Kaipu

1

A remote village in the Olgârd valley, at the foot of the mountain range.

"So are you prepared for this?" asked a young man with red spiky hair, dressed in his green samurai armour over leather padded vest and black cotton pants.

"I'm prepared for anything." replied a second samurai warrior, scratching his fingers through his jet black hair that just touched his eyebrows. He then flexed his fingers, rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck.

"Good. Because you will not earn your armour if you're not." responded the first warrior.

"Jarek, remind me what was I supposed to do again?" the warrior known as Jarek grinned as he straightened himself from the pillar he was leaning against "I can't tell you, but you'll see soon enough."

"Then why do you look like you're trying to hold a laugh?"

"Because Caiden you have a funny looking face!" chuckled Jarek. Caiden rolled his eyes which his friend elbowed him in the rib "but seriously though, when you go in there, expect the unexpected and you will be fine. I know you can do it, General Zandro could not have chosen a better soldier to be a samuarai."

General Zandro had promoted him to Samurai, which means he will have his own soldiers to command in his village to patrol the streets. But first he must succeed in his initiation in order to receive his samurai armour.

With his fingers wrapped around the ring he knocked once and then a second time, a soft voice invited him in and he pushed the door open just enough for him to slink his way inside the temple.

It was dark inside and the moment the door shut itself closed Caiden was on high alert. He remembered his training; first he must use his senses to find his way out of this dark room, something as hard as wood smacked him on his rump.

Rooky mistake.

From now on he will use his senses and be on his guard.

Out of nowhere a shadow fell in front of him, Caiden avoided all on coming hits; a defence strategy his friend Jarek taught him. In the middle of the do-jo was a podium with two small lit candles resting on its corners.

As he cautiously ventured closer to the podium in the dim light he found a scroll.

Picking up the scroll a strip of paper fell out of it. On the strip of paper he read the words; take me to the roof. Caiden now understood what must be done.

Taking the stairs he made it to the second floor which was dimly lit, he encountered another shadow on this floor that stole the scroll from him and made a run for it. Caiden gave chase but his target had quick reflexes and dodged every effort Caiden made to grab him.

Caiden stopped, changed tactics, estimated the shadow's next move, and outran the shadow confusing his opponent confused and losing the scroll to Caiden in the process.

Caiden took the scroll and ran back to the stairs; he climbed to the third floor.

The third floor had more light compared to the second floor; instead of small candles there were glowing red lanterns that hung from the ceiling of the corridor. So far there were no shadows as Caiden quietly ventured through.

So close to the next set of stairs to take him to the fourth floor; he could not help but find the third floor too easy. When suddenly another shadow jumped down from the ceiling and made to grab the scroll .Caiden blocked the shadow from grabbing it.

The shadow made to attack him, Caiden blocked, dodged and counter-attacked as best he could but his opponent was his equal and soon the two became tangled as they tackled each other – bursting into an empty room.

As Caiden was starting to gain the upper hand in the struggle his opponent, he suddenly vanished.

Caiden blinked a few times in astonishment, he would have run after the shadow but thought better to deliver the scroll first. Inspecting the empty room for a moment he found a step ladder in the far corner of the room leading to a trap door in the ceiling. Curious he climbed up the step ladder, opened the trap door.

As he peered his head into the brightly lit open rooftop he was greeted with a roar of approval. Caiden was taken aback for clearly this was not what he had expected.

"Way a go Caiden!" cheered Jarek who stood amongst the other samurai warriors.

"As you can see this was all part of your initiation." said General Zandro dressed in his fine indigo vest and grey pants, stuck his hand out to Caiden. Zandro's luminous purple eyes shone in the light of the lanterns though his features were sharp and his posture bespoke high authority, his tone was soft and friendly.

Caiden obligingly handed the scroll over to the general who tucked it away in his vest; he placed both hands on Caiden's shoulders and said "congratulations you are a samurai." and with that all the samurai men cheered in unison chanting Caiden's name a few times.

.

2

At the rise of dawn a harpy eagle landed on a windowsill of a hut.

With one azure eye open Silvia stretched as she yawned. She threw the blanket off. There was a peck at the bedroom window, she knew who it was and walked across her bedroom pulled back the curtains and opened the window.

She smiled when she saw the harpy eagle resting on the window sill "hello handsome. What have you been up to?" Silvia spoke to the bird whilst stroking its soft feathers.

There was a knock on her door and her brother's voice followed "Silvia is you awake?"

"I am." She quickly stood up trying to close the curtains to hide the eagle.

Caiden entered her room fully dressed in his samurai armour, save for his helm which he held under one arm "you're not even dressed yet and Miss Shana will be here soon." he sighed.

"You look like a real warrior." she complimented him.

"Thank you." he approached her and Silvia took a step back hoping he had not seen the bird behind her.

""What are you hiding?" he asked with a playful grin creeping on the side of his mouth.

Silvia who was not prepared to yield to her older brother said "nothing. Aren't you going to be late for your first day?" she tried to change the subject.

"I wouldn't have to be if you move away from the window." and without warning he pulled her aside "Caiden! It's my bedroom I can do what I want." She yelled. Caiden found the harpy eagle perched on the windowsill that tilted its head to the left and blinked twice as if trying to profile the young samurai.

Caiden scared it off by waving his arm in the air and screaming at it, the eagle took off from the windowsill and flew away.

"Why would you do that!" cried Silvia.

"How many times have I told you to not speak to those beasts." he raised his voice in annoyance.

"They are not beasts! They are intelligent creatures, and I can talk to them if I want to." She sulked.

Irritated Caiden sighed "they are just animals Silvia; they don't understand what you say."

"Yes they can, just as I can understand them." She argued.

Caiden pinched the bridge of his nose "they cannot understand you Silvia," when Silvia opened her mouth to object he raise his hand to silence her "let's just leave it at that please. And that sounds like Miss Shana downstairs, and you need to get dress." he made his way towards the door and stopped in the doorway "if anyone finds you talking to animals they will think you mad and the authorities will throw you in a cage." he said.

"But you are the authorities." she pointed out.

"Yes I am. But so is General Zandro."

Silvia folded her arms across her chest and moaned in frustration, she didn't care what people thought of her.

But Caiden who was only eight years older than her tends to act like a dictator; constantly telling her what she can and cannot do. She sighed as dug through her cupboard to find her favourite teal kimono with a blossoming tree imprinted on the side of the kimono.

3

Caiden had already given his soldiers their orders for the day; he had sent out a small patrol group to cover his neck of the woods and two to stand watch outside the bank. It was a quiet day on their side of the city, but that was if you were just a parole officer or a watchman as a samurai that was only the first task completed for the day – and the day was not over yet.

Afterwards Caiden rode on his cougah bear; a steed the height of a bear but has the features of a wild feline and the paws of a bear. He gave his cougah bear a good scratch on the head before saddling it; he slipped his helmet on before climbing into the saddle "let's go Kuma." he squeezed his heels into Kuma's ribs and the beast leapt out of the stables with each stride as wide as five feet.

Kuma growled at the locals to warn of his coming as he jogged down the streets with Caiden sitting high and mighty in the saddle on his way to the samurai temple situated in the very heart of the city. He cursed silently for he knew he was running late, that morning he had made his own men wait ten minutes for him and now he was an extra five minutes late because he used the extra time to make sure the soldiers knew what was expected of them and to give clear but specific instructions to the watchmen.

He spurred his cougahbear to go faster; from an upbeat jog to a flat run which crowds of people had to disperse to make way for the samurai and his ferocious cougahbear.

With the temple in sight, Kuma charged down the street not stopping for anything as if he had his eyes locked on a prey and refuse to give up the chase.

When they had reached the stables he dismounted his cougahbear on the trot.

"Stable boy!" Caiden summoned a boy of ten "see that my cougahbear is given fresh water and food." the boy took the reins leading a tired Kuma to a stall.

"Caiden, how many times do I have to call you? Do you know how late you are?" Jarek exclaimed.

"My apologies friend, but I was a little busy this morning." Caiden lengthen his stride with Jarek matching pace. "We all were busy this morning, but it's no excuse to be late. General Zandro thought it best to send an escort to fetch you, but I told him you were a little sore from last night and would be here shortly."

Caiden's eye grew large in shock as they walked in, his pace slowed allowing Jarek to take the lead "that's what General Zandro told us half an hour ago, you can't risk your own life to wait for the other to come, you must press on."

"…and so the emperor will arrive in five days' time "said general Zandro when he spotted the young men entering the room. Caiden didn't slow down in time and knocked Jarek over who stumbled into a decorative gong "and that his arrival would be more graceful." added Zandro.

All eyes fell on the pair who quickly steadied the gong trying to cease its sound. Some of the other samurai tried to stifle a laugh while others looked annoyed but the general kept his expression blank.

"As I was saying the emperor will arrive in five days' time for a visit, so I want everything to be in order when he arrives and throughout his stay."

4

"Silvia would you be a dear and help me pack the picnic basket." called Miss Shana, from the kitchen as she just finished packing two bowls of noodle stew into a basket, securing the lid so the stew would not spill.

Silvia entered the kitchen , she sighed deeply when she saw the picnic basket "don't tell me we are having a picnic." she moaned, tucking a strand of pink hair behind her ear.

"I thought you love going for picnics, especially to take a walk through the valley. You love being in the great outdoors." Miss Shana wiped her hands on the apron she wore.

"I just don't feel like going out today." explained Silvia.

"Well it's a lovely day and I wouldn't want you to miss it. Besides I thought we could see who could spot the most animals while we eat beside the river pool." The river pool was Silvia's favourite spot for it was the spot her parents fell in love with each other and being there had always made her feel closer to them.

"I guess we could go, since it's a nice day and all." she packed a few sweet cakes into the basket which the old lady must've baked the night before.

The picnic basket packed and the two ladies ready to face the day set out the back door, and stepping off the porch and closing the latch of the gate they embarked on their walk through the valley.

"Isn't it beautiful Silvia." panted Shana brushing a strand of grey hair out of her face, despite being old she was fit for her age. Silvia took a sip of water from her canteen, whilst admiring the shimmering river pool on the edge of a cliff.

It was a gradual climb before they had reached the river pool it was enclosed by the surrounding pine trees save for the open view of Kaipú over the precipice.

"Miss Shana should we set up here?" asked Silvia putting her canteen away.

The two spread out the blanket, Silvia set the basket down and took out the noodle stew. Miss Shana blew on the spoon before inserting it into her mouth, Silvia on the other hand soaked it all in; the wind rustling the leaves, the birds singing – or were singing – Silvia had the spoon in lined with her dust rose lips and listened to what the birds were chanting, Saber-tooth lygers on the prowl.

Pack of saber-tooth lygers!

Saber-tooth lygers come near.

"Everything alright?" asked the old lady, noticing that Silvia had held the spoon to her mouth but not taken a sip of the stew.

"Hmm? Oh everything is fine." Silvia realised she had been too focused on what the birds were chirping about. She took two sips of the noodle stew before she thought of the lygers that were heading their way, but she shrugged it off thinking they must be returning to their den further up the mountain.

She took a bite of a sugar powdered pastry alongside a breath-taking view and the calmness of the river pool behind them as they faced the city of Kaipú.

Silvia stopped in mid-bite into her sweet cake when a calico squirrel that scampered up a branch said pack of lygers. Pack of lygers, and human cubs. Lygers and human cubs come this way. Silvia learnt that sometimes the forest animals warn each other of oncoming danger, but what she could not wrap her head around was the 'human cubs', what had the calico squirrel meant by it?

Miss Shana had not taken notice of her sudden reaction and she quickly finished her sweet cake "Miss Shana I'm going to explore by the river pool if that's okay." she said standing up.

"Alright dear, but don't wander too far." responded Miss Shana already shoving her second sweet cake into her mouth.

"Calico squirrel, what did you mean human cubs?" she asked looking up the tree.

The squirrel scurried halfway down the tree and sat on a nearby branch giving her sideway glance. I saw lygers carrying human cubs past this way, up to their den atop the mountain.

"You mean children?" Silvia asked again.

If that's what humans refer their cubs as, then yes.

Saber-tooth lygers are not potentially dangerous to humans unless provoked; she wondered if there was something she could do. "Do you know where I can find them, the lygers I mean?" the squirrel nodded and dashed across the branch and leapt to another branch from another tree this way you follow. Silvia did not think what Shana might say but helping those children was far more important than adhering to any rule.

So she climbed up the mountain trying to keep pace with the calico squirrel that leapt from branch to branch. Every now and then the squirrel stopped and looked back at her to check if she was still there.

Eventually they had caught up with the pack; the calico squirrel jumped down from the tree and sat on her shoulder. "I don't see any children with them." Silvia pointed out. Not safe, must go now, we go back.

"No not yet, I still want to know where the children are."

Silvia approached the pack, they had picked up her scent and one of them turned to face her, the lyger growled in warning you are trespassing. Turn back now or face the consequences.

"I heard you had children with you, I only came for them if you let them go." Silvia pleaded.

We had them but they would not stop their crying…

Yes we took the cubs from the human den but it is the humans who had hunted down our cubs and so we returned the favour. A male lyger had made his way to the fore interrupting the female lyger.

"I'm sorry about your cubs, but, where are the children now?"

We let them go; their crying was too much for our ears…you speak to us unlike other humans.

So the rumours are true then, not all great diviners are gone.

Before Silvia could ask her what a great diviner was, she heard the sound of cougahbears not far from where they stood. Something comes this way. The calico squirrel scurried down her backside and up a pine tree to investigate samurai! Samurai on cougahbears come this way.

The saber-tooth lygers had already fled to the safety of their den hidden somewhere amongst the brush, Silvia thought it best to flee the scene she picked up her kimono and jogged on her tiptoes trying to move as fast as she could along the uneven terrain.

She tripped over a stone and skidded down the bank only to stop right in front of a cougahbear. The beast twitched its whiskers and snorted in her face. Silvia looked up at the rider staring unpleasantly at her, "don't you know cougahbears can eat an animal twice your size, so unless you want to be lunch, move out of the way." he said dryly, his cougahbear giving a hollow growl.

"What you find there, Samson?" called out a familiar voice, one that Silvia wished she had not heard.

"Just a girl." the samurai responded without taking his eyes off of Silvia.

"Is she pretty?" called a third samurai.

"Better come see for yourself." Samson replied.

5

"Silvia?!" exclaimed Caiden as he and Jarek arrived followed by a third samurai.

Silvia averted her gaze downwards feeling belittled, the samurai who had kept her exchanged glances between her and Caiden "you know this girl?" he asked.

"That's his sister, Silvia." answered Jarek for Caiden didn't seem to hear the question.

"What are you doing out here?" Caiden asked in a steady voice.

"Errr…" before Silvia could explain more samurais approached the scene; one dressed in black armour came to the fore and asked Samson what had happened.

"I think the rookie could answer this one." Samson replied he hadn't even removed his staff away from Silvia who still sat there unflinching.

"General Zandro this is my sister, who should be with her care taker and not out here alone." he said glaring at his sister. Zandro then turned his attention to Silvia, his expression unexpectedly jovial "Samson put away your staff, the child is frightened enough." Samson obeyed and removed his staff from the spot he had implanted it.

"Dear girl may you please tell us what you're doing out here on your own." the general's tone somewhat soft and polite yet at the same time it was a command that she could not refuse.

"My care taker and I decided to go for a walk to the river pool." She answered trying to regulate her breathing. Why am I so nervous! She thought.

"Where is Miss Shana?" Caiden demanded.

"By the river pool, I told her I wanted to explore for a bit."

"Shit Silvia! You should not have wandered on your own like that, do you know what beasts are out here." now it was Silvia's turn to be embarrassed. She wished she could curl up inside a shell.

"Be calm Caiden, she hasn't heard of the news. Don't be so harsh on her; she is your family after all." said Zandro stepping in her defence. Caiden could not believe that his general would take her side, and though he hated being in the wrong he quietly accepted it but Silvia could see the flames burning in his eyes.

"Miss, are you aware that a pack of lygers have taken children out of the city?" Zandro looked at Silvia with a calm expression. Silvia only shook her head. She knew her brother would be furious for even coming out into the woods knowing it would be dangerous, and even more so if she had said she was told by the wild felines themselves.

"The den cannot be far now. As soon as you see one kill it." instructed general Zandro, "then perhaps, Caiden you should take –"

"Wait!" Silvia interrupted, finally standing up, dusting dirt off her kimono. The general raised an eyebrow at her while Caiden shared a similar expression "if it's the children you are looking for, I saw a group of them playing just outside the city."

"We didn't see any children along the way." muttered a samurai beside the general.

"Are you sure of what you seen Silvia?" questioned Caiden.

"I am." She said carefully.

"Then if they are near the city we should round them up and take them home. But I think we should escort this young lady back to her caretaker first." Zandro went on.

Caiden helped his sister climb into the saddle; she held her arms around his hips to stay on. She noted her brother had two katana blades strapped to his saddle.

"We ride to the river pool men!" announced Zandro taking the lead. Caiden kept to the middle of the troop with all his comrades surrounding him. It was a type of formation; the others surrounded Caiden simply to block off any unexpected attacks for Silvia's safety.

By the time they had reached the river pool, Miss Shana came running to them, "Oh thank Olgârd you here, I seem to have –"

"There's no need for you to worry ma'am, she is unharmed and in good hands." Zandro had addressed the elderly lady, while Caiden helped his sister dismount from the saddle.

"Just as well you found her; I thought some wild animal had dragged her off somewhere." Shana said in relieved.

"It could have happened had we not been riding past. It might be best if you returned to the city." spoke Zandro.

.

"Silvia knew how Miss Shana felt; she had never been this upset since the day a samurai retrieved she and Caiden from the mountains and delivered them to her front door, whilst on a family picnic with their parents. They had been attacked by a monster and because their parents kept them hidden from the monster, Caiden and Silvia were the only two that survived the attack.

The two packed everything away and left the river pool, making their way back to the city. Free us…Free us…Free us…Silvia snapped out of her reverie when she thought she heard someone speak, but there was no one around; neither human nor beast.

Free us…Free us…Free us….

She heard it again but it sounded more like the wind than anything else. Silvia realised that this was not the way they had come before "Shana why are we going this way?" she asked.

"Caiden and the other samurais were heading back that way and I didn't want us to get caught up in their business. Besides I know a short cut back to the city." replied Shana. Silvia didn't question her further, if anybody knew the forest it was Miss Shana.

But she heard that voice again; it almost sounded like a cry for help, she looked everywhere to see where the voice was coming from. But it sounded like it was coming from all directions, she stopped in her tracks to listen closely and heard the voice again; free us…oh please free us.

Hypnotised by the disembodied voice Silvia followed it down a path where the animals in the trees scurried away, birds took flight even a lone wölhfox fled the scene. She could not hear their warning for she was too drawn to one voice that led her up the mountain side, even Miss Shana seemed to have disappeared.

Oh please free us…Free us from this awful place…

6

The samurai soldiers had found the lost children near the city of Kaipú, just as Silvia told them. Once they had returned the children safely home to their families some rode back to their headquarters while the rest returned to the samurai temple.

In the do-jo room Caiden was training with Jarek hand to hand combat; every now and then one of them would have the other pinned down.

"Again." instructed general Zandro.

Caiden released Jarek and once again Caiden had pinned his opponent to the mat, the second time in a row. The two waited for their general to give feedback.

.

With that Caiden picked up his two katanas and put them back in its sheaths, he and Jarek left the temple to return home.

Half way through the street a hand touched Caiden's shoulder; he turned around to see Jarek "that was good practice back there, but next time I won't go easy on you."

"You wish Jarek." smirked Caiden "but isn't your home the other way?"

"Sure is buddy. The reason I caught up with you is to remind you not to be so hard on her when you get home." said Jarek.

"She's my sister, Jarek. And she should not have wandered alone in the forest where there's beasts just waiting to eat her." Caiden's mood suddenly changed.

"She's not a little kid any more, Caiden, and I know she's the only family you have which is why the two of you need to work things out." Jarek then walked in the opposite direction back to his home shouting a final goodbye over his shoulder.

On the way home Caiden thought about what Jarek had said, so much so he almost walked past his own house. He walked through the front door and it was Miss Shana who bumped into him in the hallway.

"Oh, you're home early." she stated, carrying two empty tea cups.

"The general had put me on the night shift." he responded.

"I see. Caiden you know she has a heart for beasts she can't help it." if it was not for Jarek's brotherly words, then it was Miss Shana's soft, sincere eyes that cut through him like a knife.

Caiden left his armour and weapons in his bedroom before he marched off to Silvia's room, he was about to knock on her door when Shana stopped him "don't disturb her now Caiden, she's resting." She murmured. Caiden thought twice about it before stepping away. He thought it was best to wait and rest.

7

Silvia lost in a dream-like trance heard the voice calling for her. She didn't know how, she just knew that it was calling on her specifically. So she listened carefully and wandered outside listening to the hypnotic voice summoning her.

She walked through the forest – not remembering how she got there – but she could see the pine trees, see the narrow path way leading to the cave in the side of the mountain and heard the voice clearer than before; speaking not as an individual but as three individuals speaking as one voice.

Go back, go back young one.

Silvia stopped upon hearing another voice, do not venture forth, and go back. Go back home. The first voice began to fade away from her mind and she began to ask "who are you?"

I have only one name but it is your kind that once refers to me as the guardian of the mountains. Heed my warning and go home. The voice hollow like the wind, carried her home.

She awoken late in the evening, Silvia could not believe it, had Olgârd spoken to her? Or was it all just a dream? It felt too real to be a dream.

The wind howled out the window, beckoning her to come. For some reason Silvia could not explain, she rose from her bed and walked downstairs. Out the front door and into the streets; she could hear the voice again saying help us…help...us. It was obvious that this was no dream yet she walked as though she were asleep.

And just like in her dream she found herself amongst the pine trees that grew taller as she walked on. The path began to narrow when she heard a different voice turn back child; what you seek is what you do not want to find. The voice travelled through the trees.

Silvia had come to a standstill "Olgârd?" she spoke under her breath. But there was no answer save for this one; oh please, please help us…help…us…

Silvia was uncertain but Olgârd did not say any more and she could not ignore the plea of the other voice. So she marched on to the cave entrance.

It was guarded by two samurais they looked at her expectantly, Silvia thought of turning back when one of the guards spoke "I remember you, you're Caiden's sis. You here to see him I bet?" Silvia had no words she only nodded, and just like that she was through.

She walked through the dark tunnel until it opened to what appeared to be a dungeon; moonlight filtered through from above where there was an opening.

It was quiet out here, too quiet for there were no samurais anywhere, save for the ones on the bannister on the floor above her. She realised that coming here was a mistake, she had no reason to be here, but she was drawn to come all this way but by what?

Help…us…over here…help us.

The voice softly called out to her and from what her ears picked up it was coming from the right side of the cave. Over here…come…here.

Silvia glanced at the warriors on the bannister and dashed under it where she would not be seen and then crept against the wall of the cave to see giant jaded bars that stretched from the ground to the cave's ceiling. But inside the cell it was so dark she could not see anything.

Come closer…come…closer.

Oh great diviner come closer…we are here. The disembodied voice called from the shadows of the cell. Silvia reluctantly approached, only leaving three feet between her and the jaded bars.

Look at her she's just a girl. Spoke the disembodied voice, which sounded feminine.

But she was the only one that heard our cry. responded a masculine voice.

Do you think this human can help us? objected a second male voice.

This girl is not like the others, she is after all a great diviner. countered the second voice.

"What are you?" asked Silvia "and…what's a great diviner?"

She doesn't even know. complained another voice.

"Step out of the shadow so I can see you." demanded Silvia.

If you saw us, you will fear us. warned the third voice.

The great diviner has spoken; she wishes to see us and so we will reveal ourselves to her, argued the second voice. Then a pair of yellow eyes, red eyes and lastly blue eyes appeared; the yellow eyes in the middle approached first revealing a large scaly head, with spikes darting along the side of its face. The red eyes on the left revealed its face which was somewhat slimmer than the first head; it had two horns protruding from its skull. Finally the blue eyes came forth its head had spikes running down its neck from the head. "I am not afraid of you, all three of you." concluded Silvia.

Brave little girl, mocked the red eyes who had the female voice.

She is a great diviner after all, sneered the blue eyes.

"Who are you?" Silvia asked eyeing the three heads.

We have been known by many names but you may know us as Surhdra, answered the middle head.

"Like the fable legends, Surhdra is known for destroying kingdoms across Kaipú. Destruction reigns wherever you go."

I knew she would not be the one to help us, grunted the head on the right.

Silence, of course she will…what is your name diviner? asked the middle head.

"Silvia." She gave her name so innocently.

Well Silvia would you help us get out?

"W-why… Why me?"

Because you are a diviner! Only you can understand us, said the female head.

"How do I know this isn't a trick?" Silvia almost wanted to walk away when the middle head spoke because you and we are the same; we are much superior than man especially the samurais.

Those samurai warriors locked us in here for a century we did no wrong to them…said the left head.

And yet they threw us in here, to rot away… spoke the right head.

Man will destroy all beasts and monsters because they see us as a threat to their own kind, but we have as much right to live as they do, said the right head.

"If I did let you out what will you do?"

We will fly out into the open far from here where we will not be disturbed by any samurai, answered the middle head.

Silvia saw that the jaded bars was locked by some ancient puzzle, she recognised the symbols on the circular lock. She tried turning it until the symbols on the lock fitted together like pieces of a puzzle.

Slowly the bars began to sink into the ground and the cell was left open. Thank you Silvia the great diviner, now that we are free we can leave this place, and to show our gratitude we will spare your life, the three heads said in unison.

"What do you mean?"

Silly girl… Surhdra stepped out of the cell making Silvia retreat to the far wall; I am Surhdra god of destruction!

I shall repay Olgârd for locking me away in here by destroying his beloved city.

Silvia ran then she had made a HUGE mistake, she ran until someone grabbed her arm "where are you off to in such a hurry miss?" it was general Zandro in his black armour that had caught her "you must be Caiden's sister, are you looking for him?"

"I…I was but now I must leave." She said struggling to break free, Zandro had tightened his grip on her arm. The ground shook beneath their feet and there was a thunderous grumble as Surhdra roared we are free! Thank you great diviner.

Zandro still holding her by the arm watched in horror as Surhdra came into view; the heads came first followed by three winding necks and then a massive scaly body covered in sharp spikes.

"Samurais to arms, to arms!" cried Zandro.

8

Zandro pulled Silvia to the side whilst his men gathered their bearings "the monster didn't hurt you did it?" he asked sounding concern.

"No." replied Silvia.

"Good. We must get you out of here this is no place for a lady, maybe Caiden could –"

"Um, general, sir…may I ask what is a diviner?" Zandro stopped as if all that happened around them came to a standstill. The noise barely audible compared to the word diviner.

"Why do you ask?" his eyes narrowed down at her.

"It's what Surhdra called me; a great diviner, it sounds like a fable legend." She answered.

Jarek came sprinting towards them "General," he huffed "the monster has already set the mountains ablaze, it's ready to collapse, everyone has made it out safely." he reported.

"Good. I need you to escort Silvia to the temple and keep her there," Jarek wondered what she was doing here of all places, Zandro told him in a hushed tone "do not let her leave at any cost. If anyone, and I mean anyone comes for her you will do whatever it takes to keep her there, understood?"

"Yes general. But what about…"

"I will notify Caiden of his sister's whereabouts, but I need him out there with the others to catch that monster." the General practically shoved Silvia to Jarek who gently took her by the hand.

Jarek spared no time getting Silvia to the samurai temple, he didn't wait for her to dismount he pulled her out of the saddle. The two of them stopped when the earth quaked and from where they stood they watched the entire mountain collapse into rubble.

"Come on, we need to get inside now." Jarek guided her inside the temple and without stopping found general Zandro's office "you should be safe here." he said catching his breath.

"Jarek, do you know what a great diviner is?" Jarek raised an eyebrow at her.

"A great diviner is a fable legend; they were created by Olgârd himself and they were given the power to speak with beasts so to maintain the peace between man and beast." he explained.

"So that explains why I can talk to beasts, and how I'm the only one that can talk to Surhdra." muttered Silvia.

"I let Surhdra out of his cell…" she confessed and went on from how she heard him – or they – call for her and she was the only one that heard them. Jarek's face was grave afterwards he shut the door behind him; there would've been silence were it not for the citizens screaming outside as Surhdra had begun attacking the city. He leaned against the door and let his eyes fall to the floor "Silvia, why would you…"

"I just wanted to help them." She said softly.

Caiden rode on his cougahbear at full speed trying to catch up with general Zandro, "general I must speak with you!" he shouted.

Finally he managed to catch up to Zandro "general, someone told me my sister was there in the mountains, they said that she was last seen with you." Zandro did not even look at him when he told him "and I have sent her with Jarek to the city, she's safe in the temple."

The two watched Surhdra fly around the city; now that the forest was set aflame the right head opened his mouth and spat lightning bolts in random spots at the city, people ran out of their homes in fright, trying to escape the mayhem, mothers frantically rounding up their children, men trying to find a safe route but none of them knew where to go so they scrambled about.

The samurai warriors heard the mountains grumble, was it Surhdra returning to the mountains?

They looked up to see a rock giant rise to its full height; it had a few shrubs on its shoulders, its knuckles and some trees outlining the kneecaps and its eyes were made of glowing jade.

It descended from the fallen mountains and landed on the scorched earth with a thud that made the earth shake which upset the warriors' cougahbears.

"SURHDRA!" the rock giant bellowed and the trees quivered from his roar.

"There's another monster?" exclaimed one of the samurais.

Surhdra stopped and hissed at the rock giant Olgârd! Come to save your precious city?

"You will not harm them." grumbled Olgârd though his words were gurgled to that of human ears, any beast or great diviner would hear him clearly.

You cannot save them. They will all die, growled Surhdra who continued with its destruction.

"Right men we have two monsters on our hands. Round up the people in your village and take them out of the city." ordered Zandro before spurring his mount towards the city.

Surhdra saw the samurais charging towards the city, the left head opened her jaw and rained fire on them, the middle head opened his mouth and poisonous gas blanketed over them, mingling amongst the flames. One or two samurais breathed in the gas and spluttered out blood, coughing to their deaths along with their mounts, Caiden covered his mouth as he spurred Kuma forward. Ignoring Kuma's coughing and struggle for breath.

So few made it through the gas and flames, Caiden saw Zandro abandon his dead mount and ran out of sight. Even Caiden's cougahbear fell on its stomach, breathing heavily. Caiden patted Kuma and left him there as he ran to save his people; shouting out commands to his men.

For an instant Surhdra forgot about Olgârd, which the rock giant saw the chance to grab Surhdra by the tale and flung the monster across the forest. Surhdra growled in annoyance, and rose to its feet, flying around Olgârd spitting lightning bolts and spraying poisonous gas into his face. Olgârd roared in agony and clubbed Surhdra on all three heads with one fist.

Zandro ran to the temple and called out for Jarek after the warrior responded he raced to his office to find Silvia sitting at his desk.

"Where's my brother?" She immediately stood up when she saw the general.

"Saving the city." he answered, Silvia noticed that his friendly demeanour was gone.

"You asked me before what a diviner is," he went on.

"I already told her about the great diviners, general." Jarek stepped in.

"Excellent, that should save us some time."

"You are aware of what you are?" he asked her, Silvia nodded silently unsure of what was going on.

"Does Caiden know?"

"I don't think he does." She answered truthfully.

"And it was you who unleashed Surhdra onto the city?"

"I-I did, but…"

"But the monster manipulated her, general." added Jarek "She didn't know what she was doing."

"Thank you Jarek, but maybe you should remember not to open your mouth unless spoken to." the general said coldly. Jarek was ashamed for stepping out of line and decided to keep his mouth shut.

"I think we both know what happens next; you must be punished for your crime." Zandro gripped the hilt of his long sword. The city quaked as another lightning bolt hit the city not too far from the temple.

"General the city is under attack is now the best time to do this?" questioned Jarek.

"Jarek, stand guard outside and if anyone comes kill them." Jarek did not question the order he nodded in agreement and waited outside the office.

"It pains me to do this miss, but you are a diviner," he unsheathed his two-handed sword from his belt "and diviners are outlawed practically non-existent, and thanks to you your monster friend is out destroying the city."

"W-what are you going to do?" Silvia found herself backing towards the wall behind her. "What has to be done; now stand still, it will be over before you know it." "I can speak to Surhdra ask him to stop this. Please don't do this." She begged.

Zandro swiped his sword at her but she ducked just in time "I have spent years hunting down monsters for the sake of mankind, I will not let a diviner stop me now." he gritted his teeth and swung his sword again only to have missed, though he manage to leave a scratch on her arm tearing at the sleeve of her kimono.

"The city is dying and there is no getting out alive, death by my blade will be quick and the pain would not last." the general persuaded chasing her around the office.

9

Caiden saw the city was set aflame and poisonous gas encircled the perimeter.

He watched the rock giant towards the east fighting Surhdra; who came charging towards the rock giant setting the monster ablaze, but the rock giant covered his face and when Surhdra was in reach he bashed Surhdra into the ground, taking half of the city with them.

Surhdra was down for some time.

Caiden decided to find his sister at the temple and left at a full sprint. He didn't stop to see Surhdra rise back on its feet before demolishing some of the buildings in its process. Caiden had to take a sharp left turn into an alley to avoid a building fall on him, he ran into an open door and through a house and out the house.

The temple was in sight and so was the rock giant, who shoved all of its weight into Surhdra pushing them back with great force. Caiden didn't stop for anything he threw himself through the doors and shouted for Silvia but there was no answer at first, it was only on the second time he called for her did he hear her screaming for help.

"I'm coming Silvia!" he ran shouting.

An arm appeared from nowhere and hit him in the chest the impact made Caiden stumble back. Once he regained his balance he saw Jarek standing there before him his spear in hand "Jarek where's Silvia?" Caiden asked anxiously.

"In Zandro's office - did you know this whole time Caiden?"

"Knew what this whole time?" he demanded, as he was more concerned for Silvia.

"That your sister is a great diviner." explained Jarek.

"What are you –"

"She let the monster out of the dungeons, she freakin' spoke to it Caiden!"

"Jarek, Silvia has a heart for these beasts and sometimes talk to them like they could understand her." Caiden said slowly hoping to bring some sense to his friend.

"That's because they can understand her, you lied to us, keeping her hidden when you should've reported it to Zandro."

"I don't understand what's going on, but I'm taking my sister out of here and leaving the city with everyone else." Caiden gripped the hilt of both his katanas.

"I'm sorry Caiden, but I have to follow Zandro's orders." Jarek quickly took up a fighting stance and Caiden withdrew his two blades and did the same "what orders?" he queried.

"Kill anyone that tries to pass through."

The two samurai warriors fought each other; getting mixed together like they had previously in their training while two monsters fought in a similar pattern, as one pounces, the other shoves him away.

Lightning struck the roof of the temple the impact made Jarek unbalanced and Caiden had the upper hand. He tripped Jarek and knocked his spear from his grasp, and aimed the point of his blade at him "it's over now Jarek, leave your spear behind and get out of here."

"A true samurai never shows mercy." stated Jarek.

"Maybe I'm not a samurai."

"Maybe you're just a fool." Jarek added.

"I'm not the one facing the wrong end of a blade." replied Caiden.

Just then another lightning struck taking out a third of the temple and the office door burst opened.

"Silvia!" Caiden called for her.

"Caiden he's trying to kill me." She ran to him and before he could ask who, General Zandro appeared. His dark demeanour finally revealed under the flash of lightning and the blazing flames.

"What are you waiting for finish him off, if you are a true samurai that is." Zandro said directly to Caiden almost too casually. Caiden froze to the spot with one katana still aimed at Jarek, Silvia gripping his other arm cowering behind him.

"Why would you kill my sister?" he glared in shock at his general.

"She's a great diviner; she let Surhdra escape his cell. Zandro sounded eerily calm "she has to be punished for her crime." he concluded.

"Just go Caiden, there's no point in fighting through this." warned Jarek.

Zandro pierced his sword into Jarek driving it with great force until his eyes no longer reflected life. Silvia let out a shriek, while Caiden could not believe his eyes that he lost his best friend.

"A true samurai would've finished him off." Zandro said cynically.

"Now step aside Caiden and let's be rid of this diviner once and for all."

"I won't let you be within five feet of her." he took up a fighting stance once more, and said to Silvia "run, get out of the city and run."

Silvia was hesitant "I won't leave without you." She said quietly.

"In the name of Olgârd, run Silvia!" he barked at her.

Silvia ran downstairs and out into what was left of the streets; she saw the rock giant fall crushing more than just a few houses with him. She stopped and stared wide eyed at the giant just down the street "you did not listen to my warning…I hope you will listen now," the words were crystal clear to her "Olgârd?"

Surhdra abandoned Olgârd and carried on destroying the city, Silvia ran down the street towards Olgârd "do not stay here great diviner, get out while you still can." he rose to his feet once more charging towards Surhdra and pounced on them.

Silvia watched as Surhdra went down; smoke and poisonous gas filled the air making Silvia run away from the scene covering her mouth. An enormous spark of lightning erupted and Olgârd went flying pulled by the monster who tossed him aside annihilating half of the city, even the temple began to tilt.

The great diviner is all you have left, Olgârd. But not for long, we shall have her. Surhdra hissed. Silvia saw Surhdra swoop down at her so she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Olgârd came out of nowhere and tackled Surhdra to the ground.

Silvia saw where the guards were escorting the citizens out of the city, maybe she could find Miss Shana.

10

Half of the samurai temple got wiped out, Zandro and Caiden both stopped fighting as they witnessed the monster fight outside.

"You and Jarek were one of my best warriors, I wish it didn't have to come to this." said Zandro as his sword clashed with Caiden's katanas.

"If only Jarek were still alive for you to tell him." mumbled Caiden.

"Maybe you could tell him for me when you see him." Zandro tripped him and pressed his long blade down into Caiden's throat, he held up his two blades to block the attack but Zandro pressed all his weight down into his own blade.

"Tell Jarek he died keeping the existence of great diviners a secret." just then the temple quaked and what was left of the ceiling caved in, taking half of the temple with it, "tell him yourself!" Caiden saw his window of opportunity and rolled away from Zandro's blade.

He got back on his feet blocking and attacking in a random sequence "after all this time you still don't know how to use your own head." mocked Zandro pulling his hair out of his face.

"That is where you are wrong, general." Caiden saw past Zandro and jumped; he grabbed onto a lantern and swung himself in the air. Knocking Zandro over the edge, both samurai landed in the rubble below. Caiden landed in a crouch position while Zandro lay amongst the debris.

"It's over now Zandro." he growled.

"You think you have it in you, if you think it will make you a true warrior then go ahead. But why… why would you throw away everything you worked for, all for a diviner?" Zandro demanded.

"Because she's all I have in this world," he then pressed his blade against Zandro's throat.

Surhdra swooped low breathing fire all around the rock giant, with a few blasts of poisonous gas. Once the dust had settled; the two samurai warriors watched as the rock giant did not rise but remained still.

"Olgârd!" screeched Silvia who came running to the scene.

"Silvia stay back!" Caiden tried to warn her but she didn't hear him.

Silvia on the other side watched as the glowing jaded eyes began to fade and Olgârd was no more. Her eyes filled with tears and she tried to wipe them away.

Olgârd cannot save you now diviner, you are ours! roared Surhdra with all three heads turning towards her.

Leaving the general amidst the rubble, Caiden caught up with his sister, took her hand and pulled her behind him. Ducking under fallen buildings, leaping over debris and dashing through open houses as the city crumpled and the ground cracked beneath their feet, Caiden threw his sister down the valley and he rolled after her into the morning light.

One of Caiden's soldiers came to help them up on their feet; they were bloodied and covered in dirt and grime. Caiden looked around to see that most of the citizens had made it, then he looked to Silvia and she was fine, and then he looked to the city. There was no city, there was no Olgârd.

Silvia cautiously approached him "what happens now?"

He looked at her and placed an arm around her, as they all watched from the bottom of the valley Surhdra still crying out in rage before taking flight leaving Olgârd and the city in ruins.

"We start anew." he answered.