They called me Kama the Wise…
Kama the Strong…
Yet here I am being led by some farm girl child. When Dulcea approached me and told me that something far beyond our stars threatens Phaedos, I thought she was asking me to lead the revolt against it. Instead, I have been relegated to nothing more but a drone.
A soldier who takes orders.
Even moreso, having this girl lead us is insulting.
Her and the others are fighting some three horned reptile in the jungle below. I stand high above them watching it unfold. The creature is massive and it would be anything short of a miracle if these so called ‘warriors’ actually prevailed.
I have seen wars.
I have fought them.
Bled for them.
These children don’t have any idea of what it means to fight and die in the service of sacrifice, and how would they? They haven’t seen war. It is because of me and my fellow warriors that this youth would see nothing but freedom and peace.
Being chosen to be this Ape Ninjetti is nothing to me. Just another fight that we must win, but under my leadership will we prevail.
I see the creature roar and thrash. The Black Frog, Jiraya and Blue Wolf, Kata, brothers, use their wits and tactics to distract the creature.
Typical. Like children using playing cards.
Over in the brush there's Jae, The Fierce Yellow Bear, and Mirin, the Graceful Pink Crane waiting for their chance to strike.
But it will fail. They have not fully analyzed the situation. The creature is far too strong. It’s hide is too thick and covered in scales to penetrate. Amari, the Young Falcon, taunts the creature in order for it to fall for the trap. It whips its tail, tearing down trees and crushing boulders as it does, and rampages towards her. As swift as she is, she moves just in time. Jae and Mirin emerge with their weapons but the creature notices them and attacks. They are thrown like toys against a tree, out cold.
Jiraya and Kata are frozen and I can see it in their eyes.The realization that perhaps they may have underestimated the ferocity of this three-horned creature. They stand there frozen and the pronged creature is about to impale them.
Where is Amari?
I look for her but she is nowhere.
I take my Sai, connect them and extend them into a double-ended, bladed staff and leap from the tree. I fall on top of the creature and impale it with my weapon.
HA!
Nothing tops forged Phaedosian Golden Steel Alloy, and just as expected the creature goes down. It slides to a stop just in front of the two brothers who look as though they just cheated death.
Because they did.
“This is not a playground!” I scold them. “Either fight like warriors or quit.” I dismount from the beast to check on Jae and Mirin. They will be fine.
“Kama — you…” I heard Jiraya say.
“What is it?” I reply. I hear nothing. I turn to him and his brother and they look distraught. “Speak up!”
“You weren’t supposed to do that…” Kata says.
“What are you talking about?”
“That wasn’t the Behemoth we were supposed to kill. That was its —”
The ground begins to rumble. What is this?
A giant claw tears its way through the ground and swats me. It’s heavy and yes, it hurt a lot. I hit the ground only to see Jiraya and Kata vanish into the treeline above. From the jungle ground, a fully grown Behemoth emerges, more fierce, and sharper than the previous one. It is at that moment I realized the one I killed was just a Beta. An adolescent.
I was now standing in the midst of the Alpha. It places its feet on the earth and it sounds like thunder and then directs a deafening roar right at me.
I can not move.
The beast lunges at me and I see it…Death.
It has come for me at last and for a split second, I embrace it.
That is until I hear a loud shout.
“NOW!”
Like the wind, Jae and Mirin appear right in front of me. They cast Ninjetti Ninpou Jutsu that encases us in a shield, a pretty strong one at that. The creature tries to break through but the two hold their focus. From up top, I see Jiraya and Kata fall down and cast their Jutsu. Their technique makes a net that falls on top of the creature. On both sides of the beast, Kata and Jiraya secure it, keeping it held down.
“HEY FOSSIL HEAD!” That's Amari, but where is she? “I GOT A BONE TO PICK WITH YOU!”
Out of the jungle I see her Falcon Saber whizz out like a sharp shooting star, then a powerful gust of wind that tears through the scales and strong hide of the Alpha. It’s blue blood spurts everywhere and I see Amari appear from nowhere, her body rematerializing from the gale back into her form. The creature topples over and with a low moan, it dies.
The shield comes down and Jae and Mirin look at me. It’s a playful smile, I would say. I am not the least bit amused.
“Leave it to Kama to not play well with others,” I hear Jiraya say.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I say, getting up from the ground.
“It means using you as bait was the entire plan all along.” I hear Kata reply, taking off his hood.
“What?” Now I am surprised. What are they talking about?
“Amari knew you would act on your own so she used you to lure out the Alpha.” said Mirin
“You mean it was all a ruse?” I ask.
“Not quite. We didn’t expect you to actually kill the Beta.” Jae added.
“How did you know that was just a Beta? I ask.
“Behemoth territories always have an Alpha and Beta.” I hear Amari begin She’s over at the Alpha’s carcass carving into it. “The Beta usually scouts and protects the territory while the Alpha is either eating, sleeping, or taking a stroll. The Alpha only emerges when the noise becomes too much, or the Beta dies.”
“So that whole thing was a diversion to lure out the Alpha?”
Everyone nods.
Amari walks over holding the glowing heart of the Alpha. It still beats slowly and with each one a low, purple glow pulsates. She gives it to me.
“This is what Dulcea needs for whatever it is she’s working on with Zordon. Let’s get back.” I take the heart while the others turn and begin on their way.
It is at this moment I begin to think. Perhaps my pride has blinded me. Perhaps these kids — no, these warriors, do have what it takes.
And, even moreso, perhaps this old man can learn a thing or two from them.
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I hope you all enjoyed this Lore entry. Plenty more of the story to unfold for you guys. I got my writing mojo back and look forward to a new entry every week or so.
If you wanna catch up with previous Lore Entries check them out below.