THE DRAGON LORDS OF ELEBOR - MIHIGO EMMANUEL (red seas under red skies txt) 📗

faded they were standing in a completely different location.

A river rushed passed nearby with crystal clear waters while a very large bridge arched over it. It looked like the land itself had risen over the river over to the other side. “That is Ngororano’s arch.” Said one of the students when he noticed Ntende gaping at it; “The story goes that during a battle the great Ngororano lost his cool and tried to kill his opponent;” “but the opponent tripped,” said another random student “and fell out of the way of the his attack which continued on to and through the hill.”

Ntende’s jaw dropped “That,” he said pointing “was a hill?” “Yep.” answered the first student. “See the water fall that pours from the top and into the river? Well, apparently it used to flow through the hill side and join the river underground.” “Wow!” Ntende gave Mihigo a stupid grin “I sure hope I could have met that guy. Think of what he could have taught us.”

“I am not sure what you expect to learn, but if you put in the effort perhaps I can pass on a semblance of my knowledge before your body breaks.” Ntende’s eyes widened in disbelief as he focused on the man who was speaking; it was the same man who had transported them. “You’re the great Ngororano?” he asked. “Ngororano, yes, great…i doubt that.”

Ntende fell to his knees before him and bowed till his head touched the ground. “Master please teach me take me under your wings. I know I may not be worthy but I promise I will work till I break and then some. I shall make you proud; I ask you please grant me your skill.”

Mihigo sighed “Enzo, you do know we are in his class right? He is our master.” Ntende looked up from the ground at Mihigo then to Ngororano before chuckling nervously. Ngororano smiled “It is good to find someone so enthusiastic to learn. However I will judge you not by your enthusiasm but by your determination.” He walked a short distance away from Ntende then turned to face him, determination in his eyes. Ntende gulped and rose to his feet and took a fighting stance as the rest of the students backed away.

“You are behind the rest of my students I would like to see what I have to work with… fresh meat.” ended Ngororano with a smile. Ntende took a deep breath and attacked. It was immediately obvious that he was out matched as Ngororano effortlessly parried his blows and felled him without moving from his spot. After five whole minutes a sweat drenched Ntende was panting on the ground as Ngororano smiled down at him. Once Ntende caught his breath he rose up purposely slowly and took a more rooted stance than before. “Oh,” said Ngororano as he lost his smile and paid closer attention to Ntende who had his eyes closed.

Mihigo smiled. Ntende suddenly threw a punch at Ngororano who put up his hands in a defensive block but the blow did not arrive. Confused, he lowered his guard and immediately regretted it as a small projectile slammed into the tip of his nose. This caused him to lose his balance; and before he could regain it he felt Ntende’s palm connect with his solar plexus as well as the resulting force wave that rippled through him and sent him a step back. It was then that Ntende made the mistake to look up and smile at Ngororano; next thing he knew Ngororano was behind him grappling his waist. He then hoisted Ntende up and smashed him back down. Ntende’s legs gave way immediately as the resulting shock wave rocked his body and rattled his brain. He collapsed to the ground gasping, shock etched onto his face, his pupils dilated to tiny dots in his eyes.

Mihigo’ s eyes narrowed to slits as he sent a piercing gaze to Ngororano, then walked over calmly to his friend’s side. He gently caressed his face then pressed two fingers on his neck while applying a slight pressure. Ntende’s eyes widened and his mouth gaped; when Mihigo realized the pressure Ntende gulped down a mouth full of air and his pupils returned to normal as his body slightly shuddered. After checking Ntende’s pulse Mihigo held him close to his chest until he stopped shaking. He grasped Mihigo’s hand and said “Get him.” With as much force as he could muster. Mihigo smiled and nodded, then got up and left his friend in Alexandria’s arms as Amber moved to massage his feet.

“Due to a medical condition I was born with I can only expel one hundred percent of my strength in short bursts.” Said Mihigo as he walked up to Ngororano “Originally I had planned to ask whether you wished to see that strength, or know what I can do while holding back.” By now he was standing right in front of him. “At this point in time what do you think I will do?”

As Ngororano opened his mouth to speak; quick as lightning Mihigo jabbed at his throat, Ngororano gasped and instinctively clasped both hands around his neck. Mihigo stomped his right foot into the ground then rose on his tiptoes as though lifted by an unseen force; just before his heels touched the ground he struck Ngororano square at the solar plexus. The resultant force shoved Ngororano two feet back and felled him while Mihigo slid to a halt half a foot after his heels touched the ground. Not giving him a chance to catch his breath Mihigo rushed forward to Ngororano spreading out his arms for balance as he halted above him; raising his left leg he used his right to channel the inertia he had generated and accelerated with his body weight downward.

Ngororano got out of the way just in time to watch Mihigo’s foot crush into the ground where he laid a few seconds ago. ‘When did he take his shoes off?’ he asked himself as he watched Mihigo’s foot muscles flex when he turned to face him. Mihigo once again rushed him as before, but this time Ngororano was ready to guard against his attack. However, Mihigo’s foot did not reach him as it landed shoulder length apart and his palm instead connected with Ngororano’s chest; as the air was forced out of his lungs Ngororano jerked, huffed and fell silent.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

 

A distant voice humming a tune he could not put words to; that was the first thing Ntende heard as he regained consciousness. He opened his eyes only to gaze entirely into a pair of deep amber eyes and a toothy grin. His heart skipped a beat and he sat bolt upright. When he turned back to face the creature that held him in its lap, the first thing he noticed were the flaming locks of ruby red hair that framed her face and augmented her eyes. Ntende rose to his feet and walked a few steps forward then turned to face her again. She seemed strangely familiar sited on his bed and gazing unblinkingly at him; and as he gazed back deeper into those captivating eyes a light bulb lit up in his brain as recognition dawned on his face. “Amber?” he asked.

She tilted her head slightly “Yes,” Ntende frowned “How, what, why have you changed?” “Hmm, I haven’t changed; I am the same as ever.” “Really?” responded Ntende as he ran a hand through his hair. “You’re not quite back with us are you?” asked Amber. “What happened?” responded Ntende. “Well, that’s an interesting story. You see during training master Ngororano wanted to test what we already knew and… he may have overestimated you.” Ntende raised an eye brow in question. “He used the wrong technique to knock you out and ended up hurting you.”

Ntende gently kneaded his thighs and winced “I remember…” he gasped “oh my God Mihigo, what... what did he do?” Amber concealed her mouth with her hand and tilted her head so her hair concealed her face. “Amber!” cried Ntende

“Pfft…bwahahaha!!!” Amber tumbled to the floor laughing. “You should have seen it, after the master blacked out the students all turned on him. They probably thought he had killed him; but when they attacked Mihigo…he….completely annihilated them.”

Amber returned to her spot on the bed; she lay down while resting her chin on her palms. “To be honest I didn’t think he could fight like that. A war almost broke out when we returned with the unconscious master; he has a surprisingly large following. I think it is because he taught almost everyone down here.” A smile then played at the corner of her lips “The fun part came after though, when everything was straightened out by Commander Bbale Denis. As we were returning to the cabin those that saw Mihigo either shrunk or unsheathed their weapons.”

Amber then squealed like an overly excited child “Mihigo ran wild!” At this point she was rolling around on the bed from side to side “He looked like he was ready to fight a whole army,” she threw her feet into the air and bat at them with her hands “he was growling and barking and hissing. Oh!! It was so beautiful; and the looks on people’s faces when he did that were priceless.”

She was now splayed out on the bed and panting. “That boy is human only in name; after what I have seen today….” Amber looked up at Ntende a goofy grin and sly expression in her eyes “I am going to enjoy teasing him for the rest of our time together.” Her eyes seemed to shine brighter and she burst out laughing an evil laugh. “Mwa, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!”

After Ntende had rested, he asked Amber where to find Mihigo and she told him he was with the witch Lyna. So he followed the directions she gave him and wound up in a secluded part of one of the surrounding forests. Sited at a fire was Mihigo, cross-legged and eyes shut tight. He seemed to be practicing his breathing. Ntende joined him by the fire and sat down quietly beside him. “I messed up huh?” he asked. Mihigo took a deep breath “Well at least you haven’t made a small country your enemy.” “How long was I out?” “One day, it’s now evening.” answered Mihigo.

They sat in silence for a while until the witch Lyna arrived carrying a bundle of fire wood followed by Ngororano himself. “Master.” Said Ntende. Mihigo opened his eyes and asked “Are you well master?”  “Yes, thank you for asking.” He answered as he sat down across from them and Lyna fed the fire.

Ntende bowed his head “Master I am really sorry.” Ngororano sighed “Do not apologize, you did nothing wrong, I on the other hand performed poorly my role.” “Yes you did.” Mihigo and the witch Lyna agreed. Ntende turned to Mihigo “Don’t get cocky.” He said. “I am not. While I did beat our master it was only due to his own incompetence. Even the greatest of warriors may trip on the battle field, but what you did was beyond. Forgive me if I am over stepping but you are obviously fighting an inner demon. Whatever