Exercising at a young age is really necessary and helpful, people! But just try not being like me.
I was on the verge of falling from a huge cliff and death was certain after that. My pull-up skills charged up and I somehow kept my right leg on the top. Mark from top was cheering me. "Come on, Blaze! Don't die." He cheered. (That was really helpful. Thanks buddy!) Using my strength, I landed up, panting.
Almost immediately, "We need to go east from here. No time to waste!" Mark announced in his usual low tone. I replied, panting, "Screw King Jalaar! I need rest. Five minutes please." I requested for which Mark nodded.
About a month ago, I was a normal kid. But of course, as I am the stupid hero, I had to do stuff. So Raptor, a two-thousand year old beast awakened and was off to set his master, King Jalaar free from his slumber. We, the DELTAs tried to stop him but failed. I even lost a close friend, a DELTA – Lily. King Jalaar was awakened and now if we couldn't stop him, he would take over the final independent planet in the universe he needed to capture, Darknor. Want to hear a joke? King Jalaar is my father and technically, I am two-thousand years old. Now that I said that, it doesn't seem too funny.
In the process, my only family member left, my grandma died as a sacrifice to the King. Her last words for me were to meet the Red One. Only Colloseus, our friendly dragon knew about the Red One and currently, I am on a journey with Mark.
Colloseus had told us that the Red One was God Ison's greatest enemy of all times. The dragon narrated the story before we left for our journey. "The Red One's domain is situated, to the most eastern part of the world where no one dared to go." Colloseus had said. "The region has a totally different atmosphere. It is a magical land. Witches, wizards and many monsters live there and to the edge of the world is situated the Red One's domain. None have ever returned having entered the area."
And of course, Mark and I were headed there to the magic-filled region. According to ancient history, the Red One was one of God Ison's children, the first being to be born. Phantom was also one of the names given to the Red One as he would spill blood from anyone who disagreed to him. His power and attitude kept growing and at last one day he challenged his father for a dual. Whoever won would rule the universe. God Ison was undefeatable and even Phantom stood no chance in front of the Lord. He was banished into a small part of Darknor where Phantom began his new kingdom. That was the greatest battle in the history. Many times, Phantom tried his luck to gain back his power but his father stood for justice. God Ison knew how evil his son could get if his greed would take over him. That's exactly what happened. Frustrated by defeat and aggravated by his desires, Phantom changed. He became an evil being, the king of the monsters.
The other DELTAs were busy preparing for war, making an army and training for the ultimate battle at the Abandoned Palace. Wade had planned that Mark and I would go to the east and meet up with the monster king. We needed to go there, fight the deadly monsters that awaited us and also talk to the Red One as my grandma had commanded. But I had no idea why we were going into the lion's den in the first place. One thing was sure: if my grandmother had told us to go, there would be a good reason to it.
"How would you greet Phantom when we meet the guy?" Mark enquired. I was still panting after the terrible climb. "I would say, Hello Phantom! My grandma told me to meet you. I have no idea why I am here. So, what's up? How's that?" I mimicked a manly voice. Mark sighed and gazed into the horizon. He was clearly fed up of my stupid jokes throughout the journey.
Mark gestured me to get up and then we continued forward. The mountain's tall grass barely gave us a sight of what was ahead. I even hit a few rocks in between as I walked. Mark though, was clear on what he needed to do. He was assigned a job and he would finish it.
The guy's determination and seriousness really freaked me out. Like the other DELTAs, Mark too had been through a bad past. He had no father and his mother used to work hard for the welfare of Mark. His mother had disappeared suddenly one day and ever since, he had become a street kid, learning to live the hard way. Now he had become a part of the DELTA Organization but he still had the horrible past with him, making sure he would never have his hopes up again. But we all had been trying to cheer him up which seemed to work. He was now less creepier and more friendlier.
As we progressed forward, I stared at the horizon. Far away from us, the entry to the Red One's kingdom could be seen. There was no specific door or anything like that. But the army of various species of monsters standing was enough for confirmation. I almost trampled while walking, looking at the angry mob ahead.
A few banners and signs were placed on the ground here and there. They all conveyed the same message: World Border --- Do not proceed. Monsters Ahead. As I read those signs, we proceeded. Of course, we wouldn't listen to warnings. We like to risk our lives a lot!
My hands were shivering, not because of the cold though. Various vicious creatures stood far away, as if patrolling the area. There were wolves with deadly fangs. Skrops we had met near the Temple of Past were also present. A few giants were arm-wrestling on the back of the largest and most dangerous crocodile I had ever seen. There were ugly wizards flying around with witches as well. They looked as if they were created using chemicals. One hit from any of their spells and that was it for us. The large ravens and more dangerous birds flying around also caught my eye.
"Okay. How in the world are we gonna get past those creatures?!" I barked. Mark replied calmly, "We fight." I looked at him. I knew the guy had a very bad sense of humor but that was the first time I wished that he was joking. I couldn't reply to his answer. Then he looked at me and spoke, "If Phantom is actually as sharp and strong as the legends say, he would already know that we are coming to him. There is no other way. The flying creatures will easily spot us. We will have to be noticed. Then there is only one way. Fight them."
I wanted to argue but somehow I knew what Mark thought was right. There was no other way for us to get around the army. Even if we had wings to fly, the birds would catch us. We had to fight the monsters.
And so, we marched forward. I grabbed my battle-axe Magnum and Mark got out his crossbow Porticallius. His grappling hook Quester was placed behind his back for emergency attacks. As we came closer, the birds would have noticed us because they started making tremendous cackling noise. The army got alert. The giants stood up. The wizards and witches stopped whatever they were playing. The wolves barred their teeth. In the front of all stood a warrior with armor.
"You ready for some bloodshed?" Mark asked. I replied, "Never. But as usual, I will have to."