The Dusk of Dawn

Chapter Five- The Dark Island

“Are the rumours true?”   

“I’m afraid so. Someone’s conquered that power.”

“Queen Kumira just sent a few letters. She said the tide is getting more irrational now, and a few villages close to the sea are already submerged.”

Three people stood talking on the outskirts of the Dark Island. One of them was really old, with a thin, long white long moustache, shaking legs. He wore a red suit with pink stripes, a little pin in the shape of a drooling dog was pinned to his chest. Another, standing in the middle and looking angry, had a thick black moustache like a catfish and smooth black hair flattened to his head without a single strand on his forehead. His skin was deathly white and greyish looking under the dim light of the Dark Island, his skeleton hand held a long black cane. He tapped it on the volcanic rocks beneath impatiently, glaring around.

Another was a small girl, looking extremely short compared to the other two standing beside her. Her hair was bronze, short, and curly, her eyes were grey and she held a teddy bear in her arms. She looked young, but her real age was unclear, giving the Three Moons a dramatic look.

The Three Moons had one of the highest powers in the world, not many know about their existence, they hardly show up to any events. But a lot of important and significant things happened because they were controlling it from the shadows. They all stood at the Dark Island, waiting for another, even greater person’s arrival, and to discuss two of the deepest secrets.

Suddenly, a really bright light shone through the clouds above, cracking open the darkness that had surrounded the Dark Island for centuries.

The Three Moons bowed as a person appeared in front of them in a wisp of winds and blinding lights. He wore a high, funny, twisting hat and five cloaks that gradiented from the darkest yellow down the lightest. His face is covered with a white mask, no one has ever seen his real appearance.

He was the ‘Sun’. The one that ruled over even the Three Moons, the one who had the highest power and ultimate control in the world.

Only the Three Moons knew about the Sun. He didn’t live anywhere, he only appeared and disappeared when he wanted to.

“Has it started?” He asked quietly, his voice seeming to be from a faraway place, echoing down to the ears of the Three Moons.

“Yes, Sir,” The little girl replied. “It was the Flow Jungle.”

“And the boy?”

“He doesn’t know anything yet,” The old man croaked. “Nothing. He is voyaging away on the sea.”

“That’s what we want,” The Sun said. “Keep the secret from him for as long as possible. Meanwhile, do all you can to kill him. Secretly.”

The moon with the black catfish moustache looked up. “Sir… We know that he might be a threat, but… He is still her only descendent,” He pointed towards the central volcano of the island. “Don’t you think… It might be better to use him?”

“No,” The Sun said firmly. “Dreams pile up as night lasts long. We don’t want to wait for any possibilities. We want things to be certain. And the only way to do that is to kill him.” He sighed.

“The girl, on the other hand…” He muttered quietly. “Could live for now. The Tide isn’t a dangerous attacking stone… And we need its power.”

“What is it?” The old man asked. “What do we need from it?”

“Eternity,” The Sun whispered. The sea suddenly seemed so calm, not a single wave appeared on it at all. “And Immortality.”

“Can it do that?” The girl exclaimed. “Really?” The Moon with the black catfish moustache glanced at her.

“The powers that Abronze Lasbender left were stronger than he once had. The Jewel he left them in… It was shattered. Into fifty-three pieces. Twenty-eight of them belong to the attacking group, the strongest one of that group allows the user to transform into a large beast with the ability to spit flames and immense strength that can rip the world apart. It hasn’t been seen yet, and my job is to find it before anyone else does.”    

“The other two groups,” explained the Moon with the white moustache. “Is nineteen stones for Assist and 6 stones for Healing. The strongest stone of the Assist group could double or even triple the benefiter’s strength. It’s deadly. The strongest stone of the Healing group… Well, that’s what we’re talking about. It has been found— and someone’s conquered it. So she has the power to make herself— or others— immortal.”

“Yes,” The Sun said. “And we’re not letting anyone else get their hands onto the other two stones. But… Actually…” He squinted. “It’s better to get that girl under control… She knows something we don’t want her to.” He shot a meaningful glare towards the man with a catfish moustache.

“Also, another one to beware of,” He turned around. “The Stone of Ice. Velinzhag has it in his clutches right now. But… Someone’s stealing it…”

His voice wavered for a second, as if he was in another place instead of the Dark Island.

“A young, betrayed son…” He said, looking sleepy. “…He’s taken the stone and he knows the secret of Layat… It’s too late to stop him… The curse is not working as well...” He turned around and stepped off the cliff, disappearing. Although his voice still lingered.

“…Beware of…” He started as the Three Moons stood up. “Paulie Velinzhag.”