Kayla held up her fist, motioning her crew to stop. She peered through the last remains of the undergrowth out to a small clearing. Sector 2 consisted of a dense red jungle, usually one of the more dangerous sectors, but every now and then, a small oasis could be found. "Why are we stopped?" Troy … Continue reading The Dragon Awakens (The Rise of the Dragon Part 5)

"Kayla's not coming!!" Collin said, pounding his fist into his open palm. "We've waited long enough for her to come. We need to act now!" The nine Outcasts huddled behind the roaring spray of the Nosebleed, a magnificent waterfall cascading out of a cliffside resembling a nostril. Nighttime has descended long ago, casting an eerie … Continue reading The First Clue (The Rise of the Dragon Part 4)

Deep within the caverns near the core, Kayla knelt on the warm stone floor. Her hair cloaked her face from view, but her shoulders trembled with sobbing. Dalia and Travis had just come and gone with their report of their reconnaissance, and Kayla's heart ached at the rebellion of her people. "Salus," she whispered, begging … Continue reading Kayla and the Ghost (The Rise of the Dragon Part 3)

"Welcome, Villagers, to the capital of my kingdom!!" Governor Gusteau announced. The crowd went wild. The emphasis on the word my did not escape Dalia's attention, and she rolled her eyes in disgust. He charms his way into a monarchy of the planet and poisoned the minds of the people against a senate. And now … Continue reading A Declaration of War (The Rise of the Dragon Part 2)

Dalia put her hands to her lips and let out a low Fire Swallowtail call. From her perch in the shadows of an out-of-place Bulrock tree, she had an excellent view of the entire plaza while the colossal floppy leaves provided the perfect cover. Governor Gusteau had planted several Bulrock trees from the Dark Woods … Continue reading Rumors (The Rise of the Dragon Part 1)