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Malum

Part 6

By: Razial Drakken

Thamas tried to rest that night, but the fight with Ryax left him sore and bruised. What was he thinking taking on a, well, dragon like that?

Thamas rolled onto his back and looked up at the stars. For a moment, he looked for constellations, but none were familiar. Nevertheless, the stars showed brilliantly against a backdrop of greenish-red colors accented with bits of neon blue. Thamas knew these were not his stars but still stared in wonder, drifting him into an uneasy sleep.

Thamas found himself in the middle of a grassy plain as a warm breeze brushed across his skin. He sat up and looked around but found nothing in sight. Then he heard a laugh similar to a child's echo in the distance.

“Is anyone there?" Thamas asked as he stood. He heard something move behind him and turned to see someone standing in white robes with a shawl covering their face.

“So, you are the one coming to my tower. Ah, I see so much potential in you," the being said as they giggled again.

“Wait, are you Mika?"

“Well, of course, I am, but we mustn't talk now. No. Too many ears are listening. It's not safe, no. I shall see you tomorrow. Tata!" The being dissolved into dust and drifted away in the wind.

“Wait! Come back!" Thamas yelled as everything went dark.

Suddenly, Thamas eyes shot open and bolted upright. He breathed as he wiped away the sweat on his face. He looked over and found Gen sitting next to him with a pitiful look on his face.

“What? Haven't you had a bad dream before?" Thamas said defensively.

“I have not dreamed for nearly 50 cycles; that's about 25 years in your time," Gen said as Thamas smiled.

“Be thankful; they're not always fun."

Thamas stood and stretched before noticing the sky. It was still early morning, but the sky was on fire as the suns entered over the horizon. He still felt tired, but the dream drove his desire to sleep away from him.

“Kobolds were once trusted as dream seers. We could move freely not only in our dreams but in the dreams of others," Gen said as Thamas nodded.

“So, what happened?" Thamas asked.

Gen shrugged and said, “Our talents were used to help others and to act as a medium between the five original races of the universe. However, some grew fearful of this power because while it could be used to help others, it could also be used to obliterate minds. Such a fate is worse than death. So, we kobolds were hunted and executed."

“That's horrible. Believe it or not, I understand what it's like to be persecuted for being born different," Thamas said as he started down the road to Mika's Tower.

“Ugh, again, I think I preferred you angry," Gen said as he walked alongside Thamas.

They walked in silence for a reasonable distance until Thamas felt a surge of energy zip up his body and blast him several feet away.

Thamas looked up to see an electrical arch growing outwards before disappearing.

“Are you hurt?" Gen asked as Thamas sat up and coughed out smoke.

“What the hell was that?"

“That would be the energy field protecting Mika's tower. Shocking, right?" Gen said as Thamas gave him a dead stare.

“I wasn't aware that even little dragons made bad jokes," Thamas said, standing up. He looked up and saw the obsidian tower loom over them. Then suddenly, a childlike voice rang out.

“OH, my darlings! It's so good to have guests! Do come in and make yourselves at home." The voice said as a door to the energy field opened. Suddenly, Thamas felt himself pulled inside along with Gen, crashing onto a stone path in the middle of a garden. The door behind them slammed shut.

“Human, would you get off of me?!" Gen yelled as Thamas rolled back to his feet.

Thamas took in their surroundings. He initially knew they were in a garden, but the beauty of this place was far beyond his imagination. There were several plants that he never knew existed, along with several distinct animals that seemed to have no fear of them.

Suddenly, the voice that greeted them was that of a man. “Welcome, my friends, to my Tower."

Thamas and Gen both turned on the spot to see a figure with ebony skin, white hair, and pink eyes descend a set of stairs towards them. However, aside from the visual aesthetics, Thamas noticed the figure had the bosom of a woman shown threw the robes and with male counterparts in the loins. The clothing was loose, but somehow, it showed off everything in a flattering way. Mika wore several golden braces and rings as they stopped before them and smiled platinum white teeth.

“We have much to discuss."

To be continued…