Episode Four

The Immortal Inhuman

Since time began ages ago, not a single being in existence has been able to predict the weather. 'Til this day, its changes have always been rapid and unpredictable. But hears in this new world of infinite darkness, it's far worse. Reality rips itself apart, leaving various time slips between dimensions and realms. Some places are empty holes where not even sound can escape and others lead to places where not even the undead is safe.

As they walk through the wastelands of reality, and Ash Blizzard blinds the Inferno, Zero, and Athame'.

Zero: We aren't gonna get very far in this Blizzard, we have to find shelter 'til it passes or we'll go blind!!

Inferno: ...

Using her Aura sense.

Athame': I see something ahead...! A forest I think!!!

Zero: That's good enough!!

All quickly run toward a very dark and eerie forest. Dead grass and weeds scatter and cover their feet. Trees over 50 feet high blocked paths as they walked through. And various creatures of plant and mysterious animal life surrounded them.

Inferno: Great... Can't see a thing... need some light...

Sparking a flame in his hand Athame' quickly puts the flame out.

Inferno: What are you doing?!

Athame': Shhhhhhhh... *whispering* this is a mystic forest; anything in here is extremely deadly to living things, especially the plant life.

Zero: Is that why you're whispering?

Athame': Yes... I see darkness all around us...dark clouds of fog...

The three move slowly and steadily through the forest. 2 hours pass.

Inferno: How long do you think this forest is?

Zero: Not sure... but I can't see the end at all...

Athame': Follow me... I see something...

As they follow Athame' they eventually come to and opening, but a large rock formation blocks their path.

Zero: Well...we are defiantly out of the forest...can see the hell sky now...

Inferno: What do you see?

Athame': The only way around this mountain is to go over it, I believe...

Zero: Great... Well we should wait until there is a little more scorched light... looks like we’re camping out... should make a fire so we could at least keep warm…

Athame', Zero, and Inferno start a fire and prepare to sleep. But Zero seems slightly bothered still by what happened at the asylum. His constant mumbling keeps Athame’ and Inferno awake.

Inferno: What’s wrong?

Zero: …It’s nothing…nothing you need to be concerned of…

Athame’: LD will guide your people well… I trust him… you should to…

Zero: It’s not that… I’m still trying to figure out what went wrong… those ‘bots…they’ve been non-operational for years…

Inferno: …What do you mean exactly?

Zero: You mean you both don’t know… years ago when the War of Supremacy broke, man kind created a and artificial life force that generated a large race of machines… the large 50 foot robot, with the red and fierce we fought- that was Land Sentinel…the huge sky machine with the expansive wings and destructive fire power that was a Sky Hunter…the dirt crawling machine that was the size of military tank…that was a Ground Destroyer. They once served mankind with ease… but something went wrong… Artificial Computer brain evolved some how… grew smart and not only saw the creatures that had taken over the Earth as a threat but humans as well. Bit by bit it…slaughtered us… not with just those machines you saw, but new ones… undetectable by human’s eyes...

Inferno: What were those?

Zero: …? *With a confused look* Artificial Humans… those things were the icing on the cake… they help bring down humans to the last brink of extinction… myself…and a few hundred others lead a revolt to take out the main AI engine… we succeeded… but only to… wait for a new nightmare…

Athame’: …

Inferno: …

Athame’: What nightmare?

Zero: Forget it…I don’t want to talk about it anymore…I’m going to sleep…

Athame’ and Inferno look at each other for a second and lie down to go to sleep, while Zero lays down on his back look gazing at the sky and disgust.

A few hours go by, and nothing but the sounds from the mystic forest is heard.

Mean while in a far and distant area of deserted and undead plant life, a figure and dirt white clothing walks up to a vague and large land hill with vines and dead grass. His face is unseen by a cloak as he kneels down to plunge a relic like spear into the dirt ground and out again. This creates a tremor, but as he backs away a large temple like skyscraper bulges its way from the Earth with four towers surrounding it. Raising his hands to the sky in praise he ignites fire to the top of each tower creating light to a large temple of stone. He then walks inside with ease and a pleasant smile.

Back at the base of an unknown mountain and the entrance to a mystic forest, images of darkness, demons, chaos and disorder tread in the mind of inferno as he awakes in a cold sweat gasping for air.

Athame’: What is it?

Inferno: Nothing…just a nightmare I guess…

Athame’: Like the ones you use to have?

Inferno: Yes… instead this was more terrifying…more... monstrous…

Zero: Shh… You all hear that?

All closely listen to a distant roar in the distance.

Inferno: What was that?

Zero: I don’t know…but it’s big…we better get moving and find away around this mountain…

The three starts moving toward the mountain cautiously for the creature in the forest and the mountain appear to have woken from their slumber. They see an opening n the mountain.

Zero: Look, this may be our way through the mountain…

Athame’: No wait… I have a bad feeling about this… I can’t see anything in the mountain at all…

Zero: So that’s good…

Inferno: Not necessarily… if she can’t aura sense anything in the mountain that means either nothing is there or something undetectable…possibly deadly.

Zero: Then what o you suggest… if we go back to through that forest we are as good as dead…not much of a choice is it…

Inferno: This is so…but we stand a fighting chance in the forest…

Cutting him off.

Zero: Look Fire boy!!! I don’t take orders I give them! You can go your own way and I will see you on the other side…

Inferno: I’m not saying it’s a bad idea it just…

The too begin to argue so loudly that they do not notice Athame’ trying to get their attention toward the problem behind them.

Athame’: Um…uh…

Inferno and Zero continue to escalate on who is right arguing back and forth. Soon Athame’ grabs their attention.

Athame’: Run!!!!!

Inferno: Huh?!

Zero: SHIT!!

Inferno: DRAGON!!!!

A large 35 foot dragon expands its wings and releases a huge growl into the air. It is a very pale yellow with lime green wings, bright red eyes and large fangs big enough to devour a tree. Inferno, Zero and Athame’ run as fast as they can and hide behind a large bolder just in front of the forest.

Inferno: What now genius?!

Zero: Well we obviously have 2 choices…run back through the forest…or slay the dragon!!!

All three look at each other and begin to run toward the forest at top speed but are cut off by the dragon immediately. They quickly run back toward the 100-story mountain and hide inside a cave, to which there is no exit.

Inferno: Great… We’re trapped!!

Zero: Well… I never turn down a good fight…

Athame’: Dragons…why dragons…

Inferno: Are you nuts!? We don’t stand a chance…!

Zero: Hey!! If we can take out a sentinel then a dragon is no problem!!

Distant roar grow as the dragon breathes fire toward the cave. Everyone immediately jumps out the cave before they could be roasted alive. Having no choice the three of them begin to battle the dragon. Zero fires various energy pulses and laser blast at the beast, but nothing penetrates its skin, Athame’ even uses elements around her to render the beast defenseless but nothing works. They only thing that comes close is Inferno’s fire, but it just enrages the dragon. There is very little hope. And all efforts are useless.

Zero: We have no choice we have to pull out!

Inferno: Into the forest!!

Everyone begins to run to the forest, Athame’ slips and the dragon Fires a huge torch of flames toward heard direction.

Inferno: Athame!!!! NO!!!

Inferno becomes enraged and begins launching fire at the dragon rapidly trying to harm and kill it. Zero fires more blast trying to kill it but nothing works still. Suddenly a large roar stops the dragon in its tracks and a figure in a dark and heavy black cloak comes forth from the shadows of the mountain rising to the sky with his hands arms out, facing the dragon looking it in the eye. After about a minute the dragon responds back to the stranger and flies. The stranger then lands softly back toward the ground.

Zero: Thanks a lot man…we are grateful…

Inferno: Speak for yourself Zero… If you had come a little earlier Athame’ would be alive!!!

Saying as he grabs the stranger.

Athame’: Let him go Inferno! He saved me…

Inferno: Athame’!!! You’re ok!!

Running up to her and hugging her in enjoyment and then releasing her.

Zero: Well you… look like you did better than I thought…

Athame’: I’m deeply in your dept stranger…

Inferno: Where did you come from…I mean…who... who are you?

Stranger, removing his hood- the cloak is somewhat ripped and torn in certain areas- revealing his face (he has tanned, light brown skin, along with a pair of horns receding on both of his cheek bones. He has a set of fangs in his mouth, straight but shaggy black hair, and red and black eyes, showing a dark and mysterious facial expression- he also has one sleeve ripped from his cloak revealing tribal tattoos.) He then looks at everyone.

Dark Stranger: You're all are lucky... That Chinese Fire Ball Dragon would have killed you...

Inferno: Well good thing you came along...

Cutting him off.

Dark Stranger: ...You're damn right... what are you doing here... No wait let me rephrase that... how'd you get through the forest?

Zero: At night... why?

Athame': We were just trying to find away around the mountain to get to the other side...

Inferno: But there was no way so we figure we'd climb over it...

Dark Stranger: You expect me to believe that all three of you just so happen to walk through the dark forest... at night no less... survive and make it all the way to the base of Drago Mountain?

Inferno: Drago Mountain??

Athame': That explains the dragon...

Dark Stranger: Wait... you know about this mountain *jumping into fighting position* who are you people?!

Zero puts his gun up, prepared to fire at the moment the stranger makes a move, while Athame' and Inferno try to cautiously calm him down and explain.

Athame': Listen we didn't come here for any trouble...

Inferno: Yea... we just want to go home...

Dark Stranger: Then how did you know about the mountain? Only Pirates and thieves know about its treasures and dragons...

Athame': Listen we only know because it... it's a legend among our people...

Inferno: Yea... only a legend... something about dragons... protecting a large mountain... called Drago...

Calming himself, the Stranger stands up right and strong.

Inferno: Put you gun away Zero...

Zero: No way... if this guy tries anything I'm gonna let 'em have it.

Inferno: It's alright... put the gun away!!!

Zero still refuses.

Dark Stranger: You know... Zero is it? ... I can take that gun before you even get off a shot... I advise you to put it away...

Zero: Oh really? Try me...

The two look at each other for a second, and in one split move the stranger spins and takes Zero's gun away all before Zero could fire. Everyone just sits in shock for a second, and the stranger looks at them and gives zero back his gun.

Dark Stranger: You're clearly not thieves... or pirates... if you were... you would have come more prepared... and not just the 3 of you alone. How you made it to this far... is nothing short of a miracle...

Inferno: Miracle? Huh?

Dark Stranger: The Forest... no usually make it through... 'especially at night... come with me... I will grant you safe passage...

Zero and Inferno are a little discouraged when he says this.

Inferno: I don't know...

Using her aura sense.

Athame': He's telling the true...

Zero: How do you?

Athame': I don't know... his aura... its... it’s... just unlike anything I have seen...

All look at each other and begin to follow him.

Dark Stranger: Oh... and to answer your past question... My name is Brandis... Xavier-in.

The journey up the mountain takes hours. While walking they witness dragons of all sizes, colors and species living on and in the mountain. All three are amazed at the sight. Soon Zero, Athame' and Inferno become very tired (because of the battle and the long 15 miles hike up the mountain).

Athame': I... I can't walk anymore...

Inferno: Hey...Excuse...Brandis?

The all stop and Brandis looks at them.

Inferno: Is there a way we can rest... at least for a little while?

Looking around for a little bit, Brandis examines the sky and everything around him.

Brandis: Follow me...

All continue to walk for another half an hour and soon come a plain rocked area and at the center a small hut maid from bamboo, plants, moss, rocks, vines and skins from various creatures from the forest. And a small fire burning calmly in front of the house. By this time the scorched sky has grown darker- signifying that it is night.

Inferno: Is this your home?

Zero: And I thought the Asylum was bad...

Cutting him off.

Athame': Zero! It very nice...

Brandis: Thank you...

All continue to walk toward the house.

Brandis: Mom! Mom are you home! Hmm...She must be out... make yourselves comfortable by the fire... I'll be back.

Brandis walks into the house as the other sit around the fire.

Athame': Isn't this beautiful... its...it’s like an archaic habit of our home...

Inferno: Yea... I know... full of magic... and peace...

Zero: ...

Athame': You ok Zero?

Zero: Yea... no... I... I don't know...

Inferno: What is it?

Zero: Who knew places like this existed... if I was any kind of leader... I wouldn't have given up the search for paradise... no matter what...

Athame': But you didn't... you're risking your life to find a better world for your people... if that's not a leader I don't know what is...

Zero: Yea...

Inferno: Oh no!!

Athame': What is it!?

All three look at the sky in shock as a large and light tan scaled dragon with Red eyes, drops from the sky and releases a loud growl toward them all. Athame', Zero, and Inferno immediately prepare for battle. (Inferno slightly crouches down with fire in his has, Zero cocks his gun, and Athame' readies her self with magic.)