by Dreagen
“True as that may be, it wasn’t his size that earned him the rank of alpha. VayRonx had to prove himself skilled, confident, and highly adaptive to have made it through the various challenges one is confronted with in the trials. Still, to appease your curiosity, he was indeed a mighty combatant in the exhibition matches, although he only narrowly triumphed over MoraDay’s current alpha, TorMarr.”
“Was he strong?” Rex asked, leaning forward, enthralled in the tale of epic battle between EeNara’s mightiest DyVorian warriors. “I mean, he must have been if someone as big and strong as VayRonx had trouble beating him.”
“That he was, but size and brute force are not everything. TorMarr is a VeNole, only half the size of a TarBoranx, but his skill as a fighter was beyond exceptional, as was his ability to effectively strategize decisive victories over combatants who were larger and stronger.”
“But VayRonx beat him in the end.”
“Yes, but not because of his superior brawn, but because of his mind. In the end, VayRonx had to outthink TorMarr to get around his combative skill.”
Rex imagined what such a battle must have been like. Two colossal beasts unleashing monstrous amounts of power as they battled for supremacy in a gladiator-type spectacle with the air filled with the roar of a crowd made up of all manner of creatures. It was a sight he could imagine as clearly as a memory and found himself longing to be part of. He wanted to see the descendent of his favorite dinosaur reign victorious over all others in what he envisioned as the greatest battle he would ever see in his life. Aside from his obvious size, VayRonx had a certain air of intensity about him. As if he was hiding his true strength. Still, looking at how big some of the sauropods grew, it was a wonder they did not dominate everyone else. After all, even VayRonx was smaller than many of the medium-sized ones here in the tavern alone. Then again, he was sure that like with everything else in this world, there was far more to them than meets the eye.
“Can I ask you something now?” she said, interrupting the grand spectacle he was playing out in his head.
“It’s only fair,” he replied.
“You called the ancestor of the TarBoranx a Tyrannosaurus rex. I noticed the second word in the name is your name.”
“I know what you’re thinking, but Rex is actually a real name for humans, too. It means king.”
“So why was it given to this extinct race of DyVorian?”
“Because they were the fiercest and most fearless of all the ancient DyVorians. Built to kill and evolved to fight, they would even cannibalize each other. They feared almost nothing, except maybe another tyrannosaur. Everything in the land they stalked lived in their shadow. They lived for the fight and were brutal, ruthless, and highly intelligent. The king of dinosaurs: Tyrannosaurus rex.”
DiNiya sat quietly for a moment before leaning forward in her seat. “They sound less like the TarBoranx and more like the TyRanx to me.”
Rex stopped and looked at her as he digested her words. In truth, he knew nothing of these mythical and feared TyRanx, what they looked like not being any exception. Who knew how the most famous dinosaur of Earth evolved in EeNara beyond the point where their counterparts became extinct? Perhaps he could ask KyGahl when he returned. Maybe he could make his dreams of being a paleontologist a reality in this world? After all, EeNara seemed to be a place where almost anything was possible, so why not his hopes and dreams?
They continued to talk about all things they could think to pick each other’s brains about regarding Earth and EeNara, when the two huge doors suddenly opened and VayRonx and BaRone, along with the female TarBoranx that Rex had seen him with days earlier, walked through.
“Come on,” DiNiya said, grabbing his hand. “Let’s go say hello.”
They made their way back down to the main floor where VayRonx and BaRone had already reached the back of the tavern and were talking to TemBol and TarFor.
“DiNiya, Rex,” BaRone said with a big smile when he saw them approaching. “Come to unwind after a long day?”
“Yes, indeed,” she replied happily.
“So, Rex, my boy, what do you think of our little watering hole?” BaRone asked as he surveyed the boisterous scene around them.
“Pretty unreal,” Rex replied.
“Oh…you think so?” BaRone asked, stroking his beard.
“Well, yeah. I mean, just look at everyone. They’re all so different but still they get along without any problems. You’d think it would be the other way around.”
“I would not,” said VayRonx in a towering voice. “The more diverse a tribe is, the stronger it is.”
“It is our differences that make us shine and contribute the most to a tribe—a family,” said the other TarBoranx as she lowered her head down to him. “Hello, Rex, my name is KyVina, beta of KaNar and mate to Alpha VayRonx, but do not let his title fool you. He does not command the final say in the roost.” She gave Rex a wink before rising back to her full height. “For appearance’s sake, though, please continue treating my handsome mate as if he is lord and master of all he surveys.”
Everyone laughed while VayRonx merely rolled his eyes. Then, setting his gaze down upon the young man, he spoke. “I know this period of adjustment has been anything but easy on you. Still, in time I hope you come to realize that who you are can and will shine through here in KaNar and the whole of EeNara.”
“Well, I know there’s nothing special about me. Even if I am originally from here, my flame still sets me apart from everyone else.”
“Trust me, Rex,” KyVina said, giving him a gentle nudge with her snout. “You carry within you a uniqueness that is all your own, born of who you are rather than just what you are and regardless of where you go. Always remember that.”
Rex nodded but was not sure he fully understood. He did not have time to ponder it much, for no sooner had she raised her immense head back up than they heard the rolling rumble of thunder outside.
“Sounds like that storm moved our way after all,” said TarFor.
People were now coming in faster, trying to get out of the rain. Rex watched them wring out their fur and clothes as they laughed about being caught in the sudden downpour. Flashes of lightning could be seen every time the doors opened. Still, the tavern was warm and comforting. Everyone around them was happy and seemed, for the most part, indifferent to the weather outside. That was of course until DiNiya suddenly felt a pull in her stomach. She knew what this feeling was and it unsettled her, even went as far as making her angry. Rex saw her look towards the doors where she stared, transfixed.
“Hey, DiNiya,” he said, leaning in close. “You all right?” It was then that he noticed her jaw muscles tightening and heard her teeth grinding. “DiNiya?”
The twin doors opened again just as thunder crackled and lightning flashed, illuminating the whole sky and silhouetting two figures, a small hooded SaVarian and a larger two-legged DyVorian behind. Despite what seemed to Rex a dramatic entrance, the rest of the tavern seemed to hardly notice.
In a low tone filled with malice and disdain, DiNiya spoke a name: “LyCora.”
“Who?” Rex asked as a girl about their age wearing a dark blue hooded cloak walked into the tavern with what to Rex looked like an saurophanax covered in a dense coat of dark blue and grey feathers of varying shades, captivating him as she carried herself with a kind of ferocity and elegance which she held complete mastery over. While looking completely different, they seemed to move in much the same way: graceful and with undeniable confidence. DiNiya look livid now as her eyes widened and fixed themselves on the approaching duo.
“I’m glad you two were able to come,” BaRone said as he greeted them. Thank you so much for helping us out.”
“Always a pleasure, BaRone,” said the blue DyVorian in a smooth yet strong female voice.
Turning to Rex he said, “This is VoRenna and her daughter LyCora.
Rex cocked his head. “Adopted?”
“Well she certainly did not hatch from an egg,” VoRenna mused, before
regarding the two larger DyVorians and speaking more respectfully. “Hello, VayRonx, KyVina.” She bowed her head to the alpha and beta. “I trust you and your tribe have been well?”
“Indeed we have,” replied VayRonx. “Thank you.” He shifted his gaze over to the young girl who had been silent this entire time, fixated on Rex, who did his best to pretend not to notice. “Hello, LyCora.”
The girl pulled back her hood revealing smooth dark skin and shook free long, dark, elegantly braided fur all the while keeping her eyes locked on Rex. He found himself entranced. Her eyes were the most brilliant blue he had ever seen, like twin pools of ambient light and elegant enticement. He felt all his muscles relax as if he was slipping into a warm bath. His mind felt like fingers were slowly massaging it. What’s happening to me? he thought. Why do I feel this way? Her eyes…
“You must be Rex,” she said in a voice that sounded, he imagined, as cool velvet would feel on bare skin.
“You…you know my name?” he stammered.
“But of course,” she said. “You have managed to arouse my interest…so to speak,” she added, deliberately putting emphasis on certain words, which seemed to act as magic, for Rex was a mere step away from being a drooling idiot. “The boy from another world.”
So much for keeping that a secret, Rex thought, this girl is…so—
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a pair of red eyes seething with anger blocked LyCora’s deep blue ones. Rex jumped back, startled. “I…uh…uh.”
“You might be able to speak better if you picked your tongue up off the floor,” DiNiya said, clearly irritated.
“Hello, DiNiya,” said LyCora with a bit more liveliness in her voice. “It’s been a while.”
“Not long enough,” DiNiya replied, turning to face her.
“Still haven’t changed, I see.”
“No, that was you, as I recall,” she said, fixing her with warning glare that if given a voice of its own would have proven deafening to all around them. “Why are you even here? Weren’t you the one who said KaNar holds nothing of interest to you?”
“Nothing of interest to me anymore, I believe were my exact words,” LyCora added, as if the words themselves were a knife she was pushing deeper into DiNiya, who looked noticeably wounded as a result despite her best efforts to hide it.
“Your father sent word to us that he needed someone versed in the ancient dialects to translate a scroll he recently came into possession of,” VoRenna explained, giving LyCora a warning look before turning to DiNiya with more sympathetic eyes.
“Oh, he did, did he?” DiNiya said as she slowly turned her head towards her father, who buried his face in his tankard and downed its contents to avoid her gaze. “I assume you knew about this, too?” she said as she shifted her eyes upward to VayRonx, who turned and looked away awkwardly.
“I assure you, DiNiya, your father contacted us as a last resort,” VoRenna explained, trying to defuse the situation. “We are the only two linguists outside of ClyVen. I promise we will not be in your way for very long.”
LyCora had been keeping one eye on Rex, studying him carefully. Now she turned her full attention on him. “I never thought I would see eyes like those on anyone else. So what dark corner of the world did you crawl out from?”
“LyCora…” VoRenna scolded.
“You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Rex replied.
“Is that so?”
“It is.”
“I’m rather surprised they let you walk around like this, free and clear,” she said as she began circling him.
“Why wouldn’t they?”
“Your flame, of course.”
“Everyone around here has one.”
“Not everyone,” she said, glancing at DiNiya. “Nor one like yours,” she continued, moving slowly and methodically.
“As far as I can see, the only difference is that mine’s red. Might be a little strange to all of you, but it’s not like it’s dangerous.”
LyCora stopped circling him and moved in close. “Of that, I would have to disagree.”
“That’s enough, LyCora,” DiNiya said at last, stepping forward and putting herself between the girl and Rex.
“My, my,” LyCora said in a cool, detached voice. “Aren’t we the brave one?”
“Bravery is born of fear,” replied DiNiya with a stern look. “And I’ve never been afraid of you.”
A ball of blue flame appeared in LyCora’s right hand as she held it up in front of DiNiya. “Maybe it’s time you learn to be.”
DiNiya trembled with rage. She could feel her anger for the girl in front of her climbing to new heights as her smug expression triggered every biological directive to lash out violently.
“Still can’t ignite your flame, I see,” LyCora said condescendingly.
“I don’t need it to hurt you,” DiNiya replied with a look of pure malice.
“Big talk. Fortunately for everyone here, that’s all you can do, and very unfortunate for you,” she added as the flame in her hand grew, forcing DiNiya to take a step back. “Seems unfair, doesn’t it, DiNiya? But we both know it’s not as unfair as it would be if you could ignite what’s lying dormant in you.” She took another step forward, and DiNiya took another in the opposite direction.
DiNiya’s mind was racing with thoughts fueled by rage and frustration. Things had been going so well, she thought. She had finally felt like she had met someone she could begin to open up to even if it was for reasons she did not fully understand. Now this girl, this thorn in her side, reared her ugly head to complicate things for her once again by reminding her of the day she tried to forget every day since.
Rex watched the surreal scene unfolding before him. Who was this mysterious girl, and why did DiNiya hate her so much? Since he’d arrived, she always seemed to have all her faculties together. Seeing her so disheveled was a real switch for him, and something told him it was for her too. Regardless, seeing her backed into a corner like this triggered yet another new impulse from him. As he was about to step forward, however, he heard a low rumble come from high above their heads.
“All right, that is enough, you two,” VayRonx said, lowering his head to them. “DiNiya, any past transgressions notwithstanding, LyCora and her mother are our guests and will be treated as such.” DiNiya did not move for a moment, but then quickly stood up straight and took an emboldened step towards LyCora. “And LyCora,” he continued. “I take the task of keeping the peace amongst my tribe very seriously, so I would appreciate it if you did not go out of your way to create unwarranted strife amongst it.”
“Threats or acts of posturing will not be tolerated here, young lady,” KyVina added. “We ask you to kindly remember that.”
“Of course,” LyCora replied, bowing her head. “My apologies. It was never my intention to start a fight.”
BaRone stood back up. “Perhaps it’s best if you two simply just…stay out of each other’s way.”
“I give you my word, BaRone,” VoRenna stated firmly. “I will see to it myself that this one here remembers her manners. Especially after being treated so kindly by our gracious hosts.” She looked down at LyCora and let out a barely audible growl.
LyCora, on the other hand, just rolled her eyes and sighed. “I don’t think that will be a problem,” she said. Turning back in DiNiya’s direction, she added, “After all, I would not want to be responsible for someone getting hurt…don’t you agree, DiNiya?”
DiNiya opened her mouth slightly in what looked like a silent gasp. Rex could see tears ready to fall from her eyes before she turned and walked briskly to the main doors.
“DiNiya, wait! It’s storming outside,” her father called out after her.
Stopping abruptly, DiNiya turned with a look of anger and great pain that instantly rendered him silent. It was a look Rex recognized all too well, and he suspected her father did too.
“It would seem that it is storming in here, too,” said TarFor as he took another s
wig of ale.
DiNiya ran through the pouring rain, rage swelling inside born of a pain rooted in the deepest part of herself. One which lay almost always dormant but never failed to make up for lost time when boiled to the surface.
Back inside, Rex looked at the door then back to everyone else. “You’re just going to let her go?”
“He’s right,” said VoRenna. “LyCora, that was extremely rude! How could you have said something like that to her?”
“Oh, don’t treat me like I was in the wrong,” LyCora said as she attempted to untangle two of her braids. “I have every cause to be uneasy around her and you all know it! After all, it’s only by a stroke of luck that I’m even here today, given what happened. Besides, she was the one who started the fight tonight. You all saw the way she looked at me as soon as I stepped through the damn door! Some host.”
“That is beside the point,” VoRenna scolded. “We are her guests and as such must treat her as well as the rest of her tribe with the utmost respect.”
“Well, what would you have me do? Apologize?”
“What good would that do?” Rex asked angrily.
“Pardon?” she replied.
“What good is saying sorry after you insult someone? You knew exactly what you were doing, knew exactly what to say to hurt her. That was the point of that little stage show you were putting on, was it not?”
“Now listen here, boy,” she said nastily. “Do not stand there and pass judgment on me when you are not in full possession of the facts! You might not be so quick to speak to me that way if you knew what all this was even about!” She walked up to him and slowly leaned forward, peering deeply into his eyes. “You have red eyes, Rex. That means you are of the red flame.”
“And?” he said, feeling a strange sense of hostility from her.
“And are you able to ignite your flame?” Crimson fire suddenly lit up around him, startling her as she jumped back a step. He immediately noticed a shift in her demeanor as she backed up quicker than he was sure she would have liked to in front of everyone. Studying her for a moment, he closed his eyes, and with great effort, extinguished the flame around him. With an audible sigh, he reopened his eyes and gave her a satisfied look. “Not bad,” she said thoughtfully. “Still, I could not help but notice how much effort you had to put into that. Someone of your age should be able to ignite and extinguish their flame with no effort, meaning you have not been able to ignite yours for very long. Am I right?”
