"Axel we've been walking a while and they haven't said anything to us, just glances here and there, we don't even know where we're heading"
"Yeah I know, it doesn't look like we can run away either, that big guy over there is keeping an even closer eye on us than the rest"
Axel mustered up the strength to finally ask, "Heyyyy where are you guys taking us~"
The reptilian figures exchanged silent glances, their scaly faces unreadable. Then, the scarred one spoke up, his deep voice firm and commanding. "We're taking you to meet the chief. My name is Korthok, and let me make one thing clear: don't bother trying anything foolish, like attempting to escape. You won't get far. We're not exactly... lenient with those who try."
Axel forced a nervous grin, "Escape? Who'd try to escape from you guys...? (These freaks look like they can outrun horses) " His voice trailed off as he glanced at the hulking figures surrounding them, his thoughts clearly racing with the daunting prospect of outrunning these reptilian creatures, who looked like they could sprint for days without breaking a sweat.
Korthok spun around "what was that" what was that?!"
One of the reptilian guards cut in abruptly, "We're here."
The brothers looked past their scaly escorts, and their eyes widened in awe as they took in the breathtaking sight before them. A majestic city unfolded, its brick-paved roads and sturdy stone houses gleaming in the light. At its heart stood an imposing castle, its grandeur dominating the landscape. The entire city was encircled by a vast, shimmering lake that seemed to stretch on forever.
"Whoa, I was expecting some muddy swamp or something, but this place is actually... stunning."
Korthok smirked "of course is stunning it's our home, welcome to city of Drakkor
As they strolled through the city, the brothers took in the vibrant sights and sounds: bustling markets filled with exotic goods, blacksmiths hammering away at glowing hot metal, and children laughing and playing in the streets. The atmosphere was one of palpable harmony, with reptilian folk of all kinds mingling freely. Some, like their lizardmen escorts, were sturdy and scaled, while others had smoother skin and more aquatic features, clearly hailing from amphibian lineage. Yet, despite their differences, everyone seemed to coexist with effortless ease, free from tension or prejudice.
Korthok paused "Alright, humans, we're here. Beyond this door is the chief. I'm warning you again, even though I'm obligated to. Don't do anything... ill-advised. If you value your lives, that is. The chief is a man of great importance and little patience. He's not one to be trifled with."
The brothers exchanged anxious glances as they followed their guards into the castle, the guards stopping before the chief's throne to bow in respect the boys following suit. "We greet you, great chief," said Korthok, "We've returned from patrol and found these strange human children wandering in our territory."
The chief, lounging on his throne, fixed the brothers with a stern, unamused glare. "Human children, in our territory?" he growled, his intense gaze lingering on each of them, his eyes narrowing as they landed on the snake emblem on Ash's person. With a curt gesture, he dismissed the lizardmen guards, his focus remaining fixed on the brothers.
The chief's voice was firm as he demanded, "Children, where did you come from? And how did you enter our territory?"
The brothers lifted their gaze to meet the king's piercing stare, his bright purple eyes gleaming with intensity. Adorned in majestic white, with scales as black as coal, the king sat regally, radiating an aura of commanding power.
Axel stuttered, struggling to form a coherent response, "W-we don't know, sir... One minute we were fishing in our mountains, the next... we were here. We don't even know where 'here' is."
The chief's gaze narrowed, his eyes fixed intently on the snake on Ash's shoulder "and what about that on your brothers shoulder"
Ash's body tensed with fear, and he swiftly lowered his head to the ground, his eyes cast downward in a gesture of submission.
Axel spoke up hastily, "That's my brother's companion, sir. We saved his life when we first arrived in this... place. My brother Ash can communicate with it, though I don't understand how."
"The chief's gaze shifted, his question direct: "And who might you be?" Axel responded promptly, "Axel, sir."
The chief's attention snapped back to Ash, his voice low and commanding as he growled, "You two, follow me." He rose from his throne, his movements fluid and purposeful. The brothers trailed behind him, exchanging nervous glances as they walked. The silence was oppressive as they traversed the hallway, until the chief finally broke it.
"I am king Drakonis, For over a thousand years, the races of Kadoria have been at odds with humans. The Great War, known as the Cataclysm, was the culmination of this festering animosity. You humans sparked this conflict, sending spies to infiltrate each continent and sow discord among neighboring races. It's hard to believe, but we once lived in harmony. That was until the human king's greed consumed him the current ruler, has proven to be just as ruthless. The catalyst for this chaos was the king's desire to claim the Nexarion Crystals, nestled deep within our sacred Nexarion Forest. The gods gifted each race with a portion of this forest, but humans believed themselves to be the sole worthy recipients.They stole all our crystals and burned every forest to the ground"
The two brothers exchanged anxious glances, their minds racing with uncertainty as they followed the king, wondering where he was leading them.
The king halted abruptly, his gesture economical as he pointed to a open room. "We're here," he declared, his voice low and mysterious, the absence of a door only adding to the enigma.
The brothers stepped cautiously into the room, their eyes scanning the scene before them in confusion. They exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to make sense of what they were seeing.
Lizard people filled the room, their forms sprawled out in every corner. The elderly and the young alike lay among them, many covered in tattered bandages, some with limbs missing, others with scales scarred or missing altogether. A few seemed to be unconscious, their chests rising and falling with shallow breaths.
The king's voice was a low, menacing snarl as he glared at the brothers with his jagged eyes. "This," he spat, his words dripping with venom, "is the doing of your humans."