I was asked a while ago to start a section of the website for fan fiction, like we had on the old Pen forums. I can’t do a separate section on the site, but I can start a blog. I’m glad that Flight 29 Downer posted a fan fiction because it reminded me to do this! So…here you go.
Just one request…be fair/constructive with your comments on the writing.
MissUnderstood says:
My goodness how many chapters are there O_o
Challenger Black says:
There are quite a few chapters. As you can see, it’s a long fanfiction. But I also split some of the chapters up into parts (part 1, 2, 3) because they were too long to begin with. That’s why there are so many.
Flume of Doom says:
What the >Saint-Dane’s-version-of-Solara<!
AAAAAEEEEEOOOOO!
Quig Pig says:
@Floom of Dume
How terribly fascinating.
Flume of Doom says:
@Quygg Pyggg
Oh yeah!
Shut your fat flume!
Quig Pig says:
Is that really the best you can do?
Don’t make me exact restitution.
Challenger Black says:
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 33: LaBerge, Veego, and the Pact (PART 5)
That hit LaBerge harder than all he’d been through in the past hour. He suddenly forgot about the aching bruises and wounds and cuts…and even his bleeding skull. Hearing Veego say that made him feel like it was all going to end…for good. In those few moments, he thought of Layra, the woman he loved, who’d given him a chance and befriended him and showed him love and friendship and all the things he’d never been given from those around him.
His feelings for her ran deep and after being with her, after she’d opened up his heart, as well as her own…it was then he found his inner strength to fight back. He took a bold stand against his sister, as well as her own trustees. And now here, he lay in the Black Forest, alone, cold…and downright miserable.
She then turned and faced her fellow trustees, who gave her an encouraging nod. She stared out at the enormous crowd who stood clapping and screaming as if they would erupt.
Jiggy-V kept on bouncing and twirling in circles and playing with her hair while chanting, “Down, down, down with the clown!” And soon, she got the entire crowd pumped. They were going nuts. They screamed, “Down-with-the Clown, down-with-the-Clown!”
“My friends!” Veego boomed, her voice echoing over all the commotion. “Tonight, we witness the birth of a new power, a new growth and development for Blok. Because of my fellow, I hate to admit, my fellow partner here…there’ll be no limits as to where we go from here. The power and options are limitless. There’ll be no end as to where we go and what we accomplish. Understand my good people, that with LaBerge here, the clown finally out of the way-” here she took a second to regain herself…and then screamed, “We’ll take Rune, Quillan and its people FOREVER!”
The crowd went nuts. They shouted out their approval. Jiggy-V clapped like crazy and stomped her foot and giggled giddily.
Veego then reached into her pocket and pulled out a knife. This wasn’t your typical kitchen knife. This knife was deadly sharp and could do a whole lot of damage if used properly. The handle was solid black and had a rubbery feel to it. But as for the blade itself, the texture was like glass with a tip so razor sharp …it’d cut your eyes out.
“LABERGE!” howled Layra, hurrying through the shrubs. Bobby quickly grabbed hold of her, pulled her back and said firmly, “No!”
“STOP!” she cried miserably, shoving him out of the way. “LET ME GO!”
Bobby looked her straight in the eye, his own voice quivering and said, “I’m sorry, but-” he hesitated, then went on, “this doesn’t involve us. Layra, I hate to say this. Really, I do. But maybe this really is the way it was meant to be. I-I’m sorry.”
Layra met his gaze and fell to the ground and broke out into a sad, miserable sob. She pounded the ground with fists and bawled out LaBerge’s name…over and over. Bobby kept his eyes on the horrifying scene and tried not to cry himself. He wasn’t really the crying sort but after what he’d seen and witnessed that night, well…he could barely hold back tears. This was just downright torture and agony.
“And now!” Veego announced, raising the knife above her gleaming eyes. “Now…despair my brother, to where you belong. DESPAIR!”
This was it…the final moment. The crowd roared with excitement and raised their torches high in the air and hollered up to the sky, sounding like a pack of wolves.
LaBerge breathed heavily, turned and looked beyond the crowd and saw two people staring out from within the shrubs. He recognized them instantly and when he saw Layra staring him straight in the eye, with such shock, disbelief and misery…he suddenly felt pained. He met her gaze and gave a small, weak frown and dropped his head on the ground…knowing the end was close.
“Now LaBerge!” said Veego, both shakily and passionately. “In the name, knowledge and power of Blok…..DIEEE!”
And with that, Veego howled and plunged the knife deep into LaBerge’s chest…straight into his heart. The instant the tip of that blade plunged into his heart, his eyes, bloodshot red, shot wide open, with his mouth half closed. He didn’t scream, cry or even howl in pain. He just gasped in shock. For a second, he felt the blade tearing into him as if it was eating him up and then, after staring blankly at Layra…his eyes slowly closed…forever. There lay the cold, lifeless clown in the now blood stained, multicolored robe… drenched in his own blood.
Veego stared down at the cold, lifeless body and for a moment, looked as if she would faint.
She then recovered herself with a cold smile, kneeled onto her knees and screamed over her dead brother, “Dead people of Blok! The worthless Clown is DEAD!”
Though Layra didn’t want to believe or even accept what she’d seen, what she was seeing, there was no denying what just happened. It was now eating her up. All she could do was sob. Her heart was torn, broken and ached. She longed for her lover…but knew it was no good. LaBerge, the once jovial, cheery man she loved…was dead. They’d killed him in cold blood. They’d tortured him. Layra could hardly breathe. It was like she wasn’t willing to accept it and tried telling herself what just happened was all a scam, or some sort of dream. But this was no dream. This was real, in the flesh. LaBerge had been killed, killed by his own sister, his own flesh and blood.
Bobby saw her struggling to breathe and clutched onto her and said firmly, “Layra…breathe!”
Slowly, Layra began to breathe properly but she was still in strong denial. She clutched onto Bobby and pressed her head into his neck and sobbed.
As Bobby stood there, working his head around all that went on that night, after seeing it all and the cruelty of Blok, he didn’t have to be convinced. He was now fully convinced what went on there in the Black Forest, the rise of Blok with LaBerge’s execution and his sacrifice…Quillan’s second turning point had just passed for the absolute worst. Things had just gone off the deep end.
He now understood LaBerge’s true meaning behind the whole agreement, behind him and Veego’s pact. Layra was originally meant to take that fall there in the Black Forest, along with all those who’d placed wagers on her. But LaBerge took one last stand and by doing so…saved Layra and the people of Rune, while losing his own life to the very people he’d been trying to stop. Bobby and Layra knew the real battle wasn’t about Quillan, Rune, the people, or even about Blok. They knew the real battle lied between Veego and LaBerge. The final showdown they’d all been waiting and feared for had finally come…and Veego had won.
He’d sacrificed himself for Layra, most importantly, and of course for the people of Rune but Layra herself was originally going to be killed that previous night. She was seconds away from being hauled off to the Black Forest. That is, till LaBerge stepped in. It now made sense to Bobby that LaBerge couldn’t stand there and watch the girl he loved and cared for get dragged off, so he did something about it. And now, after the pact had been agreed and formally signed, he’d been killed. He’d taken the execution of Layra and thousands of others. And as Bobby rethought the whole thing, he thought back to what he’d heard some time ago from Layra, somewhere back at the castle. She’d told him there was some new, unknown force at work that not too many knew about. Of course, it had nothing to do with the people of Rune.
It dealt with the Travelers. Layra had learned now, apparently, even though they were Travelers and were able to somehow, bring one another back from the dead…things had changed. She’d been warned that ability was lost. Why it was lost, no one knew. But Bobby now saw an even deeper meaning. Layra had shared her entire story with LaBerge as he had with her and he knew LaBerge wasn’t going to let Layra die, not that easily. Layra may have once held that power, but somehow, it got lost and now all Travelers were in the same boat. If Layra had taken the fall, there’d be no coming back. LaBerge himself knew he wasn’t a Traveler whatsoever and knew if he took this fall, that’d be it. But Bobby had the feeling his love for Layra ran deeply enough that he was willing to give up his own life.
Before leaving the Black Forest, now satisfied with her accomplished work, Veego turned to her trustees and said quickly, “Prepare them, prepare them all. Gather them for the invasion and let them know we’re closing in. I want each and every person told the importance behind this. Now, with him gone, their rebellion’s hopeless. They’ve got no hope. Clear them all, get them all outta the way. Wipe them out. Everyone. Layra, Bobby and the people of Rune. And I don’t mean just those who’d placed wagers I mean, all of Quillan! It’s time we take serious control at long last.”
Flume of Doom says:
What the >Saint-Dane’s-version-of-Solara< is THAT supposed to mean!!!???
🙁
Flume of Doom says:
I mean it @ Quig Pig, not Challllllengeer Blok.
Quig Pig says:
@FLOOM O DOOM
It means compensation or revenge you son of a TANG!
Flume of Doom says:
Oh you mean like GETBACK?
Holly says:
@ Challenger black
That was a sad, horrible death for Laberge! i really do hope bobby and layra beat Blok. And save Quillan!
Challenger Black says:
@Holly
I won’t reveal what happens, but I will say this. There is a big surprise in the ending.
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 34: Layra’s Agony
Invasion. After hearing Veego speak that word…Bobby no longer had to be convinced that Quillan had reached its second turning point. After all the hype, wait and fear of when things were going to go off the deep end…it finally happened. Veego, with the trustees in approval, had killed one of their own members, Veego’s brother himself, LaBerge. And him and Layra had witnessed the execution, start to finish and realizing how cruel these people, these sick trustees were…made their skin crawl and their heads twist. Things were only getting started which meant Veego and her people had much more up their sleeve just waiting to be unleashed.
And of course, things had only gotten worse with Veego now crowned as top trustee. That meant she was in charge, she gave the orders and she gave the final word on where things went. She and the others didn’t stick around long either. They whispered and murmured for what felt like a lifetime, but were only a few minutes and then turned and left the Black Forest…leaving Bobby and Layra completely alone.
The moment Veego and the rest were entirely out of sight, the two noticed how eerie a place the Black Forest truly was. It was so quiet and so still, they could hear their own breathing and even, they could have sworn…the other’s heart pounding in their chests.
And with Bobby and Layra now alone, Layra did the one and only thing her heart kept telling her to do. Without a word, she got up and hurried into the forest and up to LaBerge’s lifeless body.
“Layra, wait!” Bobby shouted, following behind.
But she wasn’t listening…let alone did she want to. Right then, all she could think of was the fact that LaBerge, her best friend, the man she loved…was now dead. She stood there a long moment, staring down at the poor man as if in a trance…which Bobby guessed she was. She hardly moved and even when she tried, she just stopped and kept staring down, hardly breathing. He couldn’t imagine how she’d cope with this or how she’d possibly begin to accept what just happened.
Layra then dropped to her knees and crawled up to LaBerge’s body and fell onto his chest…and sobbed. Bobby sat there, not knowing what in the world he ought to do. It was obvious Layra needed some time to try and accept what just happened but by the looks of it…it didn’t seem like she’d even consider accepting LaBerge was dead. She just sat there, burying her face into the cold, blood stained robe while sobbing like her heart would break, which right then…it was.
“Layra?” said Bobby softly.
He didn’t want to interrupt…but he couldn’t help think about Veego and the trustees and what their next plan with the upcoming invasion would be. He knew with Quillan’s second turning point already gone…they had to hurry and not forget the bigger picture.
“They tortured him!” she cried, through tears. They didn’t just murderer him, Bobby…they tortured him! Those sick people! I can’t even-”
“I know, Layra, but-”
But she wasn’t listening. She turned her attention to LaBerge’s head and moved in closer. She didn’t say a word but shakily…reached out and softly grabbed onto the multicolored wig which too…was stained in blood. She took a pained breath…then slowly pulled off the wig and what she saw next was too unbearable. She buried her head into his neck and howled in agony while Bobby took a nervous look at what she’d seen.
Now that the wig was off, LaBerge’s head was completely exposed…and it was a mess. His entire skull was bruised and bleeding, some drops even trickling onto his cold cheeks. Without the wig to hide the cruel mess Veego and her trustees had made, they could see all the detail and planning behind what they’d done. They’d torn the poor man apart.
And after Layra had stared at the bleeding skull for a long moment…she slowly started clearing away all the unnecessary things they’d done to humiliate him with. She took the red nose and tossed it aside and then tried her best in rubbing the face paint away as best as she could. But they’d smeared and coated on so much paint that it was near impossible. She’d managed to pull off the wig and the nose…but it looked like the face paint wasn’t going anywhere.
And now, with the wig and the nose gone, Layra saw he seemed more like himself. She even reached out to feel his cheek but almost burst out crying again when she realized how dreadfully cold he felt. The warmth and life he’d had only minutes ago…were no longer there. He felt like a statue and even his arms and legs felt hard as rock. She wasn’t so sure she could bear to see him at all but not being there with him wouldn’t have been right. She knew if it would have been her there in the Black Forest to be killed…he would have been there no matter how heart breaking a sight it was.
She then did something that really did make Bobby feel her anguish. She reached down and folded out his robe, exposing his bare, blood drenched chest…and the knife Veego had plunged into him. Tears welling in her eyes, she reached down…and pulled the knife out of his chest. With her hand shaking, she dropped the bloodied knife onto the ground. She turned back to LaBerge, closed her eyes, focused her mind and planted both hands on his chest, but really…her mind was in such a daze and was spinning so out of control…she wasn’t aware of the sad, unfortunate truth.
“It’s no use, Layra,” he told her softly. “He’s not one of us.”
And that’s when it finally hit her. She buried her head against his and wept. She couldn’t do anything else. She wasn’t thinking straight and wished it were some sick nightmare…but it wasn’t. And the one thing that kept coming back was the one simple truth of reality…but she wasn’t going to give in and accept it. She couldn’t accept the fact that her lover, LaBerge…was dead. She just couldn’t believe it, let alone accept it.
Trying to get the words out, she croaked, “Can’t we untie him?”
Bobby looked him over for a second and said, shaking his head, “I…I don’t know.”
Layra leaned down and grabbed hold of the tightly done up rope and cried, “At least try.”
But Veego’s people had tied poor LaBerge so tightly that it was near impossible to undo the tangled mess of rope. Layra tugged for all she was worth; yanking and biting desperately with her teeth…but it was no use. Even together, the two weren’t strong enough to break through the firm, thick rope. The sick brutes must have done up a good ten knots before they were finally pleased with themselves. It looked like his arms and legs might stay tied up like that forever.
That is…till they heard voices. At first, they wondered if it wasn’t just their imaginations. But they listened harder and were convinced they’d heard someone. But then that one voice turned into several and in no time…they were faced with a strange, yet saddening sight.
All whispering and murmuring sadly around LaBerge were a group of…clowns. Bobby held back at once, wondering why the little things had come at all, remembering back to his time in the Clown Forest. The little monsters had tried biting and smothering him with their creepy little claps, laughs…and teeth. They’d been nothing less than a bunch of weird, freaky trolls.
“Get away!” he shouted.
A few of the clowns cowered in fear and held onto one another as if they were in fact terrified and covered their faces with their tiny hands. Some even trembled.
But he saw Layra was staring straight at them with soft eyes and when he took an even closer look…he saw why. These clowns must not have been the same type he’d seen back in the Clown Forest. They couldn’t be. For one, their eyes weren’t small, evil and beady like the others. Their eyes were soft and friendly. They stood about three feet tall and as Layra and Bobby kept on watching…they saw the clowns were each carrying something. Daggers.
They gave one another a sad, simple look and approached the body. They then reached out toward the rope and began sawing and cutting away at the thick material. A few just stood there, watching quietly as their friends worked at breaking through the rope. They were in tears. It took the clowns about five minutes till the ropes were thrown off…exposing LaBerge’s bruised arms and legs. If Veego’s people would have tied his arms and legs any tighter…the rope would have cut into his flesh.
The clowns in turn, stood before LaBerge, bowed their heads…and then left. Layra knew LaBerge loved clowns and remembered him telling he wasn’t the sort who had a lot of friends, let alone any at all. But there was no denying these little clowns were upset at the sight of their fallen friend.
After they’d each said something, they sadly made their way back to wherever it was they’d come from, all whimpering things like, “Why?” and “How?” and “No!”
Bobby, suddenly, after having been quiet for some time said quietly, “The rebellion…”
Layra lifted her head and squeaked, “What?”
“The rebellion,” he repeated, speaking slowly. “What’s going to happen with the rebellion now that the invasion’s coming? They don’t even know what’s happened with LaBerge or Veego and her trustees. They don’t know.”
Layra held back, but then said shakily, “They looked up to him, Bobby. He was their leader. He was the one everybody was counting on and turned their hope to. Now what? W-was this all for nothing? Is it too late?”
He shook his head and said honesty, “I have no idea.”
What he couldn’t help fear was the constant question of…would Blok really destroy Quillan and its people for good? Was Veego and her trustee’s wish in Blok becoming the replacement territory once Quillan was crushed and broken to bits…finally becoming reality? If so, did that mean it was only the beginning of the triumph of Veego and her people? And the Quillan Games? If things carried on like they were now…they’d soon find out. The turning point had just passed which meant the finishing touches were now slowly coming together and if he and Layra, and the people of Quillan didn’t act quickly…there’d be no chance in even attempting a last minute rebellion. By that time, it’d be too late to even try. They had to make use of the little time they had left and not throw it away.
As much as Bobby hated having to take Layra away, he knew if they stayed there, the greater chance Veego had in finding them in the woods and being done with them before they even knew what hit them. And if someone didn’t warn the people or let them in on what was happening…they’d be goners. They had no chance in knowing what had just happened and where Veego and her trustees were now off to.
“We should go,” he told Layra quietly.
She looked him in the eye and croaked, “No.”
At first, she thought Bobby wasn’t going to answer, but seconds later…he did.
“Layra,” he said gently. “Listen to me…I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. I just can’t. But we can’t let Veego and them just go off and kill all those people. They don’t even know what’s happened. Someone has to warn them. We’ve gotta get out of here. If we stay here, they’ll be hopeless and they’ll never have a chance.”
Layra wiped her eyes, took a breath and said firmly, “You go.”
“What?” he asked.
“You go,” she repeated. “I can’t leave.”
“But, Layra, we-”
“You go!” she said, more firmly, still staring down at LaBerge. “I can’t just leave him here like this. I can’t go with you…please try to understand.”
Bobby thought for a moment, then said, “Are you sure?”
Her only answer was a silent nod.
“Wait,” he said, turning to face her. “You’re still part of the rebellion, right? What do you want me to tell them?”
“Just tell them what’s happened,” she said, fighting to get the words out. “Tell them everything.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Aren’t you coming, later I mean?”
She shook her head slowly and sobbed, “I…I don’t know. I just really need some alone time with LaBerge.”
“No, it’s fine,” he said quickly. “It’s just…this isn’t going to be easy.”
And with that, he turned around and in a hurry…made his way out of the Black Forest in desperate search of the thousands of people whose lives had just been placed in frightening danger. And he had to hurry because time at that point was running out.
Once Bobby was out of sight…she turned back to LaBerge. As much as she would have liked to have gone with Bobby in search of the others…she couldn’t. All she could do was stare at LaBerge and try and convince herself what had just happened was real. It felt just like yesterday when she and LaBerge were out back of the castle swimming in the pools and laughing and joking and having a wonderful time. And even the Rune Dance, as unfortunate a time as it turned out to be, the two shared their own special dance out near the pool with the brightly lit candles, cool air and the peaceful silence. It all felt so close to her, yet at the same time…so far away.
She then reached down and for a second…felt like she’d break down from doing so. But she didn’t stop herself. She sat herself down and carefully, with her arms trembling, she took hold of her lover’s body and pulled him up so he lay comfortably in her lap. She took a breath, and eased him closer so his head lay pressed against her chest. She wrapped him in her arms, nuzzled her head against his own and cradled him gently while every now and then, bursting out in tears, knowing she, as well as him…would never have another chance in cuddling like they’d done so many times before.
LaBerge had always been the loving type and always showed his love and affection in cute, funny little ways. Sometimes he’d surprise her with a rose or even a big bouquet while other times, he’d catch her by surprise with a soft, ticklish kiss on the neck or all those times he’d “accidently” left his Runkle on her bed, only to have attached a piece of tribbun or two, knowing how much she’d grown to love the odd, but tasty vegetable. They’d spent so much time together during her stay on Quillan at the castle. From playing Runkle, sharing a bowl of freshly mashed tribbun, having an evening swim out in the pool, taking a stroll out in the maze of gardens, dancing under the stars and preparing and cooking meals together…how could she possibly forget all they’d done together?
She even remembered the time she’d gone to his room of the castle and he’d shown her his collection of clown dolls. He must have had at least a hundred, but what she always loved best about his room…was that it was such a brightly colored, fun place. The bed was huge with soft, fuzzy blankets, there were wild, exciting games, wacky paintings along the walls and funky shaped rugs with crazy colors. His room was a one of a kind. And now, though it pained her to even try and accept it…he was gone.
That’s when it hit her. At some point that night, there was one thing she’d have to make sure got done. Right then, she wasn’t sure she had the strength to even do so…but she had to. It had to get done. She wouldn’t join Bobby and the others till it was done first. At some point that night…she’d have to bury LaBerge.
MisUnderstood says:
He should make a movie of this book too!! give it a name… then make a movie out of it… you could be famous xDD hahaa
Challenger Black says:
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 35: The Final Goodbye
And as she sat there holding LaBerge in her arms, she couldn’t help feel all the more worse in what not only she’d done…but what Veego and the rest had done to him. It was heart breaking. Because of her cheating and ignoring Bobby in the Great Four…LaBerge was now dead.
She shakily pulled back the folds of his robe a little more, only to see his entire chest and most of his stomach was drenched in blood. And from the corner of his lips, small drops of blood were slowly trickling their way down his cold, still cheek. As terrible and painful as seeing that was…there was something else that tore at her even worse. It made her want to crawl in a hole and never come out.
His skull. Those sick brutes had destroyed his skull in more ways than she could even imagine. As she looked more closely, sobbing, she saw they’d ripped the hair right off his head and they weren’t shy about it. LaBerge’s blond colored locks and curls were everywhere. On the ground, a few on his arms and even some scattered farther off and she now remembered they’d thrown his locks in the air like it were some sort of sick celebration. On his skull were a few simple strands of soft, blond hair that hadn’t been pulled or snipped or ripped. Through tears, she lightly caressed his bald, hairless skull and winced when she felt it wasn’t smooth like an ordinary skull, but rough with lumps that swelled a deep reddish color. On top of all that…the bleeding still hadn’t stopped. His poor skull had taken a cruel knock and an even worse pounding.
She picked up one of his soft curls and held it tightly in her clutched hand as she wondered why LaBerge had to be taken from her. He’d saved her life, along with so many others but things just didn’t feel right. With LaBerge gone, dead and out of her life…it felt like something wasn’t adding up right. Or maybe it was simply the fact that she just wasn’t willing to accept the agonizing truth. And then she still had Bobby and the others to think about. As depressed and upset as she was, she knew she couldn’t bail on them now…not at the point at which they needed her the most.
But she first had to do something else. Gently, she lowered her lover’s dead body on the ground and turned away, knowing what she now had to do. So she turned and walked off…on her way out of the Black Forest and back to the castle.
It took hours, but finally…she made it back.
Entering the castle, she realized how deadly quiet it was. There were no Challengers in sight, no guests…no one. Veego and her trustees were off getting ready to invade upon the doomed people. She assumed the Challengers were with Bobby and the others. But she wasn’t there to see people.
She found what she’d come for in one of the storage rooms…a shovel. She took it, shut the door and made her way back down to the bottom floor. But something stopped her.
Turning back, she saw it…LaBerge’s room. She knew one look inside and the place would be empty, but something was telling her she had to go in. So she walked up to the door, hesitated…and opened it. One look inside told her she was right. The room was sad and lonely.
She entered and, breathing hard, she looked around at the room that had once belonged to LaBerge. The bed was square shaped, with purple and yellow striped blankets, and softy, fuzzy pillows. Lined up along the front of the bed with their backs against the pillows and with cute smiles on their faces were a collection of dolls. Clown dolls. Colorful and funky posters hung high on the wall and on the wall were striped, starred, and spotted rugs. This was a room she’d been in so many times.
She walked over to his bedside dresser, and noticed something on top. She took a closer look, and saw it was some kind of note. It read: “I’ve left you something.”
Puzzled, she backed away and hurried out of the room. She rushed through the halls, made her way past a number of rooms…till she opened a door and ran into her own. She stopped, looked over to her dresser, and saw the top drawer was slightly open. She rushed over, pulled the drawer out farther and dug her hand through a pile of clothes…and felt it. She pulled out a single sheet of paper, looking it over, and reading even the first few words…she felt like crying all over again.
The note read: “Dear Layra, if you’re reading this, then it means I am dead. The past few days have been the worst of the life. I couldn’t imagine how bad things could become, and it’s so hard to believe how things have turned out. When they were going to kill you in the Black Forest…I just couldn’t let that happen. I’m so sorry to have gone and did what I did…but I couldn’t bear watch them take you away. I know things are gonna get hard, and almost impossible…but I’m hoping you’ll still lead the people of Quillan to their freedom. Please know that I love you more than anything, and I’ll never forget the times we shared here at the castle. They were the best times of my life and they’ll be with me forever. It was hard having a rough childhood…but then you came along and I’ve had more fun than I’ve had in forever. You’ll always be in my heart. I’ll always be thankful for you giving me a chance, giving me friendship…and giving me love. You’re the most special person I’ve ever met. I know I’m not there with you in person…but I’ll always be in your heart. Please know that if you still choose to lead the people into the battle…that I’ll be there with you. You won’t be alone, Layra. You, Bobby and the others are the only ones who can put things right. I believe in you Layra…and I’ll be there with you till the end. All my love, LaBerge.
P.S. I left you a little something in your dresser, so you can always have a part of me with you, something you can hold onto when things get hard. I made it for you so you can always keep me close…and know that I’m always there.”
Layra stared at the note in silence. After reading it twice, after hearing LaBerge tell her himself, she had to accept it. There was no turning away from it. The man she loved was gone. But she held onto his words of him never leaving her, and that he’d be there with her. Clutching the note…she only wished he hadn’t been taken from her. She folded the note in half and tucked it back in the dresser under the clothes.
She then dug through the clothes, searching for what he’d left her…when she felt it. She wrapped her hand around it, pulling it out…and stared down at what he’d left for her. It was a small, lifelike doll that looked just like LaBerge, with the crazy, blond colored hair, lime green suit…and cheerful smile. Tears welled in her eyes while she held the little doll, wanting to believe he was truly with her and he hadn’t been snatched from her.
She wiped her eyes and tucked the doll gently in her pocket, promising herself that LaBerge would never leave her.
She took a last look at her room, knowing this might well be the last time she’d ever see it. However the events from there turned out, the castle itself might not even be there for long. But she didn’t stand there and think long about. With shovel in hand, she made her way out of her room and down the halls of the grand palace.
About a half hour later, she was back in the Black Forest, standing over the lifeless body of LaBerge. She knew what had to be done, though it didn’t make it any easier. It pained her, because it felt more than a bit like by doing this, she’d be saying her final goodbye to LaBerge. He’d promised her in his note that it wasn’t really goodbye, and that he hadn’t left her…but she couldn’t help think deep down inside that she’d still be telling him goodbye.
So with the shovel in hand, she got to work by digging a large hole in the ground…the hole that she’d bury LaBerge in. She dug for what felt like hours, feeling the pain crawl into her arms but she ignored the pain and kept on digging. It took a while, but soon there was a long, deep hole in the ground and next to it, lay LaBerge.
She knelt down next to him, putting a hand on his cold cheek…knowing this was it. She leaned in close to his face…and kissed him softly on the lips. It’d be the last kiss she’d ever give him. She’d kissed him numerous times, but kissing him right then…tore at her heart.
She then took hold of his body and gently, carefully…lowered him into the hole. She dropped him softly on the bottom and got back on her feet. She stared down at the dark bottom, knowing he must feel sad and lonely, but shook that thought out of her head. He wouldn’t be alone. He was with her and she was with him.
She then finished the job by shoveling the dirt back over the opening and soon, the hole was covered completely. She stared at the ground, where LaBerge was buried below. It hit her that there should have been a headstone…but she knew those of Quillan would remember how their brave and caring leader was killed in the Black Forest. She knew, like her…they’d never forget him.
She looked down at the patch of dirt, and whispered, “I don’t where we go from here, LaBerge…but you said you’d still be with me, and I believe you.”
Despite the pain and heartache of missing LaBerge…there was one thing right there and then she promised her and LaBerge. She gave him her word she’d win their war and his own war against Veego. Not long ago, he’d been the people’s hope and inspiration in triumphing in the war to come but now…it was almost like he’d wanted her to carry on with what he’d begun. It all seemed to fit. If LaBerge hadn’t gone through with what he’d done, with his and Veego’s agreement…then she and the others would be dead. There was a deeper reason behind his doing. He’d given them that second chance at overthrowing Blok and though she felt vulnerable and weak…she wouldn’t give up. Not on Quillan, Bobby…or LaBerge. She’d take this fight to the end.
Quig Pig says:
HOLEY GUACAMOLEY!
Challenger Black says:
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 36: Spilling the News
When Bobby left Layra in the Black Forest to hurry off and find the others, he wasn’t even sure if he’d find the way. It had to have been close to midnight and with it so dark out…it wasn’t exactly easy finding his way back to the castle.
But luckily, it turned out to be less of a struggle than he expected and not long after he’d set out, he was soon running through the empty streets of Rune. It’d once been a busy and crowded place with the daily games and people around…but not anymore. He was the only one there but it made no difference with him being in the rush he was in. He had no time to lose.
Because those back at the castle weren’t aware of LaBerge’s passing, they’d have no idea of the oncoming invasion. They’d have no clue as to when they ought to start arming themselves for the deadly war to come. That’s why he had to keep going as quickly as he could and get there fast. And he still wasn’t sure where Layra stood in all this. She’d told him she needed some time alone, which he understood but when the time came when they’d be face to face with Veego, her trustees and their army of dados…would she be there? He’d know soon enough.
But all the same, he couldn’t help think back on what Layra had said. He knew she was heartbroken, no question there. She’d just lost the man she loved, a man who loved her and worse, he’d not only been killed…he’d been tortured, beaten and mocked of till the very end. The of losing him wouldn’t leave her anytime soon and depending on where her head was and what she planned on doing, he and the others could be in for a hell of a fight…without Layra.
It didn’t take Bobby too long to reach the familiar grounds leading up to the grand castle of Veego and LaBerge, though with LaBerge out of the picture…it was now Veego’s. LaBerge would no longer be stepping out the massive doors with a big smile on his face.
Veego’s team were now one step closer to fulfilling that mighty dream in forming a new and all controlling territory called Blok. Their store would expand into an entire territory and with the games being only the start of their work, soon…there’d be thousands of Blok stores in every country. There’d be an endless number of games and whether people liked it or not, whether they agreed to it or not, wagering on the events would be the one and only possibly way of life. That was the plan…Veego’s plan. And the chance of it becoming harsh reality was one step closer.
By the time he was actually in close reach of the huge castle, it was well past midnight. And after all he’d seen that night, with all the horror and madness bouncing about in his head…all he really wanted was a good night’s sleep. But that wasn’t possible, so he tried keeping himself together and kept on going. He knew if he didn’t make it to the others in time to warn them and let them in on all he and Layra had seen…they’d be doomed.
But when he passed the castle and was just about to enter the deepest parts of the woods where LaBerge had first taken them in hopes of hiding from Veego and the trustees…he stopped. What he saw made him want to think things over and maybe forget the whole thing. What he saw out there in the woods was a pretty sad and upsetting scene. Not that the scene itself was truly sad or anything, but just thinking about what he now had to do made the quiet and peaceful scene seem so innocent. He just didn’t want to go in there and cause a panic and a whole lot of fear…which he knew he would.
The families of Rune and all of Quillan were there in the woods. Most were laying down for a rest while some had dozed off hours ago. A few had their backs pressed up against trees while they read, while some lay stretched out on their stomachs, scribbling in notebooks.
But what got to him the most were the kids. There wasn’t one child who wasn’t up and running about, laughing and calling out names and squirting each other with their water guns or throwing water balloons in the air, while bouncing here and hopping there, trying to avoid a cold splash. The girls had their dolls all lined up in nice neatly organized lines and some even had what looked like a tea party set up with plastic dishes and cups and colorful, girly decorations. There was also a series of activities going on. They played numerous games like tag, leap frog, hop scotch, hide and seek and one of their favorites…”Find the Runkle.”
As he watched all the happy excitement among them, he almost forgot why he was there. He wasn’t there to admire the happy, perfect family moment view. He was there on a frightening mission and if he didn’t get out there quickly and warn them all…they might never get the chance to play together as families again. But he knew they wouldn’t cope with the sad, tragic news well, seeing as LaBerge was the one man they’d placed all trust and reliance in. Now that he was gone…where would their courage go? Would they still move on with the revolution? Would they lose all hope completely? He was about to find out.
Slowly, he came out from behind the tree and at first, thought there’d be a thousand eyes all staring his way but he was somewhat surprised when he saw they hadn’t even noticed. Odds are they were so caught up in what they were doing; having fun and enjoying themselves that they wouldn’t even expect a guy out of nowhere to come barging in.
He decided he’d have to speak up if he wanted their attention…and fast.
“H-hello!” he called shakily. He hated to have to say what he had to say.
Instantly, as soon as he shouted “hello!” all eyes were on him. The kids stopped playing and turned to see who had come while mothers put down their books to also see who’d arrived. The fathers stood up and met Bobby’s worried gaze and could tell right there and then that something was up. The mothers, however, only stared at him with soft and hopeful eyes and no wonder…they weren’t aware of the sad, unfortunate truth.
One of the men stepped forward and asked, “Why are you here?”
Bobby looked him straight in the eye and said, “There’s…” he hesitated but went on, “There’s something you have to know. All of you.”
“What is it? What is it?” asked the children excitedly. They were all running and bouncing up to Bobby with bright, wild eyes as if they expected him to have terrific news, which sadly…he didn’t.
“It’s about the rebellion,” said Bobby. “Something’s happened.”
“What’s happened?” one of the men demanded.
“Tell us what’s happened,” said the man’s wife, more softly. Unlike her husband, she seemed like a fairly patient kind of person.
Bobby took a deep sigh and said gravely, “LaBerge is gone.”
The woman’s eyes widened.
“W-wait!” she hollered. “You’re not saying he’s-”
“He’s dead,” Bobby told them softly. “I’m sorry but somebody had to come and tell you. Veego and her trustees and the rest at Blok are on their way! They’ve got this invasion planned out and if we don’t hurry, well…there’ll be no chance at this rebellion.”
“He’s dead!” one of the children cried, their eyes filling with tears. “Why?”
“He can’t be dead,” sobbed one of the others. “He can’t be!”
“I’m sorry, “said Bobby softly, turning to each in turn. “Really, I am but-”
“Just then, one of the youngest of the girls stepped forward. Bobby didn’t recognize her at first but someone else would have instantly…if he were there.
“He’s dead?” the girl whispered in tears.
Bobby stared down and saw the young girl staring up at him with a look that would break your heart. She didn’t want to accept what she was hearing. Molly just couldn’t believe that kind man that had comforted her when her parents still hadn’t come around…was dead.
“I’m so sorry,” Bobby told her.
He kneeled down, gave Molly a hug and tried as best as he could to let her know it would all be okay. He wasn’t even sure if it would all be what he called “okay” but he couldn’t stand see the poor girl cry like that. LaBerge clearly had had an influence not only on the parents of Quillan…but on the children as well.
Molly then turned away, shaking her head and ran up to her parents and buried her face in their chests and sobbed. Her mother held her and caressed her gently while trying to calm her down.
“He can’t be gone!” one argued. “H-he can’t! He’s our leader. We need LaBerge!”
“It must be a mistake” one of them begged. “Please, can’t you tell us he’s not dead?”
“It’s true,” said Bobby quietly. “He’s gone…that was the agreement with Blok. The agreement between Veego and LaBerge. You all weren’t told on what the actual agreement was but Layra and I saw it all. He was taken to the Black Forest and…killed.”
“But why!” one of the woman cried. “Why did he have to be taken like this?”
“How could they do this?” one demanded. “This can’t be right.”
“But that’s what LaBerge did,” Bobby explained. “If he hadn’t had gone and did what he did, none of you would even be here right now. Same with Layra. He must have come to the decision with Veego that instead of taking Layra and all of you, they’d take him instead. We all knew the final battle between Veego and LaBerge would come, I guess we all just didn’t expect it to end like this.”
“Wait!” said of the woman, clearly in shock. “You’re telling us the agreement with Blok had to do with LaBerge giving up his own life?”
Bobby nodded.
The woman shook her head and cried, “He saved me…”
All eyes turned on her and they too realized the sad, but in a way…magnificent truth. LaBerge had saved them all. And on top of that…the rebellion as well. He’d given them a second chance.
“He saved all of us,” said the man in awe. “I…I can’t believe it. He died for us.”
“The rebellion wouldn’t even be alive if it weren’t for what he did,” a woman said sadly. “It’s almost like he wanted this for us. A-” but she couldn’t bring herself to finish.
“A second chance,” a man said. “LaBerge gave us that second chance. If it weren’t for his doing, none of us would even be here right now.”
“He saved my three sons,” a mother said in respect. “That wondrous man saved my children. He gave them a miracle. I’ll forever be thankful for what he’s done.”
“And that’s why this rebellion is so important,” Bobby went on. “LaBerge did what he did because he knew the importance behind this. It’s the one last hope for Quillan and if all else fails…there’ll be no chance left in saving it. I know it’s hard to accept what’s happened but we can’t ignore the truth. He gave us that one last chance we need. Veego and her people might have thought they triumphed in doing what they did but I think in a way, in some sort of way, it was almost like LaBerge knew in the end…it would come to this. I think he knew we’d all be the ones to get this revolution going.”
“How can we possibly go on without him though?” asked one. “H-he was our leader! He did so much for us. I can’t even imagine going into this fight without him leading.”
“I know,” said Bobby patiently. “It’s hard. But we have to look at the bigger picture here. If we don’t-”
“He was our leader!” another cried. “Going into a war without him just wouldn’t be right. This can’t be the way things were supposed to turn out.”
“He was meant to guide and help us! Where do we go with him gone?”
“Please!” Bobby begged. “Just listen to me for a second!”
But the crowd of people were only growing more scared, worried and their panic was rising. The shock and mentioning of LaBerge’s passing had sent them over the edge. Some were able to calm themselves while they tried to quiet down the others but the majority, mostly the kids…were just out of control panicked. The younger ones kept crying and screaming and holding onto their blankets. The mothers did all they could to calm them down but it made no difference really as to what their parents said because the sad truth was it wasn’t going to bring their inspiration back. Their leader and champion was gone.
The fathers on the other hand were in more of what Bobby thought of as a deep shock. They seemed pretty mesmerized by what he’d said and just stood there, staring on at nothing while their minds were lost in thought. Disbelief would be the word he’d use to sum up what they were going through.
“Everyone please, just listen!” Bobby shouted. He needed their attention. “Could everyone just-”
Just then, Bobby felt a strong solid hand grip onto his shoulder and a man’s voice saying, “Leave them be.”
At once, he turned around to get a better look at who this guy could be. He was an older guy who looked to be in his early forties with brown colored eyes, blond hair, a round shaped face with soft…but strong and serious features. One look at him and you could tell he knew what he was talking about and more important… was a guy you didn’t want to mess with. He wasn’t a big, strong full of muscle kind of guy but the very look in his eyes told you he meant business. He was dressed in all black and wore a simple shirt with a rip or two in the chest while his pants were somewhat baggy and his shoes were no doubt, two sizes too big for him. But what Bobby couldn’t help wonder was, “Who the heck’s this guy?”
“We can’t let them be!” he argued. “We’ve got to get them ready and-”
“Trust me,” the man said firmly, staring intensely at the crowd. “It’s best we let them be. They need time to let this sink in. Come with me…I’d like to speak with you.”
“Wait…why?” asked Bobby suspiciously. He sort of had the idea this might be another of Saint Dane’s sneaky, but clever disguises. He wasn’t taking his chances that easily. He’d come too far to let that happen.
The man chuckled and told him, “Don’t worry. It’s about the rebellion.”
Bobby thought that over and said after a long moment, said “Fine.”
The man took him not far from the uproar of the crowd where they stopped near a tall tree which the man leaned up against and took a deep sigh.
“Who’re you?” asked Bobby quickly.
The man turned his head, looked him right in the eye and said, “One of them.”
“So you’re from Rune?” he asked.
“I am,” said the man, nodding. “My name’s VaNerge. Like everyone, my only way of life was betting on the games, hoping to get some kind of reward…anything. That went on for a few years. But deep down, I’ve always had a strong hated toward the games and even more so, against Veego and her wolves back at that place they call Blok. All my years, as I watched Blok’s power increase, my longing for this moment right here just kept on growing. I’m ready for a fight. It makes no difference whether I win or lose, whether we as a team win or lose… all I know is I ain’t quitting. Blok’s taken hold of us for too long and after what they did to me for all those years, well…let’s just say they ought to fear me.”
“What did they do?” asked Bobby.
“They held me prisoner,” was his simple answer. “There was no chance of me getting loose. Every hour, they had guards watching me, to make sure I didn’t escape.”
“But…why’d they keep you prisoner?” asked Bobby, puzzled.
“They didn’t want me going to LaBerge,” said VaNerge. “In fear of me discussing escape plans for him to leave Blok, or worse…try overthrowing them.
“Wait…” said Bobby, thinking. Like a rock on the head…it hit him. He stared up at the man, finally realizing who this guy was. If it was true, then he knew the important role this guy would play in their
“You said your name was, VaNerge?” asked Bobby.
“That’s right,” he answered. He gave Bobby a smile and Bobby knew for sure…where he’d seen that smile before.
“You seem surprised,” laughed the man. “Didn’t you notice the hair, blond? And these aren’t the clothes I usually wear. As a prisoner, I had no say in what I wore. But I’m always dressing in colorful things. I guess you could say I’ve got a bit of clown in me. I don’t let folks mess with me or think I’m some sort of goof, because I’m not. I let them think I’m a soldier, and a guy you wouldn’t stare twice at. But if that’s what you’re thinking, then yes…it’s true. I’m Veego and LaBerge’s brother.”
Holly says:
…………………… shocking!!!!!!!! I now have a different thought on how this story is going to play out till the end! I knew you would have a twist somewhere! Keep writing!!!! 😀
Challenger Black says:
Thanks Holly!! Still more twists to come 🙂
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 37: Layra’s Return
Just then, an idea hit him. Bobby wasn’t even sure if it was the way things were meant to be but he thought he might as well throw the idea out there anyway. At that point, he’d just about try anything. And if Layra wouldn’t be coming back…he might as well try.
“What if you lead us?” he asked VaNerge.
VaNerge turned to him and said, “Excuse me?”
“I mean, couldn’t you lead this whole rebellion?” Bobby went on, hoping he’d agree. “You seem like a strong, sure of yourself guy? You could lead these people into a war, couldn’t you? I mean…you’re the brother of their leader!”
“That’s a question I can’t answer,” he replied. “And I don’t believe it’s me who should lead these people.”
“Why?” asked Bobby, confused.
“Because I’m convinced it’s not me who’s meant to lead this rebellion.”
“But you could!” Bobby told him. “You’d do a great job and the people would trust you. All you’d have to do is go out there and introduce yourself, tell them who you are!”
“Ah, but I think you’re forgetting something,” VaNerge reminded him.
“What?”
VaNerge saw the slight confusion on Bobby’s face.
“Think about it,” VaNerge told him. “Why would you expect me to be the one to get this going when really, our leader has already come up with his own plans? I think you know where I’m coming from when I say LaBerge had the one person who ought to take us through this in his own mind. Yes, I could go to the people and tell them who I am…but I won’t do that. It’s not me who’s been chosen as leader.”
“You mean…” said Bobby, lost in thought. “Layra?”
VaNerge nodded.
“But we don’t even know what she’s doing!” he exclaimed. “She told me she still needed some time at the Black Forest but what if she decides to, you know…drop out or something?”
“All we can do is wait,” said VaNerge. “If LaBerge believed she’d be the one to lead our rebellion, then LaBerge believed she’d be the one lead our rebellion. It’s not up to us to judge his decisions. He’s still our leader and if he had the intentions Layra would help get us through this, then the most we can do is stand behind it with support. I put my trust in LaBerge.”
“Yeah, I guess,” said Bobby, still unsure of it. “But I still wish we knew what she’s really thinking.”
On top of everything else, they were so caught up in their discussion…they hadn’t even noticed it was no longer evening. The sun was slowly starting its early rise into the sky and all around them, the woods were glowing a faint yellowish color. They’d just gotten through the night which meant the chances of the invasion happening sometime that day were about ninety-nine point nine percent certain.
“Hello Pendragon,” came a familiar voice.
Quickly, Bobby turned around and saw a welcoming sight. Fourteen was casually strolling up to them but unlike all the other times he’d done so, this time…he seemed more carefree and this time, he wasn’t even dressed in his white suit he’d worn so often before. He now looked like a young, regular guy.
“Hey!” said Bobby. “What’re you doin’ here?”
Fourteen stepped up to him and said certainly, “I’m here to join your rebellion.”
Bobby’s eyes widened at the sound of that.
“Wait, what?” he asked him, wondering if he’d heard things right. “You’re joining the rebellion. But how? Aren’t you supposed to be with all the other dados? You know, with Veego and the rest?”
Fourteen shook his head and replied, “Not anymore.”
Bobby stared at him in disbelief and asked, “But how?”
“It’s a long story, really,” said the dado. “I’m not quite sure where I ought to start, so I’ll let you in on the more important details of it. I don’t know it all but what I do know has me questioning things a lot greater than I was earlier.”
“Before you start though, do you know of LaBerge’s-”
“Yes, I know it all,” said Fourteen gravely. “A sad loss on our side. But LaBerge really is the one I ought to be thanking. If it weren’t for him, well…I don’t know where’d I be at this point.”
“You mean LaBerge has to do with it?” asked Bobby.
“Indeed,” was Fourteen’s answer. “Before he left for the Black Forest, he came to me and at first I was somewhat puzzled on what his reasoning was. But what he told me next changed things so completely, I-” he took a moment and said, “I don’t even know what would have become of my old life. LaBerge gave me something I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay him for.”
“What did he give you?” asked Bobby curiously.
“Apparently, if this is the right term,” said Fourteen. “I’ve been malfunctioned by LaBerge which I believe means I am no longer an ordinary dado. He told me I’d become the first ever free dado. Can you believe it? He freed me!”
“He freed you!” Bobby exclaimed, shocked by the idea. “Seriously?”
Fourteen nodded and said, relieved, “I no longer work for the people of Blok or Veego or any of her trustees. From here on…I’m free. And I’m on your side now.”
“That’s…that’s awesome!” said Bobby.
He couldn’t believe what Fourteen was saying was actually true. He always believed wherever they came from, dados were mindless robots with no emotion whose only purpose in life was to do as they were told and serve those who needed them. He never imagined they could seriously think and feel but now here he was meeting a free dado. And he was glad it was Fourteen that’d been freed and was even gladder to know he’d now be on their side. He always liked Fourteen. And now he was gone out of Blok’s grasp for good.
“So you’re with us then?” Bobby asked him.
“I’m with you till the end!” Fourteen said definitely. It was his first time in showing emotion and it felt great. He no longer had to speak emotionlessly and not care. He could now care and feel emotion and show affection and do all the ordinary things he’d never been capable of doing. And it was all thanks to LaBerge.
“We’re glad to have you,” VaNerge smiled. “It seems this war’s going to be quite the-”
“Who’s that?” asked Fourteen suddenly.
“Who?” said Bobby.
“There,” said Fourteen, pointing behind them.
Bobby looked closer and said, shocked, “Layra!”
“She was LaBerge’s partner,” said Fourteen, watching her carefully.
“I gotta talk to her!” said Bobby hurriedly. He was just about to run right up to her till he felt one of VaNerge’s strong, firm hands grab onto his shoulder. Bobby looked back into the man’s eyes and tried struggling free.
“Look, I gotta talk to her!” he told VaNerge quickly. “Veego and the trustees will be here any minute! There’s no time!”
“Yes,” VaNerge told him in agreement. “But let Layra come to us.”
Bobby looked puzzled.
“What?”
“She’ll let us know when she’s ready,” VaNerge explained. He spoke in such a calm, positive voice.
“I’ll meet up with you two later,” Fourteen told them. “If it’s okay, I’d like to go and see some of the others.”
As Layra came closer into view, even all the people who’d once been in a panic stopped and watched her approaching. It wasn’t like they grew perfectly still and silent or anything…but a lot of them did notice her and wanted to see how she looked and if she’d say anything.
She said nothing. She only walked with her head tucked into her chest as if she were in deep thought and kept on walking. The younger ones watched her both curiously and nervously. They knew her well enough. She was LaBerge’s partner in this rebellion and with her partner and backbone gone…there’d be no telling as to what was going through her head.
And there were still just as many people going over the rebellion and Veego and the trustees and the oncoming invasion that they hardly noticed Layra quietly passing by.
When Bobby saw Layra was growing farther and farther away, he gave a look to VaNerge that seemed to say, “We gotta follow.”
VaNerge watched Layra closely and without a word, gave a simple nod.
So with VaNerge following, Bobby quickly but quietly went after Layra. He knew she must have still been going through a lot but it was now time to figure out where she planned on going with this. She’d stayed at the Black Forest the previous night, saying she needed some alone time with LaBerge and he could only wonder where she possibly stood. Was she still part of it? Had she given up entirely? Or was she not really sure where she stood at all? He had to find out.
She walked on slowly till she finally stopped and there, Bobby and VaNerge saw where they’d come to. They were at the opening of a small, empty glade where in the very center was a tall wooden table and judging by the strange look of there being a table in the middle of the wood…it must have been of some kind of importance. And it did. Layra kept her eyes on the table as she walked on up to it and there, she looked down intently, her eyes darting over the page as if she were trying to figure out the world’s most challenging puzzle. Maybe in a way, she was…depending on what she was doing and what was going on through her troubled head.
“What’s with the table?” asked Bobby, totally lost.
VaNerge took a step closer, saying, “There’s a map with our plans for the invasion.”
Bobby shot VaNerge a look and exclaimed, “Battle plans? When did all that happen? Who planned all this?”
VaNerge looked him in the eye and said, “I’m I’m correct…LaBerge did.”
“He planned all this?” said Bobby in awe. “Are you serious?”
“I’m serious,” was VaNerge’s answer. “I remember hearing how LaBerge put together a map of Quillan. It’s got all the important places we ought to watch out for. There’s even a few directions drawn out and there’s one that’ll likely hold the greater importance…the place of the battle. We’ve got to ensure we’re armed and ready. We’ve got one shot at this…that’s it.”
Bobby said nothing.
“And by the looks of it,” said VaNerge. “It seems like Layra’s caught in some serious thought. There’s some serious consideration going on here.”
Just then, Layra stepped back and took a breath. She looked tense.
Bobby and VaNerge slowly came out from behind the shrubbery in which they’d been hiding and walked up next to her. Bobby at once, took a closer look at the map of Quillan that LaBerge had carefully drawn out. He was expecting to see some sort of big map with a million marks and even more locations laid out but the map itself was entirely drawn and sketched from bright, colorful crayons. But really, it made no difference if it was drawn out in crayon or marker or some other utensil. The point was their leader had taken the time to assure his people were prepared and ready for the time when they’d be at war. He hadn’t left them empty handed. Instead, he left them with all they needed in order to step first foot into a war and quite possibly win. But they had a long way to go and there was no telling how things would play out. It was a fifty-fifty chance at victory or loss…survival or death.
Layra saw them, but said nothing.
She gave VaNerge a second glance and asked quietly, “Who’re you?”
“VaNerge my name,” said the man. “My story in a nutshell…I’m LaBerge’s brother.”
Layra stared VaNerge in shock, feeling as if she’d explode.
“L-LaBerge has a…brother?” she asked quietly.
“Sure does,” answered VaNerge. “I’ve been locked up for years but I’m part of the battle now.”
Layra nodded numbly and stared back at the map.
“What’s going to happen now?” she asked, more to herself. “With the heart of the rebellion gone? There’s no one to lead us, no one to guide or encourage us. He-” she hesitated, then said, trying not to break down, “He’s gone…”
Bobby stared down at the map and thought that over for a moment. It seemed like Layra was still having trouble deciding where she stood and what she planned on doing. But despite what she thought, Bobby knew one thing almost for sure and he knew he’d have to let her know.
He looked up at Layra and said, “Then you’ll have to lead us.”
Her eyes widened.
She met his gaze and said shaking her head, “Bobby, I can’t! I can’t lead a revolution into a big war against Blok!”
“I always believed you could!” he shot back encouragingly.
Layra lowered her gaze and sighed.
There was a long pause till Bobby spoke up, saying firmly, “And so did LaBerge.”
That got her attention.
“But I didn’t even win the Great Four,” she said quietly. “Look what happened there.”
“This isn’t about the Great Four though, Layra,” Bobby told her. “This is a whole ‘nother story. There’s no rules we’re following here. It’s all about the rebellion and staying true to the people of Quillan.”
Layra let that sink in for a moment before Bobby went on saying, “And if there’s anyone LaBerge would have wanted to stand up and lead the people into this thing…it’s you. Think about it, you two were partners. Because of what he did, we all have a second shot at finally getting this thing going and now…I think it’s up to you to finish it off. He did his part. Now I think he wanted you to do yours. I’m almost convinced that’s what he’d want. You were always the one who put your faith and trust in him, Layra. I think you’re the one.”
Bobby turned to VaNerge, waiting for a word from him.
“If I may,” he said, facing Layra. “I’m a strong believer in what LaBerge has carried us through and I’ll continue to support our revolution. I’ll stay till the very end, whether we win or lose but if you ask for my own personal opinion…I fully agree when I think LaBerge gave us our final chance in hopes of you leading us through it. And I stand strongly in favor of it. I don’t think he could have made a better choice in his choosing. And with you being his own partner who stood by his side through all this, I should let you know, Layra, I have a lot of respect for you. Whatever decision you come to in the end, I’ll support you no matter where we go or what we do.”
Layra held back for a second.
“I-I don’t know,” she said nervously. “I’m still not sure about this. I want to, really…but I’m just not sure.”
“Layra, I know you might not think you can,” Bobby told her confidently. “But I always had the feeling you’d be the one to get us through this. I don’t know how but somehow, I had the idea this whole thing would be about you and LaBerge. I always knew you could but really, it doesn’t matter what I think. Layra…LaBerge believed in you. He stayed with you every step of the way…and I think he’s still with you.”
Layra lifted her gaze up from the page and stared right into his eyes. She knew every word he’d said, he’d said with utter truth. He wasn’t kidding either when he said he’d always known she’d be the one. He was dead serious.
Finally, Layra broke the intense silence with a simple nod.
VaNerge quietly stepped forward, focused his thoughts on the map and said softly, “It’s settled then.”
Layra and Bobby joined him as his eyes darted over the map, working, thinking…and calculating.
“The invasion’s fast approaching,” VaNerge explained. “And if we have hopes in being prepared, armed and fully ready for what’s to come, we’ve got to get going and act…fast.”
Both Layra and Bobby nodded. Layra knew what he meant and Bobby understood just as well.
“My only question Layra,” he said, giving the map a good long look over. “Is Veego and her people are fast approaching and will be arriving at any time. What’re your orders?”
Holly says:
This is getting really INTERESTING! awesome! 😀
Challenger Black says:
Thanks Holly! Glad you think so! 🙂
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 38: Heading into Battle
It was now official. Layra would be the one with the immense task and responsibility of leading the people of Rune and all over Quillan into this frightening war. It was a battle and struggle for them…but a murderous invasion for Veego and the trustees.
“Well,” she said slowly, still thinking it over. “We gotta figure out what to do with the young ones. We have to try and hide them or at least keep them back here in the woods till it’s over.”
“But who’ll watch them?” asked Bobby.
“I’m sure one of the parents won’t mind watching over them,” said VaNerge. “As long as we keep them protected and away from Veego’s people…they should be okay.”
“Or maybe instead of keeping them out here in the woods,” Layra suggested thoughtfully. “We could even have someone take them in the castle and keep them hidden there. You know, make sure all the windows are closed, all the doors are locked. They’d probably be a lot safer there than out here in the open.”
“That’s well thought of,” VaNerge told her. “Then we’d better go and inform the rest. I’m guessing we’ll be heading out soon.”
Layra sighed and said, “Yeah.”
Before they left the empty glade, Bobby stepped up to her and said, “You’ll do fine, Layra.”
Layra smiled weakly and said, “Thanks, Bobby. That means a lot. I just…I just hope this works out.”
So with that much in mind, Layra, Bobby and VaNerge set off for the woods to inform the people of their final decision. Maybe once they were told of Layra’s acceptance in still acting as their leader, their spirits would rise once more. They knew all their hope and belief was still heavily on LaBerge but with Layra being his partner and the woman he loved…they might just find all that trust and hope in her. Really, it was their only chance if they expected to step into a war and walk out victorious. The stakes at that point were so high…all they could do was hope for was the best.
When they reached the crowd and let them in on everything they’d just went over, one of the men stepped forward and offered to watch over the children. He was a younger guy who could have been in his early thirties. He had long brown hair, green eyes and looked to be a pretty easy-going kind of guy. So it was agreed by all the rest he’d be the one to keep an eye on them. But it wasn’t even close to being easy to explain to the young ones why their parents were leaving. They couldn’t understand. All they could think was, “Where’re they going?” and “Why are they doing this?” and “What’s going on?”
And it was just as heartbreaking for the parents. They weren’t even sure if they’d ever see their children again, let alone could they summon the strength to tell them, “Yes, it’s all going to be fine” because they had no idea if they’d even make it. All they could do was try and calm them down and let them know they’d come back…if they’d have that chance, that is.
“I know it’s hard,” the mothers kept telling them through sobs. “But your father and I have to go away for a bit. We’ll try not to be long. I promise…we’ll be back soon as we can.”
“Please don’t go!” they begged sadly. They clung onto their mother’s legs and buried their faces into their chests and cried for them to stay and not go away.
But the mothers could hardly stand seeing their young ones so upset. It was the most painful thing they’d ever had to do. They had to leave their young ones behind while they went off to war to take part in a long awaited rebellion to win back Quillan and finally overthrow Blok.
After a long hassle, the parents finally calmed their kids down and Nole, the guy who’d agreed to watch over them, let them say a few words to their mother and father before finally parting. Almost soon after, Nole was leading the group of sad kids off to the familiar castle that now belonged to Veego…in all her power and glory.
It broke the mother’s hearts seeing their young ones so upset and the fathers were just as troubled…but they knew it had to be done. There was no other way. They had to do whatever they had to to protect their loved ones and make sure they were kept as far from Veego and the people of Blok as possible.
It wasn’t long before Nole had taken the kids to the castle and there, he quickly got to work in going about the place and assuring they’d be safe. He searched every floor, top to bottom and went around shutting the windows, locking the doors and closing the blinds on the windows just in case they’d be seen from down below. As for the castle itself, it was by far the safest place on Quillan. There wasn’t a dado in sight and he assumed they were all off with Veego…on their way to kick start the invasion.
As for the challengers, there were a few wandering about, all lost in their own thoughts. They asked Nole at once what had happened and of course, they hadn’t heard of the agreement with Blok and LaBerge’s death. It hit them hard but as soon as they heard the word, “rebellion,” they were out of that castle so fast it made Nole’s head spin. Before leaving, he told them where Bobby, Layra, VaNerge and the rest were… and that’s when they agreed they had to be there.
Layra and the rest meanwhile, had now gathered as a group and were now on their way to the castle for a quick stop. Before going anywhere, they had to assure they had the right gear, tools and weapons. They knew with the Quillan Games being such a huge part of Quillan’s culture, the castle supplied more than enough for each and every one of them to have a stave or two or a blade or a bow and arrow. Being armed and ready was vital. But there was something else none of them were even aware of but when they arrived at the back part of the castle and once Nole saw who it was and let them in…they were faced with yet another realization. Once again…LaBerge had gotten them ready.
As a few of them, with Layra, Bobby and VaNerge leading, made their way into to the basement of the castle, they saw hundreds of shelves all lined with an endless supply of weapons. And all over the floor were boxes stuffed with just as many. Thousands of useful tools were all right there for their own use. There were long sharp blades, some straight while others were curved to a cruel point. There were bows and arrows, daggers and shields, some triangular shaped while others were simple and round and like Bobby had seen during the Great Four…there were wooden staves like those that were used on Zadaa.
And they were in luck. LaBerge had also left behind a whole supply of what Bobby called, “dado killers.” They were long silver rods that were a dado’s worst enemy. With just the right shot, those babies could strike them with such force, they’d fail or break down or whatever it was they called it when dados shut down for good. It was a good thing they’d been left behind. There was sure to be a whole lot of dados following right behind Veego and her trustees.
They had more than enough. So the group quickly got to work in going through the piles and boxes and shelves of tools, all figuring out which tool they’d use best. Some were better at using a long blade while others were more skilled with a bow and arrow. And along with arming themselves with tools, they wasted no time in changing into full armor. Many of the women dressed themselves like Batu warriors. Their tight, yet comfortable enough leather clothes were just what they needed…and the staves felt perfect. Not many of the women might have been trained in as much depth as those of the Batu…but this would be a fight to the death. It really made no difference whether they were a top warrior or a low classed rookie. Point was…they were ready for a fight.
The men looked just as intimidating. But in reality, they were no more than your average dads fighting for not only their own lives and Quillan, their home…but for their own kids. They looked just like the fully armed Bedoowan knights back on Denduron. Their armor came in colors of deep gray with a touch of black. They had their blades all ready to go and their shields at their side.
They were now armed and ready for a war. The rebellion was about to begin.
The next few hours of that day were spent making their way to the field of battle…the place marked down for their war against Blok. They were on their way to a place known as the Rune Ford. The place itself wasn’t exactly a well known and not many knew of its existence…but LaBerge had. He’d marked the Rune Ford down as being the place of battle. Sadly…it would become a place of death. Lives would be lost and families would be torn. They must have marched for long, tiring hours till they found themselves leaving the known streets of Rune and the surrounding woods and soon entering what must have been their destination…the Rune Ford.
In all, it was a pretty basic place. It was a huge, grassy field that stretched for miles and miles and the longer you stood there, trying to spot the end…it only made your heart hurt. The grass had grown long overtime, with no one there to look after it and the place was like a meadow of grass. And farther off past all of that vast space were vast, towering mountains that must have stood hundreds of feet high. They were monstrous and many were a deep brownish color.
At once, they began lining themselves up. Along the way, they’d gone over where they’d all sort themselves, where’d they’d be and what sort of blades and bows they’d use. In total, there must have been over a thousand archers and as a group…they quickly aligned themselves up on a flat, but steep hill high behind them. Being overhead of them, it was just the thing they needed to get a clear view of the enemy and even better…a more precise shot at firing. They lined up, side by side and made sure their bows were all set and they had enough arrows to last them.
As for the rest, they all grouped themselves down below. These were the ones who all carried things like blades and spears, shields and most important… the mighty dado killers. It was a good thing LaBerge had left those behind because if not…overthrowing the robots would be downright impossible. But luckily, they were armed and felt ready enough to help bring down the mindless machines.
As for Layra, she was right at the front with Bobby and VaNerge close by her side. And of course, her standing there with an army of thousands armed and ready behind her…she felt scared and worried as hell. Not only were they fighting for Quillan and all those who’d had their lives taken away…but their children were off waiting for the return of their parents. Having to be told they’d never see them again would be just devastating. In a way, she felt like the whole thing was falling upon her shoulders, as if it was all up to her now to bring them all home…to the Quillan they all longed for.
And with LaBerge not there in the front, there to lead them all into the grand, terrifying rebellion, many felt in a way…lost and unsure of themselves. They were glad that his one partner and companion, Layra, was there to lead them all through it but LaBerge was the one from the very start they’d all looked to for hope, trust, inspiration and courage. And to their kids and young ones…he’d been nothing less than their hero.
After a long stare across the huge field, Bobby broke the silence by saying, “Well…this is it.”
Layra slowly looked up and said shakily, “We’ve all been struggling to get this one chance at fighting for the rebellion…and Quillan. I guess this really is it.”
“I just hope this is where we’re meant to be,” said Bobby.
“Whether it is or not,” said VaNerge with confidence. “I’m not leaving these grounds till I’ve fought as long and hard as I can. If going into this war means throwing together our rebellion at last and reclaiming what’s been lost for so many years…I can only go on out there and give it my all. The point is, we’re all here together and we’re all here for one reason…to win back Quillan.”
“You think we have a shot?” asked Bobby. “I mean, Blok’s army of dados is crazy. They could have millions on the way. We’d be outnumbered for sure.”
“Numbers make no difference to me,” said VaNerge, shaking his head. “I’ll fight till I die. If we’re up against Veego and a million…then that’s what we’re up against. But we’re here for a reason and I think backing down because of that would truly be the end. Not going on out there, for me, would be a shameless act on my own part. Not after I’ve waited all these years for a chance like this.”
It was then that the crowd grew tense. They grew close together and looked to the sky with a look of fear.
“What was that?” said Layra quickly.
VaNerge looked up and said calmly, “The enemy…”
Holly says:
oh boy!!! This is getting good! haha 😀
Challenger Black says:
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 39: The Battle Begins (PART 1)
“Sounds like a…” said Bobby…but trailed off when the sound came again.
It was a loud, ear splitting sound that cut right through the army. It frightened them to the point where they couldn’t even speak, let alone whisper.
“A dragon,” said Layra numbly.
“I thought it was just dados we’re up against?” Bobby exclaimed.
“No,” sighed Layra. “Looks like she’s got Rorgan dragons too.”
“I thought you said they weren’t tame?” asked Bobby.
“They aren’t” Layra told him. “Which means Veego’s got something going on that we don’t know about.”
“You don’t think she’s, you know…tamed them all, do you?” asked Bobby.
Layra shrugged and stared up at the approaching beast and said, “I don’t know.”
They were then interrupted by the shattering sound once more. And this time, it came more powerful and more deafening than last time. It was coming closer.
They didn’t have to wait long till the beast was fully in view. And it was an alarming sight that even got a few gasps and shouts from the crowd far below.
One of the immense dragons was soaring right over them and while it did, jerked its head so it was staring straight down at the enemy. When it saw the army all grouped, armed and ready for a fight…it roared out its fury in one thunderous scream. The crowd tensed up as the beast carried on, its long tail thrashing while its bat like wings flapped nosily. It stayed high in the air while it circled around them, jerking its head crazily as it screamed out its anger in echoing screeches. For a moment, the crowd feared the beast was actually going to bring them all down with one blow of its fiery breath but thankfully…that didn’t happen.
Once satisfied, it quickened the pace and soared right over the Rune Ford, heading for the opposite end which they all guessed would be the grounds of the oncoming enemy. Veego, the trustees, their security force of dados…and the fire breathing dragons of Rorga.
And just when they thought the roaring had stopped…it hadn’t. It was just beginning. Once the huge beast had flown across the vast field, it disappeared behind what looked like a small, grassy hill and that’s when the real uproar began. From miles away, they could hear ear splitting screeches, thunderous roars, shouts, screams and hollers.
“They’re approaching,” said VaNerge, listening closely.
Layra and Bobby didn’t say anything. They just stood there, staring wide eyed and wondering what sort of arm they’d be up against.
It was then that they saw some dark figure crawling its way up the far off hill. Its movements were slow and Bobby and Layra could only assume it was one of the vast dragons…and it was. No wonder the thing moved so gradually. Rorgan dragons, male or female…were fat, heavy and obese.
Reaching the top of the hill, it stopped and stared off at the awaiting enemy. It looked them over carefully, shook its head and rose up onto its hind legs…and let out a chilling bellow. It was a horrendous scream, a war cry…which meant Veego and her army were ready for a war. That meant its followers weren’t too far behind and if Layra was right, it wasn’t just letting out a war cry…it was calling the rest forward.
What happened next got Layra’s army so terrified, they had to hold their breath and hold onto each other for a moment as if they feared they’d fall to the ground. Their eyes widened, their jaws dropped and they felt such dread and terror…it made their blood run cold.
At last, Veego’s imposing army was emerging from beyond the vast mountains and grassy hills. And there was no question as they watched the oncoming army that Veego had armed her people well. For Layra and her own, the sad truth was…they’d just been outnumbered. In a few seconds they’d gone from having a chance…to being outnumbered by an incredible force. It was impossible. Layra and her army’s number stood somewhere around a few thousand where Veego’s army stood at around forty, or even fifty thousand strong.
And what Layra saw next was yet another sad realization. Appearing out of Veego’s oncoming crowd were ordinary people…which could only mean that people from Rune and all over Quillan had left them to go and join Blok. She hated to accept it…but she and the rest had been betrayed by some who given up hope and joined sides with the enemy. They must have known the chances of overthrowing Blok was hopeless so instead, they left LaBerge and the rebellion and joined Veego and her gang of trustees.
And there were the others. Veego’s army was a combination of enemies. There were the overweight dragons that had to push themselves around just to keep moving. The dragons were of all sizes, some impossibly large while some were a good deal smaller. But they all shared one thing in common. They were huge…and they could all breathe fire.
Next, marching in long endless rows was the real part of the army that got Layra’s head spinning. Row after row, striding forward in a huge, never-ending chain was the dados. They looked just as intimidating as ever with those large square heads and dead doll eyes that felt no emotion. Some wore the familiar green suits she’d seen on Quillan with the shiny black holsters and golden pistols. No doubt, there’d be a whole lot of fum, fum, fum going on shortly. Others were dressed like those on Denduron with the Bedoowan armor, which only made them look that more impressive.
After watching Veego’s army come fully into view, Layra now knew what sort of army they were up against. They’d be going up against Veego herself, her trustees, their security force of dados, a mass of Rorgan dragons and worse…ordinary people from Quillan.
Veego, now the top trustee of Blok, was dragged and hauled forward by two plump dragons which together…pulled a huge imperial looking sledge. The sledge was made of a strong material, with four wheels and was a deep gray and black color and no surprise, at the front of the sledge was a huge logo with a capital B…Blok. Veego had a sledge all to herself while her trustees shared a few of their own. On either side of her were two sledges holding two trustees each and bringing up the rear was the last and final trustee. The dragons, to their luck, were big enough that pulling them forward was hardly a struggle.
“Bobby, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” asked Layra.
He turned to her and asked, “What?”
“I just thought of something!” she told him quickly. “I don’t know why I didn’t remember it earlier but for some reason…it came back to me.”
“What?” he demanded. “What is it?”
She looked him in the eye and said, “We can transform.”
She saw the confusion on Bobby’s face.
“Wait, are you serious?” he asked. “How’d you come up with that?”
“That’s just it,” said Layra. “I have no idea. It just sort of…came to me. It’s true though. I changed in the Great Four, round one…remember?
“That’s weird,” said Bobby. “Yeah we can heal quickly and all that but…transform? I don’t even remember having that power.”
“We do though!” she told him. “I know it doesn’t sound right but trust me…it’s all coming back. I don’t what it means but maybe this war isn’t lost after all. Maybe it’s got to do with Blok’s power. Maybe whatever Traveler powers we have are coming back to us.”
The two looked over and saw VaNerge staring at them curiously. Clearly he’d never heard of travelers before, having been locked away for so many years. Where LaBerge had been told all about Travelers…VaNerge was clueless. He just nodded and looked back out on the Rune Ford at the oncoming army.
“We should tell them,” said Layra.
“What?” said Bobby. “Wait, you mean all them? That’s impossible! They won’t get it.”
“Maybe not,” she answered. “But it’s worth a shot. Don’t you think we’ll scare them off if they see two people transforming and changing like that?”
“Well…yeah, I guess,” Bobby admitted.
Layra turned back, faced the crowd and shouted, “I have a plan!”
Gradually, they began to quiet down and all looked at her with listening ears.
“We’re going to split things up a little,” she explained. “It’s-”
“Wait, what?” shouted a man. “What do you mean?”
“Please, just listen!” begged Layra. She had to get through to this crowd and hope they’d give her the benefit of the doubt.
Reluctantly, the crowd began to quiet.
“I think there’s an easier way in getting through this,” she explained. “I’m going to ask all of you to be in charge of dealing with the dados. I know it’s a lot to ask for but, please…I think I know how we’ll get through this.”
“You mean all of us?” one shouted in horror. “Aren’t you going?”
“Yes!” said Layra. “But…look, there’s not much time! I guess I should just spit it out. Long story short, Bobby and I aren’t what you’d call normal. We’re not trying to scare you or anything, honest. But this’ll probably be an advantage on our side.”
“And what’s that?” asked one curiously.
Layra and Bobby exchanged looks and with a deep sigh, Layra called out, “We can transform.”
“What?” one yelled in shock.
“That’s impossible!” another argued.
“Listen to me!” Layra shouted. “We’re not kidding. We’re not normal like all of you. But please, just let Bobby and I take care of this. All of you, go off and deal with the dados. Bobby and I’ll tackle the dragons. As for the rest of the citizens on their side, well…we’ll deal with them as we go along.”
The crowd must have been overblown with what Layra had just said. She’d just revealed the fact that her and Bobby, two perfectly ordinary challengers who’d fought in the Great Four…could transform. For a bunch of everyday people, it must have sounded pretty bizarre. But with the war and the struggle of their lives only moments away, they couldn’t help but agree with whatever their leader had to say, no matter how crazy it seemed. They had the feeling LaBerge too would be in agreement and with him in spirit, still being their leader…they wouldn’t dare go against her word. And Bobby as well seemed to go along with what she said and VaNerge had a look in his eye that told you it would all be okay.
But as crazy as it all might have seemed, they soon quieted down and seemed to be deep in thought. And not only was their side of the ford growing quiet, far off on the opposite end, Veego and her own army had grown eerily silent. The two armies stood on either side, fully assembled…and ready for the fight that would soon begin.
Now that she’d spoken…Layra knew it was up to her to begin what would soon be the last stand and struggle for Quillan.
She stared long and hard out at the open ford, her head in a million spots.
Finally, with her eyes still locked on the enemy, she reached down and pulled her long blade out of its sheath and there, raised it to the sky where she, as well as the rest knew…LaBerge would be watching. He’d be watching each and every one of them and in a way, guiding and encouraging them and lifting their own spirits.
Once Layra’s sword was raised, the entire crowd behind her erupted into a frenzy. A frenzy of cheers and encouragement to their leader…and even louder shouts, howls and screams to Veego and listening army. They were so loud and even proud sounding…Layra felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Here all these people were standing behind her at the ready to enter a horror they might not come back out of. They might not have been warriors but like LaBerge, they had spirit and passion and cared strongly enough for their territory of Quillan that they’d fight…and die for it.
Bobby stared in awe at all these everyday people. They were everyday people preparing for the ultimate fate for a lost territory, and thousands, no…millions of stolen lives. This was it. As for VaNerge, it was a look of pride and honor, hearing the courage behind the enormous group. In a way, it was almost overwhelming…but in a good way.
On the opposite side, Veego and her vast army stood watching and listening…all grinning.
Veego took it all in, as if sizing them up and said finally, “It doesn’t matter what happens here. Just go out there and kill them all so we can throw this weak territory aside and make room for the infamous Blok. Show no mercy.”
The dragons shook their heads wildly and rose up onto their legs and bellowed out their fury, sending it all onto the field like one huge, echoing wave. The vast number of dados shared one definite look and all together…began their slow but intimidating march onto the Rune Ford which would soon be a field of battle. And death. And for Veego, the war to bring all hell together and build the ultimate home and territory she’d call Blok.
The dragons rushed right after the dados, roaring in fury. Some took the skies with one quick swoop while others remained charging on the ground. They may have been fat and they may have been ten times overweight, but even so…they held powers the ordinary people of Layra’s army just couldn’t match up to. They could breathe fire and they had long, curved claws and could smother their tiny bodies with one effortless crush. They were quigs after all…and it seemed like Veego had found a way in taming them to obey her every command.
Unlike the dados who did no level of screaming or shouting, the huge quigs were the opposite. They were out of control as they screamed and hollered while their impossibly large feet tramped and stomped on the ground. Their eyes of course were a bright fierce yellow and shone with a raging fury. No question…there’d be a slaughter and a feast.
Layra’s stood far off, staring in silence at the rapidly approaching crowd. Time felt like it was freezing. The dragons and dados and betrayers from their own towns were all charging onto the field…and they showed no fear. It was all hunger and greed for them. But Layra and her people kept silent, taking it all in. They shared glimpses of fear and worry, yet at the same time, did all they could to show their inner spirits. They were after all…the last and final hope in winning back Quillan. They, like LaBerge…were the rebellion against Blok. And it was time to take back Quillan.
Veego hadn’t moved from her position. She and her trustees remained dead center at the front while their massive army rushed out onto the ford. The trustees shared knowing looks while Veego kept her eyes on someone else. She knew one way or another, in the end…it was all going to come down to the two leaders of those two armies. Her…and Layra. Here Veego was, fighting for the very essence of Blok and the downfall of the ruined Quillan while Layra was still holding onto the rebellion to save Quillan and at long last…bring an end to the horrid company.
With a grin, Veego whispered, “We’ve got this…”
Hallaman10 says:
must say this is getting good
Challenger Black says:
Thanks Hallaman10. Glad you think so!
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 40: The Battle Begins (PART 2)
Veego’s people were now half way onto the field.
VaNerge watched them carefully. He showed no panic or fear and knew sure enough it would all thrive and they’d walk in victory…or be killed right there in battle. And watching as Veego and her monstrous army came closer into view. He had just one thing on his mind…he wanted to fight. He wanted to fight for Quillan, its people and above all…the amazing brother he’d never met but knew would be right there with him if he were alive. He promised LaBerge…that he wouldn’t let him down.
And it was then, seeing the massive number of dragons and dados hurrying their way onto the field, a few of the people began their long awaited charge onto the field. The arches up on the hills watched them quietly with a look of both honor and sadness. From where they were, they’d see it all from a bird’s eye view. As bloody and horrid as it’d be…they’d see it all. The few people quickened the pace while grabbing onto their blades and turning to one another with a simple nod. They were all thinking the exact same thing. “We’re in this together…and we’re not giving up.”
It wasn’t long before that desire and anticipation to charge into the fight soon turned into a moment of terror and fright…and it was about to get worse. The dragons were circling the sky, all moving together in perfect union…and they knew why. They’d spotted their first targets. And one by one, more of the oversized quigs shot into the sky with a deep grunt and from up there, the poor people fought against the sounds of their thunderous roars of hunger. It was all torturous.
They didn’t have much time to react. In a panic, they separated and scattered in numbers, hoping to throw off the great beasts but that, sadly…was a terrible mistakable.
The quigs dropped lower to the ground and scorched the ford into flames, bringing the unlucky people of Layra’s army with them. They had no chance. They just couldn’t outrun the fire breathers. And for all those who hadn’t suffered from the scorching blaze of the flames, they were grabbed and clutched on by the firm claws and taken up into the sky and from there…were either devoured or shredded and torn to bits. It was a slaughter. The first attack from Layra’s side had lost miserably and a quarter of the field was now blazing in crackling flames, licking the grass up while it grew and spread.
Then came the following assault. One by one, they’d drop to the ground and hurry back up and circle high above them, being perfectly out of range. Then, with one swift movement, they’d take a turn and drop a huge jagged rock or a bundle of stones onto the ground. Their enemy was crushed under the unexpected horror. Rocks of all sizes came plunging out of nowhere. For a moment or two, all hell seemed to break lose. They panicked and quickly reached back and pulled out their arrows and got them ready, while desperately hopping out of the way of the oncoming rocks.
As one, they released their arrows and watched in fear as they shot upward. Those arrows never reached their targets. The quigs dodged and swerved around them like it were a simple game and kept on dropping their deadly rocks. But Layra’s people weren’t giving up even for a second. They just went on firing away and slowly…the soaring quigs came hurtling to the ground with a sickening thud. Their arrows were among the strongest and sharpest…and were useful enough to strike even the heaviest of beasts.
One of the men spotted a lone quig, focused his arm and carefully let go of the arrow and watched wide eyed as it flew up to its target. The beast never saw it coming and went down…flapping its wings crazily while thrashing and whipping its tail in anger.
A quig next to it glared down at the successful archer, opened its mouth and bellowed a horrendous roar. It shook its head and took off to the right and joined the rest who continued their flight toward Layra’s waiting army.
Only a few of that bunch had survived. Out of breath, they turned back and stared straight at Layra. From as far off as she was, she saw them easily and in that one instinct…she knew it was time.
She gave one look to VaNerge, who stood boldly on her left and Bobby, who stood ready on her right.
Bobby answered back with a simple nod…and clutched onto his blade.
“I’m with you,” he told her surely.
Bobby had been through a fight like this before back on Ibara when he’d gone up against Saint Dane’s vast army of dados. He and the rest of Rayne had been successful. She could tell he was just as ready as he’d been back then.
VaNerge met her gaze and she asked him, somewhat shakily, “Are you with me?”
“To the end,” he answered with confidence.
That was all she needed to hear. Whether they won or lost, she knew Bobby and VaNerge would stay right with her till it was all over. They’d become a trio and a team and they were now going to enter Quillan’s last and final fight together. It was time and she knew, even if she was in agreement or not… that this was the way it was meant to be.
It was time she gave them the words they’d been fearing, anticipating and waiting for…the words and heart of the Rebellion.
She took a breath, stared off at the oncoming army and shouted, “Today we fight for Quillan…AND FOR LAABERRGE!”
Those words alone were more than enough to convince her people the time for the rebellion was right. She hurried down the hill toward the field with Bobby and VaNerge right behind her. The rest then shouted out their approval and together…made their way onto the field while hollering, “For LaBerge!” in response. In moments, thousands were rushing behind Layra, each and every one with their swords drawn, their arrows at the ready…and their hearts praying for the rebellion.
And while they went with their leader, in a way…they felt like LaBerge was there helping them into the fight. He might not have been there in the flesh, but his unforgettable spirit lived on through Layra and they all couldn’t have agreed on a better choice as their guide and motivation. They went together, like one giant crowd and screamed together, knowing it was finally the time in going up against the horror of Blok. Wherever Layra went, wherever she took them no matter how far…they’d follow. Win or lose, live or die…they’d go through it together.
Slowly…the two armies grew closer in range. Both sides were screaming and shouting as they drew nearer to their opponents. Most of the quigs kept to the skies while they circled high above Veego’s army, grunting and curling their lips back while they hurried the pace.
The dados moved in perfect formation, their dead doll eyes staring ahead at the approaching enemy. Their job was to take them done however they could. They’d do whatever the top trustees ordered them to. They were there to kill them all. They were in the way and Veego was there just as well to assure they were shoved out of the way.
Layra knew impact was close. She and Bobby both knew, though they didn’t say anything…that they’d need to wait for the perfect time to catch them surprise. Layra’s people had been told of their transforming abilities and because of that…it only gave them an even stronger advantage. But the timing had to be exact. One false move and it’d be all over. She and Bobby would deal with the pack of quigs while the rest dealt with the dados down below. And lucky for them…they had a large supply of dado killers with them.
Both sides gained incredible speed. All were running at their hardest except of course for Veego and her ten trustees who kept close behind. They were clever enough to keep themselves well protected till the right moment when they’d strike the final blow. Their people up front would begin the battle to crush Quillan…but they’d be the ones to bring it all to a satisfying end. That was the plan.
The dragons were throwing a fuss. Those up in the sky were all snorting and thrashing their tails about as if they couldn’t take it. They went on firing down at the approaching army and occasionally, swooping down to pick one of them up and sink their razor teeth into their necks. Those down below would never have a chance in reaching the poor victims…the archers especially.
When both sides were just feet apart, Bobby shot Layra a quick look. She turned and gave him a simple nod and before any of the dados could lay a hand on them or the dragons could grab a hold of them in their enormous mouths…they transformed.
The abrupt change took no more than a few seconds. They’d once been two ordinary humans like all the rest but were now taking off to the sky as huge Rorgan dragons. While most of the quigs were a deep brownish color, they were a red, scarlet color and unlike the others…they were nowhere near as fat. They were imposing and though they’d never known the feeling of flight, they flew swiftly and circled the sky while keeping an eye on the enemy below. They were outnumbered…but things had now gotten a bit fairer. It was no longer dragon against human…it was now dragon against dragon. Things were going to get ugly…real fast.
The dados were somewhat surprised by the sudden change but quickly ignored it and refocused their attention back onto the enemy, Layra’s army…who were now terribly close. They had only one thing on their minds. To bring down as many as they could.
The two sides met with a mind blowing crash. They met hard and in that one instant…all hell broke loose. At the sheer moment of impact, many of Layra’s people got slammed down by the dados but went on struggling and fighting against them and threatening them with their dado killers. Others were slain or stabbed right through the heart.
VaNerge didn’t hold back. The bold man charged head first into the fight, taking on two of the taller dados while screaming and grunting his anger. He’d waited long enough for a time when he’d have his chance in bringing the end of Blok one step closer. He whacked and walloped them so hard, they didn’t have a chance. The man was on fire. He wanted an end to this sick company, and the people who’d kept him locked up for years…and away from the brother he’d never known.
Layra and Bobby were constantly on the move. The quigs kept circling them and surrounding them in hopes of throwing them down but the two proved more than they looked to be. Mouthfuls of fire were shot all over the sky in every direction so dodging and avoiding them wasn’t exactly easy. They’d turn this way and that only to have to swoop down or hurry off to avoid the fiery impact.
The quigs slammed into the two, trying to weaken them till they’d drop to the ground but they were furious when they saw they weren’t giving in. They growled and shook their heads in a frenzy…wondering how getting a feast could be so difficult.
On top of that, there was a good deal of clawing and scratching and many of the quigs were torn right in the face. Some even went blind. A tail or two was ripped out of place and later on, Bobby and Layra found themselves tiring out. They kept on going, but their hearts were pounding like crazy…and they weren’t sure how much more of it they could possibly handle. How long would this madness go on for?
The others meanwhile busied themselves with the endless number of dados. Veego and her trustees hadn’t made it to the front of the line yet which meant the real war had yet to come. They moved slowly and gradually while the dados kept far in front of them, acting as protection. They were strong, tall and imposing and took a severe beating on many of Layra’s people. The weaker ones just couldn’t struggle against the unbearable weight and were sadly crushed. They’d been in the fight for no longer then ten minutes and already…their lives had been taken.
From up on the hill, the band of archers watched closely and realized their side was in need of serious help. They weren’t doing so well and if something weren’t done…it would only get worse.
The lead archer, a tall man with long, shaggy hair gave a look to his team, turned back toward the field, raised his hand and ordered, “FIRE!”
Challenger Black says:
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 41: The Battle Begins (PART 3)
They didn’t hesitate. One by one, they quickly but carefully took aim and seconds later…whiz, whiz, whiz! Hundreds of arrows were shooting onto the field in pursuit of the enemy. About half those shots reached their targets. The dados of course were unharmed, with them being machines but the regular citizens, the betrayers of Quillan…were shot down the moment the arrows struck them. They didn’t stand a chance. They were so focused on what they were doing down there, they hadn’t even seen the line of archers from that far off and that high up. A dragon or two even appeared to be limping and struggling to keep going. Lucky for them…it was score one for the archers.
The dados however, saw the sudden falls of those who’d been struck and at once got to work in figuring out where the firing came from. But they never got the chance to do much till their came a white noise from behind. At first, the sound was small and distant but quickly grew into a huge, thunderous sound they all recognized. Layra’s people stopped in horror and watched as a blazing eruption of fire came blazing towards them. The dark mass of smoke that followed sent hundreds coughing and spurting while they struggled to keep their eyes on the field.
Straight out of the mountain of fire came Veego and her ten trustees following behind. Veego burst right through the dancing flames and there, where Layra was standing not far off…saw who the top trustee and the enemy was after…her. Veego never even acknowledged any of the others or even her own people. She had her eyes fixed on Layra in a cold, fiery rage that sent chills up her spine. Layra knew the end or the beginning, however you looked at it…was close.
Quickly, she turned around and screamed up at the archers, who watched her carefully, “Fall back and take them to the rocks! We gotta get out of here! Take them away…now!”
With that, Layra tucked her blade back into its sheath and hastily made her way down to the rocks. They had to move back and get away from the Rune Ford, rather than keep moving forward. Those on her side turned around and immediately followed. The archers wasted no time in climbing down the hillside and hurrying behind their leader as they all made their way from the Rune Ford. Bobby and VaNerge soon caught up to her and all three were soon finding themselves coming to a place that opened up wide and was surrounded on either side by endless rows of enormous stones and rocks that looked to have been there for ages. Some were tall and crooked while others were round but jagged and almost prickly. Hitting those boulders would hurt.
But Layra knew they’d have an advantage here. Veego and her band of followers would for sure go on chasing them wherever they went and best of all…they’d catch them all by surprise. She and Bobby had taken care of most of the quig beasts. Now they had to turn their attention to Veego and the army of dados. They were the real challenge. And now that they’d joined their people in overthrowing the dados and the trustees…they were no longer Rorgan dragons. They were still their ordinary selves but with their abilities in being able to change, they’d done just that. Somewhere inside them, their willpower and strength had come back and Bobby could feel Loor’s training and lessons coming back to him. As for Layra, it was really a whole new feeling but she herself felt like she’d done this for some time. They only hoped that confidence would stay.
And the enemy came hollering and screaming just as loudly as ever. The quigs stomped and hurried down toward the rocks, sniffing the air in hunger while the dados kept on marching in their perfect, usual formation. And farther beyond that, were Veego and her oncoming trustees, all still in their impressive sleds with the dragons in front still pulling them forward.
The second the approaching army came into view, the archers had already regathered and assembled high up near the hills…and were awaiting the signal. The lead archer raised a hand in silence and then lowered it quickly and like last time…whiz, whiz, whiz! Altogether, they released their arrows and the enemy, who were all puzzled and unsure as to where they’d go from there…were struck hard.
Each delicate arrow found a dragon’s scaly chest or a man’s arm or leg or even on the side of the head. They had no harmful effect on the dados however…with many of the quig beasts being shot…they were all tumbling and toppling over the machines who had no time in diving out of the way. The dados went down with the oversized beasts and were crushed helplessly by the incredible weight. The circuits and parts that kept them running…were smothered. Score two for the archers. The hard work, practice and skills were paying off.
But by that point…Veego was growing impatient. She whipped the sled reigns, ordering the huge quigs to move faster, but being so freakishly huge…that wasn’t exactly easy. But all the same, they kept on moving in fear of being thrashed again. She stood up to her full height and glared ahead at Layra, who stared back, both angrily and fearfully. She knew Veego was coming…for her.
She stepped back and almost fell to her feet when she heard someone hurrying past her. Whoever they were…they were going remarkably fast. They shot right past her with a heroic scream. Layra looked up and froze when she saw who it was.
“Stop!” she hollered.
But he wasn’t stopping. He kept charging at full speed…never stopping for a breath.
Layra stared in fear and screamed, “VaNerge…STOP!”
Either VaNerge hadn’t heard her screaming, or he had his mind set on something else which at that moment…he did. He’d made up his mind. He had his eyes set on the real enemy in this war. He was going to face the top trustee herself head on. Right then, it made no difference whether or not he survived or sadly…died. He’d always imagined the moment he’d have a chance in going up against the very essence and power of Blok itself.
Before he got any closer, a dado snuck up behind him and was about to take a horrid whack on the man’s vulnerable head…till VaNerge took a slam. He turned around and gave the dado such a hard whack across the head, its power came to a complete stop. It fell to the ground and before finally shutting down… reached its arm out desperately, as if giving one last effort.
With that out of the way, he turned back and hurried on to the real enemy. He grabbed hold of his blade, pulled it out and clutched onto it tightly. This was it. Veego didn’t seem too bothered or concerned with VaNerge’s approach but all the same…he didn’t once back down. He lifted his hand and screamed loudly for all he was worth and took a giant leap up to the top trustee, who finally saw him and that’s when the outburst between Veego and VaNerge, brother and sister…began.
It didn’t last long.
VaNerge whacked and walloped as hard as he could, Veego effortlessly blocking his every shot and dodging expertly and giving him a hard blow in the face. VaNerge was almost sure he had her and with one final hit, she’d be down. But Veego wasn’t interested in VaNerge any longer and wasn’t going to waste much time in dealing with him.
She brought her long thin blade down and without a word…nailed him straight through the heart.
Vorn’s eyes widened and for a moment…the world seemed to be on end. Everything went blurry and white…and he felt he was losing sight of everything. His mind ached and there was a constant pain stirring in his heart. He couldn’t hold on anymore.
He fell to the ground with a pained gasp and for the time being…that was the last anyone ever saw of LaBerge’s brother. Dead or alive, no one could tell but by the looks of it…the chances of him surviving were terrible slim. If he was in fact still alive, then it was only a matter of time till his heart gave out for good.
Now that Veego was finished with VaNerge, she turned her attention back to the leader of the rebellion. She was in the way and as long as Veego was around, she’d make sure Layra and all those right with her were shoved out of the way. She couldn’t care less what it took or how it happened, as long as her enemies were out of the picture…her goal in recreating Blok as the new Quillan would no longer be a dream…but reality.
And now that Layra was out in the open, there’d be no holding back. Veego motioned to her trustees who nodded in approval and slowly moved off where they came face to face with their own enemies. Groups came running up to them with raised blades and glares of anger. The trustees of Blok were now officially part of the invasion…as Veego soon would be as well. And as their own desperate struggle carried on, one by one, many of Layra’s people were crushed and slaughtered. Things weren’t turning out for the best on their side.
Bobby, meanwhile, wasn’t far off. He was going at it so hard his face was flushed with red and his blows were growing slower and weaker. The guy looked beat, just like the few guys who were fighting right alongside of him. They looked like a group, the five of them all close together while going up against the mindless machines, who just kept on coming in impossible numbers. The dados in no time were all over them, slamming them into next week while going at them like they were a bunch of powerless dolls.
Earlier on, Bobby had been joined by a familiar face. Fourteen was now by his side and going up against the very people he’d once worked with, before he’d become a free dado. He now thought for himself and was a member of the rebellion against Blok. He wasn’t too much of a skilled fighter, but he made up for that in the courage and determination of a true soldier.
Of the five of them, Bobby looked like he’d fall at any moment, as if the weight of the fight was just too much to handle.
Glancing over, Layra couldn’t stand see her challenger partner like that. It was obvious the confidence he’d once felt when they’d changed back to their regular selves…was starting to wear off. He’d been through enough.
“Bobby!” she shouted.
He stopped and looked back. She saw the confusion on his face.
“Get outta here!” she screamed. “Go back! Take them all with you!”
Bobby shook his head and yelled back, “No way, Layra! That’s crazy! I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
Just then, one of the dados went for him. Bobby saw it just in time to dodge a horrid blow and pull himself together and run the heck out of there. But the mindless robot was right after him. Bobby kept in front of him and desperately hoped it’d give up, but being a dado…it felt no such wish in doing so. It wasn’t going anywhere. The dado forced him right up near the hilltops where it cornered him and prepared for the ultimate blow…till it was knocked on top of the head. Those who’d last helped Bobby had followed.
“I can’t stay here,” he said quietly.
“Wait, what?” asked one of the guys. “What do you mean?”
“She-” and it was then Bobby stared down and saw a terrible sight. Their side was starting to die off. Their numbers were decreasing and things weren’t looking so swell. In fact…it looked like this war might very well be coming to a tragic end. Veego and the people of Blok could be just minutes away from glorious victory.
As for Layra, she was screaming and going at it so hard with the army of dados it looked like she was going to faint. Her face was pale as a ghost and her knees kept buckling and she could barely keep a steady hold of her blade. Her eyes swelled with tears but in spite of it all…she kept fighting. She took on every dado.
That’s when Bobby made a run for it.
“Where’re you going?” one of them called. “Layra told you to get out of here!”
But Bobby hurried down the hillside while shouting back, “Layra’s not Lead Traveler.”
He kept his eyes on Layra and ran as hard as he could. He dodged this way and that, trying to stay clear of the gathering of dados and few surviving quigs who were off stalking the grounds in hopes of stealing a few easy feasts. Bobby knew from where she was, she’d never be able to see so far off at the approaching enemy, who was growing nearer with every step. She was at last, out of her giant sledge and had left the quigs to do whatever they pleased and of course…they’d found themselves a few unlucky victims who were now being ripped and torn apart.
Worse, Layra still wasn’t even aware of Veego’s approaching. She had her two long blades sneakily and expertly raised, more than ready for the kill. Layra was doomed…till someone jumped down in front of Veego, blocking the way to the rebellion’s leader.
She’d have to get through Bobby first.
She gasped slightly, more in surprise than being startled and focused her glare on this new opponent. Bobby stared back, his legs buckling but he quickly pulled his blade out and right there and then…went up against the top trustee of Blok. Veego proved to be far stronger of an enemy than he’d imagined and found it challenging enough to keep going. His head was seconds away from exploding and his bones ached in pain. The battle had been going on for hours…and the end had yet to come.
He took a breath, grunted and slammed his shield right into her face. He stepped back, panting heavily and hoped he’d gotten her good. But sadly…that wasn’t enough.
Holly says:
oh boy…….. It all comes down to this!!!!!
Challenger Black says:
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 42: The Battle Begins (PART 4)
She opened her eyes and stared him down with such a cold, fiery intensity…he thought he would fall to his knees. This woman was no longer in the mood for fooling around with the enemy. It was time to bring the end one step closer.
She tightened her grip on her long, sharp blade and dove right back into the fight.
Whack, whack, whack!
Bobby desperately and tiredly blocked every one of her hits. He couldn’t keep it up much longer.
It was only a second later…Veego took Bobby apart. She totally and absolutely crushed him.
With one powerful blow…she thrust the blade right into Bobby’s stomach, pushing it in so deeply…he could have sworn it’d ripped right through his back.
“BOBBY!” screamed Layra, but her small voice couldn’t be heard over the commotion of roars and shouts.
And then, as if that just wasn’t enough…she slowly pulled it out. At first, his entire body went numb and then, before the truth finally sunk in…he lifted his head and stared up at Veego with pained eyes. She glared back down at him furiously and watched him coldly as he croaked weakly and fell onto his back with a sickening thud.
Veego gave a satisfied grunt and threw the blood stained sword over his fallen body with an effortless throw.
Layra might not have seen the entire event, but when she heard Bobby’s pained grunt…that was enough to tell her another one on their side was down. She’d seen the blade plunge right into him and she couldn’t help wonder if it wasn’t just a dream. Things were getting worse. Their side was losing horribly and now, with VaNerge possibly being dead, as well as her challenger partner who she’d grown to be close friends with…she wasn’t sure how much more of it she could take. She felt like erupting with anger and running off and taking on every dado on that field.
She stood there, frozen for what felt like an eternity…till she pulled herself together. She grabbed hold of her blade, clenched her teeth and charged over to Veego. Two of the dados noticed her sudden outbreak and hurried up to her with their dead doll eyes and reached out to grab her but Layra was so fired up, she gave them a hard whack and a kick…throwing them both down and turned back to Veego. The top trustee saw her coming and stepped forward with a taunting grin. Layra had had enough.
Layra brought the blade high over her shoulder and swung it right back over with all the strength that was in her as both blades met high over them with a loud clash! Layra and Veego, two separate leaders of two entirely different armies were finally at it…which meant the end was near. While all the rest carried on struggling and brawling, the two leaders were now at last…face to face. Layra moved swiftly but quickly, putting all the anger and rage in every blow and with every blow, Veego cleverly blocked and fought back with an even stronger knock.
Layra knew her anger might very well be the downfall of her losing to this cold, sick murderer…but she couldn’t help it. It was all coming back to her. All the hurt and suffering of the past memories were re-entering her dazed mind. LaBerge, the man she loved and the heart and essence of the rebellion the two helped build and create…was gone. He’d been killed in cold blood and now there, on the field of battle, the brother he’d never known lie helplessly wounded and Bobby, not far off…was unconscious and still as stone. And all around them, the people who’d stood behind Layra from the very beginning, even when the whole thing seemed impossible…were now dying off while thousands of children were back at the castle, all waiting anxiously and wondering where their parents had gone and when they’d return.
Her breathing got heavier as she went on screaming. Veego blocked her every move effortlessly and pounded into her, slamming into her and at one point…went for the ultimate kill. With both blades raised in the air, crisscrossed, she brought them down directly at Layra’s head. But Layra saw it coming and quickly moved her head back. She felt the blades pass over where what would have been her sliced head.
Layra regained herself and got right back up. The two swung their blades for what felt like hours. Neither said a word while they fought. It was all one out of control clash. Both leaders were desperate in accomplishing what they both wanted…victory. Layra was on the side of LaBerge’s rebellion against Blok along with all those who’d been close to being killed and Veego, now being the top trustee, was aiming toward the one thing her and her people had worked so hard to reach. The day when Quillan would finally be crushed and with those dying bits…they’d build a whole new territory of authoritative power. Blok.
Layra knew their chance in seeing victory was now at the point where it was impossible. Quillan, an already lost territory…might very well be on the verge of being wiped out forever. She knew at that point, her and Veego battling it out…only one would survive. And remembering back to what she did to her beloved LaBerge, a man who’d seen torture beyond imaginable, she now knew what she had to finish. She knew in the end, it’d all come down to Veego and LaBerge, brother and sister. But after Veego’s victory in slaying her brother…it was clear that LaBerge had lost. But Layra knew right there and then the war wasn’t over. LaBerge himself might not have overthrown the cruel women…but she knew there was no stopping her from finishing what LaBerge had fought for. She’d win LaBerge’s war by bringing an end to Veego herself. She wanted Veego dead. Gone and out of the world. They all did.
That’s when everyone and everything seemed to come to a stop. The entire place fell into an eerie hush as far off, somewhere beyond the field of war up near the rocky hills…there came a sound. At the first listening, it sounded like a low voice or a murmur but then, it gradually grew and erupted into a huge, deafening grunt and soon after…a thunderous roar that echoed throughout the entire field and shook the ground in a great fury.
At once, Veego and Layra stopped and turned back and saw a vast, immense beast settling onto the rocks where it dropped its head, opened its mouth and there…raising its head while roaring down to all those below.
Both saw it for what it was and the two froze…with confusion, shock, and a touch of fear. Up there was the unmistakable image of a dragon. But it was no huge, oversized Rorgan beast. Its body was long and slim, and its scales were golden and looked to be shining, as if they were dazzling stars. Its eyes were a light, clear blue. Unlike the hideous Rorgan dragons…this dragon was a thing of wonder. But that wasn’t what both them and all those around them were so stunned by.
Hurrying up behind the immense beast…was an entire army. A fully assembled, fully equipped army. By the looks of it, there might have been multiple thousands. They kept on pouring in by the hundreds, all screaming and hollering. Many of the new arrivers up front stared down at the ongoing war with grave stares and open mouths.
“NO!” she growled.
Veego wasn’t aware of the incredible truth. The first thing that sprang to mind was that she’d been betrayed by one of her own, by one of the Rorgan quigs. But that wasn’t possible. This golden dragon wasn’t of Rorgan blood. But if it wasn’t one of the Rorgan monsters…then what was it?
She had no time to consider the worst. The dragon and its staggering army were fast approaching. The creature took a giant leap from the rocks and at full speed…flew straight down to where Layra and Veego were standing, with the rest it’d gathered up right behind.
Veego didn’t waste a second. She refocused and took an enraged whack at Layra. The two were then going at it once more…both clearly worried at what the new arrivers would bring. Layra kept going while trying to steal a fearful glance at where the possibly enemy was and how close it was getting. Staring at the oncoming beast, Veego wondered if it would indeed swoop down and tear Layra apart. If so…it’d be all over as long as Veego kept her in place.
Bobby meanwhile, from where he was…had now managed to crawl onto his side. He was still weak and a little fuzzy but after hearing the mind-blowing arrival of that huge group…he couldn’t stand not being able to see. He struggled and got to his feet where he watched in awe as the enormous crowd kept on coming, all going at top speed with the golden dragon directly in front…heading straight for Layra and Veego.
A lot of them as he noticed were mostly unfamiliar faces. Strangers. But he looked more closely as a group of ten or so Rorgan dragons came charging onto the field, all one right behind the other. He could have sworn he’d seen them all somewhere. But then again…it couldn’t be true. It couldn’t be happening. But as one of those dragons stopped, rushed up to one of the dados and dug its sharp claws into its chest…he had the feeling these new arrivals wouldn’t be a band of enemies. Watching it all…he had a feeling of comfort. They might have gotten the help they needed after all. Perhaps this was the rebellion’s final stand against Blok.
Several of the quigs fled and escaped while they had the chance and the majority the dados were crushed by the oncoming army. At that point…they had no hope in staying alive.
Two of the younger members of Veego’s side saw the impossible change and both gave one nod to each other. They’d seen all they needed to see. There was no going up against this crowd. And with that, Challenger Brown and Challenger Gray left the field of battle…alive and unharmed. As to where they went…no one knew. Without a word…they simply vanished.
Within moments, once the people of Layra’s army saw how close the golden creature was getting…they all broke out into feared screams and shouts. They all dove out of the way in panic and hid themselves behind rocks or huddled together in groups, wondering what the new arriver had in mind. Was it a friend? An enemy? Whatever it was…they’d soon find out.
They screamed out to each other, “Get out of the way!”
But the beast never acknowledged any of them. It never once turned its head or even blinked. It just kept flying toward its target. Its deep blue eyes were fixed on Layra and Veego. There was no telling what the dragon had in mind. All they could do was wait and see and most of all…pray the rebellion wouldn’t be crushed.
They all stared, trembling with fear and anxiety. What was going to happen? Was this the end?
Layra knew the beast was drawing terribly close. She could hear the growls, grunts and gurgling as it drew nearer. It was only a matter of time till it struck. Veego kept on stealing glances at the advancing beast, calculating how much time she had till either she or Layra was crushed. Knowing how close the dragon had come…she lost all patience. If she was going to go…then Layra was going to go right with her. She’d kill the heart of the rebellion before she was even touched.
She grabbed hold of Layra and slammed her onto the ground, pinned her down and without holding back…plunged two sharp knives deep into her arms.
Layra screamed and winced in pain.
Veego had her right where she wanted. She was trapped…and there was no escape.
She clutched onto her long, thin blade and declared with a grin, “I should’ve gotten rid of you while I had the chance.”
She raised the blade over Layra’s chest. Layra saw the tip of the blade. She breathed heavily and her eyes widened…knowing the end had come. Time right then came to a frightening stop. She’d failed. She’d let down Bobby, the people of Quillan and worst of all…she’d failed LaBerge.
She hissed, “And now you’ll die along with that hopeless clown lover of yours you STUPID LITTLE-”
But Veego was stopped dead in her words when the huge dragon, its fierce eyes locked directly in place, came charging up to her and there…took an impossible leap, its mouth opening wide while it slammed her firmly on the ground.
Veego lay helpless under the quig. For a moment, she panicked but then, out of nowhere…her face grew perfectly still and quiet with a strange look of calmness while the dragon’s stared blankly into her own. Veego never even blinked. She simply stared up into the creature’s face.
And then…the dragon pounced. With one deafening roar and a growl…its jaw filled mouth came crashing onto her own. From there, Veego, a once member of Blok and a top trustee and host of the Quillan games, and LaBerge’s brother…was devoured. She was demolished in seconds. She’d not only been killed, but she’d at long last been overthrown…defeated for good.
And along with that, her entire army had been wiped out. The grounds were covered in dead dado bodies with arms here and legs here and as for the quig beasts, many had surrendered or fled to the woods where they took off in pursuit of finding an easier feast elsewhere. Veego and her people were no more. And the ten trustees, they, like Veego…had faced their death. Blok had been crushed.
Bobby, luckily, had finally gotten his strength back. He knew travelers healed well and now that his head was thinking clearly again, he walked off to get a closer look at who the new comers were and how they’d gotten there. But what he saw was both remarkable and extraordinary. It all felt like a dream but standing there, staring around at the now familiar faces of those he knew so well…he knew it wasn’t a dream. It was reality.
Holly says:
What’s gonna happen?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?! Keep it up!!! 😀
Challenger Black says:
Thanks Holly! 🙂
Only 2 more chapters to go! The last chapter is split up into 4 parts, and then it’s over.
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 43: The End of the War
Standing before him, all in a wide circle…were the ten travelers. They were all here. There was Siry, the young traveler from Ibara and Loor, the the bold, skilled Batu warrior from Zadaa and Vo Spader, the enthusiastic traveler and aquaneer of Cloral and Gunny, the soft hearted traveler from First Earth. He saw Aja had come, the brilliant traveler from Veelox and Patrick Mac, the teacher and librarian from Third Earth, as well as Kasha from the jungles of Eelong and Alder, the Bedoowan knight from Denduron. And last, he saw Elli, the soft traveler and mother of Nevva from Quillan itself. And in the very center of all ten travelers, was a man Bobby could have sworn being reunited with not long before. But while coming to Quillan, all thoughts and memories of that meeting had somehow vanished, along with any other memories of his shape shifting powers.
As well as all ten travelers…Uncle Press had tagged along.
And that wasn’t all. There were thousands of complete strangers all gathering around and though they were strangers, Bobby felt a sort of comfort having them around. He knew none of their faces, let alone who they were or why they’d come or how they knew of the invasion…but they’d helped put an end to Blok’s power.
Uncle Press meanwhile, took a long look around, nodded and declared with finality, “This is finished. Blok is no more and because of that…Quillan’s been saved.”
Before Bobby could answer…they heard someone. Or rather…something. It was an odd and strange sound that they all, especially Bobby…recognized. He knew the sound but he wasn’t expecting to hear it come from that sort of being. That’s when it came back to Bobby.
“Where’s Layra?”
No one knew where the fallen traveler was but by the looks of it, they were all searching.
Then came the peculiar sound.
They all curiously turned around and came face to face with a truly odd, but saddening sight. Not far from them, lying on her back was a young girl who couldn’t have been any older than Bobby and kneeling in front of her with its head dropped and its tail drooping…was the golden dragon. Bobby identified the dragon as that same one who’d killed Veego and it now had its sights on someone else. But strangely enough…it wasn’t growling or snarling or even looked hungry at all. It looked, if he was correct, sad, miserable and in a way…heartbroken. The poor creature was howling in agony.
Bobby hurried on over to where the girl and the dragon were. Uncle Press and the rest of the travelers slowly followed and with them, came all those who’d recently joined and those who’d survived on Layra’s side.
Bobby saw the girl was Layra and by the looks and sounds of it…she wasn’t doing well. A lot of her armor had been cracked and torn and her breathing came in heavy gasps and her eyes were shut tight. He dropped right next to her and stole a quick suspicious look at the mysterious dragon. The whimpering creature though…kept staring at Layra. Its eyes never left her.
Bobby moved up to her head and removed Layra’s helmet, hoping to ease away some of the pain. Layra gasped slightly and her breathing only got worse. Her face was pale as a ghost.
All they could do now was wait. Everyone held their breath. While Bobby and the dragon remained by her side, Bobby up by her head and the dragon right next to her, all the others slowly gathered around. The men shared concerned looks while the women comforted each other with hugs and whispers of encouragement that the spirit and leader of their rebellion would make it through. After having seen what had happened with LaBerge…they just couldn’t bear go through it all over again. All they could do was pray and hope for the best.
But almost instantly…Layra’s breathing slowed. One moment she was breathing in light gasps and the next, she fell silent. They hated to admit the unbearable truth but they couldn’t deny what the whole scene looked like. Layra looked to be dying.
Bobby leaned down, trying to listen for any sound of a heart beat but sadly…got nothing. He just didn’t get it. He tried not to cry, but after having gone through so much with Layra, the two being challengers together in the Great Four and having been part of the rebellion against Blok for as long as they’d been… he just couldn’t help it. She’d grown to be a real friend. He didn’t want to have to lose her. But then again, if she was a traveler…would she not survive? They’d soon find out.
The dragon must have known the end was close. It whined sadly and settled its head softly between her feet and nuzzled into her leg.
But to everyone’s relief…Layra began to cough. Bobby couldn’t believe it, yet it all made sense with her being a traveler. She then groaned lightly, made a face and slowly opened her eyes. He chuckled out of relief. She’d made it!
The dragon lifted its head in shock and stared at Layra… its eyes welling with tears. Layra met its gaze and for a long, solid minute, they shared a strong, emotional connection. Layra broke the silence by smiling weakly up at the golden face.
The dragon gave an overjoyed cry and pulled her lovingly in its arms and in that one moment, everyone there who’d gathered…saw the unknown creature for who it truly was. Or rather…who he truly was.
While holding Layra in his arms, nuzzling his head against hers…his dragonish body began to change. It was an incredible and wonderful sight. First the body began taking a thinner and more recognizable shape of that of a human’s, a man’s body. And then, one by one, the scales dropped off and right in its place, came a familiar sight Layra knew too well. Gone was the rough dragon’s body. She was now in the arms of the warm, soft multicolored robe and instead of feeling the curled horns, she felt the soft mass of wild blond colored hair that could never stay in place. Next came the clear blue eyes and when she looked down lower, she laughed with joy at a smiling sight. The adorable, furry clown slippers she’d seen time and again. It all felt like a perfect dream she knew was pure reality. There, being in the loving arms of her lover once again was nothing short of a miracle. Her and LaBerge were together again. She wasn’t sure how it happened or how it was even possible…but she really didn’t care. All that mattered was her and LaBerge were together again. She thought back to when she’d followed him up to the Black Forest. She’d wondered if she’d get the chance to cuddle, play Runkle, eat tribbun, go swimming in the pools and murmur “I love you’s.” with him ever again. If this was no dream, but reality…it looked like they’d get the chance to do all those things again and again.
Just earlier, they all had the idea that Veego had won the war against her brother but now here…it seemed like things had changed. There was no doubt LaBerge had won the war. He’d overthrown his sister. The war between Veego and LaBerge was finally over.
And all around them, as the gatherers watched in silence…they too felt the overwhelming emotion of joy and love these two shared. It was a well earned victory they’d all longed for from the very beginning. At long last, the unbearable struggle was finally over. The rebellion had thrived. Blok was no more. Quillan was saved and Layra, as well as the very leader they’d all loved and grown to inspire…was there in front of them. He was real and here which meant the long, hard fight was truly over…for good.
LaBerge pulled back slightly, stared into her eyes and smiled tearfully, “I’m so proud of you.”
Layra sighed and snuggled back into his arms and cried. She’d forgotten how much she’d missed being with LaBerge.
“I love you, Layra” he whispered with that loving smile.
She leaned in closer, kissed him passionately and broke the kiss saying, her voice cracking, “I love you too, LaBerge.”
Holly says:
awwwwwwwwww! that’s a cute little happy ending of the chapter! 🙂
Challenger Black says:
Thanks Holly! 🙂
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 44: A Traveler is Cured
It was hard to believe the war was finally over. But it was and now that Veego and her trustees were out of the picture…the misery and horror of Blok had come to an end. There was no one left to run the place which meant in no time, it’d die off in its time, leaving the once slaved city of Rune to grow and remold itself to the way it used to be. Quillan, like Earth, was a wondrous place with extraordinary life and people and now those old ways of the past…were at last going to return. The once lost territory was going to rebuild itself. From there on, there’d be no more suffering. It was the end of Blok, the trustees, Veego, the Quillan Games…and the long misery the citizens had dealt with for years.
And now that the rebellion had thrived and they’d won the war, there were still a number of questions floating about and the biggest one of all had to be the return of Layra’s lover. LaBerge was back.
She lifted her head from his neck and squeaked, “How?” That was all she could say. The words seemed caught in her throat.
LaBerge held her gaze and said, “There’s so much to say, Layra. I don’t even know where to begin. There’s just too much!”
She smiled and said, “I’m so glad you’re back.”
He nuzzled into her and whispered happily, “Me too.”
Remembering back to the unbearable night when she’d lost him, she couldn’t imagine how she’d carry on with him not there. She needed LaBerge…and he needed her. Layra was like his backbone that kept him going when things got rough, offering the courage and determination he’d desperately needed. If not for that…he probably never would have even come close to overthrowing Veego if it hadn’t been for her staying by him for all that time and giving him that bit of assurance and confidence that led to him becoming part of the rebellion.
And in return, LaBerge, being the bubbly, enthusiastic and lively guy he was…kept her young. Since she’d first met LaBerge, he’d given her a thing that seemed to fade from all the rest but when she saw him, she knew. He kept her young and alive and though she was no longer a hip, sixteen year old, being a thirty year old woman…she wouldn’t have felt as incredibly young if it hadn’t been for LaBerge. He kept her youth from dying and she was sure of it as long as they were together, her youth as well as his…would live in forever.
“What happened at the Black Forest” she asked shakily.”I just couldn’t stand seeing you, and them, doing what they did. I couldn’t stand losing you. I missed you so much.”
He caressed her cheek and told her softly, “I’d never leave you Layra and besides…I made you a promise! I gave you my word we’d be together and nothing would change that. Big or small, I always keep my promises!” And with that, he gave her a warm, bubbly smile. There was no doubt. LaBerge was back…for good.
“So, it’s over then?” she asked. “It’s finally over?”
He nodded.
“I always dreamed it’d come but, till you came, I never even thought it possible.”
“The rebellion’s brought us a long way,” said Layra, amazed. “Seemed like yesterday you and I first thought of it and now, here we are, Quillan’s saved and the war’s over. Just crazy.”
“I’ll say!” he exclaimed. “Not too long ago I was off playing Runkle and munching on tribbun. I never imagined I’d take part in a war that would save the whole territory! It all felt so impossible till you showed up and-”
Just then, Layra stepped out of his arms and took a breath. As impossible as it seemed to be, it was all too real. Her body, bit by bit…was fading into a bright, shimmering glow. And slowly, the glistening specks began to soften and dim. She was fading away.
LaBerge looked her over, puzzled and asked in fear, “Wait, w-what’s going on?”
Layra pressed her hand against her heart, sighed and said, “It’s happening.”
“What’s happening?” cried LaBerge, his eyes widening.
Layra laughed and told him, “Don’t worry. I’m fine…just relax. What I mean when I say it’s happening is…I’m being cured.”
“Cured?” he asked, still unsure “You mean-” but the words caught in his throat. That’s when it came to him. He was starting to understand what she meant when she’d said, “I’m being cured.”
Layra nodded and rose to her feet.
“Layra, I-” but the overwhelming emotion stopped him from continuing. He just stared in awe.
Layra’s eyes brightened and with a calmed smile she said, “Watch.”
LaBerge excitedly got to his feet to witness the glorious sight she seemed so thrilled about. His legs were trembling a bit but he knew whatever spectacle was going to occur…he knew it’d be nothing less than phenomenal. And like LaBerge, all those around them, Bobby and Press, the travelers, the people of Quillan and the newly arrived…were all just as curious and interested in seeing. They all watched Layra quietly, as she moved back a few spots. And it was only a few moments later that the incredulous event began.
LaBerge stood a few feet from Layra as he patiently waited and then, almost instantly…he saw it happening.
Layra was changing. They could all sense, LaBerge especially, that some wondrous spell was finally going to end. She began to change, shift and transform. But into what, no one could tell. LaBerge knew she was a traveler and perhaps this was some kind of thing among the travelers…but she would’ve mentioned it. She only said it was happening. But as they watched more closely as the shimmering specks began to swirl around her as if swallowing her up, they saw she was being lifted right up off the ground by some invisible force. All eyes right then were on Layra as she was raised up and there, the brightness around her body once more began to glitter and then, as if it were time…there was a shattering and outbreak of particles that shot this way and that.
LaBerge stepped back for a second and shielded his eyes from the blinding light, wondering if he’d get hit but when he looked back up, he saw Layra looked translucent. They saw right through her and then…the real change began to unfold.
Her body was growing, morphing into a larger and older appearing image. First it was her head, which was then followed by her shoulder and arms, her legs and finally…her toes. Every part of her was altering and not one person there could guess what it all meant. LaBerge had some idea as to what it all meant but staring up at the spectacular event, his head just couldn’t think straight. In a way…he was almost mesmerized.
It was only when the entire display was beginning to end did LaBerge at last understood what was happening. Layra was altering and changing from her sixteen year old body into that of a thirty year old… but he knew the reasoning. Ever since her home of Rorga had been crushed by the demon traveler, she’d been locked under a spell that so many others had dealt with. She’d been trapped and what they all called “frozen” in time and place. Unless her own or by chance, another territory was somehow saved and brought together…her body would forever remain of that of a sixteen year old. But Quillan, the once lost and broken territory had been revived and recovered by those of the rebellion which meant…the spell was finally broken. She was cured.
While all those who’d gathered to watch the strange but enthralling event gazed up, looking a little confused, LaBerge just stared in amazement. Layra’s transformation was now complete and her newly grown body was now lowering back to the ground. Not a word was said as she came back down. It was sheer silence.
That’s when LaBerge saw her. She stood not far from him, staring around somewhat shyly as if she wasn’t sure what she what she ought to say or do. The travelers however, knew the story behind her condition and therefore, understood the event while all those who hadn’t heard of the curse simply stared wide eyed, some with their mouths open. The one word that could best describe them was…speechless.
As for LaBerge, he was so awe-struck by the whole thing he could hardly keep still. The transformation was complete and he, like Layra…had no idea what to do and that’s when she looked at him.
When Layra looked his way, LaBerge could have sworn his knees gave out. He only hoped nobody saw. He stared back quietly, the two locked in a soft, solid gaze. It felt like they were meeting for the first time. And while LaBerge stared her in the eyes, he never imagined his Layra being so beautiful. And Layra hadn’t changed a bit. Physically, her body might have changed…but Layra was still Layra. She still had those warm brown eyes and her shoulder length brown hair had grown slightly. She was a bit taller, being fourteen years older but just like when he’d met her the first time, he was struck by her beauty once again.
His eyes were watering, so he wiped them away and told her softly, “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”
Layra smiled weakly and blushed.
She then walked up to LaBerge, who watched her adoringly. He was seeing his Layra for the first time again.
Those around them couldn’t help smiling. The women were in tears, seeing their hero again, when they all thought he’d be gone forever…yet here he was. And now they knew their young ones would be saved and once more, families would reunite and help bring together the Quillan they loved and so longed for.
Layra and LaBerge held eye contact. It was a moment neither knew quite what to say, so they did the only thing they could think of doing. They hugged. The stress, worry and heartache was finally over. At last…they could be together.
LaBerge caressed her neck and kissed her softly but it didn’t last long before they all heard voices shouting “LaBerge!”
The two stopped and turned around curiously. LaBerge was the first to see where the voices were coming from and his face lit up with a smile. Layra stared in confusion but soon saw what he, as well as the rest, were all smiling about.
Running as fast as they could was a massive group so kids who couldn’t have been older than five. These were the kids of the parents who’d taken part in the war against Blok and now that the fight was finally over…they’d been freed. And trying to keep up with them, all out of breath…was none other than Nole, the man who’d offered in caring and watching over them while the rest left for the battle.
Like he’d promised, he’d kept them safe. The girls and boys hurried on their way and when they got closer, both Layra and LaBerge saw each and every one of them was holding a Runkle toy and all were waving their hands in the air. LaBerge saw them coming and saw they were all rushing up to him in giant stampede. He held his arms out as if to hug them all…but that didn’t quite work out.
As they drew closer, their shouts and cheers grew louder and then, all at once…they threw themselves on him, all stretching their arms out with excitement. Some crawled over top of him and buried their overjoyed faces into his chest while others sat down next to him and clapped their hands and altogether, cheered, “LaBerge-LaBerge-LaBerge!” They were ecstatic to see their hero was back.
LaBerge laughed and hugged them each in turn while they all told him, “You’re the best LaBerge!” and “We love you!” and “You’re our biggest hero!”
Holly says:
It’s a happy ending!!! haha or is it?!………… 😀
Challenger Black says:
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 45: The Spirit of Quillan (PART 1)
LaBerge didn’t know what to say. He never knew they cared so much but it wasn’t hard to see all those young ones admired and looked up to him, not only as a hero…but as their hero. It was only a few quads ago that the kids of Rune and all over Quillan had feared and hated him for what he’d been doing with Veego and Blok and the games. But now, as crazy and wild as it all seemed and felt to him…he had himself a couple of fans!
“LaBerge!” said one of the girls cheerily. “Would you like to play Runkle sometime?”
“I’d love to!” said LaBerge.
“Can I play too?” said one of the boys.
“And me!” added another. “Don’t forget me!”
“How about we start a club?” LaBerge suggested. “Everyone can join.”
“Okay!” they all squealed.
So it was agreed that they’d start what they called the Runk Club and it was right then, as LaBerge watched the kids running and bouncing around…he realized something that made everything make perfect sense. Ever since he’d gone to the Black Forest and went ahead with the agreement with Blok, he always had the intention he’d truly lost to his sister. He knew he’d given the people of the rebellion a second chance at going up against Blok…but he never quite thought deep enough to what really could happen. Veego had told him he’d be giving up his own life and just as her and her trustees hoped, with him gone…there’d be no force strong enough in stopping them from crushing the enemy and rising Blok to the ultimate power as the new Quillan.
She’d also said with him being the heart and spirit of the rebellion itself that odds are the people would give up and lose all hope in taking a stand. But they hadn’t and that’s what LaBerge finally understood, now that the war was over and things were all coming together. When he’d given himself up to his sister… he hadn’t lost. He’d won and he’d not only won, but he’d faced Veego herself in the Black Forest and by doing so…he and the people of the rebellion had thrived greatly. But there was still something that stumped Layra.
By that time, most of the kids and parents were leaving the area. Before heading off, they said a quick goodbye to LaBerge, the women giving him a warm, thankful hug as well as the kids. One by one, the area grew emptier and quieter till the only people left were Layra, LaBerge, Uncle Press and the ten travelers.
Press looked to Layra and saw she was still trying to figure out the meaning behind it all.
He chuckled and assured her, “Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything.”
“It’s all so…confusing” she said. “I never knew it’d turn out this way but I gotta know how LaBerge came back. I just can’t figure it out.”
“Well,” began Press. “He never really left to begin with.”
“Wait…what?” she said, stunned. “What do you mean?”
“Why don’t you tell her?” Press said, turning to LaBerge with a smile.
LaBerge looked to Layra and nodded.
“It’s a long story,” he explained. “I didn’t even think what happened would even happen. It’s crazy!”
“The longer the better,” said Layra. “Let’s hear it start to finish.”
LaBerge took a breath and said, “Alright, I guess I should start at the Black Forest, where the whole arrangement and agreement took place. That’s where the whole thing really began. But there’s another thing you should know. Remember when you and Bobby somehow forgot certain parts of the travelers, like having the power in healing each other and Solara?”
“Yeah!” said Bobby suddenly remembering. “How’d that happen? How could we just forget about all that? I mean…Solara’s a bit much to forget.”
Press chuckled and said, “True…but there’s a reasoning behind it. You didn’t just simply forget and remember it later on.”
“So why’d it happen then?” asked Layra.
“It was all to do with Veego, her trustees, Blok and…her growing power,” he told them. “And Saint Dane being a hidden traveler’s played a big part in it too. It still does. He possesses what’s called a Lost Sense and with that, he’s got the power to wipe out one’s mind and memories entirely. That’s how you two seemed to forget your being on Solara. Saint Dane assured your memories were wiped out completely and once that was in play, things would start happening just the way he planned, from the beginning.”
“So it’s got to do with Veego and Saint Dane?” asked Layra. “They’re both part of it?”
“They are,” said Press. “But because of the people and the rebellion, Saint Dane’s hold over that Lost Sense was lost and it was all because Veego was losing. Blok was slowly coming to an end because of Quillan’s stand. If Veego had triumphed and taken Blok to its highest level…then any memory of Solara or anything else to do with travelers would be lost.”
“Even if we saw all of you?” Bobby exclaimed. “If we saw you in person, wouldn’t that be enough?”
“Not with the Lost Sense being in control, it wouldn’t,” he answered. “With the effect in play, your mind wouldn’t recall ever meeting us or remembering or even knowing about Solara. You wouldn’t even remember me or our trips to Cloral and Denduron. It just wouldn’t be there. And from what I’ve seen from Saint Dane and what he’s done so far…I’m almost sure he’s found himself a new plan. He’s a hidden traveler and he’s got his sights on the hidden territories. It seems like he’s searching for a certain band of warriors and from what we’ve seen…Veego looks to have been the first. He referred to the territories as dominos and with this new plan…he might just find himself a new way in toppling the hidden territories. So instead of him coming to Quillan himself in disguise, like he usually does…he knew Veego would be more than willing to play out what he began. Veego and he are clearly on the same side but the real question is…were they working together?”
“They had to have been!” said Layra surely. “You should have seen what Veego and her trustees got on with.”
“It may seem like it,” he cautioned. “But until we have full proof, we can only assume. Now that he’s become more hidden and out of sight from us, we’ve got to keep a closer watch on others. Like Veego for instance. She was always an enemy against Quillan and a member of Blok. But Saint Dane, unlike Veego is a traveler so when she fell…her spirit came to an end.”
“So what you’re saying,” said Bobby thoughtfully. “Is that he’s relying on others to carry on his work and his deeds on the territories?”
“It’s certainly an option,” Press agreed. “And that’s why all of us will have to keep a steady watch on things. Anybody out there could be following him. But back to LaBerge.”
“Well, it all started back at the Black Forest,” LaBerge began. “I knew something had to be done about the people or else they all would have been killed! There’d be nothing left of them or the rebellion. As scared as I was, I…I knew it had to be done but after hearing what Veego said to me, I could have sworn I’d lost. It sure felt like it. The rebellion was given a second chance but I wasn’t sure what was going to happen after that. And when she took the plunge, I-” he took a breath and said, “I was just terrified. And Layra…I didn’t even want to imagine what you’d have to go through. I didn’t want you to be alone.”
“You kept your promise,” said Layra quietly, trying to hold back tears.
“And the thing was…I wasn’t even sure where it’d all go from there. But that’s when something really weird happened. I know this is going to sound weird but, it’s all true. When Veego and her people left the Black Forest, I could have sworn I’d heard someone calling and it wasn’t really a voice I recognized. I tried to figure out who it could be but I couldn’t think of it! But as weird as that was, it felt like I was being raised or…I don’t even know! It was all such a big blur. All I remember is hearing these voices calling and that’s when I saw him.”
“Who?” said Layra curiously.
LaBerge paused, then said, “I saw Press.”
“Wait, what?” said Bobby, confused. He then turned to Press and asked, “Uncle Press, how’d you see LaBerge?”
He chuckled and said, “Let him finish.”
“And it wasn’t just you, Press!” LaBerge exclaimed. “I saw all of you! It was amazing! I met all of you, Spader, Aja, Alder and Siry, Patrick, Elli and Gunny and Kasha and Loor. I couldn’t believe it. I thought I was just dreaming but it was just too real to feel like a dream! That’s when I found out you called me up, Press. It all felt so bizarre and I couldn’t wrap my head around it, especially after being in the Black Forest with Veego and the rest…but then you told me.”
Press gave him a reassuring nod and said, “It’s the way it was meant to be.”
“So you were…on Solara?” asked Bobby, his head spinning.
“I didn’t even know where or what Solara was till Press told me,” said LaBerge. “And then what they did next, well, I-I didn’t even know what was happening! Really I didn’t. I-” but he was so stunned all he could do was shake his head. So Press carried on with the story.
“After I called LaBerge up,” he told them. “I gathered the rest of the Travelers and together… we hailed him as an official Spirit of Solara.”
“Spirit!” cried Layra, amazed. “Really?
Holly says:
ooooooooooooooh! A twist! 😀
Challenger Black says:
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 46: The Spirit of Quillan (PART 2)
“It was all to do with the people of Quillan,” Press explained. “Once the rebellion got going and after they all took the time in knowing LaBerge and joining him and realizing the truth behind him and his sister…it began to happen. Each and every one of them believed in him and admired and loved him, the young and the elderly. They all looked up to him and because of their admiration…he’d been chosen to be what’s called a Territorial Spirit. He’s the firstborn and to all the people…will be known as The Golden Dragon.”
“What’s that?” Bobby asked.
“A Territorial Spirit is in a way, similar to a traveler,” he answered. “They’re spirits like us and they hold many of the same qualities. They have the ability of shape shifting and quick healing but there’s one small thing that works differently. They represent their territory. A Territorial Spirit represents the heart and spirit of its territory and can only be chosen by the people of that territory. And with LaBerge now being the official spirit of Quillan, the doings of Veego and her crew can be undone. They’re no more which means the rebellion’s become the real beginning of Quillan’s renewal. This territory can now be reborn.”
“He’s finally free,” thought Layra, relieved. Knowing the man she loved was finally freed from Blok and his controlling sister was simply a miracle. He could now start fresh with a brand new life. And so could she.
“I’m just wondering-” said LaBerge, but hesitated.
“What?” asked Press.
“Well, it’s just,” said LaBerge. “I’m so thankful to all those people but the thing is…I might not exactly be the best choice for a thing like this! I’m kind of a goof and I like clowns. I don’t know…maybe I just thought someone else might be more suitable.”
“And that’s why you were chosen to be that Spirit, LaBerge,” Press told him. “The people admired you for who you were. And there’s one thing they all loved and still love about you…which is why you’re now the spirit of Quillan.”
“What’s that?” he asked.
“You’ve got spirit,” was his simple answer. “A spirit they’ve never even seen. If you ask me, they couldn’t have chosen a better spirit.”
“You’re a good guy, mate,” Spader told him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You’ll do great!”
“You show more spirit than I’ve seen,” Loor admitted. “I agree in the people’s choice.”
Just then, Elli stepped forward and stood in front of LaBerge.
“I’m proud that you’re Quillan’s spirit,” she said sincerely, her soft eyes staring into his. “And now that’s Blok’s gone…our home really can begin again. In a way, LaBerge…you remind me of Mr. Pop.”
“I think Quillan’s in for a bright future with you in charge,” said Gunny.
LaBerge smiled and said jovially, “I’ll do my absolute best!”
“So with travelers and spirits,” said Layra. “Do they work together?”
“They do,” said Press. “Travelers and Acolytes and Spirits are like a trio. Each territory is given a traveler as well a territorial spirit, someone who’ll symbolize and represent them.”
“So LaBerge and I can stay together then?” asked Layra hopefully.
“Of course,” said Press. “Like I said, it’s the way it was meant to be. All that’s happened here on Quillan turned out for the better because, well…you know the rest.”
“But when did this all start happening?” asked Bobby, still a bit lost. “Where’d this all come from? And are there are spirits out there?”
“The Territorial Spirits are of a new kind,” he said. “The power of Solara has grown and is now giving each territory its own Spirit, Quillan being the first. And really, if it weren’t for your doing, Layra…odds are the rebellion would have never gotten through as far as it did.”
“I never did much,” she told him. “LaBerge and I were partners, yeah, but it seems like I really didn’t do all that much.”
“You doubt yourself too much, Layra,” said Press. “Think back for a second, just think back to it all and then try and see how you all played a part in this. You might surprise yourself.”
So she thought back, going back and trying to do what Press told her to do. She knew her and LaBerge had been partners throughout the rebellion and were still partners and she knew in ways, she did help but she didn’t think she’d helped all that much. But what took her a few careful run over’s to realize was that she did in fact play just as big a part as LaBerge or the people of Quillan themselves. If it weren’t for her, the people would have never known of LaBerge’s true intentions and they never would have known of the truth behind him and Veego.
In more ways than she knew, she’d been helping LaBerge from the very start, when they’d first met. And back in the Black Forest, when he’d been killed, what she and Bobby and Veego weren’t aware of was by that time, he’d already been hailed as Quillan’s spirit. That’s when he’d gone to Solara, joined up with Press and the travelers and hurried his way down to the Rune Ford, with an entire army behind him. He’d brought the spirits of Solara along. And near the end of the war, when LaBerge had stormed in and slammed his sister to the ground, Layra had remembered the entire thing would come down to a one on one war between two individuals. Veego and LaBerge. The ongoing crisis itself was about Blok, of course, but Veego and LaBerge no question, played the biggest part in how it would all turn out. In the end, LaBerge had won.
And that’s when she saw how it all made sense.
When she’d fought Veego, face to face, she was fully determined in bringing her down herself. But thinking back on it now, she saw it couldn’t have turned out that way, even if she wanted. Layra wasn’t the one who was meant to bring an end to Veego. It was LaBerge. It was him and Veego’s war from the very start and however things might have turned out, he would have been the only one meant in overthrowing her. And he’d not only done that, but he’d outsmarted her into thinking he was in fact one of the Rorgan dragons and was nothing less than a traitor and not knowing why, had joined sides of the rebellion. But she had no idea it was in fact her own brother. And when the last moment came, before LaBerge had taken the plunge, Veego had somehow calmed. He’d never know what was going on through her head or if she even knew it was her brother. Whether or not she knew LaBerge had triumphed and she’d in fact lost…would forever remain unknown.
“I did help,” she said quietly.
“You and LaBerge and the rest all helped,” said Press. “If it weren’t for all of you…Quillan might not even be alive today.”
Just then, they all heard voices.
LaBerge looked puzzled.
“Who’s that?” he asked.
Uncle Press must have known who the two approaching were. He stepped aside and said to LaBerge, “Why don’t you go and see for yourself?”
He looked to Press, confused but nodded and strolled on, curious in seeing who the two guests were.
Layra watched him go and that’s when she heard Press saying, “You too.”
“Me?”
He nodded, saying, “He’d want you to be there.”
So while Press, Bobby and the rest of the travelers stood behind, Layra and LaBerge without saying a word, made their way forward. For some reason, they felt a little nervous but kept on going.
LaBerge turned his head and whispered, “Who do you think it is?”
Layra shrugged and whispered back, “I don’t know. More people, maybe?”
“Didn’t they just leave though?” said LaBerge.
“Shh!” said Layra. “Look!”
The four were now close enough that Layra and LaBerge could make out who the people were, but what they at least looked like. LaBerge could have sworn, coming closer, they looked familiar but he couldn’t put his tongue on it and for Layra, the two were complete strangers she’d never met. One of them was a tall man with long, curled blond hair that fell to his shoulders and clear blue eyes and had a very strong, but noble aura about him. Layra wasn’t too sure what to think but as she looked the man over, she thought she’d seen him or at least…someone who looked just like him not long ago. And standing next to the blond haired man was a woman. She was a bit shorter than the man with long brown hair that fell past her shoulders. Her eyes were a soft green and one look at her told Layra she was a soft hearted, kindly spoken woman. And what they both had in common was they both looked oddly and strangely familiar.
That’s when it hit LaBerge. He knew who these two were. They weren’t strangers at all. He knew them both and when he finally realized who they were…his eyes filled with tears.
His legs were a bit shaky but he ignored it and ran right up to them and wrapped them in a big, loving hug and nuzzled his head between theirs and choked out, “I missed you.”
LaBerge could hardly believe it. Not only had he just learned he’d been chosen as Quillan’s very own spirit…he’d been reunited with his parents again.
But how?” he squeaked.
His mother pulled back, stroked his hair lovingly and said, “We’ve been on Solara just like the rest, dear. We’ve been watching over you ever since we left.”
LaBerge knew what she meant. They were spirits just like the rest up on Solara but when he was only a child…he’d never forgotten what his cruel sister had done. Not only had she killed LaBerge years later when the two were in their late thirties…but she’d killed her own parents when she was only young. That night had stayed with LaBerge his entire life. The one family he’d ever had, his parents had been snatched and he’d been left with Veego and that’s when the trip to Quillan began. But now they were here. His mother and father were alive and well.
LaBerge was too overjoyed to even know where to begin.
“I’m proud of you, son,” his father told him. “I know how hard things have been for you over the past few year. If it weren’t for you and the rest, well…I don’t know what would have become of Quillan. I’m glad to see our home’s been saved.”
“And this must be Layra,” said his mother, smiling at Layra with friendly eyes.
Layra stepped forward and introduced herself.
“It’s so great to meet you,” she told them in turn.
There was a short pause till LaBerge’s mother said, somewhat tearfully, “We’ve been watching over our son for years and ever since you came into his life, Layra, you’ve really became his own personal spirit and you gave him the hope he needed. You gave my son a chance and befriended him and did something no one else has ever done. You loved him.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever meet that special person,” said LaBerge quietly. “I always thought I’d be alone.”
“Now you have,” his father smiled. “I know, seeing the way things have played out, you two without a doubt are meant to be, no question.”
“You’ve got so much in common,” his wife added. “And you just seem to understand each other so well.”
And knowing he finally had the woman he’d always dreamed of having…LaBerge knew all those days and nights and long hours of misery and nonstop crying were finally over. Growing up, always being alone with nobody to talk to or turn to or love, he’d spent the majority of his time locked up in his room. He’d sit there for hours, lost in thought, always wondering if he really was meant to be alone and chained up to his sister for the rest of his life. But then Layra came…and changed everything. They were like two peas in a pod.
“So it’s over,” his father said with a sigh. “Our daughter’s gone.”
LaBerge lowered his head and whispered, “I always hoped she’d come around. But she never did. She just didn’t change.”
“It just goes to show,” said his father thoughtfully. “This is the way things were meant to be. If she and her trustees would have triumphed and gone through with the invasion, then Quillan right now as we know it would have been crushed and in its place…an entire world of Blok. That would have been the end of Quillan. There’d be nowhere else to go.”
“So this means we can be a family again?” said LaBerge happily. “Together…just like it used to be?”
His mother pulled him into another hug and cried, “Just like it used to be. Oh, I’ve been missed you so much, LaBerge. I know you might be a grown man but…I still can’t help calling you my little boy.”
LaBerge chuckled and told her, “I like being called little boy. I don’t plan on growing old. I plan on staying young forever!”
Layra laughed and added, “Me too! Who says we all need to grow up?”
Challenger Black says:
And here’s the last chapter! Hope you’ve enjoyed my story about Quillan 🙂
A Sequel to the Quillan Games
Chapter 47: The Spirit of Quillan (PART 3)
“We better get going then,” said LaBerge’s father. “The spirits are waiting.”
“So this means I can come and visit you?” said LaBerge. “Now that we’re all together?”
“Of course,” smiled his mother. “You come and see us whenever you want. We’ll be there. I know now that you’re a spirit, you and Layra will be off on the territories…but drop by whenever you want. Both of you. We could make tribbun and maybe we’ll even come and see you or-”
“Dear, we’d better be off,” her husband reminded.
His wife smiled and said to her son, “Oh, come here! One more hug!”
LaBerge hugged his mother one last and time, saying, “I love you.”
“I love you too, son.”
“Be sure to keep that Runkle going,” said his father with a grin. “I hear you’re a champ!”
“I try!” laughed LaBerge. “I’ve got my own club now!”
His father shook his head and said, “Well, I’ll be! My own son…a champion at Runkle!”
Before his parents took a step back and into Solara, they called, “Riggedy riggedy!”
“Riggedy riggedy!” he called back.
They stepped back and in a flash…were gone. But he knew where he’d find them when he went to visit.
Layra looked at LaBerge, puzzled and said, “What was that?”
LaBerge turned around, chuckled and said casually, “Family thing.”
“I like it,” she said. “It’s so you. And your parents are just like you, especially your mother.”
“I was always like her,” he agreed.
When they got back to Press, Bobby and the travelers, they took a quick moment to explain what happened.
“They must have been thrilled to see you,” said Press.
“I can’t believe they’re here!” said LaBerge excitedly. “It’s just like old times.”
“We can’t stay long though,” Press said, staring around. “Your parents and all those on Solara are waiting. There’s going to be a meeting among all the spirits as to where things are going to head now with Saint Dane moving onto the hidden territories and the spirits and travelers.”
“Wait!” said Layra suddenly. “What about VaNerge?”
LaBerge gave her a confused look. He’d n never heard that name before.
“Is he alright?” she asked nervously.
Uncle Press stared them both in the eye and said softly, “I’m sorry but…VaNerge didn’t make it.”
Layra and LaBerge dropped their heads out of respect while the others did the same and all gave a moment’s silence in respect to VaNerge. He’d been a strong spoken, determined man who’d been part of the rebellion since the very beginning and above all, he proud and noble guy. And they all knew he’d now joined the spirits of Solara.
“Will he be on Solara?” said Layra.
Press smiled and said, “He most certainly will be.”
Layra turned to LaBerge and asked, “How’d you like to meet your brother?”
LaBerge’s eyes widened in shock.
“Wait!,” he said, barely holding back his excitement. “You mean to say that VaNerge, who’s now in Solara…is my brother?”
“It’s a long story,” Layra told him. “But he’ll be so glad to meet you.”
“I can’t believe it!” he exclaimed. “I never knew I had a brother!”
Layra then turned back to Press and asked, “Jiggy-V?”
“She didn’t make it,” Press told her.
Layra shook her head and said, holding back the fury. “I couldn’t stand her!”
LaBerge nodded and admitted, “She was annoying!”
“Yeah, just like that Rune Dance,” Bobby threw in. “Man that was bad.”
“Press, I don’t know if you know a whole lot about Veego or Jiggy,” said Layra. “But do you know if there was some sort of connection between them?”
“You know Veego was once a phader on Veelox,” Press began. “Well, there was one individual in particular she watched over. She’d been Jiggy’s phader for years and of course, Jiggy joined sides with Veego, just like Challenger Gray and Challenger Brown did.”
“They survived though,” said Layra. “I’m pretty sure they fled during the fight.”
“And I can almost assure you they’ve gone back to their home territories,” said Press, thinking it over. “Knowing what they were like…I’d say they went home.”
“I just hope we won’t have to work with them,” said Layra, her skin crawling at the thought. “They’re not what you’d call friends.”
“Yeah,” said LaBerge. “They scared me.”
“Well, that might not be for a while,” said Press. “There’s a long way to go with the hidden territories. Besides, who knows where those two have truly gone or where they plan on going? We’ll just have to wait and see. But we’d better get going.”
“Am I going too?” asked Bobby.
“Yes,” said Press. “You’ll come with us, Bobby. “We’re not quite sure where we’re all going to go from here but one thing’s for sure, you two, Layra and LaBerge…you’ll be coming with us. Once we’ve spoken with the rest on Solara, we’ll decide on where to go from there.”
“Because it was the way it was meant to be?” said Layra, knowing the answer.
Uncle Press nodded and said, “It’s just how it goes.”
Before Press or the other could vanish…Layra turned and looked at Press.
“Hey,” she called to him. “Would you mind if LaBerge and I went for a walk? Just a quick one?”
“Fine with me,” Press answered. “You’ll know where to find us.”
And with those words in mind, Bobby and his uncle and the nine travelers took a step back and were gone. Layra and LaBerge were alone.
Layra took LaBerge’s hand into her own and said, “Let’s go for a walk.”
The days that followed Quillan were happy and bright and almost every person had joined in the rebuilding of their once lost territory. They all knew Mr. Pop had been destroyed by the army of dados but in a way, having LaBerge now as their spirit, a man whom they all loved and admired and looked up to…was like having Mr. Pop back. And when they all got together, Layra, LaBerge and the people of Rune and all across Quillan, it wasn’t long before things were starting to unfold. And there were a number of changes that took place to wipe out the old miseries and memories of what had once been Quillan.
The first thing they took care of was Rune. The city had once been gray and boring but after LaBerge thought it over and with everyone’s help…Rune was rebuilt into a whole new city. The buildings were no longer that dark, familiar gray. New buildings were built and constructed all through the streets and each was a bright, inviting color. There were deep reds and yellows and greens and all sorts of colors. And instead of the one store they all knew as the worst of all, Blok…there was a birth of a hundred new stores and companies. There were stores that sold shelves of toys and flowers for gardening and tools and new grocery stores and pet stores and an endless number of new places they all couldn’t wait to explore. It was the birth of a new city and they as citizens knew with the help and guidance of their spirit…it was all because of them it was even possible. But they’d done it. They were one step into the process of erasing Blok out of their lives in order to make room for a glorious new one.
The next thing they did was turn their attention to the young ones. They all worked together in building a number of playgrounds and day cares and even after a long while’s worth of work…a small amusement park. And of course, as they all guessed, the kids fell in love with it. They hadn’t had that much fun in years and they now had a place to go where they could have fun and never having ridden a roller coaster or a Ferris wheel…they wanted to do it all again and again. There was no question that the kids loved the new Quillan.
And finally, the last thing they did to bring an end to Quillan’s old life was tearing down the very building of Blok itself. And as the people all stood off to the sides and watched as the grand and monstrous tower came tumbling down…they felt a swelling of joy and relief. The very essence of where the horrors began was falling to its death…just like the people who’d run the company. Veego and the trustees. They could have sworn the tower itself was screeching and screaming while it went down but just as they all hoped, all that were left was a pile of ashes where the mighty Blok had once stood. It was officially the end of Blok and the start of the new Quillan…one they’d all helped build.
As for the Quillan Games, with there no longer being anyone to host them…they came to an end. There’d be no more bets or wagerings on games. However, with the people’s permission, LaBerge made sure the arcades were kept for the kids, knowing as long as the bets and wagers were no more, there’d be no reason not to keep them in for the young ones. It’d be a fun place to go where they could play all sorts of games and LaBerge even put in some prizes so as to make the games all the more fun and entertaining. There was one in particular he designed. It was a runkle toy just like the rest but he made this little toy extra special. He called it a Riggedy Runkle and not only was it a runkle…it was a water gun, a watch, a walkie talkie and how he managed to do it, he had absolutely no idea…an umbrella. People could now take a trip to the arcades without having to worry about losing and being dragged off by a mindless dado. That horror was over…like all the rest.
In all, after endless days of hard work, LaBerge couldn’t have been happier with what they’d accomplished. It was the start of a new life and a new Quillan.
For him and Layra though…it was now time to head back to Solara. Not only was there a meeting they had to attend…but there was one special person LaBerge couldn’t wait to meet.
Layra turned to LaBerge and smiled, “You ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be!” he told her excitedly. “Let’s go to Solara.”
So together, the two took a step back, knowing where’d they’d end up next…and were gone.
Holly says:
awww! that was a great ending! haha i have an idea for your title of your book. It can be called A Squeal To The Quillan Games; The Secret Rebellion. Is that good?! cuz i was thinking that the whole rebellion was really all between Veego and LaBerge. and that LaBerge was finally rebelling against Veego. it was just an idea. 😀
Challenger Black says:
Thanks Holly! Glad you liked it. Yeah, you’re absolutely right. That was the core of the whole story, of Veego and LaBerge and how LaBerge was finally rebelling against his sister.
And that’s a fitting title 🙂
Holly says:
yup!!! Glad i could help! 😀
Morpheus road boy says:
Heres a little idea for a fanfic.
Marsh Seavers life is already complicated enough, but when he and his dad go on vacation to the small town of forks washington and meet a coven of vampires things get even worse This is the tale of Twilight Road
Hallaman says:
I must say i am really impressed on how the story played out and im sure DJ would be proud Challenger Black. You have really captured the story and morphed it into something very spectacular, I really hope you try with another of the Pendragon storys.
Hallaman10 says:
that was me i miss typed my name
Challenger Black says:
Thank you for the kind words Hallaman. Who knows? Maybe a while from now I’ll come up with an idea for one of the other stories and go from there 🙂
Hallaman10 says:
Please do i might even take a crack at it myself one day.
Batu warrior says:
@ Challenger Black
wow….. I didn’t even read all that you wrote, but your like really really, good at this!
Cloral says:
@ Challenger Black
Your stories are amazing and i have only just started reading the first 2 chapters
Challenger Black says:
@Batu warrior
Thank you!
@Cloral
Thank you to you as well! I’m glad you like it 🙂
Spinney-Doo says:
@challenger black
Good writing! I’ve only read the first chapter of your writing, but i can tell your writings good. i would read the whole 47 chapters right here and now, but i just finished the 10th book for the third time in 2 years. took me about 2 days of constant reading. Phew. i will defiantly read the rest soon, but not now.
Reading the ending of the tenth book for the third time, i still don’t exactly understand the last chapter. Anyone willing to share some insight?
Patrick's Acolyte says:
I wish Marshall was my best friend because he has cool hair. But he’s kind of lame………..