The Not Quite So Average Journey

[Krugor]

(( Closed to .Anke. and Chidori Draconid ))

Again that sound. Just a second this time, a rasping sound. Now, even louder, the tapping of feet on the warm, sandy soil. Lots of feet even, Krugor realised. There was something frightful near him this dark night, he could feel it. Though the pitch black surrounding revealed not even the slightest clue as to what might be stalking the skeleton. The small campfire in front of wasn’t sufficient. It could only shine some light on the old, dirty book in front of Krugor, spending most of his power on the water-filled kettle on top of it. An unprofessional wooden construction held the kettle up above the fire. Proudly Krugor smiled at his structure. There would be some nice coffee for him in just a split second.

But there it was again. For the fourth time it sounded like something was sneaking up on him. Whirling around Krugor held his staff in front of him. Switching his view left to right and back quickly enough to catch on to anything that might be lurking in the dark.
Or so he thought, for there was nothing to see. Sighing out loud he lowered his staff and sat down on the sand once more. Where did he stop reading again?

Delicious Miggle-Biggle
The one and only legendary delight! Dating from before the discovery of the Jiggle mushroom this recipe shows you all you need to know about making your own delicious miggle-biggle!

Ingredients:
- Some water
- A bit of Coronian sugar
- A big pot of lobster stew
- ¼ Miggle Biggle
- Some garlic and other spices of own preference

Preparation:
Take the big pot of lobster stew (you could also take some other stew if you don’t like lobster) and put it on a hot fire. Wait till the stew is blazing before putting in the sugar. When the sugar is added pour some water into the mixture while carefully stirring everything in the pot. Slice up the Miggle Biggle in small parts and throw them into the pot too. Now, say your prayers and spit in the stew, you’ve got your dinner!

Tips:
You could also add some oranges or strawberries for that extra nice sweet flavour!

Scratching his bald scalp he reread the recipe. He had never heard of a thing called a Miggle Biggle, but apparently he didn’t read it wrong the last time. Quickly flipping through the pages he looked at the description of the mushroom. Mostly found in dry, desert areas. Yep, I must be at the right spot.
This had to be the area he figured. Everything in the description matched with the look and feel of Tel Moranfauglir, the Black Desert of Raiaera.

Then suddenly a strong force hit him in the back. Krugor, who was to much absorbed into the story of the mysterious mushroom, didn’t hear the creature sneaking up on him. The skeleton fell over, knocking down his precious kettle into the flames. Quickly jumping up, pulling the iron kettle out of the fire, he held up his staff and looked straight into the eyes of a transparent…ghost. The man, for it was in fact shaped like a human, wickedly grinned at him. The sharp sound of metal echoed through the night as the barbarian typed ghost drew his battleaxe. Both intrigued and a bit frightened Krugor turned around when the same sound could be heard three, even four times more behind him. No, in fact, there were five more ghosts behind him, all ready to strike with there axes. “Evening people. What can I do for you?” he asked carelessly. A deep guttural sound was the response as the ghost in front charged at the skeleton.
Dropping himself to the ground kept the undead man from being separated with his arm as the swift strike swung loosely past him.
The massive weapon immediately sliced its way into the sand after the miss. Rolling to the side Krugor watched the bloodlust in the eyes of his attacker. This wasn’t just any random attack, it seemed they were out to get him. And he knew he couldn’t win this battle by himself.

[.Anke.]

It wasn't often he set out from the sea, but this trip into the Black Desert was a necessary one. After having spent a goodly amount of time serving beans, imperishable citrus and hard bread to the ravenous crew manning the privateer Sviersla, an ancient silver-hulled ketch whose captain was absolutely obsessed, Nathaniel set foot once again on land, haversack stuffed with all the essentials. He wouldn't be returning to his life as a pirate's mess sergeant any time soon -- at least, not until he got a little research done.

A few days later, the raptor in question was wandering dark plains well after sun-down, sight trained on the flicker of what he hoped was firelight not too far ahead. He had settled into a comfortable lope, something others may have deemed arduous, when it was, indeed, a timeworn rhythm once employed by his hunting ancestors. Nathaniel did not know this, (though he could guess), but that which rested 'neath the flesh-farce of a creature who no longer belonged to this world had felt such movements long ago. The pace was sweet.

Thus did he cover the distance in a relatively short period, his false leg repaired from...previous incidents, and giving him little grief. Cold lips peeled to announce a forgotten melody his creator had been fond of feeding the phonograph during still evenings recovering before the fireplace, piercing the night which encompassed him as more than just a memory. Nate had no wish to startle his fellow traveller into aggression, deeming it wise to alert whomever resided here as to his presence. Only when it became apparent that there was more to this scene then there first appeared did he falter in mid-step, out of the light's undulating range.

Spirits.

The occultist grabbed for his notebook and snuck closer, his Communion senses tingling. Flickering into view were several shimmering figures, reminiscent of barbarity, and a single...skeleton. "Fascinating," he murmured, crouched down like an ostrich in the sand, scrawling furiously. Lady fortune must be smiling in my direction! A finer opportunity to witness the intricate social behaviour of otherworldly beings (who were obviously among the special, select genus of otherworldly beings who were actually aware of each other) without having to rely so heavily on his fledgling abilities could not be had.

The fact that the skeleton may have in fact been in some sort of danger did not occur to him.

[Chidori Draconid]

Strangely, the ethics and traditions behind the use of magic in Raiaera have slowly become more liberal in the past thirty years. The songs of Istien University, although patriotic in a sense, are not tactically feasible for a battle ready magic user. A fighter whose skills are centered exclusively on his spells is becoming increasingly rare, and mages find it convenient to incorporate permanent enchantments and alchemy products into their skill set…

Chidori shut the obsolete book and tossed it on the white carpet floor beside him. It had clearly been made before Raiaera’s conflict. In fact it may have been impractical even then. The contradictions were obvious. He couldn’t imagine a fighter, whose skill set was centered around magic because physical battle with or without a weapon was a fighter’s definition. This wasn’t the only thing to read in the estate’s extensive library, but it was the only thing that caught his eye. The young deity was in a strange, picky mood today fueled perhaps by boredom. It was highly stressed that he not leave the country for a while after provoking so many influential foreigners at the previous week’s party. It was also recommended, but not as critically stressed, that he stay within the boundaries of Ethiopia Estate where Nu Gua, the goddess owner of the property, would easily thwart off any foe. So he spent the past three days cooped up in the manor, while everyone and their mother made commutes to Eluriand, Anebrilith, and even into Alerar. Avakra Ambul, the young female deity involved in the past week’s conflict, was in just as much danger as Chidori, but she regularly commuted between the estate and Eluriand to tutor a student in water manipulation.

He only stayed in to appease Nu Gua for he would need such ‘brownie points’ to justify his escape when his father broke him out of here and led him to adventure. “I followed your wishes and stayed here for three days. If Avakra can safely commute to Eluriand by herself, then surely I could go to that place under the protection of my father, God of Dragons.” Why did he and Avakra obey the wishes of Nu Gua anyway? He was twenty two years old, and she was twenty three. They were adults… But she was a goddess, who was here when time began.

Just as he began to ponder a few more legitimate excuses for his disappearance, a large shadow crept over him as he lay on his bedroom floor. A tall, muscle bound man fully clad in dragon scale armor stood at the open doorway and knocked on the wide open door. His eyes were pure russet, and his skin seemed to be pure gold, and the miniature set of dragon wings seemed to twitch as he gave Chidori a smile.
“Hello, Dad.” Chidori said with a smile as his father helped him up, “So where are we going?”
”We will be staying in Raiaera. I can tell you that much.”
Chidori was a second away from turning back around and sitting on his bed as a silent objection to staying in the country, but Draco made a promise to find him something new to do, and he always kept his promises. The young deity could also understand his father’s reasoning for keeping him in Raiaera. Although it wasn’t his declaration for Chidori to stay in the country adults had to present a united and decisive front for their children, no matter how old the children were. Instead of objecting, Chidori retrieved his cane and walked into the hallway after his father.

-----

“I can’t believe we’re still in Raiaera!” Chidori said in surprise as he gazed upon the Black Desert. The city of Treynce was just behind them.
”I heard you have been reading plant and alchemy books, so I thought it would be nice to send you here. The flora and fauna here are known for survival in the most arid of conditions. The right Tel Moranfauglir plants and animals with the proper alchemist can produce items that endow astonishing resilience. Enjoy.”
Chidori’s father, now a full fledged golden dragon took to the sky and disappeared over the horizon leaving behind four full canteens of water and a pouch for storage. Draco knew his son better than anyone else. These women that surrounded him in his new home assumed him to be a stereotypical combative male due to first impressions and the restrictive situation they were in right now. However, the young deity had many sides to him. As fun as parties, battles, and sex were, he was absolutely thrilled to be out here foraging for plants in the foothill boundaries of the Black Desert. With jolly fervor he set out to pick cactuses, bushels, seeds and anything else he could come across.

Many hours later the sun had long set, Treyence was nowhere to be seen and the solid foothills of the Black Desert outer rim had become the liquid hills of black sand. Chidori was lost, but he dare not call upon his father to descend and swoop him out of here. Not that his father wouldn’t come to his aid. He just didn’t want his father helping him. He would find his way out of the Black Desert with the help of a mortal or stumble across the foothills as the gods would watch and admire his valor. Only two canteens of water left, enough to make Chidori have second thoughts about not calling his father. He would call upon Draco only if he ran out of water. Hope soon came in the form of a fire lit in the distance. As he approached he noticed the porcelain white bony figure. Was that who he thought it was? Around him was a group of six transparent figures, spirits of some kind. Were they friends?

Chidori got his answer when one of the six figures attacked the skeleton from behind. As the other five drew their weapons so did Chidori as he dashed towards the scene. The sand was difficult to traverse for his shoes were not made for this terrain, so he had to move in large strides up the sandy hill towards the battle scene. He could imagine Krugor listening as a pair of rapid loud steps quickly closed in and the clash of blades. Chidori leaped back after his strike was deflected by a large axe. It was obvious that the ghosts had heard him coming and they were prepared, but his objective was to distract the ghosts. If his intention was to simply kill them he would have waited until all six ghosts were focused on killing the skeleton, but then it would be too late for Krugor.

[Krugor]

The hard, clinging sound of metal blades bashing into each other echoed through the dark night as Krugor just barely managed to dodge yet another blow. Surprised by the sudden sound of another battle, right next to him he looked up and saw a very familiar face fighting by his side. Chidori Draconid. The powerful diety and the skeleton had some history before, for they had also fought side by side not that long ago. Though Krugor didn’t really worried about how and why his friend had come such a long way into the desert at this hour, he was to busy being happy that a comrade showed up to help him.

Krugor jumped up from his awkward position on the sandy ground and quickly whirled his staff around between his fingers with renewed strength. The arrival of a friend had done him well. The spinning piece of wood came to a sudden stop when the skeleton grabbed it with both hands in front of him. Looking around suspiciously as if he was about to do something horrible he raised the staff up high, mumbling something and slammed the thing deep into the sand.

It took a few seconds but suddenly the ground around Krugor started to shake, slow but very powerful waves sped through the desert, as if the sand was turned into water, like ripples on a wide stretched ocean. The ghosts closely to him looked in awe as the part-time cook worked on his spell. He looked intensely and little drops of sweat fell from his bald head onto the warm sand, instantly evaporating.

The ground started to shake faster and faster, though it wasn’t nearly powerful enough to lift any person of his feet. But, of course, this also wasn’t the intention of the spell. And when the moment arrived, when the spell was completed and Krugor realised all his inner energies he released the staff from the ground, spun around on his left foot and shouted at all the spirits near him; “Time for some real power!”

A loud bang followed. Lots and lots of smoke appeared around Krugor, completely covering him and hiding him from sight. Several bright charges of lightning shot through the smoke and into the air, and the cracking of bones replaced the sounds of battle in the night.

And then, the ground stopped shaking. With a dull, “plop”-like sound it was over. The smoke disappeared and Krugor became apparent again. Although, not really. For where once stood the mighty mage now only a small, really smelly mushroom lay in the blistering sun. It didn’t take more than a few milliseconds for the awful scent to spread throughout the desert. The ghosts held up their noses in an attempt to keep it from the nausea creating odor.

The little fungus mushroom wiggled a bit, as if it tried to get up and walk away in shame. A very soft mumbling could be heard as reality descended once again upon Krugor; “Damn it! Wrong spell!”

[Chidori Draconid]

“You’re damn right that was the wrong spell.” Chidori said as he rolled his eyes and stepped in front of the mushroom that was Krugor.

Several ghosts slowly closed in on the young deity guarding the mushroom. A sizable battle axe came from overhead towards his right. Instead of blocking he dodged the swing and struck as the ghost recoiled. His expectations were then confirmed as his blade moved through the ghost’s translucent image like air. They were impervious to physical attack. Suddenly an object whizzed past his view in a grey blur. It was a throwing knife. A ghost in the distance wore a belt of them, and another one was in hand. Through pure reaction Chirori launched a projectile of stellar energy at the ghost. It was actually somewhat effective. The translucent warrior stumbled back as the blue projectile dissipated over his chest. Unfortunately it was only as effective as a hard shove. And the ghost straightened right back up to attack.

Another couple of swings came at Chidori, all of which he desperately dodged, leaping, and lunging about. He had to at least get out of the eye of the storm. The ghosts were all focused on him now, so Krugor might be safe now. Chidori leaped over the mushroom, ran around the bonfire and past the log. The ghosts walked towards him with a sluggish vengeance. What did he ever do to them? What did Krugor ever do to them? He could understand their frustration with the Elves. They were the ones who massacred these men so long ago. For a quick second Chidori stood straight up from his battle stance. He was considering taking the diplomatic route, but who was he kidding. He lived in Raiaera, so if he wasn’t the culprit he was at least guilty by association. These men were ghosts, they weren’t going to listen to reasoning.

Then the young deity had an idea. He would utilize his stellar energy again and see if he couldn’t provide an escape route for him and Krugor, but after this he would be drained of it for a while. A blue incandescent aura radiated about his body, but soon it began to condense itself around his midsection like the rings of a celestial body. Not many people on Althanas bothered to truly look up at the stars, but there were other worlds out there. Some of those worlds possessed rings not unlike this with several layers and lines. Chidori then ran towards the approaching group of ghouls, ring and all. At just the right moment, when he was fairly certain that it would make contact with every enemy, he allowed the ring to explode in every direction but his own. The effect seemed to force some back and blind others, but it proved partially successful. Had it not been for the one small blade that had been extended far enough to slightly cut his right forearm it would have been a perfect tactic.

Chidori kneeled down towards the mushroom, as drops of his divine blood painted the sand a polka dot red. The cut stung. It wasn't severe. Just annoying.
“Can I pluck you out of the ground so we can get the hell out of here, man?”

[Krugor]

Krugor watched helplessly as Chidori did battle with the ghostly attackers. He couldn’t use his magic or draw a weapon in his current form, he could only wiggle and hop from one place to another. How could I be so stupid!?

The skeleton was forced to watch in horror as his friend tried to create an escape route but instead got cut down by one of the razor sharp blades. Chidori sat down next to him and talked about getting out of there when Krugor suddenly noticed it. It. The reason he ventured this far into the desert.

The drops of the deity’s blood slowly colored the sand red. But totally unlike it would usually do. This was different and Krugor watched breathlessly how his dream became reality. How could he have forgotten about that little detail? The blood merged with the sand, the fluid becoming a vast object, as if something was growing from the ground. The earth rumbled a little and as quick as lightning a small, young mushroom popped from the sand. It was the most beautiful thing Krugor had ever seen. The cap of the mushroom was brightly red, with a snow white stem. For a moment the undead cook couldn’t speak, he looked in awe at the fungus.

Then, just when Krugor thought it was all over, the mushroom opened its cap and a dark hole revealed itself. The skeleton couldn’t comprehend what was going on at this moment, for he could swear he saw some sort of light inside that dark hole, as if it was a tunnel of some sort. And to make things worse he could hear a soft voice talking to him, inside his head.

I’m a Miggle Biggle, my friend. What kind of mushroom are you? I’ve never seen anything like you!

Thinking his mind was playing tricks on him Krugor replied, trying to play along;

I’m not a real mushroom, you know. I’m in fact a skeleton with the ability to turn myself into a fungus. Though it wasn’t planned this time, I wanted to ward off those evil ghosts instead.
I understand the Miggle Biggle responded, not really impressed with Krugor’s story You’re indeed in a dire situation.
I am. And it seems there’s no way out of here.
But there is. You and your companion should just jump inside me. Us Miggle Biggle’s are known for their ability to create a portal. Though I can’t say for sure where you’ll end up, my friend.

“That doesn’t matter! Thanks a lot, Biggle!” Krugor said, out loud this time. But the voice had already gone and didn’t respond. There was just the mushroom, shining bright in the darkness

Krugor hopped upon Chidori’s shoulder, who was still sitting kneeled next to him. “Chid, jump into that mushroom over there! Don’t question me and be quick, or we’ll get slaughtered!”


==//==

After a wild ride through vast darkness the couple arrived at the other end of the portal. Krugor had changed back to his normal self and brushed off his clothes, as if he had been soiled by the portal.

What he saw after that was unbelievable.

The entire world as he knew it had changed into something completely different. It was hot outside and as Krugor scanned his surroundings he realised why. On the horizon shined two brightly, purple colored suns, both of them twice the size of the Althanian sun. And that was not the only thing bigger than normal. The skeleton made his way through some layers of grass that came up to his elbows. Big trees covered the ground, creating a thick jungle. The trees felt like something really soft and would probably swallow a person whole if you would stand against it for too long. The ground was moist and had red glow about it.

“What is this…” the skeleton softly mumbled to his companion.

But before they could take a moment and think about where they were a high-pitched voice echoed through the air. “Who are you!? Probably spies. Yes, you must be spies! Hehehe!”

The voice sounded frightening and disturbing at the same time.

[Chidori Draconid]

That would be the last time Chidori would follow the skeleton man’s lead so blindly. Then again it was probably the last time Krugor would follow a mushroom’s lead so blindly. Only now, when the two of them were falling through a seemingly endless vacuum, did the young deity realize that Krugor was following orders. He didn’t have to know what the mushroom said as it spoke in this strange gibberish of a language.

The young deity’s feet made contact with a soft ground not unlike thick moss. At least it wasn’t a rough landing. It was then that his skin took a delayed reaction to the extreme heat. The tall thick grass picked at his skin. Krugor had returned to his usual self, as he could see the skeleton man’s porcelain white structure though the thick blades. This grass was taller than usual, and when Chidori stood straight up it stretched up to his waist. Looking up he saw exactly why it was so hot. Two violet suns stood side by side in the sky nearly blinding him. A sponge like tree nearly swallowed him as he stumbled back in reaction to the extreme light.

He looked to Krugor and shrugged his shoulders with a laugh. “I think I’ve come to the point where I’ve given up questioning the possibilities of this world. So what do we do now, big guy?”