The Emerging Part I: Dream
CHAPTER VI

‘Odd, my flashes are normally green,’ Vaiqon says to himself before noticing that the boys, including Fox, are neither stumbling nor blinking in confusion. Vaiqon balks as he reads the boys’ auras briefly, feeling their adaptations having already implanted deep within their auras.

“Fox,” Vaiqon begins not able to suspend his shock, “you do not feel disoriented in any way?”

Fox stares at Vaiqon with an eyebrow raised in confusion, “No, why? Should I?”

“Vaiqon is just shocked that you are not stumbling,” Hawk answers.

“Or blinking in confusion,” Pork adds.

“Because Pork and I did just that when Vaiqon flashed us the first time from Karacrross to Coas,” Hawk concludes.

Fox nods in understanding, “Ah, that was a flash? That flash of light I saw, transports us instantly?”

Vaiqon nods, his astonishment at the three boys making itself present in his wide eyes and raised eyebrows, “Yes, Fox, and before you ask, yes, you will one day learn this rather handy feat. But until such time, please, explore the city of Dzrt, but please, do not leave the outer rim of the Imperial Market.”

Hawk, Fox, and Pork each nod as they quickly make their way towards the closest merchant stand.

After the first merchant stand fails to capture their attention in the least, the three boys then venture farther and farther away from the center of the Imperial Market. They observe the squat buildings comprising much of the city of Dzrt, the only iconic building they see is the Dzrt Palace, a building they have all heard rumor at one time or another.

“Well, I suppose a city in the desert can’t afford to have tall buildings,” Hawk begins.

“Yes, far too much walking up stairs,” Fox jokes.

Pork chuckles, “They’d be sweating so much they’d fall right back down the stairs!”

The three boys then breakout in a chorus of laughter, their feet carrying on without their knowledge into a dim alleyway.

Hawk pauses suddenly, a question poised on his lips, “Oh, Fox, Vaiqon never told you to bring your most prized possession with you. Pork and I did.”

Fox shrugs, “I don’t have too many possessions. Just one really, that I keep with me at all times.”

“And what would that be?” a hidden voice reaches out through the dimness of the alleyway, frightening all three of the boys.

“I hope its valuable,” another voice rings out from the dimness.

Hawk, Fox, and Pork start at the sound of the voices calling to them. They turn towards the source of the voices deeper into the alleyway. They see five figures moving through the dim alleyway. They watch as the five figures are illuminated intermittently with the sporadic light streaming in to the alleyway to show the figures are merely children just on the verge of adolescence.

Hawk stares at the center of the approaching group, a memory echoing back to him, “Desert?” he asks, shocked.

The boy in the middle, a dark-skinned boy wearing a scarf over most of his face, pauses abruptly, the rest of the group continues forward a few steps until they realize the boy named Desert has stopped.

“Hawky?” Desert asks from behind his scarf, his voice muffled. “Is that you?” Desert glances towards Pork, “And Porker is here as well? Well, what’ve I done to fall into such a terrible reunion.”

A giant boy to the right of Desert speaks, “Hawky? Hawk?! This is the Hawk that made a fool of you, boss?!”

Desert smiles beneath his scarf, “Ya know, Brick, I was just thinking of that. Grab them, their scrawny little friend too.”

Before Hawk, Fox, or Pork can turn, Brick and two others of Desert’s group seize them forcefully. Desert walks directly to Hawk, placing his face just inches away from Hawk’s.

Hawk snarls at Desert, but withholds the urge to spit in Desert’s face. Hawk believes he sees a smile stretch behind the scarf before he feels pain shoot through his belly. He doubles over to see Desert’s fist retreating and then exploding again into Pork’s belly.

Hawk curses to himself, a new sensation that he rather enjoys. He then raises his head to glare directly into Desert’s sinisterly gleaming eyes. Hawk spits into Desert’s face unexpectedly.

Desert recoils, then brings his fist directly at Hawk, but replaces himself on the ground before he can blink. Hawk smiles watching Fox hold Desert’s fist behind Desert’s back on the ground. Hawk feels himself released, fear wafting through the alleyway as Fox’s skills tear into each member of Desert’s group.

Fox then releases Desert as Desert begins to thrash uncontrollably. Desert rises to his feet, his eyes glaring at Hawk, Pork, and Fox in turn.

“Who’re you?” Desert demands pointing a finger at Fox.

“This is Fox,” Hawk says, “my new friend from Coas. We’ve been learning lots about one another. I just learned Fox can fight.”

Desert curses loudly, “You’ll both pay for this. I’ll not let you humiliate me twice, and in front of my own gang!” Desert exclaims as he charges after Hawk with a fist raised.

Hawk pushes Fox away who jumps in front of him. Hawk then dodges Desert’s rapidly swinging fist. Hawk then ducks, weaves, and dodges a dozen more punches that Desert attempts to make contact on Hawk’s person. Hawk chuckles inwardly, but feels pain instantly as Desert’s elbow snaps unexpectedly into Hawk’s shoulder. Hawk rubs his shoulder as he retreats a few steps, but then readies himself in a defensive position instinctively as he feels Desert charging at him. Hawk then catches Desert’s swinging fist, throwing Desert’s fist away and bringing a knee directly into Desert’s stomach. Desert doubles over and Hawk follows with a quick elbow on the nub of Desert’s neck. Desert collapses to the ground with a huff where his friend Brick then charges at Hawk to avenge his fallen leader. For the second time, Fox steps in and utilizes his innate skills to quickly subdue a much larger opponent. The giant boy falls alongside his leader with a grunt.

Hawk nods to Fox as Fox stands next to him. Pork rises from behind a crate he disappeared behind at the start of the brief duel between Hawk and Desert. He stands just behind Hawk, his head tilted low.

Brick rises first, picking Desert up with him. Desert curses loudly again forcing a couple passing by to start with fright and offense at the language.

Desert points at Hawk, “You’ll pay, Hawky, you will.”

Hawk smiles, “Maybe you want a rematch? Tomorrow?”

Desert glares at Hawk but does not verbally respond.

Hawk smiles wider, “The legendary Vaiqon’ll be making an obstacle course. Those that defeat it get a prize. Fox, Pork and I’ve defeated it. We get the prize. I don’t think you’ve got what it takes to beat it.”

Desert’s eyes widen at the insulting challenge, “I’ll be there,” he says as he turns and walks away with Brick and the rest of the gang following on his heels.

“Why’d you tell him about the obstacle course?” Pork asks.

Hawk smirks, “He thinks he’s so strong, I wanted to put him to the test.”

“But what if he beats the course?” Fox asks.

“Then we’ve got a strong problem to deal with,” Hawk jokes, but neither of the boys laugh.

Sitting in a dark corner of the tavern, he observes each and every one of the patrons with the utmost scrutiny. He stares at his mug of hardly touched ale, using his peripherals to gaze about.

He feels a powerful presence enter and make his way to the tavern’s keeper. He breaks his concentration to look toward the man that strides directly for him. He becomes wary of the newcomer until he recognizes an old familiar face bobbing along in step toward him.

He smiles as he welcomes, “Vaiqon! To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Vaiqon smiles but says nothing as the two friends embrace quickly before sitting back down. Vaiqon observes his longtime friend. He sees a few wrinkles have begun to etch their way onto his friend’s face. He notices his friend’s skin is pasty.

“Have you not been in the sun all summer long?” Vaiqon asks with obvious worry on his face.

The man chuckles, “You could say that.”

Vaiqon’s worry does not fade as he asks, “What have you been up to, Uxxok?”

“Well, Vaiqon,” Uxxok begins, “as you know,” he says with a glare, “I have been away on an infiltration mission. Little did I know that I would be kept in shadow for so long.”

“How long exactly?”

“When was the last time we spoke?”

Vaiqon ponders the question a moment, thinking back, his memories replaying before him.

“Three years ago, Vaiqon. Three years I have squandered in darkness to infiltrate and spy at yours and the rest of the Daijoks’ request. Three years to discover whatever the filthy underground had hidden in its core. Three years of darkness, Vaiqon.”

“I had no idea it had been that long. But at least you had much success over the years.”

“That is the only good thing to have happened.”

Vaiqon looks at Uxxok with worry yet again. He sees hurt in his friend’s eyes, “What has happened, Uxxok?”

Uxxok stares at Vaiqon with skepticism and rage, “You truly do not know?”

Vaiqon looks down, “I am sorry, I do not. You have hardened your gaze over the years, my friend.”

“Very well,” Uxxok begins, “all that I can say is that in three years’ time, I have made and lost many a friend and am ready to see the light again.”

Vaiqon places a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I understand, Uxxok, but, unfortunately, I am afraid I must request your assistance for one last mission.”

Uxxok glares at Vaiqon but sees sincerity in the old man’s eyes and nods nearly imperceptibly. “What is it, and it shall be done, as always...”

Vaiqon smiles brightly, but it soon disappears as he begins to explain, “All over Munda Luna, murders have been committed.”

Uxxok merely stares at Vaiqon, “And? Murders happen everyday in Rizq. My home.”

Vaiqon nods, “Yes, but these murders have taken place in Veqxon, Scarlitis, and Eais.”

Uxxok’s mouth gapes wide. “How is that possible?! Those cities have the most well-guarded walls and streets I have ever known!”

“Exactly my point. I have never been so distraught.”

“I understand, Vaiqon, but wait, have you witnessed these bodies?”

“Only one. Teqqc sought me in Coas Citis and she connected with my aura with a gruesome sight of a man’s body capitulated.”

“Ah, I see. And I assume she was the one to inform you of the other bodies?”

“You are correct.”

“Ah, being the Oqoponh has its advantages, I suppose.”

“If you believe having the priority of seeing three murdered bodies an advantage, then yes, I suppose she does.”

“I did not mean it like that, Vaiqon.”

“I know, Uxxok. It is no matter.”

Uxxok flashes a quick smile, but soon drops it as he remembers Vaiqon has not yet voiced his request. Vaiqon senses his friend’s impatience and chooses his words carefully.

“Uxxok, you are the best of the Rniti in espionage.”

“This is true.”

Vaiqon glares at Uxxok for a moment, and says, “I am your Daijok, Uxxok.”

“Nominally.”

Vaiqon’s anger rises, “No matter, we, no, I, request that you go underground for one more mission. To replace the one behind these murders. There is a puzzle that I cannot piece together and I am afraid my Daijok duties prevent me from investigating this matter further.”

Uxxok stares at Vaiqon, considering the request. He sees a nearly empty tavern behind the old man, but in his mind he sees all the ones who have been killed due to his influence. His guilt-ridden conscience screams at him, but he knows what he must do.

“Of course, Vaiqon. I will gladly accept this final mission.”

“Excellent,” Vaiqon says while standing and making ready to exit the tavern.

Just before he takes a step, Uxxok speaks, “May I ask who has been murdered, and how?”

Vaiqon turns slowly. Without sitting back down, “All youthful. All scholars. All found in their offices in their libraries.”

Suddenly, Vaiqon seizes up in a still silhouette. Uxxok watches as Vaiqon’s eyes become glassy. Uxxok knows Vaiqon’s aura has been touched by someone and waits patiently.

Before long, Vaiqon’s eyes return to normal and he turns to a pleading Uxxok. Vaiqon mumbles, just coherently enough for Uxxok to hear in the Rniti language, “Unehtok in Injix.”

Vaiqon turns to leave without another word or look to Uxxok. Uxxok watches the old man exit the tavern. He glances down to his ale. He picks up the mug. Smells the drink. Drains the glass. Savors the taste. And waits for the alcohol to numb his mind.