Meditation.
That's where I was.
Far away. Back on the mountainside in Bhutan.
The cool breeze blowing the fresh air, filling my lungs, while viewing all of nature in its grandest state.
Then Grandpa told me,
"Concentrate my boy! Feel the natural air around you. Grow from its strength. Use it to defeat anything unnatural around you. I had no power, so I couldn't save myself. You can! Use that power and use nature to free Bada from that wizard's spell. Feel the fire inside of you burn!"
"Grandpa, oh how I miss you. If you could see me now, would you be proud?"
Did he see me? How could he see? Unless…
The fires burning inside me started to burn like an uncontrollable inferno.
Rage boiled the flames.
And the first place where the fires melted the ice was on my mouth. Shiver had blocked my mouth by freezing it. It melted away. And what came next was unprecedented!
Fire breathing!
After the chunk of ice, not just melted, but evaporated away, I let a stream of flames forward so intense the villain engulfed was incinerated. The elder-faced child, Inquizator, who giggled uncontrollably was instantly disintegrated in my breath of flames which immediately caused Bada to wake up and look about stunned before she acted.
When my flames stopped, all of the laughter had stopped from the villains, and my arms were free as I stood up with my eyes taking a glowing red center in the emerald green.
Jacob.
Teleporting into the ice cave was Jacob who appeared behind Big Pinky, fell down and grabbed one leg, then vanished; with the brute vanishing with him!
As Bada regained her senses, she turned to Shiver, and let forth machine gun like cannons of balled up water size of bowling balls which blasted the cold-hearted witch back into the children's cell, breaking free the cage, and again, knocking the villainess completely out.
The children cowered in the corner.
I then, let a lasso of flames loose from my hands, wrapping it around the shape-shifter's legs while she attempted to run away, and pulled it back so she would fall on her face. Bada then let a pool of water flow just around her body, which froze instantly to the frozen ground and held her in place.
"We must help Jacob. Now!" I growled and lept towards the door.
"I'll help the children!" Bada said as I was leaving. I believe she knew where my mind was at the moment and didn't want to see what I might do. In fact, the shape-shifter wouldn't have gotten off so easily if Bada hadn't acted before my fire ropes turned to swords!
Outside, Jacob was standing with a huge smile on his face.
"Well, bloke! There you are! I've taken care of your overgrown issue!" he said while pointing up.
Big Pinky was laying in a tree, on a branch, a particularly large and strong branch, scared out of his wits! He was crying. Yes, that monstrous ton of flesh was sobbing and begging for us to let him down. Seems a fear of heights had eaten his soul.
My hands caught aflame and I was ready to finish him off.
"Bloke! What are doing? He's no harm! Stop it now!" Jacob called out, grabbing my arms, and teleporting back into the cave.
I looked at him and growled.
Then I heard the children's voices. And Bada's voice talking to them sweetly.
The red in my eyes went out.
Such rage I had never felt before.
"Bada!" I called out, and she turned to look at me, "Something has happened. Back home. My grandpa. I think…I think…"
My form changed. Back to human. I began to sob.
"I think he may no longer be among the living. And he didn't die naturally. I must go back to Bhutan immediately to find out! Please, come with me!" I turned to Jacob while wiping the tears off of my face and out of my eyes, "How far can you teleport?"
"Well, bloke, the furthest in one turn I ever went was from London to Glasgow. I can teleport perhaps, further, if I knew the way. Or, if I had been there before. I don't believe I can get you all the back to Bhutan." He replied.
"Wait! Druk! Liba! If we could contact her, she could help, I'm sure of it! I've heard of her power! She can communicate, mentally with people. And I think she can read minds as well. We could ask her to read your mind of Bhutan, and then transmit those images to Jacob. He may be able to get us there then!" Bada said excitingly.
"Nice thinking lady bloke!" Jacob replied, "But how you going to contact her?"
I was already gone.
Mentally.
Sitting on the icy floor, not even feeling its extreme cold; I went deep into the recesses of my consciousness. I called for her. Liba. To come and assist us.
Bada had taken the children outside where it was warmer and Jacob followed her.
Time passed.
Shiver woke up, freed the shape-shifter, and ran off out of the back door. She didn't even glance at me twice. To frightened after what I had done to her comrade.
Eventually, someone came inside my mind. I had left the door open for Liba, and she found me.
"Druk! This is what I knew you could do! How may I be of assistance?" she asked, looking as picturesque as ever!
I told her of our plan, and she was happy to assist.
Once Jacob and Bada came back inside, Liba appeared to them from my eyes like a movie image. She was using my deep meditative abilities, a natural wonder I learned from my grandpa, to project herself forward.
"Jacob! Bada! I have seen the mountain top in Druk's homeland, and the place he holds most dear in his heart. The images are pure! And I have agreed to transmit those images to you, Jacob. Listen to me. Jacob. You have never used your power in such a grand way, and there is danger. You all could be lost if something goes wrong, and I cannot tell you where that may be! And Jacob, you could be seriously drained, perhaps to near-death even if you all make it to Bhutan. Are you sure you wish to do this?" Liba asked.
"Yes, lady blo…uh… I mean, mam. I want to help this bloke! I'm sure I can help!" Jacob replied.
"Very well. Come to Druk. Take his arm. Bada, you take the other arm."
They sat, taking my arms, and although I knew they were there, and knew everything happening outside, I was completely in my own mind.
Liba's image then flew rapidly into Jacob's head, just for a second, and I woke up with my eyes glowing emerald!
"Jacob, do you see it?" I asked.
"Yea, bloke! Amazing place! Are you two ready?"
Bada and I both said yes, simultaneously.
"Wait!" I announced. "Where are the children?"
Bada answered,
"While you were trying to contact Liba, Jacob teleported them to the hospital, where Ihar is located. The staff took them in to treat them and send messages to their parents. They were all okay besides some serious sneezing and coughing, isn't that right Jacob?"
"Yes, mam!"
"I blasted the pink brute out of the tree and he ran off. Shiver and the shapeshifter saw it and ran off in the other direction. I think they won't be bothering us for some time."
"Imitator. That's what she calls herself!" Jacob said.
"I just wonder why they all have such silly names?" I replied.
"Don't know, bloke! Everyone on our side just goes by their parent-given titles! Are you ready now, bloke?"
"Yes, let's go!" I call out. I was in dragon form. Bada was as well.
Jacob closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and we vanished!
Instantly, there we were, in the full sunshine of a lovely afternoon. On my grandpa's spot. On our spot.
Jacob was unconscious.
Bada was tending to him, trying to get him breathing again.
I was frozen.
For before me laid the body of my grandpa.
In his chest was a spear.
A black spear.
A horn.
A demon's horn!