The Fourth Dimension Part 3
Ok, as promised, here's the final part of my short story trilogy. It's the longest part and I completed it on April 1st, 2012. Happy Easter btw. We don't usually do too much for Easter, but I insisted, so my mom left me a candy surprise by my door this morning. :) Also, Grammy's coming over for dinner. We're having ribs. On to the story
Thirteen years had passed since Wendell had lost his friend the white dragon, Crystalline, Great Protector of the Tookalocs of the Great Plains. He had reached the ripe age of seventy, which was near middle-age in a Tookaloc’s life span. Tookalocs are furry creatures with webbed feet, bat-like ears, insect jaws and eyes, and a lion-like tail.
They had lived in peace since Wendell himself banished the dark demon Xados forever from their home planet of Nyreed. They were safe once more, but it came at a sacrifice of their Great Protector. It was not known what exactly had happened to Crystalline. The stone dragon still stood upon the cliff in which he and his fellow Great Protectors, Cumulus and Centraclops had battled to fend off Xados. Was Crystalline still inside the stone or was he elsewhere, or was he possibly dead?
Wendell leaned back on his wooden chair inside his cosy home letting those old memories fill his mind. He thought of his old Monrat friend, Burly. He remembered the adventures they had together. He remembered how he hated to fly with him because Tookalocs are not meant to fly. They are mainly ground dwellers, much suited for gathering nuts and berries rather than catching fish, but he couldn’t deny Burly’s skydiving fishing abilities.
Burly had since started a family of his own, and so had Wendell. He glanced over at his wife Tera sitting on the chair next to him. It was soon after the dragon was gone, that he and Burly had found new love. He hadn’t actually seen Burly in quite a while. He hoped he was well.
Letting his thoughts fade once more, Wendell returned to the book he was reading. It was a very important read to him. He needed to focus. However, no sooner had Wendell read a couple pages, he was interrupted by a really grating sound. It was very high pitched.
“Arghh what is that?” He said, looking around for the source of the sound.
Tera looked over at him. “I think it’s coming from upstairs.”
Wendell got up and started heading up the wood steps. Sure enough, the sound grew louder the higher he went. He found the room in which he could hear the screeching behind the door. He opened it.
“Beevu, what are you doing??? What is that thing???”
Beevu was Wendell’s son of thirteen years. He was a very inventive young Tookaloc for his age. He held some sort of instrument in his hands. It was carved from a tree branch, the end of which formed a C-shape. Attached to it was a very fine sinew, which Beevu plucked emitting a vibration that was piercing to Wendell’s ears.
“It’s an Ariole. I made it.” Said Beevu peacefully.
“That--that is a horrible sound. Please, put it away!” Wendell said as he covered his ears.
“But, I like it.”
“I don’t want to hear it anymore! I need to concentrate. Don’t you see this...thing is distracting me?”
Beevu started to frown. “I don’t want to.”
“Now look, you’re going to stop playing that, or I’m not going to let you go outside tomorrow! Imagine such a thing, making such a horrible sound!” Wendell grumbled.
Beevu looked about ready to cry as Wendell closed the door and went back downstairs. “Was I too harsh?” Wendell thought to himself. It was important that he got back to his book.
Beevu sat on his bed looking down on his Ariole, with sadness. “What was wrong with it?” He thought. It sounded perfectly fine to him. He held the instrument close to his heart. He wanted to go somewhere his music was better appreciated, where he himself would be better appreciated. His father just didn’t understand. So, it was settled then. Once his mother and father were asleep he would sneak out and find his own way. He would set off to find a new place, where he could dream and play his Ariole in peace.
Wendell plopped back down on his favorite chair and reopened his book, but as soon as he flipped a page he felt Tera’s eyes on him. He looked over at her quizzically, “What?” he said.
“Did your conversation with Beevu go ok?”
“I think so.”
“But I heard you yelling. What happened?”
“It’s his instrument. I can’t think straight when he plays it. I told him to stop. You know I’m working so hard to study here. I need to find out how to help my friend. It’s been so long...” He sighed.
“You know how much Beevu loves music. What’s so wrong with letting him enjoy that? Wendell, I may not have known you when you were young, but I do remember the stories you’ve told me--how much you wanted to be yourself and do your own thing.” Tera smiled.
Wendell heaved another sigh, “I just feel like there’s a time for that, and right now I need my time..for this.” He pointed at his book. “I might be running out of time.”
In response, Tera shook her head knowing Wendell was so determined, but she wondered whether or not it was worth it. She watched as Wendell continued to read until he could no longer keep his eyes open and he was soon fast asleep. Then she covered him with a woolly blanket and went to sleep herself.
It was the right time, the perfect time, to sneak out. He had overheard his parents talking. He didn’t know what friend his father referred to, but he didn’t really care. His dad didn’t care, so why should he? As he crept downstairs, he made sure he didn’t step on any loose boards that could squeak. Then making doubly sure he didn’t wake his parents as he sneaked past them, he slipped out the door, Ariole in hand.
The night colored the landscape gray, the blue moon shining brightly as a source of light. Beevu walked down the short distance to the large familiar field of his Great Plains home. He scanned for a nice oak tree to sit under. He set his sights on a nice one and settled in. Then he pulled out his Ariole and began to play. As he plucked a few notes, he heard an extra noise up in the leaves above him.
“Brrrooow!” Went the sound.
Beevu cocked his head up, trying to see what was up there. “Uh...hello?” He said.
He watched as a little creature skittered down the trunk. It then halted, staring at Beevu and opened its mouth, emitting the sound again through its hollow tongue. “Brrrooow!”
“Oh, I think you’re a Gooper.”
A Gooper is a little lizard that is capable of creating music through its hollow tongue. It must have heard Beevu playing and wanted to contribute. Beevu plucked his Ariole again and sure enough the Gooper called back to him.
“At least someone can appreciate my music, even if they don’t talk.”
Beevu looked down to the ground again, but he realized he could hear yet another sound fixed between his instrument and the Gooper’s tooting. “What is that?” He said.
He stood up and turned his large ears tuning in, trying to locate the source. It sounded like a high frequency and very distant. He wanted to know where it was coming from and what was causing it, so he decided to follow it. The sound was coming from far off beyond into a place that Beevu had never ventured before.
The Gooper had since crawled back up into the tree, and Beevu made off on his journey. He had never been on a real adventure before. What better time to start than now?
After walking for a half hour, the landscape changed. Ahead of him lay a vast wasteland of desert. If he was to continue on and follow that ringing sound, which captured his attention, he would have to journey through the desert. It seemed endless, but Beevu just couldn’t help himself. He desperately wanted to know what the sound was. So, he began walking the soft sand with the moon at his back.
Two hours of walking and Beevu was beginning to get very tired and thirsty. He had stayed up all night, and dawn was beginning to break. He could feel the first rays of the sun hitting his fur covered back. He wasn’t going to last much longer. He needed water and sleep. Tookalocs were not made for desert climes, yet he pressed on, eyes drooping.
“I must...find out,” but Beevu couldn’t because the next step took him to the ground in a collapsed heap.
Wendell was having a terrible nightmare. In his dream, he saw Crystalline. He was alive and flying fast away from something dark and evil. It was the demon Xados. He rose over the land covering it in shadow. The crystal at the end of the dragon’s tail was glowing, but only very faintly. He was growing weak. Wendell simply watched as the dragon became unable to fly and landed himself in a desert. Crystalline faded away only to be replaced by Wendell's son Beevu. The demon had caught up by now and flashed the Tookaloc an eerie grin. His red eyes were transfixed.
“I have you now!” the words poured out of the demon’s cruel lips. Beevu just stood and stared, unable to move. The demon raised his arms and thrust them forward with earth-shattering power. The force stirred the desert into action, swirling into an unstoppable whirlwind.
Wendell was powerless to do anything. He watched helplessly as his only child was swallowed up by the storm.
“Noooo!” He yelled himself awake and came back to reality. It was just a dream, he thought. Wendell’s wife was also awakened by his scream.
“Are you OK Wendell? Did you have a bad dream?”
“Yes. I saw Crystalline, and Xados...he was back. The demon was chasing him and then...Crystalline became Beevu and...it was horrible. He was gone Tera.”
Tera placed her small hand into Wendell’s in comfort. “It’s OK now. Beevu is safe in bed.”
“Maybe I should check on him to be sure.” Wendell climbed the steps up to Beevu’s room and opened the door a crack. The sheets of Beevu’s bed remained untouched. To Wendell’s horror, Beevu was not there. He was not safe and sleeping soundly. He was gone!
Wendell ran back downstairs in a panic. “Beevu’s gone! Our son is gone!”
Tera looked up at him. “No...you’re sure?”
“He’s not in bed. Where could he have gone? Do you think...it’s something I said last night?”
“I saw you Wendell, and you were pretty angry. I’ve thought this before but I’ve never voiced my opinion. Don’t you think it’s time you set aside trying to help Crystalline for a little while? Beevu needs you. He needs you to be a father.”
Wendell seemed to shrink back a little in shame. The comment stung. Then an expression of realization flooded his face. “I’ve got to find him,” he said quietly, yet solemnly. Gathering up some left over berries for rations, he placed his hand on the door.
Tera said to him, “Be careful out there Wendell. Stay safe.”
Wendell nodded, “I will, and I will bring Beevu back.” He left, shutting the door behind him.
A shadow approached the body of the young Tookaloc. It was another furry creature, kangaroo-like from earth perspective. It had large circular feet, perfectly suited for traveling long distances across the desert. It didn’t know what to make of the thing that lay face down on the sand in front of him. He gave the small animal a quick sniff. It didn’t move, but it didn’t smell dead. The creature then nudged Beevu with his nose. The Tookaloc squirmed to life and slowly opened his eyes.
Beevu was staring at another pair of eyes looking down at him. “Aaahhh!” he screamed. He scrambled to his feet breathing fast. He had to remember where he was for a second. He had been walking for hours. That was the last thing he remembered. He was a little disoriented. At this moment the creature standing about ten feet above him smiled and spoke.
“Well, what are you, little fella? I think I just saved your life.”
“I’m--” Beevu started but then he fell back down in the sand.
“Oh, right. You’re not from the desert are ya? Why, you must be thirsty. Come on. Hop on my back. I know where some water is. Name’s Ornet, by the way. I’m an Oola.” Ornet’s pointy ear twitched and he lowered his long neck so Beevu could climb onto his back. Beevu looked around. He was unsure of this beast, but it didn't appear to want to eat him. So, he mounted the creature and got into position. “Best hold on now,” said Ornet.
Ornet swiftly carried Beevu across the desert. It was a long distance sprint, the Oola’s rounded feet barely made any indentations in the sand. It was almost as though they were gliding along the ground. Only a few minutes had passed when they had arrived at their destination. It was a small oasis in the middle of the desert featuring a cool blue pond and shaded by palms. Ornet set Beevu down in front of one the trees. Beevu splashed his face with water and took a good long drink.
“Thanks a lot.” He said.
“It was my pleasure, would you mind telling me your name and what a furry creature like you might be doing out in the desert?” the Oola asked curiously.
“My name’s Beevu. I’m a Tookaloc and I...there it is again!” Beevu perked his ear up to hear the familiar ringing once more.
“Huh?” Ornet also raised one ear.
“It’s that sound. That’s why I came out here. I’m trying to find out where it’s coming from.”
“I think I can hear what your talkin’ about. I haven’t heard anything like that before.”
“Do you know what it is?” Asked Beevu.
Ornet shook his head. “But I think I know where it may be coming from.”
“Where?”
“A ways from here, there’s a lot of ice and snow. Up north. My ears tell me that’s where it may be.”
Beevu felt a need to continue his journey. He looked hopefully at Ornet.
“Do you think you could take me there?”
“Well seeing as you're all by yourself, I suppose I could. You’re young aren’t ya? I could transport you, keep you safe from predators. Snow is not for me though, so I’m afraid I can’t follow you there. All right then, I’ll take you. Hop on.”
Beevu hopped on gratefully. “Thank you so much.” And they were off once more.
Racing through the desert, Beevu felt the hot air blasting his fur covered face. They were covering a great distance in such a short period of time. The Oola was very fast. Eventually he could feel the temperature ever so slightly drop, and the humidity increased. The terrain began to change to a grassy tundra. Ornet slowed down a bit as they approached a mountain pass. There was quite a bit of snow at the foot of the mountain itself and that’s where Ornet stopped.
“And here’s where I let ya off.”
Beevu slid down off Ornet’s back, and the mysterious sound was calling to him once more, this time noticeably louder. He was in the right place. He could tell the sound was coming right through the narrow mountain pass.
“Thank you for all your help,” Beevu turned to the Oola in appreciation.
“No problem. I hope you find what you’re looking for. Take care now.”
And with that, Ornet bounded off away again back to his desert home.
Beevu turned back to the pass. Proceeding forward with his Ariole kept close, he entered, once again following the ringing, which called him. He wondered what secrets he might find.
Setting foot outside, Wendell thought about where he could look for Beevu. Where could he have possibly gone? He was out there all alone without protection. His mind raced, Oh Beevu, I’m sorry I got mad. I was so wrapped up in...now I might have lost you too! He couldn’t bear the thought, and brought his mind back into focus. He happened to glance down and noticed small footprints in the moist ground. They were definitely Beevu's. At least that gave him something to go on. He could see which direction he was headed in.
The tracks stopped at the foot of a large oak tree, but that was where they vanished. Only grass surrounded the tree. No further sign of Beevu anywhere. Wendell sat himself down by the tree. Where to now? Then he heard something skittering down the tree trunk. It was a little Gooper lizard. It stared at Wendell.
“Brrrow!” It uttered.
“What do you want?” Wendell asked curiously.
The lizard leaped off the tree and crawled past Wendell up to the edge of the hill the Tookaloc was sitting on. It glanced across the horizon for a second and then looked back to Wendell. He gave another quick toot.
“Brrrrow!”
Wendell looked to where the Gooper drew its attention. Desert. Nothing but desert out there. The Gooper tooted again insistently.
“Brrrow!”
Wendell gasped. “Are you saying Beevu went that way?”
The little lizard gave a slight nod, which Wendell took as an affirmative.
“No.” Wendell said quietly. It was just like his dream. His only son, swallowed whole by the demon Xados out in the desert. Fear took hold of his mind. No longer would he be walking on this journey. Run, his feet were saying to him now.
Beevu made his way slowly and silently through the narrow mountain pass. A bit of snow was on the ground. Most had already melted away in the approach of spring. The two walls of the mountain towered over him at each side. He advanced deeper and deeper into the mountains. The air was very still. Feeling uncomfortable with the silence, he plucked a few strings on his Ariole to break the dead air. As if in response, a gust of wind channeled down through the pass. Beevu looked up and felt the sudden blast of air against his face. Unfortunately, the distraction of the wind kept his eyes off the path ahead. His right webbed foot slipped out from under him at the sudden change in elevation. The ground collapsed, and he found himself on the ride of his life sliding into the underground innards of the mountain.
The desert was no place for Wendell. How could Beevu have wandered out this far? He was beginning to wonder if he would ever find him out here. He grew increasingly worried. Strong winds blew across the hot sands, erasing any trace of footprints. Wendell grabbed one of the berries from his rations, crushed it with his powerful jaws, and sucked the juice out. It was a momentary relief and possibly would keep him hydrated, but not for long.
He felt a pang of emotion deep in his heart. He was beginning to lose hope. He had no idea where he was or which direction he should be headed. What if his dream was true? What if Xados had gotten to Beevu? He didn’t even want to entertain the idea. He could never forgive himself if that were the case. He thought back to what he said to his son last night. He didn’t want that to be the last words Beevu heard.
Nonsense, Wendell thought. I was once known as Wendell the Hero. I stopped those fire breathing Wolfees from destroying my village. I will not give up! I will find my son! Beevu was smart like he. He knew that. He is alive. He must be!
So Wendell pressed forward. He wouldn’t give up for Crystalline nor Beevu! He put a hand up to his to his eyes to block the sun and scanned the area trying to make a decision on where to go next. He saw something moving towards him. Something large and fast. His eyes widened.
Beevu was flat on the ground at the base of a deep cavern, his face buried in snow. A very familiar sound filled his ears. He tilted one of his ears towards the ringing. This is it, he thought. I’m here. I literally fell right to it! He slowly got up and brushed the snow off his face. Right in front of him was this brilliant blue light. He squinted and tried to make out the object that was emitting such a brilliant luminescence. It was a crystal. Rich deep blue in color, it chased away the darkness of the cave. It sat there floating in mid-air above a spire. To the right of it, were other crystals, but they were white and elongated in shape.
“This is what was making all that noise?” Beevu said to no one in particular. “It’s beautiful. What is it doing here?”
He couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from the magnificent object. Something so mystical as this must surely be magic. The sweet music he could hear so distinctly summoned him forward daring him to touch it. It occurred to him, it was somewhat similar to the music he played on his Ariole, but much more magnified. He took a step closer to the crystal, and then another and another. He reached out and placed his small hand on the crystal, and then...nothing happened.
Wendell, feeling alarmed at this giant creature rapidly approaching him, quickly pulled out his bow. But the creature slowed down, and its large feet came to a halt sending small dust clouds in the air.
“Well look at that, it’s another one!” he said to Wendell grinning.
Wendell didn’t lower his bow. Instead he fixated on the beast with a fierce glare.
“Who are you? Why were you racing towards me? If you’re gonna eat me, I have to warn you, I’m tough.”
The Oola shook with laughter at the Tookaloc. “Relax friend. I’m not here to harm you. The name’s Ornet. I’m an Oola and I don’t eat meat.” He opened his mouth to reveal mashing molars. There were no canines in sight.
Wendell finally lowered his bow. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just a little on edge.”
“How so friend?” Ornet asked.
Wendell looked sad again at the thought of his son lost and all alone. “It’s my son Beevu. He has run away from home. I’m trying to find him.”
“Beevu, you say? Why I happened to find another small Tookaloc with that name just a few hours earlier. You say he’s your son?”
Wendell’s eyes brightened in surprise. Beevu was alive! There was still hope after all!
“Yes! That’s him! Tell me, which way did he go?”
The Oola gave Wendell a look of concern, smiled, and then gently pat Wendell on the head with his paw.
“Now don’t you worry sir. I know exactly where he went because I took him there. In fact, I can take you there. It’s not far as an Oola runs. Go ahead and get on my back and I’ll take you.”
“Oh thank you so much. I’m in your debt. All I want is my little boy home.” Wendell grabbed a hold of Ornet’s fur and climbed up.
“Of course. Nothing like a father’s love.”
Wendell started to fully realize the truth in that statement and wanted to rectify it. But before he could think about how he would do just that, they were off in a rush.
The blue crystal simply continued its song carrying Beevu away with its music. Perhaps this is what he came for, even if he couldn’t discern what the crystal was used for nor why he had found it deep underneath the mountain. He scooped up some snow from the ground into a pile and sat on it staring at the deep blue of the crystal. He then pulled out his Ariole and began to play. The reverberations of the crystal as well as his instrument blended together innately.
The two tones were suddenly interrupted by the sound of crash behind him. Beevu looked over his shoulder to see...it was his father, flat on the snow. His father!
“Dad!?” He gasped. Beevu went quickly to Wendell’s side and helped him up.
Wendell breathed heavily, out of breath from his exhaustion in his journey to find his son.
“You...” He heaved. “...are in big trouble.” Wendell rushed up and caught Beevu in his arms in a strong hug. He grabbed a hold of his fur and looked at his son directly in the eyes. “What were you thinking??? Running off. Do you have any idea how hard I’ve been trying to find you???”
Beevu looked down.“I just...wanted to be alone with my music.” Then he looked back up to Wendell again, in irritation. “What do you care anyway? You don’t care about this!” He said pulling out his Ariole. “And you don’t care about me. Why don’t you care!? I just don’t understand.” Tears were threatening to release. Wendell didn’t care about him. That was why he was here, far away, with the crystal.
Wendell’s ears drooped and he shook his head sadly.
“I do care,” he said softly. “That’s why I’m here. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be here. But that’s not it. I was wrong Beevu. I admit that. I’ve done some thinking while I was looking for you. It made me reevaluate the way I’ve been acting with you and I’m really sorry. There’s something I need to tell you and should have told you a long time ago.”
Beevu shifted. “What is it?”
“A short time before you were hatched, there was a great battle back in the Great Plains. My friend, Crystalline the dragon, who is our Great Protector had foreseen a great evil coming to the land. He and the other Great Protectors of the sea, sky, and forest joined him in the fight for their lives against the demon Xados. I along with my friend Burly the Monrat helped. I was told to find a red diamond, which would destroy Xados, and I did find the diamond, only...it was at the cost of perhaps losing Crystalline and he knew this. That dragon statue that stands in the middle of the plains, which I’m sure you’ve seen...that’s him. Crystalline was turned to stone. The other Great Protectors however told me that there was still a chance I may be able to save him. Ever since, after all this time, I’ve been trying to find a way to bring Crystalline back. I’ve been looking in books, trying to find answers, but to no avail. So you see, this whole time I’ve been trying to find a way to save Crystalline, my friend.”
Wendell’s story just seemed to serve to upset Beevu further.
“Why didn’t you tell me!?” He pushed Wendell in the stomach and cried.
Wendell placed his hand on Beevu’s head. “I was so caught up in trying to figure out how to save Crystalline, I just didn’t...think of telling you. When I was trying to find you, I realized that, and how wrong I was and I didn’t want to lose you too. Do you forgive me?”
Beevu briefly looked down at his feet. “Maybe.”
“But why have you come out all this way, alone? You could have been hurt!”
“I was trying to find a place to be alone, when I heard this mysterious sound coming from a great distance. I got curious and wanted to know what it was, so I followed the source of the sound and it led me here. Look.”
Beevu pointed back behind him to the beautiful blue crystal, which continued to hum its melodious song.
Wendell blinked and walked towards it, looking on in wonder. “This is what you found?”
Beevu nodded, “Uh huh. Don’t you hear it? Don’t you hear the music?”
Wendell didn’t hear a thing. He shook his head no. But there was something curious about it, pulling him in. He reached out his hand towards the shimmering crystal, but withdrew his hand just before touching. “You better take a hold of my hand first, son.”
Beevu obeyed his father and held on. Wendell made contact. A strong pulse of energy enveloped the both of them. It tugged at the very fiber of their beings, pulling them towards the crystal. Matter reshaped itself, and then...they were inside the crystal.
Darkness. There was total darkness, that is until Wendell decided to open his eyes a crack. The darkness was replaced by deep blue surrounding him. The walls on all sides were hard and reflective. Still holding Beevu’s hand they both stared at each other's reflections. No longer in the cave anymore, the area they found themselves in must have been fifty times larger. Suddenly a large shadow swooped above them and an even larger shadow followed it. Wendell backed against the crystal walls taken aback at what existed inside this crystal. He was unsure until the first creature flew a little closer and flashed a familiar white. It was Crystalline the dragon! He was alive! His crystal at the end of his tail was glowing furiously as he tried to fight back against the menace he faced. The menace was of course the evil demon Xados.
When Wendell had utilized the power of the red diamond he must have entrapped both the dragon and the demon together. Nyreed was free from harm, but all this time the two of them under the spell of the red diamond were whisked far away deep inside the mountain and inside the blue crystal. For the past thirteen years, the two of them had been battling each other.
Xados’s red eyes narrowed to slits. He spread his arms wide, blasting Crystalline against the crystal walls. He crashed down right next to Wendell.
“Wendell...” he said panting, “You’re here. You’ve heard the song of the crystal.”
Wendell crept toward him and put his tiny hand on Crystalline’s giant scaly leg. “I am. What song of the crystal?”
“The song I called you with. The song you heard from the blue crystal. It brought you here.”
Wendell shook his head. “No. I didn’t hear it, but Beevu can...I guess. He’s my son. He followed the music here.”
Crystalline craned his neck over to where Beevu was sitting, fiddling with his instrument. Beevu looked up curiously at the enormous draconian lying before him.
“You...” Crystalline blinked his blue pupil-less eyes.
Beevu cocked his head. “Me?”
“You heard the crystal and came.” Crystalline breathed deeply.“But Wendell hears nothing.”
Wendell felt like he was entirely missing something. The dragon had called for him, he couldn’t hear it, but Beevu did. Why? After all these years Crystalline was here, still striking back against Xados.
Speaking of Xados, he had been looking on on the three with great displeasure. Finally realizing they had stopped talking, he spoke himself.
“What a pleasant reunion,” his voice boomed. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d very much like to finish you all off. I don’t have eternity.”
Crystalline rose again to his feet. “Emato regar chindal garthe.” Crystalline spoke in dragontongue. “You shall not harm them!” His mouth opened, blasting icy fire at his old target. He was still the Great Protector to the Tookalocs, even here. Xados would not win. With one mighty flap of his wings he launched himself into flight again continuing the ages long battle. But this time he wasn’t alone. Wendell wouldn’t let Xados kill Crystalline. He rushed underneath Xados trying to create a distraction. It might have been a risky plan, but it was worth a shot. He had to do something to get the demon’s attention off the dragon.
“Hey! Down here! You want me? Come get me!” Wendell jumped up and waved his hands about. Xados paid no attention to the small creature before him. So, Wendell tried something that would for sure get his attention. He pulled out his bow and let fly an arrow straight into Xados's foot.
“Arrrghh!” He growled at the minor prick.
The demon glanced down at Wendell. Now Wendell had to move fast, but it was too late. Xados’s meaty palm swung downward and swatted the Tookaloc away with his sharp nails. Wendell was knocked against the side of the crystal, hitting his head and falling unconsciously to the ground. His furry little body bore scratches from the powerful nails.
“You’re dessert,” the demon said simply.
Beevu who had been cautiously observing the epic battle from the sidelines, now stood up. “No! Father!”
Crystalline too, gasped at the sight of the unconscious Tookaloc. “Wendell...no.” He whispered. Flying at Xados in a rage, he directed his icy fire once more at the demon. Xados simply dodged the pathetic attempt. He was just too fast for the dragon to keep up with.
“Is this the best you can do?” Xados laughed.
Beevu felt helpless. His father was out cold. What can I do? He’s so much larger and more powerful than I am. Beevu pulled his Ariole close to his furry body and began to pluck the homemade strings. A song would help him think. As he did so, the vibrations of the strings were amplified by the blue crystal. It bounced and echoed off the walls and straight to Xados’s ears. VOOOOOOOM!!! went the Ariole. The high frequency sound pierced Xados’s dark soul and he halted in his tracks.
“Arrrrrghhh! What is that!?” He held his hands over his pointy ears. Scowling and in tormented pain, he couldn’t escape the noise. “Stop!” But after noticing the effect on the demon, Beevu continued to play. This was it. The window of opportunity flung wide open.
“Keep playing!” Crystalline said. “The music is working!” The crystal on the dragon’s tail once again began to glow. The time was now. Time to finish it. Crystalline glided towards the paralyzed Xados. With one last breath he unleashed his icy fire finally hitting his target. Now powerless, the demon began to freeze solid. Once the process completed he shattered into a million pieces. Everywhere pieces of iced demon ricocheted. Beevu quickly ducked as a piece of demon horn nearly speared him.
Crystalline landed right beside Wendell’s son amidst all the flying pieces. “We’re going to have to get out of here. Get on my back. I’ll grab Wendell.”
Beevu nodded and looked down at Wendell’s unconscious body. He saw that he was still breathing. Thank the stars. Beevu promised himself he’d never run away again as long as his father lived. Nothing mattered more than that. Beevu swallowed back guilt and climbed on the dragon’s back. He had never ridden a dragon before. In fact, he had never even seen a dragon before. It was only now after the duel he could fully appreciate this experience. Crystalline gently lifted Wendell from the floor onto his back. “May the Fourth Dimension be on your side,” He whispered into Wendell’s ear. Together, all three began their escape from the blue crystal. Matter compressed inward, threatening to crush them, but it didn’t. Instead, it reshaped them back into reality outside the crystal.
They were back underneath the mountain, but not yet out of danger. The blue crystal they came from was now vibrating intensely. It was threatening to explode.
“Here we go!” Crystalline shouted. He began to ascend the mountain heading straight through the very peak. Beevu hung on tightly to Wendell and braced himself for the impact.
And they were out. They were still alive. Yet the dragon continued to climb another few thousand feet and then stopped. Down below them the power of the blue crystal unleashed. Several beams of light burst forth, scattering across Nyreed in all different directions. Miles away, the stone figure of Crystalline crumbled to pieces. The spell that had held him was broken with Xados’s death.
“It’s done.” The Great Protector said.
Crystalline flew his companions home. It didn’t take long, only a few wingbeats as a dragon flies. Landing near Wendell and Beevu’s house, Beevu slipped down to the ground. Crystalline lightly set Wendell on the grass and stared intently at the young Tookaloc.
“He is badly injured, but I think we are not too late yet. I believe I should be able to heal him.”
“Then please Crystalline! Save my father!” Beevu said.
Crystalline dipped his head down and curled his crystal tipped tail towards Wendell’s body. It illuminated him with its power. At first there was no sign it was working, however slowly Wendell’s eyes began moving around under the lids. Then his wounds began to heal. His eyes blinked open and he sat up and shook his head.
“Ugh...what happened?” He groaned.
Beevu leaped on top of him with joy. “Dad!”
“Ow! Careful, I’m still a little tender.” Wendell smiled in the only way a Tookaloc can without teeth. “Where are we?” He asked.
“I’m glad you’re all right my friend. We’re home.” Crystalline said.
“Home? What happened to the crystal? What happened to Xados?”
“He is gone. I’ve finally defeated him, and with Beevu’s help...”
Wendell looked over to his son. “Beevu?”
“Yes, without his instrument he has there, I wouldn’t have been able to destroy the demon. I would have been fighting him forever. But you see, that’s why I called you with my tail’s crystal. Only, you were not the one meant to help.”
“What do you mean?” Wendell asked.
Crystalline breathed a sigh. “Wendell, after all these years, I believed you had a special gift. Your heroic deeds for example, in fending off the Wolfees which attacked your village, and also your aid during the great battle against Xados. I thought for sure it meant that you were the one who possessed the gift.”
Wendell was more confused than ever. “Come again?”
“I called you, but instead your son came. He came because he hears the music of the crystal. But you didn’t hear it did you? ‘Only one who receives the power of the fourth dimension may defeat the great evil’ It is a prophecy passed down to each Great Protector. All of us, the Great Protectors, once sealed Xados to his fate, yet it was only temporary. The one with the gift had to be the one to defeat Xados. I assumed this was you because of your heroism, but I was wrong. No, the one with the gift of the Fourth Dimension is Beevu.” He turned towards him now. “Yes, you.”
Beevu was just as surprised as Wendell. “Me? But I’m not a hero. I just got curious and...”
“And you found me and you helped me defeat Xados. You carry the power of the Fourth Dimension. That is why you can hear the high frequencies of crystals.” He placed a clawed finger near Beevu’s heart.
“But what’s the Fourth Dimension?”
“It’s a higher realm than here, or so I’m told. It’s what connects us and creates order.”
Beevu didn’t know what else to say other than “Wow.” He thought he was just an ordinary Tookaloc without much other than his music, yet now he just learned he had a power. Wendell didn’t know what to make of it either. After fighting for his family and friends all these years, he supposed someone needed to carry on his legacy. He felt he could only say to his son, what he had meant to say to him for years: “I’m proud of you son.” Together they hugged and Crystalline wrapped his wing around them joining the embrace.
“Now, I’m guessing you will want to get back to your wife Wendell?”
After being so caught up in the moment, he forgot the entire reason he left home.
“Oh yes! Tera! She'll be so happy we’re back home safely. You’ll still be around, right Crystalline?”
The great dragon nodded his big head. “Of course. A Great Protector’s job is never finished. Farewell Wendell and Beevu! My friends.” And with a mighty wing beat he was up and off again. Wendell didn’t know when he might see him again, but he was so glad the dragon was back in the world again.
The two Tookalocs walked up to their house and together they pushed the door open.
Tera got up from her chair at the sight of her husband and son who had just entered. “Wendell! Beevu! You’re finally home! I was worried sick about you! I began thinking the worst.”
“You don’t have to worry anymore honey.” He said as he hugged her. “I found Beevu.”
“Where was he? Where have you been?”
“Well, it’s a long story...” So Wendell recounted the tale to his wife. He also told her of their son’s new role, of whom he would never lose sight of ever again both in Nyreed and in his heart.
The End
Thirteen years had passed since Wendell had lost his friend the white dragon, Crystalline, Great Protector of the Tookalocs of the Great Plains. He had reached the ripe age of seventy, which was near middle-age in a Tookaloc’s life span. Tookalocs are furry creatures with webbed feet, bat-like ears, insect jaws and eyes, and a lion-like tail.
They had lived in peace since Wendell himself banished the dark demon Xados forever from their home planet of Nyreed. They were safe once more, but it came at a sacrifice of their Great Protector. It was not known what exactly had happened to Crystalline. The stone dragon still stood upon the cliff in which he and his fellow Great Protectors, Cumulus and Centraclops had battled to fend off Xados. Was Crystalline still inside the stone or was he elsewhere, or was he possibly dead?
Wendell leaned back on his wooden chair inside his cosy home letting those old memories fill his mind. He thought of his old Monrat friend, Burly. He remembered the adventures they had together. He remembered how he hated to fly with him because Tookalocs are not meant to fly. They are mainly ground dwellers, much suited for gathering nuts and berries rather than catching fish, but he couldn’t deny Burly’s skydiving fishing abilities.
Burly had since started a family of his own, and so had Wendell. He glanced over at his wife Tera sitting on the chair next to him. It was soon after the dragon was gone, that he and Burly had found new love. He hadn’t actually seen Burly in quite a while. He hoped he was well.
Letting his thoughts fade once more, Wendell returned to the book he was reading. It was a very important read to him. He needed to focus. However, no sooner had Wendell read a couple pages, he was interrupted by a really grating sound. It was very high pitched.
“Arghh what is that?” He said, looking around for the source of the sound.
Tera looked over at him. “I think it’s coming from upstairs.”
Wendell got up and started heading up the wood steps. Sure enough, the sound grew louder the higher he went. He found the room in which he could hear the screeching behind the door. He opened it.
“Beevu, what are you doing??? What is that thing???”
Beevu was Wendell’s son of thirteen years. He was a very inventive young Tookaloc for his age. He held some sort of instrument in his hands. It was carved from a tree branch, the end of which formed a C-shape. Attached to it was a very fine sinew, which Beevu plucked emitting a vibration that was piercing to Wendell’s ears.
“It’s an Ariole. I made it.” Said Beevu peacefully.
“That--that is a horrible sound. Please, put it away!” Wendell said as he covered his ears.
“But, I like it.”
“I don’t want to hear it anymore! I need to concentrate. Don’t you see this...thing is distracting me?”
Beevu started to frown. “I don’t want to.”
“Now look, you’re going to stop playing that, or I’m not going to let you go outside tomorrow! Imagine such a thing, making such a horrible sound!” Wendell grumbled.
Beevu looked about ready to cry as Wendell closed the door and went back downstairs. “Was I too harsh?” Wendell thought to himself. It was important that he got back to his book.
Beevu sat on his bed looking down on his Ariole, with sadness. “What was wrong with it?” He thought. It sounded perfectly fine to him. He held the instrument close to his heart. He wanted to go somewhere his music was better appreciated, where he himself would be better appreciated. His father just didn’t understand. So, it was settled then. Once his mother and father were asleep he would sneak out and find his own way. He would set off to find a new place, where he could dream and play his Ariole in peace.
Wendell plopped back down on his favorite chair and reopened his book, but as soon as he flipped a page he felt Tera’s eyes on him. He looked over at her quizzically, “What?” he said.
“Did your conversation with Beevu go ok?”
“I think so.”
“But I heard you yelling. What happened?”
“It’s his instrument. I can’t think straight when he plays it. I told him to stop. You know I’m working so hard to study here. I need to find out how to help my friend. It’s been so long...” He sighed.
“You know how much Beevu loves music. What’s so wrong with letting him enjoy that? Wendell, I may not have known you when you were young, but I do remember the stories you’ve told me--how much you wanted to be yourself and do your own thing.” Tera smiled.
Wendell heaved another sigh, “I just feel like there’s a time for that, and right now I need my time..for this.” He pointed at his book. “I might be running out of time.”
In response, Tera shook her head knowing Wendell was so determined, but she wondered whether or not it was worth it. She watched as Wendell continued to read until he could no longer keep his eyes open and he was soon fast asleep. Then she covered him with a woolly blanket and went to sleep herself.
It was the right time, the perfect time, to sneak out. He had overheard his parents talking. He didn’t know what friend his father referred to, but he didn’t really care. His dad didn’t care, so why should he? As he crept downstairs, he made sure he didn’t step on any loose boards that could squeak. Then making doubly sure he didn’t wake his parents as he sneaked past them, he slipped out the door, Ariole in hand.
The night colored the landscape gray, the blue moon shining brightly as a source of light. Beevu walked down the short distance to the large familiar field of his Great Plains home. He scanned for a nice oak tree to sit under. He set his sights on a nice one and settled in. Then he pulled out his Ariole and began to play. As he plucked a few notes, he heard an extra noise up in the leaves above him.
“Brrrooow!” Went the sound.
Beevu cocked his head up, trying to see what was up there. “Uh...hello?” He said.
He watched as a little creature skittered down the trunk. It then halted, staring at Beevu and opened its mouth, emitting the sound again through its hollow tongue. “Brrrooow!”
“Oh, I think you’re a Gooper.”
A Gooper is a little lizard that is capable of creating music through its hollow tongue. It must have heard Beevu playing and wanted to contribute. Beevu plucked his Ariole again and sure enough the Gooper called back to him.
“At least someone can appreciate my music, even if they don’t talk.”
Beevu looked down to the ground again, but he realized he could hear yet another sound fixed between his instrument and the Gooper’s tooting. “What is that?” He said.
He stood up and turned his large ears tuning in, trying to locate the source. It sounded like a high frequency and very distant. He wanted to know where it was coming from and what was causing it, so he decided to follow it. The sound was coming from far off beyond into a place that Beevu had never ventured before.
The Gooper had since crawled back up into the tree, and Beevu made off on his journey. He had never been on a real adventure before. What better time to start than now?
After walking for a half hour, the landscape changed. Ahead of him lay a vast wasteland of desert. If he was to continue on and follow that ringing sound, which captured his attention, he would have to journey through the desert. It seemed endless, but Beevu just couldn’t help himself. He desperately wanted to know what the sound was. So, he began walking the soft sand with the moon at his back.
Two hours of walking and Beevu was beginning to get very tired and thirsty. He had stayed up all night, and dawn was beginning to break. He could feel the first rays of the sun hitting his fur covered back. He wasn’t going to last much longer. He needed water and sleep. Tookalocs were not made for desert climes, yet he pressed on, eyes drooping.
“I must...find out,” but Beevu couldn’t because the next step took him to the ground in a collapsed heap.
Wendell was having a terrible nightmare. In his dream, he saw Crystalline. He was alive and flying fast away from something dark and evil. It was the demon Xados. He rose over the land covering it in shadow. The crystal at the end of the dragon’s tail was glowing, but only very faintly. He was growing weak. Wendell simply watched as the dragon became unable to fly and landed himself in a desert. Crystalline faded away only to be replaced by Wendell's son Beevu. The demon had caught up by now and flashed the Tookaloc an eerie grin. His red eyes were transfixed.
“I have you now!” the words poured out of the demon’s cruel lips. Beevu just stood and stared, unable to move. The demon raised his arms and thrust them forward with earth-shattering power. The force stirred the desert into action, swirling into an unstoppable whirlwind.
Wendell was powerless to do anything. He watched helplessly as his only child was swallowed up by the storm.
“Noooo!” He yelled himself awake and came back to reality. It was just a dream, he thought. Wendell’s wife was also awakened by his scream.
“Are you OK Wendell? Did you have a bad dream?”
“Yes. I saw Crystalline, and Xados...he was back. The demon was chasing him and then...Crystalline became Beevu and...it was horrible. He was gone Tera.”
Tera placed her small hand into Wendell’s in comfort. “It’s OK now. Beevu is safe in bed.”
“Maybe I should check on him to be sure.” Wendell climbed the steps up to Beevu’s room and opened the door a crack. The sheets of Beevu’s bed remained untouched. To Wendell’s horror, Beevu was not there. He was not safe and sleeping soundly. He was gone!
Wendell ran back downstairs in a panic. “Beevu’s gone! Our son is gone!”
Tera looked up at him. “No...you’re sure?”
“He’s not in bed. Where could he have gone? Do you think...it’s something I said last night?”
“I saw you Wendell, and you were pretty angry. I’ve thought this before but I’ve never voiced my opinion. Don’t you think it’s time you set aside trying to help Crystalline for a little while? Beevu needs you. He needs you to be a father.”
Wendell seemed to shrink back a little in shame. The comment stung. Then an expression of realization flooded his face. “I’ve got to find him,” he said quietly, yet solemnly. Gathering up some left over berries for rations, he placed his hand on the door.
Tera said to him, “Be careful out there Wendell. Stay safe.”
Wendell nodded, “I will, and I will bring Beevu back.” He left, shutting the door behind him.
A shadow approached the body of the young Tookaloc. It was another furry creature, kangaroo-like from earth perspective. It had large circular feet, perfectly suited for traveling long distances across the desert. It didn’t know what to make of the thing that lay face down on the sand in front of him. He gave the small animal a quick sniff. It didn’t move, but it didn’t smell dead. The creature then nudged Beevu with his nose. The Tookaloc squirmed to life and slowly opened his eyes.
Beevu was staring at another pair of eyes looking down at him. “Aaahhh!” he screamed. He scrambled to his feet breathing fast. He had to remember where he was for a second. He had been walking for hours. That was the last thing he remembered. He was a little disoriented. At this moment the creature standing about ten feet above him smiled and spoke.
“Well, what are you, little fella? I think I just saved your life.”
“I’m--” Beevu started but then he fell back down in the sand.
“Oh, right. You’re not from the desert are ya? Why, you must be thirsty. Come on. Hop on my back. I know where some water is. Name’s Ornet, by the way. I’m an Oola.” Ornet’s pointy ear twitched and he lowered his long neck so Beevu could climb onto his back. Beevu looked around. He was unsure of this beast, but it didn't appear to want to eat him. So, he mounted the creature and got into position. “Best hold on now,” said Ornet.
Ornet swiftly carried Beevu across the desert. It was a long distance sprint, the Oola’s rounded feet barely made any indentations in the sand. It was almost as though they were gliding along the ground. Only a few minutes had passed when they had arrived at their destination. It was a small oasis in the middle of the desert featuring a cool blue pond and shaded by palms. Ornet set Beevu down in front of one the trees. Beevu splashed his face with water and took a good long drink.
“Thanks a lot.” He said.
“It was my pleasure, would you mind telling me your name and what a furry creature like you might be doing out in the desert?” the Oola asked curiously.
“My name’s Beevu. I’m a Tookaloc and I...there it is again!” Beevu perked his ear up to hear the familiar ringing once more.
“Huh?” Ornet also raised one ear.
“It’s that sound. That’s why I came out here. I’m trying to find out where it’s coming from.”
“I think I can hear what your talkin’ about. I haven’t heard anything like that before.”
“Do you know what it is?” Asked Beevu.
Ornet shook his head. “But I think I know where it may be coming from.”
“Where?”
“A ways from here, there’s a lot of ice and snow. Up north. My ears tell me that’s where it may be.”
Beevu felt a need to continue his journey. He looked hopefully at Ornet.
“Do you think you could take me there?”
“Well seeing as you're all by yourself, I suppose I could. You’re young aren’t ya? I could transport you, keep you safe from predators. Snow is not for me though, so I’m afraid I can’t follow you there. All right then, I’ll take you. Hop on.”
Beevu hopped on gratefully. “Thank you so much.” And they were off once more.
Racing through the desert, Beevu felt the hot air blasting his fur covered face. They were covering a great distance in such a short period of time. The Oola was very fast. Eventually he could feel the temperature ever so slightly drop, and the humidity increased. The terrain began to change to a grassy tundra. Ornet slowed down a bit as they approached a mountain pass. There was quite a bit of snow at the foot of the mountain itself and that’s where Ornet stopped.
“And here’s where I let ya off.”
Beevu slid down off Ornet’s back, and the mysterious sound was calling to him once more, this time noticeably louder. He was in the right place. He could tell the sound was coming right through the narrow mountain pass.
“Thank you for all your help,” Beevu turned to the Oola in appreciation.
“No problem. I hope you find what you’re looking for. Take care now.”
And with that, Ornet bounded off away again back to his desert home.
Beevu turned back to the pass. Proceeding forward with his Ariole kept close, he entered, once again following the ringing, which called him. He wondered what secrets he might find.
Setting foot outside, Wendell thought about where he could look for Beevu. Where could he have possibly gone? He was out there all alone without protection. His mind raced, Oh Beevu, I’m sorry I got mad. I was so wrapped up in...now I might have lost you too! He couldn’t bear the thought, and brought his mind back into focus. He happened to glance down and noticed small footprints in the moist ground. They were definitely Beevu's. At least that gave him something to go on. He could see which direction he was headed in.
The tracks stopped at the foot of a large oak tree, but that was where they vanished. Only grass surrounded the tree. No further sign of Beevu anywhere. Wendell sat himself down by the tree. Where to now? Then he heard something skittering down the tree trunk. It was a little Gooper lizard. It stared at Wendell.
“Brrrow!” It uttered.
“What do you want?” Wendell asked curiously.
The lizard leaped off the tree and crawled past Wendell up to the edge of the hill the Tookaloc was sitting on. It glanced across the horizon for a second and then looked back to Wendell. He gave another quick toot.
“Brrrrow!”
Wendell looked to where the Gooper drew its attention. Desert. Nothing but desert out there. The Gooper tooted again insistently.
“Brrrow!”
Wendell gasped. “Are you saying Beevu went that way?”
The little lizard gave a slight nod, which Wendell took as an affirmative.
“No.” Wendell said quietly. It was just like his dream. His only son, swallowed whole by the demon Xados out in the desert. Fear took hold of his mind. No longer would he be walking on this journey. Run, his feet were saying to him now.
Beevu made his way slowly and silently through the narrow mountain pass. A bit of snow was on the ground. Most had already melted away in the approach of spring. The two walls of the mountain towered over him at each side. He advanced deeper and deeper into the mountains. The air was very still. Feeling uncomfortable with the silence, he plucked a few strings on his Ariole to break the dead air. As if in response, a gust of wind channeled down through the pass. Beevu looked up and felt the sudden blast of air against his face. Unfortunately, the distraction of the wind kept his eyes off the path ahead. His right webbed foot slipped out from under him at the sudden change in elevation. The ground collapsed, and he found himself on the ride of his life sliding into the underground innards of the mountain.
The desert was no place for Wendell. How could Beevu have wandered out this far? He was beginning to wonder if he would ever find him out here. He grew increasingly worried. Strong winds blew across the hot sands, erasing any trace of footprints. Wendell grabbed one of the berries from his rations, crushed it with his powerful jaws, and sucked the juice out. It was a momentary relief and possibly would keep him hydrated, but not for long.
He felt a pang of emotion deep in his heart. He was beginning to lose hope. He had no idea where he was or which direction he should be headed. What if his dream was true? What if Xados had gotten to Beevu? He didn’t even want to entertain the idea. He could never forgive himself if that were the case. He thought back to what he said to his son last night. He didn’t want that to be the last words Beevu heard.
Nonsense, Wendell thought. I was once known as Wendell the Hero. I stopped those fire breathing Wolfees from destroying my village. I will not give up! I will find my son! Beevu was smart like he. He knew that. He is alive. He must be!
So Wendell pressed forward. He wouldn’t give up for Crystalline nor Beevu! He put a hand up to his to his eyes to block the sun and scanned the area trying to make a decision on where to go next. He saw something moving towards him. Something large and fast. His eyes widened.
Beevu was flat on the ground at the base of a deep cavern, his face buried in snow. A very familiar sound filled his ears. He tilted one of his ears towards the ringing. This is it, he thought. I’m here. I literally fell right to it! He slowly got up and brushed the snow off his face. Right in front of him was this brilliant blue light. He squinted and tried to make out the object that was emitting such a brilliant luminescence. It was a crystal. Rich deep blue in color, it chased away the darkness of the cave. It sat there floating in mid-air above a spire. To the right of it, were other crystals, but they were white and elongated in shape.
“This is what was making all that noise?” Beevu said to no one in particular. “It’s beautiful. What is it doing here?”
He couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from the magnificent object. Something so mystical as this must surely be magic. The sweet music he could hear so distinctly summoned him forward daring him to touch it. It occurred to him, it was somewhat similar to the music he played on his Ariole, but much more magnified. He took a step closer to the crystal, and then another and another. He reached out and placed his small hand on the crystal, and then...nothing happened.
Wendell, feeling alarmed at this giant creature rapidly approaching him, quickly pulled out his bow. But the creature slowed down, and its large feet came to a halt sending small dust clouds in the air.
“Well look at that, it’s another one!” he said to Wendell grinning.
Wendell didn’t lower his bow. Instead he fixated on the beast with a fierce glare.
“Who are you? Why were you racing towards me? If you’re gonna eat me, I have to warn you, I’m tough.”
The Oola shook with laughter at the Tookaloc. “Relax friend. I’m not here to harm you. The name’s Ornet. I’m an Oola and I don’t eat meat.” He opened his mouth to reveal mashing molars. There were no canines in sight.
Wendell finally lowered his bow. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just a little on edge.”
“How so friend?” Ornet asked.
Wendell looked sad again at the thought of his son lost and all alone. “It’s my son Beevu. He has run away from home. I’m trying to find him.”
“Beevu, you say? Why I happened to find another small Tookaloc with that name just a few hours earlier. You say he’s your son?”
Wendell’s eyes brightened in surprise. Beevu was alive! There was still hope after all!
“Yes! That’s him! Tell me, which way did he go?”
The Oola gave Wendell a look of concern, smiled, and then gently pat Wendell on the head with his paw.
“Now don’t you worry sir. I know exactly where he went because I took him there. In fact, I can take you there. It’s not far as an Oola runs. Go ahead and get on my back and I’ll take you.”
“Oh thank you so much. I’m in your debt. All I want is my little boy home.” Wendell grabbed a hold of Ornet’s fur and climbed up.
“Of course. Nothing like a father’s love.”
Wendell started to fully realize the truth in that statement and wanted to rectify it. But before he could think about how he would do just that, they were off in a rush.
The blue crystal simply continued its song carrying Beevu away with its music. Perhaps this is what he came for, even if he couldn’t discern what the crystal was used for nor why he had found it deep underneath the mountain. He scooped up some snow from the ground into a pile and sat on it staring at the deep blue of the crystal. He then pulled out his Ariole and began to play. The reverberations of the crystal as well as his instrument blended together innately.
The two tones were suddenly interrupted by the sound of crash behind him. Beevu looked over his shoulder to see...it was his father, flat on the snow. His father!
“Dad!?” He gasped. Beevu went quickly to Wendell’s side and helped him up.
Wendell breathed heavily, out of breath from his exhaustion in his journey to find his son.
“You...” He heaved. “...are in big trouble.” Wendell rushed up and caught Beevu in his arms in a strong hug. He grabbed a hold of his fur and looked at his son directly in the eyes. “What were you thinking??? Running off. Do you have any idea how hard I’ve been trying to find you???”
Beevu looked down.“I just...wanted to be alone with my music.” Then he looked back up to Wendell again, in irritation. “What do you care anyway? You don’t care about this!” He said pulling out his Ariole. “And you don’t care about me. Why don’t you care!? I just don’t understand.” Tears were threatening to release. Wendell didn’t care about him. That was why he was here, far away, with the crystal.
Wendell’s ears drooped and he shook his head sadly.
“I do care,” he said softly. “That’s why I’m here. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be here. But that’s not it. I was wrong Beevu. I admit that. I’ve done some thinking while I was looking for you. It made me reevaluate the way I’ve been acting with you and I’m really sorry. There’s something I need to tell you and should have told you a long time ago.”
Beevu shifted. “What is it?”
“A short time before you were hatched, there was a great battle back in the Great Plains. My friend, Crystalline the dragon, who is our Great Protector had foreseen a great evil coming to the land. He and the other Great Protectors of the sea, sky, and forest joined him in the fight for their lives against the demon Xados. I along with my friend Burly the Monrat helped. I was told to find a red diamond, which would destroy Xados, and I did find the diamond, only...it was at the cost of perhaps losing Crystalline and he knew this. That dragon statue that stands in the middle of the plains, which I’m sure you’ve seen...that’s him. Crystalline was turned to stone. The other Great Protectors however told me that there was still a chance I may be able to save him. Ever since, after all this time, I’ve been trying to find a way to bring Crystalline back. I’ve been looking in books, trying to find answers, but to no avail. So you see, this whole time I’ve been trying to find a way to save Crystalline, my friend.”
Wendell’s story just seemed to serve to upset Beevu further.
“Why didn’t you tell me!?” He pushed Wendell in the stomach and cried.
Wendell placed his hand on Beevu’s head. “I was so caught up in trying to figure out how to save Crystalline, I just didn’t...think of telling you. When I was trying to find you, I realized that, and how wrong I was and I didn’t want to lose you too. Do you forgive me?”
Beevu briefly looked down at his feet. “Maybe.”
“But why have you come out all this way, alone? You could have been hurt!”
“I was trying to find a place to be alone, when I heard this mysterious sound coming from a great distance. I got curious and wanted to know what it was, so I followed the source of the sound and it led me here. Look.”
Beevu pointed back behind him to the beautiful blue crystal, which continued to hum its melodious song.
Wendell blinked and walked towards it, looking on in wonder. “This is what you found?”
Beevu nodded, “Uh huh. Don’t you hear it? Don’t you hear the music?”
Wendell didn’t hear a thing. He shook his head no. But there was something curious about it, pulling him in. He reached out his hand towards the shimmering crystal, but withdrew his hand just before touching. “You better take a hold of my hand first, son.”
Beevu obeyed his father and held on. Wendell made contact. A strong pulse of energy enveloped the both of them. It tugged at the very fiber of their beings, pulling them towards the crystal. Matter reshaped itself, and then...they were inside the crystal.
Darkness. There was total darkness, that is until Wendell decided to open his eyes a crack. The darkness was replaced by deep blue surrounding him. The walls on all sides were hard and reflective. Still holding Beevu’s hand they both stared at each other's reflections. No longer in the cave anymore, the area they found themselves in must have been fifty times larger. Suddenly a large shadow swooped above them and an even larger shadow followed it. Wendell backed against the crystal walls taken aback at what existed inside this crystal. He was unsure until the first creature flew a little closer and flashed a familiar white. It was Crystalline the dragon! He was alive! His crystal at the end of his tail was glowing furiously as he tried to fight back against the menace he faced. The menace was of course the evil demon Xados.
When Wendell had utilized the power of the red diamond he must have entrapped both the dragon and the demon together. Nyreed was free from harm, but all this time the two of them under the spell of the red diamond were whisked far away deep inside the mountain and inside the blue crystal. For the past thirteen years, the two of them had been battling each other.
Xados’s red eyes narrowed to slits. He spread his arms wide, blasting Crystalline against the crystal walls. He crashed down right next to Wendell.
“Wendell...” he said panting, “You’re here. You’ve heard the song of the crystal.”
Wendell crept toward him and put his tiny hand on Crystalline’s giant scaly leg. “I am. What song of the crystal?”
“The song I called you with. The song you heard from the blue crystal. It brought you here.”
Wendell shook his head. “No. I didn’t hear it, but Beevu can...I guess. He’s my son. He followed the music here.”
Crystalline craned his neck over to where Beevu was sitting, fiddling with his instrument. Beevu looked up curiously at the enormous draconian lying before him.
“You...” Crystalline blinked his blue pupil-less eyes.
Beevu cocked his head. “Me?”
“You heard the crystal and came.” Crystalline breathed deeply.“But Wendell hears nothing.”
Wendell felt like he was entirely missing something. The dragon had called for him, he couldn’t hear it, but Beevu did. Why? After all these years Crystalline was here, still striking back against Xados.
Speaking of Xados, he had been looking on on the three with great displeasure. Finally realizing they had stopped talking, he spoke himself.
“What a pleasant reunion,” his voice boomed. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d very much like to finish you all off. I don’t have eternity.”
Crystalline rose again to his feet. “Emato regar chindal garthe.” Crystalline spoke in dragontongue. “You shall not harm them!” His mouth opened, blasting icy fire at his old target. He was still the Great Protector to the Tookalocs, even here. Xados would not win. With one mighty flap of his wings he launched himself into flight again continuing the ages long battle. But this time he wasn’t alone. Wendell wouldn’t let Xados kill Crystalline. He rushed underneath Xados trying to create a distraction. It might have been a risky plan, but it was worth a shot. He had to do something to get the demon’s attention off the dragon.
“Hey! Down here! You want me? Come get me!” Wendell jumped up and waved his hands about. Xados paid no attention to the small creature before him. So, Wendell tried something that would for sure get his attention. He pulled out his bow and let fly an arrow straight into Xados's foot.
“Arrrghh!” He growled at the minor prick.
The demon glanced down at Wendell. Now Wendell had to move fast, but it was too late. Xados’s meaty palm swung downward and swatted the Tookaloc away with his sharp nails. Wendell was knocked against the side of the crystal, hitting his head and falling unconsciously to the ground. His furry little body bore scratches from the powerful nails.
“You’re dessert,” the demon said simply.
Beevu who had been cautiously observing the epic battle from the sidelines, now stood up. “No! Father!”
Crystalline too, gasped at the sight of the unconscious Tookaloc. “Wendell...no.” He whispered. Flying at Xados in a rage, he directed his icy fire once more at the demon. Xados simply dodged the pathetic attempt. He was just too fast for the dragon to keep up with.
“Is this the best you can do?” Xados laughed.
Beevu felt helpless. His father was out cold. What can I do? He’s so much larger and more powerful than I am. Beevu pulled his Ariole close to his furry body and began to pluck the homemade strings. A song would help him think. As he did so, the vibrations of the strings were amplified by the blue crystal. It bounced and echoed off the walls and straight to Xados’s ears. VOOOOOOOM!!! went the Ariole. The high frequency sound pierced Xados’s dark soul and he halted in his tracks.
“Arrrrrghhh! What is that!?” He held his hands over his pointy ears. Scowling and in tormented pain, he couldn’t escape the noise. “Stop!” But after noticing the effect on the demon, Beevu continued to play. This was it. The window of opportunity flung wide open.
“Keep playing!” Crystalline said. “The music is working!” The crystal on the dragon’s tail once again began to glow. The time was now. Time to finish it. Crystalline glided towards the paralyzed Xados. With one last breath he unleashed his icy fire finally hitting his target. Now powerless, the demon began to freeze solid. Once the process completed he shattered into a million pieces. Everywhere pieces of iced demon ricocheted. Beevu quickly ducked as a piece of demon horn nearly speared him.
Crystalline landed right beside Wendell’s son amidst all the flying pieces. “We’re going to have to get out of here. Get on my back. I’ll grab Wendell.”
Beevu nodded and looked down at Wendell’s unconscious body. He saw that he was still breathing. Thank the stars. Beevu promised himself he’d never run away again as long as his father lived. Nothing mattered more than that. Beevu swallowed back guilt and climbed on the dragon’s back. He had never ridden a dragon before. In fact, he had never even seen a dragon before. It was only now after the duel he could fully appreciate this experience. Crystalline gently lifted Wendell from the floor onto his back. “May the Fourth Dimension be on your side,” He whispered into Wendell’s ear. Together, all three began their escape from the blue crystal. Matter compressed inward, threatening to crush them, but it didn’t. Instead, it reshaped them back into reality outside the crystal.
They were back underneath the mountain, but not yet out of danger. The blue crystal they came from was now vibrating intensely. It was threatening to explode.
“Here we go!” Crystalline shouted. He began to ascend the mountain heading straight through the very peak. Beevu hung on tightly to Wendell and braced himself for the impact.
And they were out. They were still alive. Yet the dragon continued to climb another few thousand feet and then stopped. Down below them the power of the blue crystal unleashed. Several beams of light burst forth, scattering across Nyreed in all different directions. Miles away, the stone figure of Crystalline crumbled to pieces. The spell that had held him was broken with Xados’s death.
“It’s done.” The Great Protector said.
Crystalline flew his companions home. It didn’t take long, only a few wingbeats as a dragon flies. Landing near Wendell and Beevu’s house, Beevu slipped down to the ground. Crystalline lightly set Wendell on the grass and stared intently at the young Tookaloc.
“He is badly injured, but I think we are not too late yet. I believe I should be able to heal him.”
“Then please Crystalline! Save my father!” Beevu said.
Crystalline dipped his head down and curled his crystal tipped tail towards Wendell’s body. It illuminated him with its power. At first there was no sign it was working, however slowly Wendell’s eyes began moving around under the lids. Then his wounds began to heal. His eyes blinked open and he sat up and shook his head.
“Ugh...what happened?” He groaned.
Beevu leaped on top of him with joy. “Dad!”
“Ow! Careful, I’m still a little tender.” Wendell smiled in the only way a Tookaloc can without teeth. “Where are we?” He asked.
“I’m glad you’re all right my friend. We’re home.” Crystalline said.
“Home? What happened to the crystal? What happened to Xados?”
“He is gone. I’ve finally defeated him, and with Beevu’s help...”
Wendell looked over to his son. “Beevu?”
“Yes, without his instrument he has there, I wouldn’t have been able to destroy the demon. I would have been fighting him forever. But you see, that’s why I called you with my tail’s crystal. Only, you were not the one meant to help.”
“What do you mean?” Wendell asked.
Crystalline breathed a sigh. “Wendell, after all these years, I believed you had a special gift. Your heroic deeds for example, in fending off the Wolfees which attacked your village, and also your aid during the great battle against Xados. I thought for sure it meant that you were the one who possessed the gift.”
Wendell was more confused than ever. “Come again?”
“I called you, but instead your son came. He came because he hears the music of the crystal. But you didn’t hear it did you? ‘Only one who receives the power of the fourth dimension may defeat the great evil’ It is a prophecy passed down to each Great Protector. All of us, the Great Protectors, once sealed Xados to his fate, yet it was only temporary. The one with the gift had to be the one to defeat Xados. I assumed this was you because of your heroism, but I was wrong. No, the one with the gift of the Fourth Dimension is Beevu.” He turned towards him now. “Yes, you.”
Beevu was just as surprised as Wendell. “Me? But I’m not a hero. I just got curious and...”
“And you found me and you helped me defeat Xados. You carry the power of the Fourth Dimension. That is why you can hear the high frequencies of crystals.” He placed a clawed finger near Beevu’s heart.
“But what’s the Fourth Dimension?”
“It’s a higher realm than here, or so I’m told. It’s what connects us and creates order.”
Beevu didn’t know what else to say other than “Wow.” He thought he was just an ordinary Tookaloc without much other than his music, yet now he just learned he had a power. Wendell didn’t know what to make of it either. After fighting for his family and friends all these years, he supposed someone needed to carry on his legacy. He felt he could only say to his son, what he had meant to say to him for years: “I’m proud of you son.” Together they hugged and Crystalline wrapped his wing around them joining the embrace.
“Now, I’m guessing you will want to get back to your wife Wendell?”
After being so caught up in the moment, he forgot the entire reason he left home.
“Oh yes! Tera! She'll be so happy we’re back home safely. You’ll still be around, right Crystalline?”
The great dragon nodded his big head. “Of course. A Great Protector’s job is never finished. Farewell Wendell and Beevu! My friends.” And with a mighty wing beat he was up and off again. Wendell didn’t know when he might see him again, but he was so glad the dragon was back in the world again.
The two Tookalocs walked up to their house and together they pushed the door open.
Tera got up from her chair at the sight of her husband and son who had just entered. “Wendell! Beevu! You’re finally home! I was worried sick about you! I began thinking the worst.”
“You don’t have to worry anymore honey.” He said as he hugged her. “I found Beevu.”
“Where was he? Where have you been?”
“Well, it’s a long story...” So Wendell recounted the tale to his wife. He also told her of their son’s new role, of whom he would never lose sight of ever again both in Nyreed and in his heart.
The End