Chapter 9
The group had found a cart and had put Abe in it to transport him back to the village. Cili and Munch rode in it too. Arc served as the pack animal (not that he had any choice). Everyone was in a depressed mood, especially Cili, who for the entire trip back, either slept or laid close to Abe sobbing. Munch, despite his best efforts, could not bring her out of her deep depression.
It spread though the village too once they got back. Even more so when Bigface said there was nothing he could do.
The next mourning, Munch noticed Arc and Cili outside. Arc was looking unusually thoughtful.
"Ok what is with the thoughtful look here?" Munch said as he hopped over, "You're supposed to be depressed like the rest of us."
*There's still a chance we can save him.* Arc said with a note of hope in his voice.
"How!" Cili suddenly said, startling them both.
*I just remember that I know someone, who may know someone else that can help him.* Arc explained.
"Who!" Cili grabbed Arc by his head horns, "Tell me!"
"Whoa! Cili calm down!" Munch said.
*Cili, there's no guarantee...* Arc started.
"I don't care! Take me to who ever it is! We have to at least try!" Cili said.
*Very well, you will need to bring your cloak with you for where we will be going there is little shade to protect your skin.*
Cili immediately ran off. A short time later, she returned with her cloak and a bag of provisions.
*Climb on, it will be faster if I do all the running.* Arc said lowering himself. Cili carefully climbed on, avoiding his horns, and grabbed onto two of his horns for support.
"Munch," Cili said as Arc stood up straight again, "watch over Abe for me, we'll be back as soon as we can."
"You can count on me!" Munch said as he watched them run off. I hope your friend can help Arc. he thought, Without Abe, I don't know what we would do.
Chapter 10
"How much further?" Cili asked as the Arc ran through the forest with her on his back. They have been traveling for nearly two days and Cili was getting worried that they were running out of time.
*We are nearly there.* Arc said as they left the forest and stopped at the edge of a desert. *Just across this desert. See that peak on the horizon? That's our destination.*
"Looking like a long way." Cili groaned.
*Not really, hang on.*
Arc suddenly leaped onto the first sand dune, then onto the next. Cili was hard pressed to hang on. In no time they arrived at the entrance to a very large cave.
*Are thee ok?* Arc asked when he heard Cili's groan.
"I think we left my stomach at the first dune..." she said.
*Sorry about that.* Arc chuckled.
"Whoa, what in the world lives here?" she said, surprised at the size of the cave.
*Thee will see.* Arc said as he entered the cave, Cili following, *Yo! Dragadon! Are thee home!?* he called out.
"Yes and I'm trying to sleep here you idiot!" a rather annoyed voice answered.
*Thee are ravishing already! Sheesh why must thy dragons sleep for decades at a time?*
"Very funny, now what do you want?"
"We need your help!" Cili said.
"Who wha!? You brought a stranger to my cave!?"
*Sorry it was necessary.* Arc said.
"I can't see him, where is..ACK!" Cili was startled by the sudden appearance of a very large shape. It was the biggest creature she had ever seen. It looked similar to a Moon Guardian, only it had two pairs of legs and a pair of wings on the shoulder blades. It was about ten times larger, was blue and lavender in color, and had yellow eyes. It sported only one pair of horns on the back of its head and a mohawk of light blue hair running down from the top of the head to the top of its tail. It lowered it's head down to Cili's level, to get a closer look at her.
"I'm a she, not a he." Dragadon said, somewhat annoyed.
"S..sorry." Cili said quietly, intimidated by her size.
*For goodness sakes, Dragadon! Shrink thy self down so thee are not so intimidating.* Arc said.
"Are you sure she means me no harm?" Dragadon said wearily.
*I'm sure. Thee have my word.*
"How could I possibly harm something that big!" Cili mumbled.
"It's a long story." Dragadon said as she suddenly shrunk down to about Cili's height, "Is this better?"
"Um..yes. Thank you."
"Now what is it you need my help with?" Dragadon said as she settled herself down. Arc and Cili then told her of their problem
Chapter 11
When they had finished, Dragadon sat back, looking thoughtful.
*Well?* Arc asked, *Do thee know someone who can help?*
"Yes," Dragadon answered, "But there's two problems."
"Which are..." Cili pressed.
"One, the individual I know lives on my home planet, which is not Oddworld. Two, it's been an eon since I was last in contact with her, therefore she may not still be there."
"An eon!" Cili cried, "How could anything live that long?"
"I am before you am I not? Dragons and some other beings live for centuries at a time, some eons."
"Then who or what is she?"
"I can't tell you exactly what she is and she is only known as the White Goddess to many."
"Ok how do we get in contact with her?"
"She doesn't respond to telepathic requests, besides the distance is too great for that. Therefore the only way is to see her personally."
*And that would require someone like you who has the ability to teleport.* Arc added, *Can you take Cili to her?*
Dragadon shifted uncomfortably, "That may end up with us meeting up with those blasted Dragonslayers." she growled.
*It's been an eon like you said, surely that barbaric practice has died out by now.*
"Perhaps, but there's no guarantee."
"Please take me! It's the only chance we have to save Abe!" Cili pleaded.
"Very well." Dragadon sighed, "But be warned my home world is vastly different from this one."
"I don't care, I'll take any risk to save Abe."
"As you wish."
Dragadon stood up and walked outside, becoming her full size as she went. Arc and Cili followed.
"Arc," Cili said, "Could you go back to the village and let the others know of our progress?"
*Of course.* Arc said, *Becareful Moon Child*
"I will." Cili said as she climbed onto Dragadon's back and got a good grip on some of the hair on her back.
"Brace yourself." Dragadon warned. Then she suddenly leaped up into the air and with several strokes from her powerful wings, stayed airborne. Cili gulped when she saw how high up they were. "Hang on! Porting!" she heard Dragadon say just before they became engulfed in darkness...
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