Chapter 8: Awakened

Stormwing confiscated the keys from the silver Drakyne’s belt while Isozumi armed himself with one of the guard’s long sword. With the keys, the Gryffan helped his Sey-Ryuu friends in unlocking the metal casings around their tails. Once they cleared their cell, Stormwing closed the door and locked the still unconscious guards in.

“Okay, where to now?” Kenji wondered as Stormwing took hold of a torch from the wall.

“This way,” Isozumi gestured, “to the front.”

The trio made their way as stealthily and as hastily as possible to the exit. As they passed by the other cells, Kenji can’t help but feel sorry for the other prisoners. If only he can find some time in freeing them from their imprisonment…

Isozumi led the way as they made their way out of the dungeon block and crept along the walls of the interior. At every junction Isozumi would raise his fist to the side of his head, motioning his partners to stop as he peeked around for patrolling guards; sword at the ready to eliminate any guards threatening their escape. When the coast was clear, he would give the signal and they resumed their movement.

After minutes of sneaking and stopping at junctions, they eventually made it to the main entrance chamber. Unfortunately, the entrance was heavily guarded and escaping without detection was impossible.

“What now?” Kenji whispered.

“It’s my turn to act,” Stormwing claimed as he handed Kenji the torch- and the keys to the cells. “Here, take this.”

Soon, the blue Gryffan was on the move, sneaking past the door where they hid and along the wall facing the main entrance before slipping through another passage at the far corner.

“What’s he up to?” Kenji wondered.

“He’s going to distract the guards long enough for us to make a dash for the exit. He’ll be heading up to the sentry’s platform,” Isozumi explained in a whisper. “For now, we just have to wait for his signal. At the meantime, watch our backs for any guards.”

Kenji looked back to be certain the coast behind him was clear. The thought of a clear path provoked a hidden desire deep in his ‘subconscious’ mind. To disregard it was like ignoring a great hunger in him, but due to his current situation he was forced to suppress this foreign thought.

He waited patiently with Isozumi for that moment to happen. Remembering the keys in his hand he asked, “Do you think we should try to free some of the prisoners from our block?”

“I’m sorry. As much as I want to, I can’t risk missing out on this chance and getting caught out by the guards.”

Just then, there was a distinct commotion coming from the entrance. Soon, guards began pouring into the large hall-like chamber shouting orders to head up to the sentry platform. It appears Stormwing has grabbed the attention they needed to make their move.

“Now’s our chance,” Isozumi said once the area was cleared. “Hand me the bomb. It’s time to set it off.”

Kenji handed him the bomb cup as Isozumi crept hurriedly to the passageway where the guards went through. He entered through and went straight to the closest metal torch holder on the wall. He lifted the cup and aimed the cloth fuse at the burning torch. When the fuse was lit, the black dragon quickly hung the cup on to the metal holder by its handle and dashed back to where Kenji was.

“Get back!” Isozumi called out and hid behind the safety of the passageway where they came from. Kenji retreated back and waited for the blast to occur.

After five seconds, a blinding white flash engulfed the chamber, followed by a massive boom as huge clouds of dust blew outward from the passageway. Thanks to the blue powder, the black gunpowder exploded with greater force than it normally would. This greater force, plus the confined space, rocked the affected passageway and badly damaging the surrounding walls. With the walls weakened the passageway caved in, creating a barricade of broken rocks between the chamber and the passage.

Isozumi stepped out cautiously to assess the damage as Kenji followed closely behind.

“The bomb has achieved more than I expected,” Isozumi admitted. “By the look of it, those guards will have a hard time clearing this mess up.”

“What about Stormwing?” Kenji asked with concern.

“Don’t worry, he can still escape by wing…providing they don’t ground him first.” The black Sey-Ryuu gestured to Kenji the exit. “Come on, let’s bust out while we had the chance!”

Just as Kenji was thrilled at the prospect of reclaiming his freedom once more his thoughts returned again to the prisoners in his former cell block. Moreover, that same desire that surfaced moments earlier was now tugging at his heart to free those trapped souls. He looked down at the set of keys in his hand and at the now open entrance to his freedom. He gripped the keys in his hand tightly.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t leave those prisoners behind. Not when I had the chance to do something for them,” Kenji said as if he meant it.

That assertion brought Isozumi to a halt after taking only three steps forward. Despite the initial shock, he stared at the teal dragon and spoke with a serious tone, “I know you feel pitiful for the other prisoners, but going back there to free them may cost you your freedom!”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Kenji replied firmly. “And if I lose my freedom, at least you still have yours.”

The teal Sey-Ryuu immediately turned for the passageway to his former cell block, much to Isozumi’s dismay.

“No! Kenji, you suicidal fool!”

Isozumi was right. This is going to be suicidal to my freedom, but at least he doesn’t have to worry about his. But…how did I come up to this decision?

Kenji’s head was full of thoughts as he raced down the corridor to his cell block, praying he won’t bump into a patrolling guard.

Thanks to weeks of passing by the same route during his work periods, he easily navigated his way through the networks of corridors as if it was his barrack. Within a minute of running, he was back at his cell block.

Bursting through the door, he shouted, “Everyone, up now! Come on, get up!”

The sudden call roused the inmates in all the cells of the block. “What’s going on?” one of them called out as another asked, “Who’s there?”

Kenji jumped into action in a flash; unlocking the closest cell to him and proceeding along the block until the very end- except for his’ where the locked-in guards began banging on the door and threatening to skin him alive should they get out.

When the freed captives were assembled along the corridor, Kenji pushed his way up to the entrance and, facing the prisoners, rallied them to his command. “Everyone, follow me! We’re busting out of here.”

The mention of ‘busting out’ roused the spirits of the inmates who proceeded to follow Kenji out of the block without hesitation. The teal dragon led the way along the passage to where the main entrance was; their road to liberty.

As Kenji approached the last corner, a guard suddenly appeared before him and he nearly bumped into the guard’s frame. The Drakyne guard was just as stunned as Kenji at the sight of his captives fleeing captivity.

“W-wha-how did you…?” the guard blurted in shock. “Guards, the prisoners are escaping!”

The guard’s roar rooted Kenji’s feet to the ground, realizing the trouble he has just run into.

The guard unsheathed his sword but was halted in his track abruptly. Kenji noticed the stunned expression of the Drakyne’s face when a blade violently stuck out from his chest. With a twist and a crack, the blade was pulled out and the guard crumpled to the ground.

Kenji sighed with relief at the figure standing before the dead guard.

“If you were caught out like this on duty, that will be four weeks worth of punishment,” Isozumi said harshly.

“You came back for me? But why didn’t you-”

“As foolish as you are, it is my duty as sergeant to ensure no Sey-Ryuus were left behind enemy lines,” Isozumi admitted with honor. “Besides, I also can’t imagine what other stupid things you may end up doing if you were captured again.”

Kenji narrowed his eyes irritably at the black Sey-Ryuu upon hearing his last comment, unimpressed.

“Come on. Let’s get out while we still have a chance.”

Isozumi led Kenji and the other prisoners out the passage and back to the main entrance chamber. Upon seeing the unguarded exit (or entrance to their freedom), the prisoners rushed forward while screaming out their joy, much to Isozumi’s dismay.

This brought out a guard from the only untouched passageway and upon meeting the unexpected sight of prisoners fleeing before his eyes, he roared out his fury and unsheathed his sword. Isozumi swiftly blocked his way instead and engaged the guard. The guard fought with brute force but Isozumi was no stranger in challenging opponents who only relied on pure strength.

The guard’s attack was heavy but slow in response, as Isozumi noted while staying on the defense. When the right moment came, he parried his opponent’s attack before lunging his blade forward, piercing the guard in the stomach. With a violent twist of his long sword, the defeated guard could only grunt in shock before crumbling to the floor as Isozumi yanked out his sword.

“Stay close to me,” Isozumi told Kenji as he leaned against the wall next to the passage where the guard came from. “We’ll cover the other prisoners first before making our move.”

Amongst the fleeing prisoners, Kenji stayed close with Isozumi. At the far corner where the blasted passageway was he saw hints of activities on the other side, where the guards were frantically clearing out the passage as quickly as possible. A hand then grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Let’s go! That blockade won’t hold them off forever.”

Kenji and Isozumi fled as the last of the prisoners exited the dungeon. Upon leaving the dark confines of the dungeon, Kenji felt the comforting aura of the moonlight bathing his scarred body, revitalizing his soul after weeks of captivity. Feeling the full moon’s presence in its hypnotic yet tranquil glory was like being reborn in a world without violence and sufferings.

Around them the fugitives fled in all directions. The Sey-Ryuu prisoners could only grumble to themselves as their Gryffan counterparts took to the air and vanished into the night sky.

“Kenji! This way,” Isozumi called aloud.

Kenji shook his head from his trance and focused on finding his partner in the wide open dark badlands. Aided by the moonlight, he saw Isozumi’s black frame waving at him to his right. He hurriedly caught up with him and soon both Sey-Ryuus were running side by side.

“Why the sudden change in direction?” Kenji asked as he ran to keep up with Isozumi.

“There’s a forested area straight ahead; we can use it to cover our tracks from flying Drakynes,” Isozumi replied between pants. “In addition to that, we’re heading eastward.”

A few prisoners were knowledgeable enough in deciding where to flee- particularly the Sey-Ryuus. In an open terrain like the badlands, those who decided to flee anywhere but eastward may have a lower chance of escaping aerial Drakynes.

As they approached the forested area, the sounds of fluttering wings reverberated across the night sky.

The Drakyne guards have begun the hunt for their lost captives. They spread out in all directions especially eastward, determined not to let them getaway even if it meant killing them.

“Stay close to me!” Isozumi said as he burst through the dense shrubs and into the woods’ shadowy land, followed closely behind by Kenji. However, the canopy of the woods was thinner and had gaps amongst the treetops; which is bad news for the escapees.

In a minute’s time, twelve aerial Drakynes reached the wooded area and, flapping their wings in a hovering position, began raining down arrows with their crossbows. The hail of arrows sliced through the thin canopy of leaves like paper, whizzing about dangerously here and there.

Due to the darkness, Kenji and Isozumi did their very best to avoid running into obstacles that could hinder their escape: trees, fallen branches, rocks, flying arrows. Both of them dodged, spun and jumped with close synchronicity that could rival a Feline’s athleticism.

Unwarily, their constant evasions were creating another problem.

Around them, volleys of arrows wreaked havoc on the fugitives; striking them in the limbs or on their body, but others end up embedded in tree trunks or buried in the earth. Regardless of the threat and wounds, the escapees pressed on in their bid to escape or die trying.

Kenji ducked as an arrow whizzed overhead and struck a tree before him. This prompted an evasive sidestep when another arrow flew dangerously close to his left arm. He then heard a painful cry as a fellow escapee nearby was struck in the back. Before he can help, three more arrows plunged into the injured Sey-Ryuu’s back, killing him instantly. A quick prayer for his fallen compatriot later, he was off running again.

Amidst the confusion among the darkness, trees and arrows, Kenji realized to his horror that he has lost sight of Isozumi. He tried calling out to his partner when more arrows landed behind him with several thumps, realizing his careless mistake in revealing his position.

His instincts told him to keep on running despite losing the only person who could help him escape to safety. As he continued running among trees (and looking up occasionally for Drakyne archers) his feet suddenly felt empty air and he fell, tumbling head over tail into a shallow ravine. Cursing himself for another of his carelessness, he gazed around and found himself on a bed of grass, stretching along the dry ravine. The grasses here appeared thick and long, almost shrouding his whole body.

When he heard the fluttering of wings grew louder, his brain kicked into action. Noticing his teal scales and green pants matched the grass’ color, he laid down flat on his front on the grass bed, camouflaging himself against the green floral bed. As for his (shorter) white hair, he solved that issue by laying his head sideways and hiding it amongst the grass blades.

His right eye watched warily for the flying hunters, the back of his chest rising and falling steadily as he moderates his breathing. Moments later a dozen dark silhouettes flew across the night sky, dangerously close to the grass-filled ravine. He breathes silently as they passed over his hidden form, praying that they won’t hang around.

Above the Sey-Ryuu, five of them felt suspicious in not examining the ravine. They hovered overhead, the heavier beat of their wings confirmed Kenji’s fear.

Five arrows simultaneously landed throughout the grass bed; most of them along the center of the ravine. Seconds later, a second volley rained down the ravine, piercing the dusty soil near Kenji’s camouflaged body. The teal dragon did his very best to lay still and not flinch from the relentless arrows raining down. Every time an arrowhead struck the soil near him, his muscles would shudder reflexively and it would take all his willpower to calm his nervous muscles down.

After four volleys, a yell echoed in the sky and the arrows seized hailing down. There was a murmur amongst the five Drakynes in the air as they examined the arrow-ridden ravine before finally leaving the scene in a huff.

When the coast was clear enough, Kenji got up warily from his hiding spot and surveyed his surroundings. Many of the arrows lay scattered at the center with a few landing at the sides of the ravine. He shuddered when he saw five of them landing close to his body: three near his sides, one near his head, and one near his right leg.

Good thing these Drakynes don’t have good night vision.

Sensing no Drakyne presence around his area, he rose up to his feet and devised his next move. Fearing that he may have lost track of his destination, he studied his surroundings closely; at the geography of the woods, the route he took which brought him to the ravine, and the path of the ravine.

Concluding that the ravine’s path led eastward along the woods, he wasted no time in following the trail.

Although he was glad to be free once more, he couldn’t help but feel lost without his trusty partners. He could only speculate the fate befallen his friends and hope they won’t be at the receiving end of a brutal Drakyne retribution.

Despite the thirst and tiredness, Kenji made rapid progress along the ravine as he stayed close to the ground, tensing himself for a quick drop amongst the grass whenever a threat approaches him. Fortunately, his ears picked no foreign presence among the calm breeze of the night.

The ravine led him between two rocky cliffs, engulfing the dry gorge in its shadows. At this stage the grass bed was gone, replaced by chalky ground that crusts along the ravine’s surface like cracked scabs. With his main vantage spot gone, Kenji now must rely on the shadows of the precipices to evade capture. But deep in his thoughts, he knew this cover won’t last for long.

And he was right; for the open badland again greeted his exit from the darkness of the precipices’ shadows (much to his disappointment). He moved as he leaned against one side of the ravine, keeping pace with his progress.

Soon, he arrived at a point where the ravine’s path turned to his right, southward. Upon reaching the turning, he decided to ditch the seemingly endless dry trail and scaled out cautiously.

That’s when he hit a snag.

He groaned softly in frustration at the sight before him. Blocking his path to the east was what appeared to be an outpost, its flaming light flickering brightly enough for him to make out the guard standing by at the top. But that was not the real problem: surrounding the tall structure were several tents and structures that appeared to be stables for their styrapods (larger cousin to the wraxapods) and storage houses. Four sentry towers marked the edges of a perimeter but there could be more on the other side, while Drakyne soldiers patrolled both air and land.

In summary, Kenji has just stumbled upon a Drakyne base camp. Just my luck…

Not wanting to expose himself foolishly in the open, he returned back into the ravine. Once again, Kenji studied his bearings and the geography of the landscape. There were dark but faint silhouettes of mountains to the east behind the base camp and more forested regions to the southwest.

Eventually, he formulated a route that involved traveling down south along the ravine (again) until it was clear there were no Drakyne settlements between him and the East. The only question was: how far will he need to travel to get round to safety?

Perhaps time will tell, as Kenji resumed his long hike along the ravine as if it was his path of life.

Some distance later, he eventually arrived at the end of the ravine; the trail leading back up to another wooded area. Unlike the one he entered earlier, this one was less dense and light rays from the moon penetrated the thin canopy. Kenji made haste for the cover of the trees.

A strong draft blew from behind him, ruffling his short hair. Without warning, he was hit in the head and the hard blow sent him to the ground.

Should’ve known something was wrong with that wind, Kenji groaned to himself, seeing stars as he shook his head.

A heavy thud sounded before him. Looking up, his mouth dropped open at the standing figure.

Of all the other Drakynes to intercept him, it has to be Valkrich.

“Going somewhere, salamander?” the blue Drakyne sneered as he stood cross-armed over the fallen Sey-Ryuu. Unlike his usual battle attire, he was donned in a simple white vest with a silver breastplate covering his chest. A pair of maroon bracers covered his wrists and the back of his hands while a black leather belt held a pair of long pants, and strapped around it were a pair of black shin guards. In addition, a long sword was fastened to his belt on his left side.

Kenji warily climbed to his feet, his eyes locked on his rival’s. “How did you manage to find me?” he asked while trying to hide his surprise at being discovered so far from the dungeon.

Valkrich snickered at Kenji, noting the type of question asked. “To be honest, I don’t know myself, but somehow I was able to sense your presence from afar.”

He unsheathed his deadly Claymore-styled sword and directed it threateningly at the Sey-Ryuu. “I’m offering you a proposition; surrender yourself and at least be spared from execution, or rest in this ravine for eternity.”

Kenji gulped hard. His eyes glanced around, looking for a way out. Running back was definitely a bad idea against a winged adversary; climbing up either sides of the ravine would earn him a stab; and dashing forward was…

Gathering his courage, he answered defiantly, “I’d rather die here than to go back to that hellhole of yours!”

Valkrich sneered. “An unwise choice.”

His speed could rival that of a Feline’s; impressive for a Drakyne. In an instant, he was upon the Sey-Ryuu, thrusting his sword forward. The lightning-fast move nearly caught Kenji out but he was able to counter in the nick of time, ducking at the last moment.

That was clo- His relief was cut short abruptly when a strong knee caught him in the stomach. The blow knocked the wind out of him when his chin was met with an uppercut. The combined attacks sent him crashing to the ground about a meter back.

Okay...maybe I wasn’t expecting that.

He coughed and grunted in pain, clutching his stomach and rubbing his chin. He sat up and saw Valkrich approaching him, bent on turning this ravine into his grave. Before he could stand up, Valkrich planted his feet on to Kenji’s chest and pushed him back to where he was. The Drakyne then reversed his sword, the blade tip pointing at Kenji’s heart.

In desperation Kenji grabbed a handful of dirt and flung it at Valkrich’s face, blinding him temporarily. As the Drakyne roared in anguish, he took advantage of that opportunity by using his tail; wrapping it nicely around his opponent’s leg and flipping him backwards. With the Drakyne down, he bolted up and ran for the wooded area up ahead.

Once he reached the embankment of the ravine he scrambled up as quickly as his limbs could carry him; his claws scrapping against the solid, dirty soil. Before he could fully carry himself to the top, his right leg was snagged by a determined Valkrich.

Let go of me! Kenji hissed in thought as he used his other leg to kick his opponent in the face in an effort to free himself. It took several kicks plus a tail strike to the back of Valkrich’s head before the grip around his right leg vanished and he scurried up to safety.

He entered the woods, avoiding the many light rays showering the floor. His clawed feet kicked and scattered small, acorn-shaped objects that could be plant seeds across the ground. But before he could get far enough into the darkness, his right calf was hit by a sudden stabbing pain and he fell over. Groaning, he brought his right leg into view and saw a dagger sticking out from the lower part of his calf near the ankle. He dislodged the dagger from his limb, blood spilling profusely, and tossed it aside.

Behind him, he saw Valkrich pulling himself up from the ravine; his green eyes fixed straight at him. Panic began setting in and Kenji jumped back to his feet…only to fall again in pain. He fought the pain spreading throughout his injured leg with all his will and he staggered on in a valiant effort to run.

But no matter how strong his heart was, he knew it would take a miracle to escape his hunter; a very determined one at that.

In less than ten steps, his progress was halted abruptly again when he was shoved hard in the back and he fell against a thin-branched tree; his head between the tree’s two sprouting branches. In an instant he was pinned against the tree by his neck, his right arm held to his back, and his tail stamped on.

“Throwing sand into my face? That’s very sneaky of you,” Valkrich hissed into his ears. “Some honor you Sey-Ryuus have indeed.”

Kenji struggled in vain to free himself. With his head wedged between the tree branches, he couldn’t move his head and his view was restricted to only looking forward. His left elbow swung backwards hoping to strike the Drakyne but it caught empty air instead. He also tried slipping his tail from under Valkrich’s feet…

“Quit your struggling, salamander!” Valkrich roared as he tightened his grip around Kenji’s neck and pressed it harder against the tree. The teal Sey-Ryuu uttered a faint gasp from the choking pressure. When his captive eventually settled down, Valkrich continued, “I’m offering you one last chance: surrender yourself or die!”

Unlike the first time, Kenji now felt fear coursing through his body, dampening his spirit. He knew he was finally done for, as his effortless struggles proved it. If he surrendered now, at least he could still live the remainder of his life as a prisoner-of-war and away from the frontlines. At least working as a slave laborer was better than meeting a foolish death. At least being mocked at by the Drakynes was better than being killed by one. At least…he still lived…

No! I’ve come this far and I’m not going to let some death threat get the better of me. I won’t give up till the very end! Kenji fought harder against the temptations that were weakening his resolve; temptations that acted more like insults to his bright young life. If his end came, at least he died for his liberty; something worth more than spending his remaining life in incarceration.

“Go to hell!” Kenji snarled as he swung hard his left elbow vertically up instead of horizontally as he did earlier. He only has one chance to make this right…which he did.

His elbow caught Valkrich on his unarmored left side. Letting loose a howl, the Drakyne’s grip around his neck weakened and for that split second, he jerked his head back and head-butting Valkrich in the snout.

The sudden attack opened more opportunities for the Sey-Ryuu and he made his next move; slipping his stamped tail from under Valkrich’s feet and causing the Drakyne to lurch backwards. Kenji capped off his counterattack with another strong elbow to the snout before laying a massive punch to send his opponent to the ground.

Kenji fled the moment he was clear but his injured right leg proved to be a bane in his effort. With his survival instinct kicking in, he pushed on and limped as fast as his legs can carry him, regardless of the agonizing pain assaulting his wounded calf.

But no matter how much energy he poured into his efforts, he just couldn’t get far enough with a wounded leg when he was struck in the back of his head with a blunt object. The blow was strong enough to knock him off his feet and to the ground, among the scattered plant seeds. Although semi-conscious, he felt a grip around his horn before being hauled off forcefully along the rough dirt.

A change in motion, and he was slammed against a sturdy but vertical surface; another tree. The next few minutes, his senses- and body- will be plagued with nothing but pure, unbearable pain.

A fist first struck him in the stomach before the next one ended up on his lower jaw. From then on, the fists flew in relentlessly, striking him all over his body and face. He couldn’t scream or cry from the constant beating his body was enduring as pain engulfed his whole body without pity.

Five straight minutes of beating later, Kenji was left a broken dragon. His battered body slumped along the tree’s trunk into a sitting position, his head drooped down as blood began dripping from the sides of his mouth. Before he could recover, he was hauled back up to his feet by his neck.

Due to the severe beating he received, his senses had gone astray. Amidst his blurry vision, he saw Valkrich with a very livid look in his green eyes; and through his ringing hearings, he could barely make out his saying of ‘you did this to your own self.’

Following that, the Drakyne plunged his sword into the Sey-Ryuu’s abdomen with full force.

Kenji cried out between clenched teeth at the sudden intrusion of the blade through his body. From that moment on, an immense pain began spreading around his body via his nerve and he gasped in response. He peered down and saw the long sword piercing through his left side as blood began seeping out.

Valkrich grinned from his actions as he pulled the bloodied blade out, causing the Sey-Ryuu to groan in agony. Once the blade left his body Kenji slumped back down again, collapsing to his side.

His situation grew dire at every drop of blood from his wounds- body and leg alike. Covering the wound on his body with his left hand, he crawled desperately out of harm’s way; out of Valkrich’s way.

Deep in his mindset, a conflict was brewing within. He was in turmoil; one side of him wanted to fight Valkrich after that stabbing incident and give him a piece of his boiling anguish. Stand up and fight him like a true soldier! Give him a piece of your fury and he’ll learn not to mess with us. Besides, won’t it be better if you can defeat Valkrich and not worry about him ruining your hopes for freedom? the warrior side of him argued.

But on the other hand he was afraid of fighting an armed opponent and getting away from him mattered more according to his survival instinct. Save yourself! No point fighting back when you’re unarmed. What are the odds of beating an opponent who is armed?

Another stabbing pain struck him; this time, on his right shoulder blade. At the bottom corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of the blade poking out of his shoulder as crimson blood began dripping from its tip to the plant seed-covered earth. When the blade was pulled out, his crippled shoulder could no longer support the weight on his right arm and he collapsed heavily on his right side.

The aches from the beating and the pain from his stab wounds proved too much for Kenji to move. A foot lazily rolled him over to his back and he lay staring up at the dark tree tops when Valkrich’s face appeared into view.

“Those wounds are not life-threatening yet. Care for a try at some Drakyne-styled wound treatments?” Valkrich inquired in a mocking manner.

Kenji silently glared at the Drakyne’s face, obviously noting the true intention behind the question. Panting from the pain assaulting his body, he growled, “You know my answer.”

Valkrich grinned menacingly. “If others told me that, I consider them as wise. But you on the other hand,” he brought his sword into Kenji’s view, “I considered that as foolishness at its worst.”

The Drakyne lifted a foot and stamped on Kenji’s injured shoulder, emitting a painful grunt from him. He then reversed the sword and the blade’s tip pointed at Kenji’s chest.

The teal Sey-Ryuu gulped hard. His hopes of reclaiming freedom…hopes of returning home, have finally come to an end. He could still sense his fighting spirit burning for attention, demanding him to fight to the bitter end as his superior has taught him during his training periods. If only his fear-clouded heart could reach it…

A second later, the blade plunged down in a blur of steel. Nothing could stop its descent…

If only my fear-clouded heart could reach it…

…except for a valiant spirit.

To Valkrich’s disbelief, Kenji caught the blade’s length in his bare left hand before it could reach its mark. Gritting his teeth with fiery clarity, he gripped the blade tightly for dear life.

He mentally shook his head. No! I will never let fear get the better of me. Never!

I may not be able to stop my demise, but I can delay it! Amidst the thick cloud of fear in his heart, courage somehow managed to burst its way through like a flaming arrow, hence his action. Hopeless as it seems, but for the first time in as many weeks he decided to overcome his fear with valor (the last time earned him a flogging). He has nothing left to lose; a soldier’s death was common, so does his valiancy!

The teal dragon wrestled with the blade threatening his life, much to Valkrich’s chagrin. In response he whipped the sword back up; its blade cutting Kenji’s palm and fingers in the process. That earned him a kick in the head, almost knocking him out cold.

“You’re a dead lizard now, salamander!” Valkrich roared and thrusts his sword straight down at full force, unaware that a faint glow was radiating somewhere nearby.

And then, fate struck back…with nature’s aid.

To both dragons’ surprise, a pair of vines grew out of the ground next to Kenji and entwined themselves around the Drakyne’s sword, halting it in place inches from Kenji’s heart.

While Valkrich gaped in astonishment at his vine-wrapped sword, Kenji noticed an eerie green glow coming from his right hand. Dazed, he withdrew his glowing hand and saw two of the plant seeds that were under his palm emitting the same glow as his right hand. Before his very eyes, the seeds grew instantly into vines as thick as a fully-grown Drakyne’s arm; rooting itself into the ground and sprouting upwards…straight for Valkrich.

Before he could react, the vines wrapped themselves around his arms, immobilizing his arms’ movements. Struggle as much he could, the Drakyne was unable to free himself from their grasps.

Another glow emitted from Kenji’s bleeding left hand. He raised his hand and saw more seeds underneath glowing green. In addition, seeds that were covered in his blood were also glowing in unison. Just like before, the affected seeds grew quickly into arm-thick vines and attacked Valkrich.

A total of nine vines entwined themselves all over Valkrich: four around his arms, four around his legs, and one around his waist. The vines around his arms spread out, forcing him to extend his arms outward and his fingers slipped free from his sword’s hilt.

Kenji watched in amazement at the sight of his opponent struggling against the force of nature. By the time the vines ceased moving, Valkrich was rooted to where he stood with his arms stretched out and his sword held in mid-air by the two earlier vines.

While Valkrich continued his fruitless effort to free himself, Kenji slipped out from under the hanging sword’s tip and staggered to his feet. Instead of investigating the mysterious happening, he limped away from the scene and hoped that’s the last he’ll hear of his nemesis.

“I’m going to rip your head off, salamander! Mark my word; I will get my claws on your sorry hide!” Valkrich roared in fury.

Curse as much he want, his threats made no effect as Kenji disappeared into the darker regions of the woods, out of his nemesis' sight.

(Reviews are most welcomed. Thanks.)