RaymanZone

Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

WARNING: BEFORE YOU READ MY STORY READ THIS WARNING! DO NOT - I REPEAT - DO NOT POST HERE, THIS IS AN ARCIVE SECTION! IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT, GO TO TOPIC Hidden Secrets BY ME, ALSO IN THE OTHER RAYMAN GAMES FORUM!

And Here Goes:

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This is my Rayman fic. I may change bits of it later so please bear with me!

A/N: this is a story on its own. If I choose to write another Rayman fic, it MAY or MAY NOT be a sequel.

DISCLAIMER: I DON’T own Rayman, or any of the other characters. At the moment, the only thing that I actually thought of is the emerald forest. It might actually be important to the story, but I won’t say much more now.

So let’s get on with it!

~_-*-_~

It was a beautiful day in the emerald forest. The sun was shining; the birds where chirping…

…And Rayman was asleep. He wouldn’t be for long, but at the moment he was. He was having a dream. He sometimes did. Sometimes these dreams came true, sometimes not. It was not a pleasant dream.

--**--**--**--

Rayman was walking. He was walking through the forest. It didn’t look like a forest he knew, but it was by far the most beautiful he had ever seen. Rayman felt that he was in a rush. He didn’t pause to admire the sights. Suddenly he heard a voice.

“Help! Someone, please help me!” A girl’s voice. She sounded in great pain. Almost as though she was being tortured. Upon hearing her voice, Rayman’s heart squirmed. It was always like this: every time he heard somebody causing hurt to others, in a dream, he felt angered. Enraged. But in real life, he was always calm. But this time is was almost something…more. Almost as if the screams were effecting him deep down.

In his dream, he yelled out aloud. He followed the sound of the voice, now accompanied by loud, evil laughter. He felt hollow within, his rage was consuming him. But he also felt another emotion: hate. He hated the laughter, and the person who was laughing.

“ARGH!” He couldn’t it any longer. He screamed in rage, and hate, throwing fists and balls of light at the trees blocking his path. He would regret it later. They were beautiful trees, with smooth, brown trunks and long green leaves that, if you felt them, felt almost like silk. The bark itself was smooth and felt nice. Ignoring all this, Rayman trampled his way to the voice.

“NOOOOO! Please! I beg you! No-AAAAAAAARGH!” the screams became louder, filled with pain. Rayman redoubled his efforts to reach the voice, but the very vines seemed to be holding him back. He screamed at them.

Finally after what seemed like an age of thrashing, and squirming, he reached a clearing. A huge clearing. Rayman rage intensified as he saw the burning trunks of once tall and proud trees. He ran to the other side of the clearing, and nearly bumped into a castle wall. The screams seemed to be coming from inside it. He blew a hole into the wall and saw a flight of stairs. They were covered in red velvet, and felt nice to his feet. He didn’t seem to be wearing shoes. He saw a wooden door.

The screams echoed through his head, making it hard to move. He staggered to the door, but the screams didn’t seam to be coming from there. He moved on. He could barely see now, for the pain inside him was becoming unbearable.

He saw the second door. He didn’t seam to touch it but it opened. He was in the position that could be described as ‘on his knees’ if he had knees. He looked up. A figure was standing with his back to Rayman. It turned, slowly.

What Rayman saw was so unbelievably evil, that he screamed. He screamed so powerfully, that the walls shook, and the castle tumbled down. The last thing he saw was the face of the ‘creature’ grinning out at him.
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Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything here; it’s all Ubisoft’s apart from the emerald forest.

Chapter 2 –

~_-*-_~

Rayman awoke, with a start. He was gasping; sweating. He looked around wildly, confused and still trying to wake up from his dream. Being in a forest sure didn’t help. It took him a good few seconds to realise that he was alive, and that he had just been dreaming.

‘Rayman! Oh thank god!’ Said a voice. Rayman raised his fists, prepared to defend himself. he turned, and saw Ly standing just behind him looking scared, and confused. This seemed to carm Rayman as he lowered his hands. He looked at Ly. Then behind her, there was Globox. He looked just as worried as Ly, but perhaps a bit more confused.

‘AAAAARGH!’ came a voice, followed by a bump. Murphy picks himself up from the floor and looks at Rayman ‘Hey! What did I miss?’ Everyone laughed at this, except Rayman. He was still troubled about his dream. He had had lots of similar dreams before, three to be exact.
Once just before mister dark’s invasion, he had dreamed about a giant cake, which was being made by a cloaked figure holding a statue of the great plotoon.
Second a few months before razorbeard had come, he had seen a small figure, ordering some robots around.
And finally, he had seen André as a red lum, and a shadow of a scary figure turning him into an evil black lum. He had then seen him change many red lums black, which had happened only moments later…

…had Rayman seen the future? He shivered at the thought. If he had, this was going to be the most powerful and evil creature he had ever seen.

But this dream had been different, more realistic somehow; and it had lasted longer…much longer. What was happening to him? He tried to recall the dream. He was not even aware of the goings on around him. He put his hands to his eyes, trying to keep the memories inside him. He could remember the trees. Beautiful trees. He had torn down a lot of them. He felt sorry to them, even though they were only a dream, h felt that he had destroyed life. He tried to remember more…a castle. Some doors? How much? 1? 5? 2? He couldn’t remember: it was like trying to keep water in cupped hands.
Then he remembered the screams, and it all came flooding back to him. Someone was being injured! Maybe right now! No…Rayman was sure that he would have heard them terrible screams.

Ly touched Rayman. ‘Are you ok?’ she asked.

Rayman looked at her. He tried to smile reassuringly, but didn’t quite manage it.

‘I’m fine’

‘No you’re not!’ she accused him ‘Look, I’ve known you for a long time. Please? what’s the matter? C’mon what’re friends for?’ she smiled at him. He smiled back at her.

‘Ok.’ He sighed. ‘I had a…well…a-a dream. But it didn’t really feel like a dream. It was more like a sort of premonition.’ He paused ‘I dunno, but it was kinda weird you know?’ Ly looked at him curiously.

‘Go on…’ it was a request, not an order.

Rayman looked at her ‘well, I was in a forest’ he sighed again ‘a beautiful forest, with trees that felt nice to touch. It was a nice forest, full of nature. I would have stopped to enjoy the sights but I heard some screams. The felt like someone was being tortured. I saw a castle- I think- … but the rest is just a blur. I remember trying to open a door, but it was locked. I was loosing energy quickly’ he faltered ‘and then I saw…it’ he stopped.

Ly gaped at him. ‘A thing? What was it?’ Rayman opened his mouth and then closed it again. He shook his head.

‘It’s too horrible to describe’ he said, desperately. I don’t know what to do! I’ve had dreams like this before, but never so clear.’

Ly looked at him in a curious way, almost as if she felt sorry for him. She remembered a time, long ago…

‘Hello dear!’ said Betilla, the fairy. ‘Are you ok?’

‘Yes mother’ came the reply. Ly gazed up at her mother and smiled. Betilla smiled back at him. There was a huge bond between mother and daughter. They had some food, cooked -magically – by Bettila. Betilla was just about to ask Ly to go to sleep, when there was a sudden knock on the door.

‘I’ll get it!’ volunteered Ly. She walked to the door, looking around the house. There were a lot of magical things inside there. Ly was quite a large fairy, so they had moved here. She had taken after her father, who, unfortunately, she had never known. As she reached the door she saw some of the magical “masterpieces” that she had made. She smiled remembering the times she had come home, and proudly showed her mother, who, in turn hung them up on the walls.

She opened the door. She gasped. In front of her was a young child, who looked lost. He was cute, but very peculiar. He had a large nose, almost like the teensies, and he had nice hair, that fell over his eyes. However, the most peculiar thing about him was that he had no limbs! No arms or legs, no neck!

Remembering her manners Ly invited her in. he smiled at her, in a cute way. He was about a half of her size, yet he seemed to be almost bigger in essence.

‘I’m sorry, if I’m interrupting you but I think that I’m lost.’ He looked down sadly, and almost ashamed. ‘I don’t want to waste your time, but could you please?’ he trailed of looking both ashamed and embarrassed. He looked up into her face again ‘no, in sorry, I’d only be wasting your time…’

By now Betilla was wondering what was happening. She came floating round the corner and smiled. She saw the child.

‘Hello dear, are you lost? Would you like to come in?’ she asked him, politely and kindly.

He looked up at her, astonished. ‘y-yes please!’ he paused, looking at them both, awkwardly. ‘I’m Rayman.’ Betilla smiled at him.

‘I’m Betilla. Do come in, you look cold out there!’

Ly smiled as she remembered how Rayman had first entered they lives. He smiled at Rayman.

‘Come on’ she whispered to him.

He looked up into her pretty face as he had done all those years ago. ‘Why? Where are we going?’

Her face changed; she looked almost grave. ‘To see Polokus.’

Rayman’s face brightened ‘Hey! Excellent idea Ly! He created this world, and he is kind of like the master of dreams isn’t he?’ he jumped up and started running. Turning back he laughed ‘race ya!’

Ly smiled again, remembering the fun loving Rayman, who always saw the fun in things. She started running after him.

‘You’d better hope I trip over’ she laughed as she over took him.

‘I know you should’ he laughed with twinkling eyes.

Suddenly there was a loud CRASH and an ‘oof!’ from behind them. They turned and saw Globox on the floor. Evidently he had tried to follow them.

Laughing they turned back and helped him up.

‘I think we better walk the rest’ said Rayman with a smile. Globox looked happy, though he tried to hide it.

They walked for a few more minutes, chatting amongst themselves. They soon reached the temple of polokus. Rayman looked in.

‘You two wait here. I’ll be right back’ he whispered, not knowing why. He walked into the cave.

The place looked like it had been ransacked. Pages of books had been torn, and the shelves upturned. It appeared that someone had searched the place…but the worst thing was, that Polokus wasn’t there…
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Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

Chapter 3 – And So The Adventure Begins

Rayman stared again at the cave. He turned round and round, sure that Polokus was around here somewhere…but where? He called for him, sure that Polokus would answer. Polokus always replied to anyone who called, even if it was just telling them to go away.

‘POLOKUS! Hello? IS ANYBODY THERE?’ shouted Rayman. He awaited an answer, but all that he received was echo after echo of his voice. What was Polokus playing at? Where was he? He must be hiding…unless…he wasn’t here?

No…that’d be impossible! He had no reason to go out, and Polokus never did anything without reason. Now Rayman began to worry. What if this was connected to his dream? Maybe someone…or something didn’t want his dream interpreted?

Rayman shot one last furtive look around the cave, searching for any sign that may show where Polokus was, or where he was going-but there was nothing. He walked out of the cave. Ly and Globox took one look at him and knew, instantly, that something was wrong. Rayman looked worried.

Ly looked at Globox, wandering in the news would scare him. Rayman-evidently-was thinking the same thing, he nodded at Globox, and shot him one of his usual smiles, it didn’t work: it came out more like a grimace. Rayman turned to Ly. She waited for him to saw something, but he looked sideways at Globox. He didn’t like the idea of scaring Globox, they had been good friends for a long time, although Globox had become much braver after his last adventure, it may have just been a cover. He thought for a second.

‘Ly? Can I talk to you…in private?’ He ventured, hoping that it wouldn’t offend Globox. Globox however looked as blank as ever and sat down on a stumped tree near the entrance to Polokus’ cave. Rayman looked at Ly. Ly knew that something was wrong, but Rayman seemed reluctant to speak. She was reminded again of her child-days:

-_~*~_-

‘Hey Ly! Hello Auntie,’ Rayman laughed. ‘How are you?’ Ly and Betilla both laughed.

‘Formal as ever I see, Rayman.’ Betilla smiled at him. Rayman laughed back, his eyes twinkling joy, like they always had. Ly found herself gazing into those deep eyes, young, yet wise. Happy, yet proud. And not without good reason, for he had recently fought off Mr. Dark's invasion, and rescued the Great Protoon; the heart of the world.

Betilla was carrying some plates. They looked heavy. Rayman smiled at her and stepped forward:

‘Can I help, Auntie?’ he asked, making a mock bow.

Betilla laughed again. ‘Okay, but make sure you don’t drop them.’ It was a mark of her faith in Rayman that she actually let him carry them. She usually never let anybody carry them for fear that they would break them. But she trusted Rayman completely, almost as much as she trusted Ly. Betilla felt a sudden sadness at the loss of her husband, Ly was her only reminder of him. Rayman, sensing that Betilla wished to be left alone, turned to Ly.

‘Hey Ly, wanna go play?’ he asked her. She smiled at him. That was Rayman; always fun loving, always happy. He had been living with Betilla and Ly for two years now, and never had he slackened: always helping when help was needed, and never a burden.

‘Ok,’ she replied. She followed Rayman out of the door. Rayman was leading the way and Ly didn’t know where he was going. She laughed at him. ‘Where are we going?’ she asked him. He turned and smiled at Ly. It was almost sad, but Rayman was never sad…not Rayman.

‘You’ll see. It isn’t far from here, won’t be long.’ He led her through some tall grass. There were some trees on the other side: beautiful trees, just turning into blossom. She smiled at them. She had always liked trees, but especially in this state, happy and singing in they speech, and growing blossom. She stopped and looked at them, at peace with herself. Trees calmed her somehow: smiling out at her and speaking to her in their language. Like all fairies, Ly had a curious affinity with nature; she could speak with them. She had taught Rayman many things like that, but not magic. Rayman wasn’t good at magic: he didn’t have magical power. She turned and realised that she could see Rayman. For a second her heart stopped.

‘Ly! If you wanna keep up you gotta keep walking’ Rayman laughed at her. He emerged from the undergrowth, and she realised that he had been just a few feet away, hidden by the grass and tress. She laughed at him.

‘No I don’t! I can float!’ And she did so, sticking her tongue out at Rayman. Rayman smiled at her.

‘C’mon, not far now.’ They walked for a while, chatting idly. Suddenly, there was a ruffling from the undergrowth. She froze. Rayman crept up the grass and leapt on it.

‘AAAARGH!’ came a male voice. Rayman laughed, but Ly could only manage a weak smile. She had been genuinely scared, without reason. It was only Globox.

‘You scared me!’ he said to Rayman.

‘I didn’t mean to!’ Rayman replied. He looked at Globox curiously. ‘Were you following us?’

‘Well…no…’ Globox said, shuffling his feet. This time Ly laughed along with Rayman. Globox was always a bad liar. Rayman smiled at him.

‘C’mon, you don’t have to lie to us!’ Rayman said to him. Globox stared up at him, with utmost respect. Globox had always liked Rayman, and had always believed that Rayman was a better person than him.

‘Ok, I was. But I only wanted to see--’ Rayman stopped him.

‘It’s ok, but still you should have walked with us instead of following us,’ Rayman said. ‘It doesn’t matter…err…Globox? Can I talk to you? Privately?’ He spoke the last word with a glance at Ly. She wouldn’t eavesdrop on Rayman, she didn’t want to, and besides, if Rayman wanted to tell her he would in his own time. Ly walked over backwards a little while.

Rayman watched her before turning to Globox. ‘Globox? Can I ask you a massive favour?’ he asked.

‘Sure Rayman,’ Globox smiled. ‘What is it?’

Rayman looked awkward ‘Well…its not that I don’t want you to follow us, but can you leave Ly and me alone? Just for a little while, because I’ve got summat important to tell her, and I’m not sure if I'm ready to speak to everyone about it.’ He looked shocked at what he just said, and for some reason he almost looked sorry to have said it. ‘Look, I’m sorry Globox but--’ He trailed off, looking at Globox, who- to his surprise – was smiling.

‘Sure Rayman! See ya around,’ he smiled. He turned and headed back the direction that Ly went in and tripped over a fallen log. ‘Oops!’ Rayman laughed and went over to help.

‘Thanks Rayman!’ Globox called.

‘You're welcome Globox,’ said Rayman winking at him. Ly came over, and looked surprised that Globox was leaving.

‘Where’s he going?’ she inquired to Rayman. Rayman sighed. He looked her in the face.

‘I asked him to. He seemed happy to, so it’s ok,’ he replied. ‘Look Ly, I gotta tell you something. And it’s sort of important.’ He sighed again. He looked like he wanted to tell something to her, but he seemed to be almost too reluctant, almost scared that he would hurt her feelings. He plucked up courage.

‘Ly- I…well,’ he paused and started again, ‘Ly, I’ve been thinking a lot, and I’ve decided that I’m too much of a burden for you and Auntie Betilla.’ Ly looked like she wanted to interrupt. But Rayman stopped her. ‘Look, please don’t interrupt. I just about managed to pluck up enough courage to tell you now, and I’m not sure if I could do again.’ He smiled at her; a weak smile, a shadow of his usual one. She smiled encouragingly back to him. ‘I’ve decided to move out.’ Ly started in protest but Rayman interrupted. ‘I didn’t want it to be too far from you, because you are my family, and family’s important. I’ve made a tree house. I could live in it, wanna go see?’

Ly looked at him in shock for a second before she smiled at him. ‘Sure! Wait a sec…you made it yourself? I could have helped you!’ She smiled.

‘I know, but I couldn’t tell you…I just couldn’t!’ He looked sad. ‘If I’d known that you were going to be so-so kind about it I would have told you earlier…’ Ly looked shocked at this. Why would she not be kind about it? She asked him. He shook his head.

‘Doesn’t matter, race you!’ He laughed and took off. Ly leapt into floating position; cross legged, and floating she almost looked like she was sitting on a cloud – this was her usual for racing-- and gave chase. They went on for about a minute, at high speed expertly dodging trees.

‘I win!’ they said in perfect unison. They laughed. ‘I guess it’s a draw!’ Rayman smiled. ‘Well we're here!’ Ly looked at the oak she was leaning against, gasping for breath. What she saw took her breath away.

It was beautiful, an oak, tall, with beautiful green leaves and acorns already growing in its leaves, safely protected by its shell. It must have seen at least a hundred years. It was hollow. And there was a door carved into it; seemingly with its consent, for it was smiling, happy at how he looked.

‘Wow Rayman! It’s…it's beautiful!’ she gasped. And she meant it. She couldn’t believe that Rayman had made this himself…or maybe she could? He was a very talented person, and she wasn’t really surprised that he had made it himself.

‘Well don’t just stand there gaping at it, go in!’ Rayman gestured at the door. Ly smiled at her. She was more than a friend to him. He was like a brother. She walked in. She gasped. It was beautiful inside too! Rayman seemed to have varnished the wood, but not so. It gleamed, but it seemed natural. There was furniture, not much, but nice anyway. Rayman had managed to acquire a velvet carpet. It felt nice to her bare feet. Rayman looked at her, as though waiting for her opinion.

‘Well…it’s not much,’ he began with a downcast face.

‘It’s wonderful Rayman!’ She sat down gratefully on a sofa, and Rayman sat opposite her on a couch.

‘Really?’ he asked her. She nodded.

They chatted for a while, talking about a lot of things. Suddenly she remembered that Rayman had not allowed Globox to come. She wondered why.

‘Why didn’t you let Globox come?’ she asked curiously. At this Rayman seemed to undergo a serious internal struggle. Ly watched him for a second. He looked up.

‘Well…it was just that I didn’t really want to tell anyone yet, apart from you. I was going to ask auntie Betilla too but she seemed preoccupied.’ Ly knew that he meant emotionally, he had always been better at that than Ly.

‘Ok. Wait? What’s the time?’ she asked. Rayman pointed at a cuckoo clock on the wall, nicely crafted with ornate wooden texture, that seemed to be stuck to the wall. She looked at it. ‘Gee, it’s getting late. C’mon, we better go back.’

Rayman avoided her eyes, averting his own.

‘I-erm…was gonna move in today…’ he said. Ly looked shocked.

‘Oh…erm…ok,’ she said. It didn’t seem right to her. It all seemed too sudden. ‘Ok. What shall I tell mum?’ she asked.

‘The truth,’ replied Rayman. He still hadn’t looked up. She walked away. Rayman watched her. If she had looked back, and seen the haunted look in his face, she would have realised that there was something else that Rayman wanted to say, something that he hadn’t had the courage to say.Ly realised that Rayman had been talking to her.

‘Ly? What’s up?’ Rayman asked her.

‘Nothing, I just thought, never mind. It doesn’t matter,’ she replied.

‘Ok. Look, just come in to the cave, it’s too hard to explain. You should see for yourself.’ She walked into the cave. Her reaction wasn’t quite the same as Rayman’s. She gasped and ran round the books and shelves. She turned to Rayman.

‘If something was strong enough to kidnap Polokus…’ She didn’t finish the sentence.

‘I know’ replied Rayman. ‘But we have to help him!’ He looked almost desperate. 'But I can’t defeat something as strong as Polokus…maybe stronger! I need help. I need strength. Power. Do you know anyone that can help?’ he asked Ly. She thought for a moment.

‘Yes’ she said after she thought for a bit. ‘There’s an old teensie who lives in the village. He might be able to help us!’ Her eyes glowed with excitement. ‘He lives in the village. We should go to him first!’ she volunteered.

They walked out of the cave, and Globox walked toward them.

‘Hmm…I smell adventure! You two are going on one, I can feel it!’ He narrowed his eyes trying to sound cool and impressive. ‘I’m coming with ya!’ he said. Rayman thought, and agreed. Globox had been a lot of help in his last adventure; if it hadn’t been for him, Rayman would never have defeated Reflux.

As they walked off into the sunrise, a pair of red eyes opened. They seemed to smile. Everything was going according to plan…
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Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

I own nothing here except the old teensie, and everything inside the teensie village (except the teensies…) and Furio, and Furion, and the muddies.

Chapter 4 – Journey of Power

-_~*~_-

‘So Ly, where does this old teensie live?’ Globox asked. He had been asking this for the past fifteen minutes. Ly sighed. Well at least he didn’t ask-

‘And are we there yet?’ –That…GOD! He was annoying. He was fun most of the time though. Globox looked at Ly. ‘Just kidding! The teensie lives in the village, and we’ll be about 5 minute’s right?’ He laughed. Ly looked at him. She understood the joke, but it didn’t amuse her. She laughed anyway. She looked at Rayman. He had seemed quite and forlorn for a lot of the journey. She worried about him. She still considered him a relation, though perhaps not a brother…

She had only seen him something like this once before

-_~*~_-

Ly knocked on the door and waited. She looked around the wood, again happy to be there. The wood seemed to be alive with chatter: the trees talking to one-another, the birds in the sky tweeting to their friends on the ground, those under the ground rustling to each other, and moving through the undergrowth. It wasn’t noisy though; it was comforting, knowing that she wasn’t alone. She never was; her hearing could pick up a mouse scurrying 50 metres below the ground, and the flapping of a bird alighting on the highest branches of the trees. She wondered what it would be like to be alone: to be truly alone. She shuddered at the thought. The door opened.

‘Oh, hello Ly,’ Rayman smiled at her. ‘Come in!’ he offered. She greatly stepped into the room. It was still clean, after Rayman had been here for a month, yet she had never seen him clean up. Rayman had managed to brighten the place up even more, with pots and plants scattered here and there never looking untidy, and a palm tree-like tree in the corner. She knew she was indoors, but it seemed to have merged into outdoors. It had all the best parts of both: the beauty of nature, and the comfort of inside. She sat on a sofa. Rayman stayed standing. He seemed hesitant somehow. She realised that neither he nor her had spoken since he had opened the door. She wanted to break the silence, but she didn’t seem to know how.

‘Um…’ She began. She didn’t continue. She hesitated. She had been about to ask how he was settling, but he spoke first.

‘How is it at home...Um…Your home?’ he asked. He looked at her curiously.

‘Yeah, its fine, but I really miss you Rayman.’ She sighed ‘its boring at home without you…but how are you? You are the one that moved and all’ she smiled at him.

‘Yeah, I’m ok too. It’s boring here without you to play with.’ He realised that he hadn’t done much since he had moved. He sighed. Ly spoke

‘Hey! You wanna go play?’ she asked. Rayman brightened up. It was an excellent idea! And maybe he would be able to tell Ly what he had been dying to tell her for a long long time…

‘Sure!’ He said. They walked out of the room. Suddenly Rayman froze. ‘Ly, stay still!’ he hissed. She looked at him inquisitively, but he shook his head. She stopped. She thought that she would have been able to hear what Rayman heard, but she couldn’t. Presently, a sound came from behind the bushes, and looked around the clearing. Ly almost jumped in surprise. She hadn’t heard it, but she knew it was behind her. How could Rayman defeat whatever it was? He had his back to it. He seemed confident. Whatever he did he did it quickly.

Rayman jumped into the air. A bullet hit a tree behind him. The tree was unaffected, but was shocked. A trail of bullets followed Rayman. Ly watched in fascination and horror as Rayman twisted in mid-air. When he had twisted, he did a forward summersault and landed running. He wasn’t running straight at the thing, but at an angle so that the bullets wouldn’t hit him. He jumped again, but this time he jumped forward, toward the creature. Ly almost screamed. He was going to be hit. But NO…he twirled his hair, making is flash in super fast speeds, and broke it! Ly was amazed. She had never seen his ‘helicopter hair’ before. As Rayman alighted next to the metallic thing, he finished it off with a killing blow from his hands. He turned to Ly, grinning sheepishly.

‘WOW Rayman! That was excellent! What was that thing?’ She exclaimed. Rayman thought for a moment.

‘Well…I think that some of Mr. Darks’ robots are still alive. Weird…anyway, I found out a way to destroy them all. It should be coming online in…about now!’ As Rayman finished his sentence, a shockwave erupted from Rayman’s tree. It wasn’t strong enough to sweep them off their feet, but it was enough to make them stagger. As they wave passed them, Rayman looked again at Ly. Ly could see that there was something that Rayman wanted to tell her.

‘Rayman…what do you want to tell me?’ she asked, politely. Rayman’s neck twisted so fast to look at her, that his ‘neck’ seemed to crick. But he didn’t have a neck…

‘I don’t know what you mean,’ He said. Ly knew he was lying, but she didn’t think it was important. If she had known of the internal struggle within Rayman, she would have pressed him; and in doing so he would have told her everything…-_~*~_-

‘Rayman,’ she began ‘what it is? You seem to be lonely on the inside…You don’t seem like yourself…what’s the matter?’ She asked him. Rayman looked at her. He tried to look innocent, but his eyes betrayed him. She gazed into them again, finding the knowledge, and wisdom that Rayman had gained on his adventures. She sighed, knowing that Rayman wasn’t going to tell her. Presently she became aware of Globox chattering next to her. She averted her gaze from Rayman’s eyes and looked at him.

‘Hello? The world could be in danger and all you can do is look at each other? Sheesh! C’mon, we got a teensie to find!’ And with that, he walked off, muttering. Rayman managed a small grin.

‘Better follow him eh?’ He said. Ly smiled at him.

‘Yeah, let’s hope that he doesn’t trip over a log’ she laughed. Rayman laughed too, and she was sure that Rayman had also remembered the old days, but he was not as happy to remember them as she. She turned to look at him, and realised that he had been looking side-long at her.

‘Are you alright?’ he asked her. She smiled. She was becoming lost in her own thoughts often now…perhaps to often…

‘Yeah, I’m fine.’ Came the reply. Rayman didn’t believe her, but he didn’t press. As they walked, Rayman ran his hand over the passing barks, feeling the smooth or rough wood, and smiling, as though he knew a secret. He wanted peace, yet he had a heavy burden upon his chest. Globox stopped.

‘Hey Ly, is that the village?’ He asked. Ho looked closer ‘Yeah, I think it is.’

Ly followed his gaze and saw the single hut of the gate-watch. She nodded

‘Yes,’ She replied. She walked to the hut and knocked three times. A large teensie walked out, and upon seeing Ly waved them on. They followed Ly, often changing direction because of the deep twisted allies of the village, and often having to turn back after a dead-end, however, they were always heading toward the centre. When they finally reached it, they saw three huge buildings: A Castle, a Library, and a Cathedral. She sighed, and entered the library. As they entered, they saw what seemed like miles upon miles of shelves, crammed with books, new and old, small and large. Ly seemed to know where she was going however, and she stopped at a shelf. She picked up a book and pocketed it. She walked then at an angle, always heading to the right. Eventually, after what seemed like a year- even Globox had shut up- they reached a desk. Sitting behind it was a teensie, that somehow looked remarkably like Art Rytus. He looked up at them.

‘Hum. I haff been expecting you.’ He spoke. Rayman was amazed. Could this creature read minds? He quickly tried to close his mind. There were some things in there that he didn’t want revealing.

‘How did you know?’ he asked, curious, yet wondering if this teensie already knew the question.

‘The guard at the post told me,’ he replied. ‘I have invented a network called ‘telephoning’ and it seems to work very vell. I vill not go into details.’ He finished rather abruptly. His accent seemed to be a mixture of Kal Oray, and Art Rytus. He had a fast, jumpy way of talking.

‘Ok’ Said Rayman. ‘Do you know why we are here?’ The librarian looked at him curiously. ‘To borrow a book?’ Rayman stared at him disbelief. Then he shook his head. ‘Then no, I don’t know,’ he stated.

‘Well, I’m here to gain power. My friend’ he pointed at Ly ‘Suggested that I come to you.’ He paused unsure of how to continue. Ly took over.

‘Well, he needs power. You see, Polokus seems to have been captured, and if someone was powerful enough to defeat him…’ She stopped shooting a dark look around the room. ‘Well, you know that Rayman here wouldn’t be able to defeat them,’ She looked at the librarian. ‘I knew that you would need the book. Here. I brought it.’

And so she gave him the book that she had picked up earlier. It was old and tattered. It had a large spine, with its brown cover; it looked as though it had once had gold makings on it. The spine itself looked like it had once been silver. It was very dusty, and looked like it had not been picked up in many years, which was in fact true. The teensie looked at it and shook his head sadly. He opened it, and read some out aloud.

‘Ah! Here ve go! Eet says here that there are 3 main types of power. It goes through them. Vant to here them?’ He asked. Rayman nodded, expecting some ancient lore, that would be hard to understand and in riddles. But he was surprised:

‘Strength, the founder, the mover of rocks

Speed, the giver, the climber of mountains

Wisdom, the arsenal, power eternal.’

The old teensie looked weary, as he closed the heavy tome. He sighed. He looked at Ly and Globox.

‘I must ask you to go outside. The following information is meant for Rayman’s ears only.’

Ly nodded, and led Globox to the door. Globox looked back, unwilling to leave his friend, but Rayman nodded. He sighed.

‘You vant power, no? Strength, speed and wisdom; you have them all. Yet, you shall need more in quantity to defeat the likes of Polokus!’ And upon saying this, he seemed to rise, and grow larger. ‘Wisdom I have and much of it. But it is the hardest of all powers to gain. Alas! Upon gaining wisdom, I lost both strength and speed. I grew old!’ He gazed at Rayman and upon doing so his accent seemed to change. ‘We shall all grow old one day, yet many of us shall waste our young-hood. I wish that I hadn’t wasted mine. But you! You are different. You are using your youth to help. And I have no doubt you will use your age also.’ He paused, and sat again. ‘You must go on a journey, to gain your powers. The three that this old book mentions’ he nudged the book. ‘They are but the basic three. Many come after. You must search for your powers, for none come without strive, and hard work. I can only point you in the right direction.’

He grasped a staff that lay on the wall next to him. He stood, and raised his staff. As he did so, his desk moved aside, and the roof opened to the heavens. He raised his head, gazing at the stars above. He raised his staff until it was over his head. It began to glow bright silver. It began to sway, and whilst it did, it turned a brilliant shade of gold. It was so bright that Rayman wanted to look away. But he didn’t, he gazed at the glowing staff. The teensie yelled and smacked the staff on the floor. He closed his eyes firmly. To Rayman the glow began to become unbearable, but he still looked at it. Suddenly, the very stars zoomed down into the staff. Rayman gasped. He saw faces! The beckoned him come nearer. He did so, and walked into the glow.

It was all white. Bright whiteness, that made Rayman’s eyes ache in agony. It was broken only by the faces, so Rayman concentrated on them. The faces, which had previously been unbodied, now gained bodies. The looked at Rayman with satisfaction. They didn’t speak, but Rayman heard them.

Rayman. Yes…Rayman is your name. You seek power? Many who have it do not deserve it, and many who deserve it do not have it.

Rayman was about to speak, but the voices seemed to know what he was thinking.

You deserve it. Yet we cannot give it to you: you must earn it.

‘How?’ thought Rayman ‘How shall I find it?’

Your friends shall help you. We can tell you only you journey to the caves of jades. There you shall be given trial, and the next part of the quest be revealed to you. You must go into the cave alone. There is a secret entrance. You must find it. What you must do next shall become apparent when you enter.

‘Thank you,’ Thought Rayman. This seemed to amuse the voices, as they began to smile.

You are welcome. So courteous? We wish you good luck, and fare well. And upon saying this, the voices all raised they hands in unison. Remember! The cave of jades! Your friends shall help you…you are vital to the survival of this world…the voices grew fainter and fainter, and he seemed to be going further and further away from them. He raised his hand in farewell and stepped out of the light.

The teensie collapsed. Rayman helped him up. The teensie called Ly and Globox back. He looked pretty shaken. He looked at Rayman.

‘You know where you need to go?’ he asked, brushing himself up. Rayman nodded.

‘Yeah. D’you know where I could find the cave of jades?’ He asked. There was a sudden hush. Rayman looked around. ‘What? What did I do?’ He asked. He did not like the look of this.

‘Rayman, that is a dangerous place…its guarded by the evil creatures, and many have died trying to get its precious jades,’ Ly replied. ‘I don’t know how we should be any different,’ she didn’t look afraid though. Neither did Globox, for a change. ‘We’ll follow you, Rayman. You are our leader!’ Rayman shook his head.

‘No. Not a leader, a friend.’ He said. Ly smiled and nodded.

‘It’s a deal.’ She looked at the teensie, who hadn’t spoken since he had asked Rayman where he needed to go. He looked beat. Ly looked at him anxiously. ‘I know that you are exhausted after your summoning, but can you tell me where I can find an atlas please?’ she asked him. He nodded and pointed down an alley. Apparently, he was too tired to speak. Ly thanked him and turned to Rayman and Globox. ‘You two wait here, ill be right back.’ She went through the shelves and came back a small while later. By then, the librarian seemed to have recovered a little, and he managed to stamp out the two books for Ly: the old tome, and the atlas.

‘So Rayman, what happened?’ Globox asked curiously. ‘Why did we have to go out?’ Rayman was about to answer that he didn’t know, when Ly answered Globox question.

‘We had to go out because the magical surge that occurs when summoning creatures as powerful as the seers can be enough to kill people, if they are not meant to be there. Usually this means that there can be only two people: the summoner and the receiver. Sometimes the summoner is the receiver so it doesn’t matter.’ She told him. He gaped at her.

‘Cool! So Rayman got a message from these seers?’ He looked at Rayman ‘What was it?’ He asked. Rayman was about to answer when Ly interrupted.

‘DON’T SAY IT!’ She almost yelled. ‘It’s dangerous if you do. The magic’s that grants the seers the power of immortality,’ she paused. ‘They have been alive for many thousands of years. They immortality was granted to them by forces unknown. It is best not to provoke ancient dangers by asking these questions.’ Rayman thought to himself. Why were people so worried about these so called ‘seers’? He decided not to ask Ly in case it really was dangerous. Globox, however, seemed satisfied by the answer.

‘Ly, how are we going…wherever we’re going?’ He asked her.

‘Well it’s not really far from here, but if we want to take a direct shortcut, I doubt we’ll ever make it alive, even with your help. We should go the other way, longer but safer.’ She replied.

‘And…if you don’t mind me asking…why is it so dangerous to talk about the seers?’ He asked her. His tone was neutral, but to Ly he sounded almost criticizing. She looked at him.

‘I don’t know.’ She answered straight away. ‘It’s weird, but they are so powerful, that sometimes even talking about them can cause earthquakes, and cause the whole world to erupt…’ she stopped, seemingly thinking.

‘But Ly, if they are that powerful, why can’t we just ask them to help us?’ He wondered out aloud. Ly paused.

‘I was thinking the same thing.’ She bit her lip. ‘I think that they exist only in essence, but they aren’t truly here. They had to be summoned right? But where from? I think they came from a different reality. Of course I could be wrong…’ she stopped again, and sighed. ‘Anyway, they aren’t going to help us, so we might as well get going huh?’ And with that she began to walk again.

-_~*~_-

It was a little while later. Ly and Globox were both asleep. It was somewhere in the middle of the night. Rayman usually found it easy to sleep out in the open, especially when there were a lot of trees about. But he couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t shake of the feeling that he was being watched.

He shivered. It was cold, on the rock he was sitting on. He went back to where he had been sleeping, next to Globox, and picked up his cover. He draped it about himself, and instantly felt warm again. The magic blankets that Ly had made out of nowhere were somehow warmer than normal blankets. He sat down on his rock again. As he wasn’t going to sleep, he may as well stand guard.

CLUNK!

A sudden sound! Rayman was instantly awake. He threw the blanket down, and charged up a fist. Suddenly, out of the trees to his right, a small metallic creature appeared out of no where! Rayman instinctively punched it. It collapsed. But there were more.

Three appeared out of the rocks behind Rayman, and four more out of the trees above. There were too much! Rayman charged punch after punch. He managed to dispatch of three without getting hurt to bad. The others charged, he couldn’t attack all of them at once! There was a sudden flash of light, and a small explosion.

Ly was standing slightly to the side, firing small silver lums at the creatures. It wasn’t very effective, but it served as a diversion. There was a crash of thunder, and some rain came falling down. Globox was doing the rain dance! Rayman smiled at them both.

The three companions managed to destroy all but one of the hideous metal monsters. The last one was firing metallic bullets at Rayman. Ly was not in the position to attack him, and Globox’s rain couldn’t reach him because he was under the treetops. It was up to Rayman.

He jumped into the air. A bullet hit a tree behind him. A trail of bullets followed Rayman. He twisted in mid-air. Whilst he had twisted, he did a forward summersault and landed running. He wasn’t running straight at the thing, but at an angle so that the bullets wouldn’t hit him. He jumped again, but this time he jumped forward, toward the creature. Rayman was going to be hit! But NO…he twirled his hair, making is flash in super fast speeds, and broke it! As Rayman alighted next to the metallic thing, he finished it off with a killing blow from his hands. He turned to Ly, grinning sheepishly.

‘Just like old times eh?’ He grinned at her. And she realised to, he had used the same trick as he had all those years ago, when the robot of Mister Dark had attacked them. Rayman turned to the only robot remaining. It seemed to have been caught up in some vines, and was struggling to escape.

He was a small creature. He was clad almost entirely in metal, though it appeared that he was uncomfortable in it. He had large, reproachful eyes, with almost no white. His pupil was black, and he looked almost cute. He had a small brown face, which was turning an unhealthy green. He looked starved. He gazed at Rayman, afraid that this was the end of his life.

‘Allow me!’ Globox volunteered, stepping forward. But Rayman put out a hand to stop him.

‘No. We might be able to find out about its masters.’ He turned to the creature, and kindly asked it what, and who it was, what it was doing, and who its masters were. The creature was surprised, for its masters had told it that Rayman was evil, and he burned his prisoners alive.

The startled creature began to speak. It said that its name was No’think Ignatz. He told them that he was a slave, and that he had been captured along with the rest of his species. He said that they were being forced. He began to weep. He was about to tell them who this ‘kidnapper’ was, but he never got that far.

There was a sudden sizzling sound. It was a while before anyone heard it. When No’think heard it he began to wail.

‘My friends, my dear friends! I fear that my time is up! Please!’ and here he took Rayman’s hand ‘Please, I beg you. I sense great power in you. Please, free my kin, and my family from the clutches of the evil.’ He took a long shuddering breath. It was his last breath.

‘I promise. My friend,’ Rayman told him. It was the last think No’think heard. Rayman closed No’thinks eyes with his hands. Globox was crying, and even Ly had tears in her eyes. Rayman finished closing No’think’s large eyes, and he let out a small sob. He swore under his breath that he would avenge his friend. He swore that he would free his people. He swore on his own life. By now the sizzling became apparent. Rayman wondered out aloud.

‘What’s that sizzling sound?’ He asked. No sooner had he asked the question, did he find out. No’think’s dead body began to quiver, and shake; especially his head. Suddenly, his head popped open, and his brain oozed out. It had melted. The reason why also came apparent a second later. There was a metal transmitter inside his brain. It was hot. It had melted No’think’s brain. There were two letters carved into it.

E.I..

Rayman felt angered. Whoever ‘E.I.’ was would suffer his anger.

There was a sudden whistling sound that was rapidly rising in pitch. It hurt Rayman’s head. He put a hand to his head. He looked up, and gasped. There was an enormous creature above him. It flew back and forth. Suddenly its sound stopped. It was still flying to and fro, spying on the land below. Rayman realised that it was looking for them.

‘Quick! Under here!’ He yelled, beckoning them to a hole in the ground. They lay there silent, until the almost-silent hum of the aerial creature went away. Rayman told Ly and Globox to stay there, as he sneaked out. He saw that the huge machine had indeed gone. He looked around, and concluded that it was safe for his friends to come out.

-_~*~_-

They had slept uneasily in the night, and had been ambushed once. Yet they had to go on. Wearily, and tiredly, they walked onwards into the day. As they walked they talked to try to ease away the weariness. It did, but only slowly.

Suddenly Globox – who had been counting the trees idly – shouted

‘AMBUSH!’ And indeed, they were ambushed. More of the small creatures had come, yet they were greater in number, and larger in size than before. Rayman, remembering No’think tried not to hurt them. Instead he thought of a better way to free them.

Globox used his magical rain dance to help vines grow in the direction of the creatures. The vines bound them firmly, yet not to make them hurt. This gave Rayman an idea. He pulled at the vines, and used them for ropes to rope up the creatures. The creatures were fearful, expecting Rayman to be an evil monster. Rayman also helped Ly, who was summoning what looked like a purple version of her silver lums. They bound and weakened the creatures. When at last the creatures had been rounded up Rayman spoke to them.

‘Creatures of the wild! You have been enslaved by a person that calls himself ‘E.I.’. I have come to set you free! I am sure that you have been told that I was an evil freak of nature.’ He grinned. ‘But I definitely am not evil! You are free!’ He let them go. ‘But before you go, I ask you. Have any of you had metal chips installed into your heads? If so, come here, and Ly will help you take them out.’ They all left, but for three. One of them seemed to be very old, and was leaning on a staff. The second was a stout man, who looked curiously at the friends before leaving. The remaining creature seemed to be a child. He spoke to them.

‘Hello! I don’t need to have a chip removed, I don’t have one.’ He took a breath ‘I have been told that your name is Rayman. I didn’t believe the lies about you,’ he paused. He had a strange way of talking, like a child but with the wisdom of ages. This made Rayman curious. How old was this child, really? ‘I was wondering if I could come with you.’ He continued. ‘I want my revenge on the enslaver; he killed my family, and my friends!’ His eyes shone with a fierce determination. ‘And if you don’t let me, I’m going to follow you anyway!’

Rayman looked at him for a few seconds, studying him. He was small in stature, yet his muscles bulged at his arms, which, although short, where also muscled. His face was that of wisdom, and not of childness. His short neck was thin, and not as fat as it should have been. His stomach was also shrivelled, and he looked as though he had not eaten for days. He wore little more than rags. He had a bare chest, and no shoes. He had only some short pants, which were brown; filthy from trekking in the forest. He had a small spear in his hand and a sword on his belt. He held the spear in his left hand and his right hand was ever next to his sword. His large, Elvin ears where pointed, and quivered at the smallest sound. His small nose looked as though it had been squashed onto his face and at the same time as though it was meant to be like that. Rayman considered. He did not know his way around this land, and a live guide would be better than an atlas. He smiled at the creature.

‘Sure you can!’ He told it. ‘But what’s your name?’ he asked. The creature bowed. Rayman bowed back.

‘My name is Min'Lithui Ignatz’ he told them. Ly gasped.

‘Ignatz?’ She asked. ‘Are you related to No’think Ignatz?’ She asked. The creature gaped at her.

‘No’think? Do you know him? Is he ok?’ He asked. ‘He is my brother. I feared him to be dead!’ He shook his head. Ly looked at him sadly.

‘We saw him. We saved him. But we could not keep him alive. He was killed. There was a chip inside his-’ Min'Lithui interrupted her.

‘The chip?’ He laughed. ‘Of course! The chip! He is not dead! Come, take me to where you last saw him!’ Rayman looked at the childling in new wonder. He began to sprint back to where No’think had been laid. He called out to Globox and Ly not to follow. Min’Lithui seemed to be able to keep up with Rayman’s pace.

‘Rayman,’ Min’Lithui began. ‘Don’t call me Min’Lithui. Call me Furio.’ He said.

‘Why?’ Rayman asked him.

‘It is what all my friends call me,’ He answered. ‘Are we nearly there?’ they had reached the clearing in which Rayman, Ly and Globox had laid No’think to rest. Furio looked around the clearing. ‘An appropriate place to lay a Nu’thiank to rest,’ smiled Furio. ‘We are creatures of the desert, and as a mark of respect, we lay our people in the forests.’ Furio saw his brother’s dead body and winced. ‘It will be hard to revive him…’

Furio turned to Rayman. He spoke. ‘I need to revive him, using magic. Any creature that walks this earth can cast spells, they just need to unlock they ability.’ He told Rayman. ‘If you want to help, you can. You just need to chant these words

Eith-Ulian-Nabak-Subie-Narak-Sarak-Burian-Crafian-Shanthian-Prothian-Nonton

And you have to wave your hands like this.’ He was whispering now. He twirled his hand, moving each finger, and the wrist. Rayman imitated him. They began to chant.

A golden light came from the heavens. Three stars fell from it, and floated gently to the ground. One was gold, the second was silver, and the third was a mixture of all colours. The gold one entered No’think’s feet, whilst the silver one mended the broken tissue. The multi-coloured one mended the soggy brain, and placed inside No’think’s head. The silver ball of light mended the tissue, now aided by the colourful one. The golden ball had now exited No’think’s body, and was hovering slightly above his chest. Suddenly, the three balls merged themselves with No’think’s body, and it gave a terrific jolt. No’think awoke.

‘Aw my poor aching head!’ was the first thing he said. Rayman laughed and hugged him. ‘Hey! I remember you…’ He spoke, drowsily. ‘You’re the guy who promised to save us. Furio! What are you doing here?’ He asked pretty much awake now.

‘I’m the one who cast rejuvenation over you. I brought you back to life Furion!’ He spoke.

‘Wait…Furion?’ asked Rayman. Furio grinned.

‘Yeah,’ He laughed. ‘My brother and I both have our nicknames. We named each other, so that we could call each other without anybody realising who we are.’ He explained. The previously dead Furion nodded in agreement.

‘And one more thing,’ Rayman said. ‘How did you make him come back to life? If you had magic as powerful as that, you should have been able escape yourselves!’ He exclaimed.

‘Yes,’ Furion told him, ‘Yes, we should. But this doesn’t count. You see, we found out about these chips. They explode if you try to touch them. Inside your head…that would be enough to kill you, I’m sure. So you cannot remove them. We found out that they melted your brains…’ he paused, a sick wave of nausea coming over him. He ventured to continue. ‘We found out that they melted your brain if you tried to escape.’ He made a face. Seeing that he didn’t want to go on, Furio took over.

‘Yes, so we used a little of our magic. Not much mind, just enough to find out what was going on. We never found out who out kidnapper was.’ He took a deep breath. ‘But Furion got caught. Not all of us had chips inside of us, just those that the kidnapper thought would cause trouble. He put a chip inside Furion. I used a small amount of my magic to create a spell, usable only by me and Furion, and only on me and Furion. They had magical sensors everywhere, and I barely managed it. But it worked, and that’s why Furion is standing here now. We had better get back to your friends now shouldn’t we?’ he finished. Rayman nodded.

They walked back toward Ly and Globox. Rayman questioned them about they race. It turned out that they were a warrior race, trained in the many arts of combat when they were but three years old. Furio was what the equivalent was of a teenager, just leaving teen. Furion had just left his teens, and was a young adult. They then questioned Rayman. Rayman told them about the cave of jades. At the mention of this, there was a sudden hush.

‘What,’ Asked Rayman. ‘What did I say?’ they looked at each other and nodded.

‘We know of two things. First, there is a shortcut to it. It’s dangerous, but we managed to clear out the worst. Loud noises can go a long way!’ he laughed ‘But the second is more important it seems. The evil one is planning an excavation. He plans to destroy the cave of jades! We must hurry if we are to get there before that!’ now they reached where they had left Globox and Ly. They were under attack!

‘Help us Rayman!’ Ly yelled. ‘There are too many of them!’ Rayman leapt into action, Furion and Furio alongside him. They threw they spears, and stabbed with they swords, although they never killed. Then they fell back, and used they magic to create bindings to bind they weakened kin. After this, they let all the Nu’thiank go. As soon as this was over Rayman turned to the brothers.

‘Now look you two. I’ve got a few things to say to you. One,’ He lifted a finger. ‘Isn’t there a short way to call your race something?’ he joked. ‘I mean, you have short names for everything else!’ he laughed. ‘Two,’ Here his face turned serious. ‘Can you lead us to this short-cut of yours?’ He paused now. ‘And three,’ he looked at them, now more serious than ever. ‘Who is our enemy?’ The brothers looked delighted to answer these questions.

‘One,’ Said Furio. ‘There is! We call ourselves ‘the muddies!’ because we live in the sand.’ He laughed.

‘Two’ Furion started. ‘We would be happy to do so.’

‘And three’ Said Furio again. ‘We do not know. We were left blindfolded in front of him. All that I can say is that there was a chill wind whenever I heard his voice. There was a waterfall, I remember that.’

‘And there was some earth. Unnatural earth, I remember that. It felt purer than any other underneath my feet. And the wind, though chilly, was fresh. I have never breathed a cleaner air.’ They finished.

‘That sounds like a good place,’ Rayman pondered. ‘I would very much like to go there for myself.’

‘Come then! This way, to the cave of jades we go!’ And they began a walking song. As they walked of into the distance, an old, bent figure leaned heavily on a staff. He smiled to himself. Things were as perfect as they could have been, maybe even more so! Rayman was walking to his doom. He spread out his arms, and disappeared.

_________________________________

there is more, but it will be coming a bit later...
_________________
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Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

Chapter Five: Journey To The Cave Of Jades

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The companions, and they guides were in a forest again. It was not very think, however, and there was a lot of space to move about. The sunlight shined from the sky above, through the leaves of

Furion turned around and saw that the three companions where lagging behind again. He sighed, and, turning to Furio, he spoke.

‘They’re behind us again,’ He said. ‘We should wait for them…’ Furion was not paying attention to anything. He was usually like this, he just followed Furion. He was not idle though, he was thinking. He was a rare type of Muddie, he was a magical being; yet he was also a warrior. He was mainly magical however. Furion on the other hand was a warrior with magical abilities. Together, they were a formidable team. But they hadn’t been able to prevent themselves being kidnapped. They also had another power.

Communication.

They could commune with themselves without any other being knowing. Thought speech they called it. And it made sense too. They could share their own thoughts with each other. At first there had been the problem of how to hide private thoughts. They had soon worked out how to though. They thought-spoke with each other now.

They need rest Furion. They don’t have the energy that we do. They seem to need rest, all except the limbless one.

Yes, he seems to be they leader. I wonder what the true reason is that they are travelling together…

So you think they are lying?

Well… Furion sounded uncomfortable. I know that I’m not the expert on these things, but I believe that they are hiding something.

maybe so, Furio replied, but there was no lie in they eyes when they told us that they wanted to go to the cave of jades.

That’s just it though, Furion argued, why do they want to go there? You don’t think that they are…friends of our enemies?

Now it was Furio’s turn to sound uncomfortable. I’m not sure. He admitted, but they did not seem to be serving him. Should we question them?

No, Furion replied, for all we know, they could be waiting for the right moment to attack, maybe when we are asleep. And what if they are just trying to find our secret passage?

Nevertheless, they could be our only hope. Furio pondered, the limbless one has a great power about him. It could be him who stops our enemy, and free our race.

I agree, but we should be careful. They may all be lying. Furion replied. If this is a trap, we will fall straight into it.

That is the point. Furio replied, he let all of the people who were with me go free. I don’t think that he would let them if he truly was a servitor of out enemy. But let’s leave it for a while. We should rest, and allow them to do the same.

Furion agreed. They both turned, and told Rayman and the others that they could rest. Ly and Globox looked grateful. Rayman did not, and he hid it well, sitting down as though grateful, and chatting to his friends. Furio and Furion both agreed that whatever else he may be, he was a good friend.

‘We should take watch, you know. In case some muddies, or more fowl things, attack us.’ Furion said. ‘I’ll take first watch!’

‘And I’ll take second.’ Furio volunteered.

‘Ok and I’ll take third.’ Rayman said. ‘And don’t hesitate to wake me if you need to’ he smiled, and lying on the leaves, he fell to sleep almost instantly. Globox also went to sleep quickly, smiling in his sleep. Ly, however, couldn’t sleep. She just couldn’t shake off the feeling that they were being watched. She yawned. Rayman and the brothers could take care of it.

--

It was later in the night, and Furio had taken over Furion’s shift, and Rayman Furio’s. In truth neither brother was asleep, neither had been all night, and neither would be for the rest of that night.

I trust him. Furio told Furion, they were in the middle of conversation. He does not seem to be the type that would serve the evil.

I know. But it could all be a big act. Furion replied.

Well, no way to know unless we find out…

And so, switching abruptly from thought-speech to normal speech, he spoke to directly to Rayman.

‘Rayman,’ he began. Rayman started, and turned to Furio. He smiled.

‘Didn’t realise you were awake’ he smiled. ‘What is it?’

‘Rayman, we have told you everything about ourselves. Now it is your turn to tell us.’ Furio replied. ‘You must forgive us for being but a little suspicious. The spies of the enemy are everywhere, and for all we know, you could be leading us into a trap!’

‘Leading you?’ Rayman laughed ‘Well, you’re the guides. And yes, I do understand, and forgive you for being suspicious. I hope you’ll do the same for me!’ So Rayman continued to tell them the story; the full story. Not emitting any parts: he told them of his dream, of Polokus’ disappearance, and of the journey to the teensie’s library. Here he paused.

‘I can’t tell you what I saw in the vision. I was…forbidden,’ as he spoke these words, he realised that he could here a voice…it sounded like the seers! They told him something.

‘Furio,’ he began, not knowing how to say this. ‘I just got a message from the seers. They told me that if you didn’t believe me, I could tell you something; in the cave of jades. There is a legend amongst your people…that there is power to be found there, but only to those who deserve it? You believe that there is a greatly powerful being that lives there, guarding the jades…and the powers.’ He stopped. This was not all that the seers had told him. He decided to tell them the rest of it too. ‘There’s one more thing. It’s about the seers. They told me that they also exist in your lore. They are known as the oracle to you. They eyeless ones who see all of the world. Furio gasped.

‘The oracles…?’ He spoke, in wonder and in awe. ‘The oracles granted you a vision?’

‘I don’t believe a word of it!’ Snarled Furion, forgetting himself for a moment, then pausing, but not backing down.

Furio glanced at him furtively. He saved your life! Doesn’t that count for something? And I do believe him! Why do you think he would lie, and how else does he know of the oracle?

Furion glanced down at his feet. I know. I’m sorry, I just forgot myself for a moment.

Furio turned to Rayman. ‘I believe you, but my brother has his doubts. We can talk to each other using our brains. It’s complicated; it’d take a long time to explain.’

Rayman grinned, and was about to say that they had all night when they were interrupted.

A large, rhino-like creature bounded out from the deeps of the forest, trampling trees as it went. It had a think, grey hide with black stripes across its back. It had four horns, one on the end of its nose, two on wither side – like an elephants tusks – and another just beneath its chin, pointing out almost like a beard. But there was nothing comical about this. Its eyes were red with rage, and its skin seemed crumpled, and not well-kept. It saw the companions, sniffed, and raised itself on its hind legs. It let out a ferocious roar that uprooted some trees, and woke Ly and Globox.

They were both instantly awake. Rayman stood next to the creature, not wanting to hurt it as he knew that it was innocent. He spoke to it softly, but that seemed to enrage it.

‘I AM NOT A DUMB ANIMAL FOOL! YOU SHALL FACE THE WRATH, OF NEREVAR!’ he roared, and upon doing that, launched itself upon Rayman. Ly gasped, and bound forward to help him, lighting up the night with her energy spheres. Rayman himself was throwing punches at it, but neither seemed to have any effect. Furio and Furion also tried vainly to stop it from killing them all. It was Globox who saved them.

He started dancing around, waving his arms, and screaming some unknown words. Suddenly, some rain clouds appeared, but not in the sky. They were underneath Nerevar’s feet. This made Nerevar slip, and fall. There was a huge explosion, and in a puff of smoke, and black dust, Nerevar was gone.

Weird… thought Rayman. I wonder what happened to it.

‘WOW Globox, how did you know what to do?’ exclaimed Ly.

‘Yeah that was pretty cool!’ Rayman smiled at Globox. ‘Thanks, for saving our lives,’

‘Hey, what are friends for?’ Globox grinned back at him. ‘Did you see that? Wow-kapow! Just like that, and POOF! He disappeared!’ Globox couldn’t believe it himself, and he went on. Ly smiled inwardly. He deserved his moment. He deserved it. But eventually, even Globox’s exited talking quietened down, and fell silent.

None of the five companions could get much sleep that night, so they set of early, before dawn. No birds cawed, and the silence seemed eary. They all sought to break it, but they couldn’t quite manage it. It was all dark. They all held hold of the person if front’s hand. Furio was in the lead, followed by Furio, followed by Ly, and Globox. Rayman brought up the rear.

Rayman waved his free hand in front of him. He couldn’t see it. He realised that this time would be perfect for an ambush. Ly, apparently, thought the same thing. She created a glow ball in her hand. It lighted up the dark, but the light never seemed to reach far beyond the ball.

Furio suggested that they rest for the rest of the night, as they had in idea what trap they may walk into. They lay against some trees. Ly and Globox were quickly asleep. Rayman volunteered to keep watch with the brothers. They didn’t talk; none of them were in the mood. Instead they just kept a lookout. Nothing much happened that night, and, curiously, this gave Rayman an ominous feeling. It felt like they were being lulled into a false sense of security.

-_~*~_-

The next day they set off again. They walked and walked. And walked. And walked and walked and walked.

And walked.

They were in the middle of a barren, sandy desert like place. Globox was reminded of the desert of the knareen. He shuddered. He hoped there weren’t any here.

It was all getting boring, as Globox was saying. Even Ly wanted some action.

And they got it.

CHARGE!

‘FIGHT FOR YOUR LIVES! STOP THEM!’ Furio yelled, his eyes bulging, as he loosened his sword.

‘Why?’ Rayman shouted back.

But Furio had no time to answer. There was a general roar as they were ambushed. Suddenly, they were surrounded. There was silence.

Furion whispered to the rest. ‘They are evil creatures. We believe that they aren’t even alive! The evil made them. They look like they are made out of sand.’

And, indeed, they did. They looked humanoid. They were held together with sand, like cement. But there wasn’t any skin, no bones. They looked like they were made entirely out of sand. Rayman sent a fist flying into the nearest one. It collapsed into the sand. But even as he did so, a wind sent the sand particles to flow together, making some more creatures.

Then they attacked. Throwing themselves onto the companions, blinding; choking them.

‘Globox,’ Rayman spluttered. ‘Use the rain!’

‘OK!’ Globox managed to choke out, and –blinded by the sand- outstretched his hands. The sand creatures, realising what was happening, sent a wild fury of sand flying over them. The wind seemed to be helping them.

Within seconds, they were engulfed in a sea of sand. Globox seemed to be still trying to help them, however, as there was a sudden gush of rain. It wasn’t much however, and it was faltering. Rayman made his way to Globox by throwing fists ahead of him. His fists seemed to go through the sand creatures, and then through the ones behind them. He charged another fist. He sent it flying.

‘OUCH!’ came a voice, so much like Globox.

‘Globox, don’t give up!’ Rayman screamed, trying to make his way to Globox’s side. He appeared suddenly at Globox’s side, and threw fists at all sides, protecting Globox. This seemed to strengthen Globox, and rain came falling all around them. The sand creatures melted away. They were free!

Rayman congratulated Globox, but Globox shook his head.

‘I would never have done it without you. They were smothering me, and I wouldn’t have managed it if you hadn’t moved them away. And besides, it was you who told me what to do in the first place!’ Rayman was very taken aback. He hadn’t thought of it like that. He paused for a few seconds, and then smiled at Globox.

‘I suppose your right,’ he replied. Ly, and Globox cheered, and Furio and Furion smiled at him. Rayman felt proud.

‘We really should be going’ he told them. ‘I’d rather get out of this small desert then get attacked again!’ Ly laughed, and agreed. They walked on.

Before long, they left the sandy desert, and reached a rocky area. It was smooth, nice rock, and it felt nice to the touch. Furion suggested that they have a rest.

This time Ly took first watch. It was still day-time, and everyone was awake, so it didn’t really count as a watch. Rayman was looking across the desert, trying-but not quite succeeding-to look like he was talking along with the rest.

He was staring out across the rock, to where the cave of jade was. He was always like this; whenever he went on a quest. He was always so serious, but trying not to look it. Ly thought that he probably took everything seriously. Every invasion was a possibility that this world could be taken over. He couldn’t let that happen.

-_~*~_-

It had barely been a year. Not even a year! Since Mr. Dark had invaded this land. But now, again, it was being invaded. An army consisting entirely of robots had appeared out of nowhere, in a giant ship that floated in the air. And then, without warning, they had attacked.

Now, hopes were dim for the people of Rayman’s world, but he still hadn’t given up that last small glimmer of hope. It was all that he needed. He and the small amount of living creatures that where still free had conducted a plan. It was dangerous, and if Rayman failed: possibly fatal.

But still, he had stuck stubbornly to his idea, along with Globox (whom the plan had greatly involved) and so eventually, the others had to give in. Ly looked into his deep eyes with admiration. He would willingly give up so much for them, for his people, for his friends, the people who had taken him in, and accepted him. She was proud to be one of them.

‘Rayman,’ she had said, ‘You don’t have to go ahead with this.’ And he had turned to look at her, a sharp look of courage and hope in his eyes.

‘I don’t…’ He had replied. ‘I don’t, but I will. You helped me when I was in need of it. You gave me shelter when I had no place to go. You were my friends. If I didn’t help you now, when you needed it, and deserved it, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. It’s the only way I can thank you.’ And now he had smiled. ‘And besides, what are friends for?’

Ly had smiled at him, but the smiles hid a fear, she had a bad feeling.

What are friends for Rayman? I do not know. She had thought. And she hadn’t. She still didn’t. When she came to her senses, she had seen that Rayman had left her, knowing that she had wanted to be left alone. She smiled inwardly. She was grateful to him for that.

Rayman had gone to talk with Globox, who was sitting on his own, a sad look in his eyes, his lips trembling. A single tear had run down his face, and he had wiped it off. He let out a great shuddering sigh. He had been slouched forward. He hadn’t known that she was watching him. Something must have happened to him.

As she thought that thought, her immediate next thought was of how to comfort him. She had not known how to. That was when she had noticed Rayman, standing behind Globox. She watched him, as she sat down next to Globox. She couldn’t here what he said, but he looked at Globox – evidently trying to comfort him. He put an arm on Globox’s shoulder. Globox had looked at him. The tears gone, he looked at Rayman.

He had smiled, and nodded at Rayman. Wiping away what was left of his tears, he had stood up and walked away. Ly had caught Rayman’s eyes and smiled at him. He had grinned back, and flashed her thumbs up.

Rayman was a good friend, a very good friend. He had pushed aside his own fears to help others. She had lost concentration again, delving into her own thoughts. She felt Rayman’s hand on her shoulder. She turned to him, and realised that there were tears in her eyes.

‘Rayman,’ she had said, ‘Please, be ok, please come back ok!’ she had said, wiping away her tears. Rayman himself had looked down to his feet and she saw that he was also scared.

‘Rayman,’ she had tried to comfort him. ‘You will come back. You will succeed.’ She had told him, and as she said it she knew it to be true.

‘I wish I was as sure as you.’ He had replied. The words had shocked Ly. He had always seemed so sure, so…brave.

‘Ly?’

‘Mm?’

‘You are a good friend too.’ And he had left his seat. She just stared at the blank spot where Rayman had been. She smiled. Rayman had comforted Globox, just like she had comforted her. Yes. She was a good friend to.

She left her seat, and went to her house.

-_~*~_-

‘We are almost there. The cave of jades lies not far ahead.’ Furio told Rayman. ‘But first we need some food, and drink. Yours is almost running out, and we also need some food. I ask you and your friends to wait here as we find some food.’

‘Ok,’ Rayman had replied, ‘but I’ll come with you.’

‘Ok,’ Furio sighed ‘We’ll be right back.’

Ly was not to happy at being left with Globox, but she also agreed.

‘Ill stay,’ he smiled, ‘I’ll protect Ly!’ he had laughed. He was joking.

‘You’re the one who’ll need protecting!’ Ly laughed back.

Furio had returned, having conjured a small basket out of leaves. Magic bound them together.

Rayman and Furio walked onwards into the trees. Rayman had been about to say that they were vegetarians, all three of them, but he had not needed to. It appeared that Furio and Furion were also vegetarians.

Pretty soon, there was a decent amount of food in the make-shift basket. Rayman’s keen hearing soon heard a small stream. Rayman had brought along some water-skins and he had filled them all, and then had a small wash in the stream. Refreshed and strengthened, they threesome walked back to Globox and Ly.

As they got colder, it appeared that Globox and Ly were evidently having a good time. Rayman smiled at himself, and walked into the ‘camp’. Globox had found some dry firewood, and laid it out for a fire. It was getting dark, and they should rest for the night. Rayman told them about the stream, and lead Globox to it. He had come back some time later, and took Ly to the stream. Meanwhile, Rayman discussed plans with Furio.

‘How long do you think it will be till we get to the cave?’ He asked.

‘If we have a rest tonight, and make a hard journey tomorrow, we should be there by tomorrow easily.’ Furio replied. ‘But that’s counting without danger or interruption.’

‘So is that is like not a long time, like say…half a day?’ Rayman questioned.

‘Correct, but we must set off early nevertheless.’

‘RAYMAN, FURIO!’ Furion’s voice shouted. ‘WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!’ Almost before this sentence had finished, Rayman was up and running to Furion. And, indeed, he was under attack. Many stone and rock beings were pummelling them with their heavy fists. As Rayman stared at them, wide eyed, a small single word stirred in his memory.

Golem.

They were golems! Earthen-creatures: creatures made entirely of earth. So the sand creatures…could they have been golems too? It was certainly possible…

Rayman sent his fists at the golems, seemingly made out of mud. They were brown, and the mud almost seemed to drip of them. They were short, the tallest reaching Rayman’s height. As the fists touched them, they crumbled. It was a short battle, yet a victory short-lived. More golems came crashing out of the trees. The mud-golems came at front, but there were more: huge things, and grey. They seemed to be made of stone, and rock.

Rayman gulped, this was going to be hard. Furio was casting spells, causing the golems to explode. Furion was hacking at them with his sword: a beautiful thing, its blade made of silver, and its golden hilt encrusted with jewels and magical rocks. They were enchanted swords, and Furio also owned one. They seemed to slice through the mud-golems, but it was harder to destroy the stone-golems.

Rayman sent fist after fist at them, but –although some stone crumbled, and fell of these mighty titans- they still stood. This mountain like creatures took some work. It was a long and wearisome battle. They not only used power, but they were sly too. They feinted to go to the left, but they went to the right. At last Rayman fell into a weary dance, until the last was destroyed.

Even then they were not granted rest.

Ly and Globox came running out of the wood from were the stream had been, followed by more golems. Globox seemed to have tried to protect Ly, as he was moving gingerly, and collapsed on the ground near Rayman.

‘I…tried…’ he gasped, and shaking his head, lay down, and couldn’t move. He seemed to have broken some ribs, as he clutched his heart. It hurt him. There were cuts and scratches all over him, were he had been hurt.

‘You did your best Globox. Have a rest; I’ll take care of these!’ and with that, he turned to face the golems. His heart sank. There were legions of them! Or so it seemed…mud golems followed by stone golems…they kept on coming!

Ly was shooting her spheres at the golems, and it seemed to be affective. The brown mud golems crumbled before they could reach the four defenders, and the grey stone golems were not too hard either.

But there were too much. They kept on coming: never tiring. Furio and Furion were both felled, and Ly collapsed because she was so tired. Only Rayman remained. His teeth gritted in concentration, he leapt to protect the guides. He picked them up and moved them to Globox, so he could protect all three of them.

The golems were still coming though, and Ly was still in the line of fire. Rayman leaped to her just before she was trampled by a golem, and ran back carrying her to the other three. The golems seemed to be lessening, there were definitely less. Sweat covered Rayman’s brow as he tried to stop them altogether. It had taken him a long time, but he finally managed it. He collapsed next to Ly, and would have fallen asleep right there had he not heard the big bangs.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Footsteps,

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Coming nearer

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Rayman forced himself to get up. His aching muscles hurt, but he had to protect his friends. What he saw almost made his collapse again. There was another golem; one last golem. But it was HUGE.

It was much bigger then the stone golems. Rayman looked up and stared at its face. When reflux had mutated, and become huge, he still was just a tiny bit bigger then this golem. It was a deep purple. It had a brown face. Rayman tried punching it one its leg, and although a small slab came out, the move did more damage to Rayman then the golem.

‘R-R-R-Rayman,’ spoke Furio. ‘Go for its head!’

Rayman did a quick calculation in his head. It was after him; it would ignore the others. Because it was so large, it would be a big advantage to Rayman to stay as small as possible, so that he could stay out of its sight. He darted underneath the golem, and for a moment it was confused. The Rayman produced a sharp stick, and swung it into the golem’s leg. He had another in his left hand, and he swung that up too.

Rayman had never been mountaineering, but that is what he was doing now. He was using Furio and Furion’s swords. He climbed his way to the golems face, and when he got there, he unleashed a charged punch that hit the golem in the face.

The face fell clean off. It landed some few metres away, and there it smashed. Without its head, the golem stumbled, and fell. It smashed into a million small pieces.

But were was Rayman?

Ly gasped, having seen it all from the floor. She couldn’t see Rayman in the dark. Furio and Furion had also managed to pick themselves up. Globox was unconscious, it appeared. Ly was grateful, to him. He had saved her life. She let up an energy sphere.

‘Rayman, where are you?’ she shouted, calling at him. She couldn’t hear anything. Furio was crouched next to Globox. A bright light came from the stars, and crashed into Globox. It made him levitate, and glow with an intensity. He landed gently onto the floor, and awakened.

‘Hey…’ he began, moving his arms, as though testing them. ‘I’m ok! What happened?’ Then he spotted the shattered golem. ‘Wow that must’ve been big!’ He looked around. ‘Where’s Rayman?’

Ly help back a tear. ‘I don’t know,’ she said, grateful that her voice sounded normal. ‘He stopped the golem, but he was on it when it shattered.’

Globox got to his feet. ‘Rayman?’ he shouted. ‘RAYMAN!’ This time he heard something. A small voice:

‘Help!’

‘Hey, that’s Rayman!’ Globox shouted, running off toward the voice. Ly caught up to him, and Furio and Furion got there shortly after. Ly used her magic to life the rock, aided greatly by Globox. Rayman was underneath it, crushed by the weight of the rock. One of his hands was badly bent, and his feet were bent in an uncomfortable position. He was bleeding heavily from his face, and Ly suspected internal bleeding too.

‘Rayman!’ Ly sobbed, hoping that he could be alright.

‘Move aside,’ commanded Furio. Ly did so. Furio used the same spell that he had used on Globox. Rayman also began to glow, but the spell didn’t work as well as it did on Globox. Although both Rayman’s feet were healed, and his hand looked better, the bleeding didn’t stop entirely. Although the internal bleeding seemed to have stopped, and the external bleeding was slowing, he still moved gingerly, and although he didn’t say anything it still hurt.

Furio tried again, but this time he used a more powerful spell: he used the same spell, but he managed to channel Furio’s, Ly’s, and Globox’s powers. They all managed to create a gigantic force bubble, which swallowed Rayman. Small jets of electricity spat out from it in to Rayman, healing all his pains. When the bubble disappeared, he came back; as good as new. He smiled at them.

‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘We should really get some rest, we’ll be setting off early tomorrow.’

‘Yes. And if we are fast enough, we should be there by midday tomorrow.’ Furio replied. They all lay down and one by one, dropped off. They never thought of leaving a guard: they were too tired, and relieved. It was luck that kept them safe during the night.

They set off early, as planned the next day, and the journey went quietly and safely: quietly because they were all tired from the day before, and safely because there seemed to be no enemies. Rayman was glad for that, because he felt that he couldn’t fight off another attack.

‘We are almost there.’ Spoke Furion, Furio had gone back to his thinking state. ‘This is the last climb.’ They had climbed many hills. ‘I think we should have a rest before we climb it.’ He looked sideways at Furio, as though seeking his approval, but Furio said nothing.

They had a short rest and some food too. After these they all felt good again and there was a lot of merry-making; even Furio joined in. They were all happy that they had almost reached the cave of jades.

But Rayman was forcing himself to smile, and to be happy. He wasn’t. He knew that the end of the journey would not be at the cave of jades. It was only the first leg! And it was too…if this was only the first leg, how dangerous would the second leg be? Or the third, fourth, even fifth?

As the enemy gained more power, so would those attacking him…

…and his friends. There was to much danger. They would be attacked again, and again. Rayman feared for his friends like he had never before. Mr. Dark had never truly killed anybody. Razorbeard wanted slaves. The only person in danger from André was Globox, but even then he wasn’t: André was inside him: that meant that the hoodlums wouldn’t kill Globox for fear of killing they master.

But now the danger was very real. How much Rayman wished that they could just be left alone; to be happy until the end of their days.

But he knew that wouldn’t happen. He had to protect his friends. He had a choice: and he wanted to help them. He may be different, or scary, but they had still helped him. He felt that he owed his life to them. Especially Ly, the fairy who had answered the door: the one who had helped him, and stuck by him faithfully as a friend all these years.

Rayman was glad that he had friends. He remembered the days before that, lonely, with nobody to help him. And even before that. Worse memories, worse nightmares. Rayman never liked remembering them times. Evil times they were: worse then any else he had.

But he shook those memories away, focusing on the task at hand. His friends: those who had helped his as a child, who had cared for him as nobody else had.

Love, friendship, caring, kindness. He had never felt those emotions before, and when he had, he had been happy. Happy that at last he was regarded as something more then just a creature.
Rayman’s thoughts were interrupted by Furio’s voice suggesting that they set off. Rayman got up, and they climbed over the last hill. It no longer felt like a taxing job, more like a friendly outing.

It did not take them very long to reach the top, but they reached it eventually. Furio went first, to check that the coast was clear. Furion climbed up after him, and helped the others up as Furio kept a lookout. Ly went first, then Globox. Rayman looked up.

He gasped. Never had he seen such cruelty. Slaves were being whipped to carry precious jades from the cave, to the other side of the valley, for indeed, the cave of jades was located in a valley. It was a flat valley, almost unnaturally so. The slave drivers that had no masks had evil grins on they faces, as though they enjoyed their work. Some did have masks on. Hideous things, with lashes of what looked at first sight like paint, and as Rayman looked more closely, he sae that it was not paint: it was blood. There was also some shoddy thread work, and although they were mostly the same colour, there were a few that looked as though one piece of string had run out, and a completely different colour had been used. There were many clashes of colour.

The slaves themselves were badly driven, cuts and bruises on their backs and faces. Here and there lay decomposing bodies of people who had just dropped down dead of exhaustion, and starvation. Some had been whipped to death. None of them had been picked up. Some looked like they had been there for weeks, and some were decomposing; leaving a sickly odour around the valley. Single children had to carry giant loads of gems that seemed too heavy to carry. It was a gloomy atmosphere, but Rayman was enraged. Never had he seen such cruelty: some slaves were being whipped for no reason as they worked. A mother cried over her dead child’s body, which had died, it seemed of badly infected whip lashes. The slave drivers did not care for the slaves, as long as they got the job done. There were many different types of people too, fairies, muddies, teensies, and many others that Rayman had never seen before.

As the five companions stared at the gruesome scene below them, Furion spoke out aloud.

‘What do we do now?’

‘I say that we help these people. I say that we set them free, and then we can go to the cave! Who’s with me?’ he roared.

There was a cheer, as everybody raised they hands to agree with Rayman.

‘Ok,’ Rayman smiled. ‘Here’s the plan.’ Rayman looked down at the slaves below him, and wondered if his plan would work…

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
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Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

The Great Escape

--__--__--__--__--__--

It was a warm day in the valley of jades; the sun was directly above them, glaring down at them fiercely, and impairing they vision. There was a lot of heat too, magnified and reflected a million times by the jades from the cave. In the sweltering heat, the captors of the slaves tried to make themselves look tough and mean by putting on thick heavy coats that covered all of they body.

There were many curious smells in the valley: the dirt and grime that the unwashed, dirty slaves carried upon them, many days worth, as they had not been washed since they had first been captured, unless the blissful rain that had come on to them a few days ago.

But more mud had covered them at that time, and made them dirtier and gave them a greater smell. There was also the smell of freshly dug earth, as many of the slave-people had dug whilst trying to uncover more of the precious gems. Many had also tried to bury their loved ones, who had died, but had received whip lashes in return. Now the bodies of the dead creatures’ lay half-buried in the dirty mud. Many people looked at their bodies in grief, sadness and helplessness.

There had been a slave uprising a few days ago, but it had been quickly stopped with such ferocity that they had never even thought about doing so again. Many of the women and children were badly abused, whilst they saw their fathers, brothers and husbands being beaten so closely to death, and in some cases into death.

But death was a reward now in that valley, for the state in which the slaves were forced to work at were close to unbearable. Many people saw death as the easiest, and indeed, the only way out. Many would already have committed suicide if it was not for the slave captors preventing them from having any dangerous objects. Also there were many slaves who knew that something was going to happen: that somebody was going to save them.

They knew not how long it would be.

For a few days now the same questions and the same rumours had been going around, being passed from slave to slave, until pretty much everybody knew what they were.

Many people believed that the slave drivers were working for money, to sell the jades and create a great profit for them. But it soon became apparent that they were taking orders from another person. There were not many rumours about who that person was, but there were VERY many that said what he wanted with the cave of jades.

Some people believed that he wanted it for the money, selling all the jades for his own benifits, retiring to a small island perhaps, and selling them off as slaves to people off planet.

More people did not believe this rumour. A few perhaps, believed that the person was a sicko who enjoyed in harming innocents.

But most people believed that it was another great invasion was beginning. Just like when André had attempted to take over the world and as Razorbeard before him. Some people remembered the first invasion: when Mr. Dark had invaded, those people also remembered the person who had been their saviour, the person who had rid the world of the first evil.

These people believed that he had defeated Razorbeard, and converted the dark lum lord, André into a red lum again. These people believed that he would return, and help them out of this mess.

They waited for many days in agony, awaiting the arrival of their saviour, the arrival of Rayman.

It was time for the second shift to change to third shift – not for the slaves, but for the slave drivers. The slaves were never given rest. It had already been a long weary day for them, but they would get no rest. They would be worked off their feet and there was nothing they could do about it. All they could do was hope, and even that was scarce.

It was just another day for them; the slave drivers and the slaves alike. It had not been long since they had first begun work here, but everything had fallen into a routine.

A few on-duty guards stood off to the side of the valley, out of sight from the rest of the valley, but in clear view from the hills above. It appeared that a slave driver had stolen some jades, and was boasting about it to his friends. But they had left a crucial gap in the defences, and they had also made things easier for Rayman and his friends.

It was a surprise attack. The slave drivers were caught unawares. Rayman leapt down from above, downing two as he fell, and two more before any of the others realised what was happening.

Ly ran down at them, following the hill. A reckless rage had come over her after seeing the cruelty that the slaves were suffering. She had a deep caring for life, and seeing it disrespected infuriated her.

The battle was over quick, and all of the guards were unconscious. Now phase two of their plan could begin.

Rayman picked up the leaders clothes, and put them on himself, over his normal clothes. Ly Globox and the Furio brothers also put on some clothes.

‘Phew!’ Globox groaned as he put on the smelly clothes. ‘These stink!’

‘They sure do, but its out only way to help the slaves,’ replied Rayman. He walked forward, dutifully, and purposefully. Ly followed not far behind. Globox came about a few minutes later, and then Furio and Furion; pretending to be laughing with each other, as though they were slave drivers, and got into position.

They waited for Rayman’s signal. It came about five minutes later. They all moved closer to the rest of the guards. Suddenly, all the guards began to move toward the same building. At the same time, some guards began t walk out. They were changing shifts again.

Now Rayman’s signal came. Furio and Furion began to walk from opposite sides toward the huge mass of slave drivers. Rayman had managed to push his way to the front, and Ly and Globox behind the rest.

Rayman’s second signal came. A huge amount of guards fell in the confusion that followed immediately after. Rayman had conducted a perfect surround movement, and the guards had nowhere to go. Pushing and shoving to get away from the bolts of lightning that came from Furio’s hands, and Ly’s power balls. Rayman himself was felling many slave drivers.

But then it all went wrong. The slave drivers, realising that there were only five of them, turned and began to attack, and although the rain that Globox made caused many of them to slip and fall, it was not enough. The five companions were about to be overrun.

Suddenly there was a huge shouting from the side of the slave drivers. The five companions, who had been driven to a corner, could not see what was happening. But then the slave drivers parted, and they saw, with a rush of excitement what had happened.

The slaves had rebelled again. The slave drivers, who had already been weakened, were confused again, and many ended up attacking their own fellows. Rayman and the others lifted off the uniforms, and helped in the attack. Before long, the slave drivers had been defeated, but there were some more.

There were not very many, but amongst them was a giant. He had a deep commanding voice, and seemed to be the leader of this group of slave drivers.

‘CHARGE!’ He yelled, pushing forward some stragglers who were afraid of the slaves and Rayman. Rayman leapt over the heads of the oncoming slavers, and ran toward their leader. Rayman shouted out a challenge as he ran, merely to capture the huge person’s attention.

The giant turned and saw Rayman. He grinned at him, showing many yellow teeth, and a false gold one. Rayman was forcefully reminded of the people who had shot hammers at him in his first adventure. He had never found out what they called themselves, but this person seemed to look a lot like an enlargened version of them.

He lifted a foot, and brought it crashing down to where Rayman had been. Rayman leapt away, and ran through the big guy’s legs. Whilst he ran, he charged up a fist, and hit the giant on the feet.

‘OW!’ the giant yelled, as though he had been struck sharply with a pin.

Rayman shot some more fists at the feet, then as the giant lifted it, ran up to them, and hung on to one. The giant didn’t know where Rayman was. He just assumed that Rayman had been squashed. He lifted his foot to examine it, and Rayman helicoptered onto it, shooting it as he flew.

Now the giant was getting very annoyed, and lifted his hand to bite Rayman. Rayman was to fast for him, however, and he leapt onto the giant’s nose. With a grin, Rayman punched him twice on the nose, and three times on his temple. It was enough to make the giant faint.

Rayman helicoptered down to the ground, none to worse for the ordeal. He heard some cheering, and as he looked down he saw the scores of slaves smiling, and cheering at him. He landed perfectly, and smiled at them. There were many of them: teensies, fairies, muddies, and many others he didn’t recognise.

One ex-slave, with leathery-looking grey like skin, that had turned an unhealthy brown from being neglected for so long, stepped forward. He was a short, squat creature, and he spoke out to Rayman.

‘I am a guardian of this cave.’ He said, in a high pitched voice. Rayman was surprised; he had expected a deep voice. ‘We know of your journey.’ Rayman was surprised. ‘How?’ he smiled his eyes twinkling, ‘I can read minds. This is what makes me a good guardian. Unfortunately, our captors’ and saying this, he spread his arm around to the slaves, ‘had found a way to reverse this power.’

Rayman looked at the cave of jades. Although many of its precious gems had gone, it still looked beautiful and majestic. Rayman wondered if he was fit to go into it.

‘Rayman,’ it was Ly, ‘you just saved the cave. If anyone deserves to, go in it’s you.’ Rayman nodded, and took a deep breath.

‘You must stay here. I was told by the seers that I had to go in alone. I do not know why,’ Ly nodded, and the others agreed, but warily.

Rayman stepped into the cave.

-_~*~_-

Rayman had been gone a long while. He had taken the map, but Ly hoped that he hadn’t gotten himself lost. She felt highly anxious, and she only remembered being so once before…

-_~*~_-

It was a great victory; perhaps his greatest yet. But he was not here to celebrate it. It had been planned to be the greatest celebration that had ever occurred. But nobody was in the mood to celebrate.

He had gone down with the ship. He had been inside the ship when the accursed pirate had destructed it, and escaped in his tiny capsule. All they had left was a shoe. One measly shoe!

Many people were crying, standing around the small pillar of stone and rock that the shoe – the only thing left that they could find of Rayman – had landed on. The only material reminder they had of Rayman.

Many people were staring at the shoe in sadness, engulfing themselves in memories of Rayman. Many more were crying, those who had known Rayman very well. His closest friends were beyond crying. There was a huge gaping hole inside them, and they felt numb. Numb with shock, horror and surprise.

Where was Rayman? That was the question on everybody’s lips. Where was he? When would he come back? Globox’s children were standing not far from they father. They knew that something was wrong, but they didn’t know what. Occasionally one would come forward.

‘Daddy,’ said a small child, coming forward to its father. ‘Daddy, what’s the matter? Where’s uncie Wayman?’

Globox’s lips trembled slightly as he turned to face his child. ‘Nothing’s the matter,’ he said, trying but failing to smile. ‘And uncle Rayman isn’t here.’ He turned back to gaze at the shoe, the last memory of his friend ‘I don’t know where he is.’

There was a sudden hush around the clearing, for everybody had heard the same sound: a small ruffling amongst the trees. Globox’s kids ran down to Globox, and stood around him, hoping that he could protect them.

Now the trees were moving slightly, and everybody knew that somebody or something was coming out of the trees. Ly moved into an attacking stance, but did not charge up a powerball.

The trees parted, and out limped Rayman, using some crutches made out of wood. There was a stunned silence as he looked around the clearing. Then there was a stunning cheer. Rayman winced slightly, but smiled. He stepped forward toward his shoe. A ray of magical energy erupted from where his leg would be. It connected with the shoe, and connected the shoe with Rayman’s body. Rayman’s crutches fell to the floor, and there was another cheer.

Rayman looked into Ly’s eyes. He smiled again. She knew what he was saying.

Thank you.

-_~*~_-

The cave was huge. Enormous, gigantic! It was a catacomb of tunnels and networks. Rayman had trouble finding his way through. It was very dark in the tunnels, and hard to see. Twice Rayman ended up finding the same dead end.

Eventually, his eyes grew accustomed to the dark. He recognised ways that he had been before and slowly – though he didn’t know it – he was making progress. Gradually, the walls began to change: becoming more looked-after, and once or twice he thought he saw a few things that looked like pictures.

It was very boring inside the caves, so Rayman thought back to peaceful days. He remembered the times before even Mr. Dark had invaded. He smiled at the memories of the Anitoons: those pink little creatures were still around, but many had been scared off Rayman’s planet after that. Then he remembered about the times when he had been stuck inside the prison on Razorbeard’s ship.

He remembered something; the first power that Ly had given him. The power to make spheres! He had forgotten about them! He wondered if he could still do it.

He closed his eyes, concentrating on making a sphere glowing bright in his hand, just like Ly. He smiled. It didn’t feel like nothing had happened, so with a sigh he opened his eyes.

But lo and behold! There it was: a perfect yellow sphere inside his hands, glowing with an intensity unmatched by anything Rayman had ever seen before. He must have grown stronger since the last time he had tried to make one. He could see around the cave. Fierce bolts of electricity now jumped from the sphere. Rayman put it out without throwing it. He tried making one again, but this time he stopped growing it when it was bright enough to look around clearly.

There were wooden beams holing up the crumbling parts of the wall. There were markings on the wall. Rayman bent closer to examine them.

They seemed to be painted, and they also all seemed to be linked. The first one showed four different beings. One seemed to be hidden by a cloud of flame. The next was the most beautiful person Rayman had ever seen.

She had long wavy blue hair, and a purple skin. She wore a chain around her forehead, made of sliver that seemed to capture the sunlight, and throw it back. In the middle of it, was a small silver moon hanging down in the middle of her head, just above the nose, and between the eyes. The eyes! They were a clear blue, and there was a huge amount of intelligence behind them. They glowed with a bright light, seeming to make the picture almost seem alive. She had full red lips, and pearly white teeth. There was a small chain hanging down from her ear: this also had a crescent moon on it. Through the moon, another chain hung down, going through the centre of the crescent. At the end of it was what seemed like a small claw. There was also a silver necklace round her neck; like many half-circles entwined. Some leaves were in her hair; green even though they were nowhere near water.

Rayman gazed at her for a few seconds, and then turned to the next person. This one seemed to be surrounded by a sandstorm of some sort, but he gave Rayman an ominous feeling. Rayman turned to the next picture, and gasped.

It was Polokus!

Rayman looked at it in confusion. What would Polokus be doing in a carving like this? Rayman shook his head, then suddenly remembered his task. He continued to walk.

As he walked past the picture, a small gleam of red eyes opened in the shadows. If you saw them, you could just have imagined a frown attached to them, its brow furrowed. It shouldn’t have come to this. Rayman should not have gotten past the slaves, and the slave masters, and most of all, he shouldn’t have remembered his power. But then the eyes seem to straighten again, the brow no longer furrowed. It was highly unlikely that Rayman would evade the next trap.

And if you listened carefully, you could have heard a small cackle.
_________________
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Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

Aspect of Fire

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Rayman walked past the picture, and moved on. The tunnel led ahead slightly, and then turned a corner. Somehow, Rayman was suspicious of that corner. As he approached it, he charged up a power ball on his left hand too. He moved as far away from the turn as possible. He edged closer and closer.

There was something behind him! Rayman turned, having heard a sound. He searched around the tunnel with his eyes, looking for the disturbance. But there was nothing there.

He approached the turn again, if possible, more carefully than before. He leaped around the corner but there was nothing there. Rayman sighed, putting out the power ball on his right hand. He was letting his nerves get the better of him.

He moved on, not as warily as before.

BANG!

The sound came, clearer and louder than before. Startled, Rayman turned round to see who was there. There was nothing.

The attack came before he even knew what was happening.

There was a scuffling sound as though somebody was moving behind him. Rayman half-turned and saw the edge of a large cloak, with black feathers on the edge of it. It was brown.

It was the last thing that Rayman saw.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ ~_~_~_~

Globox was feeling worried. It had been a long time since Rayman had been in the cave.

‘Ly?’ he asked, ‘why do you think that Rayman is taking so long?’

Ly answered without taking her eyes off the cave entrance. ‘I suppose that the cave is long, and it probably takes a long time to get to were Rayman needs to go.’

I hope. She added silently. Secretly she believed that Rayman had been attacked. She now sincerely regretted letting him go on his own. Please be ok.

Furio and Furion were standing some way apart, talking in their mind language.

What chance do you think he has? Furion asked Furio.

I don’t know but I think that it should be a pretty good one. The way he took that golem down…do you realise what it was?

I do, but we should not speak of it here.

I know. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how much of a chance Rayman has. Furio said, surprising Furion. He turned his head toward Furio.

Maybe…in truth, I hope that he does survive.

Me too…

-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__- __-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-

It was still some time later. It was beginning to get dark. Now even the ex-slaves were beginning to worry. There had been many times when some slave drivers had gone into the cave alone. What if they had placed traps?

There were only two people who still believed that Rayman was alive: Globox and Ly. Their hope was not much but they both remembered how they had felt after Admiral Razorbeard’s ship had blown up. Rayman had still come back to them.

But where was he? Why was he taking so long? What had happened in the cave?

What if they were wrong…?

Neither of them gave up hope, both of them refused to give it up. They helped the ex-slaves to clear up the mess and damage caused by the slave drivers. There was also a funeral procession, to properly bury those people who had died at the hands of the ‘oppressors’.

It was the leathery-looking person who had said that he was a guardian of the cave who had thought of the idea. Ly had set off to look for some hard mahogany tree who accepted that it be partially cut down to be made into a coffin. Ly would then magically restore the felled branches to the tree.

As Ly returned, followed by magically floating branches, she gazed back into the cave.

‘He hasn’t come back yet,’ Globox said. ‘But he will come back, soon.’ He glanced at his feet. ‘I hope.’ He added in an undertone. Ly’s enhanced hearing caught it.

‘He will, don’t give up hope!’ she told him, trying to comfort herself as well as Globox, and looking at the cave. ‘He will,’

-_~*~_-

Inside the cave, there were many noises. Squeaks of small rats made a constant drone to the symphony of sounds. The rocks and woods were creaking, blown by an unseen and breathless wind. The sighing of the rocks was punctuated by the gentle drip of the collected moist on the roof of the cave.

And amidst all of this, there was a chuckling. A chuckling of a small creature pleased by its success at doing what its master had told it to do. Admittedly, its master had done much to help it, whilst it had merely distracted the limbless creature; it was its master who had landed the killing blow.

It chuckled again as he reached the target that had been killed, hoping to scavenge anything off the creature’s body. To its dismay, there was nothing there, so it turned away, its mind already back to how it would get back to its master.

There was a sound behind him, a small thud. It would normally have been inaudible, but in this reasonably quite section of the cave, he heard it. He turned.

-_~*~_-

It was dark. Very dark. There was something on his chest, restricting his breathing, killing him. He tried to shout out, to move, to punch, kick, push his way out of this air restricting place. Tears fell down his eyes. He couldn’t breath.

Sweat mingled with his tears as he tried to push the weight off of him. The darkness was consuming him, chocking him, adding to the heavy weight on his chest. He tried again to shout, and again it didn’t work.

A laugh! Somebody was laughing at him! Mocking him! Now a rage consumed him, adding to the air restricting weight, and the all-consuming darkness. He gritted his teeth, biting, scratching, punching, kicking: anything to get him out of this spot.

He tried to calm down, to focus. But it wasn’t happening. The rage was completely consuming him. The laughter grew louder in his ears, making them ring, adding to the pain he already felt.

Still the laughter went on, and the weight never lifted. He pushed, hands aching. He no longer had the strength to move, but he carried on; if heavily, if tiredly.

And finally the blackness lifted. It gave Rayman hope. But it also hurt his eyes to see the light after so much time in the dark. His head ached. His rage died down slightly, but not completely.

And now the weight lifted, leaving him gasping for breath. He saw a huge yellow circle obscuring his vision. He placed a hand upon his chest, trying to slow his breathing and calm himself.

His tears stopped, and he wiped away the sweat. He tried to stand up, but he still did not have enough strength to do so. He focused on gathering his energy to get up out of this venerable state.

The laughing died down, as though it had been cut off. This gave Rayman strength. He struggled to get up. He pushed himself up off the floor, and turned to gaze at where the laughing sound came from.

There was nothing there! Rayman turned, again and again. There was nothing there! The laughter rang up again, behind Rayman. He turned. It was still behind him. shock and confusion filled his brain, but he began to take in the surroundings; ignoring the laughter.

He was in a circular room. By the looks of it, it was made out of mahogany. Forcefully taken. He fought down the anger that threatened to consume him again.

In front of him, and slightly to the right, was a huge pair of windows, five times as wide as Rayman, and as tall as the room. He looked up and saw that the walls reached up many metres. The roof was clear glass; Rayman could see the sky.

As he walked toward the window, his ears caught the sound of gushing water. When he reached the window, and looked out, he saw that there was a large waterfall. He looked down, and nearly fell in surprise. He was many stories up; at least twenty!

And now the walls were spinning, making him dizzy. He was beginning to feel nauseous. Was it the room spinning or him? Everything went black.

-_~*~_-

He was back in the cave. He opened his eyes, his vision blurred slightly. He rubbed his eyes with his hands. As his vision cleared, he saw that there was something in front of him.

He could only see its back at the moment, but what he saw disgusted him. A bony back, so bony that he could actually see the spine: individual segments. It was bent slightly, a hunchback. Its skin looked like it had once been full and healthy. Now it looked a dull brown, almost grey.

It was moving away from Rayman, staggering slightly as though he was hurt. He wore nothing but a small loincloth. His bare legs were thin and looked as though they could snap with the slightest tap.

Rayman jumped to his feat, and charged up both his fists. The creature turned, and Rayman saw fear in its eyes.

Its face was heavily mutilated: its nose was blown out of position. One of its eyes was small and watery whilst the other was large and reproachful. It had sharp teeth and a powerful jaw. Rayman could see its ribs: sunken and bony. Its hands had hair on the back of them, and he kept rubbing them.

He looked at Rayman as if he thought that Rayman would kill him. Rayman stepped forward, smiling, and raised his hands in a gesture of peace. The creature yelped, mistaking the kind smile as evil, and the peace gesture as a gesture of attack. It turned tail and ran.

Rayman’s eyes followed it, wondering why it had misunderstood him. he walked in the direction that the creature had gone in, thinking that that was the way that he needed to go. He charged up a power ball again, lighting the scenery. He walked a few steps, and realised that he was going in the wrong direction: he spotted the painting.

He looked at it again, suspiciously. He remembered the sound, and the thing that had knocked him unconscious. He supposed that it couldn’t have been the creature; it had seemed too weak, and besides, Rayman hadn’t seen the cloak or the feathers anywhere near it.

Rayman turned around, and walked back to the corner that he had been attacked on. This time he felt no warning about it. He had learned to trust his instincts. He turned the corner again, and saw that this tunnel was much larger. He couldn’t see the end of it.

As he ventured down the tunnel, he heard the rats’ squeaking stop.

Weird… he thought. I wonder what happened to them.

As he reached the end of the tunnel, he saw that there was a door. He could only see glimpses of it, because there seemed to be some shadows moving around it. He approached the door carefully. He looked over his shoulder – not wanting to be ambushed again – and looked back at the door.

He knew that he was approaching the end of his journey. He moved closer to the door, more verily. He put his back to the walls, so he could see both behind and in front, and so nobody could ambush him.

His shock was evident in his face when something sneaked up behind him. it grabbed his ‘shoulders’.

Rayman sent a fist over his shoulder, and he heard a clattering sound. He turned and saw a zombie chicken.

Oh no. Rayman thought. Now they can sneak up behind me!

Masses of zombie chickens flew out of the walls, the floor and even the roof!

Rayman was beginning to panic, if many more come, he wouldn’t have the strength to face them.

As though recognising his weariness, the number of birds dramatically increased. Rayman sent fists flying all around him. then he remembered his power balls.

How stupid can I get? He scolded himself. They were incredibly useful last time.

So Rayman started using his power balls. It felt strange, yet he liked it. He could feel the power next to his hands, and as the zombies crumbled, he felt new strength returning to him.

Now the zombies seemed to be decreasing, but they attacked more cleverly as though directed by a greater force.

At last Rayman managed to destroy them all, and rested his hands for a little bit. He suddenly spotted a large withered…thing coming out of the wall. He watched, horrified as it emerged: a giant zombie chicken. He saw the feathers, like rags withered and specially cut for this zombie. It raised its bony arms, and many smaller zombie chickens flew out of the walls, full speed at Rayman.

He was too stunned to protect himself, raising his hands too late. As the chickens reached him, they broke, and withered, but they left Rayman hurt. Dust was rising, as the chickens launched themselves at Rayman.

Rayman could see through a small gap in the dust, the leader of the chickens seemingly smiling at him; an evil glint in its eyes. Its arms were still raised, as many more chickens flew out of the wall.

Rayman raised his hands and managed to make a power ball. It crashed through many chickens, making them crash and clatter onto the floor. The smile on the leader suddenly wavered, but its hands were still raised. Rayman continued to make more power balls, sending them in all directions.

Suddenly the attack stopped, though the giant zombie still had its arms raised. It seemed that the zombie chickens had run out. The furious leader launched itself at Rayman, swinging its arms, and trying to hurt Rayman as much as possible.

Rayman leaped up high, almost grazing his had against the roof of the tunnel. He sent punches and power balls flying at the zombie, causing its attack to falter. But then it attacked with an increased ferocity.

Rayman leapt, from wall to wall, floor to roof, all the while sending power balls flying into the zombie.

Rayman was leading a long a weary dance. He did not dance in a pattern, but rather he danced more wildly, the exhilaration of the dance pulsing through his veins, all the while hurting the zombie.

An arm fell off it, and it stood there, with only one arm, floating inches off the ground swiping at Rayman with its one remaining arm. Rayman, realising its weak spots, started to aim at the arm joints, trying to whack the other arm off too.

The zombie chicken began to attack with such ferocity that Rayman was hurt twice. He had a small cut on his back, and two deeper cuts, one on his chest, and the other on his face. He was covered in grime and rising dust, still wildly dancing with the chicken, the dance reaching its peak, but not quiet there yet.

Now the arm fell, not completely, but enough so that the zombie could no longer use it. It screeched with rage, and began to chase Rayman, snapping at him, its eyes blazing with an unmatched ferocity.

Rayman ran backwards, sending punches into the giant bird’s eyes, and down its mouth.

The zombie caught Rayman in its beak! He had tarried too long in one place, paying dearly for his moment. The furious bird shaked it head from side to side, biting hard into Rayman. Rayman went flying into a wall, which crumbled slightly sending dust landing onto him – and into his wounds.

He got up shakily, and managed to send one last power ball into the creatures face. It blew up, sending more dust over Rayman. He coughed, and rubbed the dust out of his face.

He turned his head wearily to the door. He groaned as he got up, and limped his way to the door.

The shadows flickered across the door. Suddenly, they leap out at Rayman.

Rayman groaned. ‘Not again!’ He looked closely at the shadows and realised what they were: black caterpillars, from the cave of bad dreams. How did they get here?

Rayman didn’t have time to wonder, because they flew right toward him. Rayman raised his aching hands to defend himself, throwing fists and shooting power balls.

He almost fell with exhaustion, for every time he killed a caterpillar, it regenerated. Then Rayman fought a different battle: rather than attacking outright just beating the caterpillars up, he shot them both at the same time, so that he could make it to the other side of the door.

He worked out this plan in his head, and decided to give it a go. He moved closer to the door, which seemed to be the place that the caterpillars were rejuvenating from. He punched one, giving it time to rejuvenate. Meanwhile, the other - oblivious to Rayman’s plan, charged straight at Rayman. When it was next to the door, the other caterpillar also charged at Rayman.

With precision timing, Rayman shot them both on the heads. As soon as this had happened, he ran toward the door. But before he reached it, he heard a sound: a clapping sound.

Somebody was applauding him.

‘Well done,’ a slightly mechanical voice spoke, though no body could be seen. ‘You have passed the first test. Pass through.’ As this voice finished, there came a sound as though of a lock unlocking.

Rayman walked toward the door, and looked at it for the first time.

It was a great size, almost twice as wide as Rayman was tall, and three times as high. Rayman gazed at it for a second, taking in its beauty. It was a large, possibly oak door. It had jewels incrusted in it. Around its edges were sapphires, rubies, pearls, diamonds: many things. In the centre, taking place of pride was a large jade. It was set in perfectly, seemingly dimming the beauty of the other gems.

Rayman pushed his hand against the door, pushing it gently open. It didn’t creak. Rayman walked into the cavern. He didn’t walk wearily, or in a protecting manor, but rather he walked confidently, and meaningfully.

He walked right into the centre of the room. He was suddenly aware of the stifling heat that was in that room. Pieces of rock were beginning to melt slightly.

A sound came from somewhere above him. He looked up and saw that the rock seemed to open up into empty sky. Presently, he became aware that the sound he heard was somebody talking to him.

‘Rayman,’ it began. ‘I’ve heard such a lot about you.’ Rayman gazed around, searching for the sound.

‘Welcome,’ the voice said, and with that, a huge flaming rock crashed into the ground in front of Rayman. Rayman walked closer to it, warily. He almost jumped backwards when he saw that it was moving.

It wasn’t a rock. It was a person. But Rayman had never seen anything like him before.

The person in front of him stood up, straight and tall. He looked at Rayman for a few seconds, with startling yellow eyes. Rayman stared at him, surprised at what this creature looked like.

His yellow eyes were set in a perfect, handsome face that looked almost orange in the light. His blond hair was swept backwards, as though a flame was being bent in the wind. He had a tell body, that was an orange-y colour, and his hands were huge. He was barefoot. A huge amount of heat seemed to be emanating from him.

But before Rayman’s eyes, he began to change. His handsome face seemed to melt, into what looked like frozen lava. It was still handsome, but it looked different, as though he had undergone a transformation. After this, his hair turned a dark red, almost black, and fell down onto his shoulder his arms themselves began to thicken, and turn yellow too. His legs stretched, making him seem larger, and the skin was set alight in a blazing fire. All of him, his arms, legs, head and his bare chest were now blazing.

And again he changed, back into his first form.

‘You have seen two of my true forms.’ He said. ‘My name is Flaréoné’ he offered a hand, and Rayman shook it. ‘I am the one that the seers told you to come to.’

Now Rayman looked up into Flaréoné’s face. ‘They sent me to find you?’ He asked. ‘Why you? Who – what – are you?’

Flaréoné smiled. ‘Follow me,’ he said, beckoning to Rayman to follow him.

Flaréoné ran swiftly over the rock, and as he reached the door, it opened. The caterpillars flew forward, and Rayman jumped in front of Flaréoné, ready to protect his new friend. But Flaréoné just waved a hand, and the caterpillars moved aside.

Rayman stared at his new accomplice. ‘How did you do that?’ He asked, astonished.

‘I set them to guard the door. The zombie chickens were not under my command, but they proved a valuable defence.’ Flaréoné replied.

‘So why did you not tell them to stop attacking me?’ Rayman asked, furious.

‘It was your test. You passed it.’

Now the two had reached the painting that Rayman had examined earlier. Flaréoné pointed to the one on the left.

‘Me. Surrounded by flame.’

‘But how come they don’t affect you?’ Rayman asked: the first of the many questions that were bursting from his head. ‘How do you know Polokus? Who are the others?’

Rayman was stopped by a hand from Flaréoné , ‘The flames don’t affect me because I created them. I am the aspect of flame.’ Rayman gazed at Flaréoné, mouth opened slightly. He didn’t know what an aspect was, but he could see that it was something of great power.

‘How do I know Polokus?’ He laughed. ‘Well many would say that he was my brother. All of them.’ His gaze hardened. ‘But we are not. We are of kin, but we are not related.’ He paused. ‘The others? I will not say here, not now.’

Rayman would normally have pursued the subject, but upon seeing that it was a touchy subject for the aspect, he did not.

They walked back out of the cave.

-_~*~_-

‘Ly?!’ Shouted Globox, spotting his friend. She was lying on the ground some way away from the small forest. She had just collapsed. Globox ran toward Ly as fast as his legs could carry him, and knelt down next to her.

‘Ly…Ly?’ He said, trying to wake her up. Her eyelids fluttered, and looked up at Globox’s face.

‘Globox,’ she began, spluttering the mud away from her face. ‘I felt a strong power, it made me faint. I think it came from the cave, but it was too powerful to tell!’ She tried to get up, but Globox pressed her down. He conjured some water, and bade her drink it.

‘Thanks Globox,’ she said, after a long refreshing drink. ‘I feel much better now!’ She smiled, her eyes twinkling.

Ly got up and approached the cave. Globox went with her, looking over her soldier. She knelt down, and laced an ear on the floor. She was straining to listen for some sound, and Globox, realising this, was quiet.

Ly sighed. All she could here was the squeaking of mice, the gentle pitter patter of their feet. She listened harder, her brow furrowed. She heard something…footsteps!

She listened more carefully, and recognised that they were Rayman’s feet. But along side them was another, unfamiliar footstep. But Rayman seemed to be ok, so she lifted her head away from the ground.

‘I think Rayman is coming back now!’ She smiled at Globox. No sooner had she said that, did Rayman come out of the cave, smiling from ear to ear. However, he seemed to be hurting slightly. His cuts seemed to be affecting him.

‘I’m back!’ He announced, ‘and I’ve got a friend too!’ Ly gasped as she saw Flaré oné, in his fiery form. He turned quickly back to his humanoid form, not wanting to alarm anybody.

After a short introduction, during which Flaréoné shaked hands with everybody, Rayman, Globox, Ly, Furio, Furion, and Flaréoné discussed their plans for what to do next.

‘We do not know what the next thing to do is.’ Furio said, indicating him and Furion. ‘We were just your guides to get you to the cave. Though, of course, we are more then willing to continue with you.’ Rayman smiled at Furio’s friendship.

‘I do not want to put you two in danger,’ he began, but was interrupted.

‘You have no need to. If you do not allow us to go, we will follow you anyway!’ Furio interrupted. Again Rayman smiled, and agreed. Globox and Ly also decided to come with them; Flaré oné also ‘offered his services’.

‘So we know who’s going,’ Rayman said. ‘But we don’t know where to go.’

At this, Flaréoné raised his head to the sky. ‘I know,’ he said.

‘Where?’

‘The glory glade.’ He said. It didn’t quite have a dramatic effect.

‘The glory glade?’ asked Rayman. ‘What’s that?’

‘The glory glade…that’s were we need to go. It is hard to describe, it would take many hours to do so. I think that you shall see when you get there.’

There was something about the way that Flaréoné spoke that gave Rayman an ominous feeling.

He had no time to wonder about this however. He suddenly felt faint.

He looked down into his wounds, and saw that they had become infected by the dust and grime from the cave.

‘Oh no,’ he whispered. Then he fainted.

-_~*~_-
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Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

Chapter 8: Hallucinations, Councils, and Journeys.

-_~*~_-

It was a week later, and the companions were no closer to setting off then they were after the meeting. This was mainly due to Rayman: his situation had not improved greatly.

Furio and Furion set out everyday, attempting to heal him. Apparently, He had improved, but not by much. Everybody was beginning to feel worried about him, not least Ly and Globox.

Ly had thought that the ex-slaves would move out, back to their villages. But she had been wrong. They had decided to stay in the valley. The slave drivers had made themselves – or rather, the slaves had made – excellent accommodations.

The slaves had decided to move into these houses. They had been captured village at a time, and all put together. They had come to know each other. They had grown into a community. They called themselves the freelings, ironically.

Ly and Globox had helped them clear out all the rubbish, and clutter that the drivers had left there. They both found it hard to concentrate; their mind often going back to Rayman, and how he was.

Rayman was still unconscious, and he had been for the last few days. According to Furion, this was natural; his body was saving its energy to go purely into healing his wounds.

His wounds were beginning to heal, and close, but it was a hard task to get out all the dust and dirt away from his wounds to prevent an infection. He was heavily beat, and his body was severely scratched and bruised, where he had been attacked.

Flaréoné, however, was nowhere to be seen. He had disappeared the very day that Rayman had fallen unconscious, and he had not returned.

‘Ly!’ a voice spoke, interrupting Ly’s thoughts and bringing her back to reality. ‘Be careful!’ She turned and saw that the speaker had been a girl who Ly had befriended a while ago. Her name was Fianna. Ly looked up and smiled at her. She realised that she had almost walked into the wall.

Fianna was a limbless creature, rather like Rayman. She had lovely, deep blue eyes, and a beautiful face. Her eyes almost always seemed to tinkle in the sunlight. Her long hair was sliver and seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.

She was genuinely a peaceful person, but when the time arose she could be as ferocious as any. She had led the main slave charge against the slave drivers, and it was a wonder that she had not been killed. Many of the slaves considered her a hero. She was one of the few that had been captured alone; her family and friends had all been killed.

‘It’s Rayman isn’t it?’ Fianna asked, seeming to read Ly’s mind. She had come to know Ly very well in the short space of time she had known her.

‘Yes…I’ve known him for a very long time. I don’t know how I’d cope if he…died’ she replied, trying to choke down the tears in her eyes. Fianna nodded sympathetically.

‘I know how you feel. Are you sure you’ll be ok?’ Fianna asked Ly. Ly nodded slowly, not trusting herself to speak.

-_~*~_-

Pain! Fear! Danger!

That was all that Rayman felt. He was in agony. He looked around, trying to find his friends, but they were nowhere to be seen.

He began to run, trying to shout out their names, but no sound came out. He tried to calm himself. He covered his face with his hands. Trying to wash away the pain, the fear. He looked around, for he could not shake the feeling that he was being watched.

And that he was in danger.

He took in his bearings, noticing that he was in the middle of nowhere – it was sandy. That was all that he could see for miles around up to the flat horizon.

He remembered the sand golems, and began to run; trying his utmost to get away from the danger. He ran for what felt to him like miles, but his movements were becoming sluggish, as though he was running through porridge.

But then he was no longer in the sand. He had the peculiar sensation that he was falling, and he tried to activate his helicopter. But it wouldn’t work. He was surrounded by blackness.

Then the feeling went: he no longer felt that he was falling. As his vision slowly returned to him he saw that he was near some trees. They were large, palm like, but they were scarce and few in number.

He tried again to find out where he was, but his thoughts were interrupted by a smell. He sniffed gently, and realised that it was the sweet aroma of water. He strained his hearing and found out which direction it was in.

As he walked in that direction, the birds began to whistle softly. He felt at peace for a little while, but as he neared the water, he began to feel the uncomfortable danger feeling again.

He reached the water. His mouth was suddenly dry, so he bent over to take a drink. He took three large swigs, and then watched his reflection lazily for a little while.

Horror took his as he saw that there were bodies of dead people and animals, some fully decayed, others not so.

He scrabbled away from the water, his mouth still wet from the drink. He felt horrified that he had drunk that impure water.

He felt a hot sensation on his back, and turned to see that the trees were on fire. He gasped, choking in the fumes. He slipped backwards, into the water. He sank slowly to the bottom, unable to keep himself afloat. As he felt himself nestle between the other dead bodies, he realised that this would be his dying place.

It was ironic. He was surrounded by water, yet he was as thirsty as he had ever been – perhaps even more so.

Already his lungs were beginning to burst, but as he stared up at the sky, looking at the stars he loved so much, a shadow came over him.

His senses were slowing, but he could make out four figures, disfigured by the rippling water. With a spasm of horror, he realised that it was the same foursome that he had seen in the picture. He tried again to shout, to ask Flaréoné for help. But it did not come.

Darkness was overcoming Rayman.

-_~*~_-

‘Ly! Ly-come-over-here-quick-Furio-and-Furion-said-that-something’s-happening!’ Globox yelled excitedly, jumping from one foot to another. Ly stared at him.

‘Calm down Globox, what did you say…and try saying it slower this time!’ she said to him. Globox took a huge breath, and said again.

‘Furio and Furion think that something’s happening, and it sounded good too!’ Ly paused for a second, then dropped the bundle of firewood she had been about to pick up.

‘Take me to them.’

-_~*~_-

Furio was watching Rayman, making sure that he didn’t get any worse, and keeping him alive.

In truth, both the brothers had believed that Rayman stood little chance of survival. Rayman seemed to be proving them wrong.

Over the past few days, Rayman has steadily gained health. He awoke from his unconsciousness with a need for water. His mouth was extremely dry. After he had drunk the water given to him by a freeling, he stood up, shakily, and the first thing he asked was where Flaréoné was.

‘I don’t know,’ replied Furio. ‘He disappeared as soon as you fell unconscious.’ Rayman was about to question him further, but Ly had run up to him, and hugged him hard. Tears fell down her face, as she broke off embarrassedly from the embrace. Globox stood next to her, beaming.

Behind them, and approaching perhaps more slowly was a freeling. It was Fianna. Rayman gazed at her for a few seconds before asking Ly if she knew where Flaréoné had gone.

‘No,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘But he did say to me that he would be back soon.’ Rayman sighed, sitting back down onto his bed. Fianna spoke softly to the others, suggesting that Rayman needed a rest.

‘After all,’ she smiled, ‘he has saved us all, battled with an army of zombies, and still managed to come back to us.’ Rayman was grateful for this, for he felt weak, but he didn’t want to admit it.

Curiously, once they had all gone – though reluctantly – he could not sleep. Questions raged through his minds, about his dream, about the cave…but mostly about Flaréoné. Where was he now? What was he doing in Rayman’s dream? Why wasn’t Rayman with any of his friends?

There were some voices outside his bedroom. Rayman recognised Flaréoné. He jumped out of his bed, and limped toward the door. He opened it, and a sudden hush fell.

Flaréoné turned, and spoke to Rayman.

‘Rayman,’ he said, quietly and urgently. ‘There was a special type of venom inside the giant zombie’s beak. I do not know where the venom came from – indeed I don’t know where the bird came from.’

He held a small flower in his hand; freshly picked. ‘I have been looking for the cure to that venom. Three drops of this and you should be cured.’ Rayman took it. He looked in Flaréoné’s face.

He saw no lie in his eyes, and genuine worry was on Flaréoné’s face. Rayman took the flower from his hands, feeling the softness of it. He looked down at it.

‘It is a very magical plant,’ Flaréoné was saying. ‘It has become very rare, for many had been taken for their magical heeling properties. I suggest that we all wait outside, because the outburst of energy may be a bit much.’ Rayman nodded, and walked back inside. Ly closed the door.

‘How come you were away for so long?’ Ly asked Flaréoné, not as trustful as Rayman.

‘As I said,’ he replied. ‘It is a rare plant. It went searching many miles to find it.’ Ly sensed the truth in his voice and decided not to ask any more questions.

Ly was about to say something, but she was interrupted by a huge explosion.

The house itself seemed to have jumped a few centimetres into the air – though it hadn’t really – and a blinding light escaped from every hole, space or gap anywhere in it.

The light intensified, massive bursts of magical energy and light escaping the house. Ly’s thoughts were on Rayman, was he safe? Had the plant been powerful enough – or too powerful?

As suddenly at it had begun, the light stopped. There was an eerie silence, following the outbreak of sound that had been just seconds before. Many people had stopped what they were doing to stare at the house.

But Rayman was still not there. Ly waited anxiously, but she heeded Flaréoné's advice, and stood her ground.

And still Rayman didn’t come. Many of the people who had stopped to watch had gone back to working, or doing whatever they had been doing before.

And still Rayman did not come.

Lt stepped forward, but Flaréoné put a hand out to stop her. It was dangerous. Ly sighed.

And still Rayman did not come out.

‘R-Rayman?’ said Globox quietly, then louder. ‘Rayman?’

And finally they received an answer.

‘I’m…here,’ Rayman’s voice said, sounding very weak. ‘Hang on, I’ll be right there.’

The door creaked slowly open, revealing Rayman. He looked slightly shell-shocked and his hair had been flung backwards. He walked slightly wobbly, and walked out of the door. He managed a small smile.

‘I feel better now,’ he smiled. ‘Thanks Flaréoné.’

‘You’re welcome,’ he replied. ‘But we should get going.’ Rayman nodded.

‘I think I need a small wash first.’ He said.

‘There’s a stream just inside the woods. You can have a shower there.’ Fianna said.

Rayman walked into the trees toward the water.

‘C’mon,’ said Fianna. ‘You should get ready. You’re going soon.’ There was a hint of sadness in her voice. It felt as though she would lose a friend.

-_~*~_-

‘Rayman, we got to prepare to take off again.’ Ly told him. ‘We’re setting off within three days.’ Rayman nodded. He had come back from his wash, and now he needed to get ready for the journey.

According to Flaréoné, this journey was going to take a long time, and they were going to be away from food for a long time. Therefore they had to pack enough food and water to last them a long time.

Globox was an excellent asset in this case, being able to store food, amongst other things, in his neck. He also had the power to make rain, which would serve as a drink. This meant that they didn’t have to take as much water with them.

Rayman had few belongings, but he packed a lot of food, and placed it all on a backpack. Some of the creatures in the valley had magical packs that didn’t need to be carried, as long as the creature had enough strength to keep them afloat. Rayman used one of these.

Furio and Furion had asked Flaréoné if there was any need for animals; pack animals, or riding. Flaréoné shook his great head, and said not yet.

Flaréoné usually stayed in his fiery form. However, now he used his human form instead, for the comfort of others, and also to hide his identity.

All in all it was going to be a busy day.

Rayman was walking back to the hut that he had slept in, and had lived in for the past few days. He was carrying food from the village store. Most of the slave drivers had eaten raw flesh, and other gruesome things. The villages had thrown these things away. But there were still a lot of edible food.

Rayman dumped his food in his house, and walked back to the store. As he approached it, he heard a lot of people shouting, and the sound of metal-against-metal.

Rayman ran round the corner and realised what was happening. There were few people guarding the food stores. A small army had chosen to attack here. The battle was raging around the centre, were a tall man was standing, a grim smile on his face. Flaréoné was attacking the attackers with bolts of fire, and things that looked like Rayman’s power balls. Furio and Furion were hacking about with their swords, hacking their way through the enemy forces. Ly was standing on a high rock, sending sphere after bright sphere into the crowd. Globox was sending storm-clouds over the enemies, lightning striking down at all of them. Out of the slaves there was only one person. Fianna. She was attacking heroically, slashing and cutting with a magnificent sword.

Rayman stared at this grim scene for a few seconds, before charging down himself, sending power balls into the crowd. He leapt over a wall of enemies, punching them as he leapt. They all went down.

Rayman found himself face to face with the tall man. He brandished his sword, and Rayman raised his fists. The man charged at Rayman stabbing his sword where he knew Rayman would leap.

Rayman was forced to jump backwards, punching the man in the face and chest. The man staggered under the blows, but regained his stamina and charged again. This time he slashed in the place where Rayman’s legs should have been, utilising his training. He swore under his breath as he realised that this would not affect Rayman.

He attacked again, pretending that he was going to attack Rayman’s ‘legs’ again, but instead jabbed his sword into Rayman’s heart. He missed by a hairs’ breadth.

Rayman charged up a power ball, and let it loose, the electricity charging as it went, smacking the warrior full in the face.

‘RETREAT!’ He shouted, sensing that he was loosing the battle. Rayman looked around, and saw that the soldiers were indeed losing.

A passionate anger was sparked up in their eyes, but they were very disciplined. They retreated as soon as the order was given. Rayman looked around.

None of his friends seemed any worse for the wear, but they were all thoroughly shaken.

Ly was still standing on the rock, a sphere still in her hand. She smiled down at the others, and threw it at the retreating enemies.

Globox sighed to himself, but he to look happy that they had driven off the intruders. He was sweating, and he directed the rain cloud over his head to wash him out.

Furio and Furion were watching the retreating forces with narrowed eyes. They replaced their swords into their hilts, but their still remained in their fighting positions.

Flaréoné had an angry look in his face, and he looked down at the dead bodies around him. Rayman was shocked. He himself hadn’t killed, just made them unconscious. It looked like Flaréoné was not used to killing either.

Fianna replaced her sword into the sword hilt. On of her armless hands was dragging down, and it was red, smeared with blood. Ly ran over to her, and began to heal the wounds. Fianna and Ly started talking, already the exhilaration of the battle coming to them.

Rayman was impressed by Fianna’s bravery, enemies lay by her feet, left and right, felled by Fianna’s blade. She herself had been scratched once or twice but nothing serious.

He waited for a while watching Ly and Fianna, but he turned to the Furio brothers. But they were not there, and they were talking to Flaréoné. Rayman heard bits of what they were saying.

‘It’s a bit suspicious though isn’t it Flaréoné?’

‘I would agree to that, but I had nothing to do with the intruders!’

‘Oh, right, and what else were you doing for the last few days, if not looking for them?’ There was a slight growl in Furion’s voice, but he stopped as Rayman came nearer.

‘Flaréoné,’ he began. ‘I believe that you are telling the truth. Butdo you know who they were? Who were those people?’

‘I believe that they were servitors of the enemy.’ Flaréoné said, and walked back to the house.

Rayman walked over to Fianna and Ly – Globox was with them now too - and listened to them talk for a little while. Fianna saw him, and invited his to join the conversation.

‘Fianna, that’s twice that this valley has been attacked. I think that there should be some means of defence when we are gone.’ Rayman suggested. Fianna thought for a while then replied.

‘I know. But there aren’t that many warriors in the valley, and I don’t know how else to defend.’

‘How about a wall?’

-_~*~_-

After Globox’s brilliant suggestion, Ly and Fianna began to round up all the freelings. After they had been told the plan they all agreed that some defence was needed, and set about collecting hard materials that would make do for a wall. Then those that could fight were told that if the walls were broken it would be up to them to defend.

Rayman, Globox, Ly, Furio, Furion and Flaréoné were amongst the many that were setting up the wall. All their provisions had been packed, and they had decided to stay until the defence was complete. There was going to be a big vote today, to see who would be the leader of the freelings.

Fianna had decided to candidate after Ly had suggested it.

Ly saw Fianna a bit away, and made her way to her.

‘Good luck Fianna,’ said Ly. Fianna smiled at her.

‘Thanks,’ she replied. ‘I’m feeling nervous.’ She looked it too.

‘You’ll be fine!’ Ly said.

‘I know,’ she sighed. ‘Well, I have to go. Bye!’

-_~*~_-

They were setting off today. A huge crowd had arrived to see them off. People, lums fairies, creatures of all sorts were there to see off their saviours.

‘…And so, we must say goodbye to our great benefactors, who saved us from the clutches of a terrible evil!’ This was the end of a speech. It had been spoken by the leathery-looking person who most people called Traid.

The freelings had decided that they had needed a leader, and there had been a great vote. Fianna had won almost unanimously, with a few votes going to Traid and various other people.

Ly wanted to congratulate Fianna, but Ly hadn’t seen her since yesterday, just before the announcements of the votes were read out.

The wall had been completed very quickly, promising a good and sturdy defence. Traid was the person who had told Rayman that he could go into the cave of jades. He was doing a good-bye speech rather then Fianna because Fianna had told him to do it.

There was a stage set out above the people, and magical speakers had been put in place. Ly looked down into the crowd, but she couldn’t see Fianna. She felt gloomy at not being able to say goodbye to her new friend. There was a huge cheer, and Ly realised that Traid’s speech had ended and Rayman had been asked to step up onto the podium, and say a few words.

Before long, his speech was finished too, and as he stepped off the podium, Traid spoke to them.

‘I want you all to remember that we are always in your dept. we wish you a very safe journey, and a happy return. If you ever pass by here again, please visit us.’

‘We will,’ smiled Rayman. ‘But I am afraid that we will have to go.’

‘Rayman,’ Traid spoke. ‘Are you sure that you are able to go?’

‘I’ll be ok. We should get going.’ He replied. They all walked up off the podium, Traid and Ly were last. Before Traid reached the stairs, Ly stopped him.

‘Have you seen Fianna anywhere?’ she asked. Traid shook his head.

‘I haven’t seen her since yesterday I am afraid.’ He replied. Ly sighed.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said. ‘I’ll be seeing you!’

She ran down the stairs to catch up with Rayman and the others. They moved through the centre of where the crowd was, and another cheer reached their ears. As the walked into the trees, a stealthy figure, clad entirely in a black cloak that covered its face and also it’s body. It slipped down off the trees, and began to follow Rayman and his friends.

-_~*~_-
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Inaam07 · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Posts: 1810

Chapter 9 - Assassin in the night

_= - =_= -= _= - =_= - =_= - =_= - =_= - =_= - =_= - =_= - =_= - =_= - =_= - =_

The figure sighed. The sound of the companions that it was chasing was slowly fading away, even to the excellent hearing of their pursuer. The figure gazed ahead, and managed to perceive some shadowy figures ahead.

Upon closer inspection, the figure realised that it was not the only creature chasing the companions. The figure gazed at them for a few seconds, with keen blue eyes, marked with the wisdom and intelligence of many years, yet as young as most.

The figure stooped to pick up an invisible item off the floor. It leapt up into the trees, running across its slender branches as though it was merely walking on the forest floor beneath.

It raced ahead and soon reached the creatures in front. As it reached them, it caught the sound of a small and quite chattering, as though the creatures were talking amongst themselves. One turned its head, searching around the forest floor.

The figures blood turned cold, its blue eyes wide, as it realised just what the creatures were. The intelligence behind its eyes sparked up as its ears strained to capture the talk of the creatures’ chatterings.

They were kobolds. Vermin, disgusting creatures that lived underground, hardly ever venturing above ground…and here was a whole squadron of them! What were they doing here?

The stealthy figure followed the kobolds, silently, efficiently, making sure that the kobolds would not realise that there was somebody there, yet always keeping them in its sights.

More often then not, a kobold would fall down off the high trees to the ground, with a high pitched squeak. It would then get up, and climb the tree again, obviously oblivious the pain that it should have felt after falling from such a great height.

The kobolds were speaking to each other, a language that had not been heard for many an age above the grounds, known to few. The figure tried to listen, tried to understand what they were saying, but it was close to impossible.

The kobold that had been looking around, evidently a lookout was not very clever, most probably a low-life hunter. It was searching the ground, unbelieving that anything could follow the mighty leaps and jumps that the kobolds used, leaping from tree to tree. It was looking only at the forest floor.

Big mistake.

The kobold looked around again, searching the forest floor. Although it was stupid, it did its job superbly, efficiently. It turned its head to look behind him, and the figure that was following caught its first true sight of a kobold.

It had a dull brown skin. It was furry, but the fur was rotten, and flea-ridden, as it had most likely never kept it clean. It had deep eyes, red, cunning, small slits that looked down into the forest below. The eyes themselves were red, wholly and completely red. Red within red, no whites at all. Its face was rat-like, but it was covered in what seemed suspiciously like a skull. An earring stood out from the rest of the kobold’s possessions, the only one that had been made with love and care.

It glinted silver in the white moonlight, but it was hung on a rough rope that went through a small hole in the creature’s ears. It seemed to contain some seeds, or perhaps small stones, for every time it shifted its head, a small rattling escaped from the silvery diamond. It was a small creature, but it was also very sturdy. It had a small tail creeping out from its back. It held a spear in its hands.

The creature’s eyes narrowed, as it spotted what it thought was a threat. On its back was a small pack. It reached out with a hand to the pack, pulling out a small thick wooden pole, with a sharp metallic head-point. It was a spear: a throwing spear.

It threw the spear down onto the ground, with precision aiming, and skewered a small and helpless rabbit. The kobold leapt down onto the floor beside the rabbit, and sniffed at it.

Upon deciding that it truly was dead, it pulled out the spear with a disgusting squelch, and climbed back up the tall tree, the whole process taking mere seconds.

The figures eyes narrowed, seeing the merciless nature of these small rodents. It unsheathed a short sword; glinting silver in the moonlight, its golden handle beautifully crafted: the craftsmanship was excellent. A lot of heart and passion had gone into that sword.

The small kobold ahead was sniffing the air suspiciously, seemingly sensing the danger that was near. It raced ahead to catch up to its fellows, unbeknown that there was a small figure following it, just as speedily, but much more stealthily.

The kobold dropped down to the ground, dead before it knew it: a slit in its throat, yet it landed heavily, not softening its landing. Its killer had realised that it had made a deadly, possibly costly mistake.

The chattering stopped, dozens of eyes turned slowly toward their fallen comrade, and then to its killer. Tons of eyes narrowed, spears in their hands. This wasn’t going to be quick, nor painless, as it had been for the small rabbit. It was going to hurt. A lot. The creatures silently crept forward, their hunting spears in their hands.

The figure was going to be surrounded, these small creatures advancing in the gloom. There were many kobolds, varying in both colour and rank. The piebald creatures had many varieties of weapons at their disposal, swords, spears, arrows, and many more such things.

One kobold stood from all the rest, larger, and cleverer. It was their leader. It bore a staff, small, wooden, perhaps useless as a melee weapon, but extremely powerful when concentrating the powerful magical energies of the shaman. For shaman he was, learned in the lore and magics of the kobold race.

An invisible, yet deathly aura surrounded it, strengthening its minions, but striking fear into the hearts of its enemies. It had many diamonds, different shapes and sizes, sounds escaping every time it moved.

It raised its staff high in the air, and with an ear-piercing screech the kobolds charged. The first in the line of the kobolds was small, smaller then the creature that had just been slain, but it was aware of the danger now.

But as it charged, its thoughts faltered. The creature stood there, a hood over its head, a cloak covering its body. It did not even stir as the kobold ran toward it, and as the kobold raised its short spear to drive it into the heart of the enemy, it thought that it was too easy.

The kobold was right next to the foe now, and still it did not stir. The spear was mere millimetres next to the heart before the creature even begun to stir.

With speed barely recognisable with the naked eye, the sword flashed, the kobold shrieked with pain as disbelief as it realised that its hand was no longer there, it stared down into the forest floor, shock written all over its face. Its shriek was cut short as the sword was pressed into its chest, piercing its heart.

The kobold sank to the bottom of the forest, the disbelief still on its face, its empty staring eyes looking straight up at its killer, its mouth still opened slightly. It landed next to its hand, and the spear rolled onto its chest, and it lay there.

The kobolds had stopped their attack at their astonishment, but their charged again. Their opponent looked down into the floor, sadness etched into its face.

The kobolds were almost on top of the figure now, but it still did not stir. The spears missed, an invisible, magical hand pushing them gently from their target.

The sword flashed upward, slashing, biting at its enemies, left, right, the kobold fell.

But as they fell, the dust raised into the air. It obscured the vision of the attacker, but it healed the wounds of the earth-dwellers. They were creatures of the ground, and as they returned there, they wounds seemed to heal. Hope looked dim for their attacker now.

But still it didn’t give up, still it clung onto the small beacon of hope that remained, rather than give it up, and fling itself into death. It grabbed a hold on the tree trunk, using it to twist and turn away from the attacks of the kobolds.

As it swung round, it gained speed; it flung itself into the air, still holding the tree trunk, and kicked out at the kobolds, pushing them back, giving itself some more time.

It attacked with its sword once more, now dealing heavy and deadly blows, not giving the kobolds time to heal.

The battle was over quickly. As the dust settled, a figure walked out from the trees, without a backward glance. It moved ahead quickly. It was now imperative that it reached Rayman quickly.

As it moved on into the distance, the body of the purple kobold stirred slightly. Its eyes opened into thin slits, the life behind them draining. It buried itself into the sand, burrowing deeper and deeper, all the while heeling its body.

Anger and rage flared up inside it. It had lost its honour. It wanted to regain the honour. It wanted revenge.

8_* -_- *_8

The figure stumbled forward. It had indeed received some blows, and now the wounds cried out in pain and despair. The figure sat down for a small while, and opened a small, nearly invisible pack from its back. Inside there were many things, amongst them lay a prized bow. But the figure swept them all gently aside, and pulled out a small bottle of potion.

It took it out and rubbed small amounts of the potion onto its wounds. Aside from feeling revitalised, its felt energised too. It stood up, lifting the pack onto its back, and set off once more.

It could no longer hear its main target, but it no longer needed too.

It knew where they had stopped for the night.

*_8 *_* 8_*

-_~*~_-

It was sunny. Rayman took that as a good sign. It was early in the day, not long after they had set off from the valley.

Flaréoné had taken him aside from the others. It was apparently something important.

‘Rayman,’ Flaréoné said suddenly. ‘You will need more power to defeat you foe.’

‘I know…’ Rayman replied unsure of what to say.

‘And I could give you some.’

‘Give then.’ Rayman asked gently. Flaréoné turned to face Rayman. A fire blazed in his eyes. He raised his right hand, palm upwards, and a glowing fire ball appeared in his hand.

Rayman gazed at it transfixed.

Flaréoné shot the ball into Rayman’s chest. Rayman was thrown backwards a few paces. A ring of fire surrounded him, but it quickly died.

Flaréoné walked up to him and helped him up.

‘You have been given the power of the fire element.’ Flaréoné said in a strange tone. ‘I will not tell you how to use them, for they will be more powerful when unlocked by yourself.’ His voice turned to normal.

‘That is all I can do for you.’ He said, and walked back to the others.

Rayman stood for a few seconds, and gazed at his hands. They seemed to be burning with an uneasy flame.

He walked back.

-_~*~_-

Rayman was first watch. He looked around the clearing. It was quite large, and in the middle of the forest. There was a brown patch of barren land were no vegetation grew.

Rayman sighed, and looked around the clearing again. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen…but there was nothing out of the ordinary.

And yet…and yet…

He just couldn’t shake the feeling. The ominous feeling that something was going to happen was beginning to take over.

Crack!

There was something there! Something behind him! Rayman turned his head so quickly, that if he had a neck he would have cricked it. It was only Ly.

‘I couldn’t sleep,’ she said apologetically. ‘I’ve got the feeling that something’s going to happen…I just cant shake the feeling.’ Rayman nodded.

‘Yeah me too,’ he replied. ‘I don’t think I could get any sleep either.’ He smiled. ‘Want to help me keep watch?’

‘Sure!’ replied Ly. ‘I couldn’t expect you to manage it on your own anyway.’ Rayman laughed, and pushed her gently.

At that moment, there was a great howling sound. Everyone in the camp suddenly woke up.

There was another loud roar, and a great beast flung itself out of the forest. It had brown skin. Its bare arms were covered in what looked like scars from long ago. Its bare legs covered in scratches and marks, along with some crudely made tattoos that looked as though they had been branded on.

It wore a giant protective hide that covered a short amount of his legs and waists. It looked as though it was made out of the skin of some animal. He had two legs, but he had six arms. None of them were the same, and they all seemed to have been sawn on, and made with the sole purpose of destruction.

His upper two arms were the closest to what normal arms were like. The creatures left arm was normal, but covered in many scars and burns, but there was a long snaking tattoo, completely black, snaking down his outer arm. It seemed to be many ropy things, five it seemed, all intercrossing, swerving, crossing on another until they reached its wrists, and then they turned themselves in a circle round his wrist, like a manacle chaining him to some miserable past. It clutched on a large staff, the magical prowess so great that it was actually glowing purple. However – although Rayman didn’t know it – the arm had not been completely finished. Although the staff itself held great power, its owner had no magical prowess whatsoever. The staff was soon to be melded into the hand, making a part of this monstrosity and also giving it awesome power.

His upper right arm however, bore no scar, and no tattoo. It was much more hideous. The muscles from inside his arm were so big that they had erupted partially out of his skin. He skin was split, partially dead, and the muscles were clearly visible. But even now, they strained to grow, screamed at the small confining space into which they had been placed to grow. The skin that was still alive looked red, but it also looked unhealthy: doomed to die. He raised the arm high into the air, and the muscles good be seen working, lifting themselves, and the skin that they were attached to.

The middle right arm was also vaguely human, but it had had been converted, changed, melted into some hideous weapon. It was now one long pipe, but inside it there were many more pipes: each a different colour. At the end, where the hand should have been, the wires escaped from the larger tunnel, and they could be seen for what they truly were. Acid spewed out one, and fire out of another. Huge torrents of things forced they way out of the tubes, many things, both recognisable and not. Multiple liquids squirmed as they corroded the inner tubes on their ways out. As they landed on the ground, it burned, melted, froze, and transformed all at once. Steam issued forth from wherever the things landed. The stream of liquid was suddenly stopped, as though the monster had only put them on for show. A spout of electricity burst out of the middle tube, sending sparks and short bursts of electricity flying out, illuminating the ground. This show was also stopped.

The hand opposite that was not even close to humanoid. It was more robotic - metallic and shiny, but most of the arm seemed to be there merely to carry, or to power, the clenching ‘hand’ that lay at the end of it. It was a claw-like vice, gigantic, metallic. It looked heavy, and the power could almost be felt as it slowly clenched and unclenched itself. The arm itself seemed to be one long hollow tube, but to give it a more scary effect, it had been made to look bigger then it truly was. Circular metallic discs had been inserted into it, protruding outward, sharp; some were spinning with an amazing speed.

Underneath that arm, the bottom left arm – if it could be called that – was placed. This truly seemed to have been sawed on – the stitching was evident, and obvious. It seemed to have been stuffed with anything – rocks, stones, wood, cotton…many things were placed inside there, and then it was stitched up again. This made the skin look rough, uneven. At the end was placed a gigantic metallic claw, swinging against the movement of gravity. It accidentally swiped at a tall and sturdy tree, but its owner didn’t even realise it. The shining blade swung through the tree like a hot knife through butter. It came out unscratched – indeed, it came out looking just the same as before, but the tree had its trunk sliced through. It fell, crashing down onto the other trees. The giant monster stopped the claw – with an effort it seemed – and raised it slightly, preventing it from swinging. The arm stopped swinging but the claw itself was still quivering slightly.

The last arm was perhaps the most deadly. Although it was not yet complete, the power that it would later wield was very evident. It was a short stump, not of skin, but of metal. An android arm perhaps? The short stump. Metallic. Small wires could be seen, jutting out from the hole that was soon to bee filled. There were many hollow tubes and pipes coming out from the short place; some wires rejoined the arm, whilst others stood out, sneering at any that would dare to come close to it. The creature was a terrifying monster, created for the sole purposes of destruction, and driving fear into the hearts of its enemies.

The creature stepped forward, its massive legs working hard to carry the heavy weight it carried. They resembled the muscled arm, doomed to carry the great weight above them forever more.

Upon the giant creatures chest there was a giant wad of metal, perhaps there to protect the weak points that the creature had.

The head was disgusting. Its chin seemed to droop slightly away from the rest of its head, as though it had been sunken. The actually face was something out of a nightmare. One eye was red, the other blue, and the face was twisted, converted into a permanent scowl. Small spots had erupted on his (for he was indeed a male) face, a mutation caused, possibly, by the arms that had been attached.

The giant stumbled forward, his mismatched eyes glaring down at the tiny ants below him, mischievous creatures that he wished to squash.

But his orders had been clear, and he begun to carry them out.

He raised a hand, the one with the many pipes, and a giant gust of flame erupted forth, scorching the land on which Rayman had been standing mere seconds before. Ignoring the rest of the companions, he went for Rayman alone.

‘Hey, he’s after me!’ Rayman yelled to the others. ‘Stay away and you’ll be safe!’ the others didn’t want to stay away, but they did as Rayman said, and stayed far away.

Rayman jumped onto a tree, a sudden idea had hit him that if he could blind the creature, he may have more of a chance. The creature glared at him, and raised his claw. He sent it to the tree Rayman was on, but Rayman was too quick.

He jumped onto the next tree. And the next, and then the next again, all the while keeping away from the monsters attacks. The creature roared, and attacked in a furious rage, quickening his attacks, determined to get rid of Rayman. Rayman thought of a plan. It was dangerous, but it was all that he had.

Rayman waited for the arm to come near, and as it was slicing the tree, Rayman leapt onto the horrid skin. The creature laughed to itself – a deep booming sound, as it thought that Rayman had been killed.

The rage that overcame him when he saw that Rayman was on his arm was so profound, that he howled again. His upper two arms worked furiously to capture his prey. But his prey was elusive, and the creature had been told to bring him alive.

Rayman sent a sphere into the arm. The arm split, the sewing broken, and all the stuffing came out: guts, rocks: many things came out, but the skin remained. The blade hung useless at the end, hanging down, poised to fall.

Rayman leapt onto the pipe that contained the acids, knowing that this was perhaps one of the most deadly weapons that the creature had at its disposal. But the creature raised an arm: the normal like one, and raised its staff to attack Rayman. Rayman managed to jump out of the way, confident that the creature had don’t itself some harm.

But no! The staff merely glanced off, not even denting the pipe organ of the giant. The staff itself was unchanged too, it appeared. Evidently it was made of stronger things that Rayman had thought.

The creature lowered his arm, as Rayman leapt onto the thick piece of metal, higher up on the pipe arm. The vice-hand gripped at Rayman, and succeeded on grabbing a hold on Rayman’s shirt. It brought Rayman before it’s faced and smiled a hideously evil smile.

It took a huge breath, and for a second, Rayman thought that he was going to be breathed into the giant monster, but no! The monster let out a putrid breath; a stun gas that had been fitted into its chest. Rayman knew what was coming, but the gas was slow moving.

Rayman twisted, and managed to fall away from the vice, but a small piece of his shirt was ripped off. The vice unclenched, and the piece of fabric began to fall. Rayman let fly a fist, grabbing the shirt before it hit the ground. Rayman could feel the vice coming nearer.

As soon as his hand returned, he jumped quickly to the left, avoiding the vice by inches. Rayman jumped onto the pipe arm, which the creature raised high into the air. Rayman ran up the arm, and helicoptered onto the creatures nose.

Rayman let out a grim smile and charged up a power-ball.

‘Night, night!’ Rayman said, but before he could unleash his ball, the muscled arm reached out and grabbed him.

The creature face was contorted into an expression of anger, as it raised the stupid creature to his face. He roared once more, and began to squeeze.

Damn the orders! Damn the boss! This creature had hurt him, and damn him too! He was going to squeeze the very life out of this infernal midget, and he didn’t care about the consequences.

Rayman felt his eyes popping, his breathing was becoming hard. His vision swam, and he knew that this was the end. His vision was completely obscured by the giant seething eyes. They would be the last thing that he would see.

-_~*~_-

Traid was in the valley of the freelings. He was a magi. An ancient magi, of an old and supreme order.

He had been captured. It had been written in the stars…he had known that he would be captured. But it was still a huge shock when he did. The magical energy within him was so great that he had to wear a restraining belt.

He was a part of the ancient magus order. He had lived many long years; watching over the world, watching the stars…he was a magi.

But he was also the only one left. The others had all been killed; going off to fight battles…there were also many other reasons.

One of the most important was that the magi had made enemies. Enemies with evil, and those that fought to protect the evil. Many ancient evils had been destroyed or subdued by the magi. But many magi had fallen in the process.

The magi all had a link. In this way, if there was but one of the magus order left alive the magi order still remained. The souls of those long dead had come to reside in the bodies of their fellows. They had escaped the confines of death to help the rest of the world. Along with their souls, they magical prowess had also come to rest in the body of their comrade.

This was why Traid was the most powerful magi left in the world. His power was great – very great – but even he could evade his capture. He tried, oh yes! He tried! But it was not enough. He was captured. But he had been saved too. Saved by an unexpected return…

Rayman. He knew about Rayman. He had been the channelling energy that had created Rayman. No, not created. Summoned, perhaps? Nobody knew. Traid knew instantly that Rayman was more powerful them he. Traid knew instantly that this new figure, this beacon of hope had more potential then the rest of the world.

But where had he come from? Only one person knew. Only Rayman knew. But even he had hidden it from himself: the thoughts and memories only to bee returned when he needed them.

The history of Rayman was a shroud. But the deeds that Rayman did were not forgotten. He had vanquished his first opponent with such skill and ferocity that the world had appointed Rayman guardian. He was guardian of this world.

Mr Dark had been defeated easily, but the defeat had been so complete that the shadow had never been seen again.

And then Admiral Razorbeard had invaded along with his army of robots. Rayman had been captured hope had looked dim for the guardian. But friendship had prevailed.

Rayman succeeded in escaping from the prison ship, and went on to re-unite the four masks of Polokus. Polokus, who had needed to rejuvenate his powers, had gone to sleep for many hundreds of years.

He had granted Traid, the last magi, the energy to call upon a hero when it was needed. Traid himself had managed to keep the evils at bay for a long time, without any help.

But Mr. Dark had been clever. He had attacked when Traid was unfit to fight. Traid had been unable together his energies back quick enough, for the trial that he had just gone through had drained him of his power. Even now he was not yet recovered.

And so he had used what was left of his strength to call upon that hero, the person that would go on to become guardian, who would save the world many times. He had used his last ounces to summon Rayman, and then had fallen into a deep sleep.

When he had woken again, he was told about Rayman’s deeds, of the destruction of the grolgroth, how he had almost sacrificed his own life to save those of many others.

He had also been told of his great deeds against the army of hoodlums, the transformed red lums, of how he had fought against the power of the leptys, handed down into the single monstrous creature known to most as Reflux.

Traid had been proud of this hero, happy that there was finally somebody to help protect the world from the evils.

But even now Traid hadn’t been able to help. Although he was gaining energy fast, and rejuvenating it every day, I was not enough, not quick enough. He was still weak, next to little of his former power remained, not enough to protect this world.

He feared that his days were over. Perhaps it was time to move over, to let a new guardian protect the land. Whatever the case, he would do his part to help the world to its fullest.

-_~*~_-

What was happening? What was in front of him? Rayman’s thoughts came slowly, far apart, and blurrily. Was the eye red, or blue? The whole world seemed to have melted into a mixture of red and blue.

Rayman strained to gather what was left of his strength to look his for in the eye. He opened his eyes.

The monster glared at Rayman, hate was all that it could feel, all that it felt: raw emotion; raw hate.

-_~*~_-
Ly stared at the monsters face. At its hand. At Rayman. Tears obscured her vision as she realised what was happening. She made to move forward, but Flaréoné put out a hand to stop her.

‘You’ll get killed. Only a miracle can save him now.’ He said.

It did not take quite that, but they did get what they needed.
-_~*~_-

Rayman could see the creature’s eyes. Only his sight seemed to be working now, he couldn’t feel anything, his body was numb. His hearing and his sense of smell also seemed to have disappeared; though the creature seemed to be roaring, Rayman could hear nothing, and the stench of decaying flesh had left him.

Suddenly there was something in the monster’s eye. A sudden glint. Its grip on Rayman loosened slightly and everything came flooding back. He was suddenly aware of how much the fallen arm had decayed, and he could hear the howling moans of the monster. A pain so great had returned to him that he felt as though he could pass out there and then.

But the creature still had a grip on Rayman. As Rayman’s senses improved, he begun to realise that the creature was indeed howling, but now his howl was a howl of pain, rather then anger.

There was something in its eye! It was an arrow, excellently crafted, but were had it come from? And there was another one, piercing the other eye!

The monsters roars grew louder, as it desperately began to claw at its eyes, attempting to force out the arrows.

But he succeeded only in breaking the arrow shafts, and he pressed the arrow-points in deeper.

Rayman realised that there was a rope attached to both arrows, and he leaped out of the monster’s slackened grip, and onto the ropes.

He felt suddenly energized, and as he looked around to see why, he spotted a squadron of red lums, not too far away, heading in his direction.

They speeded up to Rayman, flying around him; healing his wounds and hurts, and finally letting Rayman absorb them. Rayman felt re-energized and refreshed also.

A huge thing fell to the ground behind Rayman, landing with a huge thud, Rayman turned to see it, and realised that it was the red eye. Another thud told Rayman that the blue eye had also fallen.

The monster stumbled and fell into the forest.

A showed figure appeared before the eyes, unloosening the arrow heads, and magically reconnecting them to the shafts.

The figure then turned to Rayman and lifted its hood.

‘Fianna?!?’ Rayman exclaimed, for it was indeed her who had been following the companions.

‘Yes,’ she replied smiling, ‘Fianna.’

Ly came up running to Rayman and spotted Fianna too. She stopped dead in her tracks.

‘Fianna? What are you doing here?’

‘I’ve come to help you in your task.’ Fianna replied.

At that moment a huge bird-like creature flew into the sky. It was just a small bit bigger then the monster they had just fought. But it didn’t stop.

Diving into something in the trees, it picked up something in its talons. It was the monster.

‘Wait a second…’ Rayman whispered. ‘I’ve seen that before!’ And he had, it was the very same that had been searching the ground before they had met up with Furion. Rayman saw up close just how majestic and deadly it was, but it flew away, with such a speed that he didn’t have time to see it properly.

There was much happiness and rejoice between the friends as they reunited. Fianna told them of her journey, ending with how she had shot the monster.

‘I saw that you were in trouble, so I opened my pack, picked out my arrows, and shot him in the eyes. They were like his only weak point. I wonder how he was disfigured.’ Globox snorted. Disfigured was hardly the right word. Fianna continued.

‘I added some roped, hoping that you would understand my plan. So with a touch of magical guidance, and a well aimed shot I managed to get it. The rest you probably all know.’

Flaréoné was more interested in the kobolds.

‘They were above ground you say?’ He asked.

‘Yes,’

‘And there were a lot of them?’

‘Yes,’

‘Hmm...Very suspicious. They rarely come out in ones, never mind packs! Very interesting…’ and so he delved into his own thoughts.

‘We might as well rest here for the night.’ Rayman said.

And so they did, with Furio taking first watch and Furion taking second. They would not risk being caught unawares again.

-_~*~_-

It was the next night, and things seemed to be going fine. The day had gone fine, and according to Flaréoné they had made a lot of progress. They set up camp happily, and the blazing fire that Flaréoné had conjured flickered in the moonlight.

Rayman had an uncomfortable feeling again, and he could not sleep. Fianna was on watch, and she was tending to her bowstrings.

Rayman walked up to her and sat down next to her. Neither of them said anything for a while.

‘Can’t sleep?’ Fianna asked.

‘No,’ Rayman replied. ‘I can’t shake off the feeling that something is going to happen.’

‘Yeah me too…’ Fianna sighed. ‘I don’t think I could go to sleep if I tried.’

‘I could help you keep watch…’ Rayman suggested. Fianna smiled.

‘If you like.’

And they kept watch for a while. But nothing could prepare them for what happened next.

An ear-piercing yell erupted from the trees. A small ball flew out of the trees and attempted to smack into Rayman’s face.

Rayman dodged it, but it turned in mid-air, and smacked him full-force in his stomach. He went crashing backwards, his eyes watering, and landed with a heavy thud on the ground.

8_* *_8

Flaréoné woke to the sound of the thud, and realised what was happening. Fianna was standing ext to Rayman, protecting him from the balls that kept flying at the two. But the balls were not giving up, attacking Rayman more then Fianna.

Rayman was already unconscious, and his already battered body was being continuously subdued to the attack. Fianna was slicing at the monsters, but their bodies seemed to be made out of hard rock.

Flaréoné instantly realised what the balls were, and rushed to Fianna’s aid. Fianna’s aid was slashing right and left. He was a few paces away when something terrible happened.

One of the balls attacked her from above, and ill fate had it that one attacked her from behind too. Even worse was that a third had distracted her by emitting a high pitched screech.

This screech had both its upside and a downside for the attackers. The downside was that all the other companions were awakened. However the upside greatly outweighed the bad points.

Fianna, believing that it was another form of attack, had raised her sword to block the attack, but shock was evident on her eyes when both other balls collided with her.

She slumped onto Rayman’s body, and the other balls continued their attacks.

Flaréoné realised that he had stopped running. He raced forward again, but he wasn’t quick enough to outrun Ly.

She leapt forward, am extremely powerful powerball fuelled by her rage and fear.

She had already feared to lose the life of her best friend, and now somebody who was quickly becoming a fast friend was also in danger. She couldn’t bear to lose them.

She sent her first powerball into the pack of balls. They were tightly clasped together, a huge ball made out of balls, and when the powerball clashed into them, the ball burst, sending the rock creatures flying.

She sent out another powerball, and another and another, until the attackers drew back and formed another plan of attack. This gave enough time for the others to reach them

They tried to calm Ly down, but her anger was greater now than ever, she sped at them, charging a powerball as she went, but she never let it go.

A small creature fell out of the branches above her. It landed on its neck, and she began to try and shake him off – momentarily distracted.

The army of balls flew at her again, flying into her with as much speed as they could muster. But she didn’t feel the attacks; the rage seemed to be protecting her.

She sent attack after attack at them, but they didn’t stop coming.

They smothered her, blocking her from view of her friends. A small shriek was heard - cut short. The balls withdrew, and they saw the body of Ly.

It had bruises and dents all over it – as though the bones had broken – but there was a knife in her neck. She wasn’t moving.

The balls seemed to have grown sudden heads and hands. They pawed at the ground. There were short blades in their hands, not unlike the one in Ly’s neck.

They charged again, but this time they were faced by a much greater challenge…

Fuelled by the desperation and despair that had filled them on seeing Ly’s body, they had prepared their best attacks.

A heavy black cloud flew out of Globox’s hands, flying low across the grass.

Flaréoné swept his hand in a wide arc, from one side to the other, and where the hand went, an arc of flame formed, and rather than fading, it strengthened by the minute.

Furio and Furion both charged up a powerball each – as powerful as they could get it – and then they joined both balls to make an even more powerful ball.

The attacks all started at the same time.

Flaréoné let off his now very powerful arc, and at the same the powerball was also let loose.

Globox’s attack was the deadliest however, and as the cloud gained speed, it reached the crouching figures just slightly before the other attacks, and as soon as it got there it began to drop bolts of electricity, attacking individual creatures with super speed.

The arc reached the first creatures and it blew up into a million smaller fireballs, battering the creatures. But they seemed to be immune to his magics, and they stood on defiantly.

As the powerball reached them, they scattered like ants scurrying this way and that. The majority of them managed to avoid the ball, though many slower ones were caught, and lay sizzling on the ground.

Now the thundercloud was growing by the moment, and it was chasing the creatures.

Either unaware, or uncaring of their losses, the creatures turned back to face the companions.

Globox’s lips were pursed, his eyes closed in concentration, his hands quivering with the power that he was controlling. Flaréoné and the brothers had realised that his attack was the most efficient, and they had formed a small circle around him, the brothers with swords in their hands, whilst Flaréoné's hands seemed to be melting.

He was turning into his most powerful form. He was doing so slowly, hoping that he wouldn’t have to do it, but if he did he would.

The creatures leapt at full speed, hopping forwards, dodging even the bolts of lightning.

The glints of their many swords were visible as they charged forward in a last attack to kill their enemies.

But a sudden mist was swept upon them, and fear clutched their hearts and the soft moist covered them.

This was also directed by Globox who seemed to be gaining power rather then losing it, controlling two powers at once.

Flaréoné realised a better way in which he could protect Globox was to lend him some magical energy, but Globox refused it; a small shake of his head and a slight smile on his lips.

He knew where his power was coming from and Flaréoné didn’t need to help him. Globox had enough power at his disposal anyway.

The lightning bolts flashed again, but they didn’t break the mist. The lightning didn’t stop – in fact they grew more and more powerful.

The lightning stopped abruptly. The cloud dispersed into t thin mist, and then was blown away by a gentle breeze. The mist lingered for a small while longer, but then it too disappeared.

There was not one creature left alive; all electrocuted, burned or smothered by the mist.

Flaréoné immediately ran to Ly, and checked her for any vital signs. He withdrew slowly, and bowed his head.

Ly was dead.
_________________
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