The Legend of Azhakkstadd

CHAPTER LXIII : THE CHALLENGE AND THE DRAGON TRANSPORT

-Hazol-

            After we got grouped yesterday, we immediately started training as a team. We first had a get to know each other more session before we proceeded to the training. It was so much fun, I was with Kurezma, Zati the Dragon, Zexal the Water, Eeya the Ice, Harald the Earth metal, and Vedasto the combatant.

            There were only seven of us in the team unlike the other one where there are eight of them. But that’s fine, this isn’t a competition or something. We will all grow anyway wherever group we belong or how many members do we have in our group. It’s up to us if we choose to learn with them or not.

            I learned a lot from each of them, especially Kurezma who used to be someone who was so weak back then, but suddenly she just became strong as she is now. With all her determination, self-confidence, and a positive mind. I wanted just to be like her where I could reach my full power.

            We shared so many things about ourselves, including our past mistakes and even our weaknesses. We also shared our strengths so that we could each learn from each other. I lead my team since all of them pointed me to be their leader. I insisted at first because I told them it should be Kurezma.

            Yet in the end, it still became me. It’s not that I don’t like being one, I just thought that Kurezma would be a better leader than me. But they insisted and appointed me because they said that I am the smartest in the team, so I just accepted it. It’s not going to be that difficult anyway.

            They are smart themselves, they are strong, and we have a lot of different skills and abilities that we can use to strengthen our team. So I don’t think that it will become a problem. Being leader doesn’t mean that I have to carry everyone on my back until we succeed.

            As I leader I just have to motivate them and push them to reach our goal together. They don’t have to rely on me, they can rely on themselves and to everyone in the group. That’s what makes a group be solidify. They understand that principle and know it well, so being their team leader is really not that difficult.

            As for today, the Ordo king gathered us in the field to tell us about something. None of us know what it is, even those people from the other group, so we all came here having the same questions in our minds.

            “Do you know why we’re here?” Eeya asked us as we lined up properly and waited for the Ordo king to come here.

            “Yea… to train” Harald shortly answered as he looked at her teasingly. Eeya looked at him as her eyes went narrowing, yet Harald just chuckled about her reaction

            “Then why aren’t we training right now, dumb” Eeya said rolling her eyes “I mean, in this set up…” she added

            “No one knows Eeya… you keep asking the same question ahahaha” Harald answered again as he laughed when he got satisfied teasing Eeya

            The Ordo king suddenly came shortly after. He stood up in front of us as we slightly bowed our heads before him. We rose our glances to match his and waited for him to speak.

            “You have been training for a long time now, and I have seen you improve yourselves along those trainings” he initiated… oh gosh, why does everyone initiates their speech with things like those before they tell what they wanted to say? I mean, why can’t they just say whatever it is directly? Ahahahaha just kidding, he can read my mind

            “Now it’s time for you to take your training to another level. Facing those enemies is not that easy to do. It’s time for a training where you put yourselves in a situation where you can finally apply everything what you’ve learned. It’s time for you to get out of this field and expand your knowledge and experience…”

            He explained trying to tell us what he wanted to happen. Oh come on, just tell us what it is and start it already ahahahaha

            “So, as for today’s training, I’ll be giving you your first challenge as a group… I’m not going to tell you further details because it’s initially a surprise. So I’ll leave you with that. You don’t have to worry, you can just ask me when you have questions. And also because someone here wants me to stop talking already…” he said finally deciding to leave it to us

            Oh wait ahahaha he’s talking about me. He emphasized his last sentence and looked at me, as well as the others. I knew he’s reading my mind ahahaha sorry your highness

            He just smirked and then stepped aside.

            “By the way, it’s kinda difficult. I put the stations around the whole Azhakkstadd, but don’t worry there are people that I assigned in each station and they will help you with your task. Just do whatever they say and remember to receive what they’ll give you” he added as he faced us again

            “I understand if it would take you days to finish it…” he smiled and then left us blank in the field. After he left, another man came. He’s someone that works for him, yet I don’t really know him.

            “Here’s a map of the whole Azhakkstadd with clearer labels so you don’t get lost. There are also maps of each country and their territories along with it. There’s also a telescope in there” he said as he handed us all of it. Zexal received it and handed it to me.

            “You have your powers so you don’t need much. His highness doesn’t also want to let you bring some food or water as he wanted you to learn survival skills.” he said explaining why they didn’t tell us to bring anything but ourselves and our weapons

            “Just remember that this isn’t a race, but a challenge to help you grow stronger in the outside world and not just here in this field, ok?” he added reminding “So are you ready?” he asked us as he put out his watch. We just nodded in response, then he pressed something from his watch “Go!” he marked

            We quickly opened the map that was given to us. It showed the whole Azhakkstadd, and it really is so vast that it made us feel overwhelmed.

            “It says here that our first destination is the mountain of Zarodias… does anyone here have background knowledge about that mountain?” I said as I read what’s written on the map. The map showed and pointed where we are exactly. Then it was then connected by a red line which leads to the mountain of Zarodias.

            According to the legend down below, the red line indicates our route, but not the specific path that we should take. I noticed that the path that we are about to take is across the western hemisphere and none of it will go to the east. Maybe the other team’s route is there?

            “It says here that these mountains are in the Air empire’s territory” I said informing them

            “Ohh, that’s why it was mountain because it’s in the Air Empire… well, be prepared everyone, we’re going mountain climbing!” Zexal said and chuckled

            “If only we had Astral” Eeya said

            “Don’t worry, we’ll make it. We still don’t know what’s waiting for us there” I told them and stood up “Are you guys ready?” I asked them and they just nodded in response “Let’s go” I continued

            “You know, if only I knew how to get there… I could just teleport you guys there ahahaha” Kurezma said before we prepared ourselves

            “You can do that?” Harald asked unbelievingly

            “Of course… as fast as the lightning Harald” Kurezma answered him

            “We need to go this direction, so that we’ll get to the sea and travel to there. This mountain of Zarodias is from an island under the Air Empire’s territory.” I said informing them “We only needed something to get there by now. I know the way but there is no short cut, it’ll take us forever to get there by foot” I said

            “I can fly us there…” Zati volunteered herself “I mean, how far is that?” she asked

            “Not that far though, it’s like it would take us six hours if we travel by wheels” I answered

            “Ok… I’ll fly us there, but only until there, I am still working to get enough endurance and stamina to make my powers longer

            “We understand, let this be your training” I said and tapped her shoulder

            “I can control the sea for us though” Zexal suggested

            “Yea, right… good thing we have you, our instant seaman ahahaha” I said as we all turned to him

            “Ok… here we go” Zati said as she stepped back and took a deep breath. After a few second, the girl who stood there shifted into a terrifying dragon… oh my gosh, I never expected that. So that’s what she meant with flying us. She signaled us to ride her back which we did quickly.

            “Oh my gosh, I’m not used to flying, but… let’s go” Eeya said then Zati started flapping her enormous wings and flew through the air. I didn’t know dragons can do this. I mean, I thought they were just people who have the characteristics of a dragon. I didn’t expect that they were dragon themselves.

            “Wait… excuse me” I said and moved forward towards Zati’s scaly head and touched it

            “What are you doing?” Kurezma asked

            “Telling her the direction” I answered “Hold on tight!” I shouted as Zati made a left turn towards the direction that I wanted her to go. I connected with her mind to show her the direction so that she’ll know where to go

            We flew for several minutes after we reached the bay.

            Zati landed on the sands slowly and put us down. She transformed back to being human again.

            “Oh my gosh! she’s naked!” Zexal exclaimed as he covered his eyes. Eeya quickly used ice barrier to cover her up. Her clothes got ripped when she turned into a dragon a while ago.

            “Here, wear this” Vedasto said offering her his shirt showing off his well-toned body, oh gosh, I’m jealous. I wish I have that kind of body too

            “Thanks” Zati said weakly