Fated (Chapter Thirteen)
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mindcrackloveChapter list: http://tanadin.dreamwidth.org/382.html
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Character status spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet
Chapter Thirteen
Ashwatch, Minecraftia. September 19, year 573. Time instance 483Z.
Shred awoke to quiet squeaking. She groaned and sat up, blinking her eyes in the late morning light. After the events of the previous night, the Skullblades had gone to bed shortly before dawn. Shred’s tired mind struggled to remember who the valk’vanor had chosen as its caretaker before she realized that there was the rear end of a dragon sticking out from under her bed.
Shred’s memories came slamming back and she practically jumped off of her bed onto her feet, immediately moving to help the dragon get unstuck. “How did you…”
The dragon looked up at her once it had been pulled out and squeaked quietly, rubbing against her leg until she sat down. It curled up next to her and placed its head on her leg. The glowing blue lights of its eyes seemed to be locked on her.
Shred looked it over and counted the horns on its head. “Five.” She mumbled. “Four or five is female, right…? So you’re a daughter of Vallor’roth.” The dragon squeaked quietly and nuzzled her leg. Shred smiled slightly. “You’re awfully cute, you know. And amazing.” She ran a finger over the dragon’s scales, smiling as it hummed quietly. “I never expected to be your caretaker, you know… I wasn’t sure if I would even be able to ever interact with you, or if you would choose an Ashenhorn. But you chose me… Why?”
The dragon offered no explanation, instead climbing into her lap and curling up there. She started to close its eyes- evident by the glow starting to fade- before they snapped open and her head jerked up at the sound of footsteps.
Someone knocked on the door. “Come in.” Shred called, and the door swung open to reveal Nessy holding a plate with a slab of cooked meat.
“I figured the little one would be hungry.” She admitted, sitting down next to Shred. “I assume there’s no ancient Skullblade law about when or what you can feed the dragon?”
“Nope.” Shred had to hold the dragon back from pouncing on Nessy and the food, which, she admitted, smelled pretty good. “Where did you get that?”
“Some Shadefang shot it and we cooked it up.” Nessy offered the plate to the dragon.
Shred rolled her eyes and let go, letting the little one scramble over to Nessy and start devouring the offered food. “Don’t burn yourself.” Shred warned, but ended up being fascinated by the dragon as she ate.
“It really looks like she’s solid shadow with a skull in there.” Nessy said quietly.
“She might be. Who knows? The valk’vanor are children of one of the creators.”
“Have you chosen a name for her? Your brother was really excited that you got to name her.”
“I get to name her?” Shred forced her eyes from the dragon to look at Nessy.
“Of course. She chose you, and you’re the closest thing she really has to a parent.”
“Oh.” Shred mumbled. I never thought of it that way. She gently ran a finger across the membrane of the hatchling’s right wing. “Mira.” She decided after a few moments. “Her name is Mira.”
Mira, child of Vallor’roth.
The hatchling paused in eating and looked up at her for a moment, silent, looking her in the eye. She blinked once before going back to her meal.
“Mira.” Nessy echoed. “It fits.”
Mira yawned after finishing off the meal that Nessy had brought her, returning to Shred to curl up in her lap. She fell asleep almost immediately. Shred smiled slightly and stroked the hatchling’s scales, humming softly.
“Your mother wanted to talk to us, as well, but I think she can wait until later.” Nessy informed her, standing. “I’ll leave you with Mira.”
“Thank you.” Shred nodded.
As Nessy left the room, it occurred to her that perhaps having a little one to look after would improve Shred’s temperament. She was already smiling and humming, things that Nessy couldn’t really remember being common for the Skullblade.
~~~
Several hours later, Mira awoke and Shred took her outside to meet the rest of the group. Everyone was highly enthusiastic about the baby dragon, including large numbers of Skullblades that eventually had to be shooed away as their sheer numbers were scaring the little one.
That done, the group sat in front of Shred’s house to listen to what Seer had to say. Mira was once again asleep in Shred’s lap, being easily tired at this young of an age.
“The moment after those voices spoke, Vallor’roth showed me the rest of what he wanted done.” Seer began. “Those voices were the Hostiles- ten of the twenty-one monsters that were unleashed upon this world two hundred years ago. They were an accident, created by Vechs Davion, but they existed nonetheless. He and his friends- the Mindcrackers- destroyed eleven and sent the remaining ten into the Shattered Zone, an area of the Nether that they could not escape until the barrier between the Nether and the Overworld weakened- such as during the event last night.
“They will destroy everything unless they are stopped- and to stop them, you must find the descendants of all thirty Mindcrackers and take down the Hostiles. How, I don’t know, but there was a prophecy given to the Mindcrackers two hundred years ago that you must know that will help you on your journey.” Seer paused and cleared her throat before speaking.
“When they that destroy the fabric walk,
When he of the splinter breathes his last,
Ishtillion must take them hold
Until the Bloodshadow bleeds the sky.
The gate will burst, the Shade roams free
Unquenchable, unstoppable, until the final dancing arrow.
Only she who bears the name of the shattered kingdom
Can end their Hostile reign.
Thirty walk, but twenty-eight guard
The last of Iilthrid’s line.”
The nine descendants of the Mindcrackers before her stared.
Nine of thirty present.
“I won’t pretend to understand most of what was said, but it’s clear that ‘she who bears the name of the shattered kingdom’ will be the one to take down the ‘shade’, who I presume is their leader from what Vallor’roth has shown me.” Seer looked directly at Nia.
“What? Me?”
“You are Dalania Davion, and Dalania broke from the Shattering many years ago. It fits- you are the one who will end it, but the other twenty-nine are essential as well. I have learned that you must travel west into the Vicious Wilds- there you will find someone who can help you and set you on the right path. Along your journey you will find other descendants- Teramelle and Mira both will likely trust them, and they may come to you in odd ways.”
“The Vicious Wilds?” Niel questioned, voice shaking. “I’ve heard rumors that that’s one of the most dangerous places on Minecraftia. Isn’t it filled with monsters?”
“Yes. But Moranaax will likely keep you alive if he finds you worthy.” Seer smiled at him. “Don’t worry. The Vicious Wilds kill with purpose, unlike the ruins of Dalania.”
As she fell silent, the descendants all looked at each other with a mixture of confusion, fear, and excitement. This was like nothing that had ever been expected of them before, and it was dangerous- the fate of the world rode on their shoulders- and yet…it was an adventure, a quest, and certainly beat what a lot of their lives had been like.
“Let’s do this.” Adrian said, getting to his feet. “We can’t let the world down, right?”
“Right.” Nia stood as well. “We should preferably get going before the Hostiles destroy the world.”
The others stood as well, Shred carefully holding Mira in her arms and getting assistance with standing from Nessy.
Seer smiled at them and nodded. “You will do well, I feel.” She informed them. “And yes, Shred, before you ask- Mira must come along.”
“What?! No! She’s just a baby, she can’t-“
“It’s imperative that Vallor’roth’s daughter accompanies you on this.” Seer repeated. “Don’t argue.”
Shred sighed. “I won’t let her get hurt.”
“Good.” Seer stepped forward and hugged her. “I’m proud of you. We all are. Say your goodbyes to everyone and get going- go out there and save the world.” She smiled, and Shred smiled back, feeling better about this already.
~~~
As they reached the top of the final hill out of Ashwatch, the group turned around and looked back towards the valley.
“You’ll see home again.” Nia assured Shred. “We’ll defeat these Hostile things and be done before you know it.”
“I doubt it’ll be that simple.” Shred sighed, starting down the hill. “Samuel, which way?”
He glanced at the map again. “This way.” He moved to the front, motioning for the group to follow. He led them west, towards the Vicious Wilds.
Towards their guide and their destiny.
Niel, who had barely gotten any sleep the night before, was asleep on Teramelle’s back with Tranpar behind him. The kid was tinkering with something metallic and muttering under his breath. Adrian watched him closely to make sure that he didn’t do anything too dangerous, while at the same time trying to get a good look at the dragon that Shred was carrying.
Mira had an insatiable curiosity about the group, squeaking and trying to sniff anyone that got near. She seemed particularly interested in Nessy, but wouldn’t let anyone except Shred hold her. She never strayed more than a few feet from Shred even when she was allowed to walk for a short amount of time, clearly very attached to her caretaker and not quite sure about the world yet.
She yawned quietly and closed her eyes, resting her head on Shred’s shoulder. Nessy, who was walking behind the Skullblade, smiled a little and ran a finger over one of Mira’s horns. She was a precious little creature that needed to be protected at all costs. Mira made a soft sound as Nessy drew her hand away and the purple-eyed girl did her best to mimic it, making Nia laugh. Nessy swatted at her and Nia laughed louder, making Mira open her eyes to see what was going on.
“Do I need to turn this party around and make you behave?” Samuel demanded, looking over his shoulder. He had been discussing the fastest route to the Vicious Wilds with Tarsen, who appeared to be amused with their shenanigans.
“No.” Nia sighed. “Sorry.”
“Can you tell the dragon that I’m not dinner?” Baltbee asked, noticing Mira looking at him closely. “She looks hungry.”
“She’s fine. Just curious.” Shred insisted. “And if she eats you, oh well. Once less obnoxiously-colored sheepman in the world.”
Baltbee sputtered indignantly while the group laughed, waking up Niel who asked to be informed as to what was going on, but received no explanation as the others only laughed harder the more Baltbee pretended to be offended. “It wasn’t even that funny!” He finally protested.
Shred shook her head once the group had calmed down and could continue on their way.
Maybe these guys aren’t so bad after all.
-~-
“Vicious Wilds?” Paul asked, raising an eyebrow. “That sounds familiar. Didn’t we go there and get help from a friendly guide who also happened to be Vechs’s mother?”
“My mother is not alive.” Vechs protested. “She would be, like…three hundred years old!”
“So? She was over a hundred when we last saw her.” Blame reasoned. “No reason she couldn’t live longer.”
“That’s ridiculous. No way. There’s bound to be other people living in the Wilds.”
“No one has ever lived there except for Skera, as far as we know.” Aureylian informed him. “Too dangerous.”
“Which is why she’s not alive!”
“Her ghost could be around.” Paul shrugged. “You Davions never rest easy in death, remember?”
Vechs tried to protest but finally sighed. “You’re right. We’re stubborn like that, especially my mother.”
“I hope it’s her.” Nebris added. “If she’s on their side, they can’t lose.”
“True. She’s useful, smart, and tough.” Blame nodded. “They’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” He put a hand on Vechs’s shoulder.
I’m a damn hypocrite.
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Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2015 07:20 pm (UTC)-TLL