Chapter 7

"I can't say that I have." Karma said leaning forward in her seat. The dragon's treasure? Surely, she would have heard of the story at some point in her creator life, right? Apparently not. When Karma created each Clan and creature, she made so that they can make their own lives and histories. She didn't want to intervene with one's beliefs and way of life. As her time being the Creator, she had slowly heard of all the folk tales that the Clans had conquered and loved every single one them. But the dragon's treasure was one that Karma hadn't had the opportunity to hear. Lord Talso looked surprised, but almost happy that Karma hadn't heard of the tale. Making it a perfect opportunity to tell the legend to the Creator herself.

"Then I shall tell you," Lord Talso said and cleared his throat. "The dragons are a mysterious race, no one knows how they live or what they do. Those who try to find their secrets often meet an ultimate doom..." his words were deep and dark, each word spoken as if it were a warning. "...many had climbed the rocky surface of Dragon Mountain, and many never make it back to tell the tale. But those who do, speak of a treasure, a treasure so rich, so powerful, so grand... that the dragons keep it to themselves. They guard this relic with their lives. Some say it is because it controls the destiny of Arula itself, others say that the dragons like to hoard all the riches to themselves, refusing to share it with the rest of the world...

"But no matter what it is said about the treasure, many had tried to steal this mysterious relic themselves, but of course nobody, and I mean nobody, has ever made it passed Dragon Alley." As Lord Talso finished his tale, he took in a deep breath and relaxed back in his chair, like a great burden has been lifted off his shoulders. Karma and Jason both stared at the Lord for a while letting the story sink in while Omar and Mika stared concern looks. Dagner had just finished off his ale, having already heard the story before.

"And do you think someone had managed to sneak passed the dragons and steal this treasure?" Karma ask finally getting her thoughts together.

"I do not think, Creator. I know someone did." Lord Talso said, his face shadowed. "The dragons would have not left their mountain unless something had happened to them. The beast to do not attack without reason... and I fear they have a reason."

"That means they will stop at nothing to get back their treasure." Mika said. "And I've been told dragons are very hard to reason with, even on a good day." Karma drummed her fingers on the chair arm in deep thought. Mika was right. Dragons are nearly impossible to reason with or to even talk to at best. This would not be an easy task, that was for sure. Well then, Karma thought, if the dragons won't reason with others besides their own kind, maybe they'll reason with the Creator.

"Lord Talso," Karma said drawing everyone's attention to her. "I believe that I can reason with the dragons, but I will need an escort and supplies to get to the mountains." Lord Talso gave Karma a fearful look, but Karma could tell there was a hint of relief underneath the scared mask. The Lord bowed his head.

"It will not be an easy task, Creator, and I fear that the dragons will not be willing to listen, but you are the Creator, so I will give you what you wish. But I ask that you rest here tonight and by morning you will have your escort and some of our well-breed hormels as well as some water and food." Karma bowed her head back at the lord.

"Thank you, we would be honor to stay the night." She said.

"Excellent!" Lord Talso said standing up. "I will have someone make sure you have rooms to stay in for the night." Shortly after Lord Talso had said that, Karma and her companions were each sheltered underneath a willing citizens' roof. Karma and Mika were sheltered by an old widow while Jason, Omar, and Dagner were sheltered by baker and his wife. The old widow had provided soup from the rations she had gotten from the supplies that Karma had shipped out, in which Karma wanted to refuse the offer, knowing that the old widow needed it more, but thought otherwise. She knew she would be disrespecting the widow's hospitability if she did so. With a thanks and a warm smile from both Karma and Mika, they ate their share of soup. Once dinner was done, the widow set them up in an empty room that she said had once belonged to her two sons.

The room had two beds that were charred from the fire and blankets and pillows that had amazingly survived. Karma and Mika made themselves comfortable in the beds of their choosing. While Mika went to sleep, Karma couldn't help but think about tomorrow. As she drifted off to sleep, a horrible vision plagued her mind:

There was fire everywhere, covering Arula from every direction. There were sounds of terrified screams as innocent people tried to escape the flames but had failed. There was the sound of a distant screech coming from above as more flames plagued Karma's world. She stood in the center of it all, watching it all in terror.

Her friends, the ones she now calls family, were perishing in the flames and all she could do was watch. Nothing was worse than watching the ones you love get devour by flames. She suddenly heard a terrible sound, a sound so terrible that she didn't want to hear it again. The cloaked man suddenly appeared in her vision, his laugh echoing in her head. "This is your world now, Creator." She heard him echo. "You might as well as get use to the sight of it." And just as quickly as the vision appeared, it was gone. The only sign left from it was the echoing of the cloaked man's words and laughter. Karma laid on the bed breathing hard. As she laid there, she had a dreadful feeling that whatever was going on, it had something to with him.

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