The plains of Yliakum were just as expansive as the ones up on the surface. Yet they never reminded me of home. Always under a different color of the crystal’s light, I’ve never seen them in what I think is their pure form. Under moonlight.
It had only been a week since I had last seen it, but I missed the moon. Its rays were what filled my nocturnal life in the Dru`Gotti plains with serenity. With the Kran and Ylians after me for reasons I still didn’t understand, I thought I would never see that light again.
I ran several lengths over the next days following the Enkidukai tracks of this new land, stopping only to sleep in trees and get drinks from rivers. I grew hungry, and there was no sign of good hunt. If there were any edible packs, they didn’t wander around here, or had already been killed off by the Enkidukai whose tracks I was following. Eventually I found myself at the end of the trail. I was standing in front of a large tent.
The tent was like an utlic, but smaller. On the golden, stretched hides used for the sides, an odd rune had been burned, over and over again. It was on every side, at different angles, sizes and shades. Fanatic hands must have placed them there. The symbol was the one I now have carved above my left eye: a thin crescent shape, sliced by three parallel lines, similar to claw marks. Then, on the inner side of the crescent are four spots, and on the outside, a solitary spot.
As I examined the seemingly misplaced structure, a tall, feeble creature with grey skin stepped out of the main entrance. He smiled at me from under his brown, wide-brimmed hat. We looked at one another for a few moments. He seemed just as out of place as his home. He looked weak and worn down. The long, silver hair extending out from under his hat was untamed, and, with his wide and alert eyes, made him look rather deranged. His robe, the same brown color as his hat, covered his body and went down to his ankles, leaving his grey, wrinkled feet exposed to the crystal’s light. In his right hand he held a gnarled staff, having some resemblance to his hair. “Good day, Keto Dru`Gotti. It’s about time you arrived.” He tilted his head after this statement, still staring at me with his wide, dark eyes.
I took a moment to look around, hoping there might be another ‘Keto’ behind me. We were alone. I felt confused and uncomfortable, and what was worse, I recognized the Xacha’s voice as soon as he spoke. I remembered his face. But no Xacha have ever been on the Dru`Gotti lands.
He didn’t wait for a reply. “Come inside, I’m sure you have a lot of questions, and perhaps some hunger.” He motioned me to enter the tent. As I uneasily stepped forward, my stomach rumbled. “My, what have you done to your arm? Come on, old Sagot will take care of you.” He was still grinning at me. He seemed happy to see me, as if we were old friends.
I entered the small tent and was surprised to find the same symbol recurring just as often on the inside walls. I remembered now, I had seen the mark somewhere before. But I didn’t know where. I felt as if this was not my first time here. But I knew I had never been inside Yliakum before. “Who are you?” I asked.
“Oh? Yes, I guess it is the first time we’ve met. As I said, I am Sagot, a humble wizard of these parts.” He was still smiling as he bowed slightly. He pronounced every syllable with clear articulation, but his voice was old and scratchy.
“How do you know my name?”
“Dru`Gotti! Many know of your father, the ‘great slayer of wizards.’ His reputation brings his children equal fame.”
“He’s...” I paused. For the first time I understood that my father was gone forever.
Sagot didn’t let the silence last a second. “Yes, I know. Those disgusting Ylians. But you must move on, you have much ahead of you. And I’m sure there is much you don’t understand.” He was still smiling.
How could he have known? The attack by the Ylians felt like it happened only moments ago. A lot of things were not making sense. “What is going on?”
“You must understand, your father’s title also earned him some enemies.” Sagot paused. “Especially if the title wasn’t actually true.” He watched me struggle to understand what he was hinting at. “Please sit down, there is much you need to know. And time is not on your side.”
I sat on the dirt floor, while Sagot remained standing. “You see,” he continued, “The wizard your father supposedly defeated was damned by the gods. He was a powerful being that used his power to completely control and alter the mind, beyond what the gods allowed. In combination with his other powers, he began taking over land, and gained many followers. The gods damned him, took all of his powers except the ones beyond law. And even those were weakened.”
I could not know if he was telling me the truth, nor could I disagree. My father’s glorious past had been before me, and I couldn’t remember anyone sharing the stories. “Where does my family come in all of this?” I asked.
“Well, since your family was blessed by the gods to kill this wizard, your father went to take down the evil wizard. But he did not kill him. So the wizard has now come back. And it is your role to finish him once and for all. You must kill this wizard.”
“But why me?”
“You are a... no. You are the Dru`Gotti! For all we know your brother Elhon may be dead. And if you do not, the wizard will grow in power, attempting to take over all of Yliakum. The gods have placed this weight on your shoulders. It is your destiny now. He has already gathered Ylians and that mutated Kran against you.”
I remembered how Elhon had been when I last saw him. I remembered the apathy and blind rage that seemed to empower the Kran. The Kran. How did I know what a Kran was? Or what Yliakum was? How did Sagot know about my brother and everything that had happened to me? I could not take this much longer. I stood and opened my mouth to speak.
“You do not have time to waste here.” Sagot spoke before I could. “Every moment that passes, that wizard your father failed to kill grows more powerful. You have many questions, I know. But you should head to Hydlaa. It is east of here, and there is a library there that will have many of the answers which you seek.” He was now at the door, gesturing for me to go.
“Wait! This doesn’t make sense!” I bellowed, using my full voice for the first time. The smile faded from Sagot’s face, but I continued. “How do I know what a Kran is? Or a Diaboli? Or the location of Hydlaa?” My breathing quickened with the speed of my words. “Or a Xacha?” I pointed a finger at him, claw extended. “I just lost my entire family and you expect me to...”
“Quiet.” Sagot interrupted me with a firm tone. I didn’t think such strong voice could have come out of such a weak looking body. He continued speaking this way, accenting every word. “You have a responsibility, given to you by the gods. The lives that are resting on your decisions are more important than you. Or your family. Go to Hydlaa.”
Shortly after these words, I found myself heading to Hydlaa. I was cold, tired, confused, and my stomach still rumbled.
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