The crowd was stunned. Their faces looked at Alexx and Senkazital with confusion. Some murmurs Alexx could hear questioned how they knew each other. Others ask why Senkazital treats a criminal like a friend. On the other hand, he could hear murmurs of people happy for Alexx, and jealous that he knows their name. Alexx was utterly confused by their pleasant treatment of Senkazital. And then there was the man himself, pleasantly smiling in his direction, with no sign of scheme or discontent. Alexx had it in his head that if Senkazital was livid, he would feel safer.
Erym approached both of them. "This is such a surprise! You already know Senkazital?"
Alexx froze, how was he supposed to tell them? Before he could even think, Senkazital had stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Alexx didn't think he would see me again," Senkazital said, speaking some truth.
"How do you two know each other?" Erym asked.
"Oh- he didn't tell you. Alexx released me from my prison."
The crowd gasped, along with Alexx, but for different reasons.
"Alexx, we had no idea, why didn't you tell us?"
Again Alexx was caught speechless. This time they all waited for him to respond.
"I guess it, uh, slipped my mind." He replied.
Erym approached him close to his face looking with wide eyes, "Something this wonderful has slipped your mind?"
Alexx gave a weak chuckle. He looked at Senkazital who was calmly staring at him with his unwavering smirk.
"I mean yeah, there was that naked guy I encountered, which admittedly got me good."
Senkazital gripped his shoulder gently, "Did the man have a crystal in his chest?"
Alexx and Erym nodded silently.
"That crystal belonged to me. I gave it to him and he ran away with it."
"Is it important, Senkazital?" Erym asked.
"Yes, it is. I will now tell you all why I am here, and what I am here to do." He stepped forward, taking Alexx by the shoulder, still keeping a gentle but firm grasp on him. Alexx was without the mask or his sword, so he felt trapped. They both turned at Senkazital's command and addressed the entire village.
"My fellow people of Rediew. For over two thousand years we have lived and evolved. Humans and moon humans alike, we have survived on the world and thrived together. But now there are dark times. Betrayal, famine, disorder. Brothers and sisters are fighting and killing each other. Governments are keeping themselves fat, while the poor scrape the infertile dirt for crumbs."
With a few sentences, the crowd silenced. Every pause in his speech was met with ears hungry for more.
"The world we know is running out of resources. The times that are upon us are bleak. But I am here to tell you the truth, as I will tell many more to come. Are you prepared to hear?"
There were silent nods, and some vigorous acknowledgments by word of mouth.
"This world is finite, because it is actually, not a world."
He left some pause of silence for people to think and he continued.
"Rediew is but a partial place to a much bigger world, you are all descendants of people trapped here, for their mistakes. They tried to play god, they tried to eat of power and magic they could not handle, and they were punished; banished here, and you now suffer for it."
The crowd was speaking amongst itself, most of them repeating what he said, and casting their questions and doubts.
"There is much more to say, and I will explain it all in due time, but for now I will leave it at that, and tell you my plan for escape. I am bringing with me everyone, anyone who would join me, on a voyage into the sky, where I shall make my own herd of dragons, to pierce the sky and leave this world behind for greater lands."
Alexx spent his life lying to get out of difficult situations, but he had never heard a story like this before. Prison? Greater world? How could anyone think of something so foolish? He was even surprised those people were still contemplating it.
Erym was the first to speak up, while wringing his hands.
"I hope you don't mind me saying, Senkazital but, do you have any proof?"
Alexx snickered, he couldn't wait to see what happened next. And that's when he saw Senkazital point upward at his ship. His floating vessel of peculiar design, which he had no time to ponder. But now that he looked, it did not resemble anything unearthed or made by current hands. The crowd seemed to sound more excited, which led to more when Senkazital waved his hand and ordered the ship to descend outside the village. As it rumbled and hummed, the metallic object moved around the cities, and down into the forest, crushing a multitude of trees. A deep boom echoed out as the ship settled down. Violent cracks shot through the air as many thick trunks snapped like brittle bones. There was some residual groaning as some trees protested to break.
The people did not show any concern for the trees as they marveled at the size of the ship. On the side, the metal of the vessel shifted, and a large portion of it began to lower. The panel made its way to the ground, and the whirring noise it made stopped.
"Please climb aboard and have a look around. The constructs aboard are safe." Senkazital went forward, no longer keeping Alexx with him. The pirate stood still while Senkazital motioned for everyone to join him. Erym was the first to go, followed by the old man who was always next to him. Some Bacoots began to follow, and soon the whole village began making for the ship. Everyone except Alexx. As curious as he was to see the inside of that thing, every other muscle in his body was screaming to run. He quickly realized no one had any interest in him anymore, the timing was perfect. All he had to do was figure out which house had his things.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
He looked in the three houses nearest to him and didn't find anything. He came across one of the houses that had Erym's armor outside it and checked it out. In the back corner of one bedroom he found Dracabane along with the mask, the two books of songs and poetry he took, and the instructions for the golem commands. He grabbed every item and placed it back on him like he had it before. He pocketed a few pieces of bread and an apple before leaving. He was in full sprint as he left the house. North was easy to find, because the house was on the north end of town. He followed the edge of the house and then stopped.
"In a hurry, Alexx Junder?" The giant humanoid stood before him with his usual regal posture and smirk. Senkazital approached him slowly. Alexx hesitated to move, but was already within arms reach of his opponent. Senkazital reached down slowly and plucked the mask off of Alexx's belt. He brought it to his face and stared at it, admiringly.
"This is a useful key for resisting Amar." Senkazital said. "Not only that but it enhances some strength, and gain sight of the magic realm, with access to decipher the lines of word and see the essence that flows through everything. This tool is advantageous to anyone, even for me, so no one could fall under my spell. Unfortunately," Senkazital looked back to Alexx, his smirk disappearing.
"A pirate came and stole my treasure. At first I was... disappointed. But then that same pirate helped me kill a Swordsman, and I claimed his sword. Now the mask is one thing. But to have one of the holy swords is another. That is one less obstacle to worry about. Imagine if I had all four swords? Not a single being could rid Rediew of a Kagral infestation."
"Then you wouldn't need to worry about controlling people."
"You have been using it, because I cannot control you. I was hoping my power would come back before you ran away, but alas. I should just leave you alone, but what kind of master would I be?"
"Like any other god, I reckon."
"Don't pretend to understand the thoughts and ways of gods. You are a mere mortal, but since you are aspiring to become immortal, you should start thinking bigger."
"Where are you going with this?" Alexx asked in a weary huff.
"From one legend to another, I want to tell you what I'm doing here, Alexx Junder. I'm going to turn everyone in this village into a dragon." Just as he finished a wicked smile stretched across his face, giving Alexx a fright.
"Wha-what?"
The smile vanished to a regular one, "Do you remember the "naked man", as you recall? That was my very first successful dragon transformation. It all happened so fast, he was lured to my location along with other killers and criminals. They were all tricked by the Kagral you confronted before. They implanted stones into them all, and only one survived!"
"How did you lure them so fast? You've been free for only one day."
"Remember Ze'elle, keeping watch over my disciples for all these years? They waited for me. Two thousand years they lured and kidnapped people, always waiting with crystals in hand. They kept watch in shadows, faithfully, for my signal, the black pillar of Kagral above the Labyrinth, to commence creating my dragons."
"There's no way that actually happened!"
"And yet here we are. A man with a dragon soul running around, and more happening elsewhere as we speak. And even more to come."
"And the part with the Kagral infestation?"
"A useful step in rallying all creatures from every corner and crevice together so I can hasten the transformations. Once it is unleashed they will all undoubtedly flee to the bigger cities, like animals to the pens."
Alexx stood in silence, astounded by all the plans revealed to him. He had never known anyone to plan so big before, or to have so much confidence in their schemes.
"This is the part where you kill me, right?" Alexx said trembling.
"Kill you?" Senkazital's fierce mood suddenly subsided, "Why? Because you stole from me, and reject me?"
Alexx's eyes darted from left to right, "Y-eah?"
Senkazital chuckled softly, "Do you want to know what really had in store for you?"
Alexx reluctantly nodded. A strange feeling overcame him, like feeling lightheaded.
"I was going to make you an archon. The leader above them all. It's why Ive invested so much into you," Senkazital eyed his ring on Alexx's finger before continuing, "Imagine, Alexx Junder, the power of being one of my chief warriors, blessed with almighty power, and the Moon's Heart. Does that not entice you?"
It did.
He had already achieved so much in one night. And he had to admit that if it wasn't for Senkazital's influence, it wouldn't have happened. Alexx reached for Dracabane and pressed his hand on the pummel. The ancient metal felt different now. It was a beautiful reward for his progress, but now it was a devastating weapon that was his to use. Perhaps he was wrong to ignore Senkazital.
"You are strong willed, and I know there is still doubt within you, said Senkazital, "Stay with me, for one day, and see just what you can accomplish, my Archon."
"Alexx the Archon has such a pleasing ring to it." Alexx smiled.
"You see, I don't need powers to control people. I have other ways." He passed the mask back in a nonchalant manner.
"It's yours. I don't need it anymore, whether you stay with me or not."
Alexx's perspective began to change. The evil seemed to fade away slightly from this apparent evil legend before him.
"Well, okay. As long as there is food." Alexx said, causing Senkazital to laugh.
"We will feast, but first, we must welcome your new sistren and brethren."
Befuddled, Alexx let Senkazital usher him back toward the ship. As they rounded the corner, all of the villagers were back outside, standing by the front. Alexx looked to behold Makido, Myodis, and Rabbas standing around them, as well as some of the constructs. They were chatting and smiling, commenting on all the marvels they witnessed, even still poking and prodding the constructs that surrounded them.
"We will welcome them all, should they survive." Senkazital said before snapping his fingers.
Alexx tried to comment before he witnessed the constructs raise a limb with a shining orange crystal. Their glow shone all around the people. But the shine vanished as each crystal was plunged into a nearby body. Everyone gasped for air as it dove straight into the center of their chest. There was an initial fright on all their faces, but once they could see that their breathing hadn't stopped they calmed down. That was, until they convulsed. Shrieking shouts of pain flooded the air. The bodies wiggled and twisted. Orange colored magic enveloped them, and the bodies were changing, shifting color, skin shifting into scales, teeth growing jagged and sharp, jaws unhinging, horns slowly rising from their foreheads. And then, in synchrony, they all collapsed. The orange magic faded away, the mutated bodies stopped moving. This left alive were showing slow signs of panic and fear. Senkazital reached out his hands and began to speak.
"My friends, do not fear. As I said, you are all joining me on this voyage. What you see is your loved ones and friends beginning their journey." As he spoke the constructs plucked the crystals from the warped bodies and began inserting them into other live hosts.
"Many will take the road as your friends, but only the chosen will join me for a different road. A higher road, that have the task of joining my dragon flock. Who will answer the higher call?"
"Me! I want to join!" As the worried banter, and screams of pain, and terror combined. There was one voice shrieking and crying out. It was Erym. He was trying to make a construct insert a crystal into him as it waited for the results of another. What Erym didn't see was Senkazital giving a nod to Makido. The purple robed Kagral acknowledged him, and moved closer to Erym. He produced a crystal of his own and placed it on Erym. Filled with joy, Erym cheered and laughed as his body began the process. "I am the chosen one!" His cheers turned to agony, and his laughing turned to crying. He struggled loudly, louder than the rest. His body did as the all the others.
In five waves, the villagers were all injected, and after Alexx watched in horror of it all, no one survived the transformation process.
No one, except Erym. His body completely changed into a dragon, with black scales and white hair, the same as his own. After some time, the transformation was complete, he transformed back into a human, and collapsed from exhaustion.
"Behold," Senkazital said as if everyone was still alive, "The newest of his own kind! A miracle, and herald for our journey off Rediew! Welcome Erym!"
