Adonis Chronicles

The Outlaws Of Tumongro

Tumongro, a small village located in the harsh Lokraniun desert, a village that was mostly a peaceful one. Nothing ever occurred in these outskirts, most people were unaware Tumongro even existed.

It was not kept secret, the law simply never bothered this place; and the people never bothered following the law. Inhabitants of Tumongro didn’t live to oppose the law, they simply didn’t care who came in and what they did.

The village itself was a ramshackle affair, more like a temporary outpost than a village itself. A few straw huts placed casually along a 5-league strip of barren terrain. There was a stable and quite recently a tavern had been constructed, the village of outlaws and retired people.

An old man sat on the tavern deck located at the entrance of Tumongro, rocking on an old wooden rocking chair, smoking a pipe in the design of a tiger with its mouth open, teeth gleaming gold.

The thundering hooves of horses pulling a wagon broke the usual dead silence, dust flying in the air as the hooves skidded to a stop on the dusty path. Three people walked out of the wagon, the old man smiled at their arrival, exposing his yellow teeth. The wizard had been correct regarding the arrival of the chosen one.

Adonis jumped to the ground, dust flying up in his face making him sneeze, evident sign that this road was rarely used. He looked around the town; there was no activity other than an old man smoking his pipe.

Jacob and Mal jumped out behind him, Adonis turned to them as Mal said, “ Man, we been travelling for five hours non rest and we get stuck in a dump like this. Why do the gallows always look so nice in my head now.”

Adonis chuckled at this, “ It may be a dump, but I figure we’re safe here. Don’t look like law enforcement hang out number one. Let’s ask for directions to the inn, because I don’t see it but every town has an inn.”

Walking up to the tavern deck Adonis was about to say something when Mal pulled his arm and said, “ I’ll take care of this, I don’t think you know their lingo.” Walking ahead of Adonis he asked, “ Ya old geezer, ya be knowing where yer inn be?”

Despite Mal’s loud obnoxious voice the old man seemed unresponsive. Almost as though he had died with his eyes open smoking a pipe. Suddenly there was a loud relaxed laugh behind them; they turned in unison to see an elf of undetermined age laughing at them.

He was dressed in black battered armour made of some sort of elvish metal, sign of a symbol now worn off was visible. On his waist was a long scimitar, a row of daggers on a belt crossing his chest diagonally all topped off by a black trench coat.

He smiled arrogantly, showing his pearly white teeth, wind blowing through his dirty blond hair. “ An inn in Tumongro? There ain’t ever been such a thing in Tumongro, never will be. Closest thing to an inn is that tavern, you can cozy yourself up on a table or the bar. But clean up after yourselves or I’ll slit all your throats.”

Walking closer to them he faced Adonis, “ The reason we don’t have an inn or such things normal villages have is that we don’t want to draw unneeded attention, the ale is the definition of disgusting and no one talks about this place. I heard what you said; did you by any chance bring the law down on us? Because if you did many people would be very upset, and no one likes upset people.”

It was a tense moment, Adonis sensed hostility, not knowing what people he was referring to. He replied, “ Of course we didn’t bring the law, we just want to lay low for a while until the storm passes over, think things over. Why you ask, you got a problem with the law?”

The elf shrugged casually as he walked by them, “ Who don’t have a problem with the law nowadays.”

He didn’t bother waiting for a response and walking into the tavern. Jacob thought out loud, “ I wouldn’t trust him farther than I could toss my heaviest anvil. Let’s keep a close watch on that one.”

Entering the tavern through strange swinging doors they realised it was housing nearly the entire village. Most were young people with shifty eyes, all dressed in similar armour with the memory of a symbol on their armour. They were all human except for the elf who’d greeted them.

Despite all these people the tavern was as silent as a tomb, whispers and murmurs could be heard but nothing more. They choose an unused wooden table and sat on the log stools around it. People looked them over with suspicion and resumed their normal conversations.

Ordering some of the ale, Mal took a sip and his first reaction to the foul liquid was spitting it out all over the table. Adonis laughed, having taken the elf’s word for it hadn’t ordered any ale. Once accustomed to the taste, Adonis whispered, “ Ok, any ideas as to where they may have possibly brought my sister?”

Mal, emptying his first mug and getting to his second, liking the taste more and more replied, “ Rumours in the street were the Coronian Empire had a very secretive military base, nearly inaccessible. Where this base may be I ain’t knowing, and I doubt any of these people would know, bunch of incest low breeds in a piss poor excuse of a village.”

The little chattering to be heard in the tavern suddenly ceased, all eyes set upon the trio. A dagger dug into the table right between Mal’s index and middle finger, not even leaving a scratch. Mal looked around to find out where it came from, the ale feeding his need for revenge.

It could have come from any of them but they had a good idea who was responsible. Looking at the elf he winked at Mal mockingly, balancing another dagger in his hand he walked over to their table. Dagger flipping between his fingers in an intricate design he said, “ What us decent gents do to deserve such harsh words from the little man? I suppose we incest low breeds as you put it shall keep our information to ourselves.”

Chuckling lightly he walked out of the bar. Adonis and Jacob looked at Mal angrily, Mal smiled back sheepishly as Adonis ran out after the elf. As he grabbed his arm to get his attention the elf elbowed him in the gut, flipping him over his shoulder and throwing him to the ground. Dagger still out he grabbed his head and put its sharp edge on Adonis’ exposed throat.

Missing the inch of pressure needed to puncture the skin he said, “ No one touches me, why you follow me?”

His heart flitted rapidly, answering in a shaky voice, “ I am here to apologize on my friend’s behalf, he didn’t exactly have a perfect well raised childhood. I followed you because I want to know what information you could have, and what your name is?”

The elf took the dagger away from his throat so quickly Adonis could still feel the pressure on his neck, kicking him flat on his stomach. As Adonis got back to his feet the elf replied, “ It appears as though I have had a sudden lapse of memory. If there was only some way to jog up my memory.”

This was not how Adonis had pictured elves, he’d seen his share of swamp elves who’d had fair complexions and gentle mannerisms. However this elf was rude, quite violent with a dark complexion and a evident greedy aspect.

Pulling the satchel off his shoulder with all the gold inside he dropped it in his hands. The elf’s arms didn’t even move although the bag was heavy, looking inside he placed it over his shoulder. He smiled and said, “ Wow, its incredible how a bit of gold can jog up one’s memory so well. My name is Dominic Hunt, and I once was part of the Coronian Empire. I deserted because they were ransacking some town for no reason, and even an unorthodox gentleman such as myself couldn’t kill children and women in cold blood.”

Jacob and Mal were now outside, Jacob howled, “ Get to the part where you can help us or I’ll use your skull as an anvil.” He showed his hammer as though trying to appear menacing.

Dominic slowly turned to Jacob, slowly pulling out his scimitar, “ Ain’t ya momma ever teach you that patience is a virtue, oh well, not too late to learn.”

He jumped on Jacob, his hammer falling out of his hand, scimitar at his throat, “ You and what army are going to do that. I happen to work with metal as well.” Still facing Jacob with his menacing smile he said to Adonis, “ As I was saying before your other rude friend interrupted, I was once one of them. I don’t know where their secret base is, but I know some people who might be able to help us. All those incest low breeds are former Coronian Empire soldiers. They escaped the massacre of the secret base, and they know its exact location.”

Putting his scimitar back in its sheath he turned to the bar and yelled, “ Come on out boys!” The outlaws from the war walked out, all coming to hear Dominic out. It was evident he was their leader. Unlike Dominic they were armed with broad swords and each had crossbows to their backs, arrows already notched and ready to fire.

Suddenly two large armoured carriages bearing the Royal Kingdom symbol arrived in the village, led by a large white stallion in the front. Sir Agnes got off his horse, armour as polished as ever. Standing behind him were forty soldiers, fully armoured. Bows at the ready and broad swords on their hips they stood in a straight formation.

The outlaws on the other side quickly drew their crossbows and formed a V formation, glaring angrily at the guards. Dominic, Adonis and the other two were in the middle of it all. Agnes walked ahead of the others, meeting Dominic half way.

They faced each other, Agnes’ royal face against Dominic’s rugged cold blooded face, “ We have come to comprehend Adonis on the charges of murder in the first degree, treason, arson and assault on an officer.”

Dominic smiled, motioning for Adonis and the others to get behind the outlaws he said, “ He’s got quite a rep list eh? This town is full of former elite soldiers, and I know you’ve heard of the former General Dominic Hunt, which is me. You can’t have him, I will walk back to my side. If you and your band of greenhorn knights aren’t packing up and heading back we will have no choice but to kill you.”

More outlaws came out from the huts and stood on the side of the knights, crossbows aimed at them. Dominic began walking; the tension was high in the village. Knights had their bows at the ready, arrows notched. Outlaws had their crossbows having two shots each. Dominic reached the side, and for a moment no one even breathed.

The only relaxed people were the old man on the deck, the bartender sitting on a rocking chair beside him and Dominic who already knew what the outcome of this encounter would be.

Dominic stopped at his guards, turning around with exaggerated slowness he made a mock look of surprise on his face and motioned forward with his hand and the bolts were unleashed. At this moment the knights released their flurry of arrows. Some arrows came in impact with the bolts, shattering them upon impact; suddenly Dominic yelled, “ Torano Milakona”

He moved lightning speed, jumping in front of the group he ran with the dexterity of a fox, grabbing the arrows flying toward the outlaws bent on killing the outlaws. All that could be seen of him from everyone else was a very unclear blur.

The police however, were not as fortunate as the outlaws in this instance. Agnes being skilled managed to deflect the arrow going for his forehead, however his knights who were indeed newly recruited did not possess such skills.

Fifteen dropped in the first wave of bolts, falling hard two the ground as twenty other knights dropped dead from the second volley. Five guards had been lucky not to succumb however Dominic took charge of them.

Still running lightning speed he threw two of his daggers, as they hit their targets Dominic withdrew his scimitar beheading one guard he launched off his falling corpse, landing on the other guard he stabbed the other guard in the ear. Blood gushed out of his mouth; he threw the scimitar in the remaining guard.

Returning to a normal speed there were none but Agnes with his elegant long sword drawn. Walking to face Agnes Dominic put his hand up motioning them to cease the attack. Agnes looked back to see his men had been brutally massacred, ground covered with the fresh corpses.

Agnes said defiantly, “ You think your black magic will frighten me, I have come for Adonis and the only way I will ever stop is if you kill me.”

Dominic shrugged, saying with a smile, “ Its like you read my mind.” He punched him hard in neck, using such force that the mere impact crushed all the bones, breaking his neck.

As his corpse fell Dominic got his sword and daggers back from the corpses. As they were back in their places he began to walk back toward the outlaws. Adonis stood astonished, elves were more powerful that was true, but to move as fast as lighting and kill with such efficiency.

The outlaws began to inspect the interior of the carriages and the corpses. Inside the carriages was an arsenal of long swords the knights had left within; knights used broad swords because they were easier to handle, not that they had a chance to demonstrate this.

The outlaws however had the best Coronian training and could handle any weapon in existence and replaced their broad swords with the new weapons. This was indeed a great victory, after having salvaged everything they met in the tavern awaiting orders from Dominic.

The bartender as cool as he’d been since their arrival served drinks from the special storage room, serving good quality ale stolen from the Royal Kingdom’s very own brewery.

Mal was enjoying this new ale very much, he’d been drinking very much and it was becoming very evident that it was getting to his head. At this moment Dominic walked into the tavern; seemingly unexhausted despite the incredible feat he had performed.

The bartender handed over a large pint of the special ale, grabbing the pint he jumped on the bar counter, “ Now we busted, they know we here now. We would be best to be getting out and therefore we would be honoured to assist Adonis in your quest.”

Adonis could hardly restrain himself, he answered, “ yes, I could definitely use your help. I am trying to save my sister, she was kidnapped by a demon that works for the Coronian Empire.”

Dominic jumped to the ground, ale splashing a bit as he walked to Adonis, “ Sounds like our type of job, after all, us outlaws gotta stick together through thick and thin. First we have to some help from a few people.”

Jumping back on the bar counter he yelled, “ Get the carriages loaded with supplies, we heading out ASAP! So get off your lazy asses and lets break a sweat!”

The outlaws went into motion, emptying most of the food and leaving some for the two remaining inhabitants. When it was completed both carriages were loaded with food, ale and blankets. Dominic got on his armoured horse brown horse, all outlaws had armoured horses with various symbols, making it evident everything they owned was stolen.

Two riders per carriage, being pulled by stolen white stallions they left the village in a large cloud of dust.

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Jolene rode into Tumongro, in her black Coronian Empire armour gleaming with newness. Ever since her she’d joined the Coronian Empire she’d felt like she was actually doing something with her life. She’d already started some training with Renaldo but her new training was much more extensive.

She halted the horse at the entrance of the village, examining the horrible scenery ahead. The road was covered with Royal Kingdom knights’ corpses, blood covered the street. Ever since joining the Empire she’d killed many people, at first it had been difficult.

Seeing their faces full of fear, then Ares made her remember the look of fear and cowardice her brother had worn upon his face and had told her when facing an unarmed, she should picture them all as Adonis in the night of her rescue.

Ares was full of such tricks, each time Jolene met a moral wall Ares had a way of getting past it. It had been but one week and she’d sacked several small towns, killing children and women.

As Ares had said, the trick was not to look at them as innocent children but to see them as foes to be, and if you eliminate an enemy before it becomes an enemy there will be less resistance in the long run. A child who witnesses the murder of his parents is guaranteed to become a resistance fighter.

She looked down at her horse, scarred from battles but as tough as nails. She looked around; an old man sat on the tavern deck smoking his tiger shaped bike as though there was nothing out of the ordinary.

The horse suddenly got a familiar smell, a unique smell that could only come from one person. It turned to face Jolene and said, “ Your brother has new allies, and a very dangerous guide. Dominic is a half demon as I am. Except he does not have the curse and his other half is not human but dark elf, he will be a worthy prey.

She charged onward, riding over the corpses the yellow eyed horse said, “ I see them in the distance, hold on tight.”

He suddenly transformed into his usual dragon form, Jolene still riding on him. He flew high in the air, knowing he would be spotted but this was not important, he was determined to capture them.

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Dominic heard something from a distance, loud beats in the air. He turned and spotted the large black dragon. Dominic turned to them and said, “ Run like your ass is on fire!”

They all sped up, the horses pulling the carriages being pushed beyond their limits to get as much speed as possible. The outlaws along with Adonis sped up greatly, a large cloud of dust forming behind them. Dominic stopped his horse and turned to face the direction of the dragon. Lifting his hands, “ Jilio Mok”

The sand dust began to solidify, until there was a large solid wall blocking the way reaching all the way to the sky. Dominic turned his horse around and resumed his course, quickly catching up with the group.

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Ares growled in anger, but he knew how to solve the problem. He landed, dropping Jolene to the ground he turned into his human form and said, “ Return to town as fast as you can, send a magic pulsation message to Lord Krale that we need reinforcements.”

She did not argue and ran with an incredible endurance she had not possessed before. Ares had to admit, she was a very strong human and although she’d just begun her training she was already very formidable.

She had the natural build and mind of a warrior, the only obstacle had been the morales embedded within her head from childhood but Ares had found ways around those walls, with the morals gone she was learning ten times faster than she had at the beginning. Real combat was much better than the training sessions the knights went through.

Refocusing his attention on the giant wall left by Dominic’s spell and stabbed his swords into the ground and yelled in the air, “ Suprena Tolrona”. His swords began to glow red, flames slithering up the deadly blades like venomous snakes tracking a mouse into Ares’ body.

His body began to envelope in flames, starting with his fingers the fiery red power slithered farther and farther on his body. His body was now completely enveloped by the fiery snakes; shaking violently as the energy surged within him. As he glowed completely red, the temperature rising around him he released the building power.

As the fiery snakes retreated from him they grew in power, leaving his body it was already ten times the body it had started as and it quickly went down the falcata blades and plunged into the ground.

The earth began to shake; suddenly a giant stone worm emerged from the ground. Standing a whole forty feet tall this leviathan opened its jaw, emitting a loud growl into the air. It plunged for Ares but he extended his hand and yelled, “ Zulikano!”

The giant worm fell to the ground in pain, struggling to defend itself from its creator’s control. Finally acknowledging Ares was its master and creator it awaited orders. Ares spoke in the worm’s primitive language, “ Make a hole in that wall, kill the people past the wall at any cost.” He pointed at the giant wall and the worm plunged underground.

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They had made a good distance and the horses had slowed down considerably, they were fortunate they’d been able to keep such a pace for so long. Safe in the carriage Mal howled in triumph, “ Yeah! We rock!”

Suddenly there was a large explosion like sound as a large appeared in the wall, Dominic sensed a little rumble under the ground and knew what was coming, “ We can’t get away from this, we must stay and fight this creature.”

The outlaws brought the horses to a halt, turning they withdrew their crossbows and waited for the mysterious foe. Adonis withdrew his war axe, getting ready for battle he asked, “ What creature?”

Suddenly the ground exploded out into the year, large chunks of hard desert soil flying in the air like a volcano eruption. They all took a step back except for Dominic as a forty foot stone worm stood out like a snake, snapping its mighty jaws open and shut.

Dominic said to everyone, “ Al right, we can’t destroy this creature with weapons. Its rock hide is too tough; draw its attention away from me. I got a plan, now go!”

They all started riding around the creature, taunting it. “ Come and get me you oversized fish bait!” yelled Mal above all the other voices. In response it began to thrash like a fish out of water, its head against the ground sending a ripple in the ground similar to what occurred when a rock was thrown in the water. As the ground shook, it nearly sent the riders off their horses and to death.

Adonis had fallen, his borrowed horse running away in fear. He just got up when he seen its large tail swinging right toward him. He lay fat on his stomach, the tail passing so close he could feel a strong wind brush against his back.

It now faced him, Adonis at this moment however was not the coward he’d been in the past. Withdrawing his axe he waited for the imminent attack. As the giant worm plunged toward Adonis he realised he had no hope in hell at blocking or evading that attack, however it hit an invisible wall that sent the large monstrosity bouncing against the ground.

It rose in anger; Jacob and Mal along with most outlaws had fled leaving Adonis standing alone; thankfully Dominic was there to protect him from any danger with his potent magic.

The worm, glaring at Adonis with its hidden eyes had learnt from its mistakes and plunged deep underground, going for an attack from a different angle. Adonis looked down to the ground he stood upon nervously, he could feel it trembling and anticipated the attack any moment.

However, this was the moment Dominic had been waiting for, he knew how to seal the creature. He yelled, “ Toranili Potama” it appeared as though nothing occurred, but the ground suddenly shook violently as the creature tried to emerge from the ground just below Adonis.

But it was unable to no matter how hard it tried; the soil had become nearly unbreakable even to the mighty rock leviathan. Adonis knew not to cheer, Dominic gave him his horse and said, “ Join the others, the worm will escape with time.” Adonis rode away trying to catch up with the outlaws.

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Ares knew his leviathan would be defeated, but it had given him time to catch Adonis. As he appeared in his human form, sword drawn Dominic stood in front of him and said, “Ares, nice leviathan you sent me there and I like what you did with your skin. Too bad your still a slave to Krale.”

Ares snickered and replied, “ Hardly a slave, I’ve got more control over more people than you know, especially over Krale. I hope you’ve been training General Dominic, I especially like that wall of yours. Now you and your outlaws stand down, I have come for the boy your escorting.”

Dominic raised his scimitar in defiance and said, “ Then your fight is with me, I hope you’ve trained as well because your going to need every ounce of training you got, you are very old after all.”

Quickly pulling out his falcata blades they charged at each other with blinding speed, their blades coming into impact with each other sending sparks flying.

A loud clang resounded throughout the whole desert; they both circled each other once again, waiting for the other to strike just like two powerful sharks. Each estimated the foe’s power and trying to predict their next moves. Ares jumped into the air, swinging for Dominic’s head with one sword.

Dominic raised his scimitar; fending off the attack he kicked Ares in the chest before he could strike with his other sword. Ares surprisingly caught his foot between two falcata hilts, spinning Dominic in the air. However, he managed to land on his feet, weapon ready.

Without a second’s hesitation he threw his five daggers in quick succession, Ares caught each of them between his fingers, tossing them aside. Suddenly as if reading each other’s minds they yelled in unison, “ Torano Milakona!”

All time slowed down around them, the dust rising from the ground the ground their feet left seemed to float as if in water. Ares and Dominic had equal training and although Dominic’s reflexes were naturally faster Ares had the curse making them equals.

They engaged in the most ferocious fight of their lives, swords clashing, sparks flying they fought each other faster than the normal eye could see. Striking at openings, counter attacking to block them, the battle lasted for ten minutes without avail.

They were both ready for more, Ares wanted to finish this for it had already been too long but Dominic was very well trained. They circled each other once again, and they clashed once more with the force of two opposing armies. Suddenly the giant leviathan broke free of the subterranean world, still following its orders it chased after Adonis and the outlaws, this distracted Dominic for a fraction of a second.

Ares took advantage of this; kicking Dominic in the gut sending him sprawling to the ground violently. As he went for the kill, Dominic silently mouthed a spell and a stone shield surrounded him from the ground.

Ares’ swords hit the stone barrier, shattering it into near destruction but it did not break it, stabbing the swords into the ground in anger. Transforming into a giant one-eyed ogre he smashed the defence into oblivion. Dominic was not there however; he jumped behind him, slashing at Ares’ legs.

Large gashes appeared, blood gushing out of the large bulky legs. He howled furiously, swinging his rock hard fists into Dominic’s chest with full impact. The armour dented as he flew ten feet away, he lay there unconscious. Ares walked to inspect his victory, and all too late he realized the cunning deception.

He had indeed hit Dominic, however this unconscious Dominic was not but a clever illusion. The wind blew it apart, Ares looked ahead knowing that if he really wanted to he would be able to catch Adonis but he could make Krale wait a lot longer, make him sweat in fear. He turned into his horse form and ran back to the village to catch up with Jolene.

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Adonis caught up with the outlaws who’d stopped to wait for Dominic; suddenly the worm re-emerged once again. Adonis had to fight it, if he could only find a weakness. Suddenly he had a suicidally brilliant idea; the inside of the creature was most probably made of weak flesh, its only weakness.

Adonis withdrew his axe and let the leviathan swallow him whole. The outlaws stood in astonishment; Jacob began to cry coming to the sudden realisation that he’d been too much of a coward and now his friend was dead.

The inside stunk of digested food, blood and a combination of minerals. He crawled in it mushy interiors hearing its blood flow, its heart pump at a slow, steady pace. The contractions of the stomach came into action, pulling him in like quicksand.

He only had one chance to do this or he would be a free meal, he seen the large black heart and with all his might threw the axe straight into the creature’s heart.

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Dominic arrived just in time to see Adonis swallowed whole, Jacob and Mal as well as the other outlaws watched with fear and anticipation as it approached them. Suddenly the creature stopped, falling hard to the ground. The ground shook violently, Dominic got off his horse anticipating the worse.

Out of the dead creature’s open jaw walked out Adonis, blood stained axe over his shoulder. He waved at Dominic and the outlaws and said, “ Damn it stinks in there. I figured its weakness would be its fleshy innards, fortunately my guess turned out to be a fact.”

Dominic chuckled in approval and patted Adonis on the back, “ You’ve got some guts kid, guts and brains.” Turning to the others he yelled, “ Cowards! Adonis faced the creature by himself, risked his life on a hunch and killed it by himself. All you did was stand there in fear like statues. Your outlaws, if any of you behave in such a manner again I will rip out your spinal cords and shove em down your throats. Gather the horses and Mal, prepare your bed for Adonis, he’s going to use it for now. Your going to ride with me.”

They did not argue, thankful they were still alive and once again they gathered all the horses and kept on going wherever it was Dominic was leading them.

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Jolene sat at the bar, the streets had been cleaned out but the smell of blood lingered in the air like a tic. However much she tried she could not muster a conversation out of the bartender. Perhaps it was her black Coronian Empire armour intimidating him, or the fact that she was a young beautiful woman who could actually fight.

As she waited in silence she thought back to her first sacking. It was a small village called Brunida, less than a hundred people, no military. Jolene had been nervous, the demons and Ares had done most of the killing however Ares left a family for her.

They’d been dragged into the living room, they stank of fear. The stain on the young child’s trousers demonstrated this. Ares handed her one of his falcata blades and said, “ Kill them all, never mind the fact they did not do anything to deserve death, kill them.”

Her train of thought was broken as Ares walked into the tavern. The moment he walked in the bartender was surprised to see him but not scared. She wondered if anything scared these people inhabiting the outskirts. Ares sat beside her, “ Have you contacted Krale?”

Jolene nodded, two demons walked into the bar. Heading over to Ares they said, “ Lord Krale has sent us as backup, we are under your command. Also, the human outpost in the desert is under your command.”

Ares grinned maliciously, Jolene loved that mischievous look on his face. Are already had a plan formulated within his head. They left the village, once it was certain everyone was gone and there would be no more activity the old bartender said, “ Can you believe it, all that business and not a single person paid. Interesting day we had do, our twins in the big city don’t get nothing like this.”

The other man, blowing a smoke ring replied, “ Possibly a rebellion, young people are so full of energy and raw emotion, give word to the wizard that the plan is working exactly as he predicted.”

A portal suddenly appeared, Tyronis walked out his skin having regenerated. He walked on the porch and the portal disappeared, his silver hair flowing in the wind like waves. He looked into the horizon; everything was going as planned.