"Fuck!" he cursed as he spat out blood from the impact of hitting a tree behind him. "Damn it! two of them?" He dodged again to the side as yet another tail struck his former position. "Three!? No." He jumped on the trucks of trees left and right, with such speed and accuracy that looked impossible for a human to achieve. He took a position up the highest tree and looked below. His eyes widened in shock. "Shit! shit!! shit!!! How are there that many? I thought we had already killed at least a dozen of them."
Aesir felt depressed. The workload just multiplied. "Madeline had better give me a holiday or something when this is over." Below him were at least nine Inkanyambas. Each one struggled upon itself to get the 'delicacy' that was Aesir. He closed his eyes slightly and then his breathing suddenly changed, his stance too had changed. For a faint second, it looked like the world around him had slowed down. he leapt into the air and as he descended he opened his eyes promptly.
About an hour ago, when Aesir had his cool boy mode whipped silly out of him by an Inkanyamba tail, Tiny, Madeline and Derek had rushed into the fight to help. Aesir's sword attack had only cut down a few of the Inkanyamba. Madeline made two Projections of a Cerberus while TIny entered the fight delivering powerful punches to the giant eel-like creatures. It was indeed an amazing sight to watch as the Inkanyambas took a beating from both women.Derek had just woken up and a long time. He felt the need to stretch his muscles a bit. So he jumped into the flare without thinking. It was only when he landed on the back of one of the creatures and tried to attack did he discover that for some reason, he could not weave runes. He tried as hard as he may, but his connection to runes was faint and even when he could feel the connection, a particular flow of energy seemed to always come in between his connection. His hands formed sparks as a rune blade would form, but then it would dis
As soon as the Bishop came back, he has not been the same. Locked up in his room for several days, he had done nothing nor agreed to see no one. Food had been continually sent to his room but he did not touch them. At times, the servants and guards would hear him scream in rage and fear. The shattering sounds of malware hitting hard surfaces could also be heard from time to time. No one knew what had happened. All they knew was that the high ranking members in the region had come together for a hunt against the rebel tribe of monopods and the abomination that was a Writer with airships and even a helicopter. This was supposed to be an overwhelming victory. Especially with a beast such as the Acting Bishop taking charge. This event was supposed to be a testimony told in meetings of the supremacy of the mighty Grootslang. Another medal around their neck, and the flesh and bones of a Writer as the shining medal plate. There was even a small celebration for anticipated victory bef
Gbolan looked different. Ivory had taken him to have a bath and even comforted him enough that he finally agreed and ate some food. She covered him with a blanket as he slept in her room. She kissed him on the forehead and walked out to the side room. It was a well-decorated spaced office. This would be her temporal office until she had finished settling the matters in the region. She took one more look at the sleeping Gbolan before she closed the doors tight.She sat on the office sit that was wide enough to swallow her small figure and rested her back on the backrest. She squeezed her fists tightly. "House Thembeka Huh!" She opened a side drawer and brought out a crystal ball. She took a deep breath to control her mood and a stern expression took form on her face. Placing her fingers on the crystal ball, she said a chant and the crystal ball glowed brightly. An insignia appeared on it. If Derek was here, he would have recognised this insignia. That was because it is that of
Since the event with the Inkanyamba, things have been going rather smooth. This was because of the subtle division of labour. Derek and Aesir handled the surroundings and took care of creatures such as the Inkanyamba and any other creatures that the Grootslang had planted in the area. Madeline was strictly in charge of administrative duties. And lastly, Lydia and Tiny helped with rebuilding the village.After all, was set and done, it was drawing time for Derek and his friends to continue on their journey. But now Derek faced another problem. What was the assurance that once they left, the Grootslang will not come back for their revenge? This was a problem Derek had pondered a solution to for a long time now.It was very early hours of the morning. Derek had not been able to sleep at all last night. He sat in the branches of a high tree and stared into the distance. His mind was filled with possible solutions he could implement. He even considered the possibility of in
Hayaa made some adjustments to the foundational rune and Derek set it up above the village. This was going to be the umbrella that would protect the monopod village when they continued their journey. The foundational rune proved to be far more effective than Derek had even thought. And since it came with its own power source which was the gem in the middle, it could last for at least several years. In fact, according to Derek, it could last for as long as 10 to 15 years. But if attacked once more by the Grootslang, then maybe another 5 years.A defensive system had been finally put in place. Next was the issue with the administration. A good number of the slaves were unable to return back to their homes and so, they had become members of the village. The village was no longer a village of just Monopods but also of humans. Madeline and Lydia help to set up a council as a governing body that consisted of not only Monopods but also humans. This would ensure fairness of rights fo
A few minutes later, Tiny's bathing suit had been peeled from her body. She stayed underneath the water in embarrassment. But then the next topic attracted her attention."Do you think what Derek said is true? I mean about an origin rune existing inside him." Madeline asked Lydia.Even though Lydia was not there, she had been updated. "Actually, I had known about that for a while longer than you guys.""Serious?"Lydia nodded. A thought came to Madeline's mind and she asked, "Bastet!?"Lydia nodded again. "You guys don't understand. It is true the origin rune is a treasure, but as it stands, it cannot be removed from Derek's body. And as long as they don't know about it, he should be safe.""They!?" Tiny asked."Yes! 'They'. The royal family and noble houses." She took a deep breath in and then she continued. "You guys have barely met them. And I am truly grateful for that. If possible, I would advise that you run when you meet one. E
All was finally done and dusted. As Derek, Madeline, Lydia and Aesir mounted the backs of their Griffins, The Villagers gave a warm goodbye. Farna wasted no time turning on the Foundational rune that protected the village like a dome as soon as they were gone. Derek looked to Aesir and could not help but laugh a bit. The face of his good brother was swollen. Evidence of receiving punches and kicks that almost took his life. Aesir was not the only one that was beaten silly. The only difference was that Derek was a Writer. There was only so much their attacks could do. The Griffins speed through the sky. Derek had already regretted not taking a plane as any normal person would. They definitely would have made it to their destination by now. As it stood, they had already spent over three weeks in the monopod village. Although Derek had to admit that deep down, a part of him was glad that he and his friends had gotten stronger because of this event, and he had even gotte
Please come inside, let's have some tea and pray for your friends. The chief led Tiny into a hut. The hut was decorated beautifully in animal skin and paintings of a strange-looking animal with several horns on its head. The chief saw her eyes fixated on the drawings of the creature and smiled slightly. "This is not the first time that visitors have become victims. There is a creature that leaves in these parts." He pointed to the painting, "Deep within the earth. It is called a Zullezu. Meaning the lonely one." He opened a little pot and brought out some tea leaves. After grinding them gently, he put them in a sieve and added some hot water. "Sugar or honey?""Sugar, please!" She replied."Honestly, it is rather very peaceful and has even contributed richly to the fertility of the earth. Some villages around even worship it. Zullezu is recognized as a mother to the earth. But around this time of the year, things are always not so peaceful. You see, this land used to b
"Welcome Madeline, we have been waiting for you!" A voice whispered and she turned about to the sound of the voice.There stood a very tall slim woman. She had on a white crop top that revealed her very slim waist leadingdown to her white blouse. She had a pair of glasses on, and she smiled sweetly to Madeline."Where I'm I!?...And who are you!?" Madeline asked."Follow me! I'll explain" she said, gesturing to Madeline a path that opened up in front of them.Madeline frowned and at first did not want to, but still followed behind the woman taking gentle steps.Through a yellow path in-between trees that surprisingly had both carrots and cabbages growing on them, to a hut on a hill side. Madeline followed, while her eyes examed her environment with nothing but wonder and surprise.At the small hut, the woman entered, and then she gestured for Madeline to follow. Although she did not want to, she had no choice and followed.Madeline thought that her sense of reality was warped because
Aesir willed and his sword acted as an assist as it went straight for the bird's other wing.*Caw!*The eagle screamed in pain. Manila ran straight for it. And mounting it's back, she delivered a crushing blow to its neck.*Caw!* It screamed again. However, she did not stop for a bit and after the fourth blow, the eagle passed out. Derek and Aesir stared at her in surprise as she slowly stood from the eagle's back. She made fierce eye contact with Derek and then looked away. Aesir turned to Derek with a brow up, and Derek raised his hands in surrender, "what I'm innocent. I swear!" "Of course you are." Aesir smiled and walked away.Manila began work immediately. The plan was to use the bird as a distraction for the scorpions so that they could pass.The best way to do this would be for them to make sure that the beast could no longer pick up flight.Manila was unsurprisingly skilled at this. She cut out the feathers of the beast.Aesir and Derek also joined her and helped. Soon eno
"Exactly! So if you can't solve them, why bother about them? Yet, before you lies a problem that deserves you immediate attention which you can or at least try solving. But you are too concerned with the rabbits in the wild to realize that you should first deal with the one on your plate." Priestess Ada adviced.She smiled and walked away, "Don't forget, listen as a passerby and it will flow naturally." Madeline watched the back of the old lady leaving as the words she had just spoken played again and again in her head. She sat crossed leg once more as she continually told herself to let go. Her eyes closed tightly and suddenly the thoughts as expected came once more.This time around, she decided not to quiet it or silence it. Rather she let it flow naturally.At first she couldn't help but be swept up in the thoughts and the different scenarios they played. Some even ended in tragedy. And this made her ache in worry. This was a disadvantage of over active thinks. A disadvantage t
Derek could not help but look at them and observe them. These were not like the scorpions he knew from earth. For one, they produced webbings from their tail end. Also, there seemed to be very organized and particularly busy.Some of them were bigger, but those big ones were few. And from the looks of it, they monitored the activities of the smaller ones. These creatures were hard at work building it seemed."Scorpion colony! We will have to navigate round them." Manila spoke."Navigate?" Aesir asked, "how far are we talking of?"She pointed to the hill far in the distance. "That far? But that will take at least an extra day off our schedule." Derek added."Yeah! It will. But it will be far better than to have those things have our scent. Cause ones they do, they will follow us for a very long time." Manila advised."Hmmm. Is there no way to distract them?" Derek asked."Well, there are a couple of ways that could work. However, we don't even have the necessary materials to make tha
Madeline nodded her head in understanding to Chief Sasha's words."So what does this have to do with aura?" Madeline asked."Well! Every thing." She picked up another stone from the ground, "according to your definition of aura, then aura is this object in your hands. And has stated earlier, it weighs you down over time." Chief Sasha turned and threw the stone into the water, then she turned once more and slowly released her aura, "However, if you understand that all it is, is an extension of your body, then behold the weight is gone. After all, your hands have always been attached to the rest of your body and you don't hear them complaining."Those words suddenly stroke difference to Madeline. She felt like she was at a state where she wanted to understand. In fact, the enlightenment was just Infront of her, however, it was a yard bit out of reach.She even sat on the ground as she tried to think hard on Chief Sasha's words. However, for the first time in a while, her brain was una
"huh!?" Madeline could not believe what she was hearing."Don't worry! I am not as weak or fragile as you think. I am sure you noticed that we are a small tribe. Yet, we have survived for so long with terrible neighbors such as the Kaka tribe. Although we rarely bring out our full force, we are definitely not weak." Chief Sasha smirked a bit.Madeline nodded and then she commanded the Cerberus to attack. The beast used one of its paws and a heavy blow landed on the chief. *Bam* Some where within the carven, Priestess Ada was attending to a pregnant woman when she heard the boom of the attack. She raised her head and sighed, "So the the training has started."She pretended not to hear it and continue with the pregnant woman in front of her.....Meanwhile, Madeline was panicking. There was a lot of dust and it was difficult for her to see what had happened. As far as she was concerned,she had crushed the chief."Chief Sasha!" She called out in a low tone. Afraid that her eyes might m
A few hours later, Derek ,Aesir and Milan said their good byes as they started their journey to the Gaka tribe.However, before they did Priestess Ada had come to see Derek one more time."Please take care of yourself properly Repono. And if there is absolutely anything you need, do not hesitate to contact me. I maybe far from you, but some of the things I can do will very much amaze you."Once she said this, she touched behind his ear and Derek clearly felt another radio rune added to the one he already had.Radio runes were special but not ominipresent. One had to be within a certain range for it to be used.Derek knew that If she was giving him one, then it meant that she was sure of reaching him as far away as even the Gaka tribe.A sudden realization hit Derek. One that he had not thought of before. Priestess Ada was a Familiar. Which meant that she could also weave runes.He remembered his experience at the cave when he first came and the one that had happen during the fight aga
"And what might the main dish be?" Milan asked with raised brows. Chief Sasha did not exactly know how to have this talk with her daughter. But she knew that she had to. "Erm... Milan how old are you now?" "I am nineteen now!" Milan replied, "but in a couple of months, I'll be twenty." "Oh! That's nice. That's around the same age I was when I had you. Oh, how I remember it like it was only yesterday. That was the happiest day of my life. You were so little and so adorable. Your butt was not this big and chest this full then. It was all so..." "Mother!!!" Milan stopped her. Her cheeks had become red from embarrassment. "Just go straight to the point. Please!" Chief Sasha laughed a bit, "okay! I understand you are a big girl now." She sighed and then laughed some more. Apparently, she was still rolling down memory lane. "So tell me. What do you think about that Master Writer?" Chief Sasha asked. "Huh!?" This question had taken Milan off guard. "What do you mean mother?" "I mean
Meanwhile, back at the mountain that belonged to the Waka tribe, Derek sat crossed legged in a cave assigned to him. This cave was by far a better one than the one he had and his friends had been sharing on first arrival. Also it was decorated appropriately and it even had a bed in the middle made of several animal fur. Derek had already given out instruction that he would loved to be left alone for a while, if not the entrance to this place would have been crowded by people. With rumours of the tribe having a writer as a guest, every body wanted to meet him. Also, tales of his marvelous feat from the battle earlier in the day had reached their ears.He was as good as a god to them at this point. At the entrance of the cave already lay all sorts of gifts for him. However, Derek was not all that interested in playing messiah at the moment. He just had too much on his mind. Too much problems that needed his attention. One of which was the pressing matter that both his women were mis