Chapter 7

While still in the clutch, elders told us stories of the beginning of the world.

Gods walking the lands.

Gods fighting each other.

Whole continents being destroyed.

Seas boiling.

Then, the gods made the races of men. Humans, elves and dwarves began to wage war for the gods.

Entire species of beasts are killed off, in the wars.

Due to fires enveloping the land, sunlight becomes scarce.

Blood fertilized the ground.

Death became a constant companion.

Demons appear.

The greatest craftsmen create terrible artifacts from the souls of great dragons, and other powerful beasts.

Humans fight humans. Humans fight demons. Demons destroy the land. Humans destroy the land.

During this chaos, a great sapphire dragon sacrificed his life to bring the lizardkin from the swamps. The magic spread to other beasts. These were called demi humans. Demis began to implement farming to grow plants, to clean the air. Lizardkin pleaded with the humans to stop the fighting.

The races of man: humans, elves and dwarves grew afraid of the demis. The new races were growing to powerful. Soon they would rise and destroy the humans.

The fighting slowed between man. Working together, they set out to exterminate the demis. Entire nations were wiped from the land. Armies clashed.

During this time, heroes from another world were summoned. These heroes were gifted with great powers. Strength beyond measure. Ability to lift mountains with their minds. Fire flowing from hands.

Being able to move faster than the eye could see.

The heroes drove the evil gods, and dragons from the land. The demis scattered to the far corners of the world, living where humans did not go.

Peace finds the land.

The remaining gods, fearing the heroes, left the world. Only a few minor gods remained, to govern the peace. They too diminished over the years. Fading entirely in history.

Heroes grow old and die. Weapons of great power fade into legend.

The races fight. Demis are enslaved. Rebellions break out. Peace returns. Wars begin.

History repeats.

Life in the swamp was hard. All lizardkin are raised together in a clutch. Since the healthy adults are busy with daily essentials, elders care for the young. We are taught to hunt as soon as we can walk. Mice are dropped into the clutch for us to chase. The weakest are removed early.

Even with lizardkin reaching adulthood in three years, only a third make it. Constant danger keeps the village small.

Swamp wildlife and fungus are the staples of our diet. When we reach adulthood, we are made hunters or farmers. There is no distinction made. No one cares if you hunt or gather, just if you provide.

Life in the swamp was hard, but fair.

The dire rat does not sense our presence. The berry bush occupies its world. Over six feet long, the dire rat weighs more than a similar size lizardkin. Razor sharp teeth shred the berry plant. Thick hide will protect it from weak attacks.

My job is to keep the left flank secure. If the rat breaks my direction, I am too stop it. We are in a wide arc. Ten of us are in two-person teams. We do not use names, our position in the attack team decides what we are called. I am far left male. My life mate is far left female.

Center male signals the attack. We tense, waiting on where the beast will flee. A stone is hurled to the far side of our target. The head snaps up, searching for the intruder. Beady eyes scan the swamp. Another stone plops close to the first. The rat jumps back, in our direction. Center male leaps. Followed a heartbeat by center female.

Wordlessly, me and my mate begin to close the circle. We do not need to talk. She knows my every move. We have been together every day from birth.

Center male's claws fly at the dire rat. A scream is heard, as the rat catches center male's arm. Bone shatters. Center female swipes at the rat's face but is blocked by center male's body. Right female leaps and sinks her claws into the rear haunch. Without looking, the beast kicks, sending right female into the water.

With a whip, the rat tosses center male at left male and female. The three collapse into the water. No movement is wasted, as the rat continues the spin and leaps to escape. I reach out to snag the shoulder, as the dire beast races by.

Using my claws, I climb onto the back of the racing beast. I sink my hind claws into the belly of the rat and begin to rip at its throat with my right hand.

Trees fly by.

Water splashes.

Birds scatter.

A scream of hatred escapes the beast. I reply with equal passion. The battle builds with the rat starting to leap, shiver, and throw itself at any obstacle in range.

All the time, I dig into the hide, trying to find a vital spot. A split artery will bring me victory.

My rear foot slips, catching the rat's leg. The world turns upside down, as we roll. My grip is lost. I fly off, into the mud. I am on my hands and knees.

We enemies face each other. The dire rat begins to slowly circle me. I favor my right leg. If it feels that I am injured, the rat should pounce. If I cannot move fast enough, the rat will rip my throat with no effort.

If I can keep the rat occupied long enough, my clutch mates can catch up. I see blood flowing from the rat's neck. I opened something.

The standoff continues. My clutch mates should be getting close. I listen for any sign of their approach.

Nothing.

Did we run too far?

Did another enemy cut them off?

I am on my own.

I will not admit defeat.

A stone touches my claw. A plan forms. If I fail, I will become prey, instead of the hunter. I swish my tail, to draw the beady eyes. My claws grasp the stone. I see the rat tense. An attack is coming. The world narrows. The eyes of the rat fill my view. No sounds intrude. No other thought enters my mind.

Kill my enemy.

A bird screams

Rat eyes flicker up

I explode forward

The stone flies

Too late, the dire rat turns its head. The projectile impacts the right eye. With a scream, the rat stands up, on two legs. The opening I need.

Five feet of swamp fly by, as I race to my enemy. The rat never sees my claws shred its throat. I race by, letting my claws rip the hide and sensitive parts inside. In the same motion, I use the momentum to sink my claws deeper, throwing me onto the beasts back.

We thrash in the mud and blood. Screams and curses fly.

The death throes do not last long.

As I step from the dead rat, a pride fills me. I have killed the beast. This creature will feed everyone in the village tonight.

I will head back to my clutch mates. They will help me carry this home. I along with my future mate, will be allowed the first choice of the meat. I will request the tongue.

I push the thoughts of the feast from my mind. There are too many threats to ignore. From where I am, I cannot see the ambush point. The sounds of the swamp have returned. Birds and insects call for mates. Splashes from amphibians chasing food. The wind rustling the leaves. These thoughts do not normally enter my mind.

I scream cuts through the swamp. The scream of a lizardkin. I freeze, waiting for another. I do not wait long. A voice speaking in an unfamiliar tongue can be heard. I break into a run, what new enemy has entered the swamp. The swamp that I call home. The swamp that knows only competition for food.

I round a bend in the river to see a dwarf. This is the first time seeing the humankin. In his hand is the head of right female. A bag on his back bulges. I see headless bodies around his feet. Six bodies can be seen. So into his trophy, he does not see me.

He should know not to forget the swamp.

My claws shred his throat.

I watch the life leave his eyes.

I use the dwarfs ax to remove his head.

I raise my head to listen and smell the wind. Smoke and death invade my senses. The village has been invaded. Before I leave, I quickly check the bodies. My future mate is not among them.

I pledge to return for my clutch mates soon.

My feet dig into the mud as I race to the village. Blood is rushing in my ears. My eyes scan for any movement. The smell of death increases in my nose. Birds fly over my head, fleeing the smoke.

The run takes too long. When I finally see the village, there is little movement. Every building I see is covered in flames. I come to a stop, just outside of the burning village. I cannot find a way to enter. Walls of flames block my every entry.

A voice reaches me. Turning my head, I see a human and elf coming my way. They are talking excitedly. Blood is heavy on the human man's hands. A rope is pulled from the elf's pack. I launch myself at them. My claws are ready to kill them.

Movement from behind the two, catches my eye. I dive to my left, away from the flames. An arrow misses my head by a hand width. As I hit the water, the human lands on top of me. He is stronger than me, but I am wet and slippery. I roll to the side, rising my knee into his gut. The air leaves his lungs. The man's grip loosens long enough for me to rake my claws across his neck. Blood explodes into my face.

Hands grab me from behind. The rope slips over my shoulders. As I struggle, a thud shakes my head.

Blackness.

The slavers that attacked my village sold me and the other strong males to a mine owner. The females were last seen in a wagon, headed north.

My owner spotted the tick marks I made by my sleeping pallet. I was keeping track of the days in slavery. 256 days had passed. I had learned the human language. Since I showed intelligence, I was taught to write, and keep records.

I never fought. I never spoke back. I worked diligently. I earned the trust of my owners.

I was going to get out.

A voice kept me company. A voice telling me that every human would suffer. I would stand on a mountain of dead bodies. If I stayed alive, I would avenge my family. I would see my mate again. Lizardkin would usher in the age of dragons.

If I can stay alive, I can fulfill my destiny, and become a dragon. I had the blood flowing in me.

Early morning light stabs my eyes. I am led to a wash room. I am roughly scrubbed and given clean clothes. I am warned, if I cause trouble, I will be killed. I have been requested by an important person.

The man I meet is dressed in expensive clothes. Since I have been taught the value of money, I know that this man has much. He is introduced as a leader of the church of the nameless gods. I have picked up a little knowledge of the church, so I know that he is important. I keep my head lowered while the man and my owners talk. All but two of the slavers leave. Food is calling.

The man is trying to purchase me. He is telling of how I have been chosen. I should be given to him because the nameless gods will it. The negotiations drag on. Emotions begin to rise. I step back, to the wall. A voice in my head cautions, patience. I wait.

The door opens, and two figures enter. Covered from head to toe, I can see no detail, except when one head turns to me. A red eye bores into me. For a heartbeat, the eye looks me over. The holy man suddenly laughs. He points to the slavers, and the covered figures rush. The covered figures drive the men to their knees. I notice an unusual quiet from the mine. Only the sound of chanting can be heard.

"My child, it is time. You have been called by the Dark king. You will destroy the hero. Now, take vengeance on these evil humans. The rest of the filth have been dealt with." He holds out a knife. I approach and take the steel. The cold metal feels wrong. I return the weapon and walk to the slavers. The first blood in my quest for vengeance covers my claws.

The entire mine had been slaughtered, including the last lizardkin from my village. I was told, this was to cover my existence. The holy man revealed that he was secretly a follower of the Dark king. He had worked hard in the nameless church in preparation for this day.

I was taken to a secret fort to be trained in war. My training also included a false life story. I was to be a hero, saving the life of an elven noble. The church is tasked with introducing me to society. During this time, I met Lystrix. We trained with an army of demis, in preparation for the hero.

When I was deemed ready, I left the demi army and began mercenary work. I met Dolan on my first campaign. Darcelia was rescued on my fifth mission. She instantly took to me. Alex was introduced to me by Dolan, the following mission. My times we worked together. I chose to keep these humans close, because they had no anti-demi thoughts.

Three years fly by. I am almost happy during this time. I take every job I can that involves demis. I hope to find one from my village. I secretly carry orders and information to the believers of the Dark king.

The fated day arrives. The long dormant inner voice tells me, "It is time. The hero will arrive in one month. Escort him to the home of the hermit. My daughter will kill him there. I have provided her with the means to destroy the un-killable. You will finally be rewarded."

Chapter 9

"Father Timmerman had Alex, Darcelia and Dolan waiting on me. We traveled to meet Todd. You were a surprise. I have done all that was asked of me. The one known as the Dark king will reward me. You believe that he is evil. The truth is, the nameless gods are evil. The Dark king is a benevolent being. All he wants is peace. Since the races of man know nothing but strife, they will be destroyed. The demis will take their place. I wanted to spare you. I believed that you could live in peace with us." Malfor's disembodied voice falls quiet.

The sights and sounds that have been filling our minds disappear. It is hard to hate someone when you see their life. The quiet lingers. I feel Malfor's uneasiness. He seems to want my validation. On one hand, I understand how a life of slavery would make one jaded. On the other, genocide is too far.

"Malfor, can you forgive? Is it possible to let go of the past? I cannot turn on humans, nor do I condone what has been done. When we finish stopping the dark armies, I will ask the nameless gods, why. Why do they allow such things? Unlike my previous home, the gods are present. I want to know why."

"I do not know. The evil of humans is too much. They are not content with any race being happy. They feel the need to destroy and take everything. The Dark king only wishes for peace. Before the humans declared him a villain, he had a better name. When the great sapphire dragon gave his life, the lizardkin known as Tiflgar was given powers. He fought the human heroes. Since he was not strong enough, he allied with the demons. For thousands of years he has been consolidating his power. Waiting for the time he could return and destroy the evil nameless gods."

"I thought he was defeated by heroes in the past"

"A decoy was made. He has been searching for descendants of the heroes ever since. The mission of the demi rebellion is to cover the abduction of hero descendants. We have been taking them to a small village in the southwest of the country. The barrier that protects the only pass blocks even demons. We have been using this base to gather enough hero blood to allow the Dark king to evolve into a full dragon. Since we lizardkin have dragon blood in us, we can fulfill our destinies by adding life power."

"Is that what your reward was to be?"

"NO, the Dark king promised to return my mates soul from the afterlife. We would finally be able to restart our clan. Our village could be rebuilt, and we could return to the life we were destined to live. I have no use for power over others. Wealth is a waste of time. I want my life."

"I don't fault you for that, but you can't justify mass murder. Evil doesn't fix evil."

"If you see another way, I will listen."

"Todd will kill the Dark king, then we will approach the gods together. Thy have the power to change the land."

"The gods abandoned this world, long ago. The church follows an empty theology."

I think for a few moments. If Todd and I can travel here, then we can find the gods." It finally occurs to me, there is no sky. I look down. No ground. Then, it hit's me, we have no bodies. A sense of self is all that remains/ "Where are we?"

"We are dead. Everything we has discussed means nothing. We are traveling to the afterlife. Only good thing for me is the voice is finally gone."

"Didn't it help you?"

"Even so, I felt trapped by the voice. I was just a pawn. Even with the promise of my reward, I never felt free. I know I was doing right, but I need freedom."

YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FREE. YOU CHOSE TO FOLLOW YOUR EVIL. YOU COULD HAVE TURNED ON THE DARK KING AT ANY TIME.

The disembodied voice shakes our souls. A warm, almost hot feeling surrounds us. Malfor speaks first. "Who is that? I feel the power, but you cannot be that strong if you don't show yourself."

The intensity of the voice lowers. "You dare speak back to a god? I have decided to answer your questions, so be careful how you respond."

"WOW, thanks." I cut in. "We apologize for the rudeness. Please, can you tell us why there is such strife?"

"Peace or war. That is the choice the living."

"But, can you not stop the injustice in the world?"

"Yes, but why do you not?" The god's question stops us. "War, slavery environmental destruction, we are not causing these things. Mortal races are doing these on their own."

As the shock recedes, I realize. "What about the demons? The dark races do little else but kill."

"Ask yourself, what is a demon. I have lost interest in this. It is time you woke. You were not summoned like the hero but think about this." I feel the presence grow stronger.

"Why are you here? What will you do? What is important to you?"