Along The Dusty Trail • Megálos Aderfós, C-rank Exam

Day 1:

Megálos hadn't had any trouble tracking down the
quaint little family of four. They had a peaceful mundane hovel towards the center of Peace Village. There was the Mother and Father. Richard and Mary Dragonkin and their 13 year old sun Dustin and 3 year old daughter Diamond. After a little bit of tea and chatting at the Families soon to be abandoned home, Megálos helped them finish the last of their packing and without further ado loaded them on the huge carriage that he would be pulling himself. And off they went on the long Journey to Beanstalk Village. After a while on the road Megálos brought out Prince Fótia for the kids to play with. And when they were still uneasy, Megálos and the Phoenix worked together to entertain everyone with vividly told stories that was somewhat acted out by Prince Fótia since Megálos was busy pulling the wagon. Humans were harder to take care of than he thought. They had already stopped three times that day to break and eat. The smaller humans were like little black holes how they constantly needed so much sustenance. It was annoying, Megálos told himself but truthfully the experience brought back memories of his past life as a human. He was a King and he did this type of stuff all the time. There was plenty of times when enjoyed doing it too. That was... Before.... "Mista Person!"

Megálos finally felt the little girl pulling on his sleeve. He looked back to see all the other humans huddled together dozing fitfully in the few blankets that weren't packed with the family tent they'd brought. It was then he realized that the moon had not only already come out but it stood already high in the sky. "Mister person! Don't push yourself so hard please!" The little human....little girl....Diamond looked at him with eyes as large and round as saucers and Megálos could see the sleep fighting to pull her away. Megálos sighed, he supposed there was nothing he could do for it, the humans needed far more sleep than he and there was a wooded clearing just right for their camp grounds not far from them. Pulling the carriage to the opening he unpacked and set up the tent and sleeping supplies the humans would need as the little human girl watched with wide silent eyes. Waking the other humans with cranky sleepy grumbles he tucked all the humans in snugly to the tent ensuring they were warm and comfortable finishing lastly with the inquisitive little girl. As he prepared to leave the tent the little girl stopped him again grabbing ahold of his sleeve again. "Dare is nuff room for you to mister." She was right of course but the idea of sleeping alongside humans disgusting and also.... No he was getting soft he wouldn't, he couldn't. "No, I prefer to sleep with the trees little human." Megálos turned to leave again but once again the girl grabbed his sleeve and stopped him once again."Diamond." "What?!" "I'm Diamond mister." ".....OK" With that Megálos left the tent climbing into a tree and sliding into a very light sleep in case something happens.

Day 2:

Megalos rushed the humans along through a quick breakfast before getting everything packed and continuing on the road.It had been bothering him for a while now but not long since they'd started their journey the travelers were being followed. He had waited patiently for the snoops to reveal themselves but the fact that they had not yet done so was bothersome.He had asked the wind and tree's to wake him if the followers had made a move last night as he expected yet they kept themselves concealed. As bothersome as it was there was no need to worry about it now, besides confronting them first would only give the followers an advantage as he didn't even know how many were following him or what they were capable of. Before long the group could begin to see Magnolia up ahead and realized in his inner musings he had traveled farther then he had intended to and upon glancing back saw the human family had once again fallen asleep in the carriage.

Sighing Megalos decided it would be best if they stopped in town for the night as the sun was already slowly setting on the horizon. He berated himself for his forgetfulness at the human's inability to operate efficiently  like himself. Their followers still stayed within vicinity but out of sight. He wasn't sure where they were buckling down for the night but he intended to get a moderately priced Inn. He didn't need it but he needed somewhere to dump the humans while he tended to the nature around him and thank it for it's help so far on his journey. He wouldn't be sleeping in the Inn with the humans but he would still be looking after them from the comfort of a nearby tree. Getting them to wake once again only so they can get put back to bed in the Inn but Megalos gave them enough Jewels to eat dinner and breakfast there first. After taking care of the humans Megalos sulked off on his own leaving the wind to look after the humans...

Day 3:

"Humans are far too foolish." The Red faced man spluttered incoherently as Megalos stared him down with a look of absolute apathy on his face. "W-whaddiya jus say ter me yu twerp!" Megalos simply cocked his head to the side in a bird-like gesture still giving no sign of emotion whatsoever. "Yu gotta prolerm yu peicea shite!" The man took a menacing step toward him but Megalos made no move to step back in apprehension or forward in opposal. He did however put his hand on the head of the little human girl that was his charge as she hid behind his legs while shooting her worried family who stood on the opposite side of the Inn's bar a reassuring look. "Yes in fact I do," Megalos proclaimed taking the girl and placing her on a stool away from the red-faced man and his friends.

"This girl here happens to be my charge and I won't allow Diamond to be harassed by slovenly idiots such as yourselves." Yelling out in bewildered fury the red faced man and his four drunken compatriots charged forward in a sloppy terrible attempt at crowding the young mage. Megalos wouldn't even need his magic his natural strength and skill alone would be enough. With a few well placed blows he knocked out all four men without breaking a sweat or a single table or furnishing."For the trouble." Megalos threw a few Jewels on the counter before heading back to the girl who had made her way back to the family during the fight. "Let's go," was all he said before heading out the door to the carriage as he waited for the family to follow.

Once everyone was loaded onto the vehicle Megalos began to silently pull the carriage along again. He didn't plan on stopping until they'd reached the base of Mt. Hakobe. "Mr..," Diamond started. "Don't mention it," Megalos grunted without missing a step. Megalos then felt tiny arms wrap around his neck in a weak squeeze and the little human girls quick peck on his cheek before she beamed at his back and crawled back in joining her family in the laughter and warm familial conversation they were having. Megalos could have sworn he almost felt something deep down in the pit of his stomach, before shrugging it away. Slowly but surely the travelers made it to Mt. Hakobe...

Day 4:

After a good long rest and a very fortuitous breakfast Megalos was ready to begin the path through Mt. Hakobe. It would likely be the hardest portion of their journey they'd endure. The sooner it behind them the better. "Mr!" Megalos turned surprised to see it was the young man of the family....Dustin....right. That was his name! "Can you teach me to fight like you! I...I...never want to see my baby sister in trouble like that again! Please teach me to protect her!" The little human boy bowed deeply to him with a determined gaze piercing Mega before he looked away. Megalos felt his vision sway as an image of another determined little boy seemed to super impose little over the kid. "Brother," he heard himself whisper before shaking his head. Considering it briefly Megalos figured they had enough time for a few lessons before continuing their travel.

"Come then I will not go easy." "Yessir!" And with that Megalos began teaching the young man Akido as it was a martial art for self-defense and protecting which fulfilled the youth's currents needs. The human boy was a surprisingly quick study and Megalos decided he would give the boy random lessons throughout their remaining travels."That is enough." Megalos walked away from the panting young human and realized his family had gathered around at some point watching with a mixture of pride, admiration, and worry. "Thank you for all you've don for us," the human woman told him. "I appreciate you taking the time to teach my boy," the human dad agreed.

"It's nothing." Megalos was taken aback at the humans gratitude and kindness. It inflamed conflicting feelings in his heart. Tapering off their insistence's he herded them back into the carriage and prepared to make his way up the mountain when a familiar presence returned. Their followers were back and it seemed they were finally making their move. Megalos stepped out onto the path they had come from glancing behind him at the setting sun. He'd have to finish this quickly, the Mountain would be dangerous at night. It seemed they would have to wait until tomorrow to start that journey. ..

Day 4.5/5:

The silver moonlight illuminated the vanilla field that served as the entrance to the mountain. "This doesn't gotta be difficult," the shadowed figure that lead the other four shadowed figures spoke walking into the light with his men. They were obviously thieves but they were a cut above the normal ragged beggar thieves. For one their equipment was fierce and looked well taken care of and managed. No. These were not the run of the mill thieves, and they had also waited till they were as far from civilization as could be before confronting him but not so far as they would foolishly follow him into the treacherous paths of Mt. Hakobe."Hand over everything and you all get to leave here alive."

The man in front clearly the leader and the only red head among the other blond bandits was rugged and ripped and he looked very much skilled. His followers while not in as good a shape as their boss were not out of shape either and gave off the aura of having at least a little skill. "I'm afraid I cannot allow that," Megalos stepped forward motioning for the family to fall back. "Well then I shall be fair. Fight me in a one-on-one duel. If you lose your goods are forfeit without fuss, If you win we shall let you be to continue your journey unperturbed." Megalos wondered at the red-head's valiance. Was this the honor among thieves he had heard about. Well maybe not. "Very Well. I'll accept your terms." Nodding the red-head took his stance and Mega did the same. "Begin!" The red-head shouted and the two rushed each other. The Bandit leader was swift and slippery and after a few grazing blows Megalos learned to stay away from his dagger and short blade as the man dual weld theses as his weapons of choice.

The battle quickly became a battle of speed and Megalos was beginning to lose until the man pressing his advantage began to use fire magic encasing his blades in blue flames and hurling fireballs at him. Dancing with the flames motion Megalos unleashed a spell of his own. "Those who dare bare their fangs at the moon be quelled as lady midnight laughs her mirth. Seeking King-Obey! Engulf the Burning World!" At his words the snowy ground came to life stirring all around it as a mini blizzard formed around the two competitors. Extinguishing the man's flames and bludgeoning him with chunks of frozen earth until the man could hold out no longer. "I concede! This victory is yours." The man coughed up a little blood but otherwise stood up shaky but surprising sturdy after the fierce attack.

Someday the man would make a fierce opponent indeed. "As promised we'll go our separate ways my friend but next time we meet I shall not be as easy to beat I think!" The man smiled at Megalos taking his hand in a farewell shake. "The name's Tygga." "Megalos." "Right then Megalos! Until we meet again." With that he and his men turned and left without another word. Sore from his battle and to exhausted to pull the carriage Megalos reset camp and the group slept at the entrance to the mountain pass once again. Early the next day they packed up again and finally set out. They traveled the entire day without incident and found a cave to rest the night in halfway through the mountain. The day passed very anti-climatically after the showdown the previous night.

Day 6:

Another boring day of travel the mountain was turning out to be less dangerous then he thought. Megalos spent most of the day training the human boy talking to Prince Fotia and entertaining the Human girl's "tea party" during the travel. A boring day though was a day he didn't have to overwork himself.

D-Day/Day 7:

The day of reckoning fast approached. Megalos could almost see Beanstalk Village in the distance. There his master would be waiting for his arrival and the humans appearance. Although she technically wasn't his master yet. Megalos was so happy he could start skipping. He was sure they were home free now having almost cleared the mountains but he should have known better than to get ahead of himself as such. In the path right before them, the only path they could take to leave the mountains and head to the village stood a mean looking group of three mages each of them exuding at least a C Rank Aura of power. They did not seem as if they were there to play nice either. "Look at what we have here! A little lost birdie!" The one in the middle stepped up first. He was a bulky man with poison green hair and sickly pale skin that somehow rippled with muscles. On either side of him was a set of twins with Jet black hair wiry athletic frames, blood red eye's, and a ghostly looking face. The man in the middle had sea-blue eyes that looked as if they would drown you.

"Naughty, naughty people sneaking through the edge of our territory. Now you'll pay the price! Never mind reaching for your purse miss the penalty you'll be paying is with your LIVES! lET'S GO BOY'S!" The snake of a man in the middle spoke with a lisp like the serpent he acted like as he condemned the group with a sadistic smile even going out of his way to intimidate the mother. He moved forward fast like a Hyena at it's pray and the other two followed behind him almost robotically not bothering to even make an expression. They weren't natural! Making a gesture at the family to hide Megalos dodged just in time as the snake man spat a glob of acid at him scolding the ground where he had just stood but not getting a break he felt a searing pain on his back as one of the twins shot venom at him from behind him out of his fingertips and the other twin appeared as if out of thin air and bit him along the waist and Megalos felt the poison seeping into him Grabbing that one by the hair he slugged the man into his twin who stood above on a tree limb as a punch came out of nowhere as the snake-man decked him in the face as he was distracted with the twins. Megalos went flying and he felt his face burn where what must have been acid from the snake's fist burned him."Hahaha, just forfeit your life now you fool!"

It was clear he'd need to give it his all or he was really going to die. And he had a family to protect! Human or not he would ensure they came to no harm! There was no way but through! Turning into a cheetah and coating his paws with lightning Megalos charged the three taking on the snake man first. Running at a speed to match even the poisonous twin and then some Megalos endured the acid, poison, and venom attacks as if they were not here then attacked the three with his electric claws with a ferocity he'd never managed before. He pushed himself enduring more then he had before he could feel his power growing his strength fed by his determination as he left long bloody gouges in his enemies. He discovered the twins were a lot more fragile than the snake man and noticed with each strike against them the snake man's power decreased. That's when he realized they were a part of the snake man. What power that he could use such powerful acid's and poison's and conjure other beings as well. Focusing on the twin's he began dodging all the other attacks and going for vital blows. After Incapacitating the twins he thought he could finally win! Then the snake man laughed and absorbed the twins into his body which made his magic power grow exponentially. He felt as if he could be a B Rank now! But the man was still badly injured!

Megalos could still win. He just had to finish this now! He checked for the families life presence and ensured they were a far enough distance away before Megalos regained his human form and sat down to meditate. building a wall of thorns between him and the snake man that in the man's condition would take him a while to get through just enough time for Megalos to do what was needed. After concentrating for what seemed like an Eon Megalos felt it' A well of inexhaustible energy that lived deep within him. His connection to everything nature a power he had no hope of controlling yet. As the snake man cleared the final thorns Megalos grabbed ahold of that well and unleashed madness. His eye's glowed pure emerald green no pupils and his body radiated power. The snake man backed a way with fear and turned to run but it was too late. "Those who travel the line between heaven and hell be consumed. Welcome to the Eternal Midnight. SUPREME KING-AWAKEN! SWALLOW THE GALAXY!" The world turned upside down and Megalos lost consciousness. While he was unconscious a fearsome sight appeared a twister flashed to life lashing out at the very heavens. The Snake man had no hope of escape. It was too late. What happened next....well let's just say that was the end of that man's story. To say anymore would be over pg-13. Afterward the Twister raged for an hour pulling in the snow from the mountain and becoming more fierce but it progressed very slowly. When it finally ran it's last course it had just arrived at the entrance of Beanstalk village destroying it's gates before sputtering out.

After Prince Fotia felt the twister was clear he gathered the family members to his master and the father carried the unconcious battered man into the village. Riddled with poison, acid splaches, and venom burns and nearly exauhsted of his magic the man was truly a sight for sore eye's the father who knew where they were supposed to meet Mistress Ami took the boy straight to his future master. The family awaited the Ladies arrival as they sought a physician to keep him stable until she arrived. The family was very saddened by the young man's state after he'd done so much for them. Meanwhile Fotia retrieved the families belongings which miraculously had all survived the twister except the carriage itself. However the family assured him they would not begrudge Fotia's master of the carriage's demise. And so they waited....