A New Awaking. 14

It was dark in the deep jungles of Starspeak Mountain, Palas had taken to the air to scout the path in front of Astan, Beno, Goren and his warriors. Everything seemed calm to Palas, there didn't seem to be any threat he could find. But he knew that somewhere up ahead, they would probably run into either Igoro or possibly Mulu Amin himself. Either way, they should be prepared for a battle and Palas wanted to be sure they could pick the site and not be ambushed.
He had searched more then ten miles ahead and found what he thought could be the perfect spot. There was a clearing that be easy to defend. There would be room for him to sweep down and attack from the air while Astan and Goren attacked from below.
It was hard for Palas to get the memories of what he had last seen of his home off his mind. The bodies of all his people spread out all around their Aerie. The young and the old, male and female. None had been spared from Igoro's wrath. Even Palas's family. His mate the their two hatchlings had been killed. Astan and Goren had helped him bury their bodies. But only revenge could heal his soul Now, all he could think of was his anger and his wish put an end to his sorrow. Igoro would pay for what he had done. This he swore to Alee, the god of the sun.
As Goren  followed behind Beno his thoughts were on Shauri. He wasn't sure if leaving her behind had been the right thing. He knew how dangerous his father was and how quick to tempered his mate was. She had no fear of Igoro and was quick to speak out against him. Maybe he should have brought her with him. But things had happened so fast he didn't really have time to to speak with her. He prayed she would be smart and keep her distance for Igoro. Because if she didn't, if she had a confrontation with the high lord of the Hominids, he would kill her.
It had been a hot afternoon in the Starspeak jungle, and they had traveled almost ten miles when Goren stopped and screamed out in pain and fell to his knees. Astan dropped the pack he had been carrying and hurried back to Goren to see if he had somehow injured himself. As he knelt down to check him for any injuries, Goren looked up at Astan and Beno with tears in his eyes.
"She's dead." He said. "Shauri is dead. My father had her killed."
"What?" Beno said confused. "It's not possible. He wouldn't kill his own sons wife."
"My father had his own son and daughter killed. What makes you think any of us matter  to him? We're nothing but pawns to be used in his vicious game of conquest. I know she's dead because.."
"Because she's your mate."Astan said finished for Goren. "Its a joining mates have that goes beyond everyday feelings. I have the same thing with Sakura. That's why I know he's coming to find me. We just have to hold on until he can get here. I'm sorry Goren. I grieve with you, and I will help you avenge her death."
From there, they walked in silence.  Every few miles, Palas would come down to steer them in the right direction. Astan felt terrible. So much death had happened around him. He kinda felt responsible for Sharuri and the deaths of Palas's brood even though it hadn't been him that caused their death. But it was his escape that triggered both of the events. He had to do something to make it right. But what could he do? He know his magic was strong, but was it strong enough to beat Igoro?
Astan wasn't sure but there was one thing he knew. One day soon he would have to confront both Igoro Baba and Mulu Amin.

It was dark and quiet when Nereus opened his eyes. Without moving he looked around the cave. Something had disturbed his sleep. What could it be? It wasn't his brothers or sisters, the were still right there all around him sleeping. What could it have been? Nereus got up on his four  paws and shook the sleep from his weary bones. He stretched out his wings and shook the dust free, then took a step to get the blood flowing again through his body. It had been a long time since he or any of the others had been out in the world. He wondered now much had changed. Were the Elves still the dominant species? Or had then been wiped out in that tired old war with the Dwarves? Were the the Airion's still pompous and overbearing? He was sure much had changed over the years and it was up to him to decide if the rest of the clan should be awakened.
After stretching, Nereus made his way to the cave entrance. He took a deep breath of the fresh air and roared his awakening to the world. There would be much to do if his Griffin clan was to go out and reclaim the outside world and it would all start here in Assassa. With a mighty leap Nereus took off into the skies. With his wings spread, he rode the thermals up into the clouds. He loved the feeling of the wind beneath his wings, it always made him feel free. He circled the island looking down to see there wasn't much here to conquer. Assassa would be easy to take from whatever was living in the spotted settlements he saw below him. The battles would be grand and bloody as him and his clan ripped their way across the island. Maybe it was time he woke up his clan to spread their influences all over the world. Nereus dived and did a twisting turn, he rolled and then rose higher into the clouds and swooped down over the bay on the eastern shore. There were Sealen's diving in and out of the bay fishing for their day's meal. As he flew, something caught his attention. It was a familiar sense. Something he hadn't felt in over two hundred years. There was a Dragon somewhere on the island.
Nereus dived down to shore to land, Once down he took a good whiff of the morning breeze. He could smell the dragon and something else. He wasn't alone. There was something with him. It was a strange wild smell, something he'd never smelled before. Whatever it was, it was coming from the north side of the island. Shifting to man form, Nereus started into the jungle. He wanted to kill the dragon on his own. He knew it couldn't possibly be Terra out there. But it didn't matter. He and his kind hated all Dragons. As Nereus walked, he thought about his last encounter with a dragon.
It was late in the evening, and the war with the Dragons was going into it's twenty fifth year. The casualty's on both sides was heavy. In the last year over fifty Griffins had fallen to the Dragons. The casualty's on the Dragon side had been just as bad with the fall of several clans. Nereus and ten of his brothers had flown to the northern continent where several Dragon clans kept watch on the world. They started in the lower lands of the dark elves and made their way north killing anything that got in their way. The Dark elves sent troops out against them. They met in the kingdom of Connak. King Edwyrd in his fineness armor called together his knights and marched out after the Griffin menace that had invaded his kingdom. They met on a hill over the capital city Edrym. The king and his troop of 200 armed warriors rode down to intercept the Griffin before they could drop down on the city. At first it seemed like the knights had the upper hand. Two of the ten invading Griffins fell and were immediately hacked to pieces. The knights all cheered as they regrouped to attack. The Griffins were set on the field right out of the walls of the city. Nereus stood in the lead of the group and roared out his challenge. The knights being high on the energy of their victory charged into the attack. As they came down the hill, Nereus roared sending a trio a Cockatrice in to fight. Like the birds of war that they are, the cockatrice attacked with a vengeance. Its bird like head screamed a challenge as the talons grabbed onto the knights. With their swords the hacked and stabbed at the beast only to find its deep green chest scales impervious to their weapons. Far behind the line of battle King Edwyrd watched as his men were torn to pieces. As a last course of action, he put his whistle to his lips and blow out a long high pitched note. The Cockatrice all stopped lifting their heads as they screamed in pain. King Edwyrd grabbed his lance and called out what was lift of his men for a desperate last attack. As they charged in, a dark shadow dropped down and covered the field of battle. As King Edwyrd looked up, he saw a line of Dragons flying in from the other side of the hill. Now King Edwyrd of Connak and his warriors had never had much contact with the Dragons of Taggitia. They had no idea if these monsters were coming to attack them. Imagine their surprise when Terra the lead Dragon dropped down and blasted the Cockatrice with a belch of hot lava. They screamed as they burned. Lava soon swallowed the war birds as they thrashed around trying to escape the hellish Dragon fire. With the Cockatrice dead, Terra and his Dragon brothers and sisters all dropped down between the Griffins and the King and his warriors. Terra shifted to his man form and walked out to meet his Griffin opponent. Nereus in man form stood six feet tall dressed in black and golden leather  with feathers around his collar. As he met Terra on the field of battle, Nereus smiled.
[Why are you here Griffen?] Terra sent. [Go back to your island and leave these humans alone. They have done nothing to deserve this attack.]
[They live.] Nereus sent. [They are a threat to both your people and mine. Move out of the way and let us destroy them.]
[No.] Terra said. [We have taken the oath to protect and that is what we will do. You will have to come threw us to get to them.]
[We planned to attack you.] Nereus sent. [If we have to kill you to get to them, so be it.]
As Terra and Nereus talked, a young blue Dragon shifted to human and hurried over to King Edwyrd.
"I am Force." He said. "I have been sent here to protect you while my brothers and sisters try to convince the Griffins not to attack."
"I am King Edwyrd of Connak." Edwyrd said as he bowed to Thunder. "We are not in need of protection. We can take care of ourselves."
"You are brave." Force said. "I'm sure you can when the fight is against men. But these are not humans that stand here before you. They are Griffins, they are not easy to kill and you do not have weapons that can even hurt them. We Dragons are sworn to protect the people of Keanna. Please, go back to your city and let us deal with this."
King Edwyrd wasn't sure if he should trust these Dragons. He had heard of Dragons in the past be had never heard of anyone living after a meeting with a Dragon. But he had to admit, these Griffins were far beyond their ability to kill. He would have to put his trust in their hands.
"We will go." King Edwyrd said. "But we will be watching. We will be watching very closely."
As King Edwyrd and him warriors rode off, the Griffins attacked. Back in his Griffin form, Nereus leaped out at Terra hoping to catch him in his human form unprotected. But Terra had shifted and was ready for the attack. Up on his hind legs, Terra swung around and used his tail to bat the Griffin away. Slightly daze but still ready to fight, Nereus rolled across the ground then jumped back up on his feet.
Growing he leaped again at Terra, but this time he leap high to go up over his head. As he passed over the Dragon, he swung his tail down and tried to sting him with the sharp barb on the end of his scorpion like tail. Ducking down, Terra reached up and grabbed Nereus by his tail catching him off guard. Terra stood again and swung Nereus around over his head then bashed him into the ground. Nereus howled in pain as he slammed again and again into the ground. With a mighty yank, he pulled himself free and dived at Terra. His front talons struck Terra with a heavy blow. Terra stepped back for a second as he trid to catch his breath. This was Nereus chance to catch the Dragon off guard. Diving back in his face, Nereus slash at Terra ripping into his hide sending his poison to surge through the Dragon. Unknown to the Griffin, Dragon's being there most deadly enemy, Terra over the years had grown a natural immunity to Griffin poison. Instead of killing him, the poison only slowed his reflexes down a bit. Feeling a bit clumsy, Terra slipped down into the ground. There he could let the poison pass through him and into the soil then come back restored. Up on the field, Nereus bellowed out a roar of triumph. He thought he had beaten Terra and sent him running from battle. As he turned to find his next opponent, Terra slipped out of the ground and back on the field of battle.
[Have you grown tired of out little dance?]
Nereus turned back to find Terra standing there and looking stronger than ever. He smiled and took a few steps back toward the Dragon.
[You have surprised me Terra.] He sent. [I did not think you had it in you to show such deception. But it doesn't matter. You will die today and I will celebrate the death of an enemy.]
[Then come Griffin. Come and claim your victory. If you can.]
With a terrible roar, Nereus attacked. He launched himself at Terra like the ball shot from a cannon. Terra braced himself to meet his charge. Like two forces of nature they slammed into each creating a monstrous explosion of sound that echoed out to be heard as far away as Torcin in the frozen north. While Nereus and Terra fought, behind them Dragon met Griffin for a battle of supremacy. Force the air Dragon engaged a dark feathered Griffin with the head of a crow while Snowflake a female dragon traded blows with a white feathered Griffin with the head of a bearded vulture. From the city walls, King Edwyrd watched as the Dragons did everything they could to keep the Griffins away from his city. His doubts had all fallen away as he watched the Griffins begin to drop and turn tail and run from the heroic Dragons.
With a moment of silence, Nereus looked around to find he was the only Griffin left in the battle. He stepped back away from Terra with a ferocious look on his golden eagle face.
[This is not over Terra.] He called as he lifted off to escape. [Your day will come. I will return and when I  do, I will kill you and all your clan.]
[We will be here waiting.] Terra sent. [There will always be a dragon here to protect Tagittia, you can count on that.]
That was more that 300 years ago. Now the Griffins were up again and for a certain dragon, there would be hell to pay.

As Akani, Aggar and Msia made their way through the quiet jungle, Msia told them some of the history of the land once called Assassa.
"Once this vibrant island was the home of a clan of Griffins called the Grimclaws. They were an ancient clan with member that had existed for hundreds of years. They were also the dragons oldest and most fierce enemies. From sometime long ago they were lead by Coeus a great Griffin with a strong sleek lion body with the head of a great bald eagle.. They terrorized villages and homesteads all up and down the coast of Taggitia and down as far as Aspana. In a great battle Coeus was beaten by Blizzard, a Dragon from a clan way up north. That was when Kronos took lead of the clan. Kronos reign went on for two hundred years until the great war were he was replaced by Nereus. Nereus lead them through the war until we lost all knowledge of the Griffins. It was thought that they were all destroyed by battles amongst there own clan. After that, no one knows what happened to them. So say they flew out looking for something and were lost in the waves of time."
"That." Aggar said is a very intriguing store."You got all this from Inferno?"
"Yes." Msia nodded. "He says that Terra fought Nereus many times over the years. Nereus was very full of hate for Dragons."
"All Griffins didn't hate Dragons." Aggar said. "I know a collector who had two Griffins that fought at his side."
"This collector friend of yours must have raised the Griffins himself right after they hatched." Msia said. "It proves that nurturing can overcome natural instincts. Maybe there is hope for the Hyenens."
"There is if we can do something about Mulu." Akani said. "Because he won't stop until he rules all of Aspana, or he dies."
"Well." Msia said. "Lets get on with the search."
"Which way?" Akani asked.
"We go south, then east." Msia said. "I can feel them out there ready to hatch."
"OK." Aggar said with a gesture to the south, "You lead and we'll follow,"
For hours they walked south. They stopped at a waterfall and had their fill of fresh water, then moved on. All the while, Msia could heard the eggs calling out to him.
As they walked, Akani felt a strange sensation tingling way in the back of his mind. At started as just a feeling, but at soon began to grow. It got louder and louder until it be came a real voice.
[Akani.]
Akani reached up and rubbed his ears. He thought he was hearing things.
[Akani.]
He looked around from Msia in the front to Aggar behind him.
"Do you hear something?" He asked Aggar.
"No." He said. "Just the sound of the jungle."
[AKANI.]
"WHAT?"
 Msia turned around to see what Akani was yelling about. Msia smiled. He knew what it was that he was hearing. He was being called to an egg.
"Relax Akani. Don't be afraid. It's your future calling out to you. We will be there soon."

As Brimstone landed in Gosia, he looked around for Mulu Amin. He was hoping that the demon had lost him somewhere during the flight south. But just as Brimstone was about to move, there was a flash and Mulu Amin was there at his side.
"You thought you had lost me didn't you dragon?" Mulu smiled. "It will take more power then you possess to get rid of me. Move on. Show me what you were talking about."
"Yes Master."
Brimstone turned and started into the jungle with Mulu right behind him. They walked for hours sometimes stopping to check a cave or deep crevice. Mulu was getting anxious. Brimstone had said he knew where they were, but it seemed more like they were searching instead finding. As Mulu walked further and further in, his anger grew higher and higher in its intensity. He didn't like to be disobeyed, especially by an underling. He needed Brimstone right now, bur soon he would he have all of Aspana in his hands, then he would remember how a certain dragon had failed him. Then he would pay, maybe with his life.
Suddenly as he walked, Brimstone's jackal ears pricked up. He had caught a scent. They where getting close. Brimstone jumped into a run and went straight up into the jungle barking like a mad dog. After a few minutes they were right in front of a set of six caves scattered through a grotto next to three waterfalls. As Brimstone approached the lagoon he stared up at the three waterfalls. Lightning flashed as a bolt came down and struck a coconut tree high over the falls.
"This is it." Brimstone said. "They are here."
"How do you know?" Mulu asked. This spot looked just like every cave they had seen today. There was nothing special here.
"This is a place of Dragons." He said with a gravely voice. "Enter and you will see."
Mulu turned on Brimstone with murder in his eyes. How dare he give him and order. Who was the Master here? Him or Mulu Amin?
"I know what it is that you want Master." Brimstone said with mischievous grin on his face. "But I cannot go into this cave, or touch what it is you want. Punish me if you want. Kill me if you want, but if you want what's in there. You will have to get it yourself."
Mulu was so angry sparks popped from his eyes. He pushed Brimstone out of his way and summoned a small globe of energy to light his way as he started into the first cave. It was dark in the cave and it smelled of mold. With his eyes tuned for night vision, Mulu made his way in. Bats flew over head while rats scampered through the cave trying to avoid being stepped on. All he could hear was the sound of the water as it pounded the rocks at the base of the cliffs. Though the globe flew along trying to cast light into the cave, Mulu saw many shadows darting in and out all around him. With a quick spell, he sent a blast out at one of the shadows. As it hit one, he heard a sharp squeal. That meant whatever it was, it was real and it could be hurt. Mulu took an defensive position. That was when the first shadow attacked. It came screaming out of a dark corner and grabbed him by the arm. Mulu shouted out a spell. The globe exploded in a flash of light that sent the shadows running for a place to hide. With a few quick twist of his hand, Mulu brightened the globes intensity and for a few minutes, the shadows hid. But as he walked, he saw them peeking out at him. With his globe blazing overhead, Mulu continued on with his search. He went from cave to cave chasing away any shadow that dared to try and menace him. By the fourth cave, Mulu had found nothing but a few shells that gleamed like precious jewels. They were scattered leaving a trail all through the cave. This had to be it Mulu thought. Here he would finally get what he came here for. Power over the Dragons and everyone else in Aspana.
With a quick burst of energy sent into the globe, Mulu hurried on. The tunnel did two more twists then he ran up a hill and came of into a final chamber that was filled with millions of different cantaloupe sized jewels. Dragon eggs.

Igoro the all powerful. 13

It was dawn when Akani shook Aggar to wake him up. Aggar looked around and saw the morning sun rising. He looked over and saw Msia there and ready to go. He stood up and went to relieve himself.
"You will have to have your morning meal as we go." Akani said as he handed Aggar his pack. "The master wants to get moving."
"Have you slept?" Aggar asked him.
"I was on watch all night." Akani said with a yawn. He looked at Aggar with red eyes. "I had to be wake while his majesty was resting."
"Stop." Msia said as he turned to them. "Akani, You are not my servant. That's not what I had from you right now. For now you should be my comrade. We all have to work together if there's any chance for us to be victorious. That means I need you rested and ready. Is that clear?"
"Yes your highness." He said bowing.
"Please, call me Msia." The king put a hand to his shoulder. "Now, you get some rest while Aggar and I have a talk. I'll wake you in an hour."
Shouldering his pack, Aggar led Msia to a place by the fire pit where they sat down and got comfortable. Msia took the water skin filled with the Basolos red wine Aggar and Deja brought back and took a deep drink. Once he had his fill, he passed it over to Aggar, who shook his head no.
"I have a few questions about Dragons." Msia said as he sat down. "How long did you know Terra?"
"I met Terra just a few days ago." Aggar explained. "He knew his time was running out so he sent out a probe to draw someone in to take care of the egg until the right one came to join with it."
"Did he tell you who it was for?"
"No." Aggar shook his head. "But I think he knew who it was for. I think he knew I would be bringing it to either you or Akani."
"Akani?" He tilted his head  in wonder. "Are you sure about that?"
"I think you both have it in you to host a dragonet. From what I have learned from Jandar and Rage, it takes a very special person to host a dragon. You need a strong and honorable mind to join with a dragon. A joining by the wrong host can be disastrous. Inferno will fill you in on Aspana's dragon history."
"It's funny." Msia smiled. "I always thought dragons were monsters, now I'm learning about things that scared me as a cub. And there's something else."
"What's that?"
"Inferno is telling me that there are more eggs." Msia said. "He tells me there is a clutch hidden two hundred years ago under a volcano beyond the southern tip of Gosia. Terra kept me with him but hid the others during the last great war in Aspana."
"Your saying there are more eggs out there somewhere?" Aggar sat up, very interested in what Msia was saying. "Does Mulu know anything about this. He has to know by now that you have the star."
"I'm not sure." Msia said. "It's possible. He does have a way of knowing things he shouldn't."
"Then that should be where he'll head next." Aggar stood up and took some water and threw it on the fire. "Do you have any idea where the clutch is?"
"Yes." Msia said. "Terra hid it in a volcano in Basmasia. It's a long journey from here. We will have to fly."
"Can you carry us?"
"Of course." Msia smiled. "Right now, Akani needs rest. He was up all night on watch. We can be on our way as on as he wakes up."

After tending to Beno and taking a short rest, Goren had them back on the trail with Palas in the lead. As they made their way through the jungle, Goren told Astan about how his father had rose to power. Twenty years ago, Domina was prosperous and stable under the leadership of my grand sire Anon Baba. We had  trade with some of the other lands and that included Tigaress and Panthera. Back then I remember sitting at my gran sires knee while he talked and debated policy with the heads of the many other kingdoms. We had peace then and everyone seemed happy, at least that's what I thought. There was one person that wasn't very happy. He wasn't content to trade out metals, livestock and our harvest with the others. He thought there was a better way. He thought we should invade the other lands and take what we want by force. That was my father Igoro Baba. For years he argued with grand sire. He said we have the forces to be the rulers of Aspana. It was our duty to crush the weak and force them all to live under our rein as the masters of Aspana. Grand sire disagreed saying peace was the only way to keep our people safe. Violence and bloodshed would only lead to war in Aspana and no matter how strong we might be, strength does not always guarantee victory. Father would argue on but it was Grand sire who had to make the final decision on what we would do, and his mind was set on a peaceful lifestyle.
Late at night, I remember father slipping in and out of our palace home to attend secret meetings that he organized with some of the others that agreed with him. One night I remember seeing a stranger in dark robes with a harsh laugh sulking around the grounds. When I asked father about him, he grew anger and grabbed me and beat me telling me not to interfere in things that were not my concern. He made me swear to never speak of the stranger again. With tearful eyes I made that promise. But that was my first mistake. My father knew no matter what happened, I would never brake my promise. I would never tell anyone about what I had seen no matter how badly I wanted to. Gran sire would never hear from me that my father was plotting against him.
After that, I kept a close watch on my fathers movements. I followed him out into the jungle to strange meetings with that stranger and to his private dwelling. I could hear his chanting from where I was hidden. He was up to something dark, I knew this but I had no way to stop him. My mystical training was no where near equal too his. I would have to wait to see what he was going to do.
It didn't take long. Within a week my father made his move. He organized his own men to go out on raids on some of the surrounding kingdoms. From the top of the city walls Grand sire and I watched as father marched back in to Domina with his newly captured slaves. Grand sire watched with a grim look on his face. As he turned around he slammed his staff down causing a loud thunderous noise and called down to my father.
"Igoro." He shouted. "I will see you immediately in the palace audience room."
With a nod and a evil grin, father continued on into the city gates and ordered his men to have his captives sent to our dungeons.
"He has gone to far Goren." Grand sire said to me. "He has disobeyed me for the last time."
"What will you do Grand sire?"
"I must right the wrongs your father has committed against the people of Aspana. He must be punished for his crimes."

The audience room was dimly lit as Igoro with his head held high made his way in toward the throne of his father the High chief of the Hominids. When he stopped he looked up at his sire without the respectful bow he was entitled to. Anon Baba stood up letting the robes he was wearing fall off to reveal his strong muscled physique. He slammed his staff down again rattling the room with the force of his anger and silencing the observing crowd.
"Igoro." Thundered the room. "What is the meaning of this? I made my positition clear to you and you have disobeyed me and invaded the lands out beyond our jungle. Explain yourself."
"I should think my motive are just as clear as your orders were Father." He said with a smile on his simian face. "I have taken the first step in declaring the Hominids the master race of Aspana. Something you should have done lone ago."
"Have a care my son." Anon said. "It takes more then strength and determination to win a war. You forget one of the most basic lessons I have tried for years to teach you. Its not about what you want or whats good for you. A wise chief puts the need of his people before his own needs. I know you want to rule all of Aspana. But have you even thought about how many will die trying to make you the master of your world? Do you even care?"
"No." He said. "I don't care. They are small and insignificant. I will be the master and their lives are nothing compared to mine."
Anon shook his head in disappointment at his sons attitude. He turned to the audience that stood back listening.
"Is this really what you want?" He asked. "Are you all willing to give yourselves over to this madman?"
Igoro stepped up in between his father and the others.
"Don't ask them. I am the one you are talking to." Igoro pushed his robes off to get ready to battle. "You have served here as chief for to long. Your time is done. Father, I challenge you to the right of ascension."
"Who stands with you Igoro?"
Igoro turned to look at me to stand with him. I turned away from him to stand with my Grand sire.
"You won't stand with me, Goren? So be it."
As father turned to the crowd, several members of the his crowd stepped out to stand with him.
"We stand with Igoro."
"The challenge has been made." An elder said. "Anon, do you accept?
"Yes." He said as he slammed his staff down again. "I accept."
As Anon stepped out, he and Igoro moved into position in the center of the chamber to start their duel.
"Challenge is accepted." The elder said as he moved back and out of their way. "This is a challenge for the leadership of the Hominids. It is to the death. The challenge begins now!"
With a twist of his wrist, Igoro sent out his first spell. A blast of mystical blue energy shot out from his hand. Anon raised his shield in plenty of time to avoid the blast and send it back at Igoro. With a wave of his hand Igoro dismissed the blast then shook his fist and slammed it down causing a force of energy to appear over his fathers head. As he slammed down, the force came down trying to crush Anon. With a quick sweep of his staff, Anon parted the energy field and again through it back at Igoro.
"You will have to do better then that to defeat me Igoro." Anon said. "You won't beat me with spells I taught you."
"Then I'll have to get more inventive, won't I"
With a swing of his staff, Igoro conjured a lightning storm and sent stray bolts at Anon. With quick reflexes, Anon raised his staff and batted away each bolt. As he worked to avoid the lightning, Anon left an opening in his defenses. With an evil smile, Igoro conjured a series of silver daggers and sent them at his father right through the hole. As the daggers streaked in, Anon turned and caught them coming out of the corner of his eyes. Spinning around, Anon directed his shield to expand blocking all but one of the daggers. As the dagger sank into Anon's side, Goren yelled causing his father to turn his way. With that momentary distraction, Anon reached out with a telekinetic hand and grabbed Igoro. He raised him up over their heads then slammed him back.
"Keep your eyes on the battle, udanganyifu."
"Your right father." Igoro said as he stared at Goren with a venomous look. "Never again will I let sentiments cloud my mind. I don't need family or friends, they will only hold be back from reaching my goal. I will be the lord of all I see. I will be the master of Aspana, then I will take all of Keanna. And it will all start here."
As Igoro continued with his rant, Anon looked down to Goren.
[He speaks of great ambition.] He sent. [Goren, he will win this battle, but it is not over. He is wrong. friends and family are important. They are worth fighting for. Your father will do a lot of damage and many will die before he is stopped. We will lose both friends and family to his ambition, but the day will come when you will have to face him. Be strong little one, the battle is not lost. We may still win the day.]
Goren tried to ask his Grand sire to explain, but it was to late. The battle had begun again. With his hands held up, Igoro called down a rapid series of bolts and sent them at Anon. As they hit his shield, Goren saw cracks appear. Anon felt a series of shots that ran through his body.
"Beware my son." He said. "Do not allow your ambition to be your worst enemy."
"All my enemies will fall father, just like you."
With his hand held up, Igoro channeled the last of his hate into one final blast. Like a small sun the blast appeared and streaked straight at Anon. With his shields weakened, he didn't even try to avoid it. Instead he raised his hands and stopped it just before it hit him.
"You have won Igoro." He said calmly. "You are now the chief of the Hominids. But heavy is the crown on one that does not deserve the tittle. You may find out one day that being the chief is not as pleasing as you think. With my last ounce of power I pass on my knowledge to the one that deserves it most. Myumbo Igoro, may you one day learn the true meaning of honor."
As the blast hit Anon there was a great flash that blinded everyone. When there eyes cleared, Anon was gone. Only his staff remained. With a loud row of laughter, Igoro stepped forward to collect his prize.
"It last it is mine!!" Igoro reached down to grab the staff. As he touched it there was a sudden burst of energy. Igoro jumped back covering his eyes. When he reopened them, the staff was in Goren's hands.
"Give me that!!" He shouted. "Its mine!!"
As Goren held it out to his father, the staff disappeared.
"You have won the challenge." The elder said. "The Hominid tribe is yours to rule, but your father's staff is not yours nor will it ever be. It is Goren's now and it will always protect him."
Denied his prize, Igoro made his way over to stand before his son. Goren could see the anger in his fathers eyes, but he dare not raise a hand to his son. He know the staff would protect him. Instead he just turned and walked away, then called back to Goren.
"Anon is no more." He said. "I am chief now. Your day will come, and when it does, I will destroy you. Staff or not, you will die."

After an hour, Akani woke from his short nap refreshed and ready to go. Aggar explained where they would be going next as Msia shifted to his dragon form and moved to a better position for them to climb up onto his back. With Aggar and Akani set on his back, Inferno shook out his wings and launched himself into the sky. From the mountain cave they flew west to avoid Mancoro then turned south and headed for the Gosia. Gosia is a rocky land on the southern tip of Aspana. Not much lived there, just a few fishing villages and a few Sealen communities. From Goswia, They headed south over the Stygian sea and in to Basmasia. Basmasia was a violently volcanic island with very few inhabitants. The eastern side of the island was totally covered in volcanic ash and mud while the other three sides flourished with exotic plant life. Tropical fruit and vegetables grew wild all over the island. It had once been the home of a large Griffin community until the last Dragon war where it is said they were all wiped out. What better place to hide Dragon eggs than in the home of what was once they're most hated enemies.
As they flew over the coast of Basmasia, Akani held tightly to Inferno. Aggar knew he had his eyes closed. This was probably one of the most frightening things he had even done. But if he was going to be Msia's second, he had better get use to flying.
"Akani." Aggar squeezed his side. "Open your eyes. There's nothing to be afraid of. Inferno won't drop us."
[No my friend, I won't. Please trust me, I won't let you down.]
Slowly Akani opened his eyes to look at the beautiful scenery below them. It almost looked like paradise. There were fields of wheat growing wild and he could see grape vines from where he sat. There were pineapple plants and coconut and mango trees which suddenly made him realize how hungry he was. As they flew lower, they saw huts dotting curtain parts of the island. The island was differently inhabited. Akani nudged Aggar and pointed down at the huts.
"Yes." He said. "We should be careful. We know nothing about what may live here."
[I'm going to land there in that opening.] Inferno sent. [ Hold on tight.]
Beating back with his wings, Inferno dropped softly down for a landing. Once down, he stretched out his leg so Aggar and Akani could climb down from his neck. As Aggar and Akani stepped down off his leg, Inferno shifted back to his Msia form, and they were ready to start the search.
"Inferno says we should start searching there," Msia pointed to the volcano off in the distance.
"There must be hundreds of caves all around that thing." Aggar said. "How are going find it? It would take all day to search them all."
"When we get close to where they are hidden, I will sense them."
"Then we better get moving." Aggar said. "Mulu could already be here."

Dogs of War. 12

It was dark in Igoro's throne room, there was only two torches lit as he sat and stared down at the severed hand that lay at the foot of his throne. It once belonged to Lady Shauri Baba, his son's mate. She was dead now. Igoro had ordered her beaten, sliced and staked out in the jungle to be eaten by predators. Her hand was the only thing left to remind him of their treachery. For years Goren and Shauri had opposed Igoro and his rule. They spoke out against his slave market and fought him every time he sent out his troops to invade one of their neighbors. Goren, Shauri and that damned Beno had been a thorn in his side ever since the day Anon had lost his life and his place as the Hominid chief. Igoro stood up and stepped down and kicked the hand across the room.

"Damned fools." He shouted. "Why can't he see what it is that I am trying to accomplish here. I could make us gods, stronger that the Pantheran’s or any of our enemies. In time, even Mulu will come to bow to me if they would just leave me alone and let me finish my plans!"

Frustrated, Igoro paced back and forth before his throne. The Tigaren had escaped along with the Avian and Goren. But Igoro knew there could only be a few places they might run too. They would either head deeper into the jungle or try to get back to Tigaress, or they would head back to the mountain the Avian had called home. Palas would try and organize what was left of his people. Igoro smiled as he thought back to his last visit to Starspeak.

He had come in the night all alone. He didn't trust any of his warriors with what he had planned for the nights work. He made his way quietly through the forest pass the Aerie's young Nightingale watchers. It was easy since they were all so busy fight over who would sing the lead in their night song. After passing the Nightingales, Igoro stopped and whispered a quick cloaking spell to hide himself from the circle of Red necked Nightjars that sat silently keeping a shape eye out for any intruders. His last obstacle and most deadly of all were the Crown eagles that sat high and majestic as the lords of the Aerie. They were the real threat Igoro knew he had to face if he was to take the Avians as his next batch of slaves. Though the Felines made strong warriors, they would be to proud and almost impossible turn to his side. Avians on the other hand were simple minded folk and easy to manipulate. A force of the Eagles or Hawks could be a great asset to him. A simple compulsion spell would be all he needed to turn their weakness into one of his great strengths.

As he slowly made his way in through the jungle, he chanted his cloaking spell continuously. Above his head, the Eagles watched but never moved a muscle. Igoro crept in carefully watching every step closer and closer. As he entered into the Aerie, Igoro looked up at the great trees of Starspeak. There were Pines and Maples, Dragon trees and Cotton trees. There were fruit trees with monkey oranges, waterberries and wild plums all placed separately so each can get the enough sunlight. Beyond the trees, he saw the true home of the Avians. A tall cliff riddle with the caves that housed the different avian species of the Aerie. The cliff was split in three parts. The lower part housed the smaller birds. Wrens, Swallows, Hummingbirds and the Sea birds. The middle section held the better hunters. Falcons, Hawks, Owls, Harriers and Kites. The highest part housed the lords of the Aerie. The Eagles, Vultures and Buzzards. Moving quietly, Igoro slipped in through the trees very carefully. He knew that any sound he made would alert the Avians to his presence and bring their feathery wrath down upon him. From the lower nest he lifted himself up to rise until he stood just below the nesting areas of a trio of Eagles. Cautiously he stopped as one of the Eagles eyes opened and he scanned the surrounding trees. The Eagle frowned as if something strange annoyed him. Something didn't smell right. He took a few steps and looked out to find the scent that had woke him. He gazed down on the quiet valley with his sharp vision. He watched as two Sea birds fed their young while over to the left, a pair of Toucans squabbled over whose turn it was to go on the hunt. All seemed quiet and normal. There was no threat to the Aerie. Then why did he feel so nervous and what was that scent that had caught his attention?

It was a strange scent, unlike anything he had ever smelled before in the Aerie. But something about it was familiar. The smell was wild, like something from a distant memory. The Eagle shook his head trying to rid himself of the scent, but it was impossible. With every step he took, it grew strong and stronger. It was almost overwhelming. Flapping his wings, he launched himself from his Aerie to sail out into the skies. Unfortunately for him, that was the second Igoro struck.

Raising his staff, Igoro sent a blast of power out at the airborne flyer taking it without any warning. It fell like a stone plummeting down to crash into the mountain side. At the sound of the Eagle's cry, the Aerie burst into activity. The predators all took off flying out ready for battle. Like clay pigeons he blasted them out of the sky one by one. As Igoro fought, a pair of Condors streaked down with their talons extended for the attack. Igoro saw them coming up from behind, but he was to busy with a line of Vultures that were coming at him from the front. With shrieking scream, the Vultures dive down at Igoro. Their eyes a blaze with fury. Quickly Igoro sent a rapid fire pulse wave of force at them then turned and swept out with a blast of heat burning the Condors out of the sky. All around him the forest burned. He could hear the screams of the Avian young as they leaped from their nests into the blazing inferno and death. A trio of Doves flew out in front of Igoro and begged him to stop. They ask why. What had they done to deserve such a fate?

Reaching out with a telekinetic hand, Igoro grabbed them out of the air and held them suspended before. He looked into their innocent eyes before he spoke.

"I am a predator and you and your people are my prey." He said. "If I am to become the War lord of all of Aspana, many will have to die. The Lycaon have paid their price, now it is your turn. This Aerie has many brave warriors. I can't afford to allow your people to seek revenge somewhere in the distant future. You all must die to make my future safe."

"But we are no threat to you." The center Dove cried. "All we need is a place live in peace.

"Aspana will never have peace!" Igoro screamed at them. "Not as long as I rule these lands!!

With that said, Igoro whispered a spell, and the first dove began to scream. First one wing twisted and snapped. Then the Dove's body began to crush until he was nothing but a mass of bloody feathers. As the other two scrambled to get away, Igoro reached out and grabbed them in one of his mystic force bubbles. As they beat on the impervious sides, the bubble began to shrink crashing them in a slow agonizing death.

Looking around at the burning forest, Igoro was pleased with what he had done. There wasn't a single Avian left there alive. There would be no vengeful Avians coming for revenge. The only ones left alive were in his slave pens and he would make sure they would never fly again. Laughing like a mad Hyenan, Igoro said a transport spell and was gone in a flash.

Deep in the foliage on the forest floor, an elder Eagle peeked out from his place of hiding. There were tears in his eyes as he stepped out and gazed up at what was left of Starspeak. Every nest was in flames. The only life left here was in the six eggs he had hidden away. He had watched as the Gorilla killed everyone in the Aerie then put it to the flames. He wanted to help the Doves, but he knew it would have been useless. The Gorilla would have killed him and then there would have been no one left to protect the young ones. Now his task was to gather the eggs and move them to a place of safety. There was an old forbidden temple to Alea, the mistress of the night hidden deep in the forest that would be perfect to hide in. There, he knew the old magic scrolls had been hidden. He would take the eggs there and teach them of magic when they hatched. Someday they would come back and seek out the Gorillas, and they will have their revenge. This he swore to the mighty god Tyree, the father of everything wild.

It was quiet in the forest of Domina, all the trees were still and there was no sounds of the hunter or the prey. It was like some great god had come down and ordered the forest to be still. The hair on the back of proud Dar'yl's neck stood straight up, it was a warning. A warning of danger. With his sword drawn, Dar'yl kept watching on their surroundings. He knew that at any second, Gorillas or Hyenan warriors could come charging out at them. In the front Sakura kept a watch on the trail for any sign of his beloved. Astan's trail was getting lighter and lighter as they got closer to the Gorilla city. Pretty soon, there would be nothing left to follow and that fact scared Sakura. Because once the trail was gone, they would be blind to Astan's movements.

"How much further?" Deja asked.

"Just a few miles." Sakura answered with a nervous voice. "The city is just ahead."

"Then we will soon find him." Sky said. "Does that scare you?"

"Yes and no. I know he's in the city just ahead of us. But I have no idea how he is. This Igoro could have tortured him."

"I do not think so." Dar'yl said from behind them. "If Igoro intends to give Astan to Mulu, he won't harm him in any way. He will want to deliver him in good condition."

"Then you think Mulu is on his way here?" Deja asked looking from Dar'yl to Sakura.

"Yes." Dar'yl said with a nod. "He may have already been here. That's what I am afraid of."

"No." Sakura said as he looked off in the jungle. "He hasn't been here yet."

"How do you know?" Quynn said. He took the water skin from Sky and took a deep drink. "You sound so sure."

"I would feel Astan's panic." Sakura smiled. "He would know if Mulu was anywhere hear him, of that I'm sure."

"So what do we do?" Quynn asked. "We can't just go walking in and demand his release, and we can't just sit here in the jungle and wait.

"One of us his to go in." Dar'yl said. "Meaning one of you. Sakura and I would be recognized immediately. That leaves you three."

"I could go." Deja suggested.

"No." Dar'yl said. "Igoro would not come out for a female. It has to be a male."

Yeah." Quynn laughed. "I can just see what those gorillas would do if me or Sky knocked on the gate. We'd be in chains in less than two minutes."

"An taken straight to Igoro." Sakura smiled, "Isn't that exactly what we want? Think about it. We need to get into Igoro's slave pens. I mean isn't that where he'll keeping him? What better way is there to get in?"

Quynn looked over to Sky. He had a curious look on his face. It wasn't fear. He had seen fear on his mates face before. When they were fighting Janx Develos, Sky was scared to death. That was on his last night in Pollex, the city of the Phoenix. Sky had fought bravely that night and they were able to beat both Aster Telor and the disgusting Janx Devolos the witch hunter. But it could have went the other way and could have lost. Quynn shook at the thought of what that monster would have done to Sky.

[But he didn't and I'm safe, right here next to you where I belong.] Sky smiled and looked back to Quynn. [Isn't this why we're here? To help Astan and Sakura get back home safe. I think it’s worth the risk.]

[Are you sure?] Quynn sent. [These Gorillas are very strong and dangerous and I don't trust this Igoro, He sounds a lot like Aster Telor. He'll do anything for power.]

[I agree.] Quynn said. [But not you. I'll go. My dragon form is much stronger then your phoenix. I should be the one to go.]

[You may be stronger than me, but I'm faster and more agile than you.]

Quynn thought about what he said. He couldn't deny it was true. Sky was faster than him. But Quynn could never allow the one he loved to put himself in danger. He would always protect him and the reason didn't matter.

[I know Dragonfly.] Sky sent with a loving caressing touch to his mind, [And that's one of the reasons I love you so much.]
[ But you can't possibly always protect me. I have to learn to protect myself.]

"The hell I can't." Quynn said out loud. "The answers is no. I go if it’s between the two of us. I will never let you put yourself in danger.  And that's final.]

"He's right." Sakura said to the arguing couple. "I wouldn't let Astan do it either. Quynn and I are natural warriors. We've been trained since we were young to protect others. I could let Astan fight at my side, but I would never let him face any kind of danger if I can help it. The decision is made. Quynn goes."

Dar'yl stood there with a smile on his face. Though he wasn't in love with Sakura, he felt the same way about him. He would never let the young price put himself in danger, unless he was ordered to.

"Then what am I doing?" Sky asked frustrated.

"You’re our connection to Quynn." Dar'yl explained, "As Quynn is taken in, you’ll be there in his mind to tell us what he sees. Once he finds Astan, we wait until dark then go in and free them."

"That sounds so simple." Sky said looking into Quynn's eyes. "If anything goes wrong, I'm coming in to get you. I won't wait to discuss any possible plans. I'm coming right in, in my full icy form."

"I know Little Bird." Quynn took him in his arms and kissed him deeply. "I'm counting on it."

It had been a very eventful day in Domina. With the Lady Shauri's death, the rebellion had been quieted down. Her head and hands had been brought back as Igoro's sick trophies. Her head now adorned the gate walls where everyone could see them and Igoro hand taken the hands for his own use. As Shumo stared out at her head, he couldn't help but wonder if what she had said was true. Had Igoro really sinned against Tyree? The god had always said that the strong should always rule, but he had also warned them many times in the past of his hatred of slavery. In the scrolls he said he would always praise those who rule with strength and honor, but he would damn anyone who held another bonded to them in slavery. Slavery. Shumo had to think about that for a few minutes. Though Tyree forbid the practice, it had brought wealth to some of the people of Domina. Igoro and his circle of nobles did profit from the sales of those captured in Aspana that was true. What bother Shumo was the fact that there were still apes starving and begging in the street while they live in handsome Garden palaces. Then there was the Hyenan. They had always been the enemy, why in Tyree's name was Igoro working with them? Shumo was afraid to say it out loud, but something was wrong here. Maybe Lady Shauri was right. Maybe Igoro wasn't right for the postilion of High Chief. Igoro could be leading us all to our dooms.

With a mind heavy in thought, Shumo turned to continue on with his gate security check. He looked out and into the jungle as something walked out of the trees. Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, Shumo stepped closer to the edge of the wall and looked down as a human started heading for the city gate.

Quickly Shumo hurried into the tower to alert the guards to sound the alarm. As the alarm gong struck, Shumo jumped from the wall and into the trees and headed down to intercept the intruder.

With his hands held high, the human casually walked down the road that lead straight to the gates of Domina. It didn't take long before a squad of gorillas armed with clubs and swords came out to intercept him. Surrounded by armed warriors, Quynn stopped being very careful not to make any aggressive moves. With his club strapped to his back, Shumo dropped down to confront the intruder.

"Make no sudden moves Human." Shumo said as he stepped up to the human. "Who are you and why are you trespassing on Hominid territory?"

"I am Prince Quynn Drake Tyr." The boy said with a smile. "I am here looking for a slave."

The night was dark with a chilled wind blowing as Msia, Akani and Aggar made their way out of the cave and down into the valley. As a newly hatched dragon, Msia was hungry and needed to eat. Shifting to his lion form Msia headed out to hunt up some dinner. Akani and Aggar gathered some water and wood for a fire. Then Aggar on pack a package give to him from the people of Basolos.  There was wine with dried meat, some cheese and bread. After building a fire, they sat down and ate while they waited for Msia to return. As they waited, they talked about their lived. Akani told Aggar about the first time he had seen Msia. It was during the early slave raids. His father had come home and taken down all his hunting gear. Mother had thought it strange. There usually was no hunting at that time of the evening, it was to dangerous. When she asked where he was going, he pulled her to the side and explained that the high chief of the Zambesi had come into the village and ordered all the men to be ready at night fall for a hunt. His father had no idea what they would be hunting, but when the High chief of the Zambesi gave you an order, only a fool would dare to disobey.
Akani and a few other cubs of course were curious and followed them into the dark jungle. They marched for miles headed north east. A few of the cubs dropped out to tired to go on but Akani stayed on the trail. At sunrise they were in Pantheran territory. The high chief ordered the warriors to spread out and move forward slowly. Akani didn't understand what was going on.There were no Impala or gazelle in this area. There were no water buffaloes or antelope either. Akani didn't understand why they were there until he saw them attack the first village.
They caught them in the early dawn just as the sun began to rise. Akani hid behind a tree as the warriors of  his village charged in to a village of Lynx and took them all captive. They fought very bravely, but in the end they were out numbered. They had them all in cuffs and chains and lined up ready to march in less then an hour. The women and children cried and begged to be released, the men howled out into the night. The noise at one point was so loud, Akani had to cover his ears.
That's when it happen. Out of the night there came a mighty roar. All the Jackals stopped and grabbed for their weapons. Suddenly Akani heard shouting and the sound of battle coming from the northern edge of the village. Akani wanted to move to a better position so he could see what the noise was about, but he couldn't move. the slightest move might give away his position. Pushing his way through the crowd of scared Jackals, the  High chief screamed at the to get in position for a fight. As he pulled his spear for its place on his back, a great lion dressed in bronze armor came flying out of the trees to attack.
"Hold there where you stand Mahad Amin!" Msia shouted. "Free your prisoners or be prepared to die!"
With his golden mane blowing in the wind, Msia and his warriors dived in to the attack. The Jackals tried to defend themselves, they fought very hard but Msia and his warriors were trained for battle while the Jackals were not. Mahad hadn't trained them. He only using them to make gold. He didn't care if they lived or if they died.
Like the coward he was, as the Pantheran's charged in, he cast his spell and was gone.
With Mahad gone, the Jackal warriors dropped their weapons and tried to run. But it was to late. The Pantheran's were surrounding the village and they were all taken into custody.
Akani turned to run and was stopped by a young lion who stood there in chain mail with a sword. The lion looked at Akani then put sword in its scabbard and stepped aside.
"Go home." He said. "But know that we will not put up with being hunted as slaves. We will defend our people."
"The young lion?" Aggar said as he threw another piece of wood on the fire. "That was Sakura?"
"Yes." Akani nodded. "I made it back to our village by noon. A few hours later my father and a hand full of the village men came home with their heads down. My father would never speak of that night. I think he was a shamed of what they had done."
"What about Mahad Amin?"
"He lived on." Akani said. "Always one dark scheme after another until his son bested him in combat and took over the leadership of the Hyenans. But that was one of the last raids in Panthera. Until now."
"There's something I don't understand," Aggar said as he shifted his place to get more comfortable. "You know slavery is wrong. You saw what happened at the Lynx village. Why would you join with Mulu and help him hunt?"
"Sadly, I forgot the lesson I learned that night. When Mulu called, I blindly saw treasures and followed his orders. When I saw Msia in Mulu's pit, I thought it meant Mulu's strength had made him superior to the lion king. I was wrong and it almost took my death for me to realize my fault. Now I will serve him faithfully for the rest of my life. And I will. I'll serve him or die for him or his son Sakura."
As Aggar sat back and closed his eyes he thought about the story he had just heard. He realized that the egg could have gone to either Msia or Akani. They both had the heart to be a dragon. But he knew this wasn't over yet. The future was very unpredictable. In Tyree's name, anything could happen.

In the Depths of Nightmare. 11

As the Hyenans gathered all through Mancoro, Mulu watched from a place high above his house. These Dogmen had failed him many times already. They had failed to capture Sakura and they missed their chance  to catch Astan. They had failed in the battle of Tinpa and were beaten down by those Lycaons and sent running. It would all end today. There were many mistakes made by the stupid whimpering Dogmen. He would make them stronger, more vicious and capable of fighting Tigarens and Pantherans. He would turn them all into Demondogs.
Floating down, Mulu dissipated his Demon form into a contagious fume and spread himself all through the city. He seeped into the lungs and bodies of each and every Hyenan in the city. The young and the old, the sick and the healthy. In minutes they all fell to the ground rolling in pain. Mulu had decided that Hyenan's weren't strong enough to be at his side. He liked his new Demon form and thought Demons would make much better warriors then Hyenans.
Once infected with Mulu's Demon essence, the Dogmen's bodies began to change. Their arms and legs grew longer into Demon appendages as their bodies expanded into gruesome and frightening dog like beast. Some grew leathery black wings while adapted a strange serpent like look. Some were bipedal while others grew multiple legs with almost insect parts. Mulu's laughter could be heard ringing all through the air.
"Rise my Demondogs!" He laughed. "Rise and meet your master!"
Like minions from some strange dark dimension Mulu's new Demondogs rose up off the ground. They flexed new wings and deadly appendages and licked claws and sharp teeth, then looked up to their master who stood high above them.
"First I will take Aspana and make it into my own private dark land." Mulu said. "Then I will take the world!! Now I want all of you to spread out and bring these Aspanian fools to their knees. Show them that Mulu is now in control."
Mulu slowly floated down to the ground to stand among his new Demon army. As he passed they all cringed at his power and shuffled to get out of his way. As he looked around at his cowering army he realized that changing their form was really not enough. He had given them strength, but deep down they were still the simple Hyenan Dogmen. He needed something more, something big. He could take a few of the Demondogs and create something new, but he didn't think he could warp anything into the level aggression and contempt that he wanted. Draidor had the madness he needed, but after stealing his body, Mulu could never trust him again. He would always be plotting something against him trying to win back his body. But then Draidor wasn't the only horror Mulu could pull from out of that dark dimension of Nightmares. There were other things down there that Mulu knew he could control. Big scary things that Extremus once used to haunt Nightmares with. If Mulu could draw a few out of their dark hidden corners, he could use them against Panthera and Tigaress. In fact they could help make him master of the world. But could he open a door into Nightmare big enough for what he wanted without being noticed? The Gods of Dreams and Nightmares were not known for their hospitality. For though he now possessed the body and powers of a full Demon, he did still have a soul, and that means he was still vulnerable to the will of the Gods.
As Mulu stared out at his city full of Demondogs, his hunger for power burned through his brain. He had taken many steps towards his high minded ambitions. Invaded many land and over thrown many kingdoms here in Aspana. Now he was contemplating an even more dangerous endeavor. He was going to trespass on the world of Nightmare and steal something dark that belonged to the gods. Extremus will not be happy when he learns of this transgression. But it can't be helped. In time, Mulu would have to face the mad god himself. He would just have to gain enough power to defeat him on his own.
As the Demondogs took off to spread themselves out through Aspana. Mulu made his way back to his house where he went to his throne room and took his place on his old throne. It felt small now since he had gone through the change to his Demon form. He would have to re make Mancoro once Aspana was in his control and make it more befitting the deity he was becoming. Mulu Amin, God of Evil. He liked the sound of that.
As he closed his eyes, Mulu cast his mind out into the dark depths of the Nightmare world. Here the sky was always dark with lightning and thunder that flashed and rattled the land. Dark winged things flew through the sky attacking each other. They forced each other down out of the sky to the ground where they ripped at each other tearing themselves to pieces. As Mulu looked around, he saw a grim world of chaos with ever monstrous thing ever dreamed. Deadly things with tentacles and pincers. Huge hulking creatures that looked like mad demented Orcs with great stingers extending from each shoulder. There were crazed Werewolves and bat like Vampires that would be used to scare Humans, Elves, and all the other human like races. He saw giant men dressed in the hides of Tigars, Lions and Hyena's with heads with dead eyes staring back. Mulu chuckled as he passed. His hand was extended as his magic kept the Nightmare things from attacking him.
"He must think I am weak if he thinks that will scare me."
Mulu was in some kind of cemetery. There were headstones and broken down mausoleums everywhere. The ground was covered in dead grass with old dead trees scattered all around. The sound of screams could be heard from somewhere off in the distance. He saw Tigarens and Hyenans being chased by some kind of wild looking Antelope man thing with a huge axe. The grounds were littered with the bodies of his catch. This was indeed the land of Nightmare.
As he pushed the cemetery gate open and stepped in, a long slimy tentacle slithered out to grab at his leg. He kicked out dislodging it then sneered at the squid thing that had crept in on him radiating a wave of pure hate to keep it away. Moving quickly, Mulu went on. He passed a lake of fire where strange black birds dived in and out nipping it a screaming Mermaid that was caught trying to dive over a dam made of logs. Every time she fell back into the flames, the birds would be on her and she would scream out in pain. On the shore of the lake there grew a row of trees like nothing Mulu had ever seen before. They looked like willows. They were tall with long branches that hung down like the hair of a giant. There was nothing like this in all of Aspana. Curious, Mulu walked down towards the grove of trees. As the wind blew through the leaves, he heard soft music drifting through the air. It soothed and calmed Mulu with every step he took. He shook his head trying to clear his mind. Peace wasn't an emotion he was use too. He needed his rage to keep his powers strong.
As he walked through the grove, he noticed a smell. It was a sickly sweet smell that aided the music to relax him.
"No!" he yelled out. This was all wrong. He reached up and smacked his face hard. He needed the pain to bring his anger back to fuel his rage. As he opened his eyes again. Something rubbed against his leg. Then wrapped itself all around his thigh and pulled him off his feet. The leaves of the trees had suddenly become like tentacles and started wrapping themselves around him and pulling him towards the trees. As Mulu struggled to free himself, a great mouth opened in the trunk of one of the trees. He was being pulled towards it. If he couldn't free himself, he would die here in this world of Nightmare.
As his fear grew, his anger took over. He reached down and grabbed the tentacle and focused his mind on that anger. As he pulled at the tentacles, his power flared up in his hands and pulsed out. The tree screamed as Demon fire flowed into it and burned into the trunk. As the tree released him, Mulu leaped to his feet blasted at each tree as he ran out of the grove.
As he ran through the dark cemetery, huge frogs in the trees spread their wings and took to the skies after him. Like stinging bees the frogs attacked zipping down to sting and bite at him. Mulu batted them away smacking them from the skies as he ran feeling the burning pain of their slimy stingers.
By the time the frogs were gone, Mulu had ran out of the cemetery and into the ruins of an old city. All the buildings here were made of brick and mortar. The streets were paved with broken stones. There was garbage and old bones everywhere he looked. Mulu thought the city looked very familiar. The wall, the mortar buildings, the pit in the center of town. If it wasn't for the ash gray sky, he would swear this was Mancoro.
It was quiet and still as Mulu made his way through the ruined reflection of Mancoro. There were no Hyenans here for him to control. No Tigarens to hunt and no Pantherens to battle. He looked down into the pit almost expecting to find Msia Duma still down there fighting to get out. What he did find was a lot of bones scattered almost knee deep all through the pit. As he stared down he remembered Msia in the pit in Mancoro fighting to get free. Mulu would question him and send warriors down to fight him. But Msia never gave in. He never revealed any indication that he knew where the Star of Hekima was or if he knew anything about it. After all the years of questions, Mulu had really started to doubt if he was the chosen one at all. Maybe the bones and the crystals he had read were wrong. It could be that Sakura was destined to get the Star and not his father.
But right now it didn't matter. He was here in Nightmare to find something that would help him to defeat the armies of his enemies. He had seen many things here that could bring them fear, but nothing so far that could turn the tide of war to his side.
Mulu stared down at the cave, then turned and started away. As he turned, he heard something. It was a snort or some kind of growl from in the chest. He turned back and walked out to the edge of the pit and looked down. Smoke seeped out from the cave. There was something in there. Mulu could feel the waves of hate and contempt emanating from the cave. It warmed his cold heart that something could hate as much as he could.
Spreading his arms, Mulu lifted himself up and gently sailed down and into the pit. Smoke still flowed as if there was some thing burning in the cave. As he touched down, something roared in the the cave. It was so loud it rattled the roof and sent debris flying everywhere. Mulu took a step back and prepared himself to face the Nightmare in the cave.
"Come Nightmare." He called out. "Come out and face me and see who is the master!"
The sound of thunderous footsteps rang out as the Nightmare roared its challenge out at Mulu.
[Who dares to trespass on the dreamscape of Brimstone, the Dragon of Nightmare!!]
"I dare!" Mulu shouted as he took a fighting stand. "Come out and face your new master"
[Master?]" Brimstone laughed as he came out to stand before Mulu in his majestic form. Brimstone had needle like sharp teeth and a forked tongue. He had black soulless eyes that would send any normal mortal running to hide. [Do not make me laugh little demon. I have lived thousands of years in this Nightmare realm. I have haunted and scared millions to death in their dreams. You are nothing but a speck in the reality of chaos. You would dare to challenge me!!!]
Brimstone stomped his colossal foot and fire erupted from fissures all around Mulu. Raising his hands, Mulu extinguished the flame geysers with a flick of his wrist.
"You may be ancient Worm." Mulu laughed. "You may have the power of fire and brimstone at your command, but I am a fully powered Demon with power you can not comprehend at my command and I want you to bow to me!!"
Mulu rose up into the air and struck out at Brimstone thrusting a beam of energy out like a bullwhip. It snapped out and wrapped around the dragons neck and he pulled it toward him. Brimstone roared out in pain and humiliation with flames choking out from his mouth and nostrils. The dragon reared up and shook as he tried to pull himself free. Mulu swung out with a second whip striking Brimstone again and again as he tried to pull the dragon into control. He arms strained with effort as his muscles bulged tightly in the fight for control.
As Brimstone howled, his wings opened and started to beat lifting him up and off the ground. He fought furiously to break free, but the spell Mulu was using was slowly sapping his strength. He couldn't believe that after all the centuries. All the knights and battles, all the castles and witches and warlocks. He was going to die here in Nightmare, in front of his own cave at the hands of some over confident, self righteous Demon. As he fought, Brimstone got weaker and weaker. All his energy was being slowly siphoned off and sent through the energy beam back to the Demon. Mulu laughed as he pulled and struck out at Brimstone. Long welts appeared on the dragons face and everywhere else the energy whip hit him. Brimstone didn't know how much more he could take. His only chance now for survival was to give in to the Demon and accept him as his master. Maybe sometime in the future, the Demon would make a mistake and Brimstone would find a way to be free and take his revenge.
Dropping down, Brimstone folded his wings to his back and bowed his head at the Demons feet. As Mulu stared down at the dragon, it looked up into his eyes then shifted into the form of a Hyenan like Mulu only smaller and with horns.
"You win." Brimstone said with blazing eyes. "I will serve you. I know what it is that you are searching for. It is to late, the star is now beyond your reach. But I know where there are others"
"And you will take me to it?"
"I live only to serve the great Mulu Aim." Brimstone bowed with an evil glint in his dragon eye. "There is one problem. I am a citizen of Nightmare." Brimstone said as he stood up to face Mulu. "I can only exist in dreams. I don't have the power to leave here without the lord of Nightmares permission. Unless of course you are planning on killing him and setting me free from here."
"Your Nightmare god means nothing to me." Mulu sneered. "If I want you free from this dark place, I will bring you out. Stand back."
Mulu turned and walked out away from Brimstone then turned back to him and raised his hands.

FROM NIGHTMARE TO DREAM.
FROM DARK INTO LIGHT.
WITH POWER EXTREME.
I MAKE YOU MY KNIGHT.
RISE UP FROM THIS PLACE.
AND ANSWER MY CALL
FROM HERE TO MY SPACE.
TO MAKE MY ENEMIES FALL.

As Mulu's dark magic swirled and took hold of Brimstone, he roared and lifted up into the air then disappeared. Mulu howled out his insane laugh, crossed his arms and was gone. Seconds later there was a flash in Nightmare and a woman dressed in dark robes stood outside of Brimstone's cave. She walked to the entrance and called out to the dragon. There was no answer. She lifted her hand to her mouth and whistled. Out of the darkness, a lone bat flew down to perch on her shoulder.
"Where is Brimstone?"
The bat squealed and chattered something in her ear. It was one simple word. Demon.
"What Demon dared to come to Nightmare and steal from me?" The robed woman shouted. "Someone will pay for this transgression. No one steals from me!"

In a flash of light, Astan, Palas, Goren, and his warriors appeared in the forest of Starspeak. The Gorillas all fell to the ground dizzy and nauseous from the magical transport. As their stomachs settled and they looked up into the tree's, Palas gasped. There was smoke rising from  the burned out forest.
"By Alee no!!" Palas cried as he leaped into the air and took off toward the burned out Aerie. Goren sat there dazed not quite understanding what had upset Palas. He looked around then stood up and took two careful steps.
"Where are we?" He asked as he rubbed his eyes to clear them. Astan came over and helped him over to where Beno lay.
"We're in the mountains of Ayss." He said. "You're feeling the affects of transports, It'll started to fade away in just a minute, but we don't have a lot of time. You have to organize your warriors to get us moving. Igoro could be here soon."
Goren shook his head then looked at Astan.
"I'm OK now." He got up and called his warriors over. One by one each warrior got up on his feet and staggered over to where Beno lay with Goren at his side. "Where would you suggest we go? With Palas gone, we have no where to go."
"Maybe I can find us some help." Astan said as he sat down and crossed his legs in a lotus position. "Palas and his people worshiped Alee, the sun god. Could be there's a temple somewhere near here and just maybe Alee might be in a mood to favor us today."
"Are you serious?" Goren laughed. "You really believe in that nonsense? Rimnar, Saila, Alee and Tyree? None of that is real. It was all made up by a bunch of ancient elders to keep us in line."
"Are you sure of that?" He looked Goren deep in his eyes. "There are a lot of things in Aspana that only the presence of a god can explain. Don't be so quick to rule out their presence, they could be our only chance at defeating Mulu and Igoro."
"Bah!!" Goren spit to the side. "Only a strong arm and a quick mind will win the day for us. No god is going to reach down and hand help us. Do not waste your time with prayers. It will not help us."
Just then there was a bright flash from over head. Astan and Goren looked up as a bank of clouds moved from in front of the sun and a single ray of sunlight shined down on Beno. As they sat there watching, a beautiful dove flew down to land next to Beno and shifted into a handsome man with golden blond hair and gold armor. Goren's mouth dropped open as he stared at the god of the sun. He reached over and put his hand on Beno's chest and filled him with his healing power. Beno groaned as his wounds sealed and knitted themselves back together. In seconds he was completely healed. Alee looked up at them and smiled.
"Don't be so quick to doubt those ancient elders." Alee said as he began to fade. "We are real and we are watching. All hope is not lost. Keep fighting, you can still win the day."
As Beno opened his eyes, Alee disappeared. He sat up and looked at Goren.
"Cousin? Where am I? What happened?"
"I'm not quite sure." The Gorilla said. He helped Beno up on his feet then asked to make sure he was well, then he walked over to where Astan was sitting.
"Was that real?" He asked. "Did we really just see the Fortisan god of the sun?"
"I believe we did." Astan stood up and brushed off the dirt from his pants. "You know what this means? It means there's still hope. Mulu and Igoro can still be beaten if we are careful. But we will have to all fight together. And that means all of Aspana must pull together."
Goren thought for a minute. There really wasn't any choice. Either he joined with Astan and the Avians or he could sit back and watch as his father gave his people over to that damned Hyenan. Then slavery would be the least of Aspana's problems.
"We will fight at your side." Goren said as he reached out to shake Astan's hand. "May the Gods be with us."
"With luck." Astan said. "I think they are. Now let's go find Palas and the rest of his people. They may need our help."

A Lady Falls. 10

There was a scream in the distance as Astan opened his eyes. He looked out to the cell across from his and saw that Palas was still sleeping. He would have to wake him for it was midnight, that means Goren's warrior should soon be there. Astan got up and went over to the cell door and looked out. Down at the end of the corridor there was a guard post where Ghir, one of Igoro's most sadistic guards kept watch. Ghir loved to torture and beat on the prisoners. Occasionally he would come down and tease the inmates. His favorite toy was his shock staff. He would wait until the prisoner was sound asleep, then he would come into their cell and put the staff to them. Sending 50,000 volts into their sleeping body. Astan had watched as the guard did this to two prisoners in the cells just down from him. He would laugh and kick the stunned prisoner from his cot after shocking him. When he moved up toward his cell, Astan sent a spark to wake Palas and moved to the door to keep watch on him. The guard would sneer at them and move on to his next victim.
With Palas sleeping, Astan sent his spark into the Avians cell to energize and wake him. Palas woke up feeling good. He sat up and looked over to the Tigaren's cell. Astan put his finger to his lips then his ear and pointed down the corridor. Someone was coming.
Dressed in Domina green, Beno entered the guard room. Ghir sat leaning back in a chair tossing small bones at a cup against the wall. He looked up when Beno stepped in.
"Who are you?" He said. "You're not Geston. He's supposed to relieve me."
"I don't know." Beno shrugged. "Maybe he's sick. All I know is I was told to come here and relieve you."
"I don't know you." Ghir frowned as he got up and grabbed his flail from the table. "You are not one of the dungeon guards. Who are you? Who sent you here?"
Beno knew the captain of the city guards name was Enes Tur, but it would do him no good. Ghir was already up and coming at him. Quickly Beno grabbed his mace caught the flails first strike. Ghir pulled back and swung again aiming for Beno's head. Beno dived to the side, turned and hit Ghir in his ribs. Grunting in pain, Ghir pulled a dagger and swung wild at Beno. The dagger sliced at the leather covering Beno's arm leaving a long scar. Beno leaped at Ghir batting the flail aside and sent a hammering fist at Ghir's jaw. They fell wrestling to the ground rolling through the room. Ghir stabbed at Beno's side sinking the blade in deep. Grabbing his hand, Beno pulled the dagger out and the two gorillas fought for control of it. With the dagger held in both their hands, the gorillas struggled back and forth. With a quick knee up into Ghir's groin, the guard lost his breath and the dagger slipped and stabbed him in the throat. Beno covered Ghir's mouth to keep his death scream silent.
As Beno lay there exhausted, he took a deep breath and pushed Ghir's body off of him. He sat up and put his hand to the wound in his side. It was bleeding very badly. But he didn't have time for that. He still had to get to Prince Astan and get him free.
Pushing himself up, Beno staggered out into the corridor to the cells and hurried down to Astan's cell. Astan was standing at the door watching the hall. Beno took the keys from his belt and fit one into locked door.
"My name is Beno." He said as he pulled the door open. "Goren sent me here to get you."
"Myumbo Beno." Astan stepped out of his cell. "My thanks warrior for the save. Now we have to open all these cells and get the prisoners out."
"I'm afraid you're going to have to do that on your own." Beno collapsed and fell to the floor. "I think I'm done."
Astan knelt down to his side and helped him to take off his breastplate. Blood still ran heavy from the wound in his side.
"This looks bad."
"It's OK." Beno smiled. "You are almost free. All you have to do is follow this hall down and make a right. There is a gate that leads into the city's sewers. That is the way out. If you hurry you can make it before the guards come down to check these cells."
"No." Astan said. "Not without you. We leave all together or not at all. Now that I'm free from that cell, your father can't sap my magic."
Astan took the key and opened Palas cell door and pushed it open. Palas stepped out of his cell eager to finally escape captivity. He stretched out his arms and flexed his cramped wings and quietly shut the cell door.
"We should hurry. There is not much time."
"Yes." Astan said. He passed Palas the key then bent down to help Beno. "Open every cell. Free as many as you can. I'll take Beno. He can lead us out of here."
Palas nodded and hurried off to start opening cells. With Beno down, Astan looked down at the stab wound in his side. Blood still seeped slowly out and the gorilla looked very pale and weak. Astan had studied healing at home with Tinpa's palace healer, but he was never really good at it. He placed his hand on the wound and closed his eyes to concentrate. A warm glow spread out and into Beno and the bleeding stopped. Slowly the wound started to pull itself together until there was only a big scar there. He wasn't quite healed, but this would hold him hopefully until they could get out and find someone more qualified at healing. Astan helped him up on his feet. Beno put his hand to his side and winced from the pain.
"The bleeding." He looked at Astan in surprise. "You stopped it!"
"It's not healed." Astan said. "But it will hold until we can get out of here."
All up and down the cell block, Palas went opening cell doors. Prisoners staggered out of the darkness of their cells and into the open corridors for the first time. Unarmed, they lurched about the halls looking for a way out of this gloomy hell. When they spotted Ghir's body, some took out their revenge on him with a quick kick as they passed. Others having suffered his torture and the touch of his shock staff, jumped on him and tore his body to pieces.
With escape on their minds, they all scattered running and limping down through the dungeon looking for a way out. It wasn't long before they ran into the rest of the dungeon guards and the battle was on. They were like hungry animals on the attack. Igoro's small guard force was overwhelmed and out matched in no time as they went from section to section opening cells. Soon the whole dungeon was in an uproar.
With Beno's arm around his shoulder, Astan carried him back the way he had come in. They found the sewer grate and managed to slip in unnoticed. Palas squawked and complain about the muddy water and the cramped tunnel, but this was much easier then fighting their way through the dungeon. As they made their way out of the tunnel. Astan stopped, He suddenly had a screaming feeling they had to move. Astan pushed Beno to Palas and erected a shield of magic around them just as a bolt came from out of the back of the bathhouse.
"GET DOWN!!" Astan stepped out projecting his shield behind him. As Palas grabbed Beno and ducked, bolts of crimson energy flashed down and hammered at the Astan's shield. Astan held strong as six Gorillas, five warriors and a mage came charging from the bath house. It seemed their escape hadn't gone as unnoticed as they thought. Palas laid Beno down behind Astan and launched himself into the air. He soared up over the trees and circled around then dived down at the incoming Gorillas. Bared handed, the Avian dived down to bowl right through the charging Gorillas knocking them all aside then turned back up into the air. Like pins, the Gorillas fell, but they didn't stay down for long. Soon they were back on their feet shaking off the attack.
Astan raised his left hand and shot out a blast through his shield at the lead Gorilla hitting him in the chest and taking him down. The mage dived down and came back up with his hands raised and ready to fight.
"Stop the Tigaren!" The mage yelled as he fired his bolt. "Don't let him get away!!"
Beno tried to get up and fight, but Astan grabbed the mace from him and pushed him back down.
"Palas could use this."
 Astan whispered a quick spell, then threw the mace up into the air. The mace soared up then turned to match Palas's flight angle and went directly to his hand. With a weapon in his hand, Palas circled then dived down swinging the mace down and braining two more Gorillas. As they fell, Palas came down to land beside Astan. He closed his wings on his back stood ready to fight at Astan's side.
"There is no escape." The mage said. "Soon Igoro will be here and then you will have met your match. You cannot beat my masters magic."
"He won't have too." Said a voice from behind the mage. Quickly the mage turned raising his hands to blast whoever had managed to sneak up behind him, but it was too late as something hit him on his head. Beside him, spears were thrust forward into the backs of the last two warriors, As they fell, Goren ran out and grabbed his cousin Beno. He quickly checked his wounds, then waved over his warriors to carry him. With Beno taken care of, he turned to Astan.
"We have to go." He said. "He's right. My father will be here in just a few minutes and Beno needs to see a healer. We should be gone out of Domina before he arrives."
"What about Mulu?" Astan asked.
"Father sent a runner for him the day you arrived in Domina. He said he would be here today at noon. That gives us three hours."
"Then we should hurry." Astan said. "Do you know someplace safe where we can go? Your cousin needs a better healer than me and Palas and I still need rest to recharge our strength."
"We can moved deeper in the jungle." Goren said. "That would make it harder for them to find us and I can send for a healer."
"We could go back to my mountain." Palas suggested. "Tyree will watch over us."
"Ayss is far enough away." Astan said. "Igoro is not really that familiar with its peaks and valleys, We should find it easier to defend than the jungle."
"But can you get us all there?" Goren asked. "Me, you and all my warriors?"
"We have new choice." Astan said. "Gather your warriors. We leave in two minutes."
Goren when to call his warriors together while Astan sat and talked with Palas.
"Palas, you will be my reference to guide my spell. Think of somewhere on the mountain where we can go. Get a clear picture in your mind and hold on to it."
"I know just the place." Palas smiled. "There is a valley not far from the Aerie where I go to hunt. It has caves and we could defend it well if we have too. My people will help as will Tyree."
"I'm not so sure about Tyree helping us." Astan said. "But if you believe in him, I guess it can't hurt. It is time. We have to go now,"
Astan gathered Goren and all of his warriors together on the side of the bathhouse and had them stand in a circle around him. Palas come in and stood next to Astan. As he closed his eyes to concentrate, tiny flecks of magic sparkled all around the group. Astan reached out and put his hand on Palas's shoulder and spoke his spell.

FROM HERE TO THERE.
IN DARKNESS AND LIGHT.
FROM NOW TO THEN.
AND THEN OUT OF SIGHT.
WITH NO OPPOSITION.
WITH PEACE IN MIND.
TAKE US TO AYSS.
LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

As Astan spread his arms. light flickered all around them as the spell took hold and they vanished from the Gorilla city. Once they were gone, the Gorilla mage woke and opened his eyes. He sat up and looked at the dead warriors scattered around outside of the bathhouse. The Tigaren was gone and so was that traitor Goren and his warriors. Igoro would not be pleased with this development, but maybe he knew a way to trace the magic the Tigaren had used. Then he could go and return them to their cells.
Getting up on his feet, the Gorilla mage dusted off his robes and turned back into the city. He prayed Igoro didn't take his anger out on him.

From Basolos, Sakura moved his group north back across the savanna to avoid having to go anywhere near Mancoro and the Hyenans then south into Gondakor. From there they climbed Mount Vazu and headed into Gorilla country. The Pumen had warned them that the country around Domina was a very dangerous place with poisonous spiders and many other hidden dangers. Sakura had no idea what he meant by that, but he would brave the Underworld if he had to, to bring Astan home safe.
The Mancoro forest was dark and loud with the sounds of the wild life that lived and hunted there. They could hear the sound of frogs croaking and crickets chirping and the occasional growl of something on the attack as they walked. Dar'yl kept his ears and eyes open for the slightest movement or footsteps to be ready for any attack. Sky and Quynn followed carefully, ready to fight at a moments notice. Sakura watched the rear to keep their retreat safe. Dar'yl saw small monkeys high up in the trees as they ran to hide from their advance, Many snakes and birds watched them as they passed. Quynn wondered if they could be there to watch out for any invaders trying to sneak in through the jungle. He hoped not, because that would mean they had lost the surprise and the Gorillas knew they were coming.
As they made their way through the jungle, eyes peeked out from behind trees and under bushes. Dark hungry eyes that watched every step they took. They darted from tree to tree never allowed them to get more then ten steps away. Dar'yl heard a sudden rustle in the undergrowth and  turned pulling his sword free from its scabbard.
"What is it?" Shy asked looked around.
"I thought I heard something." The Lion said. He walked back a few paces and scanned around the jungle then up in the trees. He didn't see anything, but his warrior senses told him there was something dangerous here. Keeping his eyes on the jungle, Dar'yl went back to the others. Sakura stopped him on his way back.
"Jittery old friend?" Sakura smiled. "Is there trouble?"
"No." Dar'yl said as he still watched the jungle. "It's just my nerves. Feeling a bit jumpy being so close to Mancoro and Domina."
"Well keep it strong." Sakura said. "We'll be getting a lot closer that this."
"I think the city is that way." Dar'yl pointed west. Sakura looked west. All he saw was the dense jungle.
"Why west?" He asked. "What makes you think west? It could be anywhere in this jungle."
"Do you see the birds there above those hills?"
"Yes." Sakura said gazing out at the hills in the distance. "I see them. So?"
"Those are pigeons." Sky said. "They live only in and near cities. They won't come into the jungle. To many predators."
"Exactly." Said Dar'yl. "We head west."
"And then what?" Quynn asked. "What are we going to do once we find this city?"
"Then we go find Astan." Sakura said. "I know he's here somewhere. I can feel his presence."
"Can you tell where he was?" Sky asked. " I mean isn't there a trail that we can follow?"
Sakura looked at each one of them with bright eyes as if he had just hit on an idea.
"I never thought of that." He said. "There should be some kind of mental trail here for me to follow. Something of his should be here."
"If there is." Sky gave him a confident nod. "You can find it. All you have to do is look for it with your heart."
Sakura closed his eyes and looked back to the day in Tinpa when he met his handsome mate. He was lunching in a small cafe in the west side of the city when the most amazing Tigaren walking into the cafe. This was the day his whole life changed. That was the day he found love. Sakura remembered his time showing Astan the ways of the warrior with the sword and shield. He taught him how to protect himself and fight against enemies while Astan showed him the real way to use magic. He remembered their days exploring Tinpa and the Tigaren countryside and their nights alone making love in the cabin in Naraya. The feel of Astan's hands on him when he touched and caressed his body.
The excitement and passion they both felt when they made love through the long Aspana nights.
With Astan on his mind, Sakura felt a warm rush of blood flow through his body and his groin as he opened his eyes and looked around scanning the jungle for any trace of Astan. As he searched he saw a glowing trail that led in through the thick growth of the jungle. Walking out and over to the trail, Sakura stooped down and touched the glow. The second he touched it, he knew it Astan had been there, This had to be the way he was taken through the jungle.
"Follow me. I knew the way to the Gorilla city."

It was late in the evening as Shauri paced back and forth through the study in Goren's house. Goren and Beno were late. They were supposed to be back from the dungeons with the Tigaren three hours ago and so far, she hadn't heard anything from either of them. Has the rescue been a success? Or were they both not trapped along with Astan in the dungeon? She was worried about both her cousins. She knew what Igoro would do to them if they were caught. It didn't matter that both of them were apart of Igoro's family. If he caught them, he wouldn't bother with trials or any kind of judgments. He would simply have them both cut and tied to stakes in the jungle to be eaten alive.
As she tried to calm herself, Shauri went to the small wood burning store and put a iron kettle on to heat some water for a cup of Ginger root tea. From her cupboard she had out a wooden cup and a small metal sieve for her tea leaves. As the water broiled, Shauri place the leaves in the sieve and took it over to the stove to add to the kettle of hot water. Just then, there was a loud knock at the door.
Shauri dropped the sieve and ran to the door hoping to find Goren and Beno there. She was anxious to learn what had happened during the rescue. She reached out and grabbed the handle of the door and pulled it open.
"Goren." She cried. "What took you so..."
"I am sorry to disappointed you my dear." Igoro said with a evil smile. "But Goren will not be returning tonight."
"Igoro!" She stepped back as he pushed his way into the house. "My lord. What brings you here to my humble home?"
"I'm here to take a trader into custody." Igoro said as two warriors stepped in to stand on each side of Shauri.  "You my lovely niece. I know you, Goren and Beno helped the Tigaren to escape. Don't try to deny it and insult my intelligence."
"Where is Goren?"
"Since you will die tonight, I will tell you. They escaped. Probably to Ayss with the Tigarn and the Avian. But don't worry, I will get him back you trader."
"We are not traders." She said looking Igoro in his eyes. "It is you that betrayed the trust of the Hominid people of Aspana. You and that beast you plan to give the people to Mulu Amin. You know as well as I do that he will destroy Aspana. He will ravage the land and turn our people into slaves of his Hyenans. How can you do this to us? How can you throw away the home that we all fought so hard to establish?"
"I'm not throwing away anything!!" Igoro yelled back at her as he kicked out at the table in the kitchen. "I am the master of this land and Mulu be damned!! It is I that created the slave market here and made us so prosperous. Me!! I put the gold of many kingdoms into our hands. It was me that turned Domina from a dirty mud hollow into the magnificent city it is. My ships sail and sell these peasants all up and down the two coast across the sea."
"And you think we should be proud of that?" Shauri screamed back at him. "Slavery instead of honest work and trade? This is not what the people want! This is not the way of honor and you know it!!"
"I care not about honor!" He stepped forward and smacked her across the face knocking her to the floor. "I care only for conquest and I will take everything and make all the world my slave! Take her! She dies tonight!!"
"Kill me if you want." Shauri said as she was pulled to her feet and dragged out. "But at least I will die fighting for freedom with a clear and honest conscious. You, you will die in the mud as a trader to all of Aspana! Goren will return, and when he comes back he will have the Tigarens and the Pantherens at his side."
"Let them come!" Igoro shouted after her. "I will crush them into the mud! This is my kingdom and I will let no one deny me my right!"

From her house, Shauri was dragged through the muddy streets to the center of town. As she moved, a warrior walked along calling out to wake up all the people of Domina. Like scared sheep they all came out to watch as she was degraded and beaten. A young male ran out to Shauri to help her. In a flash, Igoro sent a small bolt of energy at the boys back striking him down. A guard kicked the young Gorillas body out of their way like he was nothing. Females cried as the males kept silent afraid that anything they said would anger the lord of Domina into more retribution.
Once in the city center, Shauri was chained to one of the slave blocks and thrown to the ground. The crowd around her moved a bit closer to watch. Igoro roared and parted the crowd as he made his way to the slave pens and the slave block. He walked around her laying in the mud with her head down.
"There's no one here to help you." He said. "Goren is gone, so is that small minded one Beno. You will die alone."
"No!" Someone called from the crowd. "She is not alone."
A warrior stepped out of line and walked out to stand beside her. He went to the well and drew a ladle of water and fed it to Shauri.
"I will stand with her." He said boldly.
"So will I. Said another warrior.
"And I." Two more stepped out of line to stand with them.
"Me too!!"
"And I"
Soon there was more than ten warriors standing at Shauri's side. Igoro looked at them with rage.
"Traders!!" He screamed. "You are all weak fools!"
"We may be weak." Shauri said as they helped her up. "But we have honor in our hearts and that is something you will never have."
"Then you will all die!!"
Igoro raised his hands and blasted the crowd at the slave block. Bolts of green energy ripped out from his hands blasted all the warriors leaving only Shauri still standing. The crowd cried out in horror as the Gorillas died but no one moved a muscle to try and help.
"You my dear will not die so easily." Igoro stepped down to face Shauri. "You will die alone in the jungle. You will be staked out, cut and left to be fed on by the wild things in the jungle."
Before Shauri could say another word, Igoro hit her again and knocked her out. He walked back to his warriors.
"Take her away, and bring me back one of her pretty little hands and her head as a trophy."

The jungle was quiet as Sakura led them in towards the Gorillas city. They could see the gate and the high towers through the jungle from where they were. It wasn't as richly fashioned as Tinpa or Atrua. It was nothing like Winterhaven or New Keanna or even Vasagi and its great wall and Valkar's handsome new manor house. Domina wasn't as fancy or elaborately built as Atrua or any of the Taggitia cities. It had been built by the clever hands of Orangutan builders. It was charming and efficient, but it was nothing like the great work of the northern Elves and fairy's. It didn't have the Taggitia magic touch like Eventide or Dree.
The city was built of brick with a steel frame underneath. They had a few high towers but most of the buildings were only 2  and 3 stories. There were rich gardens that were really beautiful full of exotic multi colored flowers and blossoming hanging plants. Sakura could smell their fragrance from where they were.
As they moved closer in towards the city, Sakura stopped suddenly. He turned from side to side listening to the jungle.
"What is it?" Dar'yl asked as he stood there holding his sword..
"I thought I heard something." Sakura looked around the area they were in. The trees were tall and everything was green for miles around them. He sniffed at the air but all he could smell was the rank fur of Gorilla which was strange since there were no Gorilla's around.
"All of you." Sakura ordered. "Spread out. We are not alone here."
Sky and Quynn split up and slipped into the bush to search. Dar'yl followed Sakura, never leaving his side. They searched all around the area until Sky spotted a small clearing hidden behind a huge stand of  evergreens. Pushing his way in through the bushes, Sky stepped in and heard a shrill scream. He ducked and rolled as something swung at him. Sky came up and sent a wave of freezing cold out at his attacker. Standing over him, Sky saw a massive Wolverine with blood around its mouth and on its claws. The Wolverine fell back stunned waving its claws in the air. It shook off Sky's cold and growled at him as it stood ready to charge. Just then Quynn hearing Sky in distress forced his way into the clearing. The Wolverine charged at them. Quynn took a deep breath and blew out a stream of flames that cover the big weasel and scorched it sending it screaming into the forest. As it ran off smoking, Sakura and Dar'yl found their way into the clearing.
"What in Tyree's name was that?"
"One of the locals looking to make a meal out of my Little Bird." Quynn reached down and pulled Sky up on his feet, then checked to make sure he hadn't been hurt. "It won't be back anytime soon."
As Sky dusted off his clothing, he looked down and saw the big heap of bloody fur staked out in the grass.
"Look!" Sky pointed. "There's something here."
"What is it?" Dar'yl asked as they gathered around it. Sakura bent over to check it over and got a big surprise.
"It's a Gorilla!" He said. "A female, and she's hurt."
Dar'yl cut her loose and laid her out so they could try and help her.
"It's really bad." Sakura said. "That cut off her hand and stabbed her. Wrap this around her stump and try to stop the bleeding."
Sky took a strip from her dress and tied it around her missing hand then tried to focus his magic to heal her, but it was to late. Phoenix's had great healing abilities, but this Gorilla had been stabbed, her hand was chopped off and that Wolverine had already started feeding on her. There was nothing he could do. She would die today.
"I'm sorry lady." Sakura said as they propped her up. "There is to much damage. There's nothing we can do to help you. What is your name?"
"It is OK." She looked at them and smiled, Blood ran down from her mouth. "I am Shauri. I die an honorable death. My soul is clean. I will be free from Igoro and Mulu's madness."
"Mulu?" Sakura wiped her mouth. "He and Igoro are in league. That will mean trouble for us all."
"At least my Goren escaped with the Tigaren." Her eyes slowly dimmed and her breathing became really shallow.
"Tigaren? Astan? You saw Astan?  Please lady, where is he? I must find him!"
"A, A, Ayss mountain." She closed her eyes and coughed. "Please, you have to find him. You have to warn him that Igoro is coming. He will find them and kill my beloved Goren, then he will take the Tigaren and give him to Mulu. You must stop them!"
"Don't worry Shauri, we won't let that happen." Sakura assured her. "I will find them and try my best to help Goren and your people if I can."
"Asante." She whispered softly as her last breath escaped from her. Shauri Gomo died there in Sakura's arms. He laid her down and closed his eyes and said a prayer to Tyree and the death goddess Angela.
"She was killed by her own people." Dar'yl said sadly. "What animals. We have to pay this Igoro back for his kindness."
"His day will come." Sakura took a part of her wrap and covered her face then turned to his friends.
"We still have to find Astan. Do you know where the Ayss mountain is?"
"Yes." Dar'yl nodded. "We go south. Its south of here."
"Fine, Igoro will be heading there soon after them. We should try to beat him there. Let's move."