Chapter 86
Vladimir and the slig seem to enjoy the look of utter dismay on my face.
My head begins to ache, and my vision is blurring again. I wonder, madly, if I am having a panic attack, and whether I’ll still be alive when I hit the blades.
It is not an attack, it is one last
[VISION]
lots and lots of mudokons in the new settlement. all are meditating and chanting as one, in a perfect chorus of sound. it is a picture of peace and all that is right with the world.
there is a flash of blue light.
[/VISION]
vision. I don’t understand it. Meaningless sights brought on by intense fear and stress.
I look up one last time at Vladimir, perhaps to curse his name … I’m not sure what compels me to look, but I do.
And just as I lock onto his eyes … Vladimir’s eyes change from their normal, malicious red to a radiant and calming blue. The vision suddenly makes sense. The colony of mudokons I had rescued are using their combined efforts to possess Vladimir.
Lucky for me, the slig does not notice this change. He asks Vladimir if he should let me drop now.
“Vladimir” shakes his head. “No. I’ve thought of a different punishment. Close that trapdoor and untie this mud so we can take him away.”
The slig looks uncertain, but does as he is told. He throws the lever back to its original position, closing the trapdoor. He moves to the other lever and pulls it, undoing the clamps on my arms.
The slig moves forward, and “Vladimir” winks at me. I wink back and quickly bring my palms together.
For what will likely be the last time, I unleash the Shrykull power and destroy Vladimir and the slig.
I laugh. It has been a far too difficult ordeal, and I was glad to be done. I began readying myself for a final chant, when I suddenly feel my body growing lighter, as though the ground were losing its grasp on me.
Ah. The mudokons in the village are using their power to transport me there before I get lost in the explosion. Good. Great. I relax and let them do their work.
---
In the mudokon village, called Villa Dante in honor of their hero, grows quiet. They hear a loud explosion far off, in the east. Many turn their heads to see a giant fireball erupting into the cloudy morning sky. Many mudokons take this for what it truly is: Dante has succeeded in destroying Tastee Treets and rescuing all of the slaves.
A party immediately ensues.
About twenty minutes into the festivities, a small flock of birds is noticed on the horizon by a certain female mudokon, one who has developed strong feelings for the village hero, and has left her mate in hopes of joining him.
The party grows quiet. Some mutters can be heard.
“Look at those birds!”
“Why are they flying down here?”
“That’s a weird formation.”
The birds fly in a perfect circle for several moments, then glow, and become balls of light. The lights converge and form a shape.
It is a mudokon. He is tall, ragged, and muscular. His feathers, red and black, are a terrible mess. His eyes look old and wise. He wears a small earring, and has paramite and scrab tattoos on the back of each hand.
He grins at the other mudokons, who are in a happy uproar.
The party went on for much of the day and far into the night.
When it was so late that even the moon with the mudokon hand print had gone down, this mudokon went to a grand hut that was made in his honor. He lay down in a hammock, and, surprising himself, he fell asleep.
The End.
Thanks to everyone who's read this, either briefly or with intensity. There were often times, very early on, where I've considered just stopping, and not finishing. Everyone that has replied to my story has been great encouragement. I hope you enjoyed Dante's story as much as I enjoyed telling it.
My next project is to write a story-version of
the Community RPG. Following that, I have ideas in store for upcoming stories, both long and short.
And recently, altough it wasn't my original plan, I've thought of a way for Dante to return - other than in a collaboration Munch's Master and I have discussed. So the idea of a sequel (if enough people support it) is not out of the question ... but it will be a while before we see one.
Thanks again to everyone. Without a reader, there can be no stories.
Dave
P.S. It's my 18th birthday!