File type: OpenOffice Document (.odt) [Download]
-----------------------------------------
Could not generate preview text for this file type.
-----------------------------------------
Could not generate preview text for this file type.
A lengthy and tough chapter to write, but ultimately very rewarding. I hope its not too clunky. I am a bit nervous of it!
Tales of the Eternals Chapter 18: Dying Embers
Jets of flame burst from the beaks of the Firebirds, setting buildings ablaze. Terrified townsfolk flee from their homes, carrying children, sick or elderly relatives. Altallo and Shern’aath dive for cover behind a pile of pots as the guards close, holding their hide shields against the blaze and stabbing at the robots with spears. The weapons barely make a dent or scratch on the firebirds, who swipe at the soldiers sending them hurtling backwards.
Majula leads Kwame away from the battle, while Kiya and Kujoe cower in the palace as the flames grow closer and closer. Their work done, the firebirds amble back into the forest, seemingly oblivious to the chaos they have created. However one warrior throws a heavy spear at the firebirds and hits one straight through the chest. The huge machine crumples and the flames in its head die away.
Hours later, the sunrise’s rays are tinged grey with smoke. Half of the town lies in ruin, still smouldering from the attack. Picking through the ruins, the townspeople try and find any survivors.
Outside the walls, Altallo examines the remains of both destroyed firebirds with great interest.
“That spear went straight through it!” Altallo remarks excitedly, as he pulls the spear out of the shattered machine. The spearhead gleams in the pale light, covered in intricate markings. “I’m guessing its iron?”
“That’s right,” says Majula, who was hovering nearby. “We imported a whole stock from Assyria just a few days ago.”
“Enough to make some more weapons like this?”
“Just enough I think. The merchants will not be pleased, but this is a matter of life or death. One thing I don’t get though Altallo, why didn’t they just destroy the whole town? They could have raised it to the ground easily.”
“I don’t think they wanted to fight, just terrify and keep us away from the forest. That was just a warning. They want us to flee.”
Majula glances uncomfortably to the forest. A faint flicker of orange can be seen here and there.
In the abandoned temple, Nasur watches a monitor with great interest. From the eye of one of the firebirds, he notices a line of people leaving the town away into the savannah on the horizon.
“My lord!” he says with a hint of triumph in his voice “The town is being evacuated!”
Jeshrin does not reply for a moment, so Nasur tries again.
“There will be no-one now to stop us!”
“They are only primitives Nasur, of course your tactics would inevitably scare them. But what of me?” Jeshrin gurgles from within the green liquid. “I am still vulnerable and denied any of the pleasures you take for granted. I need to walk, I need to feel, eat, drink, anything! When will my body be ready?”
Nasur checks a reading.
“Two hours my lord-”
A loud klaxon draws Nasur’s attention and he looks at another screen.
“A report from a unit, another firebird has been destroyed!” he squawks.
Jerishin snarls. “They have tested my patience long enough. Send in half the units and recall the rest. Make sure no one ever enters the town again.”
Majula peaks tentatively out of the northern gateway. The savannah outside is completely deserted, except for the distant torches and lights of the next town. She slides stealthily outside and beckons. A small army including Altallo, Shern’aath, Kwame Kujoe and Kiya, all carrying iron tipped spears. They give the town a wide berth, keeping to the shadows of nearby hills. As the near the forest, they could see five flames moving into the town. A scout rushes up to the wall and peers through the gates.
“They’re just staying there,” he says as he runs back.
“To keep us out. Nowhere else to go now I suppose.” Majula sighs.
The forest had never looked less inviting to Shern’aath than now. Every shadow seemed much larger and the group sticks closely together. After a tense hour, they round the huge trunk of a tree and come across the silent looming shape of a firebird. They all duck for cover into the foliage.
“Wonder why he didn’t attack as soon as he saw us.” Shern’aath whispers.
“Its a robot Shern,” Altallo replies, “It merely follows instructions. I don’t think it can even see or hear anything. And look, its fire is out….I have a great idea!”
“What are you going to do?” Majula ask
“Throw a rock at it.”
“Ugh, be serious Alty!”
“I am being serious Shern’aath,” Altallo says, as he grabs a small rock and hurls it at the firebird. But the machine doesn’t even react. “There you are. It can’t feel and can’t see. Its switched off.”
“Switched off?”
“It means it has no power Majula. The signals aren’t reaching it and it won’t move. And I may be able to put it out of action and study it at the same time.”
“You’re sure this is safe?”
Altallo sighs. “Well quite frankly no Shern’aath, but there’s only one way to find out.”
And throwing caution to the wind, Altallo strides out and starts tapping the robot on the head. Shern’aath and Kiya follow close behind.
“You’re taking an awful risk aren’t you?” Kiya asks.
“I know what I’m doing, yes just as I thought. Completely inactive. Now comes the tricky part.” Altallo replies, as he lifts up the glass casing of the head and starts fiddling around with its innards. With a loud CLINK he pulls out a small cube with wires attached to its corners. “Thank goodness for that, here, catch!”
He throws the cube to Shern’aath, who sniffs it interestedly.
“That’s the brain of a Firebird.”
“What do you want me to do with this?” Shern’aath asks, shaking the ‘brain’.
“Oh just smash it.”
Grinning, Shern’aath slams the component against a tree and claps his hands together looking proud of his handy work. But his moment of glory is cut short by a loud, sharp alarm blaring from the firebird itself.
“Move, move!” Shern’aath shouts to the others and they disappear into the forest, just as another firebird lumbers out of the gloom.
The viscous fluid in Jeshrin’s tank is slowly draining away and the lump has settled on bottom. It writhes and pulsates like a beating heart. A symbol on a nearby panel lights up and Nasur frowns.
“No response from Unit Five.” he comments before turning a switch. Through the other firebird’s eyes he sees the damage. “Sabotage! Scan the surrounding area, search!”
The firebird turns its head this way and that. Unnoticed, the small army had concealed itself high in the trees. Nasur grinds his beak in frustration, then flicks a switch. “Recall. All units recall.”
The firebird strides away into the forest. As soon as the sound of its crashing footsteps die away, Shern’aath leaps down from the tree and signals for the others that its safe.
“I think that machine saw what you did to the other one,” he tells Altallo who lands cat like onto the forest floor. “Its masters are bound to know what’s happened now.”
They follow it from a distance, but the firebird seems to be slower than the others seen before and one of its legs limped as it pressed it down. It almost knocks into a tree as it stumbles on. After an agonising walk through the ever darkening forest, they reach a cluster of crumbling stone buildings, statues and cloisters, now enveloped by twisting roots and vines. The firebird staggers into a circular building. As soon as its gone, Altallo strides out, accompanied by two soldiers, a lioness and a wildebeest. They all stand in the middle of the courtyard.
“Hello there!” Altallo calls, his voice resonating across the site. “Isn’t it me you’re looking for? The Eternal? I am here to surrender. I realise I am no match against your firebirds and I wish to save the lives of innocent people. May we discuss the terms?”
There was silence for a whole minute, then a familiar figure appears at the entrance to the main building. The shaman beckons for Altallo and the others to enter.
“You may not take your weapons.” he says in a steely voice. Altallo nods and signals to his guard to leave their weapons. Then they follow Nasur inside, the door closing behind them. Majula emerges from hiding and signals for the others.
“Sisi, take your troop up on the cloisters there, you’ll be able to cover us. Komla, Akwesi, you cover the front, use the fallen rubble as cover.” Majula orders her troops, before placing a stack of spears in an urn. She turns to Shern’aath and Kiya. “We’ll have to hold them off as long as we can. You look handy with a spear Shern’aath, but as for you...” she looks down at Kiya with a mixed expression, to which Kiya frowns and cross her arms. “Maybe its best if you keep as far back as possible.”
Majula moves off and Kiya huffs.
“Anyone would think I’m useless.”
Nasur leads the trio deeper into the temple, into the first chamber. Altallo’s eye is immediately caught by the sculpture of a proud eagle like head. His gaze then drifts to a crude bed, huddled in a corner of the room. The whole place was dank and dark, lit only by dim green glowing rods.
“Living quite rough aren’t you?” Altallo comments. “Wouldn’t you rather stay in a more comfortable place? A cell on Avralis for example? I do like the phosphorescent lights though, very nice touch.”
“Very funny.” Nasur says drily. “We can never go back to Avralis the way we are now. I will gladly suffer a thousand times over for my lord. He will lead us to a golden age.”
“Oh really? I’ve heard that before you know. It never ends well. But where is this great leader of yours?” Altallo says, as he walks around the room apparently aimlessly. Nasur pulls out a laser gun and points it at him. Altallo looks down at the gun dismissively. “Don’t worry I won’t break anything. I’m just very curious in the whole operation and-oh, oh my.”
Altallo lingers by another doorway and spies Jeshrin’s tank. The liquid had no sunk to a few inches, and the lump is pulsating even more violently.
“Good grief! What is this? Is this your, glorious leader?” Altallo continues, turning away from the tank. Unnoticed by him, the pulsating mass cracks open and something emerges. “I don’t envy you I will admit. But really, all this trouble for a blob of gunk?”
“Perhaps you should chose your words more carefully, Eternal scum.” a silky voice says.
Whirling around Altallo gasps in surprise. A tall imposing Avrallian towers above him. Steely eyes glinting in the green glow of the lamps.
“Jeshrin?”
“In the flesh.”
Outside, all was quiet save for the chirrups and songs of nightly creatures. Crouched behind the crumbled ruins, the soldiers were eyeing the dark forest around them, some with grim determination, others with fear.
Kiya is shaking uncontrollably, clutching at her spear like a lifeline. Shern’aath puts a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m sure Alty knows what he’s doing. We’ll be fine, just have to hold them off while he-”
He catches sight of one of the soldiers signalling to the others.
“They’re coming!” he breathes. And sure enough, the ominous trilling, beeping and heavy footsteps announce the arrival of the machines. As before, there is first one flicker of light….and then another… and another, until fifteen flames shimmer bright orange in the dark.
Jeshrin looks down at his hands and flexes them and smiles.
“Its wonderful to be out of that wretched tank. Sixty years of mind-numbing boredom and no sensation at all.” He breathes in deeply, treasuring each lungful of air.
“That’s nice, now get off of this planet,” Altallo says defiantly. “You don’t belong here and who knows what damage you have caused-”
“Don’t lecture me,” Jeshrin snarls, as Nasur dresses him in a fine set of garments. “Avralis was at a standstill. The people weak and lazy, content only with the ‘sweet’ things of life. Years of nothing. I planned great things for my people, so they would stand proud in history as a powerful force to be reckoned with. The Tythonians looked down their scaly noses at us-”
“Because you never took the chance to get to know them-” Altallo begins, but Jeshrin cuts across him.
“Those savage brutes were a constant danger. I would have brought them to their knees. And the wealth of Kroumloik would have been mine, I would use it to expand further and further. The Avralian race would have been invincible and our influence would help or destroy barbaric peoples if we so wished...But then that witch Letia opposed me. She turned the Avralians against me and reduced me to that sorry state. A….blob of gunk, as you so eloquently put it. But I saw her for what she was. Plundering our countryside and taking what she pleased. She’s a criminal, a pirate, a menace. I wager you’re no better. She then came here and took control. You tell me to leave but it's you and her who are the outsiders! I wanted to make my people great and respected. Feared and powerful. And what did I get.. I got put I to a sorry state. You think me a villain or a monster but its that Witch and I'm betting you and your all your kind who are the monsters. You come in you infiltrate the world interfere to shape it your way and take and to steal what you like from this world.”
Altallo’s face blanches and he backs away slowly, shaking his head in disbelief. Jeshrin smirks, but something distracts him. A nearby screen shows the outside of the temple and the firebirds now marching into the complex.
“Ah my wonderful machines,” Jeshrin breathes. “A most perfect design you must—WHAT IS THIS?!”
As the firebirds move in, some of Majula’s forces drop rocks onto them, while others hack at their exposed heads with blades or pepper the robots with arrows. Some of the machines seem confused and disorientated by the attacks, unsure where to strike back and a few with cracked heads start swaying drunkenly, smashing into pillars or other robots before sinking to the ground.
The others though have seen Majula and the rest of her forces and move in to attack. An all out brawl ensues; Majulas troops move in with their shields forming a wall and holding out their spears in the spaces between like a forest of iron. The firebirds spew flame to try and hold them off, but archers behind them hurl iron tipped javelins over the wall, pushing the machines back. The robots become more and more agitated, until in desperation one of them charges forwards, sending soldiers flying and creating an opening in the shieldwall. It stumbles a few paces towards Majula, Kiya and Shern’aath but then collapses, its body riddled with scars. Sensing a weakness, the other firebirds surge forwards. Two of them make it past the melee and try to get inside the temple. Majula hurls her spear at one of them, skewering it through the chest, while Shern’aath jumps ontop of the other and thrusts his knife deep into its head. He leaps clear as the machine whirls out of control and smashes itself into the wall. Nearby, with Kujoe bleating out warnings, Kwame shoots down a firebird with an arrow and then throws a spear at another, hitting it through the leg. Unnoticed, another firebird closes in behind them. Kiya snatches up a spear and lobs it at the firebird, which embeds itself right into its head. The creature begins jerking and twitching, sparks flying from its joints. Then its head explodes in a gush of fire and the great hulking beast topples backwards with an almighty crash.
Kiya seemed to be frozen in time, one arm raised to throw the spear and a look of surprise on her face. Shern’aath and Majula stare from Kiya to the firebird, before Shern’aath gives a triumphant whoop.
“I knew you had it in ya’!” he shouts happily, running up and giving Kiya a friendly nudge on the shoulder. Kiya turns slowly at the raptor and starts laughing softly.
A burst of flame brings them back to the battlefield.
“Its not over yet!” Majula calls to them.
Jeshrin watches the battle with an ashen face. Behind him, Nasur was pointing a gun directly at Altallo and had disarmed his guards.
“You know Nasur, these primitives are rather ingenious in their own way. No matter, we can replace the damaged units easily.”
Altallo has been whispering something to the others out of the corner of his mouth. Nasur suddenly has a lot to deal with.
“HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME FULA!” Altallo shouts at the wildebeest guard.
“Well its true! You’re just so irritating you know that?” Fula sneers back “And you’re headdress is tacky.”
“Oooh, you’ll wish you never said that!” Altallo grimaces and he pounces onto Fula’s back, pulling at his mane. Fula swings his head around wildly and tries to shove Altallo off.
“What is going on?!” Jeshrin screeches, finally distracted. “Nasur, deal with them!”
Nasur tires to intervene, but his shouts, curses and whatever else he says can’t be heard over Fula’s bellows. Nasur finally gives up and reaches for his gun, only to find it gone. The lioness throws it to Altallo who catches it and leaps off Fula. He trains it grimly at Jeshrin.
“You’re not going anywhere!” Fula growls, grabbing Nasur before he could do anything. Then he says to the lioness. “Nice one Mariam.”
“Right. Turn off your firebirds and surrender and I just might not shoot you.” Altallo says in a flat voice.
He gestures with the gun and Jeshrin sighs heavily and shrugs. Quick as a flash, he slams a button.
“I’m not giving up that easily!” He cries out in a deranged voice.
Doorways open up all around the chamber and out shamble more firebirds. But these ones looked rather rough, some were moving slowly with rusted joints or twisted feet, some had bits barely attached or falling off in some cases. Altallo, Fula and Mariam back away slowly before Altallo opens fire with the gun. Fierce red beams shoot out from its barrel, but make no impact on the firebird’s bodies. In desperation Altallo throws the gun at one of the robots, but the gun bounces off and smashes against a control panel, sending sparks flying. The firebirds freeze in place and then fall to the ground.
Outside the other firebirds stop in their tracts also and collapse in front of Majula’s bewildered troops.
Jeshrin lets out an eagle like shriek of anger and lunges at Altallo, knocking Fula and Mariam away, he seizes the Eternal by the scruff of his neck and slams him against the wall. Altallo clenches his teeth in pain as his head hits the stone.
“At least I will have the pleasure of killing one Eternal-”
“Think again.”
Jeshrin turns to find himself facing a flurry of spear points, while Majula forcibly ties Nasur’s hands behind his back. Jeshin closes and his eyes and sighs before letting Altallo go and raising his arms. Two guards seize him and lead him and Nasur away.
A few hours later, Majula, Kwame and Kujoe meet with Altallo and his friends outside of the town. Behind them, still tied up are Nasur and Jeshrin. Jeshrin glares at them in defiance, while Nasur has his head bowed.
“I’ve arranged to meet with some people from Avralis, that’s the kingdom where these two came from. They’ll have a nice cosy cell for both of them no doubt.” Altallo says, with a small smirk at Jeshrin.
“I can’t thank you enough for saving my people and ridding us of this plague,” Kwame says smiling at them, but then frowns at the prisoners. “I hope they never menace anyone ever again.”
They soon come across the wreckage of a firebird.
“These things won’t be giving use any more headaches.” Shern’aath says happily, giving it a small kick. Kiya shivers.
“Oh those horrible things!” she trills.
“Ah they were clever machines. Almost a pity they were all destroyed,” Altallo sighs sadly. “They could have made a great case study. Well still, at least you’ll have a prize to show your father when he returns.”
Kwame looks doubtful, but Kujoe pats the young zebra on the shoulder.
“Your father will be very proud that you helped to defend our people...I hope. As long as he doesn’t see the burn marks.”
At the edge of the acacia grove Majula gives Kiya an iron tipped spear.
“This is the last one we made. I think you have earned this, you’ll make a great hunter like your lizard friend.”
Kiya takes the spear, her eyes sparkling with joy, while Shern’aath splutters and huffs.
“Lizard!” he scoffs.
Waving goodbye to their friends, the trio make their way through the grove with the two Avralians being prodded along by Shern’aath.
“What happened in that temple?” Shern’aath asks. “Was it exciting?”
“Scary?” suggests Kiya.
There is no answer at first. Altallo is clutching his arms and in a slightly haunched pose.
“It….it was interesting. Can we please get this over and done with” Altallo mumbles, not looking at either of them. Kiya and Shern’aath exchange a concerned look, but decide not to press the matter. Unnoticed by any of them, Jeshrin smirks.
Tales of the Eternals Chapter 18: Dying Embers
Jets of flame burst from the beaks of the Firebirds, setting buildings ablaze. Terrified townsfolk flee from their homes, carrying children, sick or elderly relatives. Altallo and Shern’aath dive for cover behind a pile of pots as the guards close, holding their hide shields against the blaze and stabbing at the robots with spears. The weapons barely make a dent or scratch on the firebirds, who swipe at the soldiers sending them hurtling backwards.
Majula leads Kwame away from the battle, while Kiya and Kujoe cower in the palace as the flames grow closer and closer. Their work done, the firebirds amble back into the forest, seemingly oblivious to the chaos they have created. However one warrior throws a heavy spear at the firebirds and hits one straight through the chest. The huge machine crumples and the flames in its head die away.
Hours later, the sunrise’s rays are tinged grey with smoke. Half of the town lies in ruin, still smouldering from the attack. Picking through the ruins, the townspeople try and find any survivors.
Outside the walls, Altallo examines the remains of both destroyed firebirds with great interest.
“That spear went straight through it!” Altallo remarks excitedly, as he pulls the spear out of the shattered machine. The spearhead gleams in the pale light, covered in intricate markings. “I’m guessing its iron?”
“That’s right,” says Majula, who was hovering nearby. “We imported a whole stock from Assyria just a few days ago.”
“Enough to make some more weapons like this?”
“Just enough I think. The merchants will not be pleased, but this is a matter of life or death. One thing I don’t get though Altallo, why didn’t they just destroy the whole town? They could have raised it to the ground easily.”
“I don’t think they wanted to fight, just terrify and keep us away from the forest. That was just a warning. They want us to flee.”
Majula glances uncomfortably to the forest. A faint flicker of orange can be seen here and there.
In the abandoned temple, Nasur watches a monitor with great interest. From the eye of one of the firebirds, he notices a line of people leaving the town away into the savannah on the horizon.
“My lord!” he says with a hint of triumph in his voice “The town is being evacuated!”
Jeshrin does not reply for a moment, so Nasur tries again.
“There will be no-one now to stop us!”
“They are only primitives Nasur, of course your tactics would inevitably scare them. But what of me?” Jeshrin gurgles from within the green liquid. “I am still vulnerable and denied any of the pleasures you take for granted. I need to walk, I need to feel, eat, drink, anything! When will my body be ready?”
Nasur checks a reading.
“Two hours my lord-”
A loud klaxon draws Nasur’s attention and he looks at another screen.
“A report from a unit, another firebird has been destroyed!” he squawks.
Jerishin snarls. “They have tested my patience long enough. Send in half the units and recall the rest. Make sure no one ever enters the town again.”
Majula peaks tentatively out of the northern gateway. The savannah outside is completely deserted, except for the distant torches and lights of the next town. She slides stealthily outside and beckons. A small army including Altallo, Shern’aath, Kwame Kujoe and Kiya, all carrying iron tipped spears. They give the town a wide berth, keeping to the shadows of nearby hills. As the near the forest, they could see five flames moving into the town. A scout rushes up to the wall and peers through the gates.
“They’re just staying there,” he says as he runs back.
“To keep us out. Nowhere else to go now I suppose.” Majula sighs.
The forest had never looked less inviting to Shern’aath than now. Every shadow seemed much larger and the group sticks closely together. After a tense hour, they round the huge trunk of a tree and come across the silent looming shape of a firebird. They all duck for cover into the foliage.
“Wonder why he didn’t attack as soon as he saw us.” Shern’aath whispers.
“Its a robot Shern,” Altallo replies, “It merely follows instructions. I don’t think it can even see or hear anything. And look, its fire is out….I have a great idea!”
“What are you going to do?” Majula ask
“Throw a rock at it.”
“Ugh, be serious Alty!”
“I am being serious Shern’aath,” Altallo says, as he grabs a small rock and hurls it at the firebird. But the machine doesn’t even react. “There you are. It can’t feel and can’t see. Its switched off.”
“Switched off?”
“It means it has no power Majula. The signals aren’t reaching it and it won’t move. And I may be able to put it out of action and study it at the same time.”
“You’re sure this is safe?”
Altallo sighs. “Well quite frankly no Shern’aath, but there’s only one way to find out.”
And throwing caution to the wind, Altallo strides out and starts tapping the robot on the head. Shern’aath and Kiya follow close behind.
“You’re taking an awful risk aren’t you?” Kiya asks.
“I know what I’m doing, yes just as I thought. Completely inactive. Now comes the tricky part.” Altallo replies, as he lifts up the glass casing of the head and starts fiddling around with its innards. With a loud CLINK he pulls out a small cube with wires attached to its corners. “Thank goodness for that, here, catch!”
He throws the cube to Shern’aath, who sniffs it interestedly.
“That’s the brain of a Firebird.”
“What do you want me to do with this?” Shern’aath asks, shaking the ‘brain’.
“Oh just smash it.”
Grinning, Shern’aath slams the component against a tree and claps his hands together looking proud of his handy work. But his moment of glory is cut short by a loud, sharp alarm blaring from the firebird itself.
“Move, move!” Shern’aath shouts to the others and they disappear into the forest, just as another firebird lumbers out of the gloom.
The viscous fluid in Jeshrin’s tank is slowly draining away and the lump has settled on bottom. It writhes and pulsates like a beating heart. A symbol on a nearby panel lights up and Nasur frowns.
“No response from Unit Five.” he comments before turning a switch. Through the other firebird’s eyes he sees the damage. “Sabotage! Scan the surrounding area, search!”
The firebird turns its head this way and that. Unnoticed, the small army had concealed itself high in the trees. Nasur grinds his beak in frustration, then flicks a switch. “Recall. All units recall.”
The firebird strides away into the forest. As soon as the sound of its crashing footsteps die away, Shern’aath leaps down from the tree and signals for the others that its safe.
“I think that machine saw what you did to the other one,” he tells Altallo who lands cat like onto the forest floor. “Its masters are bound to know what’s happened now.”
They follow it from a distance, but the firebird seems to be slower than the others seen before and one of its legs limped as it pressed it down. It almost knocks into a tree as it stumbles on. After an agonising walk through the ever darkening forest, they reach a cluster of crumbling stone buildings, statues and cloisters, now enveloped by twisting roots and vines. The firebird staggers into a circular building. As soon as its gone, Altallo strides out, accompanied by two soldiers, a lioness and a wildebeest. They all stand in the middle of the courtyard.
“Hello there!” Altallo calls, his voice resonating across the site. “Isn’t it me you’re looking for? The Eternal? I am here to surrender. I realise I am no match against your firebirds and I wish to save the lives of innocent people. May we discuss the terms?”
There was silence for a whole minute, then a familiar figure appears at the entrance to the main building. The shaman beckons for Altallo and the others to enter.
“You may not take your weapons.” he says in a steely voice. Altallo nods and signals to his guard to leave their weapons. Then they follow Nasur inside, the door closing behind them. Majula emerges from hiding and signals for the others.
“Sisi, take your troop up on the cloisters there, you’ll be able to cover us. Komla, Akwesi, you cover the front, use the fallen rubble as cover.” Majula orders her troops, before placing a stack of spears in an urn. She turns to Shern’aath and Kiya. “We’ll have to hold them off as long as we can. You look handy with a spear Shern’aath, but as for you...” she looks down at Kiya with a mixed expression, to which Kiya frowns and cross her arms. “Maybe its best if you keep as far back as possible.”
Majula moves off and Kiya huffs.
“Anyone would think I’m useless.”
Nasur leads the trio deeper into the temple, into the first chamber. Altallo’s eye is immediately caught by the sculpture of a proud eagle like head. His gaze then drifts to a crude bed, huddled in a corner of the room. The whole place was dank and dark, lit only by dim green glowing rods.
“Living quite rough aren’t you?” Altallo comments. “Wouldn’t you rather stay in a more comfortable place? A cell on Avralis for example? I do like the phosphorescent lights though, very nice touch.”
“Very funny.” Nasur says drily. “We can never go back to Avralis the way we are now. I will gladly suffer a thousand times over for my lord. He will lead us to a golden age.”
“Oh really? I’ve heard that before you know. It never ends well. But where is this great leader of yours?” Altallo says, as he walks around the room apparently aimlessly. Nasur pulls out a laser gun and points it at him. Altallo looks down at the gun dismissively. “Don’t worry I won’t break anything. I’m just very curious in the whole operation and-oh, oh my.”
Altallo lingers by another doorway and spies Jeshrin’s tank. The liquid had no sunk to a few inches, and the lump is pulsating even more violently.
“Good grief! What is this? Is this your, glorious leader?” Altallo continues, turning away from the tank. Unnoticed by him, the pulsating mass cracks open and something emerges. “I don’t envy you I will admit. But really, all this trouble for a blob of gunk?”
“Perhaps you should chose your words more carefully, Eternal scum.” a silky voice says.
Whirling around Altallo gasps in surprise. A tall imposing Avrallian towers above him. Steely eyes glinting in the green glow of the lamps.
“Jeshrin?”
“In the flesh.”
Outside, all was quiet save for the chirrups and songs of nightly creatures. Crouched behind the crumbled ruins, the soldiers were eyeing the dark forest around them, some with grim determination, others with fear.
Kiya is shaking uncontrollably, clutching at her spear like a lifeline. Shern’aath puts a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m sure Alty knows what he’s doing. We’ll be fine, just have to hold them off while he-”
He catches sight of one of the soldiers signalling to the others.
“They’re coming!” he breathes. And sure enough, the ominous trilling, beeping and heavy footsteps announce the arrival of the machines. As before, there is first one flicker of light….and then another… and another, until fifteen flames shimmer bright orange in the dark.
Jeshrin looks down at his hands and flexes them and smiles.
“Its wonderful to be out of that wretched tank. Sixty years of mind-numbing boredom and no sensation at all.” He breathes in deeply, treasuring each lungful of air.
“That’s nice, now get off of this planet,” Altallo says defiantly. “You don’t belong here and who knows what damage you have caused-”
“Don’t lecture me,” Jeshrin snarls, as Nasur dresses him in a fine set of garments. “Avralis was at a standstill. The people weak and lazy, content only with the ‘sweet’ things of life. Years of nothing. I planned great things for my people, so they would stand proud in history as a powerful force to be reckoned with. The Tythonians looked down their scaly noses at us-”
“Because you never took the chance to get to know them-” Altallo begins, but Jeshrin cuts across him.
“Those savage brutes were a constant danger. I would have brought them to their knees. And the wealth of Kroumloik would have been mine, I would use it to expand further and further. The Avralian race would have been invincible and our influence would help or destroy barbaric peoples if we so wished...But then that witch Letia opposed me. She turned the Avralians against me and reduced me to that sorry state. A….blob of gunk, as you so eloquently put it. But I saw her for what she was. Plundering our countryside and taking what she pleased. She’s a criminal, a pirate, a menace. I wager you’re no better. She then came here and took control. You tell me to leave but it's you and her who are the outsiders! I wanted to make my people great and respected. Feared and powerful. And what did I get.. I got put I to a sorry state. You think me a villain or a monster but its that Witch and I'm betting you and your all your kind who are the monsters. You come in you infiltrate the world interfere to shape it your way and take and to steal what you like from this world.”
Altallo’s face blanches and he backs away slowly, shaking his head in disbelief. Jeshrin smirks, but something distracts him. A nearby screen shows the outside of the temple and the firebirds now marching into the complex.
“Ah my wonderful machines,” Jeshrin breathes. “A most perfect design you must—WHAT IS THIS?!”
As the firebirds move in, some of Majula’s forces drop rocks onto them, while others hack at their exposed heads with blades or pepper the robots with arrows. Some of the machines seem confused and disorientated by the attacks, unsure where to strike back and a few with cracked heads start swaying drunkenly, smashing into pillars or other robots before sinking to the ground.
The others though have seen Majula and the rest of her forces and move in to attack. An all out brawl ensues; Majulas troops move in with their shields forming a wall and holding out their spears in the spaces between like a forest of iron. The firebirds spew flame to try and hold them off, but archers behind them hurl iron tipped javelins over the wall, pushing the machines back. The robots become more and more agitated, until in desperation one of them charges forwards, sending soldiers flying and creating an opening in the shieldwall. It stumbles a few paces towards Majula, Kiya and Shern’aath but then collapses, its body riddled with scars. Sensing a weakness, the other firebirds surge forwards. Two of them make it past the melee and try to get inside the temple. Majula hurls her spear at one of them, skewering it through the chest, while Shern’aath jumps ontop of the other and thrusts his knife deep into its head. He leaps clear as the machine whirls out of control and smashes itself into the wall. Nearby, with Kujoe bleating out warnings, Kwame shoots down a firebird with an arrow and then throws a spear at another, hitting it through the leg. Unnoticed, another firebird closes in behind them. Kiya snatches up a spear and lobs it at the firebird, which embeds itself right into its head. The creature begins jerking and twitching, sparks flying from its joints. Then its head explodes in a gush of fire and the great hulking beast topples backwards with an almighty crash.
Kiya seemed to be frozen in time, one arm raised to throw the spear and a look of surprise on her face. Shern’aath and Majula stare from Kiya to the firebird, before Shern’aath gives a triumphant whoop.
“I knew you had it in ya’!” he shouts happily, running up and giving Kiya a friendly nudge on the shoulder. Kiya turns slowly at the raptor and starts laughing softly.
A burst of flame brings them back to the battlefield.
“Its not over yet!” Majula calls to them.
Jeshrin watches the battle with an ashen face. Behind him, Nasur was pointing a gun directly at Altallo and had disarmed his guards.
“You know Nasur, these primitives are rather ingenious in their own way. No matter, we can replace the damaged units easily.”
Altallo has been whispering something to the others out of the corner of his mouth. Nasur suddenly has a lot to deal with.
“HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME FULA!” Altallo shouts at the wildebeest guard.
“Well its true! You’re just so irritating you know that?” Fula sneers back “And you’re headdress is tacky.”
“Oooh, you’ll wish you never said that!” Altallo grimaces and he pounces onto Fula’s back, pulling at his mane. Fula swings his head around wildly and tries to shove Altallo off.
“What is going on?!” Jeshrin screeches, finally distracted. “Nasur, deal with them!”
Nasur tires to intervene, but his shouts, curses and whatever else he says can’t be heard over Fula’s bellows. Nasur finally gives up and reaches for his gun, only to find it gone. The lioness throws it to Altallo who catches it and leaps off Fula. He trains it grimly at Jeshrin.
“You’re not going anywhere!” Fula growls, grabbing Nasur before he could do anything. Then he says to the lioness. “Nice one Mariam.”
“Right. Turn off your firebirds and surrender and I just might not shoot you.” Altallo says in a flat voice.
He gestures with the gun and Jeshrin sighs heavily and shrugs. Quick as a flash, he slams a button.
“I’m not giving up that easily!” He cries out in a deranged voice.
Doorways open up all around the chamber and out shamble more firebirds. But these ones looked rather rough, some were moving slowly with rusted joints or twisted feet, some had bits barely attached or falling off in some cases. Altallo, Fula and Mariam back away slowly before Altallo opens fire with the gun. Fierce red beams shoot out from its barrel, but make no impact on the firebird’s bodies. In desperation Altallo throws the gun at one of the robots, but the gun bounces off and smashes against a control panel, sending sparks flying. The firebirds freeze in place and then fall to the ground.
Outside the other firebirds stop in their tracts also and collapse in front of Majula’s bewildered troops.
Jeshrin lets out an eagle like shriek of anger and lunges at Altallo, knocking Fula and Mariam away, he seizes the Eternal by the scruff of his neck and slams him against the wall. Altallo clenches his teeth in pain as his head hits the stone.
“At least I will have the pleasure of killing one Eternal-”
“Think again.”
Jeshrin turns to find himself facing a flurry of spear points, while Majula forcibly ties Nasur’s hands behind his back. Jeshin closes and his eyes and sighs before letting Altallo go and raising his arms. Two guards seize him and lead him and Nasur away.
A few hours later, Majula, Kwame and Kujoe meet with Altallo and his friends outside of the town. Behind them, still tied up are Nasur and Jeshrin. Jeshrin glares at them in defiance, while Nasur has his head bowed.
“I’ve arranged to meet with some people from Avralis, that’s the kingdom where these two came from. They’ll have a nice cosy cell for both of them no doubt.” Altallo says, with a small smirk at Jeshrin.
“I can’t thank you enough for saving my people and ridding us of this plague,” Kwame says smiling at them, but then frowns at the prisoners. “I hope they never menace anyone ever again.”
They soon come across the wreckage of a firebird.
“These things won’t be giving use any more headaches.” Shern’aath says happily, giving it a small kick. Kiya shivers.
“Oh those horrible things!” she trills.
“Ah they were clever machines. Almost a pity they were all destroyed,” Altallo sighs sadly. “They could have made a great case study. Well still, at least you’ll have a prize to show your father when he returns.”
Kwame looks doubtful, but Kujoe pats the young zebra on the shoulder.
“Your father will be very proud that you helped to defend our people...I hope. As long as he doesn’t see the burn marks.”
At the edge of the acacia grove Majula gives Kiya an iron tipped spear.
“This is the last one we made. I think you have earned this, you’ll make a great hunter like your lizard friend.”
Kiya takes the spear, her eyes sparkling with joy, while Shern’aath splutters and huffs.
“Lizard!” he scoffs.
Waving goodbye to their friends, the trio make their way through the grove with the two Avralians being prodded along by Shern’aath.
“What happened in that temple?” Shern’aath asks. “Was it exciting?”
“Scary?” suggests Kiya.
There is no answer at first. Altallo is clutching his arms and in a slightly haunched pose.
“It….it was interesting. Can we please get this over and done with” Altallo mumbles, not looking at either of them. Kiya and Shern’aath exchange a concerned look, but decide not to press the matter. Unnoticed by any of them, Jeshrin smirks.
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Any
Size 120 x 120px
Comments