Yliakum Journeys (vol.1)

[Xylaal]

Through the hills run the duo and on to Ojaveda Road. Passing the occasional traveller they do not stop for they sense that there is an urgency in the information that they seek.  They run and run more...an hour has passed when they reach the crossroads and the magic shop path. Xylaal sees mushrooms growing on the side of the road but does not stop to pick them. Finally they stop just outside the magic shop, Levrus can be heard singing a nonsensical song inside.

Xylaal sips her canteen, looks at Zhai and asks out of breath, "Okay ... what ...now," Hand on hip, chest heaving her breaths, she looks around and sees a few folks pecking at nearby rocks with picks and thinks about her own work and how she had hoped this little camping trip would be a relaxing diversion. She laughs to herself letting out a tired flow of air and Zhai sees the smile. As if she read her mind Zhai says with compassion,"We help...we help,"

Zhai scrunches up her furry face and says,"Let's talk to Levrus!" 



   

[Spetyco]

The cloaked figure on the Pterosaur flies quickly to the mouth of a cave after having attacked Laragorn..  He takes the book and puts it in his pack along with his glyphs and other treasures.  The figure then enters the cave to be greeted by an army of gobbles and his lone henchmen.  "Good!  All is prepared.  Everything has come together even better than I could have planned.  It seems that fate is playing into our hands."  He laughs wildly then enters the cave.  He moves quickly, knowing that time is of the essence.  He finds the spot prepared for him and lies down.  He pulls out the glyphs prepared especially for this purpose.  Then to his henchmen he says, "Once I am unconscious take these and put them in my pack along with the book and give it to my Pterosaur.  He knows what to do from there."  Then the figure begins to utter something...

As Farren and Spetyco walk back towards the campsite, Spetyco cries out, then falls to the ground uncounscious.  At first he appears dead to his companions but he is still breathing and has a pulse; however, he is completely unresponsive to their efforts to revive him...

As the dark figure becomes uncounscious his follower gathers everything in the pack and takes it to the Pterosaur.  It then flies off, circling the campsite high enough not to be noticed.

Spetyco finds himself in a dark place.  There was a foul stench in his nostrils, but as far as he looked in every direction there was nothing but darkness.

"Hello, Spetyco!" an other-worldly voice calls behind him.  Startled he whirls around to see the hooded figure with his face.
"I had hoped we would not meet again.  To see my face on someone such as yourself disgusts me," and the vile creature spits onto the ground.  "But here you are!"
"Wh... Who are you!" Spetyco demands.  Then memories come flooding back.  As they do Spetyco stands taller and a grim look comes over his face.
"You!  You thought you could get rid of me so easily!"

[zhai]

Xylaal and Zhai enter the magic shop. Levrus is busy as usual, mixing potions and putting his glyphs in obsessive order. "Hail, ladies. What can I do for you?". Xylaal and Zhai look at each other. Zhai finally breaks the silence:

- We were just passing by and decided to see if you had anything new for sale. A rare glyph maybe...- Levrus looks at them with a small frown but then replaces it with a smile.

- No new items, I'm afraid...

Zhai nods and then turns to the giant serpent hangin from the ceiling.

- I've always wondered where is it that you keep the summon ring with this creature's soul.

- And you'll never get the answer. I keep all my treasures hidden- Levrus replies.

- You mean locked behind that little door in your basement?- quickly asks Xylaal. Levrus' face turns pale as he tries to utter an answer.

- C'mon, old man, it's pretty obvious... - Xylaal adds.

Zhai smiles and then comforts the shopkeeper:

- Worry not, we are not thieves nor evil doers - to which Levrus replies:

- Ha! You couldn't open that little door no matter what. It'd be easier to tear down the entire building!

Sevrus joke meets no laughter as Xylaal and Zhai look at each other. Zhai leans forward and whispers:

- Whatever it is you keep there, somebody wants it...-

Xylaal starts telling the magician about the recent events as Zhai adds details every now and then. Levrus listens carefully as he draws smoke from his pipe with a serious expression in his face. Zhai watches the miners come and go as the conversation unfolds once Sevrus has heard it all. He and Xylaal are now talking about memory potions and spells. Outside, the miners and their picks, the gold in their sacks, coming and going, trapped between greed and need, unaware of the danger they would have faced had the ulbers reached this place. "Picks are no weapons agains ulbers", Zhai thinks as she studies the miners out there.

[LARAGORN]

     Finding a hard to reach perch, atop the hillside, Laragorn stops. From this vantage point he can see for miles. A protruding rock from the hill makes a perfect seat. He removes the object from his vest as he sits. It is a brilliant red, soft, smooth pouch. The look and feel is nothing he had seen before, almost hypnotic. There is a crimson red tassel holding the pouch closed. Laragorn slowly unfastens the tassel and opens the pouch.

   Before he looks into it, Laragorn feels he is being watched. He jumps up looking around and sees nothing. As he tries to settle himself; a Pterosaurs With a rider descend from the crystal above. Slowly Laragorn reaches in the pouch and removes its contents. A cloth bound book, covered with the same material as the pouch is revealed. The book is covered with patterns and letters foreign to him. Just as he is about to open the book, the Pterosaurs sweeps down and grabs it from his hand. Atop of the creature is a cloaked figure. The cloak flowing in the wind is made of the same material as the book and pouch.

   “You have no right to posses this book” The figure shouts as the Pterosaurs hovers in front of Laragorn. The thunderous voice shakes the hillside. “This is meant for my minion, He and He alone can wield its power”. With a wave of the figures hand, Laragorn is thrown down the hills side, to the valley below. “Do not interfere again, or I shall send you to a much worse fait than that of the Death Realm itself”. Laragorns motionless body comes to a rest on the valley floor, as the Pterosaurs and its master fly toward the campsite.

[Odessa Wildfire]

Just a short distance outside Levrus's magic shop the raised voice of a female diaboli can be heard...

"Look, I told you already I dont know where he his let alone WHO he is so back off or your'll know and feel the scorn of this diaboli!".

[Xylaal]

"Ah it is gone!" cries Levrus. " All gone! Where, where, where, oh, where upon has it gone! Oh Talad save us this is a disaster!"

Zhai and Xylaal peer into the room Levrus opened and see the aging magician, head in his hands, eyes bulging with worry, pacing the room like a frightened animal. Zhai gently takes him to a chair and asks him what is missing.

"The book, the book ..such a crook, a crook! .. look, look ...no red book in my nook!"

Xylaal rolls her eyes at his ramblings but she is used to Levrus and his nonsensical rhymes. "Why is it dangerous?"

 Levrus grabs Zhai by the collar and pulls her close as, shaking and afraid, he speaks to the duo (and to himself) crypticly,
"It is a very special book (look,look) ... bright and glowing red (flight and growing dred) with an engraving of a Carcarass on the cover (of her...of her)! It is a book I found (albeit on the ground) years ago near the face in the stone (I was there all alone) Saying the words written inside can summon beasts of monstrous size! (and cause the conjuror toward blatant lies) The conjuror must be special indeed for only One can unlock its seed."

And with that Levrus collapsed the arms of the Enkiduki. Xylaal looked to Zhai, green eyes wide with wonder and amazement, and spake an explicative far too graphic to retell but one that expresses her shock at his words and her worry for the fate of the campers they left in the woods.

[Odessa Wildfire]

The Diaboli turns on her heel and walks towards the Magic Shop ignoring the ranting of the figure behind her.

Figure: Mark my words young lady!... you haven't heard the last from me!.


The diaboli rolls her eyes as she enters the Magic Shop.  She notices the room is unattended and approaches the counter in which she drums her fingers upon impatiently.

Diaboli: Huh, I see nothing changes around here apart from the sloppy management as per usall.


After waiting for a few mins and listening to the ever growing and annoying sound of the many pickaxes of miners near by and seeing that no one will be coming any time soon she simply turns and walks back out the door in annoyance.

Diaboli: Well, I guess I could always go pick them growing wild in the usall spot... if its still there.  And besides, they always did taste funny from Levrus.

Feeling hopeful and looking fowards to streching her legs she sets off towards the wooded hills in the distance, a secluded area known only to herself where the very best wild mushrooms grow.

[zorbels]

Zorbels drags herself back to the camp already exhausted form the days drama. She resists the urge to open Spetyco bag and wonders if she should go look for Laragorn. "What if Farren hurt him? I couldn't just leave him." Zorbels casts a glance over her shoulder and see's Tovera humming to herself while making more baked goods for tonights supper. "Tovera after supper if Laragon still has not returned, would you accompany me for a walk to see if we can find him? I do not wish to leave you alone, and I could teach you how to track people." Zorbels smiles at the child with a fondness. She thinks to herself how much Tovera reminds her of herself as a young fenki. Never giving up not matter how afraid.

Zorbels hears Farren dragging Spetyco up as close to the fire as he can. "What happened to him?" she looks at Farren with a confused expression and awaits him to answer.

[Siteri Kidachi]

Siteri stares at the unconscious Spetyco. "I have a feeling this trip just turned into something serious," she says. "I don't know why, but I feel like this could affect the whole world... And I'm here for it! FANTASTIC!" She pumps her fist with excitement.

[LARAGORN]

Lying in a pool of his own blood, Laragorn is still motionless. His mind however is racing wildly. He has visions of being attacked by the flying creature, the out stretched claws ripping him open. He has visions of Spetyco laughing at him while the red cloaked figure floats behind him. The thunderous voice echoing in his head, “The Death Realm, The Death Realm”.

[Farren Kutter]

Farren catches Spetyco as he falls. "Spetyco? Oh dear..." he says, concern on his face. He heaves the other into his arms, barely being able to hold the weight and still move properly, and heads towards the camp. Halfway there his aching arms fail and he places Spetyco on the ground. After a short break, he picks Spetyco up under the arms and drags him the rest of the way. Hearing Zorbels, he replies, "I haven't a clue."

[Spetyco]

"The book!" Spetyco cries.  "Laragorn stole the book!"
"I have taken care of that," the cloaked mirrored version of himself says.
"What did you do to him?" Spetyco yells outraged at the being.
"He managed to discover the book for me, so I relieved him of it.  And if he survives, he will blame you!  He is rather easy to deceive.  But no matter, I will make certain he dies with the rest of your friends very soon."
"They did nothing wrong!  They were only defending themselves."
"It is no longer your problem!"
Spetyco storms at the being only to find it is made of nothing but mist.
"Now now, Spetyco!  What did you think you could do to me here?  You're body is lying unconscious back at the campsite with your so-called 'friends'.  You have no substance here.  I brought you here so that you can suffer knowing what has happened."
"What have you done?"
"As you know, I cannot have you killed because of the... err, link between us.  So I took your memories, but it was only temporary while I prepared a stronger spell to put you in this state.  Your body is asleep and your soul will dwell forever here, in the darkness.  Meanwhile, I will take over your body."
"What about the book?" Spetyco demands.
"I had no idea you had stolen it, Spetyco.  You are more devious than I gave you credit for.  I went through all the trouble to summon a pack of ulbers to retrieve it for me, and you had it all along.  You could have saved me a lot of trouble if you would only have cooperated."
"I will not let you succeed!"
"You have no choice in the matter anymore!  Only you know of my plans, and you will not be going anywhere!  Now the Book is in my possession!  And since you are the only one who can wield its power, when I am in your body, I will be the most powerful being in Yliakum!  Goodbye, Spetyco!"  And with that the figure dissapears, and Spetyco is left alone in the darkness.

[zhai]

Zhai helps Levrus to a chair. He puts his head on his knees sobbing helplessly. Zhai remains in silence as her thoughts cross her mind quickly. "So, the ulbers weren't here to steal Levrus' treasure but to kill him... whoever conjured them used Levrus' book, and not only that but he also has all he kept in that small vault. If they wanted Levrus dead they'll send something far stronger than a pack of ulbers... but wait, Levrus said the book would help summon powerful creatures and the ulbers were possessed by lesser spirits. Why not wake that big snake Levrus likes so much? That would've done the job! That means there is another conjurer around, one who attempted to steal Levrus' vault with the ulbers not knowing someone else had already done it, and this person is far more powerful... maybe a master and his apprentice". Xylaal touches Zhai's shoulder noticing she's deep in her thoughts. Zhai turns to her with half a smile. "Let's go. I don't think Levrus is in danger now. We should head back and inform the others". Levrus looks at them sadly but then a hint of rage bleeds through his words: "Worry not, friends of mine. I am resourceful and I'll be fine... oh! and my apologies againg for I have not no potion or spell for one's memory to be well."

Zhai and Xylaal head outside the shop in silence. As they step out Zhai turns to Xylaal and tells her her theory of the two conjurers. Xylaal's green eyes turn wider as she hears Zhai's conclusions. She finally nods in agreement and they start running back to the camp.

[Spetyco]

Spetyco sits alone in the darkness.  "What have I done?  I let this conjurer come into this world!  And thought\ I tried to thwart his plans I ended up playing into his hands.  If I had not stolen the book, it would still be safe.  Zorbels and her company defeated the ulbers, they certainly could have defeated this false-Spetyco.  But now because of my actions, he has the book, and all is lost!"

He has failed!  He has failed his new friends.  He failed himself. And he has failed all of Yliakum.

"Wh... What happened?" Spetyco's body stirs.  "Where am I?  Who are you people and how did I get here?"
Some of Spetyco's new friends are gathered around looking at him.  Farren and Zorbels are right by his side with a look of true concern on their faces, but then he looks them in the eyes.  Something has changed...

[lanser]

Hokinon enters a small clearing and discovers an old campsite, as  he looks around the abandoned equipment his movements become slower, more mechanical and he starts picking up random items, a brush, a knife all of which he'd seen before. Widening his search around the site he spots some damaged trees and drifts towards them to find bones impaled on the broken branches, small delicate Enkidukai bones, picked clean of flesh and unclothed.

Hokinon falls to his knees and imagines what must have happened, an attack  at night, no time to dress and slung across the clearing to die in these branches "ahhhhhhh Shayla my love"  he exhales slowly and rises to his feet to begin collecting all her belongings.

Finding an unfamiliar bag he starts packing the bits and pieces inside it. He pauses for a second as he puts another brush in the bag and mutters to himself “why didn't you just wait”, completely forgetting the month he  spent trapped underground, continuing the bag now almost full he finishes and stands to walk back to the bones “farewell my love, I shall never forget you” and sighs.

He turns to trudge back towards Zorbels and the others  wondering how to rebuild his life for a second time, halfway back to the camp Hoki catches a glimpse of a Pterosaur flying past in the distance...