Dragons of the Nesting Valley

Hello! So, do you remember me? I’m that pathetic guy that almost got knocked out by a she-dragon and a mystery girl. Yeah, not the kind of hero you imagined I’d be, right? Anyway, you see, there was this stunning indigenous Wonder Woman who saved me from suffering a horrible death. She’s fierce, she’s pretty, she’s funny. Every man’s dream. Only if she wasn’t a killing machine!

She seems to like my social skills, which in fact, are mostly an act so I stay alive. Well, for now.

She invited me to her village. Well, it looks more like a cozy city. I never knew that the primitives had such nice homes. I always thought they lived fully naked in a cave. I guess, all those documentaries lied.

I chuckle at my thoughts, my hand covering my chin. In return, my newly made friend lifts her stuffy right eyebrow in concern probably thinking I was delusional. I can’t blame her since I do look like a literal lunatic who came out of nowhere and dared trespass on the oh-so-sacred Nesting Valley.

She keeps throwing at me devilish glares. Quite unholy of someone considered so pure in this place. Yeah, I’ve learned from her fellow indigenous friends that women are considered sacred in this sanctified place even if they still have kids. It has to do with some goddess that protects her kind. Whatever. I was never a religious person so I don’t get their ritual thingies.

Nevertheless, I watch her with the side of my eyes. I brainstorm in trying to think how to start a smooth conversation but, as expected, nothing comes out of my pea brain.

‚ So, little man, how did you end up here?’ she thankfully breaks the ice for me.

‚ I’m not sure if you’d believe me if I tell you.’ I sigh in disbelief feeling a dash of uncertainty about the safety of my life if I answer.

‚ Come on, your story can’t be as bad as your fighting skills.’ she grins as if she was so proud of her teasing my manliness.

‚Ouch, I’m hurt, princess. But please, don’t lock me once I tell you.’ I back off putting my bare hands above my head in defense.

‚ I can’t promise you that, you fool! ‚ she adds as her playful facial expression turns into a serious one.

‚ Okay, so. Uhm, do you know what is a wormhole?’ I ask her as I hold my breath.

‘ Oh, I do. They are underground. ‘ I sigh again as her answer was not what I expected.

‘ Well, actually not. This is what we call a portal in outer space through which we can travel in time. I somehow ended up in the veil and got teleported right into the dragon’s teeth.’ I try to explain, my voice getting slower and slower as I end my speech.

‘Veils? Like drain pipes veils? ‚ she asks with a confused Pikachu face.

‚No, no, not those. Think about it from a mythological aspect.’ I pick up a dried tree branch and start drawing the so-called portal, and the two worlds on each side of it.

‘ Time-travel? Wasn’t that power meant just for the God of this Universe?’ says the woman as she falls deeper into thinking.

‘ I’m not sure anymore. In our time, that isn’t even possible. You see, we don’t have superpowers. That exists only in movies. But it seems that karma decided to disrupt the balance by sending the good old me to the dinosaurs’ times. ‘ I add in an annoyed tone as I ruffle my hair in despair.

‘ Dinosaurs?’ she laughs. ‘ No, fool. They were gone long ago. We have dragons and other sacred animals here. But I can’t help you with your problem. Maybe the great Father could be your savior. He is our advisor. He solves all our problems. His wisdom might give you more clues.’ she says with a clarity that makes me think she really is holy. With that, she pats me reassuringly on my back and guides me toward the wise guy.

I follow her thinking I have no say in this whole advising stuff. I try to observe the path on which we walk so I take notes in case I get lost. I’m taken deep into some woods. If this wasn’t Tarzan’s jungle, I don’t know what it is. I see trees tangling with each other as if they are in a romantic idyll. They have a better life than me. I see small animals hidden in the bushes peeping at the both of us. It’s quite a peaceful place. Well, as something wrong always has to happen, I’m disrupted from my Disney fantasies by a jaguar’s purr. I don’t mean the car’s engine, I talk about a real jaguar! I get startled and take two steps back ready to hit the road if I need to.

Being the keen observant she is, she smiles at me reassuringly and sets herself in front of me. She, then, starts making some sort of calling sounds that only the jaguar can understand. I’m too dazed to say a word so I just let the scene unfold. The jaguar stares at me suspiciously before turning to her left side. I sigh in relief thinking that I’m clean for now. I can still feel the feline’s sharp daggers thrown at me, but I try to man up.

‚Say, where exactly is this, err, Father of yours?’ I dare ask my faithful guide.

‚ We’ll be there right away. I suggest you behave.’ she states.

I gulp ‚ S-sure, I don’t want to be fed to the big cat. I just hope you won’t leave me here in the wild.’ I admit my namby-pamby side.

Her silence makes me even more worried for myself but I still follow her. We arrive at an enormous gate. She takes the doorbell handle and thwacks it three times. The gates open themselves as if they were magical and hot air yowls from the inside like it would invite us into the temple. She takes a tight grip on my arm as if she would guard me while we dive deeper into the mysterious place. I look around and the mist dissipates allowing me to observe the obscure statues of some sort of giant who is wearing – a dress?! Odd! But who am I to judge when I’ll probably get help from him?

‘Come, children! Come closer! ‘ a mighty voice emerges out of nowhere. Taken aback I look to my right and my left only to see that the once-animal statues are coming to life. My jaw drops at their sight then look in disbelief at my female companion. She just shrugs her shoulders at me and signals me to step forward.

I straighten myself and take a few uncertain steps, I see some sort of a suspended alley made of floating stones, and all I can do is just leap stone by stone. After I finally arrive at the main hall, I already feel as if I just ran a 1000 miles marathon.

‘My child, to what pleasure do I owe your visit?’ says the 6 feet oh-so-mighty man.

My eyes goggle at his appearance, but I try to brush it off as I take cautious steps toward him. My beautiful female companion nudges me to bow while coming closer and I obey her instructions.

‘ Big boss, I suppose you know I’m not from this world. But I want to find out why I’m here in the first place.’ I say avoiding his gaze.

‘ Hmmm, my child, I think the entities have gifted you with a wonderful mission.’ he exclaims as he gestures with his hands.

‘ A mission, you say? Do you mean, like a surviving trial or something? Because this is what I have been doing so far. ‘ I say with utter disgust on my face as a reaction to what I just heard.

‘ Now, now, child. Don’t be upset. I am not sure what your mission is yet, but I will do whatever it takes to help you. So, stop frowning at me and try adapting here until we meet again.’ he says with a blinding smile on his face.

I cover my forehead with my right hand as I’m about to despair, but my salvation comes sooner than I expected.

‘ Still, I shall give you this talisman. It’s said that it can connect you with one of Gods’ wisdom in times of need. Here, take it, and use it well. ‘ he throws it casually at me as I catch it with ease. I feel lucky I was on the basketball team when I was younger otherwise I would’ve broken the artifact.

‘Now, children, go to your homes, and may the Gods guide you in your journey.’ He urges us to leave and we silently back away along with the wild kitten.

I dig my hands deep into my pockets and walk away along with my bodyguards. My female fellow keeps scanning me with her deep brown eyes. I avoid her concerned stares and keep on strolling in silence. I’m trying to put together the tangled puzzle pieces I got so far but nothing comes along.

‘ I’m sure you’ll be able to find your way out of this. You just need more willpower, and… a trustworthy companion.’ she winks at me as she pats me on the shoulder. It kind of became a habit of hers, but I don’t mind it as a smile takes shape on my worried face.

‘ I appreciate it. Now I know you’re no longer a potential foe to me.’ I wink back.

‘ Did you really think I would be able to kill you? Then why did I save you from the dragon’s deadly attack?’ she pouts at me.

‘ Please, cut the drama, princess. You’re a fierce killer, why wouldn’t I be bothered?! Everything here can put my life in danger and I can’t just let my guard down even if it’s human.’ I say looking determinately into her eyes. For some reason, I can’t give her death glares too long since those dark chocolate eyes look at me with such kindness.

‘ I’ll prove you wrong, big guy. You can trust me. At least for now, I’m the only one on your side.’ She nudges me in my ribs.

‘ Fine, but I’d need your name first. Then we can bond.’ I scowl at her not sure what to believe anymore.

‘ My name is Eyota. It means the greatest. And yours?’ she waits for my answer not losing eye contact with me.

‘ Weston Parker at your service, princess.’ I bow elegantly in front of her.

‘ You know, in my tribe, if one gives his name to a holy woman, he has to marry her.’ She adds nonchalantly.

‘ What?! Well, in my tribe it just means introducing oneself.’ I say frowning at her.

‘ I was just kiddin’, Weston!’ She giggles as she takes a run to the village.

‘ Come back here! You got to pay for this joke!’ I indulge myself in her challenge and run to catch her.

‘ You’ll never be able to catch me, you fool!’ she shouts mockingly at me as she keeps running until we reach the village.

‘ I’ll die trying at least! ‘ I dash faster feeling the fresh air filling my lungs and for the first time, I feel like I’m home in this absolute nowhere.