Chapter 8: Acoma

Fora Forest; eight miles away from the destroy Sway Valley. Fora Forest is described as a utopia for life. Different race had took refuge; making this city of mix race to live in harmony. In this forest has dragons, lycanthropes, humans, rats, and kobolds. However Fora Forest isn’t count as a city. This forest is well known as a hideout get away for either criminals, runaways, or people who wanted to stay away from the Iron Banner. The Iron Banner choices to not destroy this land; but instead collected resources and minerals. Few rebels and many other factions do, come here for recon or collect few animals for their horses. Other wild life like horse, birds, deer’s and many other exotic animals thrives here; which few hunters hunt some these animals for their collection. At night; the forest lights up, due to amount underground caves. Under the caves, water had overflown the caves; causing to light up from the reflection of gems laying in the caves.

Adam and his entire company, all camped inside underground cave. Spider who venture outside, to make sure if they were followed. Since then; Jack had finally learn the truth about the attack. He learned that one, his city was happen to be near; Scorch’s shrine. The two dragons took the opportunity to attack the locals; Arcus who somehow learn that he, his father and his older sister Jill; both decedents of the Acoma. Resulted Arcus order his siblings to kill both of them including the mother. While before this happen; Adam was preoccupied in a temple, studying an ancient temple. Soon after Spider told the word that his home town was being attack by Arcus even learn about their existents. Then by the time when the small town was attack. He sent Erica to retrieve his family; but there was only one survivor. Since then she, take the young Jack to save location just to lay low; but she was told to never regroup with his child until the right time. Jack couldn’t tell which one to blame. After learning the truth; it turns out this entire time, Erica have known that he was a hybrid or known where his father went. Since after that; he basically ignore Erica entirely refusing to talk with her.

Eventually Erica sited outside to leave, Adam and Jack alone; in hopes talk it out for lost time. She make sure to watch out for anyone coming towards their hideout, while keeping an eye for Spider return safely. After her human have finally known the truth; she couldn’t help but felt hurt. She have never seen her human to act this way, ignoring her. She have cussed many pain over the years, but this time it’s her human; who she travel with for a long time. The pain now she had to bear with until the human eventually return.

“Father…You mention we both are hybrids. But is there other Acoma’s out there, besides grandpa?”

“No…Most of them are extinct after the great purge.”

The Gunslinger was puzzled; he wonders what surely happen to them. He have heard stories of mysteries animals before, Oasis was discovered. Giant creatures called the Titans- decedents of dragons, but was described to be hunched creatures; borrowing similar traits. The Titans somehow wiped out due to amount of toxic gas spewing through the land, since the humans barbered the realm. Since then the Titans where no more. Eventually; dragons where later discovered and so the dragons war begin. Another race called the Bmix; the Bimx are similar to a Lycanthropes. However the Bimx shapeshift to various insects. Prior before the end of the Dragon War- the Dragons focused to wipe them out by poisoning their water. The poison spread like a virus; which slowly kill them one by one. Including the humans have hunted them down one by one, for their skin- using them for their armor. “What’s the great purge” The Gunslinger was eager to more what happen to other race.

“Sadly I don’t know.” Adam regretfully for not knowing either “Acoma race, where never recorded in ancient history, no archeologists had ever uncovered them.” He procced pulling out few books from his satchel- the books is what has left of the Acoma race; gather up of most of their history. “This is what’s left of their history.”

“Where did you find these books?” Jack asked- he grabbed the book, looking around the dusty covers. He was amazed of its designs- the books where meatal, but oddly it’s light and not even heavy to the touch. What makes it strange; is alien in nature- something not humans or dragons would makes these books. “More importantly what the hell this cover made out of?”

“Onyx materials, mostly you can find them underground- in the deepist of are planets core.”

“Are you serious?” The Gunslinger was shocked- never to thought of something that happen; creatures were able to go underground and managed to collect this kind of materials “How advanced are they?”

“Well there same as us- but it’s their magic is there advanced.” He assured- Adam gave his sword to son; allowing his son to inspect the sword. “This blade was created by magic- the same blade that made Erica’s weapon.”

As Jack inspect further to the blade, while touching the glowing materials- something which he would never see with his own eyes. The Blade was indeed look human made; but something about is seem not normal in human standers. The Blades jewel located in the middle of the blade- seemed unusual; almost as if eye was infused inside the jewel. As he slowly placed his finger near the jewel- the eye expression suddenly became alive; which jumped scared him which caused him to drop the blade. “The hell…That’s creepy as hell.”

“Don’t worry.” The old man chuckled as he too once his life had encounter too with his own weapon “It surely spoke me when I was your age.”

“Why the hell they do that in the first place, scared their user?”

“Don’t know, perhaps that’s their style.”

“But Dad you mention Erica's Crimson Blade was made by the same weapon- Do you know who made hers?”

“This is something you should ask- but I thought you already know that?” He had first thought that his own son; would already know by now. “Well it’s best to ask her- because I don’t actually know who made her weapon.” He assured him- this will give Jack to encourage to talk it out with Erica and make amends since after the argument. “Go and talk to her- you might not know; she is deeply in stress since after the reveled, go ahead talk to her.”

He acknowledged- Jack give the weapon back to his father; while feeling a bit pain within himself after the argument. Jack had once argue with the Sorceress a few times; mostly ether difference or something they don’t agree in but it eventually usually resolve afterwards. He carefully walked through the rumble to get pass through a small entrance; an easier way without swimming to the surface. With few efforts; at one point he was almost got caught between a loss boulder which almost nearly landed on him- within this cave it was surely the oldest part Oasis. He was never interest in fossils or other rocks; but he was admired of the shape which is something he would admit it was surely remarkable. He can see the light- the surface. Beyond his friend camping outside to keep watch; but he stopped and took moment to come up an apology which he was never will great at in his life. He first took peek- he sees the tall giantess siting down while soaking her feet into the glowing pool – He had forgot how magnificent was Erica; her black scales shines in the dark, giving her more of a shine of reflection which almost mistaking her as a night sky. Her long elusive black hair which seemed almost alive as if was dancing through the wind. The more he continue stare at the dragoness; he would almost forgot what he was doing instead stood there. However that had to end until Erica who caught his scent from the little entrance near her side.

“Little one? How long where you standing there?” She was surprisingly seeing the human caught her off guard.

“Oh…Sorry I was admiring er…No I mean I’m sorry for yelling at you- I should not said those words back there it was surly was stupid of me.” The Gunslinger apologetically, which he actually bowed his head down deeply to the ground; which he was going so far- Jack would next stood up and sit close to Erica side. “I know that you’re were just following orders from my dad and keeping everything secret from learning who I am."

“So- it was part of my job to protect you. Sometimes I regret it- I never wanted to have a human with me at all times- but.” The Sorceress took a moment at the full moon from the horizon; admiring at the light. “I enjoy it, you where the reason for me to move on- something I haven’t since your father rescued me from my prison.”

“It didn’t accrue to me, but who made your weapon?”

“Swiftest…Why?”

“My Dad’s sword was made by the Acoma’s and I just wondering- Do you know how he made the weapon?”

“No, he didn’t show me.” She admit further not knowing more of her own weapon. Erica over the years have mastered the blade in most of her travels; but never knowing of the true origins of its craft. The Crimson Blade was indeed the most powerful blade for the dragons- many how try to replicated the weapon, never capture the same majestic power that the original has. She summon the blade, scanning every part of the blade, including the draconic markings imprinted near the hilt. “Only who mastered this weapon shall be granted them passage.” Translated from the markings, of what’s written on the hilt. After near the last word- a huge ruby in the middle of the blade. “I bet you seen the eye on your fathers weapon- I got one too.” A red eye, however it took more of an appearance of a dragon’s eye.

“What’s with the sword smith put an actual eye in their weapons- it seems creepy.” The eye almost staring into his soul- adding more; the eye is also alive as if has mind of its own, whoever holds the blade. “Well at least I’m partially human.”

“Well at least I can do this.” She placed her palm on top of Jack; while he caught a glimpse of her hand. Jack quickly tried dodge away but was sadly got crushed- she didn’t actually put full force but; playfully dragging him around, then reaching him up to at eye level with her. “Well this for you being creeper.” She playfully later gave him a tiny lick- she giggled at Jack’s attempt to push her tongue away. “Well, I always like your taste- it seemed spicy but well…Exotic!”

“Well, at least you’re happy…Or perhaps I should be worried right about now.”

“Relax. I’m not interested…For now.” Her devious mock, had been the always the charm that spoke her little friend many years- she placed her human on her shoulder.

“Well at least this is the best seats in the house…But still you scary as hell when you play like this.” He still unsure ever trusting- anything methods she says, she would mostly likely had other plans for later on; but even she isn’t hurting him anyways. Seeing the forest lighting up was sure remarkable sight- something he never seen much back home, never he had adventure this far of; but he imagen living here inside warm house. Then his day dream surely come to end when he sees once again Erica’s claws coming towards him. “What are you doing?’ He asked.

“Nothing, I just trying to dust of the dirt on your shoulder there.” She gently removed the speck of dust that was left on his shoulder. “You should be careful exploring this cave, this cave is old, before life thrives.”

“Well now you two are back together- perhaps you two should just kiss.” Spider who sneak in while the two were preoccupied- Erica who have noticed Spider was resting on her lap this whole time, which she flick him with her other hand; falling into the pool. “Hey just saying!”

“Well you see why I never mention him.” Erica assured, while Spider who happen to feel not as pleased.

Spider swim back to shore and take his leave back into the small cave.

“Now Jack do you decided of want to do now…Otherwise no matter what it is- I’ll follow you wherever you go.”

He took long moment to decide, but before then he didn’t care and have thought about returning back home- however Arcus is also looking for him and even used his sister corpse for his private undead army; something he did not take kindly. Other hand it means traveled further too dangerous part of Oasis- however problem was Erica’s bad blood with the people of Ark; a city both humans and dragons alike. He knew she would never like going somewhere which can be unpleasant, even she was the one who took many lives in the past. But the realm is also in danger if nothing stop this- if Arcus is goanna corrupted Oasis, then the whole realm would be in ruin. “I never forgive my dad, or forget the death that robbed me- but I want to stop Arcus, but it means we need to go to the Ark and warn them a great war would come.” Jack replied.

“As long I’m fine with it, then where good- at least I have you.” She teased, while gently tap the half human.

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Many of different stories of different cultures and wars tailed around Acoma’s history- humans and dragons where mention as slaves. Human sacrifice where used during the next sun rise, dragons where either for building or entertainment; having them to fight for the death. It mention a lot more what to do with the female slaves, which most ended in a disgusted. Jack was very disgusted of everything learn within this book every moment- the history surely did painted the Acoma as an evil race. Few good mentions of how they wield their technology- tools that used something close to normal human tools but some which looked alien of how it functions, which some look more fire arms then tools. While reading further into their history, nothing was ever mention about the Great Purge or anything about a collapse in there government. There was something more missing- if his grandfather survive this then how was to be lived this long? All night he read two of the books given by his father, letting him to know further about the third species- until after reading the second book. The book mentions about having forms; channeling their magic into something no ordinary humans can’t wield. “Omazaio.” He quietly pronouns the word. The Omazaio is gateway to transform their bodies into a powerful being which it was only limited for short; however there are mention of other user can wield for long time if they master the spell. The drawing show many with different looks, some more like devils, others took more having multiple arms and have a body of horse. Different looks of different user with different characteristics of the user with different arch types with magic- fire, ice, water, lighting, earth, void, blood, and time. The magic is something that he wouldn’t mind doing; even he wasn’t into magic- this magic, for the first time is something he would want to master and he is also one of them; the only one who can master this magic. “This is goanna kick ass.”

The next day- the entire group all well rested expect the Gunslinger who have been busy reading the entire chapter all night and took hour rest. Adam grabbed back the books and putting them back to his satchel; then next he shaken his son to get him up. Jack who tried to push his own father away from him, then he return back to sleep. Erica gently bents down, then extend her long tongue to lick the half human to wake up- which of course Jack who shoot himself back up and caught a glimpse of Erica’s mouth.

“I’m up I’m up! Please stop.” His voice tired from the lack of sleeping- wiping away the drool all over his face. When he saw his father which he was disappoint but eventually changed from frown to grinning.

“You read the entire book didn’t you?” Adam who was amused, which he wanted further more of his findings from reading the book.


“How can I wield…the Omazaio?” Jack eager to jump straight into the topic; only careering to use it for his fun. “You’re one too- I bet you known how to use it?

Adam, who only shrugged with nothing to teach him in regretfully “It’s not the simple son- it’s not power where you instantly; BOOM!” He clap his hand with a loud bang. “Transform- this power can only be active from within your heart, it’s part of you.” He walked closely to his son- tapping his chest where his heart located. “You too figure out for yourself and how you use it- but it can be also dangerous, if not properly understand who you are.”

“But do you decided to follow are plan- kiddo?” The half vampire curiously asked the half human. “Cuss if not, I had to kill you.”

“If you do I’ll kill you!” Jack’s father protective his son, by placing his sword near Spider chest.

Spider who quickly tap away the sword but it was closer the more he, tried to move it. “Stop I’m only kidding you old goof.”

“Please do go on.” Erica encouraged Adam to proceed with her favors.

“I made up my mind- I’ll do it; I’ll go for it no….well go for it.”