"Help... he's asking for help," Ash's voice cracked with fright. "He says he's been trapped there for hours and the rock is crushing him."
Axel's eyes widened in horror as he stared at the snake, his eyes locked on to it.
"Oh God, what do we do?" Ash whispered, his voice trembling with empathy and fear."A snake, a talking snake and only ash can hear it??"
Axel turned back around staring blankly at Ash his voice cautious
"Yeah... I don't know, man. It looks pretty vicious. Maybe we should just leave it alone, you know? Don't wanna mess with something like that, I've never seen that type of snake before.Plus it talks."
The snake's body tensed up upset at what it had heard, Its eyes blazed with a fierce, almost malevolent intensity.The snake began to whirl around, its movements rapid and unpredictable trying to strike at Axel's face, fueled by a growing fury. The hissing grew louder, more frantic, as the snake's agitation reached a boiling point.
"Wow he's really making a fuss about this huh? , he does know I can't understand him right? "
Ash finally coming to his senses slowly walked up his brother, staring at the snake warily from behind his brothers back understanding fully what the snake had just said.
It's voice dripped with venomous disdain as it spat the wsaid "Just what I'd expect from humans – the most selfish and greedy race in all of Kaidoria." The tone was laced with contempt, each word heavy with accusation, as if the snake had long ago written off humanity's potential for anything better. The hiss that followed seemed to underscore its disgust.
"Kaidoria? Axel he's saying we're in some place called Kaidoria, we really aren't home anymore"
Axel with a face full of dread let out a deep sigh
"Yeah I know, when I went to get the fire wood I saw some weird kind of deer that I've never seen before with wings on it's head"
Ash's eyes widened with excitement
"Wings on it's head, where'd you see that, show it to me"
HiSSSS!!!!
"Looks like your friend here is saying something" said Axel with a grim smile on his face while pointing at the snake as it continues whirling around
Ash stood frozen in thought, finally deciding on his decision. Ash got down on one knee prying the rock of of the snake. The snake stared back at him astonished that the same human he cursed just a minute ago is helping him
Axel who went into a panick quickly tried to stop ash from
"No no no no, Ash stop what are you doing? "
Ash's voice was measured, his words cautious, as he replied, still wary of the snake's unpredictable nature. His eyes never left the serpent's face, his body tense, ready to react at the slightest sign of aggression. "If I help you, can you help us? we're not really from here, we've never heard of kaidoria before" he asked, his tone even, but laced with a hint of wariness.
The snake still in shock replied
"You're the strangest humans I've ever meet" almost seemingly amused the snake continued " sure I'll help you , seeing as you two seem to be new around here"
Ash cautiously lifted the rock up off the snake, the snake finally free from the confinement quickly slithered around Ash's arm all the way up yo the top of his shoulder causing Ash to go into a frenzy.
"Ah get off, get off, get off"
The snake chuckled genuine amusement. "Get off? How else do you expect me to help you? Do you want me to slither along behind you, making a spectacle for all to see?This is the most efficient way, matter-of-fact, this way is also the fastest."
Ash coming to the realization that the snake is definitely not trying to attack him calmed down
"Ash! What's wrong?! Are you okay?!" Axel's voice was tight with worry, his words tumbling out in a rush, his eyes frantically scanning Ash's arm for any sighs of harm.
The snake interjected "My name is Vanta, and the place you two idiots are currently in is kaidoria. Kaidoria currently split into 4 territories, Helios, Luminari, Drakkor and Cinderfall City. Currently we're in Drakkor which is mainly inhabited by cold blooded folk, like Dragonkin, lizardmen and one other maybe our guests can help out with that, oh and tell your brother don't do anything stupid"
From the nearby bushes, six humanoid creatures emerged, their scaled bodies a testament to their reptilian heritage. Some sported dark, mottled scales that seemed to absorb the light around them, while others glowed with vibrant, fluorescent hues that seemed almost otherworldly. Towering and muscular, they exuded a raw, primal power. The most imposing among them wore curved horns on their heads, their rugged features twisted into menacing scowls.
"Those are the lizard men I told you about" whispered Vanta
The lizard men cautiously observed the two brothers in silence,one of the group, bigger than the rest with scars all over his body stepped forward.He seemed to take even more interest in Ash. Staring at him fiercely and taking glances at Vanta on his arm who doesn't seem to have a care in the world.
After observing the two brothers for a while, he spoke to Ash "You need to come with us".
Axel uncomfortable with the situation and the huge lizardman in front of them shouted " Go with you?! No way!" Axel then thought to himself ("wait why can I understand him and not the stupid snake.") he glanced over to Vanta " why can I understand them and not you"?
"Brother he said it's because he doesn't like you" Ash shly responded he also said that we should go with the lizard people and they won't hurt us if we don't do anything stupid "
Axel containing his rage for the snake because of the hugs lizardmen infront of begrudgingly agreed. The lizardmen began leading the way for the two brothers in formation, two to the front, two to the back and one at each side.
~~~
Far away to the west of the boys current location, in a amagnificent castle inside Helios a wizard was running through the halls as if his life itself was in danger
"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit"