The Last of the Sages (Sage Trilogy, Book 1) (20 page)

James obediently turned around to face their trodden path. To his surprise, many of the animals had doubled back and came close to see the stone. James hissed at a few of them, but they didn’t budge. Achan tapped the stone with his index finger. Seeing that nothing happened to it after careful inspection, he clutched the stone with both hands and lifted it off the pedestal. It was surprisingly light, and Elder quickly put the replacement in its stead It didn’t glow as brightly as the one they took, but it did emit a low light from deep in its core, as if a sole candle was lit in a gigantic room of darkness. Alicia put the stone in the bag she was carrying, as she was the one of the few people to actually have extra room. Achan sighed as they surveyed the area. Nothing happened.

“Is that it?” London asked. Larry repeated London’s question and got no answer as Achan made a motion for everyone to be quiet. Everyone stood still, but it appeared they were in the clear.

“Well, I guess that’s it,” Christian replied. “Let’s head back!”

The group began to celebrate a little as James watched the animals had sunken back into the forest. He glanced toward Achan who noticed the same thing.

“Everyone stay alert! Maintain!” he yelled as they all calmed down. “I need you to look around the shrine. There’s got to be a sign or something, to let us know where we are.”

“I see what you mean,” Elder nodded.

Tyler saw it first, after only a moment of searching. He gave a cry of surprise and all swarmed to look at what he was pointing at. Standing just amongst a few bushes, barely noticeable, stood a worn and rusted sign that read, “Here lies the Prattle Kingdom’s border. Crossing is at your own risk.” The pedestal itself was just inside the Allayan border.

“You don’t think…” James considered. “that there are people from another Kingdom around, do you?”

“Possibly,” Achan replied. “Langorans to be exact.”

“Are they serious?”

“In general, no, but if what I’ve heard is true, we should get out of here as fast as we can. I know for a fact Langorans will not stray into open Allayan territory.”

Achan began running after making sure the stone was secured. The troop followed suit, sensing the anxiety in their leader. Achan kept the pace at a jog so he could speak of his concerns.

“The Langorans are a lazy bunch, sitting around all day, eating and drinking. That’s all they do, however, one can’t discount the fact that like all the Kingdoms, they have uncanny abilities at their disposal. One of them being that they have superhuman strength that lies dormant within them. Strength they can release at any time for only minutes, but with disastrous results. The longer they literally lie dormant, or the more they simply sleep and do nothing but sit around, the higher their power is when it’s released.”

“But if they’re so lazy, why would they come after us now?” a recruit asked.

“It’s not the Langoran citizens I’m w
orried about. It’s the POW‟s I am.”

“POW‟s?”

“I’ve heard rumors that there are prisoners of war deep under the ground of the stone, secured by a lever that the stone rests on. When the stone is lifted, the lever is released until another stone is put back in its place. I tried replacing it quick in case the rumors were true, but I don’t know. I hear that for every second the lever is released, one Langoran’s chains are loosed.”

“How long did it take you to get the stone in place,” James asked nervously.

“Five seconds,” Achan said, “which is long enough. I’m just a little worried because I figure, if these Langorans have been in a prison for so long…and bound, that means they’ve had plenty of time to store up energy, and honestly, if they have all that pent up strength ready to be released, who better to let it out on than some Allayans? The ones who put you there in the first place?”

That sunk in as the troop picked up the pace. James looked behind him only for a moment. Seeing nothing suspicious, he kept his gaze forward, concentrating on the trail.

“We keep moving until we get out the forest. No breaks,” Achan muttered. Kyran’s words echoed through James’ mind. What he had referred to once as Kyran’s prophecy…

Few survive this exam…

Chapter 9 - Prattle and Allay

The chains simply fell off. As if they had never been tightened. One after the other his fellow jailers gained their apparent freedom…until the sixth in line. His chains remained. The Langoran wasted no time in trying to loose his fellow brothers, but to no effect. He grunted in anger and gave them a solemn stare. The prisoner bowed his head in shame, understanding what it meant. The rest of his brethren would stay as prisoners.

His brother tried to mutter a word of encouragement but no ears were swayed his way. The Langoran scratched his head, bald now from years of neglect. His skin was pale and smooth, chiseled and hard. Despite years of sitting, his muscles rippled larger than ever before. His pent up energy giving him strength beyond what he’s ever seen in the Kingdom. Surely the Allayans knew better than to let a Langoran lie dormant? Didn’t they? Well, it’s didn’t matter in the end.

Their idiocy would be their folly, their demise, their death…his revenge. He glanced throughout the room at the other monsters around him, never thought to be considered human. In their laziness, they gave up speaking a long time ago, refusing to mull over different interpretations of words, and struggling to find meaning. Few grunts and hand motions were sufficient, if it was really that important of a message. The other Langorans, like him, hairless and about to explode due to the size of their muscles, shared his disgust for the Allayans. They didn’t mind if they were still prisoners. They would be avenged.

The Langoran pounded his chest once, signifying he would lead the hunt. The four that were also freed with him nodded in agreement and turned toward the wooden door that led to the outside. The Langoran hit it with a palm, and the door crumbled, shattering to splinters, and the others chuckled as they struggled through the small frame. The leading Langoran began his ascent when he heard a clearing of the throat behind him. A strange gesture for his people. It was a miracle at all that he remembered its significance. He turned around to see someone who was not of his kind.

Small in frame and height, this man still had his hair. Pitch black, long hair that came down to his shoulders. A disgustingly bony figure that tried to peek through his baggy clothes, showing that he, at one time had more meat on him. He was barefoot and clutched his arms, trying to fight the chilly air that interrupted their usually humid atmosphere. The Langoran stepped forward as the man smirked in response.

“Ah yes, to you I am ugly, but as they say, beauty is only skin deep. I have a lot more to offer you than what meets the eye, my friend.”

The Langoran grunted in response. He understood this talkative man, yet was annoyed at the extremity of his speech.

“I’m sure you know by now, I am not a Langoran. You would be correct. I am actually a Prattlian. One of those mouthy types that rattle off about nothing, except, I am not like my acquaintances. I allowed myself to get captured with you and yours in order to gain something. I knew the Allayans can sometime be the arrogant type. Especially that Kyran, as he is so sure he never makes a mistake. However, this is one that may haunt him. I know that you Langorans in particular were guards of the border, forced to move around a lot so you were particularly skinny at the time. That was the best time to get captured in your group. I would hardly pass for the brutes you are now. It was hard enough building my bodice to the point you were even then. I shudder at the thought, but I digress. A habit of my people we will not soon expel. What is your name?”

The Langoran closed his eyes, trying to find the effort he had so long forgotten.

“Keel,” he half said, half-groaned.

“Keel. My name is Alexander. Nice to meet you. Now while I am hardly the type to insult someone of your stature, I must say that it would be in your best interest to take me along. I know you are strong of body, but not of mind. If you do what I say, I guarantee that I will bring you to victory and we will find a way for all of your people to be free.”

Keel nodded his head down in a violent manner.

“Excellent. Now, first we have to access what we’re up against. I heard some talking while we were down here and it sounded like children, but we have to make sure. Have you and your group give chase, but when you come upon them, have only one engage them. You and the others stay back until further notice, understood?”

Keel grunted something inaudibly and picked up Alexander in one sweep of his arm. Placing him on his shoulder, which was nine feet off the ground, Alexander had to practically jump on his back as Keel slammed through the frame, unlike his colleagues who squeezed out. Outside, with a few grunts and points toward Alexander, the plan was made. Alexander sat on his new bodyguard with a devilish grin.

“Now let us see how an Allayan handles the mind of a Prattlian.”

* * * * *

“I am getting really tired,” Elder gasped from the back of the formation. “How long has it been?”

“About a half hour or so,” Achan panted through the sweat that blinded him. “Alright, everyone stop for now.”

The troop ceased their running and practically fell over in a stupor, panting and gasping for air.

“We’ll rest for five minutes, and then we have to keep on moving,” Achan stated.

“Can I ask you something, Achan?” James wondered as Achan wiped his brow.

“What is it?”

“Can a Sage defeat a Langoran?”

Achan rolled his eyes.

“Yes, I’m sure one could.”

“Then if the Infantry is so great, so much more noble than a Sage, why are we running?”

Everyone listened in after that comment.

“It would be different if we had battle experience, but we don’t. It’s better to retreat for now.”

“What kind of infantry is only good at retreating? Don’t we have to fight to gain experience?”

“Better to fight in a controlled environment back home, where even if an accident happened, we may still go to Paradise, than fight a Langoran who wants our very blood, and go to Oblivion. Wouldn’t you say?”

“Would you run away if you were king?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Hey! Hey!” Elder said, stepping between them. “No time for arguing. Our time is basically up. I feel better now and I was last in line, so we should be able to resume now.”

Achan glared at James suspiciously as he stood his ground, staring deep into Achan’s eyes.

“When we get back, we’ll discuss what you’re really trying to say,” Achan said, turning his back, and beginning to run. The others ran past James who stood with Elder.

“Are yo
u
tryin
g
to get me on bad terms with him?” Elder exclaimed. “Don’t tell him I told you about Catherine!”

“Why not? I want to hear it from his own mouth.”

“James, you can’t just challenge anyone with an interest in Catherine. You’re not her boyfriend. Besides, it’s what she wants, and what she would want right now is for all of us to make it out of this forest alive, so let’s go!”

“You’re right, Elder, as always.”

Elder and James began running a little behind the troop when they stopped, only a few steps from where they were. Achan and the others were up ahead, standing motionless, and shaking as a gigantic monster stepped onto the path. He was tall. Too tall to be from Allay. His hairless pale skin shone even in the dull forest light. His muscles rippled every second or so, as if he was flexing each one on his body at the same time, but James knew it had to be from the built up energy that was surging inside of him, involuntarily making him stronger. The monster balled up a fist, about a foot in length, and pounded his chest ferociously. The booming thud sending sonic booms throughout the forest. Achan and the others covered their ears from the crippling sound. The monster laughed deep within his stomach and took a step forward, his foot sinking deep into the forest soil. His shirt and pants, made to stretch, were struggling not to snap from his inhuman body mass. The others backed up, but Achan stood vigilant.

“You’re a Langoran, aren’t you?”

The monster answered with a slap across the face.

James could hear a crack come from Achan’s body as he flew to the side of the trail, crumpled into a lifeless ball. The monster scanned the crowd for a moment, looking for the stone that was taken. Seeing Alicia clutching to it as if it was her life, the monster’s half shut eyes lit up and he stampeded toward her. Larry was in the way. Frozen in terror, he could only remain stationary as the monster slammed into him; Larry went limp and didn’t get back up. Tyler tried to slice the monster’s thick hide, but the blade barely produced a paper cut. The monster reared back and back handed him while making his way to Alicia. Tyler hit a tree with a thud. James and Elder could only watch as the monster grabbed Alicia’s sides with two hands and began to squeeze. Her cries woke them out of their daze.

“We have to do something,” James muttered, but he didn’t make a move as he saw Achan, Tyler and Larry still lying on the ground. He glanced at Elder, who began to get teary-eyed at what he saw.

“Tyler, and Larry…are gone now,” he said through clenched teeth, trying to hold back his crying. “I saw them.”

“So it is true,” James said, as Aqua was thrown like a javelin through the forest. “Then I can’t stand here any longer.”

James grabbed his sword and ran toward the monster, unsure of what he could do. He lunged only to have Christian tackle him in mid-air.

“What do you think you’re doing!?! We have to run away from this thing!”

James collected himself and realized Alicia was nowhere to be found. London was running as fast as he could down the trail, stone in hand. The monster immediately gave pursuit as he screamed in terror.

“I don’t know what happens if we don’t bring back the stone,” he yelled out. “But right now, I really don’t care!”

“Agreed,” James said quickly. “Elder! We’re leaving!”

James, Christian, Elder and Rahima deviated from the trail and began stepping into the brush of the forest itself, cautiously trying to avoid as much muck and debris they could.

“From this point on, we don’t speak,” Elder said. “If what Achan said is correct, there are four left.”

James shuddered at the thought.

“Maybe we should have checked to see if there were any survivors,” Rahima spoke up. James immediately agreed. They weren’t safe at all. No more than they were a minute ago. Might as well check for their fallen comrades.

“Let’s go back,” James said, as Elder nodded.

Rustling behind them interrupted their conversation. Before them, stood three more Langorans, (one of them being significantly bigger than the others) and a very short, skinny man that seemed to hold on to the big one’s shoulder like an anchor.

“What’s the point in going back if you have yourself to worry about?” he spoke boldly.

“You can’t be a Langoran,” Elder said. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, these are my brethren now,” he said, waving his hand about them, “and I don’t need to explain my origins to children. I have the feeling I’ll be explaining myself enough to all of your parents.”

“Do you really think you’re going to storm Allay with three Langorans and your skinny self?” Rahima spoke a little too arrogantly. Alexander took note.

“Not really. I only want one to die. One of your proctors actually. He has caused me a lot of heartache over the past six years. I just want to return the favor. But enough about me, what about you? How do you Allayan protégés want to go out in this world?”

James stood before the monsters and refused to believe his fate had arrived. Was his time really up? There had to be more to go through. More to experience. More to tell Catherine…

“I still haven’t apologized!” James yelled, catching the attention of the Langoran squad. James unsheathed his sword and Alexander immediately took action.

“Kill that one first. The zealous one has to always die first to decrease morale. An example.”

One of the Langorans bellowed a cry of glee as he pounded toward James. James’s adrenaline immediately shot up and he almost fell to the ground trying to escape. The monster plowed through the trees, knocking everything down in his way, reaching for James collar each time, and barely missing. James didn’t look back, running as fast he could through the thick foliage, scrapping himself endlessly on stray branches.

The monster was starting to get annoyed, and that was what James wanted. It meant he wouldn’t think so much, not that he was overthinking to begin with. James tried to be humble about it, but he did pride himself on his strategic mind in the midst of conflict. He had been too scared to think earlier, but now that the monster behind him was getting more frustrated and slowing down a bit, he had some time to inquire what he should do about the situation.

Obviously the monster was too powerful to face alone. Using anything to pierce him was out of the question. His skin was too thick. Knocking him out could work if he had the proper time to lay a trap. Bu there wasn’t much time. At any moment he might lose his footing on a branch he didn’t see or stumble across a ledge that could lead to his death...an idea crossed his mind, but it was almost too crazy, and very dangerous. Still, it was all he could come with at the moment. He would have to deal with the consequences later. James kept running, glancing around him for the beacon of light he so desperately needed. Making sure he ran toward the direction of the pedestal, he finally found it. The light emanating from the sphere they inserted earlier. James corrected his path accordingly, the brute still slowing down even more as he got caught up in some vines for a moment. It didn’t matter, James needed time to survey the area.