Desert Dragon

by Michael Rogers

  Luna: *She pushed her head up and closed her eyes, kissing Nathan on the lips.* (Oh my god!-)

  Nathan: *He closed his eyes and passionately kissed Luna back.* "..."

  Destiny: *She listened to their heartbeats grow with rapid beats.* (Yeup?)

  Nathan: *He rested his left arm over Luna on the ground.* (This feels-) *He smiled with his eyes closed, as he continued to kiss Luna.*

  Luna: (I can feel his smile-) *She smiled back, keeping her eyes closed.*

  Karol: *He looked up and noticed Nathan and Luna kissing.* "Eww."

  Nathan: *He leant back and stared at Luna, admiring her face.* "Umm."

  Luna: "So.. You like stuff?" *She smiled, listening to Destiny purr in happiness.*

  Karol: "Stahp! You will get cooties!" *He slowly stood up and walked towards Nathan and Luna.*

  Nathan: "Ha ha, you'll understand when you're a man."

  Karol: "I am-, I'ma, a man!"

  Nathan: "Well-" *He spoke in a deep voice, glancing at Luna with blushing cheeks.*

  Luna: "That.. Felt nice." *She mumbled with blushing cheeks and shyly looked away.*

  Nathan: (Felt nice?) *He thought to himself with widening eyes, triggering a flashback.*

  ----------

  *A young man and woman stood in the middle of a forest, next to a small glittering lake.*

  ?????: "Nathan, we can't!" *A woman with white hair and blue eyes shook her head and turned away with her back facing him.*

  *A younger appearing Nathan stepped forward and grabbed her arm, turning her around.*

  Nathan: "Bell, it doesn't matter."

  ?????: "..." *She looked down, avoiding eye contact.*

  Nathan: "Isabella!"

  Isabella: "I-" *She looked up and shook her head.* "You're a Scoldrant User, I'm a Fore Hunter."

  Nathan: "So-?!"

  Isabella: "It can never work out!" *She shouted with watering eyes, as if she didn't agree with what she was saying.*

  Nathan: "Please-"

  ----------

  Nathan: "Isabella!" *He shouted in fear, causing Luna to lean back.*

  Luna: "W-Who?"

  Nathan: "I-.." *He gritted his teeth in recollection and stood up, picking up his sword.* "We should head back."

  Luna: "Isa.. Bella?"

  Nathan: "Don't.. Just don't." *He mumbled with regret and faced Karol.* "Let's go."

  Karol: *He watched Nathan slowly stagger away, as if he was overcome with different feelings.* "Nafan?"

  Nathan: *He tried to hide his sadness with a frown, trying to hold back his tears.* (Men don't cry.. You're a man, Nathan-)

  Luna: "You fucking faggot fuck!" *She screamed with growing emotion and angrily stood up.*

  Karol: "L-Loona?"

  Nathan: "...-" *He discreetly gasped with widening eyes.*

  Luna: "Nah, fuck this aye!" *She unintentionally screamed at Karol and focused all her attention to Nathan's back.*

  Nathan: (For a splitting moment.. You made me almost forget about her, Luna.)

  Destiny: "Yeup?" *She meowed at Luna, noticing she stormed after Nathan without her.*

  Luna: *She stared at her own back, causing her to turn around.* (What's different? Nothing? Why do I get so upset? It's always the same thing-)

  Karol: *He noticed Luna's face become emotionless, causing him to look confused.* "I'm so confoosed."

  Destiny: "Yeup?" *She meowed in confusion, as she slowly hopped towards Luna.*

  Luna: "Aha, it's all good, shithead." *She spoke with a smile and straightened her arm, allowing Destiny to hop up onto her shoulder.*

  Karol: "Uhm?"

  Luna: "Let's go, aye." *She sniffed with a smile and started to walk away.*

  Destiny: "..." *She silently stared at Luna.*

  Karol: *He scratched his head in confusion.* "Ohkay!"

  ----------

  *Lezard hobbled down the road-like path and happily ate a kebab while reading from his book.*

  Lezard: "Bwarharh, another funny one! I can't wait to show the little monsters-"

  *Lezard gasped in shock and stared at the entrance in realisation, causing him to giggle while shaking his bottom to each side.*

  Lezard: "I should be meeting them outside soon!" *He giggled again and made his way towards the entrance, causing the ring-like glyph around his finger to glow.*

  *The entrance responded to Lezard's presence, allowing him to step through the warped wall.*

  Lezard: "Ooo-"

  *A strong wind blew to one side, blowing the pages in Lezard's book.*

  Lezard: "Jinkies!" *He closed the book and quickly hobbled over the aura made path, stepping onto the land.*

  *Lezard shook his body and hobbled to a certain spot, plunking himself on the ground.*

  Lezard: "The outside is always more chilly at first-" *He spoke to himself and continued to eat the kebab.*

  ----------

  *Rachael and Trevour found themselves out in a clearing, with the constant sounds of waves crashing in the distance.*

  Rachael: *She took a deep breath.* "It's really amazing. Take one step and everything changes, even the smell of the air."

  Trevour: "It can be temperamental at times, but it can also be enjoyable-"

  *A woman wearing a white chefs-like hat, turned around in curiosity and smiled at Trevour and Rachael.*

  Chef: "You made it-" *She noticed the block wrapped in sheets in Trevour's arms.* "You mean to tell me you actually got it?!"

  Trevour: "Sure did, madam!"

  Chef: "That's amazing!" *She ran up to Trevour and grabbed the meat in excitement.* "With this, I'll be able to cook a master dish with S classed ingredients!"

  Rachael: "Hehe, sounds great." *She smiled and watched the woman fidget with more excitement.*

  Chef: "I'll post the reward for this quest at The Black Trade."

  Trevour: "Sound excellent, madam."

  Rachael: "Should we walk back together?"

  Trevour: "Safety in numbers, I like it, boss."

  Chef: *She smiled, shaking her head.* "No. I need to prepare these ingredients in my own little kitchen. But the food will be at Cookz in Silver Wind Island."

  Trevour: "At Cookz? That place is a delight to the tongue."

  Rachael: "Hehe, that's something Lezard would say."

  *A man wearing a cowboy hat riding a large ostrich-like Scoldrant trampled up to the chef.*

  Man: "I travel from ta-own to ci-tee, my Sco-ol-draynt is very sp-eed-ee." *He chewed on gum and adjusted his cowboy hat.*

  Trevour: "Hello again, sir. I remember seeing you a few years back at the city."

  Man: "I see my ra-anch is evar so pop-yul-arh."

  Chef: "Thank you again, The Rostical Guild." *She smiled in appreciation and hopped up on the ostrich behind the man.*

  Man: "To your ta-own?"

  Chef: "Yes please!"

  Rachael: "Bye!" *She smiled, watching the ostrich run out of sight at amazing speeds.*

  Trevour: "Mission officially completed, heh heh."

  Rachael: "Phew. I hope the others had a successful quest too."

  Trevour: "I definitely agree."

  ----------

  Nathan: *He silently watched Luna storm ahead of the party.* "Luna-?"

  Luna: "Everythin' is fine, let's keep goin', aye." *She spoke with sarcasm.*

  Nathan: "..."

  Karol: "What's wrong with Loona?"

  Nathan: ".. Nothing."

  Karol: "Ohkay?"

  Nathan: *He sighed and continued to follow Luna, staring at her back with regret.* (Why did I?)

  Karol: "What's wrong wiff yooh, Nafan?"

  Nathan: "Ah, nothing, Karol."

  Karol: "But-"

  Nathan: "Men don't show their feelings." *He took a deep breath and puffed out his chest, walking slightly faster.*

  Karol: (I don't understand what's going on.) *He thought to himself with worry.*

  ----------

  *Rachael and Trevour walked through a forest, listening to the g
rowing sounds of waves crash in the distance.*

  Trevour: "We're almost there, boss, heh heh."

  Rachael: "Almost there." *She smiled and formed a fist in excitement.*

  Trevour: "Maybe when we get back, we could go to the local cooks and request to have some of the meat we got in today's quest?"

  Rachael: "Oh, that's great! We should get the whole guild and have a dinner together!"

  Trevour: "Sounds-"

  ?????: "Absolutely, mouth watering, heart warming, delicious!"

  Trevour: "Greetings, sir."

  Rachael: "Hey, Lezard."

  Lezard: "Bwarharh, what took you? I've been waiting-"

  Rachael and Lezard: "For years?"

  Lezard: "Bwarharh, naw, shucks. You're getting to know me rather too well, Razzypoo."

  Rachael: "Hehe."

  Lezard: *He watched Trevour and Rachael walk towards him.* "How did it go? Going on missions to get drop items are all about chance."

  Trevour: "We still did it." *He smiled at Rachael and stood in a more casual pose, causing his armour to rattle.*

  Lezard: "Yay!"

  Rachael: "Yeah, it happened to be the last-..!" *She looked shocked and glanced over her shoulder.*

  Lezard: "What is it?"

  Trevour: "Do you feel it too, boss?"

  Rachael: "Yeah."

  Lezard: "Ooo, tell Lezard what's happening?"

  Trevour: "Someone is coming, sir. And at an incredible speed."

  Lezard: "Oh?" *He looked into the direction Rachael and Trevour were facing.* "Should we head back to the city?"

  Rachael: "We still have to wait for the others, and we're not sure if this person is bad or not."

  Trevour: "..." (When you're adept at reading the vibrations on the ground, you get to tell what kind of person they are.. Whoever this person is, is pure evil.)

  Lezard: *He looked at Rachael in agreement.* "I sure hope so."

  ----------

  Kath: *She paced back and forth in the middle of a stone room, as if she was waiting for something.* "Where are you-?"

  *A man flashstepped into the stone room and instantly dropped to one knee, causing his armour to rattle.*

  Man: "I apologise for the wait, ma'am-"

  Kath: "Cameron, I expected better from the number one captain."

  Cameron: *He lowered his head in respect.* "Like I previously stated a mere moment ago, ma'am. I apologise."

  Kath: "Hmph." *She grunted in acknowledgement.* "I have a very special mission for you."

  Cameron: "Hoh?" *He looked up, intrigued.*

  Kath: "These missions are usually for The Black Brigade, but every member appears to be busy with their own at the moment."

  Cameron: (Blake and the others?) "I understand. What are your orders, ma'am?"

  Kath: "There is a woman I wish for you to bring back."

  Cameron: "A woman?" *He sounded surprised.* "You ask that of the number one captain?"

  Kath: "Indeed."

  Cameron: "Is she.. Powerful?"

  Kath: "Compared to the Consultants, she is nothing."

  Cameron: "I see."

  Kath: "Seek her and bring her back."

  Cameron: "Whereabouts is her location?"

  Kath: "Her last energy signature was located near the activation of the fourth Unknown Territory."

  Cameron: (The fourth?) "I understand."

  Kath: "She is dangerous. Bring her back alive, but we do not care of her condition."

  Cameron: "Dangerous? Of her condition? Is she near my power level?"

  Kath: "Dismissed." *She turned around.* "The only people more stronger than yourself, Cameron, is us, the Consultants."

  Cameron: "I understand." *He stood up and turned around with a disappearing image.*

  Kath: "I feel a little uneasy, all these captains on different duties."

  ?????: "Oh? But that's the importance of the warrior system, is it not?"

  Kath: "Ridley?" *She looked to the side, watching a man appear from a swirl of darkness.* "Where have you been?"

  Ridley: "My job infiltrating the enemy, it's much harder than I thought, ha ha."

  Kath: "Have you learnt anything special?"

  Ridley: *He shook his head.* "They don't know the location to the last Unknown Territory either."

  Kath: "Hmm?"

  Ridley: "But I've had the fantastic opportunity to poison the ruler."

  Kath: "Oh?" *She spoke with a smile and faced Ridley, noticing he wore unusual glasses.* "What are those pitiful things?"

  Ridley: "These?" *He adjusted the glasses on his face and stepped into the light, revealing a different hairstyle.* "I'm undercover."

  Kath: "Wearing glasses and changing your hairstyle doesn't hide who you are."

  Ridley: "Well, it's worked so far." *He smiled.* "They haven't got a clue, the folly hahahaha."

  Kath: *She smiled and nodded her head.* "I've sent the number two to look for the last Unknown Territory."

  Ridley: "I suspect it's in a Spacial Funnel."

  Kath: "My thoughts exactly. That's why sending the number two was a far better choice than number one."

  Ridley: (Her musical scores to detect and counteract any abnormal Astragons in the air-) "How very smart of you, Kathalestel."

  Kath: "Hmph. Leave now, we don't want your identity to be revealed now, do we?"

  Ridley: *He turned around with a discreet smile.* "You're right."

  Kath: "Get back to me when you find out anything else."

  Ridley: "Of course. Until next time."

  Kath: "Indeed."

  Ridley: "You also ensure to report anything to me, too." *He sighed and clicked his fingers, puffing into a cloud of shadow-like smoke.*

  Kath: "..." *She squinted her eyes in an unimpressed-like manner, watching the smoke fade away.*

  ----------

  *A woman ran through a forest and blinding speeds, watching the trees blur past her.*

  ?????: "Fufufu-" *She ran into a sparkle of light and stopped abruptly, finding herself in a large clearing.*

  Rachael: *She gasped with widening eyes.* "Who-?"

  Trevour: *He stepped back, causing his armour to rattle.* "T-Tara?!"

  Tara: "Fufufufu." *She smirked evil-like and stepped forward, glaring at Trevour.* "So we meet again, heretic?"

  Trevour: (This is bad!)

  Chapter 4: Tara's Revenge

  *A man with oily pimples on his face placed several books on a dusty shelf, causing him to sneeze.*

  Man: "Ah-chu!" *He sniffed and continued to adjust the books on the shelf.* (I knew there would be paperwork relating to Battling Oxident, but I never thought there would be this much-)

  ?????: "Tyler! Are you almost done?!" *A man's powerful voice echoed from the other room.*

  Tyler: *He looked away from the shelf and nodded his head even though the man couldn't see him.* "Yes, Season! Almost there!"

  Season: "Hohoho, make haste!"

  Tyler: *He smiled and brushed the dust off his hands on his pants.* "Coming!"

  Season: *He watched Tyler walk through a solid white wall and into a large throne room.* "Ah, Tyler."

  Tyler: *He watched Season sit on a large royal chair.* "What's the matter?"

  Season: "I'm curious to know how the preparation has been going. It's the first Battling Oxident where I've given you a lot of responsibility to handle."

  Tyler: "I-I know. It's a little hard, but I'm getting there."

  Season: "How have my people treated you?"

  Tyler: "V-Very well. Even some of the fighters have helped significantly."

  Season: "Excellent." *He smiled and rested his head on his hand.*

  Tyler: "Have you heard back from Alicia, Felix or Riddle yet?"

  Season: "Not right now. They haven't been back."

  Tyler: "I wonder if the fourth Unknown Territory is safe?"

  Season: "I certainly hope so." *He mumbled to himself.* ".. Okay, here's a list of things I'd like done by the end of the day."

 
Tyler: "Okay, I'm ready." *He raised a notepad and readied his pen to write on it.*

  Season: "I want you to double check all the sound based glyphs, I've had reports that the spectator's voice didn't reach certain parts of the stadium."

  Tyler: "St-ad-ium-" *He wrote down the word and nodded his head.* "Next?"

  ----------

  Tara: *She glared at Trevour, Rachael and Lezard.* "More friends, number twenty-three?"

  Lezard: "Twenty-three?"

  Trevour: *He formed fists.* "My name is Trevour, madam."

  Tara: "Oh? Fufufu."

  Rachael: "She's wearing the same uniform as the others we encountered ages ago.. She's a Black Brigade, isn't she?"

  Tara: "Oh?"

  Trevour: "Yes, boss. Please be careful."

  Tara: "Boss? Fufufu, I remember when you used to call us that. A warrior that isn't loyal to their superiors, disgusting!"

  Trevour: "I..."

  Rachael: *She formed fists and stood in a battle-ready pose.* "A guild member not loyal to their family is even more disgusting than you."

  Tara: "What did you say, dirty lamp?"

  Lezard: *He hobbled behind Rachael and Trevour and spread his arms, causing light to heal their slight grazes from their previous mission.* "I'll heal from the back, children."

  Trevour: "Sounds good, sir-"

  Tara: "My my, how you have changed, thirty-three."

  Rachael: "We can take her, Trev."

  Tara: "Fufufufu!" *The dirty pulsed around her, catching Trevour's attention.*

  Trevour: "You've removed the seal, haven't you?"

  Tara: "Fufufu!" *She bent her knees and blasted herself towards Rachael.*

  Rachael: "Hand to hand combat?" *She spoke with a smile and suddenly blocked Tara's kick with her forearm.*

  Trevour: *He watched Rachael's hair blow back, as her body didn't move.* (Her body didn't even budge to Tara's kick.) *He thought to himself with a smile.*

  Tara: "Tss-" *She flipped back and jumped forward, kicking towards Rachael's head.*

  Rachael: *She ducked under the kick and jabbed a fist towards Tara's knee.* "Got-"

  Tara: "Fu-" *She flashstepped, causing Rachael's arm to awkwardly extend.*

  Rachael: (Fast!-)

  Tara: *She appeared behind Rachael and punched her in the back of the head, knocking her face-first across the ground.* "You are nothing-"

  *Tara quickly leant back, avoiding several streams of sand.*

  Tara: *She stared at the sand with widening eyes.* "Remenistal?"