Episode Five

The Hybrid Puzzle

Dragons, for many centuries, have been thought out to be furious creatures as evil and terrorifying as their looks and growl. But they are not; most are protectors of great treasures and the forces of good. Dragon also come in different shapes, sizes, and genders, and is one of the most intelligent creatures in this world. Like humans they protect their kind and their right to live.

After chatting by a fire in front of a new allies hut, Athame’, Zero and Inferno are interrupted by a furious dragon and prepares themselves for battle.

Zero: SHIT!!

Inferno: Hey Brandis… we can use your help!!!

Athame: …!

Zero: I don’t think he hears you!

Inferno: Attack!!!

The dragon growls loudly as the 3 charge at it, but the confrontation is stopped by Brandis.

Brandis: WHOA! WHOA!! EASY!!! These are just ...some people I found... at the bottom of the mountain… they were lost, I told them... I would help them to the other side to find their way back.

Dragon: * growls *

Brandis: Yes… yes… I know mother.

Zero: Did he just call that thing his mother? (Saying as he puts his weapon away)

Athame: I believe so…

Inferno: …?

Brandis: Yes… you heard right… this is my mother… Jean.

The dragon then shape shifts into a beautiful young woman with short blond hair and skin that matches her son Brandis. Her eyes are but a different color. Instead of the Red on black eyes, her eyes are seen as a bright yellow, completely different from her transformed state. He clothes were very tribal and feminine, but resemble the tattered rags of what Brandis wore (top is made out of leaves and moss, with a few tattered rags, the bottom resemble the top except in an almost tight fitted fan). She was slightly shorter than he, but both seemed the same in many ways. (Walk and talk almost the same way)

As she walks toward the others she gazes at each slightly, then passes them to grab her cloak, which Brandis helps her put on (like Brandis Cloak, it weighs approximately one ton- only a being of incredible strength can subdue the weight- these cloaks help further their training through everyday basis).

Jean: What brought them forth to this mountain? Do you know? Did you ask before you lead them up here to our home?

Brandis: ...Actually I did... they mean us no harm mother... the girl...um...What's your name?

Athame': ...Athame'...

Brandis: ... Yes...she began to get tired... famished...and so did these other two traveling with her...

Jean: ...

Walking closely to her and saying in a low whisper.

Brandis: I'd hoped that we could grant them shelter for the night...Maybe a little food...then tomorrow I take them back down the other way...

She looks at him with slight worry.

Jean: Fine... welcome to our home strangers... be glad that my son took pity up on you...with out his help you'd all be dead I'm sure...

Zero: Yea we know lady...

Cutting off Zero.

Athame':...What he means is... we are very... thank you. (Saying while looking at zero)

Jean: Come inside... soon the night sky will bring forth predatory creatures from the sky... Brand X... prepare dinner. (She says as she places a large plant like creature weighing over 50 pounds in his hands--). Brandis looks at it curiously and heads off toward the house like everyone else.

Meanwhile in a distant land, in what use to be china, now in ruins, the mysterious stranger, in dirt white clothing, makes his way through the ruins into a destroyed catacomb area (carrying the same spear like object he had before. He begins searching through the ruins fast, but the noise causes the awakening of a large, 20 foot, sand sluggish like creature called a Mole. It has really large jaws like an alligator, but with many slithering legs like a centipede. The stranger readies himself for battle as the creature begins an attack.

Back on the mountain top. Athame', Inferno, Zero, Brandis and his mother Jean sit around a fire pit while Brandis serves all the plant like creature that his mother brought home. Brandis and Jean dig right in to eating ripping parts from their share of the creature (they don't use forks or any silverware, but only their hands and teeth). But Zero, Athame' and Inferno could only look strangely at them, in slight disgust.

Brandis: ...What is it? Did I over cook?

Inferno: No...

Athame': It's just....

Cutting her off.

Zero: ...this doesn't look eatable...

Brandis and Jean pause for a second and look at them for a second.

Jean: Well from what I have seen in history you humans don't eat rather well anyway... (She and Brandis continue to eat)

Athame': Its not that...what is this exactly...

Brandis: (with food in his mouth)... its Man root...

Inferno: What?

Brandis: Man root...what I like to call an eye puppet....

Athame': Oh?! Never had....didn't think it was safe to eat one...

Inferno: ...um...I'm lost....

Athame': Man root is a plant species that evolves from the mandrakes. It's almost like a Venus fly trap, except it doesn't eat meat or other creatures...just rips them apart.... its one of the high level plants to watch out for in mystic forest...

Zero: Then what makes it dangerous to eat?

Athame': It's kind of like the blowfish use to be... if you didn't cut it right you could be eating poison...

Jean: Seem to know your plants.... (As she gets up from the pit)

Athame': (smiles)

Jean: Don't worry not poisonous... I taught him how to cut it...

Inferno begins to eat and so does Athame'.

Zero: Well I'm not gonna risk it.... I'm just tired...where can I crash?

Brandis: ...Your sitting in it buddy...

Zero: Oh... well thanks...I'll see you guys next passing gaze.

Zero then roles over to fall asleep. Brandis takes his plate.

Brandis: Ok then... Maybe the Kats are hungry.

Jean: Brandis please make sure those things aren't up all night again...

Brandis: I won't mom...

Brandis then heads of into another part of the hut as his mom goes off to the other, to her room.

Inferno: Wow... I must say...that was pretty good....

Athame': You think Zero is ok...he seemed kind of mad...

Inferno: Well you have the aura sense… can't you see?

Athame': Yea I can...but not really sure...

Inferno: its doubt... human Doubt Athame'...

Athame': ....

Inferno: You don't have to be a mind reader to figure out what's wrong with that guy....he doesn't think we will make it home...to the city...

Athame': But why?

Inferno: Well can you blame him? We’ve come out of some tough spots lately.....

Athame': ....

Inferno: Listen... I have every hope that we all will make it there.... don't let his doubt get to you...

Athame: ....

Inferno:... Get some sleep...

Athame' begins to role over to sleep, but is distracted by a soft meow sound from the back. So she gets up and walks toward Brandis room. When she enters she looks from the side of the door so Brandis does not see her. In front of her eyes she sees a brave, masculine brooding soul act happy over a small litter of Kats. He sits in a pit with his shirt off (this reveals several tribal like tattoo's stretching from his back all the way to his arms and chest).

Brandis: You might as well come in... I heard you get up and walk towards here...

Athame': I'm sorry...

Brandis: It's ok...you may enter if you want to...

She shyly enters his room. Pressed against the wall.

Athame': How....How did you hear me coming?

Brandis: My ears do more than shape my face.......can hear a spider spin its web a mile away....and among other things...

(He says while feeding the Kats)

Athame': So how long have you and your mom been...

Cuts her off.

Brandis: ...Human? We’re not human..... Our race of dragons has the ability to take human shape...that's all...

Athame': I wasn't gonna say human.... I was going to ask how long you been here on this mountain?

Brandis: Oh.... sorry..... I just assumed.... Since before I was born...some time ago....

Continues to feed and play with Kats.

Athame': Wow.... must get pretty lonely....

Brandis: .... not really... I have my mom...and my nine here.... they're my family....

Athame': ... They sure are cute.... what's this one name?

She says as she pets one.

Brandis: That's Niquita....she's the oldest...hmm she likes you ... this little bad kitty here is Capone... always in something.... that's Loki... he's the youngest....there's Isabella and Carmenilla...their twins..... Then there is Odin... Hada... Mitus... and Zan...He likes to keep to himself....

Athame': Their so cute....

She happily plays with the cats.

Brandis: Yea... they'll be big and strong....one day.... So... What's this city you all trying to get to?

Athame': How'd you?

Points at ear.

Brandis: Sorry over heard....

Athame': Its home. For me and Inferno at least.... a new home for Zero.

Brandis: Yea... your friend Zero...seems a little distraught....why?

Athame': I don't know... I guess it's because he doesn't think we will make it...

Brandis: Hmm... My mother always told me... to never give up. That their is always will left in the world and in beings.... and as long as that will and strength is there...you can go on...and you will make it.......

Athame': I know what you mean....

Brandis: Yea...should tell you friend that when he awakes....

Athame': ....

Brandis: Sleep.... got a long travel down the mountain tomorrow....

Athame' then leaves Brandis' room and Brandis puts the torch out so all could sleep.

Back at the ruins in China, the stranger continues to search through the ground, as the Mole creature lies face down in the ruins in the background of him. He eventually comes to a large archaic key slot. He then unveils an archaic key resembling the slot and places it inside. A small tremor starts and stops as two sets of large archaic doors open and ancient dust and smoke fill the air. The stranger walks down into the catacombs with a pleased smile on his face.

Meanwhile, the next gaze has come upon everyone, and all have awakened to take their journey down the mountain and through the safe passage of the forest that Brandis is to guide them. Inferno, Zero, and Athame' wait for Brandis as he talks to his mother briefly before he leaves.

Jean: My son I want you to take care on your way down...

Brandis: I know mom, this is no problem...I know the way...you know that...

Jean: I know...just... Just remember what I taught you.... everyone has a destiny they are meant to follow... and your choices...your choices will bring forth who you are...

Brandis: Mom...is...is something wrong? I mean you've been acting funny since yesterday...I can stay here if you want...I mean I can write them a map down the mountain and through the forest.

Jean: No... They need you.....I want you to go...and no matter what happens...stay strong my son...

Brandis can't help to think his mother is hiding something from him. She kisses him on the cheek and he paces off with the others, but looks back a couple times at his mother. When Brandis completely looses sight of her, she turns around, and drops her cloak in the presence of a dark and tall figure.

Inferno, Athame', Zero, and Brandis walk down the mountain, that almost see no dragons of the mountain. It takes them over 2 hours to completely get down to the bottom and at the back paths of the mystic forest. Brandis begins to guide them through the forest. They tread silently watching for all plants like life and animals around them. A few plants attempt to block their way but with a few techniques and magic, they manage to pass these creatures. Almost an hour goes by before Brandis gets a funny filling in his system and stops everyone dead in their tracks.

Zero: What is it? Some kinda monster?

Inferno: .....

Athame': Brandis what is it?

Brandis: I gotta go back....

Zero: What?!

Inferno: Why?!

Brandis: I can't explain....I....I… got a bad feeling...

Zero: Oh great...fuck....you said you're take us through dragon kid!!!

Athame': Zero....shhh....

Brandis looks around as if he was hearing something deep in the distance.

Brandis: It's my mom.....she needs me....

Inferno: ....

Zero: Bullshit!!!

Athame: Are you sure?

He nods.

Brandis: I can't go....further.... look...I'll draw you a map the rest of the way...

Zero begins to get more irritated and starts pacing. While Inferno and Athame' crouch down to listen and pay attention to the map directions.

Brandis:...you're going to go about 20 paces straight...when you get to a large tree stump…do not cross it...jump over it as far as you can....do that you will go another 5 or so yards and make a right by a sleeping mesh bush....keep going straight passed it and you will come to a large tree blocking your way....go around the tree keeping a 10 foot radius of it and you're out!

He then drops the tree branch he used to write the directions down in the dirt and starts running and swinging through trees.

He then screams from one of the tree.

Brandis: OH AND IF YOU COME UP ON A WINGED BEAUTIFUL CREATURE THAT KEEPS ASKING QUESTIONS..... DON'T ANSWER!!!!! The Three begin to take the directions toward the exit as Brandis swings and runs through the trees as fast as he can. Fifteen minutes passes and he's already at the mountain jumps it and levitating as fast as he can. The others come close to the exit as Brandis get close to his home. A few more minutes go by and they reach the exit, but are in countered by a winged creature with feathered grey wings, archaic clothing, and various colored hair and a beautiful face of a young girl, her body is slim but seductive, and skin caramel colored. To Athame' this creature gave off a dark and cold aura.

Winged Creature: What walks on 4 legs in the morning....2 legs in the after noon....and three legs in the evening?

Meanwhile Brandis get to his home to find a most devastating sight. Creatures of dead 15 foot hounds... and his mother lying in the center of the after battle...