As the sun rises over the land, down on the foothills of Magnars Kingdom lies the Forbidden Jungle; A nomadic tribe begins to move camp. Two young scouts signal to halt the caravan. They send word that they have spotted a figure in the thick bush. As they move in closer to examine, the scouts find a young boy lying unconscious. The elders decide to bring him back with them until he can be awakened. The caravan load him up and carry the boy back to their village. When Apip woke up he was still very hungry but now very confused. "What is your name child?" An elderly lady asked. "I am Apip. Where am I?" The elder replied "you are with the Phoenix tribe. Child, it looks like you haven't had a meal in days. you can rest for now and we will feed you." Apip's body was so weak that he could not muster the strength to speak loud enough for the elder to hear so he said nothing and laid back down. A few moments later one of the scouts who found Apip came into the tent where he was resting and brought Apip bowl of food. "Hey, you need to try some of this!" Apip glanced over the bowl and got a smell of it, his stomach growled so loud it echoed off the tent walls. "What are you giving me Earthling?" said Apip. "Earthling? The young scout replied. " This is wild herbs and mushrooms soaked in wine. Eat this and it will restore your energy." Apip grabs the bowl and examines it again then scarfs it all down. Instantly he feels the herbal mixture take effect and his body begins healing; his strength renewed. Apip stood up and put his hands on the boys shoulder. "Thank you for that. What do they call you Earthling?" "Earthling?" the scout repeated. "My people call me Sadd. So whats your deal man? Why are you saying Earthling? And why we you alone in the jungle? You must know how dangerous it's been down here lately? When Apip heard the word dangerous he became so excited and started smiling from ear to ear. Sadd couldn't understand why he was smiling as he was speaking on the dangerous creatures in the jungle. "This is serious man. I mean you could have been killed by the dragon or possessed by the demons!" Sadd exclaimed. Apip was anxious. "Did you say a dragon?" Apip asked. Sadd nodded yes. Apip was truly feeling happy. "Wow, what a place! So full dragons and demon that can possess Earthlings. Sadd you must tell me more." Sadd continued. "About two months ago a wave of black heat energy impregnated the planet. Afterwards creatures engulfed in the black fire crawled out of the earth from a cave in the middle of the jungle. It was a massacre so many of our people we killed; now the dragon destroyed the villagers' homes and crops and the others who were possessed grew mad and very demonic. Magnars soldiers have kept the creatures at bay but his soldiers won't help us unless we pledge loyalty to the Kingdom. Now the dragon keeps coming back stealing our villagers. We believe the dragon is taking them back to the cave to feed on or feed more. before all this happened our tribes were ready to become one head united under a treaty of peace. My father and the other tribal leaders worked together to unite the people and form one massive tribe to protect the jungle. Apip stopped Sadd and asked " When was the last time the dragon was seen." Sadd replied "The last time the dragon appeared it was during the festival of the new moon. The tribal leaders gathered in the village of the Griffins as they were the host for this years festivities. This year was special because we were going to select the new head of the three houses. I remember the day like it was yesterday. Everyone was having so much fun. We drank and danced around the tables and chairs in the Griffin Hall together. Suddenly the dragon appeared and set fire to the tent and killed all the tribal council members. Once word got out the rest of the villagers scattered. Who can blame them though. The Elders call it judgement day and say the Gods are punishing us. Those who were scared fled and turned their backs on our traditions and pledge loyalty to Magnar. Others left the tribes and decided to fend for themselves. the rest of us that have decided to stay argue with each other trying to choose one king to lead protect and bring order. We pray the Gods will send a warrior to us who can lead us. Apip shouted "Sadd my friend you are in luck. I am here to save you all. I will catch the dragon remove the demons from your lands and find the missing villagers." Sadd looked at Apip and thought to himself " this kid is crazy. No way a little brat like him can change anything. I must have overdone it with the herbs. No way!" Sadd shouted out. "Apip do you really think you can help us." Apip replied "No doubt about it I'm Apip Fire God. Sadd looked into Apips' eyes and saw a light that made him believe every word Apip had spoke. "Okay." Sadd said as he handed Apip a map of the terrain and circled three areas where the dragon has been spotted. he added "The dragon has the ability to camouflage itself. There is only one way to make him out in that state and that is to watch for multi colored heat waves coming off of it body. It is a very majestic creature." Apip got up fixed his clothes up and proceeded to walk out the tent. but before he could reach the door the elder came back into the tent. She looked at Sadd and he told her that Apip had agreed to help catch the dragon and unite the tribes. The elder smiled and told Sadd to get some supplies for Apip's journey. Sadd left out the tent to fetch the supplies. Apip started to follow behind Sadd but the elder grabbed Apip by the hand pulled him close to her and thanked him. she spoke softly to Apip. "This is going to be a difficult journey. It will take you at least three days to travel to the cave where the Demons spawn from. Apip the path to the cave is cursed and only one will the will of a God will make it back alive. Apip, you will need a guide and a weapon to help you on your journey so before you leave I suggest you go to the Salamander tribe and recruit the help of a young scout named Komoto. He is the only one who has traveled deep into the jungle and come back out alive. It would be best if you also go to the tribe of the Griffins and get a weapon from Lord Sumo. You must understand that Lord Sumo will not just give you a weapon without passing some sort of test or challenge." She then blessed Apip and called Sadd back into the tent. Sadd came back with a big of mixed herbs and mushrooms and a purple and red cloak that had a golden phoenix medallion on it. "Here this should help you on your quest." Said Sadd as he handed him the supplies. Apip thanked them and wrapped the cloak around him. Off Apip traveled, toward the village of the Salamander to find Komoto. As Apip walked the path toward the next village he began to really notice the beauty and the energy of the Earth Realm. The vegetation here was so enormous the bright glow from the sun could barely break through the dense trees with their thick dark green leaves. Apip followed the dimly lit winding path. A few yards ahead he noticed a multi colored transparent figure moving past some trees ahead. Apip thought about what Sadd had said to him and he decided to crouch lower to conceal himself. Apip kept his distance while still tracking the creature. He followed it deeper into the jungle until he came upon a section that had a foggy blue dome-like structure separating the two sides of the jungle. He watched the creature pass through the barrier and thought this must be a protection field. Apip reached out to touch the barrier where he saw the figure pass through. When his hand came in contact with the barrier he saw a vision of the Goddess Esther burning and a force of heat energy knocked him down. As he lay on his back looking toward the sky he thought. "What the hell was that?" Apip gathered his things that fell around him and when he looked toward where the barrier had been he now saw a statue of a giant black and gold salamander. " Have I finally stumbled upon the entrance to the Salamander? What happened to that creature? I"m sure it came through here." Apip approached the gates of the village and saw two guards standing watch. "Halt stranger! Where do you come from?"
Comments (0)
See all