Desolate Call

That was not possible. 

No way that is real. No way.

I refused to believe it.

"Interesting isn't it. That is the sole reason why the Desolate lands cannot ever be invaded." Dragoon pointed out like he was making an easy observation.

I still couldn't fathom the consequences of what I just witnessed. This was a bigger secret than I had ever imagined. Just thinking about what this meant put my head into a violent spin.

And I did what anyone in my situation would do. Stare and wordlessly move my mouth. The revelation was beyond imaginable.

"Shocked? Stunned? Maybe even flabergasted?" Dragoon asked in the most cheeky voice I had ever seen him speak in.

I remained silent.

And he dove straight down and flew toward the location of The Call, a location that made sense to me, beyond sense, as if there could ever be another place it could be held.

Dragoon landed at a mountain with a near vertical face. The spot we arrived at was unnaturally flat and had no trees. It was just pure land with grass on it.

"Ha HA second place." He exclaimed.

"Third," Came a voice behind us. And out of thin air, a wolf shimmered into existance. Its fur black as the night sky with bright glowing red eyes. 

Just like with Dragoon I felt primal fear bubble up but this time I didn't turn tail and escape. I had learnt from my previous experience that running was pointless. This guy would be on me in seconds.

"Wow so fun..." Dragoon said sarcastically. He seemed bummed out that he wasn't second.

Yeah there was no way he was ever going to be first. Wherever they raced to, any of the other Kings, they would never come first. The Desolate Lands would always win.

Yep, the Desolate Lands was alive. Not figuratively but quite literally. Not the plants or the animals on it but the land itself.

I was on a giant tortoise.

A GIANT fucking tortoise.

The entrie Desolate lands was on the back of this creature. 

It made sense now, the tortoise was the one that probably informed Dragoon about my arrival and presence. And when Dragoon said that I was already in a symbiotic relationship with tha land itself, he meant this.

Dragoon then coiled around me hiding me from the other incoming creatures whose existance I could sense as they came closer.

"I've see the kid already." I heard a voice from outside, a bit muffled but I could still make out that it was the wolf that had spoken.

"Still I want to reveal him when everyone comes Niht, have some fun don't be too much of a spoilsport." Dragoon said, his voice booming inside the coiled space.

And we waited.

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The pressure on me increased multifold signifying the arrival of the other creatures. The other creatures came in silence and didn't really start conversations with Dragoon or I just couldn't hear them.

"Now that we are all here, I have a surprise for you!" Dragoon said uncoiling. "A human child named Stryke."

And I popped into full view of all The Kings. And similarly they all appeared in my vision as well.

....

"Its not a surprise if we knew about it already." The wolf, Niht pointed out.

"How did you know?" Dragoon countered.

"You sent Maurice with this information didn't you?"

"Ah..."

"So you brought us a sacrifice?"

I turned toward the owner of the threatening voice.

Starring at me was a massive white tiger, with green markings on it. Its gold tail flicking back and forth as if it was toying with the prospect of killing me. The gold sharp spike-like extentions on all its limbs just seemed extremely dangerous. If it's intention was to intimidate me.... consider me intimidated. 

"Calm Drigger. Lets see what the reason for his arrival is and then we can decide."

I turned to the new calmer sounding voice and despite the pressure being emitted from the creature I still felt a little underwhelmed.

The voice belonged to a small blue bird with a white beak and tail.

And it grew larger, large enough to dwarf the tiger, Drigger. I started sweating, it probably saw the dissapointment on my face and grew to that size. More prominent features like white markings appeared on its wings.

I wasn't dissapointed anymore.

I was scared.

And then I actively noticed it. The slow flapping of wings that had been there.

I looked above me. Looking back down was a massive dragon. Unlike Dragoon, this one had wings and seemed a lot more menacing. Its gold coloring was eyecatching, with similar spikes extending out of the ends of its limbs and wings like Dragoon. A line of white fur ran down the back of its head and its claws, though not as long as Dragoon's still looked sharp enough to rip through me without any resistance.

"Heh heh, he finally realized I was above him. Not too smart is he." The dragon spoke, making light of me.

I took offence to that however, I knew I wasn't strong but I prided myself on my mind and this was a direct attack on my ego.

"No. Drigger he is not a sacrifice and Strata, you flying lizard, get your scaly ass down here. Also lets not underestimate this boy, his Waking is really good and he is pretty quick on his feet."

Was Dragoon sticking up for me? I kind of expected him to just watch me as I got put onto this trail.

"And the most interesting part is he is close to figuring out about-"

WHOOOSSHSH

A wind passed by me effectively censoring what Dragoon said at the end.

"And he is also related to-"

WHHHHHHHHHHOOOOSH

"So, he came here to train and get stronger for taking revenge."

A light wind then pushed me forward making me take center stage among these creatures.

"Now, Stryke I will introduce these guys to you." Dragoon said. Its claws appearing above me as he started pointing.

"The bird over there is Art. She flies around and is like the aerial protector of this place. Nice gal."

The bird remained silent but shrunk in size again.

"The wolf there is Niht. Rules a fourth of the land. Quite straightforward he is."

The wolf just laid down but kept an eye on me.

"This is Drigger. She has anger issues, the one I told you about. She controls the place you set up camp in."

Drigger looked at Dragoon and then at the ground, "He was in my area? Doesn't that make him mine? His life was mine to decide and you took that from me. Both of you."

"Well Aku told me first and I got to him first. Hence by rules of first come, first served, he is rightfully under me." Dragoon shot back.

Grrrrr

A low growl came from Drigger.

"That is Aku by the way." He said pointing at the ground.

"And that winged rat is Strata. He is the moron that gets sighted in his trips across the world. He takes care of the final quarter of this land but often just leaves to fuck around somewhere."

Dragoon had a clear animosity toward this other dragon.

"Says the wingless fish. You act like you take care of your place well, its all Maurice anyway. Yeah Maurice do you want to come to my place, I promise I'll take better care of you." Strata said looking toward Maurice emerging from the bushes.

"No. I fine." Maurice said.

"Ha, Suck it. He likes me better."

"Do you guys fight a lot?" I asked. The curiosity got the better of me and it just slipped out.

All eyes turned to me.

"""Yes"""

"No"

"I chose not to."

Niht had chosen not to answer my question.

The last voice was new but I knew where it came from. Aku. The deep voice rumbled through.

"They fight." Maurice said in the end. Somehow I felt more inclined to believe him.

Dragoon then said," Tell them your story Stryke, let them decide afterwards, but first show them your Waking and how you use it."

As I prepared myself, "Dont forget to show them your weapon as well."

I willed my bracelet to change shape into a pole and spun it around me.

"That's a lot of Null."

"This just became interesting."

"Hmmm."

BZZTT

With my eyes glowing, I activated my Waking and started using my abilities. First, I dashed to the side, showcasing my improved speed.

Then I raised my hands and shot out lightning and slowly reduced its intensity until it fizzled out. Next I pulled out a nail and melted it with the heat from the lightning. Hollowing out the pole I shot a nail through it and displayed the destructive capabilities I possessed.

Finally, I fully transformed into lightning and then turned back.

"Well isn't this just nice." Strata said.

"Why didn't you tell me first Aku, I could have had a fun hunt with him." Drigger said.

"He does seem close to -"

I couldnt hear what was said at the end. It was as if my ears just failed me.

I looked at Art who had just spoken.

Dragoon then said, "Now hear his story."

And thus I began telling my story. That seemed to get more out of these Kings than my earlier display of powers.

I found a few sympathetic stares directed at me.

"A story of revenge." Art said.

"A story for purpose." Niht claimed.

"Sniff.." Drigger seemed a little emotional.

The pressure they emitted upon my very being had made me forget about them as intellectually sound creatures. They were just like Dragoon. Yes, they had different personalities but they were still very friendly creatures.

"So did you all meet after Dragoon's superior died?"

A silence descended upon the area.

"You spoke to him about her?" Drigger roared at Dragoon.

"He resembles her you know. Get to know him and you will see. I'm just drawn to giving this boy answers to most of his questions." Dragoon spoke defensively.

A low rumbling voice came," We were all under her little one. She took care of all of us." Aku spoke, answering my question.

"You sure are an interesting package aren't you Stryke?" Strata said, letting my name roll out of his mouth slowly. "How about you come under me? I'll even help you with your revenge."

He just gave me a shocking offer one I was tempted to accept.

But if I too Strata's offer would I really be satisfied with the revenge I would get? Would I truly be happy with this decision?

"No. My revenge is mine alone. The only thing I want is Physical training and that, according to Dragoon, can only be provided by Drigger," I then turned toward her and knelt down, "Please. Please help me. Please teach me how to get stronger."

Silence descended again.

"Now what do we do here?" Dragoon said breaking the silence.