A continuation of my old stories.
THE CURSE OF ZEN-AKU
---
CHAPTER ONE
Command Station, Year 2209
Jason McKnight sat down in the center of the station. Next to him was his best friend Ethan and three others whom he did not know. The commander came in, looking doubtful at all five of them.
"So... do you know why you're here?" he asked.
The person opposite of Jason stood. "I'm Leo and I'm here to become a world hero."
"Traits?"
"I can throw a thug across Texas."
The commander nodded then moved to the next person. He stood up. "I'm Conner and I'm here because my parents wanted me to."
The commander grunted and moved on. He finally came to Jason. "You?"
Jason stood up. "I'm Jason and... I don't really know why I'm here."
"Is that so?" the commander said sharply. Jason didn't reply. "Right. Your ship will be ready tomorrow."
"Uh, sir," Leo started. "Will I be captain?"
"No, I will," the commander said. "Get packed."
* * *
As dawn rose, Jason started packing. Ethan came in to the room, although it was more like a cell. It was empty besides the bed and closet, and cell.
"You ready?" Ethan asked.
"Yeah, soon." As Jason zipped up his bag, he saw a dusty piece of stone with a strange emblem on it.
"What is it?" Ethan asked.
"Here." Jason handed Ethan the stone.
"Dunno. Keep it just in case."
Jason packed the stone as Conner walked by. "C'mon. Commander's waiting."
* * *
"All right, rookies," the commander said. "We're heading to System 609-048, one and a half hyperspace trips away, and it takes an hour for our hyperdrive to recharge, so get comfortable."
The engine rumbled and a blue warp gate opened and the ship zoomed into it.
Jason finally found a time to nap, which was hard because of the loud engine (which was harder when his room was in the ship's back). But as soon as he fell asleep, he wish he didn't.
The nightmare was like this: rows of people were chained to a wall. A dark, purple-armored being came up to them.
"My lord, what shall I do with them?" The being's voice was deep and loud.
A raspy voice replied. "Whatever you do, don't harm them. They'll be perfect additions to my Hidiacs."
"As you wish. You." The dark knight pointed to one of the people in the front row. "Congratulations. You're the first Styxyod from scratch."
He took out a green/purple colored chip and shoved it into the man's mouth. The man then went through a surprisingly painless mutation, and a blue armored being with a skeleton helmet stood.
Then Jason woke up.
---
CHAPTER TWO
When Jason came to the bridge, Conner was glued to the main computer.
"Er, Conner?" Jason asked. "Are you allowed to do that?"
Jason and Conner turned around to see the commander. Jason saw a name tag on him, saying "Dion".
"Get out," he said.
"Uh, sir?" Jason asked. "Wasn't Dion a knight eons ago?"
"Haven't you heard of ancestors, kid?" Dion snapped. "Now go strap in. We're gonna make one more hyperjump."
Soon, once Ethan, Leo, and the fifth member Drake strapped in, Commander Dion hit the hyperdrive button. Nothing happened.
"What in the name of my namesake..." Dion mumbled.
"Uh, sir," Conner said, putting on his glasses. "Is... that a mouth?"
"Oh crud," the commander said. "Hold on! I'm making a u-turn!"
As Dion swerved the ship around, the monster stretched its head out of nowhere. Soon, an arm, then a body, wings, legs then tail.
"Great," Conner mumbled. "A space behemoth."
The thrusters boosted up and the ship speeded away. Unfortunately, the beast was faster. Its mouth widen, ready to swallow the ship when lasers shot out. The beast recoiled, screaming in pain. It spread out its wings and retreated.
"Thank you, auto-defense turrets," Dion muttered. He hit the hyperdrive button again. This time, it worked. The ship jumped into lightspeed.
* * *
When Jason fell asleep again, he was in the same place as the chained up people. The dark armored knight knelt before a throne, where a tall-looming being shrouded in shadows sat.
"What is it, Koragg?" asked the same raspy voice as last time.
The knight, Koragg, raised his head. "My lord, my soldiers have located an Earth-made spacecraft in System 609-048."
"And I care about this, why?" the voice asked.
"It could be a threat," Koragg said.
"No one or thing is a threat to us, Koragg."
The knight gulped. "I... understand, my lord."
"Good," the voice muttered. "I was thinking I had to have Necrolai suck your soul out."
With that, Jason woke.
* * *
"All crew members, we have landed," Dion said over speaker. The crew exited the ship.
"This place is lame," Drake said.
It was true, Jason thought. The planet was a wasteland, with solid rock ground and mountains in the distance. Jason felt a strange aura-like feeling to the place.
Dion came from behind the group. "Let's go. Time's racing."
---
CHAPTER THREE
Everywhere Dion and the group walked looked like the same place as where they started.
"This is boring," Drake muttered.
Leo nodded. "Yeah, boss, where's the excitement?"
"You sound like whining two year olds," Dion snapped.
Ethan chuckled. "Ouch. Sharp comeback, man."
"Shut up," Leo said.
After almost an hour of walking, the group set down for a rest. Almost everyone were too busy eating to talk. Ethan came to sit next to Jason.
"What's up, bro?"
Jason was silent.
"Jason, you okay?" Dion asked.
"I... I've been having strange dreams, sir. Like they're real," Jason said.
"What are they about?"
"A black and purple knight talking to a raspy voice."
Dion had a grim look on his face. "This isn't good. Really not go--"
Before he could finish, the ground gave way and the group fell down a deep hole.
* * *
When Jason woke up, he was in a medieval-styled room, with a lit fire in the fireplace. He seemed to be the only one in the room. When he stood up, he saw the walls covered with portraits, presumably of famous people.
When Jason opened the door in front of him, a red-armored being with a gold mask stood in the way.
"Who are you?" the knight demanded.
"I... I'm Jason."
"You are?" the knight interrupted. "Well, pardon me then. Er, the king wishes to see you."
The knight led Jason to the throne room, a large wide room with a red carpet with gold markings spread across the floor. At the end of the room was, of course, a throne where a bold, majestic king with a golden crown on his head sat.
"My King, he is here," the knight said.
"Thank you, Jaller. You are dismissed."
The knight nodded and left Jason with the King.
"Uh," Jason stuttered, "where am I? Where are the others?"
"What others?" the King asked. He had a bush brown beard with a bold face. "You were the only one we found."
"B-but--"
"The fall must've done something to your head," the King said. "Come into the dining room. You must be hungry."
In the dining room, there was a long table filled with food on plates and in bowls. There was a royal looking chair, where the King took his place. Jason took a seat at the opposite end of the table.
"Help yourself!" the King said cheerfully.
Jason picked a biscuit from the bowl. It felt like it came right out of the oven. But Jason didn't eat it. Something about the King made him nervous. But he didn't know what.
"Uh, Your Majesty, what's your name?" Jason asked.
"I am King Alaric the Second of the Kingdom of Thustra," said the King. "Aren't you hungry?"
"Uh, no, Your Highness."
"But you must be, lad!"
Jason got up. "Uh, may I leave? Sir?"
King Alaric lowered his head. "I'm afraid not." Suddenly, two black-armored guards came and seized Jason. "We must talk."
---
CHAPTER FOUR
Dion, Leo, Drake, Ethan, and Conner walked down a tunnel they had found when the ground collapsed. Unfortunately, Jason was missing.
"How long is this tunnel?" Drake asked lazily.
"Ask Smarty," Dion muttered, glancing at Conner.
"There's light ahead!" Conner exclaimed.
The group ran towards the light, climbed a small group of rocks, until finally, they were on the surface again.
"Whoa," Ethan said under his breath.
Apparently there was life on the planet. Enough life to make a small village even. When the group fully emerged, a hunched elderly man awaited them.
"Who are you?" the man demanded. "What brings you here to our village?"
Dion stepped forward. "I am Senior Commander Dion of the Earth Alliance. My crew and I have come to ask your planet, Thustra, to join the Alliance."
The man sighed. "We would like to, but we can't."
"Why not?" Leo asked. "Scared?"
"We are not cowards, off-worlder!" the man snapped. "Our village... is cursed."
"How?" Dion asked.
"There was a dark being, named Zen-Aku, who came to our village. He hated us, and all others on this planet, and so he cursed us. The curse is that if any of us leave the village's borders... we will die."
* * *
Jason sat in a cold, empty cell. There were only two things in it: a wooden, unsteady bed, and and a porter potty. He waited for an hour until King Alaric and two black guards came.
"You have two options," the King said. "Stay here for eternity or--"
"Die?" Jason interrupted.
"Yes. You do read minds well, don't you? What is your choice?"
Jason looked at the ceiling. There was an air vent right there. If he could just jump high enough....
"You'll never take me alive," Jason muttered. He jumped and managed to grab the vent and pulled it off.
"Seize him!" Alaric shouted. The cell door opened and the two guards ran in, but Jason was already in the vent.
* * *
Alaric clenched his fists. One of the guards walked towards the King, while the other tried to get into the vent.
"What will you tell the Imperious?" the first guard asked.
"Nothing. Not yet." The King turned away, heading back for his throne.
* * *
Dion and the group sat in a bar, waiting for their drinks... and for Jason. The elderly man they had met earlier came in.
"Pardon me, but I have failed to introduce myself," he said. "I am Vakama, elder of the village." Dion and Vakama shook hands. "Are you on a quest?" Vakama then asked.
"We're looking for our friend, Jason," Conner said.
"When we woke up," Dion started, "he was gone. I believe he was captured."
"No, not captured," Vakama said. "Possibly saved. The only ones who go underground are King Alaric's forces."
"Where's King Alaric?" Dion asked.
"Southeast of the village. But you can't get to him."
"Why not?"
Vakama sighed. "Because, despite being offworlders, you too are affected by the curse."
---
CHAPTER FIVE
Jason journeyed through the air vent, avoiding strong powered fans. He [went?] through a maze of corridors, until he walked across another vent gate. A meeting was being held.
"Sir Navi, we have armies ready to attack King Jarsan's castle," a voice said.
"Excellent," another voice, most likely Sir Navi's, replied. "Send them to surround the castle."
Jason didn't stick around to hear more and continued through the air vent.
* * *
A vision struck Jason like a blade. Once again, it took place in a dark place, where a throne was placed.
"Koragg," the raspy voice hissed. "Come here."
The purple and black knight knelt before the shadowed being. "What is thy bidding, master?"
"The time has come. I've found the boy near King Alaric's castle. Retrieve him."
"As you wish."
* * *
Jason knew "the boy" meant him. He hurried and found a vent gate leading outside. He ran like crazy, hearing marching footsteps nearby. Whether it was Alaric's army or Koragg, he didn't care. He needed to find Dion, Ethan, and the others quick.
* * *
Dion couldn't believe it. They were basically stuck here unless the curse was lifted, which didn't seem likely anytime soon. Vakama came up to him.
"There is hope, commander," the elder said. "My grandson, Kapura, here..." He glanced at a young man in red armor. "There are rumors that he is unaffected by the curse."
"What started the rumor?" Drake asked.
"Once, Kapura left to find food and passed the village's borders. He returned alive. Two years since then, he's not died."
"And how could that help us?" Leo asked, rudely.
"Well, the 'immune' charm is contagious, apparently, according to the rumor."
"We'll take the chance," Dion interrupted. "Let's go, guys."
* * *
Jason continued running until he came into a forest. Thinking he'd lost Alaric and Koragg's men, he slowed his pace. The forest was, naturally, nothing but trees. No bushes, and the trees didn't have leaves on them, which for some reason creeped Jason out.
He explored the forest for a few minutes when he found a strange tree, almost creepier than the others. It was black and hollow, branches arranged like arms and three holes in the shape of a face. Jason shuddered and moved on.
* * *
Kapura led Dion and the group out of the village.
"So where are you heading?" Kapura asked.
"We're looking for our friend Jason," Dion answered. "We think he's at King Alaric's castle."
"I can lead you to it!" Kapura ran off.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Ethan muttered.
* * *
Jason was lost. Every time he made a turn, he came back to where the black tree was. Jason was now officially creeped out. He gave up and examined the tree. It had to be responsible for all this.
He touched the black tree and suddenly, a branch arm seized him.
"Who dares awaken Maluarbor?!" a voice boomed.
---
CHAPTER SIX
"Answer me!" the tree roared.
Jason looked up at the tree's face. "I... who are you?"
"I am Lord Maluarbor of the Trees of Thustra!" the tree boomed, proudly this time. Then the tree's eyes narrowed at Jason. "Why have you awaken me?"
"I... I didn't know you were alive."
"You couldn't tell by my powers?"
"What powers?"
"You are blind," Maluarbor sighed. "I rule this forest. Any who enter may not leave unless permitted."
"Why can't anyone leave?" Jason asked.
The tree sighed. "I must tell you the full story then." He placed Jason on a nearby rock. "When Alaric became king, he had all of Thustra's forests cut down to make ships, bridges, houses, so on. Fortunately, I managed to protect my forest just in time by putting a charm on it. Now nobody can leave and instead enjoy the beauty of nature."
Jason looked up at the Tree Lord. "Sir, I have to leave. I'm looking for my friends and Alaric's men are following me."
The Tree Lord sighed. "Very well, you may leave. But promise me you'll return to nature if you get the chance."
"I promise."
With that, Maluarbor led Jason out of the forest.
* * *
"Koragg, sir! We've lost him!" a Hidiac growled. "Should we return to the lair?"
"No," Koragg muttered. "Signal Morticon and the Beastman."
* * *
At last, Dion, Kapura, and the others arrived at King Alaric's castle. As they reached the front, the drawbridge dropped down where a pale, long-faced man stood.
"More visitors? The King is growing impatient," the man said. "Guards, seize them."
Inside the castle, Dion and the group were placed before King Alaric.
"I assume you are the 'others' my previous prisoner referred to," the King muttered.
"Wait," Ethan said. "You mean Jason was here?!"
"Whatever his name was, yes," the King answered. "I've sent my heir, Homizz, to capture him."
"Let us go!" Leo shouted. "Or I'll break your neck!"
"My, you must be the tough one of this group," Alaric muttered. "Navi, have them executed."
Navi, the long-faced man, nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
* * *"I assume you are the 'others' my previous prisoner referred to," the King muttered.
"Wait," Ethan said. "You mean Jason was here?!"
"Whatever his name was, yes," the King answered. "I've sent my heir, Homizz, to capture him."
"Let us go!" Leo shouted. "Or I'll break your neck!"
"My, you must be the tough one of this group," Alaric muttered. "Navi, have them executed."
Navi, the long-faced man, nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
Standing over Jason was a black-cloaked man, with a bow in his hand and an arrow pack slung over his shoulder. His face was masked with only his blood-red eyes showing.
"And people wonder why my father considers me a great hunter," the man said to himself.
"Who are you?" Jason asked.
The man chuckled. "Glad you asked. I am Homizz, heir of King Alaric."
---
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Let me guess," Jason said. "Alaric sent you to capture me again."
"Duh," Homizz replied. "Or kill you where you stand, either way."
"What does Alaric want with me anyway?" Jason demanded.
"I don't know. And I don't care. He just told me to bring you in -- dead, if necessary." Homizz then readied his bow and aimed at Jason. Just as he fired the arrow, Jason leaped out of the way. Before Homizz could fire again, Jason ran like the wind.
"Not much into a fight, are you?" the hunter mocked. He fire again, missing by an inch above Jason's head. Jason finally managed to lose Homizz by heading to a very dark cave.
* * *
Navi led the group to the execution room, with a fully-hooded man with an ax in hand waiting.
"You know what to do," Navi said to him.
The brute nodded and raised his ax. At the last possible second, Leo kicked the brute in the legs, causing the executioner to topple forward. The group moved aside, narrowly missing the ax. Freeing themselves from the cuffs Navi had placed on their hands, the group began their escape.
* * *
In the cave, very few lit torches hung on the walls. Jason took a torch and journeyed deeper into the cave. He could've sworn he heard voices echoing through the cave. He looked at a few ancient drawings on the wall, presumably depicting Thustra's ancient civilizations and symbols. Jason ignored them and continued.
Now the voices were getting closer... and clearer.
"He suspects nothing," said one voice.
"Or does he?" another replied. "He may be smarter than he appears."
The first voice chuckled. "True. But no matter. Do we kill him now?"
"Be my guest."
Jason turned around to see an ugly being before him, carrying a staff with an O-shaped tip.
The beast's mouth curved into a smile. "Hello."
* * *
When the group reentered the throne room, a row of guards were waiting. Their swords blasted a strange red beam of lightning. Fortunately, Dion and the others managed to avoid the blasts.
"This way!" Dion shouted, as the gang headed for the door leading to the drawbridge. Before they were less than ten feet away, the door opened and a cloaked, red-eyed man entered.
"Did I miss something important?" the man asked.
"Homizz, at last!" King Alaric exclaimed. "It appears our former prisoner's friends have come to avenge his death."
"If that former prisoner was dead, yeah," Homizz replied.
"What do you mean?!" Alaric demanded. "He's still alive?!"
Homizz sighed and nodded.
"I trusted you to take care of him!" Alaric shouted, startling a few guards.
"I know, father, but--"
"Enough!" Alaric snapped. "Now take care of these prisoners."
"But they're gone," Homizz said.
"What?!" It was true: Dion, Kapura and the others had escaped.
* * *
Jason ran past the person-sized beast and escaped the cave. Waiting there was an armored yeti with a club. It slammed the club into the ground, knocking Jason down.
"Fightoe, tell Warmix I've got him!" the yeti said to the ugly-faced beast.
"Well done, Bellow," replied the ugly beast, Fightoe. "I'll take him to Koragg."
"No, I will!" the yeti protested.
"We'll both take him," Fightoe decided.
"Fine." As the yeti picked Jason up, a samurai-armored figure arrived.
"Warmix, we've got him," Fightoe said.
"Excellent. The Imperious will be pleased," Warmix said.
The three beasts then left with Jason in tow.
* * *
"I think... I think we've lost them," Dion panted.
Leo cracked his knuckles. "Why couldn't we pound those twerps?!"
"We didn't stand a chance, Leo," Dion answered. "We were lucky enough to avoid those guards' weapons."
The group were suddenly interrupted by a strangely familiar voice. "Good thing I'm here to save the day."
It came from a bearded man with blue and gold clothes. Dion could only say the man's name: "Daggeron."
---
CHAPTER EIGHT
Warmix, Fightoe, and Bellow brought Jason to an underground lair; the exact same one in Jason's dreams.
"My lord, we have him," Warmix announced.
No response. Jason noticed no one was sitting on the throne. Was Warmix blind? Then a raspy voice, the same from Jason's visions, spoke.
"Well done, Warmix," it said. "Come here, boy."
Jason gulped and stepped forward.
"Do you know where you are?" the voice asked. "This was once the Temple of Tao Zanto. Of course, you wouldn't know." The voice cackled.
Then something hit Jason. "Who is Zen-Aku? Do you know him?"
The voice stopped laughing. "Do I know him? Do I know him?! Foolish boy...." Suddenly, the voice grew deeper. "I am Zen-Aku!"
Jason blinked. Even the three beasts were surprised. Then, a black-armored figure with a wolf-shaped mask stepped out.
"Where is the Imperious?!" Warmix demanded.
"Oh, he's fine. I just took on his role because he was too busy to come to Thustra and had me lead the army here," Zen-Aku replied, though Warmix was still dumbstruck. "Yes, yes, I know. Morticon would've been a better choice. But no matter."
Zen-Aku turned to Jason. "Now, I bet you're wondering why you're here." The wolf beast chuckled. "Because you are our only hope in resurrecting Majin Zarak."
Jason shook his head. "But... he's just a story!"
"Not what my master, Majin Gorma told me." Zen-Aku paused. "Warmix... gather the Hidiacs and the Chimera. He's coming."
* * *
"Who's Daggeron?" Ethan asked.
"An old friend," Dion answered.
"I heard you were having bad luck," Daggeron said, helping the group up on their feet. "So what happened?"
"We've lost our friend Jason," Conner replied.
Daggeron sighed, grimacing. "I knew the Imperious' army would be after him."
"And... who is the Imperious?" Ethan asked.
"A terrible creature," Dion replied.
"We have to go," Daggeron said suddenly.
"Why?" Leo asked. "There's nothing here!"
"Koragg... he's coming!"
But it was too late. A purple energy beam blasted the group to the ground.
"Go!" Daggeron shouted to Dion's group. "I'll handle him!"
As the group ran, Koragg, with an army of Hidiacs, approached Daggeron.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise," the dark knight chuckled.
Daggeron narrowed his eyes at him. "What do you want, Koragg?"
"The boy, of course," Koragg said. "You do know the Imperious' plan, correct?"
"That's why I'm trying to stop you," Daggeron replied.
Koragg took out his sword. "Well, come on then. Try and stop it."
Daggeron responded by turning into a gold and blue armored knight with a red cape in a flash of light. He took out a gold sword and lunged at Koragg.
* * *
Dion, Kapura, Ethan, Drake, Conner and Leo were soon blocked by their destination by a swarm of Hidiacs and a hideous beast.
"Get down!" Kapura shouted. "It's a Chimera!"
The group did so as the Chimera breathed out a blast of fire. Dion pulled out his dual blasters and fired at the Hidiacs. The henchmen went down easily except for the Chimera.
"We have to fall back!" Conner cried.
"No!" Leo shouted. "I'm not giving up!"
"Dude," Drake said. "As much as I think you're cool, you'll never live a fight against that... thing!"
"Come on, Leo!" Dion shouted as he grabbed Leo by the shoulder.
The Chimera roared in both anger and laughter as the group fled.
---
CHAPTER NINE
King Alaric was pacing back and forth in his throne room, waiting to be signaled by the Imperious to begin the plan. Homizz, who was watching his father's pacing, was obviously annoyed.
"Your Highness, would you stop that? Who knows when the Imperious is ready."
"Koragg said it would be soon," Alaric replied.
"Well, sometimes plans change," said Homizz.
"Just... leave me," Alaric demanded. Homizz rolled his red eyes and left.
* * *
Blades clashed as Daggeron and Koragg dueled on Thustra's plains. Koragg kicked Daggeron in the shins, knocking the gold knight down.
The dark warrior chuckled. "Naturally, heroes are weak."
Koragg raised his sword, ready to deliver the final blow. Suddenly, a roar was heard in the distance. Distracted, Koragg turned around in the sound's direction. Daggeron took this advantage and grabbed the dark knight's leg. Koragg looked down at Daggeron.
"You're pathetic," he muttered and shook the golden warrior off.
* * *
Jason struggled against the chains keeping him to a stone wall. After ten minutes, he gave up. Still, he wondered, how could he help Zen-Aku in bringing this "Majin Zarak" back?
Jason lowered his head in defeat. Then the cell door opened and Fightoe stepped in and took Jason off the wall.
"What are you doing?" Jason demanded.
"Bait," Fightoe answered with an ugly, sly smile.
* * *
Dion and the group ran back to the village, where Vakama was waiting.
"Well?" the elder asked. "Have you found your friend?"
"No," Dion panted. "Koragg's forces are after us."
"Well, we can't help you there," Vakama said sadly.
"I didn't say you had to," Dion muttered.
The group and the villagers retreated to their homes as the Hidiacs, Chimera, and other beasts marched forward.
* * *
The source of the roar charged at Koragg and Daggeron. It was a horned, hunched humanid beast with an unfriendly face. Apparently, at the sight of Koragg, it slowed to a stop. It lowered its head to Koragg and growled at Daggeron.
The dark knight chuckled and turned to the behemoth. "Kill."
* * *
It happened so quick to Jason it was like a blur. The ceiling broke down and a huge, black tree was in view. The tree grabbed Fightoe and threw him fifty miles away.
"Maluarbor?" Jason guessed.
"Correct," the tree said as it gently grabbed Jason. "I admire heroism. Which is why my friends and I have come."
"What friends?" Jason asked.
Soon, his question was answered when approximately ten grey trees, a foot shorter than Maluarbor, came from a distant forest.
"Whoa," was all Jason could say.
* * *
At last, Alaric stopped pacing. Just then, a messenger ran into the room.
"My king, the Imperious' army is ready to seize the village!" the messenger announced.
"Excellent," Alaric replied. "Send Navi's men."
---
CHAPTER TEN
Dion, Ethan, Conner, Leo, and Drake sat at a long, wooden table. Ethan and the others sat at the side while Dion and Vakama sat at the ends.
"Do you know why these dudes are after your village?" Ethan asked Vakama.
"No," the elder said. "I don't know what they want. They're just... cruel."
"Then we must fight!" Leo said.
"Leo..." Dion said. "We won't stand a chance against fifty henchmen and a Chimera."
There was much silence until Kapura ran in. "They've entered the village!" he said.
Dion's group took random objects from the wall: A long stick, knives, etc.
"Well, hey..." Drake sighed. "If we die, they'll die when they have."
* * *
Before the Behemoth could seize Daggeron, the gold knight backflipped and sliced the beast's horns off. The Behemoth roared in agony and charged back towards Daggeron. This time, the knight leaped forward and plunged his sword into the beast's chest, killing it. Soon, Koragg and Daggeron came face-to-face again.
"Impressive," Koragg said sarcastically.
The dark knight unsheathed his sword. Daggeron readied his. The opposite knights lunged at each other once more.
* * *
The Hidiacs attacked the village, with Dion and the others doing their best to hold their stand. The Chimera was face-to-face with the village's most skilled fighter, Usus.
The Chimera grabbed Usus and held him over its head. The warrior took out his dagger and stabbed the beast's head, causing it to drop him. The Chimera roared in pain, just as Kapura came up and attacked the beast with a fallen Hidiac's sword. The young villager plunged the sword into the Chimera but to no effect. It took the sword out and charged at Kapura.
With the Chimera distracted, Usus threw his dagger at the beast's head, grabbed the sword, and finished it off.
* * *
Jason, Maluarbor, and his fellow trees journeyed across Thustra's plains to find Dion and the others.
"Where do you think they are?" a high-pitched-voiced tree asked.
"Most likely Alaric's castle, where I was," Jason said.
"Doubtful," Maluarbor said.
"How do you know?" Jason asked.
"I know King Alaric," the black tree replied. "A little too much. He doesn't keep prisoners alive unless told to."
"So, are they dead?"
Before Maluarbor could answer, a boulder flew by.
"Catapults!" the high-pitched tree shouted.
Maluarbor put Jason down. "Go! We'll catch up!"
Reluctantly, Jason ran.
* * *
Just when it seemed like victory, Alaric's men marched towards the village, followed by catapults and small turret towers. Soon, the village was out-numbered. The group had no choice but to surrender.
The villagers were all out, arms behind their head. General Navi approached Dion.
"It's sad," Navi muttered. "You came here in hopes of a simple alliance." The pale general cackled. "And you got an opposing force." He turned to his right-hand man. "Cuff them."
Just then, a boulder flew by and took out sixty percent of the Hidiac army. The villagers and Navi's army looked up to see a horde of giant trees, hurling boulders at the Hidiacs. With Navi distracted, Dion took the cuffs and knocked Navi out with them.
* * *
Daggeron was at Koragg's mercy again. This duel was becoming one-sided.
"I have no time for this," Koragg muttered.
He sheathed his sword and teleported away. Daggeron got to his feet and saw a figure in the distance. The knight knew who it was and prayed that the figure would be able to end this.
---
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jason took the same path Fightoe, Warmix, and Bellow had taken to Zen-Aku's temple. At last, he reached his destination.
Inside, thousands of hideous beasts surrounded a pool of a strange liquid. Zen-Aku came forward, followed by two guards. The beasts started chanting in an unfamiliar language. As they chanted, Zen-Aku raised a staff and blasted a beam of energy at the pool. The wolf-armored being started speaking.
"It has been eons since our master ruled our empire. Now, he shall rule once more." Zen-Aku's eyes moved in Jason's direction. "And we seem to have a visitor."
The beasts turned and growled at Jason.
"Leave us," Zen-Aku snarled. The beasts backed up against the walls.
Jason stepped forward. "I can't let you bring this... master of yours back!"
Zen-Aku laughed. "Of course you can't let us. You're a hero. It's what you do." The wolf-masked villain approached Jason. "Now, this is where you come in."
Zen-Aku swiftly took off his mask and placed it over Jason's face. Before the beasts' eyes, the old body of Zen-Aku crumbled to dust.
* * *
The messenger ran into King Alaric's throne room. "My king, Navi's army has been defeated!"
"What?!" Alaric said, amazed. "But I... he... I had a brilliant strategy!"
"Well, then...." Homizz entered the room, with only his red, pupil-less eyes showing. "I think a change is needed."
In a heartbeat, he took out his dagger and stabbed Alaric in the back.
* * *
Jason felt nothing but pain as the mask took control of his body. Zen-Aku's voice spoke in his mind.
"In order to bring the Master back, your body is needed for the Master's body core."
The mask willed Jason to walked towards the pool, despite Jason's resistance.
No, Jason thought. He won't die like this. He had to stop this. Then, with all his willpower, Jason took the mask off and threw it into the pool. That turned out to be a bad idea as Zen-Aku's upper body emerged.
"You foolish boy... you cannot escape your destiny. You will regret this day. I promise."
With that, Zen-Aku reentered the pool and a giant arm took his place. Jason turned and ran to the exit as soon as a body started to emerge.
* * *
At last, Navi's army and the Hidiacs were defeated. Now all that was left was to find Jason. As Dion and the others were about to leave, Jason ran into them.
"Jason!" Ethan shouted, glad to see his best friend again. "Where have you been?"
Before Jason could answer, a giant beast rose up in the distance. It spread out its wings and flew up.
"You imbeciles!" it roared. "You think it's over... but my conquest has just begun!"
With that, the beast dove into the ground, creating a large tunnel heading downwards.
---
EPILOGUE
The village held a small victory celebration, comforted enough with the curse being lifted. Young villagers listened to Jason as he recounted his adventures. In the middle of the celebration, Daggeron returned, exhausted from his duel with Koragg. The rest of the celebration was nothing but that.
The next day, Dion, Vakama and Daggeron examined the large hold the creature had made in the ground.
"There's definitely something down there," Dion said. "My crew and I will explore it."
Vakama nodded slowly. "I've put my trust in you. I'll allow one of my villagers to go with you."
"I see," Dion replied. "Any volunteers?"
"I'll go," Usus said.
"Fine. Daggeron?"
"I'll stay here and protect the village," Daggeron said. "I have a hunch Alaric may attack again."
"Then it's settled," Dion said.
Soon, Dion, his crew, and Usus journeyed into the tunnel.
* * *
Koragg arrived at the true Imperious' temple. He bowed before his master.
"My lord, Alric is dead."
"I knew he wouldn't succeed," the Imperious muttered. "And Zen-Aku?"
"Unknown," Koragg said.
"Well then," the Imperious said. "Send our other agent."
"As you wish, my lord."
TO BE CONTINUED
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