Storymania - So Far Ago by Tooru

So Far Ago (1)
Tooru

Prologue:

It was a dark, stormy, and, apparently, very clichéd night. Finn and I, Suri, were stuck walking on what seemed like an endless path. Oh, and Axel was also with us, waddling beside Finn.
Axel isn’t human like us though. He was Finn‘s pet dragon. At least, I think he’s a dragon. It’s a sort of pterodactyl, griffon, and dragon hybrid or something like that. He was very friendly though, not like all the wild dragons that always flew around Heygenn.
Heygenn is the country we are in. Not the country you would think of in your world, our world is totally different. A country is basically an entire mass of land above the ocean, not connected to another mass of land.
Heygenn is an average country, but wandering alone can be dangerous, which is why trains are set up to get around safer and faster. The scenery is very green and floral. Plenty of Heygenn fauna wanders the land. Heygenn fauna consists mostly of dragons, spalarows, kinila, and deimatris.
Spalarows are androgynous basically, and they look a part bird and part human. A kinil is basically a gigantic plant mutation; they are blind and deaf but their petals are razor-sharp. Deimatris are like dragons but with longer snouts, long and narrow wings, and two antennae that protrude from the top of their head parallel to their eyes. Their teeth are deadly and secrete venom when they’re injected into a deimatri’s prey.
Each country has different wildlife, as well as different magic. In Heygenn, the major magical element is water, while the other nine countries focus on either fire, water, earth, electricity, ice, air, gravity, darkness, and reality.
I myself focused a lot on magic and I’m actually not originally from Heygenn. I’ve traveled to the lands of fire, air, electricity, and now here to learn new types of magic, but now I’m thinking to stay in Heygenn for a while now that I’ve met Finn. He’s become a great traveling companion, and my greatest friend.
I basically use my magic techniques to survive, but I’m also professionally and self-taught in martial arts as well. I derive my fighting techniques mostly from the styles torou-ken, ninjutsu, and tae kwon do. I also like to mix my magic into my hand-to-hand combat, like engulfing my hand in fire before inflicting a punch on my enemy.
Finn has self-trained all his life, whether it be with a sword, whip, staff, or bow and arrow. He knows how to use them all with great strategy. He can also, surprisingly, talk to animals. That is a rare attribute that is usually only found in Koril, the land of reality, so I can only guess one of his parents came from there. And I’m also guessing that’s where Axel originated from, but I have no clue because I’ve no knowledge of Korilin fauna.
Axel has the head of a dragon, but with bigger teeth. His body is pterodactyl-like, broad, but is arms aren’t as minuscule and skinny. Also, his feet are scaly, like a bird’s, and his wing’s have feathers along the behind edges. His tail was abnormally long, and could stretch all the way up to his neck. Close to the end of his tail were three horns.
Axel could spit acid from his mouth, and could release it from the horns on his head and tail. He also breathed fire, another cliché, but an effective technique.
The strange thing about Axel, though, is that he and Finn have the same birthday exactly: the same day, same month, same year, and same exact time. Also, they are somehow connected mentally. They don’t just empathize with each other, but they literally share their feelings. And, odd as it is, they can read each other’s thoughts. They have been the best of friends. But the only bad thing about their connection is that if one of them dies, the other will too.
And soon, we would learn this the hard way.
But for now, we had just noticed a lodge, and quickly ran for it to get out of the dreadful weather.
“How many will be staying?” asked the clerk at the desk. The entire place looked to be made of logs, which gave it a cozy, forest feeling that I enjoyed.
“Three, if you will.” Finn requested her.
The woman at the desk looked at Axel with a disappointed expression on her face. We knew bad news was on the way, and so she gave it to us. “I am dearly terrible sorry sirs, but yours, um . . . ” I could tell from the way she talks that she was from Crysias, the ice country. In the ice country, the inhabitants had no knowledge of grammar at all.
“Axel.” I said.
“Yes, Axel will does have to stay at the outside. It is indeed an only way you two will stay with our hotel today night.” She kept her disappointed face at Finn, who dropped his head in sadness.
Axel didn’t just guess what the clerk said, but knew exactly what she demanded. You’d know why if you read everything before this. Anyway, Axel headed for the door, and stayed outside in the pouring rain.
The clerk at the desk charged us and assigned us a room. She led us out of the small room, and into a much bigger lobby, with some people reading, and others just conversing amongst one another. Then across the room, we headed into the northern hallway, where we found our room. After leading us to the room, she closed the door and left to go back to her desk.
Immediately, I noticed Finn’s face. It was pale and he was shivering. I questioned him, “Finn, do you think you’ll be able to survive the night?” I was very worried, with Axel outside in such horrible weather, I didn’t know how Finn would last.
He laid down on one of the two beds, coughing before he could give me an answer. “No, I actually d-don’t think so, but I’ll try my best so don’t worry too much. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep th-though.” Finn continued to shiver and choke.
“Well,” I began, also lying on one of the beds now, “I’m going to try to go to bed, unless you keep me up.” I laughed lightly at my own joke, like I always do, and Finn didn’t laugh, but just shivered. If he wasn’t so cold and shivering, he probably still wouldn’t have laughed anyway. Usually his jokes are the funny ones and, usually, mine are only worth a scoff at most. Tonight was much different though.
I went to sleep.
As far as I know, Finn was up and never even bothered trying to doze off to sleep. He kept his mind focused on Axel, worrying at if he was anywhere near okay. Yet, he knew himself how Axel was doing, and it wasn’t anywhere near okay. And soon, he realized it was much worse.
The weather was still fierce after about four hours, at 1:00 A.M. Finn sat with his knees up to his chin and his arms around his legs, shivering feverishly. Suddenly, he raised his head quickly, and jumped off of his bed. He shook me and screamed, “Suri! Suri! Dear lord, Suri, they’ve got Axel! Help! Please, wake up!”
I heard every word he yelled and, slowly, my eyes opened and without saying anything, I shot out of bed.
Finn swiftly opened the door and we ran down the hall. We passed a few people in the lobby, most of them still reading a book. They looked up from their books to see us two running straight into the entrance room.
On our way into there, I asked quickly, “Wait, Finn. Who has Axel?” I couldn’t help but wonder, now that I was fully awoken from the adrenaline rush I was experiencing.
We ran into the entrance room, with the clerk giving us a strange look. She asked us, “Excuse my sirs? What exactly is so wrong?” Again her obvious, and annoying, Crysias accent-like way of talking was affecting her talk.
Running past her and opening the door, Finn yelled loud, “Imperial guards! They’re thieving Axel!”
Immediately, I was more than rushed by adrenaline, but consumed by much fright and worry.
The imperial guards work with the Heygenn castle. Each country has a castle, which holds the King and Queen. The King and Queen of each country elaborate specific laws and also hold many strange events, like animal experiments. I knew what was happening and I knew we would be too late by now. We ran outside.
Finn and I both saw a terrifying sight. Axel was before, bound in chains and being lifted by a dragon in the air, piloted by imperial guards. Their glimmering silver suits and luminous green capes were exposed with a strike of lightening in the air, followed by a fierce roar of thunder.
Running under where Axel was being lifted, Finn jumped and tried to reach him. It was futile. Finn and I could only watch as Axel was taken up into the air and away toward where the castle probably was.
I dropped my chin darkly, as Finn started to cry.

* * *

It was early morning; the sun had risen only half an hour ago at about 6:00 A.M. Finn seemed more depressed than I have ever seen him, if I even have seen him depressed. Finn’s usually the optimistic joker type of person.
We sat in the lobby, in two teal, plush chairs that faced one another.
I looked at him, and then he looked at me. He had a questionable look on his face, and so did I. I really wanted to ask him something but I kind of didn’t want to. I went on with it anyway though. “Do you know how Axel is doing? Is he okay?”
He lowered his head again, “No.”
“What’s wrong with him?” I was eager to know if he was okay.
“I meant no, as in, I don’t know if he’s okay,” he explained to me. “Here I am and I thought you knew that. I can’t connect with Axel that well if he’s too far away. If more than too far, then it’s almost as if we’re not connected at all.”
I felt bad, hearing the anger and sadness in his voice. I also remember that I had been explained that before, when Axel flew off to find a nearby town not too long ago. Finn couldn’t tell where Axel had gone when he had wandered too far, but he realized when he was coming back when they were close enough to each other. About only half a mile breaks their tie. But one thing is always the same, if one of them dies, the other will too.
Willing to sympathize, I coaxed him, “Maybe we should go to the castle and try to get Axel back.”
“But–“
I interrupted Finn before he could finish. “Yes, yes, I know. But not even the castle itself is dangerous, the path to get there is as well, just to a lesser degree. But there’s no other choice, we don’t know what they’ll do to Axel. They don’t know what will happen if they choose to kill him off, but we do, and we can’t let that happen.”
I knew that after some experiments, rare species of animals are killed off if they pose a threat to humanity on Heygenn. The king and queen were merciless and cruel.
Finn, letting out a sigh, shook is head and admitted, “I guess we don’t have another choice. We can survive a couple deimatris and such anyway, but I’m worried about the imperial guards at the castle.”
I, too, sighed disappointedly. “We can’t just waste our time, let’s get some food here and go.” In the entrance room was also a food desk, which was what I was referring too.
Without further conversation, we went from the lobby to the entrance room. At the food desk, there wasn’t much variety. We just got a bag of Kradilla’s©, which are basically potato chips but made out of fried cantenas. Cantenas are green and their skins are green too, but of a lighter tone. They have no particular shape, a lot like a potato. We also got a pouch of water. After that, we head to the castle.
From the lodge, we walked along the trail we took to get to the lodge, only this time, at the intersection we passed, we went the path opposite the way we came. That would lead to the Heygenn castle. With us was a map, which would also guide us well, as well as point out what creatures lurk in what areas.
The weather was nice today, a lot sunnier with a couple of white clouds hovering above us. The rain had already dried off. It was a great day, but also sad.
We walked a long time, on what seemed like another endless path. I took continuous deep breaths to calm my impatience. We passed several travelers along the way, of which one of them was a merchant.
The merchant approached us, “I’m here to make you this wonderful offer!” he exclaimed. Finn just kicked his shin and he ran off.
Becoming more impatient then ever, I looked at the map continuously. I couldn’t help but wonder if we were close and wanted to just stop walking. It had been about three hours and my legs were really sore now.
I couldn’t help but to inquire Finn. “Can you sense Axel at all?” That was actually the fourth time I asked through the traveling we had done so far.
He became impatient too, but not with walking. He was just impatient of my impatience. Angered, Finn told me, “Actually, I do feel him a lot more than before and we’re pretty close. Now stop asking me that!”
“Sorry,” I apologized, “I’m very impatient.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” Finn remarked sarcastically.
Soon we walked up to a fork in the road. One path led to some town (I didn’t bother looking at the map for the town’s name) and the other path continued on into a forest. Beyond that forest would be the castle. But in the forest would be plenty of strange, and lethal creatures.
We continued walking without pause, and went into the forest.
Strangely, we walked halfway through and we still noticed no animal-like enemies willing to attack.
I commented while walking, “Finn, something doesn’t seem right. Usually the castle’s surrounding forest is filled with plenty of villainous creatures.” I thought for a moment. “Do you think they’re expecting us?”
Finn stopped, and looked at me, “I’m afraid they must be. There’s no other explanation. But . . . ” he stopped suddenly, and rubbed his hand on his chin. “Why . . . No . . . How would they know we’re coming? They could have thought that Axel was just some random passerby dragon.”
“I don’t know.” was all I could answer. But then, I thought something, “Unless . . . ”
Finn questioned, “Unless what?”
I finished, “Unless they know you. Unless they know about your connection with Axel and they find some special value out–”
Finn let in a big gasp. His face went blank. I asked, “Finn, what–“
I couldn’t finish, for he interrupted again. Only this time, he spoke, “Suri, I don’t know what they’ve done but . . . I suddenly lost all of my sensory connection. Like, it didn’t fade away like they took him somewhere, but it just vanished!” He was breathing fast, thinking, “They couldn’t have killed him, I’m still alive.”
“God, what could they have done?” I wondered. I couldn’t even guess what they did. Even in sleep or faint, Axel and Finn are connected mentally.
“I don’t know.” Finn said, scared. His eyes were wide. “I’ve never felt like this before. My mind feels so . . . Blank . . . ” He immediately started running. “Suri, come on, we have to go now!”
Though confused and worried, I followed fast along behind him.
In not too long, we reached the end of the forest and met up with three imperial guards. “Shit!” I exclaimed.
“Trespassers!” cried what look like the leader guard, holding his sword toward us. “Capture them now!”
“No way!” Finn shouted. Out of a sheath behind him, which he had strapped on the whole of the time really, he pulled out his sword. It was about equal in length to his arm, and the blade was curved, and sharp to the touch. “You come any closer, and you’ll be the ones bound and gagged!”
Cupping my hands together far out in front of my chest, I started chanting. “Maekeis iru intei.” As I stretched my hands apart quickly, an accumulation of water appeared, stretching between my hands. I shoved the mass toward one of the guards, who was knocked out by the impact.
The other guard lay in the face of Finn’s fine blade; literally. The sword went right through the man’s head, exposing obscene flesh and splattering blood all over the ground, and Finn’s wear.
The master guard was shocked. But then, a startling voice came from behind him. It sounded like a man, perhaps senior. “Stand down, Rupert!” cried that voice.
The guard moved aside, exposing three people: the king Bretor, the queen Ramona, and their bodyguard.
“Ah!” cried Bretor, “You’ve come Fi– . . . Fi– . . . Fine visitors! We’ve not been expecting any travelers today, or a dead guard!” the king laughed, just as I do at my own jokes.
“Shutup Bretor,” Finn demanded. “We know you know us, we know you have him.”
“Dear,” the queen Ramona remarked, “We have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about! Would you like to come in for some tea?”
Finn pointed his sword at the queen aggressively, showing no sign of kidding around. “Look here, hag. Don’t try to play tricks with us, or it’ll be your head I’m looking for! Where is Axel?!” He inched closer to the king and queen, who both showed no sign of fright at all.
I approached Finn quickly, and grabbed him tight. I tried to persuade him, “Finn, relax, they’re not the enemy. Well, they are, but if you kill them it’ll be hell for us for quite a while.”
Finn calmed down and dropped his hands to his sides. “Fine,” he said cooperatively, “But don’t think they’re through with me yet.” He walked slowly along the path toward the castle, looking around at everything.
The courtyard was gigantic, with flowers adorned all along a brick path. The castle too was very large in size, with multiple towers protruding up from the huge, main tower.
As Finn roamed, without so much as warning from the king or queen not to wander too far or not to touch anything, I tried to see what the king and queen were trying to hide.
“You see,” I began, “My friend there, Finn, he has this dragon-like pet, Axel. Axel was kidnapped last night by, what looked like the imperial guards. Do you have any clue if–“
”Look here,” the king said threateningly, “If you don’t get off of our property with your friend immediately, you will suffer such consequences as you could never imagine.” He walked closer to me. “We do not have what you seek, so just get away and never come back.”
I was surprised. “Excuse me?” I asked with anger. “If you think you can just tell me what to do, then you’re wrong.”
I continued to babble on with the king and queen, but Finn was still walking the path, almost hypnotically. Soon, he noticed an enclosed garden, to the right of where he had found himself. Something about the garden seemed to pull him in.
Somewhat scared, he walked into it. There was no door, just an entryway. Inside, the surrounding glass spread the sunshine all about the room, creating a beautifully bright scene. Few birds created a peaceful ambience, as they chirped.
Flowers were scattered everywhere. Red, blue, purple, you name it; there was every color of flower in here. But, in the center of the room, separate from the rows and columns of flowers, was a strange statue.
Finn couldn’t help but approach it, and when he did, he was shocked. The statue looked exactly like Axel. Still in somewhat of a trance, he touched it.
Outside, I was still speaking with the king, trying to convince him to get us to Axel, but soon enough, he was found. From a glass-like building aside the castle, I saw an intense, bright light. It spread far until I was blinded.
Next thing I know, I open my eyes and around me is darkness. Darkness and flames totally engulfed whatever room I was in. A circle of fire surrounded the area, closing us in. Outside of the flame wall seemed like endless darkness. Despite the fire, the temperature was the same as before I appeared in this place.
In front of me, I saw Finn, and in front of him, he saw Axel. Axel was bound in chains and locks, and chained to what looked like the ceiling. It was actually just more darkness, but that’s where Axel hung from.
Then, the strangest thing happened.
Flames rose from under where Axel was suspended, and he screeched in pain. Finn just watched, intently.
The chains were broken and Axel was engulfed in fire, burning away at his scaly skin. The display of torture was like none that I have never seen before. He thrashed maniacally, and I could just sense his agony watching. Then, he crashed to the floor.
He lay there, in front of Finn, coughing. Soon, he coughed up what looked like a crystal, that glowed bright with yellow light.
A voice that seemed to appear out of nowhere started to speak, and I knew right away it was Axel’s. “Finn,” he began, “This crystal will keep one of us alive. Take it.”
Finn, filled with tears, refused. “No! Axel, please, I want you to live! Even if it means my own life! Please!” He started crying.
“No,” Axel requested, “Please, there is a way to bring me back, but you’ll have to figure it out yourself . . . ” With those final words spoken, Axel withered away into dust.
Finn ran over to me with the crystal in his hand. His arms wrapped around me and he cried on my shoulder. I couldn’t help but sob along too.
Choking back his tears, he uttered, “We must bring him back.”

Chapter I - Back To Reality:

1

I awoke. I’d been having that same dream for over two months then, after it really happened. We, Finn and I, had been puzzled ever since. How could we bring Axel back?
After we witnessed Axel’s death, we soon found ourselves back within the castle courtyard. The King and Queen were astonished. Not just because Finn found the statue and activated it’s magic, but how I vanished into the darkness along with him. They thought I must have some strange connection with Finn. That suggestion contributed more to my puzzlement.
After showing their shock, they ordered us to leave. It was very blunt if you ask me.
Afterwards, we went along the same path once again, wandering in the direction of the nearby docks. Finn thought maybe his parents possibly knew how they could bring him back. They knew every possible thing about Axel, and his connection with Finn. However, they were in the reality country, Koril.
Koril was just by Heygenn, but it would take a while to get to the docks. After walking for hours, it got dark, and we ended up in the lodge we’re in now.
After waking up, I noticed Finn by the window. He was looking out far and wide. I couldn’t imagine how it must feel to have a longtime companion to just vanish like that, but I knew how determined he was to get him back.
I walked over to him slowly. “Still thinking about him?” I asked, willing to sympathize.
He sighed, and shook his head. I hadn’t ever seen him this sad, and never before had I saw him cry until the horrible end of Axel. I couldn’t possibly imagine what he was thinking.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” I wanted to help him and cheer him up somehow.
Still looking out the window, he responded. “Yes, please. If you would, I’d like some papaya juice. And, no offense, but I’d like you to leave me alone after you get it for me.”
I didn’t know I was bothering him, so I felt quite bad. “I apologize for interrupting your thoughts, I just wanted to see if you were okay.” I said penitently.
“No, no, no!” He said at a high whisper. Facing me now, he had a sorry look on his face. “It’s not that,” he started again, “It’s just that, I’d like some time alone to . . . Think.” After speaking, his eyes wandered.
I wondered what was going on in that mind of his. That pause before he said “think” concerned me too. “I’ll go get that juice now.” I said to him. “One sec.” On that note, I left the room.
The hall outside the room was completely empty and silent. I walked down the hallway to the right of where I exited the room. While strolling down the hall, I noticed a room with what seemed like a couple fighting, and another with children being loud and obnoxious. Just hearing them made me think of how much I doubted I was ever such a horrible child as one of them. I hate children.
After passing several dozen doors, I finally reached the end of the long hallway. The lobby was rather large too; it was a big inn. It didn’t cost much to stay either, only about 10 rils per night. A ril is currency in this world, about equal to ten American dollars, and a ute is worth about one American dollar. Our system of currency is really basic.
In the lobby, I noticed the snack bar. It was, thankfully, open. I purchased one pouch of papaya juice for a ute. All together we had about 74 rils left.
To earn money in this world, you can either get a job, or hunt and sell. Certain creatures steal currency, and some even try to eat it. Most creature skins, horns, teeth, etc. are worth good amounts of ril. Also, if you’re prepared for a thief attack and are able to defeat him, they usually carry a lot of currency. Finn and I mostly hunt and sell what we can get, but we volunteer for an occasional easy job for money.
Walking down the hallway, I noticed the children weren’t yelling and screaming now. I find it amazing at how loud children are but how easily they tire out. I reached our room again and opened the door.
Closing the door, I noticed Finn with his head down, snoring quietly. Looking at the clock in the room, I noticed the time: 1:27 A.M. Trying to stay quiet, I put the papaya juice pouch on a desk in between the two beds in the room. After doing that, I left the room.
I walked back down the hall, into the lobby. I went out the entrance door near the check-in desk. I don’t know why I went outside, but I just wanted some time to think. Crossing the front lawn, I sat in front of a large pond.
I curled up just in front of where the water met the land, looking at the reflections of the stars in the clear water. I felt so comforted now; away from all the problems for a brief while, breathing in the fresh air.
Suddenly, from behind me I heard something. It sounded as if someone just ran across the grass behind me. I turned my head around quick. Nothing was there.
I got up then, looking around. I muttered to myself, “Haja.” and snapped my fingers. A small ball of fire appeared in my hand, lighting up the area. Still, I saw nothing. Then I heard something again, behind a nearby tree.
I walked slowly towards it, but I made the fire vanish in case it was a person. I didn’t want them to know I was going over, I wanted to sneak up on whoever it was.
I jumped behind the tree, and all I saw was a squirrel, surprised by my surprise attack.
I said to him, “I’m sorry little buddy, didn’t mean to scare you.” I didn’t know how to talk to animals like Finn though, and it just ran away. I was left disappointed.
Suddenly, someone jumped out of the treetop. I could tell it was human, but it was hard to see them because they were dressed in all black. I wouldn’t doubt it was a ninja.
Straight in front of me only about ten away was the man. He began to run straight for me and I got on guard.
I winded my hand back and uttered, “Gukeieis haja.” He was close, and my hand was set on fire as I shoved it at him.
The hit landed on his chest, and it sent him back. His clothing didn’t seem burned though. I could only guess he was wearing fire-proof armor.
He was kneeling on the ground, gasping for breath, and I took advantage. I ran over and sent a kick straight to the side of his head. But then, he looked up and suddenly vanished.
My foot landed on the ground, and I looked around in front of me. I couldn’t see him anywhere.

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