Project: TheirWorld - Chapter 036 - Part 1

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The Dragon King of the Mist

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TheirWorld

Wise led them through a labyrinth of halls. Guin tried to make a mental map of the place, but every hallways looked like the next with such a series of complicated corridors that it made it next to impossible. She wished she had had the equipment she needed to draw as she walked, but failing that, she simply had to trust in the spirits themselves. Eventually, the halls gave way to cave-like walls once again, and as they walked, the path became covered in moss and fog.

Guin’s jaw dropped as they came to a large, beautiful grotto where a waterfall came down from an opening in the high ceiling, sparkling in the bright rays of of sunlight, spilling into a lovely blue-green lake that was covered in lotus flowers and lily pads. The air was fresh and light and smelled of mountains and sweet fruits and flowers. It was alive with a magnificent array of colors as spirits and animals alike rose their heads from the fauna to greet the new comers before going back to their own business of comping on leaves or scurrying about.

From her shoulder, Wise asked, “Do you see that blue jade tablet in the center of the lake?” Looking over, Guin saw and nodded as the owl continued. “Go out into the lake and pray in your heart. If it is meant to be, he shall answer your call.”

Looking back at Jormund and Dawl, she smiled at bit. Jormund was egging her on while Dawl was turning about with his mouth wide open, dumbfounded by their surroundings. Shaking her head at them, as Wise went over and landed on a surprised Jormund’s shoulder, Guin walked over to the lake’s edge and stared into its depths. The water was amazingly clear and blue, with koi serenely drifting in its waters. The table that Wise had told her about was a ways out with no path between in and the lake’s edge. I suppose I just have to trust it, then? The worst that could happen, she supposed, was that she would have to swim there.

Though she braced herself to get very wet, Guin stepped out into the lake. Onto it, as it turned out. Testing her steps to be sure, she started to laugh out as she began to walk on the water, heading straight toward the tablet with building confidence.

The tablet itself was made of a beautifully marbled, pale blue jade that was almost transparent. The image of a swirling, east-asian styled dragon was carved into it with peaceful eyes, and an elegant face. Kneeling before it, she began to pray.

From her mind to her heart she whispered, Dragon King, hear me. Grave errors have been made, and my friends and I seek to save the forest. Many lives have already been lost, and the forest is dying. Reili, the Che-bound spirit fox in the employ of the Lady Amikavi, has sent us to you that we may receive a scale to purify the corruption…

She waited several minutes, but nothing happened. Concerned, Guin tried to make her plea again, but still, nothing happened.

Guin stared at the tablet with a sinking heart. What would happen if she was unable to get the scale? Would she fail the quest? Would the forest really die? What of Dawl? What of Reili and all the spirits that she had met so far?

What about Tik-Tak?

Biting back the tears that welled at the thought of her little friend who had so pointlessly lost his life, Guin considered her options. She had already put so much time and effort into this quest. After all this - after coming this far - am I really going to give up? Am I really going to let myself fail? There was the possibility that this was some kind of puzzle, but looking around the grotto told her little that she did not already know.

She stared into the eyes of the carved dragon. “Please,” she muttered grimly. “Please help me save them. I can’t just give up here…” Anger building inside her, she shouted, “Please!”

From underneath the water, a wave erupted, spray glittering in the sunlight as Guin fell back from the tablet which began to glow dimly. Wind and pressure whipped around her, and she fought to keep her hair out of her face as, out from behind the curtain of the waterfall, a mist flowed out, and with a rumble, a shadow appeared.

Separating that curtain, came a great dragon’s head, sleek, with whiskers that grazed the water of lake, causing ripples that made waves that splashed onto the land. Each of it’s sharp, icy-blue eyes was at least two or three times the size of her little body - bigger than jormund and Dawl put together - and they felt as if they could see into her soul.

Guin could only whimper a little as she tried to breathe in the sheer presence of the great being before her. A great weight had suddenly been thrust upon her - one she could not escape, as if gravity multiplied, pulling her down though she could go no further. The air became thick and moist, and electric. Her sense heightened, but there was only instinct left to act of them. Her desire to flee was strong - but she knew it would be futile.

She had felt this before.

This fear.

Guin slammed her eyes shut, and jabbed her fingernails into the palm of her hand. Stay focused, Guin, she told herself. Stay focused. This is only a game, and you are here for a reason. There are more important things than fear, now.I

She opened her eyes, and faced the creature before her.

It breathed a hot, moist puff of air into her face as it grinned at her, each of it’s wide teeth at least her size, and uncomfortably close to where she had fallen.

Feeling feverish, Guin forced herself up to kneel and said, “H-Hail Dragon King. I-I am Guin Grey… Send by the lady R-Relli, s-s-servant of he Ami-Amikavi. P-Please, Dragon King… Please help the forest!”

“...Why should I bother?” came a voice in her head, similar to how the Webspinner had communicated with her, except this one was loud, and booming.

“W-Why should you...?” Guin repeated. “Are you not the guardian of the forest?”

“Oh, for many centuries,” the dragon’s voice came in annoyance. “For so many centuries my kin and I have watched over this forest and the Mist Moon Mountains and all the little Che-kind who live there - so many! Yet, the Che always do that which they know they should not. The come in search of power. Wealth. Desire. They cause corruption wherever they walk - and yes, girl, I know you have come here because, once again, the forest that I have so long protected is under threat from Che-kind greed - and you have only come because it has affected you, selfish creature.” The dragon rose its mighty head up and looked down on her with it’s sharp, icy blue eyes. “Here again I find myself faced with two equally bad options: Save the forest for the Che to ruin once again, or let my people become corrupted by the actions of others.”

Gawking at it, Guin stood. “You cannot let the actions of idiots determine the fates of others so easily!” she cried.

“Should I ignore the inevitable for the sake of an insignificant?” the Dragon asked her. “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting something different to happen is the very definition of insanity - and I am not yet that far gone.”

“Surely there must be some good the Che have done for you to consider it!” Guin cried. “It cannot be so black and white! What of the Che who care for the forest? What of those who followed the laws? What of the Servants who have aided you all these years!”

The dragon moved closer to her again, its great claws coming out from behind the falls and into the lake, causing the water to splash and wave, the ground shaking as if there were an earthquake. It put its head down into the water as well, leveling one of its great eyes with her...