the back of his neck rose and goose bumps enveloped his body.

I wasn’t expecting that. I wonder what this blessing will do…

While he was recovering from the mysterious thrill, Zhu Hanuku began to gradually fade from sight and soon disappeared completely. However, he could somehow feel that Hanuku was still around in the physical world.

I always thought that he returned to the spirit realm after the end of each Convocation… but it feels like he’s still here somewhere.

He looked around to see if he could spot the kraken, but other than the now moderately drunk Luxons that celebrated near the edge of the woods he spotted nothing interesting.

Ah well… who am I to decipher the plans of an immortal spirit? I’m too tired to ponder on that anyway. Zannos turned around, intending to head back to the camp now that he was finally allowed to rest. But a glance at the hordes of his intoxicated brethren, who would stop at nothing to deter him from his plan, convinced him not to go that way. Time to take an evasive route. He smiled and changed course for the steep wall to his left.


“Something is not right, Kanaxai.” Zhu Hanuku appeared beside the captain who stood with crossed arms on one of the larger cliffs overlooking the cove. Kanaxai was surprised that the great Kraken did not return to the spirit realm outright, but he masked his emotions. He watched his son heading for the opposite end of the cove and beginning to climb.

“What is not right, Zhu?”

“I do not know fully either. I sense something powerful… a presence that I have felt before, but I do not know where and when. It eludes me.” The Kraken waved with his two frontal spectre-tentacles in anxiety. Kanaxai still watched as the tiny figure that was Zannos reached the top of the cliffs and moved into the woods, soon disappearing from his sight.

“Do you believe this presence is malevolent? Does it pose a threat to us?”

“I cannot even feel its intentions… it is old, it is power, but it is either oblivious to the world around it or far away from me to detect its thoughts or desires. We must be incredibly careful, Kanaxai.” Zhu Hanuku was beginning to fade away slowly. “Now I return to the spirit realm, but I will be watching… we will reveal the source.” The last of his words were whispery, and it sounded as if the wind itself carried them away in the direction of sea.

Kanaxai remained at the edge of the cliff and stared into the horizon that separated the dark, starry sky from the equally dark sea. Everything will be all right… Kanaxai tried to comfort his worried mind, but now he couldn’t believe himself either. He turned away from the beautiful vista and headed back for the camp.


Clouds rolled over Maishang Hills on the next morning, although it did not seem to begin raining soon. The participants of the festive Convocation day woke up soon, even when a lot of them felt a bit hangover after the last night. Now they’ve been working hard to strike camp and return to their original site. Many of the guests still decided to remain even after the Convocation, having found partners to go on a perilous endeavor against some fearsome creature or a lover to stay with. The captains, their family, champions and closest elders always went back to their then current realm. However, this time the three guest captains did not help in organizing the journey. They had more important matters to attend to.

Kanaxai, Elora, Alua, and Ione sat tensely in the captain’s tent.

“The time has come to decide, sisters.” Kanaxai said in a stern tone. “I suggest we secede from the Dragon Empire and take our future into our hands.”

“I’m in full agreement on this with Kan.” Ione said. “It was good while it lasted, but the Luxon Armada doesn’t need babysitting anymore.”

“I, however, must object to your proposal, Kanaxai.” Elora said, glaring at her sister and brother. “This is not the way to acquire more freedom for our people… For the love of Dwayna, we did not even tell the Empire about this planned secession! What will they think when they learn about this? I will tell you: they will brand us all traitors to the emperor and declare war on us!”

“Calm down, Elora.” Kanaxai tried to comfort her furious sister by putting his hand gently on her right shoulder. “They cannot brand us traitors. Remember, father accepted Kaineng Tah alone, and none of us have sworn fealty to Yian Zho. We simply decided to move on and shape our destinies alone.”

“Very well… I am not going to support this, but I also know I can’t change your minds. I just ask you one thing: if the Imperial navy appears at the seabed, don’t lament and pray to the Six for mercy. End the conflict as soon as possible with the least bloodshed.”

“We will fight with the might of the gods and the spirits of the sea behind us.” Ione proudly remarked. “We will show the Dragon that the Luxons don’t bend to anyone.”

“That is what I fear.” Elora pursed her lips as she sat back. “Alua, the future of the Armada is in your hands. What do you say; secede or stay?”

Alua remained silent in the whole quarrel. She looked up and her siblings could see that her expression was careworn, but her gaze was determined.


The four captains stepped out of Kanaxai’s tent. Their people looked up from their work and saw that something big was about to happen. Most of them abandoned what they were doing and flocked to their leaders.

“Krakens, Crabs, Serpents, Turtles! After much debate, I and my sisters, your captains, made a difficult choice regarding the future of our Armada.” He paused to look around: every eye was focused on him and the large camp that was busy a minute ago was as silent as a grave now. “We will leave the alliance of the Canthan tribes and secede from the Dragon Empire.” Many gasped at the news but he went on louder to be heard among the shocked whispers. “The four clans will become the foundation of the Luxon nation. From this day, the Luxon Armada is a master of its own!”

The people did not know what to make of this. A few hardliners roared, but the majority only clapped. Seeing this, Ione raised her arm in the air, which served as an incentive for the confused Luxons who also raised their hands and began to cheer.

Kanaxai could see from the corner of his eye that Elora put her palm on her forehead and shook her head. When he turned to Alua her sister looked away with downcast eyes, and it seemed as if she was blushing in shame.

For all our sakes, I hope this was the right choice… Kanaxai thought, but again, he doubted himself.

“It is an outrage! How dare these savage barbarians leave my Empire like that!” The second Emperor of the Dragon was almost as hysterical as a child whose favorite toy was taken. He stamped with his feet and hit the intricately carved armrest at every word, while the courtiers and servants worriedly looked around, fearing the Emperor might start a fire in his anger. “I will show them that traitors will be dealt with extreme prejudice. General!” Yian Zho looked sternly at the armor-clad statue that stood beside the throne. Raijin thought that he had to wear his heavy war uniform the whole day as a form of punishment for his former disobediences – or to break his will.

“Yes, my Emperor.”

“Prepare three legions to move out and notify Admiral Fai Zahn to have the Third and Fourth Fleets ready to sail to the Jade Sea through the canal. We are going to quell this little insurgence posthaste.”

“With respect, my Emperor, but is it the right course of action?” Raijin collected his strength to reply in a respectful and paternalistic manner. “As your military advisor, I suggest you to observe this situation cautiously… If you may let me elaborate.” With that he bowed his head.

“Go on.” Zho sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Thank you, my Emperor.” Raijin went ahead to face Yian Zho. “I cannot really fathom why the Luxon Armada seceded from our great Empire, but it is… probable that if we react aggressively, we might unintentionally strengthen their defiance and awake some sort of hatred against the Empire. Thus I strongly recommend finding a diplomatic way to bring them back. It will certainly ease tensions between our peoples and convince them that it was foolish to make this secession… as there is nothing really going on in the Empire that would rightfully evoke such an unusual step.” He averted his gaze for a moment then looked back into the Emperor’s cold and calculating eyes. “This Kanaxai is a sly man. He may be testing your wisdom and ability to rule based on how you respond now, my lord. This predicament can be resolved quickly and peacefully if you maneuver well. The Empire could even achieve a more beneficial treaty with the Luxons… one that obligates them to contribute more to the good of the Empire.” Raijin finished his short speech and bowed his head once again, awaiting his sovereign’s reply.

“Hmm…” Zho leaned back in his throne. He was a lot calmer now than before and was seemingly lost in his thoughts. “It is a counsel worthy of consideration. I must say, a treaty that binds these primitive tribesmen even stronger to us would be necessary indeed. But, first things first, I would be content even with the peaceful retrieval of Canthan lands and property.” Yian Zho leaned forward and rubbed his hands together. “Very well, General Seritena. I accept your suggestion. You are going to oversee the talks between our diplomats and them. You will also relay every development of the treaty to me.”

“As you wish, my Emperor.”

“Then I believe it is settled then.” The Emperor stood up. Everyone in the throne room straightened up and bowed. “You are free to leave… I am too tired and distracted to continue with more frivolous matters.”


Raijin was relieved that he could finally get out of his heavy armor. He was walking down the hallways of the palace and thinking about the past hour while on his way to his quarters. Raijin was pleased with what he had accomplished. He successfully talked the Emperor down from engaging in a confrontation that would’ve strained the Empire’s resources, and – more importantly – Yian Zho actually listened to his counsel.

The princesses may have been right about their brother after all.

He arrived at the corridor where his room was, but something was amiss. A thin streak of light was cast on the floor, coming from his room. He knew someone passed through recently because he always locked the door when leaving.

Raijin unsheathed his sword and tried to be as silent as possible, although it was mostly impossible in his heavy plate armor. Getting right beside the door, he slid the blade into the tiny slit and charged in.

“Oh, by the goddess!” The young woman doing something at Raijin’s desk gasped as she span around. She was wearing the ornate clothes of a Sacred Guard – specifically the robes of Dwayna’s Sacred Guard. “It was not necessary to startle me, General.”

“Excuse me, honored guard, but may I ask what are you doing in my quarters?”
“I… I really shouldn’t be here.”

“What were you doing at my desk?”

“Leaving a message… now I really need to leave.” With that she hastily walked for the door but Raijin blocked her way. “Don’t uphold a Sacred Guard in her duties. And put that sword down.”

Raijin sheathed his blade but still did not take a step away from the door.

“What is this about, priestess? You can tell me now that we are here in private.”

The woman let out a resigning sigh, placing her hands on her hips.

“I see you won’t give up until I tell you, General… Very well: the goddess appeared before me and told me that something was off with the coronation. She said Yian Zho might have involved unknown forces to ensure he will succeed his father.”

“The last will’s disappearance…”

“Yes… and more. The goddess also told me to inform you somehow, knowing your reservations about serving him.”

“This is… a lot to handle.” Raijin averted his eyes, contemplating what was just said. Did he steal the last will to prevent his sisters from inheriting the throne? But if that is true, what about… He looked into the Guard’s blue eyes. “Are you saying Zho might have had a hand in his father’s death?”

“I am not sure, but it is entirely possible. General, with your authority you can acquire clues that I alone cannot and vice versa. Together we can prove that the Emperor is guilty…”
“IF he is guilty. I don’t like him but I can’t imagine he would go to such lengths for power.”

“And I can’t imagine my goddess lying. Do you?” Her voice now carried a veiled threat. “So, will you help me or not?”

Raijin inquisitively measured Dwayna’s Sacred Guard. Fine features framed by long, auburn hair. Her fairy-like look was deception only, as her willful determination coupled with the near-fanatical devotion to her goddess gave her a form of fierceness that few men had.

He pondered on what she had said. He still couldn’t fully believe it himself, but he doubted she was lying. And if Dwayna herself told her about Zho’s suspicious activities then he had no right to question them.

“Yes… Yes, I will help you.”

“Good. Where will you start?”

“I’ll ask around and try to learn why he stayed in the forests for another day after we’d left for Raisu… after Kaineng Tah’s death.”

“Excellent. I’ll start with the coronation since I was there personally…” Her strict expression softened for a moment. “And thank you, General.”

“You are welcome. I just hope none of us will pay for investigating behind the Emperor’s back.”

“I certainly hope that, too. May Dwayna watch over both of us!”

Shame. It was the emotion he felt most of the time during his long imprisonment. Shame and guilt.

For how long has he been imprisoned? He did not know, but it has been a long time since he last saw daylight. Or saw anything for that matter. He did not feel his body. He had no connection with the world. His consciousness was stuck where his hibernating body was. What little he could do was to lose himself in his memories; dwell on his failed mission, think about his god, and ponder on where it all went wrong. How did they fail their divine duty and why did he survive when all his brothers and sisters died? Why did he have to suffer the consequences and live in shame, all alone? This is how he spent the unperceivable time of his confinement… lost in thoughts, thinking about possibilities for the present that could never happen now and questioning his miserable state, but not being able to give answers.

But most of all he cyclically relived the events leading up to their failure and his captivity. It all started when the enlightened of his race realized how much of a fool they had been for joining the unworthy and fighting him. Declaring themselves the Oratuss, the prophets of their god, they traveled to his tomb together to atone and receive guidance. However, knowing the terrible, rightful wrath that would have awaited them, they first took precautions: having learned techniques in the ancient war with which they could safely communicate with their god and harness a part of his power – only to understand his wishes and better serve him – they relished in his blessings. He was among the firsts to undergo the rite and knew he had done the right thing.

But not all of them agreed. While the True were distracted with marveling their newfound strength, some of their brethren betrayed the god’s benevolence. They feared him, having seen what he was capable of… they were afraid of his power. Thus the treacherous heathens decided to kill the god’s chosen: by combining their power they were strong enough to unleash a powerful explosion that brought down the walls of the trench, threatening to crush them. They all flocked to their sunken, sleeping god and miraculously they all survived in his shadow. With no way of getting back to their people and extracting revenge on the traitors they went the only way they could: through a deep tunnel. The passage was excruciatingly long. They thought they were going to die there, but silent whispers from their god urged them to go on. And in the end they all arrived at a land they only knew from legends; a land where their cousin race had lived.

They knew that destiny had called them there just as the whispers had kept telling them to find a lost, defeated prophet somewhere on this continent, but soon the suggestions stopped completely. Being completely clueless where to look, and experiencing the sensation of a strange feeling of being free they decided to change the course of their plans. First they were going to help their cousins become the superior race they were supposed to be and enslave the inferior. He personally became a great preacher, and where he spoke dozens joined their holy mission. A mission they soon began.

At first their war went incredibly well, but upon reaching a human city in the mountains that evoked an unexplainable hatred in them everything changed. They besieged it with their naga followers and when they were at an arm’s length of utter victory, a fire that burned with the fury of the heavens incinerated the victorious army. He and two of his brethren watched in horror from afar – they were bringing in reinforcements when it happened – and knew they had to flee. But they were hunted down and soon only he was left… until the day when he was captured. They demanded answers but he told them nothing. They broke into his mind but he resisted. In the end they decided that it was better to hide him from the world, and entomb him in his own mind, shackling his body with magic at the same time.

He often pondered what would have happened had the traitors gone with them. Could they have stopped the sorcerous flames? Would they have prevailed? He didn’t have the answers, just like he didn’t know why he couldn’t die with his brothers and sisters instead of this shameful existence. He was aware that he might have to endure this torment until the day his lord returned, millennia from now, and then face damnation in the form of his rightful fury, but he still remained true and nothing could have convinced him to betray his god.

This was the point where his disturbed mind fell into silence. He knew this feeling all too well. Troubled thoughts dissipated, his mind becalmed, but in a short time his upset brain would start churning out other concepts and memories that were all too familiar to him.

But something was different this time. Thoughts did not come, yet he started feeling anxiety and excitement. In the impenetrable darkness, his consciousness could spot an even darker shadow approaching. The greater blackness was terrifying; its dark silhouettes changing and moving in the gloom of his mind. As it got closer, he could see capillary-thin rays of light passing on its surface.

Then it roared. Although being deaf to the outside world, he could still hear the thrilling sound. He was paralyzed, but did not feel fear. The waving streaks of light grew, and so did the size of the shadow; it already towered above him and still grew as it came closer.

Finally, it stopped somewhere in the indiscernible distance. The deafening roar repeated and a moment later the top of the gigantic shadow came down, so it could better face him. The rays that still glided on the surface of the creature illuminated its muzzle: razor-sharp teeth and fangs in a gargantuan maw that could swallow the world, rows of enormous horns, and two grimly gleaming eyes – their cores set sternly on the ant before them. The gaze was full of outrage.

My lord… He finally recognized the titanic entity. He did not know whether it was reality or just another vision in his mind, but he was glad that something new happened, and that new was his almighty god. I…I… we failed you. The creature replied with a dissatisfied growl and the gap the size of a crevice opened larger in its world-tearing mouth, threatening to bite on him. If you give me a second chance, I won’t fail you again. But if you don’t, please, consume me here and now. At least I could serve you with my death, bringing your return ever closer! He begged his god, knowing that the dragon would end his torment one way or the other, and he was relieved for that.

The shadow dragon moved its muzzle closer to him and pierced him with its gaze. The darkness swirled like a whirlpool in its eyes. It started hypnotizing him: a vision was forming in the giant, black orbs, and it was growing quickly. The whirlpool enveloped him… then swallowed him in whole.

He stood on the rocky shores of a sea the color of jade. The clouds above him were dark, but it wasn’t raining. The winds lashed the sea around him into fury, but his attention was focused on the tall, obsidian obelisk in front of him.

Then suddenly, the obelisk broke in half. Whirling energies emerged from its broken frame and coalesced above the shattered pillar. The energy hung in the air for a moment, then swooped down towards him. Upon impact, his body jolted from the incredible force that seethed across him. He felt himself transforming; growing bigger, his insides turning to water that were ice-cold and steaming hot at the same time. He looked down at his arms and hands and saw great spikes and tentacles growing out of his scaly skin. But most of all, he felt his mind becoming almost one with his god’s. He felt its every thought and wish that he could better fulfill now. His dedication to his draconic divinity increased to unimaginable levels. But the darkness began dimming his sight again, despite him crying not to.


He opened his serpentine eyes. No, not in his dreams. He opened them physically. Although he could see little in the darkness of the cave he was entombed in for so long, but he definitely perceived the space around. He took a deep breath and felt the salty, damp air streaming into his lungs. It caused him to sneeze from the little moisture that stuck in his nostrils, but he didn’t mind as he hadn’t felt the smell of the sea for a long, long time – a smell that meant freedom to him. Hearing the silent boom of the sea from somewhere nearby filled his being with joy.

He could feel and taste and live again thanks to his god. Without his divine intervention, he would still be imprisoned. He owed him more than what he could repay under a single lifetime. And that is exactly why he had to fulfill the mission that was given to him in the vision. He had to travel to where that obsidian monument stood and become an immortal servant of his lord. Now he just needed to find the path that would deliver him to his destiny.

Out of nowhere, he heard two splashing sounds from a pond that must have been connected to the sea through some tunnels. Some things or some ones jumped in or out of the water. Huddling up he fell into complete silence and sharpened his ears.

“It wasss a bad idea coming here, Siriss. We should leave.” A serpentine voice said something, but he didn’t understand what. The dialect was not entirely different from his own, but it’s been a long time since he heard this language and had to refresh his memory.

“That carp went in thiss direction. It musst be here somewhere. Don’t worry that much.” Another voice spoke, speaking about some sort of fish that came in here. “I’m not passing up such a beautiful meal jusst becausse you are afraid of dark cavess. Have you seen the bulging muscless below those little and weak scaless? It iss a young carp, and you know what they say about them.”

“I know, but let’ss be quick about it. We find it, kill it, then we get out of here. Thiss place givess me the creepsss.” The first voice spoke again, but now he understood what he was dealing with. The familiar dialect belonged to the naga, the serpent-like cousin race of his people that he and his now dead brethren wanted to uplift. He had learned their language – which involved little difficulty – before he was entombed.

He rose up from the darkness and slithered towards the unsuspecting pair as silently as it was possible. He could see better now and tell the cave he was in was huge. The two naga were casually chatting and searching for the elusive carp that made them so immersed in the hunt that they didn’t hear the noise of his scaly lower body being rubbed against stone. Only when he was in arm’s reach of one did the naga spin around in surprise. His eyes went wide and he began screaming.

“A Corruptor! Run, Ssysna, run! We have to warn the otherss!” What the male naga said left him shocked. He was declared ‘Corruptor’ after all he had done for these snakes that had lived in the shadow of lesser creatures. He had no other choice but to share the truth with these misguided fools… again. While he was hesitating, the two naga reached the pond through which they came in, preparing to jump in and disappear in the maze of underwater tunnels. Reaching out with his hands he channeled magic into them. The pair froze in weird, twisted poses, and only the blinking of their eyes betrayed that they were not statues. Now he leisurely started to increase the intensity of his magic, using the focused power to break the nagas’ mental barriers. After the last hurdle of resistance had fallen, he invaded their mind, using vistas from his memory to serve as images for the hypnotizing suggestions.

My dear, misguided kindred. Why do you call me Corruptor when I serve our one, true god? Why do you brand me a criminal when I and my brethren freed you from the oppression of humans and showed you that they should be your slaves instead? I stand on your side. I represent the destiny of our closely related peoples. Together, we will conquer the world in his name and enslave the unworthy! His own mind was already getting filled with the feeling of adoration coming from the two naga. The hypnosis session was now over and he released the pair who fell awkwardly to the ground. When they regained their control, they dropped before him, touching the rocks with their snout.

“Excusse our former ignorance, great prophet.” The male naga said.

“Thank you for showing uss the truth and lifting the haze of liess from our mindss.” The female naga continued.

He crossed his arms before his crest and looked down upon his new converts. The powers he received from his master all those years ago were neither stripped nor weakened.

“Rise, my kindred.” He spoke to them in their own language and watched as the two obeyed and locked their glossy gaze on him. “Take me to your village!”


The small naga village was situated on the sandy beaches of a larger island. It was all silent and peaceful when he arrived with his acolytes. The inhabitants were enjoying their afternoon relaxation: naga were playing with their hatchlings on ground as well as in water. The sun glinted on the scales of naga fishers who occasionally came to the surface to haul their catch onto small rafts.

Poor children. Robbed of their future, denied of their destiny. I cannot watch so many lives wasted. I must save them.

As the trio approached the village center, more and more naga turned their heads to the newcomers. And when they saw him, they froze in one place and shock appeared on their previously calm muzzles. Those who recovered from the shock first picked up the hatchlings and slithered into the closest huts. The others grabbed whatever they could – sticks, stones, sickles, knives – and slowly converged on his location, but maintaining a healthy distance of thirty feet from him. Soon he was completely surrounded and the adults who secured the younglings returned and joined the others – now also equipped with tools that could serve as weapons as well.

“Siriss, Ssysna! Get away from thiss vile Corruptor!” An older-looking naga moved out of the ring. Judging by his looks and the staff he had he was the elder of this village.

“We won’t let you harm our true prophet, you old fool!” Ssysna said and all the naga gasped at her remark.

“He corrupted them already! Let’ss kill him to free our brother and sisster!” Another naga hissed and the others growled in fury and agreement.

“Kill it now!”

“Remove thiss filth from the world, dear friendss! Hiss foul magic will corrupt naga no longer! But try not to harm his victimss. They can still be saved!” The elder issued his commands and the others rushed toward him with great ferocity. His acolytes jumped at the attackers, but he was not terrified at all from being severely outnumbered. He raised his hands in the air and began a complex spell. Weaving his hands and murmuring an incantation in his own language, he felt as if time itself slowed down. The very air began vibrating around his body.

By the time the first assailant reached him the spell was finished. He pushed down the quaking air and a shockwave of concussive energy was unleashed in all directions. The attacking naga and even his defenders were knocked down by the force; all of them seemingly unconscious. Now he could easily tell them the truth.

“Poor, misguided souls. I am Noxallis, prophet and chosen of the One. I have come to free you of oppression and lead you to the path to salvation…”

The Canthan diplomats left the tent one by one. Only their leader, Ambassador Baigon, remained inside. The stocky, middle-aged Canthan had a black beard around his smiling mouth with a small, braided goatee hanging from his chin. Baigon reached out with his hand to grab Kanaxai’s who towered above him by two heads’ height. The two men then shook hands.

“I don’t really understand why the General and the Emperor were so… anxious when they briefed me on this mission.” The little man let go of Kanaxai’s hands. “You see, I’m a natural optimist, Captain… I did not believe that anything could have gone wrong and fortunately, my instincts were right again.” Baigon laughed cheerfully then motioned Kanaxai to follow him outside. Kanaxai stepped out after the ambassador who had to shield his eyes from the strong sun.

“Phew… it’s only the beginning of Zhoyo and it’s almost as hot here as in the middle of summer up in Raisu.” The sweating minister started to fan himself with his own hands. “I keep forgetting that it’s an entirely different climate.”

“I couldn’t bear the heat either if I had to spend my entire day in that suit, Ambassador.” Kanaxai smiled as he inspected Baigon’s ministerial uniform: a blue tunic with dragon motifs that enveloped him completely, topped with a blue hat. The cheerful little man laughed again – Kanaxai wasn’t sure whether he was overly friendly and talkative because of his job, or if it was in his nature.

“So true, Captain, so true. I believe I’ll have a complaint to make to those imbeciles who forgot that the Dragon Empire includes climates other than the northern one.”

“These lands are not part of the Dragon Empire anymore.” Kanaxai tried not to come off too unfriendly, but he instinctively thought that one sentence would make things more difficult in the long run. Although Baigon’s mirth apparently diminished a bit, he still didn’t show any sign of that.

“Of course not, Captain Kanaxai. And excuse me, but this secession happened so quickly and not so long ago, that from time to time I tend to forget that it actually occurred. After all, the Jade Sea’s been part of the Empire for so long. I still remember that as a youngster, me and my mother spent our vacations here on a regular basis.” The ambassador inhaled deeply. “The fresh, salty air, the warm sun. I love this place. Hopefully I can come back here with my family once this business is over.” With another smile on his face Baigon went after his companions, but a couple of seconds later he turned back once more. “I think we’ve made good progress today, but we are all tired. Shall we continue the talks tomorrow around the same time as today?”

“Certainly, Ambassador.” Kanaxai replied and forced a smile on his face. He was conflicted though he couldn’t fully grasp the reason for why.

“Splendid! See you tomorrow, Captain!”

Kanaxai stood silently in front of his tent for moments staring into the distance. Finally, he came to his senses. Looking around, he saw that while his people were working and tending their own business, they were curiously watching, staring at him. I bet they were listening to the whole conversation. I wonder what they are thinking right now. Kanaxai pondered as he stepped back into the tent. I never really asked them what they wanted, but we forced this whole affair on them… and now they see me negotiating with the Imperials. It must be all too confusing for them… hell I am just as confused as them.

Kanaxai sat down on the rugs and rubbed his eyes. But for the brief moment he closed them an intense series of images flashed into his mind: he saw his double-bladed axes descending upon a man’s skull and burrowing their blade inches deep into the head. The man dropped dead and Kanaxai recognized the dreaded, pain-twisted face: Ambassador Baigon’s.

He forced his eyes open. Hands and legs shaking, he managed to stand up and stagger to the water bowl. The lukewarm water he splashed on his face and neck cooled him off a bit. The tenseness was fading but he was terribly afraid. Why nightmares? Throw the largest beasts of the world at me and I will not tremble, but I don’t know what to do with these damned dreams… I cannot fight dreams.

Kanaxai remained at the water bowl, staring at his own disturbed reflection. Unknown minutes passed again when he heard small footsteps behind him. He spun around and found his wife worriedly looking at him.

“Are you alright, dear? Did something go wrong during the talks?” Arianthe asked as she ran forward and hugged Kanaxai.

“The talks went well.” He said embracing Arianthe. “I am not sure how it will all turn out but the Imperials are hoping for a peaceful resolution as well. One that benefits both sides.” He kissed his wife on the head. They stood there entwined in each others’ arms for a couple more seconds before Arianthe released him.

“Then what is wrong? And don’t try to hide it like last time. I can feel something is troubling you.” Her imploring gaze pierced Kanaxai. “Please, tell me! Maybe I can help.”

“I… I had another dream similar to the first. This one only lasted for a brief moment and I was even awake!” He couldn’t bear the painful sorrow forming in Arianthe’s eyes. He had to look away.

“What was in it this time?”

“My axes chopping into the ambassador’s head.” Kanaxai felt better just from saying it out loud but regretted it instantly as his wife gasped in shock. “And I don’t know whether these are only bad dreams or visions.”

Silence enveloped the tent. Kanaxai didn’t know what to say or do, but helplessly watched as his wife smeared the newly-formed tears on her face. He wanted to cry, too, but was unable, paralyzed.

Suddenly, Arianthe reached out and touched the sides of Kanaxai’s face and looked defiantly into his eyes.

“No. They are not visions. The last one didn’t happen. Yian Zho did not slaughter us, but instead presented a way that would benefit everyone. This will not happen because I know you are a good man and would never hurt innocents.” She grabbed her husband’s broad shoulders and stood up to her tiptoes to better face him. “Everything will be okay.” Arianthe said and kissed him.


Kanaxai wiped the sweat off of his forehead as he stepped off the ramp leading up to the main deck. He was helping out his people with moving cargo onto the Kraken’s Dream, the largest vessel of not only the clan but that of the Armada as well – it was Captain Kanaxai’s own ship.

They were done with loading the freight and now Kanaxai was admiring the view; his beautiful ship mildly rocking on the waves, gleaming in the bright, noon sunlight.

I can’t believe she will set sail without me. The first time she goes on a voyage without her captain. Kanaxai thought to himself as he idly stood in the harbor, observing the final preparations for the departure. He felt much better this day. No doubts, no flashes, no nightmares… just the day to be seized. A new day, a new challenge. Father, your words always ring true. Kanaxai smiled and turned around. He didn’t want to keep the Canthans waiting.

“Aren’t you coming, Cap’n?” A grizzled, old Luxon with long hair and beard jogged up to him. “What’s wrong with you?”

Kanaxai laughed heartily and patted the first mate on his back.

“Not this time, old friend. I need to ensure we remain on good terms with the Empire.”

“You go do that… I’ll ride off with your ship and the cargo.” The first mate winked as he teased his Captain.

“Take care of her, you old pirate!”

“Don’t I always?”

“Just one scratch…”

“Won’t happen… she’s like a daughter to me.” The first mate smiled and saluted. “Farewell, Cap’n!”

“Farewell! We will see each other soon!” With a sigh Kanaxai began the trek back to the camp.

“Caaaptaaaaain!”

Kanaxai heard the boy sooner than he saw him. He began running towards the little figure in the distance. When they got closer he recognized him as the leatherworker’s son.

“Captain!” The boy took a moment to catch his breath. “The others sent me to find you. There’s some bad news I bring.”

“What is it?!”

“A wounded hunter just returned to camp. He began shouting that all his companions were slain by snakes, then he passed out.” He nervously looked back from where he came. “Your wife and some healers are tending him right now.”

“Let’s go then! Hurry!” Kanaxai shouted and was sprinting towards the camp already.
Three minutes later they arrived, although the boy came in a bit later with tongue out.

“Get him some water and show me to the wounded!”

A Luxon guard saluted and beckoned him to follow.

“ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

The entrance of the tent from where the cry came was bloodied. Kanaxai rushed in and his eyes went wide.

“By Kraken’s Eye!”

Arianthe and the healers turned to the newcomer. The latter nodded then turned back to the patient, but Arianthe stood up and went to her husband. Her hands were also bloody.

“I’ve seen wounds and blood a lot in my life but this is…” Kanaxai was still staring at the poor victim who was silently whimpering in pain. “What happened to him?”

“We couldn’t get that out of him. All we know is that he was hunting in the hills with some of his fellows when they were attacked by a horde of naga.” Arianthe said as she washed the blood off with some water. “The naga killed all of them save for him, but they still badly tore up his arm… The healers say they will have to cut it off to save him.”

“Captain Kanaxai…” A hooded healer called out to them. “He wishes to speak with you. Please, don’t tire him out much.” With that the man and his colleagues left the patient and began preparing the scene and the tools for the operation.

Kanaxai walked up to the hunter and sat down. The man’s mangled arm was bandaged and wasn’t bleeding anymore, but he was still very pale. Kanaxai could only hope the blood in that arm was mostly gone already, thus he wouldn’t die of the blood loss after the limb’s removal.

“Captain…” The man turned his head to Kanaxai. “You need to know what… *cough* … happened.”

“I’m listening but try not to upset yourself. You are safe, you are in good care and they will heal you.”

“Yeah… but I’m not important. *cough* The things that attacked us were naga, but they were… *cough* … not themselves.” The hunter stopped, closed his eyes and clenched his teeth. “I saw them from afar. They… they were shouting something… again and again as they came. It was a mantra perhaps. *cough* I could only escape because I was picking fruits. From the tree I saw the others getting cut down and I knew I couldn’t help them. I had to run…” The memory of his friends getting killed twisted his face. He swallowed hard before continuing. “… but a lone naga sneaked up on me. He tried to kill me with a sickle but I managed to disarm him… then… *cough* …then he jumped on me and bit into my arm. We wrestled and I somehow grabbed the sickle and cut him open. I heard his friends coming and I knew they would outrun me. So I hid.” The pain surge repeated but this time the man cried out.

“I’ll *cough* get to the point. The other naga found his corpse… some of them seemed to be confused. They shook their head and began showing regret. A couple few watched with contempt and apathy instead. The ones who mourned their friend began to prepare him for funeral; I think… it seemed so. But then they froze. Another snake, a big one appeared behind them. He had bony spikes jutting out of his clothing.” The man took a deep breath. “He started arguing with the normal ones, then… when he got nowhere with ‘em, he chanted something in a weird language. *cough* Nothing happened, and he became even more frustrated. One of the freed picked up the sickle and rushed at him. He managed to cut the big one on his face, but it evaded the killing blows and then ran his own hand through the attacker, while the crazy ones slaughtered the normal naga. *cough* Their boss started hissing and growling and then they all left. I… I was bleeding badly but I waited out… *cough* …waited out ‘till I heard them only from afar… then I ran as fast I could.” The man finished and began panting.

“Tell me one more thing… this big snake… did it look like the other naga?”

“N… no. It was grey instead of green. Longer and taller than the others and its muzzle was different as well. Sharper edges, fangs protruding from its mouth. Its horns and crest were also bigger… more defined.”

The realization dawned on Kanaxai but he didn’t want to trouble the victim any longer.
“You’ve been through a great ordeal and this news – however horrid and costly it was – is invaluable.” Kanaxai softly touched the hunter’s healthy arm. “Hold out a little longer. You will be cured.”

“Thank you, Captain.” The man closed his eyes and swallowed hard. “Kill that wretched beast if you get the chance!”

“I can promise you that I will.” With that Kanaxai stood up and backed away. He looked back from the entrance once more; the man was already surrounded by the healers – all of them equipped with the proper tools.

Outside Baigon, who was seemingly troubled this time, and Arianthe were talking. They both looked up when Kanaxai stepped out.

“What did he say?” Arianthe asked.

“The naga are brainwashed… and all evidence imply that we have a Corruptor on our hands.”

“A Corruptor? What is that?” Baigon asked with great curiosity.

“It is a snake-like entity. Wielder of powerful and malicious magic. Fortunately, it is very rare. We thought we had killed the last one more than two decades ago… I was there with my father when it happened.”

“Oh… now I remember.” The ambassador took his hat off and scratched his head. “The naga lords who led their people on a rampage around these parts and even attacked the Empire. If I recall correctly, General Seritena’s wife died in their assault.”

“Not exactly. Common knowledge holds the instigators were naga, but actually they were these Corruptors. Your scholars even theorized that they are not even native to Cantha.” Kanaxai rubbed his chin. “But now we know how they control the naga; by brainwashing them magically… poor innocent souls.”

The three of them fell into silence, contemplating the shocking information. Arianthe nervously looked up. She bit into her lips, but after a few moments she decided to speak.

“What are we going to do about them?” She asked and Kanaxai now understood why she was so hesitant: she already knew the answer.

“I’m going after this Corruptor and kill it myself.”

“No! That’s too dangerous!”

“Don’t worry, love, I’m also bringing my best warriors.” Kanaxai’s wink was most telling.

“Ahem…” Baigon reentered the conversation. With a careworn expression on his face he was seemingly lost in thoughts but continued. “I would object to that decision, Captain.”

“Why is that? Don’t you want to save hundreds of lives?”

“Of course I do but in our current situation, leaving the talks would not be wise.”

Kanaxai crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. I don’t like where this is going… not one bit.

“What do you mean by ‘our current situation’?”

Baigon could bear Kanaxai’s stare no longer. He looked away and started twiddling with the hat he had taken off previously.

“The Emperor would be left most… displeased if he learned that you marshaled your forces and left to hunt down some mythical creature in the middle of the negotiation.”

Kanaxai was taken aback by the ambassador’s accusation. He was losing his temper now.

“What?! I take the best of my clan – leaving our homes almost defenseless – only to end this beast once and for all! No marshaling, no tricks. I’m doing this not only for the good of Luxons but for all of Cantha as well! If we waver, countless more could die… they could even turn north and invade the Empire again!”

Baigon was clearly conflicted now. But he regained his words and took a step towards the Captain.

“I…I understand your intentions and know them to be honest, but… but the Lord Emperor sees things a bit differently. I must report everything to him and he could misunderstand these actions… like I just did.” He finally managed to look Kanaxai in the eye again. “Please, I beg you… don’t risk the establishment of this truce, Captain. Let us warn the Emperor and the General! They will send troops and a coalition of our forces will destroy this Corruptor!”
Kanaxai vehemently shook his head in disagreement.

“Absolutely not… the invitation of Imperial soldiers to Luxon lands would make my people feel threatened and aggravated instead! What makes you think those Dragonguard won’t just stay after the Corruptor’s been dealt with?”

Seconds passed, but they just glared each other. In the end, Baigon sighed and put the hat back on his head.

“I am sorry, but my hands are tied. Decide as you see fit, Captain, but I will report it.”

“I’ve decided already.” Kanaxai’s voice was as firm as ever even when he knew he was taking great risks. “I’m putting an end to this threat for good… and now. If you can, please convince the Emperor that this is the right thing to do.”

“You can count on that. I will definitely try.”

“Thank you, Ambassador.”

“Now hurry… the faster you kill that snake, the sooner it ends and we can all sit down and talk in peace. His Majesty expects a letter each day. Today he won’t get it.” Baigon’s faint smile contained a little spite. “But I’ll have to send him one tomorrow at dawn or else he will take actions.” The ambassador offered him a hand. Kanaxai looked at it but a moment later they shook hands. “Farewell, Captain Kanaxai. May the gods watch over you!”


In an hour’s time Kanaxai’s handpicked warriors stood ready with supplies packed. Kraken Clan knew what the group was up to and how dangerous it was going to be. Relatives and beloved ones said goodbye to sons, fathers, husbands. Anxiety was thick in the air.
Kanaxai looked at the faces of his men and their folks – some people’s eyes gleamed with tears.

After this is over, I am making peace. Seeing my people harrowed by despair grieves me… Spirits, gods, anyone! Give me the strength to finish this! He began searching for his family and found them soon enough. His wife’s eyes were full of sadness but her stature radiated strength and when their gaze met, Kanaxai knew she was proud. Zannos on the other hand looked confused and nervous.

“We will be back in no time.” He said as they embraced each other. “The last one didn’t put up much of a fight when we destroyed her with your grandfather.”

“Don’t die out there, dad.” Zannos mumbled in a faltering voice.

“Not a chance. I’ve still got a lot to teach you.”

Zannos smiled weakly and took a step back to leave his parents alone.

“I’m so sorry.” Arianthe whispered in his ear. “I promised you everything will be alright and now here’s this.”

“You couldn’t have known. And this Corruptor wasn’t in my dreams after all. Be strong… I will return as soon as possible, that I promise.” He combed into his wife’s hair and drew in her scent.

“I think you will miss the birth of our baby.” She looked down upon her abdomen and caressed it.

“I’m doing this for all of us. For your safety.” Kanaxai also put his hand on her belly. “I’ll have one more reason to come back sooner. That snake’s not going to stop me from witnessing my child’s birth. If he does, he will be sorry he was born.” The usual smirk appeared on his face but it wasn’t sincere this time. He was sure Arianthe was aware of that, too.

“I can’t lose you.”

“And you won’t. Don’t worry so much.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Their words and undying devotion to the other were sealed by a passionate kiss. While it lasted, they locked out everything around them – matters, people, the world. Time stood still until their lips parted. Husband and wife finally let go of each other. Kanaxai looked at his beloved family one last time as he backed away and brushed his way through the crowd to the front. Everyone knew that the moment had arrived. His warriors readied themselves, turning away from their family.

“Krakens! We shall go forth and destroy the last of the Corruptors! We won’t let this conflict be dragged on… we will end it here and now. The sooner the snake’s severed head is on our spears, the sooner we can return to our families and live out the rest of our lives in peace!” The furious roar of his people was a satisfactory answer to his short speech.

With an axe raised up high Kanaxai began a forced march. He heard the heavy footfalls of his twenty soldiers increasing and catching up with his pace.

Kraken goes to battle. Hopefully for the last time…

Raijin was pacing up and down in the palace’s war room. This circular chamber was called the conference room back in Kaineng Tah’s time and at its center sat a large, round table with the map of the explored world painted on its top. But after Yian Zho was inaugurated, a change in both purpose and name was in order: the former conference room started serving as a meeting spot for the Canthan leadership to discuss tactics and strategies in case of war, but most importantly, to plan out the grand expansion of the Dragon Empire – the one Princess Niya and Raiya inadvertently started with their endeavor to the north and the one that had become the obsession of the Lord Emperor since.

Raijin was troubled on multiple fronts. First, Ambassador Baigon’s daily letter had not arrived yet. He didn’t know what could have happened as Baigon was a precise man, and he wouldn’t be late with such an important piece of information as the state of the treaty.

But the source of his other concern was about something else. Just that morning, Kei Jii, Raijin’s most trusted scout and servant, reported about the events that had transpired on that day in the forest. When the General asked him to try and learn something about what might have happened there, Kei Jii talked with the stableboy who’d had to remain with the small group, tasked with looking after the prince’s and the soldiers’ horses.

What the stableboy had seen further proved that Zho was involved somehow in the mysterious events surrounding Kaineng Tah’s death… The then prince walked out into the wilderness all alone, in the depth of that night. Not even his guards knew where he was going. Then, the following day, when the group was about to leave for Raisu, the boy was sent out to fill the satchels with fresh water. And there, near a small stream he claimed to have found the carcass of a jet-black stallion… Kaineng Tah’s stallion.

The boy knew whose horse it was and was smart enough not to get into trouble by mentioning it to Yian Zho. He was right: the returning group with the prince at their lead stated that the horse was so terrified of something that it broke loose during the night and disappeared in the forest.

However, the most interesting thing the stableboy mentioned was that there was neither blood nor wounds on the carcass. Raijin suspected that it was magic that killed the animal, and the thought of that made him shudder.

Worry shrank his stomach and cold droplets of sweat slid down on his temple as his upset mind flashed from one disturbing problem to another disturbing problem; as if it was unable to decide which one was the graver of the two.

He stopped as he heard footsteps coming from the door’s direction. A man indeed passed in front of the room but continued on with his business after taking a short glance at the armor-clad general.

I can’t believe this! Raijin started walking around the table, examining the painted versions of Cantha and the Jade Sea. If Baigon has gone missing the Emperor will surely take actions, and this time I won’t be able to talk him down from doing something stupid.

Now numerous footsteps sounded from the corridor: the heavy clatter that metal boots made on the stone floor struck anxiety into Raijin’s heart: the Emperor and his guard escort headed for the war room.

So soon? He took a deep breath and prepared for the worst.

A moment later Emperor Yian Zho appeared with the usual smugness on his face, surrounded by four Dragonguard. Two guardsmen stayed outside, taking position at either side of the entrance, while the other two came in, saluted him and took their place at the inner sides of the door. The emperor strode toward the center and rested his elbows on the edge of the table, admiring the small figures on the map while Raijin finished his bow.

It’s just a game to him. He’s damn good at it, but he doesn’t see the people behind those symbols… the men and women who are willing to give their lives for their emperor and his grand vision.

“Report, General. What news did Baigon send today?”

“None yet, my Emperor.” Raijin could see a flash of frustration darkening Zho’s expression. “I believe something has happened to the messenger falcon. A storm maybe…”

“And what if those dear Luxons kidnapped or murdered him and the diplomats?”

“I highly doubt that. I know Captain Kanaxai and he is an honest man. A bit temperamental, but honest nonetheless. The same can be said about the Luxons.”

“Perhaps… however, at the end of the day they are still the primitive nomads they have always been.” Zho grabbed the royal scepter that was lying on an ornate shelf built into the side of the table. It was said that actions carried out, commands and orders issued with that scepter could not be overruled – not even by the Emperor, unless he revoked it using the scepter again. Raijin knew it to be a simple legend, but a dangerous one in the wrong hands… and the scepter was clearly held by such hands right now. “And thus we have to take precautions…”

“My Emperor, it has only been a day and the ambassador claimed that the talks were advancing well. Marshaling our forces could frighten the Luxons and make them jump out of forming this truce.”

“Or it was just one of Kanaxai’s tricks and he forced Baigon to mislead us. No, I’m not willing to take tha—…”

“Excuse me, my emperor, but a boy says he’s bringing an urgent message for both of you. Shall I let him in?” One of the guards asked and Raijin couldn’t help but smile at the interruption: Zho seemed to have been knocked out of his calm arrogance.

“Don’t interrupt me again… do you understand?”

“Y-yes, my Emperor. I’m sorry, my Emperor.”

“Good… now let him in.”

A young servant walked in and knelt down before the dignitaries. He was holding a small parchment.

“You may rise. What have you brought for me?”

“Thank you, my Emperor. The messenger falcon just arrived, bringing a letter from Ambassador Baigon.”

Emperor Yian Zho took the paper from the boy.

“You can go now.” He waved at the entrance and the boy quickly left after bowing. Zho began reading the message and his visage grew darker with each moment.

“Nonsense! Outrageous nonsense!”

“May I read it, my Emperor?”

“Here, take it. I hope it will convince you that they are playing tricks on us.”

The Emperor handed the parchment to Raijin. He looked at the small note that was written with ornamented characters.

Talks temporarily ended. Captain Kanaxai got word of a Corruptor brainwashing naga and rampaging in the hills. He left the camp with his best warriors to destroy the threat for good. Promised to return and continue. Patience is required. Everything is fine.

- Baigon

“Another Corruptor? Hopefully it will be the last.” Raijin tried to change the subject of the discussion, although he was sure it wouldn’t help.

“Bah… you really believe this pathetic excuse?”

“Why wouldn’t I? These Corruptors did untold damage to Cantha even before the Empire was born. And they—”

“Yes, yes, killed your wife and destroyed her empire.” Zho’s attitude infuriated him beyond words, and if he hadn’t known how to control his growing anger, he would’ve killed him right on the spot. The Emperor went on as if nothing had happened. “But we have no reason to believe there are more. According to your and father’s report most were killed in the celestial fire while the survivors were hunted down by Kanaxai’s father. ALL were accounted for. This is just a ruse to suppress our suspicion.”

“As I said before, Kanaxai is an honest and true man. He would never deceive anyone. If there’s a Corruptor hiding there somewhere, it must be eliminated immediately. The Captain is doing the right thing.”

“Even if what he says is true, it won’t hurt if we move our forces closer to Luxon borders.”

“But my Emperor! It might instigate them!”

“Then make it look like as if it’s nothing else but a legion sent to protect them in case this Corruptor attacks their undefended camp. An act of goodwill, if you will.” Zho frowned. “By the gods, do I have to tell you everything?”

Raijin hated to admit but the emperor was right this time. The army’s presence in the area could becalm the Emperor’s paranoid mind and still serve as a convincing way to better the relationship between Cantha and the Luxons – even if it’s all just deception. Let’s hope they will think the same. There’s even something that can be done to make it more believable, however.

“It will be done, my Emperor, although I have advice that might be worth considering.” He picked up a commandeering stick from the table, looked for the wooden banner depicting the mark of a legion stationed near the northern edge of the Jade Sea and pointed the tip of the rod at it. “The Seventh Legion is close enough to be in the hills in a few days’ time, but it may serve your needs more if not the whole legion was sent, but several battalions only.” With that Raijin grabbed a smaller banner-figure with no legion markings, swiftly put it near the Seventh Legion’s and pushed it to the vicinity of a wooden coin with a kraken on it. “The remainder of the legion can uphold the law and guard our southern borders while the… ahem… ambassadorial units can move in to defend the Krakens and ensure there is nothing amiss.”

Emperor Yian’s gaze pierced the three figurines as he was thoroughly weighing the options. In the end, he clicked with his tongue.

“Perfect… in the meantime, send word to Admiral Fai Zahn as well.”

Shock appeared on Raijin’s face, replacing the calm that was starting to show a moment ago. What does this pongmang have in mind now?

“And what should I tell him?”

“To mobilize the Third and Fourth Fleets and have them amass near the channel.” Zho bent over the table. When he found the appropriate ship-figures, fire kindled in his eyes: with a concentrated gale of hot air he blew the little boats to the large bay of the channel connecting the Jade Sea to the ocean. Emperor Yian Zho looked up with an arrogant grin. “Just a little precaution.”

Raijin raised an eyebrow before he spoke. He now knew how to deal with the Emperor’s paranoia.

“And what should be the official story?”

“Figure something out. Increased naitahlen activity, military exercise… whatever you like the most.”

“As you wish, my Emperor.” He bowed and stormed out of the war room with clenched fists.

****

The fool! He can’t even realize that his own damned plans for Canthan expansion will be either postponed or ruined if he begins waging war! Raijin’s troubled thoughts raced across his mind as he furiously wound through the halls and chambers of the palace on his way to his quarters. Relax, Raijin. You can still fix this mess. Kanaxai will get rid of the Corruptor, return to his people and forge that truce with Baigon, while that division of the Seventh Legion appears as the noble protectors of the defenseless Luxons. He knew that if one thing went awry, the fragile hope for a bloodless solution will be shattered in an instant. I have to get to writing those command letters now.

He arrived at his room, quickly moved in and closed the door. Inside he walked up to the desk and put Baigon’s message on top of a scroll pile. He almost entirely forgot Kei Jii’s report in the debate with the Emperor, but now he had to put that aside until he was finished with the letters.

The extreme stress weighed heavy on his shoulders, adding its own weight to the physical pressure of the armor. Raijin collected his thoughts and began unfastening it. Piece after piece, he felt the burden – both physical and mental – decreasing. The severity of the crises he had to face was still staggering, but at least he became a tiny bit more relaxed. In order to have a chance at conquering these difficulties, I’ll need to be focused. Raijin sat down and made some work space. After finding a blank paper and opening a fresh vial of ink, he got to writing the crucial documents. A miswritten ideogram, a misworded sentence and everything could fall apart.

The weary general lost his sense of time in the heavy concentration. He was already done with the letter for the Seventh Legion’s commander, and now was close to finishing the sailing order for the Admiral.

Knock… knock… knock… knock.

He was knocked out of his focus which almost resulted in a stray line on one of the ideograms. Now what?

After cautiously putting the cap on the vial, he stood up angrily and crossed the room. His hand was reaching for the handle when the unexpected guest yelled outside.

“Hello? Is there anybody in there?”

Raijin nearly jumped in surprise. The voice was eerily familiar. Could it be…

He quickly turned the key and pushed the handle down, letting the door slowly swing open with a low creak.

In the corridor a young man stood, wearing the generic uniform of the Imperial soldiers. The man was just as tall as him and looked exactly like the general in his younger days.

“Teiran!” Raijin laughed as he hugged his grandson. The two of them hadn’t seen each other for more than half a year now. “What are you doing here? I thought you were still stationed near Dinfang.”

“Well, our commanders decided that a smaller contingent can handle Fort Fu and upkeep peace with the tengu just as well, so the rest of us were called back to attend other duties.”

“And who were you assigned to?”

“Believe it or not, I’m serving under General Raijin Seritena now.” Teiran’s grin ran from ear to ear.

“What? Really?”

“Yes, sir!” Teiran saluted his superior, now nearly bursting from the laughter he was holding back.

“At ease, soldier! Come, I’ll show you around. I wanted to break away from the work anyway.”

****

Raijin and Teiran were walking in the training grounds just next to the palace. Disciplined soldiers were sparring in duos and quartets, while others were following an elder instructor’s fighting moves, carrying them out perfectly and in unison a moment later. The sun was still high on the sky, but greyish white clouds rolled over and blocked it out occasionally.

A few minutes later they walked on, approaching the coastal woods surrounding the ever-growing palace and the construction sites. None of them wanted to break the embarrassing silence: they hadn’t spoken since the death of Raijin’s son, Teiran’s father, who had died only a week after Kaineng Tah.

The painful memories were enough to rob him of the joy that seeing Teiran had caused, but Raijin collected his strength and looked at his grandson. His hoarse voice betrayed that he was stifling the sorrow that tormented his soul.

“How are you holding up?”

“Better than during the funeral.”

“Everyone would’ve reacted similarly. Even I could barely hold myself back from lashing out at those Sensali.” He looked up at the cloudy sky with equally clouded eyes, painfully smirking. “And then they just wanted to pay their respect.”

“Good thing the Angchu tengu was there, too. If they hadn’t held me back, father’s sacrifice would’ve been for nothing.”

“Indeed. Because of him peace survived. The Sensali knew that too.”

“But I will never forgive them.” Teiran raised his voice as fury was born of the memory of loss. "They are aggressive, savage beasts. Father had to die because of a simple misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstandings can be fatal when you don’t know the culture you are dealing with. It is a lesson the Emperor might learn the hard way.” Raijin pursed his lips and bowed his head in hidden shame. What’s wrong with you, old fool? Why do you have to bring up other problems when talking to your grandson about his father’s death?

But Teiran seemed to be happy that they could change topic at last.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s complicated. If everything goes well, it’s nothing you should worry about. If not… then you will know it yourself.” Raijin remembered he still hadn’t finished the second document. “Now, let’s return to the palace. I bet you’re tired and I’ve still got some work to do.”

As they turned around, a blue bird appeared on the horizon, coming from the south and flying towards them. Upon closer look it looked just like a dove.

“A blue dove?” Teiran asked in disbelief, but Raijin knew exactly what it was – although he didn’t say a thing.

The exquisite phenomenon arrived before them several moments later; an ethereal dove of blue light, flapping its wings as it dynamically changed shape and became the transparent form of beautiful young woman in ornate robes: Dwayna’s Sacred Guard. Her image began speaking immediately.

“General, I’ll try to be as quick as possible. I didn’t want to risk sending a letter by normal means since those messages could easily be checked before they are handed out. After parting I entered a trance to recall the tiniest details of the coronation: it paid off, as on second watch I saw Yian Zho panicking – his expression was replaced with shock when the scrutinizing orb entered his mind. It might be nothing, or he was clearly afraid of being scanned for treacherous deeds… Right now I’m heading south to meet my Patriarch and ask his counsel. I’m sure the goddess has informed him too, and hopefully he’s already learned something that can help us in uncovering the truth. I hope your own investigation is going well. I have to go now! Farewell!”

When her image finished speaking, the ethereal light dissipated in the air, leaving nothing behind.

Raijin held his hand on his mouth, not knowing what to say or do. How can someone be so irresponsible?

“Well, life is sure never boring around you.” Teiran said with a grin on his face. “What’s going on? And before you answer, remember: by listening to the Sacred Guard’s message, I’ve just joined you in the fray.”

Raijin had to agree that there was no point in keeping him out now. He exhaled deeply and told the whole story from the very beginning, going into the smallest details and also informing him about Kei Jii’s report.

When he finished, Teiran’s eyes went wide from what he had just heard.

“This is a serious accusation. Are you two sure about this?”

“Absolutely. Dwayna herself told her these things and with the stableboy’s telling of that one day it’s all too likely that the Emperor is guilty.”

Raijin saw Teiran fell into a silent contemplation, going over all that was just said. In those seconds he wondered how his grandson would decide in the end.

Not even half a minute passed when he looked into his grandfather’s eyes, determination glinting in his gaze.

“I want to help… especially now that I serve under you.” Raijin was surprised at Teiran’s words for two reasons: he didn’t expect that the boy would jump into their little conspiracy immediately and, more importantly, his voice didn’t contain any form of excitement at all. His whole being radiated sincerity and seriousness. Men of his age would probably volunteer for the thrill only, and yet he was doing it out of a sense of duty and responsibility – for his family and his nation. Raijin couldn’t have been more proud than he was right now. He quickly collected his own thoughts to hide how moved he was.

“Well, I have to stay here and do all the paperwork that is required to keep the Empire from being plunged into war, which means I can easily find out more about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Kaineng Tah’s last will in my off-duty hours. As for you, if you really want to help, you could keep an eye out on the priestess.”

“Understood.”

“She shouldn’t know about it, though.”

“I’ll protect her without her even knowing I’m there.”

“Oh, I am sure she can handle herself alright…” Raijin had to chuckle as he imagined the expression on the woman’s face when Teiran tried to defend her. “It’s that she’s just a little too mysterious… too many unknowns.”

Teiran frowned in a slight confusion.

“Don’t you trust her then?”

“Of course I do! But I’d like to know what she’s up to. Her blind devotion to Dwayna might make her do something stupid that we may all regret.”

“As you command, General.” Teiran said in a serious tone and saluted his superior.

“You might want to leave today if you want to catch up with her.”

After an affirmative nod, Teiran stepped forward to hug his grandfather. Metal plates clang as their armor bumped together.

“Be careful, little dragon.” With teary eyes, Raijin whispered to the last living member of his family.

Dark red blood splattered into Kanaxai’s face as he ripped his right axe free from the crest of a naga. The crazed serpent dropped its knife and pressed both his hands into the severely bleeding gash as hard as he could, trying to hold back the gush of blood that the fleshy, pulsating wreck that his heart once was thrusted at every beat.

When he realized it had no use, he locked his glassy gaze on his murderer, and Kanaxai could swear that it was gratitude that appeared on the dying muzzle. The naga agonizingly hissed a few more times as it died.

But Kanaxai was already on his way to the next target. All around him men and naga were locked in a deadly battle: dying screams, angry growling, furious battle cries and the sound of steel biting steel were mixed into a cacophony that spread throughout the shore and the surrounding hills.

The controlled serpents fought without discipline: they hacked, slashed, stabbed, bit and even spat just to disorient their foes. Kanaxai saw that two of his men already fell to their frenzied flurry and unpredictability: one was stabbed in the back of the skull and the other was missing his throat; both lay still in a growing pool of blood that the hot sand avidly soaked in.

A twisted blade swung towards Kanaxai’s head, its spiraling curves letting out a horrid whistle as they cut through the air. Kanaxai instinctively bent his head back and evaded with his torso: the gut-tearing sword missed only by a half of an inch, but the naga was carried forward by the momentum and with stretched arm he nearly toppled over. Kanaxai took his chance to land an opportunistic blow: with a lightning fast change of grip his left axe slashed upwards, and a moment later its blade cut off the naga’s sword-holding hand. The naga hissed in pain, grabbing the bloody, scaly stump at the end of his arm, but Kanaxai gave him no chance to recover from the shock and use his body as a weapon against him. His right axe chopped into the naga’s nape, severing the spine from the skull. The naga lifelessly fell forward with a buckled head.

He was finally in the clear now – even if just for a brief amount of time – and could look around to assess the battlefield: while he was fighting with his last opponent, another of his warriors was slain, and a couple others were wounded and bleeding from several cuts. Naga bodies littered the shore yet fresh reinforcements just kept coming from behind a hill, slithering down the slope with the single-minded purpose of butchering them.

Damnation! How many more brainwashed naga does this blasted Corruptor have? Kanaxai thought as he readied himself for the next two challengers. Charging forward, he glanced at one of his warriors, a smith in time of peace, whose double swords just cut off the head of his foe with a scissor-like strike. But he had to concentrate on his path as the two naga were also rushing towards him, wildly jigging their pointed sticks in the air. One of them threw the sharp rod at him, but he ducked and strafed to the left, evading the javelin and getting out of the other naga’s reach at the same time. Seven feet away from his assailants, Kanaxai lunged forward. The naga that still had his lance jabbed in the air but Kanaxai was quicker and cut off the tip with a swift chop, also wresting the lance from the naga’s hands. Still in midair, he slammed the left axe into the skull of the other, who died instantly, falling back with the axe still stuck deep in his head. Kanaxai had to let it go or otherwise he would’ve tripped over. The moment he touched down with only one axe in hand, he felt razor-sharp claws tearing into the flesh of his shoulders; the other naga pounced on him and pushed him to the ground.

The wounds on his shoulders seared as the blood flowed from them in long streaks, but now that he was lying in the sand the female naga released her grip with one hand and tried to push it into Kanaxai’s throat with the intent of ripping it out, strangling him to death, or both. Kanaxai was able to grab the scaly wrist just in time and held it back. The naga let go off the other shoulder and similarly tried to punch her foe in the neck, but was stopped again.

However, she had one more weapon she hadn’t used yet: she arched her long neck back to ram her fanged maw into the man’s face with full force. The female naga struck, but Kanaxai managed to cross the naga’s own arms with a sudden jerk and hold them between his face and the enclosing jaw. He glanced to the right where his axe lay in the sand just a foot from him, but if he had reached out for it, he could no longer keep the rabid serpent at bay. Though he had one more risky idea.

Gritting his teeth and trying to push the bloodthirsty head back, he kicked at the soft torso of the naga, only to enrage her even more. She wrapped her tail around Kanaxai’s legs and began squeezing them.

The pain and the pressure increased with each moment and he felt his strength slipping away, letting the snapping teeth get closer and closer. He knew that the moment one of his shins broke, he would fail and the naga would bite on his face. Kanaxai closed his eyes and accepted his fate.

Instead of feeling the bones in his legs shatter, he felt the pressure decreasing. At the same time, warm liquid the smell and taste of iron poured into his face. He blinked his eyes open and saw a steel-like tongue sticking out of the naga’s mouth. The “tongue” pulled back and disappeared behind the skull and Kanaxai threw the corpse off.

A calloused hand reached for his own and a moment later Kanaxai stood on his feet again. His savior was the smith, panting and bloodied as well, but determined to see this through.

“Thanks, Cyrus.”

“Anything for you, Captain.” He looked down at the axe he had picked up a moment ago and handed them over to its owner. “You are going to need this… Now, we’ve still got some work to do.” With that, Cyrus rushed ahead and ran a sword through another naga who was engaged in fight with one of his war brothers.

Kanaxai caught his breath while looking around the battlefield. Three more of his soldiers fell and the naga were pushing hard from all directions, forcing them back into the sea. It was a trap and we walked right into it. This damned Corruptor is smarter than I thought.

An hour ago they had found the tracks of a group of naga heading south along the shore. The tracks had implied the group was large, but they never thought it would be so numerous.

The realization dawned on Kanaxai only now. Most of them marched in single file, each naga moving behind another… so that is how they hid their actual numbers. The deception had worked well and they unsuspectingly followed the trail all the way down here, where a smaller unit had attacked from the sea, making them believe it was the group they had been harrying. Minutes later the horde had ambushed them from behind the hill and all hell had broken loose.

He quickly rushed to his other axe and freed it from the naga’s skull.

“Captain!” The voice of one of his warriors came from behind: a young man with a bow in hand standing on a larger rock thirty strides away. “More naga are headed down the hill! We will be overwhe–“ He couldn’t finish his sentence. The boy looked down at his abdomen with wide eyes to see the twisting, transparent tip and a two-foot-long part of an ethereal spear sticking out of it. The spearhead and the pole weren’t bloody at all, but his blood gushed like a red waterfall from the wound onto the previously white cliff. His eyes rolled back into his skull as he fell off the cliff with a silent sigh.

The burning rage in Kanaxai surged into every fiber of his body. Ferociously whirling his axes he rushed forward, looking for the one who killed the young warrior.

“XSHSSSSSSHSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Kanaxai snapped his head at the source of the ear-bleeding hiss and found it to be young warrior’s murderer: the Corruptor himself. Standing taller and more muscular than most naga, the creature was more frightening in the flesh than had been in the injured hunter’s description. He was wildly throwing ethereal spears at Kanaxai’s men, but they missed or the warriors evaded with ease. Kanaxai saw that the Corruptor’s arms were quaking at each throw, and the pace at which he was throwing them continuously slowed down. He’s losing his power!

He realized that it was now or never. With a single stroke of his axes he can kill the weakened monster, free the naga and stop their onslaught. He charged forward with all his might, trying to find a safe way through the naga defenders. To his surprise some of the naga slowed down as well; they were disoriented and blindly staring into the distance. He can barely control them now! Now at the foot of the small hill, only about fifty feet separated him from the Corruptor.

However, the nightmarish snake also spotted him. It pulled back its right arm and dark energies began roiling into his clenched fist: he was charging an attack.

Kanaxai had no intent of stopping; he just rushed forward while trying to calculate the place where the javelin would hit.

Then, the spear was thrown.

He easily evaded it, and it would’ve simply struck the ground near his feet, but upon impact the magical missile exploded. Kanaxai felt the world spinning as he was thrown aback, helplessly flying towards the base of the hill. When he crashed into the sand, everything went dark around him. His head was about to split in two from the pain, but he still heard the sounds of battle from nearby. Seconds passed as he was trying to get back up from the painful stun when hands reached below his arms and began dragging him towards the shore. He forced his eyes open, still seeing a few sparkles.

Looking around, Kanaxai saw that Cyrus saved his life again and brought him to the very edge of the shore. All his surviving men were there, amazedly watching the absurd scene: naga fighting naga.

The brainwashed ones could still be distinguished from the free due to their undisciplined, mindless fighting style. On top of that, unfortunately they still vastly outnumbered their freed brethren.

Kanaxai stood up and looked back at the top of the hill: the Corruptor was broken, only his convulsing arms holding him back from stretching out on the ground. Despite being half-dead his awesome power was still enough to maintain control over the majority of the naga.

“What should we do now, Captain?” Cyrus asked, still dumbfounded by the sight.

“If we want to survive this, we’ll all have to stand together.” With that he let out a sharp whistle, to which some of the sane naga turned around. Kanaxai gesticulated with his hands to join them and miraculously, they agreed and began passing the message in their own language. Several seconds later the survivors started into a slow retreat, backing towards Kanaxai’s team and the sea.

“We have to help them. Reinforce their lines and slowly fall back with them. Here we will make our last stand.”

“Is there any chance we are going to survive this?” A young warrior asked, fear making his voice quake.

“Pray to Keelaiah that we will.” Kanaxai also started into a prayer as he was running to the help of their unexpected allies. He could hear his men doing the same, and an instant later a powerful sensation filled his being, urging him to press on and fight.

Hold out a little longer, brave men of the sea. Help is on the way. Until then, my strength and cunning will empower you.

The Kraken’s Dream silently glided on the sea, not far off the coast. Its sails were unfurled although there wasn’t much wind to catch at the moment. Most of the crew were resting in the deck below with a few playing cards on the main deck.

Demetrius, the first mate and captain in Kanaxai’s absence, leant over the railing and stared into the distance, watching the horizon that divided the colors of jade and cyan. Out on the sea people couldn’t know when a leviathan would suddenly attack without any sign beforehand, but Demetrius simply marveled at the beauty of the incomprehensible, capricious sea. He just realized that deep down he actually meant the tease he told Kanaxai about cruising away with the ship and never returning. He would have never betrayed his clan or his Captain, but the prospect of leaving everything behind and living only to the sea was tempting.

They had only left the pier a day ago, almost right after the Captain had helped them loading the cargo in, but the winds were rather unfavorable and so they passed the shores of Maishang Hills only about two hours ago.

A tiny whirlpool that formed a hundred strides from the ship caught Demetrius’ attention. Then a second, a third, a fourth… in the end there were six of the little swirling phenomena. He bent over the rail and focused his sight: the whirlpools posed no threat to the ship, but their sudden appearance made him nervous.

Out of the six vortexes six transparent tentacles emerged, followed by the long head of a spectral kraken: Zhu Hanuku burst out the waters, anxiously flailing with his limbs. Demetrius knew that the great kraken wouldn’t appear if it was not for something urgent. He decided to alert the crew with a mighty yell.

“All hands to the deck!”

He heard rumbling coming from the inside the ship, then footfalls rushing up the ladder. The two men and women who played cards instantly aborted the game and appeared beside their commanding officer, staring at the incredible sight with admiration. While the rest of the crew lined up, Zhu Hanuku gently but hastily floated closer to the ship.

Demetrius, there is little time to explain. Turn the ship around and sail back to Maishang shore immediately. The spirit’s booming voice sounded of worry and urgency. Kanaxai and his warriors are in danger.

“You heard, Zhu! We’re going back to the hills!” Demetrius said, although he didn’t even need to give commands as the crewmembers were already working in full unison at full speed to steer the ship back to where it had come from. “Bring out the paddles, or else we will never get there in time!”

I can provide you the necessary wind, Demetrius, but go on with the rowing… at least you will get there sooner.

“What’s going on, Zhu? Why is the Cap’n in Maishang anyways?”

The last of the Corruptors has resurfaced, but Kanaxai’s men have been trapped. Keelaiah herself warned me to come, while she is giving them the strength to keep fighting.

The winds were already bellying the sails and combined with the steady, rhythmical pulls of the paddles the Kraken’s Dream was cleaving through the jade-colored fabric of the sea.

You will be there shortly with this speed. I will hurry ahead and attempt to aid them. With his last word spoken, the immortal sea spirit disappeared with a crack of thunder.

Demetrius ran forward to the bow and forced his eyes on the faraway shore.

****

The defense ring held for the moment. Naga and human together formed a formidable team, especially when both were empowered by the goddess of war. However, even their combined, bolstered strength could not hold out for long against the relentless assault of the Corruptor’s crazed minions. Kanaxai now knew that the Corruptor’s atrocities exceeded his estimations: the malign snake brainwashed numerous tribes and villages, not just a few. It was no wonder he couldn’t maintain full control over so many all alone.

A naga with torn head fins interrupted his pondering by thrusting at Kanaxai with a Luxon sword. Kanaxai simply ducked and, while the attacker was imbalanced, hurled his left axe into the broad, serpentine neck, piercing it with the tip of the double blade. To his right a sane naga bashed in the head of her controlled brethren with a crude shield. Kanaxai was overjoyed that they were withstanding the brutal, constant assaults so well. Even if they keep coming like this, we can still hold them off… they have to run out eventually.

But his heart sank the moment he heard the concert of agonized screams of men and naga coming from the other end of their position. He spun around to see the enemy pushing into their ring, hacking and slashing left and right. They somehow found the weakest point in their living wall and kept the pressure on it until it broke.

Kanaxai wound through the distance with long leaps and got to cutting down those that broke in. His retaliation sent naga flesh flying in all directions. He thought the naga on their side were probably offended a bit, but they knew all too well that it had to be done. Their very survival depended on it.

For the moment, with his timely intervention they could push back and close the gap in their lines. On the top of the hill, however, what seemed to be the final, albeit largest wave was amassing already, hissing and scowling at the small group below.

“We won’t survive thisss! Dwayna have mercy on our soulss!” A naga wailed in the back lines of the stand.

“Don’t give up so easily!” Kanaxai yelled. “If we don’t stop them here, they will move on to slaughter our peoples everywhere! We have no choice but to fight to the last ounce of our might, to the last warrior and weaken the Corruptor and his forces as much as possible!” Kanaxai’s men roared and even a few naga seemed to be more determined now. “Help is coming. Keelaiah promised us and she’s with us at this very moment. What does the Corruptor have? Dark magic that’s already failing him!”

The roar repeated, now from every throat and twice as fierce as before. The united forces readied themselves for the end, awaiting the tide that would wash upon them like a tsunami.

“Captain… what is he doing?” Kanaxai looked at Cyrus first whose face was darkened by fear, then followed his gaze to the Corruptor.

Now that the last of his brainwashed soldiers slithered down the hill and were ready to throw themselves into the chaotic cluster of warring men and naga, the sorcerer realized he could end it all with one brutal explosion of magic – both his minions who outlived their usefulness and became a nuisance maintaining control over and his frustrating foes. For that end, he was drawing power from the depths of his being to fuel a spell a hundred times more destructive and lethal than the one that nearly killed Kanaxai. However, in order to survive he had to release his soldiers one by one; regaining the energies he used to keep them under control.

On the shore below the naga that were vicious and bloodthirsty became confused and disorganized, dropping their weapons and staring at their bloodstained hands.

“STAND DOWN!” Kanaxai yelled as strong as his vocal cords allowed him. “Everyone stand down! They are free again!”

The defenders looked warily at the confused snakes who had been their deadly foes just seconds ago, but they didn’t attack. Some of the newly freed began asking questions from those who were on the defensive.

An unearthly crack sounded from the hill. The Corruptor – now on the verge of collapse – finished charging his spell; the floating orb of writhing energies silently spun at impossible speeds between his hands… and he released it.

“RUUUUUN!”

Everybody ran. However, they all knew it was futile, since the orb was coming in fast and the distance it had to travel was short; there was not enough time and no way at all to get into safety – not when the Corruptor wanted to make sure they all perish.

The enormous explosion deafened everyone in the proximity, some were even knocked down by a weakened shockwave, but no one felt their skin melting off. No one went flying, no one lost a limb and no one died.

Kanaxai, still stunned and shaken by the fact that they were all alive, turned back to see what happened exactly: the destructive, blinding sphere still seethed in the air like an angry star wanting to expand and bring ruination, but it was confined by an invisible force. On second look, however, he realized it wasn’t invisible at all. Although difficult to spot from the light of the explosion and the glare of the noon sun, six transparent tentacles encompassed the raging sphere, keeping it caged. Kanaxai followed the dim lines of the kraken back to the head and saw that Zhu Hanuku was in pain. His ear still rang from the explosion, but the deep, painful moans of his old spirit friend were still audible – faint, but audible nonetheless, evoking sorrow in the hearts of every living being that heard them.

Gradually, the luminosity of the sphere decreased, and with it the scorching heat that still radiated through Zhu Hanuku’s firm arms slowly dissipated. In the end, aside from the charred, boiling sand below there was no sign of the disaster that had almost transpired. The Kraken spirit collapsed on the shore. His limbs weakly twitched and the moans started to become more and more distant.

Kanaxai rushed to the spirit’s side and stared into the blurry eye that narrowed with each passing moment. He fell to his knees.

“Zhu!” Kanaxai cried and the kraken managed to open his eyes fully again. “Don’t leave us, old friend!”

I’m not going to die, Kanaxai. His voice was like the slight breeze coming from the sea at dusk. A little dark magic won’t stop me.

“You had me worried right there.” Kanaxai said, letting out a great sigh of relief now that it was over.

But I must leave for the spirit world now… I’ve depleted the energies that were given to me to interfere with the physical realm. If I don’t return now, I may fade completely from existence.

“I understand. How long will you be away?”

For years… your son will be the next Captain by the time I regain my strength to return.

Zhu Hanuku’s words struck deep in his soul, but he accepted them. This was merely a farewell for a longer time.

You must destroy the Corruptor immediately, Kanaxai. His intents are darker than a starless night. If he is to succeed…

“He won’t. I promise.” Kanaxai said as he looked at the top of the hill but the Corruptor was long gone. The now-free naga and a few of the human survivors vehemently searched for his tracks.

I know you will do everything in your power to stop him but be cautious. His form seemed to exhale deeply, and small streams of ethereal matter were being blown away by the wind, taking them towards the sea. I… I did not feel the power I warned you about… this creature wields a different form of magic. Old and powerful, but not the same. That elusive other could still be out there. The streams grew in both intensity and number: Zhu Hanuku was ready to rest now.

“Thank you for everything, Zhu Hanuku. Until we meet again when I’m an old man… goodbye, friend.”

I cannot wait for that day. May both the gods and the spirits be with you, friend.

With that the breeze picked up the last bits of the great kraken’s spectral matter and carried them in the sea’s direction. Kanaxai watched the tiny wisps for as long as he could, until they entirely disappeared. But he didn’t take his gaze off the sea. He stared at it in the hope of it clearing his mind. It was in that stare that he spotted a larger figure riding the waves: a ship. Not just any ship, as it was the Kraken’s Dream. Kanaxai could recognize it from miles away even if it banded together with all the other ships of the Luxon Armada.

From behind, an older-looking naga female approached him. Kanaxai turned around to greet her.

“Thank you for freeing usss, Captain.” The naga said. “I’m the last elder here. All the otherss were slain in the battle.”

“I’m glad we could help and I’m sorry for your loss… but our victory came with a heavy price for everyone.” He gestured at the corpses of men and naga.

“Indeed it did. But we can avenge all of them. I know where the Corruptor iss headed.”

“You do?” Kanaxai’s brows jumped up to his forehead in surprise.

“Yesss.” The elder let herself smile. “He wanted to learn the location of a grim obelissk that our people shun. While we were ensslaved, he extracted that information from uss. I can lead you there, but it will take long if we go on foot.”

“That won’t be a problem.” Kanaxai turned to face the sea and pointed at the growing wooden construct among the waves. “We’ve got our ride incoming. A mighty one.”

****

The Kraken’s Dream sailed with remarkable speed. The winds were blowing hard and favorably, propelling them towards their destination. Many on board believed it to be the divine will of the gods and it was very much likely to be the case indeed.

Kanaxai stood on the stern of his ship with Demetrius on one side and the naga elder on the other. By the time the ship had anchored down they were mostly done with burying their dead – all graves placed on the hill in defiance and remembrance of the Corruptor’s evil. The crew had still helped in finishing the work while they had listened to the telling of the dreadful events. After every fallen had been buried, the naga elder talked to her people. She let everyone who wanted to have his or her revenge on their tormentor to join. Many did, however, the wounded, the old, and several parents wanted to return to their villages to check on their hatchlings – it turned out the Corruptor didn’t enslave the younglings since he had believed that raising them in the spirit of his lies would serve just as well if not better – and rebuild. And so the vessel left the shore an hour ago.

Demetrius stepped right beside him, his eyes downcast.

“I can’t believe Zhu’s gone.”

Kanaxai put his hand on the first mate’s shoulder.

“Zhu is alive, but had to return to spirit world to regenerate.”

“I know, but to think we won’t see him for so long…”

“But we will see him, and that’s all that matters.” Kanaxai glared at the dark clouds on the horizon, thinking of the dark surprises that still awaited them. “Let’s make that occasion grander by showing him the severed head of this Corruptor!”

“Push it, Arianthe! He’s almost out now!” The aged midwife shouted as she prepared more towels.

“Aaaaaaaaaarrrghhhaaaa”

Zannos crouched right beside his mother. He grabbed Arianthe’s right hand and gently held it in both hands.

The pain surge was over, and Arianthe looked her son in the eye. Zannos let an awkward smile appear on his face, although he knew it wasn’t too reassuring. He was worried. The childbirth has been going on for hours and now he feared complications might arise.

A nervous glance at the sheets covering Arianthe’s waist and legs made him slightly less anxious as there wasn’t much blood stained on their fabric. He turned back to his mother but she was lying on her back with closed eyes, breathing deeply and preparing for the final push. Her long hair was unkempt and matted, dark rings of exhaustion gloomed around her eyes, but she still seemed to be as strong as she was at the beginning of the childbirth.

Arianthe now slowly raised her head from the pillow, effort twisting her face. At the same time, Zannos felt a sharp pain in the fingers of his right hand. Looking down he saw his mother was squeezing them hard enough to hurt.

A moment later, the sounds of gnashing of teeth and heavy breathing were joined by a new voice: the loud cries of a newborn.

Everybody was relieved in the tent. The concerned expressions were replaced by smiles of joy and faint laughter.

The midwife was twiddling with some blankets at Arianthe’s feet, and soon she stood up, holding the swaddled baby in her arms.

“He’s perfectly healthy.” She said.

Arianthe forced herself up to a leaning position with some difficulties while Zannos put some more pillows to her back. When he was finished he straightened up to meet his little brother at last.

The midwife put him into Zannos’ arms. The small, pink creature was still crying, more out of frustration than need or fear. After all, he was just nefariously robbed of the warm comfort of his mother’s womb.

“He inherited father’s fiery temperament and your stubbornness, I’m sure.” Zannos laughed, slowly lowering himself back to his mother’s side. He will feel better with his mother, he thought and handed the baby over to Arianthe. She softly began rocking him in her arms, and the outraged cries faltered in less than a minute. Mother and son watched the newborn as he fell asleep, slightly flailing with his small limbs from time to time.

Meanwhile the women participating in the childbirth packed up and were ready to leave.

“Thank you… to all of you.” Arianthe said as she looked upon each of them.

“It was our honor, Arianthe.” The old midwife bowed her head and the other helpers did the same. They left the tent while chatting light-heartedly.

The small family was alone in the tent now. Zannos and Arianthe stayed silent, listening to the occasional giggling of the baby. Zannos closely observed his little brother: the thin, few hairbreadths he had were dark, and when he opened his eyes it was a pair of brown irises that curiously scanned the surroundings. Zannos couldn’t help but think of how different he was from the rest of his family.

“He’s also got your and dad’s eyes and hair. Seems like I will feel more out of place than ever.” Zannos’ mouth curved into a sad smirk.

Arianthe pulled up her knees and carefully placed the baby in her lap.

“Zannos, we’ve talked about this before. You couldn’t be more like us than you are. Your father’s bold courage and my determination. His honesty and my compassion.” She reached out and touched her son’s cheek. “Does it really matter that you have blond hair and green eyes? Those traits are surely a heritage of our ancestors, and me and Kanaxai somehow managed to have them resurface in you.” Arianthe smiled when she saw Zannos’ reddening a bit. She caressed his chin then let him go. “You are unique, Zannos, and I know you are destined to accomplish great things… but go now. You must be tired.” Arianthe laid her head down and seemingly was asleep already.

“Good night, mother. Good night brother.” Zannos whispered as he stood up and walked to the entrance. There he snuffed out the last two burning candles and left.

The cool, nighttime breeze felt refreshing after the hot, used air of the tent. He decided to take a walk in order to clear his head before sleep.

He stared at the full moon for a few seconds and felt an irresistible urge to watch it from the harbor instead.

****

It was worth it. The sight of the bright, beautiful moon above the dark sea was truly what he needed after this day. Inhaling the fresh, salty air hushed away all his concerns and doubts.

But a tingling feeling at the back of his skull did not allow him to relax, and with each passing moment it grew stronger. He heard noises – brushes and branches swept aside – coming from somewhere in the woods to his right. Then Zannos saw her again.

The very girl who had enthralled him with her beauty during the Convocation appeared on the walls of the cove above. She was running from something, her panicked panting echoing through the bay. When she desperately looked back, however, her right feet touched ground too close to the edge and a few rocks gave in: she fell, screaming, about fifteen feet before her slender form thumped into the sand.

Zannos was already rushing to her aid when he heard a thrilling growl coming from the cliffs. Snapping his head at the source, his pulse reached an unpleasant level.

The pursuer was a huge tiger; claws gleaming in the moonlight and eyes focused on the fragile, unconscious being at the base of the wall. With a graceful, perfect leap the feline landed like a feather beside its prey.

Zannos’ hands were on their way to the hilt of his swords but they only grasped at thin air. He looked down at his belt and his face sunk from the shocking realization. Idiot! How could I have left them at home? I’ll have to improvise… again. He glanced at the giant cat who was still circling around the unmoving girl, its sharp, white teeth visible in the half-open maw.

A small rock lay just in front of Zannos. Picking it up instantly, he jogged straight at the tiger, only stopping when he considered the momentum enough for a good throw. The pebble hit the animal’s head between the ears.

The tiger meowed before it locked its fearsome gaze on the meddlesome creature. It didn’t take long to deem him a threat to be dealt with ease: its four mighty paws thudded in the sand as it approached Zannos with alarming speed. He could barely jump out of the way, but the tiger was already changing direction, using a long tail to quickly steer itself.

Zannos sprang up and began running as fast as he could in the hope of luring the beast away from the girl. His plan was ruined the moment he stumbled in a larger rock that was half-buried in the sand.

Falling prone with soaring toes, he rolled to his back, only to see the tiger’s claws descending towards his belly. He was quick enough to roll further away until something poked him in the side. Standing up awkwardly he saw that it was the small branch of a long, sturdy-looking stick. Grabbing it, he swung back immediately at where he expected the tiger to be. The end of the stick struck at the animal’s paw, but not before it managed to plow Zannos’ side vertically with the tip of two claws, tearing a larger patch of clothing out as well.

Zannos hissed, the tiger meowed in pain but it lunged itself at the irritating foe an instant later. Zannos, using the stick to balance himself, graciously cartwheeled to the left and brought the club down upon the tiger’s rump the moment he felt firm ground beneath his feet.

The tiger was clearly shocked at how such a small creature could injure it, but now it was having second thoughts about risking more. Bending its limbs and casting its ears back, it growled at Zannos, but the boy fearlessly snarled back and threateningly moved closer with the stick raised up high. The tiger knew better and decided that such thin meals were not worth the pain and damage it might have had to endure. It slowly backed away, towards the woods, roaring a few times before turning its back on Zannos and disappearing among the trees.

As he lowered his weapon he felt pain surging into his side. He touched the long claw-tracks and winced, but the amount of blood that stuck to his hand didn’t imply heavy bleeding. But it still hurt like hell.

From the corner of his eye he could see slight movement at the base of the cliffs. Oh gods, she must be taken to the healers. Zannos thought and crossed the distance surprisingly fast. Dropping down the branch, he crouched down to check on her. However, a couple of seconds later he had to shake his head as he realized he was admiring her beauty and the voluptuous curves of her body instead of searching for injuries.

Her breathing was perfectly normal and her arms and legs weren’t broken – at least on superficial look. Her only wound was a small, purpling bump on the right side of her forehead, just below the hair. Zannos combed her dark hair from her face, and while he was marveling at her perfection, she slowly opened her eyes.

“It’s okay, you are safe now.” Zannos said, carefully moving further a little so as not to startle her. “Let me help you up.” He offered his hand while standing up himself. The girl, still breathing rapidly, accepted and was on her feet in a moment, stumbling forward a little and having to catch herself in Zannos’ shoulders. Their eyes met again and Zannos noticed they were about the same height; she was merely an inch shorter than him.

“Thank you… When I fell down I thought I was surely done for.” Her voice reverberated in his head. It was young, but not girlish at all. Arousing was the best word Zannos could use to describe it.

“Phoebe… My name is Phoebe, and I know you well, Zannos, Champion of the Kraken.”

“It’s good to finally meet you, Phoebe…” Zannos’ mouth felt incredibly dry and he didn’t quite know what to say. “I… I wanted to thank you for helping me win the Convocation. I couldn’t have continued if you hadn’t been there.”

“I’m glad I could help, but I think I owe you more now that you saved my life.” She flashed a sweet smile at him then turned her head around, muscles straining on her gracious neck. “What happened to the tiger?”

“I chased it away after a bit of a scuffle.”

“I see.” Phoebe pryingly eyed up Zannos’ shoulders then let her stare continue down to his arms. “Although I’m not surprised you are beating tigers so casually.”

“Heh… well… are you alright?” He combed into her hair and observed the small bump again. “Maybe we should go back to camp where you can lie down.”

“I can lie down here just as well.” She laughed softly. Her gaze went further down on his body then suddenly she gasped. “By Dwayna, you’re bleeding!”

“It’s… it’s nothing really. Just a tiny bit deeper scratch that will heal slower.” Zannos smirked in his nervousness, but he couldn’t change Phoebe’s mind.

“Take off your shirt, I will patch you up.”

His heart was racing faster than during the fight with the tiger, but he complied without a word.

Standing there half-naked now, his eyes went wider than he thought they could: Phoebe bent down and tore off a wide streak of her skirt that only went down to below the knee on her right leg and covered only a small portion of her left leg. But now, with such a large piece missing, either side was even. What caught Zannos’ eye – beside Phoebe’s perfect, long legs – was the tattoo of a stylized serpent coiling around her right thigh, its head disappearing somewhere below the torn skirt. Just like the ones on Therios. Which means…

“You are from the Serpent Clan, Phoebe?”

“Indeed I am.” She glanced up, smiling radiantly, as she was making a bandage out of the cloth.

“Then why did you cheer for me instead of Therios?”

“Because I liked you more… I saw something in you that drew me to you.” They were getting very close now that she was winding the makeshift bandage around and up to cover the whole of the long wounds. “Besides, I was just born as Serpent. These days I’m a wandering priestess of Melandru, free of all affiliations.”

“But you are so young… they let you become a priestess so soon?”

“And did they let you become a Champion so soon?” She chuckled. “No, because we both did what we wanted… alone. I was gifted by Melandru at a young age, and so I knew what to do.”

As she finished, and was making a knot at the end of the cut, her head was just below Zannos’ nose. The enchanting fragrance flowing from her hair was intoxicating. It made him feel dizzy and bold, and all of a sudden he reached for the back of her thigh.

Phoebe gasped in her surprise but her naughty smile revealed she was awaiting such move for a time. Zannos put his other hand on her back and gently laid her down on the sand while she was clinging onto his shoulder, pulling him down as well. They stared down each other, lust glinting in their eyes.

“Well… you were right. We can lie down here just as well – if not better.” Zannos growled and Phoebe laughed. Her hands were on his cheeks now, pulling him closer and closer until he felt her soft, mellow lips rubbing against his with growing intensity…

****

The hot rays of the morning sun and the waving of the sea slowly woke Zannos. Still half-asleep, he turned to his right and put his left arm over Phoebe’s waist. She was lying on her shoulder, showing her back to him and using her bent arm as a pillow. Her clothes were still a tad wrinkled after last night.

Phoebe was stirring, too, cuddling up to him in the process, which resulted in a pleasant hardness in his crotch.

“Hmm… I missed sunrise.” She said ponderously. “I always get up in time to see it, but I was so delightfully tired…” Zannos felt her slightly quaking; she was clearly chuckling.

“Are you sure it wasn’t due to the injury or the stress?” Zannos asked, not making an attempt to conceal the sarcasm in his voice. He moved his head closer and started kissing the bumps of her spine, slowly heading down. Phoebe lightly trembled, but she turned around instead of letting him continue. She looked careworn and was seemingly hesitant to say what was on her mind.

“Zannos… I have to ask something.”

“Ask away, but I can’t really imagine saying no to you.”

“Will you join me on my wandering?” The question burst out of Phoebe, almost as if she wanted to have it off her chest as soon as possible. “You could see the world, its majestic sights and wonders, and… and we could be together.”

Zannos quickly sat up. He already regretted saying what he’d had, as he was about to break his word. And when he looked back at Phoebe and saw her begging gaze, it became a nigh impossible task to refuse.

“Phoebe… no matter how much I want that, I can’t. Not yet. The Captain, my father, is away on a dangerous hunt and my mother has just given birth to my brother. I cannot leave her until…”

“And what if he doesn’t? Will you remain by your mother’s side and become the next Captain? Would you throw away adventure and accept such fate?” Still lounging, she reached out with one arm and began to caress Zannos’ back. “I know you, Zannos, and I know you wouldn’t be happy with that life.”

Suddenly, Zannos pulled himself away and stood up, trying to walk casually towards the sea as if he was merely conflicted; however, in fact he was fighting to hold his tears back. It was not what Phoebe had said or the way she had told him – she was right, after all – but the probability that his father might perish on his mission. He thought he had gotten past his worries about Kanaxai dying, but now they were back, gnawing at him stronger than ever. He had to clench his fists and strain every muscle to fight his tears, not wanting to cry in front of Phoebe.

But Phoebe stepped behind him and hugged him from the back, her arms crossed over his chest and her head rested on his shoulders. Feeling her warmth and scent calmed him down quite a bit.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” She murmured in his ear.

“No… no, it’s not that at all. You are right. I want to leave with you at this very moment, but I still need some more time.” Zannos gingerly grabbed her left hand and turned to face her, still holding it with both of his own. “You could stay with me in the camp until things have settled down. Even a wandering priestess can remain in one place for a longer time, can’t she?”

Phoebe bit her lips as she was pondering on his offer. In the end, however, her carefree smile returned.

“Well, I guess why not?”

Hand in hand, they began the trek back to the Kraken campsite. None of them wanted to talk during those long minutes of the journey, as both of them were lost in thoughts and concerns. Zannos was greatly embarrassed by their silence, but he couldn’t help it at that moment.

When they were in sight of the camp, Zannos slowed down. Something didn’t seem right with how its silhouette looked.

“What’s wrong?” Phoebe asked.

He frowned as he spied the view ahead.

“I’m not entirely sure… maybe it’s just me, but I see too many banners above the tents. Would you mind if we hurried a little from here?”

Phoebe let out a heartily laughter again, the sound of which always eased Zannos’ heart.

“Why would I, silly? Come, I’m sure I’ll get there sooner!” She stuck out her tongue at him and was already running ahead. Zannos, wildly grinning, was after her in an instant.

He was concentrating on Phoebe, who was just several feet away now, so strongly that he almost ran into her when she suddenly stopped. He still had to catch himself in her shoulders, but at least they didn’t fall over. Panting from the exercise they stared at the unusual sight at the center.

The extra banners belonged to large battalions of Imperial soldiers. Like grim statues they stood there in tight lines and columns, each clad in armor or leather vest the color of brown, gold and red.

“I guess you weren’t expecting the Empire to show up today.” Phoebe said silently, not taking her gaze off of the soldiers.

Zannos spotted a familiar figure holding something wrapped in blankets while talking to an officer of some sorts – based on the markings on her uniform. He was on his way to the pair when Phoebe quickly caught his hand.

“I hope this doesn’t change your mind about our plans.”

“I don’t know, Phoebe. But we will figure something out, I promise. Wait here, I’ll be back soon.”

Hesitantly, she let him go. Zannos began jogging until the two women turned to greet him.

“Zannos!” Arianthe snapped furiously. “Where have you been? You don’t know how worried I was.”

“I spent the night on the shore with… uhm.” He nervously looked behind at Phoebe who was idly watching the camp and the people. “It’s a long story… what’s happening here?”

Arianthe’s expression was still angry, but she decided not to speak more of it – at least for now.

“Allow me to introduce Commander Matsui of the Seventh Legion.” Matsui bowed her head at Arianthe’s words. She was in her early forties, but the responsibilities of command already cast some wrinkles on her face. “She and her soldiers have come to defend us while the Captain is out hunting the Corruptor.”

“It’s good to finally meet the Champion of the Kraken Clan. We’ve heard stories of your duel… to win the Convocation so young is quite the remarkable feat.” The Commander shook hands with Zannos. “And indeed. When the Ambassador’s letter reached the Emperor and General Seritena, they immediately acted to defend all of you. We are here in case the Corruptor or its minions attack.”

“Well, Commander…” Arianthe spoke again, but she didn’t seem relieved at all. “I believe everything is settled then. My people will lead you to a place where you can set up your camp.”

“Thank you.” Commander Matsui bowed. “And congratulations again on the childbirth.” As she left she waved a hand at her soldiers who in turn started streaming out of the camp through the entrance where they had come through.

“So, who is this illustrious, beautiful young lady, again?” Arianthe asked in a voice that demanded a straight answer immediately now that she was fully focused on her son.

“Her name is Phoebe. A priestess of Melandru I saved from a tiger last night. We…”

“I see.” Arianthe glared at Phoebe from afar. “People don’t become priests at such a young age.”

“She was blessed by the goddess.”

“I-“ But she was interrupted by the small whimpers of her baby, which got louder with each passing moment. “I must tend to him, but don’t think we’re done here, young man.” With that she hurried into the Captain’s tent, the curtains wildly brushed aside in her furious passing.

“Why do I get the feeling your mother doesn’t like me?”

Zannos didn’t notice Phoebe approaching. Damn! I hope she hasn’t heard much.

“Don’t worry.” Stepping closer he hugged Phoebe around her waist. “Once you get to know each other she will be much kinder. Mother’s just a little overprotective, that’s all.”

“Hmph.” Phoebe worked her mouth in anxiety.

Seeing the tension build up in her, he kissed her; passionately and impatiently. A couple of seconds later he already felt her body become more relaxed.

“Just a few days… a week at best. We can at least tell her about us leaving.”

“And what if she won’t let her son go?”

“I was just born as Kraken. Nowadays, I’m an adventurer wanting to explore the world with his love.”

The gorgeous smile Phoebe flashed at him was enough to make him feel elevated.

“I think I’m going to lay down a bit… my head hurts a little.”

“Then we should have it checked.”

“No need for that, thank you. I know some healing techniques but I’d need to meditate.”

“Of course… my tent is over there, next to the Captain’s. I’m going to check on you in a couple of hours.

“I can barely wait, my tiger.” She mischievously winked and wound through the working Luxons towards Zannos’ tent. Zannos longingly sighed and went the other direction.

The stormy waves washed upon his broken body, trying to crush him and prevent him from fulfilling his destiny. Noxallis, with the last ounce of his strength, threw himself ashore and stretched out on the jagged rocks. He turned to his back and stared at the dark clouds above: their threatening visage promised a great storm, but there was no sign of rain coming aside from distant, low thunders.

Noxallis was shivering from the cold as the wind bit into his flesh, and he would’ve passed out had an odd feeling not groped at his brain.

He sensed a glooming darkness in the corner of his eye. He looked to the right, but nothing was there. He felt a shadow towering above him; snapping his head at the source, he saw nothing but barren hills beneath a grim sky. Forcing himself up with great effort, he finally set his eyes on the goal: a jet-black obelisk with an impossibly smooth surface stretching towards the sky, as if attempting to pierce the rain-laden clouds.

My purpose… I’m almost there. Noxallis tried to slither as fast as possible, but he kept falling flat after several feet of progress. His battle with the humans left him exhausted, and now that they had miraculously survived his last spell, they’ve been harrying him for days on end. If he had stopped, they would’ve caught up to him, and thus he swam and swam all day, using the remainder of his power to survive.

Noxallis glanced back to see that familiar shape appearing on the horizon, heading straight for him and his key to salvation.

“Xssssssssssssssshhhhhh! NOOOO! You won’t… *cough* you won’t take it from me!”

Fired up by his hatred he began crawling on the coarse soil. His skin was dry and cracked from the constant swimming near the water’s surface where he was exposed to the scorching sun, and now the rocks ravenously tore at his scales as he approached the obelisk, leaving a bloody trail behind.

After what seemed to be hours, he reached the towering structure. Using it as support he pulled himself up and concentrated on the prophet trapped inside. It was so powerful that he found it immediately.

Just a few words and it can break free…

As Noxallis chanted in his language he felt the tall object shaking already: the presence inside stretched against the walls of its prison.

Noxallis’ power was slipping away and darkness was dimming his sight when the plinth finally broke. Just like in his vision, the obelisk broke in half; its top piece came crashing down on the opposite side. Noxallis fell back, being no longer able to hold himself, and watched the finale of his victory on his back. The whirling energies slowly emerged, crackling with charge and power, before coalescing above the broken remains of the pillar. For a moment, it started to expand, only to shrink back a heartbeat later. The first breath after millennia of imprisonment… I know that feeling. Noxallis smiled, but that smile froze on his face when the orb spotted him – or at least he felt it watching him. A panic surge overcame him and he wanted nothing else more than to be as far away from this place as possible.

But escape was never an option: it took the energy a blink of an eye to swoop down and fly into him.

The similarity to his vision ended there… utterly and abruptly. He jolted from the excruciating pain that was so intense that it almost blew up every nerve in his body. He tried to squirm, to convulse, to vomit, but he couldn’t move. The worst part was when he started to feel the transformations occurring, which redoubled his torment. His insides were burning and yet freezing cold, his skin maddeningly itched but he couldn’t scratch it. His eyes still obeyed, and he could see his body elongating, growing, but worst of all, he saw tentacles and fins forming. He blacked out with that horrid picture in mind.

And there he stood face to face with the intruder. The battle for his body ended, but the battle for control was about to begin… and his mind was the battlefield. The monstrosity was covered in semi-darkness, but it seemed serpentine-looking with draconic features dominating its muzzle.

A dripping sound echoed in the space. The creature was either salivating or water gushed from every pore of its body.

“THANK YOU FOR FREEING ME.” Its voice was the abyss of the ocean surging up to flood and kill everything. “BUT NOW YOU MUST DIE.”

Noxallis had no time to scream, as the creature bit on him immediately. The beast’s strange, watery teeth continuously crunched and snapped on him. He was dying. His soul was dying: pierced, ripped apart, and mutilated in the horrible maw.

“Th-ankh yh-o… bhro-thekhhrs.” Noxallis was choking on the imagined, spectral blood of his mind, but in his last moments he thought of those who had rightfully betrayed him all those years ago, for they saved the krait people from utter destruction at the hands of a nightmare. The light of his mind was extinguished and Noxallis was snuffed out of existence.

He opened his eyes. Rising from the ground, he measured the transformed body of the infant vermin that he had just perfected. He determined that it would serve well for now, at least until his master rose and gave him back his old form.

Turning around he assessed the place… it was the very shore where he was defeated. He remembered floating beings with appendages or dark wings, stout two-legged things with hair on their heads, as well as other creatures. They chased him here, through ocean and earth after his master had gone to sleep. Here they prevailed, destroyed his body and locked him in this wretched obelisk. But now all their sacrifices were in vain.

Something caught his aqueous eyes. A wooden structure swimming out on the sea, clearly coming his way.

He grinned. The time has come to continue what was interrupted.

****

The Kraken’s Dream trembled.

“Did we run aground?” Kanaxai asked Demetrius who was steering the ship at the helm, but the first mate shook his head.

“We’re still moving. Must’ve been a current or a larger wave.”

The quake repeated again, now even stronger.

“Does anyone see something below us?” Demetrius shouted to the crew. Several of them bent over the railing and stared at the foaming waters.

“Something’s forming just beneath us. Looks like currents and spinning with increasing speed.”

Kanaxai squinted to make something out of the shore that was enveloped by a curtain of rain. They were basically blind and the last thing they saw was the Corruptor breaking the obelisk.

“Captain!” The naga elder called to him, her voice shadowed by fear. “Thisss musst be another trick. We have to get away from here. Now!”

“Out with those paddles and begin rowing! Let’s head farther south where we can safely…”

Just behind the ship’s stern a crevice of sea opened. Far greater than natural maelstroms, it pulled the Kraken’s Dream with tremendous force, intending to swallow it in whole and send it to the bottom of the sea.

It would’ve won had the crew not started rowing seconds after its opening. The ship slowly gained distance, but the whirlpool didn’t give up so easily: all of a sudden tentacles made of shimmery-looking water erupted from its hollow core and grabbed the vessel. Kanaxai and his men charged to the sides and started cutting off the limbs of water but those reformed every time. Still, for the brief time they were truncated they couldn’t drag their prey back, allowing the rowers to get the ship several feet further from its doom.

More tentacles rose and started to attack those aboard, bashing them or flinging them overboard.

“TAKE COVER!”

Kanaxai was still chopping the accursed things when a scaly, clawed hand took hold on the rail just next to him, followed by another. Kanaxai’s eyes went wide but the tentacle he let alone for a moment bumped into him and sent him flying. The last thing he saw was a spiked shell appearing on the deck…

****

Breathing was impossible. Kanaxai instinctively turned onto his belly and started coughing up the staggering amount of water that he had swallowed unconsciously.

The world was blurred all around and the salt of the seawater pinched his eyes and burned his throat. Weakly, he straightened up and realized he was luckily washed ashore. He felt like death as the half-healed wounds on his shoulders ached with renewed pain, while a few dozen new injuries seared and soared all over his body.

He glanced back to see the Kraken’s Dream breaking even further away. The last two tentacles that still clang onto it were mutilated and torn.

Good… at least they will survive. Hope rose in Kanaxai’s heart as he stumbled forward on the desolate shore, still coughing at every third step. I… must… find my way… back to them.

Somewhere up at the end of the slope he fell to his knees. To prevent collapsing entirely he had to lean on his hands.

“I DO NOT REMEMBER YOUR KIND FROM BEFORE.” For a moment, Kanaxai thought Zhu Hanuku had returned, but he realized that this voice was like the sea in the most destructive hurricane: cold, harsh and inexpressibly cruel. Kanaxai, out of fear, could barely lift his head, but when he finally did he cursed himself for being the curious fool he was.

In front of him the Corruptor stood – or what was once it. Thirteen feet tall and at least twenty feet long, its whole body was covered with newly grown spikes and fins. Out of the backside of its lowers arms tentacles sprouted out that his clawed hands held like whips. The fangs in its maw grew thrice as big and the whole muzzle looked slightly draconic now. But the most foreboding of all was the strange, cyan-colored water that poured and dripped from every fiber of its body – even what might have been its veins glowed with cyanide light. Its eyes looked like they were constantly crying the odd liquid.

“BUT IN THE END, IT DOES NOT MATTER. YOUR FATES ARE THE SAME… THE ABYSS WILL CONSUME YOU ALL.” The creature raised its whip-holding hands when a spear made of bone struck it in the side. The foul water gushed to the ground.

The transformed Corruptor hissed and roared in frustration, searching for the attackers with its nightmarish eyes.

More and more spears flew towards the beast who irritatedly cracked its whips at the projectiles, destroying most of them. However, a few still found their marks, making the creature bleed more of the water.

Adrenaline surged into Kanaxai and he finally broke free of his stunned fear, making a run for his mysterious rescuers.

“Human! Take this spear and fight!” A hoarse voice snapped at him and a moment later a bone spear with the blade pointing skywards was thrown to him.

Kanaxai caught it with ease, whirling it in his hands to an offensive grip.

The unexpected aid came in the form of angry-looking turtles walking on two legs: they were the kappa, loyal servants of the great Zhu Hanuku.

Of course… so they came to the help of the ship as well… Kanaxai, sadly smiling at the memory of the Kraken spirit, joined the loose lines of his new allies. Thank you, Zhu. You saved our lives a second time, and now from the other side even.

For seconds the Corruptor stood puzzled in the growing pool of water, glaring at its foes through the corrupt water-veil. Slowly, it started into a wicked laughter and launched itself in the air. From above, its deadly tentacles lashed at those below, grinding them, tossing them into the sea, or ripping them apart. Kanaxai dodged left and right while the kappa fell all around him. The corrupted snake landed behind them and was already pulling its whips back to unleash a horizontal strike that would’ve cut the survivors in half. One whip came in low and several kappa lost their lower body, while the other came in moments later at the height of a man. Kanaxai and the last three kappa ducked, although one still lost the tip of his shell.

I guess the only way to kill this beast is to cut it into pieces… and to do that…

He looked at his last allies.

“I need to get one of its tentacles!” He shouted over the raging storm, still evading the whip slashes.

“Are you insane, human!?”

“It’s the only way! But I need help!”

The kappa nodded and waved at his two friends. Understanding the task and its price immediately, all three of them charged ahead.

One hurled his spear at the snake’s head, and the javelin perfectly burrowed into one of the crying eyes.

The Corruptor went into a frenzy and struck whatever it could while shrieking with an unearthly sound. A lash killed two of the kappa and so only one remained – the one who gave Kanaxai the spear.

Kanaxai ran forward, setting his gaze on the right tentacle. His chances were better than ever now that the monster was half blind and focused on the sole survivor of the diversion team. Standing just below the flailing arm now, he cut off the whip with the edge of his spear, yelling with all his pent-up rage. The Corruptor screamed and tried to crush Kanaxai with its arm, but the man was quicker and jumped out of the way. The long tentacle still thrashed on the ground when Kanaxai picked it up. It was light, thin and followed every move of its wielder. He didn’t understand what made it so lethal, but the whole thing buzzed, reminding him of the electric eels of the sea; just a thousand times more deadly.

Kanaxai pondered no longer and turned the weapon against its previous owner; the first slash severed its right arm, the second cut off the entire length of its tail while the third cleaved it in half diagonally. Out of all wounds the corrupt cyan-colored water poured and splattered in large quantities. The lower half convulsed for a few seconds before shivering to stillness, but the upper one still had one arm and the head. With its last breath it lashed the other tentacle-whip in the height of Kanaxai’s waist. Kanaxai managed to drop to his belly but the kappa could neither jump that big nor lie without the slash removing a big chunk of his back.

“We meet again sooner than I thought, Zhu.” The kappa said in a silent whisper as the tentacle neatly severed his head from the neck.

Kanaxai sprung up and brought down his own whip at the half-dead Corruptor, cutting it in two vertically. Its separated sides tried to move, but they soon stopped completely. All parts, even the whip in Kanaxai’s hands, hummed for a second before melting into corrupt water.

Kanaxai screamed in pain as a few droplets of the water seeped into a wound on his hand. He remembered that when he had fallen on his knees and caught himself with his hands he accidentally bruised off the skin on a sharp rock. The flesh had already taken on an unhealthy purplish red color around the cut.

The clouds above were breaking up already, letting in warm sunlight through a hundred cracks. The rain turned into a light drizzle and out on the sea the maelstrom closed and the sea was normal again.

Kanaxai wearily searched for the Kraken’s Dream and soon found it with his eyes: his beautiful ship moored further to the south as planned.

“I’m going home…” He whispered with a faint smile on his face. The walk back to his family and people was long, but the thought of living down the rest of his life in peace made it endurable. If only his hand didn’t hurt so badly…

THE END...