The Legend of Azhakkstadd

CHAPTER LXIX : VIKHAHR, THE ISLAND OF MARKHOR

-Zati-

            We found the village that the man in the posthouse directed us. It’s already late at that time so we could hardly see people around but good thing we bump in to someone who’s also on her way home and was so kind enough to let us stay in her house for one night.

            She also offered us some food to eat and gave me a cloth to wear. And all of those are for free. She was so happy to see the chosen heroes with her own eyes and be part of our journey as someone who gave us food and shelter during our training. We were so thankful we found her.

            Hazol woke us all up early. He said that there is no time to waste and that we have to finish our mission and get back to Psychic Nation as soon as possible. We quickly prepared ourselves for our trip today. The woman who took us in offered us some food for our breakfast, then soon after, we left for our adventure.

            Kurezma used the Hippogriffs that the man from the posthouse gave so that we can travel on air. She had a hard time driving it at first because it’s her first time doing it. So Eeya and Zexal taught her first how to do that. They taught her how to control the creatures, and the importance of the rope that she used to connect with those.

            She was so fast to learn that after an hour or so, we immediately took off because she said she can handle it already. And she did, now we’re on our way to the island that Hazol mentioned yesterday as our next destination. I just forgot what it is, but I know that it’s an independent Island near the Fire Republic, State of the Earth Metals, and the Earth Kingdom.

            We’ve already traveled for a couple of hours now, but it’s a whole country that we’re crossing so it surely took us a lot of time to get there. Good thing we have Harald with us who knows how to craft this vehicle, if not, then I’m sure I have to turn myself into a dragon again and be their mode of transport which I can’t handle as of now.

            I just sat here silently as they were training themselves here inside this vehicle to get stronger in case of emergency and we have to fight. While the others are just sleeping, not to mention Harald and Zexal ahahaha. Well, actually it’s just Eeya and Vedasto because Hazol is assisting Kurezma by telling her which way to go.

            She can hardly focus yet because she just learned it a while ago so it surely will take her tie before she masters it and multi-task. Hazol just sat near her telling which way do we go exactly. After all, among the three who drove this vehicle, she’s the one who drove the farthest. So it’s understandable.

            I know how tiring it is to keep your focus in that long period of time because everyone’s safety is in your hands. You have to keep yourself awake and you have to take the right turns.

            “So are you feeling better now?” I heard someone asking me, I recognize his voice since he’s the only guy awake. Gosh, I can even hear these guy’s snores. It’s too loud, aren’t they ashamed?

            “Yes, I am now. Thanks for your help yesterday Vedasto” I said pertaining to yesterday where he had to carry me all the way to the mountain of Zarodias, and I know I am not that light. I’m not heavy too though.

            “That’s good… and that dress looks good on you, by the way” he said nodding his head then looked at the dress I am wearing. It’s just a simple plain dark blue shirt, and a sweat pants. It’s what the woman gave me, she said it’s from her daughter but her daughter doesn’t live in that house anymore.

            It fitted me anyway, and I had no other choice but to wear it. though it looked good on me he said ahahaha well, I just love the color. It’s blue but it’s almost near to black, and black colors matches me well. So whatever dress it is, even if it’s rags, I’ll still look good though it’s black ahahaha just kidding

            “Well, thank you. It’s good that you have your shirt back” I said smiling at him

            “So are we near to the Vikhahr Island already?” I heard Kurezma asking Hazol as they talked about it. And yea, that was it… Vikhahr Island. I don’t know what’s in there, only those countries near it probably know.

            “No, not just yet, we’ve just exited the territory of the Air Empire, we still have three islands from the territory of the Fire Republic, and we’re there” Hazol said explaining to Kurezma

            “Oh… three more islands, that’s quite near” she said as she focused herself on driving

            “Yea, just a few more miles… don’t worry” Hazol said as they kept themselves focus on what’s in front of them. The temperature suddenly rose as we continued moving forward. I started to sweat, and it’s not just me feeling it, because the others too started to notice it.

            “It’s so hot…” Eeya said as she used her power to cool us down. I looked outside and check the area. I can see things from a distance, it’s an ability that we, Longs, have learned

            “Under us is the Fire Republic, so don’t doubt why it became so hot all so sudden” I explained to them

            “Yea, there is this part of our country that didn’t have ice and snow in it. It’s in the northwestern region where the boundary between Frozen Grounds and the Fire Republic lies. You’ll that you’re there if you start seeing bodies of water” Eeya brought up a topic about it

            “Really?” Vedasto asked in amusement “Does that mean, the whole Frozen Grounds is covered with ice?” he continued

            “Yes… that’s why it’s called Frozen Grounds, it won’t be named for no reason…” Eeya answered confirming it

            “Fire republic is a valley right?” Vedasto asked once more

            “As far as I know, yes. It’s covered with mountains from the State of the Earth Metals, and from the Air Empire… The boundary is quite funny, you’ll see it if the other side of the mountain is different from where you were.” Eeya started telling a story

            “For example, if you are from the Air Empire, then your side of the mountain is covered with trees, it’s foggy, and the wind blew harshly. But when you go further above until you reach the boundary, you’ll see that the other side of the mountain is so rocky, and lavas would just sprout everywhere” she said

            “Oh, so your countries are just attached to each other?” Vedasto asked

            “Yea, all of us. Except the thunder tribe, because they’re up above, and the Water Territory, because no one knows where it’s located except for the Vands” Eeya said pointing the countries where Kurezma and Zexal came from

            “The four highest tribes are also attached with each other” I cut myself in telling him about our countries

            “Well, our country doesn’t have other country attached to us” Vedasto said “The nearest is the Mortals, but that’s one ship away” he added

            “I saw that in the map… haven’t you seen a map before?” Eeya asked that made me laugh ahahaha what kind of question is that, no one has never seen one…

            “Of course, I saw one already… gosh” Vedsto said shaking his head off as he looked at Eeya unbelievingly

            “I just thought ahahahaha” Eeya said as she laughed with me

            “But I haven’t look at the world map… I didn’t expect that I’d be going around the whole world, so I chose not to study it” Vedasto stated his reasons why he isn’t familiar with it

            After that topic, we just sat down and waited until we get to the island. It took us another hour before we came to the Vikhahr Island. So in total, the travel would take four to five hours using an aircraft. I woke Zexal and Harald up telling them that we already arrived at our destination.

            As we landed our vehicle, we saw someone waiting for us on the shore. This island is filled with trees and plants, that it looked like a big green spot above. I mean, a big green worm, since it looked like a worm. We walked towards the man on the shore waving at us.

            “What took you so long?” the man asked as we got here in front of him

            “Sir, we’re traveling from country to country, it won’t just take us seconds to get here” Hazol said answering the man’s question gesturing his hands to emphasize his point. His answered seemed like he’s answering a weird question ahahahaha it really is

            “So now that you’re here… I’ll be telling you what you are going to do” the man said as he smiled at us “First of all, I’m going to tell you a little background about this island” he added motioning his hand towards it signaling us to follow him as he tells his story

            “This island called Vikhahr, is also known as the Island of Markhors. Do you know what Markhors are?” he said a little trivia then asked

            “Markhors are large wild goat with very long twisted horns. Leif is a Markhor, he is the Legendary Guardian of the Earth Metals” Harald answered him… wait, so does this island belongs to the State of the Earth Metals’ territory?

            “Correct, but that doesn’t mean it belonged to the Earth Metals… this island is inhabited by Markhors, the almighty Leif also lives here along with its kind. Since it belonged to him and to the Gods, no tribe claimed this island. So it remained independent, belonging to Leif and the markhors” he said as we continued walking

            “This has been the home of the Markhors for ages… around the whole area, there are hidden statues of the almighty Leif. Only the most persistent, the most courageous, and the most patient people can find it” the man said as he motioned his hands towards the forest “Now go… you only need to find at least one…” he added

            We started to walk inside the island further leaving our vehicle to the man’s surveillance to find at least one of the hidden statues of the legendary Markhor.

            “How do we find it? How do we know if it’s the statue?” Zexal asked as we all have no idea what he looks like, I for example, I only know Orga and Lux, since I’m a Long.

            “I’ll show you…” Hazol said as he starts communicating with our minds showing us what Leif looks like. He’s one large goat higher than the height of a man. Covered in thick white guard hair, sparkling in gold. He’s eyes glow bright white, and his horns are twisted and are directed upwards.

            He’s beautiful…