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A bit of a short story for this next chapter. I've decided to try and shorten the lengths of my chapters and not go into so much waffle, except in certain places where its needed, like beginnings and so on.
But I hope this isn't too Spartan for anyone. Please enjoy and feel free to comment!
Tales of the Eternals, Chapter 17 Firebird
In the forest, Kwame and Kiya were walking over a fallen log, while the others move downwards into another gully.
“Who was that strange man?” Kiya asks.
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but he reminded me of a group of shamans that once lived deep in the forest.” Kujoe says, stroking his chin. “This was long before Kwame was born, when the king was young. They resided at a massive temple, but they abandoned it years ago.”
Shern’aath meanwhile is whispering with Altallo.
“You don’t think that thing was a FireBird from Avralis do you?”
“I’m almost certain of it. But the question is how did it and the others come here.” Altallo replies “While we were at Avralis I did some research and found out that their creator Jeshrin was captured, tried for his war crimes and disintegrated.”
“Disinter-what?”
“It means he was torn apart and turned to dust.”
Shern’aath stops in midstep, his feathers shiver and the colour seems to drain from his scales.
“Yes,” Altallo says, reading the horror on the raptor’s face “Not a nice fate at all. The Avralians were sure there was no chance he’d survive.”
Not too far away in the forest, a mass of stone ruins lies seemingly forgotten. Huge roots of trees and tangles of vines cover or wind around the ancient statues and columns. Among these ruins is a rounded building with a domed roof covered in shiny black modern looking panels. A passage descends downwards, illuminated from within by a dim yellowish green light. Inside, the room is lit only by strange rods full of the green light. Scattered about are bits of machinery and metal, labelled diagrams and, nestled in an alcove, a magnificent sculpted bust of an eagle like head The figure has a proud and commanding glare in its eyes and a razor sharp beak. The shaman that had threatened Altallo and the others was working away at a table. He wears a protective mask and is using a blowtorch he welds metal pieces together to form a massive arm with vast claws. All the while he mutters numbers and notes to himself.
From somewhere nearby, a voice gargles.
“Nasur! Nasur, where are you?”
The shaman takes off his goggles and mask and after a quick dust down, hurries away to an inner chamber in the building. Inside is a massive tube connected to a generator and filled with liquid, which occasionally bubbles fizzling through it. Inside is a small mass, floating a few feet off the base. Also connected to the tube is a membrane which trembles as the voice speaks.
“Nasur. Are you there?”
“Yes my lord. What is your bidding?” The shaman says reverently, bowing deeply.
“What news from outside?”
“My lord the Firebird units have identified three strangers in the town-”
“That does not concern me.” The lump says “Mere travellers and traders.”
“But my lord, they have wandered into the forest and encountered one of the units as it recharged its power cells. And one has been analysed and their DNA matches with….hers.”
Bubbles erupt from the tube.
“Letia...that witch! Destroying all that I, Jeshrin, created. I, who once lead Avralis to a golden age and with supreme power within my grasp, now reduced to a state where I envy the merest microbe. I can see nothing! Feel nothing! She has locked me into this hell! I shall see her beg for death! This….Eternal. Describe it.”
“Small and human in shape. Quite weak by the looks of it. But he has a reptile and a human as allies.”
The voice scoffs with mirthless glee.
“Pah! His allies are little more than pests. But do not underestimate the power of these Eternals. Big, small, they are strong creatures. You have planted the device?”
“Yes my lord,” Nasur bows again, though it seems pointless given Jeshrin could not see him. “Everything you have ordered has been carried out. All but one of the firebirds are ready for operation also.”
“Excellent.” Jeshrin says with relish, as more bubbles whirl in front of him.
After what felt like an eternity to them, Altallo’s team finally pushes their way out of the forest and back into the open savannah. They all looked exhausted, sweaty and dirty and shambled zombie like to the town’s gate. On the way there, something catches Kwame’s eye. A necklace with a pendant is lying in the mud. Curious, the prince snatches up and looks closely. The pendant was beautiful, gold with three small green stones embedded in it. Smiling, he slips it around his neck and then rushes to join the others.
“Oh you’re back at last and-wait, your highness, how did you...and the girl?”
Majula looks utterly perplexed at the group as it sidles in.
“Never mind that.” Altallo says, as the others shamble away to the mercifully cool palace. “We know what our attackers are. Firebirds. A type of machine.”
“A machine?! And who exactly has built these machines? And why do they want to attack us?”
“A madman from a...far off land, ruled by bird-men. According to them, he built them to attack other peoples and to strike fear into his enemies,” Altallo explains. “But he’s been dead for years. My guess is these machines are just the remnants. We saw one and a strange bird shaman.”
Majula’s ears perk at this and she looks puzzled.
“What about that plume of smoke?”
“It was a caravan….at least what was left of one.”
“Any survivors?”
Altallo lowers his eyes and wrings his hands sadly. Majula could guess the answer and her expression softens. She puts a hand on his shoulder.
“It wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry. You go rest. I’ll ready the sentries and keep a watch for any suspicious activity.”
Later that night, a young hyena leans against the railing of his watch tower. He yawns widely and thinks longing of his warm bed. All of a sudden, a light flickers in the corner of his eyes and he’s jerked awake from his stupor. A flame had appeared just at the edge of the forest. It is soon joined by many more.
Terrified, he starts ringing a small bell.
“Those fire things are back!” He hollers.
Majula rushes out from her cabin, her eyes wide.
“Man the walls!” She shouts.
Her warriors start forming up along the walls. Altallo also dashes out from the palace.
“What’s happening?” He asks.
“We have a few old friends visiting. What are they doing?” She asks a nearby sentry.
“They’re forming a semi circle around the town,” the lion reports.
“Blocking our entrance to the forest.” Majula says to Altallo “But why? They can’t cut off our supplies that way, barely anything comes through there.”
“I think they’re more likely protecting their base.” Altallo replies, “And more importantly whoever controls them.”
One of the flames has moved forwards, just as the moon emerges from behind a cloud. In the light, its massive skeletal figure can be seen, flames jumping and crackling in its skull. The guards become restless at the sight of it. A voice echoes from it.
“Be warned! Any more trespassing will be severely punished-”
But the voice could never finish its sentence. One of the frightened guards had hurled a spear at the machine, hitting it straight in the skull. The firebird jerks and sparks fly from it before the skull erupts in an explosion. The whole body collapses with a tremendous thud and is still. A stunned silence follows before the flames move backwards. But this time, there was no cheering or celebration. The air became even more tense, as the guard prepared for the worst.
Nasur has been watching events unfold on a screen. He grinds his beak in frustration.
“One of the firebirds has been destroyed!”
“WHAT?!” Jeshrin screams from his tank. “How could mere primitives destroy my creation? No matter. If they will not be persuaded to leave, then they must be driven. Nasur, you know what to do.”
“Yes my lord.”
Nasur picks up a tablet looking device and presses a button on its display.
Inside the palace, all is quiet. Shern’aath and Kiya are sleeping in the guest room, while Kwame is lying awake, ears pricking at any tiny sound. The prince bites his lip worriedly and spins the necklace in his hands. The necklace begins humming, startling the prince, but as he opens his mouth to call Kujoe, his mind eases and everything felt sweet and oh so easy. He rises from his bed and drifts out of the room, his face completely blank. Shern’aath stirs and notices him leave.
“Kwame what are you doing? Hey Kwame!”
But Kwame can’t hear Shern’aath or anyone. He glides gracefully through the street, avoiding any guards and finds himself next to the gates. A pleasant impulse told him to open it and without even thinking about it, he unlocks the gates and pulls them wide open.
Shern’aath races around a corner and grabs Kwame and swings him round. His eyes fall on the necklace and he tries to take it.
A sour taste leaches into Kwame’s mind and he grabs Shern’aath’s wrist in a vice like grip, so tight that the raptor screams and flails in panic. His shouts attract the attention of Altallo and Manjula.
“Shern’aath! No!” Altallo cries in panic and tries to wrench Kwame’s hand open. But no matter how hard he tries, the prince won’t let go.
“The necklace!” Majula shouts over the chaos, “He wasn’t wear that before. Grab it!”
Altallo tries grabbing the necklace, but Kwame grabs him by the throat. With great speed, Majula rushes in and snatches the pendant from the prince’s neck. Free from its trance, Kwame stumbles backwards, blinking in surprise. Altallo runs up and hugs Shern’aath, shaking in fear, while the bewildered raptor gives him a clumsy pat on the shoulder with his sore wrist.
“The gate!” Majula says, “Help me close it quickly!”
A group of guards push the two massive doors, but just as they are about to shut them, eight massive claws push through the gap and forces them open, sending the guards flying. The gateway is full of Firebird robots. Their movements, slow yet deliberate, they lurch into the town and slowly their mouths begin to open, revealing the inferno within them.
But I hope this isn't too Spartan for anyone. Please enjoy and feel free to comment!
Tales of the Eternals, Chapter 17 Firebird
In the forest, Kwame and Kiya were walking over a fallen log, while the others move downwards into another gully.
“Who was that strange man?” Kiya asks.
“I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but he reminded me of a group of shamans that once lived deep in the forest.” Kujoe says, stroking his chin. “This was long before Kwame was born, when the king was young. They resided at a massive temple, but they abandoned it years ago.”
Shern’aath meanwhile is whispering with Altallo.
“You don’t think that thing was a FireBird from Avralis do you?”
“I’m almost certain of it. But the question is how did it and the others come here.” Altallo replies “While we were at Avralis I did some research and found out that their creator Jeshrin was captured, tried for his war crimes and disintegrated.”
“Disinter-what?”
“It means he was torn apart and turned to dust.”
Shern’aath stops in midstep, his feathers shiver and the colour seems to drain from his scales.
“Yes,” Altallo says, reading the horror on the raptor’s face “Not a nice fate at all. The Avralians were sure there was no chance he’d survive.”
Not too far away in the forest, a mass of stone ruins lies seemingly forgotten. Huge roots of trees and tangles of vines cover or wind around the ancient statues and columns. Among these ruins is a rounded building with a domed roof covered in shiny black modern looking panels. A passage descends downwards, illuminated from within by a dim yellowish green light. Inside, the room is lit only by strange rods full of the green light. Scattered about are bits of machinery and metal, labelled diagrams and, nestled in an alcove, a magnificent sculpted bust of an eagle like head The figure has a proud and commanding glare in its eyes and a razor sharp beak. The shaman that had threatened Altallo and the others was working away at a table. He wears a protective mask and is using a blowtorch he welds metal pieces together to form a massive arm with vast claws. All the while he mutters numbers and notes to himself.
From somewhere nearby, a voice gargles.
“Nasur! Nasur, where are you?”
The shaman takes off his goggles and mask and after a quick dust down, hurries away to an inner chamber in the building. Inside is a massive tube connected to a generator and filled with liquid, which occasionally bubbles fizzling through it. Inside is a small mass, floating a few feet off the base. Also connected to the tube is a membrane which trembles as the voice speaks.
“Nasur. Are you there?”
“Yes my lord. What is your bidding?” The shaman says reverently, bowing deeply.
“What news from outside?”
“My lord the Firebird units have identified three strangers in the town-”
“That does not concern me.” The lump says “Mere travellers and traders.”
“But my lord, they have wandered into the forest and encountered one of the units as it recharged its power cells. And one has been analysed and their DNA matches with….hers.”
Bubbles erupt from the tube.
“Letia...that witch! Destroying all that I, Jeshrin, created. I, who once lead Avralis to a golden age and with supreme power within my grasp, now reduced to a state where I envy the merest microbe. I can see nothing! Feel nothing! She has locked me into this hell! I shall see her beg for death! This….Eternal. Describe it.”
“Small and human in shape. Quite weak by the looks of it. But he has a reptile and a human as allies.”
The voice scoffs with mirthless glee.
“Pah! His allies are little more than pests. But do not underestimate the power of these Eternals. Big, small, they are strong creatures. You have planted the device?”
“Yes my lord,” Nasur bows again, though it seems pointless given Jeshrin could not see him. “Everything you have ordered has been carried out. All but one of the firebirds are ready for operation also.”
“Excellent.” Jeshrin says with relish, as more bubbles whirl in front of him.
After what felt like an eternity to them, Altallo’s team finally pushes their way out of the forest and back into the open savannah. They all looked exhausted, sweaty and dirty and shambled zombie like to the town’s gate. On the way there, something catches Kwame’s eye. A necklace with a pendant is lying in the mud. Curious, the prince snatches up and looks closely. The pendant was beautiful, gold with three small green stones embedded in it. Smiling, he slips it around his neck and then rushes to join the others.
“Oh you’re back at last and-wait, your highness, how did you...and the girl?”
Majula looks utterly perplexed at the group as it sidles in.
“Never mind that.” Altallo says, as the others shamble away to the mercifully cool palace. “We know what our attackers are. Firebirds. A type of machine.”
“A machine?! And who exactly has built these machines? And why do they want to attack us?”
“A madman from a...far off land, ruled by bird-men. According to them, he built them to attack other peoples and to strike fear into his enemies,” Altallo explains. “But he’s been dead for years. My guess is these machines are just the remnants. We saw one and a strange bird shaman.”
Majula’s ears perk at this and she looks puzzled.
“What about that plume of smoke?”
“It was a caravan….at least what was left of one.”
“Any survivors?”
Altallo lowers his eyes and wrings his hands sadly. Majula could guess the answer and her expression softens. She puts a hand on his shoulder.
“It wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry. You go rest. I’ll ready the sentries and keep a watch for any suspicious activity.”
Later that night, a young hyena leans against the railing of his watch tower. He yawns widely and thinks longing of his warm bed. All of a sudden, a light flickers in the corner of his eyes and he’s jerked awake from his stupor. A flame had appeared just at the edge of the forest. It is soon joined by many more.
Terrified, he starts ringing a small bell.
“Those fire things are back!” He hollers.
Majula rushes out from her cabin, her eyes wide.
“Man the walls!” She shouts.
Her warriors start forming up along the walls. Altallo also dashes out from the palace.
“What’s happening?” He asks.
“We have a few old friends visiting. What are they doing?” She asks a nearby sentry.
“They’re forming a semi circle around the town,” the lion reports.
“Blocking our entrance to the forest.” Majula says to Altallo “But why? They can’t cut off our supplies that way, barely anything comes through there.”
“I think they’re more likely protecting their base.” Altallo replies, “And more importantly whoever controls them.”
One of the flames has moved forwards, just as the moon emerges from behind a cloud. In the light, its massive skeletal figure can be seen, flames jumping and crackling in its skull. The guards become restless at the sight of it. A voice echoes from it.
“Be warned! Any more trespassing will be severely punished-”
But the voice could never finish its sentence. One of the frightened guards had hurled a spear at the machine, hitting it straight in the skull. The firebird jerks and sparks fly from it before the skull erupts in an explosion. The whole body collapses with a tremendous thud and is still. A stunned silence follows before the flames move backwards. But this time, there was no cheering or celebration. The air became even more tense, as the guard prepared for the worst.
Nasur has been watching events unfold on a screen. He grinds his beak in frustration.
“One of the firebirds has been destroyed!”
“WHAT?!” Jeshrin screams from his tank. “How could mere primitives destroy my creation? No matter. If they will not be persuaded to leave, then they must be driven. Nasur, you know what to do.”
“Yes my lord.”
Nasur picks up a tablet looking device and presses a button on its display.
Inside the palace, all is quiet. Shern’aath and Kiya are sleeping in the guest room, while Kwame is lying awake, ears pricking at any tiny sound. The prince bites his lip worriedly and spins the necklace in his hands. The necklace begins humming, startling the prince, but as he opens his mouth to call Kujoe, his mind eases and everything felt sweet and oh so easy. He rises from his bed and drifts out of the room, his face completely blank. Shern’aath stirs and notices him leave.
“Kwame what are you doing? Hey Kwame!”
But Kwame can’t hear Shern’aath or anyone. He glides gracefully through the street, avoiding any guards and finds himself next to the gates. A pleasant impulse told him to open it and without even thinking about it, he unlocks the gates and pulls them wide open.
Shern’aath races around a corner and grabs Kwame and swings him round. His eyes fall on the necklace and he tries to take it.
A sour taste leaches into Kwame’s mind and he grabs Shern’aath’s wrist in a vice like grip, so tight that the raptor screams and flails in panic. His shouts attract the attention of Altallo and Manjula.
“Shern’aath! No!” Altallo cries in panic and tries to wrench Kwame’s hand open. But no matter how hard he tries, the prince won’t let go.
“The necklace!” Majula shouts over the chaos, “He wasn’t wear that before. Grab it!”
Altallo tries grabbing the necklace, but Kwame grabs him by the throat. With great speed, Majula rushes in and snatches the pendant from the prince’s neck. Free from its trance, Kwame stumbles backwards, blinking in surprise. Altallo runs up and hugs Shern’aath, shaking in fear, while the bewildered raptor gives him a clumsy pat on the shoulder with his sore wrist.
“The gate!” Majula says, “Help me close it quickly!”
A group of guards push the two massive doors, but just as they are about to shut them, eight massive claws push through the gap and forces them open, sending the guards flying. The gateway is full of Firebird robots. Their movements, slow yet deliberate, they lurch into the town and slowly their mouths begin to open, revealing the inferno within them.
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Any
Size 120 x 120px
Comments