• Quote:
    The Land of Dragons
    By
    Stone M. Medina


    The man walked into the Dragon’s Den, a tavern in the city of Zeko. The mercenary approached a table including three drunken thugs.
    ”… And I told him, ‘I don’t care if you’re living in a barrel, I want all your money,” said one of the drunks. The other two thugs erupted into laughter. The apparent leader looked up at the hooded mercenary.
    “Hey boys, look at this. This guy- *hic*thinks he’s- *hic* oh what’s his name- oh yeah! He thinks he’s the great bounty hunter, Yuku Ramato! HARHARHAR!!!!” The other two laughed. The mercenary smirked underneath the hood.
    “Quite the comedian, I see. Now if you don’t mind I would like your table.” The drunken leader stood up and laughed.
    “HARHARHAR!!! You’re funny. Now skedaddle before me and my friends have to show you the door.”
    “You’re drunk. I’m sure I could easily overpower you.” The thug laughed and said,
    “See this,” he held up a vial as did the other two, “This is an immediate sobering potion.” They gulped the concoction and suddenly were 100% alert.
    “Still want our table,” asked the sobered leader.
    “Yes, now if you would please stand aside, I’m expecting a client.” One of the thugs threw a sucker punch at the man. With surprising dexterity, the man casually dodged to the left and karate chopped the shocked crook on the back of his neck. He was rendered unconscious instantly. The other thug charged like a bull at the man. The man spun around the thug with lightning speed, wrapped his arms round his neck, and subdued him with a sleeper hold. The leader, scared and angry, broke his bottle and wielded it as an improvised weapon. The leader charged at the man while he was still incapacitating the second thug. Without turning around, the man thrusts out his hand and wrapped it around the thug’s arm. He broke the arm in a second.
    “AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!” The thug screamed in agony. Then the man walked over to the crouched thug.
    “By the way, it’s actually Ruku Yamato,” and then broke the thug’s nose, leaving him comatose. Then Ruku sat down with his feet on the table. The Tavern keeper decided not to have the same fate as the thugs and proceeded to remove them from the premise.

    A hooded monk walked up to Ruku’s table, applauding slowly.
    “Impressive,” wheezed the elderly monk, “That is why you are the best mercenary in the game.” Ruku sat up straight and leaned in.
    “Look old man, let’s cut the chitchat and get straight into the job.” The Elder Monk smirked.
    “Fine. The simplified version. Infiltrate the Eastern Monastery. Steal the D’anillo del Dragon. One week.” Ruku thought of the translation. He raised an eyebrow.
    “Dark Ring of the Dragon?” The old man laughed.
    “Indeed. Get it.”
    Ruku walked through the Nailati Forest as it was the quickest route to the Eastern Monastery. He was immediately aware of his stalker. He heard it crouch and by the time it had leaped, he had his katana drawn. He deflected the silver weapon with the dexterity of a master swordsman. He spun to see his attacker and was immediately shocked. It was a huge wolf with black fur and green eyes. It had to be 10 feet on all fours. However, Ruku recognized what, rather who it was, and he grinned humorlessly.
    “Well, if it isn’t the big bad wolf. Or Kayame, the werewolf. Figure out how to phase with your clothes on?” The wolf grinned and talked to Ruku, mentally.
    (Hmm… I’m surprised you recognized me. And yes I have figured it out. However, I like this form. A lot easier to shred you!) Kayame charged, claws glinting in the sun. Ruku somersaulted over her, slashing her back while in the process.
    (Ow! Mother-You jerk. You ruined my shiny coat!) The wound on her back regenerated and Ruku stood shock.
    (Oh, did you forget that we werewolves can regenerate? DIE!!!) Kayame aimed for Ruku’s throat. He barely had recovered from shocked when she had leaped. Milliseconds before his throat was about to be ripped out, Ruku rolled to the left. Kayame had just landed when she rounded for attempt number four.
    “You just don’t give up, do you!?!” Ruku yelled and slashed her chest.
    (Stop that would you! Regenerating stings you know!) Again, her flesh sealed itself.
    (WHAT!?! WHERE’D YOU GO, COWARD!!!!) Ruku had fled, running east.
    (What kind of an idiot thinks he can outrun a werewolf!!!) Kayame pursued. Unbeknownst to her, Ruku had not run very far and was hanging upside down on a high tree limb, waiting. As she ran by, Ruku dropped headfirst, dart in hand.
    “Hey, dog!” Ruku shouted, not out of bravado, but rather so she would stop. It worked and Kayame paused to look up for a second. That was all he needed. He planted the dart in her back. She stumbled and fell over on her side
    . (What-what did you-)
    “A tranq. I planted a tranquilizer in you. Good night.” Kayame fell unconsciousness, phasing back to her human form, fully clothed.
    “Ah. You are just as beautiful as you were 2 years ago.” Ruku bent over and kissed her forehead. Then he got up and continued to the Desert of Skraill.
    The temperature was 103.7, yet Ruku was unperturbed while crossing the massive sand dunes. He was unaware of the assassin tracking him. Ruku swore underneath his breath as he saw how much longer he had to walk in this godforsaken place. Then, suddenly, an armored hand shot out of the dunes and grabbed Ruku’s ankle, tripping him.
    “Oof! What the-“Ruku yelled. Then his body was shot into the air and then the assassin emerged from the sand. Ruku landed on his back and the assassin was on him, dagger pointed at his throat.
    “Hello, Ruku Yamato,” said the assassin. Ruku grasped for breath.
    “Who are you?” The assassin chuckled.
    “Zorion.” Ruku’s eyes widened with realization.
    “Zorion. The second greatest male mercenary.” Zorion again laughed.
    “You mean the number one merc. That is, after I’m done with you.” Despite the dire situation, it was not of his demise Ruku was thinking. Very stupidly, he was wondering how a 6”2’ mercenary could have been hiding in the sand for hours in full body armor and not have passed out. Zorion read Ruku’s face and laughed.
    “Small holes allow for air circulation,” he said. Then Ruku snapped out of his daze and devised an escape. Ruku elbowed Zorion’s face and he immediately recoiled, grabbing his mask. Ruku flipped backwards, katana drawn by the time he had landed. But the moment his feet had touched the ground, Zorion had tossed his dagger at Ruku. He deflected the blade, but by that time Zorion was already within striking range. He’s too fast! I focus on strong blows while he uses fast, devastating attacks, Ruku thought. He brought his katana up at a slant as Zorion shot forward. Ruku noticed that he was using a pair of metal claws as weapons. They definitely suit his fighting style, Ruku thought once more. Ruku repelled the claws, but as Zorion was cart wheeled, a huge gash appeared on Ruku’s left cheek. He clutched at it and looked at Zorion. He looked at Zorion’s metal boots. Blades on his feet as well. This is definitely going to be an interesting match, Ruku contemplated. Zorion leaped once more brushing Ruku’s shoulder, cutting it. Ruku slashed at Zorion, but he caught the katana between his claws and flung it far away in the never ending desert. Ruku kicked Zorion’s helmet to give himself enough time to reacquire his blade, but to no avail as Zorion quickly recovered. Just as he was about to deal the deathblow, a giant wolf leaped and tackled both of them. (NO! I WILL BE THE ONE TO KILL HIM!!!) Kayame, for it was she, screamed and pounced on Zorion, a whole new fight beginning. Ruku used this unexpected turn of events to recover his sword and fled east towards the monastery.
    Ruku set up his camp in the plains. If he had not all these encounters, he would’ve found a more secure location. This plain was out in the open, too many points of attack. But he was tired and the monastery was still a day away. As Ruku looked up at the starry night, he began to recollect…
    “Ruku! You’re falling asleep! Hmph! Our first real date and you fall asleep,” Kayame had yelled at him. He rubbed his eyes and stared at her. Her midnight black hair, with her ocean blue eyes. So beautiful. “I’m sorry Kayame. You are so stunningly gorgeous I thought I was dreaming,” he had said. She laughed and shoved him. “You’re such a dork. You fall asleep and then you make such a cheesy compliment, so I’m not mad at you,” Kayame had said. Ruku laughed and responded, “Is it working?” Kayame gave him a dirty look, but could not resist kissing him full on the lips. After she broke it, he smirked and said, “I’ll take that as a yes.” It was getting cold and he decided to take off his jacket and put it around her. “Hmm. I think I be much warmer if you held me,” Kayame had said. Ruku chuckled and did so. He kissed her and she kissed back, under the starry sky. Then, cruelly, Ruku woke up and uncharacteristically, tears staining his face. His last clear, perfect memory faded away, once again, never to return. Then his eyes grew dull and wiped his face, no emotion showing. He packed up his camp and picked up his bag and started to walk east when something fell away from his bag. He looked at it and sighed. It was a picture of him and Kayame when he took her to the carnival, after she had stuck a whole cotton candy stick into his mouth and told the carnie to take the picture before he could get it out. He threw it up into the air, and then anger flowed through him, making his dull brown-reddish eyes crimson. He conjured all his anger into his right hand and shot it out at the picture in the form of a fireball, disintegrating both the picture and his memory of the event. His eyes became dull once more as he walked east.
    Ruku positioned himself behind a rock outside the monastery’s main gate, looking for a weak point. Then he saw a lone monk, observing nature. He got the jump on the monk, knocking him out. He took his keys and proceeded to the side gate. Normally, he would have stolen the monk’s robe; however he knew that is what Zorion or Kayame would have done. One does not become the best mercenary by mimicking others. He let himself in and immediately jumped up on top of the nearest column, using height and shadow to his advantage. He made his way to the treasure room; sure enough, it was guarded by the best monks. Ruku did not want to fight an avoidable battle. Then he heard her. Kayame was in her wolf form, using brute strength to destroy the front gate. The monks immediately charged, leaving their post. Then Zorion snuck in and fought off three monks by shooting off his heavy armor, crippling the monks, revealing typical ninja garments while wearing a mask. Those fools actually are helpful, Ruku thought. While they fought, Ruku snuck into the treasury. He found the ring, but decided to be safe and picked it up with a bag, which put into his pocket. Just then three monks rushed him. He drew his katana, ready. The first monk had a spear and swung at Ruku. Ruku ducked underneath the spear and slashed hit in half and smashed the monk’s face with his hilt. The second attacked with nun chucks. Ruku wrapped it around his katana and round house kicked the monk’s face. Then, he deftly swung the nun chucks off his katana, wrapping around the third monk’s legs, tripping him. Ruku then ran out and rushed to the door. Kayame, in human form, had just killed yet another monk and saw Ruku trying to escape. She chased him, much faster than he could run, with her twin short katanas. She blocked off his exit and he ran into her extended leg, making him fall, gasping for breath. “Kayame,” Zorion had yelled, “The monks are bring the war beasts! Grab the ring and let’s get out of here!!!” Kayame smirked and reached into Ruku’s pocket, grabbing the bag. She began to walk away, unaffected, when Ruku had cried out, “Kay!” Kayame froze in place, a storm of memories bombarding her. His nickname for her… then the monks rounded the corner. “Look,” one of them shouted, “there’s the one that stole the D’anillo del Dragon!!! Get him while he’s weak!” They ran towards him, getting within the kill zone… when Kayame mauled them in her wolf form. Then she picked up the weak Ruku and threw him on her back and ran at her fastest pace to keep up with Zorion. (I must be out of my mind for saving you. You know for being the world’s supposed best mercenary, you’re a push over.) The unlikely trio fled west.
    In the Nailati Forest, they set up camp. Kayame dropped Ruku off carelessly near the fire pit. She phased and talked to Zorion. “Why he is so weak? He was hardly hurt and he fought harder fights without breaking a sweat.” Zorion monotonously responded, “The ring may have some curse that expels energy faster.” Kayame sat underneath a tree and gazed at her one time lover. How fragile he looked. “You need rest, Kayame,” Zorion had said. Kayame looked at him and saw his weary eyes. “So do you.” Zorion chuckled, though there was not even a hint of real laughter in his voice, “Maybe. Fine, I’ll sleep. But you should too.” Kayame smirked and started falling asleep, “Can do…” All three fell asleep.
    When Kayame awoke, the next morning, Zorion had been throwing knives viciously at a tree. “What’s the matt- where’s Ruku?!?” Kayame had said as she looked vainly for Ruku. Zorion, with of hint of anger in his voice, responded, “Why don’t you check your pocket?” Kayame’s hand automatically flew to her side. The ring was gone. Her eyes turned emerald green. “That’s right. Your ‘boyfriend’ was playing possum, just so that we would rescue him and then wait until we let our guard down, then steal the ring. And the sad bit is that it actually worked.” Kayame put her face in her hands and thought, that idiot just damned the whole world…