Fantasy Kaizoic: Earth Reborn

[Da Doofus]

“Yeah.” Talom sat down next to him and started wiping off the dark green paint and dried mud over his body. “I’m not allowed to join a hunting pack so I guess I’ll enjoy the visit itself.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

That was the answer that Darrek had been looking for, and to actually hear it coming from Talom only helped to make him more excited. Talom's departure had marked the end of his childhood, and to be frank, he'd missed their adventures.

"Baaah, is it about the whole half Kendian thing?" Darrek asked, rather annoyed as he looped an arm around his friend's shoulder, pulling him in closer. "Forget that, they don't know what they've just given up. Me and you, we could start our own hunting pack or something."

 

[Da Doofus]

“Yeah sure.” The young half-breed sighed. “It’s not important right now.”
He stood and helped Darrek to his feet.
“For the time being . . . I just want to see familiar faces.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

Darrek took Talom’s hand, allowing for his friend to drag him upright.

“Yeah, let’s go do that.” He said, before beginning the long walk back to Drafisl.

 

[Da Doofus]

Thankfully, the trek was both simple and peaceful. A trail was left under the mass tramplings of the Kendian clan and it was safe to assume the remainder of Bazin’s gang was running away after their defeat.

When the two arrived, Talom balancing Darrek on his shoulder, the clan was already there and the Vindav were outside greeting them.
Berin accepted gifts of fruit and drink from tribe members, as was custom for the yearly arrival of the Vindav’s nomadic protectors.
The Traveler’s rest was nearby, and Bom’s shape was visible through the broken window.
Above, on the second floor, another figure loomed in the window. Silhouetted from the candlelight behind him, but the broken crest was a giveaway as Darrek’s wilder brother.

Talom patted Darrek’s back. “You alright? We’re almost there.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

As peaceful as the trek had been, the slash wound on his leg made the journey arduous. He was thankful for Talom’s help, if he hadn’t supported his injured friend, Darrek would have had a much tougher time getting back to the inn.

“I’ll be fine. It’s just a little cut.” Darrek said, brushing it off. Though the heavy breathing signified that he was rather tired.

He looked within the Inn, noticing the silhouette of his brother from the 2nd floor. Yet another topic that Talom was unaware of.

“Oh, by the way, there’s someone new I’d like you to meet.” Darrek said. “He’s at the inn right now. I found my brother.”

 

[Da Doofus]

“Your what?” Talom stared with wide eyes, green like emerald. “You have a brother?
Where’s he been?”

The two were now stepping up to the door.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Darrek still wasn't entirely sure how he felt about the situation himself, making an explanation hard to provide. He glanced at Talom, before back at a door. He'd tell him the full story later, but for now, it was still too emotional for him. He wasn't going to let that kill the mood.

"It's a long story, I'll explain everything that's happened when I get some time. Let's just go home first." He said, grabbing the doorknob to swing it open.

 

[Da Doofus]

“DARREK!” Came a loud voice.
The first thing that greeted the Irokai was the petite body of Crina impacting on his stomach in a tight hug.
“We heard the fighting.” She said with overwhelming relief. “When we couldn’t find you, we knew what you did.”

Talom hummed uncomfortably, not quite understanding the situation.

Cräga watched with a brief scold, but it shifted into recognition at Talom.
“Is that Talom?” She smiled. “Welcome home!”
She emerged from behind the bar and approached to hug Talom.
Then she snatched Darrek face to her eye level with a hand on his crest.
“And YOU!” She seethed. “You EVER sneak off like that again and I will whip your butt until your NOSE bleeds.”

 

[Chai_T3a]

The hug was a welcomed surprised, and Darrek welcomed the gesture with open arms, literally and figuratively. Besides, it was a few moments of peace and bliss before the storm, which came in the form of Craga. He could see the women in his peripherals, and he wouldn't have been surprised if a literal flame burst out of her eyes at any moment.

He broke the hug with Crina, watching as Craga began walking toward's him. Tensing up, he braced himself for impact.

Impact that would never come.

It seemed that the woman had become distracted by something else. Watching her embrace Talom, Darrek almost became hopeful that Craga would forget about his attempt at sneaking out. A toothy grin spreading on his face as he forgot about his worries, focusing solely on the wholesome family reunion.

But at last, this was Craga. There was no way Darrek would be let off the hook so easily.

He yelped at the sudden force that Craga used to pull him to her eye level, gazing into those fiery pupils. Every second making him feel more and more like a child. "Ow." Darrek whined, rubbing his neck. "In my defense, Kairo was in trouble?" He added, sounding rather unsure of himself at that moment.

 

[Da Doofus]

“In your defense? You have a VERY bad habit of sneaking away without telling anyone.” She glared at him.

Talom coughed, and shifted to his grandfather.

 

[Chai_T3a]

“Well would you have let me out if I-“ Darrek blurted out, only realizing his blatant mistake after already making it. He often relied on passion instead of common sense, and in this case, it’d come to bite him in the add.

“Ya know what. Nevermind.” Darrek said, taking a deep breathe to calm himself. “I’m sorry for sneaking out. It won’t happen again.”

 

[Da Doofus]

“See that it doesn’t.” Cräga let him go. “I don’t sound it . . .” She sighes. “But I’m very happy you’re back.”

Crina let him go, and gathered herself.
“Sorry.” She cleared her throat.

On the second floor, Dracon leaned over the rails with the Pym triplets at his feet. He watched with a bland expression on his face, but something significant in his eyes shined with relief.

 

[Chai_T3a]

It was almost an impossible task to figure out Craga's true intentions. So her explanation for how she felt brought relief to the young Irokai. He'd never wanted to anger, or worry anyone, but he seemed to have let those needs take the backseat during the last few years. Maybe it came with adolescence, or maybe he was just born naive and stubborn.

But either way, it didn't bother him at the moment. He had his family back, and Rufus and Kairo were safe. That was all he could've asked for.

He looked up at his biological brother, giving the irokai a brief, yet genuine smile before turning his attention back to the people on the first floor of the inn. The battle was finally over, but he couldn't help but wonder if this lapse of peace and tranquility would last. They'd fought tooth and nail during the last few days, just to get out of the storm. But whether it was behind them, or they had just entered the eye of the storm was something Darrek wouldn't know. With another archaic landing, Darrek knew that things wouldn't be so simple anymore. It was an unsettling thought, but something he found he could live with. As long as he could have moments like these with the people he loved, he figured he could face anything.

Tucking that thought into the back of his head, he seeked to enjoy this moment of reunion. Having mindless conversations with the inhabitants of the inn, he let the stress of the past few days wash away.

 

[Da Doofus]

Back at the Noah encampment, Kairo and Rufus were settled in the infirmary. A Syndroid was tending to Rufus’s puncture wound and a colonist was placing a cast on Kairo’s arm.
Stryx had returned but not come by yet. The mere fact that he returned at all with the soldier spelled good enough news for the survivors (of which there were fortunately more than expected). Still, mourning was done for the dozen or so that fell.

“Well . . .” Rufus said to Kairo. “This brings back memories.
Me and you. Getting patched up after an encounter with an angry lizard.” He smirked, attempting to make light of the situation.

 

[Chai_T3a]

The pair haven’t been apart for more then a day, and yet it seemed Kairo had changed so much in that time. With the cast now wrapped around his arm, he stared off into the distance as if he was seeing ghosts.

Rufus’s effort broke him out of his own stupor. He looked at his friend, offering him little but a forced smile. “Yeah.” Kairo answered. “Not much of a routine I want to settle into.”

 

[Da Doofus]

“Heh.” Rufus smirked. “Definitely been acting out of my own ordinary behavior these past few weeks.” He fell silent in thought. “Nothing’s gone as I planned before all this. Strangely ‘nuff though . . .
I’m not all that disappointed.

I mean sure I got shot at and got another scar.” He gestured to his leg. “But I mean, I was expecting some kinda wasteland. Glad there’s actually a WORLD.
There’s opportunities. There’s . . .

What am I trying to say here, kid?” He looked at Kairo.

 

[Chai_T3a]

“Hey! Don’t look at me, that’s for you to figure out.” Kairo stated, the force in his smile relaxing into something a bit more genuine, but only for a moment. Rufus was right, the world they had come back to was one of opportunity. But he couldn’t help but think. Was that really worth it? If the world had only stayed just a bit more dead, than maybe they wouldn’t have had to face all of these hardships. The conflicts, the death, that damned Noah suit, they could have all been avoided.

“But, tell me Rufus. Is it selfish for me to wish for the opposite? For this entire world to be empty and void so that...we wouldn’t have to deal with all this.” Kairo made a gesture, that seemed to encompass the expanse of everything. “I...think I tried to get myself killed today. If it wasn’t for you and Darrek. I think it would’ve worked. There was no way I’d take out Bazin alone, and I knew that.”

He took a deep breathe, composing himself. “Hell, didn’t mean to kill the mood and all....I’m glad you’re back by the way.”

 

[Da Doofus]

“Well I’m glad to be back, to be honest. Can’t beat Republic healthcare . . . As much as it pains to say.” Rufus sighed. “But going off what you said . . .
No. I don’t want that.

Kairo we came from a world that was pretty much void. If we woke up and the Republic stooges were immediately back in power . . . Things would be exactly like they were in the Haven cities.
Sure we’d be safe but we’d really have nothin to look forward to.

Here . . . There’s life. There’s something that calls to fellas like me who want to make something of themselves.

Freedom. That’s the word.” He looked outside, at the great mountain towering over the jungle, and smiled.

 

[Chai_T3a]

Kairo took Rufus’s words and mulled over them for what seemed to be an eternity. He’d rarely heard the man get philosophical before, but he seemed to know what he was doing when he was. Kairo’s past life had no purpose, no meaning. He’d perform odd fixes on a variety of trinkets. Fridges, shitty radios, lights. Only to make ends meet. A life doomed to mundanity and dissatisfaction, till he inevitably died of some preventable disease he couldn’t afford to get treated.

Now , even if his life came to an end, at least it’d be for something.

He sighed, relenting. Before looking out the window alongside Rufus. “I’ll give it to you. You’ve got a way with words.” He leaned into his chair. “But my freedom’ll have to wait. After seeing how Bazin’s tracked us all this time? I think I owe it to these people to at least try and keep them safe. But when the times come and all this shit is past us, I guess I’ll find my own thing too.” He added, a smile growing on his face as he thought of the possibilities. “If you open your own tavern, I want free drinks.”

 

[Da Doofus]

“Just don’t abuse the privilege.” Rufus joked, then looked outside once more.
“Whoa . . .” His eyes widened.

Murmurs and other sounds of surprise came from outside as well.

 

[Chai_T3a]

The sudden amazement caught Kairo’s attention and he frantically began searching for whatever had elicited such a reaction from his comrade.

“What’d you see?”

 

[Da Doofus]

Everyone in the camp watched the mountain beneath the moon as dozens . . . No, hundreds of tiny lights flooded from its summit. From this distance it looked like the peak was erupting stars into the sky. More and more of the tiny sparkles flew into the sky and started to move in swirling patterns like a swarm of winged insects.
The night sky was alive with what could be described as moving starlight, and soon the beautiful managery of glowing insects began to descend to the ground.
This brought a few gasps of worry to the colonists, but the sheer spectacle kept them from becoming too afraid.
Even to Rufus, there was something comforting at the sight.

As a few of the creatures descended closer to the canopies around the settlement, their appearance was more defined. Each one was the size of a football, and they looked like a mixture between a beetle and a firefly. Fat, round shapes with a glowing white abdomens.
None of the colonists could see, but each and every one began descending to the ground to harvest the compost of the jungle floor and mulch it in their mouths before letting it drip back into the soil. What was left was a less cluttered forest with more room and potential for new growth.
Others found fruiting plants and harvested seeds from the ripest fruits before flying away. In clear spots, these arthropod cultivators planted these seeds into the earth by burrowing with pick-like appendages and dropping them in. This behavior wasn’t taught, but rather instinctual.
Another caretaker to the forest came to fertilize the ground with the species unique compost residue harvested from the denser jungle.

What could be seen by the humans were hundreds of these glowing creatures flying all around them harmlessly. Not even the nocturnal beasts of the jungle uttered a sound in their presence. It was as though they were accepted in peace, even among the predators.

A single tear ran down Rufus’s face in awe of the living tapestry floating all around.
************************

Back in Dakovis, the Vindav and Kendians gathered in the town center to sing songs and dance in the light of the glowing swarm. Joy and delight was shared among them all, and the earlier dangers were entirely forgotten.
In the Traveler’s Rest, Bom watched with a smile as his arm was resting around his grandson’s golden-skinned shoulder.

“The Mother awakens . . . And the forest shall thrive anew.” He said proudly.

Nearby, Darrek was resting in a cushioned seat long enough for him to lay down in to rest. He had seen this phenomenon a dozen times over but the last day of Kavera’s Slumber was always a welcome sight.
It was assurance of new life. New beginnings, and the promise that despite opposition . . . Life will continue.

Dracon limped near him and watched from the same window.
“Happy New Year, little brother.” He said, the weight of the given title to his sibling seeming to be meant dearly.
Even with his permanent scarred sneer, his smile was gentle and warm.

The last of the Kendalts watched as the sun began to shift into dawn.
*******************



THE END

Season 2 coming later in 2021

A thank you to all who have read this and a hope that some of you kept up from the beginning.
The story will continue so we also hope you follow along as it does.

Thank you all.

 

[Da Doofus]

Elsewhere . . .

A man sprinted through the deep jungles as the sun began to rise. He had multiple gunshot wounds in his chest and stomach, and had his hands clutched over the blood as it poured out.
Yet he did not feel the pain anymore. He had not died nor tired.

Victor Hamlin had escaped from Drafisl and that Archaic asshole that shot him. He probably could have gotten the drop on him, but then that would have roused too much suspicion.
Nothing had gone right. He went through all the effort to get that idiot Bazin to trust him enough to allow him his ear.
All that work finding him, feeding him the made up story about the Empire taking Archaic bounties, and after all that planning it was ruined by that Irokai brat and a pair of Archaic lost in the woods.

This was not going to be received well by the one who assigned him here.

His worries would be interrupted but at the same time made worse by a hooded figure in his path. Looming a head taller than the average human, this man stared at Victor through a metal mask. A cloak was draped around his form so his body was hidden.
The wounded infiltrator stopped dead in his tracks as the man stepped forward, the clinking of metal heard as his legs moved.

“Where are the colonists, Victor?” He spoke. His voice was low but it cut through air like a knife. His tone was chilling.
“You failed to gather the material asked of you.

This will displease them. You know it displeases me.”

“It wasn’t my-“

A metal arm shot out from the cloak, and a metal blade the length of a sword thrust from his wrist up to his throat. A single stream of blood ran down the blade’s edge as the skin was barely broken.
“Don’t give me excuses. We gave you this chance and now you bring nothing as compensation.”

“Well what have YOU been doing this whole time?”

“Biding my time waiting for you. I already aquired enough information while you were playing games.” He put his arm down and the blade retracted back into the metal plating.
On his side was a tangle of dog tags that were stained with dried blood. Three names were visible however.

Hudson, Adrianna, and Mcloud. The rest of Red Teams names were caked with blood beginning to brown.

The tall man looked to the mountain.
“One thing you succeeded however.

We know where the ship is. So perhaps you may prove yourself after all . . .”