Prologue
The two Lighara, a male and a female, stood at the large metal gate, motionless except for the flames adorning their paws and wings. They were each kept in place by a ball and chain, tightly clamped to a back leg. The air around them was hot and dry, and the ground was even dryer. A flapping of wings could be heard, but only barely. The Lighara merely flicked their ears to the sound. A second later, a large female Ny'vene landed behind them. The pair jumped, turning around to the beast and bowing down to it. "Dood, Ukufa, I have a mission for you," the Ny'vene said. Dood, the male Lighara, said, "What is it that we must do, oh mighty Siwang Shaonu?" Siwang replied, "There is someone you must retrieve, the next one who must die." Ukufa, the female Lighara, asked, "And who is the next one to die, if I may ask?" "Pachong the Draeyl," Siwang said, "You should know him." The two Lighara stared at her in disbelief. "Bu-but, he isn't even two years old yet! He has no mate, no offspring," Ukufa complained, "And he was a good friend of me and Dood before, before, before, you-know-what." "No one is allowed to complain about my orders without being killed!" Siwang roared. "Except you two. I need you two. Now, obey my order or face punishment." "Yes, mighty Death Maiden," Dood replied. The weight of the balls at the ends of the chains suddenly decreased, allowing the Ligharas to move from their normal stations. A portal opened above them, purple and swirling like a galaxy. The Lighara flapped their fiery wings, jumped into the air and flew into the portal. They disappeared, and the Ny'vene nodded her head in satisfaction. |
