Oni watches as his tribe and family drop into the sand 22AUG20
25
AUG/20
The End of Days:
Pakku came running out of the temple into bright moonlight surface. He was in a panic. He needed to warn the tribe as he spread out himself, “spread out, he has a fireball left.” He continued to run as far as he could and through some salty sand over himself. He was kneeing next to a dried brush with his crossbow out. Joe ran in and moments later came climbing out with Paulu unconscious over his shoulder.
Oni was next to the opening. He looked over to Rain next to him and screamed, “through some light do there so I can fight.” Rain bolted over to Yas and started to heal her. Once complete he yelled back to Oni, “I could not I am healing people.” Oni stood there for a second. The image of the tower came to him. The darkness that was above the tower is all he saw within the darkness below. He launched his Ki down the stairs to drop one of the guards and backed off. He did not want to make a good target for the wizard. As he backed off barely audible words left his lips, “I am so sorry.”
First Oni could hear screams come pouring out of the opening. He peered over to Ahsha. He thought Ahsha would help, but they were just holding strong. Oni knew right there and then, he would kill Ahsha. This was a treachery that he could not take. Oni looked up at the moon to take in a few breaths. He needed to recenter to win this day. This battle was still not lost. He focused on the moon. It was high in the house of Badna. It was full but had a huge blank or black spot in the middle of it. He had never seen this spot before and it took all his attention. The moon was looking through him. That is when he heard Joe scream out his final scream.
Oni turned to face the entrance again. Ladesa had come up to focus his attacks. With his mouth locked open he watched Ahsha drop. As the guard finished him off Oni knew he did not have to kill him now. Bolts of force came shooting out of Ladesa. Yas dropped. Pakku barely walking took a mal-aimed shoot into the fray as he stumbled off. Ahsha’s men started to abandon the fight. Oni was about to be alone.
Oni looked across the fight. Three guards, two lizards and the defiler. Could he move in to kill them all. He thought he could fight the men and lizards but would not survive the bolts of force. He had to decide, die with his tribe, or leave the scene. He looked over to Rain. He could not tell if he was breathing still. He looked back up to that giant black spot on the moon as the darkest thought ran through him. He thought and said out loud, “no, I will not kill Rain.” He moved his foot to charge in. He lowered his gaze to the ground and walked off the same direction he saw Pakku leave.
The Tribe was Dead.
Oni slid out into the desert. He started to search for Pakku. He could see the Flying guard overhead. He moved over a small rise and stopped to rest. He was staring up to the watchful moon. His breathing was softer now. Oni heard a mild sound as Pakku came over the rise and sat his personal ass on the ground next to him. They never spoke to each other. They were the only ones to survive and words could not be spoken.
After a few hours Pakku perked up. He looked at Oni without saying a word. Oni knew what this meant. Someone was coming. Pakku rolled and moved off to the side. Oni looked over but could no longer see him in the dark. Oni came to edge of the sand dune to peer over. Mar’iya was standing there looking down at him. He had a very frustrated look on his face as he broke the silence, “you are easy to follow. Even I was able to track you blood trail.” Oni smiled a little, and responded, “it is good to see you too.” Pakku came from seemingly nowhere. Mar’iya jumped a little. With a very rare look of surprise and concern he smiled with, “you my friend are impossible to find.”
They did not have time to talk as the flying guard started to descend on their location. Oni looked up, “what new fucking hell is this.” They circled over and over as they landed on the ground around them. The three stood tall, but not threatening. Oni spoke for the three, maybe for the last time, “what can we do for you, my friends.” One of them spoke without leaving his horse, “mabs I could help you.” He scanned them and looked openly sad. “mabs if we had fought sooner, it would have been different.” He pointed to the empty flying horse. “We can take you three to Raam, if you want.”
Without any conversation all three just started to head over to the winged beast. Pakku turned towards the speaker and pointed to his saddle. He waved his open hand back inviting him to the saddle. Oni and Mar’iya climbed aboard the empty horse. Pakku with all his animal handling leaped on board as if he had been riding them his whole life. Oni and Mar’iya on the other hand managed to get aboard. It would be nice to say they did it without embarrassing themselves, but it was not the night for that. Mar’iya whispered back to Oni, “this is a terrible idea.”
As they flew up into the sky Oni looked over to the now closer moon. It was leaving the house of Bdna and the spot was gone. He stared at it most of the night. The spot never came back. Had he seen it?
Sad Partings:
Oni watched as the glow from Raam slowly grew. The speed at which they moved was incredible. He could not even conceive how many days that walk would have taken. He looked across the city, it was partially built below ground. It was made of these amazing sand domes. Flying guards flew above from several angle. Worry rushed over him. He had heard of the terrors of this city over the years. Many former slaves had gone through Trobridge. This might not be the rescue they had been promised. Mar’iya face had even more worry than Oni’s. He spoke as the horses descended into the city, “we must be caution.”
Mar’iya stepped off the winged beast. Oni followed suit. Mar’iya seemed to handle it well, but Oni legs did not work quite right as they hit the dirt. He stumbled to his feet. Mar’iya stood very tall. Some piece of his past was now present in his stance. Oni could tell he was now acting partially from habit. His face had no emotions across it. He stood facing away from Oni, as if Oni was his servant. Oni took the reins. He turned to walk towards Pakku and the other flying guard.
Pakku leaped from the saddle and landed upon perfect footing. He stood proud, but not as proud as Mar’iya. Oni hoped he would not be the only one that became a slave here. Oni bowed his head and moved the horse over to Pakku. Oni did not know it yet, but he was bringing Pakku his new mount. Pakku had a smile on his face. Oni could not muster anything like a smile, but now Pakku had a smile. Before Oni could start the conversation Pakku did.
Pakku: That was amazing
With very low enthusiasm.
Oni: sure was. I think the three of us need to find a place to stay.
Pakku looked down a little.
Pakku: I do not need to find a place to stay, I have one.
Oni: where
Pakku: I have joined the guard.
Oni now knowing what was going on handed the reins to Pakku.
Pakku: I was talking while we flew, and they offered me Ahsha’s spot. Well not his spot as he was in charge, but his mount and a spot in the squad.
Oni realized this was more Pakku had said out loud in over a year. He was thinking about what this meant. It was true for him now. The tribe had died in that temple. Along with Pakku, Oni was no longer apart of any tribe. He was on his own. He looked over to Mar’iya, and hoped he was not completely alone. He thought how he did not like Mar’iya when he first arrived but was glad to know him now.
Oni moved up to Pakku. The two men stood so close they shared breath and water. They both bowed their head to touch. This was their goodbye. They stood there for a lifetime. Every memory from birth to this moment flowed through both of them. They both thought of their elders, now all dead. They went through the names in their head. As the thoughts of the tribe started to come to an end, Nes came to thought. Joe, Paulu, Ajamu, Yas, and Rain passed between the two. Neither of the two brought Selise or Agis to mind. They were still alive in their minds and could not be thought of in this moment.
Their foreheads started to separate. Oni shifted to move back. Pakku with hidden intent pushed two objects to Oni. Oni could feel as Pakku placed the dagger and Selises tools into his secret pockets. Oni looked at him with a little confusion. Pakku now with a voice of a sage,
Pakku: take these, you need them more than me. You will likely find more danger than I will.
Oni: Thank you my friend. I will never forget you.
With that no other words were spoken. Pakku took the reins and led his new mount following the other fliers. Oni watched as he walked off
Note: The End of Chapter: The Dying Tribe