The Moon Symphony

Lagas and the Millennium Tree

The next day, everyone gathered at the table to discuss the recent incidents. Saldang entered the room, and a small fairy was accompanying her. She was glowing bright gold, and her wings resemble those of a dragonfly.

"Thank you guys for waiting, and I want to introduce you to my attendant, Kurdapya," Saldang said.

Saldang told us that she was Shadow near the coast of Sanselmo and was resting. The situation there was worse because of the aura that was surrounding him. It's causing the decay of life.

Everyone was worried about the disaster that Shadow brought to the place.

"Is it okay if you tell us what happened with Shadow and the Pine Lagoon?" I asked, looking at Saldang and Kurdapya.

Baku and Saldang looked at each other before they answer us.

It was before the Evil Lord waged war at the Orient Seas. Pine Lagoon was a peaceful place and was visible to all races. Everyone can go in and out of the area without difficulties. Everyone always wanted to visit the Pine Lagoon's location, which is the Millenium Tree.

During the time, everyone lived in harmony, and Lagas was the guardian of the place. The citizens of the Pine loved him, and he was the same. Whenever someone tried to cause trouble at the Lagoon, he was always there to help the citizens.

He protected all the citizens of the Lagoon during the war with the Evil Lord. Then something unexpected happened. The followers of the Evil Lord tried to control Lagas by putting a seed of evil in him. At first, he was able to fight the malicious aura, but the people started to fear him. He was saddened by what happened and weakened his will, causing the seed to grow in him. As years passed, he slowly succumbed to darkness. He cannot control himself and destroyed the Pine Lagoon. Fearing the destruction that he will cause, the other guardian dragons sealed him underneath the sea of Sanselmo, and they gave him the name Shadow of the Millennium tree.

"We are the guardians who sealed him that time." Saldang said.

"It hurts us to see our friend like this, but there's nothing we can do now. We have to end him once and for all." Baku said.

"Do we have any other choice?" I asked.

"Honestly, I had a dream last night, and I believe the man I saw there is Lagas. He was asking for help to save the citizens." I added.

"But we need to end his life to stop him from causing more havoc in Pine Lagoon but in other areas of the Orient seas." Baku said.

After hearing that, I can feel my emotion got uneasy. I was hoping that we can still save Lagas from misery. After hearing the story, I know that something can help him return to the way Lagas was.

"We have to prepare, and Shadow might attack us anytime soon. I can sense his presence," Kurdapya said.

"I have to leave first and check on things. Kurdapya, please help the Dalaketnons to evacuate. Baku, you can go ahead and leave Pine Lagoon at once. It would be best if you didn't get caught up in this situation." Saldang said and headed out of the house. Kurdapya followed her.

After a few minutes of silence, Apo spoke.

"Is there nothing that we can do?" Apo asked.

"It would be best if we follow Saldang's recommendation," Baku said.

"But I can't leave them like this," I said.

"Yes, me too. I want to help the villagers." Ester said.

"That's our job as the chosen successors," Ani added.

"Silly kids, I know you would say this. There's nothing I can do." Baku said, scratching his head.

"Maybe we can take this as an opportunity to show what we learned," Ester said.

"Okay, I got it. I'll ask Saldang, so wait here, okay?" Baku said and left out of the room.

Yes! Everyone cheered after Baku left.

"We still need to be careful!" I said.

"Understood!" Everyone answered.

-

After a few hours, Baku returned. She said that Saldang agreed with our suggestion. But what we will do only is to protect the citizens.

The atmosphere around the Lagoon started to darken. The pressure was getting intense. I can sense something ominous from afar. Ester, Ani, and Anan were stationed together with the citizens. They volunteered that they will protect the people. Baku went with Kurdapya and headed to the heart of the Lagoon. Apo and I stayed on standby just in case Saldang needs help.

The sky started to get dark, and the wind grew strong. Rain clouds formed, hiding the sun. The aura was getting closer and intense.

"Are you ready, Yari?" Apo asked.

"Yes, I am. Be safe."

I summoned the Night's Fall and enchanted my body. A moment of silence engulfed the Lagoon, then, after a few minutes, a loud roar was heard from the sky. It was more powerful than earlier. The ground shook, the birds flew in fear. Animals ran for safety.

Shadow appeared in the sky, flapping its wings with rage. It roared again, shaking the ground with pressure.

Help my people. Please.

I heard the voice asking for help again.

Save us, oh chosen warrior of the moon.

I looked at the dragon and can feel its eyes were set on me. The dragon flew higher, then started to charge at me.

"Yari, get out!" Apo shouted.

I ran in the opposite direction, away from the people, to avoid them getting caught up in the battle. The dragon was flying fast towards me. I shifted my body and gripped the Night's Fall, igniting it with moonlight energy. Before the Shadow can hit me, Saldang flew between us and lashed her tail at Shadow.

Shadow was able to evade and flew upwards again. Saldang followed him. The two started batling in the air. The enemy dragon tried to plunge its claws at Saldang, but she evaded and countered it with a headbutt.

She landed a hit at the Shadow's body, causing it to cry in pain. Saldang's attacks were infused with earth energy, increasing her strength.

The Shadow got enraged and started to attack Saldang aiming at her wings. She was able to dodge the attacks, and her counter-attacks hit the enemy dragon successfully.

I noticed that the surroundings started to wither, and the dark aura around the enemy was getting stronger. Then all of a sudden, Saldang fell from the sky. A thick miasma was covering her, making her lose her strength.

The enemy dragon growled in anger. It plunged towards Saldang. Apo leaped in the air hurled his spear.

Flame Counter!

The spear spun at a fast rate creating ripples of flame energy, pushing the Shadow backward. Saldang was able to get up and tried to fly, but the miasma burned her wings.

The Shadow was ready to strike again. Instead of us, it noticed the group of people that were hiding. It started to charge its breath and aimed towards where Ani was.

Summer Breeze!

Ani shouted, and a tornado appeared, countering the enemy's breath attack. The enemy attack did not end there, hurling another breath attack. Luckily, Ester summoned a gigantic barrier made from stardust.

Milky Way!

Ester continued to stop the attacks that the Shadow threw at them. This is what they gained from training. Now it's my chance.

Cold Array!

Ice shards flew towards the enemy. I directed my attacks at its wings to stop its movements. All my attacks connected, and the Shadow fell down. It growled in pain.

Please end this misery! The voice said.

It was coming from the Shadow.

Kurdapya suddenly appeared and went towards me.

"Listen to me, Chosen of the Moon, for us to stop Lagas or the Shadow, we must bring him to the heart of the Lagoon," Kurdapya said.

"How are we going to do that?"

"Lure him at the heart of the Lagoon. You can do it. I need to go to Saldang."

I'm going to lure that dragon?