FemReptile3: Oh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going.
Infigan: It was my fault really. ...Do you know Rose and Jesabelle?
FemReptile3: Yes. I do...but who are you may I ask?
Infigan: My name's Infigan.
FemReptile3: Hmm...Infigan...Infigan. Yes, I think my two friends mentioned you. We were all quite surprised to hear another lizard of our race resided here. It was an unexpected welcome. I'm Sara.
Sara has a pleasant smile, and offered a claw to shake for a greeting. She didn't seem much like the other two female reptiles. This one just seemed average...no extremes or eccentricities that he could see. He could barely see her eyes in the shadows where the lamps didn't reach. However, Infigan noticed she had gray scales and black hair. Something about her almost seemed gothic. After returning the greeting, Infigan wants to see if she'll answer any questions on his mind. But Sara chimes in before he gets a chance.
Sara: Sorry, Infigan, but it's late and I really should be getting back. Maybe I'll see you again.
She briskly walks off, and Infigan watches her leave, a bit frustrated again.
Infigan: *to himself* Argh...how stupid. I should have asked her where the three of them are staying.
***
Infigan had returned to his house and was in bed, working on getting to sleep. Just as he feels he is about to drift off, he hears a light tap against the window. Grumbling, he almost falls out of bed, and stumbles over to the window. Infigan opens it and looks over the side of the house, and sees a figure standing near the bushes right outside his house. Whoever this is seems to be motioning for Inifgan to come outside. Feeling unsure about this, he grabs a shirt and shorts and heads downstairs.
Upon stepping outside, he is instantly greeted by Rose. The hood of her beige robe is draped over her head. She grabs Infigan's arm and pulls him into the shadows.
Rose: You never told anyone, did you?
Infigan: No...but I've been wanting to ask you about that.
Rose: Before I explain, I think you need to speak with Reif again.
Infigan: What?!
Rose: Shh, shh! Careful. It is late, and I don't want to wake anyone up. Yes, I know of Reif. I met up with your friend Nelle and she told me about your dreams. Well, I too have had a dream, but unfortunately it didn't have any of the good legendary dragons I heard of. Only Sarmina.
Infigan: Sarmina!
Rose: Yes. She has never communicated to me like Reif has with you, thank goodness. But I have been having visions of her, and I am wondering if it means something...
Infigan: Erg...I don't like hearing about anything that has to do with Sarmina. Just seeing her in one of my dreams was enough to scare me half to death!
Rose: Well then you can imagine how I feel! I've had several dreams with her in them!
Infigan: Oh wow...I guess it is more frightening to you.
Rose: Well, I have gotten a little more used to it. It's the first vision of her that is the scariest. But listen to me...
Rose takes Infigan's claws in her own and focuses into his eyes. Her expression is very solemn, and almost a little frightened.
Rose: It is important, for both of us, that you talk to Reif again and try to get more answers from him! Concentrate. Allow yourself to be reached.
Infigan closes his eyes and concentrates the best he can. His mind allows itself to be accessed. The spirits cry out and soon Infigan goes into a disoriented state. Soon, it feels like Infigan is opening his eyes, but he sees darkness. Though, the comfort of another voice is heard.
Reif: So, you have come back. This is a good sign. At least now it is going to be easier for my essence to communicate with you.
Infigan: Could you please tell me more of what's going on? Rose and I are both quite confused.
Reif: Unfortunately, there is not too much I can add to what I have previously told you, as the evil that is present in your time has not revealed itself yet. But when it does, I will be more than willing to tell you more. Until then, just be sure to keep your eyes open. Until this evil can be identified, I suggest you limit your trust to only those you already know.
Infigan: Heh...to someone like me that's not a problem. I hardly trust others the way it is...
Suddenly, Infigan seems to sweep back into 'reality.' He notices that Rose is still holding his claws, and is watching him intently.
Rose: Did you talk to him?
Infigan: Yes...but he sure didn't have much to say.
Rose: What do you mean?
Infigan: He can't be sure of much himself until the evil he predicts is revealed.
Rose: Evil?
Infigan: Yes...Reif has warned me that a malevolent creature is around in our time, trying to carry on Sarmina's work apparently. So we must be careful.
Rose gives a very uneasy look. She realizes that if someone is trying to copy Sarmina, then the descendants of the dragons are in danger. And from what she gathered of Nelle's retellings of Infigan's nightmares, the descendants of the dragons are the race that both Infigan and Rose...and her friends belong to.
Rose: But...I'm the one that's been having so many nightmares of Sarmina. Maybe it means that I'll be the first target...
Infigan watches her as her voice trails off and her head tilts down. She shudders a bit under the sudden realization that she is now very likely in serious danger. Though she can't be sure of that...but just the thought is terribly disturbing. She looks as though she's about to cry, and collapses against Infigan. He slowly just hugs her as she breaks down and caresses her back comfortingly.
Something about Rose made Infigan feel very strange...but he simply dismissed it as compassion...that the members of his race had to stick together and look out for one another. If all of these dreams have been accurate...
Things are going to get very treacherous...
***
Night has passed, and the morning's first rays of sunlight are streaming over the buildings once more. It is early morning though, and very few furs are outside yet. Infigan and Rose, however, had never moved from the spot alongside Infigan's house from last night. Rose opened her eyes, and felt safe in the other reptile's arms. But the sudden memory of last night just brought worries back to her again. She nudged Infigan a bit to wake him up, and whispered to him.
Rose: I better get home, my friends will be worried about me.
As Infigan finally came to, and realized where he was, he let go of Rose and nodded.
Infigan: Yeah, you better go...are you going to be okay?
Rose just nods hesitantly to him, and turns to start walking to her house. But Infigan catches himself and calls to Rose quickly.
Infigan: Hey, I forgot to ask you or any of your friends. Where do you live here?
Rose: *smiles slightly* Do you know where the Deerstar Cathedral is?
Infigan: Is that a street down from the police department?
Rose: Yes...we live two houses down from the cathedral. Our house is two stories, and has a white porch with a blue front door.
Infigan simply smiled and nodded. Rose returned a warm glance, then turned back around to walk home. As for Infigan, he wanted to get back in his house and get some breakfast. Then, he wanted to meet up with Tarom, Catlas, or Nelle. He needed to talk with them some more. With the way Reif had spoken, this looming evil was apparently quite near.
***
Meanwhile, as Rose walked in the door to her home, Jesabelle was in the living room, ready to greet her. Jesabelle quickly runs over to Rose and shuts the door behind her.
Jesabelle: Where in the world have you been?! You didn't come home all night! I thought you were just going for a walk!
Jesabelle looked a bit silly this early in the morning. Her hair all bound up with ribbons and curlers, and her face blotched with mud or god knows what. It was apparently some sort of beauty regiment for her.
Rose: Well, I met up with Infigan and talked to him a while. I haven't had much of a chance to speak with him since we got here. Then, I fell asleep at some point before I walked home...
Jesabelle didn't know what to gather from Rose falling asleep while visiting Infigan. She knew that Infigan seemed to have an interest in Rose of some sort, just by talking to him for three minutes. Sure, she knew she felt a bit jealous, but she wasn't going to say anything. But that didn't stop her from at least feeling angry.
Jesabelle: Ah...I see. Well, I think I'm going to go for a walk myself. *mutters under her breath as she goes for the door* Then maybe I'll haphazardly run into a hot guy myself...
Rose: Where is Sara?
Jesabelle: She is still in bed. I'll see you later, Rose.
Rose feels that door shut rather hard as Jesabelle left. Though she couldn't be sure what and if anything was wrong with Jesabelle. She dismissed it and went to wake Sara up.
***
Jesabelle walks down the street very irritably. Very quiet curses and mumblings escape her muzzle as she trudges along. As she passes the Deerstar Cathedral, she can hear loud organ music playing from inside. Must be a service inside... But as she walks slowly by, she notices one of the doors slowly open. A shadowy figure that was apparently loitering in the vestibule of the cathedral curiously inches outside. Jesabelle rubs her eyes a bit as she could almost swear she was looking at Infigan...though she wasn't... Wait, it's another of their kind though! This creature was a green-scaled lizard like Infigan, except this one had most unusual garb. His hair is blue, and he wears a brilliantly colored mask, like ones worn at masquerades. He appeared to be wearing armor or something...only slightly like that of a knight's. And he also donned a cape, which was fastened by a blue, crystalline broach. Whew! Jesabelle couldn't miss a chance like this! She ran up to him with great alacrity.
Jesabelle: Excuse me. I couldn't help but notice your presence.
She fluttered her eyelids a bit. He looked at her peculiarly without saying a word.
Jesabelle: Well...you do sort of stand out in a crowd. So dark stranger, may I be granted to know what your name is?
MysterRep: My name is Pythos, my dear.
Chapter 6
Infigan had met up with Nelle in the early afternoon. Infigan was eager to speak of the apparently fast-approaching demon, and Nelle was eager to talk of the little tidbit she received about the lizard girls, and having met Rose the previous night before she had gone to Infigan's house.
Nelle: So anyway, Rose wanted to know some things about you. But with the sort of mystical things and such she spoke of, I decided it would be good to tell her about those dreams you had.
Infigan: Well I'm glad you did, because apparently she has been having similar dreams.
Nelle: Oh, and Virana's fox hottie gone flop apprently told her that these fem reptiles just came to town the same night that that incident occurred at the bar.
Infigan's expression went a little hazy at the thought of those fox punks again...but he quickly dismissed it as there were more important things at hand.
Nelle: You know...I do find it sort of strange that you started having those dreams right around the time those girls came to town... I don't know about you...but I'd be suspicious of everyone. Things have been strange lately...hate to say it, but I think you have to go back to trusting no one.
Infigan: Well you're right...I understand perfectly. Things are going to get dangerous and this inevitable demon can be anywhere and can be anyone.
Nelle: Yeah exactly. So, you just be careful okay? I'm going to get going...Tarom is waiting for me to stop by his house, so I'll talk to you later.
Nelle waves as she walks on, and Infigan simply waves back. As the afternoon progressed, the temperature dropped a bit, and clouds rolled into the sky. It had turned into a bit of a depressing looking day outside. Infigan walked down the street, and was now more paranoid...but was nowhere near as bad as he used to be. His demeanor was changing, and his shyness seems to have lessened since all of this dreams and dragons business. But now, he has to keep an eye on everyone, as anyone could be a traitor, or a link to this force of evil. Though wary, a light breeze drifting around him keeps him relaxed.
So far nothing is unusual...
But for some reason things just seemed awkwardly quiet...
Infigan walked down the street further...the more he thought of this the tenser he became. He stopped as though he sensed something...his sensitivity to touch became intense. The light breeze felt like a pounding wind, and twice as cold. Suddenly, a claw pressed on his shoulder and he turned around swiftly with a start, giving off a quick scream.
Infigan: AHH! Geez...oh, it's you.
Rose: So you are kind of jumpy now too I see...
Infigan: No...I, I'm fine...I uh, yeah. Yeah I am.
Rose: Well I don't know why you're worrying so much. I'm the one that has been having the dreams of the evil dragoness, am I not?
Infigan: Well, either way, I think all of us have to be on our toes. But I am glad that someone else is here now. Being alone on such quiet streets does get unnerving under such stress.
Rose looks up at Infigan and her expression slides into a small smile.
Rose: Truthfully, it makes me feel better, too.
***
3 days pass...
And Infigan and Rose patiently wait for the arrival of the malevolent being as they go about their usual days.
Meanwhile, in the evening, back at the house of the fem reptiles...Jesabelle and Pythos step inside, with Rose out elsewhere with Infigan, and Sara upstairs asleep. Jesabelle and Pythos make their way to the couch and sit down. Jesabelle leans in toward Pythos and runs her claw along his arm.
Jesabelle: I had a nice time tonight. At least someone knows how to treat a lady. But, you're often too quiet...do you have something on your mind?
Pythos doesn't answer, but instead just gives a peculiar grin. He lies Jesabelle down along the couch and looms over her. He slits the sleeve of her dress with his claw and finally speaks.
Pythos: Oh, there is something. Something I have been putting off, and should have attended to...
Jesabelle, almost ready to lean forward to lick Pythos' muzzle, finds Pythos only taking her claw and kissing it lightly, and then he walks toward the door.
Pythos: And your friends have been most patient about it.
He smiles, and with that leaves the house, shutting the door behind him. Jesabelle clutches her tattered sleeve and stares for a moment. What Pythos had just said did not quite make sense to her. A creak from the stairs is heard and Jesabelle quickly glances over only to see Sara wandering down them.
Sara: What's wrong, Jesabelle? You don't look well...what is going on?
Jesabelle shakes her head some with her muzzle slightly agape as if totally bewildered.
Jesabelle: I wish I knew...
***
Infigan and Rose are sitting on a bench across the street from the Cafe Noxa. Everything appears rather peaceful. A few furs walk by occasionally...there is very little noise. The past days have been rather uneventful, but not entirely to Infigan. He has gotten to know a fellow member of his race much better, and it was something that at least slightly put him at ease, even with the thought of this supposed approaching fiend fresh in his mind. Infigan looked over at Rose. She was smiling, watching Virana, who was across the street hitting on another fox. Even though Rose had just met Virana recently, she was very amused to watch her pursue every fox that entered that cafe. As Infigan observed her, he remembered Nelle's advice...he shouldn't trust anyone...not even Rose really... but he felt something different when he looked at Rose. He felt a warm rush in his face that was unfamiliar to him. Her laugh, her hair shifting in the breeze...however, Infigan's track of thought is interrupted by the voice of Catlas.
Catlas: Hey Infigan!
Infigan, just barely returning to reality, blinks once or twice and finally responds.
Infigan: Hi Catlas. Haven't seen you three around much lately.
Catlas, Tarom, and Nelle were all huddled around the bench Infigan and Rose were sitting on.
Tarom: Well, we've been around nonetheless. How about you two? Any news?
Nelle: Yeah, has anything happened since we talked to you last?
Infigan simply shook his head and looked around.
Infigan: No...nothing has changed really. And I haven't felt any twinges of Reif trying to contact me either. So I suppose everything's still right on track...for now anyway.
Rose: Personally, I wish this would just get over with already...I can't stand waiting any longer.
Voice: That can be arranged...
All five of the friends look around immediately panic-stricken. The voice they heard was low and foreboding. And even worse, they had no idea where it was coming from. Infigan looked up and saw a shadowy lizard was standing on the roof of a nearby building. Infigan pointed at him and the others looked in that direction as well.
MysteryRep: Why do you all look surprised? You've been expecting me after all.
Rose: Infigan...that reptile looks like...well a little like you.
MysterRep: Yes...your friend Jesabelle made that same comment when she first met me.
Rose: You know Jesabelle?
MysterRep: Why yes, I've made acquaintances with her rather well. Surprised she never mentioned me, ha ha. Well, how rude of me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Pythos.
The peculiar lizard nods his head slightly and smiles down at his little audience. He had the kind of smirk that could make almost anyone uneasy.
Pythos: Anyway, enough of this technical stuff. Infigan, I've been watching you...
Infigan: What do you mean? ...Since when?
Pythos: For some time now I suppose...at least for the last few days. Glad I finally get to meet you. I believe you've noticed recently that you come from a very interesting blood-line....So what kind of fun ideas has Reif been conveying to you?
Infigan: You know about Reif?
Pythos: Of course. I know about the whole fun gang...and especially Sarmina, which is mainly why I"m here today. See, I'm on a bit of a mission you might say...All those years ago, Sarmina was treated so unfairly for something that should not have mattered. But your narrow-minded ancestors didn't seem to care...so you drove her to the brink of insanity...and then beyond that!
Infigan: What do you mean? She was an awful beast that ravaged the villages and tried to eliminate the dragon race.
Pythos: Well, I'm here to revive that goal. But while i probably don't stand a chance of eliminating you and others like you in my current state, I can still make this fun and ironic.
Pythos gives a treacherous smile, and Infigan knew it had to be bad news for them.
Infigan: Somehow I doubt anything you have in mind can be fun.
Pythos: Oh, it can be. Well...only fun for me of course. Well see, though it's not very powerful, I have some interesting little magic tricks of my own. Nothing even close to the caliber of what Sarmina's powers were, but the powers I have make me happy just the same.
Rose, Nelle, and Catlas run to Infigan's side, and Tarom stands in front of all of them.
Tarom: What do you want already beast?!
Infigan: Tarom, don't. Let me handle this.
Tarom obliges and backs off with a few steps back and gives a nod. Infigan turns to talk back to Pythos.
Infigan: Ok...so you've made it clear of why it's fun...but why is what you are thinking of doing ironic?
Pythos: Ha ha ha. Why, because it's like a similar fate that Sarmina suffered. With what I have in store, you will be an outcast and banished by this society!
He smiles widely and gives a bone-chilling laughter. Infigan winces and starts to tremble slightly, Nelle holding his claw, and Rose holding opposite arm. Pythos' face falls into a serious expression as fast as his face had changed to mirth a moment ago. He held out his arm in Infigan's direction. Pointing his claw, a crimson light swirls around his finger, and without warning a concentrated beam of red energy flies at Infigan, striking him right in the chest.
Rose: Infigan!!
She clutched his arm tighter as he seemed to be undergoing convulsions. As they subsided, and the light surrounding him had become dull and eventually faded, he closed his eyes and clenched his claws. Rose and Nelle felt a strange aura of energy around Infigan. This feeling caused them to phase out, so then they didn't realize that their reptilian companion was growing!
After the odd snesation escaped them, Nelle and Rose looked at Infigan and shrieked. Nelle backing away slowly, shaking...Rose hadn't realized that she had still been holding onto Infigan's arm. Infigan was becoming larger and larger, his whole body expanding. The big, green reptile reached 20 feet within a few moments. Rose looked down and noticed she was getting rather high off the ground. And apparently Infigan's growth had left him unconscious of his surroundings...disoriented.
Nelle: Rose!! Jump! You have to now, or you'll be up much too high! Jump now!
Rose: I can't, Nelle! I'm afraid!
Nelle: Come on, Rose! It'll be okay! Just jump already!!
Rose looked down again with a frightened face, but finally gave in and released Infigan's now quite large arm and dropped to the ground, landing with a rather painful thud. Nelle and Tarom quickly ran over to her, propping her up gently.
Tarom: Are you okay, Rose?
Rose: *cringes slightly* Erg...yeah, I think I'll be okay...OW!
Nelle: Oh geez, that leg looks pretty bruised. I hope it's not broken...but otherwise I think you're g oing to be okay...
Catlas: Hey, guys! You better help Rose get away from there!!
They weren't sure immediately why they had to relocate Rose, but soon they couldn't help but notice the really big, scale-covered leg only a few feet from them.
Nelle: Oh geez! He's right! We're going to get crushed if we stay here! Come on, Tarom! We have to get Rose down the street and away from Infigan before he gets too big!
Tarom: Right!
Nelle and Tarom prop Rose's arms on their shoulders and walk along with her. Catlas watches them, worried.
Catlas: Do you guys have her okay?
Nelle: Yeah! We're fine!
As they help Rose along, Tarom looks up at Infigan and shivers.
Tarom: *mutters* Oh my god, how big is he going to get?
Tarom and Nelle get Rose a good distance away while Infigan continually swells bigger every moment! The reptile, now almost 50 feet, is already taller than some of the nearby buildings. Infigan's eyes are still closed, but now he has become aware of his surroundings again. He slowly opens them and gasps. He looks down and watches as his large legs raise him higher and higher. His body not even slowing as it becomes more and more massive, even more gigantic! He reaches 60ft, then 70, then 80. Catlas yells in a terrified voice.
Catlas: Why isn't he stopping?! This is enough! When's this going to end?
Infigan looks around from his new perspective, horrified! He turns slightly, and his thick, long tail slams into a nearby building and demolishes it effortlessly. His reptilian form just thickens and grows even further! He gives a frightened roar! The loudness of it shatters windows and causes furs from all over to run out of buildings to see what is going on. The furs already nearby cover their ears in pain. Nelle, Rose, Catlas, and Tarom just look up and up at their friend as he towers ridiculously humongous above them! Just by standing there, the sheer size of his footclaw causes his heel to gouge into the side of a house.
Nelle: He's wrecking things by only standing still now!! He's just too big for his body to avoid bashing things!
The truth to that statement is staggering! Infigan's impossibly huge as he approaches about 150 feet! The citizens of Phedia have never seen such an unbelievably large creature in all their lives! And he isn't stopping! He expands larger, grows taller, his legs toppling buildings as he gains ridiculous amounts of more mass! Panic ensues and many of the citizens begin running for their lives! What is happening hasn't set in for others yet, so they continue to stand and watch in pure terror, screaming and gasping! Some furs fainting... Infigan's friends can't help but only continue to watch unwavering as their good friend is slowly becoming almost as large as the neighborhood! Infigan's frame swelling with large amounts of unbelievable muscle, his enormous chest heaving out...his arms and legs stretching longer and longer and becoming thicker...his whole body unwilling to stop his mad growth spurt as it seems to be reaching for the sky! Up to 200 feet, to 230 he enlarges! The titanic reptile stirking fear into everyone within a 4-mile radius! Finally, he powers up to an amazing 300 feet and slowly comes to a halt!
Noticing the stop, the panicked crowd goes quiet. The now monstrous and powerful Infigan looks down at the frightened Phedians, and observes what has happened. Large cracks in the road, formed under his tremendous weight...no furs seemed to be badly injured, except for maybe some that were in te buildings he accidnetally destroyed...but he knew he hadn't crushed anyone. The Deerstar Cathedral, the theatre house, and even the Cafe Noxa were all greatly damaged from his mad rage of size!
Rose looked up at how large Infigan had become. She rubbed her leg as it throbbed in pain...a pale light was released from her claw into her leg, apparently dulling her pain. She then glanced up at the building Pythos had been standing on moments ago...but the mad reptile had vanished.
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