It Has Begun!

A whole lot of raging curses from both sides, bloodshed, Vehemonts stamping poor Oliver who had no weapon, the rest of us slaughtering the monsters which seemed unending – this was the gist of the fight.

Oliver, being unarmed received no justice from the reckless and wild monsters. Even in such a situation, he didn't seem to be doing so bad. His swift motion could even be compared to the pace of the Vehemonts who themselves were quite speedy. He would be seen at many places while fighting. Although he couldn't damage them, he was successful in dodging most of them. Occasionally, he would succeed in catching hold on one of the riders and dragging him down to the floor. He still had his fist as a weapon. The guy was all the positivity anyone would ever need.

Xavier was helping Oliver to not get killed. Mark being himself, charged into the battle-field. This time he had a partner with him – Druk. Together, the two wild bulls stood in front and stopped most of the foes to make their way to us. The ones which managed to enter the barrier created by them were crushed by Amanda and me. Amanda, though a little out of practice, seemed to be doing really well against the monsters. She noticed my astonished expression and said, "I needed this warm-up after such a long break in the prison."

We were doing great until Raptor emerged from the central hall. "What's all the ruckus about?" He shouted. One of the monsters replied, "It is the DELTAs! They're escaping!" Raptor tried to spot us. He saw me and looked a little startled. He walked closer to me and said, "I didn't think you'd make it, Blaze Hunt! Well, now that you are here, won't you like to meet your father? He might even give you a quick and serene death." With a quick movement, I kicked his knee and he was down. Punching him on the face, I replied, "He is not my father! In fact, he might be the one to get an easy death."

Snarling, he got up. "Your attitude just keeps getting worse. But that will give me even more joy in wrecking you!" Saying so, he gave a loud cry. Thousands of soldiers from several camps came out with armed weapons. Just like in a war, they rushed towards us like groups of ants. The tables turned. Xorains were numerous in number and we were just seven including Sounge and Druk.

Oliver and Xavier being crushed under the uncountable Vehemonts, Mark and Druk getting martyred, Amanda and I fighting till the end but eventually dying, Sounge getting killed for no reason – all this could have happened if the dragon hadn't showed up. We were cursing Mark for being so brave. Bravery doesn't always win you war against a thousand. Just then from the sky, I heard a noise. Looking up, I found that a large figure covering the view of the Saphrop which had slightly risen. Just as morning rises, our hopes increased as we gazed at our friendly dragon, Colloseus entering the Palace. The Guard towers on the four directions of the Palace tried to defend against the dragon with loaded canons. But come on! He was a dragon!

"'Sup, Blaze Hunt!" Colloseus greeted as he got ready to enter the battlefield. It was the first time I had heard that slang from a dragon. I was happy beyond measure. I wasn't going to die just yet. Climbing on the back of the gigantic myth, I called the others too. Everyone took a seat on Flight Colloseus. Although Sounge was used to taking others on his back for a ride, he enjoyed the fact that he too could take a ride on someone. Did we weigh Colloseus down? Of course not! The dragon was like two hundred tons worth. We flew off, leaving the monsters confused. They ran all the way from the camps to see a dragon taking their foes away.

I looked at Raptor from above. His eyes showed no worry of the DELTAs escaping. Now that his Master had arrived, he feared nothing. This change in him made me a little nervous of the power of the Jalaar army. The thousands that we had seen just now were just a quarter of what the army consisted of. We ourselves had only about a thousand people for the fight. I didn't think too much about Red One's army as my trust in him was still wary.

"Wade had sent a few warriors to the Great Waterfall. Sensing their presence, I revealed myself and enquired whether all was good. That was when I learnt that King Jalaar was on the brink of awakening and that the war would begin very soon. I know that Drakolleus was training in the Hydra Caves all this time – I could sense it. I too have been busy training in my Kingdom. But now it's time." Colloseus explained. I narrated all that had happened till now in the outside world. In between, Colloseus exclaimed, "You actually managed to complete the deal with the Red One!" I simply nodded. The dragon didn't have to know all the bruises and close deaths I had received from the deal.

"Where are we headed to?" Oliver enquired. "To a safer place for scouting. The ally army had started their journey by foot just as I had begun mine. Flying gave me the advantage. But by tomorrow, I expect a reunion with them. I expect the war to begin a few hours before noon. You still have time for warm-up." Colloseus replied. "The grasslands near River Aster would be a good place. We can rest there and it is also tough to spot anyone there. The grass comes up till knee-length so even if we sleep, we'll not be noticed." Mark suggested. Everyone agreed and Colloseus turned a few degrees to meet River Aster.

I remembered that Xavier's warship too was near the river bank. The news of his warship energized him and he started asking all sorts of questions; whether the ship was alright. I told him that all the zartinum was used up and that we might want to strengthen the walls of the ship. It, in its current state wouldn't be able to withstand the war.

We followed the river flow up to the place where the warship was parked. Xavier jumped down from the air when he saw his magnificent creation on the ground. It had lost a little bit of color, the glass was a little damaged and it needed more power and built-in weapons – otherwise it was as awesome as before. Colloseus safely landed and we jumped down from his back. Xavier immediately rushed to his ship. Mark and Amanda followed. Druk, I and Oliver sat near the shore and Colloseus was watching all of us.

Xavier along with Mark and Amanda got to work on the warship. Oliver looked at the water flowing and sighed. "It's been a long time, Blaze." He said. I smiled, "Yes it has. And I'd like to thank you." My replied seemed to puzzle him. "Why thank me? You were the one who rescued us!" He exclaimed. I explained, "During my journey with Druk and Sounge, I saw a vision. I found out that you all were prisoned somewhere in the Palace itself. The thing that motivated me the most was what you said, buddy! You told the guard about your fearlessness because you trusted me. You guys never lost faith in me and were certain I would make it. Even I wasn't so sure but hearing you I felt I had to do it."

Oliver laughed, "We can never have a doubt about you, Blaze! If anyone is capable of killing the King, it's you! It has even been proclaimed that you are the only one who stands a chance against the Jalaar. You are our only hope." Before I could reply, Xavier called out. We got up and went to the warship, Druk following. "There's a problem. I have fixed everything else. Bu the ship needs zartinum to work. Even fuel isn't sufficient." Xavier sighed.

Druk instructed me to take from my bag the small tin which contained the Anderclar liquid. I obeyed and brought out the box of precious energy. "This too can be used as a fuel I suppose. I think it will be better than zartinum." Druk suggested. Xavier poured only a little bit and immediately the control system started working. Impressed, Xavier said, "I don't know what this is but it's pretty cool!"

Xavier went on to check all the functions of the ship. He and I together worked on the control system. Once all the functions were looked into and confirmed working, Xavier decided to focus on the weaponry. Sitting on the grass, he began combining various parts to first give shape to the outer layers. Then he decided to make a firing system. "I want to install some weapons on the sides of the ship as well. We'll fire at them with everything we have!" He announced.

I understood nothing of how he managed to make them. My job was to just offer him the various tools and parts he needed from the small room in the back of the warship. Though tiny, the room consisted of literally anything you needed. Just then, Colloseus called out, "I can see them at the horizon! Wade is here with the army."