Chapter six

“What would you like me to name you, my small friend?” Lucas asked the beast quietly.

 

A familiar presence crept into his mind, flashing words and images. A terrible battle raged in front of his eyes, blood being shed by ancient swords, soldiers collapsing from mortal wounds. Monsters inhabited the field, tearing men limb from limb, leaping from victim to victim. An army erupted down the hill, stomping over the corpses of the enemy. Leading the newcomers, the miniscule pet that Luke had come to recognise trotted with its head held high. An eruption or flames engulfed the animal, searing its skin away, allowing for an enormous beast to emerge from its body. This new animal had a massive head, with great electric blue eyes. Its paws were continuously on fire, burning the grass, leaving the prints forever visible.

 

The soldiers around it all chanted “Melnok! Melnok! Melnok!” as they beat their swords on their shields. A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd as the beast leapt forward into the rage of the battle. At that moment, the vision receded. Luke was back in his room, laying on the floor panting, the animal on his stomach.

 

“Melnok…you’re name is Melnok isn’t it?” His pet didn’t have to respond because he knew it was true. The beast had been named Melnok and will forever be named thus. “Can you change for me? Can you change to your battle form so I can see what kind of ally I have?” he said as he raised himself to his feet.

 

Without a moment’s hesitation, Melnok burst into flame once more, and transformed into the raging monster that Luke had seen in his vision. It steadily grew to twice the size of a large lion, the fire surrounding it. After a few minutes of Luke watching it in wonder, it receded into itself to become the kitten-like animal that he knew and loved.

 

Melnok leapt onto his shoulder, digging his claws into Luke’s clothes, clinging on. With the pet safely holding on, Lucas strode over to the stupendous window that towered over them. Ripples of moonlight showered through the glass as it danced between clouds. The courtyard out the window was continuously filled with children and parents.

 

He walked back to his bed, and unrobed. Slipping into the sheets, he knew that the next day would be full of training for his new role. He fell asleep almost immediately with Melnok on his chest, dreaming of great battles with his new found soldiers.

 

Luke woke to scarlet light shining through his window, casting shadows all around the room. It was sunrise on the day that he was to become one of the greatest knights in history. He was to lead a “fantasy” army that will crush anything opposing it. His companion, Melnok, would be at his side through battle, raging through the hordes of enemies, slashing his way to victory. Lucas would lead the kingdom to victory and peace, and would be named the hero of the millennium.

****

He shuffled out of bed, and hastily slipped into clothes that he assumed were for training. Melnok watche dhim from the bed as Luke walked around the room, tidying as he went. When he was satisfied that everything was in order, he finally walke out of door, only to rush back and quickly grab the cat from the bed.

The two of them walked quietly down the halls. The only sounds were the soft taps of rain on the roof.

"That's odd. It wasn't raining a second ago" Luke whispered as he moved farther down the hall. Melnok was resting calmly in his arms, not yet fully awake. "It would seem that the rain is only on this part of the palace." He looked out a windown, only to discover nothing; even a mist.

A woman in brilliant white and gold robes rounded the corner. Luke recognised Mirabell's beauty imediately.

"Luke! How did you sleep?"

"Wonderfully. Where, preytell, is the breakfast hall? I'm famished."

"Oh of course. It's just down the hall on your right."

"Thank you. Do you hear that rain? It sounds like it's pouring a monsoon, but there's nothing outside."

"Oh" She says with a giggle. "You have no idea how many times we get that question. It's the palaca mages replenishing the hot water supply."

"...Mages?"