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[Master Inika]

Chapter 1

Nukoa maneuvered through the crowd in the marketplace. As an Iron Agori, he didn’t like being around others. But he needed to traverse deep into the Great Jungle, and he needed an Agori native to the forest to help him.

Soon enough, he came across a merchant who matched all descriptions Nukoa had found. He was tall for an Agori, although he was hunched on his forearms, like most Jungle Tribe members. His eyes and face were blue, clear through his helmet featuring snake-like decorations.

“You there! Agori of Jungle,” Nukoa called. The emerald-armored figure’s head popped up.

“Hello,” he said kindly.

Nukoa turned and walked in front of him, to get a look at his face. “Are you Takkai?”

The green Agori smiled. “Yes. How may I help you?” he said.

“I need a guide through Bota Magna,” Nukoa said, getting straight to the point.

“Where to, exactly?” Takkai asked.

“The Magna Terah,” Nukoa said. The name he had uttered was archaic Agori for “Great Death.”

“Why in the name of the Great Beings would you want to go there?” Takkai said, taken aback by such a request. “Nobody has been to the Magna Terah in centuries, and no party who tried searching for it has ever returned.”

“I have a map,” Nukoa said slyly, holding up an aged yet readable sheet of paper; dated centuries before the Great Beings’ first creation.

Takkai looked at the map for a second before handing it back. “That dialect is older than the paper it’s written on!” Takkai said. “If there’s a translator who can read it, I sure as sunlight don’t know him.”

“Or her?” a third voice said, female.

Both turned and saw a slim, female Fire Agori. “Who are you?” Takkai asked. Nukoa had found that he suddenly became too nervous to inquire on the newcomer’s identity.

“Kiquis, Fire Tribe translator extraordinaire!” the girl proclaimed. “Now let me see that map.”

Nukoa nervously handed the Fire Agori the map. She read it over, and smiled.

“I can read this perfectly,” Kiquis claimed.

“You can?” Nukoa said, awed. “Where is it?”

Kiquis started point to the map and tracing her finger. “Just past Lein’s Drift,” Kiquis said.

“Will you join Takkai and me in finding the cave? We’ll split you one-third of the treasure,” Nukoa said. If he realized Takkai had not yet actually agreed, he did not indicate it.

“I don’t know if it’s such a good idea to go on a wild rock steed chase with all the issues arising now,” Kiquis said.

Nukoa decided more of his persuasive side was needed. “Come on. It’ll be… fun.”

After a long moment, Kiquis said, “All right. Where do we meet?”

“The foot of Bota Magna, tomorrow morning,” Nukoa replied.

----

The next day, Takkai was the first to arrive, living just outside the area. For some reason, a warrior of his tribe was also standing there, blade shield in hand.

A short while later, Kiquis and Nukoa arrived. Kiquis was in a cheerful mood, but Nukoa seemed nervous. Also arriving was a slim, white-armored warrior, feminine and sly, and an Iron Tribe warrior.

“Welcome, my party,” Nukoa said. “My two Agori comrades, the green fighter here is Trigja, a Jungle Tribe fighter who can be both a navigator and defender. The woman in white is Verdana, of the Ice Tribe. And the oh-so-talkative Iron Tribesman is my good friend Telluris.”

Then, the six stepped through the gates of Bota Magna and began their quest. Not all of them would return.

Review

Edited by Master Inika, Dec 21 2011 - 05:06 PM.

[Master Inika]

Chapter 2

The first day of travel was simply through the main village. All six knew how to navigate through this region, although Takkai and Trigja felt urged to take the lead anyway.

Passing trading stands and the Jungle Tribe’s homes, they trekked through the village with ease. Soon, Trigja led them to a giant gold gate. There was an electric box with a keypad on it.

“We need a password,” Nukoa said, crossing his arms.

“You’re right,” Trigja said, apparently not anticipating this. “How do we get through?”

“Let me see the map,” Verdana said, her first words since starting the trek. Nukoa gave her the map, and she studied it intently. Then, she stepped forward and typed in a password. The gate clanked open. Verdana, smiling, stepped through after returning the map to Nukoa.

“How did you know?” Kiquis asked, running ahead.

“It’s on the map. I looked on the other side and held it up to the sun and I saw the word ‘magna’ written on it,” Verdana explained.

“Amazing. What made you choose that form of action to figure it out?” Kiquis asked.

“I’d tell you, only I won’t, annoying, talkative Fire Agori,” Verdana hissed. Kiquis moved back, next to Nukoa.

“Boy. Is she in a bad mood or what?” Kiquis commented to the Iron Agori.

“I know. But she’s smart, and that’s why I hired her,” Nukoa explained. “Getting to the Magna Terah is the goal here. I’ve heard a hundred stories on what lies inside, each better than the last.”

“Ha, I almost thought you hired Verdana just for her looks,” Kiquis said.

“If I hired anyone for that, it’s you,” Nukoa said. He hardly believed he did.

“Thanks,” Kiquis said, smiling. Then, Kiquis stepped away, replaced by Telluris.

“So, that’s your tactic?” Telluris said. “Take a girl with you deep into Bota Magna to make her go for you?”

“How did you know about that?” Nukoa said, shocked.

“I’m Telluris. I know things,” the Iron warrior laughed, walking ahead.

They soon found a bridge spanning over a massive chasm, leading to a rocky river below.

“How do we get across?” Kiquis asked.

“I’ve never even seen this thing before,” Takkai admitted.

“I have,” Trigja said. “A long time ago, a Great Being sent the other warriors and me to building a secret bridge for a new portion of the city. The plans never went through, but we finished the bridge,” Trigja said. Just as he finished, a mighty wind swept through the jungle. The bridge vibrated, but then gave way and fell down the chasm, shattering into nearly nothing after striking the bottom.

“Oh, you crazy Jungle Tribe and your skills with architecture,” Kiquis said.

“Of course, that was a century or two ago,” Trigja said. “We’ll need a new way across.”

Without speaking, Verdana planted her frost spear into the ground and a new bridge of ice jumped across. Verdana skated over via bladed feet armor. However, once she felt she was safe, she tapped the spear to the bridge and it melted into more water to feed the river below.

Then, Telluris and Trigja stepped forward after a moment of discussion. Telluris focused the power of his twin swords, and a sturdy bridge of Iron made a new way across. However, before the Agori crossed, Trigja focused the power of his blade shield, and an onslaught of vines formed the support the bridge. After that, the team crossed up to Verdana.

“Here we are,” Takkai said. Immediately, he started through the thick new jungle.

“How come they abandoned the project over here?” Nukoa asked Trigja.

“Some pretty nasty things like here,” Trigja said. “But don’t worry. You have three experienced warriors to defend you.”

As the six traversed through the deep jungle, none of them saw the skeletons of three other “experienced warriors” hanging above them at the jungle’s head.
Review

Edited by Master Inika, Dec 18 2011 - 01:54 PM.

[Master Inika]

Chapter 3

Verdana, silent as a magna mouse, slipped out of her tent. It was the dead of night, in a treacherous place she was not familiar with. She’d never been so close to happy.

She didn’t have too many friends. Even she would admit it; she just wasn’t a very pleasant person. It was her lifestyle, and she was okay with it. Her past was a complicated one. It was a crisscross of betrayals, so-called “friends,” and, somewhere along the lines, the tool she carried called the frost spear.

“Verdana? Is that you?” a voice said, piercing her walk down memory lane. “What are you doing out here?” The figure was silhouetted, but obviously an Agori, and his gruff voice was recognizable as Nukoa.

“Nothing,” she muttered. Then, she turned and pointed her blade at Nukoa. “What are you doing here, Agori?”

For a few seconds, the Iron Agori awkwardly paced around, looking at the trees. “Well, I just thought I’d take a stroll. I could get to sight-see, and scout around to save time tomorrow morning,” he said. “This place reminds me a lot of home, back in the mines.”

“Yeah, I didn’t agree to come here to listen to your memoirs. I came here to look for the Magna Terah’s treasure,” Verdana sneered.

“All right,” Nukoa said, frowning. “But… I did want to ask you something. You’re a girl, right?” Verdana’s response was a mean and disgusted look. “Uh, right. How would I come off good to a girl?” Nukoa asked, hoping he didn’t sound too desperate.

Verdana look him down. “Get better armor colors,” she said dismissively.

Nukoa brushed off his armor, colored the same most of his tribe’s was. “Hey, yellow and black is all the rage back in the mountains,” Nukoa said.

Without saying anything at first, Verdana started back for her tent. “Ugh. I’m too tired for this. You bore me. I’m going back to bed,” she. Nukoa, after standing alone a good minute, did the same.

----

The team went out early the next morning. Trigja was the most familiar with the area, due to his time spent on the bridge project, and thus led the way.

“Any luck translating the map?” Takkai asked Kiquis.

“A bit. Apparently, the Great Beings forged it long ago. Right now, I’m working on the part which tells what’s inside the cave,” Kiquis reported.

“It’s progress,” Telluris said.

Suddenly, the team went silent. They didn’t know why, but they were all suddenly taken by fear. It had seemed that this portion of the jungle had a strange aura.

Takkai looked up with childlike eyes are Trigja. Even if Takkai was tall, Trigja was taller, easily twice the Agori’s height. “You know where we are now, Trigja?”

“I must admit I don’t know. The Great Being always told us not to go here during the project,” the Jungle warrior said.

Telluris took the map from Kiquis. “Are you sure you’re reading that right?” Telluris asked the Agori.

Kiquis, obviously offended, took it back. “Trust me. I’m translating it right,” the Fire Agori assured. “If the cave is so wonderful, of course there’ll be a few perils.”

“Guys? I think I found the perils,” Nukoa said, looking fearfully at the sky. The others looked, and a gang of shadowy entities were soaring ominously in the sky, blocking out some of Solis Magna’s rays.

Suddenly, one of the entities stopped, and appeared to be growing. In actuality, it was sending a beam of pure shadow energy down. It struck the ground, vaporizing a hole in it. The entity then started circling again. Now, the other entities were shooting shadow bolts down as well.

The team darted for cover. Being the smallest of the six beings, Nukoa, Kiquis, and Takkai found shelter among the trees fastest, followed by Telluris.

Thinking clearly, Trigja took his blade shield and fired a jumble of vines from it toward the flying entities. They dispersed, but not before releasing one final blast.

“Save yourselves!” Verdana cried. “They’re trying to take me back! Those crazy Great Beings swore this, but-”

The shadow bolt struck Verdana, silencing her, and incinerating her essence into nothingness. In less than an instant, she was reduced to a pile of armor and a broken frost spear.

Once they knew it was safe, the team of now five came out. Trigja picked up Verdana’s helmet and looked at the inside, which, surprisingly, bore writing.

“Kiquis, can you translate this?” he asked, handing her the helm.

“My, this is astounding. This wasn’t always an Ice Tribe helmet. It once belonged to a Great Being!”

“What else?” Nukoa asked.

“That’s all I can read so far. I’ll try again later,” Kiquis said. Confused and a little disturbed, the group started deeper into the cursed forest, wondering exactly what Verdana was going to say before dying. Was she warning them of something ahead?
Review

Edited by Master Inika, Dec 21 2011 - 05:07 PM.

[Master Inika]

Chapter 4

The team held a brief yet as meaningful as possible ceremony for Verdana, covering her armor with leaves. Kiquis kept the helmet for hope of translating the rest of it. However, fearing the return of the shadow entities, the team proceeded forward as soon as possible.

Nukoa had gone silent after the ceremony. Kiquis, sensing something was wrong, went to the back of the group with him.

“Are you okay?” the translator asked.

“Uh, yeah,” Nukoa said.

The girl put a hand in his shoulder. “You don’t seem okay,” Kiquis said. “Is this about Verdana?”

“Yeah, it is,” the Iron Agori admitted. “Last night, I heard her doing something outside. I asked her what was doing, but she didn’t tell me.”

“Then what?” Kiquis pressed.

“Well, then I asked her…” Nukoa said, but trailed off when he realized he was telling Kiquis about coming off good to a girl. “Uh, nothing important,” he said hastily. Then, he moved his hand into his satchel and pulled out a short dagger.

The girl gasped. “That’s Verdana’s spearhead!” Kiquis realized.

“Yeah. I took it from what was left of the frost spear,” Nukoa said.

“Why? We agreed all we would keep is the helm,” Kiquis said. “And, look, I didn’t like her, either, but she deserves respect for dying.”

Nukoa gave it to her. “But look hard at it. It’s not a normal spearhead,” Nukoa said.

Kiquis looked with her sapphire eyes and saw that there were numerous yet nearly microscopic tears in the dagger’s exsidian coating. The substance inside wasn’t a metal, it looked more like an animal claw.

“What in the name of the Great Beings is that made of?” Kiquis said. Something about the true composition of the blade was… disturbing.

“That’s not made out of wasteland wolf claw or Skopio teeth, or anything else like that,” Nukoa said. “It’s made out of Agori bones.”

----

Up ahead, Takkai and Trigja were conversing about what they may face in the forest.

“How long ago exactly was this ‘bridge project’?” Takkai asked.

Trigja thought about it a second before saying, “About 200 years ago. He put the plan into action to double our land, but it failed due to the things that live down here.”

The Jungle Agori was looking worriedly at the sky. “Those flying things that shot at us… Did the Great Being know about them, and what did they want with Verdana?” Takkai asked.

“He warned us about ‘monsters of the dark, which block out the sun,’ but we never actually saw them during the project,” Trigja said.

“What about giant worms?” Telluris asked.

Trigja would have responded “No, why?” but he figured out why as he looked up. The five had walked straight into a nest of at least a dozen massive, hungry worms, each one as long as four warriors standing on one another’s shoulders. A thousand muscular legs rustled and supported the creatures, while the two claws each worm had snapped angrily, coupled by a malevolent hiss.
Review

Edited by Master Inika, Dec 13 2011 - 04:44 PM.

[Master Inika]

Chapter 5

Nukoa, Kiquis, Trigja, and Telluris all sprinted out of the giant worm nest.

“Is everyone out?” Nukoa asked, trying to catch his breathe.

“Takkai!” Trigja shouted, turning back. They could hear the Jungle Agori scream in terror back in the nest. “We have to get him!” Trigja said, holding his blade shield offensively. Kiquis put her hand on his shoulder, trying to hold him back. Suddenly, acid started seeping through the dirt as the sound of Takkai’s struggle ended.

“Uh, let’s not,” Nukoa said, taking a step back from the acidic ground.

Looking sadly at his fallen ally’s final resting place, Trigja continued through the forest with his friends.

“That was… eventful,” Telluris said.

Trigja looked at the Iron fighter with sorrowful eyes. “It was horrible!” he said. “Takkai was my friend, and now he’s lost.”

“I’m sorry for your loss, but we need to go on,” Nukoa said. “Kiquis, how close are we?”

“The Magna Terah should be…” Kiquis started, searching herself for the map. “Uh, Nukoa, have you seen the map?”

“I, um, gave it to Takkai,” Nukoa said.

“So, we’re lost?” Telluris asked.

“Yes,” Nukoa said. “I say we go this way,” he added, pointing the way they were going. “It’s got to be better than what is behind us.”

After a short while of walking, they reached another obstacle. It was not a creature, or a weapon, but a gateway.

“This was another part of the bridge project, done by the Great Beings. It’s called the Wish of Desire. It’s supposed to work with teleportation, but I don’t know the specifics,” Trigja said.

“Who goes through first?” Nukoa asked.

“I call not it!” Trigja said.

Nukoa leaned back on a tree. “I’m the leader here, so I guess I’m exempt.”

Kiquis and Telluris looked at each other, uncomfortable.

“Telluris, why don’t you go?” Nukoa said, not wanting to lose Kiquis.

The Iron warrior hesitantly stepped to the gate. Swallowing nervously, he stepped through, and… he was gone!

“Where did he go?” Kiquis asked, worried.

“He’ll be fine,” Trigja said. “I forget exactly where it sends you, but it’s not anything dangerous.”

“Well, there goes Verdana, Takkai, and Telluris,” Nukoa said. “Well, technically, Telluris isn’t dead, but it’s all the same.”

Then, lost and confused, the three remaining teammates continued through the forest.
Review

Edited by Master Inika, Oct 25 2011 - 09:11 PM.

[Master Inika]

Chapter 6

As she walked, Kiquis couldn’t help but feel like an outsider. It was a feeling she detested. Within the Fire Tribe, she was accepted and well-liked. In this mysterious jungle, she was just a face in the crowd, and a face which stuck out like a sore claw at that.

The “crowd” she stuck out in consisted solely of herself, the ambitious Iron Agori called Nukoa, and a Jungle warrior named Trigja acting as their navigator. She found comfort knowing none of them were very popular here. The closest was Trigja, being a Jungle native, although the only experience he actually had in this portion of the forest was a mysterious “bridge project” he partook in many years ago.

Nukoa was another case altogether. He was of the Iron Tribe, which meant he wasn’t a people person. Quiet, irritable, and self-absorbed, some tribes only stayed in alliance with his tribe because of their unbeatable skill with metalworking. Kiquis, however, tried to see the good in every one, even Nukoa. The Iron Agori seemed to have a soft spot for her, although he wouldn’t admit it. Besides, his armor was jagged, rocky, and had the strong colors of black and yellow. Kiquis’ was smooth, curved, and carried the gentle hues of orange and red.

“We’ve been here before,” Nukoa said, irritated, as he stopped walking. “I recognize that tree.”

“How can you recognize a tree? They all look the same,” Trigja said. “I can’t even tell one tree from another, and I live here!”

“I just do,” Nukoa said.

Trigja looked around, and he still couldn’t tell one tree from another. “Well, which way do you say we go?” he asked, angry.

“I say…” Nukoa said, searching his mind for some memory which may tell where to go.

“I thought so,” Trigja said. Then, turning the direction they were going, he proclaimed, “We go on this way!”

The trio continued. Nukoa cursed to himself as he proceeded. In the recent days of traveling, he had felt he was losing his authority. True, he wasn’t a leader naturally, but this whole thing was his idea, wasn’t it? And it was his map he found. He feared that, should he be replaced as leader, his share of the treasure may be cut.

Kiquis, on the other hand, was remembering the other three members of their convoy, who had been lost. First was Verdana, a woman who seemed to have more secrets than the forest had trees.

Next to fall was Takkai, a cheerful Jungle Agori. Trigja seemed particularly saddened by his death, and Kiquis could here him mumble at night about how he could have saved him.

Finally, Telluris was lost not too long ago. He wasn’t dead (not to their knowledge, that is), just teleported away to… somewhere. They sent him through a teleportation machine to see if it worked. Nukoa instantaneously decided it wasn’t worth knowing right after he disappeared.

Kiquis wondered about the Iron fighter. “Nukoa,” she asked, “what do you think happened to Telluris?”

“Who cares?” Nukoa said tastelessly. “Nobody liked the freak anyway.”

“That’s not true!” Kiquis cried.

“Really?” the Iron Agori said. “Who here liked him?”

“Um, nobody,” the translator said. “But maybe I did!”

Nukoa looked at her blankly. “Did you?”

“Well, I didn’t dislike him,” Kiquis said. “But I didn’t really like him, either,” she admitted.

Nukoa was about to say something, but a group of tan entities surrounded them, holding force blasters.

“Not good…” Nukoa said, backing into the group as the tan ones hissed at him.
Review

Edited by Master Inika, Dec 18 2011 - 01:56 PM.

[Master Inika]

Chapter 7

Vorox weren’t something to be anticipated when in the deep Bota Magna jungle in search of the Magna Terah. Their usual grounds were in the Great Barren. Regardless, though, Nukoa and his party had been captured by the savage warriors.

“It just goes to show,” the Iron Agori muttered, “expect the unexpected.”

“What do you want?” Trigja demanded. The pack of Vorox was dragging the trio through the forest more. The team was shackled in wood rope, and the smile of the leader drilled them like a bulldozer.

“The treasure of the Magna Terah. Why else would we be down here?” the leader said.

Nukoa, despite his strength, was unable to struggle himself free. “Why capture us? We’re lost,” Nukoa snapped.

“But you also search the cave, correct?” the leader said.

Still struggling, Nukoa replied, “Duh.”

“Um, what he means is that we should work together to find the cave!” Kiquis said quickly. “With our combined recourses, we could find it in no time! And there should be enough treasure to go around, right?”

“Work with Agori? I’d rather gag myself with a fireroot.” the Vorox scoffed.

“Which is why ‘Duh’ was exactly what I meant,” Nukoa growled.

Unlike her Iron ally, Kiquis was not struggling, simply relaxing her body. “Who are you?” she asked.

“Well, you’ll be dead regardless, so I guess you can know. Besides, it’s a long walk to the chamber,” the Vorox said. “I’m Kabrua. This is my pack. We like treasure, so we came here with a map.”

“Where’d you get it?” Kiquis asked.

“That’s none of your business.” Kabrua said, making sure to keep his map far from her. “Anyway, we’ll slaughter Agori, warriors, or even Skrall for this treasure.”

Now, his powers gathered, Trigja mentally took control of the ropes binding him, as they were made from wood. Concentrating, he untied his two teammates and himself and quickly lashed them around Kabrua and the Vorox. Soon, they were bound to the trees, and Nukoa ordered they go on their way.

The second after they left, impossibly fast beings of pure shadow raced through the forest, incinerating the ropes as they sped by. An unfortunate two or three Vorox were grazed a bit too much by the shadow entities, and fell lifelessly to the floor. The surviving ones, including Kabrua, retreated, deciding the Magna Terah wasn’t worth it.

----

The team decided to make camp after the Vorox attack. Using his power, Trigja lined the campsite with thornplants, a spiky flora native to Aqua Magna.

“Where do we sleep?” Kiquis asked.

“Flowleaves,” the Jungle warrior said. He reached up and grabbed one of the massive leaves dangling above him; a flowleaf. He hopped inside it and the leaf, linked to a tree on both ends, supported him gracefully. The two Agori, though having to jump due to their small stature, grabbed flowleaves themselves and rested inside the hammock-like foliage.

Nukoa looked to his side and his eyes met the deep, blue ones which belonged to Kiquis. Despite all they’ve been through, the Vorox and comrades lost, Nukoa managed a smile at the Fire Agori as glowing insects danced in the nightly air.

Review

Edited by Master Inika, Dec 18 2011 - 01:55 PM.

[Master Inika]

Chapter 8

Trigja felt uneasy. He was deep in the forest of Bota Magna with two Agori, Nukoa and Kiquis. They had entered with three Agori and three warriors. He was getting worried. He was responsible for their safety. What if he failed?

He remembered a time not so long ago, yet very different. He was a hero then, yet life was still dangerous.

----

1,000 Years Ago

Trigja, Oran, and Niddhota smiled to themselves as they strutted past the Jungle Agori they protected, as if they knew an inside joke.

In truth, however, word was deep in all of Bota Magna of the warriors’ success. It was this victory which is one of the prime reasons Niddhota would be chosen as Element Lord of Jungle a few thousand years later.

Oran, on the other hand, was a strange one, a convert from the Fire Tribe. Despite this, he seemed pretty dedicated to the Jungle Tribe. He was likable and easy-going, and fit in with the Jungle Tribe.

As they left the area, they caught sight of a Great Being, Angonce. The entity regarded them warmly.

“Welcome, heroes of Jungle!” Angonce said. “That was quite a rescue.”

“Thank you,” Niddhota, the leader, said.

Angonce, ignoring Niddhota, went and put his hands on the immigrant’s shoulder. “Oran, you most deserve praise, as such a new arrival!”

“Thank you, Angonce. Just doing my duty to my tribe,” he said. He didn’t notice Niddhota stare darkly at him.

“Keep it up,” Angonce said, walking away.

Trigja smiled at Oran. “You should be proud,” he told the immigrant, putting his hand on his shoulder.

“Yeah, whatever,” Niddhota said.

----

Hours later, Trigja went for a walk through the East Plains of Bota Magna, as he often did. The sandy plains were more beautiful than the trees to him. Tonight, however, was going to be different, but Trigja didn’t know that.

First, he stumbled upon a small dagger often carried by Jungle Tribesmen. Trigja took it with him, although thought nothing of it.

Then, Trigja sat down under a tree with Thornax vines growing around it. It was the only tree in the East Plains, and he liked it. He studied the dagger intently, trying to figure out who it belonged to.

Suddenly, a crack emitted from the tree. Then, a large object fell from the tree and almost struck Trigja. It took him a second to realize it was actually a being, Oran to be exact.

Trigja was almost speechless at what had happened, and clutched his chest. “What were you doing up there?” Trigja asked.

Oran tried to speak, but his voice was muffled by a raw Thornax shoved in his mouth. Thornax vines tied his arms and feet. Trigja hastily untied him.

“Niddhota!” Oran shouted, spitting out the fruit.

“What about him?”

“That backstabber did this to me!” Oran raged. The warrior showed signs of having been there for hours. His armor, bearing Fire designs but still being emerald, was scratched by Thornax.

“Okay, what exactly happened?” Trigja said calmingly.

“That traitor ambushed me on my way home, called me a traitor, and tied me up!” Oran said. “He left me in the tree for ‘later.’”

“Niddhota wouldn’t,” Trigja said. Niddhota was not the friendliest guy, but he was loyal to his tribe above all, and he would never hurt a fellow Jungle Tribesman.

“Oh, but I would,” Niddhota said. The two turned to see the warrior. “He’s not one of us, Trigja. He’s a Fire Tribesman.”

“He was. He’s Jungle now,” Trigja said, taking out his blade shield. He then realized the blade he found earlier was Niddhota’s.

“You defy the Jungle Tribe by standing for him!” Niddhota said, taking out an axe.

“I don’t know what you’re doing, but it’s sick,” Trigja said.

----

An hour later, Trigja was still walking through the East Plains. Oran and Niddhota were both alive and back at the village. Nobody except the three knew the specifics of what occurred. Nobody except the three ever would. Eventually, Niddhota would become Element Lord of Jungle regardless of his twisted patriotism, and Oran would die in a tragic “accident” in the bridge project.

As for Trigja? He could continue life, ignoring his conscience. He knew nobody would believe him if he told the truth about Niddhota anyway. At least he still had the East Plains.

----

Current

“Trigja!” Nukoa shouted.

“Huh? Trigja said, still dazed.

“We found it! Come on” Nukoa said. Trigja ran forward to Nukoa and Kiquis, and saw pathway leading to a glorious gold temple opening, no doubt the Magna Terah. Trigja smiled at the warming sight.

Nukoa leading the way, the three stepped forward, unable to feel the ground shaking beneath their feet. If they could feel it, they would be smart to run.
Review

Edited by Master Inika, Dec 18 2011 - 01:55 PM.

[Master Inika]

Chapter 9

Now, Nukoa, Kiquis, and Trigja all felt it. The ground was shaking. They could hear it crack and smash beneath their feet. It was an earthquake.

“We have to get out of here!” Kiquis said.

“The Magna Terah is just across that road!” Nukoa said.

Kiquis turned and start running. “Good luck, but I’m heading back,” she told him.

“No,” Nukoa said. I want to stay with you. I want to share the treasure and spend the rest of my days with you. I want to take your hand and not lose you, he thought.

“Well, as long as one of you is staying, so am I,” Trigja said. Now, crevices were starting to form in the ground and threatened to swallow up the trio.

“Come on guys, did we come all this way just to give up?” Nukoa said. “We’ll make it!”

“Are you sure?” Kiquis asked, grounding herself.

“Positive!” the Iron Agori said.

Suddenly, a quake waved through the gilded road and opened beneath Kiquis. She tripped and fell inside, but grabbed her yellow hand on the edge. A second later, the entire foundation of the road started to give way, revealing it to actually be a bridge above a dark chasm. Next, Trigja’s weight broke the floor beneath him and he shot a vine from his hand, which wrapped around the road. Nukoa, being closer to the Jungle warrior, went to help him.

“Don’t worry about me, kid,” Trigja said. His vine was on the brink of snapping, and Nukoa could not reach him. “Kiquis needs you more than me. Go get your lady.” Not waiting for a response, Trigja released his grip and fell down the chasm. He wore a smile, still sane and intellectual, his whole way down.

Nukoa went to Kiquis, still hanging on to the floor. “Help!” she shouted.

“I’m here for you,” Nukoa said. He grabbed her arm and hoisted her up. Nukoa decided the treasure wasn’t worth it and turned to run through the way they came, however, a tree fell and crushed through their path, putting a gaping hole between them and escape. A second tree fell behind them and cut off the Magna Terah.

“What do we do?” she asked frantically. With so much less support, the road bridge was starting to give way.

Nukoa put his arms around Kiquis and said in her ear, “We’ll make it. We’ll be okay, I promise.”

Then, the foundation broke and the entire floor, two Agori, and Magna Terah fell through. No words were exchanged during the fall, but Kiquis and Nukoa were at least happy to die together. The most pain came when the floor slammed on the rocks below, knocking them off their feet. But they were unharmed otherwise.

“Kiquis, look!” Nukoa shouted to his friend. The Fire Agori looked up to see the Magna Terah, which had fallen with them, still in one piece. Albeit damaged, it still retained its immense glory.

“It’s still here,” the translator said in amazement.

“Well, we didn’t come all this way for nothing,” Nukoa said.

Kiquis pulled herself off the ground and followed Nukoa into the grand gate. Nukoa did not know what was in the cave, but he saw a stream when they fell, so they had water. He and Kiquis could survive, with the riches in the cave, and each other.

The End
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Edited by Master Inika, Oct 25 2011 - 09:11 PM.