An underground structure in the depths of the dimension was clouded in a hot mist. Underground pools of lava flowed slowly through the deep caverns. The sound of water rushing through the caves could be heard echoing off the walls. The heat and moisture were causing a thick steam to cloud the entirety of the cave system.
It was an underground city. It was a settlement for the creatures that lived there, creating a perfect habitat that was safe from enemies. Not many could withstand the heat of the cavern system. Livable structures had been carved out of the cavern's moist walls.
Smooth walkways were covered in a moist layer of water and sulfur from the hot steam. They snaked around the underground settlement like roads. Heated mist swirled throughout the cave system, keeping every surface moist and hot.
There were creatures everywhere, both male and female, going about their business. All avoided the largest cavern, giving it a wide berth.
This cavern in particular resembled a throne room. A large dais with a bone throne stood in the center. Two long steps were carved roughly into the stone. A hunched figure bowed deeply, on the lower step. A tall figure stood above him. His arms were folded; his eyes narrowed in anger. His horns were moist from the heated mist that swirled throughout the settlement.
"What!" The man yelled, kicking the messenger in the head. The small figure, hunched over, bowing in submission, was thrown back, falling off the step. He quickly came forward, continuing to bow, and nearly slipping on the moist floor.
"The heir, he…." The figure tried to repeat himself, but was stopped as he was kicked again. He was not given the chance to continue.
"Please, master, let me fix this!" the figure pleaded. His bony fingers trembled as he bowed low, his hands held up as if in prayer. "The heir hasn't received his power yet. We can stop him from completing the trials."
The man kicked the messenger again, the figure falling from the steps of the dais. He scrambled up, pulling the hood of his cloak back over his small horns. It had fallen back after being kicked. "There's still time!" he pleaded, continuing to bow.
Ignoring the messenger, the man stormed out of the large throne room, leaving the hunched figure alone. Slowly standing, the messenger turned his head, watching his master disappear deeper into the settlement. "I will fix this. I will fix this for master."
***
Draco Town
Drake and his friends had just returned from rescuing Nelly, Tod's little cousin. They had delivered the little girl to her cousin Tod and her Nana safely, completing the quest. Drake wanted to try out his new skill, Whirlwind, but there was no time.
Drake was now sitting across from the mayor, his two friends sitting beside him as they waited for Mary to finish preparing their meal. After reporting what they had seen and the discrepancies in the information they had received, Drake had demanded answers from Ivan.
Ivan was frowning, his face pale. "I don't know how we received the information. It has been passed down for decades. None of us in town has seen the creatures turn into stone. Why would we? We could easily destroy them if they did that here. They take villagers who are out after dark and leave."
"What about entering a home without permission?" Drake pressed.
Ivan looked up at Drake, his eyes passing to Chad and Mike, then back to Drake. "We don't know. That is just something that was passed down with each generation."
Drake crossed his arms. His eyes narrowed at the mayor. "So, you're saying that no one in town has ever confirmed any of the information that has been passed down?"
Sighing, Ivan nodded slowly.
"Seems to me like you need to make some preparations in the event those things attack or go against this so-called information you have. If the fact that they can't enter a home uninvited is a lie, every life in this town is in jeopardy. I think the goal should be a way to protect everyone from these monsters." Drake looked at his two friends. "Do you two agree?"
Both boys nodded, but didn't say anything. They were somewhat in awe at Drake's personality change. He was being direct and taking the leadership role with ease. He was taking charge without a hint of hesitation. His shy demeanor was completely gone.
Drake sat quietly, thinking. He needed to come up with an idea on how to protect the villagers. The problem he was facing was that the monsters came from the air. None of his skills could create a dome barrier to keep threats out. It was a fleeting thought, but in this moment it was a useless one.
With a sudden thought, Drake looked up at Ivan. "I think I've come up with another possibility. One that could become a very large problem. What if they don't turn to stone? What if they only attack at night to hide their numbers or even their appearance? Lastly, what if they decide to attack during the day?"
Ivan's face paled further. The young heir gave him a lot to think about. He was opening up possibilities, things that scared him. He was the mayor, so he was very protective of his people. If the information they all knew was false, it would make it difficult to protect them.
Mary came out with dishes of food, breaking the silence. Seeing the group troubled, she quietly set the food on the table, then placed the plates and cutlery and quickly left, not wanting to interrupt whatever they were speaking of. It appeared to be serious.
They slowly ate the food that was brought. Even Ivan ate slowly, eating much less than normal. Drake's words had rattled him. The realization that all they knew could very well be a lie troubled him. They say ignorance is bliss. Apparently, it was true.
"I wonder if these monsters are waiting for the time that the townsfolk become complacent, used to the routine of only being attacked at night, before they change it up and go all out when everyone here least expects it," Chad stated, stuffing a bun in his mouth.
Drake looked over at his friend. "If they did that, it would be a massacre. We need to plan for all contingencies. We need to prepare as if we're waiting for an attack that can come at any moment, day or night. We need to forget that they have only attacked this town at night, and assume that they could arrive at any moment."
Mike nodded. "Relearning, right?"
Nodding, Drake continued to eat his food. He was trying to think of a way to prepare the town for battle. One that could hit them at any time. Something in the back of his mind worried him that the gargoyles would retaliate for rescuing their prey. Deciding to voice it, he looked up at Ivan. "They may retaliate for rescuing Nelly."
Ivan's face grew paler. Getting up from his seat, he looked between the three boys. "I will notify the men. We may be a small town, but we do have a small army. It's only a couple of dozen men or so, but it's better than nothing. We can warn them so they can prepare. Come find me when you're done."
Ivan left the inn quickly, in a rush to warn his men. If the monsters were to retaliate for taking Nelly out of their treehouse village, and they could really launch an attack during the day, no one would expect it. Since the monster had always attacked at night, no one would see it coming. None of the information they had known from generation to generation was confirmed. Because of what the young heir had discovered, the information they had might have been all a lie. Until the information was proven, they had no choice but to assume it was false.
After Ivan left, the boys quickly finished their meals. "I guess I'm going to have to put a pause on my quest to find the cave of valor. This is too important. I don't know why, but I feel protective of this town and its people. I want to find a way to ensure they're safe before we continue to the mountain."
Mike chuckled, "Yeah, you seemed pretty attached to Nelly."
Shrugging, Drake pulled open the door of the inn. Exiting the inn, Drake and his friends headed for the tavern. It was the most likely place where they would find Ivan.
As they entered the wide double doors of the tavern, Drake's eyes zoned in on a familiar man sitting at the bar with a stein in his hand.
The man turned his head, looking to see who had entered. His face paled, drained of all color when he saw Drake, smiling wickedly back at him.