Story One
The Ancient Ones Speak
“Eyes open to life, breathe
in true breaths, awaken protector, rise from your rest”
The walls of the two-story building protected many from the dangers of Akerion, but never before were they a place to welcome life into the dismal world. Their beams still stood strong and supported a heavy roof, but what was now beneath them would be a marvel to everyone who had the fortune to witness her. A large patch of dried grass, gathered by the winds that blew through the cracked windows, began to press down on the creaky floor beneath as magic shifted and created a new humanoid, one that would surpass them all.
Bare skin began to fold over her body and stretched to form an hourglass figure that not only surpassed all females on the world, but possessed strength and agility over any creature. Inside the flesh, the shape of her organs were somewhat similar to the Akerians, yet different in that they could heal almost immediately on impact and rest for extended periods of time while still holding onto life. Deeper within was an immortality that would serve her and Akerion well, as she was the new symbol for protection against everything evil.
The skin continued to stretch to form a flawless face, which would awe almost anyone, especially if someone would stare at it for extended periods of time. Then her hair sprang forth in long waves of red and black hues until it reached beyond her shoulders. Her physical form now complete, she quickly opened her eyes and breathed in the cool air that was unfamiliar to her. The breath grew into a gasp as her blue eyes twitched as they took in her strange surroundings. As if on instinct she sprang up from the patch of grass and shivering slightly, looked around in fear and wonder.
The room where she stood was a fairly small one with two windows where the glass had been broken. Beyond that her eyes beheld another room with what looked to be two wooden chairs and a white, medium sized table that looked to be worn on the edges. She squinted to try to focus and could tell there was a door halfway open, which led outside. As she relaxed her face she realized her sight did not need improving and neither did her ears for she heard a shuffling sound nearby.
Shifting quickly, she looked toward the floor and upon worn wooden tiles was a short figure. Its nose was long and wrinkled but as it moved its face toward her, she could discern more of its features. The countenance was far from a comely one where wrinkles hid any emotion the creature might have and its skin was gray, unlike her fair flesh. Covering its body were long, gray robes that trailed behind it for at least a foot in length. It huffed as it took a tiny step toward her and looked at her with dark, hollow eyes and with small, white lips pronounced the words, “Understand me.”
Her eyes blinked in surprise at the first words she ever heard. Yet as she looked into the creature’s eyes, she understood what was spoken! It was as if she had a brief telepathic connection with the creature to comprehend whatever she said. In reaction she spoke in the same language, “I understand your words.”
Sure enough she did know the language, but many other questions roamed in her mind. Who was she? What was she? What was this place? What was this creature? She trembled in reaction and wrapped her arms around herself to slow her shivering. As she did this, her newfound companion said, “Do not fear protector. Fear is a luxury you do not have.”
“Protector?” She asked, wondering why she was called that.
“Your destiny has been chosen, your youth sacrificed for longevity to protect all innocent creatures on this world.”
“Creatures?” she said as she kept her arms wrapped around herself for comfort, “I don’t understand. What creatures? What world?”
“You are newly born and you must venture forward to find the answers. I can tell you this much. My name is Nekana. Most of those on this world have known me for years. Like you, I am blessed with longevity. I have seen much on this world and live in a small tree house about this place called the Old Haven. Those who know of me, also call me The Old Troll.” It grinned a bit, “I suppose it’s because of my wrinkles. I live alone and have lived that way all of my life. Though I am female, I have no mate and never have.”
To her surprise, most of the words were familiar to her. She let her arms gently fall down to her sides and replied, “Old Haven?”
“The building that will be your new home child. It was built years ago as a safe house for those who needed to rest. Most of the time, evil creatures do not find their way here. Why that is…remains a mystery.”
The protector took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself. Though she shivered less, she still held anxiety as she took another step closer, “This whole situation, is a mystery.”
The old troll stood to the side and pointed a small, wrinkled finger toward the door, “Then you must go solve it. Venture through Akerion’s forests and find the Akons, those that no one on this planet can ever discover.”
Akon was another word she was unfamiliar with and hesitating, she looked back to her companion, “What is out there?”
“Danger…evil, the same things that have sent the Akons into hiding. Yet you don’t have a choice. You must venture forth and find them.”
“This is ridiculous!” she shouted back, “Find them with what? Just wander around until they show up?”
“The Akons don’t show up for anyone, but you must find your destiny. I am your chosen guide, but I can only be your guide if you choose to walk the path that is laid before you.”
“With nothing out there to help me?”
“With nothing at all but your senses you are gifted with. Already you can understand the words I speak, so you know you have limited telepathic abilities. Now you must discover what other abilities you have, so you can survive.”
The protector looked toward the door and took a deep breath. “Survive.” She muttered. She knew the meaning of that word as it rang in her ears yet gave her no sense of security. “With nothing.” She said a little louder, taking a few steps toward the exit.
“But the senses you are gifted with, and the senses you have yet to discover.”
She took a few steps forward and looked down at the wooden tiles beneath her bare feet. Her arms still at her side, she briefly looked at her bare skin and looked toward the exit again. She had no weapons, though she had yet to discover what weapons she could find and how to use them. She had no clothes, though the warm air kept her from shivering unlike her anxiety that slightly made her tremble. All she had was her wits with no experience on how to properly use them.
Taking a deep breath, she reached forward for the metal doorknob and opened the door with a slight tug. It slightly squeaked as it revealed what would be her first look at the planet. Right in front of her was what appeared to be a sidewalk made of wood that flanked a few other buildings beside the haven. She did not look at the buildings long to discern their appearance, but looked downward to see the brown lake under the walkway and ahead of her. It was dark water, and very unclear which seemed to stretch for about 20 feet. Yet no matter how long it was to the other side, she could not tell how deep the lake could be.
The shore on the other side was flanked by soil that was gray in color and elevated until a forest of gray bamboo and dark trees were revealed in the distance. From where she stood, three paths led into the forest, but it was impossible to see where they led from where she stood. All that she could see were the large stalks of bamboo, and the trees with black bark and gray leaves.
She looked back down at the water and as she began to see a reflection, she kneeled closer to it. It was there she saw Akerion’s white sun for the first time. Its rays were bright, yet also made the planet seem rather dim as the darkness of the lake and forest absorbed its brilliance. Such a dim world, but as she continued to watch the water, she saw herself for the first time.
Her face was round, yet slightly angular where were chin began and seeing her blue eyes for the first time made her lips curl into a smile. It was then she laughed and her hair fell around her comely countenance until she moved it back behind her shoulders. “Protector.” She giggled, “And it’s me, me of all things.” She then looked back at the reflection, “The chosen one?” It was a question she wondered if she could raise as she wondered about her own identity. The more she wondered, the less she realized that an uneasy sensation began to rise in her chest and made her breathing more shallow. The sensation lingered a bit but she didn’t pay any attention to it, instead she tried to focus on the joy of discovering her new life.
Yet her joy was short lived as out of nowhere four long, dark brown tentacles from the water shot out at her. In less than a second they grabbed her legs and her arm. In reaction she screamed and pulled back. Her strength great, she quickly stood up to her full height and the creature that tried to bind her, began to rise from the water. Its body was spherical, nothing but a large orb with wet, wrinkled black skin and long, sharp teeth that extended from a red mouth. From its body, more tentacles revealed itself and wrapped along her ankles and pulled her in with a loud, screeching cry.
Caught off guard, she was easily pulled below and began to thrash in the water. Her eyes wide open, all she could see was the dark brown water that while it didn’t harm her eyes in any way, provided no way of letting her know if the creature was coming closer, or just dragging her farther away from the shore. Yet the more it pulled her, the more she realized it didn’t want to surface soon and the faster her lungs were filling up with water.
It moved quickly and with violent jerking motions. She gasped again and sure enough, began to feel as if she was suffocating. The water continued to enter her mouth with how fast the creature jerked her about. Perhaps its method was to quickly drown its prey with shaking it, but little did she and the beast know, something was going to surprise them both.
Right when she realized that air could no longer enter her lungs she realized her movements were not constricted nor was she in pain from the suffocation. In fact, she wasn’t in pain at all. Knowing this, she took her free hand and began to use it to remove the tentacle from her restrained one. Focusing her strength, she easily snapped the tentacle from her hand like a twig.
Her eyes opened
wide in reaction to her strength. For the first time, she began to comprehend
how strong she was. The beast was just as surprised and screeched in
pain, letting its grip go on her other limbs. It was then she began
to swim toward the surface of the lake. Her arms and legs moving in
a fashion that just seemed to come naturally, as if she knew everything she
needed to about swimming forward.
She broke the water’s
surface quickly and as she looked around, the shore was nearby. As
she stood on the ground, she stepped up and kneeled on the gray soil to attempt
to take a deep breath. As a small amount of air entered her lungs,
the water churned and immediately began to expel from her chest. Heaving
harder a few more times, the fluid met the soft ground and with a few final
coughs, she stood up.
The gray soil was warm and slightly damp and welcomed her footsteps as she walked closer to the three paths. Taking a deep breath to focus, she wondered which one would be best for her to take. There was one directly in front of her, and one to the left and the other to the right. Deciding to work on a hunch, she began walking to the left. For some reason, she felt this was a good point to journey on.
The path welcomed her bare feet with the same warm, gray soil as she walked forward. The white sun still shined overhead and filtered through the stalks of gray bamboo and tall, dark trees. She exhaled for a moment in an attempt to sate any anxiety and not wanting to waste any time, started to run. Her feet moved quicker and her strides became longer as she continued. For the most part, the path was clear as far as its direction yet the few times it forked, she continued moving left except for one turn. Then more time passed and still finding herself in the forest, she greatly slowed her pace.
There was no ‘guide’ in the forest and therefore, no real direction. Just a white sun overhead, and the same dull planet life that flanked her as she moved on. “Akons…Akons…” she muttered, “Wouldn’t there be any easy way to find you?” Unfortunately there was no answer to her question but the same sensation that rose in her chest when the monster attacked her from the lake, began to make itself known again.
Her eyes opened wide in this, perhaps wondering if the sensation was a danger sense. She took a deep breath to focus and spun around a few times. For the first few seconds nothing appeared until a loud hissing sound was heard behind her.
In less than a second she spun around to behold two frightening creatures. They were tall, about a foot or two taller than she, and looked somewhat humanoid. Their bodies were definitely muscular, and masculine revealed by bare, dark purple skin. Though their appearance was very unfamiliar, it was also frightening as they beheld long yellow claws and bright yellow orbs for eyes. About the same length of their claws, fangs extended from their mouth colored in a mixture of yellow and gray hues, the same shades as their long, unkempt hair. Surveying her, they took a step forward and began to speak in a series of hisses, clicks and screeches. It was then she looked at them to comprehend their language, and all at once understood what they were and their evil nature.
They were a beastial race with intense strength and agility that commonly lived in underground caves. Throughout the ages they survived on Akerion by moving above ground to find food and reproduce. Their race had no females and violently raped other creatures to create offspring. Once born, the children would kill their mothers and return underground to continue the species. Yet they often stuck together in groups, even though they rarely had formal leadership. Chaos was their main motivation and should someone lead them, they would lead them and their victims into more anarchy. Feeling all of this, she broke her brief telepathic link not wanting to know anything else about the evil these creatures possessed.
Yet the protector also remembered that fear was a luxury she could not have. Being brave, she said in their language and clicks and hisses, “I am on a quest, if you mean harm, back down.”
The creatures seemed to understand her words as they both paused for a moment, but obviously did not fear her. In reaction, they moved closer and extended their claws from their fingers for at least two inches. She took a deep breath and already knew what was going to happen. There was going to be a fight, a fight she had to win.
The creatures leaped forward and as they did she dodged the attack by jumping off to the side with more speed. Yet this did not stop their approach. One of them jumped forward again while the other attempted to move behind her. In reaction to the first one, she extended her leg and kicked him in the chest, making him move back at least three feet with the force she used. He was still quite strong and attempted to move forward again as the other one quickly grabbed her arms and attempted to move her hands behind her back.
For a brief moment it appeared the one from behind could easily pin her, yet in reaction she folded her torso forward and using her dexterity, easily rolled over taking the creature with her. Though she kept her focus, the creature did not and as she rose she used her strength to fling him toward a tree which caused him some damage as he pounded against it.
The tree shifted a bit in reaction to the beast’s weight and the force she used. His companion was startled by her movements, but that did not stop him from approaching. With a growl he uprooted a shoot of gray bamboo surrounding them and moving it from left to right in a threatening fashion, began to approach with his new weapon.
In seconds he was very close to her and moving the shoot downward, attempted to knock her to the ground. To his surprise, she again used her dexterity but this time quickly moved down fast enough to avoid the blows and shift out from under them. Then moving even quicker than before, the protector ripped another shaft of bamboo from the ground and with force, used the shoot to pierce through his chest.
He howled back in pain and quickly fell to the ground as yellow blood flowed from the wound. She then approached and not having any remorse or sympathy for such a cruel race kicked its head with such force, it was quickly separated from its neck.
The creature was dead and the protector had her victory and for the first time, the other beast felt fear as she took the bamboo shaft out of the dead monster’s chest. Sure enough she approached and with an intimidating glance, looked at the other beast and spoke in its language, “What are you called and where can I find the Akons?”
The hisses and clicks made its reply evident, “Zirkos, creatures of the dark caves, and there are no Akons.”
“There are!” she screeched in response and held the shaft high. The creature knew she meant business and for the first time in his life, felt fear. This fear made him respond, “We live in caves we live in caves! We know most of them except for a few north of hear. We do not know what’s in there! We can’t go in there. The caves are surrounded by a deadly mist. One cave in particular is covered by the mist and black water. We know because we can see in darkness, but we can’t go in those caves! Don ‘t kill me!”
“You fear death after you and your kind so willingly force it upon others?!”
It did not respond to her words but merely shivered by the force of her intimidating voice. She slowly put the shaft to her side but replied, “The days of your species will now be limited. For now, I let you live but only to tell others that should they continue to threaten the innocent life on this planet, they will meet my wrath.”
“What are you?”
“The protector of Akerion.” She said with pride and began to walk north to more unexplored areas.
Her footsteps were slightly quick after she left the battle and put the shaft of bamboo behind her. Though she was glad she instilled fear in the Zirko’s cold heart, she seemed to focus on what he said about the caves. “The ones they can’t enter.” She muttered as she wandered on. That thought in her mind, she began to run at a faster pace.
The path eventually left to a smaller one until it ended in the forest. Yet for some reason, she felt a need to journey on and not retrace her footsteps. Using her strength, she moved the stalks of bamboo aside and made a path of her own until she was fortunate enough to begin to see mist ahead of her.
A brief smile crossed her lips as she ran toward the mist. It was then a medium sized pond could be seen. She began to wonder what laid beneath it and as she approached, it was pitch black save for what appeared to be a large, yet slightly dim white light in the center of it. Perhaps it was her curiosity that got the better of her but she began to step into the pond and held her breath to avoid inhaling the mist.
The mist slightly burned her skin, but not at a lethal level before she was able to move underwater and attempted to get closer to the light. It was hard to discern its source, but still being curious she moved into it. Her hands and feet were the first t move inside and once there, they began to feel dry.
Sensing something was behind the light she jumped into it completely and entered a clearing. It was a rather large one and looked to be a cave of some sort with black, shimmering walls. She looked in the distance to see how far it went on but before she was able to discern the length of the cavern, six figures began to appear in front of her.
They were tall, about eight feet and had bright skin that could be compared to alabaster, yet it shinned brilliantly. They looked humanoid with angular faces yet their eyes were not oval or circular but merely two small slits of darkness that seemed to hold no emotion. Their fingers were long and extended from robes of a light blue shade that also seemed to shimmer slightly as they moved closer. Around the collar and sleeves of the robe, silver symbols were stitched, perhaps words from their ancient language? She did not know but she focused on them so she could understand the old, yet beautiful language they spoke. A language only she would be graced to hear.
“Welcome protector, your quest to find us was the first of many, and you have been successful.”
“You are the Akons?” she asked in their language.
“Yes, and now we will reveal your gifts, and your responsibilities.”
She took a step forward and humbly bowed her head. It was then the Akons lined up side by side. She looked at each one and noticed it was hard to tell them apart, but each one had something valuable to say so she opened her ears to hear their commands.
The one on her far left was the first one to step forward. It nodded its head in respect and said, “Your duty is as a protector and with that duty comes great power which will set you above all others. But realize this: Only overpower those who harm innocent life, ways of righteousness and those who intend to harm you and the innocent ones now, or in the future. There is no aggression, only self defense.”
“I understand, and accept.” She said, then looked forward at the next one that took a step forward.
“Before you go, you will be given a weapon of intense power. It will have the ability to cut through anything and it will be your greatest ally. However, never let another wield it. If another one is allowed to wield it, it can kill you.”
“I understand and accept. The weapon will have my protection as it will also protect me.”
The second Akon bowed its head in respect and then the third one stepped forward, “You will be called many things. You will be called Protector, Savior of the Innocent Ones, Beauty but your real name will be Kirakah. The name in Akerion’s language means ‘supreme beautiful one.’ However, with strong beauty comes strong influence. Never take advantage of another's heart and soul unless it coincides with your first purpose.”
She bowed her head in acknowledgement, “I understand and accept, and will also be known as Kirakah to many.”
The forth one now stepped forward and said, “Your mentor The Old Troll is one of the oldest and wisest beings on this planet. She knows about you and your abilities and she knows about us. For her wisdom and her compassion you must protect her and respect her at all times. She is your guide.”
“I understand and accept.” She replied and looked at the fifth one as it walked forward.
“You will go on many quests, but not all of them will be physical. There are times when the planet of Akerion goes into remission and evil rests from its progressive duties. During this time you must study and learn more about the world and other worlds as well.”
“I understand and accept.” She said and looked at the last Akon as it stepped forward.
“Love is one of the things that rules many hearts. You too have been given a heart so you can understand others and provide protection and compassion to those who deserve it. However, the only one you can put over another is your mentor. Besides that, favor no one. Your duty is to all that are innocent. Because of this you are chosen not to have a mate.”
As the last
commandment was given, she nodded her head and said, “I understand and
accept.”
“Then with your acceptance comes knowledge.” The last one said, “As your mentor told you, we are the ones that you must find and now we will give you some information on us and the creation of this world. We came here hundreds of years ago to explore and colonize a new planet with our technology and magic. Using our power, we created beings with innocent hearts. They were humanoids and most of them reside in villages based on their survival skills. There is the Owoloian village where the villagers are extremely smart and wise. So smart they are able to avoid and outwit most of the dangers on this planet. Then the Shariskian are the strongest and most nimble of the innocent ones. They wield many weapons and are able to defend their homes with their physical prowess. Then the Drulegian village is a secluded group of humanoids who live in and hide amongst trees to survive. They are very elusive and very in tune with the plant life on this world.”
“The other people on this planet either live in the forests by themselves, or live in either the West Side or East Side Castle on this world. The castles are run by different ruling families who are separate, yet normally at peace with each other.” Another Akon said, “Yet all of these creatures are innocent but due to the evil unleashed on this world, they are adept at surviving. Each innocent one on this planet, is called an Akerian.”
Then another Akon said, “They are a part of our history for we created the humanoids to watch peaceful live thrive on the world. Yet there was a seventh one of us and he sought to rule over us and over everything. His desires led him to an evil nature and he then unleashed evil on this world that grew so great, it even frightens us. In reaction, we hid ourselves in this cave and watch Akerion through meditation and waking dreams. We know that the seventh one lives far north from here, and hopefully you will never meet him.”
“But it was our meditations.” Another one interjected, “That let us see some Akerians outside of the villages were able to resist the evil. They brought about the Wave of Resistance and with their different abilities, they were able to survive longer than most could. Through them, we saw that this world could still maintain beings with loving and innocent hearts, yet they would need help, and that is why you were created.”
All at once they said, “We sent our magic throughout the universe after much concentration and power that we gathered within ourselves. It was then a wizard on another world gathered the magic and understood its meaning and our cry for help. He then choose a mother to be a vessel and after your birth you were teleported here magically. That is all you need to know about your lineage.”
Kirakah heaved a sigh at this but accepted what they said. For her, there was no luxury of childhood but after they all spoke at once, two of them approached. The first was at her right and in its hands held what looked to be a black suit. It extended the outfit to her with a slight smile. “Put this on.” It said, “No longer will you roam naked through Akerion’s forests but this will not only be comfortable for you to wear, it will also aid with your ability to camouflage yourself in the darkness.”
She reached forward for it and pulled at the fabric for a moment. It shined like satin but seemed to stretch easily and constrict again, probably allowing for much comfort. Seeing where it opened, she began to slid into it beginning with her legs and over her torso and finally, it covered her arms. It was a suit that clung tightly to her skin, yet was blacker than the pond that led to the Akon’s cave. However as she shifted a bit, the fabric seemed to reflect light giving it a surreal shine.
“Nice.” She replied with a smile but the other Akon extended its hands to give her something else. In its long fingers was a very unusual weapon. It was a sword with a silver colored hilt, but that did not compare with its long blade. The blade itself was not metal but looked to be made of a crystal or glass type substance cut with various angles allowing the light to reflect off of it with many different hues of colors as the light split around the blade in a mystical fashion. She was awed by its brilliance and reached forward for it. Her hand upon the hilt, the Akon began to explain.
“This weapon is a unique one. While most swords are made of metal, we have created this one with our magic and made it of a substance only known and created by us. For a long time we toiled to cut it right and bless it with strength no other weapon could possess. Yet like you are, do not confuse its beauty with its strength for while it is gorgeous to behold, it can cut through any substance.”
“Any substance?” she asked.
“Yes, any substance. And you are its true wielder. And you can hold it, within your soul. Hold the hilt in your right hand and with the other, move it over the weapon. As you do so, imagine you and the sword as one.”
Kirakah nodded and taking a deep breath, did her best to do just what the Akon said. As she moved her hand over the blade, she felt a warm sensation in her chest as the sword began to disappear. Marveled by this, she was amazed as the weapon physically disappeared in front of her, but within her soul she felt the blade within.
“I can’t explain it but, the sword is inside me. I know it is.”
“Yes protector.” The Akon said, “And when you need it to come out, just project it forth. It will all come naturally.”
Though she was a little confused by this, she had feeling the Akon was correct. In respect she nodded until all of the Akons stepped forth and spoke at once, “As six seek to once again live in the time when we were seven, we will bestow thirteen abilities upon you. Some of them you are already aware of such as the ability to understand foreign languages by glancing at others. This is also a limited telepathic ability, use it wisely. With your comely countenance also comes charisma and with that you can easily entrance others, even intimidate them to do your bidding should you wish. This ability works best on the weak minded. You will also be given the ability to jump long distances. This will help for jumping across lakes and trees. Also as you will get wounded, you will also heal quickly and you will have a greater pain tolerance than the others because of this. Your strength will also be great. Even the most heaviest objects you will be able to lift with ease and you will be able to inflict great damage on your foes. Also you are blessed with longevity and will live for hundreds of years. Besides your sword, you may also come to need other weapons and you will have a natural ability to wield them well. You will also have great mental focus as well as good sight. It will be rare that you will miss a target. With wonderful dexterity, you will also find acrobatic skills that should aid in defending yourself and others. Also as you have been told, your sword will cut through anything. As you already know, you have an ability to sense danger as it comes near you. Should danger come and you decide not to fight you will also have the ability to camouflage yourself in almost any circumstance. Besides your ability to hide, you are also given the ability to stop breathing if you need, which may also help you appear dead. Your last ability that we bestow upon you will be great intelligence. For if you do not have a good mind, all will falter.”
Kirakah listened
to everything they said and becoming aware
of all her gifts, she smiled to them. “I understand, and
I accept.” She replied and after a respectful
bow, she headed toward the light to find her way back
to the Old Haven.