Message #85861

[The Host]

Chapter Four: Scodonius

Vaho awoke just a few minutes before Crostesius. Vaho gathered his belongings and walked over to Crostesius and woke him up and the two set off towards Tajun, which was now only one or two hours away. The twin moons that orbited Bara Magna were still in the sky and quite visible. In the early dawn light it was not a surprise that the two agori were caught off guard by two Seeds that leapt onto the path ahead of them.
 "You are not welcome any further along this path." The Seed's voice was hoarse and raspy, its shadowy figure gliding towards Vaho even as he pulled his sword out infront of him, beckoning at Crostesius to guard himself with the shield. "You will surrender to us. You have no choice. You cannot defeat us."
 Crostesius ran up to Vaho, planting the shield firmly infront of both Agori. Vaho peered over the shield at the two Seeds, then sighed and spoke softly to Crostesius. "I can't beat them alone, and I know you can't defeat even one of them. But here's what I need you to do. Take one of them away from the other and just keep him away from me. I'll handle them one by one and maybe I can defeat one of them."
 "Okay. We're doomed untherwise. I'll go for the one on the right."
 "You cannot defeat us. We are Seeds. We are the only powerful beings on Bara Magna."
 Crostesius launched himself forwards, then darted off to the right, forcing the Seeds to split off to attack them. Vaho jumped back, just as Vastus had done in the fight against Strakk and Rascks, only this time he did not fire anything at the Seed who rushed towards him. Vaho landed solidly, his feet planted on the ground, his sword held straight out infront of him. The Seed dodged the attack and moved to the left, just as Vaho edged to the right, swinging the sword around wildly. Vaho missed, and as the Seed glided over the uneven surface towards him, he stumbled over the rocky ground, trying to distance himself from the creature. The Seed was upon him in seconds, its dark surface cloaking Vaho's body just as he had done to Crostesius in the desert. Vaho stabbed upwards with his sword, piercing the underbelly of the Seed, who howled in pain. The Seed recoiled, then fled into the desert behind Vaho.

Crostesius fell back, the Seed punching the shield and throwing itself into the shield. But the shield stayed strong, and the Seed backed up, giving Crostesius room to get up and reposition himself. But the Agori, who was not used to fighting, split the shield, creating to blades, one for each hand. The seed laughed, a dry, disgusting laugh, before launching itself at the now defenceless Agori. Crostesius was hurtled backwards into the rocky ground, only to be caught by another Agori who was carrying a large rope, which in turn attached to an animal of red hue with a large mouth and short stubby legs. The Agori was caught off guard and tripped forwards, uneasing the animal.
 The Sand Stalker, as it was called, leapt forwards, toppling the Seed with ease. The Seed allowed itself to be rattled by the full force of the beast, then dissipated into the ground. Crostesius stood up and looked at the Agori who had essentially saved his life. Blue hued and wearing a strong looking helmet, the Agori stood up and rushed past Crostesius towards the Sand Stalker, who now stood a few feet away, grazing at the short grass.
 "Thanks, you know, for saving me!" Called out Crostesius to the blue coloured Agori.
 Scodonius was his name, and he turned back to Crostesius and said, "No problem. Well, actually, it wasn't me who saved you, it was Termion, one of my villages Sand Stalkers."
 "Your village? You mean you're from Tajun?"
 "Yeah. By the looks of it, you're from Vulcanus, right? Isn't that pretty far from here to be wondering around?"
 "I guess so, but actually I'm here-"
 "He's here with me, Vaho from Iconox. He's got a message for a Glatorian from your village. By the way, what's your name?"
 "I'm Scodonius. But before you guys come into Tajun I'll have to get Tarix to see you. If he says your good then you can enter. Now come on, before you guys attract any more Seeds this way."

The three Agori arrived at Tajun's gates with Termion, and Scodonius walked in. Crostesius was left standing with Vaho and the Sand Stalker.
 "I see you handled your Seed well. Luckily for me Scodonius arrived or I'd have been Spikit food."
 Vaho laughed. "Yeah, well, you survived. Now there's two people you owe your life to." The two Agori laughed.